Lucifer stood in the empty space where his Father spoke. The air felt heavy, like before a storm.
"What do you mean, they fight in my place?" he asked.
Silence.
He stepped forward. "You said they fight in my name. Who?"
No answer came. Only that familiar pressure against his mind.
He clenched his fists. "Tell me who's fighting for me."
"The rules have been set," the voice said, calm and endless.
"Don't play games with me," Lucifer said, his voice sharp. "The Divine Trial was between me, Michael, Exousia, Gabriel, and Ariel. That was the deal. We're the ones you created for this. Not them."
"The Trial has no restrictions on representation."
"Representation?"
"Champions may be chosen to act in place of those who refuse to participate. Their actions, their choices, are bound to the name they serve."
His eyes narrowed. "So they entered my name into your war without asking me?"
"They entered of their own will. The Trial accepted them."
