Eva was right when she said that the capital city of the Nexus was a bit like New York, Los Angeles, London and Gotham City from the 1966 version of Batman combined. But that was an understatement.

If it was a real city in the entire world, it would put all the rest to shame and then some. I don't even think that Boston could ever compete with what I was seeing as I left the train station and took in the sights and sounds of this fast-paced yet humbling city.

Everything was so electrified yet rustic- a mix of the antebellum era for the Southeastern USA with a bit of modern-day technology: no cars that caused any smog or pedestrian problems but a few trams that ran on solar and magnetic energy; building that were as tall as the ones back home but had the Roaring Twenties sense that could be described as sensual and passionate; and people that came from all walks of life, going as far as the late 1700s up to the millennial period.

"Wow," I breathed, crossing the slightly-busy street while a police officer smiled and made sure that the waiting tram would let others cross without delay. "This is...I don't think I'm in Pleasantville, Boston, or even Kansas anymore."

It felt so intimidating, yet so realistically open and bright. Squaring my shoulders, I inhaled deeply and moved forward with the planned tour: a bit of window-shopping at a high-end department store that specialized in the retro-centric furniture and decor from the 1950s, enjoying some historic lessons at a museum that showcased life in America (that led up to the current time period), having a Parisian-themed picnic lunch at the spacious town park (which gave the same Central-Park vibes as the original did in New York City), and even allowed myself to get some new clothes at a menswear store (thanks to the monetary gift left by one of the seraphims when I arrived in the Nexus).

In between each adventure, I saw more and more people who seemed to know my name and my backstory- all of them nodding and wanting to meet with me for some function or other: a lunch date at a high-end restaurant, a private party at Pacifica Vista, a winter-themed masquerade ball somewhere in the rich part of the Nexus, and other events that seemed to be going on where anyone and everyone was invited to.

I'd bet that my mother wouldn't allow that to happen, her plans for a party only consisting of guests that were of her caliber.

All the same, the capital of the Nexus had a sensual vibe that had everyone coming back for more and more.

***************

"Hezekiah!"

I snapped out of my reverie just as I was leaving the movie theater to see the smiling faces of Salgiel and Catia, the latter holding a garment bag and a shoebox. "Hi," I greeted the duo. "What's up?"

"Louis said that you'd be here enjoying the sights and sounds," Catia replied. "I bet you're making some connections so far."

"If only you knew. I have enough invites to all sorts of parties and galas all throughout the Nexus that it's a bit daunting. But yeah, I am going to start allowing myself to enjoy what's in store here."

The angel smiled softly, nodding. "It's all about taking it one step and one day at a time," he assured me, "but you can start making some connections right now."

I cocked my head to the side. "How's that?" I wanted to know.

"God and Lucifer, did you read their letter yet?" Catia asked me.

I nodded. "Read it on the first day that I got here."

"Well, you'll soon know the reason why you're here when you meet them for tea," the cherubim commented. "And  they've been wanting to meet you for the longest, as you already know by now."

I knew better than to reject the Creator of the Universe and the keeper of eternal damnation for tea. By the by, do deities even drink tea? I inwardly shook my head, knowing better than to ask that question. "Well then, let's get me dressed and prepared to meet the duo," I said.

"Excellent," Salgiel chirped, leading me to a small compact electric car. "You'll get dressed in a room at the Savoy Suites Hotel. Then, Abaddon and Azrael will escort you to the private dining area where Our Maker and his brother will be waiting for you."

As Catia took the wheel, I had a strong feeling that something major was coming my way when it came down to this tea-time visit with God and Lucifer. I could only hope that I wouldn't make a fool out of myself.

************

A ten minute shower and ten minutes of getting dressed in a stylish business suit later, I was led by the arch-demon twins downstairs to the private dining area. "Looks pretty fancy, this hotel," I noted, taking in the sights of the stylish boutique hotel as people were enjoying themselves for rendezvous, an escape from the chaotic sprawl, or even a quick gathering for lunch or brunch. "No wonder that they chose this place for the tea."

"Nothing but the best," Abaddon hummed as we soon arrived at the hotel lobby, weaving through the arriving and departed guests until we made our way to a spacious fancy restaurant where a fresh-faced young woman greeted us. "They're expecting you," she told me as she motioned us to follow her through the dining area. Two minutes later, I was at the private dining area where a tea service was set up alongside random platters of small sandwiches, mini-pastries, and other finger foods were filling the large table.

But the two middle-aged men that were sitting down were the main attractions. Both of them had the "powerful beings" dominance that made me want to stop and bow deeply in reverence. The guy in the white business suit had platinum-blonde hair that was slightly gray, a five-o-clock shadow that was neatly trimmed, and a more athletic frame that reminded me so much of the football players back at school. He was definitely the Lord God Almighty Himself.

Lucifer, on the other hand, gave off a preppy version of a bad boy incarnate: jet-black hair cut low and styled perfectly, a similar athletic build yet slender in the waist that hugged his red-and-black suit perfectly, and a cat-eating grin that could melt any female if he was a real person.

In a way, both of them reminded me of Daniel Craig and Tom Ellis.

"Hezekiah Chamblee," God said, his voice powerful yet youthful. "We meet at last."

"Sir, it's a humbling honor to meet You and Lucifer both," I replied, bowing low.

"Ah, no need to feel intimidated, lad," Lucifer replied. "We may be the keepers of heaven and hell, but this is all about you for the moment."

"Indeed," God said, motioning for me to sit down while waitresses began pouring English tea and serving the finger foods with me settling for a cucumber sandwich and some fresh berries. "Hezekiah, I think it's best that we got to the main point of the matter, yes?"

I nodded. "I have had some questions since reading the letter that was sent to me when I first came to the Nexus," I replied.

"As my Brother and I expected," Lucifer commented, his  smile now gone. "Hezekiah, my brother and I have watched you grow and adapt to being labeled as the unloved child in your family. You could've chosen to rebel and accept my path of wickedness and revenge to spite the people. Instead, you picked the road that was full of hardships and suffering while staying true to my Brother's path. You've handled the rejections and the disappointments with such ease that I couldn't even help but wonder how you managed to stand strong."

"Minerva Jean Simmons, one of My faithful followers," God intoned, pausing to sip on His cup of tea. "She and the other maids and servants were the ones who kept him grounded. Not only that, his younger brother Cameron did show kindness while his twin and sisters followed in the ways of their parents- neither of them caring for Hezekiah, all because of the rapist."

"Who is in hell, just so you know," Lucifer pointed out. "Anyway, lad, the main reason why you were not eligible for eternal life in Heaven or another chance of life on Earth is because my brother and I didn't want to lose you all over again when we did when we created you."

I blinked twice. "What do you mean?" I asked, a bit of confusion lacing my voice.

God sighed, giving me a sad look. "Lucifer and I mainly created you as a possible seraphim," he explained. "We gifted you with the purest of hearts and a beautiful mind that can rivaled anyone's back on Earth. Unfortunately, a slight misstep placed you in the essence of the man who attacked your mother. And what's more, a bit of our essences mixed in with the one from your mother, thus sending you into a world where you'd never find a place to fit in. As Lucifer said, you had every opportunity to scorn My designs and curse Me. But you chose to embrace the good things in life as well as the bad- just like Job did despite his bouts of hopelessness. You had a feeling that you were different from the rest of your peers and family but never really knew why. It was only then when you visited the fortune teller that fateful day was when you knew that you had no connections on Earth- no true lifeline that could bound you to anyone. That's because you not only lost Chance to his family and your parents, but also had a special connection...to me and Lucifer."

I inhaled sharply, knowing that I had to ask the question that was plaguing my mind. "So...you're saying that I'm...Your son? Are you saying that I'm your and Lucifer's true son?"

Both men nodded slowly.

I couldn't believe it. I mean, I didn't want to question what they were saying since I knew they were telling the truth. But it was all too much.

"Son, I know that this is a LOT to take in for you," Lucifer said, noticing my look of disbelief, "but the fact never lies. Your true lineage as a demigod and a seraph is nothing to take lightly. Not only that, you weren't given a true chance to show everyone that you mattered. Other than the servants and Cameron, no one cared enough to be a family member or a friend to you. They just wanted you out of  their lives so they could dance through theirs. You withstood the trials and never complained even when you were at your lowest point. And now that you're here in the Nexus, Lucifer and I can hope that you can find your own identity here with a new journey."

"Agreed," God piped up as he got up out of his chair before approaching me, helping me to stand to my feet. "Oh, Hezekiah. The world robbed you of so many chances to prove yourself. But what was intended for evil is now meant for your good. And I am so glad to finally meet you not as the creator of life...but also as your biological father."

I nodded. "Thank you," I replied, my voice thick with emotion. "I just...I just don't know how-"

"It'll make sense in due time," Lucifer assured me, cutting me off as he and His Brother pulled me in for a hug. "If it helps, there's a network of seraphims and random humans who make excellent therapists- some of which help newcomers like you adjust to your new life here in the Nexus. It'll do you lots of good to speak to one of them."

I nodded. "I can get with that."

God gave me a heavenly smile that could make the sun look like a piece of Lemonhead candy. "There's a whole new world here in the Nexus waiting for you to discover, My Child," He said. "And while you were denied everything on Earth, I want you to experience it all here."

The rest of the afternoon tea went without much discussion as the deities got to know me a little better and vice versa. All too soon, it was time for me to head back out to the Axis with both of my divine fathers gifting me with a shopping spree to enhance my wardrobe as a newly-arrived Catia took charge of escorting me. "We'll be keeping our eyes on you, Hezekiah," Lucifer said as we exchanged goodbyes. "And don't be surprised if you see one or both of us dropping in for a visit. We are family, after all."

I smiled wanly. "I can't wait," I told him.

God nodded. "There is one more thing in regards to Miss Slade," He intoned. "Gabriel, Michael, and Louis has informed me of her visit to your home earlier today and she was insistent on you staying away from Mr. Dalton. We've had our eye on her as well before you arrived. And despite what she desires, Chance is not meant for her as she is not who she says she is."

Now THAT had my attention. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"All you need to know is that our arch-demons and archangels are keeping watch over her as Louis and St. Peter are doing a deep investigation on her background," Lucifer commented. "If you suspect of her threatening you or anything that's out of the ordinary or if she does come by your home unannounced, you are to inform me or Salgiel as soon as possible. We'll have hidden guards to keep you safe, son. All the same, Hezekiah, Catalina Slade is going to be quite a problem if my suspicions are right."

I nodded, turning to the female cherubim. "Might as well add a new phone to the list of things to get."

"Right," she agreed. "Let's get you fitted for a new wardrobe, Chamblee."

What a day I'm having. A visit to Axis turns into a family reunion with both God and Lucifer as my real dads. Wait until the others hear about this!

What a chapter, am I right? Hezekiah was actually meant to be a seraphim AND he's both God and Lucifer's kid?! Wow, just wow! I bet y'all didn't expect that to drop on you, didn't you?! All the same, this is only the beginning of the many secrets that would be revealed in due time!

But coming up next, it's memories of being in boarding school for the summer as Hezekiah enjoys a twilight swim. Stay tuned!

Dedication: MarCafeWrites.

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