The Garden of Eden Park was a lovely sanctuary in the heart of the metropolis. The warm rays of the rising sun illuminated the thick vegetation, and the beautiful aroma of flowers filled the air. Birds chirped and sang their songs, while little animals ran over the grass. The soothing sound of waterfalls added to the tranquil ambiance, as visitors strolled through the park, admiring its natural beauty.
Roger, Katina, Labda, and Cilla walked around the park's meandering walkways, debating their next steps in the case. The tranquility of the surroundings provided a dramatic contrast to the pandemonium of the previous night. Even as they considered the threats they faced, the police officers felt at ease in the peaceful setting.
They passed a group of children playing by a pond, feeding the ducks that swam in it. Roger grinned as he saw the children's laughter and exuberant energy filling the air.
"I'm glad this park is very peaceful," he said.
Katina laughed. "I know, but it can also be a good place for a fight."
They kept strolling till they came upon an old couple seated on a bench, holding hands and admiring the view. The woman held a bouquet of flowers in her lap and plucked a few petals from a rose before passing them to her partner.
"Isn't this just lovely, dear?" she said, smiling up at him.
Her lover nodded, a little smile on his face. "It certainly is my love. I'm delighted we were able to come here today."
The cops couldn't help but feel warm when they saw the couple's affection. It was a reminder that there was still love and beauty in the world, even in the middle of the weird.
They resumed their walk when they came across a group of actors rehearsing for a play. The actors delivered their words and actions quickly, bringing the characters to life.
The Cerberus ladies halted to observe, and Labda even laughed at a humorous scene.
"We could all use a little bit of escapism, couldn't we?" she asked.
Roger gave a nod. "Absolutely. It is critical to remember that there is more to life than our jobs."
They couldn't help but feel rejuvenated as they left the entertainers and began their trek. The Garden of Eden Park reminded them that even in the midst of the chaos and danger of their employment, there remained beauty and joy in the world.
While patrolling the park, the cops came across a beautiful exhibition of two golden sculptures of Adam and Eve beneath a large apple tree. The light shone down on the garden, illuminating the delicate intricacies of the statues.
Katina was astounded by the figurines' lifelike qualities, from the delicate contours of their musculature to the soft curls of their hair.
"Wow, this is incredible," she exclaimed as she reached out to touch Adam's extended hand.
Labda agreed with a nod, her gaze fixed on the tree above them. "It's incredible how much attention to detail they put into this display. Those apple tree leaves look so real."
Roger, on the other hand, was perplexed rather than impressed. "I don't get it," he scratched his brow. "If nobody created humans, what was the point of Adam and Eve?"
Labda gave him a friendly smile. "It's a story about temptation and the consequences of disobedience," she said. "Adam and Eve are told not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge in the story, but they succumb to temptation and eat the forbidden fruit. Its purpose is to teach us the value of obeying rules and being conscious of our actions."
Roger nodded slowly, his face serious. "Well, regardless of whether it's a myth or not, this display is outstanding."
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The officers couldn't help but notice the park's quiet and tranquility as they continued on their journey. The thick vegetation and beautiful flowers appeared to wrap them in a sense of serenity, and they forgot about the risky labor they had ahead of them for a minute.
But their mission to find the Ironhoof gang and recover the stolen angel blood remained at the forefront of their minds, and they knew they had to press on to do the job.
Roger and his Cerberus teammates sat near a water fountain, enjoying a break after a long day. The water fountain was a circular pool with water gushing from the center, encircled by artistically carved figurines of fantastic creatures. It was a tranquil sanctuary in the midst of the bustling city, and the sound of the water trickling was soothing.
Roger was lost in contemplation, staring at the river, as Katina, Labda, and Cilla talked about their old Amazon days in ancient Greece. Katina finally turned to him and inquired, "So, have you decided yet, Roger?"
"What have I decided?" Roger inquired, snapping out of his stupor.
"On marriage. You know, proposing to us," Katina added, lightly prodding him.
Roger let out a sigh. "I'm not sure, Katina. It's a significant commitment. What happens if it doesn't work out? I don't want to be the same as my parents."
Cilla raised her voice. "You can't let fear hold you back, Roger. We've been together for quite some time. Don't you think it's time to move forward?"
"Besides, even if things don't work out, that doesn't mean it was a mistake," Labda remarked. "Every relationship teaches us something and allows us to grow as people."
Roger gave a deliberate nod, still dubious. "I know you're correct. "All I need is more time to think about it."
Katina rested her hand on his shoulder. "Take as much time as you need, Roger. But keep in mind that life is brief, and sometimes we have to take risks in order to find pleasure."
For a few seconds, the group sat in silence, watching the water trickle from the fountain. Roger was buried in thought, worrying about his and his girlfriends' future. But for the time being, he was satisfied to simply enjoy the tranquil surroundings and the companionship of his girlfriends.
They were startled to hear the sound of wings flapping above them. When they looked up, they noticed a weird figure with white wings like those of a bird. He plummeted quickly from the sky, his eyes blazing with rage and hatred. He stood tall, with broad shoulders and a sculpted, muscular frame. His hair was a gleaming white-gold cascade that flowed in waves about his face and shoulders, and his eyes burned with a furious, otherworldly brilliance.
His armor was a work of art, made of the finest gold and silver and ornamented with exquisite motifs that danced in the light. His armor bore a flaming sun emblem, and his gauntlets and greaves were encrusted with sparkling gems. His back emerged a pair of gorgeous white wings, each feather gleaming in the sunlight.
"Who are you?!" Roger screamed as he deflected a hail of blows from the angel's sword.
As the angel lunged at the cops again, he yelled back, "I am Sariel, one of the Lords of the Seraphim Knight Order, and I have come to avenge my lover's death!"
"What exactly are you talking about?" Katina demanded, her claws sliced at the angel's wings.
"You killed Azrael, my beloved!" Sariel deflected her attack with his shield.
"We didn't kill her!" Labda shrieked as she aimed her taser at the angel's chest, only to have it deflected by his unbreakable armor.
"I don't believe you!" Sariel yelled as he slashed at her with his sword.
The angel's wings beat against the air, creating wind gusts that threw the cops off balance. They battled back with ferocity, their weapons clanging against Sariel's shield and sword.
Roger eventually managed to knock Sariel's blade out of his grasp with a well-timed stroke. As he fought to regain his footing, the angel slipped backwards, his wings flailing.
"Stop!" Cilla yelled, raising up her hands in a peace sign gesture. "We don't want to fight you! All we want to know is what's going on!"
For a little period, Sariel gazed at them, his chest heaving with wrath and exhaustion. But then he seemed to shrink, sagging his shoulders as he lowered his shield.
"I... I'm sorry," he said gently. "I made a mistake by attacking you. But Azrael... I adored her. I couldn't handle the thought of someone taking her away from me."
Roger and his Cerberus partner exchanged a glance, then sheathed their weapons. They approached the angel cautiously, wary of any sudden movements.
"We understand how you feel," Roger said gently. "But we really didn't murder your lover. Can you tell us what happened?"
Sariel paused for a moment before nodding softly. "Yes… I can."
Sariel took short gasps of air, his chest quivering with emotion. As he faced the cops, he sheathed his sword, the tip of it pointing to the earth.
"I loved her more than anything else in our realm," he continued, his voice trembling with emotion. "The only thing that gave my life meaning was Azrael. And she's now gone."
"What became of her?" Katina inquired, taking a step forward to get a better look at the angel's face.
"I don't know," Sariel admitted, his voice cracking. "We were scouting this realm from the sky until something knocked us out. Azrael was gone when I awakened near a beach. I imagined she landed somewhere else, out of sight. But when I found you standing over her body, I understood my worst dread had come true... She is no longer alive..."
Roger returned his gaze to the angel after looking at his buddy. "Is that why you thought we killed her?"
Sariel's eyes were filled with rage. "How was I supposed to believe anything else!?" Only my psyche craves vengeance!"
"Then why didn't you attack us before?" Labda inquired.
"I was waiting for the right time," Sariel grumbled. "And... Flying through this city was challenging."
"We didn't kill your lover, Sariel," Cilla murmured, her fingers resting on the hilt of her revolver. "We have no idea who did it. But we'll assist you in finding out."
Sariel turned to face her, then the rest of the cops. His pupils dilated somewhat. "Thank you," he replied, hardly audible above a whisper. "All I want to know is who did this to her. And then make them pay."
"Don't worry, Sariel," Roger assured him. "We don't know who killed Azrael, but we believe she was murdered for her blood."
Sariel's pupils dilated. "Why?"
"We believed they wanted her power," Labda remarked. "And we thought a criminal gang was responsible. They're all centaurs, led by Dancer."
"That's who we suspect has her blood," Roger said. "We were about to confront Dancer and her gang right now. If you like, you are welcome to join us."
Sariel's wings fluttered with delight. "I would be honored to fight alongside you, you wingless beings."
"By the way, my name is Roger. My colleagues here are Katina, Labda, and Cilla."
The angel gave them a friendly smile. "It's my joy. Should we get started?"
The cops agreed, relieved to have an angel on their side. They all rose from the water fountain, eager to track down the Ironhoof gang.
Sariel stared at Roger with a newfound admiration as they began walking. "I'm sorry for attacking you earlier. I was enraged and didn't know who was to blame for Azrael's death."
Roger gave a nod. "I see what you're saying. Everyone has someone they want to protect."