Chapter 38: The Schism Grows

23 1 0
                                    

The fires of war raged across the Earth, the heavens above roiling with holy light corrupted by Sin. Below, sinners and celestial soldiers clashed in a brutal war that neither side seemed destined to win. In the midst of it all, Sinister stood in his cathedral, his gaze locked on the stained glass windows depicting scenes of Heaven’s glory—a distant memory now marred by Adam’s hubris.

Sinister fell to his knees in prayer, his hands clasped tightly. As he sought guidance, his consciousness began to shift. The sounds of battle faded, replaced by an all-encompassing light.

Sinister’s Vision

Before him was the Throne of God. The Father sat resplendent, His form too holy and incomprehensible to fully perceive. On His right hand stood the Son, His presence radiating peace and authority. On His left was the Holy Spirit, a formless yet palpable presence of divine power.

Sinister knelt before them, trembling. “Lord, I seek your guidance. The war rages on, and Adam grows stronger. I fear I will not be enough to stop him.”

The Father spoke, His voice like thunder and yet soft as a whisper. “You are on the path I have set for you, my servant. Do not falter. My strength flows through you, but you must learn to wield it with wisdom.”

The Son stepped forward, His gaze piercing yet compassionate. “Adam’s weapon, the Crown of Perdition, is his pride and his downfall. It will amplify his power but expose his soul to complete ruin. You must prepare for the day when he uses it against you.”

The Holy Spirit enveloped Sinister, filling him with warmth. “The Sin that Adam wields is hollow. It cannot stand against the fullness of Grace. Strengthen your allies, my child. The bonds of faith and trust will be your shield.”

Sinister’s vision ended as suddenly as it began. He awoke back in the cathedral, the weight of their words heavy on his heart.

---

Heaven’s Dissent

Meanwhile, Michael stood on the outskirts of a battlefield, speaking with an angel cloaked in shadows. The angel’s armor, once radiant, now bore cracks where Sin’s corruption seeped through.

“They are breaking us,” the angel confessed. “Adam’s promises of power are lies. The Sin he bestows corrodes the soul. I can feel myself slipping further with each passing day.”

Michael’s expression hardened. “Then why do you remain?”

“Because to leave is to die,” the angel said bitterly. “Adam executes defectors. But I can tell you this—he is planning something catastrophic. He seeks to combine the seven deadly sins into a single weapon. A ‘Crown of Perdition,’ he calls it.”

Michael’s heart sank. “Then he plans to destroy us all.”

---

The Plan Forms

Back at the hotel, Sinister called a meeting with his closest allies. The cathedral filled with hushed voices as Michael, Lute, Charlie, Lucifer, and others gathered around him.

Sinister explained the vision and what the corrupted angel had revealed. “We cannot wait for Adam to strike first. We must act now to sow discord among his forces and learn how to counter this Crown of Perdition.”

Michael stepped forward. “I’ll lead an infiltration team into Heaven. If Adam is unstable, we can exploit that instability and rally the angels who are still loyal to the true God.”

“I’ll go too,” Lute said. Her voice was cold, but her gaze was fierce. “I know the inner workings of Heaven better than most of you. And I owe Adam a reckoning.”

“I’m coming too,” Charlie said, determination shining in her eyes. “If we’re going to stop Adam, we need to save as many as we can.”

Sinister nodded. “Very well. But be cautious. Adam will not hesitate to destroy you if he senses betrayal.”

---

Adam’s Unveiling

In the grand halls of Heaven, Adam addressed his remaining loyalists. His once radiant form was now darkened, his eyes glinting with a sinister light.

“The war is ours to win,” he declared. “The Crown of Perdition will grant us ultimate victory over Hell and the heretics. All who oppose us will be consumed.”

Some angels cheered, their minds too corrupted by Sin to see the truth. Others exchanged uneasy glances, their faith in Adam wavering.

Unbeknownst to Adam, Lute, Michael, and Charlie had already infiltrated the outer reaches of his domain. They watched from the shadows, taking note of his increasingly erratic behavior.

“He’s unraveling,” Lute whispered. “The power is consuming him.”

---

A Pre-Battle Skirmish

As the trio attempted to retreat, they were intercepted by one of Adam’s high-ranking generals, a massive angel infused with Sin. The general’s voice boomed as he drew his weapon. “Traitors! You dare defy the will of Heaven?”

A fierce battle erupted, the corrupted general’s power proving overwhelming. Michael fought valiantly, his blade clashing against the general’s corrupted weapon, while Lute unleashed her fallen strength. Charlie used her wit and agility to outmaneuver their foe, but it became clear they were outmatched.

“We can’t win this!” Lute shouted.

“We don’t need to,” Michael said, his blade glowing with divine light. “We just need to get out alive!”

With a desperate combined effort, they incapacitated the general long enough to make their escape. As they fled, Charlie glanced back at the carnage. “This war isn’t just between Heaven and Hell anymore. It’s tearing everyone apart.”

---

Ending Hook

The group returned to Sinister with vital intel about the Crown of Perdition. As Sinister absorbed their report, his resolve hardened.

“Adam has chosen his path,” Sinister said. “But so have we. If we are to stop him, we must be stronger than ever before.”

Far above, in the corrupted halls of Heaven, Adam stood alone, gazing at the incomplete Crown of Perdition. “Soon,” he murmured, a sinister smile spreading across his face. “Soon, the world will bow to my will.”

---

Hazbin Hotel: A Sinister Redemption Where stories live. Discover now