Shortly after Beelzebub's and my conversation in his realm, we decided to go back to the palace and try to find Mammon. However, just as we teleported ourselves back into the
hall, we quickly noticed that it was beginning to fill up with demons. As if they were gathering up for some sort of event.

The inside of the castle seemed to be in much better shape - it was like nothing was ever damaged in the first place. I glanced over at Beelzebub who seemed just as taken aback as I was. It seemed like our plans had to be delayed once again. Although based on how scattered other demons looked in the gathering it gave an enough of a hint that none of them were exactly certain what they were gathering for.

My eyes traveled over to the stairs in the middle of the room as I had realized that the Devil was about to hold a speech about something rather important. Beelzebub and I stepped further into the crowd as I began scanning the surroundings in hopes to see Mammmon or even Belial. Due to the density of the crowd it was hard to make out any of the familiar faces and highly doubted I'd see Belial any time soon.

Soon enough, the familiar figure started descending the stairs until he reached the center and his gaze seemingly tracing over each present demon. His eyes even lingered on me a bit longer and I forced myself to look straight at him. His expression revealed no emotions as his gaze quickly left me.

Then, he breathed in heavily, and finally began, "now that you've all gathered, there's an announcement I must make. A tragic one." He paused for a moment as the crowd gasped in surprise and whispers spread throughout the hall. For the first time in a while the Devil seemed rather serious and, dare I say, normal without the overt madness in his eyes. "Due to recent events in regards to the Norse gods breaking in and destroying and the interference of some other beings," he glared at me before quickly proceeding, "there has been an unfortunate and tragic occurrence. Our dear, trusted and mighty king Astaroth has been... murdered and is no longer with us."

An intense and very uncomfortable silence seized everybody present. Despite the fact I was among the first ones to find out, the words that reached my ears still struck me. I bit my inner cheek as I looked at Beelzebub who grimaced in disbelief and shock as he locked his eyes with mine. I began feeling a bit of guilt as he, too, became collateral damage after getting involved with me. It almost felt like no matter where I went I brought on destruction.

"We will organize a graceful event to commemorate him as he is deserving of nothing less. His death as well as the Norse gods' weapon Mjolnir having sucked into a void due to unforeseeable events has caused quite a bit of disruption in Astral as we know it. Particularly in Hell as it occurred on our grounds. Chaos from Asgard may begin to seep into Hell. Be prepared for anything. In the meantime, we will have to organize training in order to prepare us for the worst."

With that, he ended his speech and simply gazed at the crowd for a little bit. The demons kept on talking between themselves, one by one succumbing to the fear of the future that no longer was as certain. I looked over at Beelzebub who looked almost as shocked and confused as everyone else.

"You know, for a while, I thought you were just a bit crazy." He paused and once again locked his attention on me. "Now I've realized you have truly lost it." He suddenly said, quite sharply if I may add. "Couldn't you have just... kept meeting up with Loki somewhere else?"

"Well, technically, it was his idea to come here. And what am I gonna do? Fight a god?" I said with a shrug and crossing my arms. Beelzebub sighed out in frustration. "Not even the Devil could beat him when Loki was just a bird." I added.

"Fair. But still. There were ways to make him change his mind." He responded.

"Maybe. It's too late now anyway." I stated the obvious after which he, too, fell silent. Few seconds after my response, the Devil could be heard again. But not out loud. A light high-pitched noise shot through my head before hearing the familiar voice.

Sending out this message to all Kings. Follow me into the office.

The Devil's message echoed through my head like a lightning bolt. Without warning, I turned to Beelzebub, who gave me a knowing nod. Paimon and Belphegor were already on the move, and I knew I had to follow suit.

"The rest of you can go until further notice." The Devil spoke one last time to the crowd before turning away and heading to the top of the palace. As I tried to push my way through the crowd, I caught sight of Mammon, but our eyes met only briefly. With a forced smile, I dashed up the stairs with the other two demons, leaving the rest of the crowd behind.

Beelzebub soon reached me and began walking right next to me. I attempted to get away from Mammon by quickening my pace but he was faster and, soon, he appeared right next to us two. I didn't know how I was supposed to lie to him and get him to try Beelzebub's food when just by being near him made me want to yell obscenities at him.

"I wonder where Belial is," I said, unable to contain my curiosity. Mammon glanced over at me with a raised eyebrow, seeming to question my intentions, as if he were the one who should be interrogating me.

"Perhaps he's been imprisoned, which, ultimately, works in our favor since we won't need to remain constantly vigilant," Mammon responded, surprising me with his attempt at transparency. Expectedly, it did little to improve my opinion of him. I simply shot him a glare and let the conversation between us fizzle out.

Soon enough we were at the top of the palace and the Devil let us all enter his office. He promptly took a seat behind the desk as he leaned forward, placing his elbows against the desk. His gaze lingered on each of us for a few seconds before taking in a deep breath.

"Paimon," the Devil's voice cut through the tense atmosphere, his gaze fixed firmly on the demon King. "You will be responsible for gathering demons of lower ranks and initiating military training. Our defenses need strengthening. Beelzebub, you will join Paimon. You two shall alternate duties."

As King Paimon nodded in agreement, Beelzebub appeared more hesitant. However, he understood the gravity of the situation and knew he couldn't refuse the order. We all recognized the necessity for preparation in these uncertain times.

I couldn't help but notice the somber demeanor in the Devil's words. It seemed as though he was adjusting to the absence left by Lucifer. I couldn't predict the impact this adjustment would have on all of us. It felt as though a long-standing leader had been replaced by a complete stranger.

"Mammon and Belphegor will organize the commemorative event for Astaroth," the Devil continued, his instructions clear. I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that I wasn't assigned to work with either of them.

"Yes, sir," Belphegor responded, nodding in understanding. Mammon remained silent, but his cold, steady gaze at the Devil conveyed his complete comprehension and respect for the task assigned to him.

"The rest of you can leave, Asmodeus stay." The Devil suddenly ordered and I frowned slightly, my eyes immediately locking with Beelzebub. He raised his eyebrows in clear surprise before slightly furrowing them. He couldn't say anything, however, but just passed by me and patted me on the shoulder as if to attempt to wish me luck. At this point, luck was the only thing I relied on.

The other three demons followed after Beelzebub until I was left alone with the Devil once again. These recurring scenes were beginning to give me deja vu. But I kept my steady demeanor as I fixated my eyes on the Devil.

"And you. You're going to come with me because I don't trust you with anybody else." He said bluntly and slowly stood up from his seat, almost nonchalantly and unbothered. And yet somehow with a hint of annoyance. It was truly interesting hearing him talk sometimes.

"Fair." I responded with a touch of sarcasm at which he raised an eyebrow but quickly brushed it off. At this point if he were to bring me to the torture chambers again, I'd be happy to participate. At once, The Devil opened a portal which honestly took me aback but also made me curious enough to take a gamble on following him through it.

Without a word exchanged, we both stepped through it and in a few seconds, we were in a vast and expansive void-like space. It was impossible to see the end of it to the point I almost started believing I just willingly walked into my death with the Devil. Be it luck or destiny, either way, that wasn't the case as the space slowly started gaining color the further we went into it. Eventually the surroundings began taking shape, gaining white tile floors and walls.

It was a rather small room whose ceiling seemed to stretch out into unseeable nothingness. In the center of the room stood a massive coffin made out of black iron. It rested on a pedestal and seemed to emanate an aura of darkness that filled the room with an oppressive weight. The coffin's surface was adorned with intricate sigils representing Astaroth.

The Devil and I approached the coffin, his hand tracing over the lid as he slowly pushed it open. Slowly, we gazed upon the motionless figure of Astaroth lying within. Despite the stillness of death, he appeared almost lifelike, as if merely in a deep slumber.

Astaroth's face held an eerie tranquility, devoid of the pain and suffering that had marked his final moments. It was unsettling to be face-to-face with a fallen demon of such high rank, a reminder of the fragility of our existence in the Astral realm.

The Devil's expression remained unreadable as he studied Astaroth's form, his thoughts hidden behind a mask of stoicism. I couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the sight before me. Astaroth had been a formidable warrior, a leader among demons, and now he lay in eternal repose.

"May your conquests be remembered, even in the embrace of death." My words hung heavy in the air, a solemn tribute to the fallen warrior.

Beside me, the Devil remained silent, his expression still inscrutable. But I felt a sense of peace wash over me as I paid my respects to Astaroth, honoring his memory and the legacy he left behind.

"Do you think you offering him a tribute would make it somehow better?" The Devil's words sliced through the heavy silence, his glare piercing as he fixed his gaze upon me. "Do you truly believe that waging war against me was worth the cost?" His tone was serious, devoid of the usual madness that colored his speech. It was disconcerting to hear him speak with such sincerity, his words striking a chord deep within me.

In all honesty, I did doubt it many times but I couldn't shake off the feeling that this was the way it was supposed to be. Although looking at Astaroth's motionless body, it felt like thousands of demons who had died because of me stood there in the room as well. Was Beelzebub right? Was I no better than the Devil?

However, I couldn't give it all up now. I already went too far. If I stopped now, then it truly would've been a waste of time. I needed to see it until the very end.

"None of this would've happened if you didn't get rid of Lucifer." I mumbled, my voice barely audible even to myself. There was little conviction behind my words, overshadowed by the weight of regret and doubt that burdened me. Perhaps I should have refrained from interfering altogether. How had it come to this? From having it all to losing almost everything?

"You're determined to blame me, aren't you?" The Devil's snicker cut through the air, dripping with a hint of derision as he mocked my wavering resolve. Surprisingly, I found myself too defeated to muster an argument. I offered no response, my gaze fixed upon Astaroth's serene face, as if willing him to awaken from his eternal slumber. It was unsettling how effortlessly the Devil's words had the power to shake my confidence to its core.

"Can we just get this over with?" I asked as I finally locked my gaze on the Devil. He continued smirking at me as he realized he won this round of back and forth. However, I was unfazed by his gloating, I just continued looking at him, awaiting for this whole ordeal to be over.

"Oh, it's over. Well, it's over for Astaroth, anyway." He said. I was taken aback that he was capable of joking but then again I forgot who I was talking to. "He will stay there for another 100 years until he inevitably gets swallowed by Astral." He breathed out as he pulled the lid back over Astaroth. "I just wanted to show you the consequences of your actions."

I frowned a little bit at his words. "Are you expecting me to back down?"

"I just want you to see that this is only the beginning. I will fight you until the end if you continue." He said, his voice dripping with serious intensity.

"Why not just kill me now?" I asked with a raised eyebrow as I folded my arms.

"I have a different future planned for you," the Devil declared, his smile a grim visage that sent shivers down my spine. For the first time in a while, I felt a genuine sense of dread creeping over me. "As you're aware, I cannot kill you. Unlike you, I abide by the laws of Astral. I'm offering you a chance to reconsider, but if you persist, I promise you an experience beyond compare."

His words dripped with malevolence, a darkness that seemed to suffocate the very air around us. Even though I was talking to the Devil, I had never before witnessed such cruelty emanating from him. It was a stark reminder of the depths of his power and the darkness that lurked within him.

But I was raised by the Heaven's most rebellious angel.

"I am never backing down." I shot back at him sharply. Both of his eyebrows raised up at my surprisingly confident and unwavering response.

"I can't say I don't admire your persistance no matter how in vain it is. But remember, Asmodeus, you're not a hero in this story." He said.

"Neither are you."

"I'm not trying to be." The Devil offered a short but a direct response that once again struck somewhere deep inside. It was as though he could see through the facade I presented, anticipating my every move and misstep with an eerie precision.

"If this were a game of chess, you'd be the one without your queen," the Devil continued, his voice carrying a weight of impending doom. "I am merely steps away from a checkmate. Are you certain you wish to continue?" His words hung in the air, a chilling reminder of the stakes at hand as he pulled his lips into a small smirk.

"It's not over." I seethed as I felt the familiar rage rising within me. But it was overlapping with the feeling of despair and I hated every minute of it. "Even if I die, it'd be because I fought for something I believe in. I still have my principles, what do you have left?"

"I have the army and..."

"An army of demons that hate you." I cut in sharply. "If I wanted to, I could whistle and they'd be by my side in a second because you - you are the only problem here. My decisions may have been faulty but they came from some conviction, belief, some faith. Your decisions, on the other hand, have been nothing but the desperate flailings of a lost soul. You are merely grasping in the dark at this point." Now my words were cutting like knives while the Devil surprisingly shut his mouth as he watched me carefully. His gaze emitted a level of pain I had only seen when he was losing his mind over Lucifer.

"How funny you are." He scoffed, no laughter escaping his mouth. "Nobody is going to side with you, Asmodeus. They are too scared. Especially not after your decisions have led the others to death." He smiled mockingly and shook his head. "They may not love me but they fear me and that is enough to know that you are the only one who truly lost it all." He concluded his speech with that as he walked away from me and opened the portal. "Now, shall we?" he asked, his tone dripping with a chilling confidence that left no room for argument.

I took one last glance at him with a frown, trying to keep my confidence up and not allow him to burrow his claws further. I breathed out sharply as I walked past him and entered the portal. His eyes followed me carefully before he walked in right after me and we were back in his office.

"You're going to stay within the castle walls until the event is over. Don't you dare leave the premises without my knowledge." He spoke with a forced smile almost immediately after stepping foot back into Hell. I raised my eyebrow at his sudden order. And here I thought he was confident in his inability to lose this fight. I simply glanced at him but offered him no response and just made my way out of his office, not allowing him to say anything else.

With many thoughts swarming my head, I left the office, trying to push away thoughts that the Devil managed to put in my head. Maybe after many eons of working alongside him I should stop underestimating his abilities, especially to convince you of something no matter how false it was. The Devil's whole identity was a bluff and I needed to hold onto that belief otherwise I would allow him to enter my mind. Maybe it was true that my decisions had been faulty but it wasn't over yet. I was far from losing everything yet.

I began descending the stairs when suddenly I stopped in my tracks. No one but Belial himself was climbing up and the moment he saw me, he, too, stopped in an instant. His face was blank but held a touch of unusual remorse as he frowned lightly as if he was trying his best not to show much emotion. I held a steady gaze on him, not allowing him to pass either, rather giving him a chance to explain himself.

"I..." Belial began, his face beginning to show just a little bit more emotion but nothing to write home about. "Asmodeus... I'm just going to say, you should've listened me when I told you we should've dealt with him sooner." He suddenly spoke which honestly surprised me. I expected him to stutter but he was much more of a confident demon that I anticipated. I was about to ask him to elaborate before he climbed a few more stairs as his lips brushed against my ear and he said in a hushed tone, "Be careful around Mammon. And believe me when I tell you, I never wanted to do this to you. I liked Loki too."

I frowned and I immediately shot a glare at him, continuing to be shocked with his straightforwardness. I expected a much different behavior. I was too used to demons running in cowardice when their life was at stake but Belial still held fast onto the cause we started and it seemed he wanted to see it through.

"Why are you telling me this?" I had to ask, as my eyes locked with his.

"I don't want to be blamed for something I never intended to do. From here on out, I have to be much more careful. But we must deal with Mammon first." His response was cryptic, leaving me with more questions than before. The weight of his words settled like a heavy stone in the pit of my stomach, a growing sense of unease gnawing at my insides. I needed to understand, to unravel the tangled web of betrayal that threatened to consume me.

"What did he do?" I pressed, my voice trembling with raw emotion. The betrayal of someone I had once considered a trusted ally left me feeling exposed and vulnerable. I hungered for answers, desperate to make sense of the chaos that now engulfed me.

"We're going to need to talk later. It's much more nuanced than you may believe." Belial continued in hushed tone before he just brushed past me and went towards the Devil's office. I frowned as I watched him leave, almost desperately not wanting to believe that I could be correct. And especially none other than Belial to confirm my suspicions. The tables just kept turning and I was beginning to feel dizzy.

Mammon's betrayal weighed heavily on me and my head kept pounding so much the more I thought about it. Dare I say even my dead heart began to ache. With that grappling my mind like a drunkard clutching onto the lamp post, I hurriedly made my way into the hall only to be met by rapid decorations being made.

In the center of the hall stood an imposing obsidian altar, its surface gleaming ominously in the dim light. Draperies of deep crimson and midnight black hung from the walls, their rich fabrics billowing gently in the faint breeze. Embroidered with intricate patterns and symbols, they served as a backdrop to the altar, lending an air of solemnity to the proceedings. Etched into the cold stone were intricate sigils, each line and curve a testament to Astaroth's power and influence. The symbol of the three dots arranged in a triangle at the points of the star loomed large, casting a haunting shadow over the room.

Mammon, his expression grave and solemn, approached the altar with measured steps, a crimson chalice clutched tightly in his hands. With a reverent gesture, he placed the vessel upon the smooth surface of the altar, the rich hue of the liquid within contrasting starkly against the dark stone.

Belphegor, with a demeanor both reverent and sorrowful, approached the altar with a velvet cushion cradled in his hands. Upon it rested a tarnished, ancient-looking tome, its leather cover embossed with arcane symbols and sigils.

With a solemn gesture, Belphegor placed the tome beside the chalice, positioning it carefully so that it lay open, its pages fluttering gently in the breeze. The flickering candlelight cast shadows across the aged parchment, illuminating passages written in a language long forgotten by mortals.

I was watching it all in awe, it being the most I had seen Belphegor express some level of respect. Although I didn't think there was a demon who disliked Astartoh. He deserved gratitude from each one of us, especially from me. Despite the hurt that loomed over me, I decided to push it aside for now and pay respects to the demon who, too, risked his life for me.

In that moment, Mammon turned his attention towards me and our eyes locked. I had to suffocate the anger that was rising within me upon just looking at him. I turned my gaze away instantly and scampered as far from him as possible. I tried to make my way to the casino but I picked up on the foot steps behind me and I knew that it was him. I tried my best to ignore it but then his words reached my ears,

"Asmodeus, stop." Mammon's firm tone made me stop in my tracks unwillingly. "What's your issue?" He continued, not even allowing me to say something. I wasn't sure if I even wanted to give him a response. I told myself I didn't want to cause scenes today but with Mammon around it was going to be harder than I had anticipated.

I slowly turned around to face Mammon, his expression a mask of confusion that only fueled my anger further. How could he stand there, looking so innocent when I knew he was anything but?

"How long are you going to pretend you have no idea what's going on?" My words dripped with venom as I confronted him, my fists clenched at my sides. Mammon's eyes widened in surprise, clearly taken aback by my direct accusation.

"I genuinely don't know what you're talking about," he insisted, his voice betraying a hint of unease. But I wasn't buying it. Not for a second.

I took a step closer to him, closing the distance between us until I could practically feel the heat radiating off his skin. With a sudden surge of anger, I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, yanking him toward me with all the force I could muster.

"Stop pretending, Mammon," I growled, my grip tightening on his collar until my knuckles turned white. "I know you're behind the Norse gods invading Hell. And I want to know why."

Mammon's frown deepened, his features hardening as he pushed me away with a force that took me by surprise. I stumbled backward, releasing my grip on his shirt as he straightened himself up, smoothing out the wrinkles in his clothing with practiced ease.

"If you think I would stoop so low as to do something like that, you clearly don't know me at all, Asmodeus," he retorted, his tone laced with arrogance.

"I don't know what to think, that's the issue!" My voice rose to a scream, frustration and anger bubbling up from deep within me. "So, please, explain to me why would you do something like this?!" The words tore out of me, raw and impassioned. "Why to me?" I asked with a voice barely audible over a whisper.

Mammon's face darkened, any sentimentality just suddenly leaving his body. It took me by surprise as I watched his attitude change within seconds.

I stood there, reeling from Mammon's words. "You took something from me. So I took something from you," his words echoed in my mind, each syllable laced with bitterness and resentment. "You like to play fair and so do I," he continued, his smirk twisting into a grotesque expression that sent shivers down my spine. His arrogance was palpable, his satisfaction at my distress evident in every line of his face.

"Are... you talking about Lucifer?" I whispered, my voice barely audible above the pounding of my heart. The mere thought sent a chill down my spine, but I had to know the truth.

"Now you're the one playing dumb," he scoffed, his arms crossed defiantly across his chest. The disdain in his eyes cut me to the core.

"Mammon... I had no idea you two were that close," I confessed, my voice heavy with disbelief. But there was no trace of remorse in his gaze, only cold indifference.

"Of course you don't. You never seem to grasp anything," he spat, his jaw clenched tight with resentment. "You didn't even bother to warn anyone about your plans. You knew perfectly well how much Lucifer meant to each one of us, yet you couldn't even respect our feelings enough to inform us. You selfishly took matters into your own hands, denying any of us the chance to say goodbye. And worst of all, you betrayed my trust, despite my unwavering support in bringing Loki to our cause. So don't delude yourself into thinking you're not responsible for any of this."

The raw emotions in his words struck me like a physical blow, each accusation a dagger to my already wounded pride. There was a level of truth to his words but there was plenty that he didn't know. I would've told everyone had it not been for the deal I had made with Abaddon.

"I understand your reasoning but you don't know the half of it." I attempted to explain myself and he surprisingly let me. "I wanted to tell all of you but I had made a promise with Abaddon. There was a lot of at stake and if others were to find out what had happened, it would cause even more chaos than it already has. And as I said, I had no idea about your relationship with him. If I knew, I would have done something differently." I said but his expression remained practically unchanged except for less frowning. "Besides, Lucifer is not dead, he's just going to be gone for a while."

"So is Loki," was Mammon's cold response. "At least you could say goodbye." He took a small pause before continuing, "Nothing you say will make me see how I was wrong. You've done wrong not just by me but by all demons. I don't know why your promise to Abaddon, whom you just met, means more than the loyalty you have to your kingdom."

"Why couldn't you just talk to me?" I desperately wanted to have a glimpse of my friend but there was no budging. His gaze held no emotion whatsoever.

"The same reason you never tell anyone anything, you just do whatever crosses your mind. Now you've had the taste of your own medicine. Fun, isn't it?" He forced a grin before patting my shoulder. "Oh, Asmo, you're such a kid still. You never learn." With a sigh and another strained smile, he conveyed that he had said his piece before turning away.

I couldn't bring myself to accept that I was solely to blame for everything that had unfolded. Yes, my actions were thoughtless, but there was a deeper rationale behind them. I didn't act out of malice like Mammon did. And it wasn't just me; others understood my motives, like Beelzebub and Belial. Mammon's bitterness stemmed from his relationship with Lucifer, clouding his judgment. If only he had communicated with me, things might have played out differently. What hurt the most was losing a friend once again. But this time, the fault didn't lie solely with me; Mammon was impulsive and thoughtless too. Besides, I didn't bring Lucifer into the apocalypse. If anything, I helped him avoid it.

"Fuck you, Mammon. You're a piece of shit." I spat while he was still close enough so he could hear me. And with that, I turned away and walked away to the casino. One of the very rare times, the casino was empty due to all the demons having their military training at the moment. So I could sit without anyone to bother me. I took a bottle from a shelf behind the bar, the liquid being almost toxic green. I had never known what to expect with demon alcohol, this time around was no different.

I poured myself a shot and downed it within seconds. It was nice sitting in silence for once and letting my thoughts dissolve with alcohol. I savored the warmth of alcohol, finding solace in its embrace, akin to the way humans might find comfort in love. The first shot was like returning to a home I longed for but never had. Yet, with the second shot, the bitter sting of loneliness crept in, amplified by Loki's absence. By the third, I was left with a stark reminder that perhaps everything would be alright if I simply continued to drown my sorrows in it.

Lost in the haze of alcohol, I surrendered to its numbing embrace, allowing it to guide my thoughts, waiting for the funeral preparations to conclude. The world around me blurred into insignificance, the only thing that mattered was the fleeting illusion of solace provided by the alcohol coursing through my veins. Time seemed to stretch endlessly as I lingered in this self-imposed purgatory, the weight of grief and regret pressing down on me with each passing moment. But in that haze, there was a twisted comfort, a fleeting respite from the harsh realities that awaited me beyond the confines of my inebriation. So I sat there, letting the alcohol dictate my fate, hoping that perhaps in its numbing embrace, I could find some semblance of peace amidst the chaos in my head.