Not a chapter illustration, but a new drawing I did. Not sure how I feel about it (I tried a new style) but figured I'd share anyway!

Ariels POV

I stood under an umbrella directly next to Alastor. The rain was pounding into the hellsoil, creating a damp and muddy afternoon.

I held onto Alastor's arm, my lip quivering as I watched the polished coffin slowly lower into the ground.

It's a strange thing, a funeral in hell.

You would figure after death, that's it. There's nothing more.

But there's one more stage...one more place...no one knows what it is, no one knows what's there...

We can only hope it's better...and not...darkness.

"Rest peacefully on your final journey, my friend..." Alastor said softly, causing me to look up at him. He was struggling, I know he was. His smile was barely there, tight and forced.

But I know she'd want him to have it...Alastor smiles when the rest of us aren't strong enough to...

My eyes found Bett's husband, he was holding their daughter. She was very cute, and looked just like her momma.

Her big, bright eyes were staring at the lowering coffin. She's too young to understand, but at the same time those black eyes held a knowing glint.

Normally, funerals are only for the rich and powerful in hell, funeral directors charged just ridiculous rates. Taking advantage of others' suffering.

That is, until the most powerful overlord in hell shows up at their business saying the funeral was happening whether they agreed or not.

Bett's husband trembled slightly as the coffin met the bottom of the grave softly. A shallow thud was heard, sounding more like a nuclear explosion. The rain beating down was an accurate representation of how we were all feeling.

It was just me, Alastor and her family. Her family being her husband and daughter. The funeral director cleared her throat quietly, detaching the coffin from the small crane.

She began to fill the hole and I shook my head, the tears finally spilling over before I shoved my face into Alastor's coat. Immediately he held my head comfortingly, placing a gentle kiss on my crown.

Once the hole was completely filled, Alastor walked over to the fresh grave, kneeling down. I've never seen him so careless with his clothing, but here he was.

Kneeling in the mud.

He pressed his hands together, then held them out over the head of the grave. There in the dirt formed a beautiful polished headstone.

He stood back up, and walked over to her husband.

I stayed by the grave.

Slowly I sank to my knees, placing my hand against the smooth stone. The umbrella rested against my shoulder, barely shielding me from the rain I was being pelted with.

But I didn't feel a thing.

My eyes were locked on the stone, my tears flowing freely.

Bettrice Gardenia Honest

Wife
Mother
Friend

Journey safely. We miss you.

My heart felt heavy. My palm slid down the headstone, staying in the middle as I trembled. My other hand clenched in my lap.

"I'm so sorry," I whimpered just above a whisper, "I wish I was stronger...I could have been there for you. You gave your life for me, and that's a debt I can never repay."

My voice cracked and my teeth clenched, speaking was a struggle. My body wanted to unravel, my eyes burned from the tears.

"Please be safe...please...please..." my head dropped as I begged her softly. Begging just to hear her voice. Begging just to know she's safe.

Suddenly there was a hand against my shoulder, a very gentle touch. He knelt next to me, pulling me closer to him in a gentle side hug. He held me there, and I finally collapsed.

I sobbed heavily into his chest, a broken cry exiting my throat as I clutched desperately to him.

"Shhhh...shh...we'll be ok..." Alastor rocked me side to side, swaying softly as he cooed sweet nothings into my ear.

But all I could hear were my own thoughts. My own regrets.

I blame myself.

Through my blurred vision I watched as her husband and daughter walked away towards the exit gates. The cemetery was empty except for me and Al, now.

From the brief talk I had with him, her husband had said he didn't care much for funerals. He was going to keep her close in his memory...but he deeply appreciates this. Laying her to her second, and final, rest.

"It should have been me..." I whispered softly, Alastor's grip tightening around me.

"No." He said firmly, "it should not have been, and I will not sit here and tolerate that kind of talk..."

His voice had the illusion of sternness, but the waver in it spoke louder than any words he's said today.

His lip trembled and he shook his head, "if you want to blame someone, blame me. You were there. You were with her in her final moments. You cannot blame yourself, do you understand me?!" His voice cracked and I looked up at him, blinking and causing more tears to fall.

He was staring down at me with glossy and determined eyes. The soft red glow was dim, and he gently took my face in his hands, "don't blame yourself...I'm begging you..."

I gasped softly, then he planted a gentle kiss on my lips. He rested his forehead against mine, his thumbs caressing my cheeks gently.

"Come on now...let's let her rest," he said, barely above a whisper. I stood up with him and he laced his fingers with mine, and with that we left the cemetery.

On the walk home, no demon dared to even look at us. Alastor had a somber look on his face, his smile looking fragile. I squeezed his hand gently and he looked down at me.

Water dripped from his hair, the rain having not let up at all. I smiled up at him softly, my brows turning up in a tender expression.

I know he cared about her, despite the way he showed it.

Demons cleared the sidewalk upon seeing an overlord and his lover. The respect I received now that we were out in the open was ridiculous. People wouldn't even look me in the eyes.

Once we finally reached the radio station, Alastor pushed the door open. He had cleaned up last night while I was asleep, and everything was eerily back to normal.

No trace anything happened at all.

Which is good...but felt odd. Odd that it was just over...

Al sighed heavily, stalking over to the empty front desk, placing his hands down and then letting his head hang. He shook his head back and forth slightly and then threw it back with another deep sigh.

He waved his hand reluctantly towards the front doors, not even looking. I looked, curious, and my eyes widened when a little sign appeared on the outside.

I could make out the backwards letters...

Help wanted.

My heart cracked a little bit more, and I walked over to him. I rubbed his back and up his arm, earning a little smile when he turned his head towards me.

"We'll be ok..." I repeated the words he said to me, very softly. He nodded, "yes...you're right, my love," he replied just as softly.

Suddenly I jolted when the bell chimed and the door slammed open.

Alastor's eyes snapped open and glowed a bright red, focused on something I couldn't see. I went to turn around but had the air knocked out of me when I was tackled to the ground.

"Oh my god! I'm so glad you're ok!"

Mai?

I pulled away so I could see her, her eyes were distressed and her brows were upturned in worry. She immediately hugged me again, our bodies tangling up on the floor.

"Maizebeth, darling perhaps you shouldn't suffocate her," came Alastor's voice. Mai finally let go of me and stood up, bringing me with her.

"I'm so sorry it took me so long to get here! I wanted to come as soon as I saw the fight on tv, but I was caught up in other business," she explained, sounding guilty. I chuckled and grabbed her arms.

"Hey, it's alright...I'm alright. Alastor got to me before anything serious happened," I reassured her and she let out a sigh of relief. She turned towards him.

"Are you ok?" She asked him genuinely and his eyes widened a bit. I was a bit surprised, myself.

"I wasn't aware you cared that much, darling," he quipped, and Mai laughed, "of course I care about you, why would you think I don't care about you?" She asked and a blush rose on Alastor's cheeks. He's for sure not used to any type of personal affection (if it's not from me).

"You're constantly bugging me, you threaten my life at least 3 times a day, and on your territory there are literally posters that say 'I hate the radio demon' strung up everywhere," he defended, and she laughed again.

"Come on, Al, you know an overlords reputation is their power. If I didn't like you, I wouldn't bug you so much," she said, her words growing softer.

"I'm glad you're ok," she added at the end, the both of them sharing a moment before she turned back to me. She pulled me into another tight hug.

"I swear I'll string that television up by his circuits if he ever lays another finger on you," she growled. I chuckled, "I think he's cool now...I healed him after the fight—"

"What?!" She screeched, cutting me of. She whipped around to Alastor who put his hands up and backed up.

"I didn't help her."

She looked back to me, and I shrugged, "it's better to make friends from your enemies than to keep fighting..."

Her eyes softened but she still shook her head, "you're a knucklehead...ugh come on, let's go up to the loft and catch up,"

With that we all headed towards the elevator.

As the doors opened I glanced back one last time towards the empty front desk. My smile slowly lessened, and I closed my eyes, turning away.