The sky above crackled with heavenly energy as the Divine's voice thundered across the burning plains of Hell.
"I have a proposition," He declared, His voice vast and commanding. "An army among you denizens of Hell—to fight and vanquish your own: devils, demons, hellbeasts, and all you who dwell in the abyss. You've escaped from the realm I bound you to, and now you threaten My people. I have ruptured them, separating the faithful from the sinners. The righteous now dwell with Me in heaven, but I have not abandoned the rest. I intend to offer them salvation—after seven years. You, however, wish to claim their souls before they can repent. But I will offer you this: if any among you join Me in protecting mankind, I will grant you a place in heaven… and a chance to fight alongside My angels in the final battle for salvation."
There was an uproar among the demons.
"You ask us to betray our own?" one snarled.
"Such mockery!" hissed another.
"Despicable," spat a third. "You think we'll forsake our kind to help you? This is our chance to claim our own kingdom!"
"Yeah!" shouted a fourth. "Our own heaven on Earth!"
Asmodeus stepped forward, his voice smooth but venomous. "Why, O Divine One, would you seek allies among us to fight your war?"
The Divine replied calmly, "Because you've broken the barrier I placed upon Hell—the one that sealed you away from the world of man. Your defiance has unleashed chaos: tsunamis washing away nations, earthquakes swallowing cities, volcanoes tearing open the land. This was not our agreement when I created mankind many millennia ago. My angels and I will uphold our side of the covenant. But you… you will atone. Protect the sinners. If you do, mercy will be shown: a place in heaven, and a chance to join My army in the final reckoning."
Asmodeus burst into laughter, the sound echoing across the scorched land like splintering glass.
"Yes, we broke the seal," he admitted. "And yes, it cost us many of our own. But now we feast on human souls, transform them into demons to replace our fallen. We've studied your army through centuries of battle. With more humans turned hell denizens, we will finally have the numbers to win the ultimate war."
A roar of approval erupted. The denizens of Hell cheered, their voices booming like thunder through the infernal landscape.
The Divine's voice cut through the noise. "You truly believe you can win? So be it. I'll give you until midnight to decide."
"We will not accept your terms," Asmodeus sneered. "We vow loyalty to only Satan… or your fallen favorite, Lucifer."
Chaos spread like wildfire across Earth. Demons rampaged, dragging souls into damnation. But humanity did not yield easily. Armed with technology and resolve, they fought back. Cities formed fragile alliances, building walls and weapons to withstand the infernal onslaught.
Among the raging war, one hell denizen found himself in quiet conflict.
"Is this for real?" Damon muttered, watching the distant chaos. "The Divine said we could earn a place in heaven if we protected mankind…"
Sindel turned sharply. "You're not thinking of accepting the offer, are you?"
"I might," Damon replied, his voice low.
"What?! Don't be ridiculous. You, of all demons, shouldn't be having second thoughts."
"I know," Damon admitted. "But hell… hell is boring. It's disgusting. We torment the same kinds of sinners, over and over."
"But that's the fun part," Sindel argued. "We get to torture them in the inner realm. Isn't that enough for you?"
"It was—for a while. But we've been doing this for many millennia. And I'm tired of dying in every war with the angels. Do you know how painful it is to wake up in flames and tear off chains just to resurrect yourself?"
Sindel scoffed. "You've died three times. I've died six. You don't get to complain."
"Fair enough," Damon said with a smirk. "Still… imagine what it would be like to live in heaven. No fire. No chains. Just peace."
Sindel shook her head. "I hope you don't get yourself into trouble."
Damon grinned. "Don't worry about me."
A deep, resonant horn echoed through the cavern, cutting their conversation short.
"Sounds like we have a meeting," Damon said.
"Yes… about that wretched offer." Sindel scowled. "Let's go."
In the inner realm of Hell, the air was thick with sulfur. Chains clinked as demons filed into the council chamber.
"The Divine mocks us," growled Satanus. "He dares ask us to protect mankind?"
"We now have authority over Earth," Zemon said. "Humans will replace those we sacrificed to break the seal—and grow our numbers."
"Exactly," said Asmodeus, nodding approvingly. "Our army will swell, and we will crush the Divine's forces once and for all."
"The humans are tougher than we thought," added Algon. "Their weapons have held us back."
"That's only because we higher devils are still partially bound," Asmodeus explained. "Lesser demons can pass freely, but they're too weak to overcome the humans."
"Then it's time to send the second-ranked devils," Beelzebub declared.
"I agree," Damon said. "They can handle both the humans and their weapons. Then we'll claim both."
Beelzebub smiled. "Do we all agree?"
One by one, the higher devils raised their hands.
"Very well," Asmodeus said. "Tomorrow at noon, the second ranks will march."
Meanwhile, in heaven, the stars shimmered like whispers of light.
"It's almost midnight," The Divine said, His tone calm but heavy. "None have come forward."
"What will You do if they don't?" asked the Archangel Michael.
"I will bring judgment Myself," The Divine answered. "They chose this path when they broke the seal."
Michael's face paled. "So be it. There are only two minutes left."
A stillness fell over the realm. The stars seemed to hold their breath.
Then—footsteps.
Soft, steady, echoing like a heartbeat across the marble floor of heaven.
The Divine turned His gaze toward the path.
"Oh," He said softly. "What's this?"