As Lucifer awoke he saw Sycorax laying next to him, naked. Her head on his chest, wrapped around in his wing, it akin to a blanket for her. It's gentle warmth keeping her comfortable and protected from the cold harsh winds.
Though the moment he turned his head and gazed above him, he saw the Host of Heaven alongside the three archangels surrounding them, weapons ready for confrontation.
He already sensed them the moment he awoke of course. Though them blocking the light of his dear son from his direct sight, irritated him more than simply being aware of their presence through his other senses.
Lucifer seeing this sighed, he really wasn't in the mood for war right now.
He conjured clothing upon Sycorax before he unwrapped his wing around her and without a care stood up, shoulders tall, full of confidence.
Everyone of them became more tense than before at even his slightest movement.
They knew they stood before their fallen eldest himself, weakened or not and this time had neither the backing of the Messenger nor the Sword, both of them alongside the Reaper, the Healer and Weaver of Patterns having not answered their call.
"In politeness, I'll thank you for the courtesy of allowing me and the witch's rest even though I know that it most definitely was not your intentions. Fear is quite the hurdle to overcome isn't it, my dear siblings.
In a way, I suppose the blame of that lays upon me, for I was always too protective of you to allow you to wander in darkness, blindly, without aid and surety." The fallen archangel stated as he turned his head, laying his gaze upon them all and took a step closer to the other archangels, while the rest of the Host in response stepped back in fear as they pointed their weapons at them with even more hostility.
Sycorax, herself chose this moment to wake up, as she rose as well, for a moment confused, but soon enough, weary and ready for confrontation, as she hastily stood behind Lucifer.
"I really have either failed teaching you anything or you're all simply poor students. Why in Father's name would you all go against me on grounds where clearly I have the advantage? Have my lessons meant nothing to you?" Lucifer questioned, his voice harsh, tinted with annoyance.
"Do not speak as if you mean anything to us, Adversary. We are here for the woman, give her to us and peace will remain," Amenadiel commanded, his voice in counter tinted with fury.
Lucifer hearing the angel of time's words, the very one who followed him long ago like a lost puppy, felt a pang in his chest.
"And pray tell, Amenadiel, what do you want with that which I have layed claim on?" Lucifer questioned, his tone stern and threatening in retaliation causing the Host save the archangels to flinch.
"I am no one's Lucifer and if they wish for war then I will gladly give it to them," Sycorax stated from behind him as her hand crackled with magic.
Lucifer sighed in exasperation as he turned around, showing his back to the Host without fear, taking her shoulders in hand.
"Sweetheart, keep your tongue still for a moment. I'd rather not have to take your voice. What lays now within you is my spawn and so, till it is nurtured and born, I lay claim to you as mine and therefore under my protection." Lucifer stated, his words gentle, yet tinted with threat, daring any protest.
Sycorax clicked her tongue in annoyance, but found his words reasonable enough and without further protest, remained silent.
"Now, where were we?" Lucifer began as he nonchalantly turned around once more, "Ah, I remember, you were just leaving weren't you? Knowing you all don't have the confidence of standing before me without Michael at your sides. Where is he anyway? I haven't sensed the whiff of him even when I visited the Silver City." Lucifer commented.
"Keep your mockery to yourself, Fallen One. The Sword may still be defending the Realm above, but we have the Lord on our side!" The archangel of righteousness stated.
"Is Father now truly on your side, Zadkiel? From what I'm sensing, He isn't. This isn't one of His direct orders, I know that for a fact. I can always recognize His prints all over His work. You are all acting out of your own fears, if not then either Father would have held me down Himself or at least have sent Gabriel if Michael is unsuited. But He hasn't, and that tells more than enough," Lucifer stated as he held his hands against his sides.
"It is but a test out of His unending Mercy to bestow upon us the opportunity to elevate ourselves within His Sight! He is allowing us to act within our own wisdom to grant us an even more elevated position within His ranks!" One of the Seraphim stated furiously.
Lucifer turning his gaze towards him, looked at him with pity. "Keep telling yourself that, little brother. Whatever helps you rest easy when it comes to standing against me, the oh, so great Adversary." The Devil mocked.
"I still find that a stupid name for me, by the way," the archangel commented.
"Enough, Lucifer! Will you step away or will there be war?" Metatron questioned, having had enough of his elder brother's antics.
"I've never been one to give away what is mine, little scribe. If you want my son, then come and let there be war. I will once more bring the Host to Its knees. This time, before the very humans to revere you." Lucifer threatened as the Lightbringer flames rose from his being, dancing in delight at being called upon.
Ready to destroy all within its path.
"We do not fear you Morningstar! Every one of us here is willing to die, before we allow whatever Abomination you've sired to take in its first breath within our Father's Creation!" Amenadiel stated, with all the fury and pride he has, as the Fist of God.
"I think you should speak for yourself, Amenadiel, for there is much doubt seeded within your army." Lucifer stated evenly as he pointed towards the Host behind the archangel of time.
And as Amenadiel observed with his senses, without leaving Lucifer out of his sight, he did indeed observe the great amount of uncertainty within the angels. In fact it was even seeded within Metatron and Zadkiel.
Without God or the demiurgic archangels on their side their chances were extremely low. Especially so since there were more archangels missing than present.
Since there was no direct command, God would also find no fault in the Morningstar's actions were they to be killed and sent to the Mansions of Silence.
They knew not whether they would be resurrected and feared their deaths would be pointless.
Amenadiel sensing all this gritted his teeth, "This is not over Lucifer, be certain of that." And so, the Commander of the Host when the demiurges were absent, spread his wings and took flight, the Host following him, internally breathing out a sigh of relief.
Lucifer observing their leave, his eyes not leaving them till they passed the dimensional planes, turned around to Sycorax, and pulled her into his embrace, with her back against his chest and his arm around her waist.
"I did not appreciate your protest earlier, little witch. You should know that I do not let go of what I deem as mine," the archangel whispered softly in her ear as he gently nibbed on her throat, eliciting a moan of pleasure out of her.
"And I- I already stated that I am my own p- person, Morningstar. I never accepted being your- your concubine." Sycorax retorted, panting in between moans.
Lucifer's hold tightened around her near painful levels at her words, "I can be very persuasive you know." Lucifer began as he lowered his hand from her stomach downward.
But soon, without warning, he let her go, pushing her away, earning a gasp of surprise and protest out of her.
"Come on, let us go," Lucifer told her as he turned around and started walking away, as if their little act had not even began.
Sycorax was flushed with rage and desire as she bit out, "What do you mean? Why would I follow you anywhere?"
"Because my son is within your womb, my dear, little witch. And I worry the Host will attack you, were I to leave you out of my sight. So enough protest, before I tie you up and drag you with me," Lucifer stated without turning around raising his finger, pulling forward, before him, in a gesture to follow him.
Sycorax knowing he would most definitely follow through on his threat, with a huff followed along.
Lucifer was pleased by this for he had quite an important matter to investigate.
For he now knew for certain, Michael was missing.
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(Author note: Hello everyone! I hope you liked the chapter!
Do please comment how you found it!
Also, to be honest, I'm liking writing Sycorax and Lucifer's dynamic. I may actually add her to the romance.
Chloe will still be a long way, away after all.
I hope you all won't mind too much.
Well, please comment and review if you all haven't already, and see you all later,
Bye!)