Page 3 of Ashes to Ashes

“Envy has always been one of the most powerful sins,” he stated proudly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before him. “And yet, I see some of you have become complacent about your duties. You have lost that burning desire to covet and destroy, to make others desire what we have and who we are above all else.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd as they shifted uncomfortably under their prince’s scrutiny.

“Do not think I am unaware of your schemes,” Leviathan continued, his eyes locking onto those who dared to meet his gaze. “Your petty jealousies and attempts to undermine each other do not escape my notice.”

No one dared to speak while he addressed them. Not because of fear but for envy of his voice.

“I will not tolerate any weakness within my ranks,” he growled, his wings unfurling behind him in a display of dominance. “I demand perfection in all aspects from my subjects. Is that understood?”

A resounding chorus of ‘yes’ chimed from below, accompanied by trembling bodies and lowered heads.

“Good,” Leviathan purred, a sly smile on his lips. “Now go back to your duties and make certain that every other realm finds envy in the despair you bring.”

As his lower citizens scurried back to their tasks, Leviathan leaned against the balcony railing and gazed down at the pit once again. Despite their fear and reverence towards him, he could sense their longing for something more than an eternity spent in constant envy and torment.

But he didn’t care about their desires or their suffering. As long as they served him and fed his insatiable hunger. Only those who met his standards were provided entry to his palatial tower, and he tossed them aside when their use was over.

Leviathan did not care for others, only their loyalty. Only their undisputed desire to be him or be loved by him.

The other Princes of Sin were always trying to one up each other. Always vying for power and control over more territories. It amused him to no end. The princes claimed they were equals, but he knew better. They were nothing without him. The others were mere pawns in a game he played effortlessly. Leviathan’s sharp features twisted into a snarl as he thought about how foolish the other princes acted. Of how quickly they forgot where they came from and who had given them their power in the first place. Yet still, they tried to undermine each other at every turn, like a pack of rabid dogs fighting over scraps. As if they could somehow win Lucifer’s favor.

A cold wind blew through his black, leathery wings, rustling them menacingly as he turned away from the scene below. His pale hands clenched into fists at his sides, fingers digging into his velvet sleeves as if trying to tear them apart. He couldn’t bear it anymore - these pathetic displays of power were beneath him.

Sighing, Leviathan pushed off the balcony railing, his wings opening for a moment due to the brisk turn.

He strode through the labyrinthine halls of his palace, surrounded by the screams of the damned and the flickering torchlight that cast demonic shadows across the walls.

His sharp teeth clicked together irritably as he paced back into the chambers lit by flickering candles and filled with rich tapestries that bore scenes of envy at its worst. Jealous lovers driving each other mad, covetous glances traded across crowded ballrooms, and thieves stealing each other’s hearts instead of treasure.

Leviathan’s court awaited him. They all knew better than to keep their lord and master waiting. Their whispers and hushed voices fell silent as he swept into the grand throne room, his presence enough to command respect and fear.

“Hello, Levi,” purred a voice coiled like a serpent around his senses. His brother, Armoros, Prince of Lust, reclined on a blood-stained chaise lounge.

He despised when anyone shortened his name, but his brother knew that so Leviathan would not take his bait. “To what do I owe this displeasure?” His eyes glowed as his anger at finding another prince in his palace dared to snap his control.

“I merely thought to see how your palace survived.”

Leviathan resisted the urge to roll his eyes at his brother’s dramatics. They were not immune to each other’s powers, but they did not often succumb to them. “I have had enough of your games, Lust,” he said icily, seating himself upon his ebony throne. You’ve been swaying my subjects from their duties with your seductions.”

Armoros laughed, and there was an edge of steel in his voice. “And what do you plan to do about it, Brother? Lock me away with our other siblings who dared defy you?” Pushing past, he sat on his throne, taking pleasure in knowing it was the most lavish of the realms, even more splendid than the king’s.

The idea was tempting as Leviathan had successfully imprisoned three of his siblings.

Leviathan drummed his fingers on the arm of his throne. His nails were long and sharp, like talons ready to pluck out his heart if she pushed him any further. But instead, he smiled coldly. “I will do what I always have done, what I always will do. Be the envy of every other prince and every single demon within Terra Daemoniums.”

“As you believe,” his brother stood and strode out of the chamber, his swaying hips oozing sensual lust with every step he took until he vanished in a puff of red smoke leaving nothing behind.

It was only when Leviathan was alone with his court that he finally allowed himself to release the pent-up frustrationthat had been building inside. With a deafening roar of anger, he let it all out, his muscles tightening and pulsing with each exhale. The sound reverberated off the walls, echoing back at him with a primal intensity. The weight of his responsibilities and the constant pressure weighing down on him melted away in that moment, replaced by sheer, unadulterated fury. It was a cathartic release, one that left him feeling both drained and invigorated at the same time.

Leviathan gritted his teeth, feeling that familiar stab of envy in his chest as he thought of his fellow princes. Of his brothers.

Greed constantly amassed more than Leviathan, who could be envious when another realm had more?

Gluttony allowed his inhabitants to have everything they wanted … and more of it than was possible, often leading to death. While Leviathan didn’t care for the death aspect, he knew those in his kingdom often whispered for more.

Pride, always preening and showing off his worthless treasures while Leviathan worked endlessly to keep this realm stable with more territories under his control.

“It infuriates me.” The corners of his full lips turned up into a sneer, and he bared his sharp fangs in disgust. “They need a lesson.”

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