Grimm

Prologue

In Hell, there is a very clear hierarchy. Lucifer, or as some know him: Satan, is at the very top of the hierarchy as the most powerful entity in the realm. His word is law and his whims are obeyed without hesitation. He is the all-powerful ruler of Hell and everything in it. 

Centuries ago, Lucifer had a son.  That son's name was Johnathan. His father told him stories of his destiny as he grew older and stronger. That when he reached the apex of his power, all demons of Hell would bow to him. The Earth would be his playground, where the mortals would grovel at his feet or die. Johnathan was to be the leader of the army that was fated to topple God from his throne and destroy Heaven. All of this and more Lucifer could see in his son's future and all of this and more he told him.

As the child reached the immortal equivalent of adolescence, he became overly self confident, believing himself already superior to even the most powerful of demons. He began challenging them to fights and battles and overcame all of them one by one.

But there were two beings in Hell he could not defeat. His father was one, though he never dared to challenge him. Their bond was as strong as any father-son bond. The other being however, was Grimm.

He has existed since the beginning of creation, out-dating even Lucifer himself. He is known in every culture on Earth, and goes by several names. His most popular, by far, is The Grim Reaper. When Lucifer took over as the ruler of Hell, Grimm was content to be his second in command. He is feared by all and controlled by none. If not for having no ambition, and simple needs, he would quite possibly be the one sitting atop the throne, rather than Satan. 

Johnathan however believed all of this to be lies and myths. He thought it impossible to be inferior to anything other than his father. He thought it nothing but an elaborate joke when he heard the rumors that even Lucifer feared him. So he challenged him to a fight. 

It was over within the blink of an eye. Johnathan cast his most powerful spell over the most powerful sword in his collection, the Blade of Damnation, and swung with all his might at this primordial being. The crowd of spectators took cover, realizing almost too late that they were in the essential "splash zone".

The blade was caught as easily as if it were tossed by a human child. There was a moment of shock from both Johnathan and the spectators before Grimm retaliated with a back-hand across the face that sent Johnathan soaring and crashing through buildings and sculptures.

Defeated, enraged and humiliated, Johnathan limped back to the palace, his home and the seat of power to all of Hell. He stumbled up to his father's throne and demanded justice for this humiliation. "Father! That bastard nearly killed me! You cannot allow him to get away with this! He attacked me in the Square. He even destroyed one of your statues in the process! Punish him, now! Strip his power from him and allow me to execute him for his crimes. It is treason of the highest order to attempt to assassinate the Prince of Hell!" 

His father however had already heard of the fight. "I know what happened in the Square Johnathan. I noticed my sword missing from the mantle and knew it must be another of your fights. By the time I arrived in the Square to spectate however, it was over and neither you nor your opponent were anywhere to be seen. One of your fans, a general of mine, told me who you challenged today. I admit, I was surprised. I will not be punishing Grimm for your loss. Your revenge will have to be wrought by you yourself. How will you continue to grow if I erase anyone you cannot defeat yourself. That would weaken my army and stunt your growth. That is my final word on this subject."

He had only the best intentions, but in Johnathan's eyes, his father had turned his back on him. His father chose this creature over his own son. A part of him thought that maybe it was out of fear and respect for Grimm but this angered him worse. His father, the all-powerful ruler of Hell, bowing to another being? He decided on the only reasonable course of action. 

The next day, he challenged the Grim Reaper to yet another fight. This time however, a fight to the death. And Johnathan was well-prepared to win. In the night, he had laid several binding trap spells over the Square. His plan was to strip Grimm of his magic and strength in order to make him vulnerable enough to kill. 

When he arrived for the fight, the trap was sprung. Grimm felt the power leaving his body and sensed he was no longer impervious to magic. Next the traps in the ground sprung up and ensnared him, rendering him immobile. All at once he felt the ability to cast spells, and even his physical strength, which was rivaled by none, fly from him into the magical traps.

Johnathan, with the knowledge of none, had stolen the most ancient and powerful book of spells in existence and sacrificed many demonic and human lives to cast the spells correctly and was pleased with how effective they were.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! THIS IS THE END FOR YOU GRIMM!!" Believing he had already won, he began to boast "I'll be hanging that skull of yours in my trophy room, Boney. HAHAHAH-"

His laugh was cut short abruptly by the deadly scythe of the Grim Reaper. 

"...!?" Johnathan's life had ended as his head, almost casually, fell to the floor and rolled to a stop, his face still contorted in his maniacal laughter. 

One thing about Hell? News travels very quickly. Not even a minute had gone by before the entire realm quaked in Lucifer's rage. He stormed to the Square, leaving a path of carnage as he swatted any buildings out of his way. 

Grimm had just barely managed to disable the traps holding him in place and was still extremely weakened by the others. Knowing that even in this state, Grimm would be very difficult, if not impossible to kill, he summoned all of his strength and blasted the primordial being into oblivion. Lucifer erased all traces of his former second in command from existence.

As well as everything else within sight. though he was very careful to leave his son's remains intact, they too received minor scorching. He wanted to preserve the body for when he was able to resurrect his child. But this would never be possible...

The Grim Reaper's Scythe was an ancient, terrifying weapon that consumed the souls of it's victims. With no soul to bring back, Lucifer would never be able to restore his son. And as he had just obliterated the weapon, there was no way he could free his soul. 

Even now, centuries later, Lucifer still grieves his lost child and grudges the being who brought about his demise.

And even today, he still searches desperately for a way to revive him, his body still preserved just under the throne room.