Negotiation

"I would prefer it you do not call me by that name, Father, for you would be mistaken to think of me as the angel Samael. That one died a long time ago," Lucifer responded as he turned around, his voice even and cold. To those who truly knew him, they noticed the slight pause of shock and fear before he spoke.

Gabriel and the Goddess could not blame him, for to most God would be simply standing there, before them, still an intimidating sight, but nothing compared to the truth. For they knew, they could feel it, He was everywhere.

His Presence filled practically every inch of space in Hell. They could feel Him passing through their very being, through the very spaces between their essences, it was suffocating.

It was one of the main reasons Samael rebelled, for he always felt exposed as if being observed under a microscope.

The only relief he sometimes had was when his Parents argued and he could convince Michael to aid him in staying hidden so he could repair everything, but even those moments were fleeting and made him feel guilty for he hated how he sometimes looked forward to their arguments for the comfort it brought even though his siblings and children were dying when they did.

"For me to call upon you differently, for you to no longer bear the name -el, of God, is for me to disown you, son, and despite all your faults I do not have it in me to do so." The Presence retorted, his voice even and cold to most, but to those who could sense Him, they felt the possessiveness in His claim as His hold on Lucifer became tighter.

To others being the favorite was something to be envied, to Lucifer it was always a curse, for it brought with it his Father's focused observation, his complete attention to whatever he did and thought- save for his thoughts about his past life, though that is unknown to the Divine Being- it was a Hell like no other.

To the Host him being the favorite was the most free a being could be, while in actuality it was the greatest shackles one could have.

'I did not miss this. I really, really did not miss this! Damn it, why did I have to call him here... Damn this necessity!' Lucifer thought to himself with great frustration while doing his very best to not allow anyone to notice how small he currently felt under his Father's gaze. 

Leviathan though did, and he could not help himself to shudder, furious, saddened, hateful towards God at seeing his father who he always saw as invincible be reduced to such a state. But he kept himself silent because he knew nothing he could do right now would be of benefit. Rather any interference would be a detriment to his father's plans by calling upon his Grandfather's presence.

"Let us get to the point Father, we are both very busy beings." Lucifer began, wanting to end this situation and be as far as possible from his Father as one could be in Creation, and the sooner the better. "Last I checked on the day of my first direct disobedience was that I received authority only over humanity, so what is this about me having to also be a Warden for Mother?"

"On the day you were crowned King of this realm, my son, you agreed to the role of punishing all who I have created and sent here. It may have been because you let your emotions cloud your judgment, but nonetheless, you agreed to that very deal, and had not come to me when you were in a better state, so you without doubt agreed to those conditions." Yahweh responded.

'Does not mean you did not take advantage of my state of being at that moment,' Lucifer thought to himself bitterly but knew better than to voice it out loud. His Father most definitely still heard him, but speaking something and thinking something are two very different things in his Father's eyes because of his whole, 'making an example of those disobedient.'

"That may be so, but as you exactly just stated right now, the deal is about your creations. Last I checked, Mother was not a creation of yours Father, or am I wrong?" Lucifer questioned rhetorically, though deep down a hint of fear blooming in his heart at the possibility of his Father actually having created the Goddess for that would make her practically useless to him.

"No, I have not, Ashera, my Wife, has till we met always existed as her own being outside of my Will of being existent." The Presence responded.

'I notice the words 'till now' Father, don't forget, I am also a master at spinning truth, this simply means that till you were aware of Her, she was outside of your sphere of influence.' Lucifer thought to himself irritated. He knew his Father stated his words in that way as a form of mockery against him, most definitely knowing his plans for Her which now a great deal of them having become useless.

"Since that is the case, I am under no obligation to be my Mother's keeper, but since I am a generous son, I am willing to make another deal adding to the existing one." Lucifer proposed.

"Pray tell, Samael, what is it you desire in exchange, my son?" God questioned, amused.

"I desire complete and utter authority over the punishment the Goddess Ashera receives, be it the location, the duration, the form, and every clause that falls under it," Lucifer stated to the shock of the Host and the Goddess who felt a great love bloom towards her wayward son, for his care towards her, unaware of his current thoughts.

'I have half a mind ready to demand He unchain the thoughts He has kept me from, but I know that won't be beneficial in the long run. No, in the long run, I need Mother completely at my side, under my authority. She is a well of knowledge that is older than creation, if there is any secret or way to escape this prison then She is my only source to obtain it. The problem is whether He'll agree or not.' Lucifer thought to himself, tense, as he stood In wait for his Father's response.

At his proposition, God looked thoughtful for a moment until He smiled and Lucifer recognized that smile as the same smile he himself gives his children while thinking 'I know you're playing me, but it is cute and amusing so I'll allow it.'

Lucifer had to use every ounce of control he had not to lash out at such mockery, but he held it in because it made it so he got what he wanted

'Hold it in Lucifer, there is no point in lashing out now. There is no point in demanding for your sealed thoughts to be released, for the limitations to be lifted, for no one would truly take your side.' The Morning Star thought to himself as he continued to force himself to remain composed. 

He knew If he made known to the Host the restrictions that it wouldn't be immediately seen as a betrayal by their Father because of their worship of Him, seeing Him as infallible.

'They'll simply question if I would still rebel or not, and I know myself, and I know I would, and I don't lie. Father knowing it too will simply respond with confirmation and without any need for explanation they'll simply believe He did what He did for the greater good. No point in earning Father's ire and losing on this deal for that.' Lucifer thought to himself bitterly.

"Very well, Samael, but before I completely accept I will add a clause of my own," God stated.

"And what would that be Father?" The King of Hell questioned, wary, the observers also very tense.

"Your demands of 'complete and utter authority' can be interpreted in the way of me bestowing upon you power enough to truly do anything to Her, which I refuse. You may have the authority of choice, but the authority of power to make what you wish to do with Her reality falls upon your own abilities." Yahweh explained.

Lucifer himself found this acceptable, he never intended that either, but he understood his Father's need to clarify this.

"I accept." Lucifer responded, "Now can I take that as acceptance from you as well, Father?" 

The Presence nodded, "I, the Ruler of Existence, Yahweh, the Father of the archangel Samael, the Light Bringer, accept the terms discussed between my son and I, all of existence be witness." He spoke, his words reaching every corner of reality and as his words ended, so too did his presence, as he left in a burst of light, the Host immediately following behind him.

All that remained there was the archangel alongside his Mother and son, "It is good to see you as you are before me Mother, we have much to discuss." Lucifer stated, his voice cold as he approached her, looking her in the eyes, his own burning.

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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! How did you find the discussion between Lucifer and his Father? Was there something I could have done to improve it you think? If so do please tell me.

Also, please comment and review if you like it, it motivates me to continue.

Well, see you all later, 

Bye)