Lucifer: Godless Reawakening-Chapter 274: Choice? No

Emma's heart should have been restless. Not only was the Count in danger, she had entered a place that clearly did not seem to belong to the mortal plane.

However, when she came across this cluster of golden lights, her heart felt unnaturally calm. It was as if she were resting on her bed after a long, exhausting day of training. Something similar to how she felt when she was in William's arms, as though nothing in the world could possibly go wrong.

But that was exactly what made her frown. William wasn't beside her, and she knew she shouldn't be this calm about the situation.

"Where am I?"

More than curiosity about what this being was, she was desperate to return and heal her father-in-law.

The cluster of small orbs remained silent for a brief moment before reassuring her. "The passage of time flows differently here. Don't worry, our conversation will not change much in the real world."

Emma raised her brows. "So this place isn't a real world?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

The other voice responded, "Why don't you ask yourself that? I'm sure you already know the answer, Emma. You are losing yourself."

Emma pressed her lips together and fell silent.

Truth be told, the comforting sensation she was experiencing was terrifying for a living person to feel.

She had felt it once before, when she died in her previous life. Everything had turned still, silent, and calm. In her final moment, she had been smiling, even though her lips hadn't moved.

She had been at peace.

And right now, she believed she was experiencing something similar.

"I...failed," she muttered. "Failed to achieve the final circle."

"Oh, you didn't, and yet you did. You had the knowledge, but not the capability to reach that ceiling yet. Your body failed to adapt to the sudden rush of aether you demanded from me. As a result, you are trapped here, between life and death."

Emma bit her lower lip in frustration. She had been an idiot.

She had become so desperate to stop those tears from falling from his eyes that she acted rashly. And now William wasn't only on the verge of losing his father, but her as well.

She had overestimated herself.

"Come now, let's have a seat."

Emma looked down and noticed that there was finally something else for her gaze to land on besides the cluster of lights within the vast ocean of blankness.

A wooden chair.

She sat down silently, her head hanging low.

The cluster of lights spoke again, "You are an intriguing human. Someone who grew so attached to a man that you were willing to sacrifice yourself just to spare him sadness."

"I haven't sacrificed anything. I am not dead," Emma replied with certainty.

"And why do you think so?"

Emma shrugged. "If I really were dead, you wouldn't be here chatting with me like this..."

She finally raised her eyes and murmured the name,

"Lord Raphael."

Silence descended upon the space the moment she spoke it.

After a long pause, the cluster of light responded, "You are overestimating yourself again. Why would the Second Supreme of Heaven, one of the three Archangels, come to see you?"

Emma leaned back in her seat and muttered, "Because I know even the Second Supreme would mind losing his only devotee. Tell me, am I wrong?" she asked, the corners of her lips curling slightly.

Another brief silence followed.

Then the cluster of orbs gathered together, and slowly, a face appeared before her.

Golden hair. Blue eyes. A tall figure with sharp, angular features.

Emma sighed and apologized, "Sorry, but I don't feel like getting on my knees. I'm quite disturbed right now."

Raphael hummed in surprise and pinched his chin. "I'm surprised. Your heart didn't even flutter after witnessing this handsome face."

Emma gave a casual shrug. "I am quite used to seeing a much more handsome face."

"Oh, right...that anomaly," the deity said as he summoned a chair for himself and sat across from her. "You really have a taste, don't you? So many men in the world, and the one you chose happens to be my arch enemy."

Emma chuckled. "I don't see you complaining though."

Raphael grumbled, "My reputation has been shattered, you know."

"Now you are just exaggerating," Emma said, shaking her head.

Raphael snarled, "You were informed what kind of being he is, and yet you liberated him. You know that alone was enough reason for me to punish you, right?"

Emma said nothing to that. But deep down, she knew that if he truly meant it, she wouldn't be sitting here comfortably talking to him.

Another pause followed before Raphael finally spoke again.

"Alright. Here is the deal."

Emma looked up at him as he continued,

"I will give you a chance to return and resume your life, but only on one condition."

Emma narrowed her eyes. Suddenly, her calm heart began to beat faster.

And her instincts were right to warn her, because the next words that left the deity's mouth stunned her.

"You must take an oath that you will leave William and never see his face again."

"I decline. Kill me."

Emma's voice was steady, her eyes cold as steel. There wasn't even a trace of hesitation or confusion in her expression.

She didn't need time to think. There was no possibility in this world that could keep her away from him.

Nothing except death.

Raphael stared at her. He was not a mere mortal who needs to search her eyes to know what exactly she wants and means by her word. And especially someone who was devoted to him.

He could see into her.

And right now, he could tell that this woman was not going to shift from her intentions. She wouldn't even consider changing her decision.

For her, it was either William or death.

Fuck.

(A/N:- Yeah, the deity cursed.)

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A/N:- Short chapter, kinda tired. Thanks for reading. Please leave a comment to keep me motivated