Chapter Thirty

Used to be my lullaby

Now you keep me up

Baby, I'm not over you

I'm just overthinking 'bout you

It's so overdue after everything we've been through

I thought you left my mind

At least a thousand times|

I'm not over you

But I'm over overthinking about you

(A/N GUYS I CHANGED THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER ENDING, PLEASE RE READ! )

(Applies to the 5th of Janurary, 2021 only!)

Chapter 30 - The Fall of a Princess and Rise of a Queen

Nephele's POV

The fiery pits of Tartarus were before me. I didn't feel scared in the moment, and I trusted my brother in sending me here, so there was no need for me to feel scared.

I had gathered that Lucifer was also in control of Tartarus, since my brother had said "The answer lies with your mate, he is the ruler. He knows everything that happens down there." The way he had said it made me inclined to believe that Lucifer had taken over the land of Tartarus, and left my father chained up in the castle on the land. From that, I was also inclined the believe that Tartarus was my father. Of course, there had been rumours about the siblings being paired together – the chaos and the deep abyss – what a lovely pairing. Those were just rumours however.

It wasn't unusual for siblings to be married or paired together as the Gods evolved either. I now knew that Erebrus and Nyx were star-crossed lovers, a forbidden pair that was separated by Chaos. Erebrus was the God of Darkness and Shadows, something which Lucifer is now. It wasn't that Erebrus had been replaced, it was more that Lucifer's title had been needed in Christianity when that began so Erebrus merged with Lucifer's new personification. I found it interesting that Erebrus and Nyx were said to be brother and sister, but there was no proof of that in my memories that I had; Erebrus didn't seem to be born from Chaos since Chaos had no personal connection with Erebrus in my memories. She didn't regard him as son, nor he regard her as mother.

Despite all that nonsensical tangent, Lucifer would be here soon and when he came here, I had to either go with him, or get out before he arrived. So, I didn't have much time left either way.

I walked with bare feet, the ground nothing but soft under my soles as I approached the grandiose castle that lay ahead. It may not be worthy enough to compare to Lucifer's palace, but it would still live up to its name as the Mansion of Nightmares.

The dark granite stone that seemed to lay the exterior of the building was immaculate – no cracks or marks of any kind visible from the distance which I stood. The dark greys did fit in nicely with the bloodish red of the skies, this place being different to what it had been in Hell. I blink, making sure I am seeing this place without an illusion of glamour protecting it.

Unlike the landscape of Hell, where it appeared to just be fields upon fields under an orange sky with cities glistening in the background, Tartarus was a barren landscape with dark red skies and the light of the castle and its gate failing to provide much illumination into the darkening sky. If I had to describe it in one word, it would be gloomy.

"Squawk." I laugh and turn my head to look at Blu who sat at my feet, her little head bobbing around as if she were interested in this place. I couldn't understand her completely, but it appeared as though at times we would think the same things. Maybe she could read my thoughts.

I extend my arm and pat her head lightly, feeling the soft feathers she had under my fingertips. She was a really beautiful bird; all different kinds of blues shimmering under the light in her feathers.

"Let's go in, shall we?" I ask to Blu, not entirely expecting a reply back. The castle ahead was surrounded by a thick layer of dark granite walls, the gate to enter only slim in comparison to the castle itself. The gate also had two stone gargoyle looking creatures standing over it, as though they were guarding the entrance and would fall from their position to kill anyone below.

I swallowed my fear of going under those things, knowing that soon I would have to. It wasn't a hike to the entrance, and it should only take a minute or two as I had opened a portal right outside the gates.

You couldn't see much past these gates, only the tips of a dark tower which spiralled above the roof of the buildings within the castle walls greatly. From this spiralling tower, there seemed to be a figure standing and looking out across the land in my direction, but once I rubbed my eyes, I doubted they were there. I hadn't slept in at least 24 hours and my humane mind was probably playing tricks on me.

Oh God, don't tell me I'm starting to hallucinate now.

I purse my lips and stop where I am; standing in line with the gateway into the castle and wondering if this is really a good idea. It wasn't easy to go back now, but was walking into a castle – an unknown castle – with little weapons and a phoenix a good idea? Probably not. Was I going to do it anyway? Most likely, yes.

The phoenix would protect me, and I had Nyx's sword of Death and Darkness – a really cool name which I totally made up – with me. I could roughly fight if necessary. I still had the Goddess instincts, and knew roughly how to use some of my cool tricks if I needed to based on instincts. I could do this, and I did need to do this. I needed answers from Tartarus – the alleged owner of this lonesome castle.

I take a deep breath, noting that Blu seems to take a few jumps or steps ahead before I do. I didn't know how to interpret that, but I felt as though she was comfortable in this place.

Maybe this wasn't that bad of an idea.

Pulling the new black trench coat, I had thought to appear within this realm in my hands, and wrapping it around my shoulders without putting my arms fulling through, I take my first step onto the moulded concrete-like ground. My feet were bare still, but it didn't bother me as I imagined the shoes, I was wearing at my brothers surrounding my feet, cushioning them once more, and they appeared at the mere thought.

It was a weird thing to think about; any material object I wanted I could easily manipulate to be near me. I could manipulate a car, a pair of shoes. Everything I wanted materialistically was at the tip of my conscious mind – all I had to do was think about it. That was a type of power that was overpowered in certain situations. Albeit, I doubt the Godly needed that power often as they already had all they wanted. I had asked Lilith about it a few days ago, and she had told me only those with the genes of a God had those manipulation-like abilities. That was good as I couldn't help but think about the negative things this ability could incur.

I walk across the bridge confidently, my ankle only a little sore now as I used my ability to manipulate the air around my foot to support my weight instead of my ankle. I had been doing that for the past five minutes as I wondered around this place. I knew that I did some serious humane damage to my foot, and the only way I would be able to support myself was through using the air to cushion the force of my body instead of my ankle joint.

It was logically this time at least.

I watch cautiously for any signs of movement as I pass directly under the two gargoyles facing each other overhead, hoping they didn't decide to kill me today.

I hold my breath, keeping my eyes trained ahead and look over Blu, who seems happy to be a few metres ahead of me and flying around like the nut she could be. I observe the obscure court yard that lay in front of a grand two-way staircase into the main castle – or what appeared to be the main castle. The courtyard was large, with vibrant green grass in the very corner surrounded by cobbled stone and massive oak tree rising from the patch of life this barren castle had. A wooden block attached to two pieces of rope was tightly wrapped around a low-lying branch of the castle making a makeshift swing which looked too old to support my weight, or any weight for that matter. The rest of the courtyard was as barren as the lands outside the castle gates. There was a light pink moss – not the typical green found on Earth – that shrouded the cobblestone pathing with a light pink hue in some places. The stones weren't cracked, but they looked like the could use some work as some of the stones appeared to be in disarray. I look from the left to the right, noting that the grand staircase was split in two, one staircase to the right and one to left leading to a singular staircase going into the castle itself. The balustrade of the staircase was a white-grey stone that had made columns and the railing of the balustrade itself, was cracking, and broken in certain places. The stairs themselves were the same colour. They were also breaking and cracking, some areas of the stairs appearing to be broken into by a large force as they had been cracked and broken down into a shell.

A shell where a body may have been broken into. That was what my analytical mind initially thought – it was the only way for something to be so drastically damaged in this barren land. My brother had insisted that Lucifer was the ruler of Tartarus now – the land and not the Titan. Did that mean that he had originally had it, or did he fight for it?

The land here was so barren, so why would you bother fighting for the land where the worst of the worst went? Why bother fighting for a position of land that harboured criminals; a land that was practically no use to anyone.

Unless it once wasn't so barren.

I purse my lips and walk over to the right set of initial stairs, looking at the grimy looking fountain that stood between the two sets of staircases. Noting that the fountain looked to be a shimmering gold underneath the layer of thick dust and dirt that covered it, I took my first few steps up the staircase. Making note to avoid all the holes and cracks of the staircase, I watched a Blu had fallen back a little and now hopped up the steps a few rows ahead of me.

I smile as I reach the top of the staircase in no time, approaching two wide wooden doors. These doors looked like they belonged to the castle. The typical thick wooden doors with metal stars on them, surrounded by the dark grey stone of the castle. I looked at Blu who had fallen to my side with a squawk, noticing her feathers ruffling in a light breeze which wasn't their prior. The breeze made the hairs on the back of my hair rise lightly, making me narrow my eyes out of curiosity and caution.

I don't have to take a step and the doors open by themselves. Surprised, I watch the heavy blocks of wood move inwards as I walk forwards again. It was unsettling but I decided against the better judgement of my horror-moving knowledge, to investigate further. This is where in horror movies the viewers are like, why are you doing that?

I had an answer here but it didn't really matter as it was irrational and illogical. I decided against logical judgement to enter.

Swallowing my fear, I step over the threshold of the wooden doors, noting the red carpet below my feet as I walk into a massive stone foyer that was not lit very well. I squint my eyes, Blu still by my side as I pass the doors and enter the foyer properly. Straight ahead was another grand stone staircase which separated at the back wall and went into two separate stairways to another level. It was carpeted by the same red carpet below my feet, which seemed to continue as a pathway to the second floor.

I ignore the staircase and notice the red carpet disappearing into either side of the hallway that appeared just before the staircase ahead. I hum quietly, noting how this place was familiar in some sense, but not entirely so familiar that I could easily place it. The candles the line the walls of this room light almost instantly, spooking my slightly, but not causing me to portray any emotion outwardly.

I stand my ground, straightening my spin and raising my eyes to monitor the room.

From my peripheral vision I notice movement from either corner of the room, the door being directly behind me and now closed. I don't move as the two beings' step into the light of the candles and come to semi-circle me from the front.

The two beings stood at my hip height, with four legs on the ground and body as black as night. The fur of the two dog-like creatures was black too, their bloodred eyes the only detail of them other than black. I pause to think, noting that they move slightly to appear smaller and stand a few metres from the entrance of the staircase – stopping me from moving any further into the foyer.

"Hellhounds" I whisper aloud.

I bite my lip as I look around, knowing that the hellhounds of hell normally came in uneven numbers, and wasn't surprised when I found another hellhound cruising from the right hallways and coming from wherever that hallway led. The hellhound looks me in the eyes but doesn't do anything, looking unfazed by my presence as it walks to stand next to the right most hellhound.

"They are indeed my dear Nyx." I internally jump at the voice and snap my head towards the staircase where the voice came from. I cover my bottom lip with my top as I look at the man standing at the other end of the room.

Brown skin, brown eyes, vibrant blood red hair. Before I question myself why I keep seeing blood-red everything around here, I take note of his sharp nose shape and sharp jawline. He maintained his fitness it appeared. I also noticed that his facial features seemed older, as though he had aged and was continuing to age slowly.

He wore a red suit, something fashionable yet mildly older than the fashion that was abundant on Earth.

"I am not Nyx." I state directly, watching his movements out of the corner of my eye. He smiles at my wording and takes another step down the staircase towards me.

"I know. It also looks like you don't have much time left my dear." I furrow my brows slightly at him as he taps his watch lightly as he smiles at me. He looked happy. He seems to be genuinely smiling at my presence, but I don't trust that gut feeling that tells me he was happy. I relied on that feeling too much with my abilities, I didn't want to over rely on it. "Would you like some tea whilst we discuss things, Nyx?" I swallow the unsettling thing about him calling me 'Nyx' and shake my head.

"No thank you. I have some questions." I know I sounded like a bitch, but I needed the answers and as he put it, I had little time left. I watch him nod his head and walk to my right of the staircase, beckoning me to follow him with a wave of his finger. I silently follow, the Hellhounds only two steps behind me as I walk.

I don't feel unsettled by them, and instead felt comforted by the tall beasts which could easily rip me to pieces if they wanted to. It was a weird feeling – one which I couldn't explain easily. I felt as though I knew them.

I catch up to the man so I can ask a question, noting that he slows down for me.

"Who are you?" Simple and quick, however many answers could come from that.

"Tartarus, the Titan who watches over Tartarus." I nod my head, expecting that answer. He doesn't look at me, although I feel him tense lightly.

"Did you know Nyx personally?" I persist further as we enter a large room decorated with red and gold furniture that seems to be from the Victorian era. I ignore a lot of the mantle pieces and books on the shelves in the left and right corners, finding them not important in the moment. I do notice the closed red and gold draped curtains that cover a window in front of me at the end of the room, the fireplace being to my right in the middle of the wall if I was facing the curtains. I look over at the couches in front of the large fire place, a bright red flame burning from the fireplace and into what appeared to be a chimney. The fireplace warmed the room, making it comfortable in temperature and making the room glow a soft auburn.

"Yes, I did." He remains quiet for some time and I take a set on the plush red bed-like-couch lined with gold baring. He moves to the single seat to the left of the fireplace and looks at me with intent. I watch as one of the hellhounds sits on the floor at the end of the couch I was on, as if he was guarding me. One of the hellhounds sat next to Tartarus on the floor whilst the other sat to my left, next to the glass coffee table between Tartarus and I. I smiled at them as they looked at me, their boring gazes making me think they didn't really care that I was here. It was as though I was normal in their world. "I am figuring you are here because you want answers about your mother and father?" It wasn't really a question. I smile and look at him sweetly, nodding my head.

"Your mother and father were supposably in love. They lived together in a castle made of stone and ruled their lands accordingly, watching over their realms as they were supposed to." His voice was quaint and I knew that he knew the story well. "They had one daughter who was their pride and joy; until she had grown up. Nyx was the Goddess of Night and Darkness, she was born from Chaos, who represented the grand abyss and cosmos that Humans wishes the worship. Nyx's father represented the darkness which held and trapped people within. Nyx was a perfect combination of her two parents. She was loved equally by both parents." I watching intently, leaning against my crossed legs and notice his bodily movements as he grows uncomfortable almost.

"Until that love turned into obsession from Chaos. Chaos felt the turn in Nyx's abilities when she had turned 450. Nyx's abilities grew every day, and had started to cause Jupiter and Zeus great worries about how powerful she would become if she were to reach full age. Even the most powerful were afraid of her." He laughs, as if reliving a memory.

"Her mother wished to use that to her advantage. Her father wished to keep her safe and let her live her life normally. The two parents went to war over her – fighting every night and letting their hate for each other slip onto their daughter, causing Nyx great troubles as years turned into decades and decades turned into centuries. Eventually they separated and her mother moved to the Mountains in the Chaos Realm. Nyx stayed with her father as she felt more comfortable in the Castle. She liked the castle. She was happy there. She was happy until..." I felt rushes of memories in my mind, flashes of images surfacing from my mind as he stops himself from going on. I blink images away, knowing that I was beginning to recognise things.

"She was happy until...?" I ask, not knowing how to phrase the final word.

"Until she was kidnapped and enslaved by her own mother." I sneer at the words, knowing what to expect. "Her mother stole her in the middle of the night, invaded the well-guarded borders, poisoned her daughter with magic and dragged her from the castle in the middle of the night. Her mother made her daughter believe that she was the only one she could trust; she turned her daughter against everything she knew. Everything that Nyx once knew was safe was now said to be unsafe and a danger to her existence. At first Nyx didn't believe it; she would send messages telepathically everyday about locations and what she was being made to do – her telepathic abilities being greater than her mother's mental blocks for them. She got through her mother's plans in the beginning. That was until Erebrus, who you know as Lucifer, was taken by her mother. The things she did to him – Nyx gave in." I pull back from my leaning position, gasping and looking at him horrified. Tears well in my eyes thinking about Lucifer, in both forms, screaming as he was tortured and left to rot.

"It broke her, watching as her desired Beloved was chained, tortured, beaten and left to die. She gave in under her mother's ruling on the deal that she let Erebrus go. Watching her change, watching our failed attempts of getting her back, watching her deteriorate every time we saw her was heartbreaking. She was breaking there. The reason for all this was because Chaos wanted power. Her mother saw us as a threat and, wanting to maintain her hold of power, she killed Nyx over and over again, making sure Nyx was to be her pawn for when she was to want to take over and rule the Gods."

"No one can do that though. All the main gods are equal in power; you cannot gain more control over another main god if you are already powerful." I knew that much. He laughs at me lightly, chuckling as if my thinking was naïve - which it probably was.

"You are correct, but Nyx was different. She was pure darkness. She was worse than Chaos in power. She could have unlimited skills. She was as powerful as Zeus, Lucifer, Neptune, God or Jupiter, if not more. She was not to be messed with; especially if her powers kept growing. Her mother thought if she had control over Nyx, they could share powers and dominate." That is sad, using your daughter to only break her.

"Her mother broke her. Every time Nyx would find the truth, her mother would break her down again and again and again. Nyx's soul broke every time; as did Lucifer's and her Fathers. War broke out amongst the Gods in her absence. Her father joined forces with Lucifer's, who was then still Erebrus, and then they joined forces with Zeus. It was no use. Tracking her down was impossible, and even if we did find Chaos, we didn't find you. So, they replaced Nyx with Artemis and Selene. They couldn't have night failing to fall every night, and they needed the birth of a new night goddess to continue the line of darkness." He had tears in his eyes but looked at me with complete openness. His eyes portrayed a thousand things, and none of those were bad. He was crying for me.

"So, Nyx is dead." I whisper, looking down at my shoes feeling rather uncomfortable with a crying person. I wasn't good at comforting people. "She doesn't exist anymore. She was replaced, and her abilities aren't there." I persist and look back at him. He nods with a smile.

"She isn't dead entirely. You are Nyx. It is still her body and still her mind. There is no difference between the living Nephele and Nyx. You are her. As for her powers, it is unknown what remains. There have been no documented cases of powers ceasing to exist." I nod at his words, staying quiet for some time.

I knew his words were the truth. I felt the sincerity behind them, and I had the flashes of images in my mind to match. I knew that the things he was saying were true. I could remember them.

She had warped your mind so badly that for you to have Nyx back, it would create havoc unlike anything seen before. We would have to restart everything. The Nyx you were and I used to know a long, long, time ago can't exist anymore.

That is what Lucifer had said to me. He had also said that my father had tried to kill me, but from the fragmented images I had I don't think he did. I think my mother tried to kill me more than my dad did.

Hands tightly wrapped around my throat. Those hands were feminine, they were masculine. The nails digging into my skin were sharp and black – the ones that my mother wore. Lucifer had lied about his ties with my mother. Why?

Red hair, brown skin, brown eyes. Red hair I grasped between my fingers as I tried to plait it gently. Brown hands I held as I walked outside, on grass under an oak tree, trying to reach the swing I wanted badly. Brown eyes I looked into as I cried as I was screaming, brown eyes I wished would come get me – come save me – as I watched Lucifer scream in pain from the knives embedded in his skin.

Biting the inside of my cheek I muster the will to ask something important.

"You are my father, aren't you?" I look at him with wide eyes. I watch him swallow, the lump in his throat bobbling as he swallows and looks at me.

"Yes." I sigh in relief, putting my head down and my hands on either side of my temple, applying a forceful pressure to make me feel something.

"Why did Lucifer lie to me and say that you tried to kill me? He said he was with my mother and you were the bad guy trying to take me away. Why didn't he tell me the truth?" I look at my father – who I may not be close with personally due to growing up with a totally different father figure – asking for a sane answer.

Lucifer stating that he was siding with my mother made no sense to me as it was, and hence I knew it was a lie when he had said it. My mother in the dungeon dream I had, did seem like the bad guy there. And since I now knew that Lucifer was the ruler of Tartarus the place – not the person – his story didn't make any sense because why would the lord who looked over the gateway to the abyss try to kill me... his daughter and the threatening King's Beloved?

Running from the thoughts, I watch Tartarus give me a lopsided smile and shrug his shoulders.

"I would assume because he didn't want you to be in more pain than you already are, I guess. Although I would ask him yourself." I nod my head, sighing because now I feel relieved but even more hurt my Lucifer's actions. I guess I did see this one coming, as when I last left the castle, he was lying to me and figured he was.

"I don't want to ask- "I close my eyes as the clearing of a throat, a rather deep clearing of the throat, resonates around the room. I put my fingers on the bridge of my nose and pinch hard, totally annoyed at the throbbing headache I was developing and now had.

"Tartarus." Lucifer's voice was clean and cold as usual.

"Lucifer." It was mutual at least.

"I thought you hated him." I look at Lucifer, who's hair was wet and a mess, and point to Tartarus with a raise brow. I was pissed off at Lucifer, and have every right to be.

"Never said I hated him." I narrow my eyes at the audacity Lucifer had right now.

"And yet you had the audacity to tell me he was the bad guy here, yet now you two are besties! Turns out it was just you. Fuck off Lucifer." I make a shocked face and turn back to my biological father who gave me a smirk and was looking rather amused with himself.

I wipe the remnants of the tears from my eyes, flicking them away and forcing myself not to think about Lucifer chained up because that would make me feel bad for him. I didn't want to feel bad for him right now.

"Come back with me." It wasn't a question, and rather another demand made by Lucifer. I sneer at him and stand straight from the couch, heels adding another six to seven inches on my height making me really realise how tall Lucifer really.

I wince internally at the shortly forgotten ankle, instantly extending my fingers to my ankle and using the ability to manipulate the air around my ankle for my own support.

"So much of Nyx's powers being gone." I turn to Tartarus with a quick smile and grimace, knowing that Lucifer would now pick up on the little movement. I sneer at Lucifer who quickly approaches me from the doorway he stood, taking two steps back and making sure I am using my ability to my advantage. I notice the two Hellhounds at my feet stand, looking at Lucifer with intrigue but nothing more than that.

I thought they liked me!

"They are used to me too you know Amare. I did used to sleep here." I grimace at him, thinking about all that he meant with that statement.

"I don't want to know, since everything you say is a lie anyway." I smile and pull my nose up at him. I watch his face waver slightly, noting that his facial expression drops lightly. It almost made me feel bad for my words, but then I remember that he deserves it and I wanted the truth.

"What I told you was the truth..." He mumbles off as he continues to approach me and I continue to walk around the couch to avoid him.

"But it was also half a lie. Great morals right there, babe." I roll my eyes and watch as the Hellhound to my right as it walks towards me. Everything is silent for a few seconds as I watch the Hellhound, the hellhound not actually scary but I assume that they are similar to Cerberus and morph into different forms when they wish to be considered different.

"You know, you loved them as a kid." I nod and smile at Tartarus' words, knowing that the fragments of my memories most likely aren't to return any time soon and I won't be able to fact check them. "The one to your right was yours and she is normally the size of a bear; I got it her for you as a gift on your 17th birthday – or the equivalent of your humans 17th birthday." I don't know what to say so I nod, looking intently at the dog-looking hound that looks up at me with some interest.

"What is her name?" I ignore Lucifer's soft gaze that sits on the left side of my face, him still being on the other side of the couch. I crouch down, sucking in a deep breath as I feel the pain of my ankle rush up my leg at the strange movement but move to ease myself onto the ground so I can pet to the hellhound.

"Rosie." I laugh at the name, knowing that having an obsession with roses was not just Nephele's actions but also Nyx's. I reach my hand out gently and watch as she approaches it, rubbing her head on my palm and running towards me so I can scratch her back. I smile and laugh at how sweet she is; you wouldn't expect a Hellhound to be nice.

"Amare are you going to come home?" I ponder the idea. I really didn't want to. I was having fun here, but I knew that I needed to get the complete truth from Lucifer and I needed to make sure he wont lie to me again. "You did throw me into an ocean... after I promised I wouldn't lie again," he continues trying to get me to feel bad and come home.

"Firstly, you deserved that. It was also funny. Secondly, you have also said that three times now, maybe four." I roll my eyes and place my hand on Rosie's belly, watching Blu jump into my lap seeking attention as well. I laugh at Blue and scratch the underneath of her neck whilst scratching Rosie's stomach.

"I mean it this time." I bite my lip and smile, knowing that that line is overused.

"That is what every guy says to get his ex-lover back, Lucifer. I thought you knew better than that." I hum at him, looking at Tartarus with a sort of knowing gaze as Rosie stood up and walked back around the couch to Tartarus.

"But the difference is that I am not every guy. I am a God, don't compare me to a human. And I lied to protect you, I didn't mean anything bad by it." If I keep rolling my eyes, I will get whiplash, which wasn't even probable. I purse my lips and deadpan him, glaring at him with all the effort I could manage.

"And look where lying got you..." I hum at him, "Exactly." I push myself up from the floor, hands grinding themselves against the carpet as I wince in pain. I probably should use the telekinesis thing but I wasn't entirely sure how that worked, and only could use it for standing at this point in time. But I was aiming to improve and grow stronger.

I push myself up, grabbing onto the couch only to be lifted in the air by invisible hands that carried me over the couch and contorted my body in such a way that it was easy to sit down on the couch. I yelp at the movement, but remain quiet after I was placed on the couch by Lucifer's gentle hand.

"We will be taking our leave now, Tartarus." Lucifer says to my father, and I look at him with a glare.

"You will be taking your leave now, Lucifer. You cannot make me go anywhere." I huff and cross my arms, facing my legs away from him and turn to Tartarus, who only has a smile on his face.

"It will be safer for you there Nephele. I recommend you go with him." I look at him with wide eyes, knowing that I would end up going with Lucifer regardless.

"You cannot be serious." I mumble and stand up gently, extending my fingers to gain that extra support to my ankle. I don't know what to do, other than go with Lucifer.

Except I knew that this time there would be ground rules and he will have to work his way back to me. He cannot just easily have me; this was going to be hard.

"Goodbye Tartarus, I will come visit soon once I have everything sorted out." I smile at him graciously, knowing that this must be hard for him. Everything since my disappearance must be hard for him.

"Goodbye my dear. We can bake cookies next time you come if you wish." I clap my hands and give him a toothy smile, my face lighting up at the thought of cookies. I hadn't eaten in a while, and I was hungry, so cookies were appealing.

Watching Lucifer give a nod to him from the corner of my eye and watch Tartarus give one back, I only then notice the swirling gold and purple portal looking thing behind Lucifer just past the door. That is where he came from it appears. I walk, struggling to maintain an effortless walk with the worsening pain that my abilities cannot seem to combat in the current moment, only now just rendering the discussion that I just had with Tartarus into actual fact.

I gasp, my mind somewhat of a mess as I turn away from Lucifer's awaiting hand and alarmed gaze. Running towards Tartarus with sharp stabs at the side of my shin, I place my arms across the shoulders of the 6'4 man, knowing that my height would be similar with the Hells I wore due to my already 5'10-ish height. I should really stop complaining about my ankle if I'm wearing these killers, but hey, at least I look like a badass.

"Thank you." I whisper in his ear, smiling but not calling him father as I doubt, I ever will be able to do so. I know it may sound messed up, but I don't think I could call anyone but the father I knew – at the moment knew of course since my memories may or may not return – my dad. I will work on myself and work on trying to recall the good moments I had with Tartarus so I can give him so consolation.

I pull away suddenly and waddle back over to Lucifer who looks at me with an unknown expression. With his current height he would tower over me without my heels.

I don't know how his whole appearance thing worked. I had heard that this was his most primitive former and therefore it was also his battle form. I don't know if he had to change back or anything either. I don't know how that worked and I decided to ask him after I had eaten and had a sleep because I couldn't even think straight in this current moment. I was exhausted. And hungry.

He doesn't say anything as I come to his side and walk towards the portal, his form right behind me in case I decided to make another run for it. Luckily for him, I didn't.

I step through the swirling colours and watch the world dissolve around me, looking over my shoulder one last time at the man who stood in the castle I grew up in, and the dogs who he had gifted me with stood by him.

I don't know how this was going to end. I don't know how my story was going to end, and I didn't know what was next. But I was happy I got to meet my father, and saying thank you. I am also happy I got to understand my story.

I find my left foot touching the floor of the carpeted lounging area in the castle first. As the nausea wears off, and Lucifers hands remains slipped within my own, I look at him wearily. Not noticing the change in temperament in the castle, nor the change of literally everything, I continue to look at him, waiting for something to happen.

"You know that I am going to make it hard for you." I say quietly, neck turned so I am meeting his eyes. He smirks at me, red eyes turning in a way that makes me realise they aren't solely red, but also a way the unnerves me and excites me at the exact same time. I smirk back, showing him that I am serious.

"I am sure you are, Amare." He chuckles. I nod my head and go to walk ahead, dropping his hand and leaving him standing behind me.

I smile as I know that this time, I am going to be happier here. I now knew the truth, or relative truth. I had to gather some more information from various other sources to best present the information to make sure that the words Tartarus spoke are true. Just because he said them, doesn't mean they are true.

The difference between me being here this time and last time however is that this time, I am free. I came here under my own control. I had my own control. I didn't let Lucifer control every aspect of my life anymore and I was happy to be independent. And although I had been a mess of emotions, and a mess of thinking due to everything been thrown on me at once, I knew that this time I would be content and everything would be difference.

The difference was that I had actually chosen to come here.

It was my choice.

That was all I had asked, and I had made it happen.

So, I continue walking down that hallway, knowing exactly where I was going. With a smirk on my face and my abilities flowing down my body to make sure I didn't falter once, I walked down the red carpet and deeper into the castle.

This was my time to be me.

I was in control.

No words for this rollercoaster. Please tell me your thoughts!

><>~

QOTC: Favourite food?

Let me know your thoughts below:

~<>~

SONG: ~<>~ Overthinking - Mothica & Mickey Valen

How did you like the two recent chapters? Please let me know!!! I REALLY NEED TO KNOW X

Tiktok - GracexRose

BYE BESTIES!

ROSE xoxox