Chapter 49: Oaraun; Sharaun 48th, 344SR; 23:21

The wings condensed inward, wrapping around Yami's shoulders like clothing. The energy condensed into evenly sized plates. The bright blue armor around the ethereal fluxed, and lustrous particles floated off the surface of his armor. Under the plates, a layer of blue energy wrapped over his shirt. Two ornaments stretched off each thick plate of armor away from the center and were evenly spaced, taking the form of rigid crystal blue feathers bent at a right angle. Yami stood in front of the dark brown gate to castle Patheon, his loose blue hair tied up by the green headband shaking wildly.

"I won't let you take Helios, sir," said Yami

"Protect this city then Yami. With strength truly worthy of kingship, strike me down!" Oaraun commanded.

"Azur Feathers..." Yami chanted with a low-pitched tone, the armor flashed as it fully formed.

'Azur Feathers? What part of that is supposed to be feathers... His wings turned into armor?' Yami grit his teeth as his feet dragged apart, he took a stance as he breathed rapidly, his dark blue eyes wavering. The blue particles of light all collected within the armor. A sudden pressure flowed from the young ethereal, Oaraun grinned. The leaves within the bushes and hedges around them rustled. The dark garden was lit orange, flickering flames lit up the pavilion serving as a walkway around the castle grounds, about one and a half acres in size.

Castle Patheon was massive, despite it standing at the foot of the celestial. The simple castle had four towers at each of its corners built upon a slightly damaged keep, 'If I recall their history... The progenitor race of Jalrog built the castle Patheon originally... They conquered them and took it...' In front of it, a stone wall with a wooden gate divided the interior of the castle wall where the grounds were as well. 'It's not as big as the kingdom in Logos, or majestic...' Peering over the gate and down on Oaraun, the shaken king lifted a device to his mouth.

"All forces! Defend castle Patheon! What are you doing?! The enemy is here!" Lucifer cried into the device created by Lector, his voice echoed through the city.

Lucifer stood on the balcony of castle Patheon, he twitched repeatedly, and the clicking of his teeth could be heard from a distance. His white robes and cloak flapped from the force. A blue ring crackled behind the king, his face was shrouded in the shadow cast by the lustrous gold blades floating behind him. The blue eye on the Lightbringer's guard was locked on Oaraun. Yami stood up straight and looked at his captain, his hands had stopped shaking.

"I only knew you for some time..." Yami uttered quietly as he looked at the ground. "I won't hold back..."

"If that is what worries you... You have a long way to go, boy," said Oaraun.

Bruno gulped, the old angel with messy white hair clenched his fist as his ring glowed orange, he knelt down as he readied for a fight. The occasional explosion or the pain-filled moans of angels dying far down the road was all the four could hear. The collective steps of several squads approached, Oaraun turned to see angels in glossy white suits hurrying to their king's call. 'That'll be annoying... I'll deal with-'

Oaraun's thoughts paused as he saw Wilbur's massive hands stretch from the ground. Bishop Ardel floated into sight, gripping the golden scepter with a glowing green orb embedded in the triangular top. Wilbur climbed out of the ground, pulling its whole body out and revealing its tiny legs and massive shoulders.

"You will not disturb my lord's battle, you shall not witness the might of his strength, the will of his resolve, the courage to carry our people's envy. All you shall do is die by our hands! Wretches!" said Ardel, his threat made the tendrils on his face spread out, and his tone turned monstrous.

'Thank you, Ardel... It's good to know I can rely on you...' Oaraun turned back, he glanced at Bruno, and then at Yami. 'Even as an angel, I was blessed with reliable comrades...' Oaraun spun his greatsword around with one hand and grasped it firmly as he crouched, focusing his spirit into his foot. Yami did the same, lunging forward first and quickly swinging the blue halberd down. Oaraun jumped forward and swung his greatsword horizontally. The moment they clashed, Yami was stopped in his tracks as Oaraun pushed forward.

"Guh!" Yami grit his teeth, he tried to plant his feet but continued to get forced back.

"Yami!" Bruno shouted, his tone full of fear and worry.

Oaraun forced him back through the castle grounds, slamming him through hedges and bushes before launching him with a swing. The moment he did, a pillar of rock shot forth from the ground and slammed into Oarauns left. The rocks shattered against his shoulder, it barely made him flinch. Yami tumbled backward and collided with the wall.

"Agh-" Yami grunted as he hit the wall.

Bricks rained over the ground, some shattering or falling flat on one side. Oaraun spun his sword in hand and quickly swung to the right without looking. A golden blade of light shattered like glass off the edge of the greatsword. Lucifer scoffed with the Lightbringer pointed forward. Oaraun crouched as he focused on the king.

"I'm not done yet!" Yami shouted from above.

Oaraun's head whipped up and to the left. Yami descended upon him with the halberd raised high. 'Where are his wings? How did he get above me without them?' The ethereals maroon leggings flapped in the wind alongside the unbuttoned dress shirt with green decals and insignia over the chest. Oaraun squinted as he stared at the symbol which resembled a green skull, missing the upper section of its head. 'They chose that symbol because of me... Because they feared me...' Oaraun raised his black gauntlet, stopping Yami without moving an inch from his spot. The boy's clothes were torn up, his right sleeve was gone, his shirt collar ripped open, and his left leg ankle was exposed.

"Rgh!" Yami grunted as he looked Oaraun in the eye.

"Your clothes were damaged before we started fighting... This new form... And you're stronger... What happened to you after our battle with the resistance?" Oaraun asked out of curiosity.

"A lot!" Yami sneered.

'His wings were replaced by those blue plates with the strange crystal feathers ordained on each piece...' Oaraun held the ethereal back, but a sudden force caught him off guard. Oaraun looked at the ethereals feet and noticed two wings on the sides of his boot. They didn't move, but blue energy pulsed off of them and propelled Yami forward. A blue helmet that protruded forward like a beak, covering his entire face. Two similar rigid feathers pointed backward on the left and right sides of his head as his blue hair flowed out the back.

"Graaah!" Yami yelled.

The two separated from their clash, only for Yami to land on the air itself, his torso parallel to the ground. It looked as if he stepped off a platform, Oaraun's eyes widened as Yami ran on nothing at all. Oaraun spun his blade and swung, only for Yami to jump over the eight-foot man and strike his back with the halberd.

"Rgh!" Oaraun grunted as he stumbled forward.

The blade didn't pierce Oaraun's skin, but he did feel a heavy impact. 'That wasn't a spirit ignition... Ethereals aren't just born with gifts... They possess forms of energy natural and unique to the individual... Yami's energy has always made large impacts, but it's not enough in terms of damage!' Oaraun turned with his blade raised and swung, however, Yami kicked off the air and dodged backward. Oaraun charged forward but noticed a yellow light behind his former lieutenant.

"Huh-" Oaraun's thoughts halted, and a rush of anger overtook him.

The yellow blade of light flew forward. Oaraun saw the attack coming, and he lunged forward, taking a slash to the jaw from the halberd and grasping Yami's throat.

"Ack-" Yami coughed hoarsely.

Oaraun jumped off the ground, pulling Yami into the sky with him and dodging the blade of light.

"Ah!" Yami yelped as he was pulled up suddenly.

"Tsk..." Oaraun glared at Lucifer on the balcony.

The king pointed the Lightbringer towards Oaraun, the blue circle of light behind him glowed a bright white. 'He'd even use Yami like that?!' Oaraun ignited his enraged spirit and twisted his body in mid-air, throwing Yami to the ground before a ray of light released from the sword's edge. The searing hot beam of light blasted Oaraun, he was smothered in a searing hot wave. 'This blast hurts more than Ajal's... But lacks the same force...' Oaraun smiled, even whilst his skin sweltered and was charred black. His back slammed into the gate at the end of the castle grounds, the heat melted the stone gate. The beam melted even that which was outside of the beam. The light dissipated, revealing Oaraun standing still with his arms shielding his face. The burns slowly faded away as his hands dropped to his side.

"You think heat will do anything to me!" Oaraun roared, his core lit up green.

The green flames swirled around the greatsword as Oaraun raised it. Lucifer reared his head back in. A pillar of flame focused into a single line above Oaraun. The entire castle ground lit up with a bright green light.

"Jealous flame!" Oaraun chanted as he swung down, launching a slash through the sky.

"Not so fast!" Bruno quickly slammed his palms to the ground.

A wall of stone was erected in front of the castle balcony. The wave of green flame crashed into it, smashing several chunks around its edge but staying whole. 'Dammit...' Oaraun sighed. He looked to the ground and noticed Bruno looking back at him. 'I have to deal with you first!' Flames shot from Oaraun's feet as he changed course for Bruno. The old lieutenant looked up and hesitated.

"Azur Rain!" Yami shouted while flying forward, his wings sprouted, but they weren't as large. "Seven wings!"

A flurry of blue pellets cut Oaraun off, as he tried to go through them he was knocked back by their force. Oaraun shielded himself as he was shrouded in blue smoke. 'Dammit... He can use his wings and the armor?' Yami stayed low to the ground and then started to spin upwards. Oaraun didn't see the attack coming.

"Icarus Rising!" said Yami, he spun past Oaraun and struck him with the polearm once more, then banked upward and circled around. "Retribution of the skies!"

Oaraun got staggered in mid-air. The blue blade delivered another impact rather than a slash. He spun for several seconds as he winced in pain, before feeling the halberd strike him again. 'Agh!' Yami slammed the halberd into his back, his shoulder blade ached. He crashed into the ground, Yami flew back and took a stance. Oaraun put his hand on his knee as he tried to rise.

"Good!" Lucifer shouted. "Keep him in my range!"

The king pointed his sword, and multiple swords suspended in the air behind him shot forward at lightspeed. Oaraun felt several spears of light jab into his armor. 'Rgh!' Oaraun winced as a he felt each blade smash even further than the last. 'Emerald Forge!' The jagged black armor reformed, he grasped his greatsword and blocked the incoming volley. Smoke spread out around him, each blade of light sliced through the air before shattering against the ground.

"Azur-" Yami flew forward.

Oaraun's feet planted into stone, he channeled his flames through his feet and into the ground. The ground cracked, revealing a green glow. Yami stopped his descent, only to see Oaraun charge from the smoke.

"Spirit!" Oaraun swung his fist, pressing his gauntlet into Yami's stomach. "Ignition!" Oaraun swung up, launching Yami into a building next to the castle grounds.

"Ah!" Yami cried after hitting the wall.

Oaraun raised his greatsword and pointed it at the ethereal. Even more flames channeled through his feet, propelling him through the air. Yami opened one eye and saw Oaraun approach, he stepped forward and jumped off the air to dodge. Oaraun pierced straight through the building, his blade shredded and burned through layers of concrete before revealing the night sky on the other side.

"Damn!" Yami grunted upside down as he looked at the hole in the building.

Oaraun turned in mid-air, then propelled back through the hole. Yami hesitated, immediately curling his legs in and then pressing both feet off the air. He just barely dodged out of the way, Oaraun kissed his teeth as he glanced back. 'He has far more mobility in the air...' Oaraun channeled his flames once more and banked through the sky. He turned around a building, he continued propelling his flames, flying all the way around. However, when he circled the building and flew upwards, he was surprised to notice Yami was gone.

"What-"

"Azur Grandfall!" Yami roared as he kicked off the air repeatedly, descending at increasing speeds and slamming the end of his polearm into Oaraun's throat.

"Rgh!" Oaraun winced, despite the pain, he was smiling.

Oaraun looked up at his former lieutenant's face. His eyes were wide through the holes in the helmet, blood dripping through the gaps. 'You don't even have the slightest idea of how to use spirit arts, yet you're this strong... Someone like you has what it takes to reach the top... You may despise me after today, but it's through failure that you will become even stronger...'

"The air is my territory!" Yami taunted.

"Hah!" Oaraun grinned. "That's the spirit!"

Oaraun's flames slowed their descent, he angled his feet downward and pushed Yami back. Yami's eyebrows raised, and he tried to pull away, but the moment he did Oaraun closed the distance and swung his greatsword diagonally.

"Rgh!" Yami grunted as he lost control of his flight. "Huh- Agh!" he gasped as Oaraun closed the distance and slashed again.

"What's wrong! What happened to all that confidence!" Oaraun laughed as he slammed Yami into the wall.

Yami grit his teeth, he was locked in a clash with Oaraun several hundred feet in the air. Each time he tried to push forward Oaraun simply channeled more flame through his greaves. The wall was pushed in for several seconds, before crumbling as the two flew through it. Yami hit the ground and flew straight into a sofa, knocking it backward at the same time. Oaraun walked through the apartment, before slowly picking up speed as he charged forward.

"Ack..." Yami coughed raggedly as he struggled to push himself back up.

Yami put one foot down, bobbing his head from the fatigue while listening to the hefty steps approaching. Oaraun jumped forward and swung down. Yami raised the staff to block but slipped on his footing. The blade slammed into the polearm, pushing it down enough that the edge of the blade slashed his shoulder.

"Ah!" Yami screamed aloud, his left knee slammed into the ground and made him wince.

The blade had smashed through the blue shoulder plate, but not all the way through. Blood ran down the slope of the greatswords edge. The sound of its drop onto the floor went unnoticed among the crumble of the building's walls and the grunting of the struggling angel.

"Is this where you die?" Oaraun asked as green flames channeled through the blade.

"Rgh- Aaah" Yami cried while looking forward, the flames burned into his wound. "Azur! Rain!" Yami screamed despite barely having a breath.

The wings sprouted around behind him, Oaraun looked up as several pellets of energy started hitting him directly. One of them struck his eye.

"Agh!" Oaraun winced. "You little-"

Oaraun's eyes widened as he saw Yami's armor and weapon vanish, he raised both palms.

"Azur Assault!" Yami roared.

A blue bird with wide circular eyes shot forth from his chest, slamming into Oaraun with a shocking amount of force. 'Rgh!' Oaraun was launched out of the building, he was directly above the castle grounds once again. He looked back to the building as he saw Yami sprout his wings once more. However, the moment he did, a massive ray of light blasted him from below.

"Agh!" Oaraun grunted as he felt the same heat.

The pillar of light struck the grey clouds, spreading them out and lighting the sky up like a star. The beam dissipated and Oaraun coughed, His throat was dry and rasp, sweat dripping out of his pores as he opened one eye. A blue light climbed high into the sky, before arching its path and diving straight down.

"Azur! Grandfall!" Yami chanted, his voice echoing through Helios.

"Rgh!" Oaraun grunted as the halberd pierced his stomach.

"Ooraaaaaah!" Yami roared as he drove the halberd further into Oaraun's abdomen.

Oaraun coughed up blood through the gaps in his teeth, "Toll of envy!"

"Huh?!" Yami flinched as he watched the wound close around the halberd despite it still piercing him.

Oaraun grabbed Yami's arm and spun in mid-air, then grasped his throat while propelling him toward the ground. A mix of blue and green light twirled through the air toward the castle grounds. Oaraun held Yami in front of him to stop him from flying away.

"Ack!" Yami gagged as Oaraun tightened his grip on the ethereals throat. "Azur- Feathers!" he uttered.

"Yami!" Bruno cried.

The wings around Yami curled inward, forming armor once more. Oaraun watched the plates wrap around him, followed by two tiny crystal wings on each piece. Just before the armor could fully form, they crashed into the solid cement. Oaraun drove Yami into the ground, an explosion rippled outwards and smoke filled the castle grounds.

"Hah... Hah..." Oaraun let go of Yami's throat and rose. "I never expected an angel to give me a fight like this... That was somewhat enjoyable... Hm?"

"Ack- Ah..." Yami moved, and the back of his head and neck were covered in blood.

The ethereal rolled onto his front, and pieces of shattered blue armor fell off his body. 'He managed to defend in time? No... The armor didn't form before the impact...' Yami rolled onto his side, grasping his left shoulder. The boy coughed up blood, and just as Oaraun thought he'd lose consciousness, Yami slammed his right fist into the ground.

"Rblgh- Aaagh!" A torrent of blood came up his throat before he roared with his head to the sky.

"Yami!" Bruno screamed in terror, his hands behind his head as he grits his teeth in shock. "Don't fight anymore! Stay down!"

The blue-haired boy managed to stand, but his feet immediately started wobbling. He took two steps, and upon trying to straighten his back he whimpered. His body shook, immediately tumbling onto his right side. 'Something's off... Even if he defended that his spine and neck should've shattered... This strength goes beyond his gift... He isn't even using spirit arts yet he's able to damage me and trade blows... An ethereal... I don't know much about them, I've never known many... But I do know they are the product of another celestial gift... They are unlike spirit gifts which are sentient beings that came from the celestial... An ethereal is the creation of a gift that is capable of creating life itself... I only noticed his strange energy after my memories returned...'

'My name is Yami! Thank you for accepting me into your squad, sir!' Oaraun thought back to the day Yami was appointed to house Rael several weeks ago.

His train of thought was interrupted as a glint of light struck the back of his shoulder. Oaraun quickly turned and raised his sword in front of him. He peeked past the edge of his greatsword as he looked at the cowardly king. Oaraun started forward, 'I can only assume you're behind this... A being created from a gift... But whose...' He walked slowly but picked up speed as he started sprinting toward the castle.

"Sto- Ack!" Yami winced after trying to speak.

"Don't you dare take another step!" Bruno threatened as he put his palms to the ground.

The ground shifted beneath his feet, and Oaraun stumbled over the rising concrete. The ground depressed, then rose around Oaraun, Bruno was trying to lock him in. At the same time, a slab of rock crashed into him. Oaraun's feet dragged until he slammed his right foot into the ground to plant himself. Oaraun blocked it with his left hand, then angled his greatsword with his other before thrusting it forward. Despite it flowing like a liquid, it still crashed and crumbled against his gauntlets. He continued forward rather than trying to avoid it. He focused his spirit on his heart, igniting his spirit to hasten his heartbeat. 'Spirit Manipulation!' Oaraun felt strength flow through his veins, tossing his greatsword aside he stepped forward against the waves of rock, lowering his head and charging shoulder first.

"Bru- Ack!" Yami winced. "Bruno get back!"

"Huh?" Bruno didn't hear Yami, he didn't notice the sound of rock shattering until it was too late.

Oaraun charged through the concrete. Bruno shielded his face from the debris. Oaraun slammed his shoulder into Bruno's stomach, sending the large man flying to the western side of the castle grounds.

"Bruno!" Yami screamed.

Bruno's expression was dumbstruck at the sudden force. His feet hovered over the ground for several seconds as he soared toward the pavilion. He came to a stop after he crashed through a stone pillar and rolled onto his back.

"Agh!" Bruno wheezed, he could barely move after just that strike.

Oaraun breathed in and out, he looked down to catch his breath. But focused once more as another spear of light struck his back. 'You're all that's left...' Oaraun quickly conjured his sword, ducked, and shielded himself with it. Beams of light continued to strike his sword as he held his ground.

"Agh-" Yami grunted as he pushed himself up with his right elbow, two bright blue wings sprouting off his back. "Azur- Rain!"

Multiple blue pellets struck the blade, he continued to defend himself. Oaraun's feet pressed into the ground, and the volley of light forced him back despite using spirit manipulation. 'I have to deal with Lucifer quickly...' Oaraun crouched down and focused flames into his greaves, they spilled out of the sides of his legs. 'Jealous Flame!' Oaraun kicked off the ground and propelled himself off the ground, he flew straight for the castle while holding the sword up.

"Stop him!" Lucifer shouted, raising the sword up and firing more spears of light.

Oaraun angled his feet, dodging to the right and then left. He couldn't avoid each spear of light, they were too fast. 'I could care less about the damage and more about the source!' Oaraun flew upwards, and Lucifer's eyes lit up as the divine being closed the distance. Oaraun reached for the king, his hand just meters away.

"Aaah!" Yami screamed as he charged from the left, he spun and slammed his foot into Oaraun's face.

"Urgh-" Oaraun felt his blood boil as he grit his teeth.

Yami drove Oaraun through the throne room, clashing with two pillars. Oaraun grabbed his leg as he planted his foot into the ground, spinning around and throwing Yami at the large circular window with a cross-shaped frame. His wings pulsed before he crashed through it and stopped him in mid-air, it pulsed again and he soared back in. 'Good... Good!' Oaraun grinned, the flames shot out of his greaves once more and he charged forward at Yami. The two clashed, but Oaraun was far stronger, driving the angel backward. The red carpet leading to the golden throne was set ablaze, lighting up the dark throne room with a green glow and burning ambiance.

"It's impressive how much stronger you've gotten, Yami! You're more of an angel than any of the bastards in this city!" Oaraun stated as green flames propelled him forward.

"Rgh!" Yami grunted as the blood from his head ran off his cheek. "Graah!"

Yami's left arm damaged wobbled as he tried to hold him back. At that moment, Oaraun focused on his spirit. 'Spirit Ignition!' Oaraun swung his blade and launched Yami through the window behind the throne. Oaraun ran forward with two large steps, then ignited his spirit under his foot and pursued him.

"Rgh!" Yami grunted as he flipped in mid-air and stabilized his flight. "Azur- Gah!"

Oaraun grabbed Yami's face and propelled forward. He flew towards and arched his path. Blue pellets from the wings fired out wildly as Yami tried anything to no avail. Oaraun let him go above castle Patheon's tallest towers peak.

"Ah!" Yami flipped around in mid-air, he tried to reorient himself.

"This is the end, Yami!" said Oaraun, he was at least a hundred meters above the top of castle Patheon. "Jealous flame!"

The lustrous green flames lit up the dark night sky as they flowed off of his sword.

"More."

Even more, flames surrounded the blade, Oaraun pointed the tip toward the ethereal.

"More!"

Oaraun's blade lit up the sky. A hue of green washed over Helios. The druids started to cheer from a distance. Yami's wings condensed once again and surrounded him, he was going to try and block it.

"Jealous Flame!" Oaraun roared through the sky as he thrust the sword forward.

A pillar of focused fire shot straight down, striking Yami in mid-air and sending him straight through the roof of the castle. The flame crashed through the keep and even through the throne room. A massive wave of green flame flooded out of the entrances to the castle. Oaraun descended into the castle, landing in the throne room once again. Dust flooded the room and out of the castle, green embers of flames crackled as their cinders lit up the smoke. Oaraun stood up as he looked down the hole he made. Yami was struggling to breathe as he grasped his stomach. The boy wheezed as he curled up and struggled to take in any air. The inside of the castle suddenly shook, and a large crash from within the city rumbled the ground. Chunks of the ceiling came down.

"Someone...Anyone... Whose left... Someone stop him! Get up, you useless lieutenant!" Lucifer shouted.

Oaraun walked forward to the struggling silhouette, he slammed his foot down with a step and the dust cleared. Lucifer cowered as he saw the divine being tower over him, he stepped back slowly, before screaming as loud as he could. The king raised the golden sword in his hand.

"Aaaah!" Lucifer screamed fiercely, firing any projectile he could to stop Oaraun.

Oaraun dropped his sword, choosing to block the beams of light with his bare hand as he walked forward menacingly. Lucifer gasped as he saw the black skull face behind the light, Oaraun swung his fist and knocked Lucifer in the side of the head. He tried to swing the Lightbringer, only for Oaraun to catch his hand, and then crush it. The king screamed as he dropped his mighty weapon, it fell against the ground and slid a short distance away. Lucifer looked up at the divine being and froze.

"Wait! I- I have-" Lucifer was cut off as a black gauntlet slammed into his face.

"Repent..." said Oaraun.

The blonde man fell against the ground, his skinny fingers curled against the ground as he tried to crawl away. Oaraun walked past him and nudged his foot under his arm, then kicked him into his back. Lucifer's yellow eyes widened with fear as he saw Oaraun standing above him. The king coughed, and the blue circle of light behind him faded away. The divine being pressed his foot into Lucifer's stomach, channeling flames into his foot.

"Repent."

"Wait- Stop! Please stop-" Oaraun's greaves heated up. "Wait! Wait, don't do this!" Lucifer started to panic. "Ah! Aaah!"

"Repent!"

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Lucifer screamed out as flames started to burn his clothes and sear his skin.

The king of the angels writhed on the ground as Oaraun raised his hand and called forth his greatsword. He hovered the blade's edge over Lucifer's hand. Oaraun lifted his boot off of the burning man.

"It's odd, your father Ymir Lightbringer was the one who killed the woman I love, yet for some reason, I hate you just as much as I hate him... Why is that?" Oaraun asked.

"Please! Let me go! I don't know what's going on, I just wo-" Lucifer stopped as Oaraun dropped his greatsword over his finger. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

A terrified scream echoed through the castle Patheon as the king of the angels writhed on the ground. The squeak of a boot slid over the floor, and Yami slammed his fist down as he tried to stand. Yami's shirt had completely burned off, his left sleeve was all that remained. Oaraun raised his sword above his head, 'I find no satisfaction in this worthless king's suffering...'

"Stop!" said Yami, one hand holding his stomach.

Oaraun stabbed his blade through Lucifer's stomach, the king cried out in pain, and his voice became somewhat hollow, almost monstrous while he cried. 'Jealous...' Lucifer's blue pupils were wide with fear as he writhed in pain, and he raised one hand weakly to beg once more. 'Flame!' The greatsword glowed green as flames channeled through, setting the angel ablaze.

"Aaaaaaah! Aah! Aaaah!" Lucifer's screams could be heard throughout the city, slowly fading as the king's life slipped away.

"Aah!" Yami charged forward without his weapon and tackled Oaraun.

"Huh..." Oaraun squinted as he looked to the left, he swung his fist and knocked his former lieutenant away.

Yami tumbled across the room and into another pillar. Oaraun pulled his sword out of Lucifer's corpse and glanced outside. 'That crash earlier... That wasn't me... What happened...' Oaraun turned to the balcony and started towards it. A bell tolled across the city, a bell that rang only twice a day. Once at noon, and once again at midnight.

"Dammit... Dammit!" Yami slammed his fist into the ground as he failed to get up.

Oaraun turned to his lieutenant at the other side of the throne room. He knelt down over Lucifer's charred corpse, picking up the dull crown that was once bright gold.

"Give up Yami, it's pointless... The remaining Lightbringers have already fled... Abandoning this city in favor of their lives..." said Oaraun.

Oaraun walked by the hole in the floor, his slow steps echoing. He walked over the Lightbringer that lay flat on the ground, the blue eyes He knelt down next to the ethereal on all fours, placing the dull crown on his head.

"You're not a worthy king, not yet, but you are far better than the coward I just burned to death," Oaraun turned and walked away. "You've lost."

Oaraun started toward the balcony of the castle. He squinted as he noticed that the Michael class defense cruiser was no longer in the air above the city. And instead, a massive field of smoke obscured everything past the castle grounds. 'What the....' However his train of thought was interrupted as the dull gold crown flew past his head. It hit the ground, rattling as it rolled to a stop.

"I won't... Give up... I have to fight... For my family... For my friends..." Yami struggled to stand.

The ethereal looked around with half-open eyes for rocks or pebbles to throw at the former noble. They stood next to a banner for house Rael which was within the throne room, it hadn't been burned by any of the fire.

"A king should recognize when he's lost, stay down... I don't want to kill you Yami..." Oaraun turned.

"I promised Theresia, I'd be strong... That I'd protect-"

"Theresia?" Oaraun turned, and his thoughts earlier about ethereals immediately connected. "The demon amongst the angels... So that's what's going on..."

"What? What did you just say?!"

"Theresia Lightbringer... That demon was responsible for creating Alexander Rael... To think that you knew her... And you call her mother... Are you one of her creations as well..."

"What... Where is Theresia?! What do you mean she's a demon!"

"Hell if I know where she is... But that... That woman is not an angel, far from it..."

Yami was shocked, his jaw dropped, and he looked down as he tried to process what he just heard. Oaraun turned, he looked to the center of the room where he expected to see it. 'Huh...' Oaraun looked around, the smoke had cleared, and the pillars were destroyed. Lucifer Lightbringer's corpse bled out in front of the throne, but the Lightbringer was gone. The majestic golden sword which fell in the middle of the room was gone. 'That can't be... I just walked by it...'

"What the..." Oaraun looked around the room. "Where is it? Where did it go..."