Zero

The whole breadth of the dimension bathed in white, gold, and hues of rainbow that illuminated from the end to end of the falling waters. The skies were filled with winged creatures, skin emanated with amber glow, making them immersed in full grandeur and holiness. In front were warrior angels, although scarred, they were sheathed in golden armours. Their swords, and few of their searing items that could evidently slice off one's head when swung, were held ready as their arsenal against unexpected evil deeds. 

Counting from these thousands of warrior angels were led by Archangels, Cherubims, and Seraphims. Their wings were as white as high-class ivory, either came in two-pairs, three, or six. They were much brighter than the rest of the angels, robes flew by the angelic wind as their designated weapons skimmed through past the picturesque views that humans only glimpsed on their imaginations. The heavenly, celestial music that would easily make anyone pause and absorb the light-filled tunes. 

Archangel Michael eyed over me. He was beautiful, comparable to the brightness of the sun to the reflected light of the moon. He was sometimes referred as the sun's incarnation, such brilliance, such intelligence and power. He had the three aspects of the Second Hierarchy of the Angelic Choir: Power over the Devil, Domination of the rest of the Angels, and Direct Power over Angels. Powers, Dominions, and Principalities to be much precise. His glow was different against the six of his brothers. However, how much bright he was, his eyes carried a weight, resigned pity of someone facing a grand sacrifice no humans expected for millennia. 

Blood continued trickling from every archways of my body. The skin that was once supple, ivory white were now draped in crimson resulted from my wounds. I was in pain but I surprised myself that I continued to endure until this time. My forehead creased in torture, oblivious of how to end the agony I was feeling. But I could not move. I had to do this, even if this was not ordeal, just for the sake of everyone I loved. Both of my hands were dreadfully spread upon the wood, and my feet bounded together, nailing myself into the cross. I had been here for days, or what I dimly recalled. I tried myself to straighten my vision, but as time went on, my sight flew hazy, white blur as I gazed upon the depth of light.

A little bit more would I be able to endure the crucifixion. 

However, I was astounded to see the dimension warping for an opening. Those people who were once humans, now turned into souls either living or dead, started to march themselves precariously inside. I managed to give off a smile. I was waiting for this to happen. And so, it began. If this was humanly limited intelligent quotient, they would interpret this sudden assembly as the harvest of souls. It was not entirely incorrect, however, still there would be an appropriate word to describe.

It was Judgement Day. 

An event where most had feared. They were born sinners but they were not inherently evil. They could do misdeeds as much as they had the capability to choose goodness. As growth rode the identity, downfall resulted from bad decisions were always present and great opportunities belong to the rarity. The life of Humans were sometimes presented as Push and Pull. Majorly, in most Humans would be welcoming to the fact, considering of their thought that their religion had already saved them. Yet, it was supposed to be faith that would. 

I already had known that their sins would be weighed to their belief towards God. And those who didn't believe, may God gave them mercy. This day would be the end of an era, judgement of where should a living being reside. 

Souls continued filling in the Holy Land of Light. As I looked down on their line had I finally seen them. Their mouths were hung a little bit ajar in shock. Aside from the truths that they had finally stepped on sacred grounds and seen divine existence, they were jolted with surprise upon seeing me in the cross, bloodied and severed. Then, their distress morphed into bewilderment, perplexed of what had I been doing here first and in a terrible situation. 

I could not blame them, for this scene should only be watched on movies or read on holy books and novels. 

I shown a leer, reassuring and warm. Nevertheless, they had not understood it correctly. 

Eva and Celeste, sworn parents of my current life, born with modernistic names had looked at me in an episode they had been dreading to witness.  Indeed, no parents would like to see their child suffering and mine was no exemption. They had tried to proceed on my direction, going astray on their lines, but they had been quickly stopped on their attempt when Archangel Barachiel approached them.

"Hast shall not reach the sacrifice. May thou shall respect patience." The Archangel told, stopping them with his silvery lightning sword and a staff that was similar to his height. His voice was soft and caressing, as if it was a music I could listen to for hours and never get bored. His silver-gold armor shone with different hues as he stared at two souls in front. 

My parents was left with no choice but to only see me in my present state and go back to where they lined. It was only given that definite respect swiftly occurred just by listening to the Archangel's voice. Barachiel was an Angel of God's Blessings and was the Heavenly Virtue of Patience. The Archangel was friendly, kindhearted angel but he was also seen cold. I had rarely seen him, or might be once. But basing from what I heard from Archangel Michael, his pupils would flicker in a white blue color when pissed off and was the only thing that could tell he was displeased. Unlike from other angels, he was calmer than those who would result thousands of thunderstorms and bolts of lightning worldwide, striking down on people as a form of punishment against their misdeed's audacity. 

He flew back to his station, grudgingly ogling at Michael who was still looking onto me piteously. The Chief Archangel might be upset, seeing me in a trance to experience my endeavor and God's willing. As expected; he was my Guardian Angel after all.

"Seraphiel!" Someone had called me loudly.

Everyone turned their gazes onto her, including mine. And there I've seen my best friends whom stood together with other of my acquaintances. My eyes flickered in recognition seeing who it was. 

"Carmela..." I whispered under my breath. 

"What are you doing there? Why... Why are you there?" Her eyes were welling up with tears. Clearly, she could not accepted what the dimension unfolded in front. She saw herself as my best friend, whom I always argued with. Honestly. As I grew, things between the two of us had gone distant. I could not understand her anymore nor her attitude and beliefs. There were times that oppression overtook me when she's around and I could not express myself really. Why was she worried?

"Please, come down. Sera, why?"

"I can't." I simply murmured. My voice was faint and it was inaudible considering our distance. I was not given any food or water over the days I had been nailed on the cross. As my strength grew weaker, my voice had faded as well. 

"Please, please! Angels, now I know you're real! Please, get her down. I'm begging you!" she knelt.

It was to my surprise that Archangel Gabriel spoke in my behalf. "Carmela, I had seen you grown over all of your incarnations and you had not been changed. You would always refuse that we don't exist. And after you realized you were wrong, you would still stand on your pride." My friend silenced. "However, the inner of your heart was an outstanding care for your loved ones that even you were betrayed, your treatment towards them was caring but you cover it with hostility. But hence of your genuine plea, you will not succeed on your prayer. Seraphiel was needed on the cross. She shall not be interfered."

"But—" 

"Carmela. Stop." Another person spat, made her halt. It was my other friend who's named was Carol. Behind her were Angelo and Zara whom now cowering in fear in results of Carmela's great valor.  

Indeed, it would be seen as arrogance if she would not stop on her words towards the divine. Archangel Gabriel was one of my guardian angel's brothers, one of the Seven Archangels of Heaven, and the holder of Monday. He was the Heavenly Virtue of Diligence and a messenger of God. He was also the one who delivered the message to Mother Mary to bear a child of His Holiness. I had learnt that it was him who guided the souls to the gates of Heaven and along to a path of good life. Like Barachiel, he was very kind but he had deep love towards Humans. If the situation warranted it, he would be cunning and serious. Nonetheless, he was humorous.

I sneered, letting them know that I had not regretted the pain I was feeling. I raised my gaze and slightly tilted my head into another flank. And my eyes flicked in identification, knowing that they were my other friends which I respected so highly. I saw him, his soul was tainted in dark in contrast to his other members. But it was no surprise. He was a celebrity, loved by millions of Humans around the Earth, but he was not entirely kind. He was influenced by evil, soul inhabited with a devil. He was a real sinner, covered in both envy and lust in which the devil fed on. 

And I saw his taint was fading. 

A smile crept out from my lips. I was assured. 

However, even how much I tried to remain my eyes open, the drowsiness subtly filling me in the midst of my torment. I was getting more and more tired, hence, concluding me to close my eyes. I had already accepted my fate but I was not ready to let go yet. I need more time.

"MICHAEL!" One voice was heard on the distance. The sound was as fast as the speed of light when it lingered in every corners of the dimension. 

Although my eyes were shut, I could feel the atmosphere quickly changed into darker, harshly cold. I had heard of that voice. And the familiarity I felt of his appearance was enough for me to know who he was. He who was once a seraphim and named Lucifer. He was the first born of the light, the brightest, the strongest, the number one protector. But he was also the first born of darkness, the sovereign leader, power no one could bar. He was God's favourite and his features was in perfect manifestation of God Himself. Had I remembered what I learned down when I was a human. 

Those people who were filled with negative emotions: fear, anger, lust, treachery, and greed; these would be channeled to create newer demons. The demons that were borne out of Human's negativity were the ones who were most closest to the Man. Their connection might be huge but they had already gobbled some of Humans. Most of those who couldn't understand the disappearance could only place these missing identities as murdered or kidnapped. Little of their knowledge, these people who were only announced missing were actually eaten.

Moreover, major of the demons were once angels that inhabited in Celestial Realm; the three-fourths of the entirety that followed the supreme twelve-winged creature. They had acknowledged Lucifer as their Chief Leader, the alternative God. His treachery led to the Great Celestial War in which he lost. Due to love, God sent him in the lowest realms, which he ruled for span of light years. His brotherhood towards Michael was stripped off but my Guardian Angel was compassionate enough to understand him. 

"Release her this instant!" Lucifer commanded.

I flung my eyes open, my eyesight was obscured. Yet, I could still discern the different figures in front of me. The Fallen was flying in his five-pairs of wings, inky colour. His horns were as dark as the midnight sky and hard as huge steel. His eminent power was overflowing against all of his dominions. Humans looked at them with terror registering in their eyes. But the rest of the angels did not waver or was surprise of their arrival. 

Of course, it was a requirement for them to enter in the Judgement Day. 

"I can't." Michael told. 

"Why not?" It was a hiss. There was a distinct undercurrent of suppressed anger arching through his question. 

The Archangel sighed. "The crucifixion was part of her fate. She, who wanted to save everyone on her own and to replenish those pure souls who were damned, was designed for this occurrence. I'm sorry, brother. But you shall not interfere."

"Prophecy, again?"

"Indeed, brother."

"NO!" The Fallen snarled loudly. "I would not let her do this! You are his guardian angel, how could you see her in this state?"

"It was saddening to see my guarded human suffering in her fate. But, what had been written shall be followed. Please understand, brother."

"Stop calling me that! I am no longer your brother!" He shouted back; so, in turn was the silence from the Archangel. "Please, Michael. I'm willing to lose my wings for her." That was a plea from Lucifer. His benign, silky demeanor had long vanished. His voice cracked with absolute trepidation. My eyes were close, held in a canopy of darkness as blood travelling from all over my body. I was stood shocked even in my situation. Losing wings was equivalent of losing his capability to live and reincarnate. And he was doing it for me. Had I not known that he loved me so dearly, and he's willing to risk a sacrifice. Why?

"If you wouldn't release her, then I would."

Before the warrior angels could act was the fallen already teleported in my side. He used his incredible power that I only seen rarely to get me down from the cross. His six princes barricaded him down to protect us against the angel's upheaval. 

"Lucifer! Put her back on the cross!" roared Archangel Uriel.

But my soulmate did not dare to listen. 

He placed me in his warm embrace as his wings covered us from the scene. I felt his warmth, and his smell that subtly filled my lungs. 

I let out a smile. How did it turn out like this? 

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