Here is a short update while I keep drowning in life :) I'm very fond of this chapter hehe.
Satan is an ordinary orphan in the Demon Realm, except that he's been touched by an angel. Other than that, just like every other parentless little demon, Satan's parents did not succumb to neither illness nor hunger but to senseless violence. (Not that demons had developed such a concept as senseless violence, not yet.) Like every other hungering tyke, he has known pain and suffering. The fear of death accompanies him every hour of every minute of every single day. Except, when Satan had spoken to an angel.
He holds on to the purple gemstone as hope and reminder and protective amulet all in one. Not because he thinks it's precious (demons do not have such a concept either), but because he is terrified that amidst the darkened fogs and nightly screaming, he's going to forget. That all the knowledge and experiences granted to him by the heavens will fade to inhabit whatever corner of his mind lost memories go to. His parents and siblings could maybe use the company, but Satan needs this knowledge. He needs this path to walk upon so that things in the demon realm can be different. That kill or be killed isn't all there is to life.
Alciel will be the most devout of his followers, but he will not be the first. Satan is angel-touched, and from the pits of the Demon Realm someone notices.
Satan has already met Camio, who joins Layla in Satan's developing heart as a pillar of what true strength looks like: knowing things and being able to teach others. In his misery and loneliness and sheer determination to change the world he has known, Satan's magical power grows by leaps and bounds. Prodigious and unholy, Camio comments on it, once Satan has downed a clan of Malebranche. They twitch and moan, pained and battered but alive. This too is a lesson, Satan is unbeatable, and then, look, this is mercy.
It was a concept that Satan struggled to explain, but that came naturally to him. His own little piece of innate wisdom, something he'd hope to teach because he hadn't had to learn it. It brings trouble, all good things always do, Layla said once. It doesn't matter, because Satan is unbeatable, and he can be as merciful as he wishes, no demon will bring him down. As he rises above demon attack after demon attack, his name spreads and it manifests innate curiosity in a being who has found nothing to alleviate the boredom he's been fighting for eternity.
"The scum says you are the strongest, but you look like a baby to me," the voice is soft and airy, musical. It reminds Satan of a cherished memory. Layla. His red eyes scour the darkness of the forbidden forest where he has claimed his palace will eventually stand. At 60, the up-and-coming demon is certainly still a child, but his appearance at least is older than the millennial creature stalking his camp.
"Bold claims coming from you," Satan greets, unwavering. He has dominated the battlefield for over 20 years, which only serves to indicate how different the upcoming confrontation is. Satan has been eagerly overturning every unwritten rule of the Demon Realm, how does his ambition fair in the face of the man who challenged God? "Lucifer."
"He speaks my name," the fallen angel notes in amusement. "Prepare yourself, Satan."
Lucifer can feel it in his bones, the mark of heaven that clings to his future King. They've managed to clear him of his magic, but that mark, that they cannot take away. The wind is cold and unplesant, but worthless as it glides along a creature who knows the instant infinity of falling from heaven. Lucifer flies low over the fields, in the horizon, a Keep sprouts broken from the barren lands. It is, unmistakably so, where the Demon Lord is being kept. Not that Lucifer ever doubted his ability to find him.
The former angel is flying hundreds of miles an hour, a dark blurr disrupting the dried, willowy grass, and it is jarring changing course to avoid slamming face first into the holy barrier covering the Keep. It only confirms what he already knew, and Lucifer smiles even as his fingers come to grip some singe ends of his hair.
"Found you, Devil King."
"I had hoped it would be you, Lucifer," a voice drifts but Lucifer fails to pinpoint it, it takes centuries of practice to not startle. A spell seeing as Lucifer senses no one nearby, but he doesn't let his guard down. He's already humiliated himself enough against the humans. The fallen angel has a bone to pick with the Hero.
"Who speaks to me?" he demands, fingers twitching. The air smells stale even in the wide open field, a secondary effect from the wide barrier no doubt. The voice takes a moment to continue in that same venerable, pleased tone. It irritates Lucifer, but he cannot deny his interest is peaked. It is not baffling to think the Church expected scouts in search for Satan, but why be in the lookout for Lucifer specifically?
"My name is Olba Meyer, and I have a deal for you." There's self-serving rottenness in the words, Lucifer has encountered men like this thousands of times before. Squeezed humans for their souls and treasure again and again in an exhilarating game where he had all the pieces. He's enjoyed playing more than he usually thinks about but now, this Olba Meyer stirs impulsivity long curved by the Devil King into rising to the surface. A hot flush under Lucifer's skin. The former angel thinks of the last meeting between the general and almost laughs in glee, so much discord all around. What would the Devil King do?
The choice here isn't his though, Lucifer will do things his way.
"I'm listening."
Thoughts? Is there anything in particular that you'd like to see?