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Chapter 35 - THE GRAND HALL

*Scene: Lucifer's Castle – The Grand Hall*

*Elegant obsidian pillars tower high, glowing faintly with demonic runes. Aisha and Dani, walking side by side, are approached by high-ranking guards who bow slightly as they pass. A loud trumpet-like horn blares announcing Lucifer's return.*

*Dani (smirking):*

"Showtime."

*Aisha (excitedly):*

"Finally! I've waited *forever*."

*They dash like teenagers sneaking into a council meeting, storming through the long carpeted hallway toward Lucifer's chamber. The massive double doors open with a heavy creak, revealing Lucifer – tall, regal, and perpetually unbothered – already walking in with two advisors.*

*Lucifer (raising a brow):*

"Aisha? In *my* realm? Did Modeus fall asleep, or did you finally learn how to sneak past his paranoia?"

*Aisha (hugging him lightly):*

"Uncle, it's... *urgent*."

*Lucifer (sighs, to his guards):*

"Of course it is."

*He waves off his advisors and gives them a moment. Aisha doesn't wait a beat.*

*Aisha:*

"I need to know where my brother is. No one is telling me. And I know you know something. Please."

*Lucifer (expression unreadable):*

"You think I'd betray my brother's secrecy that easily?"

*Aisha (pleading):*

"Uncle—"

*Lucifer (cutting in, with a slight smirk):*"The wind of the Underworld passes through every gate… but there is one place it never reaches."

*Aisha:*

"Huh?"

*Dani (groans):*

"Here he goes again with the poetic riddle nonsense..."

*Lucifer (turns to leave):*

"If you understand that, you'll find him. If not... well, you'll probably storm another realm and break a window somewhere."

*He walks off. Guards close the chamber doors.*

*Aisha (blinking):*

"What does that even mean? *The wind passes through every gate... but not one place...?*"

*Dani (rolling her eyes):*

"Classic Dad. Could've just said 'He's somewhere none of us can track', but nooo, let's go full cryptic scroll mode."

*Aisha (seriously):*

"...You think he's dead?"

*Dani (bursts into laughter):*

"What?! Girl, please. If Modeus is dead, then I'm a vegetarian angel."

*Aisha (frowning):*

"Then kidnapped?"

*Dani (mock gasp):*

"By who? Who's got the gall—and death wish—to bag Modeus Morningstar like a lunchbox? He probably *let* himself disappear."

*Aisha (deflated):*

"So you're saying… he *wants* to be gone?"

*Dani (shrugs):*

"Looks like big bro's on a secret solo trip. And Daddy just confirmed it with a riddle buffet. We just need to figure out which 'gate' the wind doesn't pass."

*Aisha:*

"...That better not be code for Earth."

*Dani (pauses):*

"Oh no. No no no no. If Modeus is slumming it in the *human* realm... you're never gonna hear the end of it."

*They both stand quietly, tension thick in the air.*

*Dani (grinning):*

"Welp. Let's get snooping."

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