Author's note: Hello everyone, tonight's chapter starts the beginning of where things head off into a more tragic tone. We all witnessed how tragic Terios' life started, but now we'll see how this will change him through the upcoming chapters. I'd love to hear your feedback on what you think of the progression and the characters so far. Expect more chapters tomorrow as I'm free most of the day.

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Shou dashed off, swinging his enchanted holy blade that was dubbed Excalibur. The blade was flossed with gold and has cut through more demons then he could count. Keiko remained on her toes as she maneuvered around is fatal attacks.

"You're quick on your feet woman, but I'm afraid that won't keep you safe for long." Shou announced before he held his blade towards her and the air around him began to heat up before projecting a blast of light.

Keiko's eyes widened before she held out her hands and crafted a wall of ice to shield her against the attack. The flash of light blasted through the wall which caused tiny particles of it to flow around with the wind while blowing Keiko back onto the ground.

"I heard Shiori speak of your ability. You're able to flash freeze things, huh? A shame you won't ever get the chance to use it." With this Shou pointed his blade towards the woman.

His blade started to release a trail of smoke before it heated up and fired off multiple streams of light which traveled quickly towards a downed Keiko. One blasted her head on, sending her sliding against the ground, luckily she used the momentum from it to push herself up to avoid the next incoming attacks.

She forged a series of ice spikes along the air and sent them hurling towards the young man who easily shattered them with his enchanted blade. The sound imitated that of glass being broken.

Shou was smart enough to keep his distance from the cold woman, he knew if he was to approach her she would have a better chance at freezing him to the core. He clenched his hand against his blade firmly before swinging rapidly at the air, sending a flurry of light crescents that danced effortlessly through the atmosphere. The crescents eagerly searched for its target, who wasn't able to avoid it completely, the sharpened blades of light tearing into her arms and abdomen.

A trail of blood trickled down her frame while she huffed lightly. The paladin knew that something was up with her and expected her to be more offensive. Then, he knew what she was doing and started to laugh immediately after.

"You've been easy this entire time. Why is that?"

"Isn't it obvious? You refer to my family and I as Demons when in fact we're quite the opposite. We'd never lay a finger on anyone who was innocent. I don't even want to put any harm on a young boy who fights for what he believes in."

"Hahaha, don't be so stupid. You really think I'm going to fall for such a trick? I know how manipulative your people can be and I've been trained to ignore everything you say. So, I'd suggest going all out so you don't embarrass yourself.'"

Keiko moved a hand to feel one of her wounds using the pain to remind her that this encounter was real. She released a sigh before closing her eyes. Once she opened them, a cool mist was rising from it.

Shou kept his guard up for anything that she was trying to do, but instantly he felt his blade being completely turned to ice. It was a huge surprise to have his weapon frozen in such a short amount of time, although that wouldn't stop him. With his hand connected to the weapon he was able to heat it up with his light abilities which melted the ice and allowed him to fire off a beam of light towards Keiko.

Keiko summoned a pillar of ice to lift herself up into the air, avoiding the beam just in time as it crashed and shatter her icy pillar. Now that she was in the air she focused her eyes on his right leg which would cause ice to form around it until it was completely encased.

"Damn you! This ability of yours is truly a pain!" Shou shouted.

The ice was doing more than just freezing his leg, he felt the coldness spread out through his entire body. He was cursed with chills and swore under his breath. She was still in the air so he could use this moment to fire a counter attack and since she was up there she wouldn't be able to dodge. Going with this plan, he held his blade towards her, instantly heating up the blade before he fired of another beam of light.

Keiko saw the beam fly towards her, she wouldn't be able to avoid it so she prepared to guard against it by covering herself with her arms. She was preparing to form a wall of ice to lessen the impact, but before she could react a portal formed behind her and she was pulled into it by an outstretched hand reaching out to save her.

The beam just missed the two with the portal closing before it could strike them. Shou cursed once again, his eyes darting around the field. While they were hidden he slammed his blade against his frozen leg to shatter it. It was cold but still walkable. Appearing a fair distance away, Setsuna and Keiko appeared from a new portal.

"Heh, Honoka was defeated so easily?"

"She wasn't a problem for me. The same goes for you." Setsuna said before turning to her mother. "Can I eat this one mother?"

"No."

Shou clenched his teeth while a vein showed on his forehead, he knew that he was fighting a losing battle, but he knew that failure wasn't tolerable. Before he could calculate the best choice of action, a voice startled him.

"We're done here, Shou. It's time for us to leave." Shiori said bluntly.

"Where the heck were you?" Shou asked.

"None of your business. We rushed into things and we should retreat. We're clearly out classed by them."

"Have you lost your mind? First you go missing for most of the battle then you return to say we should leave?"

"I gave an order. Where are the others?"

"They went after the one with silver hair."

"I wouldn't worry about those two. They won't be causing us anymore trouble. Unless you want to end up as broken as those piles of trash I suggest you pick yourself up and high tail it." Akemi spoke as he walked over towards his family with his hands snugged inside of his pockets. "Unless you want your blood splattered all over the place, which I'd be delighted to do."

Shiori grabbed onto Shou's shoulder to try and calm him down. "He's taunting you into getting yourself killed. Let's get the girls and retreat." Shiori insisted, but also demanded. Shou grunted but obeyed.

"We won't bother you anymore, aunt Keiko. It wasn't my plan to do this. Just know that. Everything has been settled between me and my father." Shiori said before he and Shou walked off to secure Honoka before heading off for the rest.

"Shiori..." Keiko whispered.

"What the hell is with that traitor?" Akemi asked.

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"It's complicated, Akemi."

Meanwhile.

Terios and Akari had already finished their treats and were heading back home under Terios' wishes.

"Man, I'm stuffed! I shouldn't have gone for foruth's, but you know when it comes to sweets, I just can't help myself! You should have stopped me, Akari." Terios said while balancing Akari on his head.

"Who's supposed to be the older adult here?" Akari asked.

"I'm only 17, I'm still a kid."

"You're two years older than me. So, you have to be the mature one."

"Fine, fine. You sure it's ok to visit your home?"

"Yeah, it'll be ok. I won't let petty family differences get in between us. So what if your family are professional assassins. So what if my family hunt the supernatural. We all eat the same foods, we all bleed the same blood."

"Yeah, I guess."

Now that I think about it, I never really had a friend to invite over before. I wasn't able to grow bonds with anyone before and for the longest time I've felt alone. Even with my kind family, my brother Akemi's coldness toward me always made me feel like I didn't belong. He always reminded me that I was the adopted child and wasn't really related to any of them by blood. That's why I'm glad I was able to spend this time with Akari. I'm glad I was able to become her friends. So this is what it feels like to spend time with another human? I regret missing out on this feeling for so long. I want to let her know how I feel about her.

"Hey, Akari."

"Yeah?"

"It's pretty cool spending time with you like this. I just wanted you to know I'm enjoying myself."

"So am I, Teri-kun! Let's hang out a lot more!" She smiled cheerfully and covered his eyes with her hands.

"H-hey, I can't see."

"I bet you I can lead you to your house."

"Haha, you think so?"

"Yup!"

"Just don't let me bump into anything."

"You can trust me, Teri-kun."

The two were on the path to head to the Kiyomizu Manor, but not before Terios bumpped into a tree which was followed by giggles.

After the long setback, the two had managed to avoid the battle that occurred on Terios' home. When he arrived home, Ryo and Akemi were outside discussing things with Akira and Uubji about what went down.

"Uubji, that's risky. We can't just go back on our words. We'd seem hypocritical." Ryo stated.

"I know, but, I'll do this by myself if I have to bro. This is something I have to do so I can live with myself. I can't let this burden weigh me down and it can't be lifted until we do what's right." Uubji said.

"Uubji, do you really think that your traitor of a son can even lay a finger on Isamu? He'd have a better chance at fighting Terios." When Akemi mentioned that name he turned to see that he was arriving. "Speaking of the bastard."

"Huh?" Terios seemed startled and Akari was silent.

"What's a Vhaal doing here?" Akira asked.

"She's just visiting." Terios said.

"Son, a lot went down while you were gone." Ryo said.

"Yeah, but don't worry, I handled it all. You can go back to having a tea party with your gal pal." Akemi snickered.

"What went down?" Terios asked.

"Shiori and Honoka returned with a few members from the Church of Purification. Uubji informed me that they were sent here by an Angel named, Abner." Ryo informed him.

Terios' eyes widened as his father mentioned an Angel. His body began to shake some as he realized his problem was still there. For a moment he had forgotten that he was a Nephilim. A travesty in God's eyes. Angel agents were scattered through Japan and maybe the entire world to exterminate them.

"An Angel...? Is it because of me that...?"

"No son, you weren't the only target. But, now that we know we're being targeted by an Angel. I want this resolved as soon as possible."

"Dad, I don't think that's a good idea... I-I don't want us to lose anyone.'

"Son, if we don't act, we'll all be blindsided. He didn't show up here thankfully. If he did..." Ryo paused and for the moment, he revealed fear that startled Uubji, Akira and Terios.

"Pfft, fighting an Angel will have the same results. Have you forgotten that we fight Demons for a living? What difference will an Angel make?" Akemi asked.

"You don't know what they can do, Akemi! With that kind of attitude you'll get yourself killed!" Terios spoke and instantly he saw that image. The image of his body being impaled with all of those stakes and being thrown into the garbage like common trash by the woman he looked up to. By a sensei.

"Stop being a pussy! It really, really pisses me off. And when I'm pissed off it makes me want to hit things, things like you!" Akemi shouted before approaching Terios until Ryo stopped him.

"Save your energy please. I don't take kindly to anyone trying to wipe out my family. I know Keiko doesn't want us to do anything rash, but this is unforgivable. I can't look the other way. We're going to that Church and we're finishing this." Ryo said.

"Leave it all to me. I'll kill them all." Akemi said.

"No, I don't want to us to murder anyone besides the Angel. Do I make myself clear?" Ryo asked boldly.

"Whatever old man."

I don't want this. This is a bad idea! If we go there we'll die. We'll all die and end up in the garbage! I'll lose everything and that isn't even much. I don't want to lose my family...

"Akari. Akira will take you home." Ryo said.

"O-oh, alright.." Akari whispered and got down from Terios' head. "Be careful, Teri-kun." She said before Akira took her hand and walked her off.

"I... will. So, it'll just be the five of us? Against an entire Church?" Terios asked nervously.

"Correct son. I want you all to know that I love you all dearly. You're my family and I never want anything to harm you. I worked too hard raising you to see you all end up dead. That's why we'll head out and ambush the Church without killing anyone. Then we'll face the Angel."

"Piece of cake, Ryo. Let's get this shit over with." Akemi said.

Why can't I shake this horrible feeling? Why do I feel like this is a mistake. We can't win against an Angel has everyone gone insane? We should be running, moving somewhere else so we don't have to put up with this. Even if he found us we could keep running as long as we survived that was all that mattered.

"Terios?" Ryo asked.

"I'm ready, father." Terios announced.

Am I really ready for this?