Damian's footsteps fills the empty halls of the castle. The thuds of his feet resonating with the smooth red carpet penetrates his ears. It was a feeling all too familiar with Damian. The same feeling that became his drive to explore the world above. The feeling of loneliness. Even if the castle was vast, it was void of everything. Yes, there were people walking about but mostly royal guards, senators, scholars and douchebag royalty. Besides the bearable amount of people walking about, it still feels empty. Empty of happiness, empty of memories but most importantly empty of love.

"You look quite bored for a person that's about to meet their parents!" Athena says as she cutely skips besides him.

"Eh, you'd feel the same way if you knew them..." Damian answers as he walks in a relax way with his arms resting on the back of his head.

"I mean, they can't all be that bad right?" Athena asks him as she tilts her head sideways.

"I actually don't have any problems with my mom,... but my dad, well..." Damian pauses at the mention of his dad.

"Daddy issues?" Athena giggles as she figured out his problem.

"Gee, I'm glad you're able to find some entertainment from my family issues..." Damian says sarcastically revealing a fang.

"I wasn't laughing but... it's funny that every royal family have issues with their family..." Athena explains as she continues to skip beside him. Her statement made Damian raise an eyebrow.

"Huh... you sound like you know slot of stuff about royalty?" Damian spoke in a curious tone.

"Well, Athena... I mean the real Athena... is part of the angel's royal family..." Athena reveals which made Damian's eyes widen.

"Wait you mean, she was royalty?" He asks her.

"Yeah... archangels are said to be part of royalty, she and her dad always fought everyday back when she was in her teens..." Athena adds to her explanation.

"Hold up! So... you're telling me... that the blood of a high rank angel... an ARCHANGEL!!! is flowing inside me?!!" Damian asks baffled.

"Yeah!!" Athena confirms it briefly.

"That's why we need to keep this a secret, synthesizing with me is already a big deal combined with the fact that you could gain the abilities of an archangel..."

"Right..." Damian answers briefly shocked by the new revelation he acquired. Suddenly, his shock turns to excitement.

"When... she was talking through that message, she told me that she gave me some of her powers... any ideas what they are?" Damian asks giddily.

"My, someone's excited!!" Athena teases him as she smiles at him.

"I mean... it'll be crazy if I wasn't!!" Damian responds making her giggle.

"Though... we don't know the extend of the abilities you've gained... potential is different for each person based on my experience...plus, the combination of two souls have never happened before so we're gonna have to do a lot of experimenting!!" Athena suggests as she carves and excited look on her face opposite of the expression that Damian is presenting.

"What?!! So you mean I've got to train?!! That blows!!" Damian retorts as he thought he could already use his powers.

"Hey! I never said this was going to be easy!! Come on! No pain no gain!!" Athena says as she bumps her first onto Damian's shoulder as a means of encouragement. Damian could feel the slight pain from her fist bump but he didn't suffer any knockback from it.

"You know, sometimes I forget that you're not actually standing besides me!" Damian points out her spiritual form.

"You're right... I can only cause effects your mental state but not your physical state... it's a shame really..." Athena suddenly says sadly with a frown carved into her face making Damian worry.

"Why? What's so bad about it?" He asks her about it in a concerned tone.

"Well, I can't tease you proper-

"Fuck off!!" Damian lashes out at her as she bursts out laughing at his reaction. For a second, Damian thought she was earnestly sad when she mentioned her drawbacks but was quickly annoyed by the fact that she was joking. He instantly carved an annoyed face as Athena continues laughing her heart out.

"Come on, don't be so serious! I did it to cheer you up!! It was just a joke!!" Athena tries to win him back from his annoyed state. Damian looks at her for a while before sighing. He then carves a smile before shaking his head.

"Well... it was kinda funny..." Damian chuckles in slightly agreement as he continues walking.

Unknowingly to him, Athena paused in her tracks as he kept walking, leaving her behind. She clenches her fists as she stares at the ground, biting her lip.

"One day!!" She thought to herself as Damian continues walking.

After a short while, Damian realised that she was a little too quite and looks back to see her standing still quite far from him.

"You're coming?!!" Damian calls out to her making her snap out from her daze as she skips back to him in panic.

"Sorry!! Got distracted!!" She tells him as she joins him in his walk.

Damian didn't thought of it much and didn't really want to bother her with his question. As both of them continued walking, they stopped when they've reached a large door. It was gigantic, almost stretching to the ceiling. Suddenly, a loud metallic clank occured before the door spits itself opening up for Damian and Athena.

" 'sigh' Let's get this over with!" Damian says annoyed as he steps inside the room behind the door. It was a vast hall with large pillars decorated with golden horns and red paint on either side. From the entrance of the door, was a large red carpet with a golden outline leading to a set of steps. Above those steps, sat two thrones, both containing individuals that sat on it.

"That's your mom and dad huh?!!" Damian was shocked by the sudden communication. He flinched before he shot towards Athena. She let's out a cheeky smile.

"This is one of my abilities, telepathical communication. We can just talk inside our head so you don't need to worry about anyone noticing us!!" Athena explains which made Damian surprised. It was definitely a useful ability. He wondered for a while if someone would think he's crazy for talking to himself.

"You couldn't tell me that earlier!!" He retorts to her

"Well, you didn't ask!!" She replies cheekily like a fox as Damian just shakes his head.

"Damn woman!!" He thought to himself.

"I can hear you, ya know?" Athena responds back which made him baffled again.

"Also mind reading..." She explains with a giggle as Damian rubs the bridge of his nose thinking of the ways she could use the ability to annoy him.

"Great... just great..." He says sarcastically.

"Don't worry, I won't use it willy-nilly if that's what you're worried about!!" Athena says while showcasing an innocent smile which Damian didn't buy in the slightest bit.

"Yeah... sure..." He retorts sarcastically as he continues walking to the thrones of his parents. As he reaches the steps leading towards the thrones, he stops before kneeling down on one knee, while his fist sticks to the ground. His head was facing downwards before he slowly lifts it up, immediately gazing at his dad with a malicious look.

"Dad..." He says annoyed but it didn't falter Lucifer in the slightest.

"Damian..." He responds as he stares back at Damian with a menacing look. He really didn't appreciate the tone of his son as he tries to make his son submit.

"What're you guys doing?!" Athena asked confused by the whole situation.

"Shut up!! I'm focusing!" Damian says quickly as he glares at his father even more.

"Focusing? On what?" Athena asks him as she was genuinely confused but Damian didn't answer and continued his glare. It went on for a while before his mother spoke.

"Boys... stop it..." Narissa spoke slowly which immediately made Damian and Lucifer frown in fear before immediately ending their little staring contest.

"Yes ma'am!"

"Yes ma'am!"

Both of them responded in fear as they didn't want to anger the queen. The sight of the both of them submitting to her made Athena giggle.

Damian then stands up before looking at both of his parents especially his dad with a dreary gaze.

"So, what do you want?" Damian asks them in a rude tone.

"Why you little..." Lucifer roared at his son's rude behaviour but he stops when his wife suddenly places her hand on his, making him calm down.

"Hrrmm, hrrmm..." Lucifer clears his throat before looking at Damian.

"First of all... Narissa and I would like to offer our belated wishes for your 16th birthday! I'd apologize that I wasn't able to wish it properly yesterday as there were many affairs in order..." Lucifer says to Damian.

"Yeah, they're apparently more important than your kid's birthday huh?" Damian retorts to his father.

"You surely should understand by now that there are important affairs to be taken care off in order to keep the stability and peace in hell. You'll surely understand one day when you are king!" Lucifer explains to Damian.

"Yeah, yeah... whatever... fucking excuses " He mutters the last part underneath his breath. Lucifer could sense the anger in his son but he didn't respond to it.

"Well, now that matter is done with, the second reason why we called you today is... very important..." Lucifer says in a serious tone catching Damian's attention.

"In a few months, the gathering of the nobles of hell will commence. It is an event, where all nobles mingle with the royal family so internal affairs and support can be discussed. Since you're already at the age where it is suitable... you will attend the gathering with me and Narissa."

"Eh, not interested..." Damian was quick to deny his invitation which did struck a nerve in Lucifer.

"Unfortunately, it isn't something to be discussed, your participation is already taken into account so it is compulsory!" Lucifer explains to Damian which annoys him since he didn't even get to have his opinion on this.

"Urghhh, fine... whatever..." Damian grunts annoyed.

"Good..." Lucifer answers briefly as he looks at his son.

"Also, you are required to bring in one partner!" Lucifer suddenly adds which surprised Damian.

"Partner!! Like... a date?!!" Damian asks him in haste.

"Doesn't matter... but they must be well educated enough to stand on your level!" Lucifer explains.

"Dammit!! Well... actually... nah..." Damian thought about something for a while but he couldn't do it.

"And the final thing that I want to discuss... is that you'll be attending combat classes starting next week!"

"What?!!" Damian yells in disbelief.

"Wait a minute Damian... this might be a good chance to improve your abilities!!" Athena suggests.

Damian hesitated but agrees with her decision.

"Alright dad!" He agrees to his father.

"Splendid!! You'll be taking classes every day after you've returned home starting next week!" Lucifer says which shocked him.

"Shit! This is why I didn't want to agree!! Damian regrets his decision in his mind.

"You can't be serious?! What about my time in the overworld? Isn't this too much?!!" Damian asks his father.

"It's only suitable... you're of age... knowledge isn't everything so... this class will be suitable in proving your worth!! Plus, your time in the overworld isn't really necessary..." Lucifer explains.

"Prove my worth?!! To who?!! You?!!" Damian growls at his father.

"You brat!! What I am doing is to protect you!! Do you think you can survive alone out there?!!"

"I don't need your help! I've been fine on my own so far!"

"Why you little?!!"

As Lucifer was about to burst out, Narissa raises her hand, stopping Lucifer from going further. She suddenly stood up slowly and walks down the steps. Her heels clacking against the hard surface of the steps. After each clacker, she get closer and closer towards Damian until she was directly in front of him.

"Walk with me..." Narissa suddenly says to him. Damian didn't nod but just follows her.

After a while she stops before looking back at Lucifer.

"Dear, I hope you'll excuse us..." She looks as Lucifer. Lucifer sighs deeply before nodding giving her the permission to leave with Damian.

Both of them left the throne room as they walk along the halls. She kept silent throughout their walk not saying a word. Even Damian just kept his lips sealed throughout the walk. After a distance, they've reached the royal gardens. It was a very large area and they were filled with many colourful flowers. Unlike hell's dreaded and monotonous terrain, the area seems sort of peaceful and vibrant. It gave off a very different feeling standing amongst the bushes of flowers. Both of them kept walking through the gardens rock path until they've reached a bench situated in the centre of the garden. Narissa then walks towards the bench and takes a seat before looking at Damian. She gives him a warm smile and patted at a spot besides her. Damian had no choice and just sat next to her.

"You look different... have you perhaps grown taller?" Narissa asks him as she too noticed his difference.

"I... jogged..." Damian tells her briefly.

"Hmmm interesting... Anyways... how was your birthday yesterday?"

"Oh... why do you ask?" Damian realises her question.

"Well, I want to know... did you celebrate it in the overworld? Did your friends wished your birthday as well?" She asks him with a soft smile.

"They did... we had a small party after school at the forest..."

"Must've been wonderful!" Narissa suggests.

"It was..." He responded shortly not telling her what happened after that.

"I'm sorry that I wasn't able to say it to you directly yesterday... I was about to but... you already left to your room. You seemed tired so I didn't want to bother you!" His mother explains.

"It's alright... it doesn't really matter anyways!"

After that Narissa shifted her gaze towards the endless field of flowers. Her eyes gaze into their colour, ignoring Damian for a while.

Damian kept silent and didn't say a word until...

"Mom... why did you bring me out here?" Damian asks her.

"I... simply wanted to talk to you! We never really spoken in a while..." Narissa states.

It was true. After a while, Damian felt tired of his life in the overworld and in hell. Everyday, he has the same routine to which he repeated over and over again until he felt lost. He just needed a break from everything so he shut himself off from his parents, well actually... from everyone.

"I'm sorry... I just wasn't feeling like myself this past few weeks..." Damian says to her.

"It's alright, I know those moments..."

"Damian... you know that... your dad and I really care about you. We just want what's best for you..." Narissa spoke to Damian.

"I know mom but... it's not like I'm a kid... I can take care of myself..." Damian says to her.

"I know you could but... the world is a dangerous place little one... You being a demon makes it worse... The people up there, those that hate our kind... they're no different than the savages down here..." Narissa explains to him.

"I just want you to understand how important you are... to me... and to your father... that's why we wanted you to be able to protect yourself! One day when we're gone... we won't be able to protect you!!" A sad tone filling her tongue. Damian just looks at his mom with pity.

"Mom, look..." He paused for a while.

"I know you're worried... but I just want you to have a little faith. It's not like I don't want to go but... you don't know how happy I am when I'm up there. Staying down here, even if I'm a demon... I just don't feel like I belong here. I belong up there... with my friends, not stuck behind the walls of the castle! You know you can't just put me in a cage!!" Damian explains to his mom.

His mom just sat silent as she just stares at him. He knew she was worried... what kind of mother wouldn't... He knew of the risks either being up there or down here but loosing his freedom isn't worth the price. He rather risk his life then loose his sanity down here.

"She does have a point you know!!" Athena points out.

"Maybe this can be the opportunity for you to grow..."

"Maybe... but I don't want to loose my friends because of it..." Damian explains his reasons.

"Then compromise..." Athena suggests with a smile. Damian thought of her answer and sat still thinking of a solution. Suddenly, he looks at his mother.

"Okay... I'll do it mom!" Damian says to her. Narissa was shocked at his answer but continued to listen on.

"But... only once a week... I still want to spend the rest of that time with my friends..." Damian adds a condition.

"Look, your father's not going to agr-

"No wait... Listen first... Once a week but if you don't see me having any sort of progression... you'll increase the number of sessions but if I do... then you'll let me make my own choice!!" Damian suggests.

Narissa thought about it for a while. She sat silent and didn't say a word while Damian just waited, anxiety filling his mind with anticipation.

"Alright, I'll talk to your father about it!!" Narissa says to him.

"Thank you!!" Damian immediately went and hugs his mom. Narissa was taken aback but hugs him back. A small smile carves on her lips as she indulges in embracing her son.

They both separate after a while as Damian prepares to leave the garden.

"Damian, wait!" Narissa suddenly stops him in his tracks. Damian turns his head around and looks at his mother.

"You said... that up there... you have people who cares for you, friends... I just wanted you to know, that down here... there are also people who cares for you!" Narissa says with a smile. Damian looks at the ground before gazing back at his mom.

"I know!" He responds with a smile before leaving his mom alone in the gardens.

Narissa just watch as her son leave, fading into the distance. She then sat down on the bench before something catches her eyes. She looks down to see a bright red flower, a hell rose. Her hands that reaches for it before she plucks it, bringing it to her face. The rose suddenly glows before being engulfed in a beautiful fire. Narissa just gazes at the rose, a smile etched on the corner of her lips.

"Our boy's all grown up... huh Lucifer?" She suddenly spoke to herself as she continues to gaze on the rose.

Meanwhile, inside the castle, Damian walks inside with a victorious smile up his face. The combat classes can be used as a means for him to improve his strength plus the fact that he still can spend his time in the overworld.

"You look bright!!" Athena says to him.

"Is it that obvious?" Damian asks her sarcastically.

"Hey remember before we went to see my parents... you were talking about the abilities that I could have... so what are they?" Damian suddenly brings back the topic.

"I'm still not sure... I have a few ideas but we need to see what you're capable of first!" Athena says to him.

Both of them continued to discuss their plans until they reached Damian's room. But just as they entered his room, something caught both their eyes. On top of his bed, there was an object wrapped in a cloth. Damian looks at Athena with a baffled look but she also replied with the same expression. Both of them were clueless to what it is. Damian moved closer to his bed and took a closer look at it.

"Well... open it!" Athena suggests.

Damian then took the object and raises it to his face. He then slowly lifts and the cloth away and it revealed... a dagger? It was a sdagger with a sort of red gem encrusted on it's silver handle and the blade itself was made with some kind of red metal.

"What the hell is this?" Damian asks baffled. He tried to touch the tip of the dagger and it pricked him.

"Owww!"

It was definitely sharp but the most confusing thing about it was why would someone give him a dagger? He didn't know shit about dagger handling so it baffles him.

"Have any ideas?" Damian tries to ask Athena.

"Well... it might be useful later on..." She suggests.

"But I can't just carry this everywhere, especially not to school!!" Damian says to her.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of that!" Athena says. Her hand suddenly glows white before the same white light engulfed it. After a second, it disappears in a shine of light.

"W-where did you put it?" Damian asks her amazed by what she did.

"This is one of my other ability, Spiritual Chest! It allows me to keep items in a private space where only you and I can access it!"

"Cool!! So does that mean you can store my homework?" Damian asks her as a joke.

"Harr-harr! There are a few restrictions but yes... I can though... the space available is limited so you might want to use it on something more useful later on!" Athena sarcastically laughs before explaining some information about her ability.

"Well, anyways... can't wait to see my friends... wonder what they'll say when they see me?" Damian thought about it as he can't wait to go back to the overworld.

Outside his room, a person was seen giggling, hiding behind a wall. It was none other than Tentadora.

"Good luck Damian... and happy birthday!" Tentadora says. Right after she heard what the king and queen planned, she immediately went to find something to give Damian an edge on.

As Damian was inside his room. The wait for a new day begins. Perhaps new discoveries await or maybe... even something else awaits him.