An angel with waist-length silver hair stood on a balcony overlooking a garden filled with flowers surrounding a golden statue that depicted an androgynous figure. The angel wore a thin, red robe that was the same color as her skin. A butterfly flew in front of her face, causing her to raise her head, before it landed on her shoulder. The corner of the angel’s lips turned upwards as she turned her head to the side. Behind her, a towering archway led to a room decorated with a silk red carpet with a massive rectangular table in the center of it. Four angels occupied the sides of the table: two on the left, and two on the right. Above them, dozens of crystal orbs emitting light hung from metal chains attached to the ceiling.

The angel placed her wrinkled finger in front of the butterfly, and it crawled onto her fingernail. She raised her hand into the air, letting the butterfly take off. She watched it make lazy circles in the air before it landed on the petals of a pink rose. “Sariel,” one of the angels sitting at the table said. Sariel sighed and tore her gaze away from the butterfly, turning around to face the remaining members of the council.

“Yes?” she asked as she sauntered into the room and sat at the head of the table. The light coming from the orbs illuminated the wrinkles on her face.

“Everyone’s here,” the angel closest to her left said. He was a bald angel with no eyebrows.

“I can see that,” Sariel said with a nod as her gaze passed over the seats—both the occupied and empty. “Our numbers certainly have diminished.” Her lips twitched. “Hopefully, we can rectify that soon. Didn’t the youngest Caelum slay an archdemon?”

“About that,” the female angel sitting next to the angel with no eyebrows said. “Percy received a letter yesterday with … unpleasant contents.” She turned to look at the angel sitting next to her.

Percy nodded and knit his eyebrowless brow. “I made copies for each of you,” he said as he opened a folder in front of himself and took out sheets of paper that he handed to the rest. “I received it last night from Michael.” Percy watched the countenances of the council members darken as they read the letter except for Sariel, but he wasn’t surprised—she only ever displayed two expressions: a blank face, or a faint smile.

Sariel was the first one to put the letter down after reading for three seconds. Her face was expressionless as she waited for the rest of the council members to finish. “Thoughts?” she asked when they were done.

“Why don’t Melissa and I personally quash this rebellion? Evidently, Michael wasn’t enough. We should have gone from the start,” the angel sitting furthest to the right of Sariel said. “Percy and Dinah can locate the two Caelums.” He glanced at the two angels sitting across from him. Their expressions were agreeable.

“Are you confident, Andrew?” Sariel asked the angel who just spoke. “Michael and Elrith were unable to defeat Solra in the borderlands. Now that Elrith is gone and Jones is taking his place so to speak, our army is weaker than before. Ten years ago, Solra was strong enough to suppress your virtues.” She didn’t finish voicing her thoughts, but her point was clear. Andrew’s face contorted as he considered her words.

“Then what do you suggest we should do?” Melissa, the angel sitting next to Andrew, asked.

“All of you will go to assist Michael and Jones,” Sariel said. “I suspect the rebel army has more than just Solra. If the youngest Caelum slew an archdemon, who’s to say there aren’t anymore? Your mission will be to capture Solra and take care of his halfling army, whether by exterminating them or enslaving them. The later we act, the more casualties there will be. I trust the four of you will take care of this matter swiftly.”

“Then the Caelums?” Andrew asked. “The eldest abandoned his duties, and the youngest may possibly be a fallen archangel. Not only that, but she may also be mutated. Greater angels can’t deal with them.”

“As long as they do not recklessly bring about trouble, there is no need for us to make a move against them,” Sariel said. “Besides, when a child misbehaves, whose responsibility is it to correct their behavior? I’m sure their parents will be delighted to hear the news.”

“You’re wise as always,” Andrew said and nodded. “That old couple will want to punish their children personally. Should we word it so they become more lenient?”

Sariel turned to look at Percy. “When a soldier deserts the army, what is the punishment?” she asked.

“Execution,” Percy said.

“When an archangel falls, what is the punishment?”

“Execution,” Percy said.

Sariel smiled at Andrew. He furrowed his brow. “Didn’t you want the youngest Caelum to fill in a spot on the council?” he asked.

“Do you want another fallen angel to become part of the council? Was Abaddon, Mephi, Solra, and Anidun not enough?” Sariel asked.

“The oldest Caelum then,” Andrew said. “He had an excellent track record as a general. I refuse to believe he would abandon his post for no reason. Maybe he is being coerced by the fallen one.”

Sariel nodded. “That is possible. I’m sure Lord Caelum will exercise proper judgment,” she said. “If the eldest Caelum is innocent, then he may present a case. If the youngest isn’t fallen, then there is no reason to execute her. We aren’t unreasonable.”

“I understand,” Andrew said with a nod. Melissa pinched his side, indicating for him to not say anymore.

“Now that we have taken care of this matter,” Sariel said after a pause, “we can move onto the list of newly fallen.” She reached under the table and pulled out a parchment. Her eyes blinked as she scanned the list that only had one item on it. “One person fell this month: Aaron Aor.”

Melissa’s eyes widened. “Menyel Aor’s younger brother?” she asked.

“Yes,” Sariel said. “He was consumed by wrath when he discovered Menyel died during her journey to the borderland. Apparently she was slain by a beast with the nickname king of the forest, but he blames us for banishing her. With this, it seems like the Aor family’s lineage is done for.” She sighed. “A shame really.”

“At least he’s still a regular angel and will only be banished,” Melissa said. “As long as he can convert his wrath to patience, there’s still a chance for him to come back.”

Sariel nodded. “But it will be difficult,” she said. The other council members didn’t say anything—they could count the number of angels that returned from being exiled on one hand. “Council dismissed,” Sariel said. “You four have your orders. I will inform Lord Caelum of his children’s situations.”

The four angels nodded and stood up without a sound. They bowed towards the golden statue in the garden before leaving the room. Sariel walked onto the balcony and gazed into the statue’s eyes before looking at the pink rose from earlier. The butterfly was still there, but it was lying on its side, unmoving. It was dead. For the first time in years, a frown appeared on Sariel’s lips.