Page 43 of Claimed By Her Monsters

“The Lucifer you met was a lot different from what you read and hear from the scriptures and those who describe the devil, yes?”

“Yes,” we all agreed as we stared at her.

“The Lucifer I fell in love with…and still love has grown a lot over the years. The Devil back then was nothing like the calm man you met and helped you all reach these realms of purity. He was still ruthless and merciless to anyone who hurt those he cherished,” she revealed. “If I summoned and told him I was pregnant and our only child had been stolen, he’d lose it. Lucifer doesn’t need morals. He was not destined to carry any. However, he’s worked on himself to respect that there are various paths, worlds, and beings that need to coexist in this universe and that his anger can’t be used to burn it all down. Despite it all, I knew if I told him, he’d do anything to seek revenge on our behalf until his only daughter was in his grasp. The consequences were too high to risk, and I couldn’t do that to a world that may have brought me pain, but had also allowed me the privilege of giving life.”

Her eyes bored into mine once more as she tried to smile.

“When I was hopeless and wasn’t sure what I’d do anymore, I thought…maybe it was good I didn’t continue to walk among the living anymore. It seemed like the most logical decision. Danica would get her position back, and I was sure they would find another Goddess of Light to take my original place. It seemed more and more logical as the days went on, and I decided to request some time off and left with the intention of committing the deed that would end my existence.”

None of us spoke as she looked at the sky.

“I went to a calm oasis like this. The sky was starry and the world was quiet. It was absolutely perfect. A place of peace that could be my last resting place. I had everything I needed and I took a moment to simply meditate,” she revealed. “When I fell into the world of tranquility, I saw a little girl. She stared at me with confusion, as if unsure why I was thinking of leaving. I knew right away it was Nerissa. I knew in my bones that the little girl had to be my child, and I thought that meant you were gone. It wasn’t until you walked right up to me and grasped my cheeks did I realize for a sole moment, you were real. That those little hands were warm and gripping me for dear life."

“I…don’t remember that,” I admitted, which made Athena smile.

“You had to be two or three even, but your magic was powerful enough to find me,” she revealed. “You didn’t say a word. Just held my cheeks that were wet with tears until I hugged you. When I did that, I told you I love you and fate will unite us when she’s ready to do so, and poof. I woke up.”

She sighed.

“That’s when I decided I had to keep on living. That I had to trust the Universe would reunite me with the child that was a reflection of a time when I was truly loved by someone who wasn’t worshipping or claiming me simply out of duty.”

“Wait. That means Lucifer didn’t um…” I tried to figure out the right way of saying it.

“Lucifer's original intention when he came to seek me out was due to me being unclaimed Goddess, but he left me to be in the beginning. We got to know each other through instances, and he eventually began to be around me in disguise as one of the dark creatures that served me. We fell in love naturally, and he decided to only commit to me but would allow me to love others if I truly wished. We committed to one another, and the only reason why he returned to Hell was that there were too many sinners entering Hell that needed filtering. Time runs differently there, and it’s easy for him to lose track of his duties. We never really depended on the other, but he knew if I truly needed him, I’d call.”

“Why didn’t you call when Danica killed you?” Atticus questioned. “Lucifer is calmer. He would have helped.”

“I knew Danica had to have a reason to wish for my demise. She wouldn’t be satisfied with just my death. She had to get something in return for it, which I believe she hoped would either give her the ability to summon Lucifer herself or maybe she’s working with the humans and attempting to fulfill what they need in exchange for power or potentially a child.”

“Meaning they’ll just steal a child and give it to her?” Sawyer questioned with an appalled face.

“Human technology has accelerated in the wrong direction,” Naomi admitted. “Even before my death, humans were doing anything to try and create life. That’s where these Ghoul Terrors surface. The failed projects of humans trying to create their own supernatural race that they’ll have control over. Danica isn’t mentally well after losing her child, and maybe prefers an experimental child that mimics the same energy her unborn child had.”

“Even though the child would have killed her,” I pointed out.

“Yes,” Athena replied. “It’s sad. It’s unethical, but sometimes you can’t be reasonable with one still grieving the loss of their child.”

“Is that why we were never enough?” Atticus inquired in seriousness. “That she tortures the wolves and other creators of light that wish for her acceptance?”

“Danica no longer knows how to express her love through kindness,” Athena revealed. “Seeing others in pain brings her a sense of pleasure. It’s as if the influence of the ghost terror she lost alternated her mental state where seeing others’ happiness grins her gears while seeing others suffer enlightens her.”

“That’s sad,” I muttered. “It’s still no excuse for what she did or what she plans to do, especially by stealing your body.”

“I honestly didn’t think she’d go that far but then again, I’m not surprised,” Athena admitted. “I’m assuming that’s why you’re here.”

I looked to the others, noticing how they encouraged me with expressions of support.

“Yes,” I whispered and returned my eyes to Athena as I swallowed the lump forming in my throat.

"We need you back, Athena,” I emphasized before my voice barely hit the surface as I confessed, “I need you back.”

Athena tried not to show her uncertainty, but it washed over her face as she looked away for a moment.

“Who would think my own daughter who I failed in raising would be the one to travel all the way to Heaven to find me,” she hummed to herself as she returned her eyes to me that were filling with tears. “I don’t deserve to return, my daughter.”

“Why not?” I inquired. “Athena…Mom. You never got to put yourself first. You had to be someone you’re not while practically being a mother to so many who looked up to you. I know with your return to the land of the living, they’ll be immediate challenges and responsibilities…but…”

I took a deep breath, knowing I wanted to say this correctly.

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