His ancestors would have probably screamed in outrage upon the sight. Meanwhile, he was fascinated by it. The mild fever he had been suffering did not cloud his reasoning; he was not offended by the way in which the huge sanctuary had been torn apart and rebuilt.

Long ago, the towering temple stood undisputed on the arid plain, right at the edge of an oasis. His people were lucky to not know about its current state. Once angels lost their dominance in the world, time began to erode its imposing structure. Humanity did not let the chance of seizing it pass.

The large stony courtyards had witnessed uncountable debates on scripture; now they sheltered innumerable devils, beings that angels had denounced as vile, unworthy of stepping on holy ground. The towers had accommodated the noblest of angels, the purest of bloodlines; they would cry at the thought of human soldiers roaming the chambers, for they did not share the same convictions as their subjugated progenitors. Strong metal had replaced derelict engraved granite, the temple now turned into a military base.

They had been able to see the towers and overlooks from a great distance, yet not even the most inhuman eyes could admire the scale of the garrison without getting closer. It certainly was grander than the temple they had once frequented in the eastern continent. Its scale on the plains was so grand that they did not manage to see all of it after a day in its proximity.

He never smiled anymore, not even while writing letters that would perhaps reach their humble home in a northern city. Somehow, as he marched through the chaotic yet disciplined crowds, his eyes glinted for what stood outside the most secluded yard. It certainly helped him ignore the bittersweet recollection of another old fortress, where a loved one had lived once. His interest was evident, and it did not fail to prompt a concerned whisper.

“Bombs were dropping on us last time we saw one of these.”

Alexis ignored Uriel’s nervous remark, much more fascinated by the aircrafts settled near the garrison. Although the grand walls of the fort blocked the view a little, he could count ten of them. All were slimmer than the ones of the coalition, because they did not need as much steam to rise, thanks to the spellcasters that powered their engines. As a former blacksmith, he had to admire the way they had been engineered.

“With luck, we won’t see fire rain down on us again. We’ll be above.” He did not feel much thrill while imagining their foes getting roasted, but he was still angry about that strike on the train. “Can’t wait to know what our next assignment will be. We both could be useful in one of these things.”

Uriel fumbled with his claws, looking away for a moment while they followed their commander through the garrison, like all the rest in their squad did. He eyed the demons around them, finding some comfort on the fact that not all seemed to be fit for battle but logistical aid.

“Hopefully, we can keep everything powered up in the inner compartment. I have always been precise with my spells, and if I were to be told to take aim from those lateral rims…”

The angel eyed his demon subtly, noticing his grimace. They had yet to kill anyone directly in this war, and they felt slightly lucky that they had avoided the fact until now. Death was no stranger to them, yet they did not wish to repeat such vicious ordeals. They felt that their hands were bloody enough already.

Their march ended at last, for their commander called for them to halt in formation near some pillars and a big entryway. The two were used by now to the endless yells and orders, and they were skilled in the art of whispering without drawing attention. Alexis replied once their sergeant walked past shouting the usual empty formalities.

“I don’t think they’ll make you fight like that, not when a man with a rifle can shoot down as well. We’re here because they consider us to be weak or magically useful, right?” Both could see that many kinds of militias roamed the garrison, and that it was an important strategical location for the federation. “They have the records of our time in that city, so they must know of your skills. It would be an asinine idea to pull you away from the frontlines just to make you patrol around this place; there are other smaller demons with sharp eyesight to do that. If they won’t use your muscle, they must be planning to exhaust you fueling their contraptions. I mean, this place is far inland and loaded to the brim with soldiers. We will not find many foes to beat down or-“

He could not finish. The sergeant had finally stopped shouting, giving way to the demon that came out of the inner chambers. Neither dared keep whispering, because they had come to learn that Itzal had a very sharp hearing, even for a demon. In the way here, he had been less than accepting of any murmurs.

The captain stepped closer with his usual composure, but with a clear frustrated air to him. Whatever the officials had discussed in the first day after their arrival had not pleased him. Or perhaps, he simply felt disdain for all of them and the fact he was charged with their supervision. His guttural voice seemed angrier as well, and it made his lupine features even more feral.

“Alright, listen up.” He began to pace in front of them all, glaring down at every single one of them as he walked by. While a human’s eyebrows would twitch, it was his pointy ears what hinted his frustration. “Some of you could be useful in battle. Some. If you are here, it is because you have a certain extra set of skills or you would be an utter waste in a battlefield. Engrave this in your minds: we cannot spare anything of use in this war, and all assets must be guarded zealously. You will make yourself useful, in one way or another.”

As he said that last part, he had halted by the two. To be precise, he had scowled at Uriel with a subtle wave of tail. Both demons exchanged a stare, which one of them found strangely hostile. An angel would have debated the way in which those scarred red eyes pierced his demon, if he were not targeted next with a glare and silent snarl.

“Now, we may overlook your failure in being competent, but be warned that we won’t tolerate any displays that impair our cause. If any of you dare to cause problems, or fuel the fires of a quarrel, I will personally see that you regret it. I can punch much harder than anyone, no matter what they are, understood?”

Uriel trembled in contained instinct when Itzal leaned to glare Alexis down. It was clear that their captain had heard the murmurs in their squad, for word had spread about how he tackled a devil in the last outpost they settled in.

The angel was not intimidated by the way those four eyes were fixated on him, no matter how much anger they hinted. What made him flinch was the realization that an official had more reasons to keep an eye on him, and the fact that the subtle accusation was not that discrete. He could not help but cringe and avert his gaze when he spotted a few human soldiers of the garrison sneaking glances at him, muttering curious words.

Itzal leaned away and ignored how Uriel glared at him in a controlled manner. With one last disapproving glance, he gave his back to them all, uncaring of the way the blond fidgeted. No one ever dared speak of it, but there was a clear racial division in this continent, and they could not allow it to surface much in their joined efforts. Allies and treaties were easily torn apart.

“This garrison houses most of the developed tech in the last decade, overseen by many important officials. It is, as a matter of fact, a very important location for our faction. So, behave and learn, or we will reconsider molding you thoroughly.” What came next was a threat, laid out coldly. “You can still be fodder, a simple instrument for our objectives.”

The captain scoffed and handed some documents to the sergeant, leaving without looking back. He walked away into the fort, intending to stand by Dorothea once more. All remained there, unable to break formation while the veterans of the garrison eyed them. Luckily, the papers were examined quickly enough.

“Tasks have been assigned. Do listen carefully, ‘cause I won’t repeat myself.” Names were yelled out in order. Some were told to head off to the main storage, while others were instructed to other courtyards to join a patrol. As predicted, when the two were named, they were told to walk out the walls, where most tech was kept. “That’s all. You shall be directed by your new corresponding overseers. Go make yourselves useful.”

The sergeant walked away too. They had not bonded at all with any of the humans or devils that had marched with them, yet the two still felt slight discomfort when the squad dissolved like if it had never existed. All were divided again, and they had their doubts while looking down at the documents they had been handed.

“Industrial division, huh? Figures.” Alexis leaned closer to Uriel and frowned, reading the directive he held in his claw. “You are assigned to… provisions? That doesn’t sound much like you’ll be fueling the engines.”

Uriel sneaked a glance at himself, but he tried to hide how much he dreaded being assigned to simple heavy lifting.

“Ah, well, magic is one kind of provision, isn’t it?” He grew deadpanned, whispering to not get any looks. “Calling it magical branch would be quite silly, you must agree.”

Alexis crossed his arms and shook his head, unconvinced.

“In any case, shouldn’t it be categorized as industrial as well? The only place where spells are needed as fuel is in those contraptions, or in factories.”

The more they debated it, the more disheartened Uriel felt.

“M-maybe, but…” Uriel took a deep breath and stood proud, not wishing to be defeated by some pessimistic thoughts. “No, fuel is a resource, a provision. I am no simple brute; surely, if they intended to use my strength, they would have made me stay by the borders as infantry. Any battles here may be determined by intruding aircrafts or breaching tanks. It wouldn’t make sense for them to make me fetch stuff around for their whims and-“

A higher ranked soldier had spotted them standing idly; the shout came soon, extremely demanding.

“You! Conflicts aren’t won by standing lazily like idiots! If you don’t have orders to attend, I’ll gladly give you some that no one wants to fulfill!”

There were some provisional latrines, not too far. The mere thought of being punished like that made them pale and scatter. Not even Uriel, who hated disorder, was willing to take arms against such task. The demon muttered some vague apologies and followed the angel towards the outer walls with his tail tucked close, while the blond whispered some curses directed at the man and his threat.

They pushed past the crowds, insignificant by the tall towers, walls, and pillars. The noise of iron and steel echoed through the whole garrison, and they could only hope they would spend the entire war bending it for others to use.

————–

It was no game, but he felt played with. Time and time again, he would be evaded and misdirected, and it was clear that it was intentional. The reason, he did not know, but he would make sure to discover it.

He was no strategist. In fact, angels like him were not expected to ever act at own accord. Orders were not to be challenged, the only thing to keep in mind. Then again… their vows were also said to be obeyed, at all costs. In his eyes, what he was doing was more primordial than any possible command dictated by his superiors.

Novik took a deep breath, for what he saw confirmed all his suspicions. While hiding in some crags at the edge of the dense woods, he saw her again. He did not make a single move to reach her as she landed on some slopes to examine what he left there intentionally.

She was evading him, yes. But she was also looking for him. He knew that her shadowed eyes were fixated on the white feathers he left there. Chasing her offered him no results, and he grew tired of roaming blindly after her. At first, he only intended to lure back that beast to prevent it from finding her, but he soon noticed her schemes.

“Why do you roam, maiden?”

Of course, he did not dare say that loudly. He had picked on the fact that she had a sharp hearing. Somehow, she would always know where he was, and where he would head to. Not this time though.

Her stance had always been sure, composed. Now, however, she seemed honestly confused. He did not know it, but by covering himself with herbs and mud to prevent that beast from detecting him as quickly, he was disorienting her as well. That, of course, he wouldn’t know, for he believed her an angel.

While Novik laid low, Aurora snarled, unable to trace his scent in her surroundings. No matter how she breathed, she could not focus. The smell of the feathers was affecting her senses as well, clouding her assertions of where he could be. There were no others trails to follow. For the first time, she pondered how useful it would be to be bound like Uriel.

“Where has he gone?”

She stepped down the slopes carefully and cautiously. Even if she was sure that her target was weak, she still remembered that it was an angel, as Lykaios kept warning. She unsheathed her sword and advanced a little, letting her eyes sharpen under her hood.

To be honest, the way in which the feathers had been laid reminded her of a ploy her father attempted. He had failed then, outsmarted by a determined hunter. She should be able to track this angel, for Alexis was the only one who would try to avoid a fight like that.

The warriors of his civilization were thick headed, direct in their confrontations. Novik had not been a fighter all his life, however, and that was a fact she ignored. Things had changed in that corrupt world, twisting it even more.

While Aurora pondered, Novik waited, letting her step closer. Although she had her sword in hand, he did not see a threat in it. He intended to leap out of his hiding spot once she was close enough and then prevent her from fleeing; there was no suspicion in his mind that one of his kind could hold ill intentions towards another angel. 

His bright eyes were captivated by how she moved closer, the glimmers of the sun finally brushing her fair wings once she walked past some trees. If he had time, he would have drawn her on his notebook, without sparing any detail, like the pretty bands that tied her feathers or the soft gloves she wore. Her robes were detailed even if old, like the ones an angel invited to the grand palace would don.

Years of hunting made her move gracefully, attentively. While angelic soldiers would march firmly, each of her steps was careful and soft. She was close. Her eyes narrowed when she spotted the small ponds around the nearby crag; if he had not used the mud there, she would have sensed him then.

She was suspicious of the cliffs. After all, she had used them to hide herself before. She was about to step closer and make sure he did not roam by them… but then she heard a distant howl. It made her turn instantly, for she recognized its meaning.

Novik let out a very mild angelic expletive, seeing her open her wings and jump out of sight. He tried to bolt out of the hole he hid in to catch up with her, but by the time he stood tall she had taken off.

He flew up too, making sure to stay near the trees to not reveal his position to her. He hurried, fearing that she could conceal herself again in the distance she had put between them. She did not know he was seeing her now, and he had a clear view of her landing spot. His blue eyes narrowed as she descended past a bluff, where the woods were lusher thanks to the shades cast. He unsheathed his own sword, determined to follow the sound of that howl as well.

“I shall fight with you.”

He flapped his wings strongly and followed, making sure to stay hidden. The wail had been low but clear, and she had soared to pay mind to it. If she wished to confront that demon alone, he could not let her. There was no glory in battle if it ended in death.

———–

She petted his black fur thankfully, letting him make himself comfortable on the copilot seat of the small tank. He felt reassured by her words; her concern and thoughtfulness were clear.

“I’ll make sure to buy another radio once we get back home.”

Lykaios yawned, fumbling with one of the multiple feathers Aurora had been collecting.

“Good luck getting her to use it. She is as apt as him.”

Ariel ignored that subtle insult and got out of the tank, jumping to the ground with a sigh. The way in which Aurora roamed had been effective before, but now it was futile. They were not making a difference anymore, and she was not letting Lykaios lurk to find the angel.

There were many reasons for Ariel to make Lykaios howl in the way they agreed as a call, and she took a deep breath to voice them all when she saw a shadow glide down through the foliage above.

Aurora panted and batted her wings more strongly, landing a few feet away from Ariel. She was quick to enquire about the howl, for she was sure they had called for an important matter. Her bow and sword were at hand, and her stance was as vigilant as her tone.

“Did you two sense him?”

Ariel shook her head, letting her tail tap the ground while Aurora scowled in disappointment.

“No. And to be honest, I don’t think we will.” Aurora crossed her arms, finally understanding the reason of the call. “I’ve talked with Lykaios. The feathers you are finding are just leftovers from all the turnabouts you made him take. He surely has left to find his squad by now.”

Aurora folded her wings and nudged off a few leaves that had gotten stuck between her hairy feathers. She contradicted Ariel’s words with a tired snarl.

“I know he’s still around, somewhere.” The subject was very touchy, but she could not help but voice it. “Look, he has never talked much about it, but I know that the way in which those feathers were scattered was not natural. He hasn’t left the area, I’m sure.”

“Yet you aren’t finding him.”

That was not a reproach, but an analytical statement. Their failure was strange for both, due to them having learnt more from Lykaios. Aurora was more prone to doubling down in her efforts, and she felt obligated to track that angel.

“Give me more time, please. He’s in these woods, I can find him again.”

Ariel would have agreed to her request, but she had to weight the pros and cons. She voiced them gently, caringly.

“We’re running low in supplies, and you are not hunting. Lykaios tends to rip apart what critters there are, and I really would appreciate getting something more proper from the city.” Aurora was unmoved, but the next words did make her reconsider. “You know we have not been able to read their letters, and its only thanks to the way their messengers operate that they haven’t grown weary.”

While roaming, they had made a few stops in a small village. They were able to drop some letters there for the local couriers to deliver, but any message from their fathers was bound to arrive at their home. Their fear of receiving bad news could not drown their painful wonder for much longer.

They had to surrender in their current endeavor, for now. Both knew it. Lykaios would maybe antagonize them again once they left the city, but they could not keep searching blindly in this region. The best course of action was to find another place where to help, perhaps in a village raided by an angelic squad.

“Fine, let’s have it your way.” Aurora let out a frustrated growl, having felt pleased about keeping an angel occupied without bloodshed. “There are many fiends causing trouble out there, and I can’t really keep wasting time here while that happens. It not much better than waiting in the city for their return.”

Like Alexis, Aurora was always overthinking. There was an exception to her caginess, however. While near Ariel, her mind always found repose. They could always speak without words, and this time it was no different.

Aurora twirled her sword and began to step towards Ariel and the tank, in a way that hinted she was handing the weapon. Her sister moved up a claw to reach for the blade, acknowledging her silent request for her to store it away. It was a simple approach, out of care and trust; both were scowling, but it was only because those bands tied on her wings were not easy to pull off. It was a bothersome chore, but a needed one. Neither wished to keep them on and stay inside the tank for hours.

They were not alone, and their dislike for the incoming task was mistaken for animosity and hate. An angel gasped while crouching on the bluff, seeing the two inch closer. Their stances were tense, and the whispers he heard them exchange were growled and snarled.

Novik had landed just in time to see her draw closer towards a devil, one that was different from that beast. Her figure was human-like, yet he could not help but freeze as those fangs peeked in a scoff. There were sharp horns and claws, and that long tail was waving strongly behind her. His heart skipped a beat when he noticed the way in which her eyes gleamed in the shade of the trees, but it was when she reached for the pointed blade that he reacted.

Ariel was about to brush the sword, her nails sharp enough to take it away without a single cut. Sadly, she did not have the chance. Both gasped when a rush of wind flowed, accompanied by a blur of white. Before they knew it, an angel was standing in between them, giving his back to Aurora and pointing his sword forth, yelling loudly with a passionate smirk.

“Back off, evil fiend! You shall not lay a claw on that mighty blade, for I shall defend this fair maiden and slay you myself!” Ariel blinked multiple times, but she did not back away from the pointed blade, seeing something he didn’t. “Now, prepare yourself to face your end! I will-!”

All he did was proceed to flinch and go wide eyed, struck from behind on the head. Both devils watched as his wings jolted sharply, to then drop down with him on the ground, loudly. Ariel glanced blankly at Aurora, who was glaring down at him her sword still in hand. The handle of the heirloom was sturdy, and he was quite foolish, so she did not need to invoke that one lethal incantation to deal with his threat.

Both stood there, staring down at him. Aurora lowered her weapon eventually, while Ariel leaned her head gradually with a pensive frown. Neither were surprised when a murmur echoed from their vehicle, as baffled as their expressions.

“Well, I’ll give you this… You did find him.”

Lykaios jumped down the small tank, to then stride towards the fainted angel without changing form. He was out cold, and there was no hint of him waking up anytime soon. All devils had a good punch, added to the fact that Aurora had been quite annoyed by his boasting.

There was silence while the three contemplated what had just happened. None expected to take down an angel like this, not so easily and suddenly. It did not take long for one of them to question the fact.

“What do we do with the fool?” It was obvious that they had to hinder him in some way before he woke up, but the next whispered suggestion made the two women cringe. “Shall I eat-“

He was yelled at by both, one more angry than the other.

“No! How many times must I say it for you to get it, you stubborn idiot?!”

“If I spot a single bite mark on him, I’ll shave all your fur off, hear me?!”

Lykaios sighed and backed off, a little disappointed. In his opinion, there was no harm in getting rid of a hand or leg. He wouldn’t go for those wings, all too sacred for their kind… But of course, they would get mad if he touched a single hair of his in any predatorial manner.

You show mercy as a favor once, just once, and then you find yourself prohibited from eating angels ever again… Unfair.

He knew that if he said anything he would be yelled at again, so he just sat down and contemplated the mess in their claws. The two sisters began to pace and grumble possible options, knowing that they had to deal with him somehow.

Their sharp blue eyes ended up piercing him grudgingly and tiredly. Killing was not an option, not even if a sword had been pointed with intent. That was why they reached an agreement. The angel could do nothing as the demons moved, their claws soon getting a hold of him.

————————

He reached with a hand, brushing the layer of steel that framed the big compartment. His eyes showed nothing but wonder for what humanity acomplished with the knowledge his uncle had allowed to spread.

Very few of his people knew of the books that relayed how to use steam as technology, and none would have ever written how to twist and combine it with magic like this. Angus would also feel fascination for the big exhausts at the sides of the slender cubicle of the aircraft, right below the ridges where soldiers could stand with a security rope.

Uriel’s fire never burned if he did not will it. It was similar to the spells used in the army. The devils by the inner engines would not only focus on powering a boiler to release steam, but also generate a hellish controlled heat in the leather partitions around the frame of the aircraft. If not for the pipes that let out the pressure below, these contraptions would break down after going airborne.

There were no wings, only fiery will. While he followed the instructions of a blueprint to readjust a steel plate that had unlatched in a previous raid, he could not help but remember his own former anatomy.

He paused for a moment and tried to ignore the buzz of the garrison, surrounded by many engineers that examined and maintained the contraptions. It was not easy with all the noise, and his new commander could maybe spot him doing nothing, but he could not help getting a bit distracted. These aircrafts were mighty and impressive, sure, yet he felt that they did not compare to the way angelic wings could help them soar over the lands.

He still missed it, far too much. No matter how much time passed, he never stopped hating the bitter reminders of his loss, the way in which his scars would ache sometimes. There were many unfulfilled desires in his heart, and while there were more important ones that flying again, he would certainly wish to have wings again.

A few seconds passed; his mind was haunted once more by troubled thoughts. He snarled and opened his eyes with a shake of head, catching himself reminiscing darkly. It was a good thing that he was concealed by the huge shadow of an aircraft and that the rest of his new crew was scattered in the huge plain by the walls.

He pressed the button of his welding gun to release more fire against the metal. After a minute, the plate was fixed completely on the frame; one could still see the bullet hole that had broken it down, but it was no longer of concern.

Done…

Alexis sighed and stood from a crouching position, taking a moment to crack his neck and outstretch. He then hung the welding tool on his belt, thankful that it was portable, unlike the ones he used to work before.

“Magic is indeed a provision.”

Devils adept enough to cast spells were constantly going about checking on each tool and mechanism other divisions used. Sadly, that was a task mostly caried out at dusk, once everything was stored away.

The angel frowned, catching a glimpse of the main yard of the garrison. Many humans and demons walked about, some training physically for a future strike, others practicing their aim. He spotted two black horns past a few men, always recognizable.

Uriel would indeed give use to his skills, but also his muscle. Just by seeing the way in which he inched closer to the arcs that led to a huge storage, Alexis knew that his demon was crestfallen about it. He noticed that he was carrying a heavy box inside, on his shoulder, and it was clear that it would not be the last.

Wonder how he would have felt if he had joined this war alone.

No point in pondering it much… he would have accompanied him no matter what. He felt solace in being able to be near him most of the time, and he was aware that their daughters had to be feeling anxious and ineffective. God knew he would in their shoes.

He lost sight of Uriel, and that caused him to focus on his duties again. The day was ending, yet he had not finished checking all the blueprints he was given.

Any new engineer assigned to this area would have taken days to understand completely the way in which the aircrafts functioned. However, he adapted faster than anyone else, even if he had much to learn. His commander would surely not yell at him once reports were made, for he fixed a lot on his first day, but he was still very critical of himself.

He really did not know all the ins and outs of how the federation operated in this garrison. Then again, very few officials knew all the details of the activities carried out in region. The schemes of war were secretive, never relayed unless necessary.

Something happened unexpectedly near him, and the way in which he reacted was completely justified. While walking around another smaller aircraft to check for imperfections or holes in the steam partitions, something dropped not too far off. The plain was big and not that crowded, so there was enough space for him to see clearly that it was not something but someone. He gasped in surprise as the man literally dropped with a thud, suddenly, like if he had been thrown by a big force from somewhere.

Alexis almost fell backwards as he backed off, ending up letting his back hit the frame of the aircraft by him. His hand did not lower from his chest, not even when the man stood up unharmed with an angry groan. It was only when a few seconds passed that he understood that what had launched that guy in the air was not another sudden bombstrike.

“Goddammit, Ilma!” The human soldier patted his clothes and glared back, at which point Alexis noticed a devil running their way. The man yelled at her while ignoring his startled expression, knowing she could hear him from a distance. “You’ve got to be more precise and careful, I almost crashed against this aircraft! I could have broken a leg or something, you dense vixen!”

The way in which the man addressed the demon was quite derisive, yet she did not show much anger for it. Alexis frowned as the soldier stepped closer and glared down at the girl, who seemed young in devil standards. She acted very apprehensively and apologetically, which did not do any favors to her frail appearance.

“Sorry, I misjudged your stance and invoked a stronger breeze to compensate it. I will be more careful next time and-“

“You better!” He cut her off, pushing past her and causing her long droopy fuzzy ears to twitch in surprise. “Make yourself useful and launch me again! Come on, the others managed to take off and I don’t want to have to run to where they landed!”

She gasped nervously and fidgeted to do as told, quickly positioning herself behind him while he stomped one foot forward on the ground. Alexis could only stand there mouth agape as he noted what unfolded on the guy’s back when he pressed a button on his belt. What had looked like a metallic backpack slid open to form two small blades, which almost looked like wings; they did not move or bat, staying still while a hiss emanated from the contraption.

The fox looking demon proceeded to move her arms and claws, whispering something, to then shout. As she did, a gust of wind rushed down and then upwards, so strongly that Alexis could have sworn a storm was bound to strike.

The force of the rush was so fierce that both devil and angel struggled to not stumble. The human did as well, but in a different way. The breeze pushed him, and that was when he jumped forth. He would have dropped down with a thud, if not for another press of a button. The hiss that had echoed from the backpack intensified in just a second, building up into a deafening buzz.

Alexis let himself drop against the frame of the aircraft, uncaring of what others could think of his stunned bafflement. Steam had shot down below those blades framed with leather, allowing that human to rise a few feet up; the contraption then allowed him to glide, soar through the plain towards the figures that stood at its end, far from where the planes were stationed. Now that he paid them mind, his inhuman eyesight allowed him to notice that they seemed to wear the very same backpacks.

He sat there, trying to register what he had just seen. His amazement and wonder for those inventions was mistaken for fear. The devil finally noticed him there, not too far, and she proceeded to murmur and stammer nervously.

“Ah, sorry!” She seemed fond of that word. In other circumstances, he would have tried to reassure her while she fumbled with her long pearly hair, but he was too taken aback to reply to her meek words. “My wind is harmless, promise! Again, I’m sorry to have invoked it so close, but I kind of… had to. Yeah, it’s not very precise.”

Alexis recovered a bit from his astonishment, pushing away for a second the thought of those contraptions, which were awful reminders of his limbs, even if not as agile or adept. He finally paid her more mind, frowning as he recalled the way in which she was addressed. There were demons that could look like monsters, but she was far from it. Her human face was soft and pale, and her green eyes were the least sharp he had seen; only her furry ears, as pearly as her long hair, hinted what she was. Her claws were gloved, and it hid her small nails.

There was no reason to feel animosity towards her, not with how young and soft she looked. Still, it was clear that humans did not treat her kindly, and she considered him one. She eyed him meekly one last time, said sorry again, and then rushed into a sprint back towards those men.

Alexis stood slowly, blinking. There was a glint in his eyes, haunted yet fascinated. Left alone, he really tried to focus again on his duties, but it was a lost cause. He dropped the blueprints he had been holding and ran off as well, this time to find the only one who would listen to his laments and hopes.

While the angel ran towards the main storage to try to find his demon, a figure crept deeper into it. Most of the weapons, uniforms and food were stored there, but that was not the motive of such intrusion.

Her blue eyes were attentive, alert. Only a small smile and subtle salute was needed to pass by anyone that marched through the stony corridors, her presence unquestioned. The emblem of the federation shined darkly on her uniform, one that she attained with ease.

No one stopped her when she approached the door she had sought. If anyone tried to, she could just call out her name, because now it was added to the records of the federal drafts. However, even if she would be able to avoid complete detection, she still needed to be careful.  Suspicion could bring scrutiny upon her actions, and that was the last thing she needed.

With a deep breath and another glance around her, she reached for the door. It was locked, but that was not an issue for her. One minute was all it took, her lockpick useful as always. The room was not too big, but its contents were of huge importance.

She stepped in slowly, with the zealousness a spy would display in hostile territory. After making sure no one stood there, she closed the door a little behind her, to conceal her actions and allow a swift escape if needed.

“Dammit…”

She did not like what she saw, at all. Jamin’s concerns were justified, and the situation was slightly worse than first thought. They were sure that the federation would notice the way in which they powered their new magical contraptions as humans, but they did not know at which extent they investigated the fact. Now she knew.

She walked closer to the desk in front of her, ignoring the many shelves full of documents around her, at least for now. There were multiple shattered crystals, and she noted that they had been drained and messed with.

The federation had scrapped almost all the vehicles they took down and ripped out the stones inside. Of course, they had gotten curious about their properties.

There were vials, notes, and some tools. All had been stored away after being used in their tests. She picked up a note from a pile, and although the dates were confusing, she paid mind to how they listed the properties of the crystals.

As noted, they had tried to make some devils refill them with magic. It worked. They now debated the natural and intact magical properties of the stones; the coalition did not dispose of ways in which to invoke spells to charge them.

She scowled, now knowing that the federation suspected that the isthmus was where the mines were. That detail was crucial, and she needed to relay it as soon as possible. She couldn’t stand in the room for that long either, because the workers of the garrison frequented it when tests were finished in other chambers.

After leaving everything in the exact same position she found it, she backed away to the door. She opened it slowly, once she listened into the outer corridor. No sound echoed into the room, and that made her believe it was safe to walk out. She was wrong.

As soon as she stepped out, she noticed a huge shadow growing on the ground. Someone tall had been walking in the corridor, so silently that no human would have heard. She almost paled when she noted the pointed edges on the shade, what could only be horns.

She tensed instantly, much like he did when he saw her get out of the room. At first, he grew weary of the fact that she was there, because an official had given him the only key and told him to store some boxes full of important documents. Soon, however, he forgot about it, in the most horrible manner possible.

He was going to call out, ask politely but carefully the reason of her presence… but then she turned her head to glance at him. His heart skipped a beat, noting those icy eyes, her auburn hair, and her spirited expression. It was too familiar to bear, a haunting sight.

Ayane only spared a second there. Without a word, she bolted. She cursed the fact that demons had a sharp vision, for it could mean her plans had been compromised. One second and glance could be enough… and they were.  

Uriel trembled, frozen. His claws began to falter, even if the box was not that heavy. His tail stopped waving behind him, to tangle around his feet in a painful angle. As he tried to breathe, his fangs showed in a confused scared scowl.

He wanted to move, chase. Call her, try to reach what he had just seen, make sure he was not dreaming awake. Sadly, he couldn’t manage to do it. No matter how much he struggled against it, his vision began to grow foggy, numb.

No one roamed to see him lean sideways gradually, his expression turning from shocked to drained. The box fell noisily from his hold, his body striking the ground, with the many documents that scattered. His loud fall alerted a few guards, but by the time they reached him, she was gone with his heart.