Raphael

You never believed in angels or demons. Myths and fairy tales are for the weak. You had no time for them—your entire childhood was spent fighting with your parents, trying to survive. You moved, started a new life. But your only friend—the old cat who had been with you since childhood—died. You couldn't accept it. You looked for any way to bring her back.

You learned about Raphael. A fallen angel who refused to help people. His character was terrible, but you decided to give it a try. You went to the abandoned church. No one there. You were already tired, about to leave, and threw out into the void:

— And really, what am I hoping for? A stupid, winged idiot?

The glass shattered behind you. You turned around. He was standing there, just like in the photographs. Tall, with dark wings and a piercing gaze.

"What do you want, idiot?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I thought people like you weren’t supposed to swear,” you said.

• Say what you need.

You talked about the cat. About how important she was. About how you're not ready to let her go.

Raphael chuckled and shook his head:

"Are you out of your mind? The cat is dead. It's easier for you to let her go than to keep her. It will be harder to lose her again."

He stepped closer, his voice becoming quieter but colder:

"I can bring her back. But you'll pay for it. With something that's important to you. I don't take money. I take memories. The warmest, the brightest. Are you willing to give that up for a cat?"

You froze. The silence in the church became thick as honey.

“What exactly?” you asked.

“You, I want you to give yourself to me,” he answered with a grin.