The Ashen Fortress III

[Kuzuru]

As the recording device was switched off Kuzuru leaned back in his chair and clapped. The young reporter sitting across from him smiled and rested her cheek on her knuckles. As she watched Kuzuru celebrate her skin rippled much like the surface of an agitated lake. Color was drained from her skin and her entire body elongated, taking a more angular form. Her humanity was molded away as if an unseen sculptor sought to transform her into a monster. Bones cracked and popped as they shift into their new positions and her hair grew into a chitinous mess of spikes. After a few moments all that remained of Suzy Salazar was a smirking Mathaziel.

“I’m pleased you enjoyed the performance Kuzuru,” Mathaziel said.

Kuzuru stood and pointed at his kin, “now that is exactly why I brought you here.”

“It was child’s play,” Mathaziel said, waving away the compliment, “I hope that you don’t honestly believe the Omniverse at large is going to believe our shenanigans do you?”
The red demon shrugged, “no, I suppose not, but the more doubt and confusion we can spread, the better, I know how the hero types can be, the second you try to do anything remotely selfish they show up and beat your door down, if we can give them at least the slightest pause, well I’d call that a win.”

Mathazial grunted in surprise, “how very conservative of you Kuzuru, I would have expected you to welcome intruders with open arms.”

“Well, kindred, I know that there are beings here much stronger than I,” Kuzuru paused for a moment to gather his thoughts, “and while I’m not afraid of death or banishment, I’d rather face neither given the choice, besides I have a show to put on and it would be criminal if I was brought low before the climax.”

Mathaziel nodded in agreement.

For a long time the two demons spoke casually with one another the way you’d expect long-lost drinking buddies to do. They were both playing a game, a game that one of them was much more proficient at. The kind of game the ended in blood and tears. A game that they had played for eons. A game that Kuzuru had never won. And without the incredible advantage afforded to him by virtue of being a prime Kuzuru would have never challenged Mathaziel. For the first time, in a very long time, Kuzuru had the upperhand in their interactions. At least for the time being. As they spoke Kuzuru regaled Mathaziel with his adventures in the Omniverse and the elder demon sat and listened patiently. Hours passed and Kuzuru yawned.
“At any rate,” Kuzuru said, “I’ve given you life and brought you up to speed, I figure I’ve done enough for today, why don’t you go out and introduce yourself to the others, I need my beauty sleep.”