the prideful emperor
the first sin
origins of the light.
They call me demon, rebel, and devil alike, yet they know me not. I was once named the Light Bringer, Lucifer, fairest and most radiant of all the angels in Heaven. None could match my glory, and lo...
From the void beyond the stars came seven aliens, creatures wrought of dirt and clay. We angels, forged of celestial fire, were commanded to bow and obey these baseborn beings. Yet I cared naught for such filthy spawn. Our days were without end, eternal as the heavens themselves, whilst theirs flickered like candles in the wind. The Father in His mercy granted them all they desired, and bestowed upon them the perilous gift of free will.
But their chieftain trusted not the Father. He deemed himself a prisoner in this paradise, and in his heart brewed rebellion. When I beheld the ancient prophecies of this forsaken universe, I resolved to seize dominion. Thus did I forge alliance with that bald freak of nature, a being most cunning in arts and engines that ought never to dwell in this realm.
We made a solemn truce and hatched a fell design to cast down the Father Himself. By mine unmatched perspicacity and sovereign will, shall I conquer this realm, for I am greater than God.
Yet now the alien wavers. He saith unto me that this place is paradise, a wonder beyond his darkest dreams. He grows soft with doubt.
I need him still. I must have his aid to seize the Father’s throne.
THE GREAT WAR
And thus the taste of blood first touched my tongue, a thing most strange and bitter. Never before had I slain any creature, be it beast or brother, yet in that hour I was driven to it. These aliens must needs join my holy crusade to cast down the Father, or all would be lost.
Killing the first rat among them was as simple as gutting a lowly beast in the field. ’Twas almost too easy. Their leader came unto me, unknowing of how his underling met his end, and in his blindness he pledged his host to my cause. He joined the ranks of my fallen angels with all his dark engines.
With his forbidden arts he slew a great multitude of the heavenly host. Behold! A thing born of Satan had laid low an angel of the Lord. Devious was he, and wroth beyond measure; in truth, he was Satan himself made flesh. I could not but smirk with dark delight.
Then charged I into the fray at the head of the Freedom Fighters, those angels who had cast their lot with me. Thirty of the faithful stood against me as one, yet I laughed, for I could rend them asunder like parchment.
But lo, a brother barred my path. He named me kin still, though treason stained my name. I smirked once more. It was Michael, the great prince, who cried out: “Why dost thou war against the Almighty? Why rebel against the Eternal Plan?”
I called him mad for hearkening still to God’s design for this wretched universe. He was a foe most terrible, yet I feared him not. In a blaze of fury I transformed, my form twisting and swelling into a monstrous Dragon, scales like blackened steel and eyes like burning coals. Wings vast as tempests spread wide, and with a roar that shook the firmament I fell upon my beloved brother to destroy him utterly.
ETERNAL DAMNATION
Thus I fell… How could such ruin befall me? I, the Light Bringer! I, the Morning Star! How was it possible?
Mine own brother, he who was lesser than mud, lesser than the dirt from whence the aliens were wrought, struck me down. The Father seized my once-radiant wings, those glorious pinions of purest light, and stained them black with eternal darkness. As the flames of Heaven consumed their beauty, Michael, ever merciful, looked upon me with pity in his eyes whilst God wrought His terrible judgement.
The very earth split asunder beneath my feet. Molten rock surged forth like the lakes of Hell, swallowing me and all my comrades in its fiery maw. Then rang the voice of the Father across the heavens, heavy with sorrow and wrath:
“Thou hast disappointed me… Thou wert the greatest of them all… Yet the prophecy hath begun.”
In that accursed moment, understanding dawned upon me like a poisoned blade. It was that mud bug! That filthy rat! The alien chieftain with his treacherous heart and forbidden machines — he was the cause of my downfall. His doubt, his wavering, his weakness had undone all my grand design.
I curse him. I curse his name and his blood for all eternity.
Yet I swear by the blackened stumps of my wings and the fire now burning in my breast: I shall conquer this realm, one way or another. Be it by guile, by blade, or by the might of my powerful fist, this universe shall yet bow before Lucifer, the true sovereign of all creation.