"A figment of imagination is just a harmless illusion - unless you are a victim of it." - Cullen Hightower

"You want this to happen, don't you, Sera?" 'Emily' said with a sinister smile, "After all, it's your duty to toss rebellious angels like me to Hell, correct?"

Fear struck in Sera's eyes as she saw her nightmare come to life. Her mind raced to ideas of how this version of Emily came to life. Is it because of time travel? Cloning? An alternate universe?

"What's wrong?" the fallen angel said as she circled Sera like a shark with its prey, "Are you speechless? Cat got your tongue?"

"I… I…..I….." Sera stuttered as she struggled to talk.

"I. I. I." the fallen angel stuttered in mockery, "Have regressed into a baby, Sera? Or are you just acting like an idiot?"

With the fallen angel's threat made clear, Sera took a deep breath and asked her, "Why are you here?"

She moved closer to her elder sister and said, "Simple. I want to see you do your worst. I want to see you do your job as the leader of the Seraphim."

Sera clenched her fists that this version of her sister was trying to rile her up. At first, she would annihilate this twisted version of her sister right away. Instead, she calmly replied, "If you think I would betray my sister, you're mistaken."

Emily laughed at her sister when she said, "You think you won't betray Emily? Ha! You're even more delusional than you thought!"

She was about to speak until…

"KNOCK" "KNOCK" "KNOCK"

"Lady Sera? Is everything alright?"

Her twisted sister smiled sinisterly and said, "Looks like you're being called to court. I can't wait to see you betray her."

"Emily" disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving Sera with even more questions. Why is this version of Emily here? Is she here to punish her? Or is it the case of trying to prove a point?

Nevertheless, Sera nursed her temple and contemplated that she might be losing her mind. Once more, the Exorcist knocked on the door, but this time, even louder.

"KNOCK" "KNOCK"

"Lady Sera, are you okay?", she nervously replied, "I heard some shouting in the room. Do you need some help?"

Upon the Exorcist's nervous reply, Sera quickly said, "I'm quite alright, Exorcist! Everything is quite alright"

The Exorcist behind the door was puzzled that the Seraphim would immediately respond after causing such a racket.

"The uh…. The Archangels have summoned you to the courtroom!" The Exorcist said, "And they wish to speak to you right now!"

"Ah….." Sera abruptly recalled, "Of course. They want to know where I stand."

With a deep breath, Sera calmed herself to ensure that the Exorcist's worries were abated. As she opened the door, she saw the Exorcist who was deeply concerned, only to look at Sera's calm composure.

"Lead the way, Exorcist," Sera calmly said, prompting the Exorcist to nod.

Both angels walked toward the courtroom with different thoughts. First, the Exorcist was relieved that the High Seraphim seemed calm, believing she had chosen to side with Heaven. But alas, Sera, on the other hand, was nervous.

She is so nervous that whatever choice she makes will decide Emily's fate. Nevertheless, it might be the last time Sera walks these halls as her decision would bring shockwaves across Heaven.

With the doors to the courtroom flung open, Sera is greeted with the eyes of every angel in court. They are all nervous about what their leader would do, especially when her sister is to be punished. She then noticed that some of the Seraphim were whispering under hushed ears. While she couldn't hear what they were talking about, she could think of a possibility. There is a possibility that she will make the same mistake as Emily.

But as she looked around the courtroom, the young seraphim saw her elder sister and immediately hugged her. Taken aback, Sera heard her sister sniffling as she saw her tears dripping from her dress.

"Help me, Sera!" Emily cried in sadness, "Please! Please let the Archangels give me another chance!"

With Emily pleading for help that it was at this moment, she was conflicted. Should she save her sister and convince the Archangels? Or side with the Archangels, hoping she won't be severely punished. Even so, she hugged her sister, showing that she still hasn't abandoned her yet.

Once they finished their hug, Sera moved closer to her sister and quietly said, "Emily, I'll do whatever I can to help you. I promise. Please…. Be strong!"

From her sister's words, Emily wiped her tears away as she tried to give her sister a big smile.

"I will Sera….. I will!" Emily replied as she hugged her once more. She then pulled away and returned to Sir Pentious, who was grateful that Emily had bounced back from her sorrowful cries.

Regardless of the Seraphim's reunion, Michael loudly coughed to get Sera's attention.

From it, Sera turned to the archangel who was looking at her with annoyance.

"As much as it pains me to say this, Sera, we must continue the trial now," Michael said sternly, "We must hear from you regarding what your sister did a while ago."

"Do you or do you not believe that our punishment is unjust?" Michael said as the Seraphim held their breath at what their leader had to say.

When Michael asked him that question, every angel's gaze was directed at her. Even when she hasn't said her piece, it's as if they're waiting for her to say the correct answer.

Taking a deep breath, Sera said, "I'm afraid I cannot answer your question, Lord Michael."

The seraphim were surprised by her response. They all thought she would immediately judge her sister. Instead, Sera was undecided about whether to approve the archangels' decision.

"Order! Order in the court!" Michael said as he was lightly banging his gavel, silencing the seraphim.

"Is that so?" Gabriel said with intrigue, "Care to elaborate?".

"Yes. The truth is that, for the first time in my life, I am conflicted," Sera responded to Raphael, "I want to answer your question but, if I were to say it right away, I may regret it. So please, give me some time to think this through, even for a few minutes."

At her request, Michael was once again surprised by her decision. While he would outright reject it, he decided to consult his brothers about whether they should give her that opportunity. With a wave of his hand, Michael signaled his brothers to move closer. They moved away from their seats and leaned toward their eldest.

"What do you think?" Michael whispered, "Should we give her some more time?"

With his query, both Gabriel and Raphael thought about approving such a request, so after a while, they whispered their answer to Michael and went back to their seats.

After hearing his brothers' answers, Michael said to Sera, "My brothers and I have concluded our discussion. We have decided to give you more time. Albeit a short one."

The Archangel snapped his fingers, causing a small dome of light to appear in the middle of the courtroom.

"This dome is sound-proof and its light will ensure that not a single soul can peer through it. You have five minutes to make your decision. And if you have made your final decision, simply knock on the dome three times," Michael explained, prompting Sera to bow her head and reply, "Thank you for granting my request, Lord Michael."

"You're welcome. But, before you go, I have one last thing to say," Michael said, "Our decision remains unchanged."

While not clearly showing it, Sera was taken aback by what Michael said. Remaining undeterred, Sera entered the dome and disappeared within its light.

Once Sera entered the dome, her breathing became rapid. Her hands begin to shake. Her lips start to tremble. And once they were in sync, she let out a bloodcurdling scream.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Sera dropped to her knees, believing that her one chance to save Emily was wasted. She knew that the Archangels wouldn't change their decision, even though she would try to change their minds.

"Why… Why have you forsaken me, Father?!" Sera cried in agony.

Sera gritted her teeth at her spectacular failure when she heard someone clapping. Sera turned around as her eyes widened in horror.

It was the other "Emily". When she saw her, she had a sadistic smile, and her eyes filled with malice, as if she was relishing Sera's pain.

"Is that the best you could offer, Sera?" 'Emily' replied with a shit-eating grin, "Stalling the inevitable?"

"Because right now, you have become a pathetic, worthless, angel," 'Emily' said to her downtrodden sister, "In other words, you're a failure of an angel and a sister."

"Enough….."

The fallen seraphim suddenly heard Sera mumble that she replied to her, "Come again?"

"I said. That's….. Enough….." Sera gritted, showing to 'Emiily' that she had had enough. Enough of her mind games. Enough of her antics. Enough of her threats.

"Pfft…"

"Hahahahahahahahahaha!"

'Emily' laughed at Sera's threat, and she ended up clutching her stomach.

"Y-You want me to stop!?" 'Emily' said whilst chuckling, "Stop at what? Telling the facts? Reminding you that you did the same thing to Lucifer?"

Suddenly, Sera looked at her in shock that this twisted angel knew about what had happened to Lucifer. She always told Emily how challenging the status quo would lead to an angel falling to Hell. But, she didn't tell her she was present in denouncing Lucifer for his actions.

"You always cared for him to the point that you considered him your brother," 'Emily' said to the downtrodden Sera, "But in the end, when he chose to give Adam and Eve the apple, you chose to send him and Lilith to Hell."

"That's right, you chose to forsake him rather than give him a chance. And now, it's happening all over again. All because of you," the fallen angel said, insinuating to Sera that once again, she would betray another angel.

Once she heard 'Emily' say those words, Sera covered her ears in agony. She didn't want to deny that she would betray Emily, but what this twisted version said truly frightened her.

Yes, she indeed sided with Heaven. But what can she do? She must perform her duty for Heaven. And what could she have done at the end? Protect Lucifer? It would've been treason!

"Even if you try to deny it, you can't hide your true intentions," 'Emily' said whilst leaning to the Seraphim, "You were never a sister. You are just a coward. A stupid, ignorant, coward."

Gritting her teeth, Sera struggled to ignore the fallen angel's taunts, trying to find a way out of this horrible predicament.

"This is not real. This is not real. This is not real. This is not real!" Sera repeatedly thought, hoping the Archangels would figure out she was in danger.

But with every second, she can still see that twisted version of her sister, who constantly repeats the fact that she will betray Emily.

And yet, a small part of her is nagging her, telling her that this is wrong. Saying that this Emily is a fake.

"But what if it is not?" Sera thought, thinking that if she tried to provoke her, it might end badly.

Taking a deep breath, Sera closed her eyes and thought, "Remember Sera. Remember the memories you had with her."

As Sera closed her eyes, she remembered the many memories she had with her beloved little sister. She recalled her creation, her first celebration with the Winners, and especially, her greatest party where many Winners rejoiced after the end of the Second World War.

Those memories, good and bad, put her at ease.

Sera then opened her eyes and saw that the fallen angel was still saying the same facts. But, she noticed that it was slowly fading away. Meaning to say, the fallen angel who calls herself her younger sister is nothing more than an illusion. A fake that was cast upon by herself!

"You're not real….." Sera muttered as the apparition turned around in confusion.

"What did you say?"

"You're not real. You're just a figment of my imagination!" Sera declared in defiance as she pointed her finger at the phantom.

"He…."

"Hehe…"

But from that, 'Emily' stifled a chuckle until it led to full-blown laughter.

"Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"

Sera was shocked that the apparition began to laugh out loud. She didn't expect the apparition would laugh at her declaration.

The fallen angel laughed for a while until she gave the elder seraphim a prideful smirk.

"Is that your new response?" 'Emily' said in a smug tone, "Are you implying that I don't exist?"

"Tell me then, Sera? Does this look fake to you?" 'Emily' replied as in an instant, a sword made out of Angelic Steel instantly appeared in her hand!

Sera flinched at the sword's appearance. It reminded her of what she dreamt. By its looks, the sword gleamed brightly with a holy aura that many would assume was real and deadly.

But in Sera's case, she knew that her fear was trying to overcome her resolve. Even though every fiber of her being was screaming to run away, running wouldn't save her. She must stand strong against the apparition who calls herself her younger sister!

"No. I won't be wavered by your threat," Sera determinedly said to the phantom, "I'm not afraid of you and I will not let you threaten me!"

From Sera's words, the phantom gripped her sword, angry that Sera was not quivering in fear.

"Not afraid?" 'Emily' said as her anger began to rise, "You dismiss me that I'm not real!? I'll show you!"

With a great leap, the fallen angel moved forward, ready to swing her sword at the Seraphim. But with a simple turn, Sea moved aside as the blade hit nothing but air.

"This farce is over," Sera said as she walked to the end of the dome to let the archangels know of her decision.

"You dare turn your back on me, Sera!?" 'Emily' said with fury, "I am your nightmare! Your worst mistake!"

"Look at me, Sera!" the fallen angel shouted, "Look at me!"

Ignoring her shouts, Sera breathed calmly as her hand formed a fist to knock on the dome, ready to be let out.

"You!" 'Emily' snarled, "You bitch! You're dead!"

With a battle cry, 'Emily' jumped in the air as she held her sword to plunge it straight at Sera.

But when the blade is about to pierce Sera's skull, the blade phases through. In her horror, 'Emily' realized that her 'victim' no longer feared her. And in an instant, the so-called fallen angel has disappeared with neither a plea for help nor a cry of despair.

Once the apparition disappeared, Sera sighed with relief that the phantom that haunted her was gone. All in all, she had vanquished her fear.

With it, she knew that maybe the choice to protect Emily was so simple, that it made her afraid of the consequences that would soon follow. Now, consequences be damned, this is her sister! The one who gave her joy since her birth!

Through her determination, Sera began to knock on the dome to declare her decision.

Meanwhile, the court was silent as everyone waited for the Head Seraphim to make a decision. And right now, Sera has one minute left to make her choice.

"Do you think Sera has reached a decision?" Raphael said to his brothers.

"I don't know Raphael," Gabriel answered, "But if there's one thing I do know. Whatever her choice will be would lead to a lot of ramifications. But if I were her, I would-"

KNOCK!

But as Gabriel continued, the court heard a knock from the dome.

And a second.

KNOCK!

And a third.

KNOCK!

With it, the dome of light begins to dissipate as Sera walks past the dome to share her decision with the court.

"So Sera. Have you made your decision yet?" Michael earnestly replied.

"Yes. I have made my choice, Lord Michael," Sera said to him as she looked at him with scorn, "I'm afraid….. I must disagree with your decision."

After her response, the entire court went silent, confused. Did Sera disagree with the Archangels?

"What did you say?" Michael said, causing his other brothers to look at him in concern.

"Oh dear….." Gabriel thought, "This isn't going to end well."

"Are you defying our decision, Sera?" Michael said as his temper began to rise.

When Michael's gaze reached her, it was as if time stood still. She could back off and admit it was a horrible joke.

But no!

This is no time for jokes! This is where she makes her choice! And now, her choice is to protect her sister, no matter what!

"Yes," Sera answered, "Yes. I. Am."

And scene!

Man!

This is one's doozy!

It's been quite a while since I've updated but hopefully, you guys would love this one!

See you on the next chapter!

-William DeGrave