186 Heart of the Demon (2/2)

Li nodded. ”Then you have no issues with that very same power lying within myself?”

”The power that we crave is pure. It does not wield but is wielded. Your power, though similar in type to that of the abyssal whisperings, does not seek to take away control from others. Control - the sense of self that allows for one to truly cherish the power they wield, to understand both its potential and consequences.

But accepting the whisperings of the abyss is no better than debasing the self to eternal slavery. That is unbecoming of the pride of demonkind, thus, soliciting the whispers of the Abyss is the foulest heresy that one of demonkind can ever commit.”

Zagan paused for a second, his black fur rippling as a soft breeze passed by his coat.

”And even your power, this personage has not drawn upon. Not from a sense of revulsion, but of principle. It is not within this personage's beliefs to borrow power which is not inherently mine.”

Li took in Zagan's words.

It was true that the demon had not actually become much stronger since he had taken this form. In fact, the demon was far weakened since the time Li had fought him, and likely, it was due to the fact that Zagan could not feast on human souls or demons to regain his strength.

Zagan could have, at any point in time, simply drawn from Li's strength to amplify himself, but he had chosen not to out of an unflinching dedication to principle. And also because there was no need to really exert himself considering even in this state, he could practically annihilate any threat that came to pass in Riviera.

”But” said Zagan. The demon flared open his eyes wide, his eyes shining even brighter like red hot coals as his gaze burned into the West. ”Now, this personage must humbly ask to draw upon your strength, to restore mine self to my full might.

For if the Burning One has commanded the Rite of the Swarm, bending all seven demonic sees together, and has also succumbed to the madness of the Abyss, then it is all too likely that the near entirety of my kind has fallen to those foul depths.

I shall not stand idle while my kin become puppets dancing on strings held by another. It is better for them to be slaughtered under my might than to suffer such a fate.”

”You have my full permission to draw upon my power,” said Li with a smile. ”Restore yourself to your former glory. No, to heights even beyond that. Do not treat my power as separate to yours. Your bond to me has never been one of absolute servitude.

You chose to submit to my strength, and now, you can choose to use my strength as you wish.”

Zagan bowed his head. ”Gracious thanks, Great Old One.”

”But, I will ask you for now to hold off on fighting. I know that demons have a higher resistance to eldritch corruption, but that does not mean you are immune to it. Tomorrow, I am going to tap into my powers and find a way to counteract it. If all goes well, then I should also find a way to restore your kind.

Guard this cottage and my daughter in my absence and use any amount of power necessary from me for that task.”

Zagan nodded.

”Understood,” said the demon with a resounding firmness to his voice that had been absent ever since he had settled down by the cottage. It rang with warped echoes with a distorted, faint growl undertoning it. It was a voice that would have drawn shivers from every living being, telling them of the brutalization their bodies and souls were to face should they near it.

A voice fitting for war.