The Demons: a Guided Studies Story

The Demons: The Ressurection of Ryan Cadi

Time: 2032

The lair was dark, illuminated only by the soft glow of dozens of computer screens, their hum filling the air with a strange energy. The room was a chaotic mess of discarded McDonald's wrappers, half-eaten fries, and forgotten soda cups, all left to rot. It reeked of stale food and neglect, but the Discord mod sitting in the middle of it all paid no mind. Liam Kennedy, ruler of this digital kingdom, slouched in his sticky, throne-like chair, surrounded by his screens like a king among ruins.

In front of him, Maddox Chan appeared, stepping cautiously over the mess. Maddox had remained in the shadows for most of the story until now, a silent observer, but his moment had come. He approached with reverence, bowing his head as though in prayer.

"Lord Liam Kennedy, I live to serve you, my master. My Lord and savior. My King... I surrender to you, body and soul. I am your E-kitten."

Liam's lips curled into a smile, his eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction. He shifted his bulk in the chair, the creak of the old leather echoing through the room. "Only a sped kid can defeat me," he mused, his voice a low, arrogant growl.

Maddox looked up, "And Ryan Cadi is already dead," he said softly, almost as if seeking confirmation from his master.

Liam's grin turned to a sneer, his eyes narrowing. "Anyone who disobeys their king shall be banned from this Discordian Empire," Liam declared.

Maddox nodded quickly. "Yes, my master. I will obey all your orders."

Liam leaned forward, the faint light of the screens casting eerie shadows across his face. "I remember an alliance, long ago. A brotherhood, of sorts," he said, his voice quieter now, filled with a bitter nostalgia. "I trusted him, but he betrayed me. Jacob Steele... he took something that was mine. My hat."

Maddox remained silent, knowing this was a sore subject for his master. The stolen hat seemed to hold more weight than just cloth and stitching.

"That hat holds a special power. A power that could rebuild our empire, that could reunite us with the Discord Gods." His fists clenched on the arms of his chair. "And Jacob Steele... he stole it from me."

Maddox's voice was a near whisper. "What can I do, my master? How can we recover the hat?"

Liam slammed his fist onto the arm of the chair, causing the wrappers around him to tremble. "FIND JACOB STEELE, AND KILL HIM!"

Maddox faltered. "But, master... Jacob is one of my dearest friends..."

Liam's eyes blazed with fury. "He is not your friend! He is a betrayer, a fraud! And if you do not obey me, you will be banished from this Discordian Empire!, cast out like all the others!"

Maddox took a deep breath, torn between loyalty to his old friend and fear of his master. But he had no choice. "Yes, my lord. I will do as you command," he whispered.

Liam's anger receded, a satisfied grin curling on his lips once more. "Good kitten," he said.

Later, a somber, gray sky hung over the cemetery as Ryan Cadi's coffin was slowly lowered into the ground. A handful of friends stood around the grave, the mood heavy and filled with grief. Jacob Steele stood nearest the coffin, staring down at the polished wood with a look of disbelief etched on his face.

"I can't believe this is really happening," Jacob whispered, his voice cracking. "Ryan Cadi is really... d-d-dead."

Gabe stood next to him, arms crossed, his face expressionless. He had always been distant, even now. "I missed the part where that's my problem," he muttered.

Jacob looked at him, a mix of confusion and anger in his eyes. "Don't you have any sense of loss? He was your friend too."

Gabe shrugged, unbothered. "Some, but not enough to care. His death was for the greater good. He would've caused a sped apocalypse if we hadn't stopped him."