When Clyde heard that one of the Ancient God’s agents was actually an Archangel, he was genuinely surprised. He had no idea how the god had managed to recruit an Archangel. But that wasn’t what concerned him the most.
He deeply resented those higher beings. The only one who seed to be in his good graces was Graemory, and even then, Clyde was sure she had her own agenda for working with him.
The idea of cooperating with an Archangel irritated him. He had always seen them as arrogant beings. Strangely enough, Clyde felt that Demon Kings were—just slightly—better than Archangels. At least the Demon Kings openly acknowledged their evil nature and acted accordingly.
Letting out a sigh, Clyde responded to the Ancient God. "Where do I et the Archangel?"
"I will order him to open a portal for you. You will enter his domain directly."
"I understand." Clyde nodded.
After that, he felt his connection with the Ancient God fade. He sat on his bed, contemplating what was to co.
eting an Archangel annoyed him. But after thinking for a while, Clyde realized that having an Archangel as one of the god’s agents made sense. The Archangel would have enough influence and could move undetected within the ranks of beings who prided themselves on their power and status.
"I guess I don’t have much of a choice. I just hope this isn’t a trap or sothing," Clyde muttered, grabbing his coat and Elderglass sword. Then, he waited for the god to contact him again.
---
Archangel Michael had now returned to his domain, his mind restless. Entering his chamber, he sat on his couch and brooded for several minutes.
But then, he felt the connection from the Ancient One. He had just been thinking about reaching out to his god, but it seed the god had contacted him first.
Accepting the connection, Michael spoke. "Yes, my lord. What are your orders now?"
"You will et another one of my agents," the Ancient One said without hesitation.
Michael’s brow furrowed. "Another agent? Is... is he a mortal, my lord?"
"He was once a mortal. But now, he is the Catalyst—just like you."
The Catalyst. A title that Michael himself had received when he beca a servant of the Ancient One. He had believed he was the only one with that title. But it turned out he simply didn’t know enough.
A flicker of anger and frustration stirred within Michael. The realization that he was not the most loyal or most favored servant of the Ancient God unsettled him. He was just one of two. But, of course, he wouldn’t voice his thoughts to the Ancient One now.
"What should I do next, my lord?" Michael asked.
"Summon him to your domain and talk. Discuss your next steps. It seems the other beings have already noticed the corruption spreading among them. I am certain it is only a matter of ti before they start searching for answers together."
Michael gritted his teeth. The thought of personally opening a portal for a re mortal to step into his domain was utterly infuriating. Even worse, he had to do it in secret. If another Archangel was spying on him, they would imdiately beco suspicious.
That ant he had no choice but to open the portal directly into his private chamber.
That was sothing unheard of. Archangel Michael did not invite outsiders into his domain, much less into his most personal space.
But this was the Ancient One’s command. He had no right to refuse.
Suppressing his frustration, Michael forced himself to respond. "I will do it."
The Ancient One did not reply with words. Instead, Michael felt a pulse of raw magic surge through him—a direct gift from the god, enabling him to create a stable connection between realms directly to Clyde’s location.
He let out a sharp breath as the energy settled within him, granting him the ability to open a portal straight to Clyde’s mansion.
Without hesitation, he got to work.
Standing in the center of his chamber, Michael spread his wings wide. His golden feathers shimred with divine light as he raised a hand, tracing intricate symbols in the air.
The magic responded imdiately, rippling outward as the space before him distorted and twisted.
The air cracked apart. A vortex of golden and black energy spiraled into existence, a gateway that should never have been opened for soone like Clyde.
Michael clenched his fist as the portal stabilized.
"Let’s get this over with," he muttered.
On the other side, in Clyde’s mansion, the air trembled. A sharp, slicing sound echoed through the room as the portal manifested before Clyde’s eyes.
The edges of the rift shimred with a strange mixture of light and darkness, a stark contrast that reflected the two opposing forces at play.
The invitation had been made. Now, it was up to Clyde to step through.
He stared at the swirling portal for a while. The ti had co.
He turned slightly, addressing one of his servants. "If Asqa asks where I’ve gone when she returns from training, tell her I had business to attend to. I’ll be back."
With those final words, Clyde stepped forward.
The mont he crossed the threshold, a familiar sensation washed over him. It was the sa feeling he had when he first entered Uriel’s domain. That only confird it. The next agent was indeed an Archangel.
The transit only lasted a few seconds, but when he erged, he found himself standing in a vast chamber.
The first thing he noticed was its sheer grandeur. The walls were adorned with intricate gold and silver patterns, radiating a divine luminescence that made the entire space feel ethereal.
Massive pillars stretched up toward a vaulted ceiling that glowed. The air was thick with power.
Then, his gaze lowered, locking onto the figure standing before him.
Long black hair cascaded over broad shoulders, contrasting starkly against the pristine white and gold robes the man wore. His wings were still extended, as if prepared for battle, or perhaps to assert dominance over his uninvited guest.
There was no mistaking him.
Clyde tilted his head slightly, studying him with quiet amusent. He had imagined this eting would be tense, but judging by the look in Michael’s piercing golden eyes, tense was an understatent.
Michael, on the other hand, was barely restraining his distaste.
The mortal stood before him completely unfazed.
Clyde did not bow or kneel, did not show a shred of reverence. Instead, he regarded Michael as an equal. That alone was enough to make the Archangel’s jaw tighten.
For a mont, neither of them spoke.
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