Ch 2: Prologue: What is Peace?
Yes, his birth name was not Lucifer but Noah Brimstone, which was given to him by his parents. But he decided to throw out this given name, and not just his name but everything associated with his family.
The reason? He was discarded by his family at the age of five because he had awakened a low and seemingly useless talent, 'Slave of Darkness'. They didn't understand what the 'Slave of Darkness' was, or what this talent could do, but the mere presence of the word 'Slave' brought disgrace to the family. He was then deemed unworthy by his family, and their love towards him turned into disgust. They decided it was better to cast Lucifer out, severing all ties with him.
He still remembered vividly that in the heart of the Fire-Light Butterfly City, home to countless families, clans, and organizations, and among them was the Brimstone family, one of the most influential family and with financial power.
They were a believer of Noctaroth, the God of Darkness and Despair. Their ruthlessness was widely known to all. Thus, their ranking on the power chain was high within the city. Why did the other feel afraid to clash with this family? Because they would do anything and everything to rid, whatever brought disgrace to their highly regarded family name, even if that meant turning their backs on their kin or abandonment.
Lucifer considered himself fortunate to have been cast out rather than being killed but the hate towards them did not falter. As Lucifer recalled everything, he felt enraged at both his fate and the world that deemed him unworthy.
How could parents have the ability to abandon their child? In their eyes, are we just a tool? The love they were showing to us was just a façade?
Lucifer remembered the day he was cast out, his parent's cold eyes when the family head decreed his exile. His parents didn't even try to stop it; they even supported the family head, Victor Brimstone, in his decision.
As he was expelled, Lucifer saw his parent's faces from afar. There was no guilt or remorse in their eyes, only disgust. Next to them stood his talented older brother, William Brimstone, a year older than Lucifer. Seeing them hold William so dear felt like a dagger to his heart.
Did Lucifer do nothing? No, he cried and pleaded with them not to abandon him, but they acted as if they didn't hear him, as if he was invisible. They simply turned their backs and walked away, leaving him all alone like a street dog. He still remembered the last word from his parents—a kind of death knell.
"Useless."
That one word haunted Lucifer all the time, sharp as an arrow to his heart, full of cruelty and lingering inside his heart like a scar from the final statement by his parents, who turned their backs on him — not just the parents they were his world.
From that moment, he had to fight tooth and nail to survive to live in the gutter world. He had to also face the ridicule of others, face the wrath of the enemy who had a dispute with the Brimstone family. He had a also ridiculous nickname given by others which was 'Leftover'. He was angry but could not do anything…nothing at all, how could he? Could his small hand kill others? Hell yeah if he had some bombastic weapon in his hand, but he hadn't.
He slowly resorted to any means necessary to fill his empty stomach. He even did all the dirty work he could to survive in this harsh world. But this time, also because of blind trust led to betrayal at the hands of a very close friend. He was stabbed in the back for a small gain, forcing him to fight alone against someone at the High-tier Dawnbringer rank while he was only at the mid-level Mid-tier rank. The more he thought about it, the more pain pierced through his heart and the angrier he became.
***
"Cough… Cough!" Lucifer coughed again, spitting out even more blood on the ground. His trembling hands and knees were pressed on the cold ground, supporting his body to not fall.
Looks like my end is near. Has Grim Reaper already come or he is halfway? Hope, he is busy doing something.
The world around him seemed to spin and blur, but he refused to give up so easily. His will and determination urged him to stay awake.
I can't just give up like this, not yet…. I haven't done anything yet…. achieved anything yet. At least I can't die without seeing the ones who made my life this fucked up.
He tried to get up, tried to seek help but his body betrayed him with all possible. Gritting his teeth, he slammed his weak hand on the ground, trying to remain conscious. He tried everything he could, but all that happened was that water splashed everywhere.
His heart boiled with anger and hate. He wouldn't hesitate to kill anyone at this point to stay alive. Killing someone? Hell yeah. Even his own parents might feel his wrath. Lucifer clawed at the ground as hard as he could, causing blood to seep from under his nails.
All this happened because…. I was weak, too weak.
He cursed inwardly for his inability to achieve what he wanted. His mindset was already twisted as the world inflicted all the pain and struggle it could upon him.
Damn it, if I survive this, I'll kill them all… all...
He bit his lips hard, even though Lucifer couldn't voice these words, he thought them fiercely. Tears streamed from his eyes even more—a mixture full of vengeance.
"Cough!"
He coughed up more blood as he lay flat on the ground, feeling too weak to move. He knew he was in this situation because he was weak, because he was abandoned, because he had weak talent. What could he expect from this world? This world was as twisted as hell, even worse; here, the weak had no right to complain. Even if someone did, who would listen to them? They might act like they were hearing you, only to ignore you like a stranger later.
Gradually, Lucifer's vision started fading away. He felt the coldness overwhelming him, wholly—was it from the chill of the night or the impending grasp of death? He did not know as his mind was not working in a single bit at this moment.
Ahh… Even though all I can see is darkness and all I can feel is coldness… But why do I feel so relaxed? I should be anxious, and startled at this moment, shouldn't I?
Whatever….
The darkness closed in, sucking away every part of his world, little by little, until there was only left—nothingness.
In that nothingness, Lucifer felt what was the true meaning of death—the actual meaning: serenity of release, no pain, no hate, no struggle…. in other words, nothingness, this was not the darkness which might give you fear neither light who gives you hope….This was only the blissful freedom from this cruel world where he could not do anything, even if he wanted to.
And then, before his consciousness slipped through his fingers, Lucifer felt one last thing he had never felt before—profound peace.
(A/N: Wish I could feel that peace:)
The night was quiet, except for the mournful howling of the wind and the rustling of leaves. Then, something miraculous, an unexpected twist of destiny, occurred after hours of complete silence. The wind intensified, becoming like a hurricane, and the thunder showed its fury.
[Ding!]
This was not the end; in fact, it was just the beginning.