K'xug let out a grunt, his eyebrows furrowed as he sat on a large piece of stone. It was the remnants of the battle that took place here, it was near the entrance to the heavenly realm. The elderly angel, Valoel, retreated with a sigh and gestured to K'xug's abdomen that was now completely healed.

"It should be fine now."

"That's amazing," Raz inspected K'xug's abdomen closely, making K'xug give him a strange look. "Only those trained in healing their whole life would be able to do something like this, but you don't seem like someone like that, Master Valoel."

Valoel cleared his throat.

"Master Valoel, how long have you lived for–" Raz questioned when he was slapped by a fluffy tail.

"It's rude to ask the Master's age!"

Raz carried the fox in his arms, patting her softly. "Alright, alright. I was rude, no need to be so–ouch."

"Such a wilful little Kilgitsu." Valoel clicked his tongue.

Raz returned the fox back to Valoel, a sad pout on his face along with a visible scratch mark on his cheek.

"Master Valoel, the...meeting, it will begin very soon."

One of the demons came over to inform him, bowing his head, completely deferential. Valoel stroked his beard, nodding his head as he furrowed his eyebrows in contemplation.

"Hey, K'xug."

K'xug wore his robes, lifting his head up to Raz. Valoel insisted on Raz and K'xug dressing up for the occasion, since they were going to appear in an important event.

The more K'xug spent time with this old angel, the more odd he seemed to K'xug.

"Just what did you think this elderly man did to make the demons so respectful to him, despite being an angel?"

"From the memories he shared with me, Veau and Zeau were his disciples, and he sided with them on numerous occasions," K'xug explained, shrugging his shoulders. "He pummeled them into the ground on numerous occasions too."

Raz turned to look at K'xug in shock.

"It's true." K'xug nodded.

Raz straightened himself, rubbing at his arms. "Remind me not to get on his bad side."

K'xug smirked, shaking his head at Raz who appeared afraid of the elderly angel now.

"Going via the main entrance isn't safe," Valoel noted, looking at the demons, K'xug and Raz. "We will find another way in."

"It doesn't matter at the end, you said it would take place by the main entrance," K'xug frowned in confusion. "Even if we were to find another way to infiltrate, we would have to fight them off."

"Mhmm." Valoel nodded in agreement, stroking his beard. "You aren't wrong, Deoma."

"It's K'xug."

"Right, young K'xug–Deoma. It's the same."

K'xug let out a resigned sigh.

"Both ways aren't safe, so what's the difference?" Raz questioned.

"That's right."

"Why are you suddenly being sneaky, Master Valoel?"

"The lord would punish us either way..."

Valoel smiled, nodding his head again. "The other way would be more interesting."

All of them blinked rapidly.

"Ah?" Raz let out a bewildered noise.

"Come along now, we don't have all day." Valoel waved towards them.

All of a sudden, they felt as if they were being sucked into a vortex, Valoel disappearing into a white mist. The fox let out an excited mewl, disappearing into a red mist herself.

"Master Valoel–!"

"I have a bad feeling–gah!"

"The lord will kill us!"

"Please, just let me go..."

One of the demons assumed his own praying pose, earning a look from one of his friends.

"Wh-what's going on?! Huh?!" Raz glanced around in alarm. "Does he have us on an invisible leash we can't see?!"

"...and here I thought he was just a grumpy old man..." K'xug sighed out, his palm covering his face. "Like teacher, like student."

K'xug could see the numerous seals encircling them on the ground. He didn't know when Valoel had conjured them, if he did it before, it was too quick for K'xug to even catch on.

Just like that, all of them transformed into their own versions of mists unwillingly, accompanying Valoel and the fox.

***

Cecil changed the bandage on her thigh, tearing it apart with her teeth and she observed how Kiyae and Yun worked, hiding within the trees. They used the chaos to their advantage, avoiding stray attacks and diving out of view within the trees.

Meanwhile, they signalled to one another using their own elements. Kiyae signalled with her earth element, conjuring a hand from the ground to gesture to Yun. Whereas, Yun created gusts of wind to guide Kiyae around.

At that moment, a demon struck an angel, making them fly back from the overwhelming force. Yun had guided Kiyae in the same direction, the two of them widening their eyes in horror. The angel landed right in front of Kiyae, wincing.

Oh no.

Cecil started to push herself up, grunting in pain when she felt a sharp pain digging up her thigh. Her mind worked quickly and she summoned the vines nearby the trees surrounding Kiyae and the angel. The moment the angel looked up, he yelped in shock at the vine wall in front of him, the thorny vines just an inch away from his face.

Kiyae gasped, looking back to the tree Cecil sat in.

She sat there with a smile, waving to Kiyae.

"Hah! Perfect support!" Kiyae whispered to herself, conjuring a stone pillar behind the angel.

He was still recovering from the shock, unbeknownst to the presence that leapt over his head and landed on the pillar, rushing to hop from tree to tree.

Yun sighed in relief, nodding gratefully to Cecil.

Cecil nodded back.

She removed the vine wall at the same time, making the angel look around in alarm.

He knew.

He knew there were new intruders here, since they didn't use light or dark magic, but he could not determine their location.

The angel moved when the vines appeared again, and this time, they were swifter than before. It coiled around his limbs and his neck, restricting his movements. He grunted, struggling against the vines.

"I'm sorry but I can't let you head in that direction just yet," Cecil mumbled out. "At least I didn't equip my vines with thorns."

"Ouch!"

"...ah, I did it unconsciously. I'm sorry."

Alas, the angel could not hear her apologies at all...

Kiyae and Yun finally neared their destination. The angel and demon fighting for the horn, and they signalled to each other once again. This time, they didn't plan to be careless but even if they did, they knew Cecil had their backs.

Yun glanced at the ground, seeing the stone hand pop up below him, pointing upwards. However, he glanced back and prepared to respond that he received her words successfully. At that moment, he saw a pillar shooting up from the ground.

It knocked the horn out of the demon that barely caught it from his opponent. She gasped, her wings flapping open as she leapt up, trying to catch it.

Just then, Yun took out his fan, whipping up a strong gust of wind and sending the horn blowing out of her grasp.

"The horn!"

"The energy of the elements in this realm, it's the mortals!"

"Someone take it back!"

"Take the horn!"

Yun furrowed his eyebrows, sending two sharp wind blades at the angel and demon who flew up to snatch the horn.

"As if I'll let you steal it back again." Kiyae muttered angrily, conjuring more stone pillars as it shot the horn higher into the air.

At that moment, some of the angels and demons realised the commotion, their eyes fixated on the horn being tossed in the air.

"One more time, and..." Yun spun around, sending another huge gust of wind. "It's out of my range now."

Just then, a demon jumped out and began his assaults on Yun without hesitation.

"Ah damnit!" Kiyae hissed, glaring at Yun who found an opponent. "Yun! You shot it too far!"

Her words were incoherent in the chaos, but even without hearing them, Yun knew what Kiyae was saying.

"You were the one who shot it too high." Yun complained.

Kiyae released a frustrated sigh, launching herself up into the trees as she leapt forward, snatching the horn away from an angel who almost stole it.

She tossed it further in front, opening her mouth as she shouted.

"Cecil!"

Cecil had been prepared from the start, a haughty smile on her lips as she manoeuvred the vines in the area. The angels and demons could hardly keep up.

Cecil tossed the horn into the air with her vines, reaching her arm out to catch it smoothly.

Her smile grew wider, and she proceeded to raise her arm in the air for Kiyae and Yun to see.

"Yes!" Kiyae hissed out.

Yun nodded in approval.

Cecil lowered her arm, staring at the horn in her hands. The material was cold and smooth to touch, and she recalled the words Linqin said to them before they separated.

"Whoever gets the horn, bring it to me."

"The horn wasn't used to control the animals, it's used to ease them and form a bond with them."

She had to bring this horn safely to Linqin.

"Mortal, release that at once!"

She gazed down at the angel glaring at her from below, and Cecil returned a cold stare, not saying a word.

"And let more lives be sacrificed in this undying hatred you harbour for demons? Don't be ridiculous. Settle your own grudge, don't drag others into it."

"Shut your mouth, you know nothing!"

"That's right, I don't," Cecil tilted her head with a haughty smile. "It doesn't mean I'll stand by and let you angels or demons vent your anger on the innocent."

"Cecil! Kiyae! Yun!"

A shadow descended down behind Cecil as this same person hollered out those three names. Her white wings shielded Cecil, and her hands wrapped around Cecil, carrying Cecil into the air.

"We have to go!"

"Sorry Feng, I'll have to trouble you." Cecil glanced up, her expression grateful.

"If it's to save my people, it's no trouble at all." Feng smiled.

Kiyae and Yun scattered from the area without hesitation.

"Feng! You betrayed us!"

"Why are you siding with the mortals?!"

"I have betrayed many, and will continue to do so," Feng responded back with a loud voice, her expression conflicted. "It's because I don't want to see this ridiculous war continue on any longer! We shouldn't be suffering like this, any of us! Whether it's the angels, mortals or demons!"

With those words, she flew away while carrying Cecil.

Upon hearing those words, a part of Cecil was filled with pride and happiness.

"Strange."

"Why am I feeling like this?"

[ It has always been your wish. ]

"My wish?"

[ You'll see in due time~ ]

"..."

"Why do I even bother asking you sometimes?"

[ Why do you bother indeed~ ]

Cecil sighed before contemplating the answer from AI500.

Her wish.

She knew it had something to do with the time she lived as the Oracle. She observed her surroundings in a daze, it was blurry due to the speed Feng was travelling at.

I wonder how I lived as the Oracle, and how...

How did I end up like this?

Alas, Cecil had no time to contemplate since angels and demons were hot on their tail. Just like that, Cecil along with Feng and Haru's crew, made a tactical retreat. Other than hiding away the tribespeople, they had to secure a hiding spot themselves while shaking off the demons and angels chasing them.

After which, it would only be safe enough to deliver the horn to Linqin.

***

Time passed differently in the heavenly and demon realm. If a day passed in the human realm, a month in the heavenly and demon realm. Hence, almost three days have passed in the human realm. Cecil and the others are fighting their own battle down in the mortal realm, and for K'xug, it has been close to three months since he last saw Hana.

After being dragged around by Valoel unwillingly for an eternity, they finally reached their destination.

"We are here." Valoel announced.

Since they were tossed about by Valoel in their spectral form, it took them a while to recover from the sudden change. They groaned and moaned, blinking their eyes rapidly and started to observe their surroundings.

"Argh!"

One of the demons was the first to look around, letting out a startled yelp as he flinched back.

"What? What are you screaming for–HAH!"

The other demon that asked immediately opened his eyes, collapsing onto the ground that was oddly soft but firm, his face pallid. The other demons followed suit, and each of them had a horrified reaction like the other.

"Ow, ow ouch..." Raz winced, shaking his head. "That was a long and rough ride in the clouds, how long were we up for?"

"Long enough." K'xug answered.

The commotion hadn't died down.

"Why is there so much noise anyway?" Raz questioned, opening his eyes. "Are we finally there?"

The first thing Raz saw was an endless stream of white-blue clouds in front of him, stretching across the horizon. He had never come across such a tranquil scenery in his life, feeling as if his heart was in complete peace. A breeze blew by, the soft rustling sound in his ears making him inhale deeply, enjoying the sight for a long while.

Eventually, he looked down and he realised he was standing on something within those clouds. The clouds parted slightly below him, revealing the object he was standing on.

It was an enormous, opulent pillar.

A little more to his right, he could see something attached to the pillar.

It was a magnificent gate, glimmering with a golden sheen.

He flinched back in shock, taking in a sharp breath.

K'xug stood right behind him, holding him by the shoulder and Raz pointed between the clouds and the pillar.

"Is–isn't...isn't this...the top of the heavenly gates?!" Raz stammered out.

"It seems so." K'xug responded, his expression calm.

"There was an end to the gates?!" Another demon exclaimed.

"What the hell?"

"Why are we up here?!"

"Tsk tsk, young fellas these days, spending all their time on war and hate," Valoel began to grumble, stroking his beard. "There are so many beautiful things about the three realms, and what have you all been doing all this time? What a waste of your life."

The fox yawned in his arms, hopping onto Valoel's shoulder and her tail swished in the air. "The grumpy old man is at it again, good luck."

"...don't you know how to appreciate the life you've been given? Look at you, filled with anger and suffering, not knowing how to smile and live like a child. Have you ever travelled to the end of the demon realm? What about the other continents in the mortal realm? Did you know there are other hidden continents in the mortal realms?"

K'xug could only stare at the scenery in silence, listening to Valoel rambling on and on.

The demons were still in awe.

All of them always thought there wasn't an end to the imposing heavenly gates, its pillars and gates stretched past one's eye and the clouds. When they were young and they laid their eyes on the heavenly realm for the first time, they were equally impressed.

If it wasn't for the animosity between demons and angels, the demons would openly praise the heavenly realm for being absolutely beautiful. On the other hand, the angels would have done the same.

Alas, such sentiment was lost in the times of war and vengeance.

They never knew the view at the top of those imposing gates could be so resplendent and comforting.

It was a beautiful world they lived in, but they just did not realise it.

"It's a shame, a real shame. The people living in such a blessed world but destroying it for what it is, when you could enjoy it for what it is. Do you only know to share the anger rather than the joy of–"

"Grumpy old man, master. You are going off track."

The fox slapped her tail on his face.

Valoel blinked, clearing his throat. "Right, you are right."

"Hey, old geezer." K'xug called out.

"Hmm?" Valoel reacted instinctively, since it was what the two demon brothers always called him.

"Do you truly believe there would be an end to this war between us?" K'xug asked.

"Of course."

K'xug frowned.

"What makes you agree so confidently?" Raz questioned, tilting his head.

"Take a good look at yourselves, standing side by side right now," Valoel laughed, his eyes crinkling. "Something like that is more than enough to see for now, isn't it?"

He was truly right.

A mixed breed, an angel and a group of demons. They had been involved heavily in this war, yet, at this moment, they weren't hostile with one another.

Just standing side by side, seeing the same view in the same time.

"You threatened us and them." K'xug stated.

"That's right, you did, Master Valoel." One of the demons agreed with a nod.

"Did I?" Valoel shrugged. "Did I truly do that?"

They were stunned into silence.

"Did I threaten you with your lives on the line, that you couldn't attack each other or face a brutal death? Did I do something like that?"

They all knew the answer to that.

He didn't.

They were just intimidated but Valoel never once hurt them.

Overtime, it seemed they had forgotten the animosity between themselves.

"You silly fools," the fox giggled, spitting her tongue at them. "Hehehe! You were tricked by Master!"

Valoel laughed again, he was obviously amused by their flabbergasted expressions. Without waiting for them to recover, he reached out and patted one of the demons on their back.

"Now, time to go."

"Huh? Wha–aah!"

He pushed the demon off the pillar.

Everyone watched in horror as his body went past the clouds, and they looked back at Valoel.

He frowned, his tone somewhat impatient. "What are you waiting for? That brat has reached and is beginning his childish speech. All of you are here to stop him, aren't you?"

Not giving them a chance to retort properly, Valoel moved swiftly from person to person. He pushed all of them off the pillar.

"No, we were only here to guide–GAAH!"

"Help–meeeee!"

"I can go on my own, I can go–oooooo!"

K'xug placed his hand on Raz's shoulder, giving him a small wave. He jumped off the pillar before giving a chance for Valoel to push him off.

"Ah, K'xug! Wait, wait, let me join–Master Valoel! I can do it myself, so there's no need to me push–"

The rest of Raz's words became incoherent as he let out a horrified yell.

K'xug let out an amused chuckle. The more he spent time with Valoel, the more frustrating yet interesting he found this old angel to be.

Valoel was the last to leap off the pillar, joining the poor tortured souls in their jouney down to the bottom of the heavenly gates.

"Don't you know the meaning of a surprise attack, young fellas?"

"Help me!"

"We are going to die!"

"That crazy old angel!"

"Is this the kind of daily training our lords had to go through?!"

The air around the tranquil white-blue clouds were filled with miserable screams and yells.

"You aren't mortals, why are you so afraid?" Valoel clicked his tongue, summoning out his wings. "Embrace the wind!"

K'xug summoned out his wings at the same time.

The others had a delayed reaction, but eventually, their wings popped out from their backs one after another. Once they had finally calmed down, they swooped down, piercing through the clouds and at last...

They reached their destination.

The entrance to the heavenly realm.

The meeting between the remaining rebels along with Zeau...and Hana.

"...wh-what the..."

"My lord! Up above, above!"

"We didn't call for reinforcements–wait..."

"An ambush! I knew these demons would play dirty!"

"No, it isn't just demons, it's...it's...not an ambush?"

After all, it wasn't just demons falling from above. It was made up of an old angel, a fallen general of the heavenly army and the capable assistant of the abandoned Supreme God.

The rebels who were angels, and the demons that accompanied Zeau brandished their weapons in confusion.

Amidst that chaos, all K'xug could see was the red-haired woman surrounded by those two groups of people. Her blue eyes were focused on him as well and it seemed she broke out of the spell Zeau had over her.

She gazed up at K'xug, appearing overwhelmed at his presence.

For K'xug, time slowed down.

"Finally."

His different-coloured eyes softened as a smile graced his lips.

"I found you."

***

《 start 》

If this war didn't exist.

If none of this ever happened.

I wonder...

Would I have been to travel across the three realms and enjoy those sights with you?

Would I have been able to witness your smile every single day?

Would we have been happy?

If only this unnecessary war didn't exist...

《 stop 》