The Heir and The Avatar

Chapter 2

Mammon woke alone the next morning, looking up at a dusty red canopy, he took a moment to remember all that had occurred yesterday. He groaned and got up, changing into some clothes that had been left on the dresser, they looked expensive, and made more for royalty then someone like him. Was King Balam serious about him being a son to him? Surely demons wouldn’t accept it so willingly? Who would even want him as a brother? He frowned as he looked at himself in the mirror, he straightened out his collar and left the room.

The whole castle was quietly getting along in the early morning. A few castle workers noticed him as he passed and bowed respectively with quick greetings of ‘Good morning, Prince Mammon. ’ He would give small greetings in turn, but he was still in shock at the title they so willingly placed upon him. Surely this wasn’t normal? Was the Devildom just naturally this peculiar?

“Mammon!” Diavolo grinned as he stepped out of his own room, Barbatos at his side. Mammon smiled nervously.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Prince Mammon.” Barbatos chuckled lightly.  “From your reaction, you seem a little shocked to be greeted as such.” He stated, looking at the fallen angel.

“I'm just… surprised that everyone seems to have accepted it so easily.” Mammon muttered. “I literally just arrived…”

“Your first time feeling wanted by someone seems to be the cause of it.” Barbatos commented, Mammon looked at him. Barbatos didn’t look at him with pity, instead with soft understanding - a look that was new to him. He glanced down nervously  before nodding.

“I suppose it is… so that's what this feeling is…” Mammon mumbled, Diavolo put a hand on his shoulder, causing Mammon to look at him.

“Father is likely waiting for us to join him for breakfast, so let's not keep him waiting.” Diavolo grinned. “He probably sorted you out a room already. But there are probably a few things he needs you to be there for before actually getting anything else.”

“Like what?” Mammon asked, walking at Diavolo’s side as the demon wrapped an arm around his shoulder, but he didn’t find himself hating it. Unlike how it was in the Celestial realm with those brothers, this was much more relaxed, more friendly - maybe familial?

“Well clothes for one. We can wear whatever we want, but there will be a few things that will need to be personally tailored for you.” Diavolo said, “We should go and buy stuff for your room, make it yours.” Mammon frowned, a room that he could decorate…. He had always shared with brothers, so having a space that was his was going to be amazing. “Father, sorry for keeping you waiting.” Mammon snapped out of his thoughts as they entered the dining hall. King Balam chuckled lightly, he didn’t seem completely annoyed by their latest if not at all.

“It's fine, I am glad the two of you seem to be getting along.” Balam smiled softly as the boys sat, Balam insisting that they sit on either side of him. Mammon was blushing lightly at the kind treatment he was receiving. Maids were soon bringing out breakfast and there was a lot. It stunned Mammon a bit, a lot of it was food he hadn’t seen before. Balam and Diavolo kept advising him on what he should try, and Mammon happily did so. The food was great! Mammon didn’t even think of how much he was eating until he noticed the food was practically cleared.

“So, Greed also covers Gluttony in some ways, doesn’t it?” Diavolo asked with a smile. Mammon blushed deeply as maids were clearing away plates from around him, and another asking if he would like anything else to eat.

“Sorry.” He muttered.

“No, don’t be!” Balam told him, Mammon looked up at him. “It is true, out of all the sins, Greed is likely the most powerful due to the fact it governs all forms of greed. Greed for wealth, Greed for food, for people, for items. Greed is the Sin that has a lot more to it than most realise, I wouldn’t have given it to anyone who didn’t deserve to be pampered. You have been through a lot Mammon, but rest assured, you will never want for anything again.” Balam said. “But that being said, you may feel yourself growing hungry from time to time, when that happens, just ask for anything you wish.”

“Oh, right, I’ll try.” He nodded, King Balam beamed happily at his reply, and it somehow grew when some more was brought out for Mammon and the young demon perked up happily at it, and happily dug in again.

“Good, well, your room is finished, it needs some decor but we can shop for that whilst we are getting clothes tailored to fit you. I also found someone to be your steward, we just need to see if you can click well with him, if not we can find someone else.” Balam smiled, Mammon found himself smiling, it was good to be at peace when talking to someone, instead of awaiting the insults. “We should also work on a tour of the castle, it is large and I don’t want you getting lost. And then a tour of the Devildom as a whole. That may be better saved for another day.” Balem mumbled to himself, Mammon giggled lightly and Diavolo just smiled at his new younger brother happily.

~*~*~*~

“Whoa, it's still night…” Mammon muttered as they stepped out of the palace, Diavolo draped one of his coats over Mammon’s shoulders as he was looking up at the sky.

“The Devildom is almost the complete opposite to the Celestial Realm.” Balem explained calmly. “Whilst the Celestial realm is locked in eternal day, we here are in eternal night.”

“I prefer the sky here.” Mammon said. “It's much prettier.” Balem smiled softly and patted his back lightly.

“I’m glad you think so. Come along, we have a lot to get done.” Balem smiled.

Mammon barely noticed the looks and whispers around him as Diavolo was pointing many places out and telling his brother how he would take him thereafter so he could have a good look around, or at places they should stop by later to get things for his room. Many demons watched with wide eyes as Mammon would have a small smile on his face as Diavolo spoke, Balem couldn’t help but look proudly after his sons. Mammon was unique - an angel who had fallen, his appearance was unnatural compared to demons born to the devildom, his lightly tanned skin barely concealed the pale freckles across his nose, his eyes a beautiful blue but with gold speckled across his iris. And then his snow white hair, not many beings could be born or even created with such a pure colour, or the gold strands at the ends of his hair. He was an angel amongst demons, in a somewhat ironic circumstance. And everyone was drawn to his beauty, Balem hummed to himself lightly, he had to think of a design for a crown for him - one that would enhance his unique features.