Each step sent an empty echo through the dazzling hallway, the sound of shifting armor bouncing around the pearl-laden quartz. Oil paintings hung from the walls, flanking him as he marched toward the courtroom. Nearing the jewel-laden gates, two attendants came forward, clothed in dazzling white robes, and swung open the doors.
Filing into the stands, Zeniph recognized several of his friends. The central area was empty, as the case hadn't started yet. Perfect time for catching up, he thought.
Just as he was about to move further in search of someone he knew, his good friend Enom approached him.
"Finally back. How was it? Did you find the crystal?"
Zeniph sighed, plopping down into a seat. He motioned with his hand for Enom to do likewise.
"The crystal was destroyed in the fight, but we managed to break the gate as well. They will naturally lose numbers from their ranks as the millennia go by," Zeniph answered.
More angels began joining their midst, shuffling closer in order to hear of the voyage.
"When's the next expedition?"
Pursing his lips, Zeniph moved into deeper thought. It was strange. As a war angel, he always had a backlog of things to do, but strangely enough, his schedule had cleared up right before the ruling.
"I don't know. The date hasn't been set yet. But I think it will happen within the next fifty or so years. It's quite urgent to uproot the remnants of the demons from the fortress."
Exchanges continued for a while before the loud toll of the bell sounded, silencing the mass instantly. From the entrance came two beings, bound by chains of light, each surrounded by an escort of warriors.
At the high seat sat the judge, his face covered, his snow-white robes adorned with sapphires and rubies. His voice sounded like low thunder, and his halo flickered as he spoke.
"For the sin of betraying the order, by becoming traitors and giving the vile demons the artifacts of Heaven, thou shalt be chained under the mountains of Mill, in eternal darkness and emptiness. There shall be no light nor sound, and thee shall be isolated from all other creations until you complete your sentence."
The strike of the hammer sounded, and after a brief pause, the prisoners were escorted out, ending the trial.
"So… who's going to be retrieving those?"
Zeniph glanced behind him, looking at the questioner. It was a good question. Resources were adequate, but the retrieval of artifacts was certainly not something just anyone could handle—especially not if they were in the hands of a higher-rank fallen.
"Gazon will probably go. He is the only one available for something like this."
"Can't you, Zeniph?"
"I was told to remain in the court until summoned by the judge. It wasn't up for discussion."
The mass began to disperse, each tending to their previous task.
Meanwhile, Zeniph went to the gardens. The glass canopy encompassed the indoor forest, housing trees and plants of all kinds, from cedars to pine to cherry. A crystal river trickled through the plane, with white stags quietly drinking from it.
Standing in a cut-stone plaza was a gold basin, filled to the brim with still water. It was not a familiar sight to him, as portal basins were usually found only in archive keepers' libraries.
Walking up to it, he gave a quick chant, and after a while, it opened, showing the world of humans. He crossed his arms, leaning on the edge, letting their actions play before him.
"The Lord's creation is beautiful, is it not?"
The judge had walked up to him without him even noticing.
"They are. After all, they were created in His image. Sadly, they were only given His looks, not His knowledge."
"But isn't that part of their beauty? You don't look to a sparrow to ask it to cast magic, do you?"
Zeniph considered it for a while before answering.
"A sparrow has its purpose of singing praise with its blessed song, but all a human does is sin, blaspheme the Lord, and then be forgiven the next day. They live fickle lives, only tending to themselves."
"A human can give the greatest love, and its compassion is greater than any angel's. Their souls are built not for servitude, but for blessing."
"Yet they are more of a plague than a help to the world. Look at them—wars and slaughter against each other, for no logical reason whatsoever."
The judge let out a deep sigh, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He came closer, standing across from Zeniph.
"I was worried I made the wrong choice. But thankfully, you have reassured me. We have had this conversation many times, yet you never seem to understand. And I have found the problem. From your point of view, they are insignificant germs plaguing a perfect creation."
Pausing for a moment, he reconsidered his next words before continuing.
"Perhaps, when you live like one, you will see from their view that their life isn't as simple as you imagine it."
"Oh, their life is simple. Sin and be forgiven, live a short life, and enter paradise for all eternity. Yet here we are—bleeding and fighting—and all we get is another mission in return."
"Do you regret your servitude?"
Zeniph rose from the basin and walked to the edge of the plaza, gazing deeper into the forest. He answered in a heavy voice, already imagining what came next.
"Never. But… I simply think it's unjust."
Silence lingered for several minutes, the weight of the conversation sinking in. They often conversed on the fairness of the worlds, but Zeniph had a feeling this was the last time the judge would use words to try and convince him.
"The best way to show is through action, and the best way to learn is through experience. You will be made human and live like a human. Your divinity shall be sealed, but you will be able to learn the ways of humans."
END OF CHAPTER 1