Dirt skims the surface of the floor as loud wind carries it past a shadowy characters feet, he is sitting down comfortably looking above. The unknown planet around them destroyed and void of life.

Above another person floats staring down at him.

Another strong gust of wind followed by a loud thunder off in the distance.

...

Suddenly both vanish in an instant, the dirt and clouds around them spiral. Loud thunderous clashing followed by collisions mid-air too quick to be seen by the human eye, shadows quickly arise from the ground below upwards just to be halted by bright thunder from above.

It slowly returns to silence once again.

The shadows clear, and we see the once shadowy figure, he slumps back down into the first position we saw him in.

''How long do you think you can do this for?''. He asks.

Clouds above start to move apart, we see this other deity much better now. He takes his time responding.

''There is no time frame Lucifer, I can simply do it forever''.

Lucifer grins to himself.

''Your right, you can, but would you?''. Lucifer looks up, he adds.

''Would God abandon his people?''.

God slowly descends to the floor, neither of them showing fear or aggression towards one another, he lands and walks closer towards him saying.

''If it means holding you here for eternity, then that's a small price to pay for salvation. The only thing I will have to regret is not being able to witness it myself''.

Lucifer starts to laugh quietly to himself then it quickly becomes bigger, God watches on emotionless, Lucifer stands, he bargains to him.

''If your wish is to see how humans flourish, then we have the same dream, don't you think?''.

''Your dream is nothing but a pessimistic ideal, I know that since I created you and therefore your flaws''. God replies.

Lucifer walks towards him, the wind still blowing loud and the atmosphere still tense. They are about a foot away from each other now.

''Don't you see your own paradox? A perfect entity being able to create imperfect creations? I stand before you now not because I am perfect, but because I'm not, and that itself is what makes me perfect! The reason I know humans better than you is not because I believe I am a more complete being than yourself, it's because of the flaws of myself and humans which bound us together and makes us connected by fate. It makes us the same!''. Lucifer chants.

God says nothing, he continues watching Lucifer, ensuring he stays settled.

Lucifer sighs.

''No point arguing about something which we will never know…''. Lucifer mumbles, he adds.

''But there is one way''.

He continues, ''How about it? I propose a deal in which both of us can see for ourselves the fate of your creation. We both agree to seal ourselves away in our domains through a pact. We restrict access to both angels and demons from entering the human world for 2000 Earth years. That should be more than enough time for them to truly question who they are as a species.''. He goes on.

''After that time limit, depending on whether the majority of humanity are either; what you would call 'Saints', or 'Evil', either me or you get to rightfully rule the high heavens... What do you think?''.

Lucifer feels excited by his proposal, he waits, intrigued.

''I won't accept a deal from the devil''. God replies.

All the excitement Lucifer built up depletes he drops to the floor comfortably once again thinking he is in for another millennia of fighting, he plays with the dirt below him.

''However, I will be the one to propose it, with another condition''. God explains.

Lucifer looks up, the spark in his eye returning.

''After the 2000 earth years are over, whoever is defeated agrees to once and for all, cease to exist''. God says looking down on Lucifer.

The dirt in Lucifer's hand blows away, leaving nothing in his palm, he clenches it into a fist, he smiles as says.

''Very well'', but I have one more amendment I'd like to make''.

God looks to him listening closely to what he has to say.

''If the time limit is over and the majority of humans are still neutral, then both angels and demons are free to roam earth yet again.''.

A long silence ensues. Lucifer wonders if he has asked for too much.

God ponders, then sincerely answers Lucifer.

''Very well. Its agreed''.

The ground beneath them both starts to shake and cracks emerge in the ground around them, both unfazed a crack goes between the two of them spreading wider and wider. Both stand and look down into the ever-growing crevice, They both create a small portal beside themselves and reach in to grab a book. They open it and place their hands inside, text is quickly writing inside.

They both shut their books, God tosses the book over to Lucifer, and he catches it. Lucifer repays the favour but is a bit more heavy-handed on his throw, nevertheless God catches it nonchalantly. They both take time reading the books and after some evaluation place their hands on the next page of where the other person pressed theirs.

Magma starts to shoot out of the crevice between them.

''Hope you're not planning on backing out now''. Lucifer jokes, shouting over the rumbling.

They both throw their signed books into the molten crevice, light and darkness shoot out. The planet starts to rupture and fall apart.

They both start to fade out of existence, staring each other down.

Only rumbling can now be heard.

---

Modern day, Year 1999 - 1 Day till New Year.

Adriel, young, short black hair with fair features, is working late at his job at a convenience store. He sits watching the clock, its currently 11:50pm.

''Can I pay by card?''. Says the stranger opposite.

''Oh yes of course sorry!''. He replies.

He helps bag the customer's items, he takes another look at the clock and looks out the window across the street. There is another shop similar to the one he works in with a young pretty girl, her long brown hair compliments well with her hazel eyes. She smiles as she serves someone. Adriel stares at her for a bit and is interrupted by his boss.

''Adriel don't forget to count up before we shut''.

Adriel jumps back into work mode pretending to do stuff, he takes another quick look at the clock which now says 11:55pm, he starts to get jittery and asks.

''Boss, you think I could maybe get off just 5 minutes early? It is New Year after all!''.

Adriel's boss turns to him, he says.

''I would, but you're starting to make a habit of running off early''.

The look in Adriel's eyes is desperate, he carries on

''You want to speak to her over there again, don't you?''.

Adriel nods his head shyly.

The boss chuckles to himself while saying.

''Alright, but just this time!''.

Adriel jumps up and runs to the back of the store to grabs his bag, he makes a dash for the front of the shop and leaves, His boss calls out to him.

''Don't give that asshole over there a penny either!''.

He works himself up before entering the store, still sporting his own work uniform. He looks over at the girl, takes a deep breath and walks to her. She greets him with a warm smile.

''Hi Adriel, you here again for a sandwich?''.

''Hey Rose! Yeah, what can I say they sure do taste good, better than the ones at my work that's for sure!''.

Adrial replies awkwardly laughing, she also finds it amusing.

She processes the order on the till.

This is my chance!

''Sooo have been seeing all the fireworks outside? Imagine how many there's going to be come midnight! Adrian hints.

''I've been watching them through the window this whole time, they look so beautiful'' Rose responds.

Rose's boss walks out from nearby, hearing a bit too much laughter, a much older man with a very uninviting face.

''Rose, after this you're done for the day.''. He says.

The old man takes a look at Adrian's uniform and looks back up at Adrian, he continues.

''Actually, can you lift tomorrow's stock for me out back real quick. I'll serve this customer''.

''Oh, sure OK, bye!''. She waves goodbye and walks away.

''Happy New Year, Rose!''. Adrian says as she disappeares out back.

''You too!''. She replies, sticking her head out.

Her boss stands their slowly pressing the till smiling and whistling to himself. Adrian is clearly annoyed. The receipt slowly comes out of the machine.

''Good to know that the food at the Saul Mart is nothing to brag home about''. The old man snickers.

Adrian looks at him blankly, he pays, snatches his receipt and leaves with his sandwich.

''Happy New Year!''. The old man yells, adding insult to injury.

Adrian walks out into the street, feeling down. Fireworks begin to go off all at once, he looks up, watching all the colours.

What a sight this could have been if shared...

He continues walking down the street taking bites of his food, he lives surprisingly close to his work just a few blocks away in fact. His apartment shares the same road as his work place. He crosses the street and enters his apartment building, he stomps his feet up the steps to his room and unlocks the door. Inside, nothing much. Mostly magazines, a messy bed and a computer on the side with a desk. The bathroom is overdue a cleaning.

He changes out of his uniform and throws on a plain back shirt with shorts. The view of the fireworks from his window is incredible, He pulls up a chair and watches. There are more fireworks than he has ever seen before, they fill the whole night sky. He rests his head on his hand and watches from the window seal.

He looks down to the street below and spots Rose walking home from work, he is much more captivated by her then he is the sky above. He watches her, mesmerized. She walks down the street, looking upwards.

All of a sudden she is grabbed and pulled into the alleyway!

Adrian is stunned, he leaps up, opens his apartment door and runs out leaving it wide open, he sprints down a few flights of stairs falling down the last set but swiftly getting back up. He exits the building, running across the road, nearly getting hit by a car in the process! Shouting and car horns are heard as he runs down the dark alley.

He turns the corner and finds her.

A 8ft, red, bald well-built man is holding Rose up against the wall by her neck. From that hand, a weird grey aura emits from him into her.

Adrian watches petrified, he grabs a pipe near a bin and holds it up to the giant. The pipe sways as his whole body trembles.

The giant slowly turns his head to the side and stares at Adrian.

It smiles.