In a realm that existed outside the known.
In a big castle
two beings sat across from one another at
table.
Their power so immense it was capable of bending reality to their will.
On one side sat the Demon Lord, his form a vortex of perfect darkness,
Opposite him was the God of Gods,
a figure of blinding, incandescent light,
whose presence was a symphony of serene, absolute authority. For eons, they had played a game with the mortal world as their board,
moving races like humans, beasts, and dragonkin against each other in endless, meaningless wars.
Every soul extinguished, every city burned, was nothing more than a game in their cosmic contest,
a spectacle for their own divine entertainment. Their ultimate goal was singular: to find a way to eliminate the other and claim sole dominion over reality.
A sound announced the arrival of a Demon.
One of the Demon Lord's personal guards,
a creature of nightmare and shadow, materialized near the entrance.
"Sir, the 1st General wishes to see you."
"Let him in," the Demon Lord commanded,
The 1st General of the Demon Army,
a towering figure clad in spiked, blood-red armor.
strode into the room. He moved with a brutal confidence,
but upon seeing the two beings at the table,
he immediately fell to one knee,
bowing his head so low his horned helmet nearly touched the floor.
He began to speak,
"Sirs,"
I bring grave news. General Valerius, the 6th Demon General, has been reported dead.
He was killed in his own castle... fighting the mortal, Liam."
The General's fists clenched,
"My Lords, grant me permission! Let me go and kill this 'Liam' myself!
I will rip his eyes from their sockets and feed them to him before I extinguish his pathetic life!"
A heavy silence descended. The God of Gods remained motionless,
a silent, radiant statue. It was the Demon Lord who finally spoke,
"No."
The word was absolute, cutting through the 1st General's bloodlust like a shard of ice.
The Demon Lord leaned forward, the darkness around him deepening.
"You will do nothing.
Liam is not some rabid animal to be put down.
He will come to us, in time.
Do not be so alarmed by a mortal who has managed to win a single, insignificant fight."
"General Valerius's pride killed him.
He possessed more than enough power to obliterate the boy,
but he chose to fight 'respectfully.'
A warrior's pride
is an almost amusing flaw. Valerius was killed for it. If he allowed himself to be defeated,
then he never deserved to be a General in the first place.
The 1st General remained bowed, his rage now mingling with confusion.
He could not comprehend their lack of concern.
He did not see the silent understanding that passed between the God and the Demon Lord.
They both saw Liam not as a threat, but as the ultimate, unpredictable piece in their game.
He was the weapon one could use to finally eliminate the other.
If Liam, in his chaotic ascent, managed to kill the God of Gods, the Demon Lord would be there to strike him down and become the sole power.
If Liam's path led him to slay the Demon Lord, the God would be there to erase the mortal and claim his own solitary victory.
They would not kill Liam now.
His part in their divine, deadly game had only just begun.
Meanwhile, in Oakhaven, it was a beautiful day.
Princess Lyra stood on the balcony of her room, the warm sun glowing on her face.
In a corner of the royal garden
A shadow and light coalesced on the lawn below. From it, Liam stepped forth.
He wore a new, mythically imposing general's outfit—dark, regal armor identical to what Valerius had worn,
Princess Lyra's breath caught in her throat. Her eyes lit up, and without a second thought, she turned and ran from the balcony, through the halls, and burst out into the garden.
"Liam!"
He turned just in time to catch her as she jumped into his arms,
wrapping her own around his neck in a fierce, joyful hug. He held her close, a rare, genuine smile gracing his lips.
After a moment, she pulled back, her hands on his shoulders, her eyes searching his. "You're back.
"I promised I would be .
How are you?
"Where are you in your research? did you find anything?"
Lyra nodded,
"I have. I don't know if this will help you or scare you...