Sebastian stands at the top of the airship, watching as the dark mass in the center of the airship takes form. A pair of horned heads emerge from the mass as the rest of the body slowly forms. Sebastian watches in excitement, barely able to contain himself as he slowly rips away the human skin covering his form.
“Oh, Great Lord, it’s been ages since I’ve been able to bask in your full greatness.” He says, staring at the creature forming.
A pair of horned heads rise as a humanoid chest reaches the platform Sebastian stands upon. A large mouth forms across the chest area as a dark mist bellows from between its lips.
“
You creature. You have revived me from my eternal slumber. I sense a familiar scent attached to your being.
”
“Yes, you harbored me and my kind within your body and ordered us to act as your weapons for a time. Can you remember that Great One?”
“
Ah. The parasites.
”
“Yes.”
“
I can sense a hive of your kind swelling within my form. The original contact will be upheld so long as your kind continues to serve me, I will harbor your beings once again.
”
Sebastian’s smile widens. “Thank you, Great One.”
“
It’s been over a hundred years since I stepped upon this earth. I do not sense the being of our majesty in this realm. A great imbalance has occurred.
”
“Yes, the Humans and their ilk succeeded in slaying the Demon Lord. He has left this plane, but you can claim the title of the new Demon Lord and put the Humans in their place. With your presence, we can revive Demonkind and swarm this land once again.”
“
Grand ambitions. I do not have the sight for such grand ideals. My goal is only to slaughter and fulfill my thirst. Whatever happens along the way is of no mind to me.
”
Sebastian nods. “Alright, so long as it is what you desire, we will go along with it. I can guide you in this new world so you know where to rampage to satisfy your taste faster.”
The creature pauses for a moment before its mouth opens wide. Tendrils emerge from its mouth, wrapping around Sebastian as he fully casts away his human skin. The pitch-black creature that emerges embraces the tendrils as they envelop him.
“
You will return to my form, and I will take your knowledge. I will devour all nearby life and regain all the power of my former self. Then this world will bow down once again.
”
As it closes its mouth, Sebastian fades away into the depths of the mass. Alone, it spreads its tendrils, wrapping itself around the side of the airship and using it to float above the waters. As it scans its surroundings, the two heads raise to the sky, and it lets out a horrid, inhuman scream that spreads across the islands.
The sky darkens as ominous clouds form high in the sky. The darkness spreads from the air around the airship towards the nearby islands and rapidly expands from there. As the darkness spreads, small blobs fly out of the Demon, following the darkness and spreading across the area. As they separate, the blobs take form, elongating and growing, and slowly take a variety of forms, each one only holding a large maw with rows of sharpened teeth. The creatures cry out their screams, echoing across the area as they fly out in every direction.
“
Spread. Spread and devour.
” The Demon floats forward, its voice echoing out across the distance. “
Devour, all in our way. Bring the spoils to me and make my power grow!
”
Using the airship as a floatie, it flies forward, parts of its body falling into the sea and regrowing as it roars out. A ball of energy gathers between the two heads, growing wider and brighter, illuminating the darkness with its darkened light.
“
Devou….
”
A beam of light shoots through the side of the Demon, torching part of its body. The monster turns its gaze towards the source of the attack as it aims at Pallan’s ship. It roars out as the blobs shoot forth, aimed at the ship as they rush ahead at top speeds.
Pallan stands on the deck of his ship, observing the Demon as it takes form, floating above the ocean. A wave of small creatures flies towards them as he clenches his teeth. He orders his warriors to fire off everything they can as they fire weapons and magics out at the advancing horde.
“Damn it, things are getting worse.” He says, shaking his head.
Xia Bai stands beside him. “So, what now? Those things are going to swarm over us at this rate.”
“You're right. At this rate, we’re dead. And my light cannon only scratched that beast. We need something stronger or more concentrated to deal any lasting damage, never mind killing it.”
Flora sighs, staring ahead, as Falenas rushes towards the pair. “Hey, Boss, sorry to say this, but it’ll take time to power up the cannon again.”
“We should have enough for a second shot to at least clear some of the wave.”
“If we use it, we won’t have the Mana to move the ship,” Flora says. “The engineers are signaling that the Mana Engine is being overtaxed with the cannon and the defensive shields simultaneously.”
“Damn it.”
“I get it. Most things would be dead after one shot. But this is a bona fide Demon, it’s going to take something way stronger to put it down for good.” Anluan approaches the group and stares at the approaching swarm. “I can still sense Glyn within what remains of the airship. But he’s more lost to us than ever before.”
“Then what do we do now?”
“Anluan, can you sense out your other allies?” Pallan asks.
Anluan nods. “I can sense them nearby. They seem to be in distress.”
“I imagine all of us are right now. We’ll hold the line; you unite with your allies and come up with some plan.” Pallan says.
Xia Bai stomps. “Hell no. That’s basically leaving you all to die.”
“I say this. I have no plans to die or to sacrifice my men. But we need a concrete plan to slay that thing, and nothing I have on me is strong enough to deal a fatal blow. One of the others may have some kind of idea, but we won’t know unless we finally communicate.”
“Fine then.” Xia Bai spreads her wings. “We’ll head out. You all try your best not to die.”
Anluan nods. “I hope we reunite after this battle is over.”
Xia Bai takes off into the skies with Anluan as they leave everyone behind. Pallan smiles, watching them leave as he turns his gaze towards the oncoming horde. He takes in a deep breath and looks back at Flora and Falenas.
“If you want off, it’s not too late. I can cover your retreat.”
“No way. I gotta stick with you. It’s my mission, after all.” Falenas says.
Flora nods. “Everyone here has absolute faith in you. So please move forward with confidence.”
He nods. “Alright then. Fire the cannon and blow away as many of them as you can! Then, everyone else, prepare for a long battle!” He shouts, his voice echoing across the ship.
Cries and cheers echo across the ship as the cannon charges and Pallan takes a breath. “You did well,” Flora says.
He nods. “My magic might not be worth but. But it can at least throw my voice around.”
“Here they come!” Falenas yells.
As the horde of monsters flies in, several objects fall from above. Small explosions go off, enveloping the beasts and destroying any that grow too close. As the light fades, Pallan looks up to see a pair of flying saucers up in the air.
“Back up?” Falenas asks.
Pallan shakes his head. “Back up for now. I guess I can be happy to see Finian for once. But I feel this is going to cost me something later.”