Chapter 868 War Drums of the Underworld: Orcus"s Wrath Unleashed
[WARNING! Filler Chapter!]
Ragnar, Sumeri, Nikolai, and Hubrion
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From the myriad of failures etched into the fabric of his countless schemes, Orcus had gleaned little value from the incessant chatter of the living.
Even his fellow demons couldn"t antic.i.p.ate more than imminent demise when going against Orcus, regardless of their n.o.ble intentions.
Social interaction was a begrudging necessity for the old demon, reserved only for dire circ.u.mstances.
The exertion required to communicate with the living was a draining ordeal, an irritating inconvenience that left Orcus yearning for solitude.
Those who dared engage him in conversation knew to keep their words succinct and to the point, for Orcus had scant patience for idle banter.
Hubrion, understanding this well, kept his discourse brief.
Yet, in the Netherworld"s swirling whispers, it was common knowledge that patience was not among Hubrion"s many strong points.
Even Orcus"s minions, bereft of any semblance of intelligence by his hand, served as silent witnesses to his disdain for conversation.
When communication with the living necessitated the use of intermediaries, Orcus favored necromancers and cultists, who could be relied upon to unquestioningly carry out his commands, no matter how perilous.
Among his demonic brethren, Orcus"s presence elicited disdain and animosity. Only those drawn to self-destruction found any allure in his nihilistic cause.
Rivalries simmered within the infernal hierarchy, none more legendary than the ceaseless feud between Orcus, and his arcane counterpart.
However, despite his formidable power, Orcus had yet to emerge victorious against his rival, leaving the twin-headed demon as one of Orcus"s most formidable adversaries.
Direct interaction with Orcus almost invariably led to death, followed by resurrection as a mindless undead minion destined for obliteration in his ceaseless war against the living.
Yet, in the rare instances where such fate was circ.u.mvented, or when dealings with Orcus were conducted through intermediaries, a myriad of social encounters awaited.
The menacing aura surrounding Orcus abruptly intensified. "Dare you question the purpose of my existence?"
Hubrion, undeterred by Orcus"s touchiness, retorted, "Touchy as ever, aren"t you? Or perhaps you"re implying my a.s.sessment is incorrect?"
Tension thickened like a suffocating fog between the two opposing forces, its palpable weight pressing down on the surrounding landscape.
Every soul present could sense the ominous aura emanating from both sides, a tangible manifestation of the impending clash.
It seemed to stretch out for miles, enveloping all in its oppressive grip, casting a shadow over the land.
"What is he doing?" Sumeri queried, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Why does it seem like he"s exacerbating the situation rather than pursuing a peaceful resolution?"
Ragnar released a slow, deliberate breath, his gaze fixed on the unfolding scene. "It"s a denizen of the Netherworld, Sumeri. What do you expect? It won"t simply acquiesce and bow before us."
Sumeri shook her head, her brows knitting together in frustration. "At this rate, we"re destined to engage in combat with that abomination. Ugh . . . I really am not in the mood to battle undead monstrosities and face an entire army of them."
"Looks like we"re about to. Look," Nikolai said, gesturing towards the advancing horde with an innocent expression. "Should we prepare to fight?"
"Oh, s.h.i.t," Sumeri muttered under her breath as she braced herself for the impending battle, swiftly casting protective incantations.
"We"ll hold the front," Ragnar declared as he moved alongside Nikolai to shield Sumeri from the encroaching threat.
Before they could fully prepare, Hubrion materialized before them, and Sumeri, caught off guard, instinctively launched a spell at him.
Hubrion merely tilted his head to the side, redirecting the spell towards the swarm of skeletons with a subtle gesture.
The magical blast erupted forth, shattering the skeletal horde into splinters. However, more undead creatures quickly filled the void left by their fallen comrades, pressing relentlessly onward.
"Are you attempting to kill me, woman?" Hubrion remarked, his tone devoid of anger and instead tinged with amus.e.m.e.nt. "Unfortunately for you, it will require a greater effort than that."
"And I thought you were going to attempt diplomacy first!" Sumeri exclaimed, frustration lacing her words.
"Peaceful resolutions are no longer an option. It"s time to fight," Hubrion declared, the glint of battle fervor shining in his eyes as he hefted his war axe, smoke billowing from his flared nostrils.
"If I didn"t know any better, I"d say you"re relishing the fact that it"s come to this," Sumeri muttered under her breath.
Hubrion only laughed and with a powerful stomp of his hoof, Hubrion sent shockwaves rippling through the earth, causing the skeletons in the distance to crumble to dust.
Yet, despite the display of force, the Death Knight and Deathswarms remained unscathed, their sinister intentions undeterred as they closed in on Ragnar and the others.
Caught in the midst of the chaos, the players who had merely been present for quests and missions found themselves thrust into the fray, their survival now dependent on their ability to fend off the relentless skeletons.
Friend or foe became indistinguishable as the horde of undead creatures attacked indiscriminately, leaving no living being safe in their path.
"Alert the guilds! We have a boss on our hands!" one player shouted, their voice cutting through the chaos.
"Quick, notify the others!" another cried out urgently.
"A boss has been spotted! Spread the word!" echoed another voice, frantic with the urgency of the situation.
"Everyone, be cautious," Hubrion began, his tone solemn as he addressed the group. "Orcus is no stranger to battle, though he no longer revels in it as he once did."
He paused, casting a thoughtful gaze over Ragnar and the others before continuing. "In the past, Orcus took pleasure in engaging the living in combat. However, after enduring countless defeats and setbacks, the old demon"s appet.i.te for firsthand slaughter has waned.
"In battle, Orcus sits upon his Lich Throne, directing hordes of undead minions and formidable champions to do his bidding," Hubrion explained, his voice tinged with a hint of grim reverence for their adversary. "Driven by his unwavering nihilism, Orcus seeks only one outcome: the complete annihilation of the living. For him, victory means ushering the universe one step closer to the sweet embrace of death."
Ragnar was visibly incredulous at the impromptu lesson on demonic warfare, and interrupted with a sarcastic tone.
"Are you seriously lecturing us about that demon"s background, right now?"
Ragnar swung his axe in a wide arc, cleaving through a group of Deathswarms with a single powerful blow.