Abraham flees with his remaining angels towards Esylios. He holds his severed arm as he retreats towards the top of the great cathedral and meets with the high priest.
"Welcome, Abraham the Victorious." the priest says with a bow, believing that the war has been won. But Abraham's eyes reveal the truth. The horror of Thamiezel's true power.
"Summon every last Esylion here."
"It will leave the other worlds defenseless."
"Are you questioning me?!"
The priest bows in apology to the angered angel. He rises back and meets with Abraham, whose eyes glare with rage and terror.
"Yes, my master. The will of God shall be made."
"Every last one… I will not leave this to chance."
Abraham prepares the entire host of Esylios to attack the ancient dragon that obliterated the heavenly forces. He waits as the hours pass and the entirety of the armies of Esylios fly above the world. They prepare their most powerful weapons for the battle against the dragon of Thamiezel. One of Abraham's angels walks forward.
"My Lord… your arm…"
"This… this is very powerful evil… Thamiezel is far stronger than I had known… and he has an ally in the demon world."
"There has to be a way to kill him."
"We will. We will destroy that mad dog. And we will find the demon that would dare violate the treaty with Paradise. This will not end in defeat."
As the full might of Esylios prepares for war, a small shuttle appears in orbit around the planet. The Esylion forces aim their weapons at the ship, preparing to fire. But they see an angel descend from the ship. Abraham keeps his men ready for battle as the angel descends towards the tower. He sees his pupil, Alice Pines, come into the council chambers.
"Alice. You survived."
"Yes…"
"And what of your children?"
"They are safe… and I am here to negotiate."
"What… what are you talking about?"
Alice removes the façade of being a lowly angel. She reveals that she has the combined powers of her angelic body and the vampiric blood of Thamiezel. She is a demon of light and shadow.
"What have you done?"
"Abraham. You will return to your master and tell him this. This galaxy belongs to Thamiezel and all galaxies that surround this one. If any angels come against him, he will kill them and the worlds that ally with them. The hands of death will not be able to take the souls to Paradise and they will be dragged down to Hell."
Abraham takes his angelic blade and prepares to strike. He swings overhead at Alice Pines. Her arm reaches up and blocks his attack. The weapon evaporates against her touch.
"These are our terms."
"How dare you."
"You say your god is infinite… but if that were the case, then Thamiezel would never have suffered. My husband would not have been claimed by Inferno. Your god is a liar and a coward."
"No. These are my terms. We will not bow to a madman. Now begone!"
Alice returns to the ship above. Abraham prepares his forces for the great dragon. But he sees another presence far above. Thamiezel gazes down. His throat glows with an unnatural yellow, breathing sulfur and ash out of his mouth. Abraham gives the order to attack. Thamiezel creates a large barrier. The entirety of the Esylion force unleashes their power on the shield. Thamiezel floats with his sister within the barrier, appearing to be sitting on an invisible throne. He yawns in boredom as the lights and lasers strike his power. To the twins' right floats a giant, golden pyramid. Bill Cipher stares at the explosions, oohing at the sight of the different lasers splashing out against the shield. To the twins' left sits their dragon ally.
"Such pretty colors." Bill says.
"They are, aren't they?" replies Waddles.
"So, Pine Tree, what are you waiting for?"
"Well, I couldn't afford a firework show, so let's enjoy this sight."
"They'll be shooting for a while."
"No, they'll realize soon enough how hopeless this is."
Thamiezel waits as the minutes pass. The barrage of fire continues with no end and Thamiezel becomes bored of the spectacle. He weaves his dark powers through the Esylion home world. He moves his hands around like a conductor in an orchestra, and then he clenches his fists. The firing comes to a stop.
"What did you do?" Alice asks.
"Dismantled every single weapon at once. Now they should listen."
Thamiezel waits as the Esylion battleships begin to leave the planet. They begin to home in on Thamiezel's position, preparing to ram him in desperation. Thamiezel rolls his eyes as Abraham leads the final charge against the demon.
"Oh, to hell with it."
Thamiezel freezes the Esylion force in place. He lifts his pointer finger to the sky. A small sphere of energy forms atop his finger. Abraham continues charging with the last of his angels. But the sphere atop Thamiezel's hand begins to grow. It grows to hundreds of feet in diameter, and the angels come to a stop before the demon. The gigantic star blinds the Esylion forces with its brightness.
"Abraham? You probably never learned what this is in the nineteenth century. Science wasn't as advanced as it is now. Let me give you a lesson. This is called a supernova. When stars die, they may unleash a wave of energy powerful enough to kill all life in the surrounding solar systems and sometimes even a galaxy. This supernova is the latter. I could easily make another of it. So my question is, will you surrender?"
Abraham realizes just how powerful his enemy has become. His light fades and he sends the Esylion forces back. Thamiezel retakes the energy of his star back, holding it within his body. The other angels return to the tower, leaving through the gateway to Heaven. Abraham turns to the dark ruler as he smiles down at the angel.
"I accept defeat."
Abraham and the Esylions surrender. Thamiezel takes Abraham away in chains while he steps foot on the Esylion capital. He dances along the streets victoriously with his sister and Bill Cipher, kicking his legs and spinning in circles. Thamiezel stops, his long coat swinging in the wind as he turns towards Bill Cipher.
"So, ready to start building your theme park?" Thamiezel asks.
"Yeah. So which of these jerks can I have?"
"The priests, mostly. They're the least fun and could use some cheering up. The rest I'll take off world. Right, sis?"
"Yes. And Remember, Bill. No permanent torture. Everyone gets two days a week off for a break. And the crazier shit rotates members so they only end up there one day a month."
"Alright, Shooting Star. You strike a hard bargain, but I do sort of owe you for driving your brother quackadoodles."
The Esylion civilians are taken off world to be enslaved by Thamiezel's empire. The remaining soldiers and high priests are taken to the surface. Bill Cipher begins to warp the fabric of the universe on the planet. The atomic structure of the grand cathedral begins changing. It becomes a bright, golden pyramid in the image of Bill Cipher, glowing and crackling with electricity. The buildings bend and warp with the power of Bill Cipher's mind. The steel is distorted into deranged roller coasters that go into the sky before falling down for miles. A trap door opens up to allow the coaster to enter the second part of Bill Cipher's mad creation; a long, winding path filled with spinning blades and buckets of liquid steel, which dump on the coaster. After the dark pit, the coaster shoots back up, passing by a target range that will allow others to try and shoot the people on the coaster. The ride continues, swerving and jerking chaotically before coming back towards the rails. A switch that activates at random intervals is placed to drop the rails and send the coaster careening into the distance towards a minefield.
Bill Cipher bends the Esylion world to his own mad creations, turning the planet into one giant amusement park that can maim, torture, kill and drive people insane, forcing them to relive their darkest moments and greatest fears.
"You like it?" Bill asks Thamiezel.
"Wonderful. I will have to try it out sometime. But for today-"
"We party!" Zelestra shouts. Thamiezel giggles with his mad sister and Bill. Thamiezel claps his hands together. As he opens them, a portal spreads out from his fingertips. Thamiezel beckons Alice and Zelestra towards the portal. He steps in with his family and the twins reappear on Cul-Cerberon, leaving Bill to begin spreading the knowledge of his designs. Thamiezel and Zelestra wander up to the tower where their family has been taken after the battle with the angels.
"I wonder what they're all talking about, Zelestra."
"Let's find out, brother."
The twins reappear in their throne room, which has become a cacophony of madness. The twins' parents yell and cry, their grandfather mumbles to himself in the corner, and Zelestra's children argue with their father and their own kids about the insanity that is occurring. But with the twins' reappearance, the family's attention turns to them. All go silent with the reemergence of the vampires. Thamiezel bears his demonic fangs with a hellish smile. He creates a wine glass filled with blood and lifts it up.
"A toast. To the reunion of the Pines family."
Thamiezel drinks the blood and throws the glass aside. The glass shatters against the ground as Thamiezel hovers backwards to his throne, keeping his crimson gaze upon his family. Zelestra walks towards them and smiles weakly.
"Get away from him." her father whispers.
"Father… he is mine."
"That… that isn't love…"
Zelestra growls with anger as she approaches her father. Her voice sends tremors through the tower.
"Love… you want to know what value his love is?... thirty two years… he was shattered and broken for thirty two years. Trapped within nothing, overwhelmed by the madness of a war that dwarfs the conflict between Heaven and Hell. And it was his love for me that brought him back. Listening in the void, the fragmented remains of my brother rejoined at the calling of my voice."
Zelestra meets her father's eyes, snarling in his face.
"So tell me, father. Is your love for mother or me strong enough to do that?"
The twins' father retreats at his daughter's rage. She hovers back towards her throne. As the twins take their seats, several vampiric servants walk into the throne room. They carry several large tables and at least a hundred chairs, brought for the bloodline of the Pines to use. Many goblins walk in carrying various menus and glasses of water. The large party is set for the family, with a staff of hundreds of creatures waiting to serve the newly revived humans. Thamiezel and Zelestra lift their two iron thrones and move them towards the tables. The thrones fall to the ground with a loud bang.
"I see you called our friends ahead of time, sister."
"Of course. One should always prepare for a party."
The family looks at the twins in shock and confusion. Zelestra looks across the large table to them, a seeming infinite distance between the twins and their family.
"Well, come on!" Zelestra beckons.
The large group, not desiring to anger the queen, takes their seats on the table. Greg attempts to sit far away from the twins with his kids. The twins' parents also stay at the other end. Zelestra groans at her family's hesitance.
"Ugh, no, no, no. This isn't how we sit!"
Zelestra binds her family to their chairs and lifts them up. The empty chairs next to the twins hover in the air and Zelestra switches the seats around. To her right side sits Greg and her children, keeping their eyes down in fear. To Thamiezel's left sits the twins' parents, confused and terrified and broken. Zelestra claps her hands and a puff of smoke explodes at the ceiling. The smoke dissipates to reveal several colorful decorations and paintings of the twins and their family. A large sign hangs overhead reading "Welcome Home!"
"Your skills are as wonderful as ever, sister."
"Thank you."
The goblins hand over the menus to the weary family. They stare in confusion as the twins take menus for themselves.
"So, I was thinking of ordering the roasted pork… with a side of mashed potatoes." Zelestra says.
"That is a good choice, sister… hmm, I want one of the classics. Chicken fingers with barbeque sauce."
"Ooh, that's also good. Want to split?"
"Alright."
Thamiezel and Zelestra hand their menus back to the goblins. The family is silent and broken, utterly baffled by how casual everything has just become. They simply stare at their menus, wondering what to do. Thamiezel smirks at his family's hesitation before speaking.
"Go on. They aren't going to bite. Goblins and vampires are surprisingly polite fellows when not being hunted to extinction."
The twins' father stares at the menu and mumbles to himself.
"I… uh… the… burger?"
"How would you like it made?" one of the vampire's asks.
"Uh… well done… with ketchup and lettuce… and pickles…"
"And what would you like to drink?"
"The… the coke."
"Classic or new? Just joking, new coke is banned under penalty of a dance off with Queen Zelestra. The loser has to wear a dunce cap for a week."
The twins' father scratches his head. The vampire takes the menu. Another vampire looks towards the twins' mother.
"I… I'll have… the smoked salmon in lemon sauce."
One by one, the twins' family orders their meal, mumbling responses towards the vampire servants. Alice looks over the menu and turns to the vampire at her side.
"Just get me some whiskey and a shot of vodka. And some French fries."
She stares into space in disbelief. The twins snicker at Zelestra's descendant, who moans in irritation.
"So, when are we going to get my husband back?" Alice asks. Thamiezel turns to her and responds.
"We'll have to wait a bit. Only angels of death have free access to either dimension, and I scared most of them away some years ago. Don't worry. He's probably in the first circle or second, which are basically just nonstop frat parties with fighting and ripping off limbs."
"And if he isn't in those two?"
"Well, he didn't piss off any powerful demon lords from the Malebolge, did he?"
"No."
"Then he'll be fine. Besides… Inferno is a very dangerous place. We'll need to prepare. Find a way to access the higher circles without pissing off any ancient demon kings. Which will be difficult for me, since I've disrupted the balance of power down there."
"Lot of people will want a piece of you."
"I know. In hindsight, I should have prepared my tyrannical conquest a bit better. Iron out a few details, try not to blow up a few planets."
"You… you're mad." the twins' mother murmurs.
"Greetings Captain Obvious! Have you seen my mother around? She was here just a minute ago."
Zelestra giggles at her brother's joke as the servers return with the food. Alice takes a sip of her drink and finds it has no effect on her.
"Shit angel body. Can't even get drunk."
Zelestra hears her descendant's complaint and fetches a waiter.
"You, get Alice one of them there supernatural drinks. You know, the stuff that could kill a mortal?"
The waiter leaves to retrieve Alice's beverage.
"Really? There's, like, demon beers?"
"Yes. And there's even things that can knock us around, although I'd never try it."
"How come?"
"Well, if mortals get too tipsy they knock over a table. If my brother and I get too tipsy, we knock over a planet."
"Spooky." one of the vampire waiters replies.
"Indeed, Gregory. Now, do we have any music?"
"Oh, yes. Sorry, my lady."
Gregory goes to turn on the music. A nice, delicate piano solo begins playing. Gregory changes the station to Zelestra's favorite; a compilation of music from the eighties and nineties. The waiter returns with Alice's beverage. Alice takes her drink and begins sipping the supernatural beer.
"This… this is my music." Zelestra says happily. Bon Jovi's You Give Love a Bad Name begins playing.
"Yes. I love this song, sister."
"It is the best. I wonder where Bon Jovi is now?"
"Probably the second circle, getting it on with Lady Lilith."
"If she knows what's good for her, she'll treat them like royalty."
Zelestra and Thamiezel giggle as they begin eating their food. Thamiezel moans in delight as he bites into a chicken tender.
"You know, there's one thing that never changes no matter how powerful I become. This is one of the best foods ever."
"Indeed it is, brother. Along with cake, pancakes, and pizza."
"Ooh, I should have ordered a small pizza. Oh well, I guess next time."
Thamiezel and Zelestra laugh together as Alice looks towards them.
"So, I have to ask, what is Hell like?"
"Don't they teach you anything in that happy go lucky place upstairs?" Thamiezel says.
"Not much. They're afraid we'll leave, probably."
"Well, here's the gist of it. Nine circles of Hell, and they get wackier the farther down you get. First and second circles are run by the saner demons. Torture is more weird sadomasochism and sex stuff than horribly ripping souls apart, and most of the spirits from our world that have a love of vice end up there. Third and fourth circles, you start getting more powerful demons. Psychopaths who make deals with mortals. Most are backstabbing tricksters."
"Sounds so familiar."
"Rude. Well, beyond that we have the fifth and sixth circle. Now, I'm a powerful fellow right now, not to brag. But these guys? They are dangerous and powerful beyond all measure. Most aren't able to be summoned, and the ones that can be are liable to just devour the local galaxy. Seventh circle is the city of Pandemonium. Whoever sits there is the most powerful demon lord. Current fellow is named Pyriphlegoth."
"Where's Lucifer and his pales?"
"They've lost their power. Pyriphlegoth ripped Beelzebub apart, who claimed control after the fall of Saturn, who took over after Lucifer was banished, who seized control once Cocyton got his ass kicked, who claimed Hell from Amon the Hidden One, who stole the throne from Tartarus."
"… you lost me."
"Long story short, the dudes in charge all killed each other for power."
"And… just… my head hurts."
"No, that would be your alcohol acting up."
"Yeah… strong stuff."
The twins' grandfather looks at the drink curiously. Zelestra notices his desire.
"You want some? It'll hurt like hell since you're still a human, but you might survive a sip."
"No… no thanks."
Stanley Pines sighs, remembering his twin that's so far away.
"Don't worry. I promise. We'll get him back." Zelestra vows.
"Yeah… what happened?"
"Pardon?"
"You… we stopped Bill…"
"Yes… but many things have occurred since then."
Zelestra looks towards her drink. She lifts up her cola and sips it.
"Still… this is better."
"N… no… how?" the twins' father mutters. Zelestra's gaze shifts towards him, and he averts his eyes.
"How? Because if we were united in Heaven, then Inferno would rise to claim that world. We would be thrown into a war we couldn't even begin to understand. And we would be destroyed… it is better this way. At least we are on the winning side."
"What happens if you start losing?" Alice asks.
"Well… our master aided my brother. So I suppose we will simply help out where we can and try to turn the tide."
"Lot of loyalty…"
"You seem surprised." Thamiezel says.
"Didn't take you for loyal. More of a mad dog."
"Well, he saved me… in a weird, roundabout way. And he is the best alternative we've got. The Children of the First are gone, sick and weary of this universe and its wars. The First Evil was so vile his own servants cursed him. There isn't even a name for that… thing. As if everyone who ever knew of him was afraid that speaking his name would summon him back from the void. My master is someone you should never cross, but at least he won't torture you forever."
"So, we've got shit, crap, and piss to choose from. This is insane."
"Indeed."
Zelestra takes one of the chicken fingers while Thamiezel takes a bite of mashed potatoes. He moans in delight at the fluffy texture and the gravy. The twins' mother takes a bite from her salmon before speaking again.
"And… where is Gran?"
"Grandma? She is probably near Stanford and Alice's husband… what's your husband's name, Alice?" Thamiezel says.
"George."
"Ooh, good name. We have a George too. Well, his name is Georgey."
"Darn it, brother. That's who we should have invited."
"I guess there's always next time."
"I know. How rude of us."
"Georgey?" Alice's son says.
"Yes. Cute little goblin fellow. Married the daughter of one of our trusted servants. Pretty vampire named Arella."
"Married?" Alice's other son says in confusion.
"Yes. Why, did you think our friends were just weird, lustful monsters?" Thamiezel says.
"I… kind of."
"Well, not all of them. Some of them prefer a casual sex group, others go for the more intimate relationship. Whatever works. Surprised humanity took so long to realize that."
"Where are they?" Zelestra's son asks.
"Who?" Zelestra responds.
"The humans."
"Oh. Well, they're around. Kind of. Most of the vampires were human, or descended from them."
"But… are they all gone?"
"Yes… Thamiezel needed to regain his strength, so he sort of… ate them…"
Stan looks down in sadness, realizing that the human race is no more.
"Come now, Stanford the Second. You wouldn't complain if all Caucasians diluted their bloodlines with mixed relationships, would you?" Thamiezel says.
"I, what?" Stan mutters.
"It would be racist. Same thing. Those purity obsessed humans died as they are programmed to do. But the sane ones simply mixed in with us vampires. Now stop being a racist."
Stan rubs the back of his neck as Thamiezel snickers. Alice's kids giggle slightly before going silent, embarrassed by their own casual behavior. After the meal, the twins bring out several couches and large televisions. Zelestra creates a disco ball that hangs from the ceiling. Alice sits on the couch, staring at the T.V. as a green skinned demon with bat wings and horns discusses the news in Thamiezel's empire and the local stars.
"Zelestra Planet Seven celebrates the return of the native elmerk species from their underground mating sites. Several humans have been rumored to have appeared in Thamiezel's empire. Their current whereabouts are unknown. In other news, Bill Cipher has invited The Supreme Emperor of the Empire of the Sovereign Sun to his theme park. The Emperor has officially endorsed Bill Cipher Land as the most fun he's had being skinned alive by giant vegetable peelers. The emperor has officially declared Bill Cipher Land, and therefore Thamiezel's empire, as off limits for invasion. The Star of Telepathy celebrates his eighth century of power in the third circle of Hell. Mammon's lieutenant has ordered one thousand cakes to be directly fed to him by his slaves. Now to James Vandenberg with Sports."
Alice can't help but laugh at the insanity. She covers her face, breaking down in a fit of laughter. Thamiezel and Zelestra dance together beneath the disco ball.
"I always wanted to take you dancing, sis."
"Well now you can. Shake your booty!"
Thamiezel and Zelestra bounce their butts together, much to the discomfort of their family. The twins begin rubbing their bodies sensually before realizing that their family is turning away in shame and disgust. The twins return to the couch, laughing awkwardly. Zelestra moves over to her husband, who shifts uncomfortably in his seat. Zelestra frowns as he tries to move away from her.
"I'm still me inside. You know, the goofy, lovable doofus Mabel? The same weirdo with an invisible bro you fell in love with? It's just, now he's visible and there's more complicated crap going on, like being the twin rulers of the galaxy. And incest."
Zelestra grabs her husband and drags him into an embrace. She begins rubbing his back and doing judo chops on his shoulder blades, knowing that it was his favorite thing after a long day. He continues to be tense, afraid of her madness. As Zelestra works into his muscles, she allows her magic to subtly influence her husband. She sets his mind at ease and allows him to relax. She continues her movement until he has nearly fallen asleep.
"So… Greg… I really need to know… Do you still love me?"
He turns to her on the verge of tears. He sees Mabel, smiling with the face that always assured him that everything would be alright. But he doesn't love her anymore. He shakes his head as he begins to shudder in pain. Zelestra swallows as the tears begin to pour. She moves away from Greg and closer to her brother. Tears of blood pour down her face as she watches the television in silence. Thamiezel embraces her, kissing the top of her head as he cries with her.
"Mabel… it will be alright." Thamiezel whispers.
"Yes… yes, it will…"
Greg steps away from them, leaving his wife. But Zelestra's children sit down next to the twin vampires. Zelestra's lips curl into a weak smile.
"Mom?" Bella says.
"Yeah?"
"I… ugh… I… still love… even after everything… and I'll try to… something."
"I'll try to something too." Zelestra says. She moves over and hugs Bella. Stan looks at her.
"Stan?"
"Yeah… I … I can't hate you…"
Zelestra squeals happily as she drags her kids into a hug. They place their arms on her shoulder, squeezing their mother happily. Zelestra kisses them on the forehead before moving back to her brother.
"You know, Mom… I thought I saw the worst the universe had… ghosts, demons, aliens… but I guess there are still some surprises." Bella says. She turns towards her uncle, who stares at her with an amused smirk.
"If you ever hurt Mom, I'll kill you."
"You'd have to wait in line." Zelestra says. Thamiezel giggles as his sister glares at him with menace and a sadistic grin.
"I'd rip your lungs out and play jump rope with your intestines." Zelestra says with a dark growl. Thamiezel purrs playfully as Zelestra maneuvers around to face the television. She yawns as one of the reporters goes through one of Bill Cipher's attractions. He comes out minutes later with several chunks of skin missing and no eyes.
"That was extraordinarily painful! I'd give it five out of five stars!"
Bella turns towards her uncle.
"How come you took her?"
"Hmm?" Thamiezel says as he turns to his niece.
"You… you came to Heaven and brought her back."
"I… I was alone… but I did have every intention of finding a way to get you all, too."
"And I… I could feel him calling. My brother… I could hear him crying for help… and me being the older sibling, of course I'd come for him."
Zelestra smiles as her eyes gaze up, meeting her brother's.
"But… when did this start?"
"This… I had always had… feelings for him… but it's hard to confront those when your bro's a ghost and you've got kids and a husband."
"And I had always loved her… always thought of her… I thought to leave her above… but… being alone makes you mad… it eats away at your soul until your desperate enough to do anything."
"It's better this way. Dracul will wait until the war consumes both sides. We would have been destroyed or claimed by demons, and Dipper… Thamiezel, would never have been able to help us."
"This gamble of mine… I am glad it did not come back against me."
"You played a dangerous game, brother. But I suppose us Pines always have."
Zelestra leans onto his shoulder and spreads out along the couch. Stan and Bella lean into her and yawn, tired of the insanity. The family enjoys the small remnant of normalcy. Alice Pines walks over to see her ancestors. Zelestra looks up and waves.
"So… we've got several vacant houses near the outskirts of the city. Figured you and your kids would want a place. We'll get you more permanent residence elsewhere."
"Yeah… you owe me. Both of you."
"I know. Sorry about the whole 'killing you' thing." Thamiezel says.
Alice charges and punches Thamiezel in the face, sending chunks of meat and teeth flying. The gap in his face twitches and squirts blood. Thamiezel reforms his face and smirks at Alice.
"Is that better?"
"It's a start. I'll see you later."
Alice motions for her children. The three angels fly towards the outskirts of the city. Stanley looks out of the balcony, staring into space while contemplating his insane life. The twins' parents walk over to him.
"You look young, Dad." the twins' father says.
"I know. I wonder if Stanford's got young looks. I'll… it's just… now what?"
"Don't… don't know…"
Stanley walks over to the twins with their parents coming in behind. Thamiezel looks up as Zelestra changes the channel to a Duck-tective rerun. Zelestra stretches as Thamiezel speaks to his family.
"There's a small mansion several blocks out. Gregory and Felicia are waiting by the entrance to the tower. They'll take you to your homes. There's a whole line of them for you and our descendants. All… one hundred seven of them."
"Wh… when?"
"Just now. I can manipulate reality on a galactic level."
Thamiezel and Zelestra sit as their family slowly leaves to begin their new lives as part of the empire. Stan and Bella snore peacefully, having fallen asleep leaning next to their mother. Thamiezel looks towards the family he once protected.
"Sister. I vowed I would bring them back. Now I will protect them."
"And you will not stand alone, brother. Never again."
"Thank you… I am sorry I robbed you from your family…"
"You should be. But you can make up for it. Help us now. And soon, we will find a way to rescue those in Hell. We will not abandon them."
"No… Thamiezel and Zelestra, united against the cosmos."
Zelestra creates two soft beds with readily made blankets. The twins lightly take Stan and Bella's bodies and set them down on the beds. Zelestra lifts the blankets up and tucks her children in. The twins return to their throne and sit down. Another presence enters the throne room. Abraham is taken before the twins by several vampire warriors.
"Why have you brought him here, brother?"
"I wanted to speak with him."
Thamiezel allows Abraham to be freed. He restores the angel's arm and looks upon his enemy.
"Why have you freed me?"
"Because, unlike the Esylions, you are a soldier. You have a code."
Thamiezel creates a table with three chairs. Thamiezel and Zelestra move over and sit down.
"Please. Sit." Thamiezel says. He forgoes his usual madness in favor of politeness and courtesy.
"What do you want?" Abraham asks.
"To meet with you. I once told you I looked up to you… I didn't lie… things just… changed."
Abraham takes a seat across from the twins. He hides his anger behind an iron stare, revealing nothing as to his inner thoughts.
"You said I was a monster… that is true, Abraham. And I play my part gladly… but… there is a part of me that regrets some of my choices."
"And you think that redeems you?"
Abraham's voice is condescending and vicious, while at the same time curious as to Thamiezel's reasoning.
"No. I'm not interested in redemption. Because to change this universe requires action. It requires… necessary evil to defeat the greater evil."
"Your devil will not save this universe. He can only bring ruin to all."
Thamiezel smiles weakly. He shows the years in his eyes, not hiding behind a veil of power and arrogance anymore. Zelestra reaches a hand towards her brother. She threads her fingers with his, and Thamiezel looks towards her for reassurance. The twins reveal their shared role as the masters of the galaxy.
"You… you were not controlled."
Abraham looks down, realizing the error he made concerning Zelestra's role.
"I wasn't… I needed you to think that so that I could retrieve my family… did they know?"
"What?"
"When I was here. Could they feel it? That connection. That strength between people who love one another."
"They could… but not as strongly as yours. I remember hearing about you. When it was discovered you were taken. Your mind rebelled against the bliss. Why could you not accept it?"
"Because I could not accept the pain my brother was bearing. I would not allow that false paradise to blind me any longer. Disgusting world."
Zelestra's voice has become dark and commanding. Her eyes glow with anger at Paradise's offerings.
"Disgusting? Our realm has offered peace and bliss against the evil of the universe. Against the sin of the cosmos."
"Sin… They rob families of their loved ones. They let innocent spirits dwell in sorrow and solitude until they rot… they let my brother fade into this… I thought… when I was dying… and Greg was already gone… that whatever was after death, I could use it to help free my brother… pull him to the other side… help him escape his fate… but then I forgot he even existed… they stole my memories… they let him decay… all I needed to do was go and take him… such a simple task… but they didn't care at all."
"Your brother was not normal. You believe he is the only one who had that pain?... you were always different."
Zelestra and Thamiezel glow with a dark aura, offended by Abraham's words. Their faces scowl with viciousness at his lack of desire to aid others like Thamiezel.
"My pain… no, I do not believe I am normal… there are other spirits out there who have suffered such as I have. Most try to transform their pain into love. They accept their pathetic fate. Watching loved ones die and die and die and die and die and die! Until all life has faded from their sight!... And there are those who have succumbed to their agony. Becoming wandering spirits, ruined and mangled by grief, cursed to become near nothingness… and then there are those like me. We have made our pain into hate. And our hate into a weapon. The strongest weapon in the cosmos. So do not dare think I am of… lesser standing because I choose to change this tainted universe, rather than let others like me continue to rise."
"What?"
"I do not hate the divine simply for what has happened to me. I hate them for what continues to happen. There are more me's created every hour in the cosmos. No one should become like me. No one should contend with the despair that drives me. And a universe that allows those like me to exist should be torn down to the foundations."
"You… are mad…"
Thamiezel grins psychotically. His head lowers and he glares through his bangs at Abraham, eyes glowing with fury and insanity.
"Mad… No. I am simply trying to change things on a fundamental level. Entropy. Life and Death. The walls of creation… these things were not set in stone when the cosmos were made… and thus, they can be reversed."
"You… you will ruin everything!"
"No… things were already ruined when Paradise and Inferno were founded. I am simply changing things back to the way they were. The downfall of your realm is of no concern to me."
"Inferno is no better!"
"Inferno… I like you, Abraham. You are a realist… mostly. But you have found yourself on the wrong side of the board. And you seem to think only two sides are playing this game."
A cold breeze passes through the tower and a fell voice whispers in the room. Abraham hears the voice of an ancient monster, whispering in the tongues of Enochian and Tartarian and languages even older than they. A dark presence enters the chamber. Its footsteps echo from every corner, and an entity of shadow steps into the throne room. The being stares down the angel Abraham, summoned by his servant. Thamiezel stands and begins to recite his vow to the Order of Dracul.
"All the little gods with their angels, prophets, and vassals
Singing, cheering, and make-believing that bliss in ignorance is just
While all the little evils with their princes, demons, and devils
Indulging, succumbing, and surrendering to greed, gluttony, and lust
But all the demons, angels, gods, and devils
And the kings, the beggars, the princes, and paupers
With their promises, deceits, speeches, and drivel
And their boasts, omens, beseeches, and offers
They are liars, perjurers, augurs, and vapid clogs
They are usurpers, vultures, kvetches, and rabid dogs
They must be cleansed, bound, and torn asunder
They must be crushed, ripped down, and chained forever
This is the promise, the vow, the desire that binds me
And the Order, the kingdom of night, my master who guides me
Who drives me, who spurs me, who will never lead me astray
Who will rise above the gods and devils at the end of days
This is my oath to you, my Dragon, that binds our paths together
To lay waste to the realm of the divine and see the gods fall
And until this oath be fulfilled, and your enemies humbled forever
I shall stand at your side, and serve 'til you rise above all"
Thamiezel gives a bow to his master. Dracul feels an air of amusement coming over him at Thamiezel's vow.
"You are a very odd servant."
Dracul slides a delicate finger under Thamiezel's chin, who smiles warmly at his master. The two monsters turn towards Abraham, who realizes that Thamiezel's master is not aligned to Hell.
"Abraham… this is my gift to you. I, and Vlad before me, are servants of Dracul. I thought you deserved the truth… unfortunately, it means you can never leave our Order. But we are not monsters. We may behave monstrously, but we are not as corrupted as Inferno. I look forward to meeting you again, before the war that is to come. Goodbye."
Dracul opens a dark hole in his chest and sucks Abraham within. The angel vanishes, taken into the Order. Thamiezel looks to his master.
"I must ask… what was your part to play in the beginning, Dracul?"
"I served who you call the First Evil. It was mightier than all others. It should have brought order to our chaotic existence… but I realized my error after it rose a second time. It didn't desire control. It desired ruined. So I abandoned him… and I rebuilt in secret, rising to oppose the foolish Children."
"Strange. I never heard of you battling the Children of the First on your own."
"I didn't. I desired to show them the error of giving unguided power to the new life. They willingly handed over their power and knowledge to those unworthy. So I walked with the younger children. I told them what they wanted to hear. They willingly became as monstrous as the First Evil. And they challenged my older brethren."
"So… you thought by proving the young life was unworthy the Children would take their place as supreme rulers. Instead most of them vanished from existence, leaving a power vacuum. Oops."
"Yes… that was my second error."
"Well, nobody's perfect."
"Do not insult me."
"I didn't mean it insultingly… think of me as your court jester. I help you realize any possible mistakes by holding a mirror to you. And you know that I am your most loyal servant despite me pointing out any flaws… because I do support you. You are going to unite the cosmos. I see nothing wrong with that. And I, in fact, hope you take control."
"You are strange."
Dracul leaves the universe, returning to his own dark dimension. Zelestra smirks at her brother, who turns to meet her gaze.
"And what is so funny, sister?"
"You and your poems and corrupted songs. You are such an adorable tyrant."
Thamiezel giggles as he embraces his sister. The twin rulers return to their throne and look over Zelestra's descendants, who had slept peacefully through the meeting with the angel and Dracul. Thamiezel and Zelestra smile at their family, the small remnant of their old selves. The twins begin to descend into a deep slumber, waiting for Zelestra's children to awaken.
"We… we will protect them, my sister. That is my vow."
"And I will stand by your side, my Dragon. Forever."