Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hell

Alastor’s room

He woke up with his face buried in a bunch of fur.

Lucifer blinked, then smiled as he moved his head to nuzzle against Alastor’s neck The Overlord was still asleep, one arm draped over him, a soft moan heard from his throat.

They were both only their boxers, laying on their sides facing each other. Last nights pre-sleep activities hadn’t gotten to the point of full nudity: Alastor had started to get uncomfortable when Lucifer made the suggestion and he had promised him they would at the Radio Demon’s pace. Still, Lucifer had been proud of what they did achieve.

Respectful exploration of each other’s bodies. A bit of licking, nipping and leaving hickies all over each others necks and shoulders. Pity Alastor’s was mostly concealed by his fur. Meanwhile, Lucifer had a couple of bite marks from where Alastor bit a little too hard and had drawn blood. Alastor had apologized, then immediately remarked that his blood had tasted ‘pleasantly sweet’.

It had been a reminder that his boyfriend was a cannibal and realize he should probably set some boundaries on the blood drinking thing. After all, he had no idea if angelic, more specifically fallen Seraphim, blood would cause any side effects in a sinner. Alastor hadn’t remarked on it having any effect at him at the time, but the amount had bit only a few drops, if that. Still, best not take any chances?

Lucifer sighed and snuggled his face into that soft chest fur once more, savoring it for a few more moments before reluctantly pulling away so he could sit up. Alastor hadn’t reacted at all to his movement: from the smile on his face he appeared to be in the middle of a pleasant dream.

Hope it’s about me. With a soft chuckle, he leaned down and kissed him on the cheek before getting out of bed, thinking to let him sleep a little longer while he washed up.

Once in the restroom he looked in the mirror to see the ‘evidence’ of last nights activities on himself.

Ah, that sneak got me on the jawline. Chuckling as he lightly touched the golden bruise there. No way he could hide that unless he healed it, but he didn’t want to do that. It will fade on it’s own quickly enough due to his natural, accelerated healing rate.

“Luce?” He heard Alastor call out.

“Just washing up a bit,” he called back.

“Luce….” He froze when he heard the distress in his boyfriend’s tone.

Lucifer immediately bolted out of the restroom and back into the room proper, thinking Alastor dream had turned into a nightmare. It turned out that wasn’t the case, but he had wished it had been.

Alastor was sitting on the edge of the bed, his back to him. In one hand he was holding an unrolled piece of parchment: said hand was trembling. There was only one person that it could have come from which would have invoked such a reaction from him.

Lucifer didn’t bother going around the bed, instead climbing over it to get to Alastor’s side. “When?” he asked, the concern, the fear evident in his own voice.

“This evening…,” Alastor replied, his voice trembling with static. He crumpled the paper in his hand as he added with bitterness. “It’s not a hearing...it’s a trial.”

Fuck. Daraz would no doubt pull out everything he could to get the verdict he wanted.

“I...I can’t lose them…,” Alastor was saying, tears visibly welling up in his eyes, the parchment dropped to the floor. “We can’t lose them….”

Lucifer embraced him, Alastor wrapping his own arms around him tightly in response. “Let’s pray to Father,” he suggested. “If anyone can ensure the best possible outcome...it would be Him.”

“Would He even listen to a wretched sinner like me?” Alastor whispered softly.

Would He listen to a fallen angel like me? He dared not voice that thought however. “It’s...still worth a shot,” he replied, trying to sound more encouraging than he actually felt.

“I...alright.” There was doubt in his eyes, but he sounded willing to try as he pulled away far enough to interlace both their hands with each others.

Then they touched their foreheads together and silently Prayed.

---

Evening

Heaven

Akos had really wanted to tell them in person, to portal to the Hotel and give a….

No...I have to stay positive. They had a chance to survive this, they were sure of it! To go to the Hotel would have made it harder to comply with the summons. To not comply...would have giving Daraz all the reason to send an execution squad after them. One that may not care what collateral damage may occur in their hunt for them.

No. Letting them know through a letter had been the best option, no matter how much it hurt.

Now that damn portal to Heaven was open before them. Waiting. Demanding, that they step through. Akos couldn’t deny the feeling in their gut that if they did so, they would be sealing their fate.

I have no choice.

They looked back at a stack of papers on a desk. Notes on their research on breaking Deals. A part of them wished they had sent them to Alastor along with the letter, but they knew to do so would imply the worst. They wanted to give them some hope they would come back from this. If the worse did come to pass...Akos hoped Alastor would come here to….

Akos shut their eyes to stop the tears and shook their head. Positive. They had to stay positive. After breathing a heavy sigh, they stepped through the portal….

...and came out into the lobby of court building. Of course they wouldn’t allow them to walk through the public areas to get here.

It’s too ‘bright’ out there for me anyway… With a snort, they started walking toward the main courtroom, spotting Sera and Emily a short distance away from the doorway.

“A moment,” Sera stated, holding out a hand before she passed them. Akos bit her tongue to keep her from making a snide comment and instead nodded in confirmation.

“Your attire….” The Elder Seraphim gestured toward their red shirt and pants. “It’s not...appropriate. You should show your wings as well”

Akos huffed a snort and magically changed it into a simple blue and white robe, her wings manifesting from their back. “Better?” they asked with a bit of sarcasm.

Sera was sighing in exasperation. “I’m trying to help you….”

Akos raised a brow in mild surprised. “Why?” they asked. “I’ve been an annoying thorn in your side for the last few centuries.”

“But you are still one of us….” The Elder Seraphim stated softly. “The loss of an experienced Seraphim is one we can ill afford these days. And…”

There was an uncharacteristic crack in her voice. “I don’t want you to share the same fate as Bahis….”

Akos ears went back and their hood snapped out briefly as their tongue flicked. “What are you talking about?”

“Bahis...actually returned before you,” Emily revealed, her tone sad. “But he was...all wrong….”

“He was mad,” Sera elaborated. “His body was recognizable, but his mind? He was incomprehensible. We tried to cleanse him...to cure him...but…after he started attacking people….”

Sera’s wings and shoulders dropped low as she said. “It was ultimately decided to use…Telum Paternus.”

Spear of the Father… Akos’ mouth dropped open. That relic was kept in the deepest of Heaven’s vaults, only to be accessed when Father Himself permitted it.

“He was sent to oblivion then…,” Akos remarked, both Sera and Emily nodding in confirmation. They felt an odd bit of weight lifted from their shoulders, a bit of closure they hadn’t known they needed. “Why are you telling me this now?”

“To give you context on why Daraz was so insistent on having you executed last time we all stood in that court about you,” Sera told them. “He was blinded by fear of a repeat of what happened with Bahis...but I could see, and the other Elder’s did as well, that you were some how still sound of mind.”

“The Observer...it must have been the reason…,” Akos stated. “It must have protected me from the madness….”

There was a noticeable flinch in Sera. “If you hope to survive this trial, Akos,” she warned. “Best keep that kind of talk out of it.”

“Even though it clearly explains the...different results?” Akos growled.

“This trial is about your recent activities, not your journey into the Beyond.”

One would hope,. Akos wouldn’t put it past Daraz to bring it up, especially if they were able to satisfactorily explain away whatever accusations he had lined up for them.

“My Ladies,” Pelet’s unmistakable deep, rumbling voice announced. Akos saw his imposing figure standing in the doorway: they couldn’t help but flinch when they saw he had his spear with him. “Daraz wishes to start the proceedings.”

Akos and Sera shared a sigh, both sharing a feeling of dread. “Good luck,” Sera said as she and Emily went in ahead of them, Pelet stepping out of the way.

A deep breath later to calm their nerves further, Akos stepped passed Pelet and into the courtroom.

Did they just hear the Angel of Deliverance mutter a ‘fear not’ to them?

Chapter Text

There was a sensation of being stifled, suppressed, as Akos stepped fully into the courtroom.

Of course they would make this room a ‘no magic’ zone. Akos mentally snorted in mild annoyance as they took their place at the defendant’s podium. They were fairly certain they could use chaotic magic though if they had to, as this only ‘felt’ like it stopped at the level of angelic/demonic. Hopefully they won’t have to test that theory.

The courtroom itself was the same as last time they were here: blue and gold with multiple tiers of balconies. On the two side walls were seats for the lower class of angels, though a quick glance showed these were mostly empty save for the most senior members at the very top. The wall opposite of them was where the Seraphim sat, though these too were almost empty save for the top three tiers.

Third last was senior members: this was where Emily was sitting. Second to last were where all the Elder Seraphim sat, Sera among them, with two exceptions. First was Pelet, whom standing on the ground floor with them next to the far wall: this was expected of him as the Angel of Deliverance. Second was Daraz, whom was sitting in the top most balcony as was his right as Angel of Judgment for a proceeding such as this.

Akos briefly flicked back their ears and barely stopped themselves from snarling at the black and white clad angel, easily able to see the faint smirk on his face.

Stay positive. Stay composed. They knew losing their cool here would be used against them.

There was something else though, something off they couldn’t place, something that shouldn’t be here.

They didn’t have time ponder on it, let alone risk a spell to try to pinpoint it, as one of the Elder started the proceedings. Akos listened half-interested as the typical mambo-jumbo was stated, until they started listing the charges.

“Breaking of a critical term of agreement.”

My contact with Lucifer, no doubt.

“Conspiracy. Suspicion of treason.”

Not surprised. They had to fight to not roll their eyes.

“Consorting with demons.”

Seriously? Akos suspected that one had to do with Alastor.

“Failure to perform duties as ordered.”

That was the end of the list, most of which Akos felt they could explain away easily so long as they worded things carefully. Though the ‘conspiracy’ one they will have to be especially careful with, as that one could easily go into the ‘Beyond’ business.

There was an uneasy silence that stretched for a few seconds before Daraz spoke.

“What say you to these charges, ab….Akos,” he said, bastard barely able to keep the contempt out of his voice.

Not being very impartial are you? They dare not say that out loud, however.

“Oh I have much to say,” they began. “Though where to start?”

“Start with him.” Sera offered, the viewing orb between them showing an image of them and Alastor in Cannibal town.

“Yes,” Daraz had growled. “The drone monitoring you that day was destroyed while you two were in a suspiciously romantic setting.”

Akos couldn’t help but laugh. “Ah, such a wild assumption,” they said. “Just because someone decides to take a stroll through a garden with someone does not mean they are romantically involved.”

There were a few murmurs of agreement.

“That said, while the purpose of that visit was involving romance, it wasn’t in regards to myself, but another that had caught his eye,” Akos further explained. “And the Overlord of Cannibal Town just happened to be an expert on such things.”

“Why where you with him in the first place?” one of the Elder’s asked.

“Emotional support,” Akos replied simply: they honestly did not want to reveal the next part for the sake of Alastor’s private life, but felt there was little choice. “This was something he hadn’t experienced before and since we’ve known each other since the day he first spawned in Hell, he trusted me to be there for him for this meeting.”

“Then why destroy the drone!?” Daraz snapped. “If the interaction was so ‘innocent’?”

“The drone was disguised as a product belonging to a bitter rival of his,” Akos replied with a slight snarl. “He detests being filmed, especially by the likes of said rival. If I hadn’t destroyed it, he would have. You know how...violent...political matters can be, no?”

Again there were a few murmurs of agreement.

“The question remains on why you are in close contact with an Overlord such as him to begin with,” an Elder asked. “You were sent as a spy.”

“A spy that only watches from a distance is not as effective as one that makes meaningful connections within the agency you desire intelligence from.” Akos answer resulted in a nods of acknowledgment.

“But doing so risks you becoming sympathetic to the enemy,” Sera warned.

“Perhaps...but it also gives an opportunity to change things from within,” Akos stated. “And through Alastor, I did, for I was the one that trained him to become what he is today.”

There were a few gasps of shock.

“Why?” There was a tremble in Sera’s voice.

“Hell at the time was stable, a status quo that had held for centuries,” they explained. “Such stability increased the risk of the various Overlord’s uniting and demand action against the yearly exterminations. Perhaps become loud or bold enough to rouse the King into actual action...if not the King, then the Queen.”

They noted a few trembles in the angels above them before continuing. “With my guidance, Alastor cut down the majority of the ‘old guard’ as it were, thus reducing the risk of an uprising even occurring, at least for a time.”

“But it does not resolve the overpopulation issue,” Sera pointed out.

“No, but that is why the Morningstar have started that Hotel,” Akos stated. “Perhaps, it would help if we knew what sent souls to Hell in the first place. Hmm?” They tilted their head in an almost mocking way. “Then perhaps we could better prevent them from going there in the first place by being more active on Earth?”

There was a significant amount of uncomfortable shuffling in all balconies.

“Enough. There is still the issue of you getting into contact with the Morningstar!” Daraz pointed out.

Akos sighed and steeled themselves, knowing this would be more difficult to adequately explain away.

“Alastor had been badly hurt by Adam during the last extermination,” they began. “His injury would have eventually sent him to true death. I could have left him to die, yes, but I felt he still to valuable to not only to the Hotel, but for the continuation of ensuring the prevention of a full unification of Hell.”

“Saving him had not easy,” Akos continued, pacing a bit. “It took a bit of effort to draw out the energy that was poisoning him. However, because my angelic powers were not what it once was, not only was I not able to heal, but I missed some of that energy. There was only one other person in Hell that could finish the job.”

“Lucifer,” Sera stated, to which Akos nodded. “So for a lowly sinner you broke the agreement, a sinner that could have been replaced by another.”

“Alastor is not someone that can be ‘easily replaced’, Sera,” Akos hissed. “He is an extremely rare soul that was capable of using magic the moment he spawned in Hell!”

“What!?” Sera exclaimed, echoed by cries of surprise and disbelief among the others.

“Before you get your knickers all in a twist, he is not powerful enough to take on any of the Heavenly host: he was nearly killed by Adam, if you recall,” Akos assured them. “My purpose for him is strictly focused on Hell itself.”

“What magic can he use?” Daraz asked, surprisingly calm.

Akos hesitated, their tongue flicking out briefly. This line of questioning could go very badly and will have to be navigated carefully.

“Mostly demonic,” they replied. “With a hint of chaotic.”

“And you taught him how to use that dangerous magic?” Daraz pressed.

“Only to enhance his demonic spells. He cannot cast chaotic magic directly like I can,” Akos assured him.

As the Elders and other angels discussed among themselves for a time, Akos noticed that off feeling they got before was getting stronger. It was like something was trying to creep under their skin. Something that didn’t belong and not at all holy.

They took a risk while the rest of the court was distracted with their discussions. “Agnluta su na ghhas thannus fta taan (expose to me what cannot be seen),” they whispered, a part of them hoping it would reveal nothing, or that the spell didn’t work at all.

Unfortunately, it did work.

They could now see thin, branching, dark veins, or roots, running along the walls, balconies and floors, all radiating from a single point. The top balcony where Daraz sat: standing beside him was the visage of a woman…Eve.

No, that was not Eve...at least not anymore. There was something dark in that body...something….

Their eyes widened, irises turning gold as their ears pinned back and hood started to spread.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

“Akos, what is wrong?” Sera spoke, having noticed their distress.

“Heaven is compromised!” Akos declared. “Father’s Adversary is within these Holy halls!”

The moment they had said that, they knew they had made a mistake. ‘Eve’ had a broad grin on her face and Daraz beside had a ‘got you’ expression on his face.

“Oh, what nonsense!” Daraz said with a laugh. “Roo...here? That’s impossible!” He laughed harder, a few another angels laughing with him.

Oh no…. Akos looked at Sera, whom looked torn between believing them or disputing them.

“I think all that time in the Beyond...and in Hell...has finally made you truly mad,” Daraz was continuing.

“Wait!” Emily cried out. “What if they are right!?”

“Again, impossible!” Daraz spat. “Father may be asleep, but there is no way that evil can penetrate the Veil around Heaven!”

“You are wrong!” Akos countered. “Roo may not be able to come here under their own power, but they can be invited in!” Considering ‘Eve’ was right next to him...they had a good idea on who it was.

“And who would be stupid enough to do so?”

“Perhaps not through stupidity, but through trickery and deception,” Akos growled. “Considering it is you I see them standing beside...invisible to all but those that know how to see.”

“You dare!” Daraz flew down from his balcony to get in their face. “I am the Angel of Judgment! I am above such nonsense! You have no proof!”

“Then perhaps I should show all of you what I see…,” Akos growled, summoning their staff.

Before they could utter a single word, Daraz struck them, knocking them to the ground and knocking out a tooth. Golden blood laced with black trickled out of their mouth from where the tooth once was.

“Your blood isn’t even pure gold anymore,” Daraz taunted as he flew back up to his station. “To think we even considered keeping you around, let along considering a holy Seraphim! Bah! Even Lucifer still has pure golden blood, unlike you!”

‘Daraz-,” Sera started to plead.

“This creature is too dangerous to keep in Heaven...and too powerful to be banished to Hell! The last thing we need is for that upset Morningstar to get powerful ally in his army against us!”

“Daraz!” Both Sera and Emily both shouted, but the mutters of agreement with Daraz were getting louder.

“I judge that Akos be executed for the safety of Heaven! All those that agree raise your hand.”

Akos’ heart sank as most of the court did so, Emily and Sera among the few that did not.

“Well then…,” Daraz was leaning against the railing with a broad, satisfied grin. “Pelet...do your duty. Kill them.”

Akos snapped their focus toward Pelet, whom had moved his spear into a battle position. However they caught him mouthing the word ‘run’.

So they did….

Chapter Text

Hell

Meanwhile at the Hotel

It had been difficult to focus on any of his duties today and Alastor could tell Lucifer was having similar trouble. As did Charlie once she had cornered them both and demanded to know what was making them look so depressed.

They somehow managed to get through the day, but once evening came around, the time Akos would have gone to Heaven for their ‘trial’, Alastor found himself unable to focus on anything else, so he returned to one of public balconies. He was soon approached by Vaggie, Charlie right behind her.

“So what’s eating you?” the former exocist remarked. Their attitude had thankfully softened since his relationship with Lucifer was revealed. Though he believed it was more his willingness to try to get Angel out of his deal with Valentino that caused the shift.

“Vaggie, I don’t think it’s something we can talk about…,” Charlie warned.

“It’s OK, Charlie,” Alastor countered. “Whatever the result, I don’t think it keeping it a secret will matter anymore.”

“Sounds like something big,” Vaggie said, sounding intrigued.

“A dear friend of mine...and relative to both Lucifer and Charlie...is….” He huffed a sigh, his antlers growing a bit as he slammed a fist on the railing. “Is being put on trial right now over some Heaven boulé!”

“Oh mierda,” Vaggie breathed.

“I think the main thing is that they weren’t allowed to be in contact with Dad or me...but they had to, to save Alastor,” Charlie elaborated. “And...from the sound of things they were already on thin ice with Heaven due to being one of the Lost Seraphim Dad told us about.”

“So the odds are stacked against them…,” Vaggie sighed, placing a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry.”

Alastor shook his head. “Something like this was inevidable for them…,” he said softly. “I...was hoping it hadn’t happened so soon. They were the one that was looking into breaking deals for me, due to their...unique talents.”

“Seriously? You’re the Deal maker here and you couldn’t figure something out yourself?”

“I read what Angel wrote down for me on the contract’s contents: Valentino was very thorough with that Deal,” Alastor explained. “So forcing it’s breaking, whether through Akos’ magic or threatening him, would be the only options.”

“Mierda.”

“Let’s...try to lighten the mood a bit,” Charlie suggested. “I’m sure you have some funny stories to tell regarding your time with them?”

Alastor couldn’t help but chuckle, a fond smile on his face as a few already came to mind. “Ah yes...there was the time I ‘tasted’ an unfinished potion of their’s despite being warned not to,” Alastor began. “Ended up being a shrink potion.”

Vaggie looked motified. “Unfinished….please tell me your clothes shrunk with you!”

“Sorry, my dear, but no,” Alastor said with a grin. “I was a three-inch tall naked deer demon for about an hour.”

“Gah! No! The mental images I’m getting!” Vaggie held her head, Charlie brusting out in laughing.

“Come now...you wound me,” Alastor said dramatically. “Lucifer happens to find my naked form quite attractive.”

“TMI, Al!” Both Charlie and Vaggie cried, prompting him to start laughing.

“Come on, girls, it’s true!” Lucifer’s voice announced as a pair of grey hands wrapped around his waist. “And he happens to find my-”

“No, no, no Dad! Don’t you dare say it!” Charlie exclaimed, prompting laughter from both Lucifer and Alastor.

“OK...do you have any other stories that don’t involve nudity?” Vaggie was saying with a sigh.

“Oh! Tell them about Akos’ advantures in cooking, Al,” Lucifer prompted, the King having moved to his side. “Still giggle when I think about those!”

“I was already planning to, my beloved,” Alastor said with a smile before telling the tale. Both girls started laughing, especially at the ‘attack of the killer potatoes’ one.

Lucifer took over and told them, well, mainly Vaggie, about how Akos attempted to take Alastor’s place that one day and the fun he had with them playing shapeshifter ‘hide and seek’. This led to a story from Alastor when he tried shapeshifting for the first time, only to end up as a stag with four hindlegs and no front legs. Lucifer admitted to that happening to him a couple of times when he was very young.

Then Alastor told how he made his first shadow minion...only to have no control over it and it made quite a mess of Akos’ home. Akos had to destory it and helped him make a new one with the proper sigals to ensure he could command it.

“Ah the joys of learning magic,” Lucifer was chuckling. “Fun times, dangerous at times, but still fun when you look back on it.”

“Ah yes, the joys of hindsight when you remember how much of an idiot you were back then,” Alastor agreed, holding Lucifer close. “I’m sure you had your own, right Charlie?”

“Uh...yeah…,” Charlie was blushing. “I tried to light a candle ones with my powers only to-”

There was flash of light that drew all their attention to the sky. A portal had opened, but it wasn’t in Akos’ style.

It was in Angelic.

Seconds later something came through, half-flying, half falling. They were followed closely by a second, their flight stable, the unmistakable glow of a heavily spear in their hands.

No…. Alastor felt his heart sink as he recognized the first as they came closer, the meaning clear. Akos had lost their trial...and now they were trying to escape their punishment.

Beside him, Lucifer had roared in fury, manifesting his full demon form before\ taking to the sky, Vaggie following him.

“I don’t think they’ll make it to the Hotel before they crash…,” Charlie stated. “Unless Dad and Vaggie catch them!”

“With that angel chasing them...I don’t think they’ll be allowed to,” Alastor growled, before grabbing her than summoning his shadows to teleport them to the ground in front of the hotel.

“Get on,” he stated as he put his cane away and shapeshifted into an elk stag. Once she was on, he started running…

---

Red threatened to completely cloud Lucifer’s vision as he flew toward Akos and the angel chasing them. As he got closer he could see a massive gash on Akos’ left side and most of the feathers on their middle left wing were just gone. He knew it was more the wound itself than the feather loss that was causing Akos’ flight to be so difficult.

“Sir!” He heard Vaggie call out, the ex-exocist apparently struggling to keep up with him. “If that’s Pelet chasing them….”

“It is…,” Lucifer growled, the lion headed angel’s silhouette was unmistakable to him.

“Then...there’s no way you can-” Vaggie started to say but he cut her off.

“Help Akos! I’ll buy you time!” Lucifer knew he had no chance against Pelet, but he also knew the Angel of Deliverance was very strict on whom he engaged with. Besides, if it was Daraz that gave this order, than he stood a better chance than last time he faced off with him, for Pelet’s overall strength was connected to who he got the order from.

He enveloped himself in fire and flew like a missle at Pelet. The other Angel saw him coming and rolled out of the way with ease.

“My duty does not involve you, brother,” Pelet was saying as Lucifer turned around, the flames around him extingishing and came at him again.

“Fuck your duty, Pelet!” Lucifer screamed led with a fist, his punch blocked the shaft of Pelet’s spear. “I will not let you take Sy away from me!”

“There are things in motion you do not know or understand, Morningstar,” Pelet said calmly before batting him away with the tail end of his spear, sending him tumbling.

Shit...this strength is the same as last time…. That could only mean one thing. “Father ordered you to end them!?” he cried as recovered and put himself between Pelet and Akos.

“No, Daraz did,” Pelet corrected. “However-”

Pelet was interupted when a black tentacle wrapped around one of his legs and threw him. Lucifer looked down to see Alastor in his full demon form, other tentacles reaching out to help Vaggie with Akos. He looked back at Pelet to see Alastor’s attack had apparently caught him off guard, having tumbled a fair distance before regaining control.

Oddly though, Pelet hadn’t started to move to reengage. He was just hovering there, watching. Wary of his intentions, Lucifer took the chance to join the others on the ground. Akos would need healing and he was likely the only one that had the power to do it.

--

Pelet was starting to understand Father’s plan more and more.

Alastor...yes...he was starting to see the plan intended for him.

He will wait for the right moment to perform the rest of his duty.

---

Alastor panted as he reverted to his normal form, Akos now in his arms. He had expected a lot more energy than expected wit his feat, but it had been worth it. Worryingly, Akos was unconsious and he did not like how much they were bleeding….

“This wound is deep,” Vaggie, whom and landed beside him and Charlie, commented. “Likely full of angelic energy too.”

“I don’t know how to draw that out yet,” Charlie stated fearfully.

“I’ll handle that,” Lucifer announced as he landed next to them. “Let’s get them inside first.”

A portal to Alastor’s room opened up and Alastor, with the help of the others, brought Akos inside….

Chapter Text

The moment they were through the portal, Lucifer, his demon from mostly receeded, directed Alastor to lay Akos down on the floor. He could tell there was no time for proper comfort due to the seriousness of the Akos’ injury. Alastor cradled their head in his lap, while Charlie and Vaggie grabbed towels to soak up the blood and Lucifer magicked away Akos’ shirt.

Lucifer breathed in deep and let it out slow as he placed his hands over the wound and started the spell. Immediately he felt a difference between this energy and the one he pulled out of Alastor.

Shit, I should have known. Energy from Pelet’s spear was far more powerful than Adam’s and it was taking all his will to even budge it.

“It’s too strong...I can’t-” he started to say before remembering something. “Alastor! Your cane! I need to enhance the spell with your chaos magic!”

“Wou-would it be enough?” Alastor remarked as he summoned his cane.

“It has to...otherwise….” He didn’t want to think about that. Since he needed both hands for this spell, he used his demon tail to make contact with the cane.

Lucifer immediately felt that raw chaotic energy start to rush into him, buzzing about in his body, demanding to be used. He directed it into the spell, increasing it’s power nearly five-fold.

He felt the energy festering in Akos’ body start to move, to flow out and from into a ball between his hands. It was working! He dare not cry for joy just yet, as focusing on both drawing this out and enhancing the spell at the same time was mentally draining. How the Hell did Alastor do it so easily?

Sweat started to bead on his brow, the strain starting to become too much, but he refused to stop, not until it was all out. After what felt like forever, he no longer felt more energy starting to come out of the wound. He held up the bright ball of angelic light in his hands, a look of triumph on his face as he panted from exertion.

“You’ll be OK, Sy,” he whispered as Charlie began using her magic to start healing the wound. Lucifer intended to help her, but first he had to absorb this energy.

Only he couldn’t.

Instead the damn ball started jerking about wildly, requiring him to use even more power to keep it contained.

“Luci!” Alastor cried in alarm as Lucifer was literally dragged across the room by the thing, his uncontrolled ‘journey’ only stopped by a familiar white hand with fiery red sleeves.

Lucifer yelped in alarm as Pelet took the ball from him and absorbed it into himself: the bastard must had entered through the balcony!

“Very clever solution, brother,” the lion headed Angel rumbled. “Father would be pleased.”

“What are you doing here?” Lucifer demanded, his full demon from emerging once more as he got to his feet. Shit, he was too magically drained to face him again.

“Here to finish the job?” Alastor was growling, the deer demon having joined his side, his antlers spreading by a few tangs.

“I am here to finish my duty yes,” Pelet confirmed. “But not in the manner you think.” The angel then reached out and grabbed Lucifer by the head.

“Hey! Let go!” Lucifer hissed, trying to pry his hand off, but his grip was firm. Alastor had screeched and started to attack, but he was restrained by golden chains.

“Dad! Alastor!” Charlie cried, but Vaggie held her back.

“Hear Father’s words, brother,” Pelet said calmly.

Lucifer gasped as his mind was taken elsewhere. He felt like he was floating, surrounded by white but comforting light.

A voice. One he hadn’t heard in so long...started to speak.

~when the blood of the redeemer is unjustly spilled and the scream of true love is cried, the bells of Heaven will toll~ the voice began.

Father? The voice did not respond to his query, like he was in a memory and not something he could interact with.

~those that hear the bells ring shall either feel My mercy or My Wrath and long standing wrongs set right~

The vision ended. Pelet’s grip released and Lucifer crumpled to the floor, sobbing, his demon form having completely receded.

“Luci….” He felt Alastor by his side. “What...what did he to do you?”

“Father...I heard Father…,” Lucifer cried softly, before looking up at Pelet. “But how...He is…”

“Father is silent to all but me, brother,” Pelet stated softly. “But He still listens. Remember your title, Lucifer Morningstar, for it will be soon be needed.”

He then looked at Alastor. “And you...remember what you saw, for it will be important later.”

Without further explanation, Pelet turned and took wing, leaving the same way he came in.

“What...just happened?” Vaggie asked. “It’s almost seemed like...he wasn’t here to kill Akos?”

“No...he wasn’t, I realize that now,” Lucifer replied, wiping away his tears. “You should know, Vaggie, that he doesn’t hesitate in performing his duties. If he had wanted to kill Akos, he would have done so before that portal was even created.”

“Mierda, you are right,” Vaggie gasped.

“That portal wasn’t Akos’ to begin with…,” Alastor pointed out. “Which means he had to have made it.”

“This means...while Daraz did order him to kill Akos...those orders were overruled by Father,” Lucifer concluded as he returned to Akos side to aid Charlie in healing them. He hugged himself, th revelation that Father was active in His own way….

“You said you heard Father, Luci,” Alastor commented as he sat beside him. “What did He say?”

“Some kind of prophecy?” Lucifer replied, trying to remember. “Something about the redeemer being hurt...their love screaming and bells tolling. I was a bit overwhelmed at hearing Father again...so it’s a bit fuzzy.”

“Redeemer...did they mean Charlie?” Vaggie asked.

“Sounds logical to me…,” Lucifer muttered, not liking the implications.

“Well...if that is the case, it won’t be just you, Vaggie, that would be screaming in rage if that happened,” Alastor growled.

“I think Dad would go all apocalypse on whomever hurt me…,” Charlie muttered.

“Better believe it, kiddo,” Lucifer confirmed with a deep growl.

There was nothing more they could really say, so they focused on the healing Akos. Between both Lucifer and Charlie it was finished quickly. The four of them then carefully moved Akos onto Alastor’s bed and tucked them in. Lucifer then used what was left of his energy to clean up the mess on the floor.

“Al, Pelet said you saw something?” Lucifer asked as they left the room, Charlie having volunteered to do first watch over Akos in case they woke up during the night.

“Yes. I did see something...briefly,” Alastor confessed. “I...I think I saw you as you were before you fell.”

“Can you describe what I looked like?” he asked, wanting to be sure.

“Ah...your eyes were blue, those rosy cheeks purple,” Alastor replied. “The inside of your wings were...in the colors of a sunrise...they in particular looked quite lovely.”

“Yeah...that’s what I looked like before my Fall.,” Lucifer confirmed, blushing a little at the compliment. “I wonder why it was important for you to see it though?”

“No idea, my dear. I guess we’ll find out soon enough.” Alastor let out a huge yawn. “For now...I’m exhausted.”

“Me too, my love…,” Lucifer agreed, yawning himself. “Though it looks like it will have to be my room tonight.”

“Thankfully I’m too tired to care about your tacky décor….”

“Oh fuck you!”

Lucifer started to chase Alastor down the hallway, the Radio Demon laughing all the way.

--

Heaven

“About time you got back.” Daraz’ voice growled as Pelet returned to the court building. “You’re usually more efficient than this!”

“Sometimes even a lion likes to toy with their prey,” Pelet remarked calmly as he walked passed him.

“Whatever, so long as that freak is dead,” Daraz hissed, Pelet pausing in his stride only long enough to watch the angel leave the building.

Pelet huffed a sigh before striding with purpose into the main courtroom. It was empty, safe for Emily and Sera, whom was in quiet discussion.

“I still think he should have given them a chance to show us what they saw…,” Emily was protesting.

“Emily, that would have required chaos magic and you know that is forbidden here!” Sera was admonishing, before her posture became more downtrodden. “While I have my reservations, Daraz’ behavior as of late makes me wonder if there is some truth to their claims.”

“My Ladies,” Pelet announced themselves. “The final major player is in proper position.”

“Uh...what?” Emily asked, confused.

“The time for more direct action is approaching,” he said as he set his spear against he courtroom wall. “To unchain a soul and bring about needed change.”

“Pelet, what are you talking about?” Sera pressed, just as confused as Emily. “It is not like you to be cryptic.”

“Unfortunately necessary,” Pelet remarked regretfully, before adding with a whisper. “For these walls are no longer clean.”

Both Seraphim stiffened in shock.

“And to cleanse them, your aid will be needed when the time comes to complete the first step. Another’s will be needed as well, however….,” Pelet’s face twisted into annoyance. “That one will take some convincing.”

“Who?” Sera asked.

“You will see when the time comes, hopefully,” Pelet replied as he summoned a portal, on the other side looked like a long beach. “Speak of this to no one, especially Daraz...he is not to be trusted.”

He stepped through the portal before any more questions could be asked. Questions he could not answer even if he wanted to.