Shadows of Eden

The Demonic Coalition
'The land of Eden... this is where I live. Long ago, it was a disastrous place wrought with war and bloodshed. Angels and Demons fought again and again, with no end to their conflict in sight. My own father was once a part of this war. He loyally served the Demon Army until he witnessed the atrocities of war firsthand.

I am a firm believer in fate, and my father's fate was to take action. He left the Demon Army in sheer disgust of their brutal actions and formed something much greater. You see, it was my father's fate to form the Demonic Coalition. And in doing so, it was his fate to strive for peace between Angel and Demonkind.

For many years, he went nowhere with his cause. Only a few Angels and Demons even considered joining him. The rest thought him a fool and laughed at him. But now? They are the true fools.

Soon after, my father was given a gigantic stroke of luck. Almost all of the Angels and Demons had vanished from the land of Eden, the only remaining stragglers being people who wanted to remain neutral in the war anyway. With this in mind, my father set out on a conquest with the rest of the Demonic Coalition: To unify Eden under his rule, and be prepared for whenever the rest of the Angels and Demons would return to the land.

My name is Viper. And as you've already guessed, I am the daughter of the illustrious Lord Diamondback. I suppose, then, that makes me Lady Viper. But there's no need for formalities like that, I promise.

The Demonic Coalition is a rather large army. Well, large in terms of the beings remaining in Eden, anyway. There are all sorts of faces you'll see here. Some people truly wish for unification... such as Sir Orbweaver, General of the First Angel Division. I idolise that man... his gift with magic is beyond my comprehension.

Unfortunately, there are some that have... less than noble goals. Or at least, that's what I believe. Men like... General Blackfang...'

A large demon clad in black armor on all areas except the head, which was far too occupied downing a pint of Anglebreaker Broth, the famed lethal alcohol, and a large spear on his back. The only parts of his body that could actually be seen was a dark, charcoal black skin tone with a large scar under one of his grey, pitiless eyes. This was the General Blackfang. He then finished his drink and looked to the person next to him, saying "I told you I could out drink you Diamondback, didn't I?"

Diamondback sat and caught his breath after also downing a pint of Angelbreaker Broth. He slammed his empty glass down onto the table and took a glance over at Blackfang's side... In the time it had taken Diamondback to finish just one glass, Blackfang had finished four. Of course, this was to be expected of the Coalition's most active drinker. Some say Blackfang can lead an army drunk. Others say he leads an army BETTER when he's drunk.

Lord Diamondback offered a grin to his friend, "I suppose you have", came his gravelly and deep reply. "Your drinking is... actually rather impressive, Blackfang. I couldn't hope to ever match you." He nervously chuckled, but in fact he was telling the truth.

Diamondback wearily stood up from his seat, his large body towering over the table and chair he was previously sitting at. He stared down at his grey hands and gave off a light sigh. "Our enemies grow evermore fierce by the day, Blackfang. It... frustrates me, to put it lightly." Diamondback commented as he slowly grew more and more angry. "Why do they not agree with my ideals, Blackfang? They would rather live in perpetual war with one another, rather than live in peace?! It doesn't make any sense! Every one of them is so idiot-"

His rage reached a peak when he slammed his hand on the table, and completely smashed the glass he had been drinking out of previously. Shards of glass were everywhere, some even stuck in Diamondback's hand. Despite the pain, he acted unfazed. "They truly disgust me, Blackfang. I am glad to have such strong Generals as yourself serving my cause. Thank you."

Blackfang laughed to to himself then replied to Diamondback, "I have a feeling your daughter would disagree about me being a strong general, that's for sure. I wouldn't be surprised if a few other generals agree but, the only opinion I care about is yours, your majesty."

Blackfang then got up and moved towards a map on a table, and then looked at whilst saying, "How ever many fools reject your ideals? Clearly not enough to halt your conquest, that's for sure. I would predict it would take a few month to a few years at most for us to bring Eden to heel, but I'd say Keelback would have more accurate predictions than me."

A creature in an almost steampunk gilded outfit chimed in. "Perhaps, more time is needed to develop your air force, my lord? After all, it is both your least developed division as well as your most versatile." He stood up from his seat. "Yes, perhaps more time should be spent on our military, and less on drinking it all away." He shot a glare at Blackfang from under a gas mask.

Diamondback was caught off guard by the sudden interruption. "Lex?! Who in their right mind allowed you to enter here? Had you not heard that this was to be a contest between myself and Blackfang?! Foolish boy!" He almost slammed his hand onto the table again, but the shards still sticking out reminded him not to.

"However.. you're both correct. I will consult General Keelback to find an estimate on the length of time. And perhaps we shall focus more on our airships. Few in Eden actually have the gift of air travel, after all." Diamondback approached Lex and lifted his gas mask, putting his face intimidatingly close to his own, "And as for you, Lex, you will learn to not intrude on events that you have no place being in. For every battle in the next two months, I expect you on the front lines time and time again. Retreat is not an option for rulebreakers like you. Is this understood, boy?"

"Your 'general' Boomslang allowed me in here. He wanted me to ask you to let him in on the drinking contest. But yes, my lord, I understand." Lex was quivering not in fear of Diamondback, but hatred for himself and the fact that he had broken a rule. He stepped out of the room, then cussed himself out under his breath when he was out. As he closed the door, he stared menacingly at Boomslang, the youngest general of the Coalition, and lurched his head forwards to scare the general and make him flinch.

Blackfang shot a glare at Lex and Boomslang, before saying, "I must be off, I need to train the pikes for some new anti-cavalry tactics."

Blackfang then put back on his helmet, and then left, but before he left the room, he turned back to Diamondback, "Oh yes, I just remembered, Aldlen was looking for you a while ago so he may turn up soon."

'But the Generals aren't the only part of the Demonic Coalition. Their might is not restricted to the land - far from it. We have power both in the air and in the sea. Our air forces aren't currently very well equipped, but... Our navy is quite different. Even though it's smaller than our land forces, I'd say its comparable in power... maybe even greater.

In truth, I've never talked to any of the Admirals for an extended period of time. I've simply seen them at a few official gatherings, where they followed my father's orders like little lost puppies, heehee. The same could be said for a lot of our members though, ha ha...

Out of the two Admirals I have actually spoken to, one of them is Admiral Aldlen. He is the true model of a naval officer, if I have ever seen one. He's intelligent, and has a strategic mind that could give General Keelback a run for his money. And he's always dressed so nicely... I wish I could get to know him better, but he never has time for me. Our naval forces must be either extremely important... or extremely incompetent.'

The scene shifts from the perspective inside the room to elsewhere, where Admiral Aldlen looks to be on some sort of large ship. The ship is docked, however, and the Admiral seems to be doing a simple checkup rather than getting prepared to set sail. He believes himself to be alone, when he's interrupted by another man... Admiral Moldbygg, the polar opposite of Aldlen in many ways. He strokes his beard, somewhat impressed with the cleanliness of Aldlen's ship as he tells his fellow Admiral exactly that.

Aldlen looked at Moldbygg, surprised he was there, before replying, "Yes, I suppose it is rather clean for such a large ship with a large crew, but the men are well drilled and are taught to care for their ship as if it was their home. I assume the Koloss doesn't have such clean decks then judging by your surprise."

"Bah, the Koloss doesn't need to be this clean to do its job. My men clean up what they want to, when they want to. If they want the ship to be clean, they'll do it themselves - I'm not forcin' any of em to do things that they didn't sign up for."

Moldbygg scratched his beard menacingly, "...That being said, the Captain's Quarters is always kept clean. Once a day I send five men in there to make sure everything is in tip-top condition. If I find even one thing out of place, they'll have to clean it again. And again. And again, until everything's perfect. I have to make sure Koloss is as beautiful as she should be, undertstand?" He gave a hearty laugh, somewhere between lighthearted and a little selfish.

"Yes, I suppose a costly ship like that has to have some level of cleanliness." Aldlen replied, before walking over to the side of the ship and looking down at the sea, before commenting, "It's funny. When I was younger the sea scared me, as if it was some monster which would eat me while I slept. Now, I command the most powerful force on it, a rather ironic change. What once scared me I rule over."

Aldlen then turned back to Moldbygg. asking, "Did you hear that our Lord has summoned all his commanders to a feast? I expect you to be on best behavior and to represent the navy well. Especially during the most painful part, having to put up with Viper."

"I've never been afraid of the sea. Ever since I was a lad, my father would always take me out fishing on his boat. Ah... it was absolutely tiny compared to the vessels you and me command today, but it was home. Sometimes I wish I had a little lad of my own to take out fishing, like my father did with me. Aye, I wish. You've heard of my daughter Alice, eh? She hates the sea. Spends all her time indoors, sewing and knitting... making things." Moldbygg shook his head and sighed.

"Aye, I've heard of the feast. You don't have to worry about me, after a few Angelbreakers I'll be talking like General Blackfang." He gave a hearty laugh, but folded his arms and gave Aldlen a disapproving look, "But what I'm more worried about is you. I know you hate that Viper, but she's just a kid, aye? The navy doesn't need you of all people causing a scene with her, lad."

Aldlen laughed, "As if I of all people would start a scene. No I'm just going to try to avoid her as much as possible, and make any conversations brief."

Aldlen then walked towards his cabin, but before he entered, "Well, I need to prepare for this feast. Try not to look too much like a ruffian at the start, eh?" Aldlen smiled, and then entered his cabin.

'The feast held by my father should be starting soon, now that I think about it. He claims it's some sort of friendly gathering... But really, I think he's trying to-"

Viper is suddenly interrupted from writing in her journal by a large and powerful knock on her door. She lets out an obvious sigh, because she already knows the one knocking on the door. "Come in, father", she mutters.

Lord Diamondback awkwardly makes his way into his daughter's room, making sure to duck as he enters the door - dents in its top being a clear sign that he's forgotten to do so in the past. "The feast is starting, Viper. I assume you're going to be present?"

"Of course, father," she replied. "As your daughter, making an appearance is mandatory if we wish to keep things under wraps."

He didn't quite understand what she was getting at, but he agreed anyway. "Right, well, I'll see you in the Dining Hall. Make sure not to get into any trouble."

"It breaks my heart that you think I would", she jokingly replied as her father left the room, banging his head on the doorframe and closing it behind him with a grunt.

Aldlen was one of the first to arrive at the feast, wearing a grey naval uniform with gold epaulets, a black sash, and a large bicorne with a proud, red feather. He took his seat 1 seat away from where Diamondback is to sit, leaving space for one of the Generals, most likely Blackfang.

Lex arrived, wearing a fine black suit, decorated with medals, as well as a gold sash. His prosthetic metal wings were removed for the occasion, and he wore a black peaked cap with the Demonic Coalition emblem in metal on the front. Instead of letting his long hair flow, he wore a powdered wig under his hat, and did not wear any of his armour.

"Greetings, my lord." He said to Diamondback. "I trust this feast will be absolutely marvelous!" He bowed subserviently, and sat next to Aldlen.

Aldlen shot a glare at Lex, which was extremely unlike him, before saying, "Lex, I think you'll find that I will be having Moldbygg next to me, and I have a feeling Blackfang will sit next to our lord, so I'd advise you move or face repercussions for denying my right hand his rightful seat or that of our Lord's good friend."

"Ah, of course, my mistake." Lex politely said. He walked over to the seat beside where Moldbygg would sit.

Lord Diamondback took his seat without another word. Slowly, more guests trickled in until everyone invited to the feat had arrived. Viper took her seat, which was also next to her father, last out of everyone. A silent apology was offered for her latecoming with a quiet nod. The reluctance for both Diamondback and Viper to speak caused the room to develop a strangely tense atmosphere that no one expected such a dinner to have before stepping in.

Eventually breaking this terrible silence, Lord Diamondback cleared his throat and began on a speech (Which was, of course, written by his daughter). "As leader of this fine coalition", he began, "it has been my duty for many years to..."

He sighed deeply, scrunching up the piece of paper he was holding and throwing it away. Viper looked rather rejected at such a thing. "There's no need for speeches at a feast like this, is there? The purpose of this dinner isn't to tell you all of a new strategy we've developed, it's not to tell you all of tragic news... It's a reward for you all. Your loyalty in this war is appreciated more than you can imagine."

A glass of Angelbreaker Brew was poured by Lord Diamondback, who then offered a toast to all at the table. "For Unity of Eden!"

The toast was repeated by Aldlen with a fervent cheer, and a slurred but extremely jolly cheer from Blackfang. Blackfang, you see, had already started the drinking a while earlier, which he justified by saying or, slurring if you will, 'You have to represent your boys. And we all know what mine are like!'.

INTERMISSION
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/744ccf4e-b18c-47ba-be68-c6674e78b00a#.png

"What is home, mister?"

A figment of imagination. A product of feeble minds content with ignorance. The insatiable intellect is restless, never settling. Learning accompanies travel... Are you still holding onto that concept, boy?

"Nah! We're just going back there, that's all. You're really good at finding things, mister! Can I see mum maybe? Once you're done looking for what you're looking for?"

...Rest. Eat. The journey is long for a child.

"Okay! Here's some berries..."

"I know you're very smart, mister, but do you hate 'home' because you don't have one?"

Do not be impertinent, boy. I have no need for "home" because I am something greater — I transcend the existence of transient life. You are finished with your meal; let us continue.

"Mm-hmm! ...Mister, what does im-pear-tin-ant mean?"

(END INTERMISSION)

The Feast
With the feast in full swing, Diamondback and Blackfang have already begun a new drinking competition, which has currently resulted in 14 emptied bottles, 5 broken plates, 20 broken glasses, and 1 smashed chair. Meanwhile, Aldlen is relaxing and simply enjoying the food and drink, not trying to attract anyone's attention, especially Viper's.

As General Boomslang sat alone in the Kid's Table, hording all the food he managed to steal, Arbiter Lex uncomfortably tolerated the drinking competition. At least Aldlen was polite...

General Cottonmouth had not spoken much during the party. It simply wasn't his place to do so. He quietly sipped a non-alcoholic beverage and watched the chaos break out between Lord Diamondback and Blackfang. Though he did not enjoy participating in such things, he would admit they were fun to watch from time to time.

Viper followed Cottonmouth's example and narrowly escaped being hit by a broken chair numerous times throughout the party. It was times like this she detested Angelbreaker Brew simply for existing. Intoxicating Blackfang was one thing, he was used to it, but Lord Diamondback was certainly not.

At the end of the table, directly opposite from Lord Diamondback and Viper, sat the two angelic generals of the Demonic Coalition. General Orbweaver and General Goldenrod quietly ate their food next to one another. Despite their heritage, the two had never conversed before. They had rather conflicting ideals, you see. Of course, that's a story to tell another time, but they weren't about to become friendly with one another here.

Elsewhere, however, there were two generals who did not participate in the party. General Keelback, well known around the Coalition for his strategic prowess, and General Gunter, known for his age and his history of war and combat. Keelback detested being around so many people, so a party was certainly not something he would enjoy attending. On the other hand, Gunter did not mind such a thing - and was instead disappointed at the "youths of today", as he called them. Once, General Gunter had attended a party hosted by Lord Diamondback and was appalled at all the drinking that went on. "Back in my day," he muttered quietly to himself within his room, "Angelbreaker Brew was still considered banned all throughout Eden. The new laws were always too lax..."

As Boomslang dashed out the door frantically as soon as he had the option, so too did Arbiter Lex politely excuse himself. "Milord, thank you for this excellent feast." The commander stood and stepped out with his head held high.

He was absolutely livid as soon as he was out of site. How dare they treat him like that? He had done nothing wrong and they had considered him filth. Especially Aldlen. "Fucking Aldlen,' he thought to himself, "Well-spoken, my ass. I sit down in a fucking chair and he can't even just ask nicely... God dammit..."