The Celestial Hall of Eternity was abuzz with anticipation. Angels of every order gathered, their divine light casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the chamber. At the center of the vast space, God stood on a radiant platform, His presence both comforting and overwhelming. He wore a wide, playful grin, His movements brimming with excitement as though He were about to unveil a grand surprise to an audience of eager children.

"My beloved creations," He began, His voice resonating with warmth and authority, "thank you for joining Me today. I have something truly wonderful to share with you—an idea, a dream, a project so dear to My heart that I can hardly contain My excitement!"

The angels murmured among themselves. Even the highest-ranking among them, the Seraphim, exchanged curious glances. What could possibly surpass the perfection of Heaven and the angels themselves?

God raised His arms theatrically, the light around Him intensifying. "I have made you, My angels, to serve, to love, and to glorify. But now, I wish to create something new. A being crafted in My image, with hearts that beat and minds that think freely—a creation unlike any other. I call them... humanity!"

The chamber erupted into chatter. Some angels clapped their hands in admiration of God's creativity, while others whispered in uncertainty. Among the skeptics were Veritas, the Virtue of Truth; Azazil, the Virtue of Patience; and Asmodel, the Virtue of Chastity.

Asmodel, graceful and serene, stepped forward, his glowing wings unfurling. "Lord, we marvel at Your endless imagination. But if I may ask—why humanity? Why beings with more free will than we, Your angels? Do You not fear they may stray from Your light?"

God chuckled softly, His tone as kind as ever. "Ah, Asmodel, what is love without choice? You, My angels, are magnificent, but your hearts are inclined to Me by design. Humanity will choose to love, to worship, to build, and to create as I do. Their journey will teach lessons to us all, even to you."

Azazil furrowed his brow, stepping up alongside Asmodel. "And when they reach Heaven, they will be higher than us? They will judge us?" he asked, his tone measured but tinged with unease.

God nodded, His expression calm but resolute. "Indeed, Azazil. They will not be angels but something greater. Their trials, their struggles, their victories—they will refine them into beings of profound wisdom and compassion. They will be your students, yes, but also your judges. You will guide them, and in turn, they will teach you humility and grace."

A murmur of discontent rippled through a small section of the crowd. Veritas, ever the skeptic, folded her arms. "Lord, I trust Your wisdom. But humanity's free will could bring chaos. Even we, with our inclinations toward You, have faltered." She gestured toward Michael, who stood in stoic silence. "Is it not a risk too great?"

God's expression softened as He approached her, His presence emanating peace. "Oh, Veritas, risks are where the greatest growth lies. Humanity will stumble, yes. They will fall into sin, and some will reject Me entirely. But through their choices, they will learn to rise, to repent, to love. It is the beauty of redemption, something even the angels will come to marvel at."

He turned to the assembly, His arms spread wide. "And you, My angels, will be their guides, their protectors, their teachers. Together, we will make this new creation something extraordinary. With the help of Sera and the other Seraphim, humanity will be nurtured, refined, and one day ascend to a glory beyond imagining."

Sera, the leader of the Seraphim, stepped forward, her aura blazing with enthusiasm. "We will serve with all our hearts, Lord. Your vision is perfect, as always."

The angels murmured again, some reassured, others still uncertain. Asmodel, Azazil, and Veritas exchanged glances, their doubts lingering but their trust in God unshaken.

God clapped His hands together, the sound echoing like the chime of a thousand bells. "Wonderful! Now, let us begin. Together, we will create a world of such beauty and wonder that it will leave all of Heaven breathless."

The angels cheered, their voices blending into a harmonious chorus. Even the skeptics could not help but feel a glimmer of hope. God's enthusiasm was infectious, His vision too grand to ignore.

And so, with the celestial host gathered in unity, the work began—the crafting of humanity, a creation that would forever change the fabric of existence. Angels watched, learned, and assisted, their own hearts stirred by the boundless potential of this new and mysterious race.

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Samael practically buzzed with excitement, his golden eyes alight with wonder as God's plan unfolded. His wings fluttered slightly as he leaned closer to Gabriel and Uriel, his voice a mix of eagerness and awe.

"This is incredible!" Samael exclaimed, barely able to contain himself. "A creation with free will, like ours, but even freer? I can't wait to see how they'll turn out! Maybe I can help—pitch in with something! I could help guide them, or teach them about God's love! What do you think?"

Uriel, ever calm and encouraging, placed a gentle hand on Samael's shoulder. Her eyes, glowing softly, radiated pride. "Your enthusiasm is refreshing, Samael. I'm sure you'll find a way to make your mark. God sees your heart, and your eagerness to serve Him won't go unnoticed."

Gabriel grinned, his voice warm and playful. "She's right, you know. You've got plenty of ideas, Samael, and you're not afraid to dive in. That's exactly the kind of spirit Heaven needs for a project like this."

Samael beamed, his wings flicking with delight. "Really? You think I could help shape humanity? That I could actually be a part of something so... so big?"

Before either angel could respond, Michael's towering form approached, his presence immediately shifting the atmosphere. Though not as critical as usual, his tone carried its usual weight of authority.

"Samael," Michael began, his arms crossed and his expression stern but not unkind. "It's good to see your excitement, but let's not forget the importance of fulfilling your duties. You can't hope to make significant contributions to Heaven—or humanity—if you don't master the responsibilities you already have."

Michael's wings arched behind him as he continued, his tone growing loftier. "Look at me, for example. I've always been steadfast in my role, always dutiful, always striving to serve God with unwavering loyalty. That's why I am, without question, His most favored son."

Samael nodded along, trying to maintain a polite smile as Michael's lecture began to drag. Gabriel and Uriel exchanged amused glances behind Michael's back, and Samael's eyes darted toward them, silently pleading for help.

"And it is because of this," Michael continued, clearly hitting his stride, "that I have been entrusted with responsibilities beyond what most angels could dream of. Samael, if you wish to ascend to such heights, you must—"

But before Michael could finish, Samael felt a tug on his sleeve. Gabriel leaned in, whispering, "Come on, let's get out of here before this turns into a sermon about his wing-span measurements."

Uriel stifled a laugh, nodding in agreement. Together, they pulled Samael away, their steps light and quiet as they slipped out of the gathering. Michael, still mid-sentence, didn't even notice.

Once they were far enough away, Samael let out a breath of relief, grinning at his companions. "Thanks for the rescue. I thought I'd be stuck there all day listening to him talk about how 'perfect' he is."

Gabriel chuckled, clapping Samael on the back. "Michael means well, but sometimes he just needs a little... space to admire his own reflection."

Uriel's laugh was soft and melodic. "Don't let him discourage you, Samael. Your excitement and creativity are exactly what Heaven needs right now. Humanity will be a challenge, but with angels like you to guide them, they'll have a bright future."

Samael's grin widened. "You really think so? Then I'm all in! I'll do whatever it takes to help make this project a success."

The three angels continued their conversation as they wandered through the celestial gardens. Above them, the stars of Heaven shimmered with a newfound brilliance, as though even they were eager to witness the birth of this project and the wonders that would follow.

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As the Virtues strolled away from the Celestial Hall of Eternity, the air buzzed with contrasting opinions. God's Humanity Project was certainly ambitious, but not all shared the same enthusiasm. The group moved in small clusters, voices overlapping in a symphony of agreement and dissent.

Azazil folded his arms across his chest, his brow furrowed as he spoke to Veritas and Asmodel. "I don't get it," he said, his voice laced with skepticism. "Why would God create beings who are weaker than us, only to grant them a place of judgment above us? It feels... wrong."

Veritas nodded, her usually calm demeanor tinged with unease. "I agree. They'll lack the power and knowledge of angels, and yet they'll hold authority? It doesn't add up. Angels are meant to serve and uphold the divine will. Giving humanity such freedom could lead to chaos."

Asmodel, typically more reserved, ran a hand through his feathers . "Perhaps it's a test—for us as much as for them. But I'd be lying if I said it didn't leave a bitter taste. We've served faithfully for eons, and now we're to guide creations who'll, inevitably, falter. It's a hard perspective to reconcile."

Nearby, Triel, Plutus, Belfagel, and Levia were deep in their own discussion. Unlike their hesitant counterparts, their expressions were bright with curiosity and optimism.

Levia's soft voice carried a note of gentle rebuke as she turned to Azazil and Veritas. "You're missing the point. This isn't about power or authority—it's about love. God wants us to help humanity grow, to guide them with wisdom and compassion. Their freedom isn't a threat; it's an opportunity."

Plutus leaned in, grinning broadly, his Aussie accent giving his words a friendly rhythm. "That's right, Levia. This whole thing's about teaching 'em to understand God's love, yeah? Sure, they'll mess up—who doesn't? But that's where we step in, show 'em the ropes. Reckon it'll be a good laugh too, eh? A bit of teaching, a bit of learning, everyone's better for it."

Belfagel chuckled, her soft voice grounding the debate. "Think about it this way, Asmodel. If humanity is meant to judge us one day, then perhaps it's an exercise in humility—for all of us. Even we could learn something from them."

Triel, ever the peacemaker, stepped closer to Asmodel, her golden eyes warm with understanding. Her voice was cool and measured, like a calming melody. "Look, I get why this feels weird, Asmodel. But it's not about us being overshadowed. It's about trust. God's trusting us with something precious. Humanity's a part of Him, just like we are. By helping them, we're fulfilling something bigger than just our pride. That's worth a shot, isn't it?"

Asmodel sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Perhaps you're right. Your words carry weight, as always, Triel. I'll give it a chance, though I may need some time to find peace with the idea."

Triel smiled, her voice carrying an easy warmth. "That's fair. One step at a time, right? No one's asking you to figure it all out today."

Azazil and Veritas exchanged glances, their skepticism still simmering beneath the surface. "We'll let it go for now," Azazil said grudgingly, "but don't expect us to be cheerleaders for this project."

Veritas nodded. "We'll observe and see how it unfolds. But we won't pretend to support something we're not entirely convinced about."

Sensing the tension lingering in the air, Triel clapped her hands together with a grin. "Alright, enough of the heavy talk for one evening. How 'bout I whip up something for everyone? Food's always better than arguing."

Plutus perked up immediately, his wings fluttering with excitement. "Oh, heck yeah! You know your cookin's the stuff of legends, Triel. I'm in. No arguments here."

He turned to Levia with a playful grin. "C'mon, Levia, sit next to me. I'll even make you a plate. Generosity's me middle name, after all."

Levia giggled, brushing a strand of glowing hair behind her ear. "You're too kind, Plutus. How could I possibly say no to that?"

Belfagel laughed heartily, clapping Plutus on the back. "Careful, Plutus, your charm's showing. Don't overdo it now."

The rest of the Virtues chuckled, the earlier tension melting away as they all agreed to Triel's suggestion.

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Meanwhile, back in the Celestial Hall of Eternity, Michael was still in full stride, his booming voice echoing through the chamber. He stood tall, gesturing grandly as he extolled his many accomplishments.

"...and that's why, I am the perfect example of what an angel should strive to be! My obedience, my strength, my absolute faith—I am, without question, God's favorite son. If only Samael would follow my lead, he might someday—"

A soft, amused voice interrupted his monologue. "You do realize you're talking to no one, right?"

Michael froze mid-sentence, his golden eyes widening. He looked around, finally noticing that the once-captive audience of Samael, Uriel, and Gabriel had vanished. Only the distant fluttering of wings and faint laughter hinted at their departure.

Sera, her silvery wings shimmering in the soft light of the hall, stood nearby with an arched brow and a faint smirk. She carried herself with calm authority, her tone light but pointed. "They left about... oh, ten minutes ago. You were so busy listing your virtues, I don't think they wanted to interrupt."

Michael's face tightened, his pride stinging. "Left?" he asked, incredulous. "How dare they? I was imparting wisdom. They should have stayed to listen."

Sera tilted her head, her expression one of patient amusement. "Or perhaps they've heard enough about your wisdom for one millennium. Ever consider talking less about yourself and more about the actual values we're meant to embody? You know—humility, compassion, servitude?"

Michael crossed his arms, his wings flaring slightly. "I do embody those values," he insisted. "I just... choose to lead by example."

Sera's smile widened as she gracefully fluttered past him. "Perhaps. But even God's favorite could stand to be a bit less favorite and a bit more approachable." With a soft laugh, she disappeared down the corridor, leaving Michael to stew in her words.

Michael stood there for a moment, his expression caught between indignation and reflection. He muttered under his breath, "I am God's favorite... aren't I?"

He began walking away, his steps firm but his tone more subdued. "I embody humility," he grumbled to himself. "And compassion. And... servitude. Of course I do. Everyone knows that."

But as he passed the silent halls, his words carried less conviction. The faint sound of laughter from the others echoed distantly, reminding him that perhaps, just maybe, there were lessons even he had yet to learn.