It may appear of me presumptuous, yet over the years a profound conviction has taken hold within me – that angels, despite personifying the very essence of the seven heavenly virtues, stand as among the most resolute embodiments of pride of all beings. This assertion extends not merely to select angelic entities; I dare posit that even those angels who epitomize humility are not exempt from this inherent pride.
However, it is not a narcissistic self-adulation that infuses their demeanor; rather, angels emanate their pride with utmost confidence from the noble ideals they champion and the sacred duties they are entrusted with.
It is this very prideful mindset that might elucidate the seamless assimilation of numerous angelic covens into the System – which crystallized and focused their divine vocations and sacred charges – in the years if not days following Integration.
- Excerpt from "The Musings of Elnore," authored by Elnor, a venerable divine summoner.
Location: < Unrestricted private quarters of the 'Temple of Birth' > - One of a few such places scattered through the isolated corners of the lower heavens.
With bated breath, the yet nameless fledgling angel eagerly pressed its gaze against the barely transparent blue hexagons of magical energy that served as the barrier, separating it from the "restricted" area. The angel's excitement grew as it began to discern the hallway lying on the other side, veiled in the softest of glows.
Yet, much to its surprise, the revelation was somewhat anticlimactic. The hallway on the far side of the barrier mirrored the one the angel had left behind. Elaborate lanterns crafted from delicate, golden-hued metal, designed in the likeness of celestial beings, adorned the walls in symmetrical precision. Their warm radiance bathed the white stone walls and velvety stone floor, which felt like a single, seamless piece that miraculously retained the softness of a carpet underfoot.
At the very edge of the fledgling angel's vision, a tantalizing detail caught its attention – a glimpse of what appeared to be a descending staircase.
Frustrated by the limited view of the staircase, the fledgling angel turned around in disappointment. As it faced down the unblocked hallway, it felt like a new world of possibilities to explore had opened before it. The hallway was adorned with a few archways, much like the one that led to the spawning pool's chamber. Additionally, the hallway also featured several closed doors.
Of particular note on the opposite end of the hallway, were a set of grand double doors, massive and imposing, flanked by lifelike statues of armed angels. The statues exuded a sense of both kindness and unwavering sternness, their faces etched with a combination of softness and strength. These doors held a certain allure, beckoning the fledgling to discover what lay beyond.
Opting to save the grand double doors for last, the fledgling angel decided to explore the various archways and doors branching off from the main hallway on the way towards the grand double doors.
With each step toward the nearest archway, the fledgling angel marveled at how by some magic in the air the angel's robe and hair had been miraculously dried already without it even noticing.
In this newfound comfort, the fledgling angel peered past the archway into the room beyond, and it couldn't contain its excitement at the sight of what appeared to be furniture. A brief, curious thought crossed its mind – how did it even know what furniture was? Yet, such ponderings quickly vanished as the angel dashed towards the nearest piece, an inviting armchair with a low back.
Although the armchair was clearly designed for someone larger than the meter-tall fledgling angel, its low back almost matched the armrests in height. This peculiarity didn't faze the fledgling at all. With a mixture of climbing and jumping, it landed on the chair, savoring the delightful softness and comfort it offered.
With bubbling excitement, the fledgling settled into the comfortable chair, its eyes eagerly scanning the room, taking in every intricate detail. The circular chamber was adorned with a scattering of cozy armchairs, each bearing a similar inviting cushioning. In the midst of the room stood a coffee table, a central focal point for the area.
On one side, the chamber was graced by a towering bookcase, half of the wall dedicated to this vast library. The books were meticulously arranged, creating a work of art that seamlessly blended with the curvature of the circular wall. The fledgling's eyes darted from one fascinating detail to another, reveling in the newfound discoveries within this hidden sanctuary.
Yet, as much as the fledgling angel reveled in the comfort of the chair, its ever-present curiosity could not be contained. With a spirited leap that carried it higher into the air than it had anticipated, the angel gracefully disentangled itself from the chair. It was time to continue its exploration, and so it made its way back to the hallway, eager to uncover more of the wonders hidden within this place.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
With the same sense of wonder and curiosity, the fledgling angel continued its exploration. The closed doors revealed rather mundane rooms, such as offices and the like. However, it was the archways that led to more intriguing chambers. Each one was remarkably spacious, around ten meters in diameter, offering a wealth of new discoveries.
As the angel ventured further, a growing realization dawned on it. The magic that permeated this place was undeniably at play. It was the only explanation for how such expansive rooms could be nestled so closely side by side in the hallway.
Among the chambers it explored, one unfolded as an unstocked kitchen, equipped with a counter, a fireplace, various utensils, and cooking-related paraphernalia. Strangely, the fledgling angel noted that the room lacked food, an essential component for any culinary endeavor.
In contrast, another chamber held an assortment of straw dummies fashioned in the likeness of various creatures. This particular chamber paled in comparison to the others, its floor felt as if it were made of packed sand, despite being constructed from stone. It was by far the most boring chamber in the fledgling angel's opinion.
Yet another chamber was adorned with curtains that partitioned it into smaller, personal spaces, each housing its own bed and empty chest for personal belongings. Among them was one bunk bed, and the fledgling angel instinctively understood that the upper bunk was meant for it. Filled with joy, it had eagerly climbed up to the top bunk, testing out the newfound comfort and warmth it offered.
Hence after hours of exploration, the fledgling angel found itself at the end of the hallway, facing the imposing, heavy double doors. However, despite its efforts, it couldn't figure out how to open them. No matter how hard the fledgling pushed or strained, the wooden doors remained stubbornly immobile.
Exhausted and out of breath, the angel took a seat in front of the doors. As it caught its breath, a realization struck: each of the heavy double doors featured large metal rings, hanging just above its line of sight. Instead of pushing, it should have been pulling.
Regaining its strength, the fledgling angel stood and pulled the door, causing it to gradually give way. However, due to the doors being designed for taller beings and their sheer weight, the fledgling was only able to open them wide enough to allow for a tight squeeze. With a determined effort, it squeezed through the narrow gap and entered the open space beyond.
Stepping through the narrow gap in the doors, the fledgling angel emerged onto what could be considered the temple's open elements. Yet, it wasn't entirely outside, as the doors were just below ground level within the temple's interior. A half-rectangle of stairs leding up to the remainder of the surface level.
As the fledgling walked up the stairs it found that the interior of the Temple of Birth was a sight to behold. It was adorned with a colonnade of columns, encircling the space, creating a profound sense of rhythm and balance. The fluted surfaces of the columns added to the visual appeal, casting intricate shadows as the golden sunlight filtered through, further enhancing the enchanting atmosphere.
Elegant depictions of angels, carrying out their divine vocations and sacred charges, graced the interior walls and columns, adding a touch of celestial grandeur.
Finally, the fledgling angel arrived at the grand open entrance of the Temple of Birth, offering a perfect view of the few vacant and humble angelic structures that encircled the temple.
With a deep breath, the angel relished the refreshing air of the heavens, standing at the entrance and allowing the wind to play with its long, silver hair. It was a moment of pure serenity, a harmonious union with its surroundings.
Moments later the tranquillity of the moment was shattered, the fledgling angel was abruptly jolted by a sudden intrusion:
"There you are! We've been searching for you and this place! Get back, it's dangerous outside the temple!"
In a startled state, the fledgling barely registered the winged angel's rapid flight, almost appearing to teleport before gracefully landing directly in front of the small angel. With a gentle stoop, the adult angel, more than double the fledgling's size, enfolded the tiny figure in a warm, protective embrace.
"Oh, I am so glad you're safe!" the adult angel exclaimed, a mixture of relief and concern evident in her voice.
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Location: < 'Cave of the Larva Spawning Pool' > - One among many found through the upper stratums of the netherworld.
The demon larva's heart pounded within its chest as the whispered conversation grew more intelligible. It was now certain that the voices belonged to two adult demons, and the increasing clarity of their words indicated their increasing nearness. The realization stirred a heightened sense of anxiety within the demon larva as it considered what to do.
The nameless demon larva spent a few precious moments it didn't have to deliberate, however before long, its primal instincts overruled any other consideration. It swiftly pivoted, retracing its steps, and with the agility it had recently gained, it sprinted away as swiftly and quietly as possible.
As it fled through the darkened cavern, its sharp claws occasionally met with loose stones and gravel, generating inadvertent sounds that only deepened its unease. Each unintended noise seemed to threaten the very secrecy of its escape, spurring the demon larva to press on with greater urgency.
Faster than it had ever imagined possible, the demon larva made a hasty return to the safety of the spawning pool. Darting past the encircling bones that marked the pool's perimeter, it cautiously entered the boiling, crimson liquid, striving to minimize the ripples that betrayed its presence.
Without delay, it swam downward, immersing its entire form in the blood-red liquid, thankful for the peculiar advantage of not requiring breath while submerged in the strange liquid of the spawning pool. Its concealed location was a fortunate refuge, for the adult demons, despite their seemingly relaxed conversation, demonstrated a deceptive speed that sent a shiver down the demon larva's spine.
Since without even a single moment to spare, it concealed itself within the blood-red depths, right as the spawning pool entered the sight of the two adult demons. So, immersed in the blood-red depths of the spawning pool, the nameless demon larva remained as still as possible, unable to witness the events unfolding above the surface.
Meanwhile, the two towering adult demons, each standing over two meters in height and clad in robes fashioned from demon larva leather, continued their search through the cave's gloom. The slimmer of the two demons possessed a pair of long, thin, and straight horns and was the first to break the silence, expressing his unease, "Something isn't right. Even if the larva left, there should still be remnants of their spawn mates scattered about."
The second demon, a larger, more rotund figure with thick and stubby horns, responded, "Unless the larva decided to dispose of the corpses by submerging them in the spawning pool."
The slender demon's voice carried a hint of envy as he countered, "We both know that no demon larva would possess the wit to activate the purification ritual unaided."
The fatter demon contemplated for a moment, a trace of uncertainty in his voice, "Well, this new System thing might have changed things."
The thin demon emitted a disdainful snort in response, unconvinced by the idea.