Black Seeds

Growth 26: Subordinate con’t

Thanks to: Melissa Norvell, KimonoQueen and ElevatorMusic for reviewing.

Hell.

There are many stories- legends, myths and tales that whisper of it. Many describe Hell as a place that is surrounded by everlasting flames that consume all those that are sent there after their death.

However, the impression of Hell is different from how the stories describe it. No flames can be found in Hell, for fire is something that purifies and cleanses the body- it is sacred warrior in Heaven. Instead, Hell is just an empty vastness. The residents of Hell are not tortured physically. In Hell, agony is in the mind. The residents never experience happiness. They never experience peace. All they do is writhe piteously in eternal suffering and pain.

Just like how dead plants are removed from a garden; thrown into a heap to become compost, the ‘weeds’ and ‘dead plants’ of the Garden (essentially humans) are lumped together in a place devoid of everything. There they remain until they rot away. Until then, the rulers of Hell watch their every movement. Lucifer the fallen angel and the being that caused Original sin-

“Satan!”

At the very edge of boundary between the Garden and Hell was Satan, standing still. His black hair was loosely tied into a ponytail and long bangs framed his pale face. The color of his eyes was a blend of poisonous green and murky brown. Satan’s eyes were cold and piercing; hoarding centuries of knowledge and craftiness, but they warmed slightly as he turned around to see his protégé running towards him. Lucifer was calling his name.

Lucifer had been with him since the War of Heaven, and they had been inseparable since. Satan had never admitted it to anyone; but the truth was that in his ancient heart that had been warped by hatred and ambition, hid a small part that felt affection and love for Lucifer. He smiled as the tall, black haired Lucifer approached. Lucifer’s golden eyes were lit up with excitement.

“Satan, I knew you were waiting for me. I need your help. But first, I have something to show you.”

Lucifer pushed his long fringe out of his golden eyes and reached into the pocket of his pants. Satan had never seen Lucifer so happy; his eyes were lit up with fervor and joy. Lucifer withdrew his hand from his pocket and opened his closed fist to reveal six black seeds each the size of a mustard seed. Each seed had a smooth surface that glowed in the dark of Hell. Satan’s eyes widened with shock.

“Lucifer, these seeds…they’re…” he murmured, leaning close to get a clearer view.

“I called them the Black Seeds, Satan. After years… countless of experiments, I’ve finally completed them! Each of these Black Seeds holds a sin that poisons the heart of a human plant. I have millions more in my lab… enough for the whole world’s population. However, those are weaker than the six I have here…” Lucifer paused to take a breath after his spirited rant.

Satan picked up one of the seeds from Lucifer’s hand and examined it closely. “… They each contain Envy, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony and Lust, I see. These seeds… what do you intend to do with them, and the millions in your lab?” he asked.

Lucifer’s grin widened.

“Grow them, of course. These six seeds are exactly like the ones God creates. When they grow into a ‘human plant’, they will reside in the heart and control his actions by wrapping their roots all over his nervous system. The seed will amplify his negative thoughts and influence his actions. As the more the human’s negative thoughts increase, the seed will grow until it consumes his life!” exclaimed Lucifer.

“And the ones in your lab? Do they have the same functions?”

Lucifer shook his head, looking slightly put out. “It was difficult trying to incorporate a single sin into each seed. Making these six was already so taxing. The ones in my lab are weaker in power; more diluted in their strength. The negative thoughts and influence can be easily resisted by the human’s mind. But still, to spread the essence of Hell are over the Garden is fantastic, isn’t it?

He looked at Satan’s face, hoping to find approval.

Satan opened his mouth to say something but upon noticing Lucifer’s expression, cleared his throat instead. He returned the seed he was holding to Lucifer.

“So that’s why you said you needed my help, Lucifer. You want to scatter these seeds all over the world, but you can’t bring them into the garden without arousing suspicion from the angel guarding the garden.”

Lucifer nodded. My powers aren’t strong enough to subdue Uriel. But you are strong- as strong as God! You can subdue Uriel long enough for me to scatter the seeds.” He returned the seeds to his pocket and grabbed Satan’s hand. “Satan. Please help me.”

Satan squeezed Lucifer’s hand gently but lips crinkled into a frown in disapproval.

Lucifer… it seems your hatred for Heaven is starting to override mine…

“You do know that what planting the Black Seeds will attract Heaven’s attention, even if I do subdue the gatekeeper of the Garden. God will send reinforcements before you have time to scatter them all over the Garden,” he said quietly.

Lucifer could see Satan’s disapproval and quickly tried to calm his worries.

“You don’t have to worry about God’s reinforcements, Satan! I’ve asked our good friend to help us as well. He said he’d be delighted to do so, and will stand guard for us. So, please Satan… say yes!”

Satan’s frown did not change. He leaned against Lucifer, and closed his eyes.

“Why are you doing this, Lucifer?” he asked, speaking so softly that Lucifer had to strain his ears to hear.

Lucifer caressed Satan’s hair as he mulled over his answer. After a period of silence Satan, Satan the king of Hell felt a chill run down his spine at the demonic, metallic voice of Lucifer.

“I hate God. I hate Heaven. I hate how he has triumphed me again and again. I hate how he is omniscient. How he created this world-even me. I hate how he won the War. I hate him I hate him I hate him…” Lucifer’s voice lowered to a whisper and suddenly, he began to shout. Satan jerked, and stepped away from Lucifer.

“He is too perfect- too clever, too good- I despise him for that! A long time ago, I hate how he loved the plants more than the angels- he breathed life into them!! He molded them in his own image! I was an angel- I was closer to him psychically, but in his heart, the human- the plants were his life! I’ve hated him for it and I always will.”

Lucifer stopped his rant abruptly. He smiled at Satan, his sudden bout of insanity gone.

“That is why I love you, Satan. You treated me as an equal- as part of yourself. You never belittled me- you always placed me above all your own army. I am of one with you. Before the War, you opened my eyes and showed me the way. Thank you…”

The faintest gleam of light flickered in Lucifer’s eyes as his voice trailed off. Satan studied him, trying to see if it meant sincerity or slyness.

… I can see you love me, Lucifer… but do you really do so because of me alone, or because of my power that is able to help you? Even so…

Satan sighed and turned to Lucifer, who was anxiously waiting for his decision.

“I can’t say I like this plan very much, Lucifer. But I will help you in fending off God’s angels. After all…you are my everything and I am yours. I’ll sacrifice everything for you.” He went near Lucifer and embraced him.

Lucifer’s face had been solemn, but now his lips broke into a large grin. He returned Satan’s embrace.

“You will not regret this.”

“I know I won’t.”

As Hoshi was the reincarnation of Satan, all those memories were embedded in her mind. She loved Lucifer as much as Satan did, and she knew what had happened when the plan to plant the Seeds was bring carried out. It could have happened without a single soul in Heaven knowing what Lucifer did, but something went horribly wrong.

She was looking into the eyes of the very person who caused all the problems. Coba’s penetrating eyes were fixed on hers; his gaze unwavering. Although he was smiling, to Hoshi, it was like a dagger piercing his soul. She stared back resolutely, trying to banish her fear of him. At the same time, she worried about Joshua. She was not sure if he was dead.

Coba glanced at Joshua’s limp form.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t kill him. He’s just out of it for the time being,” he drawled, reading Hoshi’s mind.

“Oh, really? That is a surprise. Don’t you usually kill anyone who happens to be in your way?” snapped Hoshi, her anger injecting strength into her voice and overriding her fear.

Coba raised his eyes, appreciative of her response. “You’re not as empathetic as your previous form, I see.”

“I don’t care what you think. Stunning Joshua onii-san … why did you do that?”

“I sensed your presence when Lucian-kun left. I can’t have a proper chat with you when he’s lurking around, of course. Of course, he won’t know it was me. Being able to conserve my powers even when in I’m this form made stunning him unawares so much easier.”

Hoshi shook her head in disbelief. “How did you appear here? You are supposed to be dead after what happened in the Garden. Lucifer and I both sensed that you were gone. How did you become ‘Coba Bellin’?”

Coba’s smile turned into a smirk as he surveyed the angry Hoshi.

“What are you talking about? I was never dead. I just erased my presence, that’s all. I was simply… gone for the moment. But I’m back. Aren’t you glad for me, Hoshi-chan?”

“You’re disgusting.” Hoshi eyed him distrustfully. “You planned this…from the time Lucifer showed you his Seeds. And you’ve just been lying in wait while Lucifer was collecting the Black Seeds. And when 5 have been collected, you would awaken the Seed in ‘Coba Bellin’ to draw Lucifer near…but I don’t why you chose to befriend Joshua-onii-san.”

Coba laughed. “You really are Satan’s reincarnation. Only you would be so perceptive. Yes, that was my plan initially. But Lucian-kun has nothing to do with my plans. He just seemed like a good friend to pal around with for a while.” He ignored Hoshi’s snort that exhibited the little belief she had in that.

“Although him showing me Lucifer’s name card and carrying out his little investigation did assist me a lot. I couldn’t use my powers to track down Lucifer’s actions, but after seeing the newspaper article Lucian-kun was poring over, I knew when to strike.”

“And what are you going to do now, ‘Coba Bellin’? Kill Lucifer?”

“That is precisely what I will do when he comes to reap his last Seed.” Smiled Coba; confidence was oozing from his words.

Hoshi laughed without humor.

“You know that is impossible. You were never strong enough to defeat him…” Hoshi’s words trailed off as an expression of shock crossed her face.

Oh no. Lucifer was stronger than ‘Coba Bellin’ in Hell. But during the trail, almost all of Lucifer’s powers were taken away from him, and the powers he got from Satan’s corpse was given to me…he won’t be able to defend himself from…

“You’ve finally twigged it, Hoshi? I was waiting to see how long you’d realized that Lucifer is powerless against me. He is as good as dead when he comes to meet me.”

Coba spread his arms out, his maroon irises glimmering in the afternoon sun.

“As Beelzebub, the third leader of Hell behind Satan and Lucifer… I will be the one to collect all the Black Seeds. All seven of them will be mine.”

You reap what you sow

To be continued in the next chapter

A/n- this is Nanao… and I’m back! (At least, for now) I’ve finally updated Black Seeds after an age… and I hope everyone enjoyed reading it. How was this Growth? A number of things are revealed here. For all those who guessed that there were 7 Black Seeds, perhaps you are right. But there’s more to it than meets the eye, so keep on reading to see if what happens next would be as you predicted!

Thank you for reading!