Inferno of God

15: In Which Satan and Baal Visit Earth

The weeks that followed were surreal at best. Many meetings were held, and about a variety of topics, ranging from changes in the reincarnation process, to the possibility of creating a proper, Earthlike government. In the end, Satan hesitantly agreed to rule the universe alongside God, handling the complex major events of both Heaven, Hell and Earth, while he controlled all the physical attributes, such as disease and natural disasters. He also offered his new business partner a house in Heaven, which he graciously accepted, but not without informing the residents of Hell that he would be visiting regularly.

The day after that had been settled, Je'sus and Adam appeared at his new home upon his request. They noted it was a bit like Gabriel's but more densely furnished, and with a darker color scheme, leaning more towards deep reds and blacks as opposed to his pale blues and whites. Satan and Baal were found in the sitting room, and Adam breathed out in an almost laughing matter when he saw the sword hung proudly above the mantle.

"Good morning Mr. Abelman, Mr. Garcia." Said Satan, standing up to meet his visitors and shake their hands.

Baal's eyes gazed to the fabric bundles tucked under the arms of each of them, and took the chance to politely inquire about them.

Upon doing so, they set them down on a nearby coffee table, and unfolded the fabric to reveal a pair of large metal wings, one shaped to suit an angel, the other an archangel. They were quite stunning, intricate sets of steel feathers connected with thick, wire tubing, all attached to a small vest to be worn under the clothing, they had obviously been crafted by a professional.

"One of the serial killers had the idea and did all the metalwork," said Adam, "Je'sus here sewed up the vests, and I was able to get ahold of a saved soul who made prosthetic while he was alive to do all the movement stuff."

Both Satan and Baal were silent for practically a minute, simply gaping at the sight of them, and unsure of how to comment on such kindness. "Thank you so much." Baal finally said, "My, they're beautiful."

Satan nodded, "Indeed, and as much as I'm sure we'd both like to try them on, I'm afraid our robes aren't exactly suited to account for wings, though I'll be sure to alter them as soon as I can." He then stepped to a nearby door and opened it, signalling them in, "we have a bit of a surprise for you as well."

The door led to a potion room quite similar to the one in Hell, though nicer, and with a much larger supply of ingredients. "We have decided," announced he, "that both of you are ready to be reincarnated." Baal, grinning, picked up a glass of deep violet potion from the table, as though it were a happy occasion. Their expressions seemed to be mocking them, despite the good intentions behind it.

"Does that mean we won't remember any of this? Asked Adam, his eyebrows knitting in anger.

At that the demons grew sympathetic, they had seen such a reaction countless times before, and had long learned how to react. "No," said Satan, devoid of emotion, "you won't."

"In that case, I want to go first, just let me get it over with." He was aware it was an odd statement for Je'sus, and allowed an unspoken reaction to form in his head, leaving Baal to take control.

"If it's alright with Adam, you may."

As Baal said it, Adam nodded vigorously, and Baal nodded back, leading Je'sus slowly to the chaise, and handing him the beverage. Now that he was holding it, part of him was convinced that was completely harmless. It looked so normal, like it was little more than wine. He paused before drinking it, thinking through his entire life, and unlike what many novels would suggest, it was a conscious effort, requiring his entire mind to focus on. Once he was satisfied, he latched on to that false feeling of security, and raised it to his lips to drink.

"I suppose I'm next," Adam laughed nervously, once his friend had disappeared from view.

Satan nodded, taking a step from the chaise, "Yes, are you ready?"

He began to frantically grab the hem of his shirt, leaving Satan unsure of what to do, "not really, but I guess I don't really have a choice." Then, without any guidance, he took Jesus's place on the chaise, and signalled for the potion, drinking it before Baal's hand could leave the glass, leaving the demons alone in the room. Silently, they began to put away ingredients and clean the cavalier and glasses, the only remnants of the boys.

"My dear Baal," Satan eventually murmured, setting down a glass. Out of six thousand years of their relationship, Baal had never heard him say anything like that to anyone.

"Yes, my dear lord?" He asked, choosing to see where the conversation would go.

"You've always seemed so fond of Hell."

He frowned, "Of course I am, aren't we both?"

"Yes, indeed I am, but you've always seemed to have a special connection with the place and those who reside in it."

"What are you implying?"

Satan stopped what he was doing, and looked into Baal's slanted eyes, "how would you like to take my place as the ruler of Hell?"

He practically dropped the ingredient vial he was carrying, "What? That..." he sighed, "That's always been your job."

"True, but you see, I've already become preoccupied with my new duties. In fact, during this whole ordeal, I feared that I have been rejecting the damned souls. You know them Baal, they are, in a way, children. They need support, and while I can provide the proper amount of discipline, I hardly have the demeanor to provide the comfort and understanding also required."

He held out his hand, and Baal, unsure, but trusting of his friend and partner, took it. "Alright, I'll do it, but promise me you'll visit at least every few weeks."

Satan smiled softly, "I promise."

They returned to the sitting room, and Satan set the wings in his lap, looking over them, and reaching over to a sewing kit so he could measure their size,

"I suppose I should get around to altering a few of our robes." A thought seemed to occur to him, "didn't I once promise to take you on a visit to Earth?"

"Yes, I believe you did."

"Would you still like to go?"

Baal smiled, "Yes, my lord, I would love to."

"Very well." He walked to his bedroom and began to remove a few robes from a chest, "how about we head off tomorrow then, and perhaps we could bring Gabriel too, I'm sure we could benefit from his teachings and experience with flight."

And so, the following morning, an angel and two demons drank down an emerald green liquid, and appeared seemingly out of nowhere in the famous redwood forest on Earth, where, for the first time in six thousand years, they were able to teach and play with each other as dear friends.

And that is most likely the end of this series. I hope you all enjoyed. As usual I'm taking a few weeks off before I start to post a new work.