The gates to Kikidori's castle creaked open with a low, demonic moan, like the stone itself was groaning from the pressure of holding back ancient evil. Haruna didn't flinch this time. Not as much, anyway. Her sandals tapped softly on the obsidian floor as Kikidori led her through towering halls lined with portraits of long-dead sinners and victories of infernal battles. There were chandeliers made of charred angel bones, stained-glass windows that shimmered with screams instead of light, and carpets woven from mortal regrets.
Despite the morbid décor, Haruna couldn't help but whisper, "This place is… oddly beautiful."
Kikidori smirked. "Told you. It's homey in a 'murderous nightmare' kind of way."
They made it to his chambers, a sprawling gothic expanse that overlooked the Blood Ocean. Haruna stepped inside, eyes wide. A bed big enough for ten, covered in black velvet and demonic runes. Shelves of cursed books, swords still dripping with dried angelic ichor, and a skull-shaped record player softly playing some infernal jazz tune.
Haruna sat down on the edge of the bed. The mattress was softer than clouds. "This… is surprisingly comfortable."
"Yeah," Kikidori said, flopping next to her, "it's from a luxury torture brand. They flay the souls with feathers until they confess all their secrets and stuff that into the stuffing."
She blinked. "That's—"
"Hell," he grinned. "You get used to it."
Haruna looked around again. Her eyes landed on a wall-mounted painting. It was old, cracked by time and flames. In the image: a tall, regal demon with wings of fire and a gaze like the beginning of time. A woman of darkness with beauty that could kill. And a child—black-haired, sharp-eyed, wild grin. Kikidori.
She said nothing.
But she understood.
"You don't have to say anything," Kikidori muttered, noticing her eyes. "Just… don't go all therapist on me."
She chuckled and laid back for a second. "I'm just trying to wrap my head around how *this* became part of my life."
"You think it's weird for *you*? Imagine being raised by Satan and the first woman cursed by God."
As if summoned by the name alone, the doors to the bedroom **slammed open** so hard the walls cracked.
**Lucifer.**
His silhouette stood in the doorway, wrapped in flame, his wings massive and dark as the void. His eyes—golden, glowing, furious—fixed straight on Haruna. Behind him, the hallway scorched with every step he took.
Haruna sat upright. "Oh no."
Kikidori groaned. "DAD. Could you *knock* for once?"
Lucifer's voice was a low rumble, like an earthquake trying to sound calm. "Why… is *she* here?"
"Because *I* brought her," Kikidori snapped, standing between them instantly. "We were just *talking*."
Lucifer sneered. "You expect me to believe that when I can smell her *grace* from the fucking hallway?"
"Smells better than brimstone," Haruna muttered.
Lucifer's eyes narrowed. "You dare speak to me, little dove?"
Haruna stood, glaring back with as much confidence as she could muster. "I didn't fly into Hell for a fight. But if you want one—"
"Alright, *stop*," Kikidori growled, throwing out his arms between them. "Dad, back off. You're not killing my friend."
"Friend?" Lucifer hissed. "You mean the one you've been *sneaking around Heaven with*? The one you're *sleeping with*?"
Haruna flushed. "Okay WHOA. First off—"
"Okay maybe," Kikidori mumbled.
Lucifer's flames spiked, licking the ceiling. "This alliance will bring war, boy. You think Heaven will let this go? You think *Hell* will accept it? You're not just sleeping with the enemy—you're betraying everything we stand for."
"I never gave a shit about what we stand for!" Kikidori shouted. "I never *chose* to be your heir!"
"You think this is about choice?" Lucifer growled. "This is about *legacy*. Blood. Balance. If you keep defiling our bloodline with that *holy light*, I will—"
In a blur, Lucifer stepped forward, hand raised. The flame formed into a blade mid-air.
Haruna gasped. Too fast.
But before the blade could strike, Kikidori's hand *snapped* up and grabbed his father's wrist.
The flames died.
The entire castle *went still*.
"You try that again," Kikidori said, voice low and trembling with rage, "and I'll shove that sword so far up your ass, you'll breathe fire out of your eyes."
Lucifer's mouth twitched. "You dare threaten me?"
"You dared threaten her."
They stood, locked in a silent war of eyes. For a moment, Hell itself seemed to hold its breath.
Then Lucifer laughed. It was cruel, cold, and ancient. "You've changed, my son."
"Yeah," Kikidori said. "I've started thinking for myself."
Lucifer stepped back, the sword vanishing into flame. "Fine. Play your little romance. Pretend it doesn't make you weak. But when the heavens fall and the legions march—don't come crawling to me."
He vanished in fire and shadow.
Silence.
Haruna let out a long, shaking breath. "What the actual *fuck* was that?"
"Dad," Kikidori muttered, flopping back onto the bed. "That was him *trying* to be civil."
Haruna sat beside him, hands trembling just a little. "I can't believe he was going to kill me."
Kikidori looked at her, eyes softer now. "He won't. Not while I'm around."
"…Why?"
He hesitated.
Then shrugged. "Because... you're kind of my favorite sky bitch now."
She punched him lightly on the arm. "Dick."
"You love it."
And for the first time in a long time… Hell felt a little less cold.
The End of Chapter 36.