Chapter 251: THE ARRIVAL OF THE SNAKE

Zeharah soon felt warm liquid dripping down her shoulder,

And upon asking her brother to check, found out it was blood.

She quickly reached for her ear lobes,

And soon realized her beloved earring was lost.

Panic spread all over her face,

And even without much noise, it was obvious her mind was away.

Belphegor soon turned over and saw her face in deep distraught.

"Zeharah...it seemed that your beloved earring was lost."

Zeharah stopped a moment and wondered how he knew so quickly,

But soon remembered it might be the only thing she has that's unique.

Many angels who take a woman for a vessel,

Often have white hair and blue eyes, but only she, wears a dangle.

After remembering the precious thing she have lost,

She turned her head away from him, and continued to sulk.

"Sorry, Belphegor. It was given by a kid she was fond of,

Dating back, from centuries ago."

The demon only nodded,

And this time, patted her shoulder in turn.

"I do not think that her sorrow is little.

I'd feel the same if I lose something I treasure.

Well then, it's too dangerous to go back to the armory room.

Who knows? Maybe there, lurks a monster.

But to soothe your anguish,

I'll send summons to reach it.

For now we have to get going,

This palace may trap us if we don't hurry."

"You are kind."

Zeharah softly spoke,

Which took Belphegor aback.

Yet he continued to stare as cold.

He looked straight ahead the darkness,

And waited for her words to continue.

While Zeharah felt her brother bump her hand,

Afraid she'd stir his emotions further.

"...but why is it...that you turned from us?"

Belphegor clicked his tongue,

And tried to remember.

It was a foolish reason if he was to think about it now,

But back then, his anger was pouring out.

"Sister," Joseph warned.

Afraid that she had touched a sensitive line.

Belphegor though, had remained calm.

And looked at her directly,

His heart feeling warm.

"And why is it...that most angels look alike?

Ah, now I remember why God had removed an angel's privilege to romantically love.

It's too distracting, too weakening, too destructive...

I shouldn't have fallen as hard as I did,

And yet...I did.

Zeharah...you and your brother are too lucky.

You were born without the longing for somebody.

But I, have always thought about her since she was gone.

Loving her and remembering her was what made me mad.

I...

I shouldn't have loved."

Zeharah and Joseph looked at each other knowingly,

They were in no position to judge how he feels.

"I'm sure if Luna was here, she'd be proud of what you've decided to become.

You left your title,

to aid us and serve God."

"Doing this little favor, will not erase what I did with my hands.

I may have lost both my horns, but I don't think it's enough.

I hope by the end of the war, I'd lose myself willingly.

I wanted to know where Luna went,

I want to see her again.

And yet, for now, I fear Death."

"It's not a shame to fear Death.

You shouldn't wish to meet her soon as well.

You should continue to live and think of what you must do to help,

So don't feel that living is a burden."

"My sister is right! Even angels cry!

But remember, we should not give up on life.

We are put above humans because we are meant to protect them,

We shouldn't feel disheartened!"

Belphegor smiled but soon felt something was off.

He signalled them to stay put, and soon saw the tightening walls.

"I'm afraid, we are close to something Azazel do not want us to see."

"What room are we about to enter now?"

"Nemue's study."

...

"Nemue's study?"

"Yes. The witch's room had now been a second lab room by Azazel since she passed.

There's a lot of documents and spells inside it,

It might help us or harm us. Or maybe both."

"Still, there must be answers,"

One door then started to rattle.

"I'm afraid you are right." Said Belphegor.

He quickly signalled them to take their distance.

As Belphegor summoned his monsters to stop the walls from becoming tight.

"I'll hurry and see what's inside."

"You better come back,"

"Oh, I have no plans yet to die."

Belphegor then opened the room and saw the important thing Azazel was hiding.

It was Nemue's body, which to his eye was slowly rotting.

A huge, spell-bound terarium however, was the one housing it,

With small glowing bugs, that seemed to preserve it.

When he turned to his right he saw even more bugs,

But it wasn't the most horrifying fact.

He saw dead corpses, of beautiful women,

And the bugs seemed to be taking flesh from them,

to try and fix Nemue's face.

"How ridiculous and absurd.

It seemed that he can't let her go.

That demon killed her and now this?

Azazel...must be crazy.

That bipolar demon is smart but an idiot.

How can he make something so-"

His words went back at him as he remembered Luna.

And soon held his scarf, and wondered if he was similar.

"Luna..."

He soon snapped back from reality after the bugs attempted to reach him,

But because he was constantly flying, they failed.

He scanned the room and looked for notes,

And found out that he had constantly experimented even outside Lucifer's cause.

"That traitor is too lucky he've lived this long.

If only I knew the danger he'd bring, I would have studied biology."

He soon saw something glowing on the cabinets,

And upon opening, saw different amulets.

He recognized the stone immediately.

His older creations had worn them as bracelets.

Nemue was also wearing something similar.

What was it now? Should he destroy them at once?

He decided to grab one and inspect further,

But the drawer quickly closed.

The swift motion had resulted to him losing his right hand,

And soon, ancient runes appeared on the walls.

He winced in great pain as he tried to make sense of what was happening,

But soon realized, that it may be the weakness, the answer to everything.

"It may house the creature's soul, or perhaps something that would free them,

Something they would follow,

Or a secret to know how they be sealed.

Either ways, they do not want me to find out.

So it must be too important to leave about."

He turned towards Zeharah and Joseph,

And warned them that Azazel's danger had not left.

"I must have found their weakness! They're trying to keep it from me!

You must escape however,

or you'll be-"

But the door shut immediately,

As he saw huge green eyes appear on the room,

reciting a poem so tauntingly.

Belphegor felt sleepy, and was the first time he tried to resist.

And because he knew he can't defeat the spell,

Had decided to cut his ears.

...

Lucifer panted as he looked at his ruined wings.

It took so much effort, to make Selaphiel weak.

And even if he had managed to free himself from the angels' powerful summon,

It in turn, had made him badly battered.

The angels were just as exhausted,

But like Lucifer, refused to admit defeat.

Michael on the other hand, quickly felt the strong gust of wind,

And soon realized, that a bigger threat is coming.

Hanah, the angel who've recognized the one approaching,

Quickly tried to warn those he was close with.

"My brothers! Beware! Fly away!"

But the creature was too fast for them to avoid.

Soon, the creature managed to get ahold of Hanah,

Which caught the attention of Deltha.

He tried to step up, but a strong field was preventing him to enter,

The creature looked at him menacingly,

"If I were you, I would surrender."

Sellena felt her skin crawl at the voice,

Although far, she had heard.

Flashbacks of scenes she did not partook of,

Suddenly went to her mind in less than 30 seconds.

She kneeled in agony, trying to process what they meant,

As 155 worriedly aided her friend.

"What is going on with you? Come up, or they'll kill us,"

"155...I think...I know who he was."

Every angel seemed to be experiencing the same phenomenon,

And soon, 155 succumbed to the creature's power.

Every creature, beast, reaper,

Had all knelt at the sight of the demon.

Lucifer however, could only watch it awe as the creature approaches,

"How about you? Do you not remember me, my friend?"

The creature taunted, its red eyes hoping he would find out,"

But Lucifer, could not recall.

Ken, who was also not affected,

Released his scythe, and emerged from the darkness.

"Satan. You dare show your true self on the final battle,

It just shows how much of a coward you are,"

"Oh, young hero. You have me startled~"

"Satan?" Lucifer asked dumbfounded.

"That's right. I'm the real Satan, all of you had forgotten.

I feel honored however, that the hero knew my name.

Even if my soul was locked up on earth, for so many years.

I thought I'd never have my name back ever again.

Ah, it feels so unfair, having my vessel take all the fame.

But once I possess you, and free my soul from the cage that envelops it,

Ah, I'll finally be...rightly praised.

Oh, and well...my little Master wanted to take you out,

And since I'm in no rush to take the throne,

I'll let him take the first round."

His red eyes soon turned pitch black,

As Azazel warned the demon not to go back.

"You scoundrel, I told you I'm the one in charge,

And now,

Lucifer. You and I. Should battle at once."

Azazel opened his wings, fiery and wide.

Adorned with spikes, and fire, and eyes.

Lucifer was shocked to see how many wanted him down,

But felt something, emerge from him now.

Selaphiel stretched out his arms,

"So, you tricked my brother somehow."

One of Azazel's eyes, turned red,

"Yes. But later, I'd tell the story of how.

I want Lucifer to wonder a little,

Perhaps figure out some things himself.

Ah, so fun to see you all suffer and think."

"You snake! How dare you play King!"

Ken teleported to the demon's back,

But Azazel's head only popped.

And while Satan's head was on front,

Ken was busy, dodging Azazel's attack.

"Dumb brat, thinking he can control an almost-god.

Hah, I'm the one in charge my little master, so I'll handle Lucifer.

I hate to be embarrased, so take care of the weaker one.

And as for you Lucifer, you're so fortunate to have Selaphiel got your back."

Lucifer gritted his teeth and his arrows turned twice as big,

"I, the new god! Will never need his help!"

The real Satan smirks, and stretches out his hand,

"How is it then, that back then, you needed me?"

Time seemed to have stopped as only Lucifer and Satan were able to move.

"You are lying. I never needed you."

"My lies seemed to have played with your memory.

It's funny, how you do not remember me."

Satan quickly pulled the fallen angel's face near him,

As his eyes, seemed to pull him in.

His snake-like hair crawled towards Lucifer's face.

"Perhaps you need me...to retell the tale."