After the recent events on AN, everything had changed. Lucifer’s rebellion left a deep scar on the hearts of the people. No one could have imagined such a thing could happen—they even refused to believe it. Everyone tried to rebuild the world and restore it to what it once was, but they knew that was impossible. The betrayal had brought pain and sorrow that would surely linger for a long time.

  However, something good also came from it: the union of the cities of Portcan, Serf, and the rest of Querb, which kept the flame of hope burning and inspired everyone to work together to build a new era.

  Almost a year had passed since that event. The planet was healing, the weather was returning to normal, and the dark cloud that had covered the sky had almost disappeared, allowing nature to recover rapidly. However, in Arcan, they were worried about the continuity of their plans, since now they had a new problem: the four beings that protected the King’s throne had vanished without a trace, and their current whereabouts were unknown.

  Shemihaza could only speculate, and the other generals offered their theories...

  —Are we still in the dark about where those four went? What happened to Asael? —Shemihaza asked.

  —He has not returned from his mission yet. Perhaps it's more difficult than we thought... I think we’ll have no choice but to leave as soon as possible using Asael’s ability —Yehadiel replied.

  —I don’t think it’s wise to go blindly. We could get lost in the infinite and waste valuable time —suggested 'El, and then continued—. Besides, we don’t even know if he reached his destination successfully...

  —You’re right. It’s best to wait a little longer until Asael returns. And he’d better bring good news… I just hope those four don’t interfere with our plans, or we’ll have serious problems —Shemihaza asserted.

  At that moment, a soldier entered the priest’s chamber with important news.

  —My lord, allow me to inform you that the spy you sent to Serf has returned.

  —Let him in —Shemihaza permitted, and requested the spy to report—. Speak, soldier. What news do you bring?

  —My lord, I’ve completed the mission you entrusted me with, and as expected, Serf knows nothing about where those four beings might have gone. However, the leader of those who now call themselves Archangels, along with his group, will meet tomorrow with the wise man Allcan to clarify the situation —the spy reported.

  —So they call themselves the Archangels… Interesting —Artaqof expressed with mild astonishment.

  —It’s strange that, supposedly being chosen by the King, they are not aware of the situation, don’t you think? Do they not have direct contact with His Majesty? —Shemihaza asked ironically.

  —That means they don’t know about the existence of that distant planet… —murmured 'El, implying—. This could be very useful to us, wouldn’t you agree?

  —What do you propose? —Artaqof asked.

  —Well, not to brag, but I just came up with a brilliant idea —said 'El with a sly smile.

  —I’d love to hear it. Please, tell us —Shemihaza urged.

  Meanwhile, in Portcan, Miguel and his friends gathered to solve the great mystery and try to figure out what was truly going on. Just as Shemihaza suspected, the Archangels had no idea of the true events…

  —Are you sure that presence that spoke to you didn’t tell you anything else, Miguel? —Gabriel asked insistently, clearly worried.

  —I understand how you feel, my friend... And all of you as well. But unfortunately, it didn’t say anything more, so I believe we’ll have to investigate it ourselves —Miguel said.

  —None of this makes any sense. The Arcanites helped a rebellious cherub wage war against us, then he disappeared through a portal with more than half his army, and those strange beings who were supposed to guard the throne vanished too… Can someone please explain this to me? —Uriel exclaimed in frustration.

  —Maybe the wise man has discovered something and will tell us tomorrow. I really hope so… —Miguel murmured, hopeful.

  The next day, the Archangels gathered and traveled directly to the city of Serf, where the wise man Allcan was waiting for them, deeply worried.

  —Welcome, brave young ones —the wise man greeted them.

  —It’s a pleasure to see you again —they all replied.

  —I apologize for receiving you this way, but it’s vital that you pay close attention to what I’m about to say —Allcan said.

  —Please, tell us what you know —Miguel requested.

  —I will —the sage confirmed. After a pause, he continued—: You’ve fought a great battle to defend our world, but these recent events remain unexplained, even for me. I’ve searched for all the information I could regarding the four beings and found nothing that could help us. So I don’t know where they may have gone. As for the cherub, I can only assume the ones responsible for his escape were the Arcanites…

  —What?! —the young ones exclaimed in shock.

  —However, I must tell you something else —Allcan went on—. I’ve sensed Asael’s presence moving quickly…

  —That bastard! Please, tell me, in what direction? —Rafael asked urgently.

  —Friend, calm down. Let him finish. I know how you feel right now, but we must act with wisdom —Miguel soothed him.

  —Well, if I’m not mistaken, Asael is headed to a very ancient place: the highest point of our world —the wise man revealed.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  —The highest point? —Miguel asked.

  —But I thought the highest point was that great mountain in Arcan —said Uriel.

  —No, the highest point is...

  And just as the wise man was about to tell them the name of that place, a strange voice interrupted him:

  —STERNENTOR!

  Immediately, they all turned to see who had spoken and felt an overwhelming power surrounding them that made it impossible to react.

  —Who is this? —Gabriel asked, stunned.

  —I can’t move… —said Remeiel.

  Before them stood one of Arcan’s high Watchers and an advisor to the Patriarch. His appearance was terrifying, as was the aura emanating from his body.

  —Hello, everyone, and forgive my sudden intrusion. I hope I haven’t disturbed you. My name is ‘El, and I’m one of the Patriarch’s high advisors —he said, with a firm yet eerily calm voice.

  The young warriors and the wise man were stunned by what was happening. Even though they tried to stay on guard, moving freely was nearly impossible for them due to the suffocating pressure of this mysterious visitor.

  —So this is one of the ones who sits beside Shemihaza… —the wise man whispered, trembling.

  —Do you know him? —Miguel asked.

  Before the sage could reply, the Watcher spoke:

  —So you’re the Archangels… the ones who defeated Samael and killed Artaqof’s favorite disciple. How interesting… —said ‘El, and then, looking closely at one of the young warriors, he asked—: And you, what’s your name?

  —My name is Gabriel —the boy answered, worried.

  —I swear you’re no Portcanian… What’s your father’s name? —the Watcher inquired.

  —What? —Gabriel replied, confused—. I don’t know what you’re talking about. My father left when I was just born, maybe even earlier. What does that have to do with anything?

  —Hm… So he left, huh?... Well, that doesn’t matter now —‘El replied dismissively.

  —Why don’t you get to the point, you treacherous bastard? Don’t think for a second we’re afraid of you! —Uriel challenged him.

  —Such courage, young lady… Surely, no one more suited than you to carry such a title —(referring to the title of Archangels).— Truly, I congratulate you all. But I haven’t come to fight you. I’ve come to clear your doubts, because I see you’re as lost as a newborn child —‘El said cunningly.

  With that, they were even more confused than before, but they truly wanted to hear what the general had to say...

  Looking subtly at his companions, Miguel, wary and cautious, said to the Arcanian:

  —Alright. Please, tell us what you know.

  —Excellent. I’ve always believed talking is better than fighting. Don’t you agree? —With a smile, ‘El began to speak—: As the Seraphim sage mentioned, Asael is headed to the place known since ancient times as Sternentor. It was named that because it’s said to connect our world to the stars and the universe. However, none of us has ever gone there—except for the King—and that’s why Shemihaza sent him to confirm whether it truly exists.

  And you might wonder why. The answer is simple: ever since that dark energy from the universe entered our plane, Asael had a vision. It showed him other planets, and among them, one distant world in particular where life apparently exists.

  Everyone was more than surprised by what they were hearing, and they could hardly believe it.

  —How is that possible? —the wise man questioned.

  —I understand your confusion, but let me finish, because that’s not all —the Arcanian replied. After a pause, he continued—: Perhaps that vision remained imprinted in Asael’s mind, and when you were about to defeat the rebellious cherub, and he was ordered to extract him and open a portal, he unconsciously sent him far away. And now we believe that he may have sent him to that unknown world...

  —Wait… are you saying that Asael accidentally sent the cherub and thousands of rebel soldiers to a strange world, possibly inhabited by life or some kind of civilization? —Remeiel asked, outraged.

  —Perhaps —‘El answered nonchalantly.

  —Now tell us, what is the real reason you’re here? Answer us! —Uriel demanded furiously.

  —Alright, I’ll tell you… You’ve surely heard about the four beings that always accompany the King. The same ones we saw open a portal in the sky and enter it… Remember them? Well, we believe they followed the cherub to that world I just mentioned, and we believe they used Sternentor to do it. That’s why we sent Asael to investigate, because if our suspicions are correct, it means that world exists.

  —This can’t be… —the wise man said, shaken.

  —And if that’s true… what does it have to do with us? —Sariel asked.

  At that moment, it was the wise man himself who replied:

  —Don’t you understand what this means?… Those four are said to be the protectors of the throne, but I’ve also read they are the judges in the King’s service. They decide for themselves what to do, what to destroy, and what to judge. And if they’ve used the Sternentor to follow the cherub, it’s because they intend to judge him. The truth is, if they’ve taken matters into their own hands, it’s likely that our King is no longer here to stop them…

  —That’s right, Seraphim. No wonder you’re the respected sage around here —‘El said before continuing—: As you said, because of the great battle that broke out here over the struggle for power, they’ve taken the reins of the situation, considering that, apparently, we’ve already been relieved of our duties. The problem is, if the cherub is already in that planet… then they will destroy it completely, and nothing will remain.

  —What? Who are they to make such a decision?! —Miguel asked, deeply concerned.

  The general responded:

  —They are… The Four Titans of Judgment.