Succession Game

While I was unconscious, a phrase echoed endlessly in my mind:

"The power to kill God."

Slowly, reality began to break through. First, the cold coursing through my body; then, the sound of a familiar voice, laden with irritation.

—How much longer is he going to sleep? I saved him, and now I have to babysit this brat—. There was anger in his words, but also something else: frustration.

A groan escaped my lips. The pain was dull but constant, like a sharp ache in the back of my mind.

—Finally! Looks like you're awake—. The voice suddenly shifted, and I heard footsteps approaching.

—Where am I?— I asked with difficulty. The words came out haltingly. The disoriented sound of my own voice startled me. Then I remembered something else—. I don't feel that foul stench anymore… Where did you bring me?

—Calm down.— His tone was firm. —I brought you to a cabin on the outskirts of Esperion. The flames haven't reached it yet, so we'll be safe… for a while.

I tried to sit up, but the pain stopped me. Even so, I couldn't help but make a biting remark:

—Thanks, I guess. But just because you saved me doesn't mean I trust you.— My gaze focused on the blurry figure in front of me.

—Ever since you appeared in my dream, you've been watching me… and following me.— Nervousness was evident in my voice, though I didn't want to show weakness. My voice betrayed me.

—You haven't even bothered to introduce yourself all this time. Who are you?— I tried to sound defiant, but it was anything but.

The silence grew heavy for a moment, as if he were deciding how much to reveal:

He simply smiled arrogantly, hearing the nervousness in my voice.

—I already told you, I don't intend to harm you.

He sounded sincere, but his arrogant tone irritated me. It was like when God spoke, yet somehow different.

—Just answer my question. Who are you?— My voice was more threatening this time.

—Fine, fine. As you wish.— His eyes looked directly at me, as if evaluating every corner of my soul. —Who am I?

He paused, and for a moment, the silence became unbearably heavy.

—I am Lucifer. The traitor. The outcast. The one who tried to save this world… and was sealed for it.

My muscles tensed upon hearing his name. Everything I knew, everything I'd ever heard about him, collided in my mind like a storm. Before I could react, he continued:

—But I'm not here for me, Orion. I'm here for you… and for what you can do—. He said it with a seriousness that made the air feel colder.

I still couldn't process everything I'd just heard. It was so surreal that it felt like some kind of bad joke.

Why would Lucifer be standing before me, needing me?

—What do you mean by what I can do?— I asked, feeling the confusion and nerves take over me.

Lucifer let out a soft, almost mocking laugh.

—It's normal for you to doubt. Your mind, so fragile and human, can barely process what's happening. But don't worry, I don't expect you to understand everything right away.

I tried to respond, but he raised a hand, stopping me.

—I've been listening to your thoughts, Orion. That little desire you keep, almost like a whisper at the back of your mind: to kill God—. He paused, savoring my reaction. —You're not the only one. There are many who share that feeling. More than you think.

His gaze seemed to pierce me, as if he were looking inside me.

—I've seen your life. And, believe it or not, I pity you—. His tone shifted for a moment, as if he'd stopped mocking me. —A father who was never there. A mother who doesn't even care about you, who treats you like you don't exist. Since you were a child, you were left alone in this rotten world.

His words hit harder than I expected. I knew he was right, but hearing it from someone else, especially him, made me clench my teeth.

—But despite all that, here you are. Standing. Surviving. Even when the whole world seems to have turned against you, you keep going. Do you know how many would have fallen already? That's why I chose you. Because you're different. Because you have the strength that others lack.

I tried to ignore the strange weight of his words and clung to what I thought I knew.

—You say you were sealed and tried to overthrow God—. I looked at him directly, trying to find any hint of a lie in his face. —But according to what's written in the books, you were banished along with your allies during the rebellion. Banished to a place where one can only enter, but never leave.

Lucifer smiled, but it wasn't a warm smile. It was dark and sharp.

—Do you really believe everything that's written in those books?— He asked calmly, though there was a tone of disdain in his voice. —They write the history, Orion. What did you expect? That they'd tell the truth about me?

His smile vanished, and his voice grew more serious:

—I'm not here to change your opinion of me. I'm here because this world is broken. And because, deep down, you know it. That celestial throne they worship or once worshiped is the root of it all. You can help me destroy it… if you have the courage to do so.

—Destroy the throne?— I asked, a mix of incredulity and curiosity in my voice. —And how exactly do you plan to do that? You already lost once against God. What makes you think you can win now?

I couldn't stop my mind from filling with questions. Even though I thought all this was nonsense, a part of me wanted to know more.

"Is it even possible to defeat God?" I thought, almost without realizing it. It wasn't as if I believed a simple knife could kill him; after all, we're talking about a god, right?

However, if killing God were somehow possible, I wouldn't hesitate. But I'm no fool. I don't intend to die trying. If there's no plan, it's pointless to even consider it.

I looked up, meeting Lucifer's eyes. He was smiling, as if he had read every single one of my thoughts.

—To tell you how we can kill God—. He said with an unsettling calm. —I must first tell you what happened the day I rebelled against the first God.

Hearing those words, I felt a whirlwind of emotions stir within me. I was restless, unable to stay still, but also excited.

"Could this be what I've always been waiting for?"

The possibility of a plan, of a path that could lead me to the unthinkable, ignited something inside me. It was as if a spark had lit a fire in a part of me I didn't even know existed.