Major Demons (22 page)

CHAPTER 48

Gangrene met with his middle demons and presented what he hoped would be a compelling speech in favor of helping Shadow. He tried to find ways to appeal to their self-interest since he knew loyalty would be a failing argument. Then he called for a vote. Four middle demons voted to help Shadow and five voted to return to Hell. Gangrene could have voted himself and then made the decision when the results were a tie, but he let the vote stand.

“We’ll go to the Dragon, I’ll become a major demon, and then we’ll return to Hell to claim our share of Astaroth’s and Nightmare’s armies and treasure.”

As the middle demons filed out, Raven looked angry.

“We’ve discussed this before, Raven. We have to put ourselves ahead of Shadow and your sister. I have to do what’s best for my armies and the department.”

“And you think your middle demons know what’s best? You’re their leader. You decide what’s best. You could have overruled their vote.”

“And had five middle demons plotting to kill me the second we start fighting on Shadow’s side? I don’t think so. The other four only voted to help Shadow because they knew it’s what I wanted. They’ll be fine with returning to Hell.”

“Fine. You want to be a major demon. I know we’ve already discussed this. We have to do what’s best for us… but Gangrene…”

“Yes?”

“Find a way to help them anyways.”

“Like how?”

“You’ll think of something.”

Within a few days, Gangrene had tracked down the Dragon and his armies. When they entered the camp, they were stopped by one of the giants.

“No one comes in unless they have a scythe. The Dragon isn’t interested in talking to anyone else right now.”

Gangrene’s middle demons put their hands on their weapons and waited for Gangrene to give them a signal, but he shook his head.

“Wait outside.”

Raven tried to enter with Gangrene, but the guards shoved her back.

“I’m going in, too.”

“You can’t. I have to do this alone.”

“Not gonna happen, Gangrene.”

Gangrene waved Ghoul over.

“She doesn’t follow me in. You’ll keep her outside the Dragon’s camp. Understood?”

Ghoul nodded and motioned for several minor demons to come forward. He pointed at Raven. Raven looked furious, but the demons were able to drag her away without any further resistance. The giant turned and led Gangrene to the Dragon’s tent. When Gangrene entered, he saw that the Dragon looked uncomfortable on his throne. Gangrene kneeled.

“I am Gangrene, successor to the fallen major demon, Leech. I was a minor demon under Shadow and a middle demon under Leech. My position as major demon of idolatry is uncontested. I have the support of the nine middle demons in my army. I request that my position be made official.”

“This couldn’t wait until I was back in Hell.”

“Apologies, Great Dragon, but it couldn’t. The demons are at war. Leech and Astaroth are dead. Shadow and Lilith have renounced their positions and their armies. I want the official powers that come with the scythe. I need to put an end to what’s going on down there.”

“If the reports I’ve heard are true,
you
killed Astaroth. You think you can restore some semblance of order in Hell?”

“Honestly, Great Dragon, I don’t. I just hope to be the last major demon standing. The armies of Murmur, Jess, and Aim are weak. Astaroth’s armies are leaderless. Nightmare is using his berserker scythe and failing to lead his armies. We’ll be down to less than a thousand demons within a few weeks.”

The Dragon shifted in his seat and winced. Gangrene started to suspect that he had been injured.

“If I may ask, Great Dragon, why are you still up here? Killing Abaddon doesn’t seem like it should be a priority.”

“What do you know of priorities? Your sole concern is to rule over a dying kingdom. I have my reputation to think of. No one escapes from the lowest circle of Hell. Not even the son of Michael.”

“Reputations can easily survive on lies. I know Shadow plans on killing his father and there’s a good chance he can. I know you’ve fought Abaddon already. We just say that
you
killed him instead of Shadow.”

“How do you know that I’ve fought him?”

“The injury you’re trying to hide. Unless Michael is running around on Earth somewhere, I imagine it came from Abaddon.”

“Very perceptive. I’m not amused that you figured it out.”

“Great Dragon, please return to Hell while there’s still a Hell to be ruled over. We need your leadership.”

“And what if Shadow fails to kill his father?”

“At the very least, Shadow will injure him. Send up assassins to finish the job. You can make this a win-win situation if you want to. Stop demons from killing each other off in Hell and then claim victory on Earth.”

“If Shadow fails, I’m sending the Six up here with their armies to finish Abaddon off. I’m not risking my own army again until Armageddon.”

“A wise decision, Great Dragon. We will do as you command.”

“Then it is done. You are the new major demon of idolatry. Return to Hell with my armies.”

Gangrene nodded and left.

CHAPTER 49

Sarah had been watching from the top branches of a tree three days ago when Shadow had brought Leech back from the dead. She knew that Leech’s mind was messed up and had been debating what to do about it. She ultimately decided to pray and ask her grandfather to help them. She wasn’t sure if he would and knew that he would try to find her, but she couldn’t just leave them helpless. Even though she didn’t want to admit, Sarah also knew that with the strength of a nephilim army trapped inside him, Leech might be the more logical candidate to take down Abaddon. As soon as Abaddon was dead, she could return to Shadow and apologize. Sarah bowed her head and began her prayer.

“Grandpa, I know you’re not happy with the choices I’ve made and the creatures I’ve befriended, but Shadow needs your help. They found a way to bring Leech back, but his mind is scrambled and the nephilim are fighting for control. I know you can help him. Please come down here one last time for my sake and fix him. In the end, I think it could save humanity.”

As soon as Sarah had finished her prayer, she grabbed the berserker staff and ran off into the night.

Gabriel entered the berserker camp and made his way towards Shadow’s tent. When demons got in his way, he shoved them aside.

“I don’t have time for this. I need to see Shadow. Now.”

Gabriel entered the tent and drew his sword.

“Where is she? Where’s Sarah?”

Shadow looked up from the book of spells he had been perusing, hoping to find something helpful for Leech.

“How the hell would I know? She stole the berserker staff and ran off.”

“She prayed to me asking for help just a few minutes ago. I know she’s around here somewhere.”

“She’ll be long gone by now, Gabriel. She doesn’t want to be found. We’ve tried to find her for days now and can’t even find a trace. If she prayed to you, I guarantee you she’s no longer where she was when she did it. What did she need help with? She obviously isn’t in any danger, because she doesn’t want to be found right now.”

“She wanted me to fix your friend. Something about his brain having issues and nephlim something or other. It’s not really what I focused on.”

Shadow got up from his seat and dropped the book.

“
Can
you help him?”

“I’m sure I could. I just don’t see a reason to save a demon’s life. I hated having to tolerate you for as long as I did.”

“If you fix him, he’ll kill Azazel.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Azazel put him in this condition. He was trying to save his family and friends, so he had to take Azazel down. He nearly got Azazel the last time. If you bring him back, he won’t miss this time. Azazel will go down for good.”

“Didn’t you promise me you would keep her safe? Aren’t you concerned about the baby she’s carrying? Your son or daughter?”

“I didn’t do this. She ran away with the berserker staff so I wouldn’t go berserk on Abaddon. Also… she wasn’t pregnant when I told you that. She might be now though.”

“I should just kill you and be done with all of this.”

“We’ve played that game. It didn’t solve anything. She’s safe, Gabriel. She’s trained as a berserker now.”

“You let berserker demons train her? What’s wrong with you?”

“Are you going to help Leech or not? You don’t hold the cards anymore, Gabriel. You walked into a camp of berserker demons. Their leader, Adrenaline, has my back. I have two new nephilim recruits, Steam and Weapon. Lilith, Hypnos, and Thanatos are all here, too. I’m in control. I ask the questions.”

Shadow briefly considered mentioning that Samael was with them too, but figured Gabriel might haul him back to Heaven. He wasn’t exactly sure how Samael left Heaven and didn’t want to complicate things.

“I’m tired of you, Shadow. I’m tired of your lies and I’m tired of deals that never end up working to my advantage. So I’ll help you, but not simply because my granddaughter asked me to. You’ll give something up this time so you can actually start learning what sacrifice is.”

“I guess we can skip past the fact that I’m sacrificing more than any of the angels to put down the greatest threat Earth has ever seen. What do you want?”

Gabriel didn’t hesitate.

“Michael’s armor. It has sentimental value to the Heavens. It never should have left his possession. I want it back.”

“This was a gift to me from Persephone, my grandmother.”

“Maybe that’s true. Maybe it isn’t. With you, I never know. I honestly don’t care at this point. You have my terms. I’m turning your question back on you. Am I going to help Leech or not? It’s your call, Shadow.”

Shadow gathered up his armor, placed it in a large sack, and handed it over to Gabriel.

“Do it. My friends mean more to me than shit like armor.”

“I have to say, I didn’t expect that. That’s the first halfway decent thing you’ve ever said that I actually believe. If only you had kept your promise to protect my granddaughter with the same zeal… we wouldn’t have to make trades like this.”

“If you fail, I’ll take the armor back and then I’ll kill you. I’ll only allow you to be here as long as you’re useful. Fix Leech and the armor is all yours.”

“Deal, but please remember that we both know you can’t kill me.”

Gabriel placed his hand on Leech’s forehead and entered his mind.

CHAPTER 50

Adrenaline had received word from one of his spies that the Dragon and his armies were headed towards one of the passages that led back to Hell. Adrenaline immediately went to see Shadow and saw the Archangel Gabriel with his hand on Leech’s forehead in some kind of trance. Adrenaline pointed at the odd scene and looked at Shadow, hoping for an answer.

“Long story. He’s helping us bring Leech back. What do you want, Adrenaline?”

“The Dragon is headed back to Hell. I have reports that he hasn’t been seen in a while. His armies are keeping him hidden. I’m guessing Abaddon injured him. It’s the perfect time to strike and take him down for good.”

“I can’t go after him. Killing Abaddon has to be my priority.”

“You gave me your word you would help us with the Dragon.”

“That was never our deal. I told you he was my enemy. Our deal was that I would take care of Azazel. That’s exactly what we’re going to do once Leech is back. Then we move on to Abaddon.”

“Maybe our agreement was not clear enough. It doesn’t matter. I’m glad I trained you and I hope you rid the world of Azazel and Abaddon. I can’t stay with you, though. My army will go after the Dragon. Would you consider sending someone with us?”

“Do you have someone specific in mind?”

“Muan. His transformation powers combined with the abilities of a berserker would make him a valuable warrior. I would offer him a middle demon position in my army.”

“I’ll discuss it with him. If he decides to go with you, he should be able to catch up fairly easily. Don’t slow your pace on Maun’s account. One more thing before you leave…”

Shadow went to the side of his bed and grabbed a sword. He handed it over to Adrenaline.

“Sarah left this when she ran off with the berserker staff. It’s one of the two swords crafted by Azazel for Scapegoat. I know it’s not the same as what you had… but still…”

Shadow handed the sword over to Adrenaline. Adrenaline took the sword and then held out his hand.

“Thanks, Shadow. I hope we see you again someday.”

Adrenaline turned and left. He took his berserker army and went after the Dragon.

When Gabriel transported inside Leech’s mind, he fell through the air and landed in swamp water. He grabbed at some reeds and lifted himself to his feet.

“Wow. I knew demons had filthy minds, but I had no idea it was going to be this bad.”

Gabriel waded through the swamp waters until he heard what sounded like a fight and turned to head in that direction. He saw Leech fighting a large swamp monster made of vines, plants, and miscellaneous swamp garbage. Leech didn’t seem to be making any progress; he continued to hack at vines without inflicting any damage. Gabriel ran at the swamp creature and drove his sword into the ground right in front of it. The monster divided into the nephilim that had formed it as it sailed backwards in the air. Gabriel removed the golden chain he had brought with him and threw one end of it to Leech.

“We’re going to bind them with this and then throw them in the pit where they were keeping you a prisoner.”

“Who the fuck are you?”

“Does it matter right now? You can either accept my help or lose to the swamp garbage beast over there.”

Leech nodded.

“I’m in. How do we get back to the pit though? They brought me here to this swamp…”

“This is your mind, Leech. Focus on the pit and the area surrounding it. You can take us back.”

Leech focused on the pit and the grassy area surrounding it. Leech and Gabriel were transported, with the nephilim, to the area. When they arrived, Leech got hit hard in the chest by one of the nephilim. Gabriel immediately began to wrap the nephilim in the chains while Leech recovered.

“I could use some help. Any time you feel like getting up. No rush. It’s just a battle for control of your mind and body.”

“You’re a really intolerable… wait a second… you’re…”

“Gabriel. Can you multi-task? Maybe connect the dots and bind the nephilim at the same time? Please?”

Leech got to his feet and started wrapping the nephilim in the chain as they attacked. He had to slash at a few with his axe, but they eventually had the entire nephilim army bound. Leech stuck his axe hilt in the ground and rested on the weapon, trying to catch his breath.

“Great. Now how do we get them in the pit?”

“We push. Make sure you’re ready before we start because that’s a lot of nephilim.”

Leech took his time recovering and then let Gabriel know he was ready. The two of them slowly pushed the bound nephilim into the pit. When the nephilim landed at the bottom, Gabriel left Leech’s mind and Leech opened his eyes.

Gabriel collected the sack containing Michael’s armor and turned to leave. Shadow stuck Damnation in his face and shook his head.

“Not until I know he’s back.”

At the sound of Shadow’s voice, Leech tilted his head up. He got off the table and ran to hug his friend.

“Shady! I knew you wouldn’t let me stay dead!”

Shadow pulled back Damnation and addressed Gabriel.

“Take the armor and get the fuck out.”

As Gabriel was leaving, Lilith brought Lucia into Shadow’s tent.

“Shadow, she’s teething. Do you have something for her to bite?”

When Lilith saw who Shadow was hugging, she ran to him and shoved Shadow out of the way. She started crying hysterically and Shadow took Lucia so she wouldn’t accidently crush her between her body and Leech’s. She kissed him, oblivious to everything else, and Shadow took the baby outside so they could have some time alone.