3

Lucifer paced back and forth in his mansion. He had dispersed the angels long ago and now he was left with his disturbing thoughts. He alone knew that he had no proof. There was nothing to incriminate God with and it made him feel foolish. His mind flashed to Gadreel. The angel was of a high rank; therefore he had a lot of influence over the angels as well and enormous strength. He was going to be very beneficial, Lucifer could not lose him.

The cherub was so deep in thought; he almost missed the soft voice that called for him.

"Lucifer". It said. Lucifer abruptly stopped his pacing. God was calling him. He closed his eyes and sighed.

"Lucifer". The voice called again, this time clearer. His heart started to beat extremely fast. He had wanted to meet with him, hadn't he? Why was he so scared then? Why was he so hesitant?

He decided to resume his pacing, ignoring the voice. He needed to come up with something before he went to meet God if not he would have nothing to show the angels.

"Lucifer". The voice called the third time, as calm as ever. Lucifer groaned, spread his wings, and flew out of his home with haste. He ignored every greeting as he flew with speed to the speck of light far away from his home.

The closer he got, the more the golden temple that he had seen one too many times came into view. The melodious voices of the Seraph filled his ears, and the familiar goosebumps covered his skin. When he got to the temple, golden stairs appeared from the entrance and stretched out to his feet. He climbed them slowly.

He was sure that he could hear the sound of his own heart drumming in his chest louder than the hymns that were sung in the temple. As he reached the entrance, the large gate that separated him from the hall opened on its own accord. Immediately the floors were engulfed in golden flames and the voices of the seraphs were louder than before. He stared at the throne that sat farther away from the temple. He could see the outline of the angels that sang but could not see who sat on the throne. As always, it was blazing with light.

Lucifer took a deep breath before stepping his foot into the fire. The flames danced around his legs, but they did not hurt him. He kept walking, his eyes on the throne. He imagined himself on it, sending angels to do his bidding. He imagined the seraphs singing to him and the glory that would encompass him. He clenched his fists.

I will do anything to have that honor.

"Why do you walk with uncertainty, Lucifer? These grounds are no strangers to you". A deep voice called out. Lucifer stopped in his tracks. Once again, in his absent-mindedness, he had not noticed that the songs had stopped and he was walking extremely slowly.

He let out a nervous laugh. "My lord, I was lost in thought. I deeply apologize if I offended you". He bowed afterward. His hands were still clenched not only in nervousness, but anger. He hated being riled up in his presence. He wanted to look God straight in the eyes and speak. He was tired of bowing.

"Why would that offend me Lucifer, I was merely joking". God responded. Lucifer almost growled.

"Of course my lord". There was a silence afterward. Before now, the silence would not have been a problem. Lucifer would have taken the time to admire the beauty of the temple, but not today. Instead, it irritated him and he was itching to get out of there.

"My lord, what is it you called me for?" He asked impatiently. There was no response for a while.

"Yes". Another silence. "How are the preparations for the tournament going?" God asked. Lucifer relaxed his nerves a little. At least he wasn't grilling him on his impatience.

"Very well my lord, everyone is performing their duties well. You do not need to fear". Lucifer said. A laugh escaped God's lips, the sound echoing through the temple walls.

"I am not afraid Lucifer. I have you". He said. Lucifer's heart almost stopped. Was that guilt he felt? He gulped hard before nodding.

"Y-yes you do". He stuttered.

"How is Michael?" God asked. Lucifer raised a brow. How does he have to do with anything?

"He's well". He replied nonetheless. "Finest fighter in the heavens and smartest too just needs a little grooming".

"Ah yes, I expect nothing less from him than excellence. You are teaching him yes?"

"I am".

"Very well". Another silence took over. In all the years they had talked to each other, Lucifer and God had never had an awkward conversation like this one. Lucifer could not keep his gaze on the throne for too long, his eyes darting here and there while God had never been so silent. Even though Lucifer had been there for no longer than thirty minutes, it seemed like he stood there for much longer.

"Lucifer". God called.

"My lord".

"I want to do something when the tournament ends". He said. Lucifer's ears perked up. This was it! This was his moment to get something incriminating.

"What is it, my lord?" He asked, his attention fully drawn.

"I want to gift the winner of the tournament something precious". He said. "To show my support". Lucifer wrinkled his brows in confusion.

"My lord, the promotion should be rewarding enough". Lucifer argued.

"Yes, yes it is. Still, I want to reward the winner with a special gift". God said.

"What is it?" He asked.

Another silence.

"A sword". Lucifer almost laughed. Of all things, he wanted to gift a sword. It was the last thing he had expected and also not incriminating in the slightest.

"Is it a funny gift?" God asked. Lucifer cleared his throat and struggled to keep a straight face as he responded.

"No, no, not at all. It's just..." A slight pause. "The angel who would win the tournament is going to be a warrior; he or she would already have a sword".

There was another silence. Lucifer was getting tired of God's late replies. Why did he always have to think deeply before he answered? It was hard to pick out an error from him; he always knew what to say even in the tensest situations.

"The sword I wish to gift him or she would not be like the others, you should know that. You have been the closest to me and you still underestimate my abilities". God replied. Lucifer's lips stretched into a thin line.

I can surely do better than to give a sword. "No, my lord". He bowed his head slightly. "But, still it is just..."

"I intend to leave a part of me in that sword". God interrupted. "Anyone who wields it would be the second most powerful angel in the heavens, same as you".

Lucifer's straight lips turned into a frown within seconds. Same as he? God was planning to make the winner of the tournament his equal? Lucifer was beyond furious at this point, here he was planning to take hold of God's throne and He was planning to demote him. To nothing.

"Lucifer?"

"None is worthy". Lucifer could not stop the words as they flew out of his mouth.

"On the contrary, one is. Michael your student". Lucifer almost shouted. Why did the maker have to embarrass him like this?

"But..."

"Yes, Lucifer?" God's voice remained calm and it only annoyed Lucifer the more.

"I think that..."

"Michael is not worthy? Surely he is, you trained him didn't you?" Lucifer swallowed hard. The anger he has been trying to suppress was about to rear its head.

"I did not mean he is not worthy, I just..."

"Very well then. It is settled". Lucifer's eyes widened. It is settled? What did he mean it is settled? There was nothing settled about this!

"My lord...if I may..."

This time, he was interrupted by the sound of a loud clang. Very close to his feet laid a large sword with intricate designs. It glowed just like God's throne and Lucifer could feel the power it had from where he stood. His breath hitched. He wanted it, how could God give this to another? Michael for that matter? His student.

Lucifer reached for it and when his fingers brushed the hilt of the sword, a sharp pain ran through his hands to his head. He yelped and moved away from the object, grabbing his hand firmly.

"Now Lucifer, I said it was for the winner of the tournament. Not for you as well. Only the winner can wield the sword".

If Lucifer's ego had been stung before, this time it shattered into a million pieces. Of all the angels, he was more worthy. He was the son of the morning. The brightest angel.

How dare he?!

"How will I carry it then?" He asked, his tone laced with anger. He didn't bother hiding it. If the maker had noticed, he chose not to speak.

Instead, the sword lifted on its own and faced Lucifer. He moved towards it and the object moved forward, startling him.

"The sword will follow you; you will keep it in one of the temples. I will send two seraphs to guard it. No one must come near it until the tournament is over". God said to him.

He didn't even send me to guard it. Lucifer did not bow after this; instead, he turned and began to walk away, the sword following closely after him. He spread his wings at the entrance and began to fly back to the city. His heart was full of anger and resentment. Everything the maker had said was not in his favor. He was once again a mere errand boy while someone else would take his position.

But that was not the only reason he was bitter. As he returned to his home, much to his dismay, God did not call back after him.