#darksidersweek2021

It’s as if the temperature in this place has dropped significantly.

‘’What?’’ The Demoness nearly choked. That was not the answer she was expecting.

‘’No!’’ Abaddon snapped. ‘’I will accept my fate, Demon!’’ He snarled, took his sword back off the ground and pointed it back at the voice hidden in the dark. He stood up and stepped forward, wings spread to their full length. ‘’I will NEVER join you!’’

A shock went through his body and Abaddon let out a painful yell. He stumbled back on his knees, but did not let go of his sword this time. The angel’s breath was stunted.

‘’Fine…’’ The once seductive voice snarled back. ‘’You’ve made your choice, you old fool.’’

Abaddon glared up at her, breathing still unsteady. ‘’You… You will not- … Get away with this…!’’ He stammered.

The Demon queen just laughed. ‘’We shall see about that, bird.’’

Before Abaddon could react, the lightning-like magic emerged from below him again, dragging him down into the darkness.

‘’You have already lost.’’

And so, the darkness devoured the once proud Archangel.

--

With a loud smack he fell onto the ground. The smell of brimstone and the searing heat of smouldering flames welcomed him.

He twitched The pain from being crushed shot right back throughout his entire body, but his bones are healed and his wounds are no longer there. The angel was shaking as he laid there on the ground, trying to lift himself back up onto his knees. What had just happened?

A booming voice called out for him.

‘’RISE, ABADDON!’’

His head snapped up at the familiar voice. What?

The angel was now standing on a stone platform, raised high above rivers of boiling lava and sharp, ragged stalagmites. In front of him, were three stone heads with searing flames blazing out of their mouths and eye sockets. Here he was, standing in the Charred Council’s chambers. Even though the infamous heads are unmoving, he could feel their hateful gaze seep right through him. Abaddon knew better than to make a single move.

Why was he here? Shouldn’t he be summoned back in Heaven first and await his judgement at the hands of the Thrones before he should be summoned by the Council? That’s how it’s supposed to go, isn't it?

To his side, bound in massive chains, was another familiar figure. instantly recognizable by his crimson hood. War, rider of the Red Horse. The same rider who appeared at the premature Apocalypse, despite Abaddon’s intention not to involve the Four, or the Charred Council for that matter, at all!

The Horseman’s head hung low, the red fabric and his snow white hair casting his face in shadow. He turned his gaze slightly and Abaddon could see he was glaring at the general.

‘’ABADDON,’’ the head in the middle bellowed. ‘’YOU KNOW WHY YOU ARE HERE.’’

The angel glanced between the stone heads and the chained Nephilim. He took a shaky breath before facing the middlest member of the Council. ‘’I-I…’’ He stammered.

‘’YOU HAVE ABANDONED THE LAWS YOU HAVE SWORN TO UPHOLD!’’ The angrier first head yelled. ‘’THE APOCALYPSE UNLEASHED BEFORE IT’S INTENDED TIME! AND IN A PATHETIC ATTEMPT TO COVER UP THIS UNACCEPTABLE PLAN, YOU REFORGED THE SEALS! TO SHIFT THE BLAME ON TO THE LORDS OF HELL!’’

Abaddon opened his mouth to say something in defence, but the Council quickly shut him off.

‘’SILENCE!’’

Abaddon kept his head low and gritted his teeth, listening attentively while the three stone heads talked down upon him. He could feel his rage boil deep within him, but at the same time he was embarrassed and disgusted at himself. And what’s also worth to note is the near paralyzing fear that ran through his mind. Fear of the terrifying punishment that would soon be his to bear.

‘’DID YOU THINK YOU COULD BEND THE LAW TO YOUR WILL?’’ The third one snapped.

‘’YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER THAN TO BREACH THE OATH!’’

They were right, he should have known better. Azrael did warn him time and time again that this plan was not waterproof and that the Council was not to be trifled with. If only he wasn’t so stubborn and actually listened to him for once!

In the meantime War was getting angrier by the minute. He snapped his head back and faced Abaddon, the chains clashing harshly against one another. ‘’It was YOU that did this?!’’ he all but yelled. ‘’Why?! Answer me NOW!’’

‘’You need to understand!’’ Abaddon tried to excuse himself. ‘’There is something wrong with the universe! And whatever it is, it’s empowering Hell itself! And yet no one is doing something about it!’’ The angel flailed his arms wildly around himself. ‘’SOMEONE had to do SOMETHING!’’

‘’And yet I am to blame for YOUR betrayal!’’ The Horseman tried to rip the chains off once again, his rage starting to take over him. But then a bright orange magic soared through him, making him scream in pain until his body went limp. War gasped between breaths, anger still engraved in his face.

‘’it was not intended for YOU to show up!’’ He took a step back, his wings were trembling from all the emotions that raced through his mind. ‘’How did you end up on Earth?!’’

‘’I…’’ War wheezed. ‘’I was s-summoned..!’’

‘’BUT HOW-’’ Now it was Abaddon who groaned in pain and landed back on his hands and knees. It felt as if he was caught on fire, the way the Council cast its wicked magic upon him.

‘’Take me to Earth.’’ War all but demanded. ‘’I will see to the others who conspired against the Balance!’’

‘’AND HOW WILL YOU DO THAT?’’ The first head began.

‘’WHAT HOPE DO YOU HAVE AGAINST THE LEGIONS OF HELL?’’ continued the third. ‘’YOU ARE POWERLESS!’’

‘’Then I shall fail, and the demons will have carried out your sentence.’’ His tone was low, even more so than usual.

The Charred Council paused, considering the offer their trusted agent had just given. And eventually, they agreed.

‘’VERY WELL…’’ The middlest grumbled. ‘’YOU WILL RETURN TO THE EARTH.’’

‘’But under one condition.’’ War pointed at the general. ‘’He is coming with me.’’

‘’What-’’ Abaddon gave him a questioning look. ‘’Why?’’

‘’So I can break both your wings after we take down Lucifer and his Chosen.’’ A low dangerous growl escaped his scarred lips. ‘’I want to be in charge of your punishment after we are finished here.’’

It felt as if he had a lump in his throat which wouldn’t pass. He glared at the bound Horseman, and then back to the Council who grumbled in agreement.

‘’SO BE IT.’’ The head in the middle spoke once again. With a snap, the chains unbound themselves from War’s arms. He rubbed the areas that have been stuck for the Creator knows how long he has been stuck here, then made his way to the behemoth of an angel. Both of them faced the Council again after extending another disapproving glare at each other. If only looks could kill…

‘’BUT YOU WILL BE WATCHED. COME FORTH.’’ The head on the far left bellowed.

The two of them did as commanded. They kneeled down and with a swift movement they dug their arms into the scalding hot magma pooling around the three stone heads. The combination of the extreme heat and the sting of dark magic flared through them, making them gurgle and yell from the short-lived agony. A black wispy energy slowly danced around them.

‘’RISE!’’ The Council demanded.

War bit his tongue and Abaddon gritted his teeth, gripping his arm tight as they both rose back on their feet.

‘’THE WATCHER IS BOUND TO THE BOTH OF YOU. IT WILL ENSURE YOUR LOYALTY.’’

The black energy started to take the form of a Watcher, his body black as night and accented with a blue glow. The sprite let out a sickening chuckle and swirled around the two swordsmen, his clawed hands caressing the two’s faces while he backed off to float in front of them. His blue eyes curved upwards, making it look like he’s smiling despite the lack of mouth. ‘’You two better remember that~’’ He said in a playful tone. ‘’Unless you really want me to get under your skins.’’

Both the Angelic general and the Horseman stood at the edge of the portal. The Watcher took residence within War’s giant gauntlet.

‘’SEEK OUT THE DEMON VULGRIM.’’ The second head started. ‘’FEW CAN AFFORD HIS SERVICES, BUT PERHAPS YOU CAN STRIKE A BARGAIN.’’

‘’The Council deals with demons now, does it?’’ War retorted.

Abaddon joined in. ‘’Were we not supposed to kill any demon that walks on our path? Why should we trust that snake?!’’

‘’SINCE THE TRUCE WAS BROKEN, SOME DEMONS HAVE FALLEN FROM THE DARK PRINCE’S FAVOUR.’’ The head spoke again. ‘’VULGRIM IS ONE SUCH OUTCAST… HE HAS LONG SOUGHT AN AUDIENCE WITH US.’’

Abaddon nearly spat, but knew better not to provoke the Charred Council any further. War however, gazed at the floor in front of him. Deep in his thoughts. ‘’How long have we been here?’’

‘’That’s what I would like to kn-’’ Before the angel could finish his sentence, both him and War started screaming in agony.

Flames embedded the two warriors and in a matter of seconds, they disappeared from the Council’s chambers. And it’s the very same flames that engulfed them as they fell down to Earth. Back to where it all began…

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Abaddon: I can't believe you let me tag along in all of this.

War: Shut your mouth and let's get this over with before I change my mind about saving you for last!