Primordial Slime: I Devour The World

The council hall had never been this packed before.

Tanaka stood in the middle of the great room where the rulers of Eldoris normally gathered around the long oak table, Raishin, Rogan, Raveana, Ryuken, Relia, Raizen, Razer, Torga, Drakar, Zephyr, Sora and Eldrin, all present.

There was usually been laughter and bickering to fill the chamber, but today there was none of that. Even usually-enthusiastic Raveana remained silent whenever battle was even mentioned. Tanaka placed both palms on the table. "From now on, Eldoris will prepare for war."

A long pause echoed throughout the room before Sora narrowed her eyes, and Raishin leaned forward. "How soon?" "Anytime."

Tanaka studied the map. "Rhazek hasn’t come searching for us without reason, that is clear. He has evolved before coming here, which means he has already gained whatever he wanted."

Raishin gave a short nod. "And he has decided that now is the time to stop pretending." "Correct." Tanaka traced the northern region on the map. "His forces are already set to march, Karesh and the other Varkesh envoys have left with him, which means the ruse is over, Varkesh is no longer pretending to be friends with Eldoris."

Razien’s ears went flat. "The north?"

"They will most likely come from that border," Tanaka mused, "It is the closest approach between Varkesh and Eldoris."

Razer placed his huge hand on the table. "That means we fight them there." Tanaka nodded. "That means we will."

Eldrin stood back, away from the table. He expected Tanaka to give him a task, as he so often did, but instead Tanaka met his eyes.

"Eldrin." "Yes, Lord Tanaka?" "You are to stay in Eldoris." The room went quiet again. Eldrin frowned. He expected Tanaka to send him on a mission in case of war, not turn him away. "You want me to stay?"

"I do."

Eldrin turned to the others, whom he knew would be fighting. Raizen was bracing for the front lines, Razer already thinking of the dangers within the Northern wilderness, Raishin wore his usual calm mask before great battles, Eldrin knew exactly what Tanaka asked of him.

"Why?"

"Because someone must protect the city."

Tanaka’s gaze did not waver. "The armies march toward the border, the strongest warriors shall go with me, but Eldoris cannot be left defenceless just because Varkesh decides to attack." Eldrin crossed his arms.

"If the enemy breaks through?" "Then you defend the city." "And if the battle comes to the heart of the city?" Tanaka met his gaze. "Then you protect those within." A long pause stretched between them before Eldrin finally nodded.

"I understand."

Tanaka turned back to the table. "As well as anyone vital to the operation of the city. Food, crafters, healers, everything must be ready. We cannot sacrifice our lives just because Varkesh attacks" This part Tanaka had already discussed with the market and storage keepers, Kessa was not yet on the council, but she had already started preparing emergency supplies, war was not just fought with claws and magic.

Tanaka turned to look at Seris, who was standing alone near the wall. "About the humans." Seris caught on immediately. "The Velmoran representatives," "Yes, and any other human delegates still in Eldoris," Seris drew herself up. "We are not planning on leaving." Tanaka’s gaze darkened. "I’m not asking you to leave," He shot a look at the others. "Only to stay somewhere safe,"

Seris was silent, "We came under diplomatic protection. "And I shall be the one to uphold that promise," Tanaka replied. His voice softened, "But diplomacy will not stop the storm, nor will it stop the rain of arrows or magic. It will not stop a beast from tearing through your door." Seris regarded him. "You believe the city might fall" "I believe I cannot risk your lives," That was enough to silence her. Tanaka continued. "I hope this will never come to actual war. I really do, if we can stop Rhazek before he gets near our walls I would prefer that over the loss of thousands of innocent lives."

Raishin shot him a look. "But you don’t believe he can be stopped." "No," Tanaka turned to gaze out the northern gate. "Not anymore, you felt it when he came here,"

Sora stepped closer. Tanaka sighed.

Raishin frowned. "What was it? "I don’t think you’ve ever sensed anything like that before." Sora added. Tanaka exhaled slowly.

"His mana,"

At this everyone perked up, Raishin’s expression clouded over slightly. "Too much?" "Too thick," Tanaka looked at his palm, his mana sense could pick that up, most of it, the amount was easy to define, not so much the actual depth of it, he could tell how big the ocean was without knowing the exact depth, and that was how it was with his magic, he could tell the size of the well, but nothing below the surface. Raveana narrowed her eyes. "And yours?

Tanaka paused before answering truthfully.

"His was stronger than my own,"

There was an uncomfortable pause, even Raveana failed to smirk. Tanaka continued, to prevent any misinterpretation. "It was not heavier than Malachiels, it is different." Sora’s gaze swept over him. "Malachiel is still in another class." Tanaka looked around the table and gave a small, sad smile. "I understand completely, but Rhazek’s power is far greater than I anticipated. Whatever that damned rot did to him, it shoved him somewhere I have yet to reach," Raishin clenched his fist.

"Then we will have to do everything we have got," Tanaka nodded seriously. "We will." Tanaka stood up straight. "Raizen, get your Star Wolves and the Crimson Fanged Wolves to the northern roads, Razer, take the Orcs and clear a path through the wilderness, I don’t want Varkesh troops running past us in the thick of the woods. Torga, Drakar, keep the supply lines open. Zephyr, I want constant observation from Mana Birds, report any movement. Raishin ,you’re with me, as expected. Rogin, Raveana, Ryuken, Relia, join the main force,"

The Kijin rulers nodded, Tanaka turned to face Sora for the last part. "You too," Soras’ eyes widened in delight. "I was hoping you would say that," Tanaka gave a short look to his friend, "Just stay close," "Always," Tanaka turned to the great doors. "We prepare for what is coming,"

_________

Varkesh was not preparing for a siege, not in the least. The change in the Monster King had affected them all, and Karesh along with the other Varkesh envoys, were standing with the gathered army as Rhazek delivered his speech. No one questioned him, no one needed to. They all felt the difference. The Monster King that had left Varkesh was no more. Standing before them was a Demon Lord. Rhazeck surveyed the troops.

"Prepare the northern forces,"

Weapons were polished, armor repaired, beasts rounded up, warriors drilled, mages formed small circles around their commanders before setting off toward the northern border, from the surrounding settlements animals were brought in, and Karesh stood beside Malthen who shot a strange look at the Demon Lord.

"Will we attack immediately?" Rhazek shook his head. "No," His gaze lingered on the map

"Eldoris is strong." Karesh frowned. "You believe Tanaka to be stronger than yourself?" "No," Rhazek gave a small smile. "But he is useful," Malthen stared at him. " Useful?" "I would put all my power into a single strike to take down the greatest threat I know." Rhazek tapped the map on the point marking Eldoris. "The evolution has given me the power of a Demon Lord, but that does not mean I know everything that entails,"

Karesh listened carefully. "The evolution changed you physically, magically and in combat skill." Rhazek sneered, "Yes all that but not experience," He clenched his fist, the power roiling inside him was huge, but his control of it was not as strong, his senses were telling him what his new body could hold but not the limits, his skills were all beyond anything he had known before but not tested, war would fix that.

It would teach him and show him what it could do, every battle would bring a lesson, a new enemy would show him a weakness, and every death would bring his new body to new heights, but Tanaka would be the greatest prize he could get from this. "If I kill him," Rhazek mused, "I may gain more than just his territory." Karesh nodded. "Experience,"

Rhazek smirked "The easiest way to learn about power is to survive against someone who can kill you," Malthen lowered his head.

"And if he fails?" "So I learn something different," Rhazek turned and faced the Northern horizon, "How far above the world a Demon Lord stands," The armies set off.

Night fell over Eldoris, and with it Tanaka stood alone near the northern wall, the city stirred behind him, weapons were being prepared and crates were being gathered, everywhere people worked double time, readying themselves for the coming war, the Monster King sent word of his intent to attack soon, everyone knew it would not be long now, Tanaka rested his hands on the stone, thinking of Rhazek.

The pressure, the magic, the change, and the confidence. There was something else, he could feel it, the Demon Lord was not bluffing, he wasn’t just posturing for the fun of it, he genuinely believed he could win.

Tanaka turned is gaze away from the dark forest behind him, where was Malachiel? He had not seen him since that day at the water pond, the true dragon could appear anywhere, he had a habit of wandering off, but still, Tanaka wished him here, not that he thought Malachiel would help, no, something was in the air, a feeling Tanaka could not explain, there was more to this than met the eye.

Tanaka gazed beyond the city, into the darkness.

"When are you coming back?"

Far out on the other side of the wall stood the border between two monster nations, and far away, drums began to beat.