Ashenheart subjected Belial to a variety of physical tests, "What exactly are all of these for...?" Belial asked the supposed scientist.
"
Simply gathering information." The supposed scientist said, checking Belial's non-existent heartbeat.
"I don't have a heart, dude. This is useless." Belial said, getting slightly annoyed at Ashenheart's useless tests. "My body is just a clump of flesh and blood... No organs or heart." He said.
"
I am not checking your heart. I am checking your soul." Ashenheart said, "Soul...? Dude, I don't have a soul." Belial said. Ashenheart chuckled a bit.
"
Well, I beg to differ, my good sir." He said, snapping his fingers which caused a large TV-Screen to appear on the wall. "
Take a look at my scans." Belial's eyes widened.
"What the hell is this, Ashenheart...???" Belial was confused beyond belief as he saw a flickering purple-spark appear on the screen, "That's... That's my soul...?" He asked the supposed scientist.
"
Precisely. It's not even close to fully formed, but being merged with the Qliphoth roots is changing you, Belial. You are subconsciously forming a soul out of nothing." Ashenheart said.
"This... That doesn't make any sense. I'm a demon. I've never had an actual soul." Belial said to Ashenheart, "Why? What's happening?" He asked.
"
That... I don't know. But soon we will find out the nature of your existence..." Ashenheart motioned for Belial to follow him into another room, which prompted Belial to nod and follow him.
"Ashenheart, sir. I have made the necessary preparations."
"
Thank you, Lisa," Ashenheart said, probably smiling through his beard. Belial chuckled a bit. "So you're into nurses?" Belial asked.
"
Haha! I guess you could say that, my boy." Ashenheart said jokingly before his voice got serious, "
Are you ready?" Somehow, this caused a chill to run throughout Belial's body.
"For what...?" He looked at a large steel table, "Am... Am I supposed to lay on that?" Belial asked.
"
Of course." Belial nodded, laying on the metal table, a bunch of metal protrusions and wires suddenly connecting to his body. "Wh-What the hell!?" He said. "
Lisa, will you please explain the procedure?" Ashenheart said.
"As you wish, Ashenheart. Today we will be utilizing one of Dr. Ashenheart's inventions to forcefully assimilate you with the Primordial Plant,
Qliphoth." The nurse Lisa said.
"That sounds... Simple enough." Belial said.
"
Boy, I would recommend that you do not underestimate what is going to happen to you. The procedure will take around a month to completely assimilate you with the tree, and during that time, you will go through hell." Ashenheart said.
"Hell, Huh?" Belial asked, turning to Ashenheart.
"
That's right, hell. Unimaginable pain will rack your body constantly, pain so extreme even those with the most unbreakable wills would opt to kill themselves." The supposed scientist said.
"Damn..." Belial thought to himself, "Is my goal really worth all of that pain...?" Was betraying the people he loved really worth all of that pain?
"
Now is the time to decide, Belial. Will you become god right now, or will you simply bite the dust?" Ashenheart asked.
"I already am a god..." He said, "I have one question before I agree to anything." Belial said, "
Ask away."
"What exactly do you really want? I'm getting this ominous feeling... One I would get when talking to a higher-being." Belial said, causing Ashenheart to smile.
"
I'll say it once more. Like you, I desire the evolution of the human species. And we can achieve that! With the power you will gain along with the intelligence, you will be capable of accelerating human evolution drastically within a mere 15 years! In that time, a single human will be comparable to a thousand calamities, we can rid humanity of ailments and diseases, and there will finally be peace. What's a few years of hell for an eternity of heaven, after all?" Ashenheart said.
"..." Belial stared at the doctor, clenching his fists. "My goal..." He thought to himself, "Alright then. If you're going to grant me power, then go along with the procedure." Belial said.
"
EXCELLENT!" Ashenheart yelled out, jubilation filling his voice. "
You made the right decision!" Ashenheart said, pulling a lever.
"
Now The Ultimate Evil will have to get involved..." Ashenheart thought.