The sun shone brightly over the clouds, as the City of Light was stirring awake. Another beautiful day in Paradise; what else is to be expected in God's Eternal city? On one of the many white balconies, a figure stood, inhaling the ever present love. His blonde hair waving only slightly in the breeze, his golden wings folded back while his white robe wrapped itself around his perfect form.
"Lucifer!" a sweet feminine voice called up to him from the road that ran in front of his domicile and underneath his balcony. He smiled down at his friend, the She-Angel who commanded his heart more than God did. His breath grew shallow as he unfolded his wings and glided down to her on a ray of golden sunlight.
"Greetings Gabrielle, how are you this perfect day?" she smiled at him while they walked, noting the beautiful Angels going about the daily life, watching over mortals still on Earth, visiting God in His Holy Temple, or speaking with the other and older Gods and Goddess from past and less known religions. Lucifer looked to his companion, watching her as she talked with the small childlike Angels, her long black hair gently swaying back and forth in the breeze, her Golden wings occasionally stretching out. Her long white robe flowed down to her ankles, and her brown sandals made her feet look dainty.
Lucifer took her hand and led her to the centre square in the Marble City. She just gazed at him in confusion.
"Lucifer, what are you doing?" he held her hand up to his lips, and kissed it.
"Gabrielle, you have bewitched me." she smiled, the pulled her hand away. She was just about to say something when a trumpet sounded in the distance. The two turned to the Temple and saw the Arch Angel Michael standing on the steps next to the trumpeter.
"All Arch Angels, to the Temple Now! All Arch Angels, to the Temple Now!" he shouted, then retreated back into the building. As Lucifer and Gabrielle made their way to the Temple, she noticed that all the other Angels, those who had died and come to Heaven, looking on in wonder and amazement. She smiled at their innocence, and then continued into the building where God stayed.
Once inside, she saw that all the other Angels had already arrived, and were bowed in front of a giant throne. Sitting on it was the figure of Light, the Holy man, God. His face was ever changing, every few seconds taking the form of another human who either had yet to be born or was already born, dead or still alive. He never repeated Himself, for He had no need.
"Arch Angels, it is time for a shift change." His voice thundered lovingly over all ears present. Michael, who stood on the right hand side of the throne, pulled out a scroll and began to read off the changes.
"Arch Angel Gabrielle, you are to stand at the Golden Gates and greet all new souls coming in." Gabrielle bowed again, then left the room, her hand lingering on Lucifer's before she was gone.
"Arch Angel Lucifer, you are to proceed to the Registration building and ration out the chores and hand out wings." Lucifer bowed and left the Temple.
He caught up to Gabrielle, and the two walked in silence for a while as they made their way to their jobs. As they approached the Golden Gates, they separated, while Gabrielle kept walking straight, Lucifer peeled off to the left and entered the marble building next to the Gates.
Music floated across the air as the Golden Gates opened and Gabrielle took her spot to the right of the entrance. One by one, the souls approached the massive doors and made their way towards the beautiful She-Angel.
"Welcome to Heaven, the Paradise City of the Clouds. If you so choose to leave after receiving your wings, they will be removed and you will never again be allowed through those Gates. Please enter the building over there and receive your wings, chores, and housing arrangements. Thank you and enjoy eternity." That was what she said to each and every spirit that came up from the world of chaos below. She had never lived, never died, and had never been down to the land, so she did not have much of an understanding of where the people were coming from. She just smiled ignorantly yet happily as she watched their pain, sorrow, suffering, regret, all of it just fade away as they entered the light.
But Lucifer had visited the place where Man lived. He had seen life, and how the creatures of God's own likeness believed it should be lived. He knew what it was like to be in extreme dark, not by the warmth and light of Love. And yet he had seen a beauty down there that he could not seem to find in the Land of the Holy. A beauty that not even Gabrielle came close to. He was beginning to want to visit, maybe even stay on Earth for a while, and he would like to take Gabrielle with him. It was final; he had made up his mind.
"Gabrielle." He took her aside after yet another shift change, and held her hands.
"Yes Lucifer, what is it?" she smiled innocently as he led her towards the Gates.
"Gabrielle, I am going down to the world of man." She looked taken aback by his statement, and took a step back.
"What?" he smiled at her confusion.
"I am going down to where the humans live, as if I was one of them. And I would like you to come with me." her eyes grew wide at his request, then looked out over the clouds at the dark land below them.
"Lucifer, most of Man is Godless, why would we wish to join them? And it is dark down there, I should think you would prefer the light." He joined her at the edge of the cloud and gazed down at the land as well.
"Gabrielle, it is to hard to explain." He began, then a roguish smiled crept across his face. He took her hand and started off the cloud.
"Let me show you." she let out a gleeful yell as the two plummeted off the cloud toward the land, but slowly. Gabrielle held Lucifer around the waist, and he smiled at her touch. Right as they landed on the earth, the sun began to rise, and Gabrielle found that they were in a valley, with a river running through it. The ground was a luscious green and the mountains were covered by forests. The bright sun sent lazy shadows about the land, and all things living were slowly waking to the light of day.
Gabrielle gasped as she let go of Lucifer and made her way up a nearby hill, while he just stared at the beauty of her against the sun. Her golden wings outstretched and shimmering, her black hair glistening and her milk white skin lighting up with her smile more than the sun's rays. A soft breeze picked up, and Lucifer made his way up to join her, and when he did she smiled with tears in her eyes as she was overwhelmed by the mere beauty of the slight that lay before them.
"Welcome to the World." He smiled and she leaned in close to him as the tears of joy ran down her cheeks. It seemed like they watched that sunrise for an eternity before one of them finally spoke again.
"It is so. . . beautiful." She slid her hand into his, and he rested his head on hers as he finally turned his gaze away from his companion toward the place that lay before them.
"This is why I wanted you to come with me. So you could see the beauty of this land, and how it doesn't hold a candle to you." the smile on her lips faded as she continued to stare ahead.
"Why do you say that?" Gabrielle's voice had become monotone, and Lucifer was confused.
"Why do I say what?"
"Call me beautiful."
"Because you are, and I love you." at that remark, she pulled herself away from him and gave him such a look of confusion and almost repulsion that Lucifer felt as though his very heart had been ripped out.
"But we are Angels, Lucifer. We are only allowed to love God. Love of one another belongs in the world of Man, and is beneath us." She told him with indifference.
"You mean to tell me that you feel nothing for me?" he moved closer to her, and she didn't move away in reply.
"Love of one another is selfish." Gabrielle said firmly as Lucifer moved in even closer.
"You didn't answer my question. Do you feel nothing for me?" he was right next to her face now, and his eyes filled her vision. She closed her eyes, lowered her head and sighed.
"But . . . we are not allowed." He took her hand and lifted her chin so she would meet his gaze.
"We are not allowed in Heaven, maybe. But then, we are not in Heaven now, are we." She smiled, and before she could protest again, he took her face in both of his hands and kissed her. It was a passionate kiss, one that is exchanged between two who had been in love for a long time, and was the first kiss ever experienced for both of them. She threw her arms around him, her hands slid into his hair, while his hand glided up and down her back. When they finally released each other, he smiled at her, while she backed away slowly and turned away from him.
"We shouldn't have done that." He made a move towards her, but she backed away and then spread her wings, flying into the air.
"We shouldn't have done what?" he spread his wings and joined her. It was such a sight, the two Angels flying back and forth, zigzagging in the air to the beat of the sun's rays and the sound of the creatures all coming alive. She kept moving away from him, and he kept coming forward. Finally, in a last attempt to keep him away, she landed on the ground, and when he landed next to her, she launched into the air and perched on a thin branch of a nearby tree. He just looked up at her and smiled playfully.
"Why are you avoiding me?" she shook her head down at him, no smile blooming on her face.
"We shouldn't be down here. This can corrupt Angels, this is how we Fall from Grace. We should get back up to Heaven." She then spread her glorious golden wings and floated up and up, then out of sight. She had reached the Cloud City of Light and Heaven, and had left him down on the World of Man, alone, and pining.
"Arch Angels Gabrielle and Lucifer! To the Temple! Arch Angels Gabrielle and Lucifer! To the Temple!" all heard the announcement that Michael shouted, and all heard the urgency that his voice demanded. Lucifer felt all eyes on him as he approached the marble stairs, and he knew that all followed him as he entered the Temple.
Once inside, he saw God on the throne, ever changing, and Arch Angel Michael standing on the right. Gabrielle was already there, her head bowed in respect to the Mighty.
"Lucifer, did you or did you not go down to the World of Man?" Michael asked, but also commanded Lucifer to answer. His tone was severe, and yet it was caring, as if he wanted the answer to be no.
"I did." Michael lowered his head while Gabrielle closed her eyes. God's face changed from compassionate to angry and fury.
"And did or did not Arch Angel Gabrielle go with you down to the World of Man with you." Michael was less loving and compassionate. Lucifer hesitated.
"She did not." Gabrielle fell to her knees while God furiously stood up and Michael backed into the shadows of the throne.
"YOU DARE LIE TO ME!? YOU WILL PAY FOR YOUR INSOLANCE!" Lucifer shot a fearful look at Gabrielle, who stood and was facing God's throne with a sense of fear.
"But I did not lie to you! I have told you the truth; she was not there with me." Gabrielle wouldn't look at him.
"She was honest. She has told us that she willingly went down with you to the World of Man. Not only that, but I see all, hear all, feel all and know all. You have been found in a lie!" God thundered over all who were there. Gabrielle still would not look at him, and it was then that something in Lucifer snapped.
"Who are you to tell me that I cannot love whom I will? You are supposed to be the symbol of eternal love and life, and yet you say we are only allowed to love you."
"Arch Angel Lucifer! You will hold your tongue in the presence of his Holiness." Michael shouted, but Lucifer was on a roll, and he would not have it.
"You are not right for God! I would be better suited for this title." Lucifer thundered, and yet God thoroughly unleashed all his fury and might onto the lone Arch Angel.
"YOU?! YOU BE GOD?! YOU ARE NOT WELL SUITED FOR THE POSITION! YOU SHALL SUFFER THE CONSIQUENCES OF YOUR ACTIONS!" and with that, God called a mighty bolt of thunder, and was about to smite Lucifer where he stood, but Lucifer moved. Thus the bolt struck the marble floor.
"Lucifer!" Gabrielle turned to him, and there were tears in her eyes. Lucifer softened for a moment, then became hardened by jealousy.
"I challenged you for the Throne!" he shouted, and God lowered his head and became majestic.
"If that is what you wish." Lucifer turned to Gabrielle, who just stood there, staring at the foot of the throne. He then looked to Michael, who shook his head. Lucifer then turned away from the sad sight, and left the Temple. If he was to battle God for the Throne, he would, and would have some help.
Traveling down the stairs and onto the streets, he began to shout out to all Angels who would listen to him.
"All Angels! I have challenged God for the Throne! If you are with me, follow me to the Gates! If you are with God, than you are against me and will be destroyed with the old Regime!" several followed him, and gathered at the Golden Gates. They held spears, bows and arrows, some even bolts of lightening; they were ready for a fight. The clouds formed and grew gray with anger and despair. Lucifer and his army of Rebel Angels stood and waited, as trumpets sounded and the Angels following God lined up, ready to face the rogue army. Lucifer saw that among the Faithful was Michael.
"What a shock." He breathed sarcastically. Michael was nothing more than goody-goody who licked the floor where God had been. Disgusting. And God was on the frontline, not hidden in His Temple on His Throne. But where was Gabrielle? Lucifer couldn't find her anywhere.
"Lucifer! You have one last chance! Surrender now and you shall be spared!" Arch Angel Michael shouted down at the Rebels. One last chance. Lucifer laughed.
"Michael, you can take your authority and choke on it!" Michael raised his eyebrows at Lucifer's confidence. His arrogance.
"Rebels! Attack!" Lucifer shouted and lifted his sword and staff, signaling the beginning of the fight. And they rushed in.
All Angels fought in a glorious battle for heaven, so for love of God, some for love of other things, but all thought that they were right. They hacked and chopped and stabbed and fell so beautifully, one would think that war was an act of art. It was passion. In the end, Lucifer fell to his knees. And he had fallen to his knees before God. Lucifer kissed His hand and repeatedly bowed at His feet.
"Forgive me, Lord, Forgive me. It was out of Love, Love for You." God's every changing face grew sorrowful, then placid.
"It is too late, Lucifer. Too late." He continually bowed and pleaded for God's mercy, but it was no use.
"LUCIFER! YOU HAVE RISEN AGAINST HEAVEN AND AGAINST ME! YOU ARE THEREFOR STRIPED OF YOUR TITLE AS ARCH ANGEL AND BANISHED ALONG WITH YOUR REBELS DOWN TO EARTH! YOU ARE NO LONGER WELCOME IN HEAVEN!" God's thunderous voice boomed, during which black clouds gathered. Lucifer and the other rogue Angels screamed in pain as their wings, their glorious golden wings, began to rip, shred, and tear away from their bodies. Lucifer had one last chance to look upon the wondrous beauty of the Sky Paradise before his was hurdled toward Earth. In that last second, his eyes found Gabrielle, standing on the wall with and bow in her hand and a quiver of arrows on her back. And he spied the tear rolling down her cheek. He had chosen, and it was not her.

The land was soft, green, and living beneath their feet. The fallen Angels stood on the hill where Lucifer had taken Gabrielle, and it was as beautiful as ever Lucifer saw it. But that did not mean he liked it. Tears welled up in his eyes when he thought of her in his arms, yet a new feeling was quickly rising. Stepping forward, he stretched out his arms, finding there was some Magic left. A great fire rose, and engulfed the land and it was scorched. The rogue Angels, too, became swallowed, and burned. They transformed into devils and demons, with charred skin, rotting flesh and black, holed and torn wings. Yet Lucifer had stayed the same, apart from his golden wings turning charred and ripped. He turned to his legion of monsters and smiled evilly.
"There, that's better." Scarred, the valley had died, burned, and was swallowed up, taken down into the bowels of the earth. It became the place where all evil souls go to learn and pay for their sins. The biggest sinner of them all being the one who watches over the place where he is God. And that place is Hell, the Devil's Domain.

From up in Heaven, Gabrielle looked down upon Lucifer and his transformation. She saw the change in him, and how he burned the valley. Their valley. Somehow she stopped the tears flowing to only a single one. She felt a presence move beside her, and found the Arch Angel Michael there.
"Gabrielle, I am sorry for what we put you through." She closed her eyes with a pained smile as the weapons disappeared.
"All for the Love of God, am I correct?" Michael rested a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"You love him still? Even after all this?" Gabrielle shook her head with sorrow.
"No, there is no more affection nor attraction for that vile, evil, disgusting creature left. My love for him burned up with that valley." Her voice was strong, even angry as she spoke, all the while watching the valley burn, then falling into the earth. She watched the evil smile grow on Lucifer's face, and knew that the old Lucifer, the loving and caring Lucifer, was dead. Eaten by the flames. There was nothing left.
"I love God, God and only God."
From the Throne of Hell, Lucifer heard her say this. On the Throne of Hell, his change was completed.

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