It's been awhile... I know! I'm sorry! World Series got in the way and then the damn election got to me. It's was a stressful month. This chapter is longer than the rest, I hope it makes up for the wait. Next chapter is already written, just need to edit it. ubwgqrgorbgoerg... so yeah, ENJOY!
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Hell - 1 Week Later - Courtyard
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Lucifer went barreling across the courtyard from his assault. Pillars left and right fell as his body blasted through the yard.
When his body finally came to a halt, his back smashed up against an obsidian boulder. The force caused the Devil to wince.
Unable to hold himself up, Lucifer let gravity run its course. His knees collided with the stone floor instantly.
Lucifer gritted his teeth.
As he tries to stand, his legs give out.
Off in the distance he can hear boulders being chucked across the yard. The thumps of the rocks being dropped, shakes the ground.
He tries standing once more, but his body is too weak.
The cries of his attacker get closer.
In his last effort to save himself, Lucifer musters all the strength he has and stands on his two feet. He cries out as his weight is too much for him to lift.
In a dizzy state, Lucifer looks up to find the demon charging after him, ready to deliver another blow.
Before the demon can lay another finger on him, Lucifer lifts his hand and unleashes a blast of light. It hits Jax square in the chest, sending the demon off his feet and onto the ground.
The floor shakes as the large man makes contact with the dirt.
"Fucker!" the demon cries out.
Lucifer smirks.
He clutches the wound on his bicep and limps over to Jax. The demons groans as the blast sizzles down across his chest.
"I believe that's one for me and zero for you?" Lucifer asks with amusement. He offers his hand for the demon, but Jax slaps it away. "Alright, be that way."
"Where did you learn that?"
"Not entirely sure…" Lucifer responds back. His eyes are on his palm, studying the skin.
Just as Jax was about to lift himself off the floor, Lilith waltzes into the courtyard. Stunned by her arrival, Jax stayed on the floor. One look over the two men forced Lilith to roll her eyes.
Lucifer was bleeding from his eyebrow and her son was on the floor trying to gather the strength to stand up.
"When the two of you are finished kicking each other into the next dimension, we have business to go over."
"We're still training. It can wait until later, Lilith. We'll discuss…"
The woman lifted her eyebrow at Lucifer. It wasn't an option and he knew it. Lucifer sighed.
"Very well. We'll meet you back at the palace," he waved his hand so she could leave them to their injuries. Lilith rolled her eyes once more and walked away. As soon as she was out of earshot, Lucifer lifted his hands ready for another fight. "One last go."
"Now Lucifer!" Lilith yelled out, the devil sighed. The woman had ears like a bat. "Fighting out in the open for all to see, careless."
"You heard your mother, up."
With as much strength as Jax could muster, he lifted himself up off the floor. Lucifer offered his hand as assistance. The demon took it without complaint.
"Thank you."
"Any time." He lifted the demon up and helped steady him. "What do you think she found?" He asked.
"I'm not sure my Lord… perhaps Gaudium was successful in getting Asteroth to speak?"
Lucifer repeated the treacherous demon's name with distaste.
"Let's get a move on. We've spent too much time out here." His eyes moved about the shadows trying to sense anything lurking about. The hairs on the back of his neck were already standing up. They needed to move.
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When they arrived, there were two guards posted outside, Caym and Falkor.
Falkor was a son of Lilith's, he was quick witted and showed devoted loyalty. Caym… well Lucifer was still trying to figure him out. All he knew was that the demon was recommended by Jax. He spoke highly of the demons' loyalty and strategic methods.
The two dropped on one knee and bowed their heads as Lucifer drew closer to the building. Once he got within arm length of the doors, Lucifer pushed the great wooden doors and announced his arrival. Caym and Falkor stayed outside to guard the front door.
"Honey I'm home!" Lucifer called out. Jax shook his head as he called out to his mother. They both knew Lilith hated the affection.
Jax made his way into the sitting area and plopped down on a leather chair.
Lucifer on the other hand walked over to his private bar and made himself a glass.
A pair of heels echoed out onto the floor boards. Lilith entered the room.
"Would you like a glass, my dear?"
"I'm alright, thank you." She walked over to her son and waved his feet off the coffee table. "Manner. I've raised you better than this."
Jax grumbled under his breath and did as his mother asked. He stood up straight in his seat and plaster on a smile to irritate her.
Just as Lilith was about to smack him across the face for being a smart-ass, Lucifer turned around and addressed the room.
"What was so important that you called for this little meeting?"
Lilith lowered her hand and relayed the new information she had just gathered.
"I've received word that Asmodeus plans on putting the blame on Belial and Mammon. He's throwing them under the bus to move attention from being drawn to him."
"And who's word would this information be coming from?" Jax asked. Lilith shot her son a look, she didn't appreciate his two cents. Lucifer looked over in Lilith's direction, seconding Jax's request.
"Asmodeus himself…" she replied through gritted teeth.
Lucifer tightened his grip on his glass. A quick flash of his red eyes got Lilith to sit down. She knew she was in trouble.
He had informed Lilith on multiple occasions not to go seeking information out of the demon. Although Asmodeus could never refuse Lilith, the risk of her getting discovered was too great.
"I've told you repeatedly not to go anywhere near him. Did he touch you?" he asked.
"That was kind of the point…"
Lucifer growled, "you know what I mean."
"No… I got out before anything could happen."
Lucifer turned his back on them and finished his drink. He couldn't bear to look at Lilith. He failed her. He turned his back in shame. His oldest most cherished friend was doing the dirty work to help his cause.
He went ahead and poured himself another glass.
He could hear whispers between mother and son. No doubt Jax was scolding his mother for using her body to get them a lead on what was to come.
Lucifer ran a hand over his face and tried to take in the information Lilith had just given them. Asmodeus was planning on putting the blame on Belial and Mammon.
Plotting. Scheming. Mutiny.
The bastard is turning my court against me. Lucifer slammed his fist on to the bar table.
Jax and Lilith stopped talking amongst themselves and looked over in Lucifer's direction. The man had his back to them. They could visibly see the tension in his shoulders. Lucifer slammed his fist into the bar table once more, this time startling Jax and Lilith.
"I need proof!"
"Doesn't my statement give you enough proof that Asmodeus is behind all of this?"
Lucifer shook his head, "I need solid proof." He turned around and faced the two. "And no, that wasn't me asking you to go to him again. That's enough. The risk is too great."
"I know how to protect myself Lucifer…"
"This isn't about whether or not you can protect yourself Lilith, it's about thinking things through. It's about not letting our enemy know we are onto them. It's about…" The words died out from his mouth.
He stopped and repeated the words he just said. They sounded so similar to the tone of his voice just now. He sounded like someone. He stared out into space trying to figure out who he sounded like. He could see the looks from Jax and Lilith worry about him.
"Lucifer?" Lilith called out. He held up his finger signaling her to stop talking.
The realization of whom he sounded like caught him by surprise.
He sounded like Chloe.
How could he forget her scoldings?
He shook his head and snapped out of it.
"We need to lay low and let Gaudium do his job. If the little menis gets more names out of Asteroth then we have more to go off of. We get names, we look into them. We find that they are hiding something then we can start moving ahead with the executions and imprisonment. Until then we lay low."
Lilith shook her head, she knew things would get out of hand long before Lucifer had his evidence. They were wasting time. She looked at her son and then back to Lucifer.
"You're not happy with my plan?" he asked. He looked from mother to son, he knew they wanted to say something.
Jax minded his own tongue and let his mother speak on their behalf. The both of them didn't agree with Lucifer's plan and he knew that.
"No I'm not and you know this." She dropped her arms and shot him dagger eyes. "Sooner or later Bee will go looking for Asteroth and what then Lucifer? Kidnapping and torturing one of your upper level demons is practically starting a war."
Lucifer could see the concern on Lilith's face. He looked over at Jax and made eye contact.
"You think things should be different?" he asked. Jax shrugged his shoulder. "No, answer me. I can see it on your face. Tell me."
The demon sighed, "I respect your way Lord Morningstar, but… my mother is right. Even if we're using Gaudium, how can you be so sure he can get information out of him? They will…" he corrected himself, "Asmodeus will call for a war. It's only a matter of time."
"I'm keeping my head low, it's the only thing I have. One word that I have Asteroth in my possession and it's enough to have everyone on my backs. I'm giving us time to collect evidence. So that when word gets out I can show my reasoning."
"This isn't Earth! You're not amongst humans anymore. Reasoning for who? You're king… act like one," Lilith said.
"Watch your tongue," he snapped out.
Jax slammed his fist on the coffee table, he was done with their bickering.
"Listen to yourselves. Demons are dying!" He shot his gaze over to Lucifer. "My siblings are dying because they're getting caught in the cross fires. How many lives have to be sacrificed until you realize we won't win this way?"
Lilith placed her hand on her son's shoulder, but he shrugged it off. Jax kept his glare on Lucifer until he spoke.
"Hopefully only a few," he said through gritted teeth.
It was the wrong answer.
Jax kicked the table away from him as he stood from his seat.
"Well then allow me to hurd your flawk for their slaughter." Jax sarcastically bowed to Lucifer and walked out of the room.
The thud of the wooden door was the last thing they heard.
"He has a point. You have…" Lucifer raised his hand. He didn't wish to hear about it.
Lucifer walked himself back over to the bar and made himself another glass of bourbon. Lilith watched him as he plucked the glass bottle up and poured himself another drink.
She shook her head as the olaf ignored the danger they were getting themselves in.
Unable to take it anymore, she stood from her seat and walked over to Lucifer. Just as he was about to lift it to his lips, she pulled his arm down.
"That's enough."
He jerked his arm out of her hold and finished his drink, disobeying her.
"What is your problem?"
"Nothing," he replied.
As he started to make himself another glass she pulled the bottle out of his hands.
"You may not want to be here, but my kids and I would like to stay alive." She set the bottle down and gave him a look.
He'd seen that look. It was the look Chloe would give him when he was acting out.
Lucifer sighed.
"You're going through something and it's affecting us. What. Is. Going. On," she pressed. When he didn't answer she resorted to another means. "I know Amenadiel stopped by…"
"Were you the one who told him where I was?"
"Like I wouldn't know when someone arrives?" Lucifer nodded his head. She was right. She was his look out. "What did he want?"
Lucifer shook his head. He didn't want to talk about it.
"Luce…" she leaned towards him and tried to look at his eyes. When he lowered his head, she resulted to contact instead. She laid her hand on his and gave it a squeeze. "What did he want?"
"Nothing… he didn't want anything."
"Amenadiel wouldn't have come all this way for nothing. He..."
"He came to check up on me, that's all."
"And you sent him away? Lucifer we could have used him to help us. Two angels against Asmodeus and…"
Lucifer slammed his hands against the bar table. Lilith was startled in the process.
"I don't need help. I have everything under con…"
"Do you?" Lilith called out, "because I don't. I'm drowning here. I'm constantly looking over my shoulder, more than I have in centuries. I've lost four of my children this week alone. All because of your incompetence and failure to understand the degree of severity of this civil war!"
"It's not a civil war until that ratchet demon comes out from his hole and demands a challenge!"
"I just told you he plans on throwing Belial and Mammon under the bus. He won't show his face until it's already too late! The war is already at your doorstep!"
It was a screaming match between the two. Lucifer and Lilith were shooting each other daggers by the time Lilith delivered her last word. She could see him biting his tongue.
He knew he was losing this battle.
He knew he was losing this war.
They needed to switch tactics and fast.
"Caym! Falkor!" Lucifer called out. He kept his eyes on Lilith until the demons walked into the room.
"Yes, Lord Morningstar?" They said in unison.
"It's time you showed your loyalty, Caym." He broke eye contact with Lilith and turned to the demon. Caym dropped to one knee ready for whatever Lucifer was about to say to him. "I want you to capture Tar'ath, discreetly. No one should know I sent you." The demon nodded his head and stood back up. "Falkor," Lucifer turned to him. "You will collect Etrigan."
The demon's face dropped. Falkor stepped forward unaware as to why Etrigan was being brought up.
"My Lord… Etrigan is on our side. He has aided us with information on Belial…"
"Etrigan is in danger. If Asmodeus is planning on giving up Belial, we need to collect the son. We need him to secure his father's region. As your mother has pointed out…" Lucifer turned to Lilith. "The war has already begun. Collect the heirs and bring them to me. Asmodeus will have guards around his son Caym, take them out if you must."
The demon bowed his head and left the hall. Falkor stayed put. He wasn't happy with what was happening.
"Go," Lilith said. "Make sure you collect Etrigan, bring him here as fast as you can. I promise nothing will befall him while he's with us. Right Lucifer?" The pair turned to Lucifer. The Devil nodded his head. "Go."
Falkor rushed out of the room not bothering to look back.
Lucifer turned away and headed back to his bar. Lilith watched as Lucifer packed his bottles away. He took his time setting the tumblers back in the proper spot. He grabbed his glass and washed it out. The room was quiet.
Once Lucifer was done he turned and looked at Lilith. The two looked at each other for a minute before Lucifer woke the silence.
"I have never needed help in maintaining control of Hell… I will not start now. We don't need Amenadiel's help."
Lilith didn't feel he was making the right call, so she voiced her concern.
"Your pride will get us all killed…"
"Lucky for the both of us, we're immortal."
He gathered his jacket and left the building.
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The sound of the large wooden door smacking against the stone walls echoed out into the great hall. Both Lucifer and Jax turned their heads and watched as Falkor and Etrigan clung to each other's shoulders trying to help the other walk.
Both were bloodied and bruised. The worst of the pair was Etrigan. The demon's face was swollen and red. His lip fat from a beating. His right eye twice the size, closed shut. His large horns, gone. One looked to have been snapped off, while the other cut clean off. The demon's clothes were scuffed in dirt almost as if he'd been dragged.
Falkor was no better off. The demon had blood all over his clothes. There was no way of knowing if it was his or someone else's. His face was scratched up and bruised. It looked like his left arm was broken from the way it hung on the side lifeless.
As the two walked over to Lucifer and Jax, Etrigan dropped to his knees in order to greet his king.
Before anymore could say anything, Jax rushed over and attended to his brother. He looked his brother up and down searching for any injuries worth attending to. The younger demon pushed him away and had him assist Etrigan instead.
"What happened?" Lucifer asked.
As Jax helped Etrigan into a chair, Falkor finally directed his attention to his King.
"We were ambushed," he said clutching his ribs. "We barely made it out alive…" his breathing was labored, no doubt from a broken rib. Jax came over and brought a chair for his brother to sit. The demon shook his head denying the chair.
"You need to sit, Falkor."
"I'm fine…" he pushed the chair away. The demon attitude showed seriousness. "Van came in at the last minute my Lord… I…" he looked over at Etrigan. The demon wasn't even aware that his mother was the one who saved them. "I don't know if she made it out..." Falkor watched as his friend held onto his composure.
Lilith came out from the shadows concerned for her friends' well-being. She looked at Lucifer ready to take off. Lucifer stopped her immediately.
"We sit tight until Caym arrives with Tar'ath. We need Asmodeus' heir. We don't move until he's in my custody."
"Van could be dead! If she's gone, Asmodeus could absorb her army…"
"Etrigan is alive," he looked over in the demon's direction. The boy was barely hanging on for dear life. "As long as he's alive, he can't. Take him to the bedroom, make sure he makes it past the night. We'll need him alive."
Lucifer could see the anger in Lilith's eyes, but she obeyed. Just as Falkor and Lilith place both their arms around Etrigan the demon spoke for the first time.
"My father ordered my death…" he uttered out. "He knew." He spat out blood. "My mother is dead, if she is not already. The greatest army in Hell is at my father's fingertips..."
"Not for long… Asmodeus plans on double crossing your father. If Caym acted fast enough we'll have Tar'ath in our possession soon. With your father out of the way and you still alive, your parents' armies fall to you. Let's just hope Belial doesn't open his mouth."
Etrigan nodded his head, he didn't have the strength to speak. Falkor helped assist Etrigan off his seat. Everyone watched as Falkor handled the heir with care. Even with one good working arm and broken ribs, the demon stood by Etrigan's side. Lilith stepped in and helped her son. If her friend was dead, the honorable thing to do was to make sure her son survived.
Once they were gone Jax turned to Lucifer.
"You failed to inform me you called for the capturing of Etrigan and Tar'ath…"
Lucifer looked at the blood on the floor. Jax's words deaf to Lucifer's ears. So much blood had been spilt. Van was a good woman. If she died, she died protecting her son. The only thing she loved more than her army. He took a moment to mourn her.
As he lifted his eyes off the puddle of blood he found Jax looking at him.
"I asked, when were you going to inform me you called for the capturing of Etrigan and Tar'ath?"
"You left… not my fault you failed to stick around."
"Tar'ath is my brother, I could have retrieved him faster."
"No, it's too risky. Your mother would never forgive me if I sent you on a fool's mission."
"So you send Caym?" He bit out his question. "Caym…" he stopped himself before he started yelling at Lucifer.
"You say he's smart, I have no doubt he'll get the job done."
Jax nodded his head and let the thing go. He knew Lucifer was right. They needed to capture Tar'ath to hold Asmodeus at bay. He just knew Caym would find himself in some trouble.
"You're going to kill him aren't you?"
Lucifer shook his head, "no, he's better off alive. I need to keep Asmodeus in line." Lucifer walked away and grabbed a sheet from the cabinet. He pulled it out and tossed it onto the floor. He didn't want the blood staining the wooden floor. "Can I trust Caym to get Tar'ath here in one piece?"
"Yes…" He lied.
"He's taking longer than I expected…"
"My brother is seven feet tall and weighs more than a horse. Caym will get him here as fast as he can."
"Good."
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Caym stood outside Tar'ath's residence surveillancing the grounds. There were too many guards for him to openly attack and grab his target. He took to staking out the area until he got the rotation of the guards down to the second.
That was four hours ago.
Caym was growing impatient. He knew he had to move fast. Just as he was about to kill one of the guards on the far east tower, he felt a hand on his shoulder. For a split second he panicked. His heart dropped into his stomach.
As he regained focus, he pulled out his knife and swung around to kill his attacker. As his knife swung in the air, another hand grabbed his wrist. His eyes bulged when he saw who was in front of him.
"Shh," Jax's index finger was over Caym's lips. "We have to move fast. I killed the guards at the gates. The only way to get my brother out is for me to lure him out. Stick to my side, don't open your mouth unless you have to." Jax took his hands off of the demon and pushed him against the wall.
"This wasn't part of Lord Morningstar's plan!" Caym whispered.
"Shut it!"
Jax looked around the area and pushed out of the shadows. He signaled for the demon to follow him. Caym kept quiet and followed the other demon out into the grounds. When they came into contact with a guard, Jax raised his hands in surrender.
"Jax? What are you doing on this corner of Hell?" the guard asked.
Jax let out a chuckle and dropped his arms. He gave the demon a handshake drawing him in.
"Visiting my brother, I didn't think I needed an excuse."
"These are dark times Jax… there are rumors going around…"
Jax tightened his grip, "Rumors are rumors Helm." He squeezed harder until the demon was on his knees. He let go before he could crush Helm's hand. "You best remember to address a prince with better manners next time."
"I'm sorry, your grace... " he clutched his hand close to his person. "Tar'ath is inside… but your guard will have to wait outside with me." Helm got back on his feet. "I'll also have to notify your father that you've entered the grounds… assuming you told Gareth and Gorman to keep it quiet."
Jax gritted his teeth. He looked down at Caym and then back at Helm. He really didn't want to kill the demon, but he was going to have to.
His hand moved down to the blade on his waist. Caym took a step back as he noticed Jax debating killing the demon in front of them.
"Fine… just allow me to personally send out the message." He pointed over to the booth off to the side, "that's your station right?" The guard nodded his head. As the guard turned around, Jax handed his blade over to Caym.
The two shared a silent conversation. Caym didn't want to leave any evidence. He tucked the blade behind his back and kept guard. Jax rolled his eyes and got into position. In one quick move, Jax put Helm into a headlock and tried to knock him out. The demon thrashed around trying to break free. It was no use. One quick turn and Jax snapped his neck.
"You're piling bodies," Caym warned.
"Am I? I hadn't noticed." The sarcasm wasn't appreciated by Caym. Jax pulled the dead body over to the booth and propped Helm up on the rock.
"Like that's really going to work. His neck is broken!"
Jax closed his eyes. He couldn't deal with Caym right now. He didn't need the commentary. One look at the demon and he shut his mouth.
"Stay here. Anyone comes over, stay calm. Helm is known to sleep on the job. If anyone asks, say he's sleeping."
"Are you serious?" Caym kept his voice down. He looked around for any more guards, but didn't see any. "You're not serious, are you?"
Jax stepped out of the booth and made sure the coast was clear.
"Jax!" Caym whispered. "You're a madman! Get back here!"
"Keep a lookout, I shouldn't be long."
"Jax!"
It was too late, he was already walking up to the front door.
"Sure Caym, watch the dead body." He turned around and fixed the dead demon's head. "Caym, allow me to take over your mission. Caym, I'm bigger than you, I know what's best. Caym, Caym, Caym…" his grumbling continued as he kept watch.
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Jax entered the building with ease. Without any guards posted outside, he was able to enter the building with no trouble.
The inside was quiet.
He was surprised to find no one guarding the inside.
He treaded carefully as he entered the corridor.
The hallways were lit, signaling someone was indeed inside. As he rounded the corner, he found his brother leaned over a map.
Jax took a deep breath and put on his mask. He knocked on the door frame announcing a new arrival. Tar'ath didn't bother lifting his head, he kept his head down while moving pieces around the map.
"You know you look like Father when you focus too hard," Jax called out. The demon dropped what he was doing and looked up in surprise. A smile spread across his face. He beckoned Jax over.
"What a sight for sore eyes! Jax as I live and breath! Ha! Come in come in!"
"A smile has to be the creepiest thing I've ever seen on your face, brother."
"It's a glorious day! A smile is called for," he slapped Jax over the shoulder and showed him the layout. "Look at it. Father has all of them in his grasp."
He moved his hand over the map. All sectors of Hell had his father's insignia stamped into the layout. Markers stood proud on each terrain.
Jax looked at it with disgust.
All his hard work with Lucifer, pointless. The war had already begun and ended before he could even notice. The war was already lost. Everything was claimed by his father.
Tar'ath moved the last marker into place claiming Van's terrain. Across the board marked his father's new land. Jax nodded his head and plastered a smile on his face.
"I saw Van's head mounted on a spike outside her region… nice touch." The words hurt to say out loud.
"You like that?" Jax nodded his head. "You should have seen the battle. Five to three. Blood and guts everywhere. I have to hand it to her, the bitch was hard to kill." Tar'ath walked over to his cup and lifted it to his lips.
"I'm assuming Belial ordered the attack?" Jax asked.
Tar'ath shook his head, "No. The brute ordered his son's death."
"He ordered Etrigan's death?" Jax scoffed out a laugh, "idiot."
"That's what I said." Tar'ath placed his cup on the table on top of the map. "So we got word from Belial he wants his son gone. Done. I take my men and search for him. Easy." He looks over to his brother to see his reaction, Jax's eyebrow is lifted waiting for the rest of the story. "Things turned sideways but we corrected it. Oh you should have seen it. That weasel," he snapped his fingers trying to recall Falkor's name. "Uh! The pretty boy, what's his name, mother's bastard… Val?"
"Falkor?"
"Yes! Oh you should have seen it. The bastard tried everything to protect the little prince. He tried getting Etrigan out but we roped them like cattle. Dragged them across the fields by their necks. Broke Etrigan's horns clean off. You should have seen the blood!"
Tar'ath laughter boomed into the room. Jax could see the blood all over his garment. He had no doubt in his mind it was from his brother and Etrigan. He tightened his fists so tight he was sure his nails were burrowing into his palms.
"I didn't see their heads on spikes... Don't tell me you let them get away." Jax asked. The words felt wrong coming out of his mouth.
"Of course not, my men are out looking for them."
"Looking? So you let them get away?" He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at his brother. He was playing the part as best as he could.
"You sound like father, you know that?" Tar'ath shook his head, "the bastard called the hounds out on us. It provided him with enough cover to get away once Van stepped in to help."
"So that's how you got Van..."
He looked over her terrain on the map. He was sure all her supporters were waiting for Etrigan's head to show up on the spike. He knew his brother was jumping the gun placing a marker on her territory. This wasn't over yet. He kept his thought to himself and motioned at his brother's forearm. There was a bandage wrapping a wound.
"The little shit got me with his blade."
"It looks infected," Jax said pointing to the streaks going up his arm.
"Oh I know, the bastard tipped his blade with poison. I got him back though. Broke his arm, popped it right out of the socket." Jax gritted his teeth.
"What was Falkor doing with Etrigan to begin with?"
"Oh you haven't heard?" A disgusted look flashed upon the demon's face. "Our brother is dating the disgraced heir. All we had to do was follow the boy and he led us right to Etrigan. Belial has been looking for the prince for the past week, once we got word that Falkor was leaving Lucifer's side we found our opening."
"Why wasn't I informed?" Jax asked.
"Is that really worth explaining? Your Lucifer's lapdog now," Tar'ath slapped his hand against Jax's chest, "not everything can be shared with you. Don't take it personal, I wasn't informed about Barbatos until the next day."
"I'm not," he sneered. "All I'm saying is that I could have given you Etrigan's location without causing a scene. You openly attacked a member of Lucifer's court, killing another. You do realize if Falkor gets to Lucifer you just tipped him off. He can call for all our heads now."
"Good. I'm done sneaking around. Everyone's territories are already claimed in father's name. Lucifer has no power."
Jax put on the great show he could perform. He rushed up to his brother and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. He gave him a shake.
"Think you buffon! You don't even have Etrigan in your possession and you've placed Van's head on a spike. Her army is the strongest in Hell! One sighting that Etrigan is alive and they will fall to him. You just gave Lucifer the ultimate advantage to get us all killed." He shoved him against the table and looked out the window.
A laugh echoed from the back of him, Tar'ath was laughing.
"Relax, my guards are out looking for the lovebirds. Lucifer doesn't know a thing, he's clueless." He walked over to Jax and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I know what I'm doing."
Jax mentally shook his head. No you don't. You just gave Lucifer the greatest asset and we're going to bury you in the dirt once I bring you back.
Tar'ath turned away and made his way over to a chair. He was comfortable letting his guard down. It's what Jax wanted, but it felt wrong. Once Tar'ath was sitting in his chair, he motioned for Jax to have a seat with him.
"Come on, sit." Jax sighed and plopped down on the chair besides his brother. "How's mom? I saw her slip out of dad's room this morning. Think she's ready to come home?"
"Mom?" he asked.
"Yeah, you didn't know?" Jax shook his head. "She stops by every so often. Dad thought she was collecting information, but she's been giving us insight instead. Nothing too big but interesting details." He leaned over and looked at his brother. "Wasn't aware our King had a child up on Earth." Jax tilted his head in confusion. "That's what mother told us. Would explain why he went on a murder spree when Dromos went topside."
Idiots. You're all idiots.
"He did mention a child… wasn't aware it was his," Jax voiced. "Seems mom came around after all. I'm proud of her."
"As am I. Lucifer's court is getting smaller and smaller… We have two spies in the group. If things run according to plan, we should have the throne by the end of the week."
"End of the week? That's when this will end?" Jax asked. Tar'ath nodded his head. "Finally… I'm done playing double agent."
"Easy now, I wouldn't get too happy. I said if things run according to plan. We're just looking for Asteroth. The creep slipped out from under our fingers a few days ago. You haven't happened to see him have you?"
"As a matter of fact I have," Jax smiled for the first time. "I have him strapped to a rack as we speak. I caught him trying to cross into purgatory."
"Oh I knew it was a brilliant idea to bring you into the fold, Father didn't want to, but I told him it'd be worth it. I could kiss you right now." He wrapped his arms around Jax's shoulder to give him a side hug. "Father has been searching endlessly for him. Bring him here and I'll get father to restore your position. Hell is going to need it's prince back."
"You think it's enough to restore my position?" he asked.
"You give us Asteroth and I'll personally make sure father gives it to you."
Jax nodded his head. He looked over to the window and saw Caym's head poking into the room. He narrowed his eyes at the demon forcing him to disappear. He turned back to his brother and stood from his chair.
"I'll need help escorting Asteroth out of the palace."
"The palace? You have Asteroth in the palace? Oh you are ballsy. Lucifer has been keeping an upper level demon captive right under our noses," he let out a chuckle. "I'll give it to the angel, he knows how to play the game."
Jax shook his head, his brother was getting sidetracked.
"I'll need help Tar'ath. I can't move Asteroth by myself, I'll need someone to watch my back."
"I'll have Damian follow you…"
"Damian? Damian… are you kidding me. The drunk can barely walk. You are entrusting my life to a drunk?"
"Easy," he stood from his chair and walked over to the table. He put his plans in a leather tube and slipped it under his garment. "Fine, I'll go. This way we can take Lucifer down once and for all."
"You don't have to go… I just asked for a better demon to help."
"And I'm the better demon for the job. Do you want my help or not?" He strapped his knives onto his waist and plucked the axe from the table. "You remember how to swing don't you?"
"Aye I do," Jax replied.
"Good. Something tells me we'll need to cut our way through."
Jax tested the weight of the axe. It was nothing big or flashy, but he knew it could do the job. Before Tar'ath could say anything more, Jax nudged him to start walking.
"Ugliest first."
"Hilarious!" he said with sarcasm.
Tar'ath got to walking and stepped out of the building. Jax put on a brave face and steadied his nerves. Although he got his brother to join him, he was going to have to deal with Caym. He just hoped the demon followed from a distance and kept his mouth shut.