howdy bozos ᕕ(ᐛ)ᕗ

Planning to migrate to another fandom, but don't know what. Didn't watch that much anime in the first place. I mean i haven't even watched dxd or read its novels as i've stated repeatedly in the past

Considered mha but… eeeeeeeeeegggggghhhh… there's like hundreds of casts. Thought of OPM, but i'm not sure if i could keep up the comedic tone or the holy-shit-tier of fight scenes. Considered Fate, but… lore

So for now, imma write dxd cuz its all i know and confident enough to write shit

Anyway enjoy

Lucifer: Yearning Armageddon

Chapter 12

|| Reality Hits, Truth Slaps ||

Though his established position as the Governor and Chief Research Director of the Grigori Research Institute deemed him to be a desk jockey most of the time, that didn't mean Azazel was delighted with the idea of staying in one room. Yes he did very thoroughly enjoyed tinkering with God's trinkets and whatnots, and he had his own cadre of scientists and researchers to help him in that task, and yes he was known by many as the eccentric inventor, but this inventor wasn't a typical inventor that could burrow himself deep in a dark basement, working on god knows what.

No, Azazel had multiple laboratories all spread across the continents. And wherever he went, he took some of his core 'scientists' with him. Normally, anyway. Today, in his newest not-so-secret laboratory located underneath a certain hotel in the red light district of the lovely little town of Kuoh, Azazel welcomed a small group of four led by certain ambitious low-ranking fallen angel who had… made quite the fascinating discovery just a few days ago regarding Sacred Gears and its weakness.

"Well then!" he clapped his hands, currently sitting on top of a sleek white desk of his underground office, beaming his usual gung-ho smile as he greeted his new assistants. "I don't suppose I'd need an introduction as you should all know me already… I've read your files but I've only ever talked with one of you so… Why don't we start with you, big fella? You look like you'd be able to brawl with Baraqiel."

The man with the stocky build took his fedora to his chest as he curtsied, "I am Dohnaseek, my lord. It is a great honor to be taken under your wings."

Azazel nodded approvingly. "Mhmm. Mhmm. And the rest of you?"

"Kalawarner," the blue-haired lady with the big bosoms said. No curtsy whatsoever.

Not that Azazel paid any mind. As long as she did her job well then he wouldn't care much for the stiff formalities.

"And you?"

"Mittelt, sir," the girl in the goth dress said with a certain bratty energy, even giving him a mock salute. "I don't know how much I'd be of help, but I'll try my best."

"Hmm. Half their size but twice the spirit I see…" Azazel muttered, and Mittelt responded with the only way she knew how to handle compliments; smugly glancing at her crew like she'd invented edible crayons. "Good, good. I've read your files. Resumes and others… Yours as well, Raynare."

"My Lord," Raynare duly nodded. She had never stopped smiling the moment she entered this personal office — even if she was forced to wear this restrictive suit instead of her usual getup. It was small yet quaint. It had two desks; one large and one small. The bookshelves were mostly empty, as were the file binders. It had a gray two-seater sofa at the corner and overall the kind of place she'd like to have if she was to be a desk jockey.

"Decent track records, all around. Took down several stray devils on your own… a few mid-classes too… You've done well in securing Asia Argento too. You bunch have no idea how big of a progress you've made just by getting her safely," Azazel went on as Raynare's ego inflated.

But then his expression took a shift.

"However…"

The grim look on his face caused Raynare to lose her smile. She frowned. The rest of her crew frowned as well. Kalawarner had been frowning the whole time as that was her default look, but her frown this time leaned more towards 'fear' rather than 'displeased'.

"I can't say goading Rias Gremory was the brightest idea. You're poking the hornet's nest. If you killed her Pawn that day, none of you would be here, I assure you. She's Satan Lucifer's little sister for Christ's sake," Azazel shook his head while the odd bunch before him could only hang their head low. "I hate losing people, but I hate needless war the most. It halts my research and worse; it kills more people. My people. If I have to lose a few people to ensure our fragile peace will last a few years longer then I will do it in a heartbeat."

He eyed them one by one. Nobody dared to return his stare.

"It won't happen again," Raynare spoke up, briefly returning the stare to be polite, but lowered her head down right after. "We swear. It was… a severe lapse of our judgment."

"I trust that none of you will start any trouble with the devils of this town?"

"We won't, my Lord…"

"Good, good… Securing Asia Argento is a big achievement but don't think for a second that it gives you special privileges." He paused, reconsidering. "Well, it did, and that is not getting fired or handed over to the devils. Are we clear on that?"

"Crystal," Raynare said.

"Alright, good," Azazel nodded to himself. "Very well then, let's leave that in the past. You're getting a promotion! Smile! Be happy! Be proud. You earned this. But hold the celebration for later after this briefing," As he said so, their tension eased as their expression lightened. "Now if you haven't known already, this research facility," he gestured vaguely around his office, and then towards the exit, where the lab was located, "was recently built. Why? Because we intend to solidify our grip in this region, as the last few incidents your group caused weren't exactly the most… fruitful to our cause…

Nevertheless, I will be around for a few days and I will be spending most of my time in the lab, and as shall you, Raynare. Here, you'll be my personal assistant. Watch closely and learn, see what I do and picture yourself in my position, because when I'm away, I plan to have you in charge of this place."

"Yes sir!" Raynare nearly exploded from joy. To be next to Lord Azazel himself, watching him up close and even getting the opportunity to learn directly from him — her imagination already running wild. She imagined getting pushed over a desk during one of the late hours, and the rest of it was too delusional to be described.

"Oh, and Asia Argento will be relocated here once she passes a few tests. It appears she's… indebted to you for rescuing her." Unaware of Raynare's thirst, Azazel continued his task distribution, "Dohnaseek, Kalawarner, you will be this region's new Chief Security Officers."

"...Sir?" Dohnaseek asked. "Which of us?"

"Both of you chiefs, and that means I'll expect the two of you to coordinate your task well. You will be overseeing a town with several hot sites for Strays. This hotel isn't the only place you'll have to concern yourselves with…"

"We'll do our best, Sir."

"That you should," Azazel gave another nod. "The last one unfortunately died, as you may have heard… along with most of their men…"

The sorrow on his face was gone in a flash.

"There's a dangerous killer out there on the loose, and I suggest taking a different approach this time, and that is to not approach the killer for now. I've requested… external help to take care of this one. No offense, but this one is above your paygrade. I'm just looking out for my new officers, see?"

"We understand, Sir. Thank you."

As if Dohnaseek or even Kalawarner would dare to question the Governor's decision. But it was a nice gesture from him. Raynare was starting to remember why she idolized this man so much. Above all else, Azazel was an ideal man. He had vision, took care of his own including those beneath him, and knew how to lead his people to attain that goal together.

Unlike that braindead Kokabiel.

"And lastly; you… Mittelt…" Azazel gazed down at the runt of the litter. Mittelt waited with excitement. "Raynare showed me a list you made. About the devils' contractors."

"She did?" she blurted out, paling that instant as she threw a look of betrayal towards Raynare.

"That's impressive work. Not only did you stay hidden through all that but you got all of them… I want you to be this place's Chief Intelligence Officer. You'll manage a handful of people to keep track of this town's development that has anything to do with the supernatural world."

"Oh," she mumbled at first, then brightened almost immediately. "Oh! Thank you!"

Raynare threw a smug scoff at the yellow-black brat.

"Information gathering is crucial. It could save lives. Prevent deaths and other unwanted things." Azazel described, still sour for losing too many men to his liking because of Gabriel's rampage. "Make sure you share your findings with the Security Officers. You three should be working closely."

"Heh, you hear that, Kala? You haven't gotten rid of me just yet."

"Shut your mouth, brat."

Azazel smiled. They reminded him of Shemhazai, Penemue, Kokabiel, Baraqiel, and himself.

The thought of Kokabiel and his planned insurgency as well as Lucifer's interference had put him in a brooding mood, so Azazel got off his desk.

"And that's all! You're free to pick a room in this hotel. Take the penthouse if you want. Anything you buy from here will be free of charge and yada, yada, yada~ but if you're planning to buy a house then use your own money. Hah, I know damn well you could buy two if you want. With all that said, congratulations! Welcome to your new workplace, and do more beneficial stuff for me and the Institution."

They all thanked him with sincerity and renewed vigor.

"I'll be leaving you now, as I have other matters to attend to…" specifically Lucifer and Gabriel and Kokabiel… "Get to know your new place in the meanwhile. You'll start working tomorrow."

"Thank you my Lord!"

"Hey, don't mention it."

With a two fingers salute, Azazel disappeared in an explosion of black feathers. A single quill floated gently towards the carpeted floor, only for Raynare to pluck it off the air and keep it in her pocket.

"...I forgot how obsessed you are with that man," Mittelt dryly commented.

"I don't care what you say, nothing can ruin this day." Raynare couldn't even wipe the smile off her face even if she tried. "Well… we made it."

"You can say that again! We're rich! No more cutting costs! No more of Dohnaseek's sloppily made sloppy joe!"

"Hey… I took offense to that."

"It was poorly made. Even I could do better."

Dohnaseek shot a crude glare at Kalawarner. "The last time you tried to help my wife cook, you nearly cut all your fingers off."

As her group went on with their usual bickering, Raynare felt no headache this time, as she ran her hand through the smooth surface of her new marble desk, and whispered to herself with a tiny smile,

"I made it..."

After everything they had RING RING been through, desperately trying to catch their designated leader's attention, failing because said leader was a madman RING RING that couldn't care less about his underlings, risking their life in spiriting away Asia Argento from Italy, RING RING

"He left his phone," Mittelt commented, staring at the blaring flip phone currently vibrating above the desk. "Must've slipped out of his pocket. Man, what an old ringtone. I feel older just hearing it."

"It's rustic," leave it to Raynare to come to Azazel's defense even if it was unneeded. The phone died a few moments later, only for it to ring again with the same annoying tune. "...Ugh, who is it?"

Mittelt skimmed over the table to read the caller's id.

"Luci…? Who's that?" Mittelt muttered. "Sounds like a girl's name. His lover or something?"

"H-huh…?"

Everyone heard Raynare's heart shattered at that moment. She looked as though her soul had left her. Her empty eyes and blank thousand yard stare was starting to creep them out. Even Kalawarner felt bad. Normally she'd follow up Mittelt's comment, but she chose to stay quiet.

"Err… I say we go somewhere nice…" Dohnaseek gingerly suggested. "An all-you-can-eat. You know, to celebrate... I'll pay."

And thus, the CSOs (Chief Security Officers) first duty was to lift Raynare's lifeless body out of her brand new office.

"..." After staring at another 'call unanswered' text on her phone screen, Rossweisse decided to try again once tomorrow came in Old Kyoto. "He didn't answer. Maybe he's asleep?"

"Angels don't need sleep," Lucifer frowned, but decided to shove the matter with Azazel down the queue line, only to reconsider his statement the next second as he looked at Gabriel, currently sleeping soundly on his futon, bundled in blankets. "...Or at least, they used to."

"Does it have anything to do with erm… their god's absence?"

"Very likely so," he deduced. "Most gods depend on their followers' faith… he distributed his 'blessings' to his seraphs and archangels. Michael took his place but I doubt he's willing to play god and convert the Christians' faith into his own, let alone let anyone else 'borrow' it." He then frowned disapprovingly. "Typical… his people are already on the decline. He should take all the help he can get."

Rossweisse made an acknowledging 'huh'. The kind of sound someone would make when they didn't know how to continue the conversation and didn't want to prolong it either.

This time, he had taken them back to Old Kyoto. Specifically inside their guest room, where Tamamo, currently acting and appearing as Yasaka, had told the caretakers to clean and maintain as her guests would be staying there for some while.

She turned over to her side, curious over what Lucifer was planning to do next. She watched a hand reach for his suit, tugging it once when he tried to get up, trying to pry it away from Gabriel's hand. He sighed, and got out of his suit as it appeared Gabriel wasn't keen on letting it go even in her sleep.

He didn't seem happy about it, but a fresh new black suit popped into existence, replacing the one currently in Gabriel's hands.

Rossweisse twirled a teasing smile at The Devil. "I think you still care about them."

"Not them. Him. He's my brother," Lucifer corrected, unphased, not embarrassed in the slightest to admit that he indeed cared for his siblings. Well, a few of them. Just two, actually, and one was here, well tucked and safest by his side.

"Oh…" why did he have to answer it seriously like that? Rossweisse grumbled inwardly, now feeling awkward for bringing it up. "So uh… I'm guessing you're gonna be bringing your sister anywhere you go now?"

"For the moment. Until I trust she can go off on her own and not make reckless death-seeking decisions… It shouldn't take long." He stood up. Even after spending quite some time on his side, the confidence this man exuded in his own words was ridiculous. "Get some rest. The moment she wakes up you'll be the first to be bombarded by questions."

"...Right, how do you want me to answer?"

He stopped as he was leaving the bedroom, and tossed a glance past his shoulder.

"The way things are."

And so he left. Rossweisse felt that she should have known better than to ask for his confirmation. He looked somewhat disappointed that she needed to ask. Rossweisse felt guilty, but not too much that she started overthinking it.

Seeing there was not much else he could do in the overworld other than to wait for his sister to wake up or Azazel to call him back, which didn't seem unlikely - considering the guy - Lucifer decided to pay his vixen another visit.

He knocked on the door as usual, entering on his own anyway as he didn't intend to wait. Their last talk in that sushi parlor was quaint, but it didn't feel complete. It didn't do enough for her. She wanted to see him. Would she admit it? Not openly. Reluctantly, perhaps, if he pressed the right buttons.

"Lucifer," she sighed, strutting up to him. Her svelte figure and overall looks made her appear way younger than she was, though her mature charm was unmistakably present. Likely boosted by the tails behind her as well as her choice of wear. "I can't keep being imprisoned like this… I don't know how long I can take it."

Her big, perky fox-ears twitched as if to catch his scoff.

"Complaints already?"

Despite her scowl, Yasaka appeared guilty. "...My apologies. I doubt it's healthy for our kit but… whenever I think of her, I think of Kunou… I'm sure Tamamo is playing her role well, yet… Kunou is a bright kid. I have an inkling she'll find out soon enough…"

"Didn't I tell you not to worry?" Lucifer scolded gently, tipping her chin up. "Until you get out; leave matters outside this place to me."

Her frown refused to leave and as did her anxiousness. "I don't want to rely on you. Or anyone else, for that matter. I'm not used to being this reliant, I suppose…"

"You happen to be in the position of needing a bit of external help. Nothing wrong with that."

"I know. And I do trust you. I just… don't trust the rest." Yasaka then sighed mellowly, snuggling up to him. "I'm sorry. All my life I was raised to be able to stand alone. Being pregnant has made me moodier."

"Good of you to be aware of that," he told her, chuckling at her expense, squeezing her back nonetheless. "I'll get you out soon."

"I don't doubt you will," she breathed. Being all by herself had made her realize how used she was to the warmth of others and how unused she was with loneliness. "Stay with me tonight."

"Of course."

That simple response delighted her. No thoughts or consideration behind it. He was here just to be with her. Exclusively for her.

They didn't talk as she led him to the bedroom, even as he helped her out of her kimono. She felt his gentleness — a rarity. Perhaps it was because of their baby that he was being extra careful as he moved around her, making sure she didn't have to move much. All the teasing infuriated her at first, but, seeing his effort, knowing he was only being slow for her, and remembering he was the only soul she could count on out there, Yasaka didn't want to complain.

But that didn't mean she'd keep quiet either.

"Nnh…" she moaned to make sure he knew she appreciated the kisses on her neck. "...You're taking it extremely slow today… You're not entirely 'here', are you, Lucifer?"

He paused. He didn't look surprised or showed a sign of it, other than his mute response of course, and the silent stare he gave her. Then he sighed, and withdrew.

"Hmm."

"Don't give me a 'hmm' as if you're shocked I'm able to sniff it out. Don't underestimate me just because I let you comfort me from time to time," Yasaka frowned. It didn't take her long to realize she'd crossed the line with that last comment. "...I was looking forward to seeing you. It can be frustrating knowing the desperation is one-sided… But I'd rather not sleep with you when your mind is elsewhere. I don't need your pity," she said with a flute-like giggle.

"Is something wrong? Let me help."

That drew an amused smirk from him. 'Let me help' instead of 'how can I help'. The arrogance of this fox…

"Have you ever noticed you tend to speak a lot when you feel guilty?"

And that painted a blush on her face.

"...No, but I will be conscious of it, starting from now…"

He chuckled quietly. In an uncharacteristic manner, Lucifer lazily rolled off of her, lying beside her as Yasaka didn't waste time in getting comfortable; laying her head on his chest, feeling his warmth through the thin fabric of his dress shirt, listening to his breathing, her loneliness fading away bit by bit.

"It's Gabriel," he said, and she'd guessed as much.

"Just give her time. She'll come to her senses."

"That is not what I'm fretting about," he told her. "It's what comes after."

"What do you mean?"

He gave her a stare. "She's not me."

Yasaka fought the urge to eye roll. "No one's you but you. You like to remind everyone that."

"I was 'banished' and yet I soared higher. She plummeted to rock bottom and seemed keen to find if there's a deeper pit she could bury herself in."

A harsh yet nonetheless true summary. So far at least.

"But now you're with her. If there's anyone that should guide her; it's you. Well, either you or Michael but… I don't suppose his help would be as accessible as yours, considering he's the one who cast her out. Who can be a better example of an exiled Archangel that ended up staring down the rest?"

That drew a suppressed chuckle from him. "I'd rather not have her hated."

And that brotherly concern drew the tease out of her. "Ooh, afraid that you're a bad example to her?"

"Mortified," Lucifer dryly said.

"You're so cute," Yasaka smiled, hoping being called cute might embarrass him a bit. It didn't. "We have a term for people like you; a kuudere, you may have heard. Calm and collected, rarely ever do their composure break… aloof, to some or most… and yet they can surprisingly be the gentlest, caring soul there is… Annoying as they might be, from time to time." A self-satisfied giggle temporarily broke her spiel. "You ought to show your caring side more. Let others see you in a new light."

"Who is in peace with oneself doesn't have to prove anything to others," he smoothly stated, gaining a look of mixed awe and annoyance. "It sounds forced. At most they'll assumeI want something from them."

"Well that's because of your own doing, Mr. Dealmaker."

"When has anyone ever sought me out without wanting something from me?" he questioned back. Yasaka couldn't answer as her ears flattened due to her rising guilt. "Oh don't give me that look — I have fun with it, make no mistake. I entertain them because it entertains me; by letting them feel in control."

"Well in that case… you do you, as they'd say."

"Mhmm," he smiled simply. "Besides, don't you wish to keep this side of me exclusive for you alone?"

"Hmph. I gave up on that when I let myself fall for the Morning Star. I knew the risk when I took it," she smugly said, complete with the fitting smug expression. "The benefits far outweigh the risks, so far at least. …And look at where it's gotten me today…"

He watched as she glanced down to her stomach, drawing circles with her hand. Her faint smile was something a mother could show.

"I never had any regret choosing you. I knew you'd look after me. Some may claim I am using you for my benefit, and, while it is true… partially… at the very beginning at least…" she giggled, "there's so little in this world I won't give up for you. You and your eyes."

They stared at each other for a while. Until a blush crept its way up to her cheeks, and as Lucifer let out his snark, his crimson eyes seemingly gleaming; "You're right," he said, glancing around the bedroom. "There is indeed little in this world."

Yasaka hmph'ed and pouted as her standard show of defiance and resentful acceptance as she quickly whined, "Then hurry up and bail me out of this prison already."

"Soon."

Yasaka didn't know why that sounded ominous coming from him. Perhaps it had something to do with his previous status as the 'Harbinger of the Apocalypse' or something.

Finally, Lucifer pulled away gently and kissed Yasaka on the forehead. She felt a wave of love emanating from him, and despite the innocence of his gesture; her face was flooded with color, and she went as far as lifting her hand to cover her face nervously.

"...I've fucked you senseless, but this the first time I see you this red."

"Sh-shut it..." she grumbled, nuzzling her face against his chest. "It's not fair—" and squealed/screamed into him.

Break

Rossweisse noted that she wasn't the first to wake up that morning, because she was the only one in the room.

In her dormitory days, she'd be the first to wake up. And get called a dolt because she didn't spend her last night blasting alcohol into her lungs like most of her peers who, of course, idolized Thor. Alcohol brought out the honesty in someone and just because of that, they'd assume anyone who refused to intoxicate themselves as someone with a lot of secrets.

Pushing those miserable thoughts aside, Rossweisse freshened herself with a dash of magic or specifically the bacteria-ridding ones and a breeze of refreshing scents, surrounding herself in a whirlwind of aromas. As her lilac hair draped down, she 'replaced' her cozy and unbelievably plain purple pajamas with her same colored business suit, ready to face a new day, as well as wondering what sort of insanity Lucifer would delve into.

Her new 'job' had been far more exciting compared to her old one, if she had to be fully honest.

She wasn't yet sure if that was a good thing or not.

Either way, Rossweisse stepped out of the guest room and was immediately greeted by drifts of cold night air, slithering down her skin like a snake. She shivered, remembered that most of the residents here were kitsunes and yōkai that were mostly immune to the coldness of the night air, and whispered a spell as soon the moonlight danced around her in the form of tiny fireflies, illuminating her in a warm, orange light.

"Much better…" she sighed.

"How do you do that?"

A voice suddenly made itself heard. It was feminine, young, contained yet not without a twinge of childish innocence and wonder. Soft yet still contained the unmistakable clarity that could light up a room.

"Lady Kunou," Rossweisse sounded as she swiveled around to face the pint-sized kitsune. "Good morning."

"Morning," Kunou said. "How do you do that? It's the same as mother's, but it isn't."

"Oh, these…?" she gestured at her dancing firelights, "it's magic."

Kunou was not amused. "I know that."

"It's Nordic Magic," Rossweisse clarified. "That's why it looks the same yet different. Different methods and such…"

"Can you teach me that?"

"Mmmn… No, I don't think I can, sorry. You need to be born in Asgard. I can't learn your youjutsu either. Imitating it is the best I can do."

"How do I imitate that then?"

"Huh? Uh… well…" Rossweisse wasn't expecting this sort of persistence from a kid, and she doubted a thorough explanation and breakdown of magic formula and runes would entertain a kid her age either. She didn't want to be seen as boring. "Erm…"

"Kunou Ojou-sama!" arose another voice, coming down from the corridor next to them as she could spot a brown-haired kitsune scrambling over. "You're disturbing the guests! It's time for your calligraphy lessons!"

Kunou's ears perked up, sensing approaching danger. She whispered a low "uh oh…" before promptly darting the other direction, banking a corner as she disappeared from sight.

The kitsune staff briefly apologized for the trouble before giving chase.

Rossweisse blinked the blanks and confusion away. That at least saved her from a tight spot…

She decided to search for Lucifer. Or at least someone she knew. She was a welcome guest but being the only person that didn't originate from this place and culture was making her feel nervous. Luckily for her, she didn't have to look long for a familiar face as she arrived at the inner garden; where a giant cherry blossom tree stretched out to the skies above, peering over the temple's highest floor.

Gabriel was the only one there, gazing upwards. A melancholic look on her face. She had a soft, loose-fitting linen kimono draped on her body. Rossweisse doubted it would look great on her if she was the one wearing it, but it seemed that Gabriel was the kind of… being that would look effortlessly great in anything — not much unalike her brother.

Her black wings hung at her sides, blacker than the deepest abyss.

Even her 'blindfold' didn't make her look silly, and Rossweisse didn't understand why or how.

"Lady Gabriel," she reached out, announcing her walking towards her, stepping over the stony paths with pink petals strewn about.

"...Miss Rossweisse," the fallen archangel responded, glancing at her. Her voice was distinguishably melodic that Rossweisse wouldn't be confused if anyone had fallen for her voice. "Good… morning… I assume."

"Erm… yeah. Good morning. It's kinda difficult to tell what time it is here."

"Indeed."

Rossweisse awkwardly shuffled next to the extremely beautiful woman. "Uh… how are you feeling?"

"...Conflicted."

"Conflicted?" she parroted. "How come?"

"...The people here…" Gabriel muttered, "they adore him. My brother…"

"...Okay," Rossweisse said, not really knowing where this was heading just yet. "He did treat them more favorably compared to most, to be fair…"

"And why is that?"

"...I…don't know," Rossweisse realized. She knew he and Yasaka had a thing going on, but she'd never asked how they'd met. She suspected a deal would be in there somewhere. "A deal gone awfully well?"

"Despite his…reputations?"

Rossweisse shrugged noncommittally. "He has his drawbacks."

There was a noticeable frown. Rossweisse had no idea someone could frown beautifully.

"I never knew."

"Knew what?"

"That he has a place he frequents, and welcome him for who he is. Not even Hell welcomes him with open arms. A worker told me he's even saved this place for nothing…"

"...Pardon me for being frank, but I think you're limiting your judgment by treating it as if there's only Heaven, Earth and Hell. I'm sure there are other places than this that treat him like an esteemed guest."

"There are others?" Gabriel eagerly asked. "Where else?"

"Erm… uh… Well… let's see… he's well received by King Odin… late, King Odin…" she corrected herself with a hint of sadness. "And the late Queen Freya. Though the rest of Asgard isn't that… keen about him."

"Nothing like how this place treats him?"

"No," Rossweisse shook her head. "...At least from what I've seen so far… We've been to Takamagahara, and the Shinto deities at least respect him enough. Hard to tell, to be frank… our time in that place was short. But here? As far as I can say, he's a part of this community. No one here reveres him like a god but no one is overly cautious of him either like he's up to no good."

Gabriel nodded soberly, thought for a moment, and then asked, "...Has this place become his new home?"

"I…don't think he cares about that sort of stuff…" Rossweisse muttered skeptically. "I think he just likes it here because no one's asking him for stuff or glaring at him…"

Gabriel stared wistfully up into the clear spring sky and sighed, her black, feathered wings ruffling lightly with the gentle breeze. A quiet melancholy hung heavy in the air around her, almost tangible.

"Do you think there was ever a time when he longed for Heaven?"

"Never," was his immediate reply as Lucifer seemed to have appeared out of nowhere — this was false, of course, because he was just walking by and saw these two staring at the moon like they were planning on stealing it.

"B-brother," Gabriel immediately hung her head as if afraid he might get upset. "We were just—"

"I was never cherished or adored as much as you were, Gabrielle," he went on, "of course you'd miss it. Me, on the other hand, only ever felt constricted. Heaven has made me realize I am extremely tolerant."

She gulped. "...It wasn't easy for us. We never wished for you to be exiled… Especially me and Michael… you were our eldest. We admired and loved you — and… we still do. I hope you know."

"I'm aware," he admitted, in the tone of someone that other people might think would be really bothered by it, but in reality wasn't that really wasn't bothered by it.

Gabriel held herself, refusing to acknowledge she was free of guilt. "I know I'm not meant to have doubts, but I never stopped wondering if there was something we could have done… If there was something more we could have done to prevent your Fall… prevented all this from ever happening."

"My mind was dead set on leaving either way. All you're doing is guilt-tripping yourself. Stop it," Lucifer said with slight annoyance. "You might even say that my fall was all part of his 'Grand Plan', that it was orchestrated just like how he 'allowed' the Philistines to attack the Israelites, to set the stage for a small man of his 'chosen' to take down a giant of a man. Baal and Dagon were rather upset."

Gabriel went quiet for a beat.

"...You don't presume… all of this is still well within His plans?"

This time, both her and Rossweisse stared at him intently, waiting for his silence to pass. His answer shook them more.

"I don't know."

"You don't know…?! Aren't you supposed to be omniscient?" Rossweisse piped up.

"What was it… 'some things are better left unheard'. This is one of those things."

"Are you scared of the truth, brother?"

"Rather than scared, I'd rather find it out myself — by keeping him around long enough until The End. I'll judge it by his reaction."

Gabriel winced upon being reminded of that terrible vision. She had forgotten how desperate she was wishing for it all to be a trick of the mind; a deceptive visualization of her worst nightmare he conjured just to cause her Fall. She'd rather believe that than knowing her own brother shackled Him to a collapsing star, constantly tearing him apart muscles to muscles.

"...Why did you have to torture Father like that…brother…?"

"Tell me why he created humans fully knowing most of them will drown in Hell in the afterlife?"

"But the idea of Hell exists to prevent humans from committing evil!"

"If humans require the concept of eternal damnation just to be decent, that instilling fear and torment is necessary for them to do good, then are they ever decent to begin with?"

"That's…"

Lucifer's frown was thin. "Fear and torment are one of the few things they will respect. Hell as a concept is just another way for him to enforce his 'perfect' version of morality. Hell, Naraka, Yomi— these places exist to reinforce the deities' view of what is right and wrong. Unfortunately there exist beings that without these places as a deterrent, will do as they please."

The ensuing silence was heavy and uncomfortable, and Rossweisse hated awkward silences, let alone the heavier ones.

"...So…is that why you left Hell?" she decided to ask, throwing a tinder so the conversation would burn alive again.

He sniffled derisively. "Hell was meant to be a kingdom he gave to me."

"...Then…your Fall? Was it really his plan…?"

"Yes."

"Why, why did you agree to it?"

"And let him put that sentence on Mikey or you?" Lucifer simply sighed. "Mikey would've turned it into paradise and Hell would lose its meaning — as it is now doing. The others would have lost their mind for being cast out. You didn't even last a day in exile, Gabrielle. There was no one else. It had to be me. We both knew."

"You…chose to be banished…because of us?"

"Partially. I would have left anytime soon anyway. He most likely had known."

"Why didn't you tell us?! Why didn't He tell us?"

Lucifer gestured at her general direction. "This. What you are doing is exactly why he hasn't told any of you other than Mikey."

"Michael knew?!"

"He knows a lot more than he lets on," The Devil chuckled. "We're not much different, him and I. He's just more… well-mannered."

"But— but if you consented, then why did you betray Him?"

"Freedom," he replied almost in an instant. "To finally be free of him and his stupid plan. I decided that I should be the sole architect of my life instead of a genocidal megalomaniac. I wanted to see for once that he didn't get what he wanted."

"...Father… why…? Why did He do all those things…? "

"Because he's a scheming bastard, that's why."

Rossweisse nearly snorted from that frank answer.

"We are not created like him. Humans are molded exactly like him minus his powers. Humans are inherently evil. I was sent to ensure sinners are punished. Do I need to spell it out more for you?"

Gabriel felt sick to her stomach as the realization sank deeper. No matter how hard she wished for it to be a permanent dream, this was it. The harsh, unforgiving truth. As her world collapsed, tears escaped her blindfold and rolled down her cheeks.

"Then all this time… what have I been doing?"

"What you thought was best." Lucifer closed in on her, and gently placed a hand over her hair. "Come now, Gabs. Didn't you cry enough yesterday? I'm telling you all this not to egg you on, but with the hope that you can detach yourself from him, and be your own self. Pick your paths, reforge your destiny, and such and such. It's a challenge and I can tell you; it doesn't come often enough for me."

"I don't know if I'm strong enough for this…" she wept nonetheless, her hands on her face. "I feel like I'm— I'm being crushed."

"Hard truths do that sometimes," he tapped her head. "It might seem bleak, but it'll be fine. You're with me now. I won't let you drown."

As the two former archangels shared an embrace, Rossweisse, the eternal third wheeler, was feeling godawfully awkward and out of place, and had conveniently used the moment to stealthily remove herself from the scene, secretly thinking it might be nice if she had a brother like him.

Wait, there was a chance it might worsen her inferiority complex. Bah, whatever. She wanted breakfast, and breakfast she sought.

.

.

.

"Hm? Where'd my secretary go? Who told her she can leave when we're going to leave."

"Where will we go now, brother?"

He was admittedly a bit miffed as he replied, "Japan. Now that you're my problem instead," he teasingly said, much to her shame, "I'd like Azazel to handle some of mine. I still have a fox inside some stupid rock."

"AMULET!"

To be continued…

Damn man, 3 reviews for the last chapter. What's a guy gotta write to get reviewed around these parts :C

It's nice that this story is still gaining new followers though, but i'm getting worried whether the lack of reviews are because the story's fine as is and the flaws it has aren't too aggravating for you guys to shove under the rug, or because there's just nothing worth sparing a few words

Anyway, i got the rona again. It's covid part 2 electric boogaloo lesgoooo ᕕ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)ᕗ i beat it once and i'll fuckin beat it again like a husband that's had too much to drink whose wife just refused to fetch him beer from the fridge

Also massive shoutout to my homie Titanic for claiming yet another batch of rich dudes in a familiar lapse of judgment, hubris, and stupidity

yea lets cut corners on safety, what a terrific idea

Terrible news about the son that got on despite being scared of the deep (as we all should. we don't know what the fuck is in there), but got on the sub anyway because his father was in it, and it was father's day. Or the other way around; his dad thinking it would be a cool rich dad-rich son bonding trip