Awakening Chronicles

Chapter 23

When Lucifer crossed the threshold of the arena, Nemesis' body started to repair itself rapidly. Her broken arms twisted and contorted until they went back to their original shape. Her chest fluttered strangely for a moment before it started to expand outwards, and the bruises began to fade rapidly, and then her clothes began to stitch up slowly. He brought her up the stairs and into the observation room and set her down gently on the couch.

I quickly rushed over to her and was immediately relieved to see that there was no permanent damage done to her body. "That was a brutal fight to watch," I told Lucifer as I sat down next to Nemesis and watched over her.

"My apologies Lord Progenitor. When she used her judgment skill, she forced me to feel the pain of all the wrongs I committed. I lost control." He told me meekly as he took his spot next to Malek.

I let out a sigh of sadness. I wanted to be angry, she was like my daughter, but there was no use in freaking out. This was more of a learning experience for both of us. "I understand. It just hurt me to see her like that. When will she wake up?"

Malek waved, and the popcorn vanished into thin air. "A couple of minutes."

I pressed a hand to her forehead, and Lucifer stepped forward and spoke again, "I admired how she fought. She never gave up, even when she knew she had no chance of winning. My father was the same way." His voice trailed off as he started to relive his past, and he started to toy with that ring on his finger.

I felt Nemesis stir under my touch, and her eyes fluttered open. A tired groan escaped from her, and she forced herself to sit up. Her eyes seemed dull, and she slumped her shoulders. "That was rough. You win this time, Lucifer." She said as she let out a defeated sigh. I wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a light, reassuring hug. I was glad she was okay.

Her words tore Lucifer from his thoughts, and he stepped forward. "Nemesis, you passed my test." He told her as she looked up at him and scrunched her face up in confusion.

"What test?" She asked as she started to massage her shoulder.

He gave her a soft smile and extended his hand out, towards her. "The first test of many."

She tentatively reached her hand out and took his, and he helped her to her feet. "You have impressed me with your display, granted you have much to learn, but I respect your style."

She gave him a nod and a soft smile. "Thank you Lucifer, that means a lot to me."

He went to speak again only for Malek to clear his throat and interject into the conversation.

"Well, that was rather entertaining, thanks for the show," Malek told me as he stood up. He snapped his fingers, and the gun that Nemesis was using appeared in his hand. He walked over to Nemesis and handed it over to her. "This is your gift for passing his first test. Please accept this Artificer as your own."

She fervently shook her head, "I can't take this. This is too rare of a weapon for me to take."

Malek gave her a large grin and forced it into her hands, "Nonsense. Take it. I have a few more laying around in storage. I would much prefer that you have this one instead."

With a look of resignation, she took it and attached it to her right hand. It shifted itself around for a moment before it shrunk down to fit her hand like a glove. She touched the top of it softly, and I saw a faint smile appear on her face.

Lucifer glanced over to me and dropped to his knee, "Lord Progenitor, please forgive me for not addressing you when we first met."

I quickly beckoned for him to stand, "No, please stop with the formality, it drives me nuts when my deities do it." I told him as he stood up and dusted the clothes off of his pants.