#the tree that shines upon the devildom

[still-a-morosexual-help]

Love it when characters casually reveal some insane childhood trauma with a nostalgic smile on their face because this is just a normal part of their childhood how fun! to the absolute horror of those around them who are very much in the 'that's not normal what the actual fuck' boat

Okay but here's what makes me tear up:

This conversation happens in a devilgram where Diavolo is picking apples for Barbatos to make an apple pie for him and it cuts to a flashback that shows Diavolo wanted an apple tree to impress his new angel friend and excitedly tells this to Barbatos. Barbatos then helps Diavolo plant an apple tree in the forest

Isn't that rattling your brain!!!? Aren't you foaming at the mouth!?!?!

The Demon King enchanted this forest to be full of things that could hurt and kill his child, all in the name of preparing Diavolo to be a better king

Then Barbatos helps Diavolo plant apple trees in it, because Diavolo wants to share it with their enemy, a gesture of friendship and good will that would eventually bring peace to the three worlds* which in turn helps Diavolo grow towards becoming a better king

Diavolo's father created a deadly survival course for a child so he wouldn't get bored, something that would keep Diavolo away from him, and the man who actually raised Diavolo spent time with Diavolo helping him grow apple trees in it

A labour of love grown and tended to for years, if not centuries, just so Diavolo could give his friend apples (another gesture of love) built upon the soil of something that was meant to push and punish Diavolo into being the ideal ruler

*(over a series of meetings Diavolo & Lucifer become friends -> Lucifer starts questioning things in the Celestial Realm -> Lucifer, pushed by the sentence against Lilith, starts a war in the Celestial Realm -> Lucifer seeks sanctuary in the Devildom -> Diavolo helps Lucifer + reincarnates Lilith -> Lucifer pledges his loyalty to Diavolo + through Lilith's line MC is eventually born -> through MC & the brothers' fates being tied Lucifer accidentally picks MC for the exchange program -> MC showing that people from all three worlds could not only be close friends but family starts mending bridges + MC wanting to stay in the Devildom permanently gets everyone actively pushing for peace leading to them becoming part of the student council/government and challenging the views of the older/more conservative demons -> all this eventually kickstarts both Diavolo & Lucifer's character & relationship development -> Diavolo learns to be a more considerate ruler & person who listens to others instead of immediately jumping in with his own plans & ideas + Lucifer learns to actually push back against Diavolo & not just be his 'Yes Man')

Also this Devilgram is called "The Seven Apples"

and with lines like,

"Still...I hope that all this effort bears fruit, someday"

"With enough care and attention, I'm certain that it shall."

"Ah, well. Good things come to those who wait, and all that."

And talk about the future of the Devildom and how they pick exactly seven apples, the whole tree talk/metaphor is 100% about gaining the friendship & trust of Lucifer and his brothers by putting in the effort, care and attention to one day, years in the future, have seven shining apples with you

BUT, EVEN WITHOUT THAT DOUBLE MEANING,

It's not just a tree.

It's all about love, isn't it and the things we do for the people we love.

[loweya-blog]

Cinderella (Obey Me Edition) Part 3

Part 1, Part 2

The next morning you had awoken from the ball, back at your home with dreamlike memories of the ball. Had it been real at all? There were no signs of the carriage or dresses, leaving you to believe it was just some wonderful but temporary dream. Work was the same tedious business with the displeasure of dealing with people. By the time you got home, exhaustion took hold and nothing sounded better than a nice warm bath. 

The water was simple since you couldn’t afford fancy bath salts or balms but it was pleasant. Until you felt the water rising above your head. You hadn’t left the faucet on. It felt as though you were sinking in a bottomless pit. Panic rose through your chest as you felt yourself sinking into the water. 

Before you could sink too far, someone grabbed your hand and pulled you out. You gasped for breath… only to realize you were in a garden, stepping out of a pond. When you looked up, there was the man from the first night with dark green hair. 

“I’m glad you could join us,” The handsome man said. 

When you looked down, the water of the pond had morphed into a gorgeous outfit soft as silk, leaving you with dripping shining jewelry and a mask upon your face. The moment you were out of the water, you were dry as a bone. 

“Where-” 

“Today is the second day of the masquerade. Please enjoy yourself.” 

With that interruption, he walked away, abandoning you to your confusion. Glowing warm lanterns and fairy lights hung from the nearby trees as the sound of laughter and chatter reached your ears. Perhaps last night wasn’t some dream after all….

As if on instinct, you go to find Mammon. The feeling of pins and needles spread across your feet and legs, maybe a side effect of that strange spell the butler had? Demons danced upon the water of the lake while others flew through the open gardens in their glittering gowns and finery. Bells and gentle music echoed while you searched for your friend. After hours of searching, he still hadn’t shown. You had a sinking feeling you’d been stood up. 

With a dejected sigh, you retreated to quieter parts of the garden. There was a cute little pond hidden by large orderly bushes and flowers. There was even a statue huddled in the corner with horns and a long black tail. It was as if it was trying to hide. When you stepped forwards, you tripped on a rock and landed on the statue, which was surprisingly soft. 

“EEK!” The statue screeched. 

Apparently not a statue. 

You immediately jumped to your feet and were about to apologize-

“Y-you! T-this isn’t some anime! You can’t be pulling that trope!” The not-a-statue protested with a blushing face. 

Under the gentle glow of the fairy lights you could see a masked demon with an awful mop top haircut and long scaly tail. 

“You like anime?” 

For some reason that was your first question. The demon blushed and barely managed to stutter out a response. 

“Y-yeah? So?! Anime is an important artform! Not that a normie like you would understand…” 

He’d once again retreated to his ball form as if somehow he could shrink enough to become invisible. His eyes lingered on the goldfish swimming around in the small pond. 

“What’s your favorite?” 

“The Magical Ruri Hana: Demon Girl! It’s an anime about a demon who moves to the human world in order to learn more about it. However, in doing so, she loses some of her magical powers and turns into a young girl, only regaining her original form when she returns to the Devildom. And-” 

The rant continued for a long long time and by the time he was done, he had ranted the whole plot of season one.

“-there’s other anime that I like but most of them are in the human world. It’s not fair!” 

“Not fair?” You had to ask. 

“Of course not! Why should all humans get the best anime, mangas and videogames? Sure we have some in the devildom but not on the same level! I wish I could go to the human world and just play them instead of having to search the web for whatever the others were able to get,” The demon whined. 

“Is that why you are here instead of at the party? You don’t want to meet the humans who have access to that stuff?” 

The demon’s eyes widened with realization. It was as if he had entirely forgotten that humans in disguise were at the party. 

“You are the GOAT!” He exclaimed before shrinking back. “But there’s no way a dirty filthy otaku like me could possibly find a human in that crowd, let alone ask them.” 

“Why not treat it like you’re in an anime?” You suggest. 

He blinked in confusion. 

“…you know one of those animes with scandal and nobles and court rivalries?” 

“Oh! Like That Time I was Reincarnated as A Noble Villainess Then Had To Rise To Be Empress!” 

Wow. That was a mouthful of a name. Were they paid by the syllable? 

“But even then….those characters are smart and clever and had a hundred harem characters backing them up. I’m just a useless icky otaku….” 

“I’m no harem character but maybe I could help?” You say, offering him a hand. 

There was a hint of a smile on his face and even more blush. His tail swished from side to side as he cautiously took your hand, as if you’d betray him any moment. 

“I-I’m Leviathan.” He managed to say in a nervous voice as you both went to challenge the party and find those other humans. 

Entirely pretending you weren’t human of course. The both of you managed to make your own fun while at the party, avoiding those overly chatty while scouring the crowds for hints of who might be a human and who might not be. Leviathan used his horribly inaccurate anime information to slim down the possibilities while you just looked for the one other human. Eventually you both came across this Solomon fellow who Leviathan began begging for anime and other otaku resources from the human world. 

After he made his request, the both of you retreated back to your goldfish pond, the designated hideout. He yapped on and on about the human anime and manga he was looking forward to enjoying while you suddenly felt the sense of loneliness fade away. 

“H-hey…. Thanks. For um, for helping me. Maybe…. Maybe we can play a game or two together?” He asked. 

“That sounds nice,” You responded with a smile as the both of you sat next to the quiet pond. 

Then you heard the chiming of the castle clock echoing across the garden. Midnight. Before you had the chance to explain to Leviathan, you felt yourself surrounded by sea foam and bubbles. You reached out to him right before you were whisked back to the human world. 

When you woke up, you were in your bed with a soft robe wrapped around your shoulders with only the memories of goldfish and an otaku demon.

(@spffldlbrnf, @completelyshatteredbrokenmschf, @rxpher, @akiitemo, @8-sinner-8)

[misc-obeyme]

9 Days of Solomon: Day 9 - Humanity

Okay I have just enough time to post this today. Happy birthday Solomon, you old sorcerer. I don't know what it is about your cheeky lil laugh, but I love it and your stupid face.

Since we were talking about other characters mentioning that Solomon is a little less than human, I kinda took that idea and ran with it.

Anyway, thank you to @/impish-ivy for hosting this event! I had fun with all of the prompts and I loved writing about Solomon.

GN!MC x Solomon

Warnings: bed sharing but nothing sexy (if you want sexy, go read the one I wrote for the "pact" prompt lol)

Most of the time, you were admiring the way the starlight of the Devildom sparkled across Solomon's hair, making it look like shining silver. But the way it looked in the human world, with the sun's rays bringing out the warmth and making it look almost gold was just as captivating.

You had come to the human world for a little while with everyone in tow. It was a getaway hosted by Diavolo, a time for you to take a break from school work and enjoy the world you so rarely inhabited these days.

And while everyone else enjoyed their time there, it was undeniable that you and Solomon had a different experience. It was something you mentioned, about being in the world that had been your home for most of your life, the nuances about it that you understood better than those of the Devildom.

When Solomon agreed with you, someone else brought up the fact that he himself was practically a demon. They had said it before, of course. But for some reason, it was on your mind today. Perhaps because you were here with Solomon in the world you both originally came from - the world where you belonged and yet did not belong at the same time.

The two of you had gone for a little coffee break at a nearby cafe. You were sitting together outside at one of the small tables, soaking in the bright sunlight of afternoon.

There was a moment of comfortable silence between you before you said, "Do you ever feel that you're no longer human?"

Solomon blinked, clearly not expecting you to ask such a heavy question. He put down his coffee to think about it for a moment, seriously considering it.

"Sometimes," he said. "But in the end, no matter how I've changed, I am still human. Are you feeling that way, MC?"

You sighed. "Not exactly," you said. "But being back here in the human world makes me realize how different I've become. You must have been dealing with that feeling for a long time now."

Solomon sat back and looked out at the street, the passing people, the sunlight in the trees. "It's a unique experience. Even humans that become sorcerers or witches still have their short lifespan. In that sense, I'm more like the demons and angels - living far longer than any human normally would."

"How do you deal with that?" you asked.

Solomon looked back at you and smiled brightly. "It's easier now than it's ever been."

You frowned. "How so?"

Solomon leaned on the table toward you. "Because every time I look at you, I see my own humanity reflected back at me."

Your eyes widened a little before you laughed and looked away. "You're so ridiculous."

Solomon laughed, too, leaning back in his chair again.

Perhaps you didn't believe him. It seemed so silly to think that Solomon's understanding of his own identity was profoundly affected by your very presence. You were sure he was only saying that to make you feel better. He was always looking out for you and minimizing his own pain to make things easier for you. It wasn't like you didn't notice.

That night, your thoughts were churning as you stared up at the dark ceiling of the hotel room that Diavolo had procured for you. A few doors down, you hoped Solomon was peacefully asleep in his.

As for yourself, you couldn't stop thinking about the conversation you had with him earlier. The implications of everything he had said, about his life and what it meant to be human, were weighing heavily upon your heart. You wanted him to be happy. If he found himself in you, what would he do when you were gone?

There was a soft knock on your hotel room door. Puzzled, you got out of bed to open it.

Your stomach twisted when you saw Solomon on the other side. He looked terrible, like he had been tossing and turning all night. There were dark circles under his eyes, his hair was mussed, and his pajamas were askew.

"MC," he said, his voice sounding strained and hoarse. "I'm sorry, did I wake you?"

"No," you said. "I was still awake. Is everything okay?"

Solomon's eyes met yours. In those shades of grey, brown, and a hint of blue, you saw a depth of pain you had never seen in him before. Only for a moment did it linger before everything seemed to clear, before it was all replaced with something else. Fondness? Love?

No. It was belonging.

Solomon looked at you like he had finally found himself.

"I couldn't sleep," Solomon said simply. "And I wanted to see you."

He didn't really need to tell you this. Understanding shivered between you, like two lost souls resonating at the same vibration.

You reached out and took his hand, pulling him into your room. You closed the door behind him. You didn't let go of him as you went back to your bed.

Solomon didn't protest. He allowed you to guide him, finding his way beneath the blankets beside you in the plush hotel linens.

You snuggled into his side, wrapping one arm around him. The other hand held his still, clutched against your chest.

You gently kissed the back of his hand. "I couldn't sleep, either. So I'm glad you're here."

Solomon huffed a small laugh that ruffled against your hair. "You were thinking about my humanity, weren't you?"

You wiggled against him a little bit, but didn't say anything.

Solomon kissed the top of your head. "I've learned that it isn't very helpful to worry about the future, MC," he said. "And I've never felt more human than I have right now, right here, with you."

Maybe things would change in the future. You couldn't predict the way the tides would turn. But Solomon was right. In a world of magic, demons, and angels, the two of you would always find your humanity in each other. And for now, that was all that mattered.

day 1: stars | day 2: nostalgia | day 3: knife | day 4: ocean | day 5: pact (nsfw) | day 6: snow | day 7: familiar | day 8: Barbatos

masterlist | Thank you for reading!

[louellaby]

FORGET-ME-NOT

REPLACED!MC AU

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W A R N I N G

May contain bad grammar, limited vocabulary, and OOC characters. Please mind that English is not my first language, and it takes a lot of courage for me to post due to my anxiety and paranoia.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

taglist: @books-and-catears @owl778 @yourlocalgrass @kaiserkisser @hhurric4ne @amberheavendremurr @yu-ulda @bk-4-trash-fire

PROLOGUE | CHAPTER I | CHAPTER II | CHAPTER III | LOUE'S LETTER | CHAPTER IV | CHAPTER V | LOUE'S LETTER | CHAPTER VI | CHAPTER VII | CHAPTER VIII | CHAPTER IX | CHAPTER X | LOUE'S LETTER | EPILOGUE

C H A P T E R I X

「 Happy Birthday, Dear Lady Soley 」

The day arrived when everyone was to surprise Soley for her birthday. It became a huge surprise indeed when an unexpected storm came to greet her as well. The winds were lashing; trees were almost to the point of snapping in half. The rain kept pouring. One could barely see through it.

Needless to say, the lady was not happy.

"I'm sorry we couldn't hold your party outside just as we planned, Soley.."

"Yeah, we even set up a treasure hunt since you love those... but I think all the clues are now either soaked by the rain or blown away by the harsh wind."

"They're definitely gone by now if the trees could barely keep themselves grounded."

The girl was standing near the window, back faced towards the brothers who worried about her continued silence. She pressed her hand against the glass, eyes never leaving the scene outside. The brothers noticed the scowl on her face from her faint reflection. It seemed like she was cursing the rain, the wind, and everything else. Including them.

"Soley?" Lucifer took the steps none of his brothers dared, and he placed a hand on the girl's head. She slowly looked up at him after a minute, frown gone and replaced with a teary expression.

"Lucifer," she croaked, "... is my birthday ruined now? Are we not going to celebrate it anymore?"

The demon's brows twitched before he stroked her head ever so gently; just as he did to someone else all those months ago.

"I will speak with Diavolo and see what we can do. Don't worry, Soley. We will make sure you get your special day."

Soley wiped away the tears from her eyes and showed the eldest a slight smile.

"Thank you, Luci."

Some of the brothers exchanged glances, which Soley didn't pick up on. Lucifer was hiding them well from her view. He smiled back at her with a nod before giving orders to his brothers to behave themselves and take care of Soley until his return from the castle. No one argued with him about going through the storm despite its severity. They all knew it needed to happen.

"A faraway mansion?!"

Lucifer has returned from the Demon Lord's Castle to the House of Lamentation, bearing good news for Soley, who jumped in surprise upon hearing them.

"Yes, that's right," Lucifer nodded his head in response as his brothers offered him a towel to dry himself off. "Diavolo has built a vacation mansion months ago at the edge of the Devildom where he frequently tampers with the environment. There, he can guarantee that no foul weather will spoil your day."

"Then what are we waiting for?! Let's go now before my birthday is over!"

Lucifer turned to his brothers and told everyone to pack their bags and meet back in the entrance hall. There was no arguing. Everyone did as they were told.

Upon arriving at the mentioned mansion, Soley was in awe. It wasn't enough for the building to be called a mansion as it looked more like a castle. The walls were made of bricks of the darkest colour, yet they give off a pearly shine when basked in the moon's glow. The moat around the structure was surprisingly clear and filled with rare fish that had the same hue as the moon. The inside of the building was beautifully decorated with banners, flags, and different kinds of flowers from all three worlds.

Soley loved every bit of it.

Except for a specific bloom displayed as the main theme of the beautiful arrangements in each and every vase. Its blue-ish hue irritated the lady for reasons unknown to her and the rest of the group.

"Lucifer," Soley called out to the demon. They were all walking around the halls to get themselves familiar with the layout. The six youngest brothers were walking ahead, talking amongst themselves.

Lucifer, with his arms crossed, turned his gaze from the beautiful paintings on the walls to the girl whose stare made him raise his eyebrow. "What is it?" He asked in wonder.

"While we were on our way here, you told us Lord Diavolo had the place decorated especially for our arrival, right?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"I'm quite certain I previously gave you a list of my favourite things, including my beloved types of flowers— and let me tell you, forget-me-nots are not one of them."

The Avatar of Pride looked to where the lady was pointing. He was about to open his mouth in reply until everyone stopped in their tracks when they reached the great hall. They all heard footsteps coming from the balcony just above the doors they had entered.

"Oh my, it's not polite to complain about decorations someone else worked on, my lady. Especially at a place you don't even own."

"But you seem to be satisfied with everything else, so you don't know how happy I am to know how much you're enjoying yourself."

The birthday girl's eyes widened in horror as soon as she heard the very same voice she dreaded ever hearing again.

Quickly spinning on her heels, she met the mocking gaze of another human. You.

"I wish you a happy birthday, dear Lady Soley."

「 CHAPTER VIII | CHAPTER X 」

[creations-of-a-certain-no-one]

I've been recently bummed and kind of going through a creator's block so...

Just making a summary of my OCs I guess.

Obey Me!

Ren - obviously, he's the main OC since he's a custom MC. In a way, he's a mix of Mammon and Lucifer, so no wonder his relationship with them is the most emotional, with Mammon being mostly compatible, with Lucifer strikingly incompatible. Aside of his issues and taste for horrible puns, he's the genki boy type. Since he's my game MC, not only fic MC, his canon is basically that he doesn't romance anyone and won a found family in the Devildom. Demisexual gay, though since his on the beginning of exploration of his own identity, he was only informed that asexuality is a thing, so he isn't really aware of demisexuality and identifies as asexual unless he'd romance someone and develop sexual attraction too. Romance however doesn't automatically mean he would develop it. In many scenarios he doesn't. He's struggling with his identity a bit due to internalised homophobia and aphobia sometimes despite being happy to have discovered a lot about himself in the Devildom.

Caspian Smirnoff - something between MC and a fic OC. They're generally from a story 200 years later that follows a very similar storyline as the storyline of game season 1. The first exchange programme ends up in failure, neither humans or angels make it home. 2 centuries later Diavolo tries again with one student and tbh Caspian isn't surprised they're the chosen one. Caspian comes from a cursed family - his ancestor sold his little sister to the demons, the girl was tainted and devoured for simple riches he received. The man was murdered but his family survived and, albeit rich, carried the stain on them for many generations. Caspian doesn't have really any emotional stance on their ancestors, but since he's in the Devildom he might as well dig for some info since he's already digging to discover the mystery of the huge magical tree and the fate of first exchange students. His/their stance on gender is basically "no" and he finally can be freely pursuing his identity since the Devildom is very chill on queerness. They use he and they pronouns.

Stray - stray dog roaming around the campus and dorms. He's half hellhound and half a human world dog. His siblings didn't survive on human world food and he barely made it, adopted and saved in the last moments by an old witch. The witch however passed away soon and he ended up in the Devildom, struggling to keep himself alive with full blood demon dogs around attacking him. He's gotten strong enough to survive but has many scars from fights and leads a solitary life. He's basically a character made so he can receive head pats.

Oracle - an prophetic entity haunting Belphie in Caspian's story and residing in his body. Belphegor leaves his attic only when Oracle is active and on their way to visit someone to give them uninvited prophecies.

The Tree - the main culprit of the happenings of Caspian's story. A sentient magical tree, extending its branches over the whole Devildom and shining upon it. Also, access to it was sealed by Lucifer, it's generally similar to attic from main story. Also, likely the root of the problem with Oracle hauntings.

AyaKoi

Rensuke - from a Dracula rip-off, basically yandere for Yakumo to the point the yandere Yakumo himself gets creeps and rejects him. Captured by the military because of his uncanny bond to Yakumo. Also, he ends up with Aizen despite developing no Stockholm syndrome.

Minako - Futaba's bff, mistaken for Futaba by Yakumo at first because of her Ayakashi blood as her father is actually a wolf spirit living among humans with his human wife. Ends up temporarily dead before awakening as Ayakashi. She ends up dating Futaba.

Cousins - Futaba's and Koga's descendants. While their bloodline was generally human, their onmyouji powers made them stay close to Ayakashi world and through 3-4 generations intermarried with Ayakashi too. Hyena Ayakashi cousin is however the first one birn Ayakashi and comes to Japan to trace his heritage and reunite with his onmyouji cousin. Their story remains though almost completely undeveloped.

[pen-observing]

request: barbatos + the poem ‘it is so long since my heart has been with yours’ by e.e. cummings; aka - wondering if a soulmate is created or ordained as barbatos sleeps next to you

MASTERLIST

The Devildom nights are eerily quiet sometimes, uncharacteristically so. They hold the darkness in their clutches (or rather are the darkness itself). The stars are few and far between, the only constellations you are able to trace and gaze upon are the ones you leave on Barbatos’ skin as the moon shines down. In reality, without his presence in the bed next to you it would be sad. It would be unbearable.  

The moon provides comfort but shows you just how ghostly it can reside over a whole town. In the human world; you get to watch everything through the eyes of gold when the moon emerges over the night sky adorning that treasured color – it moves through the sky and purifies itself, leaving you with the treasures of that journey. Here, however, the moon glows bloody red and as it moves – it only collects more sin.  

Does that matter when it touches Barbatos’ gentle eyelashes and paints them the color of passion? Does that matter as he is a serene showcase of all that love is while sleeping next to you?

To think that this man with porcelain skin collects sins. To think that he holds judgement over time as you hear him breathe in quiet moments; gently – assured that in this timeline you stay with him regardless of the what ifs that could come.

Your arms mingle together – your hearts do the same. That is the birth of light that reflects intimacy. It is the birth of light that gives new ideas.

Like this: you begin to ponder upon questions that plagued you before. Humans are often shackled by having to repeat is all over again; allowing themselves to realize an answer might never come. This, however, as a reassurance to you; just means it is how philosophy was born.

The question on this night as the red moon reminds you is: Are soulmates made or does their creation depend on nothing but a chance meeting? A serendipitous encounter?  

You look at Barbatos’ naked shoulder from the corner of your eye and remember that in this lifetime – kissing him was serendipity.  

The thoughts may sound profound but really – serendipity can be born from clumsiness, not fate. The Devildom streets often have cobblestones one may trip on and that means humans who need consistency become easy targets for such displays. Instead of the whole street laughing at you – they remained quiet when you first arrived and tripped only for your mouth to hit a stranger's chest.  

Barbatos strikes fear into those who see him – to you, at that precise moment one may call fate – he was stability. Would that be serendipity? No.

Serendipity was your choice to gaze at him from afar, until months later you would trip again and meet the same chest in a street corner. Instead of staying that way, serendipity was created by your choice to hold his collar that smells like mint and kiss him in a lovestruck moment.

That moment was made by your hands alone. That moment was the obvious profession of love.

Now, you cannot walk down those cobbled streets without Barbatos’ existence mystifying them. In this corner you were foolish enough to kiss him without fear, in the other one stands his favorite tea shop. The bench on which you saw him sit down and rest while you were admiring him from a distance while on a grocery trip when he was kind enough to join you. Then, across from that is a bakery that has the small scones Barbatos likes. He can make better ones with his hands, but instead he makes a choice to hold yours. Free time is still so rare.   Are soulmates made or are they pre-ordained? Why cannot the answer to that question be both? Why is only one definition considered the way of life?  

You smile as Barbatos’ hand sneaks around your waist to bring you closer. Walking down Devildom streets, sleeping in each other’s arms and rooms, even conversing with the rest of the world – Barbatos and you have become museums and stories that share. Much like two trees that grow separately but their roots intertwine.

In truth, time is valuable and you might not have forever. But, with both choice and with serendipity; you have promised your definite forever to him.

[girlucifer]

“tell me you love me

...because i don’t think i could handle it otherwise.”

one of my favorite quotes in the game is when lucifer and the mc are alone, where they choose to hug him after they returned to the devildom, and he whispers how he wants the human to tell him they thought of him everyday they were away- not of his brothers, but of him alone. because he ‘couldn’t handle it otherwise.” i love that soft, wanting aspect of lucifer, a side we don’t really see often. i wanted to expand a bit on this, so here is a small fic, lucifer x gender neutral mc, under the cut!

word count: 1200 or so

tags: lucifer x gender neutral mc, obey me! angst, fluff, romance, tension, slow build, spoilers*** for lesson 20 and below  

they knocked on the study's door that towered over them, its very aura dominating, fearsome- behind this door leads to him and his gaze, as sharp and red as the thin thread that ties the two together, cutting and suffocating. his gaze always lingered in the human's mind behind closed eyes, behind closed doors- his gaze, red as blood, as marks left on their neck after a daring evening alone, as red as the human's heart that beats wildly as they raised their hand to knock upon the door. warm firelight spilled through the crevice underneath the door. they knew he was inside- he had been avoiding them ever since the night they spent together- this much, the human could tell. he was a hard one to decipher; he always had a sort of cloudiness hovering over him, always a bit restrained, a bit hesitant. he would look over his shoulder, never wear his heart there. it wasn't until that night the human must've said something small, something innocent, an accidental graze of fingertips, a mistakenly seductive glance. parted lips, inching noses... he had revealed what really lurked in the depths of his soul with shallow gasps and light moans, interlocked fingers across black silken sheets.

the smell of wooded musk lingered in the air- his candles were lit. the forest from home, the human thought- he always seemed to smell of fresh orchards. it was fitting he'd smell of such, after all, the human reflected, as every moment with him seemed akin to taking a bite of a fruit from a forbidden tree- he was the first prince of hell, second only to the devil himself. lucifer, a name feared throughout the human world just as much as the underworld- a taboo name, malevolent, a name called by the evil and wicked. the human remembered the fear that took hold of their heart when meeting the brothers- six demons stood behind a particularly shining one, his presence far more immutable than the others. lucifer, the morning star. poison to the soul, pomegranate seeds to the tongue. they knocked once more- the door finally opened.

their eyes met immediately, as the human drew closer to him. he sat on one of the small couches that accentuated his study, holding a glass of dark, almost jet-black liquid. the top two buttons of his dress shirt were undone, his tie hanging down his chest, his collarbone just slightly exposed- enough the have the human avert their gaze, face flushing as if exposed to something far too indulgent. without another word, lucifer took another glass, pouring demonus for the other as they sat besides him. he reached out his hand, to which the human accepted the glass. no words were exchanged as the two drank silently, the human stealing glances towards the demon. the lit fireplace quietly danced behind him, his silhouette outlined with the warm orange color, flooding his features. in his light, he almost seemed holy, heavenly, like a fragment of his previous celestial incarnation was shining through.

"you're avoiding me."

"is that what it seems like to you?" his lips balanced on the edge of sneering and smiling. then like a flicker of one of the candles dotting his small study, he turned his head, downing the rest of his liquor.

"do you think... do you think I can be a bit selfish and ask you to listen to me? I might say things that don't quite make sense, or run off on long tangents, or maybe circle back and say nothing of any use. but maybe, maybe I'll say what I need to and we'll both be better off. could you? could you listen to me?" he reached out his hand, it wavering every so slightly before falling short just inches of the human's fingertips.

"my life is simply full of mistakes. just, utter grievances, embarrassments, all plunders on my part. I never acknowledge them- I'm the first prince of hell- I take pride in everything I do, even the mistakes. but, by heaven and hell, I regret so much. the fall- one of my most grand achievements, inspiration to renaissance painters, punishment to god-fearing populace, martyrdom to revolutionaires, but to me- a failure. the death of my sister... meant the death of me, my brothers. the one person who didn't deserve a single hair on their head harmed- they lost their life for my stupid, arrogant cause. at least, out of that wrath towards myself, satan was spawned, and seeing him grow to be a wise, powerful demon, it gives me solace that something came out of my foolishness. but, lilith's death could never be repaid. I remember thinking that, over and over, as she laid in my arms, her lifeless corpse... growing cold. lord diavolo, he saw the despair in my eyes, my heart, and he offered a resolution. something that just maybe, maybe I can redeem myself, if it meant lilith could have a chance at normal life. a life as a human, as a daughter, a lover, as a mother. if she could live in bliss for thirty-odd years, well that's all that I could ask for. my undying loyalty for all of eternity... a small price to pay for knowing she smiled one more time before my pride got her killed. but, after millennia, it's hard to remember what it was all for. living day in and day out for the prince, to subject myself to bootlicking work, to be a puppet to the most powerful demon in the devildom- what an ironic fate for the avatar of pride. some nights, I forget what it was all for- the pledge of allegiance to the demon king, twisting my brothers to do his bidding, locking belphegor away, spending nights in here," he raised his arms, drawing attention to the stuffy room, paperwork stacked atop his desk like endless buildings across the horizon. "it's all for lilith, it's all for her- like a mantra in my head every time diavolo asks for a kiss upon his boots, every time he embraces me with a whisper of an order to my ear. but, its just words- something to tell myself, lest I go insane. I never did have that closure that she did live her life, a grand life, full of love and happiness. I had no idea what had become of her, how she met her humanistic fate. until..." he trailed off, his hand clenched, knuckles white.

"until me," the human finished for him, their thumbs circling around each other as they looked down, intently focused on the wood flooring. "yes, you're living proof she lived, she loved. you're... comfort to me, that at least once in my miserable life, I had made the right choice." he raised his hand, brushing his fingertips across the human's cheek, a strand of hair falling over their eyes. like gravity, their very souls the source of attraction, the two inched closer, slowly, bit by bit, a journey to a land of milk and honey. his face was flushed- either from the demonus or because their faces were so close, they couldn't tell. lucifer took the fallen lock of hair, tucking it behind their ear, a soft smile gracing his features. "could you kiss me? kiss me once and tell me i'm doing fine? that lilith would be proud- that my brothers are too? tell me you love me. tell me, because I don't think I could handle it otherwise." and the human closed the gap between their lips, kissing him again and again and again.

[mxvladdy]

Lucifer- True Form

Went ham. Had fun. Here is some angst (minor) and fluff and stuff.

Next up: Plot twist! Diavolo 

He wears the heaviest glamour out of all of the brothers. The rage and pain from being cast from heaven has warped his angelic body. Turning him into a husk of his former divine glory. He is massive. His body is tall and gaunt. His large form towers over the oak trees of the Devildom forest, each step of his gnarled feet leaving chard prints in their wake. Lucifer is deceptively strong for as emaciated as he looks.

After the war his body is in a constant state of trying to heal itself. His skin hardens into a thick scab before flaking off, only to reform moments later. His body trying to reform to its old self, even after he had fallen. It gives him an almost dripping look. When larger pieces flack off you can see stark white bones underneath for the briefest of moments before the darkness swallows it whole again. It is a continuous breaking and mending, a maddening itch and perpetual soul deep ache.

The halo that once sat righteously atop his crown is now embedded in it. It is buried deep into his skull and shattered after his fall to the Devildom. In a vain attempt to make it look better he filed and broke pieces away styling them the best his broken pride could. They resemble large branching antlers now, sharp and lethal. Ancient hymns lost to time that were engraved by his father when he was young are now worn and dingy, the text indistinguishable in part. It was a tarnished holy relic that only the foolish would try to take (And many souls from all three realms have tried). A few centuries ago he got the jagged edges capped and adorned with gold. Bright red garnet and jewels are interwoven in thin, but strong, gold chains drape over the distorted halo. It was a gift from Diavolo, as the prince somehow finds this form beautiful.

Like Mammon, he is littered with scars from battle not even his healing magic can mend. They have made him slower, the constant mending of his tattered flesh has made it grow stiff and subsequently stunts his range and movement. Scars layer upon scars across his body. Twisting in on themselves like bark. His own personal chains. The holes where he discarded his wings in an act of defiance are now blackened craters in his back. He is unable to heal those that are self inflicted.

You can hypothesize his inability to heal this form as a battle of will. His own mind and body in inner-turmoil, parts of him wanting to continue a torture he doesn’t deserve.  

It is fine, it is his burden to bear.

On the rare rainy days you can hear his joints creak and groan as his skin tears and reform. His bones grind together chillingly. He believes it is symbolic. His body groaning under the strain over-encumbered by the weight of his sins. All the brothers know to give him space on those days.

Even in his human glamour he wears stiff fabrics and corsets to help brace his body and give him an air of dignity even when he just wants to crumple at his desk.

He knew his actions in the celestial realm would have severe repercussions; but he never could have imagined it to be this abhorrent. This was truly the cruelest punishment his father could have ever bestowed on him. A form he can find no pride in.

Mini fic

Ugh. Everything hurt.

If the knot in your neck got any bigger you doubt you’d be about to move out of your chair. You close your textbook with a quick snap, done for the day. Any more drawn out paragraphs from magicians long since dead and you were going to scream. The hours in the school study hall had been beneficial but draining. The tutor on duty that day, a low-level demon named Drath, had taken a shine to your eagerness to learn and was more than willing to sit with you to talk out some of the more advanced runes you were struggling with. They had moved on to help a few more students after a while, pleased with your new understanding of Devildom magic. You stretch out in your seat, grunting softly as your spine pops. Tired of your studies you rise to perch at the window of the large room. The large windowsill overlooked the courtyard of the campus. A few students and professors run out in the courtyard trying to find shelter from the rain.

The sudden downpour had hit during lunch. The torrential downpour hammers at the windows and roof of the school. Trees and bushes tossed about in the high winds, flattened by the rain. Bright flashes of lighting blinding your eyes every so often making you blink the spots from your eyes to see the white board. Truthfully, the storm looked like it had settled on the school, happy to howl and pelt any unlocky souls with oversized raindrops. Shoot, you had hoped it would have waned by the end of classes. You hadn’t grabbed your raincoat or umbrella that morning. Cloudy days were common enough here, but rain? Has it ever rained while you were here? You peak at your phone, debating if you should text one of the brothers to come bring you an umbrella. Hmmm- you still had thirty minutes left before your study time was officially over. Maybe you’d get lucky and it would lighten up before you were forced to head back to the dorms.

You had made plans to go to the new outdoor cafe with Asmo and Beel after dinner. A little something to take you collective minds off the daunting midterms looming over you all. Lucifer’s warnings had been very clear. All residents of the house had to get good grades, no exceptions. His sharp eyes had lingered on Mammon and Asmodeus a little longer than the rest. You could feel the heat of his dark eyes even from your chair across the table. You weren’t a horrible study, but somethings just weren’t clicking like they should. It was a little stressful (a lot stressful). After a few nights of stress sobbing with Beel you had finally gone with Solomon to his study group. A few weeks of lessons and you felt much better. Good enough to celebrate. If the damn weather would take the hint.

As if the weather was attuned to your thoughts a huge flash of bright orange lightning cracked across the sky. It rattled the stained glass window, the light blinding you. Great. Blinking the white dots from your vision you turn back to your desk. Looks like you were just going to have to make a run for it.

“Forgot something?”

“Lucifer!” You smile accepting the large umbrella from his gloved hand. “Thanks! I didn’t know you were still on campus.”

“Yes. I had a few errands and meetings with Diavolo cramped in.” He looks down at you with a tight-lipped smile. In the bright light of the room you noticed beads of sweat forming on his smooth brow trailing down his temples. His eyelid pulsed, fluttering with his heart beat. If you hadn’t been staring you probably wouldn’t have noticed. You look at him, noticing how despondent his normal ridged prideful aura was. He stares blankly down at one of your large tomes struggling with the large clasps.

“Are you well?” Lucifer blinks, dropping the metal bindings as if burned. He licks his pale lips for a moment in contemplation. Something just on the verge of slipping out. But, it is quickly lost shuttered away behind his normal lofty expression.  

“What makes you say that?” He asks. Lucifer turns away from you to collect your things. “Come, We’ll be taking the back way to the house. It has better coverage and the storm has yet to reach it.” You follow behind quietly, waving a quick goodbye to Solomon and Drath.

The silence around Lucifer was different today. Normally he hid his agitation from you, only bringing it out if it was directed towards you. You’d only seen him like this when Mammon had done something foolish. “Lucifer, what’s wrong.” You try again catching his sleeve to pull him back. It all happened so fast. A sharp inhalation of breath, his arm jerked from yours. His whole being repelled by your touch. He rounds on you, eyes flashing dangerously. He never minded when you touched him before. “Luci?”

“Please,” He cuts you off with a trembling hand. “I am fine. Let’s get home before the storm worsens.”  He drops you off at the front stairs and excuses himself, muttering about other business to attend to. You stare after him deeply perturbed. He was never the most touchy-feely of the seven, but he was always straight with you after what happened with Belphie. To be so physically distant worried you.

He wasn’t at dinner. The head of the table was devoid of his strong presence. The other brothers seemed to be making an unusually strong effort not to look at the vacant spot. Even Satan, who you thought would be smirking at the fact the eldest had broken his own rules, sat eyes glued to a book perched in his lap. His golden spoon paused midway to his mouth. It was almost like nothing was amiss. “Is Lucifer o.k?” You turn to Levi, his head buried in his handheld, food halfway eaten. His fingers pause for a moment over his screen.

“Ye, he’s fine. Just doesn’t like the rain is all.” Oh. It doesn’t settle your worries but if no one else was stressing…

The storm lasted well into the night. The rolling thunder keeps you up well past when you should be sleeping. That and the annoying creaking that echoed out from your unlit fireplace. Or was it your window? The groaning and grinding sounds permeated the air of your room, picking up intensity at odd intervals. It reminded you of a swaying tree caught in a hurricane. Limbs twisting and snapping in the wind as it is battered from all angles, its thick trunk losing the fight to stay upright. The low grinding of it all resonating in your chest, deep and palpable. It was so loud, and the forest was so far away. Irritated, you push yourself out of bed, determined to find a place where the noise couldn’t reach you.

Pacing the long desolate hallways you try to retrace your steps to a lesser used room. Maybe steal one of Belphie’s favorite sleeping nooks. As you make your way down the hallways you begin to notice the sounds of the trees getting louder. Like you had suddenly found yourself in a grove of winding and dancing trees.  You take a sharp left determined to find the cause of the noise and put an end to it. In your frustration you almost missed the door left ajar. Mid stride you stop. Who would be up at this hour? Coming closer you recognize the door.

It was Lilith’s room. The warm glow of firelight pulsing on the velvet of the hallway rug. The groaning sound of trees comes from behind the ornate door. You bristle, if one of the brothers was setting up stupid prank this late at night you’d kill them.

The eldest of the brothers stood staring into the pits of the roaring hearth. His dark eyes were glassy. The reds of his iris reflect the dancing flames. He was completely obvious to your intrusion. Clothes lay scattered about the floor haphazardly, his shirt, vest and overcoat were thrown across the floor, pants hanging low on his narrow waist. Lucifer moves closer to the roaring flames with less then his usual grace. His left leg seems stiff, the knee unwilling to bend fully as he walks. In the magically created sunlight of the room you notice his alabaster skin shift and flicker, like a TV with a bad connection. One second it was smooth, the next chard rough patches litter his skin. The black welts and molting flesh flash before you then disappear. He croons deep in the back of his throat as the flames lick at his outstretched hand. Again the sounds of tree limbs snap assault your ears as he flexes his fingers.  

You stand rooted to the spot unsure of what to do. This was a very vulnerable moment for him you were sure. When was the last time you saw him with his body fully uncovered? Never. You really should give him some privacy. This was clearly not something he wished for anyone to see. Yet your heart wept for him. Lucifer was clearly in pain. Bare fingers digging large groves into the stone of the fireplace. His jaw twitching as sharp pains rack his body. “I know you're there.” He pins you in place with his husky voice. “It’s rude to stare.”

You stumble in, legs trembling. You could feel the rant coming. Bracing yourself you squeeze your eyes shut and wait for the torrent. Whatever he was going to say was cut short, a hitched breath making you look up. He is gripping at his side, unable to look at you. “Lucifer?” He raises his free hand to you, ignoring you to limp to the overstuffed armchair. He hunches over shielding his face in his large palms.

“It’s best if you forget you saw this. Please leave.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Leave.” He repeats again more firmly. “I wish to be alone.” He waves you off. You hear the creaking again. It moves with him.

“Is that you?” You ask. Watching him adjust himself in his seat. The sound of twigs bending to their max before snapping answer your question.

“Astute observation as always.” He grunts rubbing at his knee. “One would think Mammon is rubbing off on you.” His biting jab is dry. His eyes dart to the rainfall outside. His insult completely lacks his usual sting. But then again his barbs were always softened with you.

“It’s the rain isn’t it?” You ignore his blatant want for solitude, feed up with his stupid broodiness and unwilling to let a friend hurt. “My granddad was that same way. His joints would just ache and pop during really bad weather.” He puffs up for a second, comparing him to an old man twisted sourly in his gut. “Let me help?”

“How?” He whispers beyond tired suddenly. He had talked to Barbatos earlier that day. The storm was here to stay for the time being. A day or two at most. To him it would be an eternity. You approach, hands raised as if to a cornered animal. In a way he felt like it. He sits still, allowing you to approach. Lucifer chokes back a small whimper of bliss as you touch him. Your palms were so warm, resting and rubbing on his aching shoulder. He could feel his old bones settle; a brief moment of bliss.

“What do you need?”

He leads you to his quarters, letting you stop by your room to grab a few things on the way. You reappear from your room, shaking your rucksack at him with a smile. “I think some of these things might help!” Lucifer appreciated the sentiment but doubted it highly.

You were used to nights spent in his office, and a few rare occasions that he invited you to his bed chambers. That is where he led you now. His hand is large and warm on your back as he shuffles you past his bed and towards his walk in closet. You look about, confused at his vast collection of historical clothes and why you were in his closet to begin with. He smiles weary at your question but stays silent coming to stop at his wardrobe. He takes you through to another hidden room. The magic of the vast space making your skin tingle. Goosebumps blossoming on your arms and neck.

It was an unused part of the catacombs. Eons ago Lucifer had stumbled upon it in his explorations of his new home. It had long since become a mini sanctuary from when the odd storm got to his bones, or a brother had gotten under his skin. Large orbs float lazily across the vaulted ceiling. Knocking into each other with a soft tinkle of chimes. Their warmth was reminiscent of spring time back in the celestial realm. Already his old bones felt better. His mind unclouding.

His stride falters for a moment, polished dress shoes squeaking on the opulent marble. What was he going to do? Show you himself? “Lucifer?” He feels you turn to him, sliding his arm away from your back to grip it in your small hands. “Let me help you? Please?” You make eye contact and smile reassuringly.

His resolve breaks. Damn, when had he gotten so soft? “Help me with my jacket.” His words were muddled but clear. It was getting hard to rotate his right shoulder again. The storm was raging right over the house now and his body protested. He had redressed hastily in Lilith’s room. You may have seen him at his most vulnerable, but he would never let the brothers. If Satan saw, he’d never hear the end of it. You nod and walk behind him. Standing on tiptoes you help him shrug off his coat and fold it neatly to side with your belongings. The corset beneath was a little trickier for you. It was an ingeniously designed brace that doubled as a designer corset. You never noticed, but up close the silk of his corset was brocade. The black of the fabric was decorated with a subtle shiny black thread. To the naked eye one couldn’t see it. But you could feel it as you brushed your fingers along his waist. In the bright light of the room the thread shimmered in all of its intricacies.  

“They are runes.” He answers your silent question refusing to look at you as you worked, hyper aware of your fingers tracing the stitching. “It helps with-” the pain, the humiliation, my pride? “Everything.” You nod accepting his words and unlace it gently. He shivers at the soft caress, it was like his body gravitated towards your touch. His actual skin buzzing with want.

“Does this happen a lot?” You come to his front and begin on the buttons of his dress shirt.

“No, rainstorms like this are rare. Once every couple of centuries it gets- bad.” Lucifer leans some of his massive weight on you while you lift his arm out of the sleeve. “You are good at this.” He eyes you skeptically. How many people had the luxury of your undivided attention?

You chuckle turning to fold his shirt neatly. “Why thanks, I guess? Like I said my granddad had bad bones. I used to help him on the bad days.” You eye his pants and flush. “I won’t help with those though.”

“Pity. Give me a moment would you?”  The demon chuckles turning to give himself an illusion of privacy. Already being out of the cold and drafty halls made him feel better already. This room had been meticulously built to help him. Artificial sun, warm, and not too humid. A light draft in the rafters getting the air circulating. Spending the night down here, and he’d be able to function for tomorrow's numerous meetings. Closing his eyes he releases his glamour.

Shifting felt like breaching water. A slight resistance then a cool wave of relief as he breaches the surface. Resting on his hunches his rumbles low, feeling his broken halo scrap the vaulted ceiling. His little human gasps looking up, and up, and up till they meet his hollow skull like face. He holds his breath, gut and hearts clenching in fear. What must you think of him? He watches with trepidation knowing this body was a lot to comprehend. “Wow. I thought you were tall before.” You grab at your satchel digging into the depths. “I’m afraid my little jar won’t go far now, but I’d still like to try.” He leans down looking at the jar posed at the tips of your fingers.

“Tiger balm?” His voice was abrasive and jagged. The multilayered lilt scrapped your eardrums like metal on bone. You flinch. A slight twinge of your shoulders barely noticeable, but it makes him recoil nonetheless. It's jarring, but not as scary as you originally thought.

“Sorry,sorry.” You placate the giant beast. “Took me by surprise.” You creak a reassuring grin. “This whole day has. But that’s ok.” You meet his gaze, his oblong head cocked to the side to stare at you. Up close you could see that his eye sockets weren’t hollow as they originally appeared. Deep within the bone and flaking flesh you could see a faint pure white glow, a little pinprick in the abyss flickering like a candle. Taking his stillness as permission you wonder back over to his large taloned feet. The constant healing and chaffing of his skin creates a foul vapor around him. The plumes of it blocking out the sunning orbs in waves. It smelled awful, like burning hair, skin and sulfur. But you push through taking small breaths through your mouth till your body adjusted. You glance at the tiny jar in your hand feeling stupid. “I’ll have to order some more but I hope this helps.” Lucifer looks at your outstretched hand at a complete loss of what you expected him to do. “Well,” You gestate at him to come closer. “Where does it hurt the most?” He laughs. A dry clicking in the back of his many vocal chords. His back hurt the most, it always did. A consistent little reminder of what his past actions cost him. Though, there were some things he wasn’t ready to divulge to you.Yet.

“That little jar will do nothing. But-” He continues trying to cover for his snappishness. He hated the frown drawing tight on your lips. “I will be signing a lot of paperwork tomorrow.” He brings a massive hand down and places it on the cool marble in front of you. The joints were bare to you, the flesh unable to encompass the swelling. His phalanges felt cold and hot all at once. Sudden spasms making the exposed nerves light up and twitch. “If you could?”

Clambering up his table sized finger with his approval you straddle it and rub some of your ointment on your palms to warm it. “Let me know if I hurt you.” With that you sink your hands through the mist and begin to work at his tender joints. The great beast rumbles in enjoyment. His keen nose picking up the spicy scent of the balm and your naturally pleasant musk. Within minutes the warming ointment began to soothe him. Leaving you to your ministrations Lucifer arches his neck up to the sky and begins to sun himself. The tension of the rain storm rolling off his body as the sun globs begin to orbit around his massive frame. Your little hums of happiness as you worked made this almost worth the humiliation of you seeing him at his lowest.

[midnightmagicx]

Happy Birthday @pon-ee​ ! I know we’re giving you your gift a whole day early but... LOL shenenagians. Here’s to another year of discord friendship. @soraofskye and I collaborated to put this together- I’m sure you can figure out who did what... and if you can’t, then it’s a mystery.

In celebration of your birthday and the birth of Ume, please enjoy the drawing and story of Siren Ume and Sea Monster Levi. ------

“I told you not to touch Ruri-Chan!” Leviathan exclaimed, his anger clearly showing as his second brother’s hand ran across his display of figurines. “Don’t touch anything on the shelf! I don’t want your filthy hands on it.”

Mammon rolled his eyes, “It’s just a toy, Levi. You can get another one.”

Leviathan stamped his foot in frustration. These normies just did not understand, “This is a limited edition figurine that I waited 5 hours in line for. DO. NOT. TOUCH.” 

Of course, Mammon, The Avatar of Greed did not want to listen. No one tells THE Mammon what he can or cannot do. Grabbing the figurine off of the shelf, Mammon dangled it in front of Leviathan’s face, “Whoops, my hand slipped.”

And that was all that it took for a fight to break out. In a quick flash, the other brothers were in Leviathan’s room, holding Mammon and Leviathan apart from each other. Lucifer sighed and shook his head, “One day of peace… that’s all I ask.” Then he looked up at the both of them, “Both of you, OUT. Until you’ve cooled yourselves down, do not come back.”

Now Leviathan found himself walking towards the outskirts of Devildom without a destination in sight. The quiet night did nothing to calm the anger that was buzzing through his mind. Leviathan sighed and shoved his hands into his pocket. Stupid Mammon. It was all his fault, why was Leviathan blamed in this? If Mammon had only listened, he would’ve still been at home playing his newest game.

Walking around aimlessly, Leviathan found himself staring into the depths of the ocean when the cold water hit his feet, shaking him out of his thoughts. “Maybe a swim will help me calm down,” Leviathan murmured, mostly to himself. He closed his eyes and summoned his demon self, a sense of relief flooded through him as he felt his horns and tail emerge. 

Leviathan sunk into the cold water, stretching himself out, allowing the water to flow seamlessly along his scales on his body. Yes, this was what he needed. Diving deeper, Leviathan allowed his eyes to adjust to the dark waters. In his true form his amber eyes seemed to glow along with the purple scales on his tail. The other fish in the sea started swimming in the opposite direction, as if they sensed a stronger presence around them. That didn’t bother Leviathan. He usually enjoyed swimming alone; it allowed him to clear his mind. 

Diving deeper into the ocean, Leviathan started swimming towards the forest to his favorite spot. It was a secluded spot a few miles away from the shore. Not many demons knew about that area. Leviathan swam slow, humming his favorite song while gliding through the ocean. A few moments later, Leviathan emerged to the surface, moving towards the rocks on the shallow end of the shore that started to come into focus. The lower half of his body rested in the water, as he propped himself up against the rocks. Leaning back and looking up at the night sky, Leviathan was already in a much better mood.

Leviathan sighed. Eventually he was going to have to go back home. It was still so unfair. He groaned, sinking his face back into the water in frustration. Leviathan pouted underwater. He folded his arms across his chest and took a deep breath and began counting. 1… 2… 3… 4…

His meditation was cut off when he heard a soft voice in the distance. Opening his eyes curiously, Leviathan’s head turned the direction of the sound that was coming from deep within the forest. Who was out there? No one knew about this place but him. 

The words he heard sounded foreign. Gliding closer to the sound, he focused on the lyrics on the words.

Follow the siren’s song To face this empty cycle Searching the darkest nights Searching the silence

Leviathan’s eyes widened as he slid behind the tree trunk. Sitting on a rock ahead was a siren. The moonlight shining down on her body. Beautiful green eyes staring up at the moon, with pink hair flowing down to her waist. Her tail was a magnificent dark blue, with long fins, that swayed under the waters. As she continued singing, Leviathan found himself entranced with her voice. Unable to look away, he stayed; mesmerized by her beauty and drawn in by her voice. No wonder why they say sirens are dangerous creatures. 

Leviathan shifted himself, causing the water to ripple through. Noticing the movement the singing stopped. The siren glanced over at Leviathan’s direction, “W-Who’s there?” She asked hesitantly, slowly moving her body back into the waters.

“Sorry,” Leviathan grumbled, turning a slight red from being caught, “I didn’t know someone else was here. I just heard you singing.” He moved from his hiding spot and swam out where the siren would be able to see him. 

The siren blushed, “Well, this is embarrassing,” she let out what sounded like a frustrated laugh. “My name is Ume.” She offered, looking at Leviathan. 

“Leviathan, but you can call me Levi.”

Ume gave a small smile, “So… do you come here often?”

Unable to look away from Ume, Leviathan shrugged, “Sometimes, when I need to get away from my brothers. They can be annoying.” 

Ume chuckled, but it sounded bitter, “I know what that’s like.” She sighed, “I needed to get away from my sisters,” she confessed, “And when I stumbled upon this place I thought it would be perfect.”

Leviathan nodded, unsure of what to say next. An awkward silence filled the air between them. Think of something to say! Leviathan cursed silently at himself.

“I’m supposed to be working right now,” Ume spoke again after the moment of silence, “But… I’m nervous and I ended up coming here instead.” Her voice trailed away with a twinge of regret. 

Curiously, Leviathan looked at her, completely mesmerized by the beautiful green eyes that looked back at him, “What’s your job supposed to be?”

Ume giggled, she found him endearing. A little awkward, but very endearing. “I’m a siren,” she said thoughtfully, “So I should be in the human realm with my sisters right now, seducing men and dragging them into the depths of the ocean.”

“Somehow you don’t sound excited to do that,” Leviathan countered, noticing the sadness on her face.

Ume sighed, “I’ve never done it before,” she said quietly. “What if my voice isn’t good enough to draw in attention? What if I let the person get away?” She blinked quickly, almost as if she was forcing her tears back. “My sisters… They’re all good at being sirens. They’re seductive, enchanting… and they get the job done. What if I... can’t?” 

“You managed to seduce a sea monster and you’re doubting that you could seduce a human?” Leviathan muttered under his breath. His face turned a bright red when he realized he spoke loudly enough for her to hear. 

Ume blushed, holding her hands up to cover the small smile on her face, “... D-Do you really mean that?”

Leviathan nodded, his eyes gazing around at anything but her. Ume smiled, her gaze at Leviathan softened, “Maybe… You can come and help me practice.” She said quietly.

“Help?” Leviathan asked quizzically. “How would I help you?”

“I wouldn’t mind having more practice singing… and maybe we could role play what could possibly happen if I went out to the human realm.” Ume suggested, “Maybe that would help me out.”

Did he just manage to score a date with a siren? Leviathan nodded, not trusting his words. Ume smiled brightly at him, “Great! I’ll see you back here tomorrow, same time! Thanks Levi!”

Waving at him, Ume dipped down below the waters and began swimming the other way. Leviathan watched her leave, his heart pounding loudly in his chest. 

—-

And this was how Leviathan found himself anxiously waiting for the days to end so he could leave the house at the same time every night, swimming over to the secluded forest where he would find Ume.

Every night she would be there, greeting him with the biggest smile on her face, “Hi Levi!” And he would listen to her singing. She never failed to capture his attention, her voice, her smile, her movements underwater… Leviathan found himself looking forward to these meetings every night. 

“Levi, if you were a human… would you come during my song?” Ume asked one night. She was laying down on the rock, playing with some seaweed that was tangled up on her tail.

Leviathan nodded, “Absolutely.” He swam around, folding his hands and resting his chin on the space next to her. He gazed up at her, a soft smile playing on his lips, “It would be like one of the anime’s that I have watched… a human hears a siren sing and he just can’t help but go towards her. And when the siren pulls him down the ocean with her, he leaves with no regrets.”

Ume beamed, reaching over to tuck a strand of his hair away from his eyes, “Thanks Levi. Practicing with you makes me feel like I could actually do this.”

Leviathan blushed, “Want to practice again?” He quickly asked, wanting to avoid the embarrassing feelings that were threatening to spill from his heart.

Ume nodded enthusiastically. Leviathan swam over to the other side of the lake. Aside from listening to her sing, they practiced every night. They would role play a scenario where Leviathan would pretend he was a human taking a swim in the ocean and would eventually be secluded by the siren he came across.

Ume began to sing, her voice steadily filling in the quiet night. It’s strange, Leviathan thought to himself. No matter how many times he heard her song, it always felt like the first time. He was mesmerized, enchanted, addicted to her voice. Maybe even addicted to her; her voice was like a drug that kept drawing him in. He felt his body flow naturally, swimming over towards her gently. It took no effort at all. It seemed as if her voice called for him and his body had no choice but to respond.

As Leviathan approached Ume, she leaned over to him, reaching a hand up to caress his face. His heart thumped wildly as his head leaned into her touch. Leviathan allowed her siren spell to take over him. Gazing into her green eyes he felt like he was in a trance. One that he never wanted to leave. Maybe this was why the victims of sirens left with no regrets. The feeling was euphoric; Ume could sing to him everyday and he would never tire of it.

Ume caressed his face, noticing how soft he felt against her hands. Her eyes interlocked with his amber ones as she noticed a passion burning in them. Ume felt her cheeks grow hot, but continued her song. She leaned in closer, drawing his face closer to hers. Their foreheads touched, and without breaking eye contact, Ume continued to venture, pulling him closer and closer. Both of them moved in so slowly, Ume gasped, realizing how close their lips were before pulling away. She blushed, unable to look at Leviathan who was conveniently looking the other way.

“T-That was good,” Leviathan broke the silence. “Y-You’d definitely be able to seduce a human.” 

“Thanks,” Ume murmured back quietly. She snuck a glance at him, heart beating quickly at the sight of his flushed face and the sincerity she felt from him. “Do you think… you could come with me to the human realm tomorrow?” She mumbled..

Leviathan finally looked up at her, “What do you mean?”

Ume took a deep breath, “I think… I’m ready to give it a try…” Then she turned and looked at him, “But I was hoping you could be there with me. After practicing with you… It’s made me more comfortable. I was hoping that you could kinda be there as… support?”

Leviathan nodded. Of course he would be there for her.

“You are the best,” Ume gushed with relief lacing her voice. “I’ll see you back here tomorrow and we can swim over together.” Gathering up the courage, Ume swam over and gave Leviathan a soft kiss on his cheek, “Thank you,” she murmured, before diving down and swimming away.

Instinctively, Leviathan reached up and touched the cheek she had kissed. A little dazed by what just happened, Leviathan stayed in place, watching her swim away. A wide smile began to form on his face as the heat began to spread. 

He couldn’t wait for tomorrow to come. 

[7demonhoes]

Honey Apple Cider Part 1

Description: It’s fall, so you know what that means! MC goes on a date with Asmo to a Cider Mill. 

Wordcount: 2,900

Warnings: Slight nsfw (a little bit of suggestive language, a heavy make out session) and some swearing. MC is gender neutral. 

I’m going to write a spicy part 2. I’ll put a link on this post once I’ve finished it. ;)

You haven't felt the sun in ages. It's been months since you've last visited the human realm, and you always forget how warm the sun feels on your skin. It reminds you of the golden magic that trickles out of Solomon’s fingers, the light of Luke and Simeons' smiles, and of the crackling, surprising touch of Asmo’s fingertips. 

And yet, nothing compares to the pleasant humming of your skin. You smile, turning to the side to peer at Asmodeus, who is just as radiant as the golden rays of warmth resting upon him. 

A patch of sun lights his face, and you get the distinct feeling that even the angels he abandoned can't help but look down on him and feel his glow. The light seems to shine more brightly on him than anywhere else. His palms face the sun as if he’s trying to steal its warmth. 

You have no idea how, but Asmo managed to convince Lucifer to open the portal to the human realm so that the two of you could spend the day together. None of the other brothers were informed, of course, or else they'd be nipping at your heels and fighting for attention. You keep expecting to hear them sprinting towards you, screaming at Asmodeus for taking you away. Somehow, they remain in the Devildom, oblivious of your location.

Or that you’re currently alone with the embodiment of lust.

Asmo must be enjoying the sun just as much as you are. His head is tilted towards the sky, his champagne hair curling around the beams of light. His full, pink lips are spread in an easy smile, his red eyes muted and turned soft with the color of honey. You've never noticed how long his eyelashes are until you've seen them pressed against the light of the sun. 

It's one of those Autumn days where the air around you is cool but the sky is open and bright. The leaves on the trees are starting to change their color, and you spot specks of orange, brown, and red against the large, drooping green.

You and the demon stand before a small groove of trees. You’re in a clearing of the woods, with winding trails leading further into the green. The distant sound of voices and laughter drift through the trees, the sound mixing with the calming echo of wind brushing through the leaves. 

You could lay down on a patch of dry grass and stare at the sky forever. But other questions press your mind. You turn to Asmodeus, his still body dressed in loose mom jeans, brown combat boots, and a cropped yellow sweater. 

“Asmo,” you begin, and he turns to look at you with a happy, excited grin on his beautiful face, “Where are we?”

Asmo woke you up this morning by throwing himself onto your bed and showering you with hugs and kisses, whispering into your ear to get ready for a surprise in the human world. He wouldn’t tell you anything else and insisted on choosing your outfit for the day. When you were ready to go, him and Lucifer snuck you out of the house. Asmo practically skipped all the way to the portal to the human realm.

Let’s be real, here. You skipped too. 

“You see that trail over there?” Asmo points towards the woods. “Well, I remember how you were telling me and Belphie about how you were sad that you wouldn’t be able to go to a cider mill this year, and-”

You cut him off with a sudden hug, wrapping your arms around his neck with a happy squeal. He giggles, returning your hug and giving you a sudden squeeze. “Careful, honey,” He leans back so you can see the mischievous glint in his eyes. “We’re all alone out here, and if you keep on touching me while looking that cute, I might have to keep you all to myself for the day.”

You escape from his touch. “You are not keeping me from that cider mill.”

His eyes flash. He reaches towards you, long fingers outstretched. “What if the cost of that,” he says dramatically, his fingers twitching in excitement, “...is your soul??” He lunges for you, one arm wrapping around your waist to hold you in place while his hand tickles your side with such a fever that you let out a sound that’s somewhere between a giggle and a scream. 

“Never!” You gasp, running forward with all your might, but you barely move a muscle. How can a man with such a petite frame be so strong? Like you get that Asmo is a demon, but this is ridiculous!

He lets you go, and you stumble forward. He passes you and grabs your hand before striding towards one of the trails.

"I am so happy that I get to spend the day with you!" Still holding your hand, he pulls you closer so that your waists are touching. "I don't think we've ever had an actual date without someone crashing," he purrs, leaning forward to nuzzle his mouth against your neck. 

Your spine tingles at his touch, goosebumps prickling along your skin. Your brain is already getting fuzzy. "Don't get too excited," you tease, bringing his hand to your lips and kissing his knuckles, "You can't give into temptation yet." 

He raises an eyebrow. "Trust me, darling, I know how to be patient. But don't worry about me." He leans close into your ear just as you reach the end of the woods, finding yourself surrounded by people with steaming styrofoam cups, "By the end of today, it'll be you who's begging me to let you give in." 

You gulp and hope that he can't feel your pulse quicken or hear the rapid beating of your heart. Despite your brave, teasing words, you know that Asmo is right. 

You hear an excited "Oooh," from Asmo as he immediately heads towards a pumpkin patch. "Humans like to carve faces into these, right?" He asks, crouching down to examine a pumpkin. "We could carve one together and use it as decoration!" 

You snort, kneeling next to Asmo. "Beel would immediately eat it." 

Asmo laughs, his voice reminding you of wind chimes. "I suppose you're right." He lifts his gaze from the pumpkin in his hands to you and he lets out a gasp. "Stay right there!" He squeals, immediately moving so that his cheek is squished against yours. "You look positively adorable! I need a picture of the two of us!" 

He takes about forty selfies of the two of you, his mouth getting closer and closer to yours with each picture. When he's about to kiss you, you pull away with sudden panic. 

He frowns. "What is it, love?" 

You twiddle your thumbs, eyes pressed firmly to the ground. "You know how I get when you kiss me," you say. "You're really good at it and I never know how I'll react." 

You know exactly how you'll react. Kissing the avatar of lust feels like what two humans feel during sex. When Asmo presses his lips against yours, it's almost orgasmic. How many times have you moaned against his lips? How many times has he teased you for being loud? 

And how many children are present at this cider mill?? 

Asmo places a hand on your thigh, his knowing eyes filled with a raw, needing hunger. "Knowing you, kitten? I think we both know what would happen if I kissed you." Asmo presses closer to you, and you immediately stand up and point to the corn maze a few hundred feet in the other direction. 

"Let's go there!" You move quickly towards the wall of corn. Just the thought of Asmo kissing you makes certain parts of your body feel very…. Warm. 

You practically sprint away from him, bounding into the corn maze and rounding the first corner. Asmo reaches your side and wraps his pinky around your own, swinging your hands as you walk. "If you're so inclined to not get too heated, are you sure diving into a maze is such a good idea?" 

"Why?" 

"Well, first of all," he picks a stray leaf from his hair and flicks it into the wind with a look of disdain, "There aren't many people in here. Second of all," he smirks at you and your heart quickens, "what happens if we get lost? How would we make up the time before someone finds us?" 

You begin to realize your mistake, but you're far too stubborn to turn back now. "How hard can this maze be?" 

It's a lot harder to navigate than you thought it would be. And with each pressing minute, Asmo is getting closer and closer to you; a hand on your thigh, a caress of the cheek, his hand slowly pressing into the divots of your spine... You can practically feel the lustful heat coming off him, and after you hit your twelfth dead end, you can't take it anymore. 

Asmodeus might be a slave to his sin, but that doesn't mean it doesn't affect you either. Despite being immune to his charming abilities, you still can't suppress the need to feel his skin against yours. You can't tell whether it's from him being the avatar of lust, or if you're just that attracted to him. 

You glance around to confirm that no one is around before wrapping your arms around his neck. He sighs happily, a flash of fangs protruding from his lips. 

"You should've known that I'd be too irresistible for you," he cups his hand on your cheek, his skin pleasantly warm.

You stick your tongue out at him. "Oh, shut up, you horny-" 

He cuts you off with a kiss, his soft mouth pressing against yours with such a sensual passion that your heart feels like it's dropping to your feet. You can't stop the moan that escapes from your lips, and Asmo slips his tongue into your mouth with a low, purring chuckle. 

It's difficult to describe how a single kiss can make you feel such strong, pulsating electricity climb through your body. Asmo's lips feel like a narcotic, just as addicting as a drug. From the moment you first kissed him, you realized that you would never want to stop.  

He slips his tongue into your mouth, and through the sheer pleasure roaming through your body, you manage to find the back of his sweater and slowly glide your hands up his smooth, toned back. 

He sucks on your bottom lip with his teeth, his touch careful enough so that his fangs press down on your flesh without breaking skin. You moan at the pain, moving closer to the demon so that your body is flushed against his. 

"I know you can't resist me," You can feel Asmo's words against your lips. You're suddenly overwhelmed with the need for more. "Just like I can't resist you, my love." 

You reach to close the distance between the two of you, your fingers making divots into his back, when the sound of other people's voices makes you jerk away from Asmo's touch. 

"Stopping already?" Something lurks under Asmo's eyes that makes you remember that he is, in fact, a demon. 

"Someone's comi-!" Your whisper is cut off as Asmo takes you by the hips, turns you around so that your back is facing him, and presses you against his chest. 

"I'm aware." He stretches his palm up your throat and wraps his hand around your mouth as he pulls back your shirt to reveal the back of your shoulder.

Before you can register what he's doing, he sinks his teeth into your flesh and sucks. 

The sudden onslaught of pleasure and pain sends you reeling, quickly reaching up to plaster your hands around the one over your mouth to muffle your moans as much as possible. 

Asmo pulls away from you just as two men and a child round the corner. You pull at your shirt to cover the exposed skin. When the two men make eye contact with you, you immediately shy away into Asmo's arm. 

Upon realizing they've hit a dead end, the child and one of the men turn around. One stares at you, eyebrows raised. "You okay, there? You look like you sprinted through here." 

Are you really breathing that heavily? Oh, no. You dig your fingernails into Asmo's arm, but if he feels it, he doesn't let you know. "We were having a bit of a competition," he glances at you as if to say You Lost. 

The man gives you two a suspicious glance before following his family. 

Asmo turns to you. "Now that we know who can't resist temptation," he winks, "I think it's time to get some cider. I'd like you to see what I've prepared for us in my room back at home." 

You gulp. "But we're lost, Asmodeus." 

He laughs, taking you by the hand and confidently walking you through the maze that you lead him through. You're out of the maze within five minutes. 

You gape at Asmo, reaching over to playfully slap him on the arm. "You knew the way out the entire time???" 

"Of course!" 

You cross your arms and step away from him. "I'm mad at you." 

He gestures vaguely, "Take it out on me later, then." He points towards a large structure ahead of you. "Let's go get some cider, little dove." 

The two of you wind through the crowd of humans, heading towards a faded red barn with clumps of hay stacked at its doors. Children climb on happy-looking scarecrows near the entrance. The smell of cider and baked goods wafts gently toward you, smelling like a heavenly mixture of apples, cinnamon, and baking bread. 

As you and Asmodeus walk, you notice that almost everyone in the crowd stares. Their eyes widen as they stare at Asmo, and you don't blame them. He truly is radiant. 

You glance at him. Your eyes meet his, and you realize that you're the only thing he's paying any attention to. His face is filled with so much adoration that you feel like you might melt. 

"I know I've told you this before," he begins, curling a finger around your hair, "but I have never cared for anything as much as I care for you." 

Yup. You can feel yourself melting into the grass below your feet. 

"I'm still mad at you, you know," you lie. Asmo continues to look at you, his brow furrowed, and you can practically see the whines forming in his head. 

Fine. "You- you always know exactly what to say to take my breath away'" you stammer, awkwardly trying to find a way to express the depth of your feelings to Asmo. 

Asmo winks. "That's because I'm perfect, love." 

You gently push him in the shoulder, and he lifts his face towards the sky and laughs. "The moment's over," you say as the two of you step into the barn. 

He rolls his eyes, smiling teasingly at you. "Bitch," he says playfully, tossing his hair back dramatically, "you're a liar and you know it." 

As you get into line to get cider and other food, you stick out your tongue at Asmodeus. "Oh, we're calling each other names now, huh? You wanna fight, ho?" 

He wiggles his eyebrows, his hand quickly grabbing your butt and squeezing. "I'm only a ho for you, beautiful." He leans forward, his breath hot against your ear. "Calling me names like that turns me on, you know." 

You stare at him. You cannot have another repeat of what happened in the corn maze. "Everything turns you on." 

He snorts, leaning back so that he's standing up straight. "Only because you're so irresistible!" 

Once the two of you get to the counter, Asmo orders apple cider for both of you, a jar of honey (you see a strange glint in his eyes when he orders it), and two dozen donuts. 

The two of you sit under a tree to drink your cider. You eye the two boxes of donuts, and Asmo follows your gaze. "It's for everyone back at home," he explains with a shrug. 

Despite them always being at each other's throats, you know that all the brothers truly care for each other. It's calming to know that every time you leave the demon realm, they will always have each other to rely on. 

You and Asmodeus sit in comfortable silence while drinking your cider. You watch the crowd and soak up as much sun as possible. You've spent quite a long time at the cider mill; you're happy to be back in the human realm, but a part of you is itching to get back to the Devildom.

Since when did it become home? You're sure that a big part of it is the demon sitting next to you. 

You finish your cider. "Are you ready, love?" Asmo stands up and offers you his hand. 

You nod and take it. The two of you walk back into the tree line, each holding a box of delicious-smelling donuts. 

You walk through the trails and back out into the groove. The portal is already waiting for you. 

You say a silent goodbye to the sun on your back as you head back home, and to whatever Asmodeus has planned for the rest of the night. 

[kcabyap]

r-really? Is The Tree really interesting? 🥺 It grows from the courtyard of RAD and it seems like just a part of the setting but it's sentient. Its branches cover the whole sky and glowing leaves shine upon the Devildom. It's a major player of one of my scenarios, has its own thoughts and goals albeit it doesn't exactly *think* like humans do. It has also a backstory - mainly how even Yggdrasil type of tree ended up sprouting in RAD. It never blooms though and due to the type of magic it has, no demon can move it or pretty much do anything to it, so they're stuck with a huge glowing tree in the middle of RAD.

Though I have to admit it's not the most mobile OC so even in its own plot it resides a bit in the background. Kind of difficult to move around when you're a tree.

That's so interesting!! I know they may not have much outward appreciation for it, being a sentient tree, but still; please tell them I love them!

[evelynsfics]

The jealous phantoms that walk among us.

Ayame once stood as a cruel queen of a kingdom long reclaimed by the earth, now, she walks the streets as nothing more than a simple human, her true nature hidden behind her facade of fake innocence.

Tw: blood, dark themes

A/N: this is yet another fic based off of a dream I had last night. The lovely Ashe or @mind-in-the-cosmos here on Tumblr, from the Obey Me! Server I'm in, inspired me to write this as a full on fic.

Aki belongs to the Amazing @demon-simper.

Aki walked through the library, quickly scanning each one of the endless, shelves. Her golden eyes fell on an elegant, crimson tome with golden letters, "For the Queen's final breath", it read.

Aki narrowed her eyes, she gently traced her finger over a patch of deeper red, she had a sneaking suspision it was blood, but she was being drawn in by something ancient, and powerful.

She decided this would be the book that she'd write about, Satan was surprised when he saw her holding the heavy tome.

They sat down at one of the tables, and both began reading.

A blinding city sat upon a giant warship, gentle moonlight danced between the stars, leading the way deep beneath the ocean.

A queen in brilliant red, like a wildfire, her crown of ash and roses, bloodstained from countless battles.

Three traitors hid amongst the sheep for slaughter, waiting for their king to arrive. Holding onto strings for survival, deception and betrayal waiting at every corner.

The horns of war sound in the distance, breaking the ocean's calm, the sunken ships grasping for the bloodshed yet to come, ghostly hands reached up from the abyssal depths.

The tall, metal gate looked almost golden, ancient letters and symbols long forgotten in their original form.

The Queen knew it wouldn't hold forever, the traitors where clear as the shallow, flowing waters that gave life to the glass tree, its mosaic light reaching beyond the horizon.

"Guards," she spoke, her tone as cold as the anger held within her deep, brown eyes.

"Those three," she looked within the forming crowd, her piercing gaze met their shaky ones, wandering eyes moved like the water droplets on the beautiful stained glass.

They hoped to hear their Queen assure them with broken promises, yet what they truly yearned for was far more violent in it's true, destructive nature.

"Execute them" the words fell like a blessing upon the bloodthirsty demons below, they madly cheered as the succubi, no, the traitors, where apprehended and forced onto the sideways plank, standing next to each other, they realised they wouldn't see their kingdom leave in victory, for this Queen and her people, thrived in violence and death.

The previous Queen, Hana, despised violence. She hoped to solve her kingdom's problems by peaceful means. She managed to mend their relationships, but once she fell gravely ill, Ayame took over.

Her violent approach won her war after war, as the army's general, she fought on the front line. Her sword was one of beauty and elegance, the blade thin yet deadly, was crafted by the continent's most skilled warrior, the pure metal used gave it a golden shine underneath the silver starlight.

The succubi stood, awaiting their death, until it finally came.

The sharp sound of a blade slicing through the heavy air, followed by the splash of salt water, was only matched by the cruel smile dancing on Ayame's lips as she watched from above the crazed demons.

The gate finally gave way to the pressure of the enemy kingdom, countless succubi and incubi in darkened armor poured in, their shields looked like cloth infront of her own army and their weapons.

She watched, observing the masses slicing each other to bits, the cruel smile never leaving her rosy lips.

The archers marched through the now broken door, the pieces lay bloody on the floor, some fell to the sea, sunken to their final resting place.

An arrow was shot, the guard caught it before it could even come close to the Queen, she stood unwavering, even as the blood smeared her cheek, and coated the wooden floor, filling the air with its sickly sweet smell.

Excitement soon replaced the freezing anger in her eyes.

Two guards in all golden armor ushered her below the ship, in her private room. Ayame's royal crimson dress danced in the angry wind as she walked down the stone steps. The sound of her heels clicking accompanied her soft laughter.

When both of the guards finally left, her piercing eyes fell atop a corner, where the lanterns golden light failed to illuminate.

Her voice was muffled, the sound of the heavy, wooden door closing caught her words and echoed them back into the room.

"There's no need to hide," she began, walking over to where her sword was resting in its scarlet case.

"Your presence has already been revealed dear friend," she spoke as she removed her sword from it's sheath.

"Or perhaps, you are an enemy. Wouldn't that be quite the twist?" the amusement in her voice was hardly hidden, a cold gust of air snuffed out the light, her pale pink hair gently moving with the wind as she walked forward in complete darkness, the hushed smell of caramel only growing stronger as she moved.

Both Aki and Satan looked up at each other, the final page had been messily torn out, jagged edges of old, yellowed paper stuck out of the cover, a few words could be barely made out, death happened to be one of them.

A sigh left Aki's lips, she was clearly annoyed as she was looking forward to what would happen in the end. Satan reached up and patted her shoulder in a reassuring gesture.

"Devildom books are ancient, some have pages that have been ripped out, most aren't in perfect condition, and it makes it hard to read them." he explained, sighing at how precious stories and memories where handled so poorly.

Aki hummed, pushing back her chair, she got up, and so did Satan.

"I'll take it back home, if I'm going to write a paper on it, I want it to be as accurate as possible, I'll probably have to read it again" she spoke as she looked up at the clock hanging on the wall.

"Good luck on the assignment, I'll be here if you need help" He spoke, pushing his chair back in as she stood next to her.

As they walked home together, Aki couldn't help but think of the similarities between the evil queen in the book, and her friend, Ayame.

Somewhere, in some shitty back alley, a single, tattered page of a book finally unearthed, is soaked by blood red water, lost for all eternity. As a short girl wearing a muted olive jacket walks away, her pale pink hair swaying softly in the gentle wind.

She can't have her secrets revealed to all those she once ruled over eons ago.

That would mean surrendering the throne, the same throne she built with fire and the scarlet blood of those that dared oppose her. And she wasn't ready to let go of all she once had.

[paulieshore]

Obey Me / SCM Au Series

Warnings: conflict of interest, triggers, drama, minor angst

Words 3158

I do not own the rights to these characters, characters belong to:

·         Obey me! Shall we date

·         Star crossed myth - Voltage

  Chapter 10: I’ll Do Anything

 Rain fell; dripping off your face, the fighting raged on around you. Not that you could hear, sounds drowned out by the falling of rain and sobbing. Focused on the still smiling individual; dead in your arms.

Moments ago, you were hugging his warm, heart pumping body in Solomon’s apartment.

Next….

You leaned over and placed a kiss on his cold forehead, even in death he was a smiling idiot. Tears continued along with the rain drops, soaking the pair of you.

.

The streets were in utter chaos, police arrived on scene, guns raised behind open car doors. News vans and cameras set up, reporting whatever was happening behind them. No one could believe what they were seeing, figures, creatures and people of some sorts; combating. Like something right out of a horror film, in the midst of the chaos a broken girl holding a man.

.

“M-Mammon, please don’t go.” You gently shook him; eyes still open “I’ll do anything you ask of me; I’ll even do your homework”. Hoping with some miracle, bribing him would magically bring him back to you.

Leon grabbed your arm and tried to pull you away “Get up! We need to leave!”

Your heart was in agony, your soul crushed. A build-up of something inside you triggered when Leon insensitively tried to take you away from your friend. You had no intentions of leaving Mammon, not unless you were taken away in a casket as well. Strength from deep within, as you shook his hand off and briefly made eye contact with the god.

Leon was shocked when she looked to him, something changed in her eyes. The stars that shined in them swirled, as if a cosmic galaxy was being sucked into a black hole; your pupils dilated. When you shook him off, he felt something else force his touch away.

He wondered ‘What is this, power?’

The rain that had been falling stopped and floated in space. Orbs of light from the fight; black and white, frozen too. Sounds muted, only one’s own breathing could be heard. Everyone was confused, and mesmerized; as if they were all under some spell.

The atmosphere rapidly changed to an even more alarming state. The air dropped to freezing temperatures, and then hiked back up to extremely humid and warm; fluctuating. The sky began darkening, and twisting, right above.

An aura surrounded your very being, Leon tried again and slowly reached out. “Y/N?” he cautiously spoke to you.

Something unleashed “GET AWAYYY!!” screaming at him.

The aura pulsated and sent a shock wave out as you belted, everything around you and Mammon pushed away with great force. Cars flipped, trees uprooted, everyone around thrown 20-30 feet from their spots. Even Karno and Leon were thrown with such force, windows shattered, the ground split outwards from you. Lightening of red scattered across the sky following a horrendous rumble of thunder. The police and news crew, thrown back with no effort. Front ends of their vehicles lifted, sirens and lights set off by the impact.

The aftermath was that of a bomb.

You turned your head back down, tucking it into Mammon’s chest. The ground began to rumble and shake, the harder you cried.

.

.

 The Underworld / Heaven

 Everyone stopped throughout all of Devildom, everything began to shake. Shingles on buildings began to fall off the roofs, demons ran around the streets ducking for cover in nearby shops.

An earthquake?

The demon lords castle also shook with greatness.

“What’s happening Barbatos?” Diavolo sturdies himself against a wall.

Barbatos stumped “I never seen anything like this when I peered into the timelines!” Holding onto a nearby side table. “Is it the King, sir?”

Diavolo shakes his head “No, this feels different, it’s much stronger!”

*In ruins of the old fortress*

Partheno stumbles sidewise when the ground profusely begins to shake, “What in the hell?!?”

The ruins of walls crumbling faster with the shaking.

“IMPOSSIBLE?!? IT CAN’T BE!” The dark kings face twists into shock. He grasps his chest; an old wound begins to burn with heat.

.

*Screams all across heaven*

Vega looks to Kivy “My King, what’s going on?!” she falls to the floor unable to stand.

Kivy’s eyebrow raises; the corner of his mouth twitches too “My, my, her powers have awakened….” Gripping his throne.

Zyglavis appears with a stagger, “Your highness!! I think now would be a good time to intervene!!”

Cocking his head to the side, “No, the shows only just begun.”

.

.

 Human Realm

 Lucifer stood up, his ears buzzing as he tried to balance himself. He frantically looked around, seeing his sibling’s bodies scattered about. Far from where he was, he sees you holding Mammon, noticing the constantly changing aura around you.

It was growing as if it were alive, taking shape into a dome. The wind around began to pick up, rubble slowly being dragged by an invisible force towards it.

.

*SNAP*

Huedaut appears, he can’t believe it; the destruction.

Only moments ago, he was staring into the pool, the streets looked nothing like this. His eyes are attracted to an illuminating spectacle. This glowing light at core of it all, you. His feet begin to be pulled, dragging along the cracked concrete.

.

“I’m sorry Mammon, this is all my fault *hic* It’s all my fault!” Gripping his cold body tighter.

.

Crow pulled himself up, a tree had landed on top of him. All the reinforcements began to retreat, “What’s going on?”

Servillah approaches to aid him, he points over to where you were “It’sss the girl!”  Both of them stunned, no one warned them the mortal still had her previous life’s glory. They had every right to flee, they’d once faced off with this power alone and were easily out matched.

“Will live to die another day!” Crow spat before they disappeared into mist.

.

Hue couldn’t believe it; it really was her… 

Only she had such brazen power hidden behind compassion. He had a hard time believing this mere mortal was the incarnation of his lover, but this pushed aside all doubts. The closer he got the more he witnessed how the power had evolved almost, the dome was tearing things to shreds upon contact.

“No…”

.

The boys slowly gathered; sheltering themselves, Solomon was knocked awake when he hit the ground. He stood in awe as he watched what was happening, and how you were unscathed. “I knew there was something special there…”

Asmo grabbed a dazed Solomon and dragged him behind a flipped vehicle, “What do we do!?”

They all looked to Lucifer.

Lucifer’s face was pale, a single tear stained his cheek.

“…”

“Lucifer?” Satan called to him.

He looked to his younger siblings and without a word, began to march towards her.

.

.

 The House of Gods

 Aigonorus was the only one oblivious to what was happening, fast asleep. Zyglavis returned swiftly from heaven, with no orders.

“Hue has gone!” Tauxolouve warned him “Dammit what is he thinking!”

“He is the master of his own choices; Hue will have to face the King after this matter.” Zyglavis responds with regret.

.

Everyone respected Huedaut, he was the wisest of them all. Considering all that had happened personally to him, he still pushed forward. Lately though it didn’t go unnoticed; he seemed distracted. How Zyg wished Hue worked in punishments rather than wishes, he could have kept a closer eye on him.

Zyglavis, as someone who understands the great need for balance. He understood the balance Hue must be seeking out for within.

.

Dui points down into the pool “Look!”

They were watching the drama, Huedaut appears, being pulled towards you.

Scorpio says scanning the scene “Where is that damn Lion and Karno?!”

Krioff takes a head count “Um… Where’s Partheno gone?”

.

.

 Human Realm

 Lucifer could clearly see, but he didn’t have the slightest clue what he was going to do. He just knew he needed to get to you.

Pain, she was in pain.

He wanted to console you, weep with you. He related to the pain you were feeling, the guilt perhaps. He didn’t want you being alone, that was his brother, he’d share the burden with you.

The closer he got the more it felt like something was crushing his lungs. The same sort of feeling when they approached the mansion that day.

He struggled to breathe, “Y/N?!?!”

.

.

“Y/N? ….”

“Oh Y/N? You need to get up for school, you’re going to be late at this rate?!” A voice called out to you. A woman draws open pink and yellow curtains.

Sitting up, ‘wait, where am I?’ You rub your eyes and look to the her.

“Mom?” Your eyes were burning, it’s been so long since you’d seen her face, or even heard her voice. ‘Can this be?’

“What’s the matter babe, are you not well again?” 

She reaches over moving your fringe, putting her hand to your forehead. “My god, your burning up! I’ll call the doctor!” She tries to leave the room when you grip her wrist.

My hand? It’s so small…

Her voice silvery “Babe, please lay back down, everything is going to be alright.”

‘I was somewhere else, wasn’t I? Is this real?’ You were questioning yourself, but you couldn’t remember where or what else you were just doing. 

Your mouth seems to have its own control.

“Mom, I’ve missed you!” Your voice was small.

The look of confusion on her face “I haven’t been anywhere babe? Just rest, I need to call the doctor”

She turns to leave; you reach out again trying to catch her before she goes. All you grab is air, her body disappears into a smoke like substance. You jumped from the bed, afraid.

“MOM!!”

‘No, no, no, it can’t be!’ This familiar agony rising in your chest.

Rushing out the bedroom door, the hall contorts, shifting into a hospital. The smell of cleaners, reminded you of dead hopes and dreams; filled your nostrils.

…

“Miss!”

Turning around, a nurse staring at your bewildered, a folder in her hands. The reeking hospital was too much, a faint pain in the back of your skull began.

“You shouldn’t be wondering outside your room. Come now, I’ll help you back to bed.”

You somehow already knew the answer but your mouth asked anyways “Where’s…. where’s my mom?”

She paused and casted pitiful eyes at you, catching a glimpse of her name tag then; Charlene. She crouched down and gently took your hands into hers, “I’m sorry miss, your mom is gone… Your appointed guardian will be here soon, you need to rest; doctor’s orders.”

‘Yes of course, I knew that’ 

It was strange, you couldn’t decipher whether this was a memory or reality. Everything was so surreal; didn’t you know a nurse named Charlene?

“Your mom wouldn’t want anymore harm to come to you now.”

Slowly it came..

‘Of course, Mom’s dead. 

She died instead of me; it’s my fault.

I got sick and she had to get into the car and take me... She was singing to me in the car, when...

We were hit. 

Mom didn’t make it... It’s all my fault.’ Your head began to throb, you’ve already lived this.

“Come on, let’s get you back to bed.” She picked you up and held you close.

A familiar voice ringing from behind.

“Excuse me nurse, please, I’ll take her”

You look, now it made sense. ‘Of course, I remember you.’

He approaches with large strides, exchanging quick words with the nurse on duty. He gently takes you from her, “I’m sorry it took so long Y/N, but I’m here now, it’s going to be alright.” He tilts his head slightly, “I brought you some ice-cream, why don’t we go and share it?” Smiling.

How could you forget a smile so calming, so kind?

.

.

Karno slowly sat up, he was thrown over a metal bench not far from the scene. Taking a moment to get his barring, troubled by the sight. His eyes falling to you, how his heart ached.

The image was similar to that; fifteen years ago.

.

.

Huedaut got closer, he didn’t care at this point, rubble of stones and branches hitting him.

“Fate?!”

She didn’t respond to him, head still down. She was shaking, holding Mammon. He gambled his options, and threw himself into the dome like shield surrounding you two. 

The pain was in no measure to what he felt inside himself.

He hit the ground hard, it was calm and quite contrast to the chaos and destruction outside. He could hear your teeth clattering, nose sniffling.

He whispered your previous name once more “Fate...” Slowly wrapping his arms around you.

.

.

The memory morphed…

You were sitting on a stone wall looking out to the most breath-taking sunset.

‘What, what’s this?’

“Mom! Mom, look what big brother got me!” A young boy skips behind and takes the spot next to you. “Isn’t it beautiful Mom, I like this bracelet very much, oh! Not nearly as beautiful as you though!”

You stare at him briefly, his cheery tone reminded you of someone… But who? Your mouth again moved on its own accord.

“It is indeed my handsome boy. Asmodeus did you thank your brother?”

‘ASMO?!?’

“Yes, mom. Luci got one for you too!!”

You knew Asmo, he was a demon, right? Your head felt funny again… What’s going on?

.

.

She was as cold as ice, shivering and crying. Huedaut peered over to Mammon, reached and closed his eyelids.

Lucifer appears inside the dome next, worse for wears.

calling to you “Y/N, let’s take him home…” hoarsely.  

No sooner after those words, everything stopped.

.

.

Lucifer’s Pov

He watched as Hue threw himself inside, observed as gashes tore into his body. He quickened his pace; and followed suit.

Huedaut closed his brother’s eyes, Lucifer was slightly annoyed on how he addressed you. ‘She isn’t her, this is Y/N.’ he thought. He called to YOU, that’s when the chaos abruptly halted, things falling and crashing to the ground.

Your body slumps forward, breathing laboured.

Huedaut carefully pulls you back, and releases your deathly grip on Mammon. Checking your vital signs, he then turns his attention to me.

“I’ll do anything” I croaked out, almost pathetically.

I have already sold my loyalty for my sister; I am willing to surrender my very life for MY brother.

…

…

*SNAP*

.

.

 Devildom

 Diavolo was looking over old archives, he couldn’t quite put his finger on what had happened earlier. His help; Barbatos, also couldn’t see anything in any of the time loops. 

He knew this sort of glorious magic, the sort a god could only wield. He wasn’t 100% certain, after the place stopped shaking, he immediately dived into research.  

He suspected Kivy, King of Gods was manipulating Barbatos visions. What was he hiding?

...

“My Lord, we have company.” Barbatos enters Diavolo’s study.

He briefly looks up to him, not hearing a word he said “Are the preparations set?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Very good, could you-”

“My Lord? I’m sorry to interrupt, but you have company. A visitor would like to speak to you personally.”

Diavolo sets the papers down and looks questioningly at Barbatos. “Bring them in”

He shuffles to the side and slightly bows his head. Huedaut walks in slowly from behind him, cradling in his arms; Mammon.

“Huedaut, God of Aquarius…… is it?” Glancing down to who was in his arms.

He nods to Diavolo “I have a proposition for you”

.

The House of Lamentation:

 Hue snapped you all here, before he picked Mammon up and vanished.

“Where’s he going with Mammon?!” Levi suspiciously asked.

“…”

Lucifer walked over and picked you up off the floor, he turns to his brothers “I ask, of you all, just believe in him.”

No one had the slightest clue what he was trying to imply, or what was going on. At this point there wasn’t much too do. The brothers were exhausted, their minds, hearts and souls a mess.

Solomon speaks up “I can have a look at her if you want, you should sit down for a moment” Noticing the amount of blood that covered him.

Lucifer’s eyebrows pinch together, “No, I will take care of her.” marching out of the room.

He took you straight to his study, and laid you body on the sofa gently. His face inches away from yours, whispering

“I will protect you with my life, Y/N…”

He drops a feather like kiss to your lips before getting up and making his way to the bathroom.

.

.

 Heaven

 Kivy watched your dreams progress, constantly fiddling and showing you the worst of your days.

“Hm, so Death is your trigger…”

He continued watching in the floating mirror, only this didn’t reflect his image.

It presented to him dreams and memories of all beings.

The mirror was thick, with perfectly proportioned grooves on each side of the polished silver. He smiled as he watched you interact with Karno, how your eyes illuminated when you spoke about stars. He waved his hand in front of it, changing it to another time.

The time you fell off your bike, and gruesomely skid your knees. Watched as you tried with all your might to be strong and not cry out in pain.

He found it funny how you couldn’t figure out whether this was a dream or not.

“Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory...”

He was going to enjoy toying with you, he wanted to see just how strong you could be before begging for mercy. He wanted to see just how far he could push this mortal, punish that soul of yours.

* Laughing to himself. *

.

.

  Human Realm

 Leon was mortified as Karno pulled him off the ground.

‘That girl, that power! Twisted bastard was right.’

…

“Where is she Karno?” Leon looked around; everything was destroyed, many individuals missing.

You and the demons, gone.

“They’ve left…”

Leon snapped his attention back to Karno “What do you mean they left; we need to find them now!”

He couldn’t allow this; on one hand, the girl was a danger to the realms. Another, dangerous forces were after that very power. He was furious with the situation and with you, furious and intrigued.

‘I’m going to teach that girl a lesson’

None of the demons were around, or that sorcerer. Little to his knowledge about Hue being there, Karno thought best not to bring it up just yet.

Before they could leave, they needed to fix this conundrum.

Leon growled inwardly ‘Great, even more pestering jobs’

“Karno, once we’re finished here, we are going to Devildom.”

.

.

 End of Part One.

Stay tuned for Part Two - Chapter 1: Shame on You.

  Now on Ao3. Like, comment, reblog - if your not following, follow my page for more updates! Thanx for reading

Mwah xxx

[misc-obeyme]

unchained - chapter seventeen

masterpost read the chapter on ao3

recommended music: Graveyard by Halsey word count: 2336

GN!MC x Arsenios [demon OC] a/n: We finally see the whole story of what happened to Arsenios through his own eyes. The first scene does take place after the scene I wrote over here with Solomon. But you don't really need to know that. Warnings: blood, restraints, wounds, implied torture

Arsenios stood in the darkness of the human world night, looking up at the scattering of stars that he barely recognized. He had been here enough times to know some of them, but their odd locations and different names still threw him off.

It was winter and while Arsenios himself wasn't cold, he could see his breath upon the air in front of him.

Nearby, the lights of some small town twinkled. He stood close to a line of dead trees, their limbs reaching out like black skeletal hands.

Arsenios huffed, wondering how long he had been waiting. He had other things to do, pacts to make, but he knew he couldn't miss out on this meeting.

Just as he began to notice the creeping in of an odd mist, he heard Caligo's voice call his name.

Arsenios turned to find Caligo standing there in his black robe with his shining scythe. His yellow eyes were narrowed in a glare of displeasure.

"Finally," Arsenios said. "Took you long enough. Where have you been?"

"Avoiding that sorcerer," Caligo said. "I can sense his magic on you."

Arsenios rolled his eyes. "What, Solomon? I didn't ask him to summon me, you know."

"Did you make a pact with him?" Caligo asked.

Arsenios frowned. "Who do you take me for?"

Caligo stepped forward and put his scythe under Arsenios's chin, tapping it gently. "I take you for a fool because you are one. Solomon has convinced many a demon more mighty than you."

Arsenios grabbed the scythe and pulled it aside as he stepped in closer to Caligo with a grin. "Jealous?"

Caligo sneered and pulled his scythe out of Arsenios's grip. "Like I said, a fool."

"You just wish you could make a pact with me," Arsenios said. "You'd love to have that kind of control, wouldn't you, Caligo?"

"I'm not here to engage in clever banter with you, demon," Caligo said. "Show me your pacts so I can get to work."

Arsenios shrugged and rolled up the sleeves of his black shirt, revealing pact marks all up and down both arms.

"You've been busy," Caligo said.

"Do you need me to slow down?" Arsenios asked. "Having trouble keeping up?"

"Every word you say makes you sound stupider," Caligo said, but his tone was mild. He was focused on the pact marks, somehow extracting the information he needed from them to find the humans on the other side of the bargains.

There was a silence while Caligo concentrated. Then he blinked and looked up at Arsenios.

"Done?" Arsenios asked.

Caligo nodded blandly.

Arsenios rolled his sleeves back down. "What would happen if the other reapers found out about what you're doing?"

Caligo was silent for a long time. "Why would you ask that?"

"I'm not taking any risks here," Arsenios said. "You're speeding things up for me, but otherwise I'm not doing anything I wouldn't normally do. But for you…"

Caligo turned away. "What do you care? As long as I'm helping you, what does it matter?"

Arsenios nodded. "You're annoying as fuck," he said. "But I don't hate you. Whatever it is you're trying so desperately to prove, I don't think this is gonna do it. I think this is only gonna come back to bite you in the ass."

Caligo turned back to glare at Arsenios, clutching his scythe hard.

Before he could say anything, though, Arsenios shrugged. "But it isn't my business. Good luck with whatever it is you're doing, Cali."

Arsenios grinned at Caligo's fuming expression - he hated being called Cali - and disappeared into the Devildom, leaving only a blank expanse of snow where he used to be.

-

Arsenios was in the Devildom, walking down the street that would take him home, when he was suddenly summoned. One of his pact marks began to glow and the world changed, pulling him through the magic until he was standing in the human world instead.

He found himself standing at a crossroads in the moonlight. Nearby he saw some kind of abandoned barn and he was instantly compelled to go into it. He recognized the feeling of someone using his pact to compel him.

He went inside and found the place dark and dirty, full of rust and metal and wood.

In the darkness, he saw Caligo standing before him. He wasn't yet on high alert, but something wasn't right.

Arsenios frowned. "You aren't the one who summoned me," he said.

"No," Caligo agreed. "But I'm the reason you won't be able to leave."

Arsenios saw the black leather cover of his grimoire in Caligo's hands. It was closed, but it nearly vibrated with tension. And in that moment, he realized his limbs would not move. His arms, his legs, he couldn't even shift into demon form. Caligo was using the grimoire to control him, to keep him captive.

His confusion rising, Arsenios met Caligo's eyes. "Cal, what are you doing?"

The expression on Caligo's face was stoic. He was trying to appear neutral, but Arsenios knew him too well. The way his forehead crinkled like he was doing all he could to maintain his calm.

"Caligo," Arsenios said. "Tell me what's going on."

Caligo couldn't look at him, keeping his eyes on the grimoire in his hands. "I didn't know you made a pact with a sorcerer."

Arsenios tilted his head. He hadn't made a pact with a sorcerer. He knew better than to do that. His prey was always regular, unsuspecting humans. "I didn't-"

"I'm afraid you did." It was a different voice, coming from the darkness behind Caligo.

Arsenios couldn't move his body, but his eyes seemed to be free. He searched as well as he could, finally seeing the human lurking in the shadows.

Arsenios recognized the man instantly as a human that he had made a pact with. But at that time, he had appeared like a normal human and now he was clearly dressed like a sorcerer.

Arsenios looked between the sorcerer and Caligo, uncertain about what was happening.

"You remember me, don't you?" the sorcerer said. "This reaper has taught me many things about the workings of pacts and grimoires. It's known that your particular brand of musical magic allows you to sever bonds, but not when it comes to your grimoire. Now that it has you where I need you, the rest will be easy."

Arsenios felt his heart sink. It was true that his music could slice through certain pact commands, especially ones that held him in one place. But the grimoire was too powerful for that.

"What do you want?" Arsenios asked.

The sorcerer stepped aside and Arsenios saw behind him a table covered with shiny implements.

"The mysteries of the uses of demon blood have still not been discovered," the sorcerer said. "I have many ideas on how it might be utilized."

Arsenios looked at Caligo, who finally met his eyes. "Cal, please," he said softly.

Caligo closed his eyes and turned his face away. At the same time, the sorcerer used the pact to force Arsenios to his knees. He had no will to fight it.

"Cal," Arsenios said. "I thought… you…" He couldn't complete the sentence and the most painful, broken note reverberated through the space.

Caligo winced hard before backing away into the shadows as the sorcerer closed in.

-

Arsenios blinked his eyes open slowly. He was in pain. So much pain. Around his wrists and his waist, the harsh bite of chains dug into his skin. His muscles burned, his shoulders especially screaming as his wrists were bound high above his head. He hung there, dazed. He could smell the tang of his own blood.

And his hands…

Every single bone in his hands had been broken. They hung limply from the chains, useless. It hurt, but the knowledge that he could never use them properly again remained just beneath his consciousness.

Arsenios had lost his concept of how much time had passed. The sorcerer that kept him here was using him, his blood, his magic, for so many different experiments that he no longer knew what the purpose was anymore. Maybe there never had been one. He couldn't remember.

He managed to look around the gloom of the abandoned barn. He'd been there for so long, he knew it in many different ways. Even now, without much light, he knew its layout. He breathed slowly through the pain, listening.

The sorcerer was not here.

Arsenios had been biding his time. He had not seen Caligo since that first night. The sorcerer seemed to think that the power of the pact combined with the chains would be enough to hold Arsenios. And due to his extremely weakened state, it was mostly true. But now that the sorcerer was gone and he was alone…

Arsenios closed his eyes, breathed again, and sang.

His voice was hoarse. It sounded so scratchy he wasn't sure if his melody would do anything.

But he persisted.

It took a long time. Bit by bit, what was left of his magic leaked through the notes he sang brokenly into the darkness. With each pitch, a tiny piece of the chains that bound him cracked.

For hours in the darkness, Arsenios sang note after note. It wasn't a song. It was a desperate, wordless tone, over and over.

Until at last, the chains broke.

And Arsenios fell to the floor all at once, the chains clattering around him.

His release should have been a relief, but the pain that shuddered through him was more intense than before. Previously, he had gone somewhat numb, but now every part of him was screaming.

Arsenios knew he didn't have the luxury of waiting around. He couldn't simply remain there on the floor, he had to get out.

Could he?

His magic was practically gone. He couldn't return to the Devildom, though he tried. Ever since Mammon had caused the portals between the human world and the Devildom to close, Arsenios had obtained special permission from Barbatos to use his own power for such travel. But he couldn't move between worlds. His magic had been just strong enough to slowly break through those chains. He couldn't perform anything stronger than that.

Arsenios blinked in the darkness. He slowly pulled himself into a sitting position and looked down at his hands. They were crushed and mutilated. He wanted to sit there, to cry over them, to mourn the loss of them, but he had to get out.

He had to get out.

Arsenios couldn't stand. He was too weak. So instead he pulled himself forward on his belly, using his elbows and forearms to pull himself along the ground. He was in demon form, too unstable to maintain his more human looking form. The bare skin of his chest and arms began to bleed as he dragged himself along.

It was painstaking. And he could sense what was left of his magic sending broken chords out around him. He didn't have any concept of just how loud that music truly was. He was too focused on getting out.

Arsenios knew he was leaving a trail of blood behind him. The sorcerer would only need to follow it to find him again. But he couldn't just stay here. He had to try.

Eventually, he found himself right where he had begun - at the crossroads. All around the barn and the roads, it was nothing but weeds and grasses. Everything was scratching and painful to his already burning wounds.

When Arsenios knew he couldn't go any further, he let himself collapse. There in the crossroads, he continued to bleed into the earth of the human world. He was face down and he couldn't even see what remained of those human world stars.

In the daze of pain, he could almost start to hear the faint sound of his power, crying out in music form. But to him it was more like a low static buzz than anything. A power muted.

He drifted in and out of consciousness for hours. Until finally, in the predawn light, he felt someone turn him over.

He blinked up through swollen eyes and saw… a person of some kind.

"My hands," he said, but his voice was ragged. "My hands, my hands, my hands."

It was all he could say, all he could manage to get out.

And then there was a clear sound, like a trumpet. Arsenios felt himself surrounded by a gentle golden light. And then… the pain was gone.

Well, most of it. His hands, his muscles, he even felt clean like the blood, dirt, and sweat had all been washed away.

Arsenios opened his eyes wide and saw an angel. An actual angel, with wings and everything. They hovered above him, their dark skin, lavender hair, and white wings searing themselves into his mind forever.

"An… angel?" he whispered.

The angel was staring at him, fear clearly written all over their face. And then everything went dark.

-

You found that you were yourself again, but it was like you were floating above Arsenios, taking in the horror of what he looked like just before Gabriel healed him. You watched as Gabriel used their angelic blessing, as Arsenios fell into unconsciousness, as Gabriel dragged him into some bushes before they flew away in a frightened hurry.

It was several moments before you saw a portal open nearby and watched as Barbatos stepped through it. He looked the same as he always did. He was in full demon form, though, and the twitch of his tail gave away his emotion.

His face remained calm as he picked up Arsenios.

Arsenios was not a light demon - he was big and tall and likely quite heavy. But Barbatos lifted him as if it wasn't an issue at all.

Barbatos looked up at you, as though he knew you were there, which was not possible.

And then he carried Arsenios back to the Devildom through the portal he had arrived through.

masterpost | chapter sixteen | chapter eighteen

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