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Chapter 333: Chapter 329 ~ Heaven’s Plight

A flash.

Then, brilliance.

The moment they stepped into the white magic circle, their vision was engulfed by a flood of pure, blinding radiance. The sensation was unlike teleportation—it was as if their very souls were momentarily suspended within the light of creation itself.

When their eyes adjusted, what awaited them was a scene beyond words.

An endless horizon of clouds stretched beneath their feet, glowing faintly like silver silk under the touch of sunlight. 

Above them was a perpetual blue sky so vast and clear it seemed to go on forever, filled with gentle warmth and serenity. Light shimmered and danced in the air, soft yet omnipresent—neither harsh nor dim, but divine in its balance.

This was the home of Angels.

The once-holy realm of the God of the Bible.

And the former dwelling place of the Fallen, long before their exile.

Even those who had imagined Heaven a thousand times found themselves breathless at the sight.

Yuuji stood quietly, holding Alice and Aria by their hands. Their eyes widened with wonder—Alice's silver hair reflecting the light like moonlit threads, Aria's calm expression hiding her fascination as her gaze wandered through the radiant world before them.

Aika, Erika, C.C., Albedo, Xenovia, Tatsuya, Lelouch, Satoru, and Irina each reacted in their own ways. 

Aika's mouth fell open in awe, Erika's eyes darted around curiously, C.C.'s serene smile barely hid her quiet amusement, and Albedo's expression showed even the slightest curiosity.

For a brief moment, all thoughts and worries were washed away by the sheer sanctity surrounding them.

They had arrived in Heaven.

"Welcome to Heaven, friends."

A voice, gentle and melodic, carried through the light. They turned to see the Archangel Michael, his presence radiant yet kind, flanked by two angels clad in silver-white armor who bowed respectfully.

Michael's calm smile was the embodiment of divine grace. With a simple gesture, he beckoned them to follow.

"The structure of Heaven," he explained as they walked, "is divided into seven realms—each reflecting a different facet of Father's will."

They first passed through the First Heaven, a radiant realm where legions of Angels resided. 

White marble fortresses, celestial towers, and grand citadels extended endlessly, gleaming beneath the divine sun. Choirs of armored angels flew in perfect harmony above them, their wings scattering trails of light like falling feathers.

They walked in, Michael leading before them. And before they knew it, the scenery shifted.

The Second Heaven was cloaked in darkness—not a sinister one, but a solemn, tranquil night sky filled with countless stars. 

Here, the Angels observed the cosmos and watched over those who had sinned. Deep within its starlit expanse lay the prison of those who had defied divine law—the remnants of the Tower of Babel.

Soon, the darkness faded, replaced once again by brilliance.

They stepped into the Third Heaven, and gasped. 

It was an eternal expanse filled with souls—countless, translucent figures walking peacefully in radiant fields and shining rivers. 

"Amazing…" Satoru murmured, his tone quiet with awe. His words echoed silently in the hearts of the "humans".

Michael smiled faintly. 

"This is where the righteous and kind rest eternally. They retain the form they cherished in life, free from pain and sorrow."

The air was filled with an indescribable harmony, a resonance that felt like the echo of prayers.

There, in the eternal paradise, souls lived as they would in life. They were reunited with their loved ones, forgave their former enemies, and knew everlasting peace, happiness, and fulfillment. 

It was a glimpse to where they could be after death, if "death" could ever reach them anymore.

A little girl waved with a hand held high while the other held onto the hand of her mother. Her smile brighter than the light encompassing them. 

Aika smiled in return, as brightly as she could, and waved as enthusiastically in response to the little girl as they moved on. 

Walking through another gate of light, the Fourth Heaven opened before them—a vast, boundless garden blooming with every color imaginable. Trees heavy with fruit and rivers of liquid light stretched as far as the eye could see. The fragrance of flowers filled the air, soothing their minds.

And then they saw it—

At the far horizon stood a colossal tree, its canopy vast enough to shade mountains, radiating divine energy so immense that even Yuuji could feel the magic pulsing from afar.

"This," Michael said softly, "is the Garden of Eden. The first paradise. And that… is the Tree of Wisdom."

Yuuji's gaze lingered on the sacred tree. Even from this distance, he could feel it. An air of holiness, of divinity, neither overwhelming nor dominating, but gentle. Like a warm, loving hug of a mother, granting those in its presence a sense of peace. 

Seeing the magnificent tree, Satoru's curiosity flared. Perhaps it was not as large as Yggdrasil, in which each of its leaves was a world of itself. But still, he couldn't help but wonder what kind of power it had. If its leaves could be a high-ranking magical items, and what properties they would have. 

The walk continued, and they entered another gate of light where the Fifth Heaven awaited—a realm of knowledge and invention. 

Towering white spires and vast institutes stood proudly, filled with angels engrossed in research and creation. This was the former home of the Grigori, before their fall from grace. The hum of divine machinery and holy sigils resonated throughout the air, blending science and miracle seamlessly.

Finally, they arrived before an enormous gate—gold and white, carved with sacred patterns that pulsed with divine radiance. It shimmered brighter than the sun, and yet its light did not burn.

"This," Michael declared, "is the gate to the Sixth Heaven, the dwelling of myself and my siblings—the Seraphs."

As he raised his hand, the gate responded with a deep, melodic chime, slowly parting open.

A surge of warm light washed over them once again, and they stepped forward—

Into the heart of Heaven.

"Welcome to Zebel—our home."

Michael's gentle words echoed through the light as he led them forward.

The gate behind them closed soundlessly, and before Yuuji and his companions spread a vista that could only belong to Heaven itself.

They stood in a vast plaza paved with luminous stone that shimmered faintly beneath their feet. At its center, a magnificent fountain rose, water cascading upward in glittering arcs that caught and refracted the divine light like countless diamonds. The sound of the flowing water was tranquil—melodic even, as if nature itself sang in harmony here.

Surrounding the plaza was an endless expanse of gardens, filled with flowers of every color and species imaginable. Their fragrance blended into a symphony of sweetness and purity that made the heart feel lighter. Smooth marble paths wound through the gardens, bordered by hedges that glowed faintly in hues of gold and silver.

Above, flocks of white doves soared gracefully through the radiant sky, their wings moving in unison as if guided by an unseen rhythm. One of them glided downward and landed upon a delicate, pale hand.

Its owner was a vision of celestial beauty.

A woman sat upon a white stone bench, sunlight dancing on her bare skin through the loose folds of her light, flowing garments. Her golden hair cascaded in waves down her back, reaching past her hips, and shone like a river of morning light. A simple golden circlet crowned her head, a diamond at its center catching the radiance around her, and above it hovered a halo—pure, bright, and alive with divinity.

A white lily rested behind her ear, accentuating her serene, gentle features. Her emerald eyes, soft and downturned, carried an endless kindness that seemed to embrace the world itself. Behind her, twelve great white wings unfolded, feathers rustling softly in the heavenly breeze.

Standing a short distance behind her was a tall man clad in a simple white drape. His body was powerful—each movement graceful but strong, his presence firm yet tranquil. His fiery orange-red hair burned faintly, as if touched by sacred flame, while his eyes—sharp and vigilant—held within them the same compassion that defined all of Heaven's highest beings.

As Michael and his guests approached, the two turned their gaze toward them. For a moment, the air itself seemed to still. Recognition flashed in their eyes, and then the woman's expression bloomed into a radiant smile.

"Brother~ Welcome back~ And friends, welcome to our home~!"

Her voice was soft and lilting, like a melody sung by the wind—warm and maternal, wrapping everyone in comfort.

The man inclined his head, his deep voice resonating calmly through the air.

"Welcome."

Michael smiled warmly. "Gabriel, Uriel."

He gestured to his companions. "Please, allow me to introduce our guests."

One by one, he spoke their names—Yuuji, Alice, Aria, Aika, C.C., Erika, Albedo, Xenovia, Tatsuya, Satoru, Lelouch, and Irina.

Gabriel's eyes sparkled with delight as she clasped her hands together.

"Wah~ It's so nice to meet all of you! I've heard so much from my brother!"

Her enthusiasm was infectious. Within moments, she was chatting comfortably with Aika and C.C., her laughter ringing softly through the garden. Though she seemed a little cautious at first around Erika and Albedo—their aura of power and mystery unfamiliar to her—Aika's gentle words soon bridged that gap, and Gabriel's warmth enveloped them as well.

But it was Alice and Aria who instantly captured her heart.

"Oh my, you're both so adorable~!" she cooed, sweeping them into her embrace before either could protest. 

The two small girls blinked up at her in surprise as she hugged them against her, her soft laughter echoing lightly.

Her ample bosom pressed against their heads as she cuddled them affectionately, cooing over their hair and cheeks. 

"You're like little stars! So pure, so precious~!"

"Hehe~"

"...Heavy."

Alice's cheeks flushed, while Aria merely sighed, resigned—earning laughter from Aika.

Meanwhile, a short distance away, Uriel had struck up a conversation with Yuuji, Tatsuya, and Lelouch, alongside Michael. His curiosity burned bright behind his calm expression.

"I've heard," Uriel began, "that your swordsmanship is… remarkable, Tsubakihara-kun. And that your magic produces golden ripples which conjure weapons from light itself. Such phenomena have never been recorded, even in our archives."

Yuuji smiled slightly. 

"It's… an application of dimensional storage. Instead of simply storing and conjuring items, I used it to launch those within as well."

Uriel nodded slowly, fascinated. "I see… Truly inspired."

As they spoke, Michael listened with quiet pride. Lelouch, ever observant, noticed how Michael regarded Yuuji with subtle respect—not as an outsider or a guest, but as an equal.

Meanwhile, Aika, perhaps mischievously, began recounting stories of Yuuji's deeds to Gabriel—how he saved others, stood against powerful beings, and commanded respect from angels, fallens, and devils alike.

Each tale made Gabriel's emerald eyes widen further, awe and admiration blooming in her expression.

"How wonderful…!" she whispered, hands clasped near her chest, her wings fluttering slightly with joy. 

"Such courage and kindness… Yuuji-san… Could he be a saint blessed by Father Himself?"

Gabriel's eyes glimmered with wonder as she gazed at him, her voice soft and filled with awe.

Aika, sitting nearby, merely giggled behind her hand as Gabriel drifted deeper into her own holy speculations.

Yuuji, however, could only sigh inwardly.

That innocence… it was endearing—but dangerous.

He knew full well that if Aika kept talking, Gabriel's pure heart would be at her mercy. 

Even without invoking her "Empress of Evil" passive ability, Aika had a frightening talent for bending others to her will. A few words from her could shift a saint's conviction—or make a seraph blush.

Later, the group moved into a more comfortable space: a vast dining hall within Michael's abode.

The walls were made of luminous marble, faintly golden light filtering through crystal-paned windows that stretched from floor to ceiling. At the center of the long table were refreshments—crystal cups of heavenly tea, delicate pastries that shimmered faintly with divine radiance, and fruits that seemed to hum with life.

Gabriel still held the twin Yin-Yang Slimes, Alice and Aria, both in their little girl forms, sitting snugly on her lap. She stroked their hair gently, humming an old celestial hymn as they leaned into her touch.

Nearby, Aika, Erika, and C.C. carried on an animated conversation with the ever-smiling Seraph, their voices weaving with laughter. Albedo and C.C. occasionally sipped their tea, their sharp eyes quietly taking in the architecture and enchantments woven into every inch of the room.

Xenovia had reunited with Irina, the two friends catching up, sharing stories since their last mission together.

Meanwhile, Satoru, Lelouch, and Tatsuya had departed to explore the sanctum—escorted by Uriel and a few of Heaven's Cherubim, as per Michael's arrangement.

The soft hum of conversation filled the air, accompanied by the faint song of unseen choirs echoing faintly through the marble halls.

Then—

"Yuuji-kun," Michael said softly, touching his shoulder. "May I have a word with you? Privately."

Yuuji turned slightly, meeting the Archangel's calm, gentle gaze. There was something in Michael's eyes—something solemn, like a burden carried quietly over millennia.

"...Of course," Yuuji replied with a nod.

They stepped out of the dining hall together, walking through corridors bathed in soft, eternal light. The tall glass windows glowed faintly, revealing a panoramic view of Zebel's gardens—their golden flowers swaying gently beneath the light of Heaven's perpetual dawn.

For a while, neither spoke. Their footsteps echoed softly along the marble floor, accompanied only by the quiet rustle of their clothes.

Yuuji waited patiently. If Michael had called for a private conversation, he knew it was not something trivial.

Finally, the Archangel's voice broke the silence.

"Yuuji-kun… what do you think of Heaven? Now that you have seen it with your own eyes."

Yuuji turned his head slightly, watching Michael's expression. For once, the ever-smiling seraph wore a look of quiet melancholy.

"It's… a beautiful place," Yuuji replied after a moment of thought. "Peaceful. Serene. I can understand why so many souls yearn to come here in their afterlife."

Michael's lips curved into a faint smile, a glint of pride touching his eyes. But it wasn't pride in himself—it was pride in the beauty of what Heaven represented.

"I agree," he said softly. 

"From the depths of my being, I believe Heaven is the most beautiful place in existence. It is my home… my sanctuary. Something I cherish more than life itself."

Their steps echoed down another long corridor. The light from the windows painted soft gold across the floor.

"But," Michael continued, his voice lowering, "I know that nothing is eternal. Not even this place. Not even me."

He stopped walking, his gaze turning toward the endless gardens outside.

"Despite my long life, I am not eternal. Even Father Himself is not eternal. All things—no matter how divine—eventually fade. And yet, I still wish… to protect this place for as long as I can."

The faint sadness in his voice was heavy. But beneath it, Yuuji could hear something else—a steadfast resolve.

Michael turned back toward him, his emerald eyes clear and bright once more.

"I want this realm to remain a paradise. I want the souls who believed in us—those who placed their faith in Father and the light—to find peace and happiness here. I want to safeguard this home, our Heaven, from whatever darkness would see it destroyed."

He paused, his hands clenching slightly at his sides.

"But… I am aware of my inadequacy. I am not my Father. My strength, my wisdom—they are limited. And yet… even knowing this, I cannot turn away. I must protect Heaven, whatever it takes."

Yuuji stopped walking as Michael took a few steps ahead.

The Archangel turned, his halo glimmering faintly in the light. The eternal calm in his face was now joined by something deeper—earnestness.

"I am blessed," Michael said quietly, "to have such siblings—Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel—each of them brave, wise, and kind. But the world is not gentle. And even united, we cannot face what looms ahead alone."

The light caught in his downturned emerald eyes, and his voice became barely above a whisper.

"That is why I need help. Your help, Yuuji-kun."

The hallway fell silent again, save for the distant echo of angelic song—faint, sorrowful, and timeless.

Yuuji looked at Michael quietly, feeling the weight behind his words—the desperation of a being who had carried Heaven's burdens since the fall of God Himself.

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AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please comment your thoughts~! I would love to hear what you think about it~!!!! 

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