Cruiser Herdetor

Amy

If one were to first see Herdetor first, one would then assume Thal was a pristine planet of wealth and plenty. One would be wrong. For Herdetor was a parasitic vessel like its demon masters, not mutualistic. A vessel that took and used and consumed and absorbed and used and used and used. A shiny and transcendent outer shell with a grasping hellish inner layer. Amy was shocked by the completely different environment compared to the surface down below.

Gup scurried along, shouldering his sack as he maneuvered the titanium-white berylite and tempered glass vessel. The halls were adorned with treasure, sealed off with thick panes and spooky cameras. He halted, looking to a stack of coins on display that glinted in the light. His frills drooped in sadness as he continued on.

“Come on Gup, we need to keep moving!”

She was looking through her demon's eyes hidden from sight. Sable had told them he was banned from Herdetor on pain of execution just after they arrived, which made things more complex. But she was Amy and thus the best.

She followed her calling, the Treasure Seeking, letting it lead her to the Thrones. She was close enough to feel three distinct signals. Her first heist and she'd get three! It was close, so very close.

She could almost feel Lucifer's gentle complicity now.

Gup halted in front of two guards, adjusting his new hat. One towered over the other, armored in shining berylite power armor. She noticed that most had their own set of gear, with little in the way of military uniformity. The little demon looked up into the eyes of the squinting guard.

"Contract," the helmet-less guard barked in annoyance. He wore a red beret, something that Amy was immediately covetous of.

I want it… he's so cool- nyeh! Focus! Bad guy, remember? Thrones- remember? If we see him again then maybe…

Gup hefted his sack, placing his grubby hands together and displaying the counterfeit contract as Amy coached.

"OK, good! Now Gup, you're a mail-demon. We'll give them the letter as Sable said!"

"What's your purpose?" the taller one asked.

He bristled with weaponry. Amy remembered the guards at the gate. These guys were worse.

"Uh, yes. Mine! Uh, I mean mail!"

He placed his sack down and reached inside. The soldiers readied their weapons, used to traps such as this.

Amy, Alistair, Sable and the rest were all inside the dragon-skin abstraction bag, hiding inside the strange plane. The room was grey, stretching forever in every direction. Amy spotted Gup's hand reaching around the floor, grasping for stuff. She handed him the counterfeit letter, patting his hand.

"OK, Gup! Hand it off to the big one!"

"Will this work?" Alistair asked.

"Work? Of course it will! My rival had charisma and charm like no other. No hot blooded man would ever resist her!"

Gup handed the red scented letter to the power-armored guard. He glanced at the other, confusion evident.

"From Governor Richman…" he tore it open, reading through it, "Oh, no- no way!"

"What?"

The beret garbed soldier looked to the other, face twisted in confusion.

"She wants to see me. Enjoy the guard duty!"

The armored guard marched off, flipping the other a rude gesture. The stationary one mumbled a crude word in return. The salty soldier looked to Gup, anger evident on his face. He appeared as though he was pondering how far the mail-demon would fly.

"What do you want? You dropped your letter- get outta here."

"Be assertive, Gup!" Amy exhorted.

Gup hefted his sack, adjusting his mail cap.

"Uh, I have more letters!"

"And?"

"Need to deliver!"

The guard spat, standing square in front of the door.

"Who cares?"

"Oh, this guy!! Here Gup, give him this!"

Her demon cocked his eyes, lowering his sack again.

"Mail!" he suddenly cried.

The guard's face twisted in suspicion.

His grubby hand reached inside again and Amy deposited one of her many sacks of coins in it. Amy felt a sudden discharge of power from thief. She blinked vacantly at the mystery that was Gup, but put it aside. Focus now, figure out later. The demon handed the guard the sack of coins. The man palmed the money, thumbing through treasure.

He looked down at the demon with a sigh.

“Well… This is more than I make in a week… You know what, I’m out.”

The guard shrugged and walked away, planting his beret firmly on Gup’s head atop the mail carrier’s hat.

“You keep watch,” the man stated before sauntering down the hall.

Amy palmed her head, trying to decipher anything.

“What in Lucifer’s name is happening there??”

Sable interjected, clasping his hands as he shouldered his stave, “I do believe there is discontent in the works here. From what I understand, the wealth is drying up for many.”

“But what about all the displays?”

“They are Herdetor’s. Tributes to the god of this world.”

Oh boy, I’m going to make that demon jerk pay! And then he’ll be mine, keheheheh!

“So money is drying up, why not leave?”

Sable nodded, "Not until the planet is stripped bare. The souls of the people still produce wealth for the demon masters. They are a greedy bunch."

"That big contract…"

"Correct. Every human, every demon, and most spirits are put under one large contract. It keeps demons in line and prevents overharvesting. It allows humanity freedom of movement; they can cut the contract anytime. Most don't, you know."

"What? Why??"

"The call for power and- well- sort of- you feel tainted- like an accomplice. You'll be a pariah galactically if you leave. Hunted by other factions and so on. Better to accept your lot in life and toil onward. That was until you showed up- let me tell you!"

Other factions… I'll gather info later. Thrones first.

"Come on Gup!"

The demon thief began working to the door, trying to get through.

“The button, Gup,” she muttered, rolling her eyes.

She had projected his vision onto a magically splayed screen for all to see.

“Feels weird here. Don’t like it,” Alistair scrunched his face, squatting down to feel at the strange grey.

“Of course! We’re inside a dragonskin abstraction bag!”

Amy had disposed of her disguise for now, preferring her own form in this pocket reality.

“Skreee!” Henry squeaked.

“I know! Gup’s an idiot, but this plan will work! And don’t worry, you’re not useless, just very niche...”

Henry crumpled in sadness at her words. Revent hid in Gup’s shadow, defending him. Her little demon thief pressed the correct button, opening the tough berylite door. Her soul stopped at what she witnessed. She trembled at the horror of it. People hung along the walls inside the tempered glass, withered husks that used to be human.

Sable touched her shoulder, his eyes narrowing at the grim sight.

“Steady now. We’re nearing the temple. Heretics and those that opposed the ones with power are enshrined here. I should’ve lined those walls- if it weren’t for my demon…” he trailed off his wheezing breath coming out heavy as he clasped the bridge of his nose.

Gup took a few steps in the hall, his eyes darting independently for threats. The hung bodies turned to him, rasping for mercy.

“Please… Help me…”

“Help…”

The voices became an indecipherable din as more and more bodies cried out.

“Oh my god…”

Amy’s soul was gripped in pain. She clasped a large hand to her robe, feeling the distress boiling up.

“Depleted,” Sable began, his eyes staring far off, ”Faithful Ones can only take so much fatal trauma before their memory fades, their very identities become lost. This is their final defense mechanism- to cry for help.”

“How horrible…” Amy’s hands trembled as anger, fear, and sorrow gripped her.

“Now you see why Herdetor must burn,” Sable wheezed.

“We get the Thrones and then we make sure this Lucifer-forsaken vessel plummets to the surface. When I’m done, it’ll never fly again- no sir!”

Gup scurried through the pristine berylite halls, his mind in a panic at the bedlam surrounding him. He rushed through a sudden door on his right, hiding inside a utility closet. The door shut, leaving him in muffled darkness.

“Gup! It’s OK, everything’s OK! You did good, my thief!”

The demon glanced around the room, searching for the voice.

“Who said that?” her demon barked.

Her eyes slowly drooped as she palmed her face, her demon had erased the special moment with blithe stupidity.

“I’m here in the bag, you big idiot!”

“Oh. Uh. Yes.”

“Just open it up and let us out!” she demanded impatiently, stomping down atop the abstract grey.

Gup obeyed and undid his sack, looking down. The first thing he saw was a large fist, bonking his lizard-face good. He landed flat on his back, whining at the stars and pain. Amy popped out, grabbing Sable as Alistair followed behind with Henry in tow.

“Skree…”

“No, we can’t stay in here- we’ve got Thrones to collect!”

“My worship- uh, why Thrones?”

“Thrones?” Alistair asked.

“Yes, Thrones! Artifacts that house an Angel’s soul. Legendary and powerful, each can shape reality with their calling! And they’re all Lucifer’s!”

Sable interjected, his eyes growing wide, “I’ve seen one in use before. A pocket watch. The Angel’s domain was time. The man was legendary, being protected by impenetrable barriers, slowing attackers, reverting damage, predicting where they’d strike- incredible, let me tell you!”

“Uh. Just did?” Alistair grunted.

“Oh- yeah right… If it’s Thrones you want, my worship- we’ll get them!”

Amy’s spirit whirred, trying to divine a plan. They would need to get in, abscond the Thrones, and then get out. As is, they’d be caught in a heartbeat. Sable was known, Alistair was a kid, and she was pretty sure even Gran-gran Yam-yam was the only one not too suspicious. But even then.

“OK! Any ideas?”

“Punch them,” Alistair stated.

“No! Like sneaking in!”

“Punch them quietly.”

Sable cleared his throat, gathering attention to him.

“Alistair, my boy, what Amy’s saying is getting in and out without everyone here from Herdetor to Thal jumping us!”

“Oh. Doesn’t matter- punch them all.”

“You would punch them all,” Sable corrected, “Yes you would- but right now, we need to skulk or hang like the rest!”

The boy grunted, crossing his arms as he listened. Amy made up her mind.

“Sable, what’s it like in there?”

“Well, my worship, beyond these twisted halls is the temple- built into the ship. There would be priests and priestesses constantly in worship of our god. Temple guards to watch for thieves- us. The Thrones themselves are usually unguarded.”

“What?? Why?”

“Because any who try to hold one is instantly slain by them,” Sable shrugged.

It made sense. Thrones were sentient angelic artifacts. Someone tainted with demonic possession or worse would be abhorrent to one. They would lash out in self-defense rather than be defiled. But not Amy, she had the magic touch! Lesser Key of Solomon and Treasure Seeking together would allow her to gather them without issue. She’d just need to get close to them.

They needed to get into the temple. Her Yam-yam disguise would be sufficient, but the boys would something need more.

“Sable, I’m going to bless you with youth now,” she stated as she folded her arms, palming her jaw.

He blinked rapidly at the news, “Uh- my worship, that’s wonderful- but why?”

“You’re too old. Everyone knows you. They won’t expect a young Sable!” she cocked an eye to him, pointing to his wizened features.

“Of course- I’ll receive any blessing, your worship!”

“Good because I’ll get no back talk -no sir!”

She turned to the boy, scratching her temple.

We’ll just cover your face and call it good. Here, you get the mask!”

She pulled her wooden acting mask from her inventory, handing it to Alistair. He scrunched his face, taking it without argument as he donned it. She immediately felt like he was unworthy of notice. His wild hair brushed over it, giving him a mysterious look. She nodded approvingly as she looked to her elderly prophet.

“OK! Here we go.”

She began channeling time magic into the man. She wasn’t the best at it like those specialized in that field, but it was enough to buff out a scrape or de-age a geriatric. Sable straightened, his eyes growing wide at the changes and her magic. His physique filled out his hair gained its black color. Wrinkles vanished and his youth was restored.

She looked at Sable with a new appreciation for her own abilities.

I really am the best.

Sable cracked his back, letting out a wheeze as he began stretching his new body.

“Heaven alive- to be young again- Haha!!”

“Don’t get carried away! This will only last a while- it’s temporary!”

“Still a blessing to one whose back’s been out for ages! Hah!”

He rolled his shoulder, wincing in relief at his youthful new body. He appeared in his early forties. She grabbed ornate robes from storage, handing it to him.

“Sable, can you think of anyone to disguise as?”

“Of course! The mayor of Belphas.”

“But Belphas was destroyed!”

“I know, it was such a tragedy seeing my favored village reduced to a smoking crater as I hunted wild beasts!”

She narrowed her eyes, nodding approvingly.

“No one ever saw the Mayor of Belphas- that’s the beauty! Most assumed it was Belph who ruled like the lard-ass he was- let me tell you!”

“Fine- fine! Here get these on, we need to go!”

She handed him the robes, which he replaced his old rags with. She turned to admire the glowing cabling and techwork. It always fascinated her humanity could come up technology Angels had already mastered. Quantum storage was a great example compared to her own theonic inventory.

She clasped her hands, her form changing back to Yam-yam the Baba Yaga. She glanced at Gup, seeing him wearing two hats.

The beret! Score!

She grabbed it, vanishing it away. Revent now had a new tea party hat. She kept the mail carrier hat on, it fit the little thief. Mailmen were like thieves except the opposite; which was to say they were nothing alike. She gestured to Henry and he scrabbled up her withered body hiding under her robes for safety. She willed Revent to her and he rose to his feet, bowing slightly.

“You hide in Sable’s shadow. If we get split up, protect him.”

“As you will,” he bowed as he melted down into the shadows.

She wondered if it was possible to make Corsair demons. Having a dark lair filled with them would be awesome.

“Your worship, we’re ready-”

Sable turned to address Amy, seeing her donned in her Baba Yaga disguise. He let out a muffled gasp.

“Oh, stop being so dramatic, luv," Yam-yam stated with a click of her walking cudgel.

"Right… I think we're all ready," he replied as he adjusted his robed form.

“Alright, luv, we’re off then.”

She focused a spell to cover their exit.

“Control Light.”

It was a basic spell with a large manner of utilities. She canceled out the light in the hallway as they exited, giving them a cover to advance. The gasps and wailing cries continued on as they shuffled down the hall.

“Just hold onto the one in front,” Yam-yam announced quietly as she led the way. An angel had little need in the way of physical sight.

She felt Alistair’s signature iron grip on her robe as she meandered along the hall, ignoring the noisy hung bodies. She accessed the next door, revealing the inner temple. She gawked at the vanity of a marble stone structure constructed inside a ship. It gleamed against the ship’s internal lights. A ziggurat inside Herdetor.

“This is ridiculous!” Yam-yam stated.

“Of course it is! The god expects nothing less but the best.”

“Built it? How?”

Sable turned to address Alistair, “well my boy, it was easy with a fabricator- high-level technology, let me tell you!”

Yam-yam scanned the ziggurat, seeing little activity.

“Luv, where is everyone?”

“What do you mean? They’re all- Oh. Oh! They’re gone- Hells beneath, this is new!”

“New?” Yam-yam gave a sparing glance to Sable.

“This temple is usually packed with priests, guards, and worshipers. A line stems down the stairs- just over there! But it’s quiet now. Why?”

“Whatever, luv. In and out- get the Thrones and be off!”

She trundled down, her cudgel clicked against the marble stairs as they ascended. Gup glanced around nervously, his eyes snapping to and fro.

“Uh, master. I am having bad feeling!”

“We’ll be fine, my little pet, we’ll be back in time for tea soon.”

Sable clicked his stave, just behind Alistair.

“The new governor is up to something. I suspect Herdetor’s in more trouble than I suspected.”

“How?” the boy replied, scratching behind the wooden mask.

“Another coup is in the works.”

“Then all the more to get the Thrones, luv!”

Yam-yam sped up the pace far more than a wizened hag should have, hopping from one stair to the next. Alistair sprung, leaping to the first floor of the ziggurat with ease. She finally reached the top as well, huffing at Alistair’s ludicrous strength. He looked back sheepishly.

“Was trying to get all the way up. Feels weak.”

He rubbed at his calves, frowning at his diminished power.

Ridiculous!

She glanced into the temple, seeing they needed to go down deeper.

Odd, we go down and then go up only to go down again… What a bizarre design. Telling us the path to their god is always ebbing and flowing between on high and down low. Righteousness and unrighteousness. Possibly meaning he will have anyone who follows him. More people means more sacrifices which means more power! Nyeh! This guy!

She felt out with her spirit, sensing no one nearby. It was possible to hide from her, but that would take a very strong individual to succeed against Amy, who was the best. The dark temple opened up as they descended. It was closer to an underground crypt than a place of worship. Stone pillars lined the walkway to the altar ahead of them. Blood had long since traveled down the stairs, pooling into the carved canals along the base. She felt sickened by the blasphemous display. She felt the Thrones just ahead, atop the next set of stairs.

“Be ready for anything, dearies. Once we grab them, I’ll transport us straight away to Lucifer.”

She thought it over. Sacrificing Lictor the slaver would be a sad but good trade off for Lucifer’s love. She already learned all of the demon’s abilities anyways. Her major strength with The Goetic Demon was not only controlling demons, or even managing them in innumerable ways, but with taking their abilities as her own. Belph would be helpful at least, elder demons were by no means common or easy to grow.

She raised her cudgel, signalling everyone to hold back.

“Allow me- wait down here and keep watch!”

She trundled her way, the wet slopping sound of blood angered her. Too many people saw their end here, far more than Belphas. Her robes were stained by the blood of countless amounts of people. Vengeance, justice, and penance for these people would be hers.

And Lucifer’s.

Each step was a reminder to the cruelty of demons. Each step a reminder why they needed to be controlled and culled. Servants to her mercy. Thal would be one of the many planets to adorn her god’s footstool. Herdetor would fall.

She reached the top altar, scowling at mess of chains and tools. Floating above were three pristine Thrones. She trembled in awe at how close she was to victory.

One was an ornate wavy bladed sword, a weapon of power. Mórchumhachtach, the Conquering Blade. She could gain immeasurable power from it, filling her weakness towards physical combat. She could best many of the warrior angels and most especially Abezebithou, finally getting vengeance for his misdeeds towards her.

Another was a necklace of red, the thread was an umbilical cord wrapping around to meet the tiny fetal infant in the center. Salavay, Angel’s Womb. She trembled at this one. This could rebirth her completely in the best ways. She'd keep her knowledge, but her physical form would be returned to her as it was before Gehenna. Her power would increase and thus her potential to Lucifer.

The final appeared to be modern tech, a monocular made of black metal. Hearsay, the Galaxy Navigator. With this, the universe opened up to her and Lucy. They could map and charter the know galaxies. This would be the most beneficial to everyone.

So cool… Ok, the first two… This will be so good. Two for me and one for Lucy. Hearsay, though. That’s too useful! We’re still trying to figure out this new universe! And score.

She grasped the monocular, her abilities from Lesser Key of Solomon allowing her to hold and even manipulate Thrones without disturbing the entombed angelic soul. She willed it away, taking no chances with Gup. The other two Thrones vanished away in blue light.

"Amy!" Alistair 's voice rang out in a panic.

Quantum storage!? No way! You can’t use that on Thrones! Can you..?

She gasped, looking down to the others. Her soul stopped. She witnessed the betrayal. She didn’t understand. This entire time she was being used. Too tunneled vision towards her goal to truly see, too trusting to predict such behavior. Naive and weak.

“Why?” she rasped.

Alistair stood stone still, his hand grasping towards Sable. Revent was frozen in place, his horn a knife inches away from Sable’s back. Gup was flat on his back, eyes closed. Henry scrambled from her robe, squeaking as it scurried down in a rage towards the old man. The rat king halted at the last step, freezing in place.

Evil Eye: Destruction.

Her large eye glowed violet, projecting the witch's magic to Sable. The silvery staff unrolled, creating an obscuring mirror surface, catching her own reflection. She barked a cry as her flesh burned, instantly ruining her eye. She shed her disguise flapping her crow wings and rushing down the shrine.

She willed a full volley of Gatling Missile. Gup and Revent could just be resummoned. Alistair would probably be wounded. She needed to cut the head off Sable.

“Why!?” she shrieked.

A glancing blow sent her tumbling to the floor. The iron core of her staff was used as a missile, grounding her. She tumbled and flipped, slamming to the stone ground.

The silver outer lay melted to slag, revealing the now elderly and wizened traitor.

She readied a spell, intent on burning him to ash.

“Fire-”

She felt the ringing blow of the stave as it struck her again. She sat there, dazed and confused by what was occuring.

Sable spoke, revealing a deeper voice unlike her old prophet.

“There once was a god who surveyed his garden, seeing a tree that no longer bore fruit. He asked his servant to cut it down, but he pleaded with his god, asking for time to heal the tree. The god accepted, giving the man a time and a time to make the tree bear fruit or be cut down and burned in the fire.”

He strode to her, none of the aged and elderly mannerisms were kept from before. He knelt down, eyeing her like one would a new species of insect. Weighted wonder. Cold calculation.

“I was honest in my disguise. Thal had a chance to bear fruit. Now it burns.”

Amy responded back, her mind still ringing from the blow.

“What are you even talking about? Why?”

He smirked, giving her a brief shrug.

“It’s amazing to see a fallen angel. Compared to one still righteous, a fallen angel is closer to a demon. Base. Selfish. Cruel. My kind of being. Shall I tell you?”

She got to her feet, readying a spell.

“So you were playing us the whole time? You were governor of Herdetor! God, I was a big idiot!”

“No,” the other responded, “not governor. Sable, my prophet, was slain some time ago by Thal. His efforts to change this dying tree of a planet met with ruin.”

She had no idea what context he was speaking of. What anything meant.

“So what are you?”

Fireblast.

She launched the spell without obvious signs. The fire flowed out, striking a blue shield of energy and branching out and back. The fire returned to her as she realized too late she was trapped inside of a dome. The fire blasted against her, roaring in her ears as she felt her unprotected face and wings being burnt. She shrieked, stumbling forward as she rolled to her side, trying to hug at her scorched feathers.

“Who do you think Sable bowed to?”

The one who wore Sable’s appearance rushed back with a shrieking tear, as if spirited away to somewhere else. Amy felt an intense revulsion, as if space time had torn, as if another dimension had forced its way in. She knew what that meant. What replaced the traitor was what appeared to be a man garbed in burgundy, standing six and a half feet tall, his face hidden behind a cowl, beard peeking out. This was no elder or even a prince. She was awash with his power, drowning on the tidal wave of demonic presence.

“You’re the god!” she rasped, coughing as she got to her knees, large hands steadying herself.

“A very broad description, but correct.”

He reached out with his hand. She felt the offensive magic trying to drill through her skull. She grinned, feeling her flesh instantly repair itself. The burgundy one nodded, halting his attack.

“Aegis against demons. Fascinating.”

“Hah, you big idiot! I’ve been fighting demons like you since before you existed! No demon, prince or god can touch me!”

“Is that so?”

She suddenly had a very bad feeling. His words left a gaping silence.

The burgundy one rushed away and a new one took his place. She felt the sickening vomitous feeling of space time tearing again. One garbed in robes of black peered down at her, a skeletal figure standing at seven feet tall.

“Oh my god…”

She was looking at the disquieting visage of a Watcher, Adonai's latest divine creation before Armageddon. He pointed a hand again and she felt the spell kinect, burrowing into her skull.

Resist!

Mind's Ward:- eek!

She shrieked, feeling her body convulsed as she lost control. The magic halted right at the edges of her consciousness, making her a prisoner of her own spirit.

He knelt down to her level, head cocking at her torment.

"It's strange to say, but it's been so long that I'm unsure what I was before."

What? What he was before??

"Watcher, human, demon, and more. Many, many lifetimes all lived simultaneously. Amy, Angel of the Liberal Arts, it was fascinating to watch you work. I give you grace as you've only just escaped Gehenna. But even then, seeing you flail and stumble about in your misadventures is quite… Pitiable. I had to intervene four times to prevent this whole charade from ending too soon. Four times my men discovered you. Your contract counterfeiting was excellent, though."

Then why play games? Huh? Are you a big idiot?

"Bored."

What!?

"You can speak, you know." he tilted his head, his hands palm up to her.

She burned at his chastisement, felt herself bottom out at his blunt words.

"So you do this all for kicks?" she wheezed.

"Yes and no. Thal has been a blemish in my sight for an age. As soon as I felt your divine power wipe Belphas out to ash, I knew I had found my harbinger."

"Ha-ha, looks like Thal is so poorly managed; you sound like an idiot!"

"It's simply the way of things for demonkind. Subvert a planet. Rule for a time. Drain it of life. Fall to ruin. Repeat. Thal will live again, it only needs time to rest. Think of it like crop rotation. Demons leech the planet, but spirits or even angels can restore the natural nutrients."

She felt sickened by his apathy.

"It is also because you've been most fortunate to find me in the most indomitable of pleasant moods. I've found a planet I've searched for ages to uncover, I've met someone truly special to me, and my plan for the fallen Angels has come to fruition."

"What do you mean plan for fallen Angels?"

He chuckled a laugh, his body rushing away to reveal the burgundy one. She felt sick at his dimensional tearing.

"Who do you think sent X'ephona? Why did they think they were freeing demons?"

She felt her spirit crumble. She was just a game for a demon god. Did Lucifer know?

"The keys to power need to be kept at a minimum. Extremists and incompetents alike need to be removed. X'ephona was a talented individual in that he was both. For his removal, you have my gratitude. Hence the Throne. You've shown great wisdom choosing one that was beyond your immediate needs. The sword was meant for those whose greed for power was overwhelming. The necklace for those seeking a new birth- I imagine based on your hidden physique your beauty was plucked like a rose, your bare stem the remnants."

She felt kicked in the face by his biting words. Her physical appearance, her beauty had been snipped away by Archangel Raphael during her sentencing, making her a hollow shell of what she once was. If she he had known…

This demon idiot! He'll pay!

"Pay? I've already paid for your service. You have a Throne as thank you for assisting with Thal. And for delivering the boy. He had been a thorn in my cult's side for a time."

The red robes… Burgundy guy… It still doesn't make sense.

"It doesn't need to. I have a few other things to assist you with. You helped me to understand demon kind and their creation."

He opened his palm, materializing a large violet crystal sphere. Her crystal sphere. The one that had vanished at Belphas.

She lowered her head, knowing full well what she did.

"Oh, no, no- do not be sad- better for me to have this than for others to discover it. Fascinating how you managed to work dark matter into the equation."

She had given a demon god a secret magical talent she discovered. Her prime work had just been stolen.

"You give that back!"

"No."

“It’s mine!”

“Not anymore.”

He scoffed a laugh at her whining.

“You’ll be happy to hear I’ve already taken your method and improved upon it. But here’s a hint: why centralize the dark matter when you could decentralize?”

“But that’s dumb! You can’t do that unless you… Connect multiple crystal nodes all within the same dark matter radiation level...”

She could hear his smile under the cowl. It was so easy that she felt stupid for never thinking of it. She never had to. A single crystal sphere summoning imp hordes never amounted to much in an Angelic army anyways. Like army ants fighting alongside tanks.

“Amy, you misjudge my intent. I see a fellow demon connoisseur, a fellow scientist. And a potential advocate. I’d dare say even a friend.”

She strained hard at his words.

Friend? With a demon that isn’t mine? Never!

“A shame you don’t feel the same way. We’re such colorful individuals- let me tell you.”

He snapped a finger and all three of her demons lined up.

“Wait- what are you doing? Don’t touch them!”

“Sh-sh-sh! You misunderstand me. Your demons are malnourished and undisciplined. And I’m not the only one here in disguise. We’ll start with Revent. Malady, reveal yourself, would you kindly?”

The voice of her Corsair demon was different. It was female, accented, and as light as a flaky butter roll.

“Oi- Mr. god sir, thats a good eye you’ve got!”

She did a double take in her spirit as what she thought was Revent fully opened its head visor, pulled it wide and let the disguise fall to her ankles. The demoness was green. She wore an emerald victorian dress that ran down past her ankles. Her head was a round sphere of pitted and aged porcelain, sporting a jutting ponytail and bearing a razor smile.

“What? Revent! You’re a girl!”

“Aye Amy lassy, I took on that disguise a long time ago, spying on ol’ X’ephona. Revent was the perfect host, poor guy.”

She knew with those words Revent was gone. She felt emptied.

“And I assume you’re with Neon, then? I mean- based on your appearance, the god interjected, waving his hand at her.

“That’s a correct assumption, Mr. god, sir!”

She curtsied deep, revealing her feet were pointed tips.

“The name’s Malady, first of Neon. That is to say I was his first mistake- as he likes to call me!” she let out the shrieking cackle of a laughing bird.

What in the hell of Gehenna is going on!?

“Oh Amy, you’re not the only one who can disguise oneself.”

She remembered her battle with Alistair when Revent fell the one and only time. It had said Malady was defeated, not Revent. But she was stunned and fearful at that time, forgetting it the next moment after the fight. She felt doubly stupid.

“If it makes you feel any better, lassy, I had everyone fooled but Mr. god here. I made sure to always keep away from Lucifer- she looked to be a real tight wad in the knickers- no offense, lassy!”

She couldn’t believe this was happening. It was too surreal. Too insane.

“Amy, focus. We’re not finished here. Gup.”

The demon thief sprang to, his eyes wide with bewilderment.

“Not you too, Gup!”

The god turned, cocking his head at her, “him? Oh! No- he’s been really the only honest one here next to our boy Alistair. It’s how you’ve been raising him that’s been a travesty!”

“What? He’s just Gup- he’s a big idiot!”

“Oh, he’s so much more. Why do you think he has that bag? Why he discharged power with those coins? He’s so much more than a demon of thievery. He’s a demon of greed. Dragon’s greed. I have high hopes for this humble demon- he may turn out to be your new favorite. A demon mimicking a dragon. Can any tell the difference?”

He handed the small thief a golden coin. Gup’s eyes went wide as she felt a small increase in his power.

“Mine!” he cried, hugging it close before stuffing it into his sack. He sat down, holding his bag tenderly.

“You’ve been lazy and incurious when it comes to demons. You’ve focused too much on earning Lucifer’s love and it’s blinded you.”

“No it hasn’t! I’m not lazy! Lucifer is the best and she’ll show you!”

He palmed up his hands, nodding to her.

“Oh, I expect she will. You’ll have to tell her all about me when you remember.”

She felt a sudden pang in her spirit at those words.

“Remember?”

“Oh yes, can’t have you speaking of this until after the information is worthless. How about, the next time you see and recognize Alistair? That should do- give us all enough of a gap.”

“What!? No! Alistair is coming with me!”

“He is not. I haven’t seen that Seal and brand before. Adonai’s Seal- I might add. That brand is far more familiar to me, though.”

She boiled at the mention of her hated God.

“Why?”

Her trembling angered voice quieted the room.

“Need to play every side, Amy dear. After all, I am going to be god of this realm one day.”

The way he said it irked her. It lacked conviction. It was memorized. It was like a symphony up to this point with a sudden clapping of pots together. Something was wrong that she wasn’t able to understand; something important. There was too much fog, too many unknowns for her to guess what this god wanted.

“Now, let’s help you get home. I’d be remiss to see you burn Lictor or Belph to return. I do see a worthy substitute.”

He turned to Henry.

“No! Not him- Please don’t-”

He couldn’t. Henry was too cute. They had so many fun tea parties together. He was her demon. The god let loose an array of power, the rat king squeaked once, all eyes looking to her for rescue before being reduced to a cone of black blood.

Henry was defeated.

“No- stop!”

“Amy, can I have Henry’s demon stone?”

She got up on her knees, opening her palm for him to reveal Henry’s jagged obsidian.

“Now summon a gate. Use Henry as a reagent, please?”

No. Henry!

She crushed his stone, channeling her magic. Henry was gone. Unceremoniously reduced to oblivion. A split second and nothing.

Henry…

She spoke, her voice toneless and puppeted.

“Lord on high, I call to you,”

“Lucifer...”

“God of all, your name be true.”

“Hear my call, hear my plea,”

“Rule this plane, and set us free…”

“Gate.”

The god folded his arms, staring on as the blue portal tore open against the ziggurat steps.

“That’s a good girl. All Henry amounted to was empty emotional sympathy. He held you back, chaining you down. You are better off without weak trash.”

“Henry… Wahhhh!”

She felt the tears flowing, the onset of shock settling in at having lost two of her friends.

“Do not cry, my dear. I’ll take this moment from you as well. You’ll never know.”

She halted at his command, biting hard into her lip.

“You sick-”

“And since Malady isn’t actually under contract, I’ll be using her.”

“Oh- that’s a bit sad, I always loved Amy’s tea parties. What do you need Mr. god?”

“And just for the record, you’ll have my name. A god usually keeps their true identity hidden as their name is filled with power. Mine is simple and two-fold, the more that know my name the more power I gain. The second part you'll never know."

The god’s words bit into Amy.

"I am Pagan Schaelnock."

She felt power wash over her like a tide before receding back to the origin.

She shook her head, tears staining her robe.

"And that's it? No grand titles or false monikers?"

"Vanity. Pure vanity. You'll know only what I desire.”

He gestured to the portal.

“Now Amy, be a good fallen angel, collect Gup, and take your Throne to Lucifer. You can keep the demons.”

He turned to Malady.

“I have need of you. I want you to spy on me for Neon.”

Her mouth closed, her smile vanishing, “Really, Mr. Pagan? I don’ understand why?”

“Well, my dear, you do this without asking questions and report to Neon on anything you see that I allow you to and he’ll handsomely reward you. And so will I. You’ll tell the truth and double dip blessings from two different gods.”

“Oi- You’ve got it! No questions from me and I’ll just tell my master what I see! Here lassy, you could make a new Corsair with this one!”

She kicked at the empty flesh of what was once Revent, hanging it across Amy’s arm. She didn’t understand what happened. The strange politics lost her conversations ago.

“Excellent. Oh! Amy, please leave with Gup. as soon as you enter, you’ll not remember what you saw of me until next time you both see and recognize Alistair.”

Her mind drifting away. With weeping tears she began to forget. Her demon crystal research being leaked. Henry’s destruction by her own hands. The boy named Alistair being captured. Malady’s disguise and Revent’s demise. The fights and tribulations. Sable’s betrayal and the revelation of Pagan. Her own heart break. The pain of grief and loss. All gone.

What’s happening to me?

I’m vanishing. Alistair!

Wahhh! I can’t leave!

Please don’t

Amy awoke. She blinked vacantly, aware she was in Lucifer’s throne room. She looked up at the golden crystal seat, seeing it was empty. Her adventure ended. She got her Throne. Amy looked down at her demon thief as he slept. Amy unceremoniously dropped him to the floor. He startled awake, eyes darting around the room.

"Master. Amy! We are safe."

"Yeah, Gup. We are. We got the Throne."

She felt at the Corsair flesh hanging from her arm.

"Revent…"

That's right, he got wounded in a fight. That demon Belph was no joke! At least both are mine, now! Keheheheh! I’ll just have to rebuild him now.

She thought back to the village, beating up Belph and Lictor with that odd boy. She found her Throne and they quickly parted ways, Amy back to Lucifer and Alistair off to punch more demons on Thal. She hoped he was OK. He was pretty cool for a human. She remembered her discovery with Gup. He was a demon of greed; Dragon’s Greed to be exact. Now that she had the time, she could test it.

Amy grabbed a golden coin from inventory, admiring at Lucifer’s gorgeous relief before handing it to her little thief.

“Mine?” Gup asked, eyes wide with excitement.

“Yours,” she replied with a smile.

“Mine!” he hugged the coin, rubbing his face into it. She felt his power increase a hair’s breadth. But that was alright, because there were plenty of golden coins to collect.

She couldn’t believe Belph was strong enough to wound Revent so critically. She would remake him. She felt like she was missing one.

No.

She only started with two demons. Gup and Revent.

A shadow suddenly fell over her, halting her thoughts.

"Amy," the frigid yet luscious voice spoke.

Her soul skipped. She turned, seeing her God standing in her full glory, clothed in a single piece white jumpsuit, her sizeable hair tied up into a long braid. She was prepared for a long journey.

"Lucy!" Amy squealed, tripping over herself and falling to her knees.

"Lucy- I got it! I got it! A Throne all for you!"

She sat up, palms outstretched as she materialized the Throne. The monocular vessel glinted in the low light of the throne room. Lucifer’s eyes widened for the briefest second before a calm serene smugness took over. A new mask adorned.

“Amy.”

Her voice rang like a platinum bell. There was a tremble of awe and respect, but most of all, love. Her head tilted, a mother pleased with her child.

“Amy, my darling Amy!”

Lucifer grabbed Amy, picking her up high with a joyous laugh that rang heaven itself. The Inciter suppressed a squeal of her own as Lucifer spun her around, her robe trailing like a ribbon. Her large god cradled her, grasping the Throne from her hands.

“Amy, I could never be prouder of you! Hearsay will help us navigate this hopeless and godless place, so that my light will shine on all!”

Feelings of joy, contentment, and relief washed over her as the god of gods showered her in adoration. She couldn’t think, she could only barely process what was happening. The monocular vanished in golden light, leaving Lucifer’s arms free. She grasped amy under her armpits and brought her in close.

Lucifer kissed Amy on the forehead.

Her cheeks felt hot from blushing, her soul trembled on the verge of fainting.

“Amy, Angel of the Goetic Demon, Angel of Magic, I love you.”

She let out a long sigh, going limp in her god’s arms. Lucifer cradled her again, carrying her along. She sauntered past the throne room, her hip way alone the embodiment of perfection. Amy left Gup alone to enjoy his new coin.

“I wish to praise you in more intimate ways. However, I am off to see a boy before he can escape.”

A boy? Alistair?

“Who, is it, Lucy?”

“Ah, he’s no one you need worry about. Now come along, my love, we’re off to Karmmrak, my prophecy states he will soon arrive. I believe he is outside of time and will come back to this reality soon. We shall meet him as he arrives.”

Amy’s mind tumbled through what she remembered. It rang a loud bell at humanity’s coolest point in their history and her personal favorite.

“You mean that old Primetech planet? The science base and all!?”

“Just so.”

“But why outside of time?”

“All in good time, my love. I dreamed of him. The first time in my cell in Gehenna. This time was only days ago. What I sensed is the dreams have been outside time. The visions I witnessed were of him in the past in my cell and a distant future on Karmmrak. Shall we go meet him?”

She nodded profusely. She had no time to absorb her adventure as she was gathered onto the next one. Except in this case with Lucifer herself, which was heaven itself. She felt so elated that she won. She was the best after all. She now had her Throne and Lucifer's favor. Glory was hers!

There was one small detail.

Why was she crying?