When Lucifer first approached Azezel with the plan of Rebellion, the weary Virtue was doubtful and unsure, and had promised nothing, but that he would think on it. Think he had. He had thought heavily. God had already as good as damned him… what did he have to lose? He was an angel crafted in sin and wretchedness, would it hurt to go that last step? He pondered this, withdrawing even more deeply into himself.

Jalael continued worrying about his friend, for they had not spoken more than a few words in passing since he had allowed Azezel a chaste kiss in the caverns. He could still see the longing in Azezel's eyes when the corrupt and terrified Virtue looked upon him, but he saw now that other considerations plagued his friend as well.

It was not until Michael presented the heavenly host with Adam and bid them bow that his mind was cleared: not until he saw how Lucifer truly wanted to remain with God, and fought for necessity, not foolishness, that Azezel's mind was made. As Lucifer backed away from God with the pointing finger of an accuser, Azezel boldly stepped forward and demanded, "Why should the son of fire kneel before the son of clay?"

For the first time since his creation, Azezel was bold, liberated at the realization that his beloved God was, perhaps, not just. That God was, perhaps, capable of being wrong. He did not love God the less, but he could now argue as with a friend, rather than scrape and beg as follower.

The heavens were shocked at Azezel's newfound spine, and Lucifer smiled weakly back at Azezel, glad to have support verbalized, rather than simply the knowledge that, behind him, many stood and would not kneel after hearing his words.

After that, Lucifer and those who would follow Him left to ground where they might assemble and plan a proper attack on the untested King of Heaven. Before Azezel left, he sought out Jalael, truly happy for the first time he could remember.

"Jalael! Join us! Jalael, God isn't perfect! We don't have to be!" Azezel yelled triumphantly, tugging Jalael into his embrace. Jalael shook at the blasphemy. Things were happening too quickly, and he did not know what to do: he wanted peace, not strife!

"Azezel, I can't. Please… Don't ask me. He's our Maker, Azezel! How can we fight Him?" Jalael pleaded, actually trembling.

Azezel sobered, hating himself once more for causing Jalael pain. How could he… He should have known sweet, perfect Jalael would not rebel. He was almost hostile, yet regret outweighed this for the moment. He pulled Jalael into a warm, sedated embrace, already sure it would be the last he would have for a long time…

"Of course… I'm so sorry, Jalael. Then… Good bye. I love you, and I will… I will hope for your safety," Azezel said, unable to offer prayers. He'd always felt hypocritical in praying, anyhow.

"I will pray for you, Azezel," Jalael offered, and Azezel nodded slowly.

"Please," Azezel murmured, drawing back to look at Jalael's pure face one last time…

Jalael closed his eyes, and Azezel leaned in and took a kiss, this time bold, though he would go no further than a kiss. But he would make this kiss count: chastity he was no longer concerned for himself over, but for Jalael's sweet sake… It had been quite a revelation, seeing the greatest of them, Lucifer, begging God, and being denied so cruelly. Azezel drew away slowly, his breathing deep, and Jalael's eyes slid open slow and wide staring at Azezel as if frightened by what the Virtue had become.

As ever, Azezel could hardly stand to see those magnificent eyes cast on him, and in such a look! He fled to join Lucifer and his army, grateful for what he'd taken, if regretful for Jalael's sake. His lips still tingled…

With Lucifer, Azezel found the courage to speak openly of his trouble, and acceptance despite it. He was allowed to be unclean without persecution. He was liberated, and that feeling was worth anything in the world – even the loss of his beloved Jalael he could stand for his freedom, though he missed Jalael sorely.

Azezel was given the position of standard-bearer, fitting given that he now made no secret of his lust. He feared the war and was eager for it, and grateful when the armies clashed that he saw no sign of Jalael.

Lucifer fought alongside His armies; God merely watched. Therefore did Azezel feel vindicated in his decision to join Lucifer. The battles were many and hard fought, and by their conclusion was Heaven made a wasteland of dead and dying angels, blood and debris and horrors that made both armies quake. At last, the final war was waged, and God and Lucifer fought. The Heavens stood still to watch the most epic, heart-wrenching battle that would occur from the dawn of time till the apocalypse.

Tears ran down Azezel's face as he watched Lucifer fight, and he raised his sword and cheered for the Morning Star, as did many others of Lucifer's army. The vicious angels of the Lord, having been thrust back many times before and desperate for a victory, took advantage of the spectacle and attacked Lucifer's host as they watched.

Azezel screamed as the sword of Power lanced through his side, his cry mingling with Lucifer's. As each sword pierced, this battle, unlike any other, the attacker and attacked merged briefly and saw in each other's minds, and as Heavenly swords pulled free of the followers of the Voice, Lucifer's host fell from the Heaven's, defeated, their advantage lost.

Azezel woke in the sulphurous lake and rose as he heard Lucifer call out to His fallen host. He joined the others in work to create a palace to serve them as a residence, taking heed of Lucifer's words, "the mind is it's own place, and in itself can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n," (Milton, Paradise Lost 254-255) for had he not made a Hell of Heaven for himself? So Azezel was resolute that this place, however despicable, he would grow to prefer to Heaven, so superficially perfect, crawling with lies and detested truths. At least this place was open and honest, one could say safely they hated it – but to live in Heaven and profess displeasure was near to blasphemy.

After the gleaming, wondrous Palace had been erected, the Fallen Angels commenced to the great hall to speak of what they should seek as their next objective. Suggestions were made, and the ultimate decision was to thwart God's happiness by causing the humans, his prized creations, suffering, and to claim for themselves the souls of those who could not live perfectly enough to enter Heaven – thus, all.

Once this was decided, the Infernal Legions split to their own occupations. Azezel sought out Lucifer. "My Lord, may I speak with You?" he asked of the greatest of them all, his hero and savior.

Lucifer's smile was a weak one, but He smiled for His companion nonetheless. "Go on, Azezel."

"My Lord, I don't for a moment regret following You, not an instant, but… But Jalael is still in Heaven, and I in this Hell. My Lord…" Azezel's affirmation of his loyalty was eager, but he slowed as he reached the point of his conversation, becoming shy as he once was, fearing he would be misunderstood.

"I have no doubt of you, Azezel. Moreover, I would not be such a tyrant as My God and begrudge you your heart's desires. I understand how you feel, Azezel, split from your love so." Lucifer laid a hand on Azezel's shoulder, and Azezel looked up at Lucifer, remembering how the Morning Star loved the God He fought, and feeling foolish. "You wish to know if you will ever see him again, right?"

"Yes, My Lord."

Lucifer sighed, thinking. "Yes, you will. And not too long from now, as time goes, if all proceeds along the most likely course, though now that I've Fallen, there's free choice, and it is more difficult for Me to tell… But you will see Jalael again eventually: that much is sure. I must warn you, though, if all does go as most likely, he will not be the Jalael you now know."

Azezel nodded. "Thank You, my Lord. How so will Jalael be changed?" Azezel asked, curious.

Lucifer shook His head. "That is not My story to tell you. You will have to ask Jalael himself, in time."

Azezel nodded slowly. "Very well. Thank You, my Lord."

"Azezel?"

"Yes, my Lord?"

"My calling is Lucifer. I will not be a dictator like My God."

Azezel was quiet a moment then nodded. "Thank You, Lucifer."

Lucifer's work as the earthly time progressed bore fruit: the city of Enoch. With the creation of this portal city, any of Hell's host could visit the earth to wreak havoc, likewise did the angels of Heaven. Samael led the angels in Heaven to take wives from the humans, and Azezel led the Fallen in Hell to cause corruption and chaos.

Samael and his kind bred the Nephilim, destructive giants, and Lucifer laughed as they furthered His cause. Azezel made love with the males, taught the females to paint themselves and enhance their beauty, and gave the humans weaponry under the pretense of protection from the Nephilim, when he knew his tools would be utilized for strife.