Chapter 242: IT'S TIME TO ENDURE

Flashback:

"What is it?" Satan asked young Asmodeus,

Who shyly backs away.

"It's not yet finished yet."

"Well, what is it anyway?"

Asmodeus shakes his head as he hides the piece of paper behind him,

But Satan was much curious, and his patience was woring thin.

He playfully smiles and walks behind Asmodeus,

Poking his hand, and asking him to make him see the paper.

Asmodeus whines, not wanting Satan near it.

But after Satan pretends to be saddened,

He gave in.

Satan excitedly looks up at the paper,

And saw the colorful, childish scribbles.

He may have seen heaven before,

But in his eyes, what he was holding now, was even more beautiful.

"I see...you drew me and you holding hands?

Hah, I'd like to see what your reaction would be when you grow up.

You'd definitely get embarrassed."

"I'll still hold your hand when I get older."

Satan couldn't dare hold back his laughter.

"That's the funniest lie I've ever heard.

You won't...there's no way that's what you'd do."

"But I love you very much. Sir Michael says that holding hands shows trust.

And I trust you with all of my heart."

Satan's own dropped by the revelation,

But he felt even more pissed that Michael was mentioned.

(That bastard...that bastard who did nothing to help this innocent child,)

Satan grits his teeth, and heavily sighs.

"Tsk. Listen here, Asmodeus.

Never do these three things.

First, don't trust anyone.

Second, don't love anyone.

And third, don't put your faith unto anyone."

"Then what am I supposed to feel with you?"

"Well, I'm an excemption, of course. There'd be no time I'd betray or harm you, Asmodeus.

But...I'm afraid other people would.

So, you better be careful out there.

Listen, look only for yourself."

"A life...without trusting, and loving anyone?

Your life might have truly sucked.

But hey, you love me, right?"

The child asked with innocent onyx eyes.

Satan was cringing at the question,

Not sure if he was to answer.

But seeing the wide smile across his face,

He only grabbed the young demon, to a warm embrace.

"Does this answer your question?"

Satan asked, as Asmodeus giggles.

"Put a frame on my drawing after I'm done!

I want it on your office!"

"Oh, Lucifer would be mad."

"Why so?"

"You know how vain he is,

He'd complain that he's not included."

"Then I'll add him here!"

"Oh no, you won't! Once he sees the drawing innacurately portray his face,

He'll burn it to ashes.

I'll just keep this somewhere only I know.

And let's come back to this again when you feel like it."

"Okay!"

"Don't forget this Asmodeus, it'd be a promise.

Once you grow older, you'll draw me something better.

And when you're confident enough to portray that narcissistic Lucifer,

Maybe I can hang it on every wall-"

"You can count on that!

I won't forget this!"

Asmodeus said as he held Satan's hand again,

"Don't hurt me Lord Satan. You're the only person I trust.

That'd be your promise to me, okay?

It'd mean a lot."

Satan looks at the demon,

Unaware of how to respond.

He was still skeptical trusting anyone,

Especially knowing that demons have no such.

He looks at Asmodeus in his eyes,

Scanning his emeralds, if they're ever to lie.

But corruption had not yet sprouted fully in his heart,

He was still an angel, in a demon's disguise.

He tightened the hold on Asmo's hands,

And promised to himself quietly,

That he'd never, ever try.

...

Satan could barely blink,

Seeing Asmodeus fall to his knees.

Both of his palms were already heavily bleeding from the heat,

While his eyes, forcibly trying to stay open, despite being too weak.

He gagged out blood as his body tries to get up,

But truth be told, sheer will isn't enough.

He wanted to fight on, to do what he think was right,

But just like Satan, Asmodeus, seemed to be holding back.

"Asmodeus...you're such an idiot.

You knew you'd lose, and you still fought."

"You knew you could kill me in three hits,

And here I am, still alive.

You are not the demon,

You once was."

Hanah's own words sprung back to Satan's head.

He isn't...it wasn't his true name.

"Faegan, Faegan, isn't it?

At least...that's what the voice says."

Asmodeus mumbles as he finally looks up,

"Faegan, the side of you, that's so full of love."

"I...no, I am not. Faegan is long dead."

"Can you truly imagine, Satan, saving a little kid?"

"Asmodeus, you are not...you don't understand.

I am not...Faegan is no longer alive.

This is me, the being made by Lucifer's own wrath."

"Made by his anger and hate? But where is that?"

Satan froze, and touches his heart.

The hate, the anger, they were all gone.

"It wouldn't be fitting to still call you like that,

Right now, where I see...no evil intention in your eyes."

Asmodeus walks up to what he viewed as his father for all of the years he could remember.

His steps were slow and shaky, like that of a toddler.

And like before, the red-eyed demon opened his hands to show support,

This time, tears falling, whispering and hoping, that Asmo would endure.

Finally, Asmodeus falls to his guardian's arms,

"See? You didn't...you'd never do me harm."

Faegan by then, could no longer hold back,

And his crimson red eyes, turned completely black.

"Asmodeus...how could you hurt me this much?"

"Isn't it obvious? It's because of love."

The demon hugged Asmodeus, as if he was still a little child,

But before he could do more,

His eyes opened wide.

He pushed Asmodeus away the moment he sensed arrows approaching.

Lucifer, was all this time, watching.

And his act of embrace caused him this fate,

Kneeling on the ground, arrows on his chest.

Michael and Raphael were still on defense,

Putting up their barriers, and healing themselves.

"Satan, how could you betray me?

I thought you were smart.

Don't tell me you're not willing to harm this foolish child?

Satan...

Don't you dare pick the wrong side."

"I've picked the wrong side before.

And hold unto the wrong name all along.

I am not Satan. I'm just a mere vessel for your plans.

And this time, Lucifer. I'm not going back to hell

I don't need to hurt Asmodeus further,

I've...I've already put him in countless dangers.

It was...it was a blessing he got out of this hellhole,

This hellhole you made me worship all along.

F*ck you and your narcissism, Lucifer.

You're not going to end up as victor.

Look around you,

The angels are singing, of love and joy.

They are happy, and what about you?

No matter what you'll have and what you'll earn,

You'll never be able to feel satisfaction,

Everything here won't be enough to feed your ego,

You'll always keep wanting more.

Isn't that what they've always told you?

No matter how big you see yourself in the mirror,

To God...

You're one...big loser."

Lucifer had his claws double its length,

Preparing to stab his newfound fiend.

But before he could land any hit,

Chains wrapped aroud him.

Asmodeus' legs continued to shake,

As his other eye, continued to bleed.

He was on the verge of collapse, but continued to endure it,

"Every little pain, it's...it's all worth it."

Faegan's heart melt the moment he saw his condition,

Fighting and hoping, still full of reasons.

Asmodeus' good eye, couldn't help but release tears however,

Not truly certain,

If he'd to hold Sellena after.

He gulped his worries away,

Trying to focus on making Lucifer's arm break.

But the action only fueled his fury,

And in mere seconds, he was freed.

Asmo's eye bulged when he saw his chains collapse just like that.

He then lost conciousness, as a result from losing too much blood.

Lucifer laughed as he ran towards Faegan's favorite,

"Watch me Satan! Watch me kill him!"

A heavy body then pinned Lucifer to the ground,

Breaking his wings, and making him yell outloud.

Michael then slammed Lucifer's head on the soil,

And in a fervent voice, asked Selaphiel for any help he could offer.

Lucifer was then shocked when he heard Selaphiel's own voice,

Warning Lucifer that he won't be able to do things on his own accord.

But the proud demon did not listened at all,

So Selaphiel told Michael,

That he would give up his soul.

After hearing Selaphiel's heartbreaking consent,

Michael signalled Raphael to give their whole strength.

Lucifer was shocked feeling the fast beating in his chest.

Selaphiel...despite Lucifer's strong mental,

was threatening to break free.

"I will help my brothers, Lucifer.

Thank you for making me see what's truly inside you.

Now, I can confirm you're too far from saving,

For not a pinch of light can be found here.

I'm sorry,

But you'll have to die.

With or without me."

Lucifer felt chills hearing his voice with such conviction,

But didn't let the fear take him over.

He shot out a thousand other arrows,

And three of them, grew the size of a pole-bigger.

.

.

.

Faegan continued to vomit blood,

But hearing Asmodeus cough the same,

He grew determined to stand up.

He walked towards him,

And cried even more seeing his battered state.

His tail was broken and his wings were chipped,

Even his handsome and flawless face was not the same.

He then slowly held Asmo's hands,

And in a wavering voice,

Apologized to everything he has done.

He brushed his copper hair,

And wiped the blood off his face,

He hoped to print his face forever,

On his mind, for eternity engraved.

"It was saddening to think that this year may be the last,

But I hope...you'd continued to live on, and...

forget our promise, I'ts not important.

But know one thing,

I...I love you...a lot.

I hope I could have done better for you,

I hope I saw things the way they truly were.

I...I could have saved you in a better way,

And yet...I drove you...into this state.

I'm sorry my Asmodeus.

Please...keep fighting. Stay focused..." Faegan then looked above the skies,

silently praying,

that his Asmodeus would live the way he wants.

Suddenly, he saw that Raphael had grown stuck by the huge pole-like arrows, Lucifer decided to throw unto earth.

Even Lucifer's allies, become victims of his weapon.

And knowing that the angels can't afford to lose another leader,

He bolted out, and decided to save the archangel from danger.

Michael on the other hand was fighting Lucifer head on,

"You never changed Lucifer! You never learn!"

.

.

.

Asmodeus was woken up by the unholy screams surrounding him,

From the clear agony of an angel,

To the clashing of metal and skin.

He opened his eyes, and though blurred with his own blood,

Couldn't help but yell,

After he was presented by the devastating fact.

"NO!!! NO WAY!!!" Asmodeus couldn't help but shout in pain.

As Raphael could only,

apologetically stare.