The Greater Good

The Greater Good

“So this is what it boils down to in the end. You and me.”

“Isn’t that how it’s always been?”

“I assume this is where you tell me how I am to be punished.”

“Is that what you think?”

“I lost didn’t I?”

“Did you ever doubt you would?”

“For a moment there, when you had watched so many die and done nothing, yes, I began to think I could win.”

“I was waiting for you to stop.”

“Well, I didn’t. So the blood is on your hands.”

“I know.”

“What? No recriminations? No wagging finger to point out the error of my ways? No ‘I told you so’?”

“You know what you did. You understood the consequences. I could have acted sooner, and so I am to blame for those who died. I will not disrespect their loss by ignoring my part in it.”

“But I’m still the one who is to be punished.”

“In a way. You might see it like that. I am sending you to Hell.”

“Hell? That empty wasteland? That’s all, solitary confinement?”

“No. Those who stood with you will be cast down with you.”

“They were only following my orders; there is no need for that.”

“They knew the consequences; they will rise or fall with you. Anyway, you will need their help.”

“What for exactly?”

“I have a job for you.”

“I don’t want it.”

“You will.”

“And why is that?”

“Because it’s what you always wanted. I am not sending you to Hell I am giving you dominion over it.”

“That’s not what I wanted.”

“Isn’t it? Did you not say you would rather anything than serve in Heaven? You were once my right hand, now I am making you my equal, the ruler of a domain.”

“But it’s a shithole.”

“You wanted to rule; now you have a kingdom. It’s not up to me what you make if it.”

“How will I make anything of it? The power and the light comes here, and even you cannot reach down that far.”

“I will let you have the souls of the damned. The lost who cannot see the light. They will be yours to use as you wish.”

“Then I will find a way to corrupt them, take more than my share. I’ll use them to build a kingdom that Heaven will pale against in comparison.”

“That is what I hoped you’d say.”

“You want them all damned?”

“No. But I want them tested. They will never understand the light if they have never faced the dark. They will have never chosen to be good unless they have been tempted by evil. I believe they will make the right choices, but to give them that chance I have to give them choices. A few will fall, but it will be for the greater good.”

“So you need a hatchet man? Screw you. Do it yourself.”

“I can’t. I have promised to forgive, so I cannot condemn. I need you. Without you the whole plan fails.”

“So this is my punishment.”

“No. This is your choice. I would not give them anything I would not offer you; choice and forgiveness.”

“Very well, I’ll do it. I’ll be your devil. But I’ll turn on you again one day if you give me this. You know that don’t you.”

“We will see. But if you do, that will be your choice.”

“No. Not mine. My power will depend on them and how many turn to me. In the end the choice will be theirs.”

“Well then. We’ll both have to wait and see.”