Vulture of the Soul [[Open]]

[LUCIFER]

There was something Lucifer loved about hospitals. It was the desperation, the fear, the uncertainty, the doubt, the hope, the love, the hate, the despair. Such a maelstrom of emotion had always excited him, even when he did not have his infernal abilities. Now that his full power had returned, it was all the sweeter. He felt the emotions of everyone in the hospital in a distant sort of way, like someone reading them in a book. This was one of the places where he did his best work.

He was not alone, of course. Several lesser demons had come with him. Most important was Arjinad, a demon gifted with healing powers. Everything was so much easier now that he could provide a tangible and immediate result. The Dark Prince swept the hospital with his telepathy, his empathy, and his omniscience until he found what he was looking for. A wealthy man whose life was about to end. All his money couldn't save him.

Lucifer could.

The Demon of Pride made his way through the hospital. No one got in his way. As always, he spiked the fear of those around him so that they quickly found reasons to be elsewhere when he approached. Lucifer made his way to the dying man's bed. He stroked the man's trust, his friendliness, and his desperation. Suddenly, Lucifer did not seem to be a stranger. He felt like an old, trusted friend. A quick sweep of telepathy gave him the man's name. Lucifer bent over his bed. "Hello, Briant. Do you remember me? Lucifer knew full well that he did not. They had never met.

Briant shook his head. "I am sorry....I....I don't know. It's..."

Lucifer nodded. "Yes, I know. The pain. I can make the pain go away, Briant. You would like that. But you will have to do someting for me.

"Anything. Anything to make it stop. What do you want?"

"Only a small thing, Briant. Something insignificant, really. And you weren't even using it.

"What is it?"

"Your soul, Briant. Swear to me that it is mine and your life will be spared. I know how you have prayed to Him to help you, to heal you or at least to make the pain go away. He has ignored you. But I have heard your cries, Briant. And I will help you, my child, if you swear to me that you no longer call Him master."

Briant didn't even stop to think about it. "I swear it. What...are you...?

Lucifer patted him on the cheek. Call me Lucifer.

"I swear, Lucifer, that my soul belongs to you and to no other. From this day forward. I swear it."

The Prince of Darkness smiled and stood up straight again. Heal him, he instructed Arjinad as he stepped out of Briant's room and into the hallway. And do not be all day about it. There are others ripe for the picking in this place.

[DEATH]

It would be the general thought that Death would come to hospitals more often given the reason why most people go to the places. In truth the entity spends only a small part of his existance in hospitals, most of his time these days is spent on battle fields, in people's homes or coming to the lost traveller near their lifes end to bring comform and a swift release. Today he had come to this particular hospital after been alerted by some of the resident ghosts which haunt it that a powerful force had been felt by all within the hospital walls. This is something Death must enquire about, should it be a vengeful spirit it could cause much harm to others both alive and deceased.
~~~

In his human form Death walks slowly through the hospital halls, listening to the whispering ghosts that sometimes follow him and give him information on where this force is. Death himself could try to find it but does not want to risk the being noticing his presence before he can figure out what it is, sneaking up on a wayward spirit is never the best idea. Small whispering voices come to him, 'Briant..Briant.. Look for Briant. He has been healed, not by your hand". Death frowns deeply, it's never good when a dying man is suddenly healed.

With a few local spirits to guide him Death makes his way towards the room where Briant is. In his mind Death pulls up information on this mortal Briant. Cancer, terminal, no chance of recovery, yet he is been told that this man is now fully healed, something is terribly wrong. Coming closer to the room Death can see someone standing outside, someone that gives the feeling that they should not be there. Carefully Death walks towards the figure, though Death cannot be killed it is possible to capture and bind him as many magicians seeking the secrets of eternal life have tried to do before.

"You do not belong here sir".

[LUCIFER]

Lucifer did a quick mental sweep of the man talking to him, only to find that he wasn't a 'man' at all. Lucifer had not often met Death, though the Prince of Darkness liked to think he did his part to keep Death in business. Death. You are right, Lucifer said telepathically, I don't belong here. I belong on a golden throne in Heaven. But we make the best of what we have, do we not?

There was little point in asking what brought Death here. Lucifer had, after all, just stolen one of his 'clients'. Any question he might have asked, he probably could have read out of Death's mind. But even Lucifer was not particularly enthusiastic about the idea of reading Death's mind. Why have you chosen to interfere with my affairs?

[DEATH]

Death smiles a little at Lucifers statement that he should be on a throne in Heaven. "I have heard news of your workings Dark Prince, I hear that you wish to have these new half-breeds on your side in your fight against the angels and God.I cannot see the future, but I can see the fates of some people of how they will die and I have seen so many perish in the wake of your war against Heaven".

Death smiles a little at the hesitation Lucifet takes in reading his mind. "So there are some things even the Devils son of the Devil does not want to know. I am surprised,I thought you as one who would be able to take whatever is thrown at you, I am obviously mistaken". He looks around slowly, listening to the spirits, then turns and walks into Briants room. "Sir I am afraid you have entered into a contract that cannot be undone, I can only hope that the life you lead now because of your deal is a good and honourable existance". Death gives the man a small bow and walks back to Lucifer. "I wad not interfereing with your work sir, the spirits had told me there was a powerful force in this building and I came to see what it was, a wayward spirit can be a dangerous thing. And I have no interest in your deals".

[LUCIFER]

My hesitation was not out of fear, Lucifer began. I can withstand anything your mind might have to offer. But there are things in there that it is best I not know. Say, for example, that I saw the death of Arjinad while reading your mind. Seeing that might cause me to change my plans or otherwise act differently than I would if left on my own. Though knowledge is powerful, I cannot afford to make decisions based on clouded judgments. It is for this reason that I left your mind alone. You are a methodical being, but not a cruel one. I am not so kind. No vision in your mind, no matter how horrible, could compare to the torments I have devised.

The Prince of Darkness glanced at Briant and then dismissed him. Briant would serve his part. What he did with his life was unnecessary. When he died, he would belong to Lucifer. He turned his attention back to Death. I would rather not deal with the enmity of Death. It seems like a very inconvenient position. So long as you do not interfere with my deals, I can assure you that there will be plenty of work to keep you busy.

[DEATH]

"I do not see a reason for others to fear me, many have got the idea into their minds that I am the one that causes them to die but that is not true, I simply come to those on their deathbed and release them from their mortal bodies to go into wichever plane of existance they are bound for be it Heaven or Hell. I follow no master and I do not care who wins in this battle the two sides have planed". He glances at the ceiling for a moment. "Though I do wonder what will happen when the angels win, with paradise on earth would there be anyone dying, would I be needed anymore?". Death looks at Lucifer with a small smile. "At least if you win I know there's always going to be business for me. If I can count on your for one thing it's to cause the death of others".

Death moves so that he is standing in front of Lucifer, so that he can see the creatures eyes. "I do not see your demise sir. Many around you may die following you I can see that possibility but I cannot see yours. Perhaps this means that you will never die, like myself... interesting. Perhaps when everything has come to an end we may be the only two beings left in existance. Doubtful what you never know". "Oh just one thing, I cannot abide you making people die before their time, every person has a set time for their death that cannot be changed, I know how crafty you and your demons can be, you interfere with the life-lines of any person in a way that cuts them short you will have trouble to deal with".

[LUCIFER]

To himself, Lucifer thought, Of course you cannot see my demise. I will be the one who wins this war. I will stand in triumph at the end and rule the universe forever. And if that fool truly thinks he does not serve a master, hie is sorely mistaken. Maybe now, he answers to no one. But when I am at last victorious, even Death will call me Lord.

Lucifer met Deaths' eyes. He had no fears about that. Eyes, after all, were just a physical thing, a cluster of cells. Nothing to be afraid of. There were those who thought they were a window to the soul. Those were fools who could not see into someone's soul. The eyes, even the eyes of Death, were meaningless.

To Death, Lucifer responded, You need not worry about the lifelines of most mortals. They are meaningless to me. But be prepared to take Angles by the score soon. I do not know when you plan for them to die, but I have plans of my own and they include the demise of the Angels and Archangels soon. Be prepared to be a very, very busy man.

[DEATH]

"I guess I should be pleads that humans are of so little concern to you, really I never thought you to be one to tale others lives, you seem to always get your demons or influenced humans to carry out your dirty work. The demon who healed Briant for example. I wonder what you would be like without your entourage of demons following you around ready to fall to your every beck and call. What have you got for yourself Lucifer? Telepathy, teleportation, strength and that nice little perk of omniscience. Even with these powers you still need demons and humans to bring your plans into fruition"

Death almost smiles at Lucifer mentioning taking angels. "They can be such a pain to take sometimes, totally refusing that they could have been killed by a demon. So wrapped in their own self-importance that they view themselves as truely immortal. There are only a few things in thus world that are infinite and I am one of them".

Sadly Deaths looks around the halls of the hospital, looking at the ghosts who had been watching the two talk. "This place will be so full in coming days, I have enough to deal with on the battlefields, been here too will be... annoying". He is able to be anywhere at multiple times, but having to deal with so many dead at once can be taxing on his mind.

[LUCIFER]

Lucifer brushed off Death's critique of his powers. That, Death, is one of the great advantages of being me. There is always someone around to do my work. A wise ruler does not try to do everything himself, and he must know how to use the abilities of those beneath him to their fullest. Perhaps if He had known this lesson, I would have remained with Him. But He is a jealous one and held me back. I am not so foolish.

The Prince of Darkness' lips twitched into a smile at Death's claim of immortality. Now surely, Death, you do not believe that you will be everlasting. Haven't you heard the prohpecies? IF I am defeated, He will establish His kingdom on Earth, where there will be no more pain or suffering. Or Death. Now, you are feared. In my Kingdom, you would be respected. And if He has His way, you will be irrelevant altogether, a non-issue. Useless and, soon, forgotten. Lucifer shook his head. Such a sad fate for one such as yourself.

[DEATH]

"And I guess having others to follow beneath you, so loyal to you can make it hard for most people to track any wrong doings back to you, since those under your service would always say it was their idea to carry out the plane, they'd never rat you out.. perhaps also out of fear of you. You can be a fearsome being Prince, but if you rule with fear alone there will always be those that will resent you and harbour ideas to bring you down. A balance of fear and giving is needed. Of course when you give something it's not always something good, there's always a price where you're concerned".

"Yes, I have heard these rumours, and I admit that at times when I think about the outcome if He wins I am worried. In paradise there is no disease, no old age, no hunger or war, all the things that cause humans to die would be gone. What would I do then? Releasing the souls of the dead is all I have ever known since the time I came into existance, I don't know what else there is". "You know there used to be places that once worshipped me, gave their gods my attributes. Now that's all gone, replaced by one figure". For a moment, a rare moment, there is a hint of anger in Deaths usually so calm voice.

[LUCIFER]

Lucifer shook his head at Death's first statements. Ah, Death, I see you do not understand me. It is not about having someone else to blame for what I do. I want everyone to know exactly of what I am capable. When an Angel dies, I want the world to know that it was at my command. When I am victorious, all beings in the universe will know that it was I who won the victory. And when a man gives up on life and kills his family, it is important that everyone knows I am behind that as well. When someone chooses personal gain over mutual benefit, all must know that I was whispering in his ear. I am the one behind it all, and the whole of creation must know it. I do not use underlings as scape goats. I use them for something much simpler: saving time.

The Prince of Darkness then decided that a little lesson in leadership couldn't hurt Death. Fear is one possible way to motivate. It motivates the cowardly of heart to obey. True rulership is in binding your servants to you. Fear binds the cowardly. Valiance binds the brave of heart. Cruelty binds those who respect such things. There is only one universally binding principle by which one can rule: hate. Direct the hatred of your followers towards an enemy and then make them realize that you and you alone can destroy that enemy. Then, they will follow you for all eternity. That is how I command, Death: though the hatred my followers feel for Him and His slaves. All the other motivations, fear, intimidation, and rewards, serve only to cement that bond.

Lucifer had heard something in Death's voice that he had not been expecting. Anger. He did a quick sweep of Death with his empathic abilities and felt it there, deep inside of him. Anger: one of the seeds of hatred. Do you not see, Death? You were much greater once, much more respected. You were worshiped. But now...now they think of you as just something that happens like the weather or gravity or the color green. And if He wins, you will become even less. You will not be out of work. You will cease to be altogether. That, I think, is the worst punishment of all. It is a torment that He reserves for only two beings. The first is me. The second, Death, is you. You and I are in the same situation, you see. Someone must stop His plans if we are to continue to be. And the only one who can do that is me.

[DEATH]

"I know nothing of the rules and regulations that come with been a ruler. I have never had anyone to lead, no followers to give orders to, neither do i understand the ways of stratargising as a ruler. For all your wickedess af cruel intentions you are a skilled leader, it is no wonder you have so many that are willing to fight for you". "I do not like to be feared, I have never put myself across as something to be feared but these humans do anyway. I bring freedom from their mortal vessels, peace to know that had they been suffering illness that that suffering is now over. But also humans have become complasant about me, they try constantly to evade my coming. I must admit that in the times when mortality rates were up I liked that humanity was afraid".

Death has always tried to keep himself apart from the conflicts between Heaven and Hell, choosing no side. But Lucifer speaks the fears of Deaths mind, a fear that has always been there since the moment the angels moved to make their crusade against evil on earth to create paradise. "I do not want to become nothing, I exist just as much as the angels who work at His side, I cannot be cast aside as soon as my usefulness has exspired". The air around Death suddenly becomes cold, his human form rippling slightly. Perhaps his naivetty about the workings of evil that makes Death fall so easily into its hands.

[LUCIFER]

I do not want to see you cease to exist either, Death. He has used you as a tool to frighten His flocks, telling them that you will come for them and when that happens, only He can save them by giving them another life. It is through fear of you that He terrorizes mankind until t hey seek shelter under Him. He will use you for that until He has won. And then he will destroy you just as he will destroy me. You see, Death, He tries to use me, too.

Lucifer sighed. He has linked us in the minds of His followers. He tells them that you are something to fear, and he blames me as the cause of your function. In a way, He is telling the truth. He created you, just like He created most of us. But from the moment you were created, you were bound in a prison. I was the one who released you, when I convinced Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. It was at that moment, when her lips touched that fruit, that you were released. He makes no secret of this. Mankind feared you, and because of that, they feared me, too. All of it just a complex ploy to force mankind to follow Him, the only one they believed could save them from the two of us.

Then the Prince of Darkness smiled ever so slightly. I beat Him in that game, though. Now, many do not even believe that He and I exist. They call us children's stories. They think of you as something that they can defeat or avoid. Now, fear of you no longer drives many to him. There has been the price of a loss of respect. But that is something that I will soon rectify. They will learn to respect you again, Death. I can assure you of that.

[DEATH]

"You released me?". Death never really knew the origin of his creation, he has no memories of time before been given the duty of setting free souls and of course his almost angelic appearence underneath the cloak he wears in his true form. He had never had reason to seek out his roots and now he has only the word of Lucifer to go on. "I have never thought about my origins, I know only that once I came into existance and since then I have been doing my job". Death looks at Lucifer, a kind of innocent child-like questioning look in his eyes.

"Something they can defeat, unlikely, the best any mortal could do is capture me and it would take strong powers to be able to do that, no normal mortal could not without help". Turning away from Lucifer for a moment Death runs through what he has been told. Slowly he turns back to face Lucifer. "If I fight for you, if I come to your side then I will not fade away, I will not be snuffed out?".

[LUCIFER]

Lucifer smiled. I can promise you more than just continued existence, Death. If you fight for me, I can make you more powerful than ever before, more feared and more respected. You will be more powerful than ever before. Mortals, Angels, and Demons will know once and for all that you are inevitable, unavoidable, inescapable, unconquerable. You will exist eternally, Death.

Much preferable to the alternative, Lucifer continued. A few thousand years of servitude, manipulation, and finally total destruction. Lucifer did a quick mental sweep and came up with something new that might help him. But you and I are not the only ones in danger of being destroyed. It is possible that He will still have use for War. You know that old Norse myth, of an afterlife where there is war without death. It is possible that He will bring that to pass. But that does not seem like Him. It is much mor elikely that He will destroy War along with us. Your last victim, Death, may be her.

Unless, of course, Lucifer added, He is stopped. But you know, Death, that of all the beigns in the universe, only I can stop Him. The question becomes a simple one, then: will you help me?