There were yells, angry, confused, and afraid.

“You can’t keep us here!”

Another deep growl of warning, gasps and apprehensive steps backing away, cornered in the deepest guts of the ship. Yet the demands would come again, even more heated.

“That thing can’t be, can it?!”

“Why would these four help it?!”

“It makes no sense! But I did smell it!”

“If it is, why is it waiting?!”

The usual growl turned into a roar, much more ferocious than the yells, a huge black beast keeping them at bay.

“Silence!”

And so it was, again. Above, a demon finally opened her eyes, many hours spent inside an isolated storage room. She took a deep breath, sensing a presence behind her. The voice called, sympathetic, but assertive.

“We need to talk.”

Violet eyes glinted over her, non-menacingly, yet ominous. His tone was apprehensive, thoughtful and analytical. And so, she snarled silently, finally looking away from the figure clad in sailcloth at her feet. It hurt to do so, but she did. She corrected him, sharply.

“We must.”

Uriel took a deep breath, those sharp yellow eyes much more piercing than his could ever be. Her senses were not what made her look feral, but the scars death left on her. Her voice was grieving, all ever cold.

“I have so many questions, and I do not know where to begin.” Aquila still could not believe what had happened just hours ago, but years of attentiveness and diligence made her painfully aware of her sudden loss. “His- My ship is right now in jeopardy. There is something lurking now, something I’ve sensed very well. And yet… you are awfully calm about it.”

He clenched a claw, growling bitterly.

“It’s not what hides quietly what should concern you, but the ones that are kept down in the hold, anxious to get out.”

“There is truth in that. That golden sword was not what brought my Amadi down.” Aquila inched closer, eyeing Uriel carefully. “Explain, for I do not understand, and I won’t let my lack of awareness sink the last thing I keep from my love. Is he a threat?”

“You’ve seen he’s not.”

She knew, but it made no sense.

“How?”

Again, there were many demands in that word. No angel would act this impassively upon demonic presence, and no angel would ever live for long without wings. That, everyone knew. With those facts, Uriel sighed, eyeing her as carefully.

“I do hope that if I tell you, you’ll consider not being a threat as well. Those below won’t attend to reason, but perhaps you may.”

Aquila took a high stance once more, and even if he was taller, she did impose herself. Her next words were not a request, but an ultimatum.

“Speak.”

He obeyed, confessing.

—————-

It felt wrong to roam here, for many reasons.

His amber eyes trailed again his surroundings, not having moved for hours. He stood motionless, his sword at hand. The chamber felt oppressive, reclusive, poignant… but it was what they most needed at the moment. His very presence invoked fear, animosity and panic. The yells had subsided without it. He was a real threat to those kept in the hold, and those, in turn, were a probable menace. They should be kept as far as possible. And for that reason, he waited in the captain’s cabin, idly.

But he would act if he so deemed necessary. Lykaios’ growls still echoed, keeping the mutineers at bay. If he heard one single gasp of pain that was not from those devils, he would get out, and take measures. For now, he trusted. Blood had already been spilled, and as much anger as he felt, he did not wish for more. They needed to figure out what to do with the vessel, somehow. Time would tell the cost of their flight. In one way or another, all of them knew they would do anything to reach land.

That was why he tensed when the door creaked, somebody coming in at last, after many hours. His eyes were vigilant as he looked subtly over his shoulder, his head barely moving to glance back. Those yellow eyes met his, as wary, and apprehensive.

As an angel, he could sense what emotions flowed around him if he set his mind to it. And right now, he truly wanted to notice them, his sympathy painful inside. There was no abhorrence in her, only caution. She could have been hateful, perhaps for his failure, his lack of action; race was only an added factor. An aspect that was still important, however.

Alexis finally turned, after a long painful silence in which both stayed still. Slowly and very carefully, he grabbed his sword, without ever raising it in a manner that could allow for an attack. Aquila watched his every move while he lowered his weapon on the table, for her to see, away from his reach. His next words were calculated, tentative.

“I regret not having held it then, Aquila.”

He had no use for it at this moment, both pondered that. Yet they still kept a distance. He stood back from the table, crossing his arms behind his back, his expression solemn and bitter.

“You truly are a strange one.”

He heard that again and again, but he would not dare jest, not now.

“I guess he has told you.”

There was incredulity in her next words, even if inquisitiveness too.

“He did, with great hesitance. I can’t quite grasp it yet.”

“You’ll have to.” His tone was firm, but all ever tired. “His murderers are very anxious, and land is still far. I really want you to understand this, because if not, there will be more misfortune than needed.”

She smirked, a snarl escaping her. There was a faint threat in his words, which she knew he hated to imply.

“Worry not; I’m certain I won’t have to lead your keelhauling. It’s just not easy to process a mutiny, death, angelic presence, and lack of murderous intent.”

“You are keeping everything down very well…”

It was not the horror of those bastards what he sensed, they were too far away. She took a breath, seeing well the empathy and sorrow in his eyes.

“Believe me, I’m this close to snapping. I want to bolt for the hold and claw some necks open.” She scowled, trying to drown the memory of his blood with his smiles. “I can’t get rid of those devils, and not because they are my kin. We need a crew.”

“A submissive one.” Alexis heard her hum in agreement, and they did not need more than that to know there would be no quarrel between the two of them, as strange as it was. “I will keep myself away while you handle those rats with my demon. My presence will only worsen things. So… forgive me for invading his chambers, captain.”

To his surprise, she did not seem affronted by his presence there. She in fact added, speaking fondly of it.

“A thick door to keep the crew out, with a lot of room to move in if needed, only one way from which a threat may approach… I wish he had been here then. Now, he will never be.”

The angel lamented, looking away from her tormented gaze.

“I’m sorry.”

“You did not murder him.” He leaned his head with a scowl, hearing her turn and affirm. “You were his kin, a comrade, and a human.”

A growl escaped him, pondering how his perceived humanity swayed a mutiny. He wondered if it would have happened at all if there had only been one human around.

“A liar always brings misery. If he had known-“

“He always pitied white lies. He valued people peculiarly, with no regard for appearances.” She halted by the door, commanding sternly. “Two hours, burial at sea. You will only leave these chambers then, and only then. Make no mistake; what you are still concerns me, and I won’t doubt to act upon it. I must keep order in my ship.”

Alexis felt small under her glare, and it was not only because she was a devil. He found himself nodding, bowing his head under her glare.

“Y-yes, captain.”

She left through the door, slamming it shut behind her. He finally breathed out, his self-forced confidence having faltered. Another demon now trusted in him… and he knew that her lack of aversion was not due to his actions, but because of Amadi’s. If not for that man, she would have not agreed to doubt ages of history.

He was glad that she had accepted the facts, for he would not have been able to force her to surrender the vessel.

—————–

The sight truly felt strange, and all too familiar.

He averted his gaze as the captain nodded, giving permission for a fiery claw to rest on the sailcloth. That fire was violet at first, but as the two other demons made the boat lower along the hull towards the water, it became more natural and untamed.

Soon, the small lifeboat was drifting away from the ship, the ropes cut and released. In it, a body, clad in a big sail, as customary. The flames were now tangling over everything laid around it, with a hunger and intensity only a devil could ignite and then let grow alone. Their eyes fixed on the items, which belonged to the human, to be consumed. The ashes would mix and scatter in the vast ocean, incapable of hinting that they had been a living being not long ago.

Death had many forms. And even when expected, it still felt abrupt. Life was truly fragile, and only the memories others held could give it a meaning, a reason. If those tortured yellow eyes were not able to live for ages, his name would soon be forgotten. Much like hers, if he did not remember so painfully, so vividly.

Only two averted their reverential gazes from the distant flames when they heard his whispered prayer. It was both meant for that man, and a woman he still missed to this very day. Aurora and Ariel did not stop him as he stepped back towards the chambers, to lurk there with his inner demons.

Uriel did notice his evasion, but he stayed firm, reminding their daughters to do the same with a subtly glance. Only two did not wait for the funerary service to reach its end. One was too dazed by the emotions inside and around, while another still kept guard to make sure no one would dare disturb this necessary task. A few hours passed until the captain spoke again, her eyes never leaving the distant waves, now empty.

“This vessel will see to land, if it’s the last thing I do.” She turned sharply, eyeing Uriel first. “A ship needs a second in command if a captain is to be master. I want this crew well handled, chained to my whims. Do I make myself clear?”

“Indeed, ma’am.” There was wrath in his eyes, all the humbleness he had displayed gone, drowned under his poise and might. “I will see to that.”

“Good. Do not doubt to brand them with fire.” She turned to Ariel next, intensely. “Flames will flow in this fine ship like blood in veins. Bring it to life, and do not let it falter in its march. Understood?”

Ariel twirled around to head for the boiler, her claws already smoking.

“As clear as the waters we will pierce.”

“And you…” Aurora tensed, finally looking away from the captain’s chambers. “You will keep an eye on every single scoundrel we allow on deck or out of the hold. Soar high to the masts, and do call if any dare lift a nail in a way I do not approve of.”

Aurora did not answer with words, opening her big wings instead. In a minute, the captain was alone on deck, all the rest seeing to their designated roles. She slowly turned to face the helm, one last mournful whisper escaping her.

“No human, devil, or angel will ever steal your vessel, Amadi.” She remembered well how he once whispered, trusting his very soul in her claws. “I will hold her until time itself claims her.”

With that, she neared the helm, grasping it like he once did. Her eyes fixed on the distance, the ocean calm, yet all ever ominous. From now on, she would traverse that vast void alone; all because others could not be as loving and honourable.

—————

Silence and compliance, the only thing that was expected from them; anything else was met with fire they could not match, or slams of claws far too big for them to defy.

Only a few at a time would be allowed to roam out of the lowest hold. All their hammocks had been moved down there, all food into the brig above. There was always either a huge black beast or a powerful horned devil guarding the door at the stairs. Those violet eyes would always pierce them as the words of the new captain were relayed to them, firmly and without hesitance. They, on the other hand, were doubtful. Their dreadful demands were only answered once, with a growled threat.

“From now on, if you wish to survive this journey, you shall follow our command. The angel will not slay any of you if you comply, for claws are needed on deck. You will set foot on land, as long as you understand this.”

They tried to question his alliance with such a monster, but the enquiries would be answered in ways that made no sense to them, which always led to expletives and insults. Such animosity constantly caused a fire to tangle up.

What had been a desperate but willing journey was now a trap, of which outcome they did not know about. They lurked each day in the hold, constantly watched and divided for needed tasks, having to whisper to not be heard and reproved.

Their mutiny had revealed a bigger threat than the coldness and entitlement of humanity. Some of them were glad to have discovered that danger, while others were terrified of it. There were only two things that could explain that monster being this idle at the moment.

One, it was not an angel: they perhaps smelled a trace on that sword, which looked angelic. Perhaps those demons were taking their chance to claim ownership of the vessel, and that she-devil was on it, no longer tied to the whims of that sailor. The glint they saw was a mere illusion, cast by one of them. That blond could be a puppet, a plaything they used to mask their autonomy.

Two, something far more ominous: that thing was what it said to be. It truly was an angel, even if torn and less mighty. One sly enough to shed its most condemning traits, in order to walk between its targets without suspicion, all to reach a land where no angel could fly to without falling to exhaustion. Once there, able to slay many more, a simple delay. It may have inflicted terror on those four, promised leniency for their submission. While they would be fair game once no longer useful.

Both theories could not be proven, for all were locked away. Anyone who stepped on deck could no longer smell that creature. Again, their senses told them there was a human in those chambers. If it was an angel, it had hidden its nature once more. And so, the devils began to reason that they had to act, or they would suffer if it was no human. They could be close to a deadline, a very literal one. Many days had been spent in seclusion, and land could not be that far now.

“We need to seize the ship.”

The whispers were quieter than usual, so faint that the beast at the far stairs struggled to discern them.

“It’s suicide. We can’t, not with those four and that she-devil.”

“If we got rid of one, our chances would increase. We are many.”

“Not enough. Taking one away would still leave us with an angel.”

“Exactly… an angel that will kill us, as soon as it can set foot on land.” That devil tried to instil bravery onto the others, his striped red fur bristling in anger and impotence. “If it is human, we can endure a fight, if it is not… we must at least fight. We can’t perish like lambs to the slaughter.”

“What can we do against a being like that?”

“Not much, perhaps. But think, brothers. What will that monster do when it wanders lands that those invading angels haven’t reached yet? The freedom we thought to find there could be truly gone. That land will be tainted, not by humanity, but something far more deadly.”

Angels were indeed advancing into this world, burning all that they could attain. They were ruthless beings, obstinate and zealous of their objectives. Self-mutilation could very well have become their new ploy to blend in, increase their chances of purging them off the map, once and for all.

“No angel would endure a life similar to the one of a human. Folks do tell of them slitting their own throats due to it.” One demon argued, perplexed. “They are prideful, arrogant and high.”

“Well, not much difference then, is there?” That tiger-looking devil scoffed, knowing their words did not lead to real answers. “They are indeed prideful. They have never managed to erase us. Nowadays, humanity does what they couldn’t. Men shed both demonic and angelic blood, barely undisputed. Perhaps they grew tired of it, and decided to embrace the use of roaming between their enemies.”

“There could be more then, perhaps-“

“You better be quiet, all of you!”

So they did, snarling and leaning more against the walls or hammocks, shadowed in the dead of night. The big black feline had not roared only because he was annoyed, but because another one was descending the stairs.

The one that always watched from the masts neared, her sharp blue eyes piercing them warily. Without any of them above, she had no reason to stay on deck. And so, she held a box in her claws, full of food and a couple of bottles of water. The sound of barrels being re-assembled echoed above, a stronger demon piling them up after opening them.

She stepped closer, like many other days. Her steps were careful, calculated. Her wings were tense, ready to dash. Her presence always invoked abhorrence and resent, and for it, she always kept her distance. She crouched some steps away from them, lowering the box… and that move was all a demon needed to decide to lunge.

Her wings did open as soon as those sharp tiger-like eyes glinted with raging desperation, fixing on her fiercely. But with the fast leap that followed and her crouched stance, she soon found herself pinned, hitting her back on the floor. Even if she crushed her wings slightly with her own weight, that did not mean she was idle after the tackle. As Lykaios stood sharply, she exchanged a few swipes of claw with the tiger. His fangs showed in his maws, much sharper than hers. Her wings did give him a few cuts, but soon she found herself yanked up by her long hair.

By the time Lykaios dashed to them, that devil had a claw around her neck, much to her furious dismay; all in two seconds, desperation capable of invoking the most feral of motions.

“Back off, or her blood will paint the floor.”

Aurora eyed very carefully those nails, sharper than hers. She did not show fear, even if her bow was not in her claw but on her back, between her wings. Lykaios growled deeply, warning him.

“Let her go, or you shall beg me to bite your throat out.”

His red eyes narrowed, seeing other devils step closer, insulted by his previous threats and assistance to that monster.

“No.” The tiger snarled, brushing her neck with a nail, a hiss escaping her as a little blood poured. “Step aside and let us move to those chambers. We shall corner that thing instead; with your help or not, but surely, without your interference.”

“You won’t-“

He could not finish, something else hissed in the air. The devils gasped, a sudden surge of violet fire flowing from the stairs, crawling fiercely towards them and struggling to lick their feet. The tiger flinched in reflex, his claw moving an inch off her neck, enough for her eyes to glint and sharpen with resolve.

When Uriel jumped down the stairs, he came to the sight of Aurora biting down onto the claw that had been threatening her. That tiger whipped up his arm, and when she did not let go and flapped her wings to hold on, he swung his other claw.

Lykaios was fast to catch her as she was shoved back, her chest bleeding slightly. Still, she was fast to stand up, growling as much as that tiger. She would have leapt onto him if another one did not before her. All saw a flash of violet collide with that red fur onto the floor, in a wild exchange of slashes… and everyone in both sides lunged after it.

——————-

He had been sitting cross-legged on the floor, below the big glassy window at the end of the chamber. The sky outside had no stars and was eerily dark, but he still had faced it to reflect, perhaps pray silently; something that he was doing all the more often lately, all ever since they left their home behind. His prayers were never heard. Or perhaps they were mocked. He did not know what was worse.

Alexis tensed, hearing again some growls from Lykaios. He tried to ignore them at first, for they had been very common in the past days. But he could not ignore what he heard next. His amber eyes opened more, slowly filling with dreadful realization, the next yells were far too many and much angrier. In between them, growls he knew well. Some were from Uriel, forever engraved into his subconscious since he leapt from that cliff. Those other snarls, however…

He stood sharply, with a speed he rarely displayed. There was no way he could mistake the growls of his own daughter, her voice always recognizable in his anxious mind, no matter its tone. Though faint, he could tell there was rage. The sounds of a fight were unmistakable, devil strength always able to make any surroundings rumble.

He found himself grabbing his old sword, and he did not notice how the runes glinted for a moment as he dashed for the door. Without delay or self-preservation, his steps were fast to lead him were many devils roamed. Demons that held raw animosity for him. Something that he did not care for at the moment.

The warning had been there, he had voiced it clearly. And even though he was reluctant to follow it before, hearing the pained snarls echo made him reconsider it. When he got into the main hold, he crossed paths with Ariel, who had been in the brig and had seen Uriel bolt. She was so focused on the stairs that led to the cargo that she flinched when he laid a hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t go in there.”

Ariel shivered, for he was not meeting her eyes. His gaze was distant, furious. From the top of the stairs, they both could see the shadows of the fight, glints of violet flames and bronze wings.

“But they-“

“Stay put. When they get up the stairs, close the doors, and do not open them until I do.”

With that, he walked past her, sword in hand. He did not look back, each of his steps firm on the stairs. Ariel shivered, rarely seeing him this angry. If she had seen his expression when he managed to see the quarrel, she would have perhaps feared him for once.

The angel halted sharply at the end of the stairs, his frown turning into an icy scowl. All those devils had indeed built up a small riot, which they had been keeping strong, more in numbers. They had managed to make Lykaios back off, two somehow having procured daggers, hidden somewhere they had not checked. The one who was giving the fools most trouble was Uriel, who had already thrown three to the ground, two of them now whimpering with broken ribs. Still, they were making him sweat, not easy to face that many, most of his fire behind him to prevent backstabs. All that was something that would warrant his anger, but something else he saw would have made his wings sharpen and bristle.

His amber eyes widened, spotting Aurora between it all, not easy to see between the bastards. What allowed him to notice her were her wings, which kept flapping to push claws off. His hand tightened on the handle of his sword, seeing the scratches on her, and the cuts on her chest and neck.

He only stood two seconds there without being noticed. All devils soon recognized the smell of a human nearby. Uriel’s blood was on him, as always. By the time he spoke with a snarl, all demons had frozen to acknowledge his sudden presence.

“That’s enough.” Lykaios had been the first to notice him there, and he saw quickly how those runes glinted faintly. “Get out.”

Uriel now had space to breathe, all those demons having averted their attention to Alexis. His demon paled, not having expected the devils to face them, much less his angel to react to it.

“Alexis, we can-“

“No, out.” Alexis glared at the three first, but then at those demons, having nothing but tired fury. “They can wound you, and they can’t kill me.”

Aurora and Uriel did not seem to want to move out, so it took Lykaios nudging them with his body for them to step away from the crowd. Slowly, they inched away towards the stairs, and the devils did not dare try to stop them, not when the blond wandered past them with that sword leaned at his side. Those amber eyes did glance sideways as they passed him, a few words said, very carefully.

“No matter what, stay back until I get out. I mean it.”

That only meant one thing, they knew. The three eyed carefully his sword, which did not tremble in his hold. He was eerily firm, sometimes glancing at their bleeding cuts, mostly hers. It took a minute, but in the end, they did back away up the stairs, knowing they could not submit these many devils on their own. It had been his initial threat what had kept them down. But fear was not easy to drown.

The doors closed reluctantly, and it once again painted the hold in darkness, not a single lamp lighted. Still, he could see in it, much like the many sharp eyes fixed on him, his sword constantly gleaming, ready to blaze. He tried to reason, not really seeking death, only intimidation.

“I fucking warned you.”

The tiger stood upright again, having been holding his maw after a very fierce punch, which he had answered with a swipe of claw. He wiped Uriel’s blood on his red fur, taking a deep breath to greet him.

“So it is indeed an angel…” There was no way a human would be standing right now alone with all these many demons, a suicidal move. “Finally decided to listen to your murderous instincts?”

“I was not the one to raise a claw.” He pierced that devil with a resentful glare, remembering clearly that night. “Like when that dagger sunk into the captain.”

Indeed, that tiger was the one who sneaked on him and covered his mouth, as that lizard did the deed they plotted. Said devil now inched closer, the only one who dared, all the rest apprehensive and cautious.

“You were quite easy to handle, I must say.”

“Won’t happen again, I fucking promise.” Alexis noted very well how he was trying to circle him, and he did not let him, sidestepping in a way that would only lead him against his sword. “Back off, stay put, and I will not have to hurt any of you.”

“For now.” Those eyes loomed over him, glinting in the dark, predatorily. “I will not wait idly while you postpone my fate, just because you can use me. We have each other right here, right now…”

“I assure you, as much as I want to tear that fur off your skin, I’d rather not kill you; none of you, not now, not after we-” He took one step back, because the devil inched far too close, enough to brush the sword and perhaps grab it. “Last warning, step back.”

The others were obeying, which lifted some weight off his mind and shoulders. But this one was not listening. Those eyes were truly demonic, and he had seen that gaze before. The same gaze he had felt after he lost his wings, hungry and unflinching, feral. He was prey in his eyes. He was eyeing the space where his missing limbs should be, with interest, consideration… because it made him easier to hunt.

Demons were capable of holding good emotions, but like angels or humans, many could be psychopathic and cruel. With an added animalistic twist, dangerous and hard to ignore for the boldest of them. A touch of bloody natural attraction for angels and it was the most dangerous of amalgams.

“I said-“

He could not finish. A gasp escaped him, one of those claws dashing near him, only his sidestep allowing those nails to sink onto a wall instead of his face. Reactively, he swung his sword, which sliced the demon’s back. The tiger hissed and turned around with a slash, missing him as he ducked and stepped back.

Alexis panted, seeing well that the tiger was now near the door, while he was giving his back to the rest of devils. Luckily, he only needed a yell at those to keep them from having any ideas.

“Don’t move!” He pointed at one who had leaned, glaring. “I can kill you all with one slash!”

“Sure…” He snarled and looked back at the tiger, which was now cracking his neck, smiling as he saw him cornered. “If that weak cut is all you can manage, I think I will have it easy to taste that flesh slowly, and truly see what you are.”

No, he could manage much more. That cut was his last warning, and he was ignoring it; because any other angel would have already killed if capable. There would be no listening, not from this devil. But the rest… one glance behind him, and he noticed clearly their hesitant glances, much less feral and malicious. There was more fear than hate.

And so, he chose to act on that fear. He truly could be the monster they deemed him to be, and it was the best shield he had to keep as many lives safe as possible. Most important, he would protect his loved ones, no matter the cost.

Two steps were needed for those claws to lay on him. With the first, he tensed, his feet pressuring on the floor. He took a stance that kept all others behind him, while he stood face to face with his attacker and target. With the second step, a claw rose over his head, and so did his sword. Both blade and nails made contact, each with different intentions… which only one would fulfil.

There was a striking flash, and in a millisecond, a blaze. All were blinded for a moment, but perhaps they would wish to not hear as well. When their sharp eyes adapted to the light of the flames, they cowered and tried to get as far away as possible from the angel. For there was no doubt he was one. He stood huffing in front of a huge amalgamation of golden fire, which was covering what once was a devil. Said demon was thrashing and screeching, feeling much more pain than what his vocal cords could express.

And all the while… those amber eyes just stared, vacantly. There was no doubt, but there was no gratification. His calculations had gone according to plan, only one devil was aflame. He barely moved; he only swung that sword again when that pile of melting flesh attempted to flail close to the rest or towards the door. He sidestepped once more, jabbing the dying devil to force him to a corner, where no flames would brush anything else they could consume.

It took a long while, but soon, there was nothing but ashes. Not a single demon dared near, perhaps haunted by his eyes, sword, or murderous capability. When the flames starved and died at his feet, he finally raised his gaze from the dust. With a tone all too tired and monotone, he asked the shadows hiding at the edge of the hold, his sword lowered slightly.

“Anyone else wants to try?”

The runes stopped glowing, and his body deflated with an exhale, noting both their haunted expressions and the terror he could feel. It did not only come from the hold, but out of it too, and he loathed that fact. But this was better than the thought of that bastard sneaking on them somehow, another dagger held up. If to avoid death he had to bring it, he would surrender his soul and ethics. They had long ago been left behind.

The hold was silent. None of those devils answered him, nor moved. And so, he dragged his feet to the stairs, slowly climbing up. He gave them his back, blade brushing the floor, but none took the chance to lunge on him with such a defeated and unimposing stance. He knew the threat was gone; those who remained had only followed the first mutiny, they did not spark it.

Honestly, he felt as trapped as them. When he opened the door, he came to the sight of their eyes, which were both trusting… and fearful. Not of him, but of what he was able to do, against all he was once. He was afraid of it too.

“They won’t be an issue anymore.” He knew for sure, the crew would never forget what he had just done, not in their whole lives. “Just… don’t go in there. Let them out if they want to. There’s too much dust.”

With that, he avoided their stares, going for the hatch ahead. He dared not meet Aquila’s eyes, who luckily had been prevented from entering the cargo hold in her confusion. Not even Aurora said a word or chased as he climbed to deck, his expression emotionless.

The four knew that he mourned his very own loss of self.

———-

The sight should have been joyful. It should have invoked the greatest of reliefs. But he felt nothing. Aurora and Ariel did roam tentatively to the railings, to gaze upon that shoreline, but he just looked at it indifferently. Uriel was not much better, standing at his side all ever since that night, not much guard required. Not even Lykaios needed to growl. All the crew was exhausted emotionally, tired, and haunted. And strangely enough, the one who held the most grief was the only surviving killer.

Even though Alexis was by the helm, the crew was rushing all over, desperate to reach the docks far in the distance. Ariel and Aurora could tell how anxious they were, hating that the boiler was unlit, making their speed less fast than they wished it to be.

Aurora sat on a railing, eyeing the land, each minute closer. Arid, not as vibrant as the ones they knew. Not many trees decorated the sandy fields around the small coastal town they were nearing. It was no wonder that humanity did not thrive as much here; she could feel the heat, her feathers even more bristly under the radiant sun.

“I don’t think we will find many lakes, Ariel.”

Again, it was not a lake what she implied, and her sister knew. What little habitable areas there were, they would surely be roamed by others. There would be no intimacy and seclusion, not near this coast at least. They would need to roam further inland to find a home.

“We will find one. I’m sure of it.”

“We must.” She glanced subtly up, to the quarterdeck, two figures gazing tiredly there. “We really must, Ariel.”

There was a nod of agreement, both knowing well that their fathers could not take much more strain, be it emotional or physical.

Little did they know that Alexis and Uriel felt the same towards them. What little thread of strength the angel had, it was for their sake. He still cared; he still wanted to go on, as painful as it was. All he endured recently, it was for them. And he did not regret it. Not even if his demon hated not being able to take away part of that hurt.

Silence reigned on the vessel… until it was close enough to the edge of the dock, for multiple fools to jump off-board. Aquila snarled, seeing many devils dash suddenly, deeming jumping into the water a better option than staying any second more on deck. The folks at the docks did gasp and gather to watch how the crew disassembled into such a chaotic mess. Uriel huffed in disapproval, while Alexis averted his gaze, unable to blame them.

Aurora and Ariel tensed, hearing some of those fools scream the word angel, much to Lykaios’ and Uriel’s dislike. In a minute, while Aquila forced the few demons that remained to dock the ship, a few guards neared from the small streets.

Alexis eyed carefully those guards, part of him surprised to see they were not only human. Aquila did step off the helm, inching by the two to whisper before commanding all to disembark.

“Now, these lands truly test the endurance of its people… and strength is valued much more by its inhabitants.” She commented one last thing, which they had already argued carefully. “They will surely welcome a priest of your standing. Just make sure to uphold appearances upon these fine people, until you leave their region.”

With that, she marched ahead, a plank quickly laid in front of her as she called for it. Both looked at her tiredly, wondering how could she be this poised after what she saw unfold in this ship. She regarded the ashes with indifference, and that sword with abhorrence.

“I don’t feel like yelling verses, Uriel. They don’t feel right.”

His demon was always so confident when he was under pressure, he truly did not know how he could say the next words so surely.

“I got this.”

Uriel promptly grabbed his sword and marched much faster ahead, while he followed meekly. Both could see the guards. Some were demons, who were now looking down at ones who begged for help at their feet.

“There’s a monster in the ship! An angel!”

“It has killed, left nothing but ashes!”

“It will burn all of us!”

They did not seem as bothered now that many in this town were human, or that they lived in agreed cooperation. All they cared for was to get away, find aid against something far worse than territorial disputes.

When they noticed that Uriel had neared the guards and Alexis was not too far off, many did run away, most deciding to hide somewhere in town or out in the sandy fields. Those violet eyes pierced some that were far too frozen in fear to run, his next words bitter and accusing.

“There is no such thing as an angel in this ship.” Uriel displayed the sword to the one who seemed the lieutenant, clad in a uniform durable enough to withstand sandstorms. “These vile individuals raised a mutiny, and when the priest on board reacted to the murder of the captain, they smelled this.”

The humans raised an eyebrow, while the demonic soldiers did sniff the air. They quickly scowled, smelling dried angelic blood on the relic.

“It does reek of angel.” The followed Uriel’s point of tail, directed at the blond not too far away, indeed wingless and all too human to their senses. “How the hell did they mistake…?”

Both jolted, because firm steps echoed, a voice calling with bitter resent.

“We carried a lot of mead. Note the past tense.” Aquila glared at some of the fools who helped kill Amadi, promising them trouble. “Former second in command, newly appointed captain. I humbly request these murderers to be held accountable for their crime.”

Those devils tried to step back. Much to their surprise, the demons of the town were now eyeing them with disapproval, instead of sympathy. It was something that surprised Uriel and Alexis, but not Aquila. Aurora and Ariel frowned, seeing both human and demon soldiers begin to advance on the mutineers, whose excuses were ignored.

“We certainly can’t allow murderers to roam freely.” It was clear this town knew Aquila. She was not new here, and neither was Amadi. “We gather that he…”

“He rests now in the seas he so loved.”

There were a few growls, which invoked a few worried whimpers from the bastards. A few crewmates tried to scatter before they could be grabbed, but they were promptly being chased. The town was not big, but its buildings were tall, everything compacted as close to the coast as possible, far from the arid fields around it. There were not many places those fiends would be able to hide in, unless they jumped into the town’s well, the only source of fresh water. The crowds were not helping them run fast either, dense and hard to push through.

Aquila exchanged a few words with some soldiers, both human and demonic, and then twirled to face them. The four had gotten down the vessel, Aurora and Ariel pushing a handcart with their heaviest belongings. They stood silent as the captain sighed and commented, rather tiredly.

“Do you have a plan?”

Uriel was the one to admit, Alexis somehow not glad to find that his former human authority was no longer needed.

“No.”

“Figures… Those bastards did not seem to know much of this land either. An ignorance that I will make sure to twist around their sorry lives, until they forget what they fled from in their pathetic homeland.”

Uriel took a deep breath, trying to ignore her raging whisper.

“This land does seem more tightly knit.”

“Not everywhere; some places do keep differences between humans and demons. But most of this land does hold a history of reluctant tolerance. Where there is a struggle, there is cooperation to overcome it.”

Alexis noted the bitterness in her voice, and so, he finally spoke.

“There was more benevolent aid than unwilling support.”

She turned, giving them her back. The next words would be the last she would let them hear, she herself drained of their shared moments, which she wished to forget.

“Regretfully, I can’t offer any more. I must see to my own scuffles. But I do wish you luck in your search.” She warned, again, kindly but sternly. “Many devils roam… and not all may be as forgiving if they came to know what walks between them.”

That was a fact. As she walked out of sight, they could not avoid but glance at the town. Many humans traversed the stony streets, unbothered by the many demons that stood by them. All were regarded with the same indifference. Actions were what defined their status. The most hardworking won the most recognition, the land unforgiving and treacherous.

If one thing they learnt from that voyage, it was that three of them could now express freely their will, while another would need to keep his own self concealed. No longer would he be able to invoke authority with his presumed humanity.

Now he was either nobody… or a monster.