1 1.The Breeding Plan

That first-morning sun was stunning after six months of night. Its rays made mesmerizing streaks in the sky as the crimson fingers of dawn bled the azure into pink and yellow.

Feeling excited, General Hazug of the Renegades broke out of the heart of a volcano in the lands that belong to Norway at year five of the first millennia AD.

In his glee, the fallen angel did not care for controlling his fire, and the snow around the mountain peek rumbled in displeasure. However, the dangerous mountain stayed quiet. No explosion happened even if the demon general let out his inner fiery nature.

He flew up to meet his legions of demonic soldiers in the blue sky, preparing his victory speech.

His fellow generals were in the volcano yet but the plan was a go. Hazug would never confess but he was relieved. For a few moments during the meeting, he was afraid Ular would cut off the idea, but their leader agreed.

The masses of Renegades watched Hazug's lightning speed, allowing the blaze of their inner flames lend heat to the celestial expanse.

Fire is the essence of every angelic being, and so are their weapons. The demons' swords brought up orange hues to the clouds and declared the metaphysical nature of the crowd suspended in wait.

The Earth's sky is where the fallen angels live their condemned existence on Earth. They don't need a home, and sometimes accept humans' gifts but the air is where they have their strongholds.

Hazug's was in the coldest lands of the north.

That was a weird day for the renegades since their downfall from the heavens.

General Hazug was invariably in the worst likely character, making the explosive ascension unusual.

Since they became outcasts, the abominable creature was never enthusiastic. He never enjoyed whatever fun was possible in their exile.

Hazug's legions knew their leader as a somber General. Yet that morning he was in an out-of-the-ordinary mood: he looked overjoyed.

Little did they know, General Hazug delighted in the view of their large group and the immense number of possibilities it meant.

As if examining the contingents for the first time, he was proud. His eyes had a self-congratulatory gleam as they perused the horde.

"We are millions-and my battalions alone," the demon general thought.

His wolfish grin spread wider and more elated as he beamed at the crowd. Then he drew his sword to call for their attention.

The enormous mob quieted, the fidgeting among them ceased, and silence fell.

Hazug's thunderous voice reached the ends of the gargantuan army. He put words to his feelings.

"We got to Earth as cast-out losers."

The throng of soldiers murmured, aggravated. Their commander was poking old wounds, and it was a treacherous game to play. The Renegades were creatures who had nothing else to lose and existed to kill and destroy. The leader's speech sounded like a rebuke.

Hazug hated the humans and was violent and merciless but they could never predict such attitude towards them. The words riled the demons up.

Hazug worked to turn the mob into a cauldron of old hate and unforgettable despair.

He went on.

"Some of you even wish you could move back to the sacred city. You miss the Father's stability and power, but it is pointless. He will never forgive us. Don't pretend otherwise. All the generals know you regret your judgment when you decided to be by our side," he announced.

No living thing could predict the aftereffects of such uncalled aggression.

Colonel Forakta bared his teeth, and his eyes narrowed to crinkled slits. He split his attention between his General and his fellow soldiers. Whatever the mob did, he would be ready, so he drew his blades. The short dagger and the huge scimitar blazed as he located himself by his general.

Hazug smiled at Forakta. His astute gaze regarded the fire in the weapons of his battalions. The thousands of flaming swords flared up in rage and fear.

"We don't blame you for what happened," he bellowed. "We battled but lost. A few years passed, and our wounds are still fresh. If I remind you that is to offer you an opportunity of revenge."

The buzz among the companies grew. The officers twitched and muttered as Hazug's crooked smile turned his face into a mask of mischief.

"That old hunger must return to our flames. I want you eager!"

When he shouted the old call to arms, the turmoil boiled up. The raw memories rattled the troops. The vile General sensed ire, nostalgia, despair.

"Perfect," he told himself as he explained. "The Father gives the humans a second chance we never had. They can murder, live in debauchery, plunder, maim, and yet they will enter our city, the heavenly home we lost. The Father cut us from His power, so we need to steal flames to survive. We became predators of our fellows and the humans receive gifts and protection! We lost everything! It is outrageous!"

The Renegades' uproar was deafening.

Hazug's words galvanized rage and murderous desires. So the devious speaker used animosity in his speech.

"This was not an ordinary meeting. I flew from a war council."

Forakta was so surprised his fists loosened. He forgot his weapons and his intention of standing by his General. "What for," he blurted out.

"I sought five other Generals to unite forces with us and we will give back. It will be memorable."

Hazug silenced to allow the troops time to speculate.

Every soldier speculated over the names. Their General dragged his hawkish gaze over the perplexed crowd. He was waiting for their reaction and he did not need to wait long.

One soldier, Captain Avsky, hollered the question, breaking the mounting tension. His strong and determined voice cut through the swelling noise. "Who are the other generals?".

Hazug smirked. His eyes wandered with disturbing diligence to take inventory of his troops. They quieted once again under such scrutiny.

He looked pleased to have their undivided attention and raised a fist. So, punching the air he numbered the vicious traits with satisfaction.

"The boldest, most formidable, ruthless, and destructive leaders in the Renegades' army will fight along with us. We have a plan to crush and slaughter millions and we will carry it out under the Law. The Allegiants will have to watch and do nothing!"

The multitude roared. Their battle cries echoed and thunder and lightning cut the sky.

"Be proud my legions! The idea was mine! Rejoice! You're the hordes under General Hazug! Your leader never forgets your humiliation and never gives up. I am offering you your revenge!"

The hordes were ready to jump into battle.

Using their excitement, Hazug made the condemned council meeting play on the clouds. The memory was precise and meant death.

The other generals assembled for the council caused the soldiers to hoot and cheer. That group would deliver pain to their enemies.

Gathered in the boiling lava chamber were Darah the bat, and right beside him was the Jaguar demon, Skog.

The most impressive of them was the flying serpent. His large feathered rainbow-like wings rested flat on his back, as the creature waited on a flat crystal. The rings of his monumental, round frame with black glittering scales were immovable.

The hordes knew he could fly faster than lightning, and his veneer of quietness did not fool them. They had seen him in battle and it was terrifying.

The Lord of the conference place was Orn, the eagle. He was the master over volcanoes, boiling water, and melted rock and stood as the host to the demonic meeting. He perched on a fine elevation, a few feet above the others.

He talked first, chirping and trilling as his bird-like head bobbed.

"Hazug's proposal means trouble. I predict the Father's reaction if we join our skills and draw on them at once."

Darah lifted a lip showing his long fangs that hampered his rant. "I gain nothing with your idea, Hazug."

The evil General ignored the shot down as Skog growled with mirth at the harsh words. "Our blood-thirsty friend was never polite, but I can't deny his point. He kills and his followers believe themselves alive. Even if he drinks humans dry and they lose their souls they love him."

Darah snorted. "It is because, under my power, a dead body looks like a living soul. They are too stupid to see they are dead. What's the point in entering your plan to kill humans? I do it every day."

Hazug smirked and did not seem to mind his comrades' lack of respect.

"Think about numbers, Darah. And you too, Skog. Together we can smash the body and the souls of millions. They will come to us of their free will."

Orn screeched. "I do it when I burst one of my babies. Volcanoes are natural at spreading death."

"You destroy bodies, Orn. I want much more," Hazug said.

Then he turned to the only one who stayed mute, watching. "What do you think, Ular?"

The most deadly among the fallen, and their leader slithered closer. His massive, cylindrical body created a lustrous black heap.

A gentle whisper sounded as his multicolored feathered wings fluttered. He reared his colossal head and hissed, his forked tongue caressed the air.

Everything in him was charming, gentle, hypnotizing. His charming voice soothed.

"Don't take me wrong, Hazug. I empathize. You swore revenge. But you waited for thousands of years. I can't figure out why you seek our aid and why now."

Hazug resisted the snake's power and measured his fellow General. "You are so powerful, Ular, but you seem adapted to this situation. Your empire among the humans is so sophisticated. You enjoy their adoration too much. They make you lazy. And forgiving."

Ular's vertical pupils locked on the also vertical ones of Hazug.

Ular's were yellow and black magnets, revealing the creature's hypnotic ability. Trembling in the oblong depths was unbelievable suffering to his enemies. Every general inside the volcano watched the exchange full of reluctant admiration.

The most powerful of the Renegades flapped his wings and towered over his evil cohort.

Hazug left the offense waft in the air. He did not flinch when Ular flapped his wings and towered over him.

The others froze, but Ular only responded in his calm voice. "I am not lazy, Hazug. I can command the human's senses and dominate the mind. I can do it to humans or angels, but Free Will is the specific statute the Creator enforces. What use does the skill have for me after the Free Will Law?"

"You spend your time reveling in the humans' worship and you don't see what happens in the world, Ular. Otherwise, I never rest."

Skog growled. "This kind of words will take you nowhere, Hazug."

"Skog," Hazug smirked. "I see I struck a sore spot because you also have your empire in the forest."

"The craving for souls you rise in the humans is daunting, Hazug. You turn humans into soul leeches. You can move on with your plans all by yourself. You don't require us."

"Thank you, Skog. You are a flatterer. However, even if our unique skills are powerful, each one of us alone has to face the reality. We are not enough against the more powerful Allegiant generals. They have their fire replenished, we don't. Ular is the most atrocious and the only one who can win alone."

Silence enveloped every creature in the cave. It was not a secret that the entire creation feared Ular. Added that to their obvious case, Hazug stated facts.

However, the serpent caught Hazug's manipulation of complimentary words and ignored it. He also pretended the others' fearful reaction when Hazug emphasized his power did not happen.

He reasoned. "Let's focus on the matter that brought us here. I still don't follow why you need us, Hazug."

Darah glanced at the formidable snake General. He always avoided their leader's eyes.

"I agree with Ular. Explain yourself, Hazug."

"The time for our revenge is now. The Father's patience with the humans is wearing thin. It's a matter of time before His wrath falls on them.

The fallen angels beamed, and Skog growled. "Yeah, I delight watching the Allegiance's disappointments. The Father and his armies look after them and the vile bags of dirt join us."

Hazug nodded. "You answered Darah's question, Skog. The suitable time for my project is now. We can throw in a considerable punch."

Ular hissed a warning signal. "I am no fool. I have the only skill the Creator won't excuse if put to use. What you ask me is to sabotage myself, Hazug."

General Hazug knew it was coming. He pried his eyes off the monstrous black snake and scanned the other Generals' faces. Distrust and curiosity surrounded him.

Ular's oblique eyes met Hazug's again. A metallic, mesmerizing gleam spelled mistrust.

Hazug explained, to pacify his horrid pal. "I don't expect you to do it. None of us will use our talents. Not in person. I intend to prepare a warlock to do it instead. I want us to have an heir."