Rain, disguised as Gandolf, stepped into the dark alleys of the slums. The streets were a stark contrast to the bright, bustling city beyond the walls. Here, darkness swallowed everything, as only a handful of homes had the luxury of light magic tools. The moon offered no solace, its glow blocked by the towering walls of Elshire and the rocky mountains surrounding the city. No one noticed the robed mage as he slipped away from the scene where he had just annihilated the Dusk Vipers. The slums were far enough from the commoner district that anonymity was guaranteed. Rain could breathe easier knowing that no witnesses had seen his face.
In the distance, faint voices could be heard. People were starting to gather near the remnants of the Dusk Vipers' base. A few slum dwellers cautiously approached, their eyes scanning the destruction.
"Who... who was that?" a man whispered, his eyes wide as he gazed at the smoking ruins. "I only saw a grey silhouette, but... he took them all down in an instant."
Another, a woman with dirt-streaked cheeks, nodded slowly. "Whoever he is, he's powerful. But why? Why go after the Vipers? What's his goal?"
A younger voice joined in, a boy barely in his teens. "Maybe he's here to clean up the slums, to help us."
The woman sighed, shaking her head. "I don't know about that. The Vipers may have been ruthless, but they gave us food when we were starving. They shared their spoils, even if it came from thievery."
"Yeah," the man grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "They weren't all bad. When my family had nothing, they helped... But still, they were cruel to non-humans. The half-bloods and beastfolk were always treated like scum by them."
A middle-aged elf with ragged clothes chimed in, his voice bitter. "Good riddance, I say. They hated us just because of our blood. Now we can walk these streets without being harassed by them."
"But what now?" The woman looked around, her eyes sad. "Who will fill the void? The Vipers kept order in their own way. They were the ones who kept worse people at bay."
A voice from the back of the crowd interrupted the murmuring. "Not all of them are dead," a gruff man said, stepping forward. "I wasn't in the base tonight. I was out collecting... things." His face was pale, his hands trembling. "But now I'm the last one left. Whoever that mage was... he spared me. Why?" (he isn't spared, he just avoided Rain's attack zone, Rain also doesn't know that some Dusk Vipers are roaming outside. So this man probably lived by his own luck)
The crowd fell silent, exchanging uneasy glances. The cloaked figure that had wiped out the Dusk Vipers left them with more questions than answers.
*clap~ *clap~ *clap~
A soft clap echoed behind him, followed by the sound of footsteps. Rain turned to see the cloaked man from before finally lowering his hood. His face, now illuminated by a faint, distant light, revealed sharp features common among elves, but with an unusual ruggedness. "I am Victor," the man introduced himself, his voice calm but deliberate. "A part of the Anti-Human Supremacy, or AHS."
Victor was a half-blood high elf, his pointed ears only half as prominent, and his complexion tanned. He appeared to be in his middle age, though with elves, that could mean centuries. As they began walking through the dimly lit streets, Victor gestured for Rain to follow him. The two strolled in silence for a few moments, their boots making soft sounds against the uneven cobblestones.
Rain glanced around, noting how the atmosphere subtly shifted the deeper they ventured. The broken-down homes and scattered debris of the outer slums gave way to more fortified, hidden structures. The air grew heavier, and the shadows seemed more deliberate, as though this part of the city had learned how to hide itself from the world.
Victor broke the silence. "The so-called 'demons'... they weren't always known as that. Eight hundred years ago, they were simply part of the demi-humans." His voice lowered, as though the weight of history itself was pressing down on him. "Back then, humans ruled over everything. They grew stronger fast, multiplied faster, and deemed themselves the superior race."
Rain raised an eyebrow, but didn't interrupt. He let Victor continue.
"The discrimination against demi-humans was severe, especially the elves, dwarves, and beastmen. But then... the Demon Lord emerged," Victor explained. "He was a half-dragon, half-human. His own dragon kin disowned him, and humans hunted him for his tainted blood. The title of 'Demon Lord' was not of his choosing, but one forced upon him by those who hated him."
Rain nodded thoughtfully, considering the implications of such a title. He glanced at Victor, who seemed lost in his own thoughts.
Victor continued, his tone becoming more animated. "The Demon Lord was killed six hundred years ago, but not before causing chaos and destruction. His adopted daughter rose in his place. She was the one who united the demi-humans and declared war on humanity. Her strength was beyond measure, and she became known as the Demon Overlord. Under her leadership, the term 'demon' was solidified for those who sought revenge against human supremacy."
As they walked, the buildings grew taller and more imposing, though still shrouded in darkness. The streets here were narrower, with hidden alleyways and concealed passages. It was a part of the slums that few dared to tread, even during the day. Rain followed Victor, who seemed to know every twist and turn, his steps unerring.
"The Demon Overlord wasn't just any leader," Victor continued, lowering his voice. "She brought together five powerful demon lords under her banner, forming what became known as the 4 Heavenly Kings under her command. They destroyed human kingdoms, wiped them off the map, and ushered in an age of war. But it wasn't just humans who opposed them. Elves, dwarves, and even beastmen turned against them. They didn't like the damage the demons were doing to nature, to the world. Not to mention, the killing of anyone, even kind-hearted humans, regardless of their stance."
Victor paused as they reached an unassuming door at the end of a narrow alley. The door was made of reinforced iron, blending into the stone walls surrounding it. With a quick gesture, Victor placed his hand against a hidden symbol, and the door clicked open.
Inside, Rain was met with a sight that contradicted the grim exterior. It was a heavily fortified base, built into the slums like a hidden fortress. Stone walls and metal beams reinforced the structure, and magic circles glowed faintly on the ground, acting as a form of protection. Guards stood at attention, all bearing the emblem of the AHS on their cloaks.
Victor led Rain inside, continuing his story. "The war between humans and demons raged on for centuries. Eventually, the Demon Overlord was sealed, not killed. Tyriel, the Saintess of the True God, and a powerful space mage, managed to imprison her. But the damage was done. The world was forever scarred."
Rain nodded. "And what of your organization? The AHS?"
Victor glanced at Rain, his eyes narrowing slightly. "We exist to prevent the Demon Overlord's rage from being unleashed again. Human supremacy must be dismantled, or else the cycle of hatred will never end. Heroes, especially those summoned from another world, are a direct threat to that goal. Their very existence fuels the hatred that burns within the Demon Overlord."
Rain hummed in thought. 'Interesting,' he mused internally. 'The AHS seeks to stop the Demon Overlord, but their methods are just as extreme.'
Victor led Rain deeper into the base, through a series of twisting corridors and secured rooms. "This branch is one of many," Victor explained. "We operate in secret, always moving, always watching. The heroes summoned to this world by the kingdoms are nothing but pawns. They must be eliminated."
Rain, still in his guise as Gandolf, spoke calmly. "And what if the heroes could be... reasoned with?"
Victor laughed, the sound harsh and devoid of humor. "Reasoned with? Heroes are chosen because they believe in justice, in human supremacy. They will never side with us."
As they reached a final, larger chamber, Victor gestured for Rain to sit. The room was lit by glowing orbs of magic, casting a soft light over the maps and documents scattered across the tables. It was clear this was a command center of sorts.
Rain took a seat, watching Victor carefully. 'These people might be useful. If they have information on the summoned heroes, it could be valuable.'
Victor poured two cups of a dark liquid, offering one to Rain. "I trust you'll consider joining us, Sir Gandolf. Your power could be an invaluable asset in our fight against the heroes and human supremacy."
Rain sipped the drink thoughtfully, eyes narrowing as he considered his options. 'This group is dangerous, but they might be the key to finding out more about the Demon Overlord and the heroes.'
The conversation continued late into the night, with Rain weighing the possibilities and listening carefully to every word Victor shared.
As dawn approached, Rain stood, his decision still unspoken, but the seeds of his next move already taking root in his mind.