Faith of the Fallen

7.TheProblem

I couldn’t believe my eyes, before me stood the one being on Earth that I had once accepted that I would never be seeing him again.

Yet here he was.

“I never knew you te be the quiet one, Merihem.” His deep voice startled me, but it confirmed once again that it was really him who stood here infront of me.

“Lucifer, you ape! You promised you’d stop playing these silly party tricks!” I found myself running into him, my arms gripping him tightly as joy filled me.

I could feel his body rumbling softly as he laughed, “That was centuries ago, Merihem, surely you didn’t expect me to still follow by that promise.” His arms were now circled around my body.

We stood there silently. My head was rushing through all the memories we have together, a quick refresh on why he was one of the craziest beings to have ever been created.

In that moment, the weight of centuries pressed upon us, and yet, it felt as though no time had passed at all. Lucifer's eyes, once burning with the fire of rebellion, now held a glimmer of amusement and familiarity. I sighed, both exasperated and fond, “You haven’t changed a bit, have you?”

His lips curled into a mischievous smile, the kind that had charmed angels and demons alike. “Change is overrated, my dear Merihem. Embracing one’s true nature, on the other hand, is a delightfully liberating experience.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, despite my attempt to remain stern. He had a way of making everything seem so effortless, even the most profound truths. “So, what brings you to Earth, Lucifer? More mischief, or perhaps a genuine desire for redemption?” I said, my voice laced with slight sarcasm.

His laughter echoed like distant thunder, the sound rolling through the air with a magnetic allure. “Ah, Merihem, you always had a way with words. Redemption, you say? How dull! I’ve grown rather fond of Earth and its endless variety of entertainment. Humans, you see, are the most fascinating creatures.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Fascinating, you say?”

He nodded, his gaze fixed on the bustling cityscape outside of my apartment window. “Exactly. Their capacity for both good and evil, their ability to create and destroy, it’s mesmerizing. And besides, where else can one find such a delightful blend of tragedy and comedy?”

I couldn’t deny his point. There was something inexplicably captivating about humanity’s complexity, their resilience in the face of adversity, and their capacity for love despite all the darkness in the world. That is only what my experience had been in the last few centuries I have observed here.

As we continued to stand there, lost in thought, Lucifer's expression turned serious. “Merihem, there’s something else at play here. I sense a shift in the balance, a subtle undercurrent of change in the celestial realms, this is what had led to me having the opportunity to escape. It’s as if the universe itself is preparing for something extraordinary.”

I frowned, a sense of foreboding settling over me. “What do you mean, Lucifer? Are you suggesting that something is about to happen?”

He nodded slowly, his eyes reflecting the uncertainty of the future. “Yes, my dear friend. I believe we are on the brink of a new era, one that will challenge the very fabric of existence. And who else would I look for during this time.”

I tightened my grip on him, feeling a mixture of apprehension and determination. Whatever lay ahead, I knew that facing it with Lucifer by my side would make the journey all the more intriguing. Together we were bound not only by our shared history but also by a deeper understanding ever since tour Fall from Grace.

With a renewed sense of purpose, I looked into Lucifer’s eyes and said, “Then let us embrace this uncertainty, Luce, after all, what are eternity and friendship for, if not to face the unknown?”

He grinned, a glint of determination matching my own. “Well said, Merihem. To the enduring spirit of defiance!”

As always Lucifer was one for rebellion.

With Lucifer by my side, I knew that the next person we have to go and find would be Remiel. Going back to Hell would be no easy task, seen as I was banished from Hell and Lucifer was the cause of a war before he was thrown into Purgatory. Yet, no challenge could deter us.

I found solace in the fact that Lucifer was back, my bestfriend is free again. His unwavering support and playful banter will serve as a balm to the wounds left by Gabriel's departure. The pain of my heartbreak is already being soothed by his presence.

****

One night, under the vast expanse of the starlit sky, Lucifer and I shared a moment of quiet reflection. Sitting atop one of the tallest buildings in New York, we gazed at the celestial bodies above, contemplating the vastness of the universe and our place within it.

Lucifer smiled, his eyes reflecting the shimmering stars in his swirling red eyes. “I know no boundaries, Merihem. We may have walked different paths after I was banished to Purgatory, but fate has given me the opportunity to escape and find you again.”

Together, we were unstoppable, a force to be reckoned with in the pursuit of our shared goal and the mysteries that awaited us.

As we prepared to leave the city and descend back to Hell, we were unexpectedly confronted by a blinding light. Raphael, the archangel known for his unwavering loyalty to the heavenly hierarchy, materialized before us, his golden wings shimmering with divine power. His eyes, usually warm with compassion, were now filled with stern determination.

“Lucifer,” he said, his voice echoing with authority, “you dare to tread on grounds that are forbidden to you? I implore you to reconsider and return to your rightful place in Purgatory.”

Lucifer, never one to back down from a challenge, squared his shoulders, unfolding black wings that match the night sky and met Raphael's gaze with unyielding defiance. “I have my own reasons for leaving Purgatory, Raphael, reasons that go beyond the confines of Heaven and I will not be swayed by your warnings.”

I stood by Lucifer’s side, my determination matching his own. But at the back of my mind now rests the words ‘my own reasons’.

Raphael’s expression softened momentarily as he looked over to me, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. “I understand your loyalty to each Lucifer, but the balance between light and darkness is delicate, and meddling could have dire consequences.”

Lucifer chuckled, his laughter echoing through the empty streets. “Oh, Raphael, always the dutiful servant. But you underestimate the strength of my resolve and the power I have. We will face whatever challenges come our way.”

With those words, Lucifer spread his wings once more, a defiant glint in his eyes. I followed suit, my own wings unfurling, ready to face whatever obstacles stood in our path. As we prepared to take flight, I whispered to Lucifer, “No matter what happens, Luce, we face it together.”

He nodded, his confidence unwavering. “Together, Merihem. Always.”

Lucifer gave one last glare towards Raphael, shook his head, then we took flight, leaving behind the city lights of New York as we descended into the depths of Hell.