Chapter Text
The Trial room, the very same where the first redeemed sinner, Sir Pentious, had been chained and interrogated, before The Speaker of God flew down and revealed, through the snake's actions, that redemption was possible. And now, instead of a trial to prove redemption, was one to prove sin. An angel, a murderer, a monster, a creature of wrath that never belonged in Heaven, different names were circling in the different levels where the Holy Choirs sat, all to describe one person: Lute. She was standing there, in the middle, being stared down by every holy beings in this afterlife, chains on her wrists and wings dropped down instead of neatly folded behind her. She looked scared and angry, trying to pull out of the chains frantically.
Then, Sera spoke. "Silence!" she commanded the room. "We are gathered here to judge Lute, formerly an exorcist, who has been accused of attempting to kill the princess of Hell's lover out of revenge. She has repeatedly shown signs of rebellion and concerning wrath, as she cursed in front of the Speaker of God and has, many times, tried to convince the Court to declare war on Hell. Lute, what do you have to say for yourself?" she listed sternly. Emily, next to her, looked nervous.
Lute, looking up from where she stood all the way to the highest Choir as there sat the Seraphims, looked pissed. "Rebellion? I've been trying to avenge Adam, the first man, who you almost forgot about! You just accepted his death, like it isn't something important!"
"He died for the sins he committed. The Extermination was a mistake that he wanted, he therefore had to pay for it," said Power*, the head of the Powers Angels, the actual army of Heaven who were rarely seen inside the Pearly Gates as their job took place outside. Excpet for Power who was often with Sera to deliver reports and advise her on how to keep order.
It made Lute look less high, at least, as the Powers were in a lower Choir. "So we're just going to let the sinners get away with it? He didn't deserve to die, they do! They're the one who made countless horrible mistakes and ended up damned, not him!" she argued fiercely.
"He made countless mistakes too. So did you. We let you two have multiple chances, each of which you refused to take, the only solution I see is for you to fall and learn redemptiom," the power countered, glaring at the lower ranked angel, until Sera lifted her hand, a gesture to silence.
"Power is right, and I understand your pain, but you must understand that revenge is no solution. He died, and killing someone for it won't bring him back. But if you would accept the peace, accept to collaborate with Hell, you will stay with us, and we'll make sure you are helped through your grie--"
"I will NEVER ally with these filths!" Lute cutted through, pulling at her chains as anger rose in her.
Sera sighed, Emily looked down, Power gripped her weapons, and Abel, sitting next to Saint Peter, looked like he wanted to bury himself in the ground. None of this would be happening if he kept his mouth shut. The saint put his hand on his shoulder in support.
"Then you leave us no choice. Power, you may proceed," Sera declared.
Power flew down and landed in front of Lute, towering over her as she was about the same height as Sera, a few other powers beside her. The exorcist now looked scared. The chains disappeared, but she couldn't flee, as the guardian grabbed her golden arm and ripped it off. It wasn't painful, but she yelped from phantom pain. Then, all faded to black, as one knocked her out.
The portal in front of Power where Lute was just tossed out closed, and the guardians returned to their place before Sera called the Trial closed. She looked devastated, she despised banishing anyone, it broke her like when she had to cast out Lucifer. But it had to be done, and maybe she will come back as a better person, redeemed. It was a small hope she could cling onto.