Lucifer's gaze scanned the faces before him.
It was then that Nyra Moirel held her breath.
She had known this day would come. The moment she saw the spell being cast, the moment she felt the stir of a forgotten fire in her soul—she knew.
She had always known.
That she was not just Nyra.
That she was once Lucille—eighth child of Lucifer.
But only few trusted people had known.
Not even Lysandra. But Carlos and Maika alone.
She had buried the truth deep within her. Fought it. Feared it. Refused to let it define her.
Until now.
Lucifer turned his head slowly—his gaze locking onto her like a blade sliding into place.
She froze.
He said nothing. Simply stared.
Then, as if drawn by something deeper than memory or blood, he walked straight to her, ignoring the others entirely.
The room was silent but tense. Madelline and Elias glanced at each other, confused. Caveen's eyes narrowed, his instincts screaming. Even Lysandra strained forward, sensing something was off.
Lucifer stood before Nyra.
She dared not meet his gaze.
But it was too late.
He reached for her hand.
The moment their skin touched, the air pulsed.
A flare of ancient magic coursed through the circle, humming against the walls like a heartbeat. The sigils glowed brighter beneath their feet, recognizing what had been hidden.
Lucifer's brows twitched.
Then he whispered, low and certain:
> "You've been hiding… my daughter."
Nyra's breath caught. She didn't speak.
Lucifer's small fingers tightened around her hand, and his eyes darkened—not with anger, but with knowing.
> "Lucille. Even after all this time… I'd still find you."
The truth peeled itself open like a wound.
The others gasped. Caveen's head snapped toward Nyra, stunned. Even the Elders of the Crimson Order stirred—whispers rising around them like fog.
Nyra finally lifted her eyes.
No more hiding.
No more denial.
Her voice trembled, not from fear, but release.
> "I didn't want to remember."
Lucifer tilted his head, childlike and curious.
> "Why?" he asked softly.
> "Because remembering means returning," she whispered. "And I didn't want to be her again."
Lucifer said nothing. Instead, he stepped closer and pressed her hand against his heart.
> "But you are," he said. "You never stopped being Lucille."
Tears slipped from the corners of Nyra's eyes, but she didn't look away. Her silence was an answer, her gaze full of things long buried now rising like embers from a dying flame.
Then, quietly, she whispered:
> "Welcome back… Father."
The darkness stirred.
The Elders knelt, trembling. A low chant began to rise again, calling to the god they had spent centuries awaiting.
But between Lucifer and Nyra—between father and reincarnated daughter—the world fell away.
And destiny took root once more.
The moment Alaric and Carlos stepped into the desecrated ruins of the Crimson Order, the world shifted.
The stench of burnt incense, blood magic, and ancient enchantments clung to the air. The floor was scorched, symbols carved deep into the stones, still glowing faintly with power.
And at the center of it all stood a boy.
A child.
Too knowing. Too ancient.
Alaric froze in place, the air around him crackling. Carlos stepped forward protectively, the twin swords on his back shimmering faintly in their runes.
> "That can't be…" Alaric whispered.
But it was.
Lucifer. In the flesh.
Reincarnated not as the monstrous king of destruction they'd once fought in another lifetime, but as a boy—yet his aura, unmistakable, pressed on their souls like a divine weight.
> "Oh," the child said with a smile. "You're here too—Alaric. Victor. The Originals."
Carlos flinched. The name Victor hadn't been spoken aloud in centuries.
> "Interesting, huh?" Lucifer continued, eyes glinting with something playful… and cruel. "I think this is the moment we've all been waiting for. The world is finally aligning. All of us… being reborn to finish what we left undone."
He took a small step forward, bare feet silent on the stone. His eyes flickered between the two brothers, then moved on.
> "But wait…" he murmured. "If the two of you are here… then that means…"
He turned, slowly, facing Lysandra.
She met his gaze, eyes narrowed, but unflinching.
Lucifer's lips curled upward, delighted.
> "Ah… there she is." He stepped closer. "You are Selene."
> "Yes," Lucifer said calmly. "My descendant… reborn as Selene, the original. But unlike these two…" He motioned toward Carlos and Alaric, "You haven't died yet. Not fully. That's why your blood hasn't awakened the same way. You are still sleeping beneath your skin."
> "She knows but not fully awaken" Carlos snapped.
> "Victor," Lucifer said lightly, eyes sliding back to him.
He turned again, this time looking thoughtfully at Caveen.
> "And you… I see what you carry. The blood of Lucille and Lucan Carello. My flesh and shadow. My grandchildren. I see why they protected you."
Caveen's jaw clenched. "I'm nothing like you."
Lucifer chuckled.
> "Aren't you?" he said. "You would burn the world to save the one woman you love. Isn't that what I did once too?"
His gaze traveled now toward Alaric, who had remained eerily still. Watching. Calculating.
Lucifer's tone shifted—softer, darker.
> "And if Selene is here… if you and Victor are here… then the one I truly wonder about is…"
He paused.
Closed his eyes.
Felt the lingering presence like a whisper under his skin.
Then opened them—sharp, gleaming.
> "Karena Carello."
Alaric's head turned away, just slightly.
And that was enough.
Lucifer laughed—not loud, not manic, but with the quiet satisfaction of someone who had just found a missing puzzle piece.
> "Ah. You know." His smile widened. "You've already found her, haven't you?"
Carlos tensed, but said nothing.
Lucifer stepped toward Alaric.
> "How long have you known?"
Alaric didn't answer.
> "You saw her," Lucifer pressed. "You felt her. Her magic never lies. It would call to you like a song you forgot how to sing."
Still, Alaric remained silent, jaw clenched.
But Lucifer's smile turned strangely wistful now.
> "Karena… she was always the best. Beautiful. Brave. Powerful.
A flicker passed over Alaric's face.
Caveen stared at them, confused and stunned. "Karena… she's…?"
Carlos finally broke the silence. "She's already awakened as Seraphine."
Lucifer turned his head, blinking slowly.
> "Then the cycle has truly begun." His voice lowered, reverent. "The Reawakening of the Bloodbound."
He turned to the gathered captives and opened his arms as if welcoming them all.
> "This time, I will not be stopped. This time… I will not be alone."
He looked down at Nyra, the only one who hadn't spoken.
Her eyes burned with silent defiance.
> "Lucille," he said softly. "Will you stand with me this time?"
She turned her face away.
> "That's not who I am anymore."
Lucifer looked wounded—for a heartbeat. Then the smile returned, colder now.
> "You will be. Soon."
From the shadows, the Elders began chanting again—stronger now, fueled by Lucifer's return.
And the Crimson Age began to rise.