Mazikeen shot the pathetic New God a look of pure disdain. The wretched upstart did not seem to possess even a shred of survival instinct. To dare strike at Lucifer while he was occupied…
He should count himself lucky her Lord had chosen not to go any further.
The ugly, transformed dog struggled pitifully, its movements clumsy, as if it had no idea how to walk on four legs. A stir had spread among the mortals nearby, yet not a single one dared approach the side lounge.
Mazikeen suppressed a snort. Even mortals had better self-preservation than that arrogant fool.
Her Lord's Light faded, leaving Lucifer once more in his mortal form, standing beside the strange mortal.
Lucifer remained still, eyes closed, a faint smile resting on his lips.
"How was it?" Mazikeen asked.
"Interesting…" Lucifer chuckled softly. "Quite the conversation. Why, I would never have believed I could meet such a fascinating fellow." His gaze shifted toward the struggling dog. "And… to think it could even maneuver me into aiding its little champion. How utterly delightful."
He shook his head, amusement lingering as his eyes lifted toward something beyond her sight. "Well played, well played. Still… what makes you think I cannot simply take it from your little champion?"
Power stirred, and Mazikeen caught the mirage of wings unfurling behind her Lord's back.
"Lying is beneath me," Lucifer continued calmly. "I shan't kill him, but give me one reason why I should not take it and make it mine, for that little play of yours."
Mazikeen held her breath as the full weight of Lucifer's power pressed down. Creation itself seemed to stutter, time and space grinding to a halt beneath his will.
Then came a twist, the faint sound of something spinning—
—and the world resumed, as though nothing had happened at all.
Shimmering in her Lord's hand was a ticket of kaleidoscopic color.
Mazikeen knew instantly what it was. If she reached out and took it, anything would become possible. It whispered in her ears.
Give everything in return, and Chaos will give you everything chance can offer.
To slay even the Presence, given enough time. Infinite possibility. Endless potential—
She tore her eyes away before the sight could drive her mad.
Lucifer stared at the ticket for a moment, then tilted his head back and laughed.
It was not a laugh she had ever heard from him before.
It was manic, joyful, brimming with something vast and unrestrained.
"I will accept the gift gladly in recompense," Lucifer said, a chuckle following close behind. "A bargain struck."
He gave a small shake of his head and turned away.
Mazikeen cast one last look at the strange mortal before following. "Is it fine to just leave him like that?"
"Why, of course. My touch is not that rusty, my dear," Lucifer replied with a faint smile. "Besides… I suspect he will be quite well off after all this."
As they strode toward the doors, a tiny angel drifted into view. Mazikeen frowned but said nothing, watching as her Lord simply offered the little thing a pleasant smile. She did not catch what was said, but the false angel flinched and hurried off, retreating far faster than it had arrived.
"What did you say?" Mazikeen asked.
"Just a small warning about playing with the future," Lucifer replied, a quiet hum following his words. "Such a fascinating little creature."
Mazikeen rolled her eyes at the cryptic answer. Whenever her Lord was in a good mood, it usually meant he was going to be utterly insufferable for the next few weeks.
—
I woke up feeling strangely… good.
It wasn't like I felt any more rested or anything, but it had the same kind of vibe as one of those days when you sit in the sun and, for no real reason, everything just feels right.
What was I… oh. Right.
I rubbed my eyes.
I looked around the little side lounge and found it empty, my two guests nowhere in sight. Ohhh. Did I actually get so caught up in the conversation that I passed out?
Damn. Still, the guy had been a hell of a storyteller. I still had no idea how he was blending myth with his own stories like that, but—
A flurry of white wings slammed into my stomach.
I grunted and bent slightly as a panicked chorus spilled out from the Simurgh.
"Wait, wait, what is—"
I looked up and froze.
People were either passed out or just… standing there, staring. Not talking. Not moving. Just staring at what looked like a massive pile of armor and… a really ugly dog.
They were also looking at my room like it was some kind of monster.
What the hell happened while I was out?
[Feat Achieved! Alien General Humiliated]
[+1 Platinum Gacha Ticket]
Wait. Alien general—hold the fuck up…
"What happened?" I looked down at the Simurgh.
I got a panicked chorus in response, her wings flapping and miming frantically at me. Every attempt I made to calm down my mini angel's panic attack failed. If anything, she only seemed more upset by my lack of appropriate panic.
Did the guy pretending to be Lucifer do something while I was…
[Feat Achieved! Contract Referral: Lucifer]
[+1 Legendary Ticket]
Oh.
That was literally the Devil.
You know what… maybe that was enough for one day.
I patted the still-panicking Simurgh. "You got this!"
She absolutely did not have this, judging by the horrified singing filling my ears, but at that point, I felt like that was between her and the Devil.
So I lay back down and closed my eyes.
***
Comments and Thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Likes are like a drug to me and boost my creative juices.
I have advanced chapters on my Pa tre on/daisyberry if you wanna read ahead.