Night had fallen over Los Angeles by the time they got there.
The city was still wide awake. It looked like it was not going to sleep anytime soon. Neon signs burned across crowded streets, headlights rolled endlessly through traffic, and music bled out from open bars and rooftop parties high above the sidewalks.
Right in the middle of all this was Lux.
The nightclub looked less like a business and more like something carved out of temptation itself. Gold light spilled from the entrance onto the street while bass-heavy music pulsed through the walls hard enough to feel in the air before even stepping inside.
Rachel stopped for a moment near the door. Looked up at the big building.
"So, this is where the Devil lives," she said, looking really confused because she still couldn't believe the fact that the Devil runs a nightclub.
Koriand'r looked at the building carefully. "It's very bright," she said.
John put his hands into his pockets as he walked past them toward the doors. "That's because subtlety isn't really his thing."
The bouncer looked at John. Stepped aside without asking him anything.
Inside, Lux was alive.
Music played loudly in the nightclub as colorful lights shifted across the large room. People danced freely under the glow of chandeliers. Expensive suits mixed with leather jackets, and celebrities mingled with strangers. Then some were busy making out, and a couple of girls were stripping while two dudes were spraying booze on their bodies.
Rachel and John felt a faint trace of dark energy, but they didn't say anything and kept looking around for a moment.
Koriand'r looked around openly, completely unbothered by the noise. "Your Earth establishments are strange," she said over the music. "Everyone appears intoxicated and emotionally unstable. Even though our race shows emotions openly, this... this is... different."
John said, "That's how one side makes money, and the other side enjoys freely without a care."
"You don't have clubs and bars on your planet?" Rachel asked out of curiosity.
Koriand'r replied, "Yes. We do have clubs where participants perform synchronized moves to music. Then, there are parties in the royal society where the elites and warlords celebrate world peace. But in this place, no one is synchronized."
They got to the bar.
The bartender looked up and asked, "What can I get you?"
John pulled out one of the stools and sat down first. "Whiskey."
Koriand'r sat down. "I want something I can drink."
The bartender nodded. He has seen enough weird people over the years. "...I'll improvise."
Rachel sat down last. "Give me tequila."
John looked at her and said, "Are you even old enough to drink?"
Rachel looked at him like she could not believe what he was saying. "We're here to stop the end of the world," she said. "And you're worried about me drinking?"
John looked toward the bartender and pointed casually toward her. "Give her a non-alcoholic one."
Rachel let out a slow sigh, leaning back against the stool. "The world might end and you're stuck on me drinking? I'm nineteen. Just give me a shot."
John took the whiskey glass once it arrived and swirled it lightly before answering.
"In two years, she can drink as much as she wants," he said. "For now…"
The bartender placed a bright green drink in front of Rachel.
John pointed at the glass.
"Enjoy a Green Mule."
Rachel stared at it in complete silence for three whole seconds.
"…I hate you a little."
"You'll survive."
"Hopefully," she muttered under her breath before taking a sip anyway.
Her expression changed immediately.
"…Okay, that's actually good."
"Obviously."
A quiet laugh came from nearby. It wasn't mocking; it sounded interested. John glanced over to the far end of the bar. A woman sat alone, one leg crossed over the other, lazily swirling a margarita in her hand. Her sexy black dress fit tightly, clearly meant to attract attention. Her sharp dark eyes watched them openly, as if she didn't mind being noticed.
'Mazikeen.' John thought.
There was something dangerous behind her smile.
The woman finished the last sip of her drink before setting the glass down against the counter with a soft clink.
Then she stood.
Even through the noise of Lux, her presence shifted the atmosphere around them almost immediately. A few people nearby glanced her way without really understanding why. Some instinctively moved aside as she walked past.
Maze moved with complete confidence, like she already knew everyone in the room belonged beneath her attention.
Rachel felt it... She was the source of that dark energy.
It wasn't magical like Trigon's power, but it felt dangerous in another way. Temptation wrapped in confidence. Violence hidden behind charm.
Koriand'r noticed it too. Her eyes followed Maze carefully, posture straightening slightly as if preparing for a threat she could not fully identify yet.
Maze stopped directly in front of John.
For a moment, she simply looked at him.
Then she leaned forward slightly, dark eyes studying him with open fascination. "Power of too many gods flowing through your veins…" she said softly. "Yet you're somehow alive."
John stayed seated, whiskey glass still in one hand.
Maze's lips curved faintly as she released her seducing charm. But it didn't work on John.
"And mentally strong enough to resist my charms," she continued. "I love a strong guy with a strong mind. No wonder you're still sane with all that limitless knowledge flowing through your head."
Her fingers lifted slowly before brushing lightly against his cheek.
"Must be hard to sleep at night," she murmured. "I can accompany you if you want. And this once, I'll let you do anything you want with me."
Rachel nearly choked on her drink.
Koriand'r blinked once, clearly trying to figure out if they were trying to kiss each other or sleep together.
John calmly caught her wrist and moved her hand away from his face.
"Don't even bother trying," he said. "I ain't sleeping with you."
Maze, however, only smiled wider.
"Hard to get," she said with amusement. "This will be fun."
Then her attention shifted toward Rachel.
The playful edge in her expression faded just slightly.
"And Trigon's daughter," she said calmly.
Rachel stiffened.
Maze tilted her head toward the elevator door.
"Well," she continued, "Lucifer's upstairs. Go on."
She stepped aside after that, giving them a clear path toward the private elevator near the back of the club.
John stood first, finishing the last of his whiskey before setting the empty glass down.
"Thanks," he said casually.
Maze smirked. "You say that now."
Koriand'r chugged the drink the bartender placed before her a moment ago and then stood up. Then Rachel finished her drink before standing up.
...
[Lucifer's penthouse]
The elevator doors slid open smoothly.
Soft piano music drifted through the penthouse. The entire wall ahead was glass, stretching from floor to ceiling and overlooking Los Angeles in a sea of lights. Everything up here was expensive. Dark marble floors, king size bed, fireplace, piano, a minibar with shelves lined with liquor worth more than most people's cars and many other furniture.
At the far end of the room stood a man in a tailored black suit.
One hand rested casually in his pocket while the other held a glass of amber liquor. He stared out across the skyline like he owned every bad decision happening beneath it.
Then he turned around.
And smiled.
John's face stayed calm, but internally his brain short-circuited for half a second.
'WTF, blond Tom Ellis?! Comics version or TV show version. Or a fusion? We're royally fucked. I've no idea what to expect.'
Lucifer Morningstar looked almost unfairly composed. Blonde hair neatly pushed back. Sharp features. Calm eyes carrying the kind of confidence that only came from someone who genuinely feared nothing in existence.
"Well," Lucifer said smoothly as he spread his arms slightly. "This is certainly a strange little group."
His gaze moved across each of them one by one.
"Koriand'r of Tamaran," he said politely. "You've started several wars simply by existing. Lovely to finally meet you."
Koriand'r blinked once. "Thank you?"
Lucifer's smile widened just a little before his attention shifted.
"Rachel Roth." His tone softened slightly. "You look stressed. Understandable, considering your father is an emotionally constipated apocalypse with anger management issues."
Rachel stared at him carefully. "You know who I am."
"My dear, everyone important knows who you are... You're the girl with daddy issues."
That answer did not help her relax at all.
Then Lucifer looked at John.
The smile on his face faded into something more thoughtful.
For the first time since entering the penthouse, the room felt heavier.
"My, my," Lucifer murmured quietly. "Now you are interesting."
John crossed his arms loosely. "People keep saying that tonight."
Lucifer walked closer, slow and casual, though every step carried a strange pressure behind it. He stopped only a few feet away before studying John properly.
"Divine magic," he said calmly. "Ancient gods. Foreign magic and some more powers stitched together through force of will." His eyes narrowed slightly with curiosity. "And somehow you're balancing all of it without exploding into cosmic dust."
John shrugged lightly. "I manage."
Lucifer laughed softly under his breath. "That might be the most concerning answer you could've given me." He looked into his eyes and asked, "Tell me, what is it that you truly desire?"
--
..[POWERSTONES AND REVIEWS]...
If you want to read early advance chapters and support me, you can join>:
www.patr eon.com/XcaliburXc
[13 advance chs] + [Early access to Reborn as Lucifer> 10 chs]