About a month has passed. The construction crew has run into some issues regarding the infrastructure of the venue. There needs to be some more construction work done in order to properly repair the pipes.
I'm currently at my father's penthouse where he meets with powerful overlords. He's sitting on a throne in the middle of a large room toward the back. A large serpent slithers around the throne. I'm sitting next to him to his right, shadowing him again per usual.
"Sir Magne," a man enters through double doors.
Behind him follow two large-built guards dragging a man in a suit into the area. The large double doors close after them.
"You may speak, Francis," my father permits.
"This is the man who cheated you out of a finance business of yours," Francis replies. "He also harbors ideas of overthrowing you, the ruler of Hell."
"Is that so?" My father eyes the man.
My father then stands from his throne, the serpent slithering up and around his body. He approaches the man as the guards hold him up, his legs still dragging behind him. My father lifts the man's head up with the top of his cane under the man's chin.
"What is your name?" My father asks.
"Michael…" the man is nervous and beat up.
"Hm. Michael you say? I know of a Michael...one who I thought was a fellow ally of mine. He decided to stand against me in my rebellion. Don't you think I feel...cheated and betrayed?"
Michael stares up at my father with eyes full of fear.
"And for you to not only cheat me in one of my businesses," my father continues. "But to also think of overthrowing me? Hm. Let me guess – you want to take my place as ruler of Hell, just like the many demon overlords here in this Godforsaken world."
Michael continues to stare up at my father, trembling with fear as beads of sweat roll down the sides of his face. I watch as my father deals with him.
"No one can overthrow me," my father is more stern. "I am the most powerful being in Hell. A fallen angel, who was God's right hand."
My father lowers himself to speak next to Michael's ear.
"An angel overpowers any demon with ease," my father says. "And you're no different."
The serpent curls around my father's right arm, hissing at Michael's face.
"Let this be a lesson to anyone who shares your thinking," my father holds his hand out at Michael. "Now, you will be erased."
A shining bright ray of light shoots from my father's hand at Michael. His body is completely obliterated, turned into ash. The ash falls to the floor as my father gazes down .
"You are dismissed," my father orders Francis.
Francis nods and leaves through the double doors with the guards, leaving my father and I alone. I sit in thought after having witnessed another erasing of a demon. My father heads back over to me, sitting at his throne. The serpent curls around the throne again, its tongue flicking out of its mouth.
"Those who defy your rule need to be taken care of," my father explains. "If given a chance, they'll only cause you more trouble in the long run. I'm sure there are many like him who share the same feeling. Those who want to take my place as ruler of Hell."
I listen closely to my father.
"It's important to set the example of them so others think twice before trying to overthrow me," my father continues. "These are issues you'll have to deal with when you become Queen, Elena. Don't take these matters lightly. You'll need to rule sternly but reasonably. I want to make sure you're fully prepared for it so you can handle your own whenever I'm not around."
"I'll rule just as well as you, dad," I nod. "I'll make sure of it," I give a determined gaze.
It's early in the evening. I'm preparing a small cake on Alastor's dining table. I asked him to meet with the real estate agent regarding the contraction costs to the venue. This was also done to get him out of his estate while I set up a surprise for his birthday.
"He should be here any second now…" I place a candle on the cake. "I got a smaller cake than Angel's considering Alastor's lack of a sweet tooth."
The echo of the estate gates catches my attention. I quickly light the candles on the cake and carry it to the front door. I'm wearing a red cone party hat and have a party blower in my mouth. After some time, one of the front doors is unlocked. Alastor enters and I blow the party horn, which unrolls and produces a horn-like noise.
"Happy birthday, Alastor!" I take the party blower out of my mouth.
Alastor stands there dumbfounded, slowly closing the door behind him. I smile up at him, excited to have surprised him. Seeing that he has no response, I raise a brow at him.
"What's the matter?" I ask.
He continues to stare at me in silence. I blink and gaze down to the floor in disappointment.
"I'm sorry," I say. "I should have asked you first before intruding on you like this."
"No, don't apologize," Alastor snaps out of his thoughts. "Sorry for the late response. I'm just...surprised that you even remembered my birthday."
My brows rise at his response.
"I don't share my birthday with anyone," Alastor continues. "I didn't expect you to even remember."
"What? Of course I remember!" I say. "That's what friends do!"
'Friends?' Alastor thinks to himself. 'Is that what we are?'
"Anyway," I turn to head to the dining room. "I also cooked some Mexican food. Nothing fancy, just some enchiladas."
Alastor stares after me in silence, still dazed in thought.
"I invited Angel, but he had a date tonight," my voice fades as I get further away.
'She planned this? For me?' Alastor continues to think to himself. 'The last one to celebrate my birthday was my mother, all those years ago.'
Alastor finally snaps out of his thoughts and heads to the dinning room to join me.
"I guess the venue will still need some time before it's ready to open," I say. "But I guess as long as we don't give up, we'll make it happen!"
"That's the right attitude!" Alastor exclaims.
We're sitting on the red sofa in front of the fireplace. I sip from my glass of whiskey as I stare into the fire in thought.
"Something's on your mind," Alastor observes and then sips from his whiskey.
"Yeah…" I reply.
"Well, what is it?"
"I haven't told you about this, but it's about the other part that comes along with being ruler of Hell."
Alastor sits and waits for me to continue.
"As you probably know," I continue. "There are overlords out there who want the throne to Hell."
"Ah yes. It's a rather stupid decision to even try challenging Lucifer, but some poor souls attempt to anyway."
"Exactly. Today, my father confronted one of those demons who wanted to overthrow him. Like other overlords, this guy wanted the throne. But the thing is, my father is a fallen angel."
"Which makes him the most powerful being in Hell."
"Yes, I'm surprised you know this much."
"It wasn't difficult to figure out. A powerful overlord such as myself is expected to know this. There's a reason I keep my distance from Lucifer."
"Smart on your part. But this guy earlier today wasn't."
"What happened to him?"
"He was erased."
Alastor sits in thought.
"It's nothing new to me," I say. "I've seen my own father's carnage. He's the only one in Hell capable of erasing someone's soul. It's his power as an angel."
"Will you inherit that power?"
"I do have it… So long as there's angel blood running through my veins, I will be capable of inheriting the power of erasing souls. But that power will be granted once I become queen."
"Now I can see more of the pressure and expectations of you as heir."
"Yeah, it's one hell of a responsibility to take on," I sip from my whiskey. "But I'm prepared for it."
Alastor sees the determined gaze in my eyes as I stare into the fire. He admires the tenacity in me.
"You and Angel are the only ones I've shared this with," I turn my gaze to Alastor. "This information is vital and confidential. It's best our enemies don't know what our powers are to keep them at bay. I'm sure an overlord of your stature understands that."
"Indeed I do," Alastor nods.
"So I trust you with it," I give him a small warm smile.
Alastor is again surprised at my friendly nature towards him. Nearly everyone in Hell is terrified of him and wouldn't dare be so friendly. Yet, here I am, able to break down his walls and warm his frozen heart.
"I'm assuming you understand how Hell works considering you've been here a long time," I say.
"What do you mean?" Alastor asks.
"A human soul becomes a demon when sent to Hell, but still keeping his or her basic human form. Some can completely lose their sense of self and become a senseless demon. Or they remain in their human form but with different physical qualities. Depending on your sin, you may be granted powers in Hell. The worse the sin, the more powerful you become."
"Ah yes. I've come to understand that."
"So that makes me wonder… What could you have done in your human life that granted you such power?"
Alastor turns his gaze away in silence.
"I've heard even my father wonder about that once," I continue. "I can't help but think you two would get along just fine," I laugh.
"Perhaps befriending your father is a possibility," Alastor replies. "But for now, it's best he and I stay at a distance."
"Agreed," I scoff with a smile.
Alastor sits in thought for a moment while I continue to drink my whiskey.
"Why is it that you enjoy my company?" Alastor finally asks.
"Hm?" I'm surprised.
"You know my reputation as the Radio Demon. Yet, you continue to keep me company, so far as to celebrate my birthday."
"Well, I guess I see the good in people," I gaze down with a soft smile.
Alastor stares at me in awe.
"Regardless of who a person is, I don't judge them so harshly," I continue. "I believe there's good in everyone, even those in Hell."
I shake my head and scoff.
"That's why I end up hurt," I lightly laugh. "But I can't help it. It's who I am."
"That's a wholesome quality," Alastor compliments.
"But it can be a harmful one."
I shrug before sipping more of my whiskey.
"But if you want me around less," I close my eyes with a slight smirk. "Just let me know."
"Having you around has made things...more entertaining in my life," Alastor replies.
"Hopefully that's in a good sense."
"Completely. The street racing, the arcade, befriending Angel… it all really has brought more life to me."
I gaze at Alastor for a moment before giving him a warm smile.
"Well, I'm glad to hear that," I say. "I'm sure having a friend like Vox can drive you insane."
"Tell me about it," Alastor scoffs.
"At least you've got one best friend. That way you're not so lonely."
"You really are so caring."
"I have angel blood, after all," I giggle.
I'm almost done with my glass of whiskey. I stare down at it, hesitating a bit to ask a question.
"Alastor…" I say. "After celebrating your birthday, I can't help but wonder...When did you die?"
Alastor has been expecting these kinds of questions considering how close we've gotten.
"It was a hot summer night in 1933…" Alastor replies. "I was 30 years old...I despise the manner in which I died," his eyes lower.
"Do you...mind sharing how?" I carefully pry.
Alastor stares down at his gloved hand, slowly closing his fist in thought.
"I would rather not get into it," he finally says. "I don't want to ruin such a good mood!" He keeps his smile.
"You're so cheerful," I giggle. "I really like that about you."
Alastor is surprised to hear that I like a quality of his. He wonders if that'll change once I find out the truth about him. I glance at the clock and see it's about to be 6pm soon.
"I'll get going," I set my empty glass on the coffee table. "My parents are expecting me home tonight. I'll decline dinner after eating those enchiladas though."
"Which were delicious by the way," Alastor compliments.
"You should try my mom's cooking! When she cooks Mexican food, it's to die for!"
"Hopefully I'll get the chance sometime."
"Yeah, we'll see."
I gather my belongings and head to the door with Alastor. We stop at the front double doors.
"There's one last thing I wanna gift you," I shyly keep my gaze down. "I apologize ahead of time."
"Hm? What is it?" Alastor wonders.
Despite hesitating, I move forward and give Alastor a hug.
"Happy birthday, Alastor," I say before letting go of him.
I then open one of the doors and head out, closing it after me. Alastor stands there dumbfounded. He sets a hand on his chest, remembering my embrace.
'Her hug felt...good,' he thinks to himself.
Alastor's only wish for his birthday tonight is being able to embrace me longer.