INT. LUCIFER'S DINING HALL
In the middle of the HELLZONE, in the regal castle like super structure created by LUCIFER and his vast hell army, LUCIFER sits alone, dining in a thick silence as he enjoys a full table spread of exotic and delicate fruits, meats, wines, vegetables and desserts.
LUCIFER savors each bite as he sits amassed in the finest silks and satins, his ruby and sapphire jewels decorate him as his hideous disfigured face still bore the weight of being one of heaven's finest and most beautiful angels. Even the deformities could not fully conceal what he once was.
AZAZEL bows as he makes his presence, LUCIFER sneering an agitated look as he wipes his mouth and pushes from the table, awaiting AZAZEL'S news.
LUCIFER
What now, AZAZEL? I am beginning to get very annoyed with this constant interruption.
AZAZEL
A thousand pardons, master. But it seems PROMETHEUS has been...vanquished.
LUCIFER
He was a fool, a mindless brute who outlived his purpose. Besides, CHARSOC had already informed of such a miniscule demise, therefore, there must be another pressing matter, or else, I am not going to be very happy with you.
AZAZEL
There...is someone here to meet with you...
LUCIFER
Do I take visitors?! What do I, KING OF HELL, look like to you!
AZAZEL
It is one of the chosen 3, my lord...
LUCIFER
...Oh.
LUCIFER looks a bit taken back as he crosses his hands before smirking to himself.
LUCIFER
Well by all means. Let him in.
AZAZEL
As you wish, master.
AZAZEL steps aside as THE GAMBLER strolls inside, looking about with an impressive grin as LUCIFER smiles warmly.
LUCIFER
By all means, savor the sights, enjoy the wine, and the food, there is plenty.
THE GAMBLER
Oh, yeah, I fully intended too regardless of whether or not you wanted me too.
LUCIFER
So I see...It seems your brashness has not befallen you yet.
THE GAMBLER
You could say that.
THE GAMBLER goes and grabs a pomegranate, sitting down a few seats away from LUCIFER who goes back to enjoying his meal, THE GAMBLER noticing his non inquisitive demeanor.
THE GAMBLER
You don't seem to be very interested, nor surprised that I am here?
LUCIFER
All of my creations at some point and time come back to me. Why should something so trivial be of any real importance?
THE GAMBLER
I came to you on my own accord. With my own intentions. There was no calling, no ill formed beckoning.
LUCIFER
You were raised under the guidance of one of mine boy. There is no ill begotten need to beckon you back to me, you are mine regardless of what you are. It is a sad yet, almost tragically poetic way to view how less in control of your own life you believe you have.
THE GAMBLER
Haha, you know Lucy, I think you're full of shit.
LUCIFER
Is that so?
THE GAMBLER
Prince of lies? You got that title for a reason you know.
LUCIFER sets his platinum and ruby encrusted silverware down as he looks at THE GAMBLER who bites into another piece of his fruit.
LUCIFER
You are involved in something far more out of your control then you'll ever believe, and if you chose to believe or not believe anything I say then that is not of any of my concern. But do understand one thing, DESCENT CHOSEN...Destiny, fate, whatever you chalk it up to be, is set in stone, written down from beings higher than me, higher than you, and no matter what you do to force a change, we always end up here...now. Pawns in a bigger game, trying to change it, trying to force our hands.
THE GAMBLER
If you believe that, then you believe you lose no matter what, I mean, why even try?
LUCIFER
Because it is what my father is wanting from me.
THE GAMBLER
What?
LUCIFER stands, THE GAMBLER looking at him as LUCIFER begins pacing around the table, marveling at his artwork, his vases, and other assortment of fine arts.
LUCIFER
My father wishes for me to repent, to crawl on my knees and beg his forgiveness before the final judgment. That I will cry and weep for his love again, that I will disavow my wrath against him and his forces, my brothers...but I shall not. Because he made me what I am, he knew I would rebel...that my love for him was too strong, and therefore to bow before man was not something I could do. I am destined to lose, but I will not alter that course by bowing to an absentee father. I will clash with MICHAEL, and I will do everything to slay my brother, to change the course of fate itself...but I know the outcome...and I am complacent in it. For, it is as it shall be. And I shall see it out.
THE GAMBLER
But you can alter fate, you can change everything if you were to repent. I mean, you say we have no real control over the course of our lives, where we all end up but I hear you speak of something you yourself can choose to do, and I again, call bullshit.
LUCIFER smirks.
LUCIFER
I like you, GAMBLER. I do, but I am vexed on why you decided to grace me with your presence.
THE GAMBLER
DEATH.
LUCIFER
Ahh, that old codger.
THE GAMBLER
He paints a picture of a war unlike anything we are ready for, it's not something I care to really die in to be honest with you.
LUCIFER
I talk a tough game against DEATH, He is bound to me. However in this...time of penance I am forced to allow him his sovereignty, as My command only extends to that of Armageddon.
THE GAMBLER
He is going to rise against you.
LUCIFER
I am well aware of that. But even DEATH cannot force his hand against us with a might capable of taking on both me and my brothers armies. DEATH himself cannot even wield the weapon that would alter the course of war.
THE GAMBLER
DEATH'S SCYTHE...
LUCIFER
Precisely.
THE GAMBLER
Well what if I was to tell you...
THE GAMBLER puts his feet up on the table as LUCIFER turns to face him.
THE GAMBLER
That I am the one DEATH chose to wield it.
LUCIFER
How foolish a reveal that would be.
THE GAMBLER
Perhaps, But I offer it to you, as a peace offering of sorts.
LUCIFER
What would I do with a scythe I cannot use?
THE GAMBLER
Not the scythe you moron, me.
LUCIFER
I see.
LUCIFER begins pacing towards THE GAMBLER.
LUCIFER
Why would you turn on your brethren?
THE GAMBLER
Turning on them? I am doing what is best for them. I am saving us from heartache. You said yourself that the apocalypse cannot be stopped, why stop it? Why force our hands if we don't even have the high cards? I am a man who plays the best hand forward. They don't call me the gambler for no reason.
LUCIFER
So you see the best hand as giving yourself up as my weapon?
THE GAMBLER
I can help you stop this silly rebellion, and I can help you get the apocalypse back on track. I'll get taken by the DESCENT, along with my brothers, and the fate, no, DESTINY, of everyone and everything will finally be back on track. It's only logical to fix what we're trying to remain broken.
LUCIFER
I see.
LUCIFER comes over next to THE GAMBLER who smiles at him.
LUCIFER
Then how come I feel that you are lying to me?
THE GAMBLER'S smirk dies away and THE GAMBLER quickly stands, kicking LUCIFER in the chest with his boot, watching the force kick LUCIFER through one of the walls, disappearing behind a wall of rubble as THE GAMBLER finishes his fruit.
THE GAMBLER
Damn, And here I thought I was very convincing.
LUCIFER
Not as much as you'd expect. I am the prince of lies, remember?
THE GAMBLER
Oh funny.
LUCIFER steps through the wall, patting the dust off of him as DEMONS begin to pour in.
LUCIFER
Leave him be! He is mine!
THE GAMBLER smirks as he fingers LUCIFER over, LUCIFER walking towards him as THE GAMBLER throws another kick towards LUCIFER who catches him and flips him over, before using incredible speed to elbow THE GAMBLER in the chest, THE GAMBLER slamming to the wall which cracks around him as LUCIFER comes up and grabs THE GAMBLER by the throat, THE GAMBLER hanging from the highest arch of LUCIFER'S grasp, who then tosses him down, the forcing sliding THE GAMBLER across the floor before he hits the table, which collapses around him, dousing him in food and drink as LUCIFER comes over and kicks THE GAMBLER in the chest, which slams THE GAMBLER upwards and hard against the wall, The TABLE shattering as it hits the wall as THE GAMBLER lay in a broken heap.
LUCIFER parts his golden hair back as he watches THE GAMBLER slowly come to his feet, blood pouring out of his mouth.
THE GAMBLER
You hit like a bitch.
LUCIFER
What were you really expecting out of this?
THE GAMBLER
I don't know...something a little different.
LUCIFER
I admire your valor, yet, your foolishness is both laughable, and a sign of your weakness to rely on such inept power.
THE GAMBLER
Yeah...well...
THE GAMBLER pulls up a revolver, LUCIFER tensing up as THE GAMBLER smirks.
THE GAMBLER
You know the power of one of these shots, don't you?
LUCIFER
It won't work as well on me as you might think...
THE GAMBLER
Wanna bet?
THE GAMBLER opens the cartridge and drops out five rounds, spinning the last round before closing it without looking, THE GAMBLER looking at LUCIFER who smirks.
THE GAMBLER
Five to one, you take them odds?
LUCIFER
Sure, why not.
THE GAMBLER
Alright then.
THE GAMBLER fires and watches as the bullet whizzes towards LUCIFER, who quickly is able to dodge it but an unlucky DEMON takes the bullet in the chest, and the sheer force from THE GAMBLER'S DESCENT POWERS, causing the bullet to explode, hundreds of demons in the area are disintegrated as the entire west wing of LUCIFER'S PALACE is destroyed.
LUCIFER lets the draft breeze by him as some of his structure burns as the remains of demons litter the area, as THE GAMBLER holsters his revolver.
THE GAMBLER
Shit.
THE GAMBLER turns to throw a punch but AZAZEL catches his fist and headbutts THE GAMBLER so hard, THE GAMBLER reels back before dropping to his knees, AZAZEL pushing THE GAMBLER away as LUCIFER is surrounded by FIVE demons.
THE GAMBLER looks at LUCIFER as LUCIFER smirks.
LUCIFER
My cabinet. LILITH...
A BEAUTIFUL FEMALE smiles as she rubs LUCIFER'S ARMS, LUCIFER enjoying it as THE GAMBLER tries to stand but is struck again in the stomach by AZAZEL, THE GAMBLER dropping back down to his kneeled position as LUCIFER smirks.
LUCIFER
CHARSOC...
A HIDEOUS DEMON hiding most of his face with the cowl of a beautiful hood as he grips an angelic sword to his hip.
LUCIFER
ABADDON...
A HULKING CREATURE with ANGELIC FEATURES stands beside CHARSOC.
LUCIFER
MOLOCH...
AN OLDER DEMON with a hunch uses a jewel encrusted cane to stay upright as he snickers at THE GAMBLER'S MISERY.
LUCIFER
And HASTUR.
HASTUR is a normal looking DEMON, but there is something sinister about his normalcy.
LUCIFER
You've already met, AZAZEL.
THE GAMBLER looks at AZAZEL who stands at attention with his arms folded behind his back.
THE GAMBLER
Thanks for the introductions.
LUCIFER
Haha, we were expecting you.
THE GAMBLER
Is that so?
MOLOCH
We have been able to find that the stars tell more stories than you can possibly imagine, in time, we knew a visit from a DESCENT CHOSEN would be evident.
LILITH
How funny it was him as well, you havta love the irony of all the things that go our way..
THE GAMBLER
What are you talking about you dumb broad...
LUCIFER
There is a battle going on, in the PURGE...the army of hell being stood up against by the feeble human race, and all I want is to retrieve what is mine...
THE GAMBLER
You don't mean...
LUCIFER
Getting the gist?
THE GAMBLER
I hid her...She couldn't have been found...
MOLOCH
Love is trivial. She went looking for you. How sad those ending times can be for a young lover.
THE GAMBLER
If you harm her...
LUCIFER
She is a pawn in my endgame, And she needs to be here.
THE GAMBLER
No...
LUCIFER
My precious...
EXT. ORSON CTY BATTLEFIELD
the CITY of ORSON CITY, a city located in the southern end of the PURGE, near the HELLZONE, is littered with toppled buildings, and ruins, bodies of both demon and man are all about as HUMANS are firing a barrage of rounds from a COMPOUND, DEMONS all about are firing from cannons and strange demonic weaponry from their staffs, swords, and human weapons.
INSIDE, a MAN dodges a few rounds and an EXPLOSION as he slides towards a WINDOW and begins unloading from a REPEAT RIFLE, each shot taking a DEMON down as an OLDER MAN comes up to him.
THE ELDER
We're losing ground fast! We can't keep this up!
THE REBEL looks out the window as he notices the vast DEMONIC ARMY continue to lay siege.
THE REBEL
We have to hold out as long as we can, we cannot afford to lose this compound no matter what the cost!
THE ELDER
We won't have anything to stand for if we don't get her out of here!
THE REBEL
Reinforcement's will show! I know they will!
THE ELDER
Goddamnit kid!We have to go now!
THE REBEL finishes reloading as he shakes his head but nods, as not very far off in the COMPOUND, a BEAUTIFUL HUMAN WOMAN sits in a room crying.
LUCIFER
(O.S.)
My WHORE OF BABYLON.
End of Part 25