17. Preperation

Charlie sat in the endless expanse of nothingness, her surroundings a stark contrast to the opulent castle she called home. Across from her, Beelzebub lounged comfortably, her demeanor relaxed and welcoming despite the surreal setting.

"Do you want some tea, little star?" Beelzebub asked, her voice smooth and inviting.

Charlie fidgeted slightly, her earlier experience with the tea making her hesitant. "And what is it made of, Beelzebub?"

Beelzebub wagged her finger playfully, a mischievous smile on her face. "Tch, tch, tch, little star, don't call me that. Call me Aunt. A-u-n-t."

Charlie smiled back, a bit more at ease. "Yes, Aunt. Do you have a phone?"

Beelzebub looked puzzled, tilting her head. "Bone? I have bones I can give you if you prefer food like that."

Charlie was confused for a moment before realizing the misunderstanding. "What? No, not bone. Phone." She dug into her sleeve and pulled out a small device, holding it up. "This is a phone."

Beelzebub's eyes widened with curiosity. "And what does it do?"

Charlie explained the functions of a phone, describing how it allowed for communication over long distances, access to information, and various other uses. Beelzebub listened intently, her expression a mix of fascination and amusement.

"I see. I like that device," Beelzebub said, nodding appreciatively.

Charlie hesitated for a moment, then spoke up. "Umm, Aunt, I am here because my father said that he will visit you."

Beelzebub's demeanor shifted instantly. "What did you say?" she asked, her voice sharp with sudden anxiety.

Charlie started to sweat, fearing she had upset her aunt. "I'm not prepared yet. What am I gonna do, what am I gonna do?" Beelzebub muttered to herself, pacing.

Charlie sighed in relief, realizing it was a misunderstanding. "Ah, I know! How about you make a party here? It would be awesome!" she suggested, her excitement growing.

Beelzebub stopped pacing and looked thoughtful. "Well, you are right. I should prepare."

Charlie watched with fascination and a hint of dread as Beelzebub began to create things out of nothing. To her horror, Beelzebub tore off her own hand, which quickly regenerated, and used it to form various objects.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Charlie screamed, panic rising in her voice.

Beelzebub looked at her with mild confusion. "What do you mean? Everything you see in front of you is created from my parts."

Charlie stared at the table and chairs, her expression one of sheer horror. "But you're hurting yourself."

Beelzebub laughed, a deep, amused sound. "HAHAHA, you are so naive. That's sweet." She then transformed her newly regenerated hand into a small throne with stairs. Snapping her fingers, she donned a gentleman's hat, monocle, and a little cape. In her right hand, she created a staff with a fly's head.

(Here ->)

She tore off her hand again and created some food. Charlie watched in horror as her aunt smiled, clearly enjoying herself. "Wait a minute, you even create food from yourself? That means the dessert I ate..."

"Yes," Beelzebub replied with a wicked grin. "Everything is created from me, literally."

Charlie's mind reeled as she processed this information. "But, Aunt, doesn't it hurt? Isn't it... painful?"

Beelzebub shrugged. "Pain is relative, little star. In the void, you learn to adapt. Besides, it's the only way to create anything here."

Charlie looked down, her emotions a mix of confusion, horror, and a strange sense of admiration. "I don't know how you do it," she said softly. "Living here, creating everything from yourself."

Beelzebub's expression softened, and she reached out to gently lift Charlie's chin. "We all have our burdens to bear, little star. Mine is just... different. But having you here, even for a short while, makes it more bearable."

Charlie felt a tear slip down her cheek, her heart aching for her aunt. "I'll talk to my father after his visit and make him release you" she promised again.

Beelzebub smiled, a genuine warmth in her eyes. "Thanks, thank you little star. You're a bright light in this dark place. You should never lose that."

As they sat together in the void, the connection between them deepened. Charlie's resolve to help her aunt redeem her, determined to bring some light into Beelzebub's endless darkness.

...

Beelzebub sat on her self-made throne, a faint smile playing on her lips as she anticipated her brother's arrival. She had sent Charlie back before Lucifer could discover her presence in the void, knowing that her little niece's visit might complicate matters. The void was now decorated with the strange, grotesque creations Beelzebub had formed from herself, a testament to her resilience and creativity.

A slight rumble announced Lucifer's arrival. He appeared in the void, his presence commanding and powerful, his eyes scanning the area until they landed on Beelzebub. There was a wariness in his gaze, a cautiousness born from their tumultuous history.

"Did you do something to my little duckling?" he demanded, his voice edged with concern.

Beelzebub stood from her throne and began to approach him slowly, her demeanor surprisingly calm. "Hello, brother. It's been a while."

Lucifer watched her carefully, trying to gauge her intentions. But before he could react, Beelzebub did something entirely unexpected: she hugged him. The embrace was warm, genuine, and filled with an emotion he hadn't expected from her.

"I must thank you, brother," she said softly.

Lucifer was taken aback, his confusion evident. "Thank me? For what?"

"I must thank you for sealing me away," Beelzebub continued, pulling back slightly to look into his eyes. "Now I can control myself."

Lucifer searched her eyes, looking for the familiar madness. It was still there, but it was tempered, controlled. The wildness that once defined her gaze had softened, replaced by a clarity he hadn't seen before.

"Thanks to you, brother, I had time to think. And I am sorry. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a little crazy, but hey, that's a part of me." She laughed softly, the sound tinged with both sadness and joy.

For a full minute, there was silence. Beelzebub couldn't read Lucifer's face, the myriad emotions hidden behind his calm exterior. She waited, her heart pounding, wondering what he would do.

Then, she felt his arms around her, returning the hug. "Welcome back, little sister," he said, his voice filled with a warmth that melted her apprehensions.

Beelzebub let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, a smile breaking across her face. "Thank you, Lucifer."

The two siblings stood there, embracing in the void, a silent promise of reconciliation and a new beginning forming between them. Despite their past, despite the chaos that had defined their relationship, there was now a chance for healing, for understanding.

(End of a chapter)