Diadona

**Diadona** (ディアドナ?) is a recurring antagonist in the story.

## Biography

Diadona is the **Queen of Serpents** (蛇の女王, *Hebi no joō*?). She is the leader of the Apophis Pantheon. She is a goddess who can manipulate deadly poison, and her kin group can also manipulate poison. Unlike Helkart, who governs freshwater, she is the goddess who governs seawater.

Diadona is a goddess who is worshipped by serpent species such as lamias and gorgons. Most of the believers are serpents' kin group, such as lamia and gorgons, but there are also human believers. Human believers are working day and night to destroy human society. They undertake assassination work with the mission of offering the lives of fellow humans to the Queen of Serpents. The assassins of the Ishtia Religious Order are in a position of contention.

Her holy symbol is a serpent eye, which imitates the eye of a snake, and her holy beast is naturally a serpent.

She claims that she is Nargol's successor because of the Demon King Modus' betrayal. However, few deities recognise this.

She controls the West Continent and southern South Continent. She doesn't usually come out of the southern sea, which is the place of her control.

She is married to Kuetzal and the children between them are Dahāku and Yurugu.

## History

### War of the Gods

When Nargol recruits her children, Diadona was part of the Nargolians. She, Zalxis and Ferion led the attack on Mina's Children. As the war progresses, Mina's children are killed one after another. The war was in Nargol's favour until Modus defected to the Mina's children side. Diadona fled from the battle front as she was afraid of Modus.

## Appearance

In her true form; she has vipers as hairs, pale white skin, two huge horns grown on both side of her head,, jewel-like eyes, giant snake body from the waist down, and giant bat-like wings or dragon wings from the back.

In her human appearance, Diadona wore a red vestment.

She disguised herself as the First Head's lady attendant. She wore a mask.

## Personality

She hates the Elios Pantheon, especially the goddesses who descended from Mina, as the goddesses looks down on the ugly.

She refuse to allow the sun to return because it would mean the world will be for Mina's Children. She believes the world should be eternal dark night.

Diadona will not tolerate those who defy her, even if it is her own child.

### Relationships

***The following section contains spoilers.***

Alrena
She thinks Rena has a bad personality. She hates Rena because her bloodline has seduced and stolen members of her family. In the past, there have been several Heroes for whom Rena has acted as a mother figure. Most of them were born to the male god of Elios and human daughters. She shows no mercy to Rena's foster children. If they becomes a threat, she will only kill them.
Botis
Subordinate.
Casa
She tried to recruit her into her cause.
Dahaku
Son. She must have expected that Dahāku would not keep his word and she was testing her own child too.
Faegir
Diadona's trusted aide.
Girtalu
Subordinate.
Helkart
The two goddesses do not get on well with each other.
Kouki
She received information about his connection with the Hero of Light. Diadona speculates about Kouki that he is probably not Rena's child, but is the son of some god that Rena is raising. Maybe he is the son of Hero. He may become a threat so she permits to kill him.
Kuetzal
Husband.
Kuroki
Diadona observes him to be strong. Diadona thought highly of the dark knight, and she thought it was wasteful for him to ally with Modus. She denounce him as a fool to protect the goddesses of the Elios Pantheon. She is displeased with him sabotaging her plans.
Lavurys
They are currently allies.
Melfina
She hates Melfina for seducing Modus.
Mina
She hates Mina for seducing her father.
Modus
Diadona thinks Modus is a fool for betraying their mother. She believes Modus is the most suitable avatar for Nargol's resurrection as he is her heir.
Nargol
Mother. She claims to be Nargol's successor.
Orgis
Father. Diadona thought her father was foolish to make the sun.
Reiji
She sees Reiji as a threat to restore the sun.
Therion
She is interested in having join him join among her ranks. She thinks the Disaster Beast's child hasn't yet awakened, but he seems to be growing. At first she was sceptical. But the power she felt when he fought is truly that of the Disaster Beast. She believes if he has more with power, the more cards she have available.
Yurugu
Daughter. She loves Yurugu's gentle nature and Diadona doesn't want her to fight in the future.
Zalxis
She treats Zalxis as an equal.[*citation needed*] She doesn't share his goal of making the world full of undead and miasma. She opposes his plan of using Motgal as an avatar for Nargol, she believes Zalxis' plan is to control Nargol.

## Story

### The Evil God's Labyrinth

When Kuroki was reading in the Heaven Realm's Library, she was briefly mentioned in the emerald tablet.

Zalxis informs Lavurys that he was contacted by Diadona and that she is coming to the Minon Plain.

Diadona makes her first appearance in the story when Diadona went to meet with Casa. Diadona originally came with Zalxis, but Zalxis quickly returned to Lavuruntos. Diadona tries to recruit her into her cause, declaring the Elios Pantheon as their enemies. They discussed about the Hero of Light and the potential threat of him restoring the sun with Odis. Though Casa was sceptical about the threat of Reiji, as he was defeated by the Dark Knight and was captured in Lavuruntos' labyrinth. Diadona leaves to go help Lavurys but requested Casa to consider allying with her.

She and Zalxis flew on a Ruk to the direction of the Central Mountain Range to Lavuruntos. She threw her spear at Rena on her skyship. Kuroki defended Rena by deflecting her spear and Diadona retrieved her spear. Everybody who was battling Lavurys, noticed Diadona and Zaxis. Diadona declares her intention to save Lavurys. She used her eyes abilities to cast petrification curse onto everybody. She used this opportunity to save Lavurys and escapes.

### The Black Storm

When Kuna broadcast the fight between Kuroki and Reiji, Diadona was watching it with Lavurys in Nirukanai. Diadona says that Lavurys was no match for the Dark Knight. This angered Lavurys and Diadona quickly apologies and calm Lavurys. Diadona thinks that it is dangerous with Modus; the strongest god has a powerful subordinate. Diadona plans to use Zand's information to free Ferion.

### The Beast God Desert

Though she didn't face Zalxis, she greeted him and asked if he was able to find Zand. Diadona questions whether the possibilities of his betrayal. Zalxis denials this as the Elios Pantheon would never accept him. Diadona thought it was a pity. She proudly watches Dahāku winning Lavurys in a match. She stops the two when the match was getting more serious. Both Dahāku and Lavurys were going to continue, and Diadona threatens them to stop with her Maloik. She lectures on the two about their true enemy. With Girtalu returns, she asked for his opinion about the Hero of Light's strength. She was surprised to learn Alphos was defeated by the Dark Knight. Dahāku decided to fight the Dark Knight for stealing his prey, Diadona quickly stops him. She threatens her son once again with her Maloik and reasoned with him that they should prioritises the Elios group first and to postpone the Dark Knight. Dahāku reluctantly agrees but counteracts that if the Dark Knight attacks their headquarters, can he fight him then. Diadone agrees and encourages him to fight full force.

Zalxis order Zafarada to contact Diadona and request for reinforcement.

Diadona led her reinforcement towards the black pyramid. They were opposing the Gypshir camp until Chiyuki, Reiji, Medjed and Totona arrives. Diadona demanded Haruses to surrender Ishtia and Totona, in return she'll allow the Gypshir forces to escape. When Haruses refuses, Diadona orders her Evil Gods subordinates to attack the opposing side. She was surprised with Reiji's strength, how he easily single-handedly defeated the evil gods, along with Bennu.

She watched the Dark Knight brutally beaten Girtalu.

She is quickly angered with the presence of Rena.

She stops activating her Chaos Grail as Sekhmetra appeared. Sekhmetra proposed for both side to withdraw, or face the combination of her, the Dark Knight and the Elios Goddesses. Diadona accepts her proposal because she thought was troublesome to deal with Sekhmetra. Diadona led the evil gods and retreated.

When they returned to their base, Diadona went to see the wounded Dahāku and Girtalu. In the Apophis Palace, Diadona informs Zalxis about Dahāku and Girtalu's condition. She asked if Zalxis has recovered his full strength and Zalxis replies that he hasn't. She expects him to recover.

### The Fairy Forest

Diadona sent her subordinates to the place where Ferion is sealed.

Botis and Dahāku returned to Nirukanai to report on their failed objective. Diadona was displeased with the result of the mission. Diadona monologues that she'll have to personally deal with the dark knight by using her Chaos Grail.

### The Azure Demonic Sea

Yurugu reports to Diadona about general Faegir's presence. Diadona orders Faegir to head to the inland sea of Sead to retrieve something. Dalaugon explains to Kuroki that he requested his help because Diadona is planning on stealing the Sead's Forehead Band.

Diadona went to where Ogre Rock Castle was located, where she learns of Faegir's demise. Diadona sighed at the sight of Yurugu mourned Faegir's death.

### The Order of the Swan Knights

When Diadona heard the report of Ferion's progeny has awaken, she sends her son Dahāku to see if he is of use to her. She instructs Dahāku to bring the Disaster Beast's progeny into the fold if he is useful. She favours the first head of the Hydra Society.

She poised as the first head's lady attendant.

Then the lady attendant behind Dahāku turn around and look at Kuroki. She made a sound which caught Kuroki's attention. She is wearing a mask and cannot see her true face, but she seems to be a little angry.

She thought Kouki and Therion's fight is interesting and asked Kuroki for his opinion. She is furious with Dahāku's disobedience. She is probably aware of Kuroki's true identity. She implores Kuroki to stop Dahāku and Zafarada.

The deformed goddess called 'Queen of Serpents Diadona' appeared. Diadona had intended to hit Dahāku from the start. She must have been expected that Dahāku would not keep his word.

Queen of Serpents Diadona returns to her detached palace in Apophis. There are no other Evil Gods on the throne, only her son Prince of Serpents Dahāku and a few attendants. Dahāku kneels and reports to the Queen of Serpents.

### The Winds of the Prairie

The Queen of Serpents Diadona visits the Death God Zalxis at the palace of Apophis. Diadona sent a messenger to establish friendly relations with Modus.

## Abilities

She is even less powerful than Modus.

* She possesses a **Magic Eyes** (魔眼, *Magan*?) called **Maloik** (邪眼, *Jagan*?, Evil Eyes). Her jewel-like eyes are imbued with magical powers and she is able to use a variety of evil eyes.
	+ **Evil Eyes of Gemification** (宝石化の邪視, *Hōseki-ka no Jashi*?). It can petrify the target into transparent statues like jewels. When cast, Diadona's eyes shines golden when activated and a powerful magic light appears. Even the Divine race are afraid of her eyes and has difficulties from preventing this. Rena's Valkyrie was turned into beautiful emerald statues because they couldn't resist it with their lower magical powers. The Swan Knights and the attendants were easily turned into transparent gems.

### Equipment

She is a spear user. She once wielded the enchanted spear, **Pisear**. She gave Pisear to her son.

She possesses the Chaos Grail.

## Development

Takeru Nezaki says Diadona's original source material is **Tiamat** (ティアマト, *Tiamato*?), **Echidna** (エキドナ, *Ekidona* ?) and **Medusa** (メドゥーサ, *Medoūsa*?).

Takeru said that Diadona is equivalent to *Warhammer's* **Slaanesh** (スラーネッシュ, *Surānesshu*?). As for *RuneQuest*, it would be **Krarsht** (クラーシト, *Kurāshito*?). It doesn't have a lot of obscene elements. If it's *HârnMaster*, it would be **Naveh** (ナヴ〇イ?).

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *Dark Knight Story Setting Collections* - Apophis Pantheon: Apophis Pantheon and their overview.
2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 *Dark Knight Story Setting Collections* - Apophis Pantheon: Deities Name Record 1 Diadona, Queen of the Serpents
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 *Dark Knight Story* - The Evil God's Labyrinth: Chapter 02 - Heaven Realm's Book Library
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 *Dark Knight Story* - The Evil God's Labyrinth: Chapter 23 - Lavuruntos the Labyrinth City pt.09 Temporary Withdrawal
5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 *Dark Knight Story* - The Evil God's Labyrinth: Chapter 42 - Lavuruntos the Labyrinth City pt.17 Escape from the Labyrinth
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 *Dark Knight Story* - The Azure Demonic Sea: Chapter 01 - To the Azure Sea
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 *Dark Knight Story* - The Order of the Swan Knights: Chapter 25 - The Storm Sword
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 *Dark Knight Story* - The Order of the Swan Knights: Chapter 17 - The Serpent's Assassin
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 *Dark Knight Story* - The Order of the Swan Knights: Chapter 21 - Rematch with the Beast God Child
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 *Dark Knight Story* - The Order of the Swan Knights: Chapter 23 - Co-operation with the Beast God Child
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 *Dark Knight Story* - The Evil God's Labyrinth: Chapter 39 - Lavuruntos the Labyrinth City pt.14 The Evil God Lavurys
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7 12.8 *Dark Knight Story* - The Beast God Desert: Chapter 01 - The Apophis Serpents
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 *Dark Knight Story* - The Beast God Desert: Chapter 22 - The One Who Devours Lighteater
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 *Dark Knight Story* - The Order of the Swan Knights: Chapter 28 - The Wolf & Serpent (Epilogue 1)
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 *Dark Knight Story* - The Order of the Swan Knights: Chapter 26 - I am your father
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 *Dark Knight Story* - The Black Storm: Chapter 35 - Darkness Where Light Never Reaches
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 *Dark Knight Story* - The Beast God Desert: Chapter 23 - Illusions of the Past
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 *Dark Knight Story* - The Fairy Forest: Chapter 26 - Return From The Forest
19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 *Dark Knight Story* - The Winds of the Prairie: Chapter 01 - The Plotting and Scheming
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 *Dark Knight Story* - The Order of the Swan Knights: Chapter 09 - The Serpent Messenger
21. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Beast God Desert: Chapter 12 - The Black Pyramid
22. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Beast God Desert: Chapter 20 - The Resurrection of the Death God
23. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Beast God Desert: Chapter 21 - The Goddess of Victory Arrives
24. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Beast God Desert: Chapter 24 - Premonition of the Barren Land
25. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Beast God Desert: Chapter 26 - Feelings in the Darkness
26. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Fairy Forest: Chapter 03 - Changeling
27. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Azure Demonic Sea: Chapter 02 - Murmil the Pearl Capital
28. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Azure Demonic Sea: Chapter 25 - The Queen of Sead
29. ↑ *Dark Knight Story* - The Winds of the Prairie: Chapter 02 - The Soul Orb