The news reached the Underworld within hours of Metatron's retreat.

Not through official channels—demons didn't maintain diplomatic relations with the Otherworld. But through the same mortal networks spreading Azrael's legend. Through scouts who'd witnessed the battle from safe distances. Through the cosmic ripples that occurred when the Voice of the Goddess was broken by someone neither realm had properly accounted for.

In the Infernal Citadel, the Demon King's throne room erupted with ...