Page 166 of An Unexpected Ascension
“Then—” I straighten up as much as I can without swaying, staring Achaz in his eyes when I say, “—you should know, I’ve killed them.”
He scoffs. “Gods cannot be kill?—”
The tip of sharpened bone pierces through Achaz’s face. My jaw drops at the sight of his right eye dangling like an ornament on a Christmas tree. A crimson waterfall cascadesdown the front of his body as his flesh begins to disintegrate, and the damning wonders of the unholy weapon eat away at him little by little. Pieces of his face begin to fall, plopping onto the stone floor with lewd sounds and the other Gods watch in horror. Garroway launches to his feet as if wondering whether to flee or stand his ground. Kao and Amadeus simply lower their gazes away from the God they’ve so weakly followed.
The heat at my back dissipates with Ambrose’s retreat, but it’s not from the sight of the melting deity that scares him. No, it’s his son, draped in Achaz’s intestines like a sash. Lynx stalks forward, each one of his steps deliberate and promising.
Not a single deity makes a move, all rendered speechless at the sight of the demon wearing the God of Life’s innards. As he prowls toward me, there’s a smug little grin gracing that beautiful face of his; a face I never thought I would see again.
He kneels down, unwrapping the strand of intestines from his neck and tying it into a makeshift crown before placing it on my head. Then, without a word, holds his palm out with a half-eaten fruit as an offering.
A white void blankets my mind and static rings between my ears as I take the fruit with trembling fingers.
“Do it,” he whispers.
And so, I do.
I bite into the fruit, choking it down while the wound in my neck slowly mends and watch as he pushes back to his feet. Behind me, I can see Ambrose turning to run straight for the chaos of the battle, hoping to get lost in it. Except, he doesn’t get very far.
Lynx snaps his wrist and a dagger flies through the air, landing snug in the back of his father’s head. His body drops to the ground with an audible thud and just for good measure, Lynx buries the Mortifier in the center of his spine.
Like the feral demon he is, he spins around, resting the tip of the sword in the ground and leans his weight on the hilt. His eyes are alight with absolute abandon as he brings his sights to Garroway.
“Who’s next?”
Garroway clears his throat and raises his chin in false bravado.
“Look, I’m sure we can work something out. Another arrangement perhaps? What is it that you want?”
“Well, I want my fucking sister, but seeing as Achaz made that entirely impossible, I guess the next best thing would be balance.”
“So, you want a seat at the table?” Amadeus inquires.
Lynx chuckles as he meanders back over to the temple, towards Achaz’s golden throne. He runs a finger down a vine, molded and carved into the arm, then tosses his gaze over his shoulder.
“No.”
“I’m sorry, then what exactly are you asking for?” Kao presses.
The God in green taps his fingers along his thighs nervously as he grows impatient, but Lynx just smiles.
“Lucifer will take his place.”
“What?” the Devil and Garroway both question simultaneously.
Though, with two very different expressions. Lucifer’s more curious while the latter’s crumples in disgust at the idea.
“You pretend as if his intentions aren’t pure hearted. Just because he was sentenced to eternity in Hell by an unrighteous God, doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve the seat. AND—” He cuts in before Garroway can let out a single word, “—don’t try to justify reasoning to let yourself ascend to claim the power over life because you, Garroway, are nothing but the opposite of what life stands for.”
“And if we refuse this proposal?” Garroway challenges through clenched teeth.
Lynx snickers, “Proposal? My friend, this is my demand. I hold this unholy weapon, and you will accept Lucifer’s ascension.”
“Fine.” Kao sighs.
Lynx looks over to Amadeus and he nods his agreement. A sly smile sneaks up onto Lucifer’s face as we watch the confliction war on Garroway’s face. His brown eyes narrow between the two and with clenched fists he finally grumbles his agreement.
“Now end this.” Lucifer gestures to the demons and angels still mutilating one another.
