Kaijin Vex did not command Amatricina's attention as he walked through the crowd. He was just another face among the many. Another silent, empty presence among so many artificial being. When he drew close enough though, the demoness realized he was walking directly towards her. The being had the appearance of a child, or near enough one she did not care to make the distinction. Even among this world of machines and men, this being looked out of place. Different, almost familiar in a way. Amatricina shuck aside such notions, the being that approached her was just some android. Certainly not the reincarnated spirit of a warrior she had once called ally. When the man introduced himself as Kaijin Vex, speaking his piece, Amatricina could only raise an eyebrow questioning to the android at his spiel. Were this Earth, and some mortal earthling had pointed such an obvious truth out, she'd have torn out their throat for blowing her cover. Amatricina remembered she was not in any guise, moreover she had her power level reduced to a bare minimum. And yet, this creature before her seemed to instantly identify her. How long had he studied her? Or was his knowledge that expansive of her kind?

"Hmmm... You would be correct, Child." The demoness said simply, closing her eyes and relaxing her posture. She was in no mood for violence, not currently that is. If this Kaijin irritated her, that would swiftly change her thoughts on the matter. "Demon Lord." Amatricina corrected the good doctor, lifting a hand to reveal her gilded gauntlet out from under her cloak. She wagged a golden talon, ruby insets glimmering in the haze light as she winked coyly. "Though I doubt you can name my clan. Tell me Doctor, you strike me as no healer. What medicine do you practice, or... if you are the other kind, what science do you claim expertise in? I will grant you my name and titles once you have answered my questions. Now please, take a seat." Amatricina patted the stone bench besides her, not so much as moving a muscle. "I was just about to leave, but you've slated my curiosity. Tell me Kaijin Vex, how much do you truly know of demons?" At her words, the Demoness' eyes glowed with a malevolent crimson light. Amatricina was intrigued, very intrigued. And with little better on this polluted world to command her interests, one strange doctor would be enough to entertain her for a few moments anyways.

---

Word Count: 427
Total Word Count: 1,233
Doctor Kaijin Vex

Amatricina let of a soft 'hmph' at the good doctor's long winded explanation. She raised an armored gauntlet to gently rub her chin as she mused. Aside from idle boasting, she didn't really have any reason to doubt the stranger. Unfortunately, she couldn't sense the sin in the man's heart to feel if he had pride to match his words. There was no soul within this machine, as human as it looked its flesh was false, and likely only circuits and steel lied beneath the surface. It was not even like the Mark I, where there was a mortal soul trapped dwelling within an armored skin of sorts. Kaijin it seemed, was a living doll. One step above the maintenance drones that tirelessly serviced the interior of the Omnipotence. A machine with free will, what a foolish notion. Somewhere, deep inside his artificial mind, Amatricina reckoned he was still following some vestige of his programming. He may think otherwise, but his thoughts, his being, had been created by another. He was a puppet on a string, no matter how thin and distant that string must seem.

"Quite the list of accomplishments then, Doctor Kaijin Vex, was it?" She replied sincerely, in little mood for anything more heated than pleasant conversation. "A shame I did not meet you sooner. My depths of expertise lies in magic, not science. I leave technology to the scholars of my clan. The Lord-High Researcher can tinker with his toys, sit at his computer monitors, and carve open fresh corpses to study. I am a sorceress, like my mother before me. I find far more power in the arcane than the mundane. That said, I have met several... artificial beings that were not entirely unlike yourself. Do not attempt to lie to me either Doctor, I can sense the souls of living beings... or the absence of them." Amatricina shifted slightly in her seat, turning to better face the android. At least, that was what she presumed Kaijin Vex to be. If he was a cyborg, like Lord Kamui had been, there would have still been a mortal soul within him. Since he was void of such, and had ki she could not sense, he was a being of precisely zero magic maintaining his mechanical body. An android, a mortal creation, a synthetic man.

"Anyways, in the past I have had run ins, less than pleasant run ins no less... with several artificial beings on the planet known as Earth. The first called itself Hondrias, a self titled 'bio-android'. It claimed to be the culmination of the cells and genetic material of the greatest warriors in the last five hundred years. It was not, or at least I am greater than they were. It met the searing claws on my gauntlet, and no longer walks among the living. The other, is a being that claims to be from a different universe that was destroyed eons ago. I doubt this entirely, there is but one universe, though many dimensions within it. So perhaps it simply confuses the terms. Regardless, it stated it was once a living thinking being, with a mortal soul. In order to survive the destruction it faced, it transformed its mind and body into computer code. It called itself a Virus, and in that form, as pure digital information it was able to escape the destruction around it. When this Virus appeared in this dimension, by whatever means, it latched itself to the first machine it came in contact with. I know not what that machine is or was, but it was overcome by the virus and reshaped into a new body for its host. This... amalgamation refers to itself as the Mark I, and claims its sole purpose is to become more durable, more resistant, stronger in every imaginable way. I assume so that its original destruction can never be recreated and it will live eternally." Amatricina paused, letting out a long sigh. The Mark I vexed her, but it had pledged itself to her in exchange for her knowledge of magic. For better or worse, it was as close as she had to an independent ally of her own.

Amatricina raised her arms and arched her back, giving a mighty stretch. "That was rather long winded, you get that way when you have lived eighteen hundred and sixty years. I never thought I'd become just like my Mother. I suppose she was right in the end after all, she always was..." The demoness rolled her head, neck cracking as she eased muscles that had grown stiff from sitting so long. "Anyways Doctor Kaijin, the Mark I is a being unlike any I have ever met, and I predate many mortal cultures. If your expertise is as vast as you claim, you would have been a welcome adviser in dealing with the metal titan himself. But, at the moment I have sent my herald deep into the depths of space in search of a relic to appease me. His penance for slaying my previous acolyte, who's name I'm sure you would not know..." The demoness drifted off, daydreaming for a moment about that fated battle between the Mark I and Lord Kamui on earth's moon. The fingers on her right hand twitched briefly, as she remembered plunging her claws deep into Kamui's chest to wrench out his heart. It was all in the past now.

It seemed Kaijin Vex was in a storytelling mood as well. He recounted his tale of his own run ins with the being he spoke to. As Amatricina had encountered living machines, Kaijin had in turn encountered demons. "Kazabada-Kavra..." She repeated, tapping a finger to her plump lips. "Hmmmm... I am unfamiliar with the name. But there are several prominent clans who use a similar naming structure in their culture." Her eyes flashed a brilliant crimson shine when Kaijin commented he did not know the official hierarchy of demons. Amatricina cleared her throat, a wide smile on her face as she began to speak. "There is no one 'official' ranking of demons. We follow strength, and through strength, leadership. The Demon Realm is chiefly organized into the Demon Realm Clans. There are countless clans, ranging in size from simple warbands who are little better than collections of miscreants to mighty kingdoms that span whole star systems, ruled over by powerful Demon Lords. That is what I am, as Warlord of the Fire Demon Clan I style myself as a Demon Lord." Amatricina placed a hand on her chest, looking rather haughty as she spoke of her own titles.

"Within a clan the internal hierarchy varies as greatly as the appearance of different races of demons. Beneath the title of Warlord in my clan comes the Supreme Commander of the Fire Demon Army, beneath him the High Admiral of the Fire Demon Navy, and so on and so forth through the various stations of my war council. There are also Generals who command my legions, ranking officers who command subdivisions of the legions, and naturally the common soldier beneath them. We also have several vassal clans that serve under us. They are lesser races of demons who chose subservience to destruction, and now pledge themselves to the Obsidian Throne. Beneath the vassal demons who are all by accounts second class citizens comes the slave castes. Those who are taken forcibly as spoils of war or bartered on as goods. This includes the Imps of which this Kazabada-Kavra possessed. Imps are possibly the most common race of demons. They come in many varieties, adapting quickly to their masters. They have a kind of... magical symbiosis I suppose. Our Fire Imps are more resistant to the intense heat and noxious gases of our world. It makes them ideal chattel to toil in the mines deep below the planet's surface."

Amatricina looked truly content speaking at length about her clan. It was perhaps her favorite guilty pleasure. "Whoever this Kazabada-Kavra was, he could easily procure large numbers of imps if he was a demon of any noteworthy standing within his clan. Or, if he found a demon planet populated by imps not yet subjugated by another clan. They have a power level of a mere... two hundred or so? The strongest I've seen pushed five hundred, but he was an imp chieftain before my brother Raigu crushed his skull beneath his boot." Amatricina remembered that day fondly. Their dread father Tartaros had tasked them with subjugating a tribe of imps discovered hiding in an old lava tunnel on Monsigneus. She had been only a mere hundred and thirty or so years old. Children, on their first real taste of battle. They had crushed many skulls, her brothers found the sound of imp brain matter forced through their eye sockets as their skulls caved into be hilarious. The Brood of Tartaros had been triumphant, no the surprise of no one but Imp Shamans.

The Demon Lord sighed wistfully. "Ah... to be young again. Free from responsibility. Just eat, sleep, train, study, and kill. I can barely find time for all of it these days." She turned to gaze into the piercing eyes of the android as he asked her about further study. "You have me in a good mood Doctor, getting me to wax poetic about my youth. I agree, I will oblige in your study. If, in exchange you will agree to study the Mark I for me someday, as I may better understand the enigma that is my armored fighting titan. Agreed?" The demoness extended a hand out from under her shawl. Ruby lightning crackling from her fingertips and the heat of an open fire emanating from her gauntlet. "We shake on the agreement, that is the universal symbol for a pact, is it not?" She stated, raising her own eyebrow sharply. "One more thing darling. This will be a purely oral study. If you so much as utter one word about inspecting my body I will turn this city into a burning ruin, and see just how strong you are beneath that hidden power level."

---

Word Count: 1,697
Total Word Count: 2,929
Doctor Kaijin Vex

Amatricina listened to the scientists casual dismissal of bio-androids as perfect warriors, much less perfect beings. It was a conclusion she herself had made months ago. Though it was a small stroke to her ego that another agreed with her assessment. She shifted a bit in her seat, switching which leg was crossed as the lower one was beginning to grow stiff. "So the warriors make the genes, the genes do not make the warrior. I have my example of your theory, in practice no less. The damnable Saiyans, I have no doubt you are familiar with their race. They can achieve a massive spike in strength, speed, and reflexes when they ascend to their 'Super Saiyan' form. It is a huge biological advantage over say... Earthlings, who do no such thing and remain weak regardless of their training. The former grows in power exponentially, and the later plateaues into irrelevancy." The demon scoffed, thinking back to her brief 'battle' with the Super Saiyan mercenary Dain Sincara hours prior. It had been more of a one sided thrashing, in spite of nearly 'even' power levels between opponents.

"Not long ago I battled one of these Super Saiyans on the moon above this very world not even a day ago. His dried blood still graces my horns from where I ran him through cleanly on my crown." Amatracina lifted her cowl to reveal her four grim black horns, they were indeed flaked in dried Saiyan blood. "A momento, until my flames burn it away or I find something molten to bathe in. The coward escaped, using some kind of instantaneous teleportation technique to fleet to his star ship. Suffice to say, I am quite jealous of that move, even if his best application for it was fleeing from my wrath." The demon paused, looking to the polluted skies above and exhaling black smoke from her nostrils as she sighed. "It is why I yet lurk on this wretched world. I am waiting to see if he is stubborn or foolish enough to return, biding my time with my power suppressed so I might finish the job." Amatricina's gaze returned to the android scientist, he had not so much as moved a muscle. It was truly like talking to a living doll, especially the way there was no light in his eyes. No glimmer of a soul beyond. It was that fact that the demon liked the least.

"My point being, despite this Super Saiyan having every biological advantage over half the miserable races of this mortal realm, he failed to pose a challenge to me. I broke him, brought him an inch from death. He may well have died of his wounds after the fact for all I know. But I find it far more likely he limped his way into a medical machine on his ship as it was departing. So for all his race's advantages, this Saiyan made good on none of them. His genes were squandered, raw power wasted on a warrior without the skill to back it." A small smile crossed the demoness' plump lips, revealing a hint of fanged canines below. "And thus, your theory was proven. As to your own self improvement, I cannot say I know what that is like. I train, I grow stronger, my stamina grows, my speed increases, my reflexes hone, I become more than I was, than I am. Tell me, do you do the same? Do artificial muscles grow? Do metal bones harden and strengthen? Does the circuitry of your brain react faster with keen focus? I have so many questions, you must understand. After all you yourself said your hunger was for knowledge."

Amatricina brought a talon to her lips, tapping it as she thought to herself. "Or is your strength... finite? Can you only improve by copying better designs, or acquiring better materials to forge your artificial form from?" She wished to make the good doctor squirm, as so many did when speaking with her. But she could feel to fear in his heart, if such an emotion existed in Kaijin Vex it exists as cold computer programming, not as raw emotions flowing from the soul. "As to the Mark I, even if everything he says is a fabrication, he has no proof but his own existence mind you, the being is an immensely powerful war machine of unknown origin. You and I both would be interested to figure out its creators, and purpose. Of that I have no doubts." Amatricina's handshake was firm, and though she could not feel her acquaintance's hand through her armored gauntlet, his pale skin and the unnatural texture of his skin made her inclined to believe he was cold and clammy.

When Kaijin's questions again returned to her home realm, Amatricina's face once more lit up in elation. She scoffed, chuckling to herself at his words as she raised a hand to her mouth to suppress her laughter. "I'm sorry but, are you mortals that daft? Whatever gave you that impression? A warped rift in time, really? I'd wager my right gauntlet, if that is conventional wisdom, it was an intentional deception seeded in the thinking of mortal scholars by a particularly cunning demon intent to obscure the truth from the mortal realm. I applaud his ancient deception then, but I shall grant you the truth Kaijin Vex, if only because I haven't laughed like that in weeks." Amatricina extended out her hands, drawing three flat circles of various energy before her. The topmost was a bright and fiery orange, her fire magic. The middle was a much deeper shade of crimson, demonic ki. The lowest was a sinister color that hovered between ebony and a deep violet, dark magic. The three circles floated several inches apart, the rings no bigger than a dinner plate.

"This is a crude diagram of the universe as it exists." Amatricina said simply, gesturing to the three rings. "This." She said, eyes narrowing as she pointed to the topmost level. "Represents Other World, home to the Kais, the dead, and the damned. It is the final resting place of all living beings. Where the divine sit on their idyllic planets and look down upon creation with their endless judgments." She spoke no further on Other World, it irked her to have said as much on it as she already did. Amatricina then gestured to the center ring, "This is the mortal realm, it composes much of the living universe. It is obviously home to the mortal races, and the only gods here are the Guardians. Lesser, petty deities that the Kais use as overseers to maintain order in 'their' universe. Planets in various segments of the mortal realm are assigned a Guardian, a position that bestows the bearer within divine powers, godly ki, and great magics. In return they uphold the Kais' rule on a smaller scale, because the universe is too vast for a handful of Kais to vigilantly monitor everything in creation."

Then, at last, Amatricina gestured her hand down to the dark circle at the bottom. And THIS, this is the Demon Realm. It is a dark mirror of the mortal realm, though not a literal one. This planet for example, does not have a direct counterpart equal and opposite in the Demon Realm. However, it is as you said. My realm has planets, systems, galaxies. It is admittedly not as large as the mortal realm, but it is also nowhere near as old." The scientists' second question had a less straightforward response. "Do you really want me to list every kind of demon I know, Kaiin Vex?" Amatricina stated sharply as she dispelled her diagram and crossed her arms. "That is like asking you to list every race on ever world in the mortal realm. It is a preposterous question. Demons can however, be split into three very broad categories. At the bottom are the lowest ranking of demons. Many of these are not sentient, or are semi sentient. They range from powerful albeit simple minded beasts that purely hunt, kill, and feed, to more intelligent but pathetically weak demons of little value to our kind. Imps, scamps, and goblins are this latter group. While they can speak, write, and perform magic they are too weak in both physical stature and power level to ever be off much use aside from menial labor that is beneath their betters."

"In the middle are lesser demons, referring both to their physical strength but also societal standing. Some lesser demons are physically quite powerful, but are too few in number or have some great fault that prevents them from thriving. Perhaps they lost their home world to conquerors and now wander the stars. Or perhaps they are accursed with a lack of magic. Or maybe they are simply a weak clan, and must serve their betters or be subjugated by force. My clan employers several vassal clans of assorted lesser demons. They make up our auxiliary forces in the field and supplement our war machine as skilled laborers. It is as noble a purpose as they can strive to." Amatricina's tone spoke as if this was a divine truth. She had been born and raised into the height of Fire Demon aristocracy, the ruling family. She knew nothing of the hardships and struggles that faced the lesser demons enthralled by her clan. They eked out their existences as second class citizens, knowing any dissent against their overlords would be swiftly crushed. Fear keeping them in line, far more than any foolish sense of pride.

"And lastly, at the top, are the greater demons such as myself and my kind. We are the most powerful tier of demonkind, blessed with powerful bodies, large reserves of ki, a keen mind for magic, and long lifespans. Greater demons make up the vast majority of the Demon Realm's major clans. We conquer and subjugate, warring against each other in an endless contest of strength." Amatricina was briefly lost in nostalgic reminiscence. "What else was it you wanted to know? Oh right... My clan." Her smile grew ever wider, and heat radiated from her voluptuous body. "Fire Demons have a very militant and war like culture, as do most of the greater demon types. We pride ourselves on strength above all else. It dictates all echelons of our society. The strongest child of our warlord is rightful heir to their throne, though often this coincides with the eldest child, as was the case with me. My generals and admirals are my finest warriors, battle hardened soldiers with thousands of years experience in their chosen field of warfare. Advancement in our society comes by way of merit, we care little for scheming machinations or nepotism. I would oust my own beloved brother as my Supreme Commander if Raigu were not the most capable for the job. This applies doubly for those I am not bound to as kin."

The demon lord was in a talkative mood, having at last a subject she enjoyed talking of even more than herself. "Our clan also values honor and pride. We take vows and pacts seriously, which has led me to assist several beings I would reconsider otherwise. Furthermore we detest cowardice in battle, believing that to die standing facing your enemy in battle is the most glorious death a fire demon can achieve. We pride ourselves on our magical ability, using it both as a weapon and a tool to better our daily lives. It is an dignified culture, a regal culture. One that venerates its ancestors, looking to history for guidance but ever marching forward towards our much deserved vengeance." Amatricina's words were seeped with pride, even love. Clan was one of only a handful of words that meant more to her than 'herself' did. Selflessness was often frown on in demonic society,u unless in relation to kin and clan. The demoness sighed, longingly looking to the stars above, or rather the polluted skies of Arcose. She had made herself somewhat homesick, perhaps she'd spent too long among mortals.

"My upbringing. In almost two thousand years, you are the only mortal to ever ask that. And you may not count, synthetic being as you are. Is it because your own upbringing was a scientist sitting behind a computer terminal?" Amatricina turned her gaze back to Kaijin, to see if he was phased by her words. "Very well. I was born the first child, and eldest daughter of my beloved parents Lord Tartaros and Lady Bonara. My father, our proud warlord, a hardened warrior who was feared by many and feared none but his wife. And Bonara, the eldest daughter and final warlord of dying rival clan. Pragmatic as she was beautiful, a mind sharper than my father's deadliest blades. My father thought me what it meant to fight, to battle, to lead demons into the breach and tear from our enemies the notion of victory before us. He taught all of us, myself and all two hundred and forty seven of my siblings.... We do not all get along." Amatricina saw the puzzled look on Kaijins face and nonchalantly shrugged. "My mother was very fertile, I hope to sire at least as many children as she did some day. And not all my kin are full siblings. My father took many concubines, as trophies, gifts, and for more heirs. Lust, avarice, you know how it is. Or you don't, no matter."

The demoness waved a hand dismissively, still lost in the past. "My mother taught me the true worth of the word ruling. She was the woman behind the man on the throne. My father could rule, he simply chose to focus his efforts elsewhere. Like expanding our territory and tearing his rival's skulls from their spines. It was my mother than mastered administration, intrigue, guile, espionage. I credit her for much of how I think and act outside of battle. Though that statement is still a disservice to my father. To add to all this, as heir I was always pushed the hardest by my parents. But my siblings pushed each other harder. I was the milestone to surpass, and vice versa for me the position of heir apparent was a title to protect. This sibling rivalry only made us stronger for it. Ever pushing each other to greater heights. The strong lead, the weak follow. No demon wants to be seen as weak. And yet, the Fire Demon Clan is mine, and my brothers and sisters bent the knee before my throne." Amatricina let out a very, very long sigh. "There. Does this satisfy your questions? Now you tell me your history. Why do mortals obsess with artificial beings, and what is your story doctor?" The demon asked, raising an eyebrow as she studied him more curiously.

---

Word Count: 2,490
Total Word Count: 5,419
Doctor Kaijin Vex

"A soul." Amatricina added when Kaijn talked of that certain, spark organic life had that set them apart from himself. "Living beings have a soul, and within it burns the fires of every emotion good or bad. Every ounce of rage at a hated foe, every bit of fear at the prospect of death, every glimmer of hope in the prospect of victory. It is the soul that drives this, the very core of a living being. It is that which you cannot have, only emulate the influences of." The demoness shifted restlessly in her seat, the notion of warriors deluded into their own superiority did not sit well with her. It resonated with her, for she had already learned this lesson once. "I once thought myself intrinsically superior to these damnable mortals by the simple nature of my birth rite. Eldest daughter of a Demon Lord, to a proud demonic race." She grew sullen, her gaze growing distant as her memories flooded back to months ago. "In my hubris I challenged Emperor Carambolis, and was beaten within an inch of my life. Since then I have trained tirelessly. My dominance can only be asserted through strength, but that strength must be earned. Strength is never simply given, and I foolish forgot that lesson." The demon's power level briefly spiked, as her wrath simmered within her. She clenched her fist hard, and stowed away her rage. "I intend to repay the lesson soon. Twofold if I am able to."

The demon did not stew long on these thoughts, she'd had them a thousand times before already. She was steeled to her purpose, she needed not dwell on it every minute. That particular hatred, was bound towards a much more pressing foe. Amatricina's ruby gaze turned silently skyward, and she envisioned the very Kais looking down at her from above. Did they see her? Did they know of her escape from the Demon Realm? Did they fear her awesome newfound power? She did not know, but she would crush them all the same. Free the dead from Hell and send the very heavens crashing down around the Kais. The Kaiju tree would burn beneath her, just as the Tree of Might had. And Amatricina would see to it every fruit on that accursed tree was devoured by her kind. What more admirable a goal could a demon possibly hope to have?

Amatricina smiled when Doctor Kaijin informed her he was approving of her clan's philosophy. The first being to feel the same way in all the mortal realm, and it had to be a damnable machine. Was it fitting? Could only cold, artificial logic see that their way was superior. The petty mortal races too weak willed to appreciated a rule through strength and strength alone. "And your response is pleasing to hear." The demoness replied. "You are among the first to agree with my kind's way of thinking. So few can appreciate our ideals, which is why so many hold incorrect ones..." She flashed a fanged grin, though quickly threw back her head and laughed. The bells and jewels that adorned her horns chiming and jingling as she did. "Of course I am, Kaijin. Did you truly think this was my true strength?" Amatricina shook her head as she chuckled to herself. "No, I could destroy this whole planet at my full power. It would be fun, if not pointless. Carambolis once told me there was but a dozen or so powerful beings in this universe even he feared. I am not over boasting when I say my current power eclipses many of those. In time... I will strike every name from that list until I alone am rightfully the strongest being in either mortal... or Demon Realm."

The android's own methodology on gaining power was quite peculiar, though Amatricina did see how that would be the most logical approach for a being with such finite limitations. She rubbed a gauntlet at her chin as she mulled over what he had said. "So you cannot strength your artificial body through conventional training, but rather simply find more powerful components with which to fashion said body. The earthlings have an expression for this... a moment, I need remember it. I yes, there it is. Are you not then, a Ship of Theseus? At what point do you cease being the original Kaijin Vex, and become a wholly new entity that merely shares his name? Can you upgrade your mind? And if so, how are you certain you're still the same being? Have you ever considered the quandary, if you slowly replace every piece of something over time, does it remain the original item or is it a completely new, distinct version of that object?" The demoness held only a mild curiosity in her own thought experiment as she posed it. In truth she was simply trying to cause the machine before her to question its own being. "That said, I am impressed that even an artificial being can strive for self growth and improvement. It is a noble goal, in any being. The desire to grow stronger, it sings to me on a level few things can." Amatricina flashed another smile, fiery orange light illuminating her eyes. "If you ever wish to witness my full grandeur, and test your theories before a Demon Lord, you need only ask. I will even fight mercifully if you ask humbly."

As the android recounted his tale, his history and the rise and fall of his creator. It was a tale as old as time itself, one she herself had seen many times in mortals. Avarice, pride, envy, all working against them until their petty lives ended up snuffed out in some horrid fashion. It made the demoness smile, she did so love the suffering of mortals. Though it saddened her slightly such an ambitious mortal scientist was dead. The woman could have made a useful asset, if she was as capable as the android proclaimed his creator to be. "It is a small shame you slew this Doctor Janus, though I can sympathize as to why. Were she yet living, broken and retched, downtrodden in some prison or gutter somewhere in the universe... I may have had use for her. I am a merciful demon, I grant my boon to those willing to serve me capably in exchange for it. Though I would have kept a much closer eye on her, and with a hand clenched firm around her neck." Amatricina added, holding her taloned gauntlet up in front of her face as the claws gleamed in the midday sun. Even on this polluted world, the gold of her armor glimmered with an immaculate sheen.

Two things about Kaijin Vex's story gave the demon pause though. One, far more than the other. "You slew a shinjin?" She asked questioningly. "And a Kai no less? I am skeptical of this." She said, crossing her arms as she studied the android up and down. "Was this some petty Kai, below even the Kais of the Four Quadrants? Because I have never known of a machine capable of slaying a divine being. If it were so simple, some mortal would have done just that eons ago. Conceived a machine warrior capable of slaying gods at a whim. And without access to magic no less, Bah, I call it an impossible task." Amatricina leaned in closer, her eyes narrowing as she stared intently into Kaijin's own unblinking eyes. Studying him the way one studies a strange new device. "There is no soul in you, Kaijin. And you posses no magic for it. How did you slay a god?" She asked, mostly to herself before slowly withdrawing back to her side of the bench.

As Amatricina made herself comfortable again on her seat, she posed another question to the android. "Another thing, Kaijin. You stated you met the late Emperor Carambolis. What did you mean by that exactly? When last we spoke, Carambolis was preparing to leave for some... Galactic Peace Accords with his armada. I told him I wouldn't attend, I seek no desire for a peace among mortals. War and chaos are as natural to me as breathing, and fighting. Are you truly going to sit here and tell me that you both slew a Kai, and that My Emperor is dead? If so... the burden of proof hangs heavy. Outstanding claims require equally outstanding proof, doctor. As a being of science and learning, you must understand that. Now, show me the proof to back these outlandish claims." Amatricina's tone her colder, harsher with each passing word. She did not like being lied to, and the prospect that Carambolis was truly dead changed a great many things for her plans if proven true.

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Word Count: 1,478
Total Word Count: 6,897
Doctor Kaijin Vex

Amatricina nodded slowly, acknowledging the good doctor. "Fine, do as you will." She stated through gritted teeth, impatient for her answers. The demon simply listened through Kaijin Vex's explanation of his own philosophy on growth. In truth it made sense, though Amatricina would have debated him more upon the subject were she still in a better mood. She had lost her appetite for pleasant chit chat with the revelation of Carambolis' death, simply desiring answers at this point. She soon received them, and with every bit of information the demon's rage burned ever brighter like a flame within her. She simmered her rage as the Android offered up a small data chip that supposedly contained a recording of the events of that day. She eyed it keenly, taking it carefully in her hand. "Single use... then I will find some place more befitting to watch it in solace. For now, I do not doubt you. Because either you have told the truth, and accomplished a great deed. Or you have lied to a Demon Lord boldly to her face, and I will claim your head once I am through reviewing whatever is on this chip."

The demoness reached her free hand down into the depths of her considerable cleavage, retrieving one of the several items she kept safeguarded there. She wrapped her claws carefully around a small device, and when her hand again emerged she clutched a scout in her claws. A gift from Carambolis, a petty technological trinket to track the power levels of normal ki users. Both a way for her to see his then awesome power level, and more importantly to keep in communication with the Kabochan Confederacy the demoness had found herself beholden to. It appeared as a smooth black earpiece, but with one button tap it unfurled properly, a dark green view screen extending out to cover the user's right eye. Amatricina tapped several buttons on the side, Sergeant Skald had been the only warrior in Carambolis' retinue to take the time to show her how to use the device properly. A small slit opened in the scouter's side, and Amatricina carefully pressed the data chip to it with a finger. It accepted the computer chip willingly, before chiming as it finished downloading the contents. Satisfied for now, the voluptuous demoness simply tapped the button to compact the scouter again and carefully slid it back into the warm depths of her bust. She paid no mind if Kaijin watched the display, for her victoria's secret compartment was easily the safest place on her personage for anything fragile.

When Kaijin finished his story on the fate of the Galactic Peace Accords, Amatricina simply remained silent. Arms folded, her eyes locked on the androids', she took a minute to process what he had said. Eventually the demoness blinked slowly, exhaling a long slow sigh in addition to a dense plume of black smoke from between plump lips. "So... Carambolis is dead, and Gallius too for that matter." The demoness tapped a heel impatiently, her crossed leg suddenly very restless as she sat. "And Sir Gallius was calling himself a King before he died? How arrogant, he was king of peasants and monks. I saw his world, nothing but a misbegotten collection of the refugees cast aside by a war torn galaxy. My power long since eclipsed that fool eons ago. I can only assume he died as he lived. Bravely, but stupidly, chanting litanies through his horrid accent." Amatricina turned her head and spat, her spittle landing on the ground and searing dense concrete like a caustic acid. "And with that... the last son of Manus lies dead and forgotten. Good riddance." The Demon Lord held no love for Gallius, though he had been the closest thing she held among mortals for a period after her arrival in this realm, the Knight of Manus had quickly overstayed her graciousness. His death elicited little joy in the Demon Lord, and no sorrow. The Last Knight of Ferrous was simply beneath her, as he was always destined to be.

In one swift motion the demoness rose to her feet, having fully come to appreciate the gravity of the situation. Carambolis was dead, the very being who had held her ire, her fixation for so long, slain by another. Amatricina clenched her fist so tight the very air around it was forced out in a mild wave of pressure. "As for Emperor Carambolis, spar me your condolences. I served the man, but I hold no love for him in my black heart." Amatricina's gaze turned skyward, as she stared up at the heavens. First Kamui slain at the hands of the Mark I, now Emperor Carambolis slain by this... duo of Lords and whatever a Maijin Pooka is. And in the company of Emperor Polaris no less. Amatricina knew little of Polaris beyond his race, his supposed power, and the fact even Carambolis had held a severe respect of the warrior. Just how powerful had their foes been to accomplish something that would have been impossible for Amatricina a year ago? It filled her with wrath, boundless terrible rage welling up inside her.

"Carambolis..." She said through gritted teeth, the word like venom on her lips. "You damned, stupid fool. Failed to heed in the simplest advice I offered. And traded your life for the failed concept that is peace." Amatricina spoke bitter words in a harsh tone. But it was not out of a sense of grief or loss. The Crusher Corps was fast losing its senior members, now only Amatricina, that earthling woman Maiku, and whoever Absolut is remained. She had not learned how to activate the power of the Dragonballs, Carambolis promising to show her only once he had completed the full set of seven. Moreover, as the strongest living member of the Crusher Corps that made Amatricina the defacto leader, and as leader she chose to end the terms of her impromptu allegiance with the Kabochans. She was sworn onto to Carambolis, and with no Emperor to rule, she had no being to serve. Her pact was complete, even if the terms of it were not.

But it was not this that angered the demoness so greatly. No, it was a much purer form of hate. Even now as she spoke her power level began to rise. Her suppressed demonic energy being unshackled as her great rage drew it forth like fuel for a fire. "CARAMBOLIS..." She snarled the name again, the ground beneath her feet cracking into the fissured crater many meters wide as her power continued to grow. "I WAS SUPPOSED TO KILL YOU!" Amatricina roared, loud enough it turned heads of nearby passerbys. Any being capable of sensing ki or reading energy could sense her power level quickly reaching a hundred thousand and only bounding higher at an accelerating rate. "YOUR DEATH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MY GREAT TRIUMPH! I WAS SUPPOSED TO REPAY THE HUMILIATING YOU DEALT ME BACK TO YOU, TENFOLD!" Around the demon her crimson aura surged force, crackling with arcs of onyx lightning that coursed with Dark Energy. The ground began to shake, rocked by tremors from the raw surge of demonic power. Trees and chunks of stone and masonry torn from the ground by unbound psychic power, ripped apart by the release of such incredible energy. Amatricina's power growing to the fullest extent of her natural form. It flowed forth around her like a roaring inferno, the sheer heat given off heating the ground around her to a red glow. By this point the citizen's of the plaza were fleeing in terror, cowering in fear, or screaming as they ducked their heads and attempted to protect themselves.

"I HOPE YOU'RE WATCHING FROM HELL CARAMBOLIS!" Amatricina roared as she gazed skyward, fiery light blazing bright at her eyes. "SO THAT YOU CAN WITNESS THE POWER I NOW WIELD. THE POWER THAT WOULD HAVE TORN YOU ASUNDER! MORTAL!" The last word bellowed with such fury, the psychic backlash sent out causing terrible agony in any unable to protect themselves. The weak and frail convulsed on the ground, spasming in agony as the Demon's psychic rage washed over them like a wave of lava. Burning cinders of molten ki dripped from Amatricina's lips, energy condensing deep in her throat as she drew forth from her inner flame. In a terrible instant there was silence, followed by a deafening explosion that sent a shockwave ripping across the city. It leveled the plaza, and surrounding city blocks. Eyes locked on the heavens, on the moon where she had faced Dain Sincara. Amatricina fired a massive Chou Makouhou from her mouth, aimed directly at the moon. The heat given off by the energy wave vaporized many of the frail mortals in proximity, blinding others who gazed directly upon it. A condensed pillar composed of an ebony core of Dark Energy wreathed in an outer layer of demonic ki. Ruby lightning crackled along its length as the great beam of energy shot skyward, annihilating any aircraft or spaceship unfortunate enough to be in its way.

The attack bored into Arcose' moon, drilling into it before detonating violently. The entire lunar planetoid exploding in a brilliant flash of light and energy. Nothing was left of Arcose' moon but debris, which fell back into the planet's orbit in a meteor shower of shooting stars. The debris burning up in atmosphere, but not before filling the skies in a dazzling display. Amatricina stood silently in her pose as her great expenditure of energy finished, ki still dripping from her maw as she breathed heavily. The air grew deathly silent, until slowly the sounds of citizens in terrible pain and emergency sirens in the distance became quite clear. The demoness raised a hand to her mouth, wiping it quickly across her lips as she slowly turned around. Her eyes still glowing bright, aura still raging around her as she locked her gaze on the doctor. "Thank you Kaijin Vex." She stated simply, the rage gone from her voice. "I needed to hear that..."

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Total Word Count: 8,593
Doctor Kaijin Vex