Fallen Angels (14)

Lucifer watched the angel destroy herself. Every time she battled a demon and destroyed them, her mind broke a little more.

He could see her eyes searching for her friend and being disappointed each time. He wanted to let her know that the person she was longing for no longer existed.

He had spent time watching the former angel, now demon. She had fully embraced the demonic way and strove to eliminate angels in the cruelest way possible. She indulged in every vice possible, surpassing even some demons.

Each time he saw Lilith kill, get injured and collapse, his heart hurt for some reason. Her eyes no longer had any emotion and just seemed like dead stones with no vitality.

He wanted to save her, but he didn't know how. This time when he watched her, she started coughing up blood and he knew if something wasn't done, she would be gone. Forever.

Before his brain could react, he already had his arms around her. Her back pressed against him, and he could feel her trembling.

"Lilith." He called her true name, "Let me help you."

"…. I cannot be helped. I've committed the worst crime and should never be forgiven. Let me go." She coldly replied.

"I cannot. If I do, you will break. Let me be there for you."

"Then let me break. There's nothing left for me anyway." He felt her body stiffen as she responded.

Upset, he buried his face into her neck before murmuring, "Lilith. I've come to care for you. but I cannot watch until you destroy yourself. I know why you're fighting, and I've done as you asked and watched over 'Her' but…. She no longer cares for you. she's not the angel you once knew, she has fallen completely to her demonic impulses."

"It doesn't matter. I will continue on my path and end this war one way or another. Then She can find peace." Was the blunt response.

Suddenly angry, he grabbed her shoulders and spun her around to face him. Seeing the despair on a face covered with blood, an unidentified emotion bubbled up in his chest and he couldn't help but plead again. "Lilith. Let me be the person who protects and watches your back. You're being reckless and I do not want you to break until your goal is achieved. I don't want you to permanently lose yourself. If you don't agree I will stop guarding 'Her' and since it is a battlefield anything can happen."

"No!" her eyes widened, and she gripped his arms in panic, "Lucifer No! You have to- you have to protect her. it's my fault that she's like this now."

"Then let me be by your side." He cajoled her.

"You want to be by my side even if my goal is to kill almost all the demons, demons like you, and finally end this war?"

Lucifer watched Lilith with careful eyes. She was no longer the pure angel he knew. She had been corrupted by betrayal and blood. Her wings were no longer pure white, instead, they were stained black and red. She had the fierce aura of someone who lived on the battlefield. Still, he was entranced by those vivid green eyes. Eyes filled with loneliness and tiredness.

He gently removed her hands from his before kneeling before her.

"Lilith. Before the Heavens, Earth, and Hell hear my words. I'm yours. I am only on your side. I see you and only you. Only I know your pain, your uncertainty, your loneliness. You can use me as a sword, shield, assassin, anything. Just let me stay by your side. I will never betray you."

Listening to his words, Lilith could feel tears coming to her eyes. To be honest, she was tired. She had been in a nonstop cycle of battling and betrayal and battling some more. The weight of death and being alone was weighing on her and eroding her sanity.

But staring at the demon kneeling in front of her, earnestly pleading with her, she felt touched. His red eyes stared deep into her soul, and she felt like she had no secrets in front of him. Hearing his words soothed her wounded heart.

She had been waiting for somebody to reach out. To stop her. To save her. To tell her that it was enough. That she had done enough. That it was time to live for herself.

She slowly reached her hand out to him, wanting to accept his words. He gently grabbed her fingers and brought them to his lips.

She felt as if she was burning up from the heat from his lips. She closed her eyes in relief and felt as if she had placed a heavy weight down.

She felt him murmur against her hand and before she could ask what he said. She felt something slam into her back. Then another. Then another.

She toppled forward coughing blood and was caught by Lucifer. Her vision started to fade away as she felt herself slipping away.

Forcing her eyes open, she saw the worried face of a demon hovering over her. a single tear trailed down his cheek and she reached up to wipe it away, accidentally smearing blood on his face.

Smiling sadly, she spoke slowly, "No crying. Demons aren't allowed to cry."

He grabbed her hand and buried his face in it before gently responding, "No dying. Angels are not allowed to die."

Feeling her stomach where the pain was spreading, she couldn't help but grimace. She could feel the demonic energy spreading and eroding her life. But she ignored it and continued to smile at the demon.

"Thank you for reaching out and for seeing the true me even at my worst. In the end, you were the only one who cared. When I'm gone could you do me a favor?"

"Hold on. You're not going to die! I will purify the demonic energy and heal you." She watched the usually composed face panicking as he used his powers on her. But she could tell that it was too late.

"Lucifer. Luci? Lufi? Fer Fer? I never had a chance to give you a nickname." Lilith laughed, the sound bright like tinkling bells.

Lucifer felt she could call him any ridiculous nickname if she could live. But he could feel her weakening and fading.

"Please protect my friend as best as you can. And once I'm gone, cremate me and spread my ashes to the sea. I no longer want to be an angel, I want to be reincarnated as a human so that maybe one day we can meet without being enemies. And take care of yourself and be at peace. Promise?" she weakly held up her pinky as she stared at the demon who looked as if his world was ending.

He locked pinkies with her and kissed her hands. Satisfied that he accepted her promise, Lilith's eyes closed forever.

Just like that, an angel died. Tucking her hands on her chest, he caressed the beautiful, bloodied face one last time. I'm sorry Lilith. I won't be able to keep one of those promises.