Chapter 924: Orous
"BOOM!"
A burst of infernal might detonated through the chamber, blasting away the bubbling plasma that had been concealing the figure within. The molten ichor evaporated in a single wave of searing light, and his true form was revealed.
The being who emerged was humanoid in outline, but utterly beyond mortal comprehension. His flesh seemed forged from molten obsidian, cracked and glowing with golden rivers of solar fire that pulsed like veins of magma. Every fracture across his muscular frame bled brilliance, as though his body were a container struggling to hold the wrath of a collapsing star.
Where his head should have been lay no face, no features—only a perfect eclipse: a black void crowned with a blazing corona of flame. From this dark sun spilled tendrils of golden fire, writhing like serpents of living plasma, lashing the air with crackling heat. The absence of a face only deepened the terror of his presence. He was less a man and more a cosmic calamity given flesh, the embodiment of destruction shaped into the silhouette of a god.
He stood monolithic and immovable, chest thrust forward, fists clenched at his sides. His body radiated both elegance and overwhelming violence, every muscle etched in light that burst through cracks in his skin.
Moroir and Skeler collapsed to their knees at once. Their heads bowed so low it was as though they sought to bury themselves in the stone. Their voices shook, but they roared together with reverence.
"We salute you, Lord Orous!"
The monstrous ritual they had conducted had succeeded. The one who now stood before them was none other than Orous, Master of Sector Three of the Third Layer of Hell, eternal rival to Nebolex, the Master of Sector Four.
Orous cast his burning gaze—or what passed for a gaze—over the chamber, before settling on the two Devil Lords. Instantly, his aura expanded.
The sheer weight of Orous’ aura was indescribable. Moroir and Skeler felt as though celestial bodies were collapsing on their shoulders. Their bones creaked, their muscles threatened to tear, their very existence buckled under the pressure.
"You were supposed to summon me after reaching the tomb," Orous thundered, his voice reverberating like molten rock grinding against itself, a vibration that shook body and soul. "And only if you failed to bring me the corpse directly. Yet you dare call me forth here?"
The oppressive force doubled, their skin sizzling as though molten metal were poured upon it. They dared not speak, dared not breathe.
"Nebolex is a beast, but he is not a fool," Orous continued, his rage rising like a tidal wave. "He believes me still cultivating within the heart of my domain. He does not know that I found a path to this sacred dimension even after the connection to Hell was severed. That deception will not last forever. And yet you summon me here prematurely—before the tomb is even within our grasp!"
The infernal pressure grew unbearable. Their armor melted. Their flesh blistered. Their screams caught in their throats as they writhed, unable to bear his fury.
At last, when he had vented enough of his wrath, Orous allowed his aura to recede. The fire dimmed, leaving the two Lords trembling on the ground, their skin blackened, their strength nearly gone.
"Th–thank you for your mercy, Lord Orous," they stammered in unison, bowing even lower.
Desperate to prevent his master’s fury from reigniting, Moroir forced his trembling lips to speak.
"We... we have reached the citadel at the heart of the Sacred Dimension. By the Law-radiation saturating this place, we are confident this is where the tomb of the Primordial God lies."
He hesitated, his voice quivering as he took a deep breath, not daring to meet Orous’s eclipse-like visage.
"However... the dangers we face are far too severe. We cannot reach the tomb at this rate. And worse... we have uncovered more presences here. Not only the Devils of Sector Four, but Demons of the Abyss have entered. And... I believe I detected the radiance of an Archangel weeks ago."
The word hung in the air like a thunderclap.
"A Demon Lord."
The flames around Orous shifted, burning lower, but his voice deepened, carrying the weight of judgment. "And an Archangel as well?"
"Yes, Lord," Skeler confirmed, his tone a rasp of terror.
For the first time, Orous grew solemn. If forces from both Abyss and Heaven had discovered this dimension, then matters had become truly dire. What should have been a battle of Devils for dominance now risked becoming a battlefield of cosmic factions.
"Then there is no time to waste," Orous said. His voice cracked like stone splitting under pressure. "We must find the tomb quickly. I will seize the corpse and return to Hell before Heaven or the Abyss can interfere."
"Yes, Lord!"
Relief poured through Moroir and Skeler, though their faces still burned with pain. It seemed—for now—that Orous had spared them.
The trio advanced. They crossed through the corridor and emerged into another vast chamber. At first, it seemed empty. The air was silent, stagnant, yet heavy with menace.
Moroir and Skeler stiffened. They could sense the ominous aura saturating the space, but there was nothing visible to strike, no enemy to face. Their nerves frayed with every passing second.
Orous, however, was not so blind.
His molten body ignited, radiance flooding the chamber. Every corner, every shadow was stripped away by light. And then, with a gesture, he unleashed a storm. A frenzy of golden fire burst from him in all directions, consuming every inch of the space.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The screams began.
Figures materialized from the flames—phantoms, men and women clad in ancient religious garments. Unlike the beasts of before, they looked human. But they were mutilated beyond recognition. Their eyes gouged out, fingers severed, legs twisted until bones jutted through torn flesh.
Even Moroir and Skeler, devils steeped in atrocity, were shaken. The torment these souls had endured was beyond imagination, suffering so profound it had etched itself into their very spirits.
Orous, however, showed no reaction. He continued to burn them without hesitation. The phantoms writhed, their screams reverberating as they were consumed. One by one they collapsed into ash, until silence returned.
Then the flames that had filled the chamber drew back, spiraling into Orous’s body. His aura surged higher, burning hotter, more violent than before.
Without a word, he moved forward.
A new piece had been added to the board. The danger of the tomb had just risen to another level.