Reborn As An Evolving Monster

Chapter 359 Choice

A small flame appeared on Raven's shoulder as he walked through the city's streets.

"Swallow the Earth and the Sun?"

"Huh? Partial Materialization? Good for you Nameless Fire Spirit. You learn fast."

"No thanks to you..." The small flames whispered.

"What was that?"

"Swallow the Earth and the Sun the old hag said."

"So?"

"What does that mean?"

"Means the destruction of the current world. The world as we know it. Something like that."

"Isn't that... A big deal?"

"There are too many tales that the old hags and the old fuckers call Prophecies. They'll hear a story or an old song or whatever the fuck then say it came to them in a dream. Though of course..."

"Of course...?"

"Tales of the Demon King's Return are numerous. But the Demon King is bound to return."

"Isn't he dead or something?"

"More like... Slumbering." Raven answered with a chuckle.

"Slumbering where?"

"For a Spirit, you really don't understand a thing, do you?"

"Well, my dumb Master wasn't a bundle of information. Doubt he would know anything about this."

"Pfffft! Master? Since when do you refer to him that way?"

"I don't refer to him that way."

"You just did, stupid Spirit."

"Only when... Talking to others."

"You won't tell it to his face, but you want others to know... Is it a respect thing? Or is it Pride? I remember you being pretty disrespectful to him."

"That and this are different things."

"Doesn't mean anything, but I understand."

"Slumbering Demon King?"

"No one knows if the previous Demon King is dead, has disappeared, or whatever. It was a thousand years ago, so it's assumed that he's dead."

"Why did you say that he was slumbering then?"

"Not he, but it."

"It?"

"The Title. The Title of Demon King is slumbering. Whoever held that Title in the past doesn't matter. All that matters is that the end of that Title's slumber will be the return of the Demon King."

"I... Don't think I understand."

"You don't need to. I can feel it." Raven suddenly stopped, spread his arms slightly, and raised his gaze to the sky. "It's coming. Soon." He blushed slightly. "Everything is about to change." He took a deep breath in. "So much blood will be poured. Everything will burn and bleed. Doesn't that get you excited, Fire Spirit?"

"I guess... How can you tell?"

"Asking too many questions. Don't forget who you're talking to."

"..."

"I can't wait... I can't wair for it all to burn!"

"..."

"Got something to say?"

"If what that old hag said is true... Swallow the Earth and the Sun..."

"What? Out with it."

"Swallow... Isn't too far from Devour."

"Huh? You think...? Pffahahahhaha! You think you're dumb Master has a shot? You think there's a whole Prophecy about him?"

"... As you said, I don't know much for a Spirit. But it doesn't seem impossible. Coupled with the fact that -Return- doesn't necessarily mean-"

"Your Master doesn't have what it takes." Raven interrupted. "He doesn't have the strength or the resolve..." The Vampire Lord continued to stare at the bright sky above. "The malice or the urge."

"The urge?"

"A Spirit wouldn't understand."

"So you think you're suited better?"

Raven's eyes narrowed. His tone instantly became cold.

"I like you, little Spirit. But don't push it too far."

"I understand..."

"Ugh... Can't wait to get rid of you all. Though I doubt your Master will make it to Pride. Or even to Nia."

"Why is that?"

"I left him to roam freely. He's too much of a bitch to go to the meeting place where Nia waits for him. Though by now... She would have heard from Zephyr, so anything is possible."

"I... Don't think he would give up on them."

"Maybe not. But he has others with him." Raven said with a chuckle. "Would he leave the kitty cat and the elf to come for you? I bet he's already head over heels. Might have even forgotten about you all."

"I guess... I can see it."

"Right? They're totally cooped up somewhere. Probably being all lovey-dovey. Think they're fucking?"

"Gross." 

"Oh, come one. Just when it was getting fun." Raven complained as the flame dissipated. 

He chuckled for a bit.

"A peaceful life with the woman and the cat, or a Monstrous life with the subordinates. You can't hate me, can you?" Raven whispered, a wide smile on his face. "When I gave you the choice."

...

'Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!' 

She looked in every direction.

It was dark, but her eyes could see through anything. 

They were a Dragon's eyes after all.

'Fuck!' She cursed internally.

A Forest.

It was large and dense but,

"A small portion was burnt. Additionally, it smells..." She whispered

Dozens of meters away, standing on a tree's branch while hiding behind its trunk.

'He wasn't lying...?' Yarnha asked herself. 'That's-'

"What are you hiding for, Spirit? Come here. I have some questions for you." 

"Questions? You're not here to burn the Forest to the ground... General Draconia?"

"What gave you that impression?"

"Your white-scaled Monster."

"So he was here."

"So was the Dark Elf and the Moonlit Feline. Though I guess that was bullshit, you looking for them and not him."

"Where is he?"

"I don't know."

"Where is he headed?"

"I don't know."

"What direction did he take?"

A root exited the ground.

"That way." 

Crack-

Fwoosh-

'That was quick... Strange. General Draconia...' Yarnha thought as she stared at the General who was rapidly getting further and further. 'She's not scary at all... For a Dragon.'

...

"Aaaaand welcome!"

"That's... That's it?"

"What do you mean that's it??" Zerha shouted. "Did you see the size of the castle? It might be a bit old, but still!"

"No, I mean... I thought there would be more people-"

"More people waiting? Bahahhaa! Only the Generals and certain Followers know of your existence. Well, certain Commanders too, I suppose. Why do you want people waiting for you anyways?"

"I don't know..." Kati scratched his head. "Where's the First?"

"The First? Ugh... Don't call him that."

"Why not? He's the First. I'm the Second."

"Well... Yes but... There's no reason to make it a Title, is there?"

"A Title... That's interesting." Kati mumbled. "Okay, so? Where is he?"

"I don't think he's here just yet."

"Didn't he make it out way before me?"

"He did but... Well, I don't know the specifics of it. He might take a bit more time to get here."

"Okay." Kati shrugged. "So, what now-"

"Ah, sorry." A large and tall being in armor looked down on Kati, who had fallen to the ground. "Didn't see you there."

"Don't mess with my Candidate, new Commander."

"I apologize, General Zerha."

Just when he started walking away,'

"A bit early to drop the ball, don't you think?"

"I'm not sure I understand-"

"Don't mess with my Candidate, Zephyr." His hand twitched. "Did you think a General wouldn't remember a Commander's Name? Well, new Commander... And a Commander under another General. But you know, same thing, right?"

"I apologize." The Commander said. He continued to walk away.

"You think he did that on purpose?" Kati asked as he took Zerha's hand. 

"I'm not sure..." The General continued staring at the Commander's back. "A gold mine...?"

"Gold mine?"

"Zephyr. Of the Tyrs. Not exactly a Tribe but not exactly a Clan either... Well, nothing but history now."

"Why is that?" Kati asked, curious and eager to get any information he could on the World.

"They were slaughtered. There shouldn't be any left. Except if the one that slaughtered them... Was one of them."

"You think he killed them? His Tribe? That would mean his family, wouldn't it?"

"It would." General Zerha brought a hand to her chin. "If so, that would give him something in common with Raven." She whispered to herself.

"Sorry, didn't catch that."

"Stay away from that one. Just like Raven. Stay away from them both."

"Okay...?"

'They do feel different though. They don't have the same tendencies, the same emotions-'

"How did you know?" Kati asked, interrupting the General's thoughts.

"A bit of mind reading."

"Mind reading...?"

Zerha didn't want to go into more detail, but she still felt the need to give the curious Candidate something.

"The Tyrs were once numerous. They're powerful wielders of Wind Magic. There was a rumor that some of them could use Lightning Magic. Well, not exactly Lightning. A Red Lightning? Something like that. Different rumors give it different names. But it's basically lightning that's red in color. Apparently, they could split mountains with that."

"Is that something you can do?"

"Mm?"

"Split mountains."

"Depends on the day, depends on the mountain, I suppose." Zerha chuckled.

"That's a lie, isn't it?"

"You're getting good, haha! Anyways, the Tyrs are Descendants of the Giants. An old old race that has disappeared long ago."

"Half Human Half Giant?"

"Well, no. Giants have been extinct for a long long time. All that's left is their blood. It's been diluted a lot though, I assume. But that's also why they lived among themselves... Until they were slaughtered that is. Mmm... That makes me think. I once heard of a fearsome Commander who could rival many Generals in Strength. Always wanted to meet her. Too bad she was a Commander of Sloth. Under me, she would have definitely risen to the level of General. Oh well, lazy slothful people over there. Anyways, if this Zephyr can polish his Skills, I think he could..."

...

The Devourer and the 'Ex-General' leaped towards one another.

Around the whip that had been engulfed in a red Aura,

Sksh- Sksh- Sksh-

The Devourer's eyes widened.

'Red Lightning?'

"Come get a taste, you son of a bitch!" 

With a large smile on its,

"Don't mind if I do." The white-scaled Monster answered.