Path of the Extra

Azriel let out a tired sigh and raked a hand through his hair, seeming—suddenly—more relaxed, which only made Jasmine tenser.

’What is wrong with him…?’

In a blur, Azriel moved behind her, resting his chin on her shoulder as he sighed again.

’Fast… I never thought he could get this fast. I could barely follow him with my eyes…’

“See, this is the kind of bullshit I have to deal with every time,” Azriel murmured into her ear, taking on the loose, resigned air of someone who’d accepted everything.

’Seriously, what is wrong with him?’

“I invite a god, and the Devil shows up instead.”

“…The very fact you were trying to invite a god is already absurd on its own,” Jasmine muttered back, eyes fixed on Lucifer, her tone edged with displeasure.

’Is he a girl? He has more mood swings than most girls I know…’

“So, are you here to confirm whether I’m really the Son of Death?” Azriel asked, still leaning his chin on Jasmine’s shoulder, using her as a prop.

’Wait… his face is hot, but his body’s freezing. Does he have a fever? He told me he had one before he went to sleep… another one? Again?’

Lucifer didn’t move. He simply shook his head.

“No. The moment I saw you, I knew. You truly are him.”

He was smiling, but his dark eyes were utterly serious when they met Azriel’s.

“It is truly an honor to stand before you—”

A panel flashed in front of them.

[“The Fourth Authority” regards “Lucifer Morningstar” in utter shock.]

[Why are you here? Are you not aware of the rules anymore, Lord Lucifer? Entering the “Judged Realm” is only for those judged of the mortal realm, not a god like you.]

“Blame yourself for creating a scenario in this realm that I find more interesting than all the others,” Lucifer said matter-of-factly. His eyes went cold as he stared at the panel with open disgust, as if at some crawling thing.

Azriel’s voice cut in.

“How did you enter the scenario? Did you fool Pollux somehow?”

’Pollux… he said that name before…’

Jasmine listened, intent on missing nothing.

Lucifer looked back at Azriel. The smile remained, but his gaze sharpened, focused.

’He looks at those strange panels and at Azriel with entirely different feelings…’

“No. The Great Divine Star Spirit Emperor, Pollux, knows I’m here right now—and that I’m speaking to you.”

“What—!” Azriel’s eyes flared with shock and fury; his teeth ground audibly.

’He looks truly rattled… I feel useless for not understanding anything!’

“Then go kill him! Isn’t that what you gods want!?” Jasmine flinched at Azriel’s shout, so close to her ear though he hadn’t moved.

’Why does he call the Devil a god, not an angel? Am I missing something? Is he not actually the Devil?’

Despite the outburst, Lucifer didn’t anger.

“Because he’s hiding somewhere beyond this planet now—afraid—like a coward. I never thought I would stand this close to the presence of the Last Divine Star Spirit King, Emperor Pollux, in my life. Even as a copy with only a fraction of his true power, he still surprises me.”

“He’s hiding…?” Azriel’s smile twitched—somewhere between amusement and disbelief.

’Divine Spirit King? What the hell… what is really going on in this scenario?’

Jasmine wanted to speak, but where would she even begin?

Another panel blossomed into the air.

[Lord Lucifer. Leave. Now. Before the scenario ends prematurely due to your actions.]

“Huh?” The smile fell from Lucifer’s face.

A horrifying pressure slammed down on them.

“—ugh!” Jasmine collapsed to her knees alongside Azriel. In the same heartbeat, Azriel poured more mana into his aura, wrapping them both.

’I can’t breathe… I can’t even move a muscle. What is this ominous aura!?’

“Threaten me again,” Lucifer said softly.

“It will be the last thought you have. You will not end this scenario. Too many gods are watching—waiting for you to resume the stream. And if you choose to end it, it will end alongside your life. As I said before, the fault lies entirely with you.”

[… It was “The Second Authority” who told me to create a scenario of this planet. I was unaware the Great Divine Star Spirit Emperor was on this world once upon a time… or that you had a public interest in this scenario…]

“That is not my concern,” Lucifer replied.

He turned back to the two siblings. Instantly, the pressure vanished. Jasmine dragged in air, trembling, glaring at Lucifer through it—but she couldn’t hide her fear.

Lucifer’s smile returned—gentle, almost curious. His eyes settled on Jasmine, and a shiver ran through her. He tilted his head.

“Say… have we met before?”

’Huh? Is he talking to me, not Azriel?’

“Your face—your… soul. Why does looking at you remind me of someone I once knew? How… odd.”

“The only devil I’ve met is my little brother. Unless you’re him, this is the first time I’ve seen you,” Jasmine said as she and Azriel rose to their feet.

“How rude,” Azriel murmured, composing himself far faster—perhaps because of the difference of experience when standing before behemoths like this.

“I see,” Lucifer replied, though he didn’t look convinced. His gaze slid to Azriel, and his eyes hardened again.

“Emperor Pollux is hiding because of my presence, but I doubt he’s finished with what he wants. As he is an enemy of the god-race, I will ensure the conditions are set to kill him. For now, you have my word: I will not allow the two of you to come to harm.”

“Me?” Jasmine blurted—then winced.

“You are clearly dear to the Son of Death,” Lucifer said.

“He is the reason I am here; naturally, you fall under my protection. Are you the Son of Death’s lover?”

“My older sister,” Azriel corrected at once.

For a heartbeat Lucifer’s eyes darkened, clouded—then cleared.

“There is a daughter of Death…? No. She is not—but… ah. I understand. No matter. My aid stands.”

’This is strange… Why is he so cooperative—so willing to help?’

Azriel seemed to share her thought.

“And in return?” he asked.

“Return?”

“I’m about to make a deal with the Devil. There’s always a price—especially when you’re helping this easily.”

Lucifer’s smile widened a fraction. He placed a hand over his chest and bowed with elegant grace.

“Only that you allow me to protect the two of you—even at the cost of my life.”

Both Azriel and Jasmine blinked, stunned by the sincerity of it.

’Perhaps the Devil isn’t so bad after all…?’

Maybe the stories were exaggerated.

“Sure,” Azriel said simply.

A gust ruffled their hair. They turned to see Lucifer at the open window, wings unfurled, smiling back at them.

“Now then, I’ll go sightseeing. Fear not—Emperor Pollux cannot fool me with his little tricks, and the moment I sense him set foot back on this planet, I’ll be there to handle everything.”

[Wait, Lord Lucifer, how is it possible for you to have entered the Great Divine Star Spirit Emperor’s spell in the first place?]

“Heh.” Lucifer smirked.

“He cannot trick me. But I most certainly can.”

His smile faded. He looked squarely at the panel, lifted a finger, and pointed toward Jasmine and Azriel.

“From here on, ensure these two are not watched by the gods—unless it is through the perspectives of the other participants.”

[Why?]

“Because I said so. You’d do well to listen—your greed has broken many rules, rules made by you and the other tyrants. You should have ended the scenario the moment you realised you’d created a copy of Emperor Pollux. Even if it’s only a fraction of his true self, that being could—if the legends of his are true—break easily out of the ’judged realm.’ Who knows how many of our people would die then? Be grateful I’m being merciful to you right now.”

[… Very well.]

It seemed the Fourth Authority had stopped resisting and simply accepted the Devil’s command.

[The Son of Death is already under such effect, but I will ensure the same—for this scenario only—for the human called Jasmine Crimson.]

“Good. Then I will take my leave. I… hope the two of stay in good health—”

He vanished before they could answer, gone in the blink of an eye.

“What just happened?” Jasmine breathed.

“Honestly… I have no idea. How is the Devil a better person than most men I’ve met in my life?”

Jasmine ground her teeth, then forced herself calm. She pressed her lips together and fixed Azriel with a look.

“…You have some serious explaining to do.”

Azriel looked at her back, giving her a faint smile.

“Well, about that… maybe after I get some more sle—”

He collapsed mid-sentence.

“Azriel!?”

As he fell, Jasmine instantly caught him, wrapping her arms around him before he could hit the ground.

“W-what the… your fever… is getting worse…”

*****

In the middle of a desert, with no life, water, or trees in sight, Lucifer beat his wings once, twice, and dropped to the sand.

“Uhk…!”

The instant his feet touched down, his knees buckled and sank. His wings twitched; his body shook violently. His chest rose and fell as he dragged in deep breaths. Hands trembling, he pressed his palms to the grit, then lifted one—now dusted with sand—to cover his mouth.

“Fools…! All of you—moronic fools!”

[“The Fourth Authority” regards “Lucifer Morningstar” with a fearful, confused look.]

“Fearful!? Confused!? You have no idea what you idiots have done?!”

He tore his hand away and shouted at the panel, eyes wide and shaking with naked terror.

[I have never seen you this shaken, Lord Lucifer. You were fine seconds ago. What is the matter?]

“Their souls! Why?! Why didn’t you look at the participants’ souls before throwing them into the scenario?! There… there are participants who are apostles in this scenario!”

[I know of the Son of Death…]

“Not him! Others! Other apostles of the Ten Ancients!”

[Huh…?]

“I—I’m sure I sensed the Apostle of War, the Apostle of Dreams, and… and even the Apostle of Life! Even that apostle is here!”

[“The Fourth Authority”’s face begins to pale.]

[“The Fourth Authority” only did what “The Second Authority” commanded…]

[“The Fourth Authority” did not realize any of this at all…]

“He set you up to die! All of us! Ah, damn…!”

The Devil… was afraid.

He clutched his face, sweat pouring—not from the desert heat or the climbing sun, but from the sheer weight of dread beating in his chest.

“That girl… I knew I recognized her…! It doesn’t make sense, though. Her soul is—that… no, but she’s just a pitiful human at the same time? It doesn’t make sense! No—no, it does! It’s because of him! Ah, shit!”

[“The Fourth Authority” is growing truly frightened by your behavior.]

“You should be…! You really should be scared! We’re all doomed now!”

Lucifer squeezed his eyes shut. The way he shook was almost childish—but he couldn’t help it. Those dreadful words, that dreadful voice, that dreadful face, that dreadful aura, that dreadful being—he remembered that day as if it were an hour ago, a memory that had haunted him ever since.

———”Do you seek power? Right now, you are no one. But if you wish for it… I can make you someone they cannot overlook. Someone to be feared. Someone to be recognized. Someone to be respected. I can give you the opportunity—the chance to earn the name I once took from the devil… Lucifer Morningstar. If you are strong enough, you will survive and obtain the name. But if you are as weak as they all believe you to be… you will die, and your soul will be mine. Do you wish to make a deal with me?”

———”Y-yes! I’ll do it. No… no matter what it is, I’ll do it!”

———”Good answer. All you have to do in return is simple. Your powers will one day be of use to me. So create a soul vow with me, and when the right conditions are met, you will know. You will come to me… and use your power to unseal me.”

That day, all he could do was kneel, lips tasting dirt before that presence. And yet—despite the terror—he made the deal. Since that moment, he had never felt such fear… until today.

His throat tightened. He coughed, face gone pale.

“…I… I did well, didn’t I? I acted the way he wanted, right? I admit—when he said that girl was his sister, I might have slipped, but he won’t come now and kill me… right? He said to unseal him—that means his powers, but does it mean his memories are sealed, too? No… someone like him—that’s impossible. It’s an act. That’s it. All of this was just his act. If I’d truly messed up, he would have killed me on the spot. Yeah… that’s it. He might be watching me right now… I don’t know what Emperor Pollux wants with him, or how the conditions are suddenly now after so long met. I only feel that the time is close… and the soul vow led me to him. I wonder what he’s doing now..?”

He hadn’t even understood it himself until he stood face to face with the Son of Death. The moment he met those eyes, every instinct screamed to run.

[Lord Lucifer, are you speaking of the Son of Death? This level of panic is unbecoming of a god of your status. The Son of Death, though high in status, is weak and powerless.]

Lucifer flinched.

“You’re wrong… It’s an act. He’s fooling you all! He will destroy this realm—and ours—if we make one stupid mistake!”

[Are you perhaps speaking of another “Son of Death”?]

Lucifer lifted his head. The face he turned toward the panels would have frozen any god in place: tears tracked down his cheeks. Beautiful, yes—but the sight of Lucifer Morningstar weeping left the Fourth Authority wordless. Gods did not cry. Lucifer did not cry. And yet, for the first time, the Fourth Authority felt panic truly take hold because of his face.

The next words hissed from the Devil’s mouth and shattered what calm remained.

“You don’t understand! ’Son of Death’ is just one of his many titles! He is entirely independent of the Goddess of Death—and to be feared as much as, if not more than, her! He… he was once, long ago, known as… Azrael..!”