Even a hundred years before the invasion of Heaven, Adam tried to organize an army, and he even had some success.
He gathered several hundred warriors who had ended up in Heaven and managed to convince them that Hell was planning an attack. Then they began preparations: Adam personally trained them, taught them the use of Light, and developed strategy. The Seraphim, of course, were against it, confident they could reach the demons through diplomacy. After all, Lucifer, though fallen, still remained on Heaven's side and was essentially Heaven's viceroy in Hell.
Several hundred warriors – that's good, of course, but unfortunately, incredibly few. Therefore, the main part of the army remained in the First City, while small rapid response units were quartered in the smaller cities built by the Seraphim after the influx of righteous souls increased. Their task was simple: to delay the enemy and manage to report the attack.
This helped a little. When the demons attacked, they wiped out one of the cities completely. Adam and his warriors arrived at the last moment – just as the hellish creatures were already loading bodies and gathering slaves. That day, Adam succumbed to sin for the first time. He experienced anger. True, almost animalistic anger, bordering on hatred. He tore demons apart with his bare hands, incinerated them with Light, and cleaved their heads with his blade. From that day on, Adam definitively decided on his attitude towards demons and became completely disillusioned with sinners.
Generally, demons are divided into two types: demons and sinners. Natural demons can harm angels, but sinners cannot, unless they acquire special power. However, sinners have souls, each containing a bit of energy. And if a strong natural demon takes possession of millions of souls…
It will be bad.
Thus, the more sinners, the stronger the demons become. And over thousands of years of peace, they had accumulated hundreds of millions of souls, making them more powerful than ever. This was especially noticeable with the seven "Lords of Hell" – the most ancient demons who had absorbed the concepts of sin voiced by Adam. They surpassed any other demon and were practically invincible, coming very close to Lucifer.
Angels, on the other hand, could only temporarily kill sinners, who, unlike demons, could be reborn without problems, losing some of their strength but retaining their contracts with demons. So their deaths didn't play a significant role.
The only option for Adam and his allies was to use Light. However, while Adam himself could emit hundreds of thousands of rays without tiring, most others couldn't even create one full-fledged ray. They had to release a small portion of Light at the moment of impact, which, to put it mildly, wasn't very effective. Unlike Adam, who in this context more resembled a self-propelled laser-firing installation.
And then, in the midst of the battle, the Seraphim finally arrived. With an air of importance, they announced that Lucifer had fucked up and reported that an attack on Heaven was being prepared.
Right on time, as always. Thanks for the fucking info.
That day, four thousand years ago, is the official start date of the war between Hell and Heaven.
One might have expected the Seraphim to at least get off their asses in such a situation and do something, but they only built defenses around Heaven and hastily did the same with Earth, albeit in a much simpler version.
Adam was seething with rage. He tried to call out to the Seraphim, begged them to gather an army and go to Hell together to solve the problem at its root. But for some reason, the Seraphim didn't want to spend even a second in Hell. They even tried not to stay on Earth for long. Why the hell were these homebodies so reluctant to go there? God only knows. I can't peek into their heads, and there's fuck all written about this topic in the sources.
POV Sera (Distant Past)
I felt no joy when I saw him again. Lucifer. Former brother, exiled for foolishness, for vanity, for recklessness. He was the one who shattered Eden's harmony, succumbing to the temptation to give the mortal the forbidden fruit. And now he stood before us, wounded, wings spread, and opposite him writhed a horror – the spawn of his own mistake.
Eve… No, what once was Eve. Tentacles protruded from her body, darkness poured from her eyes, and her voice echoed with a thousand mournful whispers. She was no longer human. She had become a creature, the very embodiment of Darkness. And Lucifer, the fool who had let evil into our world, thought he could defeat her alone.
I darted forward, barely managing to deflect another wave of blackness that rushed to devour him. The other Seraphim were already here. They, like me, despised Lucifer, but duty was above personal feelings. We could not allow darkness to consume this world.
"Fall back, Lucifer!" I shouted, brandishing my blade of light, slicing through the writhing tendrils of darkness.
"No," he snapped back. "This is my mistake. I must fix it!"
But Darkness wasn't listening. It craved. It wanted to take him for itself. For this creature, we, God's creations, were a delicacy.
Tentacles wrapped around his arms, reached for his back, digging into his wings, corroding the snow-white feathers. Lucifer screamed, not from pain, but from something more terrifying – the realization that he was becoming part of this nightmare. His eyes flashed with black light for a moment.
I didn't hesitate. One swing – and the flame of Light burned away the dark growths, freeing him. Lucifer fell to his knees, gasping for breath. He didn't immediately realize he had changed. We all felt it. Darkness remained within him. Something alien, terrifying.
He looked up at us. At me. I knew he understood everything.
"You are no longer one of us," I whispered. "But neither are you one of them..."
Lucifer was silent. And in the distance, the roar of a dying monster echoed, one we couldn't stop without God's help.
POV Adam (Present Day - MC reading)
However, no matter how Adam tried, the Seraphim weren't going to meddle in Hell, but they did allow him to gather all willing volunteers into an army. Well, at least they agreed to help from here, thanks for that.
The Seraphim created armor for the angels that didn't hinder the movement of agile flying fighters, as well as weapons that allowed even the weakest of angels to destroy the souls of sinners. Then the counter-offensive began.
Hell wasn't just a place of suffering – it was an entire world, divided into seven huge sectors, each existing within its own space. They weren't called "circles" for nothing: these areas truly had a circular shape, expanding downwards, towards the very heart of darkness, the original Eden, afflicted by Darkness. Each circle was its own variety of nightmare, but one thing united them – for sinners here, there was no pity, no hope, not even death, only endless torment.
Sinners weren't tied to one place. They wandered aimlessly through all seven circles, deprived of their past, future, and, in most cases, even themselves. Demons kept them like cattle and slaves, used their souls as fuel for their unholy magic, broke their will, turning them into mindless servants, and then again and again allowed them to die, only to restart this cycle of torture. Hell wasn't just a place of punishment, but the very essence of absolute horror.
When the war began, it became clear that the battle would be terrible. Angels, for the first time in Heaven's history, encountered something they couldn't understand: true cruelty, pushed to its absolute limit. Demons didn't just kill – they tore their enemies' bodies apart, mutilated souls, devoured their bodies, gaining greater strength. The particle of Darkness within them greatly enjoyed it when a demon devoured an angel, making the demon stronger than from a hundred sinner souls. And though the angels were strong, every step deeper into Hell came at the cost of lives.
At first, they tried to fight as they were accustomed – in clear formations, organized attacks, trying to minimize casualties, destroying demons first, but they soon realized these methods didn't work here. Hell knew no rules, and so the war quickly turned into a bloody meat grinder, where everyone fought not just for victory, but for the very fact of existence.
It was in this war that a new title was born – "Saints." These were warriors who managed to survive the madness of Hell and remain steadfast. They didn't just fight – they became a symbol of hope, a ray of light piercing through the endless darkness. Their names became legends, their deeds – tales passed down by word of mouth. But at what cost was this status achieved? Every Saint lost a part of themselves in this war. Some lost wings, some – faith. And some – their soul.
But they kept moving forward. Because if they stopped, Darkness would consume everything.
Adam was in the front lines, taking on the strongest demons, often getting injured, yet death eluded him. He wasn't just fighting – he was exterminating. There were no longer any doubts in his eyes, only a goal remained. To destroy Darkness. He tore demons apart, giving himself no rest, and the angels followed him, understanding that in this hell, the only thing one could rely on was strength.
After a year of bloody war, he managed to meet Lucifer, who was trying to regulate the situation, striving to regain control of Hell. Lucifer was not like the one who had left Heaven. There was weariness in his eyes, and something dark, not entirely understandable, in his soul. He didn't offer friendship, didn't try to make excuses – he simply stated that he wanted to end the chaos.
Adam hated him. Every time he looked at him, he remembered everything they had been through – the arrival of Darkness, the loss of Eve, death, pain, the screams of dying angels, the suffering of sinners. And all this because of one stupid decision made millennia ago. But he wasn't an idiot. Lucifer might be a traitor, but he was a strong traitor, and right now, strength was needed. They fought side by side in several battles, but a chasm always remained between them. Lucifer saw him only as a fanatic who had become too engrossed in the slaughter, while Adam saw Lucifer as a weakling who had led them all to this war.
And yet, for the sake of victory, they were forced to work together.
Another point that categorically dissatisfied Adam was Lucifer's request not to kill the Seven Deadly Sins and some other powerful demons. Supposedly, after the war, they would serve him, so he didn't want to lose strong subordinates. Stupid hypocrite.
Three bloody years passed. Adam was broken inside; only a few thousand tired, tormented warriors remained of his former army, who nevertheless continued to fight, ensuring Heaven's safety. They held on by their last strength, not because they hoped for a reward, but because they knew – if they stopped, Darkness would consume everything.
Adam knew each of them, respected many. They had been through hell, literally, and now even the brightest among them saw the world with different eyes. Adam was no exception.
Images flashed before his eyes again.
And so, finally, they reached what was once the center of Eden, and the last resisting Deadly Sin fell. Beelzebub – a foolish, power-hungry fox-like creature, personifying Gluttony and one of the strongest demons – was on her knees. Adam had already raised his blade to finally end this slaughter. But he couldn't.
Because he stood beside him.
Fucking Lucifer.
Adam clenched the hilt of his sword until his knuckles turned white. Lucifer, majestically and with great pomp, as if it were some kind of game, accepted Beelzebub's oath.
"I accept your oath," he proclaimed.
Adam gritted his teeth. He had lost too many today. Today, Abel had been hit by a spell that tore the soul apart. Thank God, he survived. If it had been anyone else in his place, it wouldn't have ended with a simple wound. But Lucifer, it seemed, didn't care. It was important for him to preserve "valuable assets."
"Do you really think she'll be loyal to you after all this?" Adam hissed through his teeth. "Or are you just so confident in your power that you're willing to risk it?"
"Loyalty is a matter of perspective," Lucifer replied, tilting his head to the side as if studying a wounded beast. "I am not waging this war for extermination, Adam. I am waging it for order."
Adam looked at him, then at Beelzebub, at the blood-soaked ruins, and almost laughed at the absurdity of it all.
"Then you're just fucking terrible at establishing order."
Lucifer sighed, like a tired teacher before a stubborn student.
"Perhaps we should discuss the terms of peace? After you discuss it with the Seraphim, of course."
Adam slowly sheathed his sword. He was still seething with rage, but it didn't matter now. The war was over. At least, for him.
Adam, along with the remnants of his army, returned to Heaven. They didn't sing hymns, didn't celebrate victory. They just walked, tired, devastated. They had won the war, but lost too much.
Adam raised his eyes to the shining heavens. He had returned home.
In Heaven, Adam and the other warriors were greeted with pomp. There was a feeling that today was an incredible holiday, although, perhaps, it was. The streets were filled with angels who joyfully congratulated and thanked Adam and his warriors. Even the Seraphim were present, which in itself was a rarity.
Sera, head of the Seraphim, soared and addressed the assembled:
"Today we welcome our heroes, returned from the very heart of darkness. They fought not for glory, not for rewards, but for the very essence of Heaven, for its Light, for its future. Their faith did not waver, their hearts did not falter, and today they have returned home."
The crowd of angels erupted in jubilation. Their wings soared to the heavens, and their joy was so great that even the air seemed filled with light.
"We mourn the fallen," Sera continued, and the jubilant voices fell silent. "But their sacrifice was not in vain. They gave themselves in the name of all of us, and therefore their names will be inscribed in the history of Heaven in golden letters. Thanks to you, warriors, the gates of Heaven remain closed to darkness."
She raised her hand, and light spread over the assembled, as if heaven itself blessed them, and hundreds, thousands of names appeared on the golden gates of Heaven.
"From this day forward, you are not just angels," Sera's voice sounded like a tocsin. "You are the defenders of light, the keepers of peace, those who stood face to face with nightmare and did not retreat. May your path be illuminated by grace, for you have proven worthy of the highest honor, Exorcists, destroyers of darkness."
She paused for a moment, allowing her words to settle in the hearts of the assembled. Then her gaze turned to Adam.
"Adam," she took a step forward, and now her voice sounded particularly solemn. "You are not just a warrior. You are the one who stood at the head of the resistance, who led your sons and daughters into that hell and brought them back. Henceforth, before all of Heaven, you are not just a general. You are an Archangel, defender of the heavens."
At that moment, a veritable roar of voices erupted. Some angels cried out to the heavens, others chanted his name. The light shone particularly brightly, and even Adam himself, tired, exhausted, couldn't help but feel something warm spreading in his chest.
However, even at this moment, he couldn't forget: behind this victory lay years of blood, loss, and pain. And this triumph came at too great a cost for him to enjoy it.
Soon, Sera transported Adam along with the other Seraphim to the hall of the Council tower. The time for celebration was over; it was time to discuss the future.
The Seraphim held a council, discussing the terms of peace for Hell. Adam wasn't going to leave without securing the guarantees he needed. The main points he introduced were:
Confine all sinners to the circle of Pride, so they can no longer wander uncontrollably through Hell.Forbid demons from buying sinners' souls and entering the circle of Pride.Forbid demons from imposing false religion on Earth and appearing there.
The last point particularly irritated Adam. When he invaded Hell, demons simply started religious wars on Earth, which led to a sharp increase in the flow of souls to Hell. This was the moment Adam became completely disillusioned with humans. He realized that Earth no longer mattered to him. People had chosen their fate; let them choose their own path henceforth.
Also, under the terms of peace, impassable gates were henceforth erected in Heaven. Now, one could only enter Heaven by a list, if the gatekeeper allowed it, and the gatekeeper became one of the saints, an Apostle, who had died on Earth in the recent war but had preserved the Light in his soul.
The book of those worthy to enter Heaven after death is one of the few gifts from God, along with the system for distributing souls and the appearance of the Seraphim themselves.
The Council discussed the terms for a long time, but eventually, they were accepted. Adam knew the war was over, but his heart couldn't let it go. Too much had been lost, too much had changed. But now, at least, Heaven was safe.
After that, Adam no longer went to the world of humans to push them towards the light, didn't try to exterminate demons, didn't interfere in mortal affairs. It seemed he had lost the desire to do anything. Until Hell tried to rise again.
One of the powerful demons, a representative of the Goetia family, managed to infiltrate the circle of Pride and began buying sinners' souls for a pittance, confident he could pull off this scam unnoticed. He was mistaken. Mortally mistaken.
Adam, without much thought, summoned veterans for a punitive mission. He invaded Hell, destroyed the presumptuous demon, and, still hot with rage, appeared directly in Lucifer's palace, demanding explanations. Lucifer was with Lilith at that moment and, to put it mildly, was not in the mood to discuss state affairs. But Adam was adamant. Lucifer got away with evasive phrases, promising to sort it out "later."
That wasn't enough. Adam went to the Seraphim and chewed them out for several hours, proving that if nothing was done, Hell would rise again. But he failed to get any decisions from them. Then he cornered Sera personally, bombarded her with evidence, threats, warnings, and finally convinced her. From then on, the purges began.
How do I know this? Intuition, guesses, connecting the dots. Wikipedia gives a terse formulation: "a compromise was reached, and Hell no longer rises." How? A mystery shrouded in darkness.
But what's truly intriguing are Adam's subsequent steps. He seriously got down to recruiting volunteers into the ranks of demon exterminators, personally training them. And then he started disappearing. For exactly one day. Once every hundred years. A coincidence? I don't think so.
A thousand years later, he introduced a way to strengthen angels – he made them physically stronger, increased their speed and power. But this method only worked on girls. After this, they lost their animal features, their hair turned white, their skin grayed. The conclusions draw themselves.
Over the centuries, the frequency of his disappearances increased. A thousand years ago, he and his exterminators, the angel-Exorcists, began to leave not once every hundred years, but once every ten. Seven years ago – once a year.
At the end of the article, there was another curious point. Adam sometimes performs on stage. Yes, performs with musicians, drawing full houses. It turned out that in this world, music has sacral power. It doesn't just affect emotions but literally changes reality. It all started with Lilith and Adam: she became the first woman to sing a song, he – the first man. Their voices carried magic that could strengthen, inspire… and even kill. Did I mention that words have power in this world? Well, songs amplify this power manifold, so if you want to achieve influence, strength isn't enough; you also need to sing beautifully. Some kind of madhouse.
By the way, this explains why Charlie's song affected me so much…
The popcorn's finished. I think I'll watch a movie and wrap it up for today.