Azrael gazed down from his throne and noticed an unfamiliar angel standing below. She had only one wing—an anomaly he had never encountered before. 

“Who are you, my dear?” Azrael asked, his voice both commanding and curious. 

The angel looked up at him, her expression tinged with a mix of awe and fear. “My name is Angel. At least, that’s the only name I know.” 

“Shall we talk in my meeting room, Angel?” Azrael offered. 

“Yes,” she replied hesitantly, tears forming in her eyes. “But... please, promise me you won’t give me up.” 

Azrael rose from his throne, his massive wings spreading wide. White and gray feathers gleamed with streaks of gold as he moved toward the meeting room. 

The room was grand, dominated by a long quartz table. At its center sat a compass, and the northern wall held a series of towering windows. Azrael took his seat at the northern end and gestured toward the table. 

“Sit wherever you like, my dear Angel,” he said gently. 

Angel chose the southern side, sitting cautiously. 

“Why have you brought me here, Azrael?” she asked, her tone serious. 

“I’m curious about you,” he admitted. “You have one wing, and you seem both afraid of and intrigued by me.” 

Angel hesitated before speaking, her voice trembling slightly. “I fear you because I know who you are—the angel who has taken so many lives at God’s command. But I also admire you, for you guide souls to heaven. It’s... complicated.” 

Azrael stood, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the table. He moved closer to Angel, kneeling before her so they were face-to-face. 

“I am the Angel of Death,” he said. “I carry out God’s will, no matter how difficult. But you... you understand so much. I want to take you under my wing, to teach you my work with the people of Earth.” 

Angel blinked in surprise but managed a small smile. 

“You want me to learn how to be the Angel of Death?” 

For six months, Angel accompanied Azrael in his work, witnessing firsthand the cycle of life and death. 

One day, as she stood under a vast, open sky, Angel questioned the heavens. “Why must humans die?” she whispered. 

The only response was the wind. 

Frustrated and heartbroken, Angel kicked the dirt and began to cry. “I can’t do this anymore,” she sobbed. “I want to protect them. I don’t want to take their souls—I want them to live!” 

Determined, she walked away from her duties, leaving Azrael’s side for good. But as she did, a sudden dizziness overwhelmed her, and she collapsed. 

When Angel awoke, she found herself in a dark, unfamiliar cave. Confused, she struggled to her feet. 

“What happened? Where am I?” she murmured. 

A voice echoed from the shadows. “Do you think it’s easy to let them live? Do you think I want them to die?” 

Angel panicked, her lone wing folding around her defensively. “Who are you? An angel? Or something else?” 

The voice laughed. “I swore to protect them, just as you claim to. But look at yourself.” 

It was then Angel noticed something shocking: she now had a second wing, blackened and torn, streaked with red. 

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“Azrael? Is that you?” she called out. “Why are you hiding?” 

Azrael emerged from the darkness, but he was different. He looked darker, more menacing than he ever had in heaven. 

“You don’t want to continue? Fine,” Azrael said coldly. “You are no angel. You don’t belong in heaven. Do what you will—I’ll continue my own deeds. Goodbye, Angel. Let’s see how you fare on Earth.” 

With that, he disappeared, leaving her alone in the dimly lit cave. 

Angel sat in the cave for three days, her thoughts racing. 

Finally, she stood, her resolve solidifying. “This is enough,” she declared. “I’ll prove you wrong, Azrael. I’ll protect the people of Earth. Even if it means going to hell, I’ll take care of them.” 

With that, Angel left the cave and ventured to a nearby town. The streets were quiet, lit only by the glow of lanterns. She found a small bar and stepped inside. 

The bartender, a cheerful older man with a kind face, greeted her warmly. “What can I get you, miss?” 

Angel hesitated. “I... don’t have much money right now.” 

The bartender chuckled. “The first one’s on the house.” 

“Thank you,” Angel said with a grateful smile. “Actually, I was wondering... do you need help? I don’t know much about bartending, but I’m willing to learn.” 

The bartender studied her for a moment before nodding. “You’ve got spirit. How about a three-day trial? Let’s see how you do.” 

“I’ll do my best. I won’t let you down,” Angel promised. 

The bartender handed her a uniform. “Here, you’ll need this. By the way, what’s your name?” 

“Angel,” she replied, smiling shyly. 

“That’s a beautiful name. Welcome aboard, Angel.” 

Day One 

The next morning, Angel arrived early at the bar. 

“Do you know anything about bartending?” the bartender asked. 

“I know drinks are mixed... but that’s about it,” Angel admitted. 

The bartender laughed. “Fair enough. Why don’t you start by serving drinks and taking orders?” 

“I can do that!” Angel said enthusiastically. 

The bartender handed her the uniform. She hesitated, then asked, “Can I leave this here? I... don’t have a home to keep it in.” 

The bartender’s eyes widened. “You don’t have a place to live?” 

Angel looked down. “No, sir. I’ve been staying in a cave. I’m sorry for not telling you sooner.” 

The bartender shook his head. “You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you? Tell you what—you can stay in the room upstairs until you get back on your feet.” 

Angel’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you. I’ll work hard to repay your kindness.” 

Day Two 

Angel woke early, eager to start her second day. She dressed in her uniform and headed downstairs. 

“Good morning!” the bartender greeted her. 

“Good morning, sir,” she replied. 

The bar was quiet that day, giving Angel the chance to practice serving customers. She took orders with a smile, carefully delivering drinks to the patrons. 

“You’re doing great,” the bartender told her later. “Take the rest of the day off—you’ve earned it.” 

“Thank you,” Angel said, bowing her head. “See you tomorrow.” 

She returned to her cave that evening, but as she sat down to rest, she sensed she wasn’t alone. 

A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness. 

“You look familiar,” Angel said, her voice trembling. “Who are you?” 

“I’m here to take you back,” the figure said ominously. “You must pay for your sins.” 

Before Angel could react, the cave was engulfed in darkness. A glowing symbol appeared around her feet, and her wings unfurled instinctively  

“NO! Not yet! Please, not yet!” Angel screamed, her voice echoing in the void. But it was too late. She began to fade, her body dissolving into the darkness.