Within the recesses of his consciousness, Thomas meticulously organized the insights gleaned from the minds of the demons within the Sonad Empire. The focus of his attention became clear, the elusive targets known as the Children of Pride. Although not prominent enough to be classified among the ten thousand demon clans, they held a distinct status as direct descendants of the Ancient Demon of Pride.
Once occupants of the House of Pride within the Seven Sins Palace, their expulsion followed a tumultuous event. Their former matriarch, before succumbing to the corruption of her Sin Force and transforming into a Wrath, attacked the House of Sloth. A colossal ghostly dragon she became, necessitating the combined efforts of all demon houses to vanquish her. Consequently, her descendants, the Children of Pride, were cast out, leaving only the secondary families in control.
Stripped of their former might, the Children of Pride adapted to survival in the shadows, concealing themselves from the outside world. Operating from the darkness, they orchestrated the demise of numerous demon lords and kings throughout the demon domain, relying on clandestine organizations fueled by the remnants of their waning power.
While their existence remained largely unknown, rumors persisted that they not only descended directly from the Ancient Demons but also interbred with other races, incorporating multiple elements and possessing three unique skills each.
Adding to the intrigue was the Pathfinder, a creation that deviated from the designs of the Seven Sins Palace. The Children of Pride were credited with its full development, suggesting acquisitions from realms beyond the demon domain. Thomas speculated on the possibility of how they could have get their claws on the ability to travel through the nexus and the image of a giant silver eye appeared in his mind.
Leveraging his current abilities, Thomas conducted a comprehensive survey of the entire planet, ultimately pinpointing the clandestine hideout of the Sons of Pride. Unlike other worlds in the outer reaches, this planet stood as a colossal, singular city divided into a myriad of sections, housing approximately thirty billion demons.
A sigh of relief escaped Thomas as he discerned that the majority were gray demons and other lower to mid-rank entities; otherwise, this would have been an audacious venture.
Having secured his target, Thomas descended onto the planet using his shuttle. Undetected by the demons' security measures, he navigated through densely packed streets toward a solitary, dilapidated structure in the distance.
The old bar, known as "Eclipse's Embrace," stood as a relic of ages past, its patrons murmuring in hushed tones. Dim lights flickered above, casting intermittent shadows on the timeworn wooden surfaces. Thomas, shrouded in an air of quiet intensity, approached the weathered bartender.
"Where can I find the Blood of Pride?" Thomas inquired with an air of calm authority, his eyes ablaze with an otherworldly intensity.
The bartender, a man whose grizzled exterior told tales of countless stories witnessed within these walls, eyed Thomas with suspicion. A brief moment passed before Thomas exerted his pressure, a silent force that cut through the air. The bartender, now under the sway of Thomas's influence, his demeanor transformed, became a docile informant.
"The Children of Pride..." the bartender murmured, his voice subdued. "They own an arena downtown, not far from here. Host all sorts of demonic beast fights."
As Thomas extracted information, the background noise of the bar whispered of other affairs in the demon domain. Patrons exchanged murmurs about the upcoming marriage of a demon prince in a couple of months, an event of grand significance. Speculations and discussions about political machinations and power struggles intertwined with the clinking of glasses.
Seated at a corner table, a trio of demons conversed about the latest skirmishes in the outer regions. "Did you hear about the House of Envy? They're plotting something," one demon said, glancing around as if to ensure their privacy.
Another demon chimed in, "And the Abyssal Council? Rumor has it they're trying to broker an alliance with the Storm Clan. Unusual, isn't it?"
Amidst this cacophony of background chatter, Thomas, having gleaned the necessary information, thanked the bartender and made his way through the maze of packed tables and echoing conversations.
The atmosphere in the demonic arena hung heavy with an eerie silence as Thomas walked through the deserted corridors. The employees, a mix of high-rank demons and a trio of demon lords, caught a glimpse of him and involuntarily took steps back. The origin of sin force that radiated from Thomas suppressed their hearts, a force they couldn't defy.
Aware that this was just one of the properties owned by the Children of Pride, Thomas had summoned daemons from the infernal city, strategically placing them at specific points as a precaution. However, he had no intention of harming these individuals unless provoked. As he traversed the arena, his presence remained undetected.
Approaching the manager's office, Thomas noticed a tiny demon with leaf-shaped wings engaged in conversation on his runic communicator. Patiently waiting for him to finish, Thomas observed the demon. It was a Mera, a demon of mixed blood, appearing to be a half-fairy Mera in this case.
Once the call concluded, Thomas entered the room. The manager, still stupefied, looked up at the imposing figure before him.
The Mera manager, caught off guard, stammered, "Who are you? What do you want here?"
Thomas, his gaze unwavering, replied, "My name is of little importance, I've come to speak with your boss. Take me to him."
The demon manager, regaining some composure, scoffed, "You waltz in here, demand to see the boss like you own the place. We don't entertain random visitors."
Thomas, his tone steady, warned, "This isn't a request. I suggest you cooperate if you value your existence."
The Mera demon, feeling a surge of defiance, retorted, "You think you can just walk in and threaten us? We serve the Children of Pride, and they won't take kindly to your intrusion."
Thomas, unmoved, let out a low chuckle, "The Children of Pride have overstretched their reach. They've set their eyes on something that's not rightfully theirs. I'm here to rectify that."
The manager, now visibly uneasy, muttered, "You're just one being. What can you possibly do against the might of the Children of Pride?"
Thomas, his eyes glowing with flames burning like the sun, spoke with conviction, "I suggest you find your boss, and quickly. My patience wears thin."
As every demon is a product of Sin Force, Thomas knew no demon can defy the power of the heart of primordial sin. The Mera, gazes in the distance as if it lost its soul, nodded halfheartedly and mumbled directions to the boss's location.
Thomas, a phantom amidst shadows, soared gracefully across the vast expanse of the demon planet. The directive to uncover the secrets of the Children of Pride guided his ethereal journey. His descent was a shadowy dance as he neared the coordinates provided. Like liquid night, Thomas slipped from the skies and melded seamlessly into the shadow cast by the looming structure.
Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with demonic energy. The place was a hive of activity, teeming with demons of varied ranks, thirty-two demon lords, twelve demon kings, and seven emperors. For a fallen family, their assembly boasted formidable might that surpassed the usual hierarchy. Thomas navigated this congregation with a fluidity born of practiced finesse, a masterful dodging of the intricate security web.
His keen senses guided him to a concealed staircase leading to the enigmatic depths below. With each step, the air thickened, and the ambient noise dulled. The very architecture whispered secrets. Thomas, now in a corridor shrouded in darkness, beheld the entrance to the Great Elder's sanctum.
In the underground chamber, the Great Elder, the eldest among the seven emperors and the paramount authority in the family, luxuriated in a pool of stardust mud. The room exuded an otherworldly ambiance, a place where shadows mingled with the essence of demonic bodies. A serene moment was shattered when an unseen voice pierced the quietude.
Emerging from the shadows, Thomas took solid form within the chamber. Stepping into a pool of stardust mud, he declared, "I bear many names, but none within your ken. Address me as Prometheus."
The Great Elder, submerged in the depths of stardust bath, regarded Thomas with a bemused air. "Prometheus? A title unfamiliar to these ears. What brings to my humble home?"
Identifying himself as Prometheus, Thomas stood with an unassuming aura. "Your Children of Pride are aiming for a world that's already protected."
The Great Elder, a blend of curiosity and skepticism in ethereal expression, arched an otherworldly brow. "Protected? how? I we saw was a world full of weak little beings who pose no danger to us demons"
Prometheus, his eyes ignited by flames, spoke with an authoritative air. "You meddle with forces beyond your comprehension. The entity responsible for the creation of the Pathfinder and the architect of the Dimensional Nexus, the one who cradles all of existence in their hands. Thanks to them, every life lost augments their power, and soon, they will devour all living beings."
Reclining in the mud pool, the Great Elder absorbed Prometheus's words with a measured gaze. "So you are acquainted with the Master? On one point, you are correct. The Master controls not only this plane but all planes, and realms far beyond. The Master's presence here is but a transient one, and when their work is complete, we, the believers, shall depart with the Master. As for earth, we don't care about it a tiny bit, it was only orders from above."
Witnessing the Great Elder's unwavering commitment to the Master's influence, Prometheus realized the depth of enthrallment. A grim acknowledgment settled within him their leader was firmly ensnared, beyond the reach of amicable resolution.
He could see the pride in his heart was stronger than ever.
With a heavy heart, Thomas understood that diplomacy had faltered; the ties that bound the Great Elder were unbreakable. At least it was this way for those with weak souls. With only one path left, Thomas braced himself for the coming conflict.
Rising from the mud pool with an otherworldly grace, the Great Elder, a fervent believer in his Master, moved deliberately towards Thomas. Each step echoed through the chamber, each step as heavy as a mountain. When they stood mere inches apart, the Great Elder unleashed a devastating strike, energy surging forth with unrestrained power.