Drop by drop, Sip by sip. The gold tinted crimson blood was gradually drained from the goblet with every new follower that it was passed to. Those who had had their drink looked at their new hands in amazement, flexing their fingers as they felt the newfound strength rushing through them while those who had not had their drink yet looked on with envy.

They licked their lips, as if it was the first drink they were being offered after a year wandering the desert, and eagerly waited their turns with parched throats.

But it was a thirst that would never be quenched, as with another sip taken, a peculiar sound echoed through the silent streets of the 'cockroach area' of the Lightbringers blessed city. A rhytmic tapping, bouncing off the ramshackle hovels that could barely be called houses and filling the air around them.

TAP...TAP...TAP...TAP

The Lightbringers eyes immediately darted to the shadows cast by his empowered cockroaches, and for good reason. The shadows had grown black as night itself and swayed slightly as if they were being cast by a fires light, rather than a static light of his statues overbearing, all-seeing eyes. It made them seem alive.

Wisps of black smoke curled from these shadows, like the chilled air that danced above ice, and the air itself grew still and cold to compensate. The rhythmic tapping continued, until a foot stepped out of the shadows and into the light cast by the grandiose statue.

Lord Corvus stepped through the yet to be constructed portion of the defensive wall, and strolled down the street towards them slowly. The tapping coming from the shaft of his Scythe, which he tapped against the ground with every step, as he leaned on it like a walking stick.

"Lightbringer... This ends now."

The eery voice was little more than a whisper, yet it easily reached the ears of all the followers, sending shivers down their spine. Whether they had a new blessing or not. Yet while they shivered in fear at the imposing aura, the Lightbringer thrust his arm towards the approaching dark lord, and hissed with anger.

"There! That is the demon leader, the one who wields wretched black magic. You have tasted my blood Little Lambs, now go! Go! Prove yourselves worthy of being by my side! Prove yourselves worthy of these blessings!"

The black robed followers glanced back at the Lightbringers nervously, all of them silently asking the same question.

'You seriously want us to fight THAT?!'

But it was a silent question for a reason, because none dared to actually voice it. Instead they all shared a few anxious glances, before one of their members let out a hearty war cry and charged forwards.

"FOR THE LIGHTBRINGERRRR!"

Powerful steps sent him charging down the street at speeds only achievable by world class Olympic sprinters of the old world. It was nothing compared to the speeds that the likes of the Lightbringer or Seth could achieve, but that was where they hoped numbers would matter.

The first man charging was like the dam breaking, as the rest of the newly empowered crowd quickly followed after him. Bounding down the street with immense strength, they charged like a herd of bull towards Lord Corvus, who did not stop in his methodical stroll in the slightest.

Laughing proudly to himself, the Lightbringer threw his hand outwards dramatically and raised himself into the air once more, drifting back towards his manor.

"How do you like it boy? You have your army, I have mine! You made a mistake coming here. Here I am in control. Here I am God! And you? You are all alone-"

KRAKOOOM!

The Lightbringers followers skidded to a stop mid charge, whirling around to look towards the area where they had once stood. A cloud of dirt poured from the area, as a deep crater had formed itself into the ground as if an explosion had gone off.

Those who had not got their chance to sip the blood of their god, and had simply been left standing there, were all thrown to the side by the force of the explosion. Some of them holding their heads, which gushed with blood, while others simply lay still, with it being unclear if they were still breathing or not.

Eyes trailed upwards towards the colossal statue of their Divine Lightbringer, the all-seeing statue which had gracefully watched over them every day for months, as it pulled its hand back from the devastating bitch slap it had just dealt, swatting the Lightbringer like a fly.

The colossal statue stood tall, towering over them like a true god, as its all-seeing eyes burned into them, as if it was staring into their very souls.

"I am a kind man... So I am giving you one chance. Step aside, and you will live."

The low, muttering voice brought their attention to the approaching Lord Corvus, who had not broken stride or slowed in the slightest. Even as the statue knelt down and started to rain punch after punch down into the crater, the visage of god relentlessly beating that which it represented, under the orders of its new master.

Each punch trembled the ground, but for some reason, they feared the man slowly walking towards them more than the divine colossus. However... the promise of glory and the grace of god was enough for some fools to overcome their fear.

"DIE DEMON SCUM!"

"THIS IS FOR HIS GREATNESS!"

"DIEEEEE!"

Five individuals leapt forwards, their arms cocked back as they launched simultaneous attacks on the approaching man. They were sure that with their new strength, they would be able to defeat him and prove themselves. They were certain of it.

However as strong as their delusion and belief was... Lord Corvus was far stronger.

With a swipe of his Scythe, a single wave of his weapon, five lives were claimed. Heads fell from their necks, bouncing and rolling across the ground, before the headless bodies fell alongside them. Blood spurting from their stumps curled in the air, swirling towards the black Scythe which hungrily devoured their blood.

Even now, Lord Corvus never broke stride. Killing five men... was as simple as reaping wheat in a field. He spoke again, his voice gentle and carrying with it a morose tone.

"I am a kind man... but not take that kindness for weakness. I used to dread the thought of killing, I would do anything to avoid it. But people like you... they just keep pushing and pushing, thinking I won't do anything just because I'm kind. Thinking they can just walk all over me and take advantage of something I choose to give them, out of compassion. Out of simple fucking humanity and civility.

Well I'm done... No second chances. Not anymore. So who's next?"

There was a fine line between courage and stupidity. A fine line that the remaining powered individuals leapt over as they attacked again, leaving only a singular member of their enhanced group trembling in fear.

That singular member crouched down, curling into a trembling and shaking ball on the ground as they wept silently to themselves. They saw the shadows stir beneath them and quickly covered their eyes, not daring to look at what came next. Only listening as their corpses dropped to the ground after being skewered by shadows at a wave of the Demon Lord's hand.

The remaining blessed individual trembled more, their silent weeping becoming audible and messy, as the continuous and uninterrupted tapping sound grew ever closer... before passing them by completely.

They raised their head, a mixture of tears and snot dripping down their face as they looked over their shoulder at the tall, imposing back of the Death bringer, who had simply walked passed them without even sparing them a glance.

That was the cue for the rest of them, those who had not received the blessing of their God's blood, to bow their heads and not fight back. They even made to shuffle out of his way, lest their simple presence in his path would make them end up as another corpse left in his wake.

Only one man still resisted.

A beam of light as thick as a train blasted upwards from the crater in the ground, melting the hand of the statue and sending molten metal flying outwards as the colossal giant stumbled backwards from the force.

The next moment, a bloodied and ragged man leapt from the crater with absolute animosity plastered across his once handsome face. Blood coated the majority of his body, dripping from countless wounds, the worst of which being the giant gash across his chest, which looked seriously infected with the web of black veins spreading out from it.

His nose was bent sideways and one of his eyes were swollen shut from the relentless beating. Spitting blood and missing teeth, the Lightbringer stumbled forwards on shaky legs.

"How dare you... I am a God! I am above you, you worthless little wretch! I always have been! You think you can beat me? I am Immortal! I am everlasting! I am Invin-"

The words caught in his throat, his expression falling into abject horror and shock, as a sword blade erupted from the gash in his chest. Astra's sword, which had been hovering above every battle and waiting for the prime moment to strike, had finally taken its vengeance.

Seth was going to use it to take his head. But this seemed better. It was not the weapon he feared that ended him, but the sword of the woman he had tried to kill. The sword of His Queen.

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