Victor Grey sat in his spacious, elegantly furnished office, gazing out at the city skyline. The merger had gone exactly as planned, a testament to his careful strategy and the quiet authority he wielded in both the mortal and supernatural worlds. Beside him, perched casually on the armrest of his leather chair, was Ariel—his angelic partner.

Ariel was a striking woman, with long, flowing blonde hair and piercing green eyes that held a mischievous glint. Her outfit, a form-fitting white tunic with golden accents, contrasted sharply with Victor's immaculate suit. She exuded an aura of playful confidence, a stark contrast to Victor’s calm and calculated demeanor.

"Well, that went smoothly," Ariel remarked, stretching her arms above her head in a lazy, cat-like motion. "You know, for someone who’s supposed to be all business, you sure have a way of making things... exciting."

Victor glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Excitement isn’t always a good thing, Ariel."

"Oh, come on, Vic! Where’s the fun in life if you don’t stir the pot a little?" Ariel grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Besides, you’re way too serious. Lighten up a bit, will ya?"

Victor chuckled softly. "I’ll leave the stirring to you. I prefer things to go according to plan."

Ariel hopped off the chair and twirled around the room, her wings fluttering lightly. "Speaking of plans, what’s next on the agenda? More mergers? Or are we finally going to have some real fun?"

Victor leaned back in his chair, considering her question. "There’s always something in the works. But for now, we’re keeping a low profile. The last thing we need is to draw unnecessary attention."

Ariel pouted playfully. "You’re no fun, Vic. But, I guess that’s why we make such a great team—you keep things running smoothly, and I make sure we don’t die of boredom."

Victor shook his head, a small smile on his lips. "That, and you keep everyone on their toes."

Ariel winked at him. "You bet I do."

---

Later that day, as the sun began to set, Ariel decided to pay a visit to an old acquaintance—Michael. She hadn’t seen him in ages, and she was curious about how he was handling his new partnership. Plus, she had heard through the grapevine that his Reaper was a bit of a rookie, and that sounded like a prime opportunity for some teasing.

She found Michael perched on the edge of a rooftop, staring out at the city below. He looked as stoic and brooding as ever, his dark wings folded neatly behind him.

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"Well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Gloom and Doom himself," Ariel called out as she landed lightly beside him.

Michael glanced at her, his expression neutral. "Ariel."

"That’s it? No ‘Hey, Ariel, long time no see! How’ve you been?’ You really need to work on your social skills, Michael." Ariel grinned, nudging him playfully with her elbow.

Michael sighed, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. "What do you want, Ariel?"

"I heard you’ve got yourself a new Reaper," Ariel said, her tone teasing. "Word is, she’s a bit... green."

Michael’s gaze sharpened slightly. "She’s capable."

Ariel raised an eyebrow, a sly smile on her lips. "Oh, really? So capable that you don’t mind doing all the work for her? I heard you’re practically her bodyguard."

Michael frowned. "She’s learning. It takes time."

"Time you don’t have," Ariel pointed out, leaning in closer. "Which is why I’m here to offer my services."

Michael narrowed his eyes. "What are you getting at?"

Ariel laughed, the sound light and carefree. "Relax, Michael! I’m just saying, why don’t we do a little joint operation? You, me, Vic, and your Reaper. It could be fun, and it’d be good training for her. Plus, it’s been ages since we’ve worked together."

Michael considered her offer, his gaze thoughtful. He knew Ariel well enough to understand that beneath her playful exterior, she was a skilled and experienced warrior. Training with her could be beneficial for Seraphina, and it might help them grow as a team.

But before he could respond, a voice interrupted their conversation.

"Well, if it isn’t my favorite little sister," a smooth, familiar voice drawled from the shadows.

Ariel froze, her eyes wide with surprise as she spun around to face the newcomer. "Lucifer?!"

Lucifer stepped out from the darkness, a cocky grin plastered on his face. His golden hair gleamed in the dim light, and his eyes sparkled with mischief. He looked every bit the rebellious son, dressed in casual yet stylish attire that seemed out of place among angels.

"What are you doing here?" Ariel asked, still processing his sudden appearance.

"Just passing by," Lucifer replied nonchalantly, as if his thousand-year absence was no big deal. "Heard a bit of commotion in the area and thought I’d check it out."

"Commotion?" Michael asked, his interest piqued.

Lucifer nodded, his expression turning serious. "Yeah, a Class A Glitch has been rampaging downtown. Figured I’d take care of it, but since you two are here, how about we make it a family reunion?"

Ariel blinked, still trying to reconcile the fact that Lucifer was standing in front of her after all these years. But the mention of a Class A Glitch quickly refocused her attention.

Michael, ever the professional, simply nodded. "Let’s get it done."

With that, the three angels took to the skies, soaring toward the heart of the city where chaos was unfolding. The Glitch was a powerful one, its presence warping reality and causing destruction with every step it took.

The battle was intense, with the three angels working in perfect harmony despite the years of separation. Ariel’s playful combat style complemented Michael’s methodical approach, while Lucifer’s raw power kept the Glitch on the defensive. It was a rare sight—three angels fighting together without their Reapers, a testament to their individual strength and the bond they shared.

As they subdued the Glitch, the air around them shimmered with the remnants of the battle. Lucifer grinned, clearly enjoying the thrill of the fight. "Now that was fun!"

Ariel shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. "Only you would find a rampaging Glitch fun, Luci."

Michael, ever the stoic one, merely observed the aftermath in silence. But as the three stood there, victorious, a voice echoed in the heavens.

"Three angels working together without their Reapers... That’s new," God’s voice boomed, a hint of amusement in His tone.

Lucifer chuckled, glancing up at the sky. "Don’t get used to it, old man."

End of Chapter 18