Previously: "Just remember," Alastor said, his tone playful yet serious. "I'm still the one keeping an eye on you."
Lumina looked up, her eyes meeting his with an unfeeling look. Which threw him off for a bit. "I know"
As he descended back into Hell, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction. Lumina's world was becoming more entangled with his, and despite the complications, he found himself increasingly captivated by her resilience and charm.
Chapter 12: Beneath the Mask
Micha paced back and forth in her small apartment in Heaven, her mind racing. Of course unaware of Lumina's little visit to hell. She was worried, if anything, Lumina was getting too chummy with Alastor, there had to be something to do in order to make her lose her trust in him without him killing her. She had grown colder towards the hidden guardian, and it was pissing her off.
Unbeknownst to her, Lumina is just really good at masking. She doesn't know her that well, despite being her guardian angel.
The redhead had teleported in front of her apartment door and taken in a deep breath, she had to be nice to Lumina. She responds to it more. Knocking on the door of apartment 4B, and hearing Lumina's new cat meowing angrily at the door. It opened a minute later by a disheveled Lumina with Calastor glaring up at her. She looked emotionally drained having Micha worry for once.
But for her own wellbeing.
"Why have you been so distant lately, Lumina?" Micha finally asked, breaking the silence. She turned to face Lumina, her blue eyes filled with concern.
Lumina sighed, and despite how she's feeling let Micha in and sat back down on her couch. Letting Calastor hop onto her lap, he was feeling rather protective, her fingers absentmindedly stroking his fur. "I could ask you the same thing, Micha. You've been acting weird too."
Micha bit her lip, struggling to keep her emotions in check. "I'm just worried about you. You know you can tell me anything, right?"
Lumina's eyes flickered with uncertainty. "Yeah, I know. It's just... there's a lot going on."
Calastor lifted his head and glared at Micha, his eyes full of distrust. Micha huffed in frustration. "Why does your cat "hate" me?"
Lumina couldn't help but chuckle. "Animals can be weird like that. Maybe he senses something about you."
Micha forced a smile, trying to hide her irritation. "Maybe. But back to the point, Lumina. If there's anything you need to talk about, anything at all, you should tell me."
Lumina looked down, feeling the weight of her secrets. "I'm fine, Micha. Really. Just dealing with life, you know?"
Micha clenched her jaw, trying to suppress her frustration. "You can't keep shutting me out, Lumina. I'm your friend.."
Calastor hissed softly, and Lumina patted his head to calm him. "I know, Micha. But sometimes, it's easier to handle things on my own."
'Yeah and look where that got you.' Micha took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure. "I just want to help you. But I can't if you won't let me in."
Lumina looked up, her eyes hardening. "Maybe I don't need your help, Micha. Maybe I need to figure things out by myself."
Micha's temper flared, but she forced herself to stay calm. "And what about that demon? What has he been up to?" She cursed at herself for letting that slip, but there was no going back now.
Lumina's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her face neutral. "What demon? What are you talking about?"
Micha's eyes narrowed. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. Don't play dumb with me."
Lumina's gaze turned icy. "I don't have to explain myself to you, Micha. Just because you're my friend and Producer doesn't mean you get to interrogate me."
Micha took a step closer, her voice trembling with suppressed anger. "I'm trying to protect you, Lumina. You don't understand the danger you're in."
Lumina stood up, her eyes blazing. "I can take care of myself. I don't need you or anyone else telling me what to do."
Micha felt her control slipping, her frustration boiling over. "You don't know what you're dealing with! Alastor is dangerous, and you're being reckless!"
Lumina's fists clenched at her sides, she doesn't know how Micha knows who Alastor really is but she was not about to take this treatment. "You don't know anything about my life, Micha. So just back off."
Micha's face twisted in anger and hurt. "Fine. If that's how you want it." As Micha stormed out of the apartment.
Calastor hissed triumphantly, as if sensing the victory in driving Micha away. Lumina felt a pang of guilt, but she couldn't afford to show weakness now.
She sat back down, Calastor settling in her lap once more. She stroked his fur, lost in her thoughts. Alastor had become a complicated part of her life, and keeping everything a secret was tearing her apart.
Outside, Micha leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths to calm herself. "God fucking damn it!" She had punched a hole in the wall of the apartment across she was leaning against. The residents inside were just as surprised as Micha was for just taking God's name in vain. "Hey, whattya think ya doing, fool?!" The man yelled and Micha quickly ran away.
Their fractured trust hung heavy in the air, both knowing that the real battle was yet to come.
Alone in her room, Lumina's emotions threatened to overwhelm her. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she grappled with the weight of her insecurities. She was angry at herself for ever making the deal with Alastor, for letting curiosity lead her down this path. All she wanted to do was honor her grandparents…and now she has to deal with an awful demon. Pretending to be fine was finally coming undone and her usual facade of indifference was shedding.
But just when she felt like she couldn't bear it any longer, there was a knock on her door. Opening it, she found Lonnie, Lawrence, Duke, Yanai, and Gerald. Her best friends, standing there with sympathetic smiles.
"Hey, Lumina," Lonnie said gently, wrapping her in a warm hug. "You haven't texted us in days, we just wanted to check in and see how you're doing."
Lumina felt a wave of gratitude wash over her as she leaned into their embrace. For a moment, she forgot about the stress and the pressure, just grateful for the presence of her friends. Her disappearing for a bit was fairly normal, she'd usually have a burnout. Not wanting to do anything or just withdrawing herself, staying inside for an undetermined amount of time until she felt better.
As a teen her mother wouldn't allow that, it was more important to continue working. Even if she didn't want to interact with fans, she hated fan meet ups most. The occasional good person was nice but every other person was just awful. Creeps of all kinds, jealous people trying to provoke her, people who hated her for no reason talking down to her. It was all too much a lot of the time.
"We brought snacks and games," Lawrence chimed in, holding up a bag of chips and his Switch. "Figured we could hang out and take your mind off things for a while."
As they spent the afternoon laughing and playing games, Lumina felt a flicker of hope ignite within her. Maybe, just maybe, she could find the strength to face her fears and take back control of her destiny. Whatever it may be. With her friends by her side, anything seemed possible.
In the dark of night, midnight exactly Lumina had awoken in a cold sweat as she dreamed a nightmare that had wrecked her slumber. So she went to her drawing desk and reached for her sketchbook, her refuge in times of turmoil. As she flipped through its pages, she was greeted by a myriad of drawings, each one a window into her soul.
There were sketches of fantastical creatures she had conjured from her imagination, their twisted forms reflecting the darkness that lurked within her. Inkblot creatures, with gnarled limbs and gaping maws, danced across the pages, their eerie beauty a testament to Lumina's artistic talent.
But amidst the monsters and nightmares, Lumina poured her own pain and suffering into these drawings, channeling her emotions into every stroke of her pen.
Drawing had always been Lumina's escape, her way of coping with the suffocating pressure of her life as a performer. It was the one thing she could do without fear of reprisal, the one outlet where she could truly be herself. And now it was just a stress relief.
Growing up, Lumina's love for drawing had been a source of contention between her and her parents. Her father, before he left, would fly into a rage if he caught her doodling instead of practicing her dance moves. And her mother, a cold and manipulative woman, would mock her for her artistic pursuits, dismissing them as frivolous hobbies with no place in the cutthroat world of show business.
Lumina continued to draw, finding solace in the act of creation. She hid her work though, keeping it underneath a loose floorboard, along with all her little hobbies she loves to do but can't do. She was actually working on a miniature version of her family, well a version that loved each other, as a young teenager. Upon finding it, her mother made her sit down and watch her tear it apart before setting it ablaze. Throughout her screams and cries of pain Lumina had finally understood the love of her parents was nothing but a figment of her imagination and stopped trying.
What's the point?
The next day, afternoon.
Lumina sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by her grotesque ink blot drawings and character sheets. Each creature she sketched seemed more horrifying than the last, a reflection of her inner turmoil.
Calastor played in his new cat tower, his playful antics providing a small measure of comfort. Lumina absently stroked the pages of her portfolio, lost in her thoughts. She had applied to art college a while ago, a secret dream she hadn't shared with anyone glanced at him occasionally, a small smile tugging at her lips. The TV played in the background, providing a comforting white noise until the next program came on, a true crime show.
She paused her drawing, her interest piqued by the familiar opening theme. The show delved into various murder cases, each more gruesome than the last. Lumina continued working, half-listening until a particular segment made her blood run cold.
"And now, we delve into the chilling tale of a notorious cannibalistic killer from Louisiana," the narrator intoned. Lumina turned around fully to watch, her curiosity piqued. "From the mid-1920s to the early 1930s, this murderer used the guise of a charming radio host to lure his victims. He reported on the very murders he committed, creating a macabre dance of deceit and death."
A photo flashed on the screen, showing a man in a suit, a wide grin on his face. Lumina's heart skipped a beat. The resemblance to Alastor's human disguise was uncanny.
"The murderer, known as the 'Radio Demon,' was never caught. His reign of terror ended abruptly in the early 1930s when a hunter mistook him for a deer and shot him dead while he was burying a corpse in the woods."
Panic gripped her chest, her breath quickening as the realization hit her.
Calastor, sensing her distress, leapt from his tower and rubbed against her leg, purring loudly. Lumina reached down and stroked his fur, trying to ground herself.
"It's okay, it's okay," she whispered to herself, taking deep breaths. "He's in Hell for a reason... I knew that. I knew he was bad, but..."
The truth was more horrifying than she had imagined. She felt a wave of nausea as she tried to push the thoughts away, focusing instead on her drawing.
Alastor paced back and forth in his Radio Tower, his usually calm demeanor fraying at the edges. He had faced rejection, anger, and fear countless times, but something about Lumina's cold shoulder gnawed at him in ways he couldn't understand. The powerful Radio Demon found himself seething with frustration. How had this human managed to get under his skin?
When he arrived at Lumina's apartment, he didn't bother with his usual theatrics. Instead, he simply appeared, his expression dark and his aura crackling with barely contained rage. He was met with a sight that caught him off guard: Lumina, cowering in fear on her couch, her eyes wide with terror. It was a stark contrast to the confident, spirited young woman he was accustomed to hadn't seen her like this before, not since their earliest encounters.
"Lumina, what's wrong?" Alastor's voice was softer than usual, a hint of concern seeping through his typically composed demeanor.
Lumina struggled to compose herself, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she pressed herself against the couch. "Alastor, you scared me... What are you doing here?"
Alastor's brows furrowed, his expression unreadable as he took in her trembling form. "I came to see you, Lumina. You've been ignoring me, and I wanted to know why."
Lumina's grip on the fabric of the couch tightened, her voice trembling as she spoke. "I-I've just been... dealing with things. It's been a lot lately."
Alastor's eyes narrowed, a flicker of frustration crossing his features. "Dealing with what, exactly? You've been distant, Lumina. I don't understand why."
Lumina's breath came in shallow gasps as she tried to find the words to explain. When she finally spoke, her voice trembled with fear and uncertainty. "I...I saw something on TV yesterday. A true crime show...about a killer who looked just like your human disguise."
Alastor's expression remained stoic, but inwardly, he felt a wave of apprehension wash over him. He hadn't anticipated his past being revealed to Lumina in such a manner. He cursed himself for not being more cautious, for allowing his guard to slip.
"I see." Alastor's voice was measured as he tried to calm her nerves. "Lumina, you must understand, my past is...complicated. "
But Lumina seemed unconvinced, her fear still palpable in the air with her frustration. "Complicated? Complicated?! Alastor, complicated is college level Number Theory. This is…this is…I don't know what this is.."
Alastor felt a twinge of sadness, a rare emotion for him. He couldn't stand to see her like this, trembling with fear because of him. At least now. He stepped forward towards her trying to calm her down.
Lumina continued to back away, Alastor's resolve hardened. He couldn't let her fear dictate their relationship, couldn't let it drive a wedge between them. Despite his own reservations, he cared about her, in his own twisted way. He didn't want to lose her.
"Lumina, please," Alastor implored, his voice soft but urgent. "I know I'm not the easiest person to trust, but I need you to believe me when I say that I would never harm you. You...you mean more to me than you realize."
For a moment, Lumina hesitated, her gaze locked with his. Alastor held his breath, waiting for her response, hoping against hope that she would see past the darkness of his past and understand the sincerity in his words.
But her rationality was taking over.
"NO!" Lumina's voice was resolute, her rationality shining through her fear. "No matter what I do, I'm fucked. Just for interacting with you even. You'll be taking my soul, and I'll be in Hell. So why don't you? Stop torturing me already and do it! I don't want to live on as your tortured pet like Husk!" She cried out, stepping closer to him, her eyes filled with a mix of defiance and despair.
Alastor's eyes blazed with anger, his demonic powers crackling around him. "Husk talked to you, didn't he? That insolent—"
Before he could finish, Lumina's own fear and anger surged. "Yes, he talked to me! And you know what? He made me realize just how hopeless my situation is with you! You're nothing but a monster!"
Alastor's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing as Lumina's words pierced through him. His anger flared, a mix of frustration and guilt boiling within him. Guilt he hated to feel. "You think it's that simple?" he snapped, his voice low and dangerous. "You think I take pleasure in your suffering?"
Lumina's eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling but defiant. "Yes! That's exactly what you do! And it's exactly what you've been doing! I'm just a toy for your amusement, something to pass the time until you decide I'm no longer worth it." She grabbed her hair in anguish, despite Calastor trying to keep her calm she wasn't going too.
"Do you understand how hard it is to mask my fear? To- to keep a face of indifference so I don't slip up and die? It's all I think about, and with pairing the frustration I had for going back onto the stage I just can't keep it up! You make me regret trying to honor my grandparents, I regret touching that fucking radio!"
Alastor unleashed his demonic power. Lumina stared at the scenery before her with widened eyes as in a whirlwind of chaos, Lumina's living room transformed into a nightmarish landscape, the discordant sounds of deer brays echoing through the air. His shadow coiled around her body and around her neck closing in on her windpipe.
Lumina's breath hitched as the shadow tightened, her hands clawing at the invisible force constricting her throat. Sucking away her lifeforce.
Realization hit Alastor like a lightning bolt, and he quickly released her, his shadow retreating. Lumina fell to the floor on her back, gasping for air as she sat up on her hands, her eyes wide with horror. Alastor's heart twisted in a way he wasn't accustomed to, a pang of regret and sorrow cutting through his usual bravado.
"Lumina, I'm…" He started, but she cut him off, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and despair.
"I mean something to you? And that's why you just tried to choke me out?" She shouted, stepping closer to him. "Get the hell away from me, Alastor. I don't care what you do with me, but I can't handle this right now."
Alastor's face fell, the weight of her words sinking in. He took a step back, his usual confidence shattered. "Lumina, please…"
But she shook her head, her resolve firm. "Leave."
Alastor stood there, torn between his anger and the unfamiliar pang of regret. He wanted to reach out, to explain, to make her understand, but he knew he had crossed a line. He opened up the portal and quickly went in, closing soon thereafter.
Lumina's body shaking with sobs. Calastor, nuzzled against her, trying to offer some comfort. Lumina hugged the cat tightly, her tears soaking into its fur.
Lumina sat on her bed, her eyes red and swollen from days of crying. Her mind swirled with confusion and despair, the weight of her recent encounters with Micha and Alastor pressing down on her. She felt completely alone, her thoughts a chaotic mix of fear and sorrow. The room was quiet except for the occasional meow from Calastor, who seemed just as distressed.
Suddenly, a portal tore open in her room, emitting an eerie glow. Two burly hellhounds emerged, their eyes glinting with malice. Lumina's heart pounded in her chest as she scrambled to her feet, instinctively making a run for the door. But they were too fast. They caught her easily, muffling her screams and blindfolding her. She struggled, kicking and flailing, but they quickly overpowered her, tying her hands and legs.
"Let me go!" she yelled, her voice muffled by the gag.
The hellhounds didn't respond. One delivered a swift blow to her head, and everything went black.
When Lumina regained consciousness, she found herself in a lavishly decorated room. The air was thick with the scent of expensive cologne and burning incense. Her hands and legs were still bound, and the blindfold pressed uncomfortably against her eyes. She could hear muffled voices and footsteps approaching. The blindfold was roughly yanked off, and she blinked against the sudden light.
In front of her stood an Overlord, a tall and imposing figure with a cold, calculating gaze. Beside him was another demon, watching with interest. The Overlord stepped forward, grabbing her face and examining her closely. His touch was surprisingly gentle, his thumb brushing against her cheek in a disturbingly tender manner.
"Yeah, it's for sure her. Heh... been a while, hasn't it, my little Starling?" he cooed, his voice sickeningly sweet.
Lumina's mind reeled. The nickname sent a shiver down her spine, a long-buried memory surfacing. Only one person had ever called her "Little Starling."
"N-No... it can't be..." She whispered, her voice trembling.
The Overlord's grin widened. "Oh, but it is. You've grown up quite a bit since we last met."
Fear gripped her heart as she struggled to remember. The pieces of her past were scattered and fragmented, but the familiarity of his voice gnawed at her.
"Who... who are you?" She managed to ask, her voice shaking.
He chuckled, the sound sending chills down her spine. "You don't remember me, do you? Such a pity. But don't worry, sweetheart. You'll remember soon enough."
Lumina's eyes darted around the room, searching for any means of escape. Her heart raced, the fear of the unknown pressing down on her. The other demon watched her with a smirk, clearly enjoying her terror.
"Why are you doing this?" She demanded, her voice stronger this time.
The Overlord's grin never wavered. "Because, my dear, you have something I want. And I always get what I want."
Lumina's mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of her memory. The fear and confusion were overwhelming, but she couldn't afford to break down. She had to find a way out of this, to figure out who this Overlord was and why he had taken her.
Cliiiiiffhanger!
Hanging from a cliff!
An that's why he's called, Cliff Hanger!
