The Beginning Of An End

Chapter 29

All different kinds of emotions swirled in me like a tornado the moment I heard the news. It was like the time stopped and I froze in my tracks even more so than previously. I looked over at Mammon whose expression was one of horror and then over to Beelzebub whose gaze was fixated on me - as if expecting me to have an answer to this.

The binding hadn't been completed but the veil still managed to get ripped. It made little sense. Could it be just a coincidence and the Devil was just bluffing - as usual? There were a lot of things to consider and take into account but so little time. More than anything, I felt angry. The fear was muffled by the fact that I had got interrupted by one thing I had no way of stopping nor predicting.

The books hadn't mentioned that the veil could be broken so easily. I couldn't shake the feeling that this was planned, but with the war looming over us, thinking clearly was out of reach. My jaw clenched as I pulled my arm free from Mammon's grasp. He looked at me, confused, but before he could ask, the Devil's voice cut through the air.

"Beelzebub, gather the army!"

Our eyes met, and I took a deep breath. There was something in his gaze—regret, maybe?—that I couldn't quite grasp. It felt like an apology for not completing our mission. My eyes shifted to Belial, still half-conscious in Beelzebub's hold. Straightening up, I dragged my feet closer and let Beelzebub pass Belial to me.

"I'm sorry," Beelzebub muttered, his remorse now unmistakable.

"It's not your fault," I replied, feeling the rage inside me flare up again. Not at Beelzebub, but because I was so close to achieving my goal and it was so easily torn out of my grasp. He forced a smile before he turned away and rushed out of the room.

I could feel Belial's weight pressing against me, his breathing shallow and ragged. It was strange to see him like this—so vulnerable, almost fragile. For a moment, I wondered if he knew what was happening, or if he even cared. His eyes fluttered open, but they were unfocused, lost in some distant place.

"Can you hear me, Belial?" I whispered, my voice barely steady. He didn't respond, just a slight twitch of his fingers against my arm. I tightened my grip on him, trying to keep him grounded, but it felt like trying to hold onto water slipping through my fingers.

I noticed Mammon stepping next to me as his hand rested on my shoulder, "I can take care of Belial and you can go and see... you know who." He whispered. I frowned at his words before I pulled Belial closer to me.

"I'm not leaving Belial to you," I hissed. Clear surprise flickered across Mammon's expression before he furrowed his brows.

"Are you blaming me for this?" he growled. Before I could answer, the Devil cut in once again as he brushed past us,

"Enough you two! Mammon, you're coming with me and you, Asmodeus..." he drawled, his expression one of disgust before continued, "there's no hope for you. I'll deal with you later." He spat before turning away leaving only three of us alone in the chambers.

"Are you sure you want me to leave–" Mammon began.
"Yes." I cut in sharply, rage within me burning hot. I swallowed hard, glancing down at Belial again. His eyes were closed, his face pale, but he was still with us. For now. I knew what had to be done, but the weight of it all pressed down on me like a suffocating blanket.

Mammon hesitated for a moment longer, his gaze flickering between Belial and me. I could see the conflict in his eyes—part concern, part frustration. But I didn't have time to soothe his worries or explain myself. There was nothing more to say.

"Fine," he muttered, turning on his heel and disappearing down the corridor, leaving me alone with Belial. I probably shouldn't have pushed him away but my mind was overflowing with so many thoughts and I was beginning to feel so much rage. I didn't think anybody staying with me would be good for them. I needed to process the fact that I had lost in the most spectacular fashion.