Eliakim's voice cracked with disbelief. "A human? You never told us… that the power of the Legendary Angel must pass to a mortal! And you—" he turned toward Sélène, shaken— "you knew?" He buried his face in his hand, overwhelmed. "How can that be possible? How could a human master such power in the little time we have left?"
Esrom, still reeling, found his voice. "Why can't one of us wield it? Why not an angel?"
Robert fixed his gaze on him, calm but firm. "Because every angel is born with unique faculties of their own. To force new powers upon them would tear them apart. Humans, on the other hand, are born without such gifts. Gaining new abilities transforms them. And if it is the power of the Legendary Angel… then that human would become the new Legendary Angel."
Gabriel lowered his head, resigned. "And do you really believe there are humans capable of controlling such a force—now, of all times?"
Robert leaned back, lost in thought. "There are humans with… predispositions. Some who are capable of things that defy all expectation. With training, they could harness the power of the Legendary Angel. And we mustn't forget—we still have the Source."
Achaz's head snapped up. "The Source? You intend to send a human there?"
Esrom grimaced. "But time is the problem! The path to the Source is long and perilous, even for us. How could a human survive it?"
Sélène's eyes gleamed with conviction. "Not necessarily. During the Great Carnage, I saw humans reach the Source—and return—faster than many angels."
Achaz snorted. "During the Carnage, Earth still had great warriors. Those days are long gone."
"There must still be rare gems out there," Sélène insisted, her voice sharp with defiance.
Achaz only laughed mockingly.
Gabriel's patience snapped. "Enough! Who will be tasked with finding this so-called rare gem?"
Sélène opened her mouth, ready to volunteer, but Robert raised a hand. His voice was steady, unshakable.
"I will. It's my burden to bear."
Sélène looked at him with quiet compassion, but said nothing.
Gabriel nodded, his tone softened. "Very well. This crisis meeting is over. You may all leave."
The angels rose. Achaz lingered as he passed Robert, a smug grin tugging at his lips. "I do hope you find the right person."
Later, when the others had gone, Robert remained seated, lost in his thoughts. Sélène stood beside him, her voice gentle but insistent.
"You know, you don't have to do this alone. If you can't—"
"I'll endure," Robert interrupted calmly. "There's no need to worry so much. What's done is done. All we can do now is move forward."
A heavy silence settled between them.
"And if she intervenes?" Sélène's voice was lower, edged with fear.
Robert's expression hardened. "Then let us pray she does not."
Night draped itself over the vast metropolis. Robert soared above the cityscape, his wings slicing the air as he watched life unfold below. He saw laughter and carelessness, but also thieves and brigands slinking in the alleys. Humanity—so frail, so flawed. He alighted upon the rooftop of a tall building and stared down at the city lights.
"The humans…" he murmured to himself. "The longer time passes, the more they worsen. Their values wither… and yet, we are meant to protect them."
Drawn by the sound of waves, he took flight again, gliding toward the ocean. But suddenly, the skies darkened. Storm clouds surged, crackling with thunder. Robert stiffened, his senses sharpening.
"Could it be…" he whispered.
Three bolts of lightning struck around him, blazing bright. From their glow emerged three figures—three young men whose eyes gleamed with cruel delight. Katrem, Klar, and Kor—the Dark Archangels of Thunder.
Katrem smirked. "Out for a moonlit stroll, Robert? We could keep you company… if you like."
Robert's hand tightened around the hilt of his blade. "I'm not Eliakim. I don't have time for your games."
Kor grinned wickedly. "Games? Oh, Robert, who said anything about games?"
Inside, Robert's mind raced. I can't fight while I carry the coffer. But I can't let them take it either…
Klar's sharp eyes glinted. "What's that you're holding, Robert? Hiding something from us?"
Robert cursed under his breath. Damn it, he saw it.
Katrem tilted his head, feigning innocence. "Well, well… the commander of the battle archangels, personally carrying a coffer? That must be important. Why don't you show us?"
Robert drew his katana in one fluid motion, his gaze icy. "You leave me no choice."
Katrem's grin widened. "Good."
Kor echoed, "It must be important…"
"…Very important," Klar finished.
In an instant, Robert lunged, his blade clashing against staffs of thunder conjured by his foes. The rooftop lit up with their furious exchange. Lightning crackled, sparks flying as Katrem ensnared him in a blazing ring of electricity. Robert fought against it, but Kor and Klar struck him mercilessly while he struggled.
Summoning every ounce of strength, Robert's aura flared. He shattered the ring of thunder and countered with a swift strike. But then, a chilling force seized his body, locking his limbs, freezing him in place.
Terror filled his eyes. Her… the Curse! Impossible!
Katrem's grin was triumphant. "What's the matter, Robert? Feeling weak?"
Kor stepped forward, his smile cruel. "Seems luck is on our side tonight."
The three unleashed their combined attack, hurling Robert through the storm, his body crashing toward the heart of the city below.