When Malachi opens his eyes again, the world is frozen and dyed a bloody red.

He blinks again, but nothing changes. Even his mother and sister are not moving.

That same unholy voice from before comes back to haunt him abruptly.

"Face me, young Grigori."

Malachi feels a subtle chill creep up his spine.

He turns around and comes face-to-face with a towering figure.

Clad in shadowy black robes, the demon stands a towering seven feet tall.

His face, or rather faces, are all so different from each other.

One is that of a bearded wiseman with a third eye in his forehead. The other is that of a glossy-skinned toad. The final head appears identical to that of a simple house cat.

"Do you not know who I am..?"

"…Should I?"

"The youth should always be aware of their betters. Decorum within hierarchy is an integral foundation of stability."

The demon begins circling Malachi. It's eyes are glowing pools of yellow that convey a supreme intellect.

"You've been negligent, Dantalion. Your absence from Hell is becoming a grave problem."

Malachi hears a small tapping sound every time the demon takes a step. Though he can't tell exactly what could be making the sound. It's not heavy enough to be a footstep. Not hollow enough to be a prosthetic leg either.

"I don't know who you are, but I got my own business to attend to on earth. Think of me as a part-time employee in hell. Even that's too much..."

"You neglect your post, Dantalion. You neglect demon law..!"

"Because it means nothing to me. My only obligations are to my family." Mal responds coolly.

"A lie born of ignorance. As you stand now, your role is indispensable. The library is yours to guard. Your legions, in the absence of a ruler's strong hand, are beginning to run wild. Causing mayhem."

Malachi blinks. "I don't recall accepting a request to lead any legions."

"It is a condition of your title as Ars Goetia. The number of legions you hold is dependent on your rank. As you ascend through the trials, you may have more or less. As it stands now, thirty-six Legions of Hell are your responsibility."

Malachi almost let his jaw drop.

"…Look, I'm not spending my time playing babysitter for a bunch of demons. I don't know who the hell you are, but-"

The demon suddenly balloons in size.

"I am your better, boy. You shall refer to me only as King Bael. Engrave it into your memory, and do not dare to forget, or else my displeasure will be immense."

Malachi's eyes narrowed.

"Are you threatening me..?"

"I do not make threats, boy. I lay out consequences."

Bael starts to fade from Malachi's vision.

"Wait."

Bael looks back. "What..?"

"What rank are you?"

"…I am head of the Infernal Powers, boy. Of what concern is it to you?"

Malachi's claws lengthen on reflex.

"I was just wondering how long it would take until I got the chance to kill you."

Bael's laughter is booming and rich. It is also unexpected.

Malachi can still hear the echoes long after the demon has disappeared.

-

Celeste opens her eyes to the radiance of the morning sun.

Slowly, she turns over in bed, feeling a pair of eyes resting on her back.

Bianca was the only one left in bed with her. The curls of her bright, golden hair were strewn messily across her face, creating a beautiful image of a woman.

"That's a nice face to wake up to…"

Bianca smiles as she leans in. "Don't flirt with me so early."

Celeste pushes her away by her forehead. "I am most certainly not flirting, you just want an excuse to say I tempted you… and before I've even washed my face, no less."

"What can I say? Eye boogers and messy hair are a part of your charm."

"My gosh…" Celeste covers her face in embarrassment.

Bianca envelops the mature woman in her arms, and for a moment they are silent.

Celeste quietly inhales the scent of cocoa butter wafting off Bianca's neck.

Her body was warm and inviting. The soft curves and firm muscles were the undeniable best of both worlds. Celeste almost felt as if she was going to melt away in her embrace.

"I guess the others beat us up beforehand, huh?" Celeste murmurs after a long silence.

"A bit." Bianca shrugged. "Joanne just got up a few minutes ago. The others were already gone when I woke up."

"Busy day then? A bit embarrassing that I was the last one to wake." Celeste sighs. "I'd imagine Malachi was out of here early to look for Morgan..?"

"Knowing him, I wouldn't deny the possibility." Bianca admits. "I was surprised he even came to bed last night."

Celeste's cheeks turned red as she recalled just how Malachi and Joanne had come into the room, as well as the next two hours that followed.

Bianca seems to easily recognize the look on her face.

"Thinking about something nice?"

Celeste turns away. "Don't even think about it… I'm still sore."

"I just asked a question!"

"It's so funny how the questions in this marriage usually lead to me having my legs in the air."

"I can always bend you over instead."

Celeste felt a pair of warm lips grace the nape of her neck. A small shudder raced down her spine.

"No." Celeste said firmly.

"I'm just saying I love you, babe."

"With your hand on my ass?"

"Well, I do love all of you. Don't want to leave any part out, you know?"

Celeste rolls over again, her eyes narrowed.

"I should've known this is what my life would turn into when I married three twenty-year-olds."

"Are you trying to act as if I didn't watch Luna make you whimper a couple days ago?"

Celeste pouts. "…I did not whimper. I was counting sheep."

"Oh, my mistake." Bianca smiles as she leans in.

The kiss is sweet and gentle. It rouses Celeste's body from its lethargy and stokes a small itch between her legs.

When Bianca pulls away, her frown has deepened even further.

"…One round. Be gentle."

Bianca grins as she reaches for the bottom drawer of their nightstand.

Celeste catches sight of a familiar strap-on and a bottle of lubricant.

As Bianca pulls off her oversized t-shirt, Celeste realizes that her wife hadn't heard anything past 'one round'.

An hour later, Celeste was lying on her stomach, her body covered in sweat and trembling like a leaf.

Bianca slowly pulls out of her, eliciting a very real whimper.

"Had enough?"

Celeste nods weakly.

Bianca unstraps herself and licks away her wife's juices in immense satisfaction.

"Bath or shower?"

"B-Bath…" Celeste answers breathlessly.

"Your wish is my command, my love."

Bianca takes Celeste into her arms and lifts her off the bed.

She carries her into the bathroom like a princess, a novelty that is not at all lost on Celeste.

Once inside, Bianca places her wife on the ottoman gently before turning to the bath.

She turns the water on the highest setting, watching it fill up the tub as steam rose into her face.

"I like bathing with you." Bianca hums. "You're the only other one who likes the water temperature on hell like me."

"Mmm.." Celeste stirs, drunkenly. "Add some Epsom salt if you- Kyaa!"

Bianca heard a scream, and then a splash.

She whirls around instantly, unsure of what has alarmed her wife.

The first thing that hits Bianca's nose is the smell.

It's strong. Incredibly so.

A liquid pools between her toes, and Bianca raises her brow in alarm.

"Is this… gasoline?"

She looks at Celeste and finds her lying on the floor, a look of bewilderment on her face.

The ottoman that she placed her on only moments prior is now gone.