Chapter Text
A whim brought her to sit upon that suburban park bench. A mother hawk lavishing her chicks with a gift of a fresh kill kept her there. An angelic face staring dumbstruck at her served to ruin the otherwise peaceful atmosphere. Children normally instinctively avoided her. Or burst into tears after looking a moment too long. Like any simple creature they could sense a predator's attention. It made such encounters exceedingly rare and especially annoying.
This child of less than ten defied not only nature but her ability to enjoy herself. "What do you want, little boy? It's dangerous to talk to strangers."
"But you're a lady. Ladies aren't scary." His matter of fact tone held an edge of a giggle as if her question was the silliest thing he ever heard.
The hubris of man, even the little ones, would forever remain the most grating thorn in her side. It had been many years since she had bothered to consume a child but he was making her feel nostalgic. She bent to her knees in front of the boy to meet his radiant blue gaze. "That's what makes me even more dangerous. The less scary I appear the closer you'll get." She closed her eyes to call that deepest darkest part of herself to the surface. Opening them slowly revealed black voids in the space white and green once occupied.
He squealed in excitement,"Wow! Your eyes are really pretty." The statement caught her off guard. Words were lost in her. Time stood still.
He lifted his palm to her cheek to steady himself as he leaned closer in that way only a child can pull off. His smile pulled at her stomach, for a split second she felt moved to kill for this boy. But she knew this magic. This was her magic. The softest caress inspiring the unchangeable will to kill or die for but one more touch. This little monster. He had it and he was using it in a way she had never encountered. On her. Lilith was transfixed by another's siren song. She had never considered the possibility but the revelation piqued her curiosity.
She placed a hand on his shoulder meeting his smile with a wicked grin, "That's old magic you have there. What are you?"
In an instant he transformed into the saddest creature on earth, "I-I don't know what you mean. I'm just-"
Whatever he was saying was of little importance because the physical connection between them was all she needed to see him. To creep into his immortal soul. She first saw Lucifer got bored and sent another Antichrist in the form of a boy named Michael Langdon. Then she saw him challenge a coven that got involved in time traveling magic like complete fucking idiots. Finally, she concluded this particular child was on a repeating path. Doomed to die to witches over and over for attempting to bring the apocalypse. She had met other Antichrists and was likely to meet more should she choose to ignore the plight of this damned child. No other being had possessed the power to use her own magic against her so effortlessly, not any that she had encountered. Other Antichrists didn't usually get mixed up in time magic either. if they were smart enough they did not get mixed up with witches. It was still early enough in his path that she could influence him to be better prepared.
This boy was lost. More trapped than she had ever been. She saw two possible outcomes for this little hell raiser. Leave him to his own devices and see if he ever breaks from this on his own or encourage him to find a path not yet taken. Worst case scenario would be for him to die at the hands of witches, as he was destined. No risk for her but she wagered that given her assistance she could shape him into a survivor. Like her. All she had to do was help. If he disappointed she would continue on alone. As she always had.
"What a rare and interesting boy you are, Michael Langdon. Why did you come over here?"
Suddenly pushing dirt around with his feet was intensely fascinating to him. "I-I don't know... I don't wanna say. Grandma says I say creepy things and I don't wanna scare you away."
That got a genuine laugh out of her. "Nothing you could say would frighten me. So let's hear it. Why did you come to me?"
"I could feel your pain. I liked it. I like when things hurt. It makes my ears tingle."
"You would." She brought a deep breath in through her nose. She could smell his loneliness, not as developed as her own but cut of the same cloth. “And you thought that reason enough to disrupt a stranger?”
“Yes.”
She raised an eyebrow, “Well lucky for you, I am in a rather forgiving mood this morning. So tell me, what is it you want from me?”
He perked up, “I wanna play!”
She grimaced, “I don’t play. Not with little boys. Even ones born of the darkness.” She considered her next words carefully. She watched him. His glassy eyes threatened a tantrum.
With her mind made up she continued, “Let's make a deal. I'll be your friend, as long as you promise never to use your magic on me." She held out her hand to shake on it.
It was his turn to laugh, "but magic's not real!"
"Then it's an easy deal. You get a friend and you don’t even have to do anything.” When he did not reach for her hand she stood to leave. If this boy did not want her help she could easily find another way to occupy her time. Maybe she would kill him this time around and put him out of her mind. She also had not made any pacts in ages and avoided all things relating to the Fallen One as a rule. Either way, it would be a change of pace.
His hand found hers, his nails digging desperately into her palm. “Ok. I won’t ever ever use magic on you! And you’ll be my friend forever and ever?”
She sank to her knees yet again, “Forever. Now listen carefully Michael.” She pulled a pin from her pocket and pricked a finger of each of their entwined hands. When he tried to pull away she held fast, “No. Stay put. We have to seal this pact.” She positioned her bleeding digit to connect with his, mixing their blood. “I’ll never conspire against you. You never need to fear me nor I you. You will never. Ever. Use your magic against me. In return I promise the same. I will be your friend as long as you live. Agreed?” The magic her words wove was palpable even to the child. It was his turn to be transfixed.
“Agreed.” Their eyes met, both black and empty as the deepest pits of hell. A murder of crows gathered in the trees began screeching before they took flight.
She shook his hand off when the pact was complete. She turned to leave without another word. He clung to her leg, “No! You’re my friend now so you can’t leave me!”
He intended for his tears to soften her heart. The heat of his magic pressed against her chest but it had no effect. It was for the best that this lesson be learned early. So she rounded on him lifting him onto the now vacant park bench she started this interaction on. She held his chin, digging her nails in until he looked her in the eye. “Allow me to be as clear as I know how to be. I can do whatever I want. You have no control over me and in return I’ll never hurt you. But if you want to stay my friend you won’t ever try to stop me.” He nodded through his tears. “Good boy. I’m leaving now but I'll see you soon.” She withdrew her grip and left him crying on the bench without another word.
As lessons went this one would be easy to recover from. She had work to do if she was going to show this boy he had another option. One not of light or dark but that ethereal grey space occupied by so few. Beings unconcerned with eternal arms race, beings only concerned with furthering their own existence, like herself. She would not hide any path from him as she did not wish to waste her time on someone who did not choose it. Variety is the spice of life and if he did not share her taste she would not force him. In all his previous paths no one had shown him another option. None could catch him in time.
She reflected on the new exciting turn of events. He had taken a bold step in finding her, she was sure it was no coincidence. It had been too long since she experienced something unknown to her. It fanned a flame long since left to smother. She had seen enough of this path to know what her next step needed to be. She needed to inform Miss Meade to fulfill her destiny a bit sooner this time around. The death of his grandma would still happen but Lilith could keep him safe long enough for Mead to show him his other path. First though, she needed to stop the first attempt of the witches who wished to save the world.
5 Days Later:
She would be lying if she said she wasn't excited. The minute she lit a fire under the ass of the satanists she found him. Funny thing about messing with time, it messes with time. Even though she had seen his previous lives it was only the broad strokes. She had already made changes that would cause a butterfly effect, but she didn't know how quickly those changes would happen. Lilith hated not knowing. She could no longer wait.
In the dead of night she moved effortlessly to enter his room. It had been less than a week but the sniffling child she made a pact with had transformed into a dangerous man. She leaned her head over his sleeping face, her copper locks tickling his now beautiful mostly grown features. Beauty was easy though, she was far more interested in his reaction. He scrunched his face and tried to swat the sensation of her hair away. When that didn’t work he turned away mumbling. Still soo child like. Of course he was, he was too limited in his experience to be any other way. The thought made her impatient. She continued descending until her lips were a hair’s breadth from his ear lobe. “Wake up, Michael. Wake up and talk to your friend.”
She began to pull away so he had room to rouse. She did not expect him to capture her wrist. More astounding still was how effortlessly he pulled it to his chest forcing her to lay against his back, her face pressed into his spine. “I don’t wanna get up.”
Never in her long life had a mortal body ever moved her. The pact she made with a starry eyed little boy had become her most dangerous gamble. She needed to play it off, never let him know that in the most simple terms he had power over her. “I wouldn’t either if I spent so much energy growing up so fast.”
He nuzzled more deeply into his pillow before seeming to realize what was going on. His whole being stilled. His whisper was shaky, “My friend?”
She hummed an affirmation. Her stomach was a tightly coiled knot in anticipation of how he might react. "I dreamed that you spent more time with me when I grew up so I did. Will you stay with me and play now?”
What unusual circumstances she found herself in. Pulled into a bed with a child wearing the mask of a man. A stranger bedfellow would be hard to find. She did not doubt that he could become an unmatched beast indeed.
She pulled her hand back just enough to push his shoulder down so he was laying on his back. As long as he was under her she would be safe of the danger hidden behind those sapphire eyes. “You are still new to this world. You’re not done growing yet. You can’t see it but soon you will have the choice of so many friends, you may well forget I even exist. You must explore your instincts on your own. Others will try to sway you, or tell you what you have to be. They will come to you for answers and actions. Follow the path that brings you the most pleasure and I’ll surely be there to enjoy it with you.”
He tried to lift himself from the mattress while pulling her down. But his moves were fumbled and unpracticed, his actions showing his true age. She easily maintained the upper hand, savoring the control while she still had it. “No one can tell you what to do. Not anymore. Not even me.” She kissed him on the tip of his nose and dissolved into the shadows. She had another Langdon to visit that night.
She laid in the bed that once belonged to a girl named Violet. But that was not the ghost who currently haunted the room. Miss Violet was more likely to be found near the bathroom she died in. Lilith laid herself on that bed to bait one Mister Tate Langdon. When he did not immediately appear she shed her velvet dinner jacket and arched her back against the mattress.
“What are you doing here? You don’t belong here.”
Lilith didn’t bother to look at him as she replied, “You’re absolutely right. I don’t belong here. And I wouldn’t have to be here if you weren’t so fucking toxic. Michael will be returning.”
“The fuck do I care?”
She sighed as she sat up, “You care because if you say a single solitary word to him, there will be consequences.”
“You can’t do shit to me. I’m already dead.”
“I know exactly where Violet’s body is. If you do not do as I say I will take her from this house. From you. You will be alone for eternity.”
Suddenly he was at the foot of the bed gun in hand. “I won’t let you take her from me!” He raised the gun and aimed it at her head.
She began laughing as she sat up. “How stupid are you? I’m not a simple human or even a witch. That should be obvious.” She slipped her jacket back on and moved her attention to the gun. “I do not make idle threats.”
As she walked away Tate brought the gun to his own head. The arm holding it was shaking violently in a vain attempt to stay his hand. The trigger pulling in time with the slam of the front door. Lilith knew Tate wouldn't stay dead but it helped her make a point.
1 Week Later
Their first encounter led to Michael’s unholy aging. The second awakened his understanding that his new body had power he could not fathom as a child. He tested that power on his beloved grandmother. The time had arrived when there was always one death, but Lilith was determined to stop a second.
Determination was why she stood leaning against the fence of the Murder House. Often in repeating timelines there are unavoidable moments such as this. This was the moment when Michael would be truly alone for the first time. And the witches had figured it out. They exploited his fear and vulnerability. She would have been proud if they were so clever any other time.
The boy’s father had helped her very similarly when she was cast out. It seemed balanced to return the favor. It felt right to be there in that precise moment. All at once there was screaming, crying, slamming doors, and distant honking horns. She pushed off the fence straightening her black pencil skirt and fixed the sleeves of her crimson trimmed riding jacket.
She hadn’t anticipated he would be so manic. She had to dash to grab him by the arm before he ended up in the middle of the street, “Michael! I’m here, I’ve got you.” Her words had no effect. Her vice on his arm made no difference either. She yanked with all her weight to get him onto the sidewalk behind a tree. Just in case a passing car spotted them.
She put her free hand on his cheek stroking it lightly with her thumb. “It’s me. Your friend, Lilith. You can trust me Michael. Remember our pact? Don't be afraid of me. I’m here to help you.”
The sharp single minded expression that overcame his beautiful features was a shock to the system. “Lilith…” the name came out in a whisper. “I know that name...” Just as quickly as the expression appeared it was gone. Replaced by abject terror. “Lilith? I’m scared.” She chose not to ask him how he already knew her name.
He crumpled into her embrace. “I know. Better than anyone I know.” She positioned him under her arm guiding him to her car. “Let’s get you something to eat and you’ll forget all about the nasty things your grandmother said to you.”
After a hearty meal she hoped would tire him out he asked, "can we please go home now? I miss grandma."
"Of course. I'll take you straight home." She said it as softly as she could. She even returned his pleased smile. She knew what blow came next for him. She almost felt guilty for not warning him. Almost.
The drive was blessedly short. "Your grandma will be in the house next door when you get home. No matter what happens you will be safest in that house while I'm away."
"Where are you going?" He was avoiding her face. Pretending the scenery going by was far more interesting than the conversation. It made it easier for both of them.
"I have some business to take care of. But I'll be back soon."
She parked in the front of the house Michael was born in. He opened the door in a hurry but closed it again with just as much haste. His gaze caught hers.
"Everything okay?"
He had that look on his face again. The same sharp look from before. "Lilith. That's really your name?"
She was suddenly unsure of herself,"yeah."
A wicked grin joined his sharp gaze. The look was predatory. Intent. "I'll see you soon, Lilith." Those were his parting words.
When the front door of the hell house closed she floored it. She didn’t need to stick around.
She was meditating over a cup over extra hot coffee at a Starbucks in the middle of downtown LA. A young woman sat across from her. Lilith looked up with a raised eyebrow. “Took you long enough.”
The girl was stock straight, her aura was vibrating with rage. “Where is he?”
“You are playing with magic you don’t understand. Did you really think that Tempus Infinituum would be so easy to use? That it would go unnoticed? Tell me, Mallory. Did you really think it would save you?”
A heavy gust whipped across them, “Where is he?!”
Lilith took a sip of coffee. As she set it onto the table in front of her the world froze around them. No living thing moved or made a sound. “You have failed. Your time has run out. I want you to remember me. I want you to remember what I’m about to tell you.”
Mallory stood, hand raised ready to cast some spell. When nothing happened Lilith went around the table positioning herself beside the fiery tempered girl. “Do not mistake my indifference for mercy. You can’t stop what’s coming. You have tried before and another rose to replace him. The devil you know is better than the one that you don’t. The only way to stop the darkness would be to destroy all life. Are you willing to kill your sisters? Are you willing to destroy the world to stop him?”
She waited for an answer. The answer was silence. “I didn’t think so.”
A tear rolled down Mallory’s cheek, “Who are you?”
Lilith caught Mallory's tear on her index finger and brought it to her mouth. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Her eyes flashed black and Mallory was gone.
Reversing Mallory’s Tempus Infinituum had drained her more than she had anticipated. She needed to rest. The full moon would be upon them soon and she would color it red.
Life did not surprise her often. When she woke from her rest to find it was 3am on October 27th, she raged. Four days had passed and she panicked. She had no idea what had happened while she slept. It was outside of her control.
She had to make sure everything was as she left it.
The sun had risen by the time she arrived. The crows circled above. She smiled at the good omen.
The door opened on it’s own accord. A sweltering breeze caressed her face. A spirit had its back to her facing Michael at the end of the hall. Neither had noticed her arrival.
“Why don’t you just leave? No one wants you here! Stay the fuck away from us!”
Michael was on his knees crying. Tate was looming over him. Lilith kicked the door closed to announce herself. Tate snapped his head around finding Lilith’s eyes. Lilith held Tate’s gaze. As he opened his mouth to speak Lilith cut him off.
“Hello, Michael. Is this ghost being mean to you?”
He chocked out, “Yeah.”
Eyes still fixed on Tate she let out an exasperated sigh, “I warned you Tate. You are really forcing my hand here.” She raised her hand to summon Violet’s remains. She caught a shadow approaching Michael’s back, “Michael! Behind you!”
Suddenly, a fire started at the apparition's feet. Tate tried to get to her but Michael telekinetically threw him across the house. As Vivian burned Michael set his sight on Lilith expectantly.
Lilith clasped her hands behind her back, squared her shoulders and smiled. “I’m impressed, Michael."
He was beaming as she walked to him and offered her hand to help him up. He took it raising himself to his full height, it would have been an imposing image if his cheeks were not tear stained. "Your new friends will be here soon and these ghosts are terrible company. Would you like some more lively company until they arrive?"
"Do you know how to play chess?"
When she nodded he all but drug her into the library. They played chess for hours. The same match. Not because they were matched in skill. Michael was too good.
The first delay happened when he pinned her queen. Unwilling to concede she 'accidentally' bumped the table. The board had to be reset.
On her third attempt he caught her leg with his hand, "That's cheating."
"No. It's an alternative win condition."
"No it's not. No one wins when you do that."
"But you aren't beating me. So in a way, I win."
A knock on the door changed the subject. "It's time Michael. Your new friends are here. They're going to show you just how special you are. You'll learn a lot from them."
"What if they're mean to me?"
"Nothing they are capable of could hurt you. They're much better company than ghosts and demons for a boy like you."
She led him to the stairs but he refused to go beyond the landing,"where are you going?"
She paused at the bottom of the staircase. "Have fun Michael."
The door swung open to reveal three hooded figures. As they entered she exited, a nod the only acknowledgement they all shared.