The Demon Monarch System

----

"Since you guys are still here despite us coming to a consensus, I'm guessing that there's a matter that continues to interest you all. If so, then come clean," Saehtyn said before looking around the room. Although it didn't look like he was the one being targeted this time, it did appear as if there was some unusual tension in the room.

It went even deeper than the stressed relationship between the Sins. As stated before, whenever these lords came together, there was bound to be chaos, but there were also times wherein their Sins remained docile.

However, that was only the case when an important issue appeared. One that even the Primal Sources of the Sins could sense.

"I'm not sure if this matter is related to the ripple we just finished discussing, but I experienced something rather… odd if you will," Lucifer admitted before continuing even further, "Well, you see, I was approached by a very odd demon. And, for some odd reason, it was almost as if the divided source inside me wanted to devour this demon."

"A portion of a Primal Source wanted to devour a demon? I've never heard of such a matter ever happening. Are you sure this is the feeling you sensed? Perhaps you misconstrued the message from your Sin," Saehtyn answered with a complex expression.

In return, Lucifer sneered, "Are you doubting my intelligence? I'm more than capable of performing intelligent tasks, unlike a certain someone who is all brawn and no brains."

Again, Saehtyn struggled to control himself after experiencing Lucifer's infuriating behavior. Fortunately, he was capable of keeping his wrath under wraps after centuries of practice. Though, Lucifer somehow managed to always challenge this ability.

"I don't doubt your intelligence. I just doubt you. After all, nothing seems to penetrate that insufferable pride of yours, and this will be your undoing. One of these days, you will walk willingly into your death because of your foolish trait," Saehtyn retorted.

But Lucifer just smiled in response, "And you will burn from the inside out once you realize that aside from your little flame, your worth amounts to nothing. Now, can I get back to my experience?"

"Do as you please," Saehtyn scoffed.

"Boys, boys~ So much repressed love. Why don't your two just settle your differences and unite? I'm sure the union would bring some happiness," Asmidia giggled while looking between the two.

However, Saehtyn and Lucifer felt differently. Both of their eyes burned with the intention to destroy her, but they didn't act. For one, her Luxuria's Haze was too tricky to deal with. If she truly employed all of her ability, then being trapped in the haze was the least of their worries.

Eventually, Lucifer found the opportunity to reveal the rest of his experience, "As I was saying, the source revealed a desire to devour this demon. So, I entered his presence only to realize his pride was worse than mine, but that wasn't the thing most amiss."

"What was?"

"I had no control over the Superbia he utilized! He stood right before me, employing his Sin, yet I couldn't sense nor could I influence it. I-it was just baffling and simply unprecedented! Something I've never heard of. How can a demon exist inside of my Ring and I not have the ability to tap into their Sin?!" Lucifer muttered.

As the Lord of a Ring, even if it was a position created by a Daemos using their familiarity with the Sins, the Lords retained the ability to use all of their respective Sins as they saw fit. So finding out that he couldn't move this Sin was astonishing, to say the least.

To confirm this discrepancy, Lucifer employed all of his conferred authority over said demon. However, their body never once wavered, and what's worse is that they chuckled over his actions. Although the demon didn't retaliate, Lucifer learned one thing from looking into its gaze.

"I don't know where that confidence came from, but I could tell immediately that he looked down upon me. I was furious, but I was also an at impasse. Powerless while on my throne?! It was embarrassing," Lucifer scoffed.

However, a voice that belonged to no one present echoed within Saehtyn's throne room.

"First of all, these Rings belonged to none of you. You are mere fakes; placeholders if you will. Born to portray a counterfeit image of obtaining peace. For true peace, you'd have to be one of us."

Suddenly, a large portal opened in the center of Saehtyn's throne room. A large white figure with obsidian spurs jutting from their joints and pristine silver hair walked out from within the portal. Their golden eyes scanned everyone present and smiled.

Afterward, three more figures stepped from within the portal. They were smaller in height, but compared to the Lords who were present, each of these new additions carried an absurd aura.

Still, from the expression everyone revealed, they were more than familiar with the person who led this small group. As for the other three individuals, they drew blanks over their identities. 

"Irzanach," Saehtyn spat with narrowed eyes. It had been quite some time since Irzanach last paid a visit, so he was expecting a visit, eventually. However, Saehtyn's attitude was different this time for a single reason.

Unlike the prior visits, where Irzanach came alone, he came alongside three other individuals. And, from what he sensed, each other these demons carried more than a singular Sin Path inside them.

Needless to say, Saehtyn was almost certain that Irzanach visit was one with nefarious intentions.

"A pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting all of you fakes to be gathered in one place. Perhaps this is my fortune, or maybe even misfortune. But one thing I do know," Irzanach revealed a gruesome smile, "Your abilities are waning, and it's only a matter of time before they evaporate completely."

"You! So you take ownership of this dastardly situation? I will rip your mouth to shreds," Lucifer snarled. Immediately, another surge of dark gold energy appeared as his eyes radiated with a golden light. His figure changed, growing into a form similar to Irzanach and Apollo's Suprana form, except Lucifer was twice as large.

Whoosh!

Lucifer rushed towards Irzanach without a second thought. His first thought was that Irzanach posed no advantage since he wasn't a Lord. He couldn't have any sort of assistive powers, but he was wrong.

A portion of Ira within a 5-meter radius seethed before forming a barrier before Irzanach. Not only did it allow Irzanach to block Lucifer's strike, but one of the individuals by his side made a move. They utilized Ira effortlessly as well.

Boom!

Lucifer was forced to block while taking a step back with a solemn expression. 'Why are they able to move such pure Ira? Isn't this his domain?!' Lucifer thought while immediately turning towards Saehtyn.

Unfortunately, Saehtyn was just as clueless as he was. In fact, he was forced to question Irzanach's past claims, 'Could he truly be someone who is up for the Monarch's old position? That's the only explanation as to why I can't sever his link with the Ira in this place.'

Regardless, Lucifer wasn't someone to just take an attack without retaliating. His entire right arm became enveloped by a golden claw doused in golden embers. Once it appeared, Lucifer's aura surged once again.

Zwip!

Lucifer turned into a golden flash as he returned a frightening strike to his earlier assaulter. They were forced back in return, but Irzanach shook his head derisively.

"Xynthos, you're supposed to be the second in command, yet you let a fake push you back? Should I perhaps be disappointed in you?"

Tch!

Xynthos, the demon bearing 2 markings under his eyes and snow-white hair bared his fangs as two extremely long teeth grew in each corner of his mouth. Flames jetted from his mouth while his expression grew increasingly savage.

"Good. That's what I thought. Now wreak havoc in this form."

Whoosh!

Xynthos dashed towards Lucifer, virtually teleporting from where he stood. An instant later, there was a chunk missing from Lucifer's shoulder as eyes widened in shock. Meanwhile, Xynthos clenched his jaw and ground the flesh in his maw to dust.

"Who are you people!?" Saehtyn finally bellowed, releasing his Iraym Form. Compared to Apollo, his was more complete as the marking on his body glowed with crimson light and filled his body from head to toe. Even his hair turned into pure Hellfire as the gargantuan ax in his hands inundated the area with a terrifying heat.

"Us? Why we are the ones who will reclaim the position as the Monarch. And, since you don't want to join us, that begins with us eradicating you all."