You Always Build It Better the Second Time Around

Chapter 25 - Excellence (Is Your Name)

A/N: Longer chapter by roughly 1,600 words.

...

I should've known this was going to happen. In fact, I was expecting this to happen, and yet, I'm quite unprepared.

I woke in a daze roughly an hour before I came to my complete senses. I mindlessly wandered the many corridors looking the same to me but not the same at all now that I look at them. My memories from yesterday are hazy, and so are my memories from before that when I was with Nikolai. Mikaela is the only thing I remember from- not last night, but the night before. Seraph was the half of me in control then, but I do remember, at least briefly, all that he heard and saw.

I even remember the warmth from Mikaela's gentle touch from that night, and the words exchanged between us- well, him and Seraph. I stand here, in the middle of the corridor with no idea where to go or what to do, and stare down at my hand. I place my hand on my chest over my heart. "To think you really believe I'm the better one of us. Sorry, Seraph, but I'm a bit lost on what to do, even though this is a stupid thing to happen- to get lost. I'm still lost, and not even just right now in this corridor. I believe my soul is lost, and my heart, too. I'm left unsure of what to do; where to go. You excellence exceeds me and my expectations, and anyone who says otherwise doesn't know true gold when they see it."

...

It's been nearly half a day and surprisingly I've not run into Mikaela, who no doubt is probably looking for me since this morning when I went missing. About two o'clock I ran into Goddess Mitsuba and Goddess Inari with Shinoa tagging along. Mitsuba was excited to see me, and even more excited to see that I was awake and no longer asleep with Seraph in control over my body. She immediately brought me to Lord Yoichi and Shiho Kimizuki, Goddess Inari parting half way to go speak with the god from yesterday who came to see me with Mikaela when I was still in bed recovering.

Speaking of which, I probably shouldn't have been walking so much today, especially with the ache of my muscles. Machinery once a part of my body now removed showing my skin a paler tan than my natural skin tone really is, which Yoichi notices right away and plays doctor with me. He sends Kimizuki to find Mikaela while he gives me multiple different pills of nutrients, and they work rather quickly, for before Mikaela gets here, my skin is already darkening to the natural tone, and the ache in my body begins to subside, though not completely. I am ordered by Yoichi to stay off my feet, as my feet are bruised from my walking since early this morning. I've not taken a break from walking, at least not for more than seven minutes at the most perhaps two or three times until now.

Yoichi begins to fill me in, with Mitsuba and Shinoa adding additional comments here and there, while Kimizuki is searching for Mikaela and bringing him here. A few minutes before Mikaela gets here, Krul finds out about me first. Kimizuki undoubtedly ran into her and sent her here. She's with only Crowley right now, explaining that Ferid and Koutorou are busy with some official business due to her having a part in Nikolai's scheme, even if just being a prisoner. Since returning to the Heavens, each of them were questioned individually and with each other back to back for a series of days leading up to almost a month. It's been a few months since they were released now, and a mere not even three days since Mikaela brought me back with him to the Heavens.

"Mikaela has been asked the most, especially since his true lineage has been brought to light," Krul continues to explain the information Yoichi and Mitsuba did not have.

I tilt my head at that, my bare feet placed on the cold ground to much of Yoichi's displeasure, as shown on his face as he shakes his head, quietly mouthing to me to not get up. "True lineage...?" I repeat slowly, the words racing through my head in hopes I'd be able to answer it for myself. "Brought to light? What does that mean, exactly?"