The doors opened. Slow. Heavy.
A deep sound echoed through the hall.
Max stepped in. William at his side.
The space was enormous. High ceilings. Black columns. Living shadows dancing between infernal torches. And at the far end something like a throne.
No. A chair. Massive. Disproportionate.
And on it—
Lucifero. A red devil. Crimson skin. Long white hair. Messy, yet elegant. Nearly two meters tall. Reclined. Relaxed. As if the world didn't matter.
Max felt the pressure in the air. On his chest. Hard to breathe.
"…"
Lucifero spoke without looking at them.
"William…"
Pause.
"What do you want now?"
He shifted slightly.
"…I'm busy resting."
Pause.
"…thinking about how to convince that idiot Dante to pay more for my daughter."
William lowered his head.
"My apologies, sir."
Pause.
"But someone wishes to speak with you about that matter."
Silence.
Invisible, Sophie tensed.
She couldn't move forward.
Her body wouldn't respond.
