For centuries, Rudra and Guy Crimson had clashed in battle, their duels shaking the very foundations of the world. What had started as simple challenges had evolved into a long-standing rivalry, and despite their differences, an unusual camaraderie had formed between them.

One day, after another of their monumental battles that left the frozen wasteland scarred and steaming, Rudra lay on his back, staring at the darkening sky. Guy stood over him, arms crossed, crimson eyes gleaming with amusement.

"You lost again."

Rudra groaned, wiping the blood from his lip before laughing. "Yeah, yeah. You don't have to rub it in."

Guy smirked. "But I enjoy rubbing it in."

Rudra sat up, still catching his breath, before his expression shifted into something more calculating. "Tell me, Guy… aren't you tired of this?"

The demon lord raised a brow. "Tired of what? Kicking your ass?"

"No," Rudra grinned, his golden eyes glinting mischievously. "Tired of fighting the same way over and over. What if we changed things up? What if we played a different kind of game?"

Guy's interest piqued. "What kind of game?"

Rudra dusted himself off, standing to meet Guy's gaze. "A game of strategy. You and I won't fight directly anymore. Instead, we'll use the world itself as our battlefield. We'll treat nations, warriors, and leaders as our pawns. The goal? Absolute victory."

Guy narrowed his eyes. "So, you want a war without us getting involved directly?"

Rudra smirked. "Exactly. You pick your side, I pick mine. We use our influence, our intellect, and our chosen champions to wage war. Let's see who is truly the greatest mastermind."

The air grew colder as Guy pondered the idea. His demonic nature reveled in conflict, but this… this was something new. A different kind of battle.

"And the prize?" Guy finally asked.

Rudra crossed his arms. "If I win, you join me. You help me unify the world under my rule."

Guy chuckled darkly. "And if I win?"

Rudra's grin widened. "Then I'll give up on my ambition and admit you're the better one. No more challenges."

The demon lord studied him for a long moment before a slow, sinister smile spread across his face. "Alright, Rudra. You have yourself a game."

They shook hands, sealing a pact that would set the world on a path of chaos, conflict, and grand battles between the strongest beings.

Thus began the greatest game in history—a game where entire civilizations would rise and fall, and the fate of the world would be decided by the hands of two rivals.

Far from the icy battlefield where Guy Crimson and Rudra had struck their infamous pact, a shadow watched. Concealed within the swirling blizzards, cloaked by magic, Arion's spies had seen everything. They had listened to every word, observed every smirk, and when the handshake sealed the beginning of a world-spanning game, they knew their master had to be informed.

The spies moved swiftly, retreating into the darkness, vanishing without a trace.

Back in his grand citadel, Arion sat upon his throne, a figure of both wisdom and power. His piercing gaze was unreadable as his spies kneeled before him, relaying every detail of the conversation between Rudra and Guy.

A deep silence filled the chamber as Arion absorbed their words. His fingers tapped against the armrest of his throne, his expression remaining calm.

"A game, is it?" His voice was low, thoughtful. "Using kingdoms, warriors, and innocent lives as mere pawns in their entertainment?"

His golden eyes narrowed as a wave of power flickered around him. The room grew heavy, and even his most seasoned spies felt a shiver down their spines.

Arion leaned forward slightly, his tone carrying both irritation and intrigue. "Fools. They treat the world like a chessboard, moving pieces for their amusement."

For a long moment, he was silent, deep in thought. He could intervene now—put an end to this before it even began. He was strong enough to challenge both Guy and Rudra, and with the right strategy, he could dismantle their entire scheme before it took root.

And yet…

A small smirk formed on his lips, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "No… I will wait. I will watch. Let them play their little game."

He leaned back, his expression unreadable. "But if they go too far… if they push the world into true devastation… then I will step in. And I will end it."

His words carried a weight of absolute certainty. For now, he would remain in the shadows, watching, observing. But should their ambitions cross the line, Arion would not hesitate.

Because in the end, there was one truth neither Rudra nor Guy understood yet:

This world did not belong to them alone.
----____---

Seated upon his throne, Arion listened as Diablo and Testarossa stood before him. Their expressions were filled with intrigue, their smiles hiding the excitement that burned beneath their calm exteriors.

"Two more Primordial Demons still lurk in the Underworld," Diablo began, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. "The Primordial Jaune and the Primordial Violet."

Testarossa, ever the picture of elegance and cruelty, added smoothly, "They would be powerful additions to your Shadow Army, Lord Arion. Not only that, but they have an extensive network of subordinates in the Underworld, demons with untapped potential waiting for a greater purpose."

Arion's expression remained unreadable, but his fingers tapped idly against the armrest of his throne as he considered the proposition. The Underworld was a chaotic place, filled with beings of immeasurable strength, most of them indifferent to the affairs of the mortal world. Yet, Diablo and Testarossa were correct—Jaune and Violet were not ordinary demons. They were Primordials, the same caliber of beings as Diablo himself.

"If they are as powerful as you claim, then their addition would be valuable," Arion finally said. His golden eyes locked onto Diablo. "But demons of such stature do not simply join another's cause without reason. What makes you believe they will serve me?"

Diablo chuckled, his voice dripping with mischief. "They will not have a choice."

Testarossa's smile widened as she added, "We will bring them willingly… or by force."

Arion nodded slowly, the corner of his mouth curving slightly. "Very well. Find them. Convince them… or subjugate them."

Without another word, Diablo and Testarossa exchanged glances, their smirks mirroring one another. Then, with a single motion, they vanished into the darkness, descending into the Underworld.

The dimly lit throne room remained silent as Arion's spy knelt before him, cloaked in shadows. His voice was steady, measured, revealing only what needed to be said.

"My lord, I bring updates from the international guild and various kingdoms."

Arion motioned for him to proceed.

"The public remains unaware of the true game at play. As of now, only four individuals know the full scope of it—Guy Crimson, Rudra, Velzard, and Velgrynd. No one else has discovered their intentions."

Arion's expression remained unreadable, but he listened intently.

"Despite this secrecy, we are seeing movements that suggest an unseen force is at work," the spy continued. "Kingdoms are shifting, alliances are forming, and powerful individuals are being drawn into conflicts they do not yet understand."

Arion tapped his fingers against the armrest of his throne. "Explain."

"Various leaders are recruiting high-ranked adventurers and mercenaries at an unprecedented rate. They do not know about the game itself, but they sense something looming on the horizon. Some rulers are expanding their militaries, while others are taking a more subtle approach—securing rare artifacts, hiring assassins to eliminate potential threats before they rise, and seeking alliances with the strongest factions."

Arion's golden eyes narrowed slightly. "And the guild?"

"The Adventurer's Guild remains neutral for now, though pressure is mounting. Requests for high-level adventurers have skyrocketed, and some of the guild's own officials suspect that war is coming. However, they lack the information to pinpoint its true cause."

Arion considered the report carefully. The fact that Guy and Rudra's game remained a secret meant that, for now, the world was moving according to their hidden machinations. But that would not last forever.

"Continue watching," Arion commanded. "The moment anyone learns the truth, I want to know immediately."

The spy bowed deeply. "As you command, my lord."

As the spy vanished into the shadows, Arion's gaze lingered on the vast horizon beyond his domain. The world was shifting, and though he remained an observer for now, he knew that soon enough, the pieces on this hidden chessboard would move too far.

And when they did, he would be there to decide their fate.