It is said in the Pride Ring that there are only two sounds made that you should fear. One being the bell chimes that come from the Heaven's embassy, signaling the arrival of the exorcist army. Fortunately for the sinners that inhabit this ring, it was only an annual occurrence.
Is it the sound of the King and Queen of hell that sinners fear? No. They don't fear them as the duo hardly interacted with their citizens. Only ever displaying their power every now and than to remind people why they were on top.
What sinners truly fear is the sound of the First Father's name being screamed throughout the Pride Ring for it signals the wrath of the First Mother. Unlike the exorcist army that only shows up annually, the wrath of the First Mother has no schedule. And so far, all attempts to appease her have resulted in failure.
Eve's rampage throughout the pride ring is unmatched. Buildings would topple, the ground would tremble beneath her furious steps, and the very air would crackle with energy as she unleashed her wrath upon the sinners. No corner of the ring was safe from her fury; her presence was felt in every shadow, every whisper of the wind.
Today was an especially bad day for Eve for the feeling of Adam's chastity being in danger had multiplied four fold. No longer able to contain her rage, she vented her anger by attacking the city.
As the sinners cowered in fear, whispers spread like wildfire, tales of those who had crossed paths with the First Mother and respawned the next day to tell the tale. They spoke of her eyes, ablaze with furious rage, and her voice, booming like thunder, echoing through the streets like a divine proclamation as she screamed out the name of the First Father.
"ADAM!" Eve yells out as she trudges through the city. Slamming her fist into a nearby building and sending shockwaves rippling through the structure. The sinners, trembling in hiding, dared not to breathe as the echoes of her wrath reverberated through the streets.
"GET DOWN HERE AND FUCK ME ADAM!" Eve slams her fist through a wall and grabs a sinner inside. Not caring who it is, she tosses the sinner upwards towards Heaven. Of course, she doesn't have the strength to actually send the sinner all the way up but he gets pretty high.
The sinner soon lands with a loud thud on one of the many buildings rooftop. Regaining his senses, he looks up and sees Lucifer and Lilith in front of him.
"My King!? My Queen!?" He yells in surprise before Lilith kicks him off the roof. Sending him down to the ground below.
"Ugh, I got sinner blood on my shoe." Lilith looks at her foot in disgust. "Honey?"
"I got it." Lucifer snaps his fingers and her foot becomes sparkly clean.
"Thank you." Lilith leans down and kisses his cheek. "How long do you think Eve anger will last this time?"
"I'll give it a full day." Lucifer says as he watches Eve destroy the support pillar of one of the many buildings around, making it collapse.
"Help!" A sinner scampers out of the collapsed rubble but unfortunately for her, Eve was in front of her. "No, please!"
Eve grabs the unfortunate sinner by her neck and starts squeezing hard. The air quickly escaping the sinner's lung and her face turns blue.
Another sinner charges at Eve with a knife to try and save his friend but Eve quickly uses the female as a shield. The knife stabs into the female sinner and Eve grabs the stunned male sinner by his head and slams him into the ground.
"ADAM!" Eve cries out again. "YOU'RE NOT SINGLE! I'M YOUR FUCKING WIFE!"
As Eve's rampage continued, chaos consumed the Pride Ring like a wildfire, leaving destruction and despair in its wake. Sinners scattered like frightened mice, seeking whatever shelter they could find amidst the crumbling buildings and trembling streets. Many have never prayed before but they quickly got down on their hands and knees and prayed for the First Father to save them.
Meanwhile, high above the chaos, Lucifer and Lilith observed with a mix of amusement and mild annoyance. It wasn't often that Eve's tantrums reached such levels of ferocity, but when they did, it was always a spectacle to behold.
"Should we stop her?" Lilith asked, her voice tinged with concern as she watched Eve wreak havoc below. Poor Eve just misses her Adam.
Lucifer shook his head. "No, let her tire herself out. She'll eventually exhaust her fury and return to her senses. Besides, it's always amusing to watch the sinners scurry like ants when she's in one of her moods."
"I bet she'll personally kill over 200 this time." Lilith says with a smile. "Too bad about that skyscraper she just demolished. I always liked that one."
"Don't worry, I can always make another." Lucifer replies with a grin. Eve rampage usually allows him to remodel the city. Hopefully to a better one that will please Adam once he visits.
"ADAM!" Eve screams in rage.
"At least she didn't go after Lu Lu World." Lucifer smiles.
"Please give us some privacy." Sera ask Seth and Azura. They both look to their father who only nods.
"We'll be in the other room if you need us Dad." Azura assures him. Seth pats Adam shoulder before the two of them take their leave.
Sera takes a seat across from Adam. Once she made herself comfortable, Sera pats her lap, signaling for Adam to come over and sit on her lap but to her surprise, he shakes his head.
"Adam?" Sera asks in surprise.
"I'm sorry you came all this way mom but I'm not in the mood to - ahhh!" Adam was suddenly lifted by a white light that Sera had somehow surrounded him without his notice and brought him over towards herself. He lands on her lap where Sera wings quickly envelops him. Her hands pressing his head against her chest.
SHE WILL NOT BE DENIED!
"Talk to me Adam." Sera says, in a gentle motherly tone.
The signature line that Adam has failed time and time to resist. Adam's resistance melted away under the gentle yet firm touch of Sera's embrace. His head nestled against her chest, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat.
"Please mom, I don't want to talk." Adam pleads as he tries to escape her embrace.
"I'm sorry Adam, but the girls are very worried about you." Sera says as she holds him tightly. "You did just leave unexpectedly, though I can't blame you for doing so."
"Are you mad?" Adam ask as he looks up at her.
"No Adam, I'm not mad." Sera assures him. "I just want to resolve this situation. I hope Michael is holding down the fort properly."
So many centuries Adam hasn't thought about romantic love and now within a day, he is confronted by so much.
"Can't I just hide out here?" Adam ask. "At least until it blows over?"
"You can't run from your problems Adam." Sera states as she caresses his cheek.
YOU'RE NOT STAYING ANYWHERE ELSE BUT AT OUR HOUSE!
"I don't know what to do mom. So much is happening at once." Adam replies as he scratches his head in frustration.
Sera quickly reaches her hand up and stops him from doing so. "Adam. That's why I'm here. We're going to talk things out until your feelings are resolved. Okay?"
Adam pulls back a little to look into her eyes for a brief moment before nodding his head and leaning back onto her chest.
"Okay than, let's start with Jophiel." Sera says as she gently pats his back. "Tell me, do you like her?"
"I don't know ... I don't hate her at least but I do feel creeped out by her after she said she had been watching me for 13 decades." Adam says as he recalls to her confession earlier. "Not only that, but Lute doesn't like her too."
"Than why did you say 'maybe' earlier?" Sera ask. "Why not say 'no'?"
"I thought maybe she might be like Eve. After we get married, our relationship would work itself out." Adam explains.
Damn that Eve. Sera wishes that she and the others had never created her, or at least kill Lucifer and Lilith and stop their corruption from reaching her. BANISHMENT WAS TOO KIND!
"Adam, no." Sera shakes her head. "The angels and I put you and Eve in such a situation because we believed it was the best way to ensure humanity's survival. And it was until Lucifer got involved." She gently lifts his chin so he can look her in the eyes.
"Adam, relationships don't just 'work themselves out' after marriage. If you're feeling uneasy about Jophiel and if Lute shares those sentiments, it's worth exploring why." Sera explains.
"But Eve -" Adam wanted to continue but Sera puts a finger to his lip.
"Adam, if they did 'work themselves out' after marriage, you and Lilith would still be together." Sera says. Adam could only sit in silent contemplation. Sera was right. If he applies the same logic to Lilith than he would still be with her.
"But I can tell there is something else about Jophiel that is bothering you." Sera continues. She remembers that flicker of fear in his eyes as Jophiel held his hands. It was subtle but she recognized it. The same fear that had gripped him when he had those nightmares. That same fear she saw in his eyes when he first came to Heaven and tried to run away from her.
NEVER AGAIN!
"I don't want to talk about -" Adam tries to look away but Sera grabs his chin and forces him to look at her.
"Look at me Adam." Sera demands in a stern voice. "You know you can tell me anything. So tell me, what are you afraid of?"
Adam is reluctant to say. He tries to squirm but Sera tight grip on him doesn't allow him much movement.
"Adam, you're not going anywhere till you tell me." Sera says. "Don't you trust me?"
Letting out a sigh, Adam surrenders to his mom. "I'm afraid that Jophiel ... will be like Lucifer." Adam reveals.
"In what way?" Sera ask. Jophiel being like Lucifer?
"I'm afraid she wants me to love her ... only to leave and take all of you with her." Adam admits with sadness in his voice. It was clear to Sera that Adam was afraid of being discarded like Eve had supposedly done to him.
"Adam." Sera paused, holding her son's gaze with a mixture of understanding and concern. "I can see why you might feel that way, given your past experiences with Eve, Lilith and Lucifer. But Jophiel isn't them, and you aren't defined by your past."
"But what if she was just tolerating me like Eve? What if she takes you away from me? I can't -" Before Adam can continue, Sera pulls him in tightly.
"Adam, I will NEVER leave you. I promised you that before and I'll do it as many times as you need to hear it." Sera proclaims. "I love you son and no one, human or angel, will stop me from loving you." NOT EVEN YOU!
Sera and his children words wrap around Adam like a warm embrace, soothing his fears and doubts. He feels the weight of her love, steady and unwavering, grounding him in the present moment. For so long, Adam had carried the burden of abandonment, the fear of being left behind once again. But in Sera's embrace, he finds solace and strength.
"Thank you." Adam whispers, his voice barely audible amidst the rush of emotions swirling within him.
"Back to the matter at hand, do you like Jophiel?" Sera ask once more. "Do you want to marry her?"
"... I guess not. At least not now." Adam admits after pondering for some time. "I would like to know her though, she did say she liked me."
"That's fine Adam, however, you need to promise me one thing." Sera says as she looks into his eyes with fierce determination. "You mustn't move out. You will stay with me in the mansion. Even if you get married. You will stay. Understood?"
Adam blinks in confusion. "Stay forever in the mansion? I never planned on moving out before."
"I know Adam but I need your promise." Sera states. "Promise me Adam."
"Okay." Adam says, a little hesitant. "I promise never to move out."
"Good." Sera felt relief after hearing his promise. Now he is safely secured in her home and under her watchful care. With Adam's promise, Sera felt a sense of reassurance that she could protect him from any potential harm or abandonment.
"Now, setting Jophiel aside, what about Emily? Do you like her?" Sera ask.
If Adam marries Emily, it would put Sera mind at ease greatly. For one, the two people she loves most would be together and happy. Secondly, Adam would finally move on from the trauma of Eve and extinguish any thoughts of him going to hell.
"Of course I like Emily, she is just a bundle of joy. I'm ... happy when she is around." Adam says with a uneasy smile.
Sera didn't miss that pause and quickly eyes him suspiciously. "Adam, tell me the truth. What is wrong with Emily?."
"What? No! ... Nothing is wrong with Emily. She -" Adam tries to write it off but Sera wasn't having it.
"Tell me Adam." Sera says sternly as she looks into his eyes. For a minute, no words were said but Sera felt it. A subtle shiver in his wings. It was all that was needed to be said for her.
"You're still upset over Emily breaking your wing. Aren't you?" Sera ask. Her right arm gently caress his left wing sending shivers down Adam spine.
Adam reluctantly shifts his gaze back to Sera, the weight of her concern pressing down on him. He can't hide his discomfort, and the memories of that painful incident resurface, causing a flicker of unease to cross his face.
"It's not that simple, Mom." Adam begins, his voice tinged with defensiveness. "Yes, Emily broke my wing, but it wasn't ... for a bad reason. She didn't mean to."
"But it still hurt you." Sera interjects softly, her eyes searching his for the truth he was reluctant to admit.
Adam nods, the memory of that day still fresh in his mind. The searing pain, the sense of betrayal, and the lingering fear that such an event could happen again. "Yes, it did hurt. But I know Emily didn't do it out of malice. I don't hold it against her."
"I know it hurts Adam." Sera says as she tightens her hug. "Just know she did it for the right reason. If you hadn't tried to leave Heaven, none of it would have happen."
"But my descendants -" Adam tries to reason.
"Were mostly bad people." Sera interjects. "If Emily hadn't stopped you, you would have saved people like Vaggie's parents who don't deserve your kindness or mercy."
"But what about the good ones? What about those who did deserve a chance?" Adam asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sera sighed, her expression softening. "Adam, I know you want to save everyone, but you can't carry the burden of the world on your shoulders. The Flood was a necessary evil to cleanse the world of its overwhelming corruption. Fortunately, the few good ones became winners much like Vaggie."
Adam closed his eyes, the memories of that time flashing through his mind. The screams, the terror, the feeling of helplessness as he watched his descendants perish. It was a nightmare that haunted him, a reminder of the heavy price of not stopping Eve from eating the apple.
"But I can't forget them." Adam murmured, his voice choked with emotion. "I can't forget their faces, their pleas for mercy. I can't forget that I could have done something."
Sera's heart ached for her son, her hand reaching out to gently lift his chin. "Adam, save your love for those who deserve it. Not the ones who would only lead you to heartache. Those people were no better than Lucifer, Lilith and Eve."
Adam met her gaze, his eyes filled with unshed tears. Sera pulled him into a tight embrace, her wings enveloping him in a cocoon of warmth and comfort. "I know, my son. I know. But you have to let go of the past. You have to forgive yourself."
Adam clung to her, his body trembling with the weight of his sorrow. "How do I do that? How do I let go?"
Sera held him tighter, her voice a soothing whisper in his ear. "You take it one day at a time. You focus on the present, on the people who love you. On your children, on me. And you remember that you're not alone.
As Adam slowly began to calm down, Sera continued to hold him, her presence a steady anchor in the storm of his emotions.
"Do you want to marry Emily?" Sera ask.
Adam took a deep breath, feeling the weight of Sera's question pressing down on him. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, memories of past traumas intertwining with the present moment. He loved Emily as family, that much he knew. But the pain and fear that lingered from their shared history made it difficult to see a clear path forward.
"I ... I don't know, Mom," Adam finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I care about Emily a lot. She's been a constant in my life. But every time she holds me, I can't help but think back to the flood. I don't know if I can ever truly move past that."
Sera nodded, her eyes filled with understanding and compassion. "It's okay to feel that way, Adam. Healing takes time, and it's not something you can rush. The important thing is that you're honest with yourself and with Emily about your feelings."
JUST NEVER LEAVE AGAIN!
"Now how about Lute? Do you want to marry her?" Sera ask as she strokes his back gently, urging him to speak.
"Mom ... I really don't know." Adam replies, his emotions in a whirlwind of conflict.
"It's okay Adam, you can tell me." Sera ask, not letting up. She is determined to have Adam spill everything out.
"In a way, she reminds me so much of Eve." Adam admits as he feel his heart wrench. "Lute is always by my side much like Eve had been. Eve always wanted to be with me and wants to spend every moment with me ... at least, I thought she did."
"I love them her, but ..." Adam pauses, the words from Lucifer in his nightmare still haunt him.
'Lute and those pathetic daughters you call exorcists. They love you because they were MADE TO LOVE YOU! Give them a choice and I bet none of them will stay with you!' Adam recalls his hurtful words.
"Mom, you created Lute to watch me, to always be with me." Adam says. "She doesn't love me or at least, if she had a choice, she won't love me."
"Adam. I created Lute and gave her the duty to watch over you, yes." Sera confirms to him. "However, I never instructed Lute to love you. She CHOSE to love you."
Adam looked up at Sera, his eyes searching for any hint of deception. He wanted to believe her, to find solace in her words, but the lingering doubts gnawed at him.
"How can you be so sure?" he asked, his voice tinged with skepticism. "How can you be certain that Lute's feelings are genuine and not just a result of her creation?"
Sera's expression softened, and she cupped his face gently in her hands. "Adam, I have watched Lute closely over the centuries as she did her duty. I've seen the way she looks at you, the way she cares for you. Her love is as real as mine or your children's. She wasn't programmed to love you; she chose to because of who you are, not because of any divine mandate."
"Lute loves you as much as Aclima does. Though Aclima perhaps more so." Sera muses. "Speaking of Aclima, do you wish to marry her?"
For Adam, this was the hardest one to answer. His own daughter who has been by his side since her birth. His mind swirling with the complex feelings he harbored for his daughter. Aclima had always been special to him. She shared his passion for discovery and had been his steadfast companion through countless adventures. She was the reason he still carried a smile after Eve had passed.
The idea of marrying her felt both comforting and deeply unsettling.
On the one hand, he cherished Aclima's presence in his life, her unwavering support and love. Her eccentric behavior that made him laugh and smile. She understood him in ways no one else did, sharing his joys and his burdens with equal fervor.
On the other hand, the thought of taking their relationship to a romantic level made Adam feel afraid. If he ever lost her, he couldn't bear the heartbreak. Aclima had been his rock, the one constant in his life after Eve. The fear of ruining what they had, of losing the pure and unconditional love they shared as father and daughter, weighed heavily on his mind.
But the most pressing matter for Adam? Aclima inherited her emerald eyes from Eve. Every time he looks into them, he's reminded of how happy he once was and the love he shared with Eve. But it also reminded him of Eve's betrayal and the pain it caused him. The fear of history repeating itself looms over him like a dark cloud, casting a shadow on any potential future with Aclima.
While Aclima is her own person, separate from Eve, she reflects her mother so much."
"I ... I don't know, Mom," Adam finally admits, his voice barely above a whisper. "I love Aclima more than words can express, but I'm afraid. Afraid of losing her, afraid of tarnishing what we have."
Once again, Lucifer words ring in his head. 'Aclima? What choice does she have? She wasted half her life being with you out of PITY! Her pathetic father who can't function once his wife passed away and into my arms!'
Was that it? Did she offer marriage to him out of pity?
"But what if Aclima doesn't truly love me? What if she's just staying out of obligation or pity?" Adam ask, afraid of the answer.
Sera's heart ached for her son, knowing the depth of his insecurities and the scars left behind by past betrayals. She squeezed his shoulder gently, her voice filled with warmth and conviction. "Adam, Aclima loves you. I've seen it in the way she looks at you, in the way she cares for you. She chose to stay by your side out of love, not obligation. You've raised her to be independent, to make her own choices. If she didn't want to be with you, she wouldn't be."
Adam nodded, but the fear still lingered in his eyes. Sera continued, her voice gentle but firm. "You have to trust her, Adam. Trust that her feelings are genuine."
Adam took a deep breath, trying to let Sera's words sink in. The fear of losing Aclima, of repeating the past, was overwhelming. But he knew his mother was right. He had to trust, not only in Aclima but in himself.
Sera smiled softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from Adam's forehead. "Adam. If nothing else, I want you to know that my love for you is genuine. You can TRUST me."
Adam nodded again, feeling a bit lighter. "Thanks, Mom."
"You don't have to decide anything today Adam. Just take it slow and do what you feel is right." Sera assures. "And if you have any trouble, I'm always here for you."
As they sit in comforting silence, Adam feels a glimmer of hope. Maybe things could work out, as long as he had his family by his side.
"Let's go home Adam." Sera states as she finally releases him from her embrace and allow him to stand.
Seth and Azura return to the living room and say their goodbyes.
"Don't worry dad! If nothing else, you will always have a place in our home!" Seth assures him with Azura nodding along.
"Come back soon Dad! You still need to teach me how to make that Carbonara!" Azura cheerfully says.
Adam smiles, feeling the warmth and love of his children, and knowing that he is not alone in facing his fears and uncertainties. "I will, Azura. I promise."
With a final hug from his children, Adam leaves their home, feeling a sense of peace that has eluded him for so long.
Stepping through the door, Adam was surprised when a flying Jophiel was heading straight towards him at an alarming speed. He was saved when Sera reaches her hand out and stops Jophiel mid flight.
"Adam! Do you accept!? Do you accept my proposal!?" Jophiel ask out loud as she struggles in Sera's grip.
Shaking his head, Adam denies her. "I'm sorry Jophiel, I can't accept your proposal."
"WHAT!?" Jophiel shouts out. "But I know everything about you Adam! I've watched over you for so long. I know your likes, your dislikes, your habits. I can be your perfect wife!"
"But I don't know anything about you." Adam responds. "I would like to get to know you, as a friend."
"But thats -" Jophiel wanted to protest but Sera leans down and whispers into her ear.
"Either you start off as friends or never see Adam again." Sera threatens her in a firm tone. Jophiel's eyes widen in surprise at Sera's words, realizing that she was serious.
"Fine," Jophiel mutters, her wings drooping in defeat. "As you wish, Lady Sera."
She had watched him for 13 decades. This was still progress and Adam didn't shut her down completely. She'll play Sera's game and be friends with him. Sooner or later, he'll fall for her charms.
THAN SHE'LL NEVER LET HIM GO!
With a resigned sigh, Jophiel backs away, her disappointment evident.
Once they see Jophiel back away in defeat, Emily, Aclima and Lute bound towards Adam.
"Adam!/Dad!/Sir!" They shout in unison, catching Adam off guard when just earlier today they were fighting.
"Yes?" Adam replies hesitantly, afraid he was going to have to break three hearts.
"We've all decided to marry you!" Emily exclaims gleefully as she grabs his hand.
Adam blinks in surprise at the sudden declaration, feeling a mix of shock and confusion wash over him. He looks between Emily, Aclima, and Lute, his mind struggling to process the unexpected turn of events.
"Wait, what?" Adam stammers, his eyes widening in disbelief. "All three of you want to marry me?"
"Yes, Dad!" Aclima chirps excitedly, her emerald eyes sparkling with anticipation. "We've discussed it among ourselves and we all agree that we want to be with you forever!"
"And you're all sure about this?" Adam asks, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "You've thought it through?"
"Absolutely, Sir!" Lute declares with a confident nod. "We love you and we want to spend the rest of our lives with you. Together."
"We understand if you need time to think about it," Emily adds, squeezing his hand reassuringly. "But we wanted to make our feelings clear."
Adam's mind races as he tries to process the implications of their declarations. Marrying one of them was already daunting, but three? It was overwhelming, to say the least.
"I ... I don't know what to say," Adam admits, feeling at a loss for words. "After the whole incident with Jophiel, I need some time to think about it."
The three women exchange glances, their expressions a mix of disappointment and understanding. They had expected Adam to need time to process their proposals, but they couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed that he didn't immediately accept.
"That's okay, Dad." Aclima says softly, her voice gentle and reassuring. "Take all the time you need. We'll be here for you, no matter what you decide."
"In the meantime, the three of you can decide who will get the first kiss." Michael says with beer in hand as he joins everyone by the entrance with Vaggie in tow.
Aclima scoffs and says with a proud look. "Of course I'll be the one."
"Like hell you are!" Lute retorts. "I'm the first one Sir will kiss!"
"What!? It should be me!" Emily exclaims.
"Like hell! His first kiss will belong to me!" Jophiel joins the fray once more.
"Stay out of this you creepy stalker!" Aclima yells.
As the four of them argue, Michael could only laugh and enjoy the show that had instigated.
"Want to go to the zoo Vagasaurus?" Adam asks Vaggie who had come up to his side.
"Yeah Dad, lets go." Vaggie holds his hand, excited to go to the zoo with her dad again.
"Coming mom?" Adam turns to ask Sera.
Sera smiles and nods. As she follows them out she turns around and looks back at Michael. "I'm sure MICHAEL will handle things here."
Michael went from a happy expression to one of dread. He had not expected Sera to leave him alone with the ladies again. With a resigned sigh, Michael braces himself for the chaos that is about to ensue as Sera, Adam and Vaggie depart for the zoo.
As the door closes behind them, Michael shakes his head, a wry smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Well, looks like it's just you and me again, ladies." he mutters to himself, steeling himself for another round of negotiations and shenanigans.
Ready to tackle the problem before him, he snaps his fingers and summons his cooler once more the same way he did earlier. However, his worst fears had been realized.
He was out of beer.