Michael stepped through the realms, collapsing to his hands and knees in Lucifer's Great Hall. The Fallen man sat sideways in his throne, legs tossed carefree over the arm of the chair as he read a thick tome. The demon called Edward sat to his left, looking up as Michael landed in their presence.
"Lucifer! You have to help me! Take these powers away!" Michael begged, his voice cracking with desperation.
Despite the angel's pleas, Lucifer did not look up, simply holding up one finger. He turned the page of his book after an agonizing wait, before finally turning his attention to the broken man on his floor before him.
"Now why would I want to do that?"
Michael's body heaved, a sob wracking through his body. "I broke her trust, I pushed her too far! I promised I would stop, and then the power surge...I couldn't help myself! You have to take the powers away! I hate what I have become!"
Lucifer turned his attention back to his book, and Michael became more desperate. "It's almost like a certain someone had told you to stay in their realm until you had gotten a grasp of your new powers. No matter. What did we learn?"
Michael stood, trying to get Lucifer's full attention. "You're not listening!" His voice echoed, reverberating off of the walls. "You don't understand! I'm almost as bad as the man I saved her from! No, I'm worse- she trusted me! You need to take these powers back!"
Lucifer sighed, snapping his book shut. "Listen. It doesn't work that way. I can't just take them back. What's done is done. We just need to work forward now. How bad is it, did you kill her?"
"Of course not!" Michael approached the throne, sitting on the bench next to Edward. "I...I broke the straps on her nightdress and nearly claimed her even after she asked me to stop. I'm so ashamed of myself." He put his head in his hands, and Edward put his hand on his back. "William was right. His son should have had Ravenna, I didn't deserve her. And you were, too. You said I would be less able to resist the Sins, and Lust took over. I shouldn't have left the realm. I don't know if she'll ever forgive me."
Without a word, the demon stood, disappearing in a cloud of red smoke.
"Where did he go?"
"He is off to do what Edward does, I assume. He fixes things. He doesn't just do my bidding around here, you know. He is free to come and go as he sees fit- seems to me he is repairing your mistakes. Or he's grown bored of you. Time will tell."
Tears rimming his eyes, Michael turned to Lucifer, who remained lounging casually across his throne. "Would William be willing to talk to me?"
"We can try." Lucifer gestured, summoning the newest convert. Michael held his breath, waiting to see if William would appear.
–Of course he will reply to the summons, he doesn't know you're here, yet.–
Within moments, a pair of red smoke clouds appeared, and Hellena and William bowed to their master.
"Greetings, Master Lucifer," the pair spoke together.
"Good evening, you two. Hellena, darling, what are you doing tonight?"
"I was teaching William Adam's language when you summoned, Sire, I did not want to be rude and ignore it. Are my services required?" Hellena smiled at her master, before her eyes fell on Michael, and her smile faltered.
"Not this evening, although you are always welcome to stay. Thank you for taking it upon yourself for teaching our newest recruit our language, that is certainly commendable of you." Pride rang out in Lucifer's voice, and Hellena beamed before taking her leave. Lucifer turned his attention to William, who was focused on the man who had so quickly returned to their home realm. "William, Michael has requested your help, but on your terms, only if you are willing to do so."
William was taken aback. He had not expected his master to give him options when it came to assisting the long-awaited ally. "That...I... what can I help with?"
Michael squeezed his eyes shut, trying to shove his pain aside. "You've known Ravenna her entire life. I made a mistake and I don't know if she'll ever forgive me. I know your son deserved her more, but how can I be someone who has earned her?"
The demon moved to sit next to Michael, attempting to ignore how the heightened emotion made the angel's blood smell so sweet. –Concentrate!– "You say you made a mistake... what kind of mistake did you make?"
"I pushed Ravenna too far... I know you probably don't want to hear it because you've known her forever but I...I kept going after she told me to stop and I just... after the powers broke through, I just had this... need... to claim her, to make her mine... that's no excuse for what I've done, but I don't know how to make it better." Michael stumbled through his thoughts, embarrassed by his actions.
William put a sympathetic hand on Michael's knee. "Son, we all make mistakes. Every one of us. A mistake is why I'm here. But it's what you do with your mistake that determines the kind of man you are."
"I need her to know that I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do it. Lucifer warned me I would be susceptible to the Sins after the powers were brought out in me, and I went home to her anyway."
"Give her tonight. Go back to her in the morning, after she's had some time to calm down. She's a smart girl, and she knows you. I'm sure she knows you wouldn't hurt her intentionally. And maybe next time a powerful being tells you to stay in their realm, I suggest you follow their orders." William patted Michael's knee, giving a fatherly smile to the distraught angel.
"Th-thank you, William. I didn't expect you to be so willing to help me. Especially after the things you said during the ritual..." Michael shuffled his feet on the floor, William's words replaying in his mind.
Before William could reply, Lucifer gave a chuckle. "He did play his part most excellently, did he not? Incredibly believable."
"... you mean...?" Michael whispered to the demon.
"I had orders to follow. I was to bring out as much envy in you as possible, and we knew that my son was the key. I know you saved Ravenna out of the kindness of your heart. When I spoke to her before my Judgement, she told me you want things in the Kingdom to change, and that you aren't sure how to make those changes. I know you'll do great things once you harness your new powers, Michael. I believe in you."