Falling Into Darkness

by L. M. Brown

  Michael didn’t tell Lucifer again that he would never turn demon. They had already discussed the topic countless times. Michael couldn’t help but wonder what he would do if he was forced to choose between his home, his brethren, and his love for Lucifer.

  * * * *

  When Michael arrived in the realm of angels the place was relatively quiet. No one stared at him or whispered as he passed. He guessed word of his deception had not yet spread to the lesser angels. He couldn’t see any archangels around. Suspecting they might be in their chamber, he headed in that direction.

  Inside the room he found all fourteen archangels engaged in a heated discussion, which stopped as soon as they saw him.

  “Michael,” Gabriel said. “Take your seat.”

  He did as he was told and waited in silence.

  Gabriel sighed. “I’m sure I don’t need to tell you I had no choice other than to tell the rest of the archangels what I saw today.”

  Michael nodded.

  “Is it true?” Raphael asked.

  “You doubt my word?” Gabriel snapped.

  “No,” Raphael replied. “But I need to hear it from Michael’s own lips. Does Lucifer live?”

  “Yes,” Michael stated.

  “And you have been meeting with him in secret?”

  “Yes.”

  “To what purpose?” Raphael asked.

  Michael frowned at the question and glanced at Gabriel. What had he told them?

  Gabriel gestured for him to answer the question.

  “Sex,” Michael said.

  Raphael gaped at him while Gabriel stifled a smile.

  “How long?” Raphael questioned.

  “Since the last battle,” Michael confirmed.

  “The battle where you claimed to have killed him,” Raphael snarled. “Do you expect us to believe you spared his life simply because you wanted to fuck him again?”

  Michael bristled at Raphael’s tone. “Actually, he usually fucks me, if you must know.”

  The archangels fell silent at Michael’s words. Eventually Gabriel spoke. “Did you plan this deception before the last battle?”

  “No.”

  Gabriel shook his head. “Michael, talk to us. We can’t understand what you’ve done if you don’t try to explain.”

  “Do you intend to fall?” Raphael asked.

  “No.” Michael put as much surety into his tone as he could manage.

  The archangels sighed collectively.

  Gabriel stood and signaled for the end of the meeting. “We’ll reconvene this afternoon. I wish to speak to Michael alone.”

  Michael would rather have got the meeting over with right now, but it was clear he had no say in the matter.

  The archangels exited the room, leaving Michael alone with Gabriel. The latter stood and walked to one of the observation benches, waving for Michael to join him.

  “Oh, Michael, what have you done?”

  “I never meant to lie.”

  “Do you really love him so much you’d betray all of us?”

  “I don’t see my actions as a betrayal.”

  “What do you call it?” Gabriel asked. “Lucifer has fallen from grace and set himself up in direct opposition against Him. The two of you faked his death and you lied to us. By your own admission you’ve been sneaking around to have sex with him.”

  “I love him.”

  “I know you do. That I never doubted. But you must see this cannot continue.”

  “I can’t lose him again,” Michael said.

  “You may not have a choice,” Gabriel replied. “Before you arrived we were discussing the options and decided you must stand trial for your actions.”

  “Trial?”

  “Yes. That’s why I need the truth from you. Michael, how close are you to falling?”

  Michael bowed his head. He wished he could answer Gabriel’s question. He didn’t want to fall, but perhaps the choice wasn’t his. Maybe it never had been.

  Chapter Six

  Michael sat in his seat as the rest of the archangels gathered. He hadn’t eaten with the others, preferring to sit alone with his thoughts until the trial began.

  Gabriel took center stage once again. Michael knew, without being told, Gabriel had resumed his position as leader of the archangels. Michael no longer deserved the honor.

  “We all know why we’re here,” Gabriel said. “Archangel Michael has confessed to deceiving us by lying about his defeat of Lucifer. He has continued in this lie so as to engage in a relationship with the fallen angel and leader of the demons. We need to decide what is to be done about this.”

  “It must end, immediately,” Raguel stated. Michael recalled how Raguel had suffered several personal losses during the war and Michael wasn’t surprised at his words now.

  Gabriel raised his hand. “First I want Michael to speak. Michael, why did you do this?”

  “You know why,” Michael replied.

  “Yes, I know, but not everyone here does.”

  “I love him,” Michael said. “It’s that simple.”

  “He’s a fallen angel, a demon,” Raguel shouted. “How can you love such a creature?”

  “I loved him from the moment I saw him. The son of the morning, as he was then, was all I ever wanted in a lover and a life mate. I can’t turn off my feelings for him any more than I can stop the sun from rising.”

  “He’s a monster.”

  “He’s lost his way,” Michael insisted. “He still has a chance to return to us.”

  “You don’t believe that, do you?”

  “I have to believe it,” Michael replied. “I couldn’t love him if I didn’t.”

  “He doesn’t deserve your love.”

  Michael smiled at Raguel. “Everyone deserves love. Surely you know that? It’s the code we’ve always lived by.”

  Raguel glared but declined to comment.

  “Michael is right,” Gabriel said. “Now we must decide, by vote, whether relationships between angels and demons should be banned.”

  “I vote to ban them,” Raguel said.

  “And I vote not to,” Michael replied.

  “You cannot vote in this matter,” Raguel argued. “You have a vested interest in the outcome and your vote is biased.”

  “We all have bias on whatever we vote for,” Michael pointed out.

  Gabriel halted their argument. “Michael, in the circumstances, I think Raguel is right. You should not vote in this matter.”

  The stab of betrayal at his friend’s words hit him hard, but he held his tongue.

  Raphael spoke next. “I vote not to ban relationships.”

  “I too,” Metatron said.

  One by one the archangels cast their votes, some agreeing with Raguel, others with Michael. By the time Gabriel’s turn to speak came, the outcome was clear. Relationships would not be banned. For Michael it still came as a relief when Gabriel confirmed his vote was not to ban relationships either.

  Michael slumped in his seat and closed his eyes as he gave a quick prayer of thanks. When he opened them again Raphael stood before him. “Thank you, my friend.”

  Raphael smiled. “I don’t want to lose you just yet, Michael, and I think if we forced you to choose between us and Lucifer, right now, today, you’d choose him.”

  Michael threw his arms round Raphael’s neck and kissed him on the cheek. Gabriel came to join them and he hugged him too. One by one the archangels who had voted to let him continue seeing Lucifer approached him and he offered them his thanks.

  When all who remained were the ones who had chosen to oppose him, Michael stood in the center of the room and spoke to them too.

  “I know you don’t necessarily believe he can be saved, but Lucifer still has a great capacity to love. He can still come back to the light.”

  “Then perhaps you can make it your mission to achieve such a great feat,” Raguel suggested. “If you truly believe what you say, it shouldn’t be a problem. You can bring him back to the fold in time for d
inner.”

  Michael glared at Raguel, annoyed by his flippancy.

  “That isn’t such a bad idea,” Raphael said. “Do you think you can save him, Michael?”

  “I believe so, but it would take time.”

  “Then we’re in agreement,” Gabriel declared. “Michael, you will continue your relationship with Lucifer, and in the process, bring him back to us.”

  Michael nodded. “I accept this mission.”

  “Now, we should bring Lucifer before us,” Gabriel said. Several archangels shouted their disapproval, but Gabriel silenced them with a glare. “Go fetch him, Michael.”

  Michael touched the stone at his neck and whispered Lucifer’s name. He found his lover pacing his bedchamber, an expression of worry on his face.

  “Michael!” Lucifer ran to him and nearly lifted him off his feet as he hugged him. “I thought I’d never see you again. Are you here to join me for good?”

  “No,” Michael replied. “I’m here to bring you before the archangels.”

  Lucifer stepped back. “No.”

  “They aren’t going to destroy you,” Michael explained. “And they aren’t going to stop me visiting you either.”

  “Then what do they want to see me for?”

  Michael couldn’t blame Lucifer for being suspicious. In his place he would have been the same.

  “They want to talk to you,” Michael said.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  “What if you’re wrong? What if it’s a trick?”

  Michael took Lucifer’s face between his hands. “You’re forgetting who you’re dealing with. They aren’t demons, schooled in deception—they’re angels, for whom honesty comes naturally.”

  Lucifer raised an eyebrow.

  “Well, most of the time,” Michael amended, in light of his own recent lies.

  “You’re too trusting,” Lucifer said. “This could still be a trap.”

  Michael kissed Lucifer on the lips. “If they want to hurt you, they’re going to have to go through me first.”

  Lucifer sighed and nodded. “I’ll hold you to that.”

  Michael took the two of them back to the realm of angels and directly into the archangels’ chamber.

  “This is new,” Lucifer commented as he gazed around.

  “Take a seat, Lucifer,” Gabriel said, gesturing to a chair that had been placed in the center of the room while Michael had been in the Underworld.

  Lucifer sat and Michael stood beside him rather than sit on his own chair. He wanted to make sure Lucifer knew he was there for him.

  “Lucifer, I assume Michael has told you of our decision to allow him to continue his relationship with you?”

  “He has.”

  “We have decided Michael’s new primary mission will be to bring you back to the light.”

  Lucifer laughed loudly. “What? You’re serious?”

  “Very,” Gabriel replied.

  “It’s not going to happen,” Lucifer said. “I’m quite happy where I am now. I’d much rather Michael joins me.”

  “I don’t doubt it,” Gabriel replied, “but nevertheless this is our decision. Now, before you return to the Underworld, we need to clear up a few things. Firstly, how many demons are aware you survived the last battle?”

  “None,” Lucifer replied.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I can stay hidden quite sufficiently.”

  “What is the state of the Underworld at present?” Raphael asked.

  “It’s rather drafty and we lost the only decent cook in the final battle,” Lucifer replied with a smirk.

  Michael nudged him in the shoulder. “Answer the question,” he whispered.

  Lucifer rolled his eyes. “The most powerful of the demons are still fighting over my throne. The rest are either watching the show or roaming the earth for new recruits.”

  “Who is the most powerful demon, besides you?” Gabriel asked. “Who is poised to lead your army if you remain hidden?”

  “I don’t know yet,” Lucifer said. “The would-be kings are killed by their rivals as quickly as I can learn their names. My throne is becoming dusty from lack of use.”

  “Then what you’re saying is no one is leading the demons at the present time?”

  “Yes, that’s right. It’s wonderfully chaotic down there.”

  “And on Earth,” Gabriel commented without the enthusiasm Lucifer had shown. “This cannot be allowed to continue.”

  “I’m sure some enterprising demon will take the throne eventually,” Lucifer said.

  “The archangels would prefer it to be sooner rather than later.”

  “The Underworld is my realm,” Lucifer reminded them. “Who sits on the throne has nothing to do with you.”

  Michael thought Lucifer had a point, but he held his tongue. He had a feeling his opinion wouldn’t count for much right now.

  Gabriel glared at Lucifer. “Until the end of the war we knew who we were dealing with and what powers you wielded.”

  Lucifer smirked. “You think you know all the powers I have?”

  “Probably not,” Gabriel admitted. “Which means you will always have the advantage over us, as well you know. That being the case, what harm is there in us knowing who sits on the throne?”

  Lucifer nodded. “Very well, I’ll send word as soon as a new king is crowned.”

  “That’s not good enough. We want the leader to take his or her place by the end of the day.”

  “The end of the century would be a far more realistic timescale.”

  “Today,” Gabriel insisted. “We have been monitoring the Underworld daily since the war, and we have a fair idea of who the likely contenders are for the dubious honor of taking the throne.”

  “Congratulations,” Lucifer said. “If you’re so confident, perhaps you’d care to wager on the identity of the new king.”

  “There is no point in placing bets since we’re going to decide who the leader will be before you leave this chamber.”

  “Oh, we are, are we?” Lucifer replied.

  “Yes,” Gabriel confirmed. “You will have an equal say in this matter, but the issue will be settled today.”

  Michael leaned over to whisper into Lucifer’s ear. “Does it really matter who sits on the throne? Don’t argue with Gabriel just for the sake of it. Stability in the Underworld surely has advantages for the demons, just as it does for everyone else.”

  Lucifer sighed. “You’re quite right, Michael. Very well, Gabriel, show me those you believe have the potential to take the throne and I’ll let you know who could be powerful enough to reign for longer than it takes his rivals to sharpen their swords.”

  Gabriel gave him a small smile. “Good. You will see the throne is occupied immediately you return to the Underworld. We also want your word, as a fallen angel, that you will keep the most powerful living demon within the Underworld, to prevent that creature from leading the demons into war.”

  Lucifer laughed. “And how do you suggest I do all this, when no demon knows I live?”

  “You will have to reveal yourself to the new king,” Gabriel said. “As you’re so fond of pointing out to us, you are the last of the fallen angels, and therefore have powers the rest of the demons lack. Imprisoning a single demon, while remaining hidden from the rest, should be a relatively simple task.”

  “I don’t like it, but I see you give me no choice,” Lucifer said.

  “No, we don’t,” Gabriel agreed. “Now, let us get this over with. I’m sure you don’t wish to be here any longer than necessary.”

  Michael nudged Lucifer before he made another off-color remark and the archangels began their debate as to who the new king should be. Lucifer answered any questions put to him, and Michael believed his responses to be open and honest. It took several hours, but finally the matter was settled.

  Lucifer stretched his arms above his head and yawned. “Is that all?” he asked. “Or am I free to go now?”

  �
��No, there’s one final matter we must discuss before you leave,” Gabriel replied. “I’m aware you have been in this realm on at least one occasion since your fall.”

  Michael gasped and Lucifer glanced at him, hurt on his face that Michael had spoken of their meeting to Gabriel without telling him.

  Gabriel didn’t give either of them time to speak. “Past trespasses will be forgotten, but from this day forward you, Lucifer, are not to set foot in this realm unless it is because you are being summoned to our presence, or if you seek to come before us to renounce your demon nature and return to the light. This is non-negotiable. If you are seen in this realm without permission, you will be killed.”

  Lucifer nodded. “You have nothing I want here. As long as Michael can continue to visit me, I don’t care.”

  “Michael can visit you in the Underworld,” Gabriel agreed.

  “And on Earth,” Lucifer added. “I’m tired of our time together being confined to my chambers.”

  Gabriel shook his head. “You are to remain in the Underworld. We do not wish you to roam the earth.”

  “Gabriel, please,” Michael pleaded. “You’ve seen the Underworld for yourself. You can’t make him stay there.”

  “His presence on Earth has too great an impact on humans.”

  “That’s not fair,” Michael argued. “You never mentioned any of this before. You can’t imprison him in that place.”

  “It’s too dangerous to have him walk the earth.”

  Lucifer raised his hand to Michael’s arm and patted it gently. “It’s all right, Michael. I’ll agree to this demand.”

  “There’s one more thing,” Gabriel said. “Michael’s key to the Underworld.”

  Michael touched the gem. “What about it?”

  Gabriel held out his hand. “Such a device is too dangerous, especially since it can be activated by others beside you. We can’t have angels wandering the Underworld, and I’m sure Lucifer will agree with me.”

  “Oh yes,” Lucifer said. “I do detest having uninvited angels wandering round my chambers.”

  “Then I suggest you take that necklace and keep it in the Underworld.”

  “No!” Michael clasped the sapphire.