Wrath of the serpent
The moon hangs low over an abandoned factory on the outskirts of Los Angeles, its silver light casting eerie shadows through broken windows. Inside, the air is damp and heavy, and the hollow echoes of dripping water seem to mock the silence.
Six individuals sit in a circle on the cold concrete floor, their hands bound behind their backs. Their faces, a mix of fear and confusion, reflect the terror of their predicament. None of them know each other, and none of them have any idea why they've been brought here.
A sudden clink of boots on the floor shatters the quiet. From the darkness, Corvus steps into the weak light filtering through a cracked overhead skylight. His dark trench coat billows slightly as he walks, and his gloved hands carry a metal case. His movements are slow, deliberate, calculated, and his expression is one of cold indifference.
"Good evening," he says, his voice smooth and unfeeling. He sets the case down on a nearby table with a resounding thud. The captives' eyes widen, darting between him and each other, their muffled murmurs drowned by the oppressive silence of the space.
Corvus opens the case, revealing a set of meticulously organized tools—knives of various shapes, a branding iron, and vials of crimson liquid. He picks up the iron, holding it under the moonlight as if admiring its craftsmanship.
"You're probably wondering why you're here," Corvus says, his voice almost conversational. "It's not personal. You're just... convenient."
He crouches near one of the captives, a man in his forties with graying hair and a trembling jaw. Corvus tilts his head, studying the man as though he were an artifact in a museum. "You see," he continues, "a message is only as powerful as the weight behind it. You, my friends, are the weight."
He places the branding iron back in the case and selects a smaller tool, its polished surface gleaming faintly in the dim light. Slowly, he begins his grim task, working methodically and efficiently.
The captives, their terror mounting, can do nothing but watch, their muted cries and frantic struggles futile against the ropes that bind them. Each time Corvus finishes, he steps back and marks the forehead of his victim with a distinct symbol: a snake coiled tightly around an hourglass. The scent of scorched fabric and leather gloves fills the air.
When he finishes, he stands in the center of the circle, surveying his work. Six individuals, marked and motionless, are left behind—a silent message.
Corvus pulls a small, black cloth from his pocket and wipes his hands clean. He looks down at one of the marks and smiles faintly.
"Morningstar," he murmurs, almost to himself. "The clock is ticking. Let's see if you're still as bold as the stories claim."
He snaps his case shut and turns toward the exit. The hollow echo of his boots fades as he disappears into the shadows. Behind him, the factory is a chilling tableau, silent and haunting in the moonlight.
Outside, the city hums obliviously, but Corvus knows it won't stay that way for long.
---
The tension in the air feels electric as Lucifer sits at the piano in his penthouse, absentmindedly playing a melancholic tune. His mind races, thoughts tangled between Lisa's coldness and Debbie's possessiveness. He knows he needs to fix the mess he's made, but where to even begin?
Suddenly, the elevator dings, and Detective Harper steps into the room. She's not here for pleasantries.
"Lucifer," she says, her voice sharp. "I need you at a crime scene. Now."
Lucifer raises an eyebrow, his fingers halting mid-note. "Good morning to you too, Detective. What happened this time?"
"It's big," Harper replies, crossing her arms. "Multiple bodies. Looks like a massacre. You're going to want to see this."
---
A Bloody Warning
Lucifer and Harper arrive at a grim warehouse on the outskirts of Los Angeles. The air reeks of blood and gunpowder. Inside, six bodies lie scattered, each marked with a strange symbol carved into their foreheads—a serpent coiled around an hourglass.
"What in hell's name…" Lucifer mutters, crouching beside one of the victims.
Harper's eyes narrow as she studies the scene. "The markings—do they mean anything to you?"
Lucifer hesitates. He recognizes the symbol as the calling card of an ancient demonic faction—a group he thought he had dismantled centuries ago. But he can't tell Harper that.
"No clue," he lies smoothly, standing up. "Looks like gang-related nonsense to me."
Harper isn't convinced but doesn't press him further. She focuses on photographing the symbols while Lucifer subtly runs his fingers over the markings, trying to sense any lingering supernatural energy.
His suspicions are confirmed—a faint, dark aura surrounds the symbols. Whoever did this isn't human.
---
Unexpected Visitor
Meanwhile, Lisa is back at her apartment, trying to distract herself from thoughts of Lucifer. She flips through a magazine, but her mind keeps wandering. She jumps when a knock echoes through her door.
When she opens it, a man she doesn't recognize stands there—a sharply dressed stranger with piercing green eyes and a wolfish grin.
"Lisa?" he asks, his voice smooth as velvet.
"Yes. Who's asking?"
"I'm Corvus," he says, stepping inside uninvited. "I'm here to talk about Lucifer."
Lisa's heart races. "I don't know what you're talking about," she says, backing away.
Corvus chuckles. "Oh, but you do. Tell me, Lisa—how much do you really know about him?"
Lisa stares at him, her fear growing. Corvus steps closer, his grin widening.
"He's not who you think he is," Corvus continues, his tone teasing. "But don't worry. I'll tell you everything… in time."
Before Lisa can respond, Corvus vanishes into thin air, leaving her shaken and confused.
---
An Ominous Message
Lucifer returns to the penthouse after the crime scene, his mind still grappling with the implications of the massacre. As he pours himself a drink, his phone buzzes with an unknown number.
"Lucifer Morningstar," he answers smoothly.
A deep, gravelly voice responds. "It's been a long time, Morningstar."
Lucifer freezes, recognizing the voice immediately. "Corvus," he says, his tone icy.
"I see you've noticed my little message," Corvus says, amusement lacing his words. "The warehouse, the bodies... consider it a warm-up."
"What do you want?" Lucifer demands.
"Your attention," Corvus replies. "And maybe a bit of revenge. You'll see soon enough."
The line goes dead, leaving Lucifer gripping his phone tightly.
---
Harper calls Lucifer back to the precinct for an update. When he arrives, she's pouring over a map of LA with markings indicating similar symbols from old, unsolved cases.
"This isn't the first time this symbol has shown up," she tells him. "There's a pattern. Someone's been operating in the shadows for years."
Lucifer studies the map, his expression unreadable. He knows Corvus's methods, and he knows this won't end with just a few deaths.
"Detective," he says, leaning closer, "if you want to catch whoever's behind this, you'll need my help."
Harper gives him a skeptical look. "And why would I trust you?"
Lucifer flashes a devilish grin. "Because no one understands the darkness better than I do."
---
Later that evening, Lisa storms into Lucifer's penthouse, her fear from earlier replaced with anger.
"Who is Corvus?" she demands, her voice shaking.
Lucifer looks genuinely surprised. "Where did you hear that name?"
"He came to my apartment!" Lisa exclaims. "He knows something about you, Lucifer. What aren't you telling me?"
Lucifer sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Lisa, it's complicated."
"Then uncomplicate it!" she snaps.
Before Lucifer can respond, the elevator dings, and Debbie steps out, her presence only fueling Lisa's frustration.
"Perfect," Lisa mutters. "Just perfect."
Debbie smirks, clearly enjoying the drama. "Trouble in paradise?"
Lucifer steps between them, his voice firm. "Enough, both of you. Lisa, I promise I'll explain everything. Just... not now."
Lisa glares at him, her eyes filled with hurt. "I don't even know who you are anymore," she says before storming out.
Lucifer watches her go, his heart heavy. Debbie places a hand on his shoulder, but he shrugs it off.
---
The Shadows Deepen
Lucifer standing alone on his balcony, staring out at the city below. He knows Corvus won't stop until he's satisfied, and he knows Lisa is slipping further away from him.
As the night deepens, Lucifer whispers to himself, "Time to end this."