The group was spending another night in the Frozen North, but this time it was simply a huge magic-made cavern in the snow. Thick layer of ice prevented the snow from falling on the group, and Andromalius ensured it stayed that way — he was the one that formed the cave. Also, everyone except him was sleeping in floating sleeping bags — the hell stallion fixated them mid-air to ensure that the cold from the icy floor won't get to anyone. That is why he was on guard, too. He kept the spell going and was looking out for any danger that might suddenly appear out of anywhere.

The air was still. The skies above were clear, and the moon and starts shone down on the snow. The weather became slightly warmer, but still not as much as anyone would like. Everything was silent except the breaths of sleeping ponies and a succubus. They slept peacefully, knowing that Andromalius was more than enough to protect them in their slumber.

He knew it pretty well, too. He placed a detection and defending spells around in a full sphere of about twenty meters in diameter. Nothing could get through those defenses undetected.

Unexpectedly, Andromalius sensed a presence. A familiar presence, the one that rarely showed to him. Everything went still as if someone paused a video. Small clouds of vapor were hanging in the air, the sounds disappeared, and even the air itself stopped its constant movement.

Everything faded into white. Not painfully bright white, but more of a comforting light that would make you fall asleep on a sunny day.

Before Andromalius his father stood. Unlike his last appearance, he now looked like a normal human. A busynessman, one would say.

A tall man in his thirties wore a black suit, purple shirt, and a red tie. His mid-length raven-black hair was slicked back, and his dark-green eyes looked at Andromalius, having a slight red hue to them.

"Good evening, son." Lucifer greeted, stepping forward, a small smile on his face. "It has been a long time since we had a normal conversation in my... more likable form." he chuckled slightly, and two armchair appeared: one behind him, and the other behind Andromalius. "Let's take a seat and have a talk." he sat on the armchair, and Andromalius soon followed. "Since a very long time, I am finally able to allow myself to take some time to talk to you about... everything. Our last... meeting, so to say, left you very confused, I suppose. I want to clear everything between us. It is important, son, for both of us."

"I... Well..." Andromalius stuttered nervously. "Yes, I think we should talk. A lot." he regained his calm. "I... I fully accepted what and who I am, father. Even if it is strange, and nothing could ever prepare me for it, but..." he sighed slowly. "Here we are." he paused. "How much time do we have to talk?"

"Enough for us to clear everything confusing." Lucifer replied. "As how to measure it in normal perception of time, I am unsure. But we do not have to hurry, that is what I am sure about."

"So... Tell me about yourself more. I... I think it became haze by now." Andromalius said. "I want to know the full story. Your true story."

"Well," Lucifer sighing, tapping his fingers together. "As I've already mentioned, I am a few thousand years old. At the age of thirty, I was given great power — power to change the world. But it wasn't me alone. There were at least twenty with me, including the one the Christianity calls God. I don't remember his true name, and all records of his true name were erased from existing.

"After acquiring new power, we were confused at first. However, we all agreed that we should make the life on Earth better than it was. And we began, slowly pushing humanity towards progress. We couldn't change anything directly, we were held back by an unknown force, perhaps the one that made us omnipotent in the first place.

"Many years passed since we discovered our powers. Humanity grew steadily and constantly, gathering knowledge. But then... The God became power-hungry and egoistical. We didn't notice that until it was too late — he was always known for having a huge ego.

"So. he saw the temples built to other gods, to those that were not real but people thought they were. The God became angry about it, and decided to make everything right, according to his design. He wanted to be recognized, worshipped. He impregnated a woman named Maria with his child, Jesus Christ." Lucifer chuckled slightly. "However, I wouldn't say that Maria stayed virgin during the process, oh I would not." a small smile stayed on his face, barely noticeable. "So, when Jesus began preached the only "true" teaching, some people accepted them, and some did not. We all know that, in the end, he was crucified. Unlike his father, he was mortal in body. Yes, he resurrected and preached, and he was indeed a good man, trying to spread love. Not that 'don't be gay or you go to hell' bullshit that religious people tell us nowadays." he winced in disgust. "Ugh... Anyway, I suppose Jesus was indeed a good man. He did not only turn water into wine, he also healed people. But people were also afraid of him, of what he can do, and that is why he was crucified.

"The God became even more angry after seeing that his efforts go to waste. Through twisted logic, to his clouded mind came the idea that this happened because of the progress that allowed "false" temples to be built. He thought that the progress went the wrong way, and he wanted to stop it, to bring everything under control. Using everything he could, he convinced most that he is right, and together with his followers he slowed down the progress, and burned the largest stores of knowledge available at that time, including the famous Royal Alexandrian Library. This act alone slowed down progress greatly. Maybe humanity would be among the stars by now if that didn't happen. Oh well, history doesn't know the word 'would.'

"So, it was enough for me. I stood up to God, and some angels joined me in attempt to bring a change. Consumed by his lust for power, and fearing I as a leader of opposition might try to take the power away from him, he transformed me into 'mortal' and sent me to the people on Earth. Little did he know that he didn't take my power away, only suppressed it for a long period of time. I was mortal at that time, yes, but still ageless and resistant to illnesses.

"As far as I know, God was greatly frustrated about humanity. He decided to create his own vision of humans. Thus, he created Adam and Eve, those who will be erroneously called the first humans. Think of this, how could possibly two humans made the seven billion that inhabit the Earth now?" he coughed, trying to suppress a laugh. "Inbreeding is not a good thing, and it was something God couldn't fix.

"So, he gave the two free will, thinking that they would follow him as he desires. In his mind, 'free will' is doing what he freely wants. But his efforts didn't bear fruit yet again. Do you know that legend about the apple of knowledge, the forbidden fruit? God wanted to chop down that tree that grew in Heaven, but was unable to do so.

"Thirst for knowledge cannot be quenched or destroyed, it is eternal. So, the legend about the forbidden fruit is indeed true. And I was that snake that tempted the two to take the fruit. Curiosity cannot be taken away, either. All humans are prone to it, some try to block it or deny it. But, as we all know, first step of acceptance is denying." he made a dry laugh. "So, God banished the two from Heaven, and from that moment they couldn't be traced. Although, I believe some greatest scientists are their descendants. Irony, isn't it? God struggled so much to prevent progress, which only resulted in his own children spreading knowledge better than anyone else ever did.

"As for me... God discovered my deed, and banished me to Hell. He couldn't kill me, none of us can kill another. So, Hell is where I still reside." he sighed sadly. "And I still try to inspire that search for knowledge. That is why many people call me the bringer of knowledge, though only some would admit that openly. I don't like to be worshipped, especially when goats heads are sacrificed in my name. Why would I ever need one? However, that thirst for knowledge my believers have is a good thing.

"So, after that incident with his own creations, God decided that it would be better to make a book... The Holy Bible, the book of books, as he called. It describes mostly false things, though there is still some truth in it. But there was no Noah and no Ark, no Moses and no Tablets, the Earth wasn't created in seven days, and Babylon was never built. Building such a huge object with the technology they had at that time was absolutely impossible, at least in a way the tower is described. And we all now that Heaven isn't up in the clouds.

"From the history course of twentieth century, you know that the first man to be in space, Yuri Gagarin, has certainly not seen Heaven in the clouds. As I've told you earlier, Heaven isn't something that could be seen through normal ways.

"Also, the Bible has many contradictions in itself, and many cruel moments, like torture, discrimination, racism, sexism, rape, slavery, murder, and all of that is justified. The only big truth about it is that it is indeed written by the God himself. So, I suppose I've just covered the most important parts."

Silence fell upon the two. Andromalius processed the information that was told to him. He frowned, and then relaxed. He frowned again.

"So... What is Hell, exactly?" he asked warily.

"Oh, it's the worst of all places." Lucifer furrowed his brows. "Describing it pains me, as I myself have to see it most of my life. Lifeless as an empty rock on the moon, hot as the Earth's core, and disgusting like a pile of rotting, disfigured bodies. This is what Hell is. My prison and my... horrible kingdom.

"And yes, bad people do suffer there." he nodded slightly. "Some were placed there by accident: kind-hearted atheists, scientists-heathens, those sort of people. I try to make their suffering the least painful, and I hope that someday they will escape this prison to see justice.

"But as for the true bad people... Child molesters, rapists, murderers, maniacs, all of them are suffering there forever. It's the least I can do, as God has allowed those terrible things to happen in the first place." he exhaled. "But enough of the sad." he abruptly ended talk about the past. "I still think we are family, and as you father, I want to ask you — how are you doing, Andro?"

"Fine, I guess..." Andromalius replied. "I mean, I have two beautiful mares to love, and I'm going to become a ruler soon. I... don't know what I can say about my current state. Hm... Partly happy, partly sad, partly angry, a bit confused... Once this adventure ends, I'm going to need some, dare I say, well-deserved rest among my loved ones and our mutual care.

"So, I'm currently searching for the last piece of freedom for the demons. We are moving towards the north, it is a place where the last artifact may be found. If it is so, I will get the demons free soon. I will guide them, and I will make sure that the knowledge will always be the most valuable thing in my country. I promise to lead them to prosperity, and, in time, guide them towards the stars, towards new discoveries, somewhere even humanity hasn't yet gone.

"But... there is one important thing I want to ask you, father." Andromalius sighed slowly, bringing up the courage to ask. "If... If God finds out where I am, what will we do?"

"There will be nothing left but to fight, son." Lucifer replied. "He won't leave a rock standing until you are destroyed. He will not hesitate to take lives to get to you. I believe he is yet to discover you, but you better prepare. The battle will not be easy.

"I've placed the barrier around this world. I suppose it can hold on for a few decades at most, and few years at worst. It prevents God from seeing this world at all. But if the veil, the shield falls... He'll soon find out where you are. I... I am sorry I brought this upon you, son."

"It is not your fault, father." Andromalius placed his hoof on his father's shoulder. "I know you want the best for me. If I have to fight for it, it's alright. I cannot run forever. When the time comes, I will stand tall, and I will face him."

"I hope it won't come to this..." Lucifer frowned. "The worlds are changing. Big events will happen soon in the three nearest worlds you know. It might mean an end to everything... In any sense. Future is unpredictable, but it is you who makes the outcome in your favor.

"And... I think I can slightly help you, son. I've grown in power since we last met. I may accompany you on your journey." he said. "Besides, God is busy focusing his power on spreading his religion more... I cannot say that is a good sign. Earth might fall into another Dark Ages.

"So, I will follow you in a spiritual form. I have to adapt my physical form to fit in your group better. We will see each-other again soon enough, my son. I will be there with you."

Andromalius realized that now, in his time of need, his father is one of the closest ones he has to talk to. Even if they didn't spend much time together when Andromalius was still young, it was probably time to catch up.

"I would like to spend more time with you, father, as a family." the hell stallion admitted. "I suppose you should also visit Luna someday. I feel she misses you greatly."

"And I her, too." Lucifer nodded. "She's like one of the stars, radiating with power and beauty. And, sometimes, just as lonely..."

Author's Notes:

I've changed my view on religion. I've read the Bible, and I can say I don't understand how it is considered a holy book that spreads love. There is so much twisted shit there, it stands on par with Mein Kampf. So, if you are offended by what I say, read the Bible and see that I do not lie. If you are muslim, read your holy books, I bet you'll find similar things that are just as bad.

I know that some people might abandon my story and leave a thumb down. In fact, some did that in 24th chapter that has religious stuff in it. But I hope my readers posses logic and reason and can see the facts.

You can be kind without beliefs backing you up. You should believe in yourself. It is you who can change the world, not some fictional being that resides in heaven. Nor it is some kind of devil. You belong only to yourself, you act not because some deity guided you but because you believe that what you do is right. In the end, you'll discover that there is no need of god to live a happy life. There is no need for religion to have morals. You make yourself. You make your morals. You live your life. You make others happy, and others make you happy. You are never punished by a god, it is a chain of events that led to this situation. You are never rewarded by a god, you get something good for yourself because you work to achieve it.

Better believe in that.