The Tyrant’s Bargain: Demon Lord Xyloth’s Bid for Dominion

Xyloth, the Lord of Supreme Pride, was not one to manipulate from the shadows like Azariah. He did not believe in underhanded tricks or subtlety. He was a conqueror—a warlord who crushed those who stood in his way through sheer dominance. And so, when the time came to claim his territory, he did not slink in like a thief.

He marched in like a god.

His chosen lands were Coleus and the Barren Lands, regions vastly different in nature but equally challenging to subjugate. Coleus was a land of warriors, known for its mercenaries and wandering battle clans. The Barren Lands, on the other hand, were home to the Giants—an ancient and powerful race that had once served under the Demon Lord Draguel. But Draguel was gone, and his brother, Glassord, now ruled as their king.

The question was simple: Would they bow to Xyloth, or would they be crushed beneath him?

And yet, Demon Lord Xyloth, the Lord of Supreme Pride, was not a fool. He was an unstoppable force, a conqueror, a warlord who took what he wanted by sheer power. But power alone was not always the answer.

His goal was clear: Coleus and the Barren Lands.

Coleus would be simple—it was a land of warring clans, and he would dominate them with ease.

But the Barren Lands? That was different.

Glassord, the king, ruled there, and he was no ordinary opponent. Draguel, one of the Keepers, had bestowed upon his brother a tremendous power, one that made Glassord nearly invincible.

Xyloth was strong, but not reckless. If brute force wouldn't work, then he would bend the world to his will in another way.

He would bargain.

Xyloth marched into the Great Arena of Coleus, the heart of the warrior nation, where the strongest fighters gathered to prove their dominance.

There was no king in Coleus, no central rule—only warriors, mercenary clans, and warring factions. And now, Xyloth stood before them, arms crossed, his presence alone sending waves of terrifying authority through the crowd.

Xyloth: "I am Demon Lord Xyloth, the Lord of Supreme Pride. This land is mine now."

The warriors of Coleus laughed.

Jorvag, the Blade Tyrant: "A Demon Lord? In Coleus? You think we care about your fancy title?"

Xyloth smirked.

Xyloth: "No. But you will care about this."

He raised a hand. The moment he swiped his fingers through the air, an explosion of raw energy obliterated an entire mountain range in the distance.

Silence.

The warriors, who lived for battle, felt fear.

Still, they were proud. They would not kneel so easily.

One by one, the strongest warriors challenged Xyloth.

The Iron-Blooded Berserkers attacked in a blind rage. Xyloth broke their bodies with a single punch each.

The Stormfang Clan rained lightning upon him. He absorbed the lightning into his own body and sent it back tenfold, vaporizing their leader.

The Unbroken Clan, who had never lost a battle, fought him for an hour straight—until they realized Xyloth wasn't even trying.

By the end of the battle, Xyloth stood atop the corpses of the fallen.

The warriors who remained alive—those strong enough to be worth keeping—looked up at him with a mixture of awe and terror.

Xyloth: "Coleus belongs to me now. Serve me, or be erased from history."

The warriors of Coleus, proud as they were, bowed.

Coleus had fallen.

With Coleus under his dominion, Xyloth turned his eyes to the Barren Lands, a land ruled by Giants—ancient titans whose strength was unmatched.

And at their head was Glassord, the Celestial Keeper of Time's Balance.

Unlike Coleus, Xyloth did not storm the Barren Lands looking for a fight.

Instead, he requested an audience with Glassord himself.

It was unheard of—a Demon Lord asking for a meeting instead of war.

But Glassord, curious about Xyloth's true intentions, granted him an audience.

Xyloth stood before the Titan's Throne, where Glassord sat, his golden eyes piercing through the Demon Lord as if he could see the truth of his very soul.

Glassord: "You conquered Coleus. Now you set your sights on my land. Do you think I will simply hand it over?"

Xyloth met his gaze, unwavering.

Xyloth: "No. But I am not here for a fight."

Glassord's eyes narrowed.

Glassord: "Then why are you here, Demon Lord?"

Xyloth took a step forward, his voice laced with absolute confidence.

Xyloth: "Because I know I cannot defeat you."

The air shifted. The gathered Giants, warriors who had expected Xyloth to issue a challenge, now listened intently.

Xyloth: "Draguel has given you power beyond reason. Even if I fought you, the outcome would be uncertain."

He grinned.

Xyloth: "And I do not make bets I cannot win."

Glassord watched him carefully.

Glassord: "So instead of battle, you wish to negotiate?"

Xyloth: "I wish to offer you something greater than just war."

Xyloth's plan was simple, yet brilliant.

The Giants were mighty, but they had always lacked proper governance. They were a warrior race, but not rulers.

Coleus, now under Xyloth, was filled with some of the strongest human warriors in the world.

If Xyloth and Glassord worked together, they could create an empire where only the strong survived.

Xyloth: "Imagine a nation where warriors thrive, where only the most powerful rule. A land where weaklings are crushed, and strength reigns supreme."

Xyloth: "You are a king, Glassord. But even a king can benefit from a Demon Lord."

Glassord leaned forward, his fingers tapping against his throne.

Glassord: "And what do you gain from this?"

Xyloth smirked.

Xyloth: "Territory. Influence. Power."

He spread his arms.

Xyloth: "I do not need to conquer the Barren Lands. I need only to watch over them as their Demon Lord. The Giants will keep their rule. You will remain their king. But together, we will forge a kingdom unlike any other."

Silence filled the chamber.

The Giants murmured amongst themselves. Some wanted war. Others saw the brilliance in Xyloth's words.

And finally, Glassord stood.

His golden eyes locked onto Xyloth's, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

Then, he extended his hand.

Glassord: "Very well, Demon Lord Xyloth. We shall see if your rule is as strong as your words."

Xyloth gripped Glassord's hand, a devilish grin on his face.

The deal was made.

With Coleus and the Barren Lands unified, Demon Lord Xyloth created one of the most fearsome territories in the Cardinal World—a land where only the strong survived.

The warriors of Coleus became Xyloth's enforcers, their bloodlust now serving a greater cause.

The Giants of the Barren Lands remained independent but allied, their unmatched strength a deterrent to any foolish enough to challenge Xyloth's rule.

Glassord remained king, but now with a Demon Lord watching over the realm, ensuring its prosperity through war and conquest.

As the world shuddered at the news, Xyloth stood atop Titan's Throne, his empire secure—and his ambition only beginning.

He whispered to himself, his pride swelling.

Xyloth: "This is only the start."