Chapter Text
Pentagram City was in an anomalous peace, at least what the Entertainment District might know as peace, in other words, something other than explosions, gunfire and — in the least of his concerns — moans and wet noises in some dark alley.
The jazz, blues, and swing music playing in the streets was his only company.
Lucifer grimaced with revulsion. He had already encountered at least three exhibitionists in the time he had been walking in this area. Two fled as soon as they realized who he was, and one felt too lucky, or too stupidly horny, to think he’d won the lottery; The Sinner didn’t have time to react before Lucifer set his crotch on fire and ran off.
The fact that he had met those three assholes was at least a sign that they knew his face, and that he still inspired a certain amount of respect and fear in the Sinners.
That didn’t mean he was pleased to have to go into the heart of the sinful city to get something from them.
Or at least one in particular.
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The memory of the chain of situations that this harmless butterfly effect had caused only made his blood boil with rage. At the same time, it made him want to bury his face in his precious garden out of shame and not come out for at least a few centuries.
It all started with Fortuna’s birthday party, Mammon’s daughter.
Lucifer didn’t consider himself a social butterfly, as much as his position demands him to be, with all the parties and social gatherings to which Lilith dragged him to. But if there was one crew with whom he could be himself, it was the Deadly Sins. They had known him since they all lived in Heaven — They fought by his side in the Rebellion against Heaven! Lucifer considered them more family than his own, who had cast him out of his Father’s Kingdom.
Lucifer paused at that last thought. No, that wouldn’t be fair to Gabriel, he — To Hell with that! Gabriel drove a spear into his wings!
So, back to the Deadly Sins.
Lucifer was having a blast hanging out with his niece and nephews. What if Fortuna wanted him to turn into a snake? What if Python wanted to see more fireworks? What if Abaddon loved to be held? He’d make all their wishes come true! Kids are meant to be spoiled, and he had plenty of time.
Then it was time to open Fortuna’s gifts. The typical gifts that the Sin of Greed’s daughter could receive, a new dress, a new hellhound friend, a new castle, a new nanny Imp, her own circus, etc. Then Lucifer presented his gift, and everyone held their breath as he conjured up a small silver tiara with emeralds embedded in it.
To Lucifer it was nothing more than a small token of appreciation for his niece, who quickly showed it to her Dad and friends He was pleased, but he knew Fortuna would forget about it soon. She was just a kid, after all. She wasn’t interested in anything but being her Dad’s number one.
But for his other fellow Sins...
“I told you that my Fortuna was his favorite.” Mammon was showing off to the others Sins, catching Lucifer’s attention, who was performing magic tricks for the hellborn children.
“What are you talking about?” Leviathan asked, squinting their eyes, “It’s her birthday, it’s her day to feel special.”
Well, it looked like someone had some sense —
“Obviously, our Python is his favorite. Didn’t I tell you? He’s already taking classes in politics and alchemy.”
Maybe someone should take a class on how to control their drinking.
“If you think that Lucifer plays favorites among children, you idiots are clearly mistaken!” Satan stood between Mammon and Leviathan, “Abaddon possesses all the best qualities that a worthy successor — ”
A what? What the fuck were those three drunks talking about? Lucifer tried not to be distracted by eavesdropping on the conversation his friends were having behind his back. He had already screwed up his magic show, a yellow rubber duck was supposed to appear, and a red one came out. At this rate, if he didn’t concentrate, he’d end up pulling the coin out where it wasn’t supposed to.
“All thrrrree of youuuuu are verrrry wroooong~” Asmodeus fell upon the other three Sins, and seemed the drunkest of the three, slurring his words as he spoke.
Lucifer welcomed Asmodeus’ arrival, perhaps the giant blue rooster could get them to bring —
“If anyone’s a worthy successor to Lucifer, it’s my future child.” The Sin of Lust hiccupped before falling completely over Mammon’s round body.
And, once again, Lucifer gave too much credit where credit wasn’t due.
As soon as Lucifer was free of the children Hellborn’s attention, he turned around to see his six Sins, who seemed busier debating which child was Lucifer’s favorite and waking Asmodeus. With a snap of his fingers Lucifer transported them all to the private room in Mammon’s Tower of Greed.
“I don’t have a favorite child.” Lucifer announced, throwing a glass of water on Ozzy. He didn’t have to call Bel or Bee on this, but, still, he’d prefer that they didn’t start getting those ideas. That nips the problem in the bud, doesn’t it?
“And if there’s no favorite, then what about an heir to your Throne?” Leviathan wondered.
Why should he worry about his Throne? It’s not like he was going to die, there were more important things to worry about than his line of succession: The Ars Goetia’s prophecies for the coming years, the issue of regularizing the Hellhound’s adoptions, the Harvest Moon hadn’t been good for the Wrathian Imps, and let’s not forget — The damn Extermination was in less than three months!
Father, give me patience because if you give me strength, I’ll kill them all. And he couldn’t afford to leave three children orphaned and three Rings without Rulers. No, no, no, no, no! It was too much paperwork, he barely even read the scrolls that came across his desk.
So, like everything else in his life, Lucifer spoke instead of thinking.
“What makes you think I’m not planning to have an heir?”
Before Lucifer could even process what he had said aloud, the Sins stopped yelled at each other and looked at him.
“Is it Lilith? But I thought she was barren because of Holy Father’s curse.” Leviathan tried to jog their memory, which wasn’t easy when their last days in the sky were nothing but a shower of fire and thunder. “Or will she be your heir?”
“I didn’t know you were banging someone.” Asmodeus gave a thoughtful look, then changed to a more cheerful expression, “Is this the Succubus I mentioned to you? I told you she did wonders with her tongue.”
“By hellfire, Luci!” Beelzebub squealed excitedly, “I can’t believe you’re going to be a Father. Which Hellhound should I congratulate?”
“Where did you keep them, Boss?” Mammon didn’t sound convinced, “Was it one of the jugglers? I wouldn’t have charged them if it was one of them, but I had to get my investment back after that circus burned down — ”
“Please tell me it’s not Paimon,” Satan scowled as he crossed his arms, “I couldn’t stand to see his pretentious dic—”
“It’s not like that!” Lucifer roared, his horns sticking out for a brief moment, and he could have sworn he spat out a small blaze of fire.
He wasn’t even fucking anyone, Lucifer wasn’t looking for a sexual, or at least sentimental, partner. He had good toys at his disposal when he felt horny. Lucifer coughed at his outburst, and regained his composure, “I think you’re forgetting that I’m — I was an Archangel,” He corrected, “Obviously I’ve both reproductive sets.”
The Sins seemed to make a vague attempt to remember. It was centuries ago, don’t blame them if they chose to forget details of their heavenly lives.
“Yeah,” Asmodeus scratched his chin, thoughtfully, “I think you mentioned this the first time I invited you to an orgy.” He vaguely remembered that in Heaven only the Archangels, and the first two humans, had God’s original design.
“Oh, you mean a vagina!” Mammon snapped his fingers.
“Wait, you mean a womb, one right — ” Beelzebub held her two upper hands in front of her belly and formed a rainbow with her fingers, “Here.”
There was a cough in the office.
“So,” Belphegor yawned, which made the Sins turn to look at her, “My understanding is that you will be the bearer of the pregnancy?”
“Of course I will. I’m my Father’s son, so I’ve the power of creation and life, and fathering on my own is no problem.” Lucifer said, crossing his arms and puffing out his chest with pride.
“Abaddon needs a cousin his own age to play with.” The Sin of Wrath commented, and the other Sins soon began to talk about what Lucifer’s future heir would be like, they even talked about the gifts they’d give them at their naming day, and the celebrations they’d hold in their honor.
One by one, the Sins left the office to return to the birthday party in the lobby of the Tower of Greed.
Lucifer let out a sigh that he didn’t know was stuck in his throat.
Well, problem solved.
Belphegor cleared her throat, drawing Lucifer’s attention.
The King of Hell turned to look at her and saw that the Ruler of Sloth was resting on Mammon’s desk, fingers clicking one by one against the wood.
And another problem to be solved.
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Lucifer’s blonde head slumped over his desk, exhausted.
A month had already passed. And he had found nothing in the ancient writings about the divine conception of which he had bragged so much!
Nothing.
Nada.
Nihil.
And Lucifer was fucked up.
“How hard is it to conceive a child nowadays?” Lucifer groaned. There was a damned human overpopulation on Earth. Those babies certainly didn’t appear by the Lord’s grace alone — But he didn’t see the prudish Seraphim threatening genocide against his Father’s overexploited pet population.
Lucifer looked up to see Belphegor. The Sin of Sloth was still reading her medical magazine; She had decided to help him, knowing that Lucifer was prone to spiraling, and needed someone to help him regain consciousness and take his medicine.
All his attempts to have a child had been fruitless. The vessels he was looking for wouldn’t hold his heavenly essence and would shatter or, at worst, cause an explosion. He’d find a way to explain to Lilith why he had to make staff cuts and that the Mansion hadn’t gotten smaller, it was just being remodeled for something new.
Lilith.
Lucifer had thought about calling Lilith and telling her about his screw up, maybe she had a solution, she was a smart and wise woman. Lucifer was grateful for her support over the years. However, the First Sinner was on tour with the Ring of Wrath, she had finally decided to record a country-themed album, he was sure the Imps would still enjoy hearing her sing her opera.
There was a time, centuries ago, when dating Lilith seemed like a perfectly good idea. He was fond of and cherished the First Sinner, and she was very grateful to him for the help he had given her in escaping from Eden. However, remembering that Lilith had refused to be Adam’s wife and submit to him, had made it clear to him that Lilith would never want to take on the role of Wife or Mother (even if she hadn’t been cursed), she was her own person and had her own will to do as she pleased.
So, Lucifer gave up. He’d have it all figured out by the time Lilith returned from her musical tour. He didn’t need to burden Lilith with his problems.
Lucifer sank further into his chair, his hat and coat scattered somewhere on his desk, crushed by the pile of scrolls, books and snacks. He massaged his temples and wished he could forget the whole thing so he could return to his workshop and keep making his beloved rubber duckies. “Father made it look so easy.”
Belphegor put down her magazine, “Yes, but he is the son of a human woman, and you don’t want to use a second parent.”
Doing it the traditional way was his last option. However, he didn’t have the slightest desire to go out, grab the first person that crossed his path, and say ‘Hey I need you to get me pregnant.’ No. Just no. Besides, if he chose that option, there was still the matter of choosing his heir’s other father, which had to be done in the most careful, private, and confidential way.
Belphegor giggled, “I don’t think anyone would refuse to be the Father of your baby. You’re the King of Hell. Everyone thinks you are a slut.”
That’s the problem. Lucifer thought — Not with being seen as a slut, that was the least of his problems. Adam can believe and spread whatever he wants, if the First Man didn’t know how to please either of his two wives, it had nothing to do with him — But with his status. He’s not just anyone.
Not to mention the great discomfort the other races of Hellborns would feel if they weren’t considered, or even the accusation that he was supporting one Ring over the others. And Father forbade the Hell Nobility to know of his plans. Lucifer couldn’t afford a civil war; He had barely prevented two Goetia Judges from stabbing each other at their daughters’ wedding.
It was so hard to be King.
Sometimes he wondered if this was the punishment his Father had planned for him. Lucifer would never know, He didn’t even speak during his Trial, and He wasn’t present at his Fall either…
“Maybe you don’t like this, but they don’t have to be a Hellborn.”
Lucifer mumbled under his breath.
The Sinners. Those consequences of his Rebellion, his main residents of the Pride Ring.
Lilith was their ambassador, and honestly, it was she who cared most for their well-being. When the Exterminations were over, she’d go to Pentagram City. She’d walk its streets looking for the wounded, bury some, and comfort the gangs that had lost comrades.
Lilith occasionally dragged him to the Overlords’ meetings.
“You have to stand up and show that you are their King. It’s not the same if they only know your face from propaganda. You have to interact with them.” Lilith told him every time she dragged him to one of the meetings.
The Overlords were the Sinners of the highest status and power, a new hierarchical order imposed by the First Sinner after the First Extermination. In Pentagram City, deals were everything, the bargaining chip. If you were still hanging on in Hell with your soul untouched, congratulations, you are almost as non-existent as a hell unicorn and as rare as the rubber duck that Lucifer tried to create out of fallen stars.
Though Lucifer could tell he had some sort of...Friendship? Camaraderie? Alliance? (whatever) with a couple of them.
The Merchant Overlord, Zestial, and the Weapon Dealer Overlord, Carmilla Carmine.
Zestial approached him out of mere curiosity and interest, as did Carmilla. The Merchant Overlord showed him great respect, though Lucifer wasn’t quite sure why. Nevertheless, Lucifer offered them refuge in his Mansion during the Exterminations. Never in his life had he considered offering asylum to anyone, least of all to a Sinner!
Carmilla approached him when the Exterminations were over to inform him of the number of celestial weapons the Exterminators had left scattered throughout the city, and whose employees were already stockpiling them for sale in Pentagram City.
Every time he read one of Carmilla’s reports, Lucifer rolled his eyes. It was incredible the number of weapons that Adam allowed his Exterminators to discard when they were pierced and impossible to extract from a Sinner’s body. But what surprised him most was that he had never received a report of lost weapons from any of the Seraphim. Didn’t they keep records? When he was a young angel, Raphael asked him to make an inventory of each of the constellations and their respective stars — Son of a Bitch, always giving him absurd tasks.
One of these days someone is going to get in big trouble. The fewer weapons that were visible after the Extermination, the quicker Lucifer could wash his hands of them when the bitching came from upstairs.
But he was going off on a bit of a tangent.
When the first Sinners and Nephilim fell into Hell after the Great Flood, Lucifer noticed that among Sinners couldn’t have offspring, however, with the Nephilim the result was a positive one, perhaps it was due to their angelic bloodline, so Hell soon began to have its own inhabitants. It was now a well-known fact that a Sinner and a Hellborn could have a positive, full-term conception.
“Zestial is not an option.” Lucifer said wearily.
Lucifer couldn’t ask him that, it’d be like crossing a line, and he was sure the spider Sinner would refuse because of his feelings for Carmilla, which he was sure were reciprocated. Damn it, Zestial had informed him of the great and wonderful news that Carmilla had adopted a pair of hellborn twins that were wandering around her District.
“I hope you’ll be able to meet ‘em, Thy Highness. Carmilla hath already begun teaching ‘em all’s there is to wot about the business.”
He said it in such a proud tone, Lucifer thought with some envy. Was that fatherly pride speaking?
“We should get back to our research if we want to sleep soon.” Belphegor stood up to go grab a book from the shelves. She gave a sidelong glance at Lucifer, “Or think of a candidate.”
Lucifer grunted, but nodded, for he knew that, if he wanted to get out of this mess of his own making, he had to get back to his research.
His head was killing him.
Lucifer asked Belphegor for a few minutes to go to his room and check his first aid kit, stood up, left his office and headed for his bedroom. It’d be a lot easier if he had them appear through some portal, but his back was sore and he had the urge to run out of that suffocating place; No matter if he had to walk from wing to wing, up or down hundreds of stairs, he just wanted to distract himself.
Through one of the large windows Lucifer noticed that the sky of the Pride Ring was already a scarlet hue. Time sure does fly by, he doesn’t even remember if he ate anything else other than apple pie and an espresso. Lucifer snorted. If he was going to have a baby, he should ask Belphegor to recommend him a healthy diet. He’d promise her he’d follow it to the letter. Maybe.
“Hey Keekee, did you catch anything?” Lucifer petted the one-eyed kitten that roamed his hallways. The hell kitty jumped into his arms, purring happily.
As he walked, he came upon the servants finishing their last chores for the day at the main lobby of the Mansion. A soft tune was playing in the room, causing Lucifer to stop at the railing to avoid being seen by the imps, listening to the music coming from a small radio.
Lucifer used to listen to the radio, especially the stations of the human world. They allowed him to keep up with earthly affairs. But he had a certain fondness for music ones, and he loved to play some of his favorite songs on his violin and play them for his fellow Pandemonium inhabitants on his balcony in the evenings.
Suddenly, the song stopped and static was heard, waking Lucifer from his reverie and scaring Keekee, who jumped up to lose herself in the corridors.
“Good night, ladies and gentlemen!” When the signal returned, a voice was heard. A static-filtered synthesized voice took over the station and echoed down the main hall.
“The Radio Demon!” One of the maids gasped excitedly, throwing the flannel and stain-removing liquid on the floor, and ran with her other colleagues who were gathered around the small radio.
Who? Lucifer wondered, turning his attention to the radio show.
“Your number one radio host brings you the best tunes requested by the beautiful Pentagram City.”
A pair of servants sighed, plopping down on the freshly polished floor like love-struck damsels.
“I can’t believe he caught another so soon.” One of the Hellhounds squealed excitedly. “Will it be an Overlord or a rising one?”
“Who was the one from two weeks ago?” A cow-like hellborn asked.
“I think it was Inquisidora.” Another answered him.
The hellborn grimaced in disgust, “No, it wasn’t her, I had nightmares of her screams. I think it was Rex something... Or Lady Mayhem...”
“Please, they barely screamed and then he passed out. Nocturne’s screams will never fade from my memory.” The hellhound shivered.
“This is the eleventh Overlord he’s caught, isn’t it?” An Imp who looked to be the youngest in the crew asked, “How many Overlords are left?”
“He’d better not face Zestial or Carmilla, we know he’d lose. Even Rosie is a strong opponent.”
An elderly Imp woman looked frightened, “No, not Overlord Rosie, no, she has the best clothing boutique in all of Hell.”
“I welcome you to a new evening of our beloved program, where music and screams intertwine to offer you, our listeners, and our guests an unforgettable experience.”
Lucifer rose nimbly into the air and sat down on the railing, away from where the servants could see him.
“I assure you a night you won’t forget.”
The announcer’s voice faded. For a few seconds, there was white noise.
“He always says the same thing to everyone.” An elderly bird-like hellborn woman grumbled.
“AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”
What the fuck was that? Lucifer stiffened as he heard the horrible scream coming from the radio. It wasn’t the announcer, it was a second voice — Wait, didn’t he say something about a guest?
“How marvelous!” The host’s voice was heard again, “We are honored to welcome an iconic figure from the Entertainment District. I guess you’ve figured out by now who it is.”
The Hellhound gasped in surprise, whispering, “No way.”
“That’s right, my dear listeners, we have the privilege of having with us — ” There was a drum roll, “The Dream Overlord himself, Dopium!”
The recorded sound of applause and excited shouts could be heard.
“It is truly a pleasure to have your exquisite presence. I’m glad you finally decided to be on my radio show.”
“Go fuck yourself, Alastor!” The other guest (?) wailed, hard to distinguish his tone of voice, oscillating between anger and dread.
Until another scream of his broke through to be broadcast over the radio.
“No, I don’t think so.” The host — What did he say his name was? Alexander? Albert? Alfred? Damn, Lucifer was terrible with names — “What can we expect from tonight’s show?” He spoke with a hint of derision. “Come on, share with my dear listeners your plans for your District.”
“Bullshit! Just wait till I get these tentacles off of me and we’ll see who screams like a — AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!”
“Don’t worry, my listeners, he’s a very tough guest to deal with, like almost all the previous ones. But we always manage to soften them.”
Again, the recorded laughter of an audience was heard.
“But!” As the host spoke, the audience suddenly fell silent, “At least they leave with a smile on their face. You’re never fully dressed without one.” A round of applause and whistles resounded. “Now, returning to important matters for our distinguished City, tell us why you wanted to prohibit the alcohol?”
“Prohibit alcohol?” One of the Hellborns commented offended, as if his Mother had been slapped.
“Please keep your voices down, I don’t want our King to know that we are loitering.”
Well, it doesn’t bother me at all, Lucifer thought, pursing his lips. As long as Bel doesn’t lose her nerve.
“About the alcohol having to pass through your hands and the clubs and bars having to pay you. I can’t wait to hear about such a fun and stupid plan.”
“Don’t fuck with me...” The other Sinner was breathing raggedly, “This is all because of cheap booze? So, what if I do?! I don’t know when you died, but you must know that a lot of money was made up there by banning alcohol and selling it to those desperate drunks. It’s business! The world is run by money! Stupid shoddy host!”
Lucifer flinched as the Sinner’s screams were accompanied by the sound of something breaking. It’s like stepping on a tree branch and hearing the most sonorous and disturbing crunching sound in the forest.
“Well, well, I seem to have gotten carried away, I apologize for that, my dear listeners. But don’t worry, he didn’t pass out like the last one.”
Was he imagining it, or did the recorded laughter now sound more distorted and slower?
“Dopium, don’t be mistaken, this is not about your stupid business.”
Lucifer paid full attention to the change in voice — Frequency. Lucifer snapped his fingers, Radio Demon.
“Or it could be, see it any way you want, I don’t care at all. But you were living on borrowed time. You knew that at any moment I’d come for ya. J̸u̴s̶t̴ ̷l̴i̵k̸e̶ ̶e̶v̶e̶r̶y̶o̷n̵e̸ ̶e̸l̵s̸e̵.̵ However — ”
There was the faint sound of tearing. With his superfine senses, Lucifer could hear it. Was he undressing him? Oh, Father, he had better not be some exhibitionist. Nothing wrong with voyeurism, at Asmodeus’ parties the orgies were the final part.
“You must have counted your days when you slapped that Sinner.”
“Who of all those stuck-up bitches?” The Overlord guest tried to laugh, to no avail, as he was noticeably getting progressively more nervous. “If they don’t have money or souls for alcohol, they can always pay me by spreading their — ”
Suddenly, a roar echoed from the radio, so loud and powerful that it made Lucifer shudder. He had been so focused on the Radio Demon’s mesmerizing voice, like a snake hypnotizing you to calm you down before eating you, that he felt shivers run down his spine.
“I guess we’ll start with those hands.”
What were once the recorded voices of a possibly dead audience were now creepy laughs and mocking howls, shrieks, and banging drums.
“No… No…” The Sinner’s voice pleaded in despair for his afterlife, “Alastor, I beg you! Please! Alastor!”
Alastor, Lucifer repeated the name in his head, Alastor, Alastor, repeating it a few more times, making sure not to forget it.
“I’ll give you my contracts! I won’t go near the Entertainment District! I can retire and name you my —”
There was another crunching sound, similar to a cockroach being squashed.
“You silly buffoon, I’ll have your contracts, whether you want it or not. Now choose which side we’ll taste this magnificent evening: left or right? I, at least, am starving for a liver and lung.”
Excuse me, what? Lucifer had a bewildered look on his face, standing up as the Overlord’s screams began to be heard from the radio as he was tortured and butchered — Was the Radio Demon a cannibal? — and then minutes later, the sound of limbs being torn from his body, were heard on the radio.
Some of the servants listened intently, others grimaced in disgust, but all of them had a morbid curiosity about the rest of the torture.
Who was this Sinner? The Imps called him the Radio Demon, the Overlord called him Alastor. And from the information gathered, he was responsible for hunting the Overlords. To what end? Revenge? Power? Yes, possibly.
But…
Didn’t the Imp say that this was the eleventh Overlord he was hunting? Not only that, but he was also tracking rising ones. How could a single Sinner kill eleven Overlords? They were the most powerful faction of the Sinners. Lucifer didn’t know how many Overlords sat around Carmilla’s table, but eleven was a high number, not counting the deals that were about to fall into the Host’s hands.
To face an Overlord, you had to be another one. Therefore, Alastor must have been an Overlord by now. How long ago did Alastor fall to Hell? Did he make a deal with a Goetia during his lifetime to be this powerful?
Everything about this Sinner intrigued him. Above all, his M.O. Hunting Overlords and broadcasting their torture and ultimate death on his radio show to send a message to the rest of Pentagram City.
‘Did you hear that? You can be next.’
“My dear listeners,” Alastor’s filtered voice was heard again on the radio, “Thank you very much for your time and to our esteemed guest for delighting us with this beautiful melody. Remember, stay tuned, folks.”
There was a final loud hissing sound throughout the lobby, and the static suddenly died down, reigning over the radio for a few seconds before tuning back into a melody accompanied by the sounds of a piano and trumpet.
♫ No one to talk with
All by myself
No one to walk with
But I’m happy on the shelf
Ain’t misbehavin’
I’m savin’ my love for you ♫
Lucifer watched as his servants began to pick up all the stuff they had left behind to listen to the radio show. In a hurry to have wasted the time they could have used — Maybe 40 minutes — in their labors and come back next week.
His eyes stayed focused on the small radio that kept playing the tune in the lobby.
♫ I don’t stay out late
Don’t care to go
I’m home about eight
Just me and my radio
Ain’t misbehavin’
I’m savin’ my love for you ♫
A Sinner — No, an Overlord had gained enough power and magic to break through the boundaries of Pentagram City and contact his people, the rest of the Pride Ring. Not even Carmilla and her weapons had accomplished such a feat.
Still, did he do it all by himself? Did the Radio Demon begin his hunt as soon as he fell, or only after testing the waters and analyzing his opponents? Was he impulsive or meticulous?
He had to admit, the Sinner made a deep impression on — No, no, no, no, it was a stupid idea, Lucifer! You’re not considering this Sinner —
Lucifer dragged his hands across his face, growling in frustration. Creating a portal in the middle of the hallway, he jumped into it and landed on top of his desk, startling the Sin, who was sleeping with a heavy book on her face. Now he understood why she didn’t go and fetch him to bring him from his feathered ears to his office.
“Lucifer, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?!” The sheep-like Sin demanded in surprise.
Lucifer, however, was too focused on finding the scrolls he had brought from the Palace to the Mansion.
“Stay here.” Lucifer ordered before creating another portal and jumping through it, and heard a furious ‘Lucifer!’ as it closed.
He appeared in what was his office in the Palace, in the downtown of Pandemonium Capital, and walked to his desk. He opened his other four eyes to find the file he needed.
He cursed himself as he realized he had no scrolls or files. Rofocale must have organized all his paperwork. However, that meant the Radio Demon had never summoned him. It’d make sense, everyone changed physically once they passed through the Limbo and fell into Hell, but maybe his voice would have lingered in Lucifer’s memory.
Lucifer opened another portal and jumped into Baal Berith’s office. The Duke Goetia’s desk seemed tidier, so Lucifer decided to see if the Overlord had made any deals while he was still alive. But there was no scroll or file that had anything to do with him.
All right, time to level up. Or down.
This time the next portal launched him into Amon’s office. The Marquis kept a record of all the Sinner who had an exclusive deal with a Goetia. Lucifer had to admit that there weren’t enough of them, as it was very rare for a human to successfully summon a Goetia, especially since they were very picky about accepting a human’s invitation.
Even with his six eyes Lucifer was unable to find the file.
That’d only take him to the Soul Storage, Samigina would probably have filed it away already.
Opening a new portal, he summoned his six wings, beautiful white and red feathers that crashed against the walls of the Marquis’ office — Uh, he’d make up for it. Lucifer flew straight into the portal, where on the other side awaited the endless repository of records of the Sinners who resided in Pentagram City.
It was no wonder that Sera dreaded a Third Rebellion, even as the Exterminations were being carried out, the Sinners’ population didn’t seem to be decreasing.
Lucifer couldn’t waste any more time, this time he’d need more than just his six eyes. He raised his hands and a golden dust began to flow from him, taking the form of small winged creatures.
“Look for the Radio Demon. His name is Alastor.” He hadn’t forgotten his name! Lucifer mentally patted himself on the back. Now all he had to do was assume that this was the name he had used both in life and in the afterlife. No, no negative thoughts, Lucifer, you’ve made it this far with the bare minimum.
The winged humanoids nodded and flew off in different directions. Lucifer decided to follow one of the golden dust creatures.
Lucifer felt on the verge of admitting defeat. Apparently, he didn’t have any Sinners related to the word radio, which was strange since it was popular in the human world — Until one of the small beings collided with him.
When he saw that it had a huge file with it, his red eyes lit up like stars — It was the only one who had brought anything, so Lucifer allowed himself to think that things were going well.
Lucifer carefully descended to the floor, pulled down the chair, placed the file on the Marquise’s desk and began to read.
Alastor Le Roux.
October 30, 1895 / October 31, 1933
It’s only been nine years since his death, and he’s already made a name for himself in Hell; Most Overlords take years to ascend to their positions. Also, Alastor died young, well, everyone is young to Lucifer, only 38 years old. Did he leave a family on Earth? Maybe he has someone here in Hell? In Heaven?
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
It was a pity that he had never cast a spell that’d allow it to keep a picture of the Sinners in his human life. It didn’t make much sense to him at the time. When Adam and Sera started the Exterminations, several Files were turned to dust with the death of the Sinners.
Focus, Lucifer.
His eyes went straight to the list of sins, and he wasn’t at all surprised to see ‘Mass Murder’ at the top of the list. Perfect, a Serial Killer, as if he didn’t have plenty of them walking the streets. Then he read ‘Cannibalism’, as well as, but not surprisingly, ‘Pride’ and ‘Gluttony’, followed by a lovely and diverse list of:
Physical Torture
Psychological Torture
Defamation
Kidnapping
Terrorism
Treason
Conspiracy
Mutilation
Unlawful Imprisonment
Death Threats
If this Alastor had fallen at least a thousand years ago he wouldn’t know which of the Circles to send him to for his Deadly Sins to punish his afterlife and reform his path. And, as he continued to read the file, he found the section on number of victims and saw the numbers ‘391’.
Lucifer put the file down on the Marquise’s desk and rubbed his eyes, perhaps he had misread it due to fatigue — Nope, the number was still the same. Was this information correct? It seemed incredibly surreal to him that he had been able to kill so many people and get away with it. Did this include his victims in hell?
Lucifer took a deep breath and began to wonder if this Overlord was the best choice.
His reading continued with the cause of his demise: ‘Gunshot & Dog-related’. Lucifer pursed his lips, sure that one of his victims had survived or a family member seeking revenge, but it wouldn’t have been by his own hand, or it’d have been written ‘Suicide’.
Sinking back into his seat, Lucifer searched for the information he needed to make an important decision. And finally, he confirmed what he already suspected.
Summoning’s: 0.
Alastor has never had deals with Hellborns, Ars Goetia, Deadly Sins, or him.
Since Alastor fell into Hell, everything he has done, he has done on his own, without anyone’s help, without having to sell his soul. Everything he did and broadcast was of his own free will. Alastor was becoming a very powerful Overlord, one who might surpass Carmilla or Zestial in the future. Someone he’ll have to meet at the Overlords meeting and bear centuries of his existence. One whom Lilith will get to —
Lucifer turned Alastor’s file into a scroll and left it floating on the desk. Staring into the infinite storehouse of souls, Lucifer ran his hands through his golden hair.
I’m really going to do this. Lucifer thought resignedly as he whistled at the small winged dust creatures that still continued their quest and returned to his side to disintegrate. Tiny golden sparkles remained on his body, which he’d eventually absorb.
Lucifer took the scroll, opened a portal and this time stepped through it. He stuck his head out carefully in case Belphegor was waiting for him with a syringe in her hooves.
The Ruler of Sloth was smoking on his balcony. Probably confused by his hasty words.
Lucifer coughed, catching the attention of his friend, and held up the scroll.
“I have a candidate.”
◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇
So that’s why he was here.
Walking through the streets of Pentagram City until he reached the radio tower. It’d have been easier if he had flown over the area, but there weren’t many flying Sinners, and those that were weren’t wearing white as their preferred color. It’d easily attract attention. So, he preferred to wait until most of the Sinners decided to call it a day. Without laws, they could commit crimes in broad daylight and no one would blink an eye.
He soon found himself in the Entertainment District, the last place Demon Radio had been. Maybe he should look into some bar or club; His interaction with the deceased Dopium made him think that Alastor was a person who liked to drink. Something strong with his dinner.
Crunch
Lucifer heard the sound coming from the alley he was standing next to. Turning, his eyes narrowed as he saw a huge figure completely hidden by the shadows of the buildings.
Mmmm, I got him.
Lucifer began to walk steadily toward the alley, straightening his posture and tightening his grip on the cane.
The smell made him sick to his stomach. It was a metallic, putrid smell; but if he hadn’t had to keep a straight face, he was sure he’d have walked out gagging.
The creature turned its back on him, unaware of his presence or just indifferent to him. In one of the claws lay the motionless half-body of a sinner, and in the other, the upper half was raised to the level of the creature’s face, which was slurping its intestines.
Lucifer watched in disgust as the creature tore at the flesh, letting the blood drip into a crimson pool on the dirt floor of the alley. Lucifer coughed in the hope that he had been heard and that the creature would have the good grace to turn and show its face.
“G̴̛̥e̶̮͈͆t̷̨͖͒̓͠ ̸̘̹͇͊̑̚ȍ̵̜ư̶̡̮̽̿t̶̻̂̈́” A static-filtered voice echoed from the scene, but it didn’t seem to come from the creature.
Lucifer frowned, upset at the rudeness. “I’d love to, but I’ve something to discuss with the Radio Demon.”
The creature stood motionless. Finally, it dropped the sinner’s carcass to the ground, crumbling, and stood upright — Lucifer pretended not to be surprised to see the creature as tall as an imp’s house — Turning around. Lucifer saw a deer skull covering his face, blood-stained fangs, and, in the sockets, two bright red eyeballs with the singularity of black radio dials and gigantic black antlers protruding from the skull.
“A̶͇̅n̷̪̽d̶͍̓ ̷̨̍w̸̥͘ḥ̸̔a̵̞͒t̵̜̑ ̷̤͝b̵͝ͅu̶̡̅s̴̛̭ĩ̴̞n̴͖͆e̷̫͝s̴̳͑s̶̹̒ ̵̡͐d̷̠̂o̶̘͗ę̵͝s̶̬̿ ̴̳̓ś̸̨u̸͚͐c̶̯͂h̶̞́ ̸̗̐a̶̤͒ ̴̰̄s̴̭̊m̷̩̈a̶̦͛l̵̨̋l̶̻̈́ ̵̮͒b̴̩͝e̶̪͛ḯ̴̞n̵̘̍g̸̤̈́ ̶͖̽ḥ̸̊a̶̼̅v̷̟̑e̸͍͐ ̴̻̚w̴̠͋ì̶̡t̵͔͌ĥ̴͓ ̶̪̈t̵̗̂ḧ̸͚è̸͓ ̵̮̑R̴͚̀a̷̘͂ď̷͎i̴̧͐o̴̹̿ ̵̧͝Ḓ̴̔e̷̩̎m̸͙̏o̴̡̕ņ̵̛?̴̝͌”
Lucifer’s eye twitched. Did he not know him? His face is all over the City! Lucifer didn’t use his shape-shifting abilities for this. “I’ve come to make you an offer I’m sure you can’t refuse.”
The creature looked him over from head to toe. “Ì̶̮’̵͔͌m̶͖̚ ̶̨̀n̵̞̚o̸̦̕t̵̖͐ ̸̝͠r̶̝̍e̸̜̕a̸͎̅l̵̥̀l̶͓̀y̸̟̓ ̶̦͆ì̴͜n̶̜̽t̶͖̀e̷͖̓ȑ̸̘ê̸̺s̸̩̓t̴̗͝e̴̻͒ḑ̴̂ ̵̳̍i̵̛̹ň̵͙ ̷̗͠a̶̠̽ ̴̖͌ť̸͉ö̷͔ọ̸̓t̷̘̏ḥ̷̄p̵̫͑i̸͎̇c̷̠͘k̸̤̿ ̶̱͝ŗ̴͛i̶̗͝g̴̯͠h̷̺̒ṭ̵̉ ̶̩̆n̸̞͐o̴̹̿w̷̙͋.̶͈͐”
“Good to know. But I’m talking about a deal and the eternal gratitude of the King of Hell.” Finally having his attention, the blonde smiled haughtily, “I, Lucifer Morningstar, want to make a deal with that Sinner named Alastor Le Roux.”
Then the sound of a scratched LP could be heard, but Lucifer kept a mask of indifference.
“I̸̱̎ ̸̢͑ĝ̶̜ǔ̴͍e̴̤͗ŝ̶͈ş̸̌,” The Radio Demon spoke, “W̷e̷ ̷g̷o̷t̸ ̷o̶f̷f̴ ̴o̵n̶ ̸t̵h̷e̴ ̶w̴r̸o̵n̸g̷ ̶f̸o̶o̵t̶.̶”
The shadows surrounding the alley swirled around them, and soon they were sucked into the Radio Demon like a black hole. Out of the shadows stepped a tall, slender Sinner, with an elegant demeanor, short, red hair with black tips, and a pair of prominent, floppy ears — Lucifer restrained himself from wanting to touch them, a bad habit shaped by Bee — A pair of black antlers, not as big as in his previous form, but sharp enough to gouge someone’s eye out, he wore a neat red striped coat, black pants and boots? No, hooves.
Out of his shadow shot a staff with a microphone at the tip. The Radio Demon caught it in the air with his black claws and sharp blood-red fingernails. Just as his shadow moved regardless of where the Sinner was, it smiled at him with green lips and eyes of the same color.
“Alastor, a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty.” The Sinner bent down to Lucifer and gave him a rough handshake, bringing him too close to his face.
The King of Hell noticed other characteristics: completely red eyes, from the sclera to the iris, except for the thin black pupils, almond-colored skin, and a wide smile with remarkably sharp golden teeth.
A deer, Lucifer thought. The most dangerous Sinner ended up looking like a prey, but hey, the Limbo liked to be creative from time to time judging sins.
“Yes, a pleasure.” Lucifer replied, wobbling from the shake. What was he supposed to do, bow down to him? Ha ha ha! Never in a million years would he kneel before anyone. He hadn’t at his Trial, and he wasn’t going to now. “Well, I’ll get right to the point. I’ve been thinking a lot about you and your reputation. And it’s not a favor I can ask of just anyone, not even a Sinner.” Lucifer took a deep breath. He had already rehearsed it several times in front of the mirror. “I need an Heir.”
There was a few seconds of silence before Alastor picked up his monocle, wiped it on his coat, and spoke, “I’m flattered that you thought of me and considered me as — ”
“Ehhh, yes, no,” Lucifer interrupted. “I don’t think you’ve quite understood.”
The Overlord tilted his head in confusion, but kept his smile on.
“I was referring more to the fact that I am trying to conceive a child.”
Alastor arched an eyebrow, but said nothing about it.
Lucifer sighed, mumbling, “Me and my… Siblings, we’re the closest beings to my Father’s original design, God, His first creations. In other words, I’m an intersex being, I mean I’ve a penis and a vagina.”
Could he reveal this information to Alastor? What if he refused his deal? Well, nothing but a snap and bye-bye, Alastor! No! Alastor had to take his deal, he hadn’t stressed himself out for a whole month looking for options to go back to his office and have to hear at the next Sins meeting if he will have a child yet.
This time, his eyes didn’t deceive him. The Sinner’s gaze swept over him in detail, pausing briefly in his middle.
“And what have I got to do with all this?” The Sinner’s irritation was now more apparent.
“My deal is as follows: I need an Heir, and I want you to get me pregn— Hey!” Lucifer cried out in indignation as he saw the Sinner turn away. “I’m speaking to you!”
“And I’m ignoring you.” Alastor walked towards the exit of the alley, “I’ll do you a favor, Your Majesty, let’s forget this conversation ever existed and get on with our afterlives.”
Waving his hand, Lucifer caused a golden dome to descend upon them, preventing Alastor from leaving.
“D̶o̷n̴’̴t̸ ̸e̸v̶e̵r̸ ̶d̶i̶s̶r̵e̷s̵p̵e̵c̵t̵ ̵m̸e̶ ̴l̵i̶k̴e̸ ̸t̸h̵a̷t̷ ̵a̷g̶a̵i̷n̷,̸ ̷y̴o̷u̴ ̵s̸t̶u̷p̸i̵d̴ ̸l̴i̵t̴t̵l̷e̵ ̴p̸r̶i̶c̷k̷!̸” He wanted to force him to bend over until his forehead touched the dirty floor. “It’s not every day that I come to this pigsty to make a deal, much less with a Sinner.” To think that someone would turn down a deal with him is unbelievable! What should he do to have his interest? He had to appeal to something, he’s not the Original Temptation for nothing. “I’ve listened to your radio show.”
With a look of surprise on his face, Alastor placed his hands on the microphone and asked curiously, “And what did you think, Your Majesty?”
“Morbid. I guess there were better ways to ruin my night.” He remembered his servants, and how some had decided to keep listening out of morbid curiosity. He wondered how many Hellborn had heard Alastor’s radio show.
Far from being offended, Alastor grinned and let out a roaring laugh, which was followed by the other Shadows laughing. “Lovely.”
Lucifer swallowed and continued his proposal, now that he had finally gotten the Sinner’s attention. “You should know that I’ve Zestial and Carmilla under my protection, whom I’m offering asylum outside of Pentagram City during the Extermination. That’s part of the deal. You give me a child, and I’ll give you lifelong protection.”
As Alastor seemed to be considering it, Lucifer heard an interference sound. Lucifer wasn’t much for praying, duh, but he wished he did so that the Overlord would accept his deal.
“I’ll take your deal.” Alastor accepted. A great weight was lifted from Lucifer’s shoulders.
“Yes!” Lucifer replied excitedly, coughing to hide his impulsiveness at Alastor’s cocky grin. “So — ”
“If you take two more people under your wing.”
Beggars can’t be choosers, Lucifer. “It’s a deal.” Lucifer raised his right hand in the air at the same time Alastor raised his.
The Radio Demon’s hand took his in a firm grip.
Lucifer was the first to let go and watched as Alastor examined his hand with a puzzled look on his face. “Oh, I see. Let me tell you, my deals don’t work that way. Chains aren’t my thing.” That’s Lilith’s, “This is just a verbal agreement, for now.”
“Something verbal doesn’t inspire much faith, you know, Your Majesty?”
Lucifer tried his best not to lose his temper in front of this Sinner. “Well, we can make it even more formal, just to make sure you’ve, my word.” Lucifer reached out to take Alastor’s hand, but the deer covered it and growled at him. What’s wrong? A moment ago, he had no problem shaking his hand and pulling him uncomfortably close to his face. “I just want to put my sigil on your wrist.”
Alastor seemed reluctant to reach out, but after a few seconds, he did.
Lucifer lifted the red sleeve slightly and saw that the sinner was covered in fur. With an outstretched palm, Lucifer pressed the Sinner’s wrist and a faint golden glow surrounded the area, disappearing as soon as Lucifer withdrew his hand. Smiling proudly, his sigil was visible for a few moments before Alastor abruptly removed his arm until he brought it to the level of his face to gaze upon it.
Alastor grumbled, covering his arm again, “Regarding your spawn — ”
“Heir.”
“Is there a time limit?”
He hadn’t thought of that. “I guess when it’s here.” Lucifer rested his hands on his stomach, waiting for the moment when he’d feel the slightest hint of life to bring the good news. “I don’t know how long it’ll take, I guess the sooner we start —”
“Mmmmm, fine.”
Before Lucifer had a chance to react, he felt his hands being held tightly as he was slammed into the wall.
“No, you brute! I’m not conceiving my baby in this shithole! Have some class, you son of a bitch!” Lucifer shouted furiously, freeing himself from the grip of — Tentacles? Which vanished like ink in water. “I’m not some floozy you fuck in an alley!”
Alastor tsk’ed. “Your Majesty, I beg your pardon, it was daring of me; somewhere, my Maman would be ashamed if she knew.”
If this idiot treats his partners like this, Lucifer would rather have him read some of Ozzie’s favorite books before Alastor would even think of putting a finger inside him. Besides, Maman? Was his mother in this place too? Maybe she was one of the two people Alastor needed to protect. What about the other one? His father? Sibling? It was rare for an entire family to fall into Hell, as had happened to that Overlord and his clan.
“I’ll send someone for you. To complete the deal.” Lucifer announced after an uncomfortable silence. “Bring the two people as well.”
“And how do I know you’re not trying to get us killed?”
The dome surrounding Pentagram City worked to keep Sinners away from the rest of the Pride Ring and the other Rings. There was no problem if a Hellborn crossed it, but Sinners received an electric shock that made them feel as if their insides were burning and their bones shattered as if they were made of glass — Something like what he suffered when he fell, but tamer.
“I promise you; The dome won’t be a problem. Nor will it harm you, not with my sigil on your wrist. If your friends accompany you, all they’ll have to do is hold on to you. You’ll be able to get in and out as often as you like. The Seven Rings will be within your reach.”
Offering him Hellborn privileges should have been more than enough for Alastor to trust him.
The deer didn’t respond, he simply nodded.
“Then, Your Majesty, if you’d be so kind.” Alastor pointed to the golden dome still hovering above them.
Right. With another snap of his hand, the dome disappeared and the golden dust returned to his body like a magnet, leaving some golden dust on his face. All this under Alastor’s watchful eye, who continued to watch him with that eerie smile — Does he never stop smiling?
“I look forward to your invitation to your Palace, Your Majesty.” The red-haired demon turned and left the alley, followed by Lucifer, who watched as he walked calmly through the streets of the district. He tapped his knuckles on the microphone, which played a new tune.
♫ I need your love so badly
I love you oh so madly
But I don’t stand a ghost of a chance with you ♫
“Ughhhh.” Someone groaned in pain, and Lucifer, fearing that someone else had heard them, quickly turned to see that the sinner who had been torn in half was already regaining consciousness.
Ouch. Waiting for their body organs to grow must be torture. Perhaps they’d have preferred to be the dinner at Alastor’s show; when they regenerate, they may cross paths with the crazy deer again.
♫ I thought at last I’d found you
But other loves surround you
And I don’t stand a ghost of a chance with you ♫
Lucifer stood motionless on the sidewalk. Alastor was gone for good, and with him the music.
Looking up at the celestial plane he once called home, Lucifer sent one last thought to his Father.
Our Father who art in heaven, what a mess I have gotten myself into.