“They say you had been destroyed” said Seifer, reverting to his usual calm.

“I am but a shell of my former self” agreed Lucifer. Suddenly, the two of them were in a forest. Lucifer started to walk and Seifer followed him, a bit surprised that the legendary figure wore such simple white robes.

“I am rarely able to interact with the real world. I do try and savor the brief moments I am afforded” said Lucifer softly, as he pressed a hand to the bark of an oak tree.

“What allowed you to do it now?” asked Seifer.

“We are both demons, you and I are connected as are all other demons. Every time a demon does something truly exceptional, I am able to appear in the physical world” said Lucifer.

“And it really is quite impressive what you’ve managed to do. Corrupting the Sphere of Serenity for your own purposes. It is the only source of energy that could power what you are attempting” he continued.

“Reversing time across the entire world. I never thought it was possible until I learned of the Sphere. It was lucky that the Light didn’t realize it could be used for any purpose, not just their own.” replied Seifer.

“And only you and your wife would keep the memories of this life. It’s quite the advantage, perhaps in your next last life you shall reach past the twelfth step” said Lucifer and right as he did, they were on top on a snowy mountain.

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“So there is something beyond the twelfth step?” asked Seifer, watching incredulously as the greatest of demons began to make a snowman.

“Of course, but you already knew that. The way you people grow stronger is rather strange, you know? My brothers and I don’t have a spirit gate or whatever it is that you call it” said Lucifer.

“How do you gather ether without a Spirit Gate?” asked Seifer curiously, this could be an opportunity to obtain the most precious knowledge he had ever gained.

“Tell me, what is a spirit gate?” said Lucifer.

“I would call it an opening in the soul for lack of a better phrase. When you “open the gate” ether can be drawn in through the soul strengthening both the soul and the body” replied Seifer, wondering where the old demon was going with this.

“Ether is infinite, it is everywhere and in everything, why would you need an opening in the Soul to collect it when your Soul is already contains an infinite amount of ether within it?” asked Lucifer.

“Because the ether within your soul has an aspect of yourself, it is not the pure ether which is needed to strengthen yourself?” said Seifer, starting to see what Lucifer meant.

“I see you are beginning to understand. Indeed, my brothers and I were born of the Ether itself, the ether within us is as pure as can be” said Lucifer. His snowman was almost done, it just needed a nose.

“Being of pure ether? Is that related to reaching past the twelfth step?” asked Seifer.

Lucifer simply smiled at him. Seifer sighed in annoyance, but couldn’t be too upset when he also did things like this. It was very entertaining to give cryptic advice to your juniors.

The first demon conjured a carrot and offered it to Seifer. He drove it into the snowman’s head, finally giving it a nose. When he looked back at Lucifer, he saw no one there.

Did I just make a snowman with Lucifer? thought Seifer as he felt the flow of time return to normal and the Sphere of Serenity fully awaken.