Chapter 254: THE DEVIL'S TANGO

"Get away from me! I don't need...I didn't need your help!"

"You know, Lucifer? You shouldn't make it harder for yourself.

Just stop resisting, will you?

I'm not as patient as Faegan is,

especially at dealing with kids.

Besides...

If we work together you'll get your revenge.

We may not become God, but we'll take people with us, back to hell.

We'd still win more souls, we'd still end up half victorious.

So just stop resisting, I don't believe your heart is closed."

But convincing him wasn't as easy,

"Right...you're the demon of pride, I get it.

But don't you see? You're just fighting an already lost battle.

Between you and me, who really has what it takes?

Listen, I fooled you for many years,

Back then, since we're little kids.

Even without a soul, without a body of my own,

I was able to pester and cheat human souls.

I fed in corruption, and I've spread up my words,

And you wouldn't really build your empire,

Without me at your cause.

You need me.

As I need your body.

If we don't work together,

Then your empire will come down crumbling.

I get it that this may not be what you wanted at first,

But it's too late to change your course.

I'll make you more powerful, more influential.

For with evil dominating human hearts,

I've become more powerful than I once was.

Just take my hand and let's build more empires together,

Just look into my eyes, there's no better option."

Lucifer continued to resist him,

Not wanting to let the liar in.

But thinking back to what was revealed,

He couldn't help but feel regret rushing in.

Back then, he thought he wanted this.

Wanted to be god, wanted to be different.

Yet, was it really what he desired?

Or was he just tainted by the real Satan's lies?

He felt his chest tighten remembering his younger days,

The pride he felt back then, was far desirable than nowadays.

It was a satisfying, fulfilling emotion he had never felt for a long time,

And knowing he'd never hear Selaphiel's praises, further tear his heart.

He was an ugly beast,

That no magic could conceal.

"You are pathetic, I thought you've thrown away every bit of your past,

Can't you see? Those memories only hold you back."

"What's your real name before you become the Adversary?"

Lucifer suddenly asked,

"And may I know why it would matter?"

"So I can properly curse your name,

make sure no one would bear it, ever."

"You're still sassy even with no advantage at your expense?

Well, you haven't learned in any way.

Times have changed Lucifer, you're no longer that favored angel,

So stop looking at them that way,

And listen to what I tell."

"Listen? You expect me to listen after all you did?

Now, I'm not even sure anymore if I really liked what I did.

Do you know how confused I am right now? Do you have any idea what goes in my head?"

"No. But if you just listen, I'll make those feelings go away."

Lucifer tries to bite Satan's hand,

Which quickly punched him as response.

"Can't you just thank me?

I made a name for the both of us.

It's not like you weren't enjoying killing billions of people before,

And it's not like I controlled every action, I didn't implore.

So stop acting like you're a poor victim, that doesn't have a choice,

Remember, I watched you, and you weren't skeptical until now."

"Still, you did tricked me! And it wouldn't have happened if you did not plan such act!"

"Will you stop feeling sorry for yourself? That doesn't make you right.

Gah, your pride, your pitiful pride, can you put it down for once?

Stop being narcissistic, and blaming everyone but yourself!

Sure, you may not come to that conclusion without me,

but you still bargained.

You wanted to be different, and I made you different.

Now, you lay more famous than Michael, himself.

Isn't that a victory on its own?

Listen, feeling sorry for your lost brother will not make you a better person.

Nothing changed, you're still that damn demon.

You're not their friend, you will never be their friend,

So just pair with me,

because you will never raise the dead."

"I will not help you, I can't."

But Satan had ran out of patience.

He smiles at him, and forces his head to look into his eyes,

"I never wanted to do this, but you're such a stubborn guy.

You see, doing this may weaken your body,

But it's better than no body at all for me.

Let's see how strong you really are even with this.

I'll be more than surprised if I find out you could resist."

Soon enough, memories of his slaughters appeared in Lucifer's mind,

Followed by his memories when he was once a child.

The contrast of memories made him feel even more remorseful,

That he slowly lost the will to fight for his future.

"That's right. If you don't want to fight with me,

Just die and leave.

I'll take your body, and make it do wondrous things.

I'll take good care of it, and you don't have to worry anymore,

With how I foresee most things,

Your legacy will only grow."

Soon enough, the light in Lucifer's eyes disappear,

Hinting that he had lost control of his own body.

Tears however, tainted his cheeks,

Making it clear, that he was sorry.

The archangels cry in pain as they watch the scene,

Wondering now, how things would play.

Dawn however, who was still on the ground and in shock,

Bit his lip to wake himself up.

He was scared, truly terrified of the strange presence of Satan,

After all, he was the real deal, and less composed than what he once encountered.

And to think that he lost on meeting up with the former,

He could only imagine the strength the real deal has.

He gulped and looked around him,

Where the angels are still standing weak.

He grit his teeth and punctured holes on the ground,

And despite his battered figure, decided to go all out.

"I might be able to do the same technique that defeated Mammon,

There must be inflicted wounds.

But, I must make sure that the archangels will not be affected,

Or things will only turn out for the worse."

Dawn then telepathically messaged the archangels,

But with Satan's presence, it became hard to reach them.

Fortunately, Michael was able to notice his attempts,

And even with the noise around them,

was able to make sense.

He then told the archangels what to do,

Telepathically, so to make sure.

The two other archangels then nodded their heads in response,

And was no longer surprised, when a swift swoosh of water attacked.

The time the cold water reached the snake's wounds,

Was the time their grasp became a bit loose.

The snakes looked at whoever did the harm,

But found no one even from behind.

Suddenly, all of them noticed that the archangels were missing,

And soon realized that they had transformed into doves from the moment the snakes weren't paying.

Dawn then morphed into the angel he was,

After dangerously transforming himself into concentrated flood.

He wobbled a bit since it took a lot of energy,

But seeing the results, made him at ease.

Raphael stood beside him, to make sure he heals,

But knowing the fight was still long,

he denied his own need.

"I'll be fine sir Raphael. Just watch what I can do,"

The snakes then suddenly shook with violence,

After Dawn's trails turned hot from cold.

And watching the hybrid's abilities,

Could only make Raphael fear for the worse.

"You truly have many potential."

"Oh, I'm glad I have."

Dawn's voice then suddenly turned deeper,

As he watches the snakes come closer.

When they reach the place where he punctured holes however,

Ice shards suddenly appeared from the waters.

Michael found the sight to be fascinating,

But also a bit concerning.

He stole a glance back at Dawn,

Who looked like he was enjoying it all.

Leviathan's image suddenly appeared at the back of his mind,

But soon tried to think of a plan.

He sighed, and hoped he won't end up like his father or Lucifer,

And prayed he's only doing it out of revenge and not satisfaction.

"Very impressive, Dawn. I thank you with all my heart,

Now, let's move, but don't act too recklessly, Satan's not easy to tear apart."

"Don't worry, Sir Michael. I know what I can, and cannot do.

But if opportunities alligned, I have prepared some methods too."

Michael forced a smile, even with fear in his heart.

"Alright then young angel, let's start."

...

Ken was struggling to free his arm,

from the hard cement that Azazel had released from his own,

But even with his endurance, he couldn't help but wince, hearing his bones.

Suddenly, he felt a strong presence emerge from behind,

"Satan..." He could only mutter in anger, after he uses his foresight.

He gave up from freeing his left hand and summons his scythe with his right.

"Wow, impressive. You dare try to drive me away, even when you're still trapped."

Ken frowns and tried to hit Satan with a swing,

But the demon, now comfy in Lucifer's body, had only caught it, like a breeze.

"What a shame, I thought you could predict,

Or does it hurt too much, whenever you use it?

Hah, if you don't want it to hurt, might as well give it to me.

Unlike you, I have a thousand uses for it."

"I will never give you anything other than pain,"

"How ambitious to think you ever will."

Satan then pulls Ken from Azazel's trap,

Making Ken's bones suddenly snap.

The controlled Azazel did not react.

And only looked at Satan, with glassy eyes.

"Don't worry Azazel, I'll take care of this brat.

But you may stay, in case I need him trapped.

Let's toy with this thing for the meantime,

Make God look like a fool for choosing a child."

Ken could only stare at his ripped arm,

and as he heals,

Satan pulls his head to level him,

But his eyes showed no fear.

His daring demeanor did not put Satan at ease,

A bit concerned of whatever plan Ken has on his sleeve.

For despite being human, despite being young, it was undeniable, he was picked by God.

And his confidence may not come from thin air.

("No...stop thinking of nonsense,

You have him, and he's the one that's scared.

He's just hiding it because he doesn't want to make it too obvious.

I'm the most powerful demon,

No way my plans would end in failure.")

The demon tried to tell himself,

But than struggle relentlessly,

Ken remained frozen.

That alone, pissed the demon so much,

Reminded of Lucifer's prideful eyes.

The demon then positions them both as if they were to dance,

With Ken, obviously, still healing from his harm.

"Chosen hero, are you ready to dance?

Oh wait, I thought of a better question!

How long could you last?"