In a liminal space Dave the R.O.B waited on the next soul for him to judge. It was his one and only purpose set forth by some greater power and he did his job well, normally others in his position would not need much power as they only dealt with the souls of weak humans and other species and ushered them into their new life, or some form of an after life depending on their beliefs. Dave was special however as after a few millennia of doing his job, a large and powerful soul ended up in his space and made a mess of things, even now it has yet to recover and so Daves superiors granted him more power in case something like this happened again. This did not help however as after the first incident every soul that came Daves way was large, strong and usually not happy about dying. So he was given more power until one day his creator stepped in and gave him an ability, everytime a new soul entered his liminal space his strength would adjust accordingly so that no further incidents would occur.
It worked thankfully and now Dave regularly judges souls and send them to where they belong and a few centuries ago he was even permitted to send a sliver of his power with them to their new lives so that he could watch them as they grew and fulfilled the purpose that was given them, whether they knew it or not. Dave had just watched one of his more recent souls reach semi-divinity status when a new soul entered his space. As usual Dave waited for his soul to acclimate to the strength of this new soul but was surprised when it showed no sign of stopping, thinking fast he channeled this into fixing his liminal space fixing all the cracks and tears that had accumulated over the years and set a portion of his mind to continue on this task as he turned around to see what kind of soul warranted such a large amount of power.
Turning around Dave was shocked however as instead of their being a normal soul in the shape of a sphere, an entire body stood in front of him and behind it the liminal space had changed color to blood red. Taking his eyes off the new color of the space Dave looked at the 'soul' in front of him, it appeared human at first glance but upon peering closer Dave noticed that its genetic material comprised of many different species, human, dragon, and even several stands of undead variants where all stuffed into this one body, but what was most remarkable was how stable the soul was as most that came to Dave that had more than one bloodline were often fractured and in need of repair, which he always did before sending them on their way.
Perhaps unnerved by the close scrutiny, the soul in front of Dave did something surprising, flexing its hands Dave watched in fascination as several claws extended out from its fingers, 'Theres the dragon side.' Dave mused as he noticed the the claws were
Dave was about to continue when the soul spoke, "You know that Scarlet King, what is a combat mode?" it asked Dave noticed that its voice was quiet and shaky most likely from not having used it in a long time if the weak vocal cords in its throat were anything to go by. "How interesting that you can speak while in Combat Mode, plus the fact that you don't know what a combat mode is, and yes I have met the Scarlet King twice for important events why do you know him?" Dave asked cheerfully as he checked on the progress of the space around them that was a quarter of the way fixed fixing a few minor details as he listened to the soul speak again, "I'm his grandson apparently, and what's a combat mode?"
Dave froze as did the space around them as Dave felt the presence of his creator right outside of the liminal space a long with several other very strong beings, but due to laws set in place by 'something' they couldn't enter until Dave was done. "What is you name?" Dave asked now deadly serious which the soul noticed a long as somehow noticing the pressences right outside the space. It stared at Dave for a full three minutes before slowly speaking while crouching as if getting ready to pounce "Apollyon." it said. 'Ah, well I'm screwed' Dave thought as he remembered the event that shook creation as in a far flung corner of a barren omni-verse that the Scarlet King controlled, after decimating it. "I see." Dave said "Many know of your name including those outside and they have been searching for you, but it seems that your grandfather has been keeping you hidden while you carry out your revenge, if you are here i'm assuming you failed." Dave did not ask he stated as he knew that everytime he had a visitor here they were dead.
Bristling Apollyon asked "How did you know." he demanded as he took a step towards Dave and the power he was receiving increased by a power of two and started to put a strain on the space, quickly Dave focused on keeping everything stable so they would be able to converse in peace but still responded to the furious soul "Everyone knows, and they all want to kill you or take your power, so once you leave this place you can NEVER say that name again, no matter what as instantly everything from my creator of the son of GOD himself will appear and destroy you no questions asked, I recommend using a new name as often as possible." Dave said as he finally got the space back under relative control as more beings appeared outside the space. "Where am I?" Apollyone asked. Seeing some semblance of control in a very dangerous situation Dave answered with a smile "You are in a liminal space used to judge powerful souls and send them off to reincarnate, suffer or any other sort of thing, my name is Dave and i'm in charge here, however since your soul is so strong I am unable to exert control here other than sending you to your next destination, I recommend somewhere quiet and safe that you can use to train and build your strength in while things calm down." Apollyon looked at him puzzled "Like where, I was too busy with other things to explore." he said as Dave facepalmed "And you never told me what a combat mode is."
Dave smiled at his insistence on an answer to that question, "I don't know sorry, but I can recommend a good place thats relatively quiet but I can't tell you the name of the place since we're not alone her." Dave said as he nodded his head to the increasing number of beings outside. Apollyon nodded grimly knowing that his situation was far from good at the moment. "But first you need to deal with that combat mode, say 'Combat Mode, deactivate' and never say it again unless you are going to fight one of the people outside because saying those words is the same as saying your name." Dave said serious again as he watched Apollyon revert back into a human "What about my magic, will it not give me away?" he asked puzzled, "No but I'd still only use it in emergencies like keeping a planet from cracking or fighting low level divines." Dave said as Apollyon nodded while dissipating his magic 'soul magic' Dave noticed with interest.
"So what else do I need to do?" Apollyon asked as he sat down and crossed his legs and Dave did the same, "Well for starters we can't leave your genome the way it is so I suggest diluting certain parts that your familiar with and enhancing those that you need more work with." Dave said while thinking of other things "I'd like to bring out more of the dragon since before i've only been able to use claws and nothing else." Apollyon said as Dave got an idea "Ok we'll do that but I got an idea, we can give you a system a new one that no one can control but you!" Dave said excited to use the new fad that other judges were also using nowaday, "System?" Apollyon asked cocking his head in confusion. "A system is like a video game screen, it's usually projected into your retinas and has a variety of functions like keeping track of your strength and giving you access to various extra things that you can purchase with points that you can earn in a variety of ways depending on the system." Dave said while Apollyon narrowed his eyes "What's the catch?" he asked obviously not trusting something so good.
Dave laughed "Your smart, that's good and your right most of these things have a catch since the system is actually a small creature that attaches itself to its host and as the host gets stronger so does the system before it kills the host and returns to its master passing on its accumulated strength and repeating the cycle, such symbiotic relationships are becoming more and more common and I predict that in a few millennia that most strong beings will get their power this way, maybe the hosts might break the chains but as of right now it's impossible." Dave said while pondering who might have made the systems to begin with. "Then why would you offer me a parasite!" Apollyon all but yelled while Dave remained calm "You didn't hear me, I said a NEW system that has no master, since it has no master you will take complete control of it and any of its descendants and its will never turn on you." Dave patiently explained but Apollyon was still confused "But you said that they already had masters so how di I know that this is legit?"
Ever eager to answer Dave continued "Because of YOU actually, see whenever a new soul comes into my space I get stronger accordingly and since you came in here I've just been getting stronger and stronger, its been good though since i've been able to repair my liminal space and even add a few things that will be useful in the future, and with this power I can make an entirely NEW system symbiote and bind it to your soul and make sure that it only does what you want it to!"
Dave finished as a look of understanding finally appeared on Apollyons face "Oh ok I get it know, so you'll use the excess energy to create a new fresh system and bind it to me while also changing my genome to better fit the new world I'm going to!" "Exactly!" Dave cheered but before they could celebrate or start the process the space around them cracked as a fissure appeared on the blood red side that Apollyon was on. However feeling the presence that had force its way into the space neither Dave nor Apollyon reacted, it wouldn't have mattered if they did any way, the new person in the space was none other than
THE SCARLET KING
As the massive scarlet red man strode over both Dave, Apollyon and the other beings outside froze as if afraid to offend the insanely strong force of eldritch nature that was now in their midst, and one by one the being outside left seeing that the being was not here to fight and all took the opportunity to run as even together they could do nothing to the creature before them, how could they when even GOD himself had to put his entire focus into subduing the creature that now sat calmly criss-cross applesauce next to Dave and Apollyon. The Scarlet King did not speak but Dave and Apollyon knew what he planned to do regardless, 'Do want you want, I will make sure it goes according to plan' they heard in their heads as they finally relaxed knowing that for now they would still keep on existing.
Taking a deep breath despite not needing air Dave began the process of of creating the new system using massive amount of power that did not diminish but rather grew stronger and more potent with the addition of the Scarlet King being here in person, channeling all that power was starting to put a strain on Dave but his burden was eased as the Scarlet King laid a hand on his shoulder helping him finish the last parts that would keep the symbiote loyal to Apollyon and ensuring that it would never leave or turn on him. As they finished the first task Dave then turned to Apollyon who now lay in a ritual circle that was being drawn by blood flowing from a gash in the Scarlet Kings hand, walking over Dave with the assistance of the Scarlet King began the process of sealing most of Apollyons many bloodlines and power sources that somehow did not try and tear each other apart Dave noted with wonder. As they finished sealing they then started to enhance his dragon aspect and balance it with the others while also raising his human aspect to an acceptable level as he would need it in the world to come, as they did Dave watched with fascination as massive horns wings and claws appeared and disappeared on Apollyon beith physically and etherially as if giving them a view of all the different combinations that Apollyone would be able to choose from in the future. Finally finishing Dave stood back as the Scarlet King let go of his shoulder while a dark red hand tattoo appeared on Daves shoulder, showing he had the blessing and approval of one of the oldest monsters out there.
Standing up Apollyon shook himself as blood flew off of him, turning to them he asked "Now what?" Dave was about to answer but the Scarlet King beat him to it 'Now you go and grow stronger, remember never use your true name, never use your combat mode and remember why you fight' Apollyon and Dave heard in their minds. "I understand, I'm ready." Apollyon said nodding at Dave who them opened a swirling dark blue portal and Apollyon stepped through into a new world.
As the portal shut and relative calm returned Dave turned to his now benefactor "Why did you help, you have never interfered with mortals before? he asked genuinely confused 'He will surpass me one day, GOD has decreed so as he feels there is a need for a strong central figure for the darker aspects of reality and creation' "But is not Satan that figure, if not then why not you?" 'We only know power, we wield it now and until our use has run out, he will be different he has known weakness and loss, he thought he gained power but arrived here, he is destined to suffer and suffer and bring suffering and hope and salvation to all, but he will never know true love as that has been taken from him' that confused Dave "He will never love?" 'His love is pure and corrupting but only one is meant for him but they can never be, their progeny would threaten everything, but he can still love just not the one he will chase after for eternity' Daves eyes widened as he remembered something "You mean her, don't you, so they can never be together and will always be kept apart?" the Scarlet King nodded 'He walks the path, it is long and narrow and for every step he takes the path becomes more treacherous and falls apart behind him, he has no choice and once he reached the end of the path he will break free from the purpose GOD has laid out for him and he will be the one that keeps everything here away from the Source' Dave merely nodded knowing that there where things in play that were not for him to understand, not now not ever, but he would remain here and keep judging the souls of the strong though he would most likely be under the Scarlet King from now on as he carried his mark. Looking around Dave noticed that he hadn't even seen him leave.
A/N Hey there this was just a trial chapter i've got a bit of a story in mind and i'll probably make one more chapter just to set the stage before seeing what people think and going from there, so leave a comment and tell me what you think so far!