Soukoku One-Shots

White Wings and Wicked Heavens Pt. 1

Alternate Universe

Many Lifetimes Ago

"Wait!"

The Angel of Execution paused mid-swing, axe held high. The entire kingdom of the Heavens held their breath, packed tightly around the wooden platform, as they watched the Angel of Death stand. His hands and feet were chained to the platform, his white wings bound, and he stood with his chin held high.

"I have a proposition."

The Angel of Life, chained down right next to Death, snapped his head up. "What are you doing?" he whispered but received no reply.

The Angel of Justice, head of the newly-instated Council of the Heavens, narrowed his eyes. His grey hair shone in the blinding sun from where sat with three the five other council members before the platform—no one held sway over Crime and Punishment, not even the council head.

"Both of you," Justice glanced at the Angel of Life, who watched Death with wide, confused eyes, "have been charged with attempting to take control of the Heavens and destroy your fellow Angels. There is no proposition for you to make to escape your fate."

The lively Angel of Freedom waved a hand at Justice. "Come now, we have plenty of time to hear him out! Let us have our fun too." He turned to Death, grinning wide. "What say you?"

"Before you banish us from our kingdom as mortals and cast us to the winds, please grant me the final request of listening to what I have to say." Death stood proud despite himself, speaking calmly and clearly as Life stayed kneeling on the platform, also bound and chained.

Everyone looked to Justice. He leaned back, speaking briefly to the Angels of Peace and Purpose, the other members of the council, before waving his hand to the Angel of Execution, who stood down. "Speak, Death," he announced. "Be brief."

Death's lips spread into a pleasant, unsettling smile. "I acknowledge that combining my abilities with Life's has brought extensive disruption in the balance of the universe. However, by eliminating those who look after life and death, do you not think the imbalance would only be spurred further?"

The audience began to murmur. He makes a strong case, they told their neighbors, frowning and bobbing their heads. Life and Death are necessities, it would be an issue if they were rendered unable to do their duties. What would happen to us?

Justice silenced them. "What is your proposition?" The impatience was clear in his voice.

Death's smile widened. "I propose that in exchange for the privilege of remaining in the Heavens as an Angel," he paused, seemingly for dramatic effect, "I will cut off Life's wings myself."

The Angel of Life went sickly pale, lips parting and eyes widening further as the crowd began to clamor. "How could you do this?" he whispered, shaking his head as tears sprung from his bright eyes.

Death looked amused. "Sorry, darling. I made you no promises."

Justice began whispering to the four other council members, and it took several minutes of furious discussion before they all raised their heads and silenced the crowd, turning their attention once again to the Angels of Life and Death. "Your crimes are unforgivable," Justice began, voice booming throughout the entire kingdom. "But without your intervention, we would have rid ourselves of two of the most important forces of the universe, and there is no telling what would have happened. Your request is reasonable, and therefore, the council has decided to grant it."

The Angel of Execution snapped her fingers and Death's chains vanished, freeing his limbs and billowing white wings. He ruffled them, stretching his arms out and looking up at the blinding white sun.