Scene 1
Tenebris POV
"The holy energy inside you has calmed down, alongside your Devil energy no longer being as vicious because of the unholy mix within one core." Holding Gray's hand, I sent my divine senses deeper into her, focusing on her Devil core that was noticeably smaller than when we first met.
Earning a head nod from the mute woman, I sighed before removing my hand. Catching the twitch of her hand, wanting to reach for the sword during this moment. Smirking slightly as I saw Mari's hands creating spells with her fingers.
"Technically, you were never destined to live a long life. So I'm assuming this valued piece of Sirzech I was destined for those disgusting pieces.
If they wanted to preserve a talent of the new Four Satans' caliber, then they'd eat their pride and request Michael's aid. But Devils and their paranoia will have anyone who does contact Heaven hunted down as traitors." Leaning back into my chair as I watched her eyes dart between Mari and me. No doubt running the simulations within her head, calculating her survival odds.
"No need to get defensive about my statements. I won't condemn you to such a fate since I've already returned to Minor God rank. Just enough to forcefully divide the energies, but that would be a waste. Your Ice Laws aren't anything special compared to Serafall.
Even less now that she's being empowered by me. Although it's not as advanced as the Lifeforce of Yokai. Force as a domain can aid any mortal race in reaching the next step past throwing energy. Whether it's incorporating Ice into Force like Serafall and her mother, or using it to dive fully into your Devil nature.
Devils are at an overall dead end. Their greatest prospect is caught up in replacing the last idiot, while the rest are playing tag along for a life they neither want nor only need for the freedom it offers. As little as that will be with Baal making his moves." Standing up as I grabbed a drink from the tray Mari sat down on the desk.
"While their public stance of no more extinction events of the remaining seventy-two pillars, that doesn't leave much room to argue the next fate of the defeated. Whether willingly or unwilling.
Such as yourself, the betrayer of the Four Satan Families. Was it blackmail or genuine love that created the tragic story that ended in most of your clan in chains? Granted, the warriors got the deaths they were seeking as chimeras." Snapping my finger as I released my energy, forcing her back into the seat before she could fully stand. Mari stepped forward, only to stop with me in control.
"Playing mute was never an issue for me. The plan was undoubtedly to be seen with you as the sole survivor of the Luciferge clan, gaining approval in the eyes of the new Elder Council. But his hasty actions to retaliate against me for the burning of his city were expected.
So I'll double his offer. Double or nothing, you could say. Accept and stay, or decline and Mari escorts you to your master. Personally, I'd say the first choice is a good choice if you value a future beyond serving the Lucifer title." Opening a drawer as I retrieved the Queen piece of the set given to me by Lady Sitiri.
Closing my hand as I infused my energy, wiping Lady Sitiri's signature clean just this one time for this offer. As I watched Gray's eyes glance between me and the piece. Setting it down on the desk as I turned to head for the door.
Leaving Mari and Gray to their devices.
Scene 2
"You've done a decent job earning back the trust of Lady Sitiri. Merci, have you decided on where you'll stand? With the Leviathans, or will you take a seat of power among my circle?" Watching as the green-haired Devil man looked ready to bolt for the nearest exit. Getting ambushed in his office, he seldomly visits in favor of staying out of my reach as much as possible.
Seated on his window after finding his energy signature within his office. Watching as he jumped in shock before bowing towards me hastily. Spreading his senses in the hope of finding someone else to help him.
"Lord Ten, I was just about to come find you. I have the budget reports concerning the surrounding villages, along with the total count of funding provided by the clans under us." Speaking as if his mind was seeing me as death. Trying to buy himself more time as he proved fear worked best against the Devils in love with Greed.
"That's good. Here I was worried that Lady Sitiri's trust was being misplaced. After all, some fools need to make the same mistake twice before learning a new method of relapsing into their habits in a new way. But you wouldn't belong to this group of 'fools.' They're too stupid for someone like you, such as Sein taking the blame to appear as if Lork the innocent was truly stealing." Feeling the fear rolling off him with each word as I laid out how he escaped with his head still attached.
Even destroying his arms and legs by bringing me the four crates filled with heads of Devils he could paint as Lork Clan-aligned. Driving the final nail into the Lork Clan coffin after I killed their heir. Painting them as the bandits who took advantage of him and Sein.
"The Lork Clan were a gathering of treasonous Devils against the Sitiri House who stepped forward as heroes of this era to defeat the villainous Leviathan Clan. A clan such as the treasonous Lorks deserved their fate." Watching him maintain his bow to hide his crown from painting his former best friend in such a negative light.
"That's what I like about you, Merci. You'll rip victory from the jaws of defeat. While the remaining idiots froze up in fear of my arrival. As bloody as I made it, I can give them that. Besides Alexi maneuvering her Star Clan correctly.
The Ethos Clan made the correct adjustments alongside their heir, proving his own worth very thoroughly. Then there's you, who made the most drastic movements the second you smelled death coming. If Mari wasn't watching you, it would be easy to overlook your efforts to correct the ship you were extracting." Standing up from the open window as I entered the office fully. Walking around his office, checking out various items.
"Thank you for the compliment, Lord Ten." Answering forcefully as if the words hurt him to speak out in this private setting.
"So, in light of your efforts, I've deemed you trustworthy just enough to oversee the deal between the Shinto clan and the Leviathan Satan faction. If your work is good, then you'll be compensated as expected for anyone willing to work for the good of our side. A good deal is one where our side benefits the most. Worrying about the other side and what they receive is how we end up on the losing end. Wouldn't you say?" Watching his bowing body straighten as he locked eyes with me. Carrying a sort of mischief in his eyes as if he was already picturing how to go about this.
"Forgive me, Lord Ten. I wasn't aware that you were also a God of Deals. Yes, the best deals are the ones where we are the winning party regardless of the results. Thank you for your trust." Bowing his body with more class as he folded his hands around his waist like a butler before bowing.
"There is much the Devil race doesn't know about the God they turned into a half-Devil. Such as forgetting my father Hades has always been known as a God of Wealth through his domain of the Underworld. Mortals and their thinking that death cares for their riches." Taking a seat at his desk as he stood up straight before repositioning to the front of the desk.
Waving my hand as I created a barrier out of demonic energy, forcing it to carry my Laws of Dreams. Capable of sending any intruder to dreamland until I wake them up.
Scene 3
Sirzech POV
"This is earlier than planned. Why have you called for a meeting, grandfather?" Taking my seat at his table as he was writing in his books. His crimson hair focused solely on the words.
"There is never a too early. Now that the coronation is out of the way, it's time for you to step down as the Heir of the Gremory Clan." Continuing to write as he spoke. Ignoring my concerns completely.
"That doesn't help the situation. All it will do is force the remaining three to do the same in good faith that we'll maintain our fighting to our forces." Watching his eyes look up at me as I spoke before he wrote another sentence, then placed his quill down.
"The fighting isn't my main concern. Finding a method to save this race is. Unless you've stepped into the realm of turning destruction into creation, then Sirzech, you are as useless as the remaining fools.
Whether it's Serafall's naivety that's more suited for my siblings in Heaven, Ajuka whose wicked ways would make Lucifer second-guess experimenting on his lesser clans, Falbium whose laziness surpasses the definition of the Sin of Sloth, or even you whose pride is big and in-depth as his mastery of destruction." Using our shared affinity for Destruction to call me useless.
As his words rang true about my fellow Satans, he left out the sole entity he's become obsessed with.
"So we'll just stay quiet while that God is empowering himself and our direct rivals. Even if Serafall steps down, that doesn't mean anything will change. Her mother controlled her daughter's forces before Tenebris arrived and overhauled the entire anti-Leviathan forces." Watching a smile form on his face as he chuckled at my words.
"I sometimes wish you were just as naive as her. Then I wouldn't have to bother with these discussions.
You will drop this matter today. Your own innate ability is still growing beyond your control, so your only concern within the short time is training and rebuilding the city Tenebris set aflame. If you don't wish to lose your seat to a more fit successor to my brother Lucifer.
You should already understand Lucifer wasn't a full Devil either. A secret within the walls of the city you've taken over. That's if Tenebris didn't burn those down as well while you called yourself placing a double agent within his circle. A direct retaliation, if I've ever seen one. Even if it was mainly paranoia making that decision." Standing up as he spoke before grabbing a book from his shelf. Reading the cover before handing it to me.
A notebook bound by animal hide, as destructive energy could be felt within its pages. Taking a look at my grandfather, who was already seated and lifting his quill again.
"My personal notes after becoming a Fallen Angel. Before I fully converted myself into a Devil. Study it and return it when you're done. Its value is something that can't be replaced, and neither am I keen on revisiting the memories to rebuild it. So don't make me act out of anger, grandson. You can go."
Nodding my head slowly as I rubbed my fingers across its cover. Before standing up to leave as I bowed to him before leaving for Lucifer City.