“What?”
The hall instantly erupted into chaos.
The murmurs of doubt and cautious optimism were replaced by shouts of alarm and fear. The elders looked at one another, their earlier confidence faltering.
Goruk clenched his fists, his previous words now hanging heavy in the air.
The chief rose from his throne, towering over the others. His voice boomed across the hall, silencing the panic in an instant.
“Everyone, don’t panic. Go and prepare the defenses! Call back the guards from the borders and station them at the heart of the tribe. We will not be caught unprepared. If this half-breed seeks war, then war he shall have!”
Outside, the drumbeats of war began to echo throughout the swamp, signaling the beginning of a battle that would shape the fate of the Horned Lizard Tribe—or perhaps the entire region.
—
Aengus observed the tribe’s futile efforts with a smirk playing on his lips. Behind him stood an imposing force—over 500 lesser demons, dozens of Greater demons, and his Legion, all waiting in disciplined silence. He was confident they all wouldn’t even be necessary for such a minor skirmish.
From the side, Bella’s spoke.
“Sweetheart, should I help?” she asked, casually gathering energy in her hand. The raw power radiating from her caused a noticeable chill to run through the nearby subordinates, sending waves of unease down the ranks.
Aengus sighed inwardly, recognizing the inevitable headache her involvement could bring. While her strength was undeniable, Bella had a tendency to go overboard, sometimes leaving a trail of destruction that didn’t always differentiate between friend and foe.
Still, her presence was reassuring in its own chaotic way. He glanced at her, offering a slight nod, silently hoping she wouldn’t obliterate his own forces as collateral damage.
From a distance, Sienna watched Bella, her expression betraying a hint of jealousy. Bella’s power and closeness to Aengus always stoked something bitter in her, but there was nothing she could do but swallow her feelings.
Sen gave her a knowing sidewise glance.
Meanwhile, the Horned Lizard Tribe Chief, who had previously stood with a semblance of confidence, now glanced at the overwhelming enemy force, his earlier bravado quickly crumbling.
He looked uneasily between his own meager troops and the mass of demons at Aengus’s command. Panic was setting in, not just for him, but for the other tribe elders as well.
“Is this it? The end of our tribe?” one of the elders whispered in despair.
But then the Chief’s gaze locked onto succubus Bella, her striking beauty and aura unmistakable.
He seemed to be recognising her, so with a sudden shift in demeanor, he stepped forward, raising both of his large, scaled hand in a gesture of peace.
“What is Tribe Chief doing?” his people murmured form behind. They already took him as he was going to surrender to the enemy.
Some brainless fools began to feel dissatisfied at their Chief’s cowardice.
Aengus watched him curiously. The Tribe Chief’s earlier arrogance from a few days ago had melted away into something more akin to desperation, and now, he was approaching, his hand lifted in surrender.
“Wait,” Aengus muttered, holding Bella back for the moment. There was no harm in hearing the chief out.
Bella pouted slightly, clearly disappointed at being stopped, but she relented, folding her arms as she observed the situation with sharp eyes.
Whatever the chief’s next move was,Bella remained alert—ready to crush them all at a moment’s notice.
The Tribe Chief Gourmond halted his steps, his voice trembling with a mixture of desperation and frustration. “Lady Bella, why is someone of your esteemed status aiding this man? Have you forgotten the pact we have with Lord Duke Belial for non-aggression? If I may be so bold, let me explain—”
Bella interrupted him with a smile, but her words were laced with chilling indifference. “Yes, I remember the pact, Tribe Chief. But you misunderstand. This is no aggression from my father. This is a matter of survival in an age of chaos. I suggest you surrender to my sweetheart obediently. You lack the power to oppose him.”
Bella’s cold, unyielding tone stung worse than any weapon.
Chief Gourmond clenched his fists in rage, veins throbbing on his scaly skin. “Why are you doing this?” he growled. “Have you forgotten what the Black Dragon Emperor did for your father? Now that he is missing, is that why you behave so ruthlessly?”
Bella’s smile vanished, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
“Oh tribe chief, I haven’t forgotten. Nor has my father,” she replied, her voice icy. “Your ancestor, the Black Dragon Emperor, indeed aided my father in reaching his current rank. But that debt was repaid long ago. As for the non-aggression pact—” she tilted her head slightly, her gaze piercing into Gourmond’s soul, “If I am not mistaken, it will expire in just a few days, will it not?”
Gourmond’s composure shattered as reality set in. The pact, once a source of protection, was now little more than an illusion of safety, soon to be obsolete.
His tribe was isolated and weakened. They had no hope of standing against Aengus and Bella, much less her father’s forces if they chose to intervene.
He could feel the eyes of his tribe elders and warriors on him, waiting, watching. He had promised them protection, assured them of their safety. But now those promises were crumbling before him.
“Think carefully, Tribe Chief,” Bella said, her voice low but filled with menace. “Your time is running out. If you surrender now, we may still grant your tribe a place in the new world we are about to built. But if you continue to resist…”
She let her words trail off, the threat hanging in the air like a guillotine blade.
Gourmond’s gaze shifted to Aengus, who stood silently, observing the exchange with an air of quiet dominance. There was no sympathy in his eyes, only expectation. It was clear that if Gourmond didn’t act soon, his tribe would be erased from existence.
But he wasn’t ready to give in so easily. “Lady Bella, I challenge this man to a duel. If he wins, my tribe will surrender completely. But if I win, you must leave us alone forever.”
Bella turned to Aengus with a confident smile. “What do you think, sweetheart? Why not show him your power?”
Aengus, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, stepped forward without a word. His aura grew stronger with each passing second.
The towering tribe chief’s heart raced as he sensed Aengus’ power, now clearly miles beyond what it had been in the past. Even so, he steeled himself, determined to give his all.
News of the duel spread quickly, and the Horned Lizard Tribe gathered around to witness how their fate would be decided. Some felt indignant, but what could they do?
“Doombringer Fortification!”
With a single stomp, the ground beneath Aengus shattered, and he lunged at Gourmond with a devastating punch.
Fssssrr… CRACK!
The sound barrier shattered as Aengus’ fist connected with lightning speed. Gourmond barely had time to react before he was struck with massive force.
Bang!
“Mmff…”
With a muffled groan, Gourmond’s massive lizard form was flung through the air like a ragdoll, a sharp pain radiating from his stomach.
Cough! Cough!
He spat blood uncontrollably, his entire body went limp and powerless.
