Norah went about every morning like the last. Dressing herself in ivory robes, greeting any angel she sees, and gossiping with Gabriella. She sat beside Vita helping and advising on problems when needed. Interrogating angels when need be. Just like any other day. When they were alone in a side room decorated in maps with a large table standing tall in the center. Holding up a realistic layout of the world and the various kingdoms that are being marked by that white and gold deer hoof symbol.

“ We’re nearly there Norah. Soon we’ll be the rulers of a perfect world. Where the struggles of mortals will fade away in oblivion,” a smile of content spread across her lips.

It’s a very simple question with a simple answer. I’m sure Vita can answer it for you. Azrail’s words rang in her head in a ghostly echo. She summoned the courage and opened her mouth.

“ Vita, who are my real parents? What were the circumstances of my birth?” A wave of dread crashed over her, making her shoulders slump under the weight when she saw Vita freeze then give that cold angry glare.

“ Why do you need to know? Am I not enough for you? Have I not given you enough to give you a good life? Why do you need to know about the past?”

It’s a very simple question with a simple answer. I’m sure Vita can answer it for you.

“ I was just curious…I just wanted to-”

“ Dearie don’t trouble your mind with such useless thoughts and questions. Now if we control Pestis’s lands we can make our way west….”

Vita’s voice trailed off into static. The only clear thing in her mind was that cursed chant echoing in her head.

It’s a very simple question with a simple answer.

It’s a very simple question with a simple answer.

It’s a very simple question with a simple answer.

It’s a very simple question with a simple answer.

It’s a very simple question with a simple answer.

Then why won’t she tell me. Why can’t she answer me? If it’s such a simple question…can’t she answer it? Vita, you’re the High goddess of life. The supreme of all goodness. While that misbreed is evil. So why? Why can’t you answer the question?

Her day went on, but none of it stuck with her. All of it passed on in a blur her mind only became clear when she entered that dungeon. Marching to the misbreed’s cell where he was chained and powerless.

Azrail stared up at Norah, waiting for Norah to say something. She inhaled a deep breath to prepare herself for the disapproval gaze.

“ Who are my real parents? What were the circumstances of my birth?”

“ Have a seat, and I shall tell you,” he gestured with a nod of his head. Relief washed over her as she sat down on the ground.

“ Your father is Sean Van Daling, and your mother is Diane Ebonytalon. He was a human, she was avian. Both had hard lives, toxic and abusive family members. Yet they never lost their kindness and compassion. When they first met they were both prisoner by traffickers. They escaped together, growing closer to each other. Sean and Diane married and moved to Ferro’s-”

“ Who is Ferro?”

“ He was the god of smithing, crafts, art, and invention. He…was killed…nevermind that now. They moved to Ferro’s old forge and had you and your sister, Luna.”

“ Then what happened?”

“ Do you want the truth?”

The other prisoners in their cells crowded to their cell doors watching the two in curiosity. Norah nodded in response.

“ You were never chosen. Your sister Luna was chosen.”

“ N-no…you lie…you’re a liar…I-I was chosen…I’m the Chosen One!” Her head began to spin as the room felt close to suffocating her.

“ Luna died before North could bless her. So he chose you.”

“ No….no you’re lying! You’re tricking me! This all just a scheme!” She shouted banging on the cell bars.

“ I tell nothing but the truth, Norah. There’s no point in schemes when I could just say what it is true,” he didn’t even flinch as she threw her tantrum. Norah’s breathing became rapid, and everything just seemed wrong. Everything just felt fake.

“ If you don’t believe me. Reamer the god of dreams has prophetic powers. He will tell you,” Azrail continued. Norah flew out of the dungeons into her room immediately, desperately going through her nightly routine as swiftly as possible so she could lay in bed to drift off.

But she just laid there. Staring up at the blank ceiling as her world seemed to be on fire. He must be lying. He’s just trying to make me turn away from Vita. Well that won’t happen! Vita is everything to me, she and everything we’ve built is perfect. But….but if it’s perfect…then why do I feel disgusted whenever I follow her….she told me to kill someone….I betrayed my family…I’ve hurt people. But they were demons! Th-they deserve it! Granted Taurus is-was…was a Hellhound….but he was kind, he was my friend. She groaned, stuffing a pillow in her face to muffle it.

Gods, why is everything complicated?! She didn’t remember how, but Norah at last drifted off to sleep.

Norah smelled smoke, and when she opened her eyes. She saw a violet fire raging across her dream meadow. The fire didn’t burn Norah nor a small patch around her, she dared not to move. The pitch black smoke blocked the sky, and the fire burned everything she ever knew.

The chosen one collapsed to her knees, screaming in agony as it burned on. She held herself close as tears poured from her eyes. But these tears felt different. These tears were thicker than usual. Hotter than usual. She wiped her eyes and she saw crimson blood smeered on her hand. Shock flooded her system. Her breathing became rapid. None of it seemed to matter as the violet flames consumed her in a wail.

She awoke with a scream, not in her room, but in a different meadow. Pure white grass flowing in the wind. The sun and moon hanging in the sky together. Aquatic creatures flying through the skies. Orange specks dancing with the wind. Norah at last steadied her breathing as she gazed up at the beautiful sky above.

“ Gods….why am I here? Th-that was a nightmare,” she panted like she ran around the world.

“ Apologies..but Allen is currently off world so to speak,” cooed a strange child-like voice. Norah turned around to see a pale owl griffin with large black eyes on its face and wings, that seemed to blink in unison.

“ Reamer,” she galred at the beast.

“ I should kick you out, but I can tell you want to know your prophecy. Well technically not yours-”

“ It is mine! Tell me what you saw!”

“ Prophecitc visions are strange…at least for me…I don’t see what’ll actually happen, but more hints, and symbolism…I remember Luna’s. I saw the moon rising from Ferro’s forge, then North entering that moon giving it a strange glow. I saw a deer eating the moon….while the world around that deer was growing out of control….and I heard the screams for death…but no one answered…..but then I saw a different path…I saw a dog howling at the moon..as it and the moon’s fire killed the deer..but none of this is useful.”

“ B…but why was I chosen?”

“ Vita changed fate. She changed the path. Someone had to be chosen, and you were alive. The only thing I saw next, relating to this, was a snake on fire melting a bird cage freeing the bird in the cage. That is all I know.”

“ How…how do I know you aren’t lying?”

“ I have no reason to. I am neutral ground in this war.”

Norah stared at the ground in disbeielf. Thousands of questions raced through her mind by the second. Until a simple conclusion rooted her in reality.

“ Maybe I was truly the one who was meant to be. Luna must’ve been destined to die. So it must’ve been me all along.”

“ Nor-”

“ Everything I’ve done. Everyone I’ve hurt. They couldn’t have been for nothing. Vita can’t possibly be that evil. That cruel. I-it’s not possible!”

The dream Lord lowered his ears realsing a heavy melancholy sigh. He waved his paw, and Norah shot up in her bed gasping to life. She cradled her face in her sweaty hands, unable to tell if tears or sweat was dripping from her face.

“ What’s wrong with me?” she mumbled to herself, as she shoved the bad dream aside to go on with her ordinarily perfect day.

**********************************************

The sun beamed through the clouds that littered the beautiful blue sky, seagulls squawked and flew around the dock area in numbers never seen by even the oldest of sailors.

The docks themselves were swarming with species of all sorts from beast folk, to elves, half-elves, and everything in between they all chatted with each other and did their jobs.

One would suffocate to death from the number of beings there. Everything is so cramped and busy like anthills or beehives, a tense atmosphere intoxicated the area and everyone in it. Ships were parked in every single boat dock, and more boats were waiting in the harbor waiting for a spot to open up. Sailors screaming at each other just like the seagulls that flew above.

Helsing was sitting on some crates trying to stay out of everyone’s way as they waited for Allen and Gran to return.

Helsing’s serpent tail swayed from side to side agitated by all of the questionable folk around that gave him glares of disgust for some reason. He flicked his serpent tongue, getting a strong scent of body odor, wet wood, rum, and the small hint of the salty ocean breeze that drifted through the air. Gran soon returned with more supplies in her bag and sat beside her grandson.

“ Are you doing okay? I know ye don’t like big crowds,” Gran questioned with concern.

“ Yeah, I’m fine Gran. I just hope Allen can hurry it up.”

“ I wonder how he’s going to get us a ship. Steal it?”

“ I’m betting he’ll kill someone for the ship. I don’t trust him.”

“ Good you shouldn’t. Ye shouldn’t have even made a deal with him or talked to him in the first place. We shouldn’t even be in this situation!”

“ Yeah I know Gran, I get it. But if we get Azrail to come to life he will break the curse. Then hopefully glory will be in our name so we can actually be accepted, instead of watching our backs whenever we use the bathroom publicly.”

Gran sighed softly and began snacking on some rolls of bread she bought. Helsing laid back on the crates staring up at the sky. He began thinking to himself. Did I make the right decision? By helping Allen will the curse be broken? Gran seems really scared of him, but she won’t tell me why. Can’t blame her. I wouldn’t go prancing around cheering to the Heavens that I know the Boogeyman.

Gran gently tapped on Helsing’s tail, he sat up in response seeing Allen walking toward them with his arm wrapped around the shoulder of a woman around the age of 30 that didn’t have the thinnest of bodies with black splotches that decorated her dark gray skin. Her short wavy silvery hair and her dark big eyes glistened in the sunlight. The blacksmith also noticed a tattoo of a nightshade flower with some sort of bug overlapping the flower being overlapped by some insect on her neck.

Nightshade? gods I hope it’s not the criminals, and it’s just a normal…Normal tattoo.

“ Helsing, this is Captain Harper. She has graciously agreed to sail us to our destination.”

“ Where are we going exactly?” Helsing raised a brow as he crossed his arms.

“ Allen tells me we’re salin’ to pick up an acquaintance of his that can help with y'all's mission,” Harper said with a thick accent somewhat similar to Allen and Gran’s.

“ And graciously? Black Beast, I was flat-out ordered to help you! Don’t put words in my mouth!” Harper continued to spat some other curses at him.

Allen only responded with an intimidating expression and a stare from his yellow eye that pierced through the black hair that semi-covered his one good eye. His hand tightened its grip on her shoulder, and Harper’s furious expression melted into a fearful and obedient look as she gazed back at Helsing and Gran who seemed uncomfortable. Allen let go of Harper and started walking toward her ship.

“ Come along now. We’ve wasted enough time chit chattin’.” Allen cheerfully said as he motioned Captain Harper to follow, which she did like a dog being called to its master.

Helsing and Gran trailed behind the two keeping their distance from Allen. They arrived at Captain Harper’s ship. The sturdy wooden ship wasn’t large like the ships of royalty or trade, but it was beautiful nonetheless. At the front of the boat, there was a carving of a crocodile that extended out of the ship with ropes and a sail on its snout. All of the largest sails on the boat bore the symbol of a trading company, two golden koi fish swimming in starlight. Gran and Helsing got on the ship then Gran gasped in horror. That’s when Helsing noticed all of the crew members had the same tattoo as Captain Harper. A nightshade flower itself with a mantis silhouette overlapping it.

“ You enlisted the help of the Hallowed Nightshades?! Are you insane Allen?!” Gran spat as Allen walked the bridge up to the ship. Allen leaned on the rails of the ship looking down at them with a sly smile.

“ I’m completely insane, dearie. But the Hallowed Nightshades are my allies, therefore they do as I say. Plus this way we can avoid all of the rules of Vita’s kingdoms, and slip under her radar without being tracked or captured. So get up here and let's set sail.”

Captain Harper gave commands to her crew of various species but most of them had wings of some sort, and they sailed on the vast ocean.

Helsing walked to the front of the ship and sat on the crocodile’s snout watching the ship cut through the water with grace that slowly lulled him to sleep.

After several hours of sailing, Helsing fluttered his eyes open, seeing that the sun was beginning to set and letting the moon take over the night time. He got up and headed back to the deck glancing around not being able to see Allen or Gran. He looked up toward the crows nest seeing Allen staring up at the starless sky, out of curiosity he climbed up to the crows nest and stood next to Allen.

“ Do you know why the stars are gone? Also who are we meeting?” Helsing finally said, breaking the moments of silence between the two. Allen coldy glanced at the serpent-human hybrid.

“ The constellations are hiding. They fear the chaos the world is in right now, and they fear Vita herself. We’re going to pick up another god that will help us defeat Vita and her brain washed goons.”

“ I have so many questions about all of that.”

“ And I have questions about you, so I answer you and you answer me.”

Helsing nods in response with a small smile on his partially scaly face.

“ So tell me Allen. What exactly happened to Azrail? How can the god of Death die?”

Allen then began explaining how the world came to be, and the betrayal that Astro committed against his wife. He explained how North the phoenix of the Northern Lights came to be. Then told the tale of how Norah, North’s chosen vessel, killed the High god of Death with the only flames that could actually kill gods. He told him that Allen had planted a Mare in Azrail’s soul. Helsing listened to every word that Allen said, his yellow serpent eyes widened in astonishment and wonder.

“ So now we need the god of Knowledge to help clean up this mess, help fight, and get through to Norah and sway her to the right side.”

“ But how did the High god of death die? I know the legend of him being someone who exists between life and death, but they don’t really explain how he got it. So how can he fully die?”

“Jesus, you’re full of questions. Divine beings are immortal in the sense we can’t die from old age or being killed through normal means, but we can physically die. Remember, Azrail is the manifestation of death when he was alive mortals died, because if the one who places the curse dies the curse is gone. He personally deals with silent and peaceful deaths, while other imps, Hellhounds, and Hatsu deal with violent deaths.”

The blacksmith had no words, he just stood there with his jaw reaching the floor.

“ But what I still don’t understand is how come no one else has tried to take Vita down? Why can’t Azrail just chop off her head?”

“ Simple Vita is a High goddess, she's very powerful, and gods of opposite sides can’t directly fight each other with their powers. Because reality will tear apart and such. But two mortals have tried to defy her recently. Sean and Quiver were preparin’ to start a rebellion against Vita, but Vita found out. Thanks to Norah bein’ a snitch. She sent some of the Winged Archers along with some other angels to destroy the Paradise of her children. A lot were burned, deeply wounded, and captured,” his tone softened as he looked back up at the sky.

“ Did someone you cared about die? Well not die I guess captured is the right word.”

“ Many, but you seem surprised that I care about someone.”

“ It’s just. I’ve heard about people…who behave like you… don’t really have empathy.”

“ Ah, Helsing. There are few who have learned that empathy is the best weapon one could possess against people, and I’m one of them.”

“ That’s horrible..why-why would you do that?”

“ Ye ask a lot of questions, lad. I do this to people, because it’s fun. Watching them get so emotional, and opening up to me then,” he snapped his fingers. “ Then just like that I can break em with that openness,” Allen chuckled a little to himself.

“ How can you be so twisted? Granted I have done horrible things, but I don’t enjoy them.” Helsing climbed down from the crows nest then headed below deck numbed by the shock.

Allen stayed in the crows nest that swayed with the ship as it sailed through minor waves.

“ Odd Razask once said the same thing. I wonder-” Allen was cut off when a voice echoed in his head calling his name loudly and ghastly. He snarled in pain as he held his head trying to listen.

“ By the gods Azrail! Not so loud! I can hear you just fine.” He mumbled to himself as the voice softened in his mind. “ Now that’s better. A bit deja vu this meeting isn’t it?”

“ Enough. I don’t have much time. Your Mare is doing well. A few angels have agreed to be with us. How is Hatsu doing with gathering allies?”

“ Sire Hatsu is dead...and has been dead since the battle in your throne room. There are few who will help us. All I’ve got is the Nightshades, my decadent and your son. But I did signal our other allies.”

“ Good. At least we have some with us...I have to go but I’ll be in touch. Stay safe please,” Azrail responded and his voice disappeared from Allen’s head.

The gang spent several days on the cold quiet sea until they arrived at a less crowded doc, but this doc was full of different species trading items that were illegal such as different animals, magical items, and rare weapons from the old world.

Helsing and Gran got off the boat followed by Allen who strolled through the doc area with a kind smile on his face. Gran and Helsing stayed close to Allen looking around at all of the buzz going around. Allen then shoved them into an alley, and before they could protest they noticed three angel guards walking past them. Helsing felt a nauseous feeling boiling inside him seeing the golden armor, the masked faces, and the almost glowing white flowy robed angels.

While stationed in the alley they all noticed that angels were everywhere stationed in various places around the town.

“ Since when did angels come to the mortal world?” Helsing asked in a hushed voice.

“ This is part of Vita’s plan to purify the world. It’s more of a nuisance than a blessin’,” Allen responded.

“ So where is Crow?” Gran questioned, as she glanced around paranoid.

“ Trapped in his library that’s in a mountain. Crow’s Capital isn’t far from here. I have some Nightshades ready to take us there,” Allen responded.

“ Uuugh more traveling,” Gran mumbled.

“ Why are we in this alley?” Gran asked with an annoyed tone.

“ Did I tell ya?” Allen said with a growl in his voice.

“ No,” Helsing responded.

“ Then you don’t need to know,” Allen replied back.

The three then set off again with Allen leading the way. The air was damp and cold. Helsing guessed from the dark ominous clouds that loomed overhead a storm would start soon. That same group of angels was walking their way so Allen guided the other two toward a bar to avoid the angels.

They then entered the bar where Allen shepherded them toward. The bar was called ‘ The Gambling Griffin’ and the atmosphere of the bar made the spines on his tail stand up like hair on a cat. He glanced at Gran seeing she was uneasy as well, some stared at them.

The few who dared to look at the three stared at Allen. But it wasn’t out of respect, it was out of pure terror. Allen merely glanced at them lazily and they either left or looked away.

The three sat at a table near the bar counter. Gran and Helsing scowled at Allen in suspicion, but he played it off as nothing ever happened.

“ Why are they afraid of you?” Helsing wondered aloud.

“ I am a god. I basically emit an aura that causes mortals to fear and respect me,” Allen boasted with a cunning grin.

“ Can ya I dunno shut it off? Because wouldn’t that mean the angels can also sense the aura and know you’re a god.”

“ Huh good point, but too late to change it,” he turned invisible as a man with short white hair entered the bar. The man looked like an older version of the other boy in the Scott’s family portrait. Although now he had two stunning milky wings that sprouted from his back, and scars that ravaged his neck. His dark brown eyes then shifted to a silvery color as he gazed around the bar while the other guards dressed in angelic armor searched the place.

Helsing and Gran stayed perfectly still as they tried to avoid the soul-searching gaze of the archangel. The blacksmith could feel the beast inside claw within him trying to come out so he could rip the archangel apart, but he remained calm as he tried to hide the impulse.

The archangel came to a halt and raised his hand to signal his goons to stop. The Gambling Griffin seemed to be frozen in time as they waited for the archangel to make his move.

“ There’s an evil presence here… what evil beast has entered this tavern?” The archangel demanded, but the tavern was silent as if they were deciding who they feared more.

“ Answer me or I’ll burn this entire village to the ground to find it,” he commanded. Then one of the patrons, a skinny fellow wearing merchant robes, rose from his chair and shouted.

“ The Black Beast! The Black Beast is here-” the merchant was cut off, literally, by an invisible force that sliced his head off with one clean cut. The other patrons screamed in terror as they ran leaving Helsing and Gran alone with the archangel.

The archangel unsheathed two beautiful swords that resembled the fangs of a serpent. The angel ordered his goons to arrest Helsing and Gran. Gran formed metal whips coming out of the gauntlets that she wore on her wrists. Helsing also made his Damascus sword blaze to life with an azure flame.

While the two battled the armed guards the archangel was randomly slashing through the air searching for the Black Beast.

“ Come out Black Beast! Fight me like a real man!”

Allen at last reappeared behind the angel with his fencing swords inches from the angel’s scarred neck.

“ I would hate for my swords to slip, little chickadee, even if you don’t die you’ll be wishing for it,” Allen whispered to the angel.

“ Vita has ordered for you to surrender.”

“ Tch. She’s not my queen so her orders mean nothing.”

“ I would hate for your companions-”

“ Azrail’s dead. So death is no threat, but I still am,” Allen cackled as he slit the scars open, causing the angel to collapse to the floor as he bled orange.

The guards immediately stopped fighting to help the archangel escape. Out of the dented tavern.

Helsing and his Gran sighed in relief as they sheathed their spells and weapons. Allen sheathed his blades as well then dusted off his shoulder.

“ Who was that? Did you know him?” Helsing asked

“ A lifetime ago. Let’s get going, I doubt they’ll bother us now.”

They all left the bar and headed toward the woods beyond the town. While the pouring rain from the dark cloudy sky above soaked their hair and clothes with thunder growling in the distance.