The general stood sternly before his troops. While it contained some of the rather good warriors most of the other truly great demons were off leading assaults elsewhere. Instead he was left with the new recruits. Chosen to come from the underworld because they were still dumb and unable to even consider fighting an older demon and their willingness to accept orders without question. It would be years before they could even come to a level where they would start to specialize as a demon and grow into a true form. Now they were just shadows of their former selves; skeletal and bloodthirsty. Some wore some rusted armor or clung to old weapons, still clinging to their old ways. Demons after all were just sinning humans sent to hell and twisted into new forms. The lion was too old to recall his original life, few his age did, but if these new demons could speak they could probably recite their past life to a T.<br/><br/>Those weaklings numbered a little over a hundred, but they were generally useless, they fought like humans still, thought like humans still, and most importantly they died like humans; quickly. His true choices numbered much fewer, only about thirty. They had been demons for much longer and while the newly spawned creatures were all generally the same this bunch was much more varied. Some in a demon form, rotting flesh and twisted limbs with sickening claws and fangs. Others, the stronger ones, in suppressed forms; out of these some where weaker suppressions, like the dogfaced guard they still held traces of their demon form.<br/><br/>Of all his army he had two officers that stood at attention before the rest. A tall, broad shouldered crocodile like man. Solid glistening green scales lines his well muscled form like plate armor. There didnâ€™t seem to be an outward weak point on him. He wore a leather loin cloth that held tightly to his hips, the strap of which was adorned with many bronze beads and bangles. A show of high rank, he seemed close to a promotion and Rampage felt he could see why, taking an instant liking to him. The crocâ€™s pupiless golden eyes stared firmly out into the distance. A massive battle axe was slung effortlessly across his back.<br/><br/>As for the other, the lion knew he would not like nearly as much. Female and in the form of a pristine white doe. Though it was no normal deer, her eyes were bloodshot red, again without any pupils and her teeth protruded form her jaws creating thin, frightening fangs. Along her back were small while batlike wings, too small for long flight but for short bursts they would do just fine. War minded general disapproved of such a choice in form even with the altercations. If it were perhaps a stag then Rampage would accept it but this was a female and it simply did not seem suitable for battle. Though she probably had a good deal of skills in magic eyeing her much fewer bronze bits that pierced her long ears or that were worn on a necklace along with a handful of fangs. Females, even if demons seemed too weak and delicate, not suitable for war at all but this was all he had to choose from.<br/><br/>â€œWe shall be heading south from here: first to one of our farms then to the war front.â€ He roared out so that all in the castle could hear. His announcement was followed by some brief cheers and howls of delight. Most had heard of the farms if they had not yet visited them and such a visited was a coveted experience. Then in a quieter growl, now speaking only to his troops, â€œIf there are any questions or doubts about this journey speak now.â€ He said so in an almost sing-songy voice, like a joke. Yet the cold blue eyes glared out daring any to speak out of term. To question here was to disobey and to disobey him was to disobey Vehmaâ€™s orders which could only mean death.<br/><br/>One stupid demon hesitantly raised his arm. The joking smile that he held before flew away swiftly seeing this. Shoving through the war host to the one that had a question, he came before the wide eyed demon. It was shorter than him and in an unsuppressed form itâ€™s rotting flesh twitching uncontrollably at being addressed so directly by the general.<br/><br/>Honey like voice asked with soft eyes almost seeming kind if not for the way Rampage had approached him it would have seemed friendly. â€œSo now, you have a question?â€<br/><br/>â€œHuh?! No, no I have no question!â€ blurted out the lesser demon fearing for his life. Even the others that were near by seemed to inch away in fear of their generalâ€™s current mood.<br/><br/>Massive head tilted to the side a bit as if confused, â€œOh, you have no question for me? Then why did you want me to come all the way here then?â€ His voice sounded so innocent and dragged out certain words for effect. The rest of his army was dead silent, not even the usual gurgle was present and all could hear his normal speaking voice and even the whispers of the small demon before him.<br/><br/>It cowered before him, trying to make itself even smaller. â€œNo itâ€™s just a stupid question, please spare me.â€<br/><br/>Playful expression disappeared and was replaced by a more serious mask. â€œI have no need for those who second guess themselves in my army. Leave. Now!â€ Rampage watched as the pitiful demon practically tripped over his own tail trying to run away. Looking to the side he spotted one of the guards from the royal chambers early walking by, trying to act as if he wasnâ€™t watching the general discipline his warriors. â€œYou there! Lizard! Take his place.â€ His word was close to law given his rank, the only above him was Vehma and their master surely wouldnâ€™t mind if some imperfect guard was taken off to war in place of a coward. The news of what just happened would spread like wildfire once he left the castle anyway and Vehma would most certainly understand.<br/><br/>With that the lion moved out of his army back to the lead and shook his head so that his bells would chime beautifully. â€œWe move out to the farm now.â€ With that said Rampage lead his army out of the castle and onto the wasteland that surrounded it. Once a lush countryside was now nothing by ash; and the demons liked it like that.