The Cosmos' Journey (Obey Me! x OC)

Chapter 30: It's Evil to Pretend You're Never Evil

An unknown voice startled them by screaming. Ivy jumped and rushed back to her father's side. Satan was looking around confused. "... What was that? Someone just screamed..."

Levi was a bit too excited. "Ooh, I HAVE to post about this! 'Just heard terrible scream @ the Demon Lord's Castle.' And... done!"

Beel was second guessing himself. "I must be so hungry that I'm hearing things now."

Luke went to go cling onto Ivy's leg. "Uh, if you're hearing things, then ALL of us are hearing things!"

Asmo then hummed thoughtfully. "Wait a minute. I feel like I've heard a scream like that somewhere before..."

Ivy then turned to where her ears picked up on the source as the voice spoke again. "How could you... HOW COULD YOU...?! Asmodeus... this is all your fault! All of it, YOUR FAULT...!"

Ivy blinked at the portrait of a young woman. Solomon was surprised. "Is that portrait talking?"

Number Two piped up. "Bingo! Yes, you're exactly right!"

Lucifer chimed in. "That's a portrait of Helene. She was a witch."

Asmo seemed to think harder. "Helene...? Hmm, Helene... why does that name sound familiar...? ... Ah yes! Yes, of course! Helene! I remember now!"

Ivy blinked. He knew this woman? Mammon wasn't catching on. "So what's goin' on here, anyway?"

Number Two piped up. "Ooh! I can answer that question! Helene was once known far and wide as a witch of unparalleled beauty! Countless humans, angels, and demons alike fell under her spell. But then Asmodeus here came along and seduced her, leading her to betray her lover at the time."

Simeon sighed. "Yes, I had a feeling that's where this story was headed."

"War erupted as a result of her betrayal, a great war that destroyed an entire country. And Helene was derided as a horrible, wicked woman who had sold her soul to a demon. What she had to endure was awful...!"

Ivy felt her insides begin to twist. Her only seeing eye turned to the woman in the portrait. Helene stared back and then her eyes widened. Zach brought Ivy close to him. Satan looked at Number Two. "So you're saying all this happened because Asmodeus fooled around with some woman long ago?"

Levi was enjoying the situation way too much. "'One of Asmodeus's ex-girlfriends just showed up! OMG!' And... sent!"

Luke turned to where he was still clinging to Ivy's pant leg. "Leviathan, you know you sound like a teenage girl, right?"

Ivy would've joked about that had the portrait not been staring at her intently. Asmo just chuckled. "Ahaha! Now wait a minute, everyone. We're talking about something that happened hundreds of years ago! But regardless... Helene, I never expected to run into you here of all places! I mean, what are the chances?! Wow, it's been sooo looong! So, whacha up to these days, hm?"

Solomon rolled his eyes. "Wow, it's almost like he's still trying to flirt..."

Diavolo just watched. "Well, isn't that nice, running into an old friend again like this."

Lucifer sighed in exasperation. "It doesn't seem like she considers herself an old friend."

Helene started to speak. "... After what happened, I incurred the wrath of the nephew of my former lover, who was a sorcerer. He sealed me inside this painting."

Asmo was shocked. "The nephew of your ex? Are you talking about Demetrios?! I don't believe it! The first time I saw him, he was just a little munchkin. You're telling me he grew up to be a sorcerer capable of doing something like that?! Well, that is impressive! You know, Demetrios's father was a grade-A hunk, so I imagine his son must've turned into quite the man himself... Why didn't you tell me this happened to you? I would've come straight over to help. Ugh, Helene, you're so stubborn, you know that?"