Solitude in the Dark

Episode 2: Marked Coin

"You will be protected in the Philippines. Also, you will go with Yunika and Hayan." Cherubim said.

He shoves Cherubim away and in a blunt tone he says "Can you explain to me what is happening first?! Where am I?! Who are you?! And who is Hayan?! Why should I care for him," Cloud comes shouting to them "I don't know how did I commit those acts in Busan! I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING!"

A divine aura floods the place, a heavy sensation felt by Cloud that sends him down on his knees. Ravens around them caw wildly as everything sinks from the Cherubim's presence of mana. But Cloud, he just stands up from the heavenly divine aura of the Cherub, he even shatters his shackles with no effort. Even the seven warriors above protect themselves from the darting shards of chains.

"Perhaps manners are not one of your strengths." The Cherubim said.

The two gaze down as they release an enormous amount of mana.

"Purifying Magic: Spiritual Bind!"

Gold chains sprout from the floor and take a grasp on Cloud and slam him down with force, suppressing him also on using his mana. Michael, the Captain of the Seven Archangels stops the two from demolishing the place. The Bind that Michael cast, halts Cloud from using his mana preventing any sudden burst of energy from him and also using magic. Cherubim steps down, and so does his ravens, settling the atmosphere. The gold chains shrink into Cloud's wrist transforming into a bracelet. Michael descends toward the Cherubim and says "I'll take care of this Cherubim, it's my responsibility in the first place,"

"As you should. The Seraphim must be informed of everything about this. He's all yours. Everyone! Dismissed."

Michael casts six temporal rift gateways, "You may return to your divisions," All Archangels spread their wings and flew.

"No, Archangel Raphael is with me," the Cherubim said. "Raphael, you're coming with me, we're going to see the Seraph," he said.

Michael snaps his fingers, runic magic casts upon the two to be sent to the Central City of Eden, where the Seraph resides.

Now only the two are left in the courtroom. "Walk with me," Michael said to Cloud. As they stroll to find themselves going outside, "I'm sorry that I kept such a secret from you, Cloud, I hope you forgive me." He solemnly said.

"I don't know what to say... really... I'd rather give my thanks to you."

"The Court insists that you take refuge here in Eden. Me and Rennji-- Raphael tried to talk it out but the majority of the Court decided to question you instead. It must've been too much for you to take, finding out that we're not the people you used to know."

"Wait, you're making me more confused, I'm taking a lot of time to process what is happening right now, especially what I did in Busan. Why are you telling me all of this now?"

"You are now involved in a conflict that is beyond your understanding. You've probably heard the stories from the elders about the Great Cataclysm, beasts that appeared a very long time ago, we're the ones that kept humanity alive to thrive long enough until this era, we're the ones that helped behind the GSA's succeeded operation ten years ago."

As they both proceed to walk out from the behemoth gold door of the court, beauty beyond welcomes Cloud, catching sight of a vast green field, towering lively trees that could touch the heavens and their outspread branches that provide shed for anyone, a city of marble and gold from the horizon radiates like sunrise. Creatures from different parts of the world live in such paradise and beauty; Fairies, Elves, Centaurs sprinting in the fields, Minotaurs cheering and laughing having the time of their lives thanks to the pile of beer, as well as local humans living in the place.

"Where are we?"

"Welcome to Eden, Cloud. The world of the gods..."

They make their way to his mother's funeral, and Cloud is very perplexed to see why there are so many people and other creatures present at his mother's funeral. Cloud recognizes Yunika in the front row with someone. As he and Michael continue to walk to the front. Everybody rises in their place and bows down as a sign of respect.

...

Raphael and Cherubim in Eden's Central City thousands of miles away from Cloud and Michael. They enter the towering monolith of white at the heart of the city, Raphael and Cherubim arrive at Seraphim's chamber, and Cherubim approaches the Seraphim in his deep sleep, wrapped in his iron-like majestic wings, while standing on top of the spear's tip. As a sign of respect for the higher beings, Raphael remains behind the Cherubim.

"Seraphim, I'm here to inform you about the kid from Busan—" Then he was interrupted by the Seraphim before he could even finish his sentence.

"I already know what happened in Busan," the Seraphim responds.

"So you already know about the kid?" Cherubim asks the Seraphim.

"About what?"

"A Low Mana Concentration that can perform magic, dark magic," Cherubim said.

"Was that supposed to surprise me?"

"...." Cherubim responds in silence.

"Their fate is near enough, if he who prophesied rises from the world where he truly does not belong, then yes, the fate of the betrayer will reach his end... The once ender of worlds and bringer of darkness will return and shall retake everything that he once had, all of these will be in motion with the Divine Vessel."

"Divine Vessel?! What makes you jump to that conclusion?" Cherubim asks.

"The rabbit that can outrun a raven from its eyes from above and vicious claws, even the coyote that has been prowling for his prize, neither the two accomplished to took the rabbit's precious life, instead, the rabbit becomes the predator and hunts the two. You two are supposed to be dead." Seraphim said.

"If he's a Divine Vessel, like you said, what do you want me to do then? Cherubim asked Seraphim.

"Let the rabbit learn his ways," Seraphim answered.