Supernatural in Real Life 3

Chapter 5 (Or 4 cont.)

Lucifer walks over to the bookshelf and picks out a book. After inspecting it for a moment, he sits down on the floor and begins to skim through it. I walk over to join him.
"Can I help?" I ask him.
He nods. "Yeah, sure. Um..." He turns around to find another book. After a couple seconds of briefly readying spines of books, he pulls one out and holds both his book and that one up. "Gods or artifacts, take your pick."
"What artifact are we looking for?" I ask.
"That head of Janus thingy," he replies. "Or you can look for Janus himself. Up to you."
I reach over and take the book he chose first. "This one looks easier."
Lucifer chuckles and lets me to take it. "Probably is. And the Greek equivalent would be..." he pauses and he thinks. "Actually, Janus doesn't have one. He's just a a Roman god. Well, your job just got easier."
"How do you know this?" I ask in awe.
"For such a minor god, he's fairly well known among the angels. He's also the god of choices, so he helped Rob choose how to make Heaven."
"And he's famous for that?" I repeat. "But wasn't that before you even existed?"
Lucifer nods. "Yeah, but he's, like, the architect of Heaven."
"I still don't see why he's so famous," I say. "Let's see if Gabriel knows who he is. Gabriel!" I call his name loudly, and he appears in the doorway almost immediately. His wings fold behind him so they don't brush against the walls. His wings aren't as cool as Lucifer's, in my opinion.
"Yeah?" he says, questioning why I called for him.
"I've got a trivia question for you," I tell him.
"Shoot."
"Who's the architect of Heaven?"
"What?" Gabriel replies as if it's the most ridiculous question ever.
"Who helped Rob design Heaven?" I ask again.
"Um..." He thinks about it for a second, and I look at him expectantly. His thoughts appear in my mind, but because he's the only person I can see, it doesn't bug me.
The architect of Heaven? What kind of question is that? Does Heaven even have an architect? Is this a trick question? Can I phone a friend? I wonder if Cas would know. Probably. He knows lots of weird stuff.
"You have no idea, do you?" I laugh.
"Not a clue," he admits. "Does Heaven even have an architect? Is this a trick question? Is the answer just Rob?"
"You're kidding, right?" Lucifer says.
Gabriel shakes his head. "No, why? Why would I know that? Aw, now you look sad. Don't be sad. Why are you sad?"
"I can't believe you don't remember this. It's Janus! Remember? So when anything happened in Heaven, since Dad told us we couldn't say 'Oh my God' we'd say 'Oh my Janus'? Does any of this sound familiar at all?"
Gabriel shakes his head. "No, not really. That was, like, thousands of years ago. Why would I remember that? I doubt Michael even remembers that, and you guys were, like, best friends."
"Okay, Michael wouldn't forget that." He doesn't sound so certain about that, though.
"Let's test that theory," Gabriel says. Lucifer attempts to stop him, but Gabriel silently says something to someone-probably Michael. Suddenly, none other than Matt Cohen appear in the room, a puzzled expression on his face. Why does Matt Cohen have wings? Oh, this is Michael, isn't it? I accidentally find myself tuning into his thoughts.
That meeting was boring anyway. I miss the days Raphael could go to the boring meetings.
"Yes, Gabriel?" Michael says.
"Trivia question for you! Who helped Rob design Heaven?" Gabriel asks him. "And yes, there is an answer, and it's not Rob."
What? Didn't Rob make Heaven by himself?
"Design, not make," I correct him.
He looks at me curiously, but doesn't respond.
Someone helped Rob design Heaven? When was that? I don't remember hearing about this. How should I know this? This was before my time.
"I don't know. Who?" he asks finally. 
"See, Luci? I'm not the only one!" Gabriel says.
Lucifer frowns. "What if I said it was a god?"
"What? I didn't get hints!" Gabriel complains.
"It doesn't matter; I still don't know," Michael says.
"A Roman god?" Lucifer tries again, but his voice makes it clear he isn't expecting the angel to get it.
"Jupiter?" Michael guesses.
Lucifer sighs. "Great. Just great. I can't believe neither of you remember this."
"Who is it?" Michael asks.
"Don't tell him yet," I say, then call for Castiel and Rob. "I'm sure at least one of them will remember. Probably both." I look at Lucifer to gauge his reaction.
If the only two that know this are the two that I don't really like, I'm gonna be pissed.
Rob and Castiel walk up behind Gabriel, who steps forward to let them in the living room. They both look at me curiously, their thoughts entering my head at the same time. I look down at the floor to block them out.
"Who helped Rob design Heaven?" Gabriel asks them. "Lucifer's the only one that knows this and it's driving him crazy."
"I don't know," Castiel says in his low, gravelly voice.
"Oh, come on," Lucifer mutters.
Rob takes longer to think about this. Finally, he says, "It was one of the gods, I remember that. Um... Who was that? One of the Greek ones, right?"
Lucifer smacks his forehead with the palm of his hand in exasperation. "It's Janus! 'Oh my Janus' sound familiar? To anybody?"
The phrase doesn't seem to bring up any memories in the others. They all shake their heads.
"I can't believe none of you remember that," Lucifer says.
"I can't believe you do remember that," Michael says. "No one has said that in a long time."
"Yeah, but this was our thing! You, me, Gabriel, and Raphael."
"When was this?" Rob asks.
"Like, the beginning of time, but still. You know, this is really depressing. None of you...?"
"No, sorry, Lucifer," Michael says. "You don't really have time to remember old jokes when you're ruling Heaven. Is that all?"
"Yeah, thanks for coming," Gabriel says with a smile. "I would have felt really bad if I was the only one who didn't remember."
Michael nods. "Of course. I must go now."
"Michael, wait," Lucifer says quickly. Michael looks at him expectantly. "You can get the angels to listen to you. Can you-"
"No," Michael interrupts.
"But I didn't even-"
"No," Michael interrupts again. "I will not bring Mark back. He's in Heaven, where he belongs. You know I can't afford to let anyone leave. No exceptions."
"But what about Bailey?" Gabriel asks. "You let her leave."
Michael looks down at me, and our eyes lock for only a split second. His thoughts flood my head, more prominent than his actual words. It's a memory.
Two angels are playing in a forest. They're laughing with each other as they climb the trees and draw in the dirt. They settle down on the ground, where one begins to speak.
"This is all you do all day?" one angel says, his voice ringing throughout the forest.
"Yes. It's wonderful, Michael, isn't it?" the other angel replies. "Especially with Adam and Eve. They are so nice, you would not believe it."
"I've seen the humans before, Luci," the other angel, Michael, tells him with a laugh.
"I know, I know, but you do not understand. Being with them, it's... Amazing. They truly are Father's greatest creation. Especially Eve. I am so glad Father decided to replace Lilith, because Eve is perfect!"
Michael laughs. "You say this all the time. I know, Lucifer. I love them as well. But there is something we can do that they cannot."
"What would that be?" Lucifer asks.
"We can create!" Michael tells him enthusiastically. "See?" Suddenly, a creature appears in front of him. Lucifer watches it as it crawls away before speaking.
"That was a snake, correct?"
"It was!" Michael confirms happily. "Isn't it beautiful?"
"It is!" Lucifer agrees. "Father really outdid Himself with this place. Everything here is perfect! The humans are the best of all."
"Especially Eve, I know," Michael finishes, amused.
"Yes, especially Eve!"
"You seem awfully fixated on the girl," Michael observes. "Why her?"
"Oh, I don't know," Lucifer muses. "She is just... Perfect! Adam is lucky to have her."
"Lucifer, you are not jealous, are you?" Michael asks cautiously. "Because you know-"
"Jealousy is a sin," Lucifer finishes. "Yes, I remember. One of Father's biggest rules. Thou shalt not covet your neighbor's wife."
"It is a peculiar rule, is it not?" Michael says. "The humans do not have neighbors. Though, I suppose that is why Dad has not given them the rule yet. It is only a matter of time, I am sure. But it is not as if either of them would choose us over each other. They were designed for each other. Even we could not change this."
"I doubt that."
"What do you mean?"
"I believe that Eve would stay with me, had I asked her," Lucifer tells his brother. "We do share a profound bond. After all, I do more for her than Adam ever has. I am her guardian, after all. Their guardian, I mean."
"Lucifer, do not entertain such thoughts," Michael warns him. "That cannot end well. You know this."
"I would never act on it," Lucifer assures him. "I would never interfere with Father's plan for them."
"I would hope so," Michael replies gravely. "You know Father would not be so forgiving if you do."
"Yes, I am aware. Do not forget, Michael. I am not much younger than you. I know our father just as well."
"I know, but I like to make sure. I would hate for something to happen to you because you disobeyed Father's orders."
"Father would never hurt me," Lucifer replies confidently. "He loves us. Even if we make a mistake, He would forgive us. It is His nature."
"Do not be so sure, little brother," Michael warns him. "Father can be rather harsh when He's angry."
"But He would not hurt us. He loves us too much! We do not have to fear our father."
"I am not asking you to fear Him. I am merely suggesting you remember that He is prone to make rather rash decisions when He is angry."
"But He would never hurt us! He loves us! Ask Him, He will tell you. That is what makes our father who He is. He's caring and compassionate and forgiving. He would never do anything to hurt us!"
"Yes, I suppose you are correct," Michael agrees. "Even so, I believe it to be wise to stay in his good graces. You do not know what he may decide to do if he is angry."
Lucifer just laughs. "You worry too much, Michael. Come, let us explore the garden. There must be placed we have yet to go!"
"Most likely," Michael agrees. "But should you not be watching Adam and Eve?"
"Oh, I am sure Father will not mind if I take a short break. What trouble could they possibly get into? We are in Eden! There is nothing for them to do wrong here! They have been warned against the fruit. They know to stay away. There is nothing to worry about now."
"I suppose you are right. Okay, brother. Let us explore!"
So they do. They wander the garden for a few minutes, laughing as they point out all of the amazing details God put into it. Suddenly, they hear their father calling for them. Immediately, they fly to greet him, still reflecting on the beauty they shall never be used to.
"Yes, father?" Michael greets him.
"How are you on this fine day?" Lucifer asks, giddy as he thinks about the garden.
God is less enthusiastic. His voice booms throughout the garden, loud and angry as he speaks.
"Eve decided to eat the fruit," he informs them.
"What?" Michael says in shock.
"She would never!" Lucifer adds. "She knows she is not supposed to. You must be mistaken!"
"I do not make mistakes," God says angrily. "She ate the fruit from the tree in the center of the garden, and she knew it was wrong as she did it."
"Why? Why would she do that?" Lucifer asks, heartbroken. He cares for the girl, just as he was told to. It's clear, even to Michael, that his love for her extends far beyond what is required of him.
"A serpent told her to," God informs him. "He told her that the fruit was okay to eat, and that she it would come only with the consequence of becoming a god like myself. I know this snake was not mine. You two were the only two in the garden at the time. Which of you created this serpent?"
God holds up a snake to show the angels. They both gasp when they see it, quietly but noticeably. It is the snake Michael made, to demonstrate his abilities, which reach far beyond those of a human's.
"Well?" God asks impatiently. "Who made it?"
The two angels share a look. Michael does not want to admit he created this creature. His father would be so mad at him! But he cannot keep this from Him. He would find out somehow. He must tell his father.
"It was me," Lucifer lies. "I did it. I was showing Michael what separates us from the humans, so I made the snake. I did not realize that it would-"
"It does not matter," God interrupts. "Your creature convinced Eve to eat the fruit. You tried to create, and it came out dangerously flawed."
"As did your creation," Lucifer replies. "It is not entirely the fault of the serpent. Eve made a mistake as well. It is unfair to blame it all on me, when it was your creatures who did it as well."
"You dare to question my ways?" God demands, outraged. "I did not make the mistake. Eve did, and Adam as well when he followed her. They have been punished for it. The serpent did, and will be punished, as well. And you did, when you created it. You must be punished as well."
"No, Father, please!" Lucifer cries. "I am sorry!"
"Your apology will not help the humans."
"The humans are beyond help now. They made a grave mistake. They directly disobeyed your orders! They deserve the punishment! It is not because of me that your creations are flawed! It is not my fault that they decided to eat the apple. They are flawed! They are failures! They are a miserable excuse for children. Father, you must see this!"
"Enough!" God yells. "How dare you say this to me? How dare you question me? My creations? I created you! You are no better than them. No, you are worse! At least they had a reason to question what they were told. They had their serpent. You do not. You were supposed to be with them, watching them! Instead, you were playing in the garden like a child, completely disobeying your orders! And for what? A few minutes of fun? You should be ashamed of yourself!"
"Why should I be ashamed?" Lucifer asks, angry now as well. "I have been working tirelessly since their creation to keep your humans safe. First it was Adam and Lilith, and now Adam and Eve. It was not my idea to make such flawed beings, it was yours! You made them, so why should I have to watch them?"
"Because I told you to!" God yells. "Lucifer, I love you. Really, I do. But you need to learn your place. I am the leader, not you. You disobeyed my orders, and you must deal with the consequences. I am sorry, Lucifer."
Michael watches in shocked silence as God sends him favorite son to Hell. He leaves the eldest angel alone, and he does not know what to do now. His brother is gone. His best friend. What is there to do at all?