After Mason returned from his bathing trip at his new mansion, from just conquering his new town, he had left the mercenary Freda to herself, to relax and recover, back at the church where the goddess and the druid were currently helping and healing any of the children from their wounds or just making sure some ate. Just before he met them, however, he chose to speak out to those now under his rule as small as a following he had, he was recognized as a king or a savior to them. "I know it's already getting late, but I need all of you to go outside and go to the mansion... by tomorrow we will also scavage the town for any leftover food and clothes for all of you.." He said as he spoke up mostly to the children. All of them were orphans and freed slaves, their past lives as mere toys and objects were over. it was wrong to teach and tell them to survive by becoming scavengers, but he knew he couldn't waste time, as small of a population they are now, it was best to think of the future. It was after his little announcement that they were worried if that was right. These were the homes of people and just taking those things left behind would only be wrong, as awful as the life they had, he saw just innocent and poor souls. Of course, some felt a little anxious, but it was the few adults and younger women who spoke up and took initiative for the children.
"I do not mind, but sir.... what about housing and...?" he stopped her to explain. "There's a mansion... of the old lord here, it has many rooms and a massive bath, you will all stay there and carefully pick the town clean. If and when my domain here grows bigger, then we can start filling up those empty homes... but I will need you all to work for your stay here... there are no free meals... we can worry about that another time... right now I need to get you all proper beds, stable food, and safety. I did two, so food will be your part once you learn do you all understand?" I asked them, and in unison, they nodded and hummed agreeing. "I am your lord now... and I will keep you safe... I will not ask any of you of anything, just give your complete loyalty in return and life as free as you want now..." He did his best to give them a strong sense of security.
"Jessica, Liz with me if you please," he asked, but also demanded. There was a strong authority to his voice, his words held power, he had yet to even realize his role in the world and the mission he was after that would have unforeseen consequences unimaginable to yet realize.
After hearing his request to speak, they did not hesitate, both the girls got up and followed him closely passing the children. Meeting now together back outside, Liz had asked. "Did you need something from us?"
"Yeah, somewhat... I need to learn about what I'm dealing with here... what should I be concerned about in this world... humans are easy to predict and understand, it's the monsters of the world and possibilities of other races, and anything between that I want also understands. I practically know nothing and I rather not let that be the death of me... if I can even die" he explained to them, and Jessica spoke up.
"I know of all this world's monsters and beasts, however, the people within I choose to not be involved but there are other races besides human, demon, and angels... I do want you to understand something however Mason, while you have obtained immortality, my immortality, you can still be killed with the holy magic used by humans... and the celestial magic bestowed upon the elves. and the pain you will feel from any attack will be been very real... these are little things you must understand, so please do not get careless... and one more thing, you are on parr... or even like the 8 devil's... or rather The Sins... you are a demon lord by the standard of this world... So, my lord. I am at your services" She spoke softly and with much grace, she even bowed softly. He took notice of her words and face and could see she was very serious. "I will keep this in mind then... now, can you tell me anything, Liz?" He asked.
"I can share my knowledge of Elves, and magic as well anything else within my power and knowledge, but that is all my lord... Ah, wait also the other races such as Dragons and Merfolk!" Even she now had agreed on his new title while also flustered and not wanting to be useless to him, after the shot time spent, he had not only helped her but demonstrated his power and shared his character.
"hm... perfect for now I guess... thank you both. You two can teach me as we go, but for now, I will have you be my Advisors, both my right and left hands. since you want me to be this Demon Lord, I will put my trust in you both" He told them, as he could see in them no kind of betrayal. "I will need your help with the bodies in the carriages... Well at least you Jessica," He said and she looked down nodding sadly. The last time she saw those men, and their carriages, were when they invaded and kidnapped angels from her realm in heaven.
The three of them walked to the corpses Mason left, the army was completely wiped out, as he then unveiled the hidden cages. corpses of angels and gods were piled on one another as he then asked Jessica. "do you know who they were goddess?"
"Yes.... those are the gods we fought in the realm of the Heaven, they had someone obtain magical relics and crafted tools to kill us, this is why I warned you..." She said and looked at her friend's corpses. "Zeus... Odin... Freya... Thor... so many... and the battle lasted a week they wasted no time... just what were they gonna do with their bodies I wonder?" she asked and faced Mason, and hearing those names, Mason then spoke up. "I've heard of those names before... in my world, there were legends of them. stories and myths of their kind... So gods like them are real, but why are they here of all places?"
'Likely moved here by him, and with different circumstances, but that isn't my concern nor do I care, I want to know what they were gonna do with the bodies.' He has thought to himself as he decides to believe the God of his world somehow managed to bring them here.
"they also had caged up, angel corpses and wings within bags... some of the woman and children they managed to capture in that battle also were trapped... I have yet to free them because I wanted them to see you first, better a goddess they can trust than some demon... so if you don't mind let's set them free" He told her, and led the way to the last cage, to unveil them. angles with clipped and torn wings, bags bloody from scars and blood on the floor of the cage, all naked and scared as they had lost any will to fight and go on after being tainted by humans by their invasion.
It took a moment since for them 3 days were spent without light or food, but they could all still remember the voice of their goddess as Jessica spoke up to them and leaned against the cage holding the bars. She felt dread, and sad after seeing them. Now at the very least, she could help and not just cower away. "Everyone... forgive me, for being late, and for running away... but I swear to you are all safe now...! so please, lift your heads and spirits" she pleaded to them, and hope they could realize their goddess was well and they're fate as mere human pets were nothing to be worried about now.
The children heard the voice of a woman, and then the woman holding them looked up noticing the presence of their God. Eyes lit up, and through the pain, they had attempted to stand up, it was odd as they seemed careful moving, but as they moved they were careful to not harm someone in the center of their circle. A woman laid there in the blood, barely alive.
Mason took action as they barely had any room to even stand and share, grabbing the bars he began to tear them off. "Liz start healing them if only a little, and Jessica get the others at the church to come and help... I'll make sure they are free and help heal with Liz here" He ordered them both, the Angles saw his Strength, and for the most part didn't think he was gonna harm them as they heard him, surprised next to see there god obey as she ran off. Liz stood by the opened bars and helped them down carefully with her vines and magic as she helped them down and began to heal after Mason then took over. it was until all of them were out of there, that he got in to help the last woman. Her body had been pierced along her gut and most right side. he carried her down and out as he began to heal her wound personally.
He looked at the backs of the angels, where their wings once were, were now-massive cuts and torn flesh down along their backs. one can only imagine such a pain and the sensation of such a thing alive. The adult woman looked like they barely slept and endured for the children, but even then the children appeared so malnourished and fragile both the adult and young had been through a lot. He focused on his patient, the woman whose gut was pierced through and from he could understand. She lost a vital organ, a kidney. he wasn't sure if human organs were compatible, and didn't want to play God. so he did his best to just heal her.
Over time, Jessica was running back with some nuns and children all holding clothes and blankets. They began to help them, and at a distance children who wanted to help were now rushing the abandoned houses for any clothes and blankets.
Mason couldn't help, but be proud of them, even if his face and looks showed constant anger, he was glad they took action rather than see them say idly. They were showing growth and change quickly.
People came in turns, but the adults made sure the children never got close to the corpse of the fallen soldier, as the nuns and Jessica took what they can and brought it themselves, bringing some food and blankets, and in a matter of hours, life was coming back to the angels.
After some hours, the angles were helped back to the church, where they believed were gonna be safe now, as for the woman Mason was taking care of, he was then greater by two hands, firmly gripping his neck, the woman woke up coming back to consciousness. He was crouched and let her, as he then noticed her face. in tears and anger, She gripped and squeezed his throat.
"what are you going to do with us...?!" she asked, as Jessica and Liz noticed his trouble, they hurried to him and attempted to calm her down.
Liz spoke up first. "Mason! hey, calm down miss..." She didn't hear her question to him, and Jessica got down beside the woman and gripped her shoulders. "Please let go... he was only healing you"
"screw man! they are just beasts! evil and lustful monsters... the things his kind did to me...! To my Valkyries, my Children!" She was deeply angered, as Mason then grabbed her hands forcefully pulling her grip off of him giving her a glare of retaliation. "I am anything but a fucking human..." the world was sinister as she then stopped.
She bit her tongue and then closed her eyes to calm herself. "I, was the queen of the Valkyries, and I failed them all as I watched then die mercilessly by them... forgive me..." she said, and then had looked to the goddess. "Mistress Jessica forgive me..."
"you have nothing to forgive for... you did your best and did all you could... but please, I'm no longer a god... and this man... well, In the week the war lasted, I created him... but understand he is my lord... I'm not a master or god... just a devoted servant now" she said and held the queen of Valkyries by her hand after Mason let go.
"We can talk later... how are you feeling?" he asked, his tone changed and much softer yet remained firm and filled with authority.
As she replied getting herself up. "I'm feeling fine... I was losing my life a moment ago, but I feel ready for war now..." she said and looked at him.
"Don't get carried away, it's likely the rush of blood right now your feeling from the constant healing I've done... take a while to relax got it... I hate to appoint you to something just as you've wakened up, but you'll be this town line of defense alright. however again, rest okay, and I can catch you up on what happened here later, or maybe Jessica could since you both know another... doesn't matter to me, just get going all of you... I have a damn mess to clean up... and so much to do... Liz go help the others back at the church, and get started on a farm or at least a plot of land we can use within the towns plaza area, destroy what you need" He gave orders, and as harsh as he sounded, he was only doing his best as the new king in the world.
Liz felt a little intimated because of his attitude, and so far he left quite the first impression on the Queen of Valkyries. She was helped by Jessica as they both agreed to leave his side and head back to the church, but before they did part ways, the queen spoke up. "Mason. it sounds like you don't care already, but my name is Alexis, and I'll be your town's security... for saving our Mistress and me." She said and then continued with her walk back to the church along with Jessica.
"I'll be sure to remember it... now, these corpses and cages... the gear I can salvage, but it would better to sell... not like anyone is gonna trade with a demon lord so I got no use for this crap..." he talked with himself as he stood alone, but began to use earth magic. terraforming the land he pulled the bodies in waves pilling them as he also used vines to make sure he removed the armor and weapons. He was brutal with the scythe he forcefully stole to kill much earlier and began to finish up within a few hours.
The streets were washed clean with water-based magic, bodies were buried under the earth and the armor and weapons that could still be used were set aside in a pile. The wood from the carriages and steel from the bar cages were also separated. it was a hassle, to make sure everything was not left behind. Everything had its use, and this also followed with people. when he was done. All the resources were separated and the sun was setting now closing another day of his new life. Things came to an end for him, the small battle against thousands. Gained two allies in a day and has a human puppet. even if he was treating her with a false curse, it was a precaution.
He sighed as was all alone, his palm in his pockets, he walked back to the church, holding a small fire to lite the floor and night around. with no people around, to house every corner of the town, it was all dark. He had people, but the majority of its population were mere children. The adults were weak, any man or woman that was around couldn't weld a weapon. His only security was Alexis, but he ordered her to recover.
The Next day, Freda was seen at the front of the church, holding a bag with the heads of her fallen friends. After the reminder that what had happened, but also has given plenty of time to think, rest and recover she gathered her strength to bear with it. It still was very Unreal to her. That she was alive, her previous status as a warrior no longer mattered. She was now just a tool to both sides, a puppet and she had to pick a side. A church that was holding her hostage or a demon lord with a hated for human life as a whole.
Mason met with her at dusk, where the sun was slowly rising leaving the sky a soft blue and haze over the world.
"I got you food for your trip... I only packed three days' worth... I can't spare more than that... the rest is and will be up to you... do make a right choice here Freda." he told her. giving her another bag and placing it on her shoulder. "I couldn't prepare you a horse, but if the ones from the carriages have wondered off they may now be in the wild... best of luck to you..."
"I'll do as I was told... I don't want to die yet... and..." she paused, but then began to walk. "forget it... I still need time to think..." her spirit was coming back as there was no longer hesitation when she spoke, but the trauma he had done to her was very much there still.
He watched her quietly leave. this was understandable. your enemy just made an impossible offer but demanded you no longer stay human.
'her pride will be the death of her... if that's what's holding her back' he thought, as he then had walked back to the mansion, but did pause to not reflect on what's happened the last few days since his arrival. It was the dawn of a new day, but also the beginning of an entirely new era. One that would challenge humanity, but also pose a threat and change to the world and the other races that live in it.
Mason, in thought, knew this all too well. A natural and sadistic instinct was born from his death in his old world. Though his eyes looked tired, he was very much awake and ready for anything. though a question was rising. Why exactly was this world the one he was reborn in? As well why exactly was the woman who was now in his party so trusting? It wasn't until the screaming of the old father gods Zeus and Odin rung in his head calling for him to listen that his thoughts soon wavered to pay attention to this new audience.
"BOYYYY!"
"MASSON!"
And together they spoke. "OBEY!"
"What do you want?" he asked closing his eyes to now speak to himself within his mind.
But what he saw, were two gods of legends. rulers of gods themselves, but what had surprised them, was how Mason directly came to them.
Zeus spoke first. "You will give us control... your but a mere demon. harboring our strengths..." he announced as behind them both were shadows of the many gods who had fallen.
Odin spoke next. "You are just a vessel now boy... and our godly souls will rip apart your body... a Demon has no control... nor will you survive... forfeit your mind and body... and you just might live"
"You two can rot for all I care... and the rest of you shitty gods... none of this would have happened if you just killed the waste that is humans," Mason said stopping them.
"This is my body. My soul. My mind. I won't let it be broken or controlled by outdated gods who want to watch the world than do anything for it. Now I suck baring a burden I didn't want part of. My goal is my wife and children..." his anger was felt and it wavered the gods.
"You are a mere demon... how dare you..." Both of them said.
"I'm the one in charge... you can deal with it... or fade away to rest... but I'm not giving this body... but let's work out a deal..." Mason had an idea.
"I won't give up my body, but I will find you vessels... or make some... all I want in return..."
"is our power... you greedy little animal," Odin said.
Mason smirked. "of course... why wouldn't I be greedy, your very souls are within me... and I'm immortal... but who says I also can't just kill myself and take you all with me... you should be glad you even got an offer... your all but maggots now and this only chance at freedom... you have to thank that goddess, Jessica of yours, for that. so what will it be you old gods?"
"as foul play as you are and this is... we won't accept..." Zeus said. "we won't hand our power to a criminal... nor a demon..."
Mason stood quiet in his mind. As then Athena and Ares stepped in. "we will..."
"What do you mean 'you will both of you will betray your pride...?"
"pride is what got us killed... as well negligence... we failed to keep humans faithful and in line..." Athena said. as then Thor as well joined them.
"they have a point... we can't just say it was humans at fault from the beginning... we have to also blame ourselves... we could have helped them... but now... this world is a far much larger danger... the world serpent has no enemy for Ragnarok.... do you know what that means... the universe will not be reset... or saved..."
"don't fucking make this my problem..." Mason said looked at the three who agreed. "I won't take responsibility for your positions..."
"but you have no other choice Mason..." said Ares. "you want our power... we will give it all, freely, and bestow secrets to you... but you need also accept the burdens we left behind." Ares looked at Mason.
New chains were placed on him. Mason, was now locked within his deals. "fuck..."
Zeus and Odin looked to Mason and along with the other gods. "can you bear that burden?"
"Fine... but under one more clause... you all will be under my control... I will have full power over all your abilities... over every object and secret, you all left behind... I will take up new ownership to everything you gods had left. until I bring you all back... and I will also use your magic freely with no restraints... or interference..."
Frigg spoke up, Odin's wife, as she then stood before Mason. "You must be kidding young man... our powers all at once will tear your mind apart... let alone also cause harm to those around you... I'm sure that isn't something you want to happen now is it... so instead. When WE think, you are ready... and on our own... we will willing give you our strength... and to the letter, as you wish... nothing will be left behind we choose to offer our powers... do we have a deal?"
"yes..." no hesitation within him. Mason was now wrapped within chains of his mind and subconscious of his body. For now, it was three. the gods vanished from his mind. But Ares, Athena, and Thor stood giving their powers and wisdom to him.
Mason opened his eyes again and saw the sun was now higher than when he closed them. He felt no different but could feel very new strength within himself. he wanted to experiment, but he had to stay strong to his promise to the children and women under his care. he was back at the mansion where Jessica greeted him first outside.
"Mason..." She stopped and bowed her head "Master I mean... there's something I need to say..." her head back up as she had such an elegant form.
"did something happen...?" he wondered.
"not exactly... but, I just wanted to report... I finished changing the human children and the human woman's forms to more beast-like individuals... they have tails and ears like other demi-humans now as you wish."
"Good to hear... I don't want human trash in my town... you did good work... but have you rested?" he asked her.
"yes enough... with Liz. however, we also took part in the bath making sure they were taken care of... it's now a matter of what shall we do in this large home?"
"The two older women... who were nuns at the church... have them work as a maid now... and have the children who can move around start training to farm... make sure Liz is with you and only the ones who can work or feel like it... I did just take them away from their homes and of course away from their tormentors... so only those who want to work... and make sure they heal up well... I know it won't replace mental, physical, and emotional damages of the trauma of years of this... but at least they have a home and things are getting better..."
"For a demon... your very generous Mason and sweet. Thank you, I'll start working on it... what will you do?"
"I need to get my people food... and somehow manage a trade route... So much shit I need to take care of..." he said knowing how awful he went about things. "don't worry too much about me. just help those here alright..." he told her and opened the door for her to go inside.
"I'll see you in your chambers... with Liz tonight my lord..." she said leaving his side and now doing as he ordered.
"That woman... what suddenly made her so devoted, I said it's alright didn't I?" he sighed and began to look around the front yard, before walking to the town again now searching for food on his own in the ghost town.
"looks like I'm not to burn this world... when I'm trying to kill its population... what sort of twisted shit is this... humans pray to gods and now I must be the embodiment of what they stood for because they asked me too?... on top of that, I need to build my town up from the ground..." he had thought only of the important necessity. Food and water, but also security. however, that responsibility would be given to Freya when she was ready. Mason stared at the mansion, and had known of one thing. "this is the world's warning then... there only warning to get their shit together..." He became an obstacle for humans and the other races. Unknown to him, the world needed a black sheep.
He had then recalled the actions, of the God of his old world. Not the God himself, who revived him, but his son. He who was nailed and castrated for the sin of man too condemn them, saving them from sins and death to come to humanity. "humans are such vile things..." he grit his teeth. "never damn thankful for anything a single man did... and always wanting more... and more... humans are sinful and greedy... to the very end... even followers of God's who want to pay tribute will just take from others.... and kill whoever took the things from them. such a backward and deprivable way to live... Then again I'm no damn different..." Mason's need for killing, and the death of humanity was grand, that hades from the depths of his mind were taking notice, but the hated and thrill for the war against his people, and the human race is was also kept him motivated. the instinct to battle, but also manipulation of war were a new gift from the gods Athena and Ares. Thor bestowed onto Mason his strengths and capabilities for welding divine weapons, an ability no demon could ever hope to achieve, and something humans seek endlessly but also only accepted him because of his ability to put others ahead of himself, the ability to protect others.
However unbeknownst to the gods. Humans have found a way, after all, they did die to one of their creatures, thanks to the help of a goblin, a race of monsters as old and wise as God's. but not divine or at all strong.
Races have always had different trips, strengths, and abilities. Dwarven were gifted with such fine smithing, clothing, amour, tools landscape, and weaponry. Elven had magic, immense amounts, and a close connection to nature and its plentiful bounty of beasts, mythical, magical, and neutral. Merfolk with all of the oceans and beast within it at its control and so much more Mason would discover and learn all for himself.
"Looks like... it's time to get to work..." He told himself as he began to walk around all by himself through the ghost town. Preserving food with magic, and getting any seeds from things left behind to plant into fields later. He worked on his own for hours. He had nothing to do, no technology from his old world to keep his mind occupied. However, it was that thought that gave him an idea. knowing of advancement from his old world, and how primitive this one was in comparison, he knew just of a way to truly gain an upper hand, and all it was gonna take, was the crafting of a firearm and forging of weapons.