They both neared from the shadows, neither showing much optimism on their expressions. Their tails swayed more nervously as they set their gazes on the distant cart, hidden from view near some trees, at the edge of the field.

The tense silence was broken eventually, when no one but them could hear.

“Please, don’t tell me you are beginning to consider it.”

Uriel frowned, her whisper full of uncertainty, concern. He assured her, even though the prospect was there, all ever enclosing and more probable each day.

“If we truly wished to settle in Feiren… I would have to. He is, after all, just a foreign merchant; can’t offer much to gain citizenship.” However, there was no way he would enlist in their troops just to have a quaint home inside the city. They had left their old one to avoid bloodshed in the first place. “Even though they are getting extremely persistent, I won’t. You three would not allow me to without jumping in too.”

“But if we don’t… we won’t be able to even be out here, soon.”

Uriel growled sadly, holding tighter what little they were able to purchase inside the city. News of that angelic attack had flown fast to the city and its neighbouring settlements. The whole northern country was in a panic: angels at the far northern coastline, attempting to push down past the troops trying to figure out the reason of their presence; other warring humans below and around, wishing to seize this land.

They had fled the chaos of that fortress… only to find more in a city they had considered safe. People loved to point fingers and find a scapegoat, all the time. They managed to get back their cart; they fled through the tunnel and valley, reached the gates… and saw how much that temple’s fall had rumbled this society. Some civilians were blaming their possible losses on demons, claiming their undisputed presence had enraged angelic domain. Nobles and bureaucrats were trying to knit some kind of tighter military force to fend a much more threatening invasion, from two completely unexpected foes. And merchants… were increasing their prices and keeping most of the essential resources for themselves.

If angels or human invaders did not make Feiren crumble… the country would do it itself. And they were right in between, in its core, no options they could flee for. North meant certain death; south and east, a cage or suppression, followed by death too.

Ariel kept whispering, her mind calculative and full of care, considering every possible threat; she had a sharp ear.

“Some men in the plaza said that the troops past the valley are having trouble. They are gathering by that portal, more each day.”

Angels were leaping into that void. That bastard surely had gone back to rile up more of those zealots, promising a safe gateway back home after accomplishing their cleansing.

“Honestly, I can’t blame those poor bastards for being terrified. I was too when I figured out Alexis had fallen. And he was only one angel.”

Ariel eyed the distance, frowning. They were not the only ones hiding at the fields, forced out of the city for refusing to enlist. There was a camp, quite big, where any demon who feared joining the troops or facing an angel gathered. They were not soldiers, just workers. Yet the officials each day were more adamant in recruiting their numbers. A demon was always stronger than a human, and in their eyes, more disposable.

“Losing ground, surrounded by demons, hunted by that monster, Angus… He is not eating, and she is not much better. What are we even supposed to do?”

“I’m thinking about it. And he is too, too much, even if it does not look like it.”

“Time is going to run out, in one way or another. I can’t just wait and watch while everything goes down, we are getting cornered like-“

“Enough, Ariel; not now.” She was like him, which bothered him, past his pride. “Let’s just… stop thinking for the night. You and I… we won’t let any of those things harm them. We will figure out something.”

Her blue eyes looked away subtly, her next whisper so quiet only he heard.

“Once I despised her old ways… but right now I wish I could see her shooting them down.”

Uriel smiled warmly at her, one of his claws caressing her long black hair, his eyes fixed on what reminded him so much of the past.

“She certainly would have aimed with might.”

They were right by the cart, both could smell the fear. It was not for their presence.

Inside, two sharp blue eyes glinted as they opened, peeking from below two huge hairy wings. They unwrapped slightly to let her glance at the two, both jumping in at the far end. She took a deep breath, letting her weight lean back against the black fur that surrounded her; much like her wings entangled a figure in her hold.

The four demons exchanged glances, and all soon looked down at the angel sleeping against her. She whispered, carefully, with a hint of guilt.

“He would not sleep…”

Ariel looked subtly sideways, able to notice an empty flask hidden behind some crates and an old armour they had brought. She knew what contents had been in it, because she made them, having learnt many things from their mother.

“So he ate.”

A tired nod from her sister, who held tighter her father, his breaths now calm even if still troubled.

“Took me a while to convince him to; perhaps I had some help.” She looked up faintly at the huge lynx, who leaned his long neck to glance away. “With you gone all day, Lykaios thought that snatching some things from the forest would make him feel pressured enough.”

Lykaios huffed, his red eyes hinting care past his dislike.

“A magnanimous fool, as always; just had to fake I had trouble fetching some simple mushrooms and roots. Can’t understand why he would eat the stew she made with it, rather than finally eating what she hunts.”

Uriel gave him a scolding stare, but soon sat with a sigh.

“If he had not refused the bread we had… Does not matter now, we brought more.”

Lykaios eyed with uninterest the multiple vegetables and bread they laid out near crates, knowing well the four of them were having more than enough with what Aurora snatched with her bow. Still, they were not the only ones hunting around, and those vegetables were certainly smaller and less costly than the ones they got in previous days.

Truly, they were getting cornered… and none of them was able to voice it while near the one who dreaded and grieved most. They just leaned back between crates, nestling close, feeling their shared warmth.

They were afraid of what was to come.

————————

“Damn humans.” Uriel eyed the demon that walked by him with apprehension, even if he felt empathy for his kin. “Won’t even let us step in the city without a certificate now! I wish those southerners will rip everything from them soon!”

“Well… let’s hope it’s not soon. They are holding up well for now, even against those angels.”

“No, those disgusting things will soon leap onto these fields too. But I…!” The demon finally let down the crate he had been helping Uriel carry, leaving it near a campfire besides their cart. “I won’t be here by then!”

Uriel eyed the devil, who had gladly offered to help him carry what he had purchased from him. Now they could not enter the city, and he still needed supplies; so he purchased everything from the demonic camp.

“So you are going to enlist?”

“No!” The devil flailed his lizard-like tail onto the ground, hissing and brushing his maw with his forked tongue. “I will let those stupid humans fend for themselves. Let them bathe in their own sweat and blood; I won’t offer mine any longer. There are docks at the west coast, friend. I’m crossing the sea for better lands, hopefully.”

Uriel’s eyes glinted. A sudden thought crossed him, cartography never his forte.

“It is a vast ocean… but-“

“Exactly! Dangerous, senseless; but it is more senseless to stay in these lands. I rather risk capsizing and drowning than getting my flesh burned by a winged basta-“

The devil stopped cursing other races, because he saw a figure jump down from the nearby cart. His lizard eyes narrowed, noticing a blond glance at the two of them, first warily at him, then with trust at Uriel, who returned the glance.

“You… work for a human?”

To his surprise, said human glared and commented sarcastically before Uriel could do so nervously.

“Not for, with.”

Uriel had felt at ease with this devil, for multiple days having chatted and exchanged formalities, trading. But now, he tensed, because said demon hissed at Alexis, who returned the same dislike.

“And I thought you were a respectable demon! This filth is everywhere! So this is not your damn cart either?!”

Again, a blond was faster to bark back, even if he was doing so against a devil.

“Our cart. Not only mine, not only his; it is-“

“Shouldn’t be yours at all! He does all the work! Leeches all of you! He’s been doing all the trade these days, and you surely were just being lazy in there! I knew I smelled something awful around here!”

“You don’t smell any better, you disgusting legged snake.”

“Shut your mouth you-“

The demon had been about to step closer, his long tail failing again. However, he snarled, finding an obstacle. He glared at Uriel, both almost of the same height; his violet eyes were narrowed, but he whispered with a smile.

“I thank your help, friend. Now, I believe our transaction is over, and you must have many things to attend by your tent before you set off.”

“Yes… as far away from parasites as possible. You should look out for them too.”

“Always do. Can’t see any here right now.”

“Right, I see. I warn you, you will soon find many on you, stealing your life. I advise you to crush them, while they are small in numbers and defenceless.”

“There have been… quite a few rumours in the city about travellers gone missing.”

“Yes. I do love a good gossip, don’t you?”

Alexis shuddered with a scowl, seeing the devil turn away with one last glare. A glare he gladly returned as fiercely, until the bastard could not be seen in the distance, headed for that camp. Once he was sure they were alone, he growled with the same energy a devil would display.

“I CAN’T get used to them.”

“I don’t blame you.”

Alexis sighed angrily and neared the heavy crate Uriel brought, browsing with exasperation.

“At least they don’t gouge your purse like those bastards in the city.”

Uriel was glad that their daughters and Lykaios were away fetching lumber and herbs, their conversation grim.

“They may soon do it, now that they know you are out here with us.”

“Right, because I am the reason those soldiers are nearing their camp and harassing them about enlisting, or else.” Alexis’ eyes twitched with ire, his hands clenching around a bag Uriel had bought. “Now I know those travellers are NOT missing, but buried somewhere in the woods. Fucking hell…”

His demon neared him, protective as always.

“We won’t let any put a claw on you.”

“You won’t have to, because I assure you, I will turn them to ashes the second one of their disgusting nails tries to brush me.”

“Do I hear angelic wrath? You have always been quite reluctant.”

“Was; I’ve already cut down one of my own. Don’t see why I have to hesitate with yours… or hers. I can’t see any difference, to be honest; all can be as moronic.” He stood away from the crate and laid a hand over the handle of his sword, a trace of hurt in his eyes. Many nights he had grieved, many things. “Human, angel or demon; they are going to hate, and I’m not going to just take it. I can’t take it anymore, Uriel.”

Uriel leaned his head, wishing he could sense his emotions like he could his. Still, he knew he was extremely torn, perhaps more than ever. There had only been one time in which he had seen his angel be this cold.

“Hold on a little while longer. We are not as cornered as we believed.”

“We are, can’t go into the city, can’t go south, east, north, west-“

“West is an option.”

“There are only a few towns over there, we won’t be welcomed either, and soldiers will expand their recruiting efforts there, soon enough. For fucks sake, there is not enough land to retreat over there; I remember that fucking ocean, I had a nice view of it while I bled by-“

“Have you ever studied this world’s geography while in yours?”

“No, you know I had NO damn interest in ever falling here.”

“Well, I’m going to buy a map before all the camp figures out you are here, will be cheaper. I’ll show you.”

“Why the fuck do we need a map?” He began to get an idea, one that felt strange and ominous. “You can’t be serious… I saw nothing in the horizon past that infinite blue, and I was airborne damn high over the cliffs before she made me drop!”

“It is truly a large ocean. You are not used to such waters, given that the only sea in your world is so small.”

“Oh god, I don’t like where this is going. There are docks, aren’t there. There are fucking docks and ships… and surely…”

“Yes, land, past the blue abyss.”

Alexis sat there, staring at nothing, both dreadfully and hopefully. Meanwhile, Uriel just turned to head back to that camp, not having any maps that displayed what rested past those dangerous waters. This world was vast, much grander than what an angel of his time could comprehend. The scales of their domains were too different, abysmal in comparison.

They had options.