Free Melancholy Wings: Decadence by Matthew Ashworth Page A

Alastor responded in a barking manner, “But good job. What’s the situation now?”
-           “Everybody is confused. I had two Erebus angels visit me, but I told them I didn’t know anything. My master, Lord Beelzebub, isn’t suspecting me either.”
    Alastor growled once again. This time it was acute, and for a second there Malakai thought Alastor was going to strike him. His hand almost darted to his blade handle, but he managed to stop it just in time not to give off a bad impression.
-           “I am pleased to hear it.” Alastor said finally, “Now let me update you on what’s happening over here and also to tell you what you need to do from now on.”
    Malakai just continued listening without saying anything. Alastor took a few seconds to gather his words.
-           “There is an agent of ours in the External World. He is currently harvesting wicked souls for us to use as demon commanders. My master is building an army. Those souls, however, won’t be enough, and so we’ve also taken over Abode of the Corrupted sector. Every soul locked away in it, as of this moment, belongs to us, and we aim to utilise them all too.”
-           “That is a lot of souls.” Malakai commented, wondering how exactly the Pandemonium managed to take over the Abode without a fight. Abode of the Corrupted was a giant prison of souls. It was well guarded, and one couldn’t take control over it without a nasty battle.
-           “Yes. That too is not all. My master still has other means of creating an army.” Alastor spoke mysteriously, “I know this time we will win the war against the Creator and His lowly Utopia!”
-           “You sound confident.”
    Alastor struck the bottom of his spiked hammer against the ground as hard as he could here, releasing some of the vigour. Malakai almost jumped again, but this time it was less surprising to him, as he began getting used to being in Alastor’s vicinity.
-           “You’re damn right I am confident. It’s about time we decimated the Utopia with our sheer power.”
-           “So what do you want me to do?” Malakai started getting tired of Alastor’s boasting and went straight to the point.
-           “You…” Alastor quickly snapped out of his wishful trance and tried recalling what he was supposed to tell Malakai, “You must influence the sectors belonging to the Creator to attack your master. As a result, he will be forced to join us. His army of creatures would be a worthy addition to ours. If he doesn’t, however, then we will have to eradicate him.”
-           “Understood.” Malakai said with a nod, “If that is all, then I’ll be on my way.”
-           “Yes, get out!” Alastor growled and smashed the bottom of his hammer against the ground once again.
    Malakai didn’t respond to that. He just calmly turned around and flew back up towards the cave entrance. Alastor’s manners disgusted him, but he expected nothing more from a demon. There were a lot of things Malakai despised. Arrogance was one of them. He knew that involving himself with demons was a risky choice, but at least it was going to lead him somewhere. Serving in the Underworld wasn’t going to be easy. He realised that a long time ago. However, any risk was justifiable so long as it had a meaningful purpose, a goal.
-           “Filthy excuse for a creature.” He muttered quietly the moment he flew into the cave.
     

 
    Chapter 10
    Swift Retreat
     
     
     
    Lazarus heard every word that was exchanged between Malakai and Alastor. There was a lot to take in, and by the end of their conversation he was feeling immensely appalled. It turned out Hades was right to suspect Malakai. Malakai was scheming with the demons of Pandemonium all along and was responsible for sending a troop of infantry beasts to attack Erebus and Helheim.
     When he saw Malakai