Caught in the Fire

Chapter X: The Chosen Path

"I have a plan to bring Lucifer back to life, but I can't do it without you."

Michael stared at her for a while, his jaw dropped. He couldn't believe that a demon just asked to work with him. It seemed sacrilegious. Sinful, even. And worst of all, pointless, as he knew that Lucifer's banishment from Earth could not be undone. Still, he was curious about what this demon had in mind, so he resolved to hear her out. What did he have to lose?

Michael stepped back, putting his sword in its sheath but still holding on to the handle in a threatening manner, and gave her his full attention as she struggled to escape the melted floor. "Very well, I will humor you, demon. What is your plan to save my brother from the fate that you wrought upon him?"

"Fly me to Hell. I'll find his soul and send one of my siblings to possess a body on Earth, and they'll tell you where you can locate us. I'll look after Lucifer until you come down to get his soul and reunite him with his body on Earth. Once Pierce's men see him, they won't dare to attack Lucifer's friends. You can take his soul out of Hell, right?"

Michael stared at her in disbelief, and then disgust. "The Sword of God, working with the demon who killed his brother? Do not insult me. Besides, even if you find his soul, it will change nothing. Lucifer cannot return to Earth per Father's decree. This cannot be undone."

"Can you get him out of there or not?"

"Yes," he answered after a while, "I possess the Power of God. Of course, I can lift his banishment. But doing so would mean defying my Father."

"Yeah, that's the whole idea."

"How can you ask me that?!" He looked at her, disbelieving. "I am not a rebel, like my brother. I am the Sword of God, and I must obey."

"Do you know what he's going through right now? He's either being torn apart by my siblings or reliving his worst nightmare in a Hell Loop. It's only been a few hours here, but he's already been down there for decades. How long are you going to let him suffer like that just because you're afraid of your Daddy?"

Michael stared down at her for a while, and then he sighed and opened up the floor to let her out. He wanted so badly to help his brother, but he was afraid of the consequences. "I... I cannot defy Him."

Mazikeen climbed out of the hole he put her into and dusted herself off. "Lucifer gave up everything for you! And now he's suffering for it. His friends are going to pay for it. You swore to protect them, Michael. Figure out if that's worth defying God. I already have."

"I will reflect on your words," he said, closing his eyes in pain, "Now leave me before I stab you in the heart as you did my brother."

He heard Mazikeen leaving through the elevator, so he went to the balcony and leaned on the guard rail. He looked up at the dark skies and falling rain and wondered if he could do what the demon asked of him for the sake of his brother's soul. Was he seriously considering defying his Father? Once again, he tried praying for answers, but no answer was forthcoming. He roared in frustration, gripped the guard rails, and looked at the dark skies.

"Is this all part of Your plan?" he asked, looking up at the sky with pleading eyes, searching for answers, "I know righteousness, and he does not deserve that. I am trying to follow Your rules, but it is not good enough. If I break Your rules, I will fall. If I follow them, I will lose my brother. I am torn between helping the Devil and being Your saint. Tell me what to do!" And still, no answer. "Why have You forsaken me?"

Desperate for answers, he was tempted to fly to His throne and confront Him head on, but he was afraid. How could he face Him when he was seriously considering defying Him? He was supposed to be God's most loyal son—the great Archangel Michael, His sword, who cast Lucifer out of Heaven—and he found his faith in God wavering and his heart longing to save Lucifer.