Molkarg stood up and turned around to face the Emperor 'Ah yes Emperor Ling we meet face to face again, but both with different statuses. I was once a slave but I am now a servant, and you were once a Prince but your are now an Emperor. I have come here to test the powers that my lord has granted me. He watches through my eyes and is glad of our meeting here. You know who I once was, perhaps not? I was once Mol Half-Ork, slave of Drikdarok, but I am now Molkarg the Reborn, servant, eyes and voice of Shedanaran the Eternal Liberator, Lord of the Totudage, your predecessors. Which makes us of equal rank, now what is it that you seek?' Molkarg said.

"Indeed, you speak the truth" Ling said in his calm controlled voice "I came to apologise for last night. I shouldn't have punished him in front of you, it was improper of me."

With a flicker in his eye Ling summoned a small fire between his fingers "I must admit that I am intrigued by his choice to make you a fire tribe member. I would have bet he'd make you an earth tribe instead."

'You refer to Shedanaran? The reasoning behind him giving me fire is because he has it himself. His eyes show it. He, although great, I doubt would know how to make me anything else. The Totudage were a fire tribe and the Dru of old used only fire as well. There were many demons of other elements yes, but Shedanaran was fire. And regarding the assassin, he got what he deserved, or really, you showed whomever controlled him that you're not to be messed with, which is good. Now I know much about the beginnings of the Dru and the Totudage, but I am still lost on how they changed into you. You do know that you were once the Totudage yes?' Molkarg replied and the color of his eyes shifted from his dark red to Shedanarans bright orange fire as he watched through Molkargs eyes. He was intrigued by this Emperor and seeing that they were both born of the fire, they could perhaps ally. Shedanaran wanted to bring the Totudage back and this; Ling; as well as Molkarg was his best bet.

Ling aimlessly allowed the fire to wander between his fingers as he spoke "Yes I am aware of our origins, though to be honest my father didn't like the subject much. But, considering the circumstances I suppose I can share with you what he did divulge"

With a snap of his fingers he extinguished the flame, as well as the fires burning around "We, the demons of Xi'an, were once just a humble tribe in hell. The clan of fire demons specifically. When the great schism began we sided with the Totudage, as did the other elemental demons. But we demons of nature always saw ourselves as different from other demons, so we never really integrated. After the war was resolved, and the enemy deposed, the alliance of continence began to falter. Old rivalries came back to the surface and threatened to boil over. This was when the elemental demons, such as me, fractured off and returned home."

Ling paused to see if his guest was following before continuing "Years after returning to our homelands the humans of Xi'an, having found an ancient spell to summon demons, begged the protection of the elemental demons from invaders. Unfortunately, the spell was so old that it dated back to when we had all been a single tribe, before we split up by element. We fire demons felt we were bound to follow the request, while others felt it was void. To shorten a long story we fought a civil war and our leader won and took the throne of all the four tribes, and then we came to Xi'an to fulfil our oath. This is also why fire demons are the government of Xi'an, as emperor I am the leader of all four clans."

'Hmm, what you are telling me contradicts a bit with what Dru Shikhdub has in it. The Totudage were mostly fire demons, about 75% of them were, and the other faction, the Bagutoga, was the name they gave to the other demons that didn't join them. Some elemental demons didn't join them as well but since the revolution was led by a member of the fire clan, Shedanaran, a lot of the members of that clan followed out of honor, whereas member of the other elements followed out of hatred of the other demon races. Because of this, the Bagutoga's superior numbers and diversity, the Totudage were losing the battle. But when they felt that they should surrender, Shedanaran discovered a magic that could change a beings physical form. He surfaced to Terra through Garkunig and found Ocrad teeming with humans of different races, some similar to that of Xian, another similar to that of Theolagius and perhaps Arbiteros and another race which were comprised of magicians and craftsmen and had much knowledge of hell. This race Shedanaran led to hell, and most of them came willingly. Those who didn't formed their own tribe, allied with the goblins and drove the other races of humans out of Ocrad. This is the race the Dru fought in the Battle of Garknuk. The ones that had followed Shedanaran became Dru, but they were shorter and weaker than the Dru of today, but also more potent in magic. They were used like an army of demons, using magic, not weapons to destroy their opponents. A lot of the Dru became angry however, that they had been deceived and were being used as pawns by the Totudage. So they rebelled, not all of them mind you, but enough to disrupt the Totudage enough that the Bagutoga overran them. They fled to Terra, demons and Dru, which is when the Dru escaped. They made a pact with the Bagutoga and killed off a lot of the Totudage in Terra. The remaining, 500 odd Totudage fled to Garkunig and made a fortress there. Most think the Dru went to Garkunig first because of their fascination with fire, but in reality it was so the Totudage would not escape. Over the 1000 years of seclusion, where the Dru were made stronger to counter any threat from the Totudage, they also forgot the true nature of Garkunig. It is not a mountain, it is a fortress. When it is active the Totudage are preparing for war, which is why is was active for 1100 years, almost until the destruction of Nildug. Your people are most likely demons on the side of the Totudage that either surrendered to the Bagutoga, or escaped the Dru and conquered hell in a second attack. But one thing will disturb you, whether you are allied with the Totudage or against them. Garkunig has been active for 2 years, the Totudage are preparing for war and Shedanaran wants your help, he wants to take hell and Terra and assert the Elemental Demons dominance'.

"Dominance?" Ling asked "we demons have no right to subjugate humans who have not asked us for their protection. To forcibly conquer an innocent people would be dishonorable."

'But would it really? Humans are weak, pathetic creatures, by Shedanarans grace I ascended to Dru, but there are still many. We need to kill or transform any humans so that they may be mighty creatures. And Shedanaran doesn't just want to assert dominance over the Humans and Terra, but also over Hell. Thing about it Ling, Demons and Dru ruling together over both worlds, Hell and Terra would be at peace and would prosper. Sometimes to create you must first destroy'. Molkarg added, his eyes burning bright, in fact they were very bright, glowing now. Suddenly Shedanaran spoke to Ling in his mind, in common tongue 'You wish to help the humans and give them immortality, the Dru wish to be immortal. If we work together we can make both immortal, and make the humans into mighty Dru so that they would not die easily. They would live forever and be unable to die like us. You are young but wise, so don't you agree?'

Ling shook his head lightly, as if dissapointed "My friend, a ruler who does not have the consent of his people is but a slave master. You were once a slave, can you not see that humans and demons deserve to be free? Do you wish your miserable former life upon humans and demons of the other clans?"

It was true that there was a shared interest in immortality, but like a mountain he would not bow to the winds of temptation.

'I was weak in my former life, it was because of that that I was a slave, if everyone was united under the same banner, and if humans were made Dru, there would not be a need for slaves. Slaves are but the weak being conquered by the strong, but if everyone was strong, then there would be no slaves'.
Shedanaran could see that Ling did not understand, perhaps he needed to appear in person. A red portal opened up and Shedanaran stepped out in his true form. Molkarg turned and bowed to him before standing by his side. 'Ling, you spend your days appeasing weak humans. Why should we be oppressed by them? You lead them yes, but you cannot return to Hell, you cannot reveal your true form. Instead you are stuck in that form so that the humans are not afraid. If you join me you will stand by my side as our legions march to claim Terra and give the humans immortality and strength. We will rule over Terra, and then Hell, everything will be under our rule and we can make peace. Look at Theolagius, all they want is to kill us, and Arbiteros, home to the few humans smart and strong enough to survive death, shouldn't we reward them for that? You were almost killed by a human and you still feel the need to pander to them'. Shedanaran showed Ling a vision of inside Garkunig, under it as well, where he ruled. Many fire demons were there, all in their true form. They were happy and mighty. Shedanaran said 'look at them, my people, if you join me we could make the humans like us, perfect the Dru to make them as powerful as demons. You have few friends among humans, all they are likely thinking about is overthrowing you, but you have many friends among demons, my people would give you the respect you deserve and they to feel sorry for the weakness of mortals. Molkarg was once human, he is now Dru and he is much happier. He knows that if he is oppressed, challenged, that he can fight back with equal odds. All humans deserve this right do they not? If you ally with me now all suffering will end' Shedanaran stretched out his hand.

"You dishonor me rebel. You presume I am unhappy providing for my people, human and demon." Ling said, allowing his demonic voice to echo the power hidden behind the humanesque body "Yes I seek to strengthen my people, but the cost of your proposal is to great. I can find the secret to bettering humans without forcibly dominating others. That is where we differ you and I. You are great in pride, but I am happy serving my people.

Shedanaran pulled his hand back 'You are perhaps more ignorant than I at first thought, emperor' Shedanaran spat. 'You will know soon, when Theolagius' armies are on your doorstep, then you will realize that humans care for nothing but themselves, think about why they summoned you in the first place, for personal gain!' with that Shedanaran walked through a portal. Dru Shikhdub appeared in Molkargs hands and he then entered the portal as well, with the book. Molkarg dropped a note as he left however, and the portal shut. The note read 'Drika unhsusa'. It was a spell and when Ling read it he saw a vision of the future through Molkargs eyes. He was leading an army against an opposition made up of humans and demons. The vision ended, but a blink into the future.

Garkunig, Hell.

A portal opened at the foot of Shedanarans throne. He climbed up and sat down in it. He spoke to Molkarg 'Nildug kadzero, Sanukdarok kadtako (you go to Nildug, speak with Sanukdarok)'. Molkarg nodded, and a portal enveloped him once again.

Great Hall, Nildug, Ocrad.

Sanukdarok was reading oddly enough. He had always been interested in history and was thinking of writing a book himself. He would wait until his retirement to do that however, as he had other matters to attend to. He was reading on of the most famous books written by a Dru: Slasha's History Book, which could be found in both Druka and Common Tongue translations. He was reading about the battle of Garknuk when he saw a strange light out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head, and saw a large Ork step into his hall out of some king of portal. Sanukdarok stood up and took out his ax 'Hanara kadhaa'an, hanara kugeto! (Do not do magic, it is forbidden)'. Molkarg smiled at him, this ignorant Dru, he will soon see that he was meant to use magic 'Sanukdarok, unhtare Slashahogughtakh kadgargo, Slashahogughtakhtuhan, eros Dru Shikhdubtuhana (Sanukdarok, I see you are reading Slasha's history book, it is interesting, but Dru Shikhdub is more interesting)'.
'Dru Shikhdub kartu (Dru Shikhdub is lost)' Sanukdarok replied.
'Aran (no)' Molkarg said and took Dru Shikhdub out from a cloak which Shedanaran had given him. He placed it on the table 'Gargo (read)' he said to Sanukdarok. Sanukdarok opened the book and Shedanaran spoke to him 'UnhShedanaran, unh kadkaekhutou, Dru Shikhdub gargo, Totudage kaddana, Molkarg kadtakogh (I am Shedanaran, I am your creator, read Dru Shikhdub and Molkarg will speak to you)'. The vision faded and Sanukdarok looked at Molkarg before reading.

10 Minutes later.

Sanukdarok looked up from the book. He bowed to Molkarg and then said 'tako (speak)'.
'Totudage kadtotu, Shedanaran kadtotu, Drugh inushigh (join the Totudage, join Shedanaran, we will kill the humans)' Molkarg said.
'Orun (yes)' Sanukdarok said and saluted.

OOC The armies of Ocrad will now prepare for war.

There was no need for conscription in Theolagius's military, almost every man and their slave enlisted themself. An army in the millions.
"Forward!" An officer bellowed, spearmen, swordsmen, archers, cavalry... they all moved in unison, even mages rode with the siege equipment behind.

(A week prior)

"Astreiden, come here." a very tired Royal adviser ordered.
"Yes attasivan, what is it."
"I understand that your trip to Orcish lands did not go so well, pity. I have another test, a simple one." Yktrisen took a sip from a ceramic mug, thick wine dripped down his chin.
"Another?"
"Yes, you will go to Xi'an... with the crusaders."
"The crusaders! You want me to go to battle?"
"No, I want you to observe, capture a Xianese heretic, a demon even, interrogate him and find the flaws in their lands."
"How could you find this simple? Speaking with orcs was enough, I could die!"
"I'll pray for you."

(Present)

Astreiden lay in the back of a supply wagon, he shifted uncomfortably.
"Damn, why am I doing this?" He asked no one, an officer, one who accompanied him to Ocrad, rode up beside him.
"Do not worry, boy, you'll be back in your comfy bed before you know it."

There was no need for conscription in Theolagius's military, almost every man and their slave enlisted themself. An army in the millions.
"Forward!" An officer bellowed, spearmen, swordsmen, archers, cavalry... they all moved in unison, even mages rode with the siege equipment behind.

(A week prior)

"Astreiden, come here." a very tired Royal adviser ordered.
"Yes attasivan, what is it."
"I understand that your trip to Orcish lands did not go so well, pity. I have another test, a simple one." Yktrisen took a sip from a ceramic mug, thick wine dripped down his chin.
"Another?"
"Yes, you will go to Xi'an... with the crusaders."
"The crusaders! You want me to go to battle?"
"No, I want you to observe, capture a Xianese heretic, a demon even, interrogate him and find the flaws in their lands."
"How could you find this simple? Speaking with orcs was enough, I could die!"
"I'll pray for you."

(Present)

Astreiden lay in the back of a supply wagon, he shifted uncomfortably.
"Damn, why am I doing this?" He asked no one, an officer, one who accompanied him to Ocrad, rode up beside him.
"Do not worry, boy, you'll be back in your comfy bed before you know it."

"Your Majesty, the Theo's have declared war on us. How should we proceed?" Asked an anxious looking general

"Have the earth and water demons damn up the rivers into Theo. The narrow mountain passes make an invasion impractical so we'll have to starve them out" Ling said, referencing the steep passes that made anything wider than a cart impossible to navigate. Probably those passes were the only reason they had stayed out of conflicts this long.

"Humans need water my liege"

"I know that general. The plan is to use their own citizens against them. Daming up those rivers will cause a terrible famine, and in a pinch we can blow up the temporary dams and flood the lowlands" Ling said, confident that even the most insane would drop their invasion if their fresh water was cut off and starvation was possible

Drikdarok was annoyed. Here he was being ordered around by a former human! And a slave at that, his slave in fact! But in truth he was glad. There was a reason to declare war now, and against Xian too, whom had been unbreakable since the second age. He rode on his long-strider back to Xian. In truth he only had time to stay in Bubgruk for a few days before he got an order from the High Darok. He had complained of course, about how he could just announce it on one of the border cities and they'd deliver the declaration for him, but he supposed that was dishonorable, and Sanukdarok seemed to think so too. So he rode back to Nanking to Deliver a message. It read.


A small note was attached to the bottom, it read.

Drikdarok was annoyed. Here he was being ordered around by a former human! And a slave at that, his slave in fact! But in truth he was glad. There was a reason to declare war now, and against Xian too, whom had been unbreakable since the second age. He rode on his long-strider back to Xian. In truth he only had time to stay in Bubgruk for a few days before he got an order from the High Darok. He had complained of course, about how he could just announce it on one of the border cities and they'd deliver the declaration for him, but he supposed that was dishonorable, and Sanukdarok seemed to think so too. So he rode back to Nanking to Deliver a message. It read.

To Ling, Emperor of Xian
The Great Empire of Ocrad officially declares full-scale war on Xian. Know that our army to has demons and we won't be defeated by the likes of you! You thought the Demon Lord was making empty threats? Well then come onto the battlefield against us and see how empty they were!
Sanukdarok

A small note was attached to the bottom, it read.

Ling, I give you one more chance to join me, you and me both know you cannot hold out against my and Theolagius' armies together, so I offer you one more time. Utter the words 'Shedanaran unhzero' and the war will end, I even offer to fight Theolagius on your side. But reject this and I will make sure that we fight personally.

Ling calmly read the letter, as his advisors looked on nervously. Xi'an had been an impenetrable fortress, surrounded by steep and deadly mountains, ever since his ancestors had driven out the orcs three thousand years ago. Between their raw power as demons and natural geography they had not faced any serious challenges in over a thousand years.

"It seems that in our isolation we have backed ourselves into a corner" Ling noted

"Your Majesty Theos stands no chance. It's winter and they are humans, half their army will die before they even get to the first City" interjected one general

A female general followed up "Yes, but by sheer numbers we'll still have a challenge. They outnumber us ten to one even if half their army dies, and they've been stockpiling poison for generations. Enough to at least cripple us enough to make the take over by Ocrad a cake walk"

The emperor rose his hand to silence the debate "we could win either war, but not both. Especially with demons on the opposing side we'd only barely scrape by."

Ling wrote down a message and had it dispatched

'I will agree to an alliance, if you can physically promise that Xi'an and her people remain under my sole authority. Demon and human beings. I do not care about hell and will not oppose you. I am the emperor of Xi'an and the elemental demons, beyond that I will not oppose you or your plans'

Before even a single shot had been fired, Xi'an offered surrender terms. Autonomy and independence in exchange for Xi'an not impeding Ocrad.

Drikdarok rode back again, letter in hand. He didn't need to walk far however, before a portal enveloped him and he appeared in Garkunig, in front of Shedanarans throne. At first he was surprised, but then he saw where he was and whom he was near. He bowed to Shedanaran and handed him the letter. 'Totubodukan, eros sadek (not a complete alliance, but good)' Shedanaran mused and to Drikdarok said 'Kadsadek, drika unhzadeuk? (do you want me to change you?)'. Drikdarok had heard of the powers and strength that Mol had gained through the changing, and Mol was a human 'Orun' he said excited. 'Orun' Shedanaran said and put him to sleep. This time he was going to do something different. He had acquired some friends in hell, a group of demons from various clans had made a splinter group to serve him. They numbered only 5,000 but some of them were almost as powerful as him and so were going to be used on Drikdarok. He summoned an Earth Demon. 'Shedanaran' he said as he came through the portal 'barkoth (speak, similar to orkish language as you could tell but it is a different language)'.
Shedanaran replied 'Drikdarok unlthokythuth, Drikdarok kathylthokyt unlhuth, lorut? Drikdarok kathylthokytkud drythlisathylkathu.(Drikdarok wants me to change him, I want you to, yes? Change him into an earth Dru)'.
The earth demons, who's name was Gargatha replied 'Lorut, unlhaathyl (yes I will do)'. They brought Drikdarok to a stone platform, the same one that Mol was changed on and began.

Approxiamtely 5 hours later (this took less time because they were just giving him magic).

Drikdarok opened his eyes. He felt largely the same, that is until he touched the ground. He made a dent in it and he could sense that it was, afraid of him? He knew that Molkarg could use fire so he tried shooting a fireball out of his hand. Instead a rock floated up beside him and flung itself in the direction that he was trying to shoot. Drikdarok smiled, he had the power of earth.

"Your Majesty, I have news from Lhasa. The earth demons have finished blocking the rivers into Eastern Theos." Announced a proud looking earth general

"Thank you general. Please begin phase two; evacuate the villages between the cities and the border. Burn any food or supplies that can not be taken with them, but leave the buildings standing." Ordered Ling

"What shall I do with the pale humans within some of those villages?" The general asked. The humans he was referring to were refugees who had fled into the Xianese mountains from Theos, and built villages in the few hospitable places it offered. They'd been largely ttolerated for years, so long as they paid taxes and followed the laws. But with the outbreak of war those few thousand humans could prove to be a wild card.

Ling leaned back in his golden throne, pondering this situation. Finally he said "provide them with a simple choice. Either swear loyalty to me using unbreakable magic and become Xianese, or leave them behind with a week's worth of food. Most of those people are apostates so I am sure anyone that stays behind will be killed when their army comes through."

The general bowed politely and left to complete his orders. It would have to be quick, it would only be a month or two before whatever was left of Theo's army came to the gates of Chen or Lhasa.

(Ooc: I hope you don't mind me adding in refugees who fled your country. It seems realistic that at least a few thousand people would flee because they didn't want to convert)

With the general gone Ling sighed and gestured at a curtain, from behind which emerged Wu. Wu, in reward for her loyalty, had become his secret servant. Operating in silence behind the scenes.

"Bring me the necromancer" he ordered

"Yes, your Majesty" she said before bowing and sneakily going to fetch the man. She knew her emperor wanted covert transportation of this being, and she was honored to obey.

Once again a portal opened in Xian, but this time on the grounds of peace, and had nothing to do with Xian, but Arbiteros. Sanuksarok The Voice, as he had been named, after he had been made a Dru of air, stepped out in from of King Turak. Shedanaran had given him a gift as well, although not a sword but a ring. A ring that allowed the understanding of all languages. Sanukdarok wasn't particularly thrilled about being a messenger, but the scholar inside him was excited about the possibilities that came about from knowing all languages, so he remained obedient. Sanukdarok did not bow, as they were of equal rank, 'King Turak' (OOC does Arbiteros have a native language? If so what is it called and Sanukdarok spoke in it, if not then he just spoke common tongue) Sanukdarok said 'I am here to discuss the formation of an alliance between Ocrad and Arbiteros, as Shedanaran, and me in fact, see you as strong as you are already, unlike most humans. We offer peace in exchange for whatever knowledge you have of resurrection and immortality. Also if you give us this knowledge and we manage to gain what we want with it, you will be one of the first to know and receive the products'. Sanukdarok waited for his answer.

@Kenny1

The necromancer in question soon followed Wu, to Emperor' Ling room - he was rather apt and quick on his feet. Despite his appearance. "Aruk Mahra Lulok?" asked the necromancer, or in his way, asking if they were alone or not. He needed to speak with the Emperor without others seeing him.

---

@ThatOneNewGuy

King Turak in question remained silent, looked like the orc or demon in question - had appeared just as said King was in the process of his prayer. And if memory served right, the Arbiteros had a knack for their religion.

Turak did understand what he said, merely raising a single finger in the essence of saying 'patience'. Before returning to his prayer, sitting on his knees with his head slightly bowed low.