"Only a few days have passed, and Satan has already started to exercise his power." Samael shook his head with a small chuckle. He was riding on Pan as they put distance between the forest and themselves. "The fool. And he thought that he was fit to be a leader."

"My lord has never demanded us to kneel. Actually, you requested that we don't, while he, that was the first order that he made." A bear-like shadow grumbled beside him. He spat on the gravel ground. They were walking beside him, explaining to him what was going on in Inferno.

"Actually, my lord, the main reason why I came is the tablet we got." Gaap interrupted, walking closer. He looked like a child-like version of Beelzebub. He nodded to the creature with the bull's upper body and the human lower body, who was clutching the tablet in both hands like it was a treasure. "It looked important."

"What day is today?" Samael asked.

"It's Wednesday," Beelzebub said.

His working hours. Samael patted the beast on the neck, signalling it to stop.

Samael narrowed his eyes at the bull and stretched out his hand.

The creature trembled as it handed over the tablet.

Samael skimmed through it. Ayinel requested a meeting. "What does he want?"

The bull-like creature barely breathed as Samael skimmed through the tablet.

Beelzebub shrugged. "I wouldn't know, my lord."

"I'll contact him when we rest." Samael returned the tablet to the nervous creature. "And you three? Are you staying with us or returning to Inferno?"

Bull-like Shadow's gaze darted around, then his eyes stopped on Samael, his eyes gleaming. "We can stay?"

"If you want to," Samael said. "Well, decide and let Gaap know." He patted Pan's neck again, and the beast began walking.

By midday, they took a break. The sun's heat pressed down hard. The Shadows set up tents and canopies. The animals claimed some canopies for themselves, sending a few Shadows elsewhere to rest.

Using a crow, Samael contacted Ayinel. The angel appeared after a few minutes.

"What's the rush?" Samael didn't invite Ayinel inside the tent but hovered before the tent's entrance, legs folded. He waved Ayinel to do the same.

Ayinel followed his example.

"What do you want?"

"Why are you always so unwelcoming?" Ayinel sighed as he pushed the tassel of long brown hair off his shoulder. "Why wasn't I able to sense your presence?"

"Could you ever?" When Ayinel frowned, Samael explained, "It's my default cloaking. Only Lucifer can sense me. As for the Shadows – do you really have to explain it to you – their energy's too weak for angels to pick up?"

Ayinel glared, but then sighed again. "What are you doing in the Fifth Heaven with a large group of Shadows? I won't ask if God approves—if she didn't, you wouldn't be here. But why?"

"Can't we have a little breather, a holiday?" Samael combed his fingers through the tassels of his golden hair. "I promised them some sightseeing. Now, what do you want?"

Ayinel shook his head and gave him a long gaze. He sighed again. "Something big is happening."

"So?"

"You never take anything seriously, do you?"

Samael casually flicked a stray curl off his shoulder. "I take things seriously. I just choose what to care about."

Ayinel sighed, frustration flashing on his face.

"Fine. Why are you telling me this?" Samael glanced over Ayinel's shoulder to see one of the Pans showing its fangs and snarling at a Shadow that dared to come too close to it.

"I believe it will affect all the heavens. Lucifer's been harassing God. She feels humanity and the Watchers weren't punished enough for their action."

"So, this is why she's been quiet." Samael snorted. "Humans were nearly wiped out, and the few who survived only did so thanks to the Watchers." He leaned back, considering it. Lucifer had always been persistent, but... He then registered what he said. "She wants them all dead, doesn't she?"

"Most likely."

Samael leaned forward, resting his cheek on his palm, golden curls cascading over his shoulder. "I'm not too fond of them, the humans. They are too wavering in their faith and, in so many cases, such a disappointment. But wouldn't it be boring without them? Not to me, of course. I have Shadows to entertain me." Even though, even among Shadows existed those greedy for power. But since he had complete authority over Inferno and the Reformatory, that wasn't something he couldn't manage. "I doubt she would get her way, but God rarely refuses her. Even though..."

"To you, humans are just entertainment," Ayinel's voice was calm, but there was a layer of annoyance in it. "Not that I expected anything else from you. They are not without faults, but angels are not perfect either. You included."

When he was part of the Second Heaven, he was a tempter and he had seen the darkness of the human soul but also their light. They were an important part of the balance of the creations. God gave them a purpose, and that purpose needed to be preserved. "You want me to speak with God, don't you?"

"If you would be so kind. Humanity is tied to creations, and their influence is stronger than angels. They need to be protected from extinction."

Samael stretched out his hand, palms upward. "Where is my tribute?"

"Really?" Ayinel gave him a look.

"I'm doing your job again. You don't expect me to do it for free, do you?"

"You're doing me a favour. I'll own you one."

Samael narrowed his eyes as he studied Ayinel's face. "Are you trying to say nobody sent you?"

"The rest of the Thrones don't believe God would yield to Lucifer's request, not on this."

"But you believe Lucifer would prevail?"

"She can be manipulative, not as you, though—"

"Hey, I resent that." Samael glared at Ayinel.

"You are manipulative." Ayinel gave him a look.

"That's only because my work in Second Heaven required it," Samael said. "You wouldn't understand. You can't tempt humans and test their faith without digging into human nature and presenting them with their deepest desires and fears."

"You may call it a test, but we both know it's more than that," Ayinel said, his gaze steady. "Temptation doesn't stop at revealing desires. Sometimes it goes beyond what's necessary. You push them, but not always in a way that allows them to resist. It's not always about faith—it's about control, and you enjoy that."

"Now you sound like Mitzy and those cronies that follow him. That's not true. And you really don't believe that. If you did, you wouldn't be here asking for my help." Samael's gaze darkened. It was never about control. Never. If it was, he would still be in the Second Heaven, dutifully fulfilling his role as a tempter. A role that, over the millennia, had left him jagged and tired, full of disappointment in humans. He just wanted to be at peace, away from humans, watching from afar while he tended to his own domain.

"I'm sorry."

"No, you're not."

Ayinel sighed. "Will you talk to God?"

"I'll try."

Ayinel gave him a small smile. "That's all I ask."