Lucifer headed up the stairs to the gallery determinately. His thoughts shot wildly back and forth. What did his brother want from him? What was he doing here in the middle of the police station? Was there a special occasion for his coming? Did Amenadiel know about his visit?
With an inexpressive face he stopped next to his brother.
"Gabriel."
„Lucifer.", replied the addressee softly, still leaning on the gallery and watching Chloe and the others.
…
Silence filled the tension in Lucifer.
Time itself seemed to hold its breath, while the two brothers stood mute on the gallery.
„Fine", said Lucifer finally. "If there's nothing else… It was nice seeing you. We should do that again sometimes. Greet the others if you „ - a giggle interrupted him.
„Glad you can still laugh at me ..." - „Lucifer." Slowly Gabriel turned to him, a sad smile on his face. „Where are you going?", he asked with a calm and sleek voice.
Lucifer was confused. „Yeah, what, 'where am I going'? Back to my colleagues, I think. I have a case to end."
Again, Gabriel laughed, this time a bit more obvious.
"Colleagues? Do not tell me you spend your time on earth with these puny people here and actually work. That's not like you. I thought the great Lucifer Morningstar, Master of Desire, would spend his time only with things that bring lust." He turned to Chloe and the others. "But when Maze told me where you were" – "Maze? Where is she? What did you…"
He took a step towards Gabriel, who finally straightened up and drew himself up in full height before Lucifer.
„Do not worry, your little doggy is tougher than she looks. She was just not as informative as I hoped. I had to help out a little, because I needed to find you urgently. I'm sorry for the grand piano." Gabriel shrugged. „But you do not need that anymore anyway".
„What do you mean Gabriel?" Lucifer's voice started to quake.
A sad smile scurried over Gabriel's face. „I am here to bring you back home brother."
Lucifer's expression froze. "Home? Why should Father welcome me back to the Silver City?"
Gabriel shook his head. "No, no sorry brother. I meant your true home. You may remember it. Pretty hot, a bit ashy, the air filled with the cries of tormented souls."
Lucifer's eyes narrowed to slits. „That's not my home!"
„Well, but it has to be.", said Gabriel firmly. "You've made yourself very comfortable here. And apparently you've even made yourself a home in that shithole, which you call LUX. So I think you can adjust just as well to the Underworld." Gabriel invitingly held out his hand to Lucifer.
"…No way."
"What?"
" I said: NEVER! Never again will I go there!"
„Well, I am afraid dad has assigned this place to you… and we angels do as he bids us."
„Oh, and your job is probably to be a pain in the ass?"
Gabriel's smile vanished. "My job is to make sure that nothing ungodly passes the gates to heaven. And thanks to your absence the number of misguided souls, demons and vile creatures that find their way to us has increased dramatically! There is chaos in front of the heavenly gates Lucifer!"
„Oh, and our old man doesn't want to be reminded of his abusive creations?", spat Lucifer out. "Why else would he let them rot in hell? What a cruel way of manipulation; first give people free will and then no sense of right and wrong. He designed them to commit sins and then punishes them forever, just because they do what they were created to do."
„You have no right to judge Father's creation and its meaning…" - „Oh well, and with what right do you interpret his task for me?", Lucifer glared at him. „Just because he once sent me to hell, doesn't mean it's my job to play babysitter down there forever. I am the LIGHTBRINGER, damn it!"
„Oh, and is that the reason why you are spending your time here, in a police station?", Gabriel asked scornfully.
"You're damn right."
„Lucifer, you cannot be serious. Why do you prefer the company of these creatures to your god-given task?"
"Because that's exactly what it is: a GOD-given task. Here I can do whatever I want, what I feel suits me. And yes, at the moment I like to capture sinful people and make the lives of the good souls in this city a little less dangerous, so deal with it."
„Why do you care so much about these people?", Gabriel asked, frowning. "Their life is like a blink of an eye. If one dies, it is not significant for the continuation of creation. They are a toy of Dad, Lucifer."
Lucifer shook his head. „They're so much more Gabriel. They live in the moment, feel things you have no idea of. Fear, grief, guilt, love ... And yes, maybe life here is not as eternal and meaningful as in the Silver City ... but it's way better than hell."
„Lucifer", Gabriel approached him energetically. „You are too fond of these mortal beings. Come with me. Come to hell and remember what their souls mean. Nothing. They forget all the suffering and joy on earth as soon as they pass through the heavenly gates. And hell is a place to protect them from all the evil souls. Evil souls who were only formed by FREE WILL…"„I don't care!", Lucifer interrupted him.
„About all this, let someone else take care of it. We have enough other siblings. Ask them if they want to do the job!"
Annoyed, Lucifer turned away.
„I am not asking you Lucifer!" Gabriel's voice became serious and angry. He grabbed his arm. „I am here to take you with me."
„NO!", shouted Lucifer, pushing his brother back vigorously.
„Yes, it is God's will!"
„I DON'T CARE ABOUT DADS WILL!", cried Lucifer, his face distorted into an angry grimace. If he still had his devil face, it would have sprung out by now.
„Leave me alone Gabriel, or you'll regret it." A rumble came from his throat.
Lucifer had had enough; he was fed up with the eternal influence that God wished to exert on him. He had thousands of angels. Why did he have to constantly get in his way?
Lucifer turned, wanting to leave before his anger broke loose. If he stayed with Gabriel he didn't know how long he could control himself, before a police officer noticed his supernatural aura. Or, father forbid, his wings sprang out unintentionally.
„Is that an invitation?", Gabriel called after him.
Lucifer just snorted contemptuously, aware of the fire that was blazing in him. He was on his way to the stairs when a hand grabbed him from behind.
Then he lost the ground under his feet.
