by J. J. Egosi
What does he want? Our rings? Or is he here for something more? Ursula thought a feeling of fright surged in her.
Lucifer swung his blade and struck Michael cleanly. Michael tumbled to the ground with blood gushing out of his mouth.
It only infuriated him more. He slowly returned to his feet and said, “That’s it. I’ve had it with you.”
Lucifer laughed. “Do you really think you’re fooling anyone? We both know you’re only a fraction of the being you once were. Why don’t you forfeit this little battle and hand your titan rings over?”
“Not to a man who seeks to use them for evil,” said Michael.
“Really? And what’s so evil about wanting to gather all the titans together to protect the dimensions again?” Lucifer asked.
“Protect them? Bullshit! All you’re capable of is destroying each way you turn,” said Michael.
“I’m truly hurt you’d think so little of me,” Lucifer replied in a playful tone. “I simply want to give our little omniverse the care that it needs to thrive.”
“I’ve seen the way you treat the people around you.” Michael grimaced at the memory of the bruises Hecate had during their previous encounter among the elementals. The shades of blue she wore still left him shaking with resentment. “A man like you isn’t capable of protecting anything or anyone.”
Lucifer looked back with a nefarious grin curling wider across his face. “Allow me to make things very simple, then. Without the unification of the titans, the dimensions have gone out of control.”
“What are you talking about?” Michael said in a flustered tone.
“Look around at the world you live in. A lot of unjust behavior taking place regularly, right? Political and legal malpractice and unethical business tactics. Even the officials are tainted by the stain that is human depravity,” said Lucifer.
“Human depravity? What exactly are you getting at?” Michael wondered.
“Humanity is the source of all the world’s problems, Michael. Believe me. The other six dimensions have it just as bad. As soon as a single human enters a dimension, village, or region, for that matter, they instantly plague it with their false promises of prosperity and moral ambiguity.”
Michael remembered his experiences in the various cities of both realms clearly. He witnessed much of their unbridled cruelty for himself, be it from the officials, the townspeople, or his former masters.
“They’re a detriment to everyone and everything around them. Countless races over the eons have fallen to their ways. When I capture all seven titans, the first thing I will do is destroy humankind. Then, I will revive all other races they’ve slaughtered over the years, restoring this omniverse to the way it once was.”
“Wait, you’d bring them back?”
Michael’s eyes widened with wonder as Lucifer’s nightmarish words turned to almost a dream. Michael saw a world where those the humans condemned as unworthy could thrive again. The prospect filled him with envy.
“That’s correct,” Lucifer said. “However, I can’t do that last part on my own. That’s where you come in.”
“Excuse me?” Michael said, confused, as he wiped the blood from his mouth.
“You see, a destroyer god can only destroy. To revive, I must create. Join me, Michael. Together, we can restore this omniverse to the way it once was,” said Lucifer.
“The way it once was?” Michael wondered, puzzled by the notion of things ever having been so different. He found the idea enticing. Shortly, his feet shuffled towards Lucifer without his control.
“Michael, don’t listen to him!” Alexa shouted.
“Silence!” With a ferocious swing of his arm, Lucifer cast forth a wall of shadow from the ground, knocking the four of them over.
“Don’t listen to those fools, Michael…” Lucifer began, “…we can make things as they were before the age of humanity, but even better. There will be no war, no conflict or corruption. Races of all types will live in harmony, worshipping their gods and the titans. Together, we can create this utopia. As the two king pieces that rule over the board of existence. What do you say?” Lucifer reached out his hand.
“Easy to have no wars everyone’s already been slaughtered,” Julianna said to herself.
Michael looked at the sinisterly grinning Lucifer. He couldn’t decide on what to say. The only thought on his mind was the pain he experienced growing up.
“No government corruption and no money to poison the minds of the powerful? All those things you said, they’ll all go away when the humans die off?” Michael wondered, slowly reaching out his hand.
“Indeed,” Lucifer said, smiling.
“Don’t do it, he’s lying to you!” said Isabella.
“Enough from the lot of you, already,” Lucifer demanded. “The men are busy at work.”
“Well, the women would like a say, as well. And we say you can’t be trusted,” Isabella announced, matter-of-factly.
“These are just delusions of grandeur you’re feeding him. Regardless of how he may have deceived us, I won’t allow it,” Julianna shouted.
“Julianna. All of you.”
Michael turned towards the girls. The welcoming smiles on their faces told him he had gained back a piece of their trust. He responded with a smile.
“I’d watch your tone if I were you. I can end you with a snap of my fingers,” said Lucifer.
Lucifer looked back at Michael. “Just shake my hand and we can rule over this omniverse together. It’s that simple,” said Lucifer.
“Rule it?” said Michael.
“Yes, you and I will have absolute power over this world. No one will defy the gods of creation and destruction,” he assured.
Michael went into careful thought. His power is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. That much is clear from our battle, and I’m sure he’s holding back a tremendous amount.
He watched in pensive silence as Lucifer’s devious grin grew with every passing moment. Thoughts raced across his mind.
Lucifer was more powerful than the girls, no question about that. In fact, he was leagues beyond them.
The pressure of the dilemma built, then Michael made his decision.
“You’re refusing?” said Lucifer in shock. The girls all sighed with smiles of relief.
Michael grinned. “I’ll admit; I was tempted at first. After all, these damn humans have been the bane of my existence these last twenty years. But when you said you’re in it for the power and not just to fix this world, that’s when I knew.”
“Knew what?” Lucifer asked.
“That you were nothing more than a dirty lying snake!”
Michael stomped forward, hurling a punch towards Lucifer’s face. Lucifer caught it with ease.
“I suggest you reconsider. There’s far more to having power than simply abusing it.”
“That’s what you think,” said Michael.
“That’s what I know. With the two of us, we can”—
“We can what?” Michael cut him off. “We can return these former races, just to enslave them? Tell me, how would that make us better than the humans?”
“I never suggested such a thing. I desire to give the races free will. Yes, we’d rule over them as dual overlords, but we would force no ideals over them. The world is essentially theirs for the taking.”
“Sounds too good to be true. A lot like those false promises of prosperity and moral ambiguity you mentioned before!” said Michael.
“Humanity’s left you bitter and untrusting, hasn’t it, Michael?” Lucifer asked. “Keeping secrets all to yourself.”
“Enough trying to turn me to your maniacal ways!”
“Just what are you telling me; that the world is better off with humans? Surely not,” said Lucifer.
“That’s not what I’m saying at all. Fuck humans.”
“Then, why not”—
“You can talk about free will all you want, but at the end of the day, it’s guided by power. And power is an aggravator o
f evil. Something that has only taken a temporary haven in the humans, it’ll find a new haven elsewhere soon enough,” said Michael.
“Excuse me?!” Lucifer said, taken aback.
“If not the humans, then some other race will plague this world,” Michael said, aiming a punch to Lucifer’s stomach.
Lucifer caught this punch, as well, with his other hand. He twisted Michael’s fist towards the ground, stopping him in place as he scowled with malice from his defiant words.
Lucifer replied, “That is ridiculous! You’ve lived so long among the humans, you’ve forgotten the true nature of power. Under the right command, we can save this world from itself. Don’t you understand?”
“Especially when it’s you who rules with me.”
“Things like evil and power are not exclusive to humans.” Michael gritted his teeth. “And I don’t care about ruling omniverse. I just want a peaceful life with my friends. If I can become rich, too, even better.”
“And your allies say I preach delusion.” Lucifer smirked.
“Besides, if we destroy the humans, we’ll just end up going for the next race to cross us. My friends are right. We’ll wipe out one after that until there’s nothing left. Is that what you want? To rule over an empty kingdom on the mountain of your slain subordinates?” Michael shouted emphatically.
“Michael…” Isabella said, lost for words.
“I’m incredibly cynical and distrustful. That’s just how I am. While I try to see the good in everything, I can also see the bad. Yes, humans are terrible, but their terrible nature could be hiding the less negative qualities of other races just waiting for the opportunity to flourish in the wake of humanity’s demise. And as bad as humans are, another race could be even worse. You’d have only yourself to blame for enabling them once the humans are gone! We’d be digging this world into its own grave, don’t you see?”
The girls looked at him and smiled.
“He’s certainly wiser than he leads on,” Alexa said, wide-eyed.
“His past as a god becomes more convincing with every word he says,” Ursula added.
Lucifer grinned. “Well, as the creator god, you’ll have to make some sacrifices. Even if it means wiping the slate clean and starting anew.”
Michael sneered. “I figured you’d say something like that. And I don’t care. You want to know why?”
“Humor me,” said Lucifer.
“I have a life of my own. That’s what I’m fighting for. I don’t care what you do with the titans, the dimensions, or the humans. Let them fight until their death, for all I fucking care. I just want to be left alone to live as I please. I do not need power or all that shit. I just want peace.”
“I see now.” Lucifer grinned. “So, it’s not that you want to stop my endeavors. You just don’t want to get involved. Spoken like a negligent parent.”
Michael looked at him, coldly. “Look at it however you want. I may be a god, but I have no interest in acting like one. Good or bad, I just want to live as I please.”
“How selfish,” Lucifer said with a sneer. “Tell me, is that lifestyle worth it to you or are you just accustomed to living a life of mediocrity and don’t feel like achieving something greater?”
“Quiet!” Michael roared. “I’ll live my life how I want. So, stop acting as if you have me figured out when you don’t!”
“Oh, you and I both know that’s not true. I know you grew up in the Asmodai household and that you were abused until the end of your days there. I know you drown your sorrows in beer and hard liquor. You may have recently quit, but we both know it won’t last long. Also, I know you’re a total lecher,” said Lucifer.
“What?” Michael exclaimed.
“Don’t tell me you don’t lust after your friends. I know you can’t resist having lewd, perverted, and depraved thoughts about the girls you call your friends. How pathetic. You turn down their advances, just to fantasize about them later. Wake up, you fool! The opportunity is right in front of you. It always has been. The women. Power. The peaceful lifestyle as a ruler of a world without conflict. Stop making excuses for yourself and make the world your own! Nothing comes easy, and if you really want what you say you want, you must fight for it!” said Lucifer.
Michael smiled. “You’re right.”
“Wait, he is?” Isabella asked.
“Not about much, but he is right that things in life never come easy,” Michael replied. His body began to glow a bright white. “Even a peaceful life is never devoid of conflict. With that sentiment in mind, take this! Lightwave of retribution!”
A burst of claymores encased in lightning hurtled from the misty clouds above. Everyone watched them descend, in awe.
“Finally, an actual attack. Well, I guess I should try, as well.” Lucifer pointed his blade towards the ground.
“Go! Darkwave of annihilation!”
From the soil came a barrage of darkened daggers from the shadows. The two waves of blades crashed into each other, destroying everything on impact as everyone fought to retain their balance from the rippling impact.
“It seems like our attacks were evenly matched,” Michael said, peering over his arm.
Lucifer smirked. From the ground came the eruption of his next assault. No swords. Rather, a slew of narrow inky hands.
They latched towards Michael’s ankles, seeking to drag him down. He refused to let such a fate befall him. With a swing of his scepter, he unleashed a slew of bright discs with serrated edges. Like saws, they sliced through the field of hands reaching towards him. Their ink splattered across the grass.
The girls watched from the sidelines, stunned as Michael maneuvered his way through Lucifer’s defense until his scepter reached a fist’s distance towards his opponent’s face. The demon king struck back with his swords once again. Together, they found themselves back at one another’s necks.
Sweat rolled down their faces. A different sword blocked each of Michael’s swings. Beads of sweat rolled down Lucifer’s neck as he grinned with elation.
“Yes, it appears our little discussion has strengthened you. As you grow in power, your memories return. Tell me. What do you remember from your days as the creator god?” Lucifer said with a smile.
Michael stared at him blankly. “Honestly, nothing. I still can’t remember much else about my time before this life.”
“Well, it sounds to me like you need a little more motivation,” Lucifer said, lunging his blade towards Michael. Michael blocked the sword with his own.
Michael and Lucifer thrust their way into the sky, sending a burst of dust flying. The battle raged, getting mightier and more destructive. They matched each other, blow for blow, spell for spell, and blood for blood.
“Motivate me all you want. It’ll be your undoing, as it only makes me stronger,” said Michael.
Lucifer grinned. “We’ll see how strong you are without your sword!”
With a violent swing of his shadow blade, Lucifer made a clean incision through Michael’s blade. Michael watched in disbelief as the fragment tumbled to the ground.
“My sword. No,” he said with dread.
“Did you honestly think a cheap piece of iron could withstand the will of my shadows?” Lucifer asked.
Michael trembled with terror as he stared at the remains of his sword. Gritting his teeth, he shattered the remnants with his lightning.
“Not at all. Fortunately, that wasn’t the only weapon in my possession.”
He manifested a golden scepter in his hand. Its glow was so blinding, Lucifer shielded his eyes for a moment before they could readjust.
Lucifer smiled. “Very impressive, indeed. Don’t forget, I still have plenty of tricks up my sleeve. You have a long way to go before you can defeat me.”
“What, are you going to dispatch another one of your minions on me?” Michael said, sending a lightning burst enchantment at Lucifer’s face.
Lucifer flew around it and looked at him with a sly grin. “Oh, Hecate? She was the worst
combination of weak and arrogant, wasn’t she?”
He sent out a dark beam attack at Michael, hitting him successfully in the face, nearly knocking him out of the sky.
“How could you say that? She loved you! She may have been psychotic, but she gave her life away for you!” Michael shouted, pushing harder.
“A pawn may fall here and there, but never lose sight of the king,” Lucifer said, pushing back.
Michael gritted his teeth, both from the pressure of the dark magic beam pressing him towards the ground and the callous words from the one who cast it.
“You fucking hypocrite!” he shouted, sending light beams towards Lucifer.
“I didn’t say pawns were useless. Quite the contrary, I never would have found you all so easily if not for you capturing her titan ring. Furthermore, only weak mortals would use such weak constructs as hypocrisy to define a man. Call me what you will, but I’m the destroyer god, first and foremost,” Lucifer said, pushing Michael with his blade.
Michael looked straight into Lucifer’s eyes as he pushed back with his sword. “Whatever accolades you think you have with that title, I’ll match them and raise you the largest ass-kicking you’ve ever gotten.”
He blasted Lucifer in the face and watched him fall from the sky. Lucifer landed with a thundering thud that sent bursts of energy flying. The shadows writhed with his collapse.
Michael flew down to the ground and walked towards Lucifer’s unconscious body. The girls removed their barricade and ran towards Michael with shock and excitement.
“You did it! That was amazing!” Ursula said, hugging him, tightly.
“You defeated the demon king!” Isabella shouted just as jovially.
“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Michael said, looking over at Lucifer’s body.
“What do you mean? He’s out cold,” said Isabella.
“I doubt it. The destroyer won’t go down with one attack,” said Julianna.
“She’s right. Let’s take a look,” said Alexa.
They cautiously approached Lucifer. He then struggled back up with a groan. They watched intensely as his crow mask cracked, revealing his face. As the pieces fell, Michael and the girls looked at him in stunned silence.