The Balance of Power in the Abyss (Part One)

In the deepest reaches of the Abyss.

Within a tiny Plane unknown to mortals and Gods alike, a terrifying power suddenly erupted.

A dreadful presence spread in every direction. The entire Plane trembled beneath it, and a rift opened in space. From that Plane-rending force emerged a monstrous beast, enormous yet so gaunt its bones showed, looking half alive and half undead. Its arrival shook the entire Abyss. Irresistible power rocked several connected Planes, and as if venting the fury of a thousand years in captivity, the wolf-like giant threw back its head and roared. Its power swept through the entire Abyss, making every Demon Lord's heart skip a beat. Some even shuddered from head to toe.

It was back!

The fearsome beast was announcing its return to the entire Abyss. The provocation amounted to a declaration of war against every Demon Lord. Even an Archfiend wielding Greater Divinity would not dare do that lightly, but this beast did it without hesitation.

Because it was one of the three great Evil Creatures of antiquity—the Chaotic Hound, Kezef!

The Chaotic Hound, Kezef, was also known as Heaven's Bane. It devoured the souls of the Gods' faithful—the Petitioners. Souls it consumed were utterly destroyed, beyond the saving power of even Divine Power. The Council of Higher Deities had once tricked the Chaotic Hound into captivity in Pandemonium for centuries. The price was the former God of Justice's right hand, bitten off by Kezef. Later, the God of Murder released it, only for the former God of Intrigue, Mask, to seal it away again. Somehow it escaped once more, hunted Mask across the Planes, and bit off one of his legs.

The Gods had joined forces to seal away a monster like that during the age of the Arcane Empire. What no one