- Peter, Sabu, Yvere, Lao, Sig and Lina -
While Lucifer was discussing things with Xiao, the team was having a conversation with the other two members of Xiao's squad, Lina and Sig. Lina was introducing herself.
"Hello. I am honored to meet all of you and am grateful for the help you're giving."
Lina's voice had a comforting tone. The combination of politeness and optimism was greatly appreciated by Yvere. Peter's expression was shifting between irritation and fatigue as he stared disappointedly at Lao and Sabu. The two had been staring more than they should.
"Words ya two, not looks," Peter ordered Lao and Sabu.
Lao and Sabu exchanged an unsure glance. Sabu spoke hesitantly.
"I knew...of you but it will still take some time to adjust."
Lao bowed. "I apologize for the rudeness. It's unbecoming of a new member to act in a judgemental way."
Yvere and Peter shared the same thought, 'It's a good thing we had him practice that.'
Lina motioned her bandaged hand in a way that showed she took no offense. She outstretched her cloth-wrapped arm, offering a handshake to Lao. Her slender, pointed fingers curled slightly with nervousness as she spoke.
"I could use my voice if you'd prefer?"
Lao lifted his head and took Lina's hand. "Whatever makes you more comfortable. I have no right to impose."
Lina shook Lao's hand. "Then if it's alright with you, I'd prefer to keep speaking with this voice."
Sig jumped and wrapped her arm around the back of Lina's neck, pulling the seven-foot-tall frame down as she did. She put her hand on Lina's veil, pulling it up. Lina exclaimed.
"Sig!"
Sig smiled. "You told me to do this if you were being shy."
Sig was about equal height to Lao, which made her pulling of Lina seem more impressive. She had partially braided short blonde hair and ice-blue eyes. Her body was fit, with clear muscle definition showing on the arm that was wrapped around Lina's neck.
While Lina was freeing herself from Sig's hold, Sabu looked at Peter, who was failing to hide a grin. Lao was stumbling to speak, so Peter jabbed him in the side. Lina and Lao kept attempting to speak but were tripping over their words. Eventually, Yvere broke the chain of awkward mumbling.
"So female wendigo do look identical to the males?"
Lina pulled her hand away from Lao's. "Yes...except for one thing. Sig has warned me not to show that one thing though..."
Lina's head looked like bone and was similar in shape to that of a deer's skull. Her eyes were black hollows with one tiny white dot in each center. The entirety of her body was covered in tight bandages, displaying how slender her frame truly was.
"Sorry bout this, Sig," Peter apologized. "They should know better."
Sig shook her head. "Still better than most. I can tell they're trying at least."
Peter and Sig shared a laugh. Lina was putting her veil back over her head while also lifting the hood of her cloak back up. Sabu rubbed his neck as he watched Lina.
"Not the same," Yvere whispered to Sabu.
"I know," Sabu said in an unsure tone as he stopped touching his neck.
- Lucifer, Xiao, Devil -
The two were making their way out of the palace. Once Xiao saw that no one else was in earshot, he whispered to Lucifer.
"Be careful of Tsukuyomi."
Lucifer was immediately on guard. He whispered back.
"Why? What is he doing?"
Xiao sighed, "Calm down," he scratched the back of his neck. "He's just an asshole. Not in the suspicious way but in the I-see-you-two-getting-into-a-fight kind of way."
Lucifer sounded offended, "Why's that?"
Xiao chuckled nervously, "Because I, sort of, got into a fight with him."
Lucifer sighed as he rubbed his temple. "I'm guessing you didn't tell Death."
Xiao slapped Lucifer's back. "Good eye as usual. I'm sure you understand why I didn't, so if we could keep that secret going I would appreciate it."
Lucifer saw Devil walking next to Xiao. Devil's tone was biting.
'Why you associate with these primates, I'll never know. I can't imagine what went wrong in your life for you to lower yourself to their level. Pathetic excuse for an angel, fallen or otherwise.'
Lucifer's eyes filled with anger as he heard Devil's words in his head. He managed to go back to a neutral expression before Xiao looked at him. He couldn't help the lingering feeling of frustration though. While Lucifer was gathering himself, a rat yokai approached the two.
"Lord Amaterasu is by the entertainment district's duel arena if you're not afraid."
Before Lucifer could respond, the rat yokai ran off.
"Hmm," Xiao hummed. "Think you can beat her?"
Xiao's tone was genuine. He wasn't trying to goad Lucifer into a fight but quickly realized his mistake once he saw Lucifer's face.
"I didn't mean that how it sounded."
Lucifer flew off with such haste that a few black feathers fell off his wings.
"Black wings?" Xiao mumbled.
- Amaterasu -
Amaterasu was sitting in the middle of a large arena that was lined with torches. She had changed outfits from a fur cloak and kimono to a simple white shirt with matching shorts. Her eyes were closed as she pictured her past battle with Death. She couldn't shake the fear she felt as she imagined Death's scythe coming down.
The memory replayed, always stopping right before Death's swing connected with Tsukuyomi's rings. She knew she shouldn't be prodding Lucifer into a duel but couldn't help herself. In her foolishness, she found a bit of understanding for her brother Susano'o's penchant for duels. She opened her eyes as she heard Lucifer land.
"Finally!"
- Lucifer, Amaterasu, Devil -
"I'm not fighting you here!" Lucifer shouted.
Amaterasu was ready to laugh, thinking that Lucifer had simply come to refuse the duel in person, not realizing what the true intention behind Lucifer's words was.
Lucifer continued, "You want a proper battle, huh?! Then fight me somewhere where I don't have to worry about charring civilians!"
'Ooh, is this what you're like angry?' Devil mocked Lucifer. 'I like it.'
Amaterasu laughed, "Fine then. We'll use Susano'o's training area. Should be plenty of room for you to remember your place."
The lack of a response from Lucifer made Amaterasu feel confident in her insult. There was a part of her, something instinctual, that was warning her to be careful. She transformed into her wolf form and started to head toward the training area while questioning a few things in her mind.
'Black wings? Is he a karasu now? Surely he doesn't actually believe he can win just because I'm missing a hand? I wonder what Death-'
She shook her head and stopped thinking. She had already committed to her decision and wasn't going to let anything talk her out of it. She felt a chill run down her spine as she heard Lucifer behind her on an echo.
"I'm about to have a duel with Amaterasu. It's a mutual decision and one I want you to respect no matter the outcome."
'Why would he?' Amaterasu questioned before shaking her head once more.
Lucifer ended the call and put his echo away. The memories of his team's battle in Sol played through his mind. His battle with his brother Azriel. His killing of Cytus in Uriel's body. Mira's suicide. All of it played over and over again, fueling his anger.
The two arrived in Susano'o's training area. The area seemed to have no gravity when it came to the stone and water. Floating platforms of rock with water flowing upward from the ground were spread out all over. Large structures of stone were jutting out all over. Lucifer couldn't hide his curiosity as he looked around.
"Ready?" Amaterasu mocked as she transformed back into a woman.
Lucifer slowly met Amaterasu's eyes with a glare of pure hatred. The bitterness he felt about Death sparing her life had slowly infected his mind; he had never gotten over Death's decision. Amaterasu's prodding, though it was probably just the usual godly arrogance, had sealed his anger in place.
"Ready!" he shouted over. "Don't kill her, don't kill her," he mumbled through his teeth.
A shadowy yokai with horns of smoke sat atop a floating platform. He looked to both Amaterasu and Lucifer for confirmation of the match's start. He put both hands up.
"BEGIN!" the yokai disappeared into a shadowy puddle atop the platform.