- Lucifer's side -
The group was only a few days' worths of travel away from Han'ei. They were currently traveling through a large open field filled with gigantic spiders. Vibrations filled the ground as tens of thousands of legs skittered around the group. The group's carts were in a constant shake as they rode.
"Elijah and Heinrich would have hated this," Peter said, bouncing as he stuck half of his body out of the cart.
Lucifer looked around as he flew in-between the carts, "The AHIU territory is so peaceful too, it's a shame."
"AHIU?" Yvere mumbled. "What are the names again?" she asked Lucifer.
Lucifer informed, "Anansi-Hopi-Iktoma-Uttu."
Shiri leaned out of the side of the cart. "I've been wondering," he looked from Yvere to Lucifer, "what happens if a vampire drinks the blood of an archangel that's been poisoned? Because from what I know, archangels are effectively immune to all poisons but the details of that immunity are scarce."
"Any vampires traveling outside of Sangmara are taught to carry antidotes for the various toxins of whatever regions they're visiting," Yvere said.
"Also," Lucifer added, "I've tested this. Archangel bodies effectively destroy whatever toxin enters. Gwyn and Lucius got excited when they thought archangel blood might work as some kind of cure-all."
Shiri looked out at the roaming packs of spiders. "Given that I haven't heard of any miracle healing potions being sold, I'm guessing it doesn't work that way?"
Lucifer shook his head. "It wouldn't matter that much even if it did. Angel society has harsh views on the drinking and draining of blood, the archangels in charge of it even more so."
Despite the fact that most of the spiders in the area dwarfed the uništi, the roaming packs were making way for the creatures. Occasionally the many eyes of the spiders would glance over at the uništi with curiosity before looking away with what seemed like fear.
Shiri noticed the spiders moving out of the way. He thought it was odd given his past experiences with the creatures that they were keeping such a large distance. He asked Peter a question.
"You can ride these creatures, right?"
"Yes?" Peter sounded confused.
Shiri didn't follow up on his question immediately. There was a look of deep contemplation on his face as he stared out at the spiders, leaning a little further out of the cart he thought to himself. Eventually, he spoke.
"You've been to Han'ei before."
"Right?" Peter's eyebrows raised.
"Well-"
The cart's shaking got more erratic, pushing Shiri out before he could finish his question. He went to form ice to catch himself but was grabbed by Lucifer before he hit could. Yvere and Lao stopped the uništi.
"Sorry," Shiri said. "Still not used to the ride."
"It's fine," Lucifer sighed. "They hate ice, so please be more mindful of that."
Shiri chuckled, "I know, it's part of the reason I always traveled through here. So you know, they also hate fire."
Lucifer dropped Shiri. Shiri caught up to the carts and climbed back in, apologizing for his mistake as he went to his seat.
"What were ya goin' to ask?" Peter questioned.
"I was going to ask more about you," Shiri grinned. "All this time we've both spent in Hell and I feel as if we don't know each other that well. I know you don't get along with Lord," he stopped when he noticed Peter's expression sour, "um, Satan, but that shouldn't stop us from learning a little more about each other."
"'Course," Peter faked a grin.
- Satan's side -
Elijah was training when he noticed Satan approaching the area. He immediately scowled and shouted over.
"Aren't you supposed to be training Heinrich?!"
'Finally some animosity,' Satan thought to himself. "His current stage of training doesn't require me to babysit him as much. I'm sure he can achieve the same mediocre results regardless."
Elijah ground his teeth as he redirected a bolt of electricity. "No bad students, right?"
Satan grinned. "I take it you've never taught then?"
Elijah went to turn around but was hit in the arm by a bolt. His instructor reminded him to pay attention. Meanwhile, in another area of training, Dimitri and Poseidon were dueling. Poseidon was using two fingers while Dimitri was gasping.
"One...one more," Dimitri said through his labored breaths.
"No," Poseidon refused. "I don't know if you're breathing heavily because of depletion or damage but either way we're calling it here for today."
Dimitri tried to respond by shooting water at Poseidon but fell over into the shallow water that the two were training in. Dimitri's face was half out of the water as he made bubbles with each breath. He noticed Poseidon getting closer and forced himself partway up.
"Fuck off!" he balanced himself on his hands. "I...I don't need the pity of a former enemy."
Poseidon looked around at the staring demon faces. He didn't know what to say in this situation that wouldn't make things worse. He knelt down and offered his hand, hoping Dimitri wouldn't smack it away.
Dimitri went to smack Poseidon's hand but missed and fell on his back. His mouth and nose poked out from the water as he spoke.
"See you tomorrow..."
Poseidon moved the shallow pool of water, forming it into a large sphere as he went. He felt bad for Dimitri. The more he thought about his current circumstance, the more he understood Lucifer.
'It must be frustrating being weak,' Poseidon shook his head. 'No, can't say that. Shouldn't even think it.'
- Death's side -
Death's arrival at Han'ei's border was welcomed by the Grim squad along with Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi. One of the Grim walked up to Death and whispered.
"We tried convincing them to stay where they were. I wasn't sure how to proceed."
"It's fine, Xiao," Death sighed.
Death got off of Hrom, giving the reins to Xiao as he moved towards Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu. His face was stoic, showing the two gods that he wasn't in the mood for whatever it was they had to say. The crunch of the snow as he slowly approached, combined with his tone, was unnerving to the two.
"Given that Xiao hadn't informed me of any new information before arriving, I can only assume that this welcome is unneeded."
"It's our father," Amaterasu spoke. "He wants to speak with you. You know how he likes surprises?"
Death's expression showed clear distrust. The Grim's cloaks shifted as they prepared for a potential fight. Death raised his hand to signal them not to do anything. His tone softened slightly.
"I hate that about your father..."
As Death was escorted by Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi a light snowfall began. Xiao removed the hood of his cloak. He brushed the snow off of his short black hair. He scratched his stubbled face as he mumbled to himself.
"I hate yuki..."
"They're not the reason it's snowing here," One of the other members said.
"Still," Xiao shrugged before popping a hard candy into his mouth. "They haven't exactly made things easier and now we got the twins slowing things down even further."