Lore - Mal'kareth

High on a mountain in the far reaches of the cosmos, on a planet called Verkar, lived the demons. Their world was a mountainous world full of volcanoes, no vegetation and rivers of lava. This place was deadly to anything that stepped foot here unprepared. The sky was covered with black clouds that cast shadows over the terrain. On top of the largest dormant volcano sat the demon's palace. A large black structure that reached through the clouds, the only place on Verkar where you could see the sun.

Inside the war chamber of the demon palace, Mal'kareth and his three generals discussed their next moves.

"Sir, we cannot handle the horde that is approaching. We have already lost two armies," one of the generals stated plainly.

Mal’kareth raised his hand. "What do you think we should do? Give up? Flee? Where is there to go that these gates and monsters haven't already destroyed?"

The three generals around the table looked between each other. "We could flee to another system."

"And dishonor those who have already fallen?" Mal’kareth slammed his fist on the table. "WE HAVE FOUGHT FOR DECADES, AND FOR WHAT? WE STILL HAVE NO INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE THESE THINGS CAME FROM OR WHO IS CONTROLLING THEM!" Mal’kareth sighed. "I will not run. We have all lost sons, daughters, loved ones. I would rather die than run. Whatever this plague is, it will spread through the cosmos, devouring everything in its path. So we will stay. We will fight until our dying breath. The way demons should."

Just then, the doors to the chamber flew open, smacking against the walls. A young demon ran into the room. He bowed, and, out of breath, looked up at Mal’kareth. "Sire, the horde... they have reached the walls."

Mal’kareth stood, but as he began to speak, a sword pierced through the young demon's chest. Blood spilled from his mouth as his body slumped to its knees and fell to the floor. Behind him stood a smiling dark elf. Razor-sharp teeth. Gray-colored skin. Ears that pointed toward the sky.

Mal’kareth and the other generals moved to draw their swords. Before they could, four more dark elves appeared behind them. Four elves, four blades pressed against their necks.

The elf near the door walked forward and began to clap.

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

"You demons have done well. To hold off the forces of Hatred for this long. You have lasted longer than most do. I commend you for that." The elf found a seat at the end of the long table opposite Mal’kareth and sat down. He kicked his feet up onto the table. "Now, come. Sit and let us talk."

Mal’kareth looked at his generals and nodded. The four men sat in their chairs. The dark elf who was seated spoke. "You four, leave us. Stand by the door and make sure we aren't interrupted." The four elves bowed, walked into the hallway, and closed the doors behind them.

"My, my, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Grayson. As you can see, I am a dark elf." Grayson stood and began to walk around the table. "I do not mean you any harm, so long as you do what I ask, that is."

"Dark elf? I thought your kind was wiped out eons ago." Mal’kareth's eyes followed the elf as he approached him.

"Most were, until I was given a generous opportunity, much like I am about to give you today."

"And what generous offer would that be? If you know anything about demons at all, I suggest you turn around and walk out now."

Grayson walked behind Mal’kareth, put his hands on his shoulders, and leaned close to his face. "If you knew who you were up against, you would bite your tongue."

One of the generals stood and gripped the hilt of his sword. "Do not speak to our king that way, you filthy creature."

Grayson's head tilted toward the general. In a flash, Grayson vanished. He appeared behind the general, smiling. A red line appeared around the general's neck as his head slowly began to detach before rolling onto the table.

"Now, where were we? Oh yes, the offer." Grayson shoved the general's body aside and took a seat in his chair between the remaining two generals. "Before we get to that, anyone else have something to say?"

Mal’kareth clenched his fists and leaned forward. "Say what you came to say, elf."

"Very well!" Grayson leaned back, patted the backs of the two demon generals, and smiled at them. "I was very much like you before. Prideful, strong." Grayson flexed his arms. "Until my people were basically destroyed. A hand from the heavens reached down and pulled me from the abyss. Much like I am doing for you right now." Grayson stood and began to pace around the table with his hands clasped behind his back. "I was given power and a mission. Thus far, I have accomplished my mission to perfection, but the one above me wishes for more. That is where you come into play." Grayson pointed at Mal’kareth.

"What are you on about, exactly?"

"You have certainly heard of the gods, yes?"

"Of course, the golden and black pantheons. They maintain balance in the cosmos. It is a story as old as our own existence."

Grayson clapped. "Precisely! One of those gods, Hatred. Well, he has other plans for the cosmos. One where men like you could reign supreme. A cosmos where there is no balance, at least not a balance that the weak will dictate." Grayson reached into a bag that was tied around his hip and tossed three red stones onto the table. "These gates and monsters you've been fighting, they are former civilizations that have been conquered. Mindless creatures who refused to bend the knee to him, so they became puppets for Hatred's expansion." Grayson placed both hands on the table and leaned forward. "You have an opportunity to be much more than that. If you simply take that crystal, you will be granted power beyond your imagination. You will have one job. If you accomplish it, you will be set free and can roam the cosmos as I do now."

"And what of my people?"

"What of them? They will follow you as they do now. Your race will continue to live on. When the war is over, return here as conquerors and live out your days as you wish. Though, they will have an obligation to fight for Hatred as well. Nothing is ever free, of course." Grayson winked.

"This power, we won't become mindless like the creatures we have been fighting for decades?"

"Sire, we cannot possibly consider what this elf is offering. Becoming a pawn for a god! It's nonsense," one of the generals spoke up.

Grayson sighed. "What if I can prove what I say is true, that you won't become mindless and your people will have their freedom if you simply fight for our cause?"

"How would you do that?" Mal’kareth leaned back in his chair.

Grayson clapped, and the four elves outside opened the doors. Two goblins pushed a large red crystal that stood fifteen feet tall and was placed on a cart into the room. "You can simply speak to Hatred yourself!" Grayson gestured toward the crystal.

Mal’kareth stood. "That... you're saying that is Hatred?"

"Well, more of a communication device. But essentially, yes. Consider this your new boss. Or, we can consider the alternative." Grayson stared at the head of the dead general.

The crystal began to pulse with a dark red energy. Suddenly, a voice rang out throughout the chamber. "Mal’kareth, king of the demons. I am Hatred. You have fought well and proven yourself worthy to join my cause."

"I wasn't fighting to prove myself to you!"

"Nonetheless, you have. I wish to offer you the same offer I gave to this irreverent elf. Become a general in my army. I will give you power beyond your imagination. You can become a god! You will lead your demons and other creatures and take over a world for me. Earn your freedom to roam the cosmos as Grayson does. When this war is over, you will be named the ruler of this system, and your demons may live in peace for eternity."

Grayson stared at Mal’kareth and raised his eyebrows. "Pretty good deal."

"We cannot possibly be entertaining this offer! What lunacy would drive us to be chained to this being? How do we know he will even keep his word?"

"I am proof. I took over a world he requested, and look at me! Now, one more peep from either of you, and you will meet the same fate as your friend there." Grayson's cheerful expression turned sinister. The two generals stared at Mal’kareth.

Mal’kareth looked at the two generals. "What choice do we have? Do we die here? Or do we serve Hatred to protect the next generation of demons?" Mal’kareth hung his head for a moment. He reached out and grabbed a crystal that Grayson placed on the table. He stared at it for a moment as he turned it in his hand. He finally looked up at Hatred's crystal. "What world do you wish us to take over?"

Hatres began to laugh. When the laughter stopped, he uttered a single word.

"Murim."