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The Ancient Gods
chapter two

chapter two

Lucifer, his companions and their guides continued on. As the days passed, either walking, camping or hunting it got rockier and colder. Leif had worked on the stag coat pelt and the cheetah cloak as well as the necklace like a man possessed. Odin had combined the skull of the cheetah, the antlers of the stag with a mix of gold and silver. The resulting crown was breath-taking both barbaric and beautiful. Lucifer had no idea how he'd done it, using some magic only the dwarves knew. The dome of the crown was made from the cheetah, with shards of antler rising past it held together with gold edged with silver with the occasional ruby, gem or diamond. It was on the eleventh day just as the sun rose upon the peaks of the mountains that both Leif and Odin had finished their projects. Lucifer packed his hammock and jumped down from the ice frozen tree, 'Lucifer, Odin and myself have completed our assignment and now we await your decision.' Leif told Lucifer handing over the pelts and the necklace. Odin handed over the crown he'd made, Lucifer left the group, heading into one of the caves to change. They had been using the cave to sleep in semi warm conditions unlike outside the cave. Lucifer put on his new coat and cloak. Putting on the necklace, he donned his crown. His armour and weapons fit perfectly with his new warm clothes. Lucifer strode back to his group his cheetah cloak rippling in the morning cold air.

Lucifer thanked his comrades, as the Priestess came forward. 'You look every bit the Emperor you are. Now me and mine must make hast back to Lunaopolis. We leave you on the border to the Demon lands. Head to the Fire Mountains, were you will see smoke rising from the top.' The Priestess told him as her Blood-Claws headed back the way they had come. the Priestess following shortly after.

'Do you think that you are now capable of carrying Leif and Odin and I simultaneously?' Lucifer thought at Lilith. 'Yes, I should think so.' Lilith replied telepathically to him. Lucifer unleashed her, 'Thank you.' Lucifer murmured to her stroking her hide, before helping Leaf up and then Odin with assistance from Leif. The Drakon dove of the edge of the mountain cliff falling Odin and Leif screaming as they fell before ascending, soaring up into the skies. Although it was unbelievably cold, thanks to Lucifer's pelt skins kept him warm. Lucifer sensed that he could use magic to heat himself up but decided against it as he did not fully understand the spells correct pronunciations. Odin was doing well due to his thick coerce hair and wool coat he'd found in his bag. Leif on the other hand was not so great, elves tend to stay near jungles, forests and warm places. Due to the fact they are susceptible to extreme colds, Leif was wearing a thick bear skin coat and trousers. He'd grown a bit of a beard as well to keep his face warm. Thankfully Lilith's drakon hide was always warm to near hot.

'I see the Fire Mountains. Just over the horizon!' Lilith exclaimed as she flew as fast as she could go without unseating her passengers. 'See over there, the fire mountains of the Demon Lands.' Lucifer called through the frosty wind, Odin responded with a grunt while Leif prayed to the elven, fairy and fae God Faenn Lord of the Vanir and the Wilds, Jungles and Forests. Lucifer had always been more inclined to pray to his father Nyx then any God the others but he supposed that if he had to choose another he'd have picked either Faenn or his twin the Goddess Freya lady of the earth, beauty, youth, health, birth, love, animals and the defenceless and daughter of the Ancients Helios and Helena. Lucifer had always felt a connection to Freya.

Lilith made quick time they soon passed the fire mountains and began to descend near the remains of the fallen city of Askinar. The Demon lands were harsh, cruel and boiling hot place filled with death, fear and pain. They landed near city of Askinar's remains, Lucifer jumped to the hardened obsidian glass floor with a crunch. He helped Odin down as Leif jumped down on his own, Lucifer absorbed Lilith and drew Light-Weaver.

'It smells of death and despair!' Lilith thought to Lucifer as Lucifer strode determinately to the fallen city. Leif and Odin gasped as they saw the full beauty of the once great city. 'It is a truly sorrowful thing when such architectural beauty is crushed, to of seen this city in all its glory. That would be great indeed.' Odin declared reverently as they walked under a marble arch and into the heart of the ruins. Lucifer opened his senses, what he found was horrifying, ghouls, wraiths and ghosts glided by as if they were still alive, trapped in the place they died unable to move on. Lucifer watched as children ran and played annoying their parents. Taking a breath he mentally pushed past the dead in search of the living finding flickering light coming from the palace Lucifer headed that way down what would have been a street with Odin and Leif following close from behind. The palace was carved out of marble, decorated with gold, silver and platinum. They walked up the steep steps through the palace gates and into a highly decorated courtyard. They continued on through the palace door down corridors and hallways till they reached the throne room. The throne room was enormous with intricate carvings and portraits depicting the history of Askinar and their royal family the Targaryens.

Sat upon one of three obsidian glass thrones was a deathly pale woman as they walked closer they saw that half her face was skeletal with flesh barely hanging on, her left eye as grey as a stormy sky. She had white hair hiding her rotten ear. On the other side of her face she was perhaps one of the most beautiful but most sorrowful faces Lucifer had seen with midnight black hair and a green eye.

'What are you doing here?' The woman asked with a voice like warmed honey, Lucifer, Leif and Odin bowed. 'I am Lucifer ShadowFire son of Nyx. My mother Queen Aelin Starfire as asked me to seek out my half-sister Hella, so that she might teach me to travel the realms.' Lucifer told the woman, as he straitened up. 'I am Hella Targaryens ruler of what remains of this accursed place. What will you give me in exchange for this service?' Hella replied hungrily leaning forward in her throne. 'What is it you want with in reason and I shall endeavour to retrieve it for you.' Lucifer replied sheathing his sword, Odin and Leif doing likewise. 'I want the Stygian Dagger, it is said to give the owner command over the dead. It is said to be in the dark side of Demean Ogg Taran owned by the demigod son of Plagith Astaroth.' Hella told them, Lucifer grimaced. 'So be it! How do we get there?' Lucifer replied determinedly as Hella smiled. 'You shall drink a potion that will stop your hearts temporarily. It will link you three in spirit as you retrieve the dagger.' Hella finished with a chuckle and waved her hand. A five pointed star burst into life upon the floor followed by various symbols and siegels that Lucifer could just about decipher.

Hella began chanting in ancient Greek, Egyptian and Persian then finishing with Enochian as she held out a chalice filled with a dark reddish liquid. 'Enter the pentacle then proceed to drink from the chalice.' Hella said giving Lucifer the chalice as he entered the pentacle followed by his comrades. Hella renewed her chanting becoming fever pitched as Lucifer, Leif and Odin all drank from the chalice. The effect was instantaneous, their hearts stopped and as they fell they broke through the realms falling until they reached the underworld with a thud.

Lucifer got to his feet and helped both Leif and Odin to theirs, then it hit him a blast of dark power, Lucifer's eyes turned as pitch black darker then the deepest cave. Except for his irises they burned a raging red like a star being born flaring brightly. Shadows clung to him eager to please him. Lucifer smiled malevolently at the swell of strength, Odin and Leif exchanged a worried glance and took a step away from Lucifer. Lucifer could barley feel Lilith through their bond.

'Are you all right?' Leif said his voice echoing, Odin had a gander around. 'Well it's certainly creepy.' Odin declared as his eyes fell upon a gate into Plagith's castle, making both Lucifer and Leif look over to where Odin was looking. The ground was a greenish jade making up a path that led to a bridge of steel crossing a lake of liquid fire right up to the terrifying gates. The sky was a raging storm with red cloud and flashes of lightning, as far as Lucifer could tell Demean Ogg Taran had no sun to speak off the sky was pitch black all but for the storm. 'Come on then, we got a blade to liberate.' Lucifer said flashing a brilliant smile as he walked towards the imposing gate his companions close behind as they drew near Lucifer saw a hulking three headed Lycan guarded the gates as spirits drifted through. 'How we gonna get past Cerberus Lord of Lycans?' Odin Demanded gruffly as he fidgeted with his battle axe. Lucifer thought about Odin's question carefully until deciding. 'I believe that I will be able to conceal our presence from them but I'll need your consent.' Lucifer told them. 'You needn't of asked we're your men. We'll follow you anywhere.' Leif replied as Odin nodded his consent. Lucifer lifted his hands towards Leif and Odin commanded the shadows to rise and cling to their spiritual bodies hiding them from all.

Lucifer concentrated on his need to get over the gate, his shadowy spiritual body began to rise from the jade floor. He then focused on lifting both Odin and Leif so that they floated beside Lucifer. 'This feels decidedly weird and strange.' Odin proclaimed giddily. 'I have to concur, this is the strangest thing that's happened.' Leif added grumpily as Lucifer smirked as he, Odin and Leif shot into the raging skies faster than a falling star. Lightning flashed close to Lucifer, he raised his had as a bolt of lightning struck him and he directed the bolt away from him. Lucifer glared down at the castle and the surrounding fields of punishment, he found what he was looking for Lucifer pulled them down towards the courtyard where he saw a door leading into the castle. They landed softly on the hard cold stone floor. 'Leif, Odin watch my back as I check the door.' Lucifer told the two telepathically. He stepped towards the door and reached forwards, Lucifer barely touched the door when it unlocked and swung inwards. The Door led into a long corridor with hundreds of doors running along it, Lucifer strode forwards with his companions either side of him. Lucifer closed his eyes and sought out the dagger, Lucifer felt a wave of vertigo. Lucifer's minds psychic eye, third eye opened and he mentally flew down corridors, through doors and up stairs until he reached Astaroth's bedchambers and moved towards a lead coated chest trying every path until he found one unguarded. Lucifer opened his eyes waved his hand motioning for his comrades to follow him, Lucifer, Odin and Leif moved down the corridor following the path he'd seen with his sight.

Lucifer and his companions reached Astaroth's bedchambers without trouble except when Lucifer went towards the box and proceeded to open the lid as it opened he was seen by a strong young human looking male. 'Reveal yourself!' the young man demanded, Lucifer obliged and banished the shadows. 'Who in Nyx are you and why are you people? Why are you trying to steal my dagger?' Astaroth cursed drawing a sharp looking sword. 'I challenge you to first blood, winner owns the dagger, By the Laws of Nyx.' Lucifer declared as thunder rumbled at his words.

'Who are you to challenge me, for I am the demigod Astaroth.' Astaroth said testily stepping towards Lucifer. 'I am the Prince of Darkness, son of Nyx, MY NAME IS LUCIFER SAMAEL SHADOWFIRE!' Lucifer shouted his voice booming like clap of thunder, his eyes flaring with power. Half a dozen undead guards barged into the bedchamber. 'Clear the Arena, a challenge as been declared.' Astaroth shouted as he got the box and handed it to the guards. 'Come little Prince.' Astaroth smirked following the guards to the Arena with Lucifer and his companions following behind.

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The Arena was humongous like the arenas in the elemental empire, Lucifer and his friends entered the sandy blood stained floor of the Arena. A flaming rectangle appeared and a female voice rippled around the arena, 'Make your oath and you will be bound to it.' said Helena the Goddess of oaths and promises. 'Winner claims the Stygian Dagger.' Lucifer declared manifesting brilliant, blinding white wings as he stepping into the flaming ring followed by a pale looking Astaroth. They drew their weapons, Lucifer sword Light-Weaver's blade burst into flames. 'What are you!' Astaroth cried out at the terrifying sight of Lucifer he tried to run but was unable to exit the barrier of flame. Lucifer glowed brightly like a star, all the while getting brighter and hotter. Lucifer stepped toward Astaroth who yelled and swiped at Lucifer with his sword. When Astaroth's sword got close it melted under the extreme heat of that of a star. Lucifer swiped at Astaroth's arm nicking it, thunder rumbled as the battle was over. Lucifer exited the ring his bright light fading slightly, Astaroth sat on the floor catatonic, the spirits of the dead got to their knees muttering, the muttering grew until the spirits were shouting. the Arena thundered with them shouting for Lucifer calling him, 'MORINGSTAR, HAIL LUCIFER THE MORNINGSTAR!' Lucifer strode to the guard who held the box in shaking hands ignoring the shouting. Lucifer reached out and took the dagger from inside, as soon as he held the blade he felt himself get sucked through the realms. Lucifer lurched awake followed closely by Odin and Leif. They where back in Faeamar in the Demon Lands, Hella got up from her throne were she had been sat.

Lucifer felt truly exhausted as if the limitless immortal power he'd felt in Demean Ogg Taran had vanished, or more likely was caged deep inside his mortal body. Lucifer could hardly wait till he reached his twenty-first summer and gained his true immortal form. Lilith swelled with love and devotion for her master now that she could feel him again.

'So you have the blade, very well I shall teach you. Now hand over the blade.' Hella demanded her skeletal hand out stretched. Lucifer helped Odin and Leif to their feet, Lucifer faced his half-sister. 'Swear upon Helena Queen of the Ancients that you will up hold your end of our bargain.' Lucifer demanded his voice gravely and weak. 'I swear upon Helena to teach you to travel the realms.' Hella said reluctantly as Lucifer handed over the Stygian Dagger. 'There are a few surviving bedrooms in the left wing of the palace tower.' Hella told Lucifer dismissing him and his companions.

The left wing of the palace tower was cold, dark and musty. Lucifer remedied the cold and dark by conjuring a ball of fire in the palm of his hand. Lucifer, Leif and Odin shared a room and took turns keeping watch. The room was enormous with a big bedroom, the curtains were musty, damp and moth eaten. Lucifer awoke before dawn and woke his friends. They went down to the throne room, where they fought each other in mock combat training. Hella arrived come late morning, she went straight to her throne.

'We will begin, clear your mind. Push your mind from your body and travel east of the tower until you reach the edge of the Demon Lands.' Hella told Lucifer carefully, Lucifer listened to what she'd said controlling his breathing he thought of his time in the underworld and the sight he'd used to travel with his mind. He thought of how he had managed that, Lucifer soon felt the familiar vertigo that came with transitioning to the sight. The world was brighter, more vibrant and peaceful. Lucifer's mind flew out of the ruins of Askinar and to the edge of the Demon Lands he felt a familiar presence, Lucifer focused on this presence and realised it was Hella's mind. Hella's essence her mind instead of a glowing ball like Lucifer she looked as she did in her body, except she glowed a dark fiery red and was flouting.

Lucifer focused on what he wanted, his essence flared like a star before dying down. Lucifer now had a body. He looked at his hands, they glowed a fierce gold with an undercurrent of pitch black darkness. 'Good now that we are here, think of our father go to him in your mind and you'll enter a realm of sorts. Although outside the other realms an in between place, if you will. You have entered this place before.' Hella told Lucifer as he looked around. 'When I died, we entered this purgatory like place outside the realms before we reached Demean Ogg Taran, I could see the other realms as I fell past in flashes.' Lucifer replied to which Hella nodded. 'You will enter this place when you focus on our father while there try not to dally. Then return, you will rest and tomorrow you leave.' Hella told him, Lucifer nodded he focused on Purgatory, a crack appeared in the worlds, shining with electric blue energies and pulsing white. Lucifer moved into the portal, all he saw was complete and utter pitch black darkness. Then he saw them the six realms, glowing brightly in the utter darkness. There was no up no down, just emptiness except for the realms. Then it hit him Lucifer could see the entirety of space and time. He could see all the realms he could see what was, what will be and what might be. All inside his head. Lucifer thought of the beginning before his father Nyx awoke and created Aurora from the nothingness. Lucifer closed his eyes and thought of Faeamar his home. He thought of the sun, the sky, forests, oceans, rivers, everything that made him him want to live. Then out of no where there was an enormous flash of light.

…..Suddenly Lucifer could feel, ground under his feet, a breeze ruffling his obsidian hair and a bright light making his eyelids warm. Lucifer opened his eyes slowly getting accustomed to the bright light. What Lucifer saw made him gasp and stumble, he was on a grassy hill, surrounded by trees, he saw a river and a lake. This world was unnaturally quiet, Lucifer suddenly understood why. There was nothing alive except the trees and plants in the entirety of this new realm. Thinking of bird, animals and fish Lucifer could now see, hear and feel them the the realm full of life. Lucifer had created a world, the realisation shocked him to the core, Lucifer thought of night and suddenly it was the sun dipped under the horizon. In the sky their was six stars, Lucifer willed himself off the ground and into the night sky, he broke through the atmosphere. The six stars were in fact the six realms, he had made a new realm outside of the others. Lucifer's realm needed a name and Lucifer saw none more fitting then Purgatory. Lucifer could sense the souls of the deceased travel through his realm and into the after world Demean Ogg Taran.

Lucifer needed someone or something to help guide the souls of the dead to the afterworld for fear they'd get lost and maybe someone else to select the greatest warriors and sorcerers to have died and bring them back to Purgatory. Lucifer thought of Nyx's demons and Helios's Angels in order to come up with something both fearsome, kind and caring for the first of his creatures. The beings Lucifer created were similar in nature to Helios's angels, Lucifer's creatures were humanoid some male, some female all had brilliant raven coloured wings, piercing eyes that could read and evaluate the souls and hearts of mortals. They were all beautiful and could become invisible, phase through solid objects, read minds, kill with a touch and are able to live for thousands of years at a time. Before returning to the ground Lucifer created two moons as to help illuminate the world at night. Lucifer returned to Purgatory and landed near his newly created creatures.

'My name is Lucifer, the Morningstar, I am your lord and creator I give you the name of Angels of death or Reapers for your task, my angels will be to guide and guard the dead and the dying through Purgatory and into the afterworld.' Lucifer waved his hand and his Angels were clothed in black leather and a silk black robe with a khopesh at each of their sides. 'I must go but I will return.' Lucifer told them as he lifted of the ground before he left he waved his hand in the sky and a flouting obsidian stoned city appeared in the night sky. The city was guarded by walls, turrets and towers a flouting fortress at its heart a citadel more beautiful than any palace, castle or mansion could ever be. Lucifer made several such cities across the realm before he turned to his Angels. 'This is where you shall live when you are not for filling your duties. There are others across the realm.' Lucifer looked among them he scanned their minds, seeing their potential he found what he was searching for.

'You my child shall lead the angels of death, I gift you the name Azrael and the gift of immortality as long as you are worthy!' Lucifer told the male angel. 'Thank you my lord, we shall not fail you.' Azrael replied whole heartedly. 'We shall name our first city Myrddion meaning Dark Light.' Azrael finished he and the rest of Lucifer's angels dropped to the floor prostrating themselves before him. 'I must leave my children but I will return.' Lucifer called to them as he flew into the heavens. For Lucifer's second creatures, these humanoid beings were all female, incredibly strong, fast and beautiful. They had brilliant white wings unlike his angels of death. These powerful winged enchantingly beautiful and heavenly women could evaluate the souls and hearts of mortals choosing only the bravest most courageous of warriors and sorcerers. They could become invisible, read and enchant minds, kill with a touch and are immortal. These women could only give birth to females no matter the who or what the father was. For these wing women Lucifer created several cities like the Angels of Death's except these cities glowed with golden light made from gold, silver, platinum and filled with jewels. Rubies, diamonds and gems of various descriptions and sizes encrusted the walls and roads. Lucifer landed outside one of the training areas the double the size of the colosseum. His winged women knelt before him waiting for him to speak.

'I am Lucifer, your Lord, I gift you the name Valkyries the Battle Maidens. Your duty will be to hunt the battlefield and war zones searching for the dying but only chose the greatest of warriors and sorcerers to have lived. They shall become my immortal warriors the Einherjar.' Lucifer searched the minds of his Valkyries till he found a woman that suited his purpose.

'You my child step forwards,' Lucifer asked a golden haired Valkyrie. 'I gift you the name Sif.' Lucifer told her. 'You shall lead the Valkyries. You have brothers and sisters who share and guard this realm be kind and help each other.' Lucifer told them psychically projecting the last sentence to the Angels of death's minds.

'I must leave you now but I shall return, this city shall be known as Asgard and the hall and battle arena shall be known as Valhalla. I shall create two ravens to watch over my realms and peoples, these ravens like the moons shall be called Huginn and Muninn meaning thought and memory. I shall be able to see and hear through them, Good bye my daughters.' Lucifer told them flying into the sky faster than a shooting star heading for Faeamar and back into his body. When Lucifer awoke he found himself in a bed with the concerned faces of Odin and Leif hanging above his head. 'You where out for seven days, we fought you had got lost, Hella told us you may be trapped.' Odin told Lucifer in a shaky cracked voice. 'I'm fine really.' Lucifer replied getting to his feet and out of the bed. Lucifer followed Leif down stairs and corridors till they reached the throne room with Odin coming up from behind making sure Lucifer didn't collapse.

Hella sat atop her throne with an expression of distaste upon her face. 'YOU WHERE NOT MENT TO DALLY!' Hella roared getting up from her throne. 'You have drawn the notice of both the Ancients and the Gods, you foolish child you created a world, a realm outside of all others and you allow the dead to walk through it into the afterworld. Not to mention you have created two new beings your Angels of Death and your Valkyries.' Hella said while in a rant. 'You are almost an Ancient you are certainly a god and a powerful one at that.' Hella yelled now pacing back and forth across the room. 'You must leave at once!' Hella declared to Lucifer and his companions. 'I know how to enter the realms not how to take someone at least teach me that.' Lucifer pleaded to his half-sister as she stopped pacing. 'Very well.' Hella replied as she sent thoughts and images at Lucifer's mind showing how it is done and how to take someone. She also sent a few hundred spells and enchantment along with the instructions.

'Now leave!' Hella growled to Lucifer as he and his comrades left the throne room and out of the ruins of Askinar. Lucifer and his friends stopped where they had landed a week ago. 'I shall make a gate way here and we shall arrive at the city Myrddion in purgatory.' Lucifer told them he lifted his hand and muttered an incantation. A swirling vortex of light appeared, Lucifer strode into the portal beckoning his friends