Mediator.

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The vibrant wildflowers swayed gently in the breeze, casting dappled shadows on the lush green meadow. Here, amidst the idyllic scenery of the Cardinal World, stood Veldanava, the True Dragon, and Reinhard, his powerful son. A comfortable silence stretched between them, broken only by the chirping of unseen birds.

Veldanava, his long black hair flowing freely in the wind, turned to Reinhard, a thoughtful expression gracing his features. "Reinhard," he began, his voice a deep rumble that resonated with the power of creation itself. "It's good to see you again. How have you fared since your last visit?"

Reinhard, ever the stoic figure, remained motionless, his golden eyes fixed on a distant point on the horizon. A barely perceptible pause followed before he spoke, his voice devoid of emotion. "As expected, Father. My duties require constant focus."

Veldanava chuckled, a deep, rich sound. "Duties, duties. I know, I know. However you have been having fun yourself right? You embody power and purpose, Reinhard. That's something to be celebrated."

Reinhard finally turned his gaze towards Veldanava, a hint of something akin to respect flickering in his golden eyes. "Such celebrations are unnecessary, Father," he replied coolly.

Veldanava's smile softened. He understood Reinhard's unwavering dedication. It was a quality he himself admired. He reached out, a hint of amusement playing on his lips.

"Speaking of duties," Veldanava said, "I recently picked up on a faint echo in the south. A… demonic presence, if I'm not mistaken. It's quite strong, barely a tremor, but it has piqued my curiosity."

Reinhard's golden eyes narrowed slightly. "A demonic presence? That is unusual for the Cardinal World."

Veldanava nodded. "Indeed. It's faint, almost insignificant, but it's there. Nothing to worry about yet, but…" he trailed off, leaving the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.

"But you'd like me to investigate?" Reinhard finished, his voice low and steady.

"Precisely," Veldanava confirmed, a hint of amusement returning to his eyes. "With your keen senses, you'd be perfectly suited to locate the source. Just a quick investigation, nothing strenuous. Consider it a chance to explore the Cardinal World beyond this meadow."

Reinhard stood silent for a moment, considering the request. "Very well, Father," he finally said. "I will investigate this presence."

Veldanava's smile widened. "Excellent, Reinhard. I knew I could count on you. Report back as soon as you have anything. In the meantime, enjoy the scenery. This world is your home as well."

The once peaceful meadow now seemed infused with a subtle energy as Reinhard began to focus his senses. Veldanava, the creator, watched his son with a hint of pride. This faint demonic tremor might be insignificant, but with Reinhard on the case, even the smallest anomaly wouldn't go unnoticed. The Cardinal World, a haven of life and magic, was in good hands.

A flicker of golden light momentarily enveloped Reinhard, his stoic expression replaced by a flash of focused concentration. He closed his eyes, his powerful senses reaching out, weaving through the very fabric of the Cardinal World. The faint demonic tremor Veldanava described pulsed weakly, a hint of concealment.

The source, surprisingly, emanated from a place brimming with human energy. A hint of amusement tugged at the corner of Reinhard's lips. This weak presence, emanating from a seemingly ordinary corner of the world, was even more intriguing. The taint of a Primordial Demon, similar to the ones he encountered in the Underworld, resonated faintly, yet undeniably.

With a spark of curiosity, Reinhard deactivated his sensory extension. Golden light flared around him once more, then winked out of existence. He found himself standing on a dusty street, the clamor of human activity filling his ears. A line of merchants hawked their wares, children chased each other through the narrow alleyways, and the scent of cooking spices hung heavy in the warm air.

This bustling human settlement, teeming with life and laughter, seemed an unlikely hiding place for a demon. Reinhard's golden eyes narrowed, his gaze sweeping the vibrant scene.

A wave of raw terror had washed over the human settlement. Every human in the vicinity, from the burly blacksmith to the wide-eyed child, found themselves prostrate on the dusty ground. They trembled uncontrollably, overwhelmed by an incomprehensible presence. Their simple minds could not grasp the power that stood before them. They were ants scuttling at the feet of a titan.

Reinhard opened his eyes, a frown creasing his brow. The scene before him was unsettling. He had intended a discreet investigation, not a mass display of paralyzing fear. A sigh escaped his lips, a whisper that nonetheless caused a nearby tree to tremble.

"Unnecessary," he muttered, his voice a low rumble. He raised a hand, his golden eyes sweeping the scene. A wave of calming energy emanated from him, washing over the humans. The trembling subsided, replaced by a dazed confusion. Slowly, the petrified figures began to stir, blinking owlishly at the world around them.

A young girl, no older than ten, was the first to rise. She looked up at Reinhard, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and awe. He met her gaze, his expression softening slightly.

"There is no need for fear," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle for such a powerful being. "I come in peace."

His words seemed to have a magical effect. The humans slowly rose to their feet, dusting themselves off. A murmur of hushed whispers filled the air, a mix of bewilderment and awe. Reinhard looked upon them with detached interest. They were fragile creatures, these humans, so easily cowed by his presence.

Ignoring the stares and hushed whispers, Reinhard began to walk through the marketplace, his powerful senses focused on the faint demonic taint that permeated the air. It was a subtle presence, easily masked amongst the vibrant hum of human life. But to Reinhard, it was like a beacon in the night.

Here, amidst the dust and sweat of human activity, pulsed a faint demonic tremor. It was insignificant, a fly buzzing in a cathedral, yet the audacity of it piqued Reinhard's curiosity. He, a being of immense power, a reflection of his father, Veldanava, found himself intrigued by this minor anomaly.

Standing in the center of the petrified crowd was a man with fiery red hair and eyes that mirrored burning embers. He wore the garb of a human, but the power radiating from him was unmistakably demonic, reminiscent of the Primordials encountered in the Underworld.

Reinhard did not address the man directly. He didn't need to. Lesser beings instinctively recognized his presence. Here, in this mundane human market, Reinhard was a god amongst ants.

"Identify yourself," he boomed, his voice a rolling thunder that resonated through the very air. The humans trembled, their fear emerged again from the palpable entity. But Reinhard paid them no mind. They were inconsequential insects.

The red-haired man, however, seemed unfazed. He slowly rose to his feet, a cocky grin spreading across his face. "Well, well," he drawled, his voice laced with amusement. "Look who decided to grace us with his presence. A being of such… grandeur."

The audacity of the Primordial, to stand so casually before him, intrigued Reinhard. He radiated a wave of pure, unadulterated power, a silent command for the man to kneel.

The red-haired man faltered for a moment, his grin faltering. Surprise flickered across his crimson eyes, replaced by a flicker of something akin to respect. He slowly raised his hand in a placating gesture.

"Hold your horses, big guy," the man chuckled, an edge of nervousness creeping into his voice. "No need for such theatrics. I'm just Guy, taking a little stroll. You wouldn't happen to be the one who sent the shivers down everyone's spine, would you?"

Reinhard narrowed his eyes. The man, Guy, reeked of arrogance even in the face of his overwhelming power. Still, his power wasn't insignificant. Dealing with a Primordial here, amidst the humans, was not ideal.

"How did you escape the Underworld?," Reinhard stated, his voice a low rumble. "Explain yourself, or face the consequences."

Guy raised his hands further, a hint of genuine concern crossing his features. "Escape? Now, that's a bit dramatic, wouldn't you say? I was summoned by humans so I was just… adding a little spice to their lives. A bit of chaos never hurt anyone, right?"

Reinhard's expression remained impassive. This Primordial was either incredibly naive or remarkably audacious. Either way, he was a nuisance that needed to be dealt with.

"Curiosity may have drawn me here," Reinhard admitted, a hint of coldness creeping into his voice. "But your continued presence is a transgression. You have two options, Guy. Answer my questions, or be removed from this world."

Guy's smile vanished, replaced by a snarl that twisted his features into a mask of rage. The amusement that had flickered in his eyes moments ago was extinguished, replaced by a burning ember of defiance. "Removed from this world?" he roared, his voice a primal scream that shattered the silence. "Who do you think you are, giving orders like a petty tyrant?"

The power emanating from Guy surged, a crimson inferno swirling around him. The humans whimpered in terror, their bodies pressed even lower into the dust. Reinhard, however, remained unmoved. He regarded Guy with a detached interest, his golden eyes shimmering with a power that dwarfed the Primordial's display.

"Do not mistake curiosity for weakness," Reinhard said, his voice a calm rumble amidst the echoing roar. "I am the guardian of this world, a reflection of its creator. Here, my word is law."

The audacity of the statement further stoked Guy's rage. Never, in his eons of existence, had he been treated with such arrogance. He was a Primordial, a being of immense power, yet this… construct, this embodiment of an overbearing god, spoke to him as if he were a disobedient child.

With a guttural roar, Guy unleashed his fury. A wave of crimson energy erupted from him, aimed squarely at Reinhard. The marketplace shimmered, the very air crackling with demonic power. The humans, for a horrific moment, believed they were about to witness the world end.

But the attack never reached its target. A wall of shimmering golden light materialized around Reinhard, effortlessly absorbing the crimson energy. It dissipated with a sigh, leaving the marketplace untouched.

Reinhard remained unfazed, his gaze piercing through Guy's rage. "Is this your answer, then?" he boomed, his voice resonating with a power that shook the very foundations of the market. "Violence?"

Guy's attack had been a test, a display of defiance more than anything. Now, staring at the effortlessly deployed shield, a flicker of doubt flickered in his crimson eyes. He was powerful, yes, but… this being… this was something else entirely.

The humans, witnessing the clash of power, dared to lift their heads a fraction. They saw the fiery red-haired man standing defiant, his attack nullified by the godlike figure before him.

A crimson inferno erupted from Guy. It wasn't just an attack; it was a primal scream of defiance, a torrent of demonic energy aimed squarely at Reinhard. The marketplace shimmered, the heat distorting the air as Guy unleashed everything in his arsenal. Razor-sharp blades materialized from the crimson energy, hurtling towards Reinhard like a demonic whirlwind. Walls of fire rose from the ground, threatening to engulf the entire market. The very air crackled with chaotic energy, a desperate attempt to break through Reinhard's defenses.

But the attacks never reached their target. The golden shield surrounding Reinhard pulsed with an ethereal light, effortlessly absorbing and nullifying each blow. The blades of demonic energy clanged harmlessly against the barrier, disintegrating into wisps of crimson smoke. The flames, once hungry and destructive, flickered and died upon contact with the golden aura.

Reinhard stood impassive, watching the display with detached amusement. This was a gnat buzzing against a mountain, a child flinging pebbles at a fortress. He could have ended it all with a mere thought, extinguished Guy like a snuffed candle. But something held him back – a morbid curiosity.

He wanted to see how far the Primordial's pride would take him. How many futile attacks would Guy unleash before realizing the futility of his defiance? The humans, who had dared to peek at the battle, witnessed scenes ripped from their nightmares. Buildings crumbled under the strain of Guy's attacks, the ground itself cracked and groaned. Yet, the marketplace remained strangely untouched, a bubble of serenity held within the eye of the storm.

Guy Crimson, fueled by rage and desperation, unleashed attack after attack. He conjured storms of razor-sharp hail, each hailstone imbued with demonic energy. The very space seemed to bend under the strain of his fury.

But it was all in vain. The creatures crumpled to dust upon contact with the golden barrier. The hail rained harmlessly against the marketplace, leaving not a single scratch. The humans, now huddled together in abject terror, witnessed the terrifying display of power, their minds struggling to comprehend the battle before them.

Yet, amidst the chaos, a single thought flickered within Guy Crimson's mind – doubt. He was a Primordial, a being of immense power. He had never faced an opponent who could so effortlessly deflect his attacks. A seed of fear, a chilling sensation he hadn't felt in eons, began to take root. He was starting to see the truth - he was outmatched.

Reinhard, his amusement morphing into a hint of disappointment, finally spoke. His voice boomed, a gentle rumble that somehow overpowered the roar of the battle. "Is this the best you can offer, Guy? A display of brute force against an immovable wall?"

Guy's face contorted in a mask of fury and frustration. He had never been humiliated so utterly, his pride shattered like a cheap toy. But even in defeat, there remained a flicker of defiance in his crimson eyes.

"No," he snarled, his voice strained and hoarse. "This… this isn't over!"

Reinhard raised an eyebrow, a hint of genuine curiosity flickering within his golden eyes. "Isn't it?" he rumbled. "Tell me, Primordial, what do you hope to achieve with your defiance? This world is under my protection. You will not disrupt its peace."

The once bustling human marketplace lay in ruins, a testament to the clash between a godlike being and a desperate Primordial. Yet, amidst the destruction, an uneasy peace held. The humans, though traumatized, were alive.

A tremor ran through the marketplace as Guy ripped a demonic maw open in the very air, spewing forth a torrent of writhing, obsidian shadows. They writhed and lashed towards Reinhard, seeking to engulf him in their inky embrace. But the golden shield merely shimmered, and the shadows dissipated into wisps of smoke upon contact.

Frustration contorted Guy's face, a stark contrast to Reinhard's impassive expression. The Primordial unleashed a torrent of attacks, each one more desperate than the last. He conjured a tempest of crimson lightning that arced across the sky, aiming to strike Reinhard down. He summoned an earthquake that shook the marketplace to its foundations, hoping to bury Reinhard beneath the rubble.

Reinhard remained a pillar of serenity amidst the chaos. The golden barrier pulsed with each attack, effortlessly nullifying Guy's every attempt. The humans, huddled together beneath the tattered remnants of awnings, watched in stunned horror as their world transformed into a battlefield.

Buildings crumbled, the very air crackled with demonic energy, and the ground groaned under the strain. Yet, the golden dome around Reinhard remained untouched, a haven of peace in the eye of the storm. Doubt gnawed at Guy with each failed attack. This wasn't just a display of superior power; it was a mockery. Reinhard wasn't even breaking a sweat!

This time, Reinhard raised a hand, a flicker of something akin to pity crossing his golden eyes. "Enough," he boomed, his voice resonating with a power that seemed to shake the foundations of reality.

The colossal entity froze mid-lunge, its demonic visage contorted in a silent scream. With a single thought from Reinhard, the creature dissolved into dust, leaving nothing but a faint echo of demonic power.

Silence descended upon the shattered marketplace. The smoke from the ruined buildings hung heavy in the air, a grim reminder of Guy's rampage. The humans, their faces etched with terror, dared to peek at the scene before them.

Guy stood alone, his fiery hair disheveled, his eyes filled with a mixture of despair and disbelief. The fight had drained him, both physically and emotionally. His bravado had evaporated, replaced by a cold realization - he was outmatched.

He sank to his knees, the weight of his defeat suddenly crushing. Raising his head, he looked at Reinhard, a flicker of defiance replaced by a hollow echo of defeat.

"It seems… it seems I underestimated you," Guy rasped, his voice hoarse. "You are… more than I bargained for."

Reinhard regarded him with detached interest. "And what do you propose we do now, Primordial?"

Guy's shoulders slumped. "There is nothing left for me here," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper. "This… this world is no place for me."

A flicker of something that might have been regret passed through his eyes. "Do what you must," he continued, his voice low and defeated. "End this. There is… no point in this humiliation."

Reinhard's gaze remained impassive, but a hint of surprise flickered within his golden eyes. This was not the reaction he had expected. The Primordial, who had moments ago been a roaring inferno of defiance, now craved oblivion.

The humans watched the exchange, their minds struggling to comprehend the scene before them. A godlike being and a defeated demon, their fates hanging in the balance.

Reinhard pondered for a moment, a silent conversation taking place within the vastness of his being.

Silence stretched between them, the only sound the crackling embers of the destroyed buildings. Reinhard scrutinized Guy with those piercing golden eyes, a silent judgment that sent shivers down the Primordial's spine.

Finally, Reinhard spoke, his voice a rumbling echo. "Death is easy," he intoned, "but ultimately meaningless. You are a powerful being, Guy> Power such as yours can be a force for destruction… or for something more."

Intrigue flickered in Guy's eyes, a spark of hope battling the despair.

"Something more?" he rasped.

"This world," Reinhard continued, his gaze sweeping over the devastated marketplace, "is young, brimming with potential for good and for ill. The humans, though fragile, are capable of great things. However, they are prone to folly, to conflict. You, Guy Crimson, possess the unique perspective of both demon and… well, unwilling observer."

A flicker of a sardonic smile touched Guy's lips. "An understatement, wouldn't you say?"

Reinhard ignored the comment. "I propose a challenge," he declared, his voice resonating with a strange authority. "Instead of ending your existence, I offer you a chance to redeem yourself. You will become the… mediator."

Guy frowned, a furrow appearing on his brow. "Mediator?"

"Yes," Reinhard elaborated. "You will act as a guardian, a force that ensures the balance of this world. You will keep the humans in check, prevent them from plunging themselves into oblivion. You will be a… deterrent against their darker tendencies, without resorting to the chaos you seem so fond of."

A strange mix of emotions flickered across Guy's face - surprise, skepticism, and a flicker of something rese