| |||
|---|---|---|---|
| The Great War | |||
| Location | |||
| Outcome |
Involvement ended; presumed over (Medius) | ||
| Opposed Sides | |||
| Powers and Weapons | |||
|
| ||
| Casualties | |||
|
| ||
The Great War was a war between Angels and Demons. It lasted for over a thousand years and most of it took place in Hell and Heaven, where many were killed. It is a major part of the history of Angels and Demons, and its repercussions still affect the present events of Slightly Damned.
Pre-Event[]
While both Gaia and Syndel created Medius, the Medians gave Gaia all of their praise, while Syndel was shunned. Syndel did not take this kindly; he aided an unnamed general into taking over his own kingdom. While invading another kingdom, witnesses claimed to have seen Demons within their ranks. As a result, Gaia sent an army of Angels to do battle with Syndel's forces. And so began the long series of battles which became known as the Great War.
Demons and Angels have conflicting beliefs about the start of the war. Angels believe that Syndel was jealous of Medians' love for Gaia and vowed to destroy Heaven, leaving Gaia with no choice but to fight back.[1] Demons believe that Gaia wants to make the world "perfect" by getting rid of Syndel and all his Demons, as they are beings of chaos.[2]
Events[]
Regardless of cause, the conflict devolved into an "ever-turning wheel of vengeance". By the time of the comic's present events, the war has been going on for 1,113 years.[1]
Median Involvement[]
Angels and Demons fought in Medius, leading to Medians being involved in the war. Some of the Twelve Guardians took sides: Melli the Fire Bee and Siara the Lynx sided with Heaven, while Broxis the Wolf and Toski the Rabbit sided with Hell.
During the war, a native Median created the Rainbow Reverie, using bodily materials from various races including the Angels and Demons. These potions could have been used by Medians fighting the war, possibly by the heroes who helped end it.
Sometime prior to the end of the war in Medius, a band of heroes took part in the war in order to end the conflict. One hero in particular, Valfe,[3] is mentioned in a book about the history of the Great War, and seem to be considered a legend.
About 300 years ago, Fragaria and Nirveus were at war with each other. Cultists summoned Demons through a ritual on Mt. Sentinel, leading them to fight the Great War on Medius. Possibly soon after, Median involvement in the Great War came to an end, and people believed the war had stopped altogether.[4]
Continuation[]
Hell's Army entering Heaven through portals.
In spite of this, Demons and Angels would still fight up to as recently as 15 years before the start of the comic. Demons invaded Heaven through portals similar to those created by the Counterreaction; Angels used them in turn to enter Hell and fight there. However, most were not able to return. Both armies would only use Medius as a bridge between their respective realms, as to fight directly on the enemy's turf. For centuries, the numbers of both Angels and Demons dwindled as the war kept going for generations.
At least two known clans of Heaven were massacred by Demons. One of them belonged to Kieri's mother, who would be the sole survivor and later married into the Suizahn Clan; while the other was the Denevol Clan in which Denevol was the only known survivor. About 20 years ago, Darius Elexion was drafted into Heaven's Army and was sent to Medius to fight, before entering Hell with other Angels; there, they committed a massacre in the Ring of the Slightly Damned, killing many Demon children and nearly wiping out an entire generation.
Heaven was known to keep Demon prisoners in the coliseum, so that Warrior Angels could slay them as to earn their Star Pendant. The practice ended before Kieri and Kazai were hatched, and there are no more Demons in Heaven today. Similarly, all Angels that made their way into Hell were eventually killed, except for one.
About 15 years ago, Death tried to put an end to the war by barring Angels and Demons from entering each other's realms, and making it so that every Demon coming to Medius forced an Angel to come down, and vice versa.[5] However, this would backfire when Hell's Army opted to set their sights on invading Medius instead.
Current Events[]
The break from combat led people to believe the Great War was finally over; however, Warriors Angels are still being trained to defend Heaven, in case another attack were to break out.[6] Under new leadership, the Demon army is using the Ascension ritual as to send its troops onto Medius: their goal is to capture living Angels and use them as sacrifices as to eventually bring all of Demonkind to Medius. Their tactics to that end notably involve tricking Angels into lowering their guard by speaking to them in their own language and befriending them.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Slightly Damned #1113
- ↑ Slightly Damned #1164
- ↑ Slightly Damned #179 [HQ] Bottom-left panel, back of book.
- ↑ Slightly Damned #193 [HQ]
- ↑ Slightly Damned #774
- ↑ Slightly Damned #1109
[]
| Chapters | To Hell and Back • Snow Angels • River-Side Stories • Love and War • Forgive Me • The Flower Festival • Raising Hell • Oops! All Demons • Through Fang and Flame • Atop the Tree of Peace • The Lost Puppy • The Last Angels |
| Notable Events | The Great War • Fifteen Years Ago • Rhea's Death • Spring Flower Festival • Demon Invasion • The Gathering • Journey to Port Dorade |
| Comic Links | Prologue • Part One • Part Two • Part Three • Part Four • Part Five • Part Six • Part Seven • Part Eight • Part Nine • Part Ten • Part Eleven • Part Twelve |
| Related Media | Junk Hyenas Diner • Slightly Damned Radio Play • The Legend of Buwaro: Soprano of Time |