Chapter 40 - The Dominion Council

The grand hall of the neutral Dominion angels was nothing short of intimidating. Pillars of light stretched infinitely into the ether, and the floor beneath Bastian's feet shimmered as if made of glass reflecting the stars. Around him sat the council—beings of immense power and judgment, their features unreadable, their glowing forms radiating authority. Gabriel stood tall beside him, his expression severe, his wings tucked neatly behind him.

"We have much to discuss," Gabriel began, his voice low and menacing. "Starting with Angel Bastian."

"Your indiscretions, Bastian," Gabriel said, his voice cutting through the air like a blade, "are too numerous to ignore. You broke the sacred law of ascended angels by maintaining ties to your mortal life. You ignored the directive to sever all human emotions and memories, as is required of newborn angels. You fraternized with a mortal from your past, an act that not only defies but desecrates our purpose. And now, a child—a life born of such forbidden union—threatens the very balance of existence."

Gabriel's wings flared slightly as his voice rose. "You were given a chance, Bastian. A chance to serve the higher purpose, to protect humanity without interference or attachment. Instead, you acted recklessly, indulging in the very mortal weaknesses you were meant to transcend."

The murmurings of the council rippled like a wave, soft but disapproving. Then Angel Zadkiel, one of the highest-ranked Dominions, raised his hand, silencing the room. His eyes, piercing and golden, locked onto Gabriel.

"And yet," Zadkiel said, his voice calm but laced with steel, "it was you, Gabriel, who made him an angel. It was you who sent him to Earth, knowing the risks. You cannot lay all blame at his feet when it was your hand that guided him."

Gabriel's expression faltered ever so slightly, but he quickly recovered, his tone icy. "It was a calculated decision, Zadkiel. One made with the best intentions."

"And yet," Zadkiel continued, his gaze unrelenting, "here we are. A situation spiraling out of control because of those very intentions. Tell me, Gabriel, how does one justify bringing back a man who was so deeply tied to his mortal life, allowing him to walk amongst humans unchecked?"

Gabriel bristled. "He was meant to serve as a protector, a warrior against the darkness—"

"However, you let him keep his memories. His emotions. The very things that tie him to his former life," Zadkiel interrupted, his voice rising. "Angels who ascend are supposed to be reborn, free of mortal attachments. These actions, Gabriel, are yours to bear. Not Bastian." Zadkiel took a pause, glancing at Bastian briefly showing no emotion and looked back at Gabriel. "We have already sent him into the Ethereal Battlefield as punishment for his earlier transgressions, yet it seems that punishment was insufficient as you seek further retribution. The council will decide if that is really necessary and if so, what form that will take.""

The council's hum of agreement sent a flicker of hope through Bastian's chest. Maybe, just maybe, they'd see reason.

But Zadkiel's next words extinguished that hope.

"Unfortunately," the Dominion said gravely, "the fact remains: a child has been conceived. A life that disrupts the balance of creation itself. This cannot be ignored."

Gabriel seized the moment, stepping forward. "Which is why the child must not be allowed to survive. Its existence threatens everything we have worked to maintain—the scales of life and death, the order of realms. It is an abomination."

"No!" Bastian's voice rang out, trembling with fury and desperation. "This cannot happen. You're asking me to stand by while you condemn an innocent life? Never!"

Gabriel turned to him, his expression hard. "You do not speak here, Bastian. You are in no position to—"

"Let him speak," Zadkiel said, raising a hand. His gaze shifted to Bastian, calm yet assessing. "Let us hear his case."

Bastian stepped forward, his chest heaving as he tried to steady his voice. "I know what I've done. I know I broke rules that should never be broken. But this child—this life—it didn't ask to exist. You can't punish an innocent for mistakes that weren't theirs. Isn't that the very essence of what we stand for? To protect the innocent?"

Zadkiel tilted his head, his expression unreadable.

"This child," Bastian continued, his voice raw, "is part of me. Part of her. A creation of love, not darkness. You can't see it as an abomination when it was made from something so pure. If we destroy this life, what does that make us? Monsters. No better than the demons we fight."

The silence that followed was deafening. Zadkiel's gaze lingered on Bastian, then shifted to Gabriel.

"I will consider your words," Zadkiel said finally, his tone measured. He turned to the council. "Gabriel has one more matter to address. Please proceed."

Gabriel stepped forward again, his tone taking on an air of authority as he addressed the council. "This goes beyond one angel's failure. It is a symptom of a larger issue—our entanglement with humanity. Specifically, the demon hunters."

The room grew tense as Gabriel continued. "For centuries, we have walked among humans, aiding them in their fight against darkness. But what has it cost us? Look at what has happened here. Angels are not meant to mingle with mortals, let alone form bonds or, heaven forbid, create life with them. These alliances blur the lines between our realms and weaken the sanctity of our purpose. The scales of creation are tipping, and if we continue down this path, they will shatter."

He paused, his gaze sweeping the room. "Demon hunters are reckless, unpredictable. They tread the line between light and dark, using methods that often mirror the very demons they claim to hunt. Their presence in our affairs taints our mission. It's time to sever these ties. Permanently. Angels should return to their original mandate—to guide, to protect from a distance, and to remain separate."

The murmurs rose again, louder this time. Gabriel's argument was compelling, and Bastian could feel the weight of the council's consideration.

Zadkiel raised his hand. "We have heard enough. Gabriel. Bastian. Leave us while we deliberate."

The two angels exchanged tense glances before turning and leaving the chamber.