Lucifer and the group had completely gone through the portal. Ralphael continued to pick the specs of dirt on his cloak.
A voice yelled out, "apprehend him!"
Ralphael looked up from his grooming session. In front of him stood a man wearing heavy white armor with a crest of a golden dragon. Beside him stood a woman wearing the same armor, dawning the same crest, but silver.
He reluctantly raised his hands in the air, showing his intention of not fighting.
"Relax," he said. "I don't want to fight"
"What have you done with the people living here?" The man said, with an odd robotic tone..
"Nothing. We sent them far, far away" said Ralphael.
The man seemed displeased by his response.
"Take him into custody," he said robotically.
The woman beside him nodded her head as she began to walk toward Ralphael.
"Alright, I'm going to stop you right there," Ralphael warned. "One more step and you won't like how this ends." Ralphael took hold of his scepter.
"Please do not resist. I don't want to hurt you more than I need to," the woman said robotically.
"I would love to see you try," Ralphael egged her on.
She quickly dashed toward Ralphael, unsheathed her sword to strike at Ralphael. Ralphael quickly used his scepter to block the strike. The strike has so much force behind it that it flung him a fair distance. Still, he managed to get his bearings.
With a wave of his finger, countless fireballs came flying at the lady. Nearing her body, the fireballs quickly dissipated on a magic circle. Ralphael glanced at the man, noticing he was using spells to protect her.
"Tch. What a pain." Ralphael mumbled.
Readying his scepter, he set two trap explosions, hiding the cast by firing a seemingly small fireball and fired it at the man. As predicted, he erected a barrier to block the attack. The fireball exploded with more force than anticipated, breaking the barrier to pieces, the force pushing the man back a bit.
The grunt of the man distracted the woman. Using this chance, he quickly closed the distance, charging up a fire blast as quickly as he could. The lady turned just in time to block the blast, sustaining minimal damage thanks to her armor. Stepping back a bit, she stepped onto a magic circle Ralphael set, activating the explosion, knocking her back. Her body smashed into a nearby building.
Not giving it any chance, Ralphael fired a fire blast at the man before he could fully recover. Suddenly he felt a heaviness in his chest. The fire black stopped mid air, evaporating into magic molecules. From the ground, his leg was grabbed by two hands of stone, a face slowly rising front be ground. He tried to cast a spell to break its hold, yet, he could not make any spell activate.
A voice from above grabbed Ralphael's attention. "Give up, scum. You won't be activating anything as long as I have my hold on you."
On the roof stood a man, his face was smug, looking down in Ralphael. Two others stood by his side, both of which are females, roughly in their teens or so.
He continued to speak in his stern voice. "I am Sebastian, one of the Holy Skirmishers of the Gaitan empire! I have come to-"
"I don't give a shit who you are!" Ralphael shouted. "I hardly think taking the credit for the work those two did is a worthy thing to boast about!" He said smugly.
The man's face lost his smug expression and instead, was replaced by anger. With a snap of his finger, a heavy blow can be felt by Ralphael on his stomach, causing him to grunt in pain. A stone pillar had hit him square in the stomach, making him knelt down.
"Don't you dare mock me, you lowly trash!" He yelled. "Know your place!"
Ralphael took a moment to regain his bearing. The two girls that came with him are helping the man and woman up, both with moderate injuries, nothing serious. Sebastian jumped down dramatically and walked up to Ralphael. Nearing him, the man accidently set off the second trap, causing him to get knocked back by the explosion.
Ralphael laughed for a good bit, wheezing from time to time.
"God, are skirmishers all this stupid?" He said, needing to force it out through his laughter.
The man got up, his face red with anger as he forcefully made his way to Ralphael, blinding his body with what seems to be a lasso of light. The sensation made Ralphael squirm in pain, feeling as though hus body was on fire.
The man now stood in front of Ralphael. "That's right. Keep up the jokes. I have plenty of ways to make you regret it you useless pitiful fucker!" He taunted.
The man proceeded to kick Ralphael across the face, leaving a bruise on his cheek.
"Diana! Get over here and carry him back to the questioning room," he ordered one of the girls.
She bowed her head as he walked past her. She then walks to Ralphael, levitating him like a balloon as she walks with Sebastian. With what little magic he can excrete, he decided to push out as much mana as he can, like a balloon pushing out air, trying his best to make a trail for Lucifer to follow. The woman and man followed behind Ralphael, keeping an eye on him in case he tried to cast any suspicious spells.
Ralphael felt slightly ashamed to be strung up like a child, floating through the street of the bustling kingdom. The people outside the zone seem to be fairly happy and content with their lives. If he was to come in through the front gate, he wouldn't have ever imagined that the kingdom so filled with joy would harbor such a twisted Collection Zone.
As they walked, the people bowed their heads to Sebastian. He would smile and wave, enjoying the feeling of being showered with attention and praise.
Ralphael turned to the man he blasted. "Is this really how he acts?" He asked the man quietly.
The man gave him no answers, his face stoic as if nothing had happened.
After a while, Ralphael was taken into the castle. Upon entering, his mana seems to have been completely blocked by some sort of barrier.
'There goes the bread crumbs plan.' He thought to himself.
Two guards greeted him at the entrance. The man and woman stopped at the entrance, waiting for their next order. He greeted them back. Ralphael was taken down the flight of stairs and into a dark dungeon.
"You're seriously taking me to prison?" He asked Sebastian..
"Don't worry, it's only temporary." He said smugly. "Since you did something to the ones I'm testing on, I'll just use you as my new test subject."
The way down was dark. The stairway is dimly lit, the smell is musty and foul. Ralphael was worried what this could entail, but either way, it's too late now.
"Just throw him in the cell." He ordered Diana. "We'll see what sort of crystal you can produce, you damn trouble maker.
Diana knocked him out with a punch, and threw him into the cell.
When he came to, he was stuck in a completely different cell. His head feels fuzzy, a slight ache at the back of his head. He felt a whole lot lighter, which is a plus. He carefully sat up, noticing his rings and coat were gone. As a matter of fact, that pissed him off more than the abuse.
"Are you alright?" A girl said.
He looked behind him, seeing a girl in the corner, sitting in a group of children. She appears to be quite young, dawning a head of brown hair. The children around her looked worse for wear. Some had deformations that seemed painful to even breathe. The ground beneath them was stained with blood. Cuts and laceration littered their body. The kids barely had any clothes, wearing what can only be described as rags.
"Where am I?" Ralphael asked.
"I'm…not quite sure. We just call it the laboratory." She said.
He focused his gaze on the other kids. "Are those kids alright?" Ralphael asked.
She pet the head of the child laying on her lap. "They're suffering." She said sadly.
"What happened to them?" He asked somberly.
"That man, he experimented on them, making them turn into…" she paused searching for the right word. "I don't even know. They are conscious, but in a way, that only makes it worse for them."
The girl shivers. Of course, it's only natural. Whereas Ralphael still had some clothes, they weren't so fortunate. Ralphael summoned a magic circle, giving off a warm sensation to the group. The groans of the hurt children died down, seemingly comforted by the warmth.
"Better?" He asked.
"Yeah, better." She said softly.
"So what's your name?" Ralphael asked.
"It's Luna," she said happily.
"It's nice to meet you Luna. I'm Ralphael," he introduced himself.
He extended his hand to her for a hand shake. She didn't know what to do with it, and ended up putting her palm on his hand.
"It's nice to meet you too, Ralphael." She said, smiling to him.
Ralphael gave her a friendly smile. "So if you don't mind me asking, what is the experiment for?"
She thought for a moment. "I don't really know the full thing, but it looks like he is trying to find a way to extract mana as well as inject mana into someone." She pet the child's head. "The outcome of the injection usually ends horribly."
"How long have you been here?" He asked.
"For a while now. I don't know how long for sure, but I would say a few days at least." She said tiredly.
"I don't mean to be rude, but you look, fairly ok." He said.
She nervously chuckled. "Yeah, I suppose I'm quite lucky in that sense." She said, clutching her arm.
"It's going to be alright Luna," Ralphael reassured her. "Someone will come and save us. I just know she will."
She nodded, though her doubt is still clearly plastered on her face.
Ralphael turned to face the bar of the cage. He stood up and approached them.
"It's no use," Luna said. "They are magic resistant."
Ralphael went back and sat with Luna.
"But why are you here?" Luna asked. "You don't look like the type he would experiment on."
He sighs. "Basically, we freed the people living in the lower Collection Zone, and I was the only one left at the scene of the crime."
Her face lit up. "Are they somewhere safe now?" She asked.
"I suppose so. They should be in a city me and my partner built. Quite the friendly bunch, those villagers.
She sighs with relief. "Thank you." She said softly.
"No problem at all," he said. "And don't you worry, we'll get you out as well in no time."
In a moment, a magic circle activates in the laboratory. Diana and the other girl appeared first, followed by Sebastian.
"Well hello there newbie," Sebastian said.
"You're a fucked up person, ya know that?" Ralphael quietly said.
Sebastian walks up to the cage, his face with his signature smug look.
"No, I'm not," Sebastian retorted. "I am a visionary. I am humanity's progress. I am… well, sort of am fucked up, but fuck, it's fun right?"
Ralphael quickly fires a fire black at Sebastian, though the cage simply absorbs the mana.
"Awe, what's wrong?" He taunted, grabbing the cage. "Even with magic you can't hurt me? What a shame!"
He snapped his finger, locking away Ralphael's magic once again. "Diona, hold him back. Fiona, take that girl out of the cage," he ordered the two girls.
The gate to the cage opens and Diana pins Ralphael down. The girl is awfully strong for her small stature. N ok matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't break free from his restraint
Fiona grabbed the girl, taking her to Sebastian.
"Come here my dear," he said, putting his hand on her by her wrist.
She looks away from Ralphael shamefully. "Please look away", she pleaded with Ralphael.
"No, he can look. He's your cell mate after all," Sebastian said.
He ran his hand up the back of her thigh and slowly ran it up her skin, kissing her neck as she uncomfortably squirmed.
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF HER YOU SICK FUCK!" Ralphael demanded.
"Or what? You can't even break free of one measly girl." He taunte. "Hey, you should be happy. I let you see this girl's naked body. She's quite the looker."
He violently ripped off what little clothes she had.
"Please, just look away Ralphael," she pleaded.
Ralphael's eyes filled with anger and resentment. "I swear to GOD ONCE I GET MY HANDS ON YOU 'RE A DEAD MAN!"
Sebastian ignored Ralphael, too busy feeling up Lina's body. "Isn't her body nice?!" He twistedly remarked.
Luna's eyes streamed light tears, trying to hold back from crying. A violent shake caused everyone to look up.
Lucifer stumbled to the castle, eyes closed and filled with worries and anger. After quite a while of slow methodical walking, she lost the trail. Turning her head from side to side frantically to regain the scent to no avail. Reluctantly, she opens her eyes. In front of her is the castle. Upon closer inspection, she noticed a suppression crystal at the top of the castle.
Her anger only seems to grow as time goes by. The sight of the castle only added fuel to the fire of her unyielding, silent rage. She took a breath, assuming the best. At least, trying to. Carefully, she took a step into the castle's gate. She can feel her mana being restricted, but her rage knows no bounds, even magical ones.
Two guards aggressively block her path, seeing her as an intruder. Before they could speak, she summoned her glaves and batted them into the castle wall, knocking them out and causing a commotion. More guards came out to see the commotion, but she heard them no mind. As her guard tried to block her path, she flew past them, charging up the grand stairs to see if it would lead her to the throne room. The guards could not catch up with her speed, allowing her to easily get up to the main throne room.
Once in the room, she uses one of her glaves to completely freeze the large door shut with an extremely thick layer of ice. Before her sits the king, a bit confused about what is happening.
"What is the meaning of this?" He said calmly.
"Where is he!" She yelled at him.
"Young lady, please calm down first." He requested.
"Ok, I'm calm. Now, where is he!" She demanded, more angry than ever.
The king, knowing there is no way to calm her down, went along with her temper.
"I don't know who you are referring to," he said calmly and further infuriating Lucifer.
Her temper freezes the castle's floor in a light mist. "Where. Is. Ralphael!" She demanded again.
"Look, I think you misunderstood," he said as one of her glaves flew itself best to his head.
She coldly said, "I would choose my next words very god damn carefully if I were you, King of Gaitan." Her expression just as cold as her magic
"Alright, let me ask my officers to see if they know anyone you might be speaking off." He said.
She twisted the glave's edge toward the King's neck. "You do anything suspicious and I promise, this glave is quicker than any magic you can use"
The king slowly nodded. "May I request for them to come to me?" He asked.
"Sure. But no funny business by them or your head is dropping quicker than they can gasp. You hear me?" She responded.
The king called upon the skirmishers after a moment, only 3 appeared. One was a man. His dawned black armor, his helmet covering his face from view. On his back is a large sword. Even though the situation looked dire, he didn't move a muscle.
The second was a young girl. She kept eye contact with Lucifer, her eyes agape the whole time. She had blond hair, her armor was light with all things considered. She bare twi gauntlet looking weapon. A smile cracking in her face the longer she stares.
Finally, the third person was a mature looking woman. She wore a light dress. Her armor was also light, wearing an armored skirt. In her hand was a staff with an imperial, machine looking design.
The girl raised her hand, catching the king's attention.
"Speak," he demanded.
"I might have an idea of where this 'Ralphael' is," she said.
"Take me to him. Now!" Lucifer said angrily.
"May I?" She asked the king.
He gestured to her to do so.
"Yay!" She exclaimed. "Come with me big sis!" She said.
Lucifer was reluctant, worried they might be bringing her into a trap.
"Worry not. We do not plan on making more enemies." Said the king.
The man and woman both nodded.
"Dont worry big sis, I know my stuff," the girl exclaimed.
"Please be careful, Lady Nova," said the woman, clearly holding her in high regard.
The man simply disappeared, sensing the situation has been resolved.
The girl approached Lucifer nonchalantly, smiling her soft smile. The girl took Lucifer's hand and pulled her to the door.
"Can you open up, sis?" She softly requested, but almost as if she was demanding.
Lucifer obliged, removing the sword, unfreezing the doorway.
"Where are you taking me," Lucifer asked.
"Directly to the source" she said.
The door opened up and countless knights have their spear and spells pointed toward Lucifer. She gets her glaves ready.
"Stand down please," the girl said softly with a smile.
The guards quickly did so, moving aside.
"But anyways, what's your name big sis?" The girl asked.
"Lucifer," she responded.
"It's good to meet you, Lucifer! My name is Nebula Nova, but feel free to call me Neb, or Neby, or Nova, or Nov, or really anything you might like!" The girl seemed happy to have made a new friend.
"Nebula is fine," Lucifer said.
"That works for me!" She said happily. "So is this guy you're looking for your lover?"
"As a matter of fact, he is," Lucifer said.
Nebula's face lit up and her eyes sparkled. "That's so cuteeee!!!" She squeaked. "I'm not old enough to have a lover, but I would like to have one someday."
She walks backward down the stairs, neglecting her safety to look at Lucifer. "So what do lovers even do?" She asked curiously.
Lucifer thought for a moment, somewhat unsettled from how friendly the girl is. "We take care of eachother, be there for eachother, comfort each other, and love each other"
"Woahhhh… I have no idea it was that complicated," Nebula said.
She turned around to walk out the castle's gate. "But I guess I'm still too young to understand it."
"Why are we leaving the castle?" Lucifer asked concerningly.
The girl looked over her shoulder in surprise. "Oh, Sebastian usually takes his prisoner into the castle to lead the person's scent into a false corner. If you follow it directly, you'll end up at the castle and be thrown off track." She said while smiling. "He's quite smart that way, but I can't say I like how he does things."
"Sebastian…" Lucifer repeated in anger.
"Yes. Sebastian." She turned around to face the road. "He's the 10th of the skirmishers. He isn't a fighter, but he is among the smartest people I know!"
As the two walked out of the kingdom, people waved at Nebula and praised her for her work. By the time they were out of the capital, in her hand were numerous skewers of meat. The girl offered Lucifer her mound of skewers, but Lucifer was in no mood to eat, still too worried about how Ralphael was handling himself.
"You should eat. Being stuck up in anger is bad for your concentration and decision making," Nebula said.
Lucifer reluctantly took one skewer and simply held it.
They were a good distance away from the kingdom. Before then was a large forest. They went into the forest for a good distance before Nebula stopped suddenly.
"Why are we stopping?" Lucifer said.
"Stand here sis." Medial ordered.
She then walked around 50 or so meters away from Lucifer sand knelt on the ground. Running her hand on the ground, feeling fit some abnormalities in the dirt. Readying her gauntlet, she leaped into the sky and out of sight of Lucifer. Cautiously, Lucifer stepped back before Nebula's impending impact. Nebula flew down at blinding speed, her gauntlet lighting ablaze like a meteor.
The impact was earth shattering. The ground shook and the shockwave sent trees falling down. Lucifer put her glaves behind her to hold her up from being flung by the shockwave itself. When Lucifer opened her eyes again, she was standing at the edge of the crater. Nebula stood in the center of it, gauntlet still bursting with fire.
Nebula let out a scream before punching the ground in a frenzy state. The ground broke beneath her, getting flung into the air in large chunks. Her eyes glowing a deathly red through the cloud of dust kicked up by her. Finally, she stopped, steam coming out the corner of her lips each breath she took.
"HEHE, FOUNDDDD YOUUUUU" her voice booming as if there were hundreds of her speaking at once.
Sebastian looked at the voice, his face filled with terror and surprise. He let go of Luna, his hold on Ralphael got shaken from the impact.
With his magic back, he let out a burning hot furry breath on Diana's hand, causing her to let go of him for one moment. One moment was all he needed, and he buckled her off of him in one burst of strength.
He set a fire explosion trap on the ground, exploding it behind him to give him a huge boost in order to get Luna up and away from the falling ceiling. He carried her on his arm and jumped to stay near the wall and away from the center of the laboratory.
Sebastian looked up, realizing it was the voice of Nedula. "WHAT ARE YO-," and before he could finish, a large pile of rubbles fell on him, burying him underneath.
Nebula fell down, standing in the mound of rubbles.
"Perfect! Right in the middle!" She said, punching the air and jumping up and down.
Diana and Fiona both charged at Nebula, swinging their blade at her in unison. Nebula quickly and effectively dodge their attacks. Nebula was just looking at them, confused as to what in the world they are. Swiftly, she punched Diana in the face, completely exploding her head into bits and pieces. Still, Fiona charged at her relentlessly. Nebula caught her blade in her gauntlet and ripped off the arm with the weapon. Still, Fiona swung her imaginary arm, not realizing her arm was gone. Nebula stood still, observing Fiona as her body moved as if she had her sword.
"Stop, or I'll kill you," she clarified.
The body kept moving. Annoyed by her ignoring her request, she quickly punched Fiona's chest, completely exploding the middle of her torso as she fell down to the ground, limp, yet still twitching. Annoyed that the body is still twitching, she stomped on Fiona's head, officially ending Fiona. Satisfied with her work, Nebula looked up at the hole.
"Come down big sis!" She yelled up.
Ralphael took off his shirt and covered Luna before looking up at Nebula, and then, up at the gaping hole. After a moment's wait, Lucifer floated down, looking around the room before seeing Ralphael. She hurriedly floated to him, landing on her feet roughly, her glaves following closely behind her.
"Just in time, Lucy!" Ralphael exclaimed. "Boy am I glad to see you." He said, letting Luna stand on her own.
"Hey sis!" Yelled Nebula from across the room. "There's some demon children over here!"
Lucifer turned to look.
"You should go and see what you can do to help them." Ralphael said.
She agreed, floating to Nebula. Raphael looked around the room. He closed his eyes, holding out his hand. A locker started shaking, spilling bottles of strange liquid on the floor. The locker fell down, blocking the door. A red spot appeared on the back of the locker, slowly getting brighter and brighter until it was glowing white. The back melted like it was ice on a hot day.
The coat flew from the locker and into his hand, glowing as it felt the touch of its owner. Seeing the cloak being dirtied up, Ralphael lights it ablaze in order to melt off anything on it. The fire put itself out and the coat was back in pristine condition, now, slightly warm. With a snap of his finger, his scepter now stood ready by his side.
He held his coat to Luna. "Put it on," he said.
"But, that's your coat is it not?" She nervously asked.
"And?" He asked.
She hesitated. Ralphael sighs, then drapes it over her to cover her more than just with his shirt. The warmth was not as hot as she thought it would be, since it was recently lit on fire in front of her eyes.
She nuzzled up with the fur collar and the warmth of it. Ralphael was satisfied with his assistance, and so he went to walk over to Lucifer's side. Luna followed behind him.
"So, how are they looking?" He asked Lucifer. "Can you do anything?"
Lucifer looked up. "Sure. Shouldn't be too difficult." She said, "Just fine bad mana in their body. Sloppy job to whoever did this really," she said, disappointed at the stupidity.
The raised her hands on the children's head, infusing her own mana to replace the bad mana in their body. The kid's body slowly regains their form, their tumors disappearing and their skin straightens. All that's left are the cuts and bruises from the experiment. Nebula looked from over her shoulder in wonder.
"Whoah!" She exclaimed. "How did you do that sis! Tell me! Tell meeee!" She was jumping in excitement.
"Sorry, Nebula. Trade secret." She said teasingly.
Nebula jumped up and down like a childc denied of her toys. "But that's unfair!!" She cried out.
"Well, maybe I'll teach it to you if you get stronger." Lucifer said.
Nebula smiled brightly again. "Okay!!! I'll become stronger! Even stronger than you big sis!" She proclaimed.
From the rubbles, Sebastian raised his hand out, pulling himself up. On his hands were the rings belonging to Ralphael.
Lucifer angrily stood up. "GIVE THOSE RINGS BACK!" She screamed.
Nebula quickly jumped to the rubble and effortlessly carried Sebastian up by his arm, taking him to Lucifer.
"Nova, what are you doing!?" He exclaimed.
"Rings." She demanded coldly.
"What?" He asked worriedly.
Nebula got annoyed and impatient. Ate broke his elbow, prying the rings off, careful not to damage the rings. Nebula took off all the rings on his fingers and splays them out toward Lucifer.
"Here you so sis!" She said gleefully.
"Just these three, thank you." Lucifer said, somewhat afraid of Nebula.
"Oh, okay!" Nebula said with a smile, putting back the remaining rings back on Sebastian's limp arm as he screamed from the movement of his broken arm.
"Oh, stop being a baby," she said to Sebastian.
"You- you bitch, what are yo-" he said.
Before he could finish, she back handed him on the face, taking off his lower jaw in a violent display of might. His jaw bleeding furiously.
"Don't be mean. I'm not a bitch." She said, pouting.
Sebastian fell flat on his face, his body lifeless. The sight scared Luna. As for Raphael and Lucifer, they were more so concerned.
"What's up with her?" Ralphael asked as he put his ring on to create a portal in the floor.
"I don't know. She is one hell of a powerhouse though, that's for sure." Lucifer answered.
Nebula quickly got herself in front of Ralphael and Luna. "Are you both friends of my big sis!?" She said while smiling.
Luna flinched and got behind Ralphael, making Nebula tilt her head.
"It's alright. I won't hurt ya, hehe" she said.
"That is Ralphael, my lover, and that other girl is a friend." Lucifer intraject.
Nebula got close to Ralphael's face, making him pull back a bit. "Ohhhh, nice to meet you big bro!" She turns to Luna. "And nice to meet you too, friend of big sis!"
"Hi," said Ralphael.
"Um. Hello…" said Luna cautiously.
Nebula seems pleased by making 3 friends in a single day.
"Oop, sorry big sis, big bro, and friend of big sis. I sense a fight going on, so I must get going." She turns, ready to jump out the huge crater.
"Thanks for the help, Nebula!" Said Lucifer.
"Not a problem at all. This was fun. Oh, and sorry for the trouble he caused." She said, grabbing Sebastian by the collar of his armor, making the fingers of her gauntlet have their imprint on the steel plates with a crunch. "Bye!! Come and visit me when you have the chance!!"
Lucifer waved bye to her, then turned to Ralphael. "I quite like her," Lucifer finally said.
"I'm sure…" said Ralphael, giving her a concerning look.
Ralphael sighs. "Anyways, let's get these kids back to the village. I'm sure they have had enough of this place. And I want to get some sleep." He said, activating the magic waypoint to the village.
Lucifer carried a child in each arm and her glaves dulled themselves and made a makeshift platform to let the remaining children lay on top of it. Ralphael carried the last child with his one arm. They went to the portal as it transported them back to the village.
The town hall was empty, which was expected. The sun was setting by this point, and the majority of the people were in their homes. They walked out of the town hall, catching the attention of some of the villagers, who in turn announced their return.
Upon seeing Luna and the other children, a man cried out. "Hank! Uriel! Tarn! Everyone! Come quick!" He cried out.
The people in the Collection Zone came out to see what's with the commotion. Upon seeing their children, they instantly ran out to embrace them. Hank hugged Luna, the two sharing happy thoughts and tears upon seeing each other once more.
"Oh god, thank you, Ralphael! Thank you, Lucifer! Thank you thank you thank you!" He knelt on the floor and bowed before them.
The parents of the other kids followed soon after. Lucifer helped them up, feeling a tad bit embarrassed from being bowed to so often.
"It's quite alright." She said, "I'm happy to save as many as we can. To be honest, it wasn't our doing at all, just sheer luck."
"Even so, whatever happened, you brought back out kids. Luck or not, thank you!" Uriel said.
"Well, you're very welcome," Lucifer said. "They will need to rest and recover from some cuts and bruises, but they should be perfectly fine otherwise."
"I also recommend they take a bath," said Ralphael. " No offense, but that place we were trapped in is not the cleanest place."
Luna walked up to Ralphael. "Thank you so much," she said. "Your coat is very warm."
Raphael sighs, feeling exhausted and in slight pain. "Of course. Just return it to me when you're taken care of."
She smiled and thought for a moment. She then got on her tiptoes and kissed Ralphael on the cheek. "I hope your bruises heal soon, Ralphael."
Lucifer stood, taken aback. The girls in the village stood taken aback. Hank stood taken aback. Luna looked around, wondering what's with everyone.
"…did I do something wrong?" She asked innocently.
The girls in the village started ranting and complaining.
"WHAT?"
"BUT I WANTED TO KISS HIM TOO
"SHE BEAT US TO IT!!"
"HOW DID HIS CHEEK FEEL!!!"
"THIS IS SO UNFAIR!!"
"Guys, I don't think Lucifer is happy.
"SHE JUST GOT HERE!!!"
"HOW BOLD OF YOU! HE'S NOT EVEN YOURS!!"
Followed by more and more people talking.
Hand walked up to Ralphael, his face stern and serious. "I know this is sudden, but she is just 16. But if you are willing, when she is of age, I will gladly give her hand in marriage."
Ralphael was more taken aback than anyone else. "Umm, wel, ughh, I don't think that would be necessary, sir."
Hand out his face closer to Ralphael. "You can call me father if you want to." His voice was stern and serious.
Lucifer stepped in between everyone.
"SILENCEEEE!" She screamed.
She then hopped on Ralphael, clinging to him, turning around to point at everyone.
"THIS BOY HERE, IS MINE! BACK OFF!"
"BUT LADY LUCIFER!" A girl moaned.
"THATS SO UNFAIR TO CLAIM HIM FOR YOURSELF!" Another yelled out.
"YEAH! THAT'S SO SELFISH!" Screamed another.
In response, Lucifer simply hissed like a cat. The elders laughed at the sight. Eventually, the commotion died down and Lucifer stayed hung onto Ralphael.
"Want to go to the bath house for a bit?" Asked Lucifer. "You're dirty all over."
"Yeah," he responded. "That would be nice."