Sorry for the delay. I ended up stuck, figuring out what this chapter was going to be. Then there was more spiritual journey stuff going on for me as well. So, that took some time.
Anyway, I think I got this chapter the way I want it. So, let's continue the story! :)
Lucifer approached God's throne room. The golden doors were wide open and the scent of peppermint wafted through the air. Lucifer sighed. He knew God was busy, but he could never deny that scent that came from God's throne room. Lucifer shook his head. He quickly darted into the room, witnessing the circular stone walled room, the misty fog that glowered the floor, and the bronze table that loomed before the throne room.
God's throne was made out of a gossamer stone, the likes of which was hard to describe. All Lucifer knew was the throne belonged to God and the chairs were seated to the right of the throne. To be honest, Lucifer was surprised he was here to begin with.
"Come on in," God stated, declaring Himself to the Archangel.
"You gave me a job. What is it, Lord?" Lucifer asked, curiously.
God shook his head. "I did. I do." He sighed. Approaching Lucifer, God placed a hand over Lucifer's shoulder. He warned him, "Do not let this job get to you. It is an important task. You know this. Raphael spoke this to you."
"How would you know—? Oh right! You know everything," Lucifer sighed, declaring himself to the Lord.
God nodded. "Indeed. Do not let it deny you, nor get to you. I am doing you a favor. Would you like to hear my plan?"
Lucifer nodded. "Why yes." He cleared his throat. "Tell me, Lord: what is your plan?"
God chuckled. "An infinity of imperfection, growing to become perfection."
Lucifer sighed. At least, it wasn't something bad. "For a moment there, I thought you meant…" then he understood. Mouth gaped open, Lucifer continued, "…a lifetime of imperfection?! Lord, you're serious! I cannot do this. We have everything we need here!"
God raised a hand. He moved His hand off Lucifer's shoulder, instructing him, "Yes, and it will be so. You will perform this deed. You are my right-hand Archangel."
Lucifer cried in agony, "What if I don't want this task?"
God sighed. "Now Lucifer, let's be reasonable. You will perform this task and you will perform it well."
Lucifer murmured, concealing his whines until they fled from sight. "What if I don't want to?"
God shook His head. "You don't have a choice. Now, you will do this, or I'll—"
Lucifer shook his head. "No, I've heard enough!"
God extended His arms in confusion. "But you haven't heard the full plan yet."
Lucifer backed away. "I don't need to hear it! I've heard enough from you! I'm leaving." He spread out his wings, darting the scene.
God sighed. Was this how it had to be? "Fair enough. I'll see you soon. May you become Satan."
~o~
Lucifer left God's throne room. As he re-entered the hallway, a change took over him. Lucifer cringed at the sight of seeing his hands become darker and furrier, his face transforming into a goat's head, followed by cloves for feet, and horns stretching forth from his head.
Lucifer cried!
He had become Satan. His job overtook him. Now, he was something else. A monster! Oh, this was not what he wanted.
He wept, unsure what had taken over him.
Then he remembered. He disobeyed God, and this was the price for his disobedience. Now, he couldn't stand it any longer. Now, as Satan, he had a new task: to overthrow God and become God! Yes, he would do that!
Still, the Word kept following him everywhere. It watched his every move. Satan ignored the Word. One day, he would find a way to entice the Word to join him, to come to his side in triumph!
For now, Satan would settle for gathering allies and facing God one-on-one in a fierce combat battle. He only hoped he could live long enough to see it.
~o~
God looked on in wonder at Lucifer becoming Satan. God felt sorry at Lucifer, but Lucifer's disobedience would give God a chance to perform his Divine Plan as promised.
God smiled. He knew what had become of Lucifer, knew Satan would rebel, but more so how many Angels would follow Satan's side, just to overthrow God Himself.
God let out a chuckle! He knew what was at stake.
"Let them come. We'll see who wins," God chuckled, hardly beside himself with wonder.
If only a rebellion hadn't been an answer to these problems. But then, God needed this Divine Plan to work. And he would begin with the rebellion.
~o~
Satan sought after Melkor, for Melkor was the first of the Valar to be created. Melkor stood tall and fair that not even the Angels could defeat him. The Angels knew better, well some did, how Melkor faired in battle.
Melkor happened to defeat just about every Angel who ever fought against him in Heaven's arena. No one was slain in these battles, but the bruises were insurmountable, enough that the Angels had to heal themselves, before facing Melkor again.
Melkor smiled, grateful his dark robes did not penetrate against the Angels' fierce defenses. It was good fun, and Melkor didn't mind.
That is, until Satan sought after him. Then Melkor did mind.
"What do you want? I'm busy! Ha!" Melkor brandished a whip, whipping his way back and forth amongst the Angels. They quickly flew off. Melkor hissed. He'd seen this before. "I have no time for games, Satan! What do you want?"
Satan smiled, astonished Melkor had come this far. "I need your help. I want to overthrow God."
Melkor chuckled. "No one overthrows God! God is invincible! We've known this before the Light and the Darkness were created."
Satan chortled. "And Eru Ilúvatar doesn't?" That stopped Melkor. Melkor lowered his whip. Satan smiled, impressed. "You know Eru and God are allies?"
Melkor hissed. "I thought God was alone. He is at the top of our Deity hierarchy. The Word is second, compared to God, and then you have Eru Ilúvatar." Melkor huffed. "What does this have to do with me?"
"Everything!" Satan said in a cunning voice. "You are my spokesperson. You were created after me, remember?" He showed off a cheeky grin, enlightening Melkor.
"Alright, alright. What do I have to do?" Melkor smiled, loving this plan.
What was the plan?
"Well, first of all—"
~o~
Eru, who appeared as an elderly man with long, flowing silvery hair, a flowing silvery beard, and donned in white robes, decided it was time to create the Music. He gathered the Valar together. All were present for this most splendid time… all except Melkor, wherever he went.
Eru looked at the Valar in interest. Yes, he was missing Melkor: the first to be created of the Valar and the last one here. Oh, where did Melkor go?
"Huh. Maybe Melkor is off planning something," Yavanna stated, hardly bereft of where Melkor went. "Oh, where is he?" Yavanna stated, annoyed beyond belief.
"He'll be here. Mark my words, he will!" Manwë said, pleased.
Yavanna growled. This wasn't like Melkor! Yavanna scoffed, "Really, Manwë! Well, I never—"
"I'm here! I'm here!" Melkor stated, pleased to see all the Valar appear before Eru Ilúvatar. Yavanna didn't buy it! There was something off about him, enough that he showed a grey light wrapped around his outer body. Melkor chuckled, pleased, "What? Am I not dashing enough?"
"Humph. Well, I never!" Yavanna stormed off, in an effort to speak with the other Valar.
Eru approached Melkor, telling him, "You'd better not let Satan get to you. He's dangerous. God is keeping an eye on him, as he is you, Melkor."
"I'm fine. I'm all right," Melkor stated, quite perplexed at God's words, but more so that Melkor waited for his revenge against Eru.
"Don't let me down!" Eru said, approaching the area in the Heavens, where he would go down to the Lower Dimensions and begin his work on the Worlds' Music.
"I wouldn't dream of it!" Melkor said, following after Eru.
~o~
Satan busied himself with gathering allies. He wanted to create an army that could defeat God! Something that could prove Satan was more than just a lowly Archangel. He was more than that, and he would prove it!
At first, Satan spread the word to a few Angels, instructing them to send word to many more Angels about his army. It would be the first of Satan's demise that could bring doom upon him! Satan was ready! He was ready for anything God threw at him!
Well, as ready as he could be. Doubt would become a powerful ally, and Satan would take advantage of Doubt. That much was clear! What more could he miss?
"Satan, look!" one of the Angels proclaimed.
"Huh?" Satan turned around and looked ahead.
He smiled. There was so many Angels allying with him. At least, one-third host of Heavenly Beings and Creatures, coming to Satan's aide.
Satan forgot how quickly everything ran in Heaven. Of course, he'd amass an army quickly. Soon, the army came towards Satan. They were ready.
"When should we give the word?" one of the sentries for Satan's army announced.
Satan inhaled deeply, exhaling in an effort show his might! "Soon. Very soon."
"Then let's go!" the sentry said, darting off on swift wings.
Satan sighed. Yes, he'd win this day yet! "Yes, it's time."