Heaven.
- "So, this is the Seventh Heaven and God's home? It's kind of empty," I commented, looking around.
I'd imagined a lot of things, but not what the movies, comic books, and so on portrayed. The seventh floor was practically a replica of the Great Temple of Solomon's Time, meaning there was a circular platform of plain gray stone, clouds floating around it, four columns, and a wide staircase up to the top, where there was a simple-looking throne.
Not that I was expecting a flashy palace, white endless clouds acting as a floor, or even a simple house like a normal average person, but something like this? Well, this was weird.
Only Michael and I came in here, while the rest of us preferred to stay in the Sixth Heaven. The Assassins' desire was understandable, as was Griselda's and Irina's, but not Gabriel's. She could have entered here, there was no doubt about that, and yet the seraphim chose to stay there. I wonder why? Also...
- "My father was never one for bragging," Michael said, stopping and looking at me, "So, this is what Solomon of the other world looked like? Add wings, and even I would have mistaken you for a seraphim and a brother I never knew I had.
As soon as I passed through the gates of the Seventh Heaven, my appearance was forcibly changed to that of a Servant. The rings on my fingers resonated with the place, as if meeting their relative or creator, and not just them, but something else, deep inside me. I'd even say it was the soul itself, or rather, just some part of it.
- "Wings wouldn't suit me, they're too massive. And they'd have to be hidden every time I wanted to sleep or lie down," I shrugged.
- "You'd get used to it, Romani-san," Michael said with his eternal smile, "We're here. All you need to do is occupy the Throne of Heaven."
- "I don't get it," I raised an eyebrow, "Do you want me, as they say on the Internet? 'Fuck me'?"
- "I beg your pardon? I don't know the meaning of the word, but it sounds kind of rude," he said innocently.
- "It's a synonym for 'cheat,' and it's a popular one," I rolled my eyes, "You explained that the Heavenly Throne is responsible for the power of the Heavens in principle. It's not like I promised that I would occupy it, but I'm just looking at the systems. And yes, I know that you are the core of them after his death, and it is well within your power to show them without my involvement."
- "But only you can fix the systems," Michael answered with the same face, "I only support their work, but no more, for my skills, I admit, are lacking. Letting Asia and Xenovia pray took a decent amount of time, and I'm still not sure if there are any negative consequences from my actions."
- "Now you definitely want to fact me, even though you're not lying."
- "But still, you're here, aren't you?" He asked, "I only made you an offer, but the decision was yours to make."
- "You know, you're a little too slippery for a seraphim."
- "I'll take that as a compliment."
- "I want to punish you somehow, but given your personality, I can't think of anything."
- "I'm sure you'll find a way, Mr. Romani. After all, you are Father's chosen one."
- "Just shut up."
- "If it makes you feel more comfortable, then..."
- "Now I understand why Azazel dislikes you so much. You're a walking irritant."
- "Well, well, well, don't be like that," another voice suddenly sounded, female and distinctly familiar, "Michael is not that bad. He's just doing what's necessary."
I turned sharply toward the source of the voice, and there stood...
- "Gabriel?" I raised an eyebrow, "Though no, I don't sense innocence in you. Who are you?"
- "Michael, we'll take it from here," Gabriel's clone said, ignoring me, to which Michael bowed and left the Seventh Heaven, and the realization hit me.
Who could quietly get in here, not be an angel, order Michael around, and still be unnoticed by me? Also, the ten rings were vibrating, as if....
I rubbed my temples hard and wanted a lot of coffee.
No way. She can't be an HIM, can she?
- "Why can't she?" 'Gabriel' said in a soft voice and smiled, "This is my home, isn't it?"
Aha, mind-reading, huh? Well, it's not that I'm really surprised. However, this body definitely belonged to the homunculus that Azazel and Da Vinci created. And I distinctly remember that Gabriel's clone had already begun to regain consciousness. And besides, isn't he dead?
- "Yes, that body did belong to that child, and her desire to see you again, and what supplies Azazel used, called me. And you know that a god cannot die completely until his soul is destroyed and those who believe in him are alive, right? Or did you think different rules worked for me?" She replied and began to sit down, seemingly up in the air. The next moment, however, a simple wooden chair appeared beneath her, along with a table, another chair, and a large five-liter cup of coffee.
- "Have a seat, Romani. There's no truth in feet," Gabriel continued, to which I silently did as she said, keeping my eyes on her, practically out of breath and not touching the cup, "And by the way, there's this child."
With a wave of her hand, particles of light began to gather near her, forming the silhouette of a human child, and then the light faded, revealing a replica of Gabriel, but about ten years old, just like Ophis. She looked at me, and I looked at her, as if we were back to the day when that little girl first opened her eyes in her tank.
I experienced a strange feeling, for even though I did not, in fact, know her, it was as if there was some kind of connection between us, hard to explain, but existing nonetheless.
Under my and Gabriel's gazes, the girl walked toward me and held out her palm, clearly urging me to repeat the action in Azazel's basement. I, as if hypnotized by her, also held out my hand, replaying the same scene. At this, the girl smiled and climbed into my lap, and I didn't know what to think basically. And that, again, was very strange.
- "Congratulations, Romani, you've just become a father," said 'Gabriel'.
- "That doesn't make sense," I replied, creating a regular sized cup and scooping coffee from the large one and taking a sip, "Azazel and Da Vinci created her, even if it was at my request and for a different purpose."
- "But that's how it worked out, isn't it? And even if you don't admit it, the child has already decided for both of you," 'Gabriel' smiled, watching as the girl reached for my cup with her hands and wanted to taste the coffee.
- "Let's just cut to the chase, okay?" I asked as the girl tasted the coffee and wrinkled her nose at the bitterness, but continued to drink as if to prove something to both me and herself, "I suppose Michael acted on your request? And since you are 'alive' again, why not announce it?"
- "No, he acted of his own free will," 'Gabriel' shook her head, "I originally didn't want to show myself, but with the help of the Throne, Michael was able to learn about me, find me and contact me. It was my miscalculation, which frankly I'm a little ashamed to admit. I'm sure you know the answer to your second question, you just want to hear it from me."
Well, he, or still she, was right. His return could have some pretty big repercussions, because even if he had lost some of his powers, which was both possible and not, his influence hadn't gone anywhere.
The demons and the Fallen would be worried, for they had fought against him. The other mythologies wouldn't have been much different, since the Biblical one was the strongest and most influential. The most important reason, I suppose, was technological advancement, which religion tended to limit.
- "You're right," 'Gabriel' nodded, "Other mythologies only built up power because of fear of mine. When I left, the need for that was gone, and the gods let the people live on their own. Not completely, of course, but with minimal interference, especially when compared to when I was still 'alive'. That was the point of the Sacred Gears system, because people needed protection."
- "What changed?" I raised an eyebrow and, taking the cup from the girl's hands, stroked her head, "You could have just sat quietly, because only Michael knew about you."
- "No secret stays that way for long. They would have found out about me, one way or another. What about your first question?" she said and smiled enigmatically, "What would you think if you knew the true reason for your appearance in this world? Or rather, your return here?"
- "What?"
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