Only God

On this day,

God desired to cleanse the wings of the Great Angels.

It appeared to be a sudden impulse; none of the Great Angels were prepared.

Solamus still remembered how it had happened, when he had just returned to God's throne from a part of Heaven. He had barely arrived when he suddenly heard God say,

"Solamus, call all the Great Angels here, I want to cleanse your wings."

The event was so abrupt that the Angel Leader was caught off guard.

He instinctively refused, saying,

"God, how can you cleanse us? It should be us serving you, as we always have done."

Chen Yi looked at Solamus and smiled a little, saying,

"I have my reasons, but I cannot tell you yet."

It was only then that Solamus came to his senses. The Great Angels discerned an undeniable authority in God's words.

"But why..."

Solamus silently wondered, extremely confused. However, he still rose from the throne and went to summon the other Great Angels as God had instructed.

Chen Yi watched as the figure of the Angel Leader disappeared into the clear Cloud Sea.

He sat on the throne, like a supreme King overseeing his subjects, His body radiating light, His gaze unwavering, as if pondering on someone's behalf.

"Schiller, will you come?"

Chen Yi muttered to himself softly.

No one heard, and God's voice was full of melancholy.

He was everlasting, like all rivers that flow into the sea which never overflows; yet endless time passed beneath His feet, and all things were changing.

In the eyes of mortals, the life and death of the flesh are more significant than that of the soul; in the eyes of the Gods, the life and death of the soul outweigh that of the flesh; but in His eyes, both soul and body were merely vessels, life and death just water poured from one cup to another.

Chen Yi knew that, in his current eyes, many things that were as weighty as mountains had lost their meaning, while things as light as feathers were imbued with new significance.

And now, he had noticed a change in Schiller.

Even Solamus did not know that it was for Schiller that he had given such an order.

Solamus traveled to various parts of Heaven. This diligent Angel Leader, respected throughout Heaven, communicated God's will without any of the Great Angels doubting him, though they were puzzled. Whether busy or idle, the Great Angels did their utmost to come before the throne.

"Everyone has been informed, even Kara, only Schiller remains."

Solamus said to himself.

The reason he left Schiller to last wasn't due to any prejudice towards him, but because Schiller was deep within the Celestial Kingdom; reaching him would take time. Additionally, he was aware that Schiller seemed to hold some resentment towards him, which is why he was now going to notify Schiller.

While traveling through the vast starry sea, for some reason, Solamus vaguely sensed foreboding, though he couldn't specify what was wrong. He could only hasten to reach the Sea of Souls.

When another Great Angel's figure appeared in the Sea of Souls, the Fairies swiftly informed Schiller, and the supreme Great Angel received the Angel Leader there.

After Solamus conveyed his purpose, he noticed that Schiller's eyelids were drooping, seemingly hesitating.

The Angel Leader felt somewhat puzzled but did not voice it, only waiting silently.

Why was Schiller hesitating so much?

Was there something here he couldn't bear to leave behind?

Previously, when Solamus notified the other six Great Angels, none had shown hesitancy like Schiller.

After what felt like a long time, even Solamus started to grow a bit impatient.

Suddenly, Schiller spoke:

"I cannot leave this place; here lies a mission bestowed upon me by God."

Solamus was stunned, finding it hard to believe that Schiller would actually refuse to obey God's command to return to Heaven.

"Do you know what you are doing?"

The Angel Leader collected his thoughts and asked out loud.

"I am clearer about it than anyone else."

Schiller spoke slowly, with a hint of regret,

"I too would like to see God, but we have eternal lives; what difference does it make if we don't meet this time?

God said He wants to cleanse our wings, but we are Great Angels, born from the spirit of God and without blemish, how could we need cleansing?

I think, God says this merely to bestow more grace upon us, but we have already received plenty of grace. Right now, the mission God gave me is more important."

Solamus found it difficult to argue against these words, as Schiller presented a strong and logical case. The mission given by God was so critical that it allowed no room for negligence...

Moreover, God had not said that the Great Angels must come.

With that in mind, after advising multiple times, Solamus stopped trying to persuade further. Since Schiller did not wish to go, he would let him be.

"I will tell everything to God."

Solamus said before leaving.

"Just say it, God will understand me."

Schiller replied nonchalantly.

Soon after, the Angel Leader returned to Heaven and approached the throne where the other six Great Angels had already gathered. He knelt on one knee before God.

Before the Angel Leader even spoke, God already knew what he would say.

From the throne, Chen Yi slowly rose, the Cloud Sea below fell silent, his figure diffused in brilliance.

Solamus heard a somewhat sad yet gentle voice,

"So Schiller did not come, did he?"

Chen Yi said, as if stating a foreseen fact.