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[img]https://i.imgur.com/Utcwtef.png[/img][h3][color=black]&[/color][/h3][img]https://i.imgur.com/hxCCewi.png[/img]
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[sub]collab with [@Aamaya][/sub][/center][hr][hr]
[i]Salem.[/i] It felt strange, to place foot in this town again. It had been many years since Lucifer allowed himself to enter the boundaries of this town. This time was different, though. Salem was [i]breathing[/i] again. A energy that hadn't been felt in many, many years heaved from the borders, curled out into the world, and wrapped around him in a heavy, warm blanket. It drew him back, tugged and pulled, persisted that he came back to the birthplace of his children. Not that it had to persist much. Lucifer and Lilith had been calling to their children off and on for many years; finally, [i]finally[/i], the shift in the air they had been waiting for happened. Salem was alive with his children's presence, and he was rushing to get home. Lucifer was a patient being, but his patience to see his children was wearing thin.

The moment his foot crossed the line from the outside world, and into the world of Salem, he fell to his knees in the forest. The sheer [i]emotion[/i] he felt, from feeling his children back in this town, was overwhelming. He dug his fingers into the ground, softened by a recent rainfall, and threw his head back to breath in the chilling air. He could smell the power, swirling through the air, falling like the dying leaves to the ground, sinking back into the Earth, and making everything feel balanced once more. He pressed his forehead into the ground, breathing heavy, leaves crunching in his curling fingers. His heart was pounding as he breathed in the earthy scent beneath him. The forest that was once quiet, all the animals silent and hiding from his presence, filled with his labored breathing.

He slowly lifted his head, breathing in deeply, body shaking. He snapped upward suddenly, letting out a powerful roar, the Earth around him shaking. A wave of power left his body, his roar traveling through the forest in the form of a ball of energy that broke apart, seeking out his children, to wash them in his presence. "[color=BF1111]Worry no more, children,[/color]" he said gruffly, settling on his knees and placing his hands on his thighs. His hair hung in his face, hiding his eyes, though a smile twisting his lips could be seen through the strands, a flash of teeth that gleamed in the sunlight streaming through the few leaves on the trees. "[color=BF1111]Daddy's home.[/color]"

He got to his feet, so gracefully, it looked as if somebody picked him up and placed him upright. He walked through the forest, arms outstretched, fingertips catching onto the rough barks of trees, getting lost in bushes, collecting wetness from the areas the sun hadn't dried quite yet. The world seemed a little easier to walk through, because his children were back. He had a purpose on the Earth again. He couldn't stop breathing in the air, the air that held the promise that his children were out there, practicing their gifts. Suddenly, something cut through the air, something that smelt like sulfur and death. It sliced through the power his children were giving off, catching him off guard, and bringing him up short. He [i]knew[/i] that smell, that feeling. A demon. His eyes darkened as he realized one of his children got mixed up in something they should not have.

His chest shook with a low rumble, his heightened emotional state causing a protective anger to whip through him. A father, who had been parted from his children for too long, was not one to trifle with. In the blink of an eye, Lucifer was gone, his clothes falling to the forest floor with a gentle rustle. A raven broke through the trees, black feathers glistening in the sun, one destination in mind. The bird did not take long to fly over Salem Park, children's laughter being carried by the rushing wind. The raven dove, seeking out the dark energy that did not belong near his children. Not until they could control that energy, at least. It was not hard to find; a nasty thing, swirling and pulsing outside an apartment window. The raven let out a deep croak, dive-bombing, and cutting through the dark energy. It dissipated immediately, the raven easily sending it back to where it belonged. The raven circled the apartment building a couple times before landing on a branch, near the window enough that he could peer inside. The raven tilted his head this way and that way, taking in the scene. One of his children laid inside the room. He could assume what had occurred. The raven flapped its wings some, slightly distressed, and settled on the branch. He closed his eyes, feeling his other children, and stayed perfectly still on the branch, checking in on all of them.

Lyra sat sprawled out on the leather sofa positioned parallel to the living room's window. Tired was an understatement, her body felt rejuvenated but she was still exceptionally worn from the prior events. Adorning her formerly nude body was a particularly sheer and elegant black [url=http://picture-cdn.wheretoget.it/ahkb95-i.jpg]robe[/url] trimmed with soft black fur. The robe was excessively long, if she were to stand it would trail behind her and pool at her feet, the sleeves following in a similar fashion. Lyra jerked upward into a sit, a sudden pulse of energy rousing her from her slumber. Eyes of sage would probe the room, landing on the window, curtains drawn to either side. A curious black sheen caught her attention, her body sliding from the couch to approach the window. Upon closer inspection, Lyra would realize the glimmer had originated from a large, black raven. The bird perched in a tree just outside, peering into the apartment. Something about the raven lured Lyra in, she unlatched the window and allowed it to swing outward, her arm extending to greet the bird. [color=black]"Hey little raven, are you lost?"[/color] Lyra cooed out towards the bird as if it could respond, her head tilting to the side.

The raven's eyes snapped open when he heard the window unlatch. He had considered flying off when he was faced with one of his daughters. Though, the pure energy he felt from her, the closeness of one of his children... after not feeling that for so many years, he couldn't make himself leave. Not right now, at least. He had lost them in such a tragic way. He had felt their very life sources rip from them by a rope and a group of foolish humans. To have them back, oh, it would be hard to stay away. He eyed her hand, the way she extended her arm out to him, cooing. She could sense him, in some way, that had to be it. Or, she trusted strange animals that could hurt her. Lucifer wondered how much worry he could handle from his children, because this one was certainly worrying.

He hopped a little closer, leaning down towards her hand, watching her. The energy radiating off of her made her so beautiful. It was breathtaking. He was about to press his beak into her hand when he suddenly darted past her, straight into the apartment. Some of the dark energy from before lingered, like a bad smell, and he let out an unhappy croak. The raven did a quick circle of the room before landing in the middle of her gems and candles, where she had been when the demon was expelled from her. It caused his feathers to puff up some, his wings flapping in dissatisfaction. He hopped around, picking up a couple of the gems in his beak before tossing them back down. They were strong with energy, obviously real and not fakes, like many humans carried around their necks or in bracelets today. This child at least had the proper tools. He made a low sound in the back of his throat after he tossed another gem down, before taking flight again, circling the apartment. He darted for the window once more, intent on leaving, to go spy on his other children.

The sudden uproar in commotion received a gasp from Lyra, her back pressing against the wall beside the window. Her eyes darted across the room, following the large birds path, landing on her little circle of gems and other natural resources. [color=black]'What the hell is going on...?"[/color] Almost immediately after speaking, the raven took flight and she stood in awe as the bird dismissed itself back through the window. Something about the raven had drawn her in, but she was unsure what. Now she knew there was something peculiar about it, what was it? Why had it come here?

The raven did one more circle around the apartment building, assuring himself any dark presences were gone. Once the raven completed his circle, he let out a deep croak to his child, before disappearing into the sky. It did not take long for the raven to return to the forest, where he dived low, flying beneath the branches of the trees. The raven began to land, and human feet hit the soft ground. Lucifer shook his clothes out before putting them back on. He had only been in Salem for ten minutes and had to already deal with a demon summoned by one of his children. They were but children, though he still let out a sigh. After he was dressed and presentable to the human world once more, he left the forest. Soft ground and brittle leaves turned to hard cement and paved roads. The constant shift and change in the human world was something Lucifer never bothered to keep a deep knowledge of. He knew of the advancements, witnessed technology evolving, even learned how to utilize some of that technology. It had its uses, on Earth, though Lucifer would never see the appeal of most of it. Humans were such fickle and foolish creatures. It was a surprise they have pushed on for as long as they have. While one could argue his children were part of that world, Lucifer would argue they were above what a mere human was. They were something more. They were powerful and unique. They were not a mistake in creation. Lucifer breathed in, a buzz humming through the Salem air. He remembered this feeling, many, many years ago. He walked along the sidewalk, savoring the feeling, letting it soak through his clothes and into his skin. This was where he belonged. This was Salem. This was [i]home[/i].