The Betrayal of Domi'zel
Dominic
Seven millennia ago, the Obsidian Desert, outskirts of the Nether Realm…
Thepungentstinkofsulfur permeated the air. It mingled with the smoky residue that veiled the black sands. Fallen minions and demons lay scattered, their lifeless forms a testimony to the battle’s ferocity. The remains of the once mighty were now extinguished in the aftermath. They silently spoke of a conflict that had lasted days. But now, we stood victorious.
With a lingering burn in my chest and adrenaline coursing through my veins, I couldn’t suppress the overwhelming surge of pride. Drawing a deep breath, I unleashed a triumphant roar, its resonance echoing through the shadowed expanse. It was a shout not just of conquest but a declaration that I, Domi’zel, would not be easily defeated.
Mal’ek, an upstart demon lord of the southern firewoods, thought he could usurp my territory and position. He quickly discovered that I had staunch allies and an unyielding determination to defend my dominion.
Another roar sounded beside me. I turned to see Jul’phanar, radiant in victory. Molten patches played across his bronzed gold skin, and his auburn hair, now a fiery red orange, seemed alight with dancing flames. His pristine white wings, a sharp contrast to his fiery demeanor, extended majestically from the openings in his luminous armor. The gold glow of his eyes mirrored the brilliance of his triumph.
“We did it, Juls. We did it,” I said, my voice filled with delight.
A grin spread across his beautiful face. Tossing aside his helm, he rushed over and wrapped his arms around my waist. His bronze skin contrasted with my obsidian color.
I laughed as Juls, with surprising strength, lifted my larger frame off the ground and joyfully swung me around.
“We sure as hell did! Mal’ek and his forces are destroyed. The realm, the emperor even, will think twice before turning against us,” he said, setting me down and smashing his lips to mine before I could scold him.
We shouldn’t be taunting the emperor.Aw fuck,his lips tasted as sweet as ever.I’ll admonish him later,I thought, before moaning and pressing into his embrace.
The clanking of our armor rubbing against each other caused me to pull back. I wanted more; I wanted to feast and dive into my carnal desires.
“We should take this elsewhere and get more comfortable.” I paused. Looking around, I spotted the smooth, polished onyx skin of my faithful minion and the captain of the guard, Jorin.
“Jorin!” I yelled. “Ensure the men are taken care of. Share the spoils with them.” Jorin, stoic as always, simply gave a nod.
I grasped Juls’ arms, focusing on our command tent. In an instant, the landscape shifted around us, and we were within the safety of our quarters. This ability, known as ‘mist-flashing,’ was a testament to my rank as a demon prince, allowing for near-instantaneous travel. It was a privilege few possessed and one I wielded with pride.
Juls chuckled, a mischievous glint in his gold-hued eyes. “You’re not the only one with tricks,” he teased. With a deft snap of his fingers, our armor disappeared. I looked down to see my dark, shimmering loincloth made of an ethereal fabric that moved as if alive against my skin. Juls’ covering was different—a golden fabric intertwined with strands of fire, accentuating the fiery tones of his physique.
“Impressive,” I remarked with an amused grin, noting the detail in his loincloth that seemed so fitting to his nature, “but let’s see who can truly outdo the other.”
Juls smirked, “Challenge accepted.”
Juls closed the distance between us, his golden eyes reflecting a familiar fire. As his lips met mine, the world faded. Between lingering kisses, I tried to keep a steady voice.
“Juls,” I murmured against his mouth, “be wary of speaking out against the emperor so openly.”
He pulled back slightly, a playful smirk replaced by confusion. “Why? After the battle, he surely fears us now.”
I took a deep breath, cupping his fiery cheek with my hand. “Power dynamics can shift quickly, especially in our realm. You know this. Speaking out openly against him might make us targets.”
His eyes searched mine, perhaps looking for some hidden meaning. “You fear him,” he stated, not as an accusation but as a realization.
“It’s not about fear,” I sighed, trying to find the right words. “It’s about strategy. There are threats and challenges we haven’t yet considered.”
He tilted his head slightly, the mischief returning to his eyes. “What if I told you there are ways, Dom? Ways we can become even more powerful than the emperor? We could rule.”
I hesitated for a moment, intrigued but cautious. The allure of the throne was a temptation most demons would find hard to resist. Yet, I respected our current emperor. Oz’gelon was far superior to his predecessor, and I’d thrived under his reign. However, Juls didn’t know that my relationship with the emperor was more complicated than mere fear. Not that I feared the emperor; instead, I believed the emperor saw my abilities as a threat. My recent discovery that it was he who incited Mal’ek to attack only cemented my suspicions.
“What are you talking about?” I asked slowly, careful of my words.
Juls leaned in, whispering so softly that I had to strain to hear him. “Legends, ancient beings, and secrets are hidden deep within our world. With their help, we could become unstoppable.”
My eyes narrowed, a twinge of suspicion prickling the back of my mind. “And how would you know this?”
