Chapter 12
For someone requesting no radio broadcast or royal announcement Lilith certainly didn’t seem to mind allowing all of hell to see that she had returned. It was kind of hard to miss the queen of Hell casually strolling through Pentagram City with the radio demon. Never mind the stares and melodramatic, though entertaining, reactions of the sinners they passed, it didn’t take long for the familiar drones to start circling like vultures and attempt to follow them. Though, whenever a drone appeared Alastor’s shadows would simply swallow it.
Lilith paid no mind to any of this. The tea Alastor was spilling was far too important for her to are about much else at the moment. Especially the bit about all of Hell having learned of Lucifer’s not so closely guarded secret. Honestly, it’s a wonder this never became a problem before. Of course, Lucifer never needed to worry about his inability to harm sinners because Lilith had always been the one to interact with them.
Even if he had been able to harm them, she wouldn’t have allowed it. She wouldn’t have allowed them to harm him either. It seems she had neglected to consider some very important potentially problematic political issues indeed. Perhaps Alastor was right. She couldn’t just walk away from her duties after all. At least, not without finding a suitable solution first.
Lilith let out an exasperated sigh as Alastor concluded his rather theatrical retellings of all she had missed while away. “It seems I do have some loose ends to tie up before I can retire from my post.”
“You still intend to abandon Hell after everything I’ve just related to you?”
“Not ‘abandon’, just entrust to a new future.” Lilith rolled her eyes at Alastor’s childish attempt to guilt her into whatever he may be scheming.
“And what, prey tell, might that future be?” Alastor really didn’t are about Hell’s politics, per se, but he wasn’t exactly looking forward to a major power struggle while in his current condition. Lilith officially renouncing her position as queen may incite a few hot headed and ambitious idiots into attempting some sort of foolish power grab. He’d had enough of such nonsense for the moment.
“I’m obviously referring to Charlie’s betterment through improving relations with Heaven and helping sinners who want to become winners.”
“Hmm yes, but you did say Charlie wasn’t ready to take on a leadership role, to which I must agree with you, she’s not ready…yet. However, Hell still needs proper management. Charlie’s little project merely accounts for a small portion of the population who actually want to change and adhere to Heaven’s idea of what a soul should be.” Alastor’s tone was dripping with condescension as he soke. “What of the souls who simply wish to continue enjoying their gift of freewill?”
“How would forcing them to adhere to a hierarchy here in Hell be allowing them to enjoy their freewill? Lucifer and I never tried to ‘rule’ over anyone. We were just sort of put in this position to begin with.”
Alastor was actually quite pleased to hear Lilith say this. It implied she did not put herself above her people. It also seemed that she doesn’t view her title of queen as giving her a position of control and ownership, but instead one of protection and guidance. This is a sentiment Alastor could get behind even if he did find it to be rather optimistically wishful thinking. “Unfortunately, my dear, he reason so many sinners end up here is because they use that freewill of theirs to trample all over others. While I do agree with your idealistic notion of allowing them to simply do as they please, you must realize the need to employ some measure of consequence. Consequences act as deterrents for anyone foolish enough to say…kidnap the King of Hell and use him as a battery.”
“Yes, about that, I thought you overlords had an acceptable sort of system for keeping one another in check. How is it that the rest of you allowed one mediocre upstart punk to gain so much influence?”
“I can not speak for the other overlords who actually joined and assisted him, poor judgment on their parts I suppose, but I can assure my intent was always to let him make a fool of himself and watch him fail miserably and fall on his already flat obnoxious face.” Alastor snarled before continuing. “Even I couldn’t predict he’d actually manage to get his creepy hands on Lucifer. Nor could I predict that Lucifer’s power really could extracted and used as a weapon. Honestly, Lilith, that’s a conversation you should really have with your husband.”
“Ex-husband.” Lilith reminded him.
Alastor looked at her to try and read her expression. He couldn’t understand what difference it makes or why she’s so insistent on distinguishing herself and Lucifer as divorced. It was apparent from their earlier interactions that she doesn’t hate or even dislike her now ex-husband. Yet she clearly wanted to make her divorce known. Perhaps a declaration of her freedom? Regardless, she is still the closest person to Lucifer other than Charlie and therefore Alastor’s best chance at securing a deal with The King of Hell. “Yes, terribly sorry, ex-husband, of course. My point is if you are no longer going to be the deterrent for sinners getting too big for their preverbal britches, Lucifer should really learn not to allow himself to be so easily baited. His own arrogance got us all into this mess.”
Lilith snorted. “You’re one to talk.” She folded her arms across her chest and furrowed her brows at him. “Do you think Lucifer’s actions were any more arrogant than your own? Did you really think you could take on Adam?” She burst into laughter and Alastor’s ears flattened to his head in shame and annoyance. “A pot calling a kettle black!”
“I was acting on behalf of your daughter and her hotel.” Alastor stated through gritted teeth.
“Uh huh, sure you were. Because we all know you to be such a self-sacrificing saint. Such a caring guy! A true altruist! Come on, Alastor, we both know you just thought way too highly of yourself that you really believed you could take on the first man. Tell me, how exactly did that go for you? You were quite vague about that part of your storytelling despite being oh so detailed about everything else. I’m guessing Lucifer stepped up and assisted you, right?”
Alastor pinned his ears back even further. This woman really was too perceptive. “He did show up eventually to lend his aid to Charlie. However, that is not what matters. It should have ended there. His reputation with Hell was at an all time high after that, I do believe. Yet then he just had to go and ruin it by sticking his nose where it didn’t belong and getting himself mixed up with Vox and his shenanigans. I had everything under control. Furthermore, he really should be more discerning about what information he shares with others. If I had such a weakness as to be so restricted I certainly wouldn’t go about making it known.”
It was clear to Lilith from Alastor’s little tantrum that she had hit a nerve, likely by hitting the nail on the head. “Alright, Alastor, you’ve made your point. I agree it doesn’t matter how powerful or immortal Lucifer is if all of Hell has learned not to fear him. Truthfully, though, I would rather he be respected than feared.”
“We’re in Hell. This place doesn’t value sentimental notions such as that. Just as there are no friends in Hell, there are no beloved or trusted leaders. There are only those powerful enough to be feared. However, in order to be feared one must be able to enforce their power. Lucifer cannot.”
“That’s not entirely true.” Alastor’s ears perked back up. “Lucifer may not be able to wilfully direct his power towards sinners with the intent to harm them, but that doesn’t mean he can’t cause harm to them, as you’ve seen.”
Lilith was right. Lucifer can’t ‘wilfully’ harm sinners. Yet, his power could. This was something to consider. “You’re correct, my astute queen, but I’m afraid this very public conversation will have to conclude here, for now. We have arrived.” Alastor said gesturing towards Rosie’s emporium. He was sure this was going to be quite the entertaining visit.
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