Battle drums echoed across the barren lands.War was coming.
It was Dreadlurk Town versus Kal'Nido.
The rumors of war had spread like wildfire across the Imperial City of the Underworld. Throgol, the Mad Demon, was leading the charge. His reputation was unmatched; his army, 350,000 strong, was second only to the Demon King's forces, which numbered in the millions.
When Kal'Nido's spies scouted Dreadlurk Town, they reported back that it only had 45,000 troops. That was before the ritual had begun. What they didn't know was that Daimon had already raised an army of one million. Leading them was none other than the Demon Prince Daimon. Once known in the slums of the underworld as a weakling, he had now risen to power in such a short time.
On a vast open field, Throgol stood tall, a massive war banner strapped to his back and a giant battle axe resting in his hands. Behind him marched his army 350,000 strong.
In front of them, a modest force of 45,000 Dreadlurk soldiers advanced slowly.
"This will be over quickly. A bloody massacre!" Throgol laughed."Bring me the head of that so-called Demon Prince. I'll make an example of him."
Daimon, calm and poised, stood on the frontlines. He turned to Byakuya. "Commence the teleportation."
With a nod, Byakuya closed his eyes. When he opened them, they glowed with lightning. A massive magic circle lit up the battlefield.
The Kal'Nido army stared in disbelief.
From within that circle, one million humanoid Dreadlurks emerged, rising from the earth like shadows given form. The sight was terrifying. Throgol, stunned, didn't have time to react.
Before he could move, Byakuya was already in front of him and with one swift blow, struck Throgol in the face, knocking him unconscious.
When Throgol awoke, he found himself surrounded by the Demon Prince's army.
"Well, well... if it isn't the infamous Mad Demon," Daimon chuckled.Throgol growled. "Who are you?"
"I'm the Demon Prince. My army is greater than yours. You've lost this war."
"You can't do this. I invoke the Rite of Varkhall! It's sacred you must honor it!"
Daimon smirked. "I don't care about that anymore. This is war."
"You disgrace our traditions!"
Daimon's eyes gleamed with a sinister idea. "Fine. I accept the Rite of Varkhall. But I won't be fighting you."
"What?"
"If you win, my army is yours. I'll serve you as your servant. How's that? "
Throgol narrowed his eyes. "Who am I fighting then? One of your generals?"
"No," Daimon replied with a grin."You'll fight two of my soldiers. Dreadlurks I created. One of them is Lucarion blessed with my power."
Throgol laughed in outrage. "Foot soldiers? Are you mocking me?"
Without waiting for an answer, he lunged forward and cut down the first Dreadlurk instantly.
"This is a joke!"
"You haven't won yet," Daimon said coolly.
Throgol turned to Lucarion and swung his axe. But the blessed Dreadlurk dodged easily and countered with a powerful punch that sent Throgol flying.
"What... what's happening?" Throgol gasped, dazed.
"Lucarion now holds my blessing. He's ten times stronger than you," Daimon said. "You're no match for him."
"I've fought for decades... I've slain behemoths! This isn't possible!"
Throgol got up and attacked again. But Lucarion was faster, stronger, and unrelenting. He beat Throgol down without mercy.
Bloodied, broken, and on his knees, Throgol whispered, "I... I concede."
Daimon stepped forward."I'll give you a choice, Throgol. I can give you more power than you've ever dreamed of. Serve me. Help me take down the Demon Lord. Pledge Kal'Nido to me, and I'll make you stronger than ever."
Throgol thought about it. One of Daimon's foot soldiers had defeated him. If he could be given that kind of strength...
"I will serve you."
"Good answer." Daimon tapped him on both shoulders."Welcome to the Demon Prince Army... General Throgol."
A surge of energy filled Throgol's body, awakening power he'd never felt before.
But in his pride, he thought of striking Daimon down. As he leapt, all four generals Maya, Strygwyr, Hephestus, and Byakuya were already there. Weapons at his throat.
"Calm down, newcomer," Maya warned.
"One false move, and your head rolls," Strygwyr added coldly.
Throgol froze, realizing how terrifying these generals truly were.
Daimon turned, arms crossed. "We don't need more bloodshed, Throgol. Tell your army to surrender. Kal'Nido is mine now."
Throgol sighed. He knew it was over. "Alright."
With Kal'Nido under Daimon's control, he began building roads and structures connecting it to Dreadlurk Town. The two places became one great city The Demon Prince Kingdom.
And so, a new power had risen in the Underworld.
Word spread far and wide: a once-forgotten demon had become a ruler, commanding an army that defied logic.