It was a tense day in Hell.

The trial of Stolas and the imps—Blitzo and the others—had drawn the attention of many powerful demons. The courtroom was vast, its ceiling disappearing into shadow. A towering red window stretched across the entire back wall, bathing the chamber in a deep crimson glow.

Before it stood the seven thrones of the Sins.

Lucifer’s throne, the highest of them all, sat empty. Abandoned. Yet no one dared acknowledge it.

Below it was the row where Asmodeus, Beelzebub, and Belphegor sat, their expressions unreadable in the molten light. Beneath them, in the next row, Mammon and Leviathan occupied their seats. At the very bottom sat Satan himself, upon an imposing throne carved from black stone.

Streams of molten lava flowed elegantly from the base of the columns besides the thrones, cascading downward into a massive lava pit that filled the center of the chamber. Rising from the middle of that burning pool stood a jagged cliff of obsidian rock—the place where the accused were forced to stand during their judgment.

Surrounding the chamber were high galleries carved from red and black marble. Many Hellborn had gathered there to witness the spectacle. Among them were members of the Ars Goetia family—Vassago among them—along with other powerful sinners and high-ranking demons. The air buzzed with quiet murmurs and anticipation, Hell tv news reporters recording all.

Black candles floated through the air like drifting stars, their dark flames flickering silently.

Loona, Millie, and Moxxie were chained to a large stone near the edge of the cliff, restrained as they awaited their fate. Beside them stood Stolas himself, now stepping forward onto the cliff in the center of the lava pool, preparing to speak in his defense.

Nearby, Andrealphus stood within a crystalline tower of ice he had conjured, his wings folded neatly behind him. At his side stood his sister Stella, both of them watching with smug satisfaction as Stolas faced judgment.

At last, Satan leaned forward on his throne, his voice echoing through the vast chamber.

Satan: “So,” he rumbled. “Let’s begin. Stolas Goetia, how do you plead?”