The Demon’s Bride

Satan was in silence as he looked over the window. His red eyes held a brighter than the streaming lava lake which located right in front of the castle. In his deep thought, the golden coin he twirled between his five fingers slipped from his palm and rang as it fell to the ground. The clinking sound was dampened by the soft carpet and following the fall, his eyes looked at the coin that started to change in the color of brown before finally turning to ashes.

Satan's lips opened to say, "Useless..." at the same time the door of his study room was knocked. His eyes languidly moved to the door and brightened when he sensed the presence of his granddaughter on the other side of the wooden door.

Orias pushed open the door for the princess while his red eyes seeing Malphas held some content as well as hatred. Malphas who often smile had no smile to be found on his lips as well. Elise who didn't let this unnoticed could tell their relationship but then with how contrasting both Malphas and Orias's personality, she can tell they weren't the best to be together.

"Elise," Satan beamed a smile but his eyes didn't miss staring at Malphas who he identify as Lucifer's most obedient servant. "What is the matter?"

Elise smiled in response. She knew now what was the advantages of mastering a smile. It didn't only help her maintain her hidden secret to herself but also to know better how her grandfather seemed to be happier in her company. She wondered if Satan was deep down affectionate to his descendants he not her father who was Ariel's only son?

"I want to continue my study as the Queen," she said and at this her grandfather looked happier.

"Terrific! It seems that unlike your father you do now the weigh of the crown and the ecstatic it bring within. What do you want to study first? There are etiquettes but you don't truly need them as you can do what you wish—" Satan saw Elise shaking her head for the third time to raise his eyebrows, "Not etiquettes? Fine, we still have the strategic study..."

"I want to learn a physical combat," answered Elise which Satan looked at her with a faint furrowed eyebrows. 

"If it is training you want we can have plenty of great instructors who can help you with it," he suggested only to be rejected the second time.

"Actually grandfather. I want to go back to the mortal world. I want to find the person who had stolen the resurrection book from you as we have a lot of scores to be settle with together," explained Elise without letting her smile falling short.

Satan hummed, his expression was too stern for anyone to read through his mien. "Is this personal revenge?"

"I would also like to think this as a very perfect opportunity," answered Elise who crossed her hand on her back, "I can see there are unsettle air around Hell. Some respect and some other fear me but that is only because of you. I have no achievements for people to choose me therefore I see the chances waiting to be seized."

"And this achievement is finding the lost book? Satan's eyes on her was judging. He was watching every and all her action, as if not wanting to missed her expression which comb the look of her face at the moment. "Why do I see this as yet to be close for me to see this mission to be worth of your time?"

"It is only a practice, grandfather. I don't see why it has to be grand," answered Elise, persuading the man kindly.

Satan's frown appeared as if he was going to ignore her needs and proceed to do whatever he wished for. Including now where he looked as if he want to study all her expression and wrap his finger around her to take leverage. After a while of silence, he finally threw a smile, "Great idea. Then I, in the name of Hell's king will now give you the mission of finding the person who is now holding the book of resurrection. If you are able to kill the man, at that time we will count that your trial has ended."

"Thank you grandfather," Elise curtsied the King. She then left with a smile that widened. It hadn't been more than a day but the living world seemed to have become a very foreign place to her. After talking to her father, he decided to stay as he seemed to have other things to do in mind. 

Elise stepped out of the portal which directly deliver her outside the forest of the main building of the Church. Lifting her head, she could see the tall building standing proudly against the fallen leaves and her blue eyes glistened. The person who had indirectly caused Ian's death was here, she thought. And the moment the very thought run in her mind, she could feel power surging toward her palms and she didn't know if it was truly power or a deep stormy emotion which she had inherited from her grandfather. The feeling of a deep wrath. 

The Dark Sorcerer Lord didn't know who was coming toward him now.

Hallow who peeked out was in a deep silence. He then met eyes with Elise and smiled, "Don't get hurt."

Before the words were said by Ian and it almost made her heart break again, "Thank you," she smiled at the chick, her friend before looking with a nod at Malphas. "We should go now and remember don't trust what your eyes told you. Sometimes we need to doubt thrice more than we often do." Because the last time, she had made the mistake.

Both Malphas and Hallow nodded with a determined expression to face the new storm. 

In the meantime, Michael who had pulled an all nighters flipped the pages to know the last person who had last leave Heaven and for how long. Amongst all, he rounded some name who seemed white but he found odd after quite some time as they had stayed for longer than necessary in the mortal's world. One for mission... the other? He wasn't sure. 

"Uriel," Michael called for the one who had been dozing in front of him snapped his eyes. 

"It's too late and I feel a bit sleepy. Just tiny bit. What is it, brother?" He asked and Michael pushed the book, placing his finger on one name.

"I don't remember ever permitting this. He had not only been staying in the mortal realm for centuries but he had also visited Hell for sometimes."

Uriel narrowed his eyes, trying to read the name to appear taken aback, "Isn't he, Ariel's best friend?"

Michael's eyes quickly darted at Uriel and in a low tone, he said, "Bring this scroll to Lucifer."

Uriel quickly hold the scroll which Michael had thrown and appeared confused, "Wait! But brother where will you be going to?"

"Just a moment I need to visit him... Raziel," Michael looked sorrowful as he walked out the library where books had formed sea and lakes on the floor. 

Uriel wanted to accompany Michael but he also prioritize Michael's words and quickly made his way to leave the library without knowing the pair of golden eyes that were also inside the room, sneaking in between the shelves. "I don't have time... he found out," said the angel to themselves before walking deeper into the shadows and disappear.