Temple of Demons - We're Back!

[Crimson Jazz]

[- Cynic -]
Well, one thing could be said for this new god: he was certainly weird enough. Cynic stood perfectly still as Malum circled him, trying to keep an eye on him at all times, just in case he had concealed a trick Cynic hadn't been expecting. All he did, however, was flick his bell earring, causing it to twinkle. That sound was the only to be heard in the large cavern and allowed itself to echo off of the walls, magnifying before eventually fading into the various connecting caverns. He wiggled a bit at this, trying not to laugh but shaking silently from the tickling sensation in his ear.
His silent laughter stopped as Malum spoke his own name. "Oh? A perfectly fine name it is, but nothing along the lines of a title. Sir, now that's a title, but certainly not befitting a God! If it were up to me, and I assure you, I do wish it was, I'd have to go with... master! Master Malum. Sure is a high and mighty name if I ever did hear one!" He smiled and managed to contain another chuckle. He would have to save that until he knew that Malum had time to mull over his previous statement.

 

[Ruriska]

“Master Malum.” Malum repeated the words slowly, rocking back on his heels, chin lifting higher. He licked his lips, thoughts completely unreadable as he considered what Cynic had just said, the words going through his mind. His gaze flickered away and then back again, eyes narrowing as he came to his decision on this Master Malum business. “No.” Short and firm: the end of that part of the conversation. Then he gave a low growl, a sound like the building thunder of a storm. “Only Malum.” The growl died away and his lips twisted into a wicked little grin. “It sounds good... when you scream it.” Reaching out again, his claw touched Cynic’s cheek with a deceptive gentleness. “Want to give it a try?”  

[Crimson Jazz]

[- Cynic -]
Cynic gave a wide smile at Malum's question. "Oh? You have a helpless victim around? That would be a treat!" He was not oblivious to Malum's true intentions, yet he wasn't truly scared of this god just yet. If Malum knew anything about him it would have to be that a true scream of terror was the last thing he would get out of Cynic in any situation. It was difficult to just stop him from laughing, nonetheless causing him to actually fear something.

 

[Ruriska]

Malum’s arm dropped back to his side and for a moment he just watched Cynic, and then... he began to laugh; a grating noise that would never be capable of easing another’s fears. A laughing Malum generally wasn’t a good one. He circled the demon again, surprisingly quick and agile on his feet, where before every movements had seemed rough. “You would make pretty screams.” He said, mostly to himself as he halted once more before Cynic. His tail snapped against the ground and he leant forward. “I would like the test of bringing them forth. Would you like to play with Master Malum?” Another chuckle.  

[Crimson Jazz]

[- Cynic -]
Cynic could probably teach this guy a thing or two about a good ol' fashion hardy laugh.
"Well, guess it couldn't hurt any, could it?" Cynic said with a chuckle. Somehow how he knew it could hurt, but his curiosity as to what Malum would do was simply too much for him to turn back now.
"But, just so you know," he said, watching Malum steadily while rocking on his heels, "you may be Master Malum and all, but I'm a master of trickery!"

 

[Ruriska]

The deity loomed over Cynic. “It will hurt. Your screams will be delicious.” He corrected, in way that could almost be described as cheerful. His arm lifted, claw reaching for the demon, the deadly intent clear in his eyes. But he stopped only inches away. Malum made a noise, a sort of ‘ahhh’ type sound, in the back of his throat. “Master of trickery?” He inquired, eyes holding an amused and curious glint. Taking a step back the demon god crouched and looked upwards at Cynic. “Show me.”  

[Ruriska]

At the brilliant flash of light, Malum’s eyes closed briefly. He did not flinch, simply tilted his head to the side and listened to Cynic’s footsteps as they quickly hurried away. Hide and Seek was the game was it? That wasn’t quite the trick he had been expecting but he would give this demon a chance to show his skills.

Malum slowly rose up his crouch, his eyes now readjusted to the darkness, and stretched his arms above his head. He didn’t need his godly powers for this. In essence Malum was a hunter. He was the stalker in the darkness that was meant to be feared. Every sense was tuned to finding his prey. It would not take long.

The god moved down into one of the tunnels, loping along at a steady pace. His eyes were narrowed and his ears twitched as he listened to every sound. When he sniffed, he searched for the other demon’s smell amongst the overpowering scent of blood. Cynic should hope he came up with an interesting show, or at the end of this game, Malum would take his prize.  

[Debrutsid]

Aisenma seemed unsure, even a little apprehensive. She hadn't seen Malum since their fight a few days back and since then she had heard he had become a god. She aimed to find out and to see him again, since no one at the old home knew where he was, mind you, that didn't surprise Aisenma, she figured they would have no clue even if he wasn't a god.

Behind her waddled three youngins that Ais paid little heed to. She figured if they were worth keeping around longer then a few days they had best learn how things worked. You followed your mom, no questions asked and you kept up. If the latter was a problem you asked for assistance. However if they were actually hers and not dopplegangers, which the paranoid workings of Ais's mind was slowly leading her to believe, her children would never ask for help. Mind you the clingy male did like to be held. Must take after his father.

Ais looked up as she neared the area she could taste Malum. Her eyes gave a dim glow and the male child came in close, wrapping himself about her leg. She looked down and reached to pick one of the girls up as well. He would be along soon. He wouldn't give up the opportunity to bleed a trespasser, and if he did, Aisenma wasn't to sure how much she would like this new Malum.  

[Ruriska]

Ooc: Splitting Malum in two. 8D ‘Cause I can!

For Deb:

Malum ‘felt’ the presence of an intruder from where he rested deep within his temple. There was rarely any these days, or at least none he could be bothered going after. Most creatures kept away from his home, knowing quite well they were less than welcome. It suited him, as his days had been filled with discovering the extent of his powers as a new deity. When he had been a mortal he had been much like a seek and destroy missile that worked within a certain radius. As long as one did not stop across that line into his forest, then they lived. Now that his attention had been stolen away by his new status, he was less inclined to tear a creature to bits on the spot.

Well no, that wasn’t quite right. Malum was as same as always with his talented hand, causing many a victim to bleed... but he had to be careful now. There were certain lines he was not allowed to cross as a god. He was not supposed to kill. That was not his domain and stepping across that line would get him trouble. This fact frustrated him to no end. But at least it made him work harder to keep them alive. He was learning how to cause even more pain, while keeping them living. Making them last for ages for continued fun.

But something had been bothering him. Something had been missing since his becoming a god, something he had forgot to notice. Malum rose from his position curled within his pillows, moving with a single thought to the forest. The area around Aisenma was suddenly blanketed in an aura of menace, Malum’s malevolent nature magnified by his newfound powers. He stepped from the shadows, a low growl rumbling in his throat.

His head lifted and he studied the female demon before him. Sure he was different, he had new strength and a changed appearance... but in essence, he was still the same Malum. The growl became a low, throaty chuckle. Ignoring the child that scampered halfway towards him and then stopped with a look of longing in her eyes, he reached for Aisenma. “Welcome.” His dark eyes held a wickedly, amused glint. Ah yes, she was what had been missing in his world.  

[Debrutsid]

Aisenma gave a cautious look to Malum as he appeared and then as he spread his arms wide she took in a deep breath, ready-ing herself for the worst thrashing. But when all he said was welcome and kept his arms wide, she took a careful step towards him. He smelled of Malum. She could close her eyes and breath deep that smell that could envelope her and tell her she was home, and when he spoke, it was Malum, a rich deep rumble that tingled her very core. But as she looked to him, even the children had troubles recognizing him within this new shell.

Aisenma didn't wait long, not wanting to gain this new gods ire. She walked into his waiting arms and buried her face into his hair, sighing. Her body went limp, as if a rag doll cut free of its strings and she purred softly. She had feared home had forgotten her with its new responsibilities, or even worse, had found another. But here, within his confined grasp she knew what she had always known, that this was here home, and would be as long as she wanted.

Against her chest little Moira wiggled and wormed until she could breath, then she clung onto Malum as well, little calws digging in as she mimiced her mother, and down below Valum seemed content to be pressed by her mother to Malum. The whole family excepted the little girl who had ran ahead and then stopped.

Aisenma turned her head to little Satsu and reached out a paw.

"Come, join home..." She wiggled her fingers while she kept her head resting against Malum's chest, listening for that deep thrum of breathing, that steady beat of heart, and that spine tingling rumble when he would talk. "Come Satsu..."  

[Ruriska]

Strong arms wrapped around Aisenma’s body, holding her tight against him. Now she was with him, now that he remembered her, he would not allow her to leave. She would be his tether to this mortal realm and she would see that part of him that was almost tender, almost gentle, almost caring. She would distract his bloodlust with her body. He would keep her with him as he ruled over the other demons; a monster with more power than he ever should have been given.

Malum gave a contented growling purr. His gaze skipped down to his youngest daughter, feeling the little pricks in his chest of his second daughter’s claws. Ah yes, his children. He had almost forgotten about them. The part’s of Aisenma that would always belong to him as well.

To young Satsu’s mind, it simply reaffirmed what she had known the instant she had first seen her father. This was home. This was protection. She scampered forward as she was beckoned, rubbing against her father’s leg and clinging to him with her sharp little claws. This need for a strong male to be her guardian would carry far into her future; as would the obsession with her father and his overwhelming strength.  

[Debrutsid]

Aisenma purred, pressing her face deep into Malum's shoulder before biting it lightly and brushing away his hair so she could better see his face. With everyone in such close contact she was beginning to feel a little claustrophobic but held her ground as she traced the spot on his back he use to have a scar. She had a sudden urge to look, see if it transferred over to his new body, and then explore him, and rediscover a male she had previously discovered. Her eyes narrowed and she giggled a soft coo and nipped at his ear.

"I have a dirty little mind, that asks naughty little questions." Her eyes flashed mischievously, and became dark and exotic as they seemed to tilt up in the corners as she giggled. Her paws trace down his back to his tail. "It asks me to find out exactly how much about you has changed... but then I think to myself how wrong it would be to displease a god..." Her nails pulled at his skin, wanting to dig deeper, draw first blood. "And then I think to myself, how much fun... " Her voice dropped to a whisper so her children wouldn't hear. "And how painful... that could end up being."

She let her paw drop away to pet at her only sons head, that dark twinkle still shining oh so bright. "So I say to myself, behave. Don't let your eyes wander, or your paws." She looked up from her son to Malum. He was still not the male she had first found home in, but she could see it there, feel it. He was still somewhere... but she didn't know how much. She was testing her waters. Even though all she wanted to do was test her claws against his hide and see if his blood still ran dark red and tasted of copper and salt. "It's never wise to gain the ire of a god."
 

[Ruriska]

The ire of Malum was something not to be gained, whether he was demon or god. The beast had stilled as Aisenma claws moved across his body, searching to find the male that had first beaten her into the ground and stolen her soul. His dark, fathomless eyes remained trained on her face. But his stillness did not last forever, he gave a low, rumbling chuckle that lasted only a moment. What did he think of her idea about behaving? “Don’t bore me.” He warned her in a low hiss, eyes narrowing. “Do not displease this god by holding back.” He claws dug into her flesh, pulling her against his almost painfully close. The poor children between them probably weren’t enjoying being crushed. The god snarled against her neck, teeth grazing across her skin.

There was a flash of darkness around them and then they were in his back chamber. Malum tossed Aisenma backwards into a pile of pillows, gaze flicking away from her. Satsu was still clinging to his leg. He reached down wrapping his claws around the scruff of her neck. Instinctively the child went limp, allowing herself to be picked up. She hung placidly in Malum’s grasp, almost happy to be manhandled by the powerful male that was her father.

“You will stay here with me.” He informed Aisenma, while raising Satsu up to the level of his eyes in order to look her over. His tail gave a casual flick, whacking a few pillows aside with the movement. Eventually he dropped the child, having given her a thorough inspection. Now his attention switched. Malum stalked closer to Aisenma, giving a low growl as he moved towards her.  

[Debrutsid]

Aisenma gave a slight hiss of surprise as she was transported. Her heart battered in her chest as if it might explode. She had never had magic like that done to her and it raised the skin from her bones and hair from her skin. She gave an audible sigh as it ended and a shivered ran down her spine shaking her tail. She was about to say something when she was flung onto the pillows and she curled her little girl up protectively in her arms, wanting to do the same with Valum but not having enough appendages to do so.

She watched as little Satsu was hauled up and gave a slight moment of hesitation. She was about to stand and pluck the little thing from his claws, but she saw the almost blissful way the kitten looked and she relaxed. She had almost forgotten these fragile little bags of bone were actually from hers and Malum's linage. It shouldn't surprise her that much that they would like pain in all its forms.

She relaxed happily into the pillows, Maura climbing around a little, but eventually settling into one of her mothers curves and into the pillows, purring happily. Below her, Valum slowly crawled up her leg, eying his father carefully. There was this grimace of dislike, edged with a little fear. After all, Malum was larger, and now gave off this 'demonic god' aura. Valum curled up into his mothers lap, bright shining eyes staring out at his father cautiously.

Aisenma ran a hand through her sons hair and the gave a quick stroke to her daughters then looked up as Malum spoke. Her eyes went wide and she had this strange feeling of being a deer, caught, with no where to run. She almost didn't like the feeling, on the other hand, she was a freak and weird in ways. She blinked up to him as he stalked forward and she gave a crafty smile that hid the small turmoil she felt in her chest. The fear that maybe she was in over her head and the excitement for the exact same reason.

"And where else would I stay, but at home?"