Chapter 31: Lucifer

In the realm of the Greek gods, Athena sensed a disturbance, a sudden severance of the divine connection that bound the gods to their chosen champions, the divine hunters. A deep frown etched across her face as she clenched her fists. Something had gone terribly wrong.

In the grand palace of the gods, she swiftly made her way to the imposing throne of Zeus. The air crackled with tension as she approached the almighty ruler. Athena knelt before Zeus, her voice steady but tinged with a hint of anxiety, "I greet the almighty Zeus."

Zeus, seated on his majestic throne, regarded Athena with a piercing gaze. His voice echoed through the celestial chamber, "So, how's our plan going, Athena?"

Athena hesitated for a moment, gathering the strength to deliver the grim news. "That's the reason I'm here, uh... Th-they are all dead."

A thunderous silence followed Athena's revelation, interrupted only by the distant rumbles of celestial energy. Zeus, his countenance darkening, unleashed an intense pressure that permeated the room. Athena, unable to withstand the overwhelming force, flinched and fell to her knees.

As the pressure intensified, Zeus spoke with a tone of disbelief and frustration, "I thought your plan was good and progressing well. Are you telling me it failed just like that?"

Athena, bowing under the weight of Zeus's displeasure, stammered, "I apologize that the pl-plan didn't go well. They're just humans after all, unable to contain our power."

Zeus, his patience wearing thin, demanded, "Now, what are you going to do?"

Athena, still on her knees, replied, "I'm still thinking about the next plan, so please give me time."

Zeus, unimpressed, cautioned, "Your next plan must surpass the effectiveness of the previous one.

"If you fail again, you won't know what will happen to you." With a stern command, Zeus ordered Athena to leave his sight, the weight of disappointment lingering in the celestial air.

After the tumultuous encounter in the divine realm, the scene transitions to Jin Hwa in his room, engaged in a conversation with Lilith. He inquired, "What made you decide to come with me? You're a primordial demon. I can't believe it."

Lilith responded nonchalantly, "Can't believe what? That a demon is now living with you?"

Jin Hwa sighed, "Yeah, because my normal life became a mess after I decided to end it all, and out of nowhere, Beelzebub picked me as a vessel. He once said he chose me because of my bright soul, but I don't think I have that bright soul."

Lilith, leaning against the wall, retorted, "Even I can't see what's so special about you, but we're just following orders from that bee because he's the closest subordinate of our lord Lucifer."

Jin Hwa, curious about Lucifer's story, asked Lilith, "Oh... what happened to Lucifer? What made him choose a human vessel and harbor hatred towards those gods?"

Lilith explained, "Our lord Lucifer is the highest demon in hell or the underworld. Those gods interfered in our realm, ambushing us out of nowhere. Despite the unexpected attack, our lord, being the embodiment of pride, chose to fight back. He declared it a war, rallying all the demons in hell. As the war was progressing in our favor, their leader, Zeus, suddenly employed an unknown kind of power that even I and the other sins were not aware of."

As Lilith continued describing the unknown power, he explained that after Zeus unleashed it, Lucifer bore the full impact. Lucifer's once formidable form began to crack and disintegrate, leaving him with no choice but to convert his remaining demonic energy into a relic ball. Beelzebub, quick on his feet, ordered all demons to create a diversion and stall for time to facilitate their escape. With a dismissive laugh, Zeus taunted the fleeing demons, reveling in what he perceived as their pitiful attempt to escape his wrath. Undeterred, the other sins rallied to attack Zeus, determined to buy the precious time needed for the demons to retreat.

[To be continued]