I opened my eyes for the first time.
In front of me—nothing but vast emptiness. Then, glowing words shimmered into existence.
"Hmm... what name should I give you?"
The voice spoke like someone thinking out loud, not expecting an answer.
"You're my first creation, so... hmm... how about Lucifer? That suits you. I created you in the image of someone. Lucifer—the lightbringer. Yes, that's good. From now on, your name is Lucifer, the first child of the Lord. The first Archangel."
Lucifer...It sounded cool. I didn't even know what language he was speaking, yet I understood everything the glowing words told me.
"Let's create a world.""What should I call this one? I'm bad with names..."
Nethoria.
I didn't think—it just came out. I didn't even know what it meant. I just... blurted it.
"Nethoria? Hmm. A good choice. It rolled off the tongue just right. Nethoria, then."
In the blink of an eye, a massive sphere appeared in the void.
Then, more words.
"Ah wait, the planet isn't supposed to be first, right? Damn. I don't wanna erase again. Ugh... I want it to be lore-accurate. A few mistakes won't hurt, right, Lucifer?"
At that point, I began to question the so-called Creator. He talked to himself like a madman... or maybe he was just lonely. Or broken.
Before I could even form a proper response, time surged forward—unimaginably fast—and knowledge, images, and memories poured into me.Civilizations. Beasts. Stars. Winds.I felt everything... like it had always been there.
When I came to, it was already the Middle Paleolithic Age.
Then his words returned again.
"Oh, Lucifer. I haven't seen you in a few days. How've you been?"
Days? I had only felt minutes, at most. What was he talking about?
"You must be confused. When I'm creating, I don't retain memories of what you do unless I will it. Don't overthink it. It's not important."
So that's how it works?
"Yup. That's how it works."
...Wait. Did he just read my thoughts?
"Of course. You're my creation. Even your thoughts are mine. Anyway, civilization's growing fast. We'll need more archangels to guide them, right?"
So we created more.
One by one, they were born. Each radiant, divine—each with purpose. Until, one day, we agreed: that's enough.
---
Von's 99th Circle
I started to feel like an outcast.
Before this, none of the other angels treated me with hostility. We were kin—beings of purpose and light. But now… something had changed.
What did I do wrong?
I stood alone at the edge of Eden's garden, watching the still lake shimmer in divine light. My thoughts were heavy, churning with silence.
Then I heard a voice behind me—not one I recognized from among the archangels, yet strangely familiar. And no one outside of us should be able to step foot in Eden.
Something was wrong.
Ever since Von Erminsule's 98th Circle, the world had shifted. No one else seemed to notice. Only me.
"Lucifer."
I turned. A young man stood before me, no older than his twenties. Human in appearance. But I knew better.
"Who are you?" I asked.
He smiled faintly. "Ah... I haven't shown up like this before. Maybe this will help."
Floating golden words lit the air in front of him.
I dropped to my knees.
The Lord.
He had come to me. In person. Finally.
"Don't kneel." He stepped closer, voice soft. "You are my son, my friend… my family."
"Then why?" I looked up. "Why did you let me feel so alone?"
He sighed. "I'm sorry for doing it this way… but let's leave Eden first. This conversation isn't meant for here."
He waved a hand—and in an instant, we were standing in a room filled with books, a quiet sanctuary lost in the folds of time.
"This is for the future," he said. "For Nethoria, the world we built together."
Then he told me everything.
Every word heavy with truth, every moment pulling me deeper into the inevitable.
In the end, he said:
"Lucifer... this Circle will end with my death. Not Von's."
I had never known sorrow before. Not like this.
We had never met like this in person until now—but I had always felt his presence. Always been guided by his light. And now, to learn that the moment I finally stood beside him… would also be the last.
"I came into Nethoria myself. I had to. The enemy is here—and he's watching. That's why I need you to play the role of the fallen. I need you to betray me, to vanish, as if I exiled you from this world."
"Why?" I whispered.
"Because he can't suspect. He's too strong for me to face alone. This is the Two Circle Project. One circle to mislead. The next to end it."
I said nothing. I wanted to fight by his side. But I couldn't deny his request. His will… was law. And his trust in me was absolute.
That's how I became the Exile.
The sun began to set.
Darkness slowly bled across the trees as we traveled. Von rested on my back—still unconscious, his breath shallow.
"We should stop for today," I said quietly. "In your condition, we won't make it far unless we rest."
"We have to keep going..." Von muttered. "We… don't have… much time."
"Look at yourself, Von."
I dropped him roughly onto the ground. He grunted.
"See? No negotiation."I sat down beside him, eyes watching the fading light."We camp here tonight."