This is a very long chapter. There is like a few of scenes that are recycled due to someone else's pov : o. There will be some scenes that are a bit rushy due to trying to capture Sera's mental state. Hopefully I pulled it off and hopefully the chapter isn't too boring
I did my best to get this chapter up before I start packing - which I haven't done so yet, ooops
I got tons of fanart to show : D, a great way to show them with a long chapter before my two week hiatus (vacation)
Thank you LunaReader and kar-main for looking through things, and provided feedback : )
I will be responding to reviews later, sorry, was in a hurry packing for my trip v.v
Chapter 22
The Past
Sera and her fellow seraphim angels watched as Adam's life slipped away before Eve and his descendants. They waited, sensing the fading pulse of his existence from Earth.
She felt a pang of anxiety. No human had yet faced death, so Adam's fate was uncertain. Their father and their elder siblings stated if Adam proved himself worthy, a white light would envelop him.
They hoped Adam joined them in Heaven and would prove to their father and the elder angels to their success in creating flawless beings to expand their realm. He was their hope, since Eve, without a doubt, would fall in Hell just like Lilith for consuming Lucifer's forbidden fruit.
Adam was their masterpiece; he had listened to every task given to him by protecting Eve and their offspring. He fulfilled his duty without complaint, endured hardships, and sacrifices.
As Adam closed his eyes, a brilliant white light, visibly only to them, surrounded him. "He's worthy!" Vineat exclaimed with great joy. Everyone else had satisfied smiles etched on their faces.
"We have achieved creating a perfect being, just as our father has done," Moro declared proudly.
As the light lingered around Adam, it slowly pulled out from the body and floated up to the sky towards them, forming a new body—identical to his former self, yet now adorned with wings and a halo with a shade that resembled Sera's.
She felt a tug at her chest while she gazed at his wings.
"It's time," Moro said, as they swiftly gathered, using their magic to transport themselves and Adam's new form to the highest peak of Heaven, where light radiated brightly.
They had agreed to make Adam more special than any potential soul that would join them in Heaven; he would become a beacon for his descendants. With their combined magic, they moved him into the rays falling from above, where, for a moment, a powerful, golden glow illuminated him before he vanished.
His sudden disappearance left everyone confused, before they all sensed a powerful presence materializing somewhere in Heaven. They quickly teleported from high above where Adam stood in front of the gates of Heaven, looking lost and scared.
The seraphim angels sang as they descended around him, celebrating for his arrival while Sera gazed at him quietly. Her heart felt heavy at the way his wings and halo no longer bore the familiar shade of her own; instead, they shimmered with a radiant gold.
"You're doing splendidly, Adam," Vineat beamed with pride while she held his hands, their bodies suspended in the sky. Adam clutched to her tightly, casting a nervous glance her way as he diligently followed instructions, striving to maintain a steady rhythm with his flapping wings.
Standing nearby, Sera smiled softly, her heart warmed at the sight of Adam's perfect form, especially as he hovered on his own once Vineat released him. Briefly, she imagined Lilith beside him, both learning to fly together, but she swiftly shoved the thoughts aside, finding them unnecessary.
Adam ascended higher into the sky, but then suddenly, he ceased flapping and plummeted down fast. Sera's stomach dropped and was about to rush forward to catch him, but Vineat swooped in, gripping his arm just in time and guided them safely to the ground.
"Are you alright, Adam?" Sera rushed to his side, restraining herself from checking him over for injuries.
Adam met her concern with an amused grin. "I'm fine," he reassured, folding his wings to his sides.
"I told you to keep moving your wings while you're in the sky," Vineat gently reminded him as she softly caressed his arm, hoping she hadn't gripped him too hard.
"I'm sorry, Vineat. I just wanted to know how it felt to fall from high above. I thought I could land safely at the last moment, but I see now I didn't think it through," Adam confessed sheepishly.
"Why?"
"Why what?" Adam tilted his head to the side.
"Why did you want to experience the sensation of falling through the sky?"
Adam hummed for a moment before shrugging. "I don't know. Probably because I never experienced it before?"
Sera and Vineat exchanged bewildered glances.
"Adam, you could have been seriously injured," Sera lectured him with a frown.
Adam immediately looked down, wings drooping in shame. "I'm sorry," he murmured.
A twinge of guilt washed over Sera for Adam's crestfallen expression. She imagined Vineat felt bad as well as she took flight, coaxing Adam to follow with an encouraging smile. Soon, Adam's spirits lifted, a small smile gracing his lips as he soared alongside her.
"Eve has passed and failed to ascend to Heaven," Moro announced within the confines of a meeting room, surrounded by the rest of the seraphim angels. "More humans are being produced, and from our observations, they too will prove to be disappointments."
"What leads you to that conclusion?" Wimdor inquired.
"You should witness their behavior on Earth firsthand," Zerachin remarked with a hint of irritation. "They bear no resemblance to our Adam."
Sera furrowed her brow, believing Moro and Zerachin to be exaggerating, but she decided she would investigate Earth herself to comprehend why her siblings believed no human would join Adam in paradise soon.
After the meeting, she sought Adam to let him know of her upcoming journey to Earth, who was creating a nest atop a towering tree with branches gathered from the forest. She decided not to burden Adam with news of Eve's descent to Hell; she had seen firsthand the complexities of their relationship on Earth and didn't want to bring back the past.
"My dear Adam," Sera greeted him, hovering beside him as he worked on arranging sticks atop the structure.
"Sera!" Adam exclaimed eagerly. "Look at what I'm making." He gestured to his nest. "It may be small for now, but I plan to make it larger so many can fit in. What do you think?"
Sera had seen Adam's creations on Earth—weapons she disapproved of and shelters that impressed her despite his lack of magic. Their Adam was truly an inventor.
"I find it quite lovely," she replied, evoking a radiant smile of pure joy from Adam, as though she had uttered the words he longed to hear. The urge to run her fingers through his soft hair surged within her, yet she refrained from acting on it.
She was unsure why she desired to touch him over the few years he's been in Heaven. The impulse was strange, and there would be times she thought about the peculiar warmth she had experienced when cradling him and Lilith close to her chest upon their creation. She wondered whether she would feel the same sensation if she held him again, a question that had plagued her for years and seemed increasingly difficult to ignore.
Perhaps distancing herself from Adam by visiting Earth would be the best for them.
"I'll be visiting Earth for a time," Sera announced. Adam peered up at her with curiosity. "There are issues with the other humans that require my attention. But fear not, another human will soon join you in paradise."
"Then I shall make sure I finish this nest before their arrival, and maybe I could create a few more around here for them," Adam suggested.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Sera replied, her hands clasped tightly together to resist reaching out to Adam. "I won't be gone long."
Adam gazed at her quietly with his golden eyes—she often wondered what color they had been before Heaven's light had changed him—a perfect match for his wings. For some reason, he appeared hesitant, his gaze flickering briefly to her hands. "Have a safe journey," he eventually offered.
Sera offered him a soft smile. Unaware of how long she had been gazing at him or the longing expression she wore, she found Adam observing her with a hopeful look that confused her as well. There seemed to be a connection between them, a feeling she couldn't decipher, almost like a string to one another. Before the sensation intensified, she teleported away.
Finally, after so long, Sera and the other seraphim angels were back in Heaven, in front of the golden gates. Twins materialized before them, and Sera's smile widened as she and her fellow angels sang, welcoming humans that proved themselves worthy to be in Heaven, just like Adam had.
The gates opened, and they walked along with the twins, singing in jubilation. Sera's gaze fell upon a figure she scarcely recognized until she spotted the golden wings folded at his side.
Adam.
Exhaustion etched lines on his face, dark circles beneath his eyes replacing the once-frequent smile. Standing beside Moro, his gold eyes dulled, he watched the twins without joining in the song.
Unaware she had stopped singing, Moro motioned to Adam.
"He's the first human to have entered Heaven," Moro explained with pride to the humans. She expected Adam to greet the newcomers with a smile right after. Instead, he regarded them with mixture of confusion and scrutiny, his eyes scanned them from head to toe, as if he found them odd. She speculated the twins' lack of human appearance perplexed Adam.
"I anticipate that you will show him the respect he deserves," Moro told the young women. "He serves as the model you ought to follow. Thanks to him, he instilled hope in us that humans could join us up in heaven."
Adam remained silent, leaving Sera puzzled. He had always been sociable with her and the other angels. Why was he refusing to talk to the new arrivals?
She exchanged concerned glances with Zerachin and Vineat, prompting Vineat to guide the twins away from Adam, who continued to watch them in silence.
Sera observed from a distance as Adam stood beside Moro whenever new humans arrived through the Gates. Each time, Adam remained aloof, offering no words to the newcomers. What troubled her even more was his apparent aversion to interacting with any of the humans at all later. Many times, he would even avert his gaze or maintain a noticeable distance, as though repelled by their presence.
He was supposed to embrace these humans, proud that some of his descendants had proven themselves worthy. Instead, he seemed intent on pushing them away.
She wondered if something happened to him in Heaven while she was gone. But… nothing terrible would have happened to him in paradise since it was a safe haven.
Struggling to contain her frustration, Sera reassured herself that he would eventually come around. To distract herself, she did her best to befriend the humans or watch over those still on Earth, all while hoping Adam would finally get his act together since he had a role to play among his people. Yet, as the years passed and his hostility towards his people persisted, she continued to grow increasingly disappointed in him.
"Some of the humans have been looking rather off lately," Uner remarked during a meeting with Sera and the others. "And unfortunately, the melancholy seems to be spreading."
"I wonder why that is," Vineat mused softly.
"I believe the reason is quite clear," Moro interjected in a grave tone, drawing puzzled glances from the assembled angels. "They are emulating their example, and I am not the only one who has noticed... our Adam has been off for the past hundred years."
Sera didn't say a word, suppressing the ache in her chest and the mounting frustration at the fact Adam had continued to act as if the humans carried some sort of disease.
"We should help him," Uner proposed.
"And how would you propose we do that?" Zerachin inquired, all the eyes on his 'head' narrowed, while Moro pondered for a solution.
"I've noticed that he hasn't smiled once since our return to Heaven after all these years," Vineat said. "Perhaps he's forgotten how. We could teach him. And I think I know just the thing."
Everyone looked at one another with uncertainty at Vineat's possible suggestion, but since no one else had any idea what to do, Sera nodded her to continue.
Vineat went ahead and conjured a white mask adorned with a bright smile. "This should encourage him when he sees how a smile can brighten everyone around him."
Nothing seemed to work. Adam insisted not to interact with the other humans, and now he would waste a lot of his time sleeping in his nest.
Sera had the urge to grab Adam, shake him, demand to know what was wrong, and ask why he couldn't just be happy. Yet, she forced herself to ignore him for now, as more humans were joining Heaven and she had a duty to watch over them. Adam was failing in his role, and she, along with the others, had to ensure the humans remained happy and distracted, despite the first human's unhappiness.
Every time she thought of him, anxiety washed over her. What if Adam wasn't as perfect as they believed? What if the elder angels deemed him unfit for Heaven after all? What if he was meant to fall like Lilith and Eve? Have they failed in creating a perfect being?
The thought of Adam being banished like Lucifer also made her feel sick, her chest aching as if needles were piercing her soul. When Lucifer fell, she felt pain and fear for the first time in her existence. Yet, the idea of Adam facing a similar fate filled her with dread.
Sometimes, Sera would visit Adam while he slept in his nest, observing him curled up with his wings tucked close to his body. Even in sleep, he appeared exhausted and off – he looked rather pale and sick now - reigniting the urge to hold him, though she quickly kept her distance that she believed was necessary for them.
The humans weren't as unhappy as before, but moments still arose when a wave of melancholy swept through them. Despite Sera and her siblings' efforts to make the humans comfortable in Heaven, such as adopting human-like forms, there were times when even this wasn't sufficient.
One day, Sera discussed with her siblings the need to find another solution, as they had too many humans to keep track of. After days of debate, Imen proposed an idea they had never considered before.
Each sibling plucked a feather from their wings, mixing their magical essence with the divine light of Heaven at the highest mountain peak. From this fusion emerged new life, tiny seraphim angels took shape from their feathers.
Moro observed calmly as his feather transformed into a new being, who ended up exchanging a nervous glance up at him. The others displayed a mix of emotions in the new arrivals.
Sera gazed at the angel that had three eyes, each one brightening with a smile that warmed her, reminiscent of the joy she felt when cradling Adam and Lilith as newborns. Unable to resist, she gently placed her hands on the new angel's face, smiling affectionately.
"Lepin, you shall be called," Moro declared to the newly formed angel before turning to address the others. "You are seraphim angels, the new generation of our race."
The new angels regarded him with curiosity as Moro explained their roles in Heaven. Meanwhile, Sera continued to cradle the one that was made from her feather.
"Emily will be your name," Sera said with a loving smile.
Emily laid her hands on top of Sera's before wearing a bright smile, one that looked exactly like Adam's from years ago.
Emily radiated beauty, kindness, perfection—her presence filled Sera with warmth and light. The people would smile by her presence alone.
Emily was a curious angel, and enjoyed conversing with humans, forging connections, and bringing joy to their lives.
Within just a week, the rest of the seraphim angels excelled in their roles, spreading happiness throughout Heaven. Humans would spend their time singing and dancing now, out doing activities, and meeting in groups to socialize.
Lepin was the only one that didn't fit in his role. He appeared perpetually hesitant most of the time, prompting Moro to assign him to a different task: watching over the humans on Earth.
Sera and Emily were walking out of the main tower when they halted abruptly, startled by Adam's sudden appearance before them, his smiling mask glowing.
Sera hadn't expected to see him; he rarely left his nest for so long. She also noticed he had gained weight around his midsection.
Seeing him after such a long absence caused her to feel something tug painfully in her soul.
"Um, hi," Emily greeted nervously. "My name is Emily."
There was a lengthy pause before Adam responded with his name in a dry tone.
Sera felt a surge of rage in her chest, though she couldn't quite understand why. Then she grew worried that Adam might somehow inflict the same dreadful feelings on Emily that she had experienced in his presence. Hastily, she escorted Emily away, refusing to spare another glance at Adam.
Yonea, one of the young seraphim angels, reported seeing Lepin with a human sporting golden wings. Initially, Sera wasn't shocked, given Moro's confirmation that he had permitted Lepin to take Adam to Earth to observe its changes. However, according to Saint Peter's records, they had departed 12 years ago.
She immediately contacted Lepin, demanding his return to Heaven with Adam. The seraphim angels assembled in front of the gates, awaiting their arrival.
Suddenly, Lepin materialized with Adam at his side. Sera was on the brink of lecturing Lepin for keeping Adam from Heaven for so long but froze when she saw the amused smile on Adam's face.
"I guess it was fun while it lasted," Adam chuckled, looking up at her rather relaxed.
Emily observed him with curiosity while Sera couldn't believe what she was seeing with her own eyes. After millennia, Adam was finally smiling…
The rest of her siblings were dead silent as Adam's golden eyes radiated brightly, like they used to so long ago. She assumed they were all thinking the same thing, that their great Adam has finally returned to them.
"How was your time on Earth?" Sera asked one afternoon as Adam woke up.
He appeared tired at first, but then grinned and sat up on his nest.
"It was great!" Adam exclaimed, gesturing energetically. "Well, except for a few things, but you should have seen the different towns and cities. The music, clothes, food, art—wow, there was so much to see."
Sera smiled, the curiosity of his once again having returned to him.
He continued to share his experiences, describing various places he had visited, including national parks and natural spots. Sera settled into the nest, listening to him talk, feeling the warmth she felt around him return to her.
Perhaps all Adam had needed was another visit to Earth all along.
"This is very exciting," Emily said as she and Sera settled into their seats on a tree, with other seraphim finding their places on nearby ones. "I heard no one has ever heard Adam sing before," she added, scanning the crowd that had gathered before the stage.
"I have," Sera replied, causing Emily to look up in surprise. "He used to enjoy singing." She reminisced about the times Adam would sing with Lilith back in the Garden of Eden, enjoying creating songs together. "But that was a long time ago."
"What happened to make him stop?" Emily asked.
"I'm not sure," Sera admitted, feeling frustration rising in her chest again as she recalled how Adam had acted strangely for many years while never understanding its root cause.
As the red curtains parted, revealing the stage, Sera noticed some humans holding various instruments – humans Adam had been interacting with frequently lately, which filled her with relief to see that he had finally connected with some of his people.
"That's an electric guitar," Emily pointed out, pointing at the golden instrument Adam held. She observed it with curiosity, sensing it coming from Adam. "Wait… it's made out of magic?" Turning to Sera, she asked, "Adam can use magic?"
"Adam is special," Sera simply stated, just as the crowd below fell silent, awaiting Adam's performance.
Approaching the microphone, Adam appeared nervous. "This is a song called 'Paranoid,' created by a band on Earth named Black Sabbath," he announced right before he begun to play his electric guitar. As his golden wings spread wide, his head nodded to the rhythm. The notes emanating from the instrument were fierce, catching Sera off guard, nothing to the soft tones that Heaven was used to. But what followed left her eyes widened in astonishment.
Adam began singing, and the lyrics were disturbing.
Sera felt the world around her fade away, leaving only Adam in sight as he sang about what she interpreted as him being lost, filled with sadness and anxiety. How nothing seemed to satisfy him, how he was blind to the happiness in existence.
She felt complete dread at the thought of Adam causing all the humans to fall into a terrible emotional state with the music, ruining all their hard work. She was close to use her magic to stop the concert when suddenly, the cheering from the crowd snapped her back into her reality. She saw them move closer to the stage with excitement. People nodded their heads and smiled at Adam. Emily even stood up, beaming while Adam played a solo piece with his guitar with intensity.
Sera couldn't understand what was happening. The humans weren't upset from the music's words; instead, they were having a good time?
She stared in utter confusion, especially when a golden magical essence emanated from Adam, followed by it flashing like a small wave over the crowd, making people even more excited.
She didn't know what this magical energy was, but whatever it was, it seemed to affect the rest of the humans in a way that aligned with Adam's intentions.
Adam continued singing his song, eventually just striking the strings of his guitar while grinning brightly at everyone, leaving Sera more puzzled than ever before.
Sera allowed Adam to continue with his concerts, despite some causing a slight tremor in Heaven at times. She wasn't thrilled about the type of music he played, but seeing his happiness and the lessening gloom in Heaven made it tolerable.
However, Moro strongly disapproved of Adam's newfound love for the music and the crude language he had picked up from Earth. Sera had to admit, Adam's language was becoming increasingly coarse, and it seemed to worsen with each passing month. Though things seemed brighter now, what if Adam's behavior took a turn for the worse suddenly and began influencing others? Especially considering she had heard other humans using foul language lately...
During a meeting, they discussed giving Adam additional responsibilities in Heaven to steer him away from the negative habits he had picked up from Earth. Their concerns deepened when Adam vandalized a statue, shocking them all. What worsened the situation was his decision to wear a mask with horns protruding from it, resembling some sort of demon.
One day, while Adam was chatting with some young angels in the tower about his time learning to play guitar on Earth, Sera went up to him.
"Is it necessary to wear the mask all the time?" she inquired.
Adam grinned up at her. "Well, duh, it's my look," he replied with amusement. "It makes me look badass."
Of course, she wasn't pleased with his response, and when she shared it with the others, they also shared her thoughts. Zerachin stated that they needed to intervene before Adam's behavior worsened. He brought up maybe what Adam needed was to play an important role like theirs.
Wimdor immediately proposed assigning Adam to lead his own squad, responsible for overseeing warrior training. Apparently, Wimdor and Moro had brainstormed together ways to redirect Adam's energy from unruly concerts to more productive endeavors that would benefit Heaven.
Sera harbored doubts about Adam's suitability to lead a group of warrior angels, but Moro insisted it was a great idea and assured them he had a specific warrior angel to help him become a great captain.
"Wait, what?" Adam blinked, sitting with Sera and Wimdor.
"You're going to be appointed captain to the new graduating warriors next week," Wimdor announced, handing Adam a list of responsibilities that the role consisted of. "Leading a squad is an honor to have, and we chose you over other possible candidates we had in mind."
Adam frowned as he read through the list before tossing it at the table dismissively. "Fuck that, too many fucking responsibilities," he grunted out, leaning back in his chair. "I ain't leading anyone."
Sera felt irritation rising at Adam's rude response, especially as they were giving him an order and somehow, he believed he had a choice on the matter. There was no room for discussion. She stared at him coldly, causing him to hunch his shoulders, looking like a scolded child.
"Protecting is crucial, Adam," Wimdor said sternly, using his magic to push the documentation back to Adam's hands. "You should be grateful to defend those who care for you."
Sera continued her stern gaze, and this time Adam remained silent, staring at the list with a sad, resigned expression, twisting Sera's chest with further aggravation.
Wimdor, Sera, Emily, and Adam sat in their seats along the colosseum. They were going to bear witness to the new warrior angels that will become Adam's squad after their last trial. And, of course, Adam had the nerve to look disinterest.
"I read that their last trial is very challenging," Emily began. Adam responded with a grunt of annoyance, causing Sera to take a deep breath as Emily continued, "I hope they all do well."
Adam leaned back further, tapping his fingers on the armchair. "Or fail so I can go back to preparing for my next show," he grumbled.
Emily offered him a sympathetic smile, and Sera kept a neutral expression as the trials for the new warrior angels began.
Everything was going as expected until Angel 661's trial began. The warrior skillfully evaded the serpent's attack, then slashed at it multiple times before dodging another strike.
"Holy shit, did you see that?!" Adam exclaimed to Sera and the others nearby, jumping to his feet with his golden wings raised. He stared at 661 directly in awe. Later, Sera noticed he was staring at her with excitement, and she wasn't sure what he expected from her so she simply offered him a nod, prompting a grin from Adam before he turned his attention back to the arena. "Slice it up, baby!" he encouraged with a loud laugh, leaning on the rail. "Don't show mercy! Come on! Don't let it get ya!"
Sera noticed 661 glance over at Adam with a grin of her own, motivated by his cheers. Not only did 661 seem to receive a power boost, but the other angels did as well, taking down the serpents in their own unique, brutal ways.
Sera felt conflicted witnessing the warriors grow stronger thanks to Adam's encouragement. She also wasn't sure how she felt seeing the violence excite Adam.
Sera stood disappointed as Adam gave unfitting names to his new squad. She had expected him to be more thoughtful, just as she was when naming him and Lilith. However, most of the new angelic warriors seemed happy with their given names.
"I'll dub you after the best thing ever, Vajjie," Adam said to 667, leaving Sera puzzled. Emily tugged at Adam's sleeve, asking if the name was short for Vagatha or vegetables, which made him snort with laughter.
"Nah, it's for something far greater. It's short for vagi-" Adam stopped abruptly and stared at Emily before then affectionately patted her head, earning a disapproving frown from Sera since Emily was of a higher rank status than him and he shouldn't be touching her in such a way. "Sorry, Em, maybe in a hundred years I'll tell you," he teased, eliciting a playful pout from the young seraphim.
"Don't worry, babe, I didn't forget about you," Adam said to the angel appointed as his lieutenant. After a while, he snapped his fingers with a grin. "Lute," he declared. "I'll name you Lute!" He turned to Sera and Emily, excited. "Get it? Lute, Lieutenant? Ha! I'm a genius!" he exclaimed, relishing in his own wit.
Sera had to admit, it was clever.
Emily smiled warmly at Adam. "I love it," she said.
"That's actually quite thoughtful, Adam," Sera said with a soft smile, proud that Adam had given 666 a wonderful name. "It holds a sense of grace and elegance as well."
Adam looked surprised, blinking, momentarily speechless, causing her to question if she had said the wrong thing to him. Then a grin spread across his face with genuine delight, bringing warmth into her.
"Of course, I'm always thoughtful," he joked, earning a small giggle from Emily, leaving Sera confused with his small interaction with her.
"Oh, Adam, guess what?" Emily asked Adam during a meeting, with Adam looking rather irritated like he had been for the past weeks.
"What?" he grumbled.
"I was talking with some human souls a few days ago, and they taught me something super interesting. They brought up how some humans back on earth would have half siblings and how they usually worked, and this got me thinking, and I've had an amazing realization!"
Adam turned to her, allowing her to continue, and Sera now looked over to them.
"You know how my brothers and sisters created you?" Emily continued.
"Yeah?"
"Well, in a way, they also made me, though, of course, they created me by using heaven's light just like how other seraphims were created, but, I was thinking, since both of us were created by the seraphims and archangels, and you, well, when you died, the angels used the same light to make you partial angel like the rest of us, we're like-"
"Emily!" Sera's voice rang out sharply, cutting her off, her stern gaze fixed on the youngest angel in the room. She couldn't believe what Emily had just said to Adam. He was never meant to find out what they did to him after he had died.
"Hold on, what?" Adam asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.
Emily blinked, casting a glance at Sera before returning her attention to Adam. Wimdor and Moro wore disapproving expressions while Sera felt herself grow anxious.
"You... didn't know...?" Emily's voice trailed off, sharing his confused expression now. "I assumed you did, considering you're the only human soul capable of using angelic powers."
Adam stared at her, then turned to the other angels. Wimdor rubbed his eyes with annoyance.
"I thought you guys just gave me angelic wings," Adam said.
"That was the plan, but we're not entirely sure what happened when we allowed your soul to merge with some of heaven's light," Moro confessed. "We didn't realize it until you began casting illusions a few hundred years after your arrival."
Sera recalled how surprising it was when someone had notified her, they saw Adam casting illusions of her up in Heaven. Because humans, even if they died, were not meant to use magic, unless their souls were further corrupted like those in Hell. She imagined modifying his soul with Heaven's light had blessed him with power.
"As I was saying," Emily resumed, drawing Adam's attention back to her. "Since you're like one of us, you're what humans would say, my half-brother," she said, smiling brightly, making Sera feel like stomach had just dropped. "Isn't it wonderful, Adam? We're family," Emily declared, her eyes sparkling.
Adam's anger softened, replaced by surprise as Emily's words sunk in. An array of emotions flickered across his masked features, followed by a hesitant smile.
Sera gazed at Adam, sensing an unusual warmth in her own eyes. Seeing such an expression from Adam inexplicably pained her deeply. But her attention swiftly shifted when she noticed Moro's furious expression and the disappointment clear on the faces of the others. They looked at Sera, expecting her to intervene. Truth be told, she also began to worry for Emily, who seemed to test certain boundaries.
The memory of what happened to Lucifer crawled into her mind.
"You're such a goof, Em," Adam said with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"I'm serious, Adam," Emily said, still holding on to her smile, causing Sera's mind to race to find a way to stop things from escalating further. "We're family. And you're like an older brother to me. You're funny, very cool, and—"
"Emily, that's enough," Sera interjected firmly, shoving aside all her emotions. Emily frowned at her, which didn't stop her from continuing. "Adam is not your brother. He is not your family." Sera felt sick just when the words escaped her lips.
"Of course he is! How can you say that?" Emily interjected, offended. "If he's not family, then what is he to us?"
Adam appeared uncomfortable, glancing hesitantly at the older angels. Sera wished so badly Emily had never placed Adam in such a position.
"He's our great Adam," Moro stated matter-of-factly, his blue eyes fixed on Adam. "The example all his descendants should follow. Our greatest..." Moro trailed off momentarily, causing Sera to feel so relieved that he had jumped in. "You know very well what he is," Moro concluded, with a hard smile.
The last words, though, from Moro didn't sit well for her and the way Adam briefly resembled a lost child, his wings limp, caused Sera to feel her chest ache again. But then he mustered a grin and a laugh.
"That's right, baby," Adam boasted, puffing out his chest with pride, but now completely avoiding eye contact with everyone, his wings pulling close to his sides. "I'm the one and only Adam, the OG human in this heavenly paradise, the man who started it all."
Even though Adam appeared proud and happy, Sera could tell he wasn't… But decided it was best for her not to worry about what he felt.
Sera heard about Adam's violent display at his latest concert. He had smashed his magical guitar in front of many witnesses. In a meeting with the other seraphim, they discussed concerns about Adam potentially falling. Even though Adam was in Heaven, there was still a possibility he would end up like Lucifer. Suggestions ranged from forcing Adam to give up music to assigning him additional responsibilities to distract him.
"What if the presence of other humans is provoking Adam's erratic behavior?" Uner proposed.
"That's a plausible theory," Zerachin acknowledged. "Adam's demeanor shifted noticeably upon the arrival of the first humans in Heaven."
"Perhaps we could create a separate realm for Adam," Vineat proposed. "A place where he can reclaim his former self, free from the influence of others. I believe he would find great joy in a world akin to the Garden of Eden."
"Or we could attempt to undo what Lucifer has done to him," Moro interjected in a serious tone, drawing puzzled gazes from the others. "Adam was perfect before Lucifer ruined him. Perhaps there is a method to reset Lucifer's damage."
"But that's impossible," Vineat said. "And how would we even figure out how to do that?"
"We can find a way," Moro asserted, turning his attention to Imen and Uner. Imen appeared rather calm while Uner frowned.
"I dare say we may be overreacting," Wimdor remarked calmly. "Adam remains in Heaven, which must count for something. Let us permit Adam to validate his worthiness through his own decisions."
Sera remained silent and hoped Wimdor was right, that they were worrying for nothing, but something in her soul was growing worried for the worst to happen.
After the shocking appearance of a sinner, who had redeemed himself and joined Heaven, Wimdor urgently notified her to meet him and the others in the council room.
Lute stood in the middle of the room; tears she had struggled to contain still escaping as she squeezed her eyes shut after uttering words Sera never imagined she would hear: Adam was gone. Killed by a sinner, a dagger through his back multiple times.
Sera stood frozen, her eyes wide, as the other seraphim were dead silent. Moro angrily demanded Lute and the rest of warriors how could they allow such a tragedy to occur. Sera hadn't heard a single word after that. She felt as though she ceased to exist.
She hadn't realized how, but she found herself alone in the white, empty dimension. Her gaze, broken, staring at nothing. Slowly, she placed her hands on her chest, as if trying to recreate the feeling when she held Adam and Lilith, but she was met with an anguish that was suffocating her, one that had appeared earlier that day – she assumed it was right at the time had Adam was stabbed or when he died.
Lilith was forever out of reach, and now Adam was gone.
His soul was... gone.
His curiosity was… gone.
His beautiful smile and laughter was… gone.
His creative ideas and spontaneous actions was… gone.
His dramatic facial expressions and energetic presence was… gone.
He was gone.
Forever gone.
Sera screamed as her soul was consumed with sorrow before collapsing to her knees.
Why did she allow the burden meant for her and the seraphim to fall on Adam?
Why didn't they find another solution to the uprising?
Why did she accept Adam's plan to confront the sinners in Hell himself?
Why?
Why?!
WHY?!
A tear traced down her cheek, her thoughts grinding to a halt as she felt the wetness. Confusion mingled with agony as more tears continued to flow, overwhelming her until she buried her face in her hands.
Wimdor appeared beside her, silent, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder as she wept silently.
Sera maintained her composure during the funeral held in the forest, around the tree where Adam had made his home for many years. Everyone in Heaven gathered as Vineat hovered by the tree, delivering a speech that Sera tuned out completely. She felt nothing, a sentiment mirrored in the dull eyes of Emily beside her.
Sera and the seraphim combined their magic to remove the Heaven Embassy from Hell. After Adam's death and the arrival of a new guest in Heaven, they extensively concluded that severing ties with Hell, at least for the time being, was the right choice.
While discussing their next steps with the redeemed sinner, Saint Peter messaged Sera via their halo, informing her that Lucifer had appeared at the gates and requested a meeting. Anger simmered darkly within her at the audacity of his presence in Heaven, especially in light of what had befallen Adam.
Suppressing her emotions, she excused herself from her siblings and confronted Lucifer. Her gaze bore into him as he met her with a frown.
"He's alive," Lucifer declared bluntly.
Sera stood in silence, battling the urge to unleash her fury upon him for toying with her emotions.
"I'm not sure how, but it appears he has fallen," Lucifer continued.
Sera processed his words slowly, her brow furrowing. "Fallen?"
Lucifer nodded silently.
Sera struggled to comprehend what Lucifer meant by "fallen."
"It seems your great Adam isn't as great as you believed he was after all," Lucifer remarked, his calm demeanor igniting a flame of hatred in Sera's glare.
She doubted Lucifer's claim that Adam was still alive and strongly refused to believe Adam to have fallen. There was no way any of the two were possible.
Suppressing her torrent of emotions, she instructed Lucifer to bring Adam to the dimension that nothing existed. After their encounter, she relayed Lucifer's message to the other seraphim, who reacted with shock and silence.
The room fell into a long silence before Moro broke the tension. "We can fix this," he said immediately, believing Lucifer's claim that Adam was alive and became a sinner, looking over to one of their brothers. "Imen has been experimenting for quite some time on how to seal away the corruption that Lucifer has unleashed in someone's soul."
Sera and a few others looked at him with confusion.
"We can return Adam to his original state, and even improve upon it," Moro continued. "He'll be perfect."
"Hold on, what do you mean by experimenting?" Wimdor asked, his brow furrowed. "Don't tell me... you've been testing on…" He glared at Imen, who remained calm as a cucumber.
"Do not fret, I did not use human souls," Imen reassured. "I created creatures that resemble souls and was able to manipulate certain aspects of them to achieve successful results."
"You want to modify Adam's soul?" Zerachin inquired to Moro, baffled by such a suggestion.
"Don't look at me like that. We've done it in the past, so why would it be any different this time?" Moro asked him sternly. "We have no other choice. If the rest of Heaven discovers that Adam has fallen, can you imagine the panic and chaos that would ensue? People will fear falling, and paradise will be ruined." He turned his attention to Sera. "We, especially you, have a responsibility to maintain order. Adam cannot remain in Hell; someone here will find out."
Sera's mind raced.
Modifying Adam's soul again... the mere thought sickened her. What if something went wrong this time? What if they inadvertently destroyed his soul in the process?
She couldn't bear to risk Adam like that, not after the pain of losing him once already, assuming he was truly alive.
She also feared what the elder angels would do if they deemed Adam a threat to Heaven's prosperity.
Then she remembered Vineat's suggestion from years ago, when they debated how to handle Adam's erratic behavior. Though she worried about Moro's stubbornness, she swiftly devised a plan to keep Adam safe from harm, away from sinners and from Moro. She had to protect him—her soul desperately urged her to do so.
Present-ish
Sera felt like she was losing control over everything.
She had informed the other seraphim days ago that Adam was no longer in the dimension they had left him in; Charlie had possibly taken him with her. Moro had decided to proceed with his plan despite some opposing it. The group was divided, but Moro was determined to "fix" Adam. Originally, Sera had wanted to retrieve Adam herself. However, she couldn't simply rush into Hell; it was no place for a Seraphim. And she suspected Charlie would put up a fight if they tried to take Adam back; the hybrid seemed to enjoy proving a point of some sort.
And now they faced another problem: the humans knew. A low-ranking angel they had sent to spy on the humans had returned with confirmation they had found out about the exorcisms, thanks to some creatures that looked like little egg men, who apparently were from Hell. The humans had spread the news, and now they were avoiding all the angels, hiding in their homes.
Sera and a few of the seraphim were struggling to restore tranquility to Heaven, but they couldn't find a solution.
"Well, at least they haven't... rioted," Vineat remarked quietly one day to Sera and Wimdor. "Perhaps we can explain to them why we had to take the actions we did. On Earth, wars occurred, and some accepted that sacrifices were necessary for peace. Maybe... the humans here will learn to do the same."
Sera wasn't sure if she agreed with Vineat's idea. But she knew she had to address them eventually. She just needed to devise a better approach before hostilities escalated.
"I think we should first retrieve these 'egg men' without causing any more alarms and investigate who they are," Sera proposed. "Then we can find a way to undo the damage they have caused."
"That sounds like a reasonable plan," Wimdor concurred. "I suggest Emily should assist us as well with this situation. She is closer to the humans than any of us are."
Sera held back from rejecting the suggestion. She didn't want to involve Emily in their conflicts; she was innocent in their poor decision-making. It seemed unfair to expect her to fix their mistakes.
Perhaps, though, she could seek Emily's input on handling the humans... Although communicating with her might prove challenging since Emily had been giving her the silent treatment for various reasons, especially regarding Sir Pentious' confinement.
Sighing and rubbing the corners of her eyes, Sera felt the heavy weight of the problems in her life piling up. There was so much to address, yet no straightforward solutions.
Later, she excused herself from her siblings and teleported to the building where Emily was staying with Sir Pentious. A persistent ache gnawed at her chest, worsening in recent days. She tried to ignore it as she entered the building and made her way to the floor.
The space was silent, with Sir Pentious absent from the living room, leaving only Emily seated on the couch, her back to Sera.
What made it strange was the fact that the television was off, and she simply appeared to be sitting there.
Sera shut the door behind her and approached Emily. She was about to speak, but Emily beat her to it.
"Is it true…?" Emily asked quietly, barely above a whisper.
Sera wasn't sure what Emily was referring to. She had already informed her days ago about the humans' knowledge of the exorcisms and their discontent.
"Is what true?" Sera asked calmly.
There was a long pause from Emily before she stood up and turned to face her, her eyes bloodshot and her face streaked with tears. Sera had the instinct to comfort her, but halted when Emily backed away, glaring with hostility.
"Lies... after lies..." Emily began, her voice trembling as she shook her head. "That's all you and the others do. Yet you expect humans to be better, you expected Adam to be perfect, but you have only shown me that you are nothing but hypocrites."
"Emily, what's going on?"
"Stop acting like you don't know!" Emily yelled, catching Sera completely off guard. The multiple eyes of the young seraphim's body shot open with anger. "I know that Adam is alive, I know what you and the others did to him!"
Sera felt her whole soul grow cold as she stared with wide eyes.
"And don't try to deny it," Emily retorted. "How could you do that to him? How could you not tell me he was alive this whole time? And worst of all, how could you abandon him? Your own son. And don't you dare tell me he's not yours, because I'm sick and tired of you all acting like he isn't. I'm done with all this bullshit!"
Sera remained standing there, in shock. So many questions raced through her mind. Initially, she had considered denying that Adam was still alive, but Emily's outburst confirmed that someone, she didn't know who, had informed her of everything.
Emily was seething, her breaths coming in hard gasps, more tears trailing down her face before she straightened up.
"You know, it's your fault he fell," she said coldly. "He was completely miserable and lonely years ago. Then when he returned from Earth, he was finally happy. He loved his music, enjoyed performing in front of crowds, loved being a celebrity, yet you couldn't just let him be. You couldn't let him be happy for once..." She closed her eyes tightly, attempting to steady her shaking voice.
Sera said nothing, struggling not to let Emily's words affect her, but memories of Adam sleeping for hours in his nest, looking utterly exhausted and sad, flooded her mind.
"You didn't know, but we spent time together at his place a few times," Emily continued. "He showed me movies, taught me how to play some guitar, and we sang together his favorite songs. He was so happy when we were together. He wanted to be loved, Sera, he wanted a family, yet all you gave him were high expectations that he couldn't meet. You all couldn't just be proud of him for just being Adam. You all were just obsessed with having your 'perfect' creation instead of genuinely wanting him to be happy."
"I feared this would happen. Over the past decades, we've watched you deteriorate. You're hardly the same soul who was blessed into heaven. Look at yourself, we can hardly recognize you."
Sera felt her chest ache from Emily's words and her own that she had said to Adam weeks ago.
"He's more than a tool, Sera. He's a living person just like you and me. He has emotions and needs. Did you not see how much he was suffering? Were you all that blind or did you just not care?"
Sera remembered the years when Adam hadn't smiled, how dull his golden eyes were, how slowly he faded away while she expected him to just pull himself together.
"Maybe I was wrong…" Emily trailed off for a moment. "I thought you actually cared for him and were just holding back because of the role the elder angels expected of you, but I think I finally see that you and the rest only wanted your needs met and when he couldn't meet your standards, you all just tossed him aside." She glared at Sera again. "And what's more fucked up was how you left him in a dimension, all by himself forever. What were you all thinking?! Do you know how cruel that is?! No one deserves that fate, Sera."
"Are you guys serious?!" Charlie yelled at them, her eyes flashing red. "How could you even think this is okay?! He's one of your own! He's practically begging! Can't you see he's hurting and scared!? Please, you can't abandon him just because he's made some mistakes! It's not right to leave someone alone forever like this!"
Sera closed her eyes, both Emily's and Charlie's words causing her to grow aggravated. She wanted to lash at Emily for not understanding the difficult spot they were all in. How Adam shouldn't have allowed himself to grow tainted like the rest of the sinners have done.
"He never wanted to be captain," Emily pulled Sera's attention again, her hands turning into shaky fists. "You introduced him to mindless violence instead of encouraging him to continue with his passion for music. You never helped him grow to be the best version of himself. He was in Heaven, Sera. He was supposed to be happy being himself, not forced into chains," Emily's tone grew colder as she spoke, her tears coming to a halt and only rage filling her eyes now. "He didn't fail you guys. It was you that failed him."
The room fell into a dead silence, the two seraphim standing there, glaring at one another.
Sera wasn't sure what she felt. She was numb, her chest cold as ice, her mind drifting to the image of Adam cradling his broken arm before them weeks ago, on his knees, looking at her with eyes glazed with unshed tears in desperation.
"I'm going to find him," Emily declared with a determined tone. "And I don't care about the rules or what you all think. I don't care if I fall. I'm following what my soul says, and I'm going to help my brother. I'm done letting him face everything alone. I'm done being a hypocrite."
Sera refused to allow Emily to sacrifice herself like that. She was about to argue with her, but suddenly, she gasped, throwing a hand over her chest in pain as her chest felt like it was ablaze—causing Emily to look puzzled—just as she heard someone screaming her name in raw desperation, and it wasn't just anyone. It sounded like…
Adam…?
Sera stood there for a long moment, frozen, unsure what was going.
She wasn't the sort to hallucinate, and she swore she heard Adam's wailing voice calling out to her…
"Sera…?" Emily let out with hesitation.
Sera didn't respond and before she knew it, she found herself teleporting out of the apartment and appearing in Imen's lab, where countless machinery and magical essences were hovering in a sort of pocket dimension. The angel turned while Sera scanned around before she appeared high above the colosseum where Moro stood, observing countless warriors in training. She then vanished so she could be in the Garden of Eden, searching quickly through the whole area just in case, before she appeared outside the gates of Heaven with Saint Peter looking at her with confusion, asking her if something was wrong when she stood there for a long time, struggling inside before she created a portal before her.
She didn't understand why she stepped through the portal, going against the rules and behind her siblings' back, but at this moment she didn't care what anyone thought as she appeared inside Charlie's hotel in Hell, with Charlie and a cat bat-looking sinner looking at her with surprise in the lobby.
Actually, who was she kidding? She knew very well why she was there, standing before the hybrid, breaking the rules; it was for the same reason she did her best to keep Adam in the other dimension.
"Where is he?" She asked in a serious tone to Charlie, who narrowed her eyes with hostility. Of course, she wasn't intimidated and pushed on as the sensation in her chest continued to grow more painfully by the second. "Where's Adam?"
Charlie hadn't expected Sera to appear in her hotel out of the blue. She immediately glared at Sera, recalling everything that Adam had said about how she and the high-ranking angels left him by himself for years and how she had cruelly decided to leave him behind in a dimension alone. Instinctively, she stepped in front of Husk, in case Sera was there to harm any of her people.
"Dad!" Charlie called as loudly as she could. Within seconds, Lucifer appeared in the room—he had been in the room he was staying at—and was surprised to see Sera.
"Sera?" Lucifer let out with confusion. After all, no seraphim angels were supposed to appear in Hell, and from the looks of it, she was not a hologram.
Vaggie, Alastor, and Nifty stepped out of the lounging area to join them, all wearing mixed expressions.
"I'm aware you removed Adam from the realm we've made for him," Sera stated, striving to maintain her composure even as her mind raced, growing increasingly anxious as she failed to locate Adam among the group.
"You mean, prison?" Charlie inquired in a cold tone, which Sera chose to ignore.
"Where is he?"
Lucifer remained silent, exchanging a brief glance with his daughter, who implored him silently before he turned his attention back to Sera. "I am not obligated to provide that information."
Sera narrowed her eyes at him. "Adam should not have been removed from there. It was his punishment ordained by us, and your decision to allow your daughter to extract him defies Heaven."
"Well, you know me. I was never one to follow the rules." Lucifer shrugged without a care.
"Abandoning him while he screamed should never have happened," Charlie said with annoyance. "And I'm not letting you take him back. He's staying here with us."
"You hold no authority over what should be done with Adam," Sera admonished Charlie.
"Actually, you're wrong there," Lucifer interjected. "Since Adam fell, he falls under our jurisdiction; he's one of ours now."
Charlie blinked, then widened her eyes as the realization dawned on her. Her father was correct. Adam was now a part of Hell, and the angels no longer had authority over him.
"Which implies, I'm not obligated to disclose his whereabouts, nor permit you to contact him if he so chooses," Lucifer continued. "Technically, I am his king, and he falls under my guardianship. And, you're in my realm uninvited, Sera, so I must kindly request that you leave."
His words elicited a smile of amusement and pride from Charlie.
Sera's glare intensified as she took a step closer to Lucifer. "This world isn't safe for him."
Charlie was about to protest, but she grew puzzled as she replayed Sera's words in her mind. They seemed contradictory. Initially, Sera had sought to isolate Adam from both Heaven and Hell to maintain order in Heaven, to 'protect' it. Since when did keeping Adam away meant to keep him safe?
Lucifer stood in silence, wearing a bored expression as he rested both hands atop his cane, further frustrating Sera.
Suddenly, Charlie's phone began to ring, prompting her to blink with confusion as she retrieved it and saw an incoming call from an unknown number. Ordinarily, she would have dismissed the call, but given their search for Adam over the past day, she entertained the possibility that he might have somehow acquired her phone number. Stepping slightly away from the group, she answered hesitantly, "Hello?" hoping that it might be Adam, though she realized in retrospect that perhaps it wasn't the wisest decision for her to be the one to respond, considering her father's deal with him.
"He's not looking too good." Charlie heard Cherri's voice say in a measured tone, causing her to blink in utter confusion. "He's being held in the basement at the Vees' tower. Send help immediately before it's too late." Then Cherri hung up.
For a moment, Charlie tried to understand Cherri's words. Initially, she thought of Angel, believing he had gotten himself into deep trouble with Valentino. However, if it were Angel's life in danger, Cherri would have undoubtedly sounded more urgent.
A sinking feeling settled in Charlie's stomach as dread took hold. She glanced quickly at her father with wide eyes.
"Adam's in trouble," she exclaimed, momentarily forgetting about Sera's presence. "The Vees have him in their tower's basement."
Lucifer's brows furrowed, and he was about to ask her who had provided her with such information when suddenly, the front of the hotel disintegrated into particles, causing everyone else to jump back in surprise.
Without hesitation, Sera shot out from the hotel.
"Oh my," Alastor remarked with amusement before Lucifer swiftly instructed everyone to stay behind, then gave chase after Sera.
"Sera, wait!" he called out to her as she soared over the city at a rapid pace. Her presence alone drew the attention of countless sinners on the streets, who looked up in utter confusion.
"Where is he?" Sera demanded of Lucifer as he reached her, her eyes ablaze with anger and desperation. Lucifer, not wanting the potential for mass panic in the city, quickly led her toward the pink-glowing tower adorned with three LED V's.
Without hesitation, Sera unleashed her bright magic, creating a hole in the tower's roof, disintegrating it into dust. On each floor, people looked up in astonishment, quickly retreating as she descended, Lucifer trailing behind. Some began to scream out of fear at her imposing presence and the raw power she displayed.
As Sera descended, she felt her chest pounding faster with each passing moment. Then, a sharp pain gripped her chest, but she pushed through it, determined to reach the bottom. Finally, she descended into a dim, cold room after traversing the last few floors.
Then, everything had gone deadly still for her.
She stood there silently, struggling to comprehend the scene before her. She was unsure what she saw and slowly her mind processed in the shocking sight, causing her eyes to widen in utter shock. Dangling almost lifelessly by his left wrist and neck was Adam, like a broken marionette. His emaciated body was covered with ugly bruises and crimson streaks traced a map across his body. The horns were gone, replaced by two gaping red wounds on his head.
Each ragged breath heaved from his chest, causing his weakened frame to tremble from the effort, beads of sweat and blood glistened on his ashen bruised skin. With agonizing slowness, he pried his eyes open, their once radiant golden glow now dulled and broken. As he met her gaze, tears welled up in his eyes as they widened in disbelief before they spilled over – she had never seen Adam shed a tear in his entire existence – tearing at the very fabric of her soul. And when he let out a strangled sob like a wounded animal, he closed his eyes in shame while she felt rage she had never felt ever before engulfed her as a memory replayed in her mind, one that now haunted her.
"Sera, please, whatever I did, I'm sorry," Adam pleaded, his voice cracking with another dry sob. "I'm sorry for everything. Please, I beg you, don't leave me here alone. I can't live like this... Please, I'm sorry, I promise I'll change, I'll be good, just don't leave me here. I don't want to be alone forever. Please, Sera…"
"I'll fucking kill him, I swear," the sinner threatened desperately, snapping her back to reality. "This is angel steel. I'll fucking kill him if you come any closer."
Sera's eyes locked onto Val, narrowing into sharp slits at his audacity to lay his repulsive hands on Adam's bare form while poising the tip of the dagger at his throat. Within her, the rage grew fiercer to an ugly red.
As her entire being trembled with hatred, countless eyes flickered to life across her wings, hair, and halo, radiating the fire raging within her. She took in again the bruises and wounds that marred Adam's flesh, the pool of blood staining the ground beneath him, and the collar that bound him like some sort of beast.
In that moment, as the storm of emotions crashed into her, she realized the truth she was too blind to see: her frustration, her anger had never been caused by Adam.
"He didn't fail you. It was you all that failed him."
Emily was right. She failed Adam. The whole time, her terrible feelings were caused by her own actions, for failing him. She had allowed monsters to lay their hands on him. She had pushed him to fall by constantly viewing him merely as an object to fulfill their wishes to expand their 'perfect' paradise.
How could they be so selfish?
The ugly raw emotion surged from her, surrounding her, as she glared with pure hatred at the sinner.
She wanted him gone.
And in an instant, the sinner's body glowed, and from the tips of his fingers, they became nothing but tiny particles, disintegrating into dust. The sinner's eyes widened in horror as he backed away from Adam, the dagger falling from his disappearing hand.
"What... what the fuck are you doing to me?!" the sinner panicked as his body continued to fade away into nothing but dirt.
Sera maintained her loathing gaze, as she continued to 'erase' him out of existence. She ignored the sinner's pleas as he continued to become nothing but a pile of dust on the ground, black just like his soul.
And just like that, he was gone, like a forgotten whisper in the wind.
Exhausted washed over her, the power to erase a soul took a huge toll – she disregarded Lucifer's shock at her forbidden act; seraphim angels were not meant to kill. However, she cared little for the rules at this moment, especially as she slowly approached Adam. Tears continued to fall down his face as he sobbed quietly. The urge to hold him was stronger than ever before, but this time, after so many years, she didn't fight it and wrapped her arms softly around his beaten form despite the blood staining her dress.
Her eyes blurred with tears as she felt how cold he was against her chest, a stark contrast to the warmth when he was as a newborn, and at the sight of his wings that laid behind him, mangled. Drawing him closer, she embraced him tightly, assisted by Lucifer's magic as he freed the chains from the ceiling, causing Adam to collapse into her completely.
She knelt, careful not to disturb the wounds on his body as he weakly trembled and gently shifted him until he was lying upon her lap, cradling him closer to her chest. She hated seeing how weak and broken he was, blaming herself for his condition. She wasn't the only one who felt guilty. Lucifer hastily summoned gauze to tend to Adam's injured leg, his own heart heavy with remorse as he blamed himself for Adam's suffering as well.
"I'm here, Adam," Sera whispered softly, struggling to contain the tears threatening to spill, determined to stay strong for him. "I'm here..."
Feeling him press his face into her chest, seeking comfort, she glanced down at his battered form once more, now noticing the ugly crisscrossed wounds on his back, blood seeping out from them. His wings lay limp, ensnared by the metallic device constricting around his bones, stirring a mixture of rage and anguish within her.
She felt the dampness on her chest as she held him close. Sera struggled to find a way to end Adam's tears even as her own threatened to overwhelm her. She had been on the verge of taking him back to the other dimension, away from everyone and—
"M-mom..."
Sera froze. Her thoughts came to a halt at the sound of Adam's trembling voice, the word slipping from his lips. Wide-eyed, she momentarily found herself mentally transported from the basement, back to the time when she held Adam and Lilith's tiny forms in the sky, feeling the strong warmth connection between them. Hot tears finally made their way down her cheeks as she drew Adam closer to her, desperate to shield him from any further harm, never wanting to let him go. She felt him curl up against her, his tears mingling with hers as she tenderly pressed her cheek against his forehead.
"You were there, Sera. You were the one who picked up the dust from Earth, who held it while the other angels and you used magic to bring him and Lilith to Life. Adam… he wasn't just another project… He was special. He was yours… Sera. You… you were more than just his creator."
Slowly, Sera began to realize Emily had spoken the truth a long time ago. Adam wasn't just a mere project, not some mindless being for them to just adjust or discard. And she should have known when she cradled both him and Lilith as babies against her breastbone. She should have known when they were torn from her embrace and saw them miserable without her touch while she also felt pain.
She had been blind, a fool all this time.
He was special. He was hers…
And she couldn't deny it any longer.
Not gonna lie, I'm gonna miss writing this story and 'Just Want To Rock' while I'm gone - though, i will be doing my best rough drafting for the next chapters so I can just fix them up when I return.
Truly, I am grateful to you all for giving this story a chance. I wouldn't have gone this far without the support. And I truly mean it. As a writer, I enjoy thinking of ideas and writing them down, but the true inspiration to write and keep going as much as this story has reached is the encouragement from you all and your kind words. I will miss you guys for sure, and I promise when I come back, there will be tons of comfort for our dear Adam : ) - I am dying to write those scenes too v.v
Again, thank you all all the comments/reviews/feedback/kudos/fanart 3
I will do my best to respond while I'm away since I should have internet, hahaha - hopefully o.O
But yeah, I'll see you peeps :'c and please let me know what ya all thought of this chapter, regarding Sera's pov : ), or let me know what ya think of the story over all reaching to this point : O
If you can leave a kudo in archive of our own i would appreciate it : 3