Dominic sat in his chamber, surrounded by the silence of men who no longer trusted him. The air reeked of doubt, fear, and the faint stench of blood. He stared at the maps spread across his table, hands trembling as he traced the borders of Lucius's empire. It was then he felt the weight of his mistake. He had betrayed the Devil, and now there was no way back.
His advisors whispered in the corners, avoiding his gaze. They no longer looked at him as their leader but as a man condemned. The name Lucius had become a curse on their lips, and Dominic knew in his heart that the Devil was coming.
He slammed his fist against the table, trying to silence the storm in his mind. "We can still win," he growled, though the words rang hollow even to himself. None of his men answered. Their silence was the clearest betrayal.
Far away, Lucius stood at the balcony of his estate, looking down at the burning torches in the city. His crimson eyes glowed as he spoke to his council. "Dominic thought he could cut my shadow. Tonight, I remind him why I am the Devil."
Darius Veylan grinned, tightening the straps on his blades. "Shall I carve his men apart before he even draws his sword?"
Lucius lifted a hand to silence him. "No. Dominic must watch as his world falls apart piece by piece. I will drag him to his knees before his people, and they will see what happens to those who dream of betrayal."
Ravenna Veyra giggled softly, licking her blade. "Let me have the scraps when you are done with him. I want their screams to carry through the city."
Cain Mortalis said nothing, only lifting his axe to his shoulder. His silence was promise enough.
Lucius turned to Selene, who stood bowed before him, her chains glinting faintly in the torchlight. "You once betrayed me, and you still breathe. Dominic will not. Watch closely, Selene, and you will understand why mercy was your salvation."
Selene bowed lower, voice soft. "Yes, master. I understand."
The Devil moved. His army, cloaked in shadows, surged toward Dominic's stronghold. Fires ignited in the distance as Lucius's men cut through Dominic's guards like paper. The screams of the fallen carried into the night, growing louder with every passing moment.
Dominic rushed to the balcony of his fortress, staring down at the chaos consuming his defenses. His heart sank. His forces were crumbling before Lucius had even set foot on his land.
"Hold the line!" Dominic roared, but his men no longer believed. The sight of Lucius's crimson eyes at the gates broke them before the Devil even raised a hand.
Lucius walked through the carnage like a king returning to his throne. The flames bowed to him, the screams became his music, and the blood soaking the streets was his crown.
Dominic fell back into the great hall, desperation twisting his face. His men abandoned him one by one, kneeling before Lucius as he approached.
The Devil entered the hall, his steps echoing on stone. He looked down at Dominic, who now knelt trembling before him, pride shattered.
Lucius's voice was calm, almost tender. "You realize now, do you not? Betrayal is not a weapon against me. It is a noose you place around your own neck."
Dominic's voice cracked. "I… I made a mistake. I should never have turned against you."
Lucius smirked. "You only realize this now, when your blood stains the floor and your men kneel at my feet. Too late, Dominic. Far too late."
His hand shot forward, seizing Dominic by the hair, dragging him out into the square. The crowd gasped as they saw their leader on his knees, chained and broken.
Lucius raised his voice so all could hear. "Some of you ask why Selene still lives after her betrayal. She bent her pride, begged for punishment, and returned to me as my blade. She became stronger through her pain."
His crimson gaze fell on Dominic. "But you chose arrogance. You gathered armies, whispered lies, and dared to raise a hand against me. You never begged. You never submitted. And so you will not be forgiven."
The crowd shivered as Lucius dug his claws into Dominic's chest. Blood spilled, screams pierced the night, and still Lucius did not relent.
Dominic's eyes widened with terror as he choked on his own blood. His final thoughts were of regret, of the Devil he should never have crossed.
Lucius tore him apart in front of his people, holding his broken body high for all to see. "This is what arrogance buys and this is what betrayal earns."
The people fell to their knees, weeping, trembling, swearing their loyalty. They had seen the Devil in all his cruelty, and they would never forget.
Lucius raised his bloodied hand, his voice a decree that shook the night. "Swear to me now. Swear loyalty to the Devil, or join him in the dirt."
The chant rose like thunder, desperate and terrified. "Hail the Devil. Hail Lucius."
Lucius smiled, crimson dripping from his hands, the embodiment of eternal fear. "And so, the Devil blooms."
The laughter that followed would haunt every soul in that city until the end of days.