First Demonic Dragon

Chapter 1229: The Apocalypse III

The fanfare of the horns only grew louder.

When the white lights died down, Abaddon and his family were no longer on earth.

Everyone in the house was transported into a long hallway lined with white marble.

Almost everyone.

’Mom… where’s Aunt Nyx??’ Odie looked around worriedly.

“Hera isn’t here either.” Mateo looked around nervously.

“My mother is also not here…” Asmodeus muttered. “Nor my aunts.”

Satan appeared slightly concerned over his missing mother, though it wasn’t something he would ever voice.

Tiamat had also disappeared. Abaddon could see Apophis trying not to add more fuel to the fire, but he was very obviously worried.

“We’ll find them.” Abaddon said.

He shifted Agheel into his arm before looking around for Bashenga.

His son was at the very back of the group. His eyes were still unfocused and lightless.

Abaddon’s heart ached for his son. This was undoubtedly one of the greatest pains of his entire life.

He wanted to go to him. Share in his grief.

But he also knew his son. Bashenga was easily overwhelmed.

And with Bekka already at his side, there was no place for Abaddon.

Not now, anyway.

“…Worry not, everyone. I’m sure they’re not far.” Abaddon sighed.

His words do little for the group. Everyone knew that from here on out, nothing was certain.

The only person who knew what was going to happen for sure… was Eternity.

And there was no telling where that bastard had gone at this point.

Abaddon and his family moved forward through the corridor.

As the light at the end crept closer and closer, Abaddon could make out the layout of the next chamber.

The family entered into a colosseum much like the one in which the trial was held.

At the bottom of the chamber, dozens upon dozens of different seats sat in waiting.

In the center, there was a large stone platform where Asherah could be seen sitting.

Glancing into the stands around them, Abaddon could see their missing family members.

They were in the stands opposite theirs. Brooding underneath the banners of the opposing pantheons.

“Please, come and be seated. We have much to discuss before we begin.” Asherah said calmly.

“Though, leave the baby, would you, lad? I don’t really think he’d have much fun down here with all of us old folks.” Lucifer smiles.

Behind him, the army of Hell laughed like mad, rambunctious dogs.

Odessa cowered fearfully behind one of her older sisters.

The girl had never seen demons before. At the very least, not the kind who looked so much like monsters.

“What’s this now, girlie?”

Karliah suddenly pulled her granddaughter from behind Thrudd.

“You mean to tell me that you actually think those greasy little swamp rats are scarier than me?”

Odie swallowed. ’No, Grammy.’

“That’s what I thought.” Karliah clasped her on the shoulder and pulled her to her side. “So stand tall. Be not afraid of those lowly dogs. They pale in comparison to the monsters who have spawned you.”

Odie could not put it into words, but she did actually feel a bit better.

She didn’t know if she would call what she felt courage or pride… all she knew was that she felt much safer than she did a few moments ago.

Abaddon passed Agheel to his mother before he turned back towards his waiting chair.

Together with his wives, they descended the steps to meet the waiting gods. Bekka alone stayed behind.

As he took his seat, Abaddon looked up into the empty stands around them and found that there was one group missing.

“The army of heaven does not grace us with their presence? How unusual.”

Brahma taps his finger against his throne. “They are on Earth… with him. I’m sure they intend to rally others under their banner before the war begins.”

“The privileges of being daddy’s favorite, eh?” Lucifer sighs and chuckles.

Abaddon barely spares him a glance as he takes his seat beside Lailah and Seras. “You know all about that. The only reason you live is because of it.”

His words make Lucifer’s face harden, something that he finds rather difficult not to laugh at.

Lailah looks into the stands at her people. Her voice is hard and cold as she speaks.

“….Your magic is incorrect, Asherah. You have those of my house standing under foreign banners.”

“Not incorrect.” Asherah held up her hands. “Unofficial. Those who were living with you may have been family in symbolism, but they are also integral members of other pantheons. Not your own. Similarly, some of your children also have some split loyalties.”

Abaddon and his wives’ eyes narrow.

“But fear not.” Asherah continued. “Our first point of order is to make inductions.”

Asherah turned to the assembled gods and lifted their veils.

“If there are any who would forsake their namesake and backing to proclaim another, speak now.”

Thea and Thrudd stood up instantly.

“My sister and I renounce the Norse. From here until forever, we stand under the banner of the Nevi’im.”

Belloc casually raises his hand as he texts on his phone. “Same.”

Apophis slaps his brother on the head and stands up. “I renounce the gods of Egypt.”

One by one, all of Abaddon’s children who had ties to other pantheons began to renounce them.

Once they were done, Asherah turned to the others. “Would anyone else like to-”

“I renounce Babylon!” Tiamat leapt across the stadium and landed directly in the lap of her husband.

“I would join you under your banner, husband. If you’ll have me.”

Apophis smiles at her as he presses his forehead against hers. “Of course I-”

*Ahem* “It is your parents’ jurisdiction, Apophis…” Asherah reminded.

“Oh, right.”

Abaddon lets a small smile slip. “I would be happy to have her.”

Hera is next to stand up, surprising Zeus, but not Prometheus.

He grabs her arm to stop her from leaving.

“You would dare renounce your heritage..? For those creatures from the dark-”

The air turns insufferable almost instantly.

Dark red miasma pours into the sky, turning the whole world into a vision of a bloody afterlife.

Mateo is a monster in every sense of the word. His anger alone is great enough to split the planet into two with just a thought.

His macuahitl appears beside him from thin air.

The serrated obsidian edges sharpen themselves in anticipation of the blood that is to be shed.

“…I would recommend that you take your hands off my sister-in-law.” Seras says coldly. “That is, unless you want to perish before the End War even begins.”

Zeus is aptly flustered.

This is his first time seeing sight of Hera in thousands of years. And before he can even get a word in, she stands up to renounce him and their entire way of life.

He could not swallow such immense disrespect.

“Zeus. Release her.”

Prometheus’ voice is hard and without any room for argument.

Zeus begrudgingly lets go of Hera, and she rips her hand away.

Prometheus dusts off Hera’s shoulders before nodding at her.

“Go. Be well.”

Hera smiles beautifully. It is a sight that most Greeks have not seen from her in a very long time.

She turns to face the crowd.

“I renounce the Greek Pantheon and all privileges that are entitled to me. I wish to live out the rest of my days under the banner of the Abyssal Gods… if you would have me.”

Lisa’s smile is welcoming and warm. “As if you even needed to ask. You have been one of us long before now. Come.”

Hera reappears beside her husband and pregnant wife.

She throws her arms around them both, hugging them so tightly that it seems as though she is never going to let go.

Abaddon looks towards the very top of the Greek pantheon.

There, Nyx sits in her throne beside the other primordial gods.

He waits for her to say something. Anything.

But she does not.

Instead, the smile she gives him is sweet and sad.

Instantly, he understands.

Nyx is a foundational entity of the Greek pantheon. Her leaving would be a loss of much of their power.

Her children’s bloodlines ran deep. Nearly every Greek deity, major and minor was descended from her in one way or another.

She did not approve of everything that they did. But she could not so easily turn her back on them either.

Abaddon understood that. He respected it.

He placed his fist over his chest.

Nyx, slightly surprised, does the same.

In that moment, it seemed as though an oath was made.

No matter what, the two would never be enemies. Their bond of friendship would stand strong against any test or trial.

Abaddon wouldn’t be surprised if she still came over for dinner after all of this…

“Is there anyone else who would like to declare for another?” Asherah asked.

It was no surprise that there were many gods who wanted to declare for the Nevi’im. They were currently the favorites to win the End War after all.

However, once three gods made their offer and were rejected, the gods became less inclined to make their declarations.

It wasn’t worth it to be rejected and earn the scorn of your entire pantheon as well.

“My sisters and I would like to renounce Hell’s Legions and join the Abyss.”

Lilith finally stood up with all of her sisters at her back.

Smiling at her, Abaddon started to wave his hand for her to come over.

But a single voice stepped on all of his plans.

“Sorry, but… I don’t accept that.”