“Michaela… are you going to do it?” Anna asked in a whisper. The way the Arbiter’s Council was designed allowed even the most hushed tones to reach every corner of the Council.

“Uriel is the result of my experiments to elevate mankind.” Michaela said, causing the Beholders present to stare intently. They did not know what she meant by this but were able to imagine it. “All Angels are, in the fullest extent of the word, my own children. Each tail of mine represents an Angel, all of which I have miserably failed.”

Lailah didn’t have a tail herself but was indeed one of the Arbiter’s Angels – a Faux Angel.

Hearing her admit this caused Lailah to shut her eyes and earnestly listen.

“It’s my responsibility to deal with Uriel, as I’ve promised. To clarify, Uriel’s ability allows her to manipulate the blood of those with lesser Light. She only has the advantage over what she is deemed an impurity. I have the advantage in this light, however…”

“She has my sword.” Lailah concluded for her. “Even if you are her creator, that sword was made specifically to fend against your own kind. You might die.”

There was no ounce of pity or concern in Lailah’s voice. She spoke as a matter of factly.

Michaela paused for what felt like minutes. Her great wings fluttered behind her as pale feathers tumbled like snowflakes. Her seven tails reached into a tear in space, retrieving the scabbard of a pale blade.

Her tails wrapped it in a giant, fluffy cocoon before it fell into her palms.

“I’ve died enough times to never fear it. But now, I’m more afraid of it than I have ever been. Even so, this is the choice I’ve made. How afraid do you think this child was when she gave her life for the world?”

Michaela’s choice was made clear to them.

“There is no one I despise more than the one who separated me from my Ilya.”

The name was immediately familiar to the Enoch, Umbra and Descartes 3. After all, how could they not know of the name of the Princess of Puritas?

“Your daughter…?”

“You’ll learn in time. If you are hearing this from me, then it is because I deem you trustworthy.”

Enoch was as elated as she was shocked. She wasn’t even a Beholder, nor did she think she deserved to hear the Arbiter’s secrets. But it was not her place to question the judgement of the Arbiter.

“Then Iscario is yours too.” Descartes 3 slowly said. “You were the Queen of Puritas… Now isn’t the time to ask, but… You can imagine how many things I want to ask. But I can assure you none of the Descartes will know about this.”

“We all harbor dangerous secrets. It’s best that they are shared by the few you trust.” Umbra whispered as Enoch slowly nodded. “But why are you telling us this now? It would be like me bringing up my encounter with a Star and a Faux Angel. Irrelevant, but intriguing.”

“My time of hiding will end sooner rather than later.” Michaela swiftly spoke. “I merely wished to offer you a way to give me your trust.”

“What is it that you’re so worried about that you need this much trust from us?” Descartes found the confidence to ask Michaela directly.

Michaela stood from her seat, projecting her brilliant golden gaze upon them all. Her divine figure shone brighter than it ever had thanks to the Piece of Paradise. She brandished it in the light of the Council before she finally addressed them.

“The moment I step on the same stage as Uriel is the moment that my existence will be broadcast to all corners of this world. When that happens, and when I leave the Nexus – it will be a prime opportunity for our enemies to attack. That’s why I want my trust to be mutual. The Nexus serves us as we serve it. If we lose it in any way…”

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“… I understand.” Descartes 3 nodded. Seeing the Arbiter express herself so sincerely despite her god-like presence was enough to convince Descartes 3. “I feel the same way. The Nexus was the only thing I had after what happened in the Subderma Layer. I’m indebted to it.”

“The Nexus is the axis mundi of this world. But for you to claim that you can attract more than just Impurities…” Umbra giggled. “I’d love to hear that story another time. A Star above Stars, I imagine.”

“I’m just happy to help.” Enoch shrugged.

They were all on the same page now.

Time was ticking, and Michaela didn’t have time to spare. Uriel needed to be stopped, and there was no one else who could do it besides her other than Lailah.

But Lailah’s existence was not known to the Impuritas yet.

Michaela looked at all her trusted compatriots with fond eyes, then, she shut them and thought of the Floor of Amalgamation.

She imagined that perfect world becoming the home of her daughter – Ilya – and fueled her resolve to see this to the end.

“I entrust the Nexus to you, my Beholders and fellow Archetypes. Defend it at all costs… when I return, you shall be rewarded with my truth.”

“… Michaela.” Lailah raised her voice with an inflection that made it sound like she was asking a question.

Michaela didn’t respond. It was her way of allowing Lailah to continue.

However, Lailah did not utter another word.

* * *

“Lailah. What were you going to say to the Arbiter?” Nav approached Lailah as the meeting came to an end.

The two were the very last to leave. It was rare for them to interact in the first place, so it surprised Lailah when Nav was the first to approach her. The cold, monotone voice of the living machine was not one that Lailah enjoyed either, but still, how could she ignore the words from the future iteration of her?

“What she wanted. Our… no, my Creator is flawed. I despise her, but I still wanted to hear what she wanted above killing Uriel. What was her desire?”

“I don’t follow.”

“Oh, I apologize. It must be difficult for you to understand. Just like I so long ago. You’re not dialed to experience time from one micro instance to the next, so your experiences are very humanlike. They’re incompatible with faux-life, but… I enjoy seeing you admit it.”

Lailah turned around and reached towards Nav wearing an insidious expression.

Nav allowed Lailah to stroke her icy cheeks with her hands.

Were she anyone else, then they would have recoiled or cowered.

“What I meant is – that it’s more accurate to concern. But allowing her to know how I feel would be a loss for me.”

Nav however, allowed Lailah to stroke her icy cheeks with her hands.

“I was curious if she was vengeful. I would be. But Michaela still longs for her child. It makes a creation of hers… envious, that they get that love. But don’t twist my words. I am happy that my Creator has found something to cherish, other than chasing her obsession with ‘Her’.”

Lailah took Nav’s hands and then placed it onto her own cheeks. Nav’s expressionless face mirrored her own. The only difference between them were their hair; Nav’s being cut straight and a bob-cut, whereas Lailah’s was long, messy and unkempt – the same with her feathery apparel.

“Uriel might have felt the same way when she found out about Michaela’s daughter. The Arbiter that we all loved suddenly cherishing another one of her creations… a biological daughter, something that we can never be… you can see why it would draw one to madness. Pair that with their ideals of who Micheala was supposed to be, and you have a recipe for disaster.”

Lailah knew Michaela was flawed; so very flawed that she would rather not consider Michaela as someone of her word. But her encounter with Frost had changed her, and somehow, gushing to this reflection of herself who lived alongside her beloved Captured Star reminded her of simpler times.

“There is little more terrifying than the wrath of a bereaved mother. I have high hopes for Michaela… and I have even more hope for Ilya.” Lailah messed with Nav’s hair.

She found touching Nav endearing and wondered why she hadn’t been speaking with Nav. She made a silent promise to make time for her, seeing that Nav was a sponge for information.

Just like how she was in the past.

“Her child? How come?” Nav asked.

“Michaela is an Angel that possesses the power of all the Angels. They come from her, after all. But they’re flawed, weakened, and far more different as an Archetype. If they were the same, then she could rupture the blood of those with lesser Light like Uriel or create Sins of her own.”

Lailah explained, leaving the Arbiter’s Council with Nav close by. She then continued with:

“Forgive me, but my mind always goes to the White Wing whenever I think of Ilya… yes, whenever I look at her Piece of Paradise.”

Nav looked at her with confusion.

“Why the White Wing?”

“Oh? You don’t know of the White Wing’s power? She was the only Angel who could not Warp. As I remember, she relies on a timepiece. But in exchange, she was gifted with a marvelous power.”

Lailah stared up at the ceaseless heights of the Nexus.

She saw something that others could not.

“It was her ability to see souls before they were born… She could partially access a treasury of souls. I have no doubt that Michaela was after the White Wing because of her power. The two are not even enemies… they’re just misunderstood. Let me escort you to the Library.”

She took Nav’s hand. A part of Lailah felt like pampering Nav while she had the chance.

“Stay close to Anna. Sinder gifts will help you should something go awry. Hope for the best. Things will become turbulent very soon.”