From far away, a demon watched as two of his companions fought fiercely.
One was a demon like him.
Selfish, carefree, and violent, and cruel.
The other was an angel.
One of the two that he knew and had gotten closer to.
She wasn't naive or bright or cheerful like the angel he first met.
Instead, she was quieter, she observed more and spoke less.
She was steady and caring and had a calming aura that attracted people, even a demon like him.
With an indescribable beauty that no angel or demon could compare to, she kept the peace among their small group of demons and angels without standing in the spotlight.
Her green eyes would curve mischievously as she watched the antics of her angel friend, and she would turn her face to gently laugh to the side.
She always smelled sweet, and her hair always blew elegantly in the wind causing her to tuck it away with a laugh.
He had found himself starting to care about the two angels.
As he interacted more with the cheerful one, he found himself more and more attracted to her light.
He wanted more of it.
To own it.
To possess it.
To lock it up and stop others from looking at it.
He had known his demon companions' plan from the beginning.
It was a competition between the two of them after all.
Seduce a naïve angel, turn her to their side, and get information that would help the great battle between heaven and earth.
But, he hadn't expected to make a real friend.
That wasn't something that existed in the demon realm, but the two angels had provided that.
One through her bright aura, naivety, and cheerfulness which was the complete opposite of everything a demon represented.
The other through her caring and steady demeanor that slowly wormed its way into his heart, mind, and soul.
He was unsure of his feelings for either of them, but he knew this was the happiest he'd been.
The war and everything else going on in the demon realm was shoved into the back of his mind.
He just looked forward to every day with his companions.
He was fine with doing inane things as long as the present peaceful atmosphere was preserved.
But that simple peace was broken.
He had known his demon companion was going to betray the angels.
That was the plan from the beginning, but the warmth that he had built made him hesitate, until he had made the decision to confess to the bubbly cheerful angel.
If she agreed to come with him so he could study the source of affection and why it made him feel this way, he would protect her and stop the other demon's betrayal.
He knew that the bubbly angel liked him.
He knew her friend would come with her, and he was confident enough in his own strength to protect them both.
Even if all of heaven, hell, and earth came after them, he could protect them until he understood this feeling.
Yet, his confession was refused as the bubbly angel stated that she loved the other demon.
Surprisingly, he wasn't offended by the rejection.
Instead, he felt a great relief as the slight discomfort he had about being attached in a romantic manner toward the bubbly angel disappeared., but 'she' comforted him anyway.
Although he was confident in himself, his thoughts became muddled each time he thought of 'her'.
He couldn't understand the feelings but he wanted to protect and claim her without breaking her spirit like he did all of his partners.
Uncomfortable with his feelings being known to 'her', he distanced himself yet kept watch of 'her' from afar.
He saw as 'she' became suspicious and kept investigating their mutual demon friend and got closer to the truth of his demon companions' actions.
He wasn't sure what he wanted or what he was waiting for, he just continued to watch 'her'.
He watched as she got closer to the truth, denied it, before accepting it.
He saw her weeping while she sharpened her sword and prayed at a stream they often went to.
He saw the confrontation between her and his companion.
He saw the battle.
He considered stepping in to protect 'her' if it got too dangerous.
He saw the demon's death.
He saw the slap.
He saw the friendship between two angels that were once closer than sisters ending.
And he saw 'her' collapse and heard 'her' scream.
It sounded as if her soul was tearing from her body.
As if she could not go on living another moment.
The sound ripping from her throat seemed to claw at his mind and heart, urging him to go to 'her', to wrap 'her' in his arms, and protect 'her' from everything that could hurt her.
That was when he approached 'her'.
He couldn't stay away even if he wanted to, it felt like a siren dragging him into the depths.
It had started raining at some point, but somehow, she heard him and dragged her body up.
She gazed at him with eyes that had lost their luster through the hair that fell over her face.
As the rain continued to fall and soak through her clothes, he just saw her fragility.
It contrasted greatly with the vigor and strength she had when she was fighting or the usual energy she had daily.
"I'm sorry." Her voice was scratchy and low as she apologized to him.
"For what?" he replied staring at her. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't look away.
A feeling was worming its way through his heart at her broken look.
This wasn't how she was supposed to be.
She was supposed to smile mischievously, gemlike eyes shining as she softly laughed.
"For killing your friend. It's not an excuse but he betrayed her and planned to use her. I- I would do anything to protect her." she avoided his eyes as she picked up her sword and sheathed it after wiping the darkening blood on her torn clothes.
"We demons don't have friends. Our goals temporarily aligned so we were together. There's no need to apologize." He replied coolly.
"Of course."
She chuckled despondently before continuing, "Well she has joined your side. Maybe it was your plan all along, who knows. I know I have no right to ask but please watch over her if you can. You cared for her once and can be together with her now. I no longer have the right to do that. Our paths separate here."
Saying that she pushed the hair out of her face and looked at him as if memorizing his face.
She looked broken.
There was nothing remaining of the original person.
Her eyes were filled with darkness and despair, her cheek was swollen, and blood leaked from her lips.
"Where will you be?" he asked.
He couldn't understand what made him want to reach out and hold her.
So, he said nothing and did nothing.
"Around. Hunting demons. As it was meant to be" She smiled softly but it looked like a mask.
It was nothing like the true smile she used to give, back when the four of them were together.
"Ah before I leave, I never got your name. if you tell me yours I'll tell you mine. We might never see each other again so it wouldn't matter. Plus, even if it was short, I enjoyed our time as a group, even if you're a demon that doesn't see me as a friend." As she asked him that, he almost saw a hint of who she used to be.
Someone quietly playful who smiled a lot as she teased people.
Angels and demons never shared names with each other.
Names held power even if it wasn't the true name.
He stared at her in silence.
One minute.
Two minutes.
Three.
As time passed, he saw her face close off and she turned away as she spread her wings to fly away.
"It's Lucifer." He gave her his true name.
After all, they would never see each other again, and the strange feelings he had for her would die.
She looked back and gave him a cheerful smile before replying, "I'm Lilith. Live well and let's not meet again."
She turned back and walked away but seemed to be sinking into darkness.
Her shoulders drooped and her head hung.
It seemed that darkness closed in on her and soon she was gone, blending in with the night.
"CUT!"