Horns blew across the battlefield deep, ancient, echoing and the demon army halted, then began to retreat.Humanity's army was down to 3,000 warriors.Men, women, and even children all bloodied, bruised, exhausted, but still standing.Lucifer nodded to a demon beside him a demon wearing a remote around his neck.The demon began pressing buttons.Luke yelled:"LINE UP! GET READY FOR AN ATTACK!" The remaining heroes stepped forward scratched, bleeding, barely able to stand.They looked like they had literally walked through hell.Thomas saw Sophie struggling, carrying Pooch's limp body.He ran to her."Sophie!"She forced a smile. "It's okay. I'm fine.""No you're not you have a spear in you."Sophie glanced at her shoulder. "Thanks for noticing."Thomas screamed for a medic."Don't worry I'll get you better. Bite this."He handed her a rag.Sophie bit down Thomas ripped the spear from her shoulder.
Pooch whispered weakly:"Master…"Luke arrived, saw the injuries."Medic! Take them to the safety zone."Sophie shook her head."No… I can fight."Luke said gently "No, you can't. You fought bravely, Sophie. You earned your rest."Thomas held her close."It's okay. Go rest. We can handle it from here."Sophie looked into his eyes."You sure?""Yes."He kissed her deeply.Thomas placed a hand on Pooch's tiny shoulder."You fought well, Pooch."Pooch smiled faintly."Thank you… master…"A medic arrived on horseback Thomas helped Sophie and Pooch onto the horse. The medic rode them toward safety.Sophie looked back Thomas stood there, watching her until she disappeared.Then he turned anger burning in his eyes facing Lucifer. Multiple drones flew into the sky forming a giant square. The army of humanity stared, confused.Ice yelled:"EVERYONE BE CAUTIOUS!"The drones lit up forming a massive screen in the sky.A demon appeared on the broadcast well‑kept, clean, not savage."
We're LIVE! It's time for the MAIN EVENT! Heroes vs the Prince of Darkness LUCIFER!Broadcasting across the WORLD! Winner takes EARTH and dominion over the human race!"The heroes stared at Lucifer like it was a joke.The screen zoomed out showing the battlefield:Lucifer on one side. Humanity's army on the other.A drone zoomed in on Lucifer.Lucifer said:"Heroes… enough bloodshed for one day. Let's settle this with CLASS. Humanity's best heroes… versus ME. And only me." A drone zoomed in on Luke's face broadcasting him worldwide.Survivors humans, demons, mutants watched from every corner of the earth.Luke shouted:"How many heroes can we have?!" Lucifer replied:"As many as you like. But know this the more heroes you send…the more blood will be on YOUR hands, General."Luke hesitated."Who should go…?"Thomas stepped forward. Ice. Blaze. Ace. Fire. Water.Elijah leader of Kwame's village. Luke himself. Steve stepped forward. Albert stepped forward with his shotgun.Light stepped forward."Hey I can't be the only one left out."The injured heroes watched from the sky screen like a massive theater.Then a boy around 15 stepped forward."I can fight, General!"Luke saw the fire in his eyes."I know you can. But if we die… someone needs to lead the future."
The army understood. This was a war between fates.They cheered their heroes their champions their last hope.Lucifer raised his hand."My army… do NOT interfere."He stepped off his throne.Demons crawled on their knees to form steps for him.Lucifer removed his royal robe shirtless now revealing a massive scar across his back.A demon bowed and handed him a blade obsidian, dark, reflective.Lucifer swung it slowly warming up cracking his neck.Then he smiled."Let the MAIN EVENT… begin."