In it was a thick tome. It was covered in the strange symbols Hasstor wore on his flesh and looked as though it was made of some ancient leather. I suspected it was a hide of a more human nature, the writing like raised scars. With only a little hesitation, I took it. I didn’t need to examine it further to know I wouldn’t be snuggling up with it in front of the fireplace.

“What is this?”

“Lucifer wished it passed on to you, but he gave no specifics as to its nature or its intended use. He said to hide it where no eyes may see, and that you would know what he asked of you.”

That was a pretty clear allusion to the God-proof room in Lucifer’s chambers. He didn’t want anyone to be able to track the thing. I nodded to Hasstor, not really happy about another mystery, but I hoped the book might help translate the spells on the broken case and give me some clue as to who had been locked up inside it.

“Is there anything else?”

“Yes.” Hasstor drew a step closer. I had to resist the urge to step away from little Squirmy. “He wants you to know a war is being waged beyond your universe. God and Lucifer fight together to repel the enemy that threatens all of existence, but Lucifer fears the battle might reach Earth before the war is concluded. He asks that you find a way to prepare for its coming, or at least warn those who might stand in your planet’s defense should Lucifer not be able. If Earth falls, it may well become a foothold behind allied lines that might lead to the defeat of God.”

Hey, look at that; bad news. How unexpected. “What are we in for?” I really didn’t want to know, but what the hell? I’m a glutton for punishment.

“I am permitted to say little of the nature of our enemy, but so you understand the gravity of what may come about, your universe was only the most recent of God’s creations, and far from the most evolved, or the most dangerous.”