Hell Chapter 5; Fall Of Babylon

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It was Babylon. Babylon The Great; the city that harbored many cities and every kind of foul thing under the sun. The Demon Lord, Count Bifrons, had his undead army of the millions of demons that Ophiuchus slew prepared to attack him, the beings taking their places around the swampy graveyard city as well as in several other places around Babylon to prevent cluttering up and being easy targets. All the undead were controlled by Count Bifrons, and the odds were stacked against Ophiuchus.

Bifrons: "You cannot kill what is already dead, O King. And you cannot absorb energy from what has none. These corpses have no souls and their bodies are of minimal nutrition because of their being deceased. If you do fight us, you will use up all of your power facing off against the undead and gaining nothing in return."

Bifrons' logic was good, and he knew that Ophiuchus wasn't at full strength. The giant zombie man smiled excitedly at Ophiuchus, showing his missing teeth in his mouth, his big eyes widening with anticipation. "I dare you to try to kill us again. See how well that fares for you." Bifrons was taunting him. He wanted Ophiuchus to attack.

But Valac said, "We shouldn't worry about them, Lord. They are just empty husks. If we get rid of Bifrons, then the undead should return to nothingness, for it is his power that summons them and commands them." Valac was wiser than he looked, but it was mostly because he was already informed about the Seventy-Two due to once being one of them and also being with them during their conception into Demon Lords, as well as their takeover of Hell. Valac knew all of their secrets, and he was willing to help the Angel King in any way he could, since Valac himself could not fight. "My suggestion is to destroy Bifrons and leave the other demons alone."

The pestered Phenex heard Ophiuchus and knew his words to be true, all to his dismay. "Angel King..." Phenex muttered, still suffering pecks from Decarabia.

"Not this time, Angel King!" Decarabia said, quickly transforming into Malphas, thus making there be two Malphases that were present at the time. "Take this--"

"No, I won't let you!" Though Phenex knew of his demise, he was ready to do what was virtuous and halt Decarabia and the Falshin Malphas from stopping the attack. He stretched out his neck and plucked Decarabia by the wings, then opened his own to release the birds, which flew off somewhere. There were more than thirty legions of Falshin birds that flew away; some back to the cities, others to other Demon Lords, and still others on their own.

But this did not halt the fate of both Phenex and Decarabia.

"I could not let you hurt the people, Angel King..." Phenex said as he and Decarabia were swallowed up by the nothingness. His final words were, "Finally... Peace..." And with that, they were erased from existence and their energy given up to Ophiuchus as fodder.

Valac was overjoyed that two such powerful Marquises were downed. "Yes! Those two were GREAT Marquises, Milord! Defeating them should have given you LOADS of power!" But Valac watched where some of the birds were flocking... And it brought him horror. "No!!" he shouted, flying off immediately, almost without saying a word. "Angel King, this way! Hurry! Or else..."

Again, too late.

The birds had all flocked to the city of the next Demon Lord, where they were changed into... Alternate forms... To make themselves more inconspicuous. The city of this Demon Lord was refined and resembled normal palace cities. By the time Valac and Ophiuchus got there... There would be no one there.

Following behind Valac, Ophiuchus muttered, "Phenex, You Fool... This Is Why You Could Not Ever Come Back To Heaven..." It almost sounded like there was remorse in Ophiuchus' voice.

Regardless, they arrived at the palace of the next Demon Lord. It looked relatively normal, save for the fact that it was a bit more refined than regular palaces.

But there was no one there.

Ophiuchus was not surprised, but was ready for anything and everything, knowing who and what the next Demon Lord was and what he could do. "In The Marquis Category Of Rulership, Everyone Serves A Purpose To Usurp The Last And Be Drawn To The Next, But NONE Are Aware Of Their Purposes." This had been an ongoing thing among the Marquises, since they were the Middle trying to get to the Top. "This Is Why They Are -ONLY- The Middle Layer And Not The Top Nor The Bottom. Therefore, When Phenex Has Usurped Decarabia And Decarabia Becomes As Useless As He Made Andrealphus To Be, Then All The Birds That Were Once Under Decarabia's Control Flock To Phenex." All of that transpired already, as Ophiuchus expected. "However, Knowing That Phenex Is A Truth-Sayer In The Demonic Ranks, -- Which IS Why He Is Left In The Middle -- A Different Marquis Greater Than Him Is Sent Out To Gather The Birds And Promise Them The Ability To Transform Into Anything That They Want To -- Including Already Fallen Members Of The Devil's System." This is why Ophiuchus was so cautious here in THIS specific palace... Because the Falshin and other demons could transform into -ANYTHING- now, not just birds. "This Causes Them To Leave Phenex By Himself And He Is Completely Betrayed And Abandoned By Those Who Once Served Him And Flocked To Him IMMEDIATELY After He Saves Them So That He Cannot Reveal To Them Secrets Of The Higher Ranks, Since Phenex Is Waiting For Someone To Honor Him By Being As Virtuous As Possible, Yet They Deceive Him Because They Don't Want Him In Their Secrets."

Ophiuchus narrowed his eyes. "I Know You All Are Here. Especially You... Great Marquis Orias." What he looked like right now was a mystery, but he was the one that gave the others the ability to transform into anything. Truthfully, Ophiuchus was thinking of destroying everything right off the bat. He said to Valac, "Orias Has A Purpose To Take The Flock Of Birds Transformed By Andrealphus And Stolen By Decarabia That Have Gathered Unto Phenex And Promise Them That He Can Change Them Into Any Form They Like, Even Those Of Fallen Rulers." If the fallen Demon Lords were revived, -- as Ophiuchus was warned that someone could do a while back -- he'd have problems with each of them working together instead of against each other. But he was powerful enough NOW to take them all down, so he didn't concern himself much with that. "Because Phenex Is So Beautiful And Is Only Able To Tell The Truth, Orias Is Able To Gather The Trust And Love And Respect Of The Group By Granting Them The Ability To Transform Into Whatever They Like -AND- To Also Promise Them Anything They Ask, As Well As To Give Them Honor And Power, Which Phenex Cannot Do." If Ophiuchus let them live, they'd all REBUILD the things that Ophiuchus destroyed. They were NOT to be let out of this palace alive... Nor was Marquis Orias. "To Secure Their Place Under Orias And No Longer To Serve Under Phenex, Orias Will Then Explain The Workings And Values Of The Stars And Their Houses So That He May Further Educate Those Who Had Never Even HEARD Of These Things By Anyone That Came Before Them So That They Are CERTAIN To Worship Him And Serve Under Him." Since Orias read the stars, he knew of celestial things from the heavens and the workings of space. "Orias Also Ensures That Everyone Stays Friendly With Each Other And Happy With Anything He Promises To Give Them Because By This Time, Everyone Is To Believe That They Are Either IN Heaven Or GOING To Heaven, And Thus Must Have The Image Of Goodness Wherever They Go -- Especially After Hearing Of The Beauteous Voice Of Phenex And His Truthfulness, Plus Seeing His Virtue." Orias was a problem, indeed, but not one that could not be solved.

"Orias Is An Oracle That Foretells The Potential Of People And Outcomes Of Situations. The Configuration Of The Stars Helps To Foresee What The Planet Is Doing And How Everything Will Align With What Others Intend Or Wish To Fulfill." Ophiuchus proceeded cautiously, readying some energy. "That Is Why... I Must Destroy Them All Here And Now."

Before Orias or anyone else could even APPEAR, Ophiuchus was releasing the energy he charged up. Since the Falshin weren't in their forms as the other Demon Lords, -- especially Malphas -- Ophiuchus could easily dispose of them all before they had the chance. "Eternal Damnation," he called out, releasing the red beam from his eye sockets and utterly vaporizing the entire city with a sweep of his eye beams. Everything and everyone in the city would be burnt to nothingness, and there would be an explosion of epic proportions that tore down nearby cities and demons out in the barren wilderness of Hell.

Ophiuchus was playing no games. Taking no prisoners.

Many demons from other cities were wiped out by the blast, feeding Ophiuchus, but none of the beings that knew how to transform were present in the now destroyed city of Orias.

They were all gone... Before the blast, that is.

Valac panicked immediately. "Oh no, oh no, oh no," he whimpered, "They aren't HERE! They tricked us! Orias probably has already taken them to Great Marquis Shax! You know what'll happen if THAT is the case, right?!" Valac fluttered around frantically, wondering what they would do.

Meanwhile, in a DIFFERENT city, one farther away than the ones that had been destroyed by the explosion, a lion riding a horse with a serpent's tail and bearing two great serpents in his right hand strode up to the palace gates with a legion of... Appliances? Decor? DOILIES?!?!

Or, so it seemed.

The random objects transformed back into Falshin, all standing behind the lion on the horse... Which was Orias.

Orias shouted, "Great Marquis Shax! Hurry and combine our forces! The Angel King is on a rampage and we must flee!" Though Orias knew that with his power, the Falshin could restore everything that was destroyed and replace those who were lost, it was all meaningless if it could just be destroyed again. "We must quickly get to the other Demon Lords and join together to defeat the Angel King before he regains all of his power!"

Shax could hear Orias from within his great palace, and responded in kind, "Yes, I agree, Orias! With your power, we can not only restore the System... We can RULE it!" The voice of Shax was hoarse, and he flew out of his window, for he was a stork, landing before Orias on his horse. "Quickly... We must go recruit our superior, Great Marquis Andras! He will be able to slay the Angel King! Now, Orias, give me the power to transform into anything, and I will join you."

Orias: "Very well. We shall ride in secret, away from the Angel King's eyes."

Shax: "Yes, yes! This is what we will do... But... We will need a diversion."

The two thought, but were frantic due to the amount of time they had left.

Finally, Shax said, "You and you!" to two random Falshin, instructing them to "Transform into the two of us and take our places here in this palace whilst the rest of us escape!"

Because of Orias' power, the two Falshin did as they were commanded and listened to Shax, who drew out his legions from his palace and joined them with Orias'. The two Falshin transformed into Orias and Shax and waited in the palace for Ophiuchus as the true Orias and Shax led their legions to the next Demon Lord, Andras.

Now, Ophiuchus wasn't one to fall for the okey-doke, but the Demon Lords had him running on a wild goose chase this time, all to his ire. He absolutely HATED when demons got the better of him, and he felt anger rise up into his eye sockets, which burned red.

The Angel King turned to Valac and said, "Come. They Have Gone To Shax's Palace. I Will Destroy It, Orias, Shax, And All Their Legions All In One Blow." He shot off as a beam of light, having Valac follow the trail of light.

When they both appeared, Ophiuchus said, "When The Group Under The Rule Of Orias Have Been Taught New Things That They Never Have Heard Nor Have Been Revealed, -- But Have Been Known By The Higher Powers For A Long Time -- And Also Promised Good Things Or Said Good Things About Themselves And Allows Them To Transform Into Whatever They Like Just To Get Them Away From Phenex, He Leads Them Unto Shax, Who Is Another Marquis Devoted To Doing Nothing But Stealing And Deceiving And Claims It To Be Teaching Others A Lesson." He already knew that Shax would deceive Orias, but he felt like they would work together for a time just to spite the Angel King. "He Does This To Specifically Cover His Own Deceptive Nature And The Liking Of Deceiving Others, But Ends Up Robbing Those Who Have Just Been Given Knowledge, Insight, Honor, Glory, Power, Authority And The Ability To Transform Into Whatever They Like Of Their Gifts From Orias And Turning Them Back Into Slaves Or Servants With No Power And Nothing To Their Names -- All Is Stolen From Them By Shax Alone And They Are Left Helpless And Enslaved Again After The False Hope Of Freedom." Shax hadn't done this yet, but it was probably in his plans to do so.

"Shax Only Has A Purpose To Deceive And Steal, And Is A Greater Thief Than The Lesser 'Raum' Because He Not Only Does Not Steal Haphazardly, But Does So To Give Back To Those Of His Own Rule Instead Of To Hide That He Has Stolen Something At All." As Ophiuchus explained Shax's purpose to Valac, he hovered above the palace and searched for energy readings that were powerful. "He Steals The Gifts Of People In Order To Force Them Into Servitude And Also To Cause Them To Return To Being Weak And Feeble Because They Followed Someone Else Blindly, Teaching Them A Lesson About Blind Servitude." Ophiuchus noticed that Orias and Shax were together... Suspiciously, at that, and with no legions with them. Immediately, Ophiuchus knew it was a trap and became even more upset. "The Servants Or Slaves That Shax Makes Or Binds Also End Up Being Given To Another Person So That They Can Deceive Them And Steal From Them -- Something Like Raum -- And Become Miniature Raums For The Sake Of Shax." Ophiuchus looked for where he could get a high energy reading from the two Great Marquises and their legions, for he was going to destroy them after he got done with Shax's palace.b"Shax Will Only Speak The Truth When He Is Cornered By A Gridlock And Will Not Ever Tell Anyone The Truth About Anything Unless Cornered And Gridlocked To Do So." It could be inferred that Shax was already lying to Orias about whatever they were about to do, but it made no difference to Ophiuchus. Right now, his rage was on the two demons that were impersonating Orias and Shax.

"You Thought I'd Fall For This So Easily?!" Ophiuchus bellowed, his voice echoing all the way to where Orias and Shax were, so that they could hear him and become intimidated. "ETERNAL DAMNATION!!!" Once again, a violent red beam of hatred burst from the sockets of Ophiuchus and utterly obliterated the city of Shax and his palace as well as the two demons that were impersonating the Marquises. "Valac..." Ophiuchus grumbled, "... Follow Me." Ophiuchus rose high into the void black sky, his visage no longer visible once he reached a certain point. He was going to allow the demons to do as they pleased this time, for he knew that the next Marquis was... Not to be trifled with, especially not by his own people.

So Ophiuchus waited, catching sight of the group now that he was up very high, but did nothing for the moment.

The explosion that occurred after Ophiuchus' Eternal Damnation could be seen easily from where Orias and Shax were, and in the city they fled to, they sought out the Great Marquis Andras. "O Andras!" they cried, "Save us from the wrath of the Angel King!"

Andras was a Grand Marquis of Hell, appearing with a winged angel's body and the head of an owl, riding upon a strong black wolf and wielding a sharp and bright sword. He is also responsible for sowing discord, and commands thirty infernal legions. He teaches those whom he favors to kill their enemies, masters, and servants. He stirs up trouble and dissension.

Everyone knew that Andras was capable of great power. He was able to create pure discord wherever he went. But that made his leadership a double-edged sword due to the way discord could backfire on the users. Andras rode out of his palace, which was like that of a wolf's den, atop his very large black wolf sword in hand. The owl-headed being said nothing, but pointed his sword toward the Falshin and Orias and Shax, immediately causing a chaotic massacre to break out between them all.

The other two lesser Marquises were stunned when Andras turned his blade on them and sowed discord throughout the Falshin, the two fleeing the battle in order to preserve their lives. "Andras, what are you doing?!" asked Orias frantically.

"Who cares?" Shax responded, satchels of valuables on his back and tied around his neck, "He's trying to kill us!" Shax had looted his own peoples' possessions and, in the blink of an eye, was looting Adras' possessions as well. The stork figured that he could get away during all of the commotion and immediately left Orias to his doom.

The Falshin that noticed Shax flying away took off after him, grabbing his long legs and dragging him back down to the ground so that they could loot HIM.

They viciously beat him to death.

Andras remained silent, but looked to Orias, and then pointed his shining sword at the lion. Suddenly all of the fighting gravitated toward Orias, and the Falshin started taking on all kinds of shapes and forms as their bodies destabilized from Orias' power. Even Orias himself wouldn't be able to transform properly due to the heavy discord that Andras created, and thus...

*SPLORTCH!!!*

... Orias was killed by the horde of discordant beings, their forms blending with one another's and their bodies becoming one before breaking back up into the legions of Falshin. They all fought for a while, slaying each other until Andras was satisfied... And until Ophiuchus arrived, which would be soon.

Finally, Andras spoke.

Andras: "Come this way, my legions. Follow me, for I am your savior."

They were trying to obey Andras, but they were also still caught up in their discord, slaughtering each other and bringing the mass of chaos that was the Falshin over to Andras in a wave. Whatever Andras was planning, it backfired severely, for the wave of Falshin crashed down upon him and destroyed him in the discord.

Now the three Great Marquises were dead and the Falshin were in a discordant mess. They rampaged throughout cities and tore them down, fighting and killing; destroying and disrupting. It seemed like they would not stop until they were all dead or everything was destroyed. They no longer had sight of what was going on, and they only brought blind destruction.

*Gleam*

A bright flash shone in the sky before a raining beam of light shot forth like lightning in the midst of the discord, blowing it away and killing many. "... I Wanted To Be The One To Kill Them..." said the Angel King, Ophiuchus, who was within the bolt of pure light when it situated. "... Whatever. This Is How Things Need To Be Done. If I Can Make The System Destroy Itself, That Makes My Job Easier. I Just Have To Hit The Sweet Spot..." The System was heavily guarded despite all of its flaws, but the exploits made it easy to pass through, like the competition between the Demon Lords in their ranks.

"Because Shax And Orias Have Deceived Phenex After Decarabia And Andrealphus Have Been Done Away With, A Mightier Ruler Than Shax And Orias -- Andras -- Is Sent Forth In Order To Stir Up Discord In The Ones Who Have Been Cheated And Blinded Into Enslavement And Servitude So That They Will Rise Up Against Shax And Orias Before They Can Cause Another Attempt At A Rebellion, Just As Andrealphus And Decarabia Attempted To Do." Naturally, the gathering of forces was for an uprising, and the lessening of forces came from the internal war between those forces. "Andras Is Able To Cause People To Slay Their Masters AND Their Servants, So When The Blind And Cheated Servants Are At Their Wit's End, Andras Comes To Help Them Overthrow Their Slavemasters."

Ophiuchus went behind the Falshin and absorbed the dead bodies, including those of Andras, Orias, and Shax. "Andras Appears As An Angel So That Those Who Have Been Blinded And Deceived Will Be Obedient To Him When He Comes To Stir Up Discord Among Them For What Had Been Done To Them By Shax. It Is Only To Take On The Appearance Of A Deliverer Of Salvation And Nothing More." He'd saved the slaves, yes, but he also made them kill each other. "Because Andras Appears In A Time Of Distress, Anyone Who Is In Captivity Of Enslavement Or Servitude Will See Him As A Means Of Salvation And Submit Themselves To Him Because He Appears To Save Them And Teach Them How To Destroy Their Enemies, Masters, Servants Of Masters, And Enemies." The issue with that was that when your neighbor was either your master, a fellow slave, a servant, or an enemy, it meant that you would be slaying your own people.

"Due To The Discord That Is Sown Amongst The Masses By Andras, The Control That Was Once Maintained By Orias And Shax Is Destroyed And The People End Up Killing The Two Of Them, Plus Each Other -- Because Animosity Between Them Stirs Up, Or Is Brought Up From The Events That Have Already Passed." That was how and why Orias and Shax died. "Those Who Turn Against Andras End Up Getting Slain By Andras Or Anyone That Is Working For Andras, However, This Discord Is A Downside To Andras Because IF All Of The Discordant People End Up Turning Against Him, Then He Will Surely Die." Certainly, this was true, as Andras was completely no more.

"Now You Have No Head, Falshin..." Ophiuchus paused. "Well, Falshin That Remain. If You Can Even Understand Me, Know That I Am Awaiting You To Finish The Job With Each Other So I Can Eat You." Blunt, but honest. Not like the Falshin had any minds to understand anymore. They were just discord now.

During the discord of the Falshin and the destruction they brought, they reached the black waters of the 'River Styx' in Hell with their fighting. Unusually, there was an aquatic palace sitting atop the black waters that were hazardous to all who weren't accustomed to the nature of it, which was to assume a form as a liquid bane to anything's existence as well as to drain the body and soul. However, there were some beings that adapted to this deadly water and simply live in eternal weakness underwater.

The palace belonged to the Demon Lord Forneus, who was a sea monster of great proportions and multiple aquatic features, from gills to tentacles. "Stop this infernal nonsense, now!" he commanded with a mighty voice, rising from the deep sea of the River Styx and resting his tentacle-arms upon the top of his palace, "You all are losing sight of what it means to be demons! You are fighting each other, but for what cause? Love your neighbors, for they are demonkind just as you are."

Now, such a lame and cheesy command was bound to be ignored and seen as weakness by the Falshin... But Great Marquis Forneus had the power to make people love each other, which undoes and neutralizes Andras' discord sowing. "Those of you who are left, come into my palace and join my twenty-nine legions of demons. Teach them what you know so that they might become Falshin, and I will teach you how to better use your power." Forneus was able to teach others the knowledge and understanding of tongues, which broke the 'Language Barrier' that was upon most beings, and allowed for the Falshin to communicate more efficiently with the non-Godlike demons until they became Falshin, as well.

"I am part angel," Forneus said, raising a serpentine neck up to the sky and turning it about in order to search for Ophiuchus, "So I will be able to speak to the Angel King. He will listen to me and he will no longer hate and destroy you, but love and endear you." Forneus smiled. "Isn't that much better?"

The Falshin heeded Demon Lord Forneus and retreated into his aquatic palace sitting atop the black sea, leaving Ophiuchus with the dead of them and paying him no more mind. They left all of their troubles with him to Forneus, and Forneus would speak on their behalf. "Angel King..." Forneus said almost sentimentally, "... I may not have a place in heaven any longer, but I am still an angel, like Phenex. I don't want to see the demons fight. I don't want to see you fight, either. Make peace with us like an angel would and stop trying to destroy this System that protects them."

Valac laughed at Forneus for being endearing to the Falshin, for that type of toxic love was what made him fall from grace and promote demonic activity. He may have been able to make people love each other, but love had nothing to do with sin. The demons would just sin together lovingly instead of repent. This was why Forneus was in Hell. "Persuasive, Forneus, but as you know, someone who has fallen from grace cannot compare to the graciousness of the Angel King. He may hate the demons, but they have given him just cause to do so, and you of all people should know that this system is flawed. You are not the head of this operation, so you cannot speak like you are!"

"Wise Words, Valac," Ophiuchus commended, clapping a bit, "I Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself." He chuckled, but became serious soon after. "Forneus, You Are Too Kind For Your Own Good. What Sort Of Angelic Servant Gets Taken Advantage Of By Demons And--" As Ophiuchus spoke, he realized Valac was once in that situation, but not willingly, like Forneus. "Er, Pardon Me, Valac. I Do Not Mean To Insult You Nor Degrade What You've Been Through." Ophiuchus bowed politely to Valac, then hovered toward the black sea. "As I Was Saying, However, Forneus, The Demons Take Advantage Of Your Amicable Behavior And Control YOU Before You Control Them. As A Demon Lord, You Know You Must Raise Your Hand To Them Should They Come To You. If Not For Your Power To Make Others Love, You Would Have Seen This By Now... How Blinded You Are By The Love Of Evil." It was a tragic sight to behold.

Ophiuchus motioned for Valac to come to him, and he said to the angel, "After Some Time In The Discord, Many People Have Slaughtered Each Other As Well As Shax, Orias, And Possibly Andras, Himself. If, However, Andras Is Not Destroyed By His Own Discord, Then He Commands The Remaining Discord As His Own Unit." But Andras was clearly dead and Ophiuchus absorbed him, so Ophiuchus was just narrating a 'what if' scenario. "Thus, To Prevent Further Discord And Another Possible Rebellion, -- Since Just About Every Marquis Is Trying To Gain Glory And A Promotion For Themselves -- Yet Another Greater Marquis Is Sent To Calm The Discord And Remove The Power Of Andras. This Is Forneus, Who Is Able To Cause Friends And Foes To Love Each Other As Well As Give Them A Good Name, Which Means That They Can No Longer Be In Discord Nor Fight Against Each Other." As it was made clear, the Falshin and Forneus were being all lovey-dovey, and soon, Forneus' sway may overtake the Angel King, as well. "This Keeps Andras From Causing Another Discord After His Purpose Is Served And For His Exposure As One Who Causes Discord Among People Where There Is None Either By Manipulation Or By Bloodshed And War. If Andras Is Already Slaughtered By His Own Discord, Then Forneus Still Comes To Calm The Crowd And Take Control Over Them With Peace."

Ophiuchus was near to the palace and to Forneus now, but kept speaking to Valac. "Forneus Gives Good Names To Men So That They Do Not Feel Bad About Being Enslaved Or In Servitude Under Someone Else, Including He, Himself. This Is A Typical Tactic Among The Ranks Of The Evil Ones To Keep Others From Desiring Higher Positions." He pointed to the innards of the palace, where the Falshin were communicating with each other kindly after just damn near obliterating each other. "Forneus Also Keeps People From Disputing Against Each Other So That It Is Easier To Control Them And Keep Them Calm Through Peace." If Valac understood, this would be the perfect opportunity to maximize on the weakness of Forneus. "Forneus Also Teaches People To Understand Different Types Of Communication So That They Can Understand When Someone Is Deceiving Them, Lying To Them, Hiding From Them, Or Anything That Would Cause Another To Stop Communicating Properly."

The Angel King wouldn't slay them all just yet. Forneus did have a point wherein which the Falshin promoting kindness and love amongst themselves would just make Ophiuchus look bad if he destroyed them... But... He knew the demons were being controlled, so he had no remorse. "Forneus Is A Great Sea Monster Because He Controls A Large Portion Of People Through Their Own Envies Of Each Other When There Is Peace Made And Names Are Given, As Well As When They Begin To Understand Different Forms Of Communication And That People Were Saying Bad Things About Others Before They Knew How To Understand The Communication. This Incites War Between Them Without Forneus Being Seen As The One Doing So, And Also Keeps Peace By Having Everyone Know What Anyone Is Speaking Of At All Given Times -- To Catch The Badmouthers; The Envious." Ophiuchus' last words were probably most important, as it gave a clear understanding as to why Forneus was both secretly wicked and why his 'amiable' approach was so flawed.

"Just Wait On The Lord," Ophiuchus said, crossing his arms as he spoke to Valac, looking at Forneus, "... The DEMON Lord." It was a joke, but not the best, nor was it the time for such. "Okay, I'll Be Quiet Now."

Valac chuckled nervously at the Angel King's joke, not quite finding it as funny as he did. "Ahhh, maybe that's not the best choice of words, Milord..." But he was right. If Valac knew correctly, the next Demon Lord in line after Forneus was...

A handsome archer clad in all green armor and riding on a green-armored horse strode to the shoreline with thirty legions of demons behind him. This man -- larger than most, along with his horse -- was Great Marquis Leraje, who was sent after Forneus when the Falshin stopped fighting. Without warning, the rider Leraje fired several arrows off toward Forneus with the power to give him gangrene. "Forneus," Leraje called out, "You are too weak-minded to command these demons. Your weakness is disgusting. For it, you will lose your legions and your life."

As Leraje trotted toward the aquatic palace, the Falshin and Forneus' demon legions exited, confused about why there was conflict. However, Leraje took advantage of that confusion and stated, "There are those of you who envy the other because of status and power. Forneus may have been able to make you all great, but some are greater than others." Leraje loaded his bow with arrows and fired off into the crowd, the arrows -- being enchanted -- breaking apart and becoming more arrows; thousands of them. They would strike who they would and cause them to become brittle and weak through gangrene. "Come, those of you who envy your superiors! I will make you greater than they are and cause you to be victorious over them!"

The demons that were envious of the others would reluctantly join Leraje's side, but when it was seen how many were actually envious of others, the numbers would rise quickly, for the demons felt confident in their new master. "Go," Leraje said to the envy demons, also known as 'Invidiads', "Wipe out the weakened legions of Forneus, and Forneus himself."

Forneus had been hit by the arrows of Leraje and became extremely weak, transforming from a sea monster into a man, wounded and filled with gangrene. He would lie naked on the ground before the demons, weakened severely. "N-No..." Forneus said hoarsely, "... Angel... King..." But by the time Forneus was calling out for Ophiuchus, the severe gangrene had already taken over and rotted Forneus' body. He was then killed mercilessly by the demons that were of Leraje's command, and the other demons who were weakened were slaughtered as well.

The archer Leraje stood with a smirk on his face as Forneus died, withdrawing his legions and turning to Ophiuchus. Without words he let arrows of gangrene fly toward the Angel King and sent his legions off to battle, some Falshin included in the mix. "Go and destroy him!" Leraje said. "I am able to cause disputes and battles to occur, but they are always in my favor because the weaker party is always diseased by my arrows. Take down the Angel King once he is stricken by my arrows." Leraje turned to one of the Falshin and said, "I need your power of transformation. Become Malphas and undo the Angel King's works when he tries to counterattack."

Understanding his role, the Falshin turned into Malphas and would do as he was told. When Ophiuchus reared up for an attack, Malphas would destroy it and allow for Leraje to be victorious over Ophiuchus.

"Ah, Speak Of The Devil!" Ophiuchus said in another joking tone, flickering away as the arrows approached him, causing them to miss, "Leraje! You Thought A Weak Little Soul Like You Could Weaken Me? You Are Daft." Ophiuchus laughed at Leraje and looked to the one who had become Malphas... Again. With frustration, of course. "I Need To Stop These Falshin Before They Keep Transforming Into Malphas..."

Even though Malphas would be a problem, Ophiuchus didn't exactly need to strike... Yet. If he was patient, this would take care of itself, as well.

"For A Time, The Peace Is Maintained By Forneus And Those That Are Envious Of Others Or That Are Betrayers Of Another Will Be Exposed Because They Cannot Keep The Peace Amongst Any Of Them, And Thus Are Destroyed Afterward By Their Own Stirring Up Of Conflict, Similar To Andras." The Invidiads would continually cause a disturbance in the ranks out of envy, but Forneus had been keeping them at bay. "However, Because Forneus Would Indeed Have Control Over All Of The Peoples Through Peace, Yet There Are Those Who Are Envious And Cannot Keep Peace, There Is Another Ruler Behind Forneus Who Comes To Collect Those Who Are Envious And Prepared To Start Conflict In Order To Destroy Forneus And His Peaceful Rebellion Through Conflict. This Is Leraje, Who Then Also Strikes Down Those Of Forneus With A Bitter Decay That Causes Them To Become Brittle And Weak So That The Envious Can Destroy Them When They Are Weak And Serve Under Leraje."

Ophiuchus continued to say to Valac, "Leraje Causes Battles And Disputes So That Those Who Are At Peace Under Forneus And Are Forced Into The Peace Are Able To Act Out Against It By Their Inner Conflicts With Those Around Them." He then pointed to Forneus, who was dying of gangrene, and said, "Leraje Also Causes Wounds And Gangrene From Afar To Make Those Who Are Not On His Side Weak To Those That Are." Afterward, Ophiuchus pointed to Leraje. "Leraje Is Green Because He Is A Symbol Of Envy And Helps Out The Envious On Purpose, Despite Their Being Envious For Being Weaker Or Lesser Than Others -- Which He Preys Upon As His Own Strength, Which Is Common, Such As With Botis And Other Backstabbers." Then, Ophiuchus said obnoxiously loudly so that Leraje could hear, "Leraje Strikes From Afar With Arrows Because He Is Weak, Just Like Those Who Serve Under Him, Whom He Makes Strong By Making Others Weak."

Knowing that Leraje was actually weaksauce, and that Malphas was about, Ophiuchus had no reason to attack yet. Instead he said to Leraje, "You May Have Been Sent By A Superior To Stop Forneus, But Don't You Think Someone Is Going To Be Sent To Stop YOU?" Those daunting words were what Ophiuchus left Leraje with as he continued to remain idle in the sky, but would evade whatever came his way by flickering in and out of reality.

"We'll Have To Be Careful After This Next Demon Lord, Valac," whispered Ophiuchus. "Remember To Apprehend Malphas Any Time I Wish To Launch An Assault. Understand?"

Valac saluted Ophiuchus and said, "You can count on me, Milord! I'll stay close to the Malphas!" The angel flew off toward the raven-man and hid, not wanting to be spotted by him and have his thoughts and desires destroyed by Malphas.

Meanwhile, Leraje was furious that Ophiuchus not only insulted him but also didn't attack. "What's wrong, O King?" Leraje heckled, "Are you not strong enough to face me?" Leraje's nose crinkled with frustration as he thought and said, "Or am I just not worth your time?"

Whatever the answers to those questions were, the legions of demons were ready to fight for Leraje. Very few Falshin still remained, but they were still in the mix of demons that were under Leraje's control after killing Forneus and his legions as well as taking some of them for his own. The demons that were not Falshin didn't have the powers of the ones that had been brought this far, but the Falshin were getting tired of being told what to do.

So they fought amongst the ranks and broke out into battle.

Leraje: "What are you doing, you lowly demons?! Don't fight each other, fight the Angel Ki--"

Before Leraje could speak any further, an armored man with a lion's head riding a pale horse galloped beside Leraje, glaring him deeply in the eyes.

Leraje: "S-Sabnock!? Wh-Why, what brings you?"

Sabnock: "You know what it means if you see me, Leraje. You're out of control and I'm here to put you back in your place."

Sabnock was a Great Marquis that was more powerful than Leraje, who was already relatively weak. He had the ability to build castles and palaces and the like as well as to furnish them with ammunition. Basically, he would give whomever he worked with infinite ammo. His legions -- fifty of them -- were well equipped and prepared for combat. "So, you thought that taking Forneus' legions would make you more powerful? And for what? To stage a rebellion? Do you know nothing?"

Leraje responded to Sabnock, "I was halting the rebellion that Forneus pursued! The gathering of his men was only natural... After he died." Leraje chuckled. "But don't worry, I'm not here for--"

As the two spoke, the rampaging demons collided with the fifty legions of Sabnock, and war broke out between the two sides. Leraje and Sabnock were caught up in the fighting as well, but they were mostly killing Leraje's own army. The army of Sabnock was greater than Leraje's, and they were well equipped, so they would be taking down these weaponless demons easily.

The Malphas protected himself by destroying the thoughts and desires of the ones who would attack him, and he ran toward Leraje and Sabnock, saying, "I am useful, Sabnock! Use me!"

Leraje: "Traitor!"

Sabnock: "Very well, Malphas. Join me."

With a nod of the head, Malphas took to Sabnock's side and destroyed Leraje's thoughts and desires, leaving him mindless and wide open temporarily until he got his thoughts together. Whilst Leraje was dazed, he was gunned down by some of Sabnock's men, and he would die from the fatal wounds as well as rampaging demons trampling over him.

Sabnock: "Hold, demons! Leraje is dead! You need not fight for him, but for me! Our enemy is not each other, but the Angel King!"

With Leraje gone, the demons did listen to Sabnock because he was a Great Marquis, but they were still tired of being pushed around. Still, his men were equipped, so the demons of Leraje and Forneus reluctantly joined Sabnock's army, making at least one hundred legions under his command.

Sabnock: "Malphas... Make an opening for my men."

Malphas: "Certainly!"

Malphas flew up to Ophiuchus, but as he did, Valac would surprise him and subdue him, keeping Malphas from using his power.

Valac: "Hurry, Angel King! Wipe them all out!"

But Valac ended up being shot at and grazed a bit, which caused him to let go of Malphas. "GAH!" Valac cried, flying back to Ophiuchus. "It's... Not bad... They only grazed me... But look!"

Malphas was still flying there as Sabnock was getting the legions to retreat. He needed to equip the new recruits with weapons. But those fifty legions that were already equipped would keep their aim at Ophiuchus and Valac whilst Sabnock brought the demons to his palace.

"Valiant Effort, Valac," Ophiuchus said to the wounded angel, healing his wound rather easily, "But We Don't Need To Attack Them. Just Watch."

As the Angel King was confronted by Malphas, he smirked and did nothing, but said this, "When War Breaks Out Among The Ranks For Control Over The Ranks And The Higher Powers Catch Wind Of It, They Send Out The Next Highest Marquis, Sabnock, To Intervene." Ophiuchus spoke of the higher powers often, but they were nowhere to be found. "He Has The Same Abilities As Both Halphas -AND- Malphas, So He Is Stationed With Malphas So That They Can Completely Overthrow Whomever Is Rebelling Against The Higher Authorities -- Which Would Be Both Forneus And Leraje, Who Are Disputing Against Each Other." Now the two of them were dead because of their dispute, and Ophiuchus went on, "Because Sabnock Is A Supplier And A Builder, Malphas Only Has The Duty Of Destroying Enemies, Which Makes His Job Easier. Thus, Malphas Can Focus Completely On Destroying Leraje Or Forneus If They Do Not Submit And Cease Fire." This time, however, Malphas wasn't the one destroying the Demon Lords that were trying to rebel, but remaining under the highest one that appeared and doing his bidding.

"Sabnock Taking Over For Malphas In Halphas' Place And Being A Supplier For The Armies Of All Three Rulers -- Leraje, Forneus And Malphas -- Leaves Him As A Neutral Party And Masks His Servitude To Whomever He Is Dealing With -- Namely Malphas." Sabnock did come in neutral, but he quickly became the target once the demons went out of control. "Whilst Sabnock Is Busy Fueling The Flames Of War And Providing Ammunition, He Is Also Building Up The Forts And Other Buildings For Each Of Them And Providing Them With Literally Everything They Need, Working Within Their Blind Spots So That None Suspect Him As Anyone's Enemy The Entire Time Until Someone Is Destroyed." Sabnock wasn't building yet, and Ophiuchus didn't want him to have the chance to. "Whomever Is Destroyed Is Slaughtered By The Hands Of Whom Sabnock Supplies, But Not Sabnock, Himself. Because Malphas Is Already Accustomed To How This Functions, He Has An Edge Over Leraje And Forneus Automatically, And Typically Those Two Die Instead Of Malphas." And so, that was the explanation of the end of Leraje and Forneus. "Whomever Survives Goes To Sabnock And Malphas, Who Thereby Control The Entire Army And Everything That Goes Into A Militia Unopposed." That was what was happening now, only Malphas was not working as a head like Sabnock was... Which would work out to Ophiuchus' advantage.

Ophiuchus: "Sabnock Also Causes The Bitterness Of Envy To Become More Potent Among Those Afflicted, As Well As Further Promotes The Decay Of Those Already Afflicted."

Now it was time to speak to Malphas. "Demon Lord Malphas," Ophiuchus began, "Why Are You Listening To Sabnock When You Know You Can Destroy His Works And Thoughts The Same As Myself, Or Anyone? Shouldn't YOU Be Considered Strongest, Since You Are The One Everyone Uses To Keep Themselves Alive?" As Ophiuchus spoke, he absorbed Forneus and Leraje, gradually building his power as he bided his time. "Perhaps You Should Reconsider Your Position In This System, As You Seem To Have Some Weight In It And Without You, These Demon Lords Would Be Dead. Is This Not Why They Keep Reviving You, Malphas, In Some Way?" It was likely that the Falshin which had become Malphas also had memory of Malphas from when he was destroyed, since this Falshin was there since the beginning. "I Am Doing Nothing. If I Continue To Do Nothing, You Will Serve No Purpose. And Look, If You Do Not Return To Sabnock, Then..."

Ophiuchus trailed off, pointing to the ground, where the next Demon Lord should have been appearing to clean up the dead bodies... Which Ophiuchus would have absorbed if he didn't want to lure out the next Demon Lord.

There, slinking across the ground after the battle was over, sniffing at and consuming the dead bodies was a large wolf with a serpent's tail and owl's head, breathing fire to roast the bodies before eating them.

Malphas considered what Ophiuchus said and looked down toward the next Demon Lord, who was Great Marquis Aamon. The creature that was Aamon dragged its serpentine half of its body with its wolf paws, gobbling up more and more bodies as he moved around. Malphas watched as this occurred, but was still stuck on what the Angel King said.

Malphas: "Hrrrm... Maybe you're right. Sabnock is nothing without me! I'll show our superiors that without me, they are NOTHING!!"

Of course, Malphas took off to Sabnock's city, which was being fortified by Sabnock. Though Malphas wanted to immediately deal with Sabnock, he came up with a cunning plan that involved working with Sabnock until his usefulness had ended, much like the other Demon Lords did when they were dealing with lesser Demon Lords.

All the while, Sabnock's city grew and grew, and it became larger than most cities, and was armed to the teeth.

Aamon minded his business and continued to eat, following a trail of dead bodies that led to Sabnock's city. Aamon said and did nothing but eat, not even bothering to go to Sabnock's palace. Though Aamon could spew fire, he fed off of the dead, and so he needed there to be dead people for him to eat. Sabnock's rebellion would lead to many dead bodies.

Forty legions of demons followed Aamon, but they were also like Aamon and did not do anything but follow behind him. When they reached Sabnock, however, Aamon's legions went up against the hundred legions, and they died fighting... But not without taking out a great deal of Sabnock's legions first.

Sabnock: "Aamon, sir! What are you doing?! Are these not our own people?"

Aamon said nothing, but continued to eat, scraping up the dead bodies and swallowing them.

Sabnock: "Do not tell me that you're doing this just for free food?!"

Aamon said nothing, but continued to eat, burning bodies with his fiery breath.

Sabnock: "Sir!!!"

Eventually, Malphas intervened and said, "You know, you still have many legions left. Why not go to war with someone and try to take over? No one should have as many legions as we do."

Sabnock: "Wonderful idea, Malphas! Let us take down our superiors. You, Aamon, and I will rule over all of Hell! And we'll get that Angel King when we have conquered the whole System for ourselves!"

Malphas smiled deviously. "Yes, sir... That's a great idea. Hmhmhm..."

So Sabnock, Malphas, and Aamon went off with the sixty legions of demons left from the battle and tried to take over Hell by going to the next Demon Lord's city.

All was going to Ophiuchus' plan. He'd sown the seed of rebellion in Malphas during the rebellion of Sabnock and Aamon was there to clean up their dead bodies when they died. He was nothing more than a mooching parasite, but he was still a powerful Demon Lord.

Ophiuchus instructed Valac to follow him as they trailed the demons to the next city, explaining about Aamon along the way. "Sabnock Also Causes The Bitterness Of Envy To Become More Potent Among Those Afflicted, As Well As Further Promotes The Decay Of Those Already Afflicted. Those That Are Within The Ranks Who Are Not Slain End Up Dying Because Of The Weakness. When All Of The Weak Or Rebellious Are Eliminated, The Next Ruler, Aamon, Comes To Clean Up The Mess." He really had no other purposes besides feeding himself, but he was very large and had fire breath, so he was a bit above the relatively normal Demon Lords whose powers varied. "Whomever Is Still Alive Is Destroyed By His Burning Mouth And Those That Are Weak Among The Ranks Are Swallowed Up By Fire. He Is Like Moloch (Molek), And Therefore Consumes Sacrifices, Which Those Dead Bodies And Weak Soldiers Would Be." Aamon didn't care if they were dead or alive, but he mostly fed on the dead. "Now, Aamon Has A Dog Mouth Because He Speaks To You Like A Friend, But This Is Only To Get The Scraps Of The Battle, Which Is Why He Does Not Participate, Yet Slinks Out Afterward To Be Friendly With Sabnock And Malphas That They Do Not Destroy Him." But Aamon hadn't spoken yet. He'd only been doing his work.

Ophiuchus and Valac neared the palace of the next Demon Lord, still observing the three Demon Lords that had joined forces. "Aamon Is An Alias For A Religious Leader That Participated In The Events Of The Original Devil System Being Built Up." He didn't interrupt their actions nor did he try to fight them because he'd already done enough. As it stood, Babylon was already falling. "Aamon Is One Who Cleans Up Messes And Deals With Sacrifices Specifically Because That Is His Only Portion In The Endeavors." The System was falling apart because the Demon Lords were messing it up by themselves, and Ophiuchus didn't need to help them with that much. "Though Aamon Was A Powerful King And Also A Ruling Official, He Was Still Cowardly And Therefore Only Appeared When The Wars Were Over To Pick Off The Weak And Clean Up The Messes, Yet Still Had Authority And Power For His Intelligence And Judgement." They reached the city of the next Demon Lord and awaited his response to the sudden intrusion from Sabnock's army. "Aamon Originally Ruled By Himself As A Powerful King That Barked Out Orders To His Men And Commanded Them Powerfully, But Because Of What He Saw Happen In The Former Legions And Ranks, As Well As The Many Sacrifices He Made During The War, He Ends Up Submitting As The Servant Of Higher Powers -- And Falling From Grace Simultaneously -- And Attempts To Befriend Them So That They Spare His Life. He Knows Many Things That Only Kings And Rulers Know, So He Cannot Be Placed Within The Lower Ranks Or Else He Will Rule Over Them And Tell Them Kingly Secrets, But Because Of His Deplorable Behavior, He Cannot Be Enthroned Among The Mightier Demons And Thus Becomes Their Lapdog As A Marquis."

Ophiuchus shook his head, pointing to the Demon Lord's palace. "The Fall Of Babylon Is Here, Valac. We Don't Need To Intervene Until We Reach Greater Demon Lords, Who Will Be Able To Repair The System Where The Other Demon Lords -- And Ourselves -- Have Destroyed."

The Demon Lord palace that Sabnock and company invaded looked like an extravagant doghouse, and in it, they would find a wolf with a woman's breasts and a serpent's tail that could breath fire out of his mouth. He looked like a female dog, but was actually a male. He was a powerful fighter, but a cowardly person, and when his palace was invaded, he fled, leaving his legions behind.

"Great Marquis Marchosias?!" Sabnock called out into the palace full of only thirty legions, "Your end is nigh. Come out and face us, great fighter, and let us see who is fit to be superior."

But there was no answer.

Sabnock made a skeptical face as he trotted farther inside. "Marchosias?" he called again, voice echoing in the palace. "Hmph. He must have already fled. Damnation! If we don't kill him, he'll call forth HIS superior and we'll be in trouble against the two of them. Even with the sixty legions I have left, we will not be able to overcome them..."

"Unless you use me, right, sir?" Malphas asked, grinning widely.

"Correct, Malphas," Sabnock said, patting the raven-man on the head. "Yes, you are our secret weapon. And in that, we shall make the city of Marchosias our own and take him down!" Sabnock raised a sword into the air and shouted, "All forces, attack!"

The sixty legions of demons swept through the thirty legions that belonged to Marchosias, and Aamon was able to consume the dead bodies for nourishment.

Meanwhile, Marchosias, the she-wolf, made his way to the next Demon Lord's palace, where he entered and began to explain the situation.

All the while, Sabnock and the others were right behind, ready to invade the next city.

"Oh, Look," Ophiuchus said with a joking tone, "The Herd Is On The Move." Naturally, the Angel King insisted Valac follow, for he needed to see just what the Fall of Babylon looked like.

"When The Legion Of Sabnock, Malphas, And Aamon Are Conjoined, Therethen The Next Messenger -- Marquis Marchosias -- Catches Wind Of What The Three Of Them Are Doing And Understands That They Are Able To Build Up Their Own Rebel Army Or Fortress That Cannot Be Defeated. This Is Because Sabnock Can Be The Builder And Supplier, Malphas Can Be The Destroyer, And Aamon Can Clean Up The Messes And Pick Off Weak Men." The joint efforts of the three Great Marquises against the greatest of the Marquises was something that Ophiuchus simply needed Valac to behold. "Therefore, Marchosias Serves As What Buer Once Served As -- A Messenger Servant -- For The Next Higher Up, And Seeks Out His Friendship So That He Is Not Destroyed By Either The Ones He Is Telling On Or The One He Is Speaking To. This Is Why Marchosias Is In The Shape Of A Dog With Fire Coming From His Mouth, Because He Is Constantly Blabbering About The Events." Ophiuchus could use Marchosias to his will, but... That depended on what happened with the other three, first. "His Wings Carry Him Swiftly Out Of Fear, And The Serpent Tail Behind Him Is The Trail That Comes From And Leads Back To The Rebels He Is Telling On." Marchosias was the 'Royal Servant' of the group, as he had direct connections to the superiors due to his tongue.

"Marchosias Is Depicted As A Female Dog When Transformed Because As A Being, He Is A 'Bitch' So To Speak, When It Comes To Fighting Head On. He Ends Up Running Away And Telling On People Angrily." Instead of defending himself, -- as, he was a great fighter -- Marchosias ran away, and he ran to the next Demon Lord, who should have been revealing himself very soon after. "Though Marchosias Is Upset At What Events Transpire Between The Marquises, He Cannot Tell Just Anyone What Is Happening, And Only Someone Who Will Actually Help Him And Not Kill Him -- Which Is Why He Becomes A Female Dog And Runs Away, Being As Subservient And Loyal As Possible." The Angel King hovered over the next palace and continued to tell Valac, "Marchosias Is A Brown-Noser And Therefore When He Goes Out To Tell About The Events That Happen With True Answers, It Is -ONLY- To Receive A Reward And A Promotion." Ophiuchus rolled his eyes. "Because Marchosias Is The Name That Is Derived From 'Marquis,' He Is The Transitionary Marquis From The Marquis To The Higher Powers, Since They Know He Is Both A Coward And A Tattletale, And Also A Brown-Noser. Therefore They Deceive Him Into Believing He Will Gain Honor And Favor For Telling Them Things And Give Him Treats Like A Dog Without Ever Actually Promoting Him Higher, Expecting Him To Be Slain."

The same expectations were from Ophiuchus, as well.

Marchosias: "They've turned on us! We need to tell our superiors!"

The next Demon Lord, who was the only Count-Marquis, was an ill-proportioned sort, having a very large head, but a very small body with demonic claws and features such as a tail. The face was like that of a suave man, and the tiny hand held in it a large staff. The Demon Lord spoke to Marchosias, saying, "Arright, youse goes out and fight and I'll go tell the Dukes."

Marchosias: "Yeah-- Wait, that's not fair, Ronove! I'm faster! I should tell them!"

The Demon Lord looked at Marhosias and said, "Well, you are a better fighter. Besides, I will do my part right now." Holding out his staff, Ronove harvested the souls of the demons that died, leaving their lifeless bodies to turn to dust when Aamon tried to consume them. "There," Ronove said, making like his name and running away, "Now youse got less ta deal with!"

Before Marchosias could respond, Count-Marquis Ronove was already gone. This left Marchosias to be invaded by Sabnock and company, with a very angry Aamon slamming through the doors and roaring viciously.

Sabnock: "You should not have messed with Aamon's food supply, Marchosias. Now he's really angry."

The angered Aamon spewed fire from his mouth in every direction, seeking to burn down the entire palace with the rage of his roaring.

But, he was hit with flames coming from Marchosias' mouth as well, before being bitten in the tender part where it was scorched.

Aamon yelped out in pain and shook Marchosias off, but not without losing a chunk of meat. Aamon retreated behind Sabnock, who had his sixty legions take over the main hall where they stood.

Sabnock: "Men, open fire!"

The demons used their various weapons of variable sorts to attack Marchosias, shooting at him or trying to cut him with a bladed edge. But Marchosias was very swift and with his wings, he dodged bullets preemptively and blew fire out on the legions. He managed to take down some of them, but a large chunk of them continued to attack.

Marchosias realized that he wasn't going to get anywhere fighting them and, like the little bitch he was, he scampered off, following Ronove's scent all the way to the higher class -- the Dukes.

Sabnock and company successfully invaded Ronove's palace and took over his twenty legions, bringing the count of legions back to fifty after Marchosias brought it down. "Damn, he's fast..." Sabnock cursed, turning his head to Malphas. "Occupy every quarter in the palace and fill it with weapons. We're off to see... The Dukes."

Watching the little Demon Lords scurry off to tell their superiors in the higher class to step down and deal with middle class bullshit, Ophiuchus laughed to himself and followed Ronove as he exited his palace. "Because Marchosias Is Too Weak And Cowardly To Approach A Ruler That Is Too Much Greater Than Him Without Being Struck Down, He Instead Must Report To Someone Who Is Similarly Weak That He Might Be Able To Take On And Also Who Will Not Betray Him At The Risk Of Being Destroyed By Marchosias, Himself. Therefore, He Moves To The Marquis-Count, Ronove, To Help Support Him And Also To Give The Message To Higher Powers With Him So That Marchosias Will Not Be Deceived Nor Destroyed If Telling On Another Person -- Which He Does So Frequently That Higher Powers Get Annoyed With Him." Marchosias and Ronove were a pair like a pet and an owner, however Ronove wasn't completely loyal to Marchosias, and only served higher powers. "This Is Why Marchosias Is Only A Marquis, Because He Will Annoy Higher Powers By Telling On Everyone Instead Of Handling Things, Himself. Thus, Ronove Is Secretly Over Him To Prevent Him From Telling Anyone Besides Himself."

When Marchosias scampered out behind Ronove, tail nearly between his legs, Ophiuchus laughed again and said, "Because Marchosias Is A Cowardly Tattletale, Ronove Is Meant To Prevent Marchosias From Telling Everyone's Business And Possibly Compromising Higher Workings In The Devil's System Through Telling Someone That Shouldn't Know In His Cowardice Or Excitement." As it stood, Ronove was trying to make things worse for Marchosias so that he wouldn't follow him, but that didn't stop Marchosias. "Ronove Knows More Than Marchosias Because He Can Keep A Secret. Ronove Is Also A Peacemaker For The Reasons Of Gaining Information And Eventually Telling His Superiors In A Fashion Unlike Marchosias -- He Is The Smoothtalker." As for Ronove's ability, it was to take souls of the old, and had done that to remove the souls from the old dead. "Ronove Also Takes The Souls Of The Old Because They Are Generally Lingering Around And Not Doing Anything For Anyone At All, Plus They Are Easy To Pick Off And The Rewards From Harvesting Their Souls Is All He Really Ends Up Getting Rewarded With." Then, Ophiuchus pointed Valac's attention to Ronove's staff. "Ronove Also Has A Staff Because He Is A Commander. He Is A Shepherd, Which Is Why Marchosias Goes To Him, And Also Why He Makes Peace. This Keeps Malphas, Sabnock, And Aamon From Turning Against Him And Marchosias Together So That The Two Of Them Can Report To Higher Powers. Because Ronove Is Tight-Lipped And Mysterious, He Keeps His Appearance Low-Profile So That Information Does Not Slip Out To The Wrong Sources At The Wrong Times."

Ophiuchus was rather excited to deal with the Dukes, as it meant that soon he'd be getting to the royalty of the System. "Because The Dukes Are Being Forced To Come Down Here, That Is Why This Is The Fall Of Babylon -- The Higher Powers Must Fill In For The Lower Powers, And There Is A Collapse At The Middle." The collapse in the middle was finally making its way to the top, however...

The two cowardly Demon Lords scampered all the way to the city commanded by the first Duke, which was much nicer and higher up than the lesser cities run by the lesser Demon Lords. The visual of the hierarchy there was clear, and whomever was of higher status had a greater height and nicer city with stronger demons. Clearly, it was meant to always keep anyone lesser in line from the top down, with each lesser ruler lording themselves over an even lesser ruler, preventing even lesser demons from rising up or rebelling or anything. It was good in theory, but considering the proportions of the actually powerful demons and the weak ones, it really only worked in theory and as long as there was no unity between the classes and ranks.

Ronove couldn't shake Marchosias off of his tail, but he had been thinking about what he was going to do to get Marchosias gone, and he'd come up with a pretty clever plan along the way. When he led Marchosias into the palace of the first Duke, Amduscias, he would create obstacles for Marchosias and tip off guards from Amduscias' twenty-nine legions that Marchosias was a rebel chasing after Ronove, whether it was true or not. With whatever little time was bought, Ronove came upon Duke Amduscias, kneeling before him.

"Duke Amduscias," spoke Ronove hastily, "Marquis Marchosias is on his way, and he has been chasing me, taking down people of the legions we command. No one knows who he has turned against us, but he's also gots some subordinates, and ya know. They're coming here tryna ovahthrow yas. I couldn't take em myself, but I figured, ya know, if you had some prep time, you could deal with'em..." With the straightest face and tightest lips, Ronove bowed to Amduscias, as if to display his loyalty, and became silent.

Amduscias was a demon with a unicorn's head and a humanoid body, but demonic claws, and a signature trumpet. When he spoke with force, it was like a peal of thunder, with the strength of a storm, and he was associated with storms and music in Hell. When faced with the information brought to him by Ronove, he snorted, something like a horse, but ugly looking glitter came out and twinkled away. "... Hrpphhh... You've done well, Ronove, bringing me this information. I will sound the alarms." But Amduscias, being a Duke, wasn't so unsavvy to the ways of the lesser Demon Lords. So he decided on a whim, "You go out there and man the front lines, and I'll go tell the other Dukes. Just hold them off until I get back."

Obviously, he wasn't going to come back until Ronove was dead, but he might not pick up on that.

Whilst Ronove tried desperately to think up a way out of having to serve on the front lines, and what lines he could use to smooth-talk his way out of the situation, Marchosias finally made his way in, looking seriously injured. "... M... My liege...!" Marchosias whimpered, limping slightly, wings folded inward and at rest, as if incapable of flight at the time, "... Some of the... Lesser demons, they--"

"I am informed," Admuscias interjected, quickly cutting Marchosias off before he could plead or waste any time doing anything else, "I am already on my way to warn the other Dukes. But, since you've been so valiant, I'm sure it would be just as honorable for you to go out and keep fighting and protecting my palace until I get back. Ronove was already assigned to this task, so you can support him, and the both of you can defend my honor." However true all of that was had no consequence in this situation; whatever the Duke said to the lesser Demon Lords went, and they had no say nor sway in the matter, no matter what was going on. "Now run along, and thank you for your service. I will be sure to tell the other Dukes of your courage in the face of adversity." Amduscias quickly escaped on a powerful concussive force that blew him elsewhere, leaving Ronove and the wounded Marchosias to deal with the approaching Sabnock, Malphas, and Aamon.

With Aamon's fiery breath and Malphas supplying and endless amount of ammunition and weaponry, the three Demon Lords and their remaining legions were armed to the teeth. The sixty legions against Amduscias' twenty-nine should have been no competition. Aamon cleared most of the way with the flames of his mouth, and Sabnock would protect him whilst atop his horse, riding around Aamon as he belched fire. Malphas, of course, remained off somewhere else, being only support.

Sabnock: "Well now! Duke Amduscias isn't here, and you two pitiful fools are... I guess it means you have warned him of our coming and the other Dukes are on their way?"

Ronove: "I ain't sayin' nuttin'."

Sabnock: "Tight-lipped as ever, Ronove, even at your demise. No matter. Keep whatever silly little information you have. They won't come. Amduscias is probably just waiting until I kill you and I am tired or injured to come finish me off himself. He's not coming back for you and he's not going to tell the other Dukes."

Seemed that Sabnock had it all figured out, or what he believed was figured out. It seemed the most likely outcome, honestly. "... But..." Sabnock continued, the lion-headed figure's mind sharp as a predator's, "... If you join our cause..." Clearly, instead of simply killing a superior, he realized that it was better to get as many people as possible who would try to overthrow the higher ups, because they wouldn't be able to defeat all of them if there were enough critical players. Malphas was one of them, Sabnock knew, but anyone could potentially be useful... Even these two cowards. "... Then we can take down the Dukes and reign over Hell on our own as the new rulers!"

Ronove, the more clever of the two, recognized the potential of this scheme, and after being treated poorly by Amduscias, was more than willing to proceed. "Yeah, I'll do it," he confirmed, speaking nothing for Marchosias, but also not letting him know that he just sold him out and lied about him to Amduscias. And it didn't perturb Ronove in the slightest, and he would easily be able to act like he didn't.

The ignorant and injured Marchosias, who was easily excitable and feared the most for his life like a coward, would take anything that seemed like it would prolong his life, no matter what it was. "... Me too... Yes... I just need to be... Tended to..."

Sabnock smirked smugly. "Excellent. Welcome to the ranks. Ronove, take Marchosias out to Malphas to get treated, then return with him. Aamon and I will bring out Amduscias..." On his pale horse, Sabnock strode off, Aamon crawling behind him. They were first going to thin out the numbers of the legions that Amduscias had, since they could still serve to be problematic with how powerful he was.

As it turned out, much to Ophiuchus' foresight, the lesser Demon Lords being mistreated by the higher Demon Lords who were about to sacrifice them turned them against them unanimously, and their forces were growing for an insurgence against the powers that be. "Excellent," Ophiuchus chimed, calling forth the attention of the angel he saved. "Look, Valac! See There What Is Going On With The Demon Lords Now! They Are Not Killing Each Other. They Are Instead Conspiring Against A Common Enemy That Has Presented Itself As A Threat Immediately, And Is No Longer Concerned With Us." This is ultimately what Ophiuchus wanted in the first place.

Ophiuchus: "Ronove And Marchosias, Both After Making Peace Among The Demonic Ranks, Run To Tell The Superiors That There Is A Conspiracy Going On Between The Lesser Of Them With Sabnock, Malphas And Aamon. Because Both Of Their Voices Are Lesser Than The Ones That They Need To Speak To, The Two Of Them Run To The Least Of The Dukes -- Amduscias -- To Inform Him To Inform The Others, Because He Is More Highly Respected Than The Two Of Them, Who Both Withhold Information And Spill Too Much Information. Thus, Amduscias Sounds His Trumpet And Awakens Or Summons The Dukes. He Does This By Having His Legion Play Music All Day And Make Discord With All Of Their Voices All The Time So They Annoy Everyone To Do What He Wants To."

As Amduscias departed, Ophiuchus made not to Valac of his features, so that they could be understood more clearly as to why the demon had such a form. "Amduscias Has The Head Of A Unicorn Because His Thought Process Is One Way And Invasive, And He Inserts His Horn Into Your Head By Forcing His Thoughts And Feelings Upon You In A Fashion That Is Similar To A Rapist." Unsettling as it was, the creature was a Duke of Hell for a reason, and such mentality and activity was necessary for a higher rank, which the lower ranks never understood, even when aspiring to be like any of the higher ranks who actually did have to put such sins into practice regularly. "Amduscias Has A Powerful Voice Because He, Himself Is Weak -- He Has Only A Single Purpose Of Sounding Trumpets To Alert The Superiors He Serves And To Warn Them That Someone Has Breached The Layer Of The Marquises And Gotten Up To The Dukes."

Now Ophiuchus was easily much more clever, even on a whim, than any demon of any variety, and once he saw that his own seeds sown within the demons were bearing fruit now, he could sit back and watch it grow. "With His Voice And His Discordant Choir -- Which He Has Control Of Only To Annoy People -- He Causes Everyone That Is Lesser Than He Is To Bow Down To Him Because He Is So Annoying And Will Not Let Anyone Go Unless They Do So." With prior knowledge of this and what Amduscias would do, Ophiuchus knew it best to go handle the other Dukes above him after he left whilst he went to go deal with lesser demons. That way, the higher orders would be cut off from him, leaving him stranded in the system with lesser demons that secretly hate him and want to kill him. "Because Amduscias Cannot Act In Order, He Makes Sure That There Is Discord At All Times So He May Hide Himself Among The Discord And Cover His Shame As One Who Cannot Actually Be Part Of The Choir, But Only Serve The Purpose As One That Makes Discord And Annoys People Before His Purpose Is Served."

The latter explanation might have been a little over the head of Valac, who had been imprisoned for however long in the body of a sinner, but Ophiuchus was esoteric by nature. "Come, Valac," he commanded his angel, "We Will Go To The Next Demon Lord Preemptively Whilst The Duke And The Lesser Demons Are Distracted With Their Own Animosity." With the bottom layer destroyed and those in the middle now the new bottom, there were fewer people and more animosity amongst even the masses of lesser demons that were left. Ophiuchus didn't need to get involved further at the moment, possibly risking himself by making himself a single enemy of many when their attention was focused on each other as immediate threats to be handled.

Things played out pretty much as Ophiuchus expected, with Duke Amduscias, the least of the Dukes, using as much of his power over those weaker than he was to keep himself afloat. He boomed with a trumpeting like thunder, which stirred discord in the hearts of lesser demons. With them riled up, they would cover his path as they ganged up on the united Demon Lords of lesser degree.

With all such chaos stirred, as well as the annoying blaring noise, the other Dukes were already able to tell that Amduscias was on the prowl.

???: "... There is the alarm."

???: "... This is going too far now, Baal. You said this would never happen!"

???: "With that accursed Angel King having done so much damage, the lesser demons have decided it time to try to overthrow us."

Baal: "... Yes, that may be so... But what kind of Demon Lords would we be if we didn't account for the actions of lesser demons, right?"

The other unknown Demon Lords did agree with Baal, but they became suspicious of his calmness. Some came to a conclusion that perhaps he intended to sacrifice them in order to take out the threat without it ever reaching him, but others still were reliant on him, and forced themselves to remain naive of the situation, though they did consider the fact that some of the other Demon Lords on their own level would turn at some point.

Either way, they were all silently panicking, and therefor also silently analyzing, calculating many things even from just this alone -- the plans of others, the possible outcome of scenarios, and most of all... Escape. Or survival of any kind. At the end of the day, they'd do literally anything to survive. They clung to the thought of power -- that if one of them fell, they would grow stronger, and become able to gain dominion over the others. This alone when they were so close to the top spurred them to remain in place, but they would still run if it came down to it. But until then... They wanted to get rid of whomever would keep them from survival, and inevitably, who would keep them from the sole authority over all of the demons in Hell as the most powerful.

To that end, down below, with the new Demonic Resistance, they were gathering forces and taking out resistance. They took no prisoners, because they knew everyone who was coming after them was deemed worthless. So, unless they could serve a purpose to their cause, then they would also seem those lesser demons as worthless, and discard and destroy them to prevent them from ever getting anywhere, even behind their backs.

And this is precisely what happened so that the lesser Demon Lords and their lesser subordinates could infiltrate the higher ranks. Whomever was lost along the way would be lost, but all of them were determined to accomplish their own goals, and would even do away with each other once their usefulness to getting to the top stopped. Some might have known this, but still continued because they needed to use them even still, or they did not consider that another demon -- like themselves -- would consider such thoughts.

But that was the difference between higher and lesser demons. One of them, rather.

As the demons and Demon Lords became frantic to defend against and assail each other, Ophiuchus and Valac needed only watch as this ensued, however long it would be, and then finish them off when they were done with their skirmish about their own ranks. "Watch Closely, Valac," Ophiuchus insisted, moving not from his spot, "Duke Amduscias Causes An Uproar In The Ranks Of The Devil's System Near The Upper Region Among His Own Kind -- The Dukes -- And Warns Them About The Conspiracy Between Malphas, Sabnock, And Aamon. Ronove And Marchosias Would Normally End Up Staying With Amduscias And Serving As Runners And Tellers For Him Between The Dukes And The Marquises, Something Like The Buer Did In The Lower Ranks Of Presidents, But Only For His Power, And Not Because They Want To Serve Him." It didn't seem like they were doing that right now, but they were clearly trying to play both sides and see who the victor was, not unlike how Ophiuchus and Valac waited. "The First Of The Dukes That Comes After Amduscias When He Begins Playing His Annoying Music And Sounding A Trumpet Everywhere Is Barbatos, An Elder Duke That Is Able To Communicate With The Animals And Understand The Future. This Means He Can Easily Interact With The Beasts And Also See What Other People's Goals Are."

Barbatos would prove to be most useful, as most of the Dukes would be, rather than the lesser Demon Lords. Ophiuchus did intend to use them, when the time was right. "With Vision Of The Future Events To Come Based On What Has Been Set Up By The Rebel Marquises As Well As What He Knows About The Higher Dukes, He Goes To His Own Personal Companions -- The Four Kings -- As Well As To Satanachia, Who Controls All Of The Women To Do His Bidding. Whilst They Conspire In A Higher Rank, They Begin To Tell Those In Superior Positions To Tell Those In Lesser Positions Among The Kings To Get Ready To Act And Send People To Act Before Anyone Gets To Their Level."

"Barbatos Is Only A Lookout When The Horn Of Amduscias Is Sounded, And Communicates With The Animals To Deal With Matters Involving Those Who Are To Come In Order To Serve As Blocks And Adversaries To Those Seeking To Continue To Rise." With command of the wild animals, taking down weaker demons would be easy, making Barbatos infinitely more useful than many lesser Demon Lords from the jump. "Whilst The Animals Serve As Distractions And Threats To Anyone That Comes Along, Some Are Given To Amduscias To Stir Up More Discord Along With Him And Serve As A Further Distraction So That The Higher Powers That Barbatos Works With And Reports To As Their Lookout Can Conspire Against What Would Seem To Be A Growing Rebellious Or Armed Force."

"Also, Whilst Barbatos Moves Up In The System Through His Own Secret Connections, Ronove And Marchosias Continue To Move Throughout The Layer That They Are At And Speaking To People As Much As Possible In Order To Give Them The Necessary Information That They Need For The Coming Battle." That much was clear that Ronove and Marchosias were doing, even if it was unclear as to how they were playing both sides right now, given their position on one. "When Barbatos And The Kings He Works With Gather Together, They End Up Conspiring With Satanachia -- Who Has Control Over All The Women And All Girls -- To Begin Using The Women As Bait And As Servants For Those That Would Attempt To Get Closer To Them And Be Led Astray By Their Womanly Wiles." Ophiuchus only need wait for the right opportunity to arise.

"Valac, We Will Take Seize Of Some Of The Demon Lords To Do Our Bidding, That We Maintain An Advantage Over Them All. But Only When The Time Is Right..." Being a third party in something meant being able to detract from both former parties, and weaken or divide both of them simultaneously whilst growing forces. Such was the power of triangulation.

Among the Demon Lords, Baal was secretly flustered by the turn of events, and was starting to see that trying to quest for power in Hell was only a pipedream, and would always end with a rise and a fall that were much worse than not ever experiencing it at all. The system was falling apart, and it would soon come upon him. He had to act quickly to cut his losses, and had anticipated something like this potentially happening... But never actually that he'd have to go through with it. So many different things were coming up... And he was having trouble keeping track of them. All he (like any person) wanted to do was to have things done for him, rule over everyone, enjoy everything, and tell everyone what to do and how to do those things better. He didn't want to keep track of things... To take care of other people... To be responsible for things. He just wanted to enjoy the pleasantries and appeal of the lavish qualities of life...

... Something like that was quite long gone, though. Ever since that Angel King came... The system that Baal created for himself so that he could enjoy all of the land was crumbling, almost like it was supposed to be doing so. It was happening too fluently. Was it really so brittle to begin with?

Having to cope with such things, Baal needed to plot in silence, but couldn't leave the Dukes alone to potentially conspire against him, either. Even appointing someone to watch the room would leave betrayal open to them. So he had to sit and wait, and figure out how to sacrifice all of them so he could escape with his life... Since there would likely be nothing left of this system and his own throne. Nothing to his legacy except he himself and everyone he destroyed.

But at least he'd come out alive.

Though, twas obvious that Baal was not the only of the Dukes in deep thought. Again, they each knew some of them wanted to overthrow Baal, and others of them wanted to support him, but no one knew who was whom, nor who would do what to get what way and why. That terrified all of them -- some might help just to get ahead for themselves, others might hinder for the same reason; no one would tell who was doing what, except to keep up appearances to Baal. No one could flat out say anything, not even Baal... But, deep down...? They all knew they were all against each other.

It wasn't exactly clear why they stayed in their positions of power, or kept up the image they displayed to each other, but it kept them right in place... Gridlocked, and in thought.

Meanwhile, time was getting shorter between when the Demonic Resistance got to the top and the present moment, so the Dukes didn't really have a lot to work with. Many demons did die off along the way for various reasons previously mentioned, but the most important ones -- the Demon Lords -- managed to survive, for the most part. The lesser of them, such as Ronove and Marchosias, were busy using their lesser status to sneak around and fuck around without being on anyone's radar. No one would be paying attention to anyone so low on the scale by now, meaning they could quite intelligently do whatever they wished in secret, including sabotage or mutiny or just some kind of insubordination.

Yet, there were other factors in play than just the Demonic Resistance and the Demon Lords that served Baal. Now, wild animals and random beasts would also come out of the woodwork -- strange, feral, savage creatures that could not be tamed, but were somehow controlled -- to slaughter many of the Demonic Resistance as they tried to rise up. The waves and waves of monsters just suddenly flooded out of seemingly nowhere, and no one was prepared for them, due to how suddenly they did.

And, after that, those that were injured or intimidated would be met with many beautiful, gorgeous, sexy women of all types, who would lure and lead them astray, usually with sexual favors of pleasurable looks and times and the like. That way, the numbers of the Demon Resistance were dwindled again, by their own kind, and likely were slain or put to work for the opposing side.

The watchful eye of Barbatos, who sent the beasts, was over the land from a tower -- he did not confront anyone, but watched on from a scope. Likewise, Amduscias, the other Demon Lord Duke, would use his great power over discord and storms to diminish the numbers of the Demonic Resistance further, wiping out their forces greatly. Between the monsters, Amduscias, and the women, the Demon Resistance would be ripped apart pretty easily before reaching the top...

Leaving only the rogue Demon Lords that were trying hard to lead them. Yet, they were not confronted... They were allowed to come closer to the top.

Alone.

As Ophiuchus predicted, the time to swoop down and sweep up as many Demons as they could finally came to pass. "Hurry, Valac! Before The Next Duke Is Summoned... If We Get In And Get Out, We Can Avoid Conflict And Let Them Fight Against Themselves, Keeping Focus Away From Us."

So, during all the commotion, whilst the Demonic Resistance was in the fray and getting rendered by the Demon Lords and other such factors. "After Barbatos And Amduscias Split Up And The Discord From Amduscias Is Serving As A Distraction, Plus The Animals That Are Spoken To Are Used As Their Own Blockages And As Threats, Ronove And Marchosias Run Back To The Building Militia Of Malphas, Sabnock And Aamon In Order To Make And Keep Peace Between Them So That They Do Not Suspect That They Have Told Anyone Anything And So That They Think That They Are All Friends Whilst The Higher Powers Set Up For Them. They Are Only Distractions At This Point, Just As Amduscias, And Serve As Blocks For Those That Would Be Issued Out From The Growing Army." This was why Ronove and Marchosias were summoned after the crowd of weaklings covering them were mowed down. But... Not all of them were claimed by death during the bloodshed. With a wave of his hand, Ophiuchus' manipulation of reality would sleight them from death and preserve them, so that Valac could pick those for Ophiuchus to take whom were saved from death.

"Ronove And Marchosias Also Go Along With Whomever Is Sent Out In Order To Be Amicable And Make Friends With Whomever Is In The Way To Weaken Them By The Time They Reach The Next Duke. This Is So That They Are More Easily Swayed And Made Subservient. Whilst Amduscias Is Causing Such A Ruckus That No One Can Tell What Is Going On, One Of The Next Dukes Slips In With The Ranks Of Stirring Animals And The Discordant Choir And Acts As One Of The Members Whilst Plotting Out What Will Happen With Those Who Follow Amduscias And Those That Ronove And Marchosias Are Speaking Sweetly To In Order To Gain Their Favor." The revolt amongst their own ranks, right around the midsection, where not much focus was given due to the upper-lower echelon correlation. This made everything happening in the very middle of what was in this war was most important -- the fat for the trimming. So, again, during the commotion, Ophiuchus would act and withdraw more demons, making it seem like more died than they did by altering the light and warping them elsewhere.

As fortune would have it, the demon that was intended to be next in rank was Valefor, who was a thieving and wheedling demon. Perfect for the middle ranks -- best time and place to be thieving. "Valefor Is The Next Duke That Works With Amduscias Because He Tempts People To Steal During All Of The Discord That Is Going On. He Makes Sure That All Of Them Are In Good Relation With Each Other So That None Of Them Turn And Stab The Other In The Back Or Steal From One Another." And, the savings would be passed on to Ophiuchus, as well! For, when Valefor came to steal up the demons that were left, that would cover up what Ophiuchus had done and simply make it seem like Valefor had done it. "Valefor Is Only Good And Subservient To People In Order To Gain Their Favor And Not Incite Anyone Against Him -- Especially Since He Works With Thieves -- And Then Tricks Them Into Doing His Bidding By Trapping Them In Whatever Is Going On Around Them And Being Involved In It Unnecessarily So That He Can Have Control Over Them." So again, due to the very nature of Valefor, what he did, and how he had to do it, it would consume the entire attention of everyone and give Ophiuchus the perfect cover for poaching.
And he would put all those demons to good use... For sure.

"Valefor Has The Body Of A Lion Because He Is Very Proud And Quick To Rush Into Wrathfulness With A Proud Heart And Fight Whomever Is In His Way. His Head Is That Of A Donkey Because His Mind And His Mouth Are That Of An Ass, Especially When He Is Acting Out Against Someone." That would make this all the more easy and simple for Ophiuchus just because the demon was itself, in its own sin, and acting upon its normal, regular nature, unknowing of what was going on -- as if playing out a part, or functioning as a cog in a mechanism. "Because The Lion Is A Symbol Of Wrath, Those Who End Up Caught In His Trap Are Also Subject To Violent Mauling BECAUSE He Is An Ass In His Mind And With His Mouth. This Is To Maintain Control Over His Slaves And Servants As Well As To Instill Fear In Those That Would Become Like Them, Or Ever Fall Into His Trap."

So, all Ophiuchus had to do was wait for Valefor to take over, make sure no one was paying any mind to him, and do what he would with those demons he pilfered, and let Valefor take all the fall for it.

Discord abound, chaos ensued all about the front. The Demonic Resistance was reduced to piddling numbers, all thanks to a great number of reasons whilst they traversed the mountain to reach Baal. Any who were poached by creatures and beasts and monsters were dragged to their Duke, Valefor, who was careful to stay out of the line of sight of Barbatos, who kept watchful eye over the path from afar as the Demonic Resistance had trespassed.

Valefor had a large body; that of a lion. His head, however, looked like a donkey. When he spoke to his captives, whom he'd filched from the fray, he bore great intimidation, in order to scare them into unquestioning subservience. His mouth was also quite brash and filthy -- unbecoming of royalty or nobility. So, Valefor kept himself hidden, mostly, due to such ugly qualities. Yet, in spite of this, he was amiable toward those whose causes aligned with his, or whomever he could get to align with his cause, after intimidating them in order to assert dominance.

So, as all of this went on during such a clash, the remnant of that party was on their way up in shame to see the Dukes. So, Amduscias issued out a trumpet blast of warning to the Dukes, so they could prepare to see and handle the traitorous demons of the resistance.

And that, as luck would have it, was Baal's chance.

"Ah, Very Good," he commented far too lustfully for anyone to have the chance to respond to, breaking their uncomfortably tense silence, "It Seems As Though They've Championed Through Over Those Silly Lesser Demons." Baal rose from his seat, turning quickly. "Well Now, It Would Be Unwise To Stay Here And Let Them See Or Have Access To Me, So I Will Be Going To The Kings' Chamber Now With The Rest Of The Kings. You All Handle This Little Mutiny Right Here And Now, Would You?" Baal would briskly depart to the interior chambers -- where the Kings' Chamber was, with each of the Demon Kings of Hell, who were rival to the greatest of the Demon Lords.

Once Baal took leave, the remains of the Demonic Resistance were ushered inside... Before the court of the Demon Dukes. Valefor -- who also was a Duke, the same as Amduscias and Barbatos -- was not present. In fact, all three of them were not present amongst the other Dukes. So the next of the Dukes in line according to the system -- Agares. Agares (or Agreas), ruling the eastern zone of Hell, and being served by 31 legions of demons, can make runaways come back and those who stand still run, finding pleasure in teaching immoral expressions. He also has the power to destroy dignities (such as ranks, titles, elation, or self-empowerment), both temporal and supernatural. He is depicted as a pale old man riding a crocodile.

Agares is described in grimoires as a duke 'under the powers of the east,' an 'old man, riding upon a crocodile, and carrying a hawke on his fist,' who teaches languages, stops and retrieves runaway persons, causes earthquakes, and grants noble titles. So of course, the runaways that were being brought back would naturally be going straight to him who sat upon his giant crocodile.
He had between 31-36 different legions of demons, and the power to withdraw the lost back to him. The Book of the Office of Spirits places (as Agaros) him second under Oriens and describes him as an old man riding a cockatrice, without the hawk. This is because his hawk turns into a cockatrice when he is 'Agaros' and rides the crocodile when 'Agares'. The Grimoire of Pope Honorius (which refers to him as Agarus) is more brief, omitting the crocodile and hawk, and omitting his functions beyond languages and titles. This is because Agares' rise into Dukedom started without the things that he ended with, so the earlier stories of him are different. However, all of that is important because at the root of his power is the skill of language and evaluation. Which is exactly what made it so very keen that the traitors would come before him now. The Grand Grimoire describes him as being partners with Lucifuge Rofocale, the Light Demon whose name means 'Flee From Light', which attests to his power to bring runaways back, and also to discern people in the light of truth, or fabricate light to make them believe what he has decreed. Just like an old man with power does.

In any case, there now would the Demon Resistance remnant stand before old man Agares, hawk upon his shoulder and crocodile hissing.

Ophiuchus smirked as he saw from on high that what he'd predicted came to pass. It was inevitable when it was how the system was designed, each opportunity available by oversight or on purpose specifically for exploitation in such manners. "When Valefor And Amduscias Create A Calamity That Is Serving As A Distraction For The Superiors As Well As A Cover For Whatever May Be Occurring In The Upper Echelon, Those Still In The Lower Ranks -- Aamon, Malphas And Sabnock -- Are Still Being Sedated By Ronove And Marchosias. However, Because Of The Discord That Is Sown, It Creates A Panic Within The Ranks Of The Marquises And They Instinctively Go To War Because They Believe Amduscias Is The Leader Of An Army Against Them." As Ophiuchus spake, he saw both Ronove and Marchosias departing the court of the Demon Dukes alone. "When They Seek To Wage War With Amduscias, Ronove And Marchosias Are Either Discovered As Spies And Killed Or They Are Joined With The Ranks Of Aamon, Sabnock, Malphas So That They Do Not Suspect That They Were The Ones That Told The Higher Authorities About Them." Naturally, this was what Ronove and Marchosias were off to do as soon as whatever lies and wheedling they did had salvaged them.

"Among The Ranks, Rarely Anyone In A Lower Level Sees Or Knows Of Anyone In A Higher Level, So When Someone Is Sent Out That Has Never Been Seen, They Do Not Comprehend That This Person Is Being Sent Out By Someone That Is Their Superior And Immediately Takes Them To Be An Enemy. Therefore Ronove And Marchosias Slyly Lead The Rebel Army Into The Trap That Amduscias Is Causing So That Valefor Can Trap Them And Kill Them Whilst All The Discord Is Happening. All The While This Is Happening, The Legion Of Valefor -- Which Steals From Others For His Own Personal Gain Whilst The Discord Occurs -- Gets Drawn To Agares, The Next Duke, To Underhandedly Snatch Up The Proceeds Of Valefor Whilst He Is Mauling People By Drawing In All Of His Servants And Slaves." This was another reason why Valefor wasn't accompanying the other Dukes -- due to his thieving nature, as well as personal embarrassment or any other negative personal connotations.

"Agares Brings People Who Run From Something Or Someone To Him So That They May Be Consumed By His Crocodile As Sacrifices To Him. Whomever Has Been Withholding Anything Or Fleeing From Someone Because They Have Something That Another Does Not Know About -- Especially Through Thievery -- Ends Up As Sacrifices And Does Not Return. If They Are Not Consumed, They Are Turned Into His Servants Or Slaves And Sent Away To Do His Bidding, Sometimes Under The Guise Of Whomever They Were Once Under." This was why those of the Demon Resistance who went in with Ronove and Marchosias did not exit with them. "The Hawke On The Arm Of Agares Is A Messenger For Him. Whilst He Is Dealing With Those Who Run Away, His Hawke Is Carrying Messages To The Next Duke Or Dukes For Him, Informing Them Of What Has Transpired And What Is To Come Without Actually Formally Getting Involved."

"During The Time Of His Retrieval Of Runaways, He Collects The Two Runaways -- Ronove And Marchosias -- And Finally Either Kills Them As Sacrifices Or Uses Them As His Servants, Since He Can Send Them Out And Call Them Back At Any Given Time." This is the purpose of sending out Ronove and Marchosias, knowing they are betrayers -- to get to anyone else that might be with them, whom Agares would know they would go back to, and lead him straight to them simultaneously, then be capable of summoning the whole lot. "Agares Is Also Able To Teach Languages For Communication With Those Who Sow Discord -- Such As Amduscias -- So That Those Within The Discord Are Able To Understand And Those Who Are Sent Into The Discord Are Able To Understand Them Without Being Sucked Into The Discord At All." In this way, the Dukes could keep themselves on a different plane of knowledge than the Marquises, without ever letting them know their 'ways' of knowing things that the lesser demons did not. "Those Who Are Given Greater Power Or Honor Through Dignities -- Especially For Or By Themselves -- Are Also Humbled And Destroyed By Agares So That They Do Not Believe That They Are Greater Than They Are."

And this was how the Demon Resistance and all the lesser demons under the Dukedom would be wiped out. All to the gain of Ophiuchus, who knew that the higher powers would have no lesser powers to sustain them and their powers, even if they kept their titles, ranks, statuses, and whatever else. They'd have wiped out everything of the lower levels, thus making the Dukes the lowest, and also lessening their numbers and ranks.