War of Existence : - The Beginning of Saga

Choice less Choice

The once Great city of Vorkania was now mostly in ruins. The battle of the Immortals left a destruction which left quite a mark in the minds of the Mortals. This meant that too much attention was drawn towards them.

Major Victor gathered all his remaining men, which were an underwhelming number of five who had somehow managed to survive. Amongst them was Azazel as well. The overcharged Phoenix Tears was an extremely powerful attack and for Azazel to be able to survive such an attack was truly a miracle.

But right now they were tired and injured, especially Azazel who was in the most critical condition and without a place to recover, their condition would get worst. Things were looking quite bad for the Immortals. Fortunately they were found by the reinforcements that were meant to help Victor take down Lucifer. This served as a boon for them as the new reinforcements were more than equipped to act as a Relief squadron.

They had set up a temporary camp to treat the wounded. Now slowly recovering from their bodily wounds, but Victor wasn’t sure about the mental scars left by their crushing defeat. They had all the advantages they could possibly hope for, field advantage, weakened Lucifer without his sword and even greater number yet they were defeated.

If infuriated Victor more than anyone else for he was so close to taking down Lucifer for good. He almost had him, but The Fallen was able to turn the tide as soon as he got his sword. It was a severe blow to their moral, and with Lucifer being reunited with his legendary sword. He wasn’t even sure that Lucifer could be defeated.

Victor’s train of thoughts were halted when an angel stuck his head inside the camp and declared, “Major, the Council wishes to speak with you.”

‘This cannot be good.’ Victor thought to himself and nodded in response.

He followed the soldier out of his camp and into another, bigger camp. Once inside, the Major was greeted with the sight of all the seven Archangel’s projections.

“Ah, Major, So nice of you to join us here! Now would you please tell us what all this noise is about?” Remiel was the first to speak with an overly sweet and enthusiastic voice.

Victor gulped nervously and explained all that had transcribed till now……………..and they didn’t take it too well.

“What do you mean Lucifer has the sword! Where is Azazel!” Dominus roared in pure rage and also a bit concern.

Luckily, Azazel had mostly recovered and was immediately ordered to come before the Council. His body had suffered gravely but with the help of medication, he had healed but half of his face still had darker shade than the rest of his body. It would thus serve to remind him of his failure for eternity.

As soon as he was presented before the council, Dominus bombarded him with questions, “Boy! What is the meaning of this! Explain yourself!”

Azazel bowed his head in shame and spoke, “I was ordered by Major Victor to pursue the Demon escapee when we had managed to separate them from Lucifer. I would’ve succeeded as well if it wasn’t for the inconvenience I had.”

“What sort of Inconvenience, exactly?” questioned Leonardo.

“The new Private, Gabriel went rogue and turned on me.” Azazel spat with barely contained rage.

“WATCH YOUR TONGUE! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO YOU’RE BLAMING!” now it was Michael who was offended. How wouldn’t he be, Azazel was basically accusing his son for treason.

Jophiel turned to Victor and asked, “Is this true Major?”

Victor lowered his head and spoke, “Private Gabriel went after Captain Azazel even when I directly ordered him not to. I have no solid proof but I do think Azazel is right.”

“But without a proof, we cannot be certain now can we.” Calmly stated Michael, making Azazel get a taste of his own medicine and he clearly didn’t like it.

“I assure you my lord. I will personally hunt down those traitors and end them myself. I was careless once and won’t happen again.” Aazel declared with fire in his eyes.

The Council seemed taken aback by his commitment. Soon he learned that it wasn’t out of admiration. “My- My. Still has some bite left in him.” muttered Sarakiel with an amused but cruel tone.

“Are you sure we should really let him in the field after what happened?” asked Remiel.

“What are you saying?” questioned Dominus heatedly.

“The thing I’m trying to say Archangel Dominus is that, your protégé had always been a wild card in the army. With his psychotic nature and murderous tendency, he is more prone to cause trouble than good to the Army. The only reason we had him around was for his unique ability to be able to use the Sorrow Breaker. And with the sword back to its original owner, he is practically useless to us.” Explained Remiel, as if pretending that the said person of matter was not there at all or how his words were affecting him.

“No! I can get my sword back!” Azazel yelled desperately.

Some Archangels even snickered when Azazel called the Sorrow Breaker as ‘his’ sword.

“Sadly it’s true, your skills are qualified only till the level of any Captain in the army. The only edge you had was the Sorrow Breaker. And even with the most powerful sword to be ever made by the Immortals was in your grasp, you managed to get defeated. What makes you think you have a chance now?” questioned General Raphael.

Azazel was speechless. He was too stunned by this. The council would always favour him and now when he was at his weakest; all turned their back on him. And worst was……. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew Archangel Raphael was right. He looked down as his face was over shadowed. His pride was wounded yet it still didn’t let him let go of his fire. The dark haired angel balled his fist and mumbled with clanged teeth, “Just. Give. Me. A. Chance.”

The Archangels looked at each other and talked amongst themselves in a hushed tone. Soon all seven of them looked at Azazel with piercing gaze. Jophiel was the one who spoke for them all, “Very well Captain Azazel. We will give you this one chance to regain your status. Fail this and we will be forced to demote you for your incompetence.”

Azazel had no choice but to agree. He did however want to ask another thing, “And what about Private Gabriel?”

“If what you said is true then you do what we all do to traitors.” Ordered the old Archangel. At least there was something Azazel liked. He gave a salute and left.

“Can he really do that? Can he really bring back Sorrow Breaker?” asked Sarakiel to Remiel. The sly angel smirked, “Possibly not. But I’m ready to be surprised.”

Now all the Archangels turned towards Victor.

“So, Lucifer has finally chosen his side hasn’t he?” sadly asked Raphael.

“I’m afraid so my lord. The Late General’s role in rescuing the Demon was too big to be ignored. Now we have no choice but to brand him as an enemy of Celestia.” Victor answered solemnly.

“Can you stop him?” asked Jophiel.

Victor didn’t answered for her had no guts to outright say ‘No’.

“You better Major Victor. Or else I will send my elites to do this for you.” warned Remiel.

The major gulped and nodded, keeping the threat in heart. He bid them fare well with a salute and the Council was dispersed.

Victor rubbed his temple; he never liked dealing with the councils. Anyways, he now had other things to attend to and fortunately he had a heading.

                                                                                          ---X---

All that surrounded him was darkness. He was in the void again.

‘This again?’

But it changed.  As if he was stirring away, Lucifer opened his eyes. What he saw before left him awed. Before him was a huge city made of white and gold. It was so beautiful and spectacular that no words could fully describe it. But the best part was that the entire city was on top of a floating island. He looked around and saw more such floating chunks of land in the endless golden sky.

He was in Celestia.

He was Home.

‘How is this possible?’

“Are you feeling well?” asked a honey like Voice.

The Fallen Immediately turned around.

“Peace, Lucifer. It’s just me.”

Lucifer realized who the figure was and gasped, “Lily?”

Lilith smiled and came closer, “Yes, me. Do you not want to see me?” she said with a frown.

This all seeming very familiar.

It was all very strange for Lucifer for he was sure he wasn’t here a few hours ago. Yet seeing Lilith’s pained look made him softened his gazed, “No, it’s just……You startled me.”

With that he gazed back towards the floating city. It had been so long since he had seen his home; it made him feel very happy and nostalgic. As if a picture straight out of his past. It then hit him.

‘That’s it!’

He was having visions of the past. Still he didn’t complain. It was okay, even welcome. Lucifer missed those times. Lucifer especially missed the one who was besides him.

Feeling a weight on his left shoulder, Lucifer turn towards it. Lilith had sat down beside him and had rested her head on his shoulder. A content smile was on her face and her eyes were closed peacefully. The Fallen put his arm around her, making her smile wider.

“So, ‘General’ Lucifer……..Are we going to ‘train’ some more?” asked Eve suggestively, causing the usually stoic Angel to be embarrassed at the double meaning the word had.

“I think you had enough for today, Lily.”

“Oh, you’re no fun.”

They both shared a laugh at this. It felt awkward to Lucifer for he hadn’t genuinely laughed in Eons. It felt good. Lilith held his hand in her soft pale palm, Lucifer held back affectionately as he looked into her beautiful violet eyes.

Feeling a bit shy, the woman bashfully looked away into the city and spoke, “It’s really beautiful isn’t it?” clearly trying to change the subject.

“Indeed it is.” Lucifer added coyly, not sure if he was referring to the city or the beautiful woman before him, causing her to giggle sweetly.

They spent some more time together in peace. How Lucifer missed these tender moments he spent with her in secret, making these memories so much more precious.

“I wish this would never end.” Mumbled Lilith softly.

“Me too.” Added Lucifer.

Then he frowned at Lilith’s next words which were filled with sorrow and distress, “But with the tension between our kin grows…I’m afraid we cannot be like this ever again.”

The blond remembered when it was that she had said these very words so long ago. She had said these words in their last ‘meeting’…………….. Before the long bitter war that tore them apart.

Back then he didn’t know what was to come. He was still young and with youth came naivety. Perhaps that was what made Lucifer say these word without knowing the burden he was about to put on his shoulder. He uttered, “Then I will always uphold the peace. I promise.”

Lilith looked at him with eyes glowing with hope. She always looked on to him with such admiration and adoration. With such hope and trust, things Lucifer now wasn’t even sure if he ever was worthy of.

“You promise?”   

The fallen involuntarily repeated the words he had uttered so long ago. The words which would always remind him of the failure and burden that he had carried on his shoulder for so long.

“I promise.”

                                                                                           ---X---

He jerked awake when he felt someone touch him on his shoulder.

“Easy Luci, It’s just me.” Luna reassured him till he let down his guard. Lucifer looked around and saw he was still in the bunker. Slowly he sat up and rubbed his eyes.

With the visions getting more and more frequent, he really hated sleeping now entirely. His comrades were having breakfast. (Or at least what he presumed it was. It’s hard to determine time inside a dark bunker) The howling of the wind had died down, meaning the blizzard had ended. Zoya headed him a can of beans. The blond accepted the food and ate in silence.

After all was done, Rose was the one who broke the silence, “So………What do we do now?”

Lucifer pondered on this for a good while, “Honestly I’m not sure. Now that I’ve officially made enemies with Celestia. We’re on a run now….That means you too, Boy.” Lucifer spoke to Gabriel. The Boy merely scoffed at this, still not cooperative.

“So what will we do run forever?” asked Luna. Her concern was understandable, but Lucifer also might not have any other option. They will have to go in hiding from Celestia.

But Rose suggested an alternative, “Or Perhaps you could come with me?”

Everyone looked at her in confusion. She explained, “Being in a faction will ensure that you will have protection under the Faction’s territory. I am still a part of the Infernic Legion so I have access to the safe territory. Perhaps you can benefit from this as well. Inferno will be more than happy to have you Lord Lucifer and I will vouch for you Sir Gabriel.”

The Fallen pondered at this. Rose was basically asking him to join them, exactly like in the first place. But the only different was, he had no choice. With Celestia branding him an enemy, trying to reason with them was now useless. But joining the Inferno meant joining a faction, thus going back into a life he so desperately wanted to forget. Yet running away from Celestial forces for eternity didn’t sound good either. Plus it put them in so much danger, especially Luna.

He really didn’t like the either choice but Luna’s safety came first and he couldn’t really choose the either without her consent. So he asked the Phoenix, “What do you say, Kid?”

Luna replied almost immediately, “Where ever you go I’ll follow.”

The fallen should’ve expected such an answer from her, but still couldn’t help but shake his head. God what would he do without her. Then he turned to Gabriel.

“So what’s your say, boy?”

Gabriel shrugged, “Doesn’t seem we have much of a choice here, so what could be worst?” He answered with brutal honesty.

Lucifer sighed. Turning to Rose he accepted, “Fine. We will join you.”

You could see her lip impressions on her tight mask curl up wards into a smile at their decision. This was perhaps a glorious day for the Demon kind as the oldest and the strongest Immortals was about to join their ranks.

A timid voice, belonging to Zoya asked, “Um…. What about me?”

It would be very rude not to consider the small mortal who helped them so much, thus Rose asked, “What would you propose Ms. Zoya?”

Zoya just rubbed her face, “Just drop me off at the nearest Vorken city. I could really use some normalcy after all this.” She spoke tiredly. Poor girl was in for so much surprise……………………