Myths Reawakened

“Mikhael, are you mad?” Auriel shouted hoarsely, his face distorted. “Put away your weapons. This is the god’s residence, not the Heaven of Stars where you get to be domineering.”

His devoted declaration was tinged with a hint of joy. He praised Mikhael for his pride and hoped that his brother would double down.

Auriel knew that since he had been piloting the hate train against the Anointed One, insulting and sneering at him nonstop, his life would be difficult if no one else caught up with him. While he wouldn’t be sentenced to death, he would be wishing for death.

He had thought that there was no saving himself, but it turned out that Mikhael, stubborn as he was, was more prideful than Pride. He pointed his sword at the Anointed One and verbally attacked him, single-handedly changing Auriel’s fate.

You’re my actual brother!

Auriel was almost moved to tears.

Same for me. x2

Gerar and Vilkul were also encouraged. The chance to demonstrate their loyalty was within reach. They would not step back even when facing He Who Is Like God.

“You fools. Why would you buy whatever Hesione said? The divine throne was tainted by a demon, yet you’re pointing your weapons at me...” Mikhael narrowed his eyes, blatantly disregarding the Seven Sacred Virtues. As long as he exposed the Lord of Deceit as a demon, he would remain on the moral high ground.

The problem lay in Hesione. The most favored angel hadn’t yet earned the qualification to enter the tenth floor, so it wasn’t too late yet. If he didn’t kill Hesione today, all would be lost.

Killing intent surged in Mikhael’s heart. He would kill Hesione in the Temple Garden and prove that he was Father’s most excellent child and the only qualified successor.

“Lower your weapon, Mikhael,” Auriel said loudly. “The Anointed One is merciful to all; his tolerance is beyond mortal imagination. He will certainly forgive your sins.”

The forced argument was met with Gerar’s and Vilkul’s full support.

“Fool, you know he’s a demon,” Mikhael said sarcastically. “You told me that.”

“Shut-shut up. Don’t run your mouth!” Auriel snapped. He wouldn’t hear any of the slander. The wise ones knew that the Anointed One had intentionally tarnished himself to forge the path to redemption in the name of Deceit. Auriel had been foolish, his intelligence less than a fraction of the Anointed One’s. That was why he hadn’t seen the truth.

He had seen the light now!

“Mikhael, there is no demon here,” Milia said. “The throne responded to the Anointed One. He is the prophesied Anointed One, as you have seen. It’s not too late to admit your mistake.”

“You’re another fool...”

The throne had not responded to the demon, but to Hesione. As soon as she got up, the Holy Light vanished.

Mikhael knew the correct answer. Taking a deep breath, he said in a steely voice with his eyes radiating golden light, “If you refuse to see reason, I’ll show you whether the one on the throne is human or demon!”

“Mikhael has gone mad. Do not let him get close to the Anointed One!” Auriel snarled, charging at the very front. His aura blazed and transformed into a cross. Space rumbled as the tip of his spear tore it open, thrusting at Mikhael’s murderous face.

Clang!

Mikhael showed no visible movement, yet the Oath Sword swung down and clashed with Auriel’s divine weapon. After a brief stalemate, Auriel flew off his feet.

The Heaven of Crystals was unusually sturdy, and the temple was inherently unbreakable. In any other place, the fight between two Śārim would’ve disintegrated space into the most basic earth, fire, water, and wind elements. Inside this temple, Auriel didn’t even break through any wall, much less break down space.

Mikhael flapped his wings and soared toward the throne, his two divine swords flanking him. Following a flash, he vanished. Then three other angels met the same fate as Auriel.

It was once again proven that just like Hell, Heaven was carried by one leader and six deadweights.

As fellow Seven Sacred Virtues, Auriel, Vilkul, Gerar, and Milia had tried their best to prove their loyalty to the Anointed One, but they ended up proving how extraordinary Mikhael was.

Clang!

The Oath Sword swung down. Hesione, standing in front of the Anointed One, met the attack with her Sword of Judgment.

As the two divine swords collided, Hesione felt an overwhelming power crashing into her, making her arms shake. Her eyes brimmed with terror.

Mikhael was stronger than she had imagined!

“You must know that I’m more than He Who Is Like God now...” Mikhael’s icy expression brightened a little as he noted Hesione’s struggle and shock. He said proudly, “You’ve formulated a nice plan. I can see your effort and growth. You’ve even sacrificed your purity to reach your goal. Hesione, you’re catching up with me.”

“Mikhael, I never covet the viceroy’s title!” Hesione clenched her teeth and fought on.

“Yes, your ambition has never been the Viceroy of Heaven,” Mikhael growled with a twisted face, losing his composure instantly.

The wind howled. Four angels rushed up from four directions to circle Mikhael.

Hum—

The Spear of Time radiated golden holy intent, the light almost physical. The intangible hands captured and suspended the four Sacred Virtues. No matter what they did, they could never shake the golden light.

Eyes narrowed, Mikhael trapped the four angels with the four crosses formed out of the golden radiance blooming from his spear, lining them up in the heart of the main hall.

“Troublemakers, wait and see who the real demon is, and who represents Heaven’s justice,” Mikhael declared righteously, all the while pointing his hovering Binding Sword at Hesione. As the light faded, the blade thrust toward her right eye.

Holding the Sword of Judgment with both hands, Hesione struggled to block the Oath Sword. In that split second, she had no way to counter the incoming Binding Sword. She could back away, but the Divine Throne and the Anointed One were right behind her. They were her faith.

Thud!

A hand reached out from behind Hesione, clutching the Binding Sword steadily.

It was Wayne.

Mikhael made a soft sound of surprise when he got a clear look. He didn’t think much of it since it only made sense that a demon capable of killing Gluttony and Wrath in Hell was powerful. At least he would be more powerful than Auriel and the other incompetent fools, and he was entitled to taking one hit from Mikhael.

In the past, Mikhael would’ve acknowledged Wayne as a good opponent, but not anymore. He had earned a power beyond the Seven Sacred Virtues. He was unbeatable in all nine levels of Heaven, with the esoteric tenth level being an exception.

Wayne pressed against Hesione’s back, one hand clutching Mikhael’s sword and the other holding Hesione’s hand, helping her fight Mikhael.

His intervention alleviated Hesione’s pressure significantly. Leaning toward Wayne’s chest, Hesione said regretfully, “I’ve disappointed you, Anointed One.”

“No, this is a pleasant surprise. Heaven has opened my eyes. It’s no different from the mortal realm and Hell,” Wayne marveled, breathing at Hesione’s ear. “Lend me the Sword of Judgment. I’m going to bring judgment to the Viceroy of Heaven with it.”

Golden embers sputtered at the collision of the two blades.

Mikhael took two steps back in shock and looked at the third divine weapon in question, his expression growing solemn. “Such incredible power. Not even I can counter it. Are you... Pride?”

“No, I’m Deceit.”

Wayne took the Sword of Judgment from Hesione, gliding his fingers along the cold blade. He felt the urge to comment on the sword’s ridiculously long guard. Holding the sword vertically in front of him, it would seem like he was holding a cross as tall as an average man. “I heard that you and Pride are mortal enemies who have never gotten to determine the winner between you. Is that true?”

“It’s false,” Mikhael said honestly. “I’ve defeated Pride before. He isn’t my match.”

“Impossible. I don’t believe you,” Wayne said. “Pride is beyond powerful. He’s more like god than you are, so think carefully. Did he discreetly hold back when he lost to you?”

“Hmph, how ignorant of you.” Mikhael scoffed arrogantly. “Given Pride’s pride, he would never willingly lose to me. You don’t know Pride or me. You’re in no place to judge the one who is like god.”

“Think again. Stop being so arrogant.”

“I’ll repeat it ten thousand times...” Mikhael floated up and looked down at Wayne. “You said that Pride was stronger than me only because you haven’t seen the real me. He and I are beyond the Seven Sacred Virtues and the Seven Deadly Sins, while you’re still trapped by the framework of the Seven Deadly Sins. You are not my match. Tell everyone the truth that Hesione is using you.”

“What nonsense are you spouting, Mikhael?!” Hesione seethed, her face flushed.

Hestia hurriedly grabbed her superior. Who cared if Hesione was using Wayne? She had already established a connection to the Anointed One. It made sense for her to do it for promotion.

The other Sacred Virtues agreed. Hesione had hidden the fact that she had found the Anointed One so that she could secretly use her body for promotion. Anyone could tell what she was doing.

Still, the Anointed One could do no wrong. The filth on Hesione wasn’t filthy since it was stigmata that the Anointed One had personally inscribed on her. From a holy point of view, they should be considered the highest honor in Heaven.

Many angels would beg for the same gift without receiving any. Hesione had gotten everything, leaving not even scraps to others.

The four Sacred Virtues suspended by the crosses grumbled in their heads, criticizing Hesione for being selfish. She wanted to monopolize the Anointed One’s favor with no regard for her fellow angels’ feelings.

Bah, you’ve tainted the Anointed One’s purity, shameless woman.

With the sudden appearance of their top leader, the angels all awakened as vermin and started acting like vermin.

Hesione, feeling guilty, snapped back at Mikhael to stop undermining the Anointed One’s reputation.

Mikhael had his own belief and interpretation of what was happening. Huffing, he said, “Patience, Hesione. Once I kill your demon, I’ll take care of you.”

Following an arc of white light, two divine swords swung down in a cross, slashing at Wayne’s neck and torso. He tilted his head and ignored the attacks, allowing the divine swords to hit him. His wounds instantly recovered, unaffected by the holy intent.

Mikhael paused, unsure what was happening. “You’ve ignored the holy intent of the Golden Law? Has Hesione handed you her power?”

What was this? A human who had mastered both the Seven Sacred Virtues and the Seven Deadly Sins?

If the prophecy had not specified that the most favored angel would be Father’s successor, he would’ve thought that Wayne was the successor.

“More or less. She did give me a lot. However, I have so many investors that she isn’t even on the list.” Wayne spoke, being intentionally vague so that only he could understand himself.

He raised an eyebrow at Hesione. Don’t be sad, Anointed One. Once I receive the delivery from Heaven, you’ll rise in rank.

I take it back. My angel investors are quite generous, too. The Anointed One, especially, has given me what she should and shouldn’t give me.

Wayne narrowed his eyes, unfolding his six pristine white wings.

Wielding the Sword of Judgment, he hovered in the air with golden bands of overwhelming holy intent swirling around him. His powerful Golden Law made Mikhael’s breathing quicken.

What was going on? This was beyond what Hesione could give.

Whoosh!

Following a flash of light, a crimson line bloomed. Wayne brushed past Hesione and stroked the Sword of Judgment.

“I’ve tested my hypothesis. You are not Pride’s match...”

“Far from it.”