LUCIEN'S POV
As I walked through the base, a wide smile tugged at my lips. The effect was immediate—fallen scattered, lowered their gazes, or froze in place the moment they noticed the seal resting at my waist.
Fear.
Respect.
Power.
It was intoxicating.
This was what I had always wanted—to be seen, to be feared, to be untouchable. And this was only the beginning. Soon, I would be far more than this. Far more than any of them.
I was lost in the thought when I sensed movement behind me.
Slow. Careful. Hesitant.
I turned.
A fallen stood a few steps away, shaking visibly. His wings were drawn tight to his back, his head lowered as if even meeting my eyes might earn him punishment. He approached with unsteady steps, each one filled with dread.
I didn't speak.
I simply watched him.
As he came closer, walking toward me, he swallowed hard.
"S-sire," he stammered. "Master Asriel calls for you."
Hmph. I thought. He won't even let me enjoy my moment.
I groaned quietly. "Very well. Lead the way."
The frightened fallen nodded quickly and turned, guiding me up the stairs and back toward the office. When we reached it, he pushed the door open and gestured me inside.
"Master Lucien is here, sire," he said, bowing deeply before slipping out and closing the door behind him.
I turned to Asriel. "Well, I'm here. I heard you called for me."
His back was to me. He seemed focused on a vial in his hand, tilting it slightly as he inspected the green liquid sloshing inside. The sight of it made something stir in my mind.
That vial… it looks familiar.
"Yes," Asriel said at last, turning to face me. A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes. "Let's execute the plan we had before Malvrik interrupted us."
"You remember this, don't you?
The key to regaining Clara's memories."
And then it clicked.
That vial—it wasn't just familiar. It was essential. It was meant to help us carry out our plan… the plan to revive Clara.
"Good," Asriel said, his voice smooth. "It's good you haven't forgotten."
He stepped closer, placing a heavy hand on my shoulder.
"Now," he continued softly, "let our reign begin."
His smile was terrifying—cold, assured, absolute. It sent a shudder through me.
But I smiled back.
Because in that moment, all I could think about was power—about ruling, about domination, about standing above Heaven itself.
I was ready.
Ready to reign over Heaven.
Ciel's POV
"So speak," I commanded, staring down at the intruder.
He hesitated—uncertain, terrified. His eyes darted away from mine as doubt crept across his bruised face. Second thoughts. That wouldn't do.
"I hope you didn't call me here to waste my time," I said coldly. "Because if you did, you'll be in far worse condition than you are now."
He flinched, swallowing hard.
"I–I'll tell you everything I know," he said, his voice shaking. Then his expression shifted—fear hardening into something darker. "But only if you promise me one thing."
"And what is that?" I asked.
"Promise me you'll make sure that bastard Lucien—and that traitor Asriel—burn in Hell."
I studied him in silence. Deep hatred burned behind his eyes. Personal. Dangerous.
But I didn't care.
"Only if you give me something worthwhile," I said.
A slow, twisted smile curved his lips.
"Oh," he replied softly, "I'll give you something far more than worthwhile."
I straightened.
"Then begin."
Lucien's POV
"Make sure she drinks it," Asriel said, pressing the vial into my hand. "Right in front of you. And make sure she tells no one."
"Alright," I replied, gripping the vial tightly.
"There's one more job I have for you," he added calmly.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Take care of Malvrik—before he starts spilling any secrets. Though I doubt he knows much," Asriel said with a faint smile. "Still, just in case… get rid of him."
"Alright," I said again, this time smiling wider.
That bastard would finally die by my hands.
The thought alone filled me with pure ecstasy.
"Well then, that is all," Asriel said. "If you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
He turned back to his documents as if he hadn't just sentenced a man to death.
I smiled and walked out of the office, my pulse racing.
Not only was I about to take another step forward in our plans—I was finally going to kill Malvrik.
Things were turning out perfectly.
And today… was going to be fun.
Clara's POV
Hours passed, yet Ciel still hadn't returned.
The weight of my thoughts and emotions pressed down on me until I could barely breathe. I rang the bell, and not long after, Auriel slowly opened the door and bowed.
"Where's Ciel?" I asked.
"He's busy interrogating your attacker," she replied.
My heart dropped instantly. Just hearing that word—attacker—made my chest tighten. The memory rushed back, sharp and painful, and my worries only deepened.
"You may leave," I said quietly.
She bowed again and left.
I needed air. I needed space.
After Auriel was gone, I slipped out of the room, opening the door softly. As I walked through the halls, I noticed guards posted at nearly every corner.
He increased the security… because of me.
A small smile tugged at my lips despite everything. The thought of Ciel protecting me like this warmed my chest.
Eventually, I found my way to the garden.
It was beautiful—especially tonight. The air felt cool and freeing, the moonlight spilling softly over the flowers. For the first time in hours, I felt myself calm… just a little.
I wandered deeper into the garden, breathing slowly—
Then I heard it.
Struggling. Shouting.
I turned sharply toward the entrance and saw the guards fighting someone.
Fear slammed into me.
No… not again.
Had my attacker escaped? Was I about to be kidnapped again?
My heart pounded wildly as panic surged through me. I screamed.
One by one, the guards were knocked to the ground. My breath caught as the figure stepped forward, emerging into the light.
I stopped screaming.
My heart leaped.
"Lucien…" I whispered.
It was him.
Relief flooded through me so fast my knees almost gave out. Without thinking, I ran straight into his arms as he came closer, happiness and excitement overwhelming every other emotion.
"Lucien," I gasped, staring at him in disbelief. "You're here."
I couldn't believe it. After everything—after so long—he was really standing in front of me.
"I'm so happy to see you, Clara," he said, smiling sweetly. "You have no idea how much I've missed you."
My chest tightened with relief. This was it. This was the moment I had been waiting for.
I wanted to tell him everything—my fear, my confusion, the memories that didn't feel like mine, the way this place both terrified me and felt strangely like home. I needed answers. I needed him to tell me this was all wrong, that there was still a home to go back to.
Lucien will explain everything, I thought. He'll make it make sense.
But then he reached into his cloak and pulled something out.
A small vial.
Green liquid swirled inside it, faintly glowing in the moonlight.
"Here, Clara," he said, pushing it into my hands. "You need to take this. Right now."
I stared down at it, my happiness faltering. Something about it made my stomach twist.
"Why should I take this?" I asked, lifting my eyes to his.
"I can't explain," he said quickly, still smiling—but there was urgency behind it now. "It'll protect you. From their tricks."
I tightened my fingers around the vial, then loosened them again.
"No… Lucien," I said, shaking my head. "I need to talk to you. About home. About everything—"
"No, Clara." He cut me off, his tone firmer now. "There's no time."
He stepped closer.
"Please," he said softly. "Just take it. It's important."
Something felt wrong.
"Lucien, this place—" I tried again.
"I swear," he interrupted, his voice low and intense, "one day I'll answer all your questions. I promise."
His eyes locked onto mine.
"But first," he said, pressing the vial back into my palm, "you have to drink this."
He was doing it again.
Coming here. Giving me commands. Refusing to answer my questions. Then leaving me behind with nothing but fear and vague half-truths.
I was sick of it.
"Why not now?" I asked sharply.
"What?" He frowned, clearly caught off guard.
"Why not answer me now, Lucien?" My voice trembled, but I didn't stop. "Why do you always do this? You tell me what to do, then disappear and leave me stranded."
The words spilled out before I could stop them.
"Where am I? Who are these people? What's going on? What about my parents? Why am I having memories that don't feel like mine?"
I stared at him, breathing hard.
For a moment, he didn't say anything.
He looked… shocked. As if he hadn't expected me to fight back.
Then he smiled.
"Clara," he said softly, "all you need to know is that you shouldn't trust these people. They're demons. And I'm going to take you home. Okay?"
The same vague answer.
The same avoidance.
Something inside me snapped.
I felt tired. Angry. Exhausted in a way that reached my bones.
"And what about you?" I asked quietly, locking my eyes with his. "Can I trust you?"
His smile faltered.
Just for a second.
But I saw it.
Fear.
Shock.
The look of someone caught in a lie.
My heart froze.
Can I really trust Lucien? I thought.
And that single question sent my mind spiraling into darkness.