- Lucifer, Peter, Death, Yvere, Shiri -
Lucifer was explaining that there was a stop he needed to make on the way back to Hell.
"COSM?!" Shiri, Death, Yvere, and Peter all exclaimed.
"Yes," Lucifer groaned. "I need Cthulhu's help erasing a memory," he lied. "During the fight with Izanami, this...memory, made me hesitate. It has to do with my father and it's not something any of you would know-- since I've kept it to myself. I don't want to explain what this memory is because I'd prefer it disappear forever without further spreading its poison."
Lucifer's lying was effortless and immediately accepted by everyone, except for Peter. It wasn't that Peter thought Lucifer was lying or noticed some kind of tell, but more so that it seemed unlike Lucifer to want to fully erase a memory.
Death had his doubts. "You trust that Cthulhu isn't part of the organization that's trying to kill you?"
"Yes," Lucifer said confidently. "He's one of a few beings that I truly believe cannot be bought. His "Lord of Neutrality" title is only joked about because of the past conflict with Jupiter, which Jupiter was one-hundred percent responsible for."
"I've heard Lord Gwyn talk about Cosm," Yvere added. "She said it was surprisingly nice despite the history."
"Why would the vampire queen go to Cosm?" Shiri asked.
"Trade business," Yvere answered. "Apparently Cthulhu has an in-person rule when it comes to making trade deals. Obviously Lord Gwyn didn't want Cthulhu in Sangmara so she decided to meet him in Cosm."
"For what trade?" Shiri wondered.
"Blood," Yvere shrugged. "Eldritch blood is a psychedelic for vampires. It's not as popular as it used to be but there is the occasional ask for it from some of the wealthier families in Sangmara."
"Anyways," Lucifer continued his reasoning for going, "it's something I probably should have handled a long time ago but I never expected this to be a problem again."
"Well," Death groaned, "Xiao's going to be upset when he hears I'll be leaving the territory temporarily."
"But-" Lucifer tried to argue.
"No," Death warned. "I'll be traveling with you until you're back in Sangmara."
- Julius, Salim, and Nyx -
Julius and Salim were far outside of Han'ei. The two were on an echo call with Nyx.
"We're done with this assignment," Julius stated.
"Are you?" Nyx mocked. "That's strange because I don't recall Lucifer's death being reported."
"Fuck off," Julius insulted.
"Excuse m-"
"Your information was lacking," Salim added. "The Grim, Xiao, something with his contract is off. He should have burned through all his mana when I was fighting him but there were no signs of depletion."
"Why didn't you use your blessing?" Nyx asked Salim.
"Didn't have time to," Salim scoffed. "I was blindsided. Had I known about the contract's ACTUAL duration, I would have led with the 'blessing'."
"That's your mistake for being overconfident," Nyx blamed.
"Is it?" Julius interjected. "I think the mistake is going after Lucifer's life. Why are you three so determined to kill him? Until I get an answer for that, I'm done being a part of this mission."
"Really?" Nyx threatened. "I guess Gaia will just have to collect her blessing then."
"She can come and get it," Julius mocked as he ended the echo call.
Salim sighed deeply. "So I guess it's safe to assume that the next member we see will be attempting to rip your heart out?"
Julius placed his hand over his heart. "No. As angry as Nyx is, she won't do anything. The Machia faction can't afford to lose us right now, not with how tenuous things are. Once the war between Llamear and the resistance is over, that's when we need to worry."
- Ash and Kahvis -
Ash was sleeping in a sunny field surrounded by lycans in their wolf forms. Her head was rested on the side of one of the lycans with the lycan's tail acting as a blanket. Kahvis looked around at the scene as he approached Ash.
"Yamato is on his way with the new forces."
"Thatsh great to hear," Ash yawned.
Kahvis sighed. "Which means it's time for you to leave for the next target."
"'Bout that," Ash sat up and stretched. "I contacted some old demon friends to get information." She scratched her messy hair. "Llamear appears to be in full lockdown. Something to do with Huitzil, not sure, the information was limited."
Kahvis sat down and looked Ash in the eyes. "Why didn't you share this information sooner? Or the fact that you have demon contacts?"
"Relevan-" Ash yawned again, "relevancy and privacy. I wanted to wait and see how things went before giving up information I promised not to share," She scowled. "Demons, especially Hellspawn, can be rather annoying when it comes to information."
"Hmm," Kahvis looked off to the side in contemplation.
"I can still go if you'd prefer?" Ash said confidently.
"No..." Kahvis mumbled. "Unfortunately, I think we'll have to move forward with a different plan."
Ash lied back down. "I'm terrible at fighting alongside others, just so you know."
"I assumed as much," Kahvis stood up and paused for a moment. "Apparently there was an attempt on Lucifer's life. He survived, thankfully."
"Who'd he fight?" Ash asked.
"Izanami," Kahvis grimaced slightly.
"No chance he did that alone," Ash jeered.
"Why do you care?" Kahvis' tone had a hint of bitterness.
"Calm down," Ash waved her hand. "I would prefer if Lucifer lives long enough to kill me or die attempting it."
Kahvis had many, many questions about what Ash just said.
- Satan -
Satan was in a large indoor auditorium doing information network business. Satan sat in a chair in the center of the stage with two guards while the rest of the demons were in the audience seats.
"I've never heard of her prior to this," One demon said.
Satan picked at his teeth. "And you still never have. This unknown greatly values her non-existence so much that to say it's rare for her to contact me would be an understatement akin to saying Lucifer is a little unlucky."
The chatter amongst the demons quickly grew after Satan's analogy. Satan was using his magic to create a map of the different territories that certain demon scouts were in. Every time a question was asked about a demon, an illusory copy would form with text next to them. The intricacies of what Satan was doing with the illusions led to one demon mumbling a question.
"How are his copies so accurate? I've never seen the Lord's eyes."
Satan was mostly in his own head as he continued to shift names and images around.
'What could Lucifer possibly want with Cthulhu? I don't need to see his emotions to know 'erasing a memory' is a lie. When he came back from Olympus there were shifts in his emotions every time he heard the word 'devil' but why?'
Satan's left his head for a moment to speak to the group. "We'll be recalling any scouts near Llamear and focusing more on the H.G. territories, or Healers' Guild's territories for those of you who are new to these meetings."
Satan shifted his illusions around to show the planned movements while continuing to wonder about Lucifer. 'He's hiding something. It isn't ill intent, at least not towards me. His anger seemed self-targeted.'
"What about Han'ei?" One nervous demon asked.
"No changes," Satan answered.
Satan thought about Lucifer's call.
(Earlier)
"I'm only contacting you because it's the quickest option. I do NOT consider this asking a favor."
"Interesting," Satan responded over the echo. "Can I at least ask why you would want to visit him?"
Lucifer clicked his tongue. "To erase a memory. Are you going to contact him for me?"
"Sure," Satan chuckled. "Cthupiter will love to have your company. Tell him I'm not selling him my horns when you meet him."
"Okay?"
- Lucifer and Death -
Death had asked for a private moment with Lucifer. Lucifer was at the top of the gigantic tower in Han'ei. Izanagi and Izanami had recommended the spot to Lucifer and Death and despite Death's hesitation, Lucifer agreed. Lucifer was looking up at the sky thinking about Mary back in Purgatory.
'I wonder how she's handling this?'
Lucifer turned as he heard the door to the inside open. Death walked in with two massive barrels behind him.
"Where's mine?" Lucifer joked.
Death smirked as he brought the two large barrels into the center of the room, placing them next to a table that had two mugs on it. Lucifer walked over and grabbed a mug.
"How did Xiao take the news?" Lucifer asked as he dunked his mug into one of the barrels.
"Bit his tongue so hard he put a hole in it," Death answered as he filled his mug. "You know," he changed the subject, "when I left Purgatory, I was firmly...foolishly, certain that I wouldn't need to activate the G.H. protocol. Now..." He finished his mug and tried to look Lucifer in the eyes.
Lucifer averted his eyes from Death's. "Sorry, but I've been having issues with the eyes again."
Death put his mug down and placed his hand on Lucifer's shoulder. "I just wanted you to know how genuine my words are." He took a deep breath. "I will kill Gaia for what she's done. Her, Nyx, Thanatos, and any other god or being that is a part of their organization."
Lucifer feigned happiness towards the statement. "Focus on what's in front of you. Until you've actually activated the protocol, and with good, evidence-supplied reason, don't do anything."
Death took his hand off Lucifer's shoulder and sighed. "I know." He looked at the alcohol in the barrel. "Do you mind if I ask why you went through Satan to contact Cthulhu?"
Lucifer took a sip of his drink and wiped his mouth. "Distance. I want to keep political distance between me and the eldritch Lord."
Death filled his mug. "Finally think you're hated enough?"
"Fuck you," Lucifer smirked. "You're partially correct. Cthulhu used to be desperate to make amends with angels after what happened to Uriel. He quickly learned how vindictive angels can be and did the smart thing, opting to completely avoid angels at all costs."
Death tapped his fingers on the table. "And because of that complete avoidance, he'd probably be overjoyed to have an angel contacting him."
"That was my assumption," Lucifer shrugged. "Satan made it sound as if Cthulhu was ecstatic to have my company, which is terrifying."
Lucifer filled his mug back up and motioned for Death to join him on the balcony. Death put his mug's handle in his mouth and brought both barrels over to the balcony. Death grabbed the mug out of his mouth.
"Anything happens to you-"
"You'll kill Cthulhu, I know," Lucifer casually remarked. "There will be more than enough fighting to come, so please," he held out his mug to Death, "stop being the ['Hunter'] whenever you can, and enjoy your time."
Death grinned and tapped his mug against Lucifer's.