The Deepest Pit - Part Two

Lilith stood silently in the center of the arena, surrounded by the royal houses of Hell, as their voices thundered through the air. Every house felt differently towards the news; some felt outrage at the threat to the souls under their control, while others were eager to expand their reach and their power.

“Don’t you think that’s going a bit far, Lilith? The death toll will be in the millions, and our power will diminish with the loss of these souls.” Belphegore’s voice boomed through the arena.

“Belphegore, you’re not thinking big enough! These angels have no chance against the ranks of Hell!” Belial’s boisterous voice shook the stands.

“I, for one, can’t wait to feel their wings rip beneath my claws.” Balberith said through a laugh, his body shaking with anticipation.

Lilith’s eyes burned with impatience. She had called this meeting to grow her army, but, as usual, the royal houses wouldn’t let her get a word in. Her rage seethed into the air, causing it to crack like lightning.

“ENOUGH!” Lilith’s voice exploded like a shockwave through the arena, knocking all the other demons back in their chairs.

“Belphegore, I know that you rule Sloth, but Belial is right. It is time for a new underworld order, and if you’re not with me you don’t get access to any of the new souls that come from this.” Lilith’s eyes scanned the room, “And the same goes for all of you. Yes, it’s true that you may lose some of the souls currently under your control, but all of the souls in Heaven are an untapped resource that will more than make up for the loss.”

The arena was silent for the first time since the meeting began.

“We have a long way to go to get to the portal for Heaven, but I believe that if those that rule the other rings send out scouts, we can find them all within the week and make it to Heaven within a few days of travel. Now, who’s with me?”

The crowd erupted in deafening cheers chanting Lilith’s name as, like a parting sea, they poured out of the arena. Ophelia and the other sinners waited for Lilith under the stage, and while everyone was filled with anticipation and excitement, Ophelia couldn’t help but wonder if this was the right way to search for redemption.

Ophelia pushed her way through the crowd of cheering sinners and out of the arena, back into Morningstar castle. She traversed the dark and quiet halls until she found herself in the library, where she began searching the shelves for any book might give her answers.

“Are you lost, dear one?” A soft, sweet voice rang through the air from behind her.

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Read the next part here:

The Deepest Pit - Part Three

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Image: Unsplash - Acton Crawford