Why was he so nervous? He shouldn't be—it was his daughter, his little apple pie. Granted, they hadn't talked in... a while.
Lucifer scrunched his face, feeling very anxious. In his left arm, he held a bouquet of beautiful eyeball roses. It was a nice gift, plus… he didn't know what else to get for his eldest daughter. It had been years, and he was pretty sure she had grown out of her giant stuffed plushie phase.
He was never going to outdo Lu-Lu World. Now that was a big gift for his daughters.
A nervous tick had developed; his leg tapped his boot rhythmically, and his right hand lifted and dropped a few times, hesitating to knock.
The King of Hell sighed. He needed to make an effort and put in the work if he still wanted to be a part of his daughters' lives. Taking a deep inhale, he nervously grinned and gently knocked on her door.
"Katherine, apple pie? Are you in there?" He waited for three seconds, counting each one individually. His smile wavered, and his foot kept tapping. Come on, you can do this! After a little pep talk, he pushed foreword. "I-I wanted to wish my big girl a happy birthday! I know that—Charlie told me you both were celebrating..." His smile quickly dropped, remembering how his youngest had come to his door earlier, saying, "We would be very happy if you were to join us. For Katherine." But he had chosen to stay locked away in his studies, regretting it the moment he heard her voice laced with frustration.
"I-I'm sorry I didn't join you both earlier, b-but I hope I'm not too late to give you your present." That thought built his confidence a little; he made sure to get her something beautiful—something he hoped she would like. Holding the bouquet up with a small smile, he stood ready for her to (hopefully) open her door and see that her daddy still cared about her.
He waited for a full minute, but the message was clear: she didn't want to see him. Lucifer dropped his arms, clutching the flowers in a tight fist. It hurt, but he couldn't blame her.
With a resigned sigh, he turned to retreat back into his room (and probably cry a little).
But just as he took a step down the hall, he suddenly heard Katherine's beloved pet aggressively barking. Lucifer halted, blinking at the door. Why was Ariel barking? She was usually so calm. She sounded distressed—was something wrong?
Hesitant at first, he gripped the door handle and slowly opened it. "Katherine? Is everything okay?" Lucifer peeked inside, scanning the room. He spotted Ariel at the far side, next to the balcony. The room was illuminated by the eerie glow of the red skylight. That was strange; Katherine always kept her windows covered.
Leaning in closer, he was met with a shocking sight: the balcony doors were wide open, and Ariel was looking off into the distance, whimpering. Katherine was nowhere to be seen.
He flung the door open, shock coursing through him. "Katherine?!" Ariel turned, looking up with sad eyes, still whimpering.
Oh no… she didn't?!
Another fucking fantastic year for exterminating! His giant gold wings flapped rhythmically, keeping him suspended midair as he gazed down at the Hellhole those losers called a city. The view was nothing short of a disaster—smoke billowed from the crumbling buildings, and chaos spilled into the streets below. It seemed like every year the place got shittier and shittier, and he knew exactly who to blame: them.
The thought fueled his disdain as he surveyed the scene. Shattered windows glinted in the fading light, and the distant sounds of screams and sirens echoed up to him like a twisted symphony. He reveled in the sight, a grin spreading across his face. This was his domain, his playground of despair.
Heaven's first man, Adam, sighed triumphantly. He'd already racked up three kills on impact, and now he was adding a double kill, bringing his total to five. With his golden guitar-axe slung over his shoulder like a shotgun, he fired holy beams of light from his fingers at any unlucky bastard who crossed his path, the blasts exploding with blinding brilliance. He let out a high-pitched scream that echoed through the battlefield like a singer at a rock concert. His laughter ringing out like music against the backdrop of destruction.
"That now makes five, fuckers! Better run, 'cuse your lives are on the line! HAHAHA!"
Whack!
Something hard slammed into the back of his helmet, sending Adam's face crashing against the visor, leaving him momentarily disoriented. The impact was so forceful that it knocked him from the sky, his wings flapping wildly in a desperate attempt to regain control.
"O-Oh—shit!" Adam cried out as the ground rushed toward him, a blur of dark asphalt and flickering flames. He braced himself, but the inevitable impact came too quickly. He landed mask-first, the brimstone asphalt biting into the surface of his helmet, before his body crumpled forward and flopped to the ground.
Grunting in pain, he planted one hand into the upturned soil, trying to push himself up. The holographic eyes of his mask flickered erratically, glitching as if struggling to process the chaos. With a frustrated grunt, he delivered a sharp whack to the side of his helmet, trying to restore clarity. As the static subsided, he glared ahead, his expression fierce and determined, ready to confront whatever had dared to take him down. That fucking hurt! How the fuck had he been knocked out of the sky? Who the fuck did that; all the fucking sinner demons were terrified of him! And yet, there he was, on the fucking road.
Adam scanned the sky, looking for the fucker who had the balls to knock him out. Oh, they were next to die!
"Who's there?!" he shouted, summoning his guitar-axe again, its strings vibrating with an electric hum, ready for action. A flicker of crimson-pink fire erupted from the corner of his mask, before Adam could gather his thoughts, a fist, wreathed in the remnants of the flames, lunged through the searing heat, and connected with the side of his mask, the impact reverberating through his skull like a thunderclap, "Augh!" The world spun for a moment as he staggered back, his vision blurring. He didn't have time to react, as the arm disappeared, then reappeared and uppercut his chin. "Ooof!"
Adam clutched his jaw, stumbling on his feet but still standing. Rubbing his chin, he glared forward, eyes locked on the shadows, waiting for the pink flames to erupt again. Suddenly, they flickered to his left, and he was ready.
"You're dead!" he shouted, lunging forward just as the fiery apparition made its move. In a flash, he caught the hand mid-punch, his grip firm. "Ha!" he laughed, surprise washing over him as he realized the hand was much smaller than his own.
Whoever—or whatever—was hiding in the flames tried to pull back, but Adam tightened his grip, refusing to let go. "Alright, you little shit, where's the rest of you?!" he demanded, getting his answer as another sneak attack kick to the head. "Augh!" losing his grip the hand vanished in the flames. Adam growled, he was beyond pissed at that point, "No more games!" And started swinging his guitar around like a baseball bat, blinding shots of holy-light out from every angle, "Show yourself so I can kill you!"
A chuckle rang through the empty streets, slicing through the tension like a knife. "Come out, you cocky bitch!" Adam shouted, his holographic eyes scanning the darkness. Suddenly, crimson-pink flames erupted from thin air, swirling and molding into a tall figure right before him. Adam watched in awe as it took form, twisting its torso with fluid grace before launching a powerful right leg.
His eyes widened just in time to shield himself with his guitar-axe. The flame figure spun, delivering a kick that connected with a crackling impact. Hellfire clashed with holy sparks, the collision sending shockwaves through Adam's body. He grunted, feeling the full force of the blow. Damn, whoever this was, they were strong (hating to admit it). He silently thanked God that he had managed to shield against the attack, digging his boots into the brimstone to halt his backward momentum.
Breathing heavily, he glanced down at his guitar, now marred by a burn smudge lodged between the strings—was that a shoe heel? "What the—?" he exclaimed, confusion momentarily overriding his anger.
"Damn, I really liked this pair."
Adam snapped his head forward as the figure covered in flames halted, examining their foot. Slowly, the layers of fire fizzled out, revealing pasty white skin He flared his wings out trying to look bigger, intimidating.
For a single moment, he though it was that fucker Lucifer; the guy was already height-impaired so maybe he wore heels? (He wouldn't put it past the asshole). A small part of him was almost hopping it was, because that'd be a deal-breaker and then it'd be open-fucking-season.
But then he looked closer.
And saw a pair of tits. A pair of fucking fantastic tits. So, not the most hated being in all of existence, but also not the worst thing to gaze upon. Either way, it's sure as fuck not what he was expecting. He also never expected to ever be smacked out of the sky. The bitch.
"Who the fuck are you." it wasn't really a question that left his mouth, but it was close enough.
Adam stood his ground, eyeing the girl. She matched Lucifer's fucking coloring—same pasty-ass pale skin and flushed cheeks, but at least she actually had a nose. The more he looked, the more familiar features emerged. The figure, height almost reaching his, the shape of her eyes and color... reminded him of Lilith's. Even her outrageously long hair (only weirdly colored pink) was tied up in a vibrant ponytail, adding to her striking presence.
But this wasn't Lilith, nor was it Lucifer, which meant—
The daughter. Or one of the daughters. A hellborn.
He'd heard the news, of course—two brats kicking about, children of Lucifer and Lilith. Almost the entire council and seraphim's of Heaven was aware of their existence, when it cared to pay attention. Nothing could keep their all-knowing eyes from uncovering secrets in the realm beneath them.
Still, Lucifer was a tricky little bastard; he might not have been able to fully hide their existence, but Adam didn't have enough knowledge to say which of the two it was; the eldest, or the youngest?
Based on the figure alone, he'd guess eldest— those were some nice fucking tits and curves. Fuck, she looked identical to Lilith, which was a total turn off.
She completely ignored his rude question, clearly more upset about her broken shoe. "Bummer, but I guess fighting in heels was a stupid choice," she said with a casual shrug. Without missing a beat, she took off her left shoe and snapped the other heel, her movements almost graceful despite the situation. Adam raised an eyebrow as she slipped the now broken pair back on her feet—now flats.
"Sorry for kicking you out of the sky," she continued, her tone calm. She paused, considering how to explain herself, her long lashes briefly curtain over her silver irises. Then, with a cocky smirk, she placed one hand on her hip, swaying slightly as she stepped closer to him. "Your terrible guitar playing and singing was ear-rapping. Had to shut you up somehow."
Adam growled low, the yellow holographic eyes glitched. She cut him off real quick, "To answer your rude question, I'm, the mother fuckin' Princess of Hell, Katherine. But you can call me Kat if it helps your lamebrain."
"Look, sweetheart," Adam forced grin, gesturing with one open hand to the chaotic landscape of this shithole, where his weapon-wielding allies were doing what they did best: fucking shit up. "This is Extermination day. Has daddy only just let you out of your tower?" Sheltered little rich-girl, no doubt thinking she could come and pick a fight with—
"Oh, I know," she interrupted, rolling her eyes and dropping her smirk. "I know all about the cleansing, how you shit-fuckers come down here once a year to 'bring down the numbers.'" She made air quotes with her fingers, her earlier bravado returning. "But today isn't just extermination day. No, no; it's also, my birthday~."
"Wow~." Adam gawked in a terrible impersonation of her voice, "That must fucking such for you!" Scoffing out into laugher. Oh, how hilarious, born on the day when her people are slaughtered like animals!
"I'm glad you agree; it really does suck," she said, her fake cheery smile starting to grate on Adam's nerves even more. "Being stuck inside on your special day gets boring over time. That's why I'm treating myself this year~."
With a blink, her eyes shifted to a fiery red, the silver irises shining like starlight, and a pair of eland-horns sprouted from the top of her head, framing her face with an ominous elegance as her long ponytail blew around her form. "And what better way to celebrate than kicking the leader of the exorcists' ass into the dirt?"
The first man sneered at her comment; taking notice of her hands turning black all the way to her elbows, "You stupid bitch; don't you know your asshat of a father made a deal? He stays out of the exterminations and—"
"He stays out," she cut him off again, the fucking cunt. Pink flames danced on her body, looking too cock-sure and confident, "but there was never any deal about his kids not getting involved." taking a step closer, her smirk metamorphosing into a wicked grin, showing off her fangs, "So, human, let's see what you've got~. I may not be able to stop every exorcist, but I can certainly get in your way of having a good time."
Adam scoffed at her outargues claim. Cute, he thought, she thinks she's got a chance (forgetting that she already got a few hits in). Some stupid little hellborn bitch thinking she can go toe-to-toe with him. With Adam! The original dick! The second little miss princess faulters, he's gonna go back to killing as many of those fucking sinners as he can.
He wasn't gonna kill her of course; the deal was still in effect after all (also wasn't sure if he'd get in serious trouble if he did). But, nothing stopping him roughing her up a bit.
"I'm not interested in your petty games, so don't disappoint me, human~." Katherine caressed her palm against the side of her face, her grin unwavering, a predator enjoying the chase.
Let's make this quick. "Bring it bitch!" he shot back, his voice steady, a challenge hanging in the air.
This time, when she charged at him (this bitch-ass daughter of Lucifer) he was ready. Adam twisted his guitar-axe, its blade gleaming under the dim light as he swung it through the air, aiming to carve through her demonic form. But she was already one step ahead; with a flash of dark energy, she disappeared in a blaze of hellfire, leaving only the acrid scent of sulfur behind.
So that's how it works; teleportation. The realization struck him like a cold wave. Figured she wouldn't fight fair (Not like he did in the first place). Adam gritted his teeth, scanning the shadows for any sign of her. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through him, igniting a fierce determination to track her down and end this before she could strike again.
Holographic yellow eyes darted left and right, scanning the charred landscape above and below as he strained to listen for the sounds of flickering fire. Where are you...? The question hung in the air, heavy with tension. Every rustle of ash and crackle of embers felt amplified, echoing in his ears as he sought any sign of her presence.
Then, a crackle of embers and a flash of pink ignited in his peripheral vision. Acting quickly, he swiped at her again, fury surging through him like a wild firestorm. But Katherine twisted her body, bending her spine backward in a grotesque display of flexibility that defied physics. He didn't even manage to trim her hair; even though there was a fuck-ton of it!
With a backwards aerial that seemed to defy gravity, the edge of her broken heel shoe caught him under the chin. The sudden impact sent his head snapping up toward the sky, a brief moment of disorientation flooding his senses. As he stumbled back, Katherine flipped upright, her lips curling into a cocky smirk that sparked a pulse of irritation through him, like a match igniting a fuse.
Adam grunted as his jaw slammed together on impact, the pain radiating through his skull like a thunderclap. He rubbed his chin, wincing; damn, did that hurt.
"Nice try douchebag. My turn now." she taunted, her voice dripping with sultry menace, each syllable a promise of chaos. She lifted her right forearm in front of her like a shield, and as he watched, black scaly plates like body armor erupted along the rim of her arm, glistening ominously in the flickering light.
Pink flames grew, licking up her arm in a mesmerizing dance, casting flickering shadows across her face. The flames intensified, enveloping her entirely in a blazing aura of hellfire that crackled and hissed, the heat pulsing outwards like a warning. The air shimmered around her, charged with dark energy, making it clear that this was a fight he couldn't afford to lose.
This time, she wasn't disappearing. Instead, she charged at him, a blur of motion and menace. Perfect—she was finally in his line of sight! Right when she was in front of him, he brought down his guitar and used it as a shield again, he was able to her attack.
However, he didn't pay attention to her other hand spontaneously bursting into flames. With a swift motion, she thrust it right into the center of his chest, the force of the blow hitting him like a flaming cannonball. Adam was sent flying through the air, his body tumbling end over end as he struggled to regain control.
He flared out his wings, their massive span catching the air and halting his chaotic flight. Glaring down at her, he scowled. That was a cheap shot. As he hovered, he suddenly felt an unusual warmth spreading through his robe. It couldn't be from the infernal atmosphere of Hell, which was always on fire—so why was he suddenly sweating? The acrid scent of burning toast tickled his nostrils, making his stomach churn.
Looking down, his eyes widened in horror. A small fire was dancing on the hem of his favorite robe, the fabric smoldering and sending up wisps of smoke!
"Ah—! Shit!" he shouted, frantically patting at the flames in a desperate attempt to extinguish them. Smoke billowed up around him, swirling in the heated air. Katherine stood below, a snort of laughter escaping her lips as she reveled in his panic.
"You best be careful~," she taunted, her voice a sultry melody laced with amusement. Small pink flames flickered across her skin, dancing in time with her mirth, the red in her eyes glinting with a fierce, playful light that reflected off the hellfire surrounding them, "I burn~."
"You fucking pyromaniac crazy bitch!" Adam yelled, looking down at the damage.
"I'm not Hell's fire for nothing~," she bragged, tossing her long ponytail over her shoulder with a flourish, a confident gleam in her eye.
Growling through his teeth, Adam shot back down to the ground like a jet ready for impact. Reeling his arm back, he gripped his guitar-axe tightly, cutting through the air with a blinding arc of light. Katherine merely smirked, vanishing just in time, her form dissolving into flames. The bright light sliced through the brimstone pavement, leaving a massive, jagged hole where she had stood.
As he continued his descent, Adam felt a sudden, forceful impact right in the center of his back, the wind knocked out of his lungs. He couldn't even scream. Katherine had reappeared behind him, channeling all her strength into her right leg and sending him crashing to the ground like a meteor.
Heaven's first man left a perfect human-sized impression in the scorched ground, the outline of his body etched into the rubble. His front was plastered in a mix of dirt and brimstone, and though he couldn't see it, he could feel the unmistakable imprint of her boot pressed right onto the back of his robe, a mocking reminder of her power.
Katherine extended her wings, gliding gracefully down before tucking them back with an elegant flourish. "I gotta say, first man, you are certainly not boring," she teased, lightly laughing as he struggled to pick himself back up. His mask was malfunctioning again, static crackling and distorting his vision.
"Best not to get tired just yet, human. We still have a few more hours left~." The Princess of Hell grinned mischievously, her silver irises gleaming fiercely against the backdrop of flickering flames. With a sudden, predatory movement, she lunged back toward him, ready to finish what she started.
Charlie sat at the edge of her bed, her heart racing as she nervously tapped her foot against the floor. Her gaze was fixed on the glowing screen of her phone, the profile picture of Seviathan von Eldritch staring back at her with an expression that had once made her weak in the knees. Now, it felt like a cruel reminder of everything that had gone wrong.
Breaking up over text was tasteless, she knew that. But for him, it felt justified. For too long, he'd been a complete douche-bag, relentlessly badmouthing her family, poking at old wounds that her sister was trying so hard to heal. Watching her sister make progress in her life only highlighted how much Sev was dragging her down, even though it didn't get to Katherine; in her eyes the Eldritchs were beneath the royal family. But, it was time to cut loose the unnecessary baggage.
Yet putting it into words? That was a different story entirely.
"Hey, Sev…" She typed, then quickly deleted the message. No, too casual.
"Sev, I wanted to talk to you… I know it's not appropriate to do this by text, however I…" She paused, biting her lip, frustration mounting as her mind raced in circles.
Charlie groaned, dropping her head into her hands. Why was this so hard? Usually—and unfortunately—she was the one on the dumping end, and while she'd always been kind, she understood the hurt it caused. This felt different, though. With Sev, there had been hope once; now it was suffocating her.
She took a deep breath, the weight of her decision pressing down like a heavy blanket. It wasn't just about ending a relationship; it was about reclaiming her peace, her self-respect. She had to do this, for herself and for her family.
"Ha, I bet she'd say something like, 'I no longer wish to waste my time on a jiz-stain who looks like he fucks his own sister,'" she mused, chuckling softly. It was so typical of Kat to be blunt, cutting through the fluff and getting right to the point.
Charlie chuckled at the thought, but still tapped her fingers poised above the keyboard on the text app. But as soon as they appeared on the screen, a wave of unease washed over her. There's no way I could actually say that!
The harshness of the words felt foreign to her, and she couldn't shake the feeling that it would come across as cruel. Charlie sighed, leaning back against her bed and staring at the ceiling. Why was it so hard to find the right words?
I'm not Kat. The thought echoed in her mind, and she found herself envying her sister's fearless confidence. Kat didn't second-guess herself; she just acted. If she didn't like someone, she cut them out without a thought. But Charlie had always been different—more sensitive, more inclined to consider others' feelings.
"OH SHIT!" A sudden scream echoed through the palace, so loud that it made Charlie jump. She blinked a few times, shaking off the initial shock, and turned to her bedroom door, where fast footsteps pattered down the hallway. With a raised brow, she got up and crept closer, peeking through the door.
"Shit shit shiiit!" Her father, Lucifer, blazed down the corridor, leaving a trail of flickering fire in his wake. His face was a mask of pure panic, sweat pouring down his forehead like tiny waterfalls.
"Uh—Dad?" Charlie called out, her heart pounding in her chest.
Lucifer halted abruptly, his eyes wide as he turned to his younger daughter. "Charlie, duckling—! Don't worry, Daddy's got this under control!" He attempted a smile, but it was shaky and didn't quite reach his eyes. "Everything is fine—just stay inside. Katherine will be fine! Hahah!" The forced laughter sent a chill down her spine; he was clearly bad at hiding his panic.
Charlie blinked again, her worry deepening. "W-What? Is something wrong with Katherine?" The question tumbled out before she could stop it. Just twenty minutes ago, her sister had seemed perfectly fine.
"It's gonna be okay! Everything will be okay!" Lucifer shouted, his voice growing more frantic as he dashed past her. "I just have to hurry right now before bad turns into worse!" He didn't give her a chance to respond, sprinting down the hall toward the main gates of the palace, flames flickering wildly around him.
Stunned, Charlie stood frozen in the doorway, watching her father disappear into the distance. Never had she seen him so rattled. His frantic behavior raised alarm bells in her mind. The Extermination was still happening outside; why would he be running out into that chaos? His rambling about Katherine only fueled her anxiety. What was going on?
Frowning, she felt a knot of dread forming in her stomach. Distracted by her father's unexpected outburst, she glanced down at her phone. Her heart sank as she realized that she had accidentally pressed send on the breakup text to Seviathan! Her eyes widened in horror, the realization hitting her like a cold wave. She must have sent it when her father startled her!
Gasping in dread, she echoed her father's words, "Oh shit!"
No way…? no fucking way?!
Adam was using all his strength, yet he couldn't bring down the final blow! How was her grip that strong?! He was taller then her! Muscles straining as he fought against her hold.
Katherine had a vice-like grip on his wrist, stopping his guitar-axe mid-swing. With his free hand, he blocked a punch aimed directly at his mask again, and now they found themselves in a tense standoff.
Both of them looked worse for wear. Adam's injuries were hidden behind the protective shell of his helmet, but his robe—now tattered and singed—told a different story. He could feel the heat from the burns, a reminder of how close he had come to losing. Katherine, on the other hand, wore her bruises and cuts like badges of honor, a sinister grin plastered across her face that only deepened his frustration.
"The fuck... are you smiling at?" Adam panted, glaring down at her through the visor. His holographic eyes flickered with anger, struggling against her relentless grip.
Katherine huffed a laugh, her silver irises shimmering with mischief. "It's just… this is way more entertaining than I thought it would be~." Her voice was laced with playful taunts, and the way she seemed to revel in the moment was infuriating. "It's a shame we have to wrap this up."
"What do you mean—?" Adam started, his confusion cutting through the tension.
Her expression turned mischievous as she leaned in slightly, whispering, "Three, two, one."
Ding-Dong Ding-Dong!
Adam's heart dropped as he turned his head toward the glowing clock tower in the city center. The timer chimed, signaling the end of the extermination for another year. No…! Panic surged through him as the realization hit. He had missed his chance, the thrill of the hunt slipping through his fingers like sand.
Katherine's grin widened, and Adam felt a wave of frustration wash over him. His precious kill count! She managed to stall him the entire time! The princess stepped back, her confidence radiating as she dusted off her ruined dress, the sight only amplifying his irritation.
"Well, I guess we'll call this a draw today," she said, crossing her arms and flashing him that infuriatingly cheeky smile. "Thanks for the entertainment! How about we do this again next year?"
Adam dropped his guitar with a thud, looking at her with a mixture of disbelief and anger. You want to do this again?!
His frustration boiled over as he stomped toward her, raising his guitar once more. "You little cunt—!"
"Your group is leaving," she reminded him, raising an eyebrow, completely unfazed. "You wouldn't want to get in trouble for staying longer than you're allowed to~."
Gritting his teeth, Adam felt the weight of her words settle in. She had outplayed him at every turn today. She had toyed with him during the extermination, laughing and mocking while he fought for every inch.
He hadn't tasted the sour sting of defeat in thousands of years, and it burned at his ego like acid. The feeling was foreign and infuriating. Gritting his teeth, he extended his golden wings, the feathers shimmering against the chaotic backdrop of Hell. With a powerful flap, he kicked up clouds of brimstone dust, the particles swirling around him like angry spirits.
Gaining altitude, Adam pointed down at Katherine with his guitar, his voice echoing with fury and defiance. "This isn't over bitch!" he shouted, the words reverberating in the charged air between them.
Katherine gave a friendly wave goodbye, her spirits soaring as she watched Adam rocket towards the sky and into the Heavenly portal. The adrenaline still coursed through her, but as soon as he disappeared into the other realm, reality hit her like a wave. She felt the damage done, her legs wobbling as she planted her feet in the ground to steady herself.
Grasping at her chest, she felt her heartbeat racing. Holy shit… did she really just do that? She couldn't believe she'd just fought against Heaven's first man—the leader of the exorcists. The realization settled in—she had stood her ground against someone so powerful, someone she'd only heard about in hushed tones. A giddy smile crept across her face. She had never felt so alive, so daring.
"KATHERINE!"
The sudden shout broke her reverie. She blinked, turning to see a flurry of six wings plummeting towards her. "Dad—?" Before she could brace herself, the wind was knocked out of her as he collided with her, pulling her into a bear hug that nearly lifted her off her feet.
"Oh Satan—! My little apple pie!" Lucifer babbled, tears of worry streaming down his face as he pulled back to examine her. "Are you alright? What in the unholy Hell happened?!" His eyes widened with every bruise and cut he spotted on her skin.
"Uuh…" This was awkward. She hadn't expected her dad to find out—especially not like this. She'd broken their one rule about staying away from the chaos.
"What are you doing out here?! What are—" He gasped loudly as he noticed the holy marks marring her skin. His expression shifted from concern to shock as he gaped at her. Katherine avoided eye contact, a blush creeping into her cheeks. It didn't take much for him to put two and two together. "Did he do this to you?!"
"I-I uh… Am I grounded..?" she stammered, knowing how ridiculous it would be for an adult daughter to be grounded, even if she had just defied a major rule.
Lucifer didn't here her question, as his turned his focus to the light glowing orb of Heaven that looked down on their realm, "That bastard! Ooh, just he waits. He's going to regret hurting you!"
"Dad..." Katherine tired to speak up, but was ignored.
"I will make sure he-"
"Dad- I attacked first!" Katherine shouted, finally getting Lucifer to stop, "Also, your smothering me, in more ways then one." finally pushing out of his grasp.
The King of Hell blinked, momentarily stunned. "You… attacked first?" His voice dropped, a mix of surprise and concern flashing across his face. "Katherine, I thought you were just defending yourself?"
Katherine crossed her arms defiantly, her irritation simmering beneath the surface. "No, I went after him. I... got tired of hiding in the palace for years and decided to do something about it. I'm over my childhood fear, and I'm not going to just let him waltz in here and act like he owns the place. Not while they're killing our people."
Lucifer ran a hand through his hair, the flames flickering in response to his rising frustration. "Sweetie, I understand your frustration, but that doesn't mean you can just start a fight with Heaven's first man! Do you have any idea how much trouble we're in now?!"
"I didn't break the deal you made centuries ago!" she shot back, narrowing her eyes. The tension crackled between them like the air before a storm.
"Is this really about the fight, or is it about something else?" he pressed, studying her intently. "You're trying to prove a point, aren't you?"
Katherine hesitated, her resolve wavering for just a moment. "Maybe I am. But I'm not stopping this now. I plan on finishing where we left off." With that, she strode past her father, extending her black wings, their edges shimmering with an otherworldly glow.
"Katherine, wait—apple pie!" Lucifer called out, desperation creeping into his voice, but it was too late. She pushed off the ground, soaring into the red sky, leaving her father behind to survey the chaos they had unleashed.
To say he was pissed was an understatement.
Storming past all of his hot-as-fuck exorcists, Adam wretched his very damaged helmet from his head and launched it as far as he could, not caring where it hit, it already had a nasty crack on the screen mask.
Who gives a fuck— it's Heaven! If there's a mess, someone or something will fix it up good as new. There are no shitty days in Heaven!
Not like Hell. Hell where he only got to kill five fucking sinners because Lucifer's cunt of a daughter got in the way. She almost burnt him to a crisp, with her bragging about being hotter then hellfire.
How..? How was a hellborn able to attack him, to leave cuts and burses and worst burn marks on him? Him! The first man to be let into Heaven, the first human-turned angel! Yes, she was the swam of those two fuckers but even still, no one from that realm should be able to stop his holy attacks!
"Sir—"
"Fuck off, Lute!" Adam snarled, stalking away from the portal as he was the last to make it, which only fueled his anger. He was always first! He skidded to a halt, finally able to look at himself in the reflection in the pearly gates and was met with an unpleasant sight. His face, one of his best features, was marred by a swollen cheek and a nasty black eye. It would take him while for the holy energy in their realm to heal his injuries.
He grimaced as he noticed a small cut under his chin, where she had clipped him with her shoe, a tiny stream of golden blood trickling down. Looking very un-fuckible. The sight only served to infuriate him further.
Twisting to look at his second-in-command who followed him he ordered. "I wanna know who the fuck that was— which one of Lucifer's stupid little princesses decided she wanted to stick her god-damn nose into our business." Katherine, she'd fucking called herself- though she said he could call her Kat due to his "lamebrain".
Her condescending attitude, the cocky grin that she wore the entire time, while making him look like a fool not only in front of her, his exorcists, but all of Hell which will no doubt be broadcast the next day!
Five. Fucking five?! He'd never had a score so shitty! Well, he'll fucking show her. Next time, she won't be able to stop him.
The little cunt needed to learn her place.
Katherine landed gracefully back on her balcony, her heart still racing from the adrenaline of the confrontation. Ariel, her loyal shark-dog, greeted her with a joyful wag of her tail-fin, rushing over to nuzzle against her side. The creature's soft fur was a comforting reminder of their bond, and Katherine smiled down at her, a sense of relief washing over her.
Dropping to her knees, Katherine let out a weary sigh, feeling the weight of the day settle heavily upon her. Pain radiated through her body, each bruise and scratch a testament to the battle she had just endured. Blood trickled from a few fresh wounds, soaking into the remnants of her favorite dress, which now bore tears and frayed edges from the encounter. She carefully untied her ponytail, allowing her long hair to cascade around her shoulders like a waterfall.
Katherine took a moment to assess herself: her once-gleaming heels were now scuffed and broken, and her tights were torn to shreds, revealing her scraped knees. But beneath the ache and fatigue, a fierce pride ignited within her. She had faced down her foe with courage, despite her initial overconfidence.
As her heart continued to pound in her ribcage, the echo of battle still ringing in her ears, she couldn't help but grin. The thrill of victory coursed through her veins, lighting a fire in her eyes. Leaning down, she pressed her lips against Ariel's giant snout, showering her with affection. "Good girl. I love you so much!" she cooed, her voice a soft melody amidst the chaos.
With a sigh of satisfaction, she slipped off her ruined heels and yanked the remnants of her tights away, not caring about the little trails of blood marking her skin. The satisfaction of the fight lingered in the air like smoke, intoxicating and exhilarating. Katherine strolled over to her large bed, flopping down on her back and letting her legs dangle over the edge. She stared up at the ceiling, adorned with red hangings, her giggles echoing in the quiet room until they transformed into heartfelt laughter.
When was the last time she felt this alive? The question echoed in her mind, a tantalizing whisper that stirred something deep within her. This wasn't just a fight; it was a release, a cathartic explosion of emotions that had simmered beneath the surface for far too long. Each punch, each dodge, had been a way to peel back the layers of tension she had accumulated over the years—years of anger, loneliness and the weight of her lineage. In those intense moments, every fear, every doubt had faded, replaced by pure adrenaline and the intoxicating rush of power.
The thrill coursed through her veins like wildfire, how much fun she had, igniting a longing she hadn't fully acknowledged until now. She craved more—not just the clash of combat, but the exhilaration of truly living, of stepping outside the constraints that bound her. The satisfaction of facing an opponent and coming out on top was exhilarating, and she reveled in it. It was a dance of strength and skill, a raw expression of herself in a world where she often felt confined. For the first time, she was not just the princess bound by duty, but a warrior relishing the chaos.
And she wanted more...
Katherine had finally found an outlet for the anger that had long been pent up inside her, a fierce blaze that needed to be channeled. Each fight was a way to assert her identity, to reclaim her power, and to express the depths of her emotions. The thrill of battle was not just a release; it was a reaffirmation of who she was—fierce, bold, and unapologetically herself. Her laughter grew almost hysterical, before sighing in delight.
"~First time in my life I… I'm not afraid
First time I remember feeling anything, anything~"
Katherine sang her victory, the words rolling off her tongue like molten fire, pride igniting in her soul. Slowly, she pushed herself up from the bed. With a determined stride, she walked to her closet, her smile unwavering, fueled by the thrill of triumph.
"~There's no turning back now, I can't be saved
And in the next life they'll remember me, remember me…~"
Throwing the closet doors open with a flourish, she reached for the exquisite birthday dress gifted by Asmodeus. It was perfect—an embodiment of her dark essence. She hung it over her red changing screen, the fabric shimmering like a night sky.
~I'm the greatest, Lucifer created~
With a practiced motion, she unzipped the back of her dress, the sound a satisfying whisper in the air. She let the sleeves slide down her arms, feeling liberated as she peeled the fabric away from her hourglass figure, as she continued to sing. "~I'm a sickness, I'm contagious…~" The remnants of her dress pooled at her feet, and she stood for a moment, examining the bruises and scrapes that marred her skin. But instead of disgust, she felt pride. No, these were not marks of shame; they were battle scars, proof of her strength and resilience.
"~I'm a demon, power trippin' On a mission and vindictive~. Her fingers grazed over each cut as she summoned her hellfire, the heat searing her skin but offering a sweet release. One of her powerful traits she inherited from her father, was his ability to heal herself; meaning she cared a little bit of holy power inside her hellborn body. The flames licked at her wounds, sealing them, reminding her that fire could not consume her. Reaching for the new dress, she tossed it over her head, feeling its cool embrace wrap around her.
The corset dress, a deep midnight black, hugged her form, its long mesh sleeves cascading down her arms like shadows. The skirt flirted just above her knees, giving her a sense of daring elegance. "~Suffocating, exterminating. And I love that every second~."
Katherine laced the black ribbon tightly at the back of the V-neck corset, savoring the snug fit as she slipped into a new pair of black tights and crimson red ankle-strap heels. "~Full of hatred, irritated. Cut you open~… of entertainment~" Growling low on that last part, her eyes gleamed. The heels clicked against the floor, a rhythmic beat echoing her heart.
Stepping back to admire herself in the large standing mirror, her grin widened, revealing sharp fangs. She looked like a perfect ruler, the embodiment of power and darkness: the Princess of Hell.
With a playful twirl, she transformed into a ballet dance, the mini-skirt flaring around her like the wings of a raven "~Ooh ooh~ They'll remember me! Ooh ooh~ you'll remember me!~"
The princess cackled, her laughter bubbling up like a volcano ready to erupt as she pirouetted toward the balcony. A satisfied sigh escaping her lips, the thrill of victory coursing through her like wildfire.
With a confident stride, she approached the edge of the balcony, the warmth of the air brushing against her skin. Digging her nails into the railing, she felt the solid stone beneath her fingers—a grounding force in a world that often felt chaotic. "~First time I my life (the first fucking time…) I'm not afraid!~" Katherine sang out, her voice ringing clear and strong, echoing through the Ring with a power that felt both exhilarating and liberating. It was a sound that reverberated against the ancient stone, a triumphant anthem just as her mother had sung long ago, a legacy she now carried with pride.
"~First time I remember feeling anything, anything~." The words spilled from her lips, each note filled with raw emotion, a testament to the newfound strength surging within her.
With fire burning in her eyes, she glared up at the luminous orb of Heaven, a fierce determination igniting her spirit. "~There's no turning back now, I can't be saved. And in the next like you'll remember me, Remember me~" The declaration hung in the air, a promise of defiance and power, as she embraced her identity as the Princess of Hell, and soon Queen of Hell. For the first time in her life, Katherine felt truly unstoppable.
Leaning in her elbows, looking up at the white-glowing orb above the Hell with droopy eyes, she sighed "Best birthday ever." Katherine grinned wickedly, as his stupid face flashed in her mind and she giggled, "I'm going to enjoy this for years to come~."
Ever since I listened to Kim Petras "In The Next Life" I had to use it! To me it is Katherine's victory theme song. (ᗒᗨᗕ)
