Chapter Twenty

The next night we were all celebrating the success of the speech and Lucifer and Satan returning to their own bodies. The only person absent was Levi, who had a new game come in. Lucifer led us in a toast to the lifting of the curse, and him and Satan pretended to be each other again. I smiled, seeing the brothers act more and more like brothers is incredibly fulfilling to me.

“Drizzm,” Diavolo spoke from my left, “I wanted to thank you.”

“For what,” I asked.

“For helping Lucifer and the brothers. I’ve not seen him that happy in a very, very long time. I’m glad you were chosen for the exchange.”

“Why was I chosen anyways? I’m sure there were better options.”

“I actually didn’t. Lucifer did and I just approved it.”

“Well, why did you approve me?”

“Because I trust his judgement.”

“I hope he doesn’t still regret it.”

“If he does, just know I’m on your side.”

I put my hand over my heart,” That’s so nice. I’m glad that I get to know you, Diavolo. It means a lot to spend time with you when you’re so busy.”

“I hope to get more opportunities to spend time with you, then.”

We kept chatting until it was time to head home. On the way back Lucifer and I lagged a little behind the others. We were chatting, just the two of us.

“So, what did you and Diavolo talk about,” Lucifer questioned.

“Feeling nosy, are we,” I joked, smiling at him, “I asked him why I was chosen for the exchange.”

“And what did he say?”

“That you chose me and he just trusted your decision. Which begs the question. Why *did* you pick me?”

“By chance, a breeze came through and scattered the papers. Yours was the only one that fell at me feet… Are you disappointed that it wasn’t something special?” “Well, you could say that the fact only mine landed at your feet is pretty special, right?”

“Yes, I suppose that’s true,” he chuckled, “But, I want you to know, more than that, you’ve become special to me on a personal level.”

My heartbeat quickened as I tried not to blush, “Special in what way?”

He stopped and I turned to look at him. He looked at me deeply but his phone rang. He hesitated to answer but I gestured to his ringing pocket. He sighed as he answered the phone. The only thing we heard was Levi screaming before it cut out. Apparently, Levi’s in trouble.

We all rushed back to the house and Lucifer checked Levi’s room as we stood in the hallway, but only his phone was there.

“Where’s Beel,” he asked, rejoining us. I looked around, how did such a big guy disappear? Lucifer made a plan, “We should split into groups to search for them. Satan, Drizzm, you’re with me. Mammon and Asmo, you search the first floor.”

Mammon looked like he wanted to disagree, but surprisingly didn’t. They went off together, leaving the three of us outside Levi’s room.

“This reminds me of the story of the House of Lamentation,” Lucifer mused.

“Oh, yeah, isn’t it from the Human World,” I remembered, “I always why?”

The story of the house is that, apparently, one day, the oldest son ran into the constable’s office saying that the servant had killed the entire family, then took his own life. There was circumstantial evidence that the son had actually killed everyone, but since no one could prove it, he continued to live in the house. He eventually died of old age and at some point the locals began referring to it as ‘The House of Lamentation.’”

“Oh, that’s actually similar to the Lizzie Borden case.”

“You’re not scared of anything, are you?”

“Of course I am. But, if I’m being honest, it’s hard to feel scared with both of you with me. And that may as well be a folk tale to me. Happened far away to someone else.”

“Drizzm,” Satan interrupted, “I’d like to make a pact with you.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Don’t get me wrong. This has nothing to do with Lucifer. I decided that I won’t let what Lucifer does bother me anymore. You’ve helped me realize that I can still work out my identity and also be confident in who I am until then.”

“I’m so proud of you. Though the timing is a bit odd. I’m happy to form a pact if that’s you’re reasoning.”

He smiled and we formed the pact, a new bond forming between us. Lucifer looked uncomfortable, but didn’t stop us and verbally supported Satan’s decision.

With that done we continued on our search. Mammon and Asmo suddenly screamed, from the direction of the portrait room. When going up the stairs we decided that the order would be Lucifer, in case a monster showed up, me, then Satan, to keep an eye on me.

“Wait,” I objected, “Who’s gonna look after you, Satan?”

“Aw, thanks for worrying about me, but I’ll be fine.”

“No, hold onto my shirt, so I know if you disappear.”

He opened his mouth like he was going to continue arguing but he realized I wasn’t giving him a choice. So, up the stairs we went with him gripping onto my shirt. We were discussing possible theories as to what was happening when the pull on my shirt disappeared.

“Satan,” I called worriedly, grabbing Lucifer’s arm and turning to check on Satan, “What happened? Oh, he’s gone too.”

“Well, this is certainly concerning,” Lucifer said, standing on the same step as me, “What shall we do?”

“Should we double-check Levi’s room? He did get a new game remember?”

“He needs to stop buying these games,” Lucifer sighed, irritated.

“Lucifer, can I hold on to you? I don’t know what I’d do if you disappeared too.”

“Are you scared,” he held my hand, smiling teasingly.

“Of losing you,” I told him honestly, gripping his hand. I tried not to think about how much I liked holding his hand.

“Honestly is indeed a good look,” he mumbled. I didn’t say anything, though, and we made our way back to Levi’s room. I went straight to his computer and, sure enough, he had a game running. Lucifer picked up the packaging. A horror game called ‘The Demon House’ that also describes exactly what’s going on.

“Y’know,” I sighed tiredly, “I always thought entering video games would be fun. But, I’ve never thought about a horror game before.”

“Then we will have to beat it to get out,” Lucifer explained.

“Let me find a guide,” I quickly searched for guides and found exactly one, “Well, that’s better than nothing. Let’s see, the big bad is Lucifer, classic.”

“Ugh, of course.”

“To beat the game, you need to defeat Lucifer.”

“That won’t work, I can’t promise I wouldn’t retaliate.”

“I don’t want to kill you anyways… Oh, there’s a secret ending. That’s pretty common. Well, that’s not.”

“What is it?”

“The secret ending is to romance Lucifer.”

“Why?”

“I dunno, but at least I don’t have to try, and fail, to kill you.”

“That’s true. Let’s continue discussing this in the library.”

So, to the library we went, sitting across from each other on the couches.

“Was there anything on achieving the romantic ending,” Lucifer asked.

“No, and I could only find the only find the one guide since it’s still so new,” I sighed, “I wonder I get you to like me, let alone love me.”

“What if we simply leave things as they are? This isn’t so bad, right? I mean, do we really need them anyways?”

“Is liking me that much worse? Or do you want to keep me all for yourself?”

“Stop joking,” the light blush told me otherwise, “Why don’t we start with the fundamentals?”

“The fundamentals?”

“If you want to develop feelings for someone, you need to know each other. Isn’t that right?”

“Sure, I suppose, but we already know each other pretty well, I think. At least in how we fight, I guess.”

“Then, I’ll start by asking you some questions, and you should be honest with your answers. Understood?”

“I promise.”

“How do you really feel about what’s going on.”

“Confused and tired, mostly. I do suppose it’s a little fun, though. I mean, we get to talk and get to know each other more. That’s nice.”

“I see. It does make it easier we relax and enjoy this. Alright, next question. Which one of us brothers are you interested in?”

“I feel like I’ve been pretty obvious about it, but I guess I’m hiding better than I thought. It’s you, Lucifer.”

He looked caught off-guard, “Then, that’s very… convenient.”

“I don’t know how to feel about that reaction.”

“Well, until then, you get to ask me a question. You may never get a chance like this again. So, choose your question carefully.”

“You’re so dramatic,” I chuckled, then thought for a second. Since we’re going romance an obvious one is, “What’s your type? If you have one.”

"Hmm. That’s a good question,” he thought for a second, “Someone pure, genuine, and worthy of respect.”

RIP my chances I guess.

“I don’t know if you know this,” he continued,” but demons are most attracted to the souls of people like that. Oh, wait. You asked the type of person, not soul.”

Still RIP my chances.

“Anything else you’d like to ask?”

“What do you think of humans?”

“I think you mean ‘What do I think of you?”

I blushed, caught red-handed.

“That’s also a good question… You’re an exchange student from the Human World. When you first arrived, all I wanted was just to make sure you survived your year here. But, that was difficult, considering you tend to do what you want, regardless of consequences And you stick your nose in others’ business. Not to mention, one-by-one you made pacts with my brothers. Why did you do that? I want to finally know why.”

“You’ve been so difficult to deal with. But you’re more special that you are difficult,” he was really opening up. My heart ached as I realized this is what Grisella was referring to, “You’re changing me, and my brothers. The truth is…,” he stopped himself, “What’s that guilty look?”

I breathed heavily, steeling myself, “Lucifer, I’m so sorry,” I could barely get the words out, trying not to cry with anxiety and guilt, “I met with Belphegor.”

“... What did you say?”

I could barely bring myself to look at his face as he realized what I’ve done.

“Wait, you actually met with him… You went to that room… and you MET Belphegor?!”

He transformed into his demon form in a rage, his rapidly growing height making me feel even smaller and worse.

“You went up those stairs, even though you knew you weren’t allowed to! You went up there… and *you met Belphegor*?! Do you really love sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong and stirring up trouble?”

“Lucifer, please,” I begged, a few tears starting to fall, “Let me-”

“NO! YOU… a mere HUMAN?! YOU DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT!”

He attacked me in anger but a voice called out from the doorway and the others ran into the room. They got between us and stopped Lucifer from reaching me. I stared at them in confusion and panic.

“Woah, this looks genuinely bad,” Asmo remarked, he knelt next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, “You okay?”

“All of you out of the way,” Lucifer bellowed, “I’m going to tear that human limb from limb.”

My heart felt like it was being put in a blender.

Mammon spoke up, “Whoa! We ain’t about to let you do somethin’ like that!”

Lucifer was about to say something when Beel cut him off, “That stuff about Belphie… What’s going on? Are you saying he’s not in the Human World? That *you locked him the attic*?!”

Lucifer hesitated. This is not the way I wanted things to go at all.

“Answer me Lucifer! NOW!”

Beel transformed and attacked Lucifer, who only got angrier and actually ended up hurting Beel. Everyone started hounding Lucifer for how he was acting when Belphegor appeared in front of us.

“Well, hello, brothers. I can’t tell you how much I missed you all…,” he greeted them.

“Belphegor,” Lucifer seethed, “What are you doing here?”

“I finally got our the attic that *you* locked me in!”

I couldn’t handle this anymore and I just listened to them argue with my head in my hands. I wanted to disappear. I just wanted to help, but like always, I fucked it up. Why did I ever think I could fix their family? Lucifer was right.

Suddenly Beel’s voice boomed and I was getting dragged by the twins out of the house. While walking the streets Belphegor was enjoying his freedom and getting one on Lucifer.

“I’m sorry for dragging you, Drizzm,” Belphegor apologized, “I just didn’t think it’d be safe leaving you with Lucifer.”

“Yeah, unfortunately,” I quietly said, not really meeting his eyes, “Where’d you guys come from Beel? You all disappeared. I was so worried.”

“I’m sorry,” Beel hugged me, “We disappeared so that you and Lucifer could get closer. We could all see that you two just needed a little push. You guys were taking so lon, though, I’m really hungry.”

Belphegor chuckled as Beel’s stomach roared,” That takes me back. Actually, something really does smell good.” “That’s Simeon’s BLT devil sandwich,” Beel was like a bloodhound. Sure enough, he led us right to Simeon.

“Oh, Belphegor,” Simeon was shocked, “What are you doing in the Devildom?”

“Hello, Simeon,” Belphegor ignored his question, “I’m really sorry to ask, but can the three of us stay at Purgatory Hall?”

“Sure,” Simeon agreed, looking at me, “Though, based on Drizzm’s face, something big is happening. Are you alright, Drizzm?”

“Yeah,” I lied. He didn’t look convinced but didn’t push, bringing us to Purgatory Hall. When we got there Beel went over everything that happened. Solomon and Simeon were shocked at Lucifer’s actions.

“The curse that kept me locked up requires the power of the six other brothers. That’s why I had Drizzm form pacts with them,” Belphegor explained.

“One problem,” I interjected, “I don’t *have* a pact with Lucifer, so there’s no way I could let you out. I just got Satan’s pact yesterday.”

“Doesn’t matter either way,” Solomon told me, “You don’t have the ability to control the brothers’ powers. You wouldn’t get it to open, even with pacts.”

“Someone must have taken place of the sixth brother,” Simeon theorized.

“But, who? That’s the real question, because they must have let Belphegor out,” I pointed out. But, we really didn’t get much farther than that. There isn’t enough information yet to continue theorizing. Also, I was very, very tired and very, very sad and guilty.

We ended up taking over Luke’s room since me and Beel hid him before. Belphegor was laying on the bed, enjoying his newfound freedom. I sat on a chair nearby, just existing, while Beel spoke with his brother.

“Why did Lucifer lock you in the attic, Belphie?”

“Because he would have destroyed the Human World,” replied Diavolo, walking in with Barbatos.

That’s didn’t seem good. Beel was confused, “Diavolo? What are you two doing here?”

“Because we need to talk. Come over here, please.”

We all gathered together for the talk. “When I announced the exchange program,” Diavolo told us, “Belphegor fiercely objected to it. He went to Lucifer with his concerts. However, Lucifer supported the program so his complaints never went anywhere.

“Belphegor despises humanity and could accept my proposal to unite the three reams. He was so upset that he threatened to either kill the human on exchange or go to the Human World and raze it to the ground. So, Lucifer locked him up for his protection.”

“Protection,” Belphegor angrily scoffed, “I was a prisoner in there. That’s not protecting me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Belphegor. Lucifer was protecting you from me. Belphegor, you are under arrest for treason.”

Oh, no. Beel got up to try and stop them, but I grabbed him, “Beel, no, you’ll make it worse.”

“Drizzm’s right,” Diavolo said, “I’m sorry, but I cannot make an exception. And Drizzm, this is a matter between demons. You need to stay out of this, as a human.”

We watched as they took Belphegor away. Beel looked dejected, “But, I just got Belphie back…”

“Don’t worry, Beel,” I comforted, “We’ll figure something out.”

“I need to talk to Lucifer about Belphie. You should stay here, Drizzm. Diavolo’s right, this doesn’t involve you.”

“The fuck you mean? I care about you all and have pacts with you. Also, when have I ever not gotten involved.”

“But, this could get really bad.”

“It’s my fault that Belphegor ended up getting arrested. Also, things getting bad hasn’t stopped me before and it sure as fuck won’t now. Let’s go get your family back together.”

Beel smiled, confident again, and we went back to the house. Beel went to get Satan and Asmo. We were gathering everyone so we could confront Lucifer together. I went to Mammon’s room, knocking on his door and calling out to him. He didn’t answer. I kicked the door.

“Alright, jeez,” he opened the door, “Don’t break it down.”

“I’m sorry, Mammon,” I hugged him, “I wanted to tell you guys so bad.”

He sighed and hugged me back, “I’m gonna be honest. It hurt me that ya kept it from me… But, I also understand you didn’t have much choice. We never would have gotten this far if ya told us.”

“Than you. Will you still help me? Belphegor’s been arrested and we’re trying to get information from Lucifer.”

“Good luck, he’s locked himself in his room. You’ll need all the help ya can get. And luckily, ya’ve got the Great Mammon by your side.”

I smiled at him, “The Great Mammon truly is a good demon.”

He blushed, “Alright, enough of that! Let’s go get Levi. He hasn’t been taking it well.”

“Bee’s getting Asmo and Satan,” I looked at my phone, “When we’re ready, they’re waiting in the underground tomb.”

He nodded and we went to Levi’s room. He obviously didn’t answer so Mammon forced the door open. Levi had his back to us, talking to Henry 2.0.

“Aren’t humans just the worst,” he loudly said, very much wanting me to hear it, “They’ll just lie to your face and betray you.”

“Levi, stop it man,” Mammon tried to intervene but Levi was stone-walling us, “Your guys’ pact had nothing to do with Belphegor.”

“Humans are so untrustworthy.”

“You know, Levi,” I spoke softly, “Henry made mistakes too, and the Lord of Shadows never completely shut him out when he apologizes. I’m sorry, Levi, I hurt you and that was wrong of me. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”

Levi finally looked at me, throwing his arms around my neck, “You’re right! Henry’s allowed to make mistakes like you. You’re my true friend.”

I hugged him back and explained the plan. He agreed to help us and we met up with the others in the underground tomb.

“So, the plan is for Drizzm to touch the grimoire to lure Lucifer out of his room,” Satan explained, “The only problem we have is to make it past Cerberus. Who’s on patrol right now.”

We carefully made our way down, thankfully Cerberus was nowhere to be seen. I went up to the grimoire and when I tried to grab it, a light blinded me. I was suddenly watching Lucifer after they first fell, holding a woman, Lilith I assumed. Diavolo and Barbatos were there. Lucifer begged Diavolo to save Lilith’s life. Diavolo agreed, but said that she would be reborn as a human, and the condition, Lucifer’s unwavering loyalty. Lucifer, of course, agreed, saving Lilith.

Then I was back, Mammon screaming about something. I looked and Cerberus was fast approaching. I tried to grab the grimoire while the others yelled in panic, but it was covered in vines.

“Cerberus, SIT,” Lucifer approached us, “I wondered who would be so bold. Of course it’s all of you. I also see a certain *someone* with you.”

Seeing him made all the guilt come back up, I lied to him the most and forced him to watch his family sell their free will to a human. My face scrunched and I ran and hugged him, basically tackling him.

“I’m so sorry, Lucifer,” I choked, crying and gripping his clothes, “I’m so sorry. I just wanted to help your family be together again.”

He sighed, “You really make it difficult to stay mad when you apologize like that,” he held me close, “Calm down now. Enough wailing.”

“I-I’m n-not wailing.”

He stroked my back, and after I finally got a hold of myself we went back inside the house, specifically the library, to talk. Lucifer explained that Belphegor’s hatred for humanity was uncontainable, so he locked Belphegor up to keep Diavolo from having to step in. Lucifer was just trying to not lose any more family.

“Uhm,” I hesitantly asked, “Why *does* he hate humanity? He implied that humans did something to Lilith.”

They explained that when they were angels, Belphegor actually loved humans, same with Lilith. Well, Lilith fell in love with a human who fell ill. It was incurable, so she gave him forbidden food from the Celestial Realm. Altering a human’s lifespan is forbidden, so she was sentenced to be wiped from existence when she got caught. The brothers refused to accept this, leading to the Great Celestial Ware and their fall to the Devildom.

“Belphegor blamed the human Lilith fell in love with,” Bell said, “He’d say that she’d still be alive if that human, or all humans, were gone.”

“Lilith actually didn’t die,” Lucifer explained, “I swore my allegiance to Diavolo in return for her life being saved. However, she was reborn as a human with no memories of being an angel.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?”

“I’m sorry. Things were already so hard on you all that I didn’t want to make it harder by telling you Lilith was alive, but we couldn’t form any contact with her.”

“You carried this the entire time? Next time, trust us.”

Lucifer looked like a scolded child, “So, what’s next?”

“Getting the fam back together,” I declared, “You wanted my goal Lucifer. Getting you all back together. That’s it.”

“Then we’d better go to Lord Diavolo and not waste your efforts.”

We rallied together, determined to make this work, and marched to the castle, busting in like a SWAT team. Lucifer demanded his brother back.

“I’m surprised,” Diavolo stated, “Though I believe one of you aren’t like the others.”

“Drizzm’s part of the family,” Beel was firm, “He has as much a right to be here as us.”

“While that sentiment is nice, he’s still a human, and this is a demon affair.”

“The fuck it is,” I interjected, startling Diavolo and making Barbatos glare at me, “He hates humanity, right? Well, I’m the representative from the Human World and I think I’m as involved as the others.”

“I see. If that’s how you all feel, then I’ll release Belphegor on one condition,” he looked at me, “Drizzm, go back in time and figure who released Belphegor.”

“Done,” I immediately agreed, “Just tell me what to do.”

“Whoa! Drizzm,” Mammon intervened, “Ya can’t just go in the past.”

“Sure I can.”

“Drizzm should as least have one of us accompanying him,” Lucifer bargained.

“No. If I need to sneak around it’s best done by myself. I’m incredibly stealthy, you of all people should know. So, don’t worry.”

“Exactly,” Diavolo agreed, “And Drizzm must prove that they can be humanity’s representative.”

The brothers all looked uncomfortable with the idea. I smiled at them, “Don’t worry, you guys. I’ll get through this like I have everything so far. I’m on a win streak and I ain’t about to lose here. I’ll be back before you know it.”

They finally let me go with Barbatos, who led me through the castle.

“Are you nervous,” Barbatos inquired.

“I don’t want to mess this up for everyone. I want them to be together again,” I told him honestly.

“I know this is hard, but I have faith that you’ll succeed.”

“That means a lot coming from you. I need to fix my mistakes… How am I going to get to the past anyways?”

“I didn’t tell you? When I connect two doors I can also choose what time.”

“That sounds so overpowered. So, where are going then?”

“We’ll be using a door in my bedroom. You know, in all the years I’ve been alive I’ve never invited a human into my room,” he opens his bedroom door to reveal an MC Escher-style room. Nonsensical stairs leading through impossible archways.

“This is quite the honor then,” I looked at all the doors in his room, “So, you must not peek into the future much, right? Otherwise, you would know all this and where Belphegor was.”

“Very intuitive of you. It’s not good to know everything.”

“No, it honestly sounds torturous.”

He looked surprised, “Very few agree with me.”

“Fools, then.”

He laughed, “Do you remember the rules?”

“Enter back from the door I came.”

“And do not meet your past self.”

“Paradoxes. Got it.”

“I knew you’d understand,” he gestured through a door and I went through, a white light blinding me. It’s always a flashbang, dude.

“Drizzm,” Mammon was surprised I walked into his room. Everyone was there except Belphegor and Lucifer, “You should be with Lucifer?”

“Uh, I got separated,” I lied.

“Well, go find him,” he shoved me out of the room. I wanted to make sure I knew where past me was. So, I went to Levi’s room to check. I was able to hear muffled voices when suddenly they came up to the door. I panicked and ran into Lilith’s room. I got strange flashbacks in the room of Belphegor and Lucifer arguing about the exchange program.

After the visions faded I gained my bearings and listened at the door. No voices.

I carefully snuck out of the room and made my way to the attic. Upon getting to Belphegor’s room I realized his door was gone. I touched the wall in it’s stead in confusion. But, when I did, the door appeared and opened.

Belphegor watched in disbelief as the door swung open to reveal me on the other side. Then he cheered and hugged me, all before I could really understand what happened, “Thank you! Thanks to you I’m free!”

He suddenly gripped me way, way tighter. I gasped for air, as I wiggled futilely, “Thank you for being so stupid! I get free AND I get to kill a human, ruining Diavolo’s exchange. It ends here!”

A choked sound came out of my mouth as he crushed me, before it all went black.

I felt sorta floaty, dream-like.

“Drizzm,” a female voice called out to me, “Can you hear me?”

“Lilith,” I foggily called, “Is that you?”

“Yes,” she confirmed, “I’ve been watching over my brothers since I died. I had no memory when I was alive. But, when I passed I regained my memories. Since watching them I’ve also ended up watching you. Thank you for helping them so far. But, they still need you help. I’ll lend you my powers, so please, save them.”

“Always.”

I found myself back in the attic room, not dead. I didn’t get too long to orient myself before hearing Mammon’s panicked yelling. I rushed to them down in the entryway. In Mammon’s arms was my gravely injured, but no dead, body.

“No, Drizzm,” he pleaded, “Ya can’t die on us!”

Belphegor laughed, relishing every moment.

“Drizzm,” Lucifer spotted me, in disbelief.

They all turned to me, Belphegor seemed to be the most confused, “There’s two of you? Well, no matter, I just get to enjoy it twice.”

He moved to attack me.

“Lilith lived,” I yelled, making him pause.

“What?”

“Lilith never died. On that day Lucifer pledged his loyalty to Diavolo to save her. She lived as a human.”

“How do you know this,” Lucifer squinted at me.

“Lucifer told me, and Lilith showed me herself.”

“You’re lying,” Belphegor yelled.

“It’s true,” Diavolo and Barbatos came in, “Everything Drizzm said was true. Lilith was reborn as a human.”

“Then,” Belphegor deflated, “She’s human?”

“Yes, in fact, Drizzm,” he turned to me, “You said Lilth has shown you her memories?”

“Yes,” I confirmed.

“I have an answer to that. It was very difficult to track the information down. But, I’ve confirmed that Drizzm is Lilith’s descendent.”

We were all blindsided, “I am?”

“He is,” they parroted.

“Yes,” Diavolo affirmed. The brothers all stared at me for a second, before becoming ecstatic. My old body disappeared from Mammon’s arms due to Barabatos’s power. They all hugged me at once. Except for Belphegor.

“I’m sorry, Drizzm,” he bowed his head sadly, “I blamed myself for Lilith’s death but I turned my frustrations on humanity instead.”

“Belphegor,” I firmly said, he looked at me nervously, “What you did to me was shitty and it hurt like a bitch.”

He winced.

“But, I already know you blamed yourself. You’re much like Beel in that way. You loved your sister, but you allowed your trauma to blind you. You changed into someone unlike who she would call Belphegor. It will take time for me to forgive you, but I accept your apology. Now come get in on this.”

I waved him over and he happily joined our group hug. It was so warm between all the bodies but I was so happy that I was able to get them all together again. Everyone cheered for my safety and Lilith’s happy life as a human.