Chapter 1

Humanity had taken advantage of the Angels’ generosity. They pinned them against one another in their wars, and the Demons took the opportunity to feed on Human souls freely. The Creator of Everything had had enough. Two Thousand years ago, the Creator decreed that Mortals would no longer be able to see Immortals.

~

“Carsin! Swear to me, with every ounce of your soul, that you will come back.” Elizabeth’s voice trembled with raw, tangible fear and desperation as she twisted Carson’s brown hair in her fingers. Elizabeth, a young maiden with scarlet hair with eyes like the greenest forest, was the most enchanting in the village. Carson, his heart burdened with the weight of the impending battle, held her close after he gazed into her anxious eyes.

“Of course, my love. You are the beacon that will guide me back. I promise to return, no matter the odds.” He kissed her on her forehead, his eyes filled with a resolute determination that seemed to light a fire within him and headed off with other men armed for war.

The Kingdom their village belonged to had been thrusted into a brutal war with a neighboring Kingdom, and a few of the Archangels had sided with the enemy. The Angels that had once been their protectors had begun to retreat, a chilling sign of the escalating danger that loomed over them. They did not dare fight against Heaven’s best warriors.

After years of fighting, Carsin looked around him and saw his comrades and fellow men broken and dead.  They had been ambushed.  He fell to his knees, seeing no hope for his own life, but he clapped his hands together and prayed one last time.

“Dear Heavenly Father, please spare our families of the pain and suffering that may fall upon them… Please.. spare us the death that approaches and allow us to return safely home….” He whispered aloud as the sound of horses and feathered wings approached, most likely the enemy coming to kill off survivors. “Please…” he sobbed out, “Someone help… I do not want to die..”

“Is that any way for a warrior to act?” questioned a male voice.

Carsin’s head shot up to meet a man with white hair dressed in unusual attire and black feathered wings folded behind him. Carsin’s gaze met his to see the white eyes of a predator. Carsin jumped back and held a dagger toward the man.

“Who are you? Friend or foe?!” Carsin demanded to know.

“I’m here to help you. . . You called, after all. As for who I am, my name is Apollyon.” said the man. “I’m here in place of my brother, Lucifer. He feels your pain and wants to help you. Just take my hand, and you will make it home.” He then offered his hand.

Carsin stared at his hand. ‘Lucifer, The Devil, wants to help me? But if this is true, I will be able to see her again...’

The sound of men yelling out took Carsin away from his thoughts. Apollyon’s hand was still out, not affected by the noise. Carsin was hesitant but eventually grabbed his hand. Suddenly, a red glow and black smoke appeared between their hands. Carsin felt a sharp pain in his palm and saw blood dripping. As the blood hit the ground, it turned black and then to smoke. He looked back up at the man to be met with glowing white eyes.

“Your soul now belongs to Lucifer.” That was all he said before Carsin’s vision became blurry, and he fell unconscious.

Carsin didn’t know how long he was unconscious but woke to men talking.

“What do we do with him? He already looks dead.”

“Kill the man already. Put him out of his misery. We are not taking prisoners anyway.”

“Aye, sir!”

Carsin’s eyes shot open, and he jumped up, making the men jump back in surprise. He felt different but stronger. He felt better. He didn’t notice at the moment, but Carsin’s brown hair had faded to pitch black, and his eyes glowed red. They had become slit-like. He grabbed his dagger from the ground and launched himself at the nearest warrior, stabbing him in the neck. Two Angels flew over to assist the warriors as they sensed dark energy. One of the Angels slashed his sword at Carsin, but he caught it and pulled it out of the Angel’s hands. Carsin noticed that the blade felt warm. The two Angels stood there in shock. Carsin wasted no time and attacked the two Angels, plunging the sword into the stomach of one and his dagger into the other’s throat. The two Angels faded away quickly, as many Angels did when critically injured. The rest of the men retreated quickly, screaming that there was a demon. Carsin gave chase.

Soon, most enemy warriors were dead, and some had their limbs ripped off. Carsin was breathing hard but slowly calmed down. His hair faded back to brown, as did his eyes. He then turned around to see the rest of his comrades cheering; none of them had just witnessed the brutal attack Carsin had performed. Johnathan, an old friend, walked up to him with a slight limp.

“I’m not sure how you did it, Carsin, but you did.” Carsin looked across the field to see that the enemy had ended their attack.

“They left us alive?” Carsin questioned.

“I guess so. I say that we head home. It is obvious that our Kingdom lost.”

After handing his gear to the armory, Carsin walked home, ready to see his love. He stepped inside and stopped when he heard a man’s slurred voice. Carsin began to walk again towards the man’s voice only to see that he had pinned Elizabeth to the wall with his own body. That same power surge from before flared up in Carsin, and all the candles went out. He quickly got behind the man and grabbed his tunic.

“Let her go.” He pulled the man away from her and threw him through the window. The man landed on the ground with a loud thud.

“Carsin, thank you! I do not know what he was trying to do, but I’m joyous you came along-” She looked up at Carsin only to stop and stare at him. He wasn’t paying attention to her; he was already going through the window to get to the man. “Carsin. . . ?”

A crowd had already gathered around the man and was trying to help him up, but with a swift hand movement, they were all knocked back by a cloud of black smoke. One in the crowd, Johnathan looked up at Carsin with eyes full of terror. Carsin’s teeth had become like daggers; his eyes glowed blood red with black smoke whipping around him.

“Get up.” Carsin spat at the man.

“W-what happened to you?” His voice was shaking as he spoke.

“Carsin! Stop!” Elizabeth ran out in front of him. “Please do not hurt him. He just had too much to drink. It is not his fault.” she pleaded. Carsin frowned and held her hands to his chest.

“No one shall touch you like that. Anyone who does will pay.” The last part came out as a growl.

“Monster!” Carsin looked towards the outburst only to see archers aiming their arrows at him. They released their arrows. People screamed, but Carsin dodged the arrows easily. However, he froze when he saw Elizabeth fall. He rushed over to catch her.

“Elizabeth?” She doesn’t respond. “Elizabeth!” Carsin began to shake her slightly.

“Carsin. . . no matter what they call you, I still love you. . .” Her voice faded away as she closed her eyes. Carsin blacked out in rage.

People ran as fast as they could away from the monster, but no one got far. He was too fast for them. People were being ripped apart, and blood covered the buildings and ground. Johnathan knew he had to do something. His friend had turned into a monster. He ran to the armory and grabbed a sword. In the village, Johnathan found Carsin standing over a man with his throat ripped out. He took the opportunity to run up and plunged his sword through Carsin’s back. The blade had gone through his heart, and blood started to drip from Carsin’s mouth. Johnathan pulled the sword out, and they both fell to the ground.

~

Mors jolts awake from his bed, his breath heavy with the weight of his dream. He runs his hands over his face, pushing back the inky strands of his hair. His gaze sweeps across his chambers, memories of a distant past flickering in his mind. ‘It has been an eternity since that memory resurfaced...’ he muses, his scarred chest a testament to that night.

His attention goes toward the door when he hears a knock. His scout, Inferna, enters the room. Her red and orange hair is tied back into a ponytail, with two strands left surrounding her face. She’s wearing her usual black tunic that fades to red and orange at the ends, black pants, and dark brown combat boots.

“Are you alright, Master?” she asks, walking towards the bed. Scouts like Inferna, who connect mentally with their masters, serve as personal bodyguards and assistants, their thoughts and emotions intertwined in a unique bond.

“I’m fine.” Mors answers while getting out of bed. “Have you already sorted and distributed the lists?” He asks her while getting dressed. Putting on black slacks, a black dress shirt with a dark maroon vest, and black combat boots. He pulls a necklace with a dark chain and red gemstone from under his shirt.

“Yes, all reapers have been given their assigned list of souls to reap.” Mors drapes a long black cloak over his shoulders and clasps it with a silver clip in the shape of his demonic symbol, a triquetra. Inferna holds out a small black book. “And here is yours, Master.” Mors takes the book and flips through it. “His Highness has also requested a meeting with all Demon Deities this afternoon.”

Mors rolls his eyes, “What about?”

“Certain issues have come to his attention within the city.”

“Most likely political then.” sighs Mors. “Alright, I am going to Earth.”

“Before you go, one of your advisors here wishes to speak with you.”

Mors gives her a look, “And you said that I would listen to them?”

“It has been quite some time since you have, sir.”

Mors sighs, “Fine. I will meet them in my study.”

Mors’s study has dark hardwood floors, and the walls are covered with bookshelves full of death records. On the opposite side of the door sits his ebony desk with stacks of paperwork. Paperwork that determines whether a soul will go to Purgatory or be distributed out in Hell as food. Demons do not need to sleep or eat food normally but must maintain energy. They do this mainly by consuming souls; when this isn’t possible, Demons will sleep to build their energy back up. This method takes much longer. One soul could give a Demon a week of energy, but one hour of sleep will only provide a Demon thirty minutes. Although, it is common for Demons to sleep for fun.

Mors sits at his desk and listens to one of the advisors, key figures in the decision-making process, talk about needing to supply Hell with souls faster while Inferna stands next to the door. Advisors are the ones who check if everything is in line; their insights and recommendations are crucial to maintaining the balance of power in Hell. This one is dressed in a black suit and has short black hair and red eyes.

“Hell’s denizens are in need of souls that you are slacking on providing and-”

“I am not slacking.” Mors cut off the advisor with a sharp tone. This caused the advisor to jump.

“With all due respect, sir. The amount of souls distributed has decreased over the years…” the advisor timidly says.

Mors rolls his eyes, “The previous amount was overdone. The amount now is sufficient to sustain Hell. Hell’s residents are being gluttonous.”

“Lady Libitina was able to distribute more easily…” whispered the advisor to himself.

Mors’s eyes narrowed, and he started to growl, “What was that?”

“Nothing, s-sir!” Stuttered the advisor. “I-I’ll take m-my leave now, s-sir..”

Mors pinches the bridge of his nose as the advisor quickly leaves, “This is going to be brought up in the meeting, is it not?” 

“It most likely will be.” Confirmed Inferna.

Mors, his resolve firm, declares, “I am setting out to collect souls now.” His voice carries a weight of responsibility, a duty he must fulfill.

“Shall I accompany you?”

“No, I will be fine on my own.  I need you to take care of some things in the city for me.” Mors picks up a pen and a piece of paper and quickly writes a list.  He hands the paper to Inferna and then makes a motion with his hand, and a portal of black and red opens up in front of him. “Notify me when the meeting starts.” Inferna nods to her master as he walks through the portal, ready to embark on the task of reaping souls, which requires precision.

Mors steps through the portal onto the roof of a tall building in Kansas City. He looks over the edge and watches the cars driving through traffic and pedestrians walking on the sidewalks. He takes the black book out of his pocket and flips it open to read the first name on his list, the name of a soul, its ethereal glow illuminating the page.

David W. Segers - Age: 35

Kansas City, Missouri

Time - April 8, 2000, 07:46 AM UTC

Cause of Death - Internal Bleeding caused by a Car Accident

“David W. Segers,” Mors says aloud. His eyes suddenly glow red as he scans below him. He spots a man, surrounded by a dark gray aura, driving down the road. “There you are.”

Black smoke surrounds Mors as he jumps from the building’s ledge. He transforms into a ball of black smoke and dives straight for the car. Mors reformulates himself in the back seat of the vehicle. David feels a strange presence behind him and checks his rearview mirror to see an empty back seat. He shrugs it off and continues driving, not noticing that the traffic light has changed from green to red. A moving truck from the adjoining street could not stop in time and crashed into the driver’s side of David’s car. Mors turns into smoke to avoid injury and then stands on top of the car’s hood after it has stopped. He summons his scythe to his hand.

“How unfortunate,” Mors says in a bored tone as the scythe’s blade glows red. He swings it through the man, and a dark gray orb is ripped out of him. “To Limbo, you go to be judged.” Mors looks down at the man, who has passed away, and sighs tiredly. He desummons his scythe and starts to walk away. He walks through the crowd of people; they don’t notice him, and he begins to read the next person in his book.

Mors is an Immortal and, like all other Immortals, cannot be seen by Mortal eyes. Immortals can be broken down into two different races: Angels and Demons. Each can be broken down further since they each have their hierarchy.

Angels are broken down into Angels, Warrior Angels, Archangel, and Dominions. There are seven Archangels and four Dominions at a time, and they rule over Heaven as a council.

Demons are broken down into six power levels, the strongest being Alpha Demons or Demon Deities. They are the rulers of Hell, and there are eight at a time. However, Lucifer was imprisoned in Hell when he rebelled against Heaven thousands of years ago. He took that time to conquer it. He enslaved seven Demon Deities with cursed necklaces that act as collars. Enslaving their leaders meant controlling their kingdoms. Lucifer stole half of the remaining Deity’s power and used a Human named Carsin to house it, making his own Demon Deity. After many years, Lucifer was able to capture the last Demon Deity.

Lucifer became a Fallen Archangel when he was cast out and joined by his Fallen Angel army. They follow the same rankings as the Angels, except for Dominions. Currently, Lucifer rules over Hell in its entirety.

The Dominions and Demon Deities embody different elements in the world. The four Dominions represent the aspects of Mercy, Peace, Order, and Light. The eight Demon Deities embody the elements of Water, Fire, Earth, Air, Lightning, Chaos, War, and Darkness. They each have their duties to balance Humanity and the planet.

Mors is the Demon Deity of Darkness, the vessel containing half of the Deity’s power. He captured and enslaved the previous Darkness Deity, Libitina. She serves as a general to Mors’s armies and helps with political matters.  Their relationship started as Master and slave but has grown into a partnership.