The rift where Lucifer vanished had closed, but the air didn't relax. It stayed heavy, like the void had left a fingerprint on it.
Zeus straightened slowly. Hades picked his scythe back up and rested it across his shoulder. Neither of them said it aloud, but both felt the same thing.
They weren't alone.
Bootsteps echoed behind them.
They turned.
Lucifer was walking toward them through the debris—hands in his pockets, coat brushing the void floor. His eyes weren't glowing now, but there was still something in them… like the reflection of a fire you couldn't see.
"You're leaving," he said simply. Not a question.
Hades narrowed his eyes. "And you're following?"
Lucifer shrugged one shoulder. "I've been locked in a hole longer than your myths have existed. A stroll sounds nice."
Zeus's jaw tightened, but he didn't stop him. "Stay out of my way."
Lucifer smirked. "I'm good at that."
