After the chorus of praise, it was time for the archangels to offer their solo hymns. One by one, they stepped before God to recite psalms or sing songs of praise. As they did so, they folded their hands across their chests, heads bowed, eyes closed. When they sang, they lifted their heads high in devotion, their voices powerful and resonant.
God simply sat there, occasionally gesturing with His hand.
I could not see His face clearly, only that He had long, flowing hair like molten silver.
From that lofty and vast height, He spoke a single sentence:
“Let Lilith come before me.”
At the mention of that name, I instinctively followed the angels’ gaze.
A tall, slender woman entered the Sanctum and knelt at the steps.
Her long brown curls cascaded to the ground, as soft and smooth as the clouds of Shima.
God said, “I have heard that you are unwilling to remain in Eden.”
Lilith replied, “My Father, why am I made different from Adam? Why is he a man and I a woman, and why must I be the weaker?”
“By his strength as a man, he is meant to protect your weakness.”
“I do not wish to be weak. I desire power. Power greater than Adam’s!”
“Child, your place has been ordained. As long as you remain in this garden, you shall be weak.”
Lilith rose abruptly,
“Then as I said before: I will leave Eden to seek the strength I desire!”
She fled down from the dais.
An archangel moved to stop her, but God raised his hand to forbid it.
Perhaps my eyes deceived me, but I thought I saw Lucifer smile.
Lilith ran through the crowd, toward where we stood.
She wore only a tattered white dress, her legs pale and slender, features finely carved.
Lilith was indeed a beauty. Ragged as she was, her figure was a flawless nine out of ten.
As for her face… I stared at it, stunned.
I rubbed my eyes.
As she brushed past me, she suddenly stopped too, gazing at me in bewilderment.
“Why… do you look just like me?”
I should be asking you!
Samael said, “Lilith, if you don’t leave now, you won’t be able to leave at all.”
Lilith glanced back at them, a hint of panic in her eyes. “Where should I go?”
Azazel replied, “Leave the White Moon. Head to the Red Sea.”
The Red Sea? Isn’t that the region between Heaven and the Infernal Realm, what is now the empty Human World? What’s going on?
Azazel added, “Or stay here and remain Adam’s wife.”
Lilith brushed aside her tousled brown bangs with her arm, revealing a sweat-dampened, smooth forehead.
“I understand…”
She gave me another long look, then dashed out of the Sanctum.
God: “Metatron, you shall create Eve.”
Metatron stepped forward, thanked God, and returned to his place.
Only then did I notice that a thin veil of cloud obscured God’s face. So thin, yet it concealed His features entirely.
God: “Is Isar here?”
Hearing Him call my name made every muscle in my body tense. Samael kept pushing me forward.
“He’s here, right here.”
I walked slowly toward the high dais, timid and hesitant, until I stood before the assembly of angels. Just as I was about to kneel, I heard Lucifer’s voice:
“There’s no need to kneel. Not until it’s time to request or atone.”
God said, “Today, you may ascend at the Child’s Altar and become a Dominion. You may choose any angel to bestow your wings. Your future deeds will determine whether you become a six-winged angel.”
I nodded, dazed.
… This can’t be real.
For that brief moment, the Sanctum was utterly silent. Lucifer moved slightly closer.
“Aren’t you going to thank God?”
I hurriedly bowed.
“I thank God for this blessing!”
God: “Aren’t you curious why I grant you this?”
“I am…”
“There has never been a Power in Heaven who could command Twilight of the Apocalypse. Have you never wondered at your own ability?”
I was speechless. On this point, I’d always thought Isar simply had some rare talent.
“Do you know who your parents are?”
Again, His question left me unable to answer. Caro had always told me we were both orphans. As I hesitated, God continued.
“Your father was Reynor Arterra.”
“Reynor… Arterra?”
Isn’t that Michael’s dad? Since when did he become my old man?
But the more I thought about it, the less sense it made. Ever since coming to this weird place, everything had been weird. So weird I’d nearly forgotten that I wasn’t Isar at all.
I stared, dumbfounded, at God, then at Lucifer. Lucifer’s face showed no emotion. When our eyes met, he didn’t seem surprised either—still so high, so distant, with that ancient, unshakable solitude in his gaze.
I remembered him once saying that this might all be a dream.
Could it be that one day, as we held each other close, fell asleep in a kiss, we’d awaken… and find that none of it was real?
God’s voice drew me back from my thoughts:
“When Reynor’s only son was born, Sirius burned red in the sky, signifying that Heaven’s next warrior in command would be an angel of fire, destined to lead Heaven’s countless children toward a glorious future. Isar, your true name is Michael Arterra.”
“Mi… Michael?”
For a moment, my head swam. I fell to my knees.
Michael Arterra.
After arriving in Heaven, I heard countless tales about Michael. In my subconscious, I kept trying to learn more about this angel of legend, the one second only to Lucifer in the myths of Creation.
The merciful angel, the Prince of God, the supreme commander of Heaven’s armies, the second Leader of the Archangels and Vice Regent… Michael.
The sovereign of light who led a million angelic legions, who punished the rebellious leader Lucifer on behalf of God… Michael.
In that instant, the grand and towering Sanctum felt suddenly fragile, as if a loud voice or the passing wind could crumble it at once.
God’s voice was devoid of emotion, each word light as drifting smoke:
“Michael was your true name, and now it is restored. Do not let your departed father down. All that you do must be worthy of the name Arterra, a symbol of honor.”
I nodded numbly and raised my head, once again meeting Lucifer’s gaze.
I couldn’t tell if he was as shocked as I was, so shocked he no longer knew how to react.
For he seemed utterly calm… as if he had known long ago.
……
……
Leaving the Sanctum with the host of angels, we encountered Metatron, deep in thought by the roadside.
When he saw me approach, he stepped forward and patted my shoulder:
“No more calling you little Isar. Now you’re little Michael.”
I asked in confusion:
“Lord Metatron, did you already know who I was? Am I really Michael? But… why do I feel nothing of the sort?”
“If God the Father has spoken, then it can’t be wrong,” Metatron replied, not answering all my questions. “Hm, you’ve had enough rest by now, haven’t you? Don’t forget to come back for rehearsal.”
I nodded again.
Metatron adjusted his glasses, took a few steps, then turned back to ruffle my hair. “Now, I no longer feel any resentment.”
“Huh?”
“I no longer resent Lucifer,” he said with a small smile before finally turning away.
Everyone who passed me was glancing over, whispering amongst themselves.
Lucifer emerged, followed by Azazel, Samael, Sariel, and a few other Seraphim I didn’t know. Judging by their garments, they were likely of the Seventh.
The vast corridor felt more like a grand hall. The voices of the angels echoed off the high vault, returning moments later in a soft chorus.
As Lucifer walked toward me, his six wings unfurled, and the pale golden carpet beneath him dulled by comparison.
I couldn’t even bear to think what he would look like as a fallen angel.
He stopped before me, his deep-set eyes beneath pale golden brows. “Why do you look unhappy, my Lord Michael?”
Though my mind was in chaos, I needed a distraction. “Tell me honestly. Who came first, me or Lilith? Why does she have my face?”
Lucifer smiled. “Baby, are you jealous?”
“So if you ever fall in love with Lilith, it would be because of me, right?” I pressed.
“I would never fall in love with her.”
“Then if you’re ever nice to her, that would be because of me too. Right?”
“How did your thoughts even go there? Nothing ever happened between me and her.” He spread his arms and pulled me into his cloak, that faint, familiar scent of his surrounding me. “If I’m ever kind to her, it would be for you.”
I closed my eyes and hugged him tightly. “…Remember what you said.”
Behind us, the angels whooped and cheered; Sariel especially loud. Soon their cheers turned to applause. I finally eased my hold on him and said quietly:
“Will you help conduct my wing ceremony?”
“Of course.”
I laughed with an open heart, grabbed his hand, and together we flew out, bold and free.
Behind us, cheers and shouts of joy echoed beneath the magnificent dome of the Sanctum, swirling through the misty clouds of the imperial city. The noise shook the heavens and the earth, stretching far into the distance, like blessings at a wedding, accompanied by the tolling of bells that marked the dawn of happiness for an age.
…………
At the Child’s Altar of Shima, night’s darkness stretched long and deep.
The stars wheeled above our heads, and by the lake bloomed countless purple starlight flowers.
Hand in hand, Lucifer and I walked through the clear lake water to reach the altar. He sprinkled me with holy water and sang the prayer song. When we kissed, we held each other tight, dew rolling in round beads down our skin.
It took about half an hour to complete the ceremony. When we returned, I stood in front of a mirror for ages, staring at my new wings—ice blue, the same color as Lucifer’s eyes. Thrilled, I flew a few circles around the room and showed them off to him.
After dinner, I sprawled idly across the table, kicking my legs and giving my wings a little shake.
“In a few days, school starts. And in a few months, it’ll be Creation Day. I have to play Satan…”
“You’ll play it beautifully. You’re going to be the star of the show.”
Lucifer sat beside me peeling an apple, the red skin curling down in a single strip, revealing crisp, white flesh.
“If you had a child,” he asked. “What would you want to name them?”
“What about you?”
“’Hanniah’. I’d want them to be beautiful, strong, brave, and confident, no matter a boy or girl.”
“Just like my Lord Lucifer?”
Lucifer smiled and popped a slice of apple into my mouth.
“I like ‘Mammon’,” I said, chewing proudly.
Mammon. That word was magical. The pronunciation and meaning were identical in both the language of Heaven and the tongue of Hell. Even in later European languages—Latin, Germanic, Uralic—it appeared almost unchanged. I figured that some names from Heaven hadn’t been lost to time, but had lived on through ancient texts.
Lucifer raised a brow. “That name? Hmm, a very rich name.”
I poked him in the waist. “I didn’t know even you could catch Metatron’s cold-joke disease.”
By now the apple was nothing but a core. Lucifer tossed it into the dish, wiped his hands, and pulled me up from my chair. He led me to the bath, and just as we reached the door, I blurted out, face thick with boldness:
“Lucifer, when I become a Seraph… could we have a child?”
Lucifer froze, then patted my head gently. “You’re still too young.”
“I’m not!”
“Seraphs can create life, but if not through the winged way, it would be painful, especially during the last few months before the child is born.”
“That long? Then let’s do it the winged way!”
“The winged method means that the child would be created by only one person. And when the child is born, there’d be no bond between you two.”
“Either way. I’m not as weak as you think.”
Lucifer shook his head. “I told you that there’s a secret I’ll share with you. You’ll find out one day.”
What secret? He’d want to give birth for me? No way I’d be that lucky…
…Why does my nose feel warm all of a sudden?
…………
After classes started, I began practicing swordsmanship at the Seventh, and on my very first day, I startled both others and myself. I’ve never thought of myself as a powerhouse, but somehow I was able to swing a massive greatsword with ease, as if I were brandishing a bamboo stick. And I only seemed to be getting stronger. Samael’s favorite phrase became: “You really are the most savage roast chicken in all Heaven. Well done. Perfectly cooked.”
I’d said I would move back to Shima once school began, but when the time came, I forgot all about it and stayed on at Lucifer’s place. He was more than happy to have me there, and the two of us lived out our days together in tender indulgence. We tried every “secret technique” we could think of. But the most painful for me was the time I tried to sit down on him. Lucifer seemed to enjoy it immensely, but I moved like a clumsy bulldozer…
In short, that period of time passed like a dream.
That is, until the Lord came to see me, and I remembered that what was meant to come would come.
That afternoon it had just rained. The ground was still damp. After chatting a bit with a few Dominions, I wandered off alone to the Tower of Luminescence to read. I hadn’t been sitting long when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to glance at him and asked politely, “Can I help you?” But after a moment’s look, I froze in shock and leapt to my feet. “Your Holiness!”
The Lord said, “Michael, I have something I wish to speak with you about. Come with Me.”
I followed Him to the window.
The Lord said, “You must have many questions about Heaven. I am willing to answer them, and I hope you will also do something for this realm.”
“Please don’t be so formal, Your Holiness. I will do my best to fulfill whatever task You ask.” After a moment’s thought, I added, “…I heard my mother saw me with red hair in her crystal, but my hair is brown. Why is that?”
“You long since outgrew childhood. But your powers were sealed, so you have remained in youth form, your hair appearing darker. When the seal is broken and your power returns, your hair and eyes will change as well.”
“Who sealed me?” When He didn’t answer right away, I changed my question. “Why was I sealed… because I am Michael?”
“It was your mother, Alice, who read your future in that crystal orb. She showed only what was good—the vision of a great archangel with crimson hair—but kept the full truth to herself. Reynor was a faithful servant of God. Alice wanted to conceal the truth, and they quarreled long over it. In the end, they came to Me.”
I lowered my head, feeling the urge to flee.
“The vision in the crystal revealed that their son would one day defeat Lucifer and replace him as Commander of the Archangels. At the time, Lucifer said it was impossible… He seemed calm, but in truth he has always been fiercely protective of himself. For all his confidence, he has always feared being hurt. With that kind of nature, it’s only a matter of time before he turned. Every high-ranking angel can see it. His conflict with God did not begin yesterday.”
“…Your Holiness, what does this have to do with me?”
“It has everything to do with you. Lucifer’s future holds two paths, neither promising. One: you defeat him, and he falls. Two: he rebels, fails, and is slain by God.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You’re that certain Lucifer will lose?”
“Many will follow him, but the Creator is God. God will not give him the time or chance to succeed. Yes, Lucifer holds five-sixths of God’s power, perhaps even more. He could destroy Heaven’s army without question. But do not forget—he must face more than just Heaven’s army.”
I tried to stay calm, but couldn’t help bursting out again. “Why are You telling me this?”
“Lucifer is God’s most beloved archangel. But their wills have diverged too far, and that has brought us to this point. If Lucifer forces God’s hand, God will kill him.”
I muttered, “So if I don’t want him to die, I must take God’s place and defeat him, make him fall?”
“I know some of what passed between you two. I can only say… I regret it deeply.”
“Hah – Aren’t You afraid I’ll help him instead, then?”
“Your father, in life, pledged members of the Arterra family to God. Should you defy God’s will, it will bring ruin upon you. Let alone helping him, you wouldn’t even be able to save yourself.”
I kicked over the stool and slumped against the window. The Lord stood beside me, waiting in silence for my answer.
At last, I sighed heavily. “What if I could convince Lucifer not to rebel?”
“Even if he wished to refrain, God would drive him to it.”
“Why?”
“Because neither will yield. Lucifer dreams of tearing everything down. But true salvation comes from rebirth, not destruction.”
I fixed my gaze on Him. “Is there no third path?”
“There is none.”
I took a deep breath, my voice trembling. “How much time… how much time do I still have left to be with him?”
“The longer you stay by his side, the more likely God will use you to provoke him.”
I smiled bitterly. “I never thought God would stoop so low.”
“Everything God does is for the sake of Heaven.”
“For the sake of His rule, you mean.”
“Michael, I hope you understand — I came here only to give you a chance to save Lucifer’s life. If you insist on arguing with me, or speaking such words that insult God, then I’ll have no choice but to give up.”
I clutched at my temples and shook my head hard. “Forgive me. I spoke in anger… I would think it through. Truly.”
……
Lucifer had already returned to the Hall of Splendor. When he saw me come in, he immediately walked over, gently wrapped his arms around my waist, and kissed me.
I spoke weakly. “I need to talk to you.”
Lucifer froze for a moment. “So serious… what’s wrong?”
“It’s about your army.”
His smile slowly faded. He said nothing.
“Do you really have to handle your relationship with God like this? Isn’t there a way to communicate?”
“Let’s change the subject.”
“No. We’re talking about this today.”
Lucifer let go of me and sat down on the sofa.
I followed and sat beside him. “It’s going to affect your whole life… Can’t you bow your head just once, then win it back later?”
Lucifer lowered his eyes slightly. “I don’t want to talk about this with you.”
“Why not? Because I’m unworthy?”
He lifted his head suddenly. “No. I just don’t want anything to come between us.”
“So you’re determined to stand against God.”
“I’ll seek the justice I believe in,” Lucifer said seriously, gazing at me. “Though I don’t truly believe such a thing exists… I’ll find it. And if I can’t, I’ll forge a justice of my own.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “I never realized before, but you’re someone who lives for your ideals. Lord Lucifer of ideals… I won’t interfere anymore. You’re right to choose the way you have.”
Lucifer smiled. “Thank you.”
“Then tell me… if one day God kills me, what will you do?”
“I will kill Him.”
I stared at him for a long while. “If you had to pick between your ideals and me, which would you choose?”
“I want both.”
“And if you could only choose one?”
He smiled, almost like a child. “There is no choice. I want both.”
“You’re so greedy.”
Lucifer leaned in to kiss me.
I stopped him with my hand, but he just kissed my fingers instead.
There wasn’t much time left. Even speaking drained my entire being.
I didn’t have the courage to look at him straight in the eyes.
All my strength, confidence, resolve — they crumbled before I had even noticed.
I’m about to lose him.
If I say those words… I will lose him.
I had thought, selfishly, that if it gets to the point where I couldn’t take it anymore, maybe I’d just let God kill him, and then end myself. It’s no big deal.
But just now, he told me. He told me of the world he seeks, of his justice.
If he loses me, he’ll still have his ideals.
But if he loses his life, he’ll lose everything.
“Lucifer… I’m tired of this,” I said. “Let’s break up.”
Never, ever had I imagined those words would come from my lips.
I had always believed that with these hands of mine, I would reshape the world for him.
Translator’s note:
Mammon – 玛门, wikipedia: (Aramaic: מָמוֹנָא, māmōnā) in the New Testament is commonly thought to mean money, material wealth, or any entity that promises wealth, and is associated with the greedy pursuit of gain. The Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke both quote Jesus using the word in a phrase often rendered in English as “You cannot serve both God and mammon.”
Author: Tav Tav
Translating
The Right Wing of God, the one seated at the right hand of the Most High.
