Akting Out

“Cutler…” Michael began, still in shock at finding the Seraphim leader alive, “What’re you doing here?”
“Michael.” Cutler’s shoulders sagged, the purple energy that now encompassed him faded a little; he was disappointed.
And then, just as suddenly, his mood picked up. He approached Michael quickly, placing his hands on his shoulders and shaking vigorously. “Well, since you’re here, you may as well wait with me.”
Cutler quickly turned around and walked away, receding into the darkness deep within Niflheim. Michael’s mind swirled as he tried to make sense of it all; seeing his friend alive, much more powerful, and apparently responsible for all that had occurred recently. His breath was visible as he exhaled, and only then did Michael realize the arctic atmosphere of Niflheim has seeped into his skin, chilling him to his very bones.

Michael followed Cutler down into Niflheim’s depths, careful of his footing along the icy floor. “What…what are we waiting for?”
Cutler has stopped in front of a pulsating wall of ice; Michael knew it to be an illusion. Cutler turned back to Michael and smiled. “Well, if you really want to know, your father is coming.”
Michael’s jaw fell open and he took in a blast of cold air involuntarily. “What?” Was all he could manage.
Cutler nodded as though proud. “Your father is brilliant, you know that? I read about him in school, but it’s so much different to see him and talk to him. It must’ve been something else to actually grow up under him.”
Michael said nothing. He was incapable of speaking.
“Why is dad coming…?”
Cutler snickered. “You know, he tried to tell me…” Cutler gestured, making circular motions with his hand, “that if I cut him in on the Thanatonian power, he could make things easier. If I gave him, and his demons, some of this power, they could strike Yin down, saving us the trouble.”
Michael’s stomach bottomed out. The power of death in the hands of demons…
“Cutler, please tell me you didn’t…”
Cutler laughed. “Of course not. Your father may be a genius, but he’s also a schemer. I don’t trust him.”
Cutler turned back towards Michael. “No, Michael. My people and I will deal with Yin when the time comes, that’s our responsibility now. We are doing as Amen wished, and reuniting this universe.”
“What do you mean?”
“Yin, your fathers, so many others…they were exiled not because they did anything wrong, Michael. They were exiled because they disagreed with the majority. No one should be punished for that. We are welcoming all of our people home, Michael.”
“You’re doing what?!” Even as Michael stepped forward, Cutler turned and moved towards him to look him in the eye. “Michael, no one deserves that!!” Cutler bellowed, his voice echoing against the chamber as he pointed towards the living wall. “To burn forever and ever?! What could anyone do that would be so heinous to warrant such a fate?!”
“Cutler, those aren’t our people anymore!” Michael pointed behind him at the wall. “They’re called the damned for a reason! Some of them have done unforgivable things! You want to let them back in here?! You’ll cannibalize us!”
“No, no, Michael…” Cutler’s voice was almost a low hiss. “If they  refuse redemption, then we, the Seraphim, shall execute them, as mandated by our charter.”
Michael, speechless, shook his head. “It’s why we were given this power, Michael.” Cutler announced, backing away. “We were to protect Heaven, indeed, the universe, from any further betrayals. We are to safeguard Amen’s creation against any threat. I promise; the hounds will be very closely monitored as they run free.”
A cold reality came over Michael. “What happened to you in the Purgatorium?” He asked slowly.
“Ah.” Cutler chuckled, “That was unexpected. I knew how powerful thanatonian energy could be, but absorbing all of it all at once…it took all my concentration to will my way here, to wait for your father. If I had been unable to keep my mind in order, I would’ve been lost to the void.”
I’m not so sure you didn’t. “Did you really want me to find my mother?”
Cutler nodded sincerely. “Yes. But I wanted to see you in action, as well. It’s not often one gets to see the four-way fighting style. But you weren’t able to find your mother, were you?”
“You know where I was…” Michael growled, “…and you know what I saw.”
“EXACTLY!!” Cutler exclaimed, “Michael, I can prevent that! Right here, right now, as the Seraphim assume control, we can put an end to all war, all conflict, all troubles! No one ever need fight again!”
“You put an end to free will.” Michael countered immediately. “You allow demons to run loose in Heaven and you will kill us all.”
For a moment, there was an uncomfortable pause as both sides realized that the other wouldn’t be swayed.
Cutler’s energy flared. Michael didn’t move.
“Cutler.” Michael demanded, “Where’s my mother?”
“Stay out of this, Michael.” Cutler growled. “I like you. I don’t want to hurt you. But if you get in my way, I’ll kill the both of you.”
“If I don’t stop you, we’re dead already.”
Cutler, at once, seemed to growl, bare his teeth, and accept the inevitable. “Have it your way, boy.”
Michael barely had time to brace himself. Cutler drew two black ivory swords from his back and charged towards Michael, roaring savagely.

(c) Avery K. Tingle for Akting Out LLC

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