Lucifer had released his hand, and Adam returned to the present. His body was shaking, and he was struggling not to cry. He didn't want these people to see any more of his tears. They didn't deserve it.
Not since Eden had he felt such a whirlwind of emotions. Rage, mourning, pain, hatred, dread, and betrayal all rolled into the man that was Adam.
Sera had warned him not to fight Lucifer, but Adam would've preferred that. A punch to the face would've been far less painful than what he had just witnessed.
"Adam... I didn't intend for that to happen. I was just trying to get them out of here–" Lucifer tried to say, but Adam stopped him.
"Why the fuck would you show me that?!" Adam couldn't keep his voice from trembling. "Do you two hate me that much?!"
"No, I didn't know how to tell you. Adam, I really am sor–"
"NO! FUCK YOU!" Adam screamed with so much intensity, that he nearly went hoarse. "You don't get to act like the good guy all of a sudden! There's nothing you can do or say that will ever make you the good guy!"
Lucifer remained silent for a moment before nodding his head. "You're right."
The sad look in their eyes made Adam even angrier. How dare they pity him? How dare they feel remorse after all the damage they had caused?
They had no right.
In some twisted way, he would have preferred if they had been gloating. At least then, he would have expected that type of reaction from the heartless sociopaths he knew them as.
This had to be another one of their lies. Because there was no way they'd ever be able to feel anything resembling compassion or sympathy.
"No, I know you're just trying to trick me again!" Adam pointed a finger at Lilith. "I saw you! When Abel was murdered, I saw you laughing!"
"Adam, what are you talking about?" Lilith furrowed her eyebrows and frowned. "This is the first time I've seen you since Eden."
Was this actually true? His mind told him this seemed more probable. Because if she had been there that day, then how did the angels or anyone else not see her?
But he ignored these lingering doubts and his brain's attempts to reason with him. His heart cried out for vengeance, and he would listen to it. He knew what he saw that day. It wasn't a trick of the light or a hallucination.
Using his towering height, Adam easily pushed past Lucifer and stormed up to Lilith. "Don't even try to deny it, you lying slut! You were there, mocking me!"
"Do you even hear yourself? You sound crazy!" Lilith glared back at Adam. "You are crazy!"
Adam let out a maniacal laugh. "You think I'm crazy? You haven't seen the half of it, bitch!"
Even Lucifer looked puzzled as he intervened and stepped in between Lilith and Adam. "Adam, no one was mocking you. Lilith has been here with me since we last saw each other. But it's time for you to go. There's nothing else for you here."
"Oh, you haven't seen the last of me, asshole!" Adam grinned as he started to take flight. "And you better hope that baby of yours is already dead when I get back!"
Lucifer's expression darkened. "We already made a binding deal. You can not harm me or my family. If you break it, you won't ever see the gates of Heaven again."
Adam continued to leer down at them, the smirk on his face never wavering. "And you better count your blessings for that! Because I would have no problem ripping that baby right out of Lilith while you're forced to watch."
Adam's hand suddenly shot out, gripping Lucifer's jaw between his fingers and bringing his face closer to his own. "Or maybe I'd tear that angelic face of yours to shreds while Lilith watched. And then we'll see if she'd still want you after that."
Just the thought of mutilating one of them while the other watched filled Adam with sadistic glee. Even if he did that, they wouldn't feel a fraction of the pain he felt right now.
Adam released Lucifer from his grasp before he could strike back. Both Lucifer and Lilith were starting to shed their usual forms, his mouth stretching to reveal rows of sharpened teeth and her eyes rolling to the back of her head.
But Adam was already hovering high in the sky, out of their reach. He gave them one final look, unable to believe that these were the same people he once loved more than anything.
And now, they were the source of all his suffering and despair.
"Remember you're only alive cause of me! I should've let the angels destroy you both back in Eden, but the next time I see you, you're going to wish they had!"
And with that, Adam sped off through Hell, hot tears welling in his eyes. He didn't glance back over his shoulder to see if they were chasing him. His mind swirled with the memories he recently witnessed, forever burned into his brain. He had imagined he would bust down into the depths of Hell and rescue his wife and son from Lucifer and Lilith's clutches. Never in his worst nightmares did he ever imagine this would be their fate.
He was so preoccupied with his thoughts that he failed to notice he was flying lopsided and veering off course.
Gritting his teeth, Adam replayed every horrible truth he had just learned. Not only had Eve and Abel he once knew vanished and been corrupted into something unrecognizable. But Eve had intentionally wanted him to fall alongside her. Had he really been that predictable? That easy to see through that she knew to prey upon his love for her?
In some ways, that disturbed him more than seeing her and their son destroy humanity.
"Damn you, Eve," he snarled to himself. He never thought he would feel hatred towards her. But at this moment, as he flew back towards the portal, he hated her. He hated how she listened to Lucifer and Lilith's lies. He hated how she used his love for her against him and made him give up paradise. He even hated how she thought he would give up his rightfully earned place in Heaven for her.
Because the truth was, he wouldn't have done that. Not again.
And that's what he hated most of all. In her final moments, she thought him a better man than he actually was.
When Adam entered through the portal, Sera was on the other side waiting for him right where he left her. In her arms was an infant who closely resembled her.
"Adam? You're back already?" Sera's eyebrows perked up. The anguish he was experiencing must've been obvious since she immediately summoned a cherub and handed the infant off to them.
"Please put Emily back in her crib," she told the cherub before turning to Adam. "What happened down there?"
Adam remained silent for a moment, not even sure where to begin. He felt that if he opened his mouth, he would scream and scream and never stop screaming.
"Adam?" Sera repeated his name. "Are you alright?"
Another demented laugh escaped his lips. That was a ridiculous question. He was the furthest thing from alright.
"Do you know why I'm the only human soul in Heaven?" Adam finally asked. Before Sera had the chance to respond, he answered his own question. "Because the rest of humanity is down in Hell."
Sera took a deep breath in. "We know."
Adam narrowed his eyes at the seraph. "Then do you know what became of my wife and son?"
She frowned. "Are they not in Hell?"
"It's funny to think they'd be better off there..." Unwanted tears returned to his eyes, and he quickly blinked them away. "They're Lucifer's instruments now."
"What– What do you mean?"
"He released them from the gates of Hell onto the Earth." His voice sounded so unlike himself. It was raspy and low as if it hurt to even speak the words.
"They're gone, Sera."
Sera rubbed her temple and shut her eyes. "Adam, I'm not sure what you're saying–"
"I'm saying they're fucking gone!" Adam snapped. "You're an angel! You should know! Who do you think is bringing all those human souls to Lucifer?! Eve and Abel are working for him now! They're causing death and destruction everywhere they go!"
He couldn't bear to utter the words that they were literally death and destruction.
Sera's eyes went wide with horror. "Why would they do that? Why would they ever agree to work for him?"
Adam blinked back more tears and shook his head. "They didn't know. When he released them, they became corrupted."
Sera pursed her lips together into a scowl. "We wondered why humans had been dying more often and in greater numbers. Why there had been an increase in disasters like earthquakes, floods, and wildfires."
When Adam didn't reply, she waved her hand and manifested a window into the Earth like Lucifer had done. They both watched as Eve, who now had dark circles under her eyes, terrorized another town. This time, a cyclone struck, flooding the town and sweeping people away in the gushing water. Not far behind Eve was Abel, following after the poor humans caught up in the storm. It didn't matter if they were old or young, men or women. Even children were not spared. When Abel would pass over them, their bodies would grow limp immediately.
"We thought they were Hellborn spirits created by Lucifer." Sera sighed before making the window disappear. "I suppose we were not too far off. But we never thought they were Eve and Abel."
"And there's nothing you can do?" Adam didn't even know why he asked that question. He already knew the answer.
"Death and chaos are part of this world now. It wasn't supposed to be this way, but–"
"Yeah. I know," Adam cut her off, not wanting to hear the rest of her little speech. "But because we ate the apple, this is one of the consequences."
A pained look came over Sera's face. "I'm sorry, Adam. But there is still a chance for humanity to not know death or destruction. There's still Heaven."
That was little comfort to him. Seeing how he was the only human soul here after what was several hundred years and how all those human souls ended up in Hell, something told him no one would be joining him anytime soon.
But this raised a question that had been haunting him for several years. He wasn't sure he should even ask, dreading what the answer might be. Would it confirm his worst fears?
"Sera." He paused and inhaled a deep breath before continuing. "My bloodline had ended with Abel. So where did these other humans come from?"
"We had hoped you and Eve would have more children. But when that didn't work out, we made do with what we had," she said.
Adam looked up at her and scrunched his face together in obvious confusion. "Wait, what?"
"Your bloodline didn't completely die out. You still have another son."
The gears in his head started turning. It had been so long since he thought about Cain. He never imagined him being a father, much less continuing the rest of humanity.
But it all suddenly became clear. It made sense why every other human was ending up in Hell if they were descendants of Cain.
It was at that moment that Adam realized his children would never take their revenge on Lucifer and Lilith as he had hoped all those years ago. The same people who had caused humanity's destruction–and continued to do so–would never be punished.
It was up to him now.
"There is another thing I saw," Adam said, his voice surprisingly calm and collected.
Sera snapped her head down towards him. "What did you see, Adam?"
"Lilith is gathering all those– those sinners down in Hell into an army. She and Lucifer are planning another rebellion against Heaven."
Sera's jaw went slack, and her eyes bulged out of her head. "I must warn the rest of the Council. Michael will go down there and take care of–"
"No." Adam's gaze hardened. "Let me do it."
She regarded him with clear interest. "Adam? What do you mean by that?"
"Isn't it obvious what's going on? Lucifer empowered Eve and Abel to do his dirty work on Earth and bring him and Lilith more souls to Hell. There's only one reason he'd do that," he replied, already salivating at the thought of what he'd say next.
"Yes, that would make sense," she said. "But that doesn't answer my question about what you intend to do?"
"Exterminate those souls." Adam struggled to suppress the growing smirk on his face as he watched Sera contemplate his words. "It'll not only keep the growing population down, but it'll send a message that Heaven can permanently end them at any time."
Sera shook her head. "Adam, you're just a human soul. You're not an angel. You wouldn't have the power to exterminate them."
Adam shrugged, not seeing the issue. "Then grant me the power of an angel. You gave me divine protection when I went to Hell. And I saw that baby seraph you were holding. So I know you can either create more angels or at least give me the same abilities."
"You know, it would be just as easy for Michael to do this instead." Another frown returned to Sera's face, and Adam was worried she was never going to agree to his proposal.
But she had to. It was time to turn on the charm. Act like the pious and responsible leader Heaven saw him as.
"Yes, but they're my descendants. They're my responsibility. I have to make this right," he pleaded outwardly. But on the inside, that couldn't be further from the truth. There was nothing he could do for his son and wife now. Joining them in Hell or on Earth or wherever would be futile.
But he could take the vengeance he so desperately craved.
He had already been fucked over when it came to harming Lucifer and Lilith and whatever spawn they had. So he had to settle for the next best thing, and that was harming their people.
Like Eve had said, they were the king and queen of ashes. And Adam intended to burn their kingdom down to make that happen.
Lucifer and Lilith weren't the only ones who could destroy. Even if it meant sinking down to their level, Adam would gladly do so if he could destroy everything they created. After all, he had made them a promise, and he planned to keep it.
"That's very noble of you, Adam." Sera clasped her hands together. "Alright. I will discuss this with the Council. We need to go over the logistics further like how you couldn't go down there by yourself. You'd need an army. But right now, I think you should go rest. You've been through a lot today, and we don't want you to be upset anymore. Heaven is supposed to be a joyous place."
"Yeah, I think you're right." Adam stretched out his arms. "So do I just sleep on the golden streets, or can I just kick back and float in the air?"
Sera chuckled. "If you'll follow me, I'll show you to your quarters."
He hovered behind her through the promenade and towards one of the large buildings. When they entered it, he was unable to believe his eyes and gaped at how sleek and impressive the interior was. He never thought buildings like this could exist!
Sera must've noticed his amazement because she smiled at him and said, "Incredible, isn't it?"
"Wow." Adam rotated his entire body as he stared up at the ceiling, wanting to take in every detail. Too caught up in his wonder, Sera had to guide him into the elevator, and he flinched when it moved up on its own.
The seraph laughed again. "You'll get used to it."
When the elevator doors opened, they revealed a large penthouse apartment, and Adam had to do a double-take.
"This is for me?" He pointed at himself.
"Yes. It's all yours, Adam. Go on." She gestured with a tilt of her head.
Adam floated over to the table that had plates of food and snacks and beverages. There were some things he recognized, like the fruits and vegetables, but there were new dishes he had never seen before. And that's when the weight of his reward finally hit him.
No more having to hunt or toil the land for food. No more having to take shelter in his dingy hut from the rain, or snow, or wind. Paradise was all his again!
He took an eager bite out of a piece of cake and reveled in the flavor, forgetting Sera was watching him as he let out an audible moan.
"Angel cake." A bright grin crossed her face. "It's one of my favorites, too."
He didn't think it was possible to still blush after being dead, but he could feel the heat rising to his face. Thankfully, Sera didn't tease him any further and started to take her leave.
"I'll let you rest for a bit, and then I can show you the rest of Heaven." Sera moved her hand toward the elevator buttons but then paused midair.
"Adam."
The way she said his name made him freeze. Had she found out his true intentions behind the exterminations?
He glanced at her, and the grim expression on her face did nothing to ease his anxieties.
"I truly am sorry about everything that's happened. You weren't the only one misguided in their affections about Lucifer." For a moment, she looked sad, but she quickly returned back to her usual self.
"I should've known he would try to stage another rebellion against Heaven. But he will only know the humiliation of defeat once again."
And with that, the elevator doors closed, and Adam was left all alone. He thought about what she said, wondering why she had even brought that up.
It wasn't until he took another bite of the cake that he understood what she meant.
Sera had been in love with Lucifer.
Which explained something he had never considered before. Why Sera had cursed Lilith so harshly and called her and Lucifer traitors even before their rebellion.
It seemed like love had fucked them both over.
But never again.
It was his love for Lucifer that blinded Adam to his secret plotting against him. His love for Lilith that begged the angels to show her mercy. His love for Eve that made him give up paradise. His love for Cain that ended up being his greatest heartache. And his love for Abel that he apparently didn't reciprocate if he was willing to choose spending an eternity with Eve in Hell over an eternity in Heaven with him.
Love hadn't redeemed anyone. Which was another thing Eve had been wrong about. Because what exactly had love gotten him in the end? Nothing but abandoned and betrayed.
His heart and mind were no longer the only things screaming inside him. It was his entire soul ablaze now, fueled by a lifetime's worth of endless hate.
And it would only be quelled by bloodshed.
Adam bit into the cake again and winced when he felt something sharp against his lip.
Huh. That couldn't be right.
He ran his tongue against his teeth, and sure enough, there was something sharp. Looking around for a reflective surface, Adam hurried into the restroom where he found a mirror attached to the wall. He pressed his face close to it, opening his mouth and examining the front row of teeth.
The edge of his canine tooth was longer and more pointed, resembling that of a fang.
He backed away with a gasp and ran a hand through his hair. But when he did, he felt a bump growing on the side of his head.
Like that of a horn.
A/N: I seriously thought Adam's mask was his actual face! And when I wrote the first chapters, that's how I planned it! I remember reading how the reason he and the exterminators looked that way was because when they went to Hell, it changed their appearance to look more demonic.
So that was a lie.
And then when he was in Heaven, he still looked that way so I just thought that was his true form! The English major in me thought his demonic appearance represented his inner corruption despite being an angel. And then he's judging sinners for looking so grotesque when he looks just as bad. I planned on Adam's appearance taking on his normal, human form again to represent his first fall and the failure Heaven and himself see him as once he gets cast out of Heaven. It's some tragic and cruel irony.
I've already strayed far from the canon anyway so screw it. I said I was a horror writer from the beginning and I am keeping my body horror. But now thinking back, even making that deal with Lucifer could've started to alter his appearance. The point is, it wouldn't be a story about Hell without spooky, Lovecraftian things happening.