The Devouring Dragon

Far from the Underworld, in a place visited very rarely, there was a meeting being held. Rain poured down from above, and the very air surrounding a large tower, which jutted up in the middle of an ocean as waves crashed against the base, felt thick. 

It felt more than thick. It felt powerful.

That power was felt as a boom of lightning shot downward from the dark clouds overhead, casually striking the top of the jutting structure.

"You have some gall, Allfather," A slightly humorous and teasing voice spoke, belonging to a tall blonde man as he appeared in a crack of lightning, "Sending a valkyrie to request my personal presence? You really have gone senile in your old age, haven't you?"

The man looked to be in his late 30s or early 40s and was muscular, with lean muscles covering his entire frame, along with only wearing a rather loose white robe with a red pattern. On his face was blonde facial hair, which was pretty short as it framed his mouth and hung off his jaw. His lightning-blonde hair was medium length, reaching his shoulders, as he had piercing golden eyes.

"He did the same to me, King of the Greeks. It was indeed quite arrogant of you, Norse King," Another voice chuckled, belonging to another middle-aged-looking man, who was already sitting casually at a round table as Zeus approached the group, "Though, I suppose I should be honored, shouldn't I? It's not often a god contacts a lowly magician, hm?"

Compared to the relatively normal-looking Zeus, who, despite definitely fitting the image of a god, could still easily pass as a handsome and athletic man, Mephisto Pheles looked a bit more unique. He had a thin and handsome face, but his eyes were two different colors, with the left being light blue and the right blood-red.

His hair matched his eyes, as it was split in half with the left side being a smooth, gelled back light blue, while the right was dark red. He was wearing a rather casual-looking suit and was leaning back in his chair lazily, looking over at Odin with a light smirk.

"If you were a lowly magician, then you wouldn't be here, devil," A far deeper voice chuckled lightly, belonging to a figure that definitely didn't fit in at the round table, "Though I'm curious why you truly are here. Your kind is already subservient to the main topic of this meeting, are they not?"

By comparison to Mephisto and Zeus, who were still at least human-sized, the third man was a giant - literally. Surtr was massive, standing at roughly fifty feet tall, as the participants at the round table looked like ants by comparison.

His body was broad and thick, with muscles bulging all over his slightly red-glowing skin. A wild aura seemed to fill the air around him, and the occasional flame of fire escaped through his large nostrils as he breathed.

The Fire Giant was dressed in a long gray robe, which stretched down even his massive body and pooled at his feet. He was also sitting in a giant version of the chair the other participants were seated in, which was easily over fifty feet tall, as he sat stiffly in it.

"Because he's the leader of the Grauzauberer, Fire Giant Surtr." The final man sitting at the round table was much more gentle-looking, smiling kindly at the massive being, "He only became a devil so he could continue his research for longer, did you not, Mephisto?"

The last figure looked almost angelic - well, actually, he looked very angelic, as that's what he was. He had smooth white skin, a handsome, kind-looking face, and long blonde hair that flowed down his rather average frame. His skin seemed to glow, radiating an aura of comfort and light around him, and a yellow halo floated above his head.

"You're correct, Michael," Mephisto just grinned lightly, waving his hand lazily in the air, "Whether I'm a devil or a human makes no difference to me. One allowed me to live longer and create many great things, so why would I not choose that one?"

"I don't care if you're a devil, human, or even a monster," Zeus interrupted, just looking at the man with slightly narrowed eyes, "If you'll spill what's said here to our common enemy, then there's no point in having this meeting."

"Our common enemy?" Mephisto just hummed, his grin widening as he locked eyes with Zeus, "Our common enemy? I didn't know my group shared anything in common with the Greek Gods, so who might that be?"

"Enough with this talk," Odin finally spoke, leaning forward as he interrupted the two, "We all know that Mephisto cares not for his race. You all also know why I've called for this meeting: The Beast King Valon and the Khaos Brigade."

"Only one of those is really a problem," Surtr snorted, looking down with narrowed eyes at Odin, "To call such a meeting about an upstart, are you really that afraid? Either this is an attempt to stab us in the back, or you've lost your balls in your old age."

"An upstart that took over the entire Underworld in just a few months," Odin countered, narrowing his eyes back at Surtr, "Even that is being generous. None of us had ever heard of him until a few months ago, but he practically conquered the Underworld overnight. Don't let our kind's never-ending conflict blind your vision of the bigger picture. We'll never have the chance to fight in Ragnarok if we're turned into lapdogs like the devils were."

"And you want us to do something about that? Let the Khaos Brigade deal with him," Zeus just huffed at Odin's words. "There's no need to make such a big fuss about him. The Beast King seems competent, but the Khaos Brigade are morons leeching off of a foolish dragon. With him ruling the Underworld, they'll naturally do something moronic, and they'll take each other out. After that, the scraps will go to whoever gets them first, just like always."

"Ah, not to be rude, but that's an uninformed opinion," Michael chimed in, looking apologetically at Zeus as he pretty much called his words stupid. "The Khaos Brigade is more likely to work with the Beast King than attack him."

"What? Why would those terrorists do that?" Surtr asked, looking a bit doubtful, "There are too many opposing parts in that group for them to make allies."

"Because one of those opposing parts is Katerea Leviathan - the only surviving leader from the Old Satan Faction," Odin explained easily, "She's become the Beast King's lover, and he has a direct pipeline to Ophis. Considering the Infinite Dragon God's sole goal requires powerful helpers, do you think she'll prioritize anyone over him?"

"He's not all that powerful," Surtr huffed back a bit arrogantly, "He defeated that young Satan, but he's not the only Super Devil around. He simply must not have been as powerful as the rumors said he was if this upstart defeated him."

"He's not the only Super Devil, but he might as well be," Odin narrowed his eyes at Surtr again. "Stop being purposely dense because we're naturally opposed. We both know Rizevim Lucifer holds that title in name only - he's stronger than other Ultimate-Class devils, but compared to Sirzechs Lucifer, he might as well be an ant trying to face down a giant. I've seen his power personally, and I know the rumors weren't exaggerating it."

"If what you're saying is true, then this meeting isn't as simple as your valkyries made it seem," Zeus interrupted, raising an eyebrow at Odin, "If he truly is as powerful as you say and has both Sirzechs Lucifer and Ajuka Beelzebub under his control, not to mention that Dragon King, then this isn't something a simple meeting can solve. If he truly gains Ophis' support, then even all of us united wouldn't be able to do anything right away. We would need to wage a drawn-out war."

"Yes, and the ones who could do something immediately don't seem to be here," Mephisto hummed, looking curiously at Odin, "Should I assume that the Hindu Pantheon declined to attend, and that you didn't suddenly decide to invite the Jotunn, your enemies, but not the two gods who could turn the tables in our favor?"

"I did send the invite, and it was accepted," Odin said simply, and a chuckle resounded throughout the room.

"You're more impressive than I thought, Norse Allfather," The deep voice of Indra spoke into the room, and Zeus tensed, starting to spin around before the Hindu god placed a hand on his shoulder, "A meeting between some of the strongest factions this world has to offer, and here I thought none of you would feel my presence."

"Y-You've been here the whole time?" Zeus hissed lightly, glancing over his shoulder as Indra towered over him, not even noticing that the man had been hovering behind him for the entire meeting.

"Don't give me too much credit, Hindu King," Odin just chuckled lightly at Indra's slight compliment, "I'm old and wise, not powerful. Now that you've decided to join the conversation, this meeting can truly get started. An alliance is necessary to deal with this threat, as it's not just the Beast King but the devil, Grigori, and Youkai forces he commands. This is something unprecedented, and unless you all intend to fall under his banner as well, we must make a stand."

"...If you're onboard, Indra, then I suppose I have no choice but to agree," Surtr huffed, glancing down at the Hindu God of War, "Our victory would be guaranteed, and anyone who misses out on an opportunity like this would be left in the dust."

"I agree," Mephisto simply nodded, grinning slightly, "The Grauzauberer tend to stay out of business like this, but with the Hindu Pantheon's support, and all the spoils of the entire Underworld up for grabs, I'd be a fool to decline."

"I would have to also agree," Michael nodded simply, his kind smile not dropping, "The devils are our sworn enemies, and while I'd rather not have to take them out in this manner, I won't turn down this opportunity."

"Then, all that's left to discuss is who gets what afterward," Zeus grinned widely as everyone at the table agreed, "Naturally, I'll need the Land of the Dead returned to Hades. I won't take no for an answer."

"Hades is the one who fled the land like a coward," Surtr growled, causing Zeus to look up at him sharply, "Someone such as him doesn't deserve that prime position. I'll be taking it."

"If you think I'm backing down on this, then you're more foolish-"

"Can you all shut up?" Zeus was cut off as a thick tension suddenly filled the room, Indra's face becoming a bit annoyed as he narrowed his eyes at him, "Who said I agreed to support this little meeting of cowards?"

With the god's words, the tension in the room became even thicker. Each being tensed, their blood going cold at the man's dramatic words. 

Surtr glared down as his hand gripped the side of his chair tightly. Zeus glanced back at the man as he stepped forward, standing between him and Surtr, with narrowed eyes. Mephisto's hand rose, a staff casually being raised as he was ready to leave at a moment's notice, and even Michael tensed lightly.

"Why are you here if you weren't interested in cooperating, Indra?" Odin was the only one who kept his composure, just raising an eyebrow at Indra's words.

"To make sure you weaklings don't do anything annoying," Indra just smirked annoyingly, causing the tension in the room to rise even higher, though none of the powerful leaders were dumb enough to oppose his words, "The world is just starting to get interesting, and you want to put down the pup before he has a chance to grow?"

"He won't be entertaining when he's at your neck, Indra," Odin countered, locking eyes with the far stronger god as he didn't back down, "We're all gods, so we all know that things always seem much more fun when it's lower beings suffering. When the Beast King and the Khaos Brigade have ravaged the world and turn to you, you will not think it's all fun and games anymore."

"No, in fact, I think that's when it'll be the most fun!" Indra just grinned widely, his face twisting as an unnaturally large smile filled it, "Killing such an interesting person before they reach their full potential is such a shame. I'd much rather he come for my throat than die from a bunch of cowardly ants teaming up on him."

"Then, are you asking us to do nothing as he continues to grow stronger?" Odin asked, leaning forward as his eyes bored into Indra's, "To sit still as he turns his sight to our kingdoms? You are going too far. We all respect your strength and the strength of the Hindu Pantheon, but even for you, this is crossing the line."

"Don't look so serious, old fool," Indra just continued to grin, not backing down at Odin's words, "I'm not asking you to keel over like the mutts you are when he comes knocking, but instead to just wait a bit. I'll even give you a timetable."

Indra held up his hand, pointing one finger up into the air as all eyes were on him, "One year. Let him grow for another year. It'll take you that long to prepare for war anyway, will it not? In fact, after that year, I'll even join your cause!"

Indra's eyes bored into Odin's, daring the Allfather to deny him, and the room fell deathly silent. Despite the Hindu God's arrogant demand, there wasn't a soul amongst the powerful faction leaders who dared to interrupt him and risk taking his wrath.

"...One year," Odin finally nodded, glancing around the room at the other factions, "As of today, our alliance can begin. For the next year, we will plan, prepare, and discuss the division of the Beast King and Khaos Brigade's spoils. Then, we will wage our war."

The room was silent again for a moment, with none of the faction leaders speaking, but then Zeus finally broke the silence.

"Fine, fine," The God of Thunder sighed, standing from his chair as he casually turned around, "A year is like a day to those as old as us anyway, right? I look forward to working with you all."

In the blink of an eye, thunder crashed into the tower again, and the form of Zeus was gone.

"I'm also pretty patient," Michael just smiled brightly, a soft glow started to surround him, "I'll meet with you again soon, Allfather Odin."

In a flash of light, the leader of Heaven was gone.

"This was quite unexpected, but I'd still be foolish to be left out of this," Mephisto nodded, raising his staff as a magic circle appeared under his chair, "You have Grauzauberer's support, Odin."

He vanished into the circle, and just Odin, Indra, and Surtr were left in the tower room.

"...I hate having to work with you, but I suppose I don't have a choice," Surtr just grunted, standing up in a huff, causing his head to almost slam into the large roof floating overhead. He didn't say anything else, simply lashing out his arm and smashing through the wall of the large tower with his hand.

The bricks of stone were sent flying in every direction, and the wall crumbled partially as rain started to pour into the meeting room. Surtr stepped forward, literally walking off the side of the towering structure as he fell down towards the ocean below, and was out of sight of Indra and Odin.

"Don't go back on your word," Odin said simply as it was only he and Indra remaining, "I don't care how interesting the Beast King is to you. In one year, you will help us kill him."

"Of course. If he can't become strong enough to entertain me in that time, then he's not as special as I thought he was." Indra simply grinned, "In one year, I will fight to the death with the Beast King."

As both gods stared each other down, one much more doubtful than the other, neither realized the conversation taking place just outside the tower's walls. As Surtr fell into the ocean with a boom, causing the sea to ripple with large waves in every direction, a figure floated nearby casually.

Before the Fire Giant could teleport away, the figure spoke to him.

"Fire Giant Surtr. I don't think we've met before," Surtr turned to the side, taking in the sight of a green-haired devil with a kind smile on his face, "My name is Ajuka Beelzebub. I'm sure you're thinking about a lot after that meeting, but my King has taken an interest in you."

"Your King?" Surtr just muttered, looking at Ajuka a bit cautiously, but also with interest.

Ajuka continued to smile pleasantly, his eyes staring into Surtr's own interested ones.

"For someone as prideful as yourself, I'm sure being pushed around by Indra is rather annoying. So…"

Ajuka's pleasant smile shifted upward, taking the form of a large grin as Surtr's eyes widened slightly.

"Let's kill him."

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AN: Thank you for reading! The next chapter will be posted tomorrow!

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