Prologue: A Brief Reprieve
Summary:
Lucifer is now the leader of the Seven Mortal Sins, humanity has been saved from God's divine retribution, and even Maria has found a new life for herself. But the fight between angels and demons is not done. Lucifer has a plan to give the demons an edge against their heavenly adversaries and an unlikely new ally to help them. Now they have to travel the world, face their own inner demons and deal with a guy suddenly being around eight attractive girls.
Welcome, everyone, to a new story! wanted to make for a while, but none of this would've been possible if it wasn't for collaborating with the very talented Milo F. Walters who has been such a big help with bringing this story to life, I'd highly recommend checking out his works here on or AO3 where you can also read this story under his name. And, fair warning, not only does this story contain some lewd material, but it also touches on religious topics. This story is all in jest and not as an offense to anyone's denomination.
And with that out of the way, onwards!
(See the end of the work for more notes.)
Maria couldn't sleep, which she supposed was only natural. Watching your best friend fight off a literal in a battle for the sake of all humanity after weeks of battling demons was a lot to take in. Even though she had a swanky penthouse to live in until further notice, she couldn't get the rest Lucifer had suggested. Granted that could have something to do with getting tortured, watching her friend nearly and then actually die, then sacrificing her own life for a demon.
Her only solace was that her beliefs were fully justified. Lucifer was the one the whole time! The angel she prayed to for so long after her mother had died and looked for guidance. Even as a demon that mistreated her at first, she now looked back at some of those rough experiences as a friend trying to reach out to her.
She smiled at how Lucifer had finally accomplished her goal, the two bonding bit by bit ever since they met in that church. The fallen angel had finally gotten the throne she had longed for and Maria was happy to call her a friend.
As for Leviathan, Maria was glad for as well. The newly minted demon lord's rapidly improving attitude towards her definitely helped there.
"Maybe it's because I sacrificed myself for Lucifer…" the schoolgirl thought idly.
But even after all of that, an even bigger battle was on the horizon. Lucifer intended to invade Heaven to save mankind from being wiped from existence, thanks to none other than the God she once worshipped. Now she had a religious crisis adding to her insomnia.
"To think I could relax more when Lucifer had my heart," she sighed, at least appreciating there was no leverage over her. Now Maria followed Lucifer out of trust. But now what? What plan would she even be needed for? All she could do was turn on the sofa and hope she could drift asleep
Lucifer no longer had Marias heart or any leverage to scare her into following her out of obligation. But Maria knew that at this point she would follow Lucifer without any fear since she trusted her now. But would Lucifer even need Maria anymore for her plans? Maria sighed as she laid down on her sofa hoping to let her mind settle...
Until a knock came at one of the doors.
"Who could it be?" Maria asked. A second knock made her stand, her hopes up that it was one particular blonde.
"Coming!"
She opened the door and was dumbstruck to see six faces along with the one she was expecting.
"Good evening, Maria." Lucifer greeted warmly.
"Hi Lucifer and... everyone else."
"Hey there, cutie…" Asmodeus all but moaned, as per usual. The other assembled demon lords merely waved or tipped their heads as they stood behind their new leader.
"Pardon the intrusion but we have some things to discuss."
"Oh, of course, come right in," Maria bowed, standing aside and letting the Seven Mortal Sins into the main foyer of her suite. Lucifer naturally led the way followed quickly by Leviathan. Beelzebub, Asmodeus, Satan, Mammon followed with Belphegor bringing in the rear. Wile the Lord of Pride made herself at home on the couch, the others spread out around the room.
"I'm stillnot used to seeing all of them here at once," Maria thought only for Beelzebub to get her attention.
"Do you have any meat?" the petite glutton asked. Maria shook her head only for Lucifer to summon a plate of wings for the youngest demon.
"Maria, I could sense down in Hell that you couldn't sleep," Lucifer said, "I thought it'd be wise to come check on you. I'd imagine you have a lot on your mind."
Maria meekly nodded; a tinge of shame etched her face for dragging all of the demons up here just because she was thinking too hard yet Lucifer only looked concerned instead of annoyed.
"Relax, I wanted to come back anyway. I was worried about you. Besides, this place is so nice that it's hardly a hassle." She patted the couch cushion next to her.
"Thank you, Lucifer." Maria sat down on the spot as the blonde started explaining.
"I'm sure you're wondering why everyone else is here. They all have something to tell you although it's all pretty similar." Mammon, who had been standing off to the side, spoke up first.
"Maria, dear, the Seven Mortal Sins all owe you a debt of gratitude for your actions. Not only did you revive Lucifer with your sacrifice, but it revitalized all of us as well." The accented demon gave her a dazzling smile, nothing like the conniving grin she gave her "customers", making Maria blush.
"From now on, the gate of Hell will always be open for you," Satan added, as friendly as a red-haired devil in battle armor could be, "You may visit us whenever you wish."
"And it doesn't have to be for a problem," Beelzebub said after cleaning off one of her wings, "If you just want a friend to talk to, we're here."
"I second that," Belphegor drawled, lounging back in the comfiest chair in the room, "You alright with that, girlfriend?"
"That sounds great, Mrs. Kitty." Maria thanked. That got a smirk out of the slothful demon and a chuckle out of the others. Asmodeus took this as an opportunity to rise from her seat and sashay over to the girl with sultry state.
"Darling, I think we've all gotten off on the wrong foot. We want to make a better impression, especially with Lucy being our leader now."
"Really?"
"Exactly," the blonde nodded, "Now that I'm in charge of the Mortal Sins, we are all allies and we should be on good terms whenever possible. And it's true that we've had some rough patches but everyone wants to make it up to you. Right, Levi?"
Everyone glanced over at the purple-haired demon, who spent the entire time twiddling her thumbs and looking at anything other than Maria. As soon as she was called out, she flinched and waiting a good, long while before speaking like she was memorizing her words.
"Okay, I haven't exactly made it a secret that I… Didn't want you around," Leviathan half-mumbled, "Or something about how you'd only get in the way. But…"
Everyone kept their eyes peeled as Levi leaned inched closer to Maria as she stumbled through her words until she took the schoolgirl's hand.
"I was wrong, alright? So wrong…" The envious demon broke into tears as she embraced Maria, a hug that was happily returned. Once the split up, Lucifer casually summoned a goblet of wine for herself as she strode around the room.
"I've made it plainly clear that I'm grateful to you so let's not get sappy. I will adjust our arrangement, though: I officially hold nothing over you. Instead of a master-servant relationship, how about something more… Privileged?"
"Like what?"
"I'd like to be more than just your commander. I, actually all of us, want to endorse you. For the small price of making your home a holdout against the Seven Lively Virtues and some small provisions, you can have anything you'd ever want or need. Food, drink, riches, power, sexual relief, anything. No catches.
Maria mulled that over for a second before a blush came to her face.
"Wait… What was that about sexual-?"
"Nothing!" Lucifer cut Maria off. "But the offer still stands, no drawbacks. Unless struggling to keep your clothes on is a problem?"
Maria's blush deepened at that warning. Nudity might have been common in her time with Lucifer but she still found it embarrassment. Glances around the room showed varying levels of interest from Asmodeus who was clearly undressing Maria with her eyes to Beelzebub who was still more preoccupied with her plate.
"I don't know, dear," Mammon chimed, "But this sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
Lucifer snapped her fingers. "Excuse me, did I offer that to you? This is her choice, leaver her be."
While the greedy blonde sulked at that scolding, Maria realized just what was happening. She was being offered literally everything at no charge. It also touched her heart that all seven of them were united and none of them seemed to be planning anything behind her back. Maybe she could even get to know these ladies better?
Maria looked over to Lucifer. Her usual pride had a new hint of warm compassion that made her heart double its pace. Her life wasn't over. There was more to explore after all she had been through. Maria knew her decision then and there.
As the seven demon lords looked on at the girl, they noticed her stand up, then kneel down as if to pray only for her to clutch her chest and cry. All of them shared a look of concern before Maria spoke.
"Thank you, Lucifer, and all of you too! I accept!"
Every lady looked of satisfied, clearly happy at the agreement. Lucifer was no exception as she nodded, sipped her wine and helped Maria to her feet so the two could hug.
"Then it's settled! The new rule is ask and you shall receive, so says the leader of the Seven Mortal Sins! There is one thing I'd like before anything else, though."
"What's that, Lucifer?"
"Stay out of the crossfire, please? And keep your distance from Belial. You shouldn't have to put your life on the line again." Lucifer's red eyes peered straight into Maria's soul at that but the girl wondered something else?
"What about Astaroth?"
"She's Belial's lackey but she had nothing personal. Plus she couldn't hurt you if she tried."
Maria leaned into Lucifer at that, her body suddenly feeling drained as all of the warring emotions settled down.
"Also, this may sound like a nitpick, but try to keep any of your friends out of this."
"Mina wouldn't believe me anyway…" Maria then let out a hefty yawn. Lucifer effortlessly lifted the ex-Christian into her arms to lead her back towards the couch only to be surprised by Maria's next sentence.
"Can I visit you all, individually? Here or in Pandemonium is fine, but I want to know you all besides your sin."
The others all looked intrigued at that, Lucifer especially so.
"That could be arranged. Who would be first?"
Maria's eyes moved to Satan, taking the blood-redhead by complete surprise. They had only had a few brief encounters, but she found it odd that the literal personification of Wrath would be so level-headed and respected. The fact that she was the gatekeeper to Hell also meant she'd have good reason to get on the warlord's good side.
"As you wish," Satan bowed, "But my post means that you'll probably have to come to me."
"Sure, that's fine! How does next week sound?
"You sound awfully casual for a mortal asking to see the passage to the underworld," Leviathan noted, "Shouldn't you be, like, scared at least?"
Maria tried to hide the slight knobble in her knees as she tried to refute that but nobody pushed her further. If anything, they all seemed impressed.
"We can iron out an order later," Lucifer stepped in, "Let us know if anything comes to mind."
Maria nodded as now she felt a mixture of excitement, togetherness and happiness as Maria laid her head down to the sight of her new friends.
As her eyes closed, the Sins took their cure to leave barring two. Lucifer decided to stay behind which meant that Leviathan hung around as per usual. She was quickly ordered to bring Maria to the bedroom and thus the purplette carried Maria off as the others bid her goodbye and assured her they'd be happy to see her again.
Almost as soon as she touched the covers, Maria could feel all that anxiety from before melting away. As insane as her life seemed now, she was fully confident that everything would work out as she finally fell asleep.
Lucifer and Levi then made their exit, joining the other five just outside the door before all of them warped back to the throne room.
"Enjoy yourself, Maria," the prideful former angel thought, "Things are about to get even crazier…"
Notes:
Thank you all so much for reading! Feel free to leave comments or questions below.