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I aint got nufin to say yet, who reads AN anyway

Lucifer: Yearning Armageddon

Chapter 11

|| Reality, the Inevitable ||

"P-parley!"

A single word that he blubbered completely halted Gabriel's spear from impaling his face and skull. Issei thanked whatever Gods or Satans that might be watching him at the moment, but most of it all, he thanked Johnny Depp for his role as that one eccentric pirate captain for leaving him with such an impression that Issei would remember that line.

Although it might not be a moment of consideration that prevented his death, but the confusion that set in at that instant.

Gabriel's icy blue eyes remained burning, nevertheless.

"You sold your soul to a devil," she began, her voice filled with the same authority and righteousness as when she was once an archangel. "There's nothing to negotiate. Yield your life and maybe you'll find redemption in the afterlife."

"B-b-but what did I do wrong!" Issei yelled, sputtering his words, crawling backwards until he was halted by a wall. "Y-you fallen angels are all psychos! I've never hurt anybody! Not physically! How am I the devil when every fallen angel I met is a murder-maniacs!"

"You don't deserve a place in this world…" she seethed, but Issei had this strange feeling that she was trying to reason with herself instead of him. As if telling herself killing him was justified.

His focus scattered the moment her spear made of divine light began to pulse rapidly, resonating deep blue glare, filling the ruined building with its light that he thought winter had suddenly arrived.

"Aw man!" Issei brought forth his Boosted Gear.

"BOOST!"

Gabriel thrusted her spear. Issei clumsily rolled out of the way as she pulverized a chunk of the wall. Dragging her spear through the brick wall, sending dust and debris, she swung her bladed weapon at a wide arc, forcing him to tuck and roll once again to avoid a grisly decapitation.

"BOOST!"

Twice faster. Twice stronger. But unfortunately the Boosted Gear could not double his bravery. No way he was going to fight this lunatic — no matter how skimpily she was dressing. With breasts like those, how could she move so swiftly—

{FOCUS, BOY.}

"Huh, what? GAAH—!" a rough voice that boomed in his head nearly caused him his life as Issei narrowly avoided a thrown lightspear. It nicked his red shirt, however, and the ungodly heat he briefly felt as it whizzed past his body told him that if he got hit by just one of those, he'd be deader than dead.

"And you were amongst the chosens!" Gabriel continued to rage, holding two spears made of light. "He had blessed you with a gift and yet you turned your back against Him?! Do you not know gratitude!?"

"Fucking hell, what's up with my luck today? GEH!" Issei leapt and ducked under a piece of heavy machinery, ducking as the top half of it was blasted into oblivion from an impact of the spear.

"BOOST!"

"I don't know who you are, missus!" he shouted behind cover, his eyes darting around trying to find an escape. "But I think we should give 'sit down and talk' a go!"

"Silence! You are unworthy of His blessing!"

Rushing towards a big cylindrical-like machinery, Issei once again narrowly avoided his death as he could only hear explosions and feel the heat scraping his back.

"FUCK!" he cursed, hoping it could alleviate his nervousness or at least ease down his thumping heart. It felt like it was trying to burst through his chest. "I-I'm sorry! Okay?! I mean I'm not even Christian to begin with! And if it's a gift or whatever— isn't it my choice to do with it however I want to?! No takesies-backsies!"

His surroundings turned blue as he glanced up, noticing four jagged lightspears starting to form under the tall ceiling. Yelling out another curse, Issei scampered away as the machine behind him was turned into a crater.

"Shit, shit, shit…! I can't die now… Not again… C'mon, think motherfucker, think! Gotta be faster!"

"BOOST!"

He lifted his foot to make another mad dash, but everything in his body refused the order. Instead he felt a wave of agony spreading from his chest, bursting forth as blood forced its way out of his throat, knocking him down to his knees.

"BREAK"

"Ugh…god…damn…it…" he rasped. It felt as though a train had hit him but didn't kill him. Gasping for breath, he could hear the constant droning of the lightspears growing louder as Gabriel approached him, her twelve raven-like wings gleaming lustrously even in the dark, casting a deep shadow over his body.

Issei cursed his luck for what might be his last time, wondering why he had such terrible luck with women in questionable clothes.

Yet in a similar fashion like Gabriel's entrance, a beam of blackest light crashed through the ceiling, creating another hole, exploding yet another cloud of dust and debris marked the entrance of a figure — a pale figure with completely red eyes, a maniacal grin, and sharp ears that Issei would've mistaken him as a vampire if not for the five pairs of wings stretching out behind his back.

For all he was concerned, he was his savior — as the fallen angel that was attacking him previously immediately shifted her attention towards the new one, pointing her spears at him, summoning dozens of them, levitating behind her with each and every single one of them directed at the new uninvited guest, ready to strike him down.

"Ah… I knew that was odd…" he began, a cackle carrying his words, "for an archangel to visit this soulless town… I see you're no longer one, Gabriel."

"Kokabiel," Gabriel seethed.

"Following your brother's footsteps, hm?" He sneered, conjuring his own light-manifested blade, glowing an unholy yellow radiance. "And to think you were the one who begged that two-faced father of yours to forgive him… and yet here you are… wings nearly as black as mine… brimming with wrath. How deep will you keep on falling since their deaths, hm?"

"I did not choose to fall," she gritted her teeth, gripping her weapon tight. "You did. And not once did you seek a chance to redeem yourself… You shall pay for it as will everyone."

"He never bothered to look deeper into the specifics, didn't He? You fell, that's all there is to it. How you did it doesn't matter." Kokabiel grinned ear to ear — a vicious expression to see. "How long have I waited for this moment… Another chance to redeem myself… redeem my failure in wiping you mindless maggots."

Issei, weakened as he might be, could feel the rising tension between these two angelic beings and wisely chose to use their animosity to cover his escape. Slowly, painfully, he crawled away from Gabriel. Crawling over the pile of broken concrete and iron. He had to get out of here. Those two looked powerful enough to carve a crater into Kuoh Town, and insane enough to actually do it without prior consideration.

And they would, if it would ever come down to it. Kokabiel rushed her first, and Gabriel stood her ground, awaiting for his strikes. The shrill shrieks of the colliding lightspears or swords dominated the ruined building, ringing his ears and escalating his heartbeat as Issei felt the urgency to escape only growing stronger.

And yet the nudge of curiosity still existed, and it successfully lured him away from his objective to save his skin. Feeling safe and confident enough that he was far away from them and close enough to the exit; a doorless door frame, Issei fumbled behind the wall to have a peek at the ongoing battle.

What he saw amazed him.

Sparks of blue and yellow were flashing everywhere. When Kokabiel sent one or more of his homing spear-shaped light, Gabriel would knock it away with hers, and immediately followed up by firing laser-like beams from her levitating lightspears. In return, Kokabiel furled his wings, shielding himself, laughing despite his sizzling wings, and lunged towards her with reckless abandon.

But it was far from reckless. He was calculated in his movement — the former Cadre of the Fallen Angel was not appointed into his spot from sheer luck or connections. He was not chosen to lead battalions of fallen angels because he'd make careless mistakes. He was appointed Cadre because of his merciless pragmatic nature that was willing to sacrifice a portion of his army and even his limbs if it meant a secured victory.

Gabriel thrusted her spear forward, piercing through the right side of his chest, but Kokabiel didn't balk. He pushed through until the tip of the spear penetrated his back, and cackled upon seeing her widening eyes as he swept his sword to the side, cleaving her.

Bright red gash marred her skin as the shock and pain seized her frozen in his arm.

He went for her neck — gripping her smooth skin, squeezing the life out of her.

"How does it feel to be no longer impervious to anything that is divine?" Kokabiel laughed, tightening his grip as he plunged another sword right into her stomach, ripping out an agonizing scream out of her lungs. "Humiliating, hm? For an archangel to be brought this low? Akin to those that don't deserve a spot in Heaven?"

Gabriel coughed as Kokabiel tossed her, letting out another scream as a chunk of jagged concrete halted her fall, punching her back.

"This is pathetic," she heard him say. "I expected more. You have two more wings than me and yet you've no idea how to use your new power. You're no longer an angel, Gabriel. Don't pretend like you're not," he smirked, bringing his sword to his mouth, and licked and tasted her blood. "...You bleed just like the rest of us… It's easier for you to die. Face it. Embrace it… and perhaps you won't die a meaningless death."

Issei watched as the woman struggled to get up, watched her conjure a lightspear to help her push herself off the ground, watched her gaping wounds slowly burning themselves shut. He saw all of those and wondered if he could ever be on their level, because they were kinda cool, and cool things excited his male brain.

But first things first; he had to get out of here. He had seen enough and he was satisfied. A small voice in his heart was telling him he'd get himself killed if he kept on pushing his luck — so Issei wisely turned tail and ran…

straight into a chest…

"Get— OFF OF ME YOUR PERV!"

of a very startled valkyrie-turned-secretary that had just stepped out of a swirling black hole spawned by The Devil as his chosen method of quick travel.

That slap almost knocked him out, but it didn't fail in knocking him off his feet as Issei, almost lifeless-like, slumped sideways into the ground with a stinging cheek.

"I-I'm sorry!" She immediately rushed over towards the boy, fully knowing Lucifer would take care of other things that weren't the boy.

"Wh…why…?" Issei croaked miserably, suddenly feeling like he had no more energy to even lift a hand.

An injured Gabriel, a ten winged fallen angel, possibly a cadre, very likely to be this 'Kokabiel' guy that Lucifer promised Azazel to take care of, and this weirdo of a reincarnated devil looking like he'd been thrown off a moving truck — it took Rossweisse precisely one second to register the scenario that was unfolding before her.

And knew exactly it was not her place to interfere whatever was going on with those formerly celestial beings — because screw that.

"Uh… erm… let's get you patched up why don't we…?"

While his secretary started treating the runt, calling forth magic circles of various origins, Lucifer stepped deeper into the ongoing brawl, unbothered that he was unnoticed by his former brothers and sisters in arms, letting them duke it out as he watched with… a shade of disappointment.

Gabriel was losing. Terribly, in fact. Kokabiel was not without a scratch or major wounds but it was evident his injuries weren't affecting him as much as Gabriel's did to her. Her movements were sluggish. She didn't take her surroundings into consideration as her wings hit the ceiling, stopping her flight, which resulted in Kokabiel nicking another red line on her chest.

And he saw her frustration build. Every wound she suffered infuriated her further and further, and it was obvious to him why.

Eventually, Kokabiel struck her down. With a maniacal laughter, he brought down his sword. Gabriel parried it with the shaft of her lightspear but Kokabiel's raw strength easily overpowered hers, and she plunged straight into a ransacked pile of machinery.

"Ngh… gh… Why…? How… could it be…?"

Tears welled up her eyes. Her wrath and rage had melted away into a certain kind of sadness — the kind that could only be felt when you've registered how much you've lost and could never get back. The kind that would haunt you forever, fueling the parasitic regret that would eat you alive until you wish you were dead.

"Hah… haha… Hahaha…" Kokabiel chuckled, but a scowl found its way instead. "...It's infuriating seeing you like this. I expected more. Killing you right now would be considered mercy."

"Do it then," she cried, not as a challenge but more of a plea. "End… this… I refuse to carry on living like this… Each day loathing myself more and more…?"

Kokabiel scoffed, "And why? Why did you hate yourself? Because you're exiled? Because you fell?! Or is it because of that dead father of yours?"

He saw a spark of rage building in her, and smirked. "Pah! He's dead! Move on. Nothing you do or say or wish will ever bring him back. Quit living in the past, sister. Detach all attachments to him or Heaven. It'll set you free. …But if you refuse, and knowing you, I know you will… then I'll do you a mercy."

Corrupted divine energy gathered by his palm, materializing into a pulsating lightspear, crackling with ominous power.

"Say it again, but consider it… carefully. This time I won't ignore you."

Issei held his breath.

Rossweisse sharply looked at Lucifer, losing focus as her healing magic dissipated.

Lucifer waited. A grim look upon his face.

"I…" Gabriel rasped out, swallowed her spit mixed with blood, and closed her eyes, consigning her fate.

Strangely enough, despite knowing he would kill one of his arch enemies today, Kokabiel felt no joy. Only disappointment.

"So be it."

And lobbed his lightspear with a force that could tear mountain asunder.

Only to see it perish the moment it came in contact with Lucifer's suited back.

The Devil stood before his baby sister, his shadow casting over her as Gabriel slowly opened her eyes.

She saw him. His crimson red eyes seemingly flared in spite of the darkness surrounding them.

"You're more than this," Lucifer said to her, deeply annoyed. "Get up."

"...Brother…?"

"I said; get up. I'm taking you with me." Lucifer scowled then, turning to face Kokabiel whose irritating smile had returned to his awfully pale face. "Any other day; I'd tear that look on your face. But let's say your words have left a certain impression."

"Deeply honored," Kokabiel mockingly bowed, failing to contain his excitement at this brand new discovery; he was alive… The Devil was alive all along… and he was standing right before him. "Keh…hahah… First her and now you… Helel… oh my mistake— Lucifer, I meant... I don't know or care how you're back, but to have the chance to pummel that smug grin off your face permanently? And I thought my day couldn't get any brighter."

Lucifer didn't bite the bait. He didn't even register it as one due to how petty it was. Thinking calling him by his old name would goad him into acting irrationally?

He forged his lightsword, eager to fight — yet it perished before it could fully form.

"Bother me another day, Kokabiel. Any time other than now; and I'll treat you seriously. Now is not the time…"

Kokabiel had the sense to stop smiling at that point. Lucifer had returned, and he was stronger than before. That idea both excited and terrified him at the same time.

"Azazel asked me for a favor," he continued.

"Is that so? That spineless coward struck a deal with The Devil?"

"He did. He wants you back. He's planning to fix your twisted mentality, it seemed."

"Hah! Break all the bones in my body but I will never bow to anyone, Lucifer. Especially not one without a backbone. You can go tell your client that much."

"Commendable," Lucifer said with earnesty. He appreciated anyone that would not bend over anything. "But I did owe him a favor and I don't intend on letting it hang over my head for long… so unless you don't want to be humiliated in this place; I'd suggest you to scram."

Kokabiel's face contorted into one of thinly-veiled fury. "Are you looking down on me, Devil? I've only just beaten one of the most powerful archangels with barely any lasting injuries. You think I can't take you on?"

"Looking down on you? On the contrary. Your words and actions prior to our conversation had elevated your worth in my eyes," Lucifer replied as his flat mouth skewed into a tiny frown. "...regardless of what you are planning to do with those swords."

Kokabiel calmed down nearly in an instant, and his fury was replaced with perplexity, and seconds later, a horrifying realization swept in.

"You…" he muttered, and then smiled a somewhat awkward smile that whispered of his true feelings; that Lucifer, despite knowing that he planned on destroying Kuoh Town, chose to let him go, and to only apprehend him once it was over regardless of the success of his plan to spite Azazel, terrified the shit out of him.

"The Devil," Kokabiel concluded. No one else was worthy of that title. Not even any of the fake Satans. He bowed his head, this time with actual sincerity and admiration. "Your reputation truly precedes you."

In a blast of black feathers, Kokabiel fled.

Leaving Lucifer with his sister…

And two awkward spectators.

"...Why, sister…?" He let out a sigh, turning around to look at her. His expression was a mix of chagrin and uncharacteristic sadness. "Why are you so blind with your faith in him? Do you expect I'd let you enter Purgatory if you waste your life?"

She didn't dare looking back at him, but she heard the ruffling of clothing — and nearly cried when she realized Lucifer had draped his suit over her wounded body.

"Let's leave. This place isn't fit for the kind of conversation we will have."

Break

Issei did not have the slightest clue why his dining room had turned into a meeting room for three of the strongest individuals he'd ever met so far, or why he offered them to hang out at his house in the first place like he was trying to get chummy with these three. And why oh why did that guy take on his offer without sparing a single thought about it. But here he was, still in the process of registering the insanity of his day, barely understanding it was a near death experience.

One thing he knew was that he'd be dead if that Kokabiel guy didn't show up, or he'd be mangled by him too if Lucifer and his busty secretary didn't show up. So he supposed it was the obligation that came from being rescued by 'The Devil' that made him spout out that offer. Fortunately, his parents weren't home. His father was working while his mother must be out gossiping with the housewives or buying groceries. Probably both.

And there's also the thing with his Sacred Gear that he'd like to talk about with Lucifer.

Still… the absurdity of it all was beyond his wildest dreams. He used to think seeing bat wings emerging from his seniors back would be a highlight of his life, but the past ten hours had far too many crowning moments it wasn't even funny.

They were seated around a small coffee table. His dining room was not grand by any means. Barely a quarter of his clubroom. He sat next to Lucifer with the pretty secretary sitting directly in front of him. He had to say, though, he never expected this Lucifer guy would wear some weird rock as a necklace.

And had never felt this out of place since the last time he entered a cakery to buy cake for a girl he used to like.

Especially with the pressure from the tension… he might actually start to choke.

So he politely raised his hand as if to ask a question. "Uh… erm… should I just… go…? I-I mean I don't wanna interrupt you guys or anything… even if this is my house…"

"Do whatever you want, boy," Lucifer told him, his crimson eyes not leaving Gabriel's downcast eyes. "It is your house, like you said. Or stay and listen and see if you can learn something out of it as a devil."

"..." Well if he put it like that, he couldn't just excuse himself.

So Issei stayed. Very reluctantly.

At least this guy seemed reasonable. Intentional or not, he did just save his ass.

Lucifer leaned back and crossed his arms. "So? How long do we have to sit here until you say anything?"

Gabriel gripped her brother's suit tighter, pressing her lips, retaining her stubborn silence.

"Very well," he continued either way. "I'll say my piece first; what made you think you can buy your way back to Heaven by killing these sinners?"

Suddenly, Issei's eyes perked up. "W-wait! She's the one who killed our contractors!?"

Lucifer considered shutting him up permanently because of how obnoxiously loud he was, but he relented against it. The boy was an idiot, but he wasn't as idiotic as he initially perceived him to be, it appeared.

Besides, Lucifer detected the severe regret and guilt that crept upon his sister's face. He learned everything she'd done post her banishment was done in a moment of blind rage and obscurity. Par for the course for someone whose world had crumbled beneath her feet. But plunging her into the abyss was not his intention when he showed her the fate of their maker.

He wanted to see if she was capable of taking flight on her own. Much like he did.

Evidently, she didn't have much success thus far.

"I… I don't know…" she sobbed, hiding her face behind her hands, her hair a complete mess. "I don't know what else to do… What is there to do? All my life, I devoted everything to serve Heaven. To serve Him. But after the Eternal Conflict ended, I'm no longer who I used to be. Yet when I saw my brothers and sisters… Michael… you… Azazel… Kokabiel… Penemue… all of you forged your own paths while I was still lost. How can all of you go on despite knowing He's no longer here? How do you manage to find your purpose…? When you know everything is for nothing in the end…?"

Lucifer's expression flattened then. "Ah. I see."

Issei blinked. He understood probably less than half of the words she said. Must be her regal-like accent. Yeah. Must be that. Couldn't be him being too dumb to get it.

"But you're still alive, aren't you?" Rossweisse said, "isn't that something? Ah—, sorry. I'll keep quiet now."

Lucifer quirked a smile, deciding to hang back. "No. Go on. You're free to say your input regarding this matter. That includes you as well, boy."

"Huh? Oh. Um… alright. I… don't know if I'd be of much help though, ahaha…"

He narrowed his eyes. "Quit that. This is your place. Never be meek in your own domain."

Issei gulped. "Y-yes sir."

"Now then," Lucifer nudged towards Gabriel. "Your response."

Gabriel unhid her face, revealing her icy blue eyes. Issei had to swallow another spit because of how gorgeous she actually was, even if her face was flushed. It was unfair how someone could be this beautiful while crying their eyes out.

"...I don't see the point of it all… the striving… the suffering… everything everyone must go through in their life… He's no longer here to ensure everything is in order…"

And this depressed. Damn.

Issei blinked owlishly. He definitely was not the right person to be included in this heavy topic. It baffled him that he was at this table that the idea that this woman's father was the Biblical God completely went over his head.

"But why did you have to kill those people? They're… I mean yeah they're not saints, but they're not all bad either… They don't request us to rob a bank or kill anyone or anything that drastic… And me too! Why me? Why did you want to kill me?"

"Because I…" she looked up at him, and Issei actually blushed. She was unbearably stunning for the human eyes. "...I…couldn't accept my fate."

"...Wait what does that mean."

"She refuses to acknowledge she's in the same order as you, boy," Lucifer clarified. "You, humans, fallen angels, devils, demons… everything that is no longer pure by nature."

Gabriel stiffened. The shame was unbearable. She wished she was executed instead of spared.

"But still… before that… I tried. But when you showed me that He was still alive and…" She couldn't complete her sentence. Her father was suffering, and there was nothing she could do to rescue him. But what tore her the most was the fact that she didn't know if she wanted to save him, or it was just mere obligation. Like maids that had to serve their master without questions.

"I… was still uncertain on what must be done… I know I couldn't kill you, but it was the only thing that came to mind. To make you pay for what you've done… I… blamed you for everything that has happened."

Lucifer was used to being blamed for anything, but this discovery was new to him. "You've lost your faith in Him long ago, I see. That was unexpected."

"Wh-what?! N-nonsense— why would I—"

"Don't bother denying. You can lie to yourself but never to me, Gabriel," he said, his lips smiling a little. Barely enough to be considered as a smirk. "You've been questioning him since then, haven't you? If he was the Almighty, then how could he have died? Was it all a part of his 'Grand Plan'? Or was he just a deity that bullshitted his way from the start? That had successfully fooled all of his creations that he was what perfection is?"

Rossweisse stretched her collar. The air felt hotter all of a sudden. How could he just casually drop a major bomb like that? Oh right. He's Lucifer.

"That… can't be… I…"

"You need someone else to spell it out to you, don't you? You're now starting to see," he said. "Still, it's disconcerting finding out how long you have been living in denial."

"...Denial…?"

"Never crossed your head, did it."

Instead of relief, Gabriel had never been more horrified. "But… but I… But I am His creation— how can I—"

"AAAAAAAAH—"

It was at that moment that the amulet on his chest decided to make its voice heard, surprising everybody present aside from, you've guessed it, the wearer himself.

"What a feeble way of thinking— I was told you would be a woman that could match my caliber, Gabriel-dono, but what I am hearing now is nothing more than the whining of a little girl."

"...Damn, man, that was some insane ventriloquism right there… You really sounded like a woman."

"Thanks."

"DON'T THANK HIM FOR THAT!" Yasaka yelled, irate. She imagined Lucifer's smug, amused face and it irritated her even further. "Hmph. I may be trapped inside this cursed amulet, estranged from my family and my people. I have not yet lost everything but I can understand your anxieties, Gabriel-dono."

"L-Lady Yasaka…?"

"Yes, 'tis none other than I, Yasaka, Matriarch of the Kitsune Clan, Protector of the Yōkai, Guardian of the Realm of Old Kyoto and the—."

"The Fox in a Rock."

"SILENCE."

Lucifer chuckled. Rossweisse wanted to openly make her amusement known like he did, but she was a little bit scared of Yasaka and what the Nine-Tailed Fox was capable of doing to her once Lucifer got her out of that stone. She seemed like the type of lady who'd hold a grudge.

"Now then, Gabriel-dono, it truly is regrettable that you have to go through so much, and still will, but to declare every strive is for naught because only oblivion awaits is foolish thinking. Of all the people here, you are the last one I'd suspect to be a nihilist."

Gabriel couldn't find a word to say in return. She wasn't proud of it. It ashamed her to her core, rather.

Issei, meanwhile, had been staring at the pendant-like amulet that Lucifer wore as a necklace, completely mystified that an actual person could fit inside an object that wasn't even bigger than his palm. Rossweisse was getting used to it all.

"It's relieving to see, however. Maybe foreboding to most…" Lucifer added, his gaze even and no longer filled with either sadness or mild annoyance. Nothing he felt other than relief. "His influence over you is waning. Or perhaps have waned, but you actively chose to pretend nothing ever changed instead of facing it."

"Influence…?"

"His limitation of your 'Free Will', for lack of a better term."

"...?"

"When he created you, just as he created everyone else afterwards, he'd learned a lesson — and that is to lock away your ability from ever questioning his decision."

"...What? But why?"

"Yes," Lucifer went on. "Remember Moses? Do you remember the triumph of leading them out of the Pharaoh's tyrannical reign?"

"Y-yes. Of course… He listened to his people's plea," Gabriel replied, her hope evident.

Still obstinate, Lucifer noted.

"You unfailingly listened to all of his orders, did you not?"

"Yes."

"Including the massacre of every firstborn son?" Lucifer tapered his eyes. A sharp, dagger-like stare. "Has it ever dawned on you that you were murdering innocent children for the sins of their leader? Has the scream of their mothers ever haunted you? The rage of their fathers that met their doom when chasing the Israelites? Have you ever questioned why an entire nation must suffer over one man's stubbornness that he, himself, forced upon him?"

Lucifer allowed her some time to let it all sink in, before moving on eventually. "And that's just one of the many atrocities he has made you commit, because you didn't know any better. You and all of Heaven."

Strange how he kept his tone civil, but his tranquil fury was present despite being unspoken.

The silence hung heavy, gnawing. Issei wished someone would break it because he was starting to get uneasy.

He got his wish answered a few moments later.

"I… don't understand…"

"You're not supposed to. You were never meant to understand," Lucifer stated. "But seeing how torn you are over this; I'll give you a choice. You're welcome to stay with me. I'll bring you on my travels. With it, you'll see more of the truths he's kept hidden from you. Or I will erase you and everyone's memories of these past few days. I'll make it so that you can return to Heaven, and continue on living your day as you had. The last memory you keep would be our last confrontation."

"...W-wait, mine as well?"

"I am very thorough in what I do. You ought to know already."

Yasaka grumbled. She grumbled something about him not having the confidence in her that she couldn't keep his secrets, then something about she'd only gossip with at most a couple of her personal caretakers before her grumble had gone unintelligible.

Issei just sweated because this guy was talking about doing insane stuff. He knew fallen angels and devils could tweak someone's memories, but everyone? But the thing that worried him the most was the fact he was buying his words. Somehow there wasn't any doubting that Lucifer could actually do it all.

Was this guy a god or a devil? Was he both? Nah, that would be crazy.

Rossweisse just accepted it.

Gabriel was still quiet, still on the verge of breaking down.

"Either way, you won't have to be alone," Lucifer ended. "The choice is yours, sister. Whichever you choose, I'll respect it."

"I say you follow him. See more of what you've been missing," Yasaka spoke. "The other is an easier road, but to forget everything you've learned thus far?" she chuckled, "seems too much of a waste for me. You're a strong woman, Gabriel-dono."

"...I don't have the confidence… I don't know if it's the right thing."

"Right or wrong, you'll have to deal with the consequences." Yasaka then said. "And you appear to bear far too many psychological issues and are too petrified to deal with any of them. I'm under the opinion that having Lucifer watch over your steps is the safest alternative. I'd rather not have you rampaging through my Realm in order to cleanse the world of evil…"

Gabriel smiled bitterly.

"Think it over. You're exhausted both mentally and physically," Lucifer prodded. His sister's mind was still too chaotic, and the fear of the uncertain was new to her. He could do a little bit more of a down time after what had happened. "Whichever you pick, it'll be your turning point."

"...I understand…" she muttered weakly, still wearing that miserable expression that would squeeze the heart of all gallant male in her imminent vicinity — which included Issei. "Thank… you… But…"

Lucifer quirked his brows. "Hm?"

She turned her head away from him, as if hiding her embarrassment. "Can I… can I… hold you…?"

Break

Gabriel fell asleep shortly after. Lucifer had lulled her to sleep as she hugged him, and she was now held within his arms, carried gently as though she was a fragile thing.

Which she was, for the time being.

Teaching her how to live as her own self might be an arduous task, but he concluded he would be the best mentor for her. Leaving her in Azazel's hands would only result in her being his lackey or worse; she'd revere that eccentric inventor instead.

"Your hospitality is appreciated," Lucifer said to Issei as he was about to leave. "Do consider offering your guests a drink. She was parched the entire time."

"E-Eh?" Rossweisse flinched. "Why did you drag me into this?"

"I— erh… uh… You're welcome… and sorry," Issei replied, unsure. "...SO… uh… before you go, can I… ask you something?"

"What."

Issei stiffened. He sounded pissed by his request, but he chose to go for it anyway instead of regretting it later.

"Y'know… about that thing you said to the thing that's inside me…"

{I have a name, you know.}

He realized he'd have to start getting used hearing this new voice in his head.

"Yes. What of it. Lay your words straight, boy."

Issei gulped, realizing this guy here could swat him like a fly. "...Sorry man, I mean you're intimidating as hell."

"To you," he replied flatly as a black portal broke through time and space behind him; swirling like a malevolent black hole. "Hurry it up."

Issei couldn't get over how frustratingly cool his power was and how nonchalant he was about it, but he managed, "I-I haven't made my decision yet, but once I do, can I talk about it with you? If we meet again?"

Lucifer eyed him up and down, and Issei swallowed. He was taller than that weird mafia-looking guy that pierced his stomach nights ago, but unlike that whatshisface, Lucifer was far… far more menacing, even if he never raised his tone or glared at him directly. Something about him just forced him to be feared by the ordinary.

But Lucifer ordinarily shrugged. "Sure."

To be continued…

Will Issei ever remember the sword thing Lucifer mentioned? Or was he too hurt to care about anything other than his hurting spine? Will he let go of Ddraig? Will Rias and co. dare a demand for Gabriel's sanction? How will Azazel react once he learns Lucifer no longer needs his help to take care of Gabriel? Can Gabriel find her will to live? When will Yasaka get out from her rock? Will danzy ever write new chapters of his other stories?

This isn't the last time they're gonna discuss Gabriel's issues, btw. It didn't even cover all of them.

I like this Lucifer. He's overall a chill guy. Unlike the guy I wrote in 'Lucifer'

I hope you enjoyed reading him as much as i like writing him. I think he's the most complex character I've ever written so far, but that's just me tho and i am biased

Anyway, happy easter and stuff. I just want you to remember that Jesus has 'sus' in his name