- Death and Lucifer -
"Shall we go somewhere else?" Amaterasu asked, eyeing the other members of the group.
"No. We stay here and discuss you removing yourself from the lycan's politics." Death answered.
Amaterasu clicked her tongue.
"So be it. You're lucky I'm not Tsuki. He wouldn't tolerate speaking around lessers."
"You're lucky Death can tolerate speaking with you." Lucifer mocked.
Amaterasu gave an interested glance to Lucifer before rolling her eyes.
"Watch yourself archangel. You're lucky you have Death here."
'Didn't think I could hate someone more than Cytus right now.' Lucifer thought.
"Your father isn't around, so stop pretending to be threatening," Lucifer responded.
Amaterasu's uninterested look turned to frustration.
"ENOUGH!" Death shouted, his face partially covered in black smoke. "I am not here to listen to demigod dick-measuring contests. Get on with what you have to say Amaterasu. Lucifer, keep your mouth shut for a moment."
Death's outburst shook Lucifer and Amaterasu. Neither had expected the reaction.
'You really are low on patience.' Lucifer gritted his teeth to keep himself from saying something else.
"I can't fully stay out of lycan politics. They worship me, and Fenrir is absent. If I ignore them they might start to worship another wolf, like Skoll or Hati." Amaterasu's face scrunched into disgust as she mentioned the other wolves.
"Good." Death's face returned to normal. "I would prefer the lycans worship no one, but clearly, that won't happen, so maybe absentee gods are the solution."
"Existence is such a boring thing though." Amaterasu pouted. "Having followers adds a little bit of entertainment at least."
Amaterasu didn't realize how infuriating the word "entertainment" was to Death.
"They are living beings with enough problems." Death clenched his hand. "Just because you live a carefree existence doesn't mean you have the right to screw with them."
Death was doing his best to control his anger. He suddenly missed Michael.
'Even Michael knows when to back off. Such a petulant existence.'
"I have every right." Amaterasu pointed her hand at her chest. "You interfere with humans all the time. Why shouldn't I be allowed to involve myself with lycans?"
Death thought he might crush his teeth with how hard he was clenching his jaw.
Lucifer noticed and decided to step back in.
"Death helps. You play. The difference is in the body count. Last time you interfered, large groups of humans were mutilated, and the lycans were slaughtered."
Lucifer's words helped calm Death. He had said what Death wanted to.
Amaterasu's continuing bored look at the statement was almost too much for Death to handle.
"Remember. Cold and to the point." Lucifer whispered to Death.
Death gave a sideways glance to Lucifer and took a deep breath. He narrowed his eyes towards Amaterasu.
"Leave the lycans alone, or Izanagi will be missing a daughter." Death's tone was cold enough to freeze the air.
Amaterasu almost flinched at the statement.
"You wouldn't dare. You can't afford that." Her voice shook.
Death saw his chance. He took a step forward.
"I've hunted in the past, and I will do it again if I have to."
Amaterasu took a step back. Her bored face had shifted to an anxious one.
"I am not done with the lycans. I deserve some say in their matters."
Death took another step forward and withered the ground beneath his feet.
"You deserve a beating. Last chance, remove the yokai from Vázoluna, and never interfere again."
Death's face remained the same. He had controlled his anger and felt like shifting wasn't necessary.
Amaterasu took another step back, staring at the black ground beneath Death's feet.
"Fine. The yokai will take some time though."
Death could feel the similarities between this conversation and the previous negotiation. He wanted to make sure this was the last time he would have to warn Amaterasu.
"Swear on your parents' names that you're done with the lycans."
To most, an act like that would have little importance. To Amaterasu though, she was the daughter of an ancient. Swearing on an ancient's name had powerful implications.
Amaterasu swallowed. Her throat suddenly felt very dry.
"I can't, I can't do that. You know what that would mean?"
"I'm very aware." He took another step forward. "You betrayed my trust once, so I'm afraid it's the only way I can believe you mean your word."
Amaterasu's eyes darted around at the faces watching her. Swearing on her parents' name was far outside her expectations.
"I...I swear...on, on, the names of Iza-Izanagi, a-and Izana...Izanami, that I will no longer interfere with the lycans." Amaterasu could barely bring herself to say it.
Lucifer couldn't believe she was actually doing it.
'Wow. I guess she fears Death right now, more than her parents.'
Amaterasu transformed back into her wolf form and dashed away.
Death made a sigh of relief.
"Whether she meant that or not doesn't matter. She knows what will happen if she goes back on her word." Death said, turning to Lucifer with a smile. "That went better than expected."
Lucifer was happy for Death, but couldn't help feeling doubt.
'All this way just for that? She is unpredictable I guess. Still? Surely she wouldn't swear if she had ulterior motives. Then again...' Lucifer's eyes shifted to Mira who had been closely watching the conversation.
Lucifer walked up to Mira.
"Were you aware that Amaterasu was in the area?" His eyes widened.
Mira felt her heart drop. Her previous feeling of safety vanished.
"No." Mira lied.
Lucifer grabbed her throat with his left hand and conjured a flame in his right.
"I told you what would happen if you lied." Lucifer's fire was pointed at Mira. His left hand was strangling Mira.
"Plea...I...wou...elp." Mira was choking.
Death appeared next to Lucifer and placed his hand on Lucifer's chest.
"Stop! We already decided to let her live." Death's tone was a mix of worried and commanding.
Lucifer tightened his grip around Mira's throat.
"Azriel is one thing." Lucifer's eyes stared deep in Mira's. "Angels have wanted me dead for long enough. Amaterasu? She has no particular interest in me unless she's working." His grip tightened. "With. An. Angel."
Mira was almost foaming at the mouth. Her consciousness was fading. Her strength to fight back had left her.
Death tightened his hand around Lucifer's wrist until his grip loosened from Mira's throat, and then pushed him back.
"I told you to stop. At the very least we should get more information."
Mira was on the ground gasping. Deep imprints of Lucifer's fingers were on her neck.
"Right. Of course." Lucifer said smiling. "I just want it known that if she lies again, I won't hesitate to kill her. Your objection or not."
'Thank you for stopping me this time. I almost let her get away with important information.'
Death's expression was serious. Lucifer's smile often meant his anger had peaked.
"Tell us what you know about Amaterasu's presence here Mira." Death's eyes kept shifting from Mira to Lucifer.
"Yes Mira, please do." Lucifer cracked his left hand.
Mira could still barely breathe. She felt like her throat was partially collapsed.
"I" She coughed. "I knew Amaterasu was around. I had hoped to use her help in killing you." She closed her eyes, expecting to die.
Lucifer started taking steps towards Mira. Death stood in his way.
"Move. Michael will understand." Lucifer's voice was emotionless.
"He won't." Death kept his hands hovered in front of Lucifer's chest. "Just let her go. Whatever she was planning has clearly failed, and she'll be out of your life soon."
"You're right about the last part." Lucifer pointed his right palm at Mira.
Death wrapped his fingers around Lucifer's palm.
"Don't. She might die in Vázoluna, which would be a thousand times less complicating than you killing her."
Lucifer yanked his hand away and looked at Mira.
"You're leaving now." Lucifer pointed at her. "If I ever see you again, it doesn't matter who stands in my way, I will end you," He said before flying away.
Death wanted to argue. He didn't want Mira leaving now.
'If I argue he'll surely kill her.'
Death looked at Mira.
"He's not going to kill you. Open your eyes."
Mira looked up at Death in shock. She couldn't believe what he had done.
"Thank you."
"You heard him." Death offered his hand to Mira. "You have to leave now. Before you do though, I have more questions about Amaterasu."
Mira grabbed it and pulled herself up.
"I'll answer best I can."
A large explosion could be heard in the distance. It was clearly Lucifer letting out his anger.
- Mira -
Mira kept rubbing her throat when talking to Death. Yvere and Lao had both refused to heal her.
'I thought he was going to kill me. I was sure of it. Death saved me. I hope he and Azriel don't fight. He is the only one who should suffer.' Mira was scared to even think of Lucifer's name.
Death's expression was stoic and his words were almost monotone.
"Was Amaterasu always planning on being here?"
"As far as I can tell, yes." Mira was being careful to give short answers that didn't reveal too much.
She felt far more confident talking to Death.
"Why?" Death asked.
"I assume it was to meet you, maybe attack you." Mira lied.
Death's expression was doubtful.
"Amaterasu shouldn't know I would be here. I didn't call her territory to warn about Cytus and I don't normally travel with Lucifer." Death started tapping his fingers. "I'm giving you chances. Be honest with me." There was a threatening undertone to his words.
"Sorry. I, I just don't want Azriel to die. I'm guessing he and Amaterasu are working together."
Death's tapping got louder.
"I understand the solidarity angels share is important to you. Azriel will die for this though."
Mira couldn't shake the dread she felt from Death's proclamation.
'Azriel, you can't fight Death. Just kill him, and leave.'
"Why would Amaterasu meet with me if she was planning something with Azriel?"
"Maybe she was surprised you were actually here and decided to betray Azriel. She knows how you feel about her, and her presence in Sol would have made you more suspicious."
Mira was regaining confidence. She felt her lies coming to her more comfortably.
"So she negotiated with me as an act of peace?" Death stopped tapping his fingers and covered his mouth with his hand.
Mira was relieved, trying not to think about her upcoming walkthrough Vázoluna.
"That's all. You can leave now."
Death walked towards the direction of Lucifer's distant explosions.
Mira took a breath. She walked away from the camp and felt her throat.
'I don't know what will happen next, but I'd rather deal with the dogs than stay.'