327 How to Gain a Powerful Ally Part 1 (2/2)

In this particular day, a group of riders that rode on the back of just as many condor-like beasts with skeletrical wings webbed with an odd type of demonic beast essence, was flying a few kilometers ahead of the convoy in order to scout and clear the path ahead. The geography of hell changed constantly, and sometimes, the paths that were opened and clear during one pilgrimage, would turn out being blocked, buried, or would lead somewhere elsewhere after only a hundred years. For that reason, that sort of scout was required in order to avoid wasting time in making a math while proceeding.

The area ahead of the convoy was filled with active volcanoes which constantly spit massive amounts of gasses and smoke, which formed a vast blanket that covered the sky completely. The nose curling sulfuric smell was the only scent that could be smelled in this area, and the constant explosions resounded in the area like a never ending firework show.

Whenever the pilgrimage lead into this volcanic area, the path would always be blocked. The reason for it were the constant lavic slides, and the debris and ashes that were spouted at every single eruption.

Just like every other time, the group guided their winged companions into flying at a lower altitude, and disappeared into the massive veil of smoke.

About an hour later, the rest of the convoy reached the volcanic area, and with the demon lord's carriage as spearhead, they went straight in expecting to see a path formed for them to move through. However, the path was interrupted a few hundred meters into the volcanic area, leaving the convoy unsure where to go from there.

The leader of the guards of the beastmasters faction was a middle aged-looking noble demon, with a power equal to that of a high immortal at the seventieth phase. He was accompanied by what looked like a snake with the head of a horned tiger, and the scale pattern of one. On its back, were two bat wings that fit its miniaturized size, which despite being minuscule in order to be able to stay wrapped around the wrist of its demonic companion, would still emanate a power identical to his.

”Why isn't the path carved yet?” Asked the guard leader to the contact between the aerial and the land forces, with an authoritative tone.

”Sir, the platoon hasn't made any contact for the past hour.” Responded the demoness in charge of the aerial division, which quickly approached along with her condor-like companion by foot.

The guard leader shook his head in disappointment, then said ”Send another platoon to look for those lazy idiots.” From the tone of his voice, one could infer that he truly hated how relaxed and distracted the guards would get during the months of pilgrimage.

The demoness quickly nodded at him, and turned to look for one of her subordinates to send, but before she could even give the order, a flying beast came diving from high up in the sky at a speed that was beyond what most wouldbe able to react to.

As it came down, this flying beast directly grabbed one of the resting condor-like beings from the ground, and attempted to fly away with it. Luckily, the beast of the leader of the guardsd was fast enough in its reaction. Without even unwrapping itself from around its companion's wrist, the small snake stretched of hundreds of meters, and bit the beast. It then went back to its miniature size, concluding the attack in a fraction of a second.

The bite did not seem to do any particularly great damage to the flying beast, but after only moments, the beast stopped moving, and plummeted to the ground along with the condor-like demonic beast it was carrying.

The leader of the guards and the demoness that was in charge of the aerial division immediately teleported next to this beast.. But after finally being able to take a good look at it, their eyes opened wide in disgust and horror.

What was so terrifying about this beast, was not the fact that it belonged to an unknown species of demonic beasts, but the fact that it was actually one of the condor-like steeds of the aerial division.. But different.

Its chest seemed to have opened like a flower, but instead of petals, were rows and rows of sharp teeth which it had used to grab the condor-like demonic beast, and crush it before it could even fight back. Its head and neck had split into two, and there two parts had turned into moveable whips with hooked ends, which could deliver a snap that relied the full power that this monster was capable of. The demonic beast essence webbing of the wings had turned into a paper tin veil which was barely able to hold its weight.

”What the hell is that..” muttered the leader of the guard while inspecting the body of the monster, which right after, began to melt into nothingness. That, was the effect of his companion's poison.

Before he could even issue an order, or rely the events to his lord, the attention of the leader of the guard was caught by the sight of six individuals that were standing on top of a volcano's crater, just a few hundred meters away from them

Three of them were middle aged demons, each with a particular detail that made them stand out from the each other.. However, the remaining three, were humans. All three of them had dark colored hair, and ruby-red eyes. Their clothes were similar as well, and all of them of the same blood red color.

Screams immediately began to arrive from the direction of the convoy, as dozens of similar monsters started diving at top speed from within the veil of smoke, and kidnapping beasts and demons on their path.

The leader of the guard did not think twice about it, and dashed in the direction of the Demon Lord's carriage, but before he could even say the words 'we are under attack', a deep and powerful voice came from within the carriage, along with a just as deep growl.

”I have to go.. Two demon lords are here.”