Chapter 22: Enemies In Arms - Part 1

As Malique slowly opens his eyes, he sees the woody terrain that reminds him of the nightmare he just had. The image of his nemesis, Lucifer, who had already killed his friend and companion, was within his grasp before being interrupted by Michael.

Malique is frustrated that an Archangel, who is supposed to be an opposing force to the Demons, would help and protect their enemy. Whether it was real or not, the experience was just now from the dream, and he decides to believe that it is without a doubt.

"If I ever see that face again, I'll kill him," Malique grits his teeth as hard as he can, and a squeaking sound sparks from it that is inaudible for anyone to hear except him.

"I'd like to see you try," the voice that reminds him of his ordeal, Lucifer's voice, shakes him to the bone. "Though the outcome might dissatisfy you."

"Lucifer!" Malique stands up abruptly and tries to punch Lucifer, but he realizes both of his arms are tied with strings behind his back. Since there is no hand thrown, he loses his balance and tips forward onto Lucifer. "Oh."

"Haha, are you sure Gabriel personally trains this brat?" Lucifer mocks and pushes Malique so that he falls bottom first.

"Ouch!"

As anticipated, Malique's hatred toward Lucifer keeps growing. There is not a single thing about this fouled Demon that pleases him. He wonders how this creature managed to be considered by God as one of his followers.

"He still has some room to learn and grow, though." Michael appears from the bushes and walks to Malique. "Are you down to your senses now?"

"Michael! What's the meaning of this!?" Malique questions why he is apprehended and immobilized. Hopefully, his terror is pure fiction, or he is doomed.

"Relax, I did this to make sure you won't behave like you just did," Michael explains while undoing the ties on Malique's wrist. After they both stand, Michael continues. "Lucifer's an ally, so no need to be wary of him anymore."

"Huh!? A friend!? Are you out of your mind!?" Malique rants in disbelief. The person with the highest level of bounty on his head is claimed to be a helper by the renowned Archangel, almost giving him a heart attack.

"Well, that is something they can decide on after hearing his story," Michael adds. "He kept insisting that he tell both of us once they woke up."

"Didn't I tell you it's easier and quicker to tell both of you at once rather than having to repeat it twice?" Lucifer irritably replies. "So stop pestering me about it."

"Now's your chance."

"Long story short, I can swear that I did no such thing as you have professed," Lucifer states what he can procure in his recollection with an unfazed reaction.

"Liar!" Malique cuts in and Michael gives him an 'I'm tired of this, can't you act properly at least once?' kind of face.

"Call me what you want, all I can say is that I'm telling the truth."

"Amnesic?" Michael chimes in. "That's peculiar, do you mind elaborating?"

"Remember the ceremony when God finally mastered his perfect creation, Adam?"

All of them can recall an event right before the Great War because no one is excluded from attending.

"Yeah, the first human to be formed into life."

"After the convention, I was walking with Gabriel and we had a conversation, but I can't remember what it was." Lucifer clears everything out. "And the next thing I come across is you two, where both of you went after each other."

"So not the slightest recollection of the fight you had with both of us before that?" Michael asks for an extra piece of information.

"No."

"Don't trust him, Michael. Everything they spit out is nothing but lies."

[Fwoop!]

Lucifer bares his wings out and snags Malique by his neck, lifting him using only one of his arms. While Malique is taken aback by the gesture, Michael remains calm on the side and attempts to calm Lucifer down.

"Lucifer, don't tempt him. It's not worth your time." Michael settles and raises his left hand to show his earnestness. "Believe me."

"Believe you, and you put this chain on me!?" Lucifer lashes out while staring at Michael, and a magical circle materializes on his neck.

The Ring of Devourer? Did Michael plant those because he still doubts whether Lucifer is the mastermind or not? Ack! His choke is killing me.

"Try me, and this kid won't see the future that you try to uphold." Lucifer threatens and tightens the choke. Seeing Malique wimp from such action, Michael surrenders.

[Snap!]

"Fine." The loop disappears after the click, and Lucifer lets go of Malique in return. Hastily, Michael goes after Malique to check for the injuries he sustains. "Are you alright?"

"Don't mind about me," Malique exclaims, while raspingly trying to breathe.

"After all the things that I told you and the trust I gave, this is what I get in return?" Lucifer frantically vociferates his discontent. "Fuck both of you!"

"Big words coming from you, huh?" Malique ridicules. "Does massacring thousands of Angels boost your confidence?"

"So what if I killed them?" The statement hooks both Malique and Michael. "Are you going to stop me? Hah, your strength doesn't compare to mine. Try all you might, even in another universe, I can keep track of a clean sheet."

In the wake of Lucifer's confession, a symbol unknown to Malique pops up in Lucifer's eyes. When he thinks about it, he also saw a mark in Beelzebub's eyes. As he tries to tell Michael about it, he can see that his companion trembles in fear.

"M-Michael?" Malique calls out.

"A-Alright, we're mistaken," Michael vouches. "Let's leave this argument as a loss for us."

"Suit yourself." Lucifer turns around and steps out.

"Michael, just now..."

"Consider ourselves lucky, Malique. If he undergoes the Sinner Transformation back there, think of it as if we're already dead."

"Is he that powerful?" Malique asks.

"Even under an influence, he managed to hold himself against us. If he transformed, well no one ever lives to tell the tale," Michael shrugs.

"About the Ring of Devourer..."

"I attached it when you were asleep. Things were quite tranquil then, so I had to take some measurements," Michael clarifies.

"Michael. *Sob* I thought you switched sides." Malique goes in for a hug but gets pushed away by him.

"Stop playing around for God's sake," Michael displeases. "We almost got sent to see God in an instance, and you're already relieved."

"Not that I have any idea of what to do, unlike you," Malique says, feeling fed up with his lack of ability. "Do you have plans on how to deal with Lucifer?"

"Let me try again," Michael replies.

They follow the trail to where Lucifer left off and find themselves back on the mainland, out of the forest. There, Lucifer can be seen standing alone, motionless. Whether he is waiting for them or not, he has not continued on his path.

"Um, Lucifer?" Michael calls out.

"What else do you want?" Lucifer greets them back without looking.

"Where are you heading to?"

"Heaven," Lucifer answers after staying silent for a couple of seconds.

"H-Heaven?" Michael and Malique simultaneously vocalize the same word.

"Got a problem with that?"

"N-No," Michael replies.

"Why, though?" Malique inquires.

"I need answers," Lucifer responds. "Everything that you guys just said seems unreal to me. And God is all-knowing."

"Just to check, but you're currently exiled from Heaven," Michael reminds him that no Demon is allowed to set foot in Heaven.

"Who cares?" Lucifer finally reveals one side of his face to them. "I barged in because I know the envoy won't welcome me. If God wants to stop me, I won't be standing here, am I?"

"Everyone still thinks of you as a murderer," Michael warns. "Sharp blades and detestation are the only things that await you there."

"Doesn't the fact that both of you are alive retract against the claim of me as a bona fide murderer?" Lucifer jokes before steadily hovering in the air. "See you guys, then."

"Wait!" But before the word can get through, the receiver is out of catching reach. As a result, Michael unfurls his wings and soars after. "Malique, we'll follow him."

"O-Oh, alright," Malique quickly unfolds his wings and accompanies Michael.

Thinking back on it, Lucifer's belief in God by far surpasses almost all of the Angels, including Malique himself. Shamefully, he has to agree on this one and rethink the firmness of his faith.

It also makes him ponder whether the Angels are actually righteous or if they just proclaim to be. Has his hatred towards the Demons and Lucifer, in particular, gone down? Honestly, the emotion is riding a roller coaster in his heart.

Still, with what the other Demons of Sins profess and the incidents that most others have gone through, Lucifer declares nothing more than a bluff. But to stop him now and after what he reveals, letting the story unfold looks like the best optional choice.