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

he of another war that he surrendered Hell’s sovereignty. And these beings, they were the ones who paid the price.

Perhaps some of them did deserve a place in Cocytus. But it wasn’t the Morningstar’s role to unilaterally make that decision. There would have to be some sort of justice done. Not on the basis of politics or fear, but out of impartiality.

Lucifer held his arms out to the sides and he concentrated, shutting his eyes. He allowed himself to feel every spot on his body where the frigid water touched. It seeped into his pores, burrowing beneath his skin. And as he remained immersed in Cocytus, he could feel its power beginning to merge with his own soul.

A spark was lit deep within him. Lucifer opened his eyes, the pale yellow color now replaced by a healthy, golden glow. The prison’s energy continued to move into his body, and the glow intensified. Cracks began to appear in the remaining ice and the prisoners held stationary within were able to begin to move. The ice continued to break along those faults and started shattering.

A halo of light emerged from within Lucifer’s body. The inverted pentagram that Abraxas has once painted on his chest before The Fall appeared again, as if it were made of fire. The remaining ice broke apart and melted, becoming one with the water. And the water itself?

It started boiling.

The banks over Cocytus were filled with the steam of the evaporating lake. Erebus watched as the water faded away, leaving barren land and the prone forms of the remaining prisoners beginning to stir for the first time since they were frozen.

Lucifer himself remained at the center, hovering above the ground. Wings forged of flame emerged from his back and took shape. The last of Cocytus’s energy was absorbed into him and he landed on the ground where Erebus moved forward to meet him.

“It seems to have worked,” said the now-former warden.

Lucifer folded his wings forward, marveling at their return. He had thought he’d never see them again, forgotten what it felt like to possess them even. The power of Cocytus coursed through his soul, fueling him and giving him strength. And now, the time had come to complete his mission and begin the next phase of his journey.

The Morningstar launched from the ground and his wings pushed him up through the levels of Hell, headed towards the center where his enemy waited.

24

Raum’s army had made it to the center of Hell and the tower where the current king, Luther Cross, kept his residence. Just as Lucifer before him, Cross had made the decision to be a leader separated from everything. Any attempts to institute some kinds of reforms were met with resistance from the Infernal Court. But Raum didn’t know nor care about any of that. He was more interested in achieving his own goals.

Cross did command some guard forces that monitored the barrier to his domain, but they were quickly overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of Raum’s raiders. They tore through the security in short order and by the time Cross had returned to try to intercept Raum himself, they had already breached the tower.

It was a valiant attempt, but by the time it had gotten this far, it was too little, too late. Raum’s time in the Badlands since escaping from Cocytus had obviously not only been spent on giving speeches, but also improving his own skills. And Cross hadn’t been in a fight since before he accepted the throne, which had dulled his combat instincts and fighting prowess. Not even the power he commanded as the king were enough to deal with Raum.

Cross lay on the ground, his body utterly battered by Raum. The demon held a long, flaming lance in his hand, looked down at the current king, and just shook his head in disappointment.

“Maybe it’s a good thing that your father isn’t here to see this,” said Raum. “I can’t imagine Abraxas would be happy at seeing how his own son had utterly failed so spectacularly.”

Cross’s red eyes flashed and he spoke a single word: “Ignis!”

A small explosion formed right in front of Raum and he was thrown through the tower’s window. His wings flared to life and caught the air, holding him in place. Raum kept himself aloft and waited for Cross to step up to the window. But the cambion remained there, not choosing to pursue him further. And Raum laughed.

“Look at you, so terrified to embrace your nature,” he said. “You could easily conjure up your own wings and come after me. But you’re still too tied to your own humanity, aren’t you? That’s why you won’t win.”

A great burst of bright, golden light appeared above the tower. It blinded both Raum and Cross and briefly brought a cessation to the battle by their forces on the ground. Raum held his hand over his eyes to try and provide some protection to them.

The light was so powerful, it could be seen all throughout Hell. And as it faded, the most beautiful angel in creation was left hovering above the tower, wearing a black suit and his vibrant, yellow eyes framed by halos of bright, golden energy.

“I think we’ve all had quite enough of your antics, Raum,” said the Morningstar.

“Lucifer?” asked Raum. “This isn’t possible. I left you chained up in a cave, powerless!”

“Perhaps next time you should try killing your opponent instead of keeping them around to gloat,” said Lucifer.

“Oh believe me, that’s a mistake I’ll surely rectify!”

Raum’s wings launched him at Lucifer and he held his lance in both hands, pointing the blade in front of him. Lucifer remained hovering above and flames coursed from his chest and into his palms. Two long swords forged of hellfire in his grasp. When Raum reached him, Lucifer blocked his lance by crossing the blades in front of his body.

“How did you escape? How are your powers back?” Raum demanded.

“If I were you, I’d be less concerned about how we got