”It seems like attacking that caravan was the right way to send a message and get someone to this godforsaken castle… but where the hell is she!?”

─── ♡ ♢ ☀︎ ✩ ☽ ♧ ♤ ───

As they descended the staircase, Dr. Alde took note of the darkness that seemed to have grown more prominent from when they’d first entered. He paused, causing the others to stumble at his sudden stop. They peered at him curiously, before noticing the change in lighting as well.

”Miasma…” Frankie whispered. “Master, let me go ahead of you.”

Dr. Alde shook his head. “No, no, I’ll be fine. We just need to be careful. In miasma this thick, once could get attacked very easily, or begin hallucinating their greatest fears or their worst memory. I refuse to put you through that, so I will continue leading the way.”

he continued descending the stairs at a noticeably slower pace from before, exercising caution with every step. Soon, the shadows overtook them, plunging the group into complete and utter darkness.

”Frankie,” Dr. Alde called out, voice echoing in the emptiness, “could you summon Tempest for us?”

”I can try.”

Silence. Then a low buzzing sound, reverberating through the darkened halls. A small, flickering light cast shadows against the walls as a small spark grew from Frankie’s stomach cavity. The spark stretched and elongated, its features becoming more and more defined as it grew; a thin, tapered snout; pointed teeth; jagged horns; and long, angular whiskers. Its body zigzagged, cracking through the air and emanating a low heat. It turned its head around to examine the room, before looking up at Frankie expectantly.

“Tempest,” Frankie extended a finger, scratching it under the chin. It tilted its head towards his hand, closing its eyes in pleasure. “We just need a light. Thank you, buddy.”

Tempest blinked knowingly at Frankie before swiveling around to gaze at Dr. Alde, eyes widening as it looked over his shoulder. Dr. Alde turned, eyes squinting and straining to see through the darkness. A shadowy figure stood before him, cloaked in the miasma, before it stepped forward and into the faint light. Its appearance caused Dr. Alde to gasp and stumble backwards into Frankie, who caught him and steadied him.

A tall man stood before them. Long, black hair trailed down his back, his face was pale and sunken, and his skin clung to the sockets of his hollowed eyes. He wore a long, red coat—identical to the one that Dr. Alde currently donned—with a matching red hat, torn white pants and white boots pulled halfway up the calf.

The man stumbled forward, stooping down and raising his hands up to cup Dr. Alde’s face. Dr. Alde was frozen in place, only able to stare in horror as he leaned in closer. He averted his gaze to the hands that held him gently, at the skin that rotted and peeled from his hands, revealing patches of bone hidden beneath.

“Why… aren’t you looking at me…?” the man rasped, gripping Dr. Alde’s face tighter and tugging him forward. “Don’t you love me anymore…?”

His thumb trailed across Dr. Alde’s cheek, towards his left eye. His other hand brushed the hair covering his right eye to the side, revealing burned flesh and an empty socket where his right eye should have been.

“You’ve already lost the right eye…” he giggled wickedly. “Why do you need the other one, too?”

Dr. Alde squeezed his eyes shut as the man’s thumb began pressing down, his heart pounding in fear. Suddenly, he was yanked backwards, an arm snaking around his waist, hoisting him up and jostling up and down. Prying his eyes open, Dr. Alde looked down to see himself hanging over Frankie’s shoulder now as his assistant ran, looking back at Delphina and Syzygy dashing after them. The shadowy figure stood in the distance, before dissipating into the darkness once again.

Blinking back tears he didn’t realize had formed, Dr. Alde rested his head against the crook of Frankie’s neck and whispered, “Thank you, Frankie.”

“Of course, master,” Frankie replied softly. “Always.”

─── ♡ ♢ ☀︎ ✩ ☽ ♧ ♤ ───

“Seems like no one has been here for ages…” Asmodeus mused, eyes glittering even in the darkness. “And it looks like it’s only going to get darker.”

“Here, allow me to…” Altair unclipped a golden ring attached to his cape, affixing it above his head. It began to hover and emit a warm, radiating light: the heavenly, comforting light angels’ halos were known for. “Guide us to the Panacea lily.”

The light wavered for a moment before it narrowed, concentrating into a beam that pointed them down a dark hallway. Altair turned back to Asmodeus.

“There, my halo will guide us to the Panacea lily.”

“Wow…” Asmodeus whistled. “Is that how you found me?”

“Indeed.” Altair nodded. “Come, let’s-”

“Wait!”

A voice rang out, echoing through the corridor. Asmodeus and Altair jumped, whipping around to face the source of the sudden holler. A man in a tall, pointed cap was rushing towards them, tailed by a tall oni and a small girl.

Asmodeus opened his arms out wide, striding forward. “Igor! Long time no see!”

Ignis held his arms out as well, burying himself in Asmodeus’ arms. They stood there for a moment before the demon released him, holding him by the shoulders to get a good look at him. 

“You’ve healed up well!” Asmodeus commented. “Mind if I take a closer look at your eye?”

Ignis nodded. “Go for it.”

Asmodeus motioned Altair forward, bringing the light closer. Brushing Ignis’ hair to the side, the doctor examined the magician’s eye, which was half closed due to thick scarring.

“Looks good. Of course… you’ll have this burn scar for a while. Maybe even forever.” Asmodeus’ face became grim as he looked away. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do more for you and the doctor.”

“It… it’s okay,” Ignis said hoarsely. “We both survived thanks to you.”

Asmodeus flashed him a smile. “I’m sure you both would have survived regardless. Believe it or not, I’ve tended to Dr. Alde many, many times. He always got into lab accidents, getting cut or scraped, or even burning his finger on a hot mug of coffee! You’re both very resilient, I should say. Ah, speaking of Dr. Alde… how is he, Igor?”

Ignis’ face turned red, glancing back at Ginger and Kintsugi, before whispering back, “I… actually go by Ignis now.”

“Ah.” Asmodeus’ ears pricked. “Sorry about that. I’ll be sure to remember next time.”

“No worries,” Ignis said, ignoring the snickering from Ginger and Kintsugi. He cleared his throat, forcing out: “Anyways, I… actually haven’t seen the doctor in a while. It’s actually been almost five years now…?”

“I see…” Asmodeus quickly changed the subject. “Well, me and Altair should get going now. I don’t know what your purpose is here, but you should really exercise some caution.”

“Ah, wait! That’s… actually what I wanted to talk to you about,” Ignis blurted. “I overheard you guys talking about the Panacea lily. I’m actually looking for it too.”

“Oh?” Asmodeus furrowed his brow. “Ignis, I don’t think you’ll find what you’re looking for with-”

“Please!” Ignis interrupted, grabbing Asmodeus by his scrubs. He quickly released Asmodeus, his voice soft and breaking with each word. “Please, just… just let me try…”

The demon conveyed no emotion as he looked down at Ignis, who had bowed his head. His hands and shoulders trembled. Finally, Asmodeus’ expression softened, raising a hand to gently stroke the back of Ignis’ head.

Ignis looked back up at Asmodeus, who readjusted his cap for him.

“Don’t cry,” Asmodeus soothed.

Looking away, Ignis muttered indignantly, “I’m not gonna cry…”

Asmodeus let out a laugh, releasing Ignis. “Why don’t you come with me and Altair? It’ll be good company.”

Ignis nodded, waving his companions over. The two glanced sparingly at Ignis, opting not to say anything and resigning themselves to merely follow along. Asmodeus turned to his partner, Altair, bowing politely and gesturing forward.

“Let’s depart. Altair, dear, please lead the way.”

Their footsteps echoed down the marbled halls, the deepening darkness causing a thick, uneasy silence to fall on the group. Asmodeus and Altair took the front, guided by the light from Altair’s halo, with Ignis, Ginger, and Kintsugi taking up the rear.

When the light grew brighter, the beam more focused, Altair looked up and around before turning to the others. “We’re almost there. Just a little further now.”

Altair turned back, light casting and distorting every shadow in the hallway.

Except one.

Asmodeus’ eyes flicked towards the dark figure. It lunged forward, moving quickly, merely a blur that surged across the hall. It made no sound, yet Asmodeus’ careful eyes tracked it as it moved towards…

“Altair!” Turning on his heels, Asmodeus barreled into Altair, causing the angel to stumble to the side and nearly lose his footing. He unfurled his wings, flapping them twice to steady himself.

“Azzy, what-” Altair cut himself off when he noticed the shadowy beast learning over Asmodeus, pinning the demon’s arms down. The angel quickly drew his sword, the curved blade appearing out of thin air in a flash of light. The blade curved into hooks near each end.

“W-wait!” Asmodeus cried out. He squirmed, a deep, blue flame flickering in his palm. “I can-”

“Don’t fight back, dear…” a sultry, feminine voice echoed from the beast, sliding its newly formed hands over Asmodeus’, intertwining their fingers. It began to take on a more coherent shape as it pressed its voluptuous chest to the demon’s and leaned in close. Asmodeus’ eyes widened, his arms going limp, tears welling in his eyes. “I know you’ll want this…”

Altair spun around, tossing his halo to the other three, pointing down the hallway and bellowing, “Take this and run! Now! I’ll stay with Asmodeus!”

Ignis caught the halo, casting a worried glance at Asmodeus before running off. 

Meanwhile, Asmodeus struggled futilely underneath the miasma beast, tears falling from his eyes to the floor as he cried out.

“No… not again. I don’t want to. Not again…”

The beast leaned in even closer, soft features appearing on its face, strands of dark miasma falling from its head like long hair. “I’ll make you feel really go-”

Shing!

Altair’s blade sliced through the air, cutting off the beast’s head with a clean precision. Before the head fell to the floor, it dissipated into thin air, its body following soon after. Even though the beast was gone now, Asmodeus refused to move, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

His breath came in short inhales and came out in gasps. Up. down. Up. down. Heave in. Heave out. Updownupdownupdownupdown, inoutinoutinoutinout.

Asmodeus let out a desperate cry, turning over on his side. He balled one hand into a fist, the other digging sharp nails into his side. He sobbed uncontrollably, tilting his head away to avoid showing Altair his sorry display.

Altair, however, knelt down beside him, placing a gentle hand on his chest and shoulder. He lowered his voice, moving and speaking calmly, gently, clearly, and firmly. “I’m going to sit you up against the wall.”

Carefully lifting Asmodeus up, he carried him over and adjusted Asmodeus, tilting him to rest his back against the cold wall. Altair massaged Asmodeus’ back, and yet Asmodeus could still only gasp and cry. His shoulders shook as he fell forward, burying his head into his trembling arms. 

As he sobbed loudly, Asmodeus could only hear the pounding of his heart, the painful ringing in his ears, the stinging of his nails digging into his palm and his side, and…

The gentle, circular strokes of Altair’s hand on his back. A familiar, soothing voice echoing in the back of his mind, “It’ll be okay. Keep crying. Let it out. I’m here. Just breathe. Breath in… hold it… breath out…”

Asmodeus swallowed, his tongue feeling as thick as cotton in his mouth. His breath still came in shaky bursts but slowly… very slowly… he regained control over them, focusing on breathing in through his nose, holding it, and exhaling through his mouth. His sobs were eventually reduced to hiccups, his trembling reduced to shivers, and his clenched hands relaxing and finally releasing, returning the color to his knuckles. His tail, which had curled tightly around his leg, began to uncoil and stretch out across the floor.

Altair’s hand remained on Asmodeus’ back the whole time, the gentle rhythm of his massaging never letting up as he watched over Asmodeus with a softened gaze.

Raising his head slowly, as if it raised a ton, Asmodeus looked up at Alatair, his eyebrows scrunched together in a mix of fear and shame. 

“I’m sorry-”

“Don’t apologize to me,” Altair whispered, soft yet firm. “There is nothing you need to be sorry for.”

Asmodeus opened his mouth before closing it again, gnawing on his bottom lip before nodding shakily. He looked forward again, eyes growing distant before he shifted his body to allow himself to lay his head across Altair’s lap.

“Is this okay?” Asmodeus croaked. “I feel… like I cannot move quite yet.”

Altair’s hand began to smooth out Asmodeus’ hair, stroking his head. “Of course. We’ll stay here as long as you need. The others have gone up ahead. They have my halo, so you have no need to worry about them.”

The angel’s wings unfurled, sweeping around his body and folding them around himself and Asmodeus, creating a soft, white tent for them both.

Asmodeus’ silver eyes slowly closed, his breathing returning to normal until it deepened. Altair raised a finger to gently wipe away a lingering tear from Asmodeus’ cheek.

He began humming a gentle lullaby—one that felt oddly familiar to Asmodeus—luring him to slowly drift off.

“Sweet dreams to you who lay their head, sleep as though the night were calm. As you fall asleep in bed, I’ll protect you for forever and all eternity.”