[Anonymous Audio]

[lord_of_terror]

[At first there's static on the feed, though the static quickly turns into a low gravely and slightly distorted laugh.]

It seems that the heroes are gathering like moths to a flame. Such righteousness and bravery, it's almost palpable.

I simply have one question for all these heroes...

...How many of you have braved the pits of the Burning Hells, seen the horrors within, and escaped with your lives?

I doubt many - if any - of you have... but you will soon. Very soon...

[The laugh returns as the feed starts to fade, though it sounds more unhinged and distorted than before...]

Comments

[Video]

[aurabble]

What? Does your little sunburn plan rest on you having to post anonymously? If it's that fragile then I can't say I'm impressed.

[Video]

[lord_of_terror]

[As the shift from voice to video is made, Diablo's end is completely shrouded in shadow. Only two burning pinpricks of light can be seen in a vague shadowy form. The tone of voice used is rather amused.]

Such indignation. I wonder how long that will last in the face of the Lord of Terror.

[Video]

[aurabble]

[Jaune just looks done with everything. He doesn't even bother to hide his exasperation.]

If you need to include a word like Terror in your name you can't be that terrifying. Your face is stupid.

[azaleafae]

[Azalea listens to the distorted voice, and can't think of an appropriate response. Qubine also hears the voice as he leans closer to her device, tiny as it is compared to him.]

Interesting...

[Azalea gives him a nervous look.] I hope you're not thinking what I think you're thinking...

[Qubine knows what Azalea is thinking. He's not one to rush into battle without good reason, but his gut also tells him that this being won't give him a choice in the matter. So he leans closer to the device to answer Azalea's concern as well as this entity's message.]

If you pose a threat to our clan, we will destroy you. That is all.

[It works for Azalea, all right. She glances back at her device with a hard determination. She knows she wouldn't stand much of a chance alone, but when the clan fights together, she believes they can overcome anything.]

[lord_of_terror]

[There's just an ominous laughter in response for a moment.]

Greater beings than you have tried.

[azaleafae]

"Greater beings than us."

[Qubine almost scoffs at that. The only "greater beings" than the dragons in Sornieth were the elemental deities that gave birth to them. Even if this entity was speaking the truth, it would be an interesting test of skill. However, there was no reason to argue about it.]

We have no wish to battle you, but I have a feeling you will attack us anyway. We'll just see what happens then.

[As he turns to walk away, Azalea looks back at her device. She really should say something, but she can't think of anything except to reiterate what Qubine had said.]

You do not mess with our clan!

[totally accidental voice]

[beacane]

[ ozpin hadn't meant to actually respond, but you definitely hear a faintly incredulous aside, underneath his breath, amidst some rustling of papers, because ozpin is reading while listening to the network: ]

Goodness, villains these days are certainly getting cheaper in their dialogue.

[ honestly is this a joke ]

[Voice]

[lord_of_terror]

I wonder how cheap it will seen when the streets run red with blood and your world is burning to the ground.

[Voice]

[beacane]

[ . . . oh, sigh and bother. ]

And what, exactly, is your motivation for doing such a pointless thing?

[ honestly this is the dumbest thing and ozpin literally launches students into a forest once a year for funzies ]

audio;

[iridescentillusion]

[Did someone cue a creepy audio party? Because Cipher is so there with his distorted doubled voice.]

My my, color me intrigued. Tell me, what is it that you have planned? Perhaps suchs things would make this world more interesting.

audio;

[lord_of_terror]

My aim here is the same as my aim has always and ever will be. To drag all of creation into the torture pits of the Burning Hells.

audio;

[iridescentillusion]

That is quite the ambition. If I may, I would like to learn how you would do such a thing in a realm that is beyond our understanding?

Unless... there is something you know that we do not?

[Really, Cipher had arguably good intentions back in his home world and would want to prevent this kind of thing there... but he doesn't have those shackles here, so all he cares about at this point is entertainment.]

audio;

[ghostofrazgriz]

[That... is not the most welcoming thing to hear first thing after arriving back in Genessia. He's a little unnerved, but his 'protect the civilians' military instinct kicks in.]

What is it you intend to do?

audio;

[lord_of_terror]

I have not yet decided on the opening act of this play. Perhaps a rain of fire is in the near future...

audio;

[ghostofrazgriz]

[Jesus. He's not even sure what to think about this right now. He wants to hope that this thing is bluffing, but he has a horrible gut feeling that he's not. If there's anything he knows better than to underestimate, it's an anonymous enemy.]

What would you stand to gain? Especially in a place that's not your home.

[Private Audio]

[evenglass]

[Ivina's interest is hard to pique, especially with a vague audio broadcast like this. She was just having some tea at her room in Castlevania while looking out at the balcony. She's been tinkering with a communicator device that she bought in Genessia, since she left the one in the Bay behind. The mention of "Burning Hells" is what sold her to answer, tapping her fingertip at the screen to respond with an audio of her own]

I do not know who or what you are. However what you so vaguely spoken of has caught my interest. I personally despise self-righteous people referring to themselves as heroes. So if you truly are someone worthy of respect, I beckon you to respond.

[Whether or not this anonymous entity is really something to take seriously or something she can work together with, is still up in the air. But once she knows he's for real, she'll offer to help out in making life hard for these "heroes"]

[Private Audio]

[lord_of_terror]

[There is a moment of silence before Diablo's laugh fills the air again.]

I see. If you would stand against these righteous fools, then I would like to meet with you in person.

[Private Audio]

[evenglass]

[Ivina's eyes narrowed. She didn't expect whoever this was to invite her so soon, and it put her on a skeptical position and took a moment to think. Taking a sip of her drink, she places it down gently]

That is quite an unexpected answer. But since you're so eager to meet face to face, give me a time and a place to gather. Do your best to make our meeting interesting, I do hate being disappointed.

Video/Private

[koishi_komeiji]

There was some fiddling before the video flicked on showing a familiar green-framed face. She was absolutely all smiles.

"Oh! Hello there! Sometimes they call me a hero here and I've been through the hell of blazing fires before. I used to help Okuu there a few times a week. Some of the things down there can't be hurt by nuclear hellfire so I had to shatter their minds so Okuu could work."

"There are lots of human heroes showing up, but you don't sound human so you probably know how it usually goes. Some powerful monster shows up and the humans throw themselves at it and die until one grows strong and brave enough to kill the monster. But a lot of the people here are great heroes from their worlds so such strong humans aren't necessarily so few and far between, okay?"

Video/Private

[lord_of_terror]

Ah, the demon child... thing. Even if she was not of the Burning Hells, she was close enough in Diablo's mind to allow himself to be seen without his disguise.

"I have been waging war against the High Heavens and their human pawns for millenia. I know exactly how this goes. But I also know that no hero is too pure to be incorruptible. It's simply a matter of time, patience, and circumstance."

[koishi_komeiji]

Koishi blinked and tilted her head when Diablo's face appeared on screen. "Ohh. You're very red. You remind me of the oni. I bet you're really tall too but its hard to tell on such a tiny screen." And the smile was back. "I like your horns. They look very strong."

"Well, that's true. For the most part. It's not always the same thing that does it. Humans are strange. Even a corrupted human isn't nessisraly bad overall. Perhaps misguided." She brightened more. "And isn't it more fun to oppose true heros? Doesn't that make better stories?"

Video

[theonewithsixeyes]

If god could not conquer me, then I doubt you will do any better, o loquacious one. You speak of the fires of hell, but those flames don't seem all that hot comparatively. Maybe you would serve your time better trying to figure out what you'll do when you get home, than try to rule a realm you could not begin to understand.

[To be fair, he didn't win when he had fought god- he didn't have the raw power or skill it'd take do fight the lord of creation. But... what he did have was willpower, in spades. If god could not make his soul heel, then the devil couldn't either. He was confident in that.]

Voice

[lord_of_terror]

I am no god, but the gods of Sanctuary could not stand before the might of the Burning Hells.

[...Well technically they were just mortal Nephalem that Hell outlasted, but hey. The Devil's in the details, right?]

I doubt you would fare much better.

[Video]

[beautifulmidboss]

[Ergh, Midboss did not like the sound of this at all.]</small. I do not fear anything the Netherworld could throw at me. Rest assured, whoever you are, if you cause problems for the people here I will deal with you myself.

[Voice]

[lord_of_terror]

Your Netherworld pales in comparison to the depths of terror that the Burning Hells are capable of. I do not have high hopes for one that is driven to doubt by a single name.