Rearing Demons
Chapter 119: Mal and Krinli

Chapter 119: Mal and Krinli

Under a dark sky, where it seemed the very sun of the world was collapsing, a colossal demon sat cross-legged, calmly staring into the flaming heavens.

Blasts of scorching heat waves continuously assaulted him, yet he remained unyielding, motionless beneath the blazing sky.

"To rise, I must fight him," the demon murmured gravely, eyes locked onto the dying star. "Yet, to fight him, I need strength beyond imagination."

Finally, he rose. With a simple snap of his fingers, the chaotic world froze, time itself halted. The exploding star above ceased its destructive dance, suspended in fiery stillness.

Step by deliberate step, the demon ascended, climbing higher into the frozen sky, until at last he reached the searing star.

"Calm," he whispered softly. His hands plunged directly into the flames, yet no harm befell him. Instead, the star began miraculously knitting itself back together, fragmented pieces merging gently into one radiant body.

With a sorrowful gaze, the demon stared at the healing star, remorse etched deeply into his imposing visage.

"You’ve reached the end of your life, yet you resist so fiercely," he said gently. "Must you drag this world down with you? Is this truly how you wish to conclude your existence?"

The star seemed almost sentient, as if quietly contemplating the demon’s words.

"Why rob life from this world?" the demon continued softly. "Your time is yours alone, and theirs is theirs. Let them live."

At his words, the star fully reformed, its violent fury calmed. The planet below also returned to peace.

"Mal," a sudden voice called sharply from behind him.

Turning slowly, Mal beheld a woman approaching, a striking figure with long blue hair cascading elegantly around a delicate face. Her beauty was tempered by an unmistakable frown.

"The war has begun, yet you linger here?" she demanded coldly. "You’re a general; why do you waste precious time?"

Mal didn’t respond immediately, gaze still resting on the restored star. "War?" he finally said softly. "Must I truly participate? I wish only to remain here in peace."

The woman chuckled softly, but her eyes flashed with bitter mockery. "You jest. You, Mal, are the greatest hypocrite of us all."

"How so?" Mal asked calmly, indifferent.

"You are the infamous demon of Lord Krinli himself. Fighting and killing runs through your veins."

"One can change."

"Not you," she spat venomously, rage briefly flickering in her eyes.

Mal turned slowly, meeting her gaze with profound tranquility. "When one witnesses the true power of Krinli, perspectives change," he explained. "The Demon Lord needs neither me nor any of us." He stepped forward, his massive frame towering over her. "I have challenged him many times, and each time ended with me kneeling. I’ve grown weary of this war, this pointless chase for power."

"Such words sound disgusting coming from you, Mal the Evil," she sneered. "You, giving up war? Chasing peace instead of power? Don’t mock me."

"Believe whatever you will," Mal replied dismissively, stepping toward the planet below. "You haven’t seen the terrifying truth of Demon Lord Krinli. He stands alone, in a realm far beyond our reach."

She watched his departing figure, suddenly struck by how defeated he seemed. Mal, the most feared and ruthless general under Krinli, now abandoning everything?

"What should I tell the Demon Lord?" she asked anxiously.

"No need," Mal said, raising one finger skyward. "He has already heard."

Following his gesture, she glanced upward—and froze.

High above, on a throne floating ominously in the sky, sat an extraordinary being, indescribably beautiful yet terrifying. His gaze pierced downward, lips curled in a chilling smile.

"D-Demon Lord," she stammered fearfully, bowing quickly.

He silenced her with a casual wave. "Mal," the Demon Lord’s calm, powerful voice echoed down.

Yet Mal offered no response, walking quietly toward his previous position. The woman watched in horror as Mal blatantly ignored Lord Krinli.

Mal sat back down upon his rock, closed his eyes, and sank into peaceful silence.

Krinli rose from his throne and slowly descended to Mal’s side, landing gracefully. He towered over Mal, his calm expression hiding a lethal edge.

"Planning betrayal, Mal?" Krinli asked softly, dangerously.

"I betray no one," Mal replied calmly. "I’ve found solace here."

"War no longer suits your tastes, Mal the Evil?" Krinli’s words dripped with quiet sarcasm.

"Not anymore," Mal answered simply. Opening his eyes, he met Krinli’s abyssal stare without flinching.

"After losing so many, what purpose does war serve now? And this war, who is your enemy?" Mal shook his head solemnly. "You have no rivals, at least none visible. This war is merely your amusement, nothing more."

"Mal! Mind your tongue!" the woman shouted in alarm, fear etched in her expression; not for herself, but for Mal’s sake.

Krinli summoned his throne back, reclining leisurely, an amused smile on his lips. "Oh, Mal, did you truly think you could abandon the path I’ve chosen for you?" He leaned forward, eyes glistening sharply. "Rise up, fight me. Only you possess the potential."

"No one has that potential," Mal sighed. "You differ too greatly from us. We may share a kind, but you remain fundamentally separate."

"And you? What are you, then?" Krinli countered.

"No," Mal smiled faintly, calmly defiant. "I know precisely what I am. The question is, what are you? You are the anomaly, not me."

"Your tongue has grown irritating," Krinli mused lightly.

"It hasn’t," Mal corrected, unafraid. "I simply voice what everyone else thinks." Mal gestured upward, far beyond the skies. "You belong in a higher realm, not here. Why linger in this trivial plane?"

"So, you know about the place above?" Krinli asked curiously. "How much do you know?"

"Enough," Mal responded, eyes closing again peacefully. "Your kind exists only there. Not here. Leave me now, I seek rest. Perhaps someday, one of my kind will surpass you."

The world abruptly trembled, fury emanating from Krinli’s dark aura.

"Are you courting death, Mal?" Krinli’s smile grew cruel. "Plotting something?"

"No plotting," Mal replied calmly, eyes opening again. "Merely informing you. I may be at peace, but eventually, someone from this world—or perhaps another—will rise beyond even you."

Krinli laughed, a sound that shook the heavens. "I welcome this challenger. I eagerly await them."

"My blood will produce them," Mal declared. "They will avenge me and my people."

"Perfect," Krinli rose again, gaze piercing. He pointed sharply at the startled woman. "You—come."

"Yes, Lord!" She hastily approached, bowing deeply.

"Stay with Mal," Krinli ordered calmly, eyes glittering with sinister intent. "Bear his offspring. You two, my strongest generals, will create a being capable of defeating me."

Her eyes widened, yet she dared not object. "As you command," she answered shakily.

Krinli ascended once more, turning back with a wicked smile. "To make things fair, find your candidate, and I shall select mine. If your creation triumphs, I’ll depart peacefully. Should they fail, I’ll still leave, but I’ll obliterate this plane first."

"I’m already a dying man," Mal commented quietly. "What’s in this for me?"

Krinli’s eyes glittered knowingly. "Don’t worry, there’s something you desire deeply. If your successor wins, it shall be yours."

Mal’s eyes widened, a dangerous, malicious smile crossing his lips. An aura of chilling malevolence radiated outward, making the woman step back involuntarily.

Opposite him, Krinli emitted an even more potent aura. The two demons smiled darkly at each other, their combined evil thickening the atmosphere.

"Then allow me to begin preparations," Mal said, standing confidently. With a swift motion, he tore open space itself, grasped the woman’s wrist, and stepped through.

Both vanished instantly.

Watching them disappear, Krinli smiled coldly, whispering quietly into the void:

"Interesting."