[Alistair Mammon]
I leave the High Court with my head held high. I couldn't stop smiling if I tried, lost in the thoughts of those soft whispers and the way she makes me feel like a giddy teenager asking out his first crush.
I'd been expecting odd looks and scornful glares while I was leaving the building, but clearly Livandra isn't as gossipy as I'd thought. Either that, or she's waiting for me to be a hundred miles away lest I stab her in retaliation for spilling the beans.
Then again, with how potent a Devil's senses are, I'm surprised everyone and their grandmother hasn't taken notice themselves yet... Maybe they have. Maybe it's just so normalised that my human perspective is overcomplicating things once more.
It's not like sex isn't aggressively encouraged down here. If anything, my image might just improve even more for sleeping with the daughter of the Lucifuge. I can already imagine it, the possibility of the Demi-fiend's bastard children being discussed in the Council Chamber.
Part of me almost wants to think about Roygun's words on the matter, about how I've somehow become a prime bachelor among the Underworld populous... but thinking about her just makes my head hurt all over again. My fists clench at my side without my input.
One day, no matter what bullshit schemes Roygun tries or how honeyed her words may be, she will get what's coming to her.
If she thinks I'll ever be so fickle as to trust her again, then I'd happily kill myself and save everyone the trouble, since clearly I'd have gone mad.
It only feels worse knowing I was stupid enough to give her the benefit of the doubt. I wanted to believe that she was being genuine in that elevator, that she wanted to be a friend and that I was the asshole. I gave her that fucking olive branch with my own lips and almost paid the price for it.
If anything all she's done is prove my suspicions, my paranoia, right.
No matter how much I may have gained from her - the bounty of House Lucifuge and all that it entails - I don't think I can sleep soundly in a world where someone so willing to toy with me is still breathing.
I mean, what does she take me for? Some kind of nutcase, a brick to throw around Ars Goetia and see which parts shatter, a weapon to point at anyone she doesn't like?
Is that her game? Work behind my back to spite me, build up my resentment towards Ars Goetia until something breaks, then slide in as my ally and throw me at the High Court like a bloody dog to get rid of the people she doesn't like?
...always the dog metaphors. Even in Serafall's absence, in my own fucking conscience, she haunts me like a shadow. Roygun clearly took notes from her.
No matter. She'll either realise that I don't care for her plans and back away, or she'll be stupid enough to try her game again and burn along with the rest of them.
...Astonishing. In just two minutes, I've lost my good mood. That seems to be a common side effect whenever I think about the women in my life.
Except of course-
"Master! I was beginning to think you would leave me on my lonesome."
She stands just beside the front entrance, watching the people pass her by on the steps and noting their reactions to her presence. The way she looks at me, that loving gaze and all the warmth in her eyes, it makes all the woes I'd felt vanish into thin air.
Before I can give a proper response, say something witty or sarcastic again, she tilts her head down and frowns.
"You would do well to put that away, Master. The Satanihilus here may see you as a threat to the Councillors. Your status as the Demi-fiend can only get you so far."
I follow her eyes and...
"Again, huh?" I mutter to myself, Caduceus vanishing a short second later. I didn't even feel the weight of it until she spoke.
"I'm sure they'd understand if I walked around with a weapon held close. Feels like I need one every time I walk into that damn Chamber."
She folds her arms, smiling playfully.
"I'm sure that's how just about every member of Ars Goetia feels. The number of knives at your back is matched only by the amount of flowers they offer you. Father always said they were like carrion. Rotten from within."
I can't help but laugh at the metaphor, matching her posture immediately after.
"Carrion is generous. Decay isn't malicious, it's natural. Death is a type of peace by itself. Ars Goetia would never let you die. Not while you still have blood left for them to wring."
Her smile turns oddly somber. She looks over her shoulder, as if checking for a hidden listener. Not that it would matter.
"Such is the nature of the victor. Had you not arrived, I may just have been one of those left bleeding... I can't help but wonder how many there are like me. People suffering the sins of their Clan. Most I hear of are forced into marriage with an allied House. Others are not so fortunate."
Another reason to hate Ars Goetian society for the unfortunate victims. Another future problem that I'll no doubt have to solve.
"I don't understand why Sirzechs allows something like that to happen. It's only going to cause problems for us down the line. Forcing someone into a marriage just means their children are gonna grow up hating us for what we did."
Her smile now drops fully as she looks up at the towering High Court momentarily.
"A lot of the solutions we have are only temporary. Desperate acts born of a fear that we may lose more sacred blood. If that solution breeds resentment, then all we can do is live with the consequences. As for Sirzechs..."
She sighs.
"Sirzechs is a good man. I make no claims otherwise. He just... he suffers from a distinct lack of self-determination. He was taught to defer to authority, so he does. It's simply his nature. He can't help it."
I can't help but laugh at the admittedly bleak description of him, and the irony of it all.
"It's funny you should say that. On the same day I met the man, I saw him shut down the Council with just a few words, take total control. Felt like the whole room was trembling; Sirzechs shouting 'on my authority!' straight to their faces as the Council stared in shock. Clearly he has it in him somewhere."
Her smile returns, though I can't quite make out why she's so amused.
"Then it seems you and I share the unique quality of bringing out a better side of him. I thought I was the only one."
I almost scoff on instinct.
"The only thing I've ever brought out in him was some tears. Beneath all the smiles, I'm sure he still harbours one hell of a grudge for our shared history."
Again, she looks concerningly amused. Her arms drop, hands wrapped behind her back as she responds.
"You always underestimate the impact you have on people's lives, Master. Though I may not speak with him, I still know him far better than any other. He cares about you."
My brow raises on instinct. She laughs for a brief moment, either at my own ignorance or the skepticism, I can't tell.
"If you choose not to believe me, then so be it. Just remember that he admires you."
Again I scoff, though it quickly turns into barking laughter at the mere idea.
"He- he admires me? Grayfia, he's the most powerful man to ever walk the Underworld, I'm the half-breed with one nifty gimmick. There's nothing to be admired on his part."
She doesn't respond initially. Instead, she looks at me, stares for a long moment that leaves me slightly uncomfortable and feeling unnaturally exposed. Eventually, she sighs.
"You gained your power nigh on three months ago. In that time, you've achieved feats that few will ever match in their lives. Sirzechs simply admires your ability to go beyond what everyone expects of you. Most in the Underworld do."
Her eyes glance out to the city proper, and an odd smile takes hold of her.
"Either that, or they hate you. It's an interesting mix, isn't it? Depending on who you ask, the Demi-fiend is someone to be inspired by, or a cocky Devil growing too far beyond his station."
I smirk, shifting forward slightly to lean into her side, nudging her shoulder.
"You've forgotten the third option, the one where they want me dead. Quite common."
She laughs, her head leaning against my arm a moment later.
"You've certainly made a fair share of enemies. For good reason as well. Anyone would go green with envy after seeing your hair in it's full splendor."
My arm lashes out, pulling her against me in a side-hug in faux-offense.
"So that's how it is, huh? I spill my heart out to you, and not ten minutes later you're laughing at my haircut?"
She giggles, a hand raised to run through the golden locks that spill down my chest a moment later.
"Quite the opposite. I've come to enjoy the way you keep it. It's impressive more than anything, how the length is always the same, how you never have need to shave. So smooth and soft as well."
...how am I even supposed to respond to that?
"Thank you... I guess? I never have to worry about it much. The Prayer isn't just a type of healing magic, I think it's more a restoration of something to a prior state. Since I use it so often, nothing ever grows long enough."
I look down to cast a Prayer on her in some form of demonstration, but find that she's staring out at the city once more. There's a pensiveness to her that I don't like seeing.
"Something the matter, Grayfia?"
She jumps, her eyes snapping to me after I tap her shoulder lightly.
"Forgive me, Master." She starts, frowning, "I seem to have taken on your worst habits as my own. I was just... lost in thought, thinking about the coming future."
Ah, my favourite trait of Underworld natives. Being unnecessarily vague.
"Please don't start speaking in cryptic metaphors, Grayfia. I'm starting to miss normal prose at this point."
She laughs, realising just how sick of such vague speech I must be by now, before leaning deeper against me, her hand lifted across her chest to rest atop mine.
"I simply worry for the battles to come. It's not easy to know that you'll soon be halfway across the Underworld, fighting for your life while I share tea with House Phenex."
Her hand slips lower against my sleeve, fingers running atop the contract burned into my flesh. At the very least, she'll know immediately if I die when she stops feeling our connection through the contract.
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'd happily take your job over mine. I... don't really know how things will go down with Serafall. Or if I'll even be able to stand being around her for very long. I'd much rather share a cup of tea with Lady Phenex."
She scoffs, her arms folded a moment later as she turns to face me now.
"Even if the tea is poisoned?"
I can't help but smirk.
"Well, as long as it doesn't make it taste any worse I could drink it down just fine. I'm... 98% sure that a Prayer will cleanse poison. Depending on how well they brew it, I'd say that's a worthwhile risk."
She sighs.
"I would like to remind you not to be so flippant about matters of life and death, Master. For both our sake."
She runs a hand through her hair a moment later, both frustrated and stressed.
"I just don't like being so far from you. It seems like whenever I'm away, you wind up in more and more unbelievable situations. First it was Ludwig the Accursed, then it was Lord Astaroth's bizarre resurrection plans."
She smiles a tired, weary smile.
"Even saying it aloud has me questioning my sanity at the sheer absurdity."
Her lamentations are cut short by my hand ruffling her hair a moment later. She yelps in surprise, pushing my hand away, pouting up at me when I pull it back, clearly not a fan of my cocky grin.
"I'll be fine. I've got a real bad habit of getting back up when I should stay down anyways, so it'll take more than a few gutsy Loyalists to put an end to me. Besides, I've got a lot more to fight for now, right?"
Her cheeks redden, both annoyed at my actions and embarrassed at my words. She doesn't make an effort to fix her hair, instead staring into my eyes with resolve.
"...If you ever find yourself questioning your abilities, or the likelihood of your survival... please think of me. Be selfish. If you died, I- I'm not sure what I would do with myself."
It's an unexpectedly heartwarming thing to hear. Truth be told, I hadn't thought about what would happen to her after my death. Part of me still doesn't want to. I think I already know anyways.
"Alright." I say, sighing. "I'll make sure I come home. Besides, Alduin would never let me die, he'd shock me right back to life."
She smiles at the mental image, relaxing slightly, though she still seems tense.
"If you need me to write it in a contract-"
"No, no. I believe you, Master. I just... I swore to be your sword and shield. I can't help but feel that I'm not living up to my duties."
I scoff immediately, my arms folding again.
"You're one of the only people I trust anymore. You've already done more than enough to live up to your goals, given that I can actually smile in your presence and not worry about a knife at my back."
She seems half convinced, torn between my words and her own self-doubt. I smirk and lean down slightly to stare into her eyes, hoping that this final piece is enough.
"Besides, if you joined me on this little foray, I'd be spending most of my time trying to stop Serafall from gutting you. It's probably for the best that you handle the Phenex Affair in my stead."
Finally, she laughs. The sound is like ambrosia for the soul.
"Of course. She and I... I doubt we'll be able to speak with one another for a long time."
Before I can start celebrating her brighter mood though, she looks up at me once more. That same vulnerability I'd seen in her eyes before is shining all over again.
"I know it isn't my place to speak on such matters, but you share a history with her. A rather... intimate one. If anything happens between you two, would you-"
I wave a hand in the air, halfway to laughing.
"Oh, perish the thought. I'd sooner spend a day alone with Zekram than look at Serafall with anything approaching love nowadays."
She presses forward, her hands reaching forward to take hold of my own.
"It doesn't need to be love, Master. Things are different on the battlefield. You start to appreciate more of the world with your life on the line. I'm not trying to say who you should and shouldn't sleep with, or put a boundary around you, I just... I just want to be made aware if anything happens."
...fuck this. Fuck the plan. She's worth more anyways.
"Say the word."
She blinks in confusion, opening her mouth to respond but no sound coming out.
"All you need to do is say yes, and I'll never look at another woman again. I'll spend the rest of my life yours and yours alone. Lady Gabriel herself could try and seduce me, and I wouldn't blink. All I need is one word."
Her eyes turn slightly watery as she stares in shock.
"That- you can't possibly mean that!" She says, incredulous.
"Oh, I mean every word of it. Maybe it's the human in me speaking. All I know is that I wouldn't take all the women in the Underworld being at my side if it means I won't have you there as well."
My hand rests against her cheek once more, rubbing soft semicircles like the act were second nature. Her hand falls against mine, clockwork, but she's still staring in shock.
"Every woman? Lady Venelana, Lady Serafall, Mother Lilith? You'd say no to all of that for... for me? A servant?"
I smile in a hopeless bid to hide how utterly embarrassed I am once again, pouring my heart out on the gates to the High Court. Once more though, every ounce of shame is matched with burning confidence.
"If it meant I wouldn't get to be with you, I'd turn them all away at the door. I don't just want any old servant to handle my daily life, or a random woman to fuck when I'm lonely. I want you. I want Grayfia Lucifuge."
Her hold over me tightens for only a moment as her eyes shine with unshed tears.
"You have such a distinct way with words, Master. Crass though it may be, you certainly have talent."
Crass? I'm pulling out all the stops here woman, I've never spoken so sappily in all my fucking lives. This is a learning experience for the both of us.
"Is that a yes?" I ask.
"No."
"Okay. Alright. I promise you- ...what."
She smiles at me, wiping her eyes for only a second before looking at me like I hung the stars in the sky just for her.
"I could never deprive you of such a privilege, Master. You are the Demi-fiend, a man set to become more powerful than the Satans combined by the century's end. You'll have more women seeking you out than you could ever imagine."
"Right, and I'll give it all up if-"
She cuts me off, shaking her head, laughing.
"If I say the word? Why would I? No matter who you bring into your bed, I will always have a place somewhere deeper, where they couldn't hope to reach. They may feel your desire, but they'll never know your love. They'll never share our bond. That is more than I could ever want."
"...I don't understand."
Her hand shifts, one grabbing hold of my own and the other resting on my cheek, the gesture reversed.
"What was it you said? Maybe It's the human in me speaking. You're looking at it all through the wrong lens. The fact you even had the thought of monogamy makes me feel more loved than any caress could."
She laughs to herself at the clear shock I must be showing, her gaze softening.
"No matter how many words we exchange, or how long we spend in one another's arms, I will always be your Vassal first and your woman second. No matter what, my place is at your side. Nothing will ever change that. All I ask is to know who you take into your bed, and when."
I can't help but laugh now myself.
"That makes no sense, I- I still don't understand."
She leans forward, her lips an inch from my own as she grins, eyes shining.
"You don't need to. All you need to know is that I love you even more now, Master. You're far more charming than you realise."
Confused, and absolutely not complaining at this turn of events, I don't hesitate to lean forward and meet her halfway, our lips locking in a way that I'll never tire of.
She giggles into the kiss, the feeling strange but the sentiment all the more endearing as she leans into me, tongue playfully slipping out a moment later as-
I place a hand on her shoulder and push her back slightly, the kiss dying out with one last needy peck. She looks up at me, betrayal giving way for embarrassment as she realises the same thing I do, people staring at us with an odd mix of desire and disgust as they walk past us.
"Maybe best if we don't do that in public."
"Yes." She starts, coughing into her hand. "Perhaps for the best. My apologies."
I sigh and shuffle an inch away, not wanting to push the subject any further.
I admit, I was telling the truth the whole time. Had she said so, I would have lived a happy life of monogamy with her, turned down even the Lady Gabriel herself to see her smile.
...fucking hell I am so horrendously in love with this woman.
"Master?"
My head snaps up, Grayfia fiddling with her dress as she seeks my attention. I almost felt like she was listening to my thoughts for a moment with how uncanny the timing was.
"I think it would be best for me to get going now. The Phenex are no doubt growing fed up with your silence. Besides, I'll have to make one quick stop before I meet them."
...right. I almost forgot we had our own obligations to attend to.
"That would definitely be for the best. What's the stop for, though?"
Grayfia smirks.
"Did you ever notice that I only used constructs as weapons? I actually used to have my own set of blades before the war started. After the Massacre, I was hesitant to ever lay eyes on them again, but... I do not wish to leave unprepared."
"Take whatever precautions you need. Hell, you can even take Alduin if you need. I'm sure he'd rather be with you than me."
She laughs for a brief moment, before shaking her head.
"I'm afraid that would almost definitely be seen as intimidation. I'm not going in expecting violence, but... I won't allow myself to be caught off guard."
Sighing, I run a hand through my hair and just... enjoy her presence while I still have it, I suppose. Stood there in the High Court, I find myself realising just how long it might be before I see her again.
"Just make sure to heed your own advice. If things get dicey, or if they're a lot less amicable than we thought, torch the place and don't look back."
She tries to roll her eyes, but struggles to do much else than smile warmly at my worry.
"Of course, Master. I'll do everything in my power to ensure I return to your arms safely."
"That's... all I can really ask for. I suppose you'll be leaving now?"
She nods her head. At the same time, she takes a single step forward, one turning to two as she reaches her arms out to wrap around my neck.
Before I can blink, she's hugging me so tight I almost worry I'm falling apart like sand. My arms wrap around her waist a short moment later, for however long I don't know.
"I have to go now, Master." She mumbles into my collar. I almost want to pull her closer, but my arms slacken and she pulls away from me, smiling wryly.
For a moment she just stands there, watching me as I struggle to find the words. I go over so many different things I want to say, but of them all only one thing slips out.
"I'll miss you, Grayfia."
That seems to be the kicker. She sighs and rushes forward again, this time going in for a searing kiss that leaves me weak in the knees. Seconds pass, people watch on around us, but I don't give a shit.
By the time she breaks away I'm almost left wishing she could stay forever. She rests her forehead against my own, grinning toothily all over again, her voice meek.
"I'll miss you too, Master... I love you."
I have to stop myself from falling to a knee right here and now, swallowing down my own worries to smile at her as reassuringly as I can.
"I love you too. Now try to come back with a piece of the Phenex for us to work with."
Grayfia scoffs, cheeks flushed enough to leave my hand warm when I place one on her cheek. She leans into my palm and smiles confidently at me.
"A piece is too little. I promise to come back with the noble House Phenex dismantled at your feet. You deserve nothing less."
One last kiss is all I get to have before she turns and leaves. What was the old saying? Love to watch them leave, hate to see them go? That about sums it up.
Grayfia offers a small wave goodbye, then a blink, and she's gone.
...if I die on this battlefield, before I get to hear her say those words to me again, I'll drag myself out from whatever pit my soul falls into and make sure I come home to her. I don't care what it takes, or whichever God may stand in my way.
Happiness must be fought for, after all. I've lived through worse.
------------------------------------
With Grayfia gone, I've nothing else to do but make my way to the city gates and hitch a ride with the first battalion of Satanihilus I catch. I'm sure it would be easier if I asked for her location and teleported on over, but-
"Demi-fiend."
"Jesus fucking Christ!-"
I jump at the sudden feeling of a hand on my shoulder, then groan, pain stabbing through my mind like the worst migraine I've ever had after speaking the Lord's name aloud.
Sirzechs, the man who'd tried to catch my attention in the first place, puts a hand to his head in pain and looks at me like I just pissed all over his favourite shoes as I turn to face him, Caduceus drawn on instinct.
"The hell was that for?" He mutters, a palm against his temple as though that could placate the Curse's effects.
"Wha- do you really think that's a normal way to greet someone!? Damn near made me shit myself you bastard! How long were you waiting there for!?"
His pain is suddenly forgotten as he grins, swatting the sword away with barely a second glance at it.
"Ah, don't be so rude all your life. I just got here after you, figured I'd say hi. It might be a while before we see eachother again."
Sighing, I dismiss the blade and fold my arms, my frustration already disappearing.
"And why might that be, General? Shouldn't you be joining me at the frontlines to accelerate the war efforts?"
He laughs at the idea, gesturing for me to fall in line beside him as we start walking through the city proper, passing through the gates to the High Court and reaching the main streets.
"I wish I were so lucky. When you've got a Clan Trait like mine, having people around you quickly becomes a detriment. Most of the work I do is alone these days."
A woman walking by looks at Sirzechs, flushes in embarrassment as she bows down and thanks him for his service. He barely stops in his tracks as he smiles and pats her arm, a muttered 'there's no need' the only response he gives as we continue.
"I guess that would cause a few problems. Heh, seems like the Satanihilus are in a lose-lose situation no matter who they follow into battle."
He laughs, arms behind his back as his cloak billows in the wind.
"Serafall at least can keep her magic focused, make it less destructive but just as deadly. If I want to be at my best, I can't be spending all my time worrying about hurting the people around me... Sometimes, I almost miss having you around."
I bark out a laugh.
"Ha! I don't share in your sentiments I'm afraid. The last time I joined your efforts, I had my brain smeared across the floor by a dragon. Not a very fond memory."
He grimaces, and I quickly realise that he's taken my words seriously.
"Yeah. That's another reason why I'm a little mixed on this Clan Trait these days. I wish I could've done more to help you down there."
Not wanting him to be so dour, I smack his shoulder and smile.
"I wouldn't go that far. Without you, I'd have died that day. Granted, I also wouldn't have been there to begin with without you, but I think that's worth something all the same."
His mood brightens somewhat at the thought, his smile deepening a moment later as he turns to me, excited.
"You know, I actually got a little inspired by you after what happened in Cain's Throne. I figured I'd carry something around just in case I wind up running out of Mana or being put in a lose-lose situation all over again."
"Really?" I say flatly, unimpressed. "You? Running out of Mana? I think the sun would sooner explode than that day come."
He flushes in embarassment, a hand running through his hair.
"Well, I mean, I'd still like to have something in case things go wrong, you know? You can never be prepared enough for a battle."
Folding my arms as we continue to travel through the city, I smile and take the bait.
"Alright then, show me this weapon befitting a king you seem so proud of."
Grinning like a child, he lifts his cloak enough to show a scabbard against his hip, a gilded broadsword of ornate gold and crimson exposed to the world a moment later, flowers engraved across the blade.
"I call it the Rose." He starts, softly spoken, "Within my hand, it burns bright."
He holds it out in the air, people giving a wide berth around us as I summon my own blade in response for comparison. Caduceus is shorter, thinner, a weapon purpose made for stabbing more-so than slashing like Sirzechs' own.
I also think it looks far nicer, but that's just personal preference speaking.
Sirzechs turns to me, grinning, a joke on his lips - though his smile is quickly wiped away when I beat him to the punch, smirking.
"Compensating for something, General?"
A long second of silence passes.
Then, he grumbles under his breath, muttering something about 'low hanging fruit' before sheathing the blade. My own laughter is more than enough to make up for his lack thereof as we continue our walk.
Catching me off guard once more though, he hums in thought a few minutes later, then turns to me for a moment.
"You know, now that I think about it, you might just be the only person in the Underworld I can genuinely fight alongside, Demi-fiend. You and I make a surprisingly good team."
I raise a brow at his wording.
"...Is that a thinly veiled request, General?"
He tries to meet my gaze, but sighs after a few seconds.
"...yeah, you got me. While you're heading out to take the lands North of us on the road to Lucifaad, I've been given a more... clandestine assignment."
I burst out in laughter, interrupting him.
"You? Clandestine? Sirzechs, you're about as subtle as a rock. Whoever gave you that job is setting you up for failure."
He smiles wryly.
"Well, it's not so much a stealthy matter as it is a secretive one. I might just get in trouble for even telling you about it."
I can't help but look at him like he were an actual rock after hearing that.
"Oh? Are you sure it's safe to be talking about it in the middle of the fucking street then, General?"
He laughs once more, taking a quick turn to bring us deeper into the city.
"Worry not, Demi-fiend. We can remedy that quite easily. I hope you're not on a time limit; this might wind up being a long discussion."
I blink in confusion but follow along all the same, staying quiet as we weave through walkways and crossings, until after several quiet minutes we stand before a door.
The building it's attached to is so uniform and unassuming that if I swept my gaze over it, I'd never even think it to be the location for this quaint meeting. It blends in with the hundred other towers littering Central Lilith.
The General turns to me as he stands before the door. In his eyes, I see an odd degree of excitement. Confused at his inaction, I step forward and takes hold of the door handle-
"There's no need, Demi-fiend."
Oh you have got to be fucking kidding me.
"I'm afraid not." Ajuka says through the door, as though he could guess my every thought.
Sirzechs laughs at my reaction, only now deciding to open the door and reveal the grand interior.
Well, grand is used lightly. It's nicely decorated, sure, but the building is more focused on verticality than being spacious. As a result, the room seems almost unused, three chairs dotted around a large table with a few hot drinks around it and nothing much else than empty space and countertops.
"What was the saying? Ah, yes. Make yourselves at home. Do try to keep the place tidy, though." Ajuka says from his seat, leg crossed over his knee, several pieces of paper in his hands and across the table.
I raise a brow to Sirzechs, several questions made as he turns and shuts the door behind us, still smiling at my confusion.
"Ajuka and I have been using this place to talk for decades now. It was bought in his father's name, but Lord Astaroth never cared much for it."
He steps forward and stretches his arms over his back, dropping into a seat across from Ajuka only a moment later.
"We apologise for the deception, Demi-fiend, but there are several matters you have become very integral to. Matters which we would prefer stay a secret. Everything we are to discuss in this room will remain here the moment you leave this building."
Feeling both flattered and concerned, I follow in Sirzechs' footsteps and take a seat across from and between the both of them. The papers strewn across the table are a mix of maps, movement observations, and statistics of the Satanihilus' gains and losses. It's far, far more than I anticipated.
"Alright then." I say, taking hold of the drink at my spot. "What do you need from me?"
Sirzechs grins.
"Well, let's just say you're going to be touring a fair bit of the Underworld soon. There's a lot more than just the warpath to Lucifaad that requires our attention."
He takes hold of a map just in front of him, throws it into the air so that it lands perfectly ahead of me.
He speaks out just as I grab hold of it, bold words scrawled into the top of the page as I stare at the blueprints for what must be a palace the size of England, and the land it occupies. It sits on the southernmost point of the documented Underworld, almost shoulder to shoulder with the Fallen's homeland of Gehenna.
"Tell me Demi-fiend... what do you know of the Unholy Land, Judecca?"
------------------------------------
[Grayfia Lucifuge]
It feels... strange coming back here. I had thought it would bring nothing but dreadful memories, yet all I feel now is a quiet resolve as I walk through the Forest of Kariah.
The Suffering Leaves fall regularly with the wind, the ground and equal mix of green and grey as the air turns cold. In the center of this small forest, a single tree stands tall above all others, unmarked and untouched for centuries.
Beneath it, in the shadow of a protruding root, is a single frozen flower, planted into the ground several long years ago.
...This is it.
The resting grounds of who I used to be, a memorial to the hopeful young woman that died alongside all those I slew that day. Had I perished before escaping Lucifaad, I would have asked that I be buried here.
I doubt my wishes would have been respected.
Dropping to the ground, a thin layer of ice forming below my legs to avert any possible stains or dirt reaching my dress, I construct a shovel with my Mana, and dig.
Each heaping mound of dirt brings with it memories that I'd long thought forgotten, nights spent alone and trapped with my own thoughts as the walls seemed to close in around me, each day closer to enslavement.
Another inch of dirt, another memory. Euclid's eyes all over my body, blood staining my clothes as he watches my tears falling with muted fascination; Father watching on in silence, unable to do anything but stand there.
The shovel finally makes contact with something solid, just as the last flashes of memories forgotten run through my mind.
My mother's body, cold and pallid. She looks at me, her eyes brimming with tears and a love I only wish I could bask in again. Her body glows with Mana, uncontrollable as it tears her apart from within. Despite all the pain and suffering she no doubt feels, she tilts my head to smile toothily at me.
"Smile, Grayfia. No matter what happens, you should always smile."
I never was able to abide by those words. It all felt so hopeless, for so long. I wonder, Mother, what would you think if you could see me now, see the things that I've done? Would you still be smiling?
Would you be ashamed of my actions? Proud of the choices of made? Would you... would you approve of my Master?
At the very least, I hope you can see how much I'm smiling now, Mother. I hope you can rest easy knowing I've found something to live for.
Those thoughts linger on my mind as my hands hesitantly lift the tattered box from the hole I'd made. My fingers shake for only a moment, before I take a deep breath and remind myself why I'm doing this.
If I am to be the best servant for my Master, if I am to be his sword and shield, then I need to be better than I am now. I need to be stronger. Strong enough to keep him safe from all those who would seek to harm him.
So when my hands take hold of those dual blades, sliding the bloodied cloth away to gaze upon their silver splendor, they do not shake. They do not tremble.
This familiar weight in my hands, I embrace it wholeheartedly. These blades are no longer a symbol of my suffering. Now, they shall soak in the blood of all those who seek to harm my Master, to take away the happiness I have fought so hard for.
Perhaps I should name them. Yes, take ownership of that which once haunted me.
...Devotion and Deliverance.
Not quite as short and sweet as Master's Caduceus, but I think he'll like it.
Eventually, muscle memory takes over as I hold them tight. A flourish in my hands, a short bout with my own shadow, and a series of routines drilled into me from a young age. I go through each act with rigorous precision, the motions second nature to me.
...I think I'm ready to leave now.
Should the Phenex try and harm me in any way, I will not hesitate to force them to heel.