Michael was re-reading the Book of Memories, for what felt like the thousandth time.
He sat in the underground library of the Heavensblade estate, a sanctum hidden beneath the ancestral grounds. It was here that every relic connected to his divine origin was kept. Ancient weapons, artifacts, and the remains or ashes of every vessel that had carried his soul across the ages.
In front of him lay the thick, diary-like tome, a record written in a language that only beings of divine origin could understand. It contained every significant detail from the lives of his previous human vessels.
"Eryxiel, show yourself," Michael whispered into the still air.
In an instant, a tall, ethereal man materialized from a shimmer of golden light. He appeared in his thirties, dressed in a white suit adorned with black and gold accents, his light yellow eyes calm and piercing, a warrior angel through and through.
"You called for me, General," Eryxiel said, bowing his head with reverence.
"You're one of my most trusted lieutenants," Michael said, turning toward him. "And you've been with me since the Great Divide."
Eryxiel nodded silently, waiting for the command.
"Have you ever heard the name… Seraphadneel?" Michael asked, his voice grave.
Eryxiel's brows furrowed slightly. "Seraphadneel?" He paused to think. "I've never heard that name, General."
Michael's eyes dropped back to the Book of Memories. On one of its blank pages, he had recently written.
Missing pieces in memory, before and shortly after the Great Divide
Seraphadneel
He sighed. Then stood and faced Eryxiel again.
"Do me a favor," Michael said quietly.
"Just say the word, General," Eryxiel responded without hesitation.
"Find Gabriel. Last I heard, he was also walking among humans again," Michael said. "I need to speak with him."
"Anything else, General?" Eryxiel asked.
"That's the most important task for now. But while you're at it, ask the others. If any of our siblings remember someone named Seraphadneel... I need to know."
"As you command." Eryxiel bowed deeply and, in a burst of radiant light, vanished.
Left alone, Michael walked to the center of the library.
There, encased in crystal glass, pulsed his Divine Sword, its glow soft yet alive. It responded to his presence, as though sensing his turmoil.
It had been eons since the Great Divide.
Most humans on Earth no longer believed in angels. Some even doubted the very existence of Heaven or Hell.
Perhaps that was why so many of his siblings had chosen to craft their own worlds, realms where they could be gods and feel worshipped again. Where their existence had weight. Where belief was unquestioned.
But not Michael.
Earth was enough for him.
This world, flawed, burning, struggling, was the Creator's most beloved. And among all the Archangels, only Michael had truly chosen to stay.
He knew his purpose was to protect Earth's people, to guide their souls toward light, to guard their hearts against the creeping shadow. But as time went on, and the world turned further from faith, that purpose began to blur.
The Great Creator had grown silent over the years. A million years could pass between His words. Sometimes, He said nothing at all.
Maybe… that silence was why Michael had chosen to become human. To live their brief, uncertain lives. To feel what they feel. To understand their pain. But he wasn't sure.
"Young Master Michael," came the familiar voice of Francois, gently interrupting his thoughts.
Michael didn't turn around. His gaze remained fixed on the Divine Sword.
What is your purpose now, Heaven's Blade? he asked silently. There's no one left to strike. Samael no longer whispers temptations into their ears…
And yet, they still doubt. They still despair. Not because of demons, but because they believe life is unfair. Because they think Father no longer hears them.
"The reports you requested are ready," Francois continued, placing a velvet-lined case on the table beside him. Inside was a USB drive.
"Thank you," Michael said softly. "You may go for now. I'll call you if I need anything."
Francois bowed respectfully and exited through the lift, leaving Michael alone in the hushed stillness of the archive.
The Sword pulsed once more.
And for a moment…
Michael felt as though it, too, was waiting.
Waiting for an answer.
For a reason.
For something, or someone, lost in the cracks of time.
Michael let out a deep sigh and returned to his desk.
He took the USB from the velvet box and inserted it into his laptop.
One by one, he reviewed the reports on all the properties his family had acquired, those tied to the random coordinates he had written as a child. Included in the file were details about the properties they had yet to purchase, the ones in New York owned by the Monteverde, Falcon, and Sinclair families.
These families were old money. Though not as ancient as the Heavensblades, without Michael's divine blessing and influence, they would easily rival, perhaps even surpass, many Heavensblade family members in power and wealth.
It was a good thing they remained concentrated in New York. But from time to time, their paths crossed. Members of these elite houses often had business dealings, social ties, or mutual enemies.
Since the invention of cameras, television, and the internet, Michael, regardless of his vessel, had always avoided the public eye. Most of his vessels bore an uncanny resemblance to one another, almost identical in appearance to his celestial form. It would be easy to dismiss the likeness as genetics, but Michael had no interest in provoking questions he couldn't answer. With his divine powers chained, he couldn't compel humans to forget. So, instead, he relied on charm, strategy, and discretion.
"Young Master Michael," came Francois' voice through the intercom, briefly interrupting his reading. "Young Mistress Hailey is here to see you. She says you have a date today."
Michael pressed the intercom button.
"Alright. Tell her to wait and have the driver prepare the car," he instructed. He closed the laptop and headed toward the lift.
When living within a human vessel, Michael allowed himself to indulge in human experiences, relationships, marriage, legacy.
In every lifetime, he always took a wife. He planted one seed to ensure that the divine bloodline of the Heavensblade continued.
Hailey Carter was his current fiancée.
The only daughter of the Carter family, one of many families sworn to serve under the Heavensblades.
"Mickey!" Hailey called out excitedly the moment he entered the receiving area. She ran up to him, threw her arms around him, and kissed him on the cheek.
"Michael," he said coolly, pulling back slightly to create distance. His voice was low and firm. "We are adults now, Hailey. And you will soon be the wife of the Heavensblade family's head. Act like it."
Michael would turn twenty in just two weeks. Hailey would be nineteen in three months.
Before he assumed his full role as family head last year on his nineteenth birthday, he had allowed her to call him "Mickey", a relic from childhood.
But not anymore.
Though she didn't know it, he was no longer just Michael. He was the Archangel Mikail in human form. And nicknames were for humans. Not angels.
Hailey looked crestfallen for a moment, but she recovered quickly, offering him a polite, practiced smile.
"I'm sorry about that. I keep forgetting," she said softly.
But Michael was already walking ahead, toward the waiting car outside.
Hailey had no choice but to follow.
Once seated inside the limousine, Michael asked without emotion, "Where would you like to go?"
"I was hoping we could visit the Cavendish Luxury Group's Art & Antiques branch here in California," Hailey replied, trying to keep her tone cheerful. "They're exhibiting that ultra-rare five-carat red diamond, the one that caused such a buzz at their last stone auction in New York. Everyone in our circles has been talking about it."
Michael told the driver to head to the Cavendish branch.
He said nothing more after that.
"Your birthday is coming up," Hailey said, trying to break the deafening silence between them. "What would you like as a gift?"
"Nothing," Michael replied, his gaze fixed outside the window.
Hailey exhaled quietly and fell silent again.
Before he became the head of the Heavensblade family, Michael, though socially aloof, was never this cold. He used to have a small smile reserved only for her. But now, everything about him felt distant, untouchable. Like someone she could no longer reach, someone she could only look up to from afar.
"Good day, Mr. Heavensblade, Ms. Carter," the manager greeted as soon as they arrived at Cavendish and word of their visit reached him. "What may we assist you with today?"
"I heard the red diamond is being displayed here. We wanted to see it," Hailey answered politely.
"Yes, Ms. Carter. Please follow me," the manager said and led them to a high-security room.
On the way there, they passed through glass cabinets filled with fine jewelry and ancient antiques.
Most visitors would be mesmerized, but to Michael, they were all just trinkets. Shiny distractions. Nothing more.
Four armed security personnel stood guard outside the room.
In the center, among the many priceless Cavendish collections, encased in a bulletproof glass pedestal, was the red diamond.
"This is the red diamond, Ms. Carter, Mr. Heavensblade," the manager announced with pride.
"Evadne's Boredom?" Hailey read the nameplate aloud, frowning.
"Yes, miss. That's what the Cavendish head named it. The diamond was donated by Ms. Evadne during the last stone auction. It was appraised at thirty million dollars, but Ms. Evadne only bid a hundred dollars for the lot of stones where this diamond was found.
'Boredom' because it was her first time attending a stone auction, and she mentioned to the Cavendish head that she expected to be bored during the event," the manager explained, smiling at the irony.
"She just decided to donate a rare diamond like this?" Hailey asked, clearly doubtful. "Why?"
"Yes, Ms. Carter. I believe it's because she acquired four diamonds for that same hundred-dollar bid. She spent very little, yet walked away with the most valuable pieces. Perhaps she didn't need it, or maybe it didn't matter to her. I don't know much about Ms. Evadne, as she rarely attends social gatherings in New York. But what I do know is, she's not too fond of jewelry, despite being referred to as the Monteverde-Falcon Princess."
At the mention of those two family names, Michael's attention visibly sharpened.
"Monteverde-Falcon?" he asked.
"Yes, Mr. Heavensblade," the manager confirmed. "She is the youngest daughter of the Monteverdes of New York, and she is betrothed to Hades Falcon, heir of the Falcon family."
Hailey noticed the subtle shift in Michael's expression, just a flicker of interest, but it was enough to unsettle her.
"How much is this diamond?" Hailey asked, quickly steering the conversation.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Carter, but as of now, this piece is not for sale," the manager replied apologetically.
"In case they ever decide to sell it, call me," Hailey said, her tone curt. "Whatever the asking price, I'll pay it."
"I will make sure to inform you, Ms. Carter," the manager said with a respectful nod.
Michael and Hailey took their time browsing through the rest of the collection, eventually purchasing a few items, costing over a million.
But Michael's mind was elsewhere.
"Are you interested in her?" Hailey couldn't help but ask once they were back inside the car.
Michael frowned slightly and glanced at her. "Who?"
"Evadne," she answered curtly.
"No. There are properties in New York that our family hasn't been able to acquire, and most of them are owned by the Monteverdes and the Falcons," he replied, his tone calm but detached. "Stop being jealous over something so minor."
"I'm not jealous. I just noticed how you suddenly showed interest when her name came up, "
"It's because of the family name, not the girl, whoever she is," Michael cut her off coldly. "You know there are other women in our family who are equally qualified to take the position of my wife. I chose you, not just because we grew up together, but because I always believed that among the rest, you were the most sensible. The one who understood me best."
His gaze bore into her, sharp and unwavering.
"You know I don't like explaining myself. And you also know, I don't do romance. Our future union is out of necessity, nothing more. Think very carefully about the role you're expected to play as the future Mrs. Heavensblade. If you think you can't handle it, you should tell me now. We can end the engagement immediately. I'll find someone willing to take the role seriously, and you can find a man who'll play house and whisper sweet nothings with you."
Michael's words were cutting, direct, almost cruel in their finality.
The car came to a stop in front of one of the Heavensblade family's Michelin-starred restaurants.
The manager was already waiting outside, bowing as soon as he saw them. He quickly ushered them inside and led them to the finest table in the establishment, the one always reserved for Michael.
Hailey followed quietly, her steps heavy with the weight of his words.
She sat down after the manager pulled out a chair for her. Michael didn't bother asking what she wanted to eat. He didn't need to. The chef already knew what dishes would impress the young head of the Heavensblade family.
As they waited, the manager gave Michael a brief report, updates on operations, recent clientele, and upcoming events. Michael nodded, eyes sharp with business focus, completely unfazed by the tension sitting across from him.
Eventually, the head chef personally brought out their meal, an exquisite course specially crafted for the evening. He explained each dish with enthusiasm before politely excusing himself.
The restaurant staff left them to their dinner, and for a moment, silence settled over their table like a storm cloud.
Hailey could feel the eyes of the other diners watching them, some in awe, others in envy. She was used to it. Being with Michael always attracted attention. He was the most desired bachelor in California, not just because of his looks, wealth, or power, but because he was untouchable.
Sometimes she felt proud to be the woman by his side. But more often, it made her feel hollow.
She didn't want to be envied. She wanted to be held.
She didn't want to be Michael's political choice. She wanted to be his only choice.
Hailey longed for something different.
She wished they were just ordinary teenagers going on a simple date, talking about nonsense, laughing at stupid jokes, holding hands under the table.
Hailey wanted to experience being asked how her day was. She wanted Michael to open the car door for her, not his driver, not a bodyguard.
She wanted to be kissed in public without restraint. To be hugged when she was sulking. To be fed a spoonful of dessert just because he thought she'd like it.
She wanted to experience love with Michael.
Because she loved him.
She wanted him to marry her out of that same love, not out of duty, not out of family obligation, and certainly not because he saw her as the "most sensible option."
But every time he reminded her that their engagement was out of necessity, it chipped away at the dream she was trying so hard to hold on to.