Hours had passed and Azrael huddled in the corner praying that Raden was okay. Her voice had gone hoarse from the constant screaming so there wasn't more to do. She began to nod off when the door swung open.

"I'm going to ask this once and once only... how did he find you," Serkan demanded as he stalked into the room.

Azrael was startled. "I... I don't know."

"Don't lie to me." Serkan glared at her with hatred. He walked through the cells and crouched to her level. "I don't take well to lying." He grabbed her jaw as she whimpered in pain.

"I'm not," she whispered, "I really don't know how he found me."

Serkan watched her closely trying to find anything telling different. Azrael kept her eyes trained on him, never once looking away or cowering down. She needed him to believe her.

"You're just lucky then?" Azrael didn't move or answer. Serkan sighed and stood. "One day that luck will run out." Centuries of training had taught Serkan to keep his anger at bay and right now all that training was in use. So badly did he want to strangle that pretty little throat of Azrael's, but he needed her. Instead, he walked away.

"Wait," Azrael called out. Serkan turned his head to the side. "I want to know if Raden is okay."

A faint smile crept onto Serkan's lips. An idea began forming as he composed himself and whipped back around. "Would you like to see him?"

Azrael nodded frantically. She didn't catch the glint that Serkan held in his eyes or the all-around demeanor change. All that mattered was getting to Raden.

Serkan unlocked the cell and grabbed her by the arm leading her out of the room and through the labyrinth. Azrael's heart rate began to rise with each step. Her breath would hitch as they passed a door. Each time hoping that was where he was being kept. Finally, they stood in front of two guards each holding a sword of the archangels.

"If you two would be so kind and unlock the door for Azrael here."

The room was pitch black and Azrael turned back to Serkan as if this was some kind of joke.

"Oh forgive me." He snapped his fingers and several torches caught fire.

What lay in front of Azrael nearly caused her to faint. The metallic stench of blood made her stomach flip and the scene that waited for her made her throat clench. Raden lay in a pile barely surviving. He was covered in bruises and slashes. Azrael wanted to turn away and wake from this nightmare, but she knew this wasn't some nightmare.

She hurried over to Raden lifting his head into her lap as fresh tears fell. "No no no! No no no!" She gasped for air. "Raden, wake up. Wake up for me." The tears fell on his cheeks causing him to slightly move. "Raden," Azrael gasped. "Please wake up."

"Truly a heartbreaking scene," Serkan laughed. He held a hand over his heart in patronizing pity. "Almost brings tears to my eyes."

Azrael snapped her attention to him. "WHAT DID YOU DO!" Her words dripped with venom and her eyes held the hatred of a thousand men.

"I only went through with my promise," Serkan simply said. He walked over, tipping Raden's chin up. "He decided to hunt me down and he had to pay." He was completely unfazed by the situation which angered Azrael beyond anything she had felt before. "You understand."

"Fix him!" She demanded. Raden scrunched his face as Azrael continued to yell. "You put him back together." Her voice was strained with desperation. Her entire world was lying in her arms and was slowly slipping away.

Serkan smirked as he reached for Azrael's cheek. "No can do darling." His voice was soft, almost calming. "He chose this and will die for these consequences."

She pulled away from his touch, feeling disgust as his fingers grazed her skin.

Serkan chuckled and walked away, slamming the door behind him.

The room fell into complete darkness. Azrael pulled Raden into her lap, ignoring the stench of blood. She could feel the warm liquid run down her arms and she began to cry again. It was too late. Raden was gone.

Azrael felt Raden's head lull back into her chest. "Azrael?"

The sound of her name made her heart skip a beat. "It's me. I'm right here." She felt relief wash over her, but deep down Azrael knew this would be the last time seeing him alive. "I'm going to stay with you for a while." She tried to hide her sobs but they couldn't be masked.

He didn't answer.

Azrael held him tightly, remembering how her mother would hold her when she was hurt. How her mother would sing to calm her. The sweet lullabies rang clear in Azrael's mind and she began to hum softly. The music filled the room and she could feel Raden ease under her touch. Maybe in another life she would sing him to sleep and not to rest.

"I had a dream about us," Raden weakly said. His gasp for air pierced Azrael.

The music stopped as Azrael peered through the darkness. "What was the dream?" She softly ran her fingers through his hair and kissed his forehead.

"We had a son, Nico, he looked just like you..."  He continued.  "We were a family." Raden gasped for air. "It was so real to me,"

Azrael smiled to herself at that thought. "That sounded like a lovely dream." Fresh tears began to fall and a sob left her lip. Everything she ever wanted was dying in her arms.

"It'll be real someday."

Azrael's heart broke a bit more. She tried to level her breathing and crying. "I would like that."

"I'll teach him to fly and you can teach him how to master his magic." With each word, Raden faltered slightly. His grip on reality slipped away and slowly he was fading.

"That'll be lovely." She hugged him tighter. "You'll make a great dad."

Raden didn't speak much after that. His strength was quickly leaving him. So, Azrael began to sing again. She had finished humming the last lullaby her mother ever sang when the doors opened.

Two guards grabbed Azrael as she fought against them. They shoved Raden's body away, ignoring Azrael's pleas and protest.

"Let me stay with him." Azrael shoved at one of the guards. "LEAVE ME ALONE! I WANT TO STAY WITH HIM!" She could see Raden lying in a pile of bruises and blood. "DON'T LET HIM DIE ALONE!"

~~~*~~~

Azrael sat in the corner of her cell hugging her knees tightly. She had yelled for anyone the first hour, but her voice failed her. By the second hour she had curled up and cried herself to sleep, dreaming of a better life. The third hour came and Serkan arrived with dinner.

He dropped the platter and the sudden noise jolted Azrael awake. She just rolled her head to the side lazily opening her eyes. "Eat up."

"I'm not hungry," she answered hoarsely

"Starving yourself won't stop me from using you," Serkan snapped.

Azrael shoved the platter away.

He walked into the cell as he did so many times before, but this time he grabbed her by the throat. "You little whore. I gave you goodbye now I expect you to eat that fucking food and be ready for training tomorrow."

"Or what," Azrael challenged.

Serkan dropped her to the floor and slapped her across the face in rage. "I will get what I want, Azrael."

She held her tears and glared at him. Though he towered over her, she wouldn't let him intimidate her. "You'll have to break me first."

He laughed bitterly. "I wouldn't tempt me, darling."

"I can drag this out far longer until you either destroy my dead body or drag me out onto the battlefield. Your pick." Azrael dug deep within her anger. She would make it her life mission to drive Serkan into insanity.

He pinned her between his arms and the wall. A strained smile played on his lips. "You underestimate me."

Azrael narrowed her eyes. Anger coursed through her veins. "You underestimate me." She threw his words back in his face.

A new anger flared behind his eyes. Azrael knew she was playing a dangerous game, but everything she loved was gone. Now she didn't care.

Serkan held her jaw firmly in his hand. "I will have what I want. Mark my words."

Azrael was left alone for the remainder of the night. She was glad for the quiet, but her heart ached for the love that was leaving her.

~~~*~~~

At some point, Azrael had finally dozed off when she was reawakened by a guard. She said nothing but followed him through the maze. The halls were as quiet as the days she would train. Now realizing it wasn't training but breaking her mind down enough for Serkan to control her. Up the spiral staircase, they went and there stood Serkan in battle-ready gear.

She made the decision that Serkan could take her. He truly didn't know her power and beyond his little domain; he wouldn't be able to control her.

"It's a fine night isn't it?"

Azrael stayed silent.

Serkan began quietly speaking with some of the other guards. Azrael noted the hoards that stood before her waiting for their commander to speak.

He finally took a step forward ready to speak to his army. "We have spent years fighting against armies of angels and gods across dimensions. Now we have the key to winning it all. Go with me and I can promise you a world where we can live in peace. Each God will fall before us and will be a sacrifice to our own master." Screams and hollers echoed through the hoards. Serkan turned his smile to Azrael. "Take your pick where we begin."

She looked up at him. Azrael wanted to spare Lorcán for as long as possible and maybe he could evacuate the city once word reached. "King's City in the east."

Serkan nodded. They would travel and devour the rest of the city. The hoards gave one final cry before they all took off. Serkan held out his hand for Azrael to take. Then they were gone.

~~~*~~~

King's City was caught by surprise when Serkan showed up with force. Azrael was by his side but had not yet used her powers. The hoards however didn't waste any time in destroying the city Azrael had come to love.

"We're going to find the bastard who they chose to rule this kingdom," Serkan whispered into Azrael's ear. He guided her through the burning streets. Azrael kept her focus straightforward. She couldn't stomach what was being done here. He wrapped his arm around her waist. "Hold on." And they vanished.

They appeared at the gates leading to the castle. Below King's City became hell. Azrael looked upward as the gates seemingly disappeared into the darkness then back to the lock in front of her.

"Now's your time to shine darling."

Azrael shook her hands out trying to rid her body of the anxiety. She held out a hand and the familiar warmth washed over her then a burst of energy exploded from the palm of her hand completely shattering the gates. Serkan grabbed her arm and they pushed forward. The courtyard was littered with the bodies of soldiers. Some of the bodies were mangled and unrecognizable while others looked almost to be asleep. As they walked through Azrael peered up at the arch above the main entrance. She froze in fear at the sight of the heads of soldiers that were pinned into the arch.

"Someone's already done our dirty work," Serkan chuckled. Azrael didn't react but was moved along by Serkan.

The halls were only lit by the moon through the windows. All light had been extinguished making it harder to navigate. Every hair stood on Azrael's arms and she froze again. Serkan looked back at her, grabbing her hand and trying to pull her along but she wouldn't budge.

"This isn't the time to play. Let's go," Serkan snapped angrily.

Azrael shook her head. "Someone's watching us," she whispers.

Serkan rolled his eyes and pulled her along. "And they won't be a match against either of us."

Azrael lost the battle and forced herself to keep walking. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something block the moon's light. She glanced over quickly but it had vanished. She kept moving trying to keep her breathing level.

They turned into a larger hallway and this time both stopped. Maybe ten feet away stood a glowing halo. Azrael wasted no time and slipped from the grasp of Serkan. She bolted down the hall as fast as she could looking for any place to hide or an exit. The angel had taken off towards them both but she couldn't tell where he went. She continued down the hall and found an unlocked door she burst through. It was the hospital wing by the looks of it. Azrael looked around for anywhere to hide and found a large cabinet that had been stocked with blankets. She ran over quickly pulling out a few blankets trying to make a small space for herself when a loud tapping of metal against marble was heard behind her. Azrael turned and was greeted by the face of a death angel. Eyes of the glowing red bore into her soul. She knew this was it.

The death angel stalked closer, tapping his blade to the floor with each step. Like the heartbeat of its prey in the final moments. Azrael leveled her breathing and held her hand out. A ball of golden magic shot out toward the angel but he managed to dive out of the way. She tried again and again but he was quick enough to avoid being hit. Azrael saw a door to her right as she frantically thought of a way out. Without a second thought she threw a bolt of electricity towards the angel and sprinted for the door. She managed a hand on the handle when she felt the wind whip around her from the powerful wings of this angel. A hand snaked around her waist.

"Don't fight, it won't end well for you," he whispered into her ear. "Calmly walk with me and keep quiet. We sent word to Lorcán a few minutes ago about your capture."

Azrael looked at the angel with complete surprise but he held up a finger to his lips and shook his head. He took her by the arm and led her out of the wing and down the hall. She kept quiet but her mind was racing. Why was this angel helping her? When would Lorcán's men arrive? In all of this would Anéislis be able to help her if she called? Her mind wandered until the doors of the throne room opened. Azrael was brought back to the present when she saw that the king of the east lay dead on the steps to his throne and death sat with a smile.

"So Serkan has captured you at last." Merikh mused. "How does Raden feel about this?"

Serkan snorted, "Doubt he has much to say on the matter."

Merikh frowned at the demon prince. "I wasn't speaking with you." Serkan scowled and mumbled something under his breath. This caused Merikh to stand from the throne in anger. "I will not have you disrespect me." His voice boomed through the castle. The chandelier above shook with the same fear as Azrael.

"Oh come on now. You Gods haven't lifted a finger in this war. I did all the dirty work and that finally paid off." He motioned to Azrael. "You should be impressed that I bested a fucking death angel and still got my weapon."

Merikh sat slowly. His stare shot daggers into Serkan but he seemed clueless about the hatred Death held. "You killed a death angel? Well, that is something, but then again he wasn't much of one."

"Fuck you," Azrael spat

"Oh stop with the dramatics. He wasn't. Truth be told he became soft and a liability." He leaned forward from his seat. "Raden was my greatest failure."

Anger coursed through Azrael's veins. "You are a sorry excuse of a God. You've abused your power for too long Merikh and I intend..."

"To do what," he chuckled. "You've fallen into my lap and I intend on using you until there's nothing left."

"As you did with that forgotten Goddess." Azrael challenged. She watched as a truly evil being finally revealed himself. The smirk that played on his lips was wiped away leaving only a deep frown. His eyes were empty of any emotion. This was Death in his truest form and one that had been hidden away for centuries.

Serkan looked as if someone had slapped him unexpectedly. He turned his attention from Azrael to Merikh. "What is she going on about?"

Without a word, Merikh walked down the steps toward Azrael. She kept her head up as he bore holes through her head. He stopped mere inches from her and tilted her chin up. "Who told you about her?"

"You're smart enough to figure that out."

Merikh looked intrigued. He stroked the side of her face with the back of his hand not saying a word. Azrael closed her eyes, pulling away ever so slightly.

"Excuse me but what the hell is she going on about!" Serkan couldn't stand being out of the loop on any discussion. He would slither his way into any conversation if it meant he would come out on top. And this was no different.

"You may intimidate many but this charade you've created is quite an annoyance to me."

Serkan scoffed, "I really don't care. Now I've had enough of this back and forth and I'm taking her and we're leaving." He pulled away from the angels but they held tightly. "Tell your bastards to let me go."

Merikh wrapped a hand around Serkan's throat and began to squeeze. "You dare speak to me that way." Serkan's eyes widened as he started gasping for air. The death angels stepped away and all watched in silence. "I kneel before no one. Not a human or demon scum. Nor do I kneel before any God. You do not demand things from me or of me. You fall to your knees in prayer that I do not steal your soul for my collection."

Serkan clawed at Merikh's hand which only tightened. His face was turning shades of blue and purple and all blood vessels popped in his eyes. "Who are you?"

"I am Death"