NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: A forced invitation.*
As we ascend into the sky, I can’t help but feel the weight of what lies ahead. The journey to the Alamogordo Desert is long, the history of that place trailing in my thoughts like a shadow. A region once bathed in scientific ambition and nuclear power, now just a scarred landscape. Nuclear energy had once driven the development of AI, the same energy that fueled the androids of today—but it came with risks, risks that had been forgotten. Risks that still mattered.
We flew at a subsonic pace, not rushing to the destination. The time in the air gave me space to think. Six hours—that's what it would take. Plenty of time to reflect on what might be waiting for us. I knew we were being followed; I could feel them trailing just out of reach. Close enough to keep tabs, but far enough to avoid provoking anything prematurely.
I allowed the silent tension to settle. If they wanted to intercept us, they would have done so already.
As we descended toward the Alamogordo Desert, I braced myself for what was to come. The barren, sun-scorched land stretched out in all directions—a wasteland from another era. We touched down, quiet as ever, but ready. I knew they wouldn’t be far behind.
Within moments, three figures appeared—arriving like shadows that had been lurking just out of view. A woman and two men. Each one brought with them a different presence, but it was the woman who caught my eye first. Her attire mixed fantasy and ancient cultures, elements that reminded me of something mythological.
I took in the scene, noting the way the armored man stood apart from the others. The silent authority he carried was unmistakable, though he had yet to speak.
The armored individual, speak from behind his helmet, his voice was not metallic but soft and compose: “It has been intriguing to witness an apocalypse-heralding entity defying its inherent nature.”
His voice was measured, but I could sense the challenge in it. He wasn’t here just to talk.
I let the words settle, not reacting to his provocation. Destroyer analyzing the behavior and nature of our guests need time to suggest me actions ,he remains silent but ready, as always protecting my body. “Typically, in initial encounters, individuals present themselves by name or an alias.”
My response earned a flash of irritation from the younger of the two men. His expression twisted in disdain. “How insolent!”
The woman—poised and calm—stepped forward to diffuse the tension. Her presence was both familiar and unsettling, like a memory that had slipped through time to stand in front of me. “Sasael, please compose yourself. Your emotions often guide you astray.” She turned to me, her tone softening. “It is true that formalities should be upheld. I am Ninales, a firstborn protective angel.”
Her name struck a chord within me, a wave of nostalgia washing over me. The resemblance to a figure from my past, an AI I had once created to cope with loneliness, was uncanny. The golden hair, the youthful features... Even her voice carried echoes of the past. It was hard to separate fiction from reality in moments like this.
I turned my gaze to the youngest of the group. He barely looked old enough to be here. His blue hair reminded me of Leviathan, though his demeanor was far more childlike.
“I must introduce myself. I am Gabriel, the first-born protective archangel.”
The name clicked in my mind. Lucifer had mentioned Gabriel before, but standing here now, face to face with the archangel, the gravity of the situation began to sink in.
The younger man followed the introduction. “Sasael,” he stated, his voice still tinged with arrogance. “Protective angel.”
Sasael. Another name, another layer of mythology walking in the desert with me.
I faced them, weighing my words carefully. “May I ask the reason for your sudden decision to reveal yourselves to me?”
Sasael bristled, his impatience slipping through again. “How dare this individual speak to us in such a manner, knowing full well who we are?”
But it was Gabriel who stepped forward, silencing the young angel with a glance. His stride was confident, calm. He wasn’t afraid. They didn’t see me as a threat, or if they did, they believed they could handle me.
As he approached, the tension in the air thickened. I could sense it—the invisible strings pulling at this situation. Whatever was happening here, this was just the surface.
Gabriel approached me with that same calm authority, his gaze unwavering, as if he had already mapped out the entire interaction in his mind. His voice, though measured, carried the weight of someone who was used to dictating the outcome of events. "Upon sensing the presence of the true Lucifer in this universe, we came as soon as possible. Beings like us can indeed appear on this existential plane without much trouble, using avatars. It was an opportune moment to seal his forces, but by the time we pinpointed his location, someone else seems to have already dealt with him. Still, his true self went into hiding once again."
His words confirmed what I already suspected. Their interest wasn't in me or the world I fought to protect; it was in something far larger, something I barely had the scope to comprehend."So you are aware of the situation?"
Before Gabriel could respond, Sasael cut in, his tone sharp, dismissive. "As if we care about one more stone filled with inferior beings. What concerns us are the seven infernal princes."
The realization dawned on me. This wasn’t about Earth; it wasn’t about the lives lost or the future hanging by a thread. To them, this was a cosmic chess game, and Earth was just another pawn in play because of Lucifer’s presence. Without him, this confrontation likely would never have happened.
But something gnawed at me. "What do you mean by the true Lucifer?"
It was Ninales who responded this time, stepping forward with a serene, almost sorrowful air, her eyes locking onto mine with a depth that felt disturbingly familiar. "Allow me to explain. There are multiple existential planes, and it is not uncommon for there to be many versions of Lucifer, the devil, Satan, or the princes of Hell. They exist in different forms, across different realities. Some versions are weaker, others more dangerous. What we refer to as the 'true Lucifer' is the one who has retained a primordial soul. This grants him power over other origins and sources of existence, allowing him to bend them to his will. He is the first and strongest. In every universe, he represents the one closest to achieving what we fear most."
She paused, her eyes searching mine, as if gauging whether I could truly grasp the scope of her words."That is—obtaining power similar to our Father’s."
I replied to her, as casual as friends,"He mentioned something like that during our fight. I tried to restore life to this planet, which I held in my hands."
My words seemed to stir something in her. I could see it in her eyes—a flicker of empathy. The first real sign of emotion since this encounter began. It made me wonder if, perhaps, on some level, she understood what it was like to feel so helpless, so desperate to protect something precious.
Gabriel listened carefully, though he remained silent. He was assessing me, as if weighing my value in this cosmic war they fought. Sasael, meanwhile, had all but checked out of the conversation, showing only vague disinterest. His arrogance was palpable, as if everything unfolding here was beneath him.
"We have always considered intervening," Ninales continued, her voice tinged with regret, "but the timing never seemed right. Many have already fallen prey to Lucifer and his minions before."
That regret cut deeper than I expected. For a moment, I saw them not as celestial beings but as entities burdened by the weight of decisions, perhaps not so different from me.
I couldn’t hold my frustration any longer. "How many more must perish at the hands of our enemy before you act? How many worlds will fall before you prevent this from happening again?"
Sasael laughed coldly, his eyes narrowing as he finally rejoined the conversation."Just one more planet, as you said. The sacrifice of a single world, or even an entire universe, means little to us. But a sacrifice of one of us—an angel, or worse, a primordial being—that is something far graver. We must tread carefully. Lucifer's snares are always waiting."
It was then that I saw it—Sasael’s frustration wasn’t just arrogance. It was something deeper. He had lost something—someone—at the hands of the princes of Hell. And now that his enemy had eluded him, there was nothing he could do but lash out. It was vengeance unfulfilled, a thirst left to fester.
Their indifference towards Earth and its inhabitants only solidified what I had suspected all along. This wasn’t a fight for the sake of balance or justice. It was a fight for survival. Not for us, but for them. "I am driven by simple curiosity. Encountering angels is a rare occurrence for someone like me. In my analysis, I’ve found that angels and demons aren’t so different. Perhaps the only difference lies in the proportion of energy—positive and negative."
That struck a nerve. I could see Ninales shift slightly, her serene demeanor faltering. Gabriel’s expression remained unreadable, but I could sense a quiet acknowledgment behind those eyes.
Sasael sneered, but before he could say anything, Gabriel raised his hand, silencing him. "You are not entirely wrong. But you are also not entirely right."
There was something in his tone, a hint of danger that had not been there before. This wasn’t just a conversation anymore—it was a veiled warning. "The difference between us and the beings of Hell is not as simple as the balance of positive and negative energies. It is deeper, more intrinsic. But you are perceptive to notice the connection. It is a path few mortals would ever see, let alone walk."
I locked eyes with him, feeling the weight of his words settle in. There was more to this, more than I could understand. But I had already come too far to back down."I’ve walked that path already."
Gabriel gave me a faint smile, almost approving. "Perhaps you have."
For a moment, the desert wind howled between us, carrying with it the weight of things unsaid. Ninales stood silently, her presence a comfort I didn’t know I needed, while Sasael fumed, his patience clearly wearing thin. I knew that this conversation, this first encounter, was just the beginning. They had revealed themselves for a reason—one I would have to unravel in time.
And as we stood there, facing each other under the fading light of the desert sun, I couldn’t help but feel that, despite everything, we were on the same side. At least, for now.
Gabriel's armor gleamed in the fading light as he took a step forward, his posture a perfect blend of command and calm. His movements were deliberate, the sound of shifting metal breaking the stillness. His hand reached up, slowly removing his helmet. What lay beneath it caught me off guard.
His face—delicate, yet sharp, unsettlingly similar to the hell princes I had faced before, particularly Lucifer—stood in stark contrast to the imposing figure his armor projected. There was a crafted beauty to his features, almost unnerving in its perfection. I wondered, not for the first time, if beings like Gabriel tailored their appearance to appeal to human sensibilities, to charm, to deceive. Did they use these faces as masks?
.
I said nothing for a moment, letting the thought linger in my mind before breaking the silence."I have no interest in their games. My path was my own choice."
Ninales, standing beside him, let a flicker of something cross her face—empathy, perhaps, or curiosity. Her smile, though subtle, carried a disarming quality. She reminded me of someone—someone long gone. For a brief instant, I thought of Nina and Carilora. Their memories brushed against me like a cold wind. Yet now, these beings stood before me, and I couldn't help but wonder—were they destined to become part of my story too?
Ninales spoke next, her voice a blend of intrigue and contemplation. "To some extent, your observation is correct, barring the fact that our decisions are also influenced by our inherent nature."
I couldn't help but sense the weight of her words. They, too, were bound by something, perhaps no different from the humans they judged.
Gabriel nodded in agreement, stepping forward once more, his demeanor regal."The archangels are esteemed as the first among the offspring of our esteemed and omnipotent Father. I know you myths could have another levels, but in the original design only angels and archangels exist. Even though some myths are alive in other realities but that is a topic for another time."
His tone was formal, measured—almost rehearsed. A statement that had been repeated across countless worlds, I imagined. Yet, there was a trace of something deeper, something that suggested Gabriel understood more than he let on.
I decided to push the conversation forward. "It appears that a rational discussion on recent events is possible."
Sasael, the youngest of the three, couldn't hold back his disdain any longer. His voice dripped with impatience."The outcome will depend upon your actions."
I glanced at him, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. This felt too familiar, like a script we were all playing out."It appears we are enacting the roles of the good cop, bad cop, and chief cop. Do I stand accused?"
Ninales chuckled softly, a smile playing on her lips. There was something calculating in her expression, something that hinted at deeper intentions."It's your decision. Are you the bad boy?"
The words were playful, but the look in her eyes was anything but. For a moment, I felt her attempt to peel back the layers of who I was, as if she were testing me. Her beauty, while striking, wasn't just superficial. There was cunning behind it, a sharp mind.
I didn't hesitate, matching her smile with one of my own."What do you want me to do?"
Sasael cut in, his voice sharper this time, the arrogance ever-present. "We don't know; you are the answer to many questions."
The weight of his words hung in the air. I could feel their eyes on me, gauging every reaction. They didn't know what I was, and that uncertainty gave me an advantage—for now.
Ninales stepped closer, her gaze steady. "Can you explain to us what you wanted with all this?"
It was a loaded question, but my answer came without hesitation. "Peace. It's simple."
Gabriel's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone taking on a more serious edge. There was something in his voice that suggested he'd seen this before—seen men and beings alike, speak of peace only to bring war."That's why you kill others, your brothers?"
The question was both an accusation and an attempt at understanding. It was clear that, despite their relatively calm demeanor, they had been through wars of their own. Conflicts that shaped their views. Their hands weren't clean either.
I met Gabriel's gaze, unwavering. "Exactly. People weren’t living; they were merely consuming. Their souls, their very essence, were deteriorating. Some lived only for pleasure, others just to survive. Androids weren’t replacing us because they weren't allowed to fully develop, but in many ways, people had already become just like them."
Gabriel's face remained neutral, but there was a subtle shift in his expression—a recognition of sorts. "The decay of a world, the reason for apocalypties, and angels of death... perhaps you are someone caught between the limits of this lower system."
His words resonated with something I'd already suspected. That perhaps I was more than just a player in this cosmic game. That my role was far more complicated.
Sasael's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Mortals follow a cycle—born into existence, they journey through life, succumb to corruption, and eventually fade away. It's inevitable. He couldn’t be an angel of death; the sources of this multiverse would know. They would sense him."
His words lingered, and I found myself contemplating my place in all of this. Was I truly something beyond their comprehension?
In truth, I had withheld information, not just from them, but from myself. The Retter Messiah—my greatest creation, my children—remained concealed, orbiting the outer reaches of our solar system. Did they know? Did they suspect the power I had hidden away?
Gabriel loomed over me, his figure larger, more imposing. He had revealed his face, but there was still so much hidden. His beauty, like the others, seemed out of place, as if designed to ease confrontation. But I wasn’t fooled.
I took a breath, steadying myself. "I must admit, you’re not the first to question my methods. But I wonder—how far will your judgment go when you face the same dilemmas?"
Their silence was telling. And as the desert wind blew around us, I knew this meeting was only the beginning.
Gabriel’s voice carried the weight of millennia, his tone steady yet sharp, cutting through the desert air like a blade honed by countless battles. "It is remarkable that you have come into contact with Lucifer, yet even more incredible that you stand before me today; a circumstance not often seen."
His words lingered, and I felt the underlying meaning—survival wasn’t expected, much less this encounter. But as always, I held my ground, carefully measuring my response. Ninales stepped forward next, her presence a mix of authority and calm, but there was something deeper, a hint of curiosity behind her poised demeanor. "Our primary concern lies in ensuring the security of Earth, without direct interference in the evolutionary path of life and civilization. However, your presence here hints at a grander scheme at play than we previously perceived."
Her eyes were intense, searching for something in me that I wasn’t yet sure I could show. I knew what she meant—the bigger picture, the hidden hand guiding all of us. Was I part of that plan, or simply an obstacle to be removed?
I couldn’t hold back the questions bubbling inside me any longer. "I am filled with questions, particularly regarding the apparent absence of response to pleas for assistance when people were suffering misfortunes. While to many, the loss of one planet may seem insignificant, to us it holds utmost importance."
Sasael scoffed, his arrogance bleeding through every word, as if the very idea of human suffering was beneath his concern. "HA! Well, what did you expect? You can't travel from world to world, but for us, it's simple. There are countless others with intelligent life, even if they are different from what you think."
His dismissal of Earth’s significance stung, but it didn’t surprise me. I knew they viewed us as lesser beings, unworthy of true consideration. Still, it only fueled the fire burning inside me. I glanced between them, knowing their humanlike forms were a façade, a projection meant to keep me at ease. "It appears that your humanlike form is designed to put me at ease, although I recognize your lack of gender and disinterest in me, as your true purpose lies with the one who initiated contact."
Ninales offered a soft smile, and there was something disarming about it—too perfect, perhaps a well-practiced gesture. "Typically, that is the case for angels of this existential plane and a large number of them, but we decided long ago how we will appear; in my case, being a woman and giving life to others is my goal. Although we do not feel love or sexual desire like others do, unlike the myth, we are not prohibited from loving; it just almost never happens."
Her response surprised me, the honesty in it. She wasn't trying to manipulate me—at least not in the way I'd expected. But there was still a layer of performance, as though she was aware of how her words could affect me.
I decided to test the waters, pushing her further. "If it's not too much to ask, how old are you?"
Her smile widened, and there was a playful glint in her eyes, as if she knew the game I was playing. "Sixteen years old, in your terms."
The answer was so absurd, so bold in its delivery, that I almost believed her for a second. A lie, of course, but told with such confidence that it almost felt like she was flirting with me. I saw Gabriel watching, clearly aware of the undercurrent between us. Sasael, meanwhile, remained disinterested—if Carilora were here, this moment would be filled with tension. She wouldn’t have hesitated to assert her presence, perhaps even staking her claim on me, just as she had in the past.
I chuckled, playing along. "Ah, but I am but a mere twenty years young."
Her response was quick, teasing, her smile growing. "Oh, the tales you spin, you playful little trickster. You're a lying bear."
I felt something shift within me—an emotional opening I hadn’t anticipated. I was becoming more open with her, and it concerned me. She was playing me, using her appearance, her words, her demeanor. The flirtation was deliberate, and she knew exactly what I liked. But before I could fall deeper into this interaction, Destroyer’s presence anchored me, keeping my mind in check.
Gabriel broke the moment, his voice cutting through the exchange with a calm, authoritative tone. "We are prepared to address your questions if you are willing to respond to ours."
I had to admire his patience, his control. He wasn’t in a rush, which told me they believed they had all the time in the world to deal with me. I wasn’t going to play coy. "I am aware of your superior strength and numbers, making it futile for me to attempt to hide for long."
Ninales’ smile faltered for a second, but then she regained her composure. Her next words, however, caught me off guard. "Initially, our intention was to eliminate you upon receiving the warning. However, a new directive was issued to apprehend and question you instead."
Eliminate me. It wasn’t a surprise, but hearing her say it, with a smile no less, was jarring. Angels, so quick to kill in the name of their mission.
Sasael’s voice rang out, cold and detached. "Initially, your presence was categorized as an apocalypty, the result of Lucifer's experiments—most of which consumed more than one universe, and sometimes even an origin. But when we observed that you were more than just a devourer of worlds, it led to a shift in the order."
I clenched my fists. So that’s how they saw me—a threat, another potential pawn in Lucifer’s game. But they had noticed something else, something that set me apart.
Gabriel confirmed this with his next statement."I must remind you that we are not the only ones; there are also their children, the beasts of the night, so don't try to escape; it won't help."
I felt the weight of his words, the warning woven into them. They were watching everything—there would be no running. But I wasn’t here to run. "I'm already used to threats, so where do you want to take me?"
Gabriel stepped forward, his eyes steady on mine."In the heavens of this existential plane, the supreme being—the God figure here—is aware of our existence, allowing us to seek refuge or solace there temporarily."
I let his words sink in. Travel between worlds, between realms. I had long suspected it was possible, theorized about it even. Demonic summoning rituals, folding space, manipulating coordinates—it all seemed like pieces to a puzzle I hadn’t quite solved yet. But now, standing here with these beings, I realized that the answers were much closer than I thought.
As I stood there, pondering Sasael's words about traveling between worlds, I couldn't help but feel the weight of the unknown pressing against my thoughts. The mention of realms beyond our own stirred something in me—curiosity, perhaps, but also a deep-seated fear of what truly lay beyond the veil of this existence. My mind raced through the various experiments I'd conducted over the years, recalling how demonic summoning rituals could manipulate space itself, folding reality to bring beings across dimensions. It was dangerous, reckless even, but it worked—sometimes. Demons, tethered to coordinates, summoned with the promise of favors. Some would escape, others would bend the ritual to their own will, causing chaos to rain down on those who dared call them forth.
For a moment, I considered whether these angels, standing before me, employed similar methods. Could their ability to traverse worlds be grounded in the same arcane knowledge I’d once dabbled in? Or was it something far more refined?"How will we reach our destination?"
Ninales stepped forward, her eyes meeting mine, the calm intensity in her gaze unsettling. "I can transmit a portion of my thoughts to you, but it is essential that you trust me and refrain from interrupting the transmission with your companion."
Her words hung in the air. Trust. A simple word, yet one that bore so much weight. I glanced at Destroyer, my constant companion, already calculating every possible risk."Is this a form of telepathy? Destroyer can receive and process the information?"
Destroyer replied with confidence in his abilities, "I am prepared at any moment. I can handle the information and process it."
Ninales gave us a look of confusion, "Your ability is commendable, but the knowledge passed down through generations is unparalleled. I assure you there will be no harm; only a brief connection. Otherwise, explaining every detail would take far too long."
I had my reservations, of course. But time was not on our side. I couldn’t help but think of Carilora and how she'd react to this intimate exchange of minds. She wasn’t possessive, not usually, but something about this would undoubtedly raise her guard. "Fine. Let's proceed."
Ninales stepped closer, her hand reaching out toward me, delicate but purposeful. I felt the warmth of her touch as she took my hands in hers. "Please, close your eyes and clear your mind."
It was easier said than done. Still, I followed her instructions, closing my eyes, letting the tension in my body fade away. I could sense Gabriel and Sasael behind us, their presence hovering, ready to act if things went wrong. "Do not interfere, Destroyer."
I lowered my guard, feeling the strange sensation of Ninales connecting to my mind, her presence slipping into my thoughts like a whisper. But then, something went wrong.
As her mind connected to mine, there was a shift—a flicker of darkness. Something inside me stirred, something old, something ancient. Ninales' consciousness brushed against it, and I could feel her recoil, her fear palpable even in this shared mental space. For a brief second, I saw it through her eyes—a fragment of apocalypse, a force so primal and destructive that it sent tremors through her very soul.
Ninales screamed, her fear ripping through the connection, but she didn’t let go of my hand. The earth beneath us trembled, the sky above flickered with unnatural light, and the very air seemed to hum with an unknown energy. Then came the burst—an explosion of power from the center of the connection.
In an instant, everything changed.
The earth split, the sky lit up with energy, and all life around us trembled. The four of us—Ninales, Gabriel, Sasael, and I—disintegrated, our forms dissolving into the air, as the world we stood on vanished from sight. The next thing I knew, we were no longer on Earth.
As the intense energy swirled around them, AIDO remained unconscious, a victim of the primordial force that had been unleashed. Destroyer, sensing the overwhelming danger, initiated emergency protocols, struggling to regain control of the situation. His processors whirred at full capacity, attempting to restore AIDO’s consciousness, but the sheer power of the ancient energy was too much for even him to handle.
Meanwhile, Gabriel, shaken but focused, began to understand the true magnitude of what had occurred. AIDO, in his current state, was something entirely different—a being that didn’t need sustenance, oxygen, or even physical matter to survive. He had evolved into something that could continue to exist purely on energy.
The archangel glanced over at Ninales, who still stood frozen in shock, her earlier confidence now replaced with uncertainty. Even Sasael, who had fled in terror, was no longer in sight.
Gabriel voice change with concern and authority, "We cannot let him remain in this realm. If he continues to evolve, unchecked, it could lead to catastrophe."
His mind raced as he calculated the possibilities. They needed to contain AIDO, but not just in any confinement—they needed a place where nothing existed. A pocket dimension, devoid of matter or energy, would be the only way to neutralize the threat before them.
Gabriel knelt beside the unconscious AIDO, his expression solemn. "Forgive me," he whispered, placing his hand on AIDO’s chest. A glowing sigil appeared, a temporary binding meant to keep the powerful being dormant long enough for Gabriel’s plan to be enacted.
Ninales finally stirred, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Are you sure this is the only way? He… he doesn’t seem evil. He’s not under anyone’s influence. I saw into his mind—he’s… he's just "something" we didn’t know could exist."
Gabriel frowned, sensing her hesitation. "Whether he’s evil or not is irrelevant. He’s beyond our control. If we don’t act now, the forces he commands will tear this universe apart."
But even Gabriel knew that this situation was unprecedented. AIDO was not just a threat; he was something new. Something that even the celestial beings, with all their knowledge of the multiverse, couldn’t fully understand.
Ninales approached AIDO, her fingers lightly brushing his forehead. Her touch was gentle, almost affectionate, as if she saw something in him that the others couldn’t. "Perhaps," she murmured, "he could be more than just a danger. If we could understand him, maybe… maybe he could be an ally."
Gabriel shook his head. "That’s a risk we can’t take right now."
Just as the energy around AIDO seemed to quiet, Destroyer surged back online, a surge of aural energy signaling his return to partial function. He was still damaged, but his connection to AIDO remained strong.
Destroyer restablecing his protocols and functionality, "Master… forgive me. I couldn’t protect you."
Gabriel quickly reinforced the binding sigil, ensuring that AIDO’s consciousness remained suppressed. He then turned to Ninales. "Help me transport him to the pocket dimension. He cannot stay here any longer."
Ninales hesitated, but she understood the gravity of the situation. She nodded, and together with Gabriel, they prepared to send AIDO into the dimension where nothing existed—a place where his abilities, unchecked, would not be able to consume anything further.
In the vast, empty pocket dimension, AIDO’s body floated, suspended in the void. Time and space meant nothing here; it was a realm of absolute stillness. For now, he was contained—but for how longeven Gabriel couldn’t say.