127 Angels And Ambitions (1/2)
The chamber in which dozens of silver, alteration-energy powered portals began to appear was a large one. It was a mostly empty, dozens of meters long space. The floor was made from polished stone, and massive white pillars jutted from the floor to the ceiling in specific areas chosen, by the power that constructed the tower, to most easily support the upper floors.
This particular chamber was a chamber that existed to give those who were in it a scenic view. If one walked to the northernmost or southernmost sections of it they could see beyond the tower and visually explore parts of the island. Right now seeing outside would give someone a view of the other, surface-level, sections of the island.
The portals were only open for a few seconds before angels began to step through them and enter the strange tower. As they stepped fully through the portals, the god laid eyes on them for the first time and conversely they laid eyes on the god for the first time. The two parties curiously examined each other, smiles on their faces as they did so.
________________________________________________
Hundreds of angels began to step through my portals all at once. I was delighted to see every angel on Torus accept my offer and I was quite happy to be able to lay my eyes on them for the first time.
Each of the angels before me possessed a uniformly beautiful or handsome form. They all appeared to resemble idealized humanoids. They lacked wrinkles, scars, blemishes, or even the loose skin that was normal on Torunian humans. They had eyes that were the colors of precious gems, muscles across their bodies, and they were clothed in the finest, softest, silks, and robes.
As they stepped through the portals that surrounded me, they walked until they were in front of me and then prostrated themselves. Each of them radiated an intense joy as if they could imagine that nothing would bring them more joy than to be here, now. I was studying them when I received a message from the system that gave me needed knowledge that helped me understand their current circumstances.
[Althos, I sense your observations about your newest servants. It makes sense for you to be confused. Angels are unlike any other extraplanar beings in existence. Angels are constructed differently than other outsiders are and literally require gods to be able to survive. Between the end of the mythic age and yesterday these angels were dying because they didn't have a god who could renew their energy.] The system explained, causing my eyes to widen in shock.
”If that's the case why didn't they come yesterday?” I asked the system, even as I processed the fact that I was literally necessary for angels as a species to be able to survive.
[They searched for you yesterday, Althos. But they couldn't find you. Even I didn't have the necessary permissions to let them know where you were located.] The system told me, causing me to mentally gasp in shock and confusion.
The angels didn't hear me, or notice that I was reacting to shocking news. My mind immediately processed the implications of all of this, and did a few things at once.
”From now on you have permission to tell any non-hostile angel of my existence and my location. In fact... I'll go ahead and help.” I replied to the system while preparing a new handwritten notification.
My ”stellar awareness” power was a handy one that allowed me to detect all life on every planet in the solar system. That knowledge revealed a lot to me, including that angels lived on every planet throughout the solar system.
Until now the limited information I possessed on angels hadn't spurred me to action. Knowing that angels would die without my intervention and that I could lose out on valuable servants and worshipers changed that. The system still had things to say though.
[I... should tell you that angels have a long lifespan. Even though they lose their immortality and begin to age slowly without a god's aid, they would still live for millions of years. There's no rush here.] The system told me, causing me to mentally huff in annoyance.
”That doesn't matter! And besides... It's not like you to not give me reasons to pursue power.” I told the system, giving it an argument that made it chuckle.
[Fair enough. We, as in the domains and I, are unsure if every planet has angels but we suspect that not all of them do. That said... The ability of an angel of lies to deceive us has left unsure, so you should rely on your own sensory abilities to sense angels and mix that with something like 'Stellar awareness' to track down angels.] The system told me, reminding itself of the odd ability possessed by angels of lies to hide even from the domains and the system.
Though I appreciated the wise advice, it was unnecessary. I momentarily closed my eyes and allowed my not-so-mini-map to flare to life for a moment.
In the second that it was on display in front of me, I zoomed the map out as far as I could and activated a filter that let me detect and target angels. I was able to target around one thousand and five hundred angels throughout the solar system, including angels of lies, spores, and divination. I reopened my eyes and smiled at the angels in front of me. The last of them had finished walking in front of me and began to prostrate themselves before me.