Michael answered the questions in a daze, knowing that as long as he didn't speak the truth, God would reveal his innermost thoughts. Tears threatened to fall from his eyes.
It was well-known that the more lively an angel's personality, the harder it was for them to control their thoughts. Michael, however, managed to conceal everything flawlessly before God, thanks entirely to a specialized method that Lucifer had devised for him. This plan allowed him to stand firm before God without his errant thoughts being exposed.
"Michael, what do you think I am thinking right now?"
"I-I don't know."
"Really?"
The Creator's voice, usually so calm, carried a rare hint of questioning. With the veil of Michael's tricks lifted, God revealed His omniscience, saying gently, "You are wondering why I can hear your thoughts, despite your efforts to hide them."
Michael's knees buckled, and he fell to the ground.
"Stand up."
"I did not permit you to kneel."
This time, God did not even allow Michael the chance to plead for forgiveness. His voice turned icy.
The great cathedral fell silent as God used Michael as an example to intimidate the other archangels. Only God’s steady voice could be heard, questioning each seraph in turn. After Michael, Gabriel nearly faltered as well, almost dropping to her knees. However, she managed to suppress the urge, knowing God's unyielding nature.
Inside, they all despaired: How did God discover the truth?
God’s actions nearly devastated the seraphim.
God’s golden gaze swept over "Yahweh" God had no interest in asking and answering himself. Then he looked at the Messiah, whose thoughts were in a mess, and automatically skipped him as well. Finally, God looked at Metatron, the only one whose words and deeds matched his thoughts. God’s favor for Metatron increased, and He sighed, "Metatron, do you have anything to say?"
Metatron’s face showed anger. "Please, my Lord, punish me!"
After hearing their inner thoughts, the Chancellor of Heaven abandoned any hope of saving his companions.
God nodded. "You decide the punishment, as long as it doesn’t disrupt the order of Heaven."
Metatron responded without hesitation, "Yes!"
Thus, the grand meeting concluded, leaving only "Yahweh," Messiah, and Metatron unscathed. All the other seraphim were left devastated.
"To lie to God is blasphemy!"
This was the sentence Metatron made them copy a million times upon returning. When the phrase was engraved in their hearts, they could seek forgiveness from God. This method, learned from Lucifer, was highly effective, helping to calm and discipline the mind. After completing this task, the seraphim would achieve a state of "peace."
Thinking of Lucifer, Metatron felt a pang in his heart. He instinctively glanced at the silver-haired angel who was also unharmed.
The silver-haired angel met his gaze, his golden eyes sparkling. For a moment, Metatron's heart skipped a beat.
God.
The word came to him inexplicably, and he felt helpless at his own wild thoughts. It seemed he too needed to retreat to the small chapel for some reflection.
"Yahweh, your palace has been completed. Shall I take you there?"
"Mm."
Yahweh looked at Metatron’s hand reaching for his, hesitated, and then pulled his hand back under his sleeve.
Metatron spoke gently, "Don't be shy. We are all companions here."
Yahweh blinked his golden eyes, a cold thought ringing in his heart: No, we are not.
Yahweh said nothing as he turned his back to the grand cathedral. The tension between him and Metatron grew until it was broken by Messiah, who exited the cathedral and spoke to Metatron, "I will take Yahweh to the palace. From now on, I will be responsible for Yahweh’s affairs. This is the command of our Lord."
Metatron frowned, wanting to tell Messiah that he could hardly take care of himself. But before he could say anything, Yahweh had already started walking, following Messiah. Yahweh’s palace stood in the center of the prosperous Eighth Heaven, among the other seraphim palaces, though closer to the center than even Uriel’s.
The divide between those born as seraphim and those who became seraphim later was immense.
In a secluded area with no other angels, Messiah bowed deeply, but Yahweh did not allow him to stand. He continued to hold the posture, waiting.
Yahweh spoke with little interest, "You may leave."
Messiah did not leave immediately but instead asked in a low voice, "Do you need more cherubim attendants?"
Yahweh turned his back on him.
The doors of the palace closed.
Messiah breathed a sigh of relief, relieved that God’s interest in playing the role of an angel wasn’t too strong.
After Yahweh settled into his new residence, the once empty palace was gradually filled with many furnishings and decorations. The seraphim, Heaven’s chosen ones, enjoyed the best resources Heaven had to offer. However, Heaven’s hierarchy was strict. Though Yahweh had a palace near the center, it was still inferior to Uriel's in terms of grandeur.
Messiah considered using his own money to make some purchases, but under Metatron’s surprised gaze, he decided against it.
If deceiving God was a grave sin, then revealing God’s identity was undoubtedly a capital offense.
Messiah thought of the rumors from Hell and couldn’t help but wonder if God was carrying Satan’s child.
If God was indeed pregnant, staying in the Heavenly Sphere seemed like an injustice to Himself.
But these worries didn’t last long. When Messiah visited Yahweh a few days later, he was shocked to find the palace completely transformed. The palace had been upgraded to the highest standards, with every item inside exquisite and of unparalleled quality. Seeing Yahweh’s calm demeanor, Messiah realized he had overreacted. With God present, nothing was too surprising.
But this time, Yahweh was wrongly accused.
The changes were not Yahweh’s doing but the work of Satan.
Satan’s followers in Heaven, upon receiving the command, immediately began preparing the best items for Yahweh, utilizing their espionage skills to the fullest.
One day, Yahweh found a freshly woven flower crown on his bed. The leaves were lush, and the flowers delicate and dewy. The white mimosa blossoms stood out, catching Yahweh’s eye. He was surprised that Lucifer had used such flowers to weave the crown.
Not only that, but all of Yahweh’s personal items were prepared in advance by Lucifer. It was as if he had seamlessly integrated into Yahweh’s life. Soft white robes, exquisite combs, and dazzling jewelry filled the drawers, ready for Yahweh to use, with enough variety to last decades without repetition.
Yahweh caressed them, imagining Lucifer carefully selecting each item. His gaze softened, once again savoring the power of love.
It was joy.
Yahweh couldn’t wait to see Lucifer. He had delayed a few days because of the palace arrangements and wondered if Lucifer was still waiting for him in the little forest. However, before leaving, Yahweh hesitated, returning to change into a newly made angelic robe, comb his silver hair neatly, and select a few understated pieces of jewelry to wear.
He was completely unaware that he had never worn jewelry before, and this change was a clear sign of someone falling in love.
In the grand cathedral, the Book of Genesis watched Yahweh leave his palace and sighed deeply.
"Hopeless."
This time, even the laws of the void agreed with it.
What was even more hopeless was that as soon as God, disguised as Yahweh, met Lucifer, He fell into his embrace, swayed by these "cheap trinkets" that once wouldn’t have caught His eye. Gold, jewels, and dazzling ornaments—all of which were meaningless to the Creator, who had brought the world into existence.
Their value lay solely in the fact that they were personally chosen by Lucifer, without delegating the task to anyone else.
They were imbued with Satan’s emotions.
As God, Yahweh could clearly sense the origins of these items, including Lucifer’s pickiness and dissatisfaction during the selection process. Burying His face in Lucifer’s neck, Yahweh finally understood how good it felt to be cherished. Even the loneliness of all those years in the grand cathedral was easily dispelled.
"Lucifer, I love everything you’ve given me."
Honesty is a divine virtue.
Yahweh’s words naturally brought a pure smile to Lucifer’s face, without any trace of deceit.
Lucifer knew Yahweh’s movements in Heaven and was not surprised that He had come so late. He lifted the unusually affectionate Yahweh into his arms. Yahweh’s elegant white robe and the pendant on his belt slid down, revealing long, well-proportioned legs. The robe’s silhouette highlighted the curve from his hips to his legs, allowing Lucifer to enjoy the sight.
His Yahweh was impeccably beautiful.
Lucifer said, "Yahweh, we still lack a room of our own."
Yahweh didn’t understand. "A room?"
"We can’t keep using the flower bed as a bed forever, can we? Romance can’t be overdone." Lucifer led him to a chosen clearing, joking, "You might not mind the rough ground, but I’m worried it will hurt your skin."
Suddenly recalling the feeling of flower branches brushing against his body, Yahweh froze. So, all this time, Lucifer had just wanted to create a place to sleep with him.
"How can you doubt my intentions?" Lucifer’s seductive smile under Yahweh’s skeptical gaze was enough to bring a country to ruin. "Yahweh, you could always sleep on me. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied."
Yahweh hesitated. "Are you sure?"
Lucifer patted his lover’s buttocks and whispered enticingly, "Wanna try?"
His suggestion sent a shiver through Yahweh. He suddenly realized that being too proactive would lead to a certain outcome.
Near the sea of flowers, a small house, reminiscent of elven craftsmanship, was built.
They both made compromises, choosing not to favor either absolute darkness or pure light. Instead, they opted for natural colors, creating a refreshingly tranquil atmosphere. After being meticulously arranged by two entities with vastly different aesthetics—God and Satan—the small house became a cozy and warm home, with every detail carefully considered.
At night, moonlight streamed through the windows, turning Yahweh’s silver hair into a cold frost.
But Yahweh’s golden eyes were no longer emotionless.
Lucifer noticed this change and couldn’t resist kissing his eyes. "Love me a little more."
Yahweh turned his head away.
He had already given in, yet Lucifer still wanted more!
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