Nocturnal Demon

Avernus

The carriage strolls through one of the main streets of the city, a long line that that stretches from one end to the other; Avernus' centre (Valtiel) and the end of the city radius (The Great Wall). This road is the tree to the long branches of stone that weave across the city.

The slight bumps hold no impediment to the carriage as it continues on to its destination from the south city district, heading onwards to the Manor of Valtiel.

Raziel watches from the window as buildings pass by one by one, still gazing upon the familiarity of the architecture. Small and large, thin and wide, they all give something recognizable to his eyes.

"Victorian Era?"

"Hm?" Alex snaps out of his restful daydreaming of watching the road pass by, turning to face Raziel and his question.

"Uh, nothing, just... The buildings. I find them to be quite inspiring."

"Really?" Alexander looks back the structures with indifference, showing no hint of curiosity to his eyes.

"You never found them charming?" Raziel asks.

Alex shrugs in response, "They always looked the same to me. Never even found them to be superfluous."

"I see." Raziel turns his gaze to watch the passing buildings again, counting each of the passerby windows as their interiors illuminate from the warm candlelights, contrasting with the cold darkness of the night. "Maybe it's just that this is my first time experiencing them..."

Alex chuckles in response to Raziel's words, "Then I'm glad you are having your enjoyment of the mundane. Genuinely."

...

Time passes on and the buildings change, much to Raziel's growing curiosity.

They've entered the Centre District.

While the structures are still starkly similar, they hold a greater vibrance. While before it was the dark colours of gothic and dreary, the Centre District expresses the change of earthly tones. The wooden browns, the reddened bricks, and the lively sheen of decorative metals. The electric lights and powered streetlamps highlight all of this. The difference is day and night; and Raziel does wonder what beauty this area would hold under the shine of day.

"Almost there..." Alex expresses a controlled stretch towards his lazy body, knowing that any further he might pump his head on the carriage roof. "Hope the rest of the hunters don't think we're dead."

"I doubt your uncle thinks that low of you, Alexander." Raziel shakes his head at the joking comment

"Maybe not Snyder, but oh, Morgan definitely does."

"I doubt your cousin does either." He adds.

Alexander sharply points his finger at Raziel's lips. "You haven't met her. Well, haven't met her... yet."

"I don't like that smile you're showing me..." Raziel crosses his arms as his partner begins to smirk.

The small chuckle barely leaves the mischievous grin of Alexander, "Oh, don't worry. I think she'll take a fancy over you."

"Why?" A suspicious eyebrow raises from Raziel. Alex knows something that he doesn't. "Her father wants me dead. You're telling me she's not the same?"

"I know my uncle hasn't given you... well, the best first impression. But Morgan heard what you did for me, especially now that it's a second time you saved my life. She'll barely be hostile."

"If you're sure..."

"I'm sure." Alex gives an affirmative nod with his trusting smile. It almost wins Raziel over. "C'mon, you don't trust me?"

Raziel sighs as he resigns back to his window gazing, "I'll believe it when I see it."

It only takes a few more moments until what both hunters have been waiting for arrives. Alexander is the first to notice.

"We're here," he says.

The horses stop the exact minute afterwards, given a momentary reprieve as the rider activates the mechanism which opens the door, allowing some of the outside cold to set inside.

"First timers first." Alex creates a restricted bow in the small carriage space, his hand makes an offering gesture towards the now open doors.

"With pleasure." Raziel sarcastically remarks as he becomes the first to step off, exiting the confines of the carriage, and into the large open area of the centre of Centre District.

He's only been able to see this area once before, when he first started this mission for the shifter demon, but now he can see it freely. All of it. The outside... the exquisite structures...

And the manor. The true centre of the city... And the place Raziel was held captive. Even if it was for a short time.

The Valtiel manor is an imposing structure of beauty. Coloured in marble whites and shining golds, it is the standout of the entire city. The central jewel of Avernus. It also houses the family that it was named after.

And right behind it, the golden tree that towers over all, even the tallest of buildings that Raziel has ever seen. It is the lifeblood of the city and of humanity itself. The safety net against the rest of the world. The saviour of humanity, and the holder of Nocturne's sun and moon...

Valtiel.