The Apprentice Of The Radio Demon

Chapter 76 Storyteller (Sera's Confession)

Back inside the courtroom, Sera was with the Speaker alone. She was going to tell her anything she's done wrong. "Please forgive me, Speaker. I have sinned." Sera turns away from the Speaker, feeling ashamed. "Speak, my child." The Speaker encouraged with a smile. "I thought what I was doing was right for our people, but now... now I'm faced with knowing it was all... that this whole time those souls could, with more faith in them... be good, be changed. I—" Sera was beginning to doubt herself. "Sera." The Speaker called out. "What have I done?" Sera cried. She then begins to sing of what she's done.

Sera: I don't know what to do
Thought I was righteously leading our people
But now I'm faced with the truth
What kind of leader can't tell good from evil?
All those poor souls
How many could have been saved?
How could I trust in a justice so cruel and depraved?

As Sera was singing, she turned back to the floating sphere in the center of the room. She then lightly touches it as it shows Lute slaughtering the innocent souls that could have been saved. When the images stopped, it showed a reflection of Sera as she looked away from guilt.

Speaker: One seeks an answer
That one cannot grant her
You're looking for light
Only you can ignite
Every transgression
Must serve as a lesson
Yesterday, you drew sorrow
What will you do tomorrow?

The Speaker held Sera's face to comfort her as she joined in the singing. As the Speaker continued to sing, Sera looked back at their reflection with the image of Lute in the sphere. The Speaker placed her hands on Sera's shoulders before she flew around her.

Sera: I feel no wiser than when I commanded the slaughter
Of those sons and daughters
Speaker: You can't hide
Sera: How can I be sure I don't repeat
More massacre based on mistaken conceit?
Speaker: Look inside
Sera: If I stand down and leave us exposed
Would that be blind to the threat Hell may pose?

Sera then takes over the singing as the sphere suddenly turns black with showing the Extermination around them. They watched as innocent people lay dead with angelic weapons piercing their corpses. They continued to watch as more sinners were slaughtered by the exorcists and blood splattered over Sera. As the Speaker continued to sing around her. Sera looked up to see hell's moon eclipsing heaven.

Speaker: You can't know, though time flows on
So you must bear the cross bestowed upon you
Sera: Take pity, I pray,
Give me a sign
What's your guidance?
Please show me the way

The Speaker flies high over Sera and smiling down at her. Sera continues to doubt herself as she asks the Speaker for guidance on how to deal with hell and redemption.

Speaker: You speak of choices
Made by other voices
You can only atone
Sera: Tell me how to atone
Speaker: Once you speak with your own

The Speaker and Sera flew around the courtroom as they continued to sing.

Sera: If souls from damnation
Can earn their salvation
And find their forgiveness on high
How do I?

Sera landed on the sphere as the Speaker flew behind her. The Speaker then disappears as Sera reaches out to her for guidance.

In the streets of Heaven, Lute was angrily shoving angels away from her, with Hala walking behind her. Lute and Hala reached an alley away from other angels. Lute leans against the wall. "Hala...Go train...I need to be alone." Lute orders as she tried to control her breathing. "Are you sure, ma'am?" Hala questioned. Lute nodded, and Hala saluted her before she left. Once Hala was gone, Lute took off her mask as tears fell from her face. As she was crying, she screamed in anger and punched the wall, which cracked her prosthetic arm.