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The doors to the war chamber within the fortress opened.
Shadow rippled along the walls as Arthur stepped inside, Igris walking half a pace behind him, silent and composed, the Demon King Longsword resting at his side.
The room itself felt less like a hall and more like a command sanctum.
A massive circular table dominated the center, carved from black stone veined with glowing violet lines. Above it hovered a three-dimensional projection of Hell, shifting territories, burning dominions. The shadow banners of Arthur lined the walls, some depicting battles long past.
And gathered within
Kara.
John Constantine.
Zatanna.
Etrigan.
Alongside the Shadow Marshals.
Doom stood in the back, violet light simmering within his monstrous form. Ultra stood with arms folded, eyes glowing faintly. Galatea leaned casually against a pillar, posture relaxed. H'El stood near the table, Kryptonian composure tempered by loyalty. Beru hovered nearby, mandibles clicking softly in restrained excitement.
The moment Arthur crossed the threshold.
Beru snapped upright and bowed deeply.
"Welcome back, my liege," he said with barely contained fervor. "Your return bathes this wretched realm in meaning."
Before anyone else could react..
A blur of red and gold streaked across the chamber.
"Kara.." Arthur barely managed before she crashed into him.
She wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace, relief flooding her expression, eyes scanning him from head to toe in rapid microseconds.
"You're back!" she breathed, then pulled back just enough to stare at him. "You're not hurt, right? We could feel the fight from here. It was insane, Arthur, that power spike.."
She surged forward again, planting a quick kiss on his lips with a huff of pent-up emotion.
Arthur blinked once, then allowed a faint smile.
"I don't think I'm injured," he said calmly. "Merely… a bit tired, I guess."
John leaned back in his chair, smirk curling lazily. "Merely tired, he says. Mate, you just went toe-to-toe with a bloody fallen angel and two of Hell's worst nightmares. If that's tired, I'd hate to see what you call exhausted."
Arthur glanced at him sidelong. "Still alive, Constantine. That means I held back."
"Cocky bastard," John muttered, though the grin never quite left his face.
Kara scowled, then punched Arthur lightly on the shoulder.
"That's for sending me away," she snapped. "I could've fought beside you."
Arthur's smile softened.
"I know you can," he said gently. "But not here. Not against beings like that."
He turned more serious.
"Let's say you are stronger, these entities don't just rely on power alone, they corrupt you, twist you, exploit you. Remember Trigon? How he possessed you just to stop me?"
Kara's expression tightened. She looked away, jaw clenched.
"…But," she started, then stopped. A quiet sigh left her. "Yeah. I know."
John clapped his hands once. "All things considered, though.. good work, Arthur. Etrigan here nearly had a heart attack when one of the big three kicked the bucket."
Etrigan crossed his arms, teeth bared in a scowl. "I did not panic, mortal."
Arthur looked at him with mild amusement. "They won't be a threat anymore. Beelzebub is gone. Belial escaped."
H'El bowed his head slightly, voice controlled. "That failure rests on me, my King."
Arthur shook his head. "No. One of them was bound to flee. Demons like Belial are like that, they slither away, finding different opportunities to stab you in the back. He might even find us first to ally himself with us."
Etrigan scoffed. "That is exactly what my stupid father would do."
Arthur chuckled quietly. "Seems you've finally given up resisting."
Etrigan glared. "You tricked me."
Arthur turned, eyes glinting. "Did I?"
Etrigan's voice lowered, begrudging. "I am… bound now. Forced to serve you."
Arthur shrugged lightly. "That's not so terrible. You wanted to be on the winning side, didn't you?"
He met Etrigan's gaze evenly.
"We're not claiming Hell as a home. Once this campaign ends, we leave. You'll be free of those chains."
"…Hmph," Etrigan muttered. "Fine."
Beru stepped forward, eyes gleaming. "Do not mind the fool who fails to recognize your brilliance, my liege. Your light alone makes this realm tremble."
Arthur sighed under his breath. "Hello to you too, Beru."
He finally took a proper look around.
The banners.
The carvings.
The murals depicting past victories, battles with monsters, gods, demons, alien threats.
His gaze lingered on them.
Then he looked back at Beru.
"…This was your doing, wasn't it?"
Beru straightened proudly. "Yes! Though it still fails to reflect your true glory. I am ashamed of its inadequacy."
Galatea rolled her eyes with a faint groan.
Arthur rubbed his temple. "It's… fine. Just... never mind."
Zatanna stepped forward, expression thoughtful. "So. Are we certain the Triumvirate won't cause further trouble?"
Arthur placed a hand on the table, shadows coiling subtly around his fingers.
"The First of the Fallen is bound to me now," he said evenly. "He cannot betray me without severe consequences. Belial fled. Beelzebub is dead. That's about it."
John whistled softly. "That's surprisingly merciful of you, sparing the Fallen."
Arthur glanced at him. "I know what this realm represents, John. Hell is Heaven's distorted reflection. If we slaughter too recklessly, Heaven will intervene."
He paused.
"I'm not interested in drawing the likes of Michael's attention yet."
John raised a brow, impressed. "Didn't think I'd hear that level of foresight from you."
Arthur arched a brow. "You doubt me?"
John smirked. "Not anymore. You're right, though, Heaven's already watching. They always are."
Zatanna nodded lightly. "Their silence means they still believe order exists."
Arthur turned toward the hovering projection of Hell, cities burning, factions clashing, demons slaughtering one another without restraint.
"Order," he repeated quietly.
His voice hardened.
"This place is everything except order."
Shadows flared faintly behind him as he straightened, his gaze sharp.
"We will bring order for the sake of our actual home."
Arthur shifted his gaze and he said calmly, "Bellion seems to be nearing his destination."
John leaned back in his chair, cigarette glowing between his fingers. "You sent that angel of yours somewhere, didn't you?"
Arthur turned slightly. "Yes. To the City of Dis."
John's smirk widened, a spark of realization flickering in his eyes. "Yeah… I thought so. I think I know what you're up to."
Arthur's lips curved into a faint smile. "It is obvious."
Kara blinked, looking between them. "It is? Because I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."
John snorted. "Figures."
He gestured lazily with his cigarette. "Think about it, sunshine. A being that looks like an angel.. marching into the capital of Hell with soldiers that feel nothing like normal souls? That's psychological warfare. You're basically dropping a divine horror movie trailer right in Neron's backyard, a backyard full of demons who would normally shit themselves at the sight of a regular angel."
Kara's eyes widened slightly. "Oh…"
John nodded. "Yeah. The presence alone will spook half the demon aristocracy, and probably the bastard himself."
Arthur inclined his head. "Precisely. Bellion is not there to conquer."
His eyes darkened slightly.
"He is an omen. A warning."
John hummed. "Right, right… but why not just let him storm the palace and get it over with? Save us the trouble."
Arthur glanced at him coolly. "Aren't you forgetting something, John?"
John opened his mouth then froze.
"…Oh. Right, my uh.."
Arthur's voice remained smooth.
"I can storm the palace. Neron, however, can also act. And if we escalate too quickly…"
He looked pointedly at John.
"You are the liability."
John lifted both hands in surrender. "Yeah, yeah... I get it. Forget I said anything. We go slow. Carefully."
Zatanna sighed, shaking her head. "One day you'll think before you speak, Constantine."
"Unlikely," John muttered.
Kara chuckled.
Etrigan folded his arms, eyes glowing faintly. "Coward."
John scoffed. "Strategist, mate. There's a difference."
Arthur ignored the banter, tapping a finger against the table. The projection shifted new sigils flaring across distant regions of Hell.
"We are not remaining idle," he said. "I've identified the other major factions."
He gestured, and several infernal territories pulsed.
"Azazel. Satanus and Blaze."
Zatanna's brows knit slightly. "Heavy names."
Arthur nodded. "Their locations are far from the City of Dis. They're consolidating power elsewhere, naturally fighting against Neron as well, or more like against each other."
His gaze narrowed.
"But Neron is not alone in Dis."
The room grew quieter.
"There is another presence there," Arthur continued. "One I cannot ignore. For reasons I don't yet understand… its power is nearly on Neron's level, and with the little time I spent here, I got to know these demons very well, they would stab each other in the back the first chance they get."
A subtle tension rippled through the group.
Etrigan's expression darkened, lips curling. "I figured…"
Arthur looked directly at him. "You know something."
Etrigan hesitated, then exhaled through his teeth.
"Dis has always hidden more than one monster," he growled. "Neron never sits alone at the top. There are old forces there. Ancient ones."
His eyes flickered, voice lowering.
"Some predate even Lucifer's reign."
John frowned. "You're saying there's another heavyweight lurking behind the throne?"
Etrigan's grin was humorless. "Yes."
/-\
If you Like this story! Check out my other stories! Solo leveling in Westeros.
&
If you wish to read more or simply support me than check out my patreon at
"https://www.patreon.com/FrenzyAren"
You can Get Access to 3 More Chapters OR 7 More Chapters if you want