“Lucio...! Sandalphon...!”
The hours following the head-splitting malady that had struck all citizens at once had been nothing but mayhem. Sandalphon had flown ahead to scout the areas past the lifting fog, but he had yet to return. And Lucio had done his best to remain by Lucifer’s side, clutching desperately onto his hand--until they had been separated in the panicking crowd of those fleeing the city.
There was no trace of either of them, even as Lucifer wandered in a half-daze to the outskirts of Spirale City. His voice was already hoarse from calling their names, and he was exhausted, his body aching and sore. The doctors had cautioned him against straining his body so soon after leaving the hospital, but this purge had left him with little choice on the matter...
His leg gave way suddenly and he stumbled, barely catching himself against the wall. Already short on breath, and he had been walking on his own for only half an hour... It was a sorry situation, and one devoid of hope completely. If only he could find someone... Anyone--
--and his prayers were answered in the form of a white-haired man in intricate robes standing across the street. Lucifer could recognize that cold stare anywhere.
But something was different.
He was Lucilius, but he wasn’t--and the uncertainty only drove more fear into Lucifer’s heart. He stepped back, regarding his brother’s doppelganger with unease.
