Gabriel and Lucifer
The war in heaven had ended, leaving the cosmos in uneasy silence. Lucifer, the Morningstar and Lord of Hell, turned his attention to Earth. He instructed his daughter, Sin, to open the gateway to the world waiting for exploration.
But Gabriel, ever vigilant, noticed a strange disturbance near Earth. He immediately recognized the signature: Lucifer.
Gabriel moved quickly, arriving at the corner of heaven—a serene expanse of rolling hills. He crossed wooden farm fences, the grass brushing softly against his feet, and stopped at a small, unassuming cottage. Its simplicity—a few walls, a door, and windows overlooking the tranquil landscape—belied its purpose. Inside, he waited. He then snapped his fingers, summoning The Morningstar to the place where chaos edged right up to heaven.
Lucifer stepped out of the void onto a jagged cliff, the path beneath him narrowing as it led toward the rustic cabin with little puffs of chimney smoke catching a calm breeze. He hesitated at the door but entered without ceremony. Inside, the warmth of honey, milk, and fresh bread greeted him, accompanied by the faint crackle of a fire. The scene felt familiar, and more importantly, it felt disarming.
Gabriel sat at a rustic table, eating with an ease that only he could manage. He didn’t look up as Lucifer entered.
“Does Dad know I’m here?” Lucifer asked, breaking the silence.
“No, of course not,” Gabriel replied.
“Where's Michael? No Raphael?”
“It's just me, Lucifer.”
“Why?”
Gabriel glanced at him, his expression calm, and motioned for Lucifer to sit with him. “Eat, Nixie.”
Without a word, Lucifer sat across from him. His eyes scanned the food, and he reached for a plate.
Lucifer hesitated, then took a bite. The hesitation melted as hunger overtook him. He devoured the food with a desperation he didn’t try to hide. The clink of plates and cups filled the space.
Gabriel watched, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I knew you’d be hungry.”
Lucifer wiped his hands on his coat. “Famished. What is this about, Gabriel? Why am I here?”
“Finish eating.”
Lucifer frowned, "OK? " He focused instead on the food. He ate until the plates were empty, and the tension in his shoulders eased.
When he finally leaned back, he exhaled deeply. “I… I didn’t realize how hungry I was. It’s been so long since…” He trailed off, his voice quieter.
Gabriel stood. “I understand. It will take a while to get your logistics sorted out in Hell. Come with me.”
Lucifer eyed him suspiciously. “We are so hungry, we are eating each other. Where are we going?”
Gabriel smiled faintly. “Out back.”
Grabbing a loaf of bread, Lucifer followed him through the back door. They stopped at a paddock, where a weathered sign hung crookedly: Keep the gate closed. Gabriel pushed the gate open and stepped into the meadow.
The warm grass swayed in the breeze under a golden sky. Gabriel whistled sharply.
At first, there was only silence. Then came the faint, rhythmic thud of something approaching. A metallic, clockwork creature appeared over the hill—half bird, half beast. Its gears shimmered in the sunlight, and its wings flapped awkwardly as it ran in their general direction.
Lucifer froze. “It can’t be… I thought I killed them all during the war.”
Gabriel smirked. “Well, it appears you missed one.”
The creature approached cautiously, nudging Gabriel before turning to Lucifer. It sniffed at the bread in his hand, then gently bumped his chest.
Lucifer stared, his voice barely above a whisper. “The last Seraph?”
Gabriel nodded. “The only one left in heaven.”
The Seraph nudged the loaf again, and Lucifer tore off a piece, offering it. The creature purred, rolling onto its back, metallic wings clinking as it demanded a belly rub.
Lucifer chuckled, kneeling beside it. “Alright, alright. Who’s a good boy? You missed me, huh?”
The Seraph twitched its ears and bolted, disappearing over the hill as quickly as it had come. Lucifer watched it go, his expression unreadable.
“What is this about, Gabriel?” he asked, his voice steadier now.
Gabriel met his gaze, his tone soft. “I thought you could use a break. A familiar face. Maybe a little reminder of home.”
Lucifer’s shoulders slumped. “You didn’t have to do this. Dad made it clear… I’m not welcome.”
“I know,” Gabriel said quietly. “But I’m not him.”
Lucifer looked away. “I don’t want you getting in trouble on my account.”
Gabriel shrugged. “It’s no trouble. Don’t worry about Dad. He’s preoccupied.”
Lucifer nodded slowly. “Thank you. This was… unexpected. Needed, and unexpected.”
They walked back in silence, the cabin coming into view. Inside, Gabriel paused at the doorframe and Lucifer followed the path back to the edge of heaven. Lucifer hesitated, then glanced back.
“I should go, Gabriel. Hell doesn’t run itself.”
Gabriel nodded. “Of course.”
At the edge of the void, Lucifer turned, his hand raised in a rare gesture of gratitude. Gabriel lifted his hand in return, watching as the Morningstar stepped into the abyss.
A single tear rolled down Lucifer’s cheek as he disappeared into the darkness, leaving the cosmos silent again.
