LUCIFER

Looking down from the glass window, Lucifer could notice how fast they were moving and how far away from the earth's ground her feet were.

If she tried to jump from there …would she still be alive? Lucifer wondered. Could she survive and warn the others? She wanted to fight but when she was trying to let light out of her body, nothing happened. And then, she found Leviathan with dark and silver fabrics walking to the bridge down. Their brown eyes looked up, noticing her as their lips curved to hideous grin. She didn't want to imagine what they were thinking.

Maybe falling was not the best option. So she kept walking with her eyes on her feet.

The poison remained in her body, making it weak. She could remember and analyze each part of the road she had taken with Mara behind her and Ma'at in front of her. A bridge. There was a bridge on each floor. There were probably five of them that were guiding to four doors. All of them were made of iron and one more dark metal as there was a sound that was bothering Lucifer’s ears and mind, making her lose attention.

You want to find the machines. Here we are. The girl mocked her from behind as Ma’at opened one more door.

The room had a table and a plate filled with sweets. Or at least it had. Mara ate them all at once. Lucifer looked at the paintings hanging on the walls. Lucifer sighed and shook her head in disbelief. Mara, still licking her fingers, shrugged and smiled. "What can I say?" she arched her brow "I have a sweet tooth!"

History events. The Fall of Spirits. The first burn. The burn of the Mother of the Deep, the prophecy of the made ones. Things that Lucifer has known for years. Every painting comes from the same artist. Just like the room she was in her dreams, this time there was light.

‘’Your work ?’’Lucifer asked Ma’at, hiding that she wanted to run far from the room he was standing inside. Just his presence made her mind scream in terror. He shook his head and tried to walk by her side.

‘’Helps me remember …events that were forgotten’’He explained clearly.

Her eyes found his free hand holding a dark dagger. Another whisper caressed her ears, calling her to let the whisper free.

‘’What are you planning with it?’’ Lucifer hoped he would answer. ‘’If you want to destroy Babel how can you do it with…’’

‘’Royals are always in such a rash’’ He complained, waving the dagger around like it was a mere toy for him. ‘’Have some patience.'' His hand let the dagger down on the table, a few feet away from Lucifer to take.

As she did not understand what he meant, Lucifer looked away from him and returned to Mara. An air around her filled with arrogance, pride, and confidence, walking in a circle around the room with her eyes piercing Lucifer with her fingers being shoved inside a jar with red sweets.

‘’What did you give her in return?’’ Lucifer found a glimpse of confidence inside her and moved closer to the man. Now, she could listen to his body ticking with every movement he was making, as if he was a machine.

The girl lifted her eyes to Ma’at, waiting for the answer he was going to give Lucifer.

‘’She will live another day’’He answered.

‘’Will she?’’ Lucifer did not believe him one bit. She stopped believing.

The scientist lowered his head and turned to the girl.

‘’Your part is completed'' he said.’’You are free from your debt’’

The girl’s eyes lit up with joy as she let out a breath of relief from her big grin. Her last breath before the scientist shot her three times. Once in her head. Twice in her heart.

Lucifer did not notice the moment when he drew the pistol from his belt or when the sound of the bullets came across her ears. But they did. And the girl’s blood drew close to her feet. Even in the end, her dark eyes looked at the floor. Her flesh changed color slowly.

‘’You killed,’’ Lucifer held her words, waiting for the girl to stand again. To see if she was breathing. Nothing. But the man did not seem satisfied enough as he offered his weapon to Lucifer.

‘’I do not like vail tactics such as these. You should have it.''

The gun seemed new, clean, polished even like a blade. Certainly he never used it by the way so clusmily he was trying to offer it to her. But Lucifer could not stop staring at Mara's corpse.

Instantly,her hand smacked the gun away, with her voice out crying hisses.

She expected something from the scientist. Anything. A shout, a comment of disappointment. A slap. Another bullet. But he just let his hand on the previous position as if he was trying to reach something invisible.

‘’Why are they always doing that?’’ The scientist almost let out a whine from his covered mouth.

‘’Why did you do it?’’ Her question echoed in the silent room, her voice trembling as her disbelief shifted to anger. She cried. She finally cried for the one who killed her friend

‘’Believe it or not’’ His voice was still steady and calm as he walked away from Lucifer, back to the table. Every step of his sounded like a weapon of a machine.

‘’I admire Spirit Blood. It always intrigued me how it worked around someone’s body, how it got used by the mind… But not by the users of it.'' He explained as if Lucifer had paid attention to him.

‘’And with users just like this one’’ He pointed at the fallen girl.’’She is a disgrace.’’

‘’A disgrace?’’ Her lilac eyes twitched.

‘’A half-demon who casts an incantation of the wrong kind.''He turned to Lucifer.’’And her power is just by touch. It is rather pathetic.’’

‘’At least she doesn’t need a mask to hide her face just like you’’Lucifer cursed at him. ‘’You are probably hideous under that.’’

‘’Would you like to see it?'' The man almost sounded excited after Lucifer’s mocking.

Yes.

‘’Why did you kill her?'' Lucifer clenched her ring and looked up at his helm.

‘’Incantations have ‘’He faced his strange cane. An iron scale for the handler of it. Golden threads all over the stick. Lucifer felt intimidated by just looking at it. And yet intrigued.

‘’Weakened. When you once could cast earthquakes by command now a warlock or demon can control a part of the earth. And that would mostly be metal.’’He took one step closer to Lucifer, moving his hand to his pocket.’’And you saw the hybrid.’’He laughed.’’A half-blood demon who fell for blood tricks.''

What?

‘’I thought you would have been happier'' Lucifer arched her brow cockingly. ‘’I thought that you wanted to destroy every warlock and demon.’’She muttered. Could they have been wrong with all the rest all this time?

‘’I told you, I admire the strength of the blood. But not weakness.''

‘’So what?’’ Lucifer asked once more.’’You used her and then you killed her because her power were not enough?’’

‘’Her body was weak too. She was supposed to survive those bullets.’’He let out a disappointed hum.’’Her weakness lends her to her death.’’

‘’That is your excuse when people fail you?’’ She said, showing the girl’s corpse.

‘’People have weaknesses, your Grace’’He said, calling her by her title, with a bigger mockery than the girls. ‘’Greed, envy, pride.''His head was lowered to the girl’s body.’’Wrath and so many more can lend those people to their death.’’

‘’And what is yours? Arrogance?'' Lucifer mocked him.

‘’I said people have weaknesses,’’ he corrected her. ‘’I am no people’’

‘’Yes, arrogance’’ Lucifer realized while playing with her ring finger.

‘’Is this the reason you want to break the curse?’’ She asked. ‘’To kill every weakness?’’

No response from the strange scientist as he kept studying Lucifer with such an interest that made her stomach tied to a knot with the pressure of wind hitting her nape.

''Killing was never something that I enjoyed. Wasting materials either.''

Materials? Lives are materials?

‘’No wonder Hephaestus hates you,’’ Lucifer muttered and looked at his hands.

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‘’They do don’t they?’’The man scoffed, amused, flexing his fingers. But Lucifer could find the same hatred inside him, just like Hephaestus had for him.

‘’And yet, some people admire you’’ An image of Leviathan returned to her mind. ‘’And kill for you, will die for you and you do not believe in them.’’

There was a long pause. The scientist studied her gaze, her eyes, her breathing as he took a step closer to her. His leathered hand, finding her left cheek, wiping Leviathan’s blood from her skin. It was cold and yet, gentle, making her relax on his touch. Lucifer moved back with a snapping sound.

''I assume that they showed you what I taught them?''

Lucifer gasped and held her left arm with her right hand, squeezing it tight. Feeling her bone being repaired so easily was something she could feel. Still shifting, still almost unprepared.

''It will heal, eventually completely.''He explained, moving the scales of the cane by pressuring his thumb on one of them.''But it is better to not temp them.''

''Temp them?''

''They like things that break.'' He explained calmly.''Things that they...envy.''

Envy? She faced her hands and then touched her hair, trying to think what that person could have possibly been envious of. Someone more powerful more experienced.For a second she thought they had captivating eyes too nut she instantly regretted that thought. What did she have for them to be envious for.

''I suppose you like succeses.'' She rolled her eyes, trying to change the subject.

''Failures are nice to exist too. Reshaping is delightful to watch happening.''He moved his thumb to the other scale.''Or corrupting it.''His helm looked down on his feet. ''Then again...''He returned to her.

'' You saw what is out there your Grace. You saw them, Babel.''

Lucifer tried to control her mind, and focus of what he was talking about. But the pain of sting poison kept moving on her blood.

''What do you think of them?''

Her eyes flickered even more confused. What do I think of them? The mere thought of telling the wrong answer could make her end up like Mara, lying to the floor rotten. Maybe her aunt would find another girl to replace her son with. And that thought did not upset Lucifer at all.

''Why do you want my opinion on that?''She said, trying to avoid answering.''I am just a simple warlock.''

He did not seem to be entertained by the comment.

''I have spies, Your Grace''He reminded her.''Spies that tell me what I need to know, information.''

He approached with all of his strength now moving on his cane.

''But when I am asking their opinions,''There was a long pause.''They are trying to please me. They are never honest.''

His thumb traced her chin, pressuring it, lifting her head, her eyes to see his helm.

''But you don't want to please me. I don't need that from you. For now.''

Chills began tracing from her spine to her shoulder blades as the young royal wished she could throw up the moment he said those words.

What do I think of them? She pulled away once more and twisted her finger. Even if he wanted the truth, her opinion should not sound sentimental. Childish. Maybe he would find her weak too and end up bleeding to the floor.

She moved her posture to a formal basis just like her aunt taught her and cleared her throat.

''Imbalance''She answered thinking of the way they were arguing, they were trusting one another while they were ready to stab each other behind their backs. Leviathan was a traitor after all so there might be more.

''Their leadership is weak, every voice chattering different words. Most of them seemed to just live there peacefully so there isn't a strong force.''

''Those are facts''The man said.''I asked you for your opinion.''

My opinion? My thoughts? My...

''It is no different from Akhet''She let words run out fast and yet so clearly, avoiding his gaze.''Or Olympus. People scheming, betraying trying to hide truths and lies.''

''And yet you want to help them. Why?''

Lucifer did not have an answer for that. But she had an answer to continue the last question. An image of Mordred. Of his faith. Of the stories, Hestia told her. Of the stories, she read with Boudica's help.

''However, Akhet Olympus, believes in one person's ideas until they fail. Until they pass until someone betrays them.''

Looking now at him it seemed his shoulders were half risen sharp. A nerve had been touched. Then again, he wanted her to be honest, didn't he?

''You have to learn the Rulers' names the previous Ruler's successions, triumphs and each next Ruler is trying to stand by that.''A quick grin curved upon her face.

''But the leader of Babel is remembered. The creator the Mother of the Deep is remembered and the people of Babel are not fighting for her name, they are not loyal for that.''

She took a quick breath.''But for her cause. No matter how much betrayal they will still rise won't they? But how many more years will Olympus stand..''

Her fingers covered her mouth as she realized she had gone ranting, feeling her cheeks flashing red.

''I see.''The man sighed.''Loyalty and faith...but you can't win a war only with that.''

''They will need weapons...''She muttered, feeling her throat slowly closing, moving her fingers now on her chest.

''They had five weapons. Five weapons that run away. And now one was a failure.'' He almost laughed but Lucifer could not believe that part. That this person actually had any emotions.

At that moment she hated how casual they were both talking to each other. As if they were both knowing one another for years. Or even centuries.

‘’But do you know the reason why?’’He asked her, waiting for her imagination to rush. ‘’Do you know why failures exist?’’

‘’Enough of this'' Lucifer crossed her arms and avoided looking back at Mara again. Her goal took her life.

‘’You want one of us to correct?’’She asked Ma’at furious. The girl was exhausted. Exhausted from the questions around her head, tired of seeing people around her fade from the world of the living. Tired of being a prey and a puppet.

‘’Tell me why’’

‘’Of course’’ Ma’at agreed instantly and took a step ahead of her. His leather-gloved hand moved slightly inside the pocket of his dark thin coat and let out a red amplifier. Her eyes darted as she looked at the stone.

‘’How do you have this?’’ Lucifer startled. Ma'at circled her with him now standing behind her. She had no energy to move or attack. She could not. He did not let her as he pulled her rapier and threw her far from the ground.

‘’It doesn’t matter now.'' He said. ‘’What matters is to invite the rest here'' He then dragged her by her neck even closer to the window. His grip, was tight to even imagine how easy it would be for him to break her neck. How quick she could die.

‘’I won’t do it’’ Lucifer defied, trying to struggle.

‘’Your will does not matter to this’’The man’s hand slipped to her cheek, caressing her stinky skin with the red stone, bringing a powerful wind around her body. She hated that and wanted to feel that electric pressure again. To feel his gentle fingers on her skin again.

I am going insane.

‘’You should be grateful that the hybrid insisted on bringing you here. She said that you had a very intriguing incantation. ''But'' He pushed her away. Bring her to her knees, gasping for sudden air to breathe ‘’I don’t see your potential.’’

Was this the reason he wanted her dead? Because she was weak? Because she was someone weak he wanted to get rid of her from the beginning.

‘’If you open me up’’ Lucifer rasped. ‘’If you cripple me, maybe you will.'' Her eyes glared at him.’’I think that you will find it more pleasing.''Her lips curled into a tired grin as she stood up again, feeling a metal touch around her body. Around her hands.

The man did not speak and looked at his cane, stretching his wrists again and again. Like he was a maniac. Well…he was. But Lucifer’s eyes found the dagger. Help me.

She had gathered enough strength. There it was, a chance. With the swiftness of her fingers, the light moved from her skin, drowning the entire room. She heard a small grunt coming from Ma’at as she rushed to the table with the cold sweat conquering her body. Her fingers touched a cold dreadful metal with her mind still listening to the blind girl’s voice. Help me.

‘’I did it’’She whispered with her eyes shut and tried to take a step away.

‘’Not so fast.'' The scientist’s voice whispered from behind her as her leathered hand found her nape. As she opened her eyes, she noticed the light was now gone and her gaze fell back on him, panicking. Human. No. Something lower. She heard his satisfied hum as a cold stone got pushed inside her skin, causing pain so sudden that she let the dark dagger fall to the ground. Lucifer gasped, feeling a storm of energy strike her body. She let out every scream she was about to hold. Every power was rushing inside her body, turning it into the light. Mind blank, eyes darted wide open. The skin was burning from the light she was letting out of her blood, of her veins, from everything. If there were soldiers around, she would probably kill them. And the man’s fingers clenched her neck even tighter. She would have made a signal. Hephaestus would have recognized it fast. And they would come here and they would die just like Mara.

Something is wrong. Something is…

Easy to hide.

With her finger becoming a feist she felt the metal under her skin. No, she felt metal under the sleeve of her shirt. She pushed the left sleeve once more, letting the metal escape. She was no pawn for him to use. No Royal. No human. No mortal. At that moment.

She was a pest.

The cold grip found Lucifer’s skin and turned back to the scientist pulling the angle of Mara’s knife to his throat letting blood shade, to his dark coat. The scientist gasped as he moved far from her, making the light fade slowly from her skin. But Lucifer could see she was still bright. And she could not control it.

The man caressed her throat and let out a cough with his hand bringing the entire weight of his body to his cane.

‘’You think that you can kill me with this?’’He let out a furious rasp, but he showed no weakness.

Yes. That was my plan.

‘’No.’’ Lucifer let out a heavy breath and looked behind the scientist with a cold gaze. ‘’But the Hybrid can.’’

The scientist looked up at her surprised and did not manage to look back fast enough as Mara jumped behind him, touching him with her hands and his helm.

‘’Surprise asshole’’ She curled a devious grin, letting the cold grow around his clothing till to his opened skin, letting him fall on his knees with a panicked breath.

‘’Come on now,’’ Mara let out a wavy breath, throwing her hand down and kicking the man with her boot.’’What else did you say about me?’’

Lucifer ignored her violent actions and touched her nape, feeling a stone pierce harshly to her skin now decaying. Just like the light around her flesh. She then looked down and took the dark dagger fast, placing it inside her pocket, ignoring the girl’s whispers.

When she could see her complexion just as dark as it was, she pointed the iron knife at Mara. Her eyes are dark like coal and looked up at her and hands up.

‘’You are alive'' Lucifer sighed, looking up at her red forehead and her bleeding light green shirt that had a red shed.

‘’Surprised?’’ She kept her mocking face and her dark pupils faced behind her back. ‘’Wait where is Levi?’’

Lucifer blinked confused. Didn't she know? Didn't Ma'at tell her or...

''They are here...''Mara gasped.

''I will kill them.''Lucifer pushed her hair back, letting words escape her mouth, making Mara frown.

‘’I saw you…’’ She sighed and moved herself closer to Mara who stayed still. Now, the dagger ready to hit her skin, aiming at her chest. Mara stayed frozen.

‘’We don’t have time’’Mara said, lowering her hands and trying to walk to Lucifer’s side. But Lucifer changed the angle, moving it right at her neck.

''Lucifer listen to me.''Her voice shifted. It was not playful or threatening or even charming. It was cold, strategic, different from the other times she had heard her speak.

‘’Why should I…’’ She panted with panic and more tears found her face.''You killed my best friend.'' One more pressure at her throat as she could see her skin shed blood

''He is alive.''She replied with a shout.

Lucifer's eyes opened wide and backed away.

''What?'' She asked broken while Mra was clearing her throat.

''Be mad at me. Hate me, shout at me, do not trust me, I do not care.''She panted.''But please for once.''She offered her sharo hand for Lucifer to reach.''Believe my words.''

I am sorry. I am. She remembered Mara’s words from before. She had given her the knife, she had lied to her and she did everything to bring her here.

She lowered her knife and she glared at Mara harshly as her gaze softened. She had a wave of questions but she knew that she wouldn’t take her answers. Not now at least. He is alive?

‘’A game of trust’’Lucifer muttered realizing what was happening, giving her knife back to Mara.

The girl grabbed the life and nodded calmly‘’A game of trust’’

The game ended when both of the girls walked outside the room with one dagger each. And this time, none's back would bleed.