I'm The Devil - Chapter 285

Chapter 285: Family Meeting

Lucifer ascended through the shifting layers of Hell, each step across the scorched obsidian stairway reverberating with a subtle power that kept the chaos of the realm at bay. The air grew heavier as he reached the upper halls of his dominion, where jagged arches stretched impossibly high, framing the smoldering skies of fire and ash. At the center of this grand expanse sat his throne—a towering structure of dark stone veined with molten gold, its edges carved with intricate patterns that seemed to pulse faintly with an inner light.

Lucifer approached with a measured grace, his black boots striking the floor in rhythmic precision. As he sat, his wings unfurled slightly before settling around him like a mantle of shadows and light. His crimson gaze swept across the empty hall, his expression unreadable yet tinged with a subtle edge of calculation. He rested one elbow on the armrest, his long fingers tapping lightly against the cold stone as he contemplated the warning Satanael had whispered.

“Seeds of rebellion… from within the throne itself.”

A flicker of irritation crossed his features before vanishing beneath his mask of composure. Doubt was not a luxury he allowed himself, yet tonight it gnawed at the edges of his resolve. His siblings had been restless—Moronuel’s cunning smirks, Amiel’s veiled bitterness, even Bariel’s awkward affection—they all carried undertones he could no longer ignore.

“Enough,” Lucifer muttered, his voice low and commanding. With a flick of his wrist, a crimson flame burst to life in the air before him, its light shifting and coalescing into a sigil that pulsed with raw power. He spoke a single word—one that resonated through the halls and across the infernal plains.

“Come.”

—

The first to arrive was Coriel, the sin of sloth. She emerged through the shadows, her movements languid and unhurried as though she had all the time in eternity. Her pale skin glowed faintly in the dim light, her violet robes trailing behind her like liquid twilight. Her purple eyes, half-lidded with disinterest, swept over the throne room as she approached. She gave a slow, elegant bow, her hair cascading over one shoulder.

“Brother,” she drawled, her voice low and silky, carrying a hint of amusement. “Summoning me from my respite? How cruel.”

Lucifer’s gaze remained steady on her, his expression betraying nothing. “Sit, Coriel,” he commanded, his tone cold but firm. She smirked faintly, reclining into a chair that formed from the shadows as though the act of standing a moment longer was too much effort.

Next came Bariel, the sin of gluttony. His broad frame moved with surprising agility for his size, his heavy armor rattling softly with each step. He scratched the back of his neck as he entered, his golden eyes darting nervously around the room. His rugged features were set in a frown, though his lips twitched into a sheepish smile when he met Lucifer’s gaze.

“Evening, brother,” he said gruffly, his deep voice carrying a note of unease. He shifted awkwardly, his hands fidgeting at his sides. “Didn’t think it was anything serious… right?”

Lucifer gave him a sharp look, and Bariel’s smile faltered as he took a seat, muttering under his breath about how meetings were “never a good sign.”

Amiel, the sin of envy, arrived next, her movements precise and deliberate. Her emerald-green robes shimmered like serpent scales, clinging to her lithe figure as she glided into the room. Her black eyes burned with an intensity that matched her sharp, angular features. She inclined her head stiffly toward Lucifer, her expression neutral, though the slight tension in her jaw betrayed her irritation.

“You called, brother,” she said, her voice cool and clipped. Her gaze flickered to Coriel and Bariel, lingering a moment too long on Bariel’s nervous fidgeting before she took her seat, her posture rigid and controlled.

Moronuel, the sin of greed, entered with a swagger, his silver eyes glinting mischievously as he surveyed the gathering. His tailored black and green ensemble shimmered faintly with an almost otherworldly sheen, the gold accents catching the dim light as though eager to flaunt their value. He offered Lucifer a mocking bow, his smile sly and knowing.

“Lucifer,” he said smoothly, his voice rich and honeyed. “How rare it is for us to be graced with a family reunion this quickly, especially when we just left an occasion just recently. What an… occasion.” His eyes flickered with amusement as he took a seat, reclining with a casual confidence that set Amiel’s jaw tightening.

Finally, Asmodeus, the sin of lust, appeared in a swirl of crimson light and heady perfume. His dark, flowing his framed a face of unearthly beauty, his piercing black eyes glimmering with an intensity that seemed to draw the air from the room. His movements were slow, deliberate, each step exuding an air of seductive power. He offered Lucifer a sultry smile as he approached, his voice a low, melodic purr.

“Beloved brother,” he murmured, his gaze lingering on him as though weighing his every thought. “What is it that troubles you so?” He took his seat gracefully, his eyes darting briefly to the others, his smile widening as he noted the tension in the air.

—

Lucifer let the silence stretch as his siblings settled, their various energies simmering in the space between them. He leaned forward slightly, his crimson eyes burning as they swept over the room, pinning each sibling in turn with an unwavering gaze. The weight of his presence was palpable, the flickering torches dimming slightly as his power rippled through the air.

“You all know why you are here,” he said finally, his voice calm yet laced with a quiet authority that demanded attention. “The whispers of discontent have grown too loud to ignore. Satanael has stirred from his torment, and his words carry the stench of treachery.”

He paused, his gaze sharp as it landed on Moronuel, whose smirk faltered ever so slightly. “I will not tolerate rebellion,” Lucifer continued, his tone colder now, “not from him, and certainly not from any of you.”

The tension in the room thickened, each sibling reacting subtly in their own way. Coriel’s smile faded as she shifted slightly in her seat, her expression unreadable. Bariel swallowed hard, his golden eyes darting nervously between his siblings. Amiel’s fingers tightened around the armrest of her chair, her lips pressing into a thin line. Moronuel raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning, though it lacked its usual confidence. Asmodeus, ever composed, tilted her head slightly, her violet eyes glittering with interest.

“Now,” Lucifer said, his voice a deadly whisper, “let us talk openly. I will know the truth.”