More damage reports over coffee!

The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the battered landscape of Paradise City. Lucifer and Ezra stood atop a partially collapsed building, surveying the damage. The city looked like it had been through a war – which, Lucifer supposed, it had.

"Well," he said, running a hand through his disheveled hair, "I guess 'low profile' is off the table now, huh?"

Ezra snorted, a sound so undignified that Lucifer couldn't help but grin. His gritty nature had really rubbed off on her. "I think that ship sailed somewhere around the time you grew wings of fire and proclaimed yourself protector of Earth, yes."

Lucifer winced. "Yeah, about that... I may have gotten a bit carried away with the dramatics. Old habits die hard, I guess."

Before Ezra could respond, the sound of approaching sirens cut through the air. A convoy of vehicles bearing the logo of the Paradise City Security Force pulled up at the base of the building.

"Looks like the welcoming committee's here," Lucifer muttered. "Think they're coming to give us a medal or throw us in jail?"

Ezra's hand found his, squeezing gently. "Whatever happens, we face it together."

As they made their way down to street level, Lucifer pondered the turns his life had taken. It had been drastic. If he had hopes of living a normal life at first, that wasn't an option anymore. Now that he had awakened as the Morningstar, there was no hiding his identity.

A stern-looking woman in a crisp uniform approached them, flanked by several armed guards. "Lucifer Morningstar?" she asked, her voice clipped and professional.

Lucifer gave a mock salute. "The one and only. Well, unless you count all those wannabe Satanists who like to use the name. But trust me, they can't pull off the wings nearly as well as I can."

The woman's eye twitched slightly. "I'm Captain Josie Maven of the Paradise City Security Force. I'm going to have to ask you both to come with us for questioning."

Ezra stepped forward, her posture rigid. "On what grounds? We just saved this city – and potentially the entire world – from a demonic invasion."

Captain Maven's expression softened slightly. "We're aware of your... contributions. But surely you understand the need for a full debriefing after events of this magnitude. Not to mention the property damage," she added, glancing pointedly at the destroyed buildings around them.

Lucifer winced. "Yeah, sorry about that. I don't suppose saying 'the devil made me do it' would fly as an excuse?"

Before the captain could respond, a familiar voice called out from behind the police line. "Let them through! They're with me!"

Margot Chadwick strode towards them, her gothic lolita outfit somehow still impeccable despite the chaos. She flashed a badge at Captain Maven. "These two are under the protection of the Crimson Oath. Any debriefing will go through us first."

The captain's eyes widened in recognition. "The Crimson Oath? I... I see. Very well. But we'll expect a full report on our desk by tomorrow morning."

As the security forces began to disperse, Margot turned to Lucifer and Ezra, her expression was that of exasperation. "Well," she said, "you two certainly know how to make an impression. I step away for five minutes, and you decide to reveal your true nature to the entire world, Morningstar?"

Lucifer shrugged, trying for nonchalance. "What can I say? Go big or go home, right?"

Margot rolled her eyes. "C'mon. We need to get you both somewhere safe before every supernatural faction in the world descends on this city. We'd only manage to quell the demon world, but the supernatural factions on Paradise are still tied to the demon world, not all are happy with the turn of events."

As they followed Margot through the debris-strewn streets, Lucifer couldn't help but notice the way people were looking at him. Some with fear, others with awe, and more than a few with what appeared to be... reverence?

"Uh, Margot?" he said, nodding towards a group of civilians who had dropped to their knees as they passed. "What's with the impromptu worship session?"

Margot sighed. "You just revealed yourself as a being of immense cosmic power, Lucifer. Did you really think there wouldn't be consequences? People are scared, confused... and some are looking for a new deity to follow."

Lucifer snorted. "But I'm not... I mean, I don't want..."

Ezra squeezed his hand reassuringly. "We'll figure it out. One step at a time, remember?"

They arrived at what appeared to be an ordinary office building, but Lucifer could sense the hum of powerful wards surrounding it. Margot led them inside and down to a high-tech command center hidden beneath the streets of Paradise City.

"Welcome to Crimson Oath's headquarters," Ezra said to Lucifer, gesturing around the place. "I know it's not what you expected, but that's the whole point. No one suspects such a nondescript place."

The place was a hive of activity, with agents rushing back and forth, monitoring screens filled with data and news reports from around the world. Lucifer caught snippets of conversation – talks of "dimensional stability," "power fluctuations," and "unprecedented thaumaturgical readings."

A familiar figure detached himself from a group of analysts, making his way towards them. Xavier Hawthorne looked worse for wear, his priestly garb replaced by a utility gown, those worn by hospital patients. But his eyes burned with the same intensity as ever.

"Morningstar," he said, his voice a mixture of respect and wariness. "It seems we owe you a debt of gratitude. And perhaps... an apology."

Lucifer blinked in surprise. "Come again? I could have sworn I just heard the great Xavier Hawthorne admit he might have been wrong about something."

Xavier's lips twitched in what might have been displeasure for apologizing to the literal devil. "Don't get used to it. But I cannot deny the evidence before me. You chose to protect this world, at great personal risk. That... speaks volumes."

Before Lucifer could respond, a new voice cut through the room. "As touching as this little redemption arc is, I'm afraid we have more pressing matters to discuss."

They turned to see Valeria sauntering towards them, looking annoyingly unruffled despite the recent apocalyptic events. Her purple hair seemed to float around her, defying gravity in a way that Lucifer was pretty sure wasn't just good conditioner.

"Let me guess," Lucifer said dryly. "The balance of power in the supernatural world has been irrevocably altered, ancient prophecies are coming to fruition, and the fate of multiple dimensions hangs in the balance?"

Valeria's smile was all teeth. "Oh, Lucifer. It's so much worse than that."

As they gathered around a holographic display showing a map of ley lines and dimensional weak points, Lucifer felt the weight of responsibility settling heavy on his shoulders. He'd chosen to embrace his power, to stand as a protector of this world. But with that choice came consequences he was only beginning to understand.

___

The smell of freshly brewed coffee permeated the air as Lucifer, Ezra, Margot, Valeria, and a handful of Crimson Oath officials huddled around a makeshift conference table. Styrofoam cups clinked against teeth, a stark contrast to the gravity of their conversation.

"So," Lucifer began, stirring his coffee absently, "what's the damage report? Besides my sudden rise to godhood status, of course."

Valeria's lips quirked into a humorless smile. "Oh, it's quite fascinating, actually. Your little stunt with the dimensional rift? It's had some... unexpected side effects."

Ezra leaned forward, brow furrowed. "What kind of side effects?"

"Well," Valeria continued, pulling up a holographic map, "it seems that closing the rift didn't just seal off the demon realm. It also released a massive surge of magical energy."

Margot nodded grimly. "We're talking about a power spike that makes the big bang look like a dead battery."

"And let me guess," Lucifer drawled, "this magical radiation is causing problems?"

Valeria's eyes glittered with a mix of excitement and trepidation. "Problems? Oh no, Morningstar. It's causing miracles. You've supercharged magical hotspots all around the globe. We're talking spontaneous phenomena on a scale we've never seen before."

As if on cue, an agent burst into the room, tablet in hand. "Sir, ma'am, you need to see this. Reports coming in from Cairo – the Sphinx just stood up and started walking."

***