Far from the towering presence of the Citadel of Nightfallen, deep within the shadowy reaches of the desolate wastelands, Reynard the Arcane Strategist stood at the peak of a jagged cliff. His gaze was sharp, his crimson eyes glowing faintly as he surveyed the land before him. The air was thick with malevolence, a tangible presence of power waiting to be shaped, controlled, and unleashed.
Here, in the farthest reaches beyond the Citadel's influence, he would establish his force—a dark entity that would divert the world's attention while Lucian and the floor guardians pursued their own missions in secrecy. But this force, unlike any other, would be led by the Seven Demon Lords of Sin—each one a master of their vice, ruling over separate regions, yet answering only to him, Reynard, the true power behind the shadows.
Reynard descended from the cliff, his flowing black and gold robes rustling softly as he approached the newly constructed fortress. This place, hidden from prying eyes and far from the reach of the Citadel, was designed with a singular purpose in mind: domination through fear, manipulation, and chaos. It was not just a fortress but the nerve center of a dark empire in the making.
Within the grand hall, the air crackled with magic, a faint blue aura swirling around Reynard as he summoned forth the seven Demon Lords—creatures of immense power, each tied to a different Sin, their levels just below his.
The chamber darkened, and the summoning circle at the center of the hall glowed with malevolent energy. One by one, they materialized before him—seven towering figures, their forms embodying the darkest aspects of sin.
The Seven Demon Lords of Sin
Malphas, Lord of Pride
A regal figure, standing tall with glowing, ethereal armor that gleamed with a radiant dark gold. His wings, black and edged with silver, stretched wide, and his voice echoed with arrogance. Pride emanated from every inch of him, his head adorned with a golden crown that only emphasized his self-perceived supremacy.
Malphas inclined his head slightly but said nothing. His piercing gaze never left Reynard, knowing his orders would soon come.
Astaroth, Lady of Lust
Draped in scarlet silks that clung to her form, her beauty was intoxicating and dangerous. Her crimson eyes gleamed with desire, a weapon as sharp as any blade. Her presence in the room caused the air to hum with tension.
"My lord Reynard," she purred, her voice like velvet, "what pleasures do you have in mind for us?"
Azgaroth, Lord of Gluttony
A massive, grotesque figure, his body constantly shifting and expanding. His endless hunger was palpable in the air as his molten eyes scanned the room, always searching for something to consume, whether it was flesh or power. His gluttony was insatiable, yet his brute strength was unrivaled.
He grunted in acknowledgment, his sharp teeth glinting as he growled, "More to devour soon, I hope."
Belphegor, Lord of Sloth
Draped in tattered robes, his form was lazily slouched upon a throne of black stone that rose from the ground at his command. His eyes were half-lidded, his face marked with perpetual boredom, though his power was no less deadly when roused.
"A task... that requires effort?" he murmured in a sluggish tone. "How troublesome."
Mammon, Lord of Greed
Cloaked in shimmering gold and encrusted with jewels, his fingers adorned with rings that gleamed in the dim light. His eyes were dark and calculating, always seeking more to add to his hoard. His greed extended not just to wealth but to power and dominion.
He smirked at Reynard. "What riches lie in wait for us, strategist? What spoils do we claim?"
Wrathgar, Lord of Wrath
A fiery titan, his skin cracked and charred as molten lava pulsed beneath it. His eyes burned with a fury that was always just on the edge of explosion. His greatsword, ablaze with dark flame, rested upon his back. Wrathgar never stood still, his body constantly vibrating with barely contained rage.
"Point me in the direction of destruction, and I shall deliver," he growled.
Leviathor, Lord of Envy
Serpentine and treacherous, with a body that twisted and writhed as if always in competition with itself. His green-scaled form shimmered, his eyes constantly shifting between the other lords as though comparing their power to his.
"Who do we surpass next, Reynard?" Leviathor hissed, his forked tongue flickering.
Reynard stood tall before them, his expression unchanging as the demon lords of sin assembled, each radiating their vice like a beacon of power. His voice was calm but commanding, cutting through their presence with a precise tone. "The world is vast, and Lord Lucian's plan requires precision. But as you know, chaos must often precede order."
He gestured to a map that materialized in front of them, displaying the nearby kingdoms and empires. "Each of you will be stationed across different regions of this world. Your tasks are to sow discord, subjugate the weak, and lure powerful forces away from the Citadel's location. Your presence will force them to focus on their survival, not on investigating the true heart of our power."
His gaze shifted to Malphas, the Lord of Pride. "You will take the northern regions, where the noble houses hold sway. Appeal to their pride, tear them apart from within."
Next, his eyes fell on Astaroth, Lady of Lust. "The southern kingdoms are known for their desire for beauty and excess. Twist their desires into tools for domination."
He then addressed Azgaroth. "The western territories, with their abundant resources, will be your domain. Devour everything in your path, but leave enough to keep them desperate and subservient."
Belphegor would take the vast plains to the east, where productivity was key. "Infect them with sloth. Turn their greatest strength into weakness."
Reynard's gaze settled on Mammon. "You will go where greed already thrives. Offer them riches, but make them pay in blood."
For Wrathgar, the war-torn southern lands were his. "Incite the bloodlust in those already thirsty for war. Let the flames of their fury consume them."
And finally, Leviathor. "You will slither through the shadows of the greatest powers in the world. Make them doubt themselves and each other. Envy will be your greatest weapon."
Reynard's crimson eyes glowed with satisfaction. "You will operate in the open, ruling your domains. But remember, you answer to me. I control the threads of this dark force, and through you, I will divert attention from Lord Lucian's plans."
As the Seven Demon Lords bowed and pledged their service, Reynard remained still, calculating. The game had only just begun, and the pieces were now in motion. His dark force was established, and soon, the world would be caught in the web of their sins.
For while the others thought they ruled, it was Reynard who would pull the strings. And in doing so, he would ensure the rise of Lord Lucian as the true sovereign of this new world.