Lucifer #54

The conclusion to the 4-part "The Wolf Beneath the Tree." Lucifer, Michael and Elaine have pursued Fenris, god of destruction, to the roots of the world-tree to head off the end of all Creation - but their plans come to nothing when Fenris enlists one of them as an ally.At the roots of Yggdrasil, Charlie Gilmour stands, sword thrust into his only remaining hand, thoughts race through his head as he stares upon the wife and son he thought were dead. Fenris whispers into his ear, to kill them, just as he had nearly done before, Charlie is confused and wonders why he must do this. Fenris explains that the slaughtering of kin is Fyrir Haft, "the first and worst of all crimes, the breach through which nature bleeds." The Wolf continues to coax Charlie, ordering him to slaughter his family, being sure to spray their blood upon the roots of the tree so that the end of creation will be assured.The Trickster interrupts Fenris, alerting him to the presence of the angels they had seen earlier but The Wolf tells Abonsam he could already sense them, their sweat and their blood, for they had lost a lot of blood, the journey had taken its toll on them. So The Wolf turns from Yggdrasil, heading in the direction of the fallen angels, without looking back he speaks to Bet Jo'gie, ordering her to convince Charlie to slay his family, no matter what it means for her. He then calls Abonsam to come with him, for once, a long time ago, Abonsam had eaten the meats of The Wolf's table, drank his wines -the flesh and blood of Fenris- and Abonsam had done it, all of it, in preparation for this day. Bet Jo'gie than returns her attention to the one-armed Charlie, clasping his fingers around the hilt of the sword, as the two stand beside Sarah and Bobby, motionless as they rest in the roots of the tree, she speaks to him, "Come on, sweetheart. You've got work to do."Not far from the tree Elaine is poised over a heavily injured Lucifer, turning him over onto his back, she begs him to wake up for she...