"Blackmail is more effective than bribery" - John le Carre
In Heaven's history, the fall of Lucifer is considered one of Heaven's most shameful events. He was a creative yet rebellious Seraphim who enjoyed creating many things. But his curiosity to give humanity freedom early cost him his status as evil seeped into Earth, causing humanity to sin.
After his banishment, all of the Archangels and Seraphim swore that banishment would only be done to angels who had truly rebelled against the word of God.
But now, it appears that history will repeat itself once again.
The High Seraphim of Heaven has defied the will of the Archangels!
With it, every Seraphim in court panicked that their leader had made a rash decision. But for Emily, it was different.
She never imagined that Sera would risk everything to protect her, more or less, to say that to the Archangels.
"Sera…" Emily quietly said as she thanked the stars that her sister was fighting for her. At that moment, she couldn't care less that the seraphim were panicking; she was just glad that her sister was defending her. Even if the entire court is against them.
But it wasn't long until a loud bang erupted across the courtroom. And when all eyes went to the source, it revealed that Michael was holding the remains of what was left of his gavel.
As he discarded it, he looked at the Sera and said, "Out of all the times to disagree with us, you chose now, Sera?"
Unwavering from the Archangel's angry gaze, Sera replied, "Yes, I disagree that you would punish Emily. All because she believed in redemption's potential."
"And yet, you would send her to hell all for this?" Sera explained, "Do you not believe it is too harsh?"
"Harsh?" Michael questioned, "It's not harsh. It's fitting for someone like her who chose to rebel against our decision."
"I agree. We gave her multiple chances to learn from her mistake, and she still defied us," Gabriel said sternly, "It's even more surprising that you chose to disagree with our decision. Do you have more reasons why?"
With Gabriel's response, Sera said, "There are a lot, Lord Gabriel. But for now, I'll explain the most important reasons."
"When Adam proposed the idea of extermination, I thought it was the only way to solve Hell's overpopulation," Sera explained, "I was desperate. I had to accept that it was the only way because I was afraid that Hell would attack Heaven when it had amassed enough Sinners."
"But now, things have indeed changed," Sera said, downtrodden by the consequences that she has done, "With the advent of redemption, we need to give it a try!"
"Even if it means the risk of Hell retaliating back?" Michael sternly said, prompting the other Seraphim to voice their agreement.
With the approval of the Extermination, they were able to instill fear within the populace that, should they ever fight back, it would cost them their lives.
Now, with Michael as the new Exorcist leader, it will remind the denizens of the Pride Ring of the consequences of fighting back, as they would face a far deadlier Exorcist.
They then looked at their leader, hoping that she would realize her folly.
Or so they thought.
"Yes. Even if Hell were to retaliate, I'm still willing to take the risk," Sera promptly said, leading the Seraphim aghast to panic again.
That is, until Michael used the hilt of his sword and banged it against the sound block.
"Order! Order! I will have order in this court!" Michael shouted with fury, forcing the Seraphim to quiet down. He then looked at Sera, whose defiant eyes burned with determination.
"Even with the risk, you still believed that redemption has a chance," Michael seethed, "Has your sister's words clouded your mind even further, High Seraphim?"
"No, Lord Michael. It was the opposite," Sera replied, "It cleared my judgment, and I realized the potential that redemption can bring peace between Heaven and Hell."
"I can also tell you another important reason why I defied your decision," Sera declared, leaving the rest of the court curious.
"The reason… is you," Sera said as she pointed her finger towards Michael.
The entire court went into shock when Sera said that Michael was one of the reasons she defied them.
"Me?" Michael said in disbelief, "Why would you say that I'm one of the reasons for your defiance?"
"Have I done something that would unnerve you?" Michael continued with a displeased tone.
Sera scoffed at Michael's remark, making the rest of the Seraphim nervous about what their leader would do next.
"Yes, yes, you did, Lord Michael," Sera sarcastically replied. I can show them why."
With her response, Michael slightly flinched, albeit his brothers were the only ones to notice the slight change in his behavior. The orb of light flickered to show the court why.
With a great sigh, Sera lowered her pen as she finished signing some paperwork. It was evening, and she was in her office, finishing her duty for the day.
Sera sighed, knowing that it had been a week since Pentious' arrival. Noticing the bottle of wine in her office, she walked towards it and planned to pour herself a glass. But as she was near it, she hesitated. The High Seraphim was not one to drink, more or less every day, but since Pentious' appearance, she was about to be tempted. Sure, she managed to use daily prayer and work to mitigate stress. But even then, it would seem it was never enough.
"No. Not now," Sera said to herself, "I won't allow myself to drink. There's always a right time for this."
Suddenly, a knock was heard as she turned around.
"Who is it?" Sera questioned when the door opened, revealing it to be Archangel Michael.
"Good evening, Sera!" Michael replied, leaving Sera speechless at the archangel's unexpected visit.
"Lord Michael!" Sera said in shock, "What are you doing at this hour!?"
Michael chuckled at Sera's surprise when he said, "Be at peace, Sera. I'm just here for a quick discussion with you."
With his reply, Sera cleared her throat as she walked towards her desk, whereas Michael went to his seat. He then removed his cap and placed it on the desk.
"So, you've received our letter, yes?" Michael asked, prompting Sera to nod in response.
"I did, Lord Michael," Sera said, "Emily and Sir Pentious also knew that there would be a trial regarding redemption and the failed Extermination."
"Good. I hope you and Emily are prepared for what's to come," Michael said in earnest, "Because apparently, some of the Seraphim had some interesting requests, especially for Emily."
Sera raised her eyebrow at Michael's reply and said, "Whatever do you mean?"
Michael crossed his legs as he reached into his pocket, revealing it to be a folded paper.
"The rest of the Seraphim sent me a letter, requesting that I should separate you two when it comes to the topic of redemption," Michael said as he handed the letter to Sera.
Shocked by this revelation, Sera read the letter, revealing that most of the Seraphim demanded that Emily be the one left in court. They also wrote that they preferred that Sera quietly step down as their leader, due to the possibility that she would choose her sister over Heaven.
"Those….. Those imbeciles!" Sera said in anger, "What kind of asinine request is this!?"
"I know, right?" Michael said, "The other Seraphim wants you to step down because of the risks they've stated in the letter."
"And you're telling me because you want me to deal with this?" Sera said as she slowly calmed down. With the revelation of the Seraphim's attempts, she began to plan on how to deal with them accordingly.
Until…The archangel Michael said, "No. To tell you the truth, I'm asking you to follow their request."
When Sera heard the words coming out of him, she was in shock. When she was appointed the Head Seraphim, the archangels have always been by her side when it comes to important issues such as these. But now, it would seem that the Archangel has sided with the other Seraphim!
Sera slammed her hands on her desk and said, "Why!? Why would you approve such a ridiculous request!?"
Unfazed by the High Seraphim's outburst, he replied, "Simple. I believed that the rest of the Seraphim were correct in requesting such a notion. Mainly because you'd let your emotions get the best of you."
"Such as what you're doing right now," Michael said as he pointed his finger towards Sera.
With Michael's accusation, Sera was taken aback by what he said. She dropped into her chair as she realized that the archangel was correct. Her emotions are indeed getting the best of her, but it's because Michael is threatening.
"And besides, you don't want your sister to be punished, right?" Michael said with an innocent smile, leaving Sera bewildered.
"What do you mean?" Sera said as her fear began to grow from Michael's response.
"Here's the deal, Sera," Michael said, "If you choose to defy my orders, then I'll have no choice but to separate you from your sister. After all, I could say to the Seraphim that you're willing to conspire against Heaven's will."
With Michael's 'warning', alarm bells suddenly rang throughout Sera's head. She never could've thought what would happen if she were to disagree with Michael. She imagined in her head the scenario.
They'll punish Emily for her 'crimes'. Toss her into Hell. And to never return to Heaven.
And as for Sera. She'll be stripped of her title as High Seraphim and imprisoned in her own home. To never see her sister again.
Knowing that if she said no, her greatest fears would come to fruition when the archangel noticed her hesitation.
"What'll it be, Sera?" Michael gently said, "Yes or no?"
"Yes…"
Michael perked up as he heard Sera mumble something.
"What did you say?" Michael said with curiosity.
"Yes, I accept your decision," Sera said in a monotone voice.
Michael smirked as Sera finally agreed to his proposal. Even though he sees nothing wrong with it.
"See….. Isn't it easy to agree with me?" Michael said as he stood up from his seat, "Thank you for agreeing with this, Sera."
He then picked up his hat and was about to walk out until he said, "I almost forgot!"
Michael snapped his fingers and in an instant, a white collar of light appeared at Sera's throat, and she recoiled in horror.
"What is this!?" Sera said as she immediately tried to remove it, but to no avail.
"Oh, that?" Michael asked before he leaves, "Consider it my assurance that you won't speak of this to anyone. Even to your sister."
"Should you tell our little secret before the trial, well…. I'll immediately arrest you and your sister," Michael said to Sera, "Do I make myself clear?"
As Michael's threat was made known, Sera immediately replied, "Yes, Lord Michael. You….. You've made yourself very clear."
When the sphere begins to dissipate, silence has blanketed the courtroom. With the revelation that the archangel of justice has blackmailed the High Seraphim, nearly everyone has left in shock.
For the Seraphim, their latest scheme has been revealed in court, and they saw their leader angry at them. They thought Lord Michael had resolved it when he met with Sera. But unfortunately, she was waiting for the chance to say her piece after the collar's magic disappeared.
And for the other archangels, they couldn't believe that their brother had done this heinous crime. Even Raphael snapped out of his quietness and looked at his brother with serious intent.
But the worst ones to receive this news are none other than Emily.
Poor Emily has not only been punished, but also discovered that her sister was forced to hide this horrendous secret. She thought her punishment was bad, but to see Sera forced to follow Michael's request just so they won't be separated.
"Brother, is this true!?" Gabriel said to Michael as he turned to his brother, who appeared to feel very somber.
"Answer Gabriel's question, Michael," Raphael responded, "Is. It. True?"
With the entire courtroom waiting for Michael's response, he replied, "It's true. I did this to Sera."
With Michael's response, every Seraphim present was very nervous that the angel who is supposed to protect them had admitted that he forced Sera to accept his deal under threat.
"Why, brother?" Gabriel said, "Why would you do such…. Underhanded crime!"
Michael scoffed at Gabriel's remark, "It's simple, Gabriel. It's all for the sake of-"
"Protection?" Sera interrupted, "Is that your only excuse?"
Michael turned around and saw that Sera had once again interrupted him. But this time, she is not holding herself any longer.
"I once believed that Extermination is the only way. But I was wrong!" Sera declared, "We have blinded ourselves thinking that we were safe with the Exorcists killing those Sinners. And yet, we didn't bother to try and-"
"I've said it once and I'll say it again, Sera!" Michael retorted as his anger began to rise, "They had their chance when they were alive, and they failed!"
Seeing that Michael's stubbornness has reached her breaking point, she screamed at him and said, "Then you're nothing but a coward!"
Gasps filled the courtroom when Sera called Michael a coward. In the blink of an eye, the archangel moved towards the High Seraphim, angry at the insult that she had given to him.
"How dare you call me a coward," Michael said as he seethed with rage.
"I have protected Heaven for millennia, and this is what you have to say to me!" Michael shouted, wanting nothing but to teach the High Seraphim a lesson.
With her back against the wall, Sera replied, "I'll say it again, Michael. You are a coward."
As his temper flared, he screamed, "You wretch!"
Michael proceeded to unsheath his sword, but his brothers immediately restrained him. Gabriel and Raphael were doing whatever they could to unsheath the sword, as it is the blade that kept Eden away from prying eyes. Should Michael unsheath it, it will blind any angel due to its sheer power.
"Let me go!" Michael screamed, "Let me go, you ingrates!"
"You've gone far enough, brother!" Gabriel replied while holding his brother back, "This farce has to end!"
"I agree," Raphael said in agreement, "Not only is your blood pressure at an all-time high, you're exhibiting high levels of stress, anger, and humiliation all mashed up in one."
"And besides….. It won't look good for our image if word spreads about this," Raphael continued.
Hearing Raphael's words, Michael slowly let go of his sword, as he let out an exasperated sigh.
"Fine," Michael calmly said as he focused his attention on Sera, "One hour. You have one hour to reflect on your actions. And you better pray that we become lenient with your punishment."
"And as for the rest of you," Michael said, looking at the Seraphim, "Leave. Now."
Frightened by his statement, the Seraphim left the courtroom immediately, hoping that Lord Michael wouldn't target them with his anger. He then snapped his fingers as a portal revealed itself and the archangels went through it.
And as silence reigned throughout the courtroom, Sera sighed with relief, knowing that she had stopped Michael from punishing Emily and made herself his target.
But now, she turned around and saw her sister with a sad and sullen look.
The only words she uttered were, "Is it true?"
And scene!
This was one of my favorite chapters to write, and man, was it good.
But in all seriousness, I can't thank you guys enough for reading my story, as it warms my heart!
Until then,
See you on the next chapter!
Sincerely,
Riam Chi B. Pinlac