7

Today was the day. Every angel suspended all that they were doing to be a part of it either as a spectator or a competitor. Everyone was buzzing with excitement. There was hardly any tension in the air, at the end, all the angels played for fun even if they lost. Another thing that brought joy to them was the addition of new angels to their various ranks. It was the best part of the event. The angels had gathered in the second-largest hall outside of the city. The seats were covered with golden angels, some cheering, some speaking to each other. The ten contestants were chosen by Lucifer however were in a separate room where they were allowed to get ready.

Adriel was sitting on a bench, fixing her boots. Once in a while, she would glare at any angel who walked past her, attempting to assert her dominance. Even though it seemed petty, it worked on some of the angels because she was of high rank. Anytime her glare would have any effect, she will smirk and focus her attention on her boots again. Another angel came in her direction, she raised up her head to glare but the angel in front of her only had an amused expression on his face.

"If you keep doing that your pupils might get lost". Gadreel teased. Adriel scowled and crossed her arms, paying Gadreel her full attention. The tall angel copied her stance and stared at her with a twinkle in his eyes.

"What are you doing here?" She asked. Gadreel scoffed.

"Well one, I'm a contestant. And two I'm babysitting". Adriel looked up at him, utterly confused.

"Babysitting? Who?" She asked.

"Uh, you". He said in an obvious tone. Adriel scoffed.

"I don't need a babysitter". She said, mildly yelling.

"Tell that to Lucifer, I'm here on his orders. Trust me I would rather be anywhere else". Adriel's face turned sour after his response. Lucifer had not trusted her enough to handle this by herself? Did he think She couldn't beat Michael? Or was he protecting her? The last thought brought butterflies to her stomach.

"Oh, don't look so down. I mean, it's not like you could beat Michael anyway". Gadreel said. Adriel frowned at him.

"Shut up". She retaliated. "It's not like you will be any better. I am sure if you see him, you will freeze to death".

Gadreel rolled his eyes and looked the other way. He had always been jealous of Michael, not because he was Lucifer's favorite but because he wanted to have the strength he had and his physique and basically everything. In a way he admired him but even if he would lose himself when he sees him, he will not take his eyes of Adriel. He knew how destructive and irrational she could be. She would do anything to have Lucifer's approval even if he didn't command it. She was crazy and he was ordered by the king of crazy to watch her and that's what he will do.

"Hello?" A voice called out to Gadreel. He broke out of his thoughts and saw Adriel snapping her fingers in front of him. In annoyance, he slapped her hands away.

"What?" He asked. Adriel with a smirk pointed at someone behind his back. When he turned, Michael's broad shoulders and back greeted his eyes. Gadreel paused for a while admiring him before he snapped out of it. He focused his attention back on Adriel.

"Yeah so?" He asked. Adriel nudged him and smiled.

"Oh nothing, only that you lost your mind for a few seconds there". She replied. Gadreel scoffed.

"Shut up and never touch me again". Before Adriel could reply, the door opened and Nahamani, another cherub walked in with a power, Beth.

The angels stopped what they were doing and focused on the two angels, bowing slightly at the higher-ranked one. The white-haired angel waved her hand in front of them, signaling for them to stop. Adriel scoffed.

"Hypocrite". She whispered under her breath but Gadreel heard her. He rolled his eyes at her. He was sure she had no idea why she called them that, she only did because Lucifer was against them.

"I hope you all are ready. Although no matter how ready you are, the highest grants us strength at the end". She said. " I only came to wish you good luck and to also give you some instructions. You will follow Beth to the entrance of the arena, then I will give my speech and when I ask for you to come in, you walk in".

All the angels nodded and Nahamani clapped her hands in satisfaction. She tapped Beth on the shoulder before walking out. Beth came forward and clapped her hands just like Nahamani, her face serious.

"Please follow me". She said and began walking out the door. The angels in the room followed suit, by the time they got to the gates of the city, they all spread their wings and flew to the arena. Unlike the speculating angels in the audience, Beth led the angels to another entrance just like Nahamani had said. When they landed safely on the ground, Beth turned to them.

"Arrange yourselves, it doesn't matter how just make sure it is organized". She said. Adriel took this opportunity to stay in front of Gadreel. The action amused him and he rolled his eyes at her. However, his face turned to stone when he saw Michael approach him.

"Can I stay behind you?" He asked politely. Gadreel stared at him for a few seconds before clearing his throat.

"Uh, you can say in front of me actually". He said. Michael nodded and stood in front of him, his height creating a shadow across his face. Gadreel almost smacked himself in the face. Why did I tell him that?

From the arena, the angels were cheering loudly, a sign that Nahamani had walked in. They could hear Nahamani clearly as she gave her introduction.

"Angels in heaven". She started and cheers followed. "Today we gather to entertain ourselves and celebrate the creation of new angels. We give thanks to the highest for gifting us this opportunity and may this tournament bring him and our great joy".

The angels cheered louder. Nahamani then proceeded to give instructions on the tournament.

"Are you afraid?" Michael asked. Gadreel realized that he was talking to him. He laughed nervously and scratched his head.

"A little, can you tell?" He asked. Michael smiled at him.

"Well, I wouldn't have been able to if you weren't close to me. Your body is trembling like crazy". He said in an amused tone. Gadreel scoffed and crossed his arms earning a soft laugh from Michael. Gadreel could see why Lucifer was interested in him. He was such an unreal angel.

"There's no need to be frightened Gadreel. It's a friendly tournament and there is one every year, one day you will have your chance". He said. Gadreel, surprisingly was flustered when Michael called his name.

"Uh, yeah suuuure". He said. For him and Adriel, it wasn't that simple. It wasn't just a tournament. Their job was to stop Michael from winning the tournament at any cost, even if it meant killing him or Lucifer would have their heads. But then Gadreel was befriending his enemy while he planned to kill him.

"Just like Lucifer". He whispered to himself.

Before any more words could be exchanged between them, Nahamani's called for them.

"And now, I present to you the contestants". The crowd went wild.

"Ramiel". The angels cheered.

"Celeste". Another cheer.

"Rikbiel'. Another cheer.

"Zadkiel". Another cheer.

"Adriel". Another cheer.

"Daniel". Then another.

"Ophaniel". Then another.

"Gadreel". And another.

"Dina". And another.

"Michael". And The last cheer.

The angels walked out and moved to the center of the arena. They formed a circle in the middle and took different competitive stances. Nahamani watched all of them silently. The strongest was no doubt Michael but then she was curious about Adriel and Gadreel. For some reason, she didn't feel like something was right with them. With a sigh, she faced the crowd and put a smile on her face.

"Let the tournament begin".