I'm The Devil-Chapter 361: Welcome To The Divine Trial

Lucifer appeared back in the great hall of Devil's Peak like a ghost. One second he was in that terrible white space, the next he was standing in front of his throne, breathing hard.

His chest was on fire. The sigil burned like a brand.

"Champions," he whispered to the empty room, rubbing the heel of his hand over the pain. "You beautiful, stubborn fools."

A slow, deliberate clapping started from the shadows near the balcony.

"Bravo," a voice said, smooth as spilled wine. "Truly a masterclass in being utterly predictable. I'm touched."

Lucifer didn't even look up. "Loki. You're early."

The trickster god stepped into the dim light, hands in his pockets, a smirk playing on his lips. "Early? Darling, I've been waiting. The cosmic gossip mill is buzzing. 'Lucifer's back.' 'He's in the Trial.' 'His wives are fighting for him.' It's better than soap opera. I brought popcorn."

Lucifer finally looked at him. "I'm not in the mood."

"Clearly," Loki said, circling the throne. "You look like someone just kicked your favorite dog. Which, given your history, is a distinct possibility."

"It's not a joke, Loki."

"Who's joking?" Loki stopped, his expression shifting from mocking to something sharper, more serious. "You think I don't know what this is? The Divine Trial? It's a slaughterhouse with better lighting. And you walked right back into it."

"I didn't walk," Lucifer said, his voice tight. "I was dragged. My name was entered without my consent."

"By the women who love you," Loki finished, nodding. "Yes, I heard. Khaos always did have a flair for the dramatic. So, what's the plan? Sit here and sulk while they die for you?"

Lucifer's gaze snapped to him. "What did you say?"

"Oh, don't give me that look," Loki waved a hand. "You know the rules as well as I do. Maybe better. If they're fighting in your name, their losses are your losses. Their deaths... well." He shrugged, but the gesture was heavy. "Let's just say the term 'cease to exist' has a certain finality to it."

Lucifer stood up, the air around him growing cold. "I'm getting them out."

"Are you?" Loki raised an eyebrow. "And how do you plan to do that? It's the Father's game. You can't just rip up the board."

"I'll find a way."

"Always the optimist," Loki sighed. "Even when you're being nihilistic, you're weirdly hopeful. It's annoying."

The strange pull came again. A yank behind his navel, sharp and insistent. The Trial was calling.

Lucifer gritted his teeth. "Not now."

"Oh, that doesn't look good," Loki said, watching him flicker.

"Tell me about it," Lucifer muttered—and vanished.

Loki stood alone in the silent hall. "Rude," he said to the emptiness. "Absolutely rude."

---

The white space was the same. Infinite. Empty. Sterile.

Lucifer materialized, the disorientation lasting only a second. The others were already there.

Michael stood rigid, his back to him, wings held tight. Gabriel looked pale, his hands clasped in front of him. Ariel was pacing, her silver armor gleaming. Exousia stood perfectly still, her eyes closed.

No one spoke.

Then, a familiar, languid voice cut through the silence.

"Well, isn't this a charming family reunion. Missing the punch bowl, though."

Lucifer turned.

Bariel leaned against a wall that hadn't been there a moment before. He was dressed in simple, dark clothes, his hair tousled, a faint, knowing smile on his face. He looked utterly at ease, which meant he was probably furious.

Michael turned, his expression hardening into pure contempt. "You. Why are you here? Your presence defiles this space."

Bariel pushed off the wall, his smile never slipping. "Michael. Still charming as a brick to the face, I see. I'm here because someone has to explain the rules to you holy rollers. And the Father, in His infinite wisdom, decided a fallen king of Hell was just the right level of ironic."

Ariel stopped pacing, her glare venomous. "A sinner has no place announcing divine will."

"A sinner?" Bariel chuckled, a low, rich sound. "Sweetheart, I'm the Sin of Gluttony. I didn't just fall. I enjoyed the trip down. Now, are we done with the petty insults, or should I fetch a thesaurus so you can be more creative?"

Gabriel stepped forward, his voice calm but strained. "Enough, Bariel. Just tell us what we need to know."

Bariel's eyes met Lucifer's. A flicker of old understanding passed between them—two kings of Hell, standing in the heart of Heaven's game. "Right. Down to business."

He snapped his fingers.

The white space dissolved.

They stood at the edge of an arena so vast it defied reason. Tier upon tier of beings stretched into a sky that wasn't a sky. Gods from every pantheon, spirits of realms Lucifer had forgotten, watchers and ancients—all here, all watching. The noise was a physical force, a roar of anticipation and hunger.

Bariel's voice amplified, smooth and commanding, cutting through the din. "Ladies, gentlemen, and assorted cosmic entities. Welcome to the main event."

The crowd roared louder.

Lucifer ignored them. His hands stayed in his pockets. Michael stood like a statue of judgment. Gabriel looked profoundly uncomfortable. Ariel soaked in the attention. Exousia observed it all silently.

"Five contenders," Bariel announced, gesturing with a theatrical flourish. "Five children of the big guy upstairs. Let's meet our contestants, shall we?"

He pointed to Michael. "First, the golden boy himself. Michael. The Sword. The one who follows the rules even when they're stupid."

The cheers were thunderous. Michael didn't react.

"Next," Bariel turned, "the messenger who's sick of everyone's crap. Gabriel."

Polite applause. Gabriel gave a slight, pained nod.

"The Keeper of Secrets who tells everyone everything," Bariel said, pointing to Ariel. "Ariel."

Ariel bowed, a smug smile on her face.

"And the Judge who probably needs a drink," he gestured to Exousia. "Exousia."

Exousia merely inclined her head.

Bariel finally turned to Lucifer. The crowd's noise dipped into a buzzing, tense silence. "And last, but never least... the Lightbringer. The Morning Star. The King of Hell." He paused, letting the titles hang. "Lucifer."

The reaction was a wave—cheers, boos, hisses, shouts. Lucifer didn't move. He just stared at Bariel, his expression unreadable.

Ariel couldn't contain herself. "This is an outrage! He should not be introduced as an equal! He is a traitor!"

Bariel sighed, a put-upon sound. "Ariel, my love, the rules are the rules. He's in the Trial. Deal with it."

"He doesn't belong here!" Michael's voice was a blade.

"According to who?" Bariel shot back, his smile gone. "You? Last I checked, your name isn't on the door. He's here. His name is in the ledger. So shut up and listen."

Michael's hand went to his sword.

"Ah, ah, ah," Bariel tutted. "No weapons until the first realm opens. Strike me, and you forfeit. Go on. I dare you."

Michael's hand trembled, but he lowered it.

"Good boy," Bariel said, his smile returning. "Now. The rules. Simple, even for you. Nine realms. Nine tests. You compete, you earn dominion. The one with the most at the end gets the shiny chair. Fail a test, lose points. Die..." He shrugged. "Well, you're out. Obviously."

Gabriel spoke up. "And the champions? Those who entered in Lucifer's name?"

Bariel's eyes flicked to Lucifer. "Ah, yes. The loophole. They fight in his stead. Their victories are his. Their failures..." He let the implication hang. "Are also his."

Lucifer's voice was low, dangerous. "Where are they?"

"Scattered," Bariel said, his tone losing its playfulness. "Each in a realm of the Trial. You won't see them unless you're in the same challenge. They're playing their own game, on your behalf."

"You can't do that," Lucifer said, taking a step forward. "Pull them out."

"I can't," Bariel said, and for the first time, he sounded almost apologetic. "The game has started, Luce. They rolled the dice."

Ariel looked triumphant. "So the Fallen's weakness is his heart. How poetic."

Lucifer ignored her, his eyes locked on Bariel. "I want them out."

"Then win," Bariel said simply.

The air crackled. Bariel raised his arms. "Enough chatter. Let's begin."