Chapter 1: The Night We Met
Summary:
Take me back to the night we met
And then I can tell myself
What the hell I’m supposed to do
And then I can tell myself
Not to ride along with youThe Night We Met by Lord Huron
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
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.
Notes:
Oh, you made it this far, yey! Well, I hope you liked it, or at least that it caught your attention.
Will there be a second chapter? Yes, the way I'm planning the plot, possibly 5 chapters, maybe going up to 8 chapters as long as inspiration isn't a bitch.
There are so many things I want to share regarding the lore of this story, but I'll let you ask your questions, or make your comments. Which, sorry, will be moderated, I don't have time to deal with trolls, I'm too old to feel like I'm back in the 2000-2010 internet, besides, there are so many negative things happening in the world, why spread more?
I have other fanfics I hope to share (my 2019 self would be laughing that I've a #1 ship in this fandom) but I want them to be complete before I post them.
Edit 07/02/24: Sorry I forgot to add a bit of information regarding the Goethias and demons mentioned:
✦ Lucifuge Rofocale, according to ‘The Grand Grimoire’ he is considered the Prime Minister.
✦ Eleventh Duke Baal Berith, he is in charge of taking note of all the pacts made between mortals and demons. He holds the title of ‘Scribe of Hell’.
✦ Second Marquis Amon, knows and monitors people who have made a pact with a Goetia.
✦ First Marquise Samignia, She gives an account of the souls who died in sin.Songs used for this chapter:
𝄞 Ain’t Misbehavin’ by Fats Waller
𝄞 I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You by Bing CrosbySo, leave a comment, a kudo, bookmark it, or just give me a ❤︎ Thanks!
Chapter 2: Cosmic Love
Summary:
I took the stars from my eyes and then I made a map
And knew that somehow I could find my way back
Then I heard your heart beating, you were in the darkness too
So I stayed in the darkness with youCosmic Love by Florence And The Machine
Notes:
Dante Aligheri, Patron Saint of Fanfics, give me the inspiration to write a modern Divine Comedy. Amen.
So... I posted the first chapter because my inspiration came back, and because it was one of my last weeks at my job and I thought: ‘Hey! Finally, I’ll have more time to sit down and write while I find a new job or start my own business' hahahahahahaha well nope... There was an audit, my contract went to two months... and that took even more of my time and I looked like a 🤡 at my word documents, but hey! Better late than never. Right?
Thanks to all those people who read this story, I hope this second chapter is to your liking - I end up vomiting words, because DETAILS! DIALOGUE! LORE! WORLDBUILDING! DESCRIPTION! NONSENSE!
As I said before, English isn’t my first language (greetings to every non-english reader) so forgive me if you find any mistakes, I’m beta-reading and editing this while I try to finish these documents of my job and surviving on monsters cans.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
“Then that idiot had the balls to bring his wife with him!” Mimzy complained, waving her gloved-hands in frustration, “The woman was furious and threatened me with her eight claws, as if her breath wasn’t killing me already. Yuck! Of course, I had no choice but to give her the photos.” The sinner huffed as she crossed her arms. “As if I’m to blame for her husband’s taste in dames.”
Not that her jazz club is dedicated to it, but, anyway, who cares? They’re in Hell, and if in life her speakeasy went through worse, here who was she to judge... And not make clams for it.
“Goodbye, my best customer. Jacques fears his wife more than he fears you, Alastor.”
Mimzy’s eyes rested directly on the famous Radio Demon, who paced at her side with his microphone playing an old song.
“Oh, what marriage does to one.” Rosie commented, her hands arranging the fur coat, “That’s why I’ve no intention of remarrying, not in life, not in this one.”
“Come on, Rosie, we know damn well that those sheets aren’t just gathering dust in the Emporium.”
The cannibal Overlord burst out laughing, “Hush, little one. No one needs to know what goes on in a proper lady’s bedroom.”
“We are just so glad you ate the right one, dear Rosie.” Having listened to his friends for a long while, Alastor finally decided to speak.
“Alastor, don’t be swayed by those rumors of me being a Praying Mantis.”
“I never thought of you as the kind of woman who prays a rosary, my dear, I see you more as a black widow. Always stealing their hearts.”
“Don’t worry, I was planning to share them with you!”
The two cannibals burst out laughing, drawing the attention of the stressed sinners on the street, who walked away and went about their miserable lives, while Mimzy just rolled her eyes and looked at them with appreciation and some concern. Perhaps she should drag them out of their lairs more often.
But she doesn’t want to lose any more waiters, even though they made an exquisite stew, as she was told.
“But,” Rosie regained her striking poise, “Returning to other issues — And it’s not that we don’t take your concerns into account, Mimzy,” The Overlord held her hand to her chest in a solemn act of understanding. “Alastor, will you tell us what this walk is all about?”
Mimzy played it off with a wave of the hand. “Offer him some rye. This man won’t reveal anything unless he gets something in return.”
“Can’t a gentleman invite his two best friends to change their lives before the Extermination?” Alastor asked with obvious false innocence.
“If you want to instill more fear in the Sinners, you’re already doing enough by broadcasting their screams on your radio show every day.” Rosie placed her hands on her hips. “You don’t need to cause them a cardiac arrest when most of them will be pierced by a spear or beheaded by a sword.”
Alastor turned his gaze towards the Heaven Embassy, where the Clock Tower marked the 30 hours left for the wretched Sinners, before a portal would open in the Pentagram, and God would rain down all His wrath and punishment as He had on Sodom and Gomorrah.
Old sinners and newcomers were easy to distinguish. The old ones had given up all hope of salvation and wandered the streets in search of one last white girl line or a drop of booze, to get even with other sinners, or, well, if someone was in the mood, maybe one last fuck. And in the most extreme cases, buy a gun from Carmine Industries and end it all on their own.
Too bad the Overlord closed her building for this mere sadistic reason. So many had no choice but to get drunk enough to not feel when an Exterminator put an end to their existence.
And then there was the second category. The Sinners who suffered their first Extermination. They were very easy to identify. They spent their time crying in the streets, seeking pity, praying in front of the Embassy asking for forgiveness for their sins, that it had all been a mistake, and promising to mend their ways.
Those were the ones Alastor wished would survive, since they were the most unbearable when they fell; They decided to live to excess and commit as many crimes as possible, he’d make the rest of their immortal lives a true hell if they survived.
Some, perhaps those who still had some unrotted gray matter left, tried to make deals with Overlords or other sinners. No one could deny that the Day of Extermination benefited most Overlords, and those who wished to become one.
The more souls one had at their disposal, the sooner one’d have a seat at Carmilla Carmine’s meetings, and the sooner one’d be invited to his radio show.
A Sinner with their soul intact was a rare sight.
Maybe that’s why many Sinners hesitate to approach him for protection. Who knows when he might decide to switch things up? Would they really rather face the danger of an Exterminator than be one of his guests? That’s ridiculous!
So, all things considered, the day of the Extermination was a win for everyone. Or at least, the strongest.
Alastor spun the microphone in his hand, “How do you know we aren’t on the hunt for more souls?”
Rosie was also one of the most feared and influential Overlords. Though gentler than most Overlords, she was known for her long list of suitors who warmed her bed only to end up as a feast on her table. “If so, we’d be heading towards the Doomsday District, not on the outskirts with all of them.”
The three sinners turned to see the Hellborn hurrying out of the city. Most were irritated by the slow pace, the mass of Hellborn, and the chilling winter winds. A stark contrast to the Sinners who were locked up, awaiting their end.
As they walked, some of the Hellborns seemed even more concerned about securing their business. One imp even shouted at her employee that if he was still alive, he could come forward to claim his payoff.
They still caught a glimpse of a lovers’ quarrel, a sinner was complaining to her incubus boyfriend about why he couldn’t take her out, since they’d already promised to get married.
Well, she wouldn’t be the first or last to try. That’s why the orphanage Rosie founded was overcrowded every year.
“I can hear the gears turning, Alastor. They’re up to something.”
A high static-charged laugh could be heard in the area. “I told you that I’ve a very important deal, and if it goes through today, our lives will be solved.”
“Without threatening or psychologically harming them?” Mimzy asked, lifting an eyebrow. “Does they live in a basement so they don’t know your tricks?”
Alastor looked away. “You could say he was impressed by my broadcast with Dopium.”
“Don’t tell me he’s another obsessive creep like Nox.” Mimzy grimaced as she remembered the square-headed sinner. She could count on both hands and feet the number of times that pesky Sinner had come to her club in search of Alastor. He didn’t care if the audience booed and called him names to get him off the stage, he only had ears for Alastor’s words.
“Vox.” Rosie corrected, not too happy at the memory of Alastor’s unsavory self-proclaimed number one fan. For someone non-cannibal he sure knew a lot about one’s culinary tastes.
“You’ll be surprised when you meet him.”
And with that said Alastor turned and headed back to the outskirts of the City while a new song played on.
♫ When from out the shades of night
Come the stars a shining bright
I spy the one I do love I recognize my true love
Amid the tiny orbs of light
Search the sky from east to west ♫
The cannibal Overlord and the flapper exchanged glances. As suspicious as his attitude was, they both trusted Alastor; The three of them had only each other, both on Earth and in Hell.
Trust and loyalty were rare and precious treasures in a place like Pentagram City.
♫ She’s the brightest and the best
But she’s so far above me
I know she can not love me
Still I love her and more than all the rest ♫
Rosie gave Mimzy a smile and waved her finger from cheek to cheek, before continuing on her way alongside her fellow Overlord.
Mimzy grunted as she looked over her shoulder at the streets filled with nihilists or frantic sinners. She expected Jacques to end up with a dagger in his throat, whether it was his wife’s or an Exterminator’s; she didn’t care.
“But you know who I hate more than Jacques?” Mimzy groaned, resuming her walk beside the two Overlords.
◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇
Every day in Pentagram City was chaotic for Alastor, and don’t misunderstand, he thrived on it. He had never felt more alive than when he was. Falling into Hell was like a new playground had opened up before him, one where he could finally break free from the absurd norms of society and show his true self.
Alastor was thankful he had fallen, otherwise he’d never have met him.
He still remembered his death, and though he never saw the face of the person who shot him, he could feel the bullet pierce his skull. If he tried harder, he could still hear in the distance the hounds approaching to tear down their prey.
Him.
He never imagined that one day he’d be caught, and while he spent nights and days trying to figure out where he went wrong, he eventually accepted that it was just a day of bad luck.
The bullet had already been fired, and his body fell into the cold, greenish water of the swamp, dragged to the depths where the roots would entangle his body or perhaps the alligators would feast on him before spitting his disfigured carcass onto the shores of the bayou, after all he had spent years training them to dispose of the evidence. Only instead of his body hitting the bottom, he kept falling...
And falling...
And falling even further...
And falling still further...
Until finally he was violently suspended in nothingness, surrounded by a darkness so thick and deep that he couldn’t see beyond his hand — It was his hand, wasn’t it? For all he could see was a claw with long, sharp nails... Had his glasses fallen off? No. That wasn’t what he should be wondering about.
The right question was: Where was he?
It was only when the darkness lifted that he was able to get a clear look at his body. His arms were covered in almond-colored fur, and his hands had become claws, like those of a predator. Instead of feet, he had a pair of blood-red hooves. He tried to make a sound, but it ended in a pained whimper as he tasted blood on his tongue, that familiar metallic taste that had accompanied him in the trenches of the Great War.
Alastor ran his tongue over his teeth — No, fangs, two perfect rows of sharp fangs.
Then he heard the Voice.
ABANDON ALL HOPE, YE WHO ENTER HERE
“M̵a̶m̷a̶n̵?” Alastor spoke at last, surprised at the change in his voice, it was as if he had spoken through his microphone.
A circle of light opened up at his feet, pushing away all the darkness around him, and there was sound in that soundless place, where if a needle fell, it’d cause the most eerie echo he had ever heard in his entire life.
Alastor could see a city of tall buildings and bright lights, hear someone singing jazz, taste the whiskey on his palate, and even smell the scent of tobacco.
And then, he fell.
Wherever he had been a few seconds ago had disappeared, the darkness had vanished, leaving him hanging in a blood crimson sky, that is, until the blink of an eye he was already upside down, falling.
The air around him reeked of sulfur — Sulfur. So, he was really dead. And this was no hallucination of blood loss.
He was going to hell in a hand basket.
In a way, that didn’t scare him. He knew he had blood on his hands, guilty or innocent, it didn’t matter; He had sinned, tasted the flesh of his enemies, savored their fear as he hunted them through the swamp, enjoyed torturing each and every one of them. It was more than obvious that the pearly Gates of Heaven wouldn’t open for him.
Knowing it’d break his Maman’s heart.
Knowing he’d never see her again.
A bright white light blinded him for a moment.
Alastor blinked slowly, waiting for his eyes to settle to the intensity of the light, and once they did, he couldn’t take his eyes off the image.
Skin as white and perfect as marble, blond hair shining like the rays of the sun, white feathers protruding from the sides of his face, dazzling ruby cat-like eyes whose gaze pierced your soul, blackened lips shaping a beautiful smile around pearly fangs. Neat white robes with gold details embroidered along the contours of his body, accentuating every line and curve. A halo-like crown sat elegantly on his head.
It didn’t take a genius to know who the creature before him was. Before Alastor Le Roux stood the very image of perfection, royalty, and holiness.
The fallen angel who gave mankind free will.
The disobedient Son of God.
The most beautiful of all the Almighty’s creations.
The King of Hell, Lucifer.
When Alastor landed, he didn’t feel the impact, his gaze focused on the portrait of the King of Hell. He didn’t care if he’d broken a bone, he could stay here, in this little crater he’d formed, contemplate every detail, down to the smallest, and he’d never be bored.
If he had a heart, he was sure it was beating so hard against his rib cage, threatening to leave his body — Yes, maybe that was what he was supposed to do, give his heart to Lucifer.
Was this what Rosie and his Maman called love at first sight?
Unfortunately, Alastor was ignorant in affairs of the heart and flesh. He knew he was attractive, charming, charismatic, mesmerizing enough to lure some victims to their deaths, and he had a silver tongue for lying and promising a night of pleasure and alcohol that’d never come, which might have led a friend of Mimzy’s to want to be his alibi.
He always thought he was better than everyone else, who preferred to let their sexual pleasure control them and get caught up in it.
Maybe it was because the right person hadn’t yet come along or would never come along. He didn’t bother to go out on a date or settle down with a beautiful, home-loving Southern girl. Another disappointment for his dear Maman, who longed to see her son start a family of his own.
And yet, here he was, in Hell, with the sound of his heartbeat pounding in his ears and the feeling of those famous butterflies fluttering in his stomach. Of course, he wasn’t going to settle for what the mundane world had to offer.
♫ Longing for you all the while, more and more
Longing for the sunny smile, I adore
Birds are singing far and near, roses blooming everywhere
You alone my heart can cheer, you just you ♫
Where did that music come from? From him? He didn’t feel his lips moving, it was impossible for him to be singing... Or was the sound coming from his body?
It’d be an irony, and a very good joke, if he had become a radio guy of sorts — Like his beloved job that made him a star in New Orleans. The one with the lights and the one with the shadows.
A silhouette appeared in front of him — Daring to stand between him and his King, depriving him of further contemplation of the most beautiful being in creation, interrupting the melody with its mere presence — T̴͖̋h̷͙̐e̷̳͝ ̴̱̂à̸͜ų̴͘d̶̲͠à̵̠c̷̯͠i̴̧̅t̶̗͆y̸̞͆!̴̩͛
“Hey, the fall you had — ” The silhouette wheezed and gestured with a hand that swooped down and landed on his palm, “You’re probably confused, hopefully you’re still in one piece, but welcome to Hell, I’ll show you around if we make a deal — ”
Speechless, the intruder brought his hands to his throat, one hand squeezing so tightly that it choked the air from his lungs. His eyes rolled back as his short hands tried to shake the limb off, but Alastor only added more force to the grip until his head finally exploded from the pressure. Black blood fell to his lips and his stomach roared with the promise of a feast.
Alastor stood up, shaking the dust and spattered blood off his suit — Now that he was finally in the light, he could see that his clothes had changed. A black coat covered the all-red tailored suit with black stripes and a black bow tie. His hair had also changed. Where once there had been chestnut curls, he now had bob-cut, straight red hair with black dyed ends. Alastor ran his hand over the top of his head, brushing over a pair of triangular ears.
Interesting, he thought, with his claws and fangs, perhaps he had been reborn as a carnivorous animal — Until his hands finally passed over a velvety surface, and then they went up and up, until it seemed that the thing was splitting like the branches of a tree. Antlers?
Emerging from the crater Alastor walked to the first mirror he could find, taking a closer look at his face. His face and neck were covered in a thin layer of fur, his eyes looked like they had been bloodshot, his mustache was gone, but he was more in focus with the row of golden fangs and his grin widened to the edge his cheeks, showing off his fangs. Satisfied that he didn’t look like a weakling or prey as was his fear.
He blinked.
His reflection did.
He blinked again, adjusting his clothes.
And then it didn’t, but it winked at him. A glowing green eye.
“Ẉ̸̾h̷̯̀ä̴͕́t̵͚̊ ̴̺̑ț̶͒h̴͙̔ĕ̸͙ ̵͉͂—̶̳̔ ̸̰͠?̶̹́” There was his voice, now it was more synthesized, loaded with the static of his radio shows.
His reflection laughed soundlessly, then dissolved, clinging to his feet like his shadow.
“C̸u̴r̴i̶o̷u̷s̸,̷ ̶c̵u̷r̴iouser.” He could get used to it.
Alastor took one last look at his respawned image. He might look like a cervid, but that didn’t make him a prey. He was still starving for flesh and blood.
Alastor looked up to gaze once again at Lucifer’s picture. He began his walk through the streets of Hell, observing each of its inhabitants and their deeds and goings — Everywhere he went there was an icon, a statue, or photos of Lucifer, sometimes alone, sometimes accompanied by peculiar individuals.
Days later, when he finally understood how things worked in Hell and was reunited with his old childhood friend, Mimzy, Alastor breathed a sigh of relief knowing that his King didn’t come down to this place often, though it was a shame to know that he couldn’t seek him out or request an audience with him.
Anyway, that’d give him enough time to make a better impression. If what his old mentor Rosie said was true, and Lucifer Morningstar only appeared before the strongest sinners known as Overlords, then he had to become one.
Pentagram City was a blank canvas, and he intended to paint a masterpiece with its citizens.
No matter how many years passed, he’d make a name for himself loud enough to reach the streets of Pandemonium, and there’d be no excuse for Lucifer not to hear about him.
He waited patiently, becoming the Bogeyman for the Sinners and leaving behind a trail as crimson as the sky.
The screams of his guests must have been loud enough for Lucifer to hear him, right?
Someone should congratulate him for this.
And then his wish came true, though...
“You give me a child, and I’ll give you lifelong protection.”
It was absolutely ridiculous... Alastor had never seen himself as a… F̷̡̝̰͇̰̀̏̐̆̎̾͝å̶͉͈̭͇̙̭͒ͅť̵͇̈́̎͋͠͠ḩ̶̬̖̺̦̻̺͚̬̈́̿̐̄̉ḙ̷̔͂̇r̴̢̈́.
As a public figure, he had to look his best for society, even when society rejected him for his appearance. A neat and proper image in front of the town, even when, at nightfall, everyone showed their true faces getting drunk in the speakeasies. But he particularly disliked the role of the Father of a family, perhaps because of the absence p̷͈͎̻̪̝̋̿̐̐͝r̴̲̣͎͛ę̸̠͙͇̖̀́͝s̸͇̬̫̀e̸̝͇͈͚̹̓n̸͚̮̚ͅc̴̡̨̟̉e̶̻͗ of one in his life.
He was sorely tempted to turn around and wait for the Fates to give him a second chance. A clean slate. He just hadn’t expected the King to be so determined.
It was like a slap in the face to feel that wave of power pass through his body and bring his feet back to the ground. He might be dead, but he still had a brain, unlike the majority of people who preferred to lead hedonistic lives.
Alastor had been waiting for this opportunity for some time: The recognition of Lucifer as the most powerful Sinner, if only because he needed an heir. Though, who knew, maybe he could influence the future heir to Hell. Be a Mentor of sorts.
To be to the future spawn what Rosie was to Mimzy and him.
He accepted the deal and threw in his two friends as well. No matter how strong they were as Overlords or how cunning Mimzy was at getting her way, if an Exterminator broke into the Emporium, it was over.
It had been weeks since that night in the alley. Every morning, Alastor checked his wrist to make sure the sigil was still imprinted on it. He had thought of approaching the borders of Pentagram City, just to test his newfound freedom. But he’d wait for Lucifer to approach again. He had approached first to look for him, he’d surely do so again.
A few more days would be nothing; Alastor had waited nearly a decade.
Then, on this particular windy morning, with the Extermination just around the corner, as Alastor was planning one last broadcast before meeting Rosie and Mimzy, hesitating whether to simply run a playlist or perhaps some screams to further torment the wretched critters, the sigil on his wrist emitted a bright golden light.
Lucifer hadn’t forgotten his deal. And it was his call to do his part.
Good. So be it.
From his radio tower, Alastor watched as sinners scurried from district to district, some trying to sneak into Carmine Tower or snooping around Zestial’s territories, bringing gifts to Caeruleum, others perhaps kissing Verna’s feet in her library, and still others sipping drinks with Sartael. Most with a common goal: to exchange their souls for protection.
Most Sinners avoided him like the plague — Not that it bothered him — There were still a few hours left before the clock struck zero, and there was always someone desperately reaching out to his radio tower or Rosie’s Emporium, begging for salvation.
Having the power in his hands to decide whether to help these miserable damned souls made him smile like a cat that got the cream.
A pair of small golden winged creatures caught his eye.
Alastor even tried to touch one of them, to see if he too would be covered in that golden dust like Lucifer, but this one was quicker and simply motioned for him to follow as they took flight and passed unnoticed among the other sinners.
The Radio Demon wasted no time in making his way to Cannibal Town. Luckily, Mimzy had already closed her club and arrived at Rosie’s Emporium. Since they both went to Hell, Rosie offered her Emporium as a safe house for the three of them until the 24 hours of Extermination were over and the portal to Heaven closed.
“I have a deal to close.” He announced, to which his friends cocked their heads curiously, “And it’s going to work in your favor.”
◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇
“Al, what are we doing here?”
He was snapped out of his thoughts by Mimzy’s voice calling him. After a long walk, they had finally reached the borders of Pentagram City, where the dome prevented the sinners from crossing over into the rest of Hell.
Rosie was the first to approach the dome and placed her hand a few inches away, feeling the electrical sparks travel up her palm to her arm. As she moved her hand smoothly, waveforms rippled wherever she held her hand.
“This investor of yours, where exactly are they from?” Rosie turned to look at her wards.
If possible, Alastor’s smile would stretch even longer. “Well, my dear, he’s from the Capital.”
“Wait a moment.” Mimzy approached them both, “Is he a hellborn or a demon?”
“Yes.” Technically, he wasn’t lying.
“And when does he plan to show up? He’s not thinking of leaving you here when we should be taking shelter, is he?”
Out of the corner of his eye, Alastor saw two bright spots on the other side of the dome. The little winged creatures were still there, lurking. “No, we’ll visit him.”
Rosie looked surprised, but Mimzy burst out laughing and wiped away a tear after a few seconds. “I think I misheard you — You said we were going to — ”
“You haven’t misheard me.” Alastor felt Mimzy tense up and watched his friend swallow nervously as he moved to her side and placed a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll cross the dome.”
“Are you out of your mind?” Mimzy looked up. “Haven’t you seen what it does with us?” She knows, she’s kicked a couple of stalkers and an ex-boyfriend before. They didn’t die, they can’t, but the warning was enough to make the idiots think twice about coming back to her club if they keep stalking her.
Mimzy looked at Rosie again, waiting for someone to put logic back into Alastor’s brain — My Goodness! The Overlord seemed to be contemplating crossing the dome!
“Wait, wait, wait, wait! If this is about the time I brought that couple to your radio tower, I swear I had no idea they wanted a threesome. What was I supposed to do? When everyone around here says ‘I want to eat you whole’, I’m thinking of your stupid cannibalism!”
“Oh, Mimzy and I thought it was an apology for dumping me on your loan sharks. Don’t worry, my investor said it wouldn’t hurt us — Well, not as long as you don’t let go of me. Now,” Alastor glanced at Rosie, “Could you help me with her? I’m sure a few words of comfort are just what a hysterical lady needs to hear.”
Rosie sighed, grabbing Mimzy’s other shoulder as she poked the flapper’s cheeks. “Calm your nerves, darling, no one likes tight meat on their plate, it makes chewing an agony for the gums.”
Was that supposed to calm her down?!
Mimzy was cornered, there was nowhere to run, not without Rosie’s claws catching her or Alastor’s shadow dragging her down. She was sure she’d die. What was her crime? Aside from the murder, the cheating, the scam, and the bootlegging. Maybe she should have refused to give Jacques’ photos to his wife, it’d have been better to die at the hands of a raccoon — Ugh, but she hated the foam.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
“Fuck off.”
Mimzy squeezed her eyes shut and held her breath. Well, if she was going to die, it’d be for her friends — She always thought it’d end like this, somehow.
The sensation she felt next was eerie.
She didn’t know if it was her nerves or not, but she felt a tingling sensation running through her body, from head to toe. It was as if she was walking through something squishy and shaky, jelly-like. She clutched at the claws on her shoulders.
The sensation finally ended.
“You can open your eyes now.” She heard Alastor’s static voice at the same time she noticed the hand gripping her shoulders release.
Mimzy half-opened her eyes in distrust. “Are we — ”
“Well, we’re not pushing up daisies.” Rosie looked around at the barren land, a dry soil where there were only bare trees and rivers, and a shiver ran through her body. She assumed it was normal; Maybe this is how Hell was. Then her eyes focused on the crowd of Hellborns streaming out of the great gates and onto the only cobblestone road to the capital.
Mimzy fell to the ground, took a deep breath and put a hand to her chest, squeezing her to reassure herself that she was still alive. She couldn’t stop shaking. “I’m going to kill you, Alastor.”
“You tried it when you were fifteen, remember?”
Alastor looked both ways, but saw only a wasteland, uneasy at the feeling of being watched. The stag lifted the sleeve of his cloak, the sigil no longer glowing. It had worked. They had actually left Pentagram City. Everything Lucifer had promised him would come true.
As long as you sire a child. A nagging voice in his head reminded him.
Details, details. Alastor could trust Lucifer’s word; That was all that mattered. The King of Lies had come to him with the truth. Accepting the deal hadn’t been a mistake, and if he played his cards right, he might be able to get a lot more out of the King.
“Can’t wait to meet your investor.” Rosie said, helping Mimzy to her feet. The woman looked at him with some hidden suspicion, surely a list of possible candidates was already forming in her mind. “Maybe give us a clue.”
“And why spoil the surprise.” He couldn’t wait to see his friends’ reactions.
And with that said, Alastor turned around, focusing on the two small winged creatures flying in the distance. Whether Mimzy and Rosie had noticed them Alastor wasn’t sure.
“What a generous deed on your investor’s behalf to allow you to bring us here.” Rosie spoke, the two women had finally caught up with him, it was hard to walk in the dirt until they reached the cobbled city streets, but she didn’t want to take off her heels either, the ground was too hot, it’d surely burn her skin.
“He needed something, I just saw the opportunity.”
Rosie chuckled, “And why not bring your pet with you? After he brought so many sinners to your radio tower, one’d think you’d grow fond of him.”
“Vox is my assistant, and while his services have been wonderful, I don’t consider him close enough for this, but if you want to take him, please, I insist.”
Vox had died two years ago, telling him that he was a big fan of his radio show — From when he was alive. Now that was a surprise.
When Alastor died, he was blessed to be reunited with old friends, if you can call most of his victims that. Even years after his death, a familiar face would turn up.
Vox answered some questions Alastor had regarding what happened after his death. Surprisingly, he had a funeral, something Alastor didn’t see the need for, since he didn’t know anyone who might have gone to leave flowers at his grave or at least pray for his soul’s forgiveness.
And even though they’d caught him tearing apart his latest victim, they couldn’t tie most of the corpses to him. That was what he bragged about: His impeccable job of covering his tracks. Thus, the number of victims known to the Bayou Boogeyman would forever remain a mystery.
Vox had come to the U. S. with his congregation months before his death to spread their message. Ever since he had heard one of his radio broadcasts, he had made it a priority never to miss his radio show. Unfortunately, by the time he decided to go to Louisiana, Alastor was already ten feet underground.
The radio host had listened to Vox from beginning to end. Knowing that he had been a serial killer and a cannibal, that he had killed people for less, Vox still admired him, a truly pitiful creature. Though the fact that Vox ended up in Hell also made him suspicious. When Alastor asked Vox why he, too, had fallen to Hell, his assistant remarked that his congregation wasn’t religious.
Vox was pathetic, but he was also a visionary. That’s why he was one of the most loyal members of his cult. He had a silver tongue that made people trust him and accept any deal he offered.
Maybe it was a bit hypocritical of him, after all, he was hunting down rising Overlords, but anyone who had an opinion on the matter could say so on his show. And who knew, maybe Vox would become an Overlord one day, or someone with enough deals. The offer to be his guest was always there.
Mimzy shot him a look of incredulity. Being Alastor’s eternal assistant seemed to be the television head’s wet dream. Maybe Alastor was blind or just didn’t care — The latter was more likely.
Unlike Pentagram City, the streets of Pandemonium were busier. Elegant cars traveled the wide boulevards, as did a few trolleys that rang their bells at designated stations. Demons strolled the sidewalks with complete nonchalance, dressed in elegant and expensive tailored suits, colorful dresses, and elegant coats and handbags. Imps and Hellhounds walked through the parks, a few Baphomets sat on benches, Succubus and Incubi sipped coffee, Possessors and Infestors chatted as they crossed the sidewalk.
Buildings loomed high above the city, with glittering theaters and colorful storefronts. Flickering neon lights in the storefronts cast a dazzling glow on passersby, enticing them into the establishments.
Even though the neighboring city was about to be massacred, the rest of Hell went about its business as if nothing had happened.
“Ugh.” Someone complained.
Alastor flicked one of his ears in the direction of the group of demons sitting in the park.
They were three rabbit-like demons. The one who complained had brown fur with white spots, wore a gray coat, her long ears protruded from a stylish green beret.
“I can’t believe I’ve to spend this lockdown at my mother-in-law’s place.”
“At least you’ll go to the Greed Ring, Amelia.” Her white-furred friend, dressed in a navy-blue coat and burgundy hat, comforted her. “Richard decided that a trip to the Wrath Ring was too expensive. It’s under our feet! I’m not staying here to celebrate the New Year if I’ve to listen to the screams of that rat’s nest.”
The other demon waved her fan and laughed at her friends’ situation. She wore a brown coat that hugged her waist, shiny flat sneakers, and a purse.
“Don’t laugh, Sofia.” Amelia scolded her with a frown. “Not everyone is betrothed to a Goetia-born.”
“It’s not my fault you haven’t invested in a summer home in the Envy Ring. With all the money your mother-in-law has, I’m just saying she’s over~breathing~”
Rosie and Mimzy huffed, they know a thing or two about obnoxious in-laws, and continued on their way with Alastor, away from this park.
The second rabbit wrinkled her nose. “I think I’m going to throw up.” Bringing her hand to her mouth and another to her stomach, “It reeks of rotten flowers.”
Rotten flowers, the distinctive stench of sinners.
“Don’t be silly.” Her friend said, looking at the fresh tulips.
One of the winged creatures flew toward the three of them, startling Rosie and Mimzy, who hadn’t sensed it because they were looking at their surroundings. A shower of golden dust rained down on them, but it didn’t stick to their clothes or skin as it had on Lucifer.
The second rabbit breathed, “I think it was morning sickness. If this litter turns out to be septuplets, I’ll kill Richard.”
Alastor turned to his friends, a look of realization on their faces. The cannibal Overlord looked as if she wanted to scold him — Ah, Memories.
Rosie sighed, “What do I do with you?” She had just finished sewing a beautiful dress. It had been a long time since Alastor had allowed her to design his clothes, it had been easier when they were children.
Well, surprise spoiled.
“Ta~ Da~” Jazz hands, weee!
In the distance, Alastor could see a huge, multi-story, light beige structure that could easily be mistaken for a sand castle. It had numerous towers, turrets, and beautifully lit domes on the facades and windows.
This must be the palace, Alastor thought. A palace worthy of a king, of grandeur, beauty and elegance, its illumination making it even more imposing, like something out of a fairy tale.
Then, the golden-dusted being stepped in front of him and shook his head.
“What?” Alastor asked, tilting his head to the side.
The little creature pointed to another path, one that seemed to indicate the outskirts of Pandemonium.
“What is it saying?” Mimzy asked, curious about the presence of that winged being.
“It seems it wants to take us somewhere else.” As Alastor turned his gaze back to the palace, he noticed that although it was lit in every visible corner, its interior seemed to be in darkness.
“If that’s the way things are,” Rosie approached the golden creature, “Please lead us to your Master.”
The trio of sinners reached the outskirts of Pandemonium, leaving the skyscrapers behind and entering what resembled a neighborhood of huge mansions, each more opulent than the last, covering vast tracts of land. Then they began to climb a slope that led up a hill.
They hadn’t realized that they had entered an estate until they saw the hundreds of well-tended bushes of beautiful roses, fragrant lilacs, soft gardenias, and fluffy hydrangeas, forming a hedge around a wide expanse of manicured lawn, and then a broad path paved with golden and beige stones leading to a mansion.
The Morningstar Mansion. A huge brownstone mansion, rising majestically, long and symmetrical in structure, with several rows of decorative windows that didn’t let one see inside, despite how crystalline they looked, except to guess the number of floors — Alastor wondered how spacious it’d be inside, comparing the Mansion to the Palace.
The view was incredible. Not only could he see and hear the sounds of the other cities, but he could also see the distant lights of Pentagram City surrounded by the golden dome. This place was perfect for watching over the entire Pride Ring, where nothing and no one could escape Lucifer.
Alastor couldn’t be prouder of how far his radio show had reached.
Approaching the huge black door with stained-glass windows, Alastor picked up the snake-shaped knocker (how appropriate), and knocked three times.
On the other side they heard hurried footsteps and then someone yawning.
The demon that opened the door was a sheep-like creature with a long neck completely covered by five closed eyes, a fluffy mane of pinkish-white wool, a tired face struggling to keep four eyes open except for the third one that stared at them unblinkingly, and a flaming black candle floating above her head.
Alastor knew very well who she was, having seen her photographed with Lucifer.
The Deadly Sin of Sloth.
The Lethargic Sheep, Belphegor.
Belphegor, in a feeble attempt to cover her snout, yawned, “I didn’t think you’d be here so soon.” She stepped aside, “Please come in, he’s in his study.”
With that, the Queen of Sloth turned and continued on her way, not caring if she was being followed. She certainly didn’t care if the three of them tried to attack her, Alastor was well aware of the hierarchy of powers in Hell.
The Radio Demon looked down at his feet, his shadow beaming with excitement and pointing in the opposite direction.
Patience, my friend, Alastor conveyed his thoughts to the shadow, All in due time.
The interior of the Mansion was as one might imagine the residence of a fallen angel to be, immaculately white, the walls and columns made of the most perfect marble or pure alabaster, he could also notice golden spirals across the width of the walls, curling around the hanging portraits.
If only he could stand there and stare at them for a while. But this wasn’t a museum, and there was a deal to discuss.
The study was bathed in natural light thanks to the warm tones of the wall and the warm, soft lighting provided by the chandelier and fireplace. Plush red armchairs and sofas were scattered in small clusters throughout, carefully arranged to facilitate guest interaction and mobility, but also in case more private matters needed to be discussed. In the middle of each sofa or armchair was a round table of freshly polished wood. On the walls, next to the fireplace, were shelves filled with books, scrolls, codices, etc.
Above the fireplace was a huge horizontal portrait showing Lucifer seated on a large throne. To his lower right was a blonde woman in a tight-fitting dress smiling elegantly, and from his lower left side and up both sides were each of the deadly sins.
However, Alastor was staring not at the Lucifer in the portrait, but at the real, flesh-and-blood Lucifer, sitting quietly cross-legged, drinking from a small golden porcelain cup. When Lucifer looked up and their eyes met, Alastor felt a chill run down his spine and he tightened his grip on his microphone.
“Alastor,” Lucifer pronounced, his sharp red eyes moved quickly to the other two Sinners. Setting the porcelain cup down on the plate, Lucifer stood and walked toward Alastor and his peers — He had forgotten how small and squeezable he looked. “So? There was no reason for you to doubt me.”
The King of Hell giggled.
It was the most melodious and flirtatious giggle he had ever heard, worthy of a canary.
“Your Majesty, only a fool would doubt you. And my Maman didn’t raise one.” She raised something worse, “So allow me to introduce you to my dear friends.” Alastor stepped to the side and gave her friends the signal to come closer.
Behind them Belphegor closed the door — Alastor had forgotten the Sin’s presence. By the way, why was she here?
“This distinctive, prim woman is Rosie Winthrop, the Overlord of Cannibal Town.”
“It’s a pleasure to be able to speak with you, Your Majesty. You have been missed at Madame Carmine’s gatherings.” Rosie gave an elegant curtsy, befitting a lady of high birth.
A flicker of awareness passed over Lucifer’s face, coughing, “Yes, well, I trust in the judgment of the Overlords, and especially the leadership of someone as dedicated as Overlord Carmine.”
Alastor nodded, “And she’s the smartest businesswoman you’ll ever meet, Mimzy Bow.”
“I can’t believe we’re here.” Ah, apparently his childhood friend needs to wake up. “Ouch! Alastor! You know I hate it when you do that.”
Alastor rolled his eyes at Mimzy’s pout.
“Children, behave. What will His Highness think of us? He’ll think you have learned nothing about manners.” Rosie shook her head and crossed her arms.
“Are you an Overlord too?” Lucifer asked curiously.
Mimzy laughed, “No way, they tried to convince me, but I’ve enough to deal with my own customers.”
The King of Hell nods with a thoughtful look, “Well, nice to meet you. Please, have a seat.” Lucifer motioned for them to follow, and with a quick wave of his hand, three armchairs in a corner appeared in front of the fireplace, merging into a three-person couch.
Lucifer returned to his elegant chair; his gaze fixed on the three of them. Belphegor had already moved the table between the two pieces of furniture, leaving three porcelain cups of freshly boiled tea.
“I suspect your friend Alastor hasn’t told you exactly why you’re here.”
“Alastor has always been very cryptic in his messages. He mentioned something about changing our lives.” Rosie leaned down to pick up her cup of tea.
“Indeed, it’ll change your lives and everyone else’s in Hell.” Lucifer took a sip of his tea, “I’ve put it off for a long time, but it’s time to think about the future of my Kingdom. I sought out Alastor because he’s one of the most powerful Overlords, and I’ve decided that he’ll help me sire my offspring.”
Alastor heard Mimzy choke on her tea.
“All of this is going to be kept hidden.”
“I’ll help the King, and the three of us won’t have to worry about our survival.” The Radio Demon sipped some tea. Pineapple, he tasted.
Rosie patted Mimzy on the back, but her obsidian eyes were completely focused on the stag. In all her years of earthly and hellish life, Alastor had never shown any interest in the sexual aspect, and when he seemed to, it was usually because the other poor soul had been dragged into signing a contract with him or invited on his radio show.
Mimzy glanced between Lucifer and Alastor, and while trying not to cough, she managed to ask, “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I don’t see a problem, after all, haven’t we been breaking our backs for as long as we can remember? It’s a small sacrifice for what we’ve been through.”
“Did you know each other before?” Lucifer broke in, intrigued by his words, “I mean, when you were alive?” To which all three nodded. “I see.”
Rosie was the first to speak, placing her cup of tea on the side table, “I’m with you, Alastor.”
Mimzy sighed, holding her hand to her forehead, “I have no choice but to.”
Alastor turned to face the King of Hell. Lucifer had a pensive look in front of such a scene, as if he was analyzing it from head to toe. Was he searching for something? Or was he having second thoughts?
“Well, Your Majesty.” Alastor stood up, walking in Lucifer’s direction. “Do we have a deal?”
Lucifer raised an eyebrow, grinning, “How impertinent. Belphegor.” Lucifer also stood up.
The Sloth Queen awoke from her slumber, looked both ways before standing, and with a snap, a scroll was in her hands. Lucifer let the parchment float down to them, in clear, golden handwriting:
On the 29th day of December, 1942, under the testimony of the Underworld and the seal of Hell, I, Lucifer Morningstar, legitimate King of Hell, in full use of my faculties, do hereby agree with Alastor Le Roux, the Demon of the Radio, on the following terms:
1.- Purpose of the contract:
Alastor Le Roux vows to perform the necessary acts to sire a legitimate heir to Hell in order to secure the Morningstar lineage and keep its origins hidden.
2.- Compensation agreed upon:
In recognition of their service, King Lucifer Morningstar will grant Alastor Le Roux, and Rosie Winthrop along with Mimzy Bow, protection and asylum in the Days of Extermination coming to Hell, as well as freedom to travel in and out of the Seven Rings of Hell.
3.- Confidentiality Condition:
The parties agree that this act will be considered a divine conception and treated as such for the rest of Hell. To this end, there will be the testimony of the Queen of the Sloth Ring, Belphegor Morningstar, who will medically verify the conception and attest to the authenticity of the rite, as well as the participation of witnesses Rosie Winthrop and Mimzy Bow.
4.- Consequences of breach of confidentiality:
Should either party reveal the nature of the contract or any information regarding its contents to unauthorized parties, the consequences will be severe:
Lucifer Morningstar, should he fail to comply, will lose his throne and his offspring will be branded with dishonor and shame.
Alastor Le Roux, in case of divulgation, will suffer the loss of his title as Overlord, as well as all souls at his disposal.
Belphegor Morningstar, should she reveal this deal, will lose her status as a Deadly Sin and her reputation will be forever tarnished.
Rosie Winthrop and Mimzy Bow, if they dare to speak of this pact, will suffer a magical condemnation that will strip them of their belongings, souls in charge, and condemned to live forever in eternal silence.
Signature and Validation:
This contract, once signed, ensures that the covenants stipulated herein cannot be broken without irreversible consequences for the parties involved.
Alastor read the contract, looking at the five lines where the names of all the aforementioned people were listed. Of course, he had foreseen the clauses, Lucifer wouldn’t just hand everything over to him on a silver platter, but he hadn’t thought that Lucifer or Belphegor would also be punished if they revealed it to someone else.
“It’s a deal.” Alastor agreed and handed the scroll to Rosie and Mimzy.
The five stood before the scroll. Lucifer pulled a white quill from his jacket (was it his own?). When he pricked his forefinger with the tip of the quill, a golden liquid gushed from the small cut — A smell so sweet to the point of intoxication that it made Alastor’s mouth water, he stepped on his shadow as he saw it approaching Lucifer, he was better than all of them.
Then the swaying of the quill drew his attention back.
“It’s your turn. You’ve to prick your finger, too.” Lucifer handed him the quill.
The Radio Demon stood there, marveling at how light it was and the grace with which it moved. Alastor signed and handed it to Rosie and Mimzy, who did the same, signing their fate. And finally, Belphegor, who yawned and nearly signed on the edge of the contract.
Alastor wondered why Lucifer had chosen the Sin of Sloth, of all the available Deadly Sins, to be his witness. She didn’t seem to inspire respect or fear; as far as he knew, Satan was just as important as Lucifer, and Leviathan was even said to have the same influence over their people as the King.
The Radio Demon was also surprised that the First Sinner wasn’t present, since she was the one who had the most presence and propaganda in Hell. There were many rumors about her. She was said to be the unofficial consort, the one who ruled in the shadows, Lucifer’s favorite lover, etc.
With all these rumors, Alastor had to keep his cool.
When Belphegor finished signing the contract, the parchment was enveloped in a ball of light, from which five golden lines were released in the direction of those present, uniting them all in a single circle, forming a pentagram that exploded into hundreds of small flashing lights that soon vanished.
He wondered how many contracts Lucifer had; there were so many rumors about him when Alastor was alive, most of them more like a cautionary tale for naughty children.
A clap of hands caused all present to turn their gaze to Lucifer. The King of Hell beamed.
“So,” He sing-songed, “I need to talk to Alastor. Alone.” Lucifer looked directly at Rosie and Mimzy, “My sigil has been passed on to you as well, so you are free to cross over to the Rings as you wish.”
Alastor motioned for his friends to look at their respective wrists. Rosie lifted the sleeve of her dress, and Mimzy removed one of her gloves to observe a small seal.
“Belphegor,” Lucifer turned to the other Queen, “Please give them some souls, I think they want to check out the Pandemonium shops before they close. These aren’t souls like the ones in Pentagram City, this is money, hahaha I should have said that first.” Lucifer hastened to correct the misunderstanding of the words, “And don’t worry about the sinner smell problem, Hell recognizes my close ones as Hellborns.”
A few bills fell short as the Sin handed each of the two women a large wad of money. Alastor could swear it’d be enough to ease their worries.
“His Majesty,” Alastor spoke, “Could I walk my friends to the door?”
“Yes, of course.” Lucifer agreed, and whistling, a little golden dust creature returned — Perhaps it was never reabsorbed by the King of Hell. “When you are done, it’ll guide you to one of the rooms — ”
“Perfect.” Alastor turned around, being followed by the Overlord, the dancer and the winged creature.
“Alastor.” Rosie stopped in the middle of the mansion’s lobby, “Isn’t there something we should talk about? Like — When did you meet the King?”
“Why, Rosie dear, I told you, there’s nothing to worry about, everything will be fine.”
“Look I know we tend to make fun of this, but if it’s our protection that’s got you under pressure — ” Mimzy mumbled.
“I assure you it is not. Of course, you could both excel on your own without the need for this.” Alastor approached both women, “But someone once told us that it’s smart to pick the path of least resistance.” The red-haired deer turned to look at his mentor.
The Overlord fondly smiled, “You need to come and see us as soon as possible. We need... Details.” Rose asked, putting her hand on Alastor’s shoulder, she might still sound worried, but a gossip session would be enough to keep her calm.
“Is a deal?” He asked mockingly. He held out his hand to the Overlord, only to be slapped by Mimzy, and before he could ask what was wrong, Rosie pulled Alastor and Mimzy into an embrace that’d have been easy to escape hadn’t his slippery shadow joined them, coiling around them like a snake.
And speaking of snakes...
“Na wè denmen.” Alastor stepped out of the embrace and walked away, leading the two women to the large front doors of the mansion.
“Dòmi ak zanj yo, Alastor.” Mimzy snickered, to which Alastor replied with a friendly door slam.
A fleeting flash of light made him look up. The little creature was there, waiting to lead him into a room. Could it be Lucifer’s? Following the path to the stairs, Alastor didn’t know how many floors he had already passed, he could ask his shadow later, it seemed very excited to explore this new place, even though he couldn’t be far away from him, at least not for the moment.
They finally reached one of the corridors on one of the top floors (apparently there were still more to climb), leading him directly to one of the many rooms.
The room, like everything else in the mansion, was white with gold details and lit by a chandelier hanging in the center. There was a large canopied bed and at the foot of it was a beige padded sofa. Alastor walked over, took off his coat and placed it on the cushions, then walked over to the single window surrounded by golden curtains.
Opening them wide, Alastor realized he had a balcony with a view as spectacular as a fatal fall. He wasn’t sure what things could harm him outside of Pentagram City, if his deal with Lucifer had altered his physiology.
The Radio Demon continued to observe each of the furnishings in the room, which didn’t seem to be many, just the basics. A bed, a sofa, a table, two armchairs, a bureau, a night lamp, a closet and, apparently, a bathroom.
Alastor doubted that this was Lucifer’s room.
“Seems like,” Alastor turned to look at his shadow, impatient to hear his ideas, “The King plans to keep us here for a while, my friend.”
Clasping both hands together over the microphone, Alastor tapped the floor, darkness spread to every corner and hundreds of little voodoo dolls appeared and scurried around every corner of the room.
“This requires re-decorating. Allez!” Alastor felt the static run through his body, “Tout de suite!”
Notes:
Something I’ve been wanting to include is a friendship between Alastor, Mimzy and Rosie, at least in this AU they did know each other when they were alive. I suppose if their friendship is canonical in the show I could see them being called the Vintage Trio (Just to annoy the Vees)
Vox, I still don’t know what do with him, will he be just a buffoon or could he become a problem in the future, the coin is still in the air, I’ll let you know when it drops
Since there was no canonical date for the Day of Extermination, I choose the last 12 hours of New Year's Eve and the first 12 hours of New Year's Day
If you wonder who Caeruleum is, he’s the blue fire-headed skeleton Overlord, I was tempted to call him Voltaire — Well, at least I referenced a song. Verna and Sartael are OC
Maybe not relevant, this happens during Winter I just don’t think it snows it’s more the cold winds. You’ve heard that phrase that says ‘I’ll (insert something you wouldn’t do here) when Hell freezes over’ Yeah, that
Anyway, I don't know how the contracts are worded in Hell, so I went looking for some examples and ended up with this
References I used:
✦ The Pandemonium Palace: Umaid Bhawan Palace
✦ The Morningstar Mansion: Grantley Hall
✦ Rosie’s dress
✦ Mimzy’s dress
✦ Alastor doesn’t want a new wardrobe! Rosie, come and get this deer!
✦ The Rabbit Demons Ladies
✦ The Pandemonium Streets: 1 2 3 4I hope some translations can be displayed on mouse hover, but if not:
☘︎ Na wè denmen - See you tomorrow
☘︎ Dòmi ak zanj yo - Sleep with the angels
☘︎ Allez! Tout de suite! - Let's go! Come on, now!
The first two are from Haitian Creole, the last one is a reference from Dr. Facillier. Someone tell me if I'm using them right I'd be very gratefulSongs used for this chapter:
𝄞 Bedelia by Shep Fields and His Orchestra
𝄞 Come Down Ma Evenin’ Star by Joan Morris & William Bolcom
𝄞 Let Me Call You Sweetheart by Arthur CloughComments, kudos, bookmarking it, or giving me a ❤︎ Thanks!
Chapter 3: Breathe Me
Summary:
Be my friend, hold me
Wrap me up, enfold me
I am small and needy
Warm me up and breathe meBreathe Me by Sia
Notes:
Some mean comment: I bet you get horny writting this
Mira tú nadaqueveriento, comecuandohay, rascacazuelas no he escrito smut en más de 8 años así que volver a pensar si estas posiciones son correctas anatómicamente me rompió la cabeza así que se un buen troll y regresa al ático de tu mamá de donde saliste 🙂Sorry fellas for losing my mind, but.... That's right, I got a troll comment and honestly I was like 'what the fuck' 🧐 because in the two chapters of this story there hasn't been any smut at all, it was just going to be implied, but I guess out of mere spite I wrote my first smut in over eight years - Tagging everything as it should be so the troll can very kindly block it... Or not, they will get blocked again (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)
Anyway, English is not my native language, forgive the grammatical errors (っ- ‸ - ς)
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
“Belle, I promise you, everything will be fine.” Lucifer tried to get sheep-like Sin off his back, sometimes forgetting that of his six Deadly Sins, she was the one who had the hardest time separating from him. It was like being back in Heaven, just him and his little Virtues. “Besides, you told me to go out and find — ”
“And your choice is the serial killer Cannibal Sinner.”
Overly detailed, maybe Lucifer had to keep some details to himself when he shared his ideas with Belle.
“I guess looking at him is enough to make you forget about everything else — ”
Well, Lucifer couldn’t lie on this one. Alastor was a sight to behold, elegant, charismatic and arrogant. Lucifer wanted to know if that static filter was something the deer could control at will, he wanted to hear his real voice, maybe then Lucifer would be able to spot his lies — Unless the Overlord was telling the truth. In any case, Lucifer was relieved that the most power-hungry Sinner was someone good-looking.
He hoped Alastor could make this more pleasant than whatever he was trying to do in the alley. The mere thought of that was enough to upset Lucifer. He hoped that these days were enough for Alastor to vent his frustrations on his peers.
“Looks aside, Belle,” Lucifer finally got the sheep off his back, looking up, “It’s because he’s so powerful that I need him tied to me. I can’t risk letting him loose either.”
Lilith’s Wrath Ring tour had ended. However, in a last letter to him, the First Sinner mentioned that she wouldn’t get back to the mansion for a few months as she was staying at a beautiful ranch near the volcanoes and wanted to take the time to compose new songs with this new inspiration.
His response was brief: Lucifer wished her a nice stay. After ruining Lilith’s life, it was the least he could do. They’d both been through a lot because of Heaven, but he couldn’t afford to leave Lilith unsupervised for too long, either.
The First Sinner still held a grudge against the heavenly beings, hating them with every fiber of her being. As the years passed, her hatred only grew. The Sinners might be his people, even though he allowed their extermination, but most of them favored Lilith as their Queen. Not that anyone was going to tell him that to his face.
As much as Lucifer would like to blame himself for letting the Exterminations happen, his mistake wasn’t keeping a closer eye on Lilith. While he and the Deadly Sins punished the sinners for their inhumane acts in life, Lilith found herself forming a battalion with those who, like her, resented Heaven and its unfair selection of Winners.
The Second Rebellion against Heaven broke out — But just as it began overnight, it ended with the death of the entire army of Lilith’s sinners, executed by angelic weapons and the new faction commanded by Adam, the Exorcists.
A message from Heaven reached the Palace, informing him that due to his inefficient rule over Hell, Heaven would take over his Kingdom in an event they decided to call The Extermination.
Lucifer sought a hundred and one ways to prevent Heaven from stepping into Hell — He’d swallow his pride and force himself to deal with Michael. Even if his older brother’s presence made him want to bury his claws where the flaming sword had pierced him.
It was his Kingdom that was to be invaded, and Heaven liked it or not, God gave it to him. He tried to reach some of his Siblings or even his Almighty Father, but the Seraphim intervened and cut off all contact.
In the end, Lucifer had no choice but to make a deal with Sera, who allowed him to save the lives of all those born in Hell, since they only followed Lucifer or their respective Sin, and were also immune to Lilith’s song. He also authorized Adam and his Exorcists to purge the sinners and imprison them in a newly founded Pentagram City.
Lilith chastised him for taking the deal, for allowing himself to be humiliated when he was the King. If Lucifer gave the order, the Sinners and Goetia would return to fight for him and conquer Heaven. She’d return to command the sinners to fight at his side and open the gates of Heaven to everyone. But Lucifer was in no mood to confront her, so he simply turned away and locked himself in his bedroom.
That was the first time Lilith had left the Pandemonium in over a decade, settling in Pentagram City. Lucifer couldn’t blame her if she decided not to return or live in one of her residences in the Seven Rings; He’d want to do the same thing, leave everything behind, stop being the King.... He wasn’t suited for the role. He had failed them all.
Lucifer had already made peace with the idea that Heaven would never let him forget his mistake, that he had doomed the human race, and mocked him at every meeting they had after. But Lilith had not. Lilith had established a new order after the first Extermination, encouraging the remaining sinners that those strong enough would have a status recognized by her, and thus by him.
And so it was that the Overlords slowly took over their own territories. And, with that, Lilith spoke to him again to invite him to meet them.
Lucifer knew that it was only a matter of time before Lilith would start spreading the idea of attacking Heaven to one of them. So, even though he didn’t want to get involved with the sinners again, Lucifer attended some of the meetings that Lilith insisted he go to, listening quietly and disinterestedly; His presence was more than enough to make them behave.
It was a stroke of luck that two of the most powerful Overlords had decided to approach him instead of Lilith, and now that he had Alastor in hand, he was consequently offered the Cannibal Overlord as well.
With such powerful Overlords bound to him, Lucifer hoped that the remaining ones wouldn’t attract Lilith’s attention at the next meetings.
“Did he kill all those Sinners?” Belle asked in disbelief, “Is he really such a powerful Sinner?”
Lucifer nodded. Seeing how Alastor’s file grew with every sinner who accepted a deal, perhaps in a few decades it’d be on par with Carmilla’s. He’d also look for the Cannibal Overlord’s file — Uh, hell! Alastor had even told him her full name!
“Not as powerful as me, if that worries you.”
No one would ever be as powerful as him... Unless... No, Lucifer didn’t want to think about Her, not tonight when he had to concentrate on one thing. He had to take the chance that She was still asleep. It’d be months before he had to make sure that Furcas had everything under control.
Belphegor’s face fell and she sighed in resignation. “I guess we’ll see you tomorrow, won’t we?”
“You know I can’t afford to miss it.”
Lucifer hugged his little sister; She didn’t seem to want to let go, which made him wonder if she hadn’t just fallen asleep on top of him. It wouldn’t be the first or last time, so the blonde suggested a direct portal to her mansion instead of the hospital. And if she still seemed unwilling to leave, he could always pull out the ‘Bee said she was going to steal your drugs’ card.
All alone, Lucifer decided to open a portal directly to his bathroom. He had so much to think about and do before he went to the guest room.
The bathroom was one of his favorite places in the mansion, aside from his workshop and the garden. The place simply conveyed an atmosphere of tranquility and relaxation, either because of its choice of colors (white and gold, like everything else in it) or simply because, like everything else in this place, it worked with the help of his magic.
Once inside, Lucifer began to remove his clothes one by one until he was naked. Turning around, the blond sighed as the faucet of the huge round white marble bathtub opened to let hot water flow. Walking over to his bathroom vanity, Lucifer picked up one of the bath bombs Levi had given him and dropped it so it would begin to dissolve in the water.
He could light the scented candles, but he feared the risk of falling asleep, lulled by his body melting away the stress. The scent of the wisteria vine would be enough.
As the water stopped flowing and steam rose throughout the bathroom, fogging the mirrors around him, Lucifer submerged his entire body in the tub, his body instantly relaxing at the sensation of the hot water. He felt his tail wrap around his leg. The days had been too overwhelming for him, and his Sins and subjects were doing nothing but stressing him out with all their complaints and demands.
Sometimes he felt like he was dealing with preschoolers instead of fallen angels.
Lucifer wished he could solve most of the problems he was presented with before he got pregnant. If what he’d read applied to him, he didn’t see himself in the mood to spend time solving other people’s problems while he had a hormonal imbalance, thank you very much.
The bottle of shampoo and soap floated up around him, dumping the apple-scented liquid on his head. Lucifer brought his hands to his golden locks, massaging his scalp. When he was done with his hair, Lucifer took the soap and loofah and rubbed the cloth against his chest and legs, rubbing close to his groin. He bit his lip as his tail uncoiled from his leg and brushed against his member, sliding close to his cunt.
No, he had no time for masturbating, not when Alastor was waiting for him in the other room.
Maybe Lucifer should have led him right into his own bedroom — And bathe together... But it’s mostly because Lucifer didn’t know what the Overlord must have done before coming to the Mansion. Not because he wanted to see what awaited him when Alastor took off his clothes.
The deer may well have bits of sinners in his fangs. What if he was with someone before, he came to see him?
No, Lucifer preferred not to think about any of it. And he chose to remember the times when he tuned in to his radio show in the afternoons. Unlike the first time he heard it, the following broadcasts were pleasing, melodious, and soon Lucifer found himself humming some tunes and composing new songs to practice on his violin.
Alastor had good taste in music and was a valuable source of information about events in Pentagram City. All in all, Alastor was the best choice of all the sinners.
Now he also had to deal with — Who? His friends? From the resemblance and familiarity, Lucifer would have sensed that they were blood related. Didn’t he mention his Mother? Yes, that’s what Alastor said. The Overlord had all the attitude a Mother could have, even the other sinner acted like Bee with him.
The water filtration in his bathtub was activated and all traces of soap, shampoo and dye were soon replaced with clean, hot water. Lucifer allowed himself to rest for a few more minutes. When he felt the water getting cold, and before the heating system was turned back on, he decided it was time to get up.
Hissing as he felt the change in temperature, he snapped his fingers and his robe floated up to him, covering him completely against the cool air, and Lucifer took a step outside, listening to the sound of his hooves echoing against the tiles, along with the droplets of water falling from his wet hair.
Back in his bedroom, Lucifer let out a tired sigh and turned to his bed with a longing look. Normally, he’d go directly to sleep after a bath, only to get up and repeat his routine.
Wake up. Breakfast (optional). Palace. Rings. Palace. Audiences. Mansion. Garden. Dinner (optional). Workshop. Bathroom. Sleep (optional). Repeat.
Instead, he went straight to his walk-in wardrobe. Opening the doors, Lucifer entered the vast room where hundreds, if not thousands, of outfits from all eras and styles were laid out before him. His favorites were displayed on mannequins whose heads were replaced by a rubber duck.
However, none of them were what Lucifer was looking for tonight. It made no sense for him to walk in front of Alastor wearing all his clothes — Even though he wasn’t going to show himself completely naked to the sinner. Lucifer preferred not to know what Alastor’s reaction would be if he saw him naked.
It took Lucifer a couple of centuries to get used to his new body, and another century to learn to move and walk without pain.
Taking off his robe and leaving it on a golden papasan chair, Lucifer went to his vanity and took out a body cream and body powder.
If there was one thing Lucifer had learned from seeing and partaking in the orgies of the Lust Ring, it was that sex smelled. Sweat, musk, semen, fluids, and sometimes blood.
He squeezed the body cream into the palm of his hand and started by putting it on his arms. He stopped for a second to think about how the white cream covered his arms, and then he finished spreading the oil. When he did, the gold-cracked black color of his skin came back into view.
He ignored it, and Lucifer squeezed out more of the cream, this time running it over his chest and torso. He took care to avoid the scales that were scattered randomly across his back, belly, hips, and waist, only scraping delicately underneath them. At least they tickled now, unlike when Lucifer had to pluck his old, scorched feathers and watch the ichor ooze from his wounds.
Everyone always commented on how beautiful and perfect he was — Lucifer wondered if his followers would feel the same way if they saw his flaws.
Then he moved down his legs to where the skin ended and the black fur began. He took the comb and brushed with gentle strokes until the legs were primed.
Lucifer opened the powder and took a deep breath of that nice jasmine and orange scent. He took the pad and sprinkled a bit on his collarbone, neck, and shoulders.
Finally, Lucifer floated the hairbrush, running it carefully through his hair, combing it back so that not a strand was left out of place. He was careful with his feathered ears, which he traced with his fingers in search of a fallen one.
Feeling refreshed and groomed, Lucifer stood up and walked to the drawers where he kept his nightclothes.
He wasn’t sure what to wear. He thought about wearing a seductive style, a tight style, a baggy style, or a simple style. He wondered how much of himself he could show in front of Alastor.
In the end Lucifer decided on a long-sleeved white silk nightgown with floral lace at the bottom that, even if it allowed his legs and hooves to be seen, could at least conceal his arms and torso. It was so soft to the touch that Alastor wouldn’t know the difference if the lights were turned off, and it’d also be easier for him to lift the cloth than if he just wore a pair of pants.
Lucifer took a look at his full-length triptych mirror, checking out his outfit from different angles, nodding to himself.
Lucifer left his bedroom, starting his way down the hallway until he reached the last room — Relieved that he had sent the staff home days before, giving them an extra bonus in their pay to get them through the lockdown.
Every time Lucifer took a step towards Alastor’s room, he felt like his stomach was tied up in a tight knot, his legs felt heavy, his hands were restless, and he started to feel unsure. Was this a good idea? What if something went wrong? Maybe he should’ve asked Belle for some pills or offered Alastor a tour of the Mansion to buy some time… Something that’d make him delay —
No.
He couldn’t put this off any longer.
Not with Extermination Day breathing down his neck.
The Deadly Sins were right. Lucifer needed an heir. Hell needed protection. If he had someone to carry on his blood and powers, then no matter what happened to him, Hell would continue to exist through his offspring.
He had already raised his fist towards the door before he knew it — And this one was opened by Alastor himself. He was still here! Of course he was still here. Why shouldn’t he be? Lucifer chided himself.
He had two small rocks glasses in one of his hands, and they were filled with an amber liquid — Liquor? He doesn’t remember leaving spirits in Alastor’s room; He didn’t even leave a gift. Should he have left one? Well, at least they were normal ones and not skulls like in the rituals he was summoned to on Earth.
“Your Majesty.” The deer spoke, and Lucifer felt a shiver run down his spine. Was there something different about his voice, or was it because his body was relaxed more than on other occasions when he had listened to him? “I was just wondering how long you were planning to keep putting off our talk.” The deer’s red eyes checked him out, looking him over from head to toe.
Right, they were going to talk.
“Please, come in.” Alastor took a step back, and as soon as Lucifer stepped into the room, he noticed the change in temperature. He felt warmer.
Before Lucifer could ask what had caused such a pleased change, Alastor offered him a glass.
“I hope the rye is to your liking, Your Majesty.”
“I bet you’ve never seen me at a party hosted by Bee.” Lucifer took the glass, sniffed the scent, and took a sip. As he did, he felt a warm, spicy sensation run down his throat, and he enjoyed the light notes of vanilla and cinnamon.
“If you mean the parties the Gluttony Queen throws for you, I’m afraid I don’t. I’m a Sinner, after all.”
Oh, shit, Lucifer quickly sought to fix his mistake. “Well, now you’re free to visit the Ring and enjoy its foods and drinks. I’m sure Beelzebub would enjoy your stay.” Lucifer shot him a playful look. “Do you think you can resist all the temptations that await you in Hell?” A few honeyed words should do the trick and distract Alastor from his blunder.
Alastor smiled at him and took a step forward, standing just inches away. Damn, Lucifer forgot how tall he was. Looking up at him would probably hurt his neck later...
“You’d be surprised, Your Majesty, to know that I’ve only been tempted once. That’s what brought me to where I am today.”
Lucifer shouldn’t have been surprised by those words. After all, sinners tried to climb the social ladder of Hell. Alastor was no different; Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so hellbent to have so many souls under his control.
Lucifer’s heart skipped a beat when Alastor brought his hand up to his face. Alastor took a lock of Lucifer’s hair and tucked it behind his ear, sliding his sharp fingernails slowly along the edge of Lucifer’s feathers. Lucifer thought Alastor’s behavior was strange, but he figured it was just the rye talking. Still, his chest began to feel suffocated, as if the air was escaping his lungs. Alastor crouched down close to his face.
Lucifer eased up on the glass; If he didn’t keep his cool, he might break it, and he didn’t want to taint Alastor with his ichor. His heart was beating so fast that all he could hear was the buzzing in his ears and the croaking of frogs — Frogs?
Lucifer turned away, ignoring the snarl on Alastor’s face. He didn’t expect — “What is this?”
Lucifer admired the bayou in front of him, the wide stream covered with water flowers and surrounded by beautiful weeping willows whose branches were still, all in the absence of wind. A few fireflies flickered their lights all over the place, joined by the chirping of crickets and the croaking of frogs.
“It’s so beautiful.”
“I tried to make it as close as possible to where I used to live.” Alastor whispered near his ear, then walked around with his back to him, startling Lucifer, who quickly brought his hand to his ear — Damn, what was up with his voice?
Lucifer kept his eyes on the Sinner, who eventually leaned against the fireplace, where a green, glowing fire lit up and warmed the bedroom.
“You created a pocket dimension in a few years for yourself. That’s amazing.”
“Surely, every sinner could do it.” Alastor said nonchalantly.
Lucifer shook his head, “Pentagram City is what we call a dimensional city. It’s home to all Sinners from all times and places. That’s why it’s always changing.” And growing. “So, if an Sinner had enough knowledge and power, they could create their own pocket dimension.— ” Lucifer looked back at Alastor. The deer was staring at him, with that smile that just kept getting wider. “But not many sinners succeed in creating one.”
The King kept marveling at the swamp — It was perfect, like something you’d only see on Earth. Everything felt so natural here, except for the starless, moonless night sky, but all this was unsettling. Alastor had recreated his old home perfectly, and he’d done it in no time since arriving in Hell. Once again, it showed that Alastor’s future as Overlord was shaping up to be promising.
“Zestial took almost two hundred years to stabilize his territories for his traders, and Carmilla perfected her tower a few decades ago to settle her workers.” Lucifer wasn’t sure if he was doing the right thing by confessing something so important to Alastor, but it’s not like the deer didn’t know how much of a power gap there was between the three of them.
He was also sure that Alastor knew why some Sinners made deals with the Overlords: Protection during the Exterminations. But it seemed to him that Alastor was the only one living in this bayou, if he had the deceased Overlords’ deals, it didn’t seem like Alastor cared much about them during the Annual Purge.
Maybe Alastor had so many deals that he didn’t mind losing a few.
“But here,” Lucifer opened his arms, pointed out beyond the swamp, then looked back at Alastor, who now had a contemplative look on his face. “Do you see what I mean?”
“Yes. I do.” Alastor said, “Then let me tell you, Your Majesty, that you’ve picked the perfect sinner for your spawn.” Alastor stood up, walked to stand beside him, and took him by the shoulders to lead him away from the swamp.
Lucifer swallowed at the sight of the bed.
“My dear bayou isn’t my first pocket dimension.”
Lucifer took a few seconds to catch on, blinking his eyes one at a time. “What?! What do you mean by that?”
Alastor tilted his head towards the bureau next to his bed. Lucifer looked closely at each object until his eyes landed on the shiny polished, mahogany-colored cathedral-shaped radio.
“Wait — Wait a minute… Is your radio a pocket dimension too?”
“Exactly.” Alastor replied casually, coming over to the bureau with Lucifer.
Like a snap, Lucifer understood everything.
“Your program’s retransmissions are not retransmissions, are they? They’re in there.” Every Overlord, every Sinner, every asshole who crossed Alastor’s path or messed up his plans was inside. “I thought you killed them.”
“Please,” Alastor rolled his eyes, “And why would I do that? Their lives are a never-ending source of entertainment for me, and I’ve a terrible habit of playing with my food. I’m an excellent hunter; no prey has ever escaped me.” Alastor sat on the bed, crossing his legs and sliding a sharp claw across the surface of the radio.
Alastor was right, of course. He couldn’t kill a sinner, at least not without angelic weapons. But Lucifer doubted that the deer demon asked or bought a weapon from Carmilla.
He was intrigued by the number of sinners his radio housed at the time, how it worked, when he took them out, and what the interior was like. He wondered how he knew who could walk the streets without problems. Curiosity had always been his greatest flaw, but maybe Alastor would be able to answer all his questions someday.
Tonight was different, though.
“So.” Lucifer put his hand on his hip and looked down at Alastor from above, putting on his most enticing persona, the one that made mortals give up their souls without a second thought. “How do you want me?”
What happened next Lucifer swore to himself that he’d never, ever tell anyone.
Alastor shrugged, “Is it not enough for me to penetrate you?”
What?
W̶h̶a̴t̵.̵ ̴T̸h̷e̷.̶ ̶F̷u̵c̵k̴.̴?̴!̸
“No… Wait,” He might’ve misheard. “What?”
“Your Majesty, you said yourself that you only need me to knock you up.”
Yeah, fuck, he said that, but not in the stupid way Alastor was thinking it — What the fuck was he thinking?! Where did Lucifer go wrong when he said that? He discreetly glanced down at Alastor’s crotch. Damn! He was cross-legged; he didn’t even know if he had an erection.
So no, no, shit, it wasn’t just enough for Alastor to shove his cock up his cunt! If he could, Lucifer would do the decent thing and leave the room, but not before setting Alastor on fire and telling him not to come back until he finally knew how not to be a son of a bitch.
Way to kill the moment.
However, Lucifer didn’t have the privilege of time, so he couldn’t keep putting off having a child. And he wasn’t keen on humiliating himself in front of the deer either —
… Humiliate…
Was Alastor seeking to humiliate him? To make him beg like a bitch in heat? Does Alastor think he’s the Apple of Eden because Lucifer sought him out?! Well, no. The only Temptation here, the Original Sin, was him! And he was going to be so damn appetizing.
“All right.” Lucifer whispered as he got closer to the Sinner and nudged his legs against the deer’s. Alastor uncrossed his legs, and Lucifer took the opportunity to kneel in front of him, his knees touching the woolly carpet. He was going to look for every spot, no matter how small and hidden, so he’d make Alastor regret being an idiot.
His hands started to gently touch the man’s legs, moving up and down from his slacks to his knees, getting dangerously close to his crotch, and then stopping for a few seconds near his belt.
Lucifer felt Alastor stiffen under his touch, and he started to feel a growing sense of regret and guilt.
“With your former partners,” Lucifer whispered, “Do you like having this done to you?” Perhaps Alastor wasn’t used to —
Lucifer looked up, and even though Alastor’s smile didn’t fade, he could tell it was a fake one. Alastor was clearly putting on a good show. Why couldn’t Alastor be honest with him?! Hadn’t he been honest with Alastor? What more could he do to make Alastor trust him? Lucifer was nervous enough as it was; He didn’t want tonight to be a bad memory. He didn’t want to remember the feeling of guilt or the bile rising in his throat. At least for one night, he didn’t want to feel the weight of regret.
Lucifer lowered his head onto one of Alastor’s legs, shifting his head to look him in the eye.
“What do you do with your partners?”
“Pardon?”
“I mean, how do you do it? What do you like them to do?”
Alastor fell silent, and Lucifer grimaced.
“If there’s something you don’t like — ”
“There is.” Alastor was quick to respond.
Alright, that’s something. Lucifer nodded, gesturing to Alastor to continue.
However, Alastor seemed to think about it and, after a few seconds of silence, he spoke, “Don’t touch my face.”
Lucifer blinked, confused. Wasn’t it just a few minutes ago that he was about to kiss him? Was he going to kiss him, right? Was kissing off limits? Maybe Alastor liked to be the one to start it. Then again, he remembered that Alastor was a cannibal, so maybe it was best to keep their mouths apart.
Sinners weren’t tasty if he remembers correctly.
Lucifer nodded, but he should hide the fact that he was a tad disappointed. How much of his face could he not touch? He’d have liked to touch Alastor’s ears.
“So, not counting your face, can I touch wherever I want?” Lucifer went back to stroking his slacks. Unlike the first time, this time there was no frown, and Alastor just sat there quietly.
Well, then, if Alastor wasn’t talking, Lucifer would have to get the words out of him.
“You are such a gentleman.” He reached for his belt, unbuckled it, and pulled it down to his mid-thigh. Then he saw the fur covering Alastor’s legs — Of course, Alastor was a deer, so his body was naturally furred. Lucifer wondered if his penis was too. His fingers gripped the elastic of his boxer briefs. “It’s all right if we start here. I promise you; I’ll be careful with my fangs.”
Lucifer slowly pulled back the briefs, trying not to show surprise at the sight of Alastor’s flaccid member, because even if he was getting a hard-on, it was still —
“You’re big. I wonder if all of this will fit.”
He hadn’t realized he’d been thinking out loud until a static laugh snapped him out of his reverie.
Oh, he’s into that? Alastor likes to be praised?
“It’d be a miracle, seeing as how petite you are.”
This motherf— “How fitting that you say that,” Lucifer slid his index finger down the entire length of Alastor’s cock as he felt him twitch. “We are trying to conceive a miracle.”
Lucifer brought his face close to the Sinner’s groin. He’d need lubricant, which he could summon, but he had another idea to get Alastor hard. He left a kiss on his belly and started moving down to his thighs. Lucifer was thankful that his nostrils were snake-like because the fur tickled. He’d try not to laugh, though, he didn’t want Alastor to get the wrong idea.
Lucifer grabbed Alastor’s cock and started rubbing it up and down. He paused to kiss the deer’s thighs, then moved up to the base of the length, leaving a kiss on it. He lowered his free hand to the balls, rubbing and squeezing one gently and kissing the other. He extended his forked tongue to lick it and then went up with a single lick.
Alastor bit his lip, his claws moving to the sheets, clenching them.
“Shhh, calm down.” Lucifer advised, “Let me hear the sounds you’ll make.”
It seemed to work, since Alastor stopped biting his lip, a thin string of black blood ran down the corner of his mouth. Lucifer was thankful that Alastor hadn’t suggested doing an oral; Maybe he’d be just as nervous if those fangs went toward his groin.
Little drops of pre-seminal fluid were starting to come out of the cock’s head.
Lucifer put his lips on the tip of the dick, flicking his tongue at it, tasting it, and then going down like he was licking a lollipop. He made sure to leave enough saliva so that his hands could keep pumping it. Then, he sucked over the frenulum, slowly.
The hand job did the trick, too. Lucifer could feel Alastor’s throbbing cock with every stroke, and he could also feel his own cock rising, forming a tent under his nightgown. His hands tingled from wanting to stroke himself, too. He had to get ready to have Alastor inside him.
Lucifer subtly brought his tail closer to his entrance, brushing around his labia, and then started sliding the tip between his folds. He teased his clit and moved up towards his shaft, rolling up and down in a rhythmic way.
“You’ll give me to the last drop, won’t you? We can’t let it go to waste.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Lucifer saw that Alastor’s hands were fidgeting.
“When was the last time you touched yourself?” Lucifer looked up and saw Alastor’s eyes on him, watching his every move.
“I don’t remember.” The deer hissed.
Too busy killing Overlords and climbing the hierarchies apparently.
Lucifer paused his erotic massage of one of Alastor’s balls to slide across the bed and take his hand — There was a faint sound of static, but it disappeared as soon as Alastor noticed that it was Lucifer guiding his hand into his hair, sinking his claws into the golden strands.
“Stop me if this is too much.”
Before Alastor could even utter a word, Lucifer had already shoved his entire cock in his mouth.
At a party with his Deadly Sins, when everyone was too drunk from Beelzejuice, Bee and Ozzie had made a dick-shaped popsicle and dared each of them to shove it down their throats. Lucifer got cheers and applause for his lack of gag reflex, just not for the reason they assumed, he wasn’t going to tell them it was because the tar destroyed his throat…
“Mmmhmm.” Lucifer hummed, feeling Alastor’s hands grip his hair, which made him moan and groan. Lucifer had to be careful not to nip Alastor’s cock with his fangs, but the stag didn’t try to pull him away, so it was a good sign that he was enjoying it.
Lucifer pumped up and down, making sure to leave enough saliva behind and spread it up and down the length. At the same time, one of his hands slid between Alastor’s legs, resuming his task of massaging the base and balls, until finally they were close to —
Alastor had pushed him away, but he hadn’t quite let go. He didn’t tighten his grip enough to hurt him, though.
“W̴̴̸̳̗̝̣̏͒̈́ḣ̴̴̵̢̘̫͑̇́a̵̴̶̗̫̲͗̒̈t̶̴̴͕͙͈̃͂̀ ̶̸̷̹̯̞͔͑͠d̶̵̵̤̩̞̤̓͗̓o̴̶̴͉͕̰̝͛̋̉ ̶̸̸͕̥͎̽͆̀y̵̸̵̯̤͛̀ǫ̶̸̷͙̇̽ủ̸̸̵͉̬̀̔̒ͅ ̷̵̸̖̮̹̀͋t̵̶̶̖͙̩̓͑̑ḩ̸̸̸̰͉͊̆͘i̸̵̶̩̼͚̠̒̉͐n̴̵̴̜̗̻̪̅͗̊k̸̴̴̭̟͒͂̀ ̷̵̶̭͉͇͍̋̕͝y̶̶̶̡͓͎͛̂ŏ̷̴̴̹̺̤̂͝ụ̴̴̷͙̼̝́̑̈́͝ ̵̶̸͚̝̖̔̄̊a̸̸̵̗͎̩͎͗͋̑̈́ȓ̶̸̷͕̠̞̆e̸̶̸͔̯̼͙͆͆ ̴̴̷͉̳̼́̅̆d̴̵̸̢͚̯̘͐̎͘ő̸̵̷͚̦͒̍̍i̸̴̸̮͍̮͗̋͗n̶̴̶̩̣̣͒̏͠g̸̸̶̡̛̝̦̳̅͐?̶̴̶̛̭̞̬͒” The radio host asked, offended. His eyes had been blackened, with only the green radio dial needle flashing. Green symbols floated around his face, which was soon covered by that skull layer with a glowing X in the middle of his forehead.
“What’s wrong?” Lucifer asked confused, did he squeeze too hard? Or maybe he got a little carried away and bit down? — Whatever he did, he doesn’t think it was enough for Alastor to treat him like he tried to —
“D̴o̸n̷’̷t̶ ̶p̵u̶t̷ ̸y̴o̶u̶r̶ ̴f̶i̵n̷g̷e̶r̴s̵ ̷i̶n̸ ̵t̶h̷e̸r̶e̵ ̸a̴g̴a̷i̶n̶.̵”
Lucifer thought it’d be a good idea to give Alastor a prostate massage, but he didn’t know the deer would react that way.
“I had no idea.” Lucifer apologized, even though it was the deer’s fault. If only he’d said he didn’t want Lucifer to stick his fingers in... He wasn’t in the mood to yell at Alastor about it. Lucifer’s cunt was covered in slick, and his own cock was leaking out, forming a small stain on his nightgown.
Alastor’s face snapped back to his usual self, and he stopped gripping Lucifer’s hair.
Lucifer bit his lip. This was awkward. Everything had been going so well. He’d be more careful next time. He just hoped Alastor didn’t come up with another issue when he was finally getting the hang of things.
Alastor avoided looking at him, though he hadn’t lost his boner. Lucifer couldn’t think of any other way to get Sinner hard again.
Alastor flinched when a pair of tiny hands landed on his shoulders, looking up to meet Lucifer’s stunning face, whose eyes shone like rubies, and the light from the chandelier cast a divine halo over him. Lucifer started massaging in circles over his tense muscles, and Alastor felt his anger melt away.
At that moment, he just wanted the touch to keep going, for the King’s hands to keep exploring his body, making his own hands tingle with desire to be led around the King’s body —
“Will you let me make it up to you for the unpleasant experience?” Lucifer asked, tilting his head to the side and pouting, and gently pushing Alastor to lay down on the bed and climb over him.
Alastor hissed again when he felt Lucifer sit on top of him. The gown covered his private parts, including his own, and dropped his legs to the sides of his waist. With his hands leaving his shoulders, he undid his bow and unbuttoned his shirt, albeit only a few buttons.
Alastor felt something wrap around his leg. He wanted to reach up and tear the fabric off so he could see Lucifer as he always pictured him — In all his glorious splendor.
“Feeling your cock get hard in my hand was so hot.” Lucifer crooned, swaying back and forth, running his folds over Alastor’s shaft, making him shudder. “I can’t wait to feel how much it can get hard inside me.”
He moaned as his swollen clit started rubbing against the bone.
“Shame I didn’t trim my nails.” Lucifer whispered, keeping eye contact with Alastor, and ran his hands down Alastor’s arms until he reached his claws. He intertwined their hands and raised them to his face.
He pouted for a second, but that was quickly over when he started guiding Alastor’s hands. He moved his hands down his neck, over his collarbone, and down his chest, brushing against his nipples. Finally, he pulled his hands to his sides and let them rest on his waist (He hadn’t imagined that a single claw could cover so much of his body) still holding his hands.
“Maybe next time you should do it.”
Alastor felt a warm sensation in his stomach at the thought.
♫ There’s an oh such a hungry yearning burning inside of me
And this torment won’t be through
Until you let me spend my life making love to you
Night and day, ḍ̸̨̲̂̎̈́ͅā̵̦͚͔̚͝ý̴̢̺̈́̐̋ ̷̧̖̈́̅͘a̶̘̅̒̔̾n̷͖̓̎͝d̸̢̤̩͆͆̀͘ ̸̨̭͚͖͆n̷̥͑i̶͔̍͂̎g̶̼̟̭̝̋́̆h̴̯͍̮͊t̷̗̞̭̲͛̎͂
Lucifer blinked at the sudden noise — Alastor’s microphone had gone dead again — And then he looked back at the deer. Alastor’s cheeks were slightly red, barely noticeable under the fur, and Lucifer was glad his hands were still holding Alastor’s. Otherwise, he might have started patting his red head, stroking his ears, and caressing his antlers.
“It was a glitch. It’s usually the time I do my last transmission of the year.”
Ah, that was a lie! He could detect them. Alastor has been telling the truth the whole time.
“Let’s see if I’m actually petite enough to fit in all of it, shall we?”
Lucifer released Alastor’s hands to start rolling up his gown, dropping the fabric to one side. He took the Sinner’s hard cock, covered in slick saliva and pre-seminal fluid, and felt it throbbing. He rubbed it against his cunt, hoping that since it was so wet and slippery, it’d be easy to put it in.
“Ahhh~ You really are big!”
The hands wrapped around his waist squeezed harder.
“I need to feel you inside me. Please, Alasto~r.” Lucifer dragged the Sinner’s name, biting his lips.
“Fuck.” Alastor muttered under his breath, and Lucifer heard a light bulb go off somewhere in the room.
Alastor started to thrust, slowly at first, but then picking up speed as he made his way inside Lucifer. The blonde continued to grind his hips and arch his body to get a deep fuck until finally he felt Alastor’s cock inside him, bottoming out.
Instinctively, Lucifer dug his fingernails into the Sinner’s clothes, ripping them, and the Sinner let out a growl in response.
Alastor was deep inside him; he could see a bulge protruding from his belly.
“So proud...” Lucifer thought aloud. The thought was more for himself than for Alastor.
“We are far from being done with this.”
For what was he waiting? For Lucifer to wait until Alastor came inside him? Lucifer stopped rubbing against him and started bouncing up and down, leaning back this time, placing his hands behind him to steady himself, and letting Alastor watch his cock go in and out of him.
Alastor probably didn’t expect the King to do that, and if the sound of another light bulb exploding was a sign of something, it was a pretty clear one.
Tears welled up in his eyes, and he felt an electric shock run down his spine as Alastor’s cock hit a spot inside him and the Sinner released him to pump his cock, putting a bit more pressure than Lucifer had used minutes before.
He thought he saw stars — Beautiful shining stars, the same ones he had created…
“You know just what I need. Be a good buck~”
“You said next time I could bring my hand here.”
“Yes… But only if you trim your nails… You don’t want to make me bleed... Unless that’s what you’re looking for, let me tell you — Nnngghh~” Alastor had once again rubbed that sweet spot.
“I’ve no intention of harming you, Your Majesty. We are best off being alive, full of blood flowing through each of our veins.”
Lucifer saw the Sinner’s tongue licking his lips, and he was tempted to lean over and catch it to roll it around with his own. He felt a vibration inside him that almost made him cum, but that didn’t stop him from moaning so loudly that he was thankful he had no one else in the mansion. Where had that buzzing sensation come from? Was this some other surprise Alastor had?
“Alastor, I’m so cl— Close!”
“I know… I know…” Alastor groaned, resting his hand on Lucifer’s back, and the King was grateful he didn’t slip it under the nightgown, because it’d ruin the moment if he had an orgasm so close and Alastor noticed his scales just to pushing him away.
Lucifer was pretty fed up after tonight.
With one last thrust from Alastor, Lucifer felt his cum fill his walls as he came all over Alastor’s hand, staining his shirt.
Lucifer fell onto Alastor’s chest, breathing heavily through his mouth as he tried to regain control of his body. One hand rubbed his back over the silk, giving him a shiver each time one of Alastor’s claws passed near his buttocks.
“Can I stay like this for a few moments?” Lucifer asked, “Just until I can feel my legs again.”
He could picture the tiny bruises around his throat and the finger-shaped ones around his waist.
“I’ll help you clean your bed — ”
“No need, Your Majesty, I can take care of that.”
Lucifer gasped when he felt the grip on his back tighten. Alastor had sat up, leaning his back against the headboard of the bed, and they were finally looking at each other, face to face. Lucifer noticed that the Sinner’s smile was now just a faint smile, but he was still showing his fangs, as if to say he might be off guard, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t strike back.
A black claw holding a glass of water in his direction made him meet the owner’s eyes again. Alastor’s shadow looked at him with the exact same smile and cheerful eyes.
Lucifer took the glass, and the shadow made a happy chirping sound before hiding again in the room’s darkness. Wait... That thing was here all this time? Did it see them having sex?
“What’s going on with your shadow, Orlok?” Lucifer asked after taking a sip of water. He was worried that someone else might’ve been watching him. “Does it have a conscience of its own, or is it one of your slaves?”
Alastor gave a glance out of the corner of his eye to where his shadow was hidden. “As far as you’re concerned, it’s my shadow. Period.”
Well, Lucifer would like to thank it for the water — Where’d the shadow get it from? He didn’t see a demijohn anywhere nearby, and he was pretty sure Alastor didn’t know where the kitchen was, unless the shadow brought him swamp water —
“How long should we do this?” Alastor asked, snapping him out of his trance before Lucifer could ask where he had gotten the water.
“Excuse me? If you mean you want a second round let me, tell you I don’t think I can indulge you. For my first time receiving — ”
“What?” The question was just brushed off.
“— This was exhausting. I still have things to do before I call it a day. So, I’d advise you to rest — ”
Alastor looked confused, staring at him as if trying to figure something out.
“Something wrong?” Lucifer asked, a tad spooked after a few seconds of awkward silence, at least he wished there was music playing or that Alastor had left his radio on.
Alastor looked down; His ears pinned back on his head. “I was just thinking about how often we should have sex.”
Good point. Lucifer stroked his bulging belly. Would this be what it would look like when he finally had a baby bump? Would one time be enough to get pregnant? Maybe he should have checked with Belle or Bee — Of all the Hellborn races, Hellhounds had no problem getting pregnant with just once.
“I don’t want you to think that I’m trying to take time away from you or your hobbies. Besides, from today you’ll live here — ”
“It was a given.”
Lucifer glared at him. “I guess once every two weeks will be enough.” He would ask Belle to help him with a calendar and set some alarms so he wouldn’t forget the dates.
“Perfect.” Alastor didn’t sound totally convinced, but Lucifer didn’t have the energy to ask the Sinner what was wrong. It wasn’t that Alastor wouldn’t tell him the truth; maybe he wouldn’t lie to him, but that didn’t mean he’d tell him everything.
“Tomorrow before noon,” Lucifer spoke, not sure if Alastor was still listening. “I’ll send my winged beings to escort your — ” Uh… Friends? Mother and sister? Oh, heck! What were their names again. “To escort Josie and Mimmy here — Or maybe you want to go — ”
“I’ll go get them.” Alastor responded immediately. “And their names are Rosie and Mimzy, it’d be good to remember them, your Majesty.”
Lucifer frowned, “I didn’t mean to offend you, it’s just — Why am I giving you explanations?” The blond snapped, pulling himself up from Alastor, ignoring the stag demon’s steady gaze on him — Until he felt a wetness run down between his legs.
His face flushed violently to a golden hue that seemed to rival the glow of a light bulb.
“I thought you didn’t want to waste my seed.” Alastor mocked.
“Shut up!” Lucifer wouldn’t turn around to face the Sinner. He stood his ground, refusing to see the smile that was always there and those eyes that looked like they wanted to eat him alive.
Mental note: Remember to bring a plug.
Notes:
Yeah, sorry, I promise to get better at writing smut. This was from Lucifer's perspective, he obviously didn't notice that Alastor basically confessed something very important to him, it's going to be a long way.... Or not so much... Slow burn?
We have a little more lore regarding the Exterminations, well what I think happened. I also plan to write about Lucifer's early days in Heaven, Eden and his Fall. At least I have already planned how this first arc will end, so get the tissues and ice cream of your favorite flavor ready because we will end up listening to José José, Juan Gabriel, and Mon Laferte.
Now, Lilith has yet to appear, she won't make her first appearance for a few chapters, but she won't be the villain of this story. Antagonist? Maybe. But not villain. There is a difference. The real villain will be dedicated to haunting the narrative before she shows up. If you know it, you know it.
Next chapter is the Extermination Day, and we are seeing a few background characters, but I promise you, after that, we start the story! Yey ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡
References I used:
✦ Lucifer's nightgown (but in white)Songs used for this chapter:
𝄞 The Four Season 1 Spring recomposed by Max Richter, original version by Vivaldi.
𝄞 Night And Day by Frank SinatraDemons mentioned:
☘︎ First and Only Knight Furcas: Often he has protective or custodial roles in the infernal hierarchy.
Chapter 4: Gods Don't Pray
Summary:
‘Cause I’ve come, I’ve conquered, water’s parted
Now I’m here to stay
I’ve won, I’ve lost, I’ve paid the cost
And I’ll never break
Until doomsday
Gods Don't Pray by Imagine Dragons
Notes:
First of all, I want to thank all of you, you really lifted my spirits ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡ thank you so much to each of you who commented, gave a kudo, bookmarked this story, and subscribed, even those who just stopped by to read. I was super nervous; I still am nervous (ᵕ • ᴗ •) but your words of encouragement motivated me every time I opened this document
I swear the next time this story has smut I hope to make it better ( ◡̀_◡́)ᕤ I’ll have to dust off some old notes and maybe update it
So, we are in the final chapter of this prologue. I’ll be honest, I thought that only two chapters to introduce all these events would be enough... God, how wrong I was, I really hope the next chapters will be a little shorter. Most of these chapters have been hovering around eight thousand words and I’m even surprised
English is not my native language, so forgive me if you find any mistakes
I hope you enjoy this chapter, see you below
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
10:00 a.m. December 31, 1942.
Location: Elevator, Pride Ring.
Two hours before the Extermination.
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“The next Elevator ride to the Sloth Ring will depart in fifteen minutes — ”
“Stolas!” Right in the middle of the building, a young Goetia was yelling. A bunch of demons rushing out of the Pride Ring to spend New Year’s Eve, and the 24 hours of Extermination, were staring at her, thinking she was out of her mind.
The young bird-woman was tapping the shiny golden floor with the tip of her heel, going a bit too fast. Her wrathful face and crossed arms were making it clear that she meant you to stay away.
It’s too bad the Imp who brought her suitcases didn’t get the warning.
“Ms. Stella, it’s better to take the next elevator on your own — ”
He must’ve been new on the staff.
A black-gloved hand grabbed his neck, and, with no one able to stop it, Stella Goetia threw the Imp into the next group of demons that got the next Elevator.
The other servants behind the Dame Goetia swallowed heavily, wishing that her husband got there soon so that she could direct her rage at him and they won’t be the next target to suffer her outbursts.
“Stella.” As if by a miracle — Praise to you, Satan — Prince Stolas had finally arrived, “Sorry for the delay, I had to speak with my Father and — ”
“No excuses, Stolas.” Stella cut him off, pressing her husband’s beak with her index finger and thumb. “I told you we had to leave early to get to my parents’ manor, and now we have to wait for the next four elevators to take us to the Greed Ring!”
Stolas flinched. It wasn’t his fault. His Father had to complete some paperwork before locking himself away in his manor, and surprisingly, his brothers had written to him asking about his marital life. Apparently, they had their own concerns about their own betrothal, too. Stolas couldn’t tell them that these last three years had been the worst of his life, and he had spent his entire childhood with their Father.
At least his brothers lived with their respective Mothers. He doesn’t even remember his.
It’d be great if he could create a portal directly to Purson’s manor, but with his nerves, the portal would only leave them about a block away — And for Lucifer sitting on his throne — Stella is too proud to walk like a peasant.
“Just wait until my brother hears about this.”
Fucking Hell… Andrealphus. Stolas grimaced.
Stella wasn’t too bad to deal with, but only up to a point. Just mix her wine with beelzejuice and wait for her to get dizzy. Andrealphus, on the other hand, could handle more booze. If they both happened to be in the same room, it was pretty much guaranteed that today someone (Stolas) was going to suffer.
Oh, there couldn’t be another soul as miserable as his on this day.
Looking at the white clouds forming over the City of Sinners made him realize that his fate might not be as bad as he thought. He was pretty miserable, though.
“Stolas!”
When he heard Stella yell again, he looked back at his wife and servants.
“Hurry up and get your ass over here! Or I swear by Lucifer, next year I’ll invite my brother to the mansion.”
Stolas knew it was an empty threat, Stella loathed staying in the Pandemonium listening to the Sinner’s ear-splitting screams, but the implied slap wasn’t a threat, it was a fact.
“I’m coming.” Stolas responded unwillingly.
Stella put one hand on her waist and the other on her feathered hair, fixing a few stray feathers. “And remember to tell my parents that we hope to make them grandparents soon, we need to keep the Goetia lineage pure.” Stella sneered at him, glaring up, “Unless you are thinking of having a bastard you better — ”
“I’d never have considered it!” Stolas made a surprised face, offended by the insinuation.
Stella looked at him with angry eyes, and the Prince Goetia didn’t know whether she was offended that he’d sire a bastard or that he had interrupted her.
But his wife’s cruel laughter made him drop his guard. “Yeah, you’re right, I don’t think you’ll be able to. First, you have to know how to put it in. Even in that I always have to do all the damn work myself.” She grumbled.
The young Prince Goetia rubbed his forehead. He should probably see a doctor about his migraine when he gets back to the Pandemonium. He could also use this as an excuse to get away from the mansion for a few days and rest in the Sloth Ring.
At the moment, a strange red blur caught his eye. It was moving quickly through the crowd of demons, turning its back to him and slipping between the lines.
No, it couldn’t be... Stolas tracked that Imp with his eyes, thinking it might be the acrobat who had caught his eye that day — His childhood friend, his first love.
Maybe he should call him to make sure it was him. He might’ve been waiting for an Elevator — He could offer to join them. Stolas thought hopefully, even as the voice in his head — The one mimicking his wife’s cruel tone — mocked him, telling him to keep dreaming.
“Blit—”
“Stolas!”
Stolas woke up and got back in the real world. Stella was already in an elevator, maybe planning to switch at the Wrath Ring in the hopes of having fewer people around at the next station. Her servants were shaking behind her, probably because they were scared of her or the heavy suitcases — Really, Stella, there was no need to pack a whole closet. This was only going to be a few days.
The owl Goetia quickly looked back at the last place he’d seen that red blur, but it was gone.
Maybe he’d imagined it.
He’d been daydreaming a lot lately to avoid dealing with the tough reality of his life.
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Her twins’ laughter was the only sound Carmilla Carmine wanted to hear all day.
She was delighted to see Clara and Odette zigzagging the hill toward the Morningstar Mansion. The Overlord wanted to see her twins grow into strong women who could run her weapons business and lead the Overlords’ meetings should anything happen to her.
If it had been another world, one where she had the joy of living her earthly life with them, she’d have given everything so that Clara and Odette never had to get blood on their hands.
It’s been decades, but Carmilla has never forgotten the hours of dancing, singing, and acting practice her family made her, her sisters, and her female cousins take. They did it all to catch the eye of a highborn man and get a rich husband whose money kept her family’s wealth flowing.
At the end of the day, it didn’t matter because when she danced, she felt like she was flying. She could dance on the edges of that huge house and never fall because she had such good balance. There was no way anyone could make her fall off the stage —
“Somebody get a doctor!”
“Oh, my God, the blood keeps gushing out!”
“What did you do? What did you do, you foolish girl?!”
“Don’t close your eyes! Carmela!”
“Mom!” Odette hurried over to her, and Carmilla saw Odette sitting on a path of glittering stones. “Clara got hurt.”
The Overlord didn’t need to hear anything else before she hurried over to her daughter. She got down low to her height and saw the little hellborn whimpering in pain. The kid pulled her leg close to her chest with her little hands covering the scratch, and tears fell down her cheeks.
“What happened?” Carmilla asked softly — The loud noises still startled Clara — She just took her eyes off her for a second.
“She tried to do that cartwheel you did that day.” Odette answered for her sister, who was unable to utter a word.
Carmilla couldn’t help but feel proud. She stroked the little girl’s curls with her hand. “When we make it back to the Tower, I’ll show you how to keep your balance.” And with that said, she gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek. “For now, you’re too young to learn such risky moves.”
“You took down that sinner using just your legs.” Clara admitted, embarrassed, “I wanted to learn it to protect you.”
“It’s not thy duty to protect thy Mother.” Another voice joined in. It was the Overlord Zestial, who had finally catch up with them. “There’s no want to worry, mine kid.”
“We’ll just wait until we’re older,” Odette went up to the Merchant Overlord, “And then we’ll protect each other!”
Zestial laughed neatly, messing up the hellborn’s blonde hair. “We earned our Overlords titles for a reason, sweet child.”
Carmilla smiled, thanking Zestial for being there. He was a huge help, and her girls loved him dearly. Thanks to him, the twins learned a lot. She was eternally grateful that her good friend cared about her twins’ well-being.
Carmilla scooped up Clara and held her close to her as she kept walking. She also caught sight of Odette holding Zestial’s hand.
The magnificent Morningstar mansion loomed in front of them.
Clara’s sadness didn’t last long. She quickly got curious and amazed. This was the first time they were spending an Extermination outside of Pentagram City. They had spent their whole lives together with their late parent. Carmilla didn’t want to pressure her daughters about where they came from. She only knew that the Sinner they lived with was killed in the last Extermination.
Losing a Father was hard enough and she didn’t want her daughters to have to relive the memory.
Sometimes forgetting is a blessing.
“Fee-fi-fo-fum,” Stopping a few steps from the doorway, Zestial looked around. “I smell the blood of a cannibal man.”
The four-member family took a quick turn, surprised when three more figures appeared.
“Zestial, Carmilla, good morning,” Alastor greeted them with a smile and glanced over at the twins. “The timing is perfect for a peaceful family stroll.”
Carmilla was shocked, to say the least. She was in disbelief at the sight before her. Alastor had left Pentagram City, as did Rosie, the Overlord, and a short, stocky sinner. She understood what this all meant. The three of them had made a deal with His Highness, Lucifer.
“I guess.” Carmilla responded, narrowing her eyes and tightening her grip on her daughter. “So this means — ”
“Ah, of course, this might come as a bit of a surprise,” Alastor took off his monocle and put it in his coat pocket, “I’m sure you’re dying to know how all this happened, you’ll see — ”
“Not exactly.” Zestial cut him off, and there was a buzzing sound for a few seconds, at least it made their daughters laugh. “I’m fain His Highness is showing his supp’rt f’r us and — ” Zestial tilted his head to the side, focusing his green eyes on the sinner standing with his peers. “Oth’rs.”
Alastor decided to let Mimzy’s offended gasp slide for now.
The door to the Mansion swung open, and Alastor was expecting to be greeted by the Sloth Queen or His Majesty after their night together yesterday, but instead, there was just silence. He noticed how quiet it was in the hallways. He’d already thought it was weird that he hadn’t run into any of the staff the day before — Maybe it was because most of them were at home during the lockdown.
Alastor thought back to his childhood, when his Maman send him to that house. He remembered the never-ending work at that damn building, and how the other workers thought it was funny when they gave him hard chores just so the House’ Lady could have an excuse to —
The Sinner put a hand on his arm. Everything was fine. Alastor had dealt with all of them, both on Earth and in Hell, though there were still a few to fall, he remembered.
Alastor felt a sudden grab on his suit. Mimzy pointed to where Rosie, Carmilla, Zestial, and the twins were walking in.
Ah, the library. May Lucifer was there.
The library was just as he saw it yesterday, with the novelty that there was a huge table full of food and drink. There were fruits, meats, liquors, etc. Alastor picked up a plum, took a bite, and enjoyed its sweet taste. It was different from the fruits at the markets in Pentagram City, which tasted rather stale. Rosie and Mimzy had also come over to taste some, and from their expressions, it was clear they were thinking the same thing.
Alastor looked around for Lucifer, but after sending his shadow to roam the mansion, it returned with a shake of the head. Would he meet them later?
“Mom, look!” One of Carmilla’s twins let go of Zestial’s hand and ran to one of the small tables located in the center of the sofa set. “They are rubber ducks.”
On the little table, there was a pair of rubber ducks. One had Carmilla’s signature hairstyle, its wings were painted white with black lines, and the second duckling wore a black cape with a green interior and a black top hat.
“They look like you and Mr. Zestial.” The little girl stood on her tiptoes to grab the ducks and show them to her Mother.
There was a handwritten gold-lettered card that read: ‘Congratulations. L. M.’
“When thou see His Highness, be sure to thank him for thy gift.” Zestial advised his twins, and they both nodded. Carmilla walked over to one of the sofas and set Clara down so she could heal her scratch.
And speaking of His Highness...
“So,” Rosie went up to the head of the Overlords, “Will His Highness be joining us for this evenin’?” Her dark eyes darted towards Mimzy and Alastor, but mostly at Alastor, who went over to a radio on a shelf. They still needed to talk about what had happened last night. Her protégé hadn’t said a word on the walk, he was so lost in thought.
“His Highness isn’t with us today. He’s at the Palace — ”
The loud boom of the music startled those present. Mimzy jumped up, knocking some strawberries to the ground, Zestial stood up, opening his web-like cape ready to counterattack, and Carmilla quickly covered Clara’s ears, throwing an irritated stare at the Radio Demon.
Alastor had turned on the radio — Don’t tell me — Seeking to synchronize his microphone, until he finally managed to regulate the volume of the song.
“Oh, sorry, my mistake. I should’ve said something before I turned it on, shouldn’t I? Sorry if I bothered your daughter.” Alastor didn’t sound sorry at all.
Carmilla didn’t want to talk about it, but she had some pretty strong words to say to the other Overlord. Alastor was lucky she didn’t want to start a conflict in front of her twins.
The situation was kind of sweet, except that the twins had already seen the cruelty of the world where you either swam or sank.
Now that he had full control of the radio channels, he played a new song, this time softly just to keep Carmilla away from him. Turning around, Alastor went to the window that gave a view of the Pandemonium Capital.
With his eyes fixed on the distant white clouds, he could see Pentagram City below. Looking up at the wooden clock on the chimney, he realized it was just one hour before the Exterminators fell and hunted down any unsheltered sinners.
Alastor was wondering if Vox had found a place to hide. The TV head had a copy of the keys to his radio studio. If he could find the key to the front door of his radio tower in time, he could use it to get in.
The red-haired deer turned around, and he witnessed the loveliest scene ever.
The little twins were playing with the rubber ducks, with one of them trying to comfort her sister. Meanwhile, Carmilla was splitting her daughter’s blonde hair into three parts and starting to braid them. Then, Zestial came over with a book and took a seat on the sofa next to the three of them.
Alastor made a face, and the corner of his smile twisted for a second, barely holding back a snarl.
Absolutely disgusting.
As he walked through the library, he kept looking at the painting above the fireplace. It showed Lucifer on his throne, with the First Sinner and the Deadly Sins next to him. He knew he could and would look at it as many times as he wanted, and notice all the small details that made it so amazing. The Devil is in the details, as they say.
Alastor was curious about the King’s reasons for being at the Palace on a day like this, when everyone was supposed to be home. What was he up to? Was he overseeing the Pandemonium? Making sure there were no demons on the streets? Spending time with any of his l̵o̸v̵e̶r̶s̸ after Alastor’s less-than-stellar performance last night?
Static interference on the radio channel brought him back to his senses before Rosie or Carmilla could point it out.
“Mimzy, dear,” Rosie’s lovely voice made him turn around. “Why not grab a nice drink to go with this tasty meal? Alastor, you’ve got pretty good taste in music — These old bones are ready to dance!”
Alastor rolled his eyes, remembering those old Vaudeville songs that Rosie used to ask him to play on the piano at home. “I’m sorry to see you brought your ex-husband with you, but don’t worry! I’ll make this from a funeral into a party right now.”
After all, it’s not like having fun at a funeral is ever really wrong.
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11:40 a.m.
Location: Pandemonium Palace, Pride Ring.
Twenty minutes before the Extermination.
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Lucifer watched the hourglass, lost in thought as the grains of sand fell, one by one. He couldn’t stop the countdown, no matter how much he wished he could. The damn hourglass was running on its own. He couldn’t just throw it on the floor and deal with the mess later, either. It was firmly glued to his desk.
But do it — The thought was too tempting. He wanted to know what would happen. Would his Father and siblings finally look down to notice him? Would they acknowledge his presence again after so many centuries of not talking to him? Or would Sera and Adam have to come to tell him off again?
The zinc snakes looked at him with their little garnet eyes, and their open jaws had silver fangs that looked like they were dripping with venom. — Was that how Eve saw him the first time, as a creepy-crawly thing? If he’d known, he would’ve changed into something else, but the first time he and his siblings appeared before Lilith and Adam, neither of them paid any attention to their looks, they just listened to their voices when they said, “Don’t be afraid.”
Lucifer got up from his seat and went to the window, where he could see the white clouds surrounding the Heaven Embassy spreading out.
♫ At the end of the rainbow there’s happiness
And to find it how often I’ve tried
But my life is a race just a wild goose chase
And my dreams have always been denied ♫
The sinners who were smart enough to find shelter were already safe, but the rest were left to fend for themselves during the 24-hour period of the Extermination. They had to survive until the trumpets of Heaven sounded again and Adam and his Exterminators came back the following year.
As a result, the streets will be littered with corpses, waiting to be buried, devoured, or used. Their essence will be absorbed by Hell and carried into Wonderland, spawning new wonder beasts — Bloodthirsty and violent.
When Lucifer first came across the beasts of Wonderland, he wasn’t so sure about their usefulness. But he always ended up thinking the same thing in the end: It was better for dead sinners to become one with Hell than to be consumed by Her.
♫ Why have I always been a failure?
What can the reason be? ♫
Lucifer often thought about what might’ve happened if he never went to the Garden of Eden. Would things be different now? Maybe he’d be living in Heaven with his Father, Siblings, and Virtues, free from all the responsibilities and worries, and with no episodes.
Maybe things would’ve turned out differently if he hadn’t answered Lilith’s pleas. She and Adam might’ve figured things out, they might’ve fallen in love, and humanity would be a whole different tale. Eve might never have existed, and there’d be no reason for everyone to suffer this condemnation.
♫ I wonder if the world’s to blame
I wonder if it could be me? ♫
But Lucifer knew it wasn’t going to make a difference.
His siblings had always told him that he was too curious. Lucifer always had a question, and he wouldn’t stop until he got an answer. Seconds later, another question popped up, and he had to look for someone else. Soon, a Seraphim had to ask him to stop bothering the Archangels, who did have important duties.
He was also an Archangel! Therefore, it meant that he also had a very important duty! He brought the Light into the world! He was the first morning star, the bearer of the Sun’s light, and the creator of the Moon and stars in the night sky.
But he always ended up with the words stuck in his throat before the Seraphim gave him disapproving looks, and he’d run away to his Father for solace, complaining about how bad he was having a hard time and how he often felt alone and rejected. They all fled when they saw him coming because it was exhausting to answer his never-ending questions, his insatiable curiosity got on their nerves, and they were worried about his insatiable appetite for knowledge.
“My Starlight,” He remembered his Dad’s voice being pretty unique, “Curiosity is a huge part of what makes us artists, because it lets our imagination run wild — ”
There he was, lying to himself again. He always said it’d be the last thought directed toward his Father, but he knew that, try as he might, he needed to at least remember Him. He found it every day harder to remember His face, the feel of His hands when He hugged him and his siblings, His elegant and polite posture when He corrected his behavior, the gentleness and delicacy with which He helped him preen his wings.
Will he be a good father one day, or will he be another failure?
♫ I’m always chasing rainbows
Watching clouds drifting by
My schemes are just like all my dreams
Ending in the sky ♫
He took one last look at Pentagram City, then walked over to his desk, sat down on the edge, and picked up the sketchbook he’d set aside.
The sketch of the nursery took up the whole page. Lucifer had scribbled and erased so many designs while trying to drown out the raging voices in his head.
A small closet where he’ll keep all his baby’s clothes (Mammon told him that babies grow up fast, so he should enjoy pampering them by dressing them luxuriously), a rocking chair where Lucifer could sit and watch his child sleep (Belphegor still dozes off when Lucifer reads medical books to her), there were also stars doodled on the ceiling — Lucifer will make sure that at night, when it’s time to close the windows and curtains, he’ll make them shine for his baby and tell them all the stories that inspired him to design them —, the rocking wicker moses basket in which he’ll lull his child to sleep until it fell into both of them.
Then a huge shelf with hundreds of toys, all designed by Lucifer. He couldn’t wait to share his entire collection of rubber duckies with his baby — Or with whatever animal they end up obsessing over.
What if his baby ended up obsessed with deer?
Lucifer laughed at how silly his thought had been... Although… A name crossed his mind.
♫ Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometime
I never even make a gain, believe me ♫
Alastor.
The King of Hell felt guilty, as he was making all these decisions without consulting Alastor. Though he doubted the Sinner had any paternal feelings beyond simply procreating with him.
Once Lucifer is sure that spark of life is gestating within him, he and Alastor won’t ever have to see or speak to each other again. At most, he’d meet him on the Days of Extermination or at reunions with the other Overlords. But Alastor and his baby wouldn’t have to coincide or meet.
This baby will be his alone.
♫ I’m always chasing rainbows
Waiting to find a little bluebird in —
A knock at the door made him turn around, close his sketchbook and leave it under other important and tedious documents, put his top hat back on and let his apple cane fly straight into his hand. Next, he rearranged the white coat, which was free of any wrinkles, and stood up straight, with both hands, one on top of the other, placed on top of his cane.
Be always perfect, he reminded himself. “Come in.” Lucifer commanded.
A small, bedbug-like old man, dressed in a full red suit with three horns, walked into the office and bowed slightly before coughing. “The Deadly Sins are on their way, Your Highness.”
The top of the hourglass was getting emptier as time went on.
“Thank you, Rofocale. You may now retire.” Lucifer waved his hand and a small check flew off his desk and into the old man’s hands. “And,” Lucifer stopped him before he read the check, “Consider your vacation request accepted.”
The old man’s four eyes went wide. “Thank you very much, Your Highness. I’ve no words to express — ”
“There’s nothing to be thankful for.” Lucifer stopped him, holding out his palm when Rofocale tried to approach. “Apparently, we should have received your application three years ago, but I don’t know why Paimon didn’t submit it on time.” Probably another quarrel with some King or Duke about his pure lineage. “So, in that check goes a little compensation from me.”
Rofocale couldn’t hold back the tears, “Finally, I’ll buy my wife the villa in the Sloth Ring that she wanted so badly.”
Ah, love, isn’t it wonderful and devastating at the same time?
The old man let out a faint gasp, as if remembering something. “But I haven’t thought about my replacement. It’s too few hours and I’m not sure if any of my grandchildren are ready for this job — ”
“Rofocale,” Lucifer called the old man back, “Don’t worry, I’ll see about getting an assistant soon.”
With a sigh of relief, Rofocale bowed again. “Then, His Highness,” Putting the check possessively in his pocket, “I’ll see you in five years.”
The elderly demon didn’t stop bowing until he was out of the office, and even then, he gave one last bow in the hallway before rushing off to tell his family the good news.
Lucifer sighed wearily, relaxing as he heard the gate close and Rofocale’s quick, cheerful footsteps leaving the Palace.
♫ Some fellows look and find the sunshine
I always look and find the rain
Some fellows make a winning sometime
I never even make a gain, believe me ♫
The sky above Pentagram City was completely covered with white fluffy clouds. There was no blind spot that Adam and his army could miss. This could possibly be the greatest massacre of sinners ever. The last time there was a record high was almost 600 years ago now. Since then, The First Man seemed to have some need to compete with himself from the previous year.
And every year Adam enjoyed bragging to his face.
♫ I’m always chasing rainbows
Waiting to find a little bluebird… In Hell ♫
Ten minutes, that’s all that was left for today.
Inhaling through the nose.
Exhaling through the mouth.
He was ready.
Lucifer opened a portal, on the other side he was going to find his Deadly Sins, seated on their respective Thrones, attentive to any irregularity in —
“It’s not a toy!” Ozzie’s wrathful voice took him by surprise.
“Come on, look how long it stretches!” Moony laughed out loud, waving what appeared to be an arm, stretching it out like an accordion, throwing the other end toward Bee and making Levi leap onto it. “It could serve as a scraper handle — Imagine how many of these I could sell! Wait, did you do it with another use? What a naughty boy you are!”
Yep, Hell’s most powerful deities behaving worse than teenagers.
In the blink of an eye, Asmodeus moved quickly behind Mammon to hit him over the top of his hat, ringing the little bell attached to it, and thus retrieving the arm.
“It’s a prosthesis, you brute, you’d know that if you’d let me finish talking to Belle.” The Sin of Lust returned to his blue throne, keeping his arm in his feathered mane, and spoke again to the Sin of Sloth, who was still nodding.
“Luci!” Bee shouted as she noticed him, flying up to hover beside him, “We thought you wouldn’t make it.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Lucifer, concerned, asked as he began to walk towards his throne, being followed by Bee, noticing that she had dyed her mane a glowing phosphorescent pink.
Did Bee sniff him? He didn’t seem to give any indication that he’d had sex last night, did he? This morning, he had taken it upon himself to groom himself thoroughly and had healed some bruises on his throat and waist.
“We heard that Rofocale would be taking his leave,” Bee explained, flying around her own throne until she dropped, pulling a decanter from her mane, “Now that you don’t have an assistant, you must be living a real mess.”
“Wait, you don’t have an assistant?” Satan asked, arching his eyebrow. “I wouldn’t want to be you with all the paperwork coming in.”
“Will Lilith be your assistant again, Lu?” Levi asked. “I want to show her the designs I’ve planned for my next fashion show.”
“Boss, you didn’t give him a bonus because we forgot to give him a break years ago, did you?” Moony asked coyly.
Lucifer narrowed his eyes; Something told him he should move the vacation requests to Belle. It might take the same amount of time to reach his desk.
Massaging his temples, Lucifer decided it was better to pay attention to what was really important.
Hundreds of screens, incarnated on the walls of the secret chamber, showed the images of thousands of sinners running, wailing, crying and begging in the streets of Pentagram City.
The Contract with Heaven prevented him from attacking Adam and his Exterminators, he couldn’t engage in battle and was strictly forbidden to set foot in Pentagram City that day. If he broke this deal, the wrath of Heaven would be free to move through the Nin— Seven Rings of Hell, where they’d torture, hunt and kill Sinners and Hellborns alike.
All wasn’t lost for Lucifer, however, as his contract with Heaven included one small but important condition. Should Adam or any of his Exterminators injure any Hellborn who had been caught in the crossfire, the contract would be broken and Lucifer would once again be free from the golden chains of Heaven, and the fate of sinners would once again be in his and the Sins’ hands.
Gathering what was left of their heavenly powers, Lucifer and his Sins scattered it all over Pentagram City: On every corner, in every block, in every alley, in every establishment, leaving no blind spot that could be seized by an Exterminator.
One day he’ll have enough evidence to break his contract. Someday he’ll feel his neck free of chains and he’ll once again take to the skies.
Someday that contract would cease to exist.
I just had to keep waiting... Waiting.
“Lu,” Levi’s left head spoke, “You’ll come to my fashion show, won’t you? Python will have his grand debut — Ah! Let me design the clothes for when you present your baby — ”
“How are you doing with that, by the way?” Bee asked curiously. “I want to prepare a big feast for the future prince or princess. What does a baby eat, Satan?”
Lucifer pretended to remember something, “I remembered an old spell from my years up there. I’m going to study my Father’s words before I try to recite them. I don’t want another explosion in the mansion.”
“Maybe I can ask a coven for help. I’ve contact with a witch who’s interested in these matters.” Ozzie shared. “When we are done, we should throw a sleepover like in the old days, since we couldn’t celebrate Sinsmas because some people were busy — ”
“Try to deal with Krampus and his pay for each gift delivered, you moron! Have you any idea how many demons buy your sex toys?!” Mammon interrupted, crossing his arms.
Asmodeus chose to ignore him, “What do you think of the idea, Belle? Would you lend us your bed?”
The sheep-like Sin’s face was gradually becoming less lethargic; her eyes, from her forehead to the length of her neck, were opening one by one. “But keep Bee away from my bathroom cabinet.”
The Gluttony Queen gasped offended. “You did hide them in the bathroom, you fucking bitch! You said it was too cliché!”
Lucifer rolled his eyes and shook his head slightly in amusement at the innocent discussion between the Sins; No matter how many years passed, they were still behaving like children. They were children he had helped shape into the deities they were today. And though he felt guilty for how their ideals had affected their destinies, at no time did they blame him for their banishment.
They had all fallen together and they’d all stay together.
Lucifer discreetly brought his hand to his stomach and slid it down to place it on his belly. He hadn’t felt a spark of life yet, he knew it was too soon to get pregnant at such a few hours. Therefore, it meant he had to keep trying.
When it was over, he’d accept the sleepover at Belle’s mansion and, when the other Sins were asleep, he’d ask the sheep for all the necessary information.
Lucifer gave his flat belly a few strokes and looked up at the huge screen overlooking the main street of the Embassy.
Soon, neither you nor I will have to deal with them. I’ll end all this; I’ll do it for you. He hoped to say those words to his future child someday.
“It’s time.” Satan’s voice boomed in the huge hall of seven thrones.
Belphegor and Beelzebub stopped fighting over who should be drugged to deal with their own people, and returned to their respective thrones to pay attention to the screens.
Lucifer nodded. “Let the Ars Goetia’s broadcast the announcement to the entire Pride.”
◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇
This is not a test.
Different voices, male and female, sounded from the megaphones placed in the highest parts of the palace, voices amplified by the magic of the 71 Ars Goetias, all with a single message.
This is the Infernal Transmission System, announcing the beginning of the Day of Extermination, approved by the King of Hell and the Deadly Sins and carried out by Heaven itself to punish the Sinners.
Starting the siren, during the next 24 hours, any Sinner who is in the open will be killed without mercy or pity, without the right to defend themselves.
All hellborn, demons, or Goetia must be kept safe in their homes. Medical services, transportation, and security will not be available until after the Extermination.
Praise our King for bringing balance to Hell.
There wasn’t a place in the entire Pride Ring where the sirens didn’t stop blaring.
They sounded in the Pandemonium Capital.
At Morningstar Mansion.
In the Goetia Condominiums.
In Imp City.
In Gehenna Valley.
In Malebolge Hamlet.
In the Elevators.
Then in Pentagram City.
The most disturbing and dreadful silence fell over all of Hell, where even breathing revealed your location.
Don’t let yourself be seen!
Don’t make a sound!
Hold your breath!
Flee!
Resist!
Survive!
The thunder of a guitar echoed in the sky and Hell was filled with desperate screams and maniacal laughter.
◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇
Carmilla pulled back the velvety red curtains. All the windows were covered, leaving the group of Overlords, Sinners and Hellborns lit by the warm golden illumination of the chandeliers. The rumbling outside was muffled by the tunes playing on the radio at a volume the Overlord deemed suitable for her daughters.
The laughter and card games of the threesome, sitting in their own corner, enjoying food and alcohol, made her growl in annoyance. Sinners these days don’t know what order or discipline is.
She still had yet to plan an upcoming meeting with the remaining Overlords and put an ultimatum to Alastor about his hunt for them. After his transmission with Dopium, Verna kept seeking her out to propose that she ally with her to take down the Radio Demon. She wasn’t the first to ask her to kill Alastor. Ever since the stag killed his first Overlord, many of them have tried to hunt him down, only to end up as the prey.
One day Rosie took him to a meeting and introduced him as the famous Radio Demon. Carmilla and Zestial voted for him after seeing how many souls the stag had at his disposal, and others did the same, hoping that if they showed their support for him, Alastor might not hunt them down or steal their contracts.
What a mistake.
Alastor exchanged glances with Carmilla until she finally returned to her daughters’ side to resume the book, she was reading moments before the Goetia announcement sounded nearby. She only stood to cover the windows so that the twins wouldn’t see or hear the massacre going on outside.
Once again, unnecessary.
If the Overlord wanted her daughters to survive in Pentagram City or Hell, she shouldn’t overprotect them, give them an illusion of security and comfort that didn’t exist in this world.
The Radio Demon hoped that his spawn wasn’t a weakling who didn’t know how to stand up to people. Someone dastardly and ruthless like him would be a good candidate for Hell’s successor. Or perhaps cunning and analytical like his Majesty.
Someone who could beat him at poker would also be an excellent choice.
“Mr. Zestial.” Clara walked over to the Overlord, her small hand squeezing the duckling that resembled her mother. “Why are there Exterminations?”
White static noise took over the radio for a moment, the singer’s voice dropped a few decibels, until finally it tuned back to normal and the song resumed its cheerful notes.
“Well, it’s a most long story, it might get boring thee.” The Spider Overlord put his book down, crossing his legs as he sat on the couch in a more comfortable posture. “If thy Mother grants me permission, I’ll say to thou what I wot.”
The twins both turned in unison to look at their Mother, begging her with their eyes, making the cutest little eyes and pouting they had hidden.
Carmilla sighed, “Zestial.” That was all she said in a warning tone.
“I wot. Don’t worry about it.” Zestial placed his hands in front of him in a gesture of soothing his friend and with a twin sitting on each side, Zestial began his story.
In the Beginning, all was darkness in the World, until God Almighty said: “Let there be light!”
From between His hands shone an intense golden flame and, from among its ash remains, a being was born with porcelain-like skin and the purest white wings, with eyes the same color as the fire from which it sprang.
Thus, was born God’s favorite son, the most beautiful of His creations. The magnificent Samael. The Morning Star. The being who would bring the sun’s rays every morning and carry with him the moon’s brightness every night.
God decided it was time to begin His next project: Humanity.
During seven days and seven nights, with the help of His children, the Archangels, God created the Garden of Delights, Eden. There He created the first man, Adam, and the first woman, Lilith. Both would become the progenitors of human beings.
After this work was completed, God and His Archangels retired back to Heaven, and the Archangel Uriel was appointed Guardian of the Garden.
However, no one counted on Lilith refusing to wed Adam, rejecting her role as wife and mother, and choosing to live a life far away from the one who should have been her husband. Lilith prayed night after night, day after day, for someone in Heaven to listen to her and offer her help.
And someone did.
Archangel Samael, always hungry for knowledge, descended in hiding from his Father and his Siblings, where he formed an intimate bond with the First Woman and shared knowledge and concerns, mutually understanding each other.
Samael begged the Heavenly Court to allow Lilith to live her life apart from Adam. To cease the First Man’s failed attempts to lie with her.
But the Heavenly Court had already made its decision, and it was to eliminate Lilith.
Back in the Garden of Eden, and dodging the gaze of the Archangel Uriel, Samael drove Lilith away, giving her his Blessing and hiding her from any celestial gaze that dared to look for her.
Archangel Samael was reprimanded and chastised. As a consequence, he was forbidden to interact with humanity again or to go down to Eden, in the hope that he’d begin to behave like the Archangel he was meant to be.
However, Samael began to question what was right and what was wrong. He was no longer asking the Seraphim or his fellow Archangels, but rather sharing his gained knowledge with the lower ranking angels — Virtues, Cherubim, Ophanim, Dominions, Powers, Guardian, etc. — gloating about knowing more than God Himself. Soon, Samael found himself being followed by angels who questioned the so-called free will.
Since Lilith’s problems began because she was created apart from Adam, the Heavenly Court considered that it’d be better for the Second Woman to be born from Adam. So, taking one of his ribs, Eve was born.
Samael, who was still upset by the decision of his Father and Heaven, slipped away to observe this new Woman. But what he found in her was nothing more than an empty doll, without voice, without independence, without will.
So, believing himself wiser than the Court, than his Brothers and Sisters, than God Himself, Samael gave the Fruit of Knowledge to Eve.
But what came out of that fruit wasn’t enlightenment. It was Sin.
Humanity had been condemned to failure.
Angered by the betrayal of His favorite son, God ordered Samael’s arrest, and at the hands of his once Siblings, he was banished from Heaven along with his retinue of corrupted angels and Lilith, whom they hadn’t stopped looking for in years and whom they finally found when Samael was brought to trial.
Stealing his privileges, his home, his white feathers, his halo, his name.
The Magnificent Samael fell.
Lucifer Morningstar rose.
Spiteful and offended, he created around his crater Hell, his own kingdom, a cruel and mocking parody of the place that had been his home.
A realm in which he formed an army and gave permission to the First Sinner, with her newly granted powers, to invade Heaven and seize the Almighty’s domain.
But none in Hell reckoned that Adam already had his own army, given to him by the Archangel Michael, ready to defend Heaven and punish the vile sinners loyal to Lucifer.
Heaven was ready to eradicate Hell once and for all. But, in an act of mercy and compassion, Lucifer was offered a deal: The King would have to choose between sparing his followers or his own people, who had fallen for him.
Lucifer chose to save the second option, which allowed Heaven to punish —
Zestial looked down, as he had already predicted, the twins had fallen asleep. The spider-like Overlord took off his cloak, covered each twin and, taking the rubber duckies, which were about to fall, laid them on the small table next to him.
The Overlord looked back at his friend, both smiling and returning to their lectures, as the tunes from the radio serenaded them.
Unlike Carmilla’s twins, someone else had paid full attention to the story.
◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇
The Sinner ran through the streets, his remaining arm placed over his face, the black blood characteristic of his species dripping from his fingers, his terrified eyes searching for a place to hide — Under a bridge, a garbage can, a fucking cardboard box... The corpse of another fucking Sinner!
No matter where he ran, the Exterminators flew through the sky throwing their spears at the Sinners’ chests. Sometimes he could see a single one cornering a sinner, and other times it was five Exterminators tearing a single one limb from limb.
In his distraction and panic, he reached a dead end.
“No!” He cried out, falling to his knees.
The fluttering of feathers made him look up. Three Exterminators were hovering in front of him. Each carried a sword.
“No! Mercy! I don’t deserve it! I don’t deserve it!”
“I don’t deserve it, my expensive ass.” Mammon imitated the Sinner’s voice tone and tossed a popcorn into the air.
“What was he waiting for?” Asmodeus raised his arms in the air.
Satan exhaled a cloud of steam and folded his arms. “My Imps used to do a better job on the Styx lava rivers. They had fun placing bets on who would come out first.”
“We used to punish them more elegantly.” Leviathan’s right head recalled how they and their Infestors stitched the Sinners’ eyes, the left head nodded.
“I don’t.” Beelzebub looked at his siblings, “I loved watching them escape from my hellhounds. They’d run all around my Circle like there was no tomorrow. There wasn’t, but they still did it.”
Lucifer listened to the comments and memories of his Deadly Sins, smiling slightly. It was rare when the seven of them could agree on something.
A pink porcelain cup floated in front of her eyes, taking his gaze away from the screens for a while.
“It’s red tea.” Belphegor whispered, sending more floating porcelain cups toward their others siblings.
“You served them coffee.” Lucifer took the cup, blew, and tasted the sugary flavor.
“They aren’t trying to conceive a baby, Lucifer.” She scolded calmly. Lucifer snorted, absolutely right. “I’ll also give you some vitamins when we go to my house.”
Lucifer frowned. He hated the medicine, but he knew he needed to take it to work. “Make it after a long night of sleep.”
Belphegor nodded, watching her older brother keenly. Yes, he looked weary, but Lucifer always looked weary, even when he was able to hide it thanks to his magic. She could see no marks on his skin either, what little of it he left uncovered — Millennia could pass and the image of his broken and scorched body, with ichor flowing from his back where once there were six huge, beautiful white wings, would still send shivers down her spine.
“Everything is fine?” Belphegor asked, she couldn’t help but show her uncertainty, “I mean last night with — ”
Lucifer’s face flushed, the golden blush spreading to his neck. Lucifer looked at the screens again. “Yes... About that... Shall we talk about it another time?”
The Sloth Queen nodded, not entirely satisfied. Was that good or bad? So, without asking any more questions, and while listening to her brothers and sisters enjoy their rare blend of coffee and beelzejuice, Belle went back to watching the screens, her eyes focused on the hundreds of different sinners being butchered by Heaven.
She’ll bear this genocide for only another 12 hours.
◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇
The twins lay sleeping, peacefully settled on one of the larger sofas and covered with a cloud-like blanket. Their sleep was guarded by the two most powerful and dangerous Overlords.
Only striking up small talk with them, or rather, Rosie did, when she offered them whiskey or food. Mimzy even tried to get information out of them as to whether they knew where Lucifer kept the treasures — Alastor slapped her hand seconds after she asked the last question.
Mimzy kept pouring more whiskey, moonshine, and wine into their glasses, dancing with Alastor and Rosie from song to song until her legs finally gave out and she had no choice but to lie down on another of the sofas in the huge library, promising him that, as soon as she sobered up again, they’d settle those scores.
When Mimzy fell asleep, Alastor took off his coat and laid it over his childhood friend, snorting as he heard her snoring.
One fell. Another remained.
Rosie was a cunning and bold woman. She knew how to take advantage of the situation to get her way. One way or another, she managed to find out about the latest gossip or scandals, she had an excellent smell for deals, but a lousy taste in suitors — He wasn’t insane enough to eat any of them when Rosie invited them to her divorce tea parties.
While he didn’t eat her suitors, Rosie was more than grateful for their company as she talked about how lousy their courtships had been and how wild some of them had been in the sheets.
Alastor knew he had to keep smiling to throw his mentor off the scent. With the right questions, he could spill the beans about his night with His Majesty and — Sighing heavily, Alastor knew he’d be a laughingstock; even after that, he was sure he’d be scolded.
He just had to look for a chance to talk to Rosie about how to improve his... Performance. But not right now. Not with Zestial and Carmilla so close by, and definitely not if Mimzy’s around. She’d be more straightforward and just take him straight to one of her dancers. Just thinking about being with another demon in that way, the way he was with Lucifer, is enough to make him feel sick and want to rip his skin off.
No.
Just no.
The cuckoo clock’s little doors opened, and a snake slithered out to coil around the numbers, showing its fangs while the sound of midnight could be heard.
He tapped his microphone on the floor and a new song played on the radio.
♫ Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne? ♫
Alastor heard this song on one of his first trips out of New Orleans.
It was a few years before he died. Before the charming streets were filled with vagrants and the homeless begging for bread and coins, which they then lost to the prohibited vice of alcohol, having lost all their possessions when the factories closed.
The cold and icy New York — It was once Rosie’s home, where his mentor would talk about her life with nostalgia. She’d tell stories about her early years, her marriage, her newborn, and then her being a widow. Rosie hoped that one day he and Mimzy could visit it. Maybe Alastor would love listening to jazz at the Cotton Club or Mimzy would enjoy seeing a Broadway play — But now he was the only one left; The five most important people in his life were already buried and resting in peace.
He stood in the middle of Times Square, where everyone was still and silent to watch the ball drop, like the New Year was going to magically wipe out the mistakes of the past year and forgive their sins — Staring and whispering at him because of the color of his skin, Alastor tried to remember the faces and voices of these people. He knew it’d be tricky, though, since he didn’t have his alligators to deal with the bodies. At least the shadows were on his side.
After all, we all end up dead in a drunken brawl sometime.
Alastor looked up from his plate and saw Rosie still enjoying the meal. She was taking her sweet time tasting it, she had been known as ‘The Glutton’ in her early days in Hell, before she took down the former Cannibal Overlord, and sorting the cards in a game of solitaire.
“Bonn Ané, Rosie.” Alastor got her attention.
The leader of the Cannibal Town smiled widely, “Happy New Year, Alastor.” She picked up her glass of whiskey and raised it in the air, and Alastor did the same. They clinked glasses. “May this year be as bright as promised.”
It will be.
♫ For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For days of auld lang syne ♫
Notes:
So…?
Stolas is suffering in his marriage, and they’ve only been married a few years. Stella, as wretched as she is, also didn’t have such a good time, but at least she enjoyed her social status - Stolas just didn’t, and I mentioned brothers, but he wasn’t that close to them either, not to mention – Oops!
Now, will we see anyone from Helluva Boss? That’s right ᕙ( •̀ ᗜ •́ )ᕗ! Where are the rest of the Hazbin crew? Well, some haven’t even been born and some haven’t died, yet ( •̯́ ₃ •̯̀) But in the next chapter I hope to make mention of one of them
And we have our favorite family of Overlords! Sorry if I got Zestial’s English wrong
I also wanted to mention my favorite song from the Pilot... Like father like daughter, am I right 🫢 By the way, I don’t know how canonical Wonderland still is, I remember it because Vivzie mentioned it in her old streams 🧐 I at least decided to run with the idea, it will be a while before we see more of the place
When will the baby arrive? Uff I hope soon ᕕ( ᐕ )ᕗ
I know I wrote 71 Goetias, when in reality there are 72, however, in the list is Asmodeus as one of the hierarchy of Kings, so I decided to remove him
Annddddddd I wanted to do a call back to two horror movies. The first is ‘Paranormal Activity’ with the coven & the announcement that sounds in Hell that comes from ‘The Purge’
It’s peculiar how Charlie is the only one in all of Hell who cares about the Extermination. Not even a higher ranking Hellborn or Demon seems to care in the slightest, and that reminds me of a phrase I heard that said ‘ No one cares what blood runs, until it is their own’
Oh, unreliable narrator, my beloved, what we would do without you?
I had to look up some dates to fit in when Alastor went on a trip out of New Orleans, which is Dec 31, 1929. The Great Depression (Oct 29, 1929 to 1939) which, in the Pilot, Alastor says left a lot of orphans, and Prohibition (Jan 17, 1920 to Dec 05, 1933) Likewise, the other time I saw a post asking why most thought Alastor was present in World War I (Jul 28, 1914 to Nov 11, 1918) The age of enlistment ranged from 18 to 41, by some sources it said it varied. In this AU, Alastor was between 19 and 23 years of age
And I also want to write a few small fragments of memories of Alastor’s life, from his childhood to his death. And I found history about Gens de Couleur Libres, I want to dig a little deeper into the subject, as well as the Voodoo and the Lwa. I don’t have much knowledge of Creole culture, other than gastronomy (that’s because The Princess and The Frog is my favorite Disney movie)
When I was looking for a last name for Alastor, I was looking for something I hadn’t read that had already been used in other fanfics, and I found Le Roux, which means ‘Redhead’ and Roux is fat used in French cooking. Also, Alastor’s name means ‘Avenger’ in Greek, I wonder who named him that… And he’s a known demon - So I can’t wait to show you what I plan to do with him
With Rosie, Winthorpe I found it came from the Old English name ‘Wine’ which means ‘friend’ and the Old Norse word ‘thorp’ which means ‘settlement’. Creating the meaning of ‘friend’s village.’ Fitting to the “nice” Cannibal Town. With Mimzy it was between ‘Fitzgerald’ or ‘Bow’. In the end I chose the latter because Clara was an actress, a job I think Mimzy aspired to have
By the way, they are both widows. And they present themselves with the maiden name, that I forgot to mention
Guess what the other name for red tea is? Rooibos tea三三ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗTranslations:
☘︎ Bonne Ané – Happy New Year.Songs used for this chapter:
𝄞 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky
𝄞 A Bird In A Gilded Cage by Joan Morris & William Bolcom
𝄞 I’m Always Chasing Rainbows by Charles Harrison
𝄞 Auld Lang Syne by Guy Lombardo
I was going to play the song ‘What a Wonderful World’ by Louis Armstrong, but it was released in 1967Demons mentioned:
✦ Fourth King, Purson: Can find treasure, promotes discord and war. A lion-faced demon who rides a bear. Why are his two children’s birds? Must be the other parent’s genes
And well-known demons:
✦ Second King, Paimon
✦ Fourth Prince, Stolas
✦ Thirteenth Marques, AndrealphusThank you very much for coming here and reading all my chatter. So, leave a comment, a kudo, bookmark it, subscribe or just give me a ❤︎ Thanks!
Chapter 5: Me And The Devil
Summary:
Early this morning
When you knocked upon my door
And I say, “Hello Satan, I
I believe it is time to go”
Me and the devil walkin’ side by side
Me And The Devil by Soap&Skin
Notes:
Guess who finally is free? Me!
Guess also whose body decided to get sick then? Me...
Yeah, I got sick, it was a really bad case of flu and stomachache, so I had to rest in my bed for at least a week, all good now
no del todo Lady Gaga vinó a México y no pude irand I’m going to focus on my own projects, I have my own savings to start with.And since I’ve been resting, I decided to write... But... I don’t know... I don’t feel I gave my best in this chapter, I blame my dizzy mind, I’m sorry if you feel this chapter a bit off, even so, I hope you enjoy it and I’ll see you down below.
English is not my native language, so forgive me if you find any mistakes
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Humming an old song from his childhood, Alastor wandered the hallways of the Manor, always guided by his elusive shadow. Now that the craziness of Extermination Day was over, the Overlord finally had some free time to roam around the mansion. With a few exceptions — Like a few rooms that were magically locked and, when touched by a stranger, displayed colorful sigils on the doorframes.
Alastor thought about whether any of those chambers held priceless treasures, highly important contracts, or if they were the rooms of the Deadly Sins and the First Sinner. The only one he was sure about was His Majesty’s room, which was on the other side of his hallway.
A one-eyed black she-cat stood guard. When she saw him, she bristled her fur and hissed, daring him to take another step. The deer just gave a scowl and walked off. He wasn’t about to fight with a ragamuffin cat.
As soon as the trumpets of Heaven sounded, Zestial and Carmilla took their twins in their arms and left, saying a few words to Rosie — He was busy waiting for his shadow, which he’d sent to check out the edges of the mansion.
When his friends were ready to leave, the trio of Sinners left their shelter on their way to the capital. But not before Alastor snuck a little doll with the sole instruction to let him know when Lucifer returned to the mansion.
As they made their way down the hill, his shadow regrouped and let him know that there weren’t any onlookers around. Interesting, Lucifer didn’t have any barriers to keep the citizens of Hell out, and the King didn’t seem to worry about his home being ransacked when it was empty. But who in their right mind would try to break into the King of Hell’s home?
“You sure you don’t want to stay for lunch?” Rosie asked when they dropped her off at her Emporium, her cannibals were already trading with the First Sinner’s undertakers.
“I’ve gotta make sure no idiot tries to take over my club.” Mimzy explained.
Rosie nodded, looking back at Alastor, “How about you, Al? I’ll make us a tasty steak with a red wine sauce.” The Overlord peeked at her cannibals, “As soon as that’s settled.”
Alastor was quite tempted to accept her offer. Staying and chatting with Rosie seemed like a good idea, especially with everything that had happened in such a few days. The problem is, if he doesn’t start his broadcast soon, there’ll be idiots who’ll think he’s dead and celebrate. Even if the sinners wanted to gloat about his death, the souls tied to him wouldn’t have time to revel in it before he just had to pull on their chains.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to decline your offer this time, dear Rosie.” Alastor apologized, “There’s a show to keep, and it’s not proper to keep the audience hangin’.”
Rosie put her hand on her chest, right above her heart. “And to think you were once so tiny. Time sure does fly.”
“Madame Rosie!” A pack of cannibal ladies came out of the Emporium and went up to the Overlord.
“Where have you been?” One of them asked, with a distressed face. “We were worried when you left and didn’t come back.”
“We were afraid you’d been caught by an Exorcist.”
“Or worse.”
Rosie reached out to her cannibals, putting her hand on one of their shoulders. It’d take more than that to bring me down. I’m sorry if I’ve worried you. We felt like we needed a change of scene.” The Overlord looked at her wards and waved a hand, “Feel free to swing by and grab a cup of tea — I’ll have some juicy gossip to share.” Then, she and her group set off for her Emporium, “I’d like to try out some new ideas for the dessert menu. And please don’t call Susan.”
“As much as I’d love to join you at the club, I’ll have to pass.” Alastor said to Mimzy, and the two of them spun around and headed for the Entertainment District.
Mimzy tsk’ed, “Obviously, you have to show that the Radio Demon is still out there, and this city better be shaking in its boots.”
Both sinners watched the city streets, where undertakers were already picking up the chopped-up bodies on the sidewalks — not that all the corpses would end up in the graves —, Imps were cleaning their windows and walls of the blood, and Carmine Industries workers were gathering the celestial weapons before some sinner got their hands on them for free.
“Just make sure you mention my club. There must be a lot of mourners out there who could use a pick-me-up.”
“If there are any grieving folks, I’ll make sure they find you.”
His radio tower was on the edge of the Entertainment District. It was a great spot, right between the Club and the Emporium. After saying goodbye to Mimzy, Alastor went into the tower and found Vox reading some papers — So, Vox did find the key. It’ll be amusing to hide it again.
“Alastor!” The square-head was thrilled when he saw him walk in, but he quickly switched to panic. “This is urgent!”
“Naturally. This is the first broadcast, and the public needs to know about the big changes. Who lived, who died, and who’s telling the story?” The Overlord said as he walked to his study and held out his hand for his assistant to hand him the report his own chained souls had worked on.
However, Vox was holding a well-known scroll. “It’s Carmilla’s.”
The Devil works fast, but Carmilla Carmine works even faster.
Alastor took the scroll and saw that the Overlord’s seal was broken — Glancing at Vox, who was trying to keep his eyes off him, Vox knew he wasn’t allowed to pry.
The rest of the Overlords had already gone to cry out their frustrations. Why should he be the problem? It wasn’t his fault that they were all weak. Those sinners had been a disgrace to the title of Overlord. Carmilla should be thanking him for cleaning up the City of such pathetic and miserable beings.
“Why do you look so worried? It’s just a heads-up for the next meeting.”
Carmilla was busy with mass-producing weapons. She didn’t have time to deal with all the Overlords throwing their tantrums.
Vox looked at the door and whispered, scared they’d be overheard. “Because Verna was lurking near the Tower.”
Sweet and lovely Verna. She was one of the few Overlords who flat-out refused to recognize him as an Overlord. It seems she finally got tired of holding on to those silly tarot cards, waiting for them to magically tell her what to do. “Then I’ll let her know we got her message.”
Alastor then went into his studio and closed the door, the sign above it lit up in vivid scarlet. Vox had already gone to make sure the antenna was routed properly — the Exterminators didn’t care where they dumped some corpses when they took flight — expecting that there would be no signal interference and the broadcast will reach every radio in the city.
As soon as Alastor stepped into the study, the huge windows offered a full view of the sinful city. Everything was nice and calm, probably some sinners were celebrating that they made it through the day. But soon, they’d get out of their stupor, and then it’d be all fighting over who gets what and who’s in charge.
Maybe he could speed things up.
Alastor sat down and turned on the AM transmitter. He moved his microphone closer and felt the static run from his arm to his throat.
“Greetings, ladies and gentlemen!”
His voice was on the airwaves of Pentagram City, and he hoped it was being heard in the Capital too.
“With you, your ever-loyal number one radio host, Alastor.”
From his microphone, one could hear the sound of an excited audience. Applause and whistles filled the air.
“Today is a beautiful day, am I right? Well, as they say, the sun always comes out after the storm. The thing is, not everyone is going to see the sun again.”
The audience reacted with a sad buzz.
“Don’t see this as a tragedy, though. After all, without a few obstacles in the way, others will have the chance to walk, run, or even rise. On my way home, I couldn’t help but stop to look at the odd brawl. I’ve never seen someone stab with such precision — Right from the back of the neck to the waist, taking out the spine with one hand! I thought about inviting them on the show for an exclusive interview.”
He could picture the sinner trying to stay under the radar.
“As you might guess, I didn’t.”
The studio echoed the laughter of a now-dead audience.
“But I’ve got something that I think will be interesting to all of you.”
It was time to get all those greedy folks out of their lairs. Since Dopium, he hadn’t had any luck finding new guests, and the few that Vox gave him didn’t make it past their first meeting.
“We’ll be having a new meeting of Overlords soon. Some of you may know this already, but if not, where do you live? Under a bridge? There are empty seats at the Overlords’ Table — Ha ha ha ha!” Not his fault, of course not, “It’s no secret that I’m a fan of a proper challenge, especially when it’s someone who thinks they’re strong enough to go head-to-head with me.”
Right now, there were sinners roaming the streets, with their souls taken back. How much longer are they going to hold out before they fall into the hands of someone else? Or before they want to start owning the newly fallen sinners.
“So, what are you waiting for? Seek more power, rise up, and earn a spot next to the other Overlords. Maybe then you’ll finally have what it takes to put me in my place, like many of you want. But don’t be mistaken, my listeners. There’s only o̶n̴e̶ ̸w̷a̸y̷ ̴o̸u̸t̵ of this.”
Make deals, team up, and stock up on all the weapons you need. It’ll all be for nothing.
“And it won’t be as you think. And if there are any brilliant minds out there listening to this — T̵h̵i̶n̷k̵ ̵t̴w̶i̵c̴e̴ ̴b̸e̴f̶o̵r̸e̷ ̷y̴o̴u̷ ̷a̶c̷t̶.̸ I̶̤͐t̸̹͝ ̵̠̑m̷͕͗i̵̘̽g̵͇͑ȟ̶͈t̴̪̄ ̷͍̍b̴͈̈́ḛ̶̈́ ̸͉͛t̴̩́h̴̭̀e̷̝͘ ̵̘́l̷̠͂a̵̺͆s̷̬̕t̶̢͝ ̴͚͝t̸̎͜í̷͖m̴̪̒ë̴͕ ̴̞̓y̶̙͑ǫ̵͘u̴̘̅r̸̤͠ ̴̟̇ḅ̷̈́r̸̹̕a̴̯̐i̷͖̓n̶̦̔ ̷̼͊s̷̨͠ẗ̸̫́a̸̗͛ỷ̶̩s̵̨̈ ̶̳͛i̷̭̅n̸̝͗ś̵͙i̵͓̕d̸͉̎e̸̳͒ ̵̘̌y̵͖̓o̶̞͆u̸͇̚ŕ̴̭ ̶̬̀s̵̯̀k̶̲̎u̵̥͑l̶̖͠ļ̵̅.̶̱͆”
His studio had been dead quiet for months, with no sound from the drums. The shadows around him couldn’t hide their thrill at the arrival of a new guest, someone to delighted them with their ear-piercing screams and heart-wrenching sobs.
His audience deserved a broadcast that they’d never forget.
Carmilla Carmine will send her people to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn’t hunt the remaining Overlords. Alastor was proud to consider himself a patient man. He just had to wait for one of them to slip up. But for now, he could get by with the naive ones who’d soon try to climb to the top, and once again he’d satisfy his bloodthirst.
“Rejoice!” His voice soon returned to his familiar static filter, “It’s a new year, so who knows what surprises it will bring.” I do know. “Stay tuned, folks.”
♫ One minute to midnight
One minute to go
One minute to say goodbye
Before we say hello ♫
And with that, Alastor finished his broadcast, letting his microphone play the next song. It was way easier than when he had to switch vinyl records on the turntable.
♫ Let’s start the New Year right
Twelve o’clock tonight
When they dim the light
Let’s begin
Kissing the old year out
Kissing the New Year in ♫
He stood up to head to the mini bar in his study. He carefully took a bottle of rye and two tumblers out of the bar and sat down on his red leather couch. He smiled to himself when he heard the first screams and bangs outside his radio tower.
“You can come in, Vox.” Alastor poured rye into the second tumbler and put it down on the other side of his glass table.
The door opened as soon as Alastor was done talking. The square screen that was Vox’s face came into. “The signal reached all the radios in the city. More people tuned in compared to the last time.”
Alastor might not get rid of Vox just yet. It’s always good to have another sinner who can manipulate the radio waves and make his show reach a huge audience. And more, if possible. He’ll keep him around for a bit before letting him find his own place. “Wonderful. You’re dismissed, Vox, I guess you haven’t rested — ”
“It’s no problem for me, taking care of ou— Your tower was my priority.” Vox was quick to reply, like he was expecting a reward, “Only an Exorcist would step over my corpse.”
The Overlord nodded, sipping his rye, and Vox sat down across from him and had a sip.
“Now, we just have to wait for the first morons to jump in.” Alastor remarked, peeking over his shoulder at the city.
“If I see any stalking around the Tower, I’ll drag them right to you.”
“No worries, my friend. I’m pretty sure my peers will send their weakest players. They won’t want to risk losing their best assets. I can’t let you waste your time on them.”
Vox gave a quick, barely visible smile on the screen, “Thanks for considering me, Alastor.”
Alastor hummed — Eyes focused on one direction: The Pandemonium Capital. He was pondering when his puppet would return. Had Lucifer tuned in to his radio show? Alastor only remembered that little radio in the library. He couldn’t find any more in the rooms. Did Lucifer have one in his room? Or maybe he listened to it by the fireplace?
“By the way, Alastor.” Vox spoke again, and this time, Alastor picked up on the barely hidden unease in his voice. “I couldn’t help but notice the silence — I mean — Not your music! Of course not, it’s rather, your bayou — I was just curious. When you go to visit these wo— I mean, your friends! I didn’t hear the cricke—”
And just like that, the liquor lost its fiery taste. Alastor put the glass down on the table, hitting it a tad harder, which jolted Vox, and grabbed the reports that hadn’t been read yet. “Didn’t you speak about taking on snoopers?”
“Yes!” Vox quickly stood up, downing the rest of the whiskey, “I’ll come back later.”
Alastor wanted to say, “No need.”, but decided to go with, “Only if you bring someone interesting.” The challenge was open to everybody in Pentagram City, and why not, Vox could also participate if he wanted to, but he had already seen what Alastor could do with those, so it was up to him.
The studio door closed and Vox disappeared from his Radio Tower. Then Alastor put the report back where it was and flopped down on the couch, lost in the new song playing on his microphone. He closed his eyes and let his memories take him back to the moments he’d shared with Lucifer.
♫ Maybe I'm wrong dreaming of you
Dreaming the lonely night through
If it's a crime, then I'm guilty
Guilty of dreaming of you ♫
Alastor wondered if it was real. If this was really happening and he hadn’t fallen victim to some delusion trap — Because if it was, he’d paint the streets of this city with blood and guts, and the screams and shrieks would be on repeat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
He felt a sharp pain in the palm of his hand. There were four crescent marks cut into the skin — Thin lines of black blood slid down the palm. The pain felt real. This wasn’t a dream. Alastor licked the life-giving drink, tasting the usual metallic flavor, remembering when a few days ago his nose caught a scent sweeter than the blood of a sinner.
The blood of Lucifer Morningstar.
The blood of a fallen angel would taste a hell of a lot better than that of a mere sinner. Remembering his scent made his mouth water.
“You are such a gentleman.”
Alastor let out a quiet sigh as he remembered Lucifer’s smooth voice and the fire in his eyes when he was on his knees in front of him, begging for him to be inside him.
“Will you let me make it up to you for the unpleasant experience?”
He remembered the sweet, citrusy scent that Lucifer had when he was on top of him, sinking into his shaft as he rode him until he bottomed out. He never went for sweet flavors, but he wondered if Lucifer’s body would taste sweetly. He thought about whether he could get a taste of his divine being, that sweet ambrosia that only the gods indulged in.
The lure of sinking his teeth into Lucifer’s snowy neck, while a stream of gold painted his body like a white canvas.
“When was the last time you touched yourself?”
Alastor felt his cock stir as he remembered those fond memories, if only he didn’t feel so uncomfortable in the seams of his tailored slacks. He didn’t get to treat himself very often. In life, he imagined a shapeless person, a quick method to get out of his sticky situation as soon as possible — And when he fell into Hell, his mind couldn’t help but picture His Majesty when he felt those cravings and just wanted to indulge in his pleasure.
“You’ll give me to the last drop, won’t you? We can’t let it go to waste.”
The Overlord stopped when his claws were already just inches from the hem of his slacks. He let his mind drift back to those memories as the song played. Now wasn’t the time to give in to his baser desires; he wouldn’t make the same mistake.
He just had to wait it out, the hours would go by fast if he wrote a script for his nightly show, he owed his friends their clients.
Tic toc.
Tic toc.
Tic toc.
The sheet was still blank, and Alastor wished he’d said yes to Rosie’s lunch invitation.
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Three days…
Three bloody days for the voodoo doll to return to the Radio Tower!
Three bloody days Lucifer Morningstar hadn’t returned to his mansion!
Three bloody days when Alastor had no idea where the King was or with whom!
His ever-enthusiastic shadow hurried up the stairs to the hallway, while Alastor thought about how to make a good entrance. Should he knock on the door or just go in? No, he was a guest, and he should’ve shown the good manners his noble Maman had taught him.
Alastor knocked on the door, but no one answered. Was Lucifer still asleep? Or maybe he was a heavy sleeper?
With a nod toward the room, the shadow came in and, in a heartbeat, left, raising two fingers in the air. Lucifer was sleeping with someone else. Alastor held back from snarling and lashing out at the first thing he saw. The one-eyed cat was lucky to not be here.
Alastor opened the door and took a step inside. He was surprised by how captivating Lucifer’s room was.
The room was huge, maybe twice as big as his one before his bayou. The golden walls were decorated with vibrantly painted flowers. Rain-like vines of honeysuckle blossoms hung from every corner. In one corner, there was an ivory desk with some scrolls stacked neatly and a few picture frames around it. In one corner, there was a gold violin on its stand, as well as a few rubber duckies scattered around the desk. There were two white doors on the right and one on the left, and two matching armchairs in front of one of the big windows, which were closed with golden silk curtains blocking out the light.
In the middle of it all was a round bed with a golden wood-like base, supported by trunk-like columns, while a curtain of jasmine flowers hung over the bed, keeping the interior concealed. The floor of the room was covered with a cloud-like white carpet.
Alastor and his shadow went to the windows, drew the curtains, and let the light from the reddish sky flood the room. Now, all that was left to do was wake His Majesty and... Guest. Alastor glanced at his shadow. They were both thinking the same thing: would Lucifer be upset if his shadow ate the other? There was just one way to find out.
Alastor pulled back the curtain of flowers and saw His Majesty snoozing in the heart of the bed, surrounded by a bunch of pillows and with blankets draped over him. He wanted to reach out and run his fingers through his hair, just to relive the bliss of that night, even though his evening was brief.
Lucifer wasn’t alone, though. The cat was with him, snuggled up on the pillow next to him. Alastor shot a glare at his shadow, and it cracked a soundless laugh. Wretched son of a — Ha! No.
Alastor coughed and, in a crisp, static voice, announced, “Good morning, Your Majesty.”
“What? Who?” The still-dazed king sat up, rubbed his eyes, and yawned. Lucifer seemed to recognize him at last, “Alastor, what the…” Lucifer threw off the covers and crawled over to the bedside table, grabbing the clock, “Alastor, it’s 07 o’clock!” He fell face first into the pillows, but then jumped up, totally freaked out. “Alastor?! How did you get into my room?!”
The cat started meowing, stretching her body to walk and rubbing herself against Lucifer’s.
The sinner kept himself from ripping the cat’s head off, “See you.”
Lucifer didn’t have a chance to ask for an answer before Alastor was already pulled into the shadows and slipped under the door.
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Lucifer groaned, holding his hands to his face, annoyed at the interruption of his slumber, even though he slept like a baby when he and the Sins fell into Belle’s bed. After that, he spent a whole day with his siblings before they each went back to their own Ring. It was getting tough to find time to get the whole family together.
He missed their circus shows.
To his bad luck, Belle didn’t put her stash of drugs away quickly enough before Bee snatched them all and hit the hay. Lazy Belle didn’t want to go to her clinic because she knew how to keep her work and personal lives separate. In return, she promised him that he’d be her first patient when she returned to work.
Without thinking too much about it, Lucifer got out of bed and headed to the bathroom, with Keekee following behind. Lucifer felt at ease as soon as he heard the water running in the tub. He took off his pajamas while he was already thinking about how he was going to spend the day.
He’d rush to get all his paperwork done before Beatrice or someone else told him about the court hearings. When he got there, he could tell the Goetia’s he was looking for a new secretary. Or maybe Rofocale had already sent one of his grandkids, and if they were anything like his loyal secretary, that’d save Lucifer from endless hours of interviewing.
If any of his Sins didn’t need him, he could come back soon and finish his sketch for his baby’s nursery. It would be circus-themed! He can picture his little one, in a cute ringmaster costume. Maybe Levi had something in her fashion catalogs.
He heard a few sounds. Lucifer looked at the door, squinted, and sank into the hot water. Had Alastor really been waiting for him all this time? Maybe Lucifer should’ve been more explicit about this dynamic they were dealing with. If he had known Alastor would break into his room like that, he would’ve just had him come here on certain days, like his staff —
Wait, what day is it?
The sound of metal echoing through the mansion answered his question.
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Alastor was thinking about what a decent breakfast might be. He usually had meat, often a gift from Rosie or whatever Vox bought for him. And if not, he could always bring a soul and force it to flee to the bayou to start the day with an energetic hunt.
But he didn’t think Lucifer could be interested in eating the flesh of sinners. His Maman used to cook for some pregnant women in her spare time, and they all left happy after his Nan gave them a gris-gris for their future children.
Alastor wondered if Lucifer might be showing the first symptoms, though he’d hardly believe it. Once wasn’t enough to get pregnant, was it?
His shadow led him to the kitchen, going back and forth on the walls, as if he were playing with the swirls, crawling like a lizard. When Alastor walked in, he wasn’t expecting to run into three hellborn. One of them even threw the saucepan, her jaw dropping open when she saw him.
Two of the demons were practically twins, except for the greenish skin on one and the bluish skin on the other. They were sort of like a mix of a reptile and an amphibian, and they wore the standard maid’s uniform. The third was an older she-hellhound with mottled fur, but with a completely silver mane and tail. She was wearing the same uniform as the other two twins, except her apron was gold.
One of the two young hellborn leaned over to her twin and whispered, “I had no idea she was back already.”
The other woman, the one who dropped the saucepan, tried to stop her nervous laughter. “Do you think she’ll notice the burn marks?”
The hellhound glanced at them, silencing them instantly, and went to the Overlord. “Good morning. We are about to have breakfast, please pardon our lateness. You can tell Lady Lilith — ”
“Lady Lilith?” Alastor raised an eyebrow.
The door opened and Lucifer walked in, fully dressed in a white tailored suit with gold stripes, until he met Alastor’s gaze. “Madame Rosalind,” Lucifer approached the hellhound. “Felicity, Evelyn, I see you’ve already met my guest. His name’s Alastor. He’ll be staying for a while — ”
“He’s not a guest of Lady Lilith.” The twin, Evelyn, whispered back to the other. “She is still not back.”
“It is nice to meet you, Mr. Alastor.” The hellhound pivoted back to the twins, who were whispering to each other and laughing, putting her hands on her hips. “If you two have the time to chat, you might want to hurry up with your tasks here! Otherwise, I’ll send you and Percival to the Palace with a snap.” After growling at them, the two young demons started running.
“Stay for breakfast, okay?” Lucifer asked, “And don’t do anything suspicious.”
Alastor hadn’t even had a chance to speak up, Lucifer was pulled into a portal, leaving his golden dust behind.
“Did His Highness already leave?” The hellhound, Mrs. Rosalind, asked, clearly disappointed. “It’s always the same with him.” Turning on her axis to see Alastor, “You will stay for breakfast, won’t you? Evelyn!”
The green-skinned demon hurried into the room and signaled Alastor to follow her into the dining room.
“Is it usual for His Majesty to skip breakfast?” Alastor asked once they were out of the hellhound’s range.
To which the young demoness nodded her head, “That’s why my grandma always makes sure there’s plenty of food. She’s a great cook. When she was younger, she was the chef for several parties that Queen Beelzebub hosted.”
It’s only natural that the best cooks are from places where they eat and drink non-stop.
“I honestly prefer to work here than at the Palace.” The blue-skinned twin, Felicity, leapt out, leaving Alastor in the middle, “It’s not as much of a hassle as when a Goetia asks you to clean their desk just because they saw a dust particle fall. I once broke a Marques Andrealphus’ fractal, and I ended up late at night with frozen hands when I finally fixed it.”
“And tell me, ladies,” Alastor softened his tone, curious, “What do you usually do around here?”
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Opening a direct portal to his office in the Palace seemed like a good idea. No one’d make a fuss when he came in, and he wouldn’t have to waste time dealing with any demons until it was time for the court hearings. He could have a peaceful moment while he sorted through the pile of documents on his desk.
He didn’t expect that, as soon as he got to work, his phone on his desk would ring. Beatrice told him that the Deadly Sins of Gluttony, Envy, and Greed were waiting for him.
Lucifer tried to remember if his siblings had brought up anything during their stay at Belle’s palace, but he only remembered Bee’s breakfast and Levi’s idea of renting beach houses rather than buying them. So, Lucifer told Beatrice to let them in.
It might not have been anything bad, but that thought left as soon as Beelzebub shoved Mammon and Leviathan inside, flashing her fangs and taking a seat in front of Lucifer. None of them said a peep.
“I’m not going to give them to my hellhounds!” Bee roared, as soon as she saw Mammon open his mouth.
“There are already too many strays wandering around Hell.” Moony fought back.
“Think we’re doing this for their sake, Bee.” Levi’s right head softened her voice. “It’s to ensure them a safe home and job.”
“Safe home? You can’t even provide them with the four food groups.”
“I’ve got your four basic food groups! Beans, bacon, whiskey, and lard!” The Sin of Greed raised a finger for each thing he mentioned.
Waving his hand, three golden threads moved the three (four) heads in his direction. “Speak slowly and clearly. Or the first one to anger me will be sent to help Demon Resources.”
Bee pulled a pamphlet out of her mane and handed it to Lucifer, which could read in bold, phosphorescent letters: ‘Hell-a-Great Adoption Day!’
Adoption events were usually a good way for the hellpuppies to find homes. They’d often end up with families who wanted kids themselves, were looking for friends for their kids, or wanted to train them from a young age as a security staff. But that wasn’t the case for everyone.
The King looked toward Levi and Moony, waiting for them to be able to give him an explanation.
“Luci,” Levi’s left head spoke in a firm voice, “The jails in the Greed Ring are full of aged-out hellhounds. As soon as they leave the adoption shelters, they end up committing crimes.”
“Excuse me, and where are these gangs from?” Bee asked sarcastically.
“We aren’t getting anywhere!” Moony intervened, pulling her two sisters away from tearing each other’s throats out, “Boss, please convince Bee that these hellhounds would be better off working in our factories.”
Lucifer looked at Beelzebub one more time, and his little sister looked at him like a kicked puppy. Unfortunately, their siblings were right. It was pretty depressing to see all the aged-out on adoption days. Most of them had been there since they were born, and they all said that if they didn’t get adopted as a puppy, it was pretty unlikely they’d find a home as a grown-up.
But they also didn’t get along with the people who wanted to offer them temporary shelter once they got out. Most of them were consumed by resentment and apathy. Only a few of them were able to form their own packs and build a stable life for themselves. But as Levi said, most of them ended up getting mixed up in some shady business dealings or joining gangs that took advantage of their ferocity in the Greed Ring’s bank robberies.
“Lucifer,” Bee spoke, she rarely addressed him by name, “They’re just afraid and frustrated. If they don’t like how they’re being treated, they won’t stay in the factories. They just need a chance.”
Lucifer sighed. How could he solve this dilemma? He had to find a way for his three Sins to come to an agreement, for the sake of the hellhounds. What if he used old Solomon’s trick?
All thoughts were pushed aside when he heard a knock at the door. All five heads turned at once. Strange, thought Lucifer, rising to his feet, and, gesturing to his siblings, he held a pin in the air, trusting that they wouldn’t spring to blows as soon as his back was turned.
Opening the door, the first thing he saw was red, only to hear a familiar voice —
“Hel—”
Lucifer immediately slammed the door. The loud bang of the door caused the three sins to stop their menacing scowls and look in his direction in surprise. Was that — ?
One more time just to be sure.
“—Lo!”
Lucifer slammed the door again. It was him! What was Alastor doing here? Lucifer opened the door to find Alastor still standing there, looking indignant.
“May I speak now?”
And without wasting a second, Lucifer grabbed him by his coat and dragged him into his office.
“What are you doing here?” Lucifer asked without releasing his grip on Alastor’s coat. No, shit, that wasn’t the question., “How did you get here?” What about the Behemoths that Belle hired? What about Beatrice?
“I just showed them the sigil. You know, when you’re in Rome, do what the Romans do.”
Lucifer stared in disbelief, inhaling deeply to keep from banging his head, or Alastor’s, against the nearest wall. “Just tell me why you came — Let me say that I don’t have time to — ” Lucifer was taken by surprise when Alastor’s shadow handed him a small box.
“Treating such a kind old lady like that was rude.”
Lucifer opened the box, finding a jar of oatmeal with fruit and nuts, a plate of chicken steak and avocado toast. His heart squeezed, there was no doubt Mrs. Rosalind was the best chef. “And you took the trouble to bring it to me?” Lucifer asked in bewilderment, looking up at Alastor. “Why?”
Alastor tapped the tip of his microphone on Lucifer’s waist, “If you want to get pregnant, I don’t think your body can hold a child inside.”
And just then, Lucifer understood that he had enough self-control not to throw Alastor from the dome.
Unaware of all this, the three Sins watched the interaction with a keen curiosity.
“Do either of you know him?” Mammon whispered to Leviathan.
Leviathan shook their heads, although the left head squinted. “I thought he was a fox because of the fur, but he’s got antlers on his head.”
“A reindeer?” Beelzebub looked closely at the red-robed demon, he looked familiar, from where exactly? “He looks like Furfur.”
Leviathan massaged their temple. “Another bastard?” They snorted, “Is fathering them a competition for the Goetia’s?”
“Wait a moment, you mean a Malebranche?” Mammon scratched under his chin.
Beelzebub watched the interaction with very attentive eyes, then the other demon — no, the shadow — handed Luci a box. Her sense of smell picked up on the food right away. The Sin snapped her fingers and stood up from her seat, her wings flapping happily, “Must be his new secretary.” And with that, Bee took off towards them.
Mammon groaned, squishing his face with his six hands, “I was on my way to suggest Vassago! I owed Agares a favor, now I’ll have to pay him back.” He could send him a quick message. ‘Sorry, Luci chose a bastard over a prince. Don’t take my posters out of your zoos.’
Leviathan shook their heads in disappointment at their chubby brother.
Lucifer was about to kick Alastor out of his office when he heard wings flapping and remembered that he wasn’t alone. Shit, shit, shit. Levi, Moony and Bee were here, did they hear anything Alastor said to him?
“Hi, nice to meet you. You must be Luci’s new secretary. I’m Beelzebub, but call me Queen Bee. Or Bee if you ever come to my parties.” Bee dropped to the ground next to him, offering her hand to Alastor and sniffing him when he took it. The demon smelled like metal, everything around him tasted like copper. How strange.
“Luci?” Alastor shot the King an amused look.
“New secretary?” Lucifer’s eyes widened, “Bee, he is not — ”
“What is your name, new secretary?” A pair of heads peeked over Queen Belzebub’s shoulders.
“Alastor, your Highness.” The Overlord extended his hand, shaking the Two-Headed Queen’s hand... Leviathan, isn’t it? “You may have heard of me.”
A chuckle was heard in the background. “Sorry, buddy, but if you’re not putting money in my pockets, then I haven’t heard from you.”
Alastor’s eyes narrowed and his smile twitched. Mammon, the Greed King. He should at least behave like one, Alastor thought contemptuously as he watched the pot-bellied Sin sway in his chair with his feet on Lucifer’s desk.
Lucifer coughed, “Bee.” The King of Hell spun around to look at his sister, “Give me time to find a solution to your hellhounds, okay. Am I clear?” Lucifer looked between Mammon and Leviathan. They both looked at each other, groaned, and nodded in agreement. Lucifer snapped his fingers, and a portal appeared in front of the three of them. “If you’re messing with Bee behind her back, I’ll know.”
Bee and Levi stepped through the portal, and Mammon grunted when he realized it was the Gluttony Ring. The portal closed, leaving Lucifer and Alastor alone in the office.
“What did Queen Beelzebub mean by being your new secretary?” Alastor asked, startling Lucifer.
I’ll put a bell around your neck. “It was a misunderstanding.” He walked back to take a seat on the desk, “I’ll talk to the Goetia’s or else I can simply wait for Lilith — ”
Alastor tightened his grip on his microphone, “But why wait until then?” And before Lucifer said anything else, the Overlord walked until he was in front of him, with the new height it was easier to make eye contact with His Majesty. “I’ve got time before my broadcasts.”
“It’s not — ”
“I insist, Your Majesty.” Alastor put his hands on both sides of Lucifer’s body, and his microphone made it look like he was trapped. “We are helping each other anyways, why wouldn’t I want to?”
Alastor was a well-known Overlord, especially for his distinctive voice, yet he doubted that a Goetia or any other Noble had heard the radio broadcasts their own employees listened to. And there were demons from other rings in the palace too. Rings that Alastor’s radio show hadn’t reached.
“Do you promise to keep a low profile?”
“If that’s all you need, I promise.”
At least he wasn’t lying to him. Lucifer would trust that. “I think you could help me out with my agenda. Oh, that might help us pick a next dat—" Jumping up from his seat, he stumbled a little on his feet, leaning slightly to the side, at which point he was caught in Alastor’s arms.
Lucifer took a deep breath, feeling Alastor’s claws dig into his waist and grip his arm. The other demon looked at him for a moment, then lowered his gaze to rest on his neck. Lucifer noticed his cheeks getting golden. But before anyone could say anything, Alastor helped him up, smiling like always.
“You were saying?”
“What was saying?” Lucifer blinked, still feeling the heat on his face. Focus, Lucifer!
Rofocale’s office was still furnished with his personal stuff. It wouldn’t be proper to send Alastor, knowing how little he values other people’s privacy. So, without wasting any time, Lucifer snapped his fingers, and a desk materialized on the other side of the office.
“You can have Rofocale’s when he sends someone for his stuff.” Lucifer handed Alastor some documents and an agenda, feeling the sinner’s hand brush his as he accepted them. “If you have any questions, you can ask me right away.” Lucifer quickly walked away to go back to his desk. I’m such an idiot. Why didn’t I just send them floating to him? Maybe it was the lack of nutrients in his stomach that prevented his brain from running.
Alastor sat down and opened the agenda. There wasn’t much written, just reminders to visit the Rings. Maybe, as he went through the requests, it’d all become clearer to him. It wouldn’t be as difficult as digging through those old ledgers in that idiot’s bank.
As one of the most popular figures in the underworld, Lucifer’s presence was highly sought after. He even found the scroll with the Carmine Industries seal on it. Would it be okay if he just brushed it off? Since Alastor became an Overlord, Lucifer hadn’t shown up, and Rosie said it was a once-in-a-blue-moon thing. As soon as those meetings were over, Lucifer would just vanish with a snap of his fingers.
Among the documents, a small postcard stood out. It was an orange sky with a full moon and Imps dancing. On the back, Alastor read:
I want you to be the first to hear my new songs.
Lilith.
Shattering the postcard, Alastor sent a discreet peek at Lucifer. The King was focused on reading some documents and eating his breakfast, or rather, lunch. He didn’t seem to catch on to the little ruse.
“You’re very good at this.” Lucifer broke the silence, watching Alastor’s shadow pick up another stack of documents. “Have you worked on something like this before?”
“Thanks.” Alastor said proudly, “When I was growing up, I was forced to study administration, financial management and accounting — But I loathed it.” Alastor spat out. “Ever since I learned my do-re-mi’s, I’ve been dreaming of being a radio host.”
Everyone in the Faubourg Tremé told him he was one of the few to hit the jackpot and come out on top. Whether they meant it well or not didn’t matter anymore.
“So, the serial killer job was a hobby?” Lucifer joked.
“Well, some people collected stamps, I collected his guts.” Alastor replied.
Lucifer was speechless, chuckling, and returned his attention to his own documents to finish eating his leftovers. Was then when he heard a new melody.
♫ Let’s build a stairway to the stars
And climb that stairway to the stars, thank you
It would be heaven
To climb to heaven with you ♫
Lucifer raised his head and looked in the direction of the music. Alastor’s microphone was glowing a vibrant red as the melody filled the place with a rhythmic jazz and Ella Fitzgerald’s elegant, smooth voice. His hand tapping in sync with the music, and his head swaying to the sound.
♫ We’ll hear the sound of violins
Out yonder where the blue begins
The moon will guide us
As we go drifting along ♫
He paused when he remembered that he wasn’t alone. Worried he was embarrassing himself by getting too into the music, he shot a glance at Alastor, but he was too busy reading some scrolls to notice him. Lucifer, though, caught the soft static humming.
“Do you like this song?” Alastor asked, keeping his eyes on the scroll.
“It is a beautiful melody.” Lucifer answered, thinking back to why he started tuning in to Alastor’s radio show. “I like the ones that have to do with the stars.” He confessed.
It was a distant memory of a past he couldn’t return to, when his Father gathered them all together on the fourth day and showed them the marvels of the universe. Lucifer was captivated by those sparkling diamonds.
“Just like us,” His Father said in that serene and calm voice that echoed to the far reaches of the galaxy, “Each star has its own rhythm and sound, each star has a melody that can only be heard by those who can wait.”
The idea of the stars singing was something that stuck very much in his young mind.
“Music in the stars? That’s just an echo of your desperate need to feel special.”
Lucifer was left with a bad taste in his mouth and a lump in his throat. It was like the breath got sucked out of him, and his skin prickled at the memory. He blinked and did his best to hide the slight shiver that ran down his spine —
“They said you inspired great musicians, or at least that they made deals with you.”
Lucifer paused for a second to collect himself before responding, trying to regain his composure as he let Her words wash over him. “I just gave them a couple of tips for improvement.” Everything is fine, Lucifer, She’s still sleeping. “If they’re so desperate for recognition and quick and easy work, why should I refuse their damnation? Let them enjoy their riches and hedonistic life while they can, because once they fall, Hell will have no mercy on anyone.”
“It never occurred to me to summon you.” Yet here I am.
“I’m not picky about my artists, any particular instrument?” Lucifer asked curiously.
“I’ve got a knack for the piano. You could even call it an innate talent.” His Nan was a piano teacher before she got married, and Alastor remembers her lessons fondly. The same ones that made his Maman happy on those gray afternoons. “Also, the saxophone and the trumpet. Sometimes I even play the guitar.”
“Sometimes? Not very handy with your fingers?” Lucifer teased.
Alastor smirked, “Would you like a demonstration?”
Lucifer was perplexed. De-de-demonstration? Of what exactly?
The sound of someone knocking on the door quickly silenced the music.
“My King,” It was Beatrice, “King Asmodeus and King Satan are waiting for you in the Throne room.”
Lucifer glanced at the clock on the wall. Time was going by way too fast. The King of Hell stood up, shaking off the imaginary dust and a few wrinkles in his suit, “That’s all for today, Alastor.” Lucifer said, opening a portal, taking a deep breath before continuing to speak. “You’ve been a great help.”
Alastor was already rolling up the scrolls and standing up, straightening his posture, “I’ll see you later.” He grinned when he saw Lucifer’s surprised face, but the portal had already closed behind him.
Alastor nodded toward his shadow, which was moving all over Lucifer’s desk, until his eyes fell on the curious hourglass, on which grains of sand could be seen falling painfully slowly. He also saw a visually unpleasant and colorful hellhound adoption flyer.
Well, after a good day’s work, there’s nothing like a good drink of whiskey, either in life or in death.
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“You!” Mimzy hollered as soon as Alastor walked into the club. The Overlord, who jumped to the final step of the spiral staircase, looked both ways and over his shoulder, pointing to himself. “And who else am I pointing the finger at?”
Alastor rolled his eyes and walked over to his friend to take a seat at the bar and ask the bartender for a Bee’s Knees. “What did I do now?”
Mimzy gasped offended, “Don’t play innocent, that doesn’t work with me. What do you have to say about this?” The girl pointed to the hundreds of sinners on the floor, stage, and in the air as they threw chairs, tables, fists, and knives at each other while the jazz band played fearfully and under the gaze of a few customers who preferred to sit on the upper floor of the establishment.
Alastor raised an eyebrow, confused, and turned back to look at his friend, who had dodged in time for a bottle to fall in the middle of them both. The bottle was thrown back at whoever the poor idiot had been.
“When you said you were going to send me clients, I didn’t think you meant these ones!”
Alastor took a sip of his cocktail, “Publicity is publicity, my dear. Do you think Rosie would have new souls or would there be someone else on the list of her eternal suitors?”
His challenge had been a success throughout Pentagram City. There wasn’t an hour of the day when he didn’t have to humiliate some Sinner. Carmine couldn’t lash out at him because he wasn’t exactly hunting Overlords. He was just capturing people who wanted to be one. It’d be way too easy to get info from them and leave them hanging by a thread, paranoid and clueless about what he’s going to do with them.
Mimzy took a seat on one of the barstools, “Everyone comes here to get drunk or fight before going to challenge you in your tower. Just when I was thinking of leaving.”
Mimzy hardly ever left her club, except when she was feeling lucky and went to the casinos in the district. Sometimes she’d come back with a lot of money and a few souls, or with debts, and Rosie or he’d have to clean up the mess she left behind.
“Helen, please, sweetie, a Corpse Reviver — I ran into an Imp who knows a Possessor, who’s an architect.” She explained, “I was planning on meeting up with him in Imp City, but, surprise, surprise, I can’t just let these brutes wreck my club and get away with it.”
“Where is your security?” Usually, he got a straight pass, no one wanted to get in his way, and other times he just lurked in their shadows.
“Exterminated. So were most of my staff.” Mimzy buried her face in her hands. “I still have the bartender, but the jazz band…” Both friends looked toward the stage, where the saxophonist took a Carmine axe to the head. Mimzy tilted her head and pursed her lips, turning in her seat. “I really need new staff. And clean this place up.”
The bloodstains gave it a lovely touch. “I guess you won’t leave the guts in the chandeliers.”
“Just you wait and see, you’ll end up falling right out of that chair when I make my idea real.” Mimzy tossed her hair, imitating an elegant bearing, “And on other relevant things, how’s the King been treating you? I tried to get Rosie to spill the beans, and I was surprised to find out that you hadn’t gone to see her. Gosh, you always want to do things your way, don’t you?”
Alastor laughed, standing up and walking toward the stage, “Let’s just say I’m testing the waters, my dear.”
Mimzy snorted, “Is that all you’ve been testing?” And she took another sip of her drink, muttering, “And I thought cannibals knew how to use their mouths.” Watching in the distance as Alastor’s shadows scattered in her club, swirling around the sinners. Dammit! Mimzy motioned for her chicks to come over and climb up onto the bar.
Alastor knuckled his microphone. “Is it on?”
His voice rang out through the club, getting the attention of the people upstairs, whose seats had been dragged to the edge until they crashed against the railing. The Sinners who were trying to kill each other between the tables quickly fell to the floor as the furniture disappeared. It all just got swallowed up by the darkness, and the floor was all clear of furniture.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it looks like we have a pretty good-looking crowd today.” His grin spread as he counted at least 50-odd heads staring at him in terror, surprise, ambition, and rage. They were so caught up in their argument that they didn’t even notice him. “Any of these distinguished gentlemen have a request? Before I cut open your torsos and eat your hearts out in front of your very eyes.”
A Carmine knife was thrown at him, but he dodged it, though it still went through the band’s vocalist’s chest. His ear was able to hear Mimzy slapping her head.
“I see, a tough crowd.” What should I do with all of them first? Taking out their tentacles would be a blast. He could give them a slight boost, make them think they had a real shot. If he let his other form out, he could take them all out in one go. But where’s the fun if he doesn’t enjoy their agony and whimpering?
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A portal opened in Lucifer’s office, letting the small King of Hell through, and behind him, the Sin of Lust crouched down to enter.
“Do you need that approval right now?” Lucifer picked up a stack of papers, hoping to find one with Asmodeus’s sigil.
Ozzie folded his arms. “There’s no way Mammon’s going to lend those jugglers until not seeing your sigil stamped on.”
Lucifer bit his inner cheek when he didn’t find that document. He looked everywhere until he saw the desk where Alastor had been sitting hours earlier. Seven stacks of paper were neatly piled on it. Alastor sorted all the documents by the Ring that had asked for him to be there. Even in the agenda Lucifer gave the Overlord, he wrote down reminders, notes, and details.
Alastor was great with administrative stuff, the kind of person who could really take on the secretary role. Lucifer was thinking about offering him the job as soon as he found Ozzie’s document.
“Is that why you were the first to say goodbye to us after Belle’s sleepover? Wanna start getting ready for the Ostara?”
“Yes and no.” Asmodeo replied. “I had to see a...” Ozzy hesitated for a moment, “A dear friend. I wanted to tell him that Belle is going to be helping us out with his prosthesis and he’ll be able to start physical therapy soon.”
That’d explain the robotic arm. He might’ve been a hellborn, if he was a fallen like them, he could probably regenerate his limbs. “I hope he’s feeling better when Ostara arrives. I’m looking forward to meeting your friend.”
Lucifer saw a faint blush on Asmodeus’ left head, but he wasn’t seeing well enough to find the document. Where had Alastor left the other documents? There were too many. He doubted that Alastor had read all of them. Lucifer checked the desk drawers, but they were empty.
“Ozzie,” He drew Ozzie’s attention, “Would it be okay if I sent it? No worries, I’ll make sure Moony gets it right away.”
Asmodeus looked at his other two heads, smiled, then created a blue fire portal. The King waved his hand and noticed the pink sky on the other side — Ozzie went to the Sloth Ring. He might go see his friend or Belle, but Lucifer doubted Belle was up. His sister slept all six days and worked the seventh like she was on fire.
If no one was dying then no one needed her.
Now he had another thing to take care of: asking Alastor for the rest of the documents. Lucifer sighed and cast a command on the Sinner’s wrist, but he didn’t respond. Even after doing a second and third times, the result was the same. Lucifer had no choice but to look for Alastor himself.
A portal opened up to Pentagram City, right where he’d last been standing. The alleyway where he met Alastor. Lucifer grumbled, since that night, he never went back to the City.
Contrary to what his people thought or what Lucifer allowed them to believe, he wasn’t omnipresent. When his siblings took his halo, it was like they’d blinded him, leaving him dazed and confused, even though he couldn’t do anything about it. He had seven spears stuck in his back, wings, ribs, and hands. But making his subordinates believe he was God’s equal was a piece of cake.
A cold wind blew through him. Let’s hope he never ends up here when it’s raining. Before he totally left the alley, Lucifer realized that he hadn’t changed at all. He didn’t want to imagine all the sinners behind him, hounding him with their pleas and insults, throwing themselves on the ground or blaming him for abandoning them.
Nope, once is more than enough.
With a snap of his fingers, his clothes changed: his suit was hidden under a honey-colored trench coat, his hat, crown, and cane disappeared, leaving his hair to run freely in snakes. He looked both ways as he left the alley and went over to the first mirror. Lucifer looked at himself, satisfied with how he looked, especially with his reptilian hair, which made most of his face hard to recognize. Now, all that was left was to try it on someone.
Luckily, a pheasant-like sinner in a green kimono and a fox-like sinner in a fluffy rococo dress were approaching.
Lucifer stood in front of them, blocking their way. “Excuse me,” He made his voice as mellow as he could, “Can you show me the way to the radio tower? I am looking for Alas—”
The pheasant made a terrified face, grabbing him by the shoulders. Lucifer felt his snake-like locks hiss and recoil. “Don’t ever say that name! That guy’s been doing nothing but stirring up more violence on the streets.”
Lucifer released the other’s grip. “Are you going to tell me where it is or — ?”
“Look, you tiny shit,” A third mouse-like sinner hopped from the pheasant’s shoulder right into his hand, “If you’re looking to die, I can think of a way that’d be less painful than whatever the Radio Demon is waiting to do to you.”
“Or what about a deal?” The fox-like Sinner grinned.
That’s why you don’t take shit from anyone. He was wasting valuable time, yes, but at least the glamour was working. “Just show the way.”
The three sinners looked at each other and pointed in different directions at the same time.
Well, Lucifer thought, if not by hook or by crook. The snakes had grown out of their hair and wrapped tightly around the sinners’ necks, making them struggle to break free. “I’ll say it one more time, okay?” His eyes went from ruby to golden in a blink, “Where’s the radio tower?”
This time, they all pointed in the same direction. Lucifer let the three out and started to walk through the streets of the District, thinking he’d probably go overlooked in the busy crowd.
Maybe Alastor was on the air. Lucifer glanced at the radios in the stained-glass windows. Seems like Alastor was the only radio host in Pentagram City. To be honest, there weren’t really other segments on the radio show hosted by other sinners, not counting the ones who were being tortured.
And finally, there it was: the Radio Tower. It was a tall building. How come he’d never seen it before? Lucifer started moving faster towards the tower and saw that it didn’t have any windows inside, except for on the second floor, and a plain red door.
Lucifer decided to knock on the door. This way, he could show the Radio Demon who had better manners when someone broke into someone else’s home.
Lucifer waited a few seconds before the door swung open, but the one who unlocked it wasn’t Alastor. It was another Sinner, one with a giant square head (Wait, is that a TV?), dressed in a yellow turtleneck and blue coat and slacks, and a shark tail (Shark and TV? Limbo, what do you work here?)
Upon seeing him, the Sinner dropped his eyelids half-way, leaned against the door frame to block his view, and crossed his arms. “Can I help you, honey?”
Honey? Lucifer raised an eyebrow, looking quizzically at the Sinner. Coughing before taking a few steps forward, “I’m looking for Alastor, could you tell him that Lu—” No, wait, he couldn’t let this Sinner know who he really was. Shit, shit, shit, think fast, Lucifer! “Lucci is looking for him.” Lucci?! Didn’t you want to make it more obvious? That’s just one ‘C’!
The Sinner’s eyes turned empty, his forehead furrowed, and his smile vanished, leaving a dark line. He closed the door to the tower with a bang. “No, Alastor is not here. And even if he were here, he wouldn’t have to deal with you. What do you want from him? Which one of them sent you?”
The antennas in his head short-circuited. The face on the screen seemed to warp into static, and white noise could be heard all around.
“Calm down, no one sent me.” Lucifer stepped back and the snakes hissed. To make matters worse, some sinners stopped to watch the spectacle. “Just tell him that he took something of mine this morning and I want it back.”
“This morning?!” The sinner screamed in rage. Lines of electricity ran through his body.
The snakes rose, hissing, and drove the other sinner away.
The square-headed Sinner stared at him for a moment. He looked ready to attack him, perhaps with the electricity sparking in his hands and at the tips of his antennae. “Whatever.” The Sinner huffed, turning away.
Lucifer heard the other sinners’ disappointed sighs as they retraced their steps in the streets. “Hey, you still haven’t told me where to find Alastor.” He demanded before the other Sinner could get into the Tower. “I’m not leaving without seeing him!”
Without bothering to look at him, the other said, “Why don’t you ask that moocher or that minx?” And with that he slammed the door in his face.
Who? Lucifer considered summoning his wings and flying straight in through an open window, but instead he simply sent one of his dust beings to check and came back with a negative answer. Where was Alastor?
“Thy Highness?” The sound of a voice immediately put him on alert, and he turned around to find the tall, elegant figure of Zestial standing before him. The Overlord’s eyes glowed as he recognized him and bowed.
Lucifer stopped him, “There is no need to do that here.”
“I understand. It’d draw a lot of attention.” At least Zestial was comprehensible.
“How did you know it was me?” Lucifer asked curiously.
“Thy sigil shone for a few moments.” The Overlord stuck his hand out from under his cloak. Lucifer flicked his tongue, his sigil worked then why Alastor didn’t answer his call. “Checking up on thy peers?”
“Yes, of course.” He lied. Obviously, he didn’t want to tell him that he had only come to look for Alastor when he hadn’t even read Carmilla’s report — Which was among the other documents Alastor had taken. Shit! “I needed something from Alastor before heading to Carmine Industries.” He was quick to make up a story. He was good at it.
“I’m afeard Carmilla is busy, the production of the celestial weapons takes time. E’en I haven’t been able to visit her.” The Overlord sighed longingly.
It was common to see the two of them together. Maybe Adam had set a new record this time, and now there were a lot of weapons scattered around. Oops, no one better try to attack him with one of those toys while he’s here. Not that it’d kill an Archangel, but pain was a bitch.
“Then I’ll postpone my visit.” Lucifer touched his forehead, an occasional snake came up to rub against his fingers, letting one get tangled in his hair, looking thoughtfully at Zestial. “Any idea where to find Alastor? That Sinner didn’t tell me much.”
Zestial laughed, “Vox doesn’t say to anyone where Alastor is. Jealousy is a ronyon feeling.”
Jealous? What was this Vox of Alastor’s? Oh no, was another man jealous of him? Again?! He could ask Zestial, but he’d be very suspicious of his curiosity about Alastor.
“‘tis said that Alastor frequents a club. I accompany thou there, it serves we see the quality of this new series of weapons.”
Lucifer accepted.
Notes:
In other news what I did write were other stories... Nope, I’m not going to publish them yet because I haven’t edited them and I’d like to at least have several chapters so they don’t get “stuck”. If you want to get an idea of one, I recently found the Rougarou while reading South-American legends, and I want to hit the wall because it can also be spelled roux-ga-roux. So folk horror here I come…
I was thinking that Lucifer might have a nest shaped bed, as I like to think that since angels are like birds maybe they made nests, it’d be nice.
Aaaand in things I found:
Honeysuckle symbolizes devotion, lasting bonds and sweet memories... And that Victorian girls were forbidden to have honeysuckle inside their bedrooms because the smell made them have suggestive dreams, they are lowkey toxic so that could explain. There’s a kind of honeysuckle called ‘Gold Flame’ and I was like “I need to use that!”, c’mon, the name and the colors!
Jasmine symbolizes purity, sensuality and grace, and new beginnings. It comes from the Persian word ‘yasmin’ which means ‘Gift from God’ – I’m pretty sure I’m giving Lucifer parent issues – Hahahaha I’m sure this doesn’t gonna come to bite me.
Ostara is a pagan festival celebrated at the spring equinox and is associated with the goddess of spring, Ostara, who represents fertility, the dawn and the awakening of the germinative cycle. So, if Wrath has a harvest festival, Lust can have a fertility festival… I guess
Also, I started surfing Google maps as to where Alastor might have lived. I did think of the French Quarter, it's the most popular place. But then I remembered that Marie Laveau lived on St. Ann Street, I hope I am right, and the street is adjacent to Faubourg Tremé and Bayou St. John – So, Tremé!
I still keep thinking of Mimzy and Rosie, the latter because she moved there years later.
I hope you liked this chapter, sorry for not updating sooner!
References I used:
✦ Lucifer’s bed: 1, 2Demons mentioned:
☘︎ First Duke Agares, an old man, riding upon a crocodile, and carrying a hawk on his fist, who teaches languages, stops and retrieves runaway persons, causes earthquakes, and grants noble titles.
☘︎ First Prince Vassago, prince “of a good nature”. He’s summoned to tell magicians of past and future events, and locate lost objects.
Not relevant but did you hear about the news?! Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss (possible) crossover!!!
☘︎ Fifth Count Furfur, a winged deer, causes love between a man and a woman, creates storms, tempests, thunder, lightning, and teaches on secret and divine things.
☘︎ Malebranche, are the demons who guard the Malebolge, the Eight Circle of Hell (devoted to those guilty of fraud)Songs used for this chapter:
𝄞 Let’s Start The New Year Right by Bing Crosby
𝄞 Guily by Al Bowlly
𝄞 Stairway To The Stars by Ella FitzgeraldSo, leave a comment, a kudo, bookmark it, or just give me a ❤︎ Thanks!
By the way, here is my tumblr, I’m usually reblogging more than posting my own stuff... Forgive me, I’m forgetful with my stuff, na’más no pierdo la cabeza porque esta pegada a mi cuello.
Chapter 6: Falling Slowly
Summary:
Well, you have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice, you had a choice
You've made it now
Falling Slowly by Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
Notes:
If I had a nickel for every time I went to the movies and a character had my name, I'd have two. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice this year 🤔
Anyway... Here we have another chapter. My imagination kept repeating a musical moment and it clung to me to insert one. And like the musical-loving theater girl in me, I decided to write one. Disclaimer, it's not the best (sorry) but I better get practicing because I have a few more scenes planned.
And I leave you with a few sprinkles of ✨foreshadowing✨
Thank you very much to everyone who has been reading and waiting patiently for more chapters!
I'd also like to remind you that my language is not English, so I apologize for any mistakes. Still, if you find something, you can tell me.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Honestly, Lucifer had never felt more lost, confused, or irritated than he did today. How could the bloody club have been just a block away from the alley he had come in through?! His self-control up to that point was admirable, as was his Father’s supposed mercy.
After saying goodbye to Zestial, Lucifer stepped inside the small building. It was an old, dusty candy store with no one in sight — Who would be attracted to a place like this?
A hidden door in the worn walls led to a spiral staircase when opened. As he cautiously descended, the smell of rotting flowers intensified, accompanied by another pungent, metallic odor. Then, he heard static-laden roars and a mixture of angry, jovial, and agitated shouting, thunderous clapping, and footsteps running to and fro.
That’s when, as he took the last step, something flew past him. No, it wasn’t something. Someone.
What in the Seven Rings?
Dozens of sinners ran, screamed, and lunged at something — a red blur — only to be thrown into the air rather humiliatingly.
“Alastor?”
The Overlord took on sinners twice or three times his size, dodging blows. When he had to rebuff attacks from behind, he wielded the microphone. The sinner leaped great heights, piercing the chest of one sinner or another. He pulled out their beating hearts with his blood-soaked claws, wrapped them around his tongue, and sent his opponents to the ground. There, he stomped on them as if they were cockroaches. Finally, he tossed their limp bodies into a corner where others already lay, surely waiting for them to regenerate.
Another crowd of sinners gathered on the second floor. They held bills in their hands and waved them in the air, cheering for Alastor’s victory or defeat.
How could he grab Alastor’s attention without revealing his true form? The deer clearly enjoyed this pitched battle, beating and crushing his opponents. It’d be impossible to approach him without being mistaken for one of the sinners.
Then, his gaze fell on the bar near the stage. A small group of brightly colored, flamboyant costumed sinners were seated there, drinking and chatting. And seated in the middle, was Mimmy.
“Mimmy.” Lucifer approached, drawing the attention of the sinner, who raised a confused eyebrow.
“Do I owe you money?”
Lucifer pointed to her wrist, where the sigil glowed faintly.
At this, Mimzy’s eyes widened. She spat out her drink and pushed her friend away, leaving a spot between them. “I’m sorry! I didn’t recognize you. Would you like a drink? Helen makes delicious cocktails. Or, I have rum — No, you idiot!” She smacked her head, “He shouldn’t drink alcohol — I don’t have coffee and Rosie hasn’t sent me tea—”
A chair was thrown against the nearest wall. They both looked at Alastor, who emerged from the shadows and used his microphone to pierce a sinner.
“Actually, I’m here for him.” Lucifer said, pointing discreetly.
Mimzy looked from Alastor to the King of Hell. A sly smile curled her lips. “Do you need him so soon?”
“What? No. No. No — Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ¡ha! No. It’s not that... Not even — I mean—” Lucifer felt the heat spread across his cheeks. Damn, shouldn’t snakes be cold-blooded? “Alastor helped me with my paperwork this morning, but he took some that I urgently need. I don’t know how to call him without — Well. That.” Lucifer pointed at the revolting sinners.
Mimzy nodded, one hand on her chin, her gaze focused on the Overlord. “Let me see what I can do.” Then, with the help of her friends, she got up from her seat. “Alastor!” She screamed at the top of her lungs. “Someone’s looking for you!”
The Overlord halted his attack, summoning a dark tendril that wrapped itself around the other sinner’s neck. He turned to look at his childhood friend, who was pointing at a gorgon... Who had a very familiar face.
Lucifer?
Immediately, more tendrils appeared and wrapped themselves around the sinners’ legs. Dragging the sinners into the shadows and engulfed them until none were left. The same thing was happening on the second floor. Those who had witnessed the spectacle saw tendrils emerge from between the walls. The tendrils wrapped around their torsos and slammed them against the wall.
Without any hassle or fuss, Alastor jumped down from the stage and walked toward Mimzy and Lucifer, who didn’t look too happy. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Majesty.” Mimzy handed him his cocktail glass back and took a sip. “Did you need anything?”
Lucifer looked toward the group of sinners, distracted by Mimzy. “I need the documents you brought with you. There’s one I need to send to Ma—Moony.”
Alastor hit the ground with the microphone, and his shadow appeared, wrapping around the cane. “Did you take anything from him?” The shadow leaned in thoughtfully, cocking its head as if it didn’t know what was being asked of it. “Today in his office? Documents and scrolls.” The shadow’s eyes widened at the memory, and it nodded happily.
A small stack of documents was pulled out from inside Alastor’s shadow and set down on the bar next to Lucifer.
“You must excuse my shadow.” Alastor said, “It often doesn’t respect certain limits.”
The kettle said to the pot. “Just let me know next time.”
Next time. Isn’t Lucifer upset with him? Alastor felt a weight lift from his stomach that he hadn’t known was there. Just as he was about to make a move toward Lucifer, someone came screaming in.
“Alastor!” A new group of sinners came into the bar — or rather, fell in — and stood up immediately. “Show yourself! We’re not afraid of some cheap, fifth-rate radio host!”
The snakes in Lucifer’s hair rattled when he sensed the static around him.
“Mimzy.” The radio demon growled, “Weren’t you going to break this place up anyway?”
Mimzy grimaced and folded her arms. “I don’t want just any gift this time.”
The ground beneath them began to shake. Green symbols appeared around them, and a swirling vortex of shadows formed in the center. At the same time, the microphone glowed a bright red as the shadows take on Alastor.
Soon, Lucifer felt himself being lifted from the ground and placed above the bar with the other dancers. The sinners who had just arrived fell to the ground and were pulled into the vortex as their shadows were dragged along by long, dark tendrils.
“What the fuck is this!” One of them screamed in fright.
“They said he had been fighting for hours!”
“He should be tired!”
Lucifer watched as Alastor’s arms and legs stretched and his fangs glistened in the dim light. From within the vortex of shadows, the sinners who had been absorbed reemerged. Most had scratches, bites, and bruises and were in worse condition than before. As soon as they were free, they tried to run to the only exit. But they saw small rag dolls carrying pincushions, ropes, and bones come out of the shadows behind them. The dolls rushed at the sinners with haunting laughter.
A new circle of darkness formed on the ceiling, and debris from the old furniture fell on them like rain. Alastor redirected the pieces of wood to block the only escape route.
Lucifer considered summoning a dome over the bar to keep furniture from falling on them. However, he discovered that a thin, dark veil was already protecting the area.
“Would you ummm—” One of the girls asked him.
“Lucci.” Lucifer saw Mimmy chuckle discreetly out of the corner of his eye. Everyone is a critic these days. “A Shirley Temple.” The King of Hell watched the bartender stretch her arms toward the ingredients to prepare his mocktail. She handed it to him. Since he was going to be there until Alastor finished playing with the sinners (he couldn’t open a portal without revealing his identity as the King) he better be looking for Ozzie’s petition.
It was difficult for him to concentrate, though, because of Alastor’s roars and the sinners’ screams. Occasionally, he looked up to watch Alastor play with his food. Did he act like this when he summoned a soul in his bayou? He claimed to be a good hunter, but he looked more like a child playing with Dino Nuggets now.
It was also hard for him not to overhear the flirtatious comments the dancers were whispering to each other. Some said they wished he had them under his claws or was nibbling at their necks with his fangs. They’d let him grope them like fruit at the market.
Well, Alastor was someone... Big... Lucifer cast a discreet glance. He was well-proportioned... What would it be like in this form? This wasn’t the largest form he had ever seen. Months ago, he had looked even more colossal. While he might not have been a sex god, he didn’t act like a jackass either. He could understand why some sinners were attracted to him.
Talking about that…
“Mimmy.” Lucifer dropped the documents to look at the sinner, who seemed to be placing bets with her friends. “Does Alastor have a partner?” He asked in a whisper, remembering the square-headed sinner.
“What an unusual question.” Mimzy arched an eyebrow, listening to her friends, got an idea of why the King’s early interest in it. She gave a half-smile before crossing her legs. “No, he was never interested in anyone.”
“I could expect someone charismatic like him to have been engaged? Or married.”
Mimzy burst out laughing, “Sorry, but Alastor married!” The Sinner kept laughing, “Good one. But…” Mimzy paused for a moment before turning her gaze back to the Overlord. “Hey, sweetie, would you have married me?”
Alastor responded, “If the laws had allowed it.” While crushing a sinner like a grape in his fist.
It wasn’t the answer he was expecting, but he wasn’t going to judge them. After all, this was Hell — Only after everyone had fallen here did Roderic allow Lucrezia and Cesare to be together — Even among the Goetia families, they usually prefer not to mix their bloodlines. However, some Hellborn are known to have Nephilim blood.
“Alastor had his own fan club when we were alive.” Mimzy spoke up, bringing Lucifer’s attention back to her. “Even when we were just kids playing in the streets or hunting frogs and fireflies in the bayou, the girls would look for any excuse to talk to him. When he returned from the War, all the Moms in New Orleans wanted to introduce their daughters to him. But he only had eyes for his radio show and his Ma.”
The way Mimmy shared their childhood with a touch of innocence only granted by the springtime of life made Lucifer smile as he looked at Alastor once again. How could this monster be so different from the little boy who should have been the perfect son? Then again, maybe they were not different. They both ended up in this place. At least Lucifer knew what his mistake had been. Of Alastor, he knew only his sins and the cause of his death.
When was the turning point in his life when it was decided that his name would never be written in St. Peter’s Book?
“I guess you love him too much to let him destroy your bar.”
“Of course I love him.” Mimzy smiled as she watched the Overlord stomp on the stage — or what was left of it — with his giant foot, “We may have disagreed on some things, but — Every little girl deserves to have a big brother to protect her. And Alastor was always there for us.”
Lucifer would be lying if he said he wasn’t envious. Michael was never like that with anyone, especially not with him. Never with him.
Michael showed him no mercy when he beat him in the First Heavenly Battle. He showed no mercy when he locked him up after the incident with Lilith. He showed no mercy when he threw the spear. He showed no mercy at the trial when the tar covered him. He had even less compassion when he pierced him with his flaming sword and kicked him out of Heaven as he burned like the sun itself.
For a long time, Lucifer wondered if an older brother was supposed to act this way — But when his Father gave him his Virtues, Lucifer could never have imagined treating his younger siblings the way Michael did.
They weren’t paying attention, so they didn’t notice when one of the sinners grabbed one of the girls by the neck.
“Let me the fuck out of here and she comes back with her head intact!” On the verge of hysteria, the sinner screamed, and a Carmine dagger could be seen in his hands. He shook the poor girl, who could only move her hands on his arm, burying her nails, in an attempt to free herself.
In the blink of an eye, Lucifer appeared in front of the sinner, his ruby eyes glowing in time with the snakes in his head. He maintained eye contact with the man whose arm was slowly turning to stone. Lucifer took the stone arm and pressed until it turned to dust, freeing the poor girl. She ran back into another girl’s arms.
Upon being released, the sinner screamed and bolted for the staircase. However, he ended up being crushed by a huge claw.
The green, radio-needle eyes watched him intently. That grin — now a smirk — sliced off the sinner’s head. The creature snapped his claws, corralling the sinners into a single group. Alastor caught them and threw them into the air, where tendrils caught them and plunged them into the darkness amidst screams and bloodcurdling laughter.
The shadows crept back into the Overlord’s body, enveloping him, just as the tendrils freed the customers who were still trapped on the second floor. They wasted no time, jumping over the railing and running out of the club.
Once the shadows had completely dissolved, Alastor returned to his normal appearance. He moved closer until he was standing in front of Lucifer. “Did you enjoy the show?”
“I see that your reputation as the most infamous sinner is well-deserved.” What if Alastor had fallen before the Extermination mess? Perhaps he’d have been one of the few for whom Lilith pleaded for amnesty, like Cain.
As long as you hear from me, it doesn’t sound so bad. They both looked back at the stack of papers and, next to it, saw Mimzy and the girls carefully climbing down from the bar, “Mimzy, my dear, I hope this doesn’t impact your sales!”
“You’re lucky you have a pretty face, otherwise I’d slap you. Upstairs will suffice for now.” Mimzy glanced at Lucifer as Allison and Hyacinth thanked him. “You two act so familiar, even though you’ve only known each other for a few days. Did you never summon him when we were alive?”
Alastor snickered, “Of course not, dear.” He couldn’t blame her for not believing him, though. He was just a very lucky bastard. His Maman told him that his Nan worked hard on his gris-gris. His family wished for nothing more than his success and prosperity. His eyes didn’t leave Lucifer, who seemed very comfortable talking to the girls.
Suddenly, the calm was interrupted when a piece of the roof broke off.
“The time hasss finally come for me to take my revenge and ssshow Pentagram City that I, Sssir Pentiousss, the Architect of Dessstruction! Have defeated you, Alasss—! Who are you?!”
A black-and-yellow striped, snake-like Sinner wearing a gray coat and top hat with a red eye in the middle sprang from the hole and pointed a metal gun at them. It looked different from those produced by Carmine. Now, this sinner — Sir Pentious, as he called himself — was pointing accusingly at Lucifer.
Lucifer pointed his finger at himself.
“How dare you sssteal my moment?!”
Lucifer groaned. He threw a glance at Alastor, who looked amused by the situation. All Lucifer wanted to do was turn away from these people. How could Alastor enjoy dealing with all these sinners rushing to their deaths with him as their executioner?
The Overlord rolled his eyes before they both swung around. In the blink of an eye, they sent the snake and his machine flying in one fell swoop.
◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇
Baxter sat on the sidewalk, completely focused on his designs and formulas — He was thinking about inventing a device that’d cancel out the noise these annoying eggs emitted.
It had been exactly four minutes since he last saw Sir Pentious. If his calculations were correct — and they always were — his lab partner would be falling in this exact position.
A crying noise caught his attention. As he suspected, it came from the sky and fell directly toward him like a projectile. He had better get moving.
Sir Pentious’ humiliated body slammed against the sidewalk.
“Mmmm.” Baxter analyzed his partner, who winced in pain as he was surrounded by his egg boys, “Five centimeters to the left.” He jotted it down in his notebook so he could recall it easily next time. “The Radio Demon was even harder on you.”
“It wasssn’t even him.” Sir Pentious rose. Fortunately, he felt no broken bones or torn muscles. Perhaps it was because he hadn’t hit the dome this time. He’d never go near that dome again. However, his precious invention had been destroyed, and he hadn’t been able to show the world its magnificent power. It was the opportunity he needed to get his Number One Rival’s attention. “Another sssinner wasss with him.”
Baxter tapped his pencil against his chin, focusing intently on his calculations. “Is that the one they call Trox?”
“No, another sssnake — Uh, no, he only had sssnakesss in hisss hair.” Sir Pentious remembered.
“A gorgon? Interesting.” Baxter rolled his eyes. “A new Overlord, I suppose?”
Sir Pentious slipped up to his lab partner, “Or maybe it wasss a new dancccer at the Club. They jussst were talking.”
The Radio Demon wasn’t someone you’d sit and talk to. Even less so now, when everyone wanted his head on the wall and a safe seat next to the other Overlords.
“But!” Sir Pentious raised a hand skyward, “I will ssstop at nothing until I defeat Alassstor and conquer the Cccity onccce and for all.”
“You go, boss!” The egg boys applauded him.
Sir Pentious had great ideas and designs that could have revolutionized the city. He brought these egg-like creatures to life. They could both get a good number of deals. Unfortunately, Pentious was only focused on hunting the Radio Demon, acting as if Alastor was the only big fish in the tank.
Had they never considered forming alliances before? Baxter had been dead for only three decades, but he understood that great things took time. But Pentious had been dead for more than a century! With nothing and no one at his disposal. Sometimes, Baxter wondered if he had chosen his allies wisely.
At least he had a roof over his head and food in the Exterminations.
“It’s time to eat, isn’t it?” Baxter interrupted Pentious’s repetitive speech.
“It isss!” The sky above the Ring was already scarlet. “I know a diner where they sssell fresssh eggsss.”
“I wanted to have fish fillets.”
“Aren’t you a fisssh, my dear colleague?”
Sir Pentious could lead this City into a new Enlightenment Age. Baxter was sure of it.
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Lucifer sealed the document after giving it one last check before sending it off. Meanwhile, Alastor had gone to steal some new stools so the girls could eat around the bar. Lucifer hoped Mammon wouldn’t throw a tantrum.
He wouldn’t need to play mediator between his siblings if they behaved more like... Maybe it was his fault. He had overprotected them in Heaven. He just didn’t want his Virtues to experience rejection from the other angels like he did. “It was a pleasure to meet all of you. I wish it had been under better circumstances.” Lucifer approached the group, “But I’m sorry to say that I’ve to retire.”
“What?” Allison pouted.
“Stay and eat with us. It’s the least we can do.”
“We aren’t cannibals if that worries you.”
“Speak for yourself!”
Hyacinth leaned toward Alastor, “Please convince Lucci to stay.”
Lucci? Was that the name he introduced himself with? Alastor grabbed Lucifer by the shoulders and felt some snakes brushing against his knuckles. “Why don’t you join us for a meal? I promise you, Mimzy is not a bad cook.”
“I heard that!” It was heard from another room.
Alastor leaned down to whisper near his ear, “Or is it that Hell cannot survive without you for a few hours?”
Lucifer shivered when he felt Alastor’s voice close to his skin. He doubted anyone was in the Palace, given the scarlet hue of the sky visible through the hole in the ceiling. “I can stay a few more minutes.” Lucifer agreed, though he didn’t sound convinced.
He walked with Alastor, who pulled out a chair for him — Now, he was being charming — And immediately the Overlord took a seat beside him, while Mimzy and another sinner, Helen, entered with bowls.
“I hope you enjoy it.” Helen passed the bowls out to her friends, who then passed them on to the next person. “It’s Hoover Stew. Just like home. Or what I had for one.” She said this as Mimzy set a large bowl in the middle of the bar, turned around, and reached for bottles of rum and pomegranate nectar.
Lucifer accepted his bowl, sniffing the tomato and cheese. Before taking a bite of the pasta, Alastor placed his portion on his plate and kept the meat, which he devoured with relish. If this was another innuendo regarding his small body —
“It’s a lagniappe.” Alastor said as he felt his gaze on him.
Lucifer blinked, feeling his thanks get stuck in his throat. He saw that Alastor wasn’t interested in hearing them, he seemed satisfied with the rest of his meal. “By the way,” Lucifer cleared his throat, poured himself a glass of pomegranate juice, and poured another for Alastor, “Why were there so many idiots here?”
Was this a tradition after the Extermination? Maybe he’d accompany Lilith the next time she wanted to stroll through the city. Of course, he’d be in disguise and at a safe distance from her usual group of associates.
Mimzy and her girls looked at Alastor.
“Let’s be honest, were they or weren’t they going to end up looking for me?” The Overlord exchanged glances with Lucifer.
“Were you one of those kids who shook the honeycomb to get the bees’ honey? Did you ever get stung?” Lucifer bit into his pasta.
“Well, their poison flavors my tea.” Alastor replied casually as he ate a piece of sausage. “Do you remember the taste of Black Widow’s poison, Mimzy?”
“Yuck, don’t remind me. Worst summer ever.”
Alastor was certainly the most intriguing sinner Lucifer had ever met.
The meal passed pleasantly. The girls joked and flirted with each other. Some asked when he had arrived in Pentagram City, while others asked if he worked for Alastor — that is, if he had made a deal. Unlike… What did Zestial say the name of that neurotic sinner was again? Boox? — None of them seemed jealous, just curious. Maybe it was the rum…. And the whiskey, wine, tequila, and mezcal that continued to pour from the bottle rack helped loosen their tongues and prompted them to ask the wildest questions.
Alastor and Lucifer said their goodbyes. The King was actually the first to leave. Alastor followed him and wished Mimzy and her friends a quiet night. They were already giddy and had turned on the radio to dance for a while before going to bed.
“If your fans continue to visit this place before confronting you, they’ll need security personnel.” After staring at the hole in the ceiling caused by that serpentine sinner for a few seconds.
“What can I say? Blaming alcohol for their actions is easier than taking responsibility.” If they used alcohol as an excuse to give in to their basest impulses, they were no better than animals to be dissected and eaten.
Lucifer sighed, turned around, and walked out of Pentagram City. Alastor and his shadow followed him. Occasionally, he saw the shadow wander off and then return to whisper something. However, Lucifer never heard any sound come out of its mouth. Lucifer was ready to bid farewell to Alastor when they reached the borders of the Entertainment District.
However, Alastor walked past him, pacing a few more steps until he stopped and turned around, cocking his head to one side in confusion. “My bayou is in your mansion. I need it to deal with my new prey.” He indicated this by moving his microphone from side to side, as if he were a small child moving a bag with a fish inside.
Lucifer grimaced. Why not do it in the Radio Tower and broadcast it as usual? Anyway. “Just don’t be so loud. I don’t want to fall asleep listening to those screams.”
“Don’t worry about it! We only have the best tunes for you.” Lucifer had mentioned that he was fond of star-themed songs, so he could look for some on his compilation.
“Whatever you say, Alastor.”
All my Stars, Those unspoken words were like the nostalgic and sweet wind on an autumn night.
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Days turned into nights and nights turned into days. Before Lucifer could grasp his new situation, Alastor became part of his routine.
Alastor didn’t break into his room again. Instead, Lucifer woke up to the sound of a piano coming from the room across the hall. Curiosity urged him to knock on the door and walk through the beautiful, music-filled swamp, but he decided that barging into what he suspected was an empty room wasn’t his most important task.
True to his word, the deer kept a low profile in both the Palace and the Mansion. Although he met Alastor thanks to his employees, most of them didn’t know him beyond his voice. Now that he thought about it, there were no pictures of Alastor on the streets of Pentagram City. He had seen ads promoting Alastor’s radio show, but there were no pictures of him.
The few times Alastor came to help him at the Palace were normal, too. He’d watch a shadow slip under his door and take the form of Alastor, who would then continue reviewing his papers where he had left off the previous day. Then, he saw the mischievous shadow leave a small container of food. Lucifer asked if he had cooked it. The Overlord replied that it was food left by Mrs. Rosalind.
“If my dear Maman knew that you look down on food.” Alastor masked a disappointed grimace with a smile, “I think those were some of the few times I saw her upset.”
Lucifer doesn’t look down on food... He just forgets to eat, that’s different.
Once Alastor had finished organizing his paperwork or reminding Lucifer of a meeting, he’d retire to Pentagram City. Lucifer would then take advantage of his alone time until check-out to tune in to Alastor’s broadcast. He was keeping his promise not to broadcast the screams of the sinners he had devoured at Mimmy’s club. Nor the screams of some other sinner who had crossed his path.
Before retiring to bed or spending another late night in his workshop creating new ducklings or sketches, Lucifer could hear the sound of a piano coming from Alastor’s room at night. He wondered if Alastor was playing the piano or if some melody was playing through his microphone.
Although Alastor was a haughty and proud as fuck Overlord — Clinging to have the last word even if he had to dissolve into his shadows and flee through the crack in his door — Lucifer couldn’t deny that Alastor’s company made his day-to-day life more enjoyable.
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“Are you leaving?” Lucifer asked, seeing the Overlord stand up.
“I promised Mimzy I’d do her a favor. It’s just a small errand. I’d tell you that I’ll come straight back, but I don’t know how long it’ll take.”
That saved Lucifer from having to excuse himself as well. Today, Belle was returning to work at the hospital — Satan had asked for her assistance with the farmers and their livestock — So he’d finally get that checkup. He hoped to hear good news soon — Of course, that’d be when he found a day off to spend another night with Alastor.
It seemed like everyone needed him more than ever.
“Unless they’re souls you’re going to hunt again.”
“Does it count as hunting if they attack me first?”
Lucifer sighed in resignation, “Obviously, when a deer stares you down or a duck poops on you, it’s self-defense.” Soon, laughter took hold of him. This sinner truly wanted to be right all the time. Lucifer stood up, walking around his desk, “Alastor.” The King caught the Overlord’s attention, “I know you said you had no problem helping me because it was part of the deal—”
“I didn’t actually say it that way.” He interrupted.
Lucifer glanced at him, though he was growing used to the sinner’s attitude. “Does everything have to be your way, Alastor?” He could offer his help, but he wouldn’t allow others to do so.
“If I had a nickel for every time someone said that to me.” Without saying another word, Alastor was absorbed by his shadows and vanished under his door, leaving Lucifer alone.
Lucifer approached the desk that Alastor occupied. At least he wasn’t taking his documents without permission anymore. Perhaps it was time to give him more tasks. However, he needed to plan a story with Alastor. The other demons were already asking about Rofocale’s absence, and some Goetia were praising him for his control and order. He couldn’t announce a sinner as his right-hand man.
He snapped his fingers and a new portal of fire opened before him. Maybe talking to Belle would help.
◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇
“Passengers bound for Greed Ring, please board at Gate 4.”
Alastor looked up at the large screen in the middle of the building. The elevator to Gluttony Ring was still marked in pale yellow. The sinner pulled the pamphlet from his coat pocket and verified that the date and time were correct. Since the adoption of hellhounds was a popular event, shouldn’t more demons want to arrive in time to choose the best hellpups? There weren’t any promotional ads on the other notices plastered on the entrance bulletin board.
Perhaps the most powerful demons didn’t use elevators. Maybe they traveled through portals like Lucifer and the Deadly Sins. If only he knew how to travel between Rings with the help of his shadows, everything would be easier. His shadows worked perfectly in Pentagram City and Pandemonium. However, he couldn’t move from his radio tower to Morningstar Manor until he stepped outside the dome.
He’d have to ask Lucifer for more details about the annoying dome and how it works.
His gaze wandered everywhere, scanning the closed elevator doors and the rows of demons waiting for their next ride. He tried to pick up important information from the conversations of the other Hellborns. Maybe he should ask someone, but that might make him look suspicious. After all, he was passing as one of them. Knowing how to use their mode of transportation must be common knowledge.
He never thought he’d be forced to leave the Pride Ring. Although he had Lucifer’s authorization to move freely throughout Hell, he thought he’d have time to figure out how to extend his powers to the other Rings.
He felt a slight tug on his cane. After waiting a long time, his shadow finally returned, looking desperate and annoyed. If Alastor didn’t keep it in check, it’d disappear at any moment to cause mischief — His shadow gestured for him to follow.
In one corner were small elevators. They weren’t as flashy or ostentatious as the others — They were old-fashioned with a structure that had seen better days. Small enough for a small group to fit, but the other demons ignored them. There was no signage indicating which Ring it was headed to or from, nor was there a plaque. There were just two arrows pointing up and down.
Ding!
Finally, a small elevator opened.
Alastor waited a few seconds in case any other demons came forward, but, as he suspected, none did.
Without another thought, Alastor walked over. The place was completely empty, so he had no idea who had been there before. In any case, he had no more time to waste. After a few seconds inside, the downward-pointing arrow lit up and the doors began to close. At least he was traveling alone —
A hand stopped the door from closing, startling the sinner and allowing two small imps, a boy and a girl, to jump inside. Alastor didn’t send his shadow to help the older imp until he saw her bulging belly.
“Thank you so much.” The imp thanked him and sighed with exhaustion.
His shadow receded and the doors finally closed, signaling the start of the descent.
“I was going crazy waiting for a ride to Wrath. I swear to Satan, if I had to wait one more hour, I’d have ripped the announcer’s head off!” Her two little ones laughed at what she said.
“Are they always this late?”
“Pffft, It gets worse on Extermination Day,” The imp explained. “That’s why I told my husband that we had to settle all the deals beforeha—”
“Prince?” The little girl imp uttered, pointing to Alastor, as she turned her head to look at her Mother.
“No, Millie, he’s not a…” The Imp narrowed her eyes, as if her daughter’s words were right. “Are you—? No, that’s absurd.”
Alastor raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
The imp looked at him as if she were thinking hard about how to express herself. “Not offence, just… It’s just not common to see non-imp demons taking these elevators.”
These were the first elevator models implemented by the Seven Deadly Sins. As the Imp woman, Lin, explained, they traveled from Ring to Ring — from Pride to Wrath to Gluttony — until reaching Sloth, and then back again to Pride. Alastor thought that, if that wasn’t disadvantageous enough, the fact that they were so slow was too. The huge new elevators made direct ascents and descents. For the native species of the next Ring, it was quicker to take these elevators than to wait for them to fill up.
Lin also mentioned train stations and buses that served the same function as the old elevators. However, these modes of transportation weren’t as popular.
“Where are you headed, by the way?” Lin asked.
“To the Gluttony Ring! I found out today that it’s adoption day.”
At some point during the conversation, Lin’s children started running after each other. They took turns shouting and chasing each other in the small space while Alastor listened to the Imp. The Imp had traveled to Pride to sell vegetables in the capital’s markets.
“We received good news from Queen Belphegor’s vets, and now we are preparing new seeds to sow for Ostara.” Lin commented as her son approached her, leaned his head on her arm, and looked visibly tired. Meanwhile, the little girl stood in the middle of the elevator and walked over to Alastor, spinning around his cane.
“Do you have children, sir?”
Alastor didn’t know what could have given that interpretation of his person. “No,” He hastened to answer, “I’ll have a student very soon, though.”
“That explains why you are so patient with my gremlins.” Lin smiled kindly, “May I ask what your specialty is?”
“Magic.” He wanted to teach his offspring everything there was to know about — Everything the future heir to Hell needed to know.
“I guess that’s why you require a hellpuppy. Is it a gift for your student?”
It’s not exactly a puppy that Alastor was looking for. “Security.”
Lin pulled a thoughtful face. “My brother-in-law adopted a whole litter of hellpuppies to help take care of his orchard and his kids.” Lin spoke again. Both she and Alastor looked down at where the little girl was hiding behind the Overlord. She jumped out to surprise the other boy, who fell down in a startled way. The girl responded by tackling and hugging him, “They all treat each other like siblings. The older ones naturally take care of the younger ones.”
Not with the sickly ones. Alastor thought bitterly, remembering the body lying in the green room. As the weeks passed, the smell of antiseptic and basil faded from the building.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened.
Lin held her eldest son’s hand and her little girl in her arms. “It was nice chatting with you! I hope you’ll stop by for the Harvest Moon festival.”
“Harvest!” The little girl cheered and raised her fists in the air. Her mother and brother smiled.
“Yes, Millie, you can participate this year. Have a good trip!”
Alastor waved goodbye as little Millie waved her hand from side to side, until finally the doors closed and they began to descend into the next Ring.
His shadow was once again present in front of him, crestfallen and discouraged. It’d soon be four decades since his death. “There are no children in Hell.” His Maman firmly believed that no God would ever send a child to suffer forever, no matter how much the maids might have whispered about it.
Siblings.
The only gift that dying boy left him was the empty chair next to that Père de merde. Ah, le modèle de paternité !
Alastor took a deep breath to control himself. He didn’t know if his static would affect the elevator’s magic, so it was best not to find out unless he wanted to get stuck. The Overlord shot a disapproving look at his shadow. “Don’t remember him again.” He ordered it before sinking into silence and leaning against the elevator walls.
His shadow returned to its place. Alastor ignored his guilty, sometimes, having a strong hand was the only way to make it behave.
The doors opened. He had finally reached his destination: The Gluttony Ring. Everything was overwhelmingly bright and noisy when he stepped outside.
Alastor rubbed his temple, "Mimzy, you better be grateful for this." He groaned and headed for the exit to find the adoption center. Alastor wandered the wild streets of the Gluttony Ring until he found the place.
It was a tall, three-story blue building with the words ‘Adoption Center — Happy Tails’ written in bright neon yellow letters on the top of the building. Next to the letters was a cartoon version of Queen Beelzebub and her sigil glowing on the door.
Alastor stepped into the lobby, surprised to find it crowded with demons watching the hell pups play and interact with each other. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a Dalmatian-like Hellhound approach him with a clipboard.
“Good afternoon, Mister — Ummm.”
“Alastor.”
“Mister Alastor.” She wrote. “You got to the right time. Just follow me.”
The Hellhound explained that there were still hellpuppies available for adoption. They had all already been vaccinated against hellbies and were awaiting their next medical appointment in five years — “If you prefer, we still have litters of newborns at our Sloth Ring headquarters. They arrived a few weeks ago.”
Alastor didn’t take his eyes off any of the cubs. As he sensed, they were no different from Earth puppies: They were restless and barked left and right. They followed any demon that caught their attention. Overall, they were pitifully weak and distracted.
“Do you know what kind of puppy you want?” The Dalmatian-like hellhound asked.
“I am looking for security personnel.”
“With the right guidance, these hellpuppies will make great guardians. Most of Goetia’s security team were educated by—”
“That’s good to hear,” Alastor interrupted, “But I’m not looking for hellpuppies.” The Hell dalmatian’s gaze shifted to him in surprise after he spoke. “I’m looking for the aged-out ones.”
The Hellhound’s eyes nearly popped out of her sockets, and her jaw dropped. After coughing to regain her composure, she asked, “You’re kidding, right?”
“Does it look like one?”
The hellhound swallowed her saliva and felt her fur bristle at the terrifying pointy-fanged smile. Oh, my Bee, why did I accept these commissions? “Just a heads-up, those sock-busting teens aren’t going to take whatever you offer.”
“How would I know if I haven’t spoken to them?” Alastor smiled when he saw resignation on the Hellhound’s face. She looked both ways, then turned and motioned for him to follow.
Soon, the noise from the lobby became a faint whisper in the hallways. Suddenly, new sounds were coming from down the hall.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” The hellhound said before opening the door.
The first things he saw inside the room were the shattered cages, piled-up mattresses, saliva-stained and chewed pillows, walls covered in scattered food, and broken bowls on the floor. The young hellhounds had their backs to them. The pack had formed a ring, more intent on seeing who would lose a fang or an eye than on the two newcomers.
The hellhound pulled out a metal whistle and blew it. Immediately, the teens and Alastor stiffened. They stopped fighting, brought their paws to their ears, and knelt down. Annoyed by the frequency, they now had their full attention on Alastor and the hellhound.
“Pay attention, fleabags!” The hellhound’s voice was firm, “This is your last chance to at least try to look like you’ll be of some use for once in your miserable lives!” The young hellhounds didn’t hesitate to snarl at her. The dalmatian-like hound looked at Alastor. “The floor is yours.” With that, she handed him the whistle and walked out.
“We are not going to be adopted!” With a shout, one of the young hellhounds made it clear to Alastor that they had no interest in listening to him.
“Who said anything about adopting you?” Alastor squeezed the whistle and threw it to the ground. He stomped on it in front of the stunned hellhounds. “I’d like to offer you a job. Here, you’ll never have to worry about having a roof over your head or a hot meal every day.”
The teens looked at each other warily, unsure about the offer.
“Which Ring are we talking about?”
“Well, the most important of all. The Pride Ring.” Alastor took a few steps. He had to find the leader of the pack, “A club at Pentagram City.”
Some hellhounds tensed up when they heard the name, while others burst out laughing.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I’m not going back to that place.”
“Who wants to go near that shithole?”
“Worst adoption proposal! And I’ve been here since I was born.”
Alastor wasn’t surprised by the rejection, however. In fact, he had seen it coming. He knew that the social hierarchy placed the sinners below even the weakest Hellborn. As far as the hierarchy of powers was concerned, though, the Overlords were on another level.
His shadow alerted him to the presence of two hounds sneaking around behind the pack. They were hiding as well as they could while whispering and pointing at him. Perhaps they planned to attack him and stand their ground. Maybe they had scared off anyone who might have helped them this way.
He’d teach them a lesson so that it’d stick with them: Never bite the hand that feeds you.
One of them slid underneath the others with claws out, intending to scratch his legs. Suddenly, a black wall rose in front of him. If before the attention of all the young hounds wasn’t on them, or if they had conspired to do so, it was now. From that veil, a shadow jumped out and grabbed him by the neck, holding him in the air.
At the same time, the second hellhound leaped into the air. Instead of attacking with his claws, he opened his mouth, baring his fangs in a feeble attempt at intimidation. Before he could swoop toward the Overlord, however, the shadow shook the first hellhound, knocking him and his companion into one of the cages. The rest of the pack looked on in disbelief.
“And if I told you, you will have my protection.” Alastor leaned on his cane, maintaining his composure despite the failed attack.
The hellhounds’ gazes shifted back to him. Now, they weren’t just surprised; they were also terrified and interested. Some of them looked fascinated, while others laughed nervously.
“Are you a Goetia’s?” Someone at the back of the pack asked.
“Don’t be silly, no Goetia would ever set foot in that place.” Someone answered before Alastor did.
“I’m not as strong as a Goetia, in case you’re wondering.” Alastor commented, feigning disinterest, “At least in Pentagram City, you won’t have any problems claiming to be under my jurisdiction.”
How many Hellborn employees worked for Sinners? The answer is none. If word spread that he had the Hellborn doing him favors, the rats might no longer be able to hide in the dark, dreading how far his influence might reach. It’s clear that they’d want to put out any sparks before it turns into a fire. Alastor wondered how the other Overlords will react when they find out that he has already made a deal with Lucifer. He could enjoy watching the rest of them fail in their attempts to overthrow him.
“Why do you want to take us to that place?” Another hound asked.
“Why, well, I live there.”
Alastor heard the hellhounds gasp in surprise and look at each other before whispering. Not all of them looked like hellhounds. Some had horns, some had gills, and some had bat-like wings. Very few had a small purple blaze between their ears. Half-breeds, Alastor concluded. Despite never having set foot in Rosie’s orphanage, he was certain that there’d be some half-Sinners there as well.
Someone in the crowd coughed, raising a black-furred hand. The pack quickly parted, revealing a black, wolf-like hellhound to Alastor.
Bingo! Alastor made eye contact with the hellhound and was pleased to see her breathing sharply. “Yes, tell me, dear.”
“Are you a half-Sinner?” With some uncertainty, she asked, as if trying to convince herself that it was worth it — That it was worth risking her life and the few hellhounds’ willing to follow her.
A laugh echoed through the site, sending shivers through their bodies. The two hellhounds that had attacked ran to join their pack and clung to them. The light from the bulb dimmed, leaving them almost in semi-darkness. Only a strange red glow coming from the microphone cast a green-eyed shadow behind Alastor as he cocked his head. The young hellhounds winced when they heard his bones and joints crack.
“Would it change anything if I were?”
◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇
“Well,” Belphegor yawned and withdrew her hands from Lucifer’s belly. “You aren’t pregnant.”
Lucifer looked at the small, window-like portal through which Belle taught her obstetrics students. “Yes, I thought it’d be impossible.”
The Sloth Queen looked at him skeptically. “If you already knew, why did you come?”
Lucifer snorted. “Can’t I spend time with my siblings?”
Lucifer enjoyed spending time with his Deadly Sins, but he had to admit that he played favorites. Many of them noticed when they were in his good graces. For example, he gave Satan hydra-leather black boots, and he recommended Beelzebub and her staff to provide food for every Goetia feast.
Belle tapped her fingers over her desk one by one. Sighing, she pulled out two small bottles. “At this point, I’m more of a drug supplier than your sister.”
Lucifer stood up straight, sat down on the examination table, and turned around to face her. With a wave of his hand, the two small bottles floated toward him. “How often should I take them?”
“Once a day is recommended. The other—” She pointed at, “Twice a day if you begin to feel fatigued, but I don’t recommend more than that dose.” Belle warned, concerned about the risks, “Or we could use syringes, you know? They’d be more effective and you’d only need them once—”
“No!” Lucifer responded immediately. His eyes flashed a golden glow before returning to their signature red color. “I’m sorry. I don’t want any injections, okay?”
Belle gave a quick glance toward the middle, where there was a cauterized mark on his abdomen and back. Even though the Sins healed him after the fall... “Yes.” She responded sympathetically, “So with this Sinner—”
“Alastor? Don’t tell me I have to bring him with you for this.” Considering that the sinners didn’t have well-equipped hospitals, convincing Alastor could take time. No Baphomet accepted Lilith’s job proposals, so she had to look for sinners who worked in the medical field in life.
“Yes, that sounds ideal, but I’m more curious about what I heard.”
Intrigued, Lucifer arched an eyebrow and let Belle continue talking while he put on his coat.
“Mammon said you hired a Malebranche as your assistant.” Belle smiled playfully. Her siblings couldn’t resist gossiping about Lucifer behind his back, “His name’s Alastor. According to Satan, he’s one of Furfur’s bastards.”
Lucifer ran a hand over his face, taking a deep breath. “It’s a misunderstanding, okay? Alastor arrived at a bad time with Bee, Levi, and Moony.” Oh Father, don’t let this get out of hand. If any of the Malebranche heard this rumor... Now he had no time to deal with another civil war in his Ring — This time he’d let the Goetia’s deal with their bastards.
“Yet, Ozzie says that you never looked for an assistant again. So, he’s still helping you?”
“Well, he’s a very effective sinner.” Lucifer responded, “And we have a deal.”
“I may have been drowsy, but his job was only to help you conceive.” A sly smile formed on her lips, “Or will you tell me that you two have done it—”
“Belle,” He didn’t come here to be teased by his sister, “Would that be all?”
The Sin rolled her eyes and closed them again, leaving only the one on her forehead open. “I need to know where you plan to give birth.” If Lucifer doesn’t want anyone to pierce his skin, the ideal would be a natural childbirth, with her and two other efficient doctors. A large sum of souls would be enough to buy their silence.
“In my mansion. If Hell finds out that I’m in the hospital, there will be chaos.” He’ll also need to find an excuse to retire once his belly begins swelling from the pregnancy. “I don’t want a repeat of what happened to Levi.”
When news of Leviathan’s pregnancy spread and the Queen of Envy was taken to the hospital, gangs tried to attack. Several Infestors lost their lives that tragic day. Although Lucifer couldn’t blame Levi’s Cenobites for doing their job as personal guards, what should have been a day of celebration for his sister and nephew — Celebrations in honor of the new Prince of Envy — became a mournful day in the Ring.
He didn’t want to remember the media harassment Fortuna and Abaddon endured during their first public appearances. The press devoted all their efforts to tracking down their mothers. Any demon seen with them, even if only for a brief conversation, was hounded by the press. Only they knew where they sent the demons with the Asmodean crystals.
It was a turbulent time in Hell when his niece and nephews were born, but it was clear that none of his Sins regretted their decision. Lucifer prayed that, when the time came, his offspring would never experience hardship.
Maybe they won’t, he thought hopefully, I’m the goddamn King of Hell, if they dare —
“We will think of something before the press draws any conclusions.” Belle assured him. “I’ll also send you a list of healthy foods. And books. Don’t worry; they’re the same ones I sent to our siblings.”
“And you tell me not to worry? Fortuna bit her nanny, and Mammon bought her a circus just for not biting their fingers off.” Both demons laughed. Lucifer was grateful for the time he spent with his family. Sometimes he felt like he was swimming in calm waters, and other times he felt like he was trying to quell a big bang. “Until they run out.” He said, shaking both jars.
“The pills have been counted, Lucifer.” Belle rested her head on her desk until her next patient arrived. She could take a nap while she waited. “I don’t want you here before or after.”
“Noted and remembered.” With a snap of his fingers, a portal appeared. Lucifer took his leave by jumping to the other side, where his own office was located. The portal closed behind him.
Alastor didn’t come back. He said he was going to do a favor for a friend. Maybe he should tune in to his radio show to see if he’s on the air. If not, he could always enjoy the music—
A beehive-like portal opened in the middle of Lucifer’s office. Before he could react, he was tackled.
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” The Gluttony Queen smothered the King in a sweet, deadly embrace. “I won’t lie, I had my doubts about when you’d solve it. But what you did was—”
“Bee?” Lucifer recognized his furry aggressor, “Wait, what’s going on?” He asked confused.
“I have to thank him!” Bee looked radiantly happy. Her wings fluttered as quickly as a hummingbird’s as she roamed the room restlessly, as if searching for something. “Wait, where does he live? I’m throwing a banquet in his honor!”
“Who?” Officially, he was lost.
“Who else, Alastor!”
Perhaps Lucifer opened a portal that took him to an unknown dimension — “Alastor? You mean my... My Secretary?” He tried so hard not to squeak the word. “Why?”
“Alastor adopted the aged-out hellhounds! They all accepted! They didn’t grumble, nor did they need a leash or a muzzle!” Her honey-like tail wagged agitatedly, barely able to contain her excitement, “He’s officially my favorite demon — But don’t tell Barbatos or Ukobach, I’m still trying to stop them from killing each other.”
Alastor did what? Lucifer wrapped his agitated sister in a golden lasso and pulled her to him. “How do you know?” Who else knows?
“The agency called me — Oh, Luci, you don’t know how happy I am, I feel so high and I haven’t taken any drugs — What is his favorite food? I’ll make sure my best cooks prepare a feast in his honor!”
Bee, I forgot to tell you that Alastor is a Sinner and oh~ A serial killer cannibal! Yeah, no, he won’t tell his sister that. “Bee.” Lucifer spoke with a surprising calmness, though inside he was ready to snap his fingers and erase the sinner’s existence. “I’ll see that Alastor gets your message.”
The Gluttony Queen nodded aggressively, and her beaming ear-to-ear smile was what kept Lucifer focused on not hurting her feelings.
Lucifer summoned a portal, released his sister with a flick of his wrist, and sent her spiraling into her own Ring. She took flight and disappeared into the distance. As soon as the portal closed, Lucifer spread his wings, and two horns sprouted from his forehead. Growling through his fangs, he opened a new portal and flew straight through it.
Lucifer showed up at Mimzy’s bar, ready to strangle Alastor and retrieve the hellhounds before they —
“What in the Nine Circles?” Lucifer had barely stepped outside the portal when he was stunned to see the bar filled with imps, infestors, and hellhounds, and his anger dissipated.
Thanks to Alastor and the Sinners, the club had been a mess, but now, some imps were hanging from the ceiling with their tails hooked to the structure. Others were upholstering the walls and lifting splintered planks from the floor. Hellhounds carried light bulbs and long strips of wiring on their shoulders. Meanwhile, an infestor argued over color schemes and whether the new furniture should be made of natural or synthetic wood.
“His Highness?” Lucifer turned his gaze to Mimmy. The sinner was looking at him quizzically and that’s when other Hellborns noticed him, standing statuesque in their places — Oh, shit, he’s not wearing glamour!
Lucifer felt as if he had forgotten his lines, as if all his thoughts had been erased.
“Are you here to supervise your people?” Lucifer felt a hand rest on his shoulder and heard a soft voice beside him. He looked up and met Josie’s obsidian eyes.
Listening to the Hellborn’s whispering, “Is this his establishment?”, “That explains the money.”, “We must leave this place sparkling.”, “I hope they give us good recommendations.”, “Five stars please!”
Rosie chuckled as she guided Lucifer over to where she and Mimzy had been sitting. She left him in the middle of them both and Lucifer hid his wings so he could take a seat. “You arrived just in time! The first rehearsal is about to start.”
Lucifer looked at her skeptically. Why did everyone here have to be so mysterious instead of getting straight to the point?
Then, the stage curtains opened, revealing Alastor standing with his microphone in hand.
♫ Oh, and now
The end is near
And I face that final curtain
So, goodbye to strife
This is the last dance of my life
Lord, of this I’m certain ♫
Lucifer observed a group of hellhounds behind him. He instantly recognized them. They were different from the others who were remodeling. These were small in size and inexperienced, yet ready to take down anything in their path. They each had a musical instrument, which they played slowly, trying not to miss a beat. However, their focus was on the Overlord.
♫ I’ve been a sinner
I’ve been a saint
Done both good and evil deeds
Oh, but in the end, I was good to my friends ♫
Alastor winked at Rosie and Mimzy, but his face filled with joy when his eyes fell on Lucifer.
♫ And that’s good enough for me ♫
“If he’s a saint, I’m the Pope.” Rosie whispered in Mimzy’s ear.
Lucifer heard Mimmy and Josie laughing, trying to conceal it without much success, so as not to distract the young hellhounds and draw the attention of others.
♫ Oh good Lord, they say all souls you forgive
Well, if that’s true then why?
Does there need to be a Hell?
Hey! What’s that sulfury smell?
Now I can feel fire creeping up my thigh ♫
The cymbals sounded loudly, followed by the trumpets whose melody caught the attention of the Hellborn. The melody was accompanied by the violin in the background. The tune changed completely — Not with the perfection one’d expect from professional musicians or an opera orchestra, but with the raw emotion of those who still longed for more in this life.
♫ I’m going to Hell (He’s going to Hell)
In a handbasket (In a handbasket)
It’s a Bohemian Rhapsody
Oh, Galileo, mamma mia, Scaramouche, Scaramouche
Oh, Beelzebub’s got a devil put aside for me ♫
Alastor stood there, singing along with a pair of young hellhounds that served as his chorus. Lucifer didn’t see Alastor’s arrogance or haughtiness with which he treated the others. Rather, Alastor showed pride when one of the hellhounds got carried away by the music and allowed themselves to be possessed by it.
♫ I’m going to Hell (He’s going to Hell)
In a handbasket (In a handbasket)
With my flesh, they’ll make a feast
I’m gonna be there in that number
That’s six six six, the number of the beast ♫
Alastor sang with the hellhounds, his voice harmonizing with theirs. With a simple gesture, he guided them as if he were the conductor of an orchestra.
Lucifer couldn’t take his eyes off him. Whatever he had expected to find here was nothing more than a foolish idea. It was amusing, even, that he couldn’t help but feel a small chuckle curl his lips. The most infamous sinner was up there teaching teenagers how to sing and play music.
♫ Well at least I’ll have a view
Oh, I will see the fire through the rusty razor wire
Oh, don’t you worry, I saved a seat for you ♫
Alastor exchanged glances with him. Lucifer was startled by the intensity in his gaze. Alastor leaned over to one of the black-furred hellhounds standing next to her. He tapped her on her shoulder, whispering something to her and began dancing around the stage as the music continued to play.
Lucifer heard Mimmy and Josie clapping to the beat. Most of the Hellborn stopped their chores to watch the rehearsal and cheer for the band. It seemed that the atmosphere had become warmer, happier, and livelier as a result. The hellhounds behind Alastor looked at each other and began to imitate his dance steps, paying close attention to each move.
♫ Oh, please don’t pray for me
No, I don’t need to be saved, of the devil I ain’t afraid
There ain’t nothing he can do that ain’t already been done to me ♫
Alastor’s voice echoed throughout the place, causing Lucifer’s heart to pound wildly.
♫ And I’ll have good company too
‘Cause if I was so bad, then there’s no need to be sad
‘Cause everybody else will be there too
Including you! ♫
He tapped his microphone on the stage and several shadows shot out of the object. They hovered around the young hellhounds and the Hellborns. Laughing, dancing with them.
“I thought they’d be afraid of him.” Lucifer confessed regretfully.
Rosie smiled, “I’m not saying they shouldn’t be afraid of him. Everyone here has blood on their hands.” She looked on her hands, clenching fists, her voice filled with wisdom, “However, he’s giving them an opportunity to do better and make amends for their mistakes — A chance not everyone has.”
♫ Oh, good Lord, I only ask you forgive
The self-righteous who deceive
When your words they twist
We both know Hell don’t exist
Except in the minds of the poor fools who believe! ♫
All the young hellhounds sang and danced with Alastor at the stage. When the song ended, the Hellborn audience applauded so loudly that the walls vibrated. Lucifer was surprised that there were no sinners in sight, not even Mimmy’s friends.
Alastor gave a playful bow, prompting the hellhounds to follow his lead. They were showered with cheers and applause. Then, the young hellhounds ran quickly to hug Alastor. However, he melted into their shadows, slipped offstage, and vanished — If he didn’t want to be buried under too much fluff.
“That was fantastic.” Alastor praised them, “But don’t get cocky. This is just a small preview of what you’ll show at the grand opening. Understand?”
“Okay!” They shouted as one.
“Keep practicing, and don’t worry. Your other peers will be back with the food soon.”
Upon hearing this, the new quasi-official band dispersed to continue practicing in small groups. Alastor made his way to the bar, where Mimzy and Rosie greeted him with applause and smothering hugs.
“The other hellhounds say they want to help out in the kitchen and with sewing the new outfits.” Rosie said. The thought of having new minds to pass her knowledge on to again made her feel blissful. “Are you sure you don’t want to teach them how to cook? Between you and me, your seasoning is the closest to Tiana’s.”
Alastor looked up at Lucifer, surprise and curiosity evident in his gaze, though he tried to avert it. However, he felt drawn to them, fiddling with his hands as if he wanted to get closer. Alastor couldn’t help but feel ecstatic. He had stolen the breath of the King of Hell, and he was certain that not even the greatest composers had managed that feat.
“I’ll be busy, my dear.” He said walking away from both sinners to walk toward the bottle rack. “So,” Alastor took one of the bottles of rye, “Did you like the performance?”
Lucifer coughed and straightened his posture, pivoting on the stool, “You didn’t tell me that you can sing.” No! That’s not! He should be chewing him out for not telling him about the hellhounds.
“Pride is sin.” He mockingly replied.
Lucifer couldn’t help but smirk, “You’re not exactly the picture of Humility.” He hoped that Michael’s feathered ears were buzzing somewhere in Heaven.
“The hellhounds will be thrilled if you sing with them. They were delighted to see you clapping for them.”
Yes? Hardly anyone from the Hellborn approached him. Perhaps they were too dedicated to their jobs — Perfect, no problem. At least they didn’t see his open mouth when he heard Alastor sing. “Alastor, why didn’t you tell me you were planning to hire these pups?”
“Would you have approved it back then?”
No. “I guess.” Lucifer scratched the back of his neck, ashamed of his prejudice. “Do you swear that they will leave before the Extermination?”
“If that’s your concern, I’ll escort them a day earlier myself.” Alastor handed Lucifer a cup of cider. Lucifer took it without hesitation, checked that it contained no alcohol, and took a sip. He glanced sideways at Alastor, who was smiling in satisfaction. Then, Lucifer turned around to look at the hellborn workers again.
He supposed the hellhounds were the best choice of employees. Now he understood why there were no curious Sinners here; the other hellhounds must have been guarding upstairs. Even though they were young and hadn’t developed their full strength or undergone the adult transformation, they were still stronger than the average Sinner.
Will they keep it a secret that they saw me here? Lucifer wondered — Perhaps it wouldn’t do any harm. Most of Hell knew he had deals with Carmilla and Zestial. A trio of sinners wouldn’t make Hell crumble.
“Alastor.” Mimzy approached the Overlord, “Rosie has brought a new catalog of fabrics — Your Majesty, would you like to choose with us? Don’t worry, I don’t judge fashion tastes like one’s tastes on men — Ouch! Alastor is bothering me again, Rosie!”
Lucifer couldn’t help but laugh, earning him an amused look from the trio of sinners. What a peculiar family. “This time, I must decline your offer, Mimmy. I need to tell Bee that her hellhounds are doing well. That reminds me—” Lucifer turned to see Alastor, “The next time you see her, she’ll probably invite you to one of her parties.”
Rosie leaned over to Mimzy and shook her shoulders, excitedly. “Who would have thought that our dear Alastor would be hanging out with the great elites of Hell? My efforts finally paid off!”
Alastor’s ears pinned back, “I must also retire. I feel a bit exhausted.” He didn’t sound sincere, but Lucifer could tell when someone was worn out.
“So, shall we go?” Lucifer snapped his fingers, and the gorgon’s glamour fell upon him. He reached out to Alastor and was surprised when the stag took his hand and brought it to his arm.
They finally said their goodbyes. The Hellborn assured him that this club would be like nothing he had ever seen before. They walked up the spiral staircase, which now had semi-new planks. What had once been a candy store had become a bar. Some sinners lay asleep on the wooden tables, intoxicated by moonshine. Lucifer noticed Mimmy’s girls serving drinks and chatting with the patrons. He also noticed them discreetly pickpocketing.
Atta girls. Lucifer thought amused, walking out of the establishment and seeing a couple of young hellhounds at the door. Bingo! He was right.
Piano notes sounded around him, and he noticed that Alastor’s microphone was emitting a reddish glow.
“I do know that song.” Lucifer glanced at the sinner.
“I figured you’d recognize one of your students. The famous Violinist of the Devil. But this, my good sir, is Franz Liszt.”
Lucifer clicked his tongue, “Paganini didn’t have a deal, but his mother did. She dreamed about it and didn’t rest until she got my sigil.”
Prophetic dreams were rare, not all archangels had that ability. If they had, they might have imprisoned him before Eden was built. The fact that a mortal had a dream meant that an archangel had a divine plan for Niccolò. However, Teresa misinterpreted the message and sought out the wrong archangel.
“Paganini already had an advantage over most violinists.” At Alastor’s curious look, Lucifer went on, “He had flexible joints. He could move perfectly between the strings. So, whether there was a deal or not, he’d have succeeded.” Maybe he received an Angel’s Blessing the moment he took his first breath in this world. Heaven wanted to ensure that he wouldn’t corrupt a divine messenger.
A Blessing. Lucifer blessed Lilith when he helped her escape Eden. However, she used his gift for a nefarious scheme. Lucifer couldn’t say he regretted that decision, but he sometimes wondered which other notable figures in history might have been blessed if he had accepted his initial sentence.
“I could do it.” Alastor replied, hoping his semi-sour tone wouldn’t be noticed.
“Are you serious?” Lucifer smiled sideways, not believing him.
Alastor raised a claw in the air and stretched it out. Something about the action made Lucifer swallow his words and lower his gaze. He felt his cheeks heat up. He hoped this wasn’t because of the pills. No, he hadn’t even taken them; he’d left them hidden in his office. Fuck it! Maybe they should try it tonight. The day wasn’t over yet. But Alastor was exhausted. Lucifer didn’t want to force himself on him —
“Some time after I fell into Hell, I heard a very peculiar song.”
Alastor’s voice brought him back to reality and broke his train of thought. Lucifer watched as the microphone changed to a new tune with a tap of Alastor’s knuckles — A guitar played on.
♫ Early this mornin’
When you knocked upon my door
Early this mornin’, ooh
When you knocked upon my door
And I said, “Hello, Satan,
I believe it’s time to go.”
Me and the Devil ♫
Lucifer’s eyes widened, “Oh, by my name, is it Robert?!” Not caring if he received disapproving or sneering looks from the others sinners.
Alastor had never heard of Robert Johnson in life. Years after his death, Alastor found a vinyl record that caught his attention in an Imps store and bought it immediately.
“How many years has it been?”
Had Alastor known how Lucifer would act, he might have continued with Liszt. “It seems like you’re quite fond of this boy.”
“No — Well, maybe something, it was a fun evening.” Lucifer turned a deaf ear to Alastor’s growl, “I think it’s been more than a decade—”
He was still alive! “Where exactly?”
Lucifer closed his eyes, cocking his head sideways, shaking his brain for the divine answer, “Mississippi, if I recall correctly. Oh, right. You’re from the South anyway.”
Lucifer had been close to him, “Why there?” Never thought about Louisiana? New Orleans? Maybe if Alastor had met him before—
“It was a pitiful summoning. They tried to trap me in a devil’s trap, but they set it up all wrong, so I had to take care of them.” Lucifer shrugged, “Unfortunately, I ended up stranded at a crossroads. I couldn’t go back to Hell until sunrise, so I started walking around. Then, this guy came along and plopped down on the ground next to me. I felt sorry for him. He was very shy.”
Lucifer chuckled, making Alastor’s smile tighten. He wished a sinner would stumble upon them so he could have a reason to tear someone apart.
“We started chatting, and he told me that he’d give anything to become the best guitarist. I taught him some techniques. As the sun began to rise, my portal opened. I believe that was when he figured out that I was the Devil, and he started saying he’d write a song about me.”
“It wasn’t just one.” Alastor continued speaking, though not very encouragingly. “The boy alludes to you in other songs.”
Lucifer brought his free hand to his forehead and felt the snakes rubbing between his fingers, “Wow! I never imagined that I’d make such an impression on him.” Did this count as blasphemy? Paganini was spared because the same people nicknamed him that way. If Robert were to die and fall here, Lucifer would look for him, it was his fault. “Just imagine if he had heard me play the violin!”
That beautiful, golden violin with fine, silver strings was a stunning instrument, much like its owner. Alastor remembered the tales claiming the violin was the devil’s favorite instrument because it was extremely hard to play, causing anyone who did it well to forget humility. “Well, I’m looking forward to hearing you play.”
It had been weeks since he last played for the Pandemonium. Even then, it was just to practice and distract himself. “I may do it soon.”
“Would you consider playing for the Sinners one of these days?” It was a risky thing to ask.
Lucifer had already done this many centuries before. Hell had just been formed, and the Circles were sorting and punishing sinners. The Sins, Goetias, Hellborns, and Sinners all stood at attention and held their breath. At that moment, Hell was absolutely silent. There was no sobbing, no pleading, no terror-filled screams. Only the vibrant melody of a violin could be heard, each note a wistful reminder of a torn home.
Lucifer looked both ways, as one does when crossing a street, “As long as Giuseppe isn’t still around. He’s one of the few people to have played my violin, and he thinks he’s better than me. Then there was this kid. What was his name? Carlisle, Carmel, Charleen — I know it’s on the tip of my tongue.” Lucifer hissed, showing his forked tongue, “I had a hard time getting my violin back. I know he’s not dead, but since he stole from the devil and made money with my violin, I don’t think the gates of Heaven will open for him. And don’t even get me started on the hundreds of old men who summon me only to fight—”
Alastor continued to listen to Lucifer’s anecdotes. If he didn’t have his microphone in hand, perhaps he could rest it on Lucifer’s. Summoning his shadow to vanish now would look suspicious. For now, holding Lucifer was more than enough for this tiring day.
◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇◆◆◆◇◇◇
Rosie smiled sideways, gazing romantically at the pair as they were lost in the distance, “And there goes our ace up our sleeve.” The Overlord leaned against the doorframe, folding her arms, “I can see what’s happening.”
Mimzy looked up at the Overlord, “What?”
Rosie placed her hand on her friend’s shoulder, “And they don’t have a clue.”
“Who?” Mimzy looked back and forth between the departing pair and Rosie. Had she missed something?
How had she not seen it before? Perhaps she was too distracted by her own suitors. Now, however, it was all so obvious. “Oh, Alastor, we’re going to have a long talk.”
How long would it take His Majesty to realize that Alastor was in love with him?
Notes:
You should know that Rosie doesn't miss a thing.
Hazbin Hotel is set in a world where music influences many things I wouldn't be surprised if everyone is naturally talented in singing. I was this close 🤏 to write Lucifer singing but I'll save that for a future chapter.
Yey, we had Pentious and Baxter! Will they show up again? Possibly. And Millie! Who could be next? You didn't hear it from me but the next chapter will be at the Heaven Embassy and the Cannibal Town 💀
I made a few references and allusions to events and characters, I hope you noticed them. I promised myself that I'd contain my info-dumping 😤
I have also thought about the hierarchy of Hell. I'll create two hierarchies, one social and one of powers. I'll break that down more in the next chapter.
By the way, the other time I was looking for a movie to play when I was doing my tasks I found Errementari, it's a dark fantasy movie (my favorite genre), it's been many years since I saw it - when I didn't mind getting viruses on my poor laptop (R.I.P.) Now is on Netflix LoL I hope you find the chance to see it.
Demons Mentioned:
☘︎ Cenobites, they are fictional demonic beings who appear in Hellraiser films. The most famous is Pinhead, a warning, their designs are body horror.
☘︎ Third Duke Barbatos, grants the understanding of animals, knows the past and the future, can win friends and rulers and leads them to hidden treasures.
☘︎ Ukobach, He is said to be the inventor of fireworks and the art of frying food. He is commissioned by Beelzebub to keep the “oil in the infernal cauldrons”, which is made with the blood of the damned.Songs used for this chapter:
𝄞 Orpheus in the Underworld: Can Can by Jacques Offenbach
𝄞 Hell In A Handbasket by Aurelio Voltaire
𝄞 La Campanella by Franz Liszt
𝄞 Me And The Devil Blues by Robert JohnsonTranslations:
✦ Père de merde. Ah, le modèle de paternité ! - Shitty father. Ah, the model of fatherhood!Leave a comment, a kudo, bookmark it, or just give me a ❤︎ Thanks!
By the way, here is my tumblr!
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