Chapter 26: Father and son
"Next time, Father, don't send a demon to kill me. Come yourself," I said, my chest burning with anger, as I threw the four daggers at his feet. Maze picked up one of them.
"They're real—the four that disappeared from the forges," he said, touching the edge.
Lucifer stared at me, searching for signs of dishonesty regarding my claim to be Evelin's son. Eventually, he stated, "I've been looking for any trace of her for 15 years. My demons reported that she had died." This statement drove me crazy, and my anger exploded.
"After witchcraft murdered her, a magician named Felix Faustus—murderer of my mother's murderer in Gotham—abducted me and kept me in chains for 10 years," I said, revealing my scarred body. My anger made my body tremble.
"I tore my skin, shed blood, fractured bones, and lost my eyes. This continued until 5 years ago when my time to die arrived. Death found me, and then Aunt Azrael eradicated the Wizard's soul. She took me to heaven, where Grandfather granted me something to sustain my life. I've been fending for myself for five years. Less than 10 days ago, you sent a demon to Earth with four demonic daggers," I added, the new dagger wound in my liver.
Lucifer recognized I was not lying and became furious with what he was witnessing. "I didn't know you existed. I dispatched demons to search for Evelin, but not the one who attacked you. They never mentioned you or your existence," Lucifer admitted with regret in his voice. He seemed broken, mentally shattered.
I raised my hand and smashed through a wall. "That's your problem. You sent demons to search for Mama. She prayed for you when her throat was slit. I prayed for you when I was skinned alive. Yet, you didn't move from that comfortable chair of yours," I yelled, anger pointing to the throne. Hell itself trembled, cracks forming in the walls and ceiling.
"I can't. Father banished me to Hell," Lucifer replied, his voice weak.
"King of Hell, what a joke. Let me tell you the greatest truth in the world. You've always had the Free Will you invoke Grandfather for. All the Uncles have it. There might be a damn plan for everyone, but that doesn't mean you have to follow it. You're shielded by the fact that you were created by Grandfather and Grandmother, with the purpose that you'd take pride until the end. My mother was just another game for you. If you cared, you would've left Hell, searched for her yourself—without demons. You know, a simple look from you could've saved her, a simple thought could've ended everything. You could've disintegrated witchcraft if you wished. But you decided not to do anything—for me or for her," I shouted in anger, destroying nearly the entire palace in a fit of rage.
After a couple of breaths, I left, using all my power to break through space. Lucifer tried to stop me but failed.
Lucifer staggered, collapsing onto his crumbling throne, gazing at the daggers. "He physically resembles you, and her character reflects her mother. Yet, I also see something of your Mother in those eyes, the talent in magic, and the unintentional destruction she caused," a voice spoke.
It was God, seated amidst the ruins, around a fire. Lucifer looked up.
"Father, why? Why didn't you tell me I had a son with Evelin? He's my son," Lucifer cried out, his anger now mixed with regret. He realized he had let his own blood endure horrors—a simple child abandoned by all.
"Because, you see, my child, look around you. Ethan is right about everything. You've always had free will, but you refuse to accept it because it's frightening. You've always sought to be perfect. I've always been proud of you, not just because you were my first creation, but because you're my son. I sent you here to experience Earth and enjoy freedom. Whether you ruled Hell or not wouldn't have mattered," God explained, his tone gentle.
"We've always been free," Lucifer whispered from his shattered throne.
"You were never bound. Even if there was a plan, you weren't obligated to follow it. Ethan discovered this long ago. If you were predestined to be created, what does destiny mean for you or for him?" God smiled.
"What do I do now, Father?" Lucifer asked, his gaze searching for guidance.
"Son, you're free to do whatever you want with your life," God replied.
"If I decide to go to Earth, will you stop me?" Lucifer questioned, tension in his voice.
"No, though Amenadiel might try something," God said, and Lucifer clenched his fists.
"What do I need to do to meet my son?" Lucifer inquired, his hands trembling.
"Give it time and patience. He's like you and your mother. Allow him space and time. Try to understand why he's the way he is. He's been through something incredibly tough. It's surprising he hasn't succumbed to the darkness. Perhaps his capacity for love is even greater than mine, as is his anger and thirst for revenge," God advised, leaving Hell with a contemplative Lucifer.
"Maze, pack your things. We're going on vacation," Lucifer announced, looking at Mazikeen.
"It might be fun, plus I can annoy my half-brother," she responded with a hint of amusement.
"Off to Los Angeles we go," Lucifer declared, rising and repairing the palace.
Ethan had returned to Earth, lying on the grass for a few minutes to savor fresh, clean air. After a brief respite, I spread my wings and soared to the Tower of Destiny. Upon reaching Salem, I found it enclosed in a magical dome. With little effort, I opened a gap and entered.
Inside, I saw Nabu's helmet and Klarion, the Lord of Chaos, locked in combat. Enraged, I unleashed all my power without restraint.
Klarion appeared frightened. "No, no, what's a Demiurge doing on Earth?" I roared in terror. Moving swiftly, I grasped his neck and squeezed, all while Klarion struggled, attempting to release energy to free himself.
"Klarion, Lord of Chaos, why are you in the Tower of Destiny?" I demanded in a deep, menacing voice, creating tremors that resonated throughout the world. Klarion hesitated to respond, and I increased the pressure on his windpipe.
"I asked you a question. Answer me, or I will permanently end your existence. You should know who I am and what I'm capable of," I bellowed, tightening my grip and causing the orange cat to scratch at my armor in desperation.
"You wouldn't harm a kitten," he whimpered in panic.
"Kitten? You know it's your tether to Earth, and there's nothing 'cat' about it. I'm not in the mood. I just escaped damn Hell and fought someone I never wanted to encounter in my entire life," I taunted, my grip fracturing Klarion's spine as I continued to squeeze.
Klarion screamed in agony, his spine broken. "Alright, I'll tell you. I came to eliminate that old man. Satisfied?" Klarion moaned through the pain.
"Yes," I replied before using Condemnation to blast the infernal cat's head off. The first shot was weak, fueled by frustration. I fired countless more times, torturing Klarion and eliciting agonized screams. After the 27th shot, Klarion vanished.
I turned to Nabu. "Nabu, Lord of Order, release your host," I commanded, approaching him.
"No, the world requires me," Nabu protested.
"Needed? Don't make me laugh. I'm not in the mood, and don't be insolent in my presence. This wasn't a request; it was an order," I declared, advancing with my wings fully extended. Nabu seemed to panic, and the tower itself shook violently.
"The world requires a host. Someone must oppose the Lords of Chaos," Nabu persisted.
"Requiring you? Spare me. I just emerged from Hell, and I've battled someone I never wished to see. My patience is limited, and don't dare insolence in my presence. I gave an order, not a plea," I retorted, my power and wings radiating an overwhelming presence. The tower trembled even more.
"I require a host," Nabu insisted.
I stared at him for a moment. "Alright, here's the deal: I'll resurrect Nelson to inhabit his wife Inza's body. I'll give them an extra 20 years of life as a gesture of gratitude for seeking me out. They'll train a new Dr. Fate. However, you won't have control. You'll only provide power. If I discover that you've used someone as a permanent vessel, chaos and order will cease to exist, and I will restore balance. Never play games with me, Nabu," I warned, closing the distance between us.
"Nelson agrees," Nabu conceded.
I plucked a golden feather from my wing, squeezing it until it turned into golden dust. I let it descend slowly, forming the shape of a human woman on the floor. With a snap of my fingers, two orbs of light appeared—one larger than the other.
Taking the larger orb, I pushed it into the woman's chest. She trembled. Then, I took the smaller orb and examined it. "Nabu, I'll extract Nelson's soul from the helmet," I informed him, and he nodded. I reached into his helmet, removing a piece of his soul, and combined it with the smaller orb. Afterward, I placed it back into Nelson's body and healed him.
"I've resurrected them. Now release the host you're possessing," I commanded Nabu. He removed his helmet, revealing Wally.
"I didn't expect this—a non-believer using the Helmet of Destiny," I remarked, surprised.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone