The gentle quacking of ducks echoed softly in the distance as Samael's boundless energy began to wane. His gleeful laughter turned into quiet chuckles, and soon, his wings drooped as his steps grew slower. Levia noticed the change, her gentle smile never faltering.
"Come on, Samael," she said softly, her hand brushing against his shoulder. "Let's get you somewhere cozy. You've had a long day."
Samael yawned, his glowing eyes half-lidded as he nodded. "I suppose I could use a nap," he admitted, rubbing his eyes.
Levia led him to the guest room within the Hall of Virtues. The room was serene, bathed in soft, golden light that filtered through translucent curtains. A simple but plush bed sat in the center, adorned with white linens that seemed to shimmer faintly. Samael shuffled to the bed, collapsing onto it with a relieved sigh.
Levia pulled the covers over him, tucking them in gently. She perched on the edge of the bed, her expression warm as she watched him settle in.
Samael glanced at her, his voice quiet and tinged with guilt. "Levia... I'm sorry. I'm not the perfect angel everyone expects me to be. I try so hard, but it's never enough."
Levia's heart ached at his words. She reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from his face. "Oh, Samael," she said, her voice as soothing as a lullaby. "You don't need to be perfect. None of us are. What matters is that you're you, and we love and accept you for who you are."
A small, tired smile appeared on Samael's face. "Thank you, Levia," he murmured, his voice fading as sleep began to claim him.
Levia leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. "Rest now, little Morningstar," she whispered. "We'll be here for you."
Samael's breathing evened out as he drifted into a peaceful slumber. Levia lingered for a moment, watching over him before rising and leaving the room quietly.
In another part of the Hall, Triel and Plutus were waiting for her. Plutus was pacing, his usual energy barely contained, while Triel leaned against a pillar with her arms crossed.
Levia approached them, her serene presence calming the room. "He's asleep," she said softly. "He needed the rest."
Plutus stopped pacing and looked at her. "We were thinking," he started, his voice soft but eager, "that maybe we should go with Samael next time to the Celestial Hall. You know, to oversee humanity."
Triel's brows furrowed. "I don't know, Plutus," she said, her tone cautious. "It didn't exactly go well last time, and I'm not thrilled about throwing him back into that environment."
Levia stepped forward, her voice calm but resolute. "Samael needs support. Plutus and I can provide that. We'll be there for him, to make sure he knows he's not alone. And... I think it's important for us to see what's happening firsthand."
Plutus nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! Besides, Samael lights up when he's with us. We can keep him grounded, and maybe—just maybe—we can help smooth things over with the seraphim."
Triel sighed, glancing at the two of them. "You're both really set on this, aren't you?"
Levia placed a hand on Triel's shoulder. "We are. We trust your judgment, but we also trust that we can handle this."
Triel looked between them, her gaze softening. "Alright," she finally said. "But promise me you'll look out for him. The seraphim can be... well, you've seen it."
Plutus grinned. "No worries, mate. We've got his back."
Levia smiled. "We'll make sure he's safe and supported, no matter what."
Triel nodded, her expression still tinged with concern. "I'm trusting you both. Don't let me down."
Levia and Plutus exchanged determined looks. Samael wasn't alone—not with them by his side. And they were ready to face whatever awaited at the Celestial Hall.
———————————————————————
The next morning, the Hall of Virtues was bustling with quiet activity. Levia and Plutus stood by the grand archway, their wings softly glowing in the golden light streaming through the stained-glass windows. Samael approached them, looking rested but resolute, his usual exuberance tempered by a quiet determination.
As the three prepared to leave, the rest of the Virtues gathered nearby, their expressions a mix of concern and disbelief.
"You're really going back there?" Belfagel asked, her tone sharp with worry. "After everything that happened last time?"
Samael nodded firmly. "Yes, I am. I still believe in this project, even if it's flawed. Maybe... maybe this time will be different." He glanced at Levia and Plutus, his voice softening. "And I think with them there, we might get through to the seraphim. Their kindness and compassion could make all the difference."
Triel crossed her arms, her face a mixture of concern and frustration. "Samael, are you sure about this? You don't have to prove anything to anyone. We all see how much you care about this project, but putting yourself back in that situation..." She trailed off, her golden eyes narrowing slightly.
Veritas stepped forward, her sharp yellow gaze piercing through Samael. "Triel's right. You've already been hurt by their arrogance and dismissal. Why go back? What are you hoping to achieve?"
Samael straightened his posture, his glowing eyes meeting Veritas's unflinchingly. "Because I still have hope," he said firmly. "Maybe it's foolish, but I can't just give up. If there's even a small chance that this project can be something great, something worth all the pain and struggle, then I have to try. And I'm not alone this time."
Levia placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, her serene smile radiating reassurance. "We believe in you, Samael. And we'll be right there with you."
Plutus nodded enthusiastically. "Too right, mate. No way we're letting you face this alone."
Triel sighed, her antenna-like extensions twitching slightly as she looked away. "You're stubborn, I'll give you that," she muttered. "Just... be careful, okay? All of you."
Veritas's lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze softening slightly. "I can't say I agree with your decision, but I respect it. Just remember, Samael—you don't have to carry this burden alone."
As the three prepared to take flight, Asmodel's voice broke the silence. "I don't like this," he said, his smooth, sophisticated tone unusually troubled. "This won't end well."
Veritas nodded solemnly. "It rarely does when pride and arrogance are involved. But they've made their choice. All we can do is hope they return unscathed."
Samael glanced back at the group one last time, a faint smile on his lips. "Thank you, all of you. I'll do my best to make this worth it."
With that, Samael, Levia, and Plutus took off into the skies, their wings shimmering as they ascended. Triel watched them go, her fists clenched tightly at her sides.
"I don't like this either," she muttered under her breath.
As the three disappeared into the distance, the remaining Virtues exchanged uneasy glances. The air in the Hall felt heavy with apprehension, the weight of unspoken fears hanging over them like a storm cloud.
"Let's just hope they come back in one piece," Belfagel said quietly, her gaze fixed on the horizon.
Meanwhile, high above the shimmering expanse of Heaven, Samael flew with purpose, flanked by Levia and Plutus. Despite the knot of anxiety in his chest, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope.
"This time will be different," Samael whispered to himself. "It has to be."
Plutus glanced at him, a cheerful grin breaking across his face. "Don't worry, mate. We've got this."
Levia nodded, her gentle voice carrying over the wind. "No matter what happens, we're with you, Samael. Always."
With their support, Samael felt a renewed sense of determination. Together, they flew toward the Celestial Hall, ready to face whatever awaited them.
———————————————————————
The Celestial Hall was bathed in golden light as Sera and the other seraphim gathered around the radiant globe of Earth, prepared to continue their work on humanity. Their voices were hushed as they murmured among themselves, refining their plans. The atmosphere was one of tense determination—until the grand doors opened.
Samael, Levia, and Plutus stepped inside, their presence immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the room. The seraphim went silent, their glowing eyes narrowing with unease. Sera turned to face the three, her expression a mixture of surprise and something unreadable.
"Samael," she began softly, her tone cautious. "About yesterday—"
But Samael raised a hand, silencing her. His expression was calm yet resolute, his glowing eyes meeting hers with unwavering focus. "Sera," he said firmly, his voice echoing slightly in the vast chamber. "Before you say anything, I need to speak. And I need you to really listen."
The seraphim exchanged glances, some frowning, others folding their arms in disdain. Sera tilted her head slightly, her wings shifting. "Go ahead," she said at last, her voice guarded.
Samael took a deep breath. "I'm here because I still believe in this project. I believe it has the potential to be something incredible, something worthy of Heaven's ideals. But the way you—and the rest of the seraphim—have been handling it has made it hard to see that potential."
Gasps rippled through the room, and several seraphim opened their mouths to retort, but Samael continued before they could interrupt.
"I came to help because I wanted to contribute," Samael said. "Not because I think I know better than you, but because I care. Because I see the flaws in this project, and I believe they can be fixed. When I tried to speak up, I was dismissed, mocked, and cast aside. And when the virtues gave their feedback, you treated them with the same disdain."
Plutus stepped forward, his cheerful expression replaced by a rare look of solemnity. "Samael's right. We're here to help, not to take over. We're virtues, after all—our whole purpose is to guide and support." His voice softened as he added, "And honestly, a bit of humility wouldn't hurt."
Levia's gentle voice joined in. "All we want is to ensure this project succeeds. That's why we're here—not to interfere, but to balance things. You are the seraphim, entrusted with this responsibility. But we are all part of Heaven's design. Shouldn't our perspectives matter too?"
Samael stepped forward again, his gaze locking onto Sera's. "You've been dismissing us, brushing us aside because you think you know better. But that arrogance is blinding you. And it's hurting this project more than you realize."
The room fell into a heavy silence. The seraphim bristled, their egos wounded by Samael's blunt words. Sera took a deep breath, her serene facade cracking just slightly. Her wings shifted behind her, the crown-like halo above her head glowing faintly.
"I hear what you're saying," she said finally, her voice measured. "But I also think you don't fully understand the weight of this responsibility. This project was entrusted to the seraphim by God Himself. We bear the burden of ensuring its success, and we cannot afford mistakes."
Samael's jaw tightened. "I understand the responsibility, Sera. But you can't carry it alone. You and the seraphim are so focused on not failing that you've lost sight of what really matters—Adam and Lilith, their lives, their choices. You're treating them like tools for a task instead of beings with their own purpose."
Sera closed her eyes for a moment, as if steadying herself. "You're passionate, Samael, and I respect that. But this is not your burden to bear. You may observe, but you and the virtues will keep your suggestions to yourselves."
Samael felt his hands clench at his sides, anger bubbling beneath the surface. "So you're not going to listen at all," he said, his voice low.
"I am listening," Sera replied, though her tone made it clear she wasn't letting his words sink in. "But the seraphim are capable of handling this project. We don't need interference."
Levia placed a gentle hand on Samael's arm, and Plutus frowned but didn't speak. Samael exhaled sharply, forcing himself to calm down. "Fine," he said finally, though his voice was tight with frustration. "We'll observe. But I still believe you're making a mistake."
Sera nodded curtly and turned back to the globe, her wings spreading slightly. "Let's continue," she said, her tone dismissive.
As Samael, Levia, and Plutus moved to the edge of the hall to observe, Samael felt a heavy weight settle on his chest. He wanted to believe things could still improve, but Sera's rigid stance made it hard to hold on to that hope.
Plutus leaned over to him, his voice soft. "We'll figure this out, mate. Don't let 'em get to you."
Levia gave Samael a reassuring smile, her calm presence helping to ease his frustration. "We're here for you," she said quietly.
Samael nodded, though his heart still felt heavy. All he could do now was hope that something—anything—would shift before it was too late.