Gerard was confused. No—more than confused. He was standing barefoot in an arena of polished white stone, armed with nothing but his own two fists. His heart was hammering so loudly he could barely think.
Why am I here? Why do I have to fight for my life?
One thing he knew for certain—no one was going to swoop in and save him this time. Michael wasn't even pretending to watch. Gerard swallowed hard and tried to think of a plan, any plan—
TRUM PUM PUUUUUUUM—!
Trumpets blared, echoing around the massive coliseum. The crowd—thousands of angels of every shape and size—roared in anticipation.
A tall, muscular woman stepped forward, her bright red hair tied behind her in a severe braid. Her combat uniform looked sleek and advanced, nothing like the robes the others wore. Despite her warrior's build, she was strikingly beautiful.
"I am Aries—the Angel of War!" she bellowed, her voice echoing like a battle drum. "It's only fitting that I do the introductions—since it has been too long."
"..."
Gerard just stared, dumbfounded. She's… really loud.
"Let's get this show on the road!" Aries continued, one gloved hand on her hip. "For the crime of harboring tainted blood, Gerard has been charged with a trial by combat!"
"Wait, tainted blood?" Gerard croaked, raising his hand. "That's not my fault! My parents… I've never even met them! You can't punish me for something I didn't—"
"You're right," Aries interrupted.
Gerard blinked. "R-really?"
"This isn't fair at all." She smiled.
"Exactly! That's what I've been sayi—"
She threw something at his feet. CLANG.
"Here."
Gerard looked down at the massive sword lying in the dust.
"…That's not what I—"
"Good luck, young lad!" Aries called, already vanishing in a flash of red light. "If you win, I promise to make you my apprentice!"
"WAIT—"
Too late. She was gone.
A gust of wind tore across the arena. Dust and grit flew into Gerard's face, and he coughed, squinting at the swirling funnel cloud gathering across from him.
The vortex collapsed, revealing a lean man in a dark ninja uniform. His eyes were empty, focused only on killing.
"Pick it up," Wind whispered. His voice was soft—almost disappointed.
Gerard's hands trembled as he bent to grab the sword. It was ridiculously heavy—like lifting a whole tree. His heart was going a mile a minute. But he knew if he didn't fight, he'd die here.
"Here I come," Wind murmured. He raised his hand.
"Wind magic… Spirit Storm."
SWISH—
A burst of air blasted past Gerard with such speed he only felt it after it was gone.
"…Tch. I missed," Wind muttered.
Missed? Gerard thought. That would've killed me if it hit.
He did the only thing he could think of. He screamed and charged.
"AAAAAAGGGGHHH!"
He swung the sword with all his strength—wild, clumsy arcs that the elemental dodged without effort.
"Is that all you can do?" Wind asked, voice bored.
"JUST SHUT UP!" Gerard yelled, swinging again and again.
No form. No technique. Just desperation.
"Storm Burst."
Wind flicked his hand. Another blast of air hammered Gerard in the chest, sending him skidding backward. His feet burned on the white stones—but he didn't stop running forward.
"Oh?" Aries said from the stands, her arms folded. "Impressive."
"Must be his nephilim blood," Travel sneered beside her.
But Aries's eyes narrowed. "…Wait. Nephilim… and angelic aura? Don't tell me—"
In a flash of red lightning, she disappeared from the stands.
Wind was done playing. His hands rose, palms glowing.
"Ultimate Wind Magic—Wind Wave."
A wall of gale-force energy tore toward Gerard, shredding space itself.
If I stop, it'll hit me. If I run, it'll catch me. If I beg… it'll still kill me.
There was no choice. He raised the sword, feeling something—some power—flicker in his blood.
He hurled it.
"PLEASE HIT!"
Time slowed.
The sword gleamed mid-air. Its edge sharpened, impossibly fine. The air itself seemed to recoil.
Wind turned just as Aries's voice boomed across the arena:
"WIND—LOOK OUT!"
But it was too late.
He twisted, trying to redirect the blade with a gust—
STAB.
The sword pierced his chest.
"H…how?" Wind gasped, looking down at the impossible wound.
"Don't," Gerard whispered.
BOOM.
The explosion swallowed the arena in blinding smoke.
---
Silence.
"Did…did I just win?" Gerard whispered, blinking through the haze.
He felt no pain. Not even a scratch.
Am I…indestructible?
CLANK.
Metal slammed into metal to his right.
CLANK. CLANK.
On his left. In front of him. Behind him.
Someone was fighting. Someone unbelievably strong.
Gerard didn't dare move.
"Now, now," a familiar voice drawled behind him. "The kid won fair and square, Aries."
Smoke parted. Michael stood there, three massive swords crossed in his hands. Aries glared at him, her own blade pressing against his.
"He killed Wind," she spat. "So I'll kill him."
"Sorry, no can do," Michael said cheerfully. "Since he won, that means I continue as his guardian."
"You knew, didn't you?" Aries shouted. "You knew he had angelic blood—you knew he'd survive!"
"I might have suspected."
With a roar, she blitzed past Michael and raised her sword high above Gerard.
SWISH.
The swing was fast enough to annihilate universes.
CRASH.
Michael blocked the strike with one arm, the impact blasting the arena into rubble. Gerard crouched behind him, trembling.
"I think…I saw the light," he stammered.
"Don't worry," Michael said calmly. "Wind didn't die. I had Travel teleport him to the Elemental Sanctuary before the explosion. He's getting treatment."
Aries exhaled slowly. "…If you're lying, I'll kill you both."
"Not until after you train the kid," Michael said, gesturing at Gerard. "You promised."
"Tsk." She looked Gerard up and down like she was appraising a defective weapon. "Fine. I'll train him. He'll become a mighty warrior." She turned in a swirl of red energy. "But if you're lying—"
She vanished.
Gerard dropped to his knees, panting.
"…Does it always feel like this up here?" he asked.
Michael sighed and rubbed his temples.
"Welcome to Heaven," he muttered.