These angels are a bit peculiar
After being released from our rigid state, we followed the angel along the pure white Angelic Path, heading toward the towering palace at the end.
The guiding angel didn't utter a single word, and this silence continued until we reached the palace gates.
The four-winged angels guarding either side of the gate didn't step forward to question us. Their demeanor made it clear that the visit of the Empire's personnel had been tacitly approved.
"Lord Ayush Banerjee has been expecting you for quite some time—"
The female angel touched the door marked with luminous patterns, and the gates slowly opened.
"The surname 'Banerjee'... I feel like I've heard it somewhere before," Saavon remarked.
Hearing that, I felt the name was familiar as well.
If my memory serves me right...
Saavon and I turned our gazes to Avik simultaneously.
"...Tsk."
His face was clearly filled with reluctance, a sign of his evident distaste for this place.
"Still showing such an attitude at this point, Avik? That's not good, little brother."
The female angel spoke calmly, her expression unchanging.
At that moment, a white creature resembling a hammerhead shark, with six angelic wings sprouting from its sides, floated in front of us. It first glared at Avik before bowing respectfully to the rest of us.
"If the Heavenly Judgment Empire is in distress, we of the Empyrean Court will do our best to assist within our capacity. In a moment, please provide a detailed account of everything that has transpired. As for you, Avik, we have much to discuss."
"Ugh..."
The hammerhead shark pointed at Avik, its swift change in demeanor catching me off guard.
What surprised me even more was that Avik seemed to share an unusual relationship with the Empyrean Court. What this connection entailed, I believed I would soon find out.
"Well then, please come inside."
The hammerhead shark and the female angel led the way, with us following closely behind.
It's worth noting that Avik's hands were tightly held—one by the shark and the other by the angel—leaving him no chance to escape.
We passed through a dazzling, open-air corridor, marveling at the cosmic scenery around us, until we reached a staircase leading to a place resembling an altar.
Ascending the stairs, we finally beheld the full view of the altar.
The altar was shaped like a hexagram, with curved spikes growing upward at each tip. Six orbs floated above these spikes. The floor of the altar was transparent and hollow, with pure white mist flowing beneath it, emanating from the center.
At the altar's heart stood an eight-winged angel radiating overwhelming power.
"Avik—I've been waiting for you for quite some time."
The eight-winged angel turned around, revealing their face and fixing their ethereal gaze on us. Those eyes held no trace of compassion. The sclera was black, adorned with faint green spiral patterns, and violet pupils emitted a faint glow.
The angel wore a long robe, with the inner lining of their cloak depicting a starry sky. Their white hair floated weightlessly in the air, exuding an aura of divine majesty.
With their right hand resting behind their back and their left hand generating a blend of black and white sacred energy, the angel spoke.
"Now then, what is the purpose of your visit here?"