Chapter Text
The pungent smell of rotten fish and seaweed irritated his nostrils, distracting Light. The area around the City Hall was littered with corpses. After several attempts to storm it, several troops had been reduced to a small handful of people. A couple of times, the vanguard managed to break through to the main tower. Moreover, the special unit made their way to the main staircase and climbed it, but they were unable to reach the prisoner in the glass ball. Mello threw up his hands in frustration, and Light even sketched a diagram of the building on the wall using the blood of the fallen. But in fact, there was no room with the glass ball.
“They're using an illusion.” Light rubbed his chin.
“How?” Mello paced back and forth. The fish-like stormtroopers silently watched them with wide eyes.
The scouts split up, and the group under Light's command left the mysterious tower. Once they were far enough away, he carefully examined the City Hall, studying and memorizing every detail. But he still couldn't find the trick. Returning, the squad reunited, again losing some of the fish men, and went upstairs. There was no room with the glass ball.
“A hologram?” Mello shrugged.
Light's tail twitched nervously, whipping against his thighs. “I don't understand,” Light inhaled loudly.
“I'll look outside,” Mello said decisively.
“No,” Light shook his head. “Let's go together. It's impossible to solve this puzzle alone.”
Light and Mello descended, examining the floors. Two fish men, one of whom was dragging a leg pierced by a piece of broken stone, silently followed them down the stairs.
“Who's the architect of this?” Mello exhaled loudly. “Maybe we should climb the wall.”
“The wall? Under the watchful eyes of demons and Nephilim?” Light pressed himself to the ground, hiding behind a pile of stones.
“I know it's a stupid option! But there's no other way!”
“Let's go to City Hall.”
“What's the point? We're running back and forth like idiots. We've lost all the fish–”
Crouching low, Light ran toward the ill-fated entrance. Cursing, Mello rushed after him.
Rolling inside, Mello leaned against the wall and peered out. “There's no way back.” He nodded to Light, who was feeling every inch of the wall. The only surviving fish-man sat down on the step with his weapon at the ready.
“We have to go upstairs,” Light raised his head, “but this staircase doesn't lead to Leviathan. What should we do?”
“Go down!” came a clear voice.
“Niffty!” Mello jumped up. “What are you doing here?”
“Saving the world!” Niffty squealed and, her heels clicking on the steps, ran down to the basement.
“Hmm.” Light rubbed his chin. “Right. Maybe there's a secret passage there.”
The spiral staircase ran down, plunging into impenetrable darkness. Light ran down, calculating the width of the steps and listening to the click of Niffty's heels. A purple light glowed softly, growing stronger, and leaden clouds flashed past the windows, revealing the purple disk of the local moon. Light slowed down and leaned over the railing, looking down. The transparent sphere with the Leviathan floating inside it was at the bottom of the stairs.
“I don't understand.” Light frowned.
Light felt dizzy. The ball with Leviathan was attached to the ceiling, the room was upside down, like a dwelling for bats, but the landscape outside the windows was normal. Mello walked under the ball, his head thrown back. Niffty jumped onto the window and looked out. The night wind played mischievously with her skirts. There was a rumbling, roaring, and howling coming from the street.
The fish took aim and shot at the ball, the projectile ricocheted and hit the wall, leaving a dent. Niffty clapped her hands.
“Niffty,” Light called. “How do we get Leviathan out of there?”
Niffty turned to him and thought for a moment, then shrugged and turned away.
“Yeah, sure… Light said and walked over to the far wall, examining the aquarium-like sphere. Leviathan's two heads hung limply, his eyelids tightly closed.
Shadows crept across the room, scattering into the corners, and a cane tapped against the stone floor. Niffty cried out joyfully, and the black figure of the Radio Demon stretched out, filling half the room. The fish-man discharged his weapon, firing the entire magazine into the shadow. The shells passed through the ghostly figure, leaving black marks on the wall. The cane whistled through the air, landing with a nasty smack on the shooter's head, and the fish's body sprawled under the sphere with one of the Deadly Sins.
“Al!” Niffty ran toward the Radio Demon, her heels clicking. An alarming thought flashed through Light's mind, and his hand shot up. He didn't have time to call out to her. The cane flashed. Niffty didn't make a sound. She sank smoothly to the floor, her arms outstretched, never embracing her friend, a happy smile frozen on her lips. A pool of blood spread, staining the snow-white ruffles of her dress, her eyes glazed over. Light gasped for air.
“Damn yooou!” Mello screamed, tearing through Light's eardrums.
All sounds merged into a general hum. Mello's endless angry tirade intertwined with the pounding of the pulse in his temples and the high-pitched ringing of despair. Even the image blurred before Light's eyes, as if he were looking at everything through a peephole. The whole situation was like a nightmare, and Light couldn't wake up. The pool of blood darkened, Niffty's eyes dimmed.
“Why?” Light whispered. “Sinners can't be killed. Permanently, that is.” He clasped his temples with his hands. “Only with angelic metal.”
Fear ran down his spine and fluffed up his tail. The game turned out to be more dangerous, and the risk critical. The boy's body tensed, he wanted to run away. And the staircase was so temptingly close, just reach out and touch the railing. And run up the steps that lead down.
“To salvation,” Light exhaled quietly and added, “To salvation?”
The tadpoles hiding in the ruins flashed insistently before his eyes. Those local inhabitants, for some reason unable to resist the invasion. And the huge frightened eyes of one of them, pressed against Laita's leg, when the earth rumbled from the footsteps of a Nephilim.
But animal fear drove Light to the stairs, and his legs already pulled him toward the exit. And, hunching his shoulders, with an incomprehensible feeling of contempt for himself, Light walked away, realizing that he had once experienced this feeling. But now it had shed the lavish robes of the winner-at-any-cost and cast aside the shield of self-justification. Only on the first step did Light turn around.
Through the ghostly darkness of the Radio Demon's figure in the light of the lavender moon, Mello rose, staggering. His light ferret chest was stained dark, his arm hung limply. And a stream of threats and curses poured from his lips.
“Dirty maniac! Principles? Honor? Liar!!! You're just a murderer!!! A chained dog!!! A beast!!!”
Light lunged across and hung onto the cane that had swung up. Like a gymnast, he did a somersault and landed near Mello. He spread his arms, covering the bloodied boy, and swallowed hard at the dark figure looming over them, with eyes burning with a strange light and a sharp-toothed smile.
“Alastor?” Light's voice faltered and sounded unfamiliar to him, horribly thin and squeaky.
“Bastard! How could you raise your hand against Niffty?!” Mello shouted from behind his back.
“It's not him.” Light shook his head, staring into the cold, unfamiliar eyes.
“You don't know him! Hypocritical bastard!”
“Alastor wouldn't have killed Niffty!” Light shouted. “Alastor wouldn't have killed Vox!” He added quietly. “Eve leads the ball here.”
“Satan should be.” Mello snorted. “Where is that buffalo hanging around?”
“Alastor! Can you hear me?! You must hear me!”
The cane flew up. Light spun around, rushing away, and pinned Mello to the floor. He clenched his teeth, groaning softly. Blood seeped through the torn fabric of pants. Light grabbed his thigh, half-closing his eyes. The demon's figure arched in a threatening wave, his branch-like hand reaching out with outstretched fingers. Mello grunted and sat up, pulling his knees up. Alastor's spidery hands wrapped around his head.
“Leave him alone!” Light shouted. “Don't you dare kill kids!” Surprised at himself, Light crawled over to Mello and hugged him, trying to hide him from the spider's fingers.
“Kids?” Mello tried to push himself away from Light's chest.
“Yes, you stupid teenager.” Light squeezed his eyes shut tightly. Alastor's fingers penetrated his skin, turning his soul inside out, squeezing his diaphragm as if in a sharp descent. Darkness enveloped him and tore him apart. Light wanted to scream, but he only clenched his teeth until they ground together. Mello groaned, and Light held him tighter. The faces of L, Matsuda, and his father flashed before his eyes, making them sting.
A bright flash exploded from his chest, a flash accompanied by whispers of admiration and cries of damnation in different languages. Light opened his sticky eyelids. Alastor in his dense body, Alastor who had come to the hotel tapping his cane, stood leaning on that cane. The demonic shadow towered over him, still smiling with sharp teeth and twitching pointed ears. Only his eyes did not shine, giving way to a bright cross on his forehead. The shadow itself resembled a sieve for sifting flour, its hundreds of holes gaping and slowly closing.
“A cult egregore? Not bad, Kira.” The demon laughed hoarsely, stood up, and struck the glass ball with Leviathan with his cane.
“We did what we could.” Adam caught his breath. Charlie now looked more like the angel of death than the sweet hostess of a redemption hotel. The girl’s face had changed as if someone had turned off the console in the middle of an exciting game. “Let’s go back to the hotel, sweetie.” Charlie pursed her lips. “We have the hotel under the protection of Niffty and the imps, not to mention two weirdos, Abel and the chicken. Remember? Who will protect the hotel?”
“Who?” Charlie put her finger to her lips. “Moxxie. And Millie. And Luna.”
“Chaaarlie. Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. I can hear Sera screaming from here.” He raised his voice, mimicking a hysterical cry. “How on earth did they tear off the Winner's wings?!” Charlie laughed loudly, and Adam hugged her shoulders. “That's right. I've had enough of Sera. Let's go back and laugh on the couch over a cup of coffee or tea before Luci finds out about our lovely walk.”
Light forgot about his wound. Leviathan and Alastor fought amid scattered broken glass. The Radio Demon retreated with his usual smile, choosing a defensive tactic. Leviathan was furious, or rather, half of the demoness was. The fish-like head of the siren hissed and flashed with black pools of eyes, a spiky black aura spread in shards, cutting through walls, and tentacles lashed out at the enemy, slicing through the ghostly body. The dark snake-like head of the eel incited and offered options for dealing with the Overlord who had forgotten his place. The severed pieces of ghostly flesh melted into space, and Alastor began to resemble a paper figure cut out by a child's hand.
He laughed in a cracked voice. “Save your eloquence for Lucifer. Remind him what he does to traitors.” And disappeared. The tentacles struck the walls, the City Hall tower swayed, the walls groaned ominously, and a web of cracks appeared.
“He won't do anything to you!” Light shouted. “He'll listen to you. What's wrong with you?!” Leviathan stood with both heads lowered. “Hey!” Light shouted, keeping his balance on the slanted floor. “Let's get out of here and discuss what to do!”
“How can a Sinner help us?” hissed the eel's head.
“Humans are very cunning,” replied the siren.
“Damn you…” Mello bit his tongue. “We came for you, maybe you'll thank us?!”
“I am Kira, I betrayed and was redeemed!”
“I doubt it.” Mello snorted.
“Shut up!” Light barked. “I’m on the path to redemption! And you are the Supreme Demon!
The City Hall building collapsed, and Light gasped as he fell. There was no impact. The boy was roughly pulled to his feet, and he opened his eyes to see the horizon covered in dust and the City Hall building sinking.
“Couldn't you have been more careful?” Mello grumbled.
Leviathan stood on the edge of a rocky ledge, looking down from above at the destroyed city with pockets of fire.
“Let's tell him that she took the key herself. She found out by subjugating our will, or better yet, by subjugating our will and reading the secret!” hissed the eel.
“What if she tells him the truth?” objected the siren.
“Who would believe her? Our lie against her lie.”
“What will he do to us? Imprison us instead of the Nephilim? Together with the Nephilim? Destroy us?”
“Do you know what people say?” Light limped over to the demon. “The sword does not strike the bowed head.*”
“Why didn't you tell Near that? What an argument,” chuckled Mello.
Light rolled his eyes. “Because at that moment I had no regrets. Leviathan, I know Lucifer. You've known him longer, of course, but I've seen him in a close family circle. And from what I've understood, I've come to the conclusion that you shouldn't lie to him.”
“Because you can't deceive the king of lies,” Mello interjected.
“That too. A finely crafted lie is an art.”
“You should know.”
“Shut up!”
“Shut up, both of you!” Leviathan interrupted their argument. “We're tired of you!” Leviathan's two voices merged. “We must save our people! Our Ring!”
“And then to Lucifer.” The siren lowered her head. “After that, someone else will rule my Ring, won't they?” She clenched her teeth.
“Tell Lucifer the truth!” Light couldn't hold back. “You are the Deadly Sin of Envy! And Eve played on that! Envy is your nature, Lucifer will understand!”
Both heads of Leviathan turned, and then looked at each other. Black wings spread, casting a shadow over the ruined city.
Stolas placed his palms on his sharp knees, squeezing himself into the miniature chair with difficulty. “I'll talk to them my way.” Blitzø cocked the hammer of his pistol. “In the best traditions of the Wrath Ring.”
Stolas shook his head. “No, Blitzie, you shouldn't do that. They're just scared.”
“I agree with Blitzø.” Matt frowned. “They're doctors, they can't abandon their patients.”
“They're terrified doctors.” Stolas sighed and grabbed his head. “I have no power! I have no knowledge! I don't have my grimoires! We can't heal him ourselves!”
L's limp body lay on the bed, black strands of hair scattered across the pillow, contrasting with his overly pale face. Stolas shook his head, wrapped his arms around his knees, and began to sob loudly. He only stopped when L groaned. He jumped up and rushed to the boy, only now noticing that his two companions had disappeared somewhere. Stolas fussed about, rummaging through the medicines and instruments left behind by the medical staff, their lights now extinguished. Goetia demon's hands trembled. Finally, he applied a napkin dipped in a hastily prepared solution to L's forehead and sank down by the bed, cursing his uselessness.
Stolas slowly turned at the creak of the door.
“Here are the grimoires.” Matt dumped several books on the floor. “Bastards, they put locks on everything.”
“That's because they make drugs here.” Stolas immersed himself in reading.
“Really?” Matt thought for a moment. “We can shift them in Pride.”
“Smartass?” Blitzø kicked the door open, pushing a curvaceous cat girl with a bright light on her head inside. “Need some help?” He winked at the girl and put his finger to his lips a second before Stolas looked up from his reading. “All right,” Blitz took out a teleportation stone. “I don't understand why everyone is freaking out. Eve is gone, the Nephilim are gone! I'm going to the Envy Ring!”
Stolas didn't have time to object before Blitzø disappeared into the portal. Matt opened his eyes wide and rushed toward the guy, but the portal had already closed.
“Great, we're locked in the circle.” He took out a cigarette, but under the menacing gaze of the cat doctor, he immediately put it back in the pack. “No scroll, no stone.”
“Help me, prince.” The girl began to bustle around the bedside table with expert knowledge, filling syringes.
“Oh, don't bother,” Stolas said, embarrassed. “No need. Let's leave the formalities aside. Besides, I've been stripped of my title–”
“What are you talking about?” The girl began to set up the IVs.
“You called me prince.” The Goetia demon shrugged.
“Oooh,” the cat drawled. “I meant the prince of that handsome imp.”
The portal flashed, spitting out Naomi. The sight of the angel's wings made the cat freeze, but she quickly regained her composure and continued setting up the equipment.
“L! How is he?”
Matt gestured for the girl to stop and pointed to the chair. “Don't make any noise. They're doing everything they can. Do you have the stone?”
“What stone?”
“Nevermind.” Matt shoved his hands into his pants pockets.
Light looked at the city from the rocky ledge. The lavender moon had faded, the stars had gone out, and night was rushing toward dawn. Mello had time to examine the smooth slab of the rocky ledge, cursed, shaking his fist at the night and complaining about Leviathan, who hadn't deigned to take them to a more convenient place to descend. Having decided to wait for dawn, Mello calmed down and sat down, dangling his legs over the precipice. Sparks from fires burst out of the fog, and the wind carried the smell of smoke and rotten fish.
“We should go to another Ring,” Mello chanted again.
“L and Matt are here.” Light rubbed his forehead wearily.
“Not necessarily.” Mello raised his head to the sky. It was turning gray, and the horizon was lit up with a purple streak.
“We can't abandon them,” said Light.
“What? Who?”
“Everyone. L, Matt, the locals.”
“Everyone… Keep it up, and you'll become an angel,” Mello muttered.
A gray shadow flashed over them and gently descended. Light tensed, and Mello jumped up, peering at the newcomer.
“There you are.” Golden cat eyes flashed in the twilight.
“Husk!” Mello shouted. “You scared the hell out of me! I almost jumped off the cliff because of you!”
“Where are the others? Charlie, Angel…” Light tried to relax, but the tension in his shoulders remained.
“Down below.” The cat waved his soft hand vaguely and narrowed his amber eyes. “Why are you covered in blood, fox nose?”
“Blood?” Light looked down at his clothes, but in the predawn twilight, the bloodstains were almost invisible on his clothes, only the clothes themselves stuck to his body.
“That jerk covered me,” Mello replied for him. “Not very smart for Kira. By the way, he covered me from your friend.”
“Alastor did that to you?”
“Eva.” Light Light jerked his chin up. “With Alastor's hands. By the way, Husk.” Light paused for a second. “Alastor killed Niffty. I can't imagine how he'll be able to carry that burden.”
“Niffty?!” Husk froze for a few seconds. “Alastor will cope. Niffty! We left her at the hotel! I had a feeling she would tag along with us–”
“Husker! What about the others?” Sparkles of distant stars flashed in Light's eyes. “The others… Are they all okay?”
Husk nodded and froze, then shook his head desperately. “Your angel, L, was taken to the hospital.”
“Where?” Light jumped up. “Which hospital?”
“Eva tore off his wings. Stolas carried him to the hospital. To the Sloth Ring. Together with Matt and Blitzø. Oh, no! With Matt and Naomi!”
Light's eyes darkened like storm clouds, and he rushed down the path, barely visible in the dawn twilight.
“Hey, fox nose!” Husk shouted after him. “You won't save the angel if you kill yourself! Heeeey! They're already helping him! Don't rush! Idiot,” he added quietly.
“He wouldn't be rushing if Naomi wasn't there.” Mello began to descend cautiously.
“What does Naomi have to do with it?” Husk was walking last.
“Oh, Husk, you're not the jealous type. Imagine.” Mello struggled to climb over a boulder. “They bring L back to consciousness, and a beautiful, caring girl is sitting by his bed. He falls in love, and they leave together.”
“Wow.” Husk rubbed the back of his head. “Does something like that really happen?”
“It does. I don’t remember what it’s called. Something like savior syndrome. Everyone falls in love with their savior. Everyone. Except L.”
“I don't understand.” Husk began to get nervous. “Why should I care about this soap opera anyway?”
“It's an interesting show.” Mello jumped over a hole in the path. “And now there's going to be a very interesting episode. ‘Jealous Light’ or ‘Who Will Get L’.”
Adam's frightening laughter mingled with Charlie's ringing laughter. The angel and the demoness were both covered in the blood of the Nephilim, their eyes burning with the fervor of berserkers.
“So this is how you protect her.” Lucifer materialized in the air and slowly descended onto the asphalt.
“Dad?!” Charlie hid the blade behind her back. “We’re out for a walk!”
Adam smiled broadly and nodded.
“Here?” Lucifer tilted his head.
“Why not?” Adam put his arm around Charlie’s shoulders. “It’s a beautiful place.”
Charlie nodded in agreement.
“And the air!” Adam closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
“Yes,” agreed Lucifer. “The air is special. It smells like… Can you smell it? Like a conspiracy and an attempt to deceive Dad!”
“Dad.” Charlie's voice took on a hurt tone.
“No one is trying to deceive you.” Adam waved him off. “You’ve become too suspicious, Luci! You’re imagining things.”
“Really?” Lucifer closed one eye. “On the contrary, I've become careless.” The demon sat down on a boulder and stared at his hooves. “I knew something was wrong with that Radio Demon! I knew it! But I didn't realize he was on Eve's leash.” Lucifer smirked. “It's funny. Can you believe I thought he had a contract with that cannibal? What was her name? Rosie.”
“That's strange, Dad.” The girl laughed awkwardly.
Lucifer's gaze became stern, he soared upward and poked Charlie's nose with his finger. “Now go home, young lady!”
“No.” Charlie pouted her lips.
“Go home!”
“Come on, Dad!”
“Now everyone can see who the boring parent is in our family.” Adam folded his arms across his chest and leaned his back against the pillar of the dilapidated gazebo. “By the way, you'll have to adopt Cain.”
“What? Why?” Lucifer furrowed his brow.
“Why, why.” Adam examined his nails, dirt embedded beneath them. “Because I raised Abel for centuries. Got it? Did you think Adam would never find out? Did I raise Abel? I did.” Adam nodded. “Therefore, in all fairness, you must recognize Cain as your own child.”
“Charlie,” Lucifer whispered conspiratorially. “Did a Nephilim step on his skull? Or something like that?”
“Agree to it,” Angel whispered into Lucifer's ear as he appeared beside the demon. “I'm melting with emotion.” Angel put his hand on Lucifer's shoulder. “Cool party, by the way. The only thing missing is booze.”
Lucifer covered his eyes with his palm. “I don't know what surprises me more: that a porn star is giving me advice, that elbow on my shoulder, or that an angel is demanding that I marry him and recognize all children as ours?”
Angel demonstratively put his foot on a boulder, adjusted his slipped stocking, and lifted his Tommy gun up. “Battle reveals feelings. A common trope in movies. Why are you so relaxed? There are still a dozen Nephilim and plenty of demons in the city.”
Adam's eyes flashed. Charlie jumped and blushed, forgetting her father's disapproval for a second.
Lucifer sat back down on the boulder and fell into thought, staring into nowhere. The wind played with his hair, and the rays of the rising sun painted it a melancholic lilac.
“Are you with us or not?” Adam nudged him in the shoulder, but Lucifer didn't move.
“Dad,” Charlie called.
“I don't see the point in protecting this world.” Lucifer took off his hat, letting the wind ruffle his hair, and cupped his head with his hands, resting his elbows on his knees. “No one,” he glanced around the square and sighed, “no one unites in the face of mortal danger. Not even the supreme demons. Each Deadly Sin protects only their own Ring.” He looked gloomily at the square, where looters were scurrying around the half-ruined buildings, one of them thrown out of a window by a rival. “It wouldn't be so bad if Eve destroyed everything. Completely. Hell is rotten, and so is Heaven.”
Charlie's face darkened as if a cloud had passed over it. Adam raised an eyebrow.
“This is a worthless world. There is nothing worthy here. Everything is rotten.” Lucifer climbed down from the rock.” Go back to the hotel, sweetie.”
“Okay. I agree with you, Dad.” Tears glistened in Charlie's eyes. “Our people don't deserve you. They don't deserve protection. They're all so terrible.”
“They're sinners, remember?” Adam snorted. “Have you checked out what they did in their fucked-up lives? You'd be shocked.”
“Adam!” Lucifer barked.
“Come on, she's an adult. Charlie, Charlie.” Adam hugged her shoulders. “They did terrible things. They killed the weak, abused animals, raped children, betrayed friends.”
Charlie's eyes widened.
“Not all of them.” Lucifer's cane flashed in his hand. “Adam played the trump card.”
“But you, King of the Fallen, have made them equal! The Pride Ring is a fucking Disneyland. Acceptable living conditions for sinners? Seriously?”
“They are punished by living among their own kind. They will see themselves from the outside, realize how disgusting it is to be like that, and begin to change.”
“They haven't started to change. They haven't started in so many centuries. You simply didn't give a fuck about them! You fucked up, right?” Adam made his fingers into guns. “Admit it!”
“I fucked up.” Lucifer lowered his head.
“They don't want to get better.” Charlie sighed. “Even Angel.”
“What? I'm the most promising one.” Angel hid his weapon behind his back.
Charlie took Lucifer by the arm. “Let's go, Dad. It's pointless. I was such a fool to think I could handle it.”
“That's right.” Adam nodded. Charlie smiled crookedly.
“Come on,” Angel wrinkled his nose, “I am almost redeemed.”
“No, Angel.” Charlie shook her head.
“Just a little bit left. I'll redeem myself right now.” Angel closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “That's it! I'm redeemed.”
“No.” Charlie's lips trembled slightly.
“Yeees.”
“You fucking don’t,” Adam snorted.
“How would you know?” Angel put his hand on his waist.
“Because you’re here, you fucking bitch.” Adam threw up his hands. “Why the fuck aren’t you in Heaven?”
“I don’t know how it works, but I'm redeemed.”
“Thanks, Angel, you tried, but I fucked up. Just like my dad.”
“Hey!” Lucifer grabbed his hat and tilted it jauntily to one side. “You know what?! We'll take back our world! How dare Eve take over Hell! A second-rate angel.” He snorted.
“Fucking rib.” Adam nodded.
“As for the sinners…” Lucifer's eyes flashed. “I'll make them redeem. They didn't want to do it the easy way… We'll buy some cauldrons from Mammon and…” Adam gave him two thumbs up. “No gadgets, no technology, no amenities. That will be in Heaven. No pornography. That will also be in Heaven.”
Adam’s smile grew wider, and Angel put his hand on his chest. “I will be known in Heaven too.”
Lucifer's cane lit up. “If Eve wanted war, she'll get it! I'll put up a barrier outside the Envy Ring, and the Sins will guard the border. And we'll start a mouse hunt here, push that bitch into Sloth, and move the barrier. She'll never take over Hell! No fucking way! Charlie, sweetie, gather all your people.”
“Yes, Dad.” The girl pulled Angel along with her, as he still dreamed of heavenly glory and thought about crowds of new fans among the angels. At the far end of the square, Vaggie was fighting Eve’s demon. Charlie waved to her.
“I believe in nothing.” Lucifer looked sadly after her. “But I want to save my daughter and her friends. So she won’t be lonely in an empty world.”
“You’re such a fucking romantic,” Adam grumbled. “But at least it’s never boring with you.”
“Let's have some fun. Maybe for the last time. Your wife has plenty of tricks up her sleeve.”
“Oh, I just adore you two.”
“Lilith?!”
Both friends turned around. The demoness's black wings fluttered and scattered.
“If cats were friends, they could chase the dogs out of town. But cats don't know how to be friends, do they?” Lilith soared above the square. A gentle melody spread over the world, a song without words that turned souls inside out and made them weep. Charlie opened her eyes wide. Angel pressed his hands to his chest and sank to his knees, choking back sobs, then proudly raised his head and stood up. Angel's face changed, his features sharpened, his spidery eyes flashed, and the lines of his lips became more severe. Two looters stopped, raised their faces to the sky, and then contemptuously threw their loot into the ditch. People came out into the square, ready to fight. The two-headed ruler of the Ring spread her wings over the city.
“Lilith, honey, on what terms were you forgiven? Do you sing in a cabaret for the Winners?” Lucifer watched over the Ring from a distant hill. The united army dealt with Eve's Nephilim, while Eve herself and her demons fled to the Sloth Ring. And now the energy barrier had shifted, sealing the rebel practically in the heart of Hell.
“No, seriously, who did you make a deal with?” Adam nudged Lilith with his elbow. “Sera doesn't know. Why don't you tell your old friends the truth? Who forgave you? He himself?”
“Speaker of God.” Lilith slowly approached the edge.
“Wow.” Adam perked up.
“I protect Heaven from demons.”
“How?”
“With song.”
“I didn't hear anything,” Adam doubted.
“That's the point. Only the Speaker of God can hear my song.”
“Why? She's not God's ears, is she?” Adam wondered.
“Idiot.” Lilith snorted.
“Damn it! Lilith!” Lucifer jumped up. “What if Charlie had entered Heaven without permission? Or what about me?”
“You’re an archangel, what would happen to you? Charlie is also out of danger. She’s half archangel and half human. But your Satan would be reduced to smoke.”
“Then why is that bastard Shinigami walking around freely?” Adam leaned toward the demoness.
“He's not a demon.”
“Then tune the vibrations.”
“That's your job, Adam.”
Adam rolled his eyes.
“Okay, guys, what's the plan?”
“Drive her into the Hall of Councils.” Lucifer put his hands on his cane.
“You realize she wants to get to the Heart, right?”
“Of course.” Lucifer nodded. “But she won't get there. We'll take her away from Sloth and destroy her. Are you with us?”
“I've already helped. Lilith bowed her head. “Continue without me. I have something else to do.” She dispersed into a mist.
“It reminded me of my earthly life.” Angel crouched down and winked at Mello. Eve's demons attacked like vultures, swooping down from the sky and enveloping their victims in a dark cloud. Only a small flame flickered on the locals' heads heads through the dense bodies of the demons, but soon it went out, and the demons rose, leaving no trace of their victims. The demons flew over the city, covering the sky, and only occasionally did the pink sun break through them. A piercing, frightening howl spread over the earth and then subsided. They said it was the cry of Belphegor, although no one had seen Belphegor herself, just as no one had seen Lucifer. One of the fire-carriers told Husk what a kid demon had told him, having heard with his own ears how Baal gave the order to let Eve into the throne room, deliberately losing the battle.
The demons acted chaotically, but sometimes they united, obeying an unspoken command, and attacked like a squad of warlike ants or an aggressive swarm of wasps. The last such raid had destroyed Hazbin's squad, and now Angel looked out, hoping not to see the remains of his friends' weapons left on the square after they had dissolved into demons.
“This is bad,” said Mello. They were trapped in a narrow crevice under the cover of a collapsed slab, in the middle of a deserted square stretching for a mile in all directions, with a flock of dark-winged demons overhead.
The skyscraper gaped with empty window sockets, rising upward from a square strewn with broken glass. Usually bustling, the hospital complex was empty, and only in the basement of the main building, in the dim light of the emergency lighting, did shadows flit by with lights burning above their heads. Light rushed through the corridors of the basement passages, pestering the staff and cursing Matt. The boy flatly refused to go with him, staying at the entrance to the basement. So did Stolas, who, like Goetic Prince, instilled hope in the hearts of those hiding in the basement. The basement was preparing for defense.
Light burst into the dimly lit room, illuminated by a table lamp, flashed his eyes at Naomi, who was dozing in a chair, and rushed to the bed. L's eyelashes fluttered, Light grabbed the hand hanging off the bed and squeezed his palm.
“What are you doing?” Naomi hissed.
Light clenched his teeth so hard that they seemed to crumble. He ignored the question, staring at L's pale face with trembling eyelashes. Light squeezed the boy's hand in his palms.
“Kira!” Naomi whispered even louder, clutching his shoulder with her twisted fingers.
Light rolled his shoulder, trying to shake off her hand, but failed. He gently lowered L's hand and turned sharply. “Stay away from me, angel,” he whispered.
Naomi's hand fell on the blade. “You'd better run away from here, Kira.” The blade flashed in her hands. “Run as fast as you can.”
“It's time for you to go back to your Heaven.” His tail twitched nervously. “You've overstayed your welcome.”
“Don't count on it, Kira! I am the exterminator. Your personal exterminator.” She lunged at Light, her gray wings unfurling behind her. “Dirty murderer. Ray's murderer.”
“Ha!” Light dodged the attack. “The faithful wife remembered her husband.” He threw a metal tray within reach at her. A terrible clang echoed through the room. “Were you sitting here thinking about Ray too? Or were you thinking about something else entirely?”
The blade flew across the room and stuck into the wall.
“What's going on?” L sat on the bed, his elbows on his knees, shaking his tousled head.
“L?” Naomi turned around. “Don't get up! You're not allowed!”
“Great doctor,” Light grumbled. “Yes, L, lie down, and maybe you'll slip back into a coma. Besides, the situation is favorable. It's not like we're being attacked by demons or anything.” He walked around Naomi, who was ready to explode with indignation. “Get up, L. You've had enough rest.”
L scratched his head, ruffling his hair even more, and glanced around the room. “My throat is dry…”
Naomi rushed over and, with slightly trembling hands, poured water from a glass decanter with a massive glass stopper that threatened to fall out into a faceted glass. The decanter clinked against the rim of the glass, and the sound, betraying the girl's nervousness, echoed around the room. Her ears rang, and she shook her head. Then a gurgling sound joined the noise, and the smell of coffee filled the room. The girl turned around, handing L the glass of water.
“Not tea, of course, but half the cup is pure sugar.” Light gave her his dangerous smile, putting all his superiority into it. Naomi bit her lip. Light handed L a cup of steaming coffee.
“Too bad it's not tea.” L snatched the cup. Naomi's hand trembled as she held the glass of plain water, her eyes darted around, and she blushed. Unable to think of anything better to do, she took a sip herself and put the glass on the table, then folded her arms across her chest and leaned her back against the closet.
“How are you?” Naomi asked in an indifferent voice. L shrugged. “You lost your wings.”
“Oh, right.” L straightened up, listening to his body. “It’s even better this way. Those wings caused more inconvenience than they did good. I wish we could rip off your tail too.” He looked seriously at Light and furrowed his brow. ”Why are you covered in blood?
“It's nothing.” Light brushed it off and muttered, “My tail is bothering him.”
“Lift up your shirt.”
“No way.”
“Light!” L got out of bed and, stepping barefoot on the floor littered with broken glass and plastic, grabbed Light by the arm. Light rolled his eyes while L lifted the edge of his shirt and examined him.
“It's not my blood,” Light assured him. “It's Mello's blood, but he's fine too. We got into a fight with Alastor. And, anticipating your question, we didn't win–”
A deafening roar tore through their eardrums, a wave of fire swept through the corridor, the open door flew off its hinges, and a web of cracks spread across the wall. Naomi covered her head with her hands and dove under the table. The roar grew louder, and she crawled behind the closet, pressing herself against the wall. The room filled with smoke and dust. Through the dusty veil, she could barely make out the outlines of objects. The dust settled, and she peeked out cautiously, her eyes beginning to distinguish the outlines of objects. A table fallen on its side, a crooked shelving unit, a bed covered with debris from the wall, and Light, covering L with his body. Naomi opened her mouth slightly. Inky black curls covered with plastic debris. Light's arms covered his head, and he closed his eyes tightly, opening them only when L moved.
“Are you okay?” Naomi shouted.
“I bet this is all Matt's doing,” Light grumbled as he got up.
“Are you okay?” An imp jumped into the crevice and slid down with a pile of small stones.
“Blitzø.” Angel rejoiced.
“We're totally fucked.” Mello turned to him.
“It's sucks.” Blitzø looked out and crouched down, rubbing his sore palms.
“What answer were you expecting? We're trapped! How did you get to us?” Mello got angry.
“I have some complaints too.” Angel rolled his shoulder. “As a former porn industry employee, I interpret your associations quite differently.” Mello furrowed his brow, and Angel patted him on the cheek. “Totally fucked and sucks,” he nodded meaningfully, “for me, these words have a positive connotation.”
“Where did you pick up all these fancy words?” Mello wrinkled his nose.
“Oh, don't show off, slut.” Blitzø waved him off. “I wasn't coming to you. It's even more fucked up there, and, just for you, slut, that has a negative connotation. It's fucking awful there, and I don't fucking know how to get out of here. There are a shitload of demons, and no help. We're fucked. Although you, slut, could brighten up my last moments.” He winked at Angel. “Actually, both of you could brighten them up.”
“Fuck off!” Mello snorted. “We have this.” Mello triumphantly took out the scroll. “We'll escape to Envy Ring, and–”
“Are you nuts?” Blitzø snatched the scroll and twirled his finger at his temple. “There’s probably a second flood in there.”
“What?” Angel pondered. “Why a flood? For what?”
“It's obvious why and for what.” Blitzø unrolled the scroll and thought for a moment. “To drown the Nephilim. Again. The first flood drowned almost all of them. Although, a lot of people and animals died, too.” Blitzø rubbed his chin, studying the ancient manuscript. “Along with the Nephilim. Only a handful of them survived, God knows how. And at Leviathan's Ring, the He himself ordered to open the windows of heavens. The locals are a sea people. They won't drown.”
“It's not logical.” Mello leaned over the scroll. “These Nephilim somehow survived, they have a method. Maybe they learned to swim–”
“Maybe so.” Blitzø bit the tip of his tongue, and his eyes sparkled, his finger tracing the line. A bright light flashed. Blitzø disappeared along with the scroll, the glowing pillar dissipating.
“That bastard!” Mello slammed his fist into the ground. “Cunning fucking imp. Now we're definitely fucked.”
Matt pressed his hands to his ears. “That was a big bang!” The boy’s eyes sparkled.
“Yeah, not bad.” Stolas looked up. The demons were no longer circling above them, having scattered in all directions, and now loomed in the distance, their dark silhouettes outlining the perimeter. “It's a pity I don't have my powers.” Stolas shook his head. “I'm sorry, guys, I'm no good.”
“Then help us.” A smile lit up Matt's lips. “You're no god, but you are a badass demon.”
“Excuse me?”
“You said you're no good. No god. Come on…”
“Aaah.” Stolas laughed.
“Used to relying on superpowers, Goetia? Use whatever you have at hand,” Matt said with a clever look and jerked back sharply. “And now, this is veeery bad.”
The shadow of the Radio Demon loomed over them.
“No, handsome, you can't pass.” Peter sprawled on the podium.
“I repeat, you fucking dickhead.” Blitzø ran his hand over his face. “I'm not going to pass into your fucking Heaven. Just call someone!”
“I can't leave my post, sweetie.”
“Goddamn it!” Blitzø jumped onto the counter. “I'll wait here.”
Peter waved his finger in front of the imp's face, tutting. “No, you sly fox–”
“Shut up! Your bitch Eve fucked up half of Hell! Take her back, damn it! Or send your fucking exorcists!” He pinned Peter to the ground, sitting on top of him. “Send a messenger to fucking Sera and tell her to get her lazy ass off the couch. If she doesn't give a fuck about Hell, let her know that they've torn off the Winner's wings, and maybe right now,” he leaned over to Peter and whispered, “they're killing Adam. Peter languidly closed his eyes. “Fuck!”
Stolas sat in the corner, hugging his sharp knees, the Prince reminiscing about the days of former glory when he could appear in all his terrifying might. But now Stolas could only fluff his feathers comically and clench his hands into fists. And watch from his hiding place as the fire-carriers perished. With genuine horror in his eyes, he watched as Matt recklessly rushed at Alastor, whose predatory smile materialized in the air. And, of course, Matt didn't last long. Tears choked Stolas, and they even gurgled in his beak, but the demon only mumbled barely audibly, “No… what… you can't…”
Matt's limp body rose above the ground, obeying the will of the Radio Demon, the boy's head fell to his chest, the cigarette fell out, and Stolas saw the scattered sparks before it went out. The cane shot up, ready to strike its helpless victim…
A shadow flashed like lightning, and Stolas stared into the void: Matt was no longer in front of Alastor. The boy lay on the ground. Husk curled up into a ball next to him, then sprang up like a spring and rushed toward Alastor. Spreading his wings, Husk hovered in front of his former master.
The Radio Demon laughed with a cracked laugh. “Husker, you must have filled yourself with valerian beforehand this time.”
“What did you fill yourself with?” Husk dodged the cane. “Since you were able to kill Niffty.” The shock wave threw the cat against the wall. He fell on all fours and twitched his ears.
“Why did you come, Husker? You should have stayed at the hotel with your sellout friend.”
“My sellout friend isn't at the hotel.” Husk got up. “You're here, Al.”
The cane whistled through the air, leaving a scratch on the bartender's cheek, his dark fur soaked with blood. Husk's eyes flashed, he crouched down and jumped at Alastor, hanging on his arm, and was thrown back against the wall again.
“Enough!” Stolas stood between Alastor and Husk. “I said ‘enough’!” Stolas held out his hands, sending energy to his fingertips. The Goetia demon's eyes reddened with tension, but still there was no power, no strength… Stolas breathed heavily, air whistling out of his nostrils.
“Interesting.” The Radio Demon tilted his head, his deer ears pressed against his head. And… fell.
“Yes!” Stolas jumped up, shaking his fist at the sky. “Goetia is something that cannot be taken away!” He smiled happily.
Matt stood over the sprawled demon. “Good work, Stolas, I guess.” He backed away, careful not to turn his back on the Goetia demon.
Stolas cautiously kicked Alastor in the side with his toe. “I hope I didn't kill him.” Stolas crouched down next to Alastor. “Goetia can't kill an Overlord, can they?”
“No, you didn't kill him permanently.” Matt winked at Husk. The cat had managed to recover and get back up. Now he was frowning, staring at Matt's back. Or rather, at what the boy was hiding behind his back. Matt put his finger to his lips, threw the syringe away, and whispered to Husk, “I injected the bastard with a horse dose of drugs. He'll be out for a couple of hours.”
“Why Stolas…?” Husk pointed his clawed finger at Stolas, who was fussing over the Radio Demon, tightly binding him with straps and bandages with the help of the obliging medical staff.
“He thinks he's the one who did it,” Matt patted his pockets, found a crumpled pack and lit a cigarette, “and I couldn't disappoint him.” He blew smoke upward. “It would have upset him very much.”
“Indeed.” Husk rubbed his chin.
The dust settled, and the corridor took on its usual shape, pieces of plastic crackling underfoot.
L and Light made their way to the exit, stepping carefully. Light barely touched L's shoulder in the narrow corridor, ugly scars blooming like bloody spots on the angel's back.
Naomi trailed behind them. If Light had turned around, he would have noticed the sullen glances the girl was throwing at the former detective and Kira's back.
“You covered for me, Light. Did you cover for Mello the same way?” L didn’t look at Light. Light pursed his lips. L slumped again, pieces of plastic white in his tangled hair.
“Do you want me to start bragging?”
“You surprise me, Light Yagami.”
“I’m full of surprises.”
“I know.”
“Does that mean you forgive me?”
“No.”
“No?!” Light stopped abruptly and waved his hands. “You can't forgive me for your death? Seriously?”
“Your smile.” L turned to him. “I was ready to die.” He lowered his eyes and walked on, stepping on the debris with his bare feet. “I was ready to give my life, but not to give up my principles.”
“What does that mean?” Light caught up with the man, but didn’t dare to stop him.
“Most likely, I would have revealed the case, and we would have died together or escaped.”
“I like the second option better.” Light furrowed his brow. “L. L! Lll!”
The angel stopped. “What?”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Nothing.” Light pursed his lips.
The corridor curved and smoothly turned left, hiding the former irreconcilable rivals in the semi-darkness. They were silent, and the only sound that reached Naomi's ears was the crackling of plastic under their feet. But soon even those sounds faded away. Naomi lagged behind the others, staring intently at the surviving wall, then kicked it with all her might, striking it so hard that the toe of her boot crumpled and broke into a web of cracks. “He is his weakness,” Naomi whispered, addressing her shadow. The shadow was not distinct, just a blurred darkening on the wall. “I must kill Light before he destroys L.”
“Naomi, my eyes, my little observer,” sang the wind, rustling through the corridor. “I was hoping to watch a different pair.” The two-winged shadow engulfed Naomi's shadow, its wings folded, and the girl turned around. Lilith's hair fluttered in the invisible wind. “In any case, you did well. You did me a favor, and I will repay you. Listen,” she touched the girl's cheek with her palm, “in your situation, you can either become a friend to both of them or leave.”
Naomi pursed her lips, her chin trembling noticeably. “I will never be their friend.”
“I can help you.” Lilith laughed like dozens of melodious bells. “An interdimensional kick into Krishna's embrace, into the abode where Ray revels in bliss. Yeah,” Lilith smiled mysteriously, “I've spent too much time in the company of Lucifer and Adam. Ask me for help, and it will be easier for you. I promise.”
Naomi glanced at the empty corridor. “I want the impossible.” She smiled bitterly and blushed slightly.
“Something that violates the principle of free will?” Lilith tilted her head.
“Help me, Lilith. Help me however you see fit.”
And Lilith began to sing, a melancholy farewell melody that inspired hope and caressed the ear. Naomi closed her eyes, the tight knot in her chest loosened, her soul spread its free wings, and her heart stirred.
The portal flared up and unfolded like a scarlet flower, spitting out a horned imp. Blitzø adjusted his leather jacket, unsuccessfully attempted to put the torn lacing back in place, and winked at Mello and Angel. “Did you miss me, bitches?”
“Mello, he didn’t abandon us!” Angel rolled his shoulder. “He didn't flee!”
“First, let's find out why the vile imp returned.” Mello narrowed his eyes.
“To fuck you, slut.” Blitzø grinned. “Help has arrived.”
“Where?” Mello threw his hands up.
Blitzø turned around and rubbed his chin. “Changed their minds? Those bitches–”
Angel cried out at the sight of the snake-like silhouette in a tall top hat. As soon as Sir Pentious stepped out of the portal, as if he had stepped out of his majestic portrait in the hotel lounge, Angel rushed at him, knocked him down, and they both rolled on the ground.
“Sir Pentious!” Angel hugged his friend with tears in his eyes. The snake's eyes also filled with tears. “You're alive.”
“Is this your help?” Disappointed, Mello kicked a clump of dirt with the toe of his boot.
“Where's Miss Bomb?” Sir Pentious tried to break free from the spider's clutches.
“Are you mocking me, demon?” Mello exhaled heavily and lunged at Blitzø with accusations. However, the accusatory words froze on his lips. A magnificent angel in battle armor flew out of the portal. One by one, the exorcists of the combat squad appeared from the portal.
Angel released Sir Pentious and rubbed his eyes. “Lute? The army of Heaven?”
“No.” The snake waved him off. “These are volunteers. Sera chose not to give orders to the troops, but instead addressed them with a heartfelt speech. I almost cried myself, Angel. Those who heeded her request arrived.”
Touched, Angel sniffed. Blitzø shook his head and smirked. “Angels crying in the land of Hell. Classic…” Blitzø jumped away and hid behind Mello's back. “Not him.”
“What?”
“Shh. I'm not here.”
“Who's not here?”
“Shut up.”
One of the exorcists stopped at the portal exit, smiled broadly, and put his hands on his machine gun.
“Even Peter volunteered,” commented Sir Pentious.
“Thrilled,” hissed Blitzø, hiding behind Mello's back.
Fog covered the horizon, and frequent explosions merged into a single rumble. Husk fought a long-armed demon for a long time and was quite tired. He had to not only deal with Eve's insolent minion, but also keep an eye on the entire battlefield. After performing a feint, Husk sent the demon flying off into the unknown. The long-armed body lay motionless in the dust, slashed by sharpened cards.
“Ugh.” Husk got up. “I used up the whole deck on you.” And he sprawled on the ground, pinned down by the weight, a shapeless mass breathing hydrogen sulfide on him. Husk couldn’t move, the growling demon pressing down on him, crushing him to the ground. The magician's eyes darkened, his strength left him, and images flashed before his eyes. Alastor, Angel, the woman from his earthly life, Lute…
“What?” Husk opened his eyes. The last image didn’t disappear. But the weight on his back was gone. Lute furrowed her brow as she looked into the magician's face. “An exorcist.” Husk sighed. “As if we didn’t have enough problems already.”
“Are you alive, Sinner?” Lute held out her open palm, and Husk's eyes widened even more, his narrow pupils expanding to engulf the entire iris. Lute jerked the cat to his feet and patted him on the shoulder. Then she left. Husk was afraid to turn around, only the tips of his ears twitching as he listened to her receding footsteps.
“Strange things.” He rubbed his chin with his soft hand. And almost jumped. A combat vehicle was rushing straight at him across the field, kicking up dust. Clumps of earth flew from under its tracks. The vehicle puffed and stopped in front of Husk, twitching and growling hollowly.
“Husk, my friend!”
Husk rubbed his eyes. Through the web of cracked windshield glass, a snake waved, and its minion eggs spilled onto the dashboard and jumped around, attracting the old magician's attention.
“Sir Pentious,” Husk said quietly and waved back, awkwardly and reservedly. “Well, these are some stranger things.”
A pop tore through the air, and Husk crouched down, covering himself with his wings and clamping his sensitive ears with his hands. Soft white clouds gathered above the field and formed into a sheep. A bell rang insistently, softly at first, then with the annoying ring of an alarm clock. The sheep rose on its hind legs, transforming into a female figure and appearing to the city, usually immersed in slumber, but now boiling with rage, as the ruler of the Sloth Ring, Belphegor.
“What's going on here?” The whistling whisper of a soothing wind outside the window reached Husk's ears. “Tanks? Exorcists?”
“It wasn’t me who squashed that one!” Sir Pentious cried out, backing away. The combat vehicle puffed and recoiled. Struck by Lute’s dagger, the demon melted, turning into a puddle, like a jellyfish thrown onto hot coastal rocks.
Belphegor yawned and rubbed her sleepy eyes with her fists.
“Good morning.” Husk stood up and turned to face her. “Eva and her demons are attacking your Ring!” He spread his arms wide. “Would you be so kind as to join in defending your Ring?! Huh?! How does that sound?! Before those guys,” he pointed at the demon that had practically evaporated, “destroy everything here.”
Belphegor perked up and screamed, as terrifyingly as a frightened animal. She grew several times larger, transformed into the three-faced Hecate, and spun like a top across the field, tearing the amorphous flesh of the demons that crossed her path into smoky shreds.
Through the half-ruined wall of the main building of the central clinic of the Sloth Ring, one could see the smoke-filled sky. And the silhouette of L. A tousled mop of his inky black hair, sprinkled with plastic crumbs, and scars on his bare, hunched back, still oozing golden blood. Light gulped.
“Why don't you trust me?”
L didn't react.
“Why?! What's your problem?! L!!!”
A slight movement of his head, and the hair slid down L's shoulders.
“Oh, you slouching dog!” Light spun him around and didn't notice how he ended up on the floor. “Let me go,” he spat in the wingless Winner's face. L's hands pressed him firmly to the floor, preventing him from getting up. “You act like you're just defending yourself, but you're not like that! You don't trust me! And what about you?! Have you ever told the truth?! You didn't like my smile. Do you think I liked it when you decided to put me on the gallows? Huh? What do you think, Detective?! You're playing the victim. And I feel awful because of it, you damn manipulator!” Light punched L in the chest. “My friend,” he copied L's voice. “You dragged me around on a chain and punched me in the face, Winner! But your broken wings suit you better. Angel.” Light snorted. “You lied to me as much as I lied to you. Yes, my friend, I had no idea when you were being sincere with me.”
“Now I do believe you, Light Yagami.” L stood up and offered his hand to Light. “You kept quiet for a long time.”
“Was it possible to be honest with you, you cunning, uncompromising, and unprincipled detective?”
“Probably not.” L shrugged.
“If you slouch in front of me again, I'll hit you.” Light sniffed.
“You'll fail.” L shook his head.
“Go to hell.” Light twitched his tail.
“Okay, Light Yagami, we're even.”
“How did an unprincipled detective get into Heaven? You're not exactly pure and innocent.”
“No. I'm free to make my own choices. Free again, it seems. Wings are a small price to pay for freedom.”
“I like you better this way.” Light sniffed again. L smiled and looked up, fluttering his long eyelashes. The dark pools of his eyes were mesmerizing. Light's cheeks flushed, and he turned away.
A warm hand rested on his shoulder, and he rubbed his cheek against it, turned around, closed his eyes tightly, and wrapped his arms around L's waist, pressing himself against the man. He hid a smile when L hugged him back.
Rain pounded outside the hotel windows, torrential streams flowing across the square and merging into a river. Misa shuddered and moved away from the window, a flash reflected in the glass.
“Emily!” Abel jumped up from the sofa.
“Abel, Sera wants to stay out of it. After the Extermination, she doesn't want to get involved in Hell's problems!” Emily rushed to the angel.
“What can we do?” Abel shrugged and sat down on the sofa, settling in comfortably.
“Stop hiding in your dad's shadow! As for me, in Sera's shadow.”
Misa loudly placed a box on the low coffee table. “Wanna play? It's a really cool board game!”
“This is no time for games.” Emily glared at Abel.
“You're so boring.” Misa pouted her lips. “Then let's play hanafuda. Shall we, Abel?”
“Abel doesn't have time to play either.” Emily tugged at the boy's arm. “Abel has to save the world.”
“There are others who can save the world.” Avel stretched. “It's in good hands.”
“How can that be?!” Emily fluttered about like a disturbed bird. “Everything is out of control if they sent for help from Heaven!”
“Who sent for help?” Abel half-closed one eye.
“I don’t know.” Emily shrugged. “Whose goods hands do you think will save the world?”
“Dad'.” Abel put his hands behind his head and leaned back on the sofa, throwing his legs up on the coffee table. Misa wrinkled her nose.
“But your dad's hands are tired,” Emily insisted. “The time has come for you to take up your father's sword.” She knelt at the angel's feet. “Abel, I beg you, save the world. Everyone will die. Everyone. Abel, you know what your mother can do in the Heart.”
“That's nonsense.” Misa laughed. “Adam's hands will never tire. Abel, take the card.”
“No, Misa.” Abel sighed and folded his hands in front of him. “You're right, Emily. We can't let Sera let the world be destroyed.”
“Ugh, you guys are so boring.” Misa hugged her knees. “Go ahead, then. Go save your world.”
Abel stood up, and the light around him flared so brightly that Misa shielded her eyes with her hand. When the brightness began to subside, Misa opened her eyes wide. Abel had transformed, shedding his mask of foolishness. A blond, warlike angel in golden armor with precise features and a shining gaze shook his head, his soft curls flying up and falling back down. Misa gasped. “Abel? Oh, you're hot…” Abel smiled at Misa, and the words froze on her lips. He took Emily's hand, and they disappeared, dissolving into golden rays.
Tommy gun's barrel pressed against the soft side and poked him under the ribs. “This is the first time I've seen him without a smile. What a pleasant sight,” Alastor heard. The voice was distorted, and Alastor couldn't tell who it belonged to. A sharp deer ear twitched, swollen eyes opened with difficulty, and cracked thin lips stretched into a smile.
“I'm sorry.” The blurry face of Stolas appeared in front of Alastor. The Goetia demon carefully adjusted the pince-nez on the Radio Demon's nose. “I have to tie your hands. Allow me. I don't want to use force.”
“Force?” Alastor laughed his cracked laugh. “Bunch of losers.” He rose heavily, leaning on his cane, the stone on the cane flashing brightly. Alastor looked around with a cloudy gaze at those who surrounded him in a tight circle. “Gathered around like children around a Christmas tree. I don't think you'll like my gifts.”
Angel raised Tommy gun and aimed it at Alastor's chest.
“Angel, Angel, my sweet angel, maybe you want to suck me off? Come on, baby, get on your knees. When else will you get a chance like this?”
“What a turn of events.” Mello shook his head.
“I’d like to see that.” Blitzø moved closer.
Angel smiled broadly. “Sorry, handsome, but I’m quit.”
“Really? What do you say to that?” Alastor's cracked voice wrapped itself in Valentino's velvety notes. “Angel, will you do anything for daddy?”
“Cool trick,” Mello snorted. “Can you do Donald Duck’s voice?” Matt laughed loudly.
Tommy gun fell at Angel's feet, his lips trembling and his head bowed. He hid his face in his hands.
“Be a good boy,” Valentino's voice flowed from Alastor's mouth, and Angel pressed his palms to his ears. “Bring daddy your weapon. Did you miss me?”
“Oops.” Tommy gun ended up in Matt's hands. “I've never been a good boy.”
“Neither has Angel,” Valentino's voice purred. “Slut, drug addict, murderer, spy. You like pleasing daddy, don't you?”
“Are you serious?” Mello nudged Angel in the shoulder. “It's just a voice, a recording, an old tape. And whose voice is it? The one who used you. He never loved you!”
“Really?” Valentino said. The silence, broken only by the crackling of static and the rustling of the old audio tape, was shattered by Alastor's voice, “Give me the soul of Angel Dust.” The scratching of a pen and ragged breathing, then a quiet, sad reply, “I'm sorry, but Angel Dust's soul doesn't belong to me. Not anymore.”
Valentino's scream startled everyone, and then faded away, causing their souls to shrink. Matt cursed. Angel collapsed to his knees, choking with tears.
“Here. For free.” Alastor threw a large bag at Angel. “Your favorite angel dust. You need this. And,” the demon's smile widened, “don't forget to tell your friends how you leaked everything about the hotel and its modest, and not so modest, inhabitants to Vox. Oh, right, you probably don't remember it, do you? Hypnosis is treacherous. Or maybe you do remember? Remember how you obeyed Valentino's every command and let Vox control with your mind?”
“Shut up!” Blitzø barked. “Spy! Slut! Murderer! What a surprise! Everyone here is like that! Although, that means he's not atoning fucking his sins at all–”
“Blitzø.” Stolas gestured for the imp to be quiet.
“That's normal,” said L. “It's surprising that the hotel's method worked at all.”
“Good thing Charlie can't hear you.” Light snorted.
Angel shook even harder, tore the bag open with his trembling hands, and a cloud of gray powder flew up. Husk's soft palm fell on his shoulder. “Seriously, Al? We're sinners, losers. We've lost so many… we've been through so much… Do you really think we can't handle this?” The bag fell from Angel's hands, and he looked up at Husk, who nodded to the boy. “We're used to being on our knees, L, used to being humiliated–”
“You certainly are, Husker.” The sharp deer ears twitched. “Whiskey and gambling can bring an Overlord to their knees. I know you well, Husker. How well do you know me, magician?”
“I wonder what percentage of Alastor is here?” L rubbed his chin thoughtfully, and Light furrowed his brow. Alastor twitched his ears again and looked at the boys.
“Very little, L, very little. Alastor wouldn't have killed Niffty, he wouldn't have killed Vox!” Light shouted the last words.
Alastor's ears twitched nervously. “Vox was destroyed by ambition. He thought he was a god. And I have no desire to be friends with gods. Ambitious bastards. Vox is a god. What nonsense.” Alastor laughed. “He doesn't even have a cult, no matter what he says. Okay, folks, you've tired me out, it's time to end our show.”
The figure of the Radio Demon stretched out, grew taller, the surroundings darkened, and the wind picked up. A black hole opened in Alastor's chest, and its funnel spun, sucking souls into itself. Light's soul fluttered like a frightened bird, he clung to L's arm and closed his eyes, but immediately cast aside his cowardly thoughts and opened his eyes again. Husk spread his wings, sheltering himself and Angel beneath them. Muttering “that son of a bitch,” Matt poured lead at Alastor, while Mello hurled stones at him. Light felt unbearable pain, so much so that it replaced his fear. His soul was ready to leave his body, and he heard the moans of the souls Alastor had previously consumed, saw L's interested gaze, saw the inky black hair of the wingless Winner flying up from the whirlwind.
Mello clung to Matt's shoulders and closed his eyes, while Husk shouted something, but Light couldn't hear anything because of the whistling wind. Husk's legs buckled…
Light closed his eyes, remembering the feeling in his chest. For some reason, he remembered Matsuda. Light closed his eyes, trying to forget about Alastor. He floated along the stream, flew along the wires like a signal, and fell into a shining ocean. Light opened his eyes slightly, trying with all his might to be there and here at the same time, and almost cried out with joy. A shining sphere surrounded him and L, and through the transparent dome, he could see a sucking funnel, only now there was no wind. L turned to him, a question in his eyes. Light shrugged and moved cautiously toward Matt and Mello, as if afraid of spilling the shining energy.
“Stooop!” Stolas shouted in a breaking voice. “Stop.” Alastor's laughter drowned out the whistling wind. “Are you challenging Goetia?!” Stolas put his hands forward and tensed up. The tension made his feathers fluff up, and a ridiculous tuft rose on his head.
“Oh no!” Matt exhaled. “Stolas!”
Stolas didn't hear the boy. The poor Goetia demon turned red with tension. Lightning flashed between his fingers, and Alastor was thrown back. Stolas took a step, stretching into a threatening demonic form, and two streams of visible energy rose from his hands, lifting stones from the ground and turning into fiery streams that purified everything in their path. Alastor scattered into shadows and disappeared over the horizon.
“That's right.” Stolas smirked. “Don't mess with the Prince of Goetia.” He smiled at Blitzø, who couldn't believe his eyes.
“Hey, what's up with you?” Adam nudged Lucifer on the shoulder.
“Nothing.” Lucifer turned around, the panorama of the Sloth Ring unfolding behind him. “I had to return the power to one of the Goetia.”
“Wow! You think all the Nephilim drowned?”
Lucifer shrugged and shoved his hands into the pockets of his doublet. “What's this?” He pulled out a wad of bills with a postcard pinned to it. “A bribe from Mammon.” Lucifer laughed. “For freeing Hell from Eve.”
“That's funny.”
“It's time to go.” Lucifer tilted his hat jauntily to one side. “Eve is in the throne room. Baal has been ordered not to let anyone in. Just me and Eve.”
“What are talking about?” Adam put his arm around his friend's shoulders. “You expect me to leave you alone with Eve again?”
Lucifer half-closed one eye. “She'll be very surprised if we come into the hall together.”
Adam nodded. “I can just imagine her face. All right, let's not keep the lady waiting.”
Lucifer snapped his fingers, and the pair disappeared in a flash of light.