𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒫𝓁𝒶𝓎𝓁𝒾𝓈𝓉
Ashes-Stellar

≿━━━༺❀༻━━━≾

Ikalimang Yugto

Lucifer harshly opened his eyes. His neck was sweating, body stiffen and shocked. Mabilis itong bumangon. He removed the sheets underneath him as he breathed heavily when he saw his shaft sprang proudly, hard and dripping wet from his pre-cums.

Hindi ito makapaniwalang napasinghal sabay mariin na pinikit ang kaniyang mga mata habang kinukuyom ang kamao. His body was still feeling the sensual tension from the dream that he had. Hindi niya lubos akalain na may mapangahas na papasok sa panaginip niya para gawin ito sa kaniya.

He opened his eyes and gritted his teeth as he mumbled the name of the woman in his dreams. Only she is daring enough to disturb his sleep and entice him with her presence and lasciviousness.

Huminga ito nang malalim bago titigan ang nagmamalaki nitong pagkalalaki. His abdomen began clenching and he bit his lower lip. He can't just ignore his arousal, can't he? Of course, he had to do something about it.

"Damn you, Lilith." He hissed and rested his back on his bed. The mere thought of her made it even more worse.

Lucifer shamelessly held his length as he began to move his left hand up and down. His sweat dripped down his hair to his neck until it reached his toned abs. Nakaangat ang ulo nito habang nakaawang nang konti ang mga labi.

His imaginations are running wild as he lost himself in the delirium of his fantasies. His movement went faster. Nakapikit ang mga mata nito habang dinadama ang kakaibang sensasyon na hatid ng sarili niyang kamay.

After a few more thrust of his hand, he felt himself almost convulsing in ecstasy. He growled as his grip tightened on his length. Konting-konti na lang ay makakarating na ito sa rurok ng kaligayahan. So he did not disappoint, with his final stroke, he let out a throaty groan as he made his release.

Hingal na hingal itong nagmulat ng mata habang pinapanood ang nagkalat na talsik ng katas na pinaghirapan niya sa kumot ng kaniyang higaan. He released loads of it at napasinghal na lang siya nang mapansing hindi pa rin humuhupa ang nararamdaman niya.

Nagdilim ang mga mata nito nang makitang tayong-tayo pa rin ang naghuhumindig nitong pagkalalaki. He could not accept the fact that Lilith made him do this. She forced him to touch himself, which he never did for a thousand years.

"I swear in my name, you will get fucked the way you deserved it, Lilith." Matigas nitong wika habang tinitingnan ang nangungugat nitong kamay.

Her leaving hell is already a headache, and yet, she's making another head of his ache for her. So much for that, Lucifer had no choice but to make himself busy by cleaning himself. Sariwang-sariwa pa rin sa kaniya ang memorya ng kaniyang panaginip kaya habang napipigilan niya pa ang sarili niya ay kailangan niyang mag-abala kahit sa walang kwentang bagay.

"Luci," He heard Ammon calling him outside his room.

"What?"

"Someone is here to see you." Napakunot naman ang noo ni Lucifer.

"Since when did I allow someone to visit me at this hour?" It was 3 in midnight and someone's here to see him? Can't that person at least be aware of his visiting hours?

"But she's so persistently annoying and she said she will never leave until you see her!" Halata niya ang pagkairita sa boses nito kaya sinuot niya ang kulay puting roba bago magtungo sa pinto ng kaniyang kuwarto.

"Who the he-" Napilpilan sa kinatatayuan si Lucifer nang pagbukas niya ng pinto ay sinalubong siya ng isang halik. Mabilis na kumalas ang labi ng babae sa kaniya't nginitian siya nang pagkatamis-tamis.

"Lucifer, my Lord." Napahawak ito sa kaniyang labi bago taasan ng kilay ang mapangahas na babaeng humalik sa kaniya nang walang pahintulot.

"Are you aware that he can instantly kill you with your lewd act?" Napalingon ang mga ito nang marinig ang seryosong boses ni Leviathan.

"Kill me?" She asked innocently.

Nagkatinginan naman ang tatlo sa inasta ng babae. Ammon had no idea how she managed to enter the expansion of Lucifer's domain, nor who she is and where she came from. Bigla na lamang itong sumulpot at gustong makita ang hari.

"How could you kill me when I will be beneficial to all of you?" They gave her a questioning look. They had no idea what she's talking about.

"What do you mean?" Tanong ng hari. The woman approached Lucifer and clung her arms around his neck. She was looking at him using her carnal stares. Mga titig na tila ba inaakit ang sino mang titingin sa mga matang iyon.

"I am Lucia," Kumunot ang noo ng mga ito. Walang kilalang Lucia ang mga ito.

"From the Lilim Clan of Demons." Sa sinabi ng dalaga ay lalong kumunot ang noo ni Ammon.

"In Lilim Clan of Demons, no one goes with the name Lucia." Lucifer and Levi agreed with him. Kilalang-kilala nila ang mga taong naroon lalo na't doon nagmula ang babaeng itinakdang ipakasal sa kanila.

The woman named Lucia laughed softly. Hindi pa rin nito inaalis ang mga brasong nakaangkla sa leeg ni Lucifer. Matapos itong tumawa ay bigla siyang ngumiti sa mga ito. Natigilan ang mga ito nang may maalala sa ngiting iyon.

"I am Lucianna, Lilith's half sister." His stare went back at Lucifer. Tinawid niya ang natitirang distansya sa pagitan ng mga ito upang ilapit ang kaniyang bibig sa tainga ng binata.

"And I will become your wife, my Lord." She whispered using her sultry voice.

Isang kakaibang ngisi ang namutawi sa labi ni Lucifer. Maliban sa napakataas na pangarap ng babaeng to'y ang dahilan ng pag ngisi niya ay kung bakit mayroong tinatagong anak si Lyon at kung bakit niya ito tinatago sa loob ng ilang libong taon na walang nakakaalam.

"How can we prove that you are telling the truth?" Leviathan asked despite seeing Lilith's resemblance with her smiles.

Kumalas ito mula kay Lucifer. Inangat niya ang kaliwang kamay niya't naglabas ng munting apoy roon. The Hellfire of Retribution, the rare type of flame that only Lucifer and noble blooded demons of Lilim Clan can control.

"Need do I prove more?" And with that, they were convinced that she was truly a noble blood of Lilim Clan.

However, there is still one question in their mind. What was the reason why she was here? Knowing how the head of their clan, Lyon, managed to hide her for thousands of years, there's no way they will reveal her for no particular reason.

"I see, you might be wondering why I am here, yes?" aniya na para bang binabasa ang reaksyon sa mukha ng mga ito.

Binalik ni Lucia ang tingin kay Lucifer. Ang mga mata nito'y tila ba inaakit ang binata. She tilted her head and bit her lower lip as she approached him looking directly into its eyes.

"I am here because I heard my sister was missing. With that, no one will support our Lord's hellfire." Lucifer grabbed her waist and pulled her in closer. Ang mga mata nito'y tila ba nakangisi sa dalaga.

"So..." he trailed, looking at her intently.

"You're like her substitute?" Lihim na napangisi si Lucifer sa kaniyang isipan nang makita ang pagbago ng timpla ng mukha nito.

"I am not her substitute, my Lord." Ngumiti ito. But Lucifer knew better than believing those smiles. Alam niyang napipilitan lang itong ngumiti.

"I am her replacement. That is why I am announcing myself as the new Mistress of the Circles of Hell. The only demoness worthy to be the wife of any of the Seven Archdemons in hell," she claimed confidently.

Ammon crossed his arms. Kanina pa ito nagmamasid sa galaw ng babae at wala naman siyang nakitang kakaiba rito. Tunay nga na anak ito Lyon, at hindi rin maitatanggi ang pagkakahawig nito kay Lilith. She can control the hellfire of retribution. With that fact, they don't need to worry about Lilith being gone.

However, something was bothering him. Lilith's disappearance was only a product of her rash behaviour. Subalit dahil sa pag-alis niya ay siya namang paglitaw nitong babaeng ito na para bang alam na niyang mangyayari iyon. Kung hindi rin dahil doon ay hindi nila malalaman na may tinatagong anak si Lyon.

Whether her intentions were pure or not, he needs to find out. After all, even if she would claim herself as the new Mistress of the Circles of hell and the new fiance of the Archdemons, it would not change a thing. If Lilith decides to come back, he wonders what would happen between them. Lalong-lalo na't mukhang may gusto itong si Lucia kay Lucifer.

"Well then," Tumingin si Lucifer kay Leviathan. Kaagad naman itong napatango bilang tugon.

Lucifer's right hand was Satan, but now that he was gone, Leviathan manages his affairs. Kaya naman alam na kaagad ni Levi kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng mga titig na iyon. Lucifer wanted to announce to every nation in the Infernal Regions about the news.

Wala namang naging angal doon si Lucia. In fact, she loves the thought of everyone knowing about her. All these years she was hidden behind Lilith's shadows, and now that she's gone, it's her chance. She will take everything away from her at sisiguraduhin niyang wala na itong mababalikan rito.

HINDI NA mabilang ni Lilith kung ilang beses siya bumahing ngayong araw. She narrowed her eyes while looking at the mirror in front of her. She's fixing herself to leave para hanapin si Baal. After Asmodeus did all his effort to gather information of the person who pawned that golden ring sent to an auction, he finally found the location.

"Are you okay?" Hindi maiwasang tanong ni Asmodeus rito matapos marinig ang ilang beses nitong pagbahing. Lilith snickered and rolled her eyes.

"I'm okay. Someone must be talking behind my back." She expected it would be Lucifer. Wala ito sa sariling napangisi.

After the things she did in his dreams, he must be cursing her non-stop. She was a female demon, a succubus. She has the capability to crawl in the middle of the night and disturb someone's dream. The only reason why she could freely dominate Lucifer's dream is because she had something from him.

Hinawakan ni Lilith ang kaniyang kuwintas na mayroong maliit na bote na nagsisilbing pendant nito. Inside the vial was a single strand of hair from Lucifer. For this reason, she was able to enter his dream using a special demon art.

"Can't you just pick him up?" Asmodeus bit the insides of his left cheek as he walked towards her in the mirror.

"You know I can't." She rolled her eyes and picked up her purse.

"Fine, let's go."

Wala naman siyang magagawa kun'di ang sumama even if she had a lot in mind. Kung hahayaan niya mag-isa si Asmodeus ay baka may mabalita na namang misteryosong lalaki na biglang lumitaw sa kawalan. Others would just see him as a supernatural being, neither did they know he was a demon.

Habang nasa sasakyan ang mga ito'y tahimik lang na nakasandal si Lilith habang naboboryong nakatingin sa daan. Mula sa malayo ay nakita niya ang mahabang pila ng mga sasakyan, mayroon ding mga nagtutumpukang tao sa hindi kalayuan. Later on she heard the siren of an ambulance.

Lilith crossed her arms on her chest as the traffic lights went green and Asmodeus drove the car. When she looked on the right side of the window, she saw the ambulance and people carrying the body of a dead person. An accident happened. Nabangga ang isang lalaking nagbibisekleta ng ten wheeler truck.

Sa dami ng taong nakikiusisa roon at mga pulis na tumutulong para maiusad ang traffic ay hindi doon nakatuon ang pansin ng dalaga kun'di sa isang lalaking kamukha ng bangkay na nakatayo sa isang tabi.

He was there standing, clueless that he just died and he's just a mere soul now. Beside him was a young man wearing a white suit holding a white umbrella. Isang ngisi ang kumawala sa labi niya nang makilala kung sino ang lalaking iyon.

Matapos ang ilang segundong ay nagtama ang kanilang paningin. Lilith did not break eye contact with him until the car went past them. That man in white was named Simeon, one of the most trusted Gifter in Nervana.

Whether Simeon recognized her or not, she doesn't care. After all, he could not touch her or report her to the Archangels. He owed her a favour, and whatever that is, only the both of them knew about it.

"Damn traffic!" Rinig niyang mura ni Asmodeus habang mahina itong napahampas sa manibela.

What does she expect? Demons are not that patient, let alone this hopeless traffic in this forsaken country. It just made things worse.

"Lilith, why don't we just teleport out of here?" Nakita niya ang pagkairita sa mga mata ng binata. Imbis na paunlakan ang sinabi nito'y napabuga na lang ito ng hangin.

"Calm the fuck down and try to relax." Lilith took her phone and played random nightcore songs.

Matapos ng ilang minuto ay umusad na rin ang traffic. Asmodeus was vibing with the song while Lilith was busy scrolling on her instagram. Sa pagdaan ng isang motorbike sa kanilang sasakyan ay sabay na napatigil ang mga ito sa ginagawa. Mabilis na napatingin ang mga ito sa lalaking nakasay roon na humaharurot papalayo sa kanila. Asmodeus accelerated the car to chase after it.

That man riding it was not a normal human being. He was possessed by an upper rank demon.

"Why are you chasing after it?" Tanong ng dalaga rito.

He glanced at her. Nakalimutan niyang wala nga pala itong alam tungkol sa pinagusapan nila sa meeting na 'yon. So she had no idea about the souls that Grims kept on losing for some unknown reasons.

"The Grims were not able to accompany the dead from hell, from time to time they kept on losing the souls. As a result, those souls continued to roam around the world and harbour malice and hatred towards the living," He paused for a moment and stepped on the accelerator, keeping his eyes to the motorbike he's chasing.

"The more they kill a living person, they get stronger. People that aren't supposed to die, die and the Gifters are restless about it. If this goes on, the circle of life and balance among realms will be disturbed." Lilith nods her head trying to comprehend the situation.

People's time of death and causes are written on a Gifter's Holy Book of Death. They keep track of those poor souls. That's why a sudden death that was not supposed to happen is already alarming for them. Multiple incidents could lead them to raise the matter to the Archangels.

"So that's why you're all here?" Napalunok naman si Asmodeus sa naging tanong nito't alanganin na tumango.

Lilith fell in deep thought. So that's the reason why they were scattered in the world, to seek out those demons, capture them and bring them back to hell. She didn't know they could be so dedicated when it comes to maintaining the balance in each realm.

Lilith's lips twitched into a smile. Now staying in this muddled world is not as boring as she thinks it would be. Turns out other than punishing the living, she has other ways of entertainment.

Ibinalik ni Lilith ang tingin doon sa lalaki. His body was emitting dark rays of energy as his intent of murder was very visible in Lilith's eyes. Walang kaduda-dudang ang demonyong sumapi sa loob ng katawan nito'y gustong pumatay ng tao, and they have to stop for that.

Matapos ng ilang minutong pagsunod dito ay sabay na napakunot ang noo ni Lilith and Asmodeus nang makarating ang mga ito sa isang lugar na malapit sa dagat. Dali-daling bumaba ang lalaki sa kaniyang motorbike at nagtungo ito sa isang maliit na kubo.

Mula roon ay may kinaladkad siyang isang babae. Nakasuot ito ng kulay puting bestida, gulo-gulo ang buhok at may tali sa kamay at paa. Mayroon din itong busal sa bibig at halatang mugto na ang mata nito kakaiyak.

"Pakawalan mo ako! Nagmamakaawa ako sa'yo! Pakiusap!" Instead of listening, the filthy demon paid no attention to her plea.

Lilith narrowed her eyes when she saw him dragging that woman to a near cave just beneath the shore. Mabato ang daan kaya naman rinig na rinig niya ang pagdaing nito mula sa pagkakaladkad sa kaniya.

Matapos mawala ang mga ito sa kanilang paningin ay mabilis na bumaba sa sasakyan si Asmodeus upang sundan ang mga ito.

"Hindi ka sasama?" Imbis sumagot ay nanatili lamang itong walang imik sa loob ng sasakyan.

Asmodeus is already a high rank demon, one of the Archdemons in fact. Why would he need her to eradicate such a poor and useless good for nothing soul?

"You can handle it alone." He nods.

Nang makitang naglalakad na ang binata papasok doon sa kuweba ay saka pa niya naisipang lumabas ng sasakyan. This place is secluded, a perfect place for a good kill.

Sa paghampas ng simoy ng hangin sa kaniyang mukha'y mariin siyang napapikit. Along with the wind was a smell of blood. She opened her eyes and saw thirteen poles made of bamboo shoots. Nakahilera ang mga ito sa gilid ng dagat at kapansin-pansin ang kulay pulang telang nakasabit sa pinakatuktok nito.

When her gaze shifted on the huge rocks near the cave, she saw writings of demonic runes written in blood. With all the preparations she noticed, she immediately figured out what the demon was trying to do.

Lilith twirls the ends of her curly red hair as she motioned her right hand to destroy every pole standing on the shore. He doesn't actually plan to summon Lucifer by sacrificing thirteen lives of a virgin, does he?

"Even if you'd sacrifice millions of virgins, he'd only give his attention to me." Lilith laughed in her head.

SA KABILANG banda ay hindi naman maiwasang mapakunot ang noo ni Asmodeus habang papasok sa loob ng kuweba.

"Tanginang amoy 'yan." Ngumiwi ito. Masyado pa naman itong maselan sa pang-amoy at ayaw na ayaw niyang nakakakita ng madumi.

On the corner of the cave, there was a small torch light. There he saw different demonic art of summoning and runes of protection that only Demon Arch Priest of Infernal Regions know.

"O dcemonum Deus, inferni princeps, exaudi clamorem meum..."

Napatigil sa pagmamasid sa paligid si Asmodeus nang marinig ang mga katagang iyon. There's no doubt about it, this demon had the knowledge of summoning evil entities from the other side of the world.

But there's nothing as daring as him trying to summon the most powerful essence of aether, the devil and the ruler of Inferno.

"Sume hoc sacrificium XIII ad perficiendum ritum meum..."

Nang mamataan nito ang dalagang nakahandusay sa gitna ng circulo na siyang akmang tatagain ng lalaki'y mabilis itong pinigilan ni Asmodeus. The look in the woman's eyes was horrified, tears were streaming down her face with her bloodshot eyes begging for her God forsaken life to be saved.

And there she would think that her God saved her when it was actually saved by a demon.

"S-sino ka?"

Imbis sumagot ay kinalagan muna ng binata ang nakataling paa at kamay ng dalagang kaharap. Kitang-kita niya ang marka ng mga ito na animo'y sobrang tagal na panahon na itong itinali. Sumama bigla ang timpla ng mukha nito.

Asmodeus grew up appreciating women's bodies as their temple and pride. Kaya ang makakita ng pasa-pasa sa mga katawan nito o kahit ano mang gasgas na gawa ng kamay ng mapamantalang nilalang ay hinding-hindi niya papalampasin. Inalalayan niya tumayo ang dalaga't hinawakan ito sa pulsuhan bago itago sa kaniyang likuran.

"What are you trying to do?" Kahit alam niya kung ano ang ginagawa nito'y nais niya pa rin itong tanungin upang magmula ito mismo sa kaniyang bibig.

"Hindi mo ba alam kung anong kapangahasan ang ginawa mo?" Isang ngisi ang namutawi sa bibig ni Asmodeus sa itinuran nito.

"Mapangahas? Sa makatuwid ay mas mapangahas ka upang naisin na tawagin ang hari mula sa kaniyang pagpapahinga." Asmodeus' eyes flared in red.

Awtomatikong napaatras ang lalaki't kukurap-kurap na napatitig dito. Walang dudang ang kaharap niya ay isa sa mayroong pinakamataas na ranggo sa lugar na kinabibilangan niya. The demon looks at the Sigil of Baphomet on the dirty floor. Konting-konti na lang ay matatapos niya na sana ang ritwal na gagawin niya. He just needs to kill that woman and his God will appear before his eyes.

With all the desperation left in his corrupted soul, he stood up and raised his hand to assault the woman, not minding Asmodeus in front of him. Inangat nito ang hawak na patalim at itinutok ito sa gawi ng dalaga. Naging alarma naman si Asmodeus dito.

He is not allowed to kill the human body that the demon possessed, kung hindi ay madadagdagan na naman ang anumalyang pagkamatay sa Holy Book of Death ng mga Gifters. Mas lalo namang hindi niya rin pwede hayaang mamatay ang dalagang nasa likuran niya.

Where the fuck is Lilith?

It would be easy if he was allowed to kill the human possessed by a demon, but in this case, he can't and it would be a pain in the ass. He doesn't know how to protect, he only knows how to kill and punish people.

"Hindi ba'y magkatulad lang din tayo? Hindi mo ba gustong pumarito ang ating hari upang pamunuan ang kasamaan sa sakim na mundong 'to?" At kung akala niya'y sapat na ang sinabi niya upang kumbinsihin ang binata'y nagkakamali siya. He wasn't even moved for a bit.

It is true that the world has become cruel and selfish. Humans were drowned by their own hypocrisy and narcissistic principles. They are taken by greed that they ignore the possible harms their actions can cause others. They don't realise that material blessings will not bring peace in this life or joy for eternities.

However, human beings are born to sin. After all, the birth of mankind was due to the guilt of Adam's sin. Everyone is widely inclined to do evil.

In any case, they must maintain the balance of each realm. Lucifer as the ruler of Inferno, is not someone who should be summoned in this sinful land in such a manner.

Asmodeus bit his thumb and watched how his blood fell from his finger down the baphomet sigil. Sa pagpatak ng kaniyang dugo rito'y binulag ng kulay pulang liwanag ang kailaliman ng kuweba na kanilang kinaroroonan.

People of this world believed it's a satanic circle that would summon Lucifer, but they were gravely mistaken about it. It was merely a basic demonic rune to summon a nearby demon.

"Lilith!" Asmodeus exclaimed in utter shock.

When the blinding light disappeared, they saw her standing at the center of the sigil, barely clothed with droplets of water falling from her hair down to her shoulders.

"What in the name of hell are you doing, Asmodeus?" Her voice echoed on the corners of the cave. Halata ang inis sa boses nito't disgusto kung bakit narito na siya ngayon.

"I should be the one asking that! You're almost naked!" Pinandilatan siya ng mata ng dalaga.

She looked at herself. Well yeah, she's almost naked with her red long hair only covering her body. Sino ba naman kasing isa at kalahating tanga ang biglang nagpapunta sa kaniya rito kung kanina'y naliligo lang ito sa dagat.

"You summoned me here when I was peacefully bathing, Asmodeus!" Kulang na lang siguro ay humandusay na si Asmodeus sa sama ng tingin sa kaniya ni Lilith.

Hindi makapaniwalang umawang naman ang bibig ni Asmodeus dito. How can she peacefully take a bath knowing he's dealing with a demon and a mortal human. Not to mention the situation is between life and death.

Akmang mambubulyaw pa si Lilith sa kaniya nang marinig nila ang pagkalanasing ng bagay. That's when they saw the dagger on the ground. Ibinaling ni Lilith ang tingin sa lalaking may hawak nito't napataas ang kaniyang kilay nang makita ang paglukob ng takot sa buong mukha nito.

"L-lilith..."

Hearing her own name tremble in the lips of another demon brought a different sense of satisfaction in her ears.

"You know me?" Nanatiling tikom ang bibig nito subalit hatala ng dalaga ang kaba sa kaniyang mga mata.

Samantalang si Asmodeus naman ay nanatiling nakatitig sa dalaga. Asmodeus, the famous Archdemon in the Infernal Region, was not even known by this demon, and yet, he knows Lilith?

"I-ikaw..." When she took a step forward, he took a step back. Umiwas ito ng tingin kay Lilith. He could not look her straight in the eyes.

"You are nothing but a lost evil soul who never crossed the river of death. This means you've never been in Inferno, and yet you knew me and these demonic rituals." Lilith paused and crossed her arms on her chest not minding she was almost naked in front of this creature.

"That only means someone from Inferno has been serving as your guide in everything you do in this world." Hinila nito ang buhok sa batok ng lalaki sabay marahas itong inangat.

"Tell me, whose orders do you take? Why the hell are they trying to make each realm turn their backs against each other again?" Ang seryosong boses ng dalaga ay nagdulot ng pananayo ng balahibo ng kausap nito.

"He said Lilith was the name of the Mistress of Hell, the demoness we should never lay a hand on. Ikaw ang sinasabi niyang mapapangasawa niya't pamumunuan niyo ang kadiliman sa bawat realmo ng mundo." Lilith and Asmodeus both look at each other with a glint of confusion in their faces.

He? Who is he?

"Ano ang pangalan niya-" Bago pa man matapos ni Lilith ang kaniyang katanungan ay isang kakaibang liwanag ang bumulag sa kanilang dalawa ni Asmodeus.

When the light disappeared, they saw a dark orb leaving the mortal's body. Mabilis na bumagsak ang katawan nito't tuluyan namang napulbos sa liwanag ang kaluluwa ng demonyong 'yon. That light was not an ordinary light. It was a holy light used to exorcise demons and kill them.

"Simeon?" Nakakunot noong tawag ni Asmodeus sa binata matapos maaninag ang mukha nito.

When he was only a meter away, Asmodeus grabbed Lilith from his side and made her hide behind his back as if he was protecting her. Simeon was the right hand of the Archangels, that fact is enough for Asmodeus to be weary around him.

He had the power to exorcise demons and slay them with his holy magic. That also means he is capable of killing the both of them if he wants to. Hindi rin nila ito maaring maliitin dahil kung tutuusin ay kung mayroong pang-walong Archangel ay maaring siya na iyon.

"Si," Lilith called his name and Asmodeus couldn't help but to raise an eyebrow.

Si? Why does she call him as if they're close?

"You don't have to follow us all the way here." Asmodeus kept his face firm despite being confused of how these two seem to know each other. He was trying to grasp the situation like he always does.

Lilith stared at the man wearing a white suit in front of him. Sa kanang kamay ay may hawak itong kulay puting payong at sa kaliwa naman ay may sukbit itong isang libro na may kakapalan. Her eyes went down on his feet up to his bare face.

He's tall, around 6 ft. His body was well built and toned. Even with a suit on she can see the small bump of his muscles saying hi to her. When her eyes landed on his angelic blue eyes, her lips twitched into a smirk.

Simeon, the decisive and calm Gifter who always chose what's best for his duties. He has thick brows and symmetrical lips that compliments the clenching of his jaws that any maiden could die for. His physical features were sharp, but soft for some unknown reason that he looks so harmless.

Simeon stared back at the alluring demoness in front of him.They called her Lilith, the Mistress of the CIrcles of Hell. Everyone heard of her name in Nirvana, since she'd become a headache for them for thousands of years.

She was known for being ruthless and merciless towards the souls she's tormenting. She was manipulative and evil, and crossing paths with her cannot just be a mere coincidence. You can either be doomed or damned.

"I appreciate your concern for the people in this forsaken world, Si." Lilith motioned her hands and she was already clothed. Nakangiti ito, pero may kakaiba sa mga ngiting iyon.

"You exorcised the demon to protect the woman," She glanced at the woman who was already lying on the floor. Malamang ay nawalan na ito ng malay sa gulat. In either way she won't remember a thing when she wakes up.

"But you don't have to kill that demon, Si." Ang ngiti sa mga labi nito'y nawala at biglang tumalim ang mga tingin na ipinupukol niya rito.

Exorcising can be a thing or two. It will only separate the demon's soul from the body under its possession. However, killing it can be avoided.

"A demon is worth nothing. They should be killed." Well, Simeon is a Gifter. A loyal servant of Nirvana. Of course, demons are nothing but evil to him.

"Worth nothing? And who are you to question their worth?" Hindi ito nakasagot. He's not God to question their worth. He's not even one of the Archangels.

Punishing demons with their sins is to be judged and afflicted within the rules of Inferno. Angels and Gifters can exorcise them but they have no right to kill them without the Archangels approval. These assholes from Nirvana think the life of a demon doesn't matter, that they can kill them without any second thoughts.

It angers her how they are so pure and holy to value people's lives but disregard those of the damned who used to be the same person that they are if it wasn't for the type of people and society they live in.

Sa panandaliang katahimikan na iyo'y naging dahilan upang magtagisan ang mga ito ng tingin. Tahimik ang kapaligiran at walang ibang naririnig bukod sa hampas ng alon mula sa dalampasigan, at ang mga munting huni ng mga ibon sa kalayuan.

"Say, Si..." She trailed walking towards him with an expression he's not sure he could read.

"Do you want me to kill a fellow Gifter in front of you?" She asked, taunting him. Well, it's not just her question that taunts him, but also their distance.

She closed the distance in between them and carefully held his tie to fix it. Her slender fingers are slowly touching his neck and collar. Kurap mata namang napayuko ang binata rito habang pilit na kinokontrol ang sarili sa paghinga nang maayos.

With no warning, she pulled his tie dahilan upang mapalapit ang katawan ng binata sa kaniya. With her breath fanning on his left neck, she whispered words that sent shivers down his spine.

"You have sinned, Si and may your God forgive you for that." She then moved her head away from him and smiled.

"Never kill a demon in front of me ever again, or else your pact with me is over." Seryoso nitong wika habang nilalaro ang dulo ng kulot nitong buhok.

Simeon immediately understood it was a warning from her.

"Let's go, Asmodeus." And just like that, she left with him.

Naiwan naman doon na nakasandal sa malapit na bato si Simeon. Marahan nitong niluwagan ang tie na suot habang pilit na pinapakalma ang sarili. Her last words downed into him. He was the one who asked her for a favour. Like the little devil that she is, she oblige with a condition. He already sold his soul.

"I have sinned." And he will find out if he'd ever regret it or not.

While Lilith was driving the car back to the destination to find Baal, she noticed Asmodeus leaning his back on the shotgun seat as if he was thinking of something really deep.

"What are you thinking?" Hindi ito sumagot kaya naman mabilis niyang tinapakan ang break ng sasakyan dahilan upang marahas na mauntog si Asmodeus.

"What the fu-"

"What are you thinking?" Diretso nitong tanong.

"Gifters are people who died saving people in their past lives, right?" Tumango si Lilith.

"What about it?"

"So that makes them angels." Kumunot ang noo ni Lilith dahil hindi niya alam kung saan patungo ang usapan ng mga ito't kung ano ang ipinupunto nito.

They are technically angels, but not angels that people used to say that guarded them. Angels that guarded people have no definite human form, they have hundreds and thousands of eyes made to scare demons away.

"So your point is?" Ang sumunod na naging tanong ni Asmodeus ay nagdulot ng kunsumisyon kay Lilith.

"I was just wondering, do angels squirt holy water?"

Kulang na lang siguro ay sipain niya palabas ng sasakyan si Asmodeus dahil sa inis. And there she thought he was thinking about something serious between life and death. What does she expect from this lustful moron!

Kahit sobrang iritado nito sa binata ay pinigilan niya pa rin ang sarili niyang huwag itong sunugin ng buhay. Ang tanging hiling niya lang ay sana mamatay ito kakatawa.

"Nasaan na ba kasi ang tang inang 'yon?" Magkasalubong na tanong ni Lilith sa kawalan habang pumapaikot-ikot sa makitid na eskinita ng Quiapo.

"Asmodeus, sigurado ka ba impormasyon mong dito huling nakita si Baal?" Tumango-tango naman ito bilang sagot.

"He pawned the ring in a nearby shop. For sure he's just around here somewhere." Lumiko sa kabilang daan si Lilith kung saan napakaraming tao na ang naroon.

Looks like they end up in the marketplace. Sa rami ng tao rito'y hindi maiwasang mapabuga ng malalim na hininga si Lilith. Paano nila mahahanap ang demonyong iyon sa ganito karaming tao? Baka abutin na sila ng gabi ay hindi pa rin nila mahanap 'yon lalo na't napakagala nito.

"If you were him, where would you go?" Inikot naman ni Lilith ang paningin niya sa lugar kung saan maraming nagtitindang pagkain.

"Hala, mare! Ano nangyari sa tindahan mo bakit sira?"

"May hudyo na binangga yung bagong bili niyang sasakyan sa tindahan ko! Bumili ng sasakyan na hindi marunong mag maneho!"

Nagkibitbalikat naman si Lilith dito. Hearing mortal's rants and concerns can be amusing and irritating at the same time. Sa narinig niya'y hindi niya lang maiwasan mamangha sa katangahan ng lalaking bumili raw ng bagong sasakyan at ibinangga ito kaagad.

Narating ang mga ito sa isang lugar kung saan naroon nakahilera sa daan ang mga stalls na puno ng street foods. They look at every person pero ni anino ni Baal ay wala roon. Sa rami ng nangyari ngayong araw ay napagod na ang utak ni Lilith para mag-isip ng mga bagay-bagay. Let alone finding that glutton in this crowded place.

"What's going on there?" Anang ni Asmodeus nang makita ang nagkukumpulang mga tao mula sa malayo.

Napagpasyahan ng mga ito na tumungo roon upang malaman kung ano ang kaganapang nangyayari. They can see posters and standees from afar, mayroon ding lamesang may kahabaan at nakikita nilang may sampung tao na nakaupo roon.

Looks like they were eating something, pero hindi iyon ang nakaagaw ng pansin ni Asmodeus at Lilith, kundi ang iisang taong nanatiling kumakain sa mesa na may gabundok na wooden bowls sa harapan niya.

Ilan sa mga kasama niyang kumakain sa mesa ay bagsak na at hindi na kaya kumain, mayroon namang apura sa pag-inom ng tubig dahil sa anghang na nalalasahan. Halos maglupasay na rin ang iba sa sahig nang makitang ubos na ang tubig.

"Samyang Challenge?" Basa ni Lilith sa malaking poster na hawak ng coordinator ng event. Mismong mga taong in charge ay nagugulat rin sa nakikita.

Lilith's face palmed seeing Baal eating joyfully over a bowl of samyang. Halos lampas na sa bilang ng daliri ang dami ng kinain nito't ni katiting na paglukot ng mukha nito sa anghang ay wala kang makikita.

"What in the name of hell is this bastard doing?" Bulong ni Lilith sa kawalan.

Napahilot na lang ito sa sentido sa nakikita. There are people taking pictures and videos of him while eating. Siya naman ay walang pakialam sa mga ito't tuloy lang sa pagkain.

Lilith wanted them to keep a low profile, pero sinong niloko niya kung pinagpala naman sa hitsura ang mga tanginang 'to?

"Hindi ba sabi mo sinangla niya ang singsing? That cost billions, right?" Asmodeus nods his head.

Looking at Baal, his clothes were expensive and it's pretty obvious that he's living in luxury. People are probably weirded out why he was here participating over a challenge. Ano pa nga bang aasahan niya rito e wala naman itong alam sa mga kaganapan sa mundong 'to.

"Ubos na, wala na bang iba?" Napakamot naman ng noo ang babaeng kaharap nito nang maubos na ang kinakain nito.

"Uhm, sir. Wala na po kasi e, ubos na. Ikaw na po ang nanalo." Kapagkuwan ay kumunot ang noo ni Baal.

"Nanalo saan?"

"Po?"

"Gusto ko lang kumain, ubos na ba talaga?"

Hindi na napigilan ni Asmodeus ang sarili't humagalpak na ito kakatawa dahilan upang dumako ang tingin ni Baal sa gawi nito. Nang magtama ang paningin nila'y nanlaki ang mga mata ni Baal sa gulat.

"Asmodeus!" Baal licked the side of his lips to clean the food from his mouth before he stood up and walked towards him.

Tumalikod naman si Lilith habang mariin pa rin na nakapikit ang mga. Having Asmodeus alone is messy, ano pa kung kasama si Baal? Both of them together will be very chaotic. Hindi niya maisip ang sakit ng ulo na ihahatid sa kaniya ng dalawang 'to kapag nagsama.

"Hell, it's so good to see you! How did you end up here?"

Habang nagkukwentuhan ang mga ito ay inip na inip na nakakrus ang braso ni Lilith sa kaniyang dibdib. Her left foot was continuously tapping on the ground as if it was her patience getting thin. Mas lalo pa siyang naiirita sa ingay ng mga irit ng mga kababaihan sa paligid niyang gwapong-gwapo sa dalawang nag-uusap.

Binalingan niya ng tingin ang grupo ng kababaihan na pasimpleng kinukuhanan ng picture ang mga ito. Sa hindi niya malamang dahilan ay bigla siyang inirapan ng mga ito kaya napataas ang kilay niya.

What was that for?

WIth that, Lilith finger combed her hair and walked towards Baal and Asmodeus who were happily catching up with each other's whereabouts. When Baal's eyes landed on her he stilled, umawang pa nang konti ang bibig nito nang makita ang dalaga.

"Lili-" Bago pa man nito matapos ang sasabihin ay sabay na piningot ng dalaga ang tainga ng mga ito kaya naman mabilis silang napayuko.

"Aww!"

"Lilith!"

Ibinalik ni Lilith ang tingin sa grupo ng mga kababaihang may ganang irap-irapan siya kanina. Nginisihan niya ang mga ito't sinadya niyang ipakitang kaladkarin palayo ang dalawa habang pingot-pingot ang tainga ng mga ito.

With Lilith, the embodiment of temptation, Asmodeus the sin of lust, and Baal the glutton together, what could possibly go wrong?

Of course, everything could go wrong.

GLC| GOLUCKYCHARM