The Devil Himself (ManXBoy) COMPLETED

Ch.40: Love and Compassion

Lucifer watches from the terrace of a hotel as yet another demon couple finalizes their marriage with a kiss. This has been the sixth wedding this week that Lucifer has watched. Ever since the art museum opened up seven months ago, demons have been marrying left and right.

Demons have been marrying more out of love now than what it used to be of marrying for land or wealth. Demons are choosing mates more easily now, and demons born know love easier than their parents. Something about the art museum sparked something in the demons that weren't there before.

Ace was destined to bring love and compassion to Hell, and Lucifer sees that it is already happening. Every day the art museum is filled with demons from all over Hell, and every day more compassion fills them.

Demons have been a civilized species for centuries, but now, it is like they are more human. They know love and are more inclined to help each other. The orphans Lucifer used to help are no longer running the streets. Now, there is an orphanage where they can live and be adopted.

Crime rates have gone down significantly, and even the number of demons trying to go to Earth have gone down. Lucifer believes that they were missing the experience of love and compassion, so now they are more satisfied here in Hell. There is still the occasional demon who tries to go to Earth, but Lucifer has a handle on it.

The demons have changed for the better and they recognize Ace as their new king. Azaziah has even told Lucifer that some demons talk and pray to Ace's statues at the museum as if it were a shrine, some even leave letters. Azaziah brings the letters to Lucifer, who then delivers them to Ace. The letters are usually the same.

They ask that Ace brings them love and happiness. That Ace will help them conceive a child. That Ace will help crops grow. That Ace will help their business flourish.

The demons see Ace as a God of some sort. A God who will make things better. Lucifer has no problem with this, he just hopes the demons understand that Ace cannot change anything. Ace does not have the power to grant wishes as Lucifer does.

Ace, on the other hand, has been very busy as well. He has been learning to speak Hellian and learning Hell's history. He said that if he is to be king then he needs to know about the place he is going to rule over. And he wants to actually speak the language and not have Lucifer cast some spell, as he put it, so he can understand everyone.

Ace has also gotten into the complaint mail. He wants to try and help as many demons as he possibly can, and starting with complaint mail seemed like the best place to start. Now, he answers so many letters that Lucifer feels as if Ace spends all his time in the mail room.

Ace has also been building up his tolerance to the heat. Every day he spends a few minutes out of Lucifer's range, building up his tolerance. After six months of this method, he can now withstand five minutes out of Lucifer's range without burning up. Yes, it is frustrating to Ace because he wants to be able to explore the castle grounds on his own, and sometimes with Maiz; but then he reminds himself that he has all eternity to adapt to Hell's blistering heat.

Maiz has also been on a mission to grow up. She learned to crawl, got her first four teeth, learned to say Ace, and is trying her hardest to learn to stand and walk. Her personality shows more every day. She is hard headed and strong-willed for being just a baby. She loves books and loves to be read to all the time. Ace is teaching her the English language while Lucifer teaches her Hellian. She also loves to color and make stick figure drawings.

Lucifer couldn't be any happier with how things have turned out. He is glad he took the chance to get to know a human. Ace has made him a better person all around. Ace didn't just teach the demons love and compassion, he taught Lucifer as well.

Lucifer does not know what the future holds for him and Ace, but he is ready for anything. He is even ready for Tempest's journey to begin. Lucifer doesn't know everything that happens in Tempest's future, but he knows enough to know that he is going to become quite the headache for his father.

Lucifer shakes the thoughts out of his head as cheering erupts from the demons below. It was a beautiful wedding with plenty of guests. Lucifer wasn't officially invited so he steps back from the terrace with a smile as the bride and groom cheer along with their guests. They look so happy down there. Lucifer wishes them the best of luck before he teleports back to his castle.

Yes, he is ready for whatever next comes their way. As long as Ace is by his side, Lucifer is ready for anything. Even Tempest growing up to be his heir.