The body of Hades fell like a shattered rock before the entrance of an ancient cave, his body torn and bloodied, upon the dust.
Darkness devoured his consciousness little by little, until he drifted away from the world.
From the depths of the cave, a mysterious figure emerged, his body thin yet imposing, his face a mixture of death and life, his eyes glowing with faint embers.
He approached slowly, knelt beside Hades, and placed his hand upon his chest.
??? (in a deep voice, as if the wind itself spoke):
"You survived the fall… but barely. Had I been any later, you would have been just another corpse."
He lifted Hades' body gently, carrying him into the cave, where he lit a small fire and drew out a bottle filled with a glowing red liquid.
He poured it onto Hades' wounds; smoke began to rise, and the blood hardened like stone before sealing slowly.
Elsewhere…
The mysterious demon walked through the passages leading to a valley of ash.
There, amidst the ruin, he finally found Asmodeus, lying on the ground, his body broken, black blood staining the earth.
Asmodeus raised his head with difficulty, his eyes burning with pride:
Asmodeus (in a hoarse voice):
"Help me, stranger. Take me back to my army… I am the King of Demons… I command you!"
The mysterious demon drew closer, step by slow step. He raised his hand to his iron mask and removed it slowly.
Darkness receded from a face known to all, yet unseen for ages.
Asmodeus (shocked):
"You… Lucifer!!!"
Lucifer smiled coldly, his eyes like coals in the heart of hell, then drew a dagger.
Asmodeus (angrily, reaching out):
"Help me… I am your King!!!"
But Lucifer knelt beside him, his words dripping like venom:
Lucifer:
"You are not my king… you never were."
Without hesitation, he plunged the dagger into Asmodeus' chest.
A piercing scream split the heavens, as a storm of black blood erupted from his body.
Asmodeus (screaming):
"You dare… to stab your king?!!! I… I am Asmodeus!!! King of Hell!!! How dare you, traitor?!!!"
Lucifer smiled as he slowly pulled the dagger free, his eyes cold as death:
Lucifer:
"A king? No… just a puppet clinging to a broken throne. Your role is over."
Asmodeus (screaming):
"You accursed!!!"
Lucifer laughing:
"Oh. I almost forgot… I must deliver your corpse to your father. Kahahaha!"
While Asmodeus was still in shock, Lucifer severed his head.
Narrator:
And so, while Hades was being healed in the cave of the strange entity, Asmodeus fell to a black betrayal at the hands of Lucifer.
---
The Return of the Soldiers to the Kingdoms:
The soldiers marched slowly beneath a clouded sky, carrying their fallen brothers on their shoulders.
The drums beat in steady rhythm, their voices rising like waves unending—half the ranks chanting, the other half answering—until the hymn rose like an eternal cry in the face of death.
Hymn of the Fallen Brothers:
Group One:
Rest, my brother… the sword remembers you,
Your blood a fire that draws our tomorrow.
We bore you upon silent shoulders,
And in that silence, the vow was born.
Group Two:
The battlefield preserves your steps,
Every wound resounds with your call.
You did not die… you remain within us,
Your voice is courage flowing in our blood.
Group Three:
O brothers of blood… fear not the night,
For darkness is shattered before the light.
He who melts into the earth, blossoms within us,
And every tear becomes a lifted sword.
All Together:
Rest in peace… our hero.
Group One:
The battlefield keeps your steps,
Every scar echoes your name.
Group Two:
You did not die… you dwell within us,
Your voice endures, planting courage in hearts.
Group Three:
O brothers of blood… fear not the night,
For darkness is shattered before the light.
All Together (as one cry):
Your spirit lights the path… forever.