Chrysalis

[A demonic existence can be reduced to a single need: obsession. There are many forms that this desire can take, almost innumerable, but every demon feels it. Provided we are given the freedom to pursue this obsession, we are largely content. Though this does not mean we are peaceful. A slaughter demon has but one desire, and it will seek to fulfill that desire always.]

[So… if a demon is going around killing other demons in Roklu, you just… let it go about its business? That hardly seems like it would be conducive to allowing other demons to 'freely pursue their obsession'.]

[As with anything to do with demons, there are no hard and fast rules. A demon of murder killing others is to be expected, it is its nature, so it is not punished for such. Kill too much, and the demon in question could be exiled, sent across the plains to find another city.]

[Not killed? You guys don't kill as a punishment here in Roklu?]

Judging from what little I saw of Grokus' compound, they definitely do.

[We do, but it is generally the city lord who would enact such a thing. It is the right and the responsibility of the strongest demon in the city to enforce their will on it. Those who do not appreciate this burden are free to leave, either to find another city more to their liking, or eke out an existence on the plains.]

[How do you think Grokus has been doing here?]

[I have answered your question,] the blazing eye turns toward me, focusing the full heat of its gaze upon my shiny self. [It is now time for you to answer mine.]

[Fair enough,] I gesture with an antenna, [go ahead.]

The demon, who we've come to know, actually has a name, as do most demons who live in the city, apparently. I was a little surprised at first when he introduced himself, but hey, if a demon wants a name, who am I to go about not using it? So it was that the giant eye wreathed in tongues of flame that hovered around us came to be referred to by his proper title: Allocrix. Or Al, depending on your mood.

[You have mentioned this 'Colony' before. Describe it to me. I wish to know more of it.]

[The Colony? I suppose that's fine. I guess I should ask first off, how much do you know about ants?]

The eye roars with flame.

[Little.]

I sigh.

[Alright then, I suppose I start at the beginning.]

city of demons, Roklu, whilst I expound on the ants of the surface world. Tiny insects capable of forming vast mega-colonies, a collective so unified as to act as a single organism as the eyeball in the centre of the aurora

[You have two stomachs?]

I confirm, [that way some of our food can be regurgitated later for sharing

[Fascinating.]

a lot for one question, obviously you want to know more, but

A pause.

[Very well.]

vast emptiness vanishes into the distance, well beyond the point my eyes can see as the heat haze and ash eventually blocks my view. Far, far below, the Plains of Leng, even now

as more demons emerge and begin to resume their normal activities the noise and movement has steadily risen

deal was with that giant demon smacking someone down in the middle of town earlier? Something seemed a little off about it,

monsters in that spot, when they seem quite rare in the city from

be simple or complicated, depending on the particular demons involved. When it comes

to guess,

city for hundreds of years, generally by exterminating any who would grow strong enough to challenge. Now, two demons

in and say, you and the

[It is so.]

the only tier seven monsters that I've managed to detect

Do you assume that there are none others who are capable of

Oof.

enough,] I sigh. [So there are two challengers for

depressed. [I have no wish for the role. The scheming, the fighting. Nuisance. I wish only to

[The big guy?]

but feels he must dispense with me, the other challenger, before he can

challenge, but won't until he's

[Yes.]

he'll go and challenge Grokus, and I'm going to assume that this

[It is so.]

I clack my mandibles.

sure don't mess