In The Darkness

Prologue

I had it all by the age of 20. Wealth, power, the resources and the fame. 5 years has passed since then. Living in this bountiful world with everything within my grasp had made me tired. Pursuing this empty conquest of serving the demons as their king had made my skills as an assassin, weak. I must do something to end this… I must battle some more…

I was sitting on my throne, thinking about the days of the old. Wearing the same black armour I had worn for years, I rested my head on my right hand. A black cloth armour covered my body, on top of which, I wore black bracers and a metal chest plate painted the same colour. My boots were made out of leather, and so were my gloves. My whole attire was painted black which made it easier for me to complete my job as an assassin. But now, I stood alone, unrivalled. 

While I was looking down, a figure caught my attention due to its rapid movement. Alerted, I shifted my eyes and saw a succubus stand before me. Like all demons that ever stood in front of me, the succubus bowed,

"Master. The humans have begun to attack."

I stood up from my throne, and walked forward. I too, was human, however, as the leader of the demons, I had no choice but to fight my own race. Then again, I wouldn't stoop so low as to call it a fight. What I was about to do was more similar to a m******e. I walked out of the palace alone, and ended the fight with a single spell.

I had built a grand wall which was impenetrable, however, humans still persisted to try and attack the wall. I had no reason to kill the humans that fought, other than the fact that they were about to die by the hands of demons, if I hadn't intervened.

The demons that I ruled over, were monsters that were taught to fight since their birth. Strength meant everything, without which, a demon would die within days. I had trained them to serve as warriors instead of cattle. They in turn, showed their loyalty and admiration. However, their natural instincts as demons, always remained. They killed and slaughtered to their pleasure, at times, they played with their prey.

The ground in front of the wall was burning. The humans screamed as they slowly turned into skeletons, and the horses neighed as they burnt with their masters. I sat on the wall, hearing their unpleasant screams. I no longer wished to kill them, and I no longer wished to see more of them die.

Through the continent, only two species thrived. One, the demons, the race that fought amongst themselves and created a small, brute group. The second were the humans; they were present in a large population, and formed various factions to conquer land.

I could annihilate the whole human race on a whim, but I was hesitant to do so. I stood as a God in this world, yet I was still dissatisfied with my position. If I ever had the chance to go back in time and undo my actions, I would.

I sat on the wall until the last human soldier burned. After which, I walked back to the halls of the royal castle.

"Succubus."

Several demons under me served through different positions. The succubus, served me as a secretary and stood by my side at all times. Whenever and whatever my desire was, she would fulfil it. I never really took the time to know her name, even though years passed by. Honestly, I couldn't care much about her to begin with.

"Yes Master. What do you order of your servant?"

I stood facing the throne, while the succubus knelt facing my back.

"At ease."

The succubus stood up straight and awaited my orders.

While walking through the room, I asked, "Is there any news of the losses?"

I knew what the answer was. I had asked this question repeatedly over the course of 5 years, and each time, I received the same answer.

"Not at all your majesty."

As soon as I heard the answer once more, I stopped where I was standing and replied, "Good. You may leave."

The succubus left the chambers. I stood still, and sighed. I could do nothing about the war at hand. Even if I took the measure of killing the kings, their heirs would soon rise to power to fight against my rule. I wouldn't blame their courage, in fact I'd do the same. To live under the same roof as the demons, was a fate worse than death.

It was then, the idea struck my mind. What if I broke the human empire internally? If I disguised myself as an adventurer, and achieved fame down the line, I could eventually use that power to control the human subjects.

I walked out of the royal castle, and told the royal guards to call my four loyal commanders. Minutes later, as I sat on the throne, my 4 great henchmen arrived. All four of them knelt down and resonated the same words,

"What are your orders master?"

"I found a way to end this continual war. And that way is to infiltrate their kingdom internally. I shall go alone, and none shall follow behind me. Is that understood?"

The succubus stood up and started to speak, "But master!-"

"SILENCE!" My voice covered every corner of the room.

"Balthazar, you may sit on my throne tomorrow onward. Now leave."

Balthazar was the previous demon king. I had defeated him long ago, and he knew his limits well. Without his presence, my expedition would have resulted in the degradation of the demon world. Only a ruler, truly knows what it means to rule. He was my right hand, and my head strategist. Without him, the demon world would have been in a far worse condition.

Soon after my order, my henchmen left. It was night now, and I had no intention to leave at this moment. I slept on my royal bed one last time, and awaited, for tomorrow.