The Beginning Of An End

Chapter 15

We returned back to Hell quickly after Samael's statement. He couldn't provide further details of how it could've happened. He said there was more than one way one could've forced Lucifer out of the Devil. Bigger question was - who could've done it and why?

Abaddon didn't talk much after we first went back to his realm. In fact, he was oddly quiet despite his usual self of not being a big talker. That was why we parted ways and I was back in Hell, wondering where it all went wrong. I wasn't sure who to talk to first but considering Mammon was busy getting the ring enchanted, and I couldn't risk us being seen together, I had to go to Beelzebub first and tell him everything that had been going on. It was too major to hide it any longer. More demons needed to know what was going on and only the truth would set us all free. Or, at least, that was what I liked to believe.

"Well... that's a lot to take in." Beelzebub responded once I finished with the retelling of the most recent events. "Why do you always try to keep things away from me but end up just spilling the beans all of a sudden after a while?" He asked, a little bit of annoyance in his voice but also concern.

"I was simply trying not to involve you any further."

"I think it was over once I met Loki." Beelzebub let out a small laugh as he took a sip of bourbon in the glass in front of him. "You do know you could've asked me about helping you hide Loki on the premises, right?"

"I know but like I said, the less people knew, it was easier to keep it from getting out." I explained.

"And you trusted Mammon over me?" He asked with a raised eyebrow as he leaned into his chair. I didn't know what to reply with. I clenched my jaw as I felt an uncomfortable feeling rise within me. I shifted in my seat as I dared to look up from the glass and directly at Beelzebub.

"He's just... more vengeful than you. He holds a deeper hatred towards the Devil than you which is why I figured he'd be a better accomplice." I could see Beelzebub's face darkening upon my words. I knew he felt betrayed. However, I also knew nothing I said would make him feel better about my decisions lately.

"You can make excuses all day, Asmodeus." Beelzebub snapped suddenly as he leaned forward onto the table. "But I know you better than you know yourself. And it had nothing to do with you not wanting to involve me. You were always opportunistic and you'd step over anyone and grab any means necessary to reach your goal. And honestly, it was fun for a while..." He stopped for a second as he tried to contain rage within him, beginning to burn his insides, "but now... now you're becoming no better than the Devil. And you're now including me only because you've run out of accomplices."

I caught myself stopping breathing as he finished, black fog subtly surrounding his frame. I swallowed a lump in my throat and took a sip of my drink.

"Despite what you may think, you needed to know this. It concerns not only you but everyone else in Hell." I tried to push away the emotions that were surfacing, I needed to keep a level head. "Nothing will ever be the same. Lucifer is gone, Beelzebub."

"Are you even listening to me though?" But he wasn't letting up.

"Yes... but I can't do anything to fix it now. " Before another word could be uttered to try to fix it, the entire building was seized by violent tremors. The resounding echo of an ear-splitting scream pierced through the corridors of the palace, sending shivers down my spine. Bewilderment and alarm painted the faces of everyone present as they glanced around, desperately searching for the source of this chaos. In the midst of the upheaval, a shower of loose stones rained down from the ceiling, adding a touch of danger to the already unsettling scene.

I looked at Beelzebub in alarm and it was like we instantly forgot what we argued about seconds ago.

"The Devil!" I raised my voice slightly, struggling to be heard amidst the violent shaking of the building.