Nidhogg POV:
"Nidhogg, eh? Sounds.... unique." Silverfoot says as he edges a bit closer. My eyes narrow as I can see him closing the distance between us. I can't help it, as my killing intent rolls off of me, flaring up the mana that flows through me. Silverfoot's eyes grow wide in surprise as he backs up.
"Whoa, whoa. No need for any of that, brother. I'm not your enemy." Silverfoot quickly says.
I size him up as I calm myself down. Unless he had a way of hiding his power, he didn't seem that impressive. In fact, I would say that he was just a bit stronger than the disciples, but nowhere near the Deacon's level. But I wasn't going to underestimate him as former Deacon Michael did somehow lose to him.
"Then what is it that you want?" I question.
"Well, it's rare when two demons end up on the same planet. I thought it would be a good idea to team up." He says with a smile on his face.
On seeing that smile on his face, I can understand of a fact that resounds through my entire being. Something I couldn't ignore. I really don't like this guy.
Trying to contain my hatred, I manage to ask, "Oh, and what are you proposing?"
"Our common enemy is the church, who will always be a thorn in our side. However, with a common enemy, we share the same goal. Power. Now, with that in mind, I propose that we take turns in absorbing the planet's mana. As you are the stronger out of both of us, it would only make sense that you take the first watch against the church while I catch up to where you are now."
If I had an eyebrow, I'd raise it at the audacity of this guy. I was starting to understand that he wasn't named Silverfoot because of his coat of fur. It was because of his silver tongue. One that would not work on me.
"And how long would it take you to get to that point?" I ask, actually curious.
He pretends to think on it, although I already can tell he knows the answer. "With a planet like this, 200 years, give or take."
I internally scoff at his words for two reasons. First, did he really think that I was going to protect him while he gains strength to eventually kill me, for that long as well? Second, I knew from Phoebe's and Jacob's memories, that we didn't have 200 years on this planet.
Protocol for the church was to keep in regular contact to assure that things don't go wrong. In case a squad sent to a planet is wiped, and a response doesn't happen in a week, another team is sent to investigate. This team consists of twenty or so deacons, and the term investigate is more like exterminate. They have a way of ensuring that teleportation is barred, meaning whatever is on the planet, stays on it. If it is deemed to be a false alarm and the prior team failed to communicate, they get severely punished.
Knowing this, I had no intentions on being here when they arrive. But the only way off the planet was through the weyline, which I know I was incapable of, and his portal to the demon realm. Now, the issue was getting that information out of him.
It was good to see that demons were as easy to read as humans were. This is the type of guy who had no problems stepping over anyone for power. He was cunning, I give him that, but his mistake is underestimating the intelligence of his opponents.
"How are you going to absorb the mana from the planet?" I ask. He's taken aback, clearly caught off guard as he didn't expect someone to follow up with another question after an enticing deal.
"Well. I'm going to ..." He pauses as he almost revealed that he was going to lounge about like he usually did, passively absorbing it through sleeping, which was the slowest way to do so. But he knew he couldn't say that aloud.
"Clearly such a highly sophisticated and beautiful demon such as yourself knows of a way to collect mana faster." I say, holding back the disgust in my voice.
A small smile forms on his face as my flattery works. "I'm glad you noticed my beautiful fur. There are no demons that can match such a wonder. And you're right, there is a way for both of us to get mana faster." An idea form in Silverfoot's head. Since the idiot got rid of the church for him, the planet was free for them to continue what he was doing and massacre its inhabitants.
While it wasn't Silverfoot's style, doing this could get him enough mana quicker. Plus, in the end, he could betray this idiot and take whatever mana he had as well.
"We could go around the planet, taking the mana from anyone we encounter, before we resume absorbing the mana from the planet itself." He suggests.
"How long will that take?" I ask.
"Depending on how fast you are, five days. This is a lower tier planet, therefore smaller. So, do we have a deal? Partner?" He smiles, clearly indicating the mischief behind it.
"We do." I respond, returning his smile with my own. I was going to enjoy killing this guy.