Chapter 58: The Lust Ring (Retribution Arc, Part 1)
January 30th, 20XX. Lust Ring, 5pm
Indigo had almost forgotten that the sky could be blue. Sometimes, being confined to the Pride Ring for so long would make sinners forget the colors of the clouds and sunrises from when they were alive. The darkening of the red sky was the best way to know if night had fallen over the Pride Ring.
The clouds in Lust almost rivaled Indigo's hair color.
Too curious, Indigo kept her window open while Loona kept driving. Unlike Pentagram City, the Lust Ring seemed like an endless city with no spikey terrains bordering it from the sectors. Perhaps the other rings' sectors within Lust were at the very peak?
Sinners were confined to the Pride Ring eternally, but for the very few with invitations or permits, it was always peculiar to see the other rings void of the chaos sinners constantly caused. Even though construction workers were patching up the streets from the Extermination Day catastrophe and enforcing foundations of crumbled buildings, the Lust Ring looked far cleaner than the Pride Ring. The buildings, from the BDSM shops to the love hotels, were in perfect condition compared to most buildings Indigo had seen. The hornier side of the pentagram looked dirtier compared to the neon signs standing out over the skyscrapers. And unlike theological depictions and the sleazy productions of the Porn Studios, the locals weren't randomly fucking on the streets… Unless you count those two club bouncers who kicked out some patron, shouting about their no-harassment policy.
"First ring other than Pride. Bound to be impressive," Loona said.
"It… kinda makes you forget that you were surrounded by sinners most of the time…" Indigo watched the succubi and incubi passing by. Couples holding hands, cuddling, or French kissing. Friends casually shopping at clothing stores or sex toy shops. Some mothers beating a creep with a fire hydrant when he tried peeping through their kids' skirts.
"Speaking of sinners… Heard your porn star daddy didn't sign the document. I thought you had two demon dads now."
Indigo looked away from the window. "Yeah, Alastor and I talked about that. Something about soul-owned sinners putting their adopted kids at risk."
Loona took a left turn. "I guess I can see that. If Angel Dust still had his soul, it wouldn't have been a problem. But it's one of those 'you own a demon's soul, you indirectly own their shit, and if they die, you totally own said shit.'" She sighed. "Ya know, if this works out…"
"It might not work out."
"Girl, Via managed to get permission for you to come here. And he's got no problem you coming without her. If anything, you'd be putting everyone in bigger trouble if you kept this info hidden. You'll do great."
Loona came to a parking stop.
They didn't have any umbrellas with them, but it was a quick walking distance from the van to the visitor's entrance of the tower. Not to mention that the light rain barely bothered no one, unlike the Pride Ring's shitass weather.
Jazz music filled the lobby, but not as much as the dozens of succubi and incubi ceasing their activities to viciously glare at Indigo. One pulled a child incubi away from the girls as they moved towards the front desk. These upperclass Hellborns clearly loathed the presence of that singular sinner. For many Hellborns, sinners were chaotic monsters better left imprisoned within the Devil's ring. They had no business vilifying their decent homes. Loona snarled at their attitudes, but Indigo shrugged it off. Like thousands of other sinners, she was too familiar to hatred hinted at her just for being part-Colombian on her grandmother's side.
The succubi at the front desk almost looked ready to boot them out. Indigo pulled out the invitation.
"Ugh. Another privileged bitch." She rolled her eyes and pointed her tail towards the heart-shaped door labeled SINNERS ENTRY... Complete with the following graffiti.
Stay the fuck out, sinners!
Go back to Pride!
The locals clearly didn't have wet dreams regarding sinners.
Two incubi blocked Loona when Indigo headed towards the door.
"FUCK OFF!"
"Ma'am, it has to be disinfected before the meeting."
Disinfect?
Before Indigo could protest, the door closed on her.
Personnel had her place her belongings (i.e purse and invitation) in a biohazard bag before shoving her into a fitting room to remove her clothing. To her horror, they expected her to come out naked.
She kept her back turned on them.
"Sinner clearly thinks she's better than us," one of the succubi in hazmat suits muttered as they forced her into some sort of sterilized room. Indigo was more worried about her birthmark being exposed. That monstrosity coating her navel was a massive insecurity of hers, but the sex-fueled demons weren't interested in groping her. To them, she was more like a wild animal that had to be disinfected before being introduced to the livestock. Still covering her navel, Indigo was curled into a ball and didn't budged when robotic devices hosed her with nearly six different times of disinfectants, rubbing alcohol, and cold water.
A pink patient gown was tossed at her.
"The fuck is wrong with you cleaners?" An incubus doctor, dressed in the non-professional-kind of doctor's uniform, criticized the 'cleaners'.
"She's a sinner. They can carry diseases."
"Ken, for Satan's sake! She's a kid!"
The doctor led Indigo to a small infirmary. Indigo felt uneasy, but less humiliated than five minutes ago. The doctor did a quick-through evaluation as if it were another annual checkup. Testing her heart rates, double-checking her blood pressure levels, and examining her teeth. As he asked questions, he left the more physical examinations to his nurse.
"Your immune system seems to brush off the effects your cheek got from the angelic steel." He summarized. "The disinfection analysis and your skin textures indicate that you managed to survive exposure to Hellfire. Good temperature, in general. Better news, you're completely void of the typical STDs sinners tend to bring. No herpes, no syphilis, no warts, and no eternally unborn baby."
"Uh… what?"
"Teenage pregnancies."
The nurse finished packing up a care package.
"What's that?" Indigo asked.
"Safe sex care package." The succubus showed her the contents. "Condoms, pepper spray, rape kit, lubricant, brochures for the best clinics to go to for birth control, and this very handy human book."
Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, And The Meaning Of Sex.
"Our Sinstagram also provides suggestions for online forums led by asexual and aromantic Hellborns," the nurse continued. "If you have any questions, ask them first before you do anything. Safe, consensual sex is the best kind of sex."
"Oh…" Indigo's smile softened. "Thank you…"
"Hey, we might be horny, but we're not phobes!" The doctor shrugged dismissively. "Cassie, take her to the groomers."
"But I already got disinfected!" Indigo protested.
"No, sweetie." The nurse pinched her cheek. "The groomers… OPERATE THE SPA!"
Lust Ring, 8:30pm
Indigo somehow lost track of time.
Through some 'diplomatic agreements', Asmodeus had agreed for decades now to allow the spa chain run by the freaking Bloody Countess himself, it had been so high demand as 'the hottest spa in all of Hell', his subjects had begged him for one in the facility.
Soaking in pure mud. Bathing in bath of warm milk and vanilla petals. Getting her nails filed so finely, her face could be reflected. Indigo indulged in what the ring had to offer for enviously lustful. Maybe it was the floral-scented shampoo or her imagination, but the incubus hair stylist couldn't keep himself from geeking over her locks. The succubi waxing her legs kept complementing her 'innocent curves'. The fashionistas were sensible regarding her birthmark, some casually talking about disfiguring scars imps had and clothing worn to hide the atrocities.
Stepping out of the spa, Indigo was almost baffled by her appearance in the mirror. Black mini dress with matching blocked heels and a crystal choker. The bangs the hair stylists had created without her permission surprisingly went well with her horns, and the curly style almost reminded Indigo of her original hair as a human. Her possessions and invitation had been switched into a blue micro bag (cute, but those bitches still burned her original purse).
Somebody escorted her through a hallway. The employees, ranging from office to factory workers, kept gawking Indigo. The same species that vilified Indigo upon entry for being a sinner was now reacting as if she were the finest Hellborn or something. The pure irony.
"You can be casual with him, just as long as you're respectful," her guide explained. "Don't worry about the casting banging nonsense they probably tell you in Pride. He's not like that sick moth upstairs."
"Thank God."
The glass elevator opened.
"Highest floor is for the royal quarters. Enjoy your time with Asmodeus."
"Wait… WHAT?"
The door closed, separating Indigo from the guide.
Indigo panicked. She quickly dialed her phone, hoping to demand Octavia for an explanation. Her voicemail answered. Considering the time difference, Via was probably in bed right now.
How was that possible? Octavia told her that she could report the incident to the proper authority in the Lust Ring! Indigo thought she meant like a Goetia or something!
NOT THE FUCKING SIN OF LUST ITSELF!
I'm a sixteen-year-old asexual virgin going up to the palace of the Embodiment of Lust himself! Via, this is NOT going to be good for our doing-date-stuff!
The elevator dinged and opened up.
Indigo had automatically expected the place to reek of lust. But when she blinked, she was surprised by the subtle quantities emanating from the walls, floor, and carpets. It was less quantity, and more quality. Everything clean and well-scented, it was like the opposite of Angel Dust's room. Indigo hadn't anticipated all the wallpapers to be gear themed. Hearts were everywhere, along with touches of flames.
Indigo supposed it made sense. After Pride, Lust had the biggest sin polls, but unlike the sinners amassing lustful activities for profit, the Hellborns probably prioritized the quality of lustful experiences.
The cuckoo clock in the hallway rung 9pm. Indigo let out a weirded expression when the rooster replacing the cuckoo had an obvious erection.
She sniffed the air.
Since when did lust smell like medium rare meat?
Someone was scatting from a nearby open door, the smell stronger there. Maybe the staff cooking there could tell her how to approach the Sin of Lust.
Peeking at the door, the smell of cooking was tantalizing. Maybe more for Indigo because she could smell the envy roasting in one of the patties. The giant blue demon flipping them with a spatula was the one scatting.
An imp stretched his arms around to set up the counter. Indigo wasn't sure if she was more baffled by the imp's robotic limbs or how these demons seemed so… not lustful in this setting.
Hate to be an interrupter.
She knocked.
"A knocker?" The imp turned his head normally. "You think it's the guest? None of the employees knock."
Indigo tensed.
(Change of POV)
Asmodeus turned the heat off, the patties being ready.
"Can you open the door for her, Fizzy?"
His lover did just that. Asmodeus brushed his mane back.
He already knew this was going to be painful… For him. Another victim of the shenanigans of Leviathan and his brood. He always handled the offspring of nonconsensual relations very well, getting them the assistance they needed. He knew the moment Octavia Goetia called him the identity of the 'sinner friend' who needed to speak with him.
He turned to face the guest.
His ribcage nearly ripped in half. To think that the cambion before him didn't seem to realize that she had already met the Sin of Lust in her first days. The infant cambion was now an adolescent. An adolescent unaware of the cruel destiny awaiting her.
She obviously got Invidia's nose, much to his displeasure. And due the siren-like nature of Leviathan's female offspring… and the blessing of flawless lust Ozzie had given her when Cain first introduced his stepchild… Ines had grown into a beautiful maiden.
"Well hello to our brand new visitor!" Fizzarolli shook hands rapidly with her. "Fizzarolli, the one and only! You must be the lucky gal from Pride! Indigo!"
"Uh… It's actually Indigo."
Maybe it was the imp's showman antics, but he'd mispronounced the name, pronouncing the second syllable as 'die' instead of 'duh', and calling the cambion in-die-gow instead of in-duh-gow.
"Shorten it to Indy! Great!" Fizzarolli led her in. "Come in, come in! We just cooked dinner! Well, Ozzie cooked!" He twirled her to face the tall Sin adding the final touches to the burgers. "Ozzie, our guest, Indy. Indy, this is Ozzie. Short for Asmodeus!"
Asmodeus looked at the cambion. She had to lift her head up, the back of it hurting as it met her shoulders, to look up at the Deadly Sin. He could sense that she wasn't scared. Nervous, maybe. Who wouldn't be at meeting a Deadly Sin? Bee mentioned that Ines, oblivious to her own half-Sin heritage, didn't seem that fazed when meeting her either.
"You… are taller than Lucifer and Bee-Lzebub."
Pretty blunt.
"I get that a lot," he smiled just as the oven dinged. "Ooh! Fizzy, can you get the fries? Indy, do sit down."
She did as Asmodeus asked, sitting on the first stool available. Asmodeus put the medium-rare burger before her while Fizzarolli stretched his arms around to dump handfuls of fries on all three plates. Asmodeus noticed Ines blinking constantly, easily hiding from Fizzarolli but not to the Sin her 'vision'.
Asmodeus hoped it wouldn't stir suspicions. He'd purposely gotten the right ingredients for Ines to enjoy an envious dinner camouflaged in a juicy burger.
"Where are my manners?" Asmodeus snapped his fingers. Bottles floated over him, creating a colorful ring of floating drinks. "What would you like, baby bug? I got non-alcoholics, if you want a mocktail…"
"Do you have any snake wine?"
Asmodeus flicked his finger at the blue bottle bearing a grass snake. A small amount went into a glass before he stirred in sparkling water, a blue syrup, a pink-colored juice, and some ice cubes.
Ines' eyes sparkled at the sight of the drink before her. Her hosts just had red wine.
"So!" They all finally sat down. "I'm sure you're busting with questions," Asmodeus said.
"Oh! Yeah!" Indigo cleared her throat. "So, Lord Asmodeus…"
"Babe, you can relax!" Fizzarolli munched through his burger. "You can call him Ozzy! Everyone does!"
"Right. So… Ozzy, sir… I'm sorry if… Well, first of, thank you so much for permitting me to come to your ring. I know sinners aren't allowed in the rings outside of Pride… But my friend told me you could help… Ok, she didn't exactly tell me I was going to meet the Sin of Lust himself! Just that you were the right kind of person to talk to about… a situation I have."
"A situation, you say?" Asmodeus bit halfway down a fry. Did she finally get a clue? He wondered.
"Yeah… It happened earlier in the month, just before Bee-Lzebub officialized my adoption. My d… Alastor's my legal guardian."
"Oh yeah! Congrats on scoring one of the best daddies in Hell!" Fizzarolli congratulated her.
"Indeed. Hell isn't safe for young newcomers like yourself. It's good you're getting sanctuary without selling your soul." Asmodeus wondered why Ines skipped upon nearly calling the Radio Demon her 'dad'. Emotional attachment to her human father, perhaps.
"And… I didn't know what to do! Alastor didn't want me to say anything, because he was worried it could tamper my adoption! But then I found out what Angel Dust told him to not tell me, but I found out anyway! And… Well, after Extermination Day… I just have to do something! You know?" Indigo finally ate her burger. "OK… a burger being this tasty should be illegal!"
"Thank you." Asmodeus smiled, hiding his desperation.
Indigo took a small sip of her cocktail, getting a bit confident. "So, I guess I'm risking a lot… I might be offending your very work as the Sin of Lust, but…" She inhaled. "I just can't let the Vees get away with it…"
"TELL ME THEY DIDN'T!" Asmodeus suddenly flared up. Blue flames erupted from the stove. Fizzarolli quickly flushed down the kitchen fire with a fire hydrant.
Indigo stood still in her seat.
"They did something and are doing something horrible to the very demons who risked a lot to keep me safe." Indigo put her glass down. "I can't just let it slide."
"Wait, what?" Asmodeus stopped flaring in anger.
"What?"
Asmodeus blinked. He'd been so convinced that Ines was admitting to finding out her nature, that she wanted her answers, and that the Vees knew. Asmodeus had feared this scenario in his head… He didn't realize that Ines was actually asking for help not for her, but for others.
Fortunately, Fizzarolli quickly took over.
"Sheesh, Indy! Don't scare Ozzie like that!" He chided. "You made him think those losers DID it with you!"
"Did what?" Ines frowned.
Fizzarolli made an 'O' with his left hand and nervously put his right index through.
"What? No!" Ines blushed. "Just hours ago, your medics prepped a safe sex package for me! You realize how… What… I'm a fricking virgin in the LUST RING!" She nearly got angry.
Both imp and Sin sighed in relief.
"Thank Satan…" Asmodeus calmed. "I apologize…"
"I shouldn't have yelled, I'm sorry…" Ines lowered her head.
"Baby bug, you shouldn't apologize." Asmodeus gently lifted her chin up. "It's a natural instinct of mine. Lust is better when performed by consensual parties, never force. I have to bear with that parasite Valentino because as much as I hate it, his business increases the Lust polls in quantity. Vox and Velvette just enforce it."
"Still about them…" Indigo reached into her purse. Her hand pulled out a Ziploc bag of ripped electric wires. "Alastor didn't want to report it, but… I can't just ignore it. Lord Asmodeus…" Ines sighed with confidence. "The Overlord Vox tried to use a love potion on my legal guardian… And Valentino might get Angel Dust killed on live television through a porn snuff film… Tomorrow… Well, technically today in Pride Ring hours. You're five hours behind…"
Somehow, Asmodeus had teleported away, along with the Ziploc bag. In a matter of seconds, fire burst from another door, prompting Fizzarolli to clear the dishes. Her skull went on to ache for 33 seconds.
"Hey, you in the mood for cake? We got a killer ube…" Fizzarolli dropped the cake from the fridge.
Ines had collapsed.
"OZZY!"
Lust Ring, 9:50pm
They'd tucked her in a guest room. Asmodeus had attached some breathing tubes on her.
No way would Asmodeus summon a medic from the Sloth Ring. He and Bee had always feared that a mere phlebotomy could lead to Belphegor finding out about the cambion's existence. Fortunately, being responsible for his lover's robotic limbs, Asmodeus was familiar with medical equipment.
"Good thing the Envy Sector comes with oxygen canisters for their deep sea Hellborns." Asmodeus checked the machine one last time. "Breathing from it in her sleep should strengthen her by the time she wakes up."
"Ozzy, are you SURE this is the same kid you told me about?" Fizzy tucked a loose hair from the girl's face. "She's so… NOT like Leviathan. She literally came all the way here just to ask you to help someone else."
Asmodeus sighed. "Trust me, I wish she wasn't… She doesn't deserve what they're doing to her…" To Asmodeus' reassurance, Ines still had a stable pulse. "She can't stay in the Lust Ring too long."
"What happens if she stays more than 36 hours?"
"Cambions can traverse the rings, but their systems camouflage them. In Pride, they're just average sinners. Any other ring, they're average Hellborns. But the camouflage can only last so long. Unless she recharges by going back to either Pride or Envy…"
"And Envy isn't an option."
"The camouflage weakens… And trust me, Fizz. They'll view her the way they view all cambions who haven't made a choice… Something to be killed. I'm hoping that with the Envy-originated oxygen, it'll recharge her."
He led Fizzarolli outside, closing the door to give the cambion some sleep. Three succubi security guards were ordered to rotate to keep an eye on the door. Anyone breaks in, they had to break the intruder's dick.
Fizzarolli knew Asmodeus hated love potions. It was one of the many drugs the Sins, even Leviathan's brood, made illegal. The law was reinforced when it was feared that common demon could try to drug their way into the royal families by harming the children; a paranoia reinforced when Charlotte was born.
Asmodeus was enraged about the situation Indigo had told him about, but what really concerned him was Vox's acquisition of the love potion.
"Belphegor keeps the illegal drugs' recipes under lock and key," Asmodeus waited for them to get away from earshot to speak to the imp. "Even if you sold your soul to her, she wouldn't give her recipes in a million years. Circe wouldn't do it either."
"You think it could be Sahara?" Fizzarolli asked nervously. "Ozzy, what if Mammon's nephew is involved?"
"Lines are being dangerously crossed, Fizzy. This isn't just about the love potion and the snuff film anymore. It's about keeping Ines safe."
"What are we going to do?"
"You stay here and make sure Ines doesn't go anywhere unaccompanied once she's awake. Get her breakfast, distract her with sexy stuff for virgins, and get her back to the hotel. WITHOUT letting anyone know that she snitched on the Vees! Bring bouncers! As far as anyone knows, she's just a sinner minding her business."
Fizzarolli pondered. "Uh… Security, sexy stuff, and completely no snitch-related business… And keep it totally natural. I THINK I know just who can help us!"