The Devil as a Father, Chapter 38
The Lux was set up for healing with Doctor Linda in charge even though she kept muttering that she was not that type of doctor. They set up an area for receiving and triage. Harry, Hermione, and Draco prepared potions, while Neville chose and prepped the ingredients.
Dan and Ella stayed with Mrs. Edwards and Trixie, who were really upset about losing their Lucifer. Dan practiced using his ring to communicate with Chloe and to receive messages. Chloe told Ron he couldn't come with them, but she expected him to protect the home base, and Ron accepted it. Neville was the next strongest in magic after Harry, and could watch Harry's back, but first he had to ask his Gran for permission. To everyone's surprise, the old woman who was the Minister of Magic showed up with 300 wizards, aurors and some healers. "We all were given back the memory of Lord Lucifer Morningstar, and we swore to help."
Aradia and Goldie informed everyone that they were coming. Aradia knew hell and was a fierce fighter. She planned on killing her way through demons to get to her Daddy Lucifer.
Goldie told Trixie that she loved her, but Daddy Lucifer deserved to have her help and Trixie had to agree.
The two creatures came together and spoke silently, in the manner of magic beings, "They don't remember our babies at all. What should we do?" Goldie was silent, "I think we have to get Daddy first, then we'll find the littles. They'll believe us."
Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry
Earlier ….
Lucifer woke in agony beyond screams. He was in the hottest type of lava and his wings were burned to nubs. The flames licked his body, but didn't ignite him because he was the Lightbringer and impervious to an extent. His old scars would be covered with new ones now, but he didn't care. He was just confused as to who had attacked him and angry that he couldn't remember anything, but beyond that was the need to get out of the damn lake of lava before he went mad from the pain.
He eventually swam upwards and reached a terrible bleak shore. He crawled half alive onto land and kept crawling until the lava stopped flowing over him in waves or spitting at him from the immense lake.
He collapsed and threw a spell over himself so that no one would find him. He had enemies to destroy.
He slept undetected for a long time, and came to angrier than he could remember. He wanted something, no someone, but he didn't know who it was. He assumed Maze was dead, because she was always at his side, and he mourned her, his only friend in all the realms. His heart was emptier than it had been with his original fall and he didn't know why. Something very important that he loved had been ripped from him. Maybe more than one beings, it was hazy but his pain remained. He would have revenge for this.
Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry Lucifer Harry
Harry came back with a bag of holding full of weapons and armor, and then made sure everyone had appropriate gear for the assault. He also made sure everyone at home was protected by vast shields of magic that he added to Dad's wards. He purchased potions for everyone to take with them, ones for extra strength, ones for healing, and made port keys back to the Lux if they had to retreat. The Goblin warriors seemed a little put out by that, but Harry explained, "We're going into Hell. No living beings have gone there before and I don't want anyone to die. I would rather you make other beings die."
The Goblins all laughed and agreed with that philosophy.
Now they were all gathered together in one of the unfinished floors that was full of space. He addressed everyone. "You all have a key to go home. If I die, you can use that to get home. We don't know if Dad will recognize us or not so only Mom and I will get near him. Hopefully he will recognize that we have a bond with him."
"We're not going to arrive at the gates. We're going to arrive inside hell. That will be how we get past the 'no living beings can pass through these gates' ruling. The portal will close behind us."
Harry opened a large portal that showed the horrible landscape of hell. He, Chloe and Maze went first, followed by Amenadiel and KynKyn. Then the Goblins and everyone followed. Aradia and Goldie raced through last, so Aradia could protect their backs if they were attacked.
It proved good strategy because they were attacked from behind by a huge group of demons. Harry popped next to Aradia and fought with magic that seemed to really enrage the demons, but not hurt them as much as he'd hoped. Aradia was doing great and so was Goldie. The Goblins were fiercely making mincemeat of their foes. Harry suddenly got an idea and unfurled his wings. Now his magic seemed to increase tenfold and all the demons around him were incinerated. He felt Mum come up next to him with a bloody sword in her hand. The surviving demons fell back when she appeared. Then Amenadiel and KynKyn came with their wings unfurled and the demons stopped.
"What business do you have here?" asked a big monster in front.
'We're here for Lucifer," said Chloe.
"We will die for our King," shouted the demon and the horde behind him growled agreement.
"He is my King as well," said Chloe, "And I am his Queen and this is his son, Harry. He was taken from us and wounded. His memory was stolen from us and may have been stolen from him."
Aradia barked and confirmed this in the way of Hell Hounds, and Maze spoke. "I am my Lord Lucifer's bodyguard and trusted companion. The knowledge of him was torn from me and returned by our allies, the Goblins through magic. You know me."
The demons stopped and then fell on their knees. "Forgive us, oh Queen. We didn't know who you were. We will go with you and help you find him. Hell is large and he is not on the throne, so we don't know where he is. We recognize Mazikeen of the Lillim, his head torturer and body guard."
"I will scent for my Daddy Lucifer," said Aradia and she went forward.
Now they ran into another group that were not so loyal as the first group, and had to destroy some of them until Chloe fought and beat their leader with the sword Harry had found for her.
Harry came up to check on her and asked her, "Mom, I didn't know you were a swordsman."
"I'm not, the knowledge came to me when I needed it," said Chloe, cleaning her sword of demon blood. "Cool," said Maze.
So far, miraculously, no one was hurt except quite a few demons. Maze was especially fierce against them if they weren't loyal to the Devil. The demons began to be afraid of them.
Lucifer Lucifer Lucifer
Lucifer finally felt strength return to him and was ready to assert his dominion. He took on his full Devil form and walked forward, instinctively heading towards his throne. He came upon an enclave of demons who first rushed at him until he drew himself up and said, "Kneel before your King."
It worked every time. He had spent centuries training this into generations of demons. They all knelt and he sat up a court of judgement. This would give him information and they would think it was business as usual. He learned that he had not been seen for a long time, and that many demons were restless. His newly horrible visage seemed to give them hope. He punished the guilty and rewarded the faithful as usual and did the administrative changes that demons seemed to live for.
Then he took some of the better warriors with him as a new honor guard, letting them think he had punished the last honor guard and kept on towards his throne.
Soon he began to amass a large army that he used to contact more demons. As he moved along, he
kept up the courts of judgment. The demons thought this was why he hadn't been on his throne in so long and accepted it as part of their history with their King. His new entourage and he started to come to the places of punishment, the very oldest. The demons there told him Hell was under attack by an army of the living.
Lucifer was ready to kill someone, so he traveled with what was now his army, traveling along at the head, and absorbing up new demons as he went. He would not kill the living, but the demons could. A nice war would take his mind off his inner pain.
Soon they met the troops of the enemy, and his demons did what they were best at. They attacked immediately without discipline but in full fury.
At the head of the fight was a beautiful woman, an amazon warrior covered with blood, fighting like a goddess of war. By her side was a young boy, too young for battle, using magic. He was impressed that they had it and used it in hell. His rabble were dying off too quickly, and he advanced forward to question these invaders. He realized they had demons with him, some that he recognized as loyal.
Then to his shock in the midst of all the bloodshed going on, he heard a little cry; the cry of a wounded hell hound. He even knew the voice; it was his little Aradia, one of his favorites.
He had none of the hellhounds with him. They were his special and much beloved pets and he didn't take them into battle.
He bellowed in the voice that caused everyone, even the humans and goblins, to stop.
"Hold, Hold Now!" his voice was cruel and filled with rage.
Everyone froze.
"I beg parley. I hear one of my hell hounds in pain." The demons grumbled and he turned and gave them a red eyed look that silenced them immediately.
"Aradia!" shrieked the young boy who appeared to be wielding the most powerful magic against his troops.
"Lucifer" shrieked the gorgeous Amazon next to the boy and then Lucifer saw his Mazikeen standing by the woman's side, covered with blood.
"Mazikeen, have you betrayed me?" Lucifer shouted as he ran toward Aradia. Rage started to build.
"No, my Lord, we were coming to take you home with us," said Mazikeen serenely.
They knelt by a pile of demon bodies and he found Aradia underneath dying of countless wounds.
"No!" said Lucifer, and bowed his head in sorrow. His own demons had killed one of his little ones.
The boy then did the strangest thing he had ever seen. This mere child stood and unfurled silver wings and plucked out two feathers and knelt by the panting hell hound. No angel would ever appear as a child or heal anything of hell. It wasn't possible or done, not in all memory.
"Be careful, whelp," said Lucifer, now concerned about this angel child who cared for Aradia, "She is in pain."
"She is bonded to me, Father," said the boy, tears in his eyes, "She will never hurt me." Then he placed one feather on the head of the great hell hound in her full form and the other on the most horrible wound. The wounds healed instantly. Aradia's great pain seemed to go away. She lay back, no longer panting, her pain obviously gone.
Lucifer felt rare happiness inside. He would have mourned his little hell hound.
Lucifer stared at the boy, "I don't know you, but you don't smell quite like my spawn would," said Lucifer, a little sarcastically, but with interest.
"You adopted me, Father, and I miss you and want you to come home."
"Home? I have no home," said Lucifer bitterly.
Aradia whimpered and Lucifer touched the dog gently. "Little one, why did you come here?" he asked.
"You gave me to Harry to protect him, Daddy," said the dog into his mind, "Daddy you have forgotten your new family on earth."
The dog changed to a black Chihuahua and crawled into Lucifer's arms.
The Amazon Woman who stirred his loins and made him feel strange things came and stood by Mazikeen.
"I know you don't remember, but I am your wife, Lucifer, and I love you."
Lucifer laughed, "No one loves the Devil," he said harshly.
Aradia whimpered again and began to kiss his horribly burned visage, "That's not true dear Daddy Lucifer. We love you. This is Mama Chloe who is your Queen on earth, and Harry your adopted son. Amenadiel, who used to be an enemy is now living with us on earth and is becoming a true brother and this is KynKyn who was born after you fell, who loves you dearly. We all love you Daddy."
Lucifer stared at them.
"Father, please search your feelings. Do you feel like you lost something?" said the Boy, who stared at him with green beautiful eyes.
The woman came forward and put down her sword and knelt at his feet, "Do you feel my love for you, my beloved?" She took his horrible clawed hand and kissed it gently and Lucifer, the King of Hell trembled at a touch he seldom felt.
"Yes, there is something important that seems gone," said Lucifer thoughtfully. "Do you intend to overthrow my Kingdom?" he asked then, worried as always for treachery for was that not his world?
"No Father. We thought you were hurt here and came to tend to you and bring you home with us."
Lucifer's red eyes turned brown, and he looked at the boy thoughtfully. He felt the truth in all of them and it surprised him.
"I do feel a bond with you, Child. Can you bear to touch the Devil?" He felt this would probably frighten anyone, but he needed some kind of test besides emotions.
He felt true shock when the boy threw himself into Lucifer's startled arms and kissed him almost as enthusiastically as Aradia. "Dad," the boy whispered, "Don't leave us Dad, we need you so much. You're the best Dad in the whole world."
"Oh child, are you sure you are not bespelled?" he asked, wondering at this tender spawn who trusted him so. How could he be trusted? Everyone hated him, didn't they?
"And you, mortal woman?" he asked, "Can you too kiss the King of Hell?" he asked, sure she would show more wisdom than the boy.
She gave him a smile that stopped him in his tracks. It was like a heaven where he was loved and wanted. She stood up gracefully, and threw her arms around his neck and kissed him so urgently, so gently, with such tender passion, that he knew wonder. Tears fell from his now fully brown eyes and he kissed her back and she responded with more passion.
He stood up, "This is truly my Queen" he announced, "And I believe this is my Son, your Prince."
The demons of both armies howled in victory. The goblins howled too. The humans all cheered.
"I will go with you, but I still don't remember anything."
"You were betrayed by a group of angels who wanted you to suffer. They took your memory. They took our memory. We got ours back with magic, maybe we can do the magic again," said his Son hopefully.
"What kind of magic?" he asked. "Blood magic of those who love you most," responded his Queen.
"You shed blood to remember me?" he asked, still wondering at this new and wonderful thing.
"Yes, Dear," she said. "We couldn't remember you but knew part of our hearts had been torn out and the pain led us to investigate. The Goblins are Allies of House Morningstar; we went to them for guidance. They were a great help. These human mages are also your allies."
Lucifer looked at this huge group that cheered to see him. He thought he had seen everything, but apparently not. He gathered all the demons and made swift commands for his wishes.
Then he turned back to everyone and realized none of the humans were impacted by his horrific visage.
He opened his mouth, and Harry looked up and said, "Magic, Father."
He closed his mouth. He was a Dad. "Am I truly a good father?" he asked, thinking about his own Father who had cut him adrift forever.
"We think you are the best in the world," said the boy enthusiastically.
Then the boy opened a portal and all the angels, humans, and Goblins left with Aradia and a small golden dragon who seemed to have done a lot a damage despite her size.
He turned to the demons. "Something has been stolen from me. I will not forget you and I expect you all to do your jobs while I am gone. Now you will be ruled by a family, not just a Devil."
The demons cheered and he raised a clawed hand to them then walked through the portal. Still in his Devil form he looked around. This was a huge room. It smelled good. He liked the absence of the ever present ash. The air was sweet and clean.
"Mazikeen," he said, "I don't remember anyone but you and Amenadiel, although I do remember the wisdom and warrior spirits of the Goblins. They are creatures of great honor."
The Goblins roared their approval.
"Father," said the boy, "Let me tend to our wounded first. It is one of your protocols."
"Go, Harry," he said softly, still wondering at the concept of being loved.
Mazikeen was already at his side.
"All this is true?" he asked again, although he believed it. It was just rather unbelievable.
"Yes, my Lord," said Maze, "We came here, we made a night club, you seduced half the population of Los Angeles," herein Lucifer gave a laugh, now that sounded like him!
"Then you were involved in a murder and met Detective Chloe Decker and fell in love. Chloe is a blessed one, and that was a problem but you both decided she had full free will. She makes you vulnerable, my Lord." Maze took a breath, but Lucifer merely motioned to her to go on.
"On a case, you found Harry, who was left for dead and abused by criminals and his supposed family. And yes you did some great punishments." she commented as Lucifer began to growl, "Then you adopted Harry and married Chloe and appear to have adopted a lot of people from the police and your own club. You love Chloe's daughter Trixie, and she is my especially good friend. Amenadiel seems to have become less jerky and a much better brother. KynKyn came and met you and has been with us ever since. She's a little sweetie and I like her fighting spirit. Then you and Chloe started training magical children. They have found healing and great learning under your protection."
He watched as Amenadiel and his new sister, KynKyn healed the Goblins who had been wounded, with a short blonde woman who seemed to know what she was doing.
He watched as Chloe and Harry took the borrowed weapons made with hellfire and put them in a proper pile for cleaning. Harry used magic to take care of them and then returned to Lucifer.
"Father, I think we should feed our warriors. I have all the supplies I need to do so."
Lucifer grinned, "You cook, my son?" he was really liking saying that.
"Yes Father. You taught me a lot. Also I usually call you Dad, but until you remember, I didn't want you to think I was disrespectful. Trixie calls you Daddy Lucifer."
Lucifer smiled, "Thank you for telling me, my son. I like being called Father but I think I like Dad better,"
Harry smiled up at him with love and near worship in his eyes. Lucifer smiled at him.
"Then make your feast, son. Do you want my help?"
"I'd love your help, Dad, or just your company."
He furled his bat wings before entering the elevator with the boy. Then he followed Harry to a huge kitchen area and learned that the boy knew what he was doing. There they met another child, with blonde hair and a woman with dark hair and an aristocratic air. She had been in the army coming to find him.
"Father," said Harry formally, "This is Draco and Narcissa Malfoy. They have your protection and are now considered part of House Morningstar, and are my distant cousins. Draco tended to me when I was kidnapped and you took them into the family as a reward."
Draco looked a little afraid, but said nothing about his Devil face, only bowed politely and the woman gave a lovely deep curtsy of respect. "We rejoice that you are home with us, my Lord," she said formally, and he could tell she had affection for him. Even the boy had affection for him.
Lucifer bowed his head regally to both of them and then let his son drag him by the hand eagerly to show him what he was going to make.
The child cooked four or five huge whole sides of beef and five pigs for their guests, using magic, although Lucifer could see that the meat had been prepped properly. There were numerous turkeys and chickens as well. He smiled, as his son used magic to prepare all sorts of dishes and then began to use catering carts to bring the food with him to the service elevator.
The next floor was set aside for eating and had a small bistro type of restaurant at one end called Magic Meals. Harry brought in the two large carts of food and then placed them on several of the tables in the open area. Snapping his fingers, each table had proper linens and place settings on them. Harry snapped his fingers again and the larger beef presentations end up on the long buffet tables. Lucifer felt something strange in his chest and recognized that he was proud of this capable and kind child.
Soon the feast was ready and guests were called. Lucifer was amazed when he was seated at the head of the table, with Chloe on one side and Harry on the other side.
His allies all crowded in happy. New humans showed up and Harry passed a quick spell on them.
"What was that for?" Lucifer asked, suspecting but unsure.
"Your Devil form terrifies normal mortals, Dad. I put a cushioning on it so they don't feel that when they look at you. Otherwise, they run away or faint."
"Do I take on my angelic form when I'm here?"
"Yes, Dad, so we can preen your wings, but I have seen you in your Devil form often and you don't frighten me."
"Because you have magic?"
"No, Dad because I love you and know you. I don't use any spells around you. I didn't even understand that I was magic at first and it took a while to learn spells."
Lucifer was chewing on that as a concept when a young child rushed up to him fiercely. He stood immediately ready for attack and was surprised when she jumped fearlessly into his arms, "Daddy Lucifer," she cried, "I'm so glad you're home. Do you remember us yet?"
"No," said Lucifer gently, "But I like you already." those tiny hands were not frightening for some reason. Usually small children in hell were terrifying even to him, but this child smelled of goodness and health, not madness. Her happiness at the sight of his face was encouraging.
"Does this small mortal have magic on her?" he asked. She sort of did to his senses but not like the boy's magic.
"She has some, but we don't know what type, Dad," said Harry, "The goblins say she has picked up some magic, possibly from you and me, but she's known you longer than I before she knew about magic. You told her at first you were the Devil and she believed you; she just knows you and loves you. If you want to frighten her, you have to take away her chocolate cake."
The girl swung around and socked Harry in the arm, saying "Hey, don't mess with my chocolate supplies."
Lucifer laughed.
Then the door opened and three older children entered the room. Lucifer flinched. He should turn human looking or they would be terrified. But instead and to his shock they all gasped with joy and ran to him and then shyly hugged him. Harry introduced them as Hermione, Ron, and Neville. He sat in a chair and let them hold him. It was rather sweet, especially since they didn't seem to care at all how ugly he was. The little girl was an especially strong hugger and said, "We were so worried about you!"
"But child, I'm the Devil. I still don't understand why you care."
She looked up at him and her eyes were filled with tears, "you were all alone," she explained.
Lucifer looked and saw Harry looking at him and nodding.
And he noticed a few people glance up and then start, smile and look away. He looked down and realized he was back to himself. Trixie reached out and kissed his cheek and he blushed. A child that did not fear the Devil. He hugged her and then Harry. Chloe was nearby and he asked her politely if he could hug her too. Her answer was to grab him and hug him with joy. They all were filled with truth in their thoughts and speech. It was incredible.
He found he wanted this more than anything. And it was his already, an immeasurable blessing.
"Who did this to me?" he asked plaintively. In a way this was worse than falling, because this love was just for him and it had been stolen. He had felt alone in heaven even before his fall.
"Angels." said Harry. "I'm not sure of the names, except one named Uriel, who was particularly angry with you."
Amenadiel had been helping an elderly lady to her seat and now stood up, a look of alarm on his face.
"Uriel is dead." he said, "He can't have been there."
"He surprised Dad when he appeared," said Harry. "Dad was happy first and then Uriel was really angry."
"How can Uriel be dead? He is immortal," asked Lucifer
Amenadiel put a gentle hand on his arm, "Uriel was going to kill Chloe. You killed him with a flaming sword to protect her and others."
"Others?" asked Lucifer.
Amenadiel looked perturbed, "Brother I don't know. I knew it once. It's on the tip of my tongue, yet I can't remember. And the spell work didn't return that to me."
"Interesting," said Lucifer, especially when he realized how worried and anxious about it Amenadiel was.
"Do you think it was Dad?" he asked.
"He hasn't really contacted anyone in a long time," said Amenadiel, "but it was someone more powerful than the angel that did this, and certainly more powerful than Uriel."
"Uriel was only powerful in some ways," observed Lucifer. "I can't believe I killed him. It must have half destroyed me to kill my own brother. Part of me is glad I don't remember."
"Yes," said Amenadiel, "You had nightmares about it and were very sad. Your therapist was a great help."
"I have a therapist?"
"Yes," said Amenadiel pointing to the short blonde woman who was now seated at the table, "Dr. Linda. She is a dear friend to all of us."
"The Devil has a therapist." Lucifer laughed again, delighted.