It was funny how in the time of crisis, so many people flocked to places of faith. The blonde just scoffed. At least it made it slightly easier for him to sneak into the cathedral. Although while the front was open, the accepting and sheltering abbey for the faithful, it wasn't afforded the same security as the more official areas. The commoners were only afforded empty words and misleading promises that were tied to sermonic conditions. Then there were areas, which were only accessible by those who mattered, the higher-ups, the planners and the plotters. Basically, the ones the church would truly protect. Hierarchy. Everything led to a ladder that one had to climb if they sought power. But some were smart enough to know ways to skip a few rungs...

A sack of cloth held all the required ingredients for what the young man had in mind. He shook it once, with a slightly gleeful childlike curiosity, if his plan succeeded his power would be unparalleled... Looking as humble and anxious as the others, he made his way into the church. He ducked into a corridor, in an attempt to get deeper into the church, for his little ironic summoning, he wanted to conduct the ritual in an inner chamber at the very least. After much sneaking around and a few run-ins with the church's aggressively fierce, he managed to scout out the perfect location. It was a bit of an abandoned dungeon, the kinds that people probably conducted some masochistic penance rituals... Since there were some old post and chains hanging around. The room was a little dusty, he could assume it wasn't used that much anymore, he wondered how long ago that service became unavailable.

Carefully he took out all the items from the bag and methodically placed them on the floor. He opened the book he'd indefinitely borrowed and followed the instructions. The sigil was easy enough to draw. Then the candles were placed in their respective spots. Then he placed the crucible in the middle. Victor's intelligence had been a boon, he was quick to learn and practice the various complicated chants he'd have to recite, while throwing in the ingredients into the vessel, and lighting them up periodically...

He lit the candles and the process began. After hours of soft relentless chanting, Victor's throat was parched, but his effort was probably being rewarded. The flames in the crucible grew... The room was engulfed in a brighter orange hue, which gleamed in Victor's eyes. It was almost time, a few more minutes and the contents of the vessel would have ripened.

Just as my own vessel ripens... thought another being... waiting for the priceless moment.

The flame grew... And grew. Every passing second Victor's eyes shined brighter as he waited in anticipation to make a deal with the devil. He wondered what Lucifer would demand in turn for some more power, were there certain tasks he'd need to accomplish maybe? Victor felt a great deal of kinship with the allegedly vainglorious demon. The angel was made to fall from the heavens simply for being right. It was because the gods feared Lucifer's insight, his wisdom and his charm that they disbanded him, particular because Lucifer had knowledge of his own precious gifts.

It was simply the truth, that some beings are created better than others, some could work hard and become better, but a universal disparity did exist at the point of conception. If one was aware of the fact that they were among the better few and that meant they were proud, then it was no sin, it was knowledge, like any other. There was nothing wrong with Lucifer for recognizing that and he had been unfairly denied the luxuries and comfort the others were bestowed with.

Victor would do what he could to help the demon attain his own rightful glory. Upon identifying himself with this demon, it was just a matter of time before the young man attempted making a deal... Today was the day, an opportunity had come and laid itself at the man's feet. He heard scuffling and some shrieks of horror somewhere above him, probably more bad news had been delivered to the hopelessly faithful, to the cowards that sought refuge from the church. He just scoffed and shook his head as he continued chanting, with more vigor now as urgency poured out of him... Then as the fire seemed sufficiently large, he said the final word, the incantation.

'Superbia'

And then there was nothing, everything went black, he felt his consciousness drain out of him and he felt his knees buckle underneath as he crumpled to the floor...

---

Why do they always have to fall?

The disgruntled being pulled his vessel back into a standing position, drawing the man to his full length as he held up his neck. The demon stretched into the frail human body, humming softly.

Not bad. Not bad.

The demon thought, at least the body was well kept, the appearance much like his own apart from the difference in the length of their hair and the nasty thorns the gods had left atop his head and a stupid reminder... It didn't take long for him to be gifted with another vessel, Lucifer was luckier than the others, not to mention he was granted the opportunity to meet the vessel that he had discarded previously, for the boy had gotten too cumbersome. Nice of him to pay a visit... Lucifer cleared his throat. 'Enter. We have much to talk about, I'm sure.' he cooed softly, referring to the boy if one could still call him that, who lurked outside in fear. Lucifer set himself on an ornate chair that had been set up to watch those poor souls that were willing to torment themselves to atone for some created and perceived sin... He crossed his legs as he waited, the location was quite fitting.

'Disappointing, but you did always lack foresight. You indeed should have known that my return was a given. Kind of you to follow your instincts and come and greet me, however.'

The demon said, maintaining that trace of superiority. Despite everything, the boy had sought power by emulating Lucifer's strategy follow in the demon's footsteps, albeit in a slightly different manner. A human's form and power is limited no matter the shape... Fragmenting his soul, to store it in some object, to feel permanent... to feel immortal, was an unwise choice. Tch. Lucifer thought as he waited for Odin to explain this unceremonious reunion.

There was no way to read the boy's expression, but having been privy to his most secret desires and having access to his soul while it matured into the man he was, had taught the demon enough. A sneer stretched on the face of the body he's acquired. In the dim light of the fire that still sat in the crucible near at his feet, lent a glimmer to his red eyes. He scoffed softly and extended his hands, in a condescending welcoming gesture, like the Lich was only here because Lucifer allowed it.  

'Oh dear Odin, I'd say it is nice to see you, but I'd be lying...'

The demon's voice echoed through the dungeon. With slightly narrowed eyes he continued scanning his previous vessel's current form. The tenacity of that boy! To have destroyed the container that the shard of the demon's soul had once sat in... That body had been sacred and Odin had so easily defiled it, traded it for power, where was the honor in that? Lucifer shook his head, gently.

'Even you can't disagree, you're not a very pleasant sight, can't really say you've never looked better, son.'

The voice was laced with enough contempt to send his message across. But since his previous compatriot had sought him, there was a curiosity in the proud demon's demeanor. His gaze betrayed his revulsion at the grimace that had found a permanency on the creature's face, the green hues of his soul, barely contained in its new exoskeleton. He left my company for this, this is his idea of power? The demon thought, now tapping his fingers against the arm of the chair.

Lucifer shrugged at the man's quip but graced it with a soft chuckle. 'You say arrogance like it is a crime.' Lucifer's chuckling grew louder, intensifying as it echoed against the wall, he responded smoothly, leaning forward with a little intrigue. It seemed like his old vessel had earned himself a few more updates since the man had shed his human body. It appeared to be that he was neither in awe nor in fear of Lucifer's presence.

He took a moment to bestow a pretentious and mocking concern into the words that followed. 'Rest assured, if you were ever a victim of such baseless violence, it was because my words were still issued from your face...' It was a stab at the boy, for denying Lucifer enough access, the kind that would have slowly allowed the demon to resculpt the human, into a more attractive being, into himself... Maybe Victor would prove easier to mould given his inclinations and existing similarity.

'Now, it was quite a disappointment that you chose that... fleshed-out look' he said, deliberately pausing before fleshed-out, to accentuate the mocking undercurrent that layered all his words. 'over the appearance, I could have granted...' Lucifer reminded, as Victor's head shook slowly. The demon sure knew how to make everything about himself. His keen eyes still remained on the wispy creature. Lucifer would have much preferred to continue their witty repartee, so long as the Lich kept things interesting, the proud soul had time, before his vessel was entirely ready for the missions he had to accomplish, enough time to lend some to the lost soul who had wandered in here...

Then the atmosphere darkened considerably as Odin dropped the facade Lucifer had come to enjoy. The demon sighed and clicked his tongue. 'Oh Odin... Odin...' he said with exaggerated patience. 'Missing foresight again lad, at best you'd inconvenience me... a little...' Lucifer said, watching the man's movements like a hawk. The flame in the crucible flickered. 'Do you really think I'd channel my entire being into a new vessel just because he... asked?' The proud man reiterated as he casually leaned back on to the chair again, challenging Odin to waste his powers on reanimating a power-seeking human.

'I wouldn't be surprised even if you went through with it nonetheless, you did always lack honor in fighting, it is just worse now, cowardly... hiding your soul in objects, fighting powerless vessels.'  Lucifer continued clicking his tongue.

Lucifer had known things wouldn't go well, he had anticipated Odin wasn't just here to talk, that part didn't even take a genius. It probably couldn't have been helped regardless of whether Lucifer had chided him or not. Nonetheless, the demon had a small sense of optimism that neither of them would have to resort to violence, perhaps even that was too far-fetched. Besides, the demon was well within his rights to rebuke the lich, Odin had made some bad choices and someone had to tell him so.

He wasn't sure what finally tipped the scale since the creature had seemed pretty thick-skinned, or rather hard-boned when Lucifer drew attention to his appearance. Something must have ticked... While there weren't any cues via his expression when he finally cast his spell and the obedient reaver stood by his side. Odin had earned enough of a soft spot for him to at least steer his vessel into a standing position, just out of a latent sense of respect, that stemmed from the pride he had in his honor.

With a soft sigh, he pulled himself off his make-shift throne to face the new opponent. In the vessel's current state, Odin's victory was almost inevitable, Lucifer hoped things wouldn't come to a point where he would have to lose the worshipping man who had invoked his presence... There were ways, so long as the two worked together and had the sense to avoid the lethal blows.

'So it shall be... Are you not even fighting? I suppose you'd say the vessel isn't worth it... But calling upon the undead doesn't absolve you of the dishonor... and it is still borrowed power.' the demon said, in an even tone. Calmly, he drew attention to the fact that the boy's actions were contradictory to his ambition. The demon kept his eyes rooted on to the lich instead of the skeleton he had called upon. This delay was going to be rather inconvenient... The vessel would probably succumb to the smallest injuries, however, what may look lethal, wouldn't be... So long as Odin didn't feel the need to go overboard, there was a way to salvage the human.

Lucifer merely rose his eyebrows, as they froze, in a picture-perfect moment. A gentle smile stretched across his lips as Odin deterred from attacking the demon lord. The skeleton reaver dissolved into the darkness just as he had appeared. The proud abyss-dweller felt an itch that he didn't usually find the need to scratch. It was some sort of a curiosity that he felt a compelling need to indulge, it must be a quirk of his vessel, he mused. He felt a little vulnerable, like a slave to a need... Maybe he and Victor would have to find a way to curb it later. For now, he really wanted to know what exactly made Odin change his mind. He tapped his foot as he attempted reigning it in for now.

Lucifer knew better than to just ask, he waited to sift through the information the lich provided himself. The blonde man nodded sagely, at the explanation. There was a simmering appreciation for his previous vessel's alleged wisdom. 'I see...' he said simply. Narrowing his eyes briefly as if attempting to scan the skull of the creature to assess the real motive behind his decision. It seemed, unlike the Odin he knew, to not want to showcase his power.

He cocked his head towards an empty chair in the corner. 'Make yourself comfortable and we can have ourselves a little chat after all...' The demon lord spoke, his words littered with less condescension now. There was honor in recognizing the worth of the lich, despite the circumstances that lead to Odin choosing that form.

When Odin asked the question, Lucifer lifted his hand and stretched out his fingers, like he was putting it through the armhole of a vest. He wriggled his fingers now, like slipping on an invisible glove. 'It feels a like... new clothes.' the man responded with a chuckle. His gaze hardened momentarily, as he offered a less frivolous answer 'I think he might be a better fit, but it is too soon to tell...' the demon's voice was still accommodating. 'What about you, Odin... How has this new form been treating you?' Lucifer counter questioned. It probably was not easy with the way people relied so much on appearances to form their opinions and to pick up on social cues.

'It was a little more than that, perhaps in terms of how you humans- well you're not a human, -but your souls process things, it is...' Lucifer tried explaining it better since he sensed Odin's curiosity and while he didn't really owe anything to his previous vessel it felt fair to explain. Well, according to the demon Odin still owed something to him, because the boy had ridden on his shoulders, faced most of the world with that abandon, knowing he had the borrowed power from the sin of pride to aid him. But then, Odin too had lent him the body and so the access to earth... Was that really considered even? 'It is like wearing a suit... with a mind of its own, you could say...' Lucifer added, smiling with mild amusement at the question.

He listened attentively as Odin explained his own transformation. He knit his eyebrows when the lich mentioned the consumption of food when it wasn't necessary, that sounded like a waste of time and resources. However since his ex-vessel had declared no interference, Lucifer would extend him the same courtesy. He opened his mouth to speak some more, but he noticed a weariness in his new vessel. He lifted his hand a little over the arms of the chair, as they hovered he noticed that there was a gentle trembling in the muscle. Hmph. Lucifer thought, a little disappointed that his vessel had not handled their little transaction too well.

Lucifer cleared his throat and readjusted his position. His demeanor changing enough to betray a fair sense of urgency. The demon tried to assess the lich, to figure out if Odin had picked up his worry. He didn't quite want his old vessel to see him struggle but despite Victor's valiant efforts, Lucifer wasn't sure if the boy was ready to handle his power yet. He was of the stronger and smarter variety, driven and disciplined too, from what he could tell, but Victor clearly had never faced any real adversity and that made him somewhat... complacent perhaps... The clearing of the throat now became a gentle cough, which escaped his lips despite Lucifer attempting to suppress it.

While he had Odin here though, he did want to know how things had proceeded. 'So, is this the first grand attack that has been conducted, since your... choice to abandon me, Odin?' he asked. Much like the ex-vessel, his voice was devoid of contempt now, he merely sought to understand the progression of this interesting piece of land. To seek avenues perhaps... 'How did your side fare?' he added. The demon was sure he may have to cut this conversation shorter than anticipated, but he'd wish his new vessel to hold on as long as it could, it was... a test of sorts in itself.

Lucifer would have liked to witness more of the battle that had taken place. Perhaps it was because he had his own pieces in the midst of it all... But there was time for that detail to matter and to play its part in the course of events. Today really had been a rather opportune day that the vessel had chosen. It was too bad, that the process of shredding his soul and granting a part of it to the boy, took away the opportunity to assess more of the actual attack and the way it progressed.

So the demon lord hoped Odin would answer as honestly and descriptively as he could. The lich did not exactly disappoint, at least on the first account, it seemed. But Lucifer wanted to prod for more details. That Crowley had emerged victorious, that was good indeed, the first rung of the ladder had been scaled. Lucifer's hand rose to his chin as his mind ventured into the territory of the future... The possibilities that may await him. But he was too smart to be the kind of demon who counted his chickens before they hatched.

'Good man, to back, this Crowley? The new king?' Lucifer asked, clearing his throat and repositioning himself in the chair again. There was a slight strain in his voice, he was betraying too many signs of weakness for his liking, he was sure his ex-vessel would notice them soon if he hadn't already. Would Lucifer be able to bring himself to make demands perhaps? Given the condition of his vessel, he decided on just gleaning more information about Odin himself. 'Am I to assume out of... lack of things to interest you, you are going to choose to serve him, then?' Lucifer asked, leaning forward with a little interest as he waited for the answer.

Odin's chucking was hollow, perhaps destined to be perpetually mirthless. Victor sighed softly and narrowed his eyes at the lich, but cracked a smile at his silly conjecture. 'Slim.' the demon said, frankly and monosyllabically, still struggling. 'to none...' he added, emphatically stressing on the last word. He could sense a soul when he co-inhabited a body with it, ill-prepared souls or those that didn't share at least a large fraction of the demon's vision would never be able to endure, while Victor was struggling, he had already done better than most others could. Despite the channeling, the man had been able to provide this body for the little encounter this long...

'Words are just words, we will have to wait for his actions.' Lucifer agreed. He had a small measure of insight, on Crowley, but he didn't feel the need to share that detail. He hoped Arthurias, or Crowley or whatever name the human was going by as the king, would indeed win the love of the people, it would make his achievement grander then. Perhaps it would justify the means he took to get there. Lucifer, of course, did not judge him for his use of force. Force was an essential component to change the inertia that Fiore had assumed.

The blonde demon narrowed his eyes as the Lich went onto explain that he'd chosen to guard the king. The demon just smirked, he wondered if this would peg the two against each other at some point. But he didn't say much. He sighed softly but didn't berate the bony creature. Instead, he just left his thoughts as an open-ended suggestion, since Odin had called a truce, it'd be churlish to remind him of his lack of foresight yet again. 'That does serve your ends, to appear more palatable by serving the new just king, but it could backfire...' Lucifer said calmly, breathing deeply to attempt supplying his vessel with air, so he could sustain just a little longer.  '... It could shed some light, or in this case shadows on the king, making it more difficult for him to emerge as a good man from his murky ways, perhaps you could give it some more thought, Odin.' It was a suggestion, for Odin's own good, he hoped the man did dwell on it.

It was a pity that the Lich knew parts of the demon's mind, just as well as the demon knew Odin's psychology. He'd given away too much already, the ex-vessel could tell that things had reached their conclusion. Lucifer couldn't push Victor anymore, he would risk breaking his new vessel, delaying his won plans. 'Indeed, my dear boy. I must take my leave, but truly, it was kind of you to show up. I hope we meet each other again, in... better circumstances.' the demon finished. Rising from his chair and stepping off the small pedestal. He walked past Odin, almost extending his hand to give the Lich a friendly pat on the back, but he changed his mind. Swiftly he opened the door to the catacombs and sped through the channels to find a location to rest, perhaps deeper in the belly of the large cathedral. Meeting Odin had been an interesting turn of events indeed, he would like to keep a close eye on that lich.

==Exit==