The Fall For Love

Chapter 11: The King

As Lucifer stepped back into Hell, he came face to face with a concerned looking Jophiel.

"I came looking for you brother, you were gone for so lo-" 

He was cut off by Lucifer's curt reply: "I am fine, Jophiel."

"And Lilith?" He noticed a look of pure sorrow cross Lucifer's features, but it was soon gone, replaced by a cold hard look.

"She has gone." His voice was emotionless, but his pain was still clear to Jophiel.

"I am so sorry brother." In a split second, Jophiel was lifted from his feet with Lucifer's rage-filled face inches from his own.

"I do not need your pity." Lucifer's features softened and his next words were quiet. "I need you to find a way to help me bring her back to me." He let Jophiel go, before sinking to the ground.

Jophiel crouched down beside him, unfazed by his brother's outburst and placed a hand on his bowed head.

"Whatever it takes, I will stand beside you. You and Lilith will be reunited again, we will all make sure of it."

"Thank you, brother." Lucifer raised his head and offered him a sad smile. Jophiel stood and held out a hand.

"Do you want to see your palace?"

*

Uriel stood outside of the Throne room. He had agreed to report back to The Father after he had seen Lucifer, but he was nervous. 

Seeing his brother break down as he had, made Uriel realise just how real the love between Lucifer and Lilith was.

He had never argued with his Father's decisions before, but this time he was unsure.

His thoughts were soon interrupted by The Father's booming voice.

"Do not be nervous my son, please enter." Uriel pushed open the doors to see his Father sat upon his throne. "You have questions for me...but first, how is Lucifer?"

"I have never seen him so upset Father, her death....it was all too much for him." he lowered his head. "It is clear that he loves her."

"Do you think that I should let them be together child?"

"I have never questioned your judgement Father, I know all that you do is for a reason, but....I need to know why you will not let them be together." The Father motioned for Uriel to sit.

"Love and infatuation are two very different things my son. Twenty years for a human is a long time, but it is no time at all for us. I worry that Lucifer's infatuation with Lilith is fuelled by the fact that he is forbidden to be with her. I love him so much, but he does not know what love truly is...but he will learn, I know it."

"I am worried he will do something foolish."

"I know that he plans on finding a way to take Lilith to Hell with him, but therein lies the problem." He leans forward, piercing Uriel with a look. "If he really does love her, the last thing he will want to do is to damn her, as he has been."

"I understand Father...I am sorry to have questioned you." Uriel rose from his seat.

"Uriel?" He turned back to face The Father. "I love you all equally, please know that. Lucifer just has a different path he must follow but I still have faith that he will make the right choice...and that you will be there to support him." Uriel smiled and nodded.

"For all time." The Father stood and embraced Uriel.

"Thank you, my son."

*

As they crest the hill, the view that greeted Lucifer took his breath away. The massive structure in the middle of the ravaged landscape was the first thing that caught his attention. It was almost an exact replica of the heavenly palace. The plants and fauna that made up the walls and ceiling were made of solid gold. There was no natural light in that place, but the countless amounts of candles and fires burning, illuminated the walls, so much so that it almost hurt to look at it for too long.

"It's...magnificent." Lucifer turned to Jophiel with a genuine smile. "Far more beautiful than father's palace."

"I'm glad you think so, brother."

"I do...but our work is far from done."

"What do you mean?"

"We will be taking on many more souls here...and it will be our job to punish them." Jophiel looked at his brother in disbelief.

"A message from father?"

"A deal."

*

Lucifer took easily to his new role as ruler of Hell. He and his soldiers continued to work on the kingdom. They found their new influx of sinners to be most helpful, as part of their punishment was to do most of the back breaking work. Lucifer oversaw everything, it all had to be perfect if...no, when Lilith would join him. He had made no further progress finding a way to get to her, let alone bring her back with him and his frustration grew by the day.

Every night he would walk out to the palace gardens where the apple tree now stood, hoping that soon, it would call out to him so he could go to her once again.

His faith was beginning to waiver, but he would never miss a night....just in case.