Danse de la Mort Noir

PRIDE

PRIDEIt is not easy to leave the things you have revolved your existence around for. Then again, it never has. And just like Heaven, Earth is ripped away from this time. But at least this once is done for the greater good. Demons are not meant to be above ground, after all. I am also taking the twins along with me, whether they like it or not.

“Wait,” I say before Lucifer sends anyone back. “There’s still more.”

“What is it?” he asks impatiently, arching his eyebrow in a half curious, half menacing manner.

“It’s not just the twins that I want you to bring along, but any other demons that walk on Earth and steals human life forces.” I know that I am just pushing it, but it is worth the try.

His previously smirking lips turn into a thin line instantly. “You’re demanding a very hard bargain, Saw.” He walks around the stage again, this time facing the audience. Beelzebub starts at us blankly, seemingly bored with the whole ordeal. If I had a heart, it would have been beating loudly by now. I am seconds away from getting zapped by lightning, which I am positively sure he can make happens if he willed it to. “However, if you are willing to cooperate through the plan I have in store,” he glances back at me, “then I shall agree to your wish.”

It is not just me who is caught in surprise, but Beelzebub as well. He will pull all of the force back? Aw, this is just too good to be true! Then again, perhaps it really is.

Gulping, I force myself to ask, “What do I have to do in return?”

The room seems to grow darker as he pursues to stare at me, before glancing away, ignoring me on purpose. So it is a no-go, then. He is not going to answer. This means I will have to bet on all of my cards, no matter if I will win or lose. There is no getting out when it comes to him. I can only choose how I will go down, in a bad deal or a worse one.

He must have felt my silent agreement touching the air, because the next thing I know, a jolt of blue flame sparks in the middle of the stage. The fire expands in the air, forming a frame as big as a door. In the inside is an endless pit of darkness.

The lack of reaction from the frozen audience starts to give off a weird sensation. If they even know what is going on, with the gate to hell being so wide in the open, they would have been running away out of pure fear right now.

Beelzebub does the honor of stepping in first. With one foot in, he nods at the direction of the back of the stage, where the twins appear and walk up obediently. They do not speak. They do not even dare to spare a glance at the demon beside me as they following the green haired First.

Stepping at the side of the portal, Lucifer offers me to pass through first.

This is it: The turning point. He might betray me, going against his words after he has me back. And I will not be able to do much, because when I am weak compared to him on Earth now, I will be even much weaker once we get down there. But at the same time, he will know that I will try to get back on Earth again if he does break the deal. And the last time I was gone, it took ten thousand years for him to confront me face to face.

So, taking a step forward, I sink into the space of oblivion, down and down to the hell hole.

I fall pretty deep, but not as deep as the first Fall. Soon enough, all kinds of light come up, heated from flames and magma. Endless landscape of erupting volcanoes invades my visions, covered by demons that seem to be ready to bow down at our arrival. Effortlessly, I break the fall with slowing pressure in the air until both of my feet touch the feverish ground.

Under the angry red moon, there are at least a thousand demons standing in this area. We are near the castle, so there is no wonder why it is so crowded here. Tall buildings cage us side by side, with ancient craving decorating the surface and blinding red lights coming from the windows. The architectures here rival those glassy buildings that those humans built very well, though there is no mistaking that these buildings here scream supernatural.

“Not that bad, huh?” comes from Beelzebub.

The twins are gone when I spot him in the middle of the attraction. The crowd keeps a safe distance from him, well, us, as they bow their heads, obviously acknowledging our ranks. I count a little number of those who actually recognize my face, before Lucifer finally graces us ─ or in this case, doom us ─ with his presence.

The rest practically drop on their knees when he lands behind us, which brings cocky smirks at these two Firsts. They definitely enjoy the fear these demons show to us. I am starting to wonder if he opened the portal here instead of inside the castle right away purposefully as we walk pass the crowd, which literally splits into two like a sea. Kind of reminds me a little bit of Noah, except for the part when it was water that splits into two. That display was certainly way cooler than a bunch of demon slaves, in my personal opinion.

While they do so without even thinking twice when Lucifer and Beelzebub walks by, they seem to be a little hesitate when I pass by at the back of the small group. Some even look at me straight in the eyes, which is something I am aware that none dare to do with those two.

“Bow, you worthless slave!” Beelzebub snaps from in front of me when he notices where the direction of my eyes is directed at. The sharpness of his tone does not just shatter my last of hope of him possessing just a little bit of Len in him, but also cause those demons to flinch in fear and bow deeply to me.

Think that for a split second I can forget how gluttonous he can be, being feared being one of those things he prides himself on.

Beelzebub almost causes a bigger commotion, if it is not for Lucifer to stop him. He puts a hand on Beelzebub’s shoulder, almost in a fatherly way.

“Now, now. There is no need to make a fuzz out of it, Beelzebub. What we need is not force. An example has to be made first.” Fatherly, almost, until he turns to me and says, “Would you want me to chop their heads off?”

No, correction, he practically offers me, as if this is a polite gesture being done by him. And the way he says those words, so casual as if he has done this every other day, causes me to be concern of their general population.

“Nope. No heads. I’m good,” I reply quickly, before ushering them to proceed in walking.

The road directs us straight to an island that floats in the middle of a lake, connected by a bridge. The castle is a chandelier of blue flame, with towers soaring up to the literal black sky, complete with lightning every now and then. There are a lot of windows, stairs and levels. The ornaments are even more intense that from the area we arrived at previously. When we get closer, I can see some creatures swimming around the black lake, which liquid resembles more like grease than water.

The inside of the castle is more isolated than an abandoned village, and the decoration is even more gothic than haunted houses combined with cold elegance. We are almost greeted by silence until we reach a room where a certain demoness stands in it. Her hair is a tranquil blue, tied in two knots of red ribbons in curly tails. She has red eyes, just like Lucifer. And just like him, she also has wild irises.

“Welcome back,” she greets Lucifer with respect, but ignoring Beelzebub and I, as if we are not here. Her eyes are locked in Lucifer’s, not leaving him even once as he approaches a desk behind her.

“How was it, Lilith?” he asks without returning her gaze, his eyes glancing at the papers on the desk for a second, before staring at the wide window behind it. The sky is in an eternity of night time here, and the red moon is blazing as well tonight. I almost forget how magnetizing the view is here.

“I have taken care of everything, Master,” she answers, but do not go further than that as she casts me a suspicious glance. But Lucifer does not press the matter, and instead dismiss her from his office.

Lilith seems like she wants to say something, but knows better and holds her tongue. He dismisses Beelzebub as well. Once they leave the room and shut the door close. Crossing his arms over his chest, he begins.

“I have a plan. Everyone is participating. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone. I have everything set on place. The armies, the weapons, and the targets. There is just one thing missing, though. One of the big players for this game. Guess who it is?”

“Me,” I conclude. “And what kind of plan it is that requires all your big players to be in it?”

“You know the game. It has always been the same game.”

There is only one subject that matters the most to him, if he ever care about anything at all.

“War with Heaven? I thought past experiences have given you the general idea of this old thing.”

“We were so close the last time, Saw. This time, we are going to take over for sure. Together, we will overrule the Throne. We can go back─”

“It doesn’t matter if we go back. Things will never be the same again. When will you ever learn that?” I almost snap, my tone hot.

“But we will be back. This time for sure,” he says rather harshly, almost forcing the words to come through his lips. It is as if he is struggling with an invincible force.

There it is. That wild look that is missing in his eyes. Now he looks more like the fallen Morning Star I know.

“Well, I’m not playing,” I say.

“This is not an open option. I am ordering to.”

“Or you’ll what? Torture me until I can barely feel anything anymore? Nothing you haven’t done to anyone around.”

“I might just do that….. Or, I can just torture your boy toy here.” With a snap of a finger, Clovis appears right beside him. I gasp even when I do not need to breathe. Lucifer is quick in wrapping a hand around Clovis’ neck, and the boy is helpless underneath the demon’s influence.

I can see it in his eyes. He is looking at me, but at the same time, he is not. Clovis is struggling inside, I know, and if I do not get him out of here soon, I do not think he is going to survive.

“What are you doing? This is clearly a violation against our agreement. Let go of him at once!” I lose my cool in one of Clovis’ heartbeat.

But he chuckles darkly instead, as if any of this is supposed to be funny. “And why do you think I will hear your demand this time? After all, you’ve swear yourself not to help me. That means I have nothing to lose if I kill him, right?”

I unclench the grip I unconsciously have on my fists. Fight him physically with be a lost cause, and fight psychologically will drive me to devastation. I know all of his old tricks. He is one sneaky mind. He is not afraid to dispose those who he really sees has no value. If I do not react fast, he will really kill Clovis.

“Don’t involve him in this. I mean it. He has nothing to do with your plans. It’s not fair to get in mixed up in your twisted game,” I tell him.

Lucifer is just about to open his mouth when Clovis interrupts him. “No, don’t do it, Annalyss. Whatever he wants, it must be something bad, or worse. Don’t do it for me.” That diverts my attention of him.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about, human,” Lucifer notices this and quickly dismisses him, snapping his finger. And just like how he came in, Clovis disappears from sight.

“Where did you send him?” I ask him sternly.

He only shrugs his shoulders. “Wherever I picked him up from.”

“He better be alright when I find him after I get out of here, or else it’s deal off.”

“You’re not the only one who knows the others one’s habits, Saw. I know you’ll really check to make sure, so consider the deal sealed.” He offers up his hand for me to shake, but I know that it’s more as precaution rather than just a gesture.

I shake my head. I still do not know what exactly is his plan. I am not just going to completely agree to whatever comes later. And I am not taking any chances.

“I will listen to whatever you are going to say, but that’s it.” Lucifer arches his eyebrow, much in his annoyance.

“Still not giving up, I see.”

“I’m not stupid. One human life for a world domination? He’s not worth it.” I make sure that my demeanor does not give out anything when I say those words.

Suddenly, he strolls forward to me, taking three steps and stopping right in front of me. Leaving not much room to move, he stares into my eyes sharply, watching me closely. I look back emotionlessly, but gaze back just as ascetic. I see his right hand moving from the corner of my eyes, but I still do not dare to break the stare. He places that hand on my shoulder, gripping it so strong that it almost seems as if he is ready to rip it off.

My arm will grow back eventually, of course, but the pain will be worse than hell. His nails are growing and starting to sink into the bare skin where my gown does not cover. Blood is drawn from the piecing wounds when his nails mark. It is not red that trails down from the wounds though, but black.

Before the damage becomes worse though, he abruptly lets go, causing me to almost stumble back by the hastiness.

“Fine, you win,” an arrogant smirk is plastered on his lips soon enough.

That does not look like someone who just got a bad end of a deal at all. It is either he is trying to make me suspicious and not let my guard down, or he really does have a backup plan for this. And if the later is true, no judgment in this world can blame me for being scared. Anything that comes with him, as long as he wants it, is serious.

After I am dismissed, I find Beelzebub waiting for me patiently at the other side of the doors. He approaches me with too much hospitality, but at least I do not have to be that way when it comes to what he wants.

“Come on. You’re staying in my room,” he says, interweaving his fingers with mine like I always do with Len. He even smiles like his undercover persona as he drags me off.

“Why? What’s wrong with my old room?”

“It needs to be prepared first. You know why, being abandoned ever since you were away. How long was that again─?”

“More or less ten thousand years.”

“─yes, and you can just imagine how thick the dust has formed inside that place. The slaves will need more time in cleaning it.”

“Then why not the guest room?” That makes him glances back at me.

“Do you really hate my room that much?”

“It’s not your room, it’s you. I need my privacy.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Well, I do, because that privacy includes me singing and maybe playing some instruments while I wait to whatever Lucifer is going to say about his master plans.”

“Still don’t mind.”

I yank his hand and walk to an opposite direction. Beelzebub follows and catches up to me soon. I want to walk faster, but it is kind of impossible in my state of condition right now, being have not fed for quite a while now. The boost I got from Nixandre does not last that long.

“Where are you going?” he asks after some time.

“Somewhere deserted. I really need my privacy, or else I am going to go mad being trapped in this place.”

“That’s okay. I can put a blocker in my room, if you want. No demon will get influenced by your music.” It’s not just humans who are influenced, but also demons. The side effects however, are different story altogether.

“Yes, no one, except you. It’s your room, so I assume you’re going to stick around.”

“Naturally.”

“Then I don’t want to stay in your room!” I snap in irritation.

“Why?” he asks in an innocent tone. Yeah, like he does not know why.

“You know why!” My reaction only causes him to chuckles in mixed amusement.

“So what? I’ll just start to kiss and flirt with you. Nothing I haven’t done before.”

“Yes, but that was just because you were under the influence of my music. You were forced to oblige to the urges even when you didn’t want to.”

“Well, I never say that I have ever felt forced to touch you. Quite the opposite, in fact. I must say that I quite enjoyed our time together.” He picks a strand of my hair and twirls it in his finger, before planting a kiss on his. All the while, his humored eyes never leave mine. “Okay, I lied. I very much enjoyed those times.”

I push him away rather forcefully, taking a few steps back before saying, “Well, I’m not like that anymore, so stop it.”

“Where are you going to go? The others are not informed yet of your arrival. The servants will not even prepare a room for you even if you order them to, considering that almost all of them do not know much of you.”

“That’s fine,” I continue walking on my way, “I’ll just find an empty room and stay there.” Hopefully with the one full of instruments. I can lock myself in there until Lucifer’s plan is revealed. Yes, that seems like a good plan.

It is not even the third step when I lose my balance out of nowhere. my knees is this close to dropping to the carpet, but Beelzebub is faster in catching me. I have no choice but to lean in against him as support.

“What do you know,” his voice sounds distance away. “Looks like you just hit your limit. Lucky for you─”

But I do not have time to hear the rest as my body slams into a dormant state in full force.