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Somewhere on the outskirts of Heaven.
Adam trailed behind Sera and Michael as they walked towards the western edge of Heaven. Near this edge was a plot of land that was used in secret to train and supply a new type of soldier called exorcists.
Exorcists were pulled of Archangel Michael’s reserve forces to assist Adam in his idea of an annual purge to eliminate sinners, and prevent Hell from gathering enough numbers to initiate a possible invasion of Heaven.
As this extermination day was Adam’s idea, he was appointed commander of the new army. He was going to meet his soldiers and officers for the first time.
Sera and Michael led Adam to the facility’s parade deck where multiple soldiers gathered in formation.
They stood at attention as still as fence posts. They’re golden eyes remained locked with the horizon. They’re similar uniforms and similar hairstyles/color made them all look identical.
The soldiers were gathered in three squads, with about fifteen exorcists in each squad. They were lined up in three rows of five, with a sergeant standing in front of each of their respective squads. A singular lieutenant lead the entire formation.
Sera stopped walking to observe the soldiers. She felt uneasy about this idea. War was never a good solution.
“Here you are, first man.” Michael said as he gestured towards the formation “my reserve forces as requested.”
Adam studied his new army with admiration. Lucicunt and his ex-wife thought they could steal his second home from him? They thought they had the power here? Oh no, they were gravely mistaken. Adam would quickly remind those two shitbags who has the power among the two realms.
Michael smirked at Adam’s approval. “Beautiful, aren’t they? I gotta say first man, I’m glad you actually have a spine. Bringing the fight to them with pure angelic wrath? Fucking brilliant.” Michael let out a giddy laugh “On my father I love war so fucking much.”
Adam cast a worried glance at Michael’s giddy attitude and warboner.
Michael, realizing he let that slip cleared his throat loudly and quickly changed the subject “You didn’t hear that. Anyway, go say hi or whatever.”
Adam gazed back towards the soldiers. Michael grabbed his shoulder, or well, his waist (he wasn’t tall enough) and pointed at the Lieutenant “That’s your new LT, Adam. She’s a real fiesty one. Tough as fucking nails. She’s honestly probably more manly than you.”
Adam rolled his eyes at Michael’s childish insults. He decided to meet his fellow exorcists-in-arms.
He strode up to the woman leading the entire formation. Only when he was next to her did he realize how tall he was compared to everyone else. He towered over this woman as her head only came up to his abdomen.
He squatted down to be at more of an eye level with the woman.
“Lieutenant?” Asked Adam
The woman popped a crisp salute “Lord Adam, sir!”
“Woah, woah-“ Adam laughed “You can ditch that ‘Lord Adam’ shit. Just call me Adam.”
The woman’s brows furrowed before going back to a neutral position. “Very well, Adam, sir.”
Adam laughed at her ultra-serious attitude and said “All right LT, I wanna meet the team.”
“Sir!”
The woman looked over her shoulder and yelled “All sergeants! Front and center! Lord-uh, Adam, had requested you!”
“Yes, Ma’am!” Shouted three voices.
The three sergeants rushed up towards their two commanders.
“Adam, sir, these are sergeants” the lieutenant pointed at each woman while naming them “Crystal, Juniper, and Vagatha.”
“Ladies,” Adam said
“Sir!” They responded.
After Adam talked with his sergeants he went to through every rank and column to inspect and meet his team.
“Exorcist 1st class Hailey, sir!” One shouted as he made his way through one column. “Exorcist Basic Kylie, sir!” Another shouted.
“Exorcist 2nd class Celeste, sir!”
“Exorcist assistant sergeant Ariel, sir!”
All of his girls sounded off perfectly. He noticed however all the girls had a name, he had never caught his Lieutenant’s name.
After the inspection, which Adam had deemed his girls “totally and certifiably badass demon killing babes”, he had met up with the lieutenant to discuss the upcoming training regimen to prepare for the first extermination that was going to take place six months from now.
Adam pulled up a holographic map of “Pentagram City”, the largest city in Hell and where most the population resided, and started to point at different landmarks.
“Okay, LT, I’m thinking for this we might break up the squads here,” he pointed at a large building with multiple eyes on its structure, I’ll have sergeant Juniper take her squat up this street,” he motioned toward the main street of downtown “while sergeants Vagatha and Crystal will push towards this smaller town and split up here.” He pointed at another small town called “Sacrifice town”. Apparently they really loved to sacrifice children there.
Adam made a face of disgust when he read the little sign displaying the name. He turned towards the LT with anger “You see this shit? These are the sick fucks who want to kill and mutilate our fucking families. This is why what we’re doing is so fucking important.”
Adam squeezed his fists “They won’t destroy my second home, they fuckin’ won’t.” He said in a hushed whisper.
The woman joined Adam in his angry and disturbed rant. “These worthless failures don’t deserve mercy or salvation.” The woman spat.
“Exactly. Glad someone else feels the same way.” Adam glazed towards the woman “Hey, I never caught your name by the way.”
“Lord Michael never assigned me a name.”
“Really? Why?”
She slightly narrowed her eyes “He forgot.”
“Sounds like that asshole.” Adam muttered, somehow disliking Michael even more. Adam was going to give this chick a name, and a good one at that. He put his finger to his chin, Deep in thought. He made a lot of ‘hmms’ and ‘ummms’ sounds before his eyes shot wide.
“I got it! Lute! Ya know, for lieutenant? Haha I’m a fucking genius.” Adam laughed
“Lute? Like the instrument?” Lute asked
“That too! Well, Lute, I think it suits ya.” Adam said while putting his hands on his hips.
Lute smiled slightly. “I like it. Thank you, Lord- uh I mean, Adam….sir.” She stumbled.
Adam shook his head endearingly before clapping his hands “Right, Lute. Back to planning how to slaughter some demon ass.”
A few centuries later
The portal of pure angelic light opened, allowing the exorcists to return home.
The exorcists lined up in a massive formation, (Archangel Michael had gifted Adam hundreds of more exorcists over the decades) awaiting to be debriefed by Adam.
“Holy fucking shit, ladies! That was pure fucking demonic bloodbath! This has got to be the most successful extermination yet! I’m beyond fucking proud of you, ladies, seriously.” Adam cheered
The exorcists joined him in cheering. They had killed a total of 15,000 sinners! It was a record-breaking extermination.
As the exorcists changed back into their civilian clothes, Adam ventured to find his favorite lady.
“Sup’ danger tits!” Said a very happy Adam as he fist-bumped Lute.
Lute had a sadistic and proud smile etched on her face. “I slaughtered 268 of those sinners, sir! New record!”
“That’s what the fuck I’m talking about, tits!” Adam cheered again “Wanna hit the bar? Or maybe take out some of the top girls to celebrate?”
“You already know my answer, sir.” Lute smirked.
Adam cupped his hand around his mouth as he called for the top killers this extermination. “Vagatha! Malak! Arella! Lace! And let’s see…uh fuckin’...oh yeah! AJ! Let’s go get some fuckin’ grub!”
The girls in question joined Adam and Lute as they all walked to their favorite restaurant/bar, everything was paid for by Adam as a courtesy for his girls for a job well done.
The entire way they walked to the bar they didn’t say much as the rest of Heaven remained ignorant of what the exorcists truly did, and the rest of Heaven believed it was once a year refresher training. Most of the girls Adam took with him were doing karaoke or getting wasted off their ass, leaving Adam and Lute alone together.
Adam played with his cup, sloshing the liquid around. He had a rare moment of actually showing his real face and not covering it with that stupid helmet. Lute liked his face. It was flawless, symmetrical, and radiated pure, holy light. He was a beautiful and handsome man, and she always wondered why her boss had a self destructive habit of hating himself.
As Adam continued to play with his drink, he turned towards Lute. “I’m really fucking proud of you, you know that, bitch?”
Lute smiled. “I know sir.”
The bartender set Lute’s drink down. She took it and let the burning liquid touch her throat. She rarely drank, so she would get buzzed really easily. Like, right now.
Maybe it was the alcohol talking, or maybe it was her, but all she knew is that she said, “Adam, why do you wear that helmet all the time? You’re not ugly by any means.”
Adam gave her a confused and flustered expression. “I don’t know, tits. The first two women who saw my face left me for the same asshole. Maybe I’m just really that hideous, huh?” Adam tried to joke, but Lute was having none of his deflection.
“Sir, you’re not. Me and the rest of the ladies want to see more of your face.” There’s no way she just said that. She’s definitely drunk.
“Aight tits, no more alcohol for the rest of the night. You’re cut off.” Adam huffed as he took her drink out of her hand.
Lute started giggle before bursting out laughing. Adam followed suit with their stupid banter. He loved spending moments like this with her. She was a great friend.
Two more centuries later
“LIEUTENANT!? WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!” Sera roared. All of her countless eyes were open and she radiated heat from her current extremely angry outburst.
Lute gulped. She was in deep shit, but that traitor had it coming! How dare she spare a worthless lowlife sinner, because she felt “sorry” for it?!
“Your highness I-“
“YOU BANISHED ONE OF YOUR OWN...WITHOUT COUNCIL APPROVAL OR JURISDICTION?!”
“Y-yes. Ma’am I understand-“
“YOU ABSOLUTELY DO NOT UNDERSTAND! THIS COULD BE PUNISHABLE BY EXECUTION, LIEUTENANT!”
Lute’s eyes widened. “Your highness…it was a traitor-I - I - I don’t-“
“SILENCE-“
Both of the women were interrupted by Adam bursting the doors wide open. He was panting as he hauled ass when he figured out Lute was taking the heat for dealing with the traitor. He ordered her to do that, he should be punished, not her.
“Sera-S-Sera.” Adam said while panting harder than a dog.
Sera and Lute looked absolutely bewildered at Adam’s sudden entrance.
Adam gasped a few more times before he continued “It was my idea. She just followed orders. Please Sera, don’t punish Lute. It was my idea and my order.”
Lute’s eyes opened wide “Sir!? What are you doing?!-“
“I’m telling Sera the truth-“
“Sir! You’re going to get!-“
“I know, tits.”
“Sir! You can’t-“
“Stop talking tits. That’s an order.” Adam said with his rare, serious tone.
Lute nodded and returned to parade rest.
Sera turned her angry gaze towards the first man.
“So this idea and this mishandling of punishment was your idea, Adam?” Sera said with a low, warning growl.
“Yes ma’am, it was my idea.” Adam said, happy that the heat was now on him, and off Lute.
Sera looked Adam up and down for a few seconds before she coldly turned to Lute. “You are dismissed Lieutenant.”
“Ma’am,” Lute said as she popped a salute. Before she exited through the now blow-wide-open doors, she turned back to Adam with the most fear induced look she had ever given anyone.
Adam’s heart broke when he saw how scared she was for him. His LED mask returned a smile and silently mouthed “It’s okay, Lute. I promise it will be okay.”
For the first time in Adam’s life he saw a few tears well up in her beautiful golden eyes. Adam turned back to Sera, ready to face possible execution or exile.
Sera clasped her hands together and took a sharp inhale.
“Adam. I want you to understand how lucky you are that you are the first man. I want you to understand that if you were anybody else I would’ve already dropped you into Hell to boil in that pot, forever.” Sera said even more coldly.
“I understand ma’am.” Adam said
Sera inhaled again before pointing at Adam with her entire hand. “I want to know what was going on in that head of yours that would cause you to do something like this, or even think this act was remotely acceptable.”
Adam gathered all the remaining courage he had left and rembered the distraught looks his wife gave him after they were banished from Eden. He remembered the winners who were tormented by sinners. He would protect his home from evil.
“Sergeant Vagatha spared a sinner because she “felt bad for it”. If she allowed her emotions to get the best of her and hesitate to that degree, then what else would she have done? Has she let more sinners off the hook in the past? Has she struck deals with sinners? She might be compromised. Heaven cannot take that chance. My girls kill without mercy and without hesitation. We absolve traitorous nature.” Adam spat
He continued as Sera was digesting his words. “I will never allow evil to touch Heaven, Sera. Believe me. My first home and my family were torn apart by evil and sin. I will never allow anybody or anything to even give the hint they might betray Heaven.”
To Sera’s surprise, Adam took off his helmet and looked her right in the eyes. “Do what you will to me, Sera, but I stand by my decision.”
Sera looked at Adam. She silently respected his determination and the fact he didn’t back down. She also silently respected him for possibly taking a severe punishment so his Lieutenant wouldn’t have too. Heaven needed protectors and warriors like him.
“Very well Adam.” She said with a neutral tone and facial expression, “Never do something like this again without approval. Ever. Remove yourself from my office at once.” She said calmly.
“Yes, your highness.” Adam said while popping his own crisp salute.
Adam scurried out of Sera’s office as his heart was beating at a million beats a second. Lute was okay, and that was all that mattered.
Lute paced back and forth as she waited for Adam to return from Sera’s office. She feared the worst. Maybe Adam had finally gotten on Sera’s last nerve.
Lute didn’t know what she would do if Adam was killed or banished. She couldn’t lose him. She couldn’t lose the only person she cared about.
She would raze hell itself to get Adam back if push came to shove.
A sudden pair of large, muscular arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. She let out a startled yelp, but she was immediately relieved when she heard Adam’s voice.
“Sup, tits! Sera didn’t kill me, thank the Lord! I was sweating my balls off-“
Adam stopped talking when he noticed the tears running down her face. She never cried.
“Uh, tits? You, uh, are you good?”
Lute suddenly returned the bone-crushing hug while nuzzling into Adam’s neck.
“S-sir. I thought you- I thought Sera- I-“
“Relax, Lute! I’m here! I didn’t die! Ya can’t kill Adam!” He tried to cheer her up.
Lute smiled and laughed as the tears continued. She enjoyed every single second of the hug, and Adam definitely enjoyed that hug. He was happy that somebody cared that much about him, even though he thought he didn’t deserve it.
A few months later
Adam jolted awake. Another nightmare. The third time this week, and it was only Wednesday.
He sat up in his bed and turned to face Lute, who was still peacefully sleeping away. He smiled as the sight of her peaceful state started to calm him down.
He laid back down and pulled the smaller woman close to his fit body. Cradling her stomach and arms.
She yawned and smacked her lips before responding in a tired tone “A-Adam? Are you-“ she yawned again “are you okay?”
Adam made a “hmm-mmm” sound as he cuddled closer to Lute.
“Another nightmare, Addy?” She asked
“Yeah. Sorry for waking you up, Lutey.”
She patted his arm. “S’okay. I love your cuddling anyway.”
“Damn right you do.”
“I love you, Adam.”
“I love ya too, Lutey.”
“Until the end, Adam?”
Adam smiled. “Until the end, Lute.”
Adam and Lute became quiet and still once again, before Adam drifted off to sleep holding his girlfriend in his arms.
Oh yeah, he has a girlfriend now! Lute and him finally stopped being dumbasses and figured out they had feelings for each other. He decided to give this love thing a try once again. What was that saying? “Third times the charm” or something.
Anyway, he was finally in a relationship again! A real relationship. With a woman who actually learned about him and cared about him all on her own, and not with a woman who was manufactured like a machine to be his wife. This relationship felt different from Lilith and even Eve. It felt more natural. It felt organic. It felt sacred. It felt blissful.
He loved her dammit. He loved her until the fucking end.
A few years later.
Adam pulled himself out of the crater. His mask was completely destroyed. Golden blood leaked out of his nose and mouth.
He turned towards the disgusting, pathetic, and worthless sinners. How dare they try to disguise an invasion plan as “hotel for redemption”.
Adam wasn’t fucking stupid. He knew that was a fucking lie. That stupid demon princess didn’t give a shit about these sinners that she claimed “were her family”. She was just part of her parent’s scheme to bring down Heaven and make Adam suffer even more.
He mustered the last bit of strength he had left as he climbed out of the crater.
The sinners, the princess, and Lucicunt all stared at him with unimpressed looks. How dare they try to invade his home. How dare they try to bring their cancer to the doorstep of Heaven. How dare they think angels were this stupid.
He limped towards the worthless failures to confront them. His massive figure dwarfed everyone except for that porn slut.
They watched him like hawks as he made his way over to them. He eventually stopped a few feet in front of the crowd.
The princess was the first to break the silence “Adam, I think we’re done here. I don’t want to fight you anymore, and you definitely don’t look like you can fight us. Let’s stop this violence!”
He narrowed his eyes for her before a sarcastic laugh left his mouth. “You really think I’m that stupid, huh?”
“Yeah, we do.” The traitor interrupted with a smirk.
Adam shot her a murderous glance before returning his focus on the princess. “You don’t give a fuck about sinners. You’re just part of your daddy’s ploy to invade heaven and kill us angels off. I know what you all are”
A sinner with one eye scoffed. “This guys lost his fuckin’ mind.”
The one-eyed traitor turned to the one-eyed sinner, ironic, and said “That’s Adam for ya. He lets his paranoia get the best of him-“ she was cut off
He pointed at the crowd with pure hatred. “You’re demons. You’re evil. You’re sinful. And you’re dangerous.”
The princess continued “Adam, I’m not trying to invade heaven! I genuinely want to end all this violence!-“
“SINNERS DON’T GET TO CHANGE THEIR MIND JUST BECAUSE THEY FEEL SORRY.” Adam screamed as his frustration reached its zenith.
The crowd winced at his loud outburst. “Do you know how many fucking winners were harmed by your people? Do you understand how much damage your short-ass dad caused for creation? Do you think it’s fair that winners have to watch their abusers and tormentors cross those pearly motherfuckin gates? AFTER EVERYTHING THEY WENT THROUGH?!”
The princess just regarded Adam silently and let him get his anger out.
Lucifer now had his eyes narrowed at Adam. “Adam-“ he was immediately cut off.
“Shut the fuck up! You don’t give a shit either! What, now you care about sinners? Or is it because you're a shit dad and you want to spend more time with your kid, not caring what she was doing? You sold these sinners out to be killed while protecting your hellborns. You’re fucking a coward, Lucifer.”
Lucifer scowled at Adam. “I think it’s time to leave, Adam.”
“I’m sorry, Adam.” The princess continued “I don’t know what led you to believe that I’m trying to destroy your home, but I’m not. I’m really not. I just want my people to have another chance-“
Adam was so fucking over this. It was like talking to a naive, ignorant, brick wall. This spoiled brat had never had an ounce of hardship in her life. Who the actual fuck was she to judge who deserved to have a second chance?!
“Let me repeat it again, bitch. Your people suck. My people don’t. Your people don’t get to prance their asses into heaven just because they’re sorry. That’s what their life on earth was for. All of us humans made choices and we reap what we sow. Not only that, but you couldn’t redeem and single fucking sinner. We kill thousands each extermination. Would you even be able to meet your early quota if this dinky-ass hotel could even work?”
The princess’s eyebrows furrowed and she started to open her mouth but before she could get a word out Adam let out a pained scream when he felt a searing pain in his chest.
He looked down to find a blade ripping out of his chest. Golden blood seeping down his body. It didn’t feel real.
The crowd of sinners seemed shocked and alarmed by Adam’s pained moans and screams. He felt dizzy. He lost his balance and fell forwards. He quickly felt a barrage of more stabs, his energy and will draining with each stab.
He heard a little voice behind him giggle “Blood! Hahahaha!”
The princess screamed “NIFFTY! STOP!”
“Oh shit!” He heard Lucifer yell.
The princess ripped the little sinner off Adam, and bent down to help him but was suddenly shoved away.
“SIR?! SIR?! STAY WITH ME SIR!” Lute shrieked.
He was flipped around to find Lute’s distraught eyes looking into his. Tears flowed down his beautiful girlfriend and lieutenant’s face.
He gathered all his remaining will and energy and gave her the most genuine and soft smile he ever gave anyone.
He knew he was dying. He wanted to say a few things before he went, wherever.
“I love ya, Lute. I-“ he coughed up blood “I love ya..”
Hot tears dripped onto his face as Lute’s sobs became almost deafening. She buried her face into his chest.
He coughed some more. “Until the end…”
A woman finally stayed with me. Adam smiled even more, feeling very relaxed and sleepy.
“U-until the-the end…” Lute choked out.
The crowd of sinners gathered around. The princess was screaming for her dad to help Adam, and Lucifer was attempting to gather his own energy to cast a healing spell.
Adam inhaled once more before his chest because still. His eyes glassed over as he breathed his last breath.
“NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!” Lute’s scream was loud that the crowd of sinners swore heaven could hear it.
A few hours later.
Lute and a few other exorcists grabbed Adam’s body and took off towards heaven. With burning tears still in Lute’s eyes she and her sisters rushed Adam towards Archangel Raphael’s hospital.
Adam was in critical condition. Most thought he was already dead. Not Lute. Lute refused to let Adam die. She didn’t know what to do if Adam wasn’t with her anymore.
Raphael had immediately taken to Adam’s side, and with the help of nurses they wheeled Adam away from a distraught Lute.
For the next few hours Lute had bawled more times in a few hours than in her entire existence. Her sisters provided her with much needed comfort. Even the youngest Seraphim, Emily had immediately rushed to Raphael’s hospital when she heard the news.
Usually Lute was annoyed by Emily and her overly sweet nature, but now she just needed a shoulder to cry on. She needed support and for someone to tell her it was going to be okay.
Lute was beyond grateful that her sisters and Emily had stayed by her side for the 19 hours that Adam was in operation. An angelic blade through the heart would do that to somebody.
When the news broke that somehow, Adam had survived, Lute who had already cried all her tears had somehow cried even harder of pure joy. Her sisters and Emily cried in joy with her.
Raphael came out to greet the crowd of blubbering women. “If one of you would like to come see him, you may. He’s not awake yet but he’s stable.”
Lute immediately jumped up and dashed to Adam. He had multiple hoses and tubes connected to his body. His chest steadily rose and fell. His heart beat was sitting at steady 68 bpm.
She grabbed his hand and pressed it to her forehead so she could feel him, feel that he was okay, and feel that she wouldn’t be left alone. It was him and his gigantic ass hand.
Raphael had allowed her to stay in Adam’s room. She slept on the dusty couch in the corner of the room and refused to leave until Adam left with her.
She got comfy and was starting to drift to sleep when Adam let out a pained moan and coughed, wincing.
Lute immediately shot to his side. “Addy? Addy? Can you hear me?!”
Adam coughed some more and grabbed her hand. “Hiya, tits.” As he took in his surroundings and looked at all the IVs and other life support equipment attached to him. He lightly laughed, wincing from the chest pain “damn this sucks.”
Lute let out a teary laugh at his comment. She rested her head on his chest. “I love you, Addy.”
Adam coughed some more. “Me too. Me too…”
“Until the end?”
“Until the end.”