Extra Demon: Sacred Academy of Light

"Uh..." Hesitating, really hesitating, I mean, the sky is supposed to be... above us, of course. But looking around, it's already night. If my calculations aren't wrong, we've been flying for over a day now, and to make things worse, I'm starting to feel a little tired... Plus, I'm hungry, a basic need for my body. I can't say the same for Seraphine, who keeps staring upward. The beat of her wings spreads a small field of golden sparkles, a pleasant spectacle that's best appreciated at night. But I'm really eager to get there quickly—before, I was nervous, but now, by the gods, I just want to get there already...

"Just hold on a little longer, we're almost there." Seraphine's voice sounded slightly frustrated. "I don't remember it being this high..." she muttered to herself. She began flapping her wings with much more force. Around her, rays of pure light rose with her body. Looking up, a great hole filled with blinding light appeared before us.

"The gate or conduit leading to God's kingdom is a divine-level spell that only I can activate. In other words, it's a personal passage I created myself back then." Seraphine's eyes glowed, and she extended her hand, a small white flame enveloping it. The flame flew toward the hole of light, and as soon as it made contact, the light trembled slightly. Golden lines began to spread, forming a strange, glorious pattern. Smaller lines emerged from some corners, and when the last line was complete, the pattern shone brightly and formed a door.

"Golden Gate—that's the name I gave it. It can only form upon contact with my soul. It's almost identical to the gate Lilith has, which can also only be activated by its creator's soul. Now it'll be much easier." She slowly approached the door, and her delicate fingers touched it, causing it to open. "Welcome to the gates of divinity, demon..."

It was as you might imagine—only the gates were infinite. Or so my eyes perceived them. Stretching from left to right, the massive gates, seemingly made of gold, extended far beyond the horizon.

"Don't move." Seraphine moved me as if I were a rag doll. Her hands glowed as they gently touched my chest. "I don't want the legions to notice us when we pass through the gates and cause me problems..." Her palm was very warm—or rather, it was the thin golden layer that began to envelop my entire body. Curiously, I didn't feel any discomfort or unease.

"I think that'll do..." Seraphine stared at me for a few seconds. "Right now, in the eyes of the angels, you're one of them, though... the lowest-ranking one. But that doesn't matter. As long as you keep your head on your shoulders, it'll work for now..." She waved her hand and moved closer. "Just play along... Understand?"

"Alright..." I nodded, seeing a pair of guards approaching us. Covered in golden and silver armor that shone brightly like the sun itself, the two angels carried spears in their hands. They approached and stopped about 10 meters from us, remaining silent as if waiting for us to start the conversation. By the way, these guards had five wings. From what I understand, the number of wings represents rank or hierarchy in the heavens. The highest I know of is nine—the same number as the woman beside me... who, for now, has decided to show only four wings.

Seraphine made a slight bow, and I followed her lead. "Honored guards, I have returned from one of my exploration missions," she said in a very polite and humble voice. I remained silent, standing behind her.

The guards stayed quiet. The one on the right nodded slowly, and an old book appeared in her hands, which she opened. "Name?" the voice, belonging to a young woman of no more than 20 years, asked.

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"Gabriela, and this is my companion, Lucius." I have to admit, she's very good at acting.

"Gabriela and Lucius... both belong to the Seventh Legion..." The guardian closed the book and extended her hands. "Welcome home." Her voice remained serious. The two stepped aside, allowing us to pass.

As we passed through the gates, I asked curiously, "How did you fool them?"

"I didn't fool them. I used real names. After all, they're angels I met back then... and who are supposed to still be alive—or so I hope..." She pursed her lips. "Now that I think about it..."

BANG!

Seraphine quickly moved aside. From the corner of my eye, I saw a spear flying at full speed, grazing my hair.

"I figured," Seraphine muttered with frustration. She extended her hand again, and the two guards flying toward us froze in the air, as if time itself had stopped.

"What just happened?" I asked, confused. They clearly attacked us—but why, I wondered.

"Well... it's been a long time since I met them. Even though mid-ranked angels have long lifespans, a million years is no joke. I suppose their souls were extinguished long ago. My bad—I sometimes forget the passage of time..." But..." Turning her gaze toward the guards, she asked herself—or perhaps me—"Should I kill them?"

"It's probably not a good idea..."

"You're right. It would definitely cause trouble..." She snapped her fingers, and the two guards started moving again. They remained still for a moment, looked around in confusion, and, finding nothing, returned to their posts.

"That's better. Let's keep going," she said indifferently.

But ahead of us... there was only a mass of clouds. A harsh blow for those expecting radiant structures filled with angels. In fact, I thought it would be like that, which left me feeling a little unsure.

"It's better to avoid attracting attention..." Seraphine turned her head toward a specific point. "Where do you think Eden is?"

"I have no idea," I replied honestly. In reality, as far as I know, it's somewhere in Iraq on Earth. But in heaven? I have no clue...

"A creation of God—the Garden of Eden—where He created humans in His own image and likeness. A creation of His own that once made Him very happy. So?" She looked at me with shining eyes.

"Don't tell me..." I said, widening my eyes.

"Yes, it's exactly what you're thinking. This is really annoying. There will definitely be higher-ranking angels..." She crossed her arms, thinking for a moment.

"The quarters of God... His own garden in heaven... It was clear that the Garden of Eden was located near the divine throne... which, of course, will have to be guarded by higher-ranking angels..."