General POV:
Three powerful demons raced across the desolate Demon Realm terrain. Ever since their Demon King commanded them, they've been on the search for the one who they thought she was referring to. At first, they were clueless, figuring this to be some impossible test which would spell out their doom, until they caught on. They could feel an unknown presence within their realm.
Whatever it was, it could move fast, as anytime they zeroed in on the presence, it would appear elsewhere. Many times, it would escape into the neighboring Demon King's territory, where they had no choice but to be more careful, only for it to run back within their bounds. Nevertheless, this time, they were sure they had it. The elusive demon was near a quality amount of mana, meaning it was going to be there until it either claimed the mana, or lost the fight for it. Filled with anticipation to please their benevolent mistress, they pick up their pace.
Nidhogg POV:
It was amazing what the greed and lust for mana did to demons, for them to ignore obvious signs of a trap and rush in to claim an easy prize. At first, I thought this plan wouldn't work after I collected the third mana orb. If I came across a random area with orbs that, to my knowledge, can only be formed by demons collecting mana just out in the open, I wouldn't even touch that with a 40- foot pole. Needless to say, I now have 100 mana orbs lying in a neat pile waiting for the next victim.
At this point, there were so many orbs there, I guess it served to further hide my own presence, which allowed more Archdemons to become careless. The time between their appearances decreased as well. There were times I was barely able to disguise myself again before another came along. Regular demons tried for it as well, but I didn't even bother devouring them, I just either killed them and hid their body, or scared them off. Despite how many I've eaten, I could feel as though I was still well off from evolving. But, if this continued, I was sure to eventually get there.
No sooner do I think that, does the one thing I forgot happen. When making a plan, try to take into account, Murphy's Law. If anything can go wrong, it most certainly will. Entering my field of detection, were three of the most insane mana signatures I've ever felt. Even from this distance, I could feel with how refined and the aura they emitted, they were no mere Archdemons. These most definitely were Demon Lords. And there were three of them, heading to my exact location.
With no time to lose, I move from my position, swallowing all my claimed prizes. The mana from the orbs overcharges my own mana, swelling me up with power. Rising from the ground, my towering frame is visible for them to see as I turn to face them in the distance. I knew the power difference between Archdemon and Demon Lord was just as clear as the title. I didn't know how powerful these guys were, but maybe if there was just one, I could probably contest.
In my fight or flight mindset, across the distance, I can hear a voice calling out to me.
"Wait brother, we have not come for a fight." One says.
Yeah, sure. I didn't know what they wanted, but I had a general idea. From, the memories I've eaten I knew that the number of Demon Lords were low in the Demon Realm. This isn't because demons weren't trying to evolve, it was because they were subjugated by Demon Kings. To keep the amount of Demon Kings to four, as they all opposed each other, I knew that around 98% of Demon Lords were suppressed under a respective Demon King. Meaning, they were coming to do the same to me, even though I was roughly still around the Archdemon level. If I didn't agree to serve whatever Demon King they were about to bring me to, I would either get killed and my mana taken by them or forced to. Nevertheless, I knew the perfect way to deal with this situation.
The air beside me shimmers and opens up, and I begin to step into it. As I go into the void, I hear the demon call out to me.
"Oh no. Don't you dare run off again! Stop right there!"
I ignore the voice, as if I was going to actually listen to them. Scoffing at their vain attempts, the portal closes shut behind me and I travel to wherever it takes me.
General POV:
The Demon Kings pause at what just happened. They just had their prey within their sights, and it just completely disappeared from the Demon Realm entirely. They assumed that it was just suppressing its mana and running all over the place, but it was actually teleporting. Off the world no less as well.
From their shock, a new feeling begins to rise. Rage, as they knew they wouldn't dare appear before their Demon King of Destruction before completing her orders. She gained that name for a reason, and they weren't trying to be another victim to her fury. Begrudgingly, they head off in a random direction, hoping to get lucky and catch him wherever he went.