5

Lucifer stared blankly at five pairs of golden irises. He sat on a chair from across the angels with his arm crossed and he had a calm expression as he stared at them. The angels, however, were very nervous. Occasionally, they will shift uncomfortably in their seats or their eyes would scan the whole room, anything that would make them not stare back at him. They all were wondering what was happening when they saw Lucifer accompanied by Seraphs and before they could reach any conclusion, Adriel had told them Lucifer wanted to speak to them. Now, they were here and for the past five minutes all Lucifer had done was to stare at them intently.

After what felt like another five minutes, Lucifer sighed and released his hands from their crossed position.

"Well, no one wants to ask me irritating questions today?" He said. His tone unnerved the angels. Lucifer was very hard to read, he hardly smiled and he always looked calm like he had nothing to worry about. But there was no mistake from the tension in the room that he was very angry.

"Uhm, Lucifer we..."

"Wanted proof. You wanted me to stoop myself so low for you so you could get the answer you wanted. It's fine". Then his lips spread into a smile, the angels moved uneasily in their seat again. Was he bipolar? How could he change expressions so quickly? They could have sworn he was ready to tear off their heads.

"I got you your proof". He stated. The angels loosened up a bit and they smiled. Adriel raised her eyebrow in confusion. When she was here earlier, Lucifer was extremely angry and irritated. If he had good news back then, why did he hide it? Or did he just come up with it as he was staring into their soul?

"Really?" Gadreel asked in surprise. Lucifer fixed his gaze on him.

"yes...really". He dragged out. Gadreel had sounded like he was not expecting Lucifer to bring up any tangible proof. Lucifer smirked. He didn't have any proof but he was going to coin out one.

"What was that bright light we saw behind you, master Lucifer?" Asbeel asked.

"It is the proof you are looking for". Gadreel groaned internally. Lucifer should just tell them what he found out instead of dragging it out like this, putting them under tension.

"Just tell us what it is". He said. Lucifer smiled again.

"Somebody is extremely impatient". Lucifer teased. Gadreel stared at Lucifer in response. They engaged in a stare-down for a few seconds before Adriel nudged Gadreel back to order with a frown on her face. It was then that Gadreel noticed he had been glaring at Lucifer.

Lucifer didn't mind though, he enjoyed teasing people. He enjoyed being in control, so he didn't mind if he delayed the angels.

"It's a sword, God plans to give the sword to the winner of the tournament". He explained. The angels gasped in shock.

"Since when?" Kasdaye asked.

"He has never done something like this before". Gadreel chimed in.

"That's not all. He implied that he had one angel in mind to give it to". The angels leaned in a little closer even though they could hear Lucifer from their seats. "Michael".

Gadreel stood up, his face flaring. "Absolute nonsense". He said.

"That's against the rules!". Adriel added. "If he has already chosen a winner, then the angels' hard work is for nothing. They'll look like fools out there".

"I know that. And that's why we are making sure Michael doesn't win the tournament". Lucifer said. The angels tensed up immediately. Lucifer almost laughed at their fright. They were scared of Michael and it was pathetic to him. He was nothing but his little angel, or at least he will still be if Lucifer prevents Michael from winning.

"We can't beat him". Gadreel said. "I am powerful yes, but he is your second in command. You've been training him your whole life".

"Exactly, and I can easily tell you his moves". Lucifer replied. "But still, we need a backup plan".

"Which is?"

"While the tournament is going on, I'll try and take the sword from the temple". Gadreel's nose scrunched.

"Uh...what do you mean 'try'?" Lucifer sighed.

"He prevented everybody from accessing the room only the winner of the tournament can take the sword". The angels were quiet.

Lucifer knew the ultimate rule in heaven. No secrecy. Everything must be done in truth and must be out in the open but he also knew that it's not everything that happened in the heavens that the angels knew about. He would get secret messages from God and execute it without anyone knowing of the plan. God was pure so there was no time that the secret orders were not for the benefit of the angels.

"We don't stand a chance against him". Adriel whispered. Lucifer sighed. He really didn't need them to be so negative.

"True but you can beat Michael at least". Their eyes shot up at his.

"W--what are you saying?" Gadreel asked.

"I am saying you and Adriel will participate in the tournament". Lucifer replied. There was a silence.

"And the rest of us?"

"Oh, don't worry, I have plans for you three". He said with a smile.

***

Meanwhile...

God stared at Lucifer and five other angels in his chambers discussing. Their voices echoed into his ears and the more he heard, the more his heart bled. He had known for quite a while what Lucifer was planning to do against him, he only intended to play dumb for a while. It was decisions like this that made Lucifer think he had grown weak towards him.

The voices of the seraphs filled his ears but he wasn't really listening. His attention was drawn to the clouds that he watched Lucifer from. The angels he gathered with earlier had already left and he was all alone. The Cherub will occasionally pace around thinking. God could hear his thoughts, and it was a bit pleasing to him to hear Lucifer say those things. For him to exalt himself so high. God had made him perfect. There was no need to want something else but Lucifer was not thinking clearly or at all. The ambitions of the cherub had blinded him and it will lead to his destruction.

"Time to make my own plan as well then". He said.