[The one plays into the other,] the demon responds. [But you have asked an interesting question, one with a lengthy answer. Now we come to the nature of my request. I have seen that you are new to Roklu, new to this stratum and have many questions, questions I can answer. In return, you have knowledge, information I wish to possess. I propose a trade.]
[Since you managed to barge into my mind uninvited, couldn’t you just take what you want? Why go through the bother?]
I’m not sure I trust this fire-eye.
[Information extracted in this way is incomplete and fragmented. Unsatisfactory. I hunger for the whole meal, not a collection of scattered morsels.]
[Let me get this straight. You’re offering to be a… guide?]
The eye blazes bright once more.
[What is this… guide?]
[Holy smokes! It’s a person that shows other people around, gives them key information about the place they are in. Chill out a little!]
[Interesting. Yes. I propose that I shall be your guide. In return, you shall give me the answers I seek. I view this as an even trade. Do you accept?]
I mean… I don’t really see much of a downside… As much as I dislike having a demon as strong as this one following us around, I don’t think we couldn’t take it on if we worked together, provided we can find a way to counter its ability to vanish from our mind’s eye. On the other hand, we stand to gain a lot.
[I guess we have a deal.]
In response to my words, the eye smoulders with barely suppressed hunger.
114. You Can Call Me…
[A demonic existence can be reduced to a single need: obsession. There are many forms this desire can take, almost innumerable, and every demon feels it. Provided we are given the freedom to pursue this obsession, we are largely content. Though, this does not mean we are peaceful. A slaughter demon has but one desire, and it will seek to fulfill that desire always.]
[Then… if a demon is going around killing other demons in Roklu, you just… let it go about its business? That hardly seems like it would be conducive to allowing other demons to ‘freely pursue their obsessions’.]
[As with anything to do with demons, there are no hard and fast rules. A demon of murder killing others is to be expected, it is its nature, so it is not punished for such. Kill too much, and the demon in question could be exiled, sent across the plains to find another city.]
[Not killed? You guys don’t kill as a punishment here in Roklu?]
Judging from what little I saw of Grokus’ compound, they definitely do.
[We do, but it is generally the city lord who would enact such a thing. It is the right and the responsibility of the strongest demon in the city to enforce their will. Those who do not appreciate this burden are free to leave, either to find another city more to their liking, or eke out an existence on the plains.]
[How do you think Grokus has been doing here?]
[I have answered your question.] The blazing eye focuses the full heat of its gaze upon my shiny self. [It is now time for you to answer mine.]
[Fair enough,] I gesture with an antenna. [Go ahead.]
The demon, who we’re getting to know rather well, actually has a name, as do most demons who live in the city. I was a little surprised at first when he introduced himself, but hey, if a demon wants a name, who am I to go about not using it? So it was that the giant eye wreathed in tongues of flame that hovered around us came to be referred to by his proper title: Allocrix. Or Al, depending on your mood.
[You have mentioned this ‘colony’ before. Describe it to me. I wish to know more of it.]
[The Colony? I suppose that’s fine. I guess I should ask first off, how much do you know about ants?]
The eye roars with flame.
[Little.]
I sigh.
[Alright then, I shall start from the beginning.]
We continue our somewhat bizarre stroll around the plate city of demons, Roklu, whilst I expound on the ants of the surface world. The eyeball in the centre of the aurora borealis listens with childlike fascination as I describe tiny insects capable of forming vast mega-colonies, a collective so unified as to act as a single organism.
[You have two stomachs?]
[Social stomach and a regular one,] I confirm. [That way, some of our food can be regurgitated later for sharing purposes.]
[Fascinating.]
[Alright, that’s a lot for one question; obviously you want to know more, but I think it’s my turn, surely?]
[Very well.]
By this time, we’ve made our way to the edge of the plate, and I have to say, the view is rather striking. The vast emptiness vanishes into the distance, well beyond the point my eyes can see, as the haze of heat and ash eventually blocks my view. Far, far below is the Plains of Leng, even now a writhing carpet of weaker demons locked in eternal combat, the flats pierced here and there with pillars of rock, mountains with sharp cliffs, and flat tops. It’s mesmerising in its own way. I can’t believe this vast field circles the entire world.
The chaos of Roklu has been ongoing. With more demons emerging to begin their normal activities, the noise and movement has steadily risen back to what I presume is a more normal level.
[Can you explain what the deal was with that giant demon smacking someone down in the middle of town earlier? Something seemed a little off about it, and you were in that area also…]
I’m quite curious about that incident. It’s strange that there were two tier seven monsters in that spot, when they seem quite rare in the city from what I’ve seen. In fact, as far as I can tell, there’s only three.
[That situation… frustrating.] Al falls silent as he contemplates his response. [Demon politics can be simple or complicated, depending on the particular demons involved. When it comes to demon politics, there is only one issue that is fought over: who will be the city lord.]
[I’m going to guess, the strongest demon?]
[Generally, it is so. Simplistic. Grokus has ruled over this city for hundreds of years, generally by exterminating any who would grow strong enough to challenge him. Now, two demons who are strong enough to mount a challenge have appeared in short succession.]
[I’ll jump in and say, you and the big guy?]
[It is so.]
[Pretty darn obvious, isn’t it? You three are the only tier seven monsters I’ve managed to detect in the city.]
[The only reason you detected me, is because I allowed it to be so. Do you assume there are no others who are capable of what I can do? Presumptuous.]
Oof.
[That’s fair enough. So there are two challengers for the throne? As it were?]
[In a sense.] The fire dims around the avarice demon as he sinks toward the floor, seemingly depressed. [I have no wish for the role. The scheming, the fighting. Nuisance. I wish only to pursue and hoard knowledge, that is my desire. Mongu’nin does not share my indifference.]
[The big guy?]
[It is so. He actively wishes to challenge Grokus for the position of city lord, but feels he must dispense with me, the other challenger, before he can make his claim.]
[Wait, so he wants to challenge, but won’t until he’s managed to… what… kill you first?]
[Yes.]