The breeze took him back. It somehow made him remember simpler times.

Alexis took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment as he leaned onto the railing. The bow of the ship tore through the air, the flow of the wind similar to the one he would feel while soaring.

That past was truly simple, void of meaning. And that was why he opened his eyes, and instead looked back, his eyes not paying any mind to the busy deck, or the figures by the helm. His amber eyes focused on the now distant land, far away, once dear to him. With each second, the vessel gained more speed, the sails above pushing against the airstreams over the waves. The land that had welcomed his fall was soon to be left behind, forever. Another homeland lost.

There was only one thing that managed to make him avert his gaze from the coast. It was not the rumbling sea, nor the demonic crew moving under the command of a diligent she-devil. He frowned, finally looking at something far more important than any possessions or places he had held dear. Aurora and Ariel were looking at the coast, much like him. But they had a higher view of it, hanging on the ratlines that led onto the masts and sails. Their sharps eyes had stopped paying mind to their tasks a few minutes ago, to gaze longingly in silence.

Near the helm, two violet eyes narrowed. Uriel slowed his steps, delaying in bringing a few barrels of water down into the cargo hold. He noticed well how those sly yellow eyes spotted their daughters’ idleness. And yet, the second in command was not calling up to them sternly, as she did for all others. In fact, he could not avoid leaning his head in wonder when she glanced at him sharply, somehow spotting him between all the crew. She said nothing once more, analytical, pondering.

Uriel moved away, not wishing to risk it, even though he was pretty sure she would not yell at him either. As he pushed the barrel, he noted well the crestfallen looks of his family, much like his angel did. And even though he was as torn and dejected, he knew how to deal with his sorrow efficiently. He had practice, he knew loss; and so, he pushed the barrel harder, other demons lagging behind while they too tried to carry things from deck to the hold.

His mind always focused, always pondered. Like this, he could fixate on one thing, things that would ground him in the present. There was value in the past, but the present would lead to the future. And right now, this vessel was the only thing that would lead them to it, and so the most important matter.

He smiled with a huff, two devils flinching when he hauled the barrel onto others all by himself. They eyed him, both holding on to a crate of the same weight. He turned with a twirl of tail, intending to head back up, many ropes needing to be stored after being untied from the sails.

As he headed for the stairs that led up into the main hold, he exchanged quick glances with a lynx, who had decided to keep a low profile. The other devils were wise to what he was, and it was smart to keep a distance, perhaps roaming the cargo hold away from most.

“Would gladly help you, but…”

“I know. No thumbs right now.”

Lykaios smiled like him, both always saying those words in jest when surrounded by people that would not appreciate seeing his massive claws.

With a sigh, Uriel walked up the stairs that led to the main hold. He eyed the hammocks hanging all around, theirs in a far corner. If he were to ignore the hatch and not go up, he could perhaps browse through their belongings. As well, by them, there was a door, which led to the brig. A place he knew would be used, by them. It was not a barred prison; it was enclosed by walls, like a room, just with a heavy door.

While he pondered that fact carefully, he accidentally bumped onto another demon. He quickly tried to regain his balance and reached for the other, both stumbling.

“Terribly sorry, are you-?!”

He blinked; the other did less surprisingly, perhaps in annoyance. His violet eyes stared at the lizard, who glared at him with a hiss of a forked tongue.

“That human couldn’t bear the thought of losing your labour, huh? Rather leave himself than let soldiers impound you.”

Uriel tensed and eyed him with a frown. He stayed cordial, even though he disliked this devil.

“My human, as you like to call him, is the reason I managed to board. He values more my life than my possible worth in gold.”

“And yet, it is you who is doing the heavy work, again.” The lizard smiled, sharply, giving him a mocking pitying glance. “I’ve seen him up there, by the forecastle, eyeing this devilish crew quite scornfully. Like the captain, he can enjoy a voyage of leisure.”

“I remind you, that your captain has recruited you from that camp, out of the kindness of his heart.”

“Kindness or arrogance? I had to display my strength between many others, for me to be chosen for this crew. All of us here, we had to demonstrate our worth, what they wanted.” There was hurt in the next words, resent. “All who failed to do so? They are not here. Many were left behind, friend…”

That last word was hissed, again. Still, Uriel understood his anger. What he said was true; this captain seemed different from others, but the whole town treated the crowd of desperate devils like an inconvenience, a pest. They only favoured the ones they deemed useful, like how sailors would bring a cat in a ship.

The lizard sighed, noting well his conflicted thoughts. He walked past him towards the cargo; he was busy himself, wanting to push away memories of their old land.

“What they allow us out of pity should not be for them to give.” One last resigned snarl, as he walked down the stairs into the cargo. “It is how it is, however. Can’t wait to reach land again and leave humanity to its whims.”

Uriel stood there, looking down and away from other crew members. All seemed hopeful to be in the vessel, eager to reach another home. But there was pain there too, the frustration and anger.

He shared their resent, deep inside. But the memory of loving blue eyes kept him from hate.

——————-

“May I have the key?”

Amadi shook his head again, utterly confused, bewildered. There was a perfectly fine small chamber by the captain’s cabin, with a very comfortable bed. It was a spare one, opposite to the one Aquila roamed, both preceding his bigger chamber. And yet…

“You… want me to give you the brig’s key.”

“Yes.”

Alexis saw him shake his head again, confused to no end by his words. He tried to not falter nervously as the captain questioned his sanity.

“There is no bed in the brig. I’m offering you a room, a damn good one at that, and yet you are asking me to open that cell and let you settle in it?”

“Pretty much.”

The moon was beginning to loom, the crew was beginning to settle down for the night, the waves calm and serene around them. The land was now hard to discern in the distance, the first day of a very long journey, which would last weeks.

Sleeping inside the brig would not be comfortable, at all. Very little space, a plank hanging on a wall by chains for rest and sitting, and a very thick door with a barred latch to allow peeks from the outside. It was claustrophobic and isolating. However… it was right by the end of the hold, just a door away from all the hammocks and the crew. Near, but kept from those eyes, only to be seen by ones that got close intentionally.

Amadi looked sideways for a moment, feeling those yellow eyes give him a glance. Both talked without words, while the blond stood tense under their stares. They seemed to reach a conclusion, which the captain admitted tiredly.

“We filled the brig with crates.” Alexis frowned, fearing he would really have to use that room, one in which they would not be allowed in. He was honestly surprised when the captain called to Aquila, sighing. “Tell those three to empty it and bring everything to the room, there’s no space in the cargo and we can’t just leave those crates on deck.”

“Aye, captain.”

Aquila walked past Alexis, not without eyeing him sharply, leaning her head. He shuddered under her intense glare, which seemed more curious than bothered. Amadi stepped closer and suddenly twirled a key from a pocket, handing it to him disapprovingly.

“You certainly are a curious bold man.”

Or a foolish stubborn angel…

Amadi eyed the door of the captain’s chambers, having expected another human to want to take the spare room. He really found it strange that he would prefer to sleep near all those demons, the hold crowded and noisy, rather than have that. But as well, the more he eyed the blond, the more he could see their bond, even if they were trying to hide it somewhat around the crew.

“You are going to be locked in there for a long time; it may take us weeks to reach land.”

Alexis was grasping the key zealously, pondering that fact carefully, very seriously. That chamber was very tempting, but it would bring more issues than comfort. They needed to be close, not only to feel emotional ease. Secrecy, they needed a room they all could enter, to talk or… make sure a spell would last. There were demons all over, and he could be dead the second the incantation faded.

“It is indeed going to be a long trip… I’m sorry to ask for this key.”

“Oh no, I can’t care less; I don’t use that chamber much, neither the brig. It’s your devil friends who are going to make the space there, so the nuisance falls on them.”

“Still, you offered a damn chamber. Another captain would have told me to go sleep in a hammock, as soon as I set foot on deck.”

Amadi laughed, brushing the back of his neck, admitting under those words.

“I’ve been dealing with other humans so much that is has become customary for me to share more with my kin. The usual policy: humans with humans, devils with devils. It is always like that, in every single journey. Even if your companions are… what they are, I still assumed you held some typical reservations towards them. Many men do end up related to devils, and they always are sure to treat those relations secretly, partly ashamed.”

And yet, there was no shame in those amber eyes. His affiliation with those devils was no accident or tentative desire. He was not hiding the facts out of human pride as he had assumed. It was what he always saw, after all.

Both blinked, because steps echoed from the hatch. Alexis smiled faintly, seeing those violet eyes glance at him, relieved to notice he had managed to get that key. His demon was already carrying things out of that brig, both knowing they would need the space, not only for him to sleep. Uriel stood firm when the captain commanded, sterner towards him.

“Do make sure to let down the crates in a tidy organized manner. The captain’s chambers are not for the crew to tread lightly. I will not tolerate disorder in them.”

Uriel, as always, bowed respectfully. A noble could have blushed with his next words, said all ever softly, even after years of not being a caring host of an inn.

“Understood, sir.”

“Good.” Amadi smiled, not really having used a harsh tone, only having hinted he could not allow them entrance easily. A captain had to keep boundaries upon his crew, even more so when it was not loyal. “Now, only one devil may roam my cabin, but… if a human were to find the hold too crowded and constrictive, he could dare roam where few devils do.”

Alexis understood well that offer, as did Uriel. So the angel whispered, now as bewildered as Amadi had been before.

“I will… consider it?”

“Good! I do enjoy a good chat. My first mate always ends up talking about the sea and the condition of my ship. I would love to talk about land and politics, with someone who holds another point of view, perhaps with some mead.”

With that, Amadi turned about, heading into the captain’s cabin, to oversee very carefully how Uriel arranged the crates. It would be the only time a crewmember would be allowed there.

Alexis clasped the key tighter when two figures neared him from behind. Both carried a crate together, heavy. And yet, they paused for a moment, eyeing the key with the same surprise as him.

“Didn’t think he would agree…”

“Did you need to bribe him?”

Alexis shook his head, noting well how Ariel and Aurora held a lot for apprehension for humans. Something he felt too, to be honest.

“He just gave it.”

Like that night in the tavern, there was no judgment or scorn. Perhaps presumption, but followed by a harmless curiosity. The help given was still conditional, but not spiteful.

The three always regarded humans as selfish and apathetic. They usually were, they experienced it firsthand. Yet the three could not avoid but look nervously towards the captain’s chambers, their old rancour feeling bitter inside.

They knew well she was not the only human with a good heart, but they still struggled to leave their wariness behind.

————

Humanity truly was opportunistic, and inventive.

He leaned a little more over the railing to peek down, unbothered by how a tail suddenly tangled around his arm in disapproval.

“You are going to fall.”

“I will not.” Alexis smiled at Ariel, snorting as he nodded to the tight grip of her tail. “Not with how you grip me, I won’t.”

Again he leaned more, which prompted her to sigh and just keep cleaning the quarter-deck with a broom. She was as interested as him in the mechanism on the stern, but she could not idle around like him. Those yellow eyes could see everything, and their initial lenience was soon gone after four days.

Alexis eyed carefully how the big wheel below moved with the waves. It hanged just above the rudder, its inferior half sunk into the water. Its planks raised and lowered in and out, pushed as the currents flowed strongly against them. The past days, it rotated only thanks to the ship’s advances, not really having a practical use. But there was faint steam emanating at its sides now, pipes attached on the keel. They came from inside, from a chamber at the end of the cargo hold.

It truly sparked their interest, both having a love for tinkering, a lot of experience shared inside an old forge. She let out a sigh soon enough, pondering curiously.

“I wonder how she does it.”

He retorted without looking away from the relatively novel mechanism.

“Why don’t you go and see?”

“Yes, go into the boiler room where the second in command is working right now; the very same one that has told me to leave the decks pristine and spotless.”

“You could fake like Aurora, pretend you are just sorting ropes you untied from the sails.”

“Nobody stores ropes in the boiler room.”

“Then feign aloofness! You just got lost.”

That last word made her blink in bewilderment. She quickly turned her head to look at him, one nailed finger raised as she chided him.

“Okay, let me draw the picture for you, because I feel you may have gone blind… There are three decks, very spacious, but not endless. By the stern, in vertical order: the captain’s chambers, the brig, and that boiler room. At the bow, there is one storage room and the enclosed head. In between it all, the guts of the ship, the two holds: one for the crew, one for cargo below. Everything is connected and without much exploration to be had. You seriously want me to… pretend to get lost?”

“Hey, the crew does it to be able to sneak some mead out the cargo. They can go about obliviously, why not you?”

She leaned her head strongly and stared at him, intensely. So he nodded twice with a nervous smile, surrendering under her piercing eyes.

“Ok, ok. Diligence runs through your veins like blood. You won’t stop until you erode the decks with that broom.”

“And if you keep mocking my attentiveness and common sense, that silly look on your face.”

“Crew’s all over, many eyes, you won’t find a moment to swat-“ She did; her sharp eyes noticed the perfect moment, three demons glancing away from them for just a second. He stayed silent for a minute. “…I’m giving my back to everything; please tell me no one saw you do it.”

She smiled tenderly, moving the broom like if she had not just swayed it against the back of his head.

“What are you talking about? Don’t you want them to admire how clean the deck is?”

They truly should not let the demonic crew see how they had no qualms about hierarchy; him being a supposed master was what was keeping them from nearing the brig and him, every day. He tapped his fingers on the railing, pondering, frowning. His next whisper was cunning and taunting.

“You know, Ariel…” She raised an eyebrow, because he suddenly turned and gave her a very stern glare with his arms crossed. His angry words were obviously trailed, and very fake. “Your boss here wants to get to land as fast as possible. Coincidentally, you know some silly fiery spells… so why don’t you move that tail of yours and check out that boiler? Make this wheel roll more fiercely. Ask that she-devil if you can help, because I, a very important human, won’t go talk to her. I’ll be too busy admiring this fine contraption here. So, come on, scram down there like I order you to, you imp.”

He clapped his hands for her to move, first when she smiled knowingly, then again more strongly when she just kept staring at him warmly.

“Go on! I’m not paying you to stand there!”

Ariel shook her head, laughing faintly.

“Of course, boss.”

She finally let the broom down. He called loudly as she waltzed down the sterncastle deck, her tail seemingly taunting with a wave.

“That’s right, go! Don’t you forget who’s in charge, or next time I will make you browse all the books the captain has, to find one I may have a minuscule interest in!” Two demons eyed him, which only made him call again while she descended down into the hold. “And be assured, I hate reading, so you will for me, you bookworm!”

The devils nearby considered that last word a slight, not very wise-looking. So he huffed and pretended to nod strongly, like if he had scolded her laziness. It ensured he was left space to think alone, something he appreciated. All those words were out of love, caring and knowing, and yet, they made two eyes above narrow in dislike.

Aurora leaned her wings slightly to glance at the lizard nearby; both were crouched on the masts, handling the sails. Her blue eyes noted very well how he was glaring at Alexis, a forked tongue brushing his very sharp jaws. She commented, her wings fluttering for balance while she made a knot.

“He always curses like a sailor; never at us, though.” She smiled seriously, trying to make the demon stop glaring. “We can always yell back.”

The devil grumbled, barely acknowledging her comment. So she just kept her focus on her task, deciding to keep climbing up when he finally looked away from him.

Below, a demon was doing as told, walking firmly towards the boiler room. As she had said, there was not much space where to get lost; she soon reached the stairs that led to the cargo, and as she entered it, she spotted them both.

Her father was one of the strongest devils around, to be honest. And that was why he was managing the water barrels, hauling them each time a crewmate needed a drink after hours of work. Lykaios eyed her as she passed by, while Uriel offered kindly.

“Thirsty? The sun is hitting fiercely out on deck.”

He had a crowbar nearby, but he was opening barrels without it, which was making things much more efficient while demons went about.

“Not right now, thank you.” She sent a glance to the door ahead, something that Uriel understood immediately. “Our human wants me to check it out.”

“Well, if you do find that you can fulfil that task, tell our human to send me to it too. I’m getting tired of these barrels and the unappealing salted meat.”

“There are only two of them in this ship, and I swear I’m hearing that word far too much.”

They both laughed slightly, seeing Lykaios growl in annoyance. He dared whisper that complaint because the devils around had gotten wiser of him; now he could roam more. He still liked to hide to be unbothered, most of the time.

Ariel patted Uriel’s shoulder and moved ahead, leaving him to manage food and water for the crew. If their fire could truly be useful, they would soon use it. Invoking their spells would certainly lift their spirits much more than what they had been doing.

She halted by the door, taking a deep breath. Aquila unnerved them all, even though she was never harsh or demeaning. Her sharp yellow eyes would fix on anyone like if they were prey, rummaging through their very soul, every detail scrutinized. It took her a moment for her to lift her claw and knock.

Aquila surely heard from inside, because there was the faint sound of feathers going up bristled, alert. A minute passed until the stern demon yelled.

“Don’t just stand there and enter already!”

And so she did. After closing the door behind her, she dared meet those piercing yellow eyes, which were inquiring wordlessly. Aquila was kneeling in front of a huge machine, a boiler, two pipes pulsing at its sides, the wheel outside. Her claws did not move away from its surface as her head turned to stare at her. No coal was needed to make the water inside boil, only her will.

“For what reason do you disrupt my focus, young lady? I will only excuse your presence if the decks are in fact pristine as a mirror.”

“Well, they are. So I’m here to suggest another task I could tend to.”

“Oh, my, daring aren’t you?” Aquila did not scold her choice of words, rarely having the chance to converse with another devil like her. Still, she was strict. “And what do you have in mind? Scrubbing the floors? Perhaps hanging by the hull and getting rid of pesky barnacles? Oh, I know! Why not stand guard by this door and corridor here, to make sure no one bothers me? You see, I’m making this fine vessel take the speed needed to cross the ocean, and really… it is quite imperative for me to not break focus, dear.”

Ariel gave her the same sass, not having lived with the mouthiest of angels for nothing.

“Of course it’s imperative, ma’am. Few devils know how to wield such strong, impressive spells.”

She was not singing praises to her, she knew. Her yellow eyes filled with interest, seeing her twirl her nails, multiple vibrant blue flames tangling around them elegantly. It was a fire Aquila could not invoke; she merely willed the water to heat and pulse. And that was why she commented, admitting.

“Impressive indeed…”

Both gave the other an acknowledging nod. One would finally be able to go on deck to oversee the captain, and the other would not need to hold a broom as much.

It was surely a fair trade.

————–

The waves could not silence the hum that echoed in the night.

“I dreamed a dream the other night.

My love she came, dressed all in white.

Lowlands away.”

The crew was gathered in the main hold, huddled close or sitting nearby on the hammocks. Most of them sang to kill time, wishing they could forget what had been lost.

“I dreamed my love came in my sleep.

Her cheeks were wet, her eyes did weep.

Lowlands away.”

The demons sang, following the tune of a harp. Two violet eyes lidded, sharing the sorrow of the ones around him. His claws provided the lead for their voices, some growled.

“She made no sound, no word she said.

And then I knew my love was dead.

Lowlands away.”

The shanty kept going; its tune allowed them to let one more night pass by. Each day they felt more their grief, most of them having confided in their memories. No demons noticed the door of the brig opening, a figure stepping out of it. Two amber eyes narrowed, finding the words too grim for such melody.

“Then I awoke to hear the cry.

Oh watch on deck. Oh watch, ahoy.

Lowlands away.”

Most demons opened their mouths again, to sing once more, but they stopped with the first word. Many sharp eyes moved, glancing back or sideways, steps echoing into the hold. Aurora and Ariel looked up, noticing Alexis there, doubting to move under the stare of so many devils. Uriel kept playing the tune, in hopes that they would keep on singing and ignore his presence. But they didn’t, all looked at him, a stranger between them.

The angel took a deep breath, tensed with a determined frown, and advanced. As he headed through the crowd for the hatch in the middle of the hold, he felt far too many eyes on him. He showed no hesitance in his stride, however, not even if the devils could invoke nightmares on most men. Some had sharp beaks that could rip flesh easily, others the physique of a tiger, a few had long tusks; all of them claws sharp as knives. Most importantly, there was abhorrence in their eyes. He knew not to meet their fierce gazes while he walked between them, something he had avoided for many days now.

Without daring disturb the hesitant tune of a harp, he headed for deck silently, needing some fresh air to manage sleep later. The night was young, and like many others, perhaps long. Only one figure moved in the hold, all the other devils were quiet and watchful of his steps. A winged demon chased to the stairs of the hatch, leaving behind what she had been eating.

Alexis stood tall on deck, finally hearing the murmurs below, with him gone. He sighed, hearing the unmistakable sound of wings fluttering behind him.

“Aurora, go finish your dinner, would you?”

She eyed him, very carefully. Her next words were poignant, perhaps accusative.

“Why don’t you?”

He chose not to lie. If he tried to deny he had not eaten the salted fish they brought him to the brig, she would know. So he commented instead.

“I’ll eat later, promise. I just was getting lightheaded locked up in there. Some of those demons could not sing well if their lives depended on it.”

“So you must roam the deck instead.”

“Well, yes. I’m not going to sit with all of you in the hold. They don’t like me, and I don’t like them.” He shrugged, seemingly unbothered. “Now, I’ll be back in an hour. We can play some cards later in the brig if you’d like. But for now, I need you to go back down there, and enjoy the evening. I don’t need a bodyguard, and I don’t want to bore you to death.”

She smiled sadly, leaning against his hand as he caressed her hair. Her eyes were always sharp, but he never hesitated to meet her gaze. She whispered tiredly, glad that no one was on deck to hear, all devils gathered below.

“You know I never get bored at your side.”

“Sure, you do see my mood swings a lot; quite a show.” He grinned with a shake of head before she could scold him, nodding for her to go back. “You will surely have more fun there, however. Come on you stubborn wildfowl; go teach those screeching fools how one should sing.”

Aurora let out a knowing sigh, never enjoying to sing, but always encouraged to do so. She surrendered under his pleading eyes. With an annoyed flap of wings, she turned, sending him one last worried glance as she descended into the hold.

He held his smile until her eyes could not see him. Then he frowned again, turning himself to watch the unending blue around them. Slowly, he neared the railing of the deck, gazing down into the strong waves. No matter where he could look, he would not see land. They were sailing at a moderate speed, the boiler unheated, everyone ready for rest.

But he could not rest. He had them near, the brig close to their hammocks, yet his presence always warranted glares and scorn. Only when he welcomed one of them into the cell could he truly smile and talk to them freely, having to feign formality otherwise. Upon demons or humans, he had to fake. The crew could very well forget what little docility they held towards him if they knew what he really felt. If one thing he learnt between angels, it was that coldness conveyed disaffection, and that in turn brought cautious respect.

He closed his eyes and tried to focus on other things, not wishing to dwell on the animosity around him. Because he could feel it, tangling all over, emanating from all the demons that surrounded him. Below, the words were flowing, increasing in intensity with each minute.

“They think themselves so high and mighty, never looking at us in the eye.”

Uriel did not like those words, yet he tried to keep his focus on playing the harp.

“If they do look at us, it is down, like garbage.”

“If they did not carry those firearms, they would not be so daring. Our claws would have torn them as soon as they tried to set a hand on our belongings.”

“They would dare anyway. I barely managed to avoid them as they tried to corner us near that city. Most of them only had swords, yet they managed to round most of my mates.”

“My brother was forced to join their stupid forces. He might be dead by now, shot dead.”

“Look at us, crowded like sardines in this ship. All lost to their greed.”

He finally stopped playing. Aurora eyed him carefully, seeing him smile kindly. He tried to lift the mood, which had seemingly been ruined when Alexis roamed.

“We may have left many things behind, but soon, we will reach for more. That’s why we are here.”

The devils did listen to his words, and some did smile slightly. However, Uriel could not avoid frowning when a familiar voice perked up, hissing.

“We surely should reach for things, but the ones we were stolen from. We are demons; humans are nothing but tender flesh and weak bones. We should have not fled, but fought.”

To Uriel’s surprise, another was faster to retort, sharing some of that sentiment, but much less hatefully.

“Yes, we should reclaim everything, one day.” Aurora looked down to her bow warmly, while Ariel’s eyes glanced at her knowingly. “Not today. We must reach land first. I will do my best to ensure this ship takes us there.”

Some demons nodded to that, their murmurs slightly hopeful again. But her words did not please the lizard that sat at the far corner, who did not doubt to voice his dislike.

“And then, once you reach that land, will you be free?” All looked at him, his next words poignant, accusative. “Will you still follow that human about, listening to his whims? Or will you roam where your heart desires? With how watchful he is, always near in that brig, I don’t think you may have a say once we dock.”

Aurora glared back, much more intensely than Ariel and Uriel did. The demon spat more words, which did captivate the attention of the crew, who had lived many years seeing humanity grow, both in numbers and control.

“I’ve heard there are fewer humans there. But it is only a matter of time until they are more once again. And then, what will they do? What more will they want? That disgusting blond is only one of the many who will-“

“Enough.”

The lizard stopped when Uriel stood. All demons grew quiet, because they had come to know Uriel as a gentle demon, not stern or menacing. Yet there was a warning now in his violet eyes, his harp let down into Ariel’s hands.

“I will not tolerate that you slander him.”

“I merely say the truth. And you know it.”

“We could leave him at any moment, if we so wished. Our aid to him is of mutual benefit.”

“Far worse in my opinion then; you are only part of their scheme. You are compliant with what they’ve done and achieved.”

“Nothing could be farther from the truth. I loathe as much as you what has happened. What those people have done can’t be forgiven.”

“Then…” The lizard stood and stepped closer, both their chests tensing in anger. They met eyes, claws bared but controlled. “You are a hypocrite.”

“I judge people individually. I advise you to do the same.”

“I do, I can see clearly. Willful ignorance can cause a lot of harm. Your indifference and resignation towards your kind’s plight are haunting.”

Uriel took a deep breath, looking down. For once, he did not retort, noticing well how many crewmates had sorrowful expressions. All were thinking the same. They were not being forced to work in this ship, but they were still cornered into such choice. The world was indeed demanding their compliance, or else. At the moment, Alexis was truly a human, one that had the benefit of his standing.

And so, he just commented one last thing, trying to sound kind and emphatic.

“I may have resigned to the cruelty around us, but I assure you, it haunts me all the same.”

With that, he sat again on a crate, taking his harp from Ariel. The three stayed silent, not wishing to worsen the mood. The crew seemed to lighten up a little when a tune echoed again in the hold. Much more when a winged devil began to hum faintly, smiling with the other two at her sides. Soon, the crowd returned to more light talk, some eating and chatting, others playing some cards.

Meanwhile, the lizard brushed his fangs, eyeing sideways a few devils nearby. Those shared his expression, resentful and bitter. He sat with them, keeping silent. But they seemed to be pondering the words of the night very carefully, debating. They had nothing but hate for the two humans above.

Outside, the one they believed to be one flinched. Alexis stopped leaning on the railing, hearing a door creak open, a figure standing tall by it. He shuddered under Aquila’s sharp stare, not quite knowing where to go now to be alone. Before he could try to walk away towards a more secluded deck, she asked, almost imperious.

“A rather cold night to roam the deck, is it not?”

Alexis cringed and sidestepped towards the other deck, trying to hint he was alright being on his own.

“It’s not that cold, actually. It is a very fine night.”

“The wind is fierce, however. You should go back in.”

“Ah, no, the wind allows for good leg work. Yes, I have to put more weight onto each step, which really helps after hours of sitting idly, you see? So-“

“Come on in, you’ll get sick.”

He blinked, seeing her leave space at the door, pointing past it with a hand. He tried to excuse himself, awkwardly.

“No thank you, I-“

“It was not a question.”

He gulped, noting the authority in her voice. He was pretty sure she would not force him to enter the captain’s cabin, but he maybe would regret not complying. So he took a deep breath and obeyed, not without exhaling in a huff afterwards.

She smiled slyly, only closing the door when he was in. She stood behind him, which only made him feel even more cornered. The captain soon greeted from a table ahead, a bottle of wine opened by many maps and sextants.

“Ah, finally accepted my offer!”

“Actually-“ He shut up, noting how her eyes pierced him. “Okay, sure.”

He walked to the free chair, the one which Amadi pointed to. As soon as he sat, there was already a glass for him, in a blink. Part of him wanted to take it, but part of him remembered that night in that tavern. It was only when Aquila sat too that he chose to take it, unable to stay calm under her intense stares.

“You do like to roam the decks, a lot.”

He coughed a little, always finding himself studied by these two.

“Hmm, well, it is a good ship. Yes. Many, uhh, things to admire? The sails, the stern wheel… the helm?”

“Unlike the crew, truly distressing.”

“Yes, the crew is-“ He paused, realizing he had followed that comment blindly. This man was an expert in manipulation; he could very well work as an interrogator. “The crew is okay. Everything is okay. Nothing is stressful, and I’m okay.”

“Hmm, hmm; of course. The brig is a perfectly fine room, even if lonely.” Amadi sipped happily from his wine, leaning back onto his big chair. He commented next, like if he were formulating a hypothesis. “I would certainly be aggravated if I could not partake in their gatherings and jovial talks, unable to even discuss the most simple of subjects, surrounded by many eyes and listening ears.”

A sigh, Alexis’ gaze lowered onto the maps, not really paying much mind to their details.

“Many indeed, all wary.”

“Only a few that may show care, and still, hard to reach between the crowds.”

“Can’t we change the subject already? Yes, I don’t like roaming around so many devils. I’m bored out of my mind, yes. And…” He nodded firmly to his glass, from which he finally took a sip. “This is a fucking good wine. You win, Amadi.”

“Win what?”

“You know damn well what.” Alexis groaned and let himself lean on the table, throwing formalities and reluctance out the window. “I’ll talk, about whatever you have in that devious head of yours.”

“Oh, you give me too much credit; I’m not plotting a thing. I just invited you for a drink!”

“Because you are bored too, you scalawag.”

“Yes.”

Aquila eyed them, raising an eyebrow. Both humans were just leaning back on their seats, staring. And again, Amadi won the mind game, because Alexis asked with a snarl, hating the silence.

“Well? Aren’t you going to ask me anything? Or am I here just to drink?”

Amadi knew that if he had asked or talked, the blond would have tried to be cagey. So now he could interrogate him freely.

“You are a land roamer. You’ve never set foot on a ship before.”

“Rude for you to assume that, but you are right.”

“And so, you must have seen firsthand what is going on in the mainland. I’ve heard… troublesome things, not only about the war. Is it true that-?”

“I’ll just fill you in on everything I know for sure: South, assholes stealing land, killing people and trying to push past the troops of the north. Northeast, a real mess; the nobles have no fucking clue what they are doing, which brings us to the issues you saw at the docks. Even more north? Yes, if I’m right and you are asking if angels are really dropping about everywhere, they are. By the time we left Feiren, they had managed to wander by a decrepit valley.”

Amadi pondered those facts. He had not had the chance to roam inland. He had never seen an angel in his life either.

“Angels are terrible creatures, or so I’ve been told.” Alexis seemed to frown at that, but he did not deny it, outwardly or internally. “Their presence is truly worrisome.”

“Those monsters are indeed something dreadful; was unlucky enough to see quite a few. They are going to wreck those lands and leave nothing but ashes. I wish luck to the poor bastards who dare face them.”

“You don’t seem very concerned for your country.”

“That wasn’t my country. I had a nice home in the south until those xenophobic morons came knocking.”

Aquila’s eyes opened more at that. Amadi had the same trail of thought.

“I’ve heard the south was-“

“They were confiscating devils, yes. If they have not gotten rid of all by now, they may be still doing it.”

The next comment did not come from the captain, but the second in command.

“You left it all.”

There was a slight bewilderment in her tone. And Alexis just shrugged, holding his glass dismissively.

“What can I say? They are worth a lot, more than a fucking manor. Still hurt though.”

The conversation had turned extremely sour, and he could see that it was no longer pleasant for them either. So he stood calmly, nodded at them both, and then pointed at the wine, which he did not finish.

“Now, I should hit the hay of that brig. Thanks for the wine, and for the chance to relax without having to stand in the cold breeze. I may come back another time; these chambers do allow discretion from distressing things.”

Neither of them said anything as he walked out the door. But they did exchange a glance, one asking silently if he would ever do something like that. His soft eyes answered her, with a sad smile on his face.

By the time the angel went back to the hold, barely any demons bothered to pay him mind. He smiled, noticing a small gathering near some crates, many demons singing again; they were following a much more lighthearted shanty this time. Aurora did blush when she spotted him, but kept humming to the tune, glad that her voice was keeping gazes off him.

With one last loving glance to the three, he stepped into the brig. As the door was locked, none paid mind to the shadows that moved out of the hold, hiding their piercing hateful glares.

————-

He had never seen a storm so fierce. Granted, he had never been at sea either.

It was the captain’s confidence and smirk that told him this storm was nothing but a mild inconvenience, something they would defeat. Amadi gave orders left and right, Aquila barely an echo of his will. They seemed to read each other’s thoughts as they commanded the crew. Even he was yelled at sometimes, told to tie some ropes.

As a being naturally afraid of water, he could not avoid but look at the seas as if they were a voracious creature. One that was trying to plunge them into the endless abyss to consume them. The waves licked the hull constantly, insistent and unending.

The ship was sawing about, making it difficult for one to walk straight. Still, if he had learnt to walk without wings, he could manage this. The wheel was rolling fiercely, not one, but three demons trying to bring the water inside the boiler to an infernal degree. They were breaching through the hungry ocean, the sails the only thing struggling to keep up.

He panted, pulling at the rope in his hands, one that had gotten loose from a sail above. It was not long until a figure dashed at his side and snatched it from him. He blinked, calling worriedly.

“Aurora, I was managing!”

She ignored him, quickly climbing the ratlines towards the mast. She only spat the rope from her mouth when she was where it needed to be tied. Once it was, she huffed, noticing well that many other ropes had been torn by the rain. The crew around them was trying to solve that issue swiftly, but they were taking quite some time climbing up and down.

That was why Alexis almost had a heart attack when she decided to leap down, even if her wings were wet. She did manage the landing, but less gracefully than normal. It only took a second for him to scream, both in anger and fear.

“Have you lost your mind?!” She tried to make a dash for the hatch to fetch more ropes, but she was grabbed swiftly by her now fuming father. “Has Angus not fucking taught you to never, ever, in your fucking life, try to soar with rain?!”

“He did!”

“Then why the fuck-?!”

“I’m fine! Let go, I need to grab more ropes and bring them up to-“

“Ah, no fucking way! I’m not letting you climb up there again! Go help down in the cargo, hand ropes to other crewmates, but don’t you fucking dare come back up here! Your wings are getting soaked and it’s a recipe for disaster, I know it damn well!”

It had been a very long time since he had scolded her like this. She was an adult now, but the prospect of a damaged wing was a trigger for him.

“You can’t simply-!”

“I can! In multiple ways now, from different authoritative statuses that I’m not going to list! Do as told!”

“But-!”

“No buts! No maybes! No nothing! Wings are fragile! Go inside, as far away from water as possible!” He dragged her to the hatch, and then pointed firmly down. “I swear I’ll shove you back in there if you dare set a foot out!”

She glared, but she surrendered. She could easily fight her way up, naturally stronger, but something told her he would give his all in stopping her.

“Fine.” She flapped her wings strongly, drying them faintly. “Don’t you climb those ratlines yourself, however.”

He took a deep breath and nodded in agreement, his glare softening.

“I won’t. I’ll be careful up here.”

“You better.”

Alexis sighed, finally seeing her run off towards the cargo hold. With that, he turned, seeing other ropes flailing about. He quickly snatched one, slamming his feet down onto the slippery floor to ground himself and keep the sail from flailing loose against the wind.

At the helm, Amadi smiled, seeing things go smoothly, under control. He could hear the boiler, rumbling fiercely, the wheel moving at a speed he had never seen before. As well, the sails were pushed strongly by the air flows, leading them forward with intensity. Their speed contributed more to the sways of the ship than the waves themselves.

“At this rate, we will reach land in record time.” He smiled and closed his eyes for a moment, whispering to himself under the rain. “Almost there, and then…”

Then he would find a home with her, forever. Away from any judging eyes, where none would take it from them.

Those thoughts and his hold on the helm was all he could think of. He had many demons around him, all working diligently. Or so he thought. Slowly, but surely, one shadow crept closer behind him, crawling down from the mast by the helm.

A dagger twirled, a sharp claw looming over him.

—————–

Their focus was intent, unbreakable.

She was the first to open her eyes, her hands suddenly trembling on the surface of the boiler. The other three soon reacted too. The two horned devils stopped invoking flames around the metal, their eyes sharpening. A small lynx that had been eyeing the boiler thoughtfully had tensed, as much as them.

The four took a deep breath, sensing something past the scent of seawater; something that should not be there.

“Amadi?”

She was the first to stand, sharply. Her yellow eyes were as sharp as they could get, filled with a fear she had never displayed. She could recognize the scent in the air clearly, even if she had only sensed it a few times in her life. The scent of blood was in the air.

In a blur, she dashed. And the other three were fast to stand as well, their task all but forgotten. Violet, blue and red eyes widened, for Aquila gripped the handle of the door. She gasped, horrified to find it would not budge.

“What…?!” She yanked, snarling. “What’s the meaning of this?!”

Ariel and Uriel spoke at once, their own hearts skipping a beat.

“Alexis.”

There was no angelic blood they could smell, but the scent of human blood was far too intense, far too damming to be anything less than a gaping wound. Aquila was now slamming herself against the door, clawing fiercely at it in each slam. She gasped when something huge pulled her back, a huge shadow taking her place. All shivered as Lykaios growled… and then slammed a claw onto it.

His nails pierced it strongly, opening it into two.

———-

“Mmff!”

He could not scream or call his name. His amber eyes stared wide as the captain hit the deck’s floor, finally down after multiple stabs. A lizard smirked, cleaning the blade by licking it, his stare falling on him next.

“One human gone.” The demon stepped strongly down the stairs, glad to see him unable to do a thing, held by two demons. “Now the other one.”

Alexis pulled and growled, trying to free his arms. He panted against the claw over his mouth, his fingers trying to reach for his belt, where a sword hanged. He could only shudder when they took it away from him, gone in the crowd.

Fuck, fuck, fuck-

He could not finish his inner curses. He saw black for a second, a fist slamming against his stomach, stunning him enough for the lizard to get a hold of him. In a blink, he found himself pinned against the railing nearby. A pained gasp escaped him, then a snarl, seeing that dagger twirl. It did not stab, however; in fact, it was put away. He met those rancorous eyes, both glaring as words were hissed.

“You are going to have to work your ass off if you want to be on this ship.” He quickly understood. The lizard smirked and leaned him more, letting him loom over the fierce waves. “Swim, you damn leech!”

A figure bolted into deck just in time to see the outcome of a shove. Her blue eyes widened in horror, seeing that lizard push forward, casting the angel down backwards. As well, she saw the surprise of that demon, when those legs swung up against his torso, with a strength that should have not been there. Both tumbled down, in a second.

“No!”

A few devils snarled, figuring out that she cared enough for the human to try to reach. By the time she slammed herself on the railing, the two were already in the water. The mutineers around her were as shocked that the lizard had gone down with their target, but none were making a move to help. They only stared wide-eyed. She spotted a rope and pushed her way towards it, wings lashing open.

Below, the two thrashed for a few seconds underwater. Alexis hissed when he felt nails sink onto his side and arm, gripping to find balance. The lizard hissed too, struggling against the current with flails of tail, both barely afloat. He opened his maws to curse him, outraged by his heave and pull.

“How dare you, you piece of-?!”

He stopped, sensing something far more pungent than the smell of the sea. His claws trembled; all his body did, when he picked up the scent of something that should not be there, at all. Alexis snarled, noticing the nails release slightly, in shock. And again, he moved; with a quick dash, he pushed and punched, shoving the bastard off. He gasped, sinking slightly, but now free. The demon tried to get a hold of him again, overcoming his horrified confusion. However, the waves parted them, far too strong to swim against them.

The angel ignored the fearful gasps that echoed from the devil, looking towards the ship instead. He shuddered, seeing that in the few seconds that he had sunk, it had gained quite some distance. And so, he began to swim, as strongly as he could, something he would have not managed a long time ago. He had practice. His struggles were so focused, and the currents so fierce, that he really did not have a chance to pay mind to the rainy sky. Before he could see anything, a strong splash echoed near him. Something plunged down at his side.

In instinct, he jerked back, expecting that devil to have managed to swim to him. It was something far more dreadful.

“A-auro-?!”

He could not finish, she slammed a rope into his hold. It came from the ship, and soon it tensed. She began to cough, sinking slightly, her wings now heavy. Luckily, he pulled her up, one hand on her, the other holding on onto their lifeline. In any other moment, he would have cursed her decision to dive with her wings open under such rain. Now however, he found himself giving her a thankful relieved stare. After regaining her balance and struggling against her weight, she grabbed the rope too, both praying it would not snap while they were dragged behind the ship.

While they struggled to climb the length of the rope, four figures pushed their way onto the deck. A few devils screamed when a huge feline shook a demon in his maws, thrashing him in the air with such intensity that when he let go to move up the hatch, said demon made a dent on a mast. Two horned devils head-butted two tusked devils who tried to halt them; their flames hissed under the rain as they emerged. The last one, a feathered she-devil, cut her way through with her claws, her slender body easily dancing around them.

From the hatch, it was not easy to see the ground of the sterncastle deck. But they knew well what laid there, the scent now much more intense.

“N-no!” She dashed once more, running up the steps in a blink. Ariel and Uriel could not avoid shuddering when she halted by the helm, her next scream one of horrified shock. “No!”

She dropped there to her knees, reaching for Amadi. She began to call, lost in her panic. Meanwhile, Uriel tried to spot Alexis, unable to smell his blood. He quickly snatched one fool nearby and towered over him, the air hissing as his flames battled the rain.

“Where?!”

“T-that disgusting human?! He is dea-“

A punch, Uriel had spotted the sword on the ground, and all demons around whimpered when flames licked them. There was no body he could see.

“Where is he?!”

Ariel called, the first to spot the tensed rope looming over a railing.

“Need a hand here!”

His violet eyes widened, seeing her pull at that rope. He dropped the bastard he held, dashing for it. A few demons tried to get in the way, but all stepped back when Lykaios slammed one of them against the ground, baring his fangs in front of them all.

Uriel began to pull at the rope, fiercely. He gasped in faint relief, discerning two figures holding on for dear life in the waters below. They were being hit strongly by waves, one struggling to surface more than the other.

“Hang on!”

Alexis gasped, because a figure, who he guessed to be Ariel, threw yet another rope into the water. He stammered to grasp it before it could sway out of reach in the waves. It took him a minute, but he managed to tie it around Aurora’s waist, who grasped it blindly after multiple coughs.

“Keep climbing! Mind your nails!”

“Y-you first!”

“Climb I said! I won’t be able to prevent you from sinking if I go first!”

She growled, but again, she obeyed. Uriel and Ariel smiled a little, both finally hitting the hull. Now they just needed to pull them upwards.

The first to drop onto deck was Aurora, who’s wings splattered open on the ground, while she took deep breaths with her eyes wide. She would have wished to help the two pull at Alexis, but her wings were hurting like hell.

Soon enough, Alexis slammed his hands onto the railing, finally letting go of the rope. He did not fear slipping and falling down again, because four strong claws gripped him. He was hauled over the railing too, back to safety. And as he gasped for air, soaked wet, the intense noise on deck suddenly halted. All demons fell silent, a few seconds after he slumped on the ground. His amber eyes opened in alarm once a horrified whisper echoed.

“What the hell…”

He quickly remembered the surprise he saw on that lizard. Uriel and Ariel quickly picked on what the crew was suddenly dawning on. He did not smell human anymore.

The angel gasped and sat up in a dash, mind sharp. He bolted for the nearby sword on the ground. Before any demon could think clearly, he made a choice. All on deck cowered, screamed, or flinched when he stood tall and whipped his sword like a torch. Uriel and Ariel noticed well how the runes glinted, a clear warning.

“All of you, back the fuck off!” His amber eyes seemed to sharpen, angered and resentful, perhaps hateful for once. “I am, yes! If you don’t want to fucking die right now, begin to step into the hatch and down to the cargo hold! I fucking mean it!”

Just to prove a point, he stepped closer to one of the bastards who had sneaked on him and jabbed him with the point of his blade, enough to give him a small cut. The demons cowered indeed, confused to no end, but scared shitless. There was no way to fool their strongest and most reliable of senses.

Lykaios did aid in hauling them down the hatch. He kicked a few mutineers and murderers fiercely, until none remained. No devil dared stay on deck, only having been brave enough to lock them in the boiler room and face what they thought to be humans.

Once alone, Alexis finally breathed while looking all over, dazed. He could feel that the bloody runes on his back were gone, dissolved by the waters. That fact haunted him for a second… only for a second. He whipped his head up, remembering what he saw before he was thrown off-board. He jumped past Ariel and Uriel, who already knew, without needing to move towards it. Aurora closed her eyes, trembling on the ground as she heard her father halt sharply in the upper deck.

“A-amadi?”

An angel could never have the same senses as a devil. The rain had washed off most of the blood. It was only when those yellow eyes fixed on his that he knew that the stabs he saw were lethal.

The captain was dead.