Interlude 4: The Tyrant of Estonia

The Kingdom of Estonia, a country of esteemed human blacksmiths, was ruled by one who was anything but that. His large frame with heavy silver wings flapped through the waking dawn. His stony body creaked and groaned from the wind, appearing both heavy and hollow simultaneously. However, for a gargoyle, it felt light as a feather.

Gargoyle King Crentch was a strange monster indeed. He distanced himself from the other generals of the Agnola continent, not only to run his nation with a stone fist but to ensure he could horde all the talent to himself. 

54 years prior, before Crentch reigned over the land, Estonia was known for its innovative inventions that ranged from perfected magical artifacts to items that could be applied to everyday use for making people's lives easier. Their supreme creations were shipped all over the globe, bringing joy to humans and other races alike.

That all changed when Crentch took command—or stole it—per se. After the demonic invasion, the demons had successfully absorbed all of Agnola into their ranks. Crentch, as the general who conquered a majority of the land, was tasked with running this nation; he could not have been happier to hear the news. He adored the skilled craftsman and the subliminal artifacts that were churned out of the famous nation. No one should be allowed to have something that is mine, he thought.

 He sealed off the borders with the neighboring conquered countries and put all of his new minions to work to create the strongest gargoyle soldiers in history. 

As of now, his country was as well guarded as the Lord of Calamity's castle. However, it came at a price. Many of the magnificent craftsmen perished from exhaustion or fled the country long ago (but most died trying). The ones that remained constantly lived in jeopardy, fearing creations of their own making. Crentch thought it was a blissful life to lead indeed.

What wasn't blissful, however, was being chased through the night by an armored demon that he had never set his perfectly-sculpted, lantern-like eyes on in his long life. Crentch was a tyrant and a leader. He hadn't fought much of anything in a long long time–especially someone that could fight back against his oppressive might. Because of it, he was caught off guard by the demon’s sneak attack in the dead of night.

 When he first decided to Join Abaddon’s rebellion that opposed the Lord of Calamity's rule, he knew he would have to get his ancient, crumbling form back into shape.  Unfortunately for him, not even a week had passed since his treachery was first established, yet there was already someone young and powerful after his hide. What made things even worse was that they had somehow bypassed the hundreds of his gargoyle guardians that guarded his domain and attacked him. 

And I was just about to get those pitiful workers to assist me on my next big idea! he lamented as he fled. 

The midnight pursuer was gaining on him, their speed far surpassing his own out-of-shape body. It was only adding insult to injury that his left wing had been pierced by something strong and durable when he first noticed his assailant. He could feel his speed continuously decreasing as if something was sapping away his strength while he navigated through various high-rise buildings of his proud capital. 

I don't have much strength left in my wings. I need to land soon and recover mana. But how do I escape this fiend?

Then he spotted it—the graveyard of the capital. It was a place swarming with negative energy and mana from the regrets and resentments left behind by those that were buried after earning an untimely demise. Crentch had been there many times in the past to oversee burials or feast on corpses to increase his power. He had allowed the area to fester and grow like a sickness over the years, so that one day he may consume it if he required its power once more. 

I don't have much time to spare. I need to return to my glory days!

Crentch landed fast, his sharp nails digging grooves into the steel pathway right outside. The largest cluster of graves was right ahead. He hunkers on, sniffing out the energy while assessing his stats in his head to his unknown adversary. 

[Name: Gargoyle King Crentch]—[Class: Emperor of Stone/Tyrant of Estonia]—[Level: 232]

[Skills: Skills: Terrifying Howl (MAX), Imperial Stone Skin (MAX), Stone Swipe (MAX), Summon Gargoyle General (MAX), Flight (MAX), Tribute (MAX), Transmutation (MAX),16 Skills Hidden Below]

[Status: Angry and Afraid]—[Attack: 123,049]—[Defense: 400,010]—[Magic: 108,023]

His Attack and Defense had significantly deteriorated since his glory days in the war. They were nearly half of what they used to be. I can only rely on my current state and this borrowed power to pummel my assassin. If this isn't enough... Well, I have lived long enough to know what the Lord of Calamity does with those who betray him.

“So you have arrived—just as my Lord predicted.” A soft and low voice spoke out to him from behind, causing a small chill to run over his large and lengthy frame.

Hm? What's this?

“Are you lost, Girl? This is no place for children to be. Go back home before something happens to you,” he snarled, hoping she got the message. Crentch was a foul and shrewd creature, but he still valued his citizens as any king would. The only one that should bring harm to his subjects was him, the ruler.

"I'm okay, but I appreciate the offer. Choices are something that are not up to my own discretion. That is just how it is. It can't be helped."

She didn't seem that sullen about her predicament of impeding his path. If anything, she seemed slightly excited about the prospect, but with her doll-like visage, it was hard for Crentch to accurately assess it.

 She was a short, petite girl adorned with a long robe that the mages he slaughtered with his claws and fangs all those years ago always wore. It made him feel a tiny bit guilty for what he would have to do next.

The girl continued to silently stare at him with her hollow, yet firm gaze. She really did seem to be rather young—especially when she appeared to be in swimwear underneath her robe. 

"I'm sorry, Child." His claws extended, while his face became more bestial and feral.

She shook her head. “Your worries are misplaced, Gargoyle King.” She removed her hood to reveal two multicolored antennas. “You should be worrying about yourself before considering anyone else.”

A beast-kin? All the way out here? She is not one of my citizens. That begs the question—how did she get here?

Crentch was a warmonger and battle general, first and foremost. The inner workings of his mind had also been dulled by years of oppression and easy days. Therefore, it was difficult for him to draw a comparison between this girl and his problem. He had many theories, but nothing was actually concrete. 

Crentch grit his fangs, his bulky body increasing in size as he became more guarded. Glancing around him, there was no one but the girl. 

“A-are you one of Okoran’s? What are you doing all the way out here?”

“...To help me, of course.” Another voice spoke to him from behind, forcing Crentch to turn back around once more.

The sudden appearance of the beast-kin girl had made him forget all about his real foe. 

Standing by the graveyard gate in raven-black demon armor was none other than his pursuer. His wings had receded from view and he was apparently unarmed. What was his objective in sealing his means of combat? Crentch couldn't quite figure it out.

“I may be unarmed, but that matters little. I’m sure you know who I am or at least who sent me, Gargoyle King Crentch.” He spoke his name with a dash of sarcasm, undermining the very leader of a nation he was currently trespassing inside. 

My gargoyles will be here soon. I just need to stall for time. Anyone sent by her must be powerful. I need my tributes! 

Crentch bent down entering into a combat stance, his hulking frame still standing tall over the unknown demon by at least three feet. “After hearing your voice, I have figured something else—you are no demon. And the more I take in your noxious odor, the more I can determine how heinous of a human you are!"

The Destroyer placed a hand on either side of his head and removed his helmet. It melded with the top of his armor to reveal a pale-skinned boy in his teenage years with dark spectacles. He may have not been a demon, but his nefarious smile and scheming eyes were one and the same with them.

“Correct. I have already slain one of your allied defected generals and you're next on the shopping list. Unlike Wiley, though, you haven't fought in a long-ass time. You have become feeble and weak—like a granny! Are you sure you can handle someone like me?” He waved a finger back and forth in a taunting manner.

Crench's body tensed up even more, causing more cracks to appear in his body that then became reinforced by his tough exterior. They were more like battle scars now. “I will destroy you and preserve my country. No one will take what is mine! I don't care if that greedy Lord of Calamity wants my citizens. He will never have them! Even in this weaker form, I will crush you underfoot and rip you to pieces with the might of a former general of the ones who conquered this plane!"

“Wow, wow!” the Destroyer exclaimed, clapping his hands with superficial delight. He was clearly amused, enjoying his target's brash confidence. “You thought I would be facing someone who is from a race that is known for having extremely durably and nearly-indestructible skin head-on?" He snickered. "Well, I would love to, but I don't want to accidentally kill you by accident with my overwhelming might. Your body truly fascinates me, so I want to run some tests and examine you to my heart's content!”

"Keep laughing, even beyond the grave!" Crentch dives into a dash, clawing through the air with terrifying speed. He slashes at the Destroyer, aiming to lop off his head in one fell swoop. The Destroyer stands his ground while grinning. Instead of drawing a weapon, he taps a few times on the advanced-looking display on his right arm.

“That should do it.” He beams with a bright smile while keeping direct eye contact with Crentch.  It was unsettling to the gargoyle lord how calm his foe was—as if he was dancing in the palm of his hand. 

Before his long and thick claws could mangle the Destroyer's exposed face, something shoots into his body, keeping his arm a foot away from the Destroyer's aggravating face.

“W-what? My arm! What is this?!” More objects pierced into his body, creating small indents in his hardy skin until he became completely restrained in place.

"My theory was correct. While your body is extremely difficult to penetrate, your first layer was a cinch to dig into with how feeble you have become. Hahaha!"

The Destroyer placed his arms behind his back and casually strolled around the captured Crentch, scooting real close to his face. “These pistons really are magnificent. You can’t move a muscle even though I have barely made a meaningful scratch on your body! I know It will be quite a challenge to break through your skin from the outside but that doesn't mean I can't harm you from the inside!” 

He ecstatically tapped the display on his arm a few more times. The ten or so pistons that had ensured and embedded themselves in Crentch’s body made a small humming sound. Lighting surged up them and directly into the inside of Crentch’s body.

“GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” He roared in agony, unable to move while electricity was forcefully injected into him like a drug. This was the first time he had felt any semblance of pain since being crafted by the Gargoyle Monarch hundreds of years ago. He couldn't take it. 

He continued to wail in immense pain for another minute longer before his body finally gave out. Crentch’s form still stood in the same position as before, but his glowing yellow eyes had become hollow and dark in their sockets.

“Seems like he passed out from only a minute of internal lighting shock. What a weakling. I’ll have to jot that down when I get back to the lab. Hey Epsilon, fetch me Poison #2 and The Catcher.”

Two items shot out of Epsilon’s mouth and landed in each hand of the Destroyer. One was a dark green liquid sloshing around in a small vial while the other has the design of a shotgun with a sleek body like a jet. Its front had a wide maw, rearing to release whatever was inside it. The Destroyer squeezed the trigger and out comes a large spider-web-like net coated in a silky black texture. It extended to consume the entire body of the unconscious gargoyle before sending another shock to him to confirm that he was out like a light.

“The lighting net is in place just to make sure he’s not faking it—though I doubt someone as soft as him could pull that off. I’m glad to be able to fully test it out either way. Now for transportation…” He tossed the vial on the trapped king, its green liquid dripping all over his body like an apple being dipped in caramel before disappearing into his stony skin.

“Alright! Epsilon, his defense should be low enough for you now. Send him to the lab in one of the test tubes.”

Epsilon nodded before solemnly walking over to the body of the gargoyle that was three times her size. She unhinged her jaw and opened it wide. Her gaping oral cavity easily engulfed the entire area that the Gargoyle King was trapped in. Her mouth returned to its usual state after the area had been cleaned up. "All done," she said as a cute burp leaves her throat. 

The Destroyer smiled back at her and gave her the thumbs up. “I got a reward for you, reliable employee! I’ll send it to you once I finish in the lab. I can't wait to get into the replication!”

Her different-colored eyes seemed to gleam with interest even if her expression didn't change in the slightest. "I look forward to it, my lord."

She seems happy. Well, she has been a useful pawn through and through. I want to see her express herself more.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEEP.

A beeping sound rang from the Destroyer’s holo-display. He tapped a finger on it one time, moving a copy of the holo-display off his arm and into the air in front of him with a flick. A beautiful, red-skinned buxom stood before him on the display. Her deep-sea eyes displayed a mix of eternal hunger and greed—much like the Destroyer, himself. 

“Perfect timing. I have dealt with Crentch. I'm excited to get to work with him. I cannot thank you enough for showing me where those little electric critters lived. Made taking him down and manufacturing my new prototypes a breeze. 

She smiled as she leaned over her lounge chair. “Oh? I’m glad I can be of assistance. Speaking of which—I have been asked by the King of Dark Heaven to assist you with your future battles to expedite this process as quickly as possible.”

The Destroyer raised an eyebrow at her statement. “Oh? But haven't you been assisting me all this time already? You have done more than enough to get me off my feet. I have been able to reach heights I was never able to back on earth. I'm practically a god among man—no—I am one.”

She displayed her seductive visage with full force and licked her red lips. The black, low-cut dress she was wearing today left little up to the imagination. Still…the Destroyer treated her as any other higher-up he had met in his short life—albeit with a bit more gravitas.

“I will now be assisting you in person. Before I ascended the heavens long ago, I was quite a fierce fighter. Nearly every nation across the land knew my name.”

“So mere mortals can ascend to godhood? That is truly intriguing…”

“It is true...but difficult. I could tell you about it once you complete your task as a final reward.”

The Destroyer shook his head. “That's alright. Life is only precious because it ends. Being immortal seems boring and I hate living with rules. I don’t see myself being a good fit. Besides, I like the god I am right now.”

Morgala nodded, understanding his sentiment. “I see…  Then, back on topic. I would like you to prepare a vessel for me to inhabit so I may descend back into the world. I am sure you have already acquired many specimens that could be worthy of my divine soul

“That's true. I have over forty test subjects already. None die under my watch!" Though some can't really be considered alive either..., he thought to himself. "I caught an extra few cat beast-kin by accident, so I’m sure I can lend you one.” Not really, they just aren't compatible with my current experiments, but she doesn't need to know that. 

She laced her fingers together as she sat up. “You have my thanks. Contact me when it is ready. Also—if you have the remains of any strong creatures, keep them for me. I will be able to put them to use.”

“Sounds like a fun time. I’ll have it ready in no time. Just let me get back to the lab.”