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beelzebuddy-catan · 1 year ago

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The Not Entirely Human-Human Exchange Student pt. 12

Summary: The brothers finally hear the truth behind Lucifer's decision to hide Belphie and what happened after Lilith's fall. With Cass by their side, they go to get Belphie back, only for her to realize just how much Belphie hates humans. Warnings: Swearing, major character death, mentions of other deaths Spoilers: Up through Lesson 16 Characters: Cass (OC), Lucifer, Mammon, Levi, Satan, Asmo, Beel, Belphie, Diavolo, Barbatos, and Lilith. Previous Part • Next Part

"Anyone ready to storm the castle?”

“Seriously?” Mammon yelled. “He tricked ya? He wants to kill humans and ya still want to help him?”

“It’s not about me.” After everything she’d gone through for the six of them and Lilith, nothing was going to shake her resolve. She’d tried not to be involved, but there was no denying she was meant to be there. “And it’s not about him. It’s about all of you.”

Once again, Beel rushed forward. This time, he tackled Cass to the ground, underestimating his own strength. Fortunately, he managed not to hurt her. He helped her up, blushing as he apologized.

“Are you forgetting that if we try to see Belphie, we’ll be disobeying Lord Diavolo?” Satan asked.

“And?”

Satan and Asmo shared a quick look before standing, a silent signal they were in. Mammon cursed under his breath before following suit, Levi not long behind him. They stood, staring at Lucifer, waiting for him to announce who he truly sided with.

Cass was standing in front of the brothers, arms crossed as she tapped her foot. Mammon, Levi, Lucifer, and Beel were squished together onto one couch with Asmo draped over one arm rest and Stan perched on the other.

Somehow, which Cass was attributing to the fact that she wasn’t entirely human after all, she had given Lucifer a bloody nose after punching him. After the chaos that ensued from that, they reconvened to the living room.

Lucifer probably would have put up more of a fight about Cass being involved in what Levi deemed ‘a family issue’, had he not been recovering from the shock of her punch. Cass was more than happy to lead the discussion since nobody in the family could communicate.

“Alright, we’re going to start with you Lucifer. Time to share why you locked Belphie away.” Beel’s jaw clenched at the words. “And you’re not going to stay calm, Beel.”

“Why should I? He lied– ”

“And we’re all mad about it,” Levi interrupted, “but we’re not going to get anywhere if you everyone keeps fighting.”

Lucifer sighed, lowering the ice pack he’d been holding to his head. “I didn’t have a choice.” Cass glared at Beel when he went to interrupt, his mouth snapping shut with a huff. “Belphie came to my room one night asking that I talk to Diavolo to stop the program. I told him that what Diavolo wants is what I want.

“You all know how he feels about humans, he blames them for what happened to Lilith. Which is why he said he’d stop at nothing to wipe humans from existence. If he continued, he would have been guilty of treason. He would have been sent to the underworld.”

“Why couldn’t you have told us that though?” Beel whispered, looking across Levi and Mammon to meet Lucifer’s gaze. “Even in secret, I would have wanted to know.”

“There are some things that I thought were better if I burdened alone.”

The brothers fell silent at his words, but they didn’t know the whole truth. They didn’t know about Lilith, and that’s truly what Lucifer was talking about. Just like Lucifer had protected Lilith with his silence, he protected Belphie.

“So, to recap,” Cass said when she realized nobody was going to speak. “Belphie used to love humans in the Celestial Realm.” They looked at her with confusion, unsure how she knew that. “And Lilith started going down to the Human World with him where she fell in love with a human.”

“How do you know ab–?”

“I’ll get there,” Cass waived off Lucifer’s question. “When he fell ill and couldn’t save him, she gave him food from the Celestial Realm. Although that saved him, she interfered with a human’s life and was punished.”

Lucifer had a distant look in his eyes as he remembered the memory. His voice doing nothing to hide the contempt, “our father was going to wipe her from existence, dispose of her as if she were nothing more than garbage.”

“That’s when we were banished and came to the Devildom,” Beel said, his voice shaky, “and Lilith lost her life.”

“Which Belphie blamed humans for and that’s why you must have locked him up, Lucifer.”

Beel lunged across Mammon and Levi, almost knocking both Asmo and Satan from their spots in an attempt to hug Lucifer. “No, he protected Belphie.” Mammon and Levi complained, trying to get Beel off of them.

“Diavolo clearly respects you,” Cass said when Beel finally released his grip. “Do you really think he won’t listen to you if you go to him?”

Lucifer looked torn. Of course, he knew it ultimately didn’t matter if he talked to Diavolo. This was the prince’s goal. As he told Cass, he’d do anything to see it happen because he believed it was his destiny. Lucifer must think that if he said something, it may risk Belphie getting in more trouble.

But Lucifer would always put his brother’s first. He would always do what he could to protect them. Why else would he have hidden Belphie and not told the others? In doing so, he held them at arm’s length where he couldn’t shield them.

“I vowed to stand behind Diavolo and support those goals.”

Asmo scoffed. “Who’s more important to you? Diavolo or us?”

Lucifer’s head hung, a rare sight of meekness from the proud demon. Yet, he didn’t answer Asmo, and Cass knew why. Because while his family was more important, it was the very reason he had to support Diavolo.

“I think it’s time to tell them,” Cass said, looking right at Lucifer. He lifted his head to meet her eyes. “They deserve to know.”

The others exchanged looks of confusion, not sure what was about to happen. Lucifer sighed and Cass unconsciously took a step back, as if she knew there would be an uproar. Lucifer went to stand in front of them as he spoke.

“Lilith didn’t die during the war, I, I’m so sorry that I never told you.”

The commotion she expected erupted. Mammon and Beel both leapt from their seats. While he wasn’t strong enough to stop Beel, Mammon was fast enough to throw him off. He stumbled to the side, narrowly missing Lucifer. Asmo was frozen, staring forward at nothing in particular. Satan and Levi both shouting in the chaos.

By the time they were able to calm Beel down enough to continue talking, there were at least seven pieces of broken furniture. Not to mention, Asmo almost had Mammon’s head for breaking one of his nails and Levi had been moments away from summoning Lotan.

“Why didn’t you ever tell us?”

It was a question that must be on all their minds. Lucifer looked at each of them in turn. It wasn’t just that he didn’t tell them about his deal with Diavolo, he hadn’t told anyone. Lucifer probably thought he’d never tell them.

“We couldn’t contact her, and it would have put you all in danger to know what happened. I never wanted you to have to shoulder that pain.”

“Being able to see her or not, I would have liked to have known,” Beel murmured. “You did what you did to save her, and I know that, but, but we could have gotten through it, together.”

Silence fell over the room once more. For the first time since returning, there wasn’t any tension underlying the moment. They sat in contemplative silence, processing the information. Until Mammon’s eyebrows knitted together, that is.

He looked up at Cass in confusion. “You knew? How did you know?”

“I’ll tell you, but it concerns Belphie too,” Cass answered, hoping they’d be agreeable enough to wait for an explanation. “I promise I’ll tell you everything, but I’d prefer to wait until he’s there. So, what do you say? Anyone ready to storm the castle?”

“Seriously?” Mammon yelled. “He tricked ya? He wants to kill humans and ya still want to help him?”

Once again, Beel rushed forward. This time, he tackled Cass to the ground, underestimating his own strength. Fortunately, he managed not to hurt her. He helped her up, blushing as he apologized.

“Are you forgetting that if we try to see Belphie, we’ll be disobeying Lord Diavolo?” Satan asked.

“And?”

---

When they arrived at the Demon King’s castle, Diavolo and Barbatos were already in the foyer. It wasn’t entirely surprising that the brothers would eventually arrive for Belphie. They did seem curious about Cass’s involvement though.

“What a surprise, the whole family,” Barbatos smiled while opening the door. Cass didn’t miss the sarcasm in his tone. "Though, unless I’m mistaken, Lucifer should be on house arrest, and you have an extra joining you.”

“Yes, and I’ll accept my punishment for coming after dealing with this.”

“And Cass isn’t an extra, she’s family,” Beel snapped.

Diavolo beamed, but the sincerity of it felt oddly inapposite for the situation. “That’s delightful to hear you feel that way about her! However, I am at a loss for what it is we should be dealing with.”

Mammon scoffed from where he hid behind Beel. Lucifer stepped forward, unconsciously putting himself between his brothers and any harm. “We came to request you release Belphie.”

“No,” Cass interrupted, moving to stand beside Lucifer, “we came to demand you release him.”

Lucifer tensed next to her at the same time Satan inhaled sharply in shock. The sound was followed by a weak yeah from Mammon and then silence. Barbatos’s eyes narrowed slightly. Cass knew he was close to telling her to watch her place.

“You know, it’s funny,” Diavolo began, giving Barbatos a slight wave of dismissal. “I knew you were hiding him and why you were doing it. It really did make me sad seeing how it drove a wedge between you and your brothers.”

“If you knew the whole time, why do you suddenly care?” Beel asked. “Just give him back to us.”

“You could even charge him with a different crime, that way he’s still being punished,” Satan suggested.

Diavolo sighed. He looked at each of the brothers with sympathy, but Cass knew his resolve wouldn’t change. He believed bringing the three realms together was his destiny. No matter how much he cared for the brothers, he wasn’t going to throw that away so impulsively.

“We have rules in place to maintain the delicate balance between the Devildom, Celestial Realm, and Human World. I cannot simply overlook the fact that Belphegor aimed to violate those rules. And I can’t give him special treatment. He’s part of the council, a leader.”

“It’s not my place, but I wouldn’t be doing by due diligence as a representative of the Human World to not say anything. It also wouldn’t be true to my beliefs to stay silent. I understand that ultimately it is your decision, but I think you’re wrong. Doing this would be a sign of a poor leader.”

Cass didn’t think it was possible, but the room became even quieter. She couldn’t see the faces of the brothers, but imagined the shock mirrored that on Diavolo’s and Barbatos’s. She used their silence to continue.

“I understand you believe this is best and think this is the first step in strengthening ties, but it’s not. If you truly want stability between the worlds, it requires collaboration and empathy. You alone have decided the best course of action. Punishing anyone that disagrees is only going to lead to fear and contempt.

“Is that the future you want to create? A future where the people you lead blindingly follow you because if they don’t, they’ll be punished? Does that not go against the very thing you’re aiming to accomplish? A world where demons, angels, and humans are equals? If you’re oppressing your own people, how could they ever be equal?

“If you follow through with this, it will set in stone who you are as a leader. And who that is, is someone that manipulates and controls people to achieve their goals, regardless of if it is truly the best future. If you make this ruling under the guise of safety for humans solely because it’s your prerogative, explain to me how, on a fundamental level, you would be any better than Belphie.”

“Cass, why do–”

“It’s fine,” Diavolo interrupted Barbatos, eyes not leaving Cass. “Time and time again, you’ve not only proven to exceed my expectations, but completely subvert them. You’ve given me something to consider.”

Cass tilted her head, a silent question regarding the status of Belphie. Diavolo's lips twitched, suppressing the smile fighting to break out. He had a mischievous glint in his eyes as he continued.

“Of the events that have occurred over the last few days, there is one thing I can’t seem to figure out. While I think you already have an idea of how it happened,” Diavolo gave her a pointed look, “if you can confirm what happened, I will release Belphegor.”

“Sure, no problem.”

Diavolo laughed and shook his head affectionately, as if he already knew she’d say that. Lucifer, however, was not as confident. “Cass, wait, you don’t even know what that entails.”

“I’ve come this far. What’s he going to do, kill me?” Cass smiled, hoping someone would finally laugh if only to appease her, but no one did. She rolled her eyes and tsked.

“What I want you to do is to figure out how Belphegor was released. The door was sealed to only open using the combined powers of your brothers, barring Belphegor, isn’t that correct Lucifer?” Lucifer nodded curtly. “Yet, suffice to say he was released without that happening.”

“How’s she supposeta figure that out, huh?” Mammon asked. “You won’t even let her visit Belphie.”

“I’d like you to use Barbatos’s powers to go into the past to see who released him. There is one condition. You must do it alone.”

The brothers erupted at that. Their arguments that it was too dangerous or pleas to let someone go with her faded into background noise. Cass stepped forward, extending her hand to Diavolo, already ready to try.

Barbatos didn’t say anything as he led Cass to his room. It’s possible he was still angry at her for what she’d said to Diavolo earlier. She also was thinking about what would happen after going back. If Barbatos truly found her in ancient Greece, what if she lost her memory again?

“You may be one of the most fearless people I’ve ever met.” Cass tilted her head, not sure what he meant. “Time and time again, you’ve been put in situations that threaten your safety. Yet, you don’t falter. Often you go so far to insert yourself in dangerous situations for the sake of others.”

“Some would call that stupid.”

Barbatos dipped his head to hide his smile. “This is the first time I’ve shown a human my room, you know? You’re actually the first human who’s been in there. Although, I suppose you don’t remember the last time.”

“Why are we going there?”

“Ah, yes, it may be helpful to know how my powers work. As you know, I can see the future. Using the doors in my room, I’m able to send people anywhere in time.”

“Did you know we’d end up here?”

“You mean with Belphegor?” Cass nodded. “No, I didn’t. Imagine for a moment that you knew everything that would happen until the end of time. That’d be quite a boring life would it not?”

Cass fell silent considering his question. Boring wasn't the word she’d use though. It would be isolating to know that much. What would be the point in getting to know people or investing time in things if you already knew how it would end?

They stopped at his door. Barbatos looked at her expectantly. “I think it’d be more lonely than boring.”

Barbatos didn’t respond, pondering her answer as he opened the door. He closed the door behind them as Cass took in their surroundings. There were multiple floors with various doors on each level. The doors were all different styles from different eras.

Cass followed Barbatos up a flight of stairs to a door that matched those in the House of Lamentation. Belphie had been released shortly after she stormed out. This would likely take her back to the day of Satan’s speech.

“There are some things to be aware of when travelling to the past, especially to prevent you from warping history. First, do not reveal you are from the future. Second, avoid running into yourself. It’s best you determine who let Belphie free and come back. Finally, to return, you simply knock on the door you used to travel. After, you’ll be able to enter it and be brought back here.”

Cass nodded, stepping up to the door. While she was going back to confirm this for Diavolo, he was right when he said she may already know. Somehow, Cass already knew Lilith was behind the demon’s sudden release.

That wasn’t the only reason she wanted to go back though. She needed to talk to Lilith before telling the brothers about the ghost. Cass had a request of the former angel. She knew it may change the future but wasn’t too worried. She really believed everything was going to work out, somehow.

With one foot through the door, Cass turned back to address Barbatos. “You’re wrong about me being fearless. I’m actually quite terrified. But if we never do things that scare us, life would be just as boring as knowing what would happen if we did them.”

With that, she crossed the threshold. When her second foot lifted, the darkness on the other side of the door engulfed her completely. Once her foot hit the ground, Mammon’s room materialized around her. She recognized the outfits each of the brothers were wearing after they’d returned from Ristorante Six.

They were discussing how great their plan to trick her and Lucifer was. It took all of Cass’s self-control not to walk over and smack them for their sheer stupidity, especially now that she knew just how bad it would turn out.

Knowing she had things to do, and that it was safer to not let them know she was here, Cass snuck out of the room before any of them saw her. Making as little noise as possible, she rushed towards the west corridor. Narrowly avoiding her past self and Lucifer, she whispered Lilith’s name outside the hidden room.

“Lilith?”

The ghost glanced up, a smile appearing. “How’d you find this room?”

Suddenly, a foreboding feeling washed over her. For the entire time Cass had been in the Devildom, Lilith was a source of comfort. Looking at her now, somehow Cass knew her luck was running out. Even if she didn’t ask Lilith for a favor, the future was changing.

“What’s the matter?”

I’m going to die.

It didn’t feel like her own thought. Almost as if someone knew how the next series of events who play out and was warning her. Someone who knew without a doubt that would happen. The name she’d been given when she arrived now felt like a shackle reminiscent of the prophet Cassandra. A future set in stone that no one would believe.

Cass swiped at the tears threatening to fall and shook her head instead of saying the words caught in her throat. This wasn’t about her. She came here with a goal, and she was going to make sure it happened. Telling Lilith wouldn’t help. It wouldn’t change anything.

“I need you to do something for me.”

Cass explained her plans as fast as she could, not knowing how long she had. First, she needed Lilith to explain things to her brothers. Why Cass hadn’t thought of it before, she didn’t know. But if she could write down what Lilith said, she could give it to them. Because there were things they would never understand or accept if it didn’t come from the former angel directly.

Second, she needed to know if Lilith was able to possess her body. If she could, maybe Lilith could finally pass the threshold to the attic and talk to Belphie. If, by some miracle, Lilith had any of her powers left, she may be able to use them with a physical body. Maybe, just maybe, she’d be able to release Belphie. If that body happened to be Cass’s, so be it.

Lilith agreed and they got to writing the letters. Cass barely processed what the angel was saying, going on autopilot as she transcribed her thoughts. When they finished the final letter, Cass put the letters inside the inner pocket of her jacket.

“Alright, ready to try the attic?” Lilith nodded with a look of determination that reminded Cass of how Beel looked when he set his mind to something. “If, for some unknown reason, something happens to me, make sure they know...” Cass fell silent not sure exactly what she wanted them to know. But she knew that unknown reason was fast approaching and couldn’t let it happen without saying something to Lilith.

But she didn’t need to know. The look on Lilith’s face told her the angel understood. Cass took a deep breath, not sure how to prepare for what this might be like. As her vision became cloudy, Cass had a final passing thought that she refused to speak.

Please don’t let my death be in vain.

---

Cass blinked a few times, wiggling her fingers. Except, it wasn’t really her doing it. Lilith seemed to be in the same state of shock as Cass. Though, it had been quite a while since the angel had a physical body and it probably was an odd sensation.

Lilith lifted Cass’s arm and took a step. Being possessed wasn’t what she expected. Rather than a lifeless Marinette puppet or even being unconscious, it was as if she was floating above her body. It was almost like they were sharing a shirt, so when Lilith lifted her arm, Cass’s followed. If she fought hard enough, she may even be able to take back control.

“Woah, this is wild,” Cass said, but it was Lilith speaking.

“Can you focus? I don’t know how much time we have.” Cass tried asking but couldn’t make the words.

“Oh, right, sorry!” Lilith laughed. At least she was able to hear Cass in this state. “I’ve never done this before. It’s a lot more draining than I thought it would be. Give me a second.”

Lilith rushed to the door. Cass could feel her renewed hope at the prospect of not only being able to see her brother, but speak to him, even if through someone else’s body. Lilith hesitated at the foot of the attic stairs.

“Are you okay?”

“I don’t know how to explain this, but I think my powers are coming back.”

“What!?”

“When I fell, I still had some of my grace. It was fading, but an angel’s grace doesn’t fully disappear unless they die. Then when I was a human, I didn’t have my memory or the ability to use it. When I became a ghost, I could feel it with me still. It was always just out of reach, locked away. I never thought I’d get it back. It must be because I didn’t have a body. Apparently, I can channel it through yours.”

“Are you sure it’s safe? For you, I mean. If just moving was draining, wouldn’t this be worse?” When Lilith didn’t answer, Cass asked the other question that had come to mind. “Do you think it’ll be enough to open the attic door?”

“I guess there’s only one way to find out.”��

With that, Lilith took a deep breath and started walking up the steps. She didn’t tell Cass how she felt, but she didn’t need to. Cass could feel the elation coursing through her. It had worked. They’d made it past Lucifer’s barrier, the first hurdle of Cass’s plan.

Lilith practically ran towards where Belphie was, somehow knowing where her brother was waiting. Without hesitating she grabbed the doorknob. Cass felt a surge of energy flow through her as Lilith turned the knob and pushed the door open.

“Belphie?” Lilith called.

Belphie was asleep, but it was clear it wasn’t a peaceful sleep. There were countless pillows and blankets scattered around his bed. As he thrashed around, he was muttering pleas for help. The clearest word of all was Lilith’s name.

His body jerked so violently he fell to the ground. The angel crossed over to his bed to help. Belphie reached out, trying desperately to ground himself even in sleep. His hand wrapped around her ankle and his erratic breath seemed to slow.

His hair clung to his forehead, damp from sweat as he fought off whatever nightmare he was in. Lilith knelt beside him, brushing his bangs back. Cass could feel the fondness she held for him.

“Belphie, wake up.”

His flailing slowed to a stop before he blinked, looking up with confusion. When he realized who it was, his expression soured. He jerked away from Lilith’s touch, slapping her hand away. Lilith hesitated before remembering he was seeing Cass instead.

“What are you doing here?” Belphie glanced around the room before his eyes landed on the open door. He stood, stepping towards the hall before turning around. “You, you did it? You got the door open?”

“Yeah!” Lilith beamed as she rose to her feet.

“You’re amazing, I mean, you did it! Lucifer or Lord Diavolo would never have imagined this happening. A human saving me? Unbelievable.”

Belphie lifted his arms moving to give Cass a hug. Lilith responded in kind. The same feeling washed over Cass. Somehow, she just knew. This was a bad idea. She tried to stop Lilith, to take control of her body again, but the angel was too excited.

Belphie’s arms wrapped around her. Although he was lanky, his frame engulfed Cass’s. He was taller than all of his brothers except Beel and Levi. Despite looking weak, he was at least as strong as the average demon. His hold was just tight enough to hurt.

“You’re a fool. Just like every other idiotic, weak human.” Belphie muttered before a cruel laugh left his lips. Lilith froze. “I can’t help but laugh at how stupid you are. And once I kill you, the exchange program will be ruined. Diavolo’s reputation will be in tatters.”

Lilith struggled against his hold, but without her full powers, it meant nothing. Belphie’s laugh became louder the more she fought. The maniacal sound echoed around them, drowning anything else out. His hands moved to her throat.

“Belphie, why,” Lilith coughed, lungs screaming for oxygen.

“Why? You haven’t figured it out, yet? Because I hate humans. I hate them more than anything in the three worlds.” Cass’s vision started fading as the burning in her lungs worsened.

“Oh no. Are you having trouble breathing?” The fake sympathy lacing Belphie’s voice made her skin crawl almost as much as the laugh that followed. “That must be unpleasant. Too bad the look on your face right now is too delightful. Tell me, was it worth it?”

With those words, Cass felt her body go limp and Belphie’s voice faded. Then, there was nothing. She felt weightless, drifting through empty space. It was cold. Cass wasn’t sure she’d ever been this cold before. Try as she might, she couldn’t fight the desire to sink into the warmth of sleep that beckoned her.