The bellowing clouds scattered as an Archangel arrived on the heaven's gate. The gate then opened with trumpets blowing. The Archangel knelt as soon as he stood in front of three marbled thrones.
"I have returned higher ones to report about Midnight." Says the Archangel
"Go on." Answers one
"The five souls that he reaped we're from stained ones. Their guardian angels can testify or object. Replied the Archangel
"Very well, call upon their keepers." States another
The 5 angels came and knelt.
"Speak." Says one of the higher ones
"They we're kind souls before and we had sheperd them the best way we can. But when they met that man..everything changed." Says one of the angels
"That man?" Asks the Archangel
"Yes they met a very mysterious man, a middle aged man, he might be a businessman from the way he talks and his style of clothing." Answers another angel
"It's Midnight i suppose higher ones." States the Archangel
"No it was not the reaper..he has a soul, however, it was irregular for a soul." One of the angels spoke
"What do you mean an irregular soul?" Asks one of the higher ones
"I'm not quite sure but it seems his soul is hollow.."
"How come it is hollow?" Asks the Archangel.
"There is no light from his soul, it's as if like an empty husk."
The moment they heard it from the angel, the three higher ones stood up with eyes widened.
"It cannot be!" Says one
"Is it a demon higher one?" Asks the angels
"No..it is beyond your comprehension. Regular demons cannot obtain a soul, that is how they differ from us or the humans, that is what they desire, that is what they're after in this world. But for one to have a soul? It is no ordinary demon." Answers one of the higher ones.
"That also means lesser evil has already set foot on this plane." Added another
"What do you mean higher ones?" Asks the Archangel
"The Prime Evil." They answered
"Is there even such a being?" The Archangel asked
"Before we even existed, there are these two who scales the balance. The Prime Beings; The Maker and The Destroyer."
"So this man is The Destroyer?!" Asked the Archangel.
"We are uncertain, there is only one way to find out.."
The higher ones met with the Thrones, Cherubims and the Highest of them, the Seraphims. They relayed the situation and without any thought the Seraphs gave an immediate order. In an echoing and thundering voice one of the Seraphs spoke.
"Descend Hand of God, Bearers of the Light! Speak his truth, do his bidding! Let no shadow take form, let no evil make name! Cleanse his creations and praise his divinity!"
The army of angels and archangels descended from the heavens and scattered all over the world to hunt the evil that walks the earth. Back above, the higher ranking beings are awaiting orders.
"Cometh forth oh lamb of the Lord, taketh my blessing and seeketh thy evil. Strike him down in his holy name."
The 7 Powers knelt and received the Seraph's blessing. Afterwards they dispersed with flashing speed to hunt down the Prime Evil. The Thrones went to the very corners of heaven and created a seal to strengthen the heaven's security. The Cherubims approaced the Seraphs.
"Is it the proper time to weigh-in one of the Archangel's actions?" Asks one of the Cherubs
"Perhaps it is." Replies one of the Seraphs
"Summon him" says another Seraph
The Cherub turned and waved his hand then spoke..
"Heed my call, cometh home."
Down on the church, the Tyriel oversees Serena who was on her way to work. He was standing above the church's roof when a bright yellow light shot down from heaven onto him. He knew immediately that he is being summoned so he spread his wings and flew home.
When he got there, he quickly knelt and bowed down in surprise. He thought the higher ones were the ones who summoned him, but to see the Thrones, Cherubims and the Seraphims, he wasn't expecting this, he was shaking.
"It is my greatest honor to be bestowed upon by your shining grace oh greater ones!" Tyriel stated
"Sayeth thy name" a Cherub ordered
"Tyriel oh greater one." He answered still on his knees
"Such a wonderful name you have, do you know why you are here in this council?" Asked a Throne
"No, your greatness."
"What is an Archangel's sole purpose Tyriel?" Asked a Cherub
"As a War Saint, i am heaven's sword and shield against evil in this world." He replied
"Were you given an order to shepherd a soul?" Asked another Cherub
"No, your greatness." Tyriel answered in fear
"Then why has it come to our attention that you are becoming unreliable of your task?" A Cherub asked
"I do not understand, your greatness." Tyriel trying to deny
"This mortal woman, what is her name?" Asked a Throne
Tyriel's silence broke inside of him all of a sudden. He was caught off guard with that question. He kept playing hundreds of reasons in his head to cover up the matter but he knew he cannot lie.
"Serena, your greatness. Her name is Serena." Tyriel answered with a shaking voice
The Thrones, Cherubims and the Seraphims all looked at one another in surprise after hearing her name.
"Do you shepherd this mortal's soul?" Asked a Throne
"No, your greatness, i am merely protecting her from the reaper, her keeper died in the hands of Midnight and i did what i thought was right." Tyriel answered
"You knew it was her time, yet you disobeyed the law."
"She was too young your greatness, she has so much to live for."
"Divine intervention is forbidden, you know that. Tell us, do you hold any mortal emotions towards this woman?"
"N-no, your greatness. I do not."
"Then why is there a hesitation in your answer?"asked a Cherub
"To whom does your loyalty stand for Tyriel?" Added another Cherub
"To the Lord, i am his vassal and creation." Tyriel answered
The Thrones and Cherubims paused for a while and turned to the Seraphims for their blessing.
"Will you continue being this woman's guardian?" A Throne asks
"I will if i have to, your greatness."
"And you will, as redemption." Says a Cherub
Another Cherubim walks towards Tyriel and drew his sword, he stopped in front of him then taps the floor with its tip. A huge golden circle appeared from where Tyriel knelt then shined ever so bright. The next thing Tyriel knew was his wings are in flames, they were burning and all he can do is scream in agonizing pain. The feathers from his purely white wings slowly turned to shades of cream, ash and khaki.
"Your bonds with the holy light had weakened, so you are hereby sentenced for your disobedience. You will shepherd this woman's soul, you will stand as her keeper until her time comes. Tyriel, the weight of your actions will also weigh your name down. From an Archangel, i now denounce you as a guardian angel. Your sins had been absolved." Says the Cherub
Although still in agonizing pain and the disgrace he received, Tyriel once again bowed down his head. With tears running down his face he said.
"I am ever thankful for your mercy oh greater ones. I, Tyriel, will never fail you again."
Tyriel slowly and shakingly stood up and walked down the long stairs. He chose to walk since his wings are still painful and the new plumage of feathers are still too soft.
The Thrones and Cherubims turned to the Seraphims and in a lowly voice uttered.
"It happened again. It is but a cycle we can never avoid." Says a Throne
"Don't you trust his faith?" Asked a Cherub
"He hesitated." Says a Throne
"Mortal emotions are nothing but corruption." Added another Throne.
"What will happen if he fails this time?" A Cherubim asked a Seraphim
"Then we are left with no choice but to let Midnight collect his dues." The Seraphim answered.
The other angels sighed in sadness as they disappeared from the council hall one after the other.
Meanwhile, it started to rain heavily on the city. Serena ran to a nearby cafe to find shelter, she was upset because she wanted to go home right away. So instead she ordered a cup of coffee, she sat down and waited for the rain to stop. As she was sipping her coffee she noticed a man walking right across the street. What caught her attention was not this man's pretty face or his well-fitted black tux, but the things happening as this man walks past a crowd. One after another, the people collapsed to the ground like flies on a swatter. The next thing she heard were screaming and commotions from the surrounding stalls. She ran out to see what is really happening to the people. When she got there they were all dead, their eyes were hallowed with no pupils or irises, they were as grey as the skies. She remembered the man and searched for him, she ran after his direction but he was nowhere to be found. She reached for her phone on her pocket and called an ambulance. In front of the cafe, the angels of the dead victims gathered in terror of what they witnessed. When an Archangel arrived, they told him about the man, the Archangel immediately scanned his surroundings for this man but the same with Serena, he was gone.
"T-their s-s-souls had been sucked dry.." says an angel shaking in fear
"Was it the reaper?" The Archangel asked.
"N-no. I-it wasn't. It was something else!" One of the angels answered
"Then the higher ones were right. The Prime Evil is here."