The Pact Keepers (D&D-Miraculous Ladybug Crossover)

Chapter 6: Fiends

A deep, rumbling chuckle jolted Marinette awake.

"Arcano? You're back?"

"Indeed. I see that Monarch is not above creating... false dragons." Arcano's upper lip twitched a little before his face settled back into its usual composed state. "Anyhow, how was your day?"

"It was... fine, I guess. Wait, how did you know about today's Akuma battle?"

The dragon chuckled. "My kind are masters of all schools of magic, but we have a special gift for divination and conjuration. Therefore, it was not a hard thing to create a device capable of retrocognition. Many have laughed at it, but I have found it useful on many occasions. I typically use it to find archeological sites and other places I can conduct magical research."

"So... you were spying on us."

The dragon's head lowered a little bit. "I wanted to keep an eye out for any new developments. Fiends are extremely dangerous creatures, and they have a very annoying and troublesome trait, that being that they cannot permanently die unless killed on their home plane. They will simply reform on their plane of origin."

"Have you found out who's helping Monarch yet?"

"Indeed, I have. He is Malus, the Molydeus Quasi-Demon Prince. Unfortunately, I do not know what exactly he is planning to do with his new little toy, apart from simply conquering other parts of the Abyss. It wounds me to say this, but he is one of the very, very, very few individuals in the crystal spheres capable of blocking my divination. The false imps I have sent out have been tampered with by his wards."

"This might sound a little out-there but... could Cataclysm break those wards, if you know what that is?"

Arcano shook his head. "Cataclysm only destroys that which can be touched, at least for a wielder. I do not know if such a limitation applies to the Kwami of Destruction himself. Wards that are not bound to objects - which describes all of Malus's wards - must be dispelled in order to destroy them. "

Marinette gulped. "So do we have nothing to use against him at all?"

"Do not worry about him for now," Arcano said quickly. "I highly doubt he has a means of coming to your crystal sphere, and in a battle I know how to handle him. You and Cat Noir already have enough on your shoulders, you do not need more."

"I... thank you, I guess."

The dragon smiled gently. "There is no need to thank me, little one."

Adrien's eyes lit up when he saw the dragon again.

"So you are real!"

An amused grin curled the corners of the dragon's mouth. "Indeed, I am." He tilted his head. "How was your day?"

Adrien shrugged. "An old Akumatized villain came back, that's all."

The dragon nodded sagely. "I saw that. Indeed, both of you are quite skilled, I must say. Guitar Villain, if I recall correctly?"

Adrien nodded.

"Hmph, Monarch does not seem to be the most original when naming things."

"It depends. Wait, did you find out who's helping Monarch?"

"Indeed. It is Malus, a molydeus who is... far closer to becoming a Demon Prince than most would find comfortable. Unfortunately, I cannot gather much else, for his mastery of anti-divination magic is almost unparalleled."

"What's a molydeus?"

A somewhat expensive-looking armchair appeared behind Adrien.

"To explain that in the most transparent way possible, it is best to explain what demons themselves are first. Perhaps you should get comfortable."

Adrien obliged, settling down in the cushy seat.

Arcano cleared his throat. "In your world, most stories seem to use the terms 'devil' and 'demon' interchangeably, and in your world, that may well be true. Making such an assumption in the world I am from, however, would likely get you killed, for they are two very different things. A devil would be incredibly insulted if it was ever called a demon, and vice versa. Devils are lawful and orderly in nature, while demons are chaotic and erratic. They hate each other with a virulent passion, and would like nothing more than to see the other wiped out. Now, a molydeus, or molydei if we are speaking of multiple, is a very powerful type of demon that resembles an enormous, muscular humanoid with skin as red as blood. It has two heads: a wolf head on its shoulders, and that of a serpent sprouting out of its back. A bite from the serpent head can reduce any demon - save for a Demon Prince - down to a lemure, a barely sapient pile of flesh that is constantly writhing in agony. This is why so many demons fear them, and why Demon Princes love using them as enforcers. Adding to that, molydei are unusually loyal and a Demon Prince can see through the eyes of the demon's snake head."

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but if Molydei are loyal, then how come one became a Demon Prince? Did he not get snatched up for employment or something?"

"That, I don't know. From what has reached my ears, he staged a coup against another potential Demon Prince and devoured its soul, gaining that power. Do not concern yourselves with fighting him, however," Arcano said quickly. "I am very well equipped to handle him myself, I assure you. You and your partner have enough on your shoulders, you do not need more."

"I... thank you. I don't get that a lot, actually." Adrien wrapped his arms around himself. "Even after I dropped modeling, my father never pays much attention to me."

The dragon's brow furrowed. "Odd. You are a very talented and kind boy, Adrien, even without the Miraculous. Your father should be proud. I say, if you were in my world and an adult, there'd be at least a dozen others wishing to court you, and many more seeking your friendship or begging you for an apprenticeship."

Adrien's head snapped up. "Really?"

Arcano tilted his head, an amused twinkle in his eyes. "Indeed. I think you'd make a fine wizard or bard."

"'Yer a wizard, Adrien!'" the boy muttered to himself, though a smile spread across his face.

The dragon chuckled. "Alright, alright, I'll leave you be now. Good night, Adrien."