Three days have passed since the battle with Drakura. Katie sat in Seleiana’s house, playing a violin. The harmony of the instrument soothed her thoughts as all she thought about was the carnage from below.

A family that’s going to get you killed! I will not watch your parents fall into depression! We’re leaving, now! Chief’s words repeated in her mind. Another memory spawned, a vision of her nightmare repeated in her thoughts. She played the violin faster, attempting to soothe her thoughts.

She abruptly stopped and zoned out, staring at the white carpet in the middle of the living space. Another nightmare crawled out of the depths of her mind. Thousands of petrified faces screamed and ran away from an indistinguishable creature. Her grip tightened around the neck of the instrument, snapping it in two.

The golden room slowly turned into darkness, she heard nothing but overlapping whispers from every direction. Katie widened her eyes and stood, clenching her fist. Her head darted around the room looking for any signs of movement.

“Katie.” a voice whispered from behind. She quickly turned around and punched the air. Her fist struck nothing but the darkness.

“Katie.” The voice was behind her again but this time closer.

“Get out of my head,” she shouts while summoning her sword. Turning around Katie sees the black outline of a creature sitting on the glass table in the room.

“We’re always watching, ” a wicked grin stretched across its face. “observing your every move.”

Katie sprinted at the entity, raising her sword above its head. She stabbed down, piercing its skull, and shattering the table.

“What are you doing,” A voice cried out. Katie blinked, and suddenly the room was lit again. She looked up to see Seliana standing in the doorway of her kitchen while holding a silver tray with food on it.

Glass shards littered the carpet and Katie’s shoes. Sweat ran down her face as her body trembled.

“Are you alright,” Seleiana asked.

Katie’s sword vanished as she gave a wide-eyed stare into Seliana’s eyes.

“I-i’m sorry,” Katie said softly. She dropped back down onto the couch and looked down while placing her hands together.

Seleiana gently placed the tray on the kitchen counter and walked towards the shards. She raised her hands and all the glass floated in the air with a golden aura. The glass re-connected, forming a table again.

“It’s fine. Things happen.”

She grabbed the tray and sat down next to Katie. “What happened?”

The room remained silent as Seleiana waited for an answer. Katie looked at her for a moment before looking back down.

“Let me ask you a question,” Katie said. “Why did you sign up for the military?”

Seleiana reached down and grabbed a sandwich. “Well… I wanted to contribute to my realm. I wanted to help the mortals beneath us by fighting the empire.”

Katie nodded her head. “If you wanted to help the mortals, why didn’t you sign up for prayer-answering?”

Seleiana took a bite of her food. “I already did those kinds of jobs. I wanted to be a part of something more active, going out into the field and fighting demons, ghosts, and all kinds of monsters.”

“I respect that - but do know that you signed up for your death?” Katie leaned back and stared at the wall.“ And if you don’t die early then you’ll end up with all kinds of mental problems.”

Seleiana shook her head. “Are you trying to scare me out of the military?”

“No. I’m only warning you of your future.”

“I was told this kind of stuff during training. Although now you have me wondering, why did you join?”

Katie crossed her legs for her arms to rest on. “I’ve always had a knack for violence you see. I wasn’t a jerk or anything in my childhood, in fact, I was quite moronic. I wanted to help people just like you but during my time here I learned a lot from the enemy.”

Seleiana placed her food down and crossed her arms. “Like what?”

“Well, you’ve seen it yourself. They’re relentless, brutal, and come in many shapes and sizes. Either being as small as silverware or bigger than the planets themselves.”

She leaned in. “What kind of things did you see?”

Katie stared at her hands as she rubbed them together. “Too much… I’ve seen too much for one mind to handle, and yet I stay because I swore an oath to protect mankind from the black empire.”

Seleiana looked forward for a moment before standing. “I took that oath as well! I don’t care what the empire throws at me! I will fight until my light goes out!”

“Well, I’ve seen you in action, so I don’t deny your skills. But don’t ever treat this like it’s some game.”

She nodded her head. “I don’t. I never will.”

“Good. Now I’m going to go outside for a minute.”

Seleiana quickly picked up the tray. “I’ll come with you.”

Katie closed her eyes and shook her head. “No. I feel like being alone right now.”

“Oh.” Seleiana frowned and lowered her head, allowing her silver hair to get in the food.“At least take a sandwich.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll eat when I come back inside.”

Katie opened the door and gently closed it, she leaned against the wall, staring at the houses and the road that lead to the kingdom. She reached into her white pants pocket and fished out a gold lighter and conjured a cigarette. The flame touched the front of the cigarette as she placed it in her mouth.

For us being a higher power humans can be quite crafty.

A loud voice suddenly came from her halo. “Katie! Get your ass over to the council! I need you to help me convince these morons that the entity god I fought needs more attention!” She jolted at the abrupt shouting causing her to drop her lighter and cigarette.

“Sorry but Chief already tried that, and they wouldn’t listen! Besides, you’re higher rank! Why the hell would you need their permission!”

“This isn’t about permission! This is about making these angelic morons take this situation to heart!”

Katie steps on her cigarette and pulls her halo down, “Look uncle, they’re not going to listen. If I were you I would just handle the situation without them. What are they going to do anyway?”

“Hmm… Ok, new idea. You come with me and help me kill him!”

Chief’s words ran through her mind again. “I’m sorry I can’t do that.”

“What?! Why?!”

She moved the halo in front of her mouth as her face reddened. “Because If I did, I would get killed! I almost made the mistake of trying to fight him the first time. I am not going to repeat that!”

“You are a damn soldier,” his voice was louder and more aggressive. “If I tell you to do something you will do it!! Now I am telling you to get your ass over here and help me take him out!!”

Katie slams her hand on the wall. “No! I will not go fight a battle that I will lose! You got a damn problem with it?! Tough shit!”

She turned toward the wall and threw her halo watching it bounce off the wall and fall onto the grass.

“You little shit,” she heard him yell from the halo. “Wait until I see your ass in person!!”

For the love of god! She walks back inside the house.

“Why were you shouting,” Seleiana asked.

Katie sat down and placed her hand on her forehead. “That idiot Odraxon wants to have another go at an entity god we fought! And he wants to drag my ass along!”

Seleiana put down her food. “What entity god?”

“The one I saw three days ago! It was a helluva lot smarter than the rest we fought! And now my uncle is obsessed with him!”

Seleiana placed her hand on her chin. “So it’s an entity god that can possibly command other ones?”

“I don’t doubt it, but seeing the condition Odraxon was in when he returned makes me worry about him.”

She suddenly heard the door blow off of its hinges, Odraxon steps into the house and points at Katie. “Outside! Now!”

She shook her head and let out a sigh. “Piss off old man! You’re testing my patience!”

Odraxon storms towards her, letting out a frustrated growl. He grabs Katie’s arm and throws her through the front door.

“Calm down,” Seleiana shouts.

She quickly stood and raises her fist. “You really wanna start this shit?!

Odraxon steps out of the house – shooting a glare. “You will do as I command! You will come with me! And you will help me kill him!”

She tightened her fist, waiting for him to make a move. “I told you that I will get killed if I so much as get swatted by him, you hard-headed idiot! And besides why the hell do you even need my help?! Get your damn sister!”

“Because you’re a competent warrior! And I have faith that you will survive!”

“Yeah, a competent warrior that you're going to get killed!”

Odraxon stopped his advance and let out a sigh. He turned his gaze to the sky. “You know what?! Fine! I’ll do it myself!” He bent down preparing to fly. “I never should’ve asked your stubborn ass,” he growled under his breath.

Katie lowered her fist, watching him fly into the sky. She glared at the angels looking out their windows. “Back inside! This is none of your concern,” She barked. They all quickly withdrew and closed their windows

Seleiana poked her head out of the doorway. “Is he gone?”

Dammit Odraxon! Why do you have to be a stubborn prick! She approaches Seleiana, placing her hand on her shoulder. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” She said while nodding.

“He’s going to hunt him down… I want to go with him, but, at the same time, I don’t want to get myself killed.”

“You’re not going to follow him are you?”

“Maybe I will – I don’t know.” Katie places her hands on her head. “Dammit!”

Seleiana rubs her back. “Calm down, calm down. Let’s go talk with his sister.”

Seleiana grabs Katie's wrist and gently pulls her hands down. She grabs her halo and calls Celenara.

After a minute of calling, no one has answered, Seleiana looks down at her halo and then at Katie, “I think she may be in the cosmos right now.”

Katie sat on the grass and summoned another cigarette, “Probably in a battle right now.” She inhales the smoke for a moment and blows a golden cloud, “Great… then I’ll just follow him.”

“But if you do, you’ll get killed,” Seleiana protested. "You just said that yourself!"

“I know what I just said,” she growled while clenching her hand, crushing her lighter. “No! He can do it himself!”

Seleiana sat on her knees. “I’m confused, do you want to go or not?”

“I don’t know! Just shut up for a minute," she shouted.

Seleiana stood silent, staring at Katie.

She darted her eyes at Seleiana’s and sighed. “I’m sorry… I’m just stressed out right now.”

“I know,” Seleiana replied. "But please control your temper. It could get you into trouble. Now Get up, let's call Seraphim Guidance."

Katie pulled the cigarette out of her mouth and placed her finger on the tobacco. “I need to see him anyway, I have something else to discuss.”

As Seleiana stood up, she grabbed Katie's wrist and pulled her up, then wrapped her arm around Katie's back and walked back home with her.