Their words, the sentences spoken with cold, clear logic, cut deep into me. Not that I hadn't thought about such things before—after all, Clara had told me that life is not a straight line but an endless cycle, a constant opportunity for choice, where we decide which path to take.
But now, sitting here, listening to the ruler and Michael speak about it as if analyzing a systematic law, something deeper stirred within me.
Because if it was true that angels chose human lives for themselves, and if their sole purpose was to change and improve, then it was equally true that once among humans, everything they once knew slowly faded away.
We are influenced by the world. The given era, our environment, and society shape us, and eventually, we lose control over our fate just like anyone else.
And if, realizing all this, we return as angels to do better in our next life… what guarantees that we truly will?
It's no coincidence that some children display exceptional talent from an early age, as if faint imprints of their past lives remain within them, carrying something forward.
But not just the good things. Traumas, fears, addictions, compulsions—they, too, can be inherited. And if someone keeps returning with the same struggles, they might sink deeper and deeper until they no longer remember who they originally were.
It must be a painful realization—to confront, with full awareness as an entity, that the life you chose did not unfold as planned. But making the wise choice isn't easy either.
How could we ever know when we are truly ready to return to a human life?
After all, our essence always begins as a new consciousness, a blank slate painted white, only to regain its colors upon our return.
And yet, there are so many things I have no answer for—things that here, in this earthly heaven, they speak of as undeniable truths.
My thoughts were wrapped in a similar conversation.
The situation was exactly as I had imagined it.
The ruler spoke softly after a brief silence:
— We must break this cycle.
Michael nodded, his face set in cold determination.
— More and more angels choose human life before they are ready. Those who stay among humans for too long begin to lose their independence and become easier to manipulate. Some cannot shed the burdens of their past lives and sink even deeper into their new fate.
The blonde general, who had been silently observing until now, leaned forward.
— What do you suggest?
Michael hesitated for a moment before speaking the words everyone secretly feared.
— We must prevent them.
Tense silence filled the room. I felt my muscles instinctively tighten.
— You're saying… — the general began, but Michael interrupted.
— I'm saying we must stop those who cannot act without their consciousness. They cannot descend if they are not ready. They cannot return unless they have been completely purified. Sending a wounded warrior to battle is a crime. They will not bring peace—only more wounds upon themselves.
The ruler looked at him grimly.
— Not everyone will agree with this.
Michael's eyes darkened.
— I don't expect them to. The world wouldn't be the world if we were all the same.
The next moment, a barely audible sound of footsteps broke the silence.
We were not alone.
The general immediately lifted his head and turned to Michael.
— Are you expecting someone?
Michael's gaze hardened slightly.
— No.
No one other than the guards should be inside the building.
Some of us rushed to the windows, while others checked the hallway. One of the warriors suddenly froze, then turned back to us.
— They've been taken out.
For a moment, silence reigned.
— The hallways are clear — another reported.
Then came the next report from the window:
— The ones outside… they're on the ground.
That was all we needed.
The small device in my ear started to buzz. A sharp, crackling voice came through my transmitter:
— Prepare for combat!
A hot wave of adrenaline surged through my body. Every muscle tensed, my reflexes instantly kicking in. Within a second, I moved to my designated position, joining the frontline warriors to protect the ruler.
We never touched him, never stepped into his aura, never restricted his movement. We simply surrounded him like a shield, our only goal to lead him to the nearest safe exit.
Michael moved as well. The ruler's face showed no shock, no fear. He didn't seem like someone who needed protection.
As we advanced, a strange thought flickered through my mind: maybe I was unnecessary. Maybe he truly didn't need to be guarded.
But I didn't let that thought affect me. The adrenaline burned through my veins, sharpening every sense.
By the time we reached the first hallway, we could already hear approaching footsteps. And we knew: there was no time to hesitate.