Vox Populi, Vox Dei

(Prequel - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 here!)

@voxpopulidei - @broadcasting-screams-since-33 - @first-sinner-of-hell

Barely a week and a half had passed after the VoxTek interview went on air for all of Hell, showcasing that the number one revolutionary had been none other than Lilith, the Music Overlord (who even had called herself 'Lilith Morningstar' to spite the archangel royalty).

A letter from Heaven did not made itself wait, establishing an urgent meeting three days after it's arrival.

... However, Lucifer saw the royal seal and, without opening it, left it on the desk and continue on with his task. Heaven knew better than to interrumpt him when he was making the ultimate rubber duck (this time for sure)!!

So, he completely forgot about it.

In fact, he had forgotten so hard about it, the weekend passed by without Lucifer warning Lilith or the Box guy about it.

"Luci~." Lilith talked in that sing-song voice that always made his heart flutter. "This weekend has been unforgettable. I'm so glad you were able to take a break from your King of Hell duties to be able to spend it with me ~."

The two of them laughed out loud. They knew perfectly that his King of Hell duties consisted mostly in making rubber ducks shows to pass the time.

Lucifer stopped his laughter short to stare at Lilith's. What he wouldn't give to wake up every day at her side and make her laugh like this.

It wasn't long since Lilith noticed his stare. "What?"

Lucifer blushed golden before looking away. "Nothing."

But if Lilith could be described in one word, it would be stubborn. "What is it~?" She poked his red cheek playfully.

Lucifer, instead of giving up and confessing, took the chance to grab her by the waist and make the two of them roll around in the bed. Lilith's surprised yelp and consequent laughter made the two of them forget what even they were talking about in the first place.

"I am so glad Heaven did not bother us for now." Lilith mentioned a few hours later. "It would be even better if they didn't even watch the interview. Right, Luci?"

Lucifer's eyes snapped as Lilith mentioned Heaven and he suddenly remembered. Oh, shit.

"Fer?" Lilith asked, worriedly.

"I'msorryLilymyovenisonfire-" Lucifer disappeared in a sudden 'poof' of flames as he teleported away.

"... What?"

Lucifer appeared in his workshop already fully dressed and hastily launched himself into the ultimate rubber duck's pile. "FOUND IT!" He raised the letter from Heaven as if it was a trophy. "Alright, let's see... Phew, it's only three days from now on." He exhaled, relaxed.

Then, he realized something. "IT'S TODAY."

He didn't even had the time to say goodbye to Lily before teleporting away to the Heaven's embassy at the center of the Pride Ring.

In fact, it had been so long since the last meeting with Heaven, he had forgotten the regulations to sign up before entry and teleported right into the meeting room itself.

"Cutting in close, aren't ya?" Asked a male voice with a laugh.

"Glad to see you are finally joining us, Lucifer." Sera said with a stern voice. "I almost thought you would not be able to come."

"Yeah, I was getting bored. Already thinking about making the trip worthwhile by exterminating a couple sinners since we are already here." He shrugged while chewing on a couple of ribs.

"Sera, who is the joyful guy?" Lucifer asked with disdain.

Before Sera could answer, the winner already yelled out. "Have you already forgotten, old man?! I'm Adam, the First Man!!" And he signaled at his side to the angel with a complete exorcist outfit. "And this kickass bitch is Lute, the leader of the exorcists!"

The woman did not say anything, but simply resorted to narrow her eyes at him and pass a finger from side to side of her own neck.

Lucifer rolled his eyes. He knew a mere angel would not be able to harm him at all. "Great." He didn't even thought of faking any formalities like 'pleased to meet you.' "What are they doing here? I thought this was a Heaven's meeting."

"Are you fucking kidding?! My ex-bitch-wife is turning shit on Hell and you are expecting me to miss it?!" Adam yelled out in a fit of laughter.

"Adam. What did I say before I agreeded you to come? Settle down." At Sera's command, Adam instantly shut up. It seemed like he respected her, at least.

'Finally'. Lucifer thought for himself. "So, what happened? Why did you all come here so urgently?"

"That first question is what I came here to figure out. Care to explain what is happening in the Pride Ring lately, Lucifer?" Sera looked at him like she could pry all the answers out of him just with her gaze. "And yes, before you ask, we did indeed saw the interview."

'Gulp.' "Oh, that? I have it all controled, don't worry! What, a sinner calls out for rebellion on live TV and suddenly Heaven thinks they are in danger? Please, I'm the King of Hell!" He fake laughed until Sera narrowed her eyes, which also shut him up really quickly.

"We are here because we think you don't have it controlled."

That made Lucifer realize something that made his golden blood run cold. The fact that Sera had come here with the leader of the exorcist army and his right hand was not a coincidence created out of politeness.

Sera was stating that things would not be over with just a scolding and a promise to dismantle the revolution. It was that Heaven thought that Lilith was a threat.

"But I suppose, since you have it all controlled... We'll just have to see how you handle it."

"No, wait, that wasn't what I was saying-" Lucifer protested, but someone else interrumped him.

"Ohh, are we staying in Hell?! Can we start an extermination since we are already here?!"

"No, Adam."

"Not even a tiny one?"

"No, Adam."

"Rats." Adam crossed his arms and sulked in his chair like a child.

Lucifer tried a desperate plea. "Can't you all... go back to Heaven and await the good news?" If the golden angel could sweat, he was sure he would have physically drowned in his anxiety by now.

"We'll be staying in your palace." Sera announced and the three of them disappeared like a glitch. Seems like the meeting had been just an hologram image.

'Oh, fuck. Oh, shit, oh, fuck.' He was thinking as he teleported away as well. 'I have to warn Lilith.'

Just in case more exorcists arrive, he sends the entire V-Tower on lockdown. Then, of course, he calls Lilith.

"Angels are in the Pentagram City," he notifies her without saying hello. "Head of Exterminators, his fucked up right hand woman and some stuck up Seraph. I don't know what the fuck Lucifer arranged with them, but until further notice I suggest you to lay low in your hideout - or, better yet, let me meet and escort you to a safe place until I gather more intel."

He already rushes into the street, cameras making him perfectly aware of angels' whereabouts - and able to avoid them.

"My apologies, Mr Vox," the stranger smiles politely, before giving way to the Overlord.

That nobody Sinner in a worned up, old styled coat at least knows how to behave. Vox may have seen him wandering about, sometimes hanging in Cannibal Town.

He is a quiet, smiling face, someone elusive and discreet, arrived far sooner than Vox in Hell, but who never made an impression. In fact, he is hard to catch on camera at all.

And he looks goofy, bearing a red shingle from the 1920s, which was a woman's hair cut, two tiny antlers, and a yellow smile larger than his jaw. His steps make a suspiciously prim tip tap when he walks, the sound of hooves rather than shoes.

"I will be more attentive to my surroundings from now on," he grins creepily.

"Oh, hi, Vox!... What?... What?!... Alright, I'll go, too. I'll just... leave a note for Lucifer and then go towards Cannibal Town. You know the statue of Lucifer on the outskirts of it? We can meet there."

She hanged up and quickly found a pen and paper to scribble an "I had to leave. XXOO - L.M.", then put on her cloak as to hide on the streets.

Thankfully, it had not been precisely her first trip to the streets, so she knew her way around the alleyways. Still, it felt wrong to see a few exterminator angels walking around the streets hiding as sinners.

The good news were that, as long as they were hiding, they were not exterminating souls either.

After running for what felt like hours, but was probably less than one, she arrived at the statue and looked it. "What have you done, Lucifer..."

The Cannibal City belonged to cannibals, as one might have guessed from the name. But, what gave Vox even a bigger ick, cannibals - almost all of them - were fans of old school theater and rejected any modern entertainment. Even the screenings of great plays didn't entice them to allow him and set up his cables through their territory. Which, honestly, was a loss.

Also his surveillance there wasn't great, but, hopefully, Lucifer wasn't that big of an idiot to let a damn exterminators lead their higher up through the most gory place in Hell.

"Where the fuck is this Lucifer statue?!" Media Overlord grumbles to himself, as he speeds up in the direction of the town.

Vox, who isn't too used to either wearing dresses, or visiting drag nights (despite Valentino teaching him to appreciate the art), is low-key happy he arrived to the event with Alastor at his arm. The red flapper dress attracts more attention than his own asymmetric deep blue dress, put on the harem pants of the same color.

He also put some silver chain accessories on himself - one on his neck, which doesn't hide the thin scar from after the Incident; another one on his right wrist; it is woven in three circles around his arm and, if shit hits the fan (and Vox is always prepared for the rumble), he can let it loose and smack someone across the eyes or something.

After all, it would be in bad taste to use whatever Overlord powers he has intact, on Devil's party.

Too bad that they manage to miss Danny Do-Bad performance, because someone should have marked the event on the calendar and forgot at which time to arrive.

Her eyes passed over to the person on Vox's arm. They appeared to be in drag with a rather unsettling smile across their face. Mira thought that maybe she'd seen a dress like that before. It was an American thing, though, so she must've seen it once or twice when she met the Americans during the war.

"Quite the looker on your arm there." Mira put in an order of bourbon on rocks. "I don't believe we've met before," she addressed the person on Vox's arm. "Your dress is from something American if I'm not mistaken? I feel like one of the American soldiers who spoke Russian showed me something similar at one point." She paused. "Also no, since it's been the question of the night, I am not an Exorcist."

Mira, for her part, was wearing a plain white t-shirt with green flannel over it, as well as her matching cargo pants. The only notable part of her appearance was that her prosthetics were in boots that, though they fit perfectly, did still have Mira a little clumsy.

"I must say, you pull off your look pretty good yourself!"

His screen does grow cyan at Mira's remark about his companion; Vox looks at Radio Demon and his confident smirk mellows out slightly.

"Oh, that's... that's Alastor, my... dancing partner for tonight. He's quite a looker, alright."

(Prequel - Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 here!)

@voxpopulidei - @broadcasting-screams-since-33 - @first-sinner-of-hell

Barely a week and a half had passed after the VoxTek interview went on air for all of Hell, showcasing that the number one revolutionary had been none other than Lilith, the Music Overlord (who even had called herself 'Lilith Morningstar' to spite the archangel royalty).

A letter from Heaven did not made itself wait, establishing an urgent meeting three days after it's arrival.

... However, Lucifer saw the royal seal and, without opening it, left it on the desk and continue on with his task. Heaven knew better than to interrumpt him when he was making the ultimate rubber duck (this time for sure)!!

So, he completely forgot about it.

In fact, he had forgotten so hard about it, the weekend passed by without Lucifer warning Lilith or the Box guy about it.

"Luci~." Lilith talked in that sing-song voice that always made his heart flutter. "This weekend has been unforgettable. I'm so glad you were able to take a break from your King of Hell duties to be able to spend it with me ~."

The two of them laughed out loud. They knew perfectly that his King of Hell duties consisted mostly in making rubber ducks shows to pass the time.

Lucifer stopped his laughter short to stare at Lilith's. What he wouldn't give to wake up every day at her side and make her laugh like this.

It wasn't long since Lilith noticed his stare. "What?"

Lucifer blushed golden before looking away. "Nothing."

But if Lilith could be described in one word, it would be stubborn. "What is it~?" She poked his red cheek playfully.

Lucifer, instead of giving up and confessing, took the chance to grab her by the waist and make the two of them roll around in the bed. Lilith's surprised yelp and consequent laughter made the two of them forget what even they were talking about in the first place.

"I am so glad Heaven did not bother us for now." Lilith mentioned a few hours later. "It would be even better if they didn't even watch the interview. Right, Luci?"

Lucifer's eyes snapped as Lilith mentioned Heaven and he suddenly remembered. Oh, shit.

"Fer?" Lilith asked, worriedly.

"I'msorryLilymyovenisonfire-" Lucifer disappeared in a sudden 'poof' of flames as he teleported away.

"... What?"

Lucifer appeared in his workshop already fully dressed and hastily launched himself into the ultimate rubber duck's pile. "FOUND IT!" He raised the letter from Heaven as if it was a trophy. "Alright, let's see... Phew, it's only three days from now on." He exhaled, relaxed.

Then, he realized something. "IT'S TODAY."

He didn't even had the time to say goodbye to Lily before teleporting away to the Heaven's embassy at the center of the Pride Ring.

In fact, it had been so long since the last meeting with Heaven, he had forgotten the regulations to sign up before entry and teleported right into the meeting room itself.

"Cutting in close, aren't ya?" Asked a male voice with a laugh.

"Glad to see you are finally joining us, Lucifer." Sera said with a stern voice. "I almost thought you would not be able to come."

"Yeah, I was getting bored. Already thinking about making the trip worthwhile by exterminating a couple sinners since we are already here." He shrugged while chewing on a couple of ribs.

"Sera, who is the joyful guy?" Lucifer asked with disdain.

Before Sera could answer, the winner already yelled out. "Have you already forgotten, old man?! I'm Adam, the First Man!!" And he signaled at his side to the angel with a complete exorcist outfit. "And this kickass bitch is Lute, the leader of the exorcists!"

The woman did not say anything, but simply resorted to narrow her eyes at him and pass a finger from side to side of her own neck.

Lucifer rolled his eyes. He knew a mere angel would not be able to harm him at all. "Great." He didn't even thought of faking any formalities like 'pleased to meet you.' "What are they doing here? I thought this was a Heaven's meeting."

"Are you fucking kidding?! My ex-bitch-wife is turning shit on Hell and you are expecting me to miss it?!" Adam yelled out in a fit of laughter.

"Adam. What did I say before I agreeded you to come? Settle down." At Sera's command, Adam instantly shut up. It seemed like he respected her, at least.

'Finally'. Lucifer thought for himself. "So, what happened? Why did you all come here so urgently?"

"That first question is what I came here to figure out. Care to explain what is happening in the Pride Ring lately, Lucifer?" Sera looked at him like she could pry all the answers out of him just with her gaze. "And yes, before you ask, we did indeed saw the interview."

'Gulp.' "Oh, that? I have it all controled, don't worry! What, a sinner calls out for rebellion on live TV and suddenly Heaven thinks they are in danger? Please, I'm the King of Hell!" He fake laughed until Sera narrowed her eyes, which also shut him up really quickly.

"We are here because we think you don't have it controlled."

That made Lucifer realize something that made his golden blood run cold. The fact that Sera had come here with the leader of the exorcist army and his right hand was not a coincidence created out of politeness.

Sera was stating that things would not be over with just a scolding and a promise to dismantle the revolution. It was that Heaven thought that Lilith was a threat.

"But I suppose, since you have it all controlled... We'll just have to see how you handle it."

"No, wait, that wasn't what I was saying-" Lucifer protested, but someone else interrumped him.

"Ohh, are we staying in Hell?! Can we start an extermination since we are already here?!"

"No, Adam."

"Not even a tiny one?"

"No, Adam."

"Rats." Adam crossed his arms and sulked in his chair like a child.

Lucifer tried a desperate plea. "Can't you all... go back to Heaven and await the good news?" If the golden angel could sweat, he was sure he would have physically drowned in his anxiety by now.

"We'll be staying in your palace." Sera announced and the three of them disappeared like a glitch. Seems like the meeting had been just an hologram image.

'Oh, fuck. Oh, shit, oh, fuck.' He was thinking as he teleported away as well. 'I have to warn Lilith.'

Just in case more exorcists arrive, he sends the entire V-Tower on lockdown. Then, of course, he calls Lilith.

"Angels are in the Pentagram City," he notifies her without saying hello. "Head of Exterminators, his fucked up right hand woman and some stuck up Seraph. I don't know what the fuck Lucifer arranged with them, but until further notice I suggest you to lay low in your hideout - or, better yet, let me meet and escort you to a safe place until I gather more intel."

He already rushes into the street, cameras making him perfectly aware of angels' whereabouts - and able to avoid them.

the ticket arrived for vox sealed in a bright pink envelope, along with a short list of house rules for the night: bring cash for tips, respect the performers, and no going on stage unless explicitly invited. along with the ticket were two drink vouchers and a raffle form to be filled out with a name and favorite color. for what? it didn't say, but there was a return envelope for the entry addressed back to the hotel.

Vox, overworked and overstressed, fills in the form way too late.

He writes "Vox" in the gap for the name, and "Purple" in his favorite color - because blue and red make purple, and blue and pink also make purple, and purple is also Vel's - his closest friend's - favorite color.

He puts on an assymetric deep blue dress on top of harem pants, because even in drag he prefers more masculine style, and gets Alastor ( @broadcasting-screams-since-33 ) to go with him to the drag night.

He writes Mimzy's @20s-prime name in, along with the color "blood"

He puts as much effort in his clothing: a flapper dress, not covers for his red hooves, and a curled up hairdo. Vox made an actual effort, so it's fun to pretend he didn't and ask what dress he plans on putting on.

Even dressed up effortlessly, Alastor takes his breath away.

Until he opens his mouth, anyways.

"Hey, I am already dressed, you asshole!" he huffs, opening the doors of the limo to let Alastor get in, before they depart for the event.

@first-sinner-of-hell @broadcasting-screams-since-33 Part 3.2: Impasse

It's the evening of the same day after Alastor's "apology", as Lilith Morningstar gets a call. Vincent knows who's really in charge, so he doesn't waste his time on calling up anyone else in the family.

"Mrs. Morningstar?" he asks in a perfectly smooth voice, while wincing and putting pain relief cream on all the diabolically colored bruises in himself. "It's Vincent Whittman. Your employee came to me today. I take it, on your insistance. We talked and sorted things out.

I appreciate your concern and apology, but, really, it was just a harmless prank. I just want to assure you that everything is okay. I am also sorry that the incident in the club dampened your daughter's party."

After all, it's not like they all lived in the company like it was an hotel.

So, as of now, Lilith had not seen Alastor's wounds and did not know what had just happened in VoxTech.

Upon seeing the unknown number, Lilith's heart dropped. Had the debtors somehow managed to see that infamous duck post and came to collect their money before Morningstar's Pride truly broke?

Or was it a lawyer calling to notify her about the sue VoxTech has just made against them?

Oh, crap...

Well, she could not let the phone ring forever, right?

... Right?

... Alright, no, she would just be delaying the inevitable. She ended up picking up the phone.

"Lilith Morningstar, president of Morningstar's Pride. With whom I may be speaking to?"

Her heart did a few backflips as she learned that not only she was talking with the Vincent Whittman, but also Alastor had gone there personally AND he had convince him to not sue them.

"Phew... You don't know how glad I am to hear that, Mr. Whittman." 'Seriously, you don't know.' She thought for herself. "Our companies are supposed to be rivals, not enemies."

"But I believe that I could do something for you. As you said, we are supposed to be rivals, not enemies. It's twenty first century, after all. And since your husband accidentally let your financial status out in the open - thoughts and prayers, by the way, - and since I've been watching all Charlie's attempts to attract the new audience to your media, I've been thinking.

It would be simply in bad taste to watch a family company, that has been around twice my age, drown in all the turmoil.

Which is why I have a suggestion.

We should collaborate on a conjoined project together."

"A-A project?" She repeated, dumbfounded. "Excuse me for a moment while I look at my exchedule."

She put the phone on mute and cheered out loudly "YES. FINALLY. YES."

"You know that our types of content are different. You try to protect the retro style, and us... well, we always aim for something newer. Brighter. But people love nostalgia. And they also like... shadows, so to say. People like darkness, they it thrilling or, on the contrary, calming, when it's controlled and given to them in the comfort of their home.

So... I offer you to launch a multiplatform show "Nine Rings". You know, as in Nine Rings of Hell? Analog and found footage horror podcasts, fiction horror shorts and movies, maybe some ARGs. We could even use a special gothic romance special spin-off for that duck show your husband makes. And, of course, some arthouse that caters to niche audiences, but with bits that are approachable enough for wider audience to feel themselves... exquisite and special."

Vincent finishes applying cream on bruises and stares on four deep scratches that were right beneath the collar on his neck.

That fucking psycho. And he dared to call Vincent violent!

"That would be partially uncharted waters for both of us, but I've performed enough researches to know how people hunger for that stuff right now.

Besides, you employed the Cannibal Trio recently. Might as well to put them to good use."

Oh, but Lilith was once called the Queen of the Stage, and it had not been only for her naturally mystical singing voice. Her presence alone could melt the coldest heart, and her words were like a siren's song. In short, Lilith was used to get anything that she wanted.

"It's true that vampires and demons and all kinds of supernatural stuff has been all the rage lately." If Vincent listened closely, he might be able to hear the gears working hastily in Lilith's mind. "Niffty's Murder Cleaning program would fit right in, and Alastor will be able to do special broadcasts centered in the more grim stuff~. His audience fits right in with the idea."

Yes, the multimedia stuff was a really great idea, and any media CEO would die for a chance to share thematic programming with VoxTech, but Lilith wanted to aim even higher.

"But since Duck my Life is a domestic rom-com, I highly doubt we have access to all the decorations needed in the nearest future. And, well, sharing the same common theme between our programs will grab attention, but what would pique the audience's interest would be to film in a new setting altogether~."

It was time to throw the fishing line to see and hope she could catch the shark with her bait.

"I was thinking of filming the spin-off, as well as a few more programs more, in your sets at VoxTech ~. And, of course, you will be permitted to do the same if you wish to~."

Lilith was granting permission to come inside her studios if she was allowed to do the same.

He even takes a pause after Lilith's final question, to feign hesitance.

"Mrs. Morningstar, you drive a hard bargain," in fact, the bargain is the easiest one Vincent ever had to agree to. "But I can respect that. As long as you allow us to shape up the direction of the content filmed or recorded, and as long as you allow us sporadic overview of your actions on our set - with the same right granted to you on your sets - we can call it a deal. I'm sure it will be great pleasure to work together."

He smirks to himself in the mirror.

"For all parties involved."

@michael-heavenly-knight @first-sinner-of-hell

[Part 1] [Part 2-1] [Part 2-2]

Back in the Pride Ring, the Abyssal Seraph continues its ruthless rampage. Enraged by the blinding blast of light Michael left in his wake, the towering entity lets out a distorted, bone-chilling roar that fractures the very sky. It floats slowly above the streets of Pentagram City, its six jagged, obsidian wings spread wide as it hovers with terrifying poise. Moving with cold, calculated intent, it systematically destroys anything in its path, tearing through structures and leveling entire districts as it scans the Pride Ring, relentlessly hunting for the unique signature of the King's fractured soul.

Up close, the creature is a manifestation of corrupted grandeur, heavily mirroring Lucifer's sharp proportions but twisted into an unholy silhouette. Its slender body is a deep midnight-purple, wrapped in sharp angles that mimic a jagged coat. Rising from its messy, stark-white hair are two massive, curving black horns that erupt with a crackling violet fire. Its face is a cruel mask of absolute darkness, broken only by a wide, jagged grin of golden, razor-sharp teeth and a pair of predatory yellow eyes that flare with a menacing glow.

The truly terrifying aspect of its design is the trail of eyes scattered across its body—several glowing yellow eyes line its collarbone and torso, blinking with erratic, hyper-vigilant malice. The entity hovers effortlessly, channeling bursts of blazing purple fire from its clawed hands. The six wings spreading from its back are wide, dark sails filled with even more peering, illuminated eyes that track every movement below. Every breath it takes shakes the air with a low, radio-static hum, completely unchained and focused entirely on hunting down its creator.

Meanwhile, the gold-blurred light of the portal snaps shut, plunging the chaotic noise into a sudden, deep stillness.

Stella’s hooves touch down softly onto the crimson, dust-covered plains of the Wrath Ring. Above, the harsh, blood-red sun casts deep shadows over the vast ranches and volcanic rock formations. Lucifer lies entirely motionless across the saddle, caught in a heavy, exhausted oblivion.

His physical condition carries the terrifying story of what just happened back in Pride, offering a silent, grim layout for the others to analyze. His fair skin remains an ashen, ghostly gray, and the deep obsidian black of his stained clothes lingers like ink—a clear physical reminder of the violation his soul just endured to break free. His six white wings are wilted and heavily damaged. Most alarming is the severe, glowing fracture at the root of his wings, where his angelic essence and clothing look forcefully split apart. It actively weeps a steady trail of golden ichor down the horse's flank. The trauma looks deeply metaphysical, a brutal testament to a soul that literally had to tear itself apart at the seams just to force a parasitic entity out. His breathing is dangerously shallow and faint, his body completely running on empty.

@michael-heavenly-knight @first-sinner-of-hell

//The Abyss Seraph full demon form

//OMG THIS DRAWING TOOK SO MUCH

Nothing.

Well… at least not yet. He looked down at Lucifer who he was still holding onto. “Don’t worry brother I’ll find them and then I’ll find a way to stop that wretched thing— ah—!” He felt a sharp sting in his left arm the wound was closed thanks to some healing magic he had used on the way, but closing the wounds didn’t always help with pain.

Michael decided to take the upper ground and look around the wrath ring form above. After all everything is better form a Birds Eye view. With that Stella’s hooves lifted off the ground and the majestic aileron continued to fly in the dusty orange sky, while its owner scanned everything from above.

Whilst, he was looking around Michael decided to use this time to contact heaven. With a flick of his fingers he started a call with his assistant and right hand woman in the heavenly host army Agatha. When she finally answered Michael said.

“Agatha, I need to ask you to do some things are you ready? Because you will probably have to write them down.”

On the other line Agatha got her tablet to write down everything Michael would tell her to do with a worried expression. “Sir are you alright? I—“

“This is not the time for questions Agatha just listen. Lucifer, my younger brother, you know the guy he you all call the ‘Devil’, kinda got possessed by an abyss seraph. I did manage to free him from it, but now the dreadful creature manifested into living form and is currently wrecking pentagram city and the whole pride ring in general…” Michael was about to continue when he’s lovely assistant interrupted again.

“I’m sorry… you’re saying that there is a being with the power to wipe out a city?! Should I tell Sera or lady Raguel about this I could—“

“Maybe I would tell you if you actually let me finish the sentence.” Michael said flatly and cleared his throat. “As I was saying… tell Sera I might be gone for a bit. In addition to this, I suggest to create a protective barrier around heaven. Just in case this Abyss seraph finds a way to our home. I know that it is capable of firing a blast, similar to the one which blew off the pearly gates. Tell her to get as many seraphs, archangels and virtues so the shield could be stronger. Get all that?”

In heaven Agatha was rapidly writing on her tablet with her stylist. “Yes, yes. I’ll assume there’s probably more?”

Michael quickly checked to see if Lucifer had woken up and then continued speaking. “Go to Raguel and have heavens armies at stand by. Not the exorcists though. They’ll have no chance against a primordial being. It’s better if they just stay safe in heaven. Plus I don’t want Abel to be under that much stress … again.”

“Okey. Got it. I’ll be on my way to find Sera.” She said already getting up form the desk. Agatha unfolded her wings and flew off to find the Seraphim. Michael didn’t know what else happened because the call had ended.

Stella continued flying around the wrath ring. That was when he noticed Satan’s palace. Of course! Lilith was probably there with Charlie and the others. Without thinking much he landed outside it and started to call out. “Lilith? Charlie? Are any of you here? I have Lucifer! He is back to normal… well a bit hurt, but that thing isn’t inside him anymore!”

He didn’t dismount Stella yet. A part of that reason was that he wouldn’t be able to carry Lucifer, because of the wound on his arm still stung with sharp pain.

"Uncle Michael! I'm so glad you are alright!!" Charlie was so glad to see her uncle in good health that her eyes had yet to land on her father.

However, Lilith was already right at her husband's side, running so fast one may think she had just teleported. "Luci! Lucifer, please, open your eyes! I beg you, please!" She craddled Lucifer's head over her lap, not realizing her tears were starting to fall into his sleeping face.

"Dad!" Charlie ran close to her weeping mother. "We have to take him inside, I'm sure some of us will be able to heal him!"

Lilith could only nod, not allowing anyone else to carry him inside.

"You too, Uncle Michael. We will be able to treat your arm, I'm sure of it."

However, someone else had run outside with everyone else. And, despite his overwhelming height, it was quite impressive no one else had yet noticed him there until now.

"No." Satan stated, his voice as stern as his posture. "You-" He signaled at Michael. "Are not allowed in my domains."

"But Uncle Satan...!"

"No arguing back. Or do you want everyone except your father back into the Pride Ring?"

Charlie shut up right at that very moment, looking at Michael with nervousness. She didn't know what to do.

Only Michael knew why Satan was so adamant in kicking him out. Seems like he still wasn't over Michael winning their fight a thousand years ago.

"Vox...~" a cold, dual-toned voice booms directly into the sky—a hollow, screeching sound layered with heavy distortion that violently shakes the surrounding skyscrapers and crackles across the city's audio frequencies. "Hide in the shadows all you want, little parasite! The King cannot protect you. He cannot even save himself. I will bleach this entire ring in holy fire until you both bleed at my feet!"

Realizing the Overlord is gone, the creature's predatory yellow eyes snap toward its next high-profile target: Carmilla Carmine. Driven by the echo of Lucifer's deep-seated resentment and trauma, the entity locks onto the Top Weapons Dealer. It remembers the massive cannon she helped Vox build—the weapon engineered from recycled angelic steel to harness and trap Lucifer’s immense power, leaving the King tortured, trapped, and utterly weakened. Leaving the Vee Tower completely engulfed in raging purple fire, the Seraph hovers toward Carmine Industries, its trail of eyes blinking with hyper-vigilant malice, entirely consumed by a cold desire to hunt down the woman responsible for its creator’s agony.

---------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile in the Wrath ring, the world remains a completely blank, freezing void. Inside the quiet oblivion of his unconsciousness, Lucifer doesn't feel the gentle sway of Stella’s gait, nor does he hear the frantic, tear-choked voices of his wife and daughter desperately pleading for him to wake up as they cradle his head. He is entirely numb, drifting through the dark wreckage of his own mind while his fractured grace slowly tries to knit the severe, glowing rift at the root of his wings.

But as his physical body is gently moved from the saddle, the sudden shift in gravity causes his head to loll back against Lilith's shoulder. A soft, agonizing whine slips from his pale lips—a sound entirely weak, hollow, and stripped of all his usual dramatic pride. The deep obsidian-black staining his clothes remains cold to the touch, a physical scar of the parasite's forced re-entry that refuses to fade even in the scorching heat of the Wrath Ring.

Lucifer's eyelids flutter as he heard fragments of Satan's conversation with his twin. The blinding electric white light from earlier is completely gone, leaving his true crimson pupils to slowly bleed back into view, unfocused, glassy, and swimming with a profound, exhausting confusion. He looks up blindly at the dusty orange sky, his fingers weakly twitching against Lilith’s dress as he tries to process the heavy, hostile tension vibrating through the courtyard.

"L...Lilith...? M-Mikey...?" Lucifer mumbles, his voice a fragile, breathless rasp that barely carries over the dry wind. He doesn't have the strength to lift his head, his six white wings remaining completely wilted and dead beneath him as a fresh trail of golden ichor seeps into the dirt.

"Satan... don't..." he breathes out, a weak, trembling hand blindly reaching up into the empty air toward his twin brother, his glassy eyes wide with a sudden, panicked dread as he hears the Archangel of War being kicked out. "Michael... stayed... Don't make him... don't make him go back..."

A sharp, wet choke cuts off his breathing as Lucifer violently coughs up a heavy spray of bright golden blood, the fluid spilling past his lips, staining his chin and spilling directly onto Lilith’s dress. He gasps for air, his chest rattling as another harsh, agonizing cough wracks his fragile body, leaving him completely breathless, shivering, and clinging to consciousness by a single thread at his brother's boots.

He doesn't care about the old war, and he doesn't care about their pride; in his broken, childlike state of mind, he just knows that if Michael leaves, the towering shadow monster waiting in the Pride Ring will finish them both aven if he can't access them now.

However, Lilith, Charlie and even Lucifer need his help.

"Tell you what, Michael. You give me back the spear you used to smite me back then, and I'll let you stay."

He is going to break it down and use it as toothpicks.

"Yes!" Charlie exclaims. "Yes, thank you, Satan! Michael? Uncle? Please???"

"Uh, hi?" A horned, unimpressed imp approaches them while watching his phone, while two small imps open wide eyes behind him. "Hey there! Blitz, the O is silent. Have you seen a tall, creepy, smiling deer demon around?" He scrolls through a few messages. "Client. Red head. Not bangable, unless you're into that, not judging! He like, texted me the coordinates and sort of bailed."

"Oooooh, Satan..." The small, white-haired imp mutters as he recognized the Sin, who by the way almost had his whole group executed recently.

"Oh, right!" Blitz exclaims as he finally recognized his client. "Never mind, found him! Or, his remains, shit... who are we gonna smuggle cheap rye too, now?"

Alastor is indeed slumped at the foot of a bench, although he did his best to turn on his side. As Blitz approaches, he forces words through his throat. "Open a portal to... Pride. Push me through."

"Uh-uh. Riiiight. That is... not suspicious at all. How much are you paying?

"Boss!" the woman imp whispers next to him. "That's..."

"Yeah, yeah, I know, not cool, but we need MO-NEY, Milly! A client is only a client when he pays!"

Alastor can't invoque anything, and his wallet looks... pathetic. It lets escape a live moth, actually. "I'll pay you later."

"Mmmm... I don't know, that whole situation seems sketchy..."

"YOU THINK?" the little guy imp, Moxxie, yells as he gestures wildly to Satan, Lilith, AN ARCHANGEL, and certainly a lot of important people they should stay far away from.

Ethan, Travis and Melissa are where he instructed, alongside with dozens of employees - all hiding between the cracks and fallen blocks of the Hotel. Angel Dust is trembling; he already checked the ruins and didn't find Husk's body, so he tries to persuade himself really, really hard that Husk is okay. That he wasn't in the part of the Hotel, obliterated by the angelic beam.

Shock.wav is lying patiently on his belly on the ground dozens of meters apart from Hotel, and, being the good shark he is, wags his tail, as Vox runs into him, hugging him by the side.

"Oh, Shock.wav," he whispers, "I'm so glad to see you. Such a good boy."

Ethan approaches Vox from the side of the ruins.

"Sir," he says quietly, as he is close enough, "Are you sure that the Queen will open the portal?"

Ethan's eyes keep turning towards something to the side behind Vox's back, and Vox doesn't need to look back to know that he's watching the creature in the sky.

"In about five, no, four more minutes," Vox says. "We just need to wait a bit. Did you get all the necessary people? Did you manage to..."

"Oh my Satan," Ethan's eyes grow wide, filled with primal terror, and, since Vox knows that Ethan would never dare to interrupt him without a really valid reason, he turns to look back.

The V-Tower is on fire. The creature tears through it, raging, roaring, and then engulfs it all in purple flame, and chunks of the building are falling down, and Vox cannot help but remember how he started constructing it five years after Alastor rejected his offer; how he grew it floor by floor, until it became the highest building in entire Hell; until Val joined him, bringing the second V on top of the tower, and then Vel.

Vox worked on this so much. For so long. He is greedy, he always was, but whatever he wanted, he earned through blood and sweat and work.

"Mr. Vox, sir," Ethan's throat obviously gave out, since that word comes out of his mouth in a gasped whisper. "The portal. It's here."

The Queen has fulfilled her promise.

"Good," Vox finds his own voice raspy, almost absent. "Get everyone in there. I need... a minute."

Ethan makes sure to usher all Sinners into portal - which doesn't take much convincing, given they all saw what happened in the distance. Vox is watching his tower burn - and it feels like something in his chest also burns, dark and heavy. He really should look away, but how can he? All his afterlife goes down in ashes. Vox...~

The creature says his name, and everything in Vox tenses with frozen anger and fear.

Hide in the shadows all you want, little parasite!

"Mr. Vox!" Ethan grabs him by the wrist - something he would never dare to do in normal circumstances, but he has no other choice, because Vox doesn't react; he just stares at the creature in the sky, glued to the spot, "We need to leave. Now."

Eel Sinner's glance falls at the tower, and a sob escapes his throat.

"Sir, please!"

That and Shock.wav's short whine finally snap Vox out of it. He looks at his assistant, and sees that Ethan and Shock.wav are the only ones left outside the portal, with him.

Media Overlord puts a hand on Ethan's shoulder and squeezes it shortly.

"It's okay," he says, voice strained and staticky, "Everything is okay. It's just a building. You got us the most valuable souls. Others will be safe in the basement. Who cares about the tower, right? We can always build more."

Vox lets Shock.wav and Ethan rush forward into the portal, and he himself takes one final look at burning Pride Ring.

He notices a small figure, standing on top of the ruins of the roof, and immediately recognizes it.

"Baxter, you crazy son of a bitch! Get down here! Do you want to die?!"

Baxter looks down at him and scoffs.

"A scientist should not be scared by the risks, if the experiment is worth it," he declares with a proud smirk. "And witnessing an apocalypse is, indeed, worth i..."

Vox grabs him with the wire and pulls him inside the portal without thinking twice, as it closes behind them - and they, as all before them, they appear in the Wrath ring, right before Lilith, Satan and others.

@first-sinner-of-hell @broadcasting-screams-since-33 Part 3.2: Impasse

It's the evening of the same day after Alastor's "apology", as Lilith Morningstar gets a call. Vincent knows who's really in charge, so he doesn't waste his time on calling up anyone else in the family.

"Mrs. Morningstar?" he asks in a perfectly smooth voice, while wincing and putting pain relief cream on all the diabolically colored bruises in himself. "It's Vincent Whittman. Your employee came to me today. I take it, on your insistance. We talked and sorted things out.

I appreciate your concern and apology, but, really, it was just a harmless prank. I just want to assure you that everything is okay. I am also sorry that the incident in the club dampened your daughter's party."

After all, it's not like they all lived in the company like it was an hotel.

So, as of now, Lilith had not seen Alastor's wounds and did not know what had just happened in VoxTech.

Upon seeing the unknown number, Lilith's heart dropped. Had the debtors somehow managed to see that infamous duck post and came to collect their money before Morningstar's Pride truly broke?

Or was it a lawyer calling to notify her about the sue VoxTech has just made against them?

Oh, crap...

Well, she could not let the phone ring forever, right?

... Right?

... Alright, no, she would just be delaying the inevitable. She ended up picking up the phone.

"Lilith Morningstar, president of Morningstar's Pride. With whom I may be speaking to?"

Her heart did a few backflips as she learned that not only she was talking with the Vincent Whittman, but also Alastor had gone there personally AND he had convince him to not sue them.

"Phew... You don't know how glad I am to hear that, Mr. Whittman." 'Seriously, you don't know.' She thought for herself. "Our companies are supposed to be rivals, not enemies."

"But I believe that I could do something for you. As you said, we are supposed to be rivals, not enemies. It's twenty first century, after all. And since your husband accidentally let your financial status out in the open - thoughts and prayers, by the way, - and since I've been watching all Charlie's attempts to attract the new audience to your media, I've been thinking.

It would be simply in bad taste to watch a family company, that has been around twice my age, drown in all the turmoil.

Which is why I have a suggestion.

We should collaborate on a conjoined project together."

"A-A project?" She repeated, dumbfounded. "Excuse me for a moment while I look at my exchedule."

She put the phone on mute and cheered out loudly "YES. FINALLY. YES."

"You know that our types of content are different. You try to protect the retro style, and us... well, we always aim for something newer. Brighter. But people love nostalgia. And they also like... shadows, so to say. People like darkness, they it thrilling or, on the contrary, calming, when it's controlled and given to them in the comfort of their home.

So... I offer you to launch a multiplatform show "Nine Rings". You know, as in Nine Rings of Hell? Analog and found footage horror podcasts, fiction horror shorts and movies, maybe some ARGs. We could even use a special gothic romance special spin-off for that duck show your husband makes. And, of course, some arthouse that caters to niche audiences, but with bits that are approachable enough for wider audience to feel themselves... exquisite and special."

Vincent finishes applying cream on bruises and stares on four deep scratches that were right beneath the collar on his neck.

That fucking psycho. And he dared to call Vincent violent!

"That would be partially uncharted waters for both of us, but I've performed enough researches to know how people hunger for that stuff right now.

Besides, you employed the Cannibal Trio recently. Might as well to put them to good use."

📺🦋🪆🕷️🦌

"Vox, man, I love the enthusiasm, but listen to me very carefully. As the King of Hell, I see everything that happens in my realm. Do you want to know a little secret about his 'old pals'? He used to call Husk a pal, too, more time than you ever met the bambi. They gambled together, shared drinks, did business... and now look at him."

Lucifer pauses

"Husk is now a miserable bartender bound by a leash. Alastor doesn't want a partner, Vox, he wants a pet. He’s calling you a pal today so you lower your guard, but the second you trust him, he's going to strip away your power just like he did to Husk. I'm only telling you this because a tech genius like you deserves better than a leash"

Lucifer sighs

"Lets leave our disageements aside and talk man to man okay?"

"I know who and what Alastor is," he says coldly. "I've watched his every significant move for seventy years, and got all the intel on him. You forget that I also see almost everything in the Pride Ring.

Alastor doesn't want me leashed."

Anymore, anyways, Vox thinks.

"And I already don't have that much power. I'm painfully regrowing it. If he did want my power, he'd be smart to wait."

He lowers himself to Lucifer's face.

"Bold of you to think that I don't know how dangerous or cruel Alastor can get. And bold of you to assume that I'd believe a Father of Lies right after he made sure to compete with me for Al's attention. It's cute, but your tricks won't work on me. Besides, to get leashed I'd need to accept it, and I would not."

"Listen to him, Vox. He’s not even hiding it," Lucifer murmurs. "A businessman buys a weak company to asset-strip it. A predator like Alastor? He wants his prey fat, healthy, and running wild before he tears its throat out. He just confirmed exactly what I said. He’s waiting. He’s letting you believe you’re a 'partner' so you lower your guard and grow nice and strong for him. But hey, you’re the one who 'knows what he is,' right? Enjoy being his favorite entertainment toy

"Vinnie. This is getting ridiculous! Do elect a proper rival as your rival's rival if you absolutely need it, and let us get out of this very odd, borderline suspicious conversation!"

"You wish, old man! Never gonna happen."

He does look at Lucifer then and his eyes darken.

"I know how to handle my rival frenemy, thank you very much, your Majesty. And to be the favorite entertainment of an exceptional entertainer is a privilege, not an insult."

He nods at Alastor's suggestion and shields him slightly, stepping between Lucifer and Radio Demon.

"I would prefer for my rival only have me as a rival," he smirks at Alastor, flashing his sharp teeth, "But it would be cruel to limit someone so chaotic and unhinged. You do you, Al. Just don't forget that I might kill them first if you play with someone too much."

And he pulls Radio Demon with him to leave.

@first-sinner-of-hell @broadcasting-screams-since-33 Part 3.2: Impasse

It's the evening of the same day after Alastor's "apology", as Lilith Morningstar gets a call. Vincent knows who's really in charge, so he doesn't waste his time on calling up anyone else in the family.

"Mrs. Morningstar?" he asks in a perfectly smooth voice, while wincing and putting pain relief cream on all the diabolically colored bruises in himself. "It's Vincent Whittman. Your employee came to me today. I take it, on your insistance. We talked and sorted things out.

I appreciate your concern and apology, but, really, it was just a harmless prank. I just want to assure you that everything is okay. I am also sorry that the incident in the club dampened your daughter's party."

After all, it's not like they all lived in the company like it was an hotel.

So, as of now, Lilith had not seen Alastor's wounds and did not know what had just happened in VoxTech.

Upon seeing the unknown number, Lilith's heart dropped. Had the debtors somehow managed to see that infamous duck post and came to collect their money before Morningstar's Pride truly broke?

Or was it a lawyer calling to notify her about the sue VoxTech has just made against them?

Oh, crap...

Well, she could not let the phone ring forever, right?

... Right?

... Alright, no, she would just be delaying the inevitable. She ended up picking up the phone.

"Lilith Morningstar, president of Morningstar's Pride. With whom I may be speaking to?"

Her heart did a few backflips as she learned that not only she was talking with the Vincent Whittman, but also Alastor had gone there personally AND he had convince him to not sue them.

"Phew... You don't know how glad I am to hear that, Mr. Whittman." 'Seriously, you don't know.' She thought for herself. "Our companies are supposed to be rivals, not enemies."

"But I believe that I could do something for you. As you said, we are supposed to be rivals, not enemies. It's twenty first century, after all. And since your husband accidentally let your financial status out in the open - thoughts and prayers, by the way, - and since I've been watching all Charlie's attempts to attract the new audience to your media, I've been thinking.

It would be simply in bad taste to watch a family company, that has been around twice my age, drown in all the turmoil.

Which is why I have a suggestion.

We should collaborate on a conjoined project together."

"Vox, man, I love the enthusiasm, but listen to me very carefully. As the King of Hell, I see everything that happens in my realm. Do you want to know a little secret about his 'old pals'? He used to call Husk a pal, too, more time than you ever met the bambi. They gambled together, shared drinks, did business... and now look at him."

Lucifer pauses

"Husk is now a miserable bartender bound by a leash. Alastor doesn't want a partner, Vox, he wants a pet. He’s calling you a pal today so you lower your guard, but the second you trust him, he's going to strip away your power just like he did to Husk. I'm only telling you this because a tech genius like you deserves better than a leash"

Lucifer sighs

"Lets leave our disageements aside and talk man to man okay?"

"I know who and what Alastor is," he says coldly. "I've watched his every significant move for seventy years, and got all the intel on him. You forget that I also see almost everything in the Pride Ring.

Alastor doesn't want me leashed."

Anymore, anyways, Vox thinks.

"And I already don't have that much power. I'm painfully regrowing it. If he did want my power, he'd be smart to wait."

He lowers himself to Lucifer's face.

"Bold of you to think that I don't know how dangerous or cruel Alastor can get. And bold of you to assume that I'd believe a Father of Lies right after he made sure to compete with me for Al's attention. It's cute, but your tricks won't work on me. Besides, to get leashed I'd need to accept it, and I would not."