*Narrator pov*
a massive figure appeared at the crest of the hill overlooking the compound a golem, forged from wood and earth, its eyes glowing with an eerie, unnatural light.
The golem moved with a terrifying, unstoppable force, its heavy footsteps pounding the earth as it rushed down the hill. Trees snapped like twigs in its path, and the very air seemed to vibrate with its power. Morpheus's heart remained tranquil as he watched the creature barrel toward the compound, an unstoppable force of nature.
The wards surrounding the compound, shimmered with demonic energy as the golem approached. For a moment, it seemed as though the magical barriers might hold. But the golem, undeterred, raised a massive fist and brought it crashing down upon the wards with a deafening roar. The air crackled with energy as the wards shattered, fragments of magic scattering like shards of glass.
With the wards broken, the golem breached the compound's defenses, its massive form looming over the buildings. Morpheus didn't move from his spot on the hill, drawing upon his own magic as he started to wave his wand sharply in the air as if conducting an orchestra. The compound's defenders scrambled to respond, but Morpheus knew that it would take all their combined strength to bring down his monstrous creation.
From the shadows, The demons began their counter-emerging from the ground demonic creatures of dark fire and ancient malice, they materialized around the golem, their forms wreathed in flickering, otherworldly flames. With a guttural command, Morpheus watched the demons hurtling toward the golem, their dark fire magic burning with a ferocity.
The golem roared in defiance, swatting at the demons with its massive fists. Each strike was like an earthquake, sending shockwaves through the ground. But the demons were agile, darting in and out of the golem's reach, their fiery attacks leaving scorch marks on its rocky hide. The air was thick with the acrid smell of burning stone and the sounds of battle, a cacophony of roars and hisses.
Morpheus stood at the back of the chaos, his skin visibly glowing with a dark, ethereal light. He chanted an incantation, his voice rising above the din. Tendrils of shadowy energy erupted from the ground, wrapping around the golem's limbs and enhancing its strength. The golem struggled, the flames were spreading across its wooden skin.
One of the demons, a towering figure wreathed in black flames, unleashed a torrent of dark fire at the golem's chest. The fire burned with an intensity that seemed to consume even light itself, and for a moment, the golem faltered, its movements slowing. But the creature's resilience was formidable. With a surge of power, it dispersed the flames.
Morpheus gritted his teeth, sweat was pouring down his brow, "tch, why is one of these bastards here " his magic being fed to the golem was being consumed at a rapid pace
The flames clung to the creature, seeping into the cracks in its rocky form, sapping its strength. The golem roared in agony, its movements becoming sluggish.
The demons, sensing the golem's weakness, renewed their assault with ferocious intensity. Their dark fire magic flared brighter, and the combined might of their attacks began to wear the golem down. Cracks spread across its body, glowing with an inner light as its core destabilized.
With one final, thunderous blow, the largest of the demons drove its fiery claws into the golem's chest. The creature shuddered, its roar fading into a low, grinding rumble. The light in its eyes flickered and dimmed, and with a resounding crash, the golem collapsed, its body crumbling into rubble.
Morpheus grunted in pain and annoyance before turning and disappearing into the forest.
***
Xilveth Kor third son of Duke Kor was having a horrible day, he finally crossed planes into the human realm after tirelessly manipulating a group of foolish humans to perform a summoning ritual, or better-dubbed possession ritual.
Oh, Xilveth was excited so SO excited to finally break into the realm once more it had been hundreds of years since he last stepped foot in a land with rich magical energy.
Quickly he joined his lesser brethren at their stronghold on an island called Hawai'i. It was here that he would learn true leadership and prepare for when he could open the portal for his father to join him on earth.
Everything was going good even if he was in a weaker human shell oh how Xilveth wished he could shed this form and assume his true state but, he had to be practical. Maneuvering in the human body was much easier and more importantly stealthier.
So imagine Xilveth's anger, surprise, and annoyance when a massive golem barrelled through his supposedly imprenitrial compound with wards that can even block out the most talented diviners. Imagine his unwavering rage when he the the third son of Duke Kor had to shed his human shell to contend with the creature ruining many many plans and that wasn't even discussing the damage to the compound and portal scheme.
"USELESS!" Xilveth bellowed swinging his massive arm to the side and swatting four other demons, "You trash couldn't even set up the wards properly?!"
"But sir we did!" one shouted before being engulfed in black flames
"Form a perimeter, find the idiot that dared to attack me!" Xilveth snarled
The demons quickly followed his orders fanning out around the compound in tight groups being careful not to stray far from the destroyed walls wishing to catch even the faintest trace of Morpheus's magic.
An older-looking 'human' approached Xilveth, the demon's older shell was visibly cracking drawing deep red and black cracks across his skin, "Xilveth what are we to do with the dead? Surely you are not going to keep them lying about,"
Xilveth scoffed, "Bring them to the storehouses we can still do something with their flesh and bones, no matter how weak and minuscule their magic,"
The older man smiled and nodded signaling the other devils to begin dragging the bodies away.
***
The cold, damp air of the storehouse was thick with the stench of decay and dark magic. The bodies, strewn across the stone floor like discarded refuse, lay lifeless, their once-vibrant forms reduced to husks drained of purpose.
Devils, with their sinewy muscles and glowing eyes, went about their grim work, dragging the corpses toward the far end where Xilveth's alchemic contraptions awaited.
One body, however, did not remain still.
A sudden, subtle tremor ran through the twisted limbs of the fallen demon. Its skin, once dull and lifeless, began to tighten, the deep red and black cracks that marred its flesh pulsating as if drawing breath. A faint, almost imperceptible hiss escaped its cracked lips, its chest beginning to rise and fall in an eerie, unnatural rhythm.
The limbs, previously limp and contorted, started to twitch. Then, with a sickening crack bones within snapped back intu place, the sound echoing off the stone walls like the breaking of dry branches. The twisted spine jerked and straightened, each vertebrae snapping into alignment with a gruesome precision. Fingers curled into fists, their nails digging into the stone floor as though clinging to life itself.
Its head, hanging loosely to one side, twisted with a sharp, audible crack to face forward, as if pulled by an unseen force. The demon's mouth opened in a silent scream, its jaw unhinging momentarily before clamping shut with a violent snap.
And then, its eyes-once hollow and dead-began to change. The dull, opaque orbs shimmered, a silvery liquid flooding them from within. As the fluid settled, the eyes turned mirror-like, reflecting the dim light of the storehouse and the horrified expressions of the devils still at work. The demon's gaze, now void of any discernible emotion, stared blankly ahead, its reflection distorted in the glassy surface of its eyes.
It rose slowly, every movement accompanied by the grotesque symphony of bones realigning and muscles reknitting. The demon stood at its full height, its posture unnervingly straight, as though death had not only claimed its life but also purged it of any weakness or hesitation.
For a moment, the storehouse was filled with silence, the other devils oblivious to the resurrection taking place behind them. Then, with a shuddering breath, the demon took a step forward, its mirrored eyes scanning the room, with sickening glee.