Fiftytwo years passed since the end of the Great War between the Three Factions forming the Christian Pantheon, a war called great not by chance as it massacred all the sides. The ceasefire after the death of Yahweh, the God of the Bible, and the Four Satans: the first devil and fallen angel Lucifer, the Canaanite demon and lord of the flies Beelzebub, the sea monster of envy Leviathan and the wickest demon of lust Asmodeus didn't lead to any real peace deal, just the start of a long period of cold war that is just waiting to escalate into the Second Great War were any faction of the three do even a single misstep.
Fiftytwo years passed since the Truce of Easter, called as such because it happened in the Easter of 1460, when the Three Factions momentarily stopped fighting each others to fight a common enemy: the Heavenly Dragons Y Ddraig Goch and Albion Gwiber. It was the first and last battle where angels, fallen angels and devils fought side by side resulting in a win for the Christians and the sealing of the two dragons' souls inside the God-made weapons for humankind: the Sacred Gears. Thanks to that battle and the death of the leaders of devils and Heaven most of the members of the Three Factions agreed to stop the hostilities for the time being to retreat and heal their wounds.
Now, in the year 1512, the balance of the Three Factions is once again at risk. A coalition led by the Bael House's ancestor, Zekram Bael, is plotting a rebellion against the descendants of the Four Original Satans. The Great King, once the most trusted servant of the original Lucifer: second only to the original Lucifuge, he too dead in the Great War, seeing the decision of Lucifer's son to abstain himself from the Underworld politics took the decision of rebelling against the system of the Satans' descendants who desired nothing but the restart of the Great War, stupidly believing the devil race could survive another conflict like that. A new War was foolish and more similar to a suicide than a real one, and this was well known by Zekram and his allies when they decided to take arms against their supposed masters.
The first one he managed to convince in supporting him in the upcoming revolt, which will surely ignite as soon as the Satans discover about their treason, was the Archduke Agares: now second in command of the rebellion. Many other Pillar Houses, the nobility of the devils, followed the Agares' example: the Forneus, the Stolas, the Shax. Each one of them convinced with few promises. The Anti-Satan faction, this was the moniker they gave themselves, grew in size in the course of just a few months of secret gatherings. However, despite Zekram's best tentatives, some houses were adamant on staying neutral while others were obviously impossible to convince and were fated to be enemies: the Six Houses of Lucifer.
Those neutral houses however were necessary for the Anti-Satan faction: the Sitri, the Glasya-Labolas, the Gremory and the Astaroth. As the heirs of those houses were the only one, excluding Zekram himself, able to stand toe-to-toe with the Satans' descendants in a direct conflict of power. Fortunately, or unfortunately for the victims; but this is the nature of War, the final spark needed to bring those houses to the Bael's side ignited. War was once again at the doorstep of the Underworld.
Bael and Agares baited the Satans' descendants to think they were having a gathering right under their nose in the capital city of Lucifaad. This angered a devil from the Beelzebub clan who decided to punish the 'traitors' by ordering a dispatched squad of the army to kill everyone of them, no exceptions and no prisoners were to be made. But those 'traitors' revealed to be simple civilians, not that the Beelzebub descendant cared about it he nevertheless massacred them all to 'show an example to whoever dared to revolt'. His actions had the opposite effect. Sirzechs Gremory, utterly disgusted by the meaningless slaughter, accepted Zekram Bael's offer to join the Anti-Satan faction bringing with him his friends from the other houses convincing the lords of those houses too. Serafall Sitri, Falbium Glasya-Labolas and Ajuka Astaroth along with their respective clans they all agreed to join the Bael together with Sirzechs.
Now nothing could stop the Civil War, with the central government removing the noble status of all the Pillar Houses, the conflict began. Lucifaad and the territories of the Satan houses were heavily fortified with the soldiers ready to march towards the rebels' territories at a minute's notice. An army led by Damaidosu Zereikel Asmodeus, son of the original Asmodeus, and supported by a squad sent by the House of Satanachia marched on the Gaap House's territory killing and devastating everything on their path like a wave of doom and devastation. No one was spared, civilians and soldiers alike were killed by the force of the Satan Army.
The battle of Vinemire, now former capital of the Gaap territory, was an excruciating defeat for the rebels as Lord Gaap himself was hanged by Damaidosu personally in front of his, ruined, castle as his body became the target of the soldiers' wrath. During War not even deads may find peace. This leads to today, 14 of October 1512, the lords of every Pillar House have been called to the Bael's castle for an urgent meeting. At the same time, in Lucifaad, a meeting between the Six Houses of Lucifer is being held to decide the next moves of the Satan Army, while their lords, the first-born children of their creators, celebrate their victory.
Bael Castle
"Lord Zekram, it is good to see you" says a man with lime green hair and beard: Auros Agares, current head of his clan. "Lord Agares, you are the first to arrive" politely greets back Zekram with a polite smile. The Ancestor of the Bael House is a middle-aged man, dark hair and purple eyes full of wisdom that have seen the evolution of the devil race since its creation. The two devils sit down around a large circular table with 33 seats, one for each head of the Pillar Houses alive, since most of them have gone extinct after the Great War. Auros Agares looks melancholic to an empty chair. "You are thinking about Lord Gaap, right old friend?" asks Zekram who immediately noticed Auros' nostalgic eyes. The Agares sighs. "Yes, I still can't believe he has been killed... he was a good leader, we lost an important member of our faction and another Pillar like we haven't lost enough. The heir was killed too, Damaidosu hunted down every member of his family like a feral mastiff" replies Lord Agares. "That's certain. We can only avenge them by winning and keep winning until we have taken back our home" says Zekram earning a nod from Auros.
A butler opens the door of the conference room to invite in all the remaining lords of the Pillar Houses which take their assigned seats. "It is an honour to have all of you here together. Few days ago our side lost an important member. Lord Gaap was a veteran of the Great War, an hero of our race, who fought side by side with many of us here" starts the meeting Zekram, remembering the 'sacrifice' of Lord Gaap which is appreciated by many of the lords. "He died by the hands of Damaidosu Zereikel Asmodeus as you know well. Howeverz even if we lost we will raise our heads and fight. The sake of the entirety of our species is at risk, let us bury the hatchet of war between our houses to fight a common enemy my lords. This is the least we can do for all the casualties of the Great War" states the Great King. Another problem that emerged during the formation of the Anti-Satan Faction was dealing with the internal rivalries and conflicts between the houses. Problems who have just been delayed, not resolved.
"What is our next move then?" asks Lord Balam, a huge man with black and white hair in a short wiffle cut and brown eyes, one of them blind due to a scar. One of the most decorated generals of the Great War, Sigmar Balam became the lord of his house after the death of his father to the hands of the fallen angel Satanael. His military and combat prowess gained the devils many victories against his sworn enemies: the killers of his father's army and Satanael himself. However despite the rage and thirst for revenge Sigmar Balam never succumbed to them, letting cold reason to rule. No emotions, no empathy. This is the nature of of War, after all.
"We defend" states another devil, Lord Amon. Iguba Amon, former lieutenant of Lucifer's royal guard, at first sight doesn't seem to be the perfect example of a bodyguard. His tall stature combined with his lean and athletic body, more similar to the one of an athlete than the one of a bodyguard. However those traits don't make him a less efficient protector. It's his family trait, the 'Shield', which Iguba mastered that acquired him his fame in all of the Three Factions and beyond. Amongst his greatest feats during the Great War there is one time when Lord Amon managed to withstand the light spears thrown by the Archangel Michael for hours until reinforcement came.
"If we don't counterattack the morale of our armies will surely be damaged" says back Lord Balam not agreeing with his fellow lord. "But our troops aren't ready, we have more chances of winning a defensive battle as of now" repeats his point Iguba. The lords start to discuss about the strategy to adopt, but nothing seems to make most of them agree. "This is not going anywhere" says Zekram after many minutes of futile duscussion. "We can't discuss for each military decision like this. We need to nominate a supreme general, to which every Pillar army will obey" explains the Bael ancestor.
"Then I will lead our troops" says Sigmar, offering himself as the new general. "Not to offend you Lord Balam, but I won't send my troops to certain death" protests Iguba. "What have you said!?". The Balam head slams his fists on the round table glaring at the Amon. "If you two fight we are just making a favour to the Satans' descendants" says Lord Zeoticus Gremory, the most close to the Bael's cause after the Agares, due to him marrying the great granddaughter of Zekram: Venelana Bael. "Lord Gremory is right. It's clear Lord Amon and Lord Balam can't lead our troops due to their polar opposite views" observes Auros Agares.
"Then who will be the general? With Lord Gaap death, Lord Balam and Lord Amon are the most suited for this position as the most experienced in the art of war. Moreover I remember you we are dealing with geniuses of tactics: Lord Satanachia, Lord Lucifuge and even Damaidosu Zereikel Asmodeus isn't to be underestimated despite his younger age compared with the most of us. He remains the son of Asmodeus himself" says another Lord: Perceval Stolas. The head of house of Stolas, famous for their divination magic, is a dutiful man well-versed in the magic arts. Tall and handsome, he always wears black clothes with a circular hat, it too black. His eyes are multicoloured, resembling small galaxies trapped inside his eye bulbs. His eyes are the real deal of his House, the 'Stargazer Eyes' are the secret of the House of Stolas proficiency with divination magic and fate related arts. It's said that the original Stolas was even able to peek at the future making him almost impossible to defeat in a one on one fight by beings weaker than the Satans themselves, after all it was an ambush by the combined forces of fallen angels and angels who killed him. This belief is what pushed the House of Agares and Stolas to sign many marriage contracts in order to, one day, have a child with both Power of Time and Stargazer Eyes. A child created and planned for fighting. Nevertheless, this is the nature of War. Children whose youth is stolen by the desire to win and gain the upper hand on the enemy. Taught from the moment they learn to walk how to handle a weapon and use it to kill.
After other minutes of discussion between the lords an hand is raised. "I have a suggestion". The one speaking is a recent addition to the Anti-Satan faction, Lord Hyriam Glasya-Labolas. The other lords shut up to listen to the offer of their peer. "I suggest we put my son Falbium as the general of our army. He's young yes and didn't directly fight in the Great War, although he was raised during it. However we all know about the talent of my son and moreover, despite his sloth, he has a rare trait amongst our kind. He knows when to listen and has the patience to listen to both Lord Balam and Lord Amon tactics, creating a compromise: something I find crucial as of now. We don't have time to put both Lord Balam and Amon to work together hoping to find a common tactic" says the Glasya-Labolas.
It was true, the heir of the Glasya-Labolas is indeed a skilled and talented young general. He aced the battle simulations during the Youth Devil Gatherings whe. all the heirs met each other once every year since the day of his coming of age 40 years ago. Him being friends with the other shining diamonds of the newest generation of devils: Sirzechs Gremory, Ajuka Beelzebub and Serafall Sitri was another quality. But, was he ready for a position like that? Devils were famous for their elder centered view, after the absolute rule of 'Power and Might reign' the Underworld is a gerontocracy led by the eldest of each clan, as they are most of the times the strongest even.
"Entrusting our armies to a youngster not even a century old?" asks doubtful Lord Balam. "It's risky" confirms Lord Amon, agreeing with Sigmar for once. "You are right. My son is young, but we have four great assets to our side. I'm sure Lord Astaroth, Lord Gremory and Lord Sitri agree with me" says Hyriam. The said three lords nod their heads. "I support Lord Glasya-Labolas. I'm sure Lord Balam and Lord Amon will be more than enough to make the heir of Glasya-Labolas the great general we need. Think about it my fellow lords! We can have the overwhelming strategy of Sigmar Balam and the adamant defense of Iguba Amon all in one general!" exclaims the Head of the Sitri House, Woland Sitri, captivating his peers attention with a wide, open-mouthed smile.
"It's decided. Falbium Glasya-Labolas will be named supreme general of our troops with Lord Balam and Lord Amon as his closest advisors" declares Zekram approving the plan. "Now. Lords of the 32 remaining Pillar Houses, gather your troops. We won't let the fool descendants of our dead rulers to destroy our Underworld and make our glorious kind go extinct. Today we are all united under one common banner. The Anti-Satan Faction will prevail and the traitorous descendants of the Satans will learn why the Pillars are called such. Without us there is no Underworld. Without us there are no devils worth to be called devils!" exclaims the leader of the rebellion. Zekram Bael stands up smirking satisfied. The War begins.
Lucifaad
In the former Lucifer's residence the three children of the Satans, along with the heads of the Six Houses of Lucifer, are celebrating Damaidosu's victory against the traitors and the execution of the Gaap lord. "You were lucky to be the first to kill one of them Damaidosu! Ah, I'd pay tons of gold to see Bael's face right now!" exclaims the first son of Beelzebub, Bidleid Bashalun Beelzebub, while drinking from a chalice. Bidleid is a brown haired young man. Despite his age of 321 years he seems to be in his late teens. His appearance itself is a moniker of his childish personality, obsessed with beauty and young appearance Bidleid combined his own devil physiology with the researches of the Nebiros House to grant him a young immortal body.
The devils who weren't the original Satans weren't immune to old age, but still their lifespan was incredibly long and more powerful the devil or the clan is the more they will live. Not a single devil has ever died of old age, Zekram Bael as one of the strongest devils is still alive after many thousands of years. But the first son of Beelzebub was still obsessed with youth. His obsession bordering the insanity after the humiliation he suffered against Sirzechs Gremory during one of the Youth Devil Gatherings. How could a kid beat him? He was only 36 at the time and managed to defeat him yet he accomplished such a feat.
"Don't be so sad about it, but... I guess I can leave the next one to you. However I suppose you would prefer to take the life of the entire Gremory House right?" replies Damaidosu, he too sitting down on one of the luxurious seats. Bidleid nods his head, not wanting to speak about the Gremory Clan not considering them even worth of his voice. "I wonder what Bael thinks he's doing. Does he really think he can go against his supreme masters?" says the only woman among them, Tsufaame Tereaku Leviathan. A woman with long dark blue hair, the only survivor of Leviathan's direct children. She wears a long white vest similar to the greek togas over a black skintight blouse which hugs her body and neck with wooden sandals at her feet. Around her neck she has a pendant with a malachite gem encased in it.
"We've been lenient with him since the end of the Great War and now he's turning his back on us. He's just a coward. He and all of his faction. Cowards!" spits Bidleid. "We'll just punish them quickly and then restart the war. Maybe if they have a little honour left they will yield and accept their fate as meat shields" says Damaidosu utterly disgusted by the Anti-Satan Faction. "If only Rizevim wasn't so lazy the war could have already restarted" says Bidleid. "Leave him to be. If he wants so much to be an hermit I will surely not stop him" comments Tsufaame. With the Heir of Lucifer away from the devils' politics each one of the three current heads of the Satan Houses were ready to claim the former throne of the Morning Star. The only things preventing them from going after each other's throats to establish absolute dominion over devils are their mutual respect for each other's clans and the existence of the Six Houses of Lucifer.
While the Satans are celebrating their victory with a feast the lords of the Houses of Lucifer are discussing about the real war efforts, limiting their enthusiasm. Gathered in the original Asmodeus' personal office in the capital, the next attack against the Anti-Satan faction is being planned. They do not dare to say it, but if they want to have even the littlest chance to survive the restart of the Great War their lords are so adamant on doing... this Civil War must end fast and with low casualties. A devil's pride is the most important of his characteristics, but there is a subtle and frail line between pride and foolishness, especially during War.
"Who's our next target?" asks Lord Satanachia. Phodekai Satanachia, manager of the supply lines of the Loyalist Faction, a man, just like the others lords of the Six Houses, who dedicated his life to serve Lucifer. Phodekai is the last ancestor of the Six Houses of Lucifer who survived the Great War, the others all fallen in combat. Phodekai is a tall man with tired aquamarine eyes and dark circles under his eyes. His long black hair hide a small horn on the right side of his head, formed because of his Clan Trait. The 'Authority over Bones', a simple yet efficient power both in defence and offense.
"The territory controlled by the Pillars is vast, but wounded by the Great War and far poorer than our lands. Only the Agares and Bael territory are worth being conquered, that obviously means those two are the economic heart of the rebel faction" explains Lord Fleurety. "We could attack the Belial, their Clan Trait is quite annoying. Moreover their lands are easily conquerable" adds Lord Sargatanas. "True, Belial and Bael are probably the most concerning of them in that regard. Agares being close second" points out Lord Agaliarept.
"We will attack the Belial. My son and daughter will be more than enough to lead our troops. Meanwhile Lord Phodekai can continue his push in the Gaap territory. The rebels will be focused in their defence so they will expect us to be there " says an authoritative voice, the voice of Lord Genome Lucifuge current Prime Minister of the Devil Underworld. Genome Lucifuge is a man seemingly in his late thirties with short silver hair and long sideburns. He has all the qualities a good lord should have: combat strength, intelligence, cunning and charisma.
"Agreed. I will rally the troops" confirms Lord Satanachia. "If we want to end this war fast we could just send the Malebranche to ravage the rebels" says Lord Nebiros, the research head of the Satan Faction. Silence falls at the mention of the Devils' superweapon, deadly and unstable living weapons who could destroy entire armies in few minutes. Only one time they were used, and that time has been more than enough for them. Just a single one was freed during the Great War: Scarmiglione. It didn't matter who you were: devil, angel, fallen angel or a mercenary hired from the other supernatural factions. Everyone was killed by it and it was only by the personal intervention of Azazel and Armaros with the most advanced sealing technology available that it was stopped, but not destroyed nor weakened. Everyone remembers the ear-piercing screams of the poor souls who found themselves in the middle of the battlefield when Scarmiglione was unshackled.
"No." state the other five lords looking at Lord Naberius with fear in their eyes. Weapons of mass destruction never seen before, comparable to the mayhem caused by the two Heavenly Dragons' fight, this is what the Malebranche are. "Do you have any objections?" asks Lord Lucifuge after everyone has calmed down. "No, we must be quick. I'll inform our Lords" says Lord Agaliarept. "Good. The meeting is adjourned and Lord Nebiros please, by Lucifer, don't mention the Malebranche to our Lords" says Genome, knowing well the Satans' descendants would immediately want to use them to attack Heaven and Grigori. "Of course, I'm not a fool" replies Lord Nebiros.
After a while
Genome Lucifuge is walking back to the quarters assigned to his house in the castle. As Lucifuge he had to always be present for his lord, so Lucifer decided to gift the House of Lucifuge a part of his mansion in Lucifaad. The Prime Minister enters his office and sits on a armchair letting an heavy sigh to leave his mouth. "This war is completely useless..." he murmurs. 'Lord Lucifer... if you could see this I'm sure you will be disgusted by both the rebels and the descendants of your fellow Satans. Lord Rizevim did the right choice by staying neutral although I don't support his refusal of taking your throne my Lord' thinks Genome imagining to be talking with Lucifer. 'I just hope this doesn't end with the extinction of our race, who knows if Heaven will attack us if we are weakened too much' he thinks. A knock is heard on the door and after Genome gives his permission to enter a woman is seen entering the room.
Silver hair identical to her father's. Wearing a black military uniform under a white coat Grayfia Lucifuge stands in front of Genome. "Father, is everything alright? I see you are tired" says Grayfia preoccupied for her father's well being. "Don't worry for me, I know how to take care of myself dear. Did Lord Satanachia inform you and your brother of your next mission?" asks Genome in a tender tone, his authoritative mask completely gone with his daughter. "He did. Euclid is ready to depart for the Belial territory..." says Grayfia with some hesitation.
"Is something wrong Grayfia? Tell me please" catches Genome, seeing the clearly uncomfortable look on Grayfia's face. "Oh... I understand" starts Lord Lucifuge before Grayfia can even answer him. "It's about Sirzechs right?". Grayfia gulps at the mention of the name of the Gremory Heir. "I'm sorry it had to end this way, I ignored the Satans' descendants decisions hoping it wouldn't cause any friction. I was completely wrong... I just hoped it would end peacefully. I would have never imagined they being able to merciless kill so many innocents" says Genome condemning himself. "Father I would never blame you... you didn't anything wrong, you are just doing your job as Lord Lucifuge" says Grayfia not wanting to hurt her father's feelings. "Thanks dear, it's better if you go now don't make your brother wait". Grayfia nods her head and leaves Genome alone in his office. "What should I do?" asks himself Lord Lucifuge.
"My dear sister. How has your conversation with Father gone?". When Grayfia arrives where the Lucifuge army is stationed she's immediately greeted by her brother, Euclid. The Heir of the Lucifuge House looks at his sister with shining eyes ignoring the fact that he just made a ruckus because the army wasn't ready to march yet. "Fine. He's doing alright" answers Grayfia. "Good, good now let's sit we probably will have to wait until tomorrow morning until we are ready to depart. Now that I think about it it's been so long since we last had a proper dinner together" says Euclid. "We ate together three days ago before the departure of the Asmodeus Army towards the Gaap territory" deadpans the other Lucifuge. "Three days are a lot!" whines Euclid not caring about the look his sister is giving him.
Belial Territory
A week passed since the departure of the Lucifuge Loyalist Army towards the lands of the Belial House. Led by Grayfia and Euclid Lucifuge their mission was one: erase the Belial Clan from the history of the Underworld. Their family trait 'Worthless' is too dangerous to be left in the hands of the traitors. Even if the Underworld were to lose a great power like that the Nebiros House is already working on the preservation of the Clan Traits so that one day it will be possible to do some sort of genetical engineering with the Clan Traits. Currently Grayfia is alone in the commander's tent of her division of the army.
After she and her brother divided, despite the older Lucifuge's laments, Grayfia settled her camp 40 kilometres away from the capital city of the Belial: Basangoa. Dividing the army into two groups was a decision suggested by Lord Satanachia to make the transportation of supplies via magic circle easier and the conquest of the territory faster. Two smaller armies were obviously faster and quicker to reorganize in case the Belial chose for a guerrilla warfare to defend themselves.
The environment of the Belial territory is harsh and cold, resembling the Mongolian Steppe on Earth. Large and plain grasslands with rare trees cover the entirety of the kingdom. The few cities are built around the large river who passes through the land, the Lethe one of the five great Rivers of the Underworld, dividing the area in two smaller ones. Despite the vastness of their territory the Belial House is still one of the poorest clans of the Pillars, due to the scarcity of resources and the many battles fought during the Great War on Belial's soil thanks to the flatness of it. However the city of Basangoa is famous for the smithing of bronze, thanks to the presence of the mines of copper and tin around the city.
Grayfia is reading the last report sent by her Father on the current war efforts when she's stopped. "Lady Lucifuge!" shouts a voice as an alarmed soldier enters the tent, immediately kneeling in front of Grayfia. "We have fallen into an enemy trap!" as soon as the soldier finishes his phrase, sounds of explosions are heard from the distance. Grayfia immediately grabs one of the curtains and exits the tent to see the situation, coming from the north an army of devils is approaching them bombarding their camp with magic. Grayfia grits her teeth looking at her own magic casters trying to intercept the magic missiles, but their efforts are mostly futile as they are outnumbered. "How did they know?" asks Grayfia, but no answer comes. "They are not the Belial troops..." she notices looking at the banners their enemies hold: Belial, Amon, Stolas, Shax, Agares and Sitri. "Without brother's army we aren't enough..." whispers the Lucifuge reflecting.
On the other side of the battlefield a young woman with back long black hair and purple eyes is looking at the Lucifuge troops falling into the trap the newly appointed general Falbium Glasya-Labolas thought. "Falbi you are incredible! Euclid Lucifuge's army is here, just like you said" tells the woman to Falbium via a magic circle she's holding near her ear. "The boy has fallen asleep Young Sitri and I ask you to not use that familiar tone. He's still our general and I have to admit... he knows what he's doing. Follow the plan" answering the magic circle isn't Falbium, but Lord Balam.
While most of the Anti-Satan faction's army was still deployed on the defensive lines Falbium predicted the Loyalists could target the Belial seeing them as the weak spot of their faction. They would be right, but he, helped by both Lord Amon and Balam, quickly organised a fast battalion who could arrive in time to the Belial's territory. The decision of appointing Serafall Sitri as the leader of this battalion was pushed by her father Woland Sitri who wanted nothing more than to see his beloved daughter shine in battle.
"That's not fun Lord Balam!" whines the woman, Serafall Sitri. Balam grunts annoyed by her behaviour, but decides to ignore it for the time being. "Don't lose your focus: Euclid Lucifuge is your primary target" says Sigmar closing the communication. "Fiiine! Let's end this quickly so I can go home!" says Serafall hiding her dislike for battle with a smile and the thought of returning home. "Lady Sitri the enemy is fastly reorganizing we must deal the decisive blow" says one of the Officers of the Serafall's army.
The Sitri shakes her head. "Daddy spent the last days training with me to perfect my special technique! I want to be a good daughter and use it now! Tell everyone to stand back we are going to make Euclid Lucifuge to show himself". The Officer nods his head, obeying the command. Serafall walks in front of her soldiers who start to hit the ground with their weapons in a sort of cheer. "Thanks everyone! You are a fantastic audience" says Serafall while forming many magic circles around her, all bearing the Sitri's crest.
"CELSIUS CROSS TRIGGER!" shouts Serafall as she hits the dirt with the palm of her hand. A huge burst of ice is sent towards the Lucifuge camp, freezing everything on its way. A huge glacier, with ice spikes on the front wide enough to overwhelm the enemy camp, is sent moving like a wild horse against the Lucifuge army.
Grayfia
Is that Serafall? I look at the friend of Sirzechs walking in front of the enemy battalion. We really have to fight against each others? The thought of having to fight people I almost considered friends was scary, but even scarier was thinking about the possibility of clashing against Sirzechs himself... I don't want to do it and I'm sure Father wouldn't want me to do it too. We are Lucifuge tho, we have been created as the sword, shield and ears of Lucifer and the Satans. I look at the circles Serafall just conjured, they are many: this is going to be a powerful attack... I need to prepare.
"Ready the defensive spells!" I order to my subordinates. If she were to hit me I'm sure I could resist it pretty well being her proficiency in ice, but I can't let my soldiers to perish. So, just like my soldiers, I too ready myself to withstand the attack. "You have become stronger Serafall" I say between myself channeling my Clan Trait. 'Warden of Cocytus', it gives us Lucifuge the complete mastery over the coldest of ice, the ice born from the imprisoned souls inside the Lake Cocytus' ice, it should be easy to block Serafall's attack. The magic crest of the Lucifuge House appears in front of my hands, I take a short breath and start to slow the relentless advance of the ice wall in front of us. Then with a swift movement of my arm I raise my hand pointing my finger to the sky. Her ice is too durable to be destroyed in time, but I can control it. The demonic glacier Serafall sent against us doesn't flatten on ourselves instead I send it to grow above our heads, creating an ice dome to protect us from the incoming attacks.
"Prepare the retreat and alert Euclid!" I order to my soldiers. They start casting the teleportation circles while I try to communicate with my brother. "Come on Euclid" I tell myself, but my communication circle is dispelled. "They are preventing us from communicating with Lord Euclid" informs one of my officers after they too have failed the casting. This must be the work of Ajuka, Sirzechs always told me about his best friend's inventions. They must have something who can disable communications.
They are even starting to melt the ice, luckily it's pretty tough: Serafall really has talent in ice magic. I don't know how many high-class or even ultimate-class devils they have apart from Serafall. I doubt Lord Belial is among them, but his son could... think Grayfia, think. We don't have enough time to retreat with magic circles and if we withdraw by foot the losses will be too many. I must count on Euclid to come in our rescue, he has to notice something is amiss and retreat towards our position, or I have to hope he arrives at Basangoa as soon as possible forcing Serafall to go defend there... No if they are here they surely know about our plan and might have sent more troops to defend the city.
"Lady Lucifuge we won't make it in time, the ice wall defending us will be gone before we all leave" tells me one of the magicians. "We must hold the groud until reinforcements arrive. I will fight their leader, Serafall Sitri. If we are lucky they will focus me and you will able to overturn the situation". As I say this my army gets in defensive stances. Raising the shields, readying the magic ones and stretching the bows. A one on one between me and Serafall can go either way, even though my Clan Trait directly counters her ice magic she has much better reserves than me. If I don't end it fast it will be bad for me.
Cracks start to form on the ice wall protecting us, the tension is palpable and I myself am not as calm as I should be. As soon as they make a breach in the ice I have to find Serafall and attack her, the plain environment around us won't help me tho. I hear a loud sound of ice shattering and see the ice dome starting to crumble as huge chunks of ice fall on the ground. Accompanying the crumbling of the dome a rain of magic and normal arrows is shot against us, but our defences manage to hold the impact. I notice Serafall, she's preparing to strike again, I need to stop her.
As the enemy army charges I jump towards Serafall using the ground to push myself. I envelope my body woth a cloak of fire to avoid being stopped by Serafall's soldiers and block the ice and water bolts she's throwing at me. When I'm just in front of her I dispell my cloak of fire and our fists collide. I see her look of shock when she sees me. "Fia!? Why are you here!?" I hear her saying as her fist becomes weaker. She looks surprised, what does it mean? If they know our troops would be here... I aim for a kick to balance her off now that she's distracted, but her state of shock soon disappears and she blocks my attack.
"Grayfia I don't want to do this" says Serafall as we take distance between ourselves. "I know Serafall" I simply answer as our battle starts again. I redirect the ice arrows she aims at me while dodging the other types of magic. I'm lucky she hasn't a good mastery over the other elements like she has with ice and water. Serafall then creates a whip made of highly pressurised water and starts to use it like a dancer does with thread to fend me off. Even though her whip attacks are easily deflected by my magic shields, this plain is working to her advantage leaving her free room for any movement.
"Fia I'm sure we can do something about it. Please we don't have to fight" asks Serafall. I grimace, we barely know each other and still she doesn't want to attack me? "We didn't spend as much time together to say things like this" I say her, but Serafall vigorously shakes her head. "It doesn't mean anything. I know how much you are important to Zechs! That is more than enough to me!" she shouts back. I gulp. If this was the ideal world Sirzechs always dreamt of, me and Serafall could just shake our hands, apologize to each other and then retreat, but this isn't one of the stories he sings and plays with his piano... this is real life. This is War.
I love the idealistic and positive mindset of Sirzechs, this is why it took so much for the House of Gremory to take a side in this War. However he never fought in the Great War, he was just eight at the end of it, and his battles have always been simulations. Yes, I just participated in its last few battles, but it was more than enough especially for a fourteen years old girl back then. In War ideals are butchered. In War innocence is slain and dreams burned to ashes. This is it, glory or honour don't exist, only survival and rude violence. I remember well how much I cried before departing for the front. I remember well the fake words of reassurance my brother and father tried to say to calm me down.
'Euclid! Father! I don't want to go, please don't send me there!'. The memories of my younger self crying out of desperation play in my mind. 'Shh, don't cry Grayfia Father and your Big Bro will make sure nothing bad happens'. Those were the words Euclid said to me with a wide smile, he tried to reassure her little sister who was going to war... I can remember the horror he was hiding behind his eyes and the disappointment my Father felt for himself. 'We need to go, when we'll be back we will have some good time together, what do you say Grayfia'. My father crouched next to me patting my head. These are bitter memories, but now they manage to put a smile on my face.
"I'm sorry Serafall" I say as our battle is now unavoidable. I see the saddened expression on Serafall's face... it's always painful seeing the faces of someone realising what War truly means and what a Civil War implies is even worse. Friend versus friend. Brother versus brother. Father versus son. Lover versus lov... I don't want to think about it. I just need to focus on the enemy in front of me.
Ten days later
"Grayfia you have to yield! You are too injured!". Serafall's voice is full of tears, she's strong... stronger than me unfortunately. Our battle is taking too long, my win condition long gone as I barely have any magic reserve left. Around us the short grass surrounding the plains near the city of Basangoa is completely frozen. Hundreds of square meters of grassland destroyed by our clash. Our armies somewhere: lost... we lost the passage of time and our position during the days of our battle. I stand up once again unable to cast my magic as I look at Serafall. I hold my left broken arm as my sight gets covered in blood leaking from my forehead. My uniform is tattered, my mind and body begging me to stop. Breathing is difficult, talking even more.
Serafall lands in front of me, folding her ten wings... she's already that strong? "Grayfia let me help you!" she shouts holding me. I can't even stand on my own two feet. I look at her, she too is injured. At least I went down with a fight. I close my eyes before a blinding light lighten up in the sky. "Grayfia hold up!" I hear Serafall shouting before I start to feel an abnormal heat. I force myself to keep my eyes open, Serafall is trying her best to keep up a magic shield to protect us from whatever this magic is, but she's tired too this won't hold up for long. 'Ruby Flames' these are ruby flames the clain trait of the Asmodeus Clan, damnit.
"Serafall you won't resist for long. Go away" I manage to tell her, but this stubborn girl doesn't listen to me. "Shut up Fia! All will be good" she tells me, she's trying to reassure me uh? Just like Euclid and Father. I can't but smile a little, you have really a good friend Sirzechs. I lose consciousness due to the heat rising up, my body not holding anymore.
Serafall
This is bad! This is so bad! Why are the Satans' descendants aiming at Grayfia too! Just attack me you bastards! "Grayfia are you okay?" while holding the magic circles in front of us to avoid being burned I take a look at Grayfia. "Ehy Fia!". she's unconscious. By Satan! I need to take her away I couldn't stand seeing Zechs' face if he knew I left Grayfia to die here. The first of my magic circle shatters. I need to think fast! Calm down Serafall! Remember what daddy told you, yes! Daddy always says to not let fear or anxiety take control of you during a fight.
"CELSIUS CROSS TRIGGER!" I shout spitting some blood from my mouth due to the excessive magic usage my body is going through. The burst of ice, although weaker than the one I used against Grayfia some days ago should be enough to earn us some time. I turn around and make to take Grayfia to the fly away, but the flames have already devoured my ice. Appearing from the flames I see a male figure with sinuous blonde hair and purple eyes wearing the official uniform of Asmodeus himself. Damaidosu Zereikel Asmodeus... this isn't good, this is literally the worst case scenario! A small but concentrated fireball is sent against me forcing me to fly up to dodge it, leaving Grayfia behind. I'm not in conditions to fight a direct descendant of a Satan, the first-born son of Asmodeus in particular. Grayfia should be safe if I run away at least, or I really hope so... Using the smoke created by the fire of Damaidosu I fly away as far as possible hoping he does not chase me and instead helps Grayfia.
Grayfia
I manage to regain consciousness. Serafall is gone. There is so much smoke I can't see anything. I coff trying to free my lungs from the toxic fumes. I hear footsteps... and see a man. "Pitiful" he says with disgust. Is he leaving? Is this how it ends, left on the battlefield like a waste? I crawl using my right arm to move. I can't feel my legs anymore, my sight is becoming blurry. Each meter I manage to make is a titanic struggle it seems to be trying to move an entire building. My body feels like an unmovable object. Has Serafall managed to run away?
I stop. I want to cry out for help. Nothing exits my mouth even the last strain of energy has left me. Euclid... Dad... Sirzechs... I'd really like to talk with him at least one last time. Damn this War! I hate it! I hate it so much! Why do the Satans want to restart the Great War!? It's all their fault! I just wanted to live in peace! Father was even supporting my relationship with Sirzechs! I hate everything!
With my last strength I reach for my pocket... It should still be here... Please! Please! Yes, it's still here! I feel a round shaped object in my hand and I promptly take it out. It's a ring, a smile appears on my face. 'Ehy Fia take this! After the situation will calm down remember it. I love you! I asked Ajuka to make it. Ah, he doesn't want to admit it, but he's a good jeweller too! We'll get married. Lord Lucifuge even gave his blessing right? I promise you it will be the best ceremony throughout all the Supernatural World!'. I remember the last words Sirzechs told me before the attack against the civilians in Lucifaad. He was still convinced everything would fix up without a War. Fool! Stupid! Tears flow from my eyes. I squeeze the ring in my hand. "I love you too Sirzechs..." I whisper with my last voice.
Before closing my eyes for one last time I see something emerging from the smoke. A black potoo... What is an animal like this doing in the Belial territory? Its gaze is creepy, its yellow circled eyes are piercing my soul. Is this an animal sent by some sort of Death God? I close my eyes. My consciousness leaving me for good.
"If you want to live your body will be mine".
War Devil
The human world surely has changed since the last time I've been on Earth. Fucking Chainsaw Man you should be here too, somewhere. I saw you dying too disgusting dog. Why do I feel so strong? I swear that mad dog devoured a part of me. IT FILLS ME WITH RAGE! WHEN I FIND YOU CHAINSAW MAN I WILL MAKE YOU SPIT THE ENTIRETY OF YOUR STOMACH! AND THEN YOU WILL BECOME MY GLORIFIED WEAPON! HERO OF HELL? YOU WILL JUST BE REMEMBERED AS MY ORNAMENTAL CHAINSAW! AAAH! WHERE ARE YOU HIDING HORRENDOUS DOG!?
Good, a human, good I can't go anywhere with this shameful body. It would be preferable to at least preserve a part of her memory and personality for the time being, I need to learn more about the current situation on Earth if I want to blend myself with humans to hunt down Chainsaw Man. My poor children and comrades, slaughtered by that mindless beast... I will avenge you all and bathe in Chainsaw Man's blood. Moving in front of the woman I use my beak to break this human's skull. I need to reach her brain and fuse myself with her to take control of her body and use it for myself.
Grayfia Lucifuge uh? I reconstruct the body and look around me, what is this destruction? Oh, the aftermath of a battle it seems. Belial territory? Never heard of it. Her memories are confused it must be a consequence of the blaze overheating her head. "Ah, you're alive. Go back to Lucifaad" I hear a man talking. I turn around to see a blonde human. Who's this guy wearing clothes this opulent? Damaidosu Zereikel Asmodeus? Humans are choosing the strangest of names in this period. We should be in 1999, humans' naming conventions change quickly.
Eh!? 1512? This human woman had some sorts of mental problems to think she lives in the Sixteenth Century? "Who do you think you are to give me orders?" I ask to the human. Ah he's one of the kings of this country? Underworld, strange name for a country. "I'll tolerate your disrespect for the time being Lucifuge. Now obey immediately". Classic humans always trying to rule over each other in a desperate way to prove themselves. That's why Control is so feared. Humans strive to control each others and this obviously creates the fear of it in the masses.
I need weapons to kill Chainsaw Man, this man might be a good start. The woman which body I took, Grayfia Lucifuge, she was holding a ring. It's a gift from her partner uh? Good thing. Before I can transform this ring into a knife I feel something, an instinct telling me to use ice to create my weapons. "Ice: Halberd" an halberd made from ice appears in my hand, neat. Uh? Magic? Clan Trait? Warden of Cocytus? What is the meaning of all of this? Human technology became so advanced in such a short amount of time?
Fine by me, I won't complain. Better chances of defeating Chainsaw Man. I swing the halberd towards the blonde thinking to end him in just a second, but he dodges my attack. "Interesting" is all I can say. This guy made some sort of contract with a devil? he's too fast for being a normal guy. "What are you doing Lucifuge!?" he shouts as a spherical source of red light forms on the point of his finger. Ruby Flames, is this how they are called? I dodge before a gust of fire can hit me. This might turn out to be fun. "Ice: Sword". I cut the incoming fireball with the shining ice sword. A contract with the Fire Devil? Maybe. I run towards the blonde human changing my sword into a spear. "Ice: Spear". Before I can pierce his heart with my sword the human takes... flight? Are those bat wings and more than just a pair of them? What is the meaning of this?
"Grayfia Lucifuge! You dare to turn your back on the Satans who let your House be peerless among the other devils!?" says the blonde. Has he gone mad? Devils? What the fuck is he blabbing about? "I'm not Grayfia Lucifuge. I'm War Devil. Now land before I shoot you down" I tell him. Another luminous marble of fire forms on the tip of his finger, I see him grimacing in disgust. Smirking, I too make a finger gun towards him: let's see how this 'Warden of Cocytus' behaves. "Bang!" I shout before the second fireball is sent towards me. The bullet of ice I fired outdoes my best expectations as it extinguishes the fireball and hits the blonde on his shoulder. I hear him grunt in pain. Hearing it I simply can't hold my laughter. "What is your problem human? Are you scared?" I say pointing again my finger towards him in a mocking way.
"What did you just called me?" says the human angered. What? He's so delusional that he doesn't think he's human or is his ego so big that he took my innocent joke so bad? Maybe he's an hybrid? A fiendz even? Bah, I couldn't care less. Time to die Damathing Zereisomething Asmodeus. But rejoice, I will make good use of your body as a spoil of war. "Bang!" I extinguish another fireball. "Bang!" another one. "Bang!" again. "Bang! Bang! Bang!". I'M HAVING FUN HERE DON'T STOP! This guy's tenacious, really.
Now let's take this on a whole new level. "Ice: Slingshot". I rotate the sling giving kinetic energy to it and then I launch the ice net to make him fall down. And just like a bird without wings Damathing falls on the ground with little to none grace.
"Now tell me human. Do you know something about Chainsaw Man?". The woman doesn't know anything, but maybe her superior does. He explodes into a burst of fire to free himself from my trap, is he an arsonist or something? I take a jump back to avoid being burnt. "I sentence you to death Grayfia Lucifuge! Damn traitor!" shouts the blonde. So he doesn't know anything about Chainsaw Man... then he has no usefulness alive. "Ice: Throwing Knife" if I want to kill him fast I first need to put his wings out of commission. I aim the knife towards his wings and throw it. He has ten wings? So annoying. I'd really love having Nuclear Weapons with me now. Chainsaw Man be damned.
More waves of fire are sent against me, I run away from them while continuing to throw knives at him. One wing gone. He shouts in pain. Two wings gone. He slurs sorrowful. 'Satan?' didn't the humans usually invoke God or something like that? I feel a slight pain in my head. Why? Was it because I thought about God? Again... it's like a itching on the head you can't scratch, annoying. He's starting to lose height, as soon as you land it will be over, fire devil fiend, hybrid or whatever. Ruby Flames, the Clan Trait of the Asmodeus clan... probably their family head made a contract with the Fire Devil at some point in time.
"I will hang you in the plaza of Lucifaad traitor and force your Father to watch before I hang him too!" he shouts in pain and anger. Is 'traitor' all he can say? He claps his hands as flames on the ground form two fire hounds who don't waste any time and charge towards me. "Disgusting" I murmur. I fucking hate dogs, is this guy trying to anger me? If so he's doing great.
Left then right. I avoid their burning fangs with little struggle. "Ice: Poleax". I use the poleax's length to maintain a safe distance from the fire hounds. I strike one with the weapon's point, and as the other tries to flank me, I quickly rotate the poleaxe to impale it as well. Fire dogs are extinguished. I happily look at Zereisomething desperate expression as I shoot again an ice bullet piercing another wing side by side.
"You really talk big for being just a human, Damaidosu. Now enlighten me about your contract with the Fire Devil or is to another? Maybe Hell Devil, nah it should still be under the possession of my sister". He doesn't seem to understand what I'm saying. Is he fucking stupid or what? I shake my head, really humans have fallen low. "What are you blabbing about Lucifuge!? Admire the power of the Devil King Asmodeus! Admire the power of the Ruby Flames able to burn everything". Devil King, did I hear correctly? "Ahahahahahah, you are either crazier than I thought or you are just plain stupid" I mock him. Let's finish this quickly, I'm getting bored killing madmen isn't as fun as killing normal humans.
Before I can shoot him a giant wall of flames tens of meters tall is raised in between the two of us as a protection for Damathing. My ice bullets can't pass through the flames, they are too hot causing the bullets to melt before they can even reach the flames. Well it seems I found out the limits of this 'Warden of Cocytus'. This ring will finally do his thing. "Ring: Hand Grenade". I pull the gem of the jewel, acting as the igniter of the grenade, and toss the now turned bomb ring towards the flames to dissipate them with the explosion. A loud explosion indeed! It had at least a 40 meters radius, maybe some meters more! Lucky for me I'm not affected by it. That ring must have had a pretty important sentimental value for Grayfia Lucifuge.
I step on the burnt ground surpassing the currently extinguishing wall of fire. "Ice: Katana". With a sharp weapon in hand I run at Damathing and cut his arm with a precise slash before his eyes. I hear him screaming in pain holding his bleeding stump with desperation in his eyes. "Who are you!? What are you!?" he manages to bark despite his drooling mouth from the rage and pain. I hate that noise, it reminds me of dogs. "I already told you. I'm War Devil". I crouch to take his missing arm ready to claim it. "This is mine now. Damaidosu Zereikel Asmodeus: Left Arm Flamethrower".
I look at my new weapon with a contempt smile. Similar to the model Flammenwerfer 35, its barrel is made out of Damaidosu's ulna and radius, the operator which regulates the dispersion range of the flames is his index finger. The usually rubber tube that connects the weapon to the fuel tank is made of his arm skin and cartilage with the gas cock itself being his bicep inflated with a gas made out of his boiling blood and other bodily fluids. Last but not least, Damaidosu's middle finger serves as the igniter in front of the pipe's opening that sets ablaze the gas, while the rest of his hand is closed like a punch with a small opening to allow the fuel to pass through. Truly a work of art. Now nothing remains, but to test it. Tonight we eat have fried human!
"Ehy Damathing. Do you like this baby?" I ask. A sadistic grin adornes my face. "Get away!" he says in horror trying to not throw up at the look of his arm turned into a weapon. Ehy, have some respect for art you moron! I'm forced to dodge another blast of flames. He still has energies to fight? If all humans are so strong it will be a bit harder than I thought. Still from Grayfia's memories this guy should be one of the strongest around. "Now speak right and clear" I say pressing my foot on his face. "Tell me if you know anything about Chainsaw Man. And who's the Devil your family made a contract with?".
"You are speaking no sense Lucifuge! I am an Asmodeus I am a true devil you are speaking heresy!". I can't even laugh, this scene is just sad. "You define yourself as a devil in front of me? In front of one of the Horsemen of Apocalypse? Be burnt by your own flames Damaidosu. I really despise you humans". I pull the operator of the flamethrower and set it to its maximum capacity. Then I envelope the blonde human with flames. In mere seconds his entire body is nothing but black ashes. "Good boy" I say petting my weapon. I hang the flamethrower on the back of Grayfia's uniform and look around myself.
We are in the Belial territory, a place controlled by the Anti-Satan faction which seems a rebel group opposing the current government of this country, the Underworld. At least one of them should know about Chainsaw Man.
"Grayfia! Grayfia! Oh good Satan!". Who's there? A man just came from a strange circle on the terrain... Did he just teleport himself? And why is he hugging me now? "Grayfia are you ok? What is this burn on your cheek?". Ah, he is Euclid my supposed brother. "Euclid: S-". My hand stops answering me. What is happening!? "Grayfia are you okay?". Fuck! Is she fighting me back? The man holds me shouting my name as I start to see black.