Chapter 8 D-day

I woke up around 4 the next morning, the day of the JINUA's meeting and decided that I had to meet Nathan. Surely, he could answer one of my questions. I got ready in about thirty minutes and headed for Previn. I took my time and arrived there by 6. The place was already filled with Angels doing all sort of activities. I made my way to the receptionist office.

"long time, Rebellez Loretta. What brings you here so early in the morning especially today are you perhaps here to see Masiera Joseph?" Higher Angel Clinton (the receptionist) asked. Not caring about his deliberate choice of words, I went straight to the point.

"I'm here to see Higher Angel Nathaniel." I said and he dailed the room number and had talked briefly on the phone making inquiries.

"Nathaniel left early this morning headed for Lesly." He said.

'what, why did he have to go to Lesly so early in the morning. It's not like he has a girlfriend or something. The distance between Previn and Lesly isn't much, if I were to fly there with speed, I could arrive there in not less than three minutes' I thought before I left Previn headed to Lesly.  

I arrived at Lesly and continued in flight to the main building. I landed on my feet and headed for the receptionist office.

"Loretta, what brings you here, are you here to see Ladicae Selina?" the receptionist asked.

"Nathan... Nathan came here, where is he?" I asked catching my breath.

"he inquired about you and I informed him that you were no longer here but in Darnbel and he left." She said and I was filled with frustration.

"when?" I asked knowing there was a slight chance I would run into him at Darnbel.

"maybe, about an hour ago." She said and I was so sure that I wasn't going to find him there. I flew to the Angels Training Ground hoping I'd find a kind of clue there. I landed on the building of Great Height which was our hideout because of it magnificent view.  I went inside and met Archangel Ronald who oversaw the building.

"Loretta, my heart yearns for your situation. Nathan has instructed me to give this to you saying you would stop by." He said handing me a Confidential Letter (a letter that can only be read by the recipient).

"when did he give you this letter?" I asked and dismissed the letter by using my powers to keep the letter in the middle of my two hands and simultaneously moving both hands to the other's position anticlockwise.

"about forty-five minutes ago. It's a pity you missed him." He said and I knew I had carefully retraced his steps. I looked at the time and saw it was to 7. I greeted the Archangel goodbye. "I hope you find peace." He said and I wondered 'at this rate, will I ever find peace. Is it possible to find peace in hell?' before I headed back to Darnbel to prepare myself for the meeting.

***

"Doom" the ancient-like meeting doors opened. For the first time in my life, I stepped into Sacrum Cor but I didn't step into it, I was dragged into it. There were three tables: one at the front and two at each side. On the front table sat Senyoryte Auriel, Masiera Pavilon and Ladicae Lailah. The table at the right sat nine Masieres and the table at the left sat nine Ladicaes, each Ladicae and Masiera presenting a child of God seating according to rank. There were also three male and three female Archangels present. I was dragged to the middle of the hall with binding bracelets (making me unable to use my powers) in my hands. I looked at Senyoryte Auriel, the 2nd child of God, the first daughter, the most loved child. It was the first time I set eyes on years. She had beauty that words couldn't describe; her golden iris had been designed by black lines (rumour has it: that she had bright golden eyes but she committed a sin which brought about the black colour. The sin she had committed had brought about her banishment to 2nd Heaven for half a century), her hair matched her eyes completely, her lips had a colour of red that was indescribable like something had dulled but at the same time lighted them but the most striking thing about her were her wings. The wings of Royalty had always been gold but hers had a black circle at the middle of both wings and the black wasn't dull it was bright, screaming to be noticed. Her appearance looked like a golden flower that had been stained yet everything about her was still graceful.

"Rebellez Loretta, you have gone against the JINUA and have been found guilty of two signs. Firstly, you have gone against the will of the JINUA and have thereby posed to be a threat. Secondly, you have insulted the JINUA with words and actions. Do you have anything to say for yourself?" she asked. In her voice, I could feel so much power.

"I confess to my crime that I am guilty of the sins charged upon me. I, Rebellez Loretta, will thereby accept any method of discipline given to me." I said. For the first time in a very long time, I didn't feel like proving myself.

"Rebellez Loretta, you are hereby sentenced to ten years on earth to live a life worthy of being an Angel. If after these ten years you are found worthy you shall join the Archangels and work in 1st Heaven but if you are not found worthy you shall be sentenced to five more years. Will you keep your word and accept your method of discipline?" She asked as if she was daring me to reject it. This method of discipline was too harsh for the sins I had committed. I saw the surprise in Ladicae Ansina eyes, but I knew there was nothing she could do for me.

'was I going to let the same thing that happened to my dad happen to me? But I could change my fate, I could live a different life. If I accept Lucifer's Proposal, I can change my future. I refuse to end up like my dad.' I thought.