An Unwelcome Invitation

Kikidori sat on the edge of a crumbling rooftop, his wings folded behind him, staring down at the chaos of earth. The city buzzed with life—people rushing from one meaningless task to another, cars honking in frustration, neon lights advertising things no one really needed. The smell of gasoline and trash wafted through the air.

He wrinkled his nose.

"So, this is what He calls His creation," Kikidori muttered, resting his chin in his hand. "What a fucking dump."

Below him, a man shouted into his phone, cursing at someone on the other end. Across the street, two women argued over a parking spot. Farther down the road, a homeless man curled up under a flickering streetlamp, ignored by everyone who passed him.

"This place is worse than hell," Kikidori said to himself, letting out a bitter laugh. "At least demons don't pretend to be better than they are."

The sound of fluttering wings broke his thoughts.

"Goddamn it," he groaned, recognizing the golden glow without even looking.

Ere'ana landed softly beside him, her presence immediately making the air feel lighter. She didn't say anything at first, just folded her radiant wings and stood there, staring out at the city below.

"What the fuck do you want now?" Kikidori snapped, not bothering to turn his head.

"I just came to check on you," she said calmly, sitting down next to him. Her glow bathed the rooftop in a soft, golden light.

"Great. Consider me checked on. Now fuck off," he muttered.

"No," Ere'ana said simply.

Kikidori finally turned to glare at her. "What do you mean, no?"

She met his gaze without flinching, her violet eyes steady. "I mean no. I'm not leaving."

He groaned and ran a hand through his hair. "You're impossible, you know that?"

Ere'ana smiled faintly and gestured to the city. "Y'know, earth isn't such a bad place. Sure, it has its flaws, but there's beauty here, too. Families coming together. People helping each other. Love."

Kikidori snorted. "Spare me the Hallmark speech, angel. This place is a fucking mess. Just like your 'perfect' heaven."

Ere'ana raised an eyebrow. "And yet here you are, sitting on a rooftop, watching it all. If you hate it so much, why are you still here?"

Kikidori rolled his eyes. "Go fuck yourself."

"Nope," she replied cheerfully.

Kikidori growled under his breath. "You're really starting to piss me off."

"I get that a lot," she said with a shrug. Then her tone shifted, becoming more serious. "Kikidori, God wants to speak to you."

His entire body stiffened. "What did you just say?"

"You heard me," Ere'ana said, her expression unreadable.

"How the fuck do you know my name?" he demanded, his crimson eyes narrowing.

Ere'ana tilted her head slightly, as if the question amused her. "You think I wouldn't figure it out? You're not exactly subtle, Kikidori."

He cursed under his breath and stood up, pacing the rooftop. "I'm not talking to Him. I don't owe Him a goddamn thing."

"Well, it's not really optional," Ere'ana said, standing as well. "You're coming with me."

"Like hell I am," Kikidori growled.

Ere'ana gave him a look. "Do you really want to fight me on this? Because we both know how that'll end."

He glared at her, his jaw clenched. He hated that she was right.

"Fine," he snapped. "But if this is some kind of trap, I swear to—"

"It's not," she interrupted, her voice calm. "Trust me."

"I don't trust anyone," Kikidori muttered, spreading his wings.

"Noted," Ere'ana said with a small smile, spreading her own wings and motioning for him to follow.

Heaven was exactly how Kikidori remembered it: blindingly bright, unbearably perfect, and full of judgmental stares. As Ere'ana led him through the golden streets, every angel they passed stopped to look at him.

Some whispered to each other, their expressions a mix of curiosity and disdain. Others simply stared, their hands resting on the hilts of their weapons, as if expecting him to start slaughtering them at any moment.

"Fucking fantastic," Kikidori muttered, glaring at a particularly smug-looking angel who quickly turned away. "I feel so welcome."

Ere'ana glanced back at him. "Ignore them."

"Easy for you to say," he shot back. "You're not the one being paraded around like a goddamn freak show."

She didn't respond, and for a while, they walked in silence. Kikidori tried to ignore the oppressive light and the way it made his skin itch.

Finally, they stopped in front of a massive set of golden doors, intricately carved with images of creation and harmony. Kikidori scowled.

"Let me guess," he said. "Behind door number one is the Almighty Himself?"

Ere'ana nodded. "You're smarter than you look."

He shot her a glare. "You've got jokes now? Great."

Taking a deep breath, Ere'ana placed a hand on the doors. They glowed briefly before swinging open, revealing a radiant chamber beyond.

"Let's go," she said, stepping inside.

Kikidori hesitated, his heart pounding in a way he hated to admit. He had spent centuries avoiding this moment, and now here he was, being dragged back into the presence of the one being he had vowed never to face again.

With a resigned sigh, he followed Ere'ana inside, his claws flexing nervously.

The end of Chapter 3