Prophecy

Chapter 42: Heaven

*Grace's POV*

As Xavia's emotions settled and her breathing became steadier, I kept a comforting grip on her hand. We resumed focusing on my father's words—what they meant for us and the fate of the world. His voice was calm but held an undeniable authority, and I could sense the weight of his words pressing down on us as He spoke.

"The first thing I must reveal," God began, "is that I have diligently examined the events while you rested, Xavia. Through your shared visions with Grace of the battle she had, I have gained clarity on the recent confrontation with Conquest. In his malevolence, Belial had not only summoned Conquest but twisted the essence of this specific Horseman. He combined it with a grotesque incarnation of Pestilence... of his own design. This vile amalgamation explains the noxious cloud and the unnaturally fierce combat tactics you encountered. Belial's power has grown exponentially, and his strategy is as clear as it is sinister... to thwart you both by endowing Conquest with capabilities beyond any Horseman's normal purview. He sought to launch his crusade with a formidable attack, aiming for a decisive and immediate victory."

When my father explained that, it made complete sense, and... I was also apprehensive about Belial's already powerful position. I glanced at Xavia, and she locked eyes with me briefly. I gave her a reassuring nod that visibly relaxed her, and I knew we were ready to hear more about what my father needed to tell us.

"One of our angels deciphered long ago," God began, "that a cast-out fallen angel would become just as powerful as me by consuming all of my archangels. These archangels were my highest-ranking, best warriors of all time. Each had their unique roles and titles. Over the centuries, each one fell—Belial, your father, has successfully consumed all seven. By doing so, he has absorbed the most powerful entities crucial to Heaven."

I watched as Xavia's expression transitioned from calm to stunned disbelief. Her eyes widened in shock, and I could feel her grip on my hand tighten as if she were trying to ground herself amidst the weight of the revelation. Her usual composure faltered a little, revealing a raw vulnerability that made my heart ache. She was clearly overwhelmed, trying to absorb the significance of the information my father was divulging, and I could only hold her hand tighter, offering my silent support.

God continued, His gaze steady as he spoke of the past, "Unbeknownst to him, given that he was once an angel here in Heaven, he only knew of the seven archangels known to everyone: Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, Sariel, Raguel, and Remiel. However, I had created an eighth archangel, your mother, Azriel. Additionally, she was a hybrid mixed with Seraphim, one step below me in the hierarchy. None of the angels or beings here would have ever considered that a female archangel could exist among those legendary seven men. That's one of the reasons why she was hidden so well—only a select few knew of your mother and her powerful gifts. Your father discovered the truth only after staging a coup and stealing a few of the physical copies of the Prophecy and Heaven's well-documented, cryptic history. He willed his plan into action, seeking to surpass my power."

Xavia's voice broke through with a bitter edge, "Of course, he would do that."

My father's gaze softened as He addressed my mate, "He's been consumed by the pursuit of power, hasn't he?"

With a heavy sigh, Xavia nodded, "Yes, he's relentless. From the moment I entered this world, his insatiable hunger for power has been all I've ever known. He's devoured entire realms and all manner of beings to fuel his ascent. I've seen him twist and mutilate himself in ways that defy imagination, fusing archdemons into his form to bind their power to his own. It's a grotesque horror, truly terrifying in its sheer audacity. The lengths he's willing to go in his quest for more power are, to me, far more horrifying than enduring a century of his unrelenting torture."