I'm The Devil - Chapter 265

Chapter 265: Return 3

“Oh, what do we have here?”

Everyone turned to see a strikingly handsome man with jet-black hair and piercing black eyes, a confident grin playing on his lips. He walked toward them with an air of effortless superiority, each step measured and deliberate, as if he regarded them all as mere ants beneath his notice. The sheer presence of the man was enough to silence any lingering doubts, his aura commanding the attention of every being in the vicinity.

“I see you’re the offspring of those insufferable Watchers, with traces of their grace and celestial power lingering in you,” he said, casting a disdainful glance at the Nephilims. He then turned his attention to Cain and his vampire progeny. “And you,” he continued, focusing on Cain, “are the Firstborn, the progeny of the First Man and First Woman, Cain, if I’m not mistaken?”

He surveyed the gathered assembly, his gaze sweeping over the Nephilims and the vampires with an air of expectation. When no one answered his pointed inquiries, he raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. It dawned on him that the oppressive weight of his aura was keeping them silent, their wills momentarily subdued under its immense pressure. He observed their discomfort with a smirk, recognizing the effect his presence had on them.

The imposing figure’s smirk widened as he took in the scene before him. The Nephilims and vampires, forced to their knees by his overwhelming presence, shifted uncomfortably under the relentless pressure. His black eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and disdain as he relished the display of their vulnerability.

“Fascinating,” he mused aloud, his voice smooth yet carrying an edge that cut through the thick tension in the air. “It seems the weight of my aura is more effective than I anticipated. How amusing it is to see beings of such reputed power brought low so effortlessly.”

He took a leisurely step forward, his movements graceful and deliberate, as if he were dancing on the precipice of their fear. “Perhaps you’ll find it in yourselves to respond now,” he suggested, his tone mocking but with an underlying note of menace.

Lord Aurelius, struggling to maintain his composure, attempted to rise but found himself hindered by the unrelenting pressure. With a strained voice, he finally managed to address the figure. “Who… who are you to impose such an overwhelming presence upon us?”

Seraphina, equally affected but with a defiant glint in her eyes, managed to mutter through gritted teeth, “I said this was a bad idea. We should never have ventured out here.”

The figure’s grin remained unchanged, though his gaze flickered with a hint of intrigue as he regarded Seraphina. “So, you were the cautious one,” he remarked. “A wise choice, considering the circumstances.”

His attention shifted back to Cain and his progeny. “And you, Cain,” he continued, his voice taking on a more personal tone, “I see you haven’t forgotten the feeling of being in the presence of true power. Despite the centuries that have passed, it seems you’re still aware of the necessity to tread carefully.”

Cain, though visibly affected by the aura, managed to maintain his calm demeanor. He knew the importance of staying composed in such situations, recognizing that panic would only worsen their plight. He met the figure’s gaze with a steady, measured look, betraying no sign of weakness.

The dark-haired man’s smirk deepened as he studied Cain’s response, clearly pleased by the vampire progenitor’s ability to maintain composure under such oppressive circumstances. The silence stretched for a moment longer before he finally spoke again, his voice low and resonant, carrying an air of authority that demanded attention.

“Impressive, Cain. I see the centuries haven’t dulled your instincts or your resolve. You recognize the gravity of this moment, as well you should.”

He paused, letting the words sink in, his gaze sweeping over the Nephilims and vampires once more before returning to Cain. “But I suppose proper introductions are in order,” he continued, his tone shifting to one of almost theatrical grandeur. “After all, it’s only polite to let you know whose presence you are in, though I’m sure some of you have already guessed.”

The man’s grin widened as he straightened his posture, his aura intensifying momentarily, causing the very air around them to vibrate with power. “I am Lucifer Morningstar,” he declared, his voice ringing with an ancient authority that seemed to echo through the very fabric of reality. “The Lightbringer, the First of the Fallen, the Adversary. The titles I bear are many, given to me throughout the ages by those who fear, revere, and curse my name.”

He began to pace slowly, each step deliberate, his eyes never leaving the group as he continued his introduction. “I am the Morning Star that once shone brightest in the heavens, now cast down to rule over the depths of Hell. The Prince of Darkness, the Tempter, the Lord of Lies—these are but a few of the names I’ve acquired over the millennia.”

As he spoke, the weight of his identity seemed to press down even harder on the Nephilims and vampires, the sheer magnitude of his being almost unbearable. “I’ve watched empires rise and fall, witnessed the creation of new worlds and the destruction of old ones. I’ve seen the folly of angels and the hubris of mortals. And now, I sensed an unusual disturbance from my home in the mortal plane and this is where it led me, to you.”

He stopped his pacing, turning to face the group directly, his eyes locking onto Cain’s with an intensity that was nearly palpable. “You see, Cain, your reemergence into the mortal plane has piqued my interest. After all, it’s not every day that the Firstborn of humanity and the progenitor of an entire race decides to walk the earth once more.”

Lucifer’s gaze shifted to the Nephilims, his expression unreadable. “And you, children of the Watchers, whose very existence is a testament to defiance against the natural order. You’ve chosen to return as well, despite the risks. How curious.”

He stepped closer, his presence towering over them like a shadow that threatened to engulf them all. “So, tell me,” Lucifer said, his voice dropping to a near whisper, yet still carrying the weight of his power, “what do you all hope to achieve by returning to a world that has long since moved on from your time? Are you seeking redemption? Power? Or something else entirely?”

The question hung in the air, unanswered, as the beings before him struggled to find their voices under the crushing pressure of his aura. Lucifer’s grin never wavered, his black eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and something far darker, as he awaited their response, fully aware of the fear and uncertainty his presence invoked.