2-11-2018
H-hey, long time no see...
Eheheh.
Uhm.
So yeah, since I wrote the first few chapters with no real end goal in mind I got a little stuck, which meant no new chapters. But that's all resolved now so let's get this show back on the road! Some adjustments had to be made in chapters 1-3, so please read those before you continue.

In a darkened room, at an undisclosed location, a hand with claw-like nails hovers over an assortment of delicious snacks brought in to accompany the tea.

Egyn grins at the mouthwatering sight. Everything looks so good, and without Amaimon or Beelzebub there devouring everything sweet in sight he actually has time to choose.

And it feels great!

After some careful consideration he picks up one of the small cube-like confections, taking care not to damage the intricate decoration on top before promptly shoving the entire thing in his mouth.

"Swo," he begins curiously, talking around a mouthful of cake and sending crumbs flying. "Way'd'ou call m'here?"

Iblis glares at him, then rolls her eyes upwards as if she's beseeching some deity - Father, maybe - to give her strength, and it very nearly makes Egyn roll his eyes.

He doesn't, of course. Because he's not an idiot.

Just because Iblis looks all calm and collected now, he knows full well the tiniest thing could set her off. She's a lot like their Father in that regard.

Egyn wonders if she'd take that as a compliment.

Millennia spent in close - relatively speaking - contact had taught him how to navigate the minefield that was the King - or Queen, if you wanted to be nitpicky - of Fire's temper. And while he liked to skirt the edges every now and again, teasing and annoying her like only a younger brother could, he doesn't actually want her angry. And definitely not if he would be the sole target off her rage. Better leave that stuff for when the brats were around.

"I heard something interesting a little while ago," she says suddenly, drawing his attention again. A flick of a finger sends the teapot floating up, as if lifted by an invisible hand. It begins to fill their cups, and her gaze lingers on the steam rising from the delicate porcelain. "The Impure King was revived in Assiah."

Purple eyes widen in surprise. "Oh?"

Iblis hums, and takes a sip of the fragrant liquid. Egyn peers at his own cup and takes a whiff. Earl grey people call it, right? It's been a while since he'd last had some but the smell is quite distinct.

"And?" he asks when his sister didn't elaborate. "Is Assiah a wasteland of rot now? It can't be." Distaste colors his words. "If it was, Astaroth would be in here bragging about his pet."

Iblis shakes her head. "It was defeated. However, that is immaterial."

Egyn blinks.

"Oh? And why's that?"

"Big Brother's exorcists used some of my kin to fight it," Nothing out of the ordinary there, "and when they failed," again, totally predictable, "Ucchusma went to see what could be done. He told me he met someone near the core."

Iblis turns to him then, her voice never changing from its dispassionate state and glittering garnet eyes the only thing betraying her interest.

"A child, neither human nor demon."

Understanding blooms on Egyn's face. "Oh. He meant Father's...?"

"What else?"

Egyn shrugged, eyeing his sister carefully. "Maybe Father has more bastards running about," he suggested. The well-timed comment has the intended effect and he has the singular satisfaction of watching his prim and proper sister choke on her tea in a most unladylike fashion.

Iblis slams her cup down with such force that Egyn is surprised it doesn't shatter on impact. Tea sloshes over the edge, evaporating before it even has a chance to hit her skin.

Her glare burns. In fact, the entire room was starting to get uncomfortably hot.

Egyn fiddles with the silk of his shirt collar and quickly gives her his most disarming smile.

"My apologies, Sister."

After a few tense and unpleasantly hot seconds, Iblis looks away and Egyn can breathe again. Neither speaks for a while. No doubt his sister is weighing the pros and cons of eviscerating him but what else was new. Egyn has never seen the point in worrying about things he can't control and so he just grabs more cake.

"I'm going to Assiah."

And now he's the one coughing. "Eeeeeh? But why?"

Iblis' look makes him feel a little foolish for asking but Egyn shoves the thought aside.

"Amaimon has not returned for some time. No doubt he is with Big Brother Samael. And Big Brother Lucifer is there, too," Iblis waves her hand, an indistinct gesture, "Somewhere. Assiah is becoming interesting. I want to see what happens from this point on."

With that declaration, Iblis rises from the table and turns to the door, the ragged ends of her cloak trailing across the floor.

"Besides," she murmurs suddenly, catching his attention, "I have yet to meet our littlest brother."

A grin finds its way onto Egyn's face. "Same here. Say, mind if I tag along?"

"Do as you please."

I hope you found that enjoyable ^ ^
If so, please leave a comment~