Knowledge shall lead the...

[Corwin]

"Just out of curiosity, are we taking the scenic route?" Seira wonders out loud as she hops into the chasm after him.

[Anastasia]

"We take the route the Lord of the Ninth commands," The Grim Fiend's reply is short as he plummets.

You plummet into darkness eternal.

You fall without any seeming end.

You feel as if you fall for a season, an age, an eon. Yet it cannot be more than a few minutes before you land. A soft and perfect landing on your feet, no harm at all. Here there is light, light that comes from the countless gems and polished spheres of precious metals that dot the walls. It all blends together into a red tinged light.

It is silent and still. Not a speck of dust or puff of air moves save for in reaction to you.

You feel it as easily as you breathe.

Nothing moves here, save by his will. The will of the King of Hell, like a cloak covering everything here. Were you a mere mortal, you know in your soul your adventures would end here. It is a feeling that suffocates everything, that controls everything. Yet Aesmadeva moves forward without hesitation, to a door sealed with a nine-fold pentagram. His pentagram again blazes with hellfire and the door opens.

Ahead lies a vast, shadowed hall and a cold stone floor. The walls stretch higher than you can see, no end and no ceiling in sight. The walls are decorated with massive paintings of diabolical scenes, each one with moving figures that show its subjects in action. There are no windows nor sources of light. There is simply enough light to see by.

90ft ahead is where it awaits, a throne of blackened steel. Here the Lord of the Ninth sits. He is no larger than a human and looks much like one. He wears robes of impossible refinement woven with countless jewels, a red scepter sitting on his lap to go with it. He has a neatly trimmed goatee. His expression is serene, eyes like coal that calmly survey you as you enter.

[Corwin]

Why do evil people prefer a goatee? Seira will likely never know.

Matching his serene expression, she approaches the throne and inclines her head in respect of Asmodeus's position.

[Anastasia]

"Seira Aryn," Asmodeus greets, "Welcome to Hell."

Aesmadeva bows and is gone, leaving the two of you alone.

[Corwin]

"Zaphkiel delivered your invitation, and I decided to take it," Seira responds. "It's been an interesting trip down here. I take it we are alone right now, and free to talk about anything?"

[Anastasia]

"We are," Asmodeus agrees, "Speak of what you wish."

[Corwin]

That... was supposed to go the other way. Still! Seira can improvise.

"I'm really here about two things," she says, deciding to be upfront. "The first is to ask you firsthand about your strategy for victory and beyond, and the other to inquire under what conditions you're offering your divine seed."

[Anastasia]

"My counterpart explained our plan," Asmodeus agrees, "We shall raise a force capable enough to defeat Shar while we rally ourselves, and then we shall challenge Ao while you serve as a final distraction." A hand rests on his Ruby Rod as he continues, "Afterwards? The Incarnation of Chaos will be split apart. Without the threat of Ao, we will be able to continue our disagreements in peace. Creation has worked well all this time, we seek for it to continue indefinitely."

[Corwin]

"But does the plan call for the Incarnation of Law to recombine?" Seira inquires. "And what of Balance? There are legitimate reasons to go after Chaos for both of you, but once that's taken care of who can say how he will rule over Creation?"

[Anastasia]

"We will cooperate," Asmodeus says, "A true reunion is impossible because of Zaphkiel," The Lord of the Ninth's voice is cool as he says that, "As for Balance, his nature prevents him from taking a side. He is well suited to being a neutral observer."

[Corwin]

"And what sort of cooperation does your plan require? Until we're ready to take on Shar, exactly where did you and Zaphkiel decide to draw the line?"

[Anastasia]

"You will not attempt an open war against Hell. No invasions, no great reckonings," Asmodeus says, as the shadows around his throne slowly spread, coming forward. "Our disagreements take pause in favor of Creation's survival. Continue to play the games that we play. Compete, for each one shall strengthen one of us before the confrontation with Ao."

"My King," A voice from your left, as Bel is there. He kneels, gaze down and away from the Lord of the Ninth. He looms tall even now, a massive figure of muscle and infernal hate, like a searing brand on the face of Creation.

"My King," A voice from your right, as Gathgorian is there. He kneels as Bel does, a mountain of night and fury, barely withheld. It is like being a step outside of a tornado's winds, held at bay through sheer will.

"My chosen agents," Asmodeus says with serene calmness, "They have a role to play in this, much as you have a role to play in this, Seira."

"I shall see to the extermination of all who oppose us," Bel vows, "All shall be swept aside to our victory."

"Never again shall chaos reign by the time I am done, be it the lowliest demon or the Incarnation of Chaos himself," Gathgorian declares. "I am the solution to chaos."

[Corwin]

Seira ignores the flunkies, focusing on Asmodeus. "That favors the Hells," she notes, "especially given your preference to move behind the scenes on Fire and in other scenes relevant to my interests. We are the ones most often acting out there in the open, so the restriction harms us more."

[Anastasia]

To this Asmodeus merely says, "It favors Creation's survival." He looks almost amused, the barest hints of a smile on his face. "There will be time eternal for our disagreements once this matter is solved."

[Corwin]

"With you better positioned for when hostilities resume," Seira says with a snort. "I wonder what Zaphkiel was thinking when he agreed to it, but that's his problem, in all honesty. Are you offering anything that I rather than Zaphkiel would value so that I would put my own name down for this agreement?"