Lucifer ceased his visits to Beelzebub, finding solace in the company of his other siblings who still fought to retain their sense of self. They struggled against the all-consuming nature of their sins, striving for control, albeit with varying degrees of success.
Mammon, the embodiment of Greed, was a particular case. His desire for wealth and power had overtaken him, yet he continuously fought against it. Each day was a battle, his mind torn between his longing for riches and the remnants of his former angelic self. Lucifer watched his brother's internal war with a mix of pity and hope, seeing a glimmer of the Mammon he once knew.
On the other hand, Beelzebub had embraced her new nature entirely. She had surrendered to her sin without resistance, welcoming the chaos and madness that came with it. Her transformation was both shocking and heartbreaking. She was almost unrecognizable, her mind consumed by gluttony. She was now a queen of excess, her desires insatiable and her sanity frayed.
Yet, Lucifer could not entirely abandon hope. Deep within Beelzebub's madness, he believed there was still a trace of his sister, the angel she once was. Determined to save her, and possibly redeem them all, he devised a plan to bring them back to Heaven. Redemption, though a distant dream, became his driving force.
As he pondered his next move, Lucifer glanced to his side, where Lilith was softly singing. Hell had changed her too, but she retained control over herself. Her voice, though tinged with sorrow, still held the beauty of her former celestial self. Lucifer's love for her remained unwavering, a beacon of light in the darkness of Hell.
Meanwhile, in the Gluttony ring, Beelzebub's mansion stood as a testament to her excess. The oversized structure, topped with a grotesque fly's head, was a gaudy display of her dominion. Inside, Beelzebub had found a new way to satisfy her endless hunger: parties.
Parties provided her with an abundance of food, emotions, and people. She discovered she could feed off the emotions of others, particularly the wild and frenzied feelings that pervaded her gatherings. The combination of food and emotional energy became her new sustenance.
The hellhounds, initially frightened and awkward at her parties, gradually came to enjoy them. The constant celebration provided an outlet for their own demonic natures, and over time, they embraced the festivities. The parties, once a source of trepidation, became events they looked forward to, a chaotic yet oddly enjoyable routine.
One evening, as another raucous party reached its peak, Beelzebub sat on her lavish throne, surveying the revelry. Hellhounds danced and feasted, their laughter mingling with the music. Beelzebub's eyes glinted with a mix of satisfaction and madness, her hunger momentarily appeased by the riotous atmosphere.
"More food!" she commanded, her voice cutting through the noise.
Hellhounds scurried to obey, their movements frantic. They brought forth platters piled high with delicacies, presenting them with trembling hands. Beelzebub devoured the offerings with gusto, savoring each bite. She felt a rush of energy, a heady mix of flavors and emotions.
As the party continued, a sudden hush fell over the crowd. The air grew tense as a familiar figure stepped into the hall. Lucifer had arrived, his presence commanding and serene amidst the chaos. The hellhounds parted, giving him a wide berth as he approached his sister.
"Beelzebub," he called out, his voice steady.
She looked up, her eyes narrowing. "Lucifer. What brings you here? Come to join the party?"
"I've come to talk," he replied, his tone calm but firm. "To try and reach the sister I once knew."
Beelzebub's laughter rang out, high and unhinged. "The sister you once knew? She's long gone, brother. This is who I am now."
Lucifer stepped closer, undeterred by her madness. "I refuse to believe that. There is still a part of you that can be saved. I won't give up on you."
Her expression twisted into a sneer. "Save me? From what? I have everything I could ever want. Food, power, pleasure. What more could I need?"
"Yourself," Lucifer said softly. "Your true self. The angel who loved and cared, who had a purpose beyond gluttony."
Beelzebub's eyes flickered with something—perhaps a shadow of the past—but it was quickly replaced by defiance. "You're deluding yourself, Lucifer. This is my purpose now."
Before Lucifer could respond, Cerberus stepped forward, their identical faces bearing wicked smiles. "Queen Beelzebub doesn't need saving. She's perfect as she is."
The three hellhound girls spoke in unison, their voices eerily synchronized. They had become her most loyal followers, reveling in the chaos she created. Their presence, once a source of entertainment, now served as a stark reminder of her descent into madness.
Lucifer's heart ached at the sight. He had hoped to find a glimmer of his sister within the madness, but her desire had consumed her entirely. Even so, he couldn't abandon her. He had to try, for the sake of the family they once were.
"Beelzebub, please," he implored. "Think about what you truly want. This isn't who you are."
She laughed again, a sound devoid of joy. "Oh, but it is. And I have no intention of changing."
With that, she turned away, her attention back on the feast. The hellhounds resumed their revelry, their enthusiasm redoubled by their queen's presence. The party surged back to life, a wild, uncontrollable force.
Lucifer stood there, a sense of defeat washing over him. He watched as Beelzebub indulged in her desires, surrounded by those who enabled her madness. The sister he knew was buried deep beneath layers of gluttony and chaos.
As he turned to leave, he couldn't shake the feeling that somewhere within Beelzebub, a part of her still yearned for redemption. It was a faint hope, but it was enough to keep him from giving up entirely.
Back in the serenity of his own domain, Lucifer vowed to find a way to save his siblings. He would continue his efforts, seeking any means to redeem them. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but he was determined to see it through.
Hell had changed them all, but Lucifer held onto the belief that they could reclaim their true selves. It would take time, patience, and unwavering resolve. But for the sake of the family they once were, he would not rest until they were whole again.
(End of a chapter)