Chapter 1 - Nightmares

Hell.

An elaborate maze of dozens of plains, each one more terrible than the last. He had designed it that way, his intention, to keep all his souls exactly where they were. None of them had any hope, if by some miraculous event they managed to gather the strength to run, avoiding all the demons and braving the scorching heat… they would still be lost! It was sheer ecstasy just thinking of it.

Lucifer had ruled over the inferno from the start of time, some say even before that although many believe that to be impossible. He had once been an angel of God, not just any angel but an archangel, he had great power bestowed upon him but he perverted that power, he grew greedy. No, the great Lucifer would not settle for anything other than ultimate power, he would not sit at God's feet and smile up at him. Lucifer set his plan in motion he would over throw God, he himself taking the thrown. He convinced many of the other angels to join him. He whispered softly into their ears, promising them all the power in the world when he had the thrown. Foolishly, they followed blindly, turning their backs on the true Lord God. Things where going perfectly, Lucifer had his army of angels intent of casting God aside as they believed they were all just as important as he was. They marched to the great white throne and confronted their God. The Lord tried to reason with his subjects but they would not see reason and were adamant that Lucifer should rule. God was displeased and called forth Michael another of his archangels, he told Michael to gather a great army of angels who were willing to fight for him.

So the battle began. Michael and his angels in favour of God and Lucifer and his angels, intent on the destruction of Heaven and all things Holy. They fought hard and they fought long but they did not win. God's angels were too many for Lucifer's few and so God demanded that Michael cast Lucifer and his angels out of Heaven, they were no longer welcome in his kingdom. So Michael did so and the last they saw of Heaven were the great gates slamming in their faces. No longer would they be able to enter the Lords house.

Hell became their home and Lucifer became their ruler. Not happy that mortals were able to enter Heaven and he, an archangel was not, he sent his angels now known as demons to prevent their passage. He gave them the gift of influence, their orders to corrupt as many living souls as possible. He would rule over them all, bringing them great pain and suffering. This was his kingdom and he was their king.

--

It was morning, although the bright morning light did not penetrate the thick drapes, the slight glow of light crept in around the edges, irritating John enough to force him from his bed. He stumbled to the dresser pulling a pair of black pants over his boxers. He clumsily put his socks on, grabbing a white shirt and black tie before making his way into the living room.

John Constantine was not a happy man. He despised leaving the comfort of his bed, especially since sleeping was so difficult for him. Waking was like a slap in the face, turning his mood sour before the day had even began. John poured himself a large whiskey, pulling his shirt and tie on before taking a large gulp. Breakfast. Or so he called it.

He had a million things he needed to do, he was in need of a very rare artefact and there was only one place he could get it from. Midnite's. God that man drove a hard bargain; no doubt it would cost him an arm and a leg, only adding to the foulness of his mood. He also had a book that needed to be translated; maybe he could persuade Chas to do it for him. The kid was always going on about how he wanted to help. Speaking of which, he had better get a move on. There was no way John was walking and for the twentieth time the kid was late. John lit a cigarette, taking a long savouring drag. Really these were the only things keeping him going. What he would do without them, he didn't know.

An hour and a half later Chas had finally shown up. John thrust his bag at the boy, making his way down to the cab on the street bellow. Occasionally he would feel some kind of pang of guilt about how he treated the boy but it was pretty short lived. Chas had come to him, asking to be his apprentice, not the other way around. If he was going to be any kind of help to John he would have to learn the hard way. It just so happened that John made it several times harder.

They finally pulled up beside the club, John exited fully expecting Chas to follow but he did not. He just looked blankly in front of him, oblivious to John's presence beside his window. Come to think of it, John had never seen Chas so quiet. He had barely said two words on the drive over here. The usual joke filled ride was instead filled with silence as John smoked in the back. John shrugged to himself. If the kid didn't want to come it just meant less time arguing on the street and more time getting down to business.

"I won't be long." He stated, not really expecting any kind of reply.

Chas finally snapped out of his trance, he looked a little surprised to see John on the sidewalk. His only reply was a shrug of his shoulders and a very weak smile. John felt another pang of guilt but he didn't have time for this right now. He'd talk to the kid later.

--

The club was busy, which wasn't unusual even at this time of the day. Midnite's mainly consisted of half-breeds, both angels and demons alike but occasionally there would be a few humans, in this case aside from himself there were none. The heavy rumble of the music was overpowering, the stench of alcohol filled the air. How many times had he drowned his sorrows here? John made his way to the back of the club; he knocked on the heavy door of Midnite's office, waiting for entry. A blast of cool air greeted him as the door swung open, the second it was shut the music melted away into near silence.

"John."
"Midnite." John replied, taking a seat opposite the witch doctor.
"It's been a while."
"I've been pretty busy, mostly I've been avoiding you're ridiculous prices." John said with a small smile.
Midnite returned this, pouring some amber liquid into a glass both for himself and John.
"So what can I do for you, John?"
"I'm looking for the libri animus." John replied, taking a sip of his drink.
"The book of souls?" Midnite asked in confusion.
"Yes."
"Such magic, John, what are you planning?" he asked with concern in his eyes.
"Don't worry nothing big. A little bit of this, a little bit of that. Maybe some redemption."
Midnite smiled, shaking his head lightly.
"So you are still trying to buy your way into heaven?" he asked with amusement.
"There's a chance it could help…"
"No, John. That book is made up of fairy tails. Nothing more. The magic it posses is only useful to the dead and you my friend, are not yet in that position."
John snorted. No he wasn't dead, not yet.
"What's your price?"
"The book is not for sale, John. It does more harm than good. You have wasted a journey."
John sighed. Midnite always had to be a know it all bastard. Sure it pissed him off but there was nothing he could do. Giving in to defeat he got up to leave.

--

Chas' eyes stung from lack of sleep. The nightmares had started five day's ago. Five days. It didn't seem like a very long time but those five day's were a lifetime to him. He had probably had twenty hours sleep tops it was driving him mad. Every time he closed his eyes he saw pain and fire. At first he thought he'd been reading too many books, tried giving them a rest, going to bed earlier but they continued rising in their graphicness night by night. The things he saw… they seemed so real but how could they be? He hadn't been able to concentrate on anything lately, he had fallen asleep at the wheel a few times, luckily at traffic lights, avoiding any catastrophes but he knew if this carried on his luck would eventually run out. He was just so tired and scared; he didn't know what to do. John would probably call his insane but he had no one else to share this burden with. Sighing deeply he closed his weary eyes. He would just rest for a second… only a second.

"My Lord."
The creature bowed down low, it's bony back bending unnaturally. It shook violently, afraid of the events it knew were certain to follow. It had failed and now it would pay dearly.
"Tell me."
The creature began to shake more violently; the steely voice of his master would be the last thing he was to hear.
"Things have been put into motion, my Lord. He awaits your orders."
"Good." The man sounds pleased, yet the look on his face reveals nothing.
"There's something else…"
This time it can not keep the fear from creeping into it's voice.
"What?" He sounds bored; as far as he is concerned the conversation is over he will soon have John Constantine in his grasp.
"Michael… he was there, he didn't hear anything… but saw us together."
The man's face turns sour; the displeasure is now very much evident on his face. If this fool has cost him his prize, there will be hell to pay, quite literally.
"That may be a problem. Go to Balthazar, tell him not to let that feathered bird out of his sight, is that clear? I will not have him snatch Constantine from my grasp."
Again the creature bowed low, crawling into the fire and rubble near by. It would not fail again.
The man watched the creature disappear, a cruel smile creeping across his face.
"John Constantine will be mine."

"CHAS!" John shouted, slamming the door behind him.
The kid was sleeping, his head resting against the steering wheel. That was all fine and well for Chas but John had places to be.
Chas' head snapped up, he let out a loud gasp. What the fuck had just happened… that place, was it hell? Had he just been eavesdropping on one of Satan's conversations?
"John…?" Chas asked wearily, turning to face the exorcist.
He was still disorientated, wasn't sure what to think. Then he remembered what they had been talking about, Lucifer had been talking about John… everything started to make sense. All of his previous dreams just seemed to fit together like pieces of a puzzle. This wasn't good.
"Oh Christ John, we're in deep shit."