A loud crack echoed through the room. Serkan went limp in the hand of Merikh. Azrael stared in horror as Merikh threw the lifeless body to the side. She felt her feet frozen to the floor but her mind was yelling to run. This was a God that stood before you. There was no way she could take him on.

With her mind on what just took place, Azrael didn't notice Merikh descending the stairs and grabbing her arm. She was pulled from her thoughts and yanked back hard, but he was stronger.

"You want to end up like that demon?" His breath was hot against her cheek.

"I would rather die than be used by you," Azrael answered quietly. Merikh roughly grabbed her face and turned her head towards him.

"Don't be difficult," he growled. Azrael couldn't break from his grasp and whimpered from the pain. "You remind me so much of her. Right down to the defiant attitude."

"Who..." Azrael realized who he was referring to. "I'm more like her than you would ever realize."

Merikh laughed as he pushed her face lightly. "You count me ignorant?" His hand tightened around her bicep. "I was the one who gave your ancestors that power. You're here because of me. Because I..."

"You took advantage of a girl who only wanted to be loved." Azrael glared. Her hands shook and her heart pounded against her rib cage. "Your narcissism was her downfall."

"Her downfall was being what she is. I did what I did because of you stupid humans. Who aren't even grateful." Merikh boldly answered. "I gave you all a glimpse of the power and you hide it away because it's shameful? The whole human race went to hell, so I'm here."

Azrael shook her head pushing Merikh away. "You all were the reason the Forgotten Gods became that... they treasured this world and everything in it."

"They all hated humans."

"Because you and Arjan fed us lies!" Azrael found herself lying on the ground. Merikh towered over her. She held her stinging cheek and looked up with watering eyes. "You knew they would've never followed you if you didn't."

Merikh kept quiet and fixed his clothing. Some blood had splattered from what Azrael could assume was the battle in the courtyard. "Lies are sometimes essential. It kept you weak mortals safe and comfortable for years." He stepped back, allowing Azrael to sit up. "Now, it seems that things are changing. I can't have you humans running around causing a stir in the celestial realm because you, missy, have befriended a Forgotten God."

"So what if I've chosen to place my belief with a more powerful being than you?"

"You're playing a dangerous game, Azrael. You have no clue what they're capable of or what you've unleashed below that mountain." He saw the shock fall across her face. "You don't think I know. I know everything that happens in this world."

Azrael stood and crossed her arms. "So why not stop me from meeting him? Why not stop this war before it gets to that point?"

"I wanted Serkan to find you first before I set foot on any battlefield." Merikh went to the steps looking at the king. "That little bastard had no clue the capability of your powers. He was my chance of finally having you in my custody. Him killing Raden was extra." He chuckled. "Now though. Now is when we set the plan in action."

Anger bubbled in Azrael. Raden's death was just a joke to Merikh. "What plan?"

Merikh turned back to her. "A cleansing of the world."

Azrael shook her head and began backing up ready to bolt. But Merikh held her with only his gaze. "I won't allow it. You can't force me."

"You know better than anyone how powerful names are." Azrael wasn't sure where he was going. "Let me share with you a little story while we have all the time in the world. You have quite a unique name my darling. Ever wonder where it comes from?"

She stood still, glaring at him.

"No, well let me tell you. There's a story that has been passed down for generations of an angel. This was no archangel high and mighty and full of righteous anger. No, this was a powerful being of judgment. His name was Azrael. Azrael swept across the face of the earth casting judgment as his creator saw fit to keep the mortal realm in line. He did well. Until one fateful day when he was struck from the skies by mortal men that had been blessed by Goddess Life." He paused to allow the story to sink in fully. "Azrael was the angel of death before his downfall. Now, I believe you have come to take his place. To cast judgment on this world and to help me create a better world."

Azrael was shocked, to say the least. "You're full of shit."

"A woman should not use such foul words."

She rolled her eyes at the stupid response. However, one question lingered. "What does Arjan think of all this?"

"She actually cared for you useless humans," he droned. "So, I had to do what needed to be done."

"You killed her." Azrael was surprised. "But why? She helped you with The Sister. She was by your side while you chose to do those heinous things. She loved you."

Hurt flashed in his eyes before being masked again. "My time is valuable and I have wasted too much of it on love. Arjan was an obstacle and needed to be removed." There was a pause before Merikh cleared his throat and grabbed Azrael by the arm. "Time is being wasted as we speak. Ifera will burn before daylight."

Azrael began to push and pull. Trying her best to escape. Merikh had a firm grasp on her but that didn't stop her from fighting. He dragged her out of the throne room and to the courtyard. Many of the death angels were waiting there for further instructions. Merikh told them they were to go to Ifera and wipe out any armies in the city before attempting a battle with the archangels. They all left and Merikh walked Azrael out further to look over the city.

The city was no more. It was burnt ash and rubble. Now only a whisper of the past.

~~~*~~~

Deep below the surface and far from King's City lay Raden. He had curled up trying to keep what little warmth was left. The cold was seeing in no matter how hard he tried though.

He closed his eyes, trying to remember the soft touch of Azrael. How she smelt of lavender or how her laugh sounded like the spring wind. Mostly he tried remembering her face. If there was going to be one thing he wanted to remember before death, it was her face.

A sharp pain pierced his side, causing him to draw in a labored breath. How he didn't want to die alone. The guards were gone and no one would allow Azrael in, but Raden didn't want her to see him die. Maybe that bastard mountain guardian would come to stay with him. That's insane though. It wouldn't know where he was. No one else would. Not even... then Raden remembered.

All you have to do is pray to Anéislis and he will answer. Azrael's voice echoed through his mind.

He shifted slightly and in the faintest breath he called out, "Anéislis."

From the shadows, a figure walked forward illuminating the entire room in a soft glow. Anéislis peered down to see the beaten angel seconds from death. He knelt brushing hair from Raden's face. "It is not your time my child," Anéislis spoke softly.

Anéislis placed his hand over the weakly beating heart and began chanting in a long-forgotten language. Raden felt his lungs feel with fresh air from a mountain top and no longer the stale air that stung his lungs. He gasps for the air as it rushed through him like a tidal wave. Anéislis felt his heart strengthen with each pump. The bruises and burns slowly faded away being replaced with new healthy skin that looked untouched by war. As his body healed, his wings began to shift from their mangled web of bone and feather. Attaching once again to their master.

Raden opened his eyes as if he was awakening from a long nap. He slowly sat up looking over his body and then at Anéislis. Anéislis stood and walked over to the pieces of the halo cast across the floor. He carefully placed the pieces together and made them whole again with only a few short words.

He turned to Raden, handing him the halo. "I have seen your future and it didn't end tonight in this room."

"I only called you because I never wanted to die alone."

"My dear child you have much to fulfill. I wasn't going to let that go to waste." Anéislis placed his hands together again. "Now we must go. There is a war raging in the world above."

Raden placed his halo in its resting place. "Where will you go?"

"To protect my mountain range and forest. You have more dyer issues to look after it seems and I suggest you go." Anéislis began to walk back through the shadows when Raden stopped him one last time.

"I did not deserve such a blessing. How do I repay you?"

"Save Azrael." Then he vanished.

Raden opened the door with no time to waste and started running through the halls. Twists and turns made no sense. He yelled out in frustration and stopped running. "Come one give me a sign." He whispered to no one. That's when he could hear them. The faint cheers of those above. So he ran again. Following closely as the sound became louder and louder. Stopping every once in a while to make sure he was still going the right way. Soon enough he found himself in front of the spiral staircase. He smiled and shot up the stairs like lightning bursting through the doors above.

He headed back to Ifera to gain an army of archangels. This time would be different.

Because not even death could take Raden.

~~~*~~~

Raden made it to Ifera in record time. Much of the city had been evacuated in the last few days in fear of an attack and reinforcements were being brought from the west. Forces were placed strategically within the city hoping that would slow any ground attack.

Raden flew straight for the castle courtyard and hit the ground running. The halls were empty of any royal staff and only guards stood ever so often. Raden rushed past trying to think where Lorcán would be at this hour of the night. He headed for the private office first only to be welcomed by an empty barren room. All books, scrolls, and private papers had been moved. Raden huffed and raced down the steps again.

He looked around and saw a young soldier standing guard. The poor boy looked as if he would keel over at a moment's notice. "You, where's the king?"

"I... I don't know." The boy reached for his sword but stopped as he watched Raden's eyes shoot to his hand. "We don't want any trouble here."

"Just tell me where Lorcán is," Raden ordered.

He heard someone whistle and snapped his attention toward the source. It was another guard who he often remembered would stand guard by Lorcán's office. Raden glared at the boy before running off.

The guard fell into step with Raden as they made their way down the long hall. "Lorcán is in the war room."

"War room?"

"Old storage room that was converted for a meeting place to go over the plans." The guard explained. They turned a corner and two guards met them. They stepped aside as they saw who was coming and Raden burst through the door to a very surprised Lorcán and Deimos.

Deimos was the first to speak. "Where are my swords?"

"With Serkan."

"And Azrael," Lorcán joined in.

"Also with Serkan."

Deimos threw his hands in the air and walked away from the table. Raden just cast glances between the two. The others that sat at the table were casting nervous and confused looks between themselves until Raden spoke up.

"I need the archangels." Deimos snapped his head towards Raden. "There's a chance that Serkan headed back to the Eastern kingdom and I need all the help I can get."

"We're not leaving Ifera unguarded, Raden," Deimos answered.

Raden folded his arms in annoyance. "There isn't time to stand here discussing battle plans. We could stop him before..."

"It's Merikh." Lorcán interjection. The air in the room was sucked out and silence fell. Lorcán stood from his seat being as calm as ever. "We were warned a few days ago that he was planning an attack. The city has been evacuated and now it's only a waiting game."

"But if we..."

"Didn't you just hear Lorcán? We're not leaving the end of the story. You go ahead and save your little love interest..."

Raden rushed past and had Deimos pushed against the wall. "Do not insult Azrael," he said darkly. Deimos was wide-eyed with shock. Lorcán snapped his fingers and had guards separate the two.

"If there won't be civil conversation then both of you will leave immediately." Lorcán looked between the two. Raden rolled his shoulders so the guards would let go.

"All I'm saying is. We need Azrael in our custody." Raden glared at Deimos. Lorcán understood immediately. He placed a hand on Raden's shoulder and squeezed slightly. Raden looked back and saw an understanding look.

Lorcan looked over at Deimos. "Prep a few of your men. They're going with Raden."

"Are you kidding..."

"Azrael is the weapon, Deimos," Lorcán simply said. That shut Deimos right up. He left without another word. Lorcán then turned to Raden. "You do whatever it takes. We can't have her falling into Merikh's hands."

Raden nodded.

~~~*~~~

The city stood proud as Merikh arrived. Her plan had worked and Ifera was kept safe long enough. It looked like it had been deserted for quite some time now and Azrael breathed a sigh of relief. She smiled to herself knowing that Merikh would be boiling at the site of Ifera in one piece.

"They'll pay for disobeying my commands."

Azrael felt a bolt of courage strike and she turned to Merikh. "You're outnumbered. So what makes you think that this ends well for you?"

Merikh chuckled. "I am Death. I am undefeated and will stay that way."

"There's an army waiting for you to step foot in the city. Sure you can kill the human soldiers but there's a legion of archangels and death angels waiting to tear you apart." Azrael answered cooly. Truth be told she was absolutely terrified.

He turned to her with a wicked smile. "You are my beautiful weapon. You will cast judgment on this city tonight." He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"No." Azrael stepped back. "I will not." She felt her power surge in a split second. She threw a small fireball hitting Merikh in the chest.

Azrael saw his hand twitch ever so slightly and portals began opening below. Out poured infernal hordes into the city. Azrael watched in horror as Ifera went under attack. Merikh grabbed her by the back of the neck pulling her close. "You are mine. What I say goes. Now we're going to march into that castle and you will end the life of that Gods forsaken king."