PROLOGUE

In a wasteland under a cloudy sky, a maze of ruined buildings stood, covered in wild plants that had taken over the city. The ground was littered with countless bodies, remnants of previous battles.

In the midst of this devastation, a lone figure staggered forward, a trail of fresh blood painting a path from his forehead. His once-pristine uniform now shredded, hinting at recent conflict.

On his back, he bore the weight of another, an ally whose life force dwindled with every step. The wounded man's head rested heavily on the rescuer's shoulder, every laboured breath echoing with the weight of impending doom.

"Come on, man," the rescuer urged, desperation evident in his voice. "Pull through. We'll make it."

A weak chuckle emanated from the wounded ally. "Not so sure about that, pal..."

"Shut up," the rescuer snapped back. "We'll make it! Trust me. God is with us..."

In response, the fading man began to hum a hymn, a gentle melody that seemed out of place amidst the chaos. "I...surrender...all..."

"What are you doing?" the rescuer hissed, scanning the surroundings for any potential threat.

"I...surrender...all..."

Panic began to rise in the rescuer's voice. "Stop! You're gonna get us caught-"

"All...to thee my...blessed saviour..."

"Shut up..." he pleaded, but his plea was cut short.

Without warning, a gruesome, sharp-nailed hand reached out, enveloping the wounded man's head. Before the rescuer could process what was happening, the head was crushed with a sickening sound, blood splattering onto him.

Frozen in horror, he slowly turned his gaze upwards. Towering above him was a terrifying figure, a creature straight out of a nightmare. With imposing wings and twisted horns, the demon known as Abaddon bore a malicious grin.

Collapsing to his knees, tears of despair flowing freely, the man cried out, "Why...why is this happening...I thought we had God on our side...why haven't we ever been able to lay a finger on them? Why have you forsaken us...Lord?"

Abaddon's grin widened, his voice dripping with malevolence. "He hasn't forsaken you, child...you have forsaken him. But there's nothing wrong with that. It's in your nature to abandon the teachings of God. And until you embrace that nature...you'll never get your planet back."

With one swift motion, the demon seized the man by the neck. A cruel crunch echoed in the silence, and then Abaddon discarded the lifeless body like a ragdoll.

With a sinister smirk, he murmured, "How much longer will that bubble last before it eventually pops, Joseph Abrams..."