I'm The Devil

The air was still. The heavy velvet curtains barely shifted, the cold night lingering beyond them. The only sound was slow, steady breathing—soft, rhythmic, intertwined.

Lucifer opened his eyes.

The crimson glow of the dying embers in the fireplace cast flickering shadows across the vast chamber. The obsidian walls shimmered faintly under the dim light. And beside him—around him—were the resting forms of his wives.

Aphrodite's golden hair spilled over his chest, her arm draped lazily across him. Bast lay curled at his side, her feline grace even in sleep, her tail flicking once before going still. Hestia's warmth lingered, her soft breaths against his shoulder. Amaterasu, ever radiant, rested with an arm over her eyes, her presence still strong even in slumber. Medusa, the furthest but never distant, lay with her back to him, but he knew she was awake. She always was.

Lucifer exhaled, slow and deep. The room smelled of them—heat, passion, and something deeper. A reminder of what was his.

But the moment was over.

He moved.

The shift was subtle, effortless. Aphrodite stirred, her fingers trailing against his chest before she sighed and settled again. Lucifer sat up, his crimson eyes scanning them once more before he slid off the bed.

As his foot touched the cold marble floor, fabric wove itself around his skin. With each step, the air shimmered, forming layers of black silk and deep crimson. His coat materialized over his shoulders as he walked, the final piece fastening itself as he reached the window.

By the time he stopped, he was fully dressed.

Lucifer placed a hand against the cool glass, looking out over the dark expanse of Devil's Peak.

The Pangu Realm stretched beyond, its wounds nearly healed. The once-ruined jade towers stood tall again, the rivers ran clear, and the celestial sky had regained its luster. The gods had worked quickly.

But that was not what held his attention.

Far beyond the rebuilt cities, on a distant mountain peak, a lone figure stood.

Shangdi.

The ancient ruler of the Pangu Realm stood at the edge of his peak, arms crossed, his gaze locked onto Lucifer's. A silent observer.

Lucifer smirked.

Slowly, deliberately, he raised a hand and waved.

Shangdi did not move. He did not acknowledge it.

Lucifer chuckled under his breath before turning away, his coat trailing behind him as he made his way toward the grand hall.

---

The massive doors opened without a sound. The hall, lined with towering black pillars, stretched endlessly before him, illuminated by floating lanterns of golden flame.

And at the center—

Leto.

She sat with the grace of a goddess, her flowing robes pooling around her as she spoke softly to the two figures beside her.

Apollo and Artemis.

The twins. Sun and Moon. Gods of light and hunt.

Apollo, ever the golden warrior, leaned against the table, his piercing gaze flicking to Lucifer the moment he entered. Artemis, poised and composed, glanced his way but said nothing.

And then—another presence.

Athena.

Lucifer's eyes met hers, and he knew immediately.

She wasn't here for Leto.

She was here for him.

A slow smirk formed on his lips as he stepped forward.

This would be interesting.

The hall stretched endlessly, its towering black pillars vanishing into the dim golden glow of floating lanterns. Shadows flickered across the polished obsidian floor as Lucifer strode forward, his presence filling the space without effort.

The moment Apollo and Artemis saw him, they moved.

"Lucifer!"

The twins rushed toward him, their divine auras colliding like sun and moon crashing together. Apollo's golden radiance burned bright, while Artemis's cool silver light shimmered beside him.

Before Lucifer could react, they were upon him.

Apollo's arm wrapped around his shoulder, Artemis gripping his other side in an almost childlike embrace. "It's been too long," Apollo said, his voice warm with unshaken admiration.

"We missed you," Artemis added, her tone softer but just as firm.

Lucifer exhaled through his nose. He did not return the hug.

Instead, he raised his hands, attempting to push them away. "Enough of that."

Apollo only laughed, tightening his grip. "We know you, Lucifer. This doesn't bother you as much as you pretend."

Artemis smirked. "You'll never admit it, but we know you missed us too."

Lucifer narrowed his eyes. "I see you two still enjoy pushing limits."

Apollo grinned. "Always."

With a subtle shift of his power, Lucifer broke free, slipping from their hold effortlessly. The warmth of their presence lingered for only a moment before fading as he stepped back.

Leto chuckled from her seat, watching her children with a mother's knowing eyes. "That's enough, you two. Let him be."

Apollo and Artemis hesitated, then sighed in unison before stepping back toward their mother.

Lucifer's gaze lingered on them briefly before shifting to the other figure still seated.

Athena.

She had been watching him the entire time, unmoving, her expression unreadable. When he met her gaze, she held it.

Then, without a word, she stood.

"Hi," she said simply.

Lucifer smirked. "Hi."

Athena turned and began walking toward the grand doors, her golden armor catching the light as she moved.

Lucifer didn't hesitate. He followed.

The massive doors opened once more, and as the two stepped into the open air of Devil's Peak, the cool wind swept through the courtyard, carrying the distant scent of rain.

Lucifer placed his hands in his coat pockets, his eyes on Athena's back.

"So," he said lazily, "are you going to tell me why you came to see me?"

Athena stopped, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

Then, slowly, she turned to face him.

Her lips curved slightly.

"Because, Lucifer… there are things we need to discuss."

Lucifer tilted his head, intrigued.

The wind rolled across the vast, open courtyard, carrying the scent of distant rain. The sky stretched endlessly above them, a deep, starless void. The world was quiet.

Lucifer stood with his hands in his coat pockets, his crimson eyes locked onto Athena's. She held his gaze, unshaken, her golden armor gleaming under the dim celestial glow.

A long pause.

Then, Lucifer tilted his head slightly. "And what exactly do we need to discuss?"

Athena exhaled softly, her eyes shifting toward the horizon for a brief moment before returning to him.

"Us," she said.

Lucifer raised a brow. "Us?"

She nodded. "Your wives. The mark."

His smirk returned, slow and knowing. "Ah… so, we're doing this now."

Athena ignored his tone, stepping closer. "I was wrong, back then," she said, voice steady but softer than before. "When I told you to remove my mark."

Lucifer said nothing, watching her.

"I was young," she continued. "A newly born god, still finding my place. I didn't understand what it meant—what you meant." She paused, her gaze unwavering. "I didn't want to be tied to anyone. Not even you."

Lucifer chuckled under his breath. "And now?"

Athena took another step, the space between them shrinking. "Now, I understand."

Lucifer studied her, the weight of her words settling in the air between them.

"I'm ready," she said. "To be with you. To be your wife."

Silence.

Then—

Lucifer laughed. Low and smooth, the sound carried through the courtyard.

Athena frowned. "What's so funny?"

Lucifer shook his head, the amusement still lingering in his eyes. "Nothing," he said. "Just—after all this time, you finally figured it out."

Athena crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Are you going to make me regret this already?"

Lucifer smirked. "Maybe."

She sighed, but there was no real frustration in it. "So? What do you say?"

Lucifer took a step forward, closing the remaining distance between them. He reached out, his fingers barely brushing against her chin before tilting her face slightly upward.

His voice dropped to a near whisper.

"Welcome home, Athena."

Athena's breath hitched—just for a second—but she did not look away. Instead, she smirked.

"It's about time, don't you think?"

Lucifer's grin widened. "You always did take too long to make a decision."

She rolled her eyes. "Are you going to kiss me or not?"

Lucifer chuckled. "Impatient."

And then, he leaned in.