Finally, after listening to all of the introductions of the Clan Leaders, Jax took a step forward, and let his aura fly outward.
With that, he wasn't just using the passive authority of Demonic Domination that made all the demons kneel and submit to him instinctively anymore. Now, he was using his true strength, a tyrannic pressure that surged outward from Jax like a tidal wave made of will alone.
It was no longer the passive authority of Demonic Domination that had made demons kneel instinctively. This was a tyrannical pressure surging outward from Jax like a tidal wave made of will alone.
No matter what, Jax knew he needed to stamp his authority as the Demon King. To prove to everyone that he more than had the strength to lead them all, despite all the internal politics involved.
~RUMBLE!~
The Cathedral around him shook violently due to the pressure, struggling to withstand it.
~CRACK~CRACK!~
Cracks began to spiderweb across the bases of the pillars and there seemed to be an earthquake rocking the lands, causing the roar of the crowd to immediately die as i their mouths had been sewn shut.
All of their breaths got caught in their throat, and their hearts hammered in unison with two emotions: Fear & Awe!
Fear at the immense, outrageous level of power that their new Demon King had, and awe at that very power, excited for him to lead them against the Heroes.
Jax's golden eyes burned brighter as his Demonic Eyes of Sin opened fully, not targeting anyone in particular, yet touching everyone.
He saw it all in an instant, all of their sins, and he also saw the same realization dawning on the various Demons, that he was a King who could and would end them if he wished.
Jax stopped at the edge of the altar platform and looked down upon them all, posture relaxed, shoulders loose, hands at his sides. He did not shout. He did not posture.
He simply spoke.
"I am Jax."
He said calmly, his voice booming across the environment and allowing every Demon within the Kingdom to hear him loud and clear.
"I was summoned by the Three Demon Goddesses not to sit on a throne and look impressive, but to fight," he continued, eyes sweeping over the sea of kneeling demons and standing clan leaders alike. "To kill and win against the Heroes,"
A ripple went through the crowd, restrained only by his aura. Jax turned his gaze toward the line of clan leaders, acknowledging each of them in turn.
"Sabrina," he said first, meeting the Succubus Saintess's eyes, "The immediate trust you've placed in me is quite flattering. Your Clan will not be used as disposable pawns under my rule, but instead will be the backbone of the Empire, and you will be rewarded as such,"
Sabrina's breath hitched, her wings trembling as she pressed her forehead to the floor, respectfully kneeling as her devotion was burning hotter than ever.
Jax gave her a little nod and then turned his gaze to another leader.
"Dragon Queen Orianna, I respect your honesty." He said, "You want strength? Fine, there will be more war than your kind as seen in generations, a vicious battle against all of those who want to drive you all to extinction. Stand with me, and you'll feast on the bones of Kings and Heroes alike,"
Orianna's grin widened, sharp and feral. Her tail flicked once behind her as she inclined her head again, far more genuinely this time.
"Nulissa," Jax continued, turning to the Vampire Matriarch, "Your patience will be rewarded. I will be sure to provide your people with the blood and other resources you need to live a comfortable life,"
Jax said. Each of these Clan leaders had their own agendas, all wanting what was best for their people, and he would be sure to give it to them with his power.
Nulissa heard this and bowed her head slightly deeper, crimson eyes gleaming with approval as Jax moved onto the next leader.
"Aurora," he said next, meeting the fox woman's gaze without flinching, "Protecting the future is exactly my intention. Demi-humans will have land, safety, and purpose under my banner."
Aurora's smile softened, something genuine flickering beneath her usual charm as her tails swayed approvingly.
"Xara," Jax said, finally turning to the Fallen Angel leader, the craftiest of all the leaders, "Watch as closely as you like. I welcome scrutiny. Just don't mistake confidence for carelessness or maybe I'll be forced to put you down,"
Xara chuckled quietly, wings rustling, "Oh, I already like you."
"And Lyla," Jax finished, nodding to the Dark Elf Matriarch. "Your forests and borders will be defended. Any who threaten them will learn what it means to vanish."
Lyla pressed her fist tighter to her chest, reverence clear in her posture.
Jax nodded at them all, turning away from the clan leaders to face the millions of Demons staring at him.
His aura intensified once more, but this time, it wasn't a mountain crushing down at them, but a storm at their backs, inspiring them for a better tomorrow.
"The Heroes," Jax said, and the word itself seemed to sour the air, "came to this world calling themselves saviors."
A low, angry murmur rippled through the crowd.
"They burned your Villages and Towns and slaughtered your people. They took your land and dignity and dared to call it divine will. What a farce am I right!"
"YEAH!"
"A SICK JOKE IS WHAT IT WAS!"
Massive roars of agreement echoed from the crowd as Jax's eyes blazed golden, killing intent leaking freely now that sent shivers down the spines of various Demons.
"I promise all of you this! I will crush them."
The words were absolute as he continued, "I will hunt all of them down and destroy their pathetic legends, and once I'm finished, there will be no doubt in Terra of who truly rules this world,"
More roars echoed from the crowd as Jax continued, "We will reclaim every inch of land they stole and rebuild what was destroyed, creating a new, better Demon Kingdom, and we will remind every Kingdom, Church, and so called Divine God that Demons do not yield to invaders,"
Jax spread his arms wide as he continued, "Stand with me," he declared, power roaring through every syllable, "and I will lead you to glory, to a future where Demons stand atop the food chain,"
For a heartbeat, there was silence as everyone took in his worlds, and then the crowd exploded in delight.
"DEMON KING!"
The roar was deafening.
"DEMON KING! DEMON KING! DEMON KING!"
The ground shook violently as millions screamed his title, fists raised, weapons slammed against stone, wings unfurled in triumph. Mana surged skyward in uncontrolled torrents, banners snapping wildly as the cathedral barely held together under the weight of their elation.
All of the Clan Leaders looked at this, admiring how effortlessly Jax seemed to incite the crowd and bring them to his side.
As the roar continued to shake the cathedral, the pressure of Jax's aura eased just enough for the masses to become comfortable, though their chants didn't stop, but instead increased in volume and intensity.
The chant of his title followed him like thunder that refused to fade, rolling through streets and towers far beyond the cathedral walls.
During all of this, Sabrina finally stood up, eyes shining as she stepped closer to Jax and gestured respectfully toward a massive archway behind the altar, its doors carved with scenes of ancient demon victories.
"My King," she said, voice steady despite the pride and desire burning through her, "the Cathedral Meeting Room is prepared. The leaders await your command so we may begin shaping the future you've promised."
Orianna crossed her arms beneath her chest, lips curled in a predatory smile. "I'd like to hear how you plan to unleash us," the Dragon Queen added, clearly amused and intrigued. "Wars are best discussed properly. This isn't a game after all,"
"Indeed," Nulissa inclined her head, "From logistics and resources, we need to be prepared. We've been on the back foot for quite a while, and all wars are won before the first blade is drawn,"
"Wars are just a money game and you'll have all the resources you need, so let's get to planning," Xara said and walked towards the Cathedral Meeting room, the other Clan Leaders following their step while Sabrina stood beside Jax, waiting for him to go with her.
Jax glanced at them, then turned and began walking toward the doors without hesitation, Crimson Maw manifesting at his side as if answering the moment.
As he moved, the crowd parted instinctively, waves of demons bowing and reaching out as though just being near him was a blessing.
"DEMON KING! DEMON KING! DEMON KING!"
The chant rose again, louder than before, following him with every step. Various Mages within the crowd even used spells to cause fireworks in the sky, intensifying the celebrations as they all roared and cheered, clinking shoulders and chugging beers.
"DEMON KING! DEMON KING! DEMON KING!"
Jax didn't look back, following the Clan Leaders into the Cathedral Room to begin a very important discussion.