God leaned forward in his throne and peered down at his most trusted servant."what are you trying to say, lucifer?"
"what i'm trying to say, my lord, is that i will never put any of those talking monkeys above me! the very thought of serving those mortals makes me sick. why do you need them when you have us?"
"but lucifer, i have always loved you, you know that. and you have always served me loyally. now i ask that you serve me in this, my request of serving the humans as well."
Lucifer began to pace in front of the throne. "Lord, i will never put anything between you and me. i would rather die than do so. i would tear down heaven to stay close you!"
gabriel grabbed lucifer by the arm and spun him around. "think about what you're saying, morning star!"
it was then that lucifer realized that the crowd had divided itself in the course of his argument with god. behind him stood those who would not submit to the humans, and behind gabriel stood those who opposed him. off to the side stood those who would not take a side, those who felt that this entire argument was pointless, as god's will would be done no matter what.
"take your hand off of me, gabriel, or lose it."
gabriel released his grip on lucifer and stepped back, shock on his face. "you would actually do it? you would strike another angel?!"
"i would destroy all who stand between me and my master." there was a fire burning in lucifer's eyes as the lord stood.
all eyes turned towards their god and all knees bowed in expectation of his word. all knees, except one, lucifer's.
"you do not bow, lucifer," god said as he studied his most beloved one's face.
"i cannot bow, lord, while those apes are loved more than i"
"i cannot allow you to defy me, my angel. please reconsider." and there was a tightness in the lord's voice. lucifer said with tears in his eyes "i do not defy you, lord, i defy those that you have created to replace me."
"so be it" and with that, the lord looked at gabriel, nodded, and walked off into the haze. the neutrals tried to follow him, but were blocked by an invisible wall.
gabriel took a moment to watch lucifer, who was watching his only reason to be walk away from him. walk out on him. abandom him. "so this is how it is to be, replaced by you, gabriel?"
"remember lucifer, you chose this path." gabriel's hand went to his sword.
lucifer stared down his rival and now enemy as he drew his own sword. "so be it."
