#obey me lesson 38 spoilers

[nocreativityfornames]

I'm sorry, I'm re-playing S2 and let me tell you: the way that MC is given the choice to kill Lucifer in order to save the world and they not only refuse but tell Solomon that maybe they all just need accept things as they are (that everyone is going to die) is so-- dhshsjjsjs

What's that one quote, "A hero will sacrifice you to save the world but a villain will sacrifice the world for you"??? MC really said "I'd rather let EVERYONE die than live in a world without YOU" and that's so fucking insane, I swear

Proof that MC is just as unhinged as the demon brothers (if not more) when their loved ones' lives are the ones on the line

[inhuman-obey-me]

The Authoritarianism of "Father's" Celestial Realm (NB Season 2)

OKAY, life got crazy for a while, but we're finally all caught up on Nightbringer's main story, and PHEW we've got some things to talk about. So let's dive right in, starting with one of our favorite topics:

God and the Celestial Realm actually kinda suck in the OM universe!!!

(spoilers up to NB lesson 38!)

Now, this been a consistent pattern for most of OM's story and lore, but we're going to be focusing here mostly on Lessons 37 and 38 in particular this time, because they had a lot to talk about in that regard.

In Lesson 37, we are introduced to the underworld, specifically Cocytus at the very bottom layer of it.

One interesting note, however, is that this region is territory of the Celestial Realm, despite it being geographically in the Devildom, and the Celestial Realm is the one that doles out punishments relating to it -- usually. We'll dive more into that whole conspiracy in another post, but it's certainly an interesting geopolitical fact of the Three Realms.

As for the underworld itself, the idea of multiple layers of hell is a common one which originates from Dante's Inferno, the first section of the Divine Comedy, and we see that Cocytus here is taken pretty directly from that as well. Just like Dante describes in the Divine Comedy, Simeon informs us that there are four regions that make up Cocytus, made up of four concentric circles of growing intensity according to their corresponding offenses. Specifically, each layer of Cocytus is related to a type of betrayal: of family, of homeland, of guests, and finally, as the very worst type of betrayal, of "him".

The design of that is immediately very telling about how the Celestial Realm views these offenses. Other offenses may land a person in the underworld in general, but these specific types of betrayal are the worst. And among those worsts, betraying God is the ultimate offense, absolutely beyond anything else one could ever do.

Now, these levels of Cocytus almost directly match Dante's Inferno take on them -- with one major, interesting distinction. In the Divine Comedy, Judecca is for "traitors to masters and benefactors." In OM, it is traitors to "him." Considering that the rest of the levels are a direct match, this suggests that, in OM, their father is the master who must never be betrayed.

And as Mammon notes, that's exactly what our beloved demon brothers did, with Lucifer in the lead.

That brings us to the present situation, with Lucifer chained and suffering at the very center of the bottom of the underworld. The worst of the worst offenders.

Simeon, Luke, and MC arrive to find Lucifer in a screaming rage, noting that same fact. Lucifer is in such pain and rage that he's creating dangerously massive gusts of wind, and as he worries about MC and then his brothers, it only gets worse. Suddenly, Raphael appears to read Lucifer his charges. And then, we get this conversation:

There's a lot going on there, but to go piece by piece, Luke is obviously distraught upon hearing the brothers' decreed fate. He wants to protest it and argue against it. Simeon stops him because Luke absolutely must not say another word -- as a reminder, arguing against Lilith's punishment was the catalyst for the whole rebellion that ensued, which is the entire reason Lucifer is being punished like this now!

Simeon, however, has recently been demoted. We know he was a seraph at the time of the rebellion; the official Nightbringer website specifies that he was demoted for "covering for" the brothers, though we don't know the specifics of what happened there. Simeon has always been a little daring on speaking truth to power, and considering he's already been demoted, it seems he's willing to take the potential consequence of speaking up again here. So he does, expressing his questions and concerns about the whole situation going on. And, finally, he calls out Raphael on also feeling the same as he and Luke both do.

It is perhaps the most telling moment we've gotten to date of how Raphael has felt about this whole civil war between the angels. In the past, he's been fairly consistently strict about the Celestial Realm's rules, which essentially boil down to always obeying their father, and Michael by extension. And he holds himself to basically the same standards, obediently doing whatever Michael tells him to even as he's disgruntled or frustrated by the myriad requests. But when it comes to seeing Lucifer punished this way, he can't accept it either. It's wrong, and he knows it.

But he can't question decisions that come from on high. Even doubting is considered wrong.

We've heard the same from Lucifer once before -- that he questioned one who was never to be questioned. That is what he has been punished for.

This is the reason Luke must not speak up. This is the reason Raphael is crying. And it's the reason for Lucifer's current punishment. Simeon, Lucifer, and Raphael all know it implicitly -- what comes from on high is absolute. Questioning is unacceptable. Doubts are unacceptable. And rebellion is unacceptable -- the absolute worst thing that someone can do.

Anyway, now throw all that out though, because apparently Lesson 38 wants to attempt to bring us to a completely different conclusion!

Let's be honest here -- OM is a bit jumpy on its writing sometimes, and sometimes makes wild left turns. But we ended Lesson 37 feeling pretty excited because it's revisiting a common theme we've had hinted at throughout both games about what kind of leader their father is and what kind of place the Celestial Realm really is under him. And what we've seen, generally, is this: it is a very strict place, unforgiving of those who step out of line, where their father's word is absolute, and even feeling doubt is a grave offense. We even know that Simeon's greatest fear is their father!

So imagine our shock and disappointment when Lesson 38 suddenly decides that, no, actually, this punishment and everything else is actually God's love for them. What?!

New theory: exactly one person on OM's writing team is actually super religious and keeps trying to make this game about dating demons into a message that God is good. These lessons were not written by the same person.

Lesson 38 starts with a rather chaotic scene -- Lucifer has broken free of his chains and is lashing out in rage and despair, not thinking straight. Diavolo makes his appearance and tries to subdue Lucifer, though the two end up going into an all-out brawl as Lucifer lashes out at Diavolo as well. MC eventually intervenes and the brothers show up to protect MC from both Lucifer's and Diavolo's attacks. Lucifer is taken aback seeing that his brothers are all okay and present in front of him, and as MC approaches him to further calm him down, the Ring of Light glows and Lucifer momentarily transforms into his angel form, inspiring awe from everyone around at the sight of the Morning Star once more.

Earlier, Lucifer was begging to be shown some kind of sign from his father, of what it was that he wanted from him. Simeon comments that this might be Father answering that call for a sign -- a sign of his love. Lucifer seems to accept this, though with some bewilderment. But we have Lucifer straight up tell MC later in the lesson that he "must have forgotten" that Father loved them all along! That all he ever did was give, and never ask for anything in return!

Except for blind, unwavering loyalty. Something that Lucifer has actually forgotten about in this moment.

For that matter, why does Simeon automatically assume it's this grand sign of their father's love?! He himself just stated his own doubts and called Raphael out on his.

It's a huge 180 that gave us some intense whiplash for sure. But this isn't the first time we've seen that more religious trauma view from Simeon; we've seen it before in OG season 4, where he has obviously been deeply affected by being demoted out of being an angel altogether but tries to reassure himself that their father does everything for a reason, "even this."

However, even aside from the very sudden turnaround, this explanation leaves a lot to be desired, because it doesn't actually answer anything!!!

We just got told that Raphael was crying from the cognitive dissonance of obeying orders to read the charges against Lucifer while feeling deep down in his heart of hearts that this is wrong. Luke has been stopped from saying anything that could be construed as going against their father! Even harboring doubts is wrong, but somehow we are supposed to suddenly believe that it's because their father loves them?

If that's God's love, it's sure sounding like God is an abusive helicopter parent, because that's not a healthy loving relationship.

Think about it -- this is a scene of punishment. Lucifer isn't just chilling down here for fun; he is actively in pain when we find him, and it only escalates his torment at the thought that his brothers are being punished similarly. And even as we are told that Little D. No. 1 couldn't take material form because their father "just loved them so much," is it really a healthy form of so-called love to hold on to a piece of Lucifer's soul without his knowledge, even after casting him out?! We wouldn't say that a parent who throws their own child out to be homeless while keeping their old room intact is a good, loving parent; why should we think this is any different?

Plus, this is the case for Lucifer -- but what about the other brothers? Though they all managed to get free, Cocytus itself seemed prepared to punish each of them for their various transgressions, and as Mammon points out, all of them were guilty of treason against their father. Yet, it's only Lucifer whose Little D. was never able to take form. It is Lucifer specifically who is targeted for this Cocytus punishment, and the others would likely have been left alone if not for the fact that they came to save him. Lucifer is the one who, for that one moment, regains his angel form.

And what does this mean, if this is God letting go of the last of his grip on Lucifer? That he still loved his favorite son but is casting him away for real now? We know Lucifer has said that God would never forgive him in particular, and though he's been accused of just being stubborn himself (and make no mistake, Lucifer certainly is also stubborn too), it does seem in line with everything else we've been shown about their father. Does this mean that their father no longer loves Lucifer, from this specific point onwards?

And, if their father loves them so much -- then why did they need to rebel for Lilith's sake? The implication here is truly bizarre: their father was going to obliterate Lilith entirely from all existence so that not even her soul would remain, but he also just loves Lucifer so much, but is also so authoritarian that Lucifer trying to talk it out with him was met with a complete shutdown so that Lucifer felt he had no other choice but to start the war. Of course, conveniently, this lesson also just chooses to completely disregard the whole Lilith thing, both her existence at all alongside the brothers before the war and her punishment, so apparently none of that matters!

It's completely out of line with the rest of everything we've ever really been told about the Celestial Realm, and frankly, we don't like or accept it. This so-called love that's suddenly used as the explanation in Lesson 38 isn't a true or healthy kind of love, and we don't want it.

So in conclusion: God is gaslighting us but he really does totally actually suck. We're just supposed to suddenly believe now, out of nowhere, that he doesn't. But he definitely, really does.

Anyway so, Lesson 37 is 10/10 and 38 is -10/10, would not read again. Merry Crisis!

[misc-obeyme]

So uh. Lesson 38. Man I swear it was just yesterday I was writing the post about Lesson 37?! Augh.

Okay, spoilers below, and be prepared 'cause it was another CRAZY CRAZY LESSON. No I didn't take another 100 screenshots why would you think that? Also I apologize, this is another rather unhinged post.

OKAY NEW THEORY.

"Father" is Nightbringer! Right?!? Tell me I'm not alone in thinking this might be the case!!

Okay, so maybe not, but we had so much Father talk this lesson!! Way more than any other, I'd say!

And I hated it?!?

Okay lemme backtrack a bit.

So, we got Lucifer in ice and chains and he's yelling at his Father saying what do you want, you never tell me anything, give me a sign!

And then he breaks out of his chains, but he's completely out of control! And then DIAVOLO shows up.

SIR. There is just something about Diavolo in full demon form, getting all angry and ready to fight... But I don't think I've ever seen Diavolo with an ominous aura like that?? I can't remember for sure, but I swear it doesn't happen too often. Anyway, he straight up fights with Lucifer to try to calm him down.

The girls are fighting! I didn't crop this bottom image as much as I usually do because I need you all to see how BIG these two are in their full demon forms like this. All those wings...

Note that the angels and MC are watching all of this from the sidelines... and then Simeon blesses MC and I am in love with him and his beautiful face.

YOU are the only one making me swoon at the moment though.

Anyway, then all the bros show up and save the day! I was like yeah, that checks out. Lucifer & Diavolo are going at it and MC tries to get in the way, but it's not enough until all the others show up, too. As soon as Lucifer sees his brothers are all right, he calms down.

Asmo suggests a hug and Lucifer AGREES. They have a group hug where Lucifer is clearly pulling everyone into it himself. He apologizes to MC (!!) and THEN as if all this wasn't enough, MC's ring starts to glow and Lucifer turns into his angel form!!

Once again uncropped so you can see this ridiculous mf and all his wings.

Diavolo is smitten.

And he kneels!!!!!!

He kneels to Lucifer in angel form!!!! And all the others do too!!!!!

I lost my goddamn mind at this part. And Lucifer's like I don't understand why is this happening? And Simeon is like, "he" heard you and this is your answer. He wants you to feel his love and his forgiveness and blah blah blah (I'm paraphrasing). But I need to tell you all this even though I don't normally go into this much detail and here is why.

FUCK THAT GUY.

This is "his" way of showing Lucifer that he loves him?!?!

Diavolo, get off your knees, you are not helping this situation!!!

Okay, okay, let me calm down.

Here is why this bothers me so much. And please note that this just my personal opinion and the way it all came off to me! I'm totally open to hearing other opinions on it.

I hate this because it makes no sense. This is the same Father that was going to kill Lilith, the same one who allowed the brothers and Lucifer, the one he supposedly loves so much, to fall in the first place.

I don't care if Michael is the one behind everything. If their Father guy can do this, then there's no way he couldn't also prevent all of this.

The only way I'm going to give him a chance at all is if they somehow make it so that he can't do much at all. He's trapped or something. Michael is truly the mastermind behind it all and Father is doing what he can from where he is (like imprisoned or something).

Because otherwise, this makes no sense.

AND WASN'T I RIGHT?? It turned out that the whole thing was orchestrated by the Celestial Realm AND the Devildom! The three worlds have an agreement - powerful beings can be imprisoned in Cocytus for their crimes if at least two representatives out of three agree. One from the Celestial Realm did. This was confirmed by Simeon, who went back briefly to ask Michael. However, Michael wouldn't tell him who did it.

NO. You can't be content with that! Michael obviously knows who it was!! So why would he protect them?? Or is he protecting himself?!?

And then someone from the Devildom did, too! But instead of just being like oh well, guess it's a mystery, Diavolo blames himself and says he's doing everything he can to find out who did it. My money is on the House of Lords.

So they were in cahoots, as I suspected!

Anyway, I just don't understand what all of this was supposed to accomplish for Lucifer's character. If they want to make us question the Celestial Realm, then yo I was already on that train! This whole situation certainly makes Michael look very suspicious. And Lucifer goes on and on later about how he must have forgotten about his father's love and blah blah. And I'm like what???

Also this whole part where Lucifer was dreaming or whatever and the brothers were angels:

Levi says "Our orders always come through Michael." That's the crux of this whole thing. We don't know enough about the state of "Father" to really know for sure.

Again, if it turns out that "Father" isn't terrible and somehow had no say in all the bad things that are happening and was truly trying to help Lucifer, then fine. I can accept that. But from where things are right now, it seems more like "Father" can't let Lucifer go and in this case, that's making things worse for Luci.

Do you really think giving Lucifer back his angel form long enough for everyone to be in awe and even make Diavolo kneel is somehow helping him? Because I disagree. Leave Lucifer alone already.

Though he then passes out and sleeps for quite a while.

And oh! Okay, here is my favorite part hee hee:

Obviously I squealed a lil when he showed up! They were all stuck in Cocytus and couldn't figure out how to get home. And someone was like "if only Barbatos could portal us home" and then this happened.

My knight in shining armor 😭

He's so practical. I'm in love with him.

Then we make a pact with Lucifer. AND THIS MOTHERFUCKER.

Flashbacks to the OG, anyone?? I guess he would still lie to himself like this, we are in the past after all. And I think he genuinely believes that MC is his at first. What a delusional simp he turns out to be, though, huh?

And then!!

Cocytus Hall is destroyed because of course it was named that due to being built on top of the entrance to Cocytus. What was the point of that exactly? Why wasn't it just Purgatory Hall from the start?? I don't know.

Hard Lesson:

Diavolo, Barbatos, Mephisto, and all the Little Ds are discussing the destruction of Cocytus Hall and that's when we find out they rebuild it into Purgatory Hall.

We also see Little D No 1 who makes an appearance for the first time. Barbatos says he wasn't able to maintain a physical form up until now. Diavolo speculates it's because their "Father" couldn't let Lucifer go before.

I do not understand this "Father" at all. I'm so confused about it and it's making me crazy (in case you couldn't tell).

Yeah, we got to make a pact with Lucifer. We got to kiss him. It's heavily implied we did some other stuff with him, too.

But this lesson was mostly about Father and his love and to me that all seemed to come out of freakin' nowhere. Especially since last I checked, it was Father who caused all of this bullshit to begin with???

I don't actually think "Father" is Nightbringer, but wouldn't that be interesting? Father of all demons is also the father of all angels? Why would they be different entities? Maybe they're two halves of the same whole? Maybe they're siblings?

I just don't know.

Yeah that's how I felt when Simeon and the angels were like okay see ya we're going back to the Celestial Realm! It's okay, Barb saved us. At least he seems to be chill about things.

And Solomon told the brothers he wasn't going to take MC back to the human world right away, so it's not the end yet. But can we go back now? I want to! I swear by now, I'd have confronted Barbatos because I think he knows what's going on and couldn't he just take me back to the present without all these other shenanigans? And make Solomon come back with me too, obviously. In fact, past!Barb can come too. You can never have too many Barbs!

Okay I'm devolving into nonsense. I just don't know how I feel about any of this. It's not making sense and I really hope that the next lesson clears some of this up for me.

[pseudonymphomania]

In Rage, the same. In Devotion, the same.

Based on NB LESSON 37 and LESSON 38.

[yourlocalgrass]

I just had a depressing thought about Nightbringer lesson 38 (spoilers). Remember how poor Raphael was in tears because he was in distress for Lucifer however, he isn’t allowed to judge the Celestial Realm, which he did.

And because of the entire “fathers love” thing, proved that their father is right, does love them, and is not to to be judged since he does everything for a reason.

In the end, what if Raphael feels guilty because he not only judged their father but accused their father outloud of doing awful or horrible things. I mean, you can’t tell me there hasn’t been some form of guilt ever since it happened.

Even worse, he may feel indebted to their father now, because he believes even though their father loves them, he went against him and everything they were taught.

I mean the writers probably forgot about Raphael by now but its logical in a way if you think about it-

[messysketchyobeyme]

Also, not to nitpick Lesson 38 or anything, but Lucifer should have cried.

[amberrskiies]

Obey Me Nightbringer Lesson 38 spoilers!!!

… WHATDIDHESAAAYYY????? 🤯😱😰

[ss3890]

…What the fuck was that?? WTF was that?!

Man, it was getting so good! SO GOOD and then they popped that climax like a sad little balloon with the whole “Father’s Love” bullshit.

Nah uh. I can’t buy into that. It felt way out of field and isn’t sitting right with me.

[journey-to-the-attic]

just finished (nb) lesson 40, and not to tell the writers how to do their job, but lucifer should've cried in the hard mode story

[fridayth13]

what the fuck is happening in lesson 38 guys <3 im losing my shit <3

[dyslexicmammon]

whoever wrote lesson 38 I hope they all know I'm sitting here violently sobbing about it. why would you do that to me. why would you make me go through all of that I'm- holy fucking shit

the last time i had this much of a reaction was in season 1 where I left them all. I was crying that entire time. wtaf.

SPOILERS IN TAGS!!!!

[nocreativityfornames]

I can't be the only one who felt super icky during the "God's love" moments in the new lesson, right?

Right...?

Was this supposed to be wholesome thing and this is just my religious trauma showing or did they meant to make us feel umcomfy? It's my brain cringing at the bad writing, I know it Because that felt SO off-putting to me, SPECIALLY coming from Lucifer.

Like...present Lucifer wouldn't be caught saying that shit ever 😅

So...is he okay? Did his head got mess up somehow? Or is he just having one of those classic daddy issues haver moment of “starting to trust my dad again just to be let down soon after” (oof--)

I mean.... s3 spoilers ahead!!!!!!>>>>>> God is literally his biggest fear in the present. Like, that's what the boogeyman takes form of when going up against him. His fucking dad.

What is going on right now?

[lyssaterald]

Obey Me: Take Flight Masterlist

Content Warning: General spoilers for the main story. Minors and ageless accounts do not interact!

Premise: Here, we shall explore the meshing of cultures and misunderstandings that come with the accidental abduction of one person from among her family and friends. This is a story of someone finding themselves lost among three different worlds and cultures while she struggles with finding her place in the complex maze of court politics and falling in love. 

Please Note: Named character, and slight mentions of character’s past and history which are expanded on as necessary when they might be important to the chapter. Past is not expanded upon when it does not call for it. Each chapter will come with a Content Warning. Weirdly, I switch between past and present tense. Sorry, not sorry. Unbeta read.

This story will follow cannon events while folding in lore and world building from other parts of the fandom and a personal story. My OC will be named Lyssa. Lyssa’s character will be written in first person and sometimes deviate into the third person if I want to expand into the other characters perspectives.

💖= Smut

Main Series:

Take Flight, Lesson 1-1: Royal Academy

Take Flight, Lesson 1-1 Part 2: Royal Academy

Take Flight, Lesson 1-2: The Seven Brothers

Take Flight, Lesson 1-3: Mammon, Avatar of Greed

Take Flight, Lesson 1-5: Good Luck

Take Flight, Part 7-2: A Multi-Day Tour of the Demon Lord's Castle

Take Flight, Part 7-4: Multi-day Tour of the Demon Lord's Castle, continued

Take Flight, Lesson 7-7: Welcome to the Devildom History Tour

Take Flight, Lesson 7-10: The Tour BEGINS, (finally)

Take Flight, Lesson 7-12: It's Evil to Pretend You're Never Evil

Take Flight, Lesson 7-17: Not Every Old Friend is a Friend, Family Included

Take Flight, Lesson 7-20: Pillows, Questions, and Lectures, Oh My!

Take Flight, Lesson 8-1: Dragons and Demons- 💖= Diavolo/Lyssa

Take Flight, Lesson 8-2: The Charmer 💖= Diavolo/Lyssa

Take Flight, Hard Mode Lesson 38-16: The Punishment that Followed -Lucifer, Diavolo Threesome💖

Random Chapters that can be read as standalones (probably):

Take Flight, Part ?: Demons and Dragons

Take Flight, Part ?: Diavolo Smut 💖

Take Flight, Part ?: The Confession -Lucifer💖

Take Flight, Part ?: The Talk

Take Flight, Part ?: Avoidance -Diavolo/Lyssa💖

Take Flight, Part ?: The Pregnancy

Take Flight, Part?: Stood Up -Diavolo/Lyssa/Lucifer💖

Take Flight, Part ?: Mischief

[misc-obeyme]

Do you think solomon is one of the representatives of the human world who agreed to imprison lucifer in cocytus?

I mean it aligns with his intention to keep the human world safe but at the same time it would mean upsetting mc and risking them hating him and thats one thing solomon doesnt want at all.

Then i think, he could also have been hoping mc wouldnt find out so he went ahead and did it anyways?

Idk, but i'm really suspicious of him rn haha

-🧼

Oh a new emoji signature! I will add it to the list!

Ahh Solomon... he makes me insane.

But I don't think he did.

SPOILERS just in case lol

If I'm remembering correctly, they said that only two of the three worlds needed to agree. And we got confirmation from Simeon that someone from the Celestial Realm agreed to it. And it sounded like Diavolo knew that the other person was from the Devildom. So the human world didn't need a representative to agree because only two are needed. Currently we don't know who any of them are because Michael ain't talkin' and Diavolo hasn't finished his investigation into who the Devildom rep was.

However, I do think it's an interesting idea to consider. Like if it came down to that, what would Solomon do?

We're kinda back to the thing where it comes down to what Solomon cares about more: protecting humanity or MC's happiness.

I don't know if I think Solomon would consider it necessary to have Lucifer imprisoned in Cocytus in order to keep humanity safe. I think he might like to have that information should he ever need it, but unless Lucifer lost his mind and posed a deliberate threat, I think Solomon wouldn't go out of his way to make it happen.

Then if you factor MC into things, I think he'd be even less inclined. Because exactly as you said, he doesn't want MC to hate him. At the very least, he would put off doing something like that as long as possible. And maybe decide to just not do it at all. He might even pass the decision on to MC. Let them make the choice instead.

Solomon makes me crazy because he's so down bad for MC it's ridiculous. But there's no denying he knows something he hasn't told MC about this entire situation. I like to think he has a good reason for keeping the secrets that he does. Because I very much believe that Solomon does everything he can to protect MC from everything that he can.

Anyway, those are just my thoughts! I think Solomon would see this as a very drastic choice and probably wouldn't do it, especially if it meant MC hating him.

[lilirot]

Oh, I did Lesson 38 so spoilers

Honestly, I wish they had the DiaLuci fight last longer. Also, suffers so much from the lacking visual presentation of Obey Me. Still was was enjoyable for what it was tho. And Lucifer! the! Menace! Once again gets to fuck MC >:( Because yeah no they totally bone after his pact scene if you take the more romantic options. I better get to roll in the hay with Belphie before this seasons over or I'm gonna be pissed!!!!! LET ME FUCK HIM!!!!!!!

[yourlocalgrass]

I’ve come up with the phrase being “Michaeled” every time this happens and we get robbed off Raphael screen time and Michael actual appearance

We got Michaeled… again.