Chapter 1: Flames
Chapter by Aquim Im Delta (Delta_Epsilon)
Chapter Text
Primo looks at the book sat atop the plinth. He's not sure what to do. Rather he knows exactly what to do but not where to start.
"Well? Pick it up." His father instructs. Hesitantly he does. Turning pages blindly until he finds what calls to him. The fires of hell to which he had been promised from birth. He would start there.
"I've got it" he says. Nihil nods and leaves the room, this must be done alone. The stone door slides into place sealing him inside.
There is only two options. Live, or die. Nihil won't accept failure, so Primo will sit in this room until he has a ghoul, or die trying. He's not scared, not of the ghoul. Death does not dissuade him...whatever Nihil will do if Primo returns a failure...now that...that may be different.
The young man shakes his head.
"I am papa. It is my birth right." He murmurs to the chamber. It's not just for himself. Whatever enters here will be his. One way or another.
Primo steps to the ritual altar and holds the grucifix aloft. Determination paints his face, when he succeeds it will not be the only thing coloring his features.
"In silvas ultra invoco.
Responde mihi nunc lambendo flamma et scintilla linguae.
Veni nunc ad templum inferorum ut stellae patri servias.
Te ad aram antea voco."
It's a simple incantation, the hard part isn't the words...it's what comes when the fire rips around the circle and a claw bursts from the ritual markings like Primo owes it money. Unfortunately for this ghoul this isn't Secondo and the only thing Primo gives out is ass kickings.
The fight is quick but it does feel like an eternity. Burnt skin and black bruises cover Primo, the ghoul is sat on the edge of the altar, stable now, and licking it's wounds. He's big, broad, and tall. Primo let's his eyes wander, he will likely never see the creature again out of robes so he...enjoys the view.
"You hit hard for a human" the ghoul rumbles
"You hit soft for a creature of darkness" Primo shoots back, the ghoul laughs and let's out a strange purr that is accented with the crackling of fire. "You have a name?"
"That's your job"
"How does ...Alpha feel?"
"I can work with that" the ghoul rumbles. "Papa"
The word sends a thrill through him. He is, isn't he? He's papa. With this ghoul, the first of many, Primo had proven his right to bare the name, to take the stage, to lead the unholy.
He is papa
Chapter 2: Coal
Chapter by Aquim Im Delta (Delta_Epsilon)
Summary:
Omega being a dick, Alpha being a bigger dick.
Chapter Text
After the first ghoul the rest came easily. Not that they didn't duel and force Primo into truly terrible positions; but easy more so that he wasn't anxious or unsure. Primo will forever bare the scars from Crust, Chain, and Omega. Aero had been mostly merciful and only strangled Primo half to death rather than Crusts approach of beating him into the bricks like a roach on kitchen tile.
Nihil seemed plenty pleased with Primo's ghouls. All large creatures with vicious attitudes and sharp wit, the old papa almost seemed jealous as he hadn't had such creatures. Nihils ghouls had been smaller, appeared less intimidating and more like a standard 60's rock band. Of course Primo had split from his father's script, darker with messier paint and less cheery bright tunes. Different ghouls was just part of Primos big change
The siblings of sin had labelled each ghoul with a rating, something used to determine their strength. Alpha was strong but not all consuming, Rank A. Crust and Aero had fallen into Rank B, acceptable average ghouls with good powers. Chain was Rank X, he wasn't really eager to use his powers so they couldn't be sure he had any, leading to a placeholder rank. Omega...now that was something special. Rank S, and a vow of loyalty to the three brothers, not just Primo. Primo appreciated the thought to protect his brothers too. Though he wouldn't share that information to anyone, lord forbid his brothers hear and harass him constantly about "being soft".
Currently Primo is sat in the chapel with Alpha at his side. The ghoul plucks at his guitar as Primo tries to finish the last few words to Death Knell. He hadn't liked the first three endings. Ritual, Elizabeth, Stand by him, even Con clavi con dio had all come easily; like Lucifer himself had guided Primos hand. But not this last one.
"Can you say his name?" Alpha is dark voice breaks through Primos irritated stupor "Carrier of the light..." Alpha trails off
"Legions of his seed...A child you a spouse will... Eh"
"Feed?"
"Fuck yes. That's good, Alpha!"
"Can we get lunch now?"
"Did you just finish this song so we can go eat?" The young man chuckles.
"Look I'm not a sin but I'm still a glutton"
"I can tell." Primo rolls his mismatch eyes, "pack up. Let's go. Oh and think about which song you want to play for the abbey-"
"Stand by him" Alpha answers easily.
"That's a great choice." Primo agrees, "and perhaps Ritual after that?" He suggests
"We should see everyone's reactions first."
"Don't think they'll like it?"
"I think it'll possess them~" the ghoul purrs Primo feels a thrill wash over him.
"I can't wait."
"Scared?"
"No. Not with the deceivers will in my words."
"Very good. You'll be perfect as always, Papa."
"Tch" they both hear a mocking sound slip from the ghoul by the door. They hadn't heard Omega comes in but he looks annoyed. "Keep treating him like this, Alpha, and people might get ideas."
As Primo and Alpha turn to face Omega, confusion fills Primo,
"What are you talking about, Omega?"
"Nothing, Papa," Alpha tries to silence the conversation, Omega steps forward to growl,
"Throwing yourself at Papa. Unnatural, disgusting"
"Fuck off, Omega, I'm his first ghoul, I'm not begging for attention, like you"
"Try all you want but I see through you," Omega circles Alpha, "stay in your lane, Alpha," the quintessence warns before slipping off to harrass the cardinals. His exit is punctuated with a snarl from Alpha. The fire ghoul will not let this disrespect stand, not to him nor Primo, Omega will reap his words.
Primo on the other hand rolls his eyes and walks off, they have work to do and he doesn't need to let Omega and his over dramatic bullshit bother him.
-
The clergy waits eagerly with Imperator and Nihil stood at the back watching with judgemental and vicious eyes. They'd run this show for decades and both had impossibly high standards, standards that didn't match each other.
Nihil wanted a rockstar, someone who could and would spread sin everywhere he went and reminded the world that their cursed blood was ceaseless.
Imperator wanted results, music that corrupted and sunk into the psyche of the innocent drawing them into the clergys grasp.
Loud and bold vs. insidious and clever.
Primo was certain he could achieve both. The ghouls don't seem nervous, he see's Chains tail twitch impatiently though. They're ready, excited even. And who is Primo to deny them that? Their confidence sooths him as well and the minor anxiety he had is gone.
He had proved himself once, in the summoning chamber. He will once more here, infront of the ministry.
They play the first songs, Stand by Him and Ritual. Primo's voice is excellent but his stage presence is... Amateur. The reception is mixed but generally positive. Nihil doesn't think the songs are "Groovy" but what does he know? The old man played in the 60's and tastes had changed. Imperator is delighted with the music but harsh regarding Primo's stage work. Most clergy members seem pleased with the change. Primo brings a fresh sound with him.
As they step from the stage Omega slams into the ground and slides down the steps. Primo glares at him as if personally slighted. Chain gasps and tries to save the guitar rather than helping Omega. Alpha growls,
"Idiot" the fire ghoul spits "are you trying to make a fool of Papa?"
"I was tripped!" Omega snaps back as he peels himself of the ground. Primo sharply silence him,
"Your poor footwork is not to be blamed on anyone else. Fix it. Now. This is NEVER to happen again or so help me sending you back will be the kindest thing I do to you."
Omega flinches back as Primo publicly reprimands him. Ducking his head he apologizes to Papa and collects his guitar from Chain before hurrying off. Primo watches him retreat, rage palpable. Alpha glances to Imperator though, she is pleased. Alpha knew Primo would respond well, and it seems the sister approved of a heavy hand.
Primo leads the ghouls out. Chain is more tentative now, less comfortable. Alpha shoves him along.
Obey. Or else.
Chapter 3: Ash
Chapter by Aquim Im Delta (Delta_Epsilon)
Chapter Text
"I liked it..." The teen trails off,
"But?" Primo prompts,
"Eh well I just think you're being to serious about all this." Secondo states "Didn't father fuck a girl on stage once?"
"Didn't father also catch syphilis." It's not really a question. Just Primo pointing out that repeating their father's behavior is foolish.
"This is why I wear condoms" Secondo grumbles "At least until the second fuck" Primo rolls his eyes but smirks.
"What about the paint?"
"It's good." Secondo nods approvingly.
"It's gay." Terzo pipes up from his book, probably some cheesey porn novela about a dark wizard seducing a maiden.
"You're gay"
"Only on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays" Terzo retorts. The preteen was two and a half months away from being even more insufferable. Primo could hardly imagine how fucking annoying it would be to have Terzo as a youth deacon. Secondo at least could buckle down and work but Terzo, as the youngest, never saw any reason to try. He would never be Papa, at best he may become a cardinal, but he barely cares. They know he wants the stage, he wants to be Papa but he is the youngest of three, and with Primo already off to a good start unless not one but two tragedies happen there's no way Terzo will ever see the stage from anywhere but the pit.
"Terzo." Secondo says, Terzo perks up a bit,
"Si?"
"Stop being such a bitch."
Terzo huffs but speaks no further, he looks up to Secondo more than Primo. The second brother was a player, and a smooth criminal, Terzo desired the same. Not to mention there's only three months between he and Secondo but the gap between them and Primo is seven years. The harsher part of Nihils career had forced the gap. Growing up with an already adult brother was hard on them all. Primo acted more as a parent than their actual father which didn't help their relationship.
Not a single one of them would confess affection either, it wasn't proper, or at least it didn't feel proper.
-
Terzo stares down at the ghoul sprawled across the ram skin rug in his room. These things were like sand, everywhere you didn't want them.
They only seemed to obey Primo and Imperator.
Terzo nudges it with his foot, the creature grabs his ankle and yanks him onto his ass. With a yelp Terzo finds himself pinned beneath a large bleach white creature with six onyx eyes, the creatures hidden mouth splits and cracks it's skull nearly in two, revealing fangs that could put a horse down... Not to mention a twelve year old.
"Omega, you can't kill an Emeritus." Crust chides from the door way. Omega snaps his mouth shut and frees Terzo. "Sorry about him. He's been fucking up since he got here" Crust helps Terzo up
"It's fine" the preteen shudders as the large white ghoul slinks to stand near Crust "Shit happens. I did wake him up."
Omega eyes Terzo, skeptical with the youngest Emeritus's reaction to the threat, to be shaken is expected, but forgiveness? In the dark abbey? Rare as ice in the desert.
-
"Primo...What's the ghouls name?" Terzo sits sprawled backwards over the ottoman in Primo's office.
"Which one?"
"All of them I guess" the younger shrugs
"The big bulky one, with the pitch back skin and six white eyes, that's Alpha. The lanky weird one who plays bass is Chain. Drums is Crust, you know the one with two mouths and the forked tongues. Omega is the pure white one with six black eyes. Like Alpha's opposite. The last one is Aero, the one with wings." Primo goes down the list, explaining to his brother what everything is. Terzo listens for once, staring at the ceiling.
"Omega," he repeats.
"What about him?"
"Nothing. I'm just thinking."
"Alright well I'm trying to read this record contract so why don't you go see what Secondo is up to?"
"He's fucking a sister," Terzo says but still gets up to leave. Primo rolls his eyes but nods,
"Of course. Well I still need you-"
"I'm going, Premium." Terzo snickers. With one last eye roll Primo watches the door shut behind the youngest brother.
Terzo wanders the abbey in quiet contemplation, taking a moment to shoulder check one of the choir boys as he walks past. He can't do anything to Terzo, seeing as he's an Emeritus. Messing with that kid has been Terzos pass time since he was five, and he won't stop now...even though those mismatched eyes bore into his back as Terzos walks off.
He finds himself in the hall sectioned off as the ghoul dorms. He's just curious, it's fine to say hey to the things protecting and serving his brother. So Terzo enters. The dorms are 3 stories connected by a staircase, the first floors all business, recordings and practice happen here. The floors above this are bedrooms, the first for the abbey's temporary ghouls, and the second for Papa's ghouls. Terzo slowly heads up the stairs,hands in his pockets as he listens to the quiet chatter of temporary ghouls. Then as he starts the stairs to the top floor he hears plucking of a guitar, probably lead.
He's proven correct as he rounds into the common room of the primary dorms to see Alpha calmly playing Elizabeth. Omega is laid across a love seat likely snoozing and smashed under him is Aero who is basically flattened beneath Omega, and yet seems content as he softly snores. Terzo shoots a confused look at Alpha, questioning the scene.
"What?" Alpha asks but he doesn't actually sound interested.
"Why are they sleeping like that?"
"Aero makes a great mattress," Alpha says sarcastically, Terzos huffs and crosses his arms. "Because that's how ghouls like to sleep." Alpha submits, displeased to be pushed around by a twelve year old.
"Weird,"
"You're just pissed you weren't invited." Terzo scoffs at Alpha's statement. How stupid, Terzo is not a cat or whatever. They aren't either but whatever, he doesn't give a shit. Not a single one. These cat demon ghoul assholes don't know him.
Would Primo allow him to claim nightmares like he had as a child? To claim a comfort he was much to old for?...
Ridiculous.
Sockets on Chapter 3 Fri 05 Sep 2025 06:12AM UTC
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