Phase V: The Beginning of The End - Lilith, Samael, and Lucifer!
Author: Umi Sonoda
Co-Author: Every single Team Muse, and A-RISE members in the author category rs Saiai Nishikino, Kotori Minami.
Illustrator: Mrs Saiai Nishikino, Mrs Minami.
Chapter 35: The Lost Soul
Six Hours later...
"Systems rebooting..."
"OS Systems online..."
"Configurating new powers and arcane abilities..."
"Combat systems online..."
"Augmentations booting up..."
"Uhhh..." Chris moaned and rubbed her forehead as she woke up while sitting straight, feeling a rush of blood on her head.
"I see you have woken up."
"C...Crowfather?" Chris looked beside her and saw the crooked figure near the Tree of Life.
"Where...where is Death?" Chris wondered.
"He should be in the Black Stone, the palace where Samael lives." the Crowfather replied.
"I see..." Chris sighed.
"What you did there from the Spire's peak, is an example of how you are getting there..." the Crowfather nodded.
"What do you mean? Do you mean...getting to grips with myself?" Chris wondered.
"You are willing to calm down and know what you want - to protect the innocent beings of your world from Corruption, and to spare Death's brother, War, from punishment. Plus, you have someone who can carry the responsibility with you too. That is what I meant." the Crowfather replied.
Chris looked at the Dagger's hilt sticking out of the pocket and sighed.
"Be it my fault or not, finding the meaning of humanity, and other questions, I can't simply derail myself from finding solace. Thanks...Crowfather." Chris nodded.
"But...I thought Alito and I are dead..." Chris continued.
"The Blood of the Nephilim can cure a person's wound, even when near death. That is why the Nephilims have a special ability to revive any species provided they sacrificed themselves at the Well of Souls." the Crowfather explained.
"I see...we will get ready for our trip to the Black Stone then. Death should have gotten far by now." Chris nodded.
"Tread lightly, Ice Maiden, there is nought that way but shadow. But as long as you believe in yourself and the one who followed you loyally...you will find the answers naturally in the times to come." the Crowfather reminded.
Chris nodded.
After Alito woke up
"Thank goodness we're not dead." Alito sighed in relief.
"The Nephilim Blood seems to heal us completely from the fatal wounds inflicted upon earlier...and I can feel...much stronger than before." Chris remarked.
"Really? You felt that too, my Lady?" Alito wondered.
Chris summoned a powerful ice energy flaring up above her palm.
"The ice energy...it seemed to have a brighter intensity; a sign of stronger arcane powers..." Chris replied.
"I can run faster too!" Alito exclaimed as she zipped from one end of the stage to another.
"I wonder what other aspects of my powers have improved with the Nephilim Blood healing...Guess we have to discover it as we move along." Chris clenched her fists as it glowed blue.
Just then, they saw Nathaniel passing along.
"Nathaniel...we're sorry that the Archon..." Chris sighed.
"I know...we have no other choice. Pride often comes before a fall, but we will feel great loss for our leader. There's nothing to be sorry about, though..." Nathaniel dismissed.
"Has the Rod of Arafel entered safekeeping?" Alito wondered.
"Yes. But would you mind if I requested something from the both of you?" Nathaniel wondered.
"Sure...we will be happy to help. Going to the Black Stone can wait, so long as Death gets the Demon Key, all is well." Chris nodded.
"Thank you. This matter a lot to me, for it concerns my old friend. You will have to head to the Land of the Dead for that matter, though." Nathaniel gave Chris a scroll wrapped around a red ribbon with the Seal of the White City.
"What is the relation between you and the land of corpses?" Chris wondered.
"When a person dies, their soul will pass through the undead court. So take this, in hopes that they may find the answers." the Hellguard continued.
"Right!" the two Maidens nodded.
Upon reaching the Undead Court
"Ah...Chris and Alito! It's so nice to see you maidens again." Draven grinned.
"We are more than happy to see that the City of the Dead has been stabilized since the Dead King's demise. How are the Four Lords, by the way?" Chris wondered.
"Are you seeking our aid?" Basileus descended from the Eternal Throne's second level.
Adjudicator, Soul Arbiter, and Phariseer followed soon after.
"The Four Pillars of Argul!" Chris simpered.
After looking through the Scrolls and consulting the Book of the Dead...
"The soul never passed through this Kingdom." Adjudicator shook his head.
"Wha? But...how?" Alito wondered.
"This language was written in Ancient Enochian, the language of Ancient Demons and Angels. We consulted the souls of the Hellguards and demons that have died and came here, but none claimed to have the name as written in the scroll; they do not know how it is pronounced, although they know the language." Phariseer explained.
"Hmm..."Who could it be then?" Chris wondered.
Ivory Citadel
"Nathaniel...the Dead Lords said that the soul you have sought has never pass through the land of corpses." Chris reported.
"But...if he yet lives - No! I dare not inform my fellow angels until I have the full truth!" Nathaniel frowned.
"What is it that you're afraid to inform?" Alito wondered.
"Please, respect my secrecy for the moment until I investigate it thoroughly." the Hellguard hoped.
Chris and Alito looked at each other and nodded. "Right...the truth will be spilled out anyway."
"Among the Makers of the Forge Lands is a blind Seer of great power. Go to her, Chris and Alito - she will know what has become of one who was dead, yet lives." Nathaniel explained.
"You mean Muria? How will she know?" Chris wondered.
"She sees much as well. Do not for once believe that she cannot see much just because she is blind. Her magic sight allowed her to see far, and her knowledge expands far beyond the world of makers." Nathaniel explained.
"Right..." Chris and Alito nodded.
The Forge Lands
"Chris and Alito! It is a relief to see the both of you once more!" Alya gave the two maiden a big hug.
"Alya! How's the Makers' Forge?" Chris simpered.
"We're still rebuilding. It sure is hard work but I know it will be worth the patience! Say, what are you here for?" Alya simpered.
"We're looking for Muria. She might tell us all there is about this scroll that one of the Hellguard gave us." Alito replied.
"You're in luck; she has just gotten back from one of her rare strolls out of Tri-Stone. There she is!" Alya simpered, just as the white hair shaman approached the two Maidens with a soft smile.
"Muria..." Chris and Alito greeted with a bow.
"Chris and Alito...I see that your mind have become clearer as you attempt to seek solace. That is a relief." Muria simpered.
"Well, we can't just sit or stand there moping around like bigoted morons, right?" Alito chuckled.
"Besides...that's not why we came here today. We came here on request of serving the Light." Chris brought out Nathaniel's scroll.
Muria 'looked' over the scrolls with her arcane eyes covered within the blue shawl and frowned.
"This soul - it still lives. But it has changed."
"You know the language called Ancient Enochian?" Chris wondered.
"Yes...I have learnt them since my young days. In the angel tongue, it is called Vovin. Dragon." Muria replied.
"The demons? What do they call it?" Alito wondered.
"They call him Lord..." Muria frowned.
"Nathaniel told us that scroll has a name of an old friend of his...That friend must have been on the Hellguard before...He joined the Dark Legion?" Chris's eyes wondered.
"So it would appear. Creator help us..." Muria shook her head.
Chris and Alito looked at each other and frowned in concern; they did not like the tone of this.
"You mean...we're in trouble?" Chris frowned.
"No...Corruption is still far more fearsome. The problems are more on dishonor and responsible for summoning the Chosen. I might say though...this is not the first time a Hellguard become a demon army's ally." Muria replied.
"Who?" Chris wondered.
"A female angel by the name of Raciel. She once used to serve under Hadrimon before the Four Horsemen's creation. Both of them are lovers, but Hadrimon reported the illegal romance since he felt guilty about it. As a result of disobedience, Raciel was banished to Hell and became twisted into a Lost Angel." Muria explained, and then frowned.
"Then again...seven angels that have illegal romance before the Horsemen's creation became demonic Lost Angels. The Four killed them to maintain the Balance at some point or another." she continued.
Chris frowned as her mind wander about what Uriel told her about Abaddon...
The Maiden of Ice knew, back in her world, that Abaddon was the Angel of Destruction in Hebrew myths.
Chris looked at Alito and nodded; they seem to have the same question.
Back at the Ivory Citadel...
"Well? What have you learned?" Nathaniel wondered.
"Your friend...serves the shadow." Chris frowned.
Nathaniel's eyes widened; Chris could see the shock and fear on the Hellguard by his accelerated heart rate, pulses, and adrenalin increase - not a surprise though, she thought.
"Then the Archon's vision...the Hellguard..." Nathaniel backed off for a few seconds and nearly tripped off a gap; were it not for Chris and Alito catching the Hellguard's back.
"You have done well in serving the Light, Chris and Alito. But you must leave me...I must...consider what to do next." Nathaniel shook his head as he gave him a blade-like spear with scales upon its body.
"No...We would rather not accept the reward of yours; it will mean that we laugh at your misfortune." Chris frowned.
Nathaniel's eyes widened. "This is the first time I have seen a warrior rejecting a reward...but a noble one nonetheless..."
"Trust us; nothing gets us more than people who laughed at other people's misfortunes..." Alito frowned.
"But...you haven't told us who it was you sought." Chris wondered in worry.
"Do you know Abaddon?" Nathaniel asked.
"In Hebrew myths back in my world, he is known as The Angel of Destruction. You mean..." Chris frowned.
"Yes...it is him. But he has taken another name, one cursed on Earth. During your journey on Earth to seek the Rod of Arafel...you have heard the remaining Hellguard mention this name, but have no knowledge that he is Abaddon." Nathaniel shook his head.
Chris and Alito's eyes widened...only one name, one title comes to mind...
"You mean...?" Chris and Alito replied.
Nathaniel nodded...
"Destroyer..."
Pathway to the Tree of Life
"So...Abaddon is the Destroyer; the one they called Vovin. Who would have known - Uriel's unrequited love...dishonored his kind..." Chris clenched her fists.
"How should we break this news to Uriel?" Alito wondered, shaking her head.
*BEEP!*BEEP!*
"It's Uriel at the communicator..." Chris frowned.
Chris and Alito answered the call.
"Chris...Alito..." Uriel sounded between anger and sorrow.
"Uriel...You sound like..." Chris asked in concern.
"Abaddon..." Uriel frowned.
"You mean...you know?" Alito widened her eyes.
Uriel looked down, hesitated, and replied, "Yes...War told me about the truth he received in the Tree of Knowledge - an artifact sworn by truth."
Chris and Alito looked at each other, then back at Uriel through the communicator screen.
"So...what are you planning to do?" Chris wondered.
"I never knew...I never knew that the one whom I love...ends up being a person blinded by his own pride, instead of honoring his own duty as the Supreme Commander of the Hellguards. I once respected, admired, and loved him for the service he placed for the Hellguards; I thought he is honorable and that he wanted to rid Hell only because he cared for the civilians on Earth. Never to know he ended up becoming a betrayer...I'm such a fool..." Uriel hung her head down, trying her best to swallow the angry tears welling inside her eyes.
She continued, "He took advantage of my feelings all along...and think they are just playthings to begin with..."
"I'm deeply saddened that this...this event has to happen..." Chris shook her head.
"No...A lesson learnt in life, I suppose...That betrayer will reap for what he had sown..." Uriel frowned.
"Good luck...Uriel of the Hellguard..." Chris and Alito nodded.
"Thank you...just speaking my mind seems to clear it out for me...you take care too. And destroy Corruption for us..." Uriel nodded.
"We will, Uriel!"
Right teleporter marked by devil horns on the poles near the portal.
"This is it...we're going to help Death..." Chris frowned.
"After this...we're going in..." Alito nodded.
Chris and Alito stepped into the portal.
"Let's go!"
Shadow's Edge
Chris and Alito came out of the portal, just in time to see Death come out from the right side of the Portal.
"Wait...what? Death? What took you at least seven hours?" Chris's eyes widened.
"Let's just say while I travelled to and fro the Tree of Life to here, I ran into a dimensional void created by Corruption - called the Abyssal Forge. I have to take it out...or else it will threaten the Balance, and I will never get to Shadow's Edge too." Death replied.
"Right...never mind that. Let's get to the Crowfather. He's waiting for us."
The sagely figure stood just ten meters between the Tree of Death and the Crowfather.
"Death? What happened?" Crowfather wondered.
"Abyssal Forge - Corruption caused the Rift and I have to get my way out of here." Death summarized.
"Seems that Corruption is getting worse by the minute; you have to find War soon. Go as the Crow flies...or your brother is lost!" the Crowfather frowned.
Chris scanned the surroundings...it look every bit as similar as the ones they found on Lostlight - tall palace, bumpy roads, flights of stairs, cloudy atmosphere, and statues placed across the corridors.
Except that the statues used were horned demons - Pit Sorrows - instead of Hellguards. The tall buildings have crooked, scaly demon horns. Rocks instead of arches were used in the pathways leading to the palace itself.
Upon the far end of the skies lies a black hole, sucking everything into the endless abyss itself.
"Scan shows that it is similar to that of Lostlight...What is it really?" Chris wondered.
"As well it should. This is the dark reflection of the Crystal Spire. It is a realm where demons, rather than angels, keep watch. But Corruption turned their gaze inward and what they saw there, destroyed them." the Crowfather explained.
"What of the Key?" Death wondered.
"It remains within - bound by a powerful master. You know of Samael...yes?" the Old One replied.
"Tell us more about Samael..." Chris wondered.
"He is known as the Red Wanderer, the Blood Prince, and the Lord of the Black Stone. Samael's power match up to even that of the Devil himself, the one they called Lucifer. In his full power, the Blood Prince is capable of being as strong as that of the Four Horsemen when they ride with the Seven Seals broken. He is a smart and cunning person, with omnipotence, and with a secret agenda to boot...However, he thought that agenda is 'secret' enough to escape my eyes..." the Crowfather snickered.
"I know he has a mysterious agenda...but the Four have not known it for eons...What is it?" Death frowned.
The Crowfather called Death, Chris, and Alito to huddle around as he whispered what Samael is planning all along.
Minutes later
"So he is biding his time? Surely it couldn't be that simple?" Death doubted.
"That's what he wants you to think. Remember, I lived in a time shortly before Samael is born; everything he knows...I know better. He loves to play mind games; by making you think he has ulterior motives...he constantly makes people guess the things he is about to do. With no definite course of action, he can succeed in attacking where it hurts most - fear and doubt." the Crowfather nodded.
"But even if his plans don't work...his powers..." Chris asked in doubt too.
"Solace...Chris. It is what you used in defeating Archon Lucien." the Crowfather simpered.
"Lostlight's opposite is Shadow's Edge, Hellguards opposite is Demon Generals, and you mean Lucien is the opposite of Samael, right?" Chris shot out.
"Yes. Lucien is as powerful as that of Azrael and Abaddon themselves. He dare not rebel, however, because he still has a sense of pride before his Corruption. Samael, however, wasn't afraid to rebel and be cunning, as all demons do. That is the only difference; otherwise, they are very similar. Samael's personality and being mysterious is part of his cunning, though anyone knowing Samael more - I - could see that he is putting on a facade. A brilliant facade that few people knows, but a facade nonetheless." the Crowfather stated.
"Yet...we mustn't count our chickens before they hatch...if his plan is still simple, his combat strategy certainly isn't." Death frowned.
"Of that you can be certain. Pride comes before a fall...that is why Solace is the most important. Without it, your aim will never be achieved. Chris and Alito, you have come thus far and you are getting there. As for Death...Corruption lies ahead, and Samael awaits. But mind if I say...don't counter his plans yet." the Crowfather nodded.
"Why?" Death wondered.
"Don't you want to rescue your brother?" the Crowfather replied.
"Right..." Death nodded.
"Go as the Crow flies...or your brother is lost!"
"Right away!" the trio nodded.
Along the way to the palace, they met their eyes on a familiar goat figure.
"Welcome to the Dark Kingdom, Horseman and the followers." he bowed.
"Ostegoth...If you're following me..." Death frowned, suspecting the merchant to be of a demonic descent.
"Nothing of the sort. I've come to part demons from their coins, you, from their souls - and you two, from their murdering tendencies. Are we so different?" Ostegoth chuckled.
"You could be right, but now it's not for that matter; we're looking for a key." Death frowned.
"But of course. Samael keeps many wonders, in the vaults beneath the Black Stone. I have come to trade, for what few he would part with. But I fear not all is well in the Red Court. Samael would never let his realm slide so far into nothingness." Ostegoth sighed.
"Or that's what he would have you believed." Chris shrugged.
"Pardon?" Ostegoth wondered.
"Nothing...I heard that it's dangerous, right?" Chris wondered.
"Of course! Beware of what you find on Samael's throne. And whom...Rurmors are all that escape the vortex. Of a Mad Queen Lilith, who still clings to rule..." Ostegoth warned.
"Lilith...huh?" Death frowned.
"I've heard of this place - The Black Stone. Years before the premature Apocalypse, Fury, Strife, War, and I went forth to deliver a message about keeping the peace between Heaven and Hell." Death frowned.
"Yes, the throne of Samael - the Blood Prince - the Red Wanderer - he has many names, yet one home." Ostegoth replied.
"Not much left. No prizes about who is responsible..." Alito shrugged.
"Corruption devours the Black Stone as it has countless worlds, as it will the Forge lands, the Undead Plains - even Earth." Ostegoth nodded.
"When will it end?" Chris wondered.
"Anyway to end it?"
"The end of everything..." Ostegoth replied.
"Is there any ways to destroy it?" Chris wondered.
"We don't. Your precious balance only serves to stay its hand..." Ostegoth replied.
"Balance? You call this Balance? So you mean the innocent beings are destined to be killed all because of 'Balance', when Corruption is literally kicking everyone left, right, up, down, and center? There are other ways to achieve balance and not through..." Chris snapped.
"But what do I know...I am but a simple merchant..." Ostegoth smirked.
Chris at once snapped back; Ostegoth was testing them...
"I can see the potential inside you, Chris...and your confidante as well. Believe me...you will reach 'em soon enough." Ostegoth smiled.
"Ostegoth simply is a knowledgeable, yet a humble merchant...Very few people could earn to have morality as high as his. Guess I wronged him for saying that he accepts fate regarding Corruption." Chris sighed.
On the way to the Black Throne
"So Abaddon is the Destroyer?" Death frowned.
"You're not surprised that has happened, huh?" Chris wondered.
"Not at all...he's the least bit of my worries. I am just wondering, of all the fallen angels that I have met over the eons, who would have known that Abaddon will end up being the Unlucky One." Death grunted.
"He's in it for himself...He even betrayed Uriel just to save his face...Pride is his downfall." Alito sighed.
"War is also on Earth to redeem himself?" Death frowned.
"No...we shouldn't go help him...yet. Uriel told us that when she fought War, there is a snarky spirit by the name of the Watcher. She also told us that the Watcher has affiliation with the Charred Council; if we ever help him, that small imp will know that we are on an unsanctioned mission and we will die." Chris shook her head.
"Damn...the Watchers...unless we have the Seven Seals, the Watcher can have power over us." Death frowned.
"We get the Demon Key, prove War's innocence, and free War from the Watcher's influence." Chris frowned.
"No time to waste then..." Death frowned.
Shortly after reaching the second level of the Black Throne
Many ribbed devil horns, sharp teethes, and scaly layers decorated the rooms. Pillars of spikes, teethes and claws stood planted upon its ground. The clouds were grey and the skies were scorched red.
Three arches with horned demons on the top stood rooted in front of them as well as a pool of green and red lava.
Chris, Alito, and Death frowned as they felt tremors rippling the ground.
The trio lost balance but managed to get back on their feet, just in time to hear two grunted, demonic voices from behind their backs; Demon Generals charging towards them.
Alito transformed into Lifebane as Chris's eyes glowed and kicked the demon general into the door where the trio entered.
Chris then quickly teleports over to the Demon, unleashed flurry of ice-imbued slashes from multiple directions, plunged Lifebane on the Demon's chest, and with a shout, ripped the demon in two!
Death transformed into his Reaper Form, clashed his Harvestor with the demon's axe, deflected it, and sliced the demon in half.
"It seems the healing effect has done well." Death watched on in amusement.
"Well...it seems that my abilities and processing units has been further tweaked thanks to the Nephilim Blood. It must be the healing at work...thanks, though." Chris simpered.
"Who could have given us such a welcome party?" Alito frowned.
"I know who those demons belonged to..." Death frowned as he turned around to face the pool. "You can come out now...Lilith!"
A succubus with devil horns on her head, green eyes, and ashen skin walked out of the pool of lava in a sultry fashion. She wore almost a black and gold dress with midriffs baring her belly button, two greaves with sharp teethes as her knee guard, and black-gold shoulder pads.
The curves and cloth wrapped sensually around her flesh, flowing off her hip foxily. Chains wrapped around her back extended all the way through her hip area and down in between her legs.
Her wings are upside down, just like Belial, only larger.
"Lilith..." Death frowned.