21. Grand return
In the shadowy depths of Hell, flies buzzed with an eerie purpose. Each carried an envelope, sealed with an ornate wax emblem—Beelzebub's personal sigil. These flies, thousands in number, dispersed throughout Hell, delivering invitations to the grand party.
One such fly landed gracefully on the hand of Lilith, who was perched on a lavish balcony of her mansion. She plucked the envelope delicately, her eyes narrowing as she recognized the seal.
"She's back. She's supposed to be sealed!" Lilith screamed, her expression hardening. She turned to the demon standing beside her, a figure who radiated danger and unpredictability. Alastor, the Radio Demon, stood with his ever-present smile, a visage of twisted cheerfulness.
Alastor was new to Hell but had already made a name for himself by eliminating several overlords. His chaotic nature and hunger for power reminded Lilith too much of Beelzebub. To maintain control, she had contracted him, keeping his destructive tendencies in check.
"Alastor," Lilith commanded, her voice firm, "you will stay here in the mansion. Do not, under any circumstances, be seen by Charlie or you will face consequences far worse than you can imagine."
Alastor's smile didn't falter. His voice, tinged with a vintage radio filter, responded smoothly, "Of course, my dear Lilith. I wouldn't dream of it. I'll just take a little walk, nothing more."
Lilith sighed, exasperation evident in her eyes. "Fine, but nothing too crazy. I still have to deal with Lucifer and the newly freed Beelzebub."
As Alastor departed, whistling a haunting tune, Lilith's mind raced. She needed to understand Lucifer's intentions. Why would he release Beelzebub now? What was he thinking?
---
Meanwhile, across Hell, the invitations continued to arrive. Demons of all kinds paused their activities to accept the elegantly crafted envelopes. Each invitation read:
*You are cordially invited to the Grand Return Celebration, hosted by Beelzebub, Mistress of Gluttony. Come and indulge in the feast of the millennium. Attendance is mandatory for all prominent figures of Hell.*
...
In her throne room, Beelzebub watched through the eyes of her flies as the invitations were received. She saw the curiosity, the fear, and the excitement in the faces of Hell's denizens. Her plan was unfolding perfectly.
---
At the mansion, Lilith prepared herself to visit Lucifer. She needed answers. As she stepped into the portal that would take her to his domain, she cast one last glance back at her home. Alastor's unsettling presence was a constant reminder of the precarious balance of power she maintained.
"Stay vigilant," she whispered to herself, and then she was gone, the portal closing behind her.
---
Lilith arrived at Lucifer's domain, a realm of imposing grandeur and perpetual twilight. Lucifer awaited her in his study, surrounded by ancient tomes and arcane artifacts. His perpetual smile greeted her, masking his true intentions as always.
"Lilith, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Lucifer's voice was smooth, almost too pleasant.
"You know why I'm here," Lilith replied, not bothering with pleasantries. "Why did you release Beelzebub? She was contained for a reason."
Lucifer's smile widened slightly, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Dear, Beelzebub has served her time. It's time for her to reintegrate and bring her unique… talents back to Hell."
Lilith frowned. "Her release destabilizes everything. She's a wildcard, and you know it."
"Precisely," Lucifer said, leaning back in his chair. "A little chaos can be quite... refreshing. Besides, don't you trust our retainers to manage the balance?"
Lilith's eyes narrowed. "This isn't about trust, Lucifer. It's about control. I hope you know what you're doing."
Lucifer's smile remained, enigmatic as ever. "Trust me. Everything is under control."
Lilith left, her mind still reeling with questions. As she stepped back into the swirling mists of Hell, she couldn't shake the feeling that something monumental was on the horizon. Beelzebub's party would be a turning point, and she needed to be prepared for whatever came next.
---
Back in her domain, Beelzebub awaited the arrival of her guests. She could feel the energy in the air, the anticipation building. This was her moment to reclaim her place in Hell and remind everyone of her power.
The Grand Return Celebration was about to begin, and Hell would never be the same again.
(End of a chapter)