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Chapter 13: The Ruler of Hell

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Chapter 13: The Ruler of Hell is the second episode of the second season of the Netflix original dark fantasy series, The Sandman.

Synopsis[]

Lucifer quits Hell, expels its inhabitants, and entrusts Morpheus with the Key to Hell. With the key in his possession, Morpheus throws a lavish banquet to determine which god, demon, or other supernatural being can be trusted with the dark power of Hell itself.

Plot[]

In Hell, Dream heads to the gateway and finds it open, allowing him to pass through it. Dream found it disturbing, even for Hell's standards. Lucifer Morningstar, dressed in all white, greets Dream, who asks where Nada was and what they did with her. However, Lucifer asks that Dream take off his helm and, despite being afraid of Lucifer, takes off his helm because Lucifer vowed not to harm him while he's in Hell. Again, Dream asks where Nada was, and Lucifer tells him that they sent all the Demons, condemned souls, etc., away. They then spoke in the singular, not the plural, which Lucifer admits is because they're no longer a monarch and have quit after spending ten billion years in Hell.

Taking a seat by a nearby fountain, Lucifer states that they're tired and they have Dream to thank for inspiring them to abandon their post as he leaves his Kingdom all the time. However, Dream argued that it's Lucifer's responsibility to oversee Hell. Lucifer states that they used to be so alike, citing that when they were an angel, they cared so much. They then ask what they were like back then. Calling them Samael, Dream told them that they were very proud. Still, Lucifer thought they were being foolish and rebellious, but realized that they were fulfilling another tiny one of God's great and powerful plan. In retrospect, Lucifer realizes that if they didn't rebel, another Angel would take their place, and now, it's all over.

Mazikeen appears and boldly claims that Lucifer is still her sovereign and will follow Lucifer wherever they go; however, Lucifer rejects this, takes her sword, and asks that she leave. Dream asks where Mazikeen will go, followed by where they will all go, and Lucifer names off Heaven, Earth, Limbo. They don't care, as they didn't ask for all of them to be there. Lucifer goes on to detail the hardships of ruling over Hell and its subjects, and notes that there is only one gateway to Hell that has yet to be sealed.

After sealing the last gateway to Hell, Dreams asks Lucifer what they will do now, and Lucifer admits they haven't given it much thought and lists off a few possible things. However, before all of that, Lucifer asks that Dream cut off their wings, which, although hesitant to do so, Dream does. Once that was over, Lucifer bestows the Key to Hell upon Dream, which he interprets as their way of getting revenge on him, and Lucifer doesn't deny it.

Returning to his kingdom, Lucienne, Mervyn, and Matthew watch as Dream hastily passes by them and Lucienne follows Dream. Mervyn and Matthew, on the other hand, refuse to follow them, and Lucienne speaks to Dream in a separate room, where he reveals that Lucifer has abdicated the throne, and he couldn't find Nada anywhere. Lucienne asks who the new king of Hell is, and Dream reveals that it's himself. He fears that all-powerful beings will storm his castle in hopes of taking the key from him, but notes he won't let it come to that.

Afterward, Dream summons Death and talks to her about how he should handle Hell. Death asks what Dream wants to do, and he states that he wants to find Nada, but Death suggests that she wait. She then reveals that everyone who was in Hell is now in the waking world, planning to change it into a new Hell. Suggesting two choices, Death says that Dream can either rule Hell himself or give the key to someone else. Dream wanted to give it to Death; however, she refused due to her job sorting out all the souls that have escaped from Hell, a task that parallels her normal job. Once Death left, Matthew arrived and informed Dream that they had visitors.

Outside his palace, Thor with Odin, Loki, and other Gods behind him demand an audience with Dream. Returning to the front lobby area with Matthew, Thor's screams could be heard. Mervyn complained that he hated him, and Lucienne asked what they should do. Hence, Dream has Mervyn prepare the main hall and Lucienne greet their guests, as they throw them a ball.

With nearly all of the Gods in the lobby area, Lucienne checks in their guests, starting with Odin, Thor, and Loki, servants of Lord Kilderkin, and the Lord Himself, Shivering Jemmy, and Susano-o-no-Mikoto. Finally, Azazel with Merkin, Mother of Spiders, and Choronzon, whereas Azazel acted confrontational toward Lucienne, Dream appears before them all and greets Azazel, while also welcoming his guests. Azazel speaks out, stating that Hell should return to the Demons, but Dream reminds him that Hell belongs to him for now. Dream states that he'll respect and listen to all of their claims to Hell and announces there will be a banquet.

That night, Cluracan arrives alongside Nuala and their subjects. Cluracan acts pompously, even though Nuala notes they're late, Cluracan argues they're just in time, and Dream appears before them, and Nuala states that they're envoys from the Court of Faerie. Before they're able to eat or sleep, Nuala passes on a message from Titania and Auberon. The message was that nine of their citizens must be sacrificed to Hell every seven years, and they asked that he not give it to anyone else who attended the banquet. Still, Dream says he has to listen to everyone's pleas to ascertain Hell before making his final choice.

Leading Cluracan and the Faeries to his dining room, where all of his guests ate, Dream introduces Tamaris to them. Tamaris takes the two Faerie orders and leaves Anthony to guide them to their table, and Cluracan takes an immediate liking to Anthony.

Approaching Dream, who stood on a balcony watching his guests dine, Lucienne asks him if he'd join them, but Dream hoped to observe them from where he was. He then asked her who she favored, and Lucienne suggested Odin. However, Dream was aware of Loki, who picked up on Dream's suspicions of him. Odin, though, wanted Loki to use his deceptive tactics to get Hell for him, but Loki admits he can't trick the Dream King in his realm and must negotiate with him. Loki ponders what Dream dreams about.

Lucienne asks Dream his thoughts on giving Hell to the Demons, to which he answers none. At that moment, Thor visits the Demon's table and tries to court Merkin, but comes to regret it. Cluracan and Nuala come to Thor's aid, but when offered a seat at their table, he rejects it and picks a fight with Choronzon. However, Dream intervenes by transforming Mjölnir into sand and appearing from it, admonishing them from making threats to any of his guests there.

From the ceiling of the room, Angels Remiel and Duma appear and state that they have no stake in Hell, but will observe under the Creator's order and interest.

Afterward, Cain puts on a magic show with Goldie and Abel.

Elsewhere, Tamaris talks to Dream, asking him if Angels eat, to which he answers that they do not and offers him something to eat, but Dream declines. Before Tamaris leaves, she states that God trusts Dream will make the right decision or else he'd take the key away.

The servant of Lord Kilderkin relays a message to Dream as Merkin calms Choronzon down, stating that Azazel has a plan to give Hell to them and will show him what it was in her chambers.

Back to Dream, the servant of Lord Kilderkin, explains to Dream that for years Lord Kilderkin has collected Dream essences of the dead, but Dream rejects the offer. Shivering Jemmy then threatens Dream to give her Hell or else she'll haunt him with chaos for the rest of his life. She then offers him a balloon and then takes her leave.

Cain's performance continues with him setting Abel in half, and once he does, he prepares it for the next trick, the mincing machine.

Elsewhere, Choronzon is swarmed by baby spiders as he discovers that Azazel intends to use him as his gift to Dream.

Passing by Susano-o-no-Mikoto, Dream talks with him about his rebirth after being banished to his home country's Hell. Dream tells Susano-o-no-Mikoto that he'll consider his offer carefully and takes his leave. Now passing by Odin, the old God asks Dream if he bribed him, but Dream said no. Therefore, Odin gives him one, the location of his missing brother.

After Cain finished his performance, Dream announced that he would reveal Hell's new ruler the next day.

Backstage, Lucienne talks to Dream, who has two candidates in mind to offer Hell to, and Lucienne remarks on a third plausible candidate, Azazel, who wishes to speak with him.

Later, Azazel has a meeting with Dream and offers him Choronzon, but Dream rejects him, so Azazel offers Nada instead, who appears encapsulated in an amber sack inside Azazel's body. He threatened to devour Nada's soul as he then devoured Choronzon's, if Dream did not hand over the key to Hell to him.

Cast[]

Trivia[]

To be added

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