13. Lilith's search

Lucifer was frantic, his heart pounding as he scoured Hell in search of Lilith. His usually composed demeanor was shattered, replaced by a desperate urgency. She had vanished without a trace, and his realm was vast and treacherous. He began his search in the pride ring, visiting each of his siblings, hoping for any sign of her.

First, he visited Leviathan, the sin of envy. The watery domain was tumultuous, waves crashing violently against jagged rocks. Leviathan emerged from the depths, her serpentine form coiling around a stone pillar.

"Leviathan," Lucifer called out, his voice echoing across the water. "Have you seen Lilith? She's gone missing."

Leviathan's eyes narrowed, her scales shimmering. "Lilith? No, brother, I haven't seen her. Why would she be here?"

Lucifer clenched his fists, frustration boiling within him. "I don't know. I'm searching everywhere."

Next, he journeyed to the wrath ring, where Satan resided. The landscape was a barren wasteland, constantly shifting under the weight of endless battles. Satan, covered in scars and wearing his trademark scowl, greeted Lucifer with a terse nod.

"Satan, have you seen Lilith? She's disappeared," Lucifer asked, his voice strained.

Satan shook his head. "No, I haven't. What makes you think she'd be here?"

"I'm checking everywhere," Lucifer replied, feeling the weight of his despair growing heavier.

Lucifer continued his search, visiting Belphegor in the sloth ring and Mammon in the greed ring. Each time, he received the same answer: no sign of Lilith. His worry intensified with each dead end, the fear that something terrible had happened to her gnawing at his soul.

Finally, he arrived at the gluttony ring, Beelzebub's chaotic domain. The landscape was a mess of destruction and excess, a reflection of Beelzebub's insatiable hunger. The palace of Beelzebub stood defiantly amidst the ruin, a grotesque monument to her power.

Lucifer pushed through the debris and chaos, entering the palace with a determined stride. He found Beelzebub lounging on her throne, sipping from a goblet. Her eyes gleamed with amusement as she saw him approach.

"Beelzebub," he said, his voice a mix of authority and desperation. "Have you seen Lilith? She's missing, and I fear the worst."

Beelzebub looked at him, feigning innocence. "Lilith? I haven't seen her, Lucifer. Why would she be here?"

Lucifer studied her, searching for any sign of deceit, but her expression remained inscrutable. Frustrated, he turned to leave, but Beelzebub's laughter echoed behind him, a chilling reminder of her unpredictable nature.

Determined to continue his search, Lucifer headed to the lust ring, where Asmodeus ruled. The air was thick with desire, and the very atmosphere seemed to pulse with sensual energy. Asmodeus greeted him with a knowing smile.

"Lucifer, what brings you here?" Asmodeus asked, his tone smooth and inviting.

"Lilith is missing," Lucifer replied, his voice edged with desperation. "Have you seen her?"

Asmodeus frowned, shaking his head. "No, I haven't. But let me tell you, Lilith is a strong demon. If she's been taken, it must be one of our siblings."

Lucifer didn't want to believe it, but Asmodeus's words rang true. "Was there any motive? Anything that might suggest one of them would want to harm her?"

Asmodeus considered this, then shook his head. "Not that I know of. But if we're looking at possibilities, that narrows it down to two: Mammon and Beelzebub. But I'd rule out Mammon; he's more of a coward. That leaves Beelzebub. She does things on a whim, for fun."

Lucifer's heart sank. Beelzebub. The thought of her being behind Lilith's disappearance filled him with dread. He knew Beelzebub's chaotic nature, her love for games and mischief. If she had taken Lilith, there was no telling what she might do.

With renewed determination, Lucifer prepared to confront Beelzebub once more. He couldn't rest until Lilith was safe. As he made his way back to the gluttony ring, a sense of foreboding settled over him. He had to be ready for whatever twisted game Beelzebub had in store. The thought of what she might be doing to Lilith fueled his resolve, and he vowed to bring her back, no matter the cost.

...

Lucifer's steps were heavy as he returned to Beelzebub's palace, the weight of his fears and determination pressing down on him. The chaotic landscape of the gluttony ring mirrored his inner turmoil. As he approached the palace, he saw the familiar figure of Cerberus, the three-headed dog, standing guard. The Cerberus girls, always energetic and mischievous, eyed him with curiosity and a hint of amusement.

Ignoring their playful antics, Lucifer pushed open the grand doors of the palace, striding purposefully towards Beelzebub's throne room. The air inside was thick with the scent of excess and decadence. Beelzebub lounged on her throne, sipping wine, her eyes glinting with amusement as she saw Lucifer approach.

"Back so soon, brother?" she purred, a sly smile playing on her lips.

"Cut the games, Beelzebub," Lucifer snapped, his patience worn thin. "I know you have Lilith. Where is she?"

Beelzebub's smile widened, a glint of madness in her eyes. "Why would I have her, Lucifer? What makes you think I'd take Lilith?"

Lucifer stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "You're the only one unpredictable enough to do something like this. Tell me where she is, or I swear—"

"Or you'll what?" Beelzebub interrupted, standing up from her throne. "You'll challenge me?

Lucifer's hands clenched into fists, but he forced himself to remain calm. "I don't want to fight you, Beelzebub. I just want Lilith back. Where is she?"

Beelzebub laughed, a sound that echoed through the grand hall. "Oh, Lucifer, always so serious. Yes, I have Lilith. She's safe… for now."

Lucifer's eyes narrowed. "What do you want, Beelzebub? Why take her?"

Beelzebub walked slowly down the steps of her throne, her gaze locked on Lucifer. "Why? Because I was bored. Because I wanted to see you squirm. Because I wanted to teach you a lesson about control."

Lucifer felt a surge of anger but pushed it down. "This isn't a game, Beelzebub. This is about Lilith's life."

Beelzebub's expression darkened. "Life? I'm not going to kill her. I just wanted to have some fun. And besides," she added with a smirk, "it's not like you're in a position to make demands."

Lucifer took a deep breath, trying to keep his composure. "What will it take for you to let her go?"

Beelzebub tapped her chin thoughtfully, pretending to ponder his question. "Hmm, what do I want…? How about this? I'll let Lilith go if you agree to a little… challenge."

Lucifer eyed her warily. "What kind of challenge?"

Beelzebub grinned. "A game. You like games, don't you, Lucifer? If you can find Lilith within three days, I'll let her go. If not, well… let's just say she'll become a permanent guest in my domain."

Lucifer's heart raced. "And if I refuse?"

Beelzebub shrugged. "Then you'll never see her again. It's your choice, brother."

Lucifer knew he had no choice. He couldn't leave Lilith to Beelzebub's whims. "Fine," he said, his voice steady. "I accept your challenge."

Beelzebub's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "Excellent. The game begins now. Good luck, Lucifer. You're going to need it."

As Lucifer turned to leave, Beelzebub's laughter echoed behind him, a chilling reminder of the stakes. He had three days to find Lilith, and he knew Beelzebub would do everything in her power to make sure he failed. But he wouldn't give up. He couldn't. Lilith's life depended on it.

...

Lucifer left Beelzebub's palace with a heavy heart, determination etched on his face. He had three days to find Lilith, and he knew time was of the essence. His first stop was the lust ring, hoping Asmodeus might have some insights.

Asmodeus greeted him with a knowing smile. "Back again so soon, Lucifer? Any luck finding Lilith?"

Lucifer shook his head. "No. Beelzebub has her, and she's turned it into a twisted game. I have three days to find her."

Asmodeus's smile faded. "Beelzebub… She's always been unpredictable. Any idea where to start?"

Lucifer thought for a moment. "I need to check places that Beelzebub finds amusing or entertaining. Places she might hide someone just to make things difficult."

Asmodeus nodded. "Be careful, Lucifer. Beelzebub's games are never straightforward."

With that, Lucifer began his search, visiting various parts of Hell known for their chaos and unpredictability. He scoured the dark forests of the wrath ring, the hidden caves of the sloth ring, and the twisted landscapes of the envy ring. Each place he searched, he found no sign of Lilith, but he refused to give up.

...

As the days passed, Lucifer's desperation grew. He could feel time slipping away, and the fear of losing Lilith forever gnawed at him. On the final day, he returned to the gluttony ring, hoping for a miracle. 

He stood before Beelzebub's palace once more, a mixture of anger and desperation in his eyes. Beelzebub awaited him, lounging casually on her throne.

"Running out of time, brother?" she taunted, a wicked smile on her lips.

Lucifer stepped forward, his voice cold and determined. "Where is she, Beelzebub? Tell me now."

Beelzebub's smile widened. "Why, Lucifer, I'm disappointed. I thought you'd enjoy my little game."

Lucifer clenched his fists. "This isn't a game. Where is Lilith?"

Beelzebub stood, her expression serious for the first time. "Fine. You want to know where she is? She's closer than you think."

Before Lucifer could react, Beelzebub snapped her fingers, and a hidden door in the palace wall creaked open. Inside, in a dark, cold room, Lilith lay bound and unconscious.

"Lilith!" Lucifer rushed to her side, checking for any signs of harm. She was alive, but weak.

Beelzebub watched, her eyes gleaming with twisted satisfaction. "There you go, brother. You found her. A bit late, but you found her."

Lucifer lifted Lilith gently, his heart aching with relief and anger. "This isn't over, Beelzebub."

Beelzebub laughed. "Oh, I think it is. For now, at least. Until next time, brother."

Lucifer's patience had finally reached its limit. As he held the weakened Lilith in his arms, the fury within him boiled over. He turned to Beelzebub, his eyes blazing with rage.

"Enough, Beelzebub! This ends now!" he roared, his voice echoing through the grand hall. "I challenge you to a duel. Right here, right now."

( End of a chapter)