Chapter 21:House of Asmodeus

A few days after the cherub brawl Sol had been doing tons of research on angels and cherubs in the back neglected sectors of the Pentagram city regal library, the dorky French hellhound girl intently going through everything she could find pushing up her thick round glasses and sipping at a cup of boba, Sol gasping as she as she read a forggoten tome. "I gotta tell Loona!"

Elsewhere Collin was staying in the apartment he used to share with his team and Sol had dragged Loona there, putting a book on the bed. "You're not the first Cherub to choose hell, like actually choose it not just fall it says right here big Ozzie himself was originally a rooster cherub."

Loona and Collin looking shocked at the ancient book. "So I guess that means Collin could maybe get as big and strong as Ozzie someday." Loona blushing as she pictured a big, tall, muscular bishounen lamb male demon in a strapping tux with an exposed six pack, a slight nosebleed dripping.

Loona stared at the ancient, dust-covered book Sol had just slapped down onto the bed. The title, etched in faded gold lettering, read Celestial Beings of the Lost Ages. She glanced from the book to Sol, who was excitedly flipping through the pages, her glasses slipping down her nose as she did.

"Wait, wait, hold up," Loona said, still processing what Sol had just revealed. "You're saying Ozzie—the Asmodeus, ruler of the Lust Ring, was originally a cherub?"

Collin's eyes widened as he leaned in closer, his curiosity piqued. "But… Ozzie's like, a big deal down here. How could someone like him have started as a cherub?"

Sol nodded, adjusting her glasses as she found the passage she was looking for. "It says here that Ozzie was once a high-ranking cherub, known as Rojero, who became disillusioned with Heaven's strict moral code. He fell after challenging the Archangels' authority and ended up embracing his new identity as a demon in Hell under Lucifer. Over time, he rose through the ranks and eventually became the King of Lust."

Loona and Collin exchanged a look, both of them stunned by the revelation. It was hard to imagine someone as powerful and imposing as Asmodeus ever being a cherub, but the ancient book didn't lie.

"So, if Ozzie could do it…" Collin began, his voice trailing off as he tried to wrap his head around the implications.

"You could too, Lambchop," Loona finished for him, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "Maybe not become the King of Lust, but you know, you could carve out a pretty solid life for yourself down here if you wanted."

Collin's mind raced with possibilities. For so long, he had felt like an outcast—first in Heaven and now in Hell. But if Ozzie had managed to transform from a cherub into one of Hell's most powerful demons, maybe there was hope for him too.

"I… I never even thought about it like that," Collin admitted, a mixture of hope and anxiety swirling within him. "But do you really think I could do it? Become strong like Ozzie?"

Loona shrugged, her usual tough demeanor softened slightly. "Why not? You've already got a decent start, and you've got us watching your back. Plus, we could all use a little muscle around here."

Sol beamed, excited at the prospect of helping her friend. "And I can help you train! There's so much we can learn from these old books. If we study hard enough, we might even find ways to unlock hidden powers."

Collin looked at the two hellhounds—his new friends—and felt a warmth spread through him that he hadn't felt in a long time. For the first time since he had left Heaven, he felt like he belonged. He wasn't just a failed cherub or an outsider; he was part of something bigger, something that had the potential to grow and thrive.

"Thanks, guys," Collin said, a small smile forming on his face. "I'm not sure where this will all lead, but I'm willing to give it a shot. Maybe I can make a life for myself down here after all."

Loona gave him a playful nudge. "Damn right, you can. Just remember who's in charge down here, though."

Collin chuckled, the tension in his chest easing as he realized he didn't have to face this new life alone. He had friends—family, even—who were willing to stand by him, no matter what.

Sol continued to pore over the book, her mind racing with ideas and possibilities. "There's so much more we can learn from these texts. Who knows what other secrets are hidden in these old pages?"

As the three of them sat together, the future seemed a little less daunting and a lot more exciting. They had a plan, they had each other, and most importantly, they had hope.

And in Hell, hope could be a powerful thing.

Loona paced nervously in the living room of the I.M.P headquarters, her claws clicking against the hard floor. Sol sat on the couch, trying to calm her own nerves, while Collin fidgeted with his hands, feeling completely out of place in the demon world. The idea of meeting Ozzie—the Asmodeus, King of the Lust Ring—was both exhilarating and terrifying for the timid cherub-turned-demon.

Blitzø, meanwhile, was leaning back in his chair, eyeing his adoptive daughter with an amused expression. Loona rarely asked for favors, but when she did, she could be surprisingly persuasive—especially when she pulled out that puppy dog pout of hers.

Loona finally stopped pacing and turned to Blitzø, her ears folded back in anticipation. "So, did you call him? Can we get a meeting?"

Blitzø sighed dramatically, though there was a playful glint in his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I called him. Ozzie's free this evening, and he's willing to meet with you three. I told him you were bringing someone special, so don't make me look bad, got it?" He pointed a finger at Collin, who gulped and nodded quickly.

"Thanks, Dad," Loona muttered, her voice softening. She wasn't usually one for sentimentality, but she knew this meeting could mean a lot for Collin.

Blitzø waved her off with a grin. "Don't mention it. Just remember, you owe me one. Maybe an extra shift or two at the office."

Loona rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips.

Later that evening, Loona, Sol, and Collin found themselves standing outside Ozzie's palace in the Lust Ring. The towering structure was a sight to behold—opulent, glowing, and teeming with life. It was the heart of the Lust Ring, and Loona felt a little out of her element, despite the many times she'd been there with her dad for business.

"You ready?" Loona asked, glancing at Collin.

Collin looked up at the massive doors, his heart pounding in his chest. "As ready as I'll ever be," he said, trying to sound confident, though his voice betrayed his nerves.

Sol gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "You'll do great, Collin. Just be yourself."

"Yeah, easy for you to say," Collin muttered under his breath, but he appreciated the encouragement.

They were soon led inside by one of Ozzie's servants and brought to a lavish sitting room where the King of Lust himself awaited. Ozzie was lounging on an oversized velvet sofa, looking every bit the regal demon he was, with his long, feathered draped elegantly behind him and sharply dressed in his zuit suit. Beside him was Fizzarolli, the jester imp and Ozzie's boyfriend, who was munching on a bowl of snacks, his mechanical arms reaching out for more.

"Well, well, well," Ozzie greeted them, his deep, smooth voice filling the room. "What do we have here? A little cherub who's decided to ditch Heaven and join the party down here?"

Collin gulped, trying not to stare too much at the imposing demon before him. "Uh, y-yes, sir. I mean, yes, Your Highness." He fumbled over his words, feeling smaller than ever under Ozzie's gaze.

Fizzarolli chuckled, tossing a chip into his mouth. "Relax, kid. Ozzie's not gonna bite… unless you ask nicely." He winked, earning a playful swat from Ozzie.

Loona stepped forward, trying to ease the tension. "Thanks for seeing us, Ozzie. I thought it might be good for Collin here to get some advice from someone who's, you know, been in his shoes."

Ozzie leaned forward, examining Collin with a thoughtful expression. "It's not every day you meet a cherub who willingly stays in Hell. Gotta admit, it's a bit of a surprise. Most of your kind can't wait to get out of here."

Collin shifted nervously, his hands twisting together. "I just… I didn't really fit in up there, and I don't think I belong anywhere else but here now. It's… different, but I'm starting to feel like maybe I can make a life for myself down here."

Ozzie nodded slowly, his expression softening slightly. "I get it, kid. I was in a similar spot once. But let me tell you something—Hell's not for the faint of heart. If you're serious about staying, you'll need to toughen up. You'll need to find your place, your power, and own it."

Fizzarolli leaned in, his usual playful demeanor giving way to a more serious tone. "Yeah, and don't let anyone push you around, 'cause down here, they'll try. But if you stick with Loona and her crew, you might just make it."

Collin took a deep breath, feeling a mix of fear and determination. "I want to learn. I want to be strong, like you, Ozzie. I want to find my place here."

Ozzie studied him for a moment longer before nodding. "Alright, kid. I'll give you a shot. Stick around and maybe I can teach you a thing or two. But remember, you're in Hell now. You're gonna have to fight for everything you want."

Loona couldn't help but feel a swell of pride as she watched Collin stand a little taller, his resolve hardening. This was the first step in what could be a long journey for him, and she was determined to help him every step of the way.

"Thanks, Ozzie," Loona said, her voice filled with sincerity. "I knew you'd see the potential in him."

Ozzie grinned, his sharp teeth gleaming. "We'll see about that. But for now, let's just enjoy the evening, huh? Fizz, pass the snacks. We've got a lot to talk about."

As they settled in for what promised to be an interesting conversation, Loona glanced at Collin and saw a flicker of hope in his eyes. For the first time since he'd fallen from Heaven, Collin felt like maybe, just maybe, he could find a place where he truly belonged.

As the evening went on, the atmosphere in Ozzie's lavish sitting room became more relaxed. Collin, though still nervous, started to loosen up a bit, especially with Fizzarolli cracking jokes and keeping things light. Ozzie, despite his intimidating aura, turned out to be surprisingly approachable once the initial formalities were over.

Loona, sitting beside Sol, kept a close eye on Collin, her sharp gaze softened by a rare sense of protectiveness. She wasn't used to caring this much about someone outside of her immediate circle, but there was something about Collin—maybe it was his innocence, or the way he reminded her of a time when she too felt lost and out of place.

"So, kid," Ozzie said, swirling a glass of some dark, sparkling liquid, "you've got this whole 'good guy in a bad place' vibe going on. But if you're gonna survive here, you've gotta figure out what you're really good at. What's your thing? Besides being adorably naive."

Collin blinked, the question catching him off guard. "Uh, well… I was really good at, you know, angel stuff. Helping souls, spreading positivity, doing paper work. But down here…" He trailed off, feeling a pang of doubt.

Fizzarolli leaned forward, one of his mechanical arms extending to tap Collin on the shoulder. "Hey, don't sweat it. Hell's not just about being the biggest, baddest demon all the time. You find what you're good at, what makes you special, and you make it work for you. Ozzie's got his thing, I've got mine, and you'll find yours."

Ozzie nodded in agreement. "That's right. Power in Hell doesn't just come from brute force—it's about influence, control, and finding your niche. You've got a clean slate here, kid. You can be anything you want."

Collin looked down at his hands, considering their words. "I guess… I've always been good at bringing people together, at making them feel better. Maybe… maybe I could do something like that here? Help others who are lost, like me?"

Ozzie raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "That's not a bad idea. Hell's full of lost souls, and most of them are too far gone to even realize they need help. If you can find a way to tap into that… well, you might just carve out a place for yourself."

Loona, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "You don't have to figure it all out right away, Collin. Just take it one step at a time. You've got us to back you up, and that's more than a lot of people down here can say."

Collin felt a warmth in his chest at Loona's words. It was strange to think that he had friends here—real friends who wanted to help him, despite everything. "Thanks, Loona. That means a lot."

Ozzie clapped his hands, breaking the moment of quiet reflection. "Alright, enough of this heavy talk. How about we lighten things up a bit? Fizz, you got any more of those stories about your last gig? The one with the exploding confetti?"

Fizzarolli grinned wickedly. "Oh, you bet I do! So, there we were, right? In the middle of a sold-out show, and suddenly…"

As Fizz launched into his tale, complete with exaggerated gestures and sound effects, the room filled with laughter. Even Collin found himself smiling, the tension easing from his shoulders. It wasn't the kind of evening he had expected, but it was exactly what he needed.

Later, as they were leaving, Ozzie pulled Loona aside. "Keep an eye on that one, Loona. He's got potential, but this place can chew up and spit out the best of us. Don't let him get lost in the chaos."

Loona nodded, her expression serious. "I will. Thanks for meeting with us, Ozzie."

Ozzie smiled, a rare, genuine expression. "Anytime, kid. And hey, if he ever needs some real guidance, you know where to find me."

As they walked out of the palace and into the cool night air, Sol looked up at Loona, her round glasses reflecting the neon lights of the Lust Ring. "That went pretty well, huh? Collin's gonna be okay, I think."

Loona gave a small, almost imperceptible smile. "Yeah, I think so too. But we're not done yet. There's a lot more he needs to learn if he's going to survive here."

Collin, walking a few steps behind them, looked up at the dark sky above the Lust Ring. For the first time since his fall, he didn't feel completely alone. He had friends, he had a purpose, and maybe, just maybe, he had a future in this strange, chaotic place called Hell.

"So, what's next?" he asked, catching up to Loona and Sol.

Loona shrugged, her usual gruff demeanor back in place. "We keep moving forward. You've got a lot to learn Lambchop, and you're not doing it alone. We'll figure it out together."

Sol nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! We're in this together, Collin. No matter what."

Collin smiled, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "Together."

To be continued…..

(quick note: i didnt make any of the Ozzie Lore up in demonology and tons of stuff he is stated to be a former cherub but was cast out by Rapheal)