It would be fine, it had to be. This was not goodbye.

I can’t say it…

He took a deep breath, finding himself voicing a farewell that felt familiar.

“I’ll see you two soon.”

Those blue eyes hinted doubt, and there was hurt as he let go of their claws. He could not bring himself to keep looking at them, and so, he stepped off, at last, beginning his march towards the distant station.

He had held them close before this dreadful moment, but he could not do so now. If he did, he would break down. The horrible instant he had feared was upon him at last, and like in many other haunting moments he had lived, his mind silenced everything around him in favor of his own screams.

His demon was not any better. For once, he was not as poised as he should maybe be, even if he needed to. Aurora and Ariel faced him, and much like him, they did not bother to contain their tears. He whispered, lovingly.

“I’ll write to you as much as I can.”

Ariel held his claws, promising as well.

“Do tell of your location if possible, so I may answer you.”

His next grin quivered, his fangs pressuring his lower lip as he brushed her long black hair fondly. When a tail and a wing brushed him, a shaky sob finally escaped him, and he let go of any pretence of composure.

Two red eyes watched distantly how a demon let go reluctantly, after a few hesitant whispers, while an angel was lost in a cold stride. Lykaios saw their embrace end, for Uriel invoked all his self-enforced diligence to move away like Alexis.

Aurora and Ariel said nothing as Lykaios neared them instead, to try to give them some kind of solace with his presence. The three kept quiet while the two marched towards the rail station, where multiple families were divided. Many figures kept letting go of loved ones, all dressed in uniform, gathering little by little to head towards the same point.

Each step they took got them closer to less pleasant crowds, their surroundings twisting grimly. No longer civilians around, but others like them, fresh recruits. The closer they got to the rails, however, the more qualified soldiers stood by.

Three red eyes oversaw the gathering carefully, looking over every single figure that approached the train, the parting hour called and assigned efficiently. They would head south, towards the wall that stood between them and their foes, to defend it. One by one, all men and women boarded the wagons, not to return unless the war was over.

Humans and devils, the latter more common than the former… He saw no difference and did not care for it. Each race, although cordial and respectful of the other, was keeping a slight distance. All individuals were roaming with their own, their words and kinship reserved. That was one of the reasons why a pair took his attention quickly.

Itzal scowled, noticing clearly how a horned devil loomed close by a blond, who led their steps. He was the first to climb into the train, in the emptiest carriage, and did not doubt to lean down a hand for a claw to grab onto, for support.

The two huffed and got in, quick to eye the others that were there. It truly was not a journey of leisure; although there were seats, they were not enough for all. Some recruits were sitting on crates, which were loaded with ammunition and supplies, needed by the border. There were two obvious crowds, a big one composed by devils, and the smaller one of humans.

They neared neither, even though they would probably find solace with others that shared their same plight. With one silent look, they stepped by the open sliding door, sitting at the edge to contemplate the now distant city. Not everyone was aboard, so they could spare some time to reflect, mourn their losses.

They took off their backpacks and pondered silently for a while. All ever slowly, Alexis dared to take something out of the pocket of his black uniform, examining it carefully in his hands. Uriel eyed him warily, for he never enjoyed the sight of him holding a knife, much less that one.

He could not carry his golden sword with him. It was too big, conspicuous, and it would have surely been confiscated or stolen, sooner or later. But he still needed something… there were far too many possible threats, and they could not ignore one of them.

He held the handmade knife close to himself, concealing it from everyone but his demon. His eyes were fixed on the engraved runes, ones that had also been on the golden weapon. Of many, only a few remained, forming a single meaning. They had been carved with care, intent, and worry.

Uriel frowned, for he was not sure that the small knife could serve the same purpose as that other weapon, deadly and bright. That blade had been forged by angelic fire, while this one had been made with demonic flames, in secrecy. They gave it to him as he crossed the door of their home for the last time.

The demon doubted, yet the angel knew better. When there was a faint blazing glint on those runes, those violet eyes opened more softly, with recognition. Alexis let the glow die between his hands, whispering so quietly that only Uriel heard.

“Love is a beautiful and terrifying thing… Isn’t it?”

There was no answer, none was needed.

———–

 

Desperate times brought desperate measures. And they would answer such foolish attempts with fiery intent, a swift counter.

His grey eyes narrowed, his hand clenching so tightly that he almost drew blood. The humans were answering fire with fire, in a way they had not seen in years. Somehow, they had managed to fuel their heretic machinery with magic, halting efficiently their advances from the north.

They could still face them, but the offense was there, insolent and daring. These years, they had been taking ground little by little, flying and occupying those northern lands, pushing away human vermin from their gateway. They could not afford to lose what they gained, not now.

A slight change of plans was in order, a small gamble, which could aid greatly their crusade if successful. They had been putting it to the test before, and a scout did manage to hear of news, carried by those disgusting humans.

A soldier overheard humans whispering of angels wandering the western continent, and better yet, he saw how they laughed at the fact that small massacres of devils had been committed. Such information was critical, and that warrior made sure to return through the portal to relay it. If the humans were not lying, that meant that the few individuals he sent through the abyss to roam had succeeded, at least slightly.

It was time for them to increase the scope of such operation, and not only in hopes of digging out one certain maggot. With humans committing more blasphemy every day, they needed to have more cards to play with as well. They needed to gain land, in case they somehow lost the one they had under control.

Besides… devils deserve to perish more than vermin.

Einar marched through, his boots stepping strongly on the stony path, which led directly towards the abyss. The fields that surrounded the citadel were no longer vacant and lush, but built upon and crowded. Many wings moved through, most marked and battle-worn.

Long ago, there were many novices and untested fools between them, but no more. Even the weakest of scribes had been tempered, molded into a soldier. Such was the background of one angel between the many that stood by the abyss today, all tasked with a new objective.

Einar approached them silently and eyed their lines, pacing in front of them like a hungry hawk. He had commanded many to jump, but he only asked a few to behold those distant lands. That was about to change.

“Brothers and sisters…” He raised a wing and pointed at the blackness behind them, solemnly. “Some of you have seen what lies behind the void. Others have never leapt through it… None of you has ever descended in hopes of reaching those isolated and tainted lands. Although they are plagued with devils, I must ask you to envision them in your minds, so the abyss may bring you to them. Most of you have been waiting for decades for this moment… and it has arrived.”

An angel of white wings broadened his shoulders, inspired by those words. His bright blue eyes held nothing but devotion, all around him holding the same conviction. When the general spoke next, his heart left behind all longing for his past, the wish of glorious battle drowning his love for knowledge.

“Go now, and let us restore that world with fire.”

All dived, hoping to purge what they thought tainted.