The women and children continue to read while the men are still discussing the final details of tomorrow's operation with Paul and Aphrodite, when suddenly ...

Stefan: Dad, Nic is calling you. Can't you hear him?

Jace and Nicolae, who apparently hasn't even opened his mouth, look at Stefan in amazement.

Jace: What are you talking about, Tiger? Nic didn't speak.

Stefan: What?

Stefan turns around and looks at his little brother.

Stefan: Are you kidding me? You just called Dad.

Nicolae: No, Stef. I swear. I'm reading right now. I didn't even open my mouth.

Stefan: But I just heard ... Whoa! Hold on a second!

He stands up and walks towards Artemis, who's sitting very close to Nicolae.

Artemis: What are you doing, Stef?

Stefan: Shh! Don't talk! Everyone be quiet for a second! Just for a second.

Everyone remains silent as Stefan kneels down in front of Artemis. He puts his hand on her stomach.

Stefan: JJ...? It was you, wasn't it? You just called me daddy, didn't you?

The sweet cartoon voice that only Stefan heard a while ago sounds again, this time much louder and clearer because it's so quiet in the room.

JJ: Yes, Daddy. It was me. I just called you and you finally heard me!

Stefan: What do you mean? Have you been trying to talk to me again?

JJ: I've been trying for days, Dad, but apparently your angel nature was asleep and you couldn't hear me.

Stefan: My what? My angel nature? What are you talking about, JJ? I'm not an angel.

The others, seeing that Stefan is speaking something one-sided, which they at least believe, begin to get annoyed.

Mary: What are you doing, Stef?

Stefan: I'm talking to my son, Mom. What do you think is so weird?

Matt: Of course! Nothing's weird. You're just talking to a fetus.

JJ: Uncle Matt is a little sarcastic, isn't he, Dad?

Stefan: Yes, JJ. Sarcasm is kind of like Uncle Matt's second nature.

Matt: Did he just say something about me? You know ... Don't you dare answer that!

At that moment, Artemis touches her belly a little surprised when Stefan hears his son's sweet laughter.

Artemis: Oh! I just felt him move!

Stefan: He just laughed, Baby girl.

Jace: Okay! This is ... Stef, what's going on?

Stefan: He's talking to me and I can hear him, Dad. That shouldn't come as a surprise to you. You and I did about the same thing.

Jace: That's right, Tiger. About! I couldn't hear you. I just felt you.

Stefan: Yeah. That was obviously because of our sleeping angel nature.

Jace: Our what?

Stefan: Our angel nature, Dad.

Elena's cry of surprise gets everyone's attention.

Sebastian: Elena...? What's the matter, baby? Another vision?

Elena: Yes! Yes!

Lois: Tell us, baby. Tell us what you're seeing.

Elena's eyes remain open. She doesn't even blink as she stares into space with blind eyes.

Elena: The prophecy ... The answers are in the story ... Angels ... Jonathan and Mariam ... The sun and the star of the dawn ... Love ... They chose each other ... She saved him and he followed her ... They chose love ... Their story ... Find the story.

The girl blinks sometimes as the vision fades and she returns to reality. Sebastian lifts her in his arms and she rests her head against his shoulder.

Elena: Oh, Daddy! This is so exhausting!

Sebastian: I know, baby, but you were amazing!

Elena: I hope Ι helped in some way.

Grandma Artemis: Actually, honey, you just gave us the end of the thread.

Spyros: What do you mean, mother?

Grandma Artemis: The angels who mentioned the girl. Jonathan and Mariam. I know them. I mean, I know their story. My husband kept talking about them.

Artemis: Grandpa?

Grandma Artemis: Yes, dear. Remember. Put the pieces together.

Artemis pulls her eyebrows together, trying to make sense of the connection.

Artemis: Grandfather always spoke of ... No! It can't be! Do you mean ...?

Grandma Artemis: It seems to be, dear. Everything fits. Everything makes sense now. Your grandfather was right. He felt it inside him. Nothing was random! You and Stefan ... It was meant to be.

Artemis strokes her belly.

Artemis: To give birth to the one who'll save love.

Grandma Artemis: Exactly!

Matt: Excuse me, Artemis duo, but would you be so kind as to include us in the discussion? You know, us, the common people who haven't understood anything yet?

Grandma Artemis: First things first, handsome! We have to do what the little girl said first. We have to find the prophecy.

Alexander: And how are we supposed to do that? We have no idea where to look.

Artemis: Grandfather said that the story would reveal the prophecy.

Sebastian: Yes, but what story exactly?

Jason: The story of Jonathan and Mariam, of course.

Grandma Artemis wags her finger at Jason appreciatively.

Grandma Artemis: I knew it, my Melanouri! I was sure there was a brilliant mind in that beautiful head of yours!

Jason: Uhh ... Thank you, I think, but ... What exactly is this "melanouri"?

Artemis, Anastasia, Johnny, and Zafira, who're speaking Greek, laugh while Spyros looks sternly at his mother.

Spyros: Melanouri, boy, is a very tasty and delicate fish, you know it as saddled sea bream, and that's why we Greeks use it to describe a very beautiful, attractive and ...

Spyros hesitates and Grandma Artemis rolls her eyes.

Grandma Artemis: Sexy, my son. Sexy. Say it, don't be ashamed!

Spyros: Yes. Sexy. A sexy person, man, or woman, with dark skin and hair.

Jason: Oh! Okay. Thank you for telling me that. At least that's what I think!

Artemis: Don't pay any attention to my grandmother, John-John. It always happens to her when beautiful men are around, but she's basically harmless.

Cecilia: Grandma Artemis, I really like you, but if you want us to get along, don't forget that this Melanouri is mine! Okay?

Grandma Artemis: What's wrong with girls today? They can't stand healthy competition. Jesus! In my day ...

Spyros: Okay! Why don't we go back to what we were saying before my dear mother says more and completely humiliates me?

Jace: I agree with my in-law.

Spyros: Really, Jace? In-law?

Jace: What? That's exactly what we are. In-laws. My son is going to marry your daughter.

Spyros: Whatever!

Grandma Artemis: Jace, do you actually know anything about these two angels?

Jace: Me? No. This is the first I've heard of them.

Grandma Artemis: What about you, Mary?

Mary: Same thing. I've never heard of them before.

Grandma Artemis: Well ... That makes sense, I guess, because your angelic nature is still asleep.

Stefan: What do you mean, grandma?

Artemis: You still don't get it, Stef?

Stefan: Get what?

Nicolae: Come on, Stef. Use your head. Jonathan and Mariam. The sun and the star of the dawn. They chose each other. What are the first people that come to mind when you hear these things?

Stefan and everyone else turn to look at the only people who fit this description perfectly.

Stefan: Nic, do you really think ...?

Nicolae: It makes sense, Stef. Everything makes sense.

Cecilia and Eva come up to Nicolae.

Cecilia: Nic, if what you say is true, does that mean ...?

Eva: It means that we also ... No, Nic. It can't be!

Nicolae: Why not, Eva?

Jace: What are you saying? Stop it right now!

Mary: Jace ... Maybe the children are right.

Jace: Why, Mary? Do you think we're those Jonathan and Mariam? And what? Did we rebel against God, like Samael, or did we escape from paradise at night to live out our love?

Alexander: Wait! Wait!

Jace: What?

Alexander: The name you said.

Jace: Which one? Samael?

Alexander: Yes.

Jace: What about it? Samael was the name of Lucifer before he fell and became the devil. Everybody knows that.

Alexander: Maybe, but after his rebellion God forbade that name. Only celestial beings are allowed to say it out loud, Jace. Not humans.

Mary: You mean you can't say the name Samael out loud?

As the name, forbidden to humans, passes Mary's lips, she closes her mouth in surprise.

Alexander: Yes, Mary. I can't. My voice gets lost when I try.

Alexander tries to say the name out loud, but although his lips move, his voice cannot be heard.

Alexander: Do you understand what I'm talking about?

A strange silence descends over the room. Everyone looks at each other, not knowing what to say, until ...

Sebastian: So, what are we waiting for? This is a test of the highest order. Let's all try to pronounce the name. That way, maybe we can figure out which one of us is human and who isn't.

Simon: You first, Wolf!

Sebastian: Very good. Samael.

Jared: I had no doubt about that.

Sebastian looks at Lois, who opens her mouth.

Lois: Samael.

Matt: Expected.

Damon: Samael.

Elena: Samael.

Simon: Two more in the bag. Now it's our turn.

Simon, Isabella, and the twins try, but none of them can say the name. The same happens with Jared, Chloe, Margaret, Logan, Jeanette, Matthew, Zafira, Johnny, and Jason, and finally Spyros, Anastasia, and Grandma Artemis. Artemis managed to say the name, but they concluded that it was because of JJ and decided to do the test again when the baby is out of her. Then it was the turn of Stefan, Cecilia, Eva, and Nicolae, who of course also found it easy to say the forbidden name. And we come to Matt and Lucida.

Alexander: Your turn, Lucy.

Lucida: Samael.

Matt: Oh, baby!

Johnny: Holy shit! I've fallen in love with an angel!

Sebastian: That makes sense, guys. Half of her DNA came from Mary.

Jace: And now it's your turn, Sweetheart.

Matt: Really, Perverted Fallen or whatever you are? Do you really think I'm more than human?

Jace: If I am, then you are too. I'm sure of it.

Matt: All right. Let's prove you wrong one more time. Samael.

As the forbidden name passes Matt's lips so easily, everyone turns to look at him in surprise as he, just like Mary, covers his mouth with both hands and shakes his head in denial.

Matt: No! No! This has to be a mistake! This can't be. No!

Jace: I knew it, damn it! I knew it!

Matt: The story! We have to find the story!

Lois: I think so too! There must be the answers we're looking for.

Sebastian: That's exactly the way it is! Maybe we can find out what we really are and what exactly brought us together.

Stefan: Do you think there's a connection between us?

Sebastian: Definitely, Stef. This is all too big to be coincidence. Do you remember Titan talking about a plan?

Stefan: God's plan.

Sebastian: That's it, Stef. It's time we finally learned what God has planned for us.

~ SEVERAL HOURS LATER ~ A TINY BIT AFTER DARK ~

Our heroes have spent the last few hours literally diving into the books. As you can see, the latest developments have been somewhat shocking to everyone, Celestials, and mortals alike, and especially to Matt, who still can't believe what's happening.

Matt: What am I, Alex?

Alexander: The angel of repetition, considering how many times you've asked me the same question in the last few hours.

Matt: Come on, don't make jokes! This is serious. I'm not human, Alex. Do you realize that?

Alexander: No one said you weren't human.

Matt: You said it. You said that humans can't say the name Samael out loud and I can, as you just heard again. So that means that I'm not human. What does that make me, Alex? What am I?

Alexander: I don't know, baby.

Matt: What do you think I am?

Alexander: If Jace and Mary are these Jonathan and Mariam, you must have something to do with them. Maybe you helped them do what they did back in the day.

Matt sighs.

Matt: If I suspect that I've been involved with the pervert since the beginning of creation, I'll go insane! Remember my words.

Alexander chuckles.

Alexander: I knew your bond was strong and strange, but I couldn't have imagined anything this big.

Matt: Oh, God!

Aside from our favorite Matt, the same goes for some of the other heroes in our story. Let's get a taste.

Jace folds the thick book he's reading closed and puts it on the table. He gets up and follows Mary, who's just come out onto the balcony. He walks behind her, brushes her hair aside and gives her a kiss on the back of the neck. She turns around and smiles at him.

Jace: What are you thinking right now, Angel?

Mary: Why are you calling me that? I mean, you've been calling me that since the first time you saw me. Why? What makes you do that?

He leans against the railing and shrugs.

Jace: I don't know what to tell you. Ever since I can remember, I've been searching for an angel ... My own angel.

She sneaks into his arms.

Mary: Who are we, Jace? Is it possible that we are these angels? And if so, what have we done? Why did we come to earth? Why did we leave paradise? Did we leave voluntarily or were we expelled? And our children ... What does this mean for our children? What if they're in danger because of us?

Jace: Whoa! Whoa! Calm down, Angel! Our kids are going to be fine.

Mary: How can you be so sure?

Jace: I can, because ... If we really are those angels, what we did couldn't have been that bad.

Mary: Why do you say that?

Jace: Because we did it out of love, Mary, and love ...

Mary: Love only brings happiness.

Jace: Yeah. Exactly!

Mary: You know what? If all this is true ... I don't regret it.

Jace: Why do you say that?

Mary: Because everything I did, I did for you.

Jace: Ah, Angel ...

Mary: I love you, Jace.

Jace: I love you too, Mary.

Stefan smiles as he walks out onto the balcony and sees his parents looking at each other with all the love in the world in their eyes. He clears his throat and they turn to look at him, smiling as well.

Jace: What's up, Tiger?

Stefan: Sorry to interrupt, but you guys need to come in. Alex found something.

Mary: What we're looking for?

Stefan: Maybe.

Jace: Let's see.

The three go inside. Jace and Mary sit down on their favorite chair and Stefan takes his place next to Artemis. Everyone else is already sitting around looking at Alexander, who's standing in the middle of the room, holding a big book in his hands.

Sebastian: Come on, Alex. We're all here. Tell us what you found.

Alexander opens his mouth and his deep voice carries our heroes back ... into the past ... far, far back ... eons back ... Thousands of years back to the moment of the birth of an angel!

~ GARDEN OF EDEN ~ALMOST TWO CENTURIES AFTER SAMAEL REBELLION ~

It's night. The stars shine in the clear, black sky and the moon provides the necessary light in the fully blossomed garden of paradise, which is full of angels. Angels dressed in white cloaks and golden sandals. Their colorful wings, depending on which class they belong to, swing behind their backs because they can't wait to see what's about to happen. It's like this every time a new angel is born.

Angels are beautiful. Their faces are flawless with their slender, symmetrical features. The slender noses, the bright big eyes, the luscious lips, and the strong hair that falls to their shoulders. They're all beautiful, but one of them stands out. Jonathan. The angel with the golden wings. The angel of the sun.

He stands there, right next to Michael and the other two archangels, Gabriel, and Raphael. There used to be four archangels, but after Samael's rebellion and banishment from paradise, his place remains empty. For some reason, God refuses to put anyone else in his place. But as I said, Jonathan stands next to Michael, and that's simply because the hierarchy wants it that way. The substitute leader must stand next to the leader. Oh, yes. Jonathan is Michael's deputy leader, second in the hierarchy. Second in command all of paradise.

God Himself gave him this post, but not by grace or because of his infinite beauty. Jonathan deservedly got this post when he alone prevented a great army of demons from entering the Garden. You see, Lilith hasn't yet gotten over her persecution from paradise and her replacement by Eve. That's why she often sends her demons to attack Eden, but each time they fall dead even before they pass the pearly gates. Anyway! That's another story. Let's get back to Jonathan.

As you can see, his promotion to Michael's general has earned him not only fame and glory but also some enemies, including perhaps the worst of all, Nathaniel, the Angel of Fire.

A vicious but at the same time very strong angelic warrior, who has been trying to rise in the hierarchy and take that position almost since the beginning of creation. He has achieved nothing so far because Michael Himself simply refuses to give him power. The archangel has perhaps grasped the essence of Nathaniel.

All the while Jonathan had many opportunities to kill Nathaniel on one of the countless occasions when he challenged him to fight, but each time before the killing blow came, Jonathan backed away, simply because, that's the greatest sin for an angel, to kill another angel. A brother mustn't spill the golden ichor of another brother. But we've said enough. Let's go back to the story.

As I said, Jonathan is standing next to Michael with his golden eyes fixed on the white cocoon in the center, which contains an angel. A new angel. A new angel that will be born at any moment.

Jonathan feels a little strange for the first time. He's drawn to the cocoon and feels a strange tightness, something like a hollow feeling in his stomach. There's also a feeling of excitement coursing through his body, making him more impatient than he should be.

This is very strange. Angels don't have feelings. They know about them, they can distinguish them, joy, sadness, longing, excitement, impatience, etc., but they can't feel them because angels simply don't have souls like humans.

Jonathan was therefore always envious of humans. Of their souls. He often flies down to earth and walks invisibly among people, just to be close to these complex but wonderful beings with all their fascinating feelings even from a distance.

Isn't it very strange then that he feels all these things just by looking at the white cocoon with the beautiful iridescent purple shadows on its surface? He was found in the birth of an angel before and felt absolutely nothing. Why now? Who is this angel that will be born? No! This is too much! Jonathan can't take it anymore, so he decides to ask Michael.

Jonathan: Michael, what do you know about the angel who's about to be born?

Michael: Not much. You know Father. He loves secrets. All I could find out is that she's a woman. But why do you ask?

Jonathan: I don't know. I feel strange.

Michael: Strange in what way?

Jonathan: I can't even describe it. There's something inside of me. Something is drawing me to this angel.

Michael chuckles.

Michael: You associate with humans a lot and let them influence you. Stop walking the earth for a while and you'll come to your senses.

Jonathan frowns and wants to answer Michael, but the heavenly sound of Gabriel's horn blocks him.

Michael: Apparently, you'll get your answers soon.

All the angels raise their heads, and immediately the stentorian voice of God, who never appears at such events, resounds loud and clear.

"Angels of Paradise ... My dear children ... Here is Mariam ... The Angel of the Morning Star".

The vibrations of the voice of the Creator Himself cause cracks in the otherwise impenetrable white cocoon, which opens in two, and from within emerges a brand-new angel with dark hair, large luminous violet eyes and two wonderfully soft, all-white wings. The most beautiful angel Jonathan has ever seen!

The angels begin to sing and Mariam looks around. As soon as her eyes fall on Jonathan, the earth begins to shake under the feet of the angels and he, shocked by what he sees, cannot control the sunlight inside him and it begins to grow stronger around him, turning the dark, moonlit night into a bright, hot day.

The other angels are forced to cover their eyes because they can't stand the strong, hot light, but not her. She looks him straight in the eyes without even blinking, and a few words pass her lips, her first words ...

Mariam: Jonathan ... My sun!