Far away, in the Limbo.

It wasn't the first time he hadn't been invited. After all, the devil was an unwelcome being in the celestial domains of Father Divion. There were beings all over the terrestrial world and the divine world who prayed to keep him away, to keep him from their existences. And with good reason: the corruptor could destroy everything they loved, he had his strategies to achieve it.

The devil walked at a very fast pace through the large hall of his dwelling made of translucent black crystal, his pale and bare feet moved without harming themselves on the floor of sharp black stones while his long blond hair and his ethereal tunic swept the mist around him. His castle was his fetid dwelling, his temple of calamity, and Morathor was his home where he moved like a fish in water.

In the distance, a green light flashed over a black ice cliff, where his infernal retinue was waiting for him to leave his domains and head to the limbo. The devil smiled and chuckled as his mind flew from thought to thought. He didn't blame them, it was understandable that the angels hadn't invited him when Divion summoned his celestial troops, but he, Daien, the devil, prince of dusk and chaos, didn't need to be invited. He went wherever he wanted, his law was the only one he respected.

As soon as Bias, the demon who was his general, communicated with him and told him about the summons, he knew he couldn't miss that meeting. He didn't take pleasure in going to the limbo, to that place plagued by angels who wandered trying to help the living beings who had died and refused to leave the Earth, but for nothing in the galaxy could he miss what was going to happen there.

When he arrived at the top of the black ice mountain, along with all his infernal troops, he opened his enormous and majestic black wings to jump into dimensions until he reached the celestial plane, flying between a million realities and worlds until he reached the neutral territory.

The summons was in Zekir, the limbo, a place where a peaceful and silent atmosphere reigned, without disturbances. That was perfect because the devil was not allowed to enter the celestial palace, the limbo was perfect for him.

Behind him, Daien felt his warriors following him, flying like millions of rabid bats that would be ready to act if a fight broke out against the angelic troops.

The devil let the cosmic breeze caress him as he arrived at his destination and his feet landed softly on the warm vapor ground. He smiled as he saw the marble statues, the temples, and the forgotten ruins that characterized the limbo. Always static and forgotten.

Divion and the celestial hierarchies were formed and firm, with their white wings shining under the golden light that seeped between the ruins. The devil narrowed his eyes, blinded by the light that characterized Divion, the sun god who was always present and silent, feeling disgusted.

The father of all observed as they listened to the voice of the devil's older brother, the archangel Likanet, and the devil reminded himself that he would be before him only for an infinitely small fraction of his entire existence. That was a consolation.

"Finally, we have found the place of conflict on Earth," sounded the melodious and thunderous voice of Likanet, dancing to his ears, strong and high, alongside the light rays. His older brother's black eyes showed fierceness and determination, a determination that affirmed they would fight for the protection of humans. Likanet's black hair and skin shone under the light.

"It is on Earth and in all its dimensions that evil is unfolding, but we can protect them. It's certain we can stop it." The devil watched as Likanet hardened his perfect features and exclamations began to be heard among the ranks of the angels. Some held their breath, others exclaimed, and many began to shout and chant with joy.

"We can bring salvation to men, soon they will be able to live their lives in peace. We just need to stop him."

"How beautiful!" the devil thought, starting to laugh with glee, letting his voice tinkle in the air, softly applauding. The silence unfolded in the place, and the ranks of angels turned to look at him. They looked at him with... hatred.

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"Bravo!" —the devil felt entertained and inspired—. "Well done! Humans will be happy and eat partridges."

Likanet hardened his face even more when he became aware of his presence. Even his long, lacy black hair lost its shine.

"You're here."

"Thank you for inviting me" —the devil was smiling—. "I couldn't miss this. It's the most entertaining show I've seen in a million years. Seeing hope in their eyes is... inspiring. Joyful."

Likanet shook his white wings, annoyed. He raised his guard and firmly held his golden sword. The devil didn't need a sword. He walked forward, toward Likanet, while the ranks of angel messengers and warriors stepped aside as if he had a poisonous aura around him. And he did.

They made way for him to pass, opening a path while the devil's bare feet felt the vapor beneath his skin turn icy, dead like everything that came into contact with him.

"Why so much tension? Let me celebrate with you."

"The day of the end of your freedom is approaching" —Likanet released the words like rays—. "Enjoy your free time."

Daien shook his head.

"You can't capture evil, you can't contain death. I'm in everything that lives, my nature is intrinsic to the existence of all living things, I thought you already knew that."

"The end of your empire of evil is approaching. We know what you've been doing, we know how you've been playing with humans for decades, and we'll do something about it. No empire of calamity exists forever."

The devil put on a tired face and sighed.

"Pure fairy tales. You know that doesn't exist, wake up already. Nobody can beat me, it's simply pointless, evil exists and must exist" —Likanet narrowed his eyes and twisted his mouth in an expression of disgust, but Daien hurried to not let him speak—. "The Father lets me do it. There must be a balance between Good and Evil, that's why they let me play my game. Besides, it's fair. Humans choose their destiny with their free will, I don't force them to do anything."

The devil's smile widened.

"Sometimes, they call me and beg me to play. It's exquisite."

"I already know what sick game you're talking about, brother. And I know which humans you're referring to. Up to that point, everything is valid, but we have reasons to believe that you want much more than to play with them, that's why I'm warning you. We're going to stop you" —a growl grew in the archangel Likanet's throat, warning him that they had discovered him.

However, the devil smiled cynically.

"I don't know what you're talking about, brother. I'm not planning anything that's outside of what I can do, you can't forbid me anything. I know how humans are and how they manage their world, don't forget that I've been traveling the Earth and walking through it and all its astral dimensions. I'm always there, it's my favorite place. Seeing humans corrupt themselves is my greatest passion. But that's all."

"Leave now, corruptor!" —an angel shouted from afar, and the others cheered, seconding him—. "You've already done too much harm!"

The devil laughed with glee.

"The Father wants me to be here too. If not, this beautiful gathering wouldn't have taken place in neutral territory. That's why I have every right to stay and share in your joy at the arrival of the end of my freedom."

Likanet took another step forward, and the devil felt how the demons behind him started to hiss and growl. He had succeeded. The fight was about to start, and that was the only way he would feel comfortable. It had been exactly a thousand years since he last fought the angels, and he was eager to be given another opportunity to use his weapons and stretch his wings in combat.

"I warn you, brother. Don't interfere" —Likanet hissed.

Suddenly, the archangel Otris, the devil's other brother, stepped out of one of the ranks and stood between his two brothers. His white hair and eyes shone before the devil's gaze.

"Let there be peace..."

"My dear visionary brother! How long has it been since I last saw you? A thousand years?" The devil smiled at his brother.

"Enough, Daien. You should leave," Otris said, trying to calm the atmosphere. He raised his hands in a sign of truce. "We don't want a fight today."

"Oh, I do. I am chaos."

"You choose to be that way every day..."

The devil's eyes turned serious and profound, while the smile remained on his face, like a grotesque grimace.

"No. I choose chaos because that's the role Divion gave me a long time ago, longer than I can remember. Now, enlighten me. Tell me exactly what you saw." When the devil finished speaking, Otris hesitated.

"No... don't tell him..." Likanet whispered. Without fully making up his mind, Otris finally spoke.