I'm in the training room, gripping my sword tightly, trying to focus on each swing. My muscles are tense, every movement mechanical and off-balance. I can hear footsteps approaching, but I don't bother turning around. I already know who it is.

"Your sword's wobbling," Lucifer's voice cuts through the air, sharp and precise.

I shut my eyes for a second, frustration boiling under my skin. "I know," I mutter through clenched teeth.

He steps closer, his presence looming beside me. Without a word, he reaches out and grabs my arm, his touch firm as he adjusts my grip. "You're being too tentative," he says, his voice calm but direct. "You need to attack with confidence." He nudges me forward, stepping back to give me space. "Now, try again. Don't hold back."

I swallow hard, feeling the pressure of his eyes on me. I charge toward the dummy, but even as I strike, I can feel the weakness in my swing. It's not enough. It's never enough.

Lucifer shakes his head, disappointment clear in his voice. "You're not putting any force behind your attacks. You're holding back. Hesitating."

His words sting, and I look away, ashamed. "Sorry," I whisper, my voice barely audible, hating the way I sound so small, so vulnerable.

He steps closer, his hand settling on my shoulder. "Don't apologize. You're better than this. I know you are." There's warmth in his voice now, but it only makes the lump in my throat grow bigger.

I try to steady my trembling hand, but I can't. "I didn't get much sleep last night," I admit, the exhaustion creeping into my voice.

Lucifer's eyes soften, and I can see the concern etched on his face. "Nightmares again?" he asks, like he already knows the answer.

I nod, trying to swallow the fear that rises every time I think about it. He lets out a long sigh, one that's filled with understanding. He knows how bad the nightmares are, how they linger long after I wake. The last time, I couldn't stop crying, and he stayed with me until I fell asleep again, his presence the only thing keeping the darkness at bay.

"The same one?" he asks quietly.

I start pacing, the tension in my body too much to hold still. "Why is it always the same one?" My voice cracks, and I hate how weak I sound. "I haven't even seen an angel since Heaven, but... something's coming. I can feel it. I just know it."

Lucifer watches me, his expression unreadable for a moment before he steps forward, placing a hand on my shoulder again. "Hey, calm down," he says softly, his voice low and soothing. "It's just nightmares. You're being paranoid."

I pull away from his touch, my frustration boiling over. "I don't know if I am," I snap, my voice louder than I intended.

Without hesitation, Lucifer moves in front of me, gently taking my chin in his hand, forcing me to look at him. His eyes, normally so sharp and intimidating, are soft with worry. "Darling," he says, his voice calm but pleading. "I know you're scared, but they're just nightmares. There's no point in worrying yourself over something that might never happen."

I tug at a loose strand of my hair, my heart racing as I try to find the words. "There's a prophecy, Dad," I whisper, the weight of it heavy in my chest. "It's going to happen."

He stiffens, trying to keep his composure, but I can see the cracks forming in his calm exterior. "Prophecies are nonsense," he says, his voice tight. "You know that. Just ignore it. Don't waste your life worrying about something that might not even be real."

I shake my head, the fear I've been holding in threatening to burst out. "It says the eldest daughter of Lucifer is going to have to kill God." I bite my lip, my voice trembling as I speak. "That's me."

For a moment, it feels like the world stops. Lucifer freezes, his expression hardening. His face, which is usually so confident and sure, looks like it's been drained of all emotion. Fear flickers in his eyes, a fear I rarely see. "I... No," he says, his voice faltering. "It's just a stupid prophecy. It doesn't mean anything."

"Mom believes it," I say, my voice sharp now, pushing back against his denial. "And you did too, until my run-in with God last year."

He clenches his jaw, and for a long, agonizing moment, he's silent. When he finally speaks, his voice is low and tight, filled with barely contained anger. "I don't care what that prophecy says. I refuse to let you face God. I won't let it happen."

"I already handled Him once," I say, my heart pounding as I remember that terrifying encounter.

"And it almost got you killed!" Lucifer's voice rises, his frustration bubbling over. "That scar on your shoulder is a constant reminder of what happened. Do you really want to risk your life again?"

Instinctively, my hand moves to the scar on my shoulder, the memory of that pain still fresh. "I'm seventeen," I whisper, my voice breaking under the weight of everything. "I'm not a child."

"I don't care how old you are," he growls. "Do you really think I'm going to stand by and let you risk your life because of some prophecy? Destiny be damned, I won't lose you."

"You'd let Landon do it, wouldn't you?" The words slip out before I can stop them, and I know they cut deep.

His gaze snaps to mine, sharp and angry. "Don't bring your brother into this," he says through gritted teeth, his voice dangerously low.

I throw my hands up, exasperated. "Fine, I won't!" I shout, my voice shaking with anger.

Lucifer takes a deep breath, trying to regain his control. "I don't want to fight with you," he says, his voice softer now, filled with an aching pain. "Especially not about this. You're my daughter. I refuse to let you throw yourself into danger."

I cross my arms, glaring at him. "You were only two years older than me when you went against God for Mom."

His face hardens again, his muscles tensing. "That's NOT the same, and you know it."

"Do I?" I snap, bitterness dripping from every word. "I thought I was just a child."

For the first time, Lucifer's expression cracks, a flicker of sadness crossing his face. "This is different," he says, his voice quieter now. "That was a fight for love. This is you going up against GOD." His voice rises again, filled with fear and anger. "I won't let that happen."

I take a step back, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. "This is defending our people, our world," I say, my voice wavering.

"There's a difference between defending our people and throwing yourself into the line of fire!" Lucifer's voice cracks with emotion, and I can see the desperation in his eyes. "I don't care if it's destiny or not. I'm not losing you."

Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them back, refusing to let them fall. "You used to be on my side," I whisper, my voice breaking with the weight of my hurt.

"I'm always on your side," he says, his voice softer now, filled with regret. "That doesn't mean I always agree with your choices. You're my child. I can't lose you."

"You wanted me to fight," I choke out, feeling the tears threatening to spill over. "But now you're scared."

He grabs my shoulders, his grip firm but shaking with emotion. "Of course I'm scared!" he yells, his voice raw with fear. "I never wanted you to risk your life like this. But you're so damn stubborn, you won't listen!"

I pull away, taking a step back. "I'm done listening," I say, my voice trembling as I turn and storm toward the door.

"Where are you going?" he calls after me, his voice tinged with desperation. "We're not done talking!"

"Yes, we are," I say, slamming the door behind me as I leave, my heart pounding and my vision blurred with tears. I need to find Ellidy. Maybe she'll understand.