Chapter Text
The angels of Heaven have gathered. In their thousands and millions they arranged themselves by their Orders, by their divisions. The angels rejoiced, for God had summoned them, and God’s word alone was cause for jubilation. They sprawled across Heaven’s amphitheater one hundred times the volume of the coliseum, or as the celestial council of Olympus. Among the leagues of figures and below his ensign sat an archangel, surrounded by his sphere of comrades in domain. The archangel reclined in his throne, partaking in the festivities with wine and talk. Despite his great age— as he was perhaps the eldest of the archangels —time had not dulled his excitement, for time dulled not at the altitude of the divine. The celebration of God, thought Lucifer, was always an apt pastime in Heaven.
At the archangel’s right side perched his companion, Abdiel, and on his left stood his advising angel, Beelzebub. They, too, enjoyed the gathering and waited patiently for their Lord to appear to share his news. Between themselves, the angels in good humor engaged in debate with predictions on the subject of God’s announcement. Of no doubt new creation made, but its nature, its shape, its aspect, these details bid conjecture.
Lucifer partook little in such arguments. Without he mindlessly swayed the winning theory from one to the other angel and back, but within he felt the practice to be meaningless. No angel could grasp the mind of God, whose intentions develop far past execution before any angel could approach their conception by his own wits. Whatever the infant creation, Lucifer would not in earnest attempt to divine its character.
Over the din of festivities, Beelzebub bowed down to Lucifer’s ear to speak. “Before the imperial throne I perceive Michael doth emerge. His presence heralds our Lord’s arrival.”
“It is so,” Lucifer replied, seeing the archangel approach the ledge lifting God’s throne above the pool of angels crowding at its feet. He raised his hand and in moments his faction quieted to a rustle of leaves signaling the coming autumn, or the dull bustle of gulls along the grained bank of a silver pond.
At his shoulder, Abdiel fell most silent. His wings retracted against his ribs in close attention to the celestial stage upon which God would appear in time. Lucifer in turn extended his angelic wing to shade his companion’s sight from the ethereal glow cast by the congregation surrounding their roost. Abdiel, though not with infant age of the later-created angel, received their Lord with renewed reverence at every occasion blessed by his company. No doubt this soul – as ever angels did contain such things, whatever God imbues all living beings with energy for movement and love for him – this soul was lord among lords of those who indeed loved God with piety unmatched.
Such devotion instilled great happiness within Lucifer, who sought what fraction of love in companionship which Abdiel expressed for their Lord, which he bestowed upon the archangel in two and three times strength. No other being in Heaven was so fortunate as Lucifer who retained power by his merit, loyalty by his character, and love from those two who, that elder equalist, believed to be of greater purpose than all other creations of Chaos or of God.
Those musings of the morning star faded, plucked from his thoughts and carried across the amphitheater by the snow-touched dove, as from the space between clouds descended God, or from the stirring sun rose, lighted figure by his side. The new creation, latest child, embalmed in olive leaves, that soul was brought forth to the angel kingdom for its welcome song.
And sing the angels did. In the presence of the Lord, his angels choired celestial melodies, voices sweet and smooth as honey wine, and exaltations amenable to the immortal ear. Their rejoicing may have lasted centuries had God not, in mild temper, raised his right hand in signal for their silence.
Once again the angels fell to rustling peace.
God spoke. “Hear all ye angels, progeny of light, Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers,” with this his arms raised in acknowledgement of all his children. His faction would again have celebrated had Lucifer not lifted his hand for display of humility. “Hear my decree, which unrevoked shall stand.”
Lucifer swayed forward in his seat, eyes turning bright with curiosity. This creation then came twofold, on one hand God held aloft the gift of new brotherhood, on the other he raised forth new law. Certain always to undertake God’s word with precision and care, the archangel indicated for Beelzebub to note the coming decree. Yet that which he heard he believed not, and never again did Lucifer hear God’s word with that same illumination of the eye like celestial moon peering down upon the young hatchling exploring Earth beyond its mother’s embrace.
“This day I have begot whom I declare my only Son, and on this holy hill have him anointed, whom ye now behold at my right hand; your head I him appoint; and by myself have sworn to him shall bow all knees in Heaven, and shall confess him Lord.”
Lucifer at once felt the clouds beneath him stir. ‘Only Son’ was this angel, borned from mother’s egg but moments ago? But what of Lucifer, the child of God? What of all other angels, Order of no regard to Father, sculptor of all in equal measure? And of Abdiel, most noble of their kind, who prays at the altar of every step his Lord taketh? What ‘Son’ is this who usurps the place of Creation whole. Who not only usurped title but reduced his brethren to lower stature so as to rise to the station of Head?
God spoke, but Lucifer did not listen. With subtle eyes, he glanced to his advisor, who returned his stare with emotion true. On his right, though, Abdiel remained at attention, entranced by language foul perhaps to Lucifer’s ears alone.
At once, then, the congregation of angels stood in euphoria and bent their knee to the imperial throne, which the Son rested upon with regal air. Abdiel fell to a bow with devotion. Lucifer followed suit, Beelzebub in tandem at his side. The whole of his sphere lowered their hearts and averted their eyes from the King of Kings, Angel, now, of angels.
In little time the crowd dispersed in order to mix and flow like the river Nile rushing through its flood. Music swam between bodies and food cascaded from the halls onto plates of gold and onyx.
Lucifer, heart in unrest, intended to turn to one man, but the other embraced him first, handsome eyes fixed to his. Abdiel spoke, “Dost thou believe such blessed news? Our Lord and King hath graced us angels with a representative of his station. His law becomes our law in double; that which angels obey, and that which the Son, angel himself, enacts for our benefit. Glorious day! Come with me, dear, dance those old shadows from your eyes and rejoice for the new days before us!”
Though he felt emotion strange and immature stretch along his limbs, Lucifer acquiesced to his lover, “O sweet angel, whatever else should I wish to do in thy company but dance for joy at new days spent with thee.” In swift motion the two alighted from their throne and joined their friends in merriment.
𐊖𐊖𐊖𐊖𐊖𐊖
Time passed enough that Abdiel released Lucifer in favor of a new partner and allowed him to engage with the refreshments. Though, as he approached the crowd of angels partaking once more in wine and fruit, his keen eye did catch Beelzebub in the shadow of nearby temple arches. With not a shift in his gait, Lucifer rounded the feasting place and met his advisor alongside marble architecture.
Displeasure wrapping its tentacle ‘round his face, Beelzebub spoke. “The Son of God is our Lord in equal measure to his Father.” While his voice produced even tones, Lucifer perceived his agitation.
“Indeed. This new law is unlike any our Lord hath given us. All seem pleased.” Lucifer outstretched his arm to indicate the angels around them.
“Yes,” replied the advisor, “all seem pleased. We all love our Father, God, and respect his laws. No warning of exile and darkness must be made to his devoted lot.”
Exile? Lucifer had neglected to register such language within that offensive speech. As he spoke, he could not prevent himself from interjecting with questions for their new order. “‘Tis so. Every angel knows his allegiance to our Lord is unwavering. The Son, our new Lord — or the same as the old? how is it we are expected to reconcile two united as one? — the Son will declare law just as God does. It is the duty of the submissive angel — now inferior to his own kind? — to obey.”
Beelzebub nodded solemnly. “Trust your dominion to abide by God’s rule, archangel. Trust, also, that they will abide by yours, as you carry out his will alongside us all.”
Beelzebub had been busy indeed as Lucifer danced, the sacred hill on which they stood riddled now with conspiracy. “Return to me at nightfall, as the party takes its rest. Again we shall discuss this new king in Heaven. In the interim, enjoy that which God has gifted us in food and choir.”
Relieved of his duties, Beelzebub emerged with grace from the shade of the holy place and wound his way through the pulsing crowd of angels. His shadow stretched across Heaven’s floor like an archer pulling his bowstring taught; like Odysseus drawing his palintonos bow, eyes set upon one dozen axe heads, superior in strength and wit than the suitors fallen by his sword; at the height of its tension, the shadow snapped and pitched back to its source, wrapping the angel in a wine-colored dusk too dark in shade for golden rays to cast alone.
Lucifer contemplated this curious expression as it integrated into the congregation, unnoticed by the joyous. Not long after, outstretched wings poked his vision, dove feathers heralding Heaven’s exhale at his back.
“Micheal,” Lucifer need not have guessed his new companion's identity. The two angels emerged below God’s hand not long after each other, when Heaven was so little populated they may well have been the only creations living above Chaos’ maw. When Micheal came forth to him, Lucifer had imagined the beginning of a great brotherhood of their kind, a brotherhood they had fostered under God’s careful eye; each angel given purpose, worth as much as any other. They organized their Orders by expertise, they lived amongst each other, knew each other by those names God had given them, no matter their age or duty. Now, one creation, angel by nature, superseded each of his brothers by no merit but the Lord’s whim.
“Dear Lucifer, whyever dost thee stand apart from our festivities?” Micheal asked, relaxing his wings to the marble floor of the temple and stepping to meet his friend.
“Do I stand apart?” Lucifer feigned a humoured demeanor, “If indeed I do, it is only to admire the majesty of heaven’s angels in gay celebration.”
Micheal tilted his head, “What of the Son?” He raised his arm to gesture upwards, to the throne of God towering above the festivities, where their Lord sat with pleased expression. Next to him, the new angel perched on his own throne, watching his brethren with wonder. “Dost thee not admire him?”
Lucifer turned to his brother, smile crooked in mild bewilderment, “All the revelry before me is for love of the Son, is it not? Do I not admire him through my pleasure of his influence on our home?”
Micheal’s eyes wandered as he considered Lucifer’s point. “Dost thou believe in idolatry then, if loving the creations of God is equivalent to worshiping him directly?”
“The Son is a creation of God.”
“Ah, certainly, but he is different from us. From the rest of Creation. The Son is our Lord as much as God is. The Son is God.”
“I have found that the sun is best admired by discerning the impact of its light on the world God has created around us, not by looking directly at it.”
Micheal silenced at his words, and Lucifer could tell he was mulling them over. His head twitched to and fro like a bird regarding its prey; or he stepped in front of Lucifer to pierce his eyes for the truth of his words. But Lucifer did not lie, merely skirted around the issue as a lizard skitters across hot rocks. Finally, Micheal wrapped an arm around Lucifer’s shoulders with levity, “Ah, the morningstar may as well lecture on the beauty of the sun. My dear Lucifer, you worship so unlike your Abdiel, whose devotion blazes across heaven like holy fire. At his side, any angel would struggle to compare, but your manner is dull in comparison.”
Lucifer balked at his words, but Micheal bore ahead before he could interject, “But you prove that this is no fault. The man who prayeth to his Lord in secret shall be rewarded openly, the man who prayeth only in encounter with others has his reward.”
“Abdieal doth pray in private, more, even, than I.”
Micheal shook his head, “I mean no such disrespect to him. I only mean that thy practice is that which God rewards in thee, just as Abdiel doth practice how God created him to.”
Lucifer looked to the Sun, risen over Heaven. “Yes, he created us all with purpose, equal in our love for him. In our worship.”
“Yes.” Micheal removed himself from Lucifer’s body. “Look there, I believe Abdiel hath come to relieve thou of my presence.
The clouds themselves parted from the angel’s path as he descended upon Lucifer and Michael. Abdiel landed in Lucifer’s arms, his grin crossing oceans and his wings fluttering like harp strings. Despite himself, Lucifer felt his companion’s joy seep into his body, shepherding his dark thoughts away for a moment.
“O gay revelry! What blessings God bestows upon his angels on this day of holy days, what love he hath for Creation that he giveth his children new wonders, new brethren, new Son to carry that love, who we shall worship tonight as every night!” Abdiel’s words felt like cold mist resting uneasily upon Lucifer’s soul, but his shining eyes pulled his spirit above the clouds, above Heaven itself.
“God indeed has blessed us all with his creation,” Lucifer surrendered to his partner, “and blessed myself in giving you reason to celebrate.”
“Let us dance and make love my dear; what better way to show our love for our Lord than celebrating with the gifts he has given us!” Abdiel rose, hand clasping Lucifer’s, who could only comply.
“What better way indeed.”
Micheal chuckled at their display of affection but Lucifer dismissed his humor, “Until our next discourse, Micheal. Enjoy the festivities– defer not always in the shade, but look at the sun and see its splendid rays for what they are; if they blind, then God has kissed ye and shown ye his truth.”
Abdiel allowed no other pleasantries. In the midst of dancing angels, he drew Lucifer to his chest and stepped along with the music arcing over their heads. They danced like leaves circling each other as they eased down to kiss the ground; or like streamwater, entangling until there was no difference between one body and another, merging at the smallest level so that for a moment or an age, two became one, bathed in love even native language may not express.
They danced in this way as the sun set on Heaven’s majesty, as the stars emerged in their otherworldly glory, and as God watched over his creations.
𐊖𐊖𐊖𐊖𐊖𐊖
When at last the celebrations drew to an end, the angels returned to their quarters in Heaven. Among their fellows, Lucifer and Abdiel found a bed within the soothing confines of a temple, exposed to the star-filled sky yawning in sympathy. At their side, Beelzebub laid in his own bunk, eyes piercing through the dusk-like darkness into Lucifer’s heart.
Lucifer himself listened to the rhythmic breathing of his brethren. Heaven itself seemed to inhale and exhale as a collective set of lungs, burying the waking souls under a mountain of molasses blood and air warm and thick enough to act as a blanket.
Secure in the knowledge that no angel would hear his words, Lucifer rose from his side and examined his partner. Abdiel’s skin glowed clear and holy under the light of the stars, and his lashes laid delicately against his cheeks. This angel, so devoted to their Lord that others might doubt his fervence as fraud, so enamored with God’s word that even his errors find justification, this angel, out of any, is the son of God. To have been wrenched from that rank… “Sleepest thou companion dear, what sleep can close thy eyelids? And rememberst what decree of yesterday, so late hath passed the lips of Heaven’s Almighty. Thou to me thy thoughts was want, I mine to thee was wont to impart; both waking we were one; how then can now thy sleep dissent?”
Beelzebub, silent, rose with Lucifer’s soft voice, leaning in to trap his words between them. The archangel had spent much of the night considering what best to do in the face of unknown tyranny. At last Lucifer turned to his advisor, “New laws thou seest imposed; new laws from him who reigns, new minds may raise in us who serve, new counsels, to debate what doubtful may ensue.” Counsel, indeed, was in order, but not in the open air of the temple, wherein angel and God could hear every whisper if they so desired. “More in this place to utter is not safe. Assemble thou of all those myriads which we lead the chief; tell them that by command, ere yet dim night her shadowy cloud withdraws, I am to haste, and all who under me their banners wave, homeward with flying march where we possess the quarters of the north, there to prepare fit entertainment to receive our King, the Great Messiah, and his new commands, who speedily through all the hierarchies intends to pass triumphant, and give laws.”
At his behest, Beelzebub fled his resting place to retrieve those angels under Lucifer’s domain, those who adored the Lord just as he had, but who lived by the principles of the morningstar while they fulfilled their duties in Heaven.
Lucifer himself began to rise as well, when his companion stirred at his movement. Lucifer placed a hand upon his shoulder to comfort him back into sleep, but Abdiel’s eyes slid open. “What draws thee to waking, dear? The sun doth not rise for some time yet. God hath given you opportunity to rest in warm embrace, let not his blessing go to waste.”
Under the cover of shadows, Lucifer scowled. Had he not found their bed and made it suitable for Abdiel’s comfort? Had he not pulled his lover close, the sound of his beating soul persuading the archangel to rest for a moment in the eye of a hurricane’s turmoil? Does he not bring the sun to the horizon when it pleases him, and no sooner, nor later?
“I intend to return to my palace, love. I gather my angels there to plan the coming day and the following method of celebrating our Lord and his Son the King. Rest, if ye wish. Miss not my embrace amongst the arms of thy fellow angels.”
With no more preamble, Lucifer drew away and took flight into the air of Heaven, finding himself just one of many winged beings traveling north at great speed, and with great determination.