Entropy's Servant

Chapter 13 - Preparations

Hello everyone, Astaroth here. Due to the way Monsters were created, practically every Monster falls under the rule of a Goddess. As an example, lava and fire-based monsters, such as Lava Drakes and Firebreathers, serve the Goddess of Fire, Lady Salamander, whereas many aquatic Monsters, such as Sea Serpents, Wyrms and Krakens, serve the Goddess of Water, Lady Undine. Most Monsters which aren't easily classifiable, like Devils and Witches, serve Lady Entropy herself. Out of my Demon Generals, Tempest, Charlotte and Lilith all serve Lady Entropy, while Davna serves Salamander and Navillus serves Undine. Important is that 'serving' a Goddess and being 'cursed' by a Goddess are not the same thing- in this case, it simply means they were created of that Goddess's magic, not that they were infused with it. Additionally, even though they serve these Goddesses, they would place my commands above those commands if forced into such a situation.

Standing up to my full height and crossing my hands behind my back, I appraised the magic circle I had drawn on the floor of the dimly lit room, my right eye glowing black as I looked at both the physical appearance and magical flow of the circle. I nodded in satisfaction, a subtle smile on my face, before taking the 'Dark Goddess's Scriptures' out of my [Storage] and opening them to a specific page. Open book in my right hand, I extended my left hand towards the circle just as I had done to perform the transformation ritual, and as Lady Entropy's signature black light gathered in the palm of my hand and on the lines of the circle, I started my prayer:

"O grand goddess lording over the gentle, caring darkness
Here, as I pray, I have of thee an adjuration
The shadows here, and the shadows there
With them, may this place and that place be connected
So that those who are there may join me once again"

As always, as my spell progressed, the light slowly grew stronger, until it was no longer possible to see the inside of the circle. As the light faded once I was done, it revealed a group of Demons, each and every one kneeling with a hand over the place their heart was, assuming they had one, and as if practised, synchronised, they spoke:

"We humble servants greet thee, Demon Master Astaroth!"

Looking over the group, I could see there were several Vampires, all at least Count or Countess, and a number stronger. I also saw several pointy hats and face-hiding hoods in the crowd- without a doubt, these belonged to the Witches, Magi and other spellcasters Tempest had chosen. At the front of the crowd, my gaze was met with a strong-willed gaze from a pair of steel-grey eyes- quite literally. The face that looked up to me was, in its entirety, grey, and it belonged to the Chief Blacksmith, who was not, under conventional definitions, a Monster. Instead, it was what might be called a 'construct'- artificially made to perform a certain purpose. It was a Steel Golem- or it had been, at one point. Now, it was not just a construct, but also a Cursed Item, an object souls have been fused into. In this case, the two properties had combined in an intricate fashion, leading to the creation of sentient, artificial life. The Chief Blacksmith was a Steel Golem, so it was entirely an ashen shade of grey, and despite Golems typically having the image of large, slow, hulking creatures, it only stood at about the height of my waist, making it barely any taller than a Goblin. On its shoulders, elbows, knees and other joints, hinges were visible, almost like a modern robot with its plating removed.

"I await your orders, Master", it said, staring at me unblinking- it was a golem, after all. My experience with Lady Entropy had given me skill in reading emotions off of emotionless faces, so from its eyes alone, I could tell it was rather excited to be relied on.

"I shall be relying on you all", I said honestly, but even so, the self-confidence did not leave my gaze. Turning around, I left to return to Sleehekt's 'castle', raising my right hand in a 'follow me' gesture.