Chrysalis

The meeting dragged on for another hour before a reasonable plan of action of attack was determined. We had to consult Al fairly frequently throughout the process, trying to determine exactly what is and isn't allowed in a formal war between demon cities. In the process we got a bit of an overview on the history and practical application of this particular demon tradition. Allocrix doesn't have any idea roughly when it started, the practice is nearly as old as demon kind itself, or at least so he claims.

According to the burning eyeball himself, there was such a time that the third stratum was filled with demons who as of yet didn't have any boundaries or structures as to how to lead their lives. Much as one would expect, it was complete chaos. Or at least, it was more chaotic than things are now supposedly. I did have to ask him one burning question at this point in the conversation.

[Who exactly imposed the rules on you?]

[What do you mean?]

[At one point you had no rules, and then these traditions were… put in place, for want of a better term, then there must be someone who came up with them, right? An individual or group that was the origin point. Or were they just cooked up at some point and spread throughout demon society over time?]

[Ah, you ask who is the origin of our traditions. Arconidem.]

[Arconi-who?]

[Arconidem, the demon god.]

[I didn't realise you demons had a religion?]

I mean, how does that even work? They're literally referred to as demons… or is this why they're referred to as demons? Allocrix stares at me like he's looking at an alien.

[You don't know who Arconidem is?]

I try to think.

[It might ring a bell? I get the feeling I've heard the name before.]

[I believe you might.]

Is that humour I hear in the big eyeball’s voice?! A shocking development.

[Arconidem the demon god is one of the nineteen ancients and the progenitor of the demon race,] he informs me in his usual flat tone.

[Ah.]

Well, dang. I probably should have remembered that. Granin and his apprentices had drilled me on what is known about the nineteen ancients, which isn't much, generally speaking. In fact, from what I understood, most people in Pangera can't name them, and many don't believe that they exist in the first place. Which isn't a ringing endorsement. Although the existence of the Cults throughout the civilised world means that at least some people are keeping the, uh, dream, alive?

second. He was the

Which is quite the sight, thankfully it's too

has made the claim. As to the truth of it, who can

Like, there are millions of

the rest of us. Again, who can say? As to the title that Arconidem claimed for himself, he is so powerful

you know how powerful he is? I'm going

[I have seen him.]

…

[WOT?!]

The big eye nods.

to see Arconidem when they evolve. I would describe it as a type of vision,

[Yeah I bet.]

a bit of a shock to realise that I'm not the only one who gets to enjoy these 'wonderful' trips to elsewhere when evolving, or even that it’s not a reincarnator thing. Apparently a few of the native born demons get to experience the same level of joy that I do, having their soul circle a drain and sink down to goodness knows where to speak to someone you don't necessarily want to see. I wonder if the Gandalf I see might end up being one of the ancients as well? They haven't given me a name… I suppose it might be possible? Although, from memory I think they might have denied

I

chance you can describe what he

dims around

get asked this question. Arconidem looks much like a larval

[Hah!]

seated on a throne

[… ah.]

there I was stuck with the thought of an all-powerful

I've certainly never visited

eyes me. Which is an intense experience, let me

[Why would you have?]

[Good point! Moving on!]

A pause.

[What's he like?]

want

can't blame an ant for being curious. We're

is freaking me out a little. I always kind of imagined the ancients as being so far away that they could never be reached. It feels like one of them just reached out from the depths of the Dungeon and poked

planning for the upcoming conflict went smoothly enough until

for the main battle!" Leeroy whined. "You don't want the Immortals at the front, leading the charge,

I look at her.

damn