Crimson Overlord-Chapter 327: Lucifer

He would convulse, a scream tearing from his throat, a sound that echoed through the chamber with a heart-wrenching finality. Yet, each time, he would fight to regain his breath, the spark of defiance refusing to be extinguished.

This was the portal, not a grand archway or shimmering gateway, but a place of excruciating pain and relentless torment. This man, his identity lost to the ages, served as the unwilling anchor, his suffering the fuel that kept the portal open, a bridge between the demon realm of Asura and... something else.

What lay on the other side of this agonizing portal?

A flicker of defiance sparked in the tortured figure’s eyes, momentarily cutting through the haze of pain that clouded his vision. His lips, cracked and bloodied, moved in a silent plea. Then, with a raspy whisper that echoed through the cavernous chamber, he spoke.

"I’ll wait," he rasped, his voice raw and broken. "No matter how long it takes, you’ll come for me, my friend. Orpheus."

The name, uttered with a mixture of pain and unwavering faith, hung heavy in the air. The revelation crashed down on you like a thunderbolt. This wasn’t some nameless prisoner, some forgotten soul sacrificed to fuel the Asmodeus’s dark magic. This, this was Lucifer Morningstar, the fallen monarch, the former ruler of this very realm, the strongest demon of his era.

A thousand years of imprisonment, a thousand years of unimaginable suffering, and yet, the spark within his eyes refused to be extinguished. He still believed. He still held onto the hope that his friend, Orpheus, would one day return to free him.

The obsidian doors of the throne room slid shut with a heavy thud, leaving behind the oppressive silence and the chilling image of Nix. Stepping through a hidden passageway, Orpheus found himself transported in a blink. Gone was the red-tinged gloom of the Forbidden Zone; in its place, the stark elegance of a dining room bathed in the warm glow of flickering candles.

The room itself was a marvel of minimalist luxury. Dark marble floors gleamed like polished obsidian, reflecting the flickering candlelight from a massive chandelier that hung from the high, vaulted ceiling. The walls, adorned with tapestries woven from threads of silver and midnight blue, depicted scenes of ancient battles and mythological creatures, their forms outlined in shimmering metallic thread.

A long, ornately carved mahogany table dominated the center of the room. Its polished surface gleamed, untouched by the dark magic that permeated much of the house. Upon the table, a feast fit for a king was laid out. Crystal goblets gleamed next to plates piled high with exotic fruits and glistening pastries.

Silver platters displayed a variety of roasted meats, their succulent aromas filling the air. Here, a leg of lamb, its skin a golden brown, promised to melt in the mouth. There, a roasted boar, adorned with a single, perfect red apple in its mouth, looked like a centerpiece straight out of a medieval banquet.

But the true star of the show wasn’t the lavish spread of food and drink. It was the centerpiece – a single, deep red rose, its velvety petals glowing with an unnatural luminescence. It stood in a crystal vase, a stark contrast to the dark setting, yet somehow perfectly at home.

The sound of silverware clinking against porcelain echoed in the vast dining room, the only counterpoint to the crackling of the candles. Orpheus, his movements measured and elegant, carved a slice from the roasted boar, his gaze never leaving his daughter across the table.

Nix, her crimson eyes reflecting the candlelight, picked at a delicate pastry with long, pale fingers. Gone was the cruel amusement from earlier; instead, a flicker of something resembling warmth – a hint of a long-dormant emotion – flickered in their depths.

"So," she finally spoke, her voice a rasp that still held a hint of her earlier malice, "you plan to venture into Asura? To rescue the Lucifer?"

Orpheus met her gaze head-on, a smirk playing on his lips. "The situation demands it, wouldn’t you agree? A demon of his caliber wasting away... it’s a waste of power."

Nix’s smile, genuine this time.

"Indeed," she agreed, her voice softer than he’d heard in years. "Lucifer, once a force to be reckoned with, now reduced to a whimpering prisoner. A sorry end for such a formidable being."

"Not if I have anything to say about it," Orpheus replied, taking a bite of the boar and savoring its smoky flavor. "He was, and still is, my most valuable... ally."

Nix leaned back in her chair, her eyes gleaming with predatory interest. "And what exactly do you expect to gain from this... rescue mission?"

Orpheus paused, setting down his fork. "Let’s just say," he began, his voice low and dangerous, "that Lucifer’s freedom could prove... very beneficial to both of us."

He leaned closer, his gaze locking with hers. "Imagine, Nix, the chaos we could unleash. Together. With Lucifer by our side, we could rewrite the balance of power. Humans, demons... they would all tremble before us."

A slow smile spread across Nix’s face, a smile that chilled Orpheus to the bone. It wasn’t just a smile of agreement; it was a smile laced with ambition, a glimpse of the power that resided within her.

"Together, Father," she purred, raising her goblet in a toast. "Let us reclaim what is rightfully ours. Let us paint the world red like before."

Orpheus clinked his goblet against hers, the sound echoing through the vast chamber. A pact had been made, a dance of darkness begun. The rescue of Lucifer, once a noble mission, had morphed into something far more sinister.

As they continued their meal, the opulent setting and the lavish feast seemed to mock the dark plans being hatched. Orpheus, his face an unreadable mask, couldn’t help smile imagining Lucifer free and what they’d, how happy his wife would be. Nemesis although she didn’t show it, she would be extremely happy if her father was released, she had tried several times with the help of her mother but they did not succeed, it was one of the reasons for her to be wanted and to go in hiding. Only Orpheus could succeed, even with him it would be hard.