The world was a blanket of white.

A beautiful world coloured in iridescent lights, sparkling particles, rays of rainbows.

Feathers descended from the sky, covering the ground in a layer of white. Rippled spread through the clean fresh air. A tinge of divinity, calm and tranquility could be felt just by existing here.

I grabbed the blue jewel and crushed it. Blue Kaizer appeared in my hands.

Regardless of how alluring this realm is, the painful chill just wouldn’t go away.

I raised my body, pushing against this pressure.

Floating in the air– the atrium of the shopping mall distorted into a heavenly domain– The Seraph.

A golden pyramid with an eye on each side, long white eyelashes gently fluttered as fresh blood dripped down the edges. It created thick strings of red. Around the pyramid were a pair of twisted rings, the surface covered in eyeballs.

Halos wrapped around its head, feathers fell from its wings.

The divine existence.

God’s envoy.

Radiating divinity, wrapping itself in this regal luminance.

The Seraph’s eyes convulsed, rolling back, out, in, before it began to make these uncomfortable grinding noises.

Ding.

The sounds of the silver bell echoes.

Brr.

The sonorous blare of the trumpets enrapture the world.

{WaRnING: StATuS diFfEREntIAL iS TOo gReAT}

{YoUr aTtrIBuTEs HaVe bEEn SUPprESseD gREatLy}

“Shit.”

I was shaking, really shaking.

Unlike the typical black and white world, frozen people here were represented as finely sculpted quarts statues. Angel wings attached to their backs.

Except mine. It was made of dirt rock.

Ding.

The Seraph floated towards somewhere.

“HELP ME!! HELP!!!”

I can’t do anything about the demon on the upper floor, I just wouldn’t reach in time.

Or would I.

My legs were trembling, shaking.

I could barely move.

Yet.

“What’s wrong with me, haha.”

I found myself grinning; I tightened the grip around Blue Kaizer.

I raised it and pointed it towards The Seraph.

Take this, son of a bitch.

The laser shot forth and hit the halo.

My body trembled, I held myself from falling.

Trembling.

Convulsing.

My knees were buckling.

I couldn’t even look up.

Was it looking at me?

Damn it.

The pressure is ridiculous.

So this is The Seraph Radingo mentioned?

Run.

Avner, Run.

It’s your only hope.

Ding.

I fell to my knee, nausea struck me, I couldn’t breathe.

“Get yourself together!”

BAAAMM!!!

I was pulled at by the arm.

I didn’t recognise her, but I suppose she’s a demon like me too.

What weapon is that? Matching the colour of the katana, the vein-like webs wrapping her entire right arm pulsated in crimson.

Brr.

“Fuck this!”

She took out from her coat a cube and threw it behind.

A dragon’s roar so loud it should have ruptured my eardrums, erupted. I heard her command faintly through the ringing of my ears.

“I’ll get you to the entrance, after that you have to run far enough to escape from the Boundary.”

“Y-Yes.”

Ridiculous.

I’m weak.

I shouldn’t be this weak.

“How about that other demon up there?!”

“My fleet is already on it. Don’t worry about it and just run.. jump!”

She pulled me to the edge of the glass fence and lept. I didn’t hesitate, falling at least 4 stories before landing on the soft ground. Feathers cushioned the impact, blowing up into the sky.

“Run to the exit and don’t turn back! I’ll hold it down here for you!”

She’s stronger than me.

Avner, don’t try to be a hero and escape.

The faster I escape, the greater the chances of my survival.

The greater the chances of her survival.

I’m a burden.

Crap, I don’t even know where the exit is.

Ding.

BOOOM!! BOOOM!! BOOOM!!

I didn’t even have the courage to turn back and watch the fight. The imprint of fear weighed heavily in my mind.

I followed the heavenlified signs which showed directions to the train station, different stores, toilets, and..

The exit.

Entrance B.

I don’t think she would point me in this direction if the entrance is somehow closed. I made a mad dash. The glass door was open, white statues crowding the place.

I’m pretty sure these are indestructible so sorry for stepping on your heads!

I made my way out of the shopping complex. The world beyond was the normal black and white astral space I was used to.

“Run, about a kilometer..”

A movement.

I prepared my sword stance and backed away. Someone stood in my way. I narrowed my eyes.

“Hold up, who are you?” he asked.

An angel, or demon?

I can’t differentiate the two.

“You’re under our..” he looked above my head, then at the golden chain on my wrist, “Then that means you were caught up in the mess huh? I apologize for that, it’s a blessing you were able to escape.”

Angel. Definitely an angel. What now?

I looked around and found that this place was teaming with them. Curious, they were looking at me. Camping at the entrance? Waiting for the demons to come out just so they can slaughter them at the best and worst possible timing?

What a disgusting tactic.

Run.

Escape.

Really?

Do I just leave it?

What if other demons came out from this entrance?

Their lives would end here wouldn’t it?

I don’t know if escaping means that I would lighten the demon faction’s burden or that I’m turning a blind eye to something even they’re unaware of.

“Contacts.”

{SEARCHING_FOR_CONTACT}

{Contacts: Cain Ghron, Pu’er Greenwood, Pu’er Julis}

It’s not like I can contact anyone that would change anything.

I’m conflicted.

What would be the best course of action?

“What? This demon fledgling is our ally? Did some error happen with the bureau or is it a fake?”

“Tell me your name, and class.”

The angels began approaching me, a mix of hostility, curiosity and plight.

“Avner Cross, Frigate.”

“He’s registered,” the angel checked my data on some sort of floating terminal.

“What? Seriously? He’s a fledgling isn’t he? How?”

“Look at the list and see for yourself.”

“My bad, my bad.”

“This way to escape alright?”

The angels led me out of the plaza.

“Just leave the range of the Boundary, be careful of the demons out there. Or do you need me to escort you?” a female angel asked.

“I think I’m alright.”

“Okay, then take care.”

“Are you going to kill the other demons that don’t have this?” I raised my wrist to show her the chain.

“Yes.”

There wasn’t even a shred of hesitation. A clear resolved reply. I gripped Blue Kaizer in my hands.

Fight. Escape. Fight. Escape.

How many angels were here? I don’t want to kill them, at least disarm them so that the demons can escape.

No.

Considering how previously that elf who warned me managed to escape, there must be other routes.

No.

I have no idea how time works in the astral space. Did time completely stop or did it only slow?

Were there many demons that got caught up?

“You’re concerned about them aren’t you? I understand how you feel, but you’re one of us now. You have to decide which side you're on and draw a hard line.”

The female angel patted my head.

“It’s not easy even after you’ve made the vow. I’ve met other demons that struggle with this too. More so, you were just born weren’t you?”

I wanted to say I chose neither.

But I didn’t have the courage or determination to.

I haven’t made a choice.

Or rather, my choices had always been in accordance with my own convenience.

Right. Let’s not lose track of things.

I already told myself that I’m going to avoid involving myself in this.

I’m no hero. Don’t create more chaos. Don’t be a busybody.

Just escape.

And pray that the demon that saved me earlier survives.