Chapter 38

Lucifer`s Estate.

Alexander`s eyes opened up, as he shot right upwards, body in full alert and his magic ready for a fight, but all he was facing his lightened room, illuminated by the coming sunlight. Sweat was coming down on his face, which he wiped away with a free palm of his hand. He took a deep breath and exhaled, as he realized that he was back in the real world and what he was facing just a second ago was just another one of his numerous nightmares, but, unlike his usual ones, this one… It wasn`t just about him, but also about all of his friends, his family and loved ones. They all were dying in front of his own eyes, one by one, each slowly and gruesomely, as Alex watched helplessly and without any way to help them. He saw all of them: Arturia, Grayfia, Baraqiel, his father and mother… Each and everyone one of them.

But the last one, it was the worst then all of them. For the last one was Kuroka, his first love and wife, as she looked at helpless restrained Alex. And as he watched her tears coming down from her cheeks, he saw how behind her came a shadowed figure, which faced Kuroka and then… In one single movement, his hand moved right towards her belly, ripping it open, causing her impossible pain. And then, without hesitation, it removed it`s hand, which now held a little body of Kuroka and Alex`s child, bloodied and crying, crying for his parents to protect her, but they could not… Kuroka`s bloodied body hit the floor, blood streaming from her wound and Alex was held by something. And as his daughter was crying for her father, Lucifer`s eyes widened as in the next second… his child, his little daughter… was engulfed in white flames, instantly destroying her, turning her to ashes… And the shadowed figure finally has showed his face.

Alex`s face…

Lucifer took a look at his left and saw that Kuroka was peacefully sleeping at his side, all was well with her, as if the previous night didn`t even happen. She was as beautiful as ever, especially when in peace and calm, but in his mind, Alex still heard her cries and the cries of their daughter. Their daughter, one that was killed by his own hand. It scarred Alex more than anything and this fear was still with him, all the images were present within his mind and there was no escaping from it, along with the hellish feelings that Alex had and still felt within himself. He put his head in his hands, thinking about it all, trying to calm down, but finding no rest in his soul mind. The old feeling of the fear was now attacking him with new force, striking right at the heart.

'Damn it… All of them, my entire family, my daughter…' Alex was thinking to himself, not realizing that his thoughts were heard by those that were his constant companion.

"Alex." Lucifer drew his grandson`s attention to himself. "Let`s talk about it, privately."

Alex nodded to what his deceased grandfather has just said and simply stood up, dressing up. After that, Alex left his room, where Kuroka kept sleeping. There was no reason to wake her up, especially with that bloody ruckus that happened yesterday. She now needed more care than ever, as she was now with their child and Alex wouldn`t let anything happened to either of them both, but right now, he needed to clear his head. That blasted nightmare has shaken him up and he was now out of his own focus and he needed those right now more than ever, so having a good talk between him and Lucifer was a productive idea and one of the best ways to clear Alex`s mind. Soon enough, Alex was already outside of the house`s grounds, managing to slip away while others tended to their business or were sleeping. It was pretty early, so Alex had time. In practically no time, he made his way to empty park, the same one where Issei go himself killed, and sit down at the fountain`s side, thinking about all that has been happening and what led him and the others to it all. Back when he was with Grigori, when he was running things, there was order, no chaos, but stability, safety, relative calmness and assurance that the next day won`t bring a new Great War with it. All because Alexander had the right people that were telling him the right things and he took the right measurements to prevent a certain segment of people from doing very bad things. Back then, he knew that he had the support, not just financial and fictional, but a real support from the higher ups, especially critical when Alex couldn`t deal with the situation alone and needed his father`s or sister`s help. And now… Crisis after crisis, first with Gilgamesh, now with Kokabiel, all coming from Grigori, where Alex once was in charge of intelligence, when he could`ve prevented all these messes from the start, but now he was reaping the results of his leave and stubborn ambitions. There wasn`t even a hint that his new higher ups will help him and Alex knew it, he knew that he was all alone in this one, as those 4 New Great Devil Kings… They were nothing more but a poor joke.

Falbium Asmodeus, lazy, inactive and only tending to himself, put in charge of the military matters. Alex didn`t understand the way of thinking of other Devils, when they selected him to lead their forces, when he possessed nearly no knowledge on how to lead the army. This became even more apparent to Alexander after his agents have managed to sneak into the Devils` territories and retrieve vital information. The task was almost too easy for them to handle, as they`ve reported that Devil possess nearly no countermeasures to deal with this sort of things.

Serafall Leviathan, however, was the exception out of the 4, as she actually managed to adapt to her own role of a Leviathan and has managed to keep Devils from engaging any pointless wars or breaking any critical promises, but that was it, nothing more than that. Not because Serafall lacked the authority or was passive, which she isn`t, no. Devil`s diplomacy and their diplomatic policies rely on the internal policies that Devils take, which was practically none, meaning that Serafall couldn`t do shit, unless she had to adapt the diplomatic situation of her people to how the decisions were made by Ajuka, Sirzechs and Falbium, and those three combined didn`t do all that much, each deciding to tend to their own interests, leaving Serafall without the ability to do good for her people when she possesses such ability. Basically speaking, she was the underling of other Devils, which was quite sad…

Ajuka Beelzebub, the man responsible for technological progress of the Devils, he was fully emerged in his work and very rarely attended to his other duties, but he had another sin behind him. Evil Pieces, the miraculous constructs made of crystals, created to convert people into Devils, giving them an opportunity to rise in Devils` society… If only they weren`t immediately made into literal slaves of their masters, without any rights or guarantees that they will be protected from abuses or injustice. There were no regulations or laws that helped the Reincarnated Devils, no law or defense, not even a basic tight to ask for protection. High Level Devils basically got the best toys they could play with in the world, one that had no rights, powers or ability to fight back. And if those poor people were to rebel, then they will be found and destroyed, labeled as Strays and those Strays would in the end mutate, as those Evil Pieces possessed a few secrets of their own, especially now that Alex has made a thorough analysis, with the help of Azazel and Shemhazai, of his Nephilim Pieces, finding out that those Pieces had a sickening effect of mutating their hosts if their Masters wished. This reason has led to Alex completely rewriting the Nephilim Pieces` programming, along with completely removing any possibility for Ajuka and others to track their movements. That green-haired Devil was one sickening bastard, if he intentionally installed all of those features…

And finally, the man that leads this whole carnival, Sirzechs Lucifer, the worst of them all. This man holds the fate of the entire race in his hands, more responsibility then all of them, as he was leading them. And what does he do about it, what does the leader of Devils does for them all? He does nothing, practically nothing, save for those that he sees as his real family, House of Gremory, whom he has managed to elevate more than anyone, promoting them and his little sister, even going as far as to force Alex to become her betrothed and now Alex, the true Lucifer, was now forced to play by his rules and go all around him. And aside from it all, he cared very little of other Devils, until the crisis already stroke, but he ignores all the signs of it and only lets the situations escalate and then explode. Even more so, he purposefully didn`t even bother with finally ending the Great War and instead simply did nothing, leaving Angels and Fallen Angels in equilibrium and without knowledge of what will Sirzechs do, as if enjoying the permanent state of cold war and wishing not to change it. And even before he became a Great Devil King… Alex has asked himself plenty of times, just why in Hell`s name did Sirzechs attack his family, especially when it was already clear that War was going to end for good…

"He was too ambitious, he and other 3 Devils…" Lucifer suddenly spoke up, looking at his grandson. "Those were troubling and turbulent times, Devils rose to power and position in the matter of days, while falling in the matter of seconds. Sirzechs and his group were ambitions, powerful and with immense potential… But they were young, inexperienced in the matters of leading an entire Race and make it work. They didn`t know or cared to look pass War and see how will the society look like or what they will be doing. In the end, when the war was coming to the point when we all were tired and needed piece, those four has thought that it was my fault for all this and that I, along with other Devils, held them back, especially when they were already stronger than us, as they`ve believed, especially Sirzechs… In the end, those youngsters learned that just taking power isn`t enough. It takes hell of a lot more than just mere power to lead people and only Serafall learned it, while the others have only learned to keep everyone happy, but in no progress. A century or more, and I think that Devils will simply degrade to the point when Fallen Angels and Angels will have no problem with destroying them completely."

"When you put it like that, I can actually sympathize with Old Satan Faction and understand that they wish to get what has been stolen back." Alex said out loud, looking at the trees and leafs. "Come to think of it, I should be thinking the very same way as they, so why I, Lucina and Vali aren`t like that?"

"Those kids are thinking the same way as those four, only now they have a very good reason for their revenge and actions." Lucifer noted. "Lucian is different, however. He always looked forward and always knew what lies ahead, just like you do. He has a good purpose, even if he takes a dark path to reach his goals. There is more than one reason as to why I`ve chosen him as my Heir, along with you too."

"Only difference is that he is your Devil Heir, while I am a Nephilim Heir…" Alex said, sighing. "I am starting to think that I might not have the strength to pull it off, or even have the understanding of what it means to be an Heir at all…"

Lucifer looked at his grandson and also sighed, standing up and walking a couple of steps, contemplating about something. After some thinking, he turned to Alex and spoke up.

"You know, many times have I asked myself that question, yet never actually figured out the answer." Lucifer spoke up. "And yet… I think that someone of my family actually figured out an answer on his own."

"Wish I could talk to him." Alex said it to Lucifer.

"Well, then today is your lucky day, Alex." Lucifer suddenly heard the voice coming from behind him.

Alex tensed up, as he rose up and looked behind him, seeing two closely resembling persons, who also resemble him as well, though there were minor differences between then three in appearances, but generally speaking, they were of one clan. Alex immediately recognized and understood in whose presence he was at the moment. Alex finally dropped his guard, as he moved closer to them, standing near of them and looking closely at them. Lucifer`s Heir was the first one to speak up.

"I should`ve expected this to happen sooner." Alex spoke up, getting a chuckle from the older Devil in front of him. "That black swordsman said that I`ve became interesting to you, but I didn`t expect you to visit me now of all times."

"In full honesty, we too, wish that we could meet in better conditions than those that you now face." A younger looking silver-haired Devil spoke up. "However, conditions are not in our control, so we are forced to adapt and this is the forced adaptation."

"You know, you could`ve said it all in a much simpler and way more understandable manner." His companion noted out irritated. "No reason to be a bachelor degree nerd in front of a family, Euclid."

"Well, at least one of us maintains the required level of knowledge and information needed." Euclid Lucifuge, blood brother of Lucia and Grayfia, uncle of Alexander, said knowingly, turning to his nephew. "And also, it`s Master`s degree, not bachelor`s."

"And I don`t give a damn, a nerd is still a nerd." Rizevim Livan Lucifer, oldest of the Lucifer`s children and a grandfather to Vali and father to Lucian, stated confidently, turning to his nephew. "But, in all seriousness of the shit that is happening, sorry we didn`t call you beforehand. A certain red-haired sis-con would`ve been suspicious if he found out that we are in the same town where his main pornography subject is going to school. By the way, the names are Rizevim for me and Nerd for Euclid here."

"I`ll keep in mind." Alex spoke up. "Still, glad to meet you both. Feels nice, knowing that not all Lucifers have died out or were killed."

"Heh, we are a stubborn bunch, kid. It`ll take a lot more than just one sister-jerking idiot and his friends to kill us all." Rizevim joked again, with Euclid doing the signature Lucifuge sigh. "Not that he hasn`t tried, though, because he did on more than a couple of occasions, though, I wasn`t expecting him to try and make one of our blood, especially my dad`s Heir, his very own personal toy for his little sister to play with. That`s something new from Sirzechs."

"And something that he won`t have, I can assure you." Alex stated firmly. "Anyway, what are you doing in Kuoh, especially now, with Kokabiel going rampant?"

"We were searching for a certain someone here, but it seems that we were wrong in thinking that he might show up here." Rizevim stated in full seriousness to Alex. "I am referring to Vali`s father, Lucian."

"I had a feeling that it was about him." Alex answered. "Lucifer already warned me to keep my eyes peeled if he shows up, so I`ll be prepared if things go south when I see him."

"You better be. I wouldn`t want to visit another grave of a fallen Lucifer." Euclid added. "Anyway, while we were here and searching of any clue as to where could Lucien go to or what are his and Lilith's plans for the near future, our father has managed to track us down and he has contacted us to come here and talk to you. He told us what happened and that it might`ve shaken you up more then you or he expected at first."

Alex sighed, as he nodded in agreement with Euclid. Both older Devils already had a feeling that Lucia`s kid had a lot weighing down on his soul and mind and he simply couldn`t take it all off on something or someone and yet he needed the outlet. If he were to continue boiling up and up, he would simply break under his very own pressure. Rizevim spoke up the first.

"Kid, tell me something." Rizevim started out. "What is the most important to you in this world?"

Alex raised a questioning brow at this interesting request. He decided to answer immediately, without even thinking.

"Family." He said. "For nearly half of my life I was simply stripped of it and put through… I don`t even want to remember all those times. That`s why, I think, I`ve started the Spec Ops and fought all the battles, to keep my family save and sound, even if it kills me."

"A good thing to cling to." Euclid admitted, looking curiously at Alex. "Yet, you think that it won`t be a foreign enemy that will be the cause of their own death, but you yourself will bring them down, intentionally or unintentionally, through your own actions."

Alex`s eyes widened at what his uncle has just said, but he quickly calmed down, sighing in agreement. Euclid and Rizevim have read him completely and now Alex had no other alternative but to admit it that he really was afraid that he himself will be the bane of his friends and family. All those secrets and actions behind their back, operations, stealth, along with all those dealings with Devils now and with Sirzechs, plus how he simply left his family and was now going to come back… Lucifer simply couldn`t shake off the feeling of him becoming not just a threat to his own family, but it`s real enemy. Just that nightmarish dream was enough to fuel up this entire fear with a whole new force. And if that were to happen… Alex had too many enemies as it is and they could potentially destroy his family and Alex was afraid just as it is. Alex took a couple of steps back and sat back on the side of the fountain, speaking up.

"Over the past 5 years, I`ve made myself a name in the underground and within the cabinets of world leaders and their secret services." Alex spoke up. "The main danger of my sphere of work always puts into the danger my own family and friends and the only way you can keep them save is to become the most ruthless and relentless of them all, not stopping before any obstacle to make sure that your family is safe. Sometimes, it means that you have to give an order to have someone`s family threatened or… executed publically." Alex remembered how he was signing up that very order. "And after you do that, whether you want it or not, you`ll begin to wonder that if you will be forced to do the very same to your own family, especially when you are fighting for the better world for all. But then, you start to see that the better world needs your family`s blood and…" Alex sighed, closing his eyes for a minute. "I really am afraid that one day I`ll be forced to kill them, intentionally or not. Just today… I saw all of my friends and family get murdered by my own hand, each and every one of them. And the last one of them all… it was none other but my very own yet to be born daughter, which was ripped out of her mother`s womb and scorched in my own hand. I still hear her screams in my head."

Rizevim and Euclid looked with pity at kid and had to hand it to him that he really was right about fearing something like that, as they were aware of his line of work and where it would lead him. To sacrifice ones` family is something that every good ruler ones or twice thinks about when he is responsible and knows just how to lead people for best. And this kid was no different, but it was sad to see that at an age of 19 he had this upon his shoulders. Rizevim sat near his nephew and spoke up.

"Kid, let me tell you something that someone I really cared about told me." Rizevim said. "Family isn`t some fragile castle and crumbling walls that needs to be constantly kept safe. Neh, that ain`t the deal with the family. No, what that your mom has told me is quite a bit different from it." Alex drew his attention towards his uncle. "Lucia told me that family is a hand and each of the members is a finger. Separated, each of the fingers can touch a lot of things, but they aren`t capable of forming fist without unity and one finger can`t hold a body on the edge. I once thought that I could do it, but in the end I almost fell of the hand, but there was someone who helped me to remember that and that`s your mom." Rizevim stood up. "Anyway, what I want you, kid, to understand is that family can`t be protected always protected by a single member, because there will always be the time when you`ll need your family to help you out. And, when this time comes, you can`t just refuse it. Accept it and don`t feel ashamed of yourself. Also, about that fear of yours…" Rizevim turned to his nephew. "Alex, tell me, for whom are protecting this world?"

"For… my family." Alex suddenly understood something. "I think I get it now…"

"See, it isn`t too hard." Rizevim then summoned his circle and from there appeared something that was completely covered in the shrouds. "From what I`ve learned about you, what you are afraid won`t happen, `cause it`s your family that you really protect and when the world decides to kill them, I think you`ll just kill the world back."

Alex actually laughed at that, as he felt himself much easier in his heart of hearts and his mind was once again of his own and not of his own fears. He then looked at the object that Rizevim held, which resembled a long staff, but it emitted a strangely familiar energy. Alex couldn`t help but immediately recognize the potency of this object and it`s power, along with the familiarity of it. He looked up at Rizevim asked him without saying a word about this. Rizevim smirked and swirled this thing around, while Euclid spoke up.

"Alexander." Euclid spoke up. "We may`ve not been able to find Lucian here, but we also had another objective in mind. We really did plan to visit you, though a little later, but, seeing how today a special date is, we believe that this might be the better time than ever. I believe that you have already felt a strange emission, coming from Excaliburs and you must`ve already figured out what is the reason to this phenomenon, so…

"NEEERD!" Rizevim prolonged the word in his usual manner. "Anyway, what this walking encyclopedia is trying to say is that with Kokabiel now having all the Exes, there will be some big shit coming up soon and I frankly don`t want later to find this little town as nothing more but big flat stain upon the face of the Earth. So, to prevent it and at the same time to burn up a couple asses in the process, I decided that it`s time you got this." Rizevim gave the covered staff to Alex, who stood up and was looking at this staff. "Took quite a lot of time, money and A LOT of dead Angels to get this thing back in the family, so treasure it. After all, only a real Lucifer can hold it safely and wield it`s real power."

"Thank you, uncle." Alex said with a smile, looking at this prolonged staff. "So, this is the first part of that spear. Should`ve figured that my great granddad somehow found a way to break this thing."

"Well, he was jackass and dad most surely hated him nearly as much as my own mother." Rizevim noted. "Though, I think he was a little wrong: my mother sure is much worse. I would know, she raised me to an asshole…"

"And apparently, she succeeded in this objective." Euclid said out of nowhere, drawing Rizevim`s attention.

"Should I remind you who the older one of us here is?" Rizevim asked him, then looking at his nephew. "Anyway, our time here is up so sorry about not sticking around for more. We gotta go now, kid." Rizevim casted his circle and opened up a portal, with both stepping in there, but in the last second Rizevim turned to face Alex and spoke up with a smile on his face. "Happy Birthday, Alex." He said with a grin and disappeared with Euclid from the Human World.

It has been a very long time since Alex actually accepted gifts for his birthday, but today, he was going to do so. Even more, today, he felt like accepting the fact of today being his birthday, even if Alex has hated this darned day. Not because nobody remembered it, but simply because today was also the day when Alex has lost his family and saw his mother killed. He cursed the very existence of that day and still does, but now… Now it was different, because now he was different and he had the strength and will to prevent this thing from ever happening again. And now, this strength was much higher than before and Lucifer`s mind and soul were ready. Alex knew what he was going to do now.

Alex swirled the staff in his hand, in the similar manner as Cu Chulainn or Scathach did, before he put it down, holding it in the guards` manner. He took a deep breath and spoke up with a smile on his face.

"Lucifer." Alex called his grandfather out.

Lucifer immediately appeared before him and spoke up.

"I am here, kiddo." Lucifer spoke up in cheery voice, looking at the shrouded staff. "So, Rizevim and Euclid actually managed to steal this thing from Heavens. Wish I could see the faces of Michael and other Seraphs when they found it out. Must`ve been priceless." Lucifer laughed a little. "That aside, are you feeling better now?"

"Much better." Alex confirmed. "And much, much more determined now. I think it`s time I`ve changed tactics about Kokabiel."

"Somehow, I feel like Kokabiel`s fate is going to be MUCH worse then you`ve originally intended for him to end up." Lucifer said, looking with morbid curiosity at his grandson. "What is your plan, anyway?"

Alex simply chuckled, as he walked with his new present, walking right towards his house, as his ghost of the grandfather walked right behind him. In Heir`s mind the plan wasn`t forming as usually, as he was done with planning for this time and it was time to simply act and with no regard for tactics. Kokabiel has fucked him up more times than one should and Alex isn`t going to simply let it slide, nor is he going to simply let him die at the tip of his Clarent Avenger. Oh hell no… This is much more important to be called personal.

Alex soon reached his mansion, where he was immediately greeted by Grayfia, who was waiting for him already.

"Alex, I`ve looked all over for you. Where did you disappear all of a sudden?" Grayfia asked with genuine motherly care. "Also, what is this thing?"

"Had a lot on my mind, so I went for a walk." Alex answered her, looking at his staff. "As for this, a present from Rizevim and Euclid."

Grayfia was agape as she heard that name and in the next second regained most of her composure, speaking up immediately.

"Alex, do you mean to tell me that…"

"They are already gone, but they did stop by here." Alex answered immediately. "No need to worry, especially when we have a certain crow that needs some killing and we are going to kill him."

"Seems like that walk did help you a bit." Grayfia smiled to him. "Anyway, I`ve received calls from all Three Faction`s leaders. Sirzechs, Seraph Gabriel are coming here in the next 10 minutes or so, while Azazel, Lucina, Vali, Baraqiel and Shuri are already here. I`ve informed them about what happened and Azazel with Lucina and Vali have expressed quite a desire to have a little talk with Kokabiel."

"And I`ll provide them with it." Alex said confidently, stepping along with his aunt towards his family. "After what Kokabiel has done, this matter is no longer simply personal. No, it`s much more important and deeper and I am not going to deal with it all by myself this time. I think it`s time I`ve changed my tactics."

Grayfia listened to him and was actually surprised with how much strength and power he spoke. She could clearly hear that Alex has gained a whole new resolve and will to fight and now he is going to fight more intensely and much more vigorously than ever before in his life. Whatever have her brothers told him, she was grateful to them for it and Grayfia wished to thank them, as she cared deeply for Alex and he needed strong support from family, no matter how much he fought aside it, even if it was in the name of his family altogether. It took Grayfia some time to learn just how valuable her real family is and it took Lucia literally beating sense into her head, and her little sister had quite the hand. And now, she could clearly see that Alex also saw the real meaning to family and just what it meant in reality. She smiled, as she felt how Alex`s spirit has strengthened.

The pair soon came to the guest hall, when they saw the rest of Alex`s family and they soon saw him as well. Azazel was pacing around, with Vali and Lucina sitting together in close manner, along with Baraqiel and Shuri, while Baraqiel clearly was boiling from anger and Shuri was trying to calm him down. Their entire attention soon came towards Alex and they all rushed to him, all calling him out. It took a couple of minutes from Alex to calm them down, but he eventually managed to calm them down and began to speak up.

"Guys, seriously, I am alive, though I am shaken up." Alex sighed.

Azazel was the first one to looked at his son and then speak up.

"Alex, do you even realize just what kind of an idiot you are?!" Azazel shouted at him. "Do you think that my heart can withstand another death in the family?! Did you even think about your own kids?! What would they be doing if their dad suddenly got killed and…" Azazel immediately stopped when he saw that his son was shedding tears. "Alex… What are you crying about?"

"It`s nothing, just…" Alex chuckled, as he wiped the tears away. "I really needed to hear that from you dad. I really am an idiot and the worst kind indeed."

"Alex, brother, are you alright?" Lucina asked him caringly as sister.

"Honestly? No, I am not." Alex simply stated. "I was killed by the same bastard that killed our mother, forced to serve his own bride and now forced to marry her, along with having her brother breath down my neck and now cleaning up the mess that he made by not ending Great War, through dealing Kokabiel and saving all the sides from all-out war. Not only that, but I also have two daughters whom I am afraid to lose and now… Kuroka is pregnant and I`ve nearly caused her death, all because of my own decision to go to that damned forest. And not only that, but I was also killed, for real this time and now…" Alex sighed. "To be honest with you, I don`t think that I can go on like that much longer all on my own…"

Everyone looked among themselves, understanding what he meant and what he needed right now. Vali was the first one to speak up.

"Alex, just tell us what you need. We are ready for you." White Dragon Emperor spoke up, with everyone nodding.

Alex smiled to them all, speaking up.

"Guys, I need your help."