In the end, Michael could do nothing to him, and Luc would make sure it continued that way, vision be damned. He twisted Lila’s crystal around in his pocket, a reminder to never again lose something that was his.
“And what idea would that be?” Michael spat.
“This proves that the Creator favors me over you.” Luc shot him a cocky smile. “Isn’t it obvious?”
“The Creator does not care aboutyou.He does not care aboutus.He is a fickle being, driven by passing fancies.”
“My, my,” Luc tutted. “And this from His most ardent supporter?”
“The masses do not need to know how dire the situation is, but here is the truth. We are on our own. These new created beings are a testament to that.” Michael smacked his wooden pointer down on the map; it landed in the middle of an ocean.
“You mean the animals?” Luc curled his lip.
“That is most certainlynotwhat I mean. Do you see this?” Michael indicated a spot near the wooden markers; upon closer inspection, Luc knew the area to be the most beautiful garden that would ever exist. Lila had designed it.
“The Garden. Yes, I know it.”
“Yes.” Michael grimaced. “But what you do not know of is the creatures that were given governance over it.It,and theentiretyof your new world.” He slid the pointer around in a circle, orbiting the markers.
At this, Luc frowned. He didn’t like being caught unaware, but he had no idea what Michael spoke of. He had to ask.
“Governance?” he ventured.
“We are calling them ‘humans.’ My scouts say they are weaker than us, but more or less intelligent. So far, there are only two, but thanks to yourbrilliantprocreation plan, I’m sure there will be many more in no time at all. And what then, I ask you? The Creator hardly notices us as it is. With these new creatures to attend to, will there come a time when He withdraws His power from us altogether? Leaves us stranded in this place, to be devoured by the Void?Now…do you understand what you’vedone?”
Luc scoffed.
Was Michael really blaminghimfor the Creator’s abandonment? For His fickle nature? For…dare Luc say it?…His faulty prophecies?
Luc had designed a perfect world. He had not put those humans there. And he would no sooner have Heaven destroyed than he would destroy himself. But Michael did not care about any of that, and he never would.
However, Luc would not be cowed by the warrior’s inferences. He was still the brightest angel, and Michael would never have cared about him if he hadn’t felt threatened by him.
“I understand that you’re a liar.” Luc hardened his jaw. “And that even with your warriors and your watchtowers and your strategies and yourmaps,I managed to slip something by you. Tell me”—he leaned across the table—“without your Creator to back you up…are you really so terrified of these creatures you say are weaker than you?”
Are you terrified of me?
Because you should be.
Michael met Luc’s scornful gaze with one of stone, but he offered no answer.
“Guards!” he cried out, but Luc stormed out of the chamber ahead of his keepers.
One and a Half Aeons Pre-Great War
“Here it is!” Hadri led Luc into a section of the Great Hall where the lapis lazuli glazed bricks shone like jewels around a procession of angels carved into the walls. Each angel carried a different tool of trade and wore the insignia pin specific to their guild.
Overhead, a boldly colored fresco depicted the warriors, poised with swords amid the clouds. Bordered by leaf-patterned gold cornices, this painting spanned the length of the rectangular ceiling, with swirls of white and gold so vividly hued and features so finely detailed, the figures appeared alive.
“Thisis a marvel,” the architect assured Luc, and Luc thought he was talking about the ceiling until he noticed Hadri pointing to the glazed bricks set into the right wall.
“The bricks?” Luc ventured.
“Not quite.” Hadri pressed on a random brick in the center of the wall, and it slid back. Suddenly, the scraping of many stones sliding against one another echoed throughout the chamber, and the wall opened up. A small section of the bricks slid back, then to the right, until they disappeared behind one of the angel carvings. A shallow space carved into the stone had been revealed, which contained two steel chalices set upon a small ledge.
“Goblets?” Luc inspected one empty chalice. The cup looked quite plain; it wasn’t even inlaid with jewels.
“Not just any goblets.” Hadri grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Butyou must know the secret.”
