"Your human is on the move, my prince." 

Laudon pauses the conversation that he was having with Zul to begin a new one with Bunki, the demon he tasked to watch over Maggie. According to Bunki, Maggie has finally left her home after having locked herself inside for seven days. Laudon is curious about where she may be going, and he makes a mental note to pay her a visit once he is done defending his father's throne.

"Thank you for keeping me updated, Bunki. You are dismissed." Laudon sends the demon on his way and then directs his attention back to Zul. "Are we almost finished here?"

"Almost." Zul moves to stand behind Laudon. Zul gathers up his long black hair, styling it into a single plait to prevent it from getting in the way during the fight. "Are you sure about letting it hang like this? He can easily use it against you."

"I will have his throat cut before he can even think about reaching for my head or my hair," Laudon replies. "I have been challenged for the throne many times, and not once have I lost a fight. I do not plan on losing this one. Where is your faith, my friend?" Laudon teases. "Have you lost it somewhere?"

"Not at all. I have nothing but faith in you, my prince. You are an exceptionally skilled fighter; I know this because I trained you." Zul chuckles, patting Laudon on the back. "I also know you are capable of handling yourself well during battle. My apologies if I made you think otherwise."

"Apology accepted."

Zul helps Laudon finish getting ready for the upcoming fight. And while composed on the outside, on the inside, Laudon is beyond irritated. He is irritated that he has to do this for the fiftieth time when he would rather be doing something else right now, anything else. But for Laudon, albeit a major inconvenience, this is nothing new. This is just another day in Hell. Another challenge to accept, another adversary to kill, another fight to win.

Just another day.

"You have never lost a fight," Zul repeats. "Second to your father, you are the most powerful being in Hell. I would like to think these impertinent demons understood that and yet, they continue to challenge you. What sense does that make?"

"I urge you not to waste your energy trying to figure them out," Laudon says.

Typically only after Lucifer takes one of his impromptu 'vacations' from Hell, some arrogant demon would step up from the sidelines to call Laudon out, requesting to challenge him for his father's throne. It is no secret that there are many in Hell who dislike Lucifer and his son, many who believe Hell could use better leadership. And per the rules, whether it be Lucifer or Laudon that is challenged, they must always accept the request. Forfeiting a fight is not an option; that shows cowardice and neither Lucifer nor Laudon carry the trait.

"Oh, good. You're still here." Lila strolls into the room looking the epitome of sin in her high heels and black corset styled dress. The material is latex—shiny and skintight—accentuating all of Lila's curves. She pushes Zul aside and pulls Laudon in for a deep kiss. "I won't be able to make it to your fight this evening, so I figured I'd stop by to wish you good luck beforehand... you know, in case you end up getting yourself killed out there."

Laudon laughs. "I have no time for your smart mouth, Lila. Why are you really here?"

"To wish you luck." Lila slaps his chest in a playful manner, disliking having to repeat herself. "And to also tell you where to find me after the fight is over. I'm the only one that can calm you down when you get all riled up and murderous after your big fights. Can't have you running through Hell ripping the head off every demon who looks at you sideways, can we?"

"I suppose not," Laudon replies, gripping her hips. "Where can I find you if not your bedroom?"

Lila pulls a tiny piece of paper from between her cleavage and slips it into Laudon's pocket. "I only fuck those who value my time, so don't be late."

"I'm never late." Laudon smirks as Lila turns to sashay out of the room.

"What I would do for just one night..." Zul stops himself after Laudon gives him a sharp look. "My apologies, my prince. I meant no disrespect."

"Let us be on our way." Laudon grabs his weapon from off the wall before teleporting with Zul to the center of the battlefield.

The crowd immediately begins cheering for their prince, the majority having bet that he will come out as the champion. Zul animatedly gets into character as he addresses the crowd shortly after Jicha, the one who set all this into motion, steps onto the field.

Jicha is ten feet tall and three hundred plus pounds of pure muscle. He is a frightening beast, the expression on his monstrous face a cocky one. Laudon has never met Jicha before today, their only correspondence being the letter sent by Jicha to Laudon requesting this challenge, but already Laudon is unimpressed by what he sees.

"The rules are simple: no powers, no armor, only one weapon per challenger, and the fight is to the death..." Zul announces. "My prince, Jicha, are you ready to battle for the throne?" Both nod and Zul quickly makes his way off the field. "Usque ad mortem!"

On cue, Jicha cracks his long whip, an embarrassing attempt at trying to come off as intimidating. The crowd eats it up regardless, going wild while Laudon looks on unbothered.

"Why are you hiding from the audience, dear prince? We all know this is not your true form," Jicha taunts. "Take off that disgusting human suit and show us who you really are."

The crowd suddenly quiets down as if Laudon will actually do it.

Instead, Laudon remains still, not uttering a word. He is here to kill, not have a conversation with his opponent. Laudon takes his time assessing Jicha, scanning him from head to toe. Laudon was taught at a young age that it is better to wait for his opponent to strike first, let them think they are in control before snatching it back at the last second.

Jicha is far from the patient type. He is rowdy and easily gets hyped off the crowd's energy, so of course he strikes first.

It happens within the blink of an eye—Jicha flicks his wrist and charges toward Laudon, swinging his whip in all directions. Neither can use their powers or spells, only their natural-born strength and one weapon of their choosing. Jicha wields his whip sloppily, making it easy for Laudon to expertly dodge his overly aggressive attacks.

It doesn't take long for Laudon to get under Jicha's skin.

"Why! Won't! You! Die!" Jicha breathlessly dances around the arena, chasing after Laudon for a full thirty minutes, unable to land a single hit thanks to Laudon being light and quick on his feet.

Laudon could easily take Jicha down at any moment, but the audience came to see a show, and he plans to give them one.

Laudon eventually unsheathes his sword—a deadly weapon that was forged using his blood and bone from his father. It is powerful enough to cut through stone, and it is also what delivered the fatal blow in all of his previous fights. The crowd goes crazy when they see it. Jicha tries to look the opposite of worried but fails. He knows he will be done for if Laudon gets too close.

"If there is anyone in the crowd that you care about, I suggest you give them your final words before it's too late," Laudon says.

Jicha temporarily gets distracted after making eye contact with someone in the audience. Laudon decides to use this as his moment to strike. He keeps his body low to the ground while he runs, building speed. Laudon makes eye contact with Jicha just as the tip of his sword pierces Jicha's large round belly. Laudon likes his face to be the last thing his opponent sees before they die.

But Jicha doesn't die. Laudon's sword does not travel more than an inch into his stomach, almost as if some dark force is at play preventing it from doing so. Laudon snarls as Jicha snatches his sword from out of his hand and tosses it aside. Jicha grabs Laudon by the hair and hurls him into the air, sending him flying. Jicha does not allow Laudon to land properly. He cracks his whip once more, taking Laudon by surprise as the end of the whip curls around both of his ankles. Jicha tugs and Laudon crashes to the ground hard, a few bones breaking on impact. Jicha laughs maniacally while reeling Laudon in like a helpless fish.

"I wonder what your father would say if he were here to witness me killing you." Jicha kneels and wraps a hand around Laudon's throat. "Do you think he would take me on as his new son?"

"No," Laudon chokes out. "Never."

"No?" Jicha sneers, squeezing tighter. "Why not?"

"Because my father has no respect for cheaters."

Laudon shoves both fists into Jicha's stomach, whatever spell he used earlier now having worn off. Laudon yanks his arms back after shaking out of his restraint, freeing his ankles. Jicha releases a deafening cry as Laudon speedily guts him with his bare hands, Jicha's innards spilling out onto the ground. Jicha tumbles backward and falls. Laudon, ignoring his own injuries, jumps to his feet within seconds.

"You killed yourself by thinking you could defeat me by cheating." Laudon retrieves his sword and then slices off Jicha's arms, tossing each one into the boisterous crowd. Laudon then moves to squat on Jicha's broad chest, what was left of it. He points the tip of his sword to Jicha's neck. "I can sense it... the protection spell that you used. How did a demon of your rank come to learn it? Tell me who taught you the spell and I promise to make your death swift."

Jicha smiles a bloody smile. "He is not who you think he is."

"Who—" Laudon starts but does not finish due to Jicha taking the easy way out. He purposely lifts his head, forcing Laudon's blade to sink into his neck. Laudon scowls before pulling back to properly decapitate him. He steps off Jicha's ravaged body and looks around at the crowd, his own body hot with rage. "Never mistake my absence for weakness. Though I may not roam the halls of Hell day in and day out, know that I am always listening, always watching. I continue to welcome all who deem me unfit to rule while my father is gone to come and challenge me next. It will be my pleasure to send you to The Void to join Jicha and the others who failed to depose me."

Zul returns to the field to officially declare Laudon as the victor, but Laudon is not in the mood to stick around and celebrate his win. He quickly teleports off the field, feeling something pulling him towards the surface, pulling him towards Edreial.

Maggie.