Devil's In The Details - Patron Short Story (Patreon)

ORION AND HIS SQUAD ARE BACK AT IT AGAIN!!! We’re sorry, tavern patrons, for the delay, some of our goblins that we keep on the typewriters exploded and we had to clean up the guts. But to prove our sincerity, this is one of our longest ones yet! And also for those curious about the Emperor, he’s here too! Our enjoyers of action will be eatin’ good with this one. As always, we hope you enjoy!

AND FOR OUR PATREON MEMBERS, TIME TO VOTE ON THE NEXT STORY! Also, if you have anything you want to see or questions you want answered, feel free to comment below! We’ll add them to future polls!

Also for those that have expressed a desire to not download the pdf, I shall past the story here in the text body as way to see if this helps!


The Devil’s in the Details

Nestled in the western mountains of Tekonia, the fortress city of Herecastus sat shielding the heartlands of the Mankara Imperium from the hordes of fiends spawning in the far west. Legions used the city as a restock point, their Legatus' strategizing from the fortified towers that oversaw the entire installation. With the new forces from Hakaran, Karilla, and Koniku meeting with their Imperial allies at the mouth of the fighting, the city was full with soldiers and warriors preparing to face the worst of the demonic scourges.

The fortress city was a common stopping point for many now familiar faces this deep into the war. Hakari daredevils, Koniku Shamans, Norkmen warriors, and Imperial legions alike among many others seeking to face the end times with unmatched bravery. Orion and his squad in particular typically kept to the lower areas of Herecastus when they were stationed there. It reminded them of the city of Hakaran with its dense streets, and for Orion at least, the tunnels ducked in and out of the mountain were close enough to the Lower Rings that he felt truly in his element. Of course the lower sections were better suited to them, as with LaLa among them, attempting to enter the upper sections of the city was nigh impossible. He wouldn't ask her to deal with the cruelty of the upperclasses in the Imperium if he didn't absolutely have to.

They'd found a place pressed up against the southwestern wall. Many of the non-Imperial soldiers and merchants made their temporary homes in this quarter of the lower city. Peoples from Hakaran, Saarkovis, the Karilla Isles, and even some all the way from Koniku rested from their expeditions here. Compared to the rest of the city, the people here cared far less for the lands one came from or the gods they honored. In their downtime, LaLa had even assisted a collection of Hakari soldiers in setting up a small shrine to Itilozev, the god of strength and resilience. Whatever issues the Dragon-Priests may have had with her and her kind, their complaints seldom made their way this far down.

Despite the cramped temporary living, the lack of hot food, and minimal privacy, their Chapter Master, Yukon Iotan, had left them to their own devices for the past few days. This lack of extreme oversight left Orion and his team in a much better state of morale. Rabbit, Rhino, and Broadside noticeably relaxed after the first day, and even with the periodic powerful demons who reared their heads near the city that they had to deal with, for what it was worth, it was pleasant.

If only she was here.

Orion sat inside the inn room his squad had been using for the past couple days, helping Rabbit repair parts of her gear. The leather straps keeping her shoulder plate attached to her had been sliced to ribbons in their last encounter. He'd been able to haggle for decent leather to fix it themselves. Rosana leaned near the door, eyes closed in a half daze. LaLa sat crosslegged in the corner, an icon of Ravaricha's coin pinched between her fingers. She was almost completely still. Her meditating was unhindered by Rhino and Broadside's poking fun at each other. Sitting on the ground near them, Rabbit also added to their quips, despite the fact she was supposed to be helping repair her own gear.

These past few days had been the closest thing they'd had to a break in weeks, so Orion didn't mind fixing it himself.

He finished securing the new strap and slid it across the floor to her, "Done."

Rabbit whipped around, slightly startled. "I— Damn, I almost forgot we were doing that. Thanks, Orion." A twinge of guilt layered into the gratitude.

"Don't worry about it," Orion said as Rabbit restrapped it to the rest of her armor.

Broadside chuckled, "I'm surprised you didn't see it coming. It wasn't being subtle."

"I was elbows deep in a Stalker trying to bite LaLa," Rabbit bit back playfully, "I was a bit busy!"

His squad went back to their poking and bantering, and Orion took a moment to close his eyes to listen to how much easier their voices sounded outside the drum of battle. None of them would admit it, but they all enjoyed when their Chapter Master left them to their own devices. They could track down demons and hunt devils with more enthusiasm when he wasn't supervising them. He kept them safe, he taught them well, but his ruthlessness left even his own fellow members of the Order shaken. As Orion’s shoulders relaxed, his body aches began to heal now that he was no longer moving, he felt sleep begin to gently envelope his being.

At the edge of his senses, a set of footsteps stood out. Orion had grown used to the white noise that his heightened sense had to handle while in a city. He could tone it out. But something about this set stood out. They walked with purpose and not with the same light gate of a merchant or steady march of a soldier. It was different enough to take notice. As it grew closer to their room, Orion rose to his feet. LaLa opened her eyes and turned her head to the door before briefly glancing at Orion.

"You hear it as well?" she asked plainly. The others immediately perked up. Rhino, Rabbit, and Broadside stopped talking, Rabbit hopping to her feet. Rosana straightened her spine.

Orion nodded. In the back of his mind, Drivina rolled her eyes, "It's mortal."

The footsteps came to a stop in front of their door. A quiet knock echoed across their room. Rosana tossed a glance back at him, eyebrow raised. He gestured for her to check. If it was a person, not with abilities that would bring out Drivina's interest, what was the harm? Watching Rosana crack the door, Orion watched her eyes widen before she fully opened the door.

A messenger clothed in the official uniform of a servant of the Emperor stood in the doorway. He looked out of place in their run-down quarter. The vibrant red and golds were not seen in many other places other than the halls of luxury they'd seen in Solarius and Mediocan. He gave a curt bow, trying not to take it at LaLa. "Am I speaking to the agents of The Order of the Rose?"

Orion answered for the others, "You are." The lie was a well practiced one. The true nature of their Order was a secret not even their Imperial allies couldn't even know. 'The Order of the Rose' was their mask for this excursion.

"Am I correct in the assumption that you are Orion?" The messenger met Orion's gaze.

Orion nodded, "I am. Is there something you need?"

The messenger reached into a fold of his uniform and pulled out a letter. "I am an emissary on behalf of his imperial majesty, Victor Drakonblood."

Orion stepped forward and took the letter from him. The envelope was heavy, high quality paper with the golden seal of the Emperor pressed in wax holding it shut. Rabbit leaned in slightly, trying to get a peak. The messenger continued, "He specifically requested that only you read the contents of the letter."

Rabbit leaned away, looking slightly disappointed.

Drawing a knife, Orion broke the seal and removed its contents, pretending to ignore the rest of his squad minus LaLa trying to subtly peek at the letter. It was short, more a note than a formal letter. It was written in delicate, but functional handwriting.

"I wish for your council at your earliest convenience. Alone, unless your superiors object." The note was signed with the Emperor's distinct signature.

If Orion was anyone else, the lack of a definitive where and when would make this task difficult. But Victor wasn't hard to find if someone knew where to look, and Orion was a very experienced tracker.

"Tell his majesty I'll be there." Orion answered.

With a brief bow, the messenger turned around and walked away. Rosana closed the door behind him.

The entire squad turned to look at him, all seemingly understood what he would do but were curious nonetheless to hear more.

Once Orion was certain that the envoy was out of earshot, he sated their desire for an answer, "The Emperor wants to speak to me."

A summons from the Emperor was far from a surprise for them. They’d been working with him for a considerable amount of time. The missions either at his request or at his side were countless by this point. Orion and Victor had even sparred briefly, but that didn’t take away from the fact that Victor was the Emperor of the Mankara Imperium. Orion and his team had been provided by the Merchant Princes as a black ops unit who would obey him no matter what. A gesture of goodwill at the beginning of a new world alliance Victor had spearheaded not too long ago.

"Why?" Broadside asked, his voice curious before a smirk crossed his lips, “You in trouble, boss?”

"Doesn't the Emperor call upon Master Iotan when he wishes to call upon us?" LaLa added.

Rosana raised an eyebrow, "Maybe it's because he's not here?"

"I highly doubt that he announced his departure," Rhino said.

Rabbit tried to hide a slight eye roll, "He barely tells us."

LaLa rose to her feet, "If his majesty wishes for our presence now, then we shouldn't keep him waiting."

"I think he just wants to speak to Orion," Rosana said, pointing her thumb at him. "Otherwise he would've said 'us'."

"She's right," Orion added, "He asked for me alone specifically."

LaLa paused. Her eyes narrowed slightly as the tip of her tail flicked subconsciously. While their squad had worked under the Emperor before, there was still unfamiliarity there. LaLa had more reason than the rest of them to be skeptical of his intentions. Unlike in Hakaran, where no blood or race was hindered by anything other than their cleverness and merit, the Imperium was at best skeptical of tieflings and at worst outright hostile to them. Orion had lost count of the amount of times he had to get between LaLa and more zealous Imperials. LaLa would never raise a hand against those that hated her, her faith was too strong. Orion suspected that she’d allow the ignorant masses to beat her to death if they so chose, and she would only pray. However, the Emperor Victor did not hold such hostilities like his predecessors. Still, her wariness showed that despite her apathy, her heart worried for her team; this left Orion with a small smile.

"If anything happens," Orion turned to LaLa, "I will call you."

Rabbit adjusted the pistols strapped to her hips. The rest followed suit, readying themselves just in case. “We’ll be ready, chief.” Rabbit nodded.

"I will be fine," Orion said as he began to walk towards the door. "Keep your eyes on the walls and if anything pops up call me."

"Copy that, Captain." Rabbit saluted before the rest of the team relaxed.

Growing up in Hakaran proper, Orion was no stranger to the shortcuts and back corners that a city had. He made a point to get somewhat familiar with Herecastus' once he was told that they'd be stationed there for longer than a week. This area filled with foreign armies had a web of tunnels and alleys that criss-crossed through it, providing occupying forces with a number of ways to reach their destination. While his mental map was nowhere near as good as his one of Hakaran, it was reliable. He could get across the city in half the time that a person taking the main roads could.

Once he slipped into an empty alley close to the edge of the quarter, he leaned against a wall and kept an eye on the main road's foot traffic. "Find him." He muttered to Drivina.

"You'll need to get closer," his demon mumbled with the same level of irritation that she always carried in her voice, "There’s far too many of you mortals here, it’s like a web of noises."

Orion sighed as he quickly made a scan of the area. The city of Herecastus was originally a fortress in the mountain pass built by the Kingdom of Remak, known then as Herekal, and stood as a bastion to its unmatched power in the West. When Remak fell to the first grand portal opened by the Demons, the fortress city was swallowed up by the blood thirsty horde. The Mankara Imperium, years into the Cataclysm, had managed to recapture, rebuild, and fortify it into what they now called Herecastus. The sprawling city that was carved into the mountain was born of those two worlds. To pass from the shoddy and quickly constructed civilian quarters, which were filled with hungry refugees hoping to survive; then into the military fortress that seemed so powerful even the Norkmen would tremble at trying to take it. People needed documentation, and a lot of it, to pass between these sections. Thankfully, the letter from Victor could serve as a proper documentation to access the fortress proper, but Orion learned a far faster way to get into the fortress.

There was a set of tunnels that was used as a last resort escape that popped up throughout the city. They were dark and nigh impossible to traverse from the outside in. But Orion grew up in the Lower Rings of Hakaran, these tunnels were basically home. Silently and with little issue, Orion climbed into the fortress after a near twenty minute journey. Down here, many refugees hid away, terrified that the end times were upon them. Orion paid them no mind.

Drivina finally spoke up moments before Orion opened the stone door into the fortress, "Seems he's waiting for you. He's in the room just adjacent to this one."

Orion exhaled an acknowledgement and slid the stone work to the side. The secret door led to a small storage room. Crates filled with a variety of grains and foods that could be stored for long periods of time sat on the shelves around them. He also spotted a few bottles of imported wine. If Orion's mysticism was any weaker, his footsteps would echo off the walls. But that was the beauty of subtle spellcraft.

He maneuvered out of the shelves and saw the door. Behind it, he could hear the near silent ruffling of papers. Gently, Orion placed his hand on the door and pushed it open. The room beyond was another storage room, but this one was dedicated to logistical supplies. Along the far wall, near the exit, Victor stood over a small desk. Far too many papers laid across it, candles sat above it, dripping wax onto the parchment beneath them.

"You summoned me, your majesty?" Orion said from the doorway.

The muscles in Victor's shoulders tensed quickly as he turned to face Orion. His hand reflexively shot to his sword handle. They relaxed with the same speed as the Emperor slipped into practiced formality. He turned and faced him.

Orion bowed slightly before stepping into the room properly. "Apologies, I didn't mean to startle you."

"I requested you, there's no need to apologise." Victor said with a hum of humor under his calm voice, "You've simply beat my own messenger back here and you move impressively silent. Not to mention my change in scenery, here I thought you wouldn’t be able to find me for some time."

"You did ask for me at my earliest convenience," Orion replied, "And this is it. Apologies for the speed, I’m a good tracker."

Victor's eyes glanced past him towards the entrance that Orion entered through. "You are alone, correct?" He asked.

"I am," Orion answered. Out of habit, Orion listened for any footsteps, breaths, or anything else that would give away someone who followed him. There was nothing.

Orion nearly missed it, but he saw relief pass over Victor's face, "Excellent, I sought you out for advice and assistance. I have reason to believe that a shapeshifter has replaced one of my close advisors."

"Then why not ask for Master Iotan?" Orion asked. "Or ask for all of us. The six of us would be far more effective than just myself."

"I consider your advice to be more beneficial than your Chapter Master's," Victor conceded, "I have grown weary of advice that is nothing but callous. His black and white viewpoints are extremely useful, but remind me too much of my father. I've learned that your words often aren't. Asking for your entire squad would open up the opportunity for him to accompany you. Besides, I think many of my officers are on edge as is, I don’t need this public."

Orion agreed with him. Yukon Iotan's methods were effective, but often at high cost. No price was too costly if it meant that the powerful demons and devils they fought would die. Innocent deaths were an unfortunate necessity to him. But he often refused to take slower routes that would save more people. When Orion had the opportunity, he opted for less carnage, but in Iotan's presence he didn't always have a say. But, admitting that to anyone other than himself felt too dangerous.

"I will do my best then," Orion said instead. "Have you figured out what type of shapeshifter?"

Victor said, "No. Ideally, it is a magically gifted cultist, but I fear the details have so far shown something more primal. We found the bodies of some servants and a guard ripped to shreds, along with several rooms destroyed. We believe they stumbled upon the creature and paid the price."

"Do you have suspects?" Orion inquired further..

"A few," Victor answered, gesturing to the makeshift table behind him. "I have narrowed down that they've infiltrated my War Council here in Herecastus. In that selection, I fear my assumptions are based explicitly on personal biases and assumptions on their recent behavior."

"I can see why you wouldn't want Master Iotan's advice," Orion said.

Victor nodded, "I do not desire to be told to slaughter my council or subject them to humiliation or torment to figure this out. I am not and refuse to ever be the type of Emperor that Nemo was."

"If I get close to them, I can pick them out of a crowd of people," Orion fibbed. He couldn't, but Drivina could. But that part of his equipment was the highest secret the Order of Aru'Rane held, even from their allies. "If there's a time where they're all together, I can find them."

"I can summon them," Victor said, "I am due for a War Council meeting, all of them will be in attendance. If any don't, we can pursue them further."

Footsteps perked up at the edge of Orion's senses. He turned towards the door beside the Emperor, the one leaning deeper into the fortress.

"Your majesty?" The messenger that delivered the letter to Orion stepped into the storage room. His eyes widened upon seeing Orion. "How did you…?" He turned to the Emperor and bowed deeply, "I swear to you on the sacred name of Verun'Almak that I came directly here as per your instructions, you majesty."

"I have my ways of moving faster than most," Orion looked at Victor. The last thing he wanted was to get someone in trouble because he took shortcuts.

Victor gestured for him to rise, "I can assure you, I know the Captain's methods differ from ours. I have another task for you, summon my War Council to the west wing as promptly as possible. Tell Carina where I’ll be as well, before she rallies a damn search party."

The messenger gave another bow, "As you command, your majesty."

Once he was out of earshot, Orion turned to Victor, "We should try and get there before the others do."

"Agreed," Victor said. The Emperor stepped back and opened his off-hand. Magic began to pool beneath his fingers and wrap around one of his rings. Then, Orion realized that the rings didn't hold precious gems, but reagents and material components for spells. Small capsules held powders and wire were woven into the bands. He drew an arch through the air and Orion watched as a portal opened in front of them, leading to what Orion assumed was the council room. It was ingenious, Imperial Engineering, as he too once thought that Hakari sky ships made them the masters of progress. Yet here, the Empire had built factories, machines, grand works of infrastructure, not to mention their guns. Hakaran wished it had as many as the Empire. Orion dared to imagine there was enough fire power to see every Imperial man, woman, and child armed extensively. Now even their clothes and jewelry held power to boost anyone’s abilities, it would seem.

Once through the portal, Orion once again admired that even in a fortress city, Imperials had an efficient style. The west wing council room was a large circular room built into the original towers of the fortress. A dark wooden, oval table sat in the center of the room. Matching chairs encircled it. The arrowslits had been replaced with dappled dragonglass and silver candelabras mounted on the walls. The walls were covered in maps, strategies, and pinned analyses. The one thing that glaringly stood out to Orion was the fact that this room only had one entrance and exit.

Currently, it was empty. They had beat the councilors to the room.

"Do you have other council rooms," Orion asked, "Ideally one with more than one door?"

"Not in Herecastus," Victor answered, walking to the head of the table. He raised his hand and magic swirled out from his finger tips. Waving his hand, the wisps of energy spread throughout the room before dissipating into the stone walls. Orion assumed it was meant to detect invisible things, a precaution before he turned his back to the wall. "I loath it as much as you. I am having a second, more discreet exit being built into the northern tower. But that is not an instantaneous process."

Orion walked to the back wall and leaned against it, ensuring he was well enough out of the way of their official business. He watched as the first of the councilors walked in. Many were clearly Legatuses of the legions stationed in the city or in Trench Town a few miles west of them. Others were other members of the Imperial nobility or senior soldiers. Each moved to stand by their seats in a nearly rehearsed manner. Everyone remained standing until Victor himself sat, which prompted Orion to become slightly unnerved seeing everyone follow suit almost instantly.

Drivina hummed quietly as her essence slithered through the room. Her abilities were far greater than anything in this room, and so she masked it quite well. The councilors listened intently as Victor explained the current situation of Herecastus receiving much needed reinforcements. Protocol, troop numbers, and finally requesting the councilors advise him of whatever issues the fortress was facing. As their conversation droned on, Drivina hummed softly. “Problem?” Orion thought, keeping quiet as he and Drivina shared their minds together. 

“More impressed than anything.” Drivina dryly replied. 

“Never thought I’d hear that, what’s impressive?”

“When one as powerful as myself has a unique problem, we get creative. Our subordinates, demon or devil, make excellent test subjects for new powers, abilities, or improvements. Whoever owns this thing made it with a respectable level of sophistication. It’s woven into the person’s soul, but hasn’t destroyed it. Like a tick that hasn’t drank all the blood. There’s just enough of her left behind to mask their identity. Fascinating really, as lesser demons can’t normally control themselves this well. I do love a good dog, let me have this one as a pet.” Drivina quietly demanded. 

“No,” Orion folded his arms as he kept an eye on the Council, seeing a few stray gazes sent his way. “Now which one is it?”

“You deny me far too often, Orion of the Jassani,” Drivina grumbled before her essence guided his senses to a red headed elven woman two seats away from Victor. "That's her," she said as if she were pointing out drying paint. "Seems Victor does have a sense of awareness. I wonder why this creature chose the woman, perhaps Victor has a type?" She chuckled.

The slight movement of Orion turning his head to see the woman made a quiet metal clank from his armor. “Details?” He thought.

"Class 3 shapeshifter," if Drivina had a physical form, she would have yawned, "Likely a servant of Venastarti or Ghadhal. Regardless, she's feeding her master information. Powerful enough to mask from mortals, too weak to truly be a threat, outside of an ambush."

"Would she be with others?" Orion said. "Would she have a more powerful handler?"

"Obviously," Drivina clicked her teeth, "No one that insignificant rules in their own right." Orion glared, wanting her to get to the point, and Drivina continued, "Near her right now, no. But she may be with welps."

"Then find out," Orion ordered before listening to the council. He watched Victor's eyes glance between a specific set of councilors. His suspicion was well hidden. To anyone outside of the know, it looked like a standard council meeting. The creature played her part incredibly well, the strategies she recommended were fairly sound. But that only told Orion that she was here to deliver information, rather than poisoning the advice pool.

"A word, your majesty?" Orion turned to Victor. He wanted to be subtle, to ensure that the infiltrator didn't lash out at the unarmed advisors around them. The other people at the table finally turned their heads. A few of them looked surprised, others annoyed.

"Who are you to make demands of the Emperor?" An elderly Legate barked, seemingly just now noticing Orion.

Victor raised his hand to silence him. "I would not have allowed him here if I did not consider his advice sound. You all are dismissed."

Confusion erupted across the room. The shapeshifter glanced at Orion. Her eyes narrowed slightly for the briefest second and the way the light caught was only slightly unnaturally, as though they lacked the entirety of a living life behind them. 

"She knows," Drivina said with a slight groan, "Are you incapable of subtly? Could you not have waited another moment?!" Her voice, though confined to his thoughts, still carried volume, and an annoying amount of it as well. Orion didn't satisfy her with an answer.

The moment the councilors left the room, Victor turned to Orion.

"The elf, red hair, was sitting two seats from your left," Orion answered quickly. He was trying to keep track of her footsteps as they left the council room. He started walking towards the door. The last thing he needed was to lose where she was.

Victor's eyes twitched in subtle surprise, but he quickly smothered it with frustration, "Damn it all, Lady Amisra was not notable on my suspect list. That means it possesses too much knowledge on the city's functions for comfort."

Orion realized then that 'Lady Amisra' stopped walking. A heartbeat passed and Orion's senses picked up the faint smell of sulfur.

Victor turned towards the door, "I am sending for—"

Orion cut him off, drawing his falchion, "Don't open that yet—"

'Lady Amisra' beat the Emperor to it. Her body burst forward from the door, sealing some sort of black mucus against the now empty archway. The same foul smelling material lifted her body into the air, contorting it in strange ways, as her face began to shift. Victor's hand grabbed the hilt of his blade, "Disgusting hell spawn." Victor spat.

The creature’s eyes shift to that of red snake eyes, its face extended slightly like that of a god’s, and a mouth of razor sharp and jagged teeth smiled as she looked past him at Orion, "I will give credit where credit is due, Rak'Shak, I see the reason my mistress warned me about you. If I can’t have what she desires, then I suppose a few heads will make up for my failure." Her hoarse and unnatural laughter sounded like thunder and nails grinding against a chalk board.

"Where is Lady Amisra?" Victor demanded to know as he drew his blade. 

Orion twirled his blade, "Call the others." He commanded Drivina.

The demon giggled, placing her hand on the wall of black mucus behind her. Infernal runes spread across the sticky material and locked in a woven pattern. The very fibers of the blockage interconnected and became a shining near steel like substance. "She is ours now, little lord, desperation is such a fine dress for this delicacy." The creature let a long boil covered tongue roll from its mouth, licking its lips as its hands glided across its body. Long claws extended as the black mucus helped it slide higher into the air, well out of range of their weapons. “Temptation of mortals is too easy, especially here at the end of your world, and the birth of ours. As for you, Crow, you think me foolish enough to leave a way in for your ilk? I will long be done with you before they can break the door.”

Victor’s blade ignited suddenly, white hot flames bursting forward that caused the creature to shield its eyes for a moment. Orion too, despite all his enhancements, stepped away slightly from the hungry flames. Even with a calm demeanor, his fury buried beneath those tired eyes was unmistakable.

"I do have to thank you—" The demon chuckled as she reached a hand into her mouth, breaking off a strange crystal like purple tooth, holding it triumphantly. "For giving me the chance to kill two birds with one stone."

"A portal core." Drivina quickly relayed as her power flowed into Orion’s body. “Stop the dog!”

Orion rushed Amisra, aiming to knock it out of her hands or slice the whole arm off if he had to. A portal in Herecastus would at best cripple the frontline's and at worst be its coffin. The demon, surprised at his agility, twisted out of the way just in the nick of time. As her body contorted into the black mucus that carried her, Orion saw the magic pulsing in the crystal. Out of the corner of his eye, Victor waved his sword hand, pulling arcane energy from the air as he prepared a spell.

As Victor prepared himself, Orion saw the wall to his left suddenly tear apart as a black and purple portal opened like a gaping maw. The heat of the abyss flooded his senses, and he saw the unbridled hunger of a horde staring at him like wasps in a window. Amisra cackled as she held the crystal high, but suddenly screamed as it shattered. A thin ray of light was thrown by Victor, piercing her hand and impaling itself into the crystal. The bright white light of holy energy caused what demons had managed to get through the portal to recoil. Their animalistic screams as the flesh on their bodies momentarily boiled and bubbled gave Orion enough time to move away from the small but growing portal. The crystal expanded, snapped, and finally shattered into pieces causing the portal to fetter out, but not seal quite yet. At least a dozen monstrosities managed to spill out.

Victor took in a breath and gripped his sword in both hands, as he released the breath embers shot forth while his draconic eyes seemed to swirl with a growing fire. "It should seal soon enough," Victor shouted, loud enough for Orion to hear as they both prepared themselves for the fight to come. “Let’s hope your comrades are quick,” he added as two of the creatures launched themselves at Victor. With trained hands his blade flowed forward slicing one of the creatures from the waist up to his shoulder, and he side stepped the other before kicking the imp like creature to the ground and impaling it.

“Rabbit should be here as soon as she can!” Orion shouted as he was quickly surrounded by a cabal of smaller demons. All of them were dangerous in their own right, but these small creatures were more to keep Orion distracted and away from their main target. Still, they would have to do better.

The Demon Amisra spun to face the Emperor, fury coating her disguised face. "You wretch—!"

Orion swung at her, having used a small demon as a springboard to jump up towards her. Her neck bent back words like string, ensuring her safety as a clawed hand shot forth from the black mucus that held her up like a snake ready to strike. Orion graced himself as the claws clanged against his armor. The force shot him back to the other side of the room, but a large black hand shot up from his back. It caught a support beam on the ceiling, spun him around, then threw him back at Amisra. With shock she barely deflected his strike, seeming nervous and enraged. “Agile monkey,” Drivina scoffed at seeing Amisra moving and contorting herself to get distance from Orion.

“So the rumors are true! You carry in you a traitor, how lowly this creature must be to have aligned itself with our prey!” 

“LOWLY?!” Drivina’s fury snarled forward into a looming black shadow manifested above Orion. Amisra suddenly let her mouth drop as she gasped in fear. Orion took the opportunity and leaped forward, trying once more to slash at her neck. Amisra dodged, melting into the black mucus that carried her and slithering around the room to save herself. “Don’t kill the dog! I want it!” Drivina growled. 

“Control yourself!” Orion shouted as he and Drivina began to pursue Amisra, hacking away her smaller servants that dared step in their way. Every demon felled by Orion’s chining blade burst into blue flames, crying out in horror as their mangled corpses, their very existence, was burned away from both here and the abyss. A fate that the demon in Amisra feared almost as much as what would happen if Drivina got hold of her. 

“But you’re-” Amisra panicked and dodged again, flatting herself against the ground before continuing to slither away. “Someone of your caliber submitted?! What are you thinking?!”

“I NEVER SUBMIT!” Drivina shouted as her shadowy arms grabbed a demon that tried to attack Orion from behind. In one swift motion she tore it in half, causing many others to panic.

Victor’s eyes followed Orion in surprise at seeing such a creature attached to him, but they quickly returned to the other Demons now beginning to clamber towards him. To their dismay though, Victor was no throne bound ruler. His sword arm swung with precision, and the strength of a well trained body. Imperial training gave him a practiced form to follow, with several quick swings, consistent footwork, and the patience to wait for the perfect opportunity at every strike. One by one demons fell before him, their corpses piling up as many now began to back away in fear. The portal fizzled a bit more, closing slightly, and Victor pushed the advantage. 

“M-Monster!” A small demon yelped before beginning to flee towards the portal. Victor twirled his blade as it passed him, slammed the pommel into the back of the demon’s head, and then reached out to grab it. As he grabbed the loosened skin of its head, he shouted something in the language of the dragons. The little demon began to squirm, scream, and suddenly boil as white hot fire spread through its veins like poison. Victor tossed it in the air as it exploded, sending fiery pockets of flesh everywhere. The demons caught in this began to melt, screaming and fleeing, though as a piece landed on Victor he merely brushed it off of him. The pocket of burning flesh burned a hole into the floor. 

“I’ve got the portal!” Victor shouted as he saw Orion still pursuing the dangerous beast that puppetted Amisra’s flesh. Victor stood strong in front of the portal, slicing through everything that dared march through. Seeing the encroaching mass pushing ever closer, he shouted something once more in the language of the dragons. Words roared like thunder, flowed like silk, and boomed with power as he opened his mouth, breathing fire so hot, Demons jumping out of the portal burned to ash instantaneously. Still, his breath lasted only so long, but for the time being he let the roaring inferno come forward.

 Orion continued the onslaught onto the surviving minions, as well as pursued the demon. Her cursing and swearing in the abyssal tongue rang in his ears like shattering plates and wailing dogs, every word brought pain and discomfort, but still he pursued. “Disgusting Morrikin, get away from me already! You inferior mortal scum, you think you can, AH-”

The demon shouted in pain as Orion sank the edge of his falchion into the side of her ribs, the blade sliding through the mucus like a knife against butter. She tried to twist and contort to find a way out, but Orion’s blade followed with his skillful movements. As she swiped towards him his blade drew its way up to her neck, lopping off her head with one fell strike. Orion leapt away as her body burst into blue flame, wasting away into fine grains of ash before he quickly moved to Victor who finally began to cough and catch his breath. The white hot flames he’d breathed moments ago now fizzled out. 

Victor and Orion now stood back to back, carving through the demons that squeezed their way through the small portal, and lunged around the room like a herd of mad cats. Orion could feel the searing heat from Victor's sword. The flames were clearly magical, killing the Demon’s physical form effectively, though unlike Orion’s blade it merely cast their essence back into the Abyss.

As the portal continued to destabilize, the fiends seemed to squeeze through right as, with a near deafening boom, it finally slammed shut, slicing many of them into pieces. The few that successfully made it through were sent sprawling over the corpses of their kin. Without reinforcements, Orion and Victor made quick work of the sniveling beasts around them. By the end of it, the two men stood in a sealed room, covered in ichor and caustic blood.

Victor turned to Orion, "Quite the excitement, for one day I’d say," Victor tried to chuckle, but winced. “Don’t suppose you’re injured as well?” His off-hand came to clutch part of his ribcage. Blood dripped from between severed metal plates of his armor, and though concerning it wasn’t enough to be immediately life threatening.

"I'm fine," Orion lied. He had injuries, but they were manageable. Drivina was already knitting the slices that got through his armor. But as far as Orion was aware, Victor didn't have any forms of regeneration. "But, you're not."

Victor gave him a slight smile, "I have endured worse. I can wait."

"Hold still," Orion stepped towards him with more authority than he would normally use with the Emperor of the Mankara Imperium. But, he was exhausted and wasn't thinking about decorum. The Emperor sighed, took a seat, and rested his forehead against the pommel of his blade. If he took issue with Orion giving him an order, he didn't voice it. While Orion was not the most magically adept man in the Order of Aru'Rane, he did know a bit of Jassani mysticism, so he could call upon Makezh to heal wounds.

Orion's magic was far less flashy than Victor's spellcraft. A pale, dim light pressed into the Emperor's ribs and Orion watched the blood flow stop. “My blood is that of the Dragon’s, I can heal faster than any normal human, Orion.”

"I'd still have a proper healer look over you, demonic ichor can cause any number of diseases. Don’t even get me started on their blood, it can halt regeneration in some cases. You never know with these creatures." Orion said.

"Thank you regardless," Victor released his side and exhaled, "Now, about that door."

Just as Orion and Victor turned to address the glaring issue of being locked in a room that now had no exit, a hammer came swinging through the black mucus. It took a few moments of consistent swinging before chunks of the sticky material were scattered across the room. Victor raised his hand and a pale, arcane shield appeared in front of them to at least spare them being covered in the disgusting material.

Orion made eye contact with Rhino and Rabbit, who were peering in from the other side. A relieved smile cracked across her face, "Good, you're both alive!'

"You're late," Orion said, a hair of humor woven into his tired sternness.

"Well that answers the issue of the door," Victor said to himself.

Another voice shoved past his squadmates, "Your majesty, are you unharmed?!"

"I am alive, Roland," Victor replied, smothering more of the wince in his voice than he had with Orion. "And I will recover."

Orion looked over his shoulder, making sure that the dozens of demons remained dead. Most of their bodies had evaporated and dissolved into dark gore. The few that hadn't, Orion walked over and severed their heads from their bodies. The ones fell by Victor would return one day, to another battlefield. Such was their way of constantly finding a way back to the material world. But Orion breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the ones fell by his own blade were gone for good.

Rhino ripped his hammer out of the membrane wall, leaving a healthy gap for the two smaller companions to pass under. Orion gestured for the Emperor to go ahead of him and he glanced over the carcases one more time. They stepped out into the hallway and Orion saw the crowd that had grown around the doorway.

Alongside the rest of his squad, a group of Imperial soldiers stood ready to fight, and moved in to secure the room. A fairly short man, dressed in the armor of the Emperor's Personal Guard, stepped forward and examined Victor almost fatherly. He was older, wartorned, and had more salt than pepper in his hair. While Victor was the Emperor, there was authority behind this man's green eyes that Orion saw Victor concede to, even just a little. Orion couldn’t fault them for being thorough.

"We heard the commotion, and she—" Roland gestured to Rabbit— "Was at the door faster than I could rally the others."

"We would've gotten up here faster if we didn't have to maneuver past the doorman," Rabbit said more to Orion than Victor, "He didn't want to let LaLa in. So we had to find a sideway."

Victor wiped some of the demonic ichor off his face. He straightened his spine, "Send someone to the estate of Lady Amisra Monsius, I want her heir summoned to me so I may grant them rank. We will hold a funeral for her here in the chapel in Herecastus."

Roland closed his eyes and nodded, "It shall be done, was her ladyship with you? I know she was more of a mage than a soldier, but she was a formidable woman."

"She will be remembered as such," Victor answered, a solemnness sitting under his voice. "Find me a messenger, Roland, her name will be added to the memorial wall, a casualty in war if anyone asks."

“It shall be done, your majesty.” Roland agreed.

As the Emperor began delegating the crowd around them, Orion turned to his squad. "What happened?" Rosana spoke up before him, 

Broadside leaned over her slightly, dropping his voice, "We didn't get much details."

"LaLa," Orion began, taking charge of the situation, "There are shards of an Abyssal portal core in that room. I'm fairly certain the Emperor's magic neutralized them, but I don't wanna leave things up to chance."

"Understood," she said, dipping into the destroyed council room.

Orion returned to his squad, "A demon, some kind of mutated shapeshifter. It ingrained itself into one of the Emperor's advisors and puppetted her around. He summoned me to help figure out who, and when she realized that's why I was at the meeting she made her move."

"And opened a portal to the Abyss in the middle of the fortress?" Rhino raised his brow, "That's one way to try and kill him."

"I wonder if I should be offended that they haven’t tried to do that with us,” Rosana smiled, “I’d imagine we’re worth a gambit like that.”

LaLa emerged from the room, moving past the soldiers, holding in her hands the remnants of the core. Prayers echoed from under her breath as the very little magic left in the crystal shards began to fade. "His majesty's magic is quite thorough and it rendered the core useless," LaLa said, "But I have ensured the room is cleansed of Abyssal magic." Her apathetic gaze lingered on the shattered core for a moment before she tucked it away in a small pouch on her hip. “That being said, I shall study it later just in case. I’m surprised none of the Imperial mages sensed it. It’s worth investigating.”

"Good," Orion said, "Dispose of the pieces when you’re done. For the rest of you, I want this fortress sweeped. If one was able to get in there's a non-zero chance others have as well."

An Imperial soldier, a member of the Hearthguard instead of the Legionaries currently with the Emperor, cleared his throat to catch their attention. "You do not have free reign to just wander the fortress as you see fit" The Imperial soldiers' gaze moved to LaLa. "Especially you, tiefling."

"We clearly have bigger issues," Rhino snorted, dismissing the man’s arguments.

"Captain, meet said doorman's cousin, these Rank and File love their protocol." Rosana gestured towards the soldier.

Orion saw the symbol of the Verun'Almak stitched into the troopers armor. He was a chaplain, the Imperial version of the Hakari ritualist. They gave all of them grief since they did not worship the god-dragon, but LaLa was often the biggest target. Being both a Hakari Ritualist herself, and a tiefling made the more zealous ones hostile. Though, her own zeal in the Hakari pantheon often was no shortage of trouble when dealing with Imperial Chaplains. 

"Now is not time to be choosy," Orion said, stepping between the two, "A demon has infiltrated and nearly killed your Emperor. We need to be certain there isn't more."

"She is a devil—"

“Heretic,” LaLa spat. 

“You would dare?” The Chaplain continued. 

“Stow it LaLa-” Orion raised his hand to stop her, though she took a step forward.

“Your lizard won’t-” Rhino moved suddenly to cover LaLa’s mouth as the Imperial Chaplain gripped his weapon tighter.

"Chaplain!” Victor raised his voice. The Chaplain turned to face the Emperor. “I desire a verse from the scripture of the Sanctanius.”

The Chaplain bowed his head, still stealing angry glances at LaLa. “Your Majesty?” 

“Chapter eight, verse twelve, if you may.” Victor took a seat as a servant brought a chair for the exhausted leader. 

The Chaplain bowed his head. “In the light of his fire, in the fury of his gaze, I shall find peace in the shield in my hand, the weapon at my side, and the brother at my back. His flames come from my faith, and from my faith I shall burn away that which threatens all that I am and shall be.” 

The soldiers around him bowed their heads, gripped their weapons tight, and whispered their prayers. “Is this Hakari not a sister at our back?” 

“S-Sir,” The Chaplain stuttered. 

“Their men saved my life. More than once, as any Imperial would in their place. Surely the evil that his Holiness Verun’Almak warns us against does not strike down our foes with the same fury we show them. Do they?” Victor inquired further. The Chaplain remains quiet. “Orion, I would appreciate it if your own priest has any thoughts or a prayer like ours?” 

Orion turned to LaLa who was released from Rhino’s grasp. She seemed upset, but took a deep breath and regained her emotions. “Chiyom Luvpi, he who is hospitable, brought all who sided with his champions into his household. For hands that served his children serve the High Prince.” LaLa prayed before looking up to the Chaplain. “For the tales from our sacred poems speak of his charitability to all.”

“Her own faith states in dire times we are friends. So it shall be, Chaplain, do not prevent them from their job. Orion, please ensure your ritualist does not antagonize my priests, or my faith and lineage.” Victor's words may have been tired, his eyes exhausted, but his authority and power carried across the room. His Chaplain bowed, Orion and his soldiers bowed, and though LaLa was nudged at first, she too lowered her head.

"Thank you, your majesty," Orion said.

Orion picked up on the slight whispers and surprise from the soldiers furthest from their Emperor. He turned to start his sweep, but then the Emperor spoke, stopping him, "Allow me to offer my household's hospitality to you so you can clean yourself and have your armor repaired. We have the resources to safely dispose of the fiendblood."

"I appreciate the offer, but so do we, and I want to be certain that there aren't any others like her in the fortress."

"Orion," Rhino said, looking over him with a slight smile, "You're covered in gore."

"You'll scare anyone out of the know," Rosana added.

Orion finally took in his own physical state. He was mostly uninjured, but he could clearly thank his armor for that. Razor sharp claws, teeth, and infernal blades had been repelled mostly by the steel of his armor, but the state of it was another question. Like Victor, he was covered in foul smelling bile and gore.

"You do not want to risk potentially catching the Rot," LaLa stated with a slight hint of authority, "Go clean yourself."

"And Master Iotan isn't here to be picky," Rabbit whispered out of the corner of her mouth, before speaking up, "We can handle this without you."

Orion sighed slightly, "You're right."

At that, his team dispersed, leaving Orion in the hall with the Emperor and his guards. Victor gave him a smile with more friendliness than Orion was used to with him, "For a man who just stared into the actual Abyss, you'd think you'd leap at the opportunity for rest."

Orion sighed, a slight chuckle pressing through his voice, "I guess I've just got used to it, your majesty."

"Please," the Emperor smiled, offering a friendly hand, "You can just call me Victor."

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