After two days of travel, Safari's tracker blinked red once again. This time, the signal held steady.
"Another red signal," Safari muttered, gripping the controls tightly. "We're landing."
Angeleva shifted uneasily. "The energy here feels... different. Strong. Almost overwhelming."
The ship broke through the planet's atmosphere, and the family was immediately greeted by a stunning view.
Towering white towers, glowing with golden light, touched the clouds. The ground shimmered as though made of polished crystal, and sparkling waterfalls flowed from floating islands. Angels with radiant wings flew gracefully through the sky, their harmonious songs echoing through the air.
It was a paradise — but Safari felt far from at ease.
"Too much... positive energy," he grunted, clutching his chest. His devil blood boiled, rejecting the overwhelming purity. "I hate this place already."
"It's not so bad," Zack said, eyes wide in amazement. "It's like something out of a dream!"
Jen nodded, shielding her eyes from the brightness. "Yeah, but a bit... too perfect."
Olive scanned the environment cautiously. "Places like this are usually not as peaceful as they seem."
Ian, predictably, raised his camera. "Ah, the land of angels! Pristine, pure, and totally picturesque! Don't worry, audience, I'll get you the exclusive footage!"
"Can we focus, Ian?" Safari growled, his discomfort growing. "Let's find out why the signal brought us here."
The moment they stepped onto the golden pathways, a gust of divine energy washed over them. Safari winced, his knees buckling slightly.
"Devil presence detected."
A powerful, stern voice echoed through the sky. Instantly, a group of armored angels descended, their glowing spears pointed directly at Safari.
"Evil shall not roam freely within our sacred domain."
"Wait!" Angeleva stepped forward, wings shimmering. "He's not a threat!"
"He is a devil," one angel stated coldly. "That alone is reason enough for judgment."
Safari growled. "Is this how you judge? Without reason?!"
But the angels did not flinch. Before Safari could react, chains of light shot from the ground, binding his limbs. He struggled, but the chains drained his strength, sapping away his power.
"No!" Zack shouted, trying to rush forward, but Olive held him back.
"We can't fight here," she whispered harshly. "We'll all be killed!"
"Submit," the lead angel commanded. "And face divine purification."
Despite his resistance, Safari was dragged away. His voice echoed through the sky.
"Don't come after me! Stay out of trouble!"
For the next few hours, the family tried to remain inconspicuous. They walked through the glowing city, the air thick with judgmental gazes. Every step they took felt like they were being watched — and they were.
Safari's absence weighed heavily on the group. Zack clenched his fists in frustration, Jen bit her lip anxiously, Olive's hands trembled, and Ian... well, Ian was trying his best to stay optimistic.
"At least I'm still rolling," Ian said, gesturing to his camera. "Maybe I can expose the 'dark side' of this holy paradise. Viewers love a scandal!"
Olive shot him a glare. "You're going to get us all arrested."
But Ian, undeterred, dramatically flipped his hair. "Olive, but I still must say—your battle skills are divine, but not as divine as your beauty."—"
He winked at her.
"Ian."
"What? I'm just admiring divine craftsmanship!"
A sudden beam of light flashed above them. A booming voice echoed.
"Impure thoughts detected."
Before Ian could react, shimmering chains erupted from the ground, wrapping tightly around him.
"Hey! It was just a compliment!" Ian yelped, struggling in vain.
The angels glared at him. "Love without purity is a sin. You shall be punished."
Ian was swiftly dragged away, his screams echoing through the air.
"Well," Jen muttered. "That didn't take long."
The rest of the family tried desperately to remain calm. But the oppressive energy of the planet seemed to seek out every flaw.
Zack, in his frustration, kicked a small pebble in anger. The pebble bounced harmlessly across the ground.
"Destruction of property detected."
"What?!" Zack yelped, stepping back as chains burst from the ground. "It was a pebble!"
"No act of malice shall be ignored."
Zack was seized, his small frame struggling in vain.
"Jen! Olive! Help!"
"Don't worry, Zack!" Jen tried to run, but her own hesitation was seen as a lack of confidence.
"Fear is the mark of a sinful heart."
She barely had time to react before she was bound and taken.
Olive, trembling, tried to keep her composure. She took slow, deliberate breaths.
"I will not break. I will not break," she whispered.
But the angels hovered before her. "You harbor resentment. That, too, is a sin."
She froze as the chains gripped her arms, forcing her to her knees.
One by one, they were all dragged away.
Angeleva stood alone in the heart of the radiant city. She clenched her fists, her wings trembling.
Despite her pleas, the angels ignored her. The words "Purity Confirmed" flashed in the sky above her.
"You are a being of light," one angel proclaimed. "You may remain free."
But at what cost?
"They're not evil!" she shouted. "You're wrong!"
"Why plead for sinners?" one angel questioned. "You are not like them. You are pure. You could join us."
Another added, "Accept your divine calling. Become one of us, a holy guardian of virtue. Your light will shine even brighter."
Angeleva's heart pounded. The mere suggestion made her stomach churn. "My family isn't evil! And you dare to call yourselves just? You captured them for their flaws, not their actions!"
The lead angel responded coldly, "Your pity blinds you. We have no need for sentiment. Choose wisely, fairy. Stay as one of us, or risk your purity."
"I'll risk it," she spat, turning away.
The angels watched her with disappointment but did not pursue her. They believed that, eventually, she would see the "error" of her ways.
Angeleva wandered through the city, the weight of her helplessness pressing down on her. Every corner she passed was pristine, without a single sign of suffering. Yet the knowledge that her family was imprisoned beneath this facade gnawed at her.
Eventually, her footsteps led her to the grand Celestial Church — a towering structure glowing with sacred energy. The golden doors stood open, inviting, yet ominous. The vast hall inside was decorated with murals of angels conquering "evil" and punishing devils.
But what caught her attention was the heavily guarded section at the back of the church. A massive gate with glowing symbols radiated divine power. Two golden statues of angels stood on either side, their eyes glowing faintly.
As she stepped there, a nearby angel stepped forward. "That path is forbidden. Only Father Lucifero and those he deems worthy may enter."
The name struck her. "Lucifero...?"
"He is our leader, the holiest of all. He ensures this realm remains pure. Do not question his authority."
Angeleva's curiosity only deepened. She could feel it — something wasn't right.
_ _ _
Later that night, under the cover of darkness, using her invisibility technique, she sneaked in. Step by step, she moved past the guards, careful not to make a sound.
But the instant she neared the gate—
"Impurity detected."
The statues' eyes glowed crimson. Chains of light lashed out, wrapping around Angeleva. Her invisibility faded, leaving her exposed.
"Foolish," one angel sneered. "Your actions stain your purity."
But Angeleva, even restrained, refused to back down. With a sly grin, she shifted her tone. "You know," she said sweetly, "I could scream for help... or perhaps we can keep this a little secret. After all, who's to say an innocent fairy like me could mean any harm?"
She leaned closer, fluttering her wings in a mesmerizing rhythm. The angels, taken aback, blinked in confusion.
"I'm just... curious," she whispered, her voice laced with allure. "What's behind that door?"
The angels faltered. Angeleva saw her opportunity. Twisting her body gracefully, she slipped free from the chains, spun around, and dashed through the gate before they could react.
"Stop her!" one angel bellowed, but it was too late.