The two angels drifted apart and didn't see each other for some time. Stephen found Alexander relaxing in a field of yellow flowers, lounging in the shade of a giant elm tree.

"I've been thinking about our last conversation," he said, hovering above the other angel. "Why do you suppose the Infinite Father didn't slay Lucifer when He had the opportunity?"

Alexander stared at the other angel in irritation. "He is a just and merciful Father," he replied stoically. "In casting Lucifer out of Paradise, he deemed that to be a just and sufficient punishment. Lucifer and all his followers no longer have access to His Grace and must spend all of eternity in Perdition."

Stephen gently set down on the ground and sat next to his friend. "But is that all there is to it?" he persisted. "Why allow them to exist at all? He could have wiped them out of existence and left the earth a paradise for man. Why allow all this strife and pain?"

"You're venturing into dangerous territory again," warned Alexander. "I had hoped that having time away from our duties and each other would allow you to drop this line of thinking."

"I think Lucifer is allowed to exist to help winnow out the weak," Stephen whispered, leaning forward. Alexander recoiled in horror at the other angel's words. As he recovered from his initial shock, Alexander leaped into the air, flapping his wings furiously to get away from Stephen. He looked down, only to find his friend close behind him, a pained expression on his face. "Wait," Stephen pleaded, "hear me out. Why else would He populate a planet and endow it as He has? He didn't want to be taken for granted and be worshiped by a people who had grown lazy. The ones who make it here are truly appreciative of what they have achieved and the course their lives took to get here."

Alexander rounded on him. "What is your point?" he demanded angrily.

"My point is, why do these beings have to undergo so much stress and pain just to get here? What if we could make their lives easier and start their world back to being the paradise it once was?" Stephen stared up at Alexander and waited as the other angel mulled over his words. Alexander slowly drifted down until he was level with the other angel. "Well?" he asked after a spell, "what do you think?"

"It sounds good on the surface," Alexander answered slowly, "but I'm afraid to ask what your plan is for this wonderful rebirth you've envisioned."

"It's a simple idea, really," Stephen assured him. "All we have to do is rid the world below of the source of its evil."

Alexander gaped at him. "You're not serious! How would you go about doing this "simple task"? Do you know who you're talking about here?"

Stephen nodded serenely. "I do. I know we don't have the power to destroy the serpent altogether, but perhaps we can defang him and neutralize his power."

"And how do you propose to do that?" demanded Alexander.

"A trap. We lure him into it and once he's in, he won't be able to extricate himself without laying waste to all his plans," replied Stephen serenely.

"And how do you propose to do that?" Alexander eyed his friend suspiciously.

"I have a plan."