The sixth seraph was in a heated private conversation with Seraphine, Elizabeth, and Emilia. There was a halo around them that prevented anyone from hearing what they were talking about. They had been like that for about thirty minutes.
On the other hand, although it seems strange...
—I can't get used to this —Leslie looked at herself with a frown, placed her hand on her chest, and breathed deeply—. No air is coming in. She fell silent, not fully understanding it.
—We're really only present in soul —Daniela was also surprised. She even pinched her own hand—. But I can feel pain...
Seraphine's last words before leaving were that we should get used to our "new" body, with an amused smile before walking away.
The only strange thing about being present in soul is the sensation of not being able to breathe and not feeling hunger or thirst. Other than that, everything seemed normal and ordinary. Likewise, the colors in this place were dull; everything seemed gloomy and depressing, especially because of the uncomfortable silence that was everywhere. The hall seemed to be a place of rest, and this place, the home of the sixth seraph...
Evelyn was strangely silent, staring at the sixth seraph, her dull eyes glowing faintly. Getting a little closer: —Are you okay? —I asked her.
Evelyn looked at me and blinked a little, nodding her head. —It's nothing, it just feels familiar for some reason —she shook her head, saying I didn't need to worry about her.
Leslie, in the same way, approached and briefly looked at the sixth seraph: —I also feel some familiarity, but I don't know where it comes from.
Daniela simply shrugged, not knowing who she was, but couldn't hide her curiosity upon seeing her mother's friendly reactions toward that similar-looking woman. Her eyes widened: —Aunt? —she murmured to herself expectantly. Her only blood family is her mother, and she never spoke about her father. In her words, "I never had one", something that confused her sometimes.
Arthur remained silent; he didn't have much to say, at least for now. It's not like he knew much about the sixth seraph either, but... he still didn't understand why Seraphine decided to bring Leslie, Evelyn, and Daniela. And in addition to that, Emilia and Elizabeth. It was supposed to be just the two of them. Frowning, he thought: "Nothing good can come of this."
—Did your bet fail? —Lilit asked calmly while continuously twirling the pencil between her fingers. She wore glasses and her gaze never left the papers on her desk. She gave the image of a beautiful young woman, a totally serious office worker.
Avarice remained silent for a few moments before smiling. —So you already knew.
Lilit put down the pencil and looked at Avarice with a frown, raising an eyebrow: —Of course I know. After all, I placed a tracking spell on her body. I can see everything she does or everything that happens —she smiled placidly.
Avarice's smile twisted grotesquely and he shook his head. —You're terribly crazy.
—Thanks? —Lilit tilted her head and continued with what she was doing. After a few seconds: —What do you want? —she asked directly.
Avarice took a drag from a cigarette he pulled out of nowhere. The cigarette looked like it was made of pure gold.
—Even though the bet didn't go as I expected, I gained a lot and lost a lot. You could say it was a tie... but I don't want to think of it that way. After millennia of being gone, I even thought she was in the heavens, but it turns out she's been trapped in the abyss —Avarice took a deep breath while staring at Lilit—. Abyss... tell me, Lilit, how were you able to leave the abyss when the seraph of the abyss himself cannot?
Lilit remained silent and adjusted her glasses. Then she smiled. —Very direct.
—I don't like beating around the bush —Avarice said with a smile.
—You're a merchant. I don't think you came empty-handed. What do you have that might interest me? —Lilit asked with interest.
—I have nothing that might catch your attention... unless I bring you Arthur in chains and hand him over. Let's change the question instead: What do you want? —Avarice asked.
Lilit brought one of her fingers to her pursed lips. She shook her head for a moment before speaking: —How important is information to you, and how far are you willing to go?
—Far. As long as my soul remains intact, everything else doesn't matter —Avarice shrugged indifferently.
—Then, give me a small portion of your sin's essence —Lilit said quickly.
Avarice narrowed his eyes cautiously. —You're very crazy to try to break the seal —he took another drag from his cigarette, releasing golden smoke—. But it seems interesting. Maybe I can gain something from all of this —he nodded with a smile—. Alright —he finally said, before extending his hand. A golden halo emerged from his fingertips.
Lilit extended her hand, and a white gem appeared in it. The golden halo entered the crystal and it changed color. Lilit examined it and nodded with a smile. —Not bad.
—That's it? —Avarice asked.
—Yes, that will be all I need from you —Lilit shook her head.
—You're truly incredible —Avarice mocked slightly—. Now, answer my question.
—Speak to her conscience —Lilit only said three words and fell silent.
Avarice looked at her and frowned. —There are consequences...
—There are. If you lose control of yourself, of your thoughts, her mind will devour you and you will become someone else —Lilit replied seriously.
—A terrible curse... So I only speak to her. But how do I access the abyss?
Lilit replied: —An exchange. Accept a bit of her will and that's it, that simple. Though it's recommended to do it a maximum of three times. Well... that's the most our souls can handle.
—How many journeys have you made? —Avarice asked curiously.
—Two —Lilit replied—. They were such incredible journeys... —her eyes glowed with pink tones—. It's better if you go when they're gone. If you go now, I'll come after you.
—Calm down, woman. I have some matters to deal with first —Avarice stood up and, making a small bow, took his leave of Lilith