In their many and their few the most powerful demons of three worlds - now two - made their way around the rim of the Eye of Hell.
The landscape of Hell was far darker than it had been, even with the underglow of the Eye barely piercing the shroud above. Even the Eye itself was much changed. Wider and cooler as it leaked the heart blood of Hell's core in its final eruptions.
Had the demons been aware enough, thoughtful enough, and looked long enough, they would have seen what the woman waiting for them knew.
Hell was dying.
Not the intermittent death of places, driven by terrible storms of ash.
But the death of the whole, driven by darkness and fire.
An imbalance too long uncorrected, which could only be cured here.
And now.
