I take a whiff of the air, an eternal golden sunset, sweet aroma on the air. This is what you would all call heaven. It is merely a refuge to protect every last angel. I'm on the first wall, the trenches, the heat of all battle. It's been too many sunsets, wish Gladius and Slim would just come back.

Black winged creatures, demonic puppets fly towards us, while hundreds of fodder march on foot. I close my hand and steel bleeds out from it, taking shape of a dull sword. Damn, still need to work on my craft. I point it forward, “No one gets through!” They shout as I hop down. The dirt kicks up from my weight. My sword slices through the demons with no effort.

This is only the first wave, Thrall- I’m waiting for the-

The thrall mix together to make bigger beasts. Creatures with short legs, two long columns for arms, made of hard objects, matted hair, steel, earth.

My men hop down from the wall, screaming, “Bones!" I run in and one cleaves down at me with a giant stone column. I cleave through it and then it’s leg. He falls and I spin, it’s head goes clean off.

Our weakest struggle- I zoom up to one and block a bone's column of metal. The kid below me nods, I push the column away, jump up to it's head and slice it off.

I land back down and grab the kid's hand, pull him up. He shouts over the small battle. “Thanks, Thadius” I shout back, “Go for the head on the bones!”

He nods as I rush in. The thrall turn into giant armored foes, knights. One of them crush an angel to death, it looks my way and raises it’s fists. I run towards it, sword in hand. He runs at me and he punches, I dodge. He immediately pulls his fist back, A fake out?! He punches and I block. My feet scrape against the ground, grinding backward and then I trip onto my back. That’s not a knight. Or are these mindless things…learning? Getting stronger? Or maybe a strong demon's drawing near?

It zooms forward, raises it's foot above my head. “Thadius!!!” The knight blows away. Golden locks of hair, golden light in form of a sword, she's even taller than me, stronger too.

Tesyn doesn’t even look at me, “Get up already. It’s pretty much over now.” The kid form earlier slays the last thrall to the sound of my heavy breathing. A man approaches and she raises her blade, “Watch out!”

On a closer look, it’s a demon. He puts his hands up with a smirk. “I am Ursa Minor! I come to defect!” Tesyn shouts at him, “You die here, demon!” Dad’s voice booms in our ears, “Take him to the court!” Tesyn groans, “But!” “There is much to learn from him! Please, take him there- Thadius!”

"Yes Dad-sir?" I close my eyes and he speaks into my ears, “Let's speak in private.” I nod as Tesyn barks orders, “Everyone! Put him in chains!”

I blink and I’m in Rhoxeus’ makeshift chamber, a good distance from the front lines, “Dad, why bring him in?” “You know what I am the angel of?” I scratch my head, “Uh, knowledge, right?” Dad slumps, “I’ve lived much longer than anyone here. Everyone here, even Tesyn is a blabbermouth, but not you.” I tilt my head and he sighs deep, “I don’t know if you’re ready and I’m scared of that."

“Ready for what?” “Forget it- I need you to know something.” “What?” “We used to be stronger.”

“We could still end it all, this cowering behind walls, turn the tide!“ “You'll soon see the real danger we face.” My eyes widen, “What?”

I pace around the room, “So we cannot win? That’s it? Just wait until void destroys everything? Every angel I know?” He sheds tears with me, “I’ve been fighting for too long, Thadius. I am done.” I growl, “Without you, we’ll be one more step to death!”

“I know, Thadius. I am truly sorry. Keep this to yoursel-“ I shout, “Why keep quiet?!” He points to me, “So you can find a way! I came up with nothing! This whole time, I only knew what’s going to happen! And I’m-“

Tesyn barges in, “Court is ready, Dad.” He turns, “Good, now go to the eastern wall. They’re attacking again, worst you shall see so far.” She nods and zooms off.

Rhoxeus looks into my eyes with his hand on the side of my face, then comes the most wonderful smile, “I know you all can do it- I've seen it, it's beautiful, to die for.” He pats my cheek.