16 16

"This is an outrage!" One god yelled.

"Turning a mortal into a god is unheard of! It should be forbidden!" Another yelled.

There were many verbal complaints as Lucifer stood in the large arena, looking up at the superior gods with a small smile as Lilith stood behind him.

"Lucifer... I see you confirmed that thing for me... But what have you done?" The Jade Emperor said calmly, his eyes slits and his smile reaching ear to ear as he stared down at Lilith.

"Ah my fellow residents of first heaven, I've been gone for 450 years and yet you greet me in such a way..." Lucifer said as he smiled slyly.

"This is an outrage!" One god's voice boomed, his indignation palpable.

"Turning a mortal into a god is unheard of! It should be forbidden!" Another god chimed in, his anger matching the first.

"Geez, we get it why continue repeating the same thing?" Lucifer's eyes sparkled with mischief as he calmly observed the uproar. He was no stranger to chaos and defiance, but this time he had stepped into uncharted territory. The gods of First Heaven had never seen such a thing.

The Jade Emperor was a formidable presence, his power unmatched among the gods except for Tathagata. Lucifer respected his authority, though he hated the being himself.

"Ah, my old friend, the Jade Emperor," Lucifer replied, his voice as smooth as silk. "I've merely offered Lilith an opportunity to embrace her true potential. After all, is that not what First Heaven stands for - unlocking one's divinity?"

The gods exchanged wary glances, taken aback by Lucifer's audacious response. They had expected him to show remorse or beg for forgiveness, not to challenge the very principles of their celestial realm.

"Unlocking divinity as you put it, is impossible, considering all gods are born, not made..." The Jade Emperor said warily, clearly trying to analyze the conversation so it didn't fall in Lucifer's hands.

Lucifer's smile widened, knowing that his actions had struck a nerve. "Ah, but why limit ourselves to such rigid ways? We are beings of immense capabilities, Lilith possesses the strength and spirit that make a true goddess. I offered her a choice, and she chose to embrace me. Is that not the essence of free will? The essence of the gods?"

The gods murmured amongst themselves, torn between traditional values and the allure of change. The concept of free will was both fascinating and frightening to them.

The Jade Emperor's expression remained unreadable as he considered Lucifer's words. "You have meddled with the natural order, Lucifer. There must be consequences for your actions."

Lucifer's gaze locked with the Jade Emperor's, unwavering. "Consequences, yes. I am prepared to face them. But consider the possibilities that come with embracing change. Lilith is living proof that there is more to divinity than the confines of our old ways."

The gods fell silent, contemplating the implications of Lucifer's argument. It was true that First Heaven had grown stagnant in its traditions, and perhaps it was time for evolution. The gods were beings of immense capabilities as Lucifer had said, why should they be strapped down by a rulebook?

Lilith stepped forward, her voice clear and resolute. "I have chosen this path willingly. Lucifer showed me the way, but the decision was mine to make. I am grateful for the opportunity, and I am ready to face whatever comes."

"You dare speak in our presence you-" One god said as he started to stand up, but he quickly felt a force forcing him back onto his seat.

"Hahahahahaha... Very good Lucifer, I see. Very good..." The Jade Emperor said. "You are dismissed, no punishment is needed here, you are right, the gods are the greatest beings, why should we stay tied down right?"

Lucifer chuckled himself, but he knew The Jade Emperor was just playing with him. "Why of course..."

Lucifer widened his eyes as his body suddenly felt heavy.

"Then... I shouldn't even be questioned for this right?" The Jade Emperor asked as Lucifer sank to his knees.

"Gravity x100..."

Lucifer gritted his teeth as he fought off the heavy gravity, glaring at The Jade Emperor.

"Hahaha... Just kidding." And just like that, the gravity ceased and Lucifer was able to stand normally once again.

Lucifer smiled, but on the inside he was terrified. He had wanted to train on earth, but he had no sure way to keep eyes off of him.

"You will be responsible for this... Thing, that is all little angel," The Jade Emperor said as Lucifer bowed his head, turning and leaving quickly.

"Lucifer..." Lilith said behind him as they walked on the cobbled path.

"Don't worry, even if all the gods decided to kill me and you, I wouldn't fall in such a way..." Lucifer said, unfurling his wings and scooping up Lilith, bursting off into the heavenly sky, ignoring Tathagata's watching gaze from wherever the being watched him from...

...