Shedding Fears

[Deimos]

The Bethel’s last stone was laid, as it rested across the street from the Temple in Inexa. Mephisto watched as the builders proclaimed it open. He crossed his arms across his chest. There was still uncertainty about it’s construction, since amongst the cities of the Legion, building a Demon Bethel was a great proclamation. It shouted to all others that it was a city not only on the rise, but one of power. Inexa at this point, was on the rise, but really wasn’t of any major power. Yet, while most of the city was unsure one way or the other, Mephisto had given it a lot of thought. It was a good thing. The Stone Teeth had provided a stout defense against any invading force, and would be a great protection for the new Bethel until forces could be massed. Indeed, Decimus seemed to be knowing what he was doing. After the Rebellion, Mephisto vowed to be on Decimus’ side at all times. That vow was needed now more than ever, but as Mephisto watched the people begin to wander over to the new Bethel, he remembered another part of that deal. If he were to help Decimus and swear loyalty to him and him alone, he would be allowed to shed the name of Mephisto, and be called something else, for Mephisto was loyal to Decimus’ father. However, Mephisto never swore a blood oath to his father like had Decimus, and therefore, was more loyal to Decimus than the previous Lord of Inexa, whose name would not be spoken amongst the Inexa faithful ever again. Therefore, Mephisto agreed to himself never even to think of it. There would be only one leader, and that would be Decimus, true Lord of Inexa, the City of the Black Flames.

Mephisto nodded in agreement with the religious structure. It sat across the street from the Temple, which, as all Inexian citizens knew, was the anchoring point for the Rebels during the Rebellion, and had since becoming a very significant symbol in Inexa. It was revered almost as much as Onyx Keep on the mountain in the Eastern section of the city. The new Bethel served as a link between the two revered structures as a symbol of a new beginning and a new Renaissance amongst the Inexians. It would be the anchoring point of the new way of life in the city. One that would search for power, no matter who was to offer it. Elf, Dwarf, demon, or human was allowed in the city, and as long as they understood and obeyed the rules, they were welcome to stay. This was doubly true if they had power or favor to grant Decimus or the city in return for some sort of deal. Decimus’ dream was to have the city be a nexus for trade and power amongst the Tainted Lands. People from all over Nevendaar would come to Inexa to gain what they could not find elsewhere. The Demon Bethel was the first step of many to assuring such a dream to become a reality. Since Mephisto was watching the Bethel become erect, he decided it was time to have his wish turned into a reality as well.

Up the side of the mountain, Mephisto ascended into the Onyx Keep, where Decimus was either occupying himself with his new concubine, or was planning their next strategic move. Or both. Mephisto hoped it was the prior, wanting to barge in on Decimus’ new toy. When he reached the Keep, he slowly leaned against the door to the chamber, pressing his ear on it’s cold steel. He heard nothing. Decimus was planning the city’s next move. What a shame. Knocking, Mephisto waited for Decimus’ tone to answer. “Come in Mephisto, the door is unlocked.” came the respond from the chamber. Mephisto’s knock was one unlike any other. It resounded and echoed from his mighty fist, and he always knocked a certain tune whenever he slammed his fist on a door. It was so habitual that he did it subconsciously, not even thinking of it. The door creaked open, and Decimus sat in his throne, scroll in hand, reading something in which Mephisto had no idea it’s contents. His goblet rested by his throne as usual. Slowly, Mephisto closed the door behind him. He bowed, not moving until he was given permission to do so. Decimus had granted him permission to enter, not advance. “Come forward Mephisto.”

Mephisto raised his head and he approached the throne. “My Lord, may I have a word.”

Decimus nodded, not moving his eyes away from his scroll.

“My Lord, when we acquired what is rightfully yours, I swore my loyalty to you…” began Mephisto. This cocked one of Decimus’ eyebrows as his gaze transgressed to Mephisto. The devil cleared his throat before he continued. “As I swore loyalty, you promised me a new name to which I would be entitled. I was wondering if it was time for my name to be changed?” Mephisto stared at Decimus solemnly. He knew not to demand such a thing from the new Lord of Inexa, but it had been on his mind for a while, so to offer it up as a question instead of a command was far more the safe bet. Wording and tone with Decimus was everything.

“Do you feel you are ready?” replied Decimus.

Mephisto stiffened. He should have seen this coming. There was only one answer he could give at this point without being beaten. “Yes, my Lord, I do.”

Decimus nodded softly before setting his scroll down on the arm of his chair. He raised his left hand in proclamation. Then I name you Rakdos. Your title shall be the Destroyer. You shall be called heretofore, Rakdos the Destroyer.” With that, he lowered his left hand and rested it back on the arm of the chair.

Rakdos nodded solemnly. “Thank you my Lord, you are most generous.”

Decimus nodded to Rakdos. “Come my loyal Warrior, we must plan a celebration of great magnitude. One that will shed the fears and doubts of the citizens of Inexa…”

[Deimos]

Night fell on the tainted lands as the torches that emitted black flames lit the streets of Inexa. The entire town had a purple glow to it. A meeting had been called at the newly erected Bethel for all citizens. A meeting that was to be a celebration of sorts, to mark the rebirth of the city. The torches and lanterns lit the streets as the crowd gathered, each eager to hear what Decimus had to say.

As the last of the stragglers made their way to the intersection where the Bethel and Temple resided, Decimus came out of the new building, he robes brushing against the ground. Rakdos stood at his side, while Feora, Kreoss, Amon, and a large gargoyle stood flanking him on the steps. The new gargoyle’s name was Severius. His glowing yellow eyes pierced into the horizon as he stood vigilant and ready to defend Inexa from any fate that may come of it.
The silence was broken at this point by the roar of the crowd as they cheered their leader’s presence. The Archdevil raised his hand and almost as quickly as the crowd cheered, they were silenced.

“Tonight, marks the new beginning. Tonight, we will tell the people of this world that the city of Inexa will forver stand. Tonight, we will celebrate our glory, our hard work, and our future,” said Decimus as he stared out at the crowd. “We shall tell the people of this world, that tonight, Inexa is back as the grandest city in the Tainted Lands. We tell them that Inexa is the greatest city in all the world. We tell the Hordes, the Elves, the Dwarves, and the Humans, that we do not fear them. We fear no one! We shall stand tall as the most powerful city in the world! Tonight, we shed all our fears. All of our doubts. All of our ills. Tonight, we celebrate victory!” Decimus concluded, raising his fist in the air in triumph as the crowd roared in approval.

Decimus cocked an eyebrow to Rakdos before slowly departing into the Bethel. He would walk out the backdoor and back up to his keep, where his concubine would be waiting for him. His head was sore from research, and his body from the fight. Tonight, he would rest both, and pleasure both.

A loud gong echoed through the air as the party was underway. A beat of rhythm occurred, followed by various drums as the intersection between the Temple and the Bethel became a mosh pit. Devils and Demons flung into the air and back down. They body surfed and swan dived all over the place. Sometimes they were caught. Sometimes they landed on the ground with a thud, and were trampled. Either way, it mattered not. If too many people survived an Inexa party, then it was a flop anyways.

Demons climbed over one another to get to Feora, who was waiting with a sadistic look on her face as she held a sacrificial knife in her hand. An alter had been brought out of the Bethel, and one by one, the demons threw themselves on the alter to be sacrificed to Bethrezen. Feora understood the importance of the ritual, though she would have rather burned them alive instead of stabbing them with a dagger. At this point, it mattered not. All that mattered was keeping the party going. Eventually, Decimus would find someone to take her place as the Sacrificial Rites Cultist. Kreoss stood next to her, he arms crossed at his side. Should any of the Devils get out of line and try to get to Feora for their own personal means while she did Decimus’ work, they would be quickly taken care of.

Rakdos and Severius walked calmly back with Decimus, guarding his back as he worked his way back to the Onyx Keep at the top of the hill. The party was in full swing by the time he reached his personal quarters, where an Elvish woman lay strapped to his bed, an iron thong her only clothing. She was terrified. He was excited. Rakdos and Severius stood outside the chambers as the Elf moaned, mostly in pain and horror, and partly in delight.

Amon ad’Raza patrolled the streets at the other end of the city, watching to make sure that everyone who was able to attend the party was. As he roamed, he anticipated the following day, when him and Decimus, along with some others would head out to find where the source of the attack came from. It was only a matter of time now before they would understand the reasoning behind the rush to the gates.