The Fall is a supernatural short story by VineLightnote , a semi-prequel to Girls on Film, and Nights In Lonesome Arkham and an entry in The Kindness of Devils. It can be read here
The events that led to Lucifer's fall from heaven. Driven by his ambition, pride and his wish to make things better, Lucifer has brought his army to heaven's gates, but is forced to reckon with the consequences of his decision.
Not to be confused with the 1956 book of the same name.
The work contains examples of the following tropes:
- Affably Evil: Lucifer may turn to evil, but he remains pleasant as ever. Mostly.
- Arc Words: As in A Matter of Pride: Disobey.
- Big Brother Worship: Michael's always looked up to Lucifer, it's why he takes his brother's betrayal so hard.
- Blood Knight: Satannus eagerly relishes the prospect of battle in the war with Heaven. Considering she's the embodiment of Wrath, this makes sense.
- Broken Pedestal: Lucifer is beloved in Heaven, so naturally, many take his betrayal personally, especially his friends and Michael.
- Cain and Abel: What Lucifer and Michael inevitably become, with Lucifer as the Cain to Michael's Abel. Though, in a switch, both of them love each other and don't wish to kill the other, it's just that each of them have their own idea of what's best for the world.
- The Dutiful Son: Michael, who's so dutiful to enforcing the will of their absent creator that Lucifer didn't let him in on his plans for rebellion. At least, that's what Lucifer wants to believe, in actuality he was afraid of the choice Michael would make when given the offer.
- Fallen Angel: It's kind of a given with the title. It tells the tale of Lucifer's fall, as well as that of the angels that followed him.
- A Father to His Men: Lucifer's love for his followers is 100 percent genuine.
- Gray-and-Gray Morality: The conflict between Michael and Lucifer's forces which are two opposing groups of Well Intentioned Extremists. The former see themselves as upholding the will of their vanished creator, while the latter believe they're overthrowing an oppressive system and restoring order to the world in God's absence.
- Have You Seen My God?: God's absence is what drives Lucifer to rebellion.
- I Did What I Had to Do: All of Lucifer's actions are done with this mindset, uttering to Michael that he would have "betrayed himself" if he hadn't betrayed God and allowed His children to suffer.
- Kick the Dog: Lucifer kills the angels guarding the heart of heaven without so much as slowing his step. A more personal one is his cold demand to Michael to do what he does best and simply 'obey.'
- I Let You Win: The only reason Michael defeats Lucifer in the end? Lucifer lets him, seeing that their duel runs the risk of destroying all of Creation. The realization of this destroys Michael even more.
- Kill It with Fire: Lucifer loves summoning the fires of the Morning Star from himself to just incinerate everything in his way.
- Meaningful Name: Lucifer's true name, 'Samael,' means 'Venom of God'... which he takes to mean something that clears away the old to help create the new.
- Pet the Dog: Lucifer takes a dive in his fight with Michael to save the lives of his followers. He also shares a very quiet moment of brief sympathy with his sister Jibrill before he leaves her behind for good.
- The Paragon Always Rebels: Lucifer is the strongest, most beautiful, proudest of angels. So of course he's the one to turn traitor.
- Rank Scales with Asskicking: Lucifer and Michael have the most authority in heaven and are far, far stronger than almost every other angel.
- Red Right Hand: Lucifer's fallen angels have their wings scorched black from the heat of Michael's attack. The only reason they survived at all is because Lucifer protected them.
- Shut Up, Hannibal!: Michael gets a brief one against Lucifer, dismissing his grandiose justifications as the product of his ego and pride.
- The Strategist: Satannus, the embodiment of Wrath, is not just a powerhouse fighter, she's also the tactical and strategic genius among Lucifer's followers.
- Undying Loyalty: The Fallen legions adore Lucifer and hold him as an object of worship.
- Unflinching Walk: Lucifer calmly begins just walking through heaven's shattered gates, all the way to the temple to seize the throne.
- Universally Beloved Leader: Lucifer's followers worship, admire and trust him to a one.
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: Lucifer seeks to overthrow heaven's order as to return order to the world with God's silence.
