Epilogue:

Mea Culpa

Where do bad folks go when they die? They don’t go to heaven where the angels fly. They go to a lake of fire and fry.

Meat Puppets, “Lake of Fire”

1.

Lucifer smirked. “No, I’m not what you think I am. I never went against God’s ruling and stuff. I never rebelled.”

The Metatron lightly punched the other’s shoulder. “Tell them what happened.”

Morning Star blushed a bit. “Well, I was jealous of you humans, and I often expressed my distaste for all of you. She saw it fitting that I would be the judge over all of you and be the Guardian of Hell.”

“Wouldn’t you enjoy that if you hated us?” Phiterus asked.

“Not really, She’d kill me if I judge unfairly, and my job isn’t what you guys see it as, man. I’m sort of like a corrections officer. When they die, I look through their records and tell them were to go. I keep the sinners and they go to Hell.

“Basically, Hell is a place where they go through their lives and learn their mistakes. God allows them to be reborn again. She wants them to be with Her, I guess.”

They sat inside of Cyrus’ castle, in the dining room. Servants happily bustled around, filling up drink and the like. Lucius sat next to Phiterus, and the Metatron next to Lucifer.

“What’s God like?” Phiterus asked.

“Phiterus! Don’t ask them questions like that. It’s disrespectful.” Lucius twitched and hugged his son. “I’m sorry for yelling.”

The Metatron chuckled. “Don’t worry. It’s not like we didn’t expect him to ask that.”

Lucifer smiled a bit. “No religion is wrong, yet no religion is completely right. That’s all we’ll say.”

The Metatron nudged Lucifer. “That’s probably because we don’t know too much ourselves.” The angel looked at Phiterus, “You know we might not even be angels. We could’ve appeared to you in the only way you’d understand.”

They both laughed.

“What am I exactly? What’s this Scion thing? Why did I suddenly attain all that power?”

“You are the Scion, or the Messiah. You are one of a pretty long line, beginning with Jesus Christ,” the Metatron answered.

“The Messiah isn’t necessarily the Son of God. The Messiah, or Scion, is destined to make the world better in a way,” Lucifer finished. “Also, don’t ask if Jesus was really the Son of God. We’re not allowed to answer that.”

“What about that Voice. Will that come back?”

The Metatron shrugged. “Pure evil is never destroyed. He’s bound to come back if things become they did long ago.”

Phiterus looked at the empty plate in front and then looked up at the two angels. “Will Cyrus go to Hell?”

Lucifer ran a hand through his hair. “He went past me. Looks like She wants him there. I guess She thought he’s been through enough.”

“Is he with Rose?”

They both nodded.

“Weren’t all the Nephilim supposed to be dead?”

“We thought so. It looks like She spared a few,” the Metatron said.

“So, is he the son of an angel?”

Lucifer blushed and raised his hand. “We figured out that he was in my line.”

“What about James Lateran? Should that be stopped?”

“It is. His flock rebelled against him,” the Metatron answered.

Lucifer smirked. “He was the reincarnation of Cyrus’ brother. This has been his eightieth time reborn. His soul never seems to learn. Maybe, he’ll be better now.”

The Metatron smirked, stood up, and slapped Phiterus on the back. “We’ll meet again, man.”

Lucifer smirked and looked up. “I really hope you can rule Terratina better than Cyrus did. Don’t get a girlfriend and lose your mind because of it.”

Phiterus smiled. “I’d like to have my own Rose.” He blinked. “Oh, wait, did the men find Cyrus’ body?”

Lucifer closed his eyes. “Yeah, they did. They found his body lying down in this field of roses near the battle sight. Funny thing is it was never there before. Anyways, his face was calm and smiling. He was holding this white needle to his chest. One of the men walked forward to cut off the head to mount on a spike or somethin’, but two women appeared next to him. Both were clad in white robes. One was kinda short with sky-blue eyes and long blonde hair. The other was tall and regal. She was smiling. Her hair was all colors. Her eyes were at once like fire, ice, and the sky. They looked to be talking.”

The Metatron continued the story. “The taller one bent over and rubbed his forehead, like she was his mother and he was a sick son who had finally found his way home. The shorter one looked ready to cry from happiness. Slowly, they faded away from view.”

“White sparkles appeared on Cyrus’ body. Whatever they touched faded away,” Lucius said. “They were beautiful. The roses are still there. They’re not supposed to be in bloom yet, but they’re there.”

Phiterus smiled a bit. “I’m happy for him.”

2.

Cyrus opened his brown eyes. All around him there was only the color white. Ahead of him, he saw two figures he walked towards him.

It was Rose and Liam.

Cyrus began to run to them. Rose met him. He scooped her up and kissed her. Her legs wrapped around his waist.

Liam smiled. “We’ve been waitin’ for you, man. Well, her mostly. I had to spend a bit of time in purgatory for some of the drug dealings.” The goth let out a small giggle.

Rose broke the kiss and looked into Cyrus’ brown eyes. “I’ve been waiting so long for you. I don’t care what you did. You’re here now. It’s all that matters.”

The old world is meaningless. It’s like the egg. Once we break through, we’re in the true life.

It’s almost egotistical for us to think that we’re the only creation. We could be God’s first try. Maybe, we’re the imperfect first draft. There could be thousands of other worlds ahead of us. Maybe, we’re just an atom of a blade of grass in an expansive field in another world. Maybe.

But still, it doesn’t matter.

We shouldn’t get caught up on who’s right or wrong. Cherish the people. Love them. Find someone to be with. Don’t worry.

Be happy. Find love.

God loves you no matter what, if you’re really sorry for the sins you’ve done. It’s unhealthy to think that salvation only lies within your religion. It’s the most ignorant thing in the world to believe.

Really, all people do seek the truth. Atheist, Muslim, or Christian, you use something to find meaning. Even atheists have their blessed science.

Love. I think love unites us all.

Muslim, Christian, Atheist, black or white: we all love.

Tears of happiness flowed down Cyrus’ cheeks. “I was always worried that you wouldn‘t like me because of what I became.

“You make me feel happy. You were the only one that ever managed to make me feel that way. I love you more than you love me, Rose.”

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