The space in Between BOOK 1

5 PILLARS AND THE HOLY FATHER

In his penthouse atop the gleaming Blackwood Tower, Damian Blackwood surveyed the sprawling city below with a cold, calculating gaze. The skyline was dotted with the very technology he controlled, a web of influence stretching far and wide. His empire was built on both innovation and fear, underpinned by ancient, dark alliances.

Damian turned from the window and moved to his private sanctum, a room filled with arcane symbols and advanced tech, an incongruous mix that spoke to his unique dominion over both realms. Here, he summoned his lieutenants—his most powerful demons—each bound to him by intricate pacts and shared ambitions.

First to appear was Asmodea, the demon of lust and manipulation, ranked fifth in power. She materialized in a swirl of crimson smoke, her eyes burning with seductive fire. Asmodea could bend the wills of the strongest men and women, twisting desires to her benefit and ensuring Damian's influence extended into the highest echelons of society.

"Master," she purred, her voice a silken thread of temptation. "What do you require of me?"

Next came Nocturnus, the shadowy assassin, fourth in rank. His presence was marked by the dimming of lights and the eerie chill that followed him. Nocturnus was the unseen blade, the whisper of death that silenced Damian's enemies before they could even see him coming.

"Ready to serve," Nocturnus hissed, his form barely discernible in the gloom.

Then Zareth, the third most powerful, who had recently clashed with Ethan and Donovan. Zareth exuded an aura of confidence, still savoring his game with the young sorcerer. His mastery over information and technology made him indispensable, controlling the flow of data and keeping Damian's secrets secure.

Following him was Baelros, the demon of war and chaos, ranked second. His appearance was heralded by a rumble of thunder, and the ground seemed to quake beneath his heavy footsteps. Baelros thrived on conflict, his mere presence inciting violence and discord wherever he went. Armies fell before him, and nations crumbled under his influence.

"Who shall fall next, my lord?" Baelros rumbled, his voice like a rolling storm.

Last was Mortraz, the most powerful of Damian's demons, a harbinger of death and decay. His arrival brought an unnatural silence, the air itself seeming to hold its breath. Mortraz wielded power over life and death, his touch rotting flesh and withering souls. Even the other demons held a wary respect for him.

"My will is your command," Mortraz intoned, his voice a hollow echo from the grave.

Damian looked upon his assembled lieutenants, a smile of dark satisfaction curling his lips. Each represented a facet of his power and ambition, bound to him through ancient pacts sealed in blood and magic. With their combined might, he was nearly unstoppable.

"We have new adversaries," Damian began, his voice commanding and assured. "A young sorcerer and his mentor have dared to challenge us. They confronted Zareth, but as expected, they proved no real threat."

Zareth chuckled, a sound like grinding gears. "They are amusing, but ultimately insignificant."

Damian raised a hand for silence. "Do not underestimate them. They possess potential, and their persistence could become a nuisance. Asmodea, I want you to infiltrate their circles, twist their allies, and sow discord. Nocturnus, you will monitor their movements closely, eliminate any who support them."

The two demons nodded, disappearing in swirling mists to carry out their orders.

"Baelros," Damian continued, "prepare for a direct confrontation. Should they become too bold, I want them crushed with overwhelming force."

Baelros grinned savagely, eager for the chaos to come. "With pleasure, my lord."

Finally, Damian turned to Mortraz. "And you, my most trusted, will be our last resort. Should they prove more resilient than anticipated, you will ensure their end is absolute and irreversible."

Mortraz bowed his head slightly. "As you command."

With his orders given, Damian felt a sense of satisfaction. His demons would handle the upstarts, and he could continue his ascent to unchallenged power. The world, both technological and arcane, was his to control.

As his lieutenants dispersed, Damian returned to his window, looking out over his domain. Ethan and Donovan had no idea of the forces they were up against. Soon, they would learn the true meaning of fear.

At the Professor's office:

Ethan and Donovan had barely begun to regroup in Donovan's office when a knock echoed through the wooden door. Both exchanged a wary glance before Donovan called out, "Come in."

The door creaked open to reveal an imposing figure in priestly robes, the silver cross around his neck glinting ominously in the dim light. His eyes, sharp and calculating, scanned the room with a mix of disdain and curiosity.

"Who are you?" Ethan asked, his guard up.

The priest stepped forward, a smirk playing on his lips. "Name's Father Gabriel," he said, his voice dripping with a condescending tone. "I serve the Holy Church, or at least what's left of it in this corrupt world."

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"

Father Gabriel let out a mocking laugh. "What do I want? Kid, it's not about what I want. It's about what you have. Or rather, what you stumbled upon without a clue in that dense skull of yours."

Donovan frowned, but gestured for the priest to continue. "Speak plainly, Father."

Gabriel rolled his eyes, the disdain in his expression deepening. "Fine, let's get to the point. Damian Blackwood, the egomaniacal tech lord you've tangled with, wants that little book of yours, the one that handed you your pitiful powers. He's not just after world domination through tech and demons. No, he needs that book to complete his grand plan."

Ethan felt a chill run down his spine. "Why? What's in the book?"

Gabriel snorted. "Of course, you wouldn't know. That book is ancient, containing spells and incantations that can summon and control the most powerful entities. Damian's after the final incantation, a spell that binds all the demons under his absolute control and grants him ultimate power. Without it, he's just a puppeteer with some fancy strings."

Donovan's eyes widened in understanding. "And you're here to help us...why?"

Gabriel laughed again, this time more bitterly. "Help you? Don't flatter yourself. The Church wants to keep this world from going straight to hell, literally. Damian gets that book, and we're all screwed. So, yeah, I'm here to keep that from happening. And you two are my unfortunate allies in this mess."

Ethan glared at Gabriel. "You talk a big game for someone who needs our help."

The priest leaned in, his eyes blazing. "Listen here, you little amateur. I may be corrupt, but I know power when I see it. You've got a spark, but you're playing with fire without knowing the burn. You want to take down Damian? Then you better wise up and listen to someone who's danced with devils longer than you've been alive."

Ethan bit back a retort, realizing Gabriel's abrasive manner was masking crucial information. "So, what do we do?"

Gabriel straightened, his smirk returning. "Finally, you're catching on. First, we need to secure that book. If Damian gets his hands on it, it's game over. We need to unlock its secrets and find a way to counteract the final incantation. And for that, we'll need to work together."

Donovan nodded slowly. "Alright, Gabriel. We'll work together. But know this—if you double-cross us, you'll face consequences worse than any demon."

Gabriel chuckled, the sound low and dangerous. "Don't worry, professor. I'm not planning on backstabbing you...yet. As long as you're useful, we're on the same side."

With their uneasy alliance forged, Ethan, Donovan, and Father Gabriel began to plan their next moves. The stakes had never been higher, and the true extent of Damian's ambition now loomed ominously over them. But with Gabriel's knowledge and their combined resolve, they had a fighting chance to thwart Damian's plan and protect the world from descending into chaos.