The God Slayers

His demonic soul roared, demanding recompense for the situation at hand. It's dignity, the dignity of the heavenly demon had been compromised. It must have revenge for this slight.

Sha Ku, smiling away with his purple pupils, hadn't noticed the state of himself. The demonic soul within him slowly ingraining within his personality, one moment at a time.

That day was a long one for Sha Ku, after dealing with Yuan Lin, he had to deal with the badgering of all his fellow demonic disciples, even after he told them repeatedly not to concern themselves with the haughty arrogance of the upper peaks, and to leave them to himself.

Although his junior brothers and sisters were reluctant at first, they eventually caved to his demands, after releasing a bit of an oppressive aura of course. The tiger would often need to roar to scare away the vultures.

The rest of the day was spent with the insane Dong Hu, constantly writing lines with Demonisis Flames into innocent souls, "I failed to protect my junior brother's tongue," had never been written into so many souls, perhaps the most in the history of Demonisis.

After escaping the chastising madman, Dong Hu, Sha Ku spent the rest of his evening together with his loyal posse. When suddenly, Bing Yuanshan brought up a subject – Societies.

"Just hear me out, Brother Ku." Bing Yuanshan stood up, pointing to the younger boy, whom he somehow treated as a senior.

Trying not to roll his eyes, Sha Ku picked up his ears ready for Bing Yuanshan's proposal, "What if we made our own society? Think about it, as we grow becoming influential figures throughout the realm, we'll need our own power base. A place loyal to us and only us, whether it be the sect or the wider world!"

The words fell on the ears of Sha Ku, who was not surprised by Bing Yuanshan's ambition. That beyond the Spirit Sword Sect, the inescapable shadow of his fallen family loomed heavy over his heart.

Sha Ku sat there in silence when Yu Shi quickly interjected. "Bing Yuanshan, it'd be better if we kept a low profile, and you know a society doesn't just run itself, right? There are hundreds of hours of logistics going into a few weeks' worths of activities for a decent-sized organisation."

"Then we'll recruit someone good at that? Maybe pluck them straight out of the military? Heavens knows that the Wei Dynasty Generals don't do much but gather dust these days, let alone the skilled men rising through the ranks who have no opportunity to shine." Bing Yuanshan jumped up in excitement, slamming his icy hand on the splintering wooden table which they sat around.

"Sigh." Yu Shi let out a sigh of exasperation, this Bing Yuanshan really thought it was so simple.

"Wait. Don't discard the thought so soon, Brother Shi." Sha Ku suddenly interrupted a look of genius astride his brow.

"What's that look you have now, Sha Ku? I don't like it." Yu Shi groaned in dismay as Sha Ku's face lit up in a sickening smile.

Sha Ku looked at cold Yu Shi, then to imperious Bing Yuanshan, then finally to eagerly watching Song Yi, "Each of us four has different origins, different skills, different abilities. In the future, each of us is going to establish our own power, our own strengths, our own weaknesses. So, what if instead of forming an official society, we formed a shadow group. From which, each of us supports each other."

Yu Shi's dim eyes suddenly set ablaze, keenly listening to Sha Ku's every word, "So, like trees, we will grow our own powerbases, be it, clan, cult or guild… but our roots, they will be tied together, hurtling towards a singular purpose."

Sha Ku gave the nod, ever impressed at Yu Shi's power of deduction.

"Then we should all join different societies in the sect, to make sure these 'roots' are invisible to those that they will one day entangle." Bing Yuanshan spoke, jutting out his jaw. A smile forming upon his face, he was begging to enjoy this plan.

Sha Ku nodded once more, "We must come up with a few rules though, first off. Will it be only us, or should we allow new members?" He spoke softly.

Song Yi came forwards, holding his hands up. All but one of his fingers were extended, nine. No more.

Sha Ku looked over to Yu Shi and Bing Yuanshan, whom all nodded in agreement.

Over the next half hour, Sha Ku and his posse discussed in-depth, the rule of the new organisation. They came up with three supreme articles that would supersede all over rules written in the future.

The first was that to anoint a new member of their little shadow group, the decision to add them must be unanimous. All four original members must acknowledge their worth and add them as a member of the society.

The second was that in public, the members of the society were encouraged to work against one another. Or at least make it appear so. In doing so, they can create a false air of tension. And that false haze shall cloud their enemy's vision, cloaking the blade which will strike at their heart. Always Secret, they would be.

The third, well. That was the most important article of all. The article that would guide them in their goal. The third article's instructions were "Form power at any cost. The road to heaven isn't clean, its coated with blood. Blood of the innocent. The blood of the guilty. The blood of all that dare tread it, no remorse. No regret. The way blood and steel. That is our way. Enlightenment through victory."

After the three articles were settled, all that was left, was a name.

Many were thrown out, "The Heavenly Scythe," Called out Yu Shi.

"The All-Encompassing Eye," Song Yi wrote on a note.

"The Crimson Dawn." Bing Yuanshan banged his hand down on the table.

All were good names, intentionally foreboding. Yet, Sha Ku had one in mind. One oh so very dear to his heart, a smile crept upon his lips as he said it, "The God-Slayers." His solemn eyes, peering into each of their souls. Crushing them with a horrid, heart-breaking sense of sadness…