Chapter 15: Let there be Lux.
Rigal PhenexPhoenix Roost, NJ, USA
“Ew ew ew… This is disgusting,” Serling complained. She was wrist-deep in Abra Kadabra’s guts. His ribs had been opened wide, discounting the part of his chest I’d shoved my foot through. “Why am I doing this? I’m not even a biologist.”
“No, you’re a nanorobotics engineer and software developer,” Victor agreed as he did his best to untangle the cadaver’s cybernetics from its organic bits. “Unfortunately for both of us, you happen to be the best assistant available.”
“Your wife wouldn’t mind helping.”
“Nora is a gem, but I would prefer to keep her away from this sort of thing.”
“Wasn’t one of the goons a retained nurse?”
“You would trust the Dealer’s standards for medical competence?” he asked, brow arched.
“Ugh, yeah, fair enough.”
I grinned ear-to-ear as I watched my two mad scientists bicker like children. At this point, I was pretty sure Victor saw her as an annoying little sister. This was probably how nerds bonded in captivity.
Abra Kadabra was future-man, as in he was literally from the future. He was so obsessed with the mystical arts that he traveled to the past so he could pass off his technology as magic. And for the most part, he succeeded. After all, a caveman would look at a plane and call it sorcery.
We’d already dismantled most of the gear he had on his person. He seemed to especially enjoy using drones and a wand. He also had internal augmentations that interfaced with his tech, which was what allowed him to control his drones with such precision. Who knew what other augmentations were considered normal by his era?
“So, how’s he looking?” I asked cheerily. I munched on a burrito from a nearby food truck, steak and beef tongue. “Find anything interesting?”
“How are you eating next to a cadaver?” Serling complained.
“Eh, I’m the one who made said cadaver. Besides, I’ve seen enough bodies to not lose my appetite.”
“You’re disgusting.”
“No, I’m hungry.”
Victor rolled his eyes and brought us back on topic. He gestured to the pint jars of blood on the counter. “Despite Serling’s whining, we did in fact find something. If you examine his blood, you can see that he’s received extensive biological augmentations along with vaccinations for every major disease we struggle with today.”
“Huh, so in the future, they have fixes for a lot of things humans don’t. Kind of like how you lot don’t really have smallpox or polio outbreaks these days?”
“Precisely. Just the blood samples alone are worth a fortune in medical research data. I… If I had this sooner, I could have cured Nora myself. How ironic, that the cure would fall into my hands when I no longer require it.”
I quieted at that. “Damn… I’m not sure what to say about that. Luck’s kind of a bitch that way.”
“It was not a complaint, boss. If anything, I am grateful. I can now pursue this research without the fear of consequences for my beloved. Pure, scientific discovery. How long has it been since I felt such a thing?” he whispered wistfully.
“It’s not just the blood,” Serling chimed in. “His tech, the way it interfaces with biology without rejection, it’s incredible stuff. I’m pretty sure he’s been exposed to rejuvenating nanites for one reason or another. They’ve largely been flushed from his system, but the traces are there.”
I took another bite. “Rejuvenating nanites? Like the sci-fi stuff that can keep you young forever? How old is he, then?”
“Oh, he’s still young, probably in his late twenties, early thirties. Those nanites can be used for mundane injuries as well. Imagine that, Rigal. The future is so advanced that normal chumps like him can afford medical-grade nanites for basic injuries like broken bones.”
“He did come back in time by at least a few centuries. I’m pretty sure he’d have to be quite wealthy to do that, so he might not be a nobody.”
“Fair point. Still, the future looks bright for humanity. Even the most basic stuff here is a decade ahead of modern technology at a conservative estimate.”
“Eh, depends on how you define ‘modern.’ Aliens exist, remember? I’m pretty sure Superman’s ship is on Earth somewhere so he’s also got tech that likely rivals Abra’s. Then there’s Cadmus, STAR Labs, and whatever Lex Luthor has cooking up in his basement.”
“Conventional technology available to the layperson. Happy, Rigal?”
“Quite. That said, keep in mind that this is his future. Time is a bit funny like that, Serling. His future might be forever out of reach simply because he arrived here at all.”
“Hmph, you can’t let a girl dream, can you?”
“Fine, fine. I’ll leave you eggheads to it. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
X
Chuckling, I left them behind and headed back to my office. They were the experts; my interests lay in magical research so I was happy to sit back and let them tinker. Besides, I had more important concerns at the moment.
I polished off the last of my burrito and threw the wrapper in the trash. Max was on the couch, flipping through some young adult novel while desperately trying to ignore the nugget of kryptonite sitting on his chest. He may be a kryptonian devil hybrid now, but he was still a kryptonian in the end.
“How’s resistance training going?” I asked my kid bro.
He let go of his book and let it flop onto his face. The coffee table had half a dozen more such books. “Ugh, this shit sucks.”
“The books or the rock?”
“Both. Why are all these books about broody, magical boys with revenge plots? It’s always vampires, werewolves, or revenge-obsessed heroes modeled after Batman. Or somehow all three.”
“Because you got your book recommendations from your last client, who happens to be a teenage girl working at an indie book cafe.”
“She said they were for young adults,” he complained.
I chuckled. “They are. That’s just what the market looks like for young adults: sex, fantasy, and a whole lot of that angsty, ‘I can fix him’ energy.”
“You could’ve warned me. I see why Serling was laughing when I showed her.”
“I could have, but where’s the fun in that? You did say you wanted to try new things.”
“I did. I think I prefer movies.”
“Suit yourself. How’s the rock, though? Do you feel more resistant?”
“A little? It’s pretty hard to tell.”
“Yeah, well, keep moaning while reading those books and people are going to assume something very different about you, Max.” I caught the book and put it back on the coffee table.
“Fuck off, Rigal,” he grouched. His movements were stilted, probably from the burning sensation. He likened it to holy water. “Ugh, I can’t believe Superman has it even worse.”
“Depending on the intensity of kryptonite radiation, big blue can’t even get up sometimes.”
“Sucks to suck. I’m going to learn to ignore this, just you wait.”
“I’m sure you will. Keep at it, Max. I’m off to LA.”
“LA? I thought you wanted to find Constantine. Wasn’t he in Gotham? Or London?”
“I thought about it. And well, you never know how Constantine’s luck will fuck you.”
“And what’s in LA.”
“As they say, ‘Better the devil you know…’”
X
Los Angeles, CA, USA
The Devil, capital “D” mandatory, lived in the City of Angels. There was something deliciously ironic about that.
Truthfully, I wasn’t the only one who knew his little secret. The angels knew where he was. The devils knew. All the higher-dimensional conceptual embodiments certainly knew. Quite a few mages knew. I figured most gods knew as well.
The throne of Hell had been empty for quite a long time. In this slice of the multiverse, he’d ruled Hell for over ten billion years before finally choosing to “retire” to Earth. He started in Perth, Australia before moving stateside.
Really, Lucifer wasn’t so much “keeping a low profile” as no one was dumb enough to pick a fight with a demiurge. He was very much the eight thousand pound gorilla in the room. Funny, but LA might well be the safest major city in the US purely thanks to his presence here.
I wondered what it said about Constantine then that upon reflection, the Devil was quite possibly the safer option for me. At least if Lucifer decided to write me out of existence, he’d make it quick. The kind of shitstorm Constantine could get into would likely involve several lords of Hell, and possibly end up dragging in Lucifer anyway, like an infernal snowball of anarchy and bullshit escalation that no one asked for.
I teleported to Los Angeles and… visited a dog park. I fully planned to visit Lucifer, but I was understandably nervous. This wasn’t just any two-bit mage, or even a fellow devil noble. This was not someone I could consider a peer, or an existence I could even begin to understand for that matter.
This was Lucifer, the Morningstar, the demiurge who shaped this multiverse alongside Michael, Gabriel, and their father, the Presence. I saw it at the Tower of Fate. This slice of the multiverse contained entities who were far more powerful than I was used to.
Sirzechs, whose mere presence could erode all existence. Ajuka, brilliant inventor who singlehandedly fixed the Underworld’s population problem. Serafall, whose power once threatened plunged the Underworld into an ice age. Falbium, whose barriers could last against an entire legion of fallen. And then there was Issei Hyoudou, who surpassed them all with the might of a celestial dragon emperor.
Their deeds rang throughout history. Their names were still whispered in awe. I grew up on those tales. I played with the other devil kids, red cape on my back pretending I was the Crimson Satan, leading the Underworld host to battle.
Except, unlike the superheroes human children looked up to, mine were real. I could point to Kuoh, Japan on a map. I could visit Aunt Ravel for stories about her husband and sister-wives. I knew exactly where Trihexa was sealed, where the Four Satans still held it at bay. Hell, Uncle Issei bought me my first bottle of rum.
And yet, not one of them held a candle to this reality’s Lucifer Morningstar. None had helped create a multiverse. None held existence in their hands or shaped the very fabric of existence. None claimed dominion over Hell that lasted ten billion years.
I felt my hands tremble, too small for anyone to notice, but it was there. The barest facts of Lucifer’s existence weighed on me. Though the air was devoid of mana, I could imagine the eye of the demiurge judging me all the same.
Finally, after a few hours to collect myself, I headed to the Lux, the Devil’s piano lounge and nightclub. I arrived several minutes before the club officially opened. It was a classy sort of place, in one of LA’s wealthier neighborhoods. There was a line waiting outside, mostly young people, but with plenty of the older, classier crowd as well.
Here, for the first time since my arrival, I didn’t feel overdressed; the average clubgoer wore slacks, button-down shirts, and probably-too-expensive jackets. I stood at the end and waited patiently while gathering my nerves.
Survival instincts. I had them.
When I was finally allowed inside, I took in the sights. Lucifer had good taste. The decor wasn’t nearly as ostentatious as the galas my family liked to host, but any devil lord would have felt right at home here. Everything here spoke of understated wealth, subdued elegance, and wisdom born of age.
Or maybe I was projecting. I politely escaped from a group of young women who’d been flirting with me in line and made for the bar. Mundane liquid courage had no effect on me, but the woman at the bar called to me.
The bartender was gorgeous, with long, black hair that cascaded down her back. Beyond her appearance, it was the subtle illusion magic over the left side of her face that caught my eye.
This was Mazikeen, who went by Maze. She was the consort of Lucifer and his right hand. Her eyes widened fractionally at my approach, no doubt sensing the hint of hellfire in my mana.
“What’ll you be having?” she asked. Outwardly polite, but I could hear the hint of guarded warning.
“Old fashioned, please,” I said politely, sliding my card across the table. “And open a tab for me.”
“Suit yourself.”
The drink came quickly. It was good, in that classic, hard-to-fuck-up kinda way.
I wondered how Maze felt about all this. I doubted Lucifer asked for her opinion about his retirement. She chose to join him, true, but she went from Hell’s high society to just being a bartender.
I sipped at my drink and nibbled on my complementary peanuts in respectful silence. All the while, I watched the crowd. I’d made no attempt to hide, but not once did I recognize another member of the supernatural community. No mages, vampires, or any other entity. For that matter, the club had no wards, not even the most basic of proximity alarms.
Then again, the Devil lived here. He was the deterrent. It wasn’t a slow night or anything; LA’s mystical scene probably knew better than to fuck around at the Lux. I hoped to one day have this level of “Try it, I dare you,” energy.
After the initial rush of patrons, Maze dropped by again. “Tell me, are you a fool, or brave?”
I shot her my most innocent smile. Alas, she wasn’t as easily charmed as Aunt Ravel. “Can’t it be both, Lady Mazikeen?”
“‘Lady,’ huh? I don’t think I heard much of that even in Hell.”
“You serve at the Morningstar’s right hand. Is that not worth a title?”
“A silver tongue, how appropriate. I prefer Maze. Another drink?”
“Yes, please. A warm pretzel too, if you don’t mind.”
She complied. The pretzel was great, with that perfect sprinkle of flaky salt and a cup of grain mustard. “If you’re waiting for him to give you the time of day, you’ll be here a while.”
“I assumed so, yes,” I said agreeably. “He is likely here somewhere, but he is so far beyond me that I cannot even sense his presence. Thus, all I can do is wait patiently.”
“Is that right? You’re an odd one. Most of our kind would have demanded his attention.”
“One does not demand things of the Morningstar. All I hope to do is to pique his curiosity.”
“They’d call you a coward.”
“They would. And what do you call me?”
“Wise,” she smirked. She gestured to an older gentleman on the piano. “There he is.”
“Oh? I wasn’t sure if that was just a normal musician or not.”
“You’re free to go to him whenever you like.”
I shook my head. “Retired or not, he is the king. Far be it for me to disturb his fun. I will wait here if it’s all the same to you.”
“You know he is retired, but you’re here anyway. What did you say your name was?”
“Rigal Phenex, scion of the Marquis Phenex of the Ars Goetia. It is my utmost privilege, ma’am.”
She scoffed. “You’re laying it on too thick. But fine, kid. Wait here and he’ll see you eventually.”
X
“Eventually” turned out to be the tail end of the night. It was well past midnight when Lucifer finally stood from his piano bench. He found me at the bar and sipped the martini Maze had ready for him.
He looked like any other gentleman. He belonged in one of those “most interesting man in the world” commercials that Dos Equis put out. Even now, sitting right next to him, I couldn’t get the slightest whiff of the supernatural from him.
“Hello, Lord Lucifer,” I said softly. I didn’t think he’d appreciate it much if I bowed. “I am Rigal Phenex, of House Phenex.”
“So I heard,” he hummed. “I never was fond of the bowing and scraping, even back in Hell. It’s just Lucifer now. You aren’t even one of my subjects.”
“No, I suppose not.”
“Oh? Not surprised?”
“A little, but if anyone could tell in this world, it would be you.”
“Now that’s interesting. You’re far too weak to have crossed the Source Wall on your own,” he said plainly. Across from us, Maze heard the subject and froze. It would have been funny in any other circumstance.
“You’re right, of course. The humans here call me mighty, but I am nothing before gods or concepts, less still before you and your extended family,” I said with a deprecating smile. “I have no power to navigate the Dimensional Gap, never mind cross the Source Wall.”
“Well, color me interested, little bird. Here is a story I’ve not heard. How did you manage that?”
I saw no point in being coy. Truthfully, he could easily rip the truth from my mind. “I had help from the conceptual embodiments of my own slice of the multiverse.”
I pulled out a slip of paper I’d prepared in advance and presented it to the retired king. It was a copy of course, but nonetheless precious beyond compare. It contained the ritual matrix that brought me here.
The original spell was the result of a collaboration by some of the greatest in my world. Uncle Issei bribed the Dragon of Dreams and supplied the power. Aunt Rossweisse crafted the theory and penned the matrix in her own hand.
All because I was curious about the worlds beyond, because it was my birthday. I was loved more than words could say and this ritual proved it. It was among the most valuable spells ever designed in my slice of the multiverse.
Well, it was valuable to me. Lucifer Morningstar was one of the few who could cross the Source Wall as he pleased. To him, my presence was just that, a curiosity, an entertaining story he’d yet to hear.
Lucifer took the paper. He read it and chuckled softly. “Clever. Truly clever. Whoever designed that must be an impressive mage.”
“She’s quite possibly the best in my reality,” I said honestly. After all, Aunt Rossweisse was the one who designed the spell needed to seal Trihexa.
“I can imagine. Conceptual Dream to lock on to a desire in your heart. The power of a dragon god to send you across. It’s impressive stuff, really. My compliments to the spellcrafter.”
“Aunt Rossweisse would be honored.”
“This explains the how, but not the why. Why are you here, little bird?”
I shrugged. “I like superheroes.”
“Really.”
“Really, really.”
“Hahahaha!” Lucifer threw his head back and guffawed. “You’re serious. You crossed the Source Wall because you ‘like superheroes.’”
“It’s true, Lucifer.”
“Haha, I know, and that’s why that’s the funniest thing I’ve heard in millennia. A devil, a devil lord at that, braved the Source Wall and my father’s wrath because he admires heroes.”
“I don’t know how devils are here, but where I come from, we are creatures of desire,” I told him. I polished off my drink, only for Maze to give me another glass as if she’d been ready for it. “My aunt loves anime. A friend is obsessed with robots. Our Leviathan is in love with magical girls. We pursue our passions without reservations. It’s just how we are.”
“No wonder father let you by. ‘I like superheroes,’ he says. You’re just the sort of odd duck he likes.”
“Considering the alternative, I’m rather glad you find me entertaining.”
“Very well, then. Entertain me,” he said. The night was winding down and the staff began to usher patrons outside but none dared disturb us. “Tell me of your world. I admit I’m rather curious. Then, if you manage to amuse me enough, I’ll hear what you might want from me.”
“That seems fair to me, Lucifer. First, allow me to begin with the nature of reality in my slice of the multiverse…”
Author’s Note
It’s back! Sorta… We’ll see…
I’m not sure what Abra Kadabra has, but it did deserve a small scene. I’ll get back to him at some point. His tech should be a huge upgrade for Victor, and possibly Serling as well.
We’re fully in AU territory. I don’t think I quite captured Mazikeen’s character, but this is good enough. At this point, just treat this as yet another AU of DC, with YJ as the primary inspiration. There will be more characters who don’t show up in YJ.
Animal Fact: Snail shells can be hairy. Interestingly, hairy shells are a trait that is most commonly found among snails that live in humid environments. Smooth shells are correlated with dry environments.
For such little guys, protein structures like hairs are quite expensive in terms of resources so if such adaptations exist, it’s usually because they have a purpose. It’s thought that hairy snails use the cohesive property of water to help them stick to their plants and lost the trait when they moved to more arid regions.