War of Existence : - The Beginning of Saga

Unlikely welcome

“Lucifer?” that voice

“Lucifer…” I know that voice.

“Lucifer…” Lily where are you?

Again he was in the darkness. That endless void. His eyes searched for the one person he last saw here. “Lily?” he called.

“I’m here!” the voice came from behind him. He turned around and there she was, her purple hair flowing behind her, her white robe fluttering with the non existing wind, she was just as beautiful as the last he saw her.

He stood speechless as Lilith came over him and wrapped him in an embrace.

“You look….different. I love your new hairstyle.” Lilith giggled. Lucifer just stood still, silent as grave, just looking at her gaping like a fish. As if trying to imprint her entire being into his memory.

“Hey, you there?” Lilith snapped her fingers before him, bringing him back to his senses. She gave out a hearty laugh. A laugh Lucifer had longed to hear for so many years, since the day she…..

Lucifer softly touched Lilith’s cheek. She looked up to his eyes and gave sad smile and placed her palm over his hand. The fallen finally found his voice and spoke-“Lily, Listen I…..” but he had nothing to say. He wanted to tell her so many things, convey so much yet, he had no words to say. Luckily Lilith tenderly placed her finger on his lips and shushed him. She took a hold of his hands and gave a gentle yet reassuring squeeze. Her gaze casted down at Lucifer’s hands clasped between her own and spoke softly-“Your hands…They feel warmer now. Is it because of the Brutum girl?”

Lucifer’s eyes widened at the mention of Luna. Her well being concerned him the most, thus worry harboured within him and he was now freaking out. He even let go of Lilith’s hands and was now looking everywhere frantically. She laughed at this. “Worry not…. She is safe…..for now.”

This calmed Lucifer a bit and an uncomfortable silence engulfed them. Slowly Eve stepped closer to Lucifer. He gulped in anticipation as the purple haired beauty drew extremely closer and only a few inches remained between them. Lucifer could feel her cool breadth on his face, sending shivers down his being. It was a feeling he thought he had long forgotten. It seemed surreal, yet felt so real. Lilith stood up on her toes so that she could close the gap between her and Lucifer’s lips. He closed his eyes at this but suddenly, an image of a certain red haired Phoenix crossed his mind, halting him. To his surprise, he even had stopped Lilith’s advances by holding her back by shoulders. She gave a knowing smile at this and said-“ It’s okay, I will not hold it against you…”

But she did whispered in Lucifer’s ears-“But you still have a promise to keep…” his eyes widened at this. She continued-“You’re entering into something which will decide the fate of all, tread carefully my love……..”

                                                                                          ---X---

Lucifer woke up abruptly with heavy breaths. His dreams of the void had shaken him but he pulled himself together after a while. Then he looked around his surroundings and saw that he was in some sort of prison cell. He tried to get up but couldn’t as he learned that his hands were shackled to the wall. He had some bleeding wounds that he was sure he didn’t have before he was knocked out.

‘The demons took a cheap shot and beat me up when I was out cold but decided not to kill me yet…Maybe for interrogation ...Typical demons.’

He shook his head, trying to get the ringing he had in his head. The after effects of the poison were irritating him. ‘Damn I’m getting sloppy….Okay now, I’m in a cell captured by demons and Luna is nowhere to be seen……..’

When he realized his last thoughts, Lucifer felt a chill go down his back. Luna.

Where was she?

Was she alright?

Was she captured too?

Was she even alive?

The last question made Lucifer even more worried. He had to...No...He NEEDED to find her, fast. He had a promise to keep. He stood up but couldn’t advance as the chains binding him to the wall restricted him. He gritted his teeth angrily. He had no time for this. Lucifer grunted and pulled the chains. The chains were strong but he didn’t care. He had to find his friend. His only friend and no chains or cages were gonna stop him. He let out a soundless roar and pulled harder, harder and harder. His will unrelenting, his strength unwavering, the chains had no choice but to bow down to his will.

                                                                                      ---X---

Today had been perhaps the most eventful day in her entire life. When the Demons sensed the Maya surges sent by the Artefact, a retrieval team was immediately set up to act. Rose appealed to the Captain be in that team as well. It would be her first field assignment ever and Rose was very eager to prove herself. She was never a good fighter; it was her gift in stealth and a bit of desperation of the demonic legion which had helped her to join their ranks while searching for the Artefacts. The Captain was really reluctant to send her along with the retrieving team for he still believed that she was not ready. However, Rose was thankful that The Captain finally agreed. Thus under the command of their strongest brawler Tor, the Team of demons were off to retrieve the Artefact by any means necessary.

Their forces had to swarm the city and decimate it to reach the ruins the city so jealously guarded.  The job was simple, get the Artefact before the other immortals, namely Angels get drawn to it like flies. The mortal resistance, namely the entire city guards posed little to no major threat to them so they were confident. But they had never expected what had transcribed today.

A fallen with alliance with a Brutum. Unheard of and unimaginable, yet they saw just that. The resistance they showed was even more surprising. They had the two immortals cornered and outnumbered, yet they couldn’t beat them, especially the fallen angel.

 He had a golden wing, understandably he would be strong, but they never thought that he would be so strong that he would toss their most powerful warrior, Tor, around like a doll. The power difference scared them, had Rose not used her sleep poison at the Fallen, they would be dead right now.

It took over five darts to knock him out and that was no small feat. But then came the difficult part. What to do with the fallen angel? Most of the squad, especially Tor, who took a major wound to his pride wanted to end the Angel then and there. Only a few others, herself and the Demon paladin (shield one), became the voice of reason. The angel was there before them, so he must have some information vital for their mission. They didn’t like it but the reason was sound.

But still, she couldn’t help but feel that this angel was different. Rose could feel it. She had seen it in his eyes, the fire in them, even though extinguished, the cinders were still there. And killing was something she wasn’t really comfortable with.

And so, they retrieved the Artefact and decided to begrudgingly take the unconscious angel with them. The female Brutum was nowhere to be found but they didn’t mind it. They had more pressing matters at hand and let her be. But still Rose was curious. That brutum was like no other she had seen before and if her knowledge served right, that female was a Phoenix Brutum, which was considered extinct after a certain event. Now they were heading towards their nearest outpost in Siraya via a Galleon, similar to the one that docked in the shipyard back in the Vorkish City with the angel held prisoner at the cells at the bottom of the ship.

She now was on her way to the very cell holding their guest to check on him as per the Captain’s request. Finally she reached the cell where he was held and saw that the angel was still out cold. She came over and asked over the bars separating them, “You awake?”

No reply came, making her feel stupid. He was still out cold and being pin cushion for sleep dart was obviously not the most pleasant experience. She then noticed the wounds inflicted on his body. His shirt was torn, pants were tattered and shoes were worn. Face was bruised and lip was cut. Scratches littered his arms and chest, they had done a number on him while he was out and Tor the Brawler was the one who blew off some steam by abusing the unconscious angel. Tough immortals were practically immune to mortal weapons and forces, but an attack on an immortal by an immortal could mortally harm them.

Rose scoffed, ‘Barbarians…’

True the fallen had done a number on them but hitting a defenceless enemy was cowardly and dishonourable, ironic because she herself was an assassin. She cautiously opened the door and came over him. Rose brought her palms close to her chest and muttered a few wipers. A faint aura surrounded her palms, which she brought close to the fallen. This was what made her different. This was what made her resent killing. The wounds slowly started healing under the influence of her power till it was no more.

Now that Angel’s wounds were all healed and he wasn’t waking up anytime soon, Rose stood up, ready to leave. The moment she turned back, a voice dangerously close behind her said, “You’re one odd bird in a flock of Ravens, aren’t you, Shadow Blade?”

Rose was about to turn back but before she could do anything, she was shoved to the other end of the cell and got herself pinned against the bars of the cell. She tried to reach for her weapon but the Fallen had already taken her blade and pressed it against her throat.

“Now, don’t scream or I’ll have to kill you, which I would prefer not to.” Whether he meant it or he was bluffing, Rose had no idea but she wasn’t willing to try his words. The demoness nodded fearfully and the blade was slowly removed from her neck. Abruptly she was turned around and met those crystal blue eyes of the angel.

“So….Where am I?”

                                                                                            ---X---

Luna knew she was a bit different than Lucifer even when he claimed that they were both immortals. She knew very little about her life before meeting Lucifer, nor did she remembers about her heritage and absolutely nothing about herself being some sort of flame bird shape-shifting…..thing. It was too much to take in. If it was her heritage then she wanted to know more. There were so many questions in her mind, who was she? Where was she from? And most importantly, what was she?

But NO, Luci had to throw her out of the fight and be the HERO!

And imagine how mad and worried she was when those mean ‘Demons’, as Luci called them, came out of the ruins with his beaten and unconscious body. They took him on a ship and left the burning Vorken city behind them. So Luci was in a major trouble and Luna would have to save his ass again.

As naïve as she was, she knew that storming a ship  boarded with Demons who just beat Lucifer, who was the strongest person she knew, and probably filled with god knows what was a very-very stupid idea. A suicide even. So she tailed the Galleon from afar, waiting for the cover of night to sneak in. Her mind already made up to give the blond angel a piece of her mind after saving him.

“You better be alright Luci, because you will not be after I’m done with you.”

                                                                                         ---X---

Luring the female demon into his trap was the sanest thing he had done that day, but he wasn’t sure letting her live was. But he did learn a few things, he was now an ‘Honoured Guest’ in a Half a mile long Galleon, flying a thousand feet above the ground. Lucifer couldn’t help but curse his luck.

He really considered screwing all and jumping off the ship by making a hole in its hull, but he might not survive the fall and even if he did, it would take some time for him to heal, and if Luna found him, she would probably kill him herself. Speaking of her, she must have already boarded the ship, filled with enemies, looking for him. Lucifer knew that’s exactly what she will be doing, her persistence was legendary. He resisted the urge to face palm. And so, here he was, with help of his new ‘friend’, he was making his way around the ship and the blade pointed at her neck made her very cooperative.

Lucifer got a good look at the demon he now had at his custody. Light demonic armour covered her short yet well developed figure. She only reached his chin so for someone so small; the demon girl was crazy strong. Her eyes were ruby red, common in all demons, but hair was an exotic shade of sliver. That was all he could see of her face for the lower half was covered with a face mask, standard issue in all Shadow blades. All in all, she had the strange mysterious yet attractive vibe.

Shaking those thoughts aside, he focused at the matter at hand, his primary concern was Luna. God knows where she was. He had to find her fast before she caused trouble or get into trouble. Which she often did, and Lucifer hoped against hope that she didn’t.

He really hoped that Luna hadn’t stormed in the ship yelling out his dreadful nickname only she dared to say, but considering her brash nature, he highly dough that she would not do so. But seeing no alarms were triggered, she must’ve sneaked in through the hanger. According to the demon girl, hanger was only place from where infiltration was possible without much suspicion. He never believed her, if the place wasn’t suspicious then how come she knew about, but his knowledge about the Galleon’s layout was limited so he will have to take her word, promising her that if she double crossed him, he will have to put her down.

The Shadow blade leads him towards the hanger. They met no resistance, further solidifying his doubt that she will rat him out. The girl asked suddenly, “If I may, what are you looking for exactly?”

He decided to humour her and answered, “Not what, who. I’m looking for a red haired fool who likes to shoot fire at baddies. I’m sure you met her.” Rose understood who Lucifer was talking about.

“The female Brutum…” she mumbled.

“Exactly.”

The lack of hostile forces was making Lucifer anxious. It was getting on his nerves and making his skin crawl. His patients was running thin and it would be any moment when he would lash out, making Rose very nervous. She was trying to think of a way to save herself from the angel’s wrath when they heard some noises from a nearby room, halting them both.

“The storage room?” muttered Rose and it dawned at Lucifer.

Normally Lucifer would avoid such complications, but he had a pretty good idea who it was. Storage room meant supplies, supplies meant food. That’s all he needed to know. He gestured the demoness to stay put.

When Lucifer entered the room, he groaned at the sight. The place looked like a hurricane had hit it. Carts smashed, boxes torn, cupboards broken. The floor was littered with utensils and other supplies along with splinters of wood. A small box came flying towards his head, he could’ve dodged it but as he said, he was sloppy, and it smashed right at his face. He rubbed his face with a pained groan and glared at the figure who threw it, who happened to be searching high and low through a series of carts and boxes with a wheel of cheese in her hands.

“Luci can wait….Its snack time!”-she declared.

“Gee…Thanks for the concern, Kid.” He voiced, making his presence known and causing Luna to freeze. Slowly she turned and looked at him with an astonished face. Lucifer was about to say something but Luna threw the cheese at his face.

“That’s for leaving me!”

Lucifer hurriedly caught the cheese before it hit his face but couldn’t save himself from the punch Luna gave him in the gut.

“That’s for making me sick of worry!” it really knocked the wind out of his lungs. Then she punched again and again, “You…..stupid…..Jerk…..”

The attack seemed out of anger but Lucifer knew better, the punched were a medium, a way of Luna to show her desperation, her worry, as well as her relief.

She was gonna punch him again but Lucifer stopped her….by hugging her. She froze. Soon the dam broke, her frustration and desperation won out, anger became relief and she hugged back with tears freely flowing down her eyes. When she saw Lucifer being captured, her heart stopped. Fear had taken over her like no other and to find out that her friend was okay was a sensation she could never convey in words. With unsteady sobbing breadths, she said-“I thought I lost you….”

As for Lucifer, emotional moments were something he was never good with. Those were mortal speciality but seeing his friend break down in front of him, his gaze softened. He felt sad too, but he knew Luna needed it. That’s why he treasured her. So innocent, so pure…..he had vowed to protect her long ago, that vow was even more re-enforced now. He awkwardly patted her head-“Hey now kid, don’t get so worked up, you’re not gonna get rid of me so easily.” Luna giggled at this, lightening up the mood a thousand fold.

After a good few moments, Luna recovered and gave Lucifer a bright smile he was used to. He the said-“So… ‘Luci can wait’?”

Luna’s face went red with embarrassment. She stammered-“Well…Uh, about that…Hey, you threw me out of the cave!”

“That was for your own safety.”

“SAFETY MY ASS!”

“Language Kid.”

“Seriously?”

They both laughed at this. It surprised Luna because Lucifer didn’t laugh much. Hell, Luna can’t even remember the last time Lucifer genuinely smiled. It felt good. Good that she was the only one who could bring out this side of the grumpy old angel.

“Let’s get you out of her kid.”

“Actually, I’m the one who is here to save you, so you’re following me.”

“Yah-Yah….Okay Shadow blade, can you help us out?” Lucifer called out of the door. But to his dismay no answer came.

“Uh, Luci who are you talking to?”

Lucifer was confused at first and mentioned the Silver haired Demonness behind him, only to find empty space where Rose was moment’s ago. Then it dawned to him. The demoness had escaped and now it was only a matter of time before the entire ship’s crew would have a nervous breakdown. He face palmed and mumbled, “Crap, I’m getting sloppy.” causing Luna to sweat drop.

Turns out, Luna knew the way out. The same way she came in, by the hanger. So if they were fast enough, they could escape before the entire crew would be out for their head, something he didn’t wanted. So they ran as fast as they could through the corridors of the ship.

“That’s the Hanger entrance!”, Luna yelled pointing a metal door. Wasting no time Lucifer shoved it open and suddenly, he felt like the biggest i***t on existence.

The place was swarming with enemies, mortals along with a few Immortals, all doing about their businesses and armed to the teeth. Shocked to their core, everything was quite for a while. No one dared to move and in the pin drop silence Lucifer could swear that he hear his own heart racing.-“Evening gentlemen.” He greeted.

They greeted back too…..by aiming their weapons at them from everywhere. The floor, the ladder, the carts, heck one even was hanging from the catwalk. Why? He will never know but one thing was clear. They were screwed.

Luna gulped and muttered, “Well….poop.”     

And so here they were, surrounded by enemies. Lucifer slowly put Luna behind him. He stood tall and strong, his face hard and his eyes flared fire but his heart was filled with worry, not about himself but for Luna. He needed to buy her some time; he needed to create a distraction, long enough for her to escape. As if reading his mind, Luna held his hand firmly making him turn. Her eyes filled with annoyance, as if knowing what he had planned. Yet her silver eyes held determination as well. Her words echoed in Lucifer’s ears

‘…we are friends, we are family…’

He realized this now. He was no longer alone. Not anymore. They were friends, they were family. Anything that messes with them will have to deal with them, both of them. It calmed his nerves, made him relived. It felt good. He wasn’t in this alone now .The blonde took a deep breath and nodded while Luna nodded back. Her being engulfed in fire and Lucifer’s ethereal wing sprout out, they were ready and were not going down without a fight.

Lucifer was about to commence an attack. But just in the meek hour, a powerful voice said, “ENOUGH!”

Everyone halted at the command, yet was still cautious if either side would try to do anything. Confusion was still present in the air but that didn’t mean they would be lowering their guard. Lucifer wasn’t sure if it was a trap or not so he was not taking any chances. But having not to fight every single soul in the hanger was a tempting idea as well, so he held his offence.

A door opened from other side of the hanger and out came a person. He seemed old with neatly trimmed grey hair and beard, red eyes showing his demon heritage and his military outfit was decorated signifying that he was probably the leader of the operations.

“Everyone stand down.” He commanded. On his command everyone lowered their weapons, leaving only Lucifer and Luna looking like idiots. Then he looked at Lucifer and gave a nostalgic smile, “To think after all these years, the first pre-war angel I would see would be the Late General himself.” The old man then bowed, “My respect to you, Lord Lucifer.”

This caused several reactions within the facility. Mortals and Luna was confused, having no idea of the weight Lucifer’s name carried. Lucifer was actually surprised that there was anyone alive who recognised him at all. As for the immortals, they were astonished. Probably raised hearing legends about the Late General all their lives and to meet him in flesh in such a sorry state was shocking and overwhelming. Whispers were exchanged amongst them in hushed tones, still not being to believe their eyes.

Lucifer ignored their discussion and asked the old demon who clearly knows him-“You know me?”

The demon chuckled at this as replied, “Yes I do general, I am Captain William, I was a Dark Legionnaire of the 100th Legion.”

Lucifer’s eyes widened in realization, “The dark centurion of Gloom Valley…”

“I’m glad you remembered General, your Celestial Army had nearly pinned us down the valley, but in the end it was a tough victory.” William looked around and saw how everyone was looking at their direction. He turned back at Lucifer and asked, “Would mind walking with me General?”

The angel nodded. He and Luna followed the demon who leaded them away from the hanger and into the corridors of the ship. Two demons were tailing them from a distance as added security. Lucifer asked, “Well, what do you want with me?”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, I suppose I wasn’t brought here to just recall our ‘Glorious’ past, so …”

“Ha, as observant as ever. Some things don’t change even after a millennium. But I like the new hairstyle. Better than those girly long hair Angels prefer….Has living amongst mortals affected you so much?”

Before he could answer, Luna beat him to it-“Luci, hated them at first but I did it anyways. He loves it now.” And like this, she pulled attention towards herself, something Lucifer had hoped she avoided.

William was silent for a while, his mouth agape because of shock. Then he laughed, “So the reports were true, your pet is quite unique General.”

The word pet and Luna was something Lucifer never liked when put together and he didn’t delay to voice his displeasure, “Her name is Luna.” He said with emphasis. His voice had an edge, making William nervous and the demon guards ready their weapons.

“Apologies General, it’s just that you don’t see a sentient Brutum often, even a Celestial one. Were they not killed when the angels committed their g******e?”

Luna was very confused now and asked, “Brutums? Genocides? What is going on Luci?”

Making William even more surprised. Lucifer looked at both their confused faces and sighed, “I’ll explain later.” To whom it was meant for was not relevant so they carried on.

“So where are we going?” asked Lucifer.

“We have things to discuss, General.”

“Discuss?” he asked back, not liking the sound of their discussion.

“Yes General, but first...we need to get you a change in wardrobe. Those rags do no bit of justice to the Late General.”……………………………………..