Yet he still couldn't let go of this affection.
He could mock the frailty of human nature, ridicule the hypocrisy of Heaven, but he couldn't bring himself to hate Yahweh.
After all, no one could reject true beauty.
Having dwelled in the abyssal inferno and witnessed the churning demons of desire, he was better equipped than anyone to discern purity itself.
Unlike him, who had been deliberately restrained and molded, Lucifer had fallen into despair and agony when he first sensed the constraints, mistakenly believing himself perfect.
*It was like a nightmare.*
Yahweh, with his selfless heart and unified body, embodied the perfect Seven Virtues.
Perhaps this was what he admired—a faint sense of resentment stirred within him, though he couldn't pinpoint its source.
Was it resentment that Yahweh could achieve what he once couldn't, or that Jehovah could claim such a devotee?
The Demon King had sealed his heart for so long that even he could no longer discern his true feelings.
Regardless, he would inevitably have to choose between his friendship with Yahweh and his vengeance against Jehovah.
"For these two thousand years, I've been searching for you," Lucifer said, suppressing his turbulent emotions, knowing Yahweh could read his mind. "I thought you were one of my few true friends."
His words were sincere. Satan lowered his gaze, his eyes forming a arc of disappointment.
"So, in the end, you will still be my enemy?"
His appearance was too deceptive. No mortal could bear to refuse such a demon, but Yahweh was no mortal, so he was the exception.
"Very well," Lucifer murmured, as if to himself, seeing his words had no effect. "This is for the best..."
"I've dreamed of this day for ages, wondering who would truly prevail between us... This is my chance to finally settle an old score."
*If I win... can I win? If I can, I'll have no more reservations. Only the victor can determine fate. If I win, I'll sever your connection to Jehovah, by any means necessary.*
No creation could truly hide their thoughts from God's sight. If He wished to know, nothing could remain concealed.
Thus, God heard Lucifer's inner thoughts, His expression momentarily faltering.
Before his avatar form, Lucifer's arrogance tempered. The Demon King lacked full confidence in victory, yet he still insisted on this battle.
*If I lose... I'll abandon this friendship.*
He cherished Yahweh, yet hated the Creator God. He despised the Creator God, yet was willing to sacrifice his affection for Yahweh for the sake of this hatred.
Lucifer's emotions were too complex for God to evaluate.
"Let our strength decide between us, Yahweh," Lucifer said.
As he pressed forward, God did not refuse.
They fought without weapons, relying solely on their agility and speed.
Black winds and golden light transformed into two streams of psychic energy, intertwining rapidly in the darkness. No one could follow their movements. The demonic creatures watched in awe, mesmerized by the dazzling display of magic, as if witnessing a grand fireworks display.
Lucifer attacked, daring not underestimate Yahweh's power. His strikes were ruthless and sharp, but to his surprise, Yahweh showed no intent to kill.
Yahweh rarely initiated attacks, preferring to parry and counter like a defensive monarch guarding his fortress.
Yet despite this, Lucifer gained no advantage.
This was no cathartic battle, nor did it bring the imagined satisfaction of finally settling an old score.
Each of his moves was effortlessly neutralized. The opponent's power seemed boundless, his greatest efforts vanishing into the void like stones dropped into the sea. Lucifer began to feel as if he were trapped in an endless game of cat and mouse.
Yet the Demon King felt no frustration, only a strange delight.
There was neither victory nor defeat.
"You heard my heart, didn't you, Yahweh?" Lucifer suddenly halted his assault, his brow softening with tenderness.
God remained silent, suddenly realizing he had underestimated Lucifer.
"As expected, even my deliberate efforts to conceal my thoughts couldn't fool you," Lucifer said, unconcerned by Yahweh's silence. He had already received his answer through their actions.
"Mind-reading is a truly terrifying gift," Yahweh replied.
"Not as terrifying as me," Lucifer countered. "God never imagined a demon would be so bored, so deranged, as to perform such elaborate mental dramas."
Truth and falsehood mingled, lies and genuine thoughts intertwined, making it impossible to discern what was real, what was fake, and what served his purpose.
Perhaps it was all true, perhaps all false, but one thing was certain: the entire exchange had been orchestrated by Satan.
A chill ran through God as he realized he had been toyed with.
"Don't be angry, Yahweh," Lucifer said with a smile. "After all, I've had ten thousand years of experience dealing with mind-readers like you."
"I simply wanted to confirm it myself."
"You don't want to be my enemy, do you?" Lucifer declared, his face beaming with triumphant delight. "What a coincidence—neither do I!"
"I also have no desire to be your enemy, Yahweh," he continued. "I know you are different."
As the night passed and dawn broke, casting the first rays of light across the horizon, Satan stood on the mountaintop, gazing directly at Yahweh, who seemed to shimmer in the morning sun.
"Though you refuse to acknowledge it, I still hold to my original view."
"You are neither light nor darkness."
God stared at Lucifer in astonishment, never expecting him to say such a thing.
"Neither the ethics of the mortal world nor the doctrines of Heaven can restrain you."
"Compared to Heaven, you are clearly more suited to my Hell."
The Demon King had confirmed his suspicions and, satisfied with the outcome, extended his invitation.
"There's no need to rush your answer," Lucifer said.
"I'll wait until you've considered it thoroughly, my dear friend."