At the same time, inside a huge room made of ash stones, a gigantic being sitting on a throne of bone and gold withdraws the hand that lazily supports his broad chin. At the approach of a singular being who moves on two short legs and whose head is that of a bull, the giant raises his hand to prevent him from speaking.The colossus with blood-coloured skin raises its ruby-like eyes to the ceiling where, hanging in numerous steel cages, quietly dries out a few shapeless bodies aldready an advanced state of putrefaction, which it hiself caught during a family hunt in an ageing world. In order to remove any visual parasites that might interfere with his concentration, the giant closes his eyes.
Becoming one with the multiple universes, when he feels more precisely this still immature power of the infernal royal family that is unleashed billions of light years away, the giant rises from his throne.
His huge, sharp red eyes mercilessly sweep away all the high-ranking demons surrounding him, but before punishing those who until then had been unable to find his little baby, his heart now more serene after he felt the source of the power of his so cute little Hera, the giant whose head is topped by two horns more than 4ft long, points alternately at ten of his generals.
"Universe 125, Plot 3. Have the legions ready to move out first thing in the morning. May those worlds that stole my child be ransacked. May those who oppose us be destroyed. As for you, if you do not return my baby to me within 10 days, I promise to make you enjoy the most delicious torment."
...
Year 1213, 5th month, 24th day - very early in the morning (according to the calendar of the Kingdom of Antomea)
Crossroads of the three Great Duchies - Great central square of the tortured - h.e.l.ls
Strictly lined up, on the back of Wyvernes or winged Fenrirs, ready for departure, all the demons have their eyes riveted on the sublime young girl with long blond hair, dressed in a fine gold and red outfit. This miss who with her long golden sword at her belt broke down the doors of purgatory and single-handedly had three fallen archangels kneel before her is the eldest of the Princesses of h.e.l.l. Adored by women and certified, infernal G.o.ddess of men, the beauty with a look more murderous than an axe blow to the neck, suddenly decided that she alone could come to the aid of her youngest cousin.
[Well, with Abaddon"s daughter, all should go well... At least, if she doesn"t burn all worlds to ashes before she sets foot on them...]
A little concerned about his daughter, Astaroth catches Méria by the wrist. He senses that the 16-year-old girl is trying to break free from his grip, so to make her understand that although she is a little popular with the people, she is still only a tiny kitten, his hand tightens his grip even more.
The kid is very stubborn. With her teeth clenched, she turns her big amethyst-coloured eyes towards him and tries to kick him in the ankle. Naturally, given their size difference, what else could she reach without jumping?
Astaroth instantly bends over and grabs the bad girl"s tiny foot. Tired after so many nights of worrying about his baby and in a hurry to get the legions moving, he lifts Méria by the foot.
"Let go of me, you pig. Let go of me or I"ll snap your eyes."
Astaroth shakes the bug up and down and sighs. To think that his niece is going to lead his army. However, Abaddon is still his older brother and, ahhh... To relieve his frustration, he shakes the girl again in all directions, then satisfied, he brings her closer to his face.
"Méria, listen to me! I know you love your little cousin, but I also know that you think after you act. That"s why I"d like you to change this habit. Think, then act! You hear me, Méria?"
The young beauty raises her eyebrows, but considering it would be a shame to hurt her little cousin in a moment of euphoria, she nods down.
Satisfied that her niece has, for once, accepted a piece of advice, Astaroth is about to put her down again, when something sharp becomes embedded in her cheek. Her eyes turn to the blond insect, whose defiant gaze could not be clearer.
With his thumb and forefinger, he removes the little sword that has become embedded in his thick leather and, not wanting to have anything more to do with his niece, he throws her toward her black Phoenix.
In the air, the girl throws her sword with the blade towards the ground. She bends her back, her pale hands rest under her knees and in a semi-fetal posture, like a ball, she rolls on herself until her feet touch the ground within 4ft of her sword.
Angry, she puts her treasure in her scabbard and after a hateful grimace, she leaps on the saddle of her giant bird. An unpleasant glance towards her uncle whom she promises herself that one day she will be able to overcome and she already takes her sword out of its scabbard.
"By order of Princess Méria. Open the dimensional vortex."
When thick grey clouds appear in vertical position between the obelisks at the far end of the square, the Generals, mounted on powerful fire dragons, raise their swords.
The cloud ma.s.s becomes denser. Capturing the dark energy they emit, the Fenrirs, who are beginning to lose their patience, are getting angry. The cloud ma.s.s gradually stretches until it reaches each obelisk and soon forms a wall that turns brown.
Despite her usual self-confidence, Méria can"t help but bite the inside of her lip. This time it is not a simple conquest, cla.s.sic subjugation or retaliation, but the safety of the youngest member of her family depends on her actions.
To regain control of her scattered mind, Méria closes her eyes for a moment. The next instant, when two amethysts stare straight ahead, no hesitation can be read in that cold look, able to icy the blood of a snake.
With her sword pointed towards the dimensional vortex, without turning back towards this sea of demons awaiting her orders, with her hand free, Méria gives a violent punch to the skull of her black phoenix.
"Kuyaaa"
This cry of pain of the bird that under the power of the blow, staggers but manages to stabilize, and is for all the usual signal of the departure of the legions towards the path of war.
"Ooooh, blood, flesh, war, tears, complaints. Praised be to our Sublime Black G.o.ddess. Praised be our Wonderful Princess Méria. Ooooh."
In battle, nothing can shake Méria. Her opponent is stronger, so she"ll be faster. He faster, so her stamina will be greater. His stamina is greater, never mind, her determination to win can"t be surpa.s.sed by anyone. Yes, in combat, Méria"s heart and mind are unshakeable, however...
... Seeing her niece so excited by the demons chanting her name, that she waddles on her bird, Astaroth fears that one day this little girl becomes slightly pretentious.
"Hum, Hum, on my name, me Méria, 1st Princess of the h.e.l.ls, I make here the solemn promise to my uncle Astaroth, that in less than 5 days, Hera will cross the steps of her palace laughing. Legions, let"s go save my little cousin from the hands that hold her captive. Owa."
"Owaaaaaaa"
As Astaroth sees Méria rushing into the vortex, he feels a small pinch in his heart. If he could, he would fetch his baby himself, however, if he left his Grand Duchy for too long, no doubt the boss would yell at him again. Interrupting this little moment of sadness, a demon, certainly looking for an audience with him, taps his little hand against his ankle.
Astaroth throws a brief glance towards the demon near his foot and once again, his eyes filled with nostalgia for the time when he could still have fun, go towards his soldiers who plunge into the vortex one after the other.
"Yes, great sage, can I help you with something?"
"Indeed, Grand Duke! After going over my calculations ten times in great detail, I have come to a conclusion which I certify to be correct. Taking into account the large scale stellar eruption located in universe 45 which was taking place at the moment when Her Highness Hera used her powers, I can conclude with absolute certainty that all powerful source of emitted and diffused energy was diverted in a very random way by this stellar eruption. As a consequence of what and I repeat that my calculations allowing me to affirm it with a margin of certainty exceeding 100%, the universe where our legions went, is certainly not the universe in which our little Highness Hera is found. Your Majesty?"