- Satan and Shiri -
(Before Lucifer's group went to Han'ei)
Satan and Shiri were sitting at a table with a game board between them. Shiri was arguing with Satan.
"Why don't you help him the same way you help me? I respect your decision-making but it seems needlessly cold on your part to continue this apathy!"
Satan sat back in his chair and waved for his guards to take the game off the table. He groaned and created an illusion of Lucifer. He was monotone as he explained.
"I can't have diplomatic ties with Lucifer until his family stops trying to kill him. If an angel were to kill Lucifer, it could drag Hell into a war with Heaven, given how fervently the two territories protect their own."
Shiri put a finger on the table and created an ice spike, hitting and fading the illusion of Lucifer.
"Except Michael hasn't allowed the hunting of Lucifer since post-Ragnarok!"
Satan clicked his tongue, 'He's more well-read than last time,' He recreated the illusion, this time hovering it over the table. "The main point is that Lucifer has too many enemies."
The ice spike extended upward and hit the hovering illusion. Satan tilted his head up.
"Look, I understand your views on family and your respect for Lucifer but this is not a simple issue," He tilted his head back down to be level with Shiri's. "If Lucifer wants the same protections you have, he needs to change how he lives his life."
Shiri stood up. "So you're saying you wouldn't be my ally if I traveled more?"
Satan scowled, surprising Shiri. "You avoid conflict, Lucifer attracts it," He stood up. "You want peace, Lucifer wants nothing!" he slammed his palms on the frozen table, cracking it. "I know the man better than you ever will," He sat back down with a thud.
"Why then," Shiri was interrupted.
"Because he won't change. Theoretically, if he were allied with Hell, I would be demanding he be less reckless and he would refuse. You're so well-informed, why don't you tell me what one of my main rules to the demons that travel outside these walls is?"
Shiri slowly sat back down and sighed with defeat. "Don't start conflict," He looked at the cracks in the table. "He doesn't start it he just makes sure to finish it."
"Doesn't start it anymore," Satan corrected. "If you want this to change, argue with him, not me."
- Izanagi and Izanami -
(Sometime before current events)
Izanagi and Izanami were in the top room of a giant tower. Izanagi held his spear as he went over the various plans for how to deal with Death and Lucifer.
"Plan one will be me attempting to switch Death's echo for this one," He held out an echo. "This is the echo of that ice hag we killed, so there should be no chance that Lucifer is able to call it."
"Hmmm," Izanami hummed. "I'll move Lucifer to a controlled area where we can lockdown the skies. The two humans that the organization sent will work with yokai mercenaries to keep the rest of that group busy."
Izanagi tapped the spear's handle on the wooden floors and created an illusion of all the members of Lucifer and Death's group. He pointed the spear's head at Shiri.
"This one is a considerable threat if what I've 'seen' is accurate, and not just because of his connection with Satan."
"'Zero.'" Izanami covered her mouth with her hand. "At least that's the name I've heard going around."
Izanagi created an illusion of Susano'o. "We'll have Susano'o and his forces handle that one."
Izanami's hand dropped from her mouth, "What?!" she collected herself. "Sorry, but all of Susanoo's forces for ONE yuki?"
Izanagi sighed, "That one yuki might be a potential blind spot. 'Zero' as he's been called is one of the oldest living yuki and has a strong alliance with Satan. You know from our past interactions with the Demon Lord that he is nearly impossible to ally with."
Izanami shook her head in agreement. "You're right, sorry."
Izanagi removed the illusions and created new ones. "Before we move on to the other plans there is one being we need to discuss."
Izanami seemed confused. "Why now? Have you seen something new?"
Izanagi created an illusion of Michael. "It's not 'new' it's more...perplexing. I've always understood that not all paths I 'see' are equal in legitimacy, however, there was one I saw in regard to the current leader of Heaven that surprised me. It's probably nothing but if what I saw has even the smallest chance of being the correct path, then it's vital we prepare for it."
"But why now?" Izanami persisted. "I trust your reasoning but I don't want you overloading yourself with what-ifs."
Izanagi explained to Izanami what he had "seen" on the path with Michael. Izanami's eyes widened with disbelief.
"Is Lucifer aware of this?" Izanami mumbled.
- Death and Izanagi -
Death and Izanagi were at the foot of the mountain.
"Shall we?" Izanagi asked.
"Hold on," Death said, pulling out his echo. "It's me."
"Everything going okay?" Lucifer said from the other side of the echo call.
"Everything's fine," Death assured.
Izanagi responded to the situation casually, despite his internal frustration. "Checking in with Lucifer? I'm sure the orochi won't give us that much trouble."
"I'll call back in an hour or two," Death said to Lucifer before ending the call. "Lucifer is just being extra careful. I can't blame him, given how bad his luck has been."
"Of course," Izanagi nodded.
- Izanami, Lucifer, Peter, and Yvere -
Izanami thought to herself while Lucifer spoke with the other two, 'First plan already ruined. He doesn't know anything, otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to this, it's just his paranoia.'
Lucifer made meaningless conversation with Peter and Yvere while thinking about the current situation, 'We have our code words to say in case the echoes get stolen and someone tries to copy our voices. Everything should be covered in case...in case...' he exhaled slowly through his nose.
"Everything alright?" Izanami asked Lucifer.
Peter wrapped his arm around Lucifer's shoulder. "He's fine, just overthinkin', probably excited that he has someone to discuss the forbiddens with."
Izanami seemed curious. "Tell me, Peter, how well-informed are you exactly?"
Peter smiled as he tightened his grip around Lucifer's shoulder. "Enough to know that S.D.T. is one of three names."
Izanami's face lit up with further curiosity. "We should hurry to the speaking location. I have a millennia' worth of questions."
Yvere stopped as she felt her nose start to bleed. She wiped the blood as it came out and felt the already chilly air get colder. She hid her discomfort and quickly cleaned off her hand as she tightened her coat.
- Izanagi -
(Past)
Izanagi sat, cross-legged, atop a mountain that stretched so far into the sky it seemed to touch the clouds. He stared at the star-filled sky above, exhaling white mist as his eyes moved from star to star. He glanced over at the jeweled spear sticking out of the ground next to him.
"Lord of Prophecy?" his voice carried little emotion. "Worthless magic," He closed his eyes and lied back. "Might as well call me the Lord of coin flips."
Izanagi clenched his hands and mumbled to himself. "Just once. No one else is around, so just this once."
Izanagi opened his eyes and used his magic. A thousand screens that only he could see opened up in front of him. The thousand screens shattered, forming a million, then, shattered once more, forming a trillion. Izanagi's eyes darted around as he tried to make sense of the information.
"AH!" Izanagi screamed in pain as he felt his eyes bleed.
Izanagi removed the screens and covered his face with his hand. He rolled over, propping himself up with his other hand. He shakily stood up and walked over to his spear. He placed his head on the handle and healed his eyes.
"Lord of Prophecy..." Izanagi grumbled as he looked up at the blurry stars. "I will tame this magic. I will prove Ragnarok wasn't a fluke." He tilted his head down and mumbled. "Worthless magic..."