Chapter Text
The tiled floor squeaked beneath the heels of Lute’s boots. She held her head high as the exorcist made her way down the hallway. Lute had worked hard to get here. Sure, she had failed the Angel Army by getting Adam killed. Sure she had lost a fight to Vaggie of all people, and had lost her left arm in the process. But she survived, and now she was Commander of the Angel Army. Everything was fine.
Lute paused in front of the ornate doors in front of the end of the hallway. The angel inhaled and exhaled, her wings flapped slightly. Her gloved hand reached for the door handle and opened one of the doors. Lute pushed her way into the office and paused. The exorcist was staring at another angel. The woman smiled, the gesture not completely reaching her eyes. She flipped her grey hair to the side as she stood. Her gold wings flapped behind her as she held out a black gloved hand to Lute.
“Hi, I’m Pia. It's nice to meet you.” The smile still didn’t reach Pia’s eyes. Lute stayed silent and didn’t take the other angel’s hand.
“What are you doing in my office?” Lute snarled and Pia laughed.
“Your office? Oh no, no, no, no.” Pia shook her head with that stupid smile plastered to her face. “I’m afraid there’s been a misunderstanding.” Pia sat back down, her white silken robes pooling around her. Lute was fuming, she felt like there should practically be smoke coming out of her ears.
“A misunderstanding?” Lute snarled. “A misunderstanding!” Lute screamed and Pia cocked her head smiling. Lute ran her fingers through her hair. “Can you please show any emotion?” The angel’s voice cracked and Pia laughed. She fucking laughed at her.
“If you have any questions, please go to the High Seraphim.” Pia said in a singsong voice as she rested her chin on her gloved hands. Lute ground her teeth together and without a word turned on her heel. The exorcist slammed the office door closed. Lute could have sworn she heard Pia laughing, as Lute marched down the hallway.
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Sera was focused on paperwork. After Adam’s death during the last extermination, she had been struggling to give the other Elder Angels answers. Sera tapped her fingernails against her desk as the anxiety coursed through her body that maybe, just maybe. Heaven itself was in danger.
The door’s to Sera’s office flung open causing the High Seraphim to jump. Lute stood before her. The exorcist’s face was flushed. Lute looked like she was about to cry. Sera opened her mouth to speak.
“Who the fuck is Pia?” Lute screamed and Sera’s stomach dropped. The High Seraphim hadn’t wanted the two exorcists to meet without supervision.
“Lieutenant Lute, Pia is the new Commander of the Angel Army. She’s Adam’s replacement.” Sera said softly, trying to hold onto her composure. Lute blinked, her anger was still palpable.
“I’m supposed to be the new Commander.” The angel snapped and the Seraphim rubbed her temples.
“Lute, the Seraphim council and I agreed that you were unfit to serve as Commander.” Sera tries to explain and Lute’s eye twitches.
“Unfit? How am I unfit to lead?” Lute began pacing, running her fingers through her hair. Her still remaining fingers brushed against the metal fingers of her left arm. “I have been committed to the Angel Army for years, and this is how I’m repaid?” Lute fights back tears and Sera sighs.
“We believed that with how hard Adam’s passing was on you. It was best to take an alternative approach.” Lute’s face paled at the mention of Adam’s death.
“How is Pia the alternate approach?” Lute snaps as she thinks of the smug look on Pia’s face. Sera inhales and exhales before speaking.
“The other Seraphim and I agreed that we could not have another Commander like Adam.” Before Lute could protest Sera continued. “We didn’t want a human soul, and we certainly didn’t want someone as borish as Adam.” The Seraphim says bluntly. “Since we were worried about your feelings after Adam’s death. We decided to make a new exorcist. One who was more intelligent than Adam. Who could strategize on a moment’s notice.” Sera hesitates before she finishes. “Someone who wouldn't want to form personal connections unless necessary. In other words, we made Pia to our specifications for perfection.” Lute glares, at the jab from Sera.
“So what? I’m just supposed to work with Pia? I’m supposed to pretend like I’m happy still just being a Lieutenant?” Lute snaps her voice cracking. Sera stays silent at this. The exorcist gets the message. That’s exactly what Sera expects of her. The angel turns on her heel and leaves The High Seraphim’s office in a blur. Lute wipes at her eyes trying not to cry.