44

Azaliah didn't know which sound to focus on, the hoots and yells of the angels or the light buzzing sound in her ears. She took a deep breath as she shook her head frantically in an attempt to dull the noise. The fear that had gripped her ever since the meeting was still evident and she struggled to hide it from every cheerful angel she walked past.

None of them noticed the strained smile she gave them when they greeted her, all of their attention was on the tournament and she was so glad for it.

She made her way to where the Cherubs and Archangels sat, drawing the attention of Beth and Michael. The two gave each other a glance before giving her a smile but Azaliah didn't want to think deep into it. She returned the smile, clearly forced and sat beside Michael the other seat at her left was meant for her mother who had not made an appearance yet.

She adjusted herself on her seat, the action drawing the confused eyes of her superiors towards her. She would smile uncomfortably and face the empty field for a while before shifting again. She kept doing this until she heard a long irritated sigh beside her.

"I don't know if it's excitement or nervousness that has taken a hold of you but please, keep it down".

Michael said while staring at her. Azaliah nodded and faced the field again, she struggled to keep herself calm but failed. To the dismay of everyone seated, She moved on her seat again and this time Michael glared at her.

"Sorry". She whispered. Michael released another sigh.

"It's fine, I was this excited for my first tournament as well". Azaliah stared at him with wide eyes. How could he think that the tournament is her worry when she had heard the most unusual thing at the meeting earlier? When she heard that she was to kill…Lucifer. Her breath hitched when she thought about it.

It was very impossible to stay still with that thought pulling at her mind. She couldn't be calm, neither could she be excited. She had seen how Lucifer looked from the temple earlier, menacing, vicious and his eyes were lifeless. How would she stare into those eyes? How would she face him?

Involuntarily, she stared at the bright light that shone from the distance.

She had always wondered what the master was thinking when he decided to send her to Lucifer.If he had made a mistake, and he had wanted to send her mother instead. He had done it once before. A tap on her shoulder brought her back to reality.

Azaliah turned towards Michael who had worry evident on his face.

"Now I am beginning to think it's not the tournament that has gotten you on edge".

"Oh…wow took you long enough". She said. Michael raised a brow in response then smirked.

"Azaliah". He started. "He isn't here right now, focus on the game and then later we'll focus on him. Okay?"

Azaliah nodded slowly at him and gave a forced smile. Michael nodded once and faced the other side.

Not long after, the arena was filled with all the angels in heaven. A loud trumpet announced the arrival of Nahamani and all the angels stood up to honor her. She walked calmly to her seat and she gave a small smile to Azaliah before facing the crowd.

"Angels of heaven, I welcome you once again to this tournament. We give thanks to the most high for keeping us and for watching over us. We thank him for providing us with this paradise…"

As Nahamani went on, Azaliah zoned out again. She looked around the arena and a similar scene came to mind. She remembered the events that were plastered on those walls, the tournament that changed everything.

Even though so many others had taken place, this was her first and she could not help but feel frightened at the idea of Lucifer coming back, it was impossible for her to speak about it either since every angel made it their duty to pretend as though he never existed. She clutched her chest and took deep breaths, judging from the faces of the angels surrounding her she was the only one who felt this way and it was rather strange. She tried desperately to make eye contact with Michael and when she did, he only nodded at her and faced the front again.

The others however did not spare her a glance, even Beth. They were all so drawn to Nahamani's speech. Azaliah shifted uncomfortably in her seat again, the events on the wall replaying in her head like a movie.

"...May the games begin". The crowd began to cheer loudly. Azaliah did not know when the contestants had been introduced and she did not care, the only thing that mattered to her was the weird tug at her chest that happened to increase the moment the trumpet was blown.

***

"Tell him to assemble as many demons he can gather and ambush the heavens". What kind of bullcrap instruction is that? No strategy, no plan, no nothing. Did he just expect him to barge into the place and start attacking aimlessly? Was he not supposed to be the master planner?

"Hey". A voice called.

He was called Lucifer for a reason right? He cannot be this dumb. Or is it that he wanted him to walk to his death?

"Boy".

And unfortunately those minions were dumb enough to obey every command he gives. He wished at least a few can oppose him even though they'll lose their head, it will be worth it.

"Boy, I am talking to you".

When he ambushes the heavens, what then huh? Are they going to drag more of them to him? It didn't make any sense that he would give such a vague command like that. What was he hiding?

"EZRA!!!". Gadreel called in anger, his chest rising frantically. A sigh escaped the lips of the person he was addressing and the action made him vex the more.

"What is it? Can't you see I'm thinking?" A deep voice bellowed.

Gadreel growled lowly. So arrogant.

"I need you to give me a feed back".

When no reply came, Gadreel growled again. "Now".

Another sigh was released before a figure appeared from the shadows and walked towards Gadreel.

"Tell him I am not going to offer myself and the minions as easy prey to our enemies, certainly not with a useless order like this one". Gadreel growled again.

"You dare oppose his will?"

"Yes". Gadreel glared hard at a pair of golden irises which had a glint of mischief in them. Ezra was tall, just like him so it was not possible for him to be easily intimidated but yet, he could not help it. The dark haired being in front of him was more important than the rest of dark spirits, even the first five. If Gadreel said anything offensive to him, he could lose his head. He was the only one that could defy Lucifer and walk away freely.

"You might have to tell him yourself, I do not want to be the one to deliver such news to him". Gadreel said.

Ezra smiled at him and fear gripped him. He had the same devious smile as Lucifer, one without any emotion and it didn't help that he was extremely good looking too, one could almost say he was beautiful

"What?" He whispered. "You scared?"

Gadreel's glare wavered and it made Ezra smile wider.

"You're already riled up. You're not so fun anymore".

"Ezra…"

"Tell him what I said. Tell him that unless he wants to visit his old buddies in the sky by himself, he should be more detailed about his orders". He spoke up again, the smile totally gone from his face. "It's annoying that he thinks I'm one of you incompetent fools".

Gadreel frowned deeply and pointed at him

"Now you little…"

"I never thought that about you, but now I'm not so sure. I mean, the reason I made you prince of Persia was so you could use your head to come up with a plan all on your own".A deeper voice called out.

Gadreel stiffened and Ezra scoffed loudly. There was only one spirit who could instill fear within seconds.

"Nice of you to join us father". Ezra stated. "You saved this wimp from coming to relay my message to you directly".

Lucifer was silent for a while.

"Ezra…" He spoke up.

"What?"

"I have something of utmost importance up there and I need it desperately. I can sense its power more stronger than before, if I don't get it I will be useless".

"What is it?" Ezra asked. He could not see Lucifer but he didn't need to see to know he was smiling.

"You'll know when you get there". He replied. Ezra scoffed.

"You have begun with you half explanations again. I said…"

"Heaven has experienced peace for years, they'll be defenseless at least to a penetrable level. The tournament has started so all the angels will be gathered in a place. By the time you arrive and the whole place scatters, what do you think would happen?"

Ezra cracked his knuckles before smiling.

"The fighters would run desperately without strategy towards the most important item in their possession, to protect it". He replied.

"Good boy". Lucifer said."I am sure you already knew that, you just wanted to inconvenience me

Ezra smirked lightly.

"Trust me, nothing brings me more joy than that". He whispered. There was silence after that.

While Gadreel called for Lucifer, Ezra rolled his eyes.

"He's gone".

"What will you do now?"

"What he asked".

"And that is?" Ezra glared at Gadreel.

"Just because you have low memory doesn't mean I do". He remarked. Gadreel growled lowly and disappeared as well.

Ezra smiled again. He will do his father's dirty work for him as always, but this time he had other plans attached to it. Soon he will no longer be a slave to anyone.