Netori: Stealing The Hero's Party!

Were you searching for a damsel? A soul beyond repair? You'd be right to assume the second but it's laughable if you thought I was the first. Why again you ask? Isn't that getting a bit desperate? Because I'm damned demon you moron and I do whatever the fuck I want!

Ahaha~

However, how about we make a deal so this visit of yours isn't a complete waste of time? Hmm? You sit there and relax, maybe even start sipping some of that tea, and if you wish for better entertainment, let me spread my legs wide and flash more of my big flashy tits! Whatever you choose rests entirely up to you, so why don't we begin unfolding the centuries-long secrets behind the maze?

The last holy war, a time of conflict past the death of the demon lord, the champion had died fighting the calamity, but it hadn't put an end to the conflict like the gods and goddesses had promised. Faith ran thinner than the blood of soldiers on every inch of Atlarian soil–all but one, the edge of the world and the land of the human king.

Nobody dared touch his castle, no man who wasn't already inside dared to crawl toward his city walls, even if it was the last thing that could save their life.

Why, you ask…again? Because he blasted a god to death with a canon, and a single foot soldier killed and devoured the god of time. But I digress, as what mattered more than some castle, some secluded patch of land was faith, and few gods could still hold it in their dire state.

Murdok boosted eternal loyalty with a promise of heaven beyond the grave, the goddess of war knighted her loyal and reserved them a crown at the heaven's golden gates, many others bribed their faithful the same, but as the god of death marched towards their armies, his eyes burning and his skeletal horse breathing flames, no man and no woman could stand in his way until their very god fell to the undead's blade.

He killed every last one of them, beyond every stretch of time, in the present past and in the future, his glowing eyes still haunts the immortality of the gods beyond the limits of time. But, two of them still remained the goddesses, one the goddess of life and the other of war.

Aphrodite's blessings were far too potent for her faithful to lose their way, and the goddess of war couldn't lose a battle even if she tried.

Then what happened? Well, when the undead and the war goddess finally faced off, instead of a victor we gained two draws. Their blades slash through flesh bone and soul, leaving behind the only elder god that would be preached as the birth giver to the world.

Now, you might be wondering what the maze has to do with such a fairy tale. Well, being the goddess of life, harvest, and sex, she needed all three to be in balance with each other. Faith was dwindling even for her, and being as weak as she'd become her magic had waned beyond repair. She knew she was dying, for the war goddess had slashed her soul with her eternal blade.

It stabbed her every night and carved away at her very presence. Murdok had tried to save her, but even his best attempts had failed.

Her time was limited and she knew it well, thus using the help of demons–or rather one particular primordial she ensured that her name lives eternally. Giving away her damaged yet godly soul for such a wish, she died with a legacy that would live even with her daughter taking over.

Still confused, where do I come in? Think sweetheart, think, think and think and think and think because I'm tired of explaining everything. But how about I give you some hints? Some hint that would help you uncover this mystery for yourself?

The dark knight never came to end me, and neither did the radiant Valkyrie. I hold the secrets of all those who've lived here, and I've lived longer than anyone living in this city.

Even the champions of these lands had been babies when I had first set foot in this soil, and sure the maze hadn't yet been built, but I've always been here even during the war doing as Aphdorite commanded with my numerous succubus to help her warriors relieve themselves a little.

Demonic blood potions in bulk, how do you think they got it so easily? Pfft! Demonic gauntlets that suck up the wearer's blood for power, demonic leather, metal, fuel, liquids, and the whole goddamn arsenal! Enjoy more content from mvl

WHY DO YOU THINK THOSE WHO'VE LIVED THROUGH THOSE TIMES HATE THEIR GODDESS?! IS IT MERE DISSATISFACTION OR THE KNOWLEDGE THAT SHE WAS DESPERATE TO KEEP HER NAME LIVING NO MATTER THE TIME?! DO YOU–haa…Allow me a second.

She sold their humanity for herself, for her insatiable hunger for faith, and sure the land lives as the most lush on Atlaria, but it's built on the sacrifice of some very dissatisfied soldiers, and my succubus army.

I am Athenia, visitor, without me the city crumbles and so will its pillars. The lands will lose their harvest, the people will be diseased, but most importantly, all those blessings they've enjoyed will be revealed for what they are…the work of a devil.

As for the goddess who rules this land, she cannot command without me secretly allowing it. Why can't she? For the same reason, Raven couldn't alter or even see Maria's true memories. Do you get it now? Finally? Either way, it's time, I've enjoyed your company enough, but maybe on your next visit, let's enjoy it another way shall we?

Ahaha~ AHAhAhAHA!

Note: Please do let me know how you feel about this chapter's narrative direction. I think it was well suited for the character to reply back to someone looking into their mind, so I chose a different experimental approach.