The Beginning Of An End

Chapter 15

We returned to Hell quickly after Samael's statement. He couldn't offer any further clarity on how it had happened. Only that there was more than one way to force Lucifer out of the Devil. The larger question remained—who had done it, and why.

Abaddon said little after we returned to his realm. He was quiet in a way that felt heavier than usual, even for him. We parted without ceremony, and soon I was back in Hell, replaying everything, trying to pinpoint where it had gone wrong.

I didn't know who to speak to first. Mammon was busy having the ring enchanted, and being seen together was still too risky. That left Beelzebub. I couldn't keep this buried any longer. What had happened was too significant, too dangerous. More demons needed to know. Only the truth could set us free—or at least, that was what I chose to believe.

"Well... that's a lot to take in," Beelzebub said after I finished recounting everything. "Why do you always try to keep things from me, only to spill everything at once?" His tone carried a hint of irritation, but concern lingered beneath it.

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

"I think it was over the moment you met Loki." Beelzebub let out a short laugh and took a sip of bourbon. "You do know you could've asked me to help hide him on the premises, right?"

"I know. But like I said, the fewer people who knew, the easier it was to keep it contained," I said.

"And you trusted Mammon over me?" He raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair.

I had no answer. My jaw tightened, unease creeping in. I shifted in my seat before finally looking up from my glass and meeting his gaze.

"He's... more vengeful than you," I admitted. "He hates the Devil more deeply. I thought that made him a better accomplice."

Beelzebub's expression darkened. I knew I'd struck something raw. He felt betrayed and I also knew there was nothing I could say that would undo that.

"You can make excuses all day, Asmodeus," he snapped, suddenly leaning forward. "But I know you better than you know yourself. This was never about sparing me. You've always been opportunistic. You step over whoever you need to, use whatever means necessary to reach your goal."

He paused, fighting the anger burning through him.

"And for a while, it was entertaining," he continued quietly. "But now... now you're becoming no better than the Devil. And you're only coming to me 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 just you, but everyone in Hell." I forced my voice steady, pushing down the rising emotions. "Nothing will ever be the same. Lucifer is gone, Beelzebub."

"Are you even listening to me?" He didn't relent.

"Yes... but there's nothing I can do to fix it now."

Before I could say more, the building shook violently. A scream ripped through the palace corridors, ear-splitting and raw, sending shivers down my spine. Faces around us froze in alarm, eyes darting wildly for the source. Loose stones rained from the ceiling, clattering across the floor, turning the chaos into danger.

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.