Seraphina paced the length of the grand chamber, her golden armor catching the ethereal light that filtered through the crystalline walls of their pocket dimension. The space had always felt like a sanctuary, carved from reality itself in those desperate days after the Flood. Now it felt more like a cage.
"They dare send envoys," she said, voice sharp enough to cut glass. "Aphrodite on the battlefield, and now this… summons. Lucifer thinks he can dictate terms to us?"
Elara stood near the shattered remains of the scrying orb, hands clasped tightly to hide their trembling. The young nephilim had barely recovered from the backlash. "It wasn't a demand, my lady. More… an invitation to parley. Athena herself delivered the message through the veil. She spoke of mercy. Of choosing a different path."
