174 A Darkened Fores (1/2)

I silently approached the sinister door. It was the color of the bark of the tree. The closer I got to it the more I felt the sinister energy it was bleeding out into the forest that surrounded Glendale. When I was right in front of the door, it began to creak and groan, the noise filling the forest and sounding disturbingly like the wailing of a grieving parent.

The tree began to vibrate once more. I watched and listened to the tree as it vibrated violently, and as the keening sound continued to fill the air. This lasted for a full five seconds before the door in front of me finally reacted to my presence. It reacted to me by spontaneously generating a doorknob where none had been before. I shook my head and chuckled, and then I placed my hand on the doorknob. As I did, I felt some of the domains within me react to that decision.

I heard audible sighs, some in delight, and some in annoyance. I also heard peals of laughter and the sounds of an excited audience. I grinned, and then I spun the knob in my hand, opening the door towards me and gaining my first view of the Heart of Darkness with my own eyes and not through the memories of my demonic servants.

The area on the other side of the door was a sinister and darkened reflection of the forest I was in. I took a deep breath and then I stepped through the door, taking my first steps into another dimension and into the land of chaotic evil, the dreaded and infamous Heart of Darkness.

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When I stepped through the doorway I had created into the place of malignant chaos known as the Heart of Darkness, I stepped into a lightless forest. I pulled the door shut behind me, even though the actual portal I had created was one-way and even if I had left it open demons wouldn't have been able to use it to escape into the mortal dimension.

The forest stretched out before me was darkly beautiful, a true and primordial forest that lacked anything even vaguely resembling a path. Vast trees reached high above me with jet-black canopies and I knew that the only source of any true light that may shine in this place would be light I created.

”So this is one of the layers that demons themselves come from huh?” I asked, speaking audibly but also directing my question internally. I quietly turned on my powers over love and beauty, as well as a plethora of anti-violence auras. I had come here to make allies, not to kill demons.

I let go of the door behind me and took a few steps forward. As I did I heard the trees around me begin to shudder, and I grinned savagely. I looked at them and assessed them using the power of the knowledge domain.

[Plant assessment underway...

Plant assessment nearing completion...

Plant assessment complete!

Plant type: Ebon Oak

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Upon learning this I gazed at the trees in awe, and I walked over to one of them. I gently placed a hand on it, and felt the tree. It was solid to the touch, but it was also cold and I could sense its great age. It had lived, in the sense that unawakened and unevolved plants live, for a long time.

This forest stretched out as far as my senses, unaided by any potent powers like ”Stellar awareness” could sense. A few dozen kilometers in every direction. I sat down in front of the tree I had just touched, and I summoned my aid and companion Sombra to my side.

The shadowy demoness appeared next to me and was standing. She was immediately cowed by the power of my auras and my powers over love and desire, and I felt her heart turn further towards me. This was fitting, because I had plans for her, plans which would be all the easier if she were totally loyal to me.

I motioned for her to move in front of me and then sit down. The witch did as she was told, eagerly obeying me and in less than three seconds we were eye to eye. I stared at her, and smiled for a moment, before I used my powers to pull her into my arms. As I did, I spoke.