Chapter 7 - Archangel

“Lucy Lucy!” Demiurge loudly calls out in that usual overbearing exuberance, and Lucifer snaps to him with mild annoyance, diverting his gaze off the screen. He softly sighs, exasperatedly rolling his eyes at the casual ease of use of his name once again, making a mockery of his moniker that once gave people hope.

But of course, he isn’t one for letting such blatant disrespect slide. No, not at all. Being an ancient and knowledgeable god, he knows just the weapon for such insolence. From countless years of experiences with human interaction, the accumulated eons of masterful built-up skill form one ultimate response. “Daddy,” He simply replies to his call, acknowledging his presence. This causes his father to go into a coughing fit.

“Don’t…!” Demiurge huffs. “Don’t say that!”

“Then address me by my proper name,” Lucifer slightly smirks.

“What?!” Demiurge lets out a huff of disbelief. “Never Sammy! Sam-dumdum!”

“Don’t call me that either,” he hisses with mock annoyance, causing his father to stick his tongue out childishly.

“Never,” Demiurge exclaims. “But Lucy, I’ve got great news! I finally talked to our family again! One of them actually talked to me!”

Lucifer raises his brow in slight surprise. “Oh? That’s great news. Do you want a cookie for that?” he jokingly applauds as he, himself, has already met his loving family again. Unlike a certain someone.

“In fact, I do,” the little goblin humphs angrily, clearly unpleased by the tone. “I deserve one.”

“Sure you do,” his son sarcastically replies, rolling his eyes dramatically. Then, he slowly shifts his gaze to the portal behind him. “So, you were saying something about family. Who’d you met? How did it even happen?”

Noticing where his eyes lined towards, Demiurge swiftly turns and flies over to the rift in the Domain he’s looking at. “Gabriel, duh,” he answers to both of the questions, smiling infectiously.

“Oh, that big softie. Make sense,” Lucifer nods at the response, grinning at his father’s subtle attempt to hide his happiness.

“Yup, that one,” he promptly reaches his arm into the portal, swaying back and forth as if searching for an item. “Ah, there he is.”

Wait… he? The world around Lucifer seems to slow down for some inexplicable reason. Now? His relaxed posture suddenly stiffens.

Demiurge’s hand grasps something from the other side, and with a swift motion, he pulls his arm out, plucking a mysterious figure from the rift. A surprised shriek escapes their lips. In what seems to be a hazy blur for Lucifer, the enigmatic person helplessly hangs on his arm, suddenly appearing in this world, distorting space around them and obscuring his appearance. Then, as if this reality was adjusting to this entity’s unnatural presence, it finally renders as a humanoid angel, who limps exasperatedly from Demiurge’s grasp.

The newcomer lets out an indignant cry, his arms flailing about. Then, he screams, “Put me down immediately!”

“Ah! Oops, sorry Gabriel,” Demiurge says as he quickly releases the stranger, now known as Gabriel, the Archangel. At his sudden arrival, Lucifer promptly runs a hand through his hair, a faint crease slowly appearing between his brows. In turn, his father notices the slight stiffness in Lucifer’s stance and the way his shoulders tensed.

“What is it that you wish to speak to me about?” Gabriel softly sighs, standing up straight, his golden locks falling gracefully upon his back. His gaze lands on Demiurge but quickly shifts to Lucifer, almost stiffening at the sight. “And greetings to you… brother.”

“Nothing! I just wanted to show off to Lucy,” Demiurge happily beams, pointing his finger in Lucifer’s direction, masking his growing concerns under his persona.

“Hello,” he leisurely waves as he greets him, his expression hardens into neutrality.

Gabriel nods, waving back nonchalantly. Hearing his reasoning, he exasperatedly sighs, “Ugh… father, really? I’m flattered you see me as a worthwhile prize to flaunt about, but please don’t do that again unless it’s urgent. Thank you in advance.” His finger drums a restless rhythm at the edge of his leg despite his sarcastic remark.

“As you should, and you’re welcome,” Demiurge grins with mock pompousness, entirely ignoring the middle part of his statement. He haughtily swirls in the air and settles near Lucifer. In return, a sharp pain shoots through his left cheek, causing an undignified yelp to ring in the air.

“Oi, that’s my brother you’re speaking to,” Lucifer says as he pinches Demiurge’s face, somehow managing to look bored doing so. “Glad to see you again though.”

Gabriel gradually ceases the audible tapping as he hears his brother’s reassuring comments. “Good to see you, too. May I ask, how has it been?”

Fine, without you. He jokingly thinks, but he’s too tired for such theatrics. So, he releases his grip and replies, “Pretty swell.”

“Hey! What about me?” Their father whines as he gently rubs his swollen cheek.

“That’s good to hear,” Gabriel slightly nods, entirely ignoring his father, and his posture slowly slackens.

“Yeah. It is, and it’s nothing for you to worry about,” Lucifer insists, with a hint of venom. Then, as if realizing what he just said, Lucifer quickly shifts his gaze off from his brother to the menu screen, pursing his lips.

Gabriel slightly flinches at the comment. Meanwhile, mistaken by Lucifer’s sudden quietness, Demiurge pats his back and questions, “You okay?”

“I’m fine, are you?” His cold gaze glances up at Demiurge’s reddened cheek, causing his father to flinch. He slightly takes a step backward. “What is it? Is there something on my face?”

“Eep! No, it’s nothing. I’m fine as well,” Demiurge replies, his voice softening as he shakes his head. Well, at least he wasn’t sad, that’s good. He thinks to himself. Images of Lucifer staring out into space when he thought no one was looking promptly flash through his mind. But a quick tap on the shoulder would snap him out of it.

It was still greatly concerning at first, but these random episodes of dissociation were happening less frequently. However, judging by his reaction, he doesn’t seem depressed. So, this begs the question, what’s happening? He looked… frustrated and less lively than usual now that I think about it. He’s been like this ever since I brought Gabriel here.

Demiurge glances over to Gabriel, noticing his stiff posture and the way he looks at Lucifer. Meanwhile, Lucifer focuses back on the screen as he sits down, mindlessly scrolling through the tabs. And why does it feel soooooooo tense? First, Lucy paused at the sight of his brother, second, Gabriel tapped his finger nervously, third, Lucy said something that made him flinch, and then, he gave me that evil stare! Hmph. It feels so weird. Did Gabriel do something?

Oh. Then, as if everything has seamlessly snapped into place for him, Demiurge slowly widens his eyes at the realization. What happened back there? What happened when I left? Is the problem me? Is it my fault? Please no. “Wait no… no. No. Scrap what I said before, I’m… NOT fine,” he adamantly admits, his authoritative voice cutting through the awkward silence. “The hell is going on? Did something happen?”

Gabriel shifts his gaze back to his father, brows quickly lifting in slight surprise. “Nothing too important,” Lucifer easily answers, his eyes never leaving the screen as his bored posture–

“ENOUGH, I’M TALKING TO MY SON, NOT YOU. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?” He demands once more as he abruptly cuts off the lines of text that make up their reality, causing them to pause at his sudden outburst, surprise spreading across their faces. His hair flutters in the thick air at the utterances of his words, slowly drifting up as a violent, golden light emanates behind his head. The galaxies once nestled within his hair chaotically distort in the wake of his tempest, as if the stars themselves shutter in his fury.

This quickly grabs their attention. Then, he eventually lowers his volume, the violent storm within his hair slowly dissipating, slightly reverting back to its original state. “Good. I won’t repeat myself,” he begins, his smooth and almost angelic voice lacing through his words. “So, hurry up and answer my question.” His even tone whispers into their ears like a gentle lullaby, a soothing melody that contrasts noticeably with the earlier storm. “What happened?”

A deafening silence naturally falls upon them. Then, Gabriel’s eyes widen by a fraction at his sudden outburst, while Lucifer grimaces, hearing the question. They don’t know what to say. The abrupt demand catches them off guard, especially compared to his playful demeanor. Their lips part, but no words come out. The shattered reality floats around them as the quietness continues on.

After what seems like an eternity, Lucifer and Gabriel exchange a long, silent look, each searching the other’s eyes for something unspoken. The former is one of resignation and mild annoyance, while the latter is one of surprise and shock. Then, finally as if to break their spell of silence, Lucifer says, “Fine, I’ll be the one to explain it. In return, fix the fracture for me, brother. I’m unable to exert my power right now.”

“Right. On that.” Gabriel nods, glancing at Demiurge with a curious brow for a brief moment before doing as he requested. He walks to the texts of reality, quickly arriving next to his father. Then, with a mere snap of a finger, he erases all existing damages, completely re-mending the lens of creation. When the last repair is made, he takes a step forward and sits down across from Lucifer at the table.

“Sorry. I… don’t know what came over me. But my question still stands, what in the hell happened between you two?” Demiurge asks evenly, his calm and radiant appearance never changing despite his apology. This causes Lucifer to snort in slight amusement, a small chuckle escaping his lips.

“No, no, no. By all means, embrace more of the human side of yours. It’s good, I encourage it,” he insists, finishing his chuckles. He extends his arm and plops his hand on Demiurge’s floating hair, patting the side of his head tenderly. “And if I’m not mistaken, I believe that was your first time being angry. It was quite cute~. Thanks for getting upset on my behalf.”

Demiurge’s face still remains impassive, his unamused gaze meeting his son. Yet, he imperceptibly nudges into his hand, loving how the warm sensation flows through his hair. If anyone were to look closely, they’d notice his eyes shimmering slightly with emotion. “Hurry up and tell me,” he commands with natural ease, a smile tugging at his lips despite his attempt to hide it.

“Fine, fine,” Lucifer concedes. “But I’m being serious, thanks… for worrying about me. You didn’t have to. I’m doing fine…,” he pauses, glancing toward his brother. “And someone should’ve gotten that hint.”

Gabriel flinches again as Lucifer grunts in displeasure. Demiurge’s brows adorably furrow in worry, and he glares at his son for answers, almost demanding in his stare. “Relax, I’m going to,” Lucifer says, his tone laced with tiredness. He pulls back his hand from his father’s face, causing the light behind his head to slightly dim in disappointment. Then, Lucifer leisurely spreads his arms across the couch as he begins to explain, “Father, do you remember when I was freed?”

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

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(Past)

After the eraser of his hell.

Lucifer holds Demiurge in his arms with delicate care, the scent of apples and lavenders wafting from his body. He nuzzles Demiurge close, his nose gently brushing against his cheeks. Demiurge responds in kind, his body arching into him, softly humming in bliss. The white reality that is their surroundings hums in a soothing silence, perpetually unchanging as if to preserve this tender moment for an eternity. But like all great things, it had to come to an end.

Lucifer reluctantly begins to pull away when his omniscience suddenly alerts him of an incoming intruder. Demiurge looks up at him in curiosity as he feels his face moving away. “What is it?” he asks with his hair fluttering in the empty wind. Lucifer closes his eyes in contemplation, his divine sense pushing outwards. Then, it starts to probingly scan the newcomer for more information, but it results in nothing, as if he was met with a filter blocking his senses.

“Hmm, I don’t know. Probably someone important,” Lucifer indecisively answers, his brow raised in curiosity. Demiurge tilts his fluffy head in confusion as he stares at him, unable to understand what he is saying. “Oh, right. Someone is coming here, and, honestly, I don’t know who. Besides that, I don’t really care. How are you doing by the way?”

“I’m doing better…,” he exclaims contentedly, his cheeks stained with the trails of tears that evaporated long ago. Then, his arms reach out to Lucifer again, hands outstretched, causing Lucifer to reciprocate in kind as he gently pulls Demiurge back into an embrace. “Thanks. And who do you think it is? Wait… hold up. That isn’t right.” His purple irises lock onto his son’s dark owns, his head tilting further in confusion. “Shouldn’t you like… already know? I unchained your power.”

“Huh, so my suspicions were right. Interesting,” Lucifer hums amusedly, patting his short frame on the head. “You don’t have an omniscient sense, do you? You can’t divine everything and everywhere. Is that why you’re so… adorable?” His father promptly replies with an indignant squeak and a blush schooling his face.

“And yes, you did undo my restrictions. But if another deity happened to be coming here, I couldn’t probe them any further without getting into more trouble,” he continues.

“Hey! Wait a minute, go back! Don’t just continue like you didn’t say anything! Whatcha mean by that? I don’t even need it! And my…,” Demiurge pauses before continuing, “Quote unquote adorableness has nothing to do with the lack of divinity!”

Lucifer chuckles amusedly. “I meant human. You’re so human. Plus, you are cute,” he says as he slowly leans down, plucking a light kiss on his nose.

“Ewwwww!” He groans, his face twisted in mock revulsion, promptly scraping his nose with disgust as if it were an ill-ridden disease. “I’m your family! That was gross. Don’t do that again. Plus! I’m your father, so don’t treat me like a child!”

“I’m adopted,” Lucifer blandly replies.

“You all are!” Demiurge hisses.

“…”

“…”

Lucifer smiles uncontrollably at the remark, but he tries to push it down with a frown and fails horribly. On the other hand, Demiurge tries to put on the facade of being angry, huffing and puffing. A silence promptly falls over them before they both burst into laughter, breaking the sudden quietness.

“Hahahahaha, you’re such a child,” Lucifer crutches his stomach in pain, releasing his hold.

“Pfft—shut up! Ugh, I forgot what I was gonna ask now. This is all your fault, I blame you!”

“Whaaaaaaat…? Nothing is ever my fault,” Lucifer exaggeratedly denies.

“Shut it! I don’t wanna hear it. Now give me a few seconds to breathe, I need time to think. What was it… what was it…” Demiurge mulls over the question he apparently forgot. “Ugh, you suck Lucifer— oh right! What did you mean by ‘you would get into more trouble if you decided to probe them’? I thought you could do that regardless.”

“Well, do you want the long answer or the short one?” Lucifer asks as he finally calms himself, standing up once again.

“Short, I guess?” Demiurge hesitantly picks the latter as he knows the unknown individual is short to arrive.

“The short answer is; I could, but it’s more about whether I should. It’s very… inappropriate to gaze into another’s fate and inner thoughts with or without their permission. It’s like digging into someone’s privacy without her/his consent, but for their future and past as well, instead of just the present. Of course, the past and future are ever fluid to beings like us, but let’s not go down that rabbit hole. I don’t like the idea around it, at all. Anyhow, that’s why we usually wear ‘masks’ to block each other’s senses, similar to how clothes would obscure our vision. And just like clothes, it’s intrusive if I decide to peek under someone’s ‘mask’ or use ‘x-ray’ vision on them,” Lucifer explains simply. “It’s also weird if someone isn’t wearing anything to cover themselves up.”

“Wait, do I have a ‘mask’ of my own?”

“Sort of. It’s more like an instinctive protection than not. But it still leaves your mind open for people to read, like wearing nothing but a single cloth.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” Demiurge innocently asks.

“It’s… charming,” Lucifer answers, carrying a slight blush this time. All he hears from Demiurge’s mind, intentionally or unintentionally, is ‘I love you’ repeating over and over again.

“Should I put one up?”

“Yeah, you should,” Lucifer agrees, almost suspiciously fast. “It’s better this way so you won’t get into trouble. The intruder is coming, and I think I know who… they are. Since your infamy precedes you, let’s put up a barrier to hide your presence from them for a little while longer. Andddddd, just long enough until we’re due for another family drama~.”

“Wait what? Huh!?” Demiurge exclaims, fumbling around in an adorable panic. Then, naturally, hearing one of his family member’s arrival, he hurriedly puts up a barrier on his divine aura. “Family?!?”

“Yuh.”

“Lucifer!”

“Shhhhhhh,” Lucifer shushes Demiurge with a finger, stopping him before he can ask any further. Then, his hand slowly lowers and grabs his waist, guiding Demiurge to stay back. “Time’s up. They are going to be here in a couple of seconds, so no more questions. If you don’t mind, stay back for a while.”

Demiurge obviously starts to pout, but sighing, he reluctantly nods and quickly shuffles behind him. Naught but a few seconds after, a figure suddenly merges from the aether in the distance. Lucifer tilts his head in curiosity while Demiurge slightly peeks under his arm. As the both of them look closer, the newcomer seems to be adorned with a pair of white, feathery wings and a golden halo sitting atop their head. In the blink of an eye, Lucifer confusedly gasps as he feels a sudden force thrust at his chest. Surprised, he looks down, only to be met with an all too familiar blonde hair. “Oh… sup Gabriel.”

“Don’t sup me you little brat!”

“Sup to you, too. But y’know, if I had a nickel for every time I get hit by a train filled to the brim of happiness today, I would get two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s—“

“Shut up! Lucifer. Just shut up. Please. It’s been… so, so long since I’ve seen you.” Gabriel, who was behind the sudden attack, says as he tightly clutches him. His wavering voice softly rings across the hall of the empty white void, echoing his longing to those who care to listen.

Hearing this, Lucifer sighs, a soft smile promptly playing at his lips. He slowly and ever so gently hugs back, his arms wrapping around him in a long-forgotten embrace. The air around them seemingly hums in peaceful serenity as the two pairs of brothers hug each other for the first time. After what seems like eons since they’ve last met, they hold the other with delicate care. Then, softly smiling, Gabriel continues, “Thanks. I missed you, brother. I really did.”

“Uh. Yeah, me too…,” Lucifer slightly cracks up, his trembling voice betraying him at the worst possible time. His hands gradually tighten their grip, his emotions slowly breaking through at the familiar sensation. To hide how much he loves the comforting warmth seething from Gabriel’s body, he decidedly says in a teasing tone, “Took… you long enough.”

Gabriel tightens his grip. Then, he begins to say, “I’m so sorry. Father didn’t allow us to meet you. I tried and tried to reach out, searching for a way to get past his detection. But he kept his damned gaze around you. Until now. I sensed his presence was gone, and I came as quickly as possible once I noticed he was absent. I’m sorry that it took this long, I really am. And I’m such a terrible brother, but please, if there’s anything I can do for you to earn—“

“Enough. Stop talking so fast. It’s okay. I didn’t mean anything by it. I was trying to be snarky, but it clearly failed. Apparently,” Lucifer says as he cuts him off, his hand hovering over Gabriel’s lips. His tone fills with humor, or tries to, as his voice audibly gasps between breaths, causing him to cling to his brother for support again. His body visibly trembles in happiness, slightly shaking at the warm touch of his brother. “Fucking hell, I missed you so much. I can’t. Why am I so emotional today?”

“You always were,” Gabriel says as he smiles again, his face burying into Lucifer’s shoulder. His head meets his collarbone as he slowly closes his eyes. Lucifer stares down, warmth filling his eyes, as he holds him. At the small vibrations of his head movement, Gabriel slowly notices how much his brother has changed. But he would never expect to what extent. “And you’ve grown so tall as well.”

Demiurge subtly flinches at the first half. Then, Gabriel slightly looks up, opening his eyes, and continues, “You’ve really grown tall, I wouldn’t even believe it was you if—the hell?” He pauses at the sight before him. A silence falls over them as he gives a first, proper look at his brother. Lucifer stares back in slight worry as he can feel the air between them subtly shift into something more… tense.

“Is there something wrong?” He asks.

“Lucifer, is that you?” Gabriel questions as he backs up, releasing his hold. His face begins to contort in confusion and then eventually morphs into horror, his eyes widening. Lucifer tries to take a step forward, his arms reaching out, but his brother steps back in mounting fear, his movement swift and guarded. “Is that really you? It… it can’t be. No, no, no no no.”

“Gabriel…,” Lucifer says, his body slightly flinching in pain as if he’s hurt at the impact of his brother’s demeanor. Gabriel rapidly shakes his head as if denying the reality he’s currently in. “It’s me…Lucifer. I’m me. I’m still me. Of course I am. Why would you think otherwise? What’s wrong?”

“No… no! You…! Dear god… what did they do to you?” Gabriel asks, his question directed at this cruel reality rather than anything else, his ears beginning to ring deafeningly at the sight of Lucifer. He clutches his head in denial when he glances at him, promptly pulling his gaze away. Seeing this, Lucifer intends to reassure him, his hand extending to his shoulder, until he sees the cold look in his eyes. The way he stares at him like he’s someone he has never met, causing him to cease his movement. Like a stranger. His hand pauses.

Meanwhile, remembering the last part of Lucifer’s statement, Gabriel’s eyes snap back in realization. “You… oh no. You don’t even realize it…” he says in growing apprehension. His breathing becomes heavy as he slightly hyperventilates. He tries to close his eyes, calming himself, and it eventually works despite this harsh reality taking something dear from him. With that, he slowly relaxes. Then, he shakes his head to focus as he needs to show Lucifer what he means. Because he is still his brother. Then, seamlessly, he creates a thin mirror between his palm and flips around toward him, his fingers spreading outward to form it.

Hesitating, Lucifer reluctantly pulls his hand back and drops it to his side, beginning to tilt his head in confusion. Slowly gazing down at the mirror in front of him, he sees a pair of dull, black eyes staring back at him. The pitch darkness of them contorts at his reflection as if the emptiness of them is visibly sucking the life out of their surroundings. No matter how much his inner emotions or turmoil populate his head, his irises, the glow within them, can’t move an inch. Then, his motionless face, where it once housed with liveliness and untamed cheerfulness that his family associated him with, remains coldly indifferent. In conclusion, he looks… dead.

“Oh, that. Almost forgot about it. My omniscience really has gone rusty, huh. But yeah, it shouldn’t be anything too significant to be worried about… I hope. Maybe you like me to place up a cheerful facade instead…?” Lucifer forcefully chuckles, his arms outstretched in a jesting posture. His brother flinches back when his hands start to point toward him, causing Lucifer’s eyes to become somehow even more duller and distant. Quickly realizing his mistake, Gabriel instinctively grabs Lucifer’s hands and pulls them toward himself.

Or at least he tries to. But his hands suddenly halt mid-action, hesitating to comfort his brother, different from the reality he imagined in his mind. He has always been the worst at consoling others and expressing his emotions, often unintentionally harming others in the process. And now, he has accidentally done the same thing to Lucifer. Hasn’t he suffered enough? So, he stops, his hands ceasing to move any further. He isn’t worthy of comforting Lucifer, and he sure knows he doesn’t have the ability to. But what if, in the smallest possibility, he can help? No… that couldn’t be. He would inevitably harm him if he tried—

Before he can hesitate any further, a hand emerges behind Lucifer’s back like a third arm and quickly grasps him. Gabriel widens his eyes in surprise when his gaze lands on it. Grabbing his mind out of the gutter, he feels a sudden force pulling him toward Lucifer as he blinks in surprise. The unknown assailant tugs his arm and quickly lets go, causing him to unexpectedly embrace Lucifer once more. In turn, Lucifer immediately hugs him back, desperation seeping into his movement as he clings to him. A thud reverberates across the empty space as their bodies meet again, Lucifer’s hands holding onto him for support. After a brief period of silence has passed, Gabriel hesitantly responds in kind, eventually wrapping his arms around him. Then, as if the confirmation that Lucifer is still Lucifer finally clicks into his head, Gabriel begins to quicken his movement, clasping onto Lucifer tightly.