Chapter 7
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Everyone was searching for Serena, but she was nowhere to be found.
"She said she'd think about it, right?" Gabriel asked Azaniel.
"Yes, but we need her now," Azaniel replied, his brow furrowed with concern.
"I think the reason we can't find Serena is because she's hiding her presence," Faith commented as she glanced around.
Gabriel paused, then a smirk crept onto his face. "We can lure her out."
Azaniel raised an eyebrow, catching Gabriel's glance. "What do you mean? And why are you looking at me like that?"
"Dude," Gabriel sighed, tapping Azaniel's shoulder. "You're the only one who can lure my idiotic sister out. I know you like her, and believe me, she likes you too."
Azaniel's face hardened. "She's not just your sister, Gabriel, and I'm not going to agree with whatever plan this is."
Gabriel crossed his arms. "Oh yeah? So what's your plan then?"
Faith rolled her eyes. "You two talk it out. I'm leaving before you drag me into this." With that, she turned and left, disappearing into the distance.
Azaniel watched her leave before turning back to Gabriel. "Why don't we just visit her house? That's where she's likely hiding. She's concealing her presence, but she can't hide from us in her own home."
Gabriel nodded reluctantly. "Alright. Let's go and convince my stubborn sister."
The two angels flew to Serena's estate, landing silently by the large, ornate gate. Instead of using the doorbell, they used their wings to glide over the top, entering the mansion unnoticed. Concealing their own presence, they quietly made their way inside. As they walked, Serena's voice drifted toward them from a nearby room.
"I'm sorry I couldn't save you both," Serena said, her voice breaking slightly. "I can't use my power right now. I'm too weak."
"Don't worry about us, Niko," a soft voice responded. "Finish your mission, and we'll meet again in another life."
"Yes, Maria is right. You said we could be stars in your realm, and you could visit us whenever you wanted," the second voice added.
Serena smiled weakly. "Yes, I will visit you both. I promise."
The voices faded as her friends disappeared, their spirits departing. Serena remained seated, her eyes clouded with sorrow.
Gabriel and Azaniel, having witnessed the exchange, stepped forward, revealing themselves.
Serena jumped in surprise. "W-what are you two doing here?"
"We're here to bring you back to the Holy Realm," Azaniel said calmly, his voice steady.
"Azaniel is right, sis," Gabriel chimed in. "It's time to go."
Serena looked between them, a mixture of shock and anger on her face. "Go back? Do you have any idea what we're up against? The Demon God is invincible now. We can't defeat him, not with the Red Fire in his possession."
Gabriel's expression hardened. "Are you seriously being a coward right now? You, Serena the one who fears nothing?"
"Yes!" Serena shouted, her voice trembling. "I'm a coward now! So what? Do you honestly think we have the power to defeat him? He's too strong!"
Azaniel stepped forward, his eyes soft but determined. "You have the power, Serena."
She let out a bitter laugh. "Let's say I do. Do you think I can control the Blue Fire? Every time I use it, it exhausts me. It's too powerful for me to handle, and cultivating it takes time, time we don't have."
Azaniel paused, then nodded. "Then take the time you need. If that's what it takes for you to be ready, we'll wait."
"Deal," Serena replied, but her tone was still filled with doubt.
Gabriel grabbed Azaniel's arm, pulling him aside. "Bro, why did you just agree to that? We don't have time to wait for her."
Azaniel met his gaze firmly. "It's the only option we have. If we force her now, she won't be able to fight. Giving her time is our best chance."
Gabriel groaned, running a hand down his face in frustration. "You two are impossible."
Azaniel merely shrugged. "It's for the better. We'll wait. We have no choice."
---
Gabriel's POV
It's been two weeks since that day, and here we are, still staying in Serena's house. She's as stubborn as ever—doesn't want us to disturb her, doesn't want our help, and hardly leaves her room. I can't shake the feeling of impending doom, and it's eating me alive.
"What's with the long face, Gabriel?" Faith's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I straightened up quickly, forcing a laugh. "Faith! Haha, it's nothing."
She narrowed her eyes at me, unconvinced. "I'm asking you."
"I told you, it's nothing," I muttered, avoiding her gaze.
"Nothing?" she raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms.
I sighed, my defenses crumbling. "To be honest, I'm worried about Serena. She hasn't left her room in days, and the situation in the Holy Realm is getting worse. It's a relief that the human realm hasn't been attacked by demons or monsters yet, but the Holy Realm? It's falling apart. The only one who can set things right is Serena, and she's..."
"She's a mess too," Faith cut in. "She's doing everything she can to shorten the time it takes to cultivate her powers, but controlling the Blue Fire isn't easy. It's dangerous."
"I know," I replied, rubbing my temples. "And it doesn't help that Father is on the verge of tearing the Holy Realm apart. The barrier's weakening; I've been holding it up, but it's getting thinner. I don't know how much longer I can keep it intact."
Faith placed a hand on my shoulder. "We have to trust her. I know Serena can do it."
I nodded, though the weight of my worry still sat heavily in my chest.
"Give me a hug. I need it right now."
She glared at me and promptly walked away. I sighed deeply, sinking into my seat. I want to cry.
---
A few hours later, Azaniel walked in, his usual smirk plastered on his face.
"You're gross. What's with that look on your face?" I glared at him, folding my arms defensively.
"Stop saying the same thing every time." He chuckled and took a seat across from me.
"What's the situation?" I asked, knowing he'd been out checking on the barriers.
"I reinforced the Holy Realm's barrier with a few spells. It'll hold for now, but only until Serena masters the Blue Fire. As for the humans' realm, I found a crack in their barrier."
I sat up straighter, alarmed. "A crack? Is it serious?"
"Yeah, but luckily I found it early and patched it up. Still, something feels off. I've got a bad feeling about it."
I exhaled slowly. "We need more time. Serena needs more time."
Azaniel leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I've sent a spy to the Demon Realm."
I froze, my eyes shifting to Serena's door before looking back at him. "And?"
"The spy's report came in today. The Demon God has discovered Nikolai's true identity."
My stomach dropped. "What does that mean?"
"It means we need to be even more careful," Azaniel said, his voice grim. "The Demon God won't let Nikolai slip through his fingers again. He'll be coming for us soon."
I clenched my fists, a wave of frustration crashing over me. "How long do you think we have?"
Azaniel shook his head. "Not long. Days, maybe."
"Dammit," I muttered under my breath. "We're running out of time."
---
Serena's POV
I take a breath and open my eyes. I stood up and felt dizzy. My cultivation is not enough. I really need to go back.
I teleported myself. The place is crowded and noisy because there is a festival and a flower festival. There are so many stalls with different food and flowers. I sensed an extraordinary being.
"What do you want?" I ask while facing the crowd.
"Your Holiness." she bowed her head and looked in my eyes. "You need to go back. I mean..I suggest you go back to our realm and cultivate there, you know that cultivating there is fast and here in human land is slow. One day here is 100 years there."
"Leave me.."
"But your holi.."
I cut in. "I still have something to do here. I'll go back there myself." she steps backward and bows and disappears.
.
.
.
"Big sister!" I turned my back and saw a bunch of kids carrying a basket full of flowers. I sat down and smiled at them.
"What is it kiddos?"
"Hi big sis, my name is Laura, and this is Abigail, Flair, Stella, and Lily. We are siblings." Laura said.
I smiled. "Nice meeting all of you."
"Big sis here." she handed me a flower crown. I was about to reach it and she.. "Let me put it on you."
"See it looks good on big sis, Abigail." Stella said.
"Thank you for this." I said.
"Big sis why are you alone?" the little one asked.
"Hmm. It's because I'm here to enjoy myself alone."
"Stop asking her that stupid question Lily." I laugh.
"You are beautiful when laughing and smiling big Sis. So always smile. It is okay to be lonely sometimes. And...love what you have." Flair said.
"I'm smiling."
"You are not." Lily said while pouting.
"We always saw you here passing by and you have that scary face and dark aura around you and at the sametime your eyes were sad." Abigail said.
"Is really that obvious?"
"Yes it is." Lily answered.
"You should go back," they all said in unison.
I looked at the sky. "I will."
I look around and saw him in the midst of a crowd.
"Can I have another flower crown?"
"Yes sure. Here." Abigail handed me a blue flower crown.
"Thank you."
"Thank you big sis! Good bye!" they all said in unison.
I walk towards him, I laugh when he scan the people he passed.
I am now behind him, I slowly put the flower crown on his head. He was surprised and looked behind.
I smiled.
"You surprised me." we laughed.
"What? Anyways the flower on your head looks good on you."
"You too." he said that makes my heart flutter.
"Wow are you blushing?"
"Hey snap out of it. I'm not really."
"Then why are you so defensive?"
"Shut it." To change the topic, I grab his hand and run.
.
.
.
"What are we doing here?" he ask.
"We are going to watch the fireworks here. This where we get the better view." I answered.
The fireworks display is starting.
"Beautiful." he said. I looked at him and to my surprised he was also looking at me.
"Are you by any chance referring to me?" i teased.
"Yes." he answered and look at the fireworks.
"I'm sorry." I said. I think this is the right time to apologize. "I'm sorry for not explaining about Abigail and disguising as her. It wasn't my intention. It's just I can't afford to see you being sad and lonely without her."
"It's in the past. I already forget all of those." he calmly said.
"And I want to asked you another question. Is it true of what you said to the younger me?"
"No." my feelings began to crumble.
"Ah, I knew it. It's because you wanted to trigger my memory is that it?"
He looked me in the eyes. "Yes." why are you giving me mix signals.
"Do you like me?" he just looked at me.
"Abigail is my one and only." my heart breaks. I look at the sky to stop my tears from flowing.
"I know. Anyways, let's go back it's getting late."
.
.
.
The place is still the same. I told Faith to meet me in secret.
"I'm sorry I'm late."
"It's okay. Lead the way."
"Yes." we started walking.
And now here we are, at my old hiding place. It's still the same...This is where I hide whenever I want to skip class from the gods. I'm very lazy in the past.
My things are still here and there is this new dress. I think Faith put this here. As I look at the window, I can see the Holy Palace.
I am now living, in the top of the goddess mountain called mountain peak.
Faith also discussed the situation here and the holy beings still recognized who Serena is but they know that she is dead a long time ago. So my power didn't reach them. But I saw it with my own eyes. I think someone reflect my powers back then.
I need to cultivate here more.
Gabriel's POV
I woke up and saw nothing on Serena's room. All her things was here.
"Gabriel. Faith informed me that Serena is back at the holy land. That's all." Azaniel calmly said.
"Is that all? She didn't say where's she staying?"
"No. We should go back now that our mission is success." he said and disappeared.
.
.
.
"Where is Serena?"
"She's safe and doesn't want anyone to disturb her."
"If that what she wants."
"Can we talk?" I keep pleading that we should talk but she's just ignoring me.
"Maybe some other time." and she left me hanging.
I know that she's my lover, she just won't admit it.
Faith's POV
I can't talk and admit that to you right now. I'm sorry Gab, forgive me.
I brewed a tea and I brought it to Serena.
I saw her meditating, she opens her eyes and look at what I brought.
"It's tea. It is good for your body, to boost your energy."
She just looked at me expressionless.
Serena's POV
I sense someone is coming. I keep closing my eyes and as I open, I saw Faith putting something on my table. I looked at it.
It is tea.
"It's tea. It is good for your body, to boost your energy."
She pour tea on my cup.
I look at her expressionless. "Thanks Lyn" she seems shock to what I've said.
"H-how did...you?"
"I just know."
"You are lying. How did you know that name?"
"I thought you are just a familiar face but to think that you are Lyn. The very friend I made in human world." I pause and continue..."Did you know that this new power that I acquired has the ability, the eyes of blue phoenixis. I can see the humans or angels past life and future. Just one look at your eyes, I can see what happen to you these past few weeks and days. Anyways how did you acquire your memory?"
"I don't know."
"It is when I put an end to my existence right? And To think the manager who bullies me and over working me is Abigail."
She immediately put her knees on the floor, bowed her and..."Your holiness. We didn't mean to be rude at you cause we still don't know that you are the goddess.
"Bygones be bygones."