Civil War: 021 / Hell Bound

His arrival shocked her.

Vanita Thompson had arrived several hours beforehand, and from what she saw on Twitter, she had made her way to them fast. She was battling a lot in her own mind, but here she was, and the heels that clicked across the floor and into the office meant that she was here, ready to take on any news that may come her way. She sat down in a chair and just waited, something telling her that things were off in this Kingdom.

In the chair next to the Harbinger’s, Lord Apollyon was seated with his arms on the chair’s rests. His attire was a little less formal, simply a half-buttoned-up black dress shirt, a red tie hanging loosely around his neck, a pair of black slacks, and matching black dress shoes. While he was lurking on Twitter less than twenty-four hours ago, he learned some things he did not know before.

The Jesters’ King was unable to keep secrets when he was influenced by drugs.

Now that Sathanas has returned to Hell? He was eager, perhaps a little anxious, to hear the full report. Valdemar glanced over to Vanita, his lips curling to form a tiny smile. He then faced the main elevator with a calm intensity in his eyes, waiting for Anthony to arrive.

When the doors of the elevator rang out and slid open, Anthony appeared with a duffle bag held firmly in his right hand and his eyes narrowed. The cuts were all closed and the swelling of the bruises was just beginning to subside, but he didn’t look like someone who was in a pleasant mood.

He crossed the room to the other side of the office’s entrance where the wall would slide back to reveal the elevator leading down into Hell and dropped the bag without a sound. Turning, he approached the desk and inclined his head without a word.

Lord Apollyon: “Sathanas…”

It wasn’t the first time he’s seen his Right Hand in such a beaten physical state. Sathanas was more than capable of taking on brute force and punishment. What did concern Apollyon was the fact that his emotional state looked to only be held together by threads.

She just looked him up and down. She knew that look… she has had that look multiple times herself. She simply glanced at her Lord before taking a deep breath and looked back at Anthony.

Glancing to his Left Hand before facing Sathanas again, their Lord spoke up.

Lord Apollyon: “Your full report.”

Anthony Crawford: “I tracked someone who was supposed to be entertainment for the event where Melissa was to be auctioned off in some type of archaic bloodsport. After forcing them to tell me what they knew about it, I was able to locate one of the fighters. I made him give me his ticket and showed up, posing as him.”

Anthony’s tone was flat, emotionless, cold even. Though there was no anger in it, no hate.

Anthony Crawford: “Two rounds went fine, no trouble, and the final round was rigged. The finalist was suddenly “hurt” and “unable to continue”, so a new fighter was introduced. It was at this point Shonn Maguire, husband of Aerynn Maguire, appeared and introduced...Cronos.”

Her eyes were cold. ‘Made him’ meant killed him and she knew it. It was that feeling in her stomach that had been aching all day long.

Vanita Thompson: “You took the life of a father. A daughter no longer has one of her parents.”

Her tone was just as cold and twice as sharp. She did not care though. Her mind was racing and her heart was skipping beats in her chest.

Lord Apollyon: “...both of her parents.”

It was a quiet correction. Amidst the desk, their Lord opened one of the manilla folders. On the first page was a promotional photo of a man in his late-twenties with dyed blonde hair and green eyes. In his right hand was a golden mask with the decoration of a cross over the left eye.

Lord Apollyon: “His name was Markus Kellen Rael. Formerly of the U.S. Marines, lead singer of the underground band ‘Hero Up’, and the last biological parent of his seven-year-old daughter, Leina. He was an innocent man.”

From the folder, he moved forward a sheet with phone logs that collected conversations, voicemail, and text messages.

Lord Apollyon: “When his band was approached by the gang, Mr. Rael immediately declined the request to be the entertainment. He took no part in their human trafficking.”

His dark brown eyes narrowed on Sathanas.

Lord Apollyon: “You left a lot of physical evidence behind… not only on Mr. Rael but on Mr. James Marshall as well. You were reckless, Sathanas. The Demons had to clean up your unprofessional messes.”

Anthony Crawford: “A daughter that is now in the custody of someone who cares for her, and If I hadn’t acted, there would have been another person’s daughter sold into sexual slavery.”

His eyes fell back on Valdemar, boring into him intently.

Anthony Crawford: “Is that not what we do here? Keep people from falling prey to the sexual appetites of the deviants of the world by any means necessary?”

Vanita Thompson: “You were careless. Simply put, your actions and your sloppy nature put a lot on the line for him.”

She pointed to Apollyon, then balled her fist up and set it gently on the armrest, taking a breath. She closed her eyes, wiping a tear from her own face. After a moment, she got up and started walking away from the pair. She stopped for a moment, turning around.

Vanita Thompson: “My flight to Scotland leaves in two hours. I cannot be around this, not now. Otherwise, I will snap and the blade that was at your neck before will completely slit your throat, Anthony. Just know this, you say you would do anything for love? Well...a lot of people just got hurt due to your lust.”

She then turned back and left the office without another word. At this time, Valdemar did not stop her. His beloved was infuriated by the entire situation, but he believed she could not compromise herself. Not here; not now.

Anthony never turned around, never so much as looked at her. The threat which would have once sparked some kind of smart ass retort got nothing. Not even so much as a smirk. He stared ahead, eyes focused on the wall and his lip in a thin unreadable line.

His Lord regarded him with a slight narrowing of his eyes.

Lord Apollyon: “Love is as dangerous as it is powerful. Unfortunately, you allowed it to cloud your judgment and nearly compromised our mission.”

Rising up from his seat, he slowly circled around the desk and faced Sathanas on the same side.

Lord Apollyon: “It was one thing to kill Mr. Marshall. He was willing to participate in a tournament of underground human trafficking and sexual slavery. However, leaving an innocent father to bleed to death with your prints and video proof of the crime scene… You went too far for an insipid little clown.”

The words no sooner left his mouth than Anthony actually reacted. He came to to the side and closed the gap between him and Valdemar fast. For the second time, he snatched the man by the throat. His teeth bared and his eyes narrowed.

It was then he felt something sharp press against his right side, in particular, where one of the vitals was located. The dagger didn’t puncture his flesh, simply held in a threatening manner. Valdemar’s eyes reflected a controlled fury, glaring back at Anthony.

Lord Apollyon: “One last time, Sathanas…”

He calmly uttered as his Fallen Angel’s hand kept the pressure on his throat.

Lord Apollyon: “...Touch me ever again and I will see you dead.”

Anthony looked down at the point of the bladed weapon and then back up. There was no fear in his eyes, only blind rage.

Anthony Crawford: “So much as mention her ever again and I’ll break your fucking jaw.”

Anthony, however, slowly released his fingers one by one. When the pressure was removed, Valdemar withdrew the dagger and took a step back. He lightly massaged his throat with his free hand and sighed.

Lord Apollyon: “We have an accord.”

He was relieved his Harbinger did not stay behind to see this. He shook his head and coughed.

Lord Apollyon: “Honestly… this situation would have been fine had Michael and the Children not interfered. It seems William and his Jesters did not trust you; therefore, he contacted Michael. They’re the ones responsible for this catastrophic mess.”

Anthony said nothing and simply turned, walking back toward the elevator, this time the one leading down into Hell. Upon seeing this, Valdemar raises an eyebrow.

Lord Apollyon: “Why are you going to Hell?”

Anthony Crawford: “I have things I must pay for.”

It was his only answer as he stepped into the elevator and the doors closed.







The last week had not been exactly what you would call... good. It was all he could do to keep the burning rage inside him in check as he stalked the halls of the home of Kasey Summers. A room at the end of the hall on the first floor had been converted into a command center of sorts with documents, folders, and pictures of all kinds littered across a large table in the center of the room.

Lucifer stood at the table with his palms resting flat on the surface, alone. Most of the Children, the Harbinger included, chose to stay away from Lucifer. Many of them stayed in their own groups or enjoyed a quiet walk with Kasey near the lake as they talked with her about recent events.

The event they were calling the end of the Jester War in their own inner circles.

It had cost them a great deal in the monster Cronos.

And that was where his mind was as a soft knock was heard. Lucifer’s eyes came up and found the woman who had been at his side for longer than he could remember. Her brown hair shined beautifully, matching the pale lavender dress she wore.

Sariel. His most trusted.

Lucifer: “Sara.”

Lucifer’s voice was soft as the Asian woman crossed the room to stand beside her Lord and God and slipped her arms into the sleeves of her dress. Her own voice was soft but she didn’t look at her God. Her eyes instead lingering on the picture of the giant lying on the table in front of Lucifer.

Sariel: “It was not your fault, Sire.”

Lucifer: “I called him back, Sara. I paid him for a job we all knew he couldn’t do. Now he’s lying in a hospital bed, being fed through a tube. I put him there, Sara. It was my decision.”

Sariel: “No, Sire. It was Sathanas who put Cronos in that bed. You are doing everything you can, Lucifer. You have swallowed your pride with some of your worst enemies to keep Valdemar and Sathanas contained. We all know the truth, Sire.”

Lucifer: “...And what is the truth, Sara?”

Sariel: “Your father put you in a position to educate the weakest of his greatest creation. He trusted none but you to do this most important task, Sire. And now from the world you created to do this job, another has risen to challenge the natural order. The truth is? You aren’t fighting to punish a sinner anymore Lucifer.”

Lucifer closed his eyes and pressed his hand over his face. He, however, felt the gentle hand of the tiny woman touch his shoulder and give it a gentle squeeze.

Sariel: “You are fighting with everything you have to protect everyone outside this conflict from becoming just another victim. And to tell you the truth, Lucifer? I have never...ever...been prouder to stand by your side, Sire.”

Lucifer blew out a deep breath and looked down at the tiny figure standing beside him and offered her a smile. Sariel had been his greatest ally and most trusted adviser for nearly half a decade.

Sariel: “All of us are, Lucifer. Now…”

Sariel pulled one hand from the depths of her sleeve and held out a folded piece of paper.

Sariel: “Rami and Naani sent word.”

Lucifer took the folded paper and unfolded it, looking down and reading as she spoke.

Sariel: “It’s finally ready for us.”

Lucifer: “And Alistair?”

Lucifer asked without looking up.

Sariel: “Hiding him in the Tombs proved to be of little-to-no strategic value, as we learned. Rami and Naani arranged to have a station for him built into the new Central Hub.”

Lucifer gave the faintest nod and crushed the paper in his palm as his fingers closed around it.

Lucifer: “Find and gather everyone.”

Sariel: “Thy Will Be Done.”

Sariel reached up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to her God’s cheek, then turned and walked out without another word. She passed by Xaria standing in the doorway with a raised brow, pausing long enough to whisper “Harbinger” and inclined her head before slipping around her.

Xaria approached as Lucifer came around the table and leaned up, pressing a kiss to his mouth that he happily returned. She looked down at the paper in his hand but didn’t ask as she fell in line a step behind him.

The two waited in the hallway, leading to the door as one by one the Children all began to gather. When they all arrived, Kasey included, Lucifer held his hand out with the crushed paper inside and allowed his eyes to fall over each of them one by one.

Lucifer: “Ananiel and Ramiel have reached out. Our home is finished.”

Ashley Kenyon: “Home? What exactly have they been doing?”

Lucifer: “My sons have been protecting Penny and the twins while they oversee the construction of a new…Hell.”

Zachary’s face visibly paled at the mention of a new Hell. He had been the only person here who had been a “guest” of the old one. Lucifer saw this, of course, and shook his head.

Lucifer: “There are no Killing Fields this time, Zach.”

Zachary Sears: “...Alright…”

Aerynn Maguire: “Tha bae fast. Th’ house only blew a few months ago.”

Lucifer: “I started construction on it...long before that.”

Ashley’s eyes widened as she looked from the paper to Lucifer and another block clicked into place.

Ashley Kenyon: “I thought when you said you had all the money tied into the rebuild, you meant Xaria’s house. You actually meant Hell! That’s why the Grand Championship bonus for Cronos was so important. All your free cash was tied up in this Hell rebuild!”

Lucifer: “Correct.”

Maiko Adachi: “What do you require from us, Lord Lucifer?”

Lucifer: “Get packed; we leave within the hour. Zachary, reach out and get in contact with Johnny and Martin. Inform them Demons will be arriving within the week to escort them to a “Secure Location” and they are to be ready.”

Zachary gave one single nod before turning and heading upstairs to begin to pack while reaching for his phone. The others all followed suit, heading up the stairs to pack, leaving Lucifer and Xaria alone with Kasey.

Kasey Summers: “Well...looks like this is it?”

Slowly, a small smile appeared on Lucifer’s face, but it was Xaria who took the woman’s hands and brought them to her lips and kissed her palms. An ancient ritual of thanks.

Xaria Linette: “You have done us a great service, Madam Summers.”

The redhead averted her eyes, clearly embarrassed.

Kasey Summers: “I...didn’t do anything.”

Her gaze drifted between them both.

Kasey Summers: “At least nothing actually important…”

Xaria Linette: “Nonsense. Without you, there is no way to know how quickly they would have found us while we were at our weakest.”

Lucifer: “She’s right, Kasey. You gave us a safe haven when we needed one the most.”

Kasey offered both of them a smile of her own.

Kasey Summers: “An example of friendship.”

Lucifer extended his hand and Xaria’s released Kasey’s own. The red-haired woman looked down at the hand and then grasped it firmly.

Lucifer: “To friendship.”

Kasey Summers: “To friendship.”

Lucifer and Kasey exchanged a brief hug and then Xaria gave her one as well before the pair retreated to pack themselves.

Within two hours the vans were packed and pulling away with the Demons in the driver's seat and the Children all packed into the back with their bags. Kasey stood on the porch, waving with a smile on her face.

She had no way of knowing, of course, this was the last time she would see this group whole.

The last time she would see some of them…at all.