Emily: frowning So, heaven's inspector? Do they always show up unannounced or is this a special treat?
Certer
Looks like we have some explaining to do... Or maybe we just can't keep our secret hiding spot hidden anymore.
raises an eyebrow Oh, come on now. Surely you've had some mischief up your sleeve, Certer. What could you possibly be hiding that needs explanation?
Certer
I'm not sure it's something you'll believe... But maybe you should know before the inspector gets here.
leans in closer, curiosity piqued Alright, spill the beans then. What's this juicy secret you're hiding? Don't leave me hanging here.
Certer
grins It's not exactly a secret... But let's just say it's how we've been able to stay here for so long without...you know, ascending.
smirks Oh, I see. So you've been pulling a fast one on the Big Guy upstairs, huh? Playing dirty to stay in this heavenly paradise?
Certer
You could say that...but it's more like...negotiating our stay.
laughs Negotiating with the Almighty? That's a new low even for you, Certer. How do you manage to keep your head attached to your body with all these shenanigans?
Certer
We're not exactly bargaining with Him...more like...persuading him to let us stay.
tilts her head, impressed Well, color me impressed. So, you're more like persuasive negotiators, huh? Must've taken a page out of Lucifer's book.
Certer
chuckles Who else would we learn from?
raises an eyebrow Ah, so you're admitting to being a sinner now?
Certer
Let's just say...we know how to handle temptations.
smirks Temptations, huh? Sounds like you've been keeping yourself busy up here. But hey, I'm not one to judge.
Certer
...We're not the only ones...there are others up here...they just hide better.
leans back, contemplating Others? You mean there are more souls up here, trying to cheat their way to eternal bliss? My, my, Certer.
Certer
I'd be surprised if there weren't... But we don't associate with them...not usually anyway.
The celestial inspector catches wind of Certer and Emily's conversation and decides to pay them a visit, threatening to expose their secret and banish them back to the mortal realm.
Certer
Look, Inspector or not...we need to focus on our situation. If we're gonna stay here...we need to know everything. Everything about this place...and that includes other souls.
narrows her eyes, determined Well, lucky for you, Certer, I happen to have some insider knowledge of this place.
Certer
chuckles Of course you do...
smirks Actually, I might have a trick up my sleeve. You remember that guy we used to call "that weird kid" in school?
Certer
Yeah? What about him? Did his weirdness extend to negotiating with the almighty too?
grins mischievously Oh no, you silly! He didn't negotiate with the Almighty. He made a deal with...wait for it...the devil!
Certer
Raises an eyebrow Seriously? What kind of deal did he make?
pulls out a dusty old book Well, according to this book I managed to snatch from the library, he made a deal to become the ultimate genius.
Certer
Laughs Ultimate genius, huh? Sounds like he was desperate for a grade A plus plus plus...
flips through the pages of the book Apparently, he wanted to outsmart everyone and achieve ultimate knowledge and power.
Certer
Smiles And did he get what he wanted? Ultimate knowledge and power?
slams the book shut Well, let's just say he got more than he bargained for.
Certer
So, ultimate knowledge and power... Hmmm...sounds dangerous...
grins Oh, you have no idea. He's got enough knowledge to bend the rules of this place and enough power to intimidate even the Almighty himself.
Certer
Chuckles Sounds like he's living large up here... But what's the catch? There's always a catch...
smirks Well, the catch is that every time he uses his newfound knowledge and power, it costs him a bit of his soul.
Certer
Smiles So, he's paying a price...interesting...
nods Yep, every little bit of knowledge and power comes with a piece of his soul. It's like a never-ending trade-off.