In the early morning light, Ano walked along the familiar route to school, his thoughts still reeling from the events of the past two days. It wasn't every day that an angel—an actual angel—showed up in your room and told you that you'd been chosen for some divine game that could determine the fate of humanity. He kept glancing around, half-expecting Michael to pop up beside him again, but the angel had promised to give him some privacy. Still, it was hard to shake off the feeling that he was being watched.

As he turned the corner, he spotted his best friend Vivian waiting for him at their usual meeting spot. She waved, her bright smile lighting up the morning.

"Hey! You look… tired," she observed, studying his face. "You still freaked out about that 'angel' visit you told me about?"

Ano chuckled awkwardly. "Yeah, you could say that. Honestly, I still can't tell if I'm just losing it or if I'm part of some cosmic prank."

Vivian nudged him playfully as they started walking together. "Well, if an angel did show up in your room, you're in for one heck of a ride. Maybe they're here to give you superpowers or something."

He grinned at her suggestion, but a part of him couldn't help but wonder if there was a hint of truth in it. They walked in comfortable silence for a moment, the sound of their footsteps filling the air as the school building came into view.

As they neared the gates, the scene suddenly shifted to another realm entirely.

In a place beyond the reach of human eyes, the 13 angels stood gathered in a circle of ethereal light, their forms shining with a radiance that would have blinded mere mortals. The atmosphere was heavy with purpose as each angel took turns describing the champions they'd selected, detailing each mortal's unique strengths, virtues, and flaws. They had convened this gathering to present their choices to the Creator and receive further guidance.

Michael, the Archangel, was the first to speak, his voice both commanding and reverent. "I have been given the honor of guiding a young man named Ano. He is… an unusual choice. He possesses faith, yet he struggles with doubt. His kindness is sincere, but his belief in divine goodness is… shaky." Michael paused, his tone laced with curiosity. "I cannot yet discern what sets him apart. Yet, the Creator's hand has guided me to him."

One of the angels, a figure wreathed in light as soft as moonbeams, spoke next. Her name was Uriel, the Angel of Wisdom. "Perhaps there is wisdom hidden in this choice, one we may not see clearly at first," she mused. "God often works through those who doubt, for they are the ones who seek answers the most earnestly."

Another angel, Raphael, nodded. "I have chosen a doctor, one who heals without expectation of reward. Her compassion could be a powerful asset in this game. She has seen the worst of humanity and yet believes there is still hope. I trust she will wield her compassion as a shield."

Each angel continued, detailing their chosen champions, from warriors who fought for justice to scholars who sought truth. There was a palpable sense of anticipation among them, knowing the stakes of the game they were about to participate in. They each wanted their champion to stand out, to be the light that could overpower the darkness brought forth by the champions of the demons.

When they had all spoken, a soft, encompassing presence filled the space—the Creator. The angels felt it as warmth, peace, and indescribable love, a presence that reassured them and reminded them of the purpose behind this challenge.

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The Creator's voice resonated through them all, without words, but with an understanding that surpassed language.

Each angel, feeling this divine affirmation, knew that no matter what trials awaited their champions, there was a grand design behind it all.

As the presence of the Creator filled the gathering, the angels stood in reverent silence, letting the wisdom and warmth of their Maker guide their thoughts. Though no words were spoken, each angel felt a surge of clarity—a quiet assurance that every choice they had made, every champion selected, had been part of a divine tapestry only the Creator could fully understand.

For a moment, the silence stretched on, as if they were all sharing a deep and unspoken understanding. Then, the Creator's voice resonated within each of them, a gentle urging to speak.

Uriel, her aura glowing with a silver hue, looked around at her fellow angels, then spoke with a serene conviction. "Our champions… each represents a piece of humanity, a fragment of their endless potential for both light and darkness. They are flawed, yes, but it is through their flaws that they will find strength."

Gabriel, the messenger, stepped forward, his voice carrying a steady authority. "If we are to guide them, we must let them face their own battles. We can show them the way, but we cannot fight for them. The challenges ahead must be theirs to conquer—or to fail."

Michael nodded, his gaze thoughtful as he considered the task before him with Ano. "Ano… I sense a depth to his struggle. He is kind, generous, and grounded, yet he harbors doubt about everything we stand for. He is a paradox—a man of faith who questions faith itself. Perhaps it is that tension that makes him so significant."

Raphael, always the healer, spoke gently. "Ano's kindness is not a weakness. He cares deeply for others, despite his uncertainty. He reminds me of the human tendency to keep giving, even when there is nothing left to believe in. I sense that this will be a strength when the darkness begins to close in."

Just then, another voice cut through, laced with sharp curiosity. It was Sariel, the angel who watched over secrets and mysteries. "But will that kindness survive the game? The trials ahead will test not only his heart but his very understanding of reality. A man who doubts might break before he bends. This is the risk we take, giving such a role to someone as unsteady as Ano."

The Creator's presence pulsed with calm reassurance, quieting the worry that hung in the air. The angels understood—they were not meant to shield their champions from hardship. Rather, they were to guide them, letting each soul walk its own path, stumble upon its own obstacles, and, hopefully, rise stronger each time.

Michael felt the weight of responsibility, especially knowing the other angels would be watching Ano closely, wondering why the Creator had chosen someone so conflicted. He knew he couldn't answer their doubts; he had his own questions about this choice. Yet, if the Creator had faith in Ano, then he would, too.

After a final moment of contemplation, the Creator's presence began to fade, leaving behind a renewed sense of purpose in each angel. They all knew their task was not only to support their champions but also to uphold the delicate balance between light and darkness. This game, this trial, was not merely a battle—it was a lesson, one that could shape the future of humanity.

As the gathering began to disperse, Michael lingered for a moment, looking toward where the Creator's light had been. There was something special about Ano, something hidden that he could not yet see. But he resolved to stay by Ano's side, to guide him as best he could.

The scene shifted back to the mortal world, where Ano was walking alongside Vivian, laughing and joking about their schoolwork, blissfully unaware of the monumental task that lay ahead.

Later that evening, the angels resumed their quiet watch over their champions, waiting for the right moments to appear and offer guidance. Each angel moved unseen, observing their chosen ones from a distance, stepping in only when necessary.

Michael, watching Ano with a hint of amusement, saw him doing something as ordinary as studying for his upcoming exams, a look of concentration furrowing his brow. He knew that soon, this peaceful time would be disrupted. Ano would need to understand that the world he took for granted was not as simple as he believed.

But for now, Michael allowed Ano to have this moment, to live his life as a normal young man, unaware of the divine forces gathering around him.

The day of reckoning was approaching, but the journey was only just beginning