Chapter 12 - Diablo

I was born into nothing. A void, empty and cold. No light, no sound, just endless darkness. I had one purpose, a single, relentless command echoing in my mind: Grow stronger. Devour.

A voice, a constant whisper, demanded, "Devour! Devour! Devour!" But what? The massive mountain blocking my view? The strange, silent statue? Or the creatures like myself that began to appear?

I tried to ignore the voice, to fight the hunger. But it was like trying to stop a flood. The desire grew until it was all I knew. I was lost, drowning in the darkness, consumed by the need to devour.

Finally, I broke. I gave in to the madness.

At first, the thought of eating my own kind filled me with horror. But the taste of power, the surge of strength it brought, was like a poison. I craved it. Needed it. It was the only thing that made this endless night bearable.

I grew stronger, faster than any of them. Centuries passed, and I became a monster, a ruler. They called me Devil Emperor Diablo.

We are a world of predators. At the bottom are the normal Devils, born from the strange statue. Above them, the Devil Knights, fodder for our endless wars. Then the Devil Commanders, vicious and cruel. The Devil Barons lead armies of thousands. The Devil Dukes advise the Devil King, who serves me.

But I am not alone. Others could rise, stronger than me. I’ve learned five truths:

Luck is for the weak.

Hesitation is death.

Mercy is a fool’s game.

Survival is my only law.

Power is everything.

This world is a battleground. Intelligence is a weapon, but strength is the king. There is no mercy, no friendship. Only endless war.

I am a monster, born of darkness, shaped by hunger. I will devour all.

The voice is silent now. I am the voice. I am the devourer. Diablo.