A/N: Second chapter. Thanks to (deep breath) Fate8, Maraena, Casey Toh, Spin-Firestorm, Gothic Cowboy and thapagan for reviewing! All of your reviews have given me the confidence to continue.

In this instalment, Zauriel meets an overzealous demon, discovers the mystery of Lux, and finds that the adventure is just beginning…

Disclaimer: All characters featured in this story are either real, classified as mythological, or belong to Dc Comics and Vertigo.

"How art thou fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning." –Isaiah 14.12

Lux- as in the Latin for 'light'.

Zauriel had been slightly suspicious of it ever since it had opened. He had a feeling that something dark hid behind the name.

'That's strange,' he silently mused as flew towards it. 'All those people just milling around… No doubt something to do with… whatever it is that's happening here…' He landed on a balcony, his wings cracking like a flag in the wind as they caught the air. "Hello?" he called as he entered. "Anyone home?" Silence… No, wait. He could hear some steady breathing… It was impossible for them to have not heard him, so… With a thought, Zauriel activated his sword—forged in the foundries of the fifth Heaven, it was pure righteous flame. The angel slipped silently through the building, unsure what to expect, when…

A knife impacted against his armour. Luckily for Zauriel, it wasn't strong enough to penetrate. He grabbed the wrist of the hand holding the knife, and dragged them out in front of him.

"Rrrlet go!" A female voice snarled at him. Zauriel recognised what he had found- one of the Lilim, a group of female demons, who are characterised by only having half a face. "Rrrlet go, angelll!" She spat furiously at him.

"What is your name, daughter of Lilith?" Zauriel asked simply.

"…Mazikeen." She finally replied.

"Lucifer's companion?" Zauriel asked rhetorically, eyebrows arched. The demon simply nodded at him. "I see… Then it is of little wonder."

"Rrrwhat iszz?" The demon frowned.

"Strange happenings around here." Zauriel stated, and then paused. "…Perhaps… Are the rumours about Lucifer having a gateway to the void true?"

"Rrrryeszz." She slurred.

"Then that would explain why there are so many humans just… standing around outside, looking like lost sheep. They are pulled here by the gate…"

"I mmust make ssome protectionszz…" Mazikeen muttered, looking out of the window.

"Yes." Zauriel nodded. "I believe that would be best." He paused. "I… think it is best to inform you… There is a mortal in Limbo. He calls himself 'Prometheus'. Will you tell the Morningstar?" The demon nodded curtly. "Thank you. I shall show myself out. Goodbye." He then returned to his point of entry. 'A Lilim… Just what LA needs-another demon on it's streets…' Zauriel thought dryly to himself as he launched into the air.

OVER THE CITY OF ANGELS…

A sonic boom ripped through the sky, sending Zauriel reeling. A tunnel opened in the sky.

"A boom tube!" Zauriel muttered, and then readied himself. Whatever came through the boom tube would be friend or foe, and it was best to be prepared for the worst.

"Hold, Angel! I do not come this day to fight!" A voice boomed out, before it's owner appeared.

"Darkseid." Zauriel acknowledged coolly. "What are you doing here?"

"That does not matter." The dark god growled. "What matters is that in the near future, you will have to make a choice- whether to sacrifice another's life for the good of the Universe."

"Started fortune telling?" Zauriel quipped. He knew that if such a time came he would have no choice, except whether to die in the individual's place or not.

"Mock if you want. It will not change the future…" Darkseid said coldly, before retreating to the boom tube, which closed in on itself.

'Curiouser and curiouser…' Zauriel thought to himself.

THE AERIE- ZAURIEL'S HQ HIGH ABOVE L.A.

'Be it ever so humble…' Zauriel thought with a sigh as he entered the Aerie. Almost immediately after arriving, he sensed another's presence. "I know you're there." He announced.

A shadow detached itself from one of the corners of the Aerie, and two white eyes met Zauriel's.

"We must talk." The Spectre quietly said. "Now."

A/N: Gah, sorry for it being so short again. It took me a long time to decide how things would pan out this chapter…

thapagan- Sorry, the Zauriel/Lucifer chat won't happen for a little while longer…

Gothic Cowboy- Rest assured, Zauriel and Jason Blood/Etrigan will cross paths in the future...

Again, any constructive critique is appreciated, so please R&R.