Emma’s knowledge about Lord Michael was extremely limited.

Not even the novel had ever fully described him.

There were only fragments scattered throughout the story. Mentions of his overwhelming might, his benevolence, and the enormous influence he held during the final battle where he empowered Kevin.

From what Emma understood, Michael wasn’t merely Kevin’s patron deity.

He was something closer to a guardian.

Or to be precise... a father.

Long ago, Michael had fallen in love with a human woman, and the child born from that union eventually became known as the savior of the world.

But even that revelation told Emma very little about the being who possessed the greatest authority in Heaven.

And now, standing directly before her, the Archangel looked at her with unmistakable disdain.

As though she had stolen his umbrella during a storm and shoved him into a muddy puddle afterward.

"That’s not exactly how you greet someone—"

"Shut up, Ralph."

Michael silenced his younger brother instantly without even sparing him a glance.

Emma remained standing in silence for a moment before calmly asking,

"Why was I summoned?"

The initial shock of standing face-to-face with the Archangels had already faded.

Now, her focus rested entirely on the reason behind this meeting.

Michael narrowed his eyes slightly.

The girl standing before him possessed an unusual resistance against divine presence. The very fact she remained upright, chin raised and gaze unwavering beneath the pressure radiating from the two Archangels, was proof enough of that.

"You..."

Michael’s voice echoed through the space, cold and still very disdainful.

"I will grant you this one chance." His golden eyes narrowed upon her. "Leave that evil creature behind, join hands with my apostle, and help restore order to this world."

Emma frowned deeply.

"What?"

For a few seconds, she genuinely thought she had misheard him.

"You want me to leave William and..." She let out a dry breath before glancing toward Raphael. "You really should’ve spoken with Lord Raphael first."

The eldest Archangel’s expression darkened slightly.

"Do you believe I care about your personal desires?" His voice carried sharp authority now. "Your place was always meant to be beside Kevin. Supporting him. Guiding him. Encouraging him."

Emma’s eyes instantly hardened.

"And who are you to decide that?"

Raphael visibly stiffened.

Even he seemed stunned by the sheer boldness in her response.

The girl standing before the King of Angels showed not even the slightest hesitation while speaking to the highest authority in Heaven.

Michael stared at her coldly.

"You fail to understand the authority we possess over the mortal realm." Divine pressure slowly thickened around the surroundings. "Ordinarily, we do not interfere with mortal affairs."

A pause followed.

"But there are exceptions."

His gaze sharpened.

"And you are one of them."

Emma already knew that.

The very fact they had dragged her consciousness into this place without warning, without permission, proved they possessed the power to do far worse.

An apostle did not merely receive blessings from their patron deity.

They could also receive punishment.

And divine punishment rarely ended lightly.

Disability.

Madness.

Death.

Emma understood all of it perfectly.

And she would be lying if she claimed she did not value her own life.

Yet despite that...

"If you’re going to force me to leave William..." Her voice remained steady. "Then you might as well kill me."

Silence descended upon the space the moment those words left her mouth.

Raphael wasn’t particularly surprised. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

If anything, he felt impressed.

He had observed Emma closely for quite some time now and understood better than most just how deeply that being mattered to her.

Michael, however, came to a different conclusion.

This could not continue.

Without another word, the Archangel slowly raised his hand and reached toward her face.

Emma instinctively tried to step back.

But her body wouldn’t move.

It felt as though the space itself had frozen around her, locking every muscle in place beneath overwhelming divine authority.

"You still don’t understand," Michael said quietly as his hand drew closer. "Then let me show you..."

His eyes turned frosty.

"...what it truly means to stand beside that creature."

And then his fingers touched her forehead.

The instant contact was made, Emma’s eyes lost focus.

The strength drained from her body almost immediately as her consciousness was violently dragged downward, sinking into something heavy...

Something suffocating.

A past she neither understood nor wished to face.

Hundreds of humans stood before her.

All dead.

Their bodies remained perfectly intact. Feet planted firmly against the ground, posture upright, balance untouched.

Yet they no longer resembled living beings.

It was as though every trace of life had been drained from within them, leaving behind nothing but dry, hollow husks.

Emma slowly followed the direction of their gazes.

Every single one of them faced the same figure.

The same being their trembling hands were raised toward.

A one-winged angel floated silently in the air.

Golden hair.

Red eyes.

And an inhuman serenity resting upon his face.

The moment Emma saw him, recognition struck her instantly.

She knew who he was.

Or rather...

Who he would one day become.

"William..."

The name escaped her lips in a breath.

And suddenly—

Her consciousness was violently pulled back into her body.

Emma gasped sharply and staggered backward, immediately glaring at the Archangel standing before her.

"You saw that?" Michael asked calmly. "You may believe he stands against darkness simply because he saved you once."

His expression remained utterly indifferent.

"But I assure you, when it comes to obtaining power, that creature would not hesitate to slaughter anything standing before him."

Emma’s eyes hardened.

"That’s complete bullshit."

Her voice rose with anger.

"I’ve heard things directly from William." She took a step forward despite the pressure surrounding her. "That being only acts to prevent either side from dominating the world."

Her gaze sharpened.

"Because he’s the protector. Not you."

Michael remained perfectly calm beneath her accusation.

If anything, his eyes held something resembling pity now.

"You have been misled by that thing."

His voice echoed heavily through the space but didn’t rattle her.

"The memory you witnessed..." He paused briefly. "I swear upon the name of Allfather that those people were not opposing him."

A cold silence followed.

"They were his devotees."

Michael stared directly into her eyes.

"And tell me, Emma..." His voice lowered slightly. "What exactly did they receive for their loyalty?"

For just a single moment, Emma faltered.

An angel swearing upon the name of the Allfather was not something to be taken lightly.

Was he...

Actually telling the truth?

The thought shook her briefly, but even then, she clenched her fists and forced herself to speak.

"That still has nothing to do with William."

Her voice steadied once more.

"He is not the person you showed me." Her eyes locked onto Michael without wavering. "I know him better than anyone, and he doesn’t care about either side winning or losing."

A faint bitterness crept into her tone.

"We just want to live peacefully."

Michael hummed quietly.

"I am pleased you at least acknowledge that his former self was evil."

Emma’s expression immediately darkened.

But before she could retort, the Archangel continued calmly,

"This is enough for now."

His gaze remained fixed upon her, looking as if satisfied.

"I will speak with you again once he returns to what he once was."

Emma clicked her tongue in irritation, frustration rapidly building inside her.

Why couldn’t these self-righteous bastards just leave them alone and allow them to live their lives in peace?

She opened her mouth to speak again—

But suddenly, her vision blurred.

Darkness began creeping into the edges of her sight.

Her body grew heavy.

The strength left her limbs before she could even process what was happening.

Emma tried to force out another word, but no sound came.

And soon after, everything went black.

°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comment.