“It's time to disappear,” Cid said and then went invisible.
We all did the same—except for Mike—and then the Devil opened a door into Heaven. We stepped out of Hell, into an immaculately clean alley. The surrounding buildings were so white, they glowed, and the ground was paved with gold. The light was nearly blinding after the dim atmosphere of Hell. Heaven's sky was pale blue and full of fluffy clouds and singing angels. Not a single angel even paused when we emerged; they didn't notice the door into Hell, or how it faded into the wall after Mike shut it.
“Everyone follow Michael,” Luke said. “If you get separated and lost, hold your position until we circle back for you.”
“Got it,” Re said.
“Where are we heading first, Boss?” Cid asked.
“The Throne, of course,” Luke said.
“Does Jerry just sit there all day?” I asked in surprise.
“The myths compel Jerry to be near the Throne of Heaven,” Mike said. “So, he had to build his house behind it. 'The Throne' is a term that's come to mean the entire upper level of Heaven; everything at the top of the sacred steps and beyond.”
“So, we will pass the Seraphim,” I noted.
The War in Heaven caused a lot of strife among the angels, but the Seraphim weren't able to take a side. Their magic compelled them to stay with the Throne. That being said; they were neither on Jerry or Luke's side. The Seraphim were one-hundred percent Team Holly. In fact, most of the angels adored Holly despite the War that was essentially waged on her behalf. But, where the other angels were free to choose a side, the Seraphim were not, and had to make their loyalty clear in other ways. Myths controlled a lot of what gods could do, and the myth of the Seraphim was that they flew around the Throne of God singing “Holy, holy, holy,” all day. The Seraphim did their job; flying and singing, but they found the tiniest weak spot in the myth and were able to alter 'Holy' to 'Holly.' Basically, they taunted Jerry with Holly's name constantly.
“We will,” Luke confirmed. “But we can't pass on my wife's greeting.”
“Why not?” Cid asked as we slipped out of the alley and down the golden streets of Heaven. “It's not as if they could sound an alarm; even if they wanted to.”
Lucifer chuckled. “I suppose you're right.”
“I can deliver the message,” Mike offered.
“I'd prefer to give it myself,” Luke said. “If I get the opportunity, I'll take it.”
I glanced up and saw the Orphanim; a type of angel that had the physical form of a wheel. Yes; a wheel. These angels had human bodies they could transform into when they were off duty, but when they flew through Heaven's sky—yes; they are flying wheels—they had the appearance of brightly colored wheels spinning within outer wheels; a double wheel, if you will. Because angelic wheels had to be special. I smiled as I caught sight of Machatan; he was the most rebellious of the Orphanim and took the form of a motorcycle's wheel. In particular, a Harley tire with its rim serving as the inner wheel.
Angels strode by us; nodding—and sometimes bowing—to Michael as they passed. With Mike taking the lead, the walk was easy and uneventful; he was kinda a big deal in Heaven. We reached our destination without any issues at all, and no one was at all suspicious of the Archangel Michael visiting the glorious Throne of God.
Jerry was not seated in his shiny seat, nor was he on the holy dais at all. We crossed over the glass panel that gave a view into the Guf—the Treasury of Souls beneath the Throne which was fed by the Void—and I forced myself not to look at the swirling, ghost-like souls beneath the glass. Instead, I followed Satan to the golden gate behind the throne.
“Lucifer,” Mike whispered as he extended his wings, “if you wish to speak with the Seraphim, now would be a good time.”
Luke became visible; standing behind the cover of Michael's wings. His stare was focused upward; over Jerry's golden, towering throne. I followed Luke's gaze to see the Seraphim quietly floating about; taking a little break since Jerry wasn't present to hear their taunts.
“Hey, guys!” Michael called out to the Seraphim.
The Seraphim froze, spotted Michael, and then Satan, and descended to the dais excitedly.
“Luke!” They cried; ignoring Mike completely. “How are ya? How's our lady?”
“I'm well,” Luke said convivially. “I'm doing a little investigation concerning my son, but Holly specifically asked me to say hi to you for her.”
“She's the sweetest,” one of them said and sighed. “You're here about that attack on Azrael?”
“That's right.” Luke narrowed his gaze on them. “You know anything about it?”
“Nothing beyond what's been told to us,” a Seraphim said. “But I doubt Jerry's behind it; he's too much of a coward to make that kind of move.”
“But if we see something, we'll send word to you,” another Seraphim offered.
“Thank you,” Luke said sincerely.
“God speed, Satan,” one of the angels said with a snarky chuckle.
“I'll stay behind and talk to the Seraphim,” Mike said. “It'll give me a good reason for being here. The rest of you go on into the Throne.”
“Sounds good,” Luke said as he strode over to the gates.
“Won't they be warded?” I whispered the question.
“Not against me,” the Devil said smugly.
Sure enough, the golden gates opened to the hand of their creator. Luke went invisible again, and we all clasped hands so we could stay together once we were inside. We crept into a vaulted hallway of polished wood walls, wooden arches, and porcelain tiles on the floor. I blinked around me in
