PROLOGUE

When he awoke from unknown slumber, he had no knowledge of past events, nor who he was. He was basically a clean slate. But that didn't last for long after an angelic, boyish Imp restored all that he had lost, also awakening his fury and a desire for revenge.

The 'boy' dressed completely in white told him everything and remarkably he was not shocked about it. He was also given a special book and told how to use it. Along with this gift, came an exchange and a contract, that was gladly entered into it as payment for his resurrection.

Now, one month later, he gazed upon himself, looking longingly at the third finger of his right hand, where a ring of separation forever marked and reminded himself that he had been given a wondrous second chance at life. And he was not going to let it slip by. He had plans to repay the individual who took his life and who rejected him. He had poured his heart out only for it to be crushed with betrayal and murdered as a result.

He had joined a group of people that shared his life's philosophy and now he could dominate others once again like he had previously.

"It's said, evil never dies, it just takes on another form," he said, looking at his hand. "But spell evil backwards and you have the word: live."

"Evil lives," came a gruff sounding voice from beside him with a small chuckle. "And you are certainly evil personified, Rapture."

Rapture didn't look at owner of the voice that stood next to him, but he knew to whom it belonged. Rapture was new name, his old live forgotten as soon as he was introduced to a league of individuals who believed to dominate others was paramount to success. And he agreed with that. He donned a new look and a new outlook on life when he became a member of their ranks.

He stood in a corridor just off a large room where he with others were summoned to gather for a brief session to discuss the future when he saw her looking at him hiding behind a tall pillar. The entire area looked like the interior of a Greek pantheon designed by the building's facilitator. Rapture knew who the woman was, she was the facilitator's twin sister, Sappho. Her eyes opened widened when she saw he had spotted her.

He put a finger to his lips and silenced any anxiety she made have been feeling after discovered. He would not rat her out. Her presence here, and snooping, was in fact partially his fault, and he did not want to get her in trouble for a mistake he had made. It would not bode well for him either. He waved good-bye to her and then walked away…into a place called the Judgement Hall, where the rest of those asked to come were gathered.

The host of the gathering opened his arms and smiled at Rapture. He was a young looking man, maybe five or six years older than Rapture, but he had a stock of white hand at the centre of his head that contrast the black. It made him look like a skunk. But the truth about it was far more reaching than anyone was willing to admit and because of it he had become one of the most power members amongst their ranks.

He wore all black and a chain hung around his neck falling down over his buttoned up clergy jacket with the symbol of his evangelical cult, a following of worship with a plethora of millions of dedicated people called "The Order of the Cross". But it was only a side gig to bring in capital to fund his operations. He had his own private island in the South China Seas that he purchased from the Asian government, for which they were all currently on, with a large Op facility he personally designed and a citadel built not far from here for his own purposes.

Standing behind each of those present were creatures beyond imagination including the ghostly being behind him—all of which were Shinigami, gods of death. The only one Rapture could not see and neither could anyone else was their host's. The man everyone referred to as the Evangelist.

Now that they were gathered, seven in all, minus one who could not attend due to a prior engagement, things could now commence, and The League of Darkness could formulate their monumental plans for world domination.

To be continued...