Chapter 37

This is a special kind of chapter. I wanted to take some time off Alex and his dealings.

This chapter is set 22 years before Alexander Lucifer became a Nephilim.

Switzerland. Territories of Fallen Angels.

Azazel looked over the forest, as he and his two best friends, Baraquel and Shemhazai, were flying over them, simple and without any ulterior motive, just to get away from their duties when they were to take a serious toll on all of them. Even Baraquel and Shemhazai had their limits and couldn`t sometimes resist that smooth talker that was their leader Azazel and they accompanied him on these walks of his. Though, usually he would drag them to a bar or somewhere, where they would enjoy a company of less than modest women, but this time, Azazel decided that they should just do a normal flight and spread their wings out, just for the feeling of it. That was probably the only reason as to why Shemhazai decided to go, as he was too faithful to his wife and he never partook in any of the debaucheries that Azazel and Baraquel caused. He was getting really troubled by that and it wasn`t without reasons of his own, as he really did care for these two. If they go on like that, then they`ll end up quite badly for themselves. Perhaps, it was time that they`ve finally started their own families, found those that could keep them and their antics in check. It would be most effective on Azazel, as he is a Governor General of the Fallen Angels and has certain standards to uphold.

As they were flying above the tops of the high trees, the trio suddenly stopped in mid-air. All three of them just sensed something interesting in their territories at the same time. A very, very familiar energetic signature, in rather large quantities. Devils…

"Shem, Baraquel, tell me that I am not the only one sensing this many Devils right now?" Azazel asked of them. "Because that hardly feels like a simple group of Strays or an especially strong Stray Devil."

"Yeah, you are right." Baraquel agreed, turning to the direction from which they all were sensing the power coming from. "I sense at least 10 Devils, all Middle Class material, with the exception of being one of them which smells like a High Class. They are all moving forward to the west, deeper into our territories, but they are all split in a bit of strange formation, as if they are hunting down a prey."

"Hunting a prey? In our territories?" Azazel asked of him, crossing his arms. "I wonder, just what kind of a prey could those poor sods be looking for, if they`ve had enough balls or are stupid enough to cross our border just to hunt someone down. Hey, Shem, what do you think about it?"

All this time, Shemhazai has been scanning the territories of where Baraqiel pointed out with his own energy sensing, which was rightfully considered to be the strongest in all of Grigori and one of the most powerful all around the supernatural world as well. And he clearly sensed out those intruders, but what he didn`t immediately noticed was a very small, almost non-existent, energetic signature that Shemhazai wasn`t even sure at first was even there. But, after pressing more with his senses, he could far more clearly see this energetic power and even recognize it. Shem`s eyes widened as the realization came upon him, as one of the founders of Grigori recognized this energetic sent. Azazel and Baraqiel clearly saw that Shemhazai has found something and went right to him. Governor General of Fallen Angels decided to ask him right away, with full seriousness.

"Shem, what did find there?" Azazel asked him seriously. "Something that they are looking for, possibly?"

"Most probably." Shem regained his composure, turning to his friends. "Those Devils are on a hunt, but not for the beast, not the very least bit and there is a very good reason for them to come so deep into our grounds."

"And why is that, exactly?" Baraqiel asked him. "Just why would those idiots hope for? They must know that they are in our territories and it was only a matter of time before we`ve found out and sent out a group to take care of that intrusion. Whom could they be chasing after, Shemhazai?"

Head of the R&D Department of the Grigori took a breath and spoke up.

"Lucia Lucifer, youngest child of Lucifer and Alexandra Lucifuge." Shemhazai said, surprising them. "I`ve managed to pick up on her energetic trail and signature. It is very weak and is fading, but it is clearly her energetic pattern I am feeling right now."

"Shemhazai, are you sure that it`s her?" Baraqiel asked of him, a little skeptical about all of this. "I mean, it has been more them 18 centuries since she was reported to have been killed by Sirzechs and Ajuka during the final battle of Devil`s Civil War. I`ve heard that she was practically the last defender, standing between Anti-Satan Faction and the fleeing descendants of original Satans. We can all thank her for Old Satan Faction and those brats harassing us every now and then."

"No, that`s clearly her, I am quite sure of it." Shemhazai confirmed it. "During our first assault of the capital, I and Penemue were forced to battle against Rizevim and Lucia, who were protecting the passage towards palace. I fought against Rizevim, while Penemue battled Lucia. At first, I thought that she would be able to overpower the youngest Lucifer, but it turned out to be quite differently, as Lucia did a short work of Penemue, forcing her to retreat after a very short fight. I`ve retreated soon as well, but I`ve got a very good feeling of both, so I know what I am talking about right now. However, I don`t understand something: her power back then was a thousand hold greater, but now she feels weaker than a newborn sickly Low Class Devil."

Azazel decided to put strong effort into his own senses and see if his friend was right about this one. After focusing and concentrating on a searched area, he could also feel what his friend was sensing this time. And in the next second, he had to hand it to his friend- that was definitely Lucifer's energetic pattern. Governor General could never forget this feeling of power, the power of Lucifer himself, even though it was faint and weak, but it was definitely Lucifer`s power alright. He still remembers the days when he worked under Lucifer and just what kind of a person that Primordial Nephilim was, as his powers were more than enough to make even Michael and Azazel seem like kittens in front of the tiger. They also squared off against Lucifer during his rebellion, when he grew considerably weaker, as he became the First Devil. That was a total disaster on their part, as Lucifer completely demolished them and their forces without much of an effort. That rebellion also sparked up the uprising of the Fallen Angels, led by Azazel himself this time, as he decided that it was time for him and his friends to decide their own fate instead of having God to tell them what to do. In the end, Fallen Angels gained their independence and soon found their own lands to live in. Azazel even managed to start working relations between his people and Devils, so things were looking well.

Looking well, until God of the Bible has decided that it was time to put a stop to both Devils and Fallen Angels, starting up the Great War, which embroiled the Three Factions. It went for a long and grueling time, until Lucifer has contacted both Azazel and Chief Michael, knowing that they weren`t too happy with this war as well and that if it were to go on, then there will only be more needless slaughter and deaths, but a simple truce was also not an option in Lucifer`s eyes, as it would leave all Three Factions and the rest of the Supernatural world in a constant state of Cold War. Only a fully authorized and complete peace treaty was needed and for it to even be possible, the major provocateur of war needed to be removed, or killed. That task Lucifer completed personally, killing God of Bible and allowing Michael to withdraw his forces, following the earlier example of Azazel and Fallen Angels. Governor General of the Fallen Angels was already waiting for the chance to officially meet with him and Michael.

However, that meeting never came to pass, as Sirzechs and his faction have suddenly spurred a rebellion against Lucifer and other Satans, blaming them for all their misfortunes and losses in war, claiming that it was they who started this whole conflict. They promised the Devils a peace and freedom from their tyranny, and public bought it all without hesitation, giving Sirzechs and his faction the chance to take over the power, killing off 4 original Satans, including Lucifer, along with exterminating all the remains of the original 4 Great Devil Kings, including their families and descendants. When Azazel heard of this, he was livid, as he quickly guessed what was going on in reality. He was quick to guess that Sirzechs and his faction rose only now because of Lucifer`s exhaustion and lack of power. Those greedy youngsters decided to take power in their own hands, but they didn`t fulfill their promise of full peace, as they never sent an official envoy for it and simply let Azazel and Michael know that they will remain neutral, in a state of perpetual stalemate, with neither side unable to finally conclude this whole damn conflict. All thanks to the 4 new Great Devil Kings and new Lucifer, although in Azazel`s mind there was only one Lucifer and that one was his friend, once comrade and a mentor. And now, there was a possibility that one of the children of Azazel`s friend was there, alive, but in danger. Even if he and Lucifer were enemies once, they still held quite a lot of respect towards each other and this respect remained long after the death of Lucifer. Azazel decided that it was perhaps time to finally repay Lucifer for his efforts. Azazel turned to his friends and spoken up.

"Shem, Baraqiel, go ahead and attack them from several sides." Azazel was speaking in commanding voice. "Make it quick and make sure that they don`t escape. I`ll go and check up on that energetic signature. Whatever it is, it sure does have that distinct flavor of Lucifer in it."

"Works for me." Baraqiel said, casting a large barrier over the entire forest and engulfing all of the participants. "They won`t notice the barrier for some time, but not for very long. Still, we shouldn`t have any trouble with those punks."

"Very well." Shemhazai agreed, turning to Azazel. "I`ll take the south, Baraqiel will take the north. Should be piece of cake, but I am concerned with Lucia, because that flow of power is unnatural for the Devils of her caliber. Keep your guard up, Azazel."

"I will." Azazel agreed to that one, flying on high-speed towards where the energetic signature was resonating from.

It didn`t take very long for him to reach the place he needed to be and find the person he was looking for. In front of the Governor General stood not a regal and strong child of Lucifer, but a visibly broken and pale shattered imitation of a legendary Devil. He could clearly see the close resemblance between Lucifer and Lucia, in her facial features, though miniature and near minimal, but those dark silver hair and eyes… There was no mistaking that it really was Lucifer`s youngest daughter, Lucia Lucifer. She was dressed in an attire of poor villager, but clearly trying to hide her features and face, clearly not to be found by her pursuers. As Azazel casted his eyes downwards, he saw that her left leg was injured and badly and she herself looked too tired and exhausted to even attempt to run. Azazel also was finally able to understand what happened to Lucia`s power supply- it was cut down, permanently and without return. It wasn`t the first time when Azazel encountered such cases, but to see a Lucifer`s daughter like that… It was sickening, looking in her nearly dead eyes and how there was seemingly no life at all in them. Azazel heard the screams of pain, understanding that his friends were already at it and he too should be wrapping things up here as well. He went directly towards Lucia and examined her injured leg. Lucia finally turned her head and faced Azazel, who was ripping a piece of his own attire and beginning to put a bandage on her injury. She spoke up in a weak and pained voice.

"You... I know who you are." She said to Azazel, who looked up to her. "My father… Lucifer… He spoke very highly of you."

"Well, I`m pleased to know that." Azazel said with his usual smile. "So, you really are Lucifer`s youngest kiddo, the one who whopped Penemue`s ass back in Great War?" He asked her, with Lucia nodding to that one.

"Yes, Shemhazai was also there, but Rizevim… took care of him." Lucia recalled, panting, looking at her injured leg. "What are you… What are you doing here?"

"Well, currently I am putting a bandage on that injured leg of yours." Azazel said, causing Lucia to chuckle a little, as he was beginning to put it around her injury. "It will sting and quite badly, from the looks on it."

"I… will manage." She stated weakly, before suppressing the sudden urge to scream as Azazel finally put the makeshift bandage and tightly wrapped it up, making sure that it doesn`t come off on its own and to stop bleeding.

Azazel was honestly impressed with how she managed to hold off this scream. She sure had guts; he had to give her that. Along with actually looking quite well and beautiful, even by the standards of the Fallen Angels.

"Well, you sure can take pain." Azazel noted, rising up and offering his shoulder to Lucia. "C`mon, I promise that we`ll treat you and your wounds."

"You don`t have to…" She said, as she suddenly felt how she her arm was put around Azazel`s head and how he carefully took her by waist. "There are those that want my head… Pursuers, paid by House of Phenex to get me back in their house…"

"Phenex? Those douches with their flames?" Azazel recalled. "How did a beauty like you found herself in the house of those scumbags such as them?"

"I was… sold to them." Lucia stated, surprising Azazel, as h spread his wings. "During the last battle, Sirzechs… took me as a prisoner for a very long time, but several decades ago, he decided to sell me to House of Phenex and then…" Lucia was too pained to speak of what horrors they did to her back then, especially her 'fiancée'.

Azazel has seen this look countless times and has long leaned it`s meaning. He didn`t even needed to ask her what they were doing to her, as this single look was more than enough to understand what really happened to the youngest daughter of legendary Nephilim and First Devil. He may`ve been a Fallen Angels and had, sometimes, questionable motives and reasoning, but to make a girl a slave, selling, but before that killing off her parents, having her own older sister betray her and entire family, along with imprisoning for hell only how long. What`s even worse is that to Azazel it was clear as day just what in hell House of Phenex was doing to Lucia and sickened him to no end. At first, there was a little thought of returning her to Devils, even if it was a side thought, but he would be the last bloody bastard if he has done it to her. No way he`ll be returning her to Devils and Sirzechs be damned with his Power of Destruction and other stuff. He isn`t some weakling either, but a freaking Governor General of Fallen Angels, the Strongest Fallen Angel in existence and he was one for a very long time and wasn`t going to be giving up this position any time soon. And if needed, he was ready to protect this girl.

As Azazel was about to take off, he and Lucia had to duck as they were almost incinerated by a flaming attack from a blonde Devil, who was dressed in fine clothing befitting the High-Class Devils. Lucia and Azazel were together still, so it was good enough for now. Azazel looked up at their attacker and spoke up.

"Hey, don`t go and throw fireballs around. It`s a nice forest, with rare trees here, and, what`s more importantly, it`s MY forest you are freaking firing up!" Azazel noted, as he didn`t like when his stuff was burned up. "And just who the fuck are you, punk?"

"Your death, Fallen Angel." He spoke arrogantly. "I am Rivan Phenex, a nephew to Lord Phenex and an immortal Devil. And that filth you are carrying is a property of House of Phenex and a future wife of my cousin. Return her immediately and I may spare your life."

"Wow, you sure do talk big, especially for a douchbag from Phenex family." Azazel remarked in his usual manner, before getting serious once a again. "Sorry, but this lady isn`t interested in a company of you and the rest your bloody bastards. And, if you think that you can actually hurt me, then you are really dumb, considering that you right inside of the territories of my organization, meaning that I`ve got a full excuse to kill you."

"Tch, I am not afraid of you, filth. Only one of Cadre can even hope to kill me, let alone someone as weak as…" In the next second, Rivan`s head was sliced off his shoulders and fell right onto the ground, disintegrating within seconds along with his body.

Baraqiel dispelled his Light Sword, stepping closer with Shemhazai, as they`ve finally cleared up the forest and done it within a short time. Shemhazai looked at Lucia and was shocked to see her in such poor state of body. Azazel casted his friends a knowledgeable look, telling them that he`ll explain everything later. Shem and Baraqiel nodded to him and decided not to pry any further than that. Instead, Shemhazai simply created a portal with his own magic and went inside of it, along with Baraqiel. Lucia, unfortunately, passed out of the exhaustion and blood loss and was no longer able to walk on her own and even with help. Azazel simply sighed and spoke up to himself.

"Yare yare daze…" He said benevolently and took up Lucia in his arms, in the same fashion as was done to brides, and carefully carried her towards and through the portal.

He didn`t wanted to admit it out loud, but he really liked doing that, even if it was just to carry her to the medical center…

Maybe, Shemhazai was right about him. Maybe, just maybe… He might think about getting himself a wife…

1 year and 5 months later.

"…And that`s how I knew that this is the woman who can lay me down for the rest of eternity!" Azazel happily proclaimed to everyone, as he sipped some more of his booze with Baraqiel and Shemhazai, while their respective wives were all sitting near of them, managing to keep them in check.

Like right now… As Azazel immediately received a solid fist in at the back of his head, immediately lowering the level of his alcoholic intoxication by a few notches. Azazel rubbed the pained spot and turned to face his wife and her stern look.

"Aww, Lucia, why did you have to do that?" He asked his wife, the very same Lucia Lucifer that he and his friends saved nearly a year and a half ago, which was now sitting at his right hand and looking with a stern glare at her sometimes blabbering, most of the times genius, always beloved husband.

"You were starting to get out of control, dear." Lucia suddenly stated with calm and collected voice, without even a hint of anger or glaring, as she sipped her juice. "And aside from that, we all know just how you get when you have too much of these strong drinks. Honestly, I can`t help but wonder how didn`t you already suffered a liver dysfunction."

"You can thank me for that." Shemhazai spoke up, sipping his own drink. "However, compared to how you manage him and I did, I am willing to take a couple advices and an autograph. After all, not even I thought it was possible to see Azazel sober for more than 10 hours, but now…" He laughed up a bit, drinking up.

"Shemhazai, you bloody…" Azazel was about to curse up again, but he immediately received another glare from his wife, making him shut his foul mouth and turn on educated one instead. "… scientifically educated librarian." Azazel muttered it out, making now Baraqiel laugh his ass out.

"Bwahahaha, as I live a breath, Azazel, I never would`ve imagined I would see you using such educational equivalents, wahahaha!" Baraqiel laughed some more, with Azazel actually breathing out steam. "But seriously, if somebody had told me that one day, I will see Azazel, the most irresponsible, obnoxious and dead-set on never committing to a single woman, actually marrying and to the same woman that he saved in the woods, I would laugh my ass out for that." Baraqiel suddenly received a good hit in the ribs from his own smiling wife, who was sitting right next to him and smiling, wearing her own personal kimono.

"Baraqiel, no need to go into such ill words, darling." Shuri Himejima spoke up, looking at her friend Lucia. "Just what ill-mouthed husbands we have, Lucia. Just like kids, can`t take eyes for a minute, or otherwise they`ll cause a ruckus, just like little kids."

"I would have to disagree with you, Shuri." Spoke up Dina, a kind and reserved wife of Shemhazai, who possessed a modest figurine, light brown short hair and green eyes, as she sipped her own wine. "Shemhazai is anything, but a kid, especially with all that seriousness of his and no nonsense attitude. It`s a rare sight to see him actually act so carelessly. Though, he does like it when I play the school disciplinary during our private time~." Dina added with a serious blush on her cheek and Shemhazai coughing, while everyone simply chuckled along the line, Lucia included.

In fact, she was having the best time of her life. It has been centuries, millennias since she felt so alive and careless, but at the same time, she felt incredibly happy, as she was among the closest people and with a man she truly loved and care for, who cared and loved her in the very same way. She never could`ve imagined that she, youngest daughter of Lucifer and Alexandra Lucifuge, one of the most wanted Devils in existence and would find herself as a wife of Governor General Azazel, once a greatest enemy to her own father, living among Fallen Angels and, much to her own surprise, being treated as a respected and distinguished person. It hasn`t been like that since her days as a daughter of Lucifer, but now, it was completely different, as she didn`t have her sister Grayfia, brothers Rizevim and Euclid and of course, her mother and father, whom dearly missed. However, she had a new family now, a loving husband with many close friends. Lucia still couldn`t believe her own happiness and how did it just happen.

She recalled just how it all started up, right after Azazel brought her into Grigori and she was placed into the medical care. Azazel would regularly come visit her, a couple of times a day, just to check up on her, to talk and try and cheer up. He often brought with him presents, snacks or books to read, while always wearing that smug smile on his face. Lucia at first didn`t wanted to admit it, but she really started to enjoy Azazel`s company, but she was afraid that he was only after her as in the sexually interest object, which was turning her stomach, as the scars of Phenex family treatment were still fresh in her mind. However, as the time started to pass by, Azazel did no advances whatsoever in that direction and was simply helping Lucia to recuperate and get better, which she was and it was only a month later when Lucia was finally allowed to leave the hospital, moving into a house that Azazel bought to her. He became a constant guest in her house and near the end of her first week, they went out on their first date. She had never guessed that Azazel could be… such a gentleman, treating Lucia like a queen and never acting out of her wishes. Lucia Lucifer already had to admit to herself: she has fallen for this dashing Fallen Angel. For nearly 5 more months they dated as normal people, getting to know practically every single thing about each other, forming a strong bond on love and care, but not cementing their relations in an intimate way, as Azazel never pushed that subject, until Lucia herself decided that she was ready to fully be with him. And on the next day, Lucia and Azazel married each other, with audience and friends around them, exchanging rings and solemn vows with each other. Everything was done in proper order and after that, it seemed like there was nothing that could make Lucia and Azazel`s life more complete and happy.

Well, until yesterday, that is…

Azazel, now cooled off a little, has noticed a little strange thing today about his wife: Lucia was drinking only juice the whole evening. While she was no drinker, thank goodness for that, she wasn`t usually shy away from a sip or two of Caucasian wines, which Azazel has bought in quite the variety just for her, but now… She didn`t even take a single sip, while only drinking grape juice, which she did prefer to drink usually, but when the friends are just chilling and having drinks… Something was iffy. He decided to ask her right away.

"Lucia, love, are you feeling alright?" Azazel asked her with a concerned voice, immediately drawing concerned looks upon Lucia, who looked surprised at her husband. "Through the entire night, you`ve been only sipping this grape juice, but you usually do like to have some of Caucasian during these meetings of ours. Is everything alright, darling?"

Lucia looked surprised at her husbands` serious face, along with how everyone`s eyes were right at her. Instead of feeling concerned, she simply let out a chuckle and smile to everyone, especially her husband. Now was probably the best time.

"Nothing gets past you, does it, my love?" Lucia said with love and care in her voice, along with tears in her eyes. "No, nothing is wrong, Azazel. I just can`t drink wines now, as I now have to think not just my own health, but of our upcoming child."

Azazel`s eyes widened as he heard those sacred words.

"Child… Lucia, are you…"

"Yes, Azazel." Tears were fully pouring from her eyes. "I am pregnant. You are going to be a father."