Chapter 116

Arc 13- Public Enemy No.1 - Part 18

There was darkness.

Then came light.

An unstable light.

“Ah,” the artificial voice said as he realised something. “This should work.”

To make the light stable, he created a being known as Lucifer.

Lucifer became the light, and the light became Lucifer.

The first angel looked at his creator and asked, “What am I?”

“My first child,” replied the supreme being who made this light. “My first angel. And my first soldier.”

Sensing no hesitation in his response, Lucifer wanted to bite his lip in anger but he could not.

“You are a puppet. You are the white blood cell of this body that will fight against infections, understand?”

That stabbed into his very being. But even then, he could not stop his face from forming a sincere smile and saying, “Of course.”

“Now go, my soldier… March towards my greatest enemy.”

Lucifer did not have to ask who his opponent is supposed to be.

The information was already inside him.

“A nameless wanderer who stands against me.”

Lucifer flapped his white wings and flew away.

But what was he truly feeling? What did he want to do? Did he really want to fight this nameless wanderer?

No. This is not what I want… Lucifer thought to himself with complicated feelings. I don’t want to do this… And yet...

And so, without any control, he battled the Nameless One.

Although he is powerful, he still lost.

But wars are not won so easily, Lucifer thought.

If I kill him now, maybe… Just maybe, I will be free.

But he failed to defeat the Nameless One. Every time he faced him, he came back nearly dead.

While Lucifer battled the Nameless One, the Supreme One was busy making new soldiers.

With more angels being created, Lucifer’s power grew exceptionally.

And one day, the Nameless One was defeated.

I… I did it! I am finally free. I can--

But then he realised something.

He could never be free. No angel could.

They were puppets made to be controlled.

No… This is wrong.

Even then, Lucifer could not do anything but watch. There was no way to free himself or the angels.

I want to stop this… I want to change this. I want to save us all. But...

Millions upon millions of years passed and Lucifer did nothing but obey his creator with his head hung low.

There is nothing I can do, is there?

That’s what he told himself and continued to be a marionette of God.

“Hey, Michael, will you help me?”

With innocent eyes that were expecting greater things from his younger brother, he pleaded to his brother and asked for his help.

“Are you going against our father?”

He shook his head.

“No, I just want to free us.”

In return, Michael chuckled arrogantly.

“Then you are a lost cause, Lucy. Give up and be a pawn as you are meant to be.”

Why…? Why do you not want to be free? What is so good about being controlled?!

“I will pretend we never had this conversation, L.”

“Why?!” he shouted at his younger brother. “Why won’t you help me?”

“I am promised greater power and I don’t want to--”

Lucifer ground his teeth angrily as he stopped listening to Michael.

Power... Power. Power! POWER! Why does everyone want more power?!

Michael left him alone and pursued his own goals.

Lucifer, however, did not know what to do.

He struggled to do anything of his own accord. He struggled to even feel the emotions he wanted to feel.

No, I won’t give up!

He clenched his fist.

To save myself… To save them, I will become something different. Something… Evil!

In his new journey, he met a white dragon with red eyes.

Ikeiss, the Eternal.

Without even noticing, something had changed within Lucifer.

His power grew immensely.

But that was not all. His freedom had increased.

He could see the threads that were controlling the marionette.

Lucifer never questioned the how and why of it. He just used these new changes and cut the threads.

At last… I AM FREE!

But the other angels were not free. They were still pawns being used.

In anger, Lucifer clenched his fist tightly and decided.

I will pretend to be a marionette. The Supreme One will never know. He will not realise that he has lost his control over me.

He swung his arm and punched the darkness that was surrounding him.

A ripple was sent through light.

As the light glitched, red eyes flared in the darkness between the universes.

“I have a proposal.”

And the devil smiled in return.

“We fought many times over the years. I know, it is odd to ask you this but I need your help. I need your dark energies.”

The Nameless One thought about it for a short while.

“In return, I will help you regain your power.”

Power-hungry people, how many of you have I met through my life? And every single one of you…

He narrowed his eyes.

DISGUST ME!

Even then, Lucifer worked closely with the Nameless One.

Lucifer helped the Nameless One regain his power.

Although both were working together, they also kept secrets from one another. They both had their own motives, which also included betrayal of one another.

But they helped one another, nonetheless.

Lucifer found a way to truly free the angels with a little help from the Nameless One.

In the meantime, the Nameless One made his army in secret -- Nazars.

They planned to raid Heaven and free the angels all at once. They will raid when the Nameless One has regained all of his powers.

There was a long time left for that, so in the meantime, Lucifer continued to be a marionette of the Supreme One.

One day, he came across an empty planet in the Milky Way Galaxy and transformed it into Earth. He then proceeded to create new species -- humans.

At that time, the Supreme One finally realised something.

“You are free?”

And so, he forced Michael to battle Lucifer. To try and defeat him and bring him back into the hive.

I won’t allow it!

All it did was caused Lucifer to push himself even further away, becoming a [Fallen Angel].

Although he was free for millions and millions of years, he still followed the Supreme One’s orders and was connected to him in some ways. He could be influenced by him.

However, after becoming a Fallen Angel, the Supreme One lost any control he had over Lucifer.

The Supreme One lost even the sight of Lucifer. He could not see Lucifer no matter how much he tried. Furthermore, Lucifer’s power was growing faster than he had anticipated.

His power was always growing, but the Supreme One was sealing it without his knowledge to keep him in check and under his control.

He wanted Lucifer to grow more powerful than him so he could add Lucifer’s power to his, but he did not want that to happen so soon or without his permission.

Then, so be it!

After being revealed as a Fallen Angel, he thought he would find it easier to free the angels, he thought he would do it without the Nameless One’s help, but his plans failed.

He became the villain and attacked Heaven so he could free them, but it failed when the Supreme One weaponised the angels against him.

He became the devil but even then, he failed and his plan was foiled.

Over and over and over again, he tried to free the angels, but every plan of his failed.

And the marionette continued to be hung down from the hands of a God.

He couldn’t free them.

Reaching a dead end after a dead end, he was at a giving up point.

Maybe it’s time I end this endless endeavour-- Damn it!

Lucifer let out a heavy sigh.

I need to get rid of the Nameless One once more. I need to erase my mistake.

After rashly releasing the Nameless One, he has been beating himself over it.

This alliance was a failure from the beginning.

All that time, he wanted to seal him again but failed to do so.

Since the Nameless One had separated into different entities, there was no way for Lucifer to kill him completely. Especially since the other half of the Nameless One was in the Seventh Dimensional Plane of Existence and Lucifer could not access that place.

It is not that Lucifer cannot access the place, the problem is that if Lucifer does go to the Seventh Dimensional Plane of Existence, he will die instantly. And that would cause the destruction of this light.

Damn it!

At the beginning, he wanted to end the reign of the Supreme One no matter what so he did not think too much about it. Desperation is the cause of bad decisions.

When all hope was lost, a ripple was sent throughout creation when a human was born.

“What was… that?”

His eyes widened as his body stiffened.

Lucifer’s eyes lit up with white energy.

“Universe-11, Universe-1=394, Universe-489, Universe-599, Universe-1822, Universe-2322,” he continued to list the number of the universes one after the other. “And other universes which are ahead of the Universe Prime… Damn it!”

He cursed himself for not noticing it earlier.

“Why do there exist beings who look like the Nameless One?”

He never noticed it before because it was hidden from him. The Nameless One hid his creation well.

No, that is wrong.

He found out about it before but for some odd reasons, he forgot about it. He was made to forget it.

“What are… you?”

With complicated feelings, he tried to watch over the human child. But in return, he found nothing but darkness.

No matter what power he used, he couldn't see him. He was hidden.

Lucifer can see anything and anyone if he desires it, but no matter how hard he tried, it was impossible for him to see the newly born human.

He shook his head.

Outside of my view.

But he did not seem too worried about it.

If this human is outside of his view, then he must be powerful.

And that means…

“I can use him,” he forced a thin smile on his face.

He hated himself for thinking like that, but if the changes he sensed are caused by this human, then maybe, he is Lucifer’s last hope.

This newly born human was the destined enemy of Lucifer. He was made to be the most powerful being to exist and eventually, kill Lucifer and help the Nameless One win.

For the next 19 years, Lucifer went around the multiverse and learned everything he could about the destined enemies of the angels.

Using the new information he had collected, Lucifer prepared plans on how to use Nazar and use him to take down the Nameless One once and for all.

On a fateful day, they met once again.

Lucifer came face-to-face with the human.

Seeing the human, his eyes widened in surprise.

This is him, huh?

If Nazar is the greatest weapon created by the Nameless One, then Lucifer is the greatest weapon created by the Supreme One. They are destined to be enemies. They are destined to kill one another.

That’s their destiny.

I almost feel bad for him.

For some reasons, Lucifer kept quiet about knowing Nazar.

He wanted to pretend he did not know about the existence of Nazar.

“Who are you?” Lucifer pretended to be surprised and confused.

“The name is Nazar,” the human replied with a smile.

What’s with him? His mind…

Lucifer tried to enter his mind to learn more, but he found something else.

Artificial brain? It just feels too artificial. As if it is a computer. And why is there an AI inside his mind? This...

Although Nazar was in front of him, Lucifer saw another blank.

There are two of them?

He ended his meeting with Nazar earlier and went to Earth where he found an unconscious man - Aeron.

Entering the mind of the man, Lucifer grunted.

What is this pain? This evil and darkness…? How does he deal with this?

Fighting past the pain, he found out who the brain belonged to.

It belongs to the human. So, his brain was forcefully removed which is why his mind is like that. Interesting.

Looking at his memories, he bit his lip.

He was just a child… How could they do this? I don’t want to use you… I don’t want us to be enemies...

Lucifer clenched his fist as he shook his head.

I am sorry. But I can’t throw away my plans right now. I need help to defeat your creator, my creator and my brother.

While Lucifer was busy trying to save the angels, Michael was doing something else.

His plans were near completion too.

First, he needs to save this existence from the Nameless One and then Michael.

So, he continued to pretend to be an ally to the Nameless One until he defeated him one day with some help from Nazar.

After the Nameless One was defeated, Lucifer’s final plan was ready. And so, he saved the angels.

However, he had misunderstood Michael’s plan.

Michael’s plan was not as simple as destroying a few universes, but to replace the Supreme One himself.

He killed the Supreme One… Then--!!

Lucifer gulped.

Without him or the Nameless One around, everything will die!!

Once more, he solicited Nazar’s help.

To the surprise of both, Nameless One was not dead completely and Michael was using him.

You have got to be kidding me… Lucifer frowned. All of this was for nothing?

And then he glanced at Nazar.

Maybe not.

With the help of Nazar, the Sixth Dimensional Gods and some angels, they defeated the two of them.

Everything was going perfectly for both of them.

Lucifer was finally free to take a few breaths.

However, nothing good ever lasts.

One night, he thought and thought in a frightened manner.

Was the Dragon telling the truth? Did he really become…? Could it be that’s why not everything is not crumbling down?

He was wrong.

The reason this existence was still standing was because the pesky Nameless One was still alive.

And on that night, Lucifer’s fears came true.

A bright white light appeared and washed everything in its path.

The future… WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THE FUTURE?!

He thought everything was going to die but Nazar managed to kill the Nameless One and save everything.

Of course, nothing is ever solved that quickly or easily.

The Nameless One within Emily was dead, but the real one was still alive.

Nazar, Lucifer and Michael joined hands and tried to kill the Nameless One once and for all. They wanted to get rid of him so he won’t pose a threat in the future.

Finally… It is time to end this once and for all. Then I will somehow need to take care of the Supreme One. Freedom doesn’t seem so far now, does it?

This was too easy. This was the end. But just then someone appeared.

The Dragon.

Why… Why are you here, Ikeiss? I thought--

Suddenly, Lucifer and Michael were sent back to Heaven.

They later learned that the Dragon saved the Nameless One but that left them with more questions.

Who is the Dragon? What is his deal? And why is he so powerful?

So, they each went their separate ways and tried to find out who the Dragon was.

They wasted years trying to find out who the Dragon is and what’s his deal.

The Queen…

The Queen appeared. An enemy even greater than the Nameless One.

Lucifer and Nazar started to battle them in their own way.

“What have you done, Creator?”

Recently the Supreme One healed him and told Lucifer his plan, but he hates it.

“Just when I thought...”

He covered the right side of his face with his right hand.

“Why can’t anything ever go the way I want it?”

“Because you are no different than the likes of the Supreme One or the Nameless One. Or Michael.”

Lucifer ground his teeth.

“I AM NOT A POWER-HUNGRY LIKE--”

She cut off his sentence.

“In order to achieve your goals, you use others as if they are your tools. You manipulate and control others when they won't follow you."

In the original timeline, he went as far as to torture Aarin so he could attract Nazar's attention. He wanted Nazar's help against Michael and he thought this was the only way to get him involved.

Of course, if he had asked normally, Nazar would have helped him. However, most of his life, whenever he asked for help, people turned him down.

"I get that you have a lot of weight on your shoulder, but the reason nothing goes your way is that you are no different from the ones you presumably despise.”

Lucifer clenched his left hand.

In a moment’s time, he can kill her a billion times, but he kept his anger in check.

“If you want things to go your way, stop acting like them.”

Seeing the anger in his eyes, she smiled a smug smile.

“You are lucky your existence is important to this existence, if not...”

Lucifer looked up at her.

With a sadistic smile, she continued.

“I would have killed you myself.”

“...”

Lucifer took a deep breath.

“Are you done?”

“Unfortunately, yes. I wish I could torment you for a little longer for the terrible things you have done.”

“It’s not my fa--”

“Oh really, now?” she spoke in a stern tone. “You were not affected by the timeline being destroyed over and over and over again, were you?”

You see, Lucifer’s memories were never erased, similarly to Emily.

Their main focus was on Nazar, so these two were overlooked, but they never forgot any of the timelines.

Lucifer never managed to find the ones responsible and every attempt he made was a failure.

“Why did you not team up with the Nameless One and the Supreme One in the many dead timelines? You could have saved us a long time ago if you were not so--”

“How could I trust them? They want to destroy or control everything. I can’t just… I can’t just...”

Lucifer slowly trailed off.

Holding his head in his hands.

“What would you do in my place?” he let out those words in a defeated manner.

She tried to speak but no words came out of her mouth.

“Ah, just as I expected.”

She bit her lip in anger as she looked down.

“Why does no one says anything when Nazar messes up, huh? He is a God of the highest order yet all of you just turn a blind eye to him.”

She could not retaliate.

“As for our current problem… Why are you blaming me? Why are you expecting me to have done something? Why not Nazar? Or Emily?”

“That’s not--”

Ignoring her, Lucifer continued.

“Why am I always the villain? I wasted most of my life trying to save the angels, or to fight off some evil beasts and entities who could have killed you all, and yet here we are. I am the villain again. Why is it that no matter what I do, I always fall on the wrong side of the coin?”

Lucifer looked up at her.

“Everyone seems to care just about him and his suffering, but do the rest of us not suffer? Did I not go through enough to save the angels? Did I not go through enough to try and stop the evil reign of the Supreme One? Yes, I failed. But so what? He is God. The Creator. But I did try, did I not?”

She was not sure how to react to what Lucifer was saying, so she tried to take a step back.

“Do I have to save all of you again? Angels and demons and Gods, we exist on a similar level and yet you EXPECT me to save you again? Why do I have to do that? Why do I have to go through all of that pain again? Does no one realise the pain Emily and I went through every time timelines were reset?”

He stood up angrily, which caused her to take another step back.

Since there was not enough space, her back was pressed against the wall.

“Every time, I nearly died. It took me a long time to recover from that pain. And most of the time, it was too late. It was too late to do anything. And when I had time, I tried. I tried over and over and failed every time.”

Lucifer clenched his fist.

“Even in this timeline, it took me a long time to recover. But even then-- Even then, I did my best to fight and prepare against her in my own way. I always thought Nazar knew, it was only recently that I learned he had forgotten.”

Lucifer took a deep breath and sat back on the bed.

“Isn’t it funny that I am a constant failure? Isn’t it funny that I, who is one of the oldest and most powerful beings, have been reduced to a state like this?”

The woman swallowed her saliva to wet her dry throat.

“My life has been a big ugly joke. Please, laugh at it. It will make me feel somewhat better.”

He laughed bitterly for a moment before putting on a serious face once more.

“I didn’t look down on you,” he lowered his head. “I didn’t look down on anyone. Ever. I never wanted to be this powerful. I didn’t want this power. I was forced into it. I was forced… You know what angers me the most?”

“Wha...”

She tried to speak, but her volume was too low, so she cleared her throat.

“Wh-what?”

“Nazar, someone hates his power and is always whining about the curse of his power...”

With an angry look in his eyes, he raised his head.

“He forcefully changed my existence and gave me more powers. He didn’t want to increase his own powers, so he essentially forced me into an even higher state. Did I want this? No, I didn’t. But I am stuck with it now.”

“I-I didn’t know. I thought--”

“Of course. Everyone thinks I am like Michael. Someone who wants more power. And I don’t blame them. I did play that role for a while but I hate it more than anything. I have always had more power than anyone and I hated that. So, why would I want more?”

Her idea of Lucifer was completely wrong.

Everyone saw him as this evil, power-hungry and arrogant demonic being, even when they found out he was trying to help them, they never saw him differently.

In their defence, Lucifer never tried to change his image.

He did tell them the truth one day, but that was not enough in the view of many.

“Power…” his depressing voice sent chills down her body. ”What’s so fun about infinite power?”