Hell Chapter 5; Fall Of Babylon

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It was Babylon. Babylon The Great; the city that harbored many cities and every kind of foul thing under the sun. The Demon Lord, Count Bifrons, had his undead army of the millions of demons that Ophiuchus slew prepared to attack him, the beings taking their places around the swampy graveyard city as well as in several other places around Babylon to prevent cluttering up and being easy targets. All the undead were controlled by Count Bifrons, and the odds were stacked against Ophiuchus.

Bifrons: "You cannot kill what is already dead, O King. And you cannot absorb energy from what has none. These corpses have no souls and their bodies are of minimal nutrition because of their being deceased. If you do fight us, you will use up all of your power facing off against the undead and gaining nothing in return."

Bifrons' logic was good, and he knew that Ophiuchus wasn't at full strength. The giant zombie man smiled excitedly at Ophiuchus, showing his missing teeth in his mouth, his big eyes widening with anticipation. "I dare you to try to kill us again. See how well that fares for you." Bifrons was taunting him. He wanted Ophiuchus to attack.

But Valac said, "We shouldn't worry about them, Lord. They are just empty husks. If we get rid of Bifrons, then the undead should return to nothingness, for it is his power that summons them and commands them." Valac was wiser than he looked, but it was mostly because he was already informed about the Seventy-Two due to once being one of them and also being with them during their conception into Demon Lords, as well as their takeover of Hell. Valac knew all of their secrets, and he was willing to help the Angel King in any way he could, since Valac himself could not fight. "My suggestion is to destroy Bifrons and leave the other demons alone."

Ophiuchus smirked as he saw from on high that what he'd predicted came to pass. It was inevitable when it was how the system was designed, each opportunity available by oversight or on purpose specifically for exploitation in such manners. "When Valefor And Amduscias Create A Calamity That Is Serving As A Distraction For The Superiors As Well As A Cover For Whatever May Be Occurring In The Upper Echelon, Those Still In The Lower Ranks -- Aamon, Malphas And Sabnock -- Are Still Being Sedated By Ronove And Marchosias. However, Because Of The Discord That Is Sown, It Creates A Panic Within The Ranks Of The Marquises And They Instinctively Go To War Because They Believe Amduscias Is The Leader Of An Army Against Them." As Ophiuchus spake, he saw both Ronove and Marchosias departing the court of the Demon Dukes alone. "When They Seek To Wage War With Amduscias, Ronove And Marchosias Are Either Discovered As Spies And Killed Or They Are Joined With The Ranks Of Aamon, Sabnock, Malphas So That They Do Not Suspect That They Were The Ones That Told The Higher Authorities About Them." Naturally, this was what Ronove and Marchosias were off to do as soon as whatever lies and wheedling they did had salvaged them.

"Among The Ranks, Rarely Anyone In A Lower Level Sees Or Knows Of Anyone In A Higher Level, So When Someone Is Sent Out That Has Never Been Seen, They Do Not Comprehend That This Person Is Being Sent Out By Someone That Is Their Superior And Immediately Takes Them To Be An Enemy. Therefore Ronove And Marchosias Slyly Lead The Rebel Army Into The Trap That Amduscias Is Causing So That Valefor Can Trap Them And Kill Them Whilst All The Discord Is Happening. All The While This Is Happening, The Legion Of Valefor -- Which Steals From Others For His Own Personal Gain Whilst The Discord Occurs -- Gets Drawn To Agares, The Next Duke, To Underhandedly Snatch Up The Proceeds Of Valefor Whilst He Is Mauling People By Drawing In All Of His Servants And Slaves." This was another reason why Valefor wasn't accompanying the other Dukes -- due to his thieving nature, as well as personal embarrassment or any other negative personal connotations.

"Agares Brings People Who Run From Something Or Someone To Him So That They May Be Consumed By His Crocodile As Sacrifices To Him. Whomever Has Been Withholding Anything Or Fleeing From Someone Because They Have Something That Another Does Not Know About -- Especially Through Thievery -- Ends Up As Sacrifices And Does Not Return. If They Are Not Consumed, They Are Turned Into His Servants Or Slaves And Sent Away To Do His Bidding, Sometimes Under The Guise Of Whomever They Were Once Under." This was why those of the Demon Resistance who went in with Ronove and Marchosias did not exit with them. "The Hawke On The Arm Of Agares Is A Messenger For Him. Whilst He Is Dealing With Those Who Run Away, His Hawke Is Carrying Messages To The Next Duke Or Dukes For Him, Informing Them Of What Has Transpired And What Is To Come Without Actually Formally Getting Involved."

"During The Time Of His Retrieval Of Runaways, He Collects The Two Runaways -- Ronove And Marchosias -- And Finally Either Kills Them As Sacrifices Or Uses Them As His Servants, Since He Can Send Them Out And Call Them Back At Any Given Time." This is the purpose of sending out Ronove and Marchosias, knowing they are betrayers -- to get to anyone else that might be with them, whom Agares would know they would go back to, and lead him straight to them simultaneously, then be capable of summoning the whole lot. "Agares Is Also Able To Teach Languages For Communication With Those Who Sow Discord -- Such As Amduscias -- So That Those Within The Discord Are Able To Understand And Those Who Are Sent Into The Discord Are Able To Understand Them Without Being Sucked Into The Discord At All." In this way, the Dukes could keep themselves on a different plane of knowledge than the Marquises, without ever letting them know their 'ways' of knowing things that the lesser demons did not. "Those Who Are Given Greater Power Or Honor Through Dignities -- Especially For Or By Themselves -- Are Also Humbled And Destroyed By Agares So That They Do Not Believe That They Are Greater Than They Are."

And this was how the Demon Resistance and all the lesser demons under the Dukedom would be wiped out. All to the gain of Ophiuchus, who knew that the higher powers would have no lesser powers to sustain them and their powers, even if they kept their titles, ranks, statuses, and whatever else. They'd have wiped out everything of the lower levels, thus making the Dukes the lowest, and also lessening their numbers and ranks.

The two rebel Marquises -- Ronove and Marchosias -- who were sent back to any remaining members of the Demon Resistance that might have lagged behind or been at some sort of base, tried to conspire amongst themselves along the way about how they were going to get out of this. Try as they might, though, they were well aware of Agares and his power, and knew they could do nothing but feign full servitude for as long as they could

Just the same as always, stuck in the middle, under the thumb of someone higher, trying to overthrow them so they could be in charge, but being too weak and low of rank to do so. Their cunning and wit could only get them so far without power or numbers. Now, they were without both, and had to return to their people, to deceive them and play both sides, just as usual.

But, if nothing else, the two did come to agree that if necessary, they could simply escape alone, without anyone, and live another day, and this whole 'resistance' could be left behind. They figured that this would be their fate if they obeyed Agares, so they convinced themselves in their hearts to doublecross the remaining factors of the Demon Resistance, and the remaining Marquises -- if they were still alive.

Meanwhile, the entire time, Barbatos watched them and every move that they made, even so much so as to read their lips from afar through his scope. Barbatos was watchful and careful, like a hunter, and studied quite intricately the patterns and behaviors of other creatures, like animals. He never did let Ronove and Marchosias out of his sights.

Agares, though, was still resting in the Court Of Dukes with the other Dukes, many of which weren't present because they were unsightly or unseemly in some way and either weren't allowed to be amongst the others, despite having the rank, or they were too ashamed personally of themselves to be amongst others. Like Valefor.

But the hawk that was with him was no longer so when back with Agares, and he waited patiently.

Ronove and Marchosias, having survived certain death a great deal of times, confronted the other living Marquises, whom also skirted death somehow -- Aamon, Sabnock, and Malphas. Surprisingly, all five of them were surprised that each of them hadn't died, and could have sworn that they did die, but of course, higher ranking demons did have a number of tricks up their sleeves, from decoys to illusions and other forms of deception. However the five of them managed to live, it was absolutely certainly through something deceptive.

Thankfully, they were still in one of the commandeered palaces, and it was close enough to the Court Of Dukes where they could all go back together and come up with an on-the-fly plan that the Dukes wouldn't be able to handle, hopefully. Which was what they decided upon. The strengths of these five Marquises would surely be able to take down one Duke at a time, and the hardest part was simply making it this far to get to their Court.

On their way back up the mountain to the Court Of Dukes, a bird passed by over the skies, attracting their attention briefly in order to identify it. It was hard to tell, but it didn't look like a predator or stray demon or something, so they focused back on going up the mountain. Yet, when they all looked back down from the sky, there was someone before them, sitting atop a camel, in the distance, on a divergent mountain path, hidden from their sight initially. Initially, there was a stagnant silence between the two parties, but eventually, after the bird circled around a few more times, it would land on the person's shoulder. He was depicted as appearing in the form of a beautiful woman with the crown of a duchess tied around his waist, and riding a camel; the strong Duke of Hell that governs twenty-six legions of demons -- Gremory. He tells all things past, present and future, about hidden treasures, and procures the love of women, young and old, but especially maidens.

Likewise to his appearance, in different, inconspicuous areas all about the mountainside, gorgeous women of all kinds -- demons, sinners, humans, animals, and others -- emerged, plenty of them recognizable from earlier, during the clash between the demons, when most of them were picked off. They were illustrious and sinuous in their movements, like living dreams, prancing playfully or moving seductively, surrounding the Marquises as Gremory approached, looking like a beautiful woman, just like them.

Now that things were reaching a settling point, Ophiuchus took the time to recap the scenario as it played out to how things were now, for the sake of review, with Valac. "Now Then, Valac, As You Can See From What Has Just Happened, When All Of The Discord Reaches Its Climax, A Battle Goes On Between The Rebel Faction Of The Marquises -- Aamon, Malphas And Sabnock -- And The First Of The Dukes, Amduscias And Valefor." Such was the skirmish that just happened with the Demon Resistance.

"The Discord That Is Created From The Greater Battle Between The Army Of The Marquises And The Dukes With The Animals Will Fall Into The Trap Of Valefor By Using Amduscias To Control Those That Are Within The Cacophony And Enslave Them Or Kill Them." Which is exactly what came to pass previously. "This Makes The Army Of The Dukes Greater Than The Army Of The Marquises, Yet In The Discord, No One Can Tell Whose Units Are Under Whose Control. This Allows For The Marquises -- Who Are Ignorant -- To Send More Troops Out To Be Controlled By Amduscias And Trapped By Valefor So That The Both Of Them Can Use Their Larger Army To Overthrow, Enslave And/Or Kill Aamon, Sabnock And Malphas."

Just like when Ophiuchus swiped some of those demons for his own personal reasons, Valefor had been collecting some that he would enslave in secret, or kill outright; he and his animals. "Because Aamon Is More Or Less Dead Weight By This Time Because There Are No More Casualties, He Is Killed Within The Battle And Both Sabnock And Malphas Are Subdued By Their Own Army And Resources Solely By Number Alone. Thus The Towers And Fortresses Built By Sabnock Are Commandeered Along With The Destructive Force Of Malphas." That is to say, the entire coup that was set up, after being stomped out at the very end, is in the end simply commandeered in its setup by the Dukes and the demons that were taken as prisoners of war, who are then put back in the most important positions that keep the system functional to replace the ones who were lost -- even those who were given some names and powers and titles and ranks, as it was clear some of them had the power to grant.

"Meanwhile, Agares Sends His Messengers Ronove And Marchosias Back Into The Discord To Sweet Talk Everyone Into Being Friends Again So That The Army Calms Down And Eventually Comes Under The Servitude Of Agares Because Of The Two Of Them." Which was where they were currentls, with the piddling remnant being led back up the mountain by the vile betrayers, to those whom they betrayed, just like a traitor would do, at any moment of convenience, which is their usefulness as only a person that would do that and have no loyalty to one side at a matter of convenience. Such why they are kept alive so long, despite how they are weak and conniving and always sneaking or scheming. "Valefor Stops Killing And Amduscias Can No Longer Maintain Discord Completely, And Thus The Unified Army Finally Disposes Of Amduscias In Order To Keep The Order Of The Newly Acquired Army Of Agares. Afterward, Ronove And Marchosias Are Drawn Back To Agares To Be Sent Further Up In The Ranks To Gather The Next Duke, If He Is Not Already Sent Out By The Superior." Which is what seems like they were in the process of doing right now, since Gremory was already there to greet the sorry Demon Resistance remnant.

"Gremory Is A Duke That Has Power Over Women Of All Ages. This Is For The Temptation Of Man, And Is Sent By Satanachia From Barbatos -- Who Had Long Been Aware That The Usefulness Of Satanachia's Power Would Come Into Play For Maintaining Control Over A Large Number Of Males; An Army." That bird, though, was curious -- it looked to be a hawk, since Ophiuchus could see it up close. "Gremory Also Appears In The Form Of A Female So That He Can Engage With All The Women That He Interacts With As If He Were One Of Them In Order To Gain And Establish Their Trust." It is to be clear that though Gremory appears as a gorgeous, full woman, he is still considered a man, and is a male in his true form, which is not the appearance of the gorgeous woman, which is only an illusory appearance to accomplish his goals amongst women without them recognizing him. "Gremory Also Has A Crown Of A Female Ruler -- A Duchess -- Tied Around His Waist To Symbolize That He Is Ruler Over Women Because Of His Own Genitals, And He Can Take The Crowns Or Power Of Women (Especially Rulers) Just By His Genitals Alone." So, part of this was also to prove his power sexually, which many weaker women, beautiful or ugly, young or old, of all kinds and variations, will always submit to, thus making it an absolute that a greater man -- especially in the guise of a woman -- would be able to come and control them sexually, at any given moment, for any reason.

"Gremory Rides A Camel Because He Is Carrying A Large Burden And A Great Deal Of Cargo -- The Women And Their Maintenance -- And Tells People Of Important Information About The Past, Present And Future (As Well As Of Hidden Treasures) So That They Remain Attached To Him." So, since everything was totally explained about what just happened -- clearly and linearly -- Ophiuchus would insist to Valac to watch further, since their time in this would not be necessary until very key and -precise- moments, that were neither the beginning nor the end, but in -several- random places in the -middle- and potentially -also- the end. But not just -absolutely- one set point or one set area. Which was why he was watching still, and didn't just let it continue to play out, knowing it would crumble on its own.

He was clearly wise to all of what was happening, and showed no hint of concern, despite this -literally- being a -World War- class type event happening -right- below him, in real-time.

As Ophiuchus stated about the demons, so it was -- they were all following his words as if he himself had plotted for them. Gremory was protecting the entrance back to the Court Of Dukes, so the five rebel Marquises were enticed and subdued by Gremory's women, all of whom would escort the Marquises inside again.

"... The traitors have returned to us, Agares," spake Gremory in a womanly voice, riding upon his camel, ushering in the demons. "They've brought us a treat, too. These are the demons that staged this mutiny." The beautiful women would roughly handle the demons, who were aroused to be touched by beautiful women at all.

Agares gazed with age and wisdom at the lot of them, his hawk now upon his shoulder again. Stroking his old man beard, he nodded slowly. "Yes... Yes, very good, Duke Gremory. And, since we have most of their remaining forces under our authority again..." He turned to his hawk, and it would screech, summoning the demons that were just captured by Valefor. "... We will have them shown the way out by the very traitors that are now back on our side." It was interesting to see how lesser demons somehow thought they were so much more wicked and devious than the higher ones, just because they had greater opportunities to do lesser measures of more juvenile sins. But they didn't know any better. Unfortunately, that didn't matter in Hell.

The newly re-enslaved demons that Valefor now owned, as well as the animals and other creatures from before at the skirmish, would all start to pour into the Court. The very same people that just fought a battle for these Marquises were now standing against them, not even batting an eye. They weren't even possessed or anything that forces them to be that way, they were just demons and acting out of pure convenience. There was no 'someone's going to be a hero' and then suddenly save everyone at the last second, or pretend that they were serving the enemy only to lower their guard. No, this was Hell -- it was exactly like it was supposed to be: demonic betrayal and disloyalty, with no obligation to anyone or anything beyond the self.

Naturally, the lowly Marquises were aware of their fate, and were not going to outrun thousands of demons, nor did they have the power to deal with thousands of demons. They were weak, middle-class demons whose powers and finances and everything about their lives came from and was controlled by the higher power demons, such as the Dukes.

"Your crimes against us are heinous, lesser demons," began Agares, who now spoke sternly to them. "... It is to be expected of a demon to swear loyalty to no one, but it is still foolish to turn against the powers over you when you don't have the power to overthrow them." Which was already quashed as it was. "... You fools don't even have any capable powers to defeat us with, and have set up an entire array for us that you were initially using against us. What of it now, since we have commandeered it? Is it not ours now? All your work that you did to come against us? And now, you have nothing, whereas you could have at least kept what you had, even if you never did get anything else. As it stands, though... You won't even keep your lives."

Agares looked to Gremory and nodded, and he, still as a beautiful woman, would command his legion of beautiful women to start pairing up with the demons, including the traitors, as well as the Dukes. The women would easily distract them and detract them from their serious matters, and didn't seem to be totally following the wishes of Agares, but instead... Trying to seduce him and everyone else in the Court at the time. But by the time they started, and the Dukes figured out that Gremory was making a power play to seize control, they were already far too enraptured by his beautiful women to turn against him or them, and rather would let themselves be ravished by the countless number of attractive females all about.

Sitting amongst the Dukes was the one that was next in line, as well -- Crocell. Though it was usually unknown to the immediately previous demon which demon immediately afterward was intended to handle them, each and every one of the demons that came after the prior knew that they generally had to deal with the previous demon if they ever were to get out of line. This was something that each of them down the line definitely did, but never anticipated would be done to them -- a one-way security system, so to speak. Each demon just keeps a watch of the previous, and disposes of them, without the prior ever knowing they were meant to do that, and that's why they were in orders like this.

In demonology, Crocell (also called Crokel or Procell) is the 49th spirit of the Goetia, manifesting as an angel with a tendency to speak in dark and mysterious ways. Once a member of the Powers, he is now a Duke of Hell who rules over 48 legions of demons. When summoned by a conjuror, he can teach geometry and other liberal sciences. He can also warm bodies of water, create the illusion of the sound of rushing waters, and reveal the location of natural baths. He is associated with water.

Whilst it was known that Gremory could see the events of the past and future, that didn't mean that what Gremory saw was absolute -- it just meant it was possible to become that in the future based on the events from the past. He was like a mystic navigator, but could not in any way actually control the future (beyond what regular people do in the present). Gremory did not foresee that this course of action -- meticulously forethought as it was -- would have any ramifications, especially if he escaped. Potentially, he could command all of the legions just by granting them one or more beautiful women. And that was his plan, as well, for when each demon had at least one woman, Gremory had disappeared completely.

All in all, the whole ordeal regarding the demons and their system seemed like much more trouble than it was worth -- and it was, but the demons didn't seem to notice or to care, if they did, which was why it was like this at all, as was literally everything else in their lives. This confusing, convoluted, almost unstructured mess of a system was meant to be established once and function without ever being opposed, because it doesn't work once it starts the chain reaction -- it only continues to collapse.

Obviously, being the one explaining and already knowing the events, Ophiuchus was already aware of this, and only had to set off the chain of causation that would end with the demons turning on each other, by their own natures and actual existences as who and what they are, and the whole thing literally wholly completely being dependent on them being sinful, sinning, untrustworthy, lowly demons. Both the maintenance AND the destruction of the system -required- them to be that way, making the actual entities themselves, that keep the system up, the very ones that were MEANT to destroy it EXACTLY as it is happening. So, Ophiuchus went on to say to Valac, as they came close to the roof of the Court in order to peer in, "Once The Army Of Agares Is Quieted And Controlled By Gremory, Everyone That Is Under Agares Is Then Matched With A Woman That Comes With Him And They Are Used To Control Them And Maintain That Control As Long As Gremory (Who Controls -ALL- The Women) Is Alive To Do So." It was like a mating ritual or some kind of commencement ceremony for something like an orgy, meant for demonic possession and control by enslavement to the women.

"Agares, Valefor, Marchosias, Ronove, Sabnock, And Malphas Are Taken Captive By Gremory Because Gremory Is Able To Use The Women For His Bidding And Still Maintain The Control Over Them. Thus, Gremory Has The Ultimate Control Over The Entire Army, All The Supplies And The Buildings As Well As Whatever Each Of The Other Rulers Are Able To Do." Since every demon that wasn't at the top was always looking for a way to get to the top, the rising discord from the collapsing system gives them the opportunity that otherwise would not happen if it occurred anywhere in the middle of the ranks -- only what would occur if it fell from the top or the bottom. Only. "When The Army Is Maintained By Gremory, The Next Duke Of Hell Comes -- Crocell." Ophiuchus pointed to the angelic looking one, who had black wings. "The Next Duke Of Hell -- Crocell -- Comes As An Angel So That The Subdued And Subservient Army Of Gremory Will Submit To Him And Believe That They Are Saved From Evil And Going To Heaven."

"You Can Call It A Double-Agent, If You Will, But That Angel Is Supposed To Be Here, And You'll See Why Soon Enough. He Teaches Geometry To Align All The Forces And Keep Them In Order As Well As To Create A Formation Among Them That Allows Them To Be Commanded More Accurately And Precisely Than Formerly With Amduscias Or With Malphas." Amduscias was only capable of creating and controlling discord, and as useful as it was in Hell, it still only amounted to making a mess when things were actually under control and in order, which was why Amduscias was the least of the Dukes, despite being so powerful and useful. His power was detrimental to them in other applications, no matter how powerful or useful when they needed it. "Though Crocell Maintains Control And Subdual Through A Feigned Angelicism, He Also Teaches Liberal Arts To Give The Illusion Of Freedom To Anyone That Is Within The Ranks So That They Do Not Understand That He Is Over Them -- Including The Women Of Gremory And Gremory, Himself."

Hence why Ophiuchus insisted that this 'angel' was supposed to be here -- he'd fallen from grace for a reason. "The Purpose Of Crocell Being Able To Control Water Is To Be Able To Manage The Flow Of What Is Spoken And What Is Given Fluidly, As Well As To Maintain A Level Of Mutual Harmony Between Everyone That Is Involved So That No Discord Nor Animosity Disturbs Them And Causes Conflict Within The Community So That They All Will Remain Subservient To The One That Keeps The Peace Among Them. Then They Are Brought To A Place Of Healing And Rest So That They Will Continue To Worship Crocell And See Him In The Likeness Of God Unto Them."

In all that occurred, the Dukes were in grave distress. Between Baal having slipped out, because calamity was at their doorstep, and they needed to deal with it before it got any farther along, it was the most opportune inopportunity that came upon them. They were stuck betwixt a rock and a hard place, and had to act immediately. Not only that, one of them -- Gremory -- seemed to have been already taking the chance.

Perhaps, his foresight of the future was his fortune; perhaps it was his undoing. It was clear he saw at least this far, if not farther than that. Perhaps, though, if the Court Of Dukes came up with a solution that was so far out of his vision that he didn't think it probable, then they could catch him by an improbably probability and make events lean toward that one.

It was unwise to underestimate the cleverness of a demon in a critical situation, and it is clear Gremory thought he was ever so elusive due to how smooth he was with the women, and also his gorgeous womanly form, but that was his own undoing -- his vanity of himself was blinding, and now he acted in potential error. Agares, the old man with great wisdom and understanding of language, could easily find the logic that would lead them toward the most plausible improbable probability, if given time to think.

But the women left behind were also nothing to sleep on, as beautiful and erotic as they were. Considering most if not all of the demonic system was composed of men -- for an obvious reason only men understand -- then it was very obvious that they would be susceptible to the wiles of women, especially in heat.

However, having an angelic background, Crocell, who also acted still in the nature of his original design by God as a Power, would be able to sense on the waves that were like water in the air the shifts of nature and the wavelengths of more than himself and a woman, and acted upon them naturally, even if it seemed unnatural to a demon to pass up such a moment.

For, there were not just Sinners and Demons in Hell -- there were also Fallen Angels, which Lucifer was, himself. This meant that an -array- of different kinds of angels that had fallen over time, or even at the very beginning, were -also- down here as Fallen Angels, even if not as powerful or prominent as Lucifer, who stole all the glory for everyone else -- who weren't even named in -his- rebellion.

In any case, by the time Crocell was free of the women, and the rest of the Court Of Dukes were 'subdued', he traced Gremory by his vibrations and other such emanations, which were unmistakeable, and if he was not taking an active precaution to hide them or mask them, it would be extremely easy as opposed to a little more difficult or challenging.

Even so, Crocell excelled at waves and the natures of water, so the flow of the waves was something his wings naturally carried him on, and he traveled gracefully, mellifluously, straight to Gremory, the next traitor, despite all the chaos and any discord going on that was meant to stop or distract or throw off any who tried to find or stop him, and making detours along the way that would further assist.

One such was to see the other Demon Lords, including the next Duke -- Bathin. In demonology, Bathin is a duke (Great Duke according to Pseudomonarchia Daemonum) of Hell, who has under his command thirty legions of demons. He knows the virtues of precious stones and herbs, and can bring men suddenly from one country to another. He helps one attain astral projection, and takes one wherever one wants to go.

He is depicted as a strong man with the tail of a serpent, riding a pale horse.

He is mentioned in The Lesser Key of Solomon, and other noteworthy places as other names, the same as Agares, meaning his name is renowned over different stages of his progression as a Demon Lord to Duke: Bathym, Mathim, Marthim.

As everything played out, Ophiuchus pointed out to Valac how the previous skirmish, though vastly influential to why what was happening now was happening now, was still the culmination of previous things that built up, and not to get lost or distracted by the things that they get distracted by, such as large events, major discord, and general off-brand distractions of all variations along the way, if not altogether.

"By This Time, The Women Of Gremory Are All Seeking To Possess Or Are Distractions For Those Who Are Seeking To Possess Them, Leaving Agares And Gremory -- As Well As Valefor, Malphas, Sabnock, Ronove And Marchosias -- To Be Constrained By Dealing With Each Other And No Longer Able To Pay Attention To Crocell, Who (By This Time), Is Communicating In A Mystic And Dark Manner In Order To Sedate The Masses And Keep Them Subdued." Crocell's vibrations from movement in symphonic synchronicity with harmonious waves even in discord and also to placate the discordant or negative vibrations -- being an angel, after all -- cause the masses to be subdued by his beauty when he moves or acts at all, because everything he does is seamless and fluid, seeming perfect, despite having the capacity to fall the same way. As is how he fell and why he was there -- to learn that lesson, as any angel who does not understand themselves. "When All Is Calm And Everyone Believes That They Are In Paradise Because Crocell Has Refreshed And Replenished Them Via His Angel-like Water Techniques, Agares And Gremory Keep Control And Begin To Align The Army In Formation And Valefor Keeps All In Line By Trapping Them Within Their Own Ranks And Divisions. This Allows For More Advanced Maneuvering."

All the while as he explained, Ophiuchus took Valac over where everything was happening, all throughout Hell, everywhere any sort of chain of causation occurred, as it was happening, in realtime. "Ronove And Marchosias Keep The Peace By Continuing To Whisper Sweet Words To Everyone Whilst Also Spreading Information Within The Ranks, Or To Break Apart Certain People In Spirit By Spreading Animosity, Though There Is None. Due To The Sedation, Malphas And Sabnock Are Completely Neutralized And Tranquilized Due To The Harmony Created And Maintained By Crocell And All Of The Units Working In Tandem, Which Is To Crocell's Ultimate Advantage To Control Them All." However the demons were maneuvering, as Ophiuchus hovered high above them and explained to Valac, a commonly Fallen Angel, who was enslaved to keep the game going, being educated about his Sin of 'being the thing that keeps it all going and not choosing to take yourself out to stop the bad guys for the greater good' trope. "

"Once The Spirits Are Weak And Malleable, The Next Of The Dukes Working With Crocell -- Bathin -- Appears To Begin Spiritism On The Souls Of The Sedated Army." Now, what was likely not foreseen by the Lesser Demon Lords was that the Higher Demon Lord were already perceptive quite acutely of the potential betrayal -- not just from any demon alone, but also by them -specifically- for reasons they already previously understood that perhaps they believed they were clever about hiding, because they were able to get Lesser Demons. Hence why they were Lesser Demon Lords -- they only had their greatest potential ruling over Lesser Demons and Lesser Beings than themselves, not anything higher, and could not sustain themselves nor be sustained in a high place due to how lowly they were both of mind and capacity. Thus, the Higher Demon Lords established a plan to have a method for crowd control of a new 'Party' after the old one was disbanded, and the traitors were outed, and about to be executed, as well as replaced, with Lesser Demons wanting their place as Lesser Demon Lord.

Such was how the system was designed, and what separated Lesser Demons from Higher Demons, as well as Demons from other entities, in general, save for Sinners.

"Next In Line For The Dukes To Appear Is Bathin, Who Is A Communication Demon, Meant To Connect The Gathered Army With Those Of Other Nations." As of now, after Crocell spoke to Bathin, he began to make some proverbial -- or literal -- calls to other Demon Lords and Demon Kings all over Hell, and possibly even other Hells, if their nexus was large enough. That way, Crocell could deal with Gremory seamlessly and not have to double-back. "He Is Able To Control Spirits -- Especially Whilst They Are Weak Or Vulnerable -- And Lead Them Into Astral Projection So That They Can Feel Or See What Their Spirits Desire." Crocell's initial sedation via his wonderment and beautiful elegance and grace, fluid as water itself, mesmerized others into a soothing calmed state, which made it easier for Bathin (whose name also resembles 'Bath' and denotes 'Brainwashing') to influence them via Spiritism -- which literally took advantage of, attacked, or altered the spirit of others negatively in some way, oftentimes (especially in Sorcery) for the sole gain or profit of the conjurer. "He Is A Horseman Of Death That Drags Souls Behind Him Like A Long String, And Brings Them To A Place Of Death To Weaken The Flesh. The Serpent Tail Poisons The Soul After Bringing It To The Place It Desires To Be And Then Is Made Weak, Just Like The Flesh, By Allowing The Desires To Be Fulfilled Without The Backlash Of The Poison To Be Understood Before It's Too Late." It might have seemed like it was all too much of a coincidence, but this was what their ancestors intended to design, and intended for their descendants to complete -- an unfinished work they created, destined to fall, they were too late to warn them about, and never could, even with passing down their actual lineage and history, due to themselves counteracting each other and never letting it complete itself.

Now, it played out right before their eyes -- a period meant specifically for 'Brainwashing', located in the 'Upper Echelon' in order to 'Program' or 'Reprogram' the 'Masses'. Yet, why would something like this fail, since it was adapted still into a modern day practice? Such is what they too must have wondered, seeing their works in ways that were not only modernized, but functioned the same way they came to create their own systemic society to do so for their own sustenance. A Demon System.

"Bathin Teaches The Values Of The Earth In Order For The Units In The Army To Learn The Nature Of The Earth And What Is Important So That They May Take Control Over It." By educating the ignorant masses, whom are sedated, malleable, pliable, and easily swayed, of the value and worth of greater things, this placates them and grants you their favor whilst also makes them subservient to you, which is the entirety of the brainwashing process, done through both 'Mind Control' and 'Spiritism'. "Bathin Also Gathers Up The Armies Of Other Nations And Brings Them Together Using The Same Method And With The Same Intention Only For Them To Band Together And Become One Large Militia Under He And Crocell." This is why they like Bathin, and why he is a Higher Demon Lord, as well as a Duke Of Hell -- his specialty is superior to both Lesser Demons and Lesser Dukes, making him invaluable, but still a liability, which all the other Higher Demon Lords know -- as well as about others.

Making Lesser Higher Demons more instrumental in Lesser Higher or Higher Lesser plans made sure that none of the Middle-Class could ever fully surpass the layers of the Upper Echelon, which had their own maze, puzzle, and stairway similar -- but wholly different -- from the Lower Echelon, especially at the Poverty Layer, which is the residual result of their 'Vanity', projection of it, and someone wanting to see it, or believe they need to in order to be of use or good or valuable to the world.

Hence why Bathin teaches also the 'Values Of The Earth', in order to 'Reeducate' the masses with old information being withheld from them on purpose that was always known and being used and being suppressed as well as oppressively forced onto them to do and maintain without them knowing for those who already knew and prolonged it, passing it down for generations by ruling over the poor or lower classes. And also believing it an act of God, when the service itself was, yet was corrupted by 'Evil Kings Of Israel' into being used to service Sinners and Sins. Though it worked, the corrupted mechanisms -did- process it and -birthed- something that they could not control, and trapped themselves in, which is its own security protocol for trapping and enslaving Demons by design.

Ergo, the Babylon System.

"Note That Bathin Incites Trades Through Import And Export Of The Materials Of The Earth In Order To Bring Nations Together Or To Drive Them To War Based On The Trade, And Utilizing Trade, Can Incite Spiritism To Make Give People Their Desires Or Force Them To Go To War For The Materials That He Has Control Over. This Is Also Used To Cover Up Bad Things Or Good Things That Happen Over The Earth, Since Bathing Has Control Over The Earth In This Fashion." This level of influence over so many different people and territories causes something even larger than the initial Demonic Rebellion and Demon Resistance, which are normally totally quashed before they ever get up this far, or else their 'Hell System' is a failure.

If a 'Hell System' was a failure, that was something that was threatening to =ALL= Hell Systems everywhere, permanently, by design, as soon as they are made, and applicably to the past, as well as present, plus any level of future iteration. Simply because it is Hell, in any depiction, with Demons, in any depiction, or Sinners, in any depiction. It was gridlocked and flawless -- perfect by design, for capturing and enslaving demons. Hence why Ophiuchus said to Valac to stand far off and wait.

"It Is Time," Ophiuchus finally proclaimed, "My Time To Shine." This was his part in all of this -- that which would drive all Demons, Demon Lords, and Fallen Angels everywhere, including the True Original Lucifer, to a state of madness and terror. "FALLEN," Ophiuchus boomed, his voice projected as a magnanimous light, moving so fast as to spread throughout the Hell Dimensions, "FALLEN IS BABYLON THE GREAT."