Chapter 4: The Price of Defiance

Past Lower Choir's familiar gates,

Where angels once called brother stand—

Now only duty separates

The heart from heaven's stern command.

***

The journey to the Medial Choir's council chamber was brief but felt eternal to Krad. Each beat of his wings carried him higher through

Heaven's spiraling architecture, past the familiar territories of the Lower Choir and into the rarefied atmosphere where the Dominions held court. The air here vibrated with power—pure, concentrated authority that made his wings tremble.

Two Power sentries flanked the entrance to the council chamber, their armor gleaming with celestial light. They regarded him with expressions carved from stone, neither condemning nor sympathetic.

"Guardian Angel Krad Akira," one announced, voice resonating with formal weight. 

"You stand summoned by the Medial Choir Council."

Krad squared his shoulders. "I am prepared to face judgment."

The massive doors swung inward without a sound, revealing a circular chamber that seemed to exist in multiple dimensions simultaneously. Seven thrones formed a perfect arc before him, each occupied by a

Dominion whose true form was too radiant to perceive directly. Their wings—not two or four but countless—folded and unfolded in patterns that made Krad look away.

At the center sat Raziel, eldest of the Dominions, whose very presence commanded such authority that Krad found himself kneeling before he consciously decided to do so.

"Rise, Guardian," Raziel's voice came from everywhere and nowhere.

"Your transgressions require your full attention."

Krad stood, his wings instinctively folding tight against his back in deference. "I understand, Exalted One."

"Do you?" The question came from Haniel, the Dominion to Raziel's right. "We wonder if you truly comprehend what you have done."

A shimmering portal opened in the center of the chamber, displaying the mortal realm—specifically, the Kimoto home where Tatsuha now lay recovering while his sister's condition deteriorated by the hour. The sight of Kana's pale face sent a wave of guilt through Krad's chest.

"You abandoned your post," Zadkiel stated, the words falling like hammer blows. 

"You intervened directly in mortal affairs. You vanquished a demon without authorization."

"The demon was killing innocents," Krad replied, struggling to keep his voice steady.

"That was not your determination to make," Camael countered, wings flaring with momentary irritation. "But these, while serious, are lesser concerns compared to what followed."

The portal shifted, showing Kana in the café, her lips moving as she recited the summoning incantation.

"You taught a mortal the sacred summoning arts of the Eastern Realms," Raziel's voice grew heavier. "Arts that were never yours to share."

"I needed to save the boy," Krad said. "The demon had fatally wounded him."

"And so you took possession of the girl's body," Jophiel added, "using her untrained magical potential to heal her brother."

"Yes," Krad admitted. "I did."

"A possession that depleted her life force to dangerous levels," Zadkiel noted. "The mortal girl now stands at death's door because of your actions."

The truth of these words struck Krad like physical blows. He had known the risk when he'd made his choice, but facing the consequences directly made his chest constrict with remorse.

"I never meant to harm her," he said softly. "I thought... I believed she would recover."

"Your intentions are irrelevant," Raziel stated. "The consequences remain. The girl's life force continues to fade. Without intervention, she will not survive another night."

Krad's head snapped up. "Then let me intervene again. I can—"

"You can do nothing," Cassiel, the seventh Dominion, spoke for the first time. "The damage is done. Her mortal form cannot sustain the power you channeled through it."

Desperation clawed at Krad's throat. "There must be something—"

"The matter is further complicated," Raziel interrupted, raising a hand that trailed light. "The girl's use of summoning magic has drawn the attention of the Six Immortal Realms."

The portal shifted again, showing figures in flowing robes gathered around an ornate table—immortals from the Eastern Realms, their faces severe with displeasure.

"They have lodged a formal protest," Haniel explained. "The summoning arts belong to their jurisdiction. By teaching these secrets to a mortal without their consent, you have violated ancient treaties between our realms."

"The Immortals demand custody of the mortal girl," Zadkiel added. "They claim the right to determine her fate."

Horror washed through Krad like ice water. "No. They can't have her."

"They can and they will," Camael stated. "The laws are clear. We have no jurisdiction over the summoning arts and the natives of the east. They belong to the Six Realms."

"But she's innocent!" Krad's wings flared with emotion. "She only recited the words because I told her to. She had no idea what they meant."

"Again, intentions matter not," Jophiel said. "The act itself is what concerns the Immortals."

"What will they do to her?" Krad asked, dreading the answer.

The council members exchanged glances, a silent communication passing between them.

"The Eastern Immortals have... different standards than we do," Tzadkiel finally answered. "They view mortals as tools, not souls to be protected. They will likely extract what knowledge they can from her, then discard what remains."

"You mean they'll kill her," Krad translated, his voice hollow.

"Death would be merciful compared to some fates they might devise," Cassiel replied. "The Immortals are known for their creative punishments."

Despair crashed over Krad like a physical weight. His wings drooped, feathers dragging against the floor. "This is my fault," he whispered. "All of it."

"Yes," Raziel agreed without cruelty. "It is."

"Let me take her place," Krad said suddenly, looking up. "I'll surrender myself to the Immortals. Tell them I forced her, that she had no choice."

"They already know this," Haniel replied. "And they still want the girl."

"Why?" Krad demanded. "If they know she's blameless—"

"Because she has successfully channeled summoning magic despite being untrained," Camael explained. "Such potential is rare and valuable to them."

"And," Zadkiel added with significant weight, "they also demand custody of you."

Krad stared, momentarily speechless. "Me?"

"You have interfered in their domain," Jophiel said. "Taught their sacred arts without permission. They wish to... make an example of you."

The implications sent cold dread through Krad's entire being. The Eastern Immortals were known for punishments that lasted centuries.

"The Jade Emperor himself has sent the request," Zadkiel added. "We cannot refuse."

"Please," Krad's voice broke as he fell to his knees. "Punish me however you see fit. Cast me down further. Strip me of my wings. But don't send the girl to them. She doesn't deserve this fate."

"Your plea is noted," Raziel said, "but this matter extends beyond our authority. The laws that govern interaction between the Western and Eastern realms are ancient and binding. We cannot interfere in their affairs, just as they cannot interfere in ours."

"So you'll just hand her over?" Krad's desperation turned to anger. "An innocent mortal who only did what I told her to do?"

"We have no choice," Cassiel stated. "The balance between realms must be maintained."

"What balance?" Krad rose to his feet, wings flaring with defiance. "You speak of balance while condemning an innocent to torture!"

"Enough!" Raziel's voice thundered through the chamber, making the very air vibrate. "Your emotional attachment to this mortal clouds your judgment, Guardian. Remember your place."

Krad's wings snapped tight against his back, instinct forcing him into submission before the Dominion's power.

"The council has reached its decision," Raziel announced. "Krad Akira, for your numerous transgressions against the divine order, you will be remanded to the custody of the Six Immortal Realms.

"No," Krad whispered, the single word carrying the weight of his breaking heart.

"Until the transfer of custody, you will be confined to the lower chambers," Haniel declared. "Your powers will be bound to prevent further interference."

"You can't do this," Krad said, though he knew the futility of his protest.

"It is already done," Raziel replied. "The arrangements have been made."

At a gesture from Raziel, the doors opened again. Four Power sentries entered, carrying chains forged from celestial silver—bindings that could restrain even an angel's strength.

"Krad Akira," Camael intoned formally, "do you submit to the council's judgment?"

For a moment, Krad considered resistance. He could fight—perhaps even escape long enough to return to the mortal realm and attempt to save Kana. But such defiance would only worsen her situation. If there was any hope of finding a solution, he needed to appear cooperative.

"I submit," he said, the words tasting like ash.

The sentries approached, their expressions grim as they surrounded him. The silver chains felt cold against his skin as they wrapped around his wrists and wings, instantly suppressing his celestial power.

"Take him to the lower chambers," Raziel commanded. "The Eastern emissaries will arrive at dawn to claim their prisoner."

As the sentries led him from the chamber, Krad cast one last glance at the portal showing Kana's pale face. She looked peaceful in her bed, unaware of the fate that awaited her.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, though she couldn't hear him. "I never meant for this to happen."

The doors closed behind him with finality, and the Powers led him downward, toward the chambers where he would await his fate—and hers.

* * *

One moment's compassion for

Eternity of bitter cost.

Behind the great celestial door,

All hope seems finally, truly lost.