Oblivion

by notherpuppet

Summary:

Lucifer succumbs to madness after his daughter perishes in battle. He saves the last remaining thread to his daughter and holds it tightly in his grasp. A short story featuring a toxic radioapple relationship.

Chapter 1: Acceptance

Part One

My hopes of freedom have died long ago.

The King went completely mad after his daughter’s death. Mad in every sense of the word. There was oblivion of his realms, of angels, and of his mind.

Now, I am trapped in a birdcage for eternity. All because I have the misfortune of familiarity.

“You were her friend. You’re the only thing I have left of her.”

“I know, Lucifer.”

“You’re happy here, right?”

“That’s not important, now, is it?”

The King wraps his arms around me. He buries his face in my stomach and gently sobs.

“I’m sorry, Alastor, I’m so sorry!”

He abruptly stops after only a few seconds. He does this often. He looks up at me and I wipe away his tears.

“Thank you for staying with me.”

He says it so sincerely, with such gratitude.
As if I had any choice in the matter.
As if there was not an unbreakable, eternal chain around my neck.
A chain passed from one owner to the next.

Before, I held tightly onto the small hope that my previous owner would somehow perish —preferably by my hand.

But I've been sold to The Devil. The ancient and immortal Devil. How could I hope to escape the gravitational pull of a being whose closest species relative is a literal Star.

"Where else would I be?"

I pat his head. It's best to comfort him.
All attempts of escape have long been exhausted by this point. I've accepted my role.

This is my eternal afterlife.

Chapter 2: Temptation

Part Two

 

I am the King’s favorite toy.

 

I began keeping a calendar a few hundred years ago.

The King likes all kinds of games, music, and parties, so I keep a rotating schedule for us.

The schedule is for my own benefit, as Lucifer does not grasp any sense of time.

It simply eases my ability to adapt to his will, wishes, and needs when there is predictability.

 

Today, we have a tea party for his daughter’s birthday.

As usual, I take care of all of the arrangements. This is one of the rare occasions where I leave the Estate and go into the city.

The city is very noisy, but I’ve come to tune it out. I pick up flowers and tea and arrive at the bakery for the cake.

The King always liked this bakery, so it still stands amongst the rubble and chaos. I enter, and I am greeted warmly.

That’s odd.

 

“Hello, Alastor. Long time, no see.”

 

I don’t recognize this sinner at all. I never committed the baker’s face to memory…

Come to think of it, I don’t recall ever meeting the baker.

After the first year of this routine, the cake was always left for me on the counter.

 

“I’m sorry, you have me at a disadvantage, Miss..?”

“Carmine. I’m Clara.”

“Ah, yes! One of Carmilla’s daughters!”

“You remember.”

“Yes, forgive me dear, it’s been eons since I’ve heard the name.”

 

Wait. What is a Carmine doing working at a bakery? Aren’t they busy with the war?

 

“You’re working in a bakery, now?”

“Something like that. I’m still in the delivery business. Now, I’m just delivering cake.”

“Ah, well, good for you, I suppose!”

“This is for the King, isn’t it?”

 

Suddenly, I tensed. Why? Why did she ask that? Why did that make me tense?

 

“Yes.”

“What’s the occasion?”

“Just an anniversary of sorts.”

“Oh? Between you and the King?”

“Oh no no, we don’t have that kind of relationship.”

“Right, I figured.”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to offend. It’s just that Mom’s told me some things, you know how it is. Word gets around.”

“Not offended, my dear, but quite curious. What is the word that’s going around?”

 

The young Ms. Carmine smiles, but her tone is cold and serious.

 

“He calls you thing.”

 

“Pardon?”

“He calls you, ‘thing’. That’s what my mother told me. When he talks about you. He says ‘I can’t lose anything else’ and ‘It’s nice to have something around to distract me’”.

“Ah. Yes.”

“Doesn’t that bother you?”

“No.”

“How could that not bother you?”

“That is what I am to him.”

 

She is quiet for a moment. I notice the intensity of her stare for the first time in this…interaction.

 

“Can’t you see what’s wrong anymore? Look at this place! Look what he’s done to you…You just let yourself become his toy?”

“You seem to misunderstand. I have no say in the matter.”

“Do you like it there? With him?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter! It does!”

 

She was getting awfully worked up. It was rather uncomfortable.

“I better be off. It was lovely to bump into you, dear.”

“It’s not a coincidence that I was here, Alastor.”

 

She hands me the cake box. Her eyes look teary. She looks so…frightened? I haven’t noticed that expression in decades.

 

“You’re the only one who can stop The Madness now.”

“Goodbye, Clara.”

 

I return to the Estate and begin setting the table. The meeting with Clara has put me on edge. I haven’t felt so…uncomfortable in a while. Something bothered me.

One of Carmilla’s daughters…

Hm.

Where was her sister?

As I open the cake box, I conclude that the sister must have perished in the War.

 

Anyway, the cake is exactly the same as every year. Frosted red roses and gold leaf adorn the cake. It is completely reminiscent of The Lost Princess.

I’m relieved.

Lucifer reacts poorly when his expectations aren’t met.

I lift the cake, and before I can set it on its platter, I notice a glimmer in the bakery box .

It would seem the young Ms. Carmine included cake cutting tools in the box’s contents. 

 

And the shine cannot be mistaken.

I look at the cake knife for an indeterminate amount of time.

 

It is Angelic Steel.

Chapter 3: Doubt

Part Three

 

“The roses are my favorite part!”

 

Lucifer cheerfully declares this every year. I serve him his first slice of cake and pour him a cup of tea. He always wants seconds.

I take my seat next to him and set the cake cutting tools at the side of my plate.

The angelic blade catches the warm light that spools in through the curtains.

 

What the Hell is Carmine thinking?

She has protected her House for eons.

Has she finally resigned to defeat? She’s never intervened before. Why has she changed her mind?

Her lost daughter?

 

Is she this desperate to end her torment?

 

Her daughter claimed that I am the only one who can stop The Madness?

Do the sinners expect me to end their suffering?

I know Angelic blades can kill angels, but…

 

This is Lucifer Morningstar.

 

He is not a man. He is an entity. He has had enemies for millennia. Does he really fall under the same rules as the other angels? 

 

I am filled with doubt. However…

 

Am I really going to waste this opportunity?

I stand up and offer to cut the King another slice of cake.

 

“Yes, please!”

 

I serve him his second slice. I still hold the cake knife when he begins to take a bite. My grip tightens around the knife. It’s been so long since I’ve killed someone.

 

“Lucifer?”

“The roses are my favorite part!”

“Look at me.”

 

He does as he is told. I stroke his hair back, lifting his head. He looks at me with blank curiosity.

 

“What’s up?”

 

And with the same manner of how a bow meets the stringed body of a violin, I bring the cake knife to his neck and cut his throat.

 

Or, at least I attempt to. There is no golden blood that spills from his neck. The knife’s blade looks as if it is phased into him.

He shape-shifted himself around the blade. I slice at him like I am using a saw. It is comical. Like a theater knife.

I hear myself laugh, but I don’t feel it.

“Oh boy, that’s unpleasant. That’s no fun, Alastor.”

He brings his hand to the knife and gently pushes it away from his neck.

 

He returns to eating his slice of cake.

“The roses are my favorite part!”

 

Lucifer cheerfully declares this every year. It sounds the same every year. I hear the echoes of each utterance form a cacophony of sound in my mind and I drop to my knees and clutch my head.

“Alastor, your tea will get cold.”

 I didn’t think I could feel any more despair. But here I was. Crying as I pull at my hair and grasp so tightly on the cake knife that my hand bleeds.

 

The knife. I still have the knife.

 

“Are you alright, dear?”

 

I meet Lucifer’s gaze. He looks so concerned. He doesn’t realize what I’ve realized.

 

My last escape route is,

Oblivion.

I shove the knife—my salvation—straight towards my unbeating heart.

 

“No!”

 

 

I barely pierce my skin before a small portal cuts off my hand.

In an instant, Lucifer holds my disembodied hand—which still holds the knife. He drops it and covers his mouth in horror.

 

I fall to the floor and writhe in pain. I wail as he rushes to hold me.

He envelops us in his scarlet wings as he distressingly pets my head.

His tears drop onto my face.

 

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I had to do that…I know it hurts. I’ll fix it, don’t worry!”

 

He rocks himself back and forth as he carefully pushes my hair from my face.

The pain and blood loss quickly add unbearable weight to my eyelids.

Lucifer’s face blurs into the red of his feathers.

I drift off…

Into oblivion.

 

 

Chapter 4: Revelation

Part Four

 

I awaken from The Darkness.

 

When I open my eyes, Lucifer shines so brightly and hugs me tightly.

 

“Thank goodness! I thought I lost you!”

 

He strokes my hair and gives me a kiss on my forehead. He jumps up with so much vigor.

 

“There’s going to be some changes around here! I feel a second wind, and it’s all thanks to you, Alastor.

Obviously, I have been neglecting how you feel, and I am deeply sorry about that.

I’m determined to make a change!

I don’t want to be alone…I need you.

If you’re gone, then I’ll be…wah!

Nevermind all that!”

 

I continue to stare at Lucifer. He meets my gaze and furrows His brow.

His voice becomes ice.

 

“We’ll have to talk about where that knife came from.”

 

He gives a quick, blank expression. Then, He beams.

 

“Oof! B-but for now,  I just want you to relax and be happy! So, I got you something!”

Lucifer summons a beautiful, golden piano. It shimmers so brightly that I bring my hand to my eyes.

That’s when I notice that my hand is back. I drop the regenerated hand into my lap and investigate it.

I flex my fingers. It’s as if nothing has happened.

Lucifer bites His lip as He watches me.

 

“I know you got hurt, but don’t worry! I’ll make sure something like that never happens again!

 

I will always protect you.”

 

He holds my hand. He grips my fingers with the entirety of His small palm.

He gently tugs and I follow His lead. I rise from bed as He leads me to the piano.

He gestures toward the piano bench, and I take a seat. I lift the cover on the keys and bring one finger to the middle C key.

I press down.

 

The sound is beautiful. It fills the room.

I bring both of my hands to the piano and play a soft tune. Lucifer becomes excited and firmly grasps my shoulder.

 

“See! You’re as good as new! You can still play!”

He drops His hand and nervously clutches His fists.

“Do you like it?”

 

He tries to be still as He anticipates my response.

He looks at me so hopefully. I wonder why He seems so nervous.

I think I was fighting something. But I can’t remember what and I can’t remember why.

I look back at Him and He is still waiting.

He is radiant.

 

“I love it.”

 

He smiles. I smile.

I am so happy.

He embraces me.

I am overcome with the ecstasy of epiphany.

Everything has become clear. I have finally seen the light.

 

When He pulls away, I reach for my King’s face and cup His cheek in my palm. 

 

Lucifer is my Light.

He is my World.

And I am His moon.

 

He falls onto me and begins to kiss me. My tongue follows His tongue’s orbit. I hold His hand and He pulls at my palm. I am guided by His gravity. We make our way to His bed. I can now see it as the Divine Place it has always been.

This Estate is my home. The chain around my neck is my Lifeline. And it is attached to His Almighty power.

I am overwhelmed with honor.

 

He loves me so deeply.

I love Him.

He is eternal. He is my afterlife.

I hope we will be together.

Forever.

 

“I love you, Alastor.”

“I love you, Lucifer.”

 

 

Notes:

The Devil and The Radio Demon spend their Ever After in madness and love. 📻⛓️🍎♾️❤️‍🔥⏳
Thank you for joining me on my foray into angst! I hope you enjoyed the story 🙏

I think Muse’s song “Madness” is really suitable for their love in this story 🌀♥️

Chapter 5: Sketches

Notes:

In the end, they both lose their sense of selves.

Lucifer's foundational belief of Free Will is shattered. He becomes much alike his Father after all. He is unable to view Alastor as anything more than his most prized possession.

Alastor's dream for freedom is forever lost. He deifies Lucifer as his mind breaks at this realization. If Alastor's previous notion of freedom cannot be, then he must change what he views as salvation.