The Bleeding Heavens: A Murder's Crusade

Prologue

200 years later:
The metal chains weighed down his arms and his legs, a burden as heavy as his thoughts, as he traveled down the dark, dimly lit corridor. The clink and drag of the restraints along the flooring as he was escorted by armed guards, served as a sign of punishment for his transgressions to all who witnessed his passing through the hallways. The tall, dark haired male was released, still in his shackles into a darkened room after traveling a myriad of twists and turns through the shadowed corridors. It always amazed the now fallen angel how the guards managed to navigate the maze of passageways within what was to be his prison, trapped in the dark just as he was now. Although the route to his cell was confusing, it didn't prevent him from learning and evaluating his surroundings, as indeed he was. Given his observations, he estimated the likelihood of escape was minimal, yet perhaps he would be the first in history to do so. The forsaken angel let his eyes close and allowed his senses to search the room that he was abandoned in, chains and all. How thoughtful of them really, was his inward sarcastic comment. He could tell someone was present in the chamber with him, and yet he had been left without a way to defend himself. "I'd ask you to show yourself, but that's a little difficult in our current setting, so I'll settle for speak up asshole" Severyn stated to break the silence. His words came out as firm and terrifying as he could make them given how little he'd actually spoken to anyone in the last few weeks, his voice more like a harsh croak in reality.

The sinister chuckle that came from the corner of the room had him tensing up, a rare occurrence that was never a good thing. Severyn was scared by none, but he had a healthy dose of caution and anger when the time called for it. It was how he'd lived as long as he had without an issue, at least until he was captured and tossed here to live out his sentence for upsetting the balance of the world. "Severyn, or should I say Jace now?" a dark voice questioned from the even darker shadows, the grin in his voice obvious. "I've been watching you and I believe you can help me with my cause. Despite what Father may think, I value a man with your skills," he told him, leaning against the wall. The dark man's sharp eyes captured everything about Jace as he stood in the shadows before making his appearance. He saw as Jace hesitated before speaking, weighing his options and choosing his words carefully. A smart man indeed, after all dealings with the Devil were always tricky, say the wrong thing and you may find yourself in a deal that you didn't want to be in. "What's in it for me Lucifer?" Jace asked him, the clink of the chains signifying he was trying to get comfortable, but that was impossible given the chain that bound his wings tightly to his back. "Revenge" he told him simply, aware of the hatred that filled this man's heart in regard to the Order that had forsaken him.

Very little thought was given to the answer because there was only one choice to be made. Holding out his right hand Jace reached toward the dark figure in front of him as far as the short distance his heavy restraints would allow. The Lord of Darkness stepped from the wall, still shrouded in the menacing shadows of the room, and curled his fingers around the hand of the man in front of him. As their hands met, Severyn uttered the single binding word that would begin the fall of the world as we knew it, "Deal".