The Great and Terrible

by Chris Stewart

  Caelyn screamed and started running to him.

  Ellie beat her mother to her dad.

  Epilogue

  Standing to the side, the former son of the morning watched the scene in solemn fury, his eyes dead, his shoulders bent, his face hollow, his soul as empty as a rotting shell. His hordes of followers stood behind him, watching their master suffer and sharing his every pain. The old man was among those followers, having killed himself just a few days before.

  Lucifer watched the mother run toward her husband and almost groaned. It was terrible to have to watch their happiness. These Great Ones were so powerful!

  Turning away from them, he looked out on the world. So much truth and hope around him! Even after all that he had done! So many had proven faithful. So many had proven strong. Looking farther out, he took in the efforts of the Americans to rebuild their nation. Determined. Still undaunted. Much stronger than he’d expected. It made him sick inside.

  Feeling a shudder moving through him, the father of all lies let out a long breath of despair.

  Turning from his followers, he lowered his head and stared down at the ground. The sweet earth was still his kingdom, but that would not be true for very long.

  He was coming. The day was closer.

  Lucifer’s shoulders heaved.

  Letting out a moan of hopeless fury, he started weeping.

  It was the devil’s turn to cry.