A Black void.
No Light in sight.
No sound being uttered.
An escape from the hellish onslaught he felt, a place in his mind, his very moments buried deep within his consciousness. Binds were visible around the demon. Cuffs and bonds that held his body like a cocoon, imprisoning him within. All he could see, if he even can, was a small slit through such wrapping, one which lets him peer back into the silent abyss. Even if it was small and compact, the demon can't help but have some relief, even though in the real world, he is enduring the equivalent of a torture machine. This must've been how it felt: Still, Lifeless, Its only desire to curl up in a ball and stay put, to have one's mind at ease, to be blissfully unaware of reality itself. Even with such an escape, reality still lingered, and his mind knew it just as much as he'd imagine.
He lost.
"Y'now...this would be a fitting death for you.." A voice echoed, one which Zazel was taken aback by. He was isolated in this void, his eyes darting around the small slit as much as he can to try and figure out who was responsible. Once he looked up, he could see a light, one that was as bright as the very stars. Even with such hope, the Demon knew all too well who it is.
An Angel.
"You're saying that because you hate us..." Zazel retorted, his voice muffled somewhat, slipping his head up so he can speak more clear to it. "I can tell this is what you wanted."
"Somewhat...you can say so."
"SOMEWHAT!? YOU WANTED US DEAD SINCE MILLENNIUM! YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MANY TIMES WE DIED!?"
"And who's fault was it? Who keeps commanding the denizens to try and upstage harm upon humanity? Who keeps trying to torch the Lord's Garden with the fires of wrath?" The Angel's question paused the demon, trying to think of a rebuttal, but couldn't bear the heart to do so. He can see a clear reflection within the abyss, rippling as if it was a sea of black. Moments of the Ars Goetia, lowering his face so he gets a better look at their upstaging, their attempts to ascend to the human world, before a beam of light quickly struck them down. Again and again they have tried to stage such a coup. Again and again God's judgement erased them from existence, their very concept nothing more than a distant memory, one forgotten by the demons, as they pondered on what they were doing, before witnessing the aftermath and hiding in fear. "While I understand your fault, it was you who ultimately decided to face such consequences for your actions. Or, more precisely, those before you. Those that were forced to lead hell." The Angel continued, as Zazel can see the mantles of such beings that gave their lives, in hopes of sparking even a sliver of an idea to who they were.
The Ars Goetia.
"...I don't get it. Why are you here? What, to taunt me?" Zazel asked, looking up to the light.
"If I wanted to, I could've stepped down from the Lord's chambers and meet you personally to make you into a fool. No, no, the reason why...is because of that boy."
Zazel was confused, raising an eyebrow as he'd try to piece together his cryptic words. "Who, Harvard?"
"Yes. I truly, truly wish for him to join us within his kingdom, his home-"
"Oh THATS what this is..."
"-...But I also know he doesn't wish to follow such orders. He would rather stay with the only few people he's known so far...That has helped him in his lowest." His words would make the Demon's eyes widen slightly. Despite knowing fully well of their own kind, an Angel was allowing a Demon to do as they wish. He couldn't believe what he was hearing, being so sure he would've mocked or even taunted him as much as Arthur was, yet he's showing compassion. "That lowest point...stems in the tragedy in Salvandi, wasn't it? We should've helped them sooner. We should've freed you sooner, yet when his eyes were keen on protecting you creatures over escape or preserving his own life, we knew fully well that the Boy was truly something. Never have we seen someone possess such a drive to protect the damned, and was willing to become a beast for their sake. That selfless act...That is something beyond the Human Spirit. That is something beyond."
"...So you're the Angel Harvard talked to. The one in the book."
"The very same, though I think it's best if you and the others hear my name and see my face firsthand. After all...we are begrudgingly on the same side...to punish the one responsible." The angel began to come down from such light, only showing a bust of himself. His head was smooth, like marble, with blonde hair that flowed like a stream. His eyes and mouth were pure white, light escaping from both. Four sets of wings, two of which possessed the needed eyes to see, and two others with a symbol of the Cross itself. "I am Zadkiel. Angel of Righteousness. You are Azazel, Strength of the Devil-"
"Just....Zazel, dude. Zazel is...a better name for me."
Zadkiel noticed his dejection and simply sighed. "So be it, Zazel. I will remind you, though, that we are still enemies. One way or another, I will personally face you. I will ensure to test if you truly understand why we are separate, and why you must endure the Holy powers themselves. You are not forgiven, but just this once...I will bring you the reason why you must keep fighting." With such words, he'd simply sink back into the ocean of nothingness, letting it ripple harder and harder, slowly conveying a different image with the crashing waves. Three figures that circled around a small crib. Three dragons that would take on a human form, three beasts that raised the center, as if it was their own. Zazel would tear up upon seeing such images, watching it flash before his eyes, the first tending to his needs, the second strengthening him, and the third letting him learn compassion.
His mothers.
His body was shaking as he understood what he meant, as well as seeing the other imagery of his friends, how much they endured, how much they accomplished, before being felt the strength of such salt cut across his back once again. He fully understood why the Angel came down, as he'd begin to cry upon seeing his parents and friends again. He understood that if he simply let himself be sacrificed, not only would he fail them, but he won't be able to see his friends anymore, to understand them. He was given a small taste of Humanity, understanding one's pain in sacrificing themselves, one's fear in being their scapegoat for someone else.
In that moment, the waves became more rampant, quickly flashing into different moments of his life. He was seeing it all, in both conception, and in what he was taught.