Hello, everyone! I'm back after, what, 2-3 months? Sorry about that ^^'
I know I'm in no place to make excuses but I had to focus on exams and whatnot. After that, I just got stuck with major writer's block. It's not much but I figured I'd just get this chapter out already, although it's pretty short. Any feedback is wonderful, so keep 'em coming ;)
Well, I'm trying to update sooner, I promise! Anyways, I won't keep you any longer now, so enjoy~
Disclaimer: blah blah blah, it's a fanfiction site, no one owns anything.
Chapter 8: The four generals
"Me?" Lucifer was quite shocked, to be honest. He didn't see how Satan could think that he could trust him, of all people, to do this. There were plenty other candidates who'd make just as good a job as Lucifer, he was sure.
"Yes, you," Maou repeated. "I want you as one of my four generals who will assist me in leading our troops into the war ahead of us." A little over 2 years had passed since Satan Jacob's coronation, and in that time, he'd accomplished a lot already: he'd gathered more recruits, and thoroughly attacks. He'd done well, but the biggest problem lied in the ever-growing tension between trained the soldiers to make them stronger. At the same time, he successfully deflected the angels' humans and demons. With the angels' influence in bringing humans into their war, they came to have not one but two enemies to fight. It made sense, the general thing, with a bigger army should come better organization. It could no longer be commanded by the demon king alone, so Satan's choice to have four generals was a smart move, but did he really think he could trust Lucifer? The fallen angel, traitor of God?
"Are you sure that is a wise decision, Maou? I'm not exactly what you would call a favourite of the people." Lucifer asked in a teasing voice, with a blatant smirk splayed on his face. He crossed his arms and tilted his face an inch to the side, making his long bangs fall away from his usually hidden right eye.
"I believe in your abilities." Satan gave a slight grin. "And I'm confident you'll have no problem gaining respect from them. Alciel has told me all about your infamous first battle alongside my predecessor."
Lucifer glared at the blond in his head. On the outside, there was merely an unnoticed twitch of his right eye. "Is that so?" That little cluster of days was always a taboo subject among the people in the demon castle, but it seemed that their new king didn't know that, and neither did Alciel, apparently.
"Yes, in fact, he was the one to recommend you to me in the first place, not to say that I wouldn't have chosen you anyway." The king rested his chin on his joined hands. "I only wish I could've been there to see the blood bath. I wonder if it'd happen a second time."
A servant girl dropped the glass pitcher she'd been holding. She frantically apologized as she hurriedly tried to pick up the broken pieces despite her shaking hands. The three ignored her. Lucifer internally scoffed. As if he would allow himself to lose control like that ever again. That day was both a lesson and a mistake that he refused to repeat.
"You flatter me, my Lord," he flamboyantly bowed. "I thank you for honoring me with such an important position, Sire." Alciel honestly couldn't tell if he'd misinterpreted the sarcasm in that tone or not. He mulled over the words Maou had said. Would it happen again? Alciel wasn't very sure he knew him enough to be able to tell anymore.
Three firm knocks on the large wooden doors echoed in the spacious room, followed by a stern-looking man's voice. "Sire," he said with a slight bow, "the gentlemen you have requested to see have come."
Lucifer raised an eyebrow. So he wasn't the only one Satan had summoned. "Ah, just in time," the demon king said, "let them in."
The fallen angel stepped aside as two figures entered one after the other, the first being considerably smaller than the second. Both bowed down to their king. The smaller of the two spoke in an oily, eerily creepy voice. "Allow me to introduce myself, Sire. My name is Malacoda." Lucifer could clearly see the skeleton grinning evilly underneath the cloak. Those glowing red eyes just spelled trouble, he thought to himself.
"I am called Adramelech, your Majesty," the other said gruffly. He was a demon boar, from what Lucifer could tell, and a big one at that. Standing, he was probably as tall as Satan's throne, if not, more. Interesting, the fallen angel thought. They fitted the image of the humans' perception of demons, unlike Lucifer's childlike body.
He was a little surprised that the king didn't consult him, as his advisor, for such an important decision, but the kid (Lucifer really couldn't help but to think of him that way secretly) proved over time to be a good judge of character, so Lucifer supposed he'd have to trust him for now. Besides, as far as he could tell, both were obviously powerful demons.
"This is Alciel, my strategist, and my advisor, Lucifer. They have also been appointed as my generals, like you." As Satan gestured to them, Malacoda and Adramelech came closer. Alciel was the first to extend his hand. They shook hands. Turning to Lucifer, Malacoda held out his own skeletal hand.
"The rumours are true after all. You are the infamous angel of Maou Satan, Lucifer," he said. Lucifer really didn't like the glint that shone in those red orbs he called eyes. His own amethyst irises showed mirth and his smirk was arrogant as he took the offered hand and gave it a firm shake. "I'd never imagined working with the Son of Morning, a creature of light," the skeleton said again. The grip on Lucifer's hand tightened just the tiniest bit, the pointy phalanges digging into his flesh ever so slightly.
"I am a fallen angel. I can hardly be called a creature of the light anymore, to be honest." He kept his tone light, almost friendly. Almost. Malacoda obviously didn't trust him in the slightest, nor did it seem like he'd make life easier for the other.
"I look forward to working with you."
He smiled, "The pleasure is mine."
Lucifer really wasn't looking forward to working with this guy.
