Lord of Flies hovered above the ruins of Sodom, wings twitching in the thick, sulfur-stained air. The city below was a carcass of streets flooded with chaos, buildings half-swallowed by ash and fire. Mortals roamed like starving animals, tearing each other apart for scraps.
He didn't own Sodom. That right belonged to another prince, Lord of Sloth. But that didn't stop Lord of Flies from watching, scheming.
Look at them, he thought. Feral. Desperate. They could've built something. Instead, they devour each other. The campaign's been a success.
He descended slightly, voice booming across the ruins.
"Sodom! If you can hear me, those who have the mark, come forth! Join my legion, and I'll pull you from this filth into safety. I won't wait long. This is your only chance!"
Ten survivors scrambled toward him, eyes hollow, bodies trembling. They knelt, pleading.
"You must swear the oath," The Dark Prince said.
"We swear," they cried. "Please help us."
Lord of Flies nodded. "I'll see what you're worth. Wait here for my return."
He vanished into the sky, leaving them behind in hope and dust.
He flew east, slicing through smoke and ruin, until he reached the one untouched mansion in the city—a gleaming fortress of indulgence surrounded by decay. Pools shimmered in the backyard. A tennis court stretched wide. Women lounged and laughed, sipping drinks, swimming, playing.
Lord of Flies landed hard, wings folding. Funny, he thought. Pleasure looks the same as a human or demon. Ain't that odd.
He walked past the crowd, through the glass doors, down the marble hallway. The sound of a movie thundered from the home theater. He followed it.
Inside, Lord of Sloth reclined in a velvet chair, surrounded by snacks, eyes glued to the screen. A cartoon show plays, it was a popular show with the mortals, it was just a mouse.
"I need a word," Lord of Flies said. The Lord of Sloth pays him no attention.
Again the Lord of Flies says excuse me prince. No answer, the Sloth prince is glued to the screen. Then the Lord of Flies yells fine if you die don't say I didn't warn you! That got the Sloth Prince attention.
Sloth raised a slow thumbs-up without looking away.
Lord of Flies growled. "Thomas is coming to town."
Sloth blinked. Then, slowly, his thumb turned down.
"Good," Lord of Flies said. "Good I got your attention. I've got a plan."