The Great War

VI

1737—

I pat the skirt of my dress down once I've sat. "Why're we here." I asked looking up at Father.

He met my eyes, and nothing sat in them, they were dark, cold, and empty. I don't know why he hated me, treated me like this. Like I wasn't his flesh and blood.

"Business darling, now hush." He looked back up as a much taller, bigger man sat himself at the other end of the table. His skin was a flushed gray, he had two long twisted horns on his head. His hair was black, long and messy.

"Beelzebub,"

He lifted his head; he had a youthful face and a strong jawline. He raised his hooked nose at my father as he smirked.

"Lucy, nice to see you again," he stood up and walked over to us, "And who's this young maiden?" He took my hand in his, placing a chaste kiss on the back of it.

"This is my daughter, Ophelia." Father introduces me like he was forced to. Beelzebub looks at me, his pale silver eyes looking me over.

"She took after your wife I see. Gorgeous." He stands up straight letting my hand go. "Speaking of the wifey, where is she? Haven't seen her in a few decades."

You could practically see the tension seeping from them both. The rigid anger coming from my father and just pure entertainment from Beelzebub. He chuckled and leaned on the table crossing his long arms.

"I'm just fucking with you. Ya know, I saw your boy a few days ago. Business with the big boy upstairs. Hefty shit."

His eyes shot over to him, burning red, "Yeah? Well, if you'd excuse me and my daughter, we're off now." He abruptly stood taking my arm with him. I stood shamefully beside him. My interest is all on Beelzebub.

He saw Azrael? That means he's okay. I look back at the lanky man as Father drags us out of the building. Right before the door had shut Beelzebub shook his fingers at me in a wave goodbye, a surprisingly sweet smile on his face.

𖤐

"You know you aren't supposed to be here Baal." I mutter as he drags me to a tree, it happened to be quite dead.

"Oh, hush, don't be such a mood killer." He sat us down beneath the dead branches casting thin shadows on us.

"May I ask why you are here then, my friend?" I question softly, curious.

He hums and leans his head back, his horns gone and replaced with luscious brown hair with sprinkles of gray showing his age. His eyes no longer silver but a soft brown, his face held graying stubble on it. He was wearing an off-white button up with suspenders hanging off his shoulders and connected to his dress pants.

"I guess so," he says and yet doesn't answer the question.

So, I repeat it. "Why're you here?"

He smiles and tilts his head at me, "I have something for you."

I place a hand on my chest with a giddy smile. "For me?"

He nods and slowly comes to a stand; he holds his hand out to me and helps me to my feet. Wrapping a warm arm around my shoulders, he makes quick pace around the tree and to a far-off field.

"Is this where you kill me, dear friend?" I question jokingly,

He laughs and nods with a pinched face, "Oh yes, my love. This is where I kill you."

I hum and nod, "Shall I enjoy it?"

"Much."

I smile as he covers my eyes with his hands, "Oh, Gods. Don't trip me please."

He laughs, "Why would I trip such a beautiful woman? If I wanted you to fall off your feet I'dda already whisked you off 'em." He whispers into my ear, and I roll my eyes beneath his hands.

"Hush, you devil." He laughs once more before we stop, and he slowly uncovers my eyes.

They widen as my sights set on a dark wispy steed. Dark smoke-like substance floats off of him, moss dangling out of his mane as he lifts his head up staring at me with empty sockets.

I let out a soft gasp as I approach him and lift my hands to his face. "What might your name be?" I ask in a quiet voice as he rubs his head against my hands.

I look up at Baal as he walks over to us, laying a hand on the stallion's head. "I just got him today, from the big boy upstairs. Said it'd be easier to ride between the realms if I had him. I haven't named him yet, why don't you?"

I hum and look back at the eyeless steed as he lifts his head up, standing taller than I, and at Baal's bicep. "Altair."

My eyes drift back up to Baal as he grins down at me, "Altair it is," I hum in delight as I press a kiss to the horse's nose, it snorts right after. "Come on a ride with me, beautiful?"

I fake a thinking look as I tap my chin; he snorts a laugh as he lightly grabs my hand. "You know you'd love to, Ophe."

I breathe a laugh and nod, "I very much do."

He grabs both my hands after that's said and hoists me up onto the back of the large stallion.

𖤐

I let out boisterous laughter as Baal lifts me into his arms bridal style and pulls me from the stallion. He had a large toothy smile on his face as he walks towards father's cabin.

"Wait, wait, wait. You can't, he'll see you if he's back. Father'll kill us both." I whisper out placing my hand on his shoulder as he twists me in his arms to set me on my feet.

I look up at him as he pauses and shrugs, "Alright, fine. I'll visit you soon, darling girl. Try not to have too much fun."

I roll my eyes, "Oh, yes of course, Baal."

He grins down at me before kneeling and pressing a hand to my face, his form slowly slipping from his human vessel to the demon I know and remember. His horns jutting from his head long and twisting. "Be safe, I sense a great danger heading to the mortal realm. I will help as I can, dear girl."

I nod and give him a soft smile pressing my forehead to his, "I will be as careful as I can, my friend." I press a sweet kiss to his head before he leans back and smiles at me.

"I'll tell your brother hello for you."

I nod, "Thanks, Baal."

He gives me a grin as he stands up and walks over to Altair. "What are messengers for if they can't do their job." I snort and roll my eyes as he disappears.