Freedom

"I *huff* don't understand," I said, catching my breath. "Why is anything not working!?"

I've been singing all the spells using my microphone to break the curse on the king for four hours straight but nothing has happened. My throat starts hurting from all the singing and I'm getting frustrated.

"Miss Aimi? Are you alright? Would you like more black tea?" Tomas asked as he handed me a cup.

I almost vomited at the sight of the steaming liquid. I shook my head and took deep breaths.

"No, thank you," I said. "I'll be okay."

"But you have been singing for hours and I'm sure you must be tired," he said.

I closed my spell book. "It's just...I've been singing all day, but I'm not getting anywhere. I can feel the song inside me, but I can't get it out. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'm starting to think I'll never be able to finish these songs."

Also, I've been stuck in this world for almost a day now. I'm starting to feel homesick. At this point, Mom wonders where I am now. If I'm summoned back to my old world, how would I explain everything to her? I've been adopted by aliens?

"Tomas, can I speak to Aimi alone?" Lucifer asked.

"Yes! Of course my Lord!" Tomas bowed before walking out through the tunnel holding the tray of black tea. "Excuse me."

Now it's just Lucifer and me. Alone. In the dark. Why am I so nervous?! Maybe the fact I'm in the same room with a cute man.

I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. I could feel Lucifer's eyes on me, studying me. I slowly stepped closer, not daring to look him in the eyes.

"Listen, I know I'm trying my best to free you and I'm sorry it's taking so long. But... I've tried so hard. And nothing works.

There was a long pause before Lucifer replied, his voice low and menacing. "It's not your fault. I'm the one to blame. I'm the one who made the wrong decision. I'm the one who's at fault here."

"Huh?! How is it your fault?"

Lucifer looked away. "I suggested to someone that an alternative world be summoned" He sighed. "But I never expected someone like you to be summoned, and you're struggling with all the tasks I gave you."

I stayed quiet for a moment, before saying, "I...miss my mother."

Lucifer nodded. "I understand. She is probably missing you too." He sighed again. "I'm sorry I pushed you too hard."

"No! You haven't pushed me hard!" I screamed. "I just...need to find another way."

I paused, realizing I had been too harsh. "I'm sorry," I said softly.

"I appreciate your efforts to help me." Lucifer smiled and nodded. "I just wish...I could see my family again."

My heart dropped when I heard the sadness in his voice. He was desperately longing for a connection. He has been trapped in that mirror for ten years. He lost his family and kingdom, and he was so alone, with no one to talk to and no way to escape. His only hope was to find someone to free him from the curse. He was willing to do anything to be free again.

"I can't believe I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere. I should have known better. YOU KNOW WHAT? SCREW THIS! I'M GETTING OUT OF HERE! I'M TELLING TOMAS I'M DONE WITH THIS STUPID ADVENTURE! I don't care if it's the last thing I do, I'm going home!"

My old thoughts returned to me of how I was homesick and stressed. I feel like a jerk. Lucifer has been home sick more than I ever was.

I turned the pages one last time when suddenly I spotted a page I'd never read. The title is 'Save Me'. I read some lyrics describing Lucifer's feelings and thought I could break the curse.

"Lucifer, let me sing these lyrics to you, and I promise I'll set you free."

I took up my microphone and sang the lyrics with all the emotion I could muster and a strange feeling of peace descended.

"I feel insane~"

"There is something wrong inside my brain~"'

"I can't escape~"

"I'm so tired of feeling this way~"

"Day by day I'm trying to break free~"

"But it feels like there is no way out~"

"The walls I built are too thick to see~"

"Though I'm still searching for the key~"

"Please for god's sake someone please save me~"

"Please save me~"

I can feel it—the magic is building up around me. I can feel it coursing through my veins. This is nothing like the songs before. I can sense the spell's power. I'm ready to cast it to save him. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, and the magic is released.

"Please save me!"

A wave of energy radiates from me, and I can feel the spell's power taking hold. I open my eyes, and I see the result.

The mirror...has broken.

"Oh my god! Is the spell broken? But where is Lucifer? Is he still inside these glass pieces? How will I ever find him now?!"

Just then, a voice came from behind her. "Don't worry," said a deep, familiar voice. "I'm still here."

I gasped in surprise as Lucifer stepped out of the shadows.

After seeing his flesh and blood body, I called out to him, "Lucifer?".

He turned to face me, his eyes shining in the dim light. "Aimi," he said softly.

I could feel his warmth radiating, and I knew he was real. I walked over to him, standing inches away. He reached out and took my hands from his. His hands were rough but gentle, and I felt peace wash over me.

"I can feel..." He mumbled touching my hand. "I can smell the salt in the air, feel the dim light on my skin and the rocks beneath my feet," he said softly. "Aimi, you free me."

The moment was surreal, and I could feel my heart overflowing with emotion. I was speechless. He had been stuck in that mirror for years but now I set him free.

Tomas walks in, but he stops when he sees his king standing on pure ground. His mouth drops open and he steps back. "He's... finally free? That's impossible."

"You didn't see anything yet, come with me," I said gently pulling Lucifer out of the tunnel and out of the cave seeing the night sky filled with stars twinkling brightly.

Lucifer's eyes widened in amazement. "It's beautiful," he whispered. He walks up to the mountain cliff. He stares in awe at the city lights below. He marveled at the bustling city and the energy of people. He felt peace and connection with the world. He smiled, knowing he was finally free.

"Hey, Lucifer?" I call him.

He turns to me, a serene expression on his face.

"I...uh," I blushed knowing what I was about to say was embarrassing. I took a deep breath and forced the words out.

"Lucifer, before I met you, I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life. I wasn't confident about my love of music to other people. I get shy when I sing in front of people or show my talents to anyone. But you encouraged me to embrace my talents. You showed me that music was my passion and I shouldn't care what others think. I am now sure that music is my passion and I'm proud of it. I am thankful for inspiring me."

Lucifer didn't say anything but stared at me in the distance. As I realized I was talking nonsense, I blushed harder.

"I mean you didn't really do all that! What I meant was, if it wasn't for you summoning me into this world, I wouldn't have known my music was my way of self-expression. I guess I'm just grateful for the opportunity." I smiled nervously and looked away, avoiding Lucifer's gaze.

I coughed. "Since you're free now, you can find your family and rebuild your kingdom. Which means my work here is done."

As I raised my hand, I signaled that I wanted to shake his hand. "It was an honor to know you, Lucifer. Pray I'll fulfill my dreams one day."

Lucifer walked up to me slowly. "Yes, your dreams will come true."

As he got closer, he reached out for his hand and smiled.

"Maybe in your afterlife."

Suddenly, his hand grabbed my throat and lift me up to my feet. He's a lot stronger than he looks. I felt my breath being squeezed out of me. I tried to scream, but my voice was muffled.

What the hell is going on? Why is Lucifer doing this to me?

"Lu-cifer," I gag. "What are you doing?"

"Oh, you silly little girl. If only you were smart enough to understand what I was planning," he chuckled.

Lucifer then dragged me by the throat towards the mountain cliff. Although I tried to scream for help, nothing came out of my mouth. He turned to me and said, "You should have known better, my dear. Now you'll pay the price for your ignorance."

Once we were at the edge, he lifted me up to the cliff, which was 30 miles below the ground.

"Lucifer!" I screamed, finally speaking. "What the hell are you doing to me? I help you!"

"Yes, you did." He smirked. "If it wasn't for you, I would have remained trapped in that god-for-seeking mirror!"

"I don't understand! What's with you?!"

"What's with me? You still don't understand, don't you? You humans are so slow to comprehend. I can't believe you still don't get it."

"You humans?" Why does he talk like that? He sounded like he was talking about a different species. I started to feel uneasy.

"Lucifer, what do you mean by "You humans?" It's not like you're different from me!" I gag.

"You fool," Lucifer laughed menacingly. "I'm no human."

As he said that, he removed his dark cape. His eyes glowed red and his horns revealed themselves.

Lucifer smiled wickedly, revealing his sharp, pointed teeth. "I'm the Demon Lord."

Chapter end