Before they arrived back at the temple.
Rue smiled, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "It's time for me to leave," she said, her voice dripping with false sincerity. "I have to continue my search for the Blue Diamond."
Azrael nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. He had grown accustomed to Rue's presence.
"Be careful, Rue," he said, his voice genuine. "The world can be a treacherous place."
Rue laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I can take care of myself, Azrael," she said. "But thank you for your concern."
With that, Rue turned and walked away, disappearing into the trees. Azrael watched her go, feeling a sense of unease. Something didn't feel right.
Unbeknownst to Azrael, Rue had no intention of searching for the Blue Diamond. Instead, she made her way deep into the forest, where she opened a portal that led back to the Demon King's realm.
As she stepped through the portal, Rue's body began to shift and contort, her limbs twisting and elongating like a puppet on a string. Her face stretched and distorted, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly energy.
The body that had once belonged to the young woman now lay lifeless on the forest floor, a hollow shell devoid of soul or spirit. Korvus, the demon, had abandoned his host body, returning to the Demon King's realm to deliver his report.
"My lord," Korvus said, his voice dripping with malevolence. "I have observed the Archangel, his name is Azrael and I must report that he is far more powerful than we anticipated."
The Demon King's eyes narrowed, his face twisted with rage. "Go on," he growled.
Korvus bowed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Azrael possesses abilities that rival those of the ancient angels. His strength, speed, and agility are most spectacular, and his magical abilities are still growing in power."
The Demon King's face darkened, his anger growing by the minute. "We cannot allow Azrael to continue growing in power," he snarled. "We must destroy him, before he becomes too powerful to de"
Korvus smiled, his eyes glinting with malevolence. "I agree, my lord," he said. "Do you have a plan to ensure Azrael's destruction..."
The Demon King's face twisted into a grotesque grin, his eyes gleaming with malevolence. "Korvus, your work has been exemplary," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "The intel you've brought back on the Archangel Azrael will be invaluable in our quest to destroy him."
Korvus bowed, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Thank you, my lord," he said. "I am but a humble servant, doing my duty to the kingdom."
The Demon King waved a hand, dismissing Korvus's humility. "Enough of that," he said. "We have a plan to discuss. A plan to destroy the Archangel Azrael once and for all."
Korvus's eyes lit up with excitement, his face twisted into a cruel grin. "I'm all ears, my lord," he said.
The Demon King leaned forward, his eyes blazing with intensity. "We will send our most elite soldier, the demon Xarath, to kill Azrael," he said. "Xarath is a ruthless and efficient killer, with powers that rival those of the Archangels themselves."
Korvus nodded, his eyes gleaming with approval. "An excellent choice, my lord," he said. "Xarath will not fail."
The Demon King smiled, his face twisted into a grotesque grin. "I have no doubt that Xarath will succeed," he said. "And with Azrael out of the way, nothing will stand in our way to conquer the seven realms and shut the heavens."
Korvus bowed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I will see to it that Xarath is dispatched immediately, my lord," he said.
The Demon King nodded, his face twisted into a cruel grin. "See that you do, Korvus," he said.
As Korvus bowed and backed away, the Demon King's eyes seemed to bore into his very soul. Korvus knew that he had to succeed, or face the consequences of failure.
Korvus stood before the dark altar, the air thick with the stench of brimstone and decay. He began the ritual to summon the demon Xarath, his voice echoing through the cavernous space as he chanted the words of the ancient incantation.
The ground trembled beneath his feet as a dark, swirling portal erupted into existence before him. A figure emerged from the shadows, its eyes glowing like embers from the underworld.
Xarath, the demon, stood tall, his muscular frame rippling with dark energy. His skin was a deep, crimson red, and his eyes burned with an inner fire that seemed to pierce the very soul. His horns curved upwards from his forehead, twisted and gnarled like ancient tree roots. His wings, dark and leathery, stretched out from his back, casting long shadows across the floor.
By his side stood a massive, twisted creature, its body a grotesque amalgamation of dog and demon. Gorthok, the demon dog, had eyes that glowed like lanterns in the dark, and its jaws seemed to be perpetually twisted into a snarl. Its fur was a mass of writhing, pulsing tendrils that seemed to shift and writhe like living things.
Korvus smiled, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Xarath, you have been summoned for a great purpose," he said, his voice dripping with malevolence. "Your mission is to destroy the last Archangel Azrael, who is in the mortal realm."
Xarath nodded, his eyes burning with anticipation. "I will not fail," he growled, his voice like thunder in the darkness. "Azrael will fall before me, and our kingdom will reign supreme."
Korvus handed Xarath a small, ornate box. "This contains a gift from our king," he said. "A token of our appreciation for your service. Use it well."
Xarath took the box, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. He opened it, revealing a small, glowing crystal nestled in a bed of black velvet. The crystal pulsed with dark energy, and Xarath's eyes seemed to burn with an inner fire as he gazed upon it.
With a wave of his hand, Korvus dismissed the portal, and Xarath vanished into the darkness,leaving his pet demon dog behind, into the mortal realm he goes.