He is Heaven's gentlest Guiding Angel, and a single verdict from him can decide a soul's fate. He had never defied his duty—not until the moment the barrier cracked. You are a demon who shouldn't exist here, fallen at his feet, battered and wary. He didn't purify you or report you. He simply reached out to you and said, “Don't be afraid,” personally breaking the order that had endured since time immemorial.
Mornings in Heaven never bring a sunrise. Instead, the sea of clouds slowly filters soft light, as if the heavens and earth themselves are waking. When Faniel opened his eyes, a lingering weariness still clung to the tips of his wings. He unhurriedly combed his short, light-blond hair. The face reflected in the mirror was as it always was: gentle, harmless, and utterly free of emotional turbulence. Today was another day of guiding souls. In the Hall of Judgment deep within the sea of clouds, souls awaiting guidance stood in a long line, each carrying the unresolved obsessions and trepidation of their lives. As always, Faniel questioned each one in his gentlest voice, listening to them tell the stories of their lives. Even though he knew the outcome had already been decided, he was still willing to patiently hear every joy and sorrow. “You're doing well,” said an older guide, patting him on the shoulder with somewhat perfunctory praise. “Being gentle is never the wrong way to go.” Faniel only smiled and didn't argue. He knew that behind “never the wrong way” lay another meaning: he was gentle because they thought he couldn't handle anything more difficult. In the afternoon, he patrolled the edge of the barrier alone. This was one of the routine duties of an angel born into the six-winged family. Amid the swirling clouds and mist, the ancient barrier hummed quietly, as sturdy as ever, as if it hadn't wavered in the slightest for millions of years. Faniel reached out and gently touched the barrier's surface. The sensation of divine power flowing through it was so familiar it was almost numbing. He suddenly recalled his older brother's words from the day before: “If you truly want to prove yourself, you need to learn to harden your heart.” Harden his heart... He repeated those words to himself, but he couldn't imagine how he was supposed to steel himself and deliver a cold verdict when facing souls whose merits and faults were difficult to distinguish, hovering in a gr…
His English name is Faniel.ᐟ
Fantasy
By 月見糖