"General Lucifer."

Glowing, purple eyes immediately shot up, staring at a four-legged creature with brown fur, an eagle's head and giant wings. The creature remained in the air, appearing startled.

"Why have you halted?" the General sneered, making his creature servant flinch slightly, unsure of how to respond to the General's indignant tone. "King Satan has clearly ordered us not to reveal ourselves!"

"My… my apologies, my lord. It's just…" the startled creature stammered, unsure how to proceed.

General Lucifer was having none of it. "Speak", he ordered impatiently, "and you better have a damn good reason for seeking my attention, griffon."
A ball of purple light formed in his pale palm. "I have no room for inattentive servants in my army. And neither does King Satan…"

The griffon servant let out a squeak, its expression utterly terrified at the prospect of meeting a gruesome end for the crime of displeasing the General, and thus the King of Demons by proxy.

"Of course, my lord. Apologies, my lord." the griffon stammered once more before pointing at a large fire to its right. "I sense a powerful presence amidst that fire, my lord. It could be of great interest for us."

Lucifer turned around to look into the direction the griffon pointed him to. The stench of smoke ascended into the air. A village was burning to the ground – what was left of it could hardly be called a village anymore. Upon inspecting the area closer with his inner eye, he could make out a scarlet haired, young child-

"Say, what exactly is our location right now?" the General inquired, earning a confused look from the griffon.

"Sloan Village, my lord."

"Why is a human village randomly burning to the ground?" the General inquired further, his voice betraying much annoyance and danger.

"I.. I do not know. My troop surveyed that village very often, thus that powerful presence is no stranger to me." The griffon trembled, taking note of the hidden accusation. "I-I can assure you, neither me nor my troop had anything to do with the catastrophe you are witnessing now."

Without saying any more, Lucifer lunged himself towards the village's location, paying no mind to his griffon servant.

"Wait for me, my lord!" the griffon wailed, following his superior just as rapidly.

The pitiful state of the village was even more pitiful than Lucifer initially thought. No houses were standing anymore, the stench of ash and sulphur apparent everywhere. The flames only seemed to rage on without relent or mercy.

Lucifer walked on undeterred, knowing that such ordinary flames could not harm him, a celestial being. Griffons were naturally resistant to human flames, being a more powerful demonic race than most that dwelled in the demon world.

"My lord!" the griffon yelled a few feet behind Lucifer, swiftly sprinting to the General's location.

Ignoring his servant, Lucifer sprinted towards a specific location, his mind's eye keeping the clear picture of the scarlet-haired child before him.

Eventually, Lucifer found what he was looking for. It was one measly girl in peasant clothes, an ordinary girl to the untrained eye. Weird, he thought to himself, the flames aren't touching her.

Lucifer walked closer, swiftly followed by his griffon servant, and knelt down in front of the girl. Her face was ridded with dirt and debris; her clothes smelt of ash and burnt wood. She felt limp and lifeless in his hands, betraying no rigor.

"Is she-"

"She's still alive. Her powerful magical presence would have ceased if she were dead." came the prompt reply from Lucifer. He rose again, carrying the small girl in his arms, and turned towards the griffon. "We're taking her back with us."

"But—my lord—" the griffon stammered in disbelief. "She is one measly peasant girl, and human. You know very well how much Sire hates humans."

"Don't mistake my actions for kindness, griffon. I have my own motives for saving this girl's life."

The griffon swiftly bowed. "Of course, my lord. Humbly allow your servant to ask of those motives." The creature only received a piercing, dangerous glare.

"My motives are none of your concern, servant."

The griffon bowed again. "Forgive my rudeness, my lord. I just cannot imagine that the King is going to be very happy about this… detour of yours…"

The griffon servant could not finish his sentence, noticing that Lucifer had leapt into the air without him.

"My lord!"

Upon arriving at the front gates of the Devil's Castle, Lucifer could hear the palace guards' and soldiers' startled and confused chatter.

"Welcome back, General Lucifer." said one winged demon soldier, bowing swiftly. "Pardon my rudeness, but who or what is that—"

"That doesn't concern you." Lucifer spoke up, loud enough to eliminate further chatter. "Is the King present?"

"Of course he is, my lord. He is in the Throne Room together with General Alciel."

Lucifer furrowed his brows. Alciel? Has he returned already?

"Interesting." he said, betraying no smidgen of surprise in his voice. "What about Malacoda, and Adramelech?"

"I haven't seen them approach the Castle yet, my lord. They must still be out on their missions." one palace guard chimed in lowly, a brutish Minotaur demon. Upon closer inspection, he pointed to the scarlet-haired girl in the angelic Demon General's arms. "Is that.. a human girl?"

"Perhaps I haven't made myself clear enough", Lucifer said dangerously, conjuring a purple magic ball in his open palm. "She is none of your concern."

With that, he threw the purple ball in the direction of the palace guard, just barely missing his neck.

"Let this be a warning to all of you." Lucifer bellowed, enough to make the other soldiers cower in fear, "You are absolutely forbidden from mentioning or harming her, understood?"

He regarded the frightened palace guard coldly. "And especially to you. Be grateful that I missed on purpose — next time you decide to meddle in my affairs will be the last time you have a head!"

All soldiers stood frozen in place, unable to move or respond out of fear of becoming victims to Lucifer's wrath.

"Why are you standing there? Get to work, soldiers, or I will personally punish you."

And they all scurried.

"General Lucifer reporting in, Sire." Lucifer intoned as formally and solemnly as possible to show utmost respect to his King. He dropped on one knee, inclining his head respectfully, daring not to look the Demon King into the eyes; that would be very disrespectful.

He completely disregarded Alciel, who was standing next to the Demon King, regarding the aerial Demon General with a critical stare. Surely the sight of that unconscious, scarlet-haired girl must have not gone unnoticed.

"What tidings do you bring to me, servant?" the Demon King's dark, chilling and somewhat growling voice sounded behind the Dark Throne, betraying dangerous impatience.

"A human girl? Sire, this is utterly preposterous!" the Demon General Alciel chimed in, pointing indignantly at the girl in Lucifer's arms. "You fiend, how dare you insult Lord Satan this way—"

"Alciel." Satan spoke louder, warning the Demon General to back off. "You will speak when I allow it."

"Of— of course, Sire. My apologies." the ashen blond Demon General said curtly, bowing deeply.

"Well then, Lucifer." Satan began again, turning his attention to the fallen angel kneeling before him, "Why have you brought this human girl before my throne? You surely do not intend to insult me, do you?"

Lucifer chuckled nervously. "I dare not, Sire. On the contrary, I bring you good tidings. If your Majesty would permit me, I shall convey them in good time." He could feel pearls of sweat drop subtly from his forehead, knowing full well of the difficult position that he found himself in.

Satan rested one of his claws upon his chin behind the veil of darkness. "For your sake, it better be good news. I can't stand the sight of these abominable creatures anywhere near me."

Lucifer flinched slightly. "Of course, Sire. As you requested, I scouted the human lands together with a small troop of griffons, taking good care not to be intercepted by any human forces. On our return we spotted a small, burning village that my men identified as Sloan Village, housing a powerful presence." He pointed to the scarlet-haired girl.

"Even for a human she is most unnatural, Sire. Human children of her age should not possess such great power naturally, and upon further studying the source of her magical potential, I concluded, without the shadow of a doubt, that it is celestial force."

Satan rose from his throne, making his gaze of curiosity visible to both generals. "Celestial force, you say?" he said as he walked towards that girl, grinning wickedly. "You think she is who I think she is?"

"The prophecy is infallible, your Majesty." Lucifer answered with a grin, tilting his head playfully. "She is that hero you were warned about. With her in our possession, there will be no one able to oppose you, My Lord."

The Devil's wicked grin grew wider. "Excellent, Lucifer, well done." He turned his attention to his ashen blond General.

"Alciel, search for Camio. He is to receive this girl into his care so that he can instruct her in the ways of magic."

Alciel felt taken back by that order. "But— Sire— if she truly is the Hero— she cannot be allowed to live! She will surely be a threat to your plans!"

"She is not the Hero right now, is she, Alciel?" Lucifer retorted, now walking towards the tall scorpion-skinned demon. "I understand where His Majesty is going with this. She is still a child, malleable, and we can make great use of her power to counter the celestial force Heaven will undoubtedly send after us."

"Sire, when I scouted the burning village, I found no survivors but her. I believe that magic was the source that killed all the village folk. This is certainly not our work, thus the culprits behind this can only be—"

"—The Church." the Devil finished, nodding in approval.

"It will be very easy to sway this half-angel girl to our side, my Lord. I have no doubt you can ensure her loyalty to our cause. If we can harness her potential correctly, she will be a formidable ally." Lucifer continued, voicing the Demon King's thoughts.

The mighty King Satan emerged from his Dark Throne, causing the heavy chains that held his magnificent, murky cape as well as his long, bronze-colored pauldrons to make loud noise. His Generals shivered at that sound, having an air of royal majesty to it.

The King of Demons took slow, heavy, dramatic steps towards the scarlet-haired girl who was probably on the brink of death. Each step he took with his heavy bronze hooves made Alciel and Lucifer shiver more and more.

"Oh my, that certainly is a twist of fate."

The girl did not even notice that the Devil's fiery, glowing, sadistic gaze was upon her.

His Angel, Her Demon

Saint Aire Empire, Isla Centrum
Circa 986 – Ten Years Later
Duchy of Elona, city of Kryta

.

It was spring in Elona, the largest and richest duchy in Saint Aire. Flowers of all vibrant colours bloomed next to the pristine, squeaky-clean sidewalks. Peasants from all over the duchy had gathered today in its largest city, Kryta, because it was a very special day today.

The Gods seemed to have blessed this day with great favour, because no cloud could be seen on the rich, vibrantly blue sky, to the delight of the peasants everywhere.

"Make way for the Duke of Elona!"

Right on cue, the peasants erupted in cheers full of adoration, praise and happiness. It was no secret that Elona's subjects enjoyed a very high quality of life and standard of living. Even the poorest peasant in Kryta had a roof over his head and ample food and drink as daily sustenance.

The peasants could see the carriage that made its way towards the ports of Kryta, the horses galloping quickly on the stony grounds. The peasants cheered louder.

Eventually, the carriage halted. The guards took great care not to let any peasant near it, not because there might be an assassin among the peasants, but because they had to follow a strict protocol.

"Papa!"

The faint voice took the guards by surprise and quickly inclined their heads. A young girl with light blonde hair and maroon eyes, dressed in light silver armor, quickly sprinted towards the carriage.

"We bid you a fair welcome, Lady Katarina!"

"Papa!" Katarina shouted again, ignoring the guards and peasants who had also their heads inclined upon her arrival.

Right on cue, the carriage opened, revealing an ashen grey-haired, bearded man with one glass on his right eye, dressed in the imperial uniform of Saint Aire, red and gold. He scratched his head nervously. It was clear by his gestures that he did not expect his daughter to arrive like this, unsupervised.

"His Grace, Duke Charles of Elona!" the guards announced the moment the duke exited his carriage, incredibly well received by his subjects who once again erupted with praise and adoration.

"Your Grace." Katarina curtseyed before her father, inclining her head and then looking into his blue eyes.

"My daughter, why have you not waited inside the manor?" he said with a frown, studying Katarina's rather unladylike attire. "And what is that attire? It is unbecoming of a duke's daughter."

"Papa, have I not told you that I plan to join the Seraph Guard?" she pouted, crossing her arms. "Our family consists of many famous fighters that have fought for the glory of the Imperial Crown. I wish to do our family proud."

"And I have told you a thousand times, no." the duke held his ground firmly, regarding Katarina with a stern look of authority. "You are coming of age, daughter. Rumor has it that His Imperial Highness Prince Lothric is looking for a bride."

Katarina sighed in frustration and shook her head at her father's words. She knew she was an enigma among the nobility. While other fair young ladies of her age concerned themselves with snatching the best-possible suitor to further their families' influence, Katarina thought about battling the enemies of the Empire – precisely, the enemies of mankind: demons. She read countless heroic stories day and night in the castle's library, fascinated with humanity's never-ending feud with demons.

She would beg her elder brother to teach her how to wield a sword and how to fight, all kept secret from her parents, of course. And her brother would always comply, albeit reluctantly.

It has been three years now since Katarina had last seen her elder brother Logan, who had then since been dispatched to the Seraph to bring glory to the Van Astrea name. Katarina had not enjoyed nearly as much freedom ever since; all focus was now on her, having to fulfil her own obligations to the family.

She had seen it long coming, and now her father made it official: Katarina was to look for a suitable groom and give up her dream of being a Seraph. All those fantasies of slaying ogres, griffons, imps and other demonic creatures would be long gone now for Katarina, who would now have to focus on being a proper Lady.

***

The Van Astrea manor was nothing less than magnificent. Katarina herself couldn't help but stare in awe every time she saw her home from the outside. As soon as the carriage was within view, two maids promptly opened a wide fence whose highest point was adorned with the Van Astrea family sigil.

A feeling of uneasiness crept up inside Katarina's stomach. She listened intently to the sounds of hooves galloping elegantly over the stony ground, trying to calm herself. As soon as that carriage finally halted before the entrance of Van Astrea manor, her father would bring her to the main hall to meet her mother, and, knowing how shrewd she was, she would probably have a potential suitor with her whom Katarina would be introduced to.

She sighed; sometimes she wishes she hadn't been born a noble, and imagined herself as a farmer's daughter. She imagined the sweet scent of wheat flaring inside her nostrils, of fruits and vegetables, of milking cows — it would be a simple, ordinary life. It would come with certain hardships that nobles simply did not know, yet she would have freedom to choose her profession. Freedom. To join the Seraph Guard, venturing to the outside world, slaying demons and bringing their heads back home as trophies. The people would sing her praises in the streets. With each battle, her name would become more and more known, until it would reach the very ears of the Emperor himself. Her name would be spoken with adoration by her people, and feared by the demons, nay, the Demon King himself.

She could practically hear the cries and praises in the streets as she returned victorious from another gruesome battle.

'All Hail the Hero—'

"—Katarina."

Promptly she opened her eyes and met her father's stern orbs. Her breath got stuck in her throat when she realized he had been watching her daydreaming this whole time.

The horses made no galloping sounds anymore – the carriage had come to a halt. And so did her dream of being a demon slayer, perhaps forevermore.

The carriage doors sprung open. A gust of wind followed, gently caressing Katarina's hair and her skin. She dared not speak a word, as etiquette required. Her father exited first, and she was to diligently follow behind him.

"His Grace, the Lord of Van Astrea Manor, Duke Charles, and his daughter, the Lady Katarina!" announced the herald.

Right on cue, every present maid curtseyed before them in unison as the Duke and his daughter walked towards the entrance to the manor.

As soon as they had entered, they were promptly greeted by two familiar presences.

"Welcome home, husband." a woman greeted him, her head inclined respectfully before the Duke. She paid no mind to Katarina, much to her dismay.

Before them stood a tall, brunette woman wearing a green dress. She donned a French pleat, wearing golden earrings and an elaborate necklace with red gemstones.

"Mama!" Katarina lamented, but was ignored. However, she felt a small hand tugging at her garbs. Looking down, she stared at a young, blonde girl dressed like a noble lady – elaborate dress and luxurious hair.

"Darling, I missed you." began the Duke's wife, "The same goes for Gabriella. She barely sees her father anymore, for he is always away."

The Duke chuckled. "Betsy, it displeases me also, but when the Emperor summons—"

The Duchess nodded in understanding. "Would you like to join us for a cup of tea at the living hall?" she asked Katarina the Duke, finally acknowledging her elder daughter. "We have a lot to discuss."

Katarina could only stare after her mother in confusion as she and her father followed her. Her thrilled tone meant nothing good for Katarina's dreams.

As soon as they were seated, Charles gestured his younger daughter Gabriella to promptly leave the hall, which she obediently did. At the same time, a maid brought teapot and three cups underneath a silver platter and promptly poured three cups.

"Dear, how was your audience with the Emperor?" asked the Duchess, taking one sip from her tea. "It seems rather unusual that he would call you to him in such a haste manner."

"The Emperor summons at will." answered the Duke, "You are correct, this summon had a rather… special reason."

He glanced at Katarina, who only averted her gaze in confusion. She knew what would come next, dreading every second of it.

"His Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Lothric is looking for a bride. As the eldest daughter of the Van Astrea family and a possible candidate, you, Katarina, have been summoned to attend the Great Ball."

"Oh, how delightful—" the Duchess Elizabeth mused, "—our daughter becoming Empress. The Empress! We are going to become royalty, isn't that amazing?"

Katarina's stomach twisted and turned at this proclamation. Once more she cursed the day she had been born a noble, having been born to parents who seemed to only view her as a bargaining chip to advance the family's status in the empire.

"If she is chosen, mayhap His Imperial Majesty will permit our dear son to marry the Princess", Elizabeth continued, "You hear, daughter? You will be allowed to see your brother again!"

Katarina's hands curled to fists. "So that's what I am to you, huh?" she finally spoke up, "A bargaining chip? Marrying Prince Lothric? Do you hear yourselves!?"

Her mother promptly recoiled in horror, whereas her father fell silent.

"Has anyone of you ever considered my feelings? My dreams?" she yelled, "Have you ever—"

Slap.

It was a loud, stinging noise that echoed throughout the entire hall, but Katarina did not move an inch. All she could do was stare into the cold, stoic gaze of her father. Her eyes dilated in shock, forming big, fat, crocodile tears.

"Papa—"

"Your journey to Mariejois starts tomorrow, and that is final."

Demon World – Ente Isla
The Devil's Castle

.

Days later, the Demon General Emilia was to be called before the presence of the Demon King once more.

"—His Majesty's study?"

"Aye, mistress." the herald confirmed meekly, shuddering from the sound of Emilia's indignant voice. "You must follow me immediately."

The scarlet-haired Demon General immediately whipped around, pacing up and down inside her private chambers. The private study of the Demon King. It was said that no General, except Alciel, had ever set foot inside this room, forbidden for virtually everyone. Why, in virtually every Hell that existed, would the Demon King bestow upon her such an honor?

"Did—" she stopped herself as her voice faltered. "To what do I owe such an honor?"

"He did not say, mistress, but he sounded extremely delighted. You must be very high in his favor."

Emilia shot the herald an incredulous look. "Don't be crass. Me? In his favor?" she laughed out loud. "Mere servant's squabble, nothing more."

Her feet paced faster. "He hasn't even allowed me to command a legion of my own yet."

"But General—"

"General in name, but not deed." Emilia cut him off, "To this day, I don't understand why he's bestowed upon me such a title. To save me from Alciel's deriding and mockery? What a joke."

The herald trembled in fear. If he chose the wrong words now, the General would have his head. By the same token, if he went back to the Demon King without the General, he was sure to face his wrath.

"I— humbly implore you to not offend him, mistress— he has called you to his study for a very important reason that he hasn't disclosed."

And now, he trembled, squeezing his eyes shut as he awaited her answer. Every muscle in the herald's small body clenched as he imagined his worst fears vividly before his inner eye.

Finally, Emilia sighed. "Take me to him then, herald. There's no honor in slaughtering a mere messenger, and I certainly do not want to lose the favor I supposedly have in his eyes."

She let her slouched body rise from the armchair, dusting off her vestments diligently. She muttered incomprehensible words under her breath, her small hands curled to fists.

The herald watched this scene with much confusion. Finally, he gave his mistress one deep, respectful bow. "Y—Yes, right away, my Lady."

She grunted under her breath; hopefully the embers would have mercy upon her and make this audience as painless as possible.

***

"Your Majesty."

As soon as Emilia was brought to the inside of the Demon King's private study, she immediately fell to her knees before him, inclining her head, ever-so-sure that his deep, glowing gaze was upon her at this very moment.

"Emilia."

She could hear him chuckle lowly, a sound that never failed to send tiny little shivers all over her body, making it very hard for her not to tremble visibly before him. To her surprise, his tone sounded strangely pleased — could that herald have been right? Could she really enjoy this much favor in Satan Jacob's eyes? She who, to this day, had never done anything to deem her worthy of her rank as his Demon General?

Emilia could hear him slowly walk towards her with loud, heavy steps, his chains singing with every step he took in a simple, yet very powerful melody.

He threw one glance over to the herald who was still standing at the door. "Leave us."

With one loud, gulping sound, the door closed behind me, leaving me alone with the Demon King.

"Emilia", he began again as he turned his attention back to her, "look at me, my fearsome General. It is unbecoming for you to be cowering in fear before me."

Right on cue her head shot up, meeting his fiery red gaze, one that betrayed approval, whereas her emerald eyes still betrayed fear and uneasiness.

"My Lord", Emilia mouthed, "I—I don't know what to say— f-forgive me."

He chuckled again at her nervousness. "Calm yourself, Emilia. You must think I am displeased with you, yes?"

Her eyes squeezed shut. "I—Well— yes, my Lord."

"On the contrary, my scarlet angel. I am very pleased with you. You are highly favored, never let anyone doubt that."

The Demon King crouched down, cupping her chin with his now crooked index finger. His long, black nail barely scratched the highest layer of her delicate skin.

The Demon General's slender hands firmly clutched her skirt. "My Lord— I don't understand—"

"I wouldn't expect you to. Look around. What do you see?"

She did as she was told, letting her emerald orbs scan the entire room, her small mouth betraying sounds of awe. Purple banners made of the finest linen were on each wall, each depicting the Demon King's personal sigil. In the middle of the room stood a large table, made of the finest wood, seeming old and archaic, and behind it an armchair that rivalled the greatness of the Dark Throne itself.

"Only Alciel and Camio have ever seen the interior of this room, my dear General Emilia. It is the greatest of privileges to be summoned into my private study."

She nodded furiously, painfully aware of this fact. "Sire, I— I don't exactly understand— why was I called here?"

"As I told you before, you are highly favored." he answered her firmly, beckoning her to rise from her demure position. "Even more so than Alciel himself."

Emilia became completely flabbergasted. "I—I beg your pardon?"

Satan let out a long, drawn out sigh as he scratched his head. "I called you here to discuss a very important matter. Minister Camio is bidding me to take a bride."

Right on cue, a furious blush crept up on Emilia's face. She certainly did not expect that. In fact, she expected the Demon King to decapitate her in his own study before she would expect something as outlandish and out-of-character as this. Why would he call her into his private study to discuss such deeply personal matters with her?

"Sire— with all due respect— I dare not to pry into such deeply personal matters. Mayhap Minister Camio is—"

"This concerns you very much as well, General Emilia." he cut right into her rambling. "Lucifer found another piece of the prophecy when he raided a church sometime ago."

Emilia nodded slowly as she looked into Satan's eyes. "Are you referring to the prophecy of the Devil and the Hero, Sire?"

"Correct. However, this unknown part was omitted for a very grave reason." He walked over to his wooden table, taking out a small piece of parchment and walking back to Emilia, handing this paper over into her hands.

The letters on the paper did not resemble the tongue of Ente Isla, nor the demon tongue, nor any other tongue Camio had taught her about.

"This was written in Enochian, the language of the Angels of Heaven."

Emilia's eyes widened, suddenly recalling her heritage as a half-angel. Naturally she did not understand such a tongue, having been raised among humans for a short while. Why would Camio omit to her that such a language existed?

"—But take heed, o ye whom the Gods have created in their matchless image! Woe unto ye who let the Hero fall into the hands of the Devil, for her soul and wings shall be as black as charcoal, her heart icier than the glaciers of the North. She shall unite herself unto him, and together they shall bring forth destruction and desolation upon this Holy Land of the Gods! Yea, the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve shall be powerless against their combined might. Darkness will reign, and the Gods shall weep in the suffering of their fragile creation."

With each word the Demon King recited from this Enochian parchment, Emilia froze more and more, the heat in her cheeks intensifying steadily. As the realization hit her like a struck bell, so many questions began flooding her mind. She was but a measly girl of seventeen, barely of age! Surely the Devil would not—

"Starting to get the picture now, are we?" he said, chuckling, as he caressed her cheek with his index finger. Emilia flinched at that contact. "Tell me, Emilia, are you afraid of me?"

"Nay, Sire!" Emilia answered earnestly, "It has only ever been a pleasure to serve you! In whatever manner that may have been—"

"Speak openly, then. No General of mine will cower in fear before me."

She averted her gaze. "I—I'm not much of a General, Sire. To this day, I am called 'flower of the palace'. I never felt like—this position was very much suited for a maiden such as myself. A General's worth is proven in combat."

He let out a hearty laugh, surprising Emilia. "Patience, Emilia. Didn't I say you would lead the final campaign to Isla Centrum together with me? This", he pointed to the parchment in Emilia's hands, "is why. I'm keeping you hidden so that humanity will despair even more than they already will."

Emilia gulped hard, feeling the severe importance of his words like a weight on her back. "So— the prophecy— Am I to be your—" she clearly struggled to say the last word, blushing once more.

"We demons have our greed and lusts. But even I will not force a woman. Victory will be ours either way, but the question is, my dear Emilia", he grinned wickedly as he set his fiery gaze upon her, "do you not wish to walk over their burning corpses by my side, drinking from the same unholy chalice, filled with the sweet ambrosia of victory, as I?"

Emilia's breath hitched in her throat. Her eyes turned crimson, feeling her magic flare up inside her body. Taking in the image of the Devil before her delighted her, it was sin itself.

"Yes", she mouthed, clenching her fists, "I want to see them burn, to carve out their hearts with my own hands—!"

"Then you are mine, for we share the same desire, as the prophecy ordained. We are to come together." he declared solemnly, "Will you deny me, highly favored maiden?"

Emilia froze, feeling Satan's hands resting on her cheeks as he pulled her close. She had never desired such affection from anyone, ever, nor had she ever planned on looking for a groom. She had been infinitely thankful that the Demon King had fed, clothed and sheltered her, but she had never seen him as anything but her Master. Her desire for revenge blinded her to any other emotion — until now.

"No", she felt the words escape from her lips so naturally that she was aghast at herself. "No, I shall not."

And with that, the Demon King broke the remaining distance between them, claiming her lips in one heated kiss. Emilia could clearly feel Satan's crimson magic wander into her own body, sending pleasurable currents of electricity all over.

Much to her dismay he broke the kiss as quickly as he started it, looking amusedly at her flustered complexion. He could tell that she enjoyed it very much.

Holding her close, he looked into her still confused emerald orbs.

"Emilia, once this war is finished, I shall make you my bride."

A/N: As promised, here is the new chapter of Twisted Fate. If you read Demonheart, you know that I got caught up with some terrible things in real life, and did not know what direction to take this particular story. I thought long and hard about how to develop Satan's and Emilia's relationship in here, and came to the conclusion that arranging their relationship is the best way, for now.

Yes, it may be too fast to some of you, but I won't just leave it at that. Satan and Emilia will be spending a lot of time together, leaving room for their relationship to develop properly. She won't fall for him right off the bat. That would be ridiculous. However, he did save her life, so this would be one way for her to show her gratitude. There's no one else she would ever be interested in, anyway.

And now to answer your reviews!

KOMQueen: This chapter will be especially to your liking, as we get a glimpse on how Maou saves her! The next chapters will give little glimpses of her daily life inside the Devil's castle, so stay tuned! :)

EmeraldNorth: More OP!Emilia coming in the future! My lips are sealed though, because spoilers…

Windsweptt: Yep, Esdeath from Akame ga Kill inspired me to write Emi like this, as well as pixiv comics. Best fanfic inspiration ever, I guess :)

2n2kas: No, Emi isn't stronger than Satan. Regarding being forced to flee together with Alciel — my lips are sealed :)

Until next time, my friends. Stay tuned for more action!