Diankoran Lord in the style of Gustave Moreau, as interpreted by DALL-E in February 2025.

  Chapter 31: Midnight creature

  Palace, City of Dat, Diankoran dimension

  Pa?ka yug 88 (local time)

  Scelera Ignosce left the Council meeting grinning. What morons! Mori would pay very heavy price indeed. Mediocre! Among Diankoran failure not rewarded, for sure.

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  Of course, it was very dangerous game. How could be otherwise? Scelera had invested heavily in Mori’s demise. And reaped rewards! With careful sabotage Mori’s failure made manifest.

  Luck played important part, it was true. Favors the bold! Bewitched enemy traitor was Mori’s secret weapon. But he gone! When Scelera’s allies attacked, no defender materialized. Easy victory!

  Strangling enemy at birth was very stupid. Patience! First let prey grow, let prey multiply. Patience! Soon will be time to feast, yes. Suck them dry! But not too soon, not just yet.

  Dimensions of prey will proliferate very much. If we wait! Then we will feed and feast unendingly. Forever! Under Scelera’s rule, with Mori a slave. Ha!

  Infiltration and subterfuge were path to victory. Yes! Diankoran had bridgehead deep in enemy territory. Stronger every day! From there, Scelera will lead glorious attack. Champion of Diankoran! After conquest, Scelera will rule everything. One sovereign! Council will forever bend to Scelera’s might.

  Diankoran Lord in the style of Aubrey Beardsley, as interpreted by DALL-E in February 2025.