Prologue - Interdimensional Intruder
Alt for Lord Donovan's text:
"I already have what I wanted, but you and the Combine are standing in the way of my plans. Sorry, human, but this has to be done one way or another. This world can only have one leader and that shall be me."
It was another dreadful day of City 17, another day of living in this dystopian hell. Twenty whole years since after the Resonance Cascade took place, twenty years of oppression since after the 7 Hour War on account of one man, and not once has life improved for humans or life in general.
The natural resources Earth had for millions of years of its existence are getting stripped away much faster, the neat street of this once great city is all cracked and torn than it was before, the downtrodden citizens are completely forbidden from publicly speaking to each other by Combine law. Grime and liter fill not only the streets, but also the living complexes. It's more likely for rodents such as mice and rats to make residents' walls their homes since the smell of rotting food attracts them and there's no easy way to get rid of them. The insects were bad enough already, but having to deal with pesky rodents made it worse.
Being caught talking to a nearby citizen by a Civil Protection officer will result in a brutal beating or a cruel punishment. Whichever comes first.
To make matters worse, people are not able to reproduce, thanks to the suppression field the Combine set up. It was said to be beneficial, but everyone knows for a fact that's simply untrue. It was just an excuse to completely erase mankind for good, so that the Combine leaders can be the only ones to dominate the planet.
Almost everyone says it was Dr. Wallace Breen's fault, he was the man who was responsible for negotiating with the Combine and acting as a leader for all of humanity. He always praised the Combine leaders as 'benefactors' and not some sadistic monsters who wants every single human still breathing to drop dead without a hint of empathy or sympathy. Very misanthropic to say the least.
Some others fault the scientists from the Black Mesa facility, they were the ones who led the alien oppressors to Earth and enslaved all of mankind to slow intinction after all. It was clearly not their intention to doom everyone to inevitable death, but a few people just can't see it any other way because the scientist team were the exact reason the Combine took over.
Planet Earth doesn't belong to the humans anymore, it belongs to the Combine now. Or so everyone thought. The atmosphere had a sudden change in shift and everyone who felt it had a feeling that something was wrong.
The temperature in the air seems to increase unnaturally, the Breencasts that shows a live recording of Dr. Breen praising the Combine glitched out and cut off, and there seems to be a strange black crack opening up in midair. As it grows larger, concerned citizens stopped whatever it is they're doing and looked up.
If even the Civil Protection officers are freaked out by it, then it's a sign that it's not the Combine's doing. If it was, then the officers wouldn't be reporting it to the Overwatch with anxiety and suspicion. Then out of nowhere, the growing rip increased its growth speed and demonic creatures flew out of it.
The idling citizens who were watching the strange scenario broke out into immediate panic once they realized what was happening. They didn't know what these creatures are and they sure as hell didn't want to know.
Every demon shared one common trait; sharp, jagged, twisted horns that shot out of their bodies. There was one that stood out from the rest. It looked taller, lankier, and much more swifter than the rest. It could be assumed to be the alleged leader of whatever these things are. One thing for sure is they don't seem friendly since they all bear this bloodthirsty manic smiles with teeth as sharp and jagged as their horns.
The unique demon made its way into the top of the citadel while its minions continue spreading terror to the terrified people of the city, but not attacking anyone to everyone's shock. Instead, they forcefully gathered everyone to the front of the train station.
Twenty minutes have passed by and the breencasts sparked to life once again, but it wasn't what the citizens were expecting. It wasn't a closeup of Dr. Breen's face, but it was the same alleged leader of these creatures from before.
Its face was as white as snow, its structure was like a dragon. It only had one eye in the middle of its face, its sclera was a black void and its pupil was a bright red. Its blood stained crooked fangs protruding out of its jaw, ready to gnash at anyone who got too close. Its two sets of horns shooting out of its skull demands attention whenever it enters a room.
Everyone witnessing the uncanny presence of the ruler was unnerved by its unkindly appearance. To be fair, it does seem like it came straight out of a nightmare or even the darkest pits of Hell for that matter. Finally, the creature finally spoke to the frightened citizens, its masculine voice deep and rumbly.
"Greetings, people of this world. The name is Donovan U. Hornell, but you must refer to me as Lord Donovan. I apologize for coming in unannounced and giving you all a big fright, but I have a proposition for every one of you. I will be able to get the pesky Combine Empire off your backs and give you a more suitable ruler for this planet.
I can already see that you're not doing so hot all around the world, so that's why I'm here to make it better. You don't just need a new ruler, you need a God to fix this broken world and I know exactly how I can pull this off whether you agree with me or not. You'll be granted a little bit more freedom, you won't have to join my army for actual quality food and clean water, and you definitely don't have to worry about humanity completely dying off.
All any of you have to do in exchange is either accept my ways and make life easier for yourselves or you can get left behind and rot alone. Those are your two choices you can make, so better choose wisely.
That's all I have to say for now. Lord Donovan signing out."
Despite its otherworldly appearance, He does have a way with words with the way the crowd simmered down from fear to convinced individuals. The screams and whimpering have died down to persuaded and unsure conversations. If this creature really means what it said about granting them a better future, then the crowd feels like they don't have much to worry anymore.
When the demon lord actually proved that He could chase off the Combine Empire, humans became more at ease with their new ruler and everything. They could finally get a decent meal in their empty stomachs without having to join Civil Protection. They could finally repopulate with the suppression field destroyed for good.
They could finally speak to each other publicly without being accused of forming a rebellion against the oppressors. That is until a year and a half prior to Lord Donovan taking over when people begun realizing His words of making this world a better place was a half truth. To put it simply, a lie since His words aren't telling the entirety of what His true intentions are.
Just like Dr. Wallace Breen, He didn't truly care for the greater good of humanity. He just wanted an excuse to claim the throne and manipulate people into thinking He's doing it all for a good reason. His words sound enticing, but His contradicting actions speak much louder.
But unlike Dr. Breen, Lord Donovan stopped pretending like He cared for humanity after a while of being in control. He already got what He wanted, but here's the stich. He didn't actually need to deceive people into getting what He was here for, He could've just taken the throne and that was that.
Almost everyone here knew it was too good to be true, but there's some people who actually believe Lord Donovan is doing the right thing and will gleefully follow in His footsteps and orders. Of course, they're labeled as crazy people or what they'd call a cult. And the ironic part of it? Lord Donovan's followers made up a cultish name and pretend to practice dark material arts in the name of the so-called lord they adoringly worship to mock the non-believers.
But as time went on, the cultists fell deeper and deeper into the mindset of Lord Donovan being humanity's true savior to the point where they actually start sacrificing non-believers to appease to the demon lord. It is currently unknown if Lord Donovan is aware of this happening since He never uttered a single word about it, so everyone assumes He doesn't know.
People are now regretting putting their trust into Donovan's wretched claws because His ways aren't any better than the Combine, but it wasn't like they had a choice either way. What were they going to do, hope that enough prayers will send Him away? Since when has that ever worked for anything?
It only takes a true miracle to fix the further damage currently being done. If only it came in an orange suit and prescription glasses. Wouldn't that be something
