An Alliance of Spirits

"I want two things from you, one is a boon I wish to be granted, the other however is a deal that I believe will serve both our parties," Doom explains and the dragon sniffs exhaling smoke.

"Speak your desired boon first," the Dragon demands.

"I am a spirit as you can tell, I wish to become a Deity like yourself, to be worshiped by a tribe and to give them my blessing, so I ask you to tell me, how does a spirit become a Deity?" Doom asks and the Dragon chuckles.

"You have a long way to go before you can even start the journey, but you will get there," the Dragon says, "you will have to grow much more in strength, evolve your spiritual form and then... You will be able to seek ascension. While it will not serve you yet, you have already succeeded in some of the tasks you will have to complete later on," the Dragon explains and Doom nods.

"I see... Thank you for the advice," Doom says, sounding a bit disappointed, clearly he had been hoping for a more simple trick or direct method.

"There is something I could do to help you, but first let us see about this deal you have to offer me," the Dragon suggests and Doom swallows imperceptibly. This was going to be a bit of a risk. If the Dragon was actually loyal to the Darkness then what Doom was about to suggest would be treason and the Dragon would probably kill him, right here and now.

"I want to suggest an alliance... Against the Light..." Doom speaks slowly and the Dragon raises an eyebrow.

"We are already allied against the Light-" the Dragon starts, but stops as Doom continues speaking.

"-and the Dark," Doom finishes and the Dragon is silent.

"You wish to betray the ones who made you? Who made us?" the Dragon asks.

"They didn't make you. They may have made me, but Spirits... We have existed since before the Dark, before the Light! We are greater than both and yet they use us as simple weapons or tools! We should be the ones in charge and I have a plan to do so, but I want your help," Doom explains.

The Dragon looks thoughtful and Doom quickly continues, relieved that the Dragon apparently hasn't already decided to kill him, "Currently the Demon Queen is Reala, nobody, not even the Darkness likes her. If I can take out Reala and take her place as the Demon King I would without any act of open betrayal have severely weakened the hold of the Darkness on this earth all while seeming like their loyal follower just removing... Weak blood from their side. We, that is myself and your tribe could take control of all of Grimaire," Doom suggests.

"And what exactly would you have me do?" The Dragon asks.

"All I ask is that you be ready to command your tribe to help me when it's time to attack the Demon Capital," Doom answers.

"and you believe you will be strong enough to face Demon King Reala?" The Dragon asks and Doom hesitates, "your power as it currently stands is nowhere near strong enough to face her even if she is an incompetent weakling of a Demon King she is still the Demon King and her Archmage Leraje is quite powerful," the Dragon continues and Doom looks into the Dragon's eyes.

"I will not be strong enough to fight them one on one, but I also was not strong enough to fight Alkadabuki one on one," Doom answers and the Dragon looks surprised.

"You-"

"I have defeated Alkadabuki. As we speak she is probably on her way to Reala. I defeated and marked her before sending her, de powered, to attack the demon king. I am sure soon enough the story that 'Demon King Reala' has defeated Amazon Queen Alkadabuki will be spreading around the world. I may not be all powerful yet, but it is to my enemies detriment to underestimate me. I have a plan and I promise you this much. Reala will be overthrown," Doom promised and the Dragon was watching him, clearly they were adjusting their thoughts about Doom.

"Does this plan of yours have a deadline?" The Dragon suddenly asked.

"What?" Doom responded, confused by the sudden question.

"Is there a time by which this plan needs to be put into operation or would it be alright to delay it by about... a week or two?" the Dragon pressed.

"I... Yes. I'm pretty sure that wouldn't cause any problems," Doom answered and the Dragon chuckled.

"Then I have a way to help you," the Dragon spoke and then leapt off the rim of the volcano and snatched Doom off the ground lifting him into the air.

"What are you-" Doom yelled before his cry was drowned out as they both plummeted into the volcano, disappearing beneath the lava.