Lucifer Damned (Morningstar Book 3), Percival Constantine [electric book reader .txt] 📗

that extended down to the reaches of infinity. Once trapped within the waters of Cocytus, a prisoner would be frozen in a state of suspended animation. Unable to move or react with the outside world in any way. But they would remain conscious the entire time—confined for eternity.

The prison was watched by the demon called Erebus. His body consisted of an exoskeleton of twisted and pointed bones, his head the shape of a goat’s skull with giant horns protruding from the sides. He stood at the banks that met the frozen water and knelt before them, one hand clutching his staff.

“Morningstar,” he said in a deep voice without turning. He could sense the presence of his former master. “I had wondered if you would ever return to this place.”

“Unfortunately, circumstances had kept me away,” said Lucifer. “Hello, Erebus. It’s been a long time.”

“Eons, in fact.” Erebus pushed his weight on his staff as he stood to face Lucifer. When he looked at the fallen angel, Erebus’s eyes briefly flashed yellow and he tilted his head at an angle. “But you are different than you were back then. Lesser in some ways.”

Lucifer frowned. “Yes. I’m afraid an encounter with one of the escapees left me powerless.”

“Perhaps a suitable consequence given your role in those escapes.”

Lucifer took a step closer. “I know I have much to answer for. Had I known at the time that abdicating the throne would weaken Cocytus, I would have—”

“Would have what?” asked Erebus by way of interruption. “Would have put off your desire to escape? Would have remained in Hell to live up to your responsibilities?”

Lucifer sighed. “If we’re being completely honest here, then I truly don’t know. But I doubt it.”

Erebus gave a slow nod. “As I thought. Though I do appreciate the candor.”

“But I’m here now,” said Lucifer. “And Raum has brought chaos to Hell. If I had my powers back, I believe I could stop him.”

“You do? When not even the combined might of the Infernal Court seems capable? What makes you so special?”

“Hell’s power comes from me. If I’m one with it again, then I can turn the tide. Provide the people a reason to stop this insane revolution.”

“If you could, what will happen to Cocytus? To Raum? To Hell itself?”

“Before I tell you that, just answer me one question—is it possible for my powers to be restored?” asked Lucifer.

Erebus looked out over the frozen lake, which was littered with cracks and outright breaks, revealing still, icy waters beneath.

“Cocytus was born from you. It is the last remaining vestige of your power. So yes, I believe it could,” said Erebus. “Now it’s your turn to answer my questions.”

“My answer is I don’t know,” said Lucifer. “But that’s because I don’t think those decisions should be up to me anymore. I’ve failed in my role as the King of Hell. I have no right to the throne anymore, no claim to the title. And if demons like Raum are to be held accountable, then so should I.”

Erebus gave a chuckle that sounded like nails scraping against metal. It was obvious that he didn’t believe Lucifer’s words. But as he laughed, he looked at the Morningstar, saw the grim expression on his face, and he realized just how serious Lucifer truly was.

“You mean it, don’t you?” asked the demon. “You truly are willing to surrender yourself to the mercy of Hell’s denizens and accept whatever judgment they put upon your head.”

Lucifer nodded. “It’s time I accepted responsibility for my actions. I’ve lived under the threat of the Divine Choir’s retaliation for far too long. I never had any business ruling Hell. It wasn’t a job I wanted and certainly not one I took seriously.”

“Very well, then I shall help you.” Erebus raised his staff and pointed it at the frozen lake. “If you are to be restored, then you and Cocytus must be one again. To absorb its power, you must destroy the prison.”

“But aren’t there still prisoners inside? Ones who haven’t escaped?” asked Lucifer.

Erebus nodded. “That is the price. To be restored, you have to release those you imprisoned.”

“Raum, Barbatos, Astaroth. You’ve seen what they did when they were released. How will letting them all go free make things better?”

“Maybe it won’t. But you will have to face those consequences, too. You can’t repair the damage by continuing to pick at the wounds.”

Lucifer looked out at the frozen lake. Destroying Cocytus was one step closer to eliminating his legacy. It’d be a difficult path to walk, but change could only come if he was willing to let go of those old structures. He moved to the edge of the bank and took a careful step forward onto the ice.

It was slippery and he had to hold his arms out to balance himself as he carefully took another step. And then another and another. Before long, Lucifer was standing in the middle of the ice, facing one of the giant holes and the frigid water beneath. He gave one last look at Erebus, who nodded.

Lucifer looked back at the water and jumped, diving beneath its surface. The intensity of the cold was unlike anything he’d ever felt before. This was beyond freezing and a completely different feeling from having his soul seared by hellfire or even soulfire.

Down amongst the depths, Lucifer opened his eyes and looked around. He could see them all, the prisoners that remained in Cocytus. Each one frozen in a perpetual state of solitary confinement. None of them able to do anything but reflect on what they’d done in their lives and how they could look forward to nothing in the future. Just an eternity of stagnation.

In some ways, it was the same fate Lucifer faced before he made the choice to abdicate the throne. And if he wanted to change his fate, they should be entitled to the same. He created this place due to political pressure, because he didn’t want to risk further angering the Divine Choir. So fearful was