11

Adriel and Gadreel stood at the center of the big hall. The hall of praise but at this moment, the hall of judgment. Something like this has never happened before, so the angels were unsure of what to do. The games were halted after the incident with no winners and the welcoming of the new angels did not commence either. No one even cared about that anymore. They were more interested in the trial of Adriel.

She had killed a fellow angel. She had acted out of anger, a trait that was not common in the heavens. Everyone was at peace with each other. Happy, joyful. Where did she get the anger from?

Kemuel, a very important cherub stood in front of Adriel, the crowd staring back at him, waiting for him to begin the trial. His long white hair cascaded down his back even to the floor, brushing it graciously whenever he moved. His pale skin glimmered as the lights from heaven shone on it and his blue eyes stared at Adriel with disgust.

"People of heaven. We have a great issue on our hands. Right before me and the rest of you is Adriel, the first killer in heavens history". Adriel was unfazed by this.

"Today we will offer a fair trial and pass judgment upon her. There will be no support from any one of you. She stands alone". He said. Adriel's hand was held together by chains and if she moved her hands even in the slightest, the blue flames it was forged with will burn her skin.

Gadreel on the other hand was held by two guards. He was only there because Adriel had given the impression that he was part of the "scheme" she was cooking up. He planned to save himself instead of defending her. He never liked her anyway.

"Adriel. Right before our very eyes, you killed one of the contestants at the tournament with a dagger you hid in your boots. Not only is this a despicable act but you also cheated in the games. You possessed a weapon that was harmful to your other opponents thereby breaking the rules of the game". He paused looking at her. Adriel stared back at him. " We wish to know why you thought your decisions will overrule the decision of the maker concerning the game".

"I did not have any ill intentions with the dagger, I only kept it there in case I needed it in the game". She said. Kemuel nodded.

"So you do agree that you cheated?"

"Yes, I do". Murmuring could be heard among the crowd after her confession. Kemuel nodded again and began to walk around. He then turned to Gadreel and pointed at him

"So Adriel, is this man your accomplice?" Adriel looked at Gadreel. She knew he had no part in him. Part of her wanted to drag him into her problems but she knew that Lucifer would be more furious with her.

"He is not". Came her short reply. Kemuel shook his head.

"But he defended you or at least tried to when Celeste called you out for cheating. Did he not?"

"He did. But only as a friend would to another. He had no idea I had a knife in my boots". She said. Kemuel after hearing this turned his judgy eyes back to Adriel letting Gadreel breathe calmly again. Even if he was accused, he would rather die than sell out Lucifer. For some reason, he feared him more than anyone.

"So you killed Celeste because she exposed you?" Kemuel pressed further. He was trying to find out if Adriel made a mistake or she did it for a reason.

"I had no control over myself. I was very angry". She lamely defended. She was trying so hard not to talk about Lucifer as that would put her in much trouble.

"No control? Heaven is a place of control and order. Your behavior on the grounds was the complete opposite. You acted as though darkness existed in you". He pressed on again. Adriel glared at Kemuel and he raised an eyebrow. Finally, she was showing her true colors.

"You also mentioned Lucifer placing you there to cheat. You accused the second in command of God's mighty angels of cheating. Of deceit. Of lies. And our dear master is not here to defend himself". Kemuel said again. Adriel this time was clearly angry. But she knew she could do nothing. She was going to die anyway. At least she got the attention, even though it was a bad one. Adriel believed Lucifer would have had the sword by now.

"Anything to say for yourself?" He asked her. Adriel had nothing to say. Kemuel had called out everything she did but he did not emphasize Lucifer or why she had the knife in the first place and that was all that she wanted to keep hidden.

"No". She replied. This made Kemuel look at her with suspicion. She should be begging for her life. She should show signs of sorrow and regret but the person in front of her was not even fazed by all these. What was so special about the cheating that she could not even care about the consequences. Well, if she does not care, then there was no need in pardoning her.

"As of this day, because of the evil act done against Celeste and the nonchalant attitude of her killer, I sentence Adriel to death by the flames". He announced. The crowd went into a frenzy. Some supported it, others believed Adriel should be pardoned. Kemuel then proceeded to sit on his chair. With a wave of the hand, a guard came with a small ring. Once it is thrown over Adriel's head, it will expand and trap her in a circle then burn her afterward. Adriel looked at Gadreel who had no expression on his face. This was his first time witnessing someone killed. And he did not really care that it was Adriel. She had failed in many ways and it was better she died like this than for Lucifer to get her.

As the guard was about to throw the ring, a voice called.

"Well, I thought I taught you better than this Kemuel. With a great evil like this, death is only the easy way out. She needs to feel the pain she has caused all of us". The whole crowd turned to the voice. Adriel's eyes were filled with horror this time. Lucifer was standing at the door with his arms crossed looking at her with the most dangerous eyes. He was going to enjoy torturing her.

"Master Lucifer. You are back".Kemuel said and stood to bow. So did the other angels. Lucifer smirked.

"Master Lucifer, we have already given her a trial and a judgment". He said.

"Oh no you have not. A cold smile appeared on his face, scaring every angel in the hall. "The trail has just begun".