He had severed ties with his celestial family, with his very birthright. Yet, the thought of returning to a life of blind obedience felt equally suffocating.
"There is another way, my son," the Archangel continued, sensing Gariel's turmoil. "A way to honor both your angelic heritage and your connection to humanity."
Gariel, desperate for a lifeline in this vast white emptiness, looked up at his father with a flicker of hope in his eyes.
"Tell me," he rasped, his voice raspy.
The Archangel smiled faintly, a flicker of his earlier warmth returning. "You may not be welcomed back to the celestial plane, but your unique essence… your ability to bridge the gap between humans and angels… that can be a powerful tool."