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spoiled child who cannot ascend to grasp what his Father hast denied him, is what this hast come to?" Talus then walked over to his brother and stood before him. The two siblings stared at one another...the weak against the strong, the famished against the sated. Gaunt eyes from the head of House Arelim looked deep into those of a brother he once admired. "I pity you."
    Satan's face contorted, and his features became hard. He slapped Talus across the face, knocking him to the ground. Talus coughed up blood and attempted to rise, but Lucifer placed his foot on his brother's neck and pushed him down. "You are Talus, High Prince of House Arelim. Lumazi in honor among the seven spirits that stand before the throne of God. You will pledge your allegiance to me, or I swear by both Heaven and Earth, that I will invent means of torture for thee beyond even the imagination of El who has crafted a creature that consumes angelic flesh. You will choose, Talus of House Arelim...and you will do this now."
    Talus stared into his brother's haggard face, and while he did so, he beheld the Heavens part and he saw the Lord seated high upon His throne, and El sat smiling at him. The look He conveyed was one of pride, as a Father might give to a son, and as quickly as the scene flooded his eyes, the moment ceased. The features of Hell once more filled his sight, and the digestion of men and angels and their screaming wails filled his ears. Talus of House Arelim then gazed into the piercing cold eyes of his brother and spoke in coughing, sarcastic wit.
    "Do you think that I am careful to answer thee? These pleasantries of yours will never sway my allegiance from God for El is my King and my Creator. He alone is Alpha and Omega and worthy to be praised. If El chooses, He is able to deliver me from this furnace of affliction, but if not, false king, be it known unto thee that I will never bow down and worship thee."
    Lucifer nodded. "So be it. Let it then be upon thine own head and know that from this day forward, you shall enjoy no privilege of rank or title. No privilege of person. From this moment forward you are nothing to me."
    The Prince of Darkness raised his hands to summon Hell's tendrils. As they snaked down like living vines, rotted teeth once again appeared on the floor. Flesh-eating worms slid down the fiery tentacles that lifted Talus high into the ceiling, into the salivating mouth of Hell. And the creature stuffed him into the membranes of her acidic flesh.
    Talus's screams and muffled wails emanated throughout the room as the living tissue fed upon him.
    Lucifer looked on as Hell fed upon his squirming brother. He spat on the floor, then turned away from his brother's screaming torment; his dark flowing robes cut through the air as he walked away and left his sibling to his fate.
     

*   *   *
    Iblis paced about his cell. Like a caged animal he circled the confines of his jail, fuming over his treatment since his arrival in Heaven. He sighed. I have sided to be self-ruled. To live a life apart from El. This is but my recompense. How then can I turn Heaven's ear to hear my petition?
    The door lock clicked and the glowing figure of Michael, the Chief Prince, stepped in with two guards at his side.
    Iblis bowed.
    Michael gestured him to sit, and Iblis did so. "Tell me about this Hell-forge you mentioned earlier," he said.
    Iblis guffawed. "For what purpose should I disclose more to thee? I have been locked in this room for many a day. Perhaps Lucifer was right in that true justice cannot be found in Heaven, and that El..."
    "Very well," Michael said, interrupting. "Guards, bind him in fetters of iron and take him to the waypoint. Make sure he is returned to Pergamos." Michael stood and turned to walk toward the door. "I am sure Satan will want to debrief you as to what knowledge you have divulged."
    The guards moved to shackle him.
    "WAIT!!" screamed Iblis, who rose from his chair so swiftly that he knocked it over.