Celestia flew high above the clouds, the air growing thinner as she ascended toward the gates of heaven. The weight of everything that had happened on Earth pressed on her heart. Kaito's struggle, Seraphina's influence, the dangerous pull of the Abyss—it all swirled in her mind as she approached the celestial realm. She needed guidance, but more than that, she needed to protect him.
When she arrived at the grand gates of the heavenly city, they swung open silently, revealing the radiant light of her home. The towering spires of pure, gleaming stone rose up to meet the skies, and the ethereal glow of angelic beings floated in every corner. It was a peaceful sight, but today, Celestia's heart felt anything but peaceful.
Her father, the Archangel Imperius, awaited her in the grand hall. His presence, as always, was imposing, radiating an aura of both divine authority and an almost unbearable weight. His armor gleamed under the soft light of the heavenly sphere, and his sharp, piercing gaze met hers as she approached.
"Father," Celestia began, kneeling in respect before him. "I've come to report the situation on Earth."
Imperius remained silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing as if he could see through her words to the very core of her being. Finally, he spoke, his voice a deep, resonant sound that echoed through the halls. "You allowed the Abyss to claim a mortal."
Celestia's breath caught in her throat. She had expected him to be disappointed, perhaps even angry, but there was something in his tone that chilled her to the bone. She looked up, her wings twitching nervously. "I… I did not allow it. Kaito was pulled into the Abyss before I could intervene. But he is fighting it. He can still be saved."
Imperius shook his head slowly, his expression hardening. "You are blind, Celestia. You have grown too attached to the human. His soul is tainted now, marked by the Abyssal power. You cannot save him."
Her heart sank. She had feared this reaction, but hearing it from her father's lips felt like a final blow. "But, Father, he's strong. I've seen him resist the Abyss. With time, he can—"
"No." Imperius' voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. "I have already taken measures to ensure the safety of our realm and the mortal world."
Celestia's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean?"
Imperius turned, gesturing toward the great doors at the far end of the hall. As they swung open, five figures stepped into the room—five angels, their white armor shining like the sun, their faces grim and resolute. Each one bore a symbol of divine judgment on their chest, marking them as Heaven's enforcers.
"The Seraphim," Celestia whispered, her voice barely audible. These were no ordinary angels. The Seraphim were Heaven's elite, tasked with executing the will of the divine with unwavering precision.
Imperius nodded. "They have already been dispatched to Earth. Their mission is clear: eliminate any and all threats posed by the Abyss and those who harbor its power."
"No!" Celestia stepped forward, her wings flaring in protest. "Father, you can't do this! Kaito is not a threat. He's still human—he's still good!"
Imperius' gaze softened slightly, but his voice remained resolute. "I understand your feelings, Celestia. But the Abyss cannot be allowed to take root in this world. It is a poison, and Kaito is already infected."
Celestia's heart raced as she turned toward the Seraphim, her mind reeling. They had already left. Even now, they were descending upon Earth, hunting Kaito and anyone connected to the Abyss.
"How could you?" Celestia's voice cracked with emotion. "He's innocent! He didn't choose this!"
Imperius remained silent for a moment before speaking. "The Abyss chose him. And we cannot risk the corruption of the mortal realm. He will be purged, along with any who stand in the way of Heaven's peace."
Celestia's hands clenched into fists, her wings trembling with the force of her anger. This wasn't justice—it was blind destruction. Kaito was trying to control the Abyss, not give in to it. And Seraphina, for all her flaws, had been helping him.
"You're sentencing him to death," she said, her voice low but filled with fury. "You're sentencing them all to death."
Imperius' eyes flashed with a rare hint of emotion, but he said nothing in response. His silence spoke louder than any words could.
Celestia's mind raced. She had to get back to Earth—she had to warn Kaito. But even as the thought crossed her mind, doubt gnawed at her. The Seraphim were powerful, far more powerful than any human or demon. Even with Seraphina's help, could Kaito really stand against Heaven's elite?
She turned to leave, her wings spreading wide as she prepared to take flight, but her father's voice stopped her.
"Celestia," Imperius said, his tone softening slightly. "Do not defy Heaven's will. If you interfere, I will have no choice but to consider you a traitor to our cause."
Celestia froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never defied her father before, never gone against the will of Heaven. But now, standing at the precipice of this decision, she knew that her loyalty was being tested in ways she had never imagined.
Her thoughts were consumed with Kaito's face—the fear, the determination, the kindness he had shown even in the darkest moments. Could she really let him be destroyed for something beyond his control?
Without turning back, Celestia took off, her wings beating against the air as she soared toward the gates of heaven once more. She had made her choice.
As she descended toward Earth, the wind whipping around her, one thought echoed in her mind: I have to stop them. I have to save him.
But deep down, she knew that the battle ahead would be unlike anything she had ever faced before.