A/N: Sorry for the really long wait. My aunt was hospitalized and she had an ovarian surgery and I was mainly the one who stayed with her the entire time. I hope you haven't given up on me yet. xD Thank you to all those people who took the time to check this out.

Again, reviews are welcomed and appreciated. Send them my way, angels!

Disclaimer: I don't own a thing. I'm just playing inside Lauren Kate's sandbox and receive no financial gain from this.

INTERLUDE: GAMES

It wasn't an easy journey.

Lucifer's kingdom below was cloaked with a never ending night. There was nothing but darkness, except for the occasional blasts of fire.

The way towards the Mephistopheles Fortress was a rough one. A demon must brave the Valley of Doom, a watercolor dream of smoke and ash. Smoke hissed from various holes on the ground, lava boiling inside of it; the River of Gore, with its red and filthy waters; and lastly, the Shrieking Woods, where you can hear wails of torture and agony with every step.

This part of hell was avoided by demons. Some have dared to go in the past and never returned and it was enough to raise fear among them. Nobody wandered these paths. Ever.

Unless you were invited.

"It hurts! The pain, take away the pain!"

"Please!"

"Help me!"

The Shrieking Woods wailed all around the hooded demon as he journeyed on towards the looming castle overhead. It has been a long journey, something he would rather not have taken, if only he had the privilege to say no.

Shivering, he pulled his cloak tighter around his body, not certain if it was from the cold or from the moans of torture he was hearing. It was nerve-wracking, those sounds of pain.

Just when he thought the boat ride across the River of Gore was the worst.

"Make it stop, please!" a gnarled acacia tree in front of him wailed. He stopped in his tracks and watched as the center of the tree trunk took the shape of a girl's face, her eyes shut as dark red tears fell from her eyes. It was blood. The girl's lips opened and a shriek came out, reverberating through him and he nearly ran all the way back.

He closed his eyes and willed himself to move forward. He will be paying a much bigger price if he doesn't show up tonight. Lucifer is known to be very impatient.

After what seemed like a forever of wails and crying, he halted in front of a red and black majestic castle. He felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand just by looking at it. It was covered in darkness except for the scant glow of a few flickering torches spaced far between each other.

He looked around to look for guards or anyone who can inform the Supreme demon of his arrival but before he could find any, the drawbridge opened with a creek, as if urging him to enter.

He sighed and made his way inside as he felt eyes staring at him from the moat around the fortress. He didn't dare look back. Who knew what he would find spying on him?

A female demon in an extravagant red robe greeted him and ushered him deep within the bowels of the fortress. He couldn't help but frown, the silence was killing him. Surely, there should be other demons invited aside from him.

They stopped in front of a door, simply labeled The Chamber of Malice in gold letters. The woman who introduced herself as Enepsigos knocked on the door three times before excusing herself with a knowing smile.

The door opened and he entered. The room was covered in darkness except for a red fire that blossomed in the black hearth that it took a while for him to notice a lone figure sitting on a throne made of pearl white bones and rubies.

The corners of the room lit up in flames, enveloping the room with a blinding light. He closed his eyes, and when he opened them the other boy's face was smiling at him brightly.

He had a square face, wavy amber hair, and big blue eyes. He was wearing a red T-shirt and jeans. He had the face of an angel.

But there was no mistaking it, it was him.

Lucifer.

He took off his hood and kneeled in front of him.

"You called for me, my Lord?" he asked.

"Armaros," Lucifer acknowledged him as he played with a golden coin in his hand. "No need for pleasantries, you may stand."

The demon named Armaros stood up and sighed. He pushed his dark brown hair away from his face as he waited for the devil to continue.

Lucifer gave him a strange, alluring smile before he motioned his hand to him, beckoning him closer. "Why don't you move closer and we'll talk business?"

Armaros moved forward until he was just two steps away from him. He had no idea what Lucifer wanted, and in reality, he does not have any intention of finding out. "What business?" he asked.

Lucifer laughed and stood up from his throne. "You're as serious as ever, Armaros," he chuckled as he stood in front of him. "You should lighten up."

Armaros' brows furrowed at his comment but decided to just give a slight nod. "I'm working on it," he said in a feigned indifferent tone. He was taller than the devil in front of him, but he was starting to feel intimidated.

"Surely you have heard about what happened with Cambriel?" Lucifer asked as he paced in front of him, a frown evident on his boyish features.

"Of course," he replied. He has never seen the former Archangel ever since the Fall, they have always worked on different circles and he doubts he even remembers him. He had heard about his deal with Lucifer and how he was able to escape his claws with the girl he loves. "What about it?"

Lucifer stopped pacing and turned to face him, his eyes glowed from icy blue to red like blood. His wings burst from behind his shoulder. They were huge and stiff, and greenish gold, so unlike his dark gold ones. Claws shot from his fingers, long, curled and yellow. He watched as he swelled in size, his figure almost touching the ceiling. Armaros almost cowered up towards the wall.

"I want him miserable," Lucifer said darkly, as acid and smoke erupted from his head. "And you will help me achieve it. Or else."

Armaros sighed. He has no way out. Either he said yes and live, or say no and perish. He'd rather live.

"What do you want me to do?"