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Dormant. Immobile. Near lifeless. The Inusir laid, its enormous wings embracing its body in a protective obsidian cocoon.

Ahzrael was a short stretch away, his eyes narrowing while he approached the Inusir with pure attentiveness. As he extended his right hand outward, a bright flash pierced down from the sky in a thin cylinder of light. In his hand appeared a long, curved dagger, almost as thick as his forearm, that he gripped before it fell to the ground.

Oziren. The name he'd given the blessed dagger. The fierce blade, birthed from a silver-flamed orb, and sent from the high skies of Vae'lon. It was as long as his arm but smaller than their average swords, with a reputation of destruction slithering down its shaft.

Oziren scarcely left Ahzrael's side. They were one. And through Ahzrael, Oziren slew with no mercy, felling the forgotten lives of damned creatures, sending them into oblivion or the agonizing pits of the forsaken world. It was a blade meant to destroy, and it was one of the few weapons known that could potentially decimate an Inusir.

Ahzrael touched the hilt, feeling over the carved base of his sacred blade. A tame flare of vitality emanated from Oziren, gliding its way into Ahzrael's hand. A reunited bond.

He felt the presence of the other Diuxals surround the area in a developing circle. But his eyes remained on the winged power, not daring to risk a glance elsewhere.

Taking a vigilant step forward, the sounds of snow crunched beneath the ridges of his boot. Gradually, he crouched his body down, shoulders tensed, knees taking on his full weight.

Another step, followed by the same crunching sound, he could feel it again. A recognizable power he experienced at the park moments ago. Only this time it was drastically heightened. Waves of the Inusir's intense energy rippled the air like scorching heat in the middle of a desert.

The closer he moved, the more he felt the resistance. The Inusir's power was rebellious, fighting all of them as the Diuxals gradually broke in. It was Ahzrael's first time experiencing such a feeling, such an intensity.

Other encounters with Inusirs were similar, but their power did not resist nearly as much. He assumed it was because they were conscious and in control at the time. Or so he could remember, for it had been several hundred millennia since he last laid eyes upon one. Elusive beings they were, yet no strangers to chaos.

Ahzrael sustained his wary stalk, steadily pushing through the powerful barrier. For a moment, it surprised him that the pain was not as potent as before, though a similar pressure remained. This time, the feeling resembled a hurricane wind gusting towards him with full force. If he were human or any other simpler being, he would've been heaved over the mountainside by now.

When he finally pierced the barrier, it was like a cruel tear had been cut. The force diminished, retreating all of itself into the Inusir's body. In a sanctuary.

With this tear, the others pushed in, then held back as they waited for his order. Ahzrael stopped just over the Inusir. He stood in all his gallantry and vigor, glaring down at the body with a blend of curiosity and hatred. He needed to study this scene, examine it thoroughly. It was not every day the universe handed them such a being, and he needed to understand why.

Nirus glanced between Ahzrael and the Inusir, settling on Ahzrael. "How the-- how did this come to be?" Nirus asked. The tone of his voice hypothetical. "An occurrence like this... the rarity." His eyes moved to Ahzrael's hand on Oziren.

Ahzrael's focus remained set on the Inusir. His gaze scanned its still body. Its colossal wings, thick and strong, the edges like freshly sharpened blades. The wings were black as night, but even in its darkness, he noticed patterns and markings imprinted on the wings. They whirled down in decisive lines and shapes. He inhaled a deep, silent breath. If the circumstances were different, and Inusirs weren't such a menace, he might even admit it was strangely... enchanting.

But the circumstance was not different. This being was no friend to the Diuxals, defenseless or not. His fingers still gripped the hilt of Oziren, feeling the bonding power vibrating between them. He glanced towards the bottom of its wings, faintly noting black fabric that laid over the snow. It appeared to be a cloak of some kind, and he assumed beneath those wings was one of the many forms the Inusir wore.

Studying the body further, he arched his brows in deep concentration. The curiosity that spurred in him brought about other thoughts, other wonders. His intense eyes scanned up and down as if it were examining its interior structure.

Then, he felt a bolt of an epiphany shoot through his core. His jaw clenched, his interest reaching an entirely new level. He'd never witnessed an Inusir in such a vulnerable state, but he remembered learning of a similar report. One that dated back ninety ehkon, when the humans were still in their infancy yet more aware of the creatures of the universe. And here, right in front of him, it appeared to have happened again.

Auguratricis, he said to himself, chuckling in disbelief.

"What is it, brother?" Nirus asked, coming around the Inusir to stand near him.

Ahzrael scanned the Inusir again and again as if the realization was going to change. He looked up at his fellow Diuxals, their glowing eyes of blues, whites, and greens trained on him. "This is the work of an Augura," he announced. Low whispers and muttering followed his revelation.

He studied their expressions. Most of them seemed staggered and incredulous. They all knew about the reports of one supposed Augura who incapacitated an Inusir in the distant past, but no Diuxal had ever verified such a case with their own eyes. Thus, putting the stories to rest.

Sirone stepped forward, glancing down at the flaccid body with a sly look of repugnance. "An Augura? But they cannot wield such power," she noted as another Diuxal stood by her side, peering at the Inusir.

"Times have changed, perhaps we've been distant from the Auguras for too long," one Diuxal commented, her dark blue eyes passing between Ahzrael and Sirone.

"Why would an Augura want to do this, and how? Are there not risks? "asked another. His thick brows were furrowed with strict concern over his deep-brown face. Unlike Sirone, he did not attempt to hide his abhorrence and disdain when observing the body.

"Forget the Augura. What must we do with... this?" Sirone asked. Misty air left her lips as she exhaled a deep breath, studying the rare scene before her.

"Execution. That's what we do. The Augura just made it easier," Nirus boasted, eagerly treading onward. His hand went to the blade at his side before pausing and reaching for the longsword on his back instead.

He glimpsed over at Ahzrael. "We know you will finish the job, but we can still get a few in." Nirus' tone heaved confidence and excitement. His anxious fingers gripped around the handle of the sword, preparing to remove it from its constraints.

The mumblings among the Diuxals grew, becoming riled up to put down the Inusir. Ahzrael placed his hand over Nirus's closed fist, halting any further release.

"No," Ahzrael muttered, but it was loud enough to reach all ears. Fiery glances shot his way.

"No?" Nirus questioned, bewildered. "Brother, our opportunity is now. Earth's sun would die before we get another chance like this. We're talking about an Inusir, not some trivial dark spawn. This will send a message."

Ahzrael slowly raised his head, a sly grin on his face as a cunning plan formulated in his mind. "You're right, Nirus. This is an opportunity." He looked at Nirus, then Sirone, then the handful of Diuxals among him. "This is an opportunity for us to strengthen our might." His voice slightly elevated, power rising from his throat.

Enquiring eyes watched him as if trying to find an understanding. Some would dart concerning looks to one another before turning back to Ahzrael. He pushed Oziren into its sheath and removed his hand, feeling the connection slither away. "Not today, my friend," he whispered.

Sirone noticed and her eyes expanded. "What are you doing? It needs to be killed!" she yelled. Her eyes flared in bewilderment.

She stomped towards Ahzrael, thrashing the snow around, almost reaching him when her steps were cut short. Ahzrael glowered in a way that told her to advance with caution. This was no jest and no time for arguments. It would be a fight Sirone was not ready for.

"No," Ahzrael said again, authority seeping through his tone. He looked at the laying Inusir. "In all these ehkons, every millionth year that has passed, we now have an extraordinary chance to put this eternal war at an end for good. We must bring the Inusir to Vae'lon."

Sirone gasped, eyes wide. Ahzrael felt the tension and anxiety building around him. His fellow Diuxals seemed staggered by this idea, unsure of how to respond.

"Home?" Nirus repeated. "Why not the Netherrealm? Or the Srxal?" he suggested.

Their home was a divine sanctuary and no place for such a dark existence. Not to mention, no Inusir has knowledge of the location of their home among the stars. The consequences could be catastrophic.

"Hell, it should be damned to the Srxal. Surely that seems more fitting for this maleficent abomination," said another. She glanced at Ahzrael with the look of hope that the idea would shift his mind. But Ahzrael would not waiver.

"I won't risk the suspicion and prying of others. Inusirs don't belong in those places and their presence there will only ignite an inexorable chatter between worlds. A gossip that would ruin everything. Do not forget, this is not the only Inusir in existence."

Nirus sighed. "So, we bring it home. And when it wakes? When it attacks?"

A cunning smirk smoothed its way into the corner of Ahzrael's mouth. "If it attacks... then I'll kill it myself."

Silence bloomed among them. Ahzrael studied their faces, noticing their hesitation. He understood their concerns. It was a risk. But not any one of them would sway him from this decision.

Even Nirus, whose doubts painted his graceful face, nodded at Ahzrael in acceptance. Sirone did the same as her eyes trailed towards the Inusir.

With the conclusion settled, it was time for Ahzrael to head to his next endeavors. "Combine your energy, it should be more than enough to transport its body with you. When you arrive, bring it to Terevii, far at the edge, and summon a small group to assist you in guard. Do not take your eyes off it." He turned his gaze towards the humans' sun, his pupil remaining the same size as the world's light did not affect him. "I need to meet with the Augura. I will meet with you afterward."

"You speak like you know which one..." Sirone pondered.

Ahzrael smiled. "I do."

Sirone pressed her lips together with a slight 'hmm' that seeped through her mouth. With a sigh, she walked in front of him, staring up into his powerful golden rims.

"Just... hurry back," she muttered.

He smiled in response, his mouth closed as he looked at her. She gazed at him for a short moment longer before reluctantly turning away. She followed Nirus when he positioned himself facing the Inusir. The others did the same, creating a shield around the limp body.

Ahzrael observed the scene, watching the snow thrashing around them. The ground rumbled, and the winds on top of the mountain raged and howled in protest.

It was a good thing no humans were being adventurous this day, as the powerful force would have sent them hurling off the mountain, if it didn't violently suck the air out of their lungs first.

Whirling winds circled the Diuxals. Ahzrael felt the intensity of their combined strength. The remaining power of the Inusir had no strength to rebel in its current state.

He watched through focused eyes, his hair whipping all over his face. Then, the wind stopped. The snow fell. And the ground rested.

They were gone. Swept away to Vae'lon.

He glanced towards the setting sun and breathed a deep, weary sigh. He didn't like the idea of having that mischievous force in his home, but speaking with the Augura was a priority.

With a surging power flowing through him, he transformed into sparks of light and vanished from the highest mountain in this world.

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