The Sandman – S2 – The Ruler of Hell – Eps02
Finding Hell eerily empty upon his arrival, Dream is confronted by Lucifer who, weary of her duty, has abdicated the throne and released all souls and demons to roam other worlds. Lucifer persuades Dream to ceremoniously cut off his wings and with that, he exacts his revenge, making Dream the custodian of Hell. Returning to the Dreaming, Dream soon finds it flooded by delegations of supernatural beings seeking dominion over Hell, among them being the gods Susano-o-no-Mikoto; Odin, Thor and Loki; a retinue from Faerie led by Cluracan and Nuala, and a group of demons led by Azazel, Choronzon, and Merkin who demand to return to Hell. Two angels, Remiel and Duma, descend from Heaven as observers for the Creator. Dream welcomes everyone in his palace as guests and throws a banquet to watch all and decide who to give the Key to Hell to. Aside from the night’s entertainment provided by Cain and Abel, several guests approach Dream with bribes, among them Azazel who reveals he has captured Nada’s soul and is willing to exchange it for the Key to Hell.