Demons in The Dark. [Open To All]

[Arch_Nemsis]

(Note this is part of my forthcoming Villains Project. All are welcome.)

Nearby to the Peaceful Promenade, in the area of Underwood in Corone.

The outskirts of the Concordia Forest reached as far as Underwood, and the area was surrounded by trees.

Underwood was a "peaceful" town and it's mainstay attraction was the Peaceful Promenade.

That's where Nosdyn came into play. As he stood there, among the cluster of trees, his eyes narrowed. He could hear the natives of Underwood nearby, and it sickened him. However, for the time being...Nosdyn needed to keep them alive. They offered trade and services as long as he at least partially obeyed the law. Organized society was a structure that was meant to beat the surface dwellers into compliance of their own laws. It was a corrupt system, one that could be manipulated at will by those like Nosdyn. Nosdyn, who lurked in the dark, was a demon. Like all demon kind, he originated from Haidia, the Tular Plains themselves.

Nosdyn looked up at the night sky.

To his east he could see the lights flickering from lanterns that created an almost eerie effect. Nosdyn clenched his fists tightly. He had a camp near to the settlement, and had made a few allies that he could manipulate to his will. He was pondering what to do next. The area around Underwood itself was prime hunting grounds. Many sorts of beasts herded within the confines of Concordia Forest. Nosdyn's ears could hear the calls of the wild. The calls were music to him, various Concordia predators and other sorts of beasts made their calls.

It was hot that night, and the campfire made it nearly too much.

However, Nosdyn was from a hot place, and such regions produced the finest warriors of Althanas. As he sat on the rock, he stared at the raging flames of the small campfire. Nosdyn was a soldier first and foremost, and such a title demanded that one adapt various survival tactics. The demon army from Haidia had operatives on the surface world much like Nosdyn. And he was one of the operatives sent to enact the final invasion of Althanas itself. However, he'd been stalled. I need a proper sense of coordination. Without knowledge of the enemy...I will never be able to defeat their superior officers in combat. Nosdyn thought to himself as he sat there in place. His beefy arm was bent so that he could lean his lower jaw against his fist. He was in a classic thinking man's sitting position.

So when the branch snapped and caught Nosdyn's attention he immediately turned to see who it was.

It was a female warrior, an Elf. The blue bloods and their high and mighty ways...what could she possibly want...? Nosdyn looked at the female Elf. She was armed very well, but she did not assume a combat stance. Nosdyn assumed she was not a threat. He observed the Elf as she walked over towards him.

"Saw your campfire, decided to investigate the cause. You looked like you could use some company so I'm here."

Nosdyn's eyes had a golden glow to them, almost like amber. They stared at the woman for a long moment, he found her agreeable despite being an Elf. "Your company is noted." Nosdyn responded in a deep, accented voice.

"May I have a seat with you?" She asked.

Nosdyn motioned towards a nearby rock, a non-hostile gesture. "By all means." He said casually.

He observed her as she moved and sat down casually. "You've been hunting the bigger game out here, haven't you? Some pretty dangerous beasts too." She said casually.

"Yeah. I trade with the locals with whatever I can salvage from the fallen." Nosdyn said in response. "Wasn't aware that there was a settlement of your people around these parts." Nosdyn observed.

"Few are aware that we're out here." She said in response. "Some of the game you killed...impressed me and my people. I have come to offer you an alliance. If you would care to listen to the offer." The woman said carefully.

Nosdyn narrowed his eyes for a moment. Is she insane? He thought. Then he considered her proposal. "You are aware of what I am are you not?" Nosdyn asked in response.

She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "I am, but my leaders and myself have discussed your very presence here. We thought it prudent to attempt negotiations before Underwood locales become hostile towards you." She said.

Nosdyn listened to her words, there was truth in them. "State your terms." If they were to be allies, Nosdyn wanted to be certain of the contract.

Nothing in life was free.

Ever.

She removed a parchment from her packs and maneuvered to sit closer to Nosdyn. Unafraid.

Nosdyn wondered why she was unafraid. His eyes narrowed as he stared at the woman. Nosdyn was handed the parchment. "Therein contains the terms." She said calmly, there was no malice in her voice.

Nosdyn opened the parchment and read the contract very, very carefully. Once he was done reading it he turned his attention back to the woman. "You wish me to cease all open trade with Underwood and bring my goods directly to your town?" Nosdyn asked, there were other terms, but that was the main one that concerned him.

"You understand this is in exchange for your protection." She said.

"By when do you need an answer?" Nosdyn asked.

"Tonight if possible." She said in response.

Nosdyn nodded. He looked over the contract one more time. This is agreeable... He looked at the handsome woman for a long moment. "In exchange for my services, I agree to your terms and conditions. As long as you honour your part of the contract I will walk by your side." Nosdyn said truthfully. He was a Demon of his word.

"Tell me something, champion." She stood up and walked towards him at that point. "Have you ever slept with an Elf before?"

Nosdyn was stunned for the briefest of moments but looked at the woman the entire time. She kissed the demon deeply and the deal was sealed.

[Core Beast]

Many know that the demons known as balrogs are usually underground, close to the center of the planet. So why was it that a high ranking balrog like Downfall was on the surface? That was easy, he was looking for a way home. He had come to concordia forest due to rumors that deep in the forest layed an old mine that had been taken control of by a balrog named Despair. Despair was a good friend of Downfall's before Downfall got locked out of his home by a cave-in. Downfall hoped that despair would be able to help. However, Once Downfall reached the supposed entrance to the mine he was angry and gravely disappointed that the mine entrance had caved in and there was no way for Downfall to reach his friend.

With a roar of frustration, Downfall released his heat from his body which ignited into a blue flame. The heat scorched the grass under his feet and some of the trees were left with a good burn mark. Downfall then grabbed his whip's handle and started to whip the trees around him. The whip left scorch marks wherever it landed as he released his frustration on the land around him. As he was about to head off to find another entrance he noticed the glow of a campfire in the distance. With a sense of glee, Downfall made his way towards, what he hoped would be, an unexpected victim. If it was a demon however, he would have an unexpected friend.

[Arch_Nemsis]

A couple of hours later, Nosdyn sensed something.

His body awoke with a start, and that startled his bed partner.

He looked at her very seriously, their forms were laying skyclad in a sleeping bag. He had a tent nearby set up as well. It was a very basic camp, and Nosdyn suddenly had an urge to chastise himself for leaving himself so open to attack. Nosdyn slid out of the sleeping bag, and he looked at his companion.

"Get dressed and be ready, I think I smell something coming."

Nosdyn said carefully she nodded and understood, she immediately slit out of their sleeping and got dressed as quickly as he had. The fire in the campfire was immediately differently, it took on a blue glow that it hadn't before. That concerned Nosdyn greatly. He turned his attention to a massive form that was approaching the camp's general direction. Initially, he thought it was a Hill Giant but upon further inspection...Oh Shit! He knew he was looking at one of the demon elementals, a demonic lord of vast power. The thing was massive, and for the first time in a long time, Nosdyn felt fear creeping up his spine. However, this time...matters were different. Nosdyn had someone to protect. Upon seeing the approach of the massive creature, Nosdyn stared right at it and held his ground. Nosdyn was afraid, only a fool would have been completely unafraid. Nosdyn clenched his fists tightly when he saw the massive whip in the elemental's hand. It was a being made entirely of aetherical flames. Nosdyn could feel heat directly off the creature and he saw that the grass was scorching in protest to the powerful entity. Nosdyn did not know how to approach the creature, but he knew one matter...it had the power to outright kill him and his companion.

Nosdyn looked at the woman for a long moment.

"Stay very still and make no sudden movements. Do as I do."

Nosdyn stepped forward towards the creature, his companion stayed closely behind. Then, Nosdyn carefully knelt down against the ground before the creature. He knew a bit about Demon politics and how things functioned back home. He turned his eyes ground ward and spoke towards the beast with sublime respect. It was an unusual gesture for Nosdyn, but he was hoping that it would appeal to the core beast. Nosdyn spoke in a very serious demeanor.

"Ancient one, I am a friend. An ally." Nosdyn said in the tongue of the Demons. It was harsh, and a different syntax than Downfall would likely be used to hearing...but it worked. "If ye would have me and my companion as allies I would be honoured." Nosdyn awaited the core beast's response. His eyes were narrowed the entire time and the fear kept rearing his ugly head. Nosdyn was strong, but he was no fool...where most saw only death and destruction...Nosdyn saw opportunity.