The air above the gates was clear and golden, but Abaddon felt no warmth from it.
The six archangels stood firm. Their armor shimmered with light, their wings spread wide. None of them moved. None of them drew their weapons.
But their silence was like a wall, unbreakable and unmoving.
"Move," Abaddon said, his voice low, shaking not with anger, but with something deeper. "I must speak with Him."
None of the six moved.
He tried again, louder this time.
"I obeyed. I fought every battle. I followed every command. I never disobeyed, not once."
Still, no answer.
Abaddon's hand gripped the hilt of his sword. His wings tightened.
Uriel stepped forward first, his face calm. "It is not our decision. We came only to stop you."
"Then tell me why the gates are closed," Abaddon said.
"We cannot."
"Tell me why Lucifer was freed."
"We cannot."
Abaddon's voice sharpened. "Why does Heaven send me to capture monsters, only to release them without reason?"
