Silence fell over the grand, shadow-filled hall of the castle as the meeting of the Demon Lords commenced. Flickering torches cast eerie shadows on the stone walls, and an oppressive air thick with demonic energy enveloped the room. Each attendant stood nearby, cloaked in darkness, their eyes glinting with malice.
"What's the status of everyone's territory?" Sataniel asked, his voice a low growl that echoed through the hall. His piercing red eyes scanned the room. "I bet each of us is having a hard time."
"Yeah, you bet," Leviathan said, a smirk playing on her lips. Her serpentine eyes gleamed with a cold, malevolent light as she adjusted her dark cloak. She leaned back in her chair, one leg crossing over the other. "The demonic elves in the eastern part of my domain are blinded by their jealousy. They're always trying to rebel against my rule."
Beelzebub's voice was skeptical. He leaned forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the obsidian table. "Leviathan, can you still control their ambition?"
Leviathan's eyes flashed dangerously as she leaned back in her chair, casually drumming her clawed fingers on the armrest. "Jealousy fuels power, Beelzebub. They strive to outdo each other, but none can surpass my control."
"That's Levia for sure," Mammon said, leaning back with a glitter in her eye as she gave her report. Her golden hair shimmered in the dim light, and her fingers played idly with a ruby pendant around her neck. She adjusted her elaborate, jewel-encrusted gown before speaking. "The domain of Greed is overflowing with wealth and avarice. Gold and jewels pile high, and the fiends there are consumed by their insatiable lust for more. The towers of treasure grow ever taller, and the claws of greed dig deeper. No issues to report; the lust for riches remains unquenched."
Sataniel's voice cut through the air like a blade. "Mammon, I have heard of a rebellion among the hoarders. They say some refuse to share their wealth. How do you address this?"
Mammon's eyes narrowed to slits as she leaned forward, her fingers curling tightly around the pendant. "Rebellion? They are fools. Their defiance only strengthens their greed. They will fall in line, or be crushed under the weight of their own avarice."
"Good for you," Beelzebub said, his tone heavy with concern. He stood and paced behind his chair. "In Gluttony, the feasts are never-ending. The Behemoths gorge themselves incessantly, driven by insatiable hunger." He paused, rubbing his temples. "The banquets swell, and the gluttony knows no bounds. Excess thrives as the devourers consume all in their path, leaving only bones and echoes of their voracity. It has caused famine in the outer reaches of my domain."
Sataniel's lips curled into a wicked grin as he leaned back, crossing his arms. "Just make a battle tournament; those who are defeated will be eaten by the winner."
An hour passed, and the Demon Lords were done with their reports about their domains.
"Since everyone is done with their reports, let us proceed with our original purpose. There are other matters to discuss, and our plans for Midgard must not be delayed," Sataniel said, his voice echoing with authority.
The torches flickered more intensely as the tension in the room grew palpable. The Demon Lords shifted slightly, their attention now fully on Sataniel. His piercing red eyes glinted with a malevolent gleam as he spoke.
"Our influence over Midgard has grown, but it is not yet absolute," Sataniel began, his voice a dark whisper that seemed to reverberate within the very stones of the hall. "We must tighten our grip and spread our darkness further. The mortal realm is ripe for conquest, and we shall not let this opportunity slip away."
Leviathan's serpentine eyes narrowed, a cruel smile playing at the corners of her lips. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. "And how do you propose we do that, Sataniel? The mortals are resilient and their will is strong."
Sataniel's grin widened, revealing sharp, gleaming teeth. "We shall exploit their weaknesses, their fears, and their desires. Each of you will send forth your most trusted and powerful servants to sow chaos and despair. The humans are divided by greed, envy, and hunger. Let us use these to our advantage."
Mammon's eyes sparkled with greedy anticipation. She clasped her hands together, her fingers glinting with numerous rings. "My agents will infiltrate their wealthiest cities, corrupting their leaders with promises of untold riches. Soon, their greed will consume them, leaving them vulnerable to our influence."
Beelzebub leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with a hunger that matched the endless feasts of his domain. He clenched his fists, a predatory smile on his face. "My gluttons will spread famine and disease, weakening their bodies and breaking their spirits. They will be too weak to resist us."
Leviathan's smirk widened. She ran a hand through her dark, sleek hair. "The eastern lands of Midgard are ripe for conquest. My serpents will slither through their defenses, turning allies into enemies and spreading distrust and paranoia."
Sataniel's gaze turned to the shadows, where a figure stood cloaked in darkness. "And what of our informant in Midgard? What news do they bring?"
The figure stepped forward, revealing a gaunt, hooded figure with hollow eyes that seemed to see into the very soul. They knelt before Sataniel. "The mortals are restless. Rumors of our coming spread like wildfire. They are preparing for war, but their preparations are haphazard and uncoordinated. Now is the perfect time to strike."
Sataniel nodded, satisfaction evident in his expression. He clasped his hands together, his claws clicking. "Excellent. We will strike swiftly and without mercy. Each of you knows your part in this grand design. Go forth and bring ruin to Midgard. The age of darkness is upon us."
Asmodeus leaned back in his chair, a confident smirk playing on his lips. "And while Mammon, Beelzebub, and Leviathan spread their chaos, my incubi and succubi will corrupt the hearts and minds of mortals. Their desires will become their undoing, making them easy prey for our influence."
Belphegor, who had been lounging lazily in her seat, finally spoke up, her voice dripping with indifference. "And while the rest of you expend your energy, my followers will infiltrate their institutions, spreading sloth and complacency. The mortals will be too lethargic to fight back effectively. They will fall into our hands like ripe fruit."
Sataniel's grin widened as he nodded approvingly. "Indeed, Asmodeus and Belphegor. Your contributions are crucial to our success. Each of you has your role to play, and together we will bring Midgard to its knees."
The Demon Lords stood, their eyes blazing with unholy fire. One by one, they disappeared into the shadows, their plans set in motion.
As the last of them vanished, Sataniel remained, his eyes fixed on the flickering flames. "Midgard will fall," he whispered to himself. "And from its ashes, a new world of darkness will rise. Oh, I forgot to tell them that I captured a traitor, right? Lucifiel—no, sorry, my mistake—Laura."
With a flick of his wrist, Sataniel summoned a chained figure from the shadows, her once bright eyes now filled with defiance and anger. Laura, once known as Lucifiel, glared at him. Sataniel's grin widened. "You'll serve as an example, my dear. Midgard is just the beginning."