---
Samuel followed Selaphiel through the glowing pathways of the training dimension, his mind still trying to absorb the information she had shared. The sheer complexity of the angelic hierarchy, the responsibilities they bore, and the existence of 72 demon pillars in Hell made everything he thought he knew seem insignificant.
Before he could voice his thoughts, the air around them shifted. A strange sensation passed through his body as the golden skies of the training dimension flickered and faded. The next moment—
They were somewhere else.
Samuel blinked, disoriented by the sudden change in scenery. The warm celestial glow of the training dimension was gone, replaced by the dim light of a human bedroom.
"Where are we?" Samuel asked, his voice quiet.
"The human world," Selaphiel answered simply.
Samuel turned, taking in their surroundings. The room was small, the furniture sparse. A child's toys were scattered across the floor, and a tiny bed sat in the corner. In it, a little girl lay curled up beneath a thin blanket, her breathing slow and peaceful.
But something was wrong.
Samuel felt it immediately—a dark presence lingering in the room. And then, his eyes locked onto the creature standing at the foot of the girl's bed.
It was hunched over, its skin the color of dried blood. Its limbs were elongated, fingers curling into sharp, blackened claws. A sickly aura radiated from its body, making Samuel's stomach turn.
Selaphiel's expression hardened. "You're too late."
The demon turned its head, revealing hollow black eyes. A grin spread across its grotesque face, exposing jagged, yellowed teeth.
"An angel," it hissed. "Two, even. How… fortunate."
Samuel clenched his fists. "It's strong," he muttered.
Selaphiel remained unfazed. "Not strong enough."
The demon let out a guttural chuckle. Then, without warning—
It lunged.
Samuel barely had time to react before Selaphiel moved. She blurred forward, moving faster than his eyes could track. A silver sword materialized in her hands, its blade humming with divine energy.
With a single swing, she parried the demon's claws, sending it skidding across the room. The walls trembled from the impact.
The air vibrated with celestial energy as she advanced, her every movement precise, controlled. Samuel could only watch in awe. This was a true warrior angel in action.
The demon snarled and lunged again. This time, Selaphiel sidestepped, slamming her foot into its chest. The force sent it crashing into the wall, leaving a deep crack in the plaster.
The demon let out an inhuman screech and split into three.
Samuel's eyes widened as the room filled with identical copies of the creature, each grinning in malice.
Selaphiel sighed. "Cheap tricks."
She raised her sword, and a pulse of divine energy surged from the blade. The wave of light tore through the room, instantly shattering two of the illusions. The real demon stumbled back, its form flickering.
Selaphiel wasted no time.
In a blink, she was in front of it, her sword piercing its chest.
The demon let out a strangled scream before its body began to disintegrate, fading into black smoke.
Samuel exhaled, tension leaving his body. "That was… fast."
Selaphiel flicked her sword, causing the remaining darkness to dissolve. "Demons like that are pests. They only succeed if no one is there to stop them."
Samuel glanced at the sleeping child. "She didn't even wake up."
"She wouldn't," Selaphiel said. "She's protected."
Samuel frowned. "Why was it after her?"
Selaphiel sighed, sheathing her sword. "The girl's mother is a faithful believer. She prays for her child every night. That alone makes her daughter a target. Her stepmother is a witch that serves a pillar and the pillars of hell would gladly destroy souls with the mark of Christ to strike fear into the heart of believers also trying to prove serving the heavenly father doesn't mean you're invincible."
Samuel tensed. "That's why that thing came for her?"
"Yes. The girl has the mark of Christ." Selaphiel's voice was firm. "That means she must be protected at all costs."
Samuel frowned. "But what about the stepmother? You said she was a witch. Why don't we do something about her?"
Selaphiel shook her head. "It's not her time."
Samuel narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?"
"It means that divine intervention isn't always immediate," Selaphiel said. "The stepmother's choices have set her on a dark path, but she still has free will. If she doesn't change, her judgment will come. But for now, our job is to protect the innocent, not punish the wicked."
Samuel exhaled, running a hand through his hair. This world of angels and demons was more complicated than he had imagined.
Selaphiel turned back to the child. "She'll be safe now. But this won't be the last time you face something like this."
Samuel swallowed hard.
He already knew that.
---
After the Mission
When they returned to the training dimension, Samuel found himself exhausted.
Selaphiel had done all the fighting, but the sheer tension of the encounter had drained him. He sat on the edge of a floating platform, staring into the endless golden horizon.
Selaphiel stood beside him, arms crossed.
"You're thinking too much again," she said.
Samuel exhaled. "It's hard not to."
She gave him a knowing look. "It always is at first."
He hesitated before asking, "Have you ever lost someone?"
Selaphiel was silent for a moment. Then, she answered, "Yes."
Samuel glanced at her.
"The battle between Heaven and Hell is eternal," she continued. "We do what we can, but we can't save everyone. Some fall through the cracks. Some choose to walk into darkness."
Her gaze turned distant. "I've lost friends. Comrades. Even those I once called family."
Samuel clenched his fists. "That… doesn't sound very divine."
Selaphiel smiled sadly. "Even angels have burdens, Samuel."
He looked away, thinking.
Maybe being an angel wasn't as perfect as he had once imagined. Maybe it was full of hard choices, just like human life.
Selaphiel's voice softened. "You're stronger than you think. And you'll need to be. An angel of your status should not need to move before you kill a lowly demon like that. Demons just like angels have ranks. That demon is equivalent to a two winged angel, it's also a fifth rank, the fourth rank is equivalent to a four winged angel, the third to a six winged angel, the second to an eighth winged angel and a first rank or pillar to a ten winged angel. Lucifer was a fourteen winged angel but when he fell he lost a pair that's a price all fallen angels must pay. Any questions ?"
" Ramiel explained to me that the twelve winged angels are disciples of the fourteen winged angels and have seven disciples meaning we have fourtynine angels on par with the most powerful being in hell."
"I understand your question. Have you ever wondered why the name of Jesus always prevails? If the Lord commands, we can wipe all forces of darkness from the face of the earth. Light has and will always be stronger than darkness. They also have a role to play which is why they still roam the realms. I told you the hierarchy to let you know you choose the right side and also as a warning. A single seraphim is enough to wipe all demons from existence and we have seven. Take pride in the side you have chosen, never doubt and believe. Now let's start your training. You are a four winged angel it's time you learn what powers your second pairs of winged hold."
Samuel sighed, closing his eyes. He still had a long way to go.
But for now, he would rest.
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