The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Madeline's hand raised, and she touched the cold glass of Halo that was above her head. It took her a while to let the thoughts about her death sink in her head. She tried to remember, but her mind was not letting her recollect any memories, and in return, it gave her nothing but blankness.

"Everything alright?" asked Gabriel, who was assisting her as she was new.

Madeline smiled, "Yes," she answered.

Gabriel then said, "Here as you can see, you will find your fellow angels who have come to live in Heaven. The peace and calmness that you have been looking for, you will find it here."

"Thank you for bringing me here, Gabriel," she thanked him, and he offered her a nod. "I wonder if people are sad that I died. I wouldn't want them to be sad."

Gabriel's hand that was holding the golden staff tightened at her words. The reason why he had stuck with her right now was not just because he wanted to guide her, but because no one knew how an angel-demon's daughter would react and adjust in Heaven. Before coming to Heaven, Madeline was the daughter of the two beings who were from different worlds.

"Do not be saddened. The people who spilt tears are the ones who cared for you dearly. It isn't because you have caused them pain, but because you would be missed dearly for the person you are," he responded to her. "Why don't you explore the garden and I will be back soon."

Madeline nodded her head, and she saw Gabriel walk away from where she was. Alone now, she looked around the place and started to walk with her bare feet pressing against the grassy ground that was soft and not prickly. Her mind was clear, and the air around her was pleasant. Her hand reached to touch the bushes and the flowers one after another.

She looked at the people who were either seated under the trees, some reading books in their hands while others either admiring nature while most of them spoke to each other. Heaven was truly peaceful, thought Madeline to herself as she continued to walk.

Not too far away from where she was in the garden, Gabriel had not disappeared. He had the company of another archangel Michael who had arrived near the garden of Owe, the moment Madeline had stepped into Heaven.

"Does she remember anything?" questioned Michael, his eyes calmly staring at Madeline who had leaned forward towards one of the bushes to take in the scent of the flowers and smile.

"Nothing," replied Gabriel, his eyes not leaving the new soul who was considered to be a valuable person.

"Keep a closer eye on her. At least for a few more hours or days if necessary," instructed Michael. "Here, I thought I wouldn't be seeing her for a while, but it seems like fate had something else in store for her. How did she die?" he asked, slightly curious.

"It was a demon. Level one demon," answered Gabriel, a smile formed on his lips when he noticed Madeline sneeze after taking in a deep breath from the flowers. It seemed like the pollen from the flowers had been inhaled.

Michael frowned, "I thought Lucifer killed all of them. How was the person still alive?"

"He must have escaped from the hands of Lucifer. I didn't get to see what happened, but by the time I made it there, Madeline had killed the level one demon and was badly wounded. The Salvette Mortem was there too," he added the last line, and Michael's lips set itself in a thin line. Michael looked like he wanted to say something, but he instead said,

"Looks like it wanted to take her to Hell. It is good that you brought her here," stated Michael, his eyes left the girl and looked at Gabriel. "Souls that belong to Heaven should have the opportunity to live here rather than in the vile environment like Hell which is no place for innocent people."

"I wonder how Lucifer lives there," came the questioning tone from Gabriel, "I heard you met him. How is he?"

Michael closed his eyes before shaking his head, "I feel sorry for him. The angel he once was, he isn't that person anymore. Maybe that is what it means to fall, and I'm glad Paschar made his way back to Heaven and didn't get lost like Lucifer."

Their once fellow angel had fallen from his position and had turned to the dark side that was now considered to be the darkest and sinful, living in a place no one had imagined years ago. They had hoped he would fix his ways and ask for forgiveness, but no one knew Lucifer had no plans to return. He had a kingdom and people of his own that he relished in people's misery and pain.

But there was something that was in the back of Michael's mind, "I offered him his daughter's soul in return for the girl."

Gabriel's head snapped at Michael, "What were you thinking by doing it? You know we cannot offer a soul for another soul. Things like that happen in Hell not in Heaven."

Michael nodded his head.

"I wasn't planning to give her away. I am aware of the rules, Gabriel, but anyways it doesn't matter anymore as everything seems to have fallen into its place. Whoever the demon was, his actions benefited us in keeping the girl's soul in here safe," stated Michael. "Does Paschar know?"

"Not yet. We just arrived," replied Gabriel and Michael nodded. Without sparing another word or glance at the girl, Michael left the garden and Gabriel's side.

Madeline was walking in the garden and she sat down on an empty bench, looking up at the branches that provided shade. She took a deep breath before exhaling out, and looked at the people until her eyes fell on a person who stood behind a standing canvas.