- Lucifer and Death -
(After the battle ended)
Lucifer was sitting on top of Hrom while Death brushed the creature.
"That's everyone," Lucifer said.
"I'm pretty sure Michael shouted louder than Fensyr," Death joked.
Lucifer put his echo away. "I can't imagine the type of party Lucius is going to throw you once you get back from Han'ei."
Death gave a nervous laugh. "Hopefully you can absorb some of his excitement for me."
Lucifer gave his own laugh in response. He wasn't sure how to approach what he wanted to say. Instead of thinking too long about it, he decided it would be best to get it over with.
He laid down on Hrom's back. "So...you joining was Zach's idea."
Death knew this was coming. He never warned Zach to not tell Lucifer for fear that it would be more suspicious to do so. Unfortunately, he also didn't prepare what to say. He felt like he had more important things to think about. He was right, but it didn't make this moment any easier.
He stopped brushing. "I was going to tell you. You can look me in the eyes, I'm not lying."
The air got tense. Lucifer knew Death wasn't lying. Thoughts of how horribly this mission could have gone without Death flashed by in his mind.
He sighed. "I believe you. This just means I owe Zach."
Death spoke in a soft tone, "I know you hate my passive side, and I know that...that you don't talk about it out of respect for me. I'm sorry that my passiveness almost got you killed."
Lucifer tilted his head to look at Death. "It didn't..." he groaned, "look, I'm alive, my team is safe, and we have a new ally. Don't concern yourself with what-ifs."
Death knew Lucifer was just being respectful again. He knew finding out that it was Zach's idea for him to join would be upsetting. He wanted to keep apologizing, he wanted to assure Lucifer that he was going to change, but he felt that it would be wasted breath. He decided to just switch topics, hoping it would clear the tension.
He continued his brushing. "You know your ranking is going to go up after this?"
"Shit," Lucifer responded.
'I guess I should be happy you're changing the topic instead of making more hollow promises,' Lucifer thought.
- Lucifer and Peter -
(Same time as Satan's "show")
Over the last two days, Yamato had continually tried to get Peter to agree to a duel. The constant requests had led to Peter trying to avoid him.
Lucifer was checking his team's supplies while Peter was hiding in the supply cart.
Lucifer rummaged through one of the supply crates. "I wouldn't think you'd be so adamant about not having a duel. I can understand refusing an angel given how bitter they can be about losing to a human."
Peter sighed. "If he had just waited a little longer to ask I might have agreed. I fuckin' hate his type. Humans tryin' to prove they're the 'better' human, whatever the fuck that even means."
Lucifer picked up a rectangular brown bottle.
He looked at it then at Peter. "I understand your side in this, you know that, but we've both agreed in the past how effective an ass-kicking is at quieting someone."
Peter motioned Lucifer to give him the bottle.
He popped the top off, took a sip, and coughed. "Shit, that one's medicine..." he coughed a few more times, "or one of your drinks."
Lucifer took the bottle back. "I'll make sure to label it," He put the bottle back in the crate. "I'm confident you could beat him in a match, so I don't see what the problem is?"
Peter leaned his head back on the cart. "I've committed to sayin' no. If we were stayin' here I would have just had a duel with him. The sooner we leave, the better."
Lucifer stopped searching through the crate. "Fair enough. I'm sure Sabu will be happy that he's not being asked to teach knife throwing anymore."
Peter chuckled. "Yeah and Yvere won't be stuck discussin' medical science with Saint. Never understood why Saint found that stuff so important."
Lucifer sat down. "Science is fascinating, medical or otherwise. I'm sure Lao loves the lessons."
Peter's avoidance of Yamato had separated him from the team over the two days. He had missed being able to talk with them. Lucifer had popped in every now and again to update him on things.
"How's Elijah's training coming along?" Peter asked.
"Usual," Lucifer shrugged. "He's got that new-reborn talent for it. It's a shame he won't stay with the team."
Peter gave a curious look. "Do you think our team is still necessary?"
Lucifer looked around at the supply cart. "I don't know. Kahvis should be in a better position to handle any new human-related problems that pop up, or at least I hope so. It might mean we can actually travel again."
"We should plan a trip once we get back to Hell," Peter suggested.
"Agreed," Lucifer smiled.
- Yvere, Lao, Saint -
(During the two days)
Saint was sitting at a stone table with a large book full of blank pages. Across from her sat Lao, who was clearly enthusiastic, and Yvere, who was clearly trying to fake enthusiasm.
Saint began her lesson," As I teach all healers, there are great benefits to mixing in human medical science with our healing magic. As you both know, healing magic does not work on someone who's medically dead. Human medical science can revive someone back to life, something no healer can do with magic, not even me."
"Amazing," Lao complimented Saint.
"Very, um, very interesting," Yvere said.
Saint looked at Yvere and sighed. "I know how boring this stuff can seem but you need to understand how useful it can be. Trust me when I say you want to avoid a situation where you could have saved someone's life with this information, but didn't because you found it boring.
"I don't mean any disrespect, it's just that I've already heard this," Yvere said.
"Sorry," Saint apologized, "I forgot how young you are."
'Not often I get complimented for my age,' Yvere thought.
- Kalduk, Saint, Kahvis, Death, Lucifer -
(Present)
Saint and Kahvis were waiting for the Guild's representative to arrive. They were told it would be Kalduk. Death and Lucifer were told to be nearby in case they were needed for questions. The four were standing at the edge of the resistance's headquarters.
"I wonder how Kalduk is doing these days?" Lucifer asked Death.
"Why do you care?" Saint questioned in a curious tone.
Lucifer shrugged. "I barely know him. Of all the gods in the Guild, he's the one I know the least about."
Saint gave an annoyed sigh. "There's nothing to know. He's a world-class healer who works for the Guild. He has a water affinity and hates dragons."
"Why does he-" Lucifer stopped talking after seeing Kalduk arrive.
Kalduk was 6'4" tall. He was wearing a thick blue jacket with fur lining, and thick blue pants that matched. His skin was a dark tan. He had a round face with three white lines going down his left cheek. His face was partially covered by his long, dark brown hair.
"I'm here to collect the fine," Kalduk said to the four.
Kahvis tossed Kalduk a sheathed dagger. "That should cover the amount we discussed."
Kaldulk unsheathed the dagger and inspected it. "An Arryx weapon. If I remember correctly he doesn't allow the trade of his weapons?"
"Is that a problem?" Kahvis asked.
Kalduk sheathed the dagger. "Not for us."
Death leaned over to Lucifer and whispered, "Arryx is going to be furious if he finds out."
Lucifer looked at Kahvis and whispered back, "It wasn't a commission, they "found" it."
Kalduk put the dagger into his jacket and scanned his eyes across the four. "As per Guild protocol, all of you are required to vacate Passage. Any failure to do so will be met with force."
Kahvis took a step forward.
'Please don't,' Lucifer thought.
"I appreciate the Guild's understanding in this situation," Kahvis said.
Lucifer and Death's eyes went wide as they stared at Kahvis.
(Past two days)
Saint was discussing the Guild's protocol with Kahvis.
"I am well-informed on how they work," Kahvis assured.
Saint glared. "Right...but this conversation isn't about what you know, it's about how you're going to act."
Kahvis tilted their head to the side. "You don't trust me to act appropriately?"
Saint laughed. "Seriously?"
"I can be diplomatic when I need to be," Kahvis assured.
Saint tapped her arm. "Sure you can, but just to be safe, let's practice that diplomacy of yours."
(Present)
Kalduk and Kahvis exchanged formalities while Death, Lucifer, and Saint spoke amongst themselves.
"Are the marks dragon-related?" Lucifer asked Saint.
"No," Saint answered.
Death looked over at Kahvis and Kalduk. "Did we really need to be here for this? Seems like Kahvis has everything handled."
Saint sighed. "You know the Guild. It's better to assume they'll want to question everyone."
Kalduk walked over and looked at Lucifer.
"Yes?" Lucifer asked.
Kalduk put his arm on his chest and bowed. "I'm deeply sorry for the loss of your friend. I only wish I could apologize on behalf of the entirety of the Guild."
Lucifer tried to hide his surprise. "It was a long time ago...and it wasn't your fault? I appreciate the apology though," he matched Kalduk's bow.
Kalduk bowed to Death next. "Sorry for the loss of your two Grim. I know how important their work is to this world."
Death looked at Saint and then back to Kalduk. "That's...thank you. I appreciate the condolences."
Kalduk gave a slight nod to Death and Lucifer. They told the three that if the Guild needed anything else they would call.
As soon as Kalduk left, Death and Lucifer had some questions for Saint.
"He's the kindest of the Guild's masters," Saint shrugged.
Kahvis joined the three. "I was relieved to see Kalduk is the same. It's good to see the Guild didn't change him."
"What are you?" Saint asked.
Kahvis gave a quick look to Lucifer and Death before looking at Saint. "Sorry, I can't tell you. Unless you want to count this as the favor I owe you?"
Saint grinned. "Nice try. I'll be saving that for later."
- Lucifer's group -
Lucifer's team was getting ready to leave. Peter was still in the supply cart so Lucifer decided to sit in the other cart for once.
"What's the occasion?" Elijah asked.
"Peter needs some time to himself," Lucifer answered.
Sabu leaned back and closed his eyes. "I cannot wait to get away from this place."
Lucifer grinned. "You could have just told them no when they asked you to teach them."
"I think he was just happy to show off," Heinrich said.
The carts started to move. Lucifer leaned out of the back of the cart. He stared at the resistance headquarters, wondering how this world was going to change.