The Crown's Obsession

Music Recommendation: In Flames by Digital Daggers

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Madeline didn't know the angel with whom she was walking, but it seemed like he knew her as he spoke to her in a familiar tone. She didn't know what hour of the day it was and how much time had passed since she had arrived at this place.

"How many angels are in here?" asked Madeline to the archangel named Paschar.

"Many, in order to protect Heaven and the people who reside in here," answered Paschar, "Heaven is as vast as the living world, maybe even bigger that no one can measure it. With the number of souls that arrive, we have had a decent number of angels since the very beginning so that, they can not only provide help here but also in the living world."

"What do they do in the living world?" Madeline believed the angels belonged in Heaven, and each creature had their own realm.

"For work of course," responded Paschar, "Sometimes we go down to the living world to see if everything is going as expected without any disruptions. Sometimes there are disruptions from other kinds, and we try to resolve it." Years ago it was one of the reasons why he had visited the living world, not expecting his and other people's lives to change because of the love he shared with a woman.

"I see," replied Madeline with a smile on her lips. "It looks like the angels work very hard. I am glad to be here. I heard from the other angel that not everybody gets in here, and I feel very fortunate."

Paschar wasn't sure how to respond to this. He was aware that the other angels were keeping a close eye on Madeline, making sure to see that she was completely part of the Heavenly realm. Even now, he could sense pairs of eyes looking at them, as if making sure he wouldn't say something he was not supposed to say and not let any doubt be placed in Madeline's clear mind. Because sometimes it took just one black drop in the water to turn everything impure and dark.

He left Madeline to herself, and as he returned, he came across the angel who stood there staring at him with his arms crossed.

"Does she remember anything?" asked the other angel, his black eyes staring at Paschar.

"Does anyone ever remember anything who comes from the living world?" Paschar questioned back. "What are you doing here? I thought you were with Michael."

The other angel hummed, "I was with him a while ago before he left saying he has something important to attend to." They heard a slight commotion, and he turned his head along with Paschar to look in the direction, catching sight of many angels making their way to the tower of justice. "Seems like all of us are taking precautionary measures with the interest of our elder brother making his appearance here."

Paschar's eyebrows furrowed, and his lips set itself in a thin line.

"Did the angels hear any echo at the gates?" asked Paschar.

"Nothing so far. I believe even if he does appear, you will be the first one to know about it," replied the other angel, his black eyes turning back to look at Paschar. "How did she die?"

"It was a demon. It would be better for you to stay away from Madeline, Raphael," warned Paschar, and Raphael offered a gentle and polite smile.

"I wasn't going to do anything. I was curious because unlike her, I do remember what happened in the living world," replied Raphael. "It is a pity that you are trying to bond with her. Nothing good comes when you do things half-heartedly, Paschar. You know that."

"I don't know what you are speaking about," Paschar's grey eyes were set on Raphael who turned his head in the other direction, staring at the angels who had disappeared from their sight and had made their way into the tower of justice where they were called to take orders.

The smile on Raphael's lips didn't leave, "It is alright if you don't, but if you think you can mend your relationship with her for not being there for her earlier, you won't receive the same feelings. You and I have both been part of Heaven, and not at the same time. We know what it is like, and how things here are programmed in a way where the souls are expected to live in a certain way, unlike the tolerant world of the living."

"It is so because Heaven wants to keep peace in here. We do what we need to do. Don't forget what happened when you tried to form a bridge," Paschar knew Raphael had stood with him and Lucifer, trying to bring in peace and calm things down. But it had only ended up with Raphael being exiled to the living world where he had lived as a demon with his memories lost for that time period. "Just keep yourself away from trouble. I don't want to feel burdened with your support."

"I will keep that in my mind," Raphael offered Paschar a smile, who stared at him for a few seconds before he walked away from there.

The smile that was on Raphael's lips lowered down, and he looked around him before hearing a loud collision from somewhere in the distance. It was like an earthquake had taken place in Heaven. Raphael had a brief idea of who was near Heaven right now. When the next collision was heard, one of the angel's said,

"Get everyone inside!"

The souls from the living world started to move while being guided by some of the angels to get back inside.

"What is that sound?"

"Did something burst?" came the muttered and confused voices from people.

Away from the centre and heart of Heaven, near the closed golden gates where ten angels guarded it, while two demons with black wings stood in front of them.