Chapter 493: Different Opinions on Leadership
A loud shriek ripped through the air, halting the moves of all of the impish demons so suddenly that some fell off balance.
They began to hear the beat of heavy wings. But before they could look up, a large mass of black feathers dropped out of the air.
The creature was enormous. Larger than many of Hell’s darkest denizens or greatest meatheads.
The bird unfurled all four of it’s wings, crackling lightning running across nearly eatch and every feather.
As it released a horrific screech into the miasma of hell, a shower of sparks and thunder fell onto the head of every lesser demon who beheld his radiance.
The demon’s power was felt immediately. Not a single imp survived the purge. Only a few lesser demons managed to avoid fatal injuries, but they would be forever scarred. Greater demons didn’t look as though they were going to die, but they also didn’t seem as though they’d be getting up anytime soon either...
Demonic beasts cowered at the sight of the creature who had brought such devastation with just it’s arrival.
The bird’s multiple eyes swept over the smoking demons with an expression of deep contempt.
"Every one of you that belongs to me..." Malachi’s demonic voice came out in a tone people reserved for their worst enemies.
"Go. Home."
Mal barely got to finish saying ’home’ before demons began vanishing.
Some took longer than others due to the injuries they’d suffered. But that was of little concern to Malachi.
One demon let out a horrendous screech as his body went up in blue flame. The demons nearest to him clamored to get away before they accidentally ended up roasted as well.
"I. Said. Go." Malachi’s voice was somehow even less patient than before.
The demons scattered like roaches when the lights came on.
In just a few short seconds, the only demons still left around were those who belonged to Naberius’ legions.
"T-That was... Really something, boss! A true display of power! Why, even the Dark Lord isn’t that flashy! You’re truly awesome! Perfection personified! I’m as hard as a roc- ACK!"
Malachi tightened his grip on the demon between his talons.
"Shut up. The only thing I want to hear from you is the location of the rest of your dickhead brothers."
"Y-Yes, boss, of course! W-Well, the others should be telling all of the others that you’re back and you want them all home, so you probably won’t have to look for any aside from the really stubborn ones-"
Malachi loomed over the demon.
His beak was so sharp and durable that he could have pierced through the lesser creature with barely any effort.
"I did not ask you if you thought I’d have to look for any of them. I asked you where they were."
The demon gulped. "W-Well... Some of them like hanging around King Belial’s domain in-"
"Prostrate yourself."
Malachi and the demon slowly turned to see another demon floating towards them. One who seemed as if he was made entirely of shadow rather than flesh and bone.
The dog heads admittedly caught Malachi slightly off guard. But it wasn’t as if he really had any room to talk. He was still a giant bird.
"I am not in the habit of repeating myself, Dantalion. You have committed grand infractions within the bounds of the Goetia, and you will answer for them."
"...."
Malachi turned around and flew off into the distance.
"Fucking ego maniacs..." He murmured. "No matter which of the three kingdoms they’re from, somehow they all feel the same."
"R-Right you are, bo-"
"Stop talking."
"Eep! Yes!"
Malachi started to ask where he might find Belial’s domain, but out of nowhere, he noticed a much smaller, more familiar demon flying toward him.
Re-dressed and smiling mischievously, Anna flapped her powerful wings as she raced toward him.
Traces of their intimacy were still on her. The disheveled hair. The red cheeks.
The fact that Mal could smell himself all over her only made him want her again with just as much desire as before.
But what drew most of his attention about Anna was that she seemed to literally be glowing. She’d always had good skin and hair, but now it seemed like her entire body was made from silk, sweet dreams, and clouds.
’You’re staring pretty hard.’ Anna grinned.
Malachi reverted to his human form as he continued to fly toward her. ’You would too if you had yourself as a wife.’
’Careful there, big boy. You keep talking like that, I might think you haven’t had enough.’
’Oh, I’d hate for you to get that assumption.’
’Wow, you’re really... Babe, what’s with the demon in your hand?’
Malachi chucked the demon over his shoulder. ’What demon?’
’...You’re cute.’ She chuckled.
She was only around twenty feet away from Malachi when a dark shadow placed itself between them.
Anna’s brow quirked up. "Whoa... The hell kinda doggo is that?"
Naberius turned all of his heads toward the unfamiliar succubus. He saw her as an enigma.
Her wings were strange. Her skin was strangely pale too, and she had no spade-tipped tail. The fact that she had feathered wings instead of membranous ones only added to his confusion.
Anna’s not recognizing him would have ordinarily indicated that she was a newborn. But that couldn’t be the case.
Newborns are born with an intrinsic fear of the Goetia, even if they don’t know their names. They are also unable to change their forms.
"...What circle do you hail from, succubus? Who is your make-"
"You are worried about the wrong damn thing."
Malachi’s face behind his dreadlocks was of shadow and lightning. The glow of his deep maroon eyes was so bright that it could have overshadowed the sun.
"Why are you following me...?"
Naberius sneered. "Do you think the favoritism the Dark Lord shows you means you can scoff at tradition? Overlook your responsibilities?"
"I don’t give a damn about any of that. I’ve come to rear all of these little shits back in line like you’ve all been begging me to. Yet you still open your mouth to complain!"
Naberius’ muzzle’s all formed the same heated snarl. "We complain because hell has known it’s current order for long before you were even conceptualized. You, a mere rank 71, are in no position to do what you like! You will do what you’re told, and if you do not, there will be swift consequences!"
Malachi’s sharp teeth could be seen within his shadowy face. He clenched his jaw together so hard it was a miracle he didn’t break it.
His first instinct was to kill the demon in front of him. Rip his innards out of his back, and bury his bones in the darkest hole of oblivion he could find.
But that wouldn’t change anything for him at least, not as immediately, and drastically as he would have liked.
No... Malachi had to find a more certain way to ensure that he would be left alone. To make sure the other Goetia wouldn’t even lift their heads when he walked past.
And he knew exactly how to get what he wanted.
"LUUUCCCCCCCCIFFFFFFFFFFEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!"
