Chapter Text
“Hello again, Asmodeus.”
The voice rang out like a soft chime. Asmodeus, who up until now had been fixing his hair in the reflection of the fountain, bolted upward, blinking.
“Wha? Who’s there?”
“It’s me, Uriel.” The radiant angel sat cross-legged on the edge of the fountain. “I came down to see how you were doing.”
“Hmhmm, I’m absolutely amazing. It’s nice to see you again, Uriel, even though it’s a bit unexpected. Came to get a taste of how the other half lives?” Asmo chuckled.
Uriel raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Oh, no. I’m certain that you have the Devildom covered. I’m quite happy in the Celestial Realm. I just came to visit you. We’ve been getting status reports from Simeon and Luke. They’ve had a lot of interesting things to say about this ‘exchange program’ of Diavolo’s. So, I came to see for myself and to visit you for a bit. If you aren’t occupied with preening yourself for a moment to talk to an old friend.”
Asmo smiled. “Well, being this beautiful does take a lot of work. But, I suppose I can spare a moment to speak to my replacement.”
Uriel’s smile wavered. “Yes. Big shoes to fill, but I believe that I have fulfilled that role to the best of my ability. Although, times in the human world have shifted quite drastically. Few people value purity anymore, and those who do view it more as a commodity to be bartered than a precious gift to be valued until it is presented to one’s true love.”
“Are you honestly surprised, Uriel?” Asmo smirked. “I mean, once someone tastes of the honeypot of pleasure, it’s difficult to resist it further. Humans are bored. They need constant stimulation, constant satisfaction. Pleasures of the flesh provide that and much more. It is through lust that new life springs, so in that, it is the most sacred of acts if you think about it.”
Uriel frowned. “Your words border on blasphemy, Asmodeus. Tread carefully.”
Asmodeus laughed, a light, musical sound. “You forget, Uriel, I am no longer an angel. I am free to blaspheme as I wish.” Asmo reached out and caressed the angel’s arm, causing Uriel to recoil. “You should try it sometime.”
“Do not tempt me, demon.” Uriel glared. “I hold one of the keys to the House of the Father. I will not waiver in my mission as you did.”
“So arrogant, just like most angels. You are closer to sin than you’d like to admit.” Asmo winked. “If you ever decide to take a walk on the wild side, I’d be more than happy to facilitate your trip. You angels are beautiful, and we beauties should always stick together.” In a flash, Asmo was inches from Uriel’s face, causing the angel to jerk backward, almost sending him into the fountain. Asmo grabbed Uriel’s upper arms, keeping him from falling backward, but also to hold him closer.
“Asmodeus, I’m warning you. Release me.” Uriel growled.
Asmo grinned. “So, you want to fall into the fountain? That would make your lovely robe nice and transparent. Hm, I can see how that would be beneficial. Perhaps I will let you fall.” Asmo teased Uriel, releasing his grip momentarily. The angel’s expression changed to one of panic as he felt himself start to fall backward. Asmo grabbed him again, then pulled him upright, and playfully brushed off his sleeves as if to straighten them. “There we are. Good as new.”
Uriel immediately stood up. “Perhaps it was a mistake to come here. I sought to help you return to the arms of the Father, but I see now that you are a lost cause. So it should be.” He sighed. “I wonder, though. Do you regret what you did? Defying the Father with your brothers? You could have said no, remained in the Celestial Realm as the Angel of Chastity, at the side of the Father. You’d still be the prized jewel of the heavens. Instead, you’ve degenerated into some lascivious beast.”
Asmo paused a second to think, then smiled. “You know, at first, I did. I took the fall hard. I regretted what had happened. But, as time passed, I learned to embrace my new role, quite literally and figuratively. I’m surprised that you are so concerned about my welfare. I mean, for you to exist, I must as well. For how can one judge chastity and lust without the extremes? You have saints to represent you, those who valued their chastity over even their lives. I, on the other hand, have had libertines like the Marquis de Sade and Giacomo Casanova as representations of my work. Both of us must exist, so you should know that your attempts to ‘convert’ me would be futile. But I know that as an angel, you were at least compelled to try. Am I correct?’
Uriel cast his gaze down, defeated, but said nothing.
Asmo nodded. “I thought so.”
“I should go, Asmodeus. I would hope that you would consider my words, even though I hold little hope that you will. You were wrong about one thing, however. I didn’t come to speak to you because I was ‘compelled’ to as an angel. I came to talk to you because I know about the human. I know how you feel about them. I had hoped,” Uriel sighed. “Hoped that if you could experience love, not just lust, for another more than yourself, then maybe there is a chance. If there is, it’s small and not yet ready to blossom." Uriel paused momentarily. "The human prays for you and your brothers, you know.”
“Wha-what?” Asmodeus blinked.
“I know, the irony of a human praying to the heavens for the sake of demons isn’t lost on us. But they do. We hear their thoughts every night, and they constantly think of all of you. We can feel their love for you, not just desire, but love. Where there is love, there is hope.” Uriel smiled. “We still love all of you as well. We have hope. Farewell, Asmodeus.”
With that, the angel was gone in a blinding flash of white light.