Today is my birthday.
I heard them cheering for my birth, for me and my brother, for... the divine child of the Creator...
Mythical creatures grow faster than mortals can imagine. Yesterday, an infant was still curled up in swaddling clothes, but today he can run barefoot in the vast square of heaven. Urouge took small steps and followed closely behind me. His soft but cold hands were always close to the hem of my clothes, as if afraid that I would fall and get hurt.
I wanted to tease the nanny that Father God had appointed for me, and that's exactly what my brother did. He never gave Medici any face. The red-haired, black-armored "God of War" was treated no better than a maid hired by an ordinary family in His hands. Exhausted in body and mind, she still had to silently endure the "young master's" teasing.
But I can't, I am... my father's eldest son...
...
The Lord's firstborn son should be steady and mature; He should not cry or have a temper.
Today marks the thirteenth anniversary of my birth. My statues are now found in every corner of the Creator's promised land. Even in the most remote and impoverished villages, people will spare a little time to praise His appointed "imaginary angels" when they kneel before the Creator.
I don't like this name, but it was given to me by God the Father, so it should be the best. It's just that I failed to understand God the Father's profound meaning.
"How about changing your title?"
My uncle covered my head with his wide sleeves, and he seemed to like doing so, as if he was afraid that I would be hurt by the dazzling sunlight of heaven.
"Look at Amon, not many people call him 'Angel of Time' anymore. 'God of Mischief' or 'God of Deception' sounds much more interesting, doesn't it?"
"Apocalypse is terrible at naming things. Don't think that He is all-knowing and all-powerful. He doesn't want you to think of Him that way."
"If you don't want to speak, I'll go and tell Him, how about that?"
"How about calling him 'The God of Dreams and Fairy Tales'?"
"Honestly, even though the serpent raised you, you're like a miniature Ocycus. You're not even tall enough to be near the fence yet, and you always have a stern face, just like those sculptures in your father's church."
My uncle squatted down, pressed his ear close to mine, and I could feel his breath.
Contrary to the rumors, my uncle was not as cold and ruthless as mortals and aliens like dragons described. He was more sensitive than anyone else, which is perhaps why he handed over all power to the Vice-King of Heaven not long after he took the throne.
He is too emotional, too fickle. Even without exercising authority, I can feel His active and lively mind through every breath He takes.
He whispered something in my ear that couldn't be told to anyone else.
"To be honest, I really hate Ocycus. I don't like many of the angel kings under your father either."
"Ocycus is hypocritical, Leodorus is arrogant, Helabogen is despicable, and the Serpent and Medici are alright, just two kids a little older than you, who haven't experienced many setbacks and are too naive."
Seemingly noticing the unconscious trembling in my shoulders, my uncle stopped talking, a look of guilt flashing in his dark eyes…
Why did He feel guilty?
"Oh, right, you are also His angel kings. I told Apocalypse before that we shouldn't have let the child in, making it seem like we're not family."
"I never said I didn't like you guys."
"That..."
I couldn't resist asking for more answers. To be honest, I hadn't spoken in a long time, and my own voice sounded somewhat unfamiliar.
"Your Majesty, what is your opinion of Sasriel?"
Your Majesty… My uncle's arm, which was supporting his robe, swayed almost imperceptibly. This subtle movement did not escape my notice. It seemed that I had unintentionally hurt this elder.
However, just as Amon often did, his uncle quickly adjusted back to his slightly cold but warm demeanor, not wasting a single second.
"He is the other half of your father, and your father is my best friend. Isn't it obvious to me?"
You are lying.
I suddenly said, lowering my head, not daring to look at my uncle's reaction.
The thoughts of people are almost naked before me, even the "mysterious god" who is second only to the father god is no exception.
Although the reason is unknown, His Majesty, another Lord, does indeed harbor malice towards the "Vice-King of Heaven," who is actually half-father God.
"Okay, I can't fool you no matter what."
My uncle stroked the top of my head, tugging at my hair repeatedly, and sighed as if venting his emotions. His earnest tone was the first time since I was born that I could not understand his emotional expression.
The Father is not good at these things, and I have never tried to use my authority to probe His thoughts; that would be an unlawful transgression.
"Of all the angel kings, I hate Sasriel the most. If I could, I would wish that He didn't exist and would disappear as soon as possible."
The almost blasphemous words startled me. This was not a joke or complaint, but slander. Unlike the evaluation of the previous angel kings, the Vice-King of Heaven was perfect. How could Uncle say such a thing?
However, without my prompting, my uncle clearly realized his mistake after saying those "angry words."
He shook his head, partly explaining and partly confiding.
"I can always see things that others can't. Even though I try to avoid what the world calls 'talent' and 'miracles,' they still catch up with me and tear at my soul when I'm relaxed, in my rare dreams."
"There is nothing wrong with Saslir himself; it is I who am afraid of the ominous symbolism He represents."
"I'll tell you a secret: of all the people in heaven, only your Father's future is beyond my comprehension."
"But that doesn't matter, because this world never exists just for any one particular individual. It will continue to unfold and play out tomorrow, no matter who is missing."
"I can't see through your father, but I can use the perspectives I've gleaned from others to piece together a fragmented, approximate future, but that's something I never want to face."
"Perhaps you could try to start from the unfavorable future you see and, in turn, avoid the possibility of leading to that future."
I tried to express my humble opinion, but all I got in return was another sigh from my uncle.
No, I can't.
He scratched his head, and I bet no outsider had ever seen him like this before. No one would have imagined that the lofty 'mysterious god' would have a mortal side.
"Actually, I've tried, but the harder I try, the faster the process to that future seems to go. I don't know whether to do it or not is the right thing to do..."
"So you're just giving up?"
The uncle fell silent.
"We didn't give up, it's just..."
He tried to gaze at the sun through the shade of the trees.
"I realized that everything I did had also fallen into your father's eyes. We are almost equals, and neither of us can see through the other. The more I do, the more I show my urgency and my panic. I cannot show my weakness to Him, and I cannot let myself realize my fear."
"It's really nothing, just let it go. At worst, we'll just go back to how things were before."
"If we can unify the continent and the sea once, we can do it a second time."
"We weren't this strong at the beginning. It's just starting over. Luckily, I have the little trick of predicting the future. I've prepared myself mentally enough. I think I can accept whatever the final result may be."
As he spoke, my uncle patted my shoulder. After the last pat, his hand pressed against the side of my shoulder, gripping my upper arm tightly. Despite being a "fortune teller" who wasn't good at strength, he managed to squeeze this "dragon" until it hurt.
"Alright, you still haven't told me whether or not to change your title."
My uncle's smile was flawless. I paused for a moment, awkwardly mimicking his disguise, and decided not to expose him.
"No, 'Imaginary Angel' is fine, there's no need for you to trouble yourself."
For some reason, the words of agreement were already on my lips, but I gave up.
Actually, I really like the name "God of Dreams and Fairy Tales," but I just can't choose it...
After all, I am my father's eldest son, I am Adam.
...
"I am my father's eldest son."
I have never spoken to my brother in such a cold tone.
Centuries have passed, and I have grown into an adult. My cheeks are covered with a beard that my uncle calls "old-fashioned and ugly," but my eyes haven't changed much.
"Amon, I may indulge you in normal times, but now, you should not defy me. In terms of strength and status, you have no right to defy me."
My brother has never been so angry. I read panic, helplessness and rage in him, rage that could turn into real killing intent if it took one more step.
"Adam, get out of my way! Don't stop me, I don't want to hurt you..."
"You know what they're plotting, don't you?"
"They are rebelling! They are going to kill our father… Answer me!"
The "God of Mischief" is indeed worthy of being raised by the "Red Angel" who symbolizes war. He has inherited Medici's true teachings and never hides his sharpness when he is emotional.
This is not a good thing for Him. Showing off His strength also means exposing His weakness. He has a long road ahead, and this weakness can easily be exploited by others... It may become a fatal flaw that endangers His life.
He himself is a "loophole," and a loophole shouldn't have loopholes.
So I spoke up.
"Yes, I know their purpose."
"Only you know nothing."
I stared at my brother, stunned. I stepped down the stairs, no longer using my body to block Him. I surrendered my chest to Him completely, knowing that He could kill me whenever He wanted.
"The 'mysterious god' also knows their evil intentions, but like the creator, he does not trust you."
"It was your naivety and your impulsiveness that led them to make this choice."
"Amon, listen to the Lord, stay here, and await the final outcome."
You are different from me; you shouldn't get involved in an adventure you can't stop.
My uncle told me everything when the meeting called "Redemption Rose" was first held at the Old Palace of the Giants.
He will no longer hide anything from me; from his pretense with ambitious figures like "Night" to my true nature, He will reveal everything to me.
I do not hate Him. On the contrary, I have never felt so at peace. I have finally found the meaning of my life and finally understand why I resisted the title that God the Father imposed on me, but never had the thought of changing it.
That was the first time I understood the serpent. Urouge's confusion was not just needless worry. He was very similar to his uncle, both suffering from the torment of power and bearing burdens that they should not have to bear for those they cared about.
Medici is, after all, the King of Angels of the Father, and cannot be hidden from Him. He is an indispensable force in the Father's final struggle. But I am different. I am not as selfless as my uncle and Urolius. I cannot let go of my brother.
He was too young and too kind; He could not face the tragedy that had become an inescapable fact.
At the very least, I shouldn't have let Him witness that desperate scene.
As a son of man, I should also defend the dignity of God the Father…
A father wouldn't want his child to see him in such a sorry state.
"Stay here, Amon, listen to me, stay here."
...
"roll."
This is the first time Amon has disobeyed me; he usually gives me face.
I suffered the harm of "theft" for the first time. Thunder and Eternal Sun bared their fangs at me and trampled on my body.
Layer upon layer of gray-white scales, the dragon's body filled the vast palace, and I finally realized that the kingdom established by the Father God was so fragile that it could no longer even contain the real me.
I wielded a body remarkably similar to the Xenomorph, and with even greater authority, I suppressed my brothers.
My forepaws pinned Him to the ground, my thoughts crossed the halls of fantasy and entered reality, I gazed at my creation, who was just like me, and used every means to temporarily suppress the "error".
"Stay here."
It's ridiculous, isn't it? A "writer," who should be eloquent and persuasive, utters such pale and powerless words in the face of his brother's angry glare.
I couldn't find a reason to persuade Him to listen to me, so I could only repeat myself in vain over and over again.
"Stay and obey the Lord's command."
"The will of the Creator is absolute, and His will is our will."
Amon looked at me as if I were a madman.
I don't know how much time passed, but the roars of the traitors outside the palace gradually faded away, and mournful cries took over the majority of the noise. The earth began to shake, and my consciousness began to blur.
I kept repeating words like "stop," but Amon gave up struggling.
He looked at me, this time with pity and sorrow.
"madman..."
He murmured, and as my father's consciousness, which had remained in my body, began to awaken, I could no longer hear His words. I could only lower my head, hoping to get closer to my brother. Only in this way could I feel that my brother was still by my side.
Amon wept, his tears wetting his crystal-polished glasses, a testament to his uniqueness.
He held my forepaws with both hands, his pale fingers scraping against my scales until they bled.
"As you wish, Adam, it's all over, the father is dead."
No, what came on time was my death, just as my uncle had told me beforehand.
"Yes, my father is dead."
I felt sorry for my brother, who was deceived and kept in the dark. My heart was heavy, which was a strange experience. My throat felt blocked, which was also a strange experience.
I gradually lost my voice, my eyelids kept drooping, and my consciousness began to blur.
I... I want to tell Him the whole truth. I can't bear to watch my brother be humiliated—humiliated by His two most respected elders.
But I can't do it anymore.
You are fortunate, my brother. Perhaps being deceived is a kind of special favor.
...
Adam released its front paws, and Amon immediately ran away, heading towards the sea.
The newly born "Imaginary Angel" ended its mythical creature state. It saw the blood that had not yet congealed and the traces of tears on the temple floor tiles, but it did not care.
There are many more plans waiting for Him to realize.
Without lingering, He left the palace and disappeared.