Impact

Chapter 5: Impact.

A handsome man with long blond hair and green eyes, twelve golden wings unfurled from his back, stood with a regal presence.

He wore a red robe with a gold cross adorning the front of his white alb, golden shoulder plates, a white sash, and a golden halo hovering above his head.

His perpetually sad eyes were fixed on the throne—the Biblical God's system—before him.

"Haah," he sighed wearily.

"Asia Argento…" He muttered the name of the young girl.

Since the passing of the system's creator, numerous variables had emerged.

The balance between Holy and Unholy now hung by a thin thread.

It's like with a snap, the balance between the two could completely crumble.

The exiled saintess healing a devil, in the literal sense, that action had not much impact on Heaven.

Rather, it is the impact from the believers.

As someone revered as a Holy Saintess, her actions could be dangerously misconstrued.

Other believers, seeing her as chosen by God, undoubtedly misinterpreted the situation.

If left unaddressed, some might begin to question their faith, causing further damage to Heaven—making Micheal vommit blood.

And...

...When that happens, the negative impact on the world would be inevitable.

So, he had no choice.

As much as it pained him, maintaining the agenda was the top priority.

Even as he stood there, other pantheons were currently eyeing the Biblical Faction.

Heaven is currently weak.

And, due to his injury, he was no longer in his prime. In fact, none of them were, except Gabriel.

However, she was a different case altogether.

"Right now… all I can do is strengthen humanity's belief in us."

The power of miracles was a good idea. Sadly, that option was no longer currently available.

"Father, what shall I do?"

He closed his eyes, reminiscing about the past.

It was at the closing of the war.

After the Beast's rampage, it was the Spawn's—or as Heaven and the Biblical Faction would call him: Beast II's—turn to wreak havoc.

Perhaps it was because Beast II was humanoid and possessed sentience.

To say it was strong was an understatement.

It was as if he was demonstrating how much more dangerous the beast could have been.

None of their attacks had any effect on him.

Holy or demonic, all efforts were in vain; he easily suppressed most with those chains of Heaven now corrupted chains.

"F*ck! Why do I feel like I'm fighting a dragon god?"

A tall man, appearing to be in his twenties with an average build, black hair, golden bangs, and a black goatee, exclaimed.

He spread his twelve jet-black feathered wings that grew from his back as he flew away.

He clicked his tongue in frustration as he evaded the incoming chains.

"Works the same as the old man's—it suppresses, but that's not all; it also corrupts."

As he said those words....

"Nice analysis, leader of crows, stating the obvious," another man, green-haired with young-looking facial features, scoffed as he flew beside him.

"Tsk, quit making fun of me." Azazel gritted His teeth as he dodged an incoming chain.

The old man—the Biblical God—and his forces had taken it upon themselves to confront Beast II.

But even he and the forces of Heaven were in no better state than anyone else on the battlefield.

Looking towards Beast II, the Biblical God, Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Metatron stood behind a golden barrier that was beginning to crack.

"Protect that old fart with your lives! Don't let that abomination get to him; he's the only one who can do something about it!"

A red-haired man, as prideful as he was, had not managed to scratch Beast II.

He had been slapped away more than four times, and any more hits from the beast would implode his skull instantly.

Even as he gave the command, his face was swollen red, bleeding profusely from all parts of his body.

Perhaps that was why he gave such a command. He'd rather fight and prove his strength than cower.

Inside the cracking golden barrier, the Biblical God and his children were supporting it.

The Biblical God knelt down wearily, as he coughed up blood.

It was strange... A spiritual being like him coughing up blood.

"To think such a thing was possible…?"

After catching his breath for a moment, he muttered, "There's no other choice, huh?"

The longer he hesitated, the worse the situation would become.

As if mustering up courage, he weakly stood up as he opened his mouth.

"Come! Sephiroth Graal! Incinerate Anthem! True Longinus!"

Blue flames appeared beneath him, swirling around him, accompanied by a bright golden light and a golden chalice levitating before him.

"Father—"

"You can't—"

Before they could all stop him, he interrupted. "Don't worry, you've done enough… leave the rest to me."

Those were the last kind words the Archangels heard from their father, and the last they would ever see of him.

Even with all that, Beast II still easily dominated.

Yet, thanks to that sacrifice, a few managed to survive the war.

Most of them, however, sustained injuries that have yet to heal.

Present...

Michael clutched his chest, ruffling his robe.

He could still see the inflicted injury there—a pitch-black red stain with veins that throbbed like a living heart.

It was both weird and sickening.

Many Archangels like him who walked out alive were severely weakened—though their situations were not the same—Gabriel was the only notable exception.

[A/N: No, MC is not a simp. Nor did he spare her because she's a beautiful woman.]

While others attacked Beast II in a fit of rage, Gabriel knelt beside her father, weeping.

The Beast, seeing her sorrow, ignored her for the rest of the battle.

"This abominable curse," he spat through gritted teeth.

"Michael…"

A woman entered, looking at her brother kneeling with compassion in her eyes.

"Oh... it's you, Gabriel."

"Are you thinking about the past again?" Gabriel asked softly.

At those words, Michael flinched.

Gabriel, seeing this, hung her head low in sadness. "Is it Beast II you're burdening yourself with again?"

"With your declining health, you shouldn't—"

"Gabriel... It's okay." Michael interrupted before she could finish.

He didn't want to burden Gabriel, especially since she was currently the strongest among them.

While he could still fight, it wasn't as it was during his heyday. "I will handle all of Heaven's affairs to the best of my ability."

"My health is not a problem."

Even though he said that, Gabriel couldn't help but worry. 'Father... what shall I do?'

She too was equally as lost and confused as her brother.

No matter how much she tried healing Michael, it just wouldn't work.

The power of faith Michael was gathering was what sustained him, and even that power couldn't heal him.

That shows just how terrifying Beast II is.

That aside—

"Brother… About that girl… I hope she's okay?"

Gabriel pushed aside her own concerns to ask her older brother about Asia's predicament.

"Don't worry, we have made arrangements for her to live in the countryside. If all goes well, she could even be another catalyst for us."

Michael had made other arranged for Asia, ensuring her safety despite her predicament.

It was merely a matter of changing locations.

So, he discreetly gave orders for her.

It could have been much worse; if the judgement was left to the church, they could have given her the Joan of Arc treatment.

But because she was so valuable, the Archangel let her go to spread faith in another place, particularly in a distant town or village.

The Archangel was sure she wouldn't stop praying God.

Such could influence others, and perhaps, from whatever town or village she'll be staying at, she would be a massive help for Heaven by positively influencing them.

"I see… She's okay." Gabriel smiled, kneeling and clasping her hands faithfully with a smile.

However—

The girl in question wasn't okay in the slightest.

An existence whose return many hadn't been expected was currently watching the girl and her kidnapper.

The person they sent to take care of Asia had already been killed and revived by an entity that had caused immense trauma for them over the years.

Things were not looking good for Heaven and the world.