Unlike Father Unlike Son

 

King Paimon was a mighty and mysterious king of the Ars Goetia. From the Pride Ring to the Sloth Ring, he would appear as a tall imposing figure riding a demonic camel across the hellish plains. The camel itself would have straggly black hair, razor sharp teeth and red glowing eyes not only on its face, but also on the hump in which the king rode on. He was a well-known traveler in the harsh red desert of Scarabia, the violent sandstorms a mere nuisance to him. Several demons wearing turbans would blow trumpets to announce his presence. Paimon's specialty was creating nightmarish visions to instill fear in enemies and order in his subjects. Like other powerful elite, he could shapeshift in clouds of black smoke into various monstrous forms: hydra snakes, a singular eye with bat wings, a towering Satan-like bull with ram horns and many more. In his usual form, he appeared tall and slender with pinkish-red eyes, with fancy red curvy designs snaking across a white feathery face. He had a small black beak, a crimson and gold robe with high collars like a vampire, a three-spiked gold crown on his head with an infinity design and diamond on it and brown feathers framing his face, arching upward on either side like horns. He stood on slender black bird legs.

King Paimon was a leader in many Goetia meetings, along with fellow kings Baal, Beleth, Purson, Balam, Zagan, Belial and even Overlord Asmodeus at times. Out of all the kings, he was the most loyal and obedient to King Lucifer. Paimon was traditional in many ways, supporting the idea that imps were nothing more than servants and slaves made to do the bidding of the elite. Despite a concern about a potential Heaven-Hell war, he mostly disregarded the Exterminations, mostly because sinners getting killed didn't concern him. Lucifer had made a treaty with Heaven: the annual sacrifice of sinners as a way to keep the denizens in line and in fear...and the vow that the royal family in Hell would not be harmed by the exorcists in return. Like many rich figures, Paimon enjoyed all the luxuries of life: fine wine, steamy sex, gold coins and soul currency that seemed endless. But there was something different that made this king stand out.

He also happened to be the father of the Goetia Prince Stolas.

There he stood, towering between orange curtains and the hanging purple crystal gems of the palace. a magenta-indigo backdrop of space appeared in the eye-shaped windows behind him.

"Father," Stolas bowed as he approached his father's throne. Stolas wore his usual gold crown and red robes. Like Stolas, his father appeared somewhat bird-like and remained powerful and youthful even after hundreds of years. "You called?"

"Yes son," Paimon responded. "Just for this one free day. It seems like it's been centuries since I last saw you."

Beads of sweat rolled down Stolas' face. Though his father wasn't abusive, he was quite particular and set in his ways.

"I have been informed by many if my colleagues that there have been some...issues in your personal affairs, is that correct?"

Stolas stood up straighter, trying to remain formal. "Well with all the events and my cosmic duties to attend to, it's rather hard to focus on certain things from time to time."

"Certain things like your relationship with your wife?"

"Yes...more complicated matters like that," Stolas stuttered.

Paimon elegantly strode forward, his long bird claws making small tears in the red carpet. "You know from the beginning that maintaining the cosmos is not all you are responsible for. As a married prince, you have an important reputation to maintain."

"I love Stella very much. And my dear daughter Octavia. But for the last decade, we just can't seem to stop the arguments. She yells and screams all the time. I'm worried that her sanity might have a bad influence on Via."

"Your mother and I arranged for you to be married to Stella eons ago," Paimon said. "We wanted what was best for you, as well as for our family. Stella being the sister of Marquis Andrealphus appeared to be the perfect fit."

"Well, apparently it isn't," Stolas sighed, fiddling with his black fingers.

"Indeed, Stella will have to control her fierce temper and abnormal thirst for power," Paimon added. "She, too, has caused quite a commotion with the nobles from what Andrealphus has proclaimed."

Paimon cleared his throat. "But that's not even the biggest problem."

'Oh shit,' Stolas thought.

"Rumors spread like wildfire, Stolas. Why in Satan's name would you associate yourself with some imp?"

Stolas sighed. "He's not just 'some imp.' He's my friend and working partner."

"'Working partner,' sure," Paimon scoffed in disgust. "I suspect it may be more than that. I love a good fling as much as anyone, but to casually do so with something of such low standing..."

"His name is Blitz," said Stolas. "The 'o' is silent..."

"Interruption will not be taken kindly to," Paimon glared. "Even from my son. Fighting with your wife, fucking with an imp, not keeping your grimoire in your sight?!" His eyes flared with anger. "The rumors are endless, Stolas. Are you causing trouble on purpose? Do you want to dishonor your own family?!" Paimon roared so loud that the room briefly shook.

"I'm not dishonoring anybody!" Stolas fired back. "I'm spending time with someone I care about. Thanks to me, Blitz's business can flourish..."

"And you should know the laws pertaining to the living world. It's forbidden for demons to enter it without explicit permission from Lord Lucifer!"

"Like I had a choice in the matter! I had to help my delicious sexy...um...associate with his life..."

Paimon gripped Stolas by his collar. "Then why the fuck haven't you been caught by the humans yet?! Have you not been careful in your duties at all?" His features briefly shifted to a black shadow bird with six enormous red eyes, then reverted back. "You know if you get in trouble, I get in trouble! We don't want that!" He pinched Stolas' cheeks and stepped back. Paimon sighed, taking a calming breath.

All was tensely quiet for several moments. Stolas stood, eyes downcast.

Regaining his composure, Paimon said, "Your mother Asteria always seemed to understand you better. You playing with your dolls, splashing in the mud, you talking to plants everyday...such uncouth traits of yours."

Stolas looked hurt.

Paimon continued. "She had the same bizarre notion that imps could be treated like family. Even though I didn't always agree with her, we both did what we could to try and secure your future."

Stolas stood silent.

"Son, I know being a Goetia is overwhelming at times. But for your sake and the sake of this family, you must step up your game before it's too late. I worry about you everyday, I'll admit. A divorce will disown you and to greater effect, Stella. If Lord Lucifer found out you were screwing with a common imp or worse...interfering with mortals..."

"Even if there will be a war coming," Stolas said, "I'll do what must be done. Even if it means...sacrificing myself..."

"Your lofty aspirations will do you nothing in this present moment," Paimon glowered. "Lord Lucifer can banish you or worse. I will not allow you to fail and die over your foolish mistakes."

"I just want to be truly happy in my life for once!" Stolas claimed. "I want what's best for Via and myself. Even if that means bending the rules a little..."

"Promise me right now, you will stop immersing your head in the stars and start amending your mistakes before it puts us all in danger. Do you understand?"

"I'll try, father," said Stolas.

"Not try. You will," Paimon barked. "If I hear so much as a whisper of your failures again, I'll give you visions of your worst nightmares so ferocious, you wish you were double dead!"

"Yes, father."

Paimon waved his hand, "You are dismissed."

Stolas summoned a golden box with a wave of his hand and handed it to him.

"Happy Father's Day," he mentioned before bowing again and departing.

After Stolas left, Paimon opened the box. Inside was a silver goblet with the family crest on it and stars engraved in it. Below it were pictures of a smiling baby Stolas in light blue, sitting on his mother's lap. A stray tear rolled from Paimon's eye as he stared at his wife in the picture.

Paimon sat on his throne and let out a sigh of melancholy.

"Happy Father's Day...my little Starfire prince."