The cloud stood still in the sky, like stickers plastered onto a fake dome. The air held in place, not a single breeze blows through the graveyard of swords and bows. A looming castle stands tall and proud in the distance. The castle was similar to a church, only that it was in a deep shade of black. Before the giant arched door stands five pillars, each shouldering a statue of a person. All imposing figures seem to be bowing down, pledging allegiance to the castle's gate.
Walking through the gate, the hallway lined with blue flames. The walls are well kept, and the floor is lined with a royal red carpet. Above hangs many chandeliers of gold with blue flames floating on the ceiling. Before the giant room, there stands one large throne of gold and obsidian. Five other smaller thrones spread throughout the room. The sound of footsteps can be heard echoing through the empty hallway.
A man clads in black appeared in the arched doorway, casting a long shadow in the hallway. The man is taller than any humans. His body is bulky, and his hair long and white. The man wore a black and gold outfit, with a tattered cape following behind him as he walked. His sleeves are partially torn, showing scars on his forearms. A mask covered the bottom of his face, yet a scar can still be seen stretching from his lips to his growing red eyes.
Behind him stands a woman, covered with a black cloak from top to bottom. Her cape seemingly made out of black liquid flame. As she moved, the cape flowed up and down as if it wasn't affected by gravity. Her face was covered in a black mist. She walked behind him without making even so much as a sound.
"Send for the others please." the man spoke
"Yes, my lord" the women answered
She then quickly disappeared into a mist behind the man as he kept walking toward the throne in the middle of the room. As the man walked, black flames followed his heavy footsteps. Shadow figures appeared to occupy the room, more appearing the deeper he walked into the room.
Sitting down on the throne, he rested his elbow on the arm of the throne, resting his head on his closed fist. Smoke coming out of his mask as he slowly exhales, his eyes glow a fiery red as a wall of black flames appears in the middle of the room.
Stepping out of the flame, a man dawning in black armor stepped out. A noticeable scar can be seen on his forehead. Each step he takes, the clanking of his metal shoe echoed in the room. He walked forward and stood in front of the throne.
The second to step out was two little girls. Their defining features are the horns on their head. One girl with a pair of red horns looked nervous. Her hair black with a red streak through the front. Her hair was long flowing around as she walked towards the man. The other girl beside her had black horns. Her hair is red with a streak of black. Her expression was joyful, confident, and her eyes lit up when she looked at the man sitting. She ran to stand in line before the throne.
The next to step out was a woman in a dark, knight-like armor. Her walk was filled with confidence and a sense of duty to shoulder. Her face serious, yet soft and gentle. She had wavy blonde hair, and her eyes were blue and shining with a sense of determination. Standing before the man, her hand stayed firm on the hilt of her blade.
And the last to walk out is the women clad in black liquid flames. Her cape dissipated, revealing a woman in a light tight armor. Her hair is a deep brown. Her eyes are a light gray. She walked out in high heels, each step making a clicking noise on the ground. Removing her mask, her face became visible. She smiled as she walked to the throne.
They all stopped in a line before the throne. The man slowly looked up as all 5 of them took a knee to bow down to the man.
"No need to bow before me," the man said softly to the five. "I hope to hear good news?"
"The war front in Sea Harbor has been progressing as planned by my lord." Said the armored man. "The offending force are slowly but surely winning. Should I interfere, Lord Grim?"
"No Sebastian," said Grim. "Let them do what they will. I will, however, need you to defend the locals. The Diamonds aren't known for their great morals. Try to get the women and children out, but do not interfere unless it threatens your mission."
"Yes, as you wish." Sebastian affirmed.
"Oh, my Lord!" screamed out the excited demon girl.
"Yes, Malva?" Grim responded.
"Elda said to give you, her regards." the girl said with a smile, her tail flinging from said to side"
Smiling, grim responded "Ah, do give Elda my thanks when you get a chance to visit her. I hope Gornir is doing fine as well?"
"He is a bit cranky as always, but he is still strong and healthy as expected. He also said you have become soft over the years." Malva said Teasingly.
"Um, my lord. I think my sister is just messing with you." said the shy girl, her tail wagging side to side.
Grim laughed, then spoke. "Do not worry Lily, I am well aware of your sister's antics. Malva dear, do try not to start fights between the overlords alright?"
Malva pouted. "But between you and Gornir, who do you think will win if you do fight?" she asked eagerly.
"To be honest, i think Gornir have an honest chance at winning if he goes all out." Grim responded.
"Woah, he is that strong? But he looks so weak!" Malva said.
"I suppose he does. His looks are deceiving my dear, do not mistaken his personality for being weak. He is extremely smart as a matter of fact."
"Alright kids, enough. Lord Grim, I would like to partake in the battle between Arcadia and the Dragons in the North." said the lady clad in armor.
"Any particular reason, Helena? Questioned Grim. "Last time I checked you said, 'leave them to their suffering, they deserve it.'"
"Believe me, I don't want to help them out of pure kindness. It's just that I would prefer if the destruction of the dragon's land were kept to a minimum." said Helena.
"Permission granted. Perhaps we can further diplomacy with the dragons with this opportunity." said Grim.
Helena bowed her head in appreciation.
"Grim, I have some info you might want to know," said the browned hair women.
"I'm all ears my Love" Grim said
Smiling for a bit, her face turned stern and serious. The woman speaks. "Well, sadly it isn't good news. Recently, people are speaking of some new cult. Normally it wouldn't be that bad to have some lunatic running a cult, but this case is rather concerning. I genuinely cannot follow any traces. This is a first for me"
Silent for a bit, everyone looked grim for his response.
"Sister, would you like me to investigate it as well?" Helena offered.
"Um. I agree, Lady Valerie. me and my sister can search for information as well if you need." lily said softly.
"I thank you for your desire to assist," said Valerie, "but I will have to decline. Besides, we do not know who they are, where they are, or even if they exist in the first place. Further investigation is needed before I can request for your assistance."
"I will go with you to investigate the issue," said Grim sternly.
The others looked at Grim in mild confusion.
"But grim, there isn't enough information yet to even know if it is real." emphasized Valerie.
"Just a hunch is all." Insisted Grim. "I will head into town with Valerie, to ask around. Sebastian will handle the evacuation of the war between the Diamonds and the Wyrm Clan. Helena will handle the battlefield between Arcadia and the Dragons. As for Lily and Malva, you two come along with me and Valerie to town. Is everything understood?"
"Yes, my lord" said all five in unison as they bow down to Grim once more.
Sebastian was first to leave. His heavy metallic armor makes low clanking noises as he moves. Walking into the black flames, his body slowly disappeared behind the flame as it dissipates. Helena bowed her towards Grim before turning to Valerie.
"Good luck with your mission, Lady Val," Helena said.
"You as well, Helena," said Valerie
As Helena gave a nod towards Valerie, she just as quickly turned to walk into the black flames. Her figure disappeared behind the flame just as it did to Sebastian, and the flame dissipates.
The two girl's hair slowly crept a brown color over their normal hair, as their horns retracted into themself. The girl's face morphs and contorts as they struggle to control their appearances. After a moment, the girls calmed down, and they looked as though they were normal humans.
Grim stood up, his figure menacing even to the two demon girls. Taking off Grim's mask, his face morphs. His scars exude black liquid flames as the scars slowly disappear. His eyes made into a solid obsidian black. His hair shortened, as his body became smaller.
Hundreds of dark shadow figures rose up from the ground around them, some wielding blades of blue flames while others wielded bows with black arrows. From the windows outlooking the gray outside, flames rose up to cover the outer surface of the wall. Some shadows head outside of the castle, walking through the outer wall of flame.
Excitedly, Malva jumps up and down, ready for the day out to town with Grim and Valerie, while Lily is too shy to go and see others. Grim snapped his fingers as black flames surged from their feet to their head. Slowly, the flame morphs into colorful clothes.
A fancy black suit for Grim with long gloves to cover the scars on his hand and arm. A beautiful purple dress and hat for Valerie. On her neck dawns a beautiful purple gem with a hint of black flame trapped inside, flickering around subtly. For the girls, two cute red and blue dresses for young girls, both dawning a fancy hat similar to Valerie. On Lily and Malva's glove lay a singular black and red gem respectively.
Satisfied with their outfit, Valerie summoned another flame wall leading to the town where she got the most leads on the cult.
"First place will be the City of Herdain." Valerie declared.
Grim led the way, walking confidently through the wall of fire. Lily, hesitant to walk into the fire, was pushed by Malva into the flame. Looking around the castle for a moment, looking at the throne, then to the many shadow soldiers standing guard of the castle, Valerie couldn't help but smile. Elegantly walking towards the wall of fire, her figure disappeared into the flame, as the flame dissipated into thin air.
The castle grows silent with nothing but the sound of fire breathing throughout the castle. Whispers come from the shadow figures. The whisper of an oath made by grim himself to his master. Zooming out from the castle, the giant golden door closed with a slam, as fire engulfs the castle whole.
To Be Continue