Chapter 2: The Garden, the Guard, and the Judgement
The air smelled like eternity.
Kevin's eyes fluttered open, pupils adjusting slowly to a garden that didn't obey the logic of Earth. Trees shimmered with leaves of silver and violet, their trunks pulsing with inner starlight. A stream ran upside down through the sky, its waters echoing laughter and secrets. Flowers the size of eagles bent toward Kevin's breath, as if tasting the scent of a soul not born of this place. The ground beneath him hummed. Gravity felt optional.
He sat up slowly, a sharp ache crawling up his spine. His hands trembled, still stained with memory... the crash, the cold, the unbearable grief.
And then he saw him.
Mikaeru, sitting cross legged again beside a floating pond, sipping from a cup made of folded wind.
"Welcome to Tengoku the divine realm," Mikaeru said, without turning. "I was starting to think you died for real this time."
Kevin scrambled to his feet. "What... where are we? What is this place?!"
"Garden of Tengoku," Mikaeru replied casually. "One of the last places still untouched by corruption. Relax. It's beautiful, isn't it?"
"No mean to brag but I live here... cool right."
Kevin's eyes darted across the shimmering expanse. "Beautiful? It feels like a dream trying to eat me."
Mikaeru chuckled. "That's actually quite accurate."
Before Kevin could ask another question, something shifted in the air. A weight. A soundless, invisible pressure crept into the garden like approaching thunder.
Kevin turned instinctively. "Something's coming."
Mikaeru raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Already sensing the Tenshi? Impressive."
"Tenshi?" Kevin echoed, confused.
In an instant, six figures burst into view like lightning wrapped in form. They wore luminous armor that radiated discipline and danger. Wings of every imaginable shape and pattern folded around their bodies... some made of light, some of crystal, some with feathers like blades. At their head stood a striking woman with crimson gold hair braided down her back, a scar crossing her cheek like a silent war medal.
The Vice Leader of the Tenshi Denshi.
Her voice rang like a blade drawn from ice. "Mikaeru. What are you doing in the Sacred Garden? And who is this mortal behind you?"
Mikaeru smiled like a man caught stealing candy. "Big sis! Is that really how you greet your charming younger brother after so long? Come now, can't you let me off the hook this once? For old time's sake?"
She did not smile. Her wings flared slightly.
"Your past deeds and fame no longer grant you immunity. Bringing a soul bearing mortal into the core of Tengoku is a violation of Divine Law. By decree of the Tenkai, you will be judged and punished accordingly. And the mortal... will be erased."
Kevin's heart dropped.
Mikaeru stood up slowly, brushing off dust that didn't exist. "Kevin. When I give the signal... run."
"Wait, woah what?!"
Mikaeru suddenly pointed behind the squad. "LOOK! The Tenkai is RIGHT THERE!"
All six Tenshi Denshi blinked.
None turned.
The Vice Leader stared at him, unamused. "You think that would work?"
Kevin stared at Mikaeru, utterly disappointed. "Dumb old poor man...That was your plan?"
Kevin stepped forward and immediately began to play his own card. He bowed low, palms together, voice panicked.
"Please, please! I was kidnapped! I didn't ask to come here! This weird man stole me from Earth! I don't know what he is, he was babbling about gardens and destiny... he tricked me! And brought me to this magical place. "
"Please, please can you take petty on this poor mortal soul, for i am a victim. "
The Tenshi Denshi remained unmoved. Their eyes like judgment set to melody.
"Nice try, seize Mikaeru" the Vice Leader said. She raised her hand. A soft chant began, ancient syllables curling from her lips like strands of divine fire.
"O heavn and earth hear my cry
For this lost soul... "
Kevin felt his body grow lighter... not in a good way. His skin tingled with unraveling.
"Wait, Wait Tariel please stop... " said Mikaeru
Being held by the other Tenshi.
Then, like a whisper through a storm, a new voice cut the chant in half.
"That is enough."
A man descended like a falling comet slowed to a breath. His wings were vast...4 of them, black and gold, folded like a judge's robe. His aura bent the garden around him.
A Tenshi Shihai. Second Sphere rank. Daigon...
He didn't look at Kevin. He stared at the Vice Leader.
"The Tenkai has requested their presence. Both of them."
The Vice Leader of the tenshi denshi, Tariel lowered her hand reluctantly.
"Understood."
The journey to the Golden Oval was neither long nor short. Time flowed strangely here, like syrup poured into stars. As they walked, Kevin and Mikaeru bickered.
"You are the worst celestial or divine being I have ever met."
"You haven't met many."
"You tried to make me run with look over there as your masterplan!"
"Classic moves never die... man."
"Where even is this place?! What is *Tengoku*?! Why am I here?!"
Mikaeru dodged like a dancer. "You're here because you matter... like the most important guest since ever."
"That's not an answer!"
"But it sounded cool, didn't it?"
Kevin groaned. "You're a clown."
"Guilty as charged."
As they neared their destination, the garden gave way to glory.
The Golden Oval rose before them, floating above a lake of light. Its walls were translucent gold, pulsing like a divine heartbeat. Above it spun entire starsystems , rotating in choreographed reverence.
They stepped inside.
Kevin gasped.
The Oval was not a room. It was a galaxy. Below their feet was an endless sea of reflections... each ripple a different universe. Mountains floated sideways. Islands drifted in columns of light. The sky inside the Oval bled auroras.
And at the center stood the Tenkai.
A woman cloaked in robes that shifted between galaxies. Her presence was serene yet crushing, like the weight of a decision before it's made. Beside her stood TenshiShin'en, the Guardian. His six wings wrapped around him like armor, silent and watchful.
The Tenkai looked at Mikaeru like a disappointed mother.
"Mikaeru. You act like a child who never learns the cost of mischief."
Mikaeru bowed dramatically. "And you act like a parent who never appreciates good jokes."
"You defied divine law. Again Mikaeru."
"Technically, I bent it. There's a difference."
"This is not a game, child. Your actions affect more than you."
"And yet here I am, standing as charmingly alive as ever your highness."
She sighed. Then her gaze moved to Kevin.
Her voice softened. "And you, mortal. What is your purpose? Why do you think you were brought here?"
Kevin blinked. "You're supposed to be... some kind of god, right? Shouldn't you already know?"
The Oval went silent.
Mikaeru let out a loud laugh. "HA! Best joke of the day."
The Tenkai's lips curled ever so slightly. "Yes. I should know. But I wish to hear your answer."
Kevin straightened. His voice steady.
"I live for one thing. For the people I cherish. I want to give everything back to them. I want to protect what I love. All I ask... is to be sent home. Please. I want to find my family."
The Tenkai paused. Then she said:
"How noble of you. But im afraid I can't allow that."
Kevin's heart fell.
"What do you mean you can't allow me to go back home. I didn't ask for this."
"Yes , you didn't. "
"The spear that pierced you... unlocked a deep ocean of Reikiatsu within your soul. That much divine energy cannot be allowed to roam on earth freely Earth. It would break the laws, disrupt the balance. The chains that protect Earth from the outside would unravel."
Kevin dropped to his knees.
"Please. I'll do anything. I cant afford to stay here. My family needs me. You can take it out of me right. Remove the energy thing. Just send me back."
Mikaeru's voice turned grave. "We can't. Divine law is absolute. What endangers the balance... is erased."
"Plus Reikiatsu can't be removed its something that attached with your soul."
"It would be suicide itself your asking."
Kevin's eyes flicked hearing this information.
"But," he added, stepping forward, "what if he stays here? If he trains. Learns to control the Reikiatsu. If he becomes someone who can exist without breaking the rules... then maybe, just maybe... he doesn't have to be erased."
The Tenkai studied Mikaeru.
Long silence.
Then she nodded.
"Very well. He will remain. He will be trained. He will go to Tenshi Denshi Island. There, he will learn control. Under the guidance of Tenshi Tariel."
"ME! mother..." Tariel said in shocked
"Yes you Tariel.. you know we can't leave Mikaeru with him."
"Ohhh wow , somebody is stuck with babysitting. " said Mikaeru.
Kevin exhaled. He nodded. "Thank you... Tenkai i appreciate it."
...
As Kevin was led away by members of the Tenshi Denshi, the Oval emptied.
Only Mikaeru, Tenshi Shin'en, and the Tenkai remained.
Her voice shifted... not cold, but heavy.
"You know what this means, don't you?"
Mikaeru looked out at the universes rippling below.
He was no longer smiling.
"Yes, mother. I'm willing to bear the blade that will strike Tengoku."
The Tenkai closed her eyes, whispering a phrase that rang like prophecy:
"Then may mercy stand where judgment falls, and may love hold the sword that law cannot."
The Oval darkened. The stars held their breath.
End of Chapter 2.