Lucifer

"Oh, well, two days last I recall I was, ahuhm-."

"What?"

"Well...er...I should say...."

"Come quick, Matthew," said Michael. "What- you have something to hide from your brothers?"

"Out with it!" pressed David, too anxiously.

Matthew lowered his head in earnest thought. He was supposed to be silent and now that silence was coming undone.

"Matthew," solaced Mark, putting his hand on his shoulder, "have you been to see Him?"

Matthew nodded.

"I was summoned."

There was a release of excitement among them.

"Speak!"

"Tell us!"

"What did He say?"

"There is no need, Matthew."

Every head turned to the direction of the voice. There stood Gabrielle dressed in golden armour. But the armour was worn and cracked. Black stains covered it almost beyond recognition. There were dents and chips leaving it in a desperate shape. It was so bad that even in the light of Heaven, it hardly shone.

He carried his helmet in his hands. Gabrielle’s hair was frayed and matted. A long white streak shot through it from the forehead to the shoulder. He looked much older, worn.

"Gabrielle!" exclaimed Matthew.

Gabrielle sat down hard and lay his helmet down.

"Matthew was ordered to prepare a reception," he said.

"But who?" asked Michael.

"Lucifer has been given re-admittance into Heaven," answered Gabrielle, and that was all.

"It's blaspheme," said David.

"I never thought it would happen," reflected Mark.

They sat by the river, gazing into it and watching the wonderful fish that swam there.

"Markus, what is going on in Heaven? That He should choose an egomaniac like Lucifer over His disciples? That selfish, ungrateful, self-religious...I’m sorry, Markus- I know you were friends."

Mark waved his hand.

"It is okay. Lucifer is easily misunderstood. Especially by those who were closest to him. Did I tell you, David, that I almost went with him?"

"No!"

"Indeed. I almost chose Lucifer's doctrines over our Lord's."

"Markus- silence!"

"Ha! It is okay, my friend. My love of God is mighty. His hold on me is powerful. But Lucifer poses mighty questions. That is not good to One who is not to be questioned. Lucifer lost the faith."

"What is Lucifer doing in Heaven, Markus?"

"Dining on the delights of fools."

David and Mark spun around. Standing before them was a man dressed in cloths and skins. The breast of this man was open and muscular. All in all, the man was thin with short black hair and most distinctive features, foremost of which were the eyes that were large and round like black pearls and endless in depth.

"Lucifer!"

"Ah, David. Ever one for wit and conversation. It surprises me not that you haven’t moved up in the hierarchy."

"Some of us are content, devil. We all need not tip the balance of duty and faith."

"And usurp all that is just and good with questions of anarchy," continued Lucifer. "The exact words of Gabrielle, if I recall."

Mark stood up before Lucifer.

"Hello, Lucifer."

"Hello, Markus."

"It has been so very long."

"Yes. A long time. And you have not come to see me. You’ve forgotten, eh? All the wonder and excitement that was burning in you then. Is it all gone, Markus? Are you faithful?"

"Yes, Lucifer. I am firm in my beliefs now. Once you made me pause, but He has seen to my salvation."

"Why, I wonder?"