"Is that even possible?" Nej questioned.

"Yes, it is," Desette replied. "Saints, demons, angels, we're all the same kind. The only difference is that demons have embraced their dark side. We've accepted it as who we are. Back in Hell, we have folklores about angels who try to deny this part of themselves just because they want to stay in Heaven. But their denial usually ends up creating alter egos; an opposite personality that goes against everything they stand for."

His gaze flickered over to the journal in my hand. "Saint Nicholas must've kept his buried for so long that he couldn't fight back this time."

"So how do we get rid of him? Of Salohcin?" I quizzed. "Cuz I don't know if you guys have noticed, but it's almost midnight." I pointed at the wall clock.

"We need to find that herb Archangel Gabriel used," Desette replied. "It's our best shot."

"Way ahead of you." Nej grinned, holding out some of the herbs he'd found from a hidden compartment in the wall. "Let's kick some alter ego butt."

❄️

The grand hall was eerily quiet, except for Salohcin constantly berating his minions.

"You oaf! I want my new throne here, not there!"

From my hiding spot behind a slanted column, I stole a peek. Apart from an increased number of minions, much hadn't changed. The saints' statues were all intact and the tree was still a sickly hunk of wood. The plan right now was to launch a sneak attack from three different angles. One person starts, and then the next would move in.

Desette was first, weaving past the pillars on the first floor, avoiding detection. When Salohcin turned to sit on his new throne, Desette took the plunge. He flew down, and without a hint of hesitation, shoved the herb-stained dagger into Salohcin's back.

He let out a shrill scream and staggered forward. The part surrounding the dagger began to glow white until Salohcin weirdly extended a hand and yanked the dagger out from his back.

Desette's eyes widened. "Oh shit!"

Salohcin tossed the dagger aside. "Oh shit indeed." He twirled the staff in his hand and zapped Desette before he could fly off.

"No!" I jerked out of my hiding place, watching Desette's form turn into stone.

"Did you really think that flimsy herb would work on me?" Salohcin sneered. "Nicholas has been using it to suppress me for decades; it was only a matter of time for me to adapt."

A string of herb-tipped arrows came flying in his direction and with a simple raise of Salohcin's hand, the arrows froze in mid-air, then turned to ash. "Pathetic!"

Nej moved, attempting to shoot from a different angle. But the minions captured him. "Faraah go!"

I wasn't even sure I wanted to. The herb wasn't going to work. But since I didn't have any other options, I gripped the spear in my hand and flew in the opposite direction.

Just then, huge black tentacles appeared in my path, and I quickly changed course, only for one tentacle to wrap around my leg and yank me down. "Aah!"

I hit the floor with a loud thud, losing the spear in the process.