5. Rise & Back

The Forgotten Garden, Eden

A man, bound by branches to a large tree, gazed at the sky. His hands, nearly immobilized, directed one finger toward the heavens. Suddenly, a black light emerged, attacking the blue sky above. He grinned as he watched the sky crack under the assault of the black light.

"Finally," he whispered with a smirk, "I can free myself from Georgia's clutches!" As the sky crumbled, he laughed uproariously. Suddenly, a black aura surrounded him, and the tree binding his body fell and withered slowly. At last, he was free!

The man chuckled gleefully and began to walk away from the tree. His name was Lucifer F'Gereds, the first demon to wield dark magic.

"I'm back," he murmured before suddenly vanishing.

Heavania, Heaven

The giant golden bells rang so loudly that the gods and angels gathered to witness the spectacle. Something significant had occurred! Suddenly, the sky darkened, signaling something ominous. "The Sacred Tree of Eden withers," the sky announced abruptly.

Angels and gods ran in panic toward God's house as fast as they could. They looked worried as they arrived before God. One of the gods began to speak, "What should we do? Lucifer has finally freed himself!" one of the gods exclaimed.

With a serious expression, another god in a blue robe sighed, "We can't do anything. The tree that bound him withered from absorbing his dark energy for thousands of years."

God fell silent as he heard the news. "Stop worrying," he said, and the angels and gods began to calm down and bow their heads to God. "I will try to stop him," God sighed again as he stood from his throne. "Trust me, only I can stop him."

Heaven's Library, Ealos

A stack of thick books lay scattered on the floor as Alice frowned while reading one of them.

"Look, it's the Holy Angel," one person in the library whispered as they saw Alice, everyone there seemed fascinated by Alice's presence.

Alice clearly had a different appearance from other angels, her appearance was more captivating than the average angel. She had long, wavy golden hair, large and gleaming white wings, a uniform different from other angels, and lastly, one thing she and God alone possessed, sapphire blue eyes that marked her as different.

"She's beautiful," one of her friends replied.

One of them grinned as they picked up a book, "Too bad, such a beautiful angel created to kill the demon king has now become an ordinary angel who only creates potions."

Suddenly, a thick book was thrown at the angels. "Ouch!" one of them exclaimed, holding their head. "Who's there?!"

Mary stared sharply at the angels. "Filthy mouths like yours, why were you even qualified to become angels? Absolutely insane," Mary retorted sarcastically.

"Hey! What's your problem?" one of the angels asked angrily.

"Alice is my friend! How dare you speak ill of her!" Mary snapped.

Suddenly, Alice stood as she heard her. Everyone who spoke about her, even Mary, flinched when she stood up.

Alice looked at them. "I understand," Alice said, then she quickly walked away and suddenly began to run.

Mary and the angels looked puzzled. "What?" they murmured as they saw Alice running.

Alice ran through the library corridors. She stopped when she reached a wooden door, she opened it and a messy desk could be seen, the desk full of old papers, books, and reaction tubes.

She walked to the desk and took one of the liquids stored in a large tube and mixed it with another liquid in the reaction tube. The liquid changed color to a glowing purple. "Success!"

Mary, who followed her, asked, "What succeeded?"

Alice grabbed the tube with the liquid in it, she ran to the wooden door past Mary and flew through the hallway again.

One of the gardeners looked at Alice, "Wow, what is Miss Alice doing here?" he asked as he saw Alice.

Alice smiled gently at him, "Is God here?" she asked.

The gardener nodded, "My lord is in the Jyanes Hall," he replied.

Alice ran to the door, the door automatically opened when she arrived in front of it, she hurriedly ran again as she saw the door open.

The gardener smiled as he saw Alice, "such a beautiful angel," he whispered as he began to tend to the garden again.

As Alice ran through the house corridors, one of the angels saw her and smiled, "Wow, that's Alice!" she exclaimed as she saw her.

"That's the Holy Angel! She looks so beautiful," replied one of the angels.

"It seems like her new potion worked," said the red-haired angel.

"She looks very different from four years ago," the brown-haired angel suddenly said.

"Yes, if it were four years ago, we would never see her running like that," another angel replied.

"Not just running, even we couldn't see her smile like that four years ago," said the red-haired angel.

"Could it be that she's stressed because she's relinquishing her position?"

"Hush... Watch your words!"

Jyanes Hall

One of the gods sighed, "We should summon the angel of war."

The other gods frowned, "But our strongest angel of war is..." before he could finish his sentence, the sound of an opening door was heard, and the attention of the gods instantly turned to the door.

"God!" Alice exclaimed as she called out to God.

"Alice! What's with your sudden visit?" one of the angels exclaimed as he saw how Alice suddenly yelled.

"Where is our God?" Alice asked with a smile.

"Why did you make a sudden visit?" The angel frowned as he saw Alice.

"I made my own potion!" Alice yelled as she proudly showed her potion in the tube she held.

The angel looked at Alice strangely, "What kind of potion is that?" he asked curiously.

Alice grinned, "This potion is called 'Forgetfulness'!" she said proudly.

"Huh?"

"This potion can erase any memories you want to forget!" Alice said proudly.

"Why should I forget my memories?" the angel asked.

"Well, at least with this, you can erase your memories of the beautiful human you once loved or maybe about the 100 defeats in your battles," Alice mocked the angel as she started to walk away.

The angel blushed when he heard her, he shouted when he saw Alice walking away.

Alice ran through the library corridor, she stopped when she reached the wooden door, she opened the door and a messy desk could be seen, the desk full of old papers, books, and reaction tubes.

She walked to the desk and took one of the liquids stored in a large tube and mixed it with another liquid in the reaction tube. The liquid changed color to a glowing purple. "Success!"

Mary, who followed her, asked, "What succeeded?"

Alice grabbed the tube with the liquid in it, she ran to the wooden door past Mary and flew through the hallway again.

One of the gardeners looked at Alice, "Wow, what is Miss Alice doing here?" he asked as he saw Alice.

Alice smiled gently at him, "Is God here?" she asked.

The gardener nodded, "My lord is in the Jyanes Hall," he replied.

Alice ran to the door, the door swung open effortlessly as Alice approached, revealing a grand hall adorned with celestial symbols and ethereal light. Alice stepped inside, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

As she entered the hall, she found herself in the presence of the divine beings she had known all her existence. God sat upon a majestic throne, radiating wisdom and power. The angels and gods stood respectfully around her, their expressions a blend of reverence and concern.

"God," Alice spoke, her voice echoing in the sacred space. "I have come before you with news of great importance."

God regarded her with a knowing gaze. "Speak, my child. What tidings do you bring?"

Alice took a deep breath, her resolve strengthening. "I have created a new potion," she announced, holding up the glowing tube. "It is called 'Vergessen,' and it has the power to erase any memory one desires to forget."

A murmur spread through the assembly as the angels and gods exchanged intrigued glances. God remained composed, her eyes fixed on Alice.

"And why have you created such a potion, my dear Alice?" God inquired, her voice gentle yet probing.

Alice met her gaze with unwavering determination. "I seek to forget," she admitted, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "To forget the pain of betrayal, the burden of unrequited love, and the weight of expectations."

The hall fell silent as Alice's words hung in the air, each syllable carrying the weight of her inner turmoil. God's eyes softened with understanding, and she extended a hand toward Alice.

"Child, your pain is known to me," she spoke, her voice like a soothing melody. "But remember, it is through adversity that we find strength, and through love that we find redemption."

Alice felt a surge of warmth at God's words, a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that had consumed her. She bowed her head in reverence, her heart brimming with gratitude.

"Thank you, my Lord," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

God smiled benevolently, her presence a beacon of divine light in the hall. "You are welcome, dear Alice. Know that you are loved, now and always."

With those words, the tension in the hall dissipated, replaced by a sense of peace and acceptance. Alice felt a weight lift from her shoulders, a newfound clarity filling her soul.

As she turned to leave the hall, she knew that her journey was far from over. But with God's guidance and the support of her celestial kin, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

And so, with renewed purpose and determination, Alice stepped out into the world, her heart set ablaze with the light of hope and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

---

Findlia, Hell

Luke sighed as he sat on his throne. "Lucifer is free?"

His servant, dressed in a black tuxedo, bowed his head. "Yes, my Lord."

"Mad Hatter," Luke called out with another sigh, "inform me when he arrives."

"No need," came a voice as the door creaked open. Luke and his servant turned to see Lucifer standing at the entrance. "Good afternoon, brother," he greeted.

"Good afternoon," Luke replied, rolling his eyes at the sight of Lucifer.

"Here I am, your brother, back at last," Lucifer said with a grin, spreading his arms wide as if expecting an embrace.

Luke's expression remained stoic. "Yes, I see you're back. So, what do you want?" he asked as Lucifer approached with open arms. "And no, I do not want a hug," Luke clarified.

Lucifer sighed, lowering his arms and stuffing his hands into his pockets, still grinning. "I have news," he said.

"What news?" Luke asked.

"I want to destroy Heaven. Let's do it together!" Lucifer declared, his grin turning wicked.

Luke sighed deeply. "No," he rejected.

Lucifer's face darkened at the immediate refusal. "Tell me why."

Luke stood from his throne and approached Lucifer. "Like you, there is no reason," he replied with a sigh.

Lucifer's grin returned. "I want revenge!"

"Because of your isolation? What will you do if God gets angry again?" Luke questioned.

Lucifer sneered. "Georgia can't do anything to me anymore. Her power has weakened, and the Sacred Tree has withered," he said proudly. "And I want to kill the Holy Angel."

Luke was silent for a moment. "Don't touch the Holy Angel. She belongs to me," he warned.

Lucifer frowned. "Belongs to you? But the Holy Angel is destined to destroy the demon world. It's her job, and we must stop her."

Luke sighed. "Stop your childish revenge. I know you won't kill God, and don't touch the Holy Angel," he cautioned.

Lucifer glared. "Why do you say that? Of course, I will kill God."

Luke smirked, pointing at Lucifer's chest. "Special feelings? Remember, we are cursed brothers," he said, laughing.

Lucifer glared. "It's not like that," he snapped, brushing off Luke's pointing finger. "What curse! I will kill her!"

"Never touch Heavania," Luke sneered, walking away from him.

"I will destroy Heavania," Lucifer whispered, watching Luke stop at his words. "I will kill the Holy Angel, no matter the risk." With that, Lucifer vanished, leaving Luke alone.

Luke sighed, watching Lucifer disappear. "Mad Hatter," he called.

The servant in the black tuxedo, Mad Hatter, bowed his head to Luke. "Yes, my Lord?"

"Stop him," Luke ordered before walking away and vanishing suddenly.

---

Heavania, Heaven

Alice sighed as she lay on her bed, but a strange movement outside her window caught her eye. She stood up, peering through the window again. "Who's there?" she called out, seeing a child's small feet standing before her window.

"Hello, Miss Alice, the Holy Angel," a voice chimed from outside.

"Who are you?" Alice asked, frowning at the voice.

The child crouched, revealing himself fully to Alice. "Hello," he greeted.

"A rabbit?" Alice murmured, noticing the rabbit ears on the child's head.

"Yes, my name is Rabbit," the child replied with a sweet smile. "Why are you here, Miss Angel?" he asked.

Alice frowned. "To rest?" she responded, uncertain.

The child smiled again. "Why aren't you with the demon king?" he asked.

Alice was startled by the question. "What do you mean?" she asked warily.

"Why are you trying to forget him? Isn't he your true love?" the child asked again.

Alice fell silent, sitting on her bed and bowing her head. "No, he isn't," she replied.

"Do you like him?" the child pressed.

Alice glanced at him. "No, I don't," she answered.

"Then why don't you kill him?" the child asked once more.

Alice sighed. "I can't."

The child beamed. "I understand your feelings," he said confidently. "You might not realize it, but your destiny can't be changed. He is your heart; even the world knows that." With those words, the child vanished just as Alice tried to get a better look.

"My angel," a familiar voice echoed suddenly. Alice stood up as she heard it.

"Lucas?" she called out, recognizing the familiar deep voice.

Suddenly, a hand touched her face. Her eyes welled up as a man with red eyes and black hair appeared before her, smiling at her. "Call me by my true name," he said as his hand cupped Alice's chin, gently closing the distance between them. "My angel, say my name," he requested again.

With wide eyes, Alice couldn't tear her gaze away from his face. "Luke?" she whispered softly.

Luke smiled. "Yes, my heart," he replied, bringing his lips closer to Alice's.