The Angel In Hell

The Stupid and The Proud

Jealousy is a raging fire. It is one that will burn and destroy a person from the inside out, but they don't scream out against the flames. Rather, they bathe in it, dance in it, enjoy the fire as it melts their skin, and turns their bones to nothing but trivial ash. Similar to the mythical phoenix, it is from their ashes that they are reborn. They look like themselves, speak and walk in the same fashion, but internally something has changed. There is a darkness within them, one that will not go away. It feeds, and feeds on one like a leech, until it becomes that person's master. It feeds until there is nothing of them left.

One may believe that something so horrid could never reach the likes of the divine, but that assumption is incorrect. It is from this phenomena that sin was created, and it is from this phenomena that mankind suffers. A phenomena whose creation can only be blamed on the Angel of Music, an angel that had lost his way.

The Angel of Music was once God's most cherished creation, and was known as Lucifer amongst those in the kingdom of Heaven. The name had much significance "light-bearer," for Lucifer brought light and joy to all. His beauty was unmatched, and his music most seraphic. For a long while, everything was at peace.

 However, the moment would come when all the praise he received warped the being he was, into one much more superficial and vain. Lucifer saw his beauty and perfection as power- a power he deemed to be unmatched by any other. This made him prideful, and jealous of the beings who had more power than himself. He claimed them to be unworthy of such greatness. In his eyes, true power was his, and his alone.

Thus, he rallied his allies to wage a war against God in order to usurp Heaven's throne. All those who stood with Lucifer admired him greatly, and trusted his judgement without question. He convinced them that God was selfish with his power, keeping his subjects in chains while he used them like idle playthings. He convinced them that the only way to freedom would be to overthrow God and his most trusted angels. He convinced them that if he had God's power, they'd never suffer again. Oh, how foolish they were...

The battle ensued, and Lucifer lost. He and his followers were then banished to the depths of Hell for all eternity. Heaven itself was in shambles- the once cheery, lively, and exquisite place was left with debris and sadness. The only music was the symphony of screams from the fallen traitors, as they suffered the pain of one thousand deaths, and failed to fend off their worst nightmares. No one in Heaven thought it right to automatically turn a blind eye to their pain, for these treacherous individuals used to be friends of theirs, people they loved. Their hearts grieved for what was no more, and what would never return.

 As time passed, the grief they all felt began to subside, and Heaven became a joyous place once more, filled with love and laughter. Yet it still was much too silent without the gift of music. So, God created I, and bestowed me with the name "Erik-" a name that means "powerful."

I used to never find that name quite fitting, for I was very humble and meek. Bombastic melodies would enter my mind, yet I would only dare to tinker around with the instruments, afraid that I would be judged and disliked if I was too bold. Regardless, I was happy, everyone treated me with kindness, and I felt as if nothing could be better.

Though, my happiness was short-lived. Word of my existence had reached the Devil's ears, and from what was told to us, he was beyond angry. He was jealous, and he believed that because of my existence, he would soon be forgotten. Being forgotten was something he would not stand for.

No being in Heaven took this news lightly, and precautions were taken with the intention of keeping everyone safe. However, those precautions proved to not be enough against Lucifer's cunning.

In the form of smoke he went past the gates, unbeknownst to anyone. The majority of us were sleeping, and only a few stood guard, not making much out of the fog. I was asleep as well, oblivious to when that smoke entered my chamber, and transformed into a venomous serpent.

I awoke from a searing pain caused by his two fangs that entered the right side of my face. My screams of agony as the burning venom spread rang throughout the kingdom, but when God and his angels arrived, it was too late, the venom had stopped spreading, the damage was already done. 

 I couldn't see what had happened to me, but I could feel it. Part of my lip was swollen, part of my brain exposed to the sudden wind, and internally, a darkness had taken root. As the people I cared for stared at me with pity and horror, as the Devil transformed into a man, and laughed mockingly at his accomplishment, I let that darkness fester within me, I let the ugliness come within. And I was greeted with an emotion which I had never felt before- hate. I hated their stares, I hated his laughter, and I hated that he had won. He had corrupted me to the point of no return.

It was ruled that I could no longer reside in Heaven, nor could I reside on what God planned to call "Earth." My darkness was spreading too quickly, and I was seen as a danger to anything good. As a result, I was ordered to dwell in Hell for eternity, and deal with Lucifer as my master. However, I was granted the freedom to spend one night each year on Earth away from his tyranny. It was as much kindness as God was able to offer.

Now, after millenniums of being in the Devil's presence I have learned many things. He is powerful, but also boastful and insecure. He is always looking for more power, more things to have dominion over, so he can feel omnipotent. In the aftermath of his deceit in the Garden of Eden, he had his followers refer to him as "Satan," for he was and is God's greatest adversary. 

Though, I also have learned a plethora of things about myself. For instance, my favourite instrument is the violin, it makes the Devil livid when he hears me play, and his anger makes my music all the more enjoyable. But most importantly, I have learned the significance of my name. God knew it was absolute power that Lucifer sought, and he was determined not to give it to him. There is a strength in me, a power, that burns brightly within. A power that no matter how hard Lucifer has tried to destroy it, it will not succumb to his will. I may be his pet, his servant, his plaything, but I am also his aggravation, his match, his monster, and his greatest obstacle. I am a power that he will never truly possess.

A/N:

Yay, a new story! So, this part serves as the prologue to start off the rest of the story. I thought it best to lay down the groundwork instead of providing this information later. What do you guys think so far? Are you nervous to read ahead? This story will have heavy subject matter. If you liked this, please comment and vote! Due to the subject matter, the direction I go with this story will be somewhat based on the feedback I receive.