Harmony of Hatred: The Wicked Pianist

After his encounter at the Throne of Hell, Julian Lucien Malrick returned to Lumièrebourg, his mind filled with the map of destruction the Devil had shown him. His first step was to consolidate his pawns. In the magnificent throne room, where Queen Isabelle von Valois sat, Julian spoke with a voice imbued with new authority.

"Your Majesty," Julian uttered, his eyes gleaming coldly. "You are now the conductor for a symphony grander than you can imagine. I appoint you Demon Commander for the entire region of Lumièrebourg. Your task is to expand the banquet of sin we have begun. Recruit thirsty souls, establish new cults, and ensure the melody of darkness permeates every corner of this land."

Queen Isabelle looked at him, her eyes radiating an almost blind loyalty, a faint smile etched on her lips. "I shall execute your command, Maestro. For your honor, and for true freedom."

Julian nodded in satisfaction. "Good. I shall depart soon. There are other countries in Europe I must visit. There are other demon commanders I must meet and conquer, or unify under my banner. This symphony requires a global orchestra."

Before he stepped out of Lumièrebourg, a dark whisper pierced his mind, the Devil's voice now feeling like his own internal thought. William Richard. He is in Velmira. A land of peace, Maestro. The opportune time to test your power. Your vengeance can now begin.

A cruel smile stretched across Julian's lips. Velmira. A country known for its natural beauty, the tranquility of its citizens, and their love for art. A perfect place to shatter. Without wasting time, Julian set off, his journey no longer guided by human maps, but by a newly born instinct.

[Arrival in Velmira and the Hunt]

Velmira was a quiet and peaceful land, filled with lush green valleys and clear rivers flowing between towering mountains. Its inhabitants were known for their hospitality and love for art, with musicians and poets scattered in every corner. Upon his arrival, Julian deliberately acted as a wandering musician, his cloak simple, his lute worn. This was a perfect disguise to infiltrate the hearts of the people, a flawless mask to corrupt them from within. The people of Velmira, thirsty for new art, warmly welcomed him. They offered him food, shelter, and ears eager for new melodies.

For a full month, Julian resided in Velmira, playing music in town squares, local taverns, and small gatherings. He spread melodies that seemed beautiful on the surface, but within them lurked whispers of dissonance, seeds of doubt and selfishness. Yet, amidst his mission, his sharp eyes ceaselessly searched. He asked subtle questions, observed every shadow. He knew William wouldn't be living in luxury like himself. He must be in hiding.

Finally, the information he sought came from an old, drunken woodcutter in a tavern. "There's a strange man," the woodcutter mumbled, "living deep in the forest, rarely seen. Comes into town occasionally to sell processed wood, then quickly buys provisions and disappears again. He has a strange aura about him."

The forest. Julian knew it was William.

[Confrontation with William and Selene's Intervention]

Julian found William's small wooden hut deep in the forest, by a secluded river. The air was filled with the scent of pine and a deceptive silence. William was splitting firewood, his body robust, yet his movements were slow, as if burdened.

"William," Julian's voice resonated coldly, breaking the silence.

William flinched, his axe falling from his hand. He turned, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Edric? You... you're alive?" His face paled, guilt and fear filling his eyes. "What are you doing here? You... you're not Edric anymore."

Julian smiled, a cruel, blood-chilling smile. "You're right. Edric is dead. I am Julian. And I have come to collect a debt, friend." He stepped closer, drawing a sword from beneath his cloak—a blade untouched by magic, merely cold, lethal steel. He wanted William to feel every human fear. "I want us to fight. No magic. No newfound power. Just you and me. Like old times."

William shook his head, tears welling in his eyes. "No, Edric. I can't. I... I won't fight you. You're my friend. I... I'm sorry." He merely raised his axe, not to strike, but to parry, defending himself with slow, desperate movements.

Julian paid him no mind. He launched his attack, his sword swinging sharply, each strike filled with suppressed fury. He wanted William to feel the same pain he had. William only parried, his body trembling, his voice quivering in pleas for forgiveness. He did not fight back. He did not retaliate. He only parried.

"You're pathetic!" Julian roared, disgust washing over him. "You deserve to die!" He raised his sword high, ready to plunge the cold blade into William's heart, to end this betrayal.

Suddenly, a flash of silver light shot from behind the trees. Selene Merrin appeared, her white gown fluttering in the wind, her eyes radiating resolve. She lunged forward, hands raised, chanting swiftly. A wall of transparent crystal energy materialized between Julian and William, parrying Julian's sword strike.

"Don't touch him!" Selene cried, her voice filled with fury.

Julian gasped, startled. That power! She was a white witch! He stared at Selene with burning eyes. "So, you're his protector! You will regret this, witch!" Julian prepared to unleash his dark magic.

But Selene did not wait. Her face pale and cold sweat beading on her temples, she raised both hands. A far more complex and draining spell began to flow from her lips, an ancient language that twisted reality. The space before them rippled, warped, forming a dark, spinning void—a portal.

"Quick, William!" Selene cried.

William, still transfixed, was pushed by an unseen force into the portal. Selene followed, stepping backward into the swirling darkness. Just before the portal fully closed, Julian saw Selene's gaze. Filled with suffering and determination, but he also saw a drop of blood trickling from the corner of her lips. The portal closed, vanishing without a trace, leaving Julian alone in a burning rage.

[Julian's Fury and the Annihilation of Velmira]

"NOOO!" Julian roared, his voice thundering, shaking the trees. His face was contorted with pure fury. He had been so close! This defeat was an unforgivable humiliation.

The demonic power within him surged, spiraling out of control. Julian raised both hands to the sky. From his body, from the piano he had left in the town square, from every note he had played in Velmira over the past month, dense purple fire began to blaze. The fire did not burn physically, but it permeated, destroying from within. Buildings began to crack, walls crumbled, trees withered and broke like dry twigs. Rivers boiled, the sky transformed into a terrifying dark purple storm.

Julian was the epicenter of that destruction. For the remaining citizens of Velmira, who now ran in panic and screamed in terror, Julian no longer appeared human. He was a monstrous, terrifying figure, a dragon made of burning deep purple fire, roaring over their land, annihilating everything with every dissonant melody he unleashed. Cries of despair and death filled the air.

In a short time, the country of Velmira was annihilated. A total void, a sea of ash and destruction, nothing remained of that peaceful land. Julian smiled, satisfied. This was the true symphony of wrath.

[News Spreads: Demonic Terror]

Neighboring countries witnessed the horrifying spectacle. The sky suddenly turned dark purple, the rumble of destruction heard for miles around. Then, there was only silence. News of the demonic terror sweeping the world began to spread like wildfire, from mouth to mouth, from merchant to ruler. They spoke of "the Maestro who commanded darkness," of "the purple fire that annihilated." Fear gripped Europe. They were no longer just facing rumors; they were facing a real, tangible terror.