Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It had been almost a week since their fight, since Alastor’s rampage through the Doomsday District. Unfortunately, that it was done in the Doomsday District was the only saving grace. It was something Lucifer had been afraid of.

Alastor’s prior reputation of being calm and collected was brought into question. Forgotten that in the past his attacks were carefully targeted and collateral minimized: his massive fight with Vox years ago being the one exception until now

It hadn’t mattered that Alastor had actually only attacked those that attacked him first that day, having enough presence of mind to not just attack everyone on sight. Not one bit.

Word one the street now and spreading through Hell was that the Radio Demon, the King’s Consort, was nothing but a savage beast. A brute with no self-control.

Someone not worthy of the King’s Hand.

Some were openly questioning what Alastor had over the King to make him chose him.

Vox had done what he could to counter the narrative, but his renewed friendship with the Radio Demon was still new. Years of rivalry were not so easily forgotten, so Vox’s attempts to smooth things over were not as effective as he hoped.

Lucifer still appreciated his efforts, none-the-less.

Other Overlords, Rosie and Zestial especially, did their part to assist Vox in this effort: while their efforts did help, the tension, the suspicion over Alastor still hung.

It wasn’t helping either Lucifer or Alastor’s stress levels any good and they had both taken to spending time in the training room to blow off steam more than once. One thing was for certain that did give Lucifer some comfort: Alastor certainly was more powerful than he had been before.

But raw power did nothing against rumors. The persistence of said rumors suggested someone, or multiple people, with significant standing, was behind all this. Lucifer had his suspicions, but he wouldn’t get anything concrete until one evening when they had an unexpected guest….

Lucifer had been cuddling with Alastor in the lounge, listening to some soft jazz when he left for a few minutes to get a book to read from the library. When he returned, he saw they had a guest of royal standing.

It was Vassago. The Ars Goetia Prince was chatting quite amicably with Alastor about the music they had been playing. Lucifer smiled, happy he was right that those two would get along.

“Prince Vassago,” Lucifer called out with open arms. “A pleasure to see you.”

“Ah, your Highness,” the red macaw turned toward him and bowed. “El placer es mío (The pleasure is mine). And it is a pleasure to meet your Consort, face to face. So nice to meet another paramour of music.”

“It is certainly refreshing to meet another with appropriate tastes in music,” Alastor quipped with a broad smile.

“I am happy to hear that,” Lucifer said gratefully, before his expression turned to concern. “Though I feel your visit is not out of simple curiosity over my Consort.”

“Unfortunately, you are correct,” Vassago sighed. “Muchos problemas un pie(much trouble a foot). You’ve been hearing the rumors no?”

“Unfortunately so,” Lucifer confirmed with a sigh as he stood beside Alastor.

“It’s that blasted Marquis, Andrealphus and his sister!” Vassago hissed, his disdain toward the siblings clear. “They are the ones behind them!”

Lucifer sighed and shook his head. “Why am I not surprised….” That was own his suspicions confirmed at least.

“But they do more than spread nasty rumors and lies!” Vassago declared. “Whispers of a deeper plot I have caught spoken among my kin.”

Lucifer and Alastor shared a look. “What have you heard?” Lucifer asked, concerned frown on his face.

“As you know, your choice of Consort has ruffled some feathers,” Vassago remarked. “No me importa (I care not), for as King you chose whom you want. Sadly others, such as the Marquis, wish to do something about it aside from spreading false gossip.”

“Oh, lovely,” Alastor had said, rolling his eyes. “I suppose they are behind the recent attempt on my life?”

“Oh no,” Vassago assured him. “Stella may have a thing for assassination, but thus far Andrealphus has kept her on a tight leash. Gracias a Dios (Thank goodness).”

Which meant that imp was working for someone else. Ugh...perhaps Alastor was right about interrogating before vaporizing.

“So what are they planning?” Lucifer pressed, wanting the Prince to get to the point.

“To present to you a more suitable mate,” Vassago said bluntly. “Heard it’s a young Goetia from a lower House named Avani. Don’t know much about her, but rumors has it she has a crush upon you, your Highness.”

Lucifer’s eyes widened slightly at that, before rolling them. “Great….”

“And they are no doubt using that knowledge to manipulate that poor girl into going along with their plans,” Alastor sighed, Lucifer nodding in agreement.

“I fear you are correct,” Vassago sighed. “El más desafortunado (Most unfortunate). No doubt they will use the rumors being spread as leverage to get you to agree...if not...resort to more...underhanded methods.”

That was pretty much to be expected from the likes of them.

“We appreciate the heads up, Vassago,” Lucifer told him, inclining his head to show his appreciation. “We’ll be ready for when they make their move.”

“I hope, whatever they attempt, they will be sufficiently humbled, your Highness,” Vassago stated with a bow. “The bastardo arrogante (arrogant bastard) needs it.

”On that, I agree,” Lucifer said with a toothy grin.

“I must take my leave, your Highness,” Vassago then said. “I wish you and your lovely Consort good health and good luck. Adiós, hasta que nos volvamos a encontrar! (farewell, until we next meet).” The Prince then disappeared in a spiral of stardust.

“So now we know why those rumors were so...persistent,” Alastor remarked with a sigh. “How do you think they will approach us?”

“Most likely, they will make their ‘proposal’ in a private setting first,” Lucifer replied. “To give me the opportunity to ‘save face’ before going public...and use the weight of public opinion to force me to accept this...’Avani’ over you.”

“So our best option is to nip this in the bud at the private ‘meeting’,” Alastor stated. “That may be difficult.”

While Lucifer agreed, he had already decided he was not going to accept this ‘better option’ no matter what they did.

His love for Alastor mattered more than his reputation.

---

A few days later….

Lucifer stepped out of the training room, Alastor right behind him. They had just finished a practice session for their ‘special’ first dance for the reception, the pair now breathless and dripping with sweat.

“I hate to admit it,” Alastor panted as they headed for the kitchen. “But I believe you were right: trying to sing while tap dancing is a bit too much.”

“It is a pity,” Lucifer stated with a sad sigh as they entered kitchen. “Some of the lyrics we were coming up with were quite fun.”

“There’s the issue of time as well,” Alastor reminded him as they poured themselves glasses of water.. “Perhaps it is best if just focused on the dance and save the lyrics for a different special event later.”

“Lyrics?” Charlie’s voice pipped up, his daughter’s head poking through the kitchen door. “For what?”

“Oh just a little something special we are working on, darling,” Alastor remarked casually as they both took a large drink of water. “Unfortunately, we’ve decided that part will have to be on the ‘cutting room floor’ for the time being.”

“Something special…,” Charlie was echoing before she got an excited look. “Is it for the wedding!?”

“You will have to just wait and see, Char-Char,” Lucifer told her with a chuckle.

“I’m sure whatever and whenever it is it will be amazing!” Charlie squealed.

Lucifer certainly hoped so.

After Charlie left, they finished their water. They were about to head back up stairs to freshen up and perhaps relax a bit when Akos stormed into the dining area. The chaos-infused seraphim looked quite done with everything.

“I take it the Sins are still bickering over the new money system?” Lucifer remarked.

“Mostly just Mammon,” Akos sighed, rubbing their head. “While the system of production has been finalized, Mammon kept insisting that he should have more summoning points than the others.”

“Must still be sore finding out his ‘coin’ will be of lower value than Lust,” Alastor remarked with a scoff.

“Indeed,” Akos grumbled. “There was also some contention on how the coins could be shaped: I had to flatly tell Ozzie that we will not be using ‘dick shaped coins’. He can put whatever he wants as an engraving on the coin, but they can’t be shaped like dicks.”

“Eh, that’s the Sin of Lust for you,” Lucifer said with a shrug.

“Oh...and there’s a trio of stuffy looking Goetia in the lobby,” Akos mentioned casually. “Said they are looking for you, brother.”

He and Alastor looked at each other, sharing a similar expression of dread.

“Which ones?” Lucifer asked with a sigh. He was fairly certain on the who, but he had to be sure.

“One I recognized from the Sin Meeting...Andrealphus? Bah...that name is too long for my tired brain right now, I’ll call him ‘Fussy’ for now on.”

They both chuckled at that, soothing the mental exasperation at being right on who one of their ‘guests’ were.

“As for the other two, don’t know them,” Akos continued.

“If I had to guess, one is ‘Fussy’s sister, Stella,” Lucifer sighed.

“And the other likely Avani...whom we were warned they were going to try to convince Luci to take in marriage instead of me,” Alastor remarked bitterly.

Akos was rolling their eyes. “The Sins have been muttering about rumors and such,” they said. “Ozzie and Bee in particular were worried about the wedding getting disrupted by that bullshit.”

“Hopefully we can convince them to fuck off about it,” Lucifer stated. “I’d rather get a chance to be more presentable...but they’ll likely twist our delay in meeting them against us just as much as showing up as is.”

“Damned if you do…,” Alastor said dejectedly as they both started for the lobby.

“Good luck,” Akos called after them. “Let me know if there’s any fried chicken to be had afterward.”

The laugh they got out of that was much needed….

Chapter Text

They entered the lobby holding hands, Lucifer spotting the trio of Goetia quickly. Stella was indeed with Andrealphus and the third brown female he believed he saw at the Declaration meeting. None of them looked like they wanted to be there. Andrealphus had this look like he didn’t like the smell of something, the brown female looked uncomfortable, while Stella was glaring toward the bar, as if she could make Husk, Angel and Cherri disappear with the force of her gaze alone. The three sinners had been ignoring the Goetia, until Husk indicated their arrival and all three of them sat up and took interest.

~Those three are likely making bets,~ Alastor had remarked privately, a hint of annoyance in his tone.

~Likely expecting a show,~ Lucifer said, resisting the urge to eye roll. ~Try to keep it civil, Al.~

~If I must.~

By now the Goetia had noticed them, Andrealphus and Stella striding with purpose toward them, while the third followed a bit back.

“Marquis Andrealphus, Stella,” Lucifer began calmly. “A pleasant surprise that you would come visit here.”

“Ugh ..you reek!” Stella declared, waving a hand in front of her face.

“Stella!” Andrealphus admonished, though he had a look of distaste. “However it is unfortunate to see the King presenting himself is such a manner...”

“It's your own fault,” Lucifer said pointedly. “You dropped by unannounced.”

“Indeed,” Alastor added. “A visit of a more official manner would better served by making arrangements ahead of time.  As it stands, you choose to show up right after we had done a rehearsal and you left us no time to refresh ourselves.”

He then leaned forward a bit, though he has to crane his neck a bit due to the height difference: Lucifer was silently amused at the thought of Alastor having to look up at someone for once!  

“Unless, of course, you would have preferred to wait another thirty minutes to an hour while we washed up and changed,” Alastor pointed out. “Here in a hotel where ‘lowly sinners’ frequent.”

Lucifer has to keep himself from laughing at their disgusted and conflicted expressions.

“Well,” Andrealphus spoke after a moment. “This is a matter of most importance and urgency.  A matter that needs to be resolved before your wedding, your Highness.”

“Oh do go on, Marquis Andrealphus,” Lucifer prompted, his tone heavy with sarcasm.  “What is it that concerns you so much to come here unannounced.”

“Your ‘Consort’ is not worthy of you,” Stella hissed, Andrealphus flashing her an annoyed look, but she continued.  “Running about like a savage…eating your own subjects!”

She was about to say more, but Andrealphus stepped on front of her to silence her.

“What my deliciously attractive sister means is that his behavior is unbecoming of someone who is to be at your side,” he said.  “Your Highness, your long absence has not done you any favors in regards to your reputation and choosing this…individual…will not aid you if you intend to step back fully in to the reigns of ruling Hell.”

“Who I chose to have at my side is my choice and mine alone,” Lucifer said, a faint growl in his tone as he furrowed his brow.

“That is true!” Andrealphus said quickly, his hands up. “However, I fear all your time among sinners has...blinded you to better options for a mate. It is with the best of intentions and good will that I have brought it upon myself to provide a different option. One that is already well versed in the affairs of the upper class and would serve you will in all your needs.”

The Marquis then stepped aside and the ushered the brown female Goetia forward. “This is Avani,” he announced. “She is from a lower House, but is no less elegant or refined as we are, your Highness.”

“Your Highness,” the woman greeted with an elegant bow, her voice a bit rough sounding.  Her eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement as she looked upon him. “It is an honor to finally meet you.  I can see a great future between us.”

Putting the cart before the horse a bit there.  Lucifer glanced over her, aware of Alastor subtly stiffening besides him.  The silence stretched for several seconds, Lucifer catching Avani’s adoring gaze switching from him to Alastor.  Their expression changing to borderline aggression, the feathers on their head starting to flare.

Oh this needed to be stopped before Alastor reacted to the blatant challenge she was giving him.

“I appreciate your…thoughtful…consideration for my reputation, Andrealphus,” Lucifer began.  “But I must decline:  I am quite happy with my choice of Alastor as my Consort.”

Both Andrealphus and Stella looked shocked and affronted.  Avani looked confused and heartbroken.

Alastor’s smile became smug.

“The King has lost his mind!” Stella snarled.

“Now, now, sister, perhaps he can still listen to reason,” Andrealphus remarked.  “Your Highness, surely you realize how…delicate a situation this is?  With the changes you have so graciously warned us about, someone in your position would need an individual of strength and culture by your side for this trying time.”

“And there is no better person to be by my side than Alastor,” Lucifer said sternly.

“I…fail to see how…,” Andrealphus muttered.

“Allow me,” Alastor spoke up with a raised finger.  “The changes coming to Hell largely only affects the Pride Ring, a ring your kind rarely bother with, if at all!   My Darling Lucifer would be best served if his future partner is intimately familiar with how things are here in Pride and as a former sinner and Overlord…I believe there is no contest that I am the better choice.“

Andrealphus’ eyes were narrowed with contempt and Stella looked like she was about to explode.  Avani…she was giving Alastor a death glare before looking back at him with pleasing eyes 

“Sire, I beg you,” she began. “I understand I am…inexperienced…in the ways of your domain as Sin of Pride, but I can learn!  I am also a good cook and love to dance!”

“I appreciate your eagerness to learn how the Pride Ring works but with the changes coming quickly, it would be unwise to have a partner that would be coming in essentially blind.  Alastor already has connections and alliances throughout Pride that can aid us through this time of transitions, you do not.”

“And as for the other skills you’ve mentioned,” Alastor added with a bit a pride. “I am excellent myself at both! Two of my favorite pass times actually!”

Avani hissed, her head feathers flaring. “You could stay as an advisor, a concubine even!” she snapped, Alastor’s lip curling in distaste at that. “The King deserves someone of more royal standing at his side!” Beside her both Andrealphus and Stella nodded in agreement.

“Besides,” she continued. “A sinner would hardly have the power to aid in protecting your throne should the need arise!”

Lucifer leveled her a disbelieving ‘are you serious’ look, before Alastor started to laugh beside him.

“What is so funny!” Andrealphus demanded. “She has a valid point!”

“Ah, my dear…,” Alastor said as he wiped a tear from his eye. “You all seem to have a problem with short term memory retention!”

“How...dare-” Stella began to growl before she was cut off short when Alastor summoned his wings.

“Do these look like something a mere sinner would have?” Alastor asked coyly. “Did your dear Marquis neglect to mention I am a redeemed soul? And not just any redeemed soul...but the Angel of Redemption? Did you also forget during the meeting that Akos stated I was able to complete the spell performed there?”

“I did not forget that,” Andrealphus remarked stiffly, before smirking. “Redeemed or not, you are still a human soul...and while Akos did claim you successfully performed that spell, I bet the result was minuscule….the size of a pea at best!”

“Actually it was nearly the same size as King Paimon’s result,” Lucifer stated casually, looking at his claws. “I witnessed it myself.”

All three Goetia stiffened in shock. “Impossible!” Stella snarled after they had recovered their wits. “A lie!”

“Are you calling your King a liar?” Lucifer stated with a dangerous tone in his voice, Stella, for once, looking like she realized she misstepped and backing away. “I can call Akos in here and have Alastor prove his accomplishment right in front of you if that is required.”

“Th-that won’t be necessary, your Highness,” Andrealphus said nervously. “Do understand that it is...hard to believe someone such as him could be as powerful as a Ars Goetia!”

Lucifer was about to concede that point when Avanti spoke up once more.

“A single spell is not a good indication of power level,” she declared. “I propose a duel! To prove which of us is worthy on that front!”

Lucifer was taken back by that, as did Andrealphus.

“Pardon us for a moment, your Highness,” Andrealphus said as he and Stella pulled Avani away and started debating/arguing in whispers.

~This may be our best chance to silence this nonsense for good,~ Alastor told him privately.

Lucifer flinched hard and looked at him, seeing Alastor had a thoughtful, calculating expression on his face. ~You can’t be serious!~ he protested. ~Avanti has a point about one spell being a poor indicator!~

~My love, do remember I took down Overlords many times my senior in my early days,~ Alastor reminded him. ~It’s not just about power, but skill and strategy. I do believe I have the upper hand in terms of combat experience compared to these prissy birds as well.~

That was true...while the Ars Goetia are capable magic users, most use their powers for utility rather than combat. ~I still don’t like this….~

~One more thing to keep in mind, darling,~ Alastor told him. ~That spell was done without chaotic magic enhancement.~

Lucifer blinked as that sunk in. That suggested that if he enhanced his magic at his current power level….

Alastor could very well be knocking on the door of the Sins.

~Very well.~

While he still did not like this, he felt more comfortable that Alastor wouldn’t be in any real danger. Still best to take precautions, however.

By this point Andrealphus and the other Goetia had approached them once more. “While the thought of using combat as a means to resolve this matter is detestable,” the Marquis stated. “We have come to the conclusion it is the best option. Do you agree?”

“We do,” Lucifer agreed, before holding up a finger. “However, a few ground rules. One, this is a non-lethal match.”

“Naturally,” Andrealphus agreed.

Lucifer raised a second finger. “Two, no outside interference is allowed once the match begins.”

“Also agreeable.”

His third finger was raised. “Last, only magic and what is a part of your bodies can be used: any foci to be used must be within the ring prior to the match beginning. If any of these rules are broken the violator forfeits.”

“Agreed,” Andrealphus then asked. “Time and place?”

“I’ll let you decide that,” Lucifer told him.

“Fair enough.” The Marquis reached out a hand and Lucifer shook it. “We will be in touch promptly with the decided time and place.”

Lucifer nodded as they turned and started to walk away. Avani lingered a moment before doing so herself, glaring at Alastor.

“Best get ready to switch your name with mine on the cards,” Avani sneered, leaning over him. “For I will bury you.”

“Ah...the overconfidence of youth…,” Alastor quipped, flashing her a smirk. She growled and turned harshly before rushing to catch up to the others.

“It’s not going to matter who wins, is it?” Alastor asked once the three had teleported away, a knowing smile on his face.

“Of course not,” Lucifer confirmed with a sly smile. “After all...this duel isn’t specifically for my hand….”

Chapter Text

They didn’t have to wait long for notification on the where and when: an imp courier came by the next day with a note marked with the Marquis’ crest.

“Tomorrow, at noon,” Lucifer read it aloud, Alastor looking over his shoulder and Akos close by. “In Gomorrah.”

“Tsk...the time suggests they think my ability to manipulate shadows is influenced by the time of day,” Alastor remarked with a slight eye roll. “They are mistaken. Though I do wonder why they chose that place.”

“It’s far away from any populated area,” Lucifer sighed, tapping the card against his hand. “So both you and Avani can go all out without worry of collateral damage.”

“Makes sense…,” Alastor mused. “Her mention of ‘burying me’ does suggest her powers may be more...earth based and such a location would give her plenty of material to work with.”

Lucifer nodded in agreement.

“While the location is logical on it’s face, it still concerns me,” Akos spoke up. “That is where I called for the Cleanser...and the barrier between our realm and the Beyond may still be fragile.” Their tail twitched as they folded their arms before adding.

“There’s a chance the area may still be a wash with chaotic energy as well.”

“Well that should prove to be an advantage in my case,” Alastor pointed out. “Should the need arise.”

While that was a point, Lucifer felt Akos was suggesting something else. “You think another...entity...may come to visit?” he asked.

“The Observer told me the Troublemaker is keenly focused on us,” Akos snarled. “Normally other cosmic beings cannot directly intrude upon another’s creation without invitation. A weakened barrier could invite...opportunity for the Troublemaker to cause more mischief.”

“Is there anything we can do if this Troublemaker does cause trouble?” Alastor asked.

“From what little I know about him, it will depend on his mood,” Akos sighed. “Which can be as unpredictable as the chaos he loves to spread. Running, however...is usually the safest bet.”

Well that didn’t invoke a lot of confidence, but at the same time it wasn’t surprising.

After all...this was a being that was around Father’s level in terms of power.

--

Next day

Ruins of Gomorrah

There was something about ruins that always left a tingling of unease in Alastor’s gut. They were places that once teemed with life, a story cut short by whatever fate had befallen them. Echos of history both known and waiting to be discovered.

This place though….it had something else. Alsator could feel it prickling at his fur, seeping in to his marrow, tugging at his soul.

Chaos energy.

Akos had been right about this place being awash with it.

And yes, he could use it to his advantage in this duel if need be, but he also was keenly aware of the risks of doing so. Chaos energy was by it’s very nature, unpredictable and only those with the appropriate knowledge and skill should even attempt to use it. The few times he allowed other’s to use it through him only avoided going wrong due to his own control over it.

Looking beside him, he could see Akos had their upper lip slightly curled, ears a bit back. Lucifer’s brow was also furrowed, a faint frown on his face. He agreed with their unspoken thoughts: this had the makings of something going horribly wrong.

Currently they stood at the edge of what used to be the ‘town center’ of the city, the only space large enough in this place that was mostly clear of rubble, save for a long neglected fountain in the center. The broken and weather worn buildings around the location loomed, as if judging the foolishness of their presence. And they were not the only ones being judged by these place destroyed by tragedy.

There were a number of Goetia here, some expected, such as Andrealphus, his sister and of course, Avani. Others not so much, such as King Paimon and Vassago, along with a few other whom were no doubt wishing to see this first hand. Paimon, he assumed, was here to act as the announcer and judge of the duel.

There were also, a bit annoyingly, a few drones about. No doubt Andrealphus decided to broadcast this duel in hopes of covering his humiliating defeat.

Fat chance.

“Most unfortunate it has come to this,” Vassago was saying, the Prince having approached them. Andrealphus and Stella, Alastor noticed, were both glaring daggers at his back. “No puedo aceptar un no por respuesta (Cannot take no for an answer).”

“Sadly it would appear for some, when verbal arguments do not go their way, violence is the only recourse,” Alastor remarked. “A pity, but I do not mind the opportunity to test my limits in a...somewhat controlled setting.”

“I do hope it goes your way,” Vassago remarked quietly. “Me preocupo (I do worry)...the air here feels...strange….”

“Abandoned places such as this usually do have a queer air about them,” Alastor agreed, but did not elaborate. No need to tip off any of the Goetia about the chaotic energy, even if Vassago was an ally here.

What chattering and muttering went still when King Paimon stepped forward. “We are here today to witness a first of a kind occasion,” he announced. “A duel, between an honored member of the Ars Goetia, Avani and an sinner Overlord, the chosen Consort to the King of Hell, Alastor. The purpose of this duel is to test if the sinner is truly worthy of the King’s hand in terms of power.”

Paimon then went over the rules of the duel, starting with the ones Lucifer set forth. As he recited, Lucifer was nodding, indicating Andrealphus hadn’t tried to change anything on the sly.

“The duel will last until one submits or is otherwise no loner able to fight,” Paimon concluded. “Will the participants please step into the arena.”

~Good luck, love and kick her ass,~ Lucifer told him telepathically, before they gave each other a brief kiss on the lips.

“Ah, amor,” Vassago said with a smile, while Andrealphus and Stella rolled their eyes, and Avani glared daggers.

~Oh, I intend to,~ Alastor said, a toothy grin on his face as he stepped forward, twirling his cane in a display of confidence. ~No more telepathy though, darling.~

~Yeah I know...can’t take the chance one of them can ‘hear’ us and think this is ‘interfering’.~ It was unfortunate, but they couldn’t take that risk.  

“King Pamion,”. Akos spoke up, drawing the Goetia King's attention.  “As a precaution, I would like to erect a barrier around the chosen arena.  It will not interfere with the participants' magic.”

“We are perfectly capable of protecting ourselves from-” Andrealphus began to say but Paimon cut him off with a raised hand.

“Proceed,” the Goeta King said with a nod.

Akos had nodded in acknowledgment before flying to the top of the ruined fountain.  Alastor watched them summon their staff before chanting the spell.  Immediately a flash of multicolored light rose up from the edge of what would be the battlefield, completely covering the area.

Alastor noticed a difference in the air and smirked.  Akos had used this opportunity to drain the immediate area of much of the lingering chaos energy, thereby reducing the risk of a mishap.  It meant a slightly less of an advantage for him, but not by much.

What he has access to naturally would be more than enough.

“Is there anything else to proclaim?  Any questions that need to be answered?” Paimon then asked once Akos had returned to the side lines.

“None, here,” Alastor replied, keeping his gaze on Avani. She had wisely dressed simply for this duel: he opted for his old red attire.

However a curious bracelet on the Goetia’s left wrist caught his eye. It was simple, just a line of polished stones that alternated between a semi-translucent green stone and a pale yellow opaque one that looked like gold, but he suspected it was pyrite instead.

For some reason it bothered him, but brushed it aside, thinking he was likely being paranoid.

“Nor here,” Avani had answered, pulling him from his thoughts. He noted her gaze had not left him since they had stepped into the arena.

“Then you may began.”

Avani did not hesitate to strike first….

Chapter Text

As Alastor had suspected, Avani’s powers were earth based, as she had stomped a foot on the ground and sent a tidal wave of earth mixed with cobblestone and soil his way. With a hum, he dissolved into shadow, his form slipping between the cracks and gaps of the earth as it passed by him, then rematerializing above as if nothing had happened. Avani blinked at him in surprise.

“Sorry, my dear,” Alastor said coyly. “But time of day does not affect the strength of my powers.”

“Apparently not, but I know what does!” Avani hissed, before sweeping a hand in front of her.

A tendril of stone lashed out and seized his cane, snatching ripping it from his hands and dragging it beneath the earth. He ‘tsked’ with only mild annoyance, having expected a play like this at some point. Unbeknownst to her, his focus was not so easily kept from him: he could summon it back at any time, but for now, he’ll play her game.

“Think you can dodge this one without your fancy walking stick?” Avani taunted before pulling two huge bundles of stone from the ground and hurling them his way.

Two black tentacles emerged from his back and aided him in simply jumping over the thrown debris, even doing a little flip before he landed in a smooth crouch. He stood up tall, spread his arms wide with a big smirk on his face.

The Goetia snarled before lifted up a number of smaller stones from the ground and shot them his way. In response, Alastor erected a partial barrier, which absorbed most of them, while this tentacles blocked any that got past.

There was decent power behind those hits and he made a mental note of it, well aware of his lack of ability to take any real hits.

“Is that all you have, darling?” he asked as he inspected his claws. “It’s getting quite boring.”

In response, two stone tendrils erupted from the ground and swiped at him, forcing him leap backward to evade one and roll to avoid the other. He heard a third emerge behind him. Without looking, he used his own tentacles wrapped around it and crush it.

“Is all you can do defend?” Avani snapped. “If you want to protect your King, you cannot be defense only!”

“Hmm...point,” Alastor agreed with a toothy grin. “Very well then.” With a wave of his hand, he summoned several shadow poppits.

“Let’s test your defensive capabilities then!” As the poppits rushed forward, he summoned his shadow and commanded it to flank her.

The two remaining earth tendrils took out a few of them, but most got to Avani, whom formed earthen gauntlets around her arms and blocked and punched them away.

“You’re minions are weak!” she declared.

“They are,” Alastor agreed. “But they also a good distraction.”

Avani briefly stiffened before turning in time to see his Shadow flying toward her. She squawked as it grabbed her and started dragging her around the arena. This went on for nearly a minute before the Goetia got enough wits about her to smack it off with another tendril.

“Tricks! That’s all you are is full of tricks!” Avani screeched as she reached out her arms and raised them, two stone golems forming beside her. “Tricks do little to protect the throne!”

“Sometimes tricks are all you need,” Alastor countered as he summoned two shadow tentacles from the ground and they wrapped around the golems legs and pulled. The golems topped over, shattering upon impact with the ground. “And really, my dear, sometimes the way to fight is the one you avoid having at all.”

Sharp shards of stone rose into the air all around him and once more he dissolved into shadow, just as they impaled the ground where he once stood. Instead of rematerializing there, however, he traveled to the top of the fountain.

“Your powers are impressive, Avani,” he complimented as he reformed. “You truly could protect whomever takes your hand, but it won’t be Lucifer: his heart belongs to me.”

Avani screamed with rage as several sizable stones rose up and flew in his direction.  Alastor jumped into the air, his wings manifesting, giving him the extra height needed to evade them all.

“As you can see, these weren't for show!” he quipped as he hovered in the air.  “And do mind your temper, my dear:  it is unbecoming for a lady.”

He watched as another golem was created, this one much bigger and taller.  A massive club-like hand swung at him and teleported away, reappearing above the constructs head.

“Bigger isn't always better!” He shouted down at her.

“Your antics are not proving anything!” Avani declared.  “Show me…show everyone what you are capable of if you want to have a chance to keep your title of King's Consort!”

Alastor sighed and glanced Lucifer's way, seeing a look of impatience on his beloved's face.  A part of him had wanted to test her a bit more, but…this was dragging out longer than really necessary.

“As you wish,” he said his cane reappearing in his hands.

“What.. how did-” Avani's cry of disbelief was cut short when two massive tentacles appeared and wrapped around the golem before ripping it to shreds.

“You want to see my full power?”. Alastor said as he landed before her, a green and black aura surrounding him as his antlers grew and irises turned into dials.  “ So be it.”

--

Finally.  Lucifer had started to get a bit antsy with how much Alastor had been toying with his opponent.  He knew his beloved liked putting on a show, but there were times it was just best to get it over with.

Though he has to admit watching Andrealphus and Stella get all flustered with how easily Alastor was handling this duel, was amusing.

“This shouldn't be possible!” The Marquis was saying.  “Stella you assured me she could handle him…yet look and how he's making her, and us, look like fools!”

Lucifer smirked as he watched Avani barely dodge a number of tentacles that were lashing at her, while also fending off a hoard of poppits.

“Don't blame me!” Stella had snapped.  “Avani clearly exaggerated her abilities!”

“Nah, you simply underestimated my betrothed,” Lucifer remarked slyly, a big smile on his face. “After all, Overlords need to know how to fight to defend their status and how often do you Ars Goetia even practice using magic in combat?”

The question hung in the air, the Marquis and his sister refusing to answer and just silently fumed. By now, Avani had been wrapped into one of those tentacles and was struggling to free herself.

“Your Consort certainly knows how to work the battle field and minimize his movements, saving energy,” Paimon remarked in a mostly neutral tone but Lucifer caught a hint of the Goetia King being impressed. “How he was able to obtain such power though, is in question.”

“A multitude of factors contributed to his power,” Akos replied simply. “Being redeemed is just one-”

Lucifer looked up at them, wondering what interrupted the other Seraphim, seeing a look of shock on their face. He was about to ask what was wrong when he felt...something….

The air around him...the lingering chaos energy...was being pulled into the arena….

...toward Avani.

Oh shit.

--

Meanwhile…

“You seem to be a bit tied up my dear,” Alastor remarked, a tentacle wrapped around her waist and thrashing her around. “Are you ready to submit?”

“Never!” Avani screeched. The Goetia was hack through the tentacle with a claws made of stone, but every time she cut through one, another would quickly replace it. “I will not lose! I will not give up my chance to have Lucifer for myself!”

“Darling, Lucifer cannot be won that way,” Alastor sighed with a roll of his eyes. “Defeating me will do nothing to win his heart.”

“Then I have no choice but to….” She didn’t finish, instead she grasped at the bracelet Alastor noticed before.

Alastor quirked a brow, then his eyes widened when he felt it.

Chaos energy...it was being drawn in. Toward her...into that bracelet.

“Avani! Stop!” he cried. “The magic you are drawing in is not for the untrained!”

“I don’t need training for this!” Avani scowled. “I was told that all I have to do is channel it into this artifact and it will do what it needs to do on it’s own! “ With a hateful glower she added.

“And it will destroy you!”

“This is a non-lethal match!” Alastor reminded her.

“I don’t care anymore!”

“Fool!” Alastor cried. “Chaos magic can be unpredictable even for the trained! You risk destroying this entire area and kill everyone within it! Including your fellow Goetia!”

“I….” She looked conflicted, looking down at the bracelet, then at him, then toward Lucifer, repeatedly.

The air around him, meanwhile, felt like it was growing unstable. The bracelet was starting to glow, runes starting to appear around both it and Avani.

Abysmal runes.

He couldn’t understand them, but he did recognize a few from a demonstration Akos gave him long ago.

A summoning demonstration.

He remembered what Akos said about the barrier between creation and the Beyond being weaker here. How entities that resided there could only come in if invited.

“Avani! That thing is going to summon a cosmic horror!” he yelled. “If you don’t stop...it may very well destroy everything! Hell...Heaven...everything!”

It had been a long shot that she would even know what he meant by ‘cosmic horror’, but it did seem to finally get through to her.

“I...I can’t stop it!” she cried, panic in her voice as she moved to remove the bracelet. “I can’t take it off! Help!”

He wasn’t sure what he could do, but he ran toward her anyway, commanding the tentacle to set her down and release her. When he reached her, he immediately tried to pull the bracelet off, but it wouldn’t budge. Worse, he was starting feel more than just energy being pulled in.

Shit.

“I’m sorry,” he said as he created a bladed made of shadow. “But the only way to get it off is to cut off part of your arm.”

“Just do it!” Avani said, looking away, extending her arm out.

Alastor nodded and brought the blade down upon her arm slicing it off just above where her wrist was. Avani screeched in pain as the hand and the bracelet fell to the ground. He placed a ‘patch’ of shadow over the stump to keep her from bleeding out.

“Come on!” Alastor pulled her shoulder. “We need to get away from that thing before it finishes!” He’d grab the thing and throw it into a portal, but he didn’t want to take the chance it would end up sticking to him next! Fuck with that strong that suction was becoming, he wasn’t certain using magic at all was a good idea right now. He pocketed his cane to keep it safe.

Thankfully, Avani was able to avoid going into a state of shock and ran with him toward the edge of the arena. Unfortunately, the strength of the suction grew quicker than he expected, both of them starting to struggle to get further away. To reach and get beyond Akos’ barrier.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Avani fall, either tripping or otherwise lost her footing due to the pull of the bracelet. He immediately stopped and managed to grab her by her still intact arm, trying to help her back up, but they were both getting dragged back, further away from safety.

“Alastor!” He heard Lucifer cry. “Avani!”

“Brother no!” Akos was crying, Alastor guessing Lucifer attempted to run out to them. “There’s too much a risk it can pull you in too! My barrier is likely the only reason we are not being sucked in as well!”

It was then Alastor saw a shift in Avani’s expression. From fear to resignation.

“Leave me,” Avani told him. “Or we’ll both go in!”

“I cannot in good conscience-” Alastor began to say, when Avani wrenched her hand free from his. “No!”

“Go!” Avani then slammed her fist into the ground, causing a wave of rock to rise up and hit him, pushing him toward the edge.

Close enough for Lucifer to grab him by the waist. Alastor could only watch in horror as Avani was dragged all the away back tot he bracelet, closing his eyes and turning his head away as she screamed, a scream accompanied by a sickening crunch.

“I got ya” Lucifer told him as he was pulled past the barrier by him, with the aid of Akos, Vassago and Paimon.

“Avani...I…,” Alastor started to say as he and Lucifer embraced.

“You did what you could…,” Lucifer assured him, Vassago and Paimon nodding in agreement.

“Esto es un desastre! (This is a disaster!)” Vassago then remarked. “What do we do?”

“There is nothing we can do but run,” Akos snarled. “King Paimon, get your people-” Their eyes snapped toward the arena. “Fuck...feedback incoming! Barriers now!”

With no time to coordinate, let alone pool their magics together, they ended up layering their barriers on top of each other. The feedback wave came, slamming into the initial barrier around the arena first, straining briefly before it shattered. The buildings that were immediately around the arena and not protected by their barriers were wiped out.

It then easily shattered the weaker Goetia’s barriers first, Andrealphus and Stella’s fell next, followed by Vassago and Paimon’s. Alastor’s fell quickly afterword, before stalling again on Lucifer’s. It was weakened after breaking through his and took more time to break through Akos’, but break it, it still did.

Everyone was hit with what was left. Goetia, redeemed sinner and Seraphim alike were blown back. The fortunate just tumbled along the ground, while the less fortunate were sent into the buildings and walls of the ruined city that were still standing.

When it was over, there was a tangle of bodies among the rubble.

Alastor was one of the fortunate ‘tumblers’, though it still stung like hell.

“Ow…” He heard Lucifer grumbled as he pushed a large piece of debris off. “Al?”

“I’m fine” Alastor replied, standing up and dusting himself off. “Scrapes and bruises….”

“How about everyone else?” The King called out.

He was answered by a chorus of moans and ‘I’m fine’. Alastor spotted Akos helping Vassago and Paimon out of some rubble.

Somehow, everyone survived that.

Hmm… A dark voice rumbled across the area, drawing everyone’s attention. In the spot where Avani once stood was a black cloud and it was moving...staring to condense into a solid shape.

It would appear a bit too much was put into that, how unfortunate….

The voice was almost playful, but there was a dark sinister overtone to it.

“Wh-who...is that…,” Andrealphus, whom looked a bit worse for wear, asked.

Akos had a look of terror on their face.

“That’s the Troublemaker….”

Chapter Text

Alastor was transfixed by what he was seeing. The inky black smoke moved like a living thing, coiling and twisting toward them and upward, starting to form a vague humanoid shape. Glimpses of white spikes and red eyes were caught as it moved…..

“We need to go...now!” Akos was screaming, snapping him out of his gaze, the Seraphim creating a portal.

Before anyone could jump through, however, it fizzed and disappeared.

Nah, ah ah! the entity scolded. I can’t have my audience running away now, can I?

Well this went from bad to absolutely horrible.

After all….

Something then ‘stepped out’ of the smoke, which then dissipated into nothing. The Troublemakers chosen form revealed to all.

The form assumed looked like it belonged right here in Hell. An anthropomorphic draconic form, skin and scales black as a black hole, claws and teeth the color of pure star light, eyes the color of fresh human blood, pupils at three-pointed star. Silver and white horn and spikes adorned the head, shoulders and elbows and line of them ran down the spine, all the way to the tip of a long, whip like tail.

A tattered robe he wore, black like him, but it flickered with stars and nebula like patches floated over it’s surface, like they were watching space pass them by through it. And he was tall, easily as tall as the Goetia, if not taller.

“I consider this realm an investment in ongoing entertainment for myself!” the Troublemaker purred in a normal voice, arms spread wide. “I like testing the sparks of creation...seeing how they tick...how they react. Watch how they always attempt to reach heights not meant for them...only to repeatedly trip...and tumble down into the fiery pit of failure….”

Why did that sound familiar? Wait...didn’t he say something similar to Charlie when he first arrived at the hotel?

Alastor couldn’t help but feel a little...offended by that.

“Um...do we have any chance against this guy?” Lucifer had whispered to Akos, looking very uncertain.

“A spark in an avalanche chance…,” Akos growled, their ears back, before putting themselves between the Troublemaker and everyone else. “Umavrudak, ymg' ah nafl ftaftung geb (you don’t belong here).”

“Ah, but I was invited, Za’aloahos’ pet,” the entity retorted with a faint sneer, a hand on his chest. “And please...call me Demonakos during my stay in this realm.”

“Your invitation killed an innocent soul,” Alastor remarked. “And nearly killed many more.”

“Most unfortunate that happened,” Demonakos chuckled, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. “Poor mortal didn’t need to put that much focus into my little trinket, but...oh well. The folly of the desperate and foolish.” He made an uncaring shrugging motion.

“But I assure you, no more death will happen this day…,” he said before his tone went sinister, the ground rumbling beneath their feet. “UnLess Any Other MorTals AtTempt To InTerFere.”

“What is it you want then?” Lucifer hesitantly asked. Alastor had to agree that playing along for the moment was likely their only option right now.

“I’ll tell you...but first….” With a grin he raised a hand, then slammed it downward. Beside them Akos was suddenly slammed onto the ground with great force. They gasped and coughed, a tickle of their black and gold blood running down the sides of their mouth, before falling unconscious.

“Akos!” Alastor and Lucifer cried in unison, both kneeling beside them.

“I can’t have them tattling,” Demonakos cooed with a finger wag.

“You said no one would-” Lucifer began hotly, his demon features started to show.

“-be killed,” the entity said coyly. “I said nothing about being injured or rendered unconscious. Now I suggest you behave yourself fallen spark...lest you want to take a nap along with them.”

Lucifer growled and said nothing.

“Good boy!” Demonakos said teasingly. “Now, as for what I want….” His gaze went to him and Alastor felt his blood freeze.

“This one caught my interest….” Alastor felt himself get grabbed by an unseen force and pulled toward him.

“Alastor!” Lucifer had reached for him, but his hand slipped out of his grip. “Let him go!”

Demonakos however, was ignoring him, a toothy smile spreading across his face. Alastor could only stare into those monstrous red eyes as the Troublemaker regarded him closely. His heart hammering in his chest, ears flattened against his skull as he hovered there, helpless and completely at this beings mercy.

“So rare for a spark like you to be able to weld the magic of cosmos with no ill effect,” Demonakos was saying, his tone deceptively soft. “Most that try usually go mad...or...blow themselves up.” He emitted a brief, dark, amused chuckle.

Alastor shivered with fear as a claw was dragged down his chest, before said claw stopped just below his sternum.

“Ah...there’s the reason: a part of your soul has been modified...oh, how interesting!” Demonakos laughed. “The other gift I sent here is responsible for that, though indirectly. What are the chances! How fascinating!”

While they had pretty much confirmed that to be reasoning themselves, to hear it absolutely confirmed like this was not very comforting for some reason….

“A-and...wh-what do you intend to do with that knowledge?” Alastor asked hesitantly.

“An opportunity for us both!” Demonakos said with glee, clasping both hands together in a rather giddy fashion. “You see, it’s not often, not at all that I get the opportunity to train a spark...a mortal...in how to use chaos magic.”

“I-I’ve already been trained….” Alastor informed him.

“Yes...but only in the very simplest and safest way. How boring.” Demonakos rolled his eyes, flapping a hand dismissively. “Even Za’aloahos’ Pet’s use of it is simplistic compared to what it is truly capable of.”

“I also lack the vocal capability to-”

“Oh please...your...currently unconscious friend over there is proof that is not an obstacle.” A claw lightly went up his throat, the tip ending at his chin. “Such modifications are no issue to me...and I’ll even provide language lessons.”

“How generous of you,” Alastor said with a huff. “However, I’ve been in the business of deal making for about a century...and I know such offers do not come for free.”

Demonakos started to laugh. So hard that the magic that was holding him up faltered and Alastor was dropped to the floor. Alastor yelped in pain has he landed on his ass, his poor tail getting the brunt of it, before scooting away from the being a bit.

“You are….,” Demonakos began to say as he mimed wiping a tear from his eye.

“ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!” He then boomed with wide eyes, broad smile, arms and legs thrown wide as confetti appeared and…

...a sound track of people cheering.

What the fuck.

“What a bright little spark,” Demonakos cooed, reaching down and pinching his cheek like an annoying aunt. “I do indeed expect something in return.”

“Which is….?” He wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

“Oh, nothing difficult…,” Demonakos purred as he started to circle him, his form shifting into that of a giant snake, well, more like a landwyrm, as it was still spikey and dragon-like.

The significance of him turning into a snake-like creature was not lost on him: he could almost hear Lucifer cringe over it.

“Just a little matter of being my agent of chaos…” The being said, as the tip of his tail stroked the underside of his chin. “As you once did all on your own long ago….”

Demonakos’ face then moved over his head and looked at him upside down. “Things have been a bit too...tame...down here. Some spice needs to thrown back into the mix of the fires of Hell. Who knows...maybe you’ll even get a chance go to Earth and cause havoc there once more...only on a more global scale. Plenty of people that deserve to come here waiting for your blade...after all….”

The entity shifted so he was right side up, a pair of arms forming and cupping his face after shifting the front of his body in front of him, his tail now lightly wrapped around him.

“I know you desire true safety above all,” the being whispered. “And with my teachings...that safety can be yours. Imagine...the power to do anything you wished, to the ones that are a threat to you...hell…perhaps it would be you that will be overprotective of your pretty boyfriend over there instead of the other way around.”

Luci… Alastor looked his way, Demonakos letting him. Despite his wings and full demon features out, Lucifer looked terrified. To see his beloved...the most powerful (native) being in Hell, looking so afraid twisted something in his stomach. It hurt in a way he didn’t think possible.

“So!” Demonakos said, drawing his attention back to him. With a quick swirl of smoke the being had returned to it’s more humanoid form, a hand scratched out toward him. “Do we have a deal?”

Alastor stared at the hand, uncertain. Was this being speaking truly? To be powerful enough to not only keep himself safe, but to protect Lucifer...Charlie….

But….

Is that what he really wanted? Wouldn’t removing all risk destroy the satisfaction of surviving?

Lucifer…wasn’t he already as safe as he could be? Wasn’t he already as powerful as needed to do the protection himself? Becoming nearly as powerful would be redundant.

Causing chaos...that would risk undoing all the progress they had made. That he had made. To accept this deal...would mean going back to how he was before. That was not progress...that was regression!

He rose to his feet, dusted himself off before looking at Demonakos in the eye.

“I thank you for your generous offer...but I must decline.”

---

BONUS ART!