The mountains, the valleys, the paths carved into the rock.

  Everything here reminded Abigail of her long-ago family holidays in the mountains.

  Never before, however, had she had such a view, traversing the orographic labyrinth, perched atop Adramelech's back. On her way to Lilith's abode, she was accompanied by two Infernal Generals, one of whom, flying nearby, mounted sidesaddle on her broomstick, was the witch Leonard. Her hair flowing in the wind, majestic in both her attire and her clothing, she was exquisitely beautiful, so much so that in other places and times, Abigail would likely have invited her. Nevertheless, she did not fail to converse with her, questioning her.

  "Tell me, Leonard?" she called out, watching the sorceress approach. "I wanted to ask you: why don't you use your wings to fly? I mean, you look splendid on your broomstick, no doubt about it, but I was still wondering."

  “So many compliments,” Leonard chuckled. “Well, it has often happened that the imagination of the men and women of your world inspires us celestial beings. So, when the first tales of witches riding broomsticks reached our ears, we tried it. With time and practice, the mages adopted this mode of transport, just as swift though less mobile, but undeniably stylish. You see, I even had my broomstick custom-made. Now, I very rarely use my wings. Does that answer satisfy you, Abigail?”

  "Yes, thank you," replied the woman addressed with a big smile.

  " Hey ! If anything's going to happen, it won't be on my back!" Adramelech warned them, turning his head towards Abigail. "I'm telling you, I won't have any qualms about ratting you out."

  "Don't worry, Abigail, I'll be there to catch you."

  Leonard assured her, moving a little closer. Ever since she had stood up to the Infernal General she was riding, Abigail found the witch much more likeable, which delighted her. Since their first meeting, she had constantly thought that the witch hated her.

  Suddenly, Adramelech moved away from Leonard and slowed their pace; they were approaching Lilith's residence. Straightening up, Abigail discovered a veritable villa clinging to the mountainside. Within a framework of marble and metal, countless bay windows dotted the dwelling, its style reminding the human of the architect-designed houses she had encountered during her time as a police officer. Even the helipad suspended above the void was there, housing an outdoor living room whose furniture, bolted to the ground, didn't budge despite the blast of Adramelech's arrival.

  Finally, Abigail was able to reach dry land, and turning towards the house, she discovered how the long windows allowed her to glimpse the interior. The empty hearth of a fireplace in the center of the living room, surrounded by upholstered sofas, promised long evenings with friends, a promise reinforced by the open kitchen leading to a long table lined with chairs, the latter perfectly aligned with the others. Alas, no one seemed to inhabit the place, which nevertheless appeared quite pleasant to be in.

  Having regained her human form, Adramelech passed Abigail and led their small group toward an entrance on the right side of the house. Carved into the rock, a passage led to a landing and its metal door, set back from the wall. Silently, the metal panel pivoted as they approached, sharing a questioning glance with the trio, who entered cautiously. The door closed silently behind them, forcing Leonard to momentarily leave Abigail and Adramelech. At the other end of a corridor punctuated by doors lay the living room, from which the human could see their landing terrace. Alas, here too, there was no sign of life. As if the universe had heard her and wanted to prove her wrong, footsteps could be heard. Although Abigail initially believed in Leonard's return, she froze when she discovered Lucifer on the other side of the room, a reaction also shared by her friend and the man accompanying him.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Space and time seemed to warp, and while time slowed, space itself grew heavier. In the oppressive atmosphere, Abigail watched the Devil and his Infernal General slowly approach each other. A smile flickered across Lucifer's face, a moment before a fist slammed into him, violently pushing him back. Flying across the room, the monarch struck one of the few walls without glass, cracking the concrete. While reassured by the structure's solidity, Abigail watched as Adramelech reached the Devil, grabbed him by the collar, and hurled him across the living room once more. Leaping through the glass enclosure surrounding the fireplace, Lucifer continued his run into a sofa, which flew through the air on impact. Although the Father of Dragons didn't intend to stop there, he was nonetheless halted by a powerful uppercut, forcing him to take a few steps back to recover. When he tried to return the blow, Adramelech found his arm seized by Lucifer, who then threw him over his shoulder with a remarkably human judo technique. The ground cracked at the impact. With a swift movement, the Infernal General rose and lunged at the Devil, who was already in a fighting stance. Lucifer caught Adramelech's fist, but was parried in kind, and the two men froze in a contest of strength. Then, suddenly mirroring each other, the combatants clashed headbutts and were knocked back by the impact.

  A shout behind her startled Abigail, and she turned away just before a woman with fiery hair passed her. Welding goggles perched on her forehead, oil stains blending with her freckles, her anger did nothing to diminish her allure. The tools on her belt clinked with her vindictive steps, swaying against her ochre leather outfit as she broke off the fight.

  “Oh! Damn it, stop that right now! Where do you think you are? Adra, for God’s sake! Do you know how long it took me to build this place? And you, over there!” The moment she turned to Lucifer, the newcomer’s words died in her throat. Though fear made her take a step forward, Abigail felt Leonard’s hand hold her back. Slowly, frightened, the redhead approached Lucifer and extended a trembling hand toward his face. With his eyes closed, Lucifer let her fingers caress his cheek and only opened them when, in a voice as uncertain as her fingers, the woman asked him if he was really there, if he too wasn’t an illusion of her mind. Placing his hand on hers, Lucifer then promised the woman called Lilith that he was truly there. Abigail then felt her heart tighten until it hurt as she watched the Infernal General throw herself in tears into the arms of the Devil.

  It took a long hour for Lilith to dry her tears, curled up in Lucifer's arms on the sofa where he had carried her. When she finally calmed down, she explained how relieved she was to see him again, how much she had missed him in the short decade. Perhaps that was why she didn't let go of his arm when Lucifer came to present Abigail to the Infernal General. Unfortunately, her own joy at seeing Lucifer again had been overshadowed by Lilith's, and the human could only respond to the fallen woman with monosyllables.

  Soon, the fallen angels gathered in a circle from which Abigail felt excluded, to the point that she stepped away and watched them, her back against a wall, arms crossed. It didn't take long for Lucifer to glance at her and then excuse himself from his companions to join her. His gesture brought a smile to her face, which she tried her best to hide when he approached her, not wanting to appear so desperate.

  "Is everything alright?" Lucifer asked. "Do you need some space?"

  "No, no, don't worry," Abigail rebuffed him, still annoyed by the situation.

  "That's not what it would seem," he noted, worried.

  "Because you can read minds now?" she retorted, almost aggressively.

  “Abigail… Please tell me what worries you so much,” the Devil insisted, leaning back beside her. “I know we’ve only known each other for a short time, but you are nonetheless very important to me, as is your well-being. Don’t shut yourself off from me, I beg of you.”

  “But… it’s just that…” The Devil’s words had taken her by surprise, and, hurt, she struggled to find a reply; which she did, though in a much gentler tone, “It’s just that… Are you sure we can trust them? I like Leonard, you know, that’s not the point, but… Judging by how Adramelech reacted, perhaps your other Generals share his opinion. Perhaps they’re no longer loyal to you.”

  “I prefer to be naive and believe the opposite without reservation. Adramelech’s blows were only further proof: I must make amends to them,” confessed Lucifer, rubbing a bruised cheek. “We’ve been through so much together that I refuse to believe they could have betrayed me.”

  "I hope you're right... Let me see?" Abigail asked, stroking her friend's cheekbone. "He didn't miss you. Tell me, Lucifer..."

  "Yes?" he interrupted.

  “Do you think that-“

  "Hey you two!" Lilith interrupted mockingly. "Care to stop turning this into a private confessional! Pun intended. But seriously, share with the group instead of amongst yourselves!"

  "That's what I intended to do. That being said, Lilith, don't you think we should tidy your living room first?" remarked the Devil. "We've made quite a mess of it."

  "No, you think ?"