Michael stood alone on a secluded cliff, the wind whipping through his dark hair as he stared out at the horizon. The sky was painted with the soft hues of dawn, a moment of tranquility before the chaos of the day began. It was here, in this timeless place, that he often found solace—a rare reprieve from the endless hunt.
A soft rustling behind him broke the silence, and Michael sighed, already knowing who it was. “I was wondering when you’d show up,” he said without turning around.
A familiar voice, both warm and teasing, responded. “You always were the brooding type, Michael. Couldn’t resist the dramatic setting, could you?”
Michael finally turned, his expression as impassive as ever. Standing before him was God—or at least the form He chose to take when speaking directly to His creations. Today, He appeared as a man in his prime, with kind eyes that sparkled with a mischief that only He could pull off.
“Good morning, Father,” Michael greeted, his tone polite but flat.
God chuckled, stepping closer to stand beside Michael on the cliff’s edge. “You know, you could at least pretend to be happy to see me. Most people would be thrilled to get an audience.”
“I see you all the time,” Michael replied dryly. “You’re always watching.”
God laughed heartily at that. “True, true. But it’s not the same as having a good old-fashioned chat. You know, catching up on things. How’s work been? Still balancing the scales, murdering glitches?”
Michael shot Him a sideways glance. “You know exactly how work’s been, and yes, still killing glitches. It’s what I do.”
God hummed thoughtfully, a smirk tugging at the corners of His lips. “Murdering is such a strong word, don’t you think? Maybe something more elegant—like ‘dispensing divine justice’?”
Michael’s expression didn’t waver. “Call it whatever you want. It doesn’t change what it is.”
God clapped Michael on the back, laughing again. “That’s what I love about you, Michael. Always so serious, so focused on the task at hand. You never change.”
Michael shrugged off the gesture, his gaze returning to the horizon. “There’s no room for change when you’ve been doing the same thing for millennia.”
God raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Is that a hint of boredom I detect? You know, you could take a break, maybe pick up a hobby. Knitting? Birdwatching? The possibilities are endless.”
Michael’s lips twitched ever so slightly—a rare display of emotion. “I’m not exactly the knitting type.”
God grinned, not missing the small slip. “No, I suppose not. But seriously, Michael, how are you holding up? I know I joke around, but I care about how you’re feeling. After all, you’ve been doing this for a long time.”
Michael hesitated, caught off guard by the sincerity in God’s tone. It wasn’t often that he was asked about his feelings—least of all by God Himself. “I’m… managing,” he finally said. “It’s been harder lately, though. My power’s been acting strange.”
God nodded, His expression more serious now. “Ah, yes. That would be because of your new partner, Seraphina.”
Michael’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What about her?”
“Well, you know how the whole angel-and-reaper partnership works,” God explained, waving a hand dismissively. “Your powers are linked. You’ve gotten so used to working alone that it’s thrown you off balance. You need her, Michael, whether you like it or not.”
Michael sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I don’t know how to rely on someone else. It’s… difficult.”
God’s smile softened, and He placed a hand on Michael’s shoulder. “It’s okay to need help, Michael. Even angels can’t do everything alone. You might find that having someone by your side makes the burden a little easier to bear.”
Michael didn’t respond immediately, but the weight of God’s words settled into his mind. He wasn’t used to admitting vulnerability, even to himself. But maybe there was some truth to what God was saying.
God, sensing that their conversation had reached its natural conclusion, gave Michael a gentle nudge. “Alright, I’ll stop pestering you. Just remember—you’re not alone, Michael. And for the record, I’m always rooting for you.”
Michael gave a small nod, appreciating the sentiment more than he would ever admit. “Thanks, Father.”
With a final pat on the shoulder, God stepped back, His form beginning to shimmer as He prepared to leave. “Take care of yourself, Michael. And try to smile once in a while. It won’t kill you.”
Michael rolled his eyes, but there was a faint hint of amusement in his expression. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
And with that, God disappeared, leaving Michael alone once more on the cliff. The sun had fully risen now, casting a golden light over the landscape. Michael took a deep breath, feeling a strange sense of peace. Maybe things weren’t as hopeless as they seemed.
Later that day, Michael met up with Seraphina, who had reluctantly agreed to continue their mission together. She was as cold and high-tempered as ever, but Michael noticed a slight shift in her demeanor—something more guarded, as if she was trying to hide her true feelings.
They were tracking down a new glitch, a young woman who had recently begun displaying unnatural abilities. The trail led them to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city, a perfect hiding place for someone trying to stay off the radar.
As they approached the warehouse, Seraphina’s eyes narrowed. “Are you sure she’s in there?”
Michael nodded, his senses sharp. “I’m sure. She’s been using her abilities to avoid detection, but she’s left enough of a trail for us to follow.”
Seraphina crossed her arms, her posture tense. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”
They moved cautiously through the warehouse, their footsteps echoing off the metal walls. Michael took the lead, his instincts guiding him toward their target. He could sense the glitch’s presence, a faint disturbance in the natural order.
Finally, they found her—huddled in a corner, fear etched across her face. The young woman’s eyes widened as she saw them, and she raised her hands in a futile attempt to defend herself.
“Please, don’t hurt me!” she begged, her voice trembling.
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Seraphina’s expression hardened, her emotions carefully concealed behind a mask of indifference. “We’re not here to hurt you,” she said, her tone cold. “But you need to come with us.”
The woman shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “I don’t want to die. I didn’t ask for this power—it just happened!”
Michael stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “I know. But if you don’t come with us, you’ll only cause more harm—to yourself and others.”
The woman looked between them, her desperation clear. “There has to be another way. Please… I just want to live a normal life.”
Seraphina glanced at Michael, her usual confidence wavering for a moment. Michael, sensing her uncertainty, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
“We’ll take care of this,” he said softly. “Together.”
Seraphina nodded, her resolve strengthening. She turned back to the woman, her expression softening just slightly. “We’ll help you,” she said, her voice more gentle than before. “But you have to trust us.”
The woman hesitated, then slowly lowered her hands, her fear giving way to resignation. “Okay,” she whispered. “I’ll go with you.”
Michael and Seraphina escorted the woman out of the warehouse, the tension in the air slowly dissipating. As they made their way back to the city, Seraphina couldn’t help but steal a glance at Michael. Despite his stoic exterior, there was a depth to him that she hadn’t fully understood before—a sense of compassion that she hadn’t expected.
Maybe, just maybe, working with him wouldn’t be so bad after all.
As they reached the edge of the city, Seraphina cleared her throat, breaking the silence. “Michael… about what you said earlier, about us doing this together…”
Michael looked at her, his expression unreadable. “Yes?”
Seraphina hesitated, then nodded firmly. “You’re right. We need to work as a team if we’re going to succeed. So… I’ll try to trust you more. But don’t think I’m going to let my guard down completely.”
Michael’s lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Seraphina huffed, turning away to hide the slight flush in her cheeks. “Good. Now, let’s get this over with.”
And with that, they continued on their mission, the bond between them slowly beginning to form—even if neither of them was quite ready to admit it.
Michael and Seraphina walked side by side, the city’s busy streets gradually coming into view as they left the desolate outskirts behind. The tension between them had eased somewhat, but it was still there, a palpable undercurrent in their interactions. Seraphina remained guarded, her mind racing with thoughts of their mission and the strange, reluctant partnership she found herself in.
They reached the edge of a park, a small green space nestled between towering buildings. Michael gestured for them to take a moment, and they sat on a bench under the shade of a large oak tree. The young woman they had saved from the warehouse was now in the care of other angels, her fate undecided but no longer a threat.
Seraphina leaned back on the bench, closing her eyes briefly. It had been an exhausting day, both physically and mentally. She wasn’t used to this kind of work—the constant danger, the moral gray areas, the need to trust someone like Michael. But there was something else, too—something about him that unsettled her.
She opened her eyes and glanced at him. Michael was staring ahead, his face as stoic as ever, but there was a heaviness to his presence. It was as if he was always carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, never allowing himself a moment of peace.
“Why do you do it?” Seraphina asked suddenly, surprising even herself with the question.
Michael turned to her, his gaze steady. “Do what?”
“All of this,” she said, gesturing vaguely around them. “Hunting glitches, carrying out God’s will, following orders without question. Doesn’t it ever get… exhausting?”
Michael considered her words for a moment. “It’s my purpose,” he replied simply. “I was created to maintain balance, to ensure that the world doesn’t fall into chaos. If I didn’t do it, who would?”
Seraphina frowned. “But you’ve been doing this for so long. Don’t you ever get tired of it? Don’t you ever want something more?”
Michael’s expression softened, and for a brief moment, there was a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. “There are times when I wonder,” he admitted quietly. “But I don’t have the luxury of wanting more. My existence is tied to my mission. Without it, I’m nothing.”
His words struck a chord with Seraphina, and she found herself unable to look away from him. There was a deep sadness in his voice, one that resonated with her own struggles—her own sense of being trapped by the expectations of others.
“I get that,” she said, her voice softer than usual. “Being expected to fulfill a role, to be something for someone else, even if it’s not what you want…”
Michael nodded, understanding. “It’s not easy. But we all have our burdens to bear.”
Seraphina looked down at her hands, a conflicted expression on her face. “I never asked for this, you know. I never wanted to be part of this world of angels and reapers and glitches. But now that I’m here, I don’t know how to get out.”
Michael watched her closely, sensing the turmoil within her. “You’re stronger than you think, Seraphina,” he said quietly. “You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t.”
She let out a bitter laugh. “Strong? I don’t feel strong. I feel like I’m just barely holding it together.”
Michael reached out and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch surprisingly comforting. “You’re not alone in this,” he said. “We’re in it together, whether we like it or not.”
Seraphina looked up at him, her heart pounding in her chest. She wasn’t used to this—this feeling of connection, of someone actually understanding her. It was both comforting and terrifying.
Before she could respond, Michael’s phone buzzed in his pocket, interrupting the moment. He glanced at the screen, his expression turning serious. “We’ve got another lead,” he said, standing up.
Seraphina sighed, the moment of vulnerability passing. “Of course we do,” she muttered, following him as he started walking.
The second half of the day was spent tracking down the next glitch, a task that took them across the city and into the heart of a bustling marketplace. Seraphina struggled to keep her emotions in check, forcing herself to focus on the mission instead of the confusing thoughts swirling in her mind.
Michael led the way through the crowded streets, his sharp senses guiding them toward their target. Seraphina trailed behind, her eyes scanning the throngs of people for any sign of danger.
They finally caught sight of the glitch, a young man who appeared to be in his early twenties, slipping through the market stalls with a suspiciously keen awareness of his surroundings. His movements were quick and fluid, but there was an unnatural grace to them that set him apart from the ordinary humans around him.
Michael signaled for Seraphina to flank the target, and they moved in unison, cutting off his escape routes. The man’s eyes widened as he realized he was being followed, and he broke into a sprint, weaving through the crowd in a desperate attempt to flee.
Michael and Seraphina gave chase, their pursuit swift and relentless. The chase led them into a narrow alleyway, where the man suddenly stopped and turned to face them, his expression one of defiance mixed with fear.
“I’m not going back,” he spat, his voice trembling. “You can’t make me.”
Michael stepped forward, his presence imposing. “You don’t have a choice.”
The man’s eyes darted between Michael and Seraphina, calculating his chances of escape. But it was clear that he was cornered, with no way out. He clenched his fists, a faint glow beginning to emanate from his hands—evidence of his unnatural abilities.
“Don’t make this harder than it has to be,” Michael warned, his tone cold.
Seraphina watched the man closely, her own heart racing. She could see the fear in his eyes, the desperation of someone who had been running for too long. And in that moment, she realized just how terrifying Michael could be—how easily he could switch from calm to lethal, from a protector to an executioner.
But before Michael could act, the man unleashed a burst of energy, the force of it sending both Michael and Seraphina stumbling back. He seized the opportunity to escape, darting past them and disappearing into the maze of alleyways.
Michael swore under his breath, his frustration evident. “Damn it.”
Seraphina regained her footing, her eyes wide with shock. “He got away…”
Michael clenched his fists, the sting of failure cutting deep. “This never happens,” he muttered, more to himself than to her. “I never fail.”
Seraphina stared at him, the weight of what had just happened sinking in. Michael wasn’t invincible—he could fail, just like anyone else. And that realization was both unsettling and strangely humanizing.
Michael turned to her, his expression grim. “We need to regroup. We’ll find him again.”
Seraphina nodded, but her mind was elsewhere. She couldn’t shake the image of Michael’s cold, ruthless demeanor—how easily he had been ready to end that man’s life, and how close she had come to being complicit in it.
As they made their way back to the city, Seraphina’s thoughts were a whirlwind of doubt and fear. She had seen a side of Michael that terrified her, and it left her questioning everything—about their mission, about him, and about herself.
But one thing was clear: the stakes were higher than she had ever imagined, and the path ahead was more dangerous than ever.
End of chapter 8