Chapter 5: 3- beginning of Chaos

The journey to the mortal world was instantaneous—a second, or perhaps even less. It was night, my favorite time. The sky stretched endlessly above, speckled with stars that seemed so far removed from the chaos of the human world below. Beside me, Enzo was flipping through his ever-present record book, muttering to himself in his usual meticulous manner. I rolled my eyes at him.

“Enzo,” I said, the teasing lilt in my voice unmistakable, “you really need to loosen up. We’re not here to audit heaven’s ledger.”

He ignored me, engrossed in his notes. With a snap of my fingers, the scenery around us shifted, dissolving into a swirling mist before solidifying into the room we were meant to be in.

The place exuded darkness—cold, calculated, and uninviting. It was exactly as I’d imagined for someone like him. Yet, even in its gloom, something was missing. Warmth. Not physical warmth, no—the kind that came from balance, from memories, from life. The walls were bare, not a single photograph or relic to remind him of where he came from or what he had endured. It was a fortress, not a home.

I turned my gaze to the bed where he lay, the faint rise and fall of his chest the only indication of life. He wasn’t an infant anymore. That much was clear. The boy I’d once seen swaddled and helpless had grown into a man—a handsome one at that, with broad shoulders and a body sculpted from years of discipline. His face, though calm in slumber, bore the weight of a lifetime of battles.

"Long time no see, baby boy," I murmured, a chuckle escaping my lips as I moved closer.

His scent hit me—rich, heady, with the unmistakable undertone of alcohol. I sighed, shaking my head. “Your grandfather gave his life for you,” I whispered softly, as if he could hear me, “and here you are, wasting yours.”

Behind me, Enzo cleared his throat. “La Muerte, don’t you think we’re getting late?”

I smirked, glancing back at him. “Oh, Enzo, always the professional. Or is it that you just don’t like being here?”

He stiffened, his discomfort evident. I didn’t need to probe deeper to know why. The mortal world unsettled him—its chaos, its unpredictability, its sheer lack of order. And yet, that was precisely why I found it fascinating.

“Fine, fine,” I teased, waving a hand dismissively. “Let’s get this over with.”

I stepped closer to the bed, my eyes fixed on the man who lay before me—Lucifer Salvatore di Carlo. The name was as formidable as the legacy he carried, a legacy I had once had a hand in shaping. I extended my hand, and with a quiet whisper, summoned the blaze that had once been mine. A bright, fiery formation of red and gold magic swirled around my fingers, casting an ethereal glow over the room.

My eyes burned with the same blazing hue, and I began the process. The magic twisted and coiled, reaching for him. I saw his brow furrow, his body shifting as if caught in the throes of a nightmare.

Enzo’s voice cut through the air. “La Muerte, you know he could die during this process.”

I didn’t falter. My gaze remained locked on Lucifer, my voice calm and unwavering. “It was the deal. I take back my blaze when he no longer needs it.”

Enzo nodded but didn’t look convinced.

I pressed on, adding a bit more pressure, when suddenly, the formation shattered, the light vanishing in a burst of sparks. My eyes narrowed as I stepped closer, placing a hand over his chest. Closing my eyes, I let my power flow through me, seeking the truth.

It hit me like a wave—my blaze, the heart of my power, wasn’t just within him. It had fused with his own heart, entwining itself so completely that it could no longer be separated.

Enzo, ever the observer, spoke up. “He’s not an ordinary human. He resonated with your blaze heart.”

I shot him a sharp look but said nothing. He wasn’t wrong.

I tried to delve deeper, to access his memories, but an invisible shield blocked me at every turn. Frustrated, I huffed. My own power was protecting him—from me.

I began pacing the room, my thoughts racing. Enzo busied himself with his record book, searching for answers. The silence was broken by the buzz of a phone on the bedside table. Curious, I picked it up. The screen lit up with a message from someone named Marco.

There’s an award function tomorrow night for Best Businessman of the Year. You’re going to win, like always, boss.

I smirked, placing the phone back exactly where I found it. “Enzo,” I called, my patience wearing thin, “did you find a solution or not?”

He startled, fumbling with his notes. “I did, but…”

“But what?” I snapped.

He hesitated before speaking. “The only way to break the resonance is to hurt his heart.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Not physically!” he added hastily. “Emotionally. He needs to feel pain—real, human pain. The kind that comes from loss, from longing, from betrayal.”

A slow smile spread across my lips as I looked at Lucifer’s phone.

“Well then,” I said, turning to Enzo, “lookin like we’ll stay in the mortal world for a while.”

He looked at me, confused. “Why?”

I glared at him, and he quickly nodded. “Okay, okay! Whatever you say, La Muerte.”

As he began preparing for the chaos I had planned, I sat down beside Lucifer on the bed. His breathing was uneven, his expression strained. He was dreaming—badly.

Sighing, I reached out and placed my fingers gently on his forehead. My magic flowed once more, soothing his restless mind. His breathing steadied, and the furrows in his brow relaxed.

“It’s good to see you again after 26 years, Lucifer,” I whispered, my voice softer now.

For a moment, I let myself linger, watching him. Then I rose, my mind already spinning with plans. Chaos was coming, and it would be beautiful.

The room was steeped in silence, broken only by Lucifer’s steady breathing. He lay there, still and unaware, his mortal vulnerabilities etched so clearly on his face. My thoughts were as loud as thunder in my mind, each one more insistent than the last. The situation was a tangled mess. My blaze heart had become part of him—something that had never happened before. It wasn’t just resting within him; it was entwined, resonating in a way that bound us more tightly than I cared to admit.

Enzo stood by, shifting nervously, watching me with a mix of apprehension and curiosity. His usual calm was noticeably absent. He knew better than anyone what this meant, the risks we were about to take, and the chaos that would undoubtedly follow.

“Enzo,” I began, breaking the silence. My voice was measured but firm, carrying the weight of my decision.

“Yes, La Muerte?” he answered hesitantly, already anticipating the storm brewing.

“You’re going to create something for me.”

His eyes narrowed, his hesitation clear. “La Muerte, maybe… maybe there’s another way?” he offered, his tone cautious. “You know getting involved with humans is dangerous for us. They’re... complicated.”

I turned my gaze toward Lucifer, still lost in his dreams. My lips curved into a faint smile, but my eyes held no humor. “I know, Enzo. But I cannot leave my blaze heart in a human forever. It belongs to me.”

He sighed, rubbing his temple as if the weight of my words physically burdened him. “Fine. What exactly do you want me to create?”

I turned to him, my expression shifting to one of exaggerated sweetness. My voice dripped with saccharine charm, as if I were asking for something as innocent as candy. “A business empire—one just as strong as his.”

His brow furrowed as he stared at me. “You’re serious.”

“Deadly serious,” I said, letting my tone shift to something darker, more commanding.

Enzo nodded reluctantly, muttering under his breath as he pulled out his record book, flipping through its endless pages. “It’ll be done. But I have to ask—what identity are you planning to use to enter the mortal world?”

I smirked, tilting my head thoughtfully before answering. “Amara Ashford.”

He blinked, clearly unimpressed. “And what’s the story behind this ‘Amara Ashford’?”

I let the silence stretch, watching him squirm slightly under my gaze. Finally, I spoke, my voice filled with playful malice. “What’s fun without a little chaos, Enzo?”

He groaned audibly, muttering something about impending disasters, but I ignored him. My eyes returned to Lucifer, studying his features one last time. Then, without another word, I raised my hand, summoning my power. The room filled with a faint glow as our forms dissolved into nothingness, leaving behind the cold, empty space.

---

We reappeared in a quiet, secluded clearing—a place far from prying mortal eyes. The air shimmered with magic as Enzo set to work, his hands moving with practiced precision as he drew intricate symbols in the air. Each stroke glowed with an otherworldly light, pulsating with power.

“This will take time,” he muttered, not looking up from his work.

I folded my arms, pacing slowly behind him. “It always does, Enzo. But we’re not rushing this, are we? Perfection demands patience.”

He glanced back at me, his expression skeptical. “You know, La Muerte, creating a business empire isn’t just about magic. It requires an understanding of human systems, their economy, their politics—”

I waved a dismissive hand. “And you think I don’t understand those things? Please, Enzo. I’ve been watching humans for centuries. Their systems are nothing more than glorified chaos wrapped in rules they don’t even follow.”

He muttered something I didn’t catch—probably another complaint—but continued his work. Slowly, the symbols began to take shape, forming a complex, interconnected web of magic that stretched across the clearing.

“What’s the foundation?” I asked, leaning closer to inspect his progress.

“A network of companies,” he explained, his tone clipped. “It’ll rival his in every aspect—power, influence, wealth. But there’s one problem.”

“Of course there is,” I said dryly. “What now?”

He hesitated before answering. “The human world will need a face for this empire. Someone visible, charismatic, someone who can navigate their world.”

I smiled, already prepared for this. “That’s where Amara Ashford comes in. She’ll be the face they see, the one they admire and fear in equal measure.”

Enzo stopped his work to look at me fully. “You’re really planning to immerse yourself in their world, aren’t you?”

I met his gaze, my smile unwavering. “What’s the point of creating chaos if you’re not there to revel in it?”

He sighed heavily, shaking his head as he returned to his work. “Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when this all goes sideways.”

I laughed softly, the sound echoing through the clearing. “Oh, Enzo. Things going sideways is the whole point.”

He didn’t respond, his focus back on the glowing symbols as he finished the final touches. The web pulsed brightly before sinking into the ground, its magic spreading like roots across the earth.

“It’s done,” he said finally, stepping back.

“Good.” I turned, letting my gaze sweep over the clearing one last time before nodding in satisfaction. “Now let’s execute the next phase.”

Without waiting for his response, I summoned my power once more, and the world around us dissolved again. The game had begun, and I couldn’t wait to see how it would unfold.