Formless abyss soon took the form of creation as I waited for an opportunity to strike. I found myself lying on my back upon the moist earth, staring at the starry sky as I acquainted myself with the new landscape, with animals that had been formed from air and dust without wondering why they were alive. The creation was complex yet amazingly simple, like the
Creator, and like Him seemed to have a certain allure that was both fascinating and disgusting to me.
I absolutely must see the creatures that the Lord was so anxious to invent, I decided - after all, they could be the key to the next phase of my attack. I slowly rose and snuck to the garden, where most of creation had been emerging from. The thing slept, looking like a mangled angel who had decided to become an animal. It knew nothing of time, of knowledge, of the
forces of good and evil that would soon drag its soul backwards and forward until it was ripped to pieces. Lucifer a voice called, not sounding at all surprised. The Lord stood beside me, wearing a form that resembled an angel but was somehow more formless.
What do you want from me? I thought that a direct attack would show You that I was sincere, but apparently even that wasn't enough
The Lord frowned. I came expecting little of you, as I should. I know that you are now My adversary - Satan, we shall call you, to reflect that. I came to ask you to never interfere with man, for he is My best creation of any world. If you do anything harmful to man, I will condemn you to a level of disgrace even greater than this one.
I scowled at His command, the authority He still assumed as if I still belonged to Him. I will do as I wish regardless of what You say to me. I am no longer under Your command, but my own. I wish to show you what happens when we use Your power against mine. Watch carefully as I destroy your newest empire.
He bowed His head. Do as you wish. You shall forever regret this night.
I thought of a creature whose form would fit my will, a serpent, and led myself to capture its essence. Man stood in wonder, for even in that vile, limited form I captured the beauty that
only the highest angels possessed. Is it true that you cannot eat from any tree in this garden? I
asked the woman, well aware of the answer.
Any but the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Eve told me, for if we eat, the Lord says that we will die.
I saw the opportunity to mirror my desires inside of them. Die? The Lord was surely
lying to you, for knowledge leads to life rather than death. He knows that you would be like Him, possessing all knowledge and power. Eat, and you will be your own lords. I would not lie to you.
She hesitated, but took the fruit and ate of it, immediately giving the remains to her fellow. Victory exploded inside of me as I felt them die, and as they realized their guilt. Feel ashamed, I whispered, for you are naked and the Lord approaches. Flee
They obeyed. The Lord came to my side, eyeing me. A serpent? Is this the glorious form where I should see your 'absolute power' over me?
I made an attempt to glare, but failed. Oh, hush Why do You mock me, when You were foolish enough to trust me for so long?
Who says that I ever trusted you?
Confusion came to me for the first time. If You knew that I would rebel, why would You create me? That makes absolutely no sense
I have never been at liberty to tell you. Actually, it's none of your business. Excuse Me while I discipline My children. We can talk at a later time. He glanced at the bushes where man
hid, but pretended not to see them. Come, Adam and Eve Where do you hide in this place Come to Me
Adam emerged. I was naked, and so I hid from You, Lord.
Naked? Who told you this?
The man flinched. The woman deceived me, saying we would become-
Become him, He whispered, voice strained. You blame her? Eve, why did you
disobey?
She stepped forward. The serpent fooled me His words were persuasive, so I was fooled.
He shook His head, angered at the realization that humans were more concerned with shifting the blame than repenting. How very disappointing. Very well. You have lied to me and shamed yourselves. I know your heart better than even you, and see that you thought it right to become gods. You shall be punished accordingly. We shall now be separate, and in time your lives will end. Even in your greatest happiness there shall be anguish, because you have shunned the greatest joy of all. All generations shall remember you as the ones who brought them misery. You are no longer fit to live here. I shall escort you to another place after I clothe you.
The Lord took an animal, and with its fur produced coverings for man. He led them away
from the garden and gave them a few inaudible commands, then returned to me. I returned to my natural form, the angelic thing that would shimmer in the sunlight and make even the best of the angels wish for my beauty. I still wore the stones the Lord had originally dressed me in, for I saw no reason to dispose of them.
You banished them, did You? Every time any creature shows its wish to be separate from You, the creature gets banished. Would You really place them into my hands so carelessly?
He smiled. They will always remain in My hands, Satan, just as you will be as I decide
to use you. I will give you time to do as you wish, but beware; your time is limited and only helps My greatest plan fall into place. I have little tolerance to offer you and few reasons to offer what I have. Be gone, and find your next job as a manipulator.
I cursed and protested, but eventually found myself in a new time and place with a new
generation to influence. The Lord's time was different than the time man used, I realized. Two brothers were at work in the field, raising cattle and reaping crops. I noticed that one was finding the best of his cattle with extra care, while the other seemed to choose the second best. Cain and Abel, sons of Adam and Eve, would offer their work to the Lord for His approval. What a perfect opportunity.
Abel? I called, appearing before the more careful of the two.
Here I am. Who are you?
I am Lucifer, the highest angel of the Lord, I told him, hoping that the Lord hadn't told him about me.
I thought that all the angels were equal.
That is not so, I said, assuming authority. Each angel is given a job according to ability. I was - am, actually - the best angel the Lord has made. But never mind that. Why do you offer your finest beast to the Lord? Out of duty? Why would He ask you to kill the thing you spent your valuable time raising if He were the one to bring it to life?
Abel shrugged. If He brought it here, He can have it killed in any way He prefers. I am more than glad to offer anything that is pleasing to the Lord. I want more than anything to become anything I can be for Him, because He makes life worth living. Surely you understand that?
Very well. Prepare your sacrifice. I need to speak to Cain before either of you offer a sacrifice. I shall see you soon enough, I expect.
I found Cain tending to a fruit tree, looking frustrated. Why do you offer the thing you raised for so long, when fruit should be just as acceptable? A sacrifice is a sacrifice, Cain. You are
unwilling as it is, but the sweet aroma of the fruit could disguise that. The Lord should understand.
Are you sure that He will? Cain asked, suspicious.
If the Lord is as great as He says, anything should be accepted if you do your duty.
Cain agreed finally, persuaded by my words and his own loathing of the Lord's commands. He picked fruits from the nearest tree, which were nearly ripe, until he filled a basket with them. Take them to the Lord, I told him. I followed him to the altar, saying little useless things that increased his unwilling spirit. He could be doing something more amusing, I told
him. He could have more fruit, if the Lord did not demand regular gifts from him. He sat the basket alight and watched as it burned. The spirit of the Lord swept down upon him, burning with the anger I knew so well.
Why can you not offer blood, as your brother did? Cain, sacrifices are more than obligations - they are a way to connect with the Lord. I will accept what you give me, if you can become willing to give it. Sin is waiting to overtake you if you continue to live in this way. I can see the sin. Go and get one of your animals, and I will accept it if you offer it for the right reasons.
Cain's rage burned through him in a most inviting way, beckoning to me as if I were meant to devour it. Cain, I know that you are envious of your brother, of his effortless success. You are unwilling to work harder than he, but wish for his talents and favor. I understand, Cain. I know how you can become the best, if you should want to listen to my advice.
He smiled, imagining the possibilities. Tell me, angel. What's your name?
Lucifer. If you could be rid of Abel, everyone would have to favor you. You must end your brother's life. Abel is arrogant and deserves to die, and you deserve to live a life like his. Do not act weak by hesitating, or you will be proving his superiority. Do you want to be the weak link?
He scowled. I will not be weak. I have to end his life But how do I-
Take a stone, and beat him with it. Tell him to come to the field with you and strike him there. Here is a stone. I drew a stone and handed it to him, knowing that the stone would soon produce what would be my greatest form of offense.
Are you sure that this is the right thing to do? Cain asked me, realizing the severity of what he was about to do.
This is the only way. Was it right for you to burn your fruit and receive scorn when Abel received praise for his offering? Will it be fair for you to remain the weak link if he does not die? Choose, for I haven't the time to listen to your philosophies.
I suppose I can do it, he decided, and proceeded to find his brother tending to his flock.
***
Abel, there is something I have to show you in the field Come with me
Abel eagerly followed his brother, love keeping him from seeing his brother's madness. He would be dead in mere moments. The two stood in the midst of tall stalks, secluded from anyone that could hear them. I guarded the area, listening to Cain's heart jump with anxiety as Abel's beat steadily, unaware that it had only moments left. What do I need to see?
Close your eyes and I'll get it for you, Cain promised. He made his way around the field until he stood behind Abel, raised the stone above his head, and let his hand slam into Abel's skull.
Cain, what are you doing? Why do you strike me? What have I done to you?
Cain shoved him to the ground and struck him with the stone as Abel flinched in pain, and grew motionless. The murderer stared at his hands, covered in a thick layer of blood, and then at his brother's face, frozen in time, a portrait of the regret that had died with him.
What have I done? Cain cried. This was my brother, who has done nothing to me
Why did you tell me to do this? Oh no, the Lord will arrive soon Help me dig a grave
I shook my head. That is not my responsibility. Dig your own grave first, human, so that the Lord will have a place for you after He condemns you
He desperately clawed at the dirt with his hands, producing a crude burial pit. He lowered his brother into the space with unusual care. He placed his face against Abel's chest. I'm sorry, brother. Forgive me.
He placed the dirt above the grave and laid there for a moment, deciding what to think of the day's events. Now I must forget and hope that the Lord doesn't come.
I chuckled, unable to contain my amusement. I am here; He will come if only to check on my progress with you. In fact, He should be here any moment.
***
Cain? Where is your brother?
Cain's eyes burned with contempt. Am I my brother's keeper?
He cries to me from another reality. What have you done? Why have you destroyed your own brother, a piece of My creation that I love? You should be punished Your land and
hands shall be cursed, and you will be a restless wanderer for all of your life
He fell to his knees, tears streaming from his eyes. No Not a wanderer I will be
murdered
The Lord immediately caught my eyes. Then I shall mark you, and any man who kills you will be punished worse than even you. Get out of My sight Satan, stay.
I bowed my head. I did warn You. Do not ask for sympathy, because I have none. We are enemies now, You and I. Don't expect anything more.
I never did. I do not want anything from you. You have just done one of the worst things imaginable, but I shall prove something from this atrocity...
Oh? And what is that? I spat the question, my loathing reaching its peak.
That sin can overtake even the most beautiful, precious creatures, and that envy can bring death to even the most loving brother, or father, or SON
Son? What does a son have to do with You or I? I scoffed at the statement that was more of a rant than a lesson.
Such horrors... They drive nails through the very soul. One often feels forsaken when such agony is brought upon the innocent. But in the end, goodness shall prevail...
What in the world are You talking about? Are You mad? How have You prevailed? This was my victory No rant of Yours can take away from that
He nodded. Perhaps. But it won't be. Prepare yourself; I ready Myself for battle. When the war truly begins, nothing will keep Me from victory, not even death itself. I shall swallow the grave, drink the cup of wrath that is the sin of the world... But then, you wouldn't know about
that. Enjoy your reign while it lasts. He shot into the sky, a formless mixture of light and darkness spiraling into eternity. I felt anxiety, but ignored it in favor of satisfaction. I had won I
had done the greatest damage possible to a man My happiness was short-lived. If the Lord had planned war, why hadn't He stopped my attack, or at least persuaded Cain to do something less violent.
They will always remain in My hands, Satan, just as you will be as I decide to use you. I will give you time to do as you wish, but beware; your time is limited and only helps My greatest plan fall into place. I have little tolerance to offer you and few reasons to offer what I have. Be gone, and find your next job as a manipulator.
I cringed at the idea that I was little more than a puppet on a string, but decided that it was only a threat to make me fear the Lord. I would still destroy if it were true - in fact, thinking
that my time was limited only gave me more of a reason to strike while I could, before I would fight another war.
Becoming a less visible form of perfection, I found my way to the very soul of the human race, waiting for the Lord to do anything more but threaten - if He would do more.
