Fate

Amyon was ecstatic, meaning he did not have his usual, I am going to murder you glare. 'The eight had actually done something, maybe demon kind could avoid their doom.'

Amyon approached a door and fixed his appearance, making sure his usual demeanor was back before he opened the door. He entered the room but did not glance about, instead he headed directly to his usual seat.

The other demons were silent waiting for him to sit down. Normally they would crack a joke or something but the current times had been weighing on all of them. As Amyon settled in he informed the others of the recent success.

"The eight succeeded in killing the general and driving back the scouts of the human army."

"I heard that it was a simple stealth mission but they ended up killing half of the camp." A deep raspy voice echoed as Amyon searched for an answer.

"Does that not show their power? They continue to grow and we just need some more time."

"That is all very good but can we get back to the more pressing matters, the humans still managed to cut us off from the beasts." The soft voice that uttered these words had a strange quality that would have entranced any except for those in the room.

"The beasts are weak, we need to go on the offensive and if they join us… good for them." A feminine voice that seemed so sweet spoke these brash words.

"We can't beat the humans head on, they already destroyed over half our army." The raspy voice was back.

"Sitting here hurts us even more, they are blocking us from our allies and slowly killing us off." The brash voice argued.

During all the talking four of the members in the room had yet to say a word. Amyon was worried about the implications this held. 'Was the situation worse than what he thought?'

"Whatever we do we must gather our armies before the humans destroy us piece by piece." The entrancing voice interrupted Amyon's worries.

"Reckoning is coming." Finally one of the silent four spoke up, his voice was extremely quiet but everyone could clearly understand it. "The humans have retrieved the Arch Angel's sword and we all know its power."

"Also the humans are preparing their own summoning of the four heroes." Another voice piped up but unlike the previous voice this one was loud and commanding.

Bad news on top bad news, Amyon wished that he could see his companions' reactions but it was tradition that the eight demon lords would converse in the shadows. Obviously Amyon knew what the other lords looked like but he wanted to know how the others felt. The reason they were obscured from each other was because of the demon lord Maak's skill. The skill made it so that no one could hear the demon lords but sometimes a powerful mage could still scry on them. The shadows made it so lip reading was impossible but it meant they could not see each other.

"We must prepare ourselves for the storm, time is against us but the birds of fate have not written us off." Another new voice rang out, even without sight the voice seemed ancient. "The humans will attack here in around two weeks and our forces need to be here. With our full might we should be able to drive them off and buy time for the eight."

Someone might have found it odd that the eight demon lords were not called the eight but those in the meeting knew that the summoned deserved that name. In time they would surpass even the most powerful demon lord.

"Rally the monsters near us and gather every demon here. Maak has given us but one solution and we must act on it. The beasts will no longer be of use to us." The final voice rang out ending the conversation for good.

Amyon knew that even though they were not talking out loud some of the lords had been squabbling through telepathy but after the final voice spoke there would be no more arguments.

"Death is permanent." Maak spoke these words and the demon lords all stood and left the room.

'I must get Spiren to tell the rest about the situation but that might hurt their growth.' Amyon could not make up his mind and went to wander the forest. No one would bother him in the dead of night.

The moon shone brightly but the rest of the sky was as lightless. Amyon loved this time of night; it always brought him clarity. In his younger days he would hone his powers during this time but now he would use this time to think.

As Amyon moved towards the forest he was surprised to see movement. Sillis was dancing about the trees blending in and out of her smoke. Her scythe silently cleaving through the night air.

'Ah the cause of the tired one's yawns.' Azemo chuckled to himself before moving farther into the trees. 'Hmm at least we should put them on guard duty. They will be curious about the army gathering but I am sure Spiren will be able to control them.' Amyon's thoughts were once again interrupted, Azemo was up ahead sneaking around the forest.

Azemo had begun to explore at night to avoid Zaebos' rules about the forest. There was just something so entrancing about the secrets held between the branches and Azemo could not resist. Of course he would only explore one night a week, his bed did need him after all.

Amyon moved on unnoticed by Azemo, but something else would keep him distracted. He was bleeding.

Amyon could not remember the last time he had been injured. By the time he had become a demon lord his power was so immense that no one could hope to land an attack. But the blood dripping from his fingertips was a sign. A sign that his power was fading, someone had destroyed the great demon castle of Azouria.

"Damn humans." Amyon growled and if someone could see his face at that moment they would have died from fright. Amyon's face was contorted in anger. His eyes were bulging and his fangs became even more pronounced. This rage would not be quelled and Amyon moved into the night to satiate his lust for death.