Lord Glabelzu's Might

[Chaos Creator]

*The night lit up like day as a bolt of lightning ripped through the sky. Moments later, a blast of thunder shook the windows of the little village, causing many children huddle further under their blankets. Which was probably best, for if they knew of the nightmare taking place within the walls of their very own sleepy little town, many might never sleep again...

In an upper room of the local inn, the mage bent low over the flame of the one lit candle, peering intently into the light. He had prepared for hours, scrutinizing the spells needed for this particular ritual with meticulous care. Afterwards, he had constructed his magic circle, taking care to craft the runes that would contain his conjuration.
Now the moment had come. He whispered the creature's name, coaxing it slowly at first, then with growing intensity. It would take all of his concentration to control the being from the lower plane of the Abyss, for this was no minor summoning. As his voice grew louder, a dark mist begin to swirl before the magician, slowly taking shape. The form that appeared before him was that of a bane, a huge demon standing almost nine feet tall. It's head was like that of a dog, with four horns sprouting from its head. The body was covered in serpent-like scales. But worst of all, one pair of the creatures four arms ended in massive pincers, like that of a lobster.
The mage clenched his teeth, steeling himself and focusing his will to contain the wicked beast. He stood straight, ready to send the demon back to its own realm at the first hint of trouble. The demon eyed the wizard for a moment.*

"Why have you summoned Zuzala?"

*The demon took a threatening step forward, but the mage stood solid. His gaze locked with the demon's and sweat stood out on his brow.*

"I seek information. I wish to know where my associate, the one known as Linock, has taken the sword."

*The demon scoffed, slowly walking the perimiter of the magic circle and inspecting the runes. He knew if there was any slight imperfection in its crafting, he would be able to break the wizard's hold on him.*

"The sword was never meant for human hands, foolish mage. It rightly belongs to Lord Glabelzu, the king of demons. You were all fools to try and claim it as your own!"

*The magician never faltered.*

"I demand to know of the sword's whereabouts! I know all demons possess the ability to sense the proximity of the sword, and I want to know where it is!"

*The bane continued his slow walk around the circle, but, as he had not found any imperfection in its casting yet, he was compelled to respond to his summoner.*

"Lord Glabelzu's Might lies in the jungles of Azteca..."

*The wizard smiled ferociously.*

"Then you shall retrieve it for me, mighty bane."

*The demon stopped, staring at the diamond dust that comprised the circle's outline.*

"I think not, foolish mortal. I shall claim it as my own..."

*The mage's eyes widened.*

"How dare you speak to me in such a manner! I--"

*His words were lost then, as one of the mighty pincers closed around his throat and lifted him from the ground, severing his head cleanly from his body.
The demon chuckled his low, grating laugh. He had found the mistake in the magic circle.
He turned, and taking a tentative step beyond the powdered jewel markings, set foot upon truly mortal ground for the first time in over four thousand years. His laughter was lost in the next crack of thunder, however, as he smashed through the lone window of the inn's room and spread his wings into flight in the dark, moonless sky.*

[Chaos Creator]

*The days passed and the stories began to trickle in to the Demon Guardian stronghold about villages being ripped apart in the wake of some terrible beast. Stories about travellers being accosted upon the roads, and caravans being ransacked for no particular reason.
Finally the day came when a pair of travellers limped their way up to the castle gates. They told a tale about how a dog-headed, horned beast had attacked their merchant caravan a few miles to the northeast. They indicated that the beast was headed to the south and would likely pass by the stronghold.
The story raged around the castle about the possibility of some sort of beast coming toward the Demon Guardians. Word quickly spread to the generals and leaders...*

[Chaos Creator]

*Shadow stood atop the highest parapet of the castle, his coat and long flowing hair trailing out behind him in the wind. He had personally spoken with one of the merchants that had survived the attack, and, upon hearing that the culprit could possibly be some sort of demon, had set watch at the highest point he could find for the past three nights. He stood motionless, staring into the night for hours upon end, night after night, hoping that the demon would pass by without bothering the stronghold.*


*Zuzala the demon sat atop the mountain's summit, the rocky ground about him scorching as the natural heat from his hulking form caused the rocks to partially melt. He squinted into the darkness, watching the lights flickering within the walls of a distant castle. But the lights were not what had attracted the bane's attention. In his vision of evil, the demon sensed a great amount of magic emanating from one of the towers. It shone like a beacon to him. He could also sense a strange mix of beings within those walls. He watched for a long while that night, wondering if the magic wielder he sensed could be one of the fools that had dared to steal the magnificent blade of his king.
He felt someone or something looking for him, suddenly, and smiled. Apparently, he was expected. It'd be a shame to disappoint...*


*Shadow had grown weary of his self-appointed post this night. He hadn't fed properly in days, and was really beginning to feel drained. He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, reeling briefly. That's when he heard the flap of wings and a rush of air nearby.
And, then, he was falling and the demon was laughing high above him, holding a massive hammer.
The bane had come to DG.*