Ben stood near the doorway to the cottage as the stranger’s dark eyes burned contempt into his. He kept Ariana behind him protectively, stepping back. As his jaw tightened, the sound of his heart thumping grew louder in his ears.

“Where is he?” The stranger broke the silence, his blade grinding against the sheath on his back as he slid it out. “I don’t have all damn day.”

Ben's hand grazed the coat rack beside the door, but before he could grasp it, a stranger's grip tightened around his throat. With a show of immense strength, he lifted Ben off the ground and hurled him against the wall.

“I’ll ask one more time.” The stranger finally pulled the blade free and held it against Ben. “Where is the fire-wielder?”

Ben moved the stranger’s hand from his throat long enough to croak out his words. “I-I have no idea what you’re talking about—”

The stranger tightened his iron grip. “Oh, I think you do. I don’t waste my time on petty rumors unless they have substance. So now, you have a choice. Either show me your fire…” The man held the tip of the blade close. “…or die.”

Ben looked over at Ariana. Flames licked at her skin, manifesting in a cage-like shape to keep her at bay. Each of her breaths was labored as she desperately tried to escape and come to his aid. He grit his teeth. Whatever happened to him, he had to make sure that she got away safely.

Closing his eyes, Ben tried to summon the fire, but nothing happened. His chest muscles tightened; his brows furrowed as he desperately attempted to remember how he did it the first time. He was facing a demon who was about to tear him to shreds and had bitten him. Then, it almost seemed like a reflex, an instinct. Was there a limitation of some sort? Could he not summon it himself?

Come on, damn it! Ben thought. How do I use it?

A thought came to Ben. Some time ago, he was in a similar situation. The pimp who had sold Lilly had him by the neck, the same way the stranger had him now. The same feeling, one of dread, of anger, filled him as his body heated up. He glared into the stranger’s eyes, which seemed to waiver between contempt and the slightest hint of anticipation.

Kill.

Ben struggled but got his hands on the stranger’s wrists. He reached within as his hands smoked rapidly. He glanced at Ariana one more time and told her to get ready to run. She shook her head in protest.

Promise me you won’t use your fire again, Ariana had asked. The desperation in her eyes then was present once again, only a thousand times more intense.

I’m sorry, Ariana. Ben looked at her with a regretful frown. But to save you, I’ll do whatever I have to.

Ben released his hands and called forth the fire from his earlier battle with the demons. Soon, the billowing flame filled his vision, searing into the stranger’s face.

Yes, I got him! Ben thought as he grinned, Now I—

The fire rapidly degraded to ember and smoke as the stranger’s unscathed face reappeared in front of him. He smirked.

“So, it is you, after all.” The man gripped Ben’s throat tighter. “You’re coming with me. Do me a favor and don’t resist.”

Darkness crept into Ben’s vision. He needed to break free, and quickly.

Ben felt behind him, running the flat of his palm against the cottage wall. He tensed his hands, blowing it apart, causing him and the stranger to fall back. He hastily tucked his legs, pressing them against the man, and sending him flying with a hellfire-fueled kick to the chest.

As he recovered, Ben rubbed his throat as the air rushed back into his lungs. His vision slowly cleared, and he saw the stranger standing tall, his blade at the ready.

“So you’d rather fight, huh? Fine.” The man twirled his weapon and readied himself. “You’re only delaying the inevitable.”

As Ben lunged at the stranger, the man sidestepped, grabbed his wrist, and hurled him down the hill to the streets of Riverglade village. The stranger slid down after him, blade in hand. “For so long, I’ve searched desperately…”

Ben recovered and braced himself, lighting a flame in his palm. The stranger also lit one in his. Ben’s eyes widened.

“…for another of my kind. Now, after eons, I have finally found what I’ve been looking for.”

Ben slowly circled his foe. His gaze flicked to the side, where Ariana was checking on Daniel, whose body shifted. She sent him a quick thumbs up to let him know the angel was okay. Ben sighed in relief and faced the stranger once more.

“You say I’m one of your kind, but I don’t even know who—or what—you are.”

“We—” the stranger began as his brows furrowed, “—are Soraphim.”

Ben shifted his feet, careful to keep his eyes on his attacker. “Am I supposed to know what that is?”

“No. But you will soon enough.” The stranger lunged, the black blade closing the gap. Ben narrowly dodged by rolling out of the path. He leapt after the man, who deflected Ben’s kick with the flat of his blade and sent him hurling into a nearby picnic table.

“So this is what you want, huh?” Ben asked as he wiped the blood from his lips as he recovered. “To kill me?”

Ben’s feisty words were met with another swipe of the blade that narrowly missed his neck. He blew the weapon away with his hellfire, disarming the stranger while locking him in an armbar.

“Got you, jackass.”

The stranger smirked. “Not bad. But fight harder.” He manifested a flame in his hand, which morphed into a knife. Ben broke away too late as the stranger slashed his abdomen. He fell to the ground with a thud, and Ariana's scream pierced the air.

Ben clutched his gut, his vision blurred and twisted. He could vaguely make out Ariana running toward him before being stopped by the stranger. The man recovered his sword and held it threateningly while he looked at the fading Ben.

“Come on, child,” he growled. “If you want to save her, then fight. Show me what you can do!”

As the blade inched closer to Ari’s neck, something inside Ben snapped, like it did for the pimp who had sold Lilly. His blood boiled; his teeth gnashed together as he felt the infection spread from his arm into the rest of his body. He heard that sinister voice in his head once more, demanding control.

Ben briefly tried to hold it back, but stopped. He couldn’t beat him with his current power. He yearned for the same strength he had earlier when he killed both demons. His eyes closed briefly as he surrendered himself to it.

Shadows bled from the gash and encompassed Ben’s entire body as the wound stitched itself back together. The dark flames grew larger and larger until they formed a menacing, demonic armor. The smoke thickened and formed a protective shell around the new figure, the black and red flames flickering like molten lava. Ben screamed as he felt his own body being taken from him, infected by the darkness.

The stranger smirked. “There it is. The Nephilim Shell. Wait…” His grin slowly morphed into a scowl. “Something isn’t right.”

With a feral scream, Ben charged towards the stranger, striking him with a force that sent him flying. His movements were fast, vicious, indiscriminate, his vision a red blur. He swung at his opponent wildly, smashing walls, posts, anything the stranger used as cover. The townsfolk scattered like ants, their panicked screams filling the air as the battle raged on.

The stranger’s eyes widened as he struggled to dodge Ben’s strikes. Before, it seemed the stranger had him on the ropes. But now, something was different. Not only was Ben in control of the fight…he was enjoying it.

Ben froze as a thought came to him, the red in his vision partially subsiding. Sure, the infection was helping him win, like with the demons, but what would the cost be?

Am I going too far?

He leapt out of the way just as the man thrust his blade forward. Ben sidestepped and gripped his leg. A quick throw later and his opponent was airborne once more.

No, Ben thought as crimson filled his eyesight once more, I’ll do what I have to.

Kill them all.

Gritting his teeth, Ben jumped after him, the path below shattering further as he instinctually formed a blade with his own blackened hellfire.

The stranger summoned armor similar to Ben’s, though less sinister. The blade pierced through and shattered it, just barely missing the stranger’s heart. Ben gripped his hellfire blade and kicked the man down from it, blowing apart the cobblestone path below. The people of Riverglade scrambled in all directions, away from the battling Soraphim as their beloved village shattered to pieces before their eyes.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Ben landed a few feet from the stranger as he recovered. For a moment, he struggled, using his sword as a brace to lift himself from the ground. A bloodied, satisfied smirk stretched across his face as his eyes lit up.

“I knew it. Our kind isn’t doomed after all.”

Ben willed his ethereal armor to peel back, layer by layer, to expose his snarling face.

“I’ll ask you only once.” Ben lit another flame in his hand. “What do you want with me?”

The stranger’s scarlet eyes darkened as he scowled. “You.”

Ben returned it. “Why not just ask nicely?”

“I did,” the man snapped. “Since you insisted on resisting, I may as well see the extent of your abilities. I’m impressed…” his eyes flicked to Ariana, “…and yet, I am also disappointed.”

“And why would that matter to you?”

“It’s everything to me!” the man snarled. “My people fell to the demons because we weren’t strong enough. And now that I’ve found you…”

“I’m human!” Ben insisted, his voice briefly deepened to a growl. “I have a life outside of this world, and people I care about!”

The man scoffed. “Look at yourself, your fire, the Nephilim Shell you summoned! How could a human do that?”

Ben’s brows furrowed. “Then what about my life on Earth?”

“Oh, you might have been on Earth. You might have even lived a normal life without ever discovering your abilities, perhaps had a family. I can tell you: you may look human, but you are not one of them,” the stranger said. “You know this. You’ve always known!”

“That doesn’t make sense,” Ben said, his voice trailing as his flames died slightly. “I…”

“We are both Soraphim, and together we will save our kind.” The man’s scowl faded as he stepped towards Ben, arm outstretched. “When we leave this place—”

“—again, why would I go with you?”

“Because I can help you find the answers you seek. I’ve been in the shadows, listening. I know about your missing past, the girl, all of it. Join me, and I’ll not only help you save our race. I’ll help you find the truth.”

Ben froze, considering his words. What if he was right? After all, they had similar abilities. What if he really could help him find his missing past and Lilly?

Ariana sprung from around a corner and ran out in front of Ben, spreading her arms protectively. The stranger stopped in his tracks and glared down at her.

“Ari!” Ben shouted. “Don’t! He’ll hurt you!”

“No! I’m not gonna let him take you!” Ariana exclaimed as she refused to budge. She looked the man dead in the eye. “He’s not going anywhere.”

The stranger glared at her. “And why is that?”

Her brows drew together, her body quivered slightly. “Because I won’t let you take him. You’ll have to kill me first.”

“Ari, move!”

The man scowled. “Get out of the way, girl.”

“No.”

The man raised his blade. “Last chance.”

Ariana met the man’s glare, her azure eyes steadfast. Ben could tell that she was frightened, but also that she wouldn’t give in. This was the solid determination that he admired in Ariana.

The stranger bared his teeth as he held his blade aloft. His body quivered, as if unable to bring the weapon down on her. He cursed, sheathed it, and reached to shove her aside. “Fine. If you won’t move, then I’ll—”

The man evaporated into a puff of smoke, which moved and reformed about ten feet away. In his stead stood Zachariel, a flaming ethereal sword leveled at him.

“I’ve found you...Raziel.” Zachariel stated with a fierce look in his eye.

So that’s his name? Ben wondered as his armor faded almost completely.

Raziel narrowed his eyes and straightened his stance. “So you know my name.”

“And your origin. I know about how your people were slaughtered.” Zachariel glanced at Ben. “I can only guess why you want him.”

Raziel glared at him. “Then hand him over.”

“Ben is under my protection, Soraphim. Besides, you threatened my daughter.” Zachariel muttered a quick incantation, allowing his blade to brim with holy fire as his brows furrowed. “I can’t just let this go.”

“Have it your way, angel. I will claim the boy.” Raziel’s scarlet eyes glowed. “Even if I have to go through you to do it.”

Zachariel spread his wings to their full length in defiance. “Bring it, then.”

The two sped towards each other as their blades clashed and clanged; the angel’s ethereal metal reverberated against the crude black steel of Raziel’s sword over and over as they exchanged swift, vicious, yet tactical blows. Raziel's swipe missed Zachariel's left wing by a hair's breadth, and Zachariel returned with a strike meant to cleave Raziel in two.

Zachariel leapt into the air, tucked in his wings, and hurled from above while Raziel stuck to the ground, fending off blows from the angel while trying to land a few of his own. Their moves were brash, quick, their blades a blur.

Finally, Zachariel landed a well-placed kick to Raziel’s abdomen, sending him sprawling backward into a building close to the town square, which collapsed on him and encased him in rubble. The angel paused for a moment, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. He stood to his full height and closed his eyes, muttering the angelic language. A beam of light shot down from the blackened sky. As the light faded, a young angel appeared. Small, streamlined wings of light erupted from his back, like Kafziel.

Zachariel let out an exhausted sigh of relief. “A messenger. Thank the Maker.” He whistled for him. “Over here!”

The young angel turned to Zachariel and, within a moment, had snapped to his location. He smacked his fist against his breastplate. “Quriel, Sir! Reporting for duty!”

Zachariel nodded as he gestured to his unconscious angel comrade. “I need you to recover Daniel. Get him to safety.”

The messenger angel saluted and took off, taking the angel from Ariana’s care and zipping off into the forest with him. A few moments later, he returned, his blinding speed sending a crack through the air.

“Anything else, sir?”

“Assist in evacuations, search and rescue. Also…” Zachariel turned to look at Ben, “…I need you to guide him out of the village and instruct him to go to the mountains. Kira is the angel there. She will tell him what to do. I will remain here and finish the threat.”

“What?” Ariana’s eyes widened. “Dad, no!”

Quriel smacked his breastplate once more and turned to Ben, gripping his arm. “Come on, Mr. Ben. We need to—”

“No! I’m not going anywhere without him or Ariana!” Ben turned to Zachariel. “I’ll stay and fight with you! I can fight...”

The angel spun to face him. “Absolutely not! Your power—especially that infection—is dangerous. You can’t stay here.”

Ben’s brows furrowed. “So? I can control it! I—”

Zachariel leaned down, his intense face mere inches from his as he gestured out to Riverglade. “—Look what your control has done here, Ben! Just look at my village!”

The absence of the moon's light suddenly caught Ben's attention, and he felt everything around him slow down. Fires from Ben and Raziel’s battle were roaring at an all-time high. The smoke clogged the atmosphere and blocked the horizon.

Ben turned and looked at the smoldering ruins of what used to be Riverglade village. The shops, the homes, even the sandwich shop they had nearly burned down a few days prior, practically gone. The soot-covered survivors struggled to free their loved ones from the rubble; some of them didn’t move. Many had left to head north to the neighboring village in order to reach safety. Only a few stragglers remained, looking for survivors. Some watched Ben intently with fear in their eyes as they passed by.

All this destruction...from me?

“So please understand, Ben…” Zachariel shook him out of it and stared directly into his eyes, “…you have to leave. For the village and Ariana’s sake.”

Before Ben could respond, a snarl erupted from the town square. Raziel emerged from the rubble, his flame armor shattered and incomplete. “You cannot run, child! I’ve come this far, and I will not lose you to anybody!” His scowl faded as the Soraphim’s eyes pleaded with him. “Please, Ben. You are the last hope of our kind. Come with me and we’ll discover the truth. Together.”

Ben froze. Despite his earlier battle with Raziel, part of him wanted to go. The thought of leaving Zachariel and Ariana behind weighed heavily on him, though he knew a choice had to be made. He looked around once more at all the damage his battle had caused and grimaced.

I’ve already hurt them and Ari enough, Ben thought. This will all end if I go.

Ben took a step toward him, but Ariana blocked him and gripped his shoulders. “No, no, please don’t go with him. I don’t want him to hurt you again.”

“Ari…he’s right.” Ben stared into her azure eyes. “I don’t belong here.”

“Ben, no! I—”

“—Your dad was right.” Ben frowned. “I have to go, Ari. It’s the only way you’ll—”

Before he could finish the sentence, bright red lightning shot down from the sky. The ground below where it had struck shifted and cracked, ripping the village apart. Several of Riverglade’s citizens fell into the newly formed tear in the ground.

Everyone froze as a fifty-foot tall being climbed out and stood up against the dark skies. It was a completely blackened humanoid figure, blazing red eyes glared and horn-like structures protruded from the sides of its head, strands of shadowy bulk twisted into muscle that covered the entire beast. It opened its glowing mouth and let out a roar that darkened the already-dimming light of the moon to that of blood.

As people ran from their lives, the creature raised its foot, stomping and sending a shock wave that turned multiple people—men, women, and children alike—into blood stains that splattered the village. It rumbled forward, where the couple Ben met at the festival were trying to escape the rubble. Their desperate eyes met Ben’s as they were mercilessly trampled. The glowing red mouth of the beast twisted into a sadistic smile.

“It can’t be. Wicked Giants aren’t supposed to be here anymore.” Raziel’s gaze flicked to Ben. “No wonder. They must be after him, too.”

“Wait, what do you mean? Who’s they?” Ben shouted to Raziel.

Zachariel began pushing him towards the house. “Never mind him, just get out of here. Riverglade is not safe anymore!” He looked around at the wreckage. “In fact, the village itself is no more. Now run! Go!”

Quriel stepped up beside him and drew his knife. “Need my help with this beast, sir?”

Zachariel shook his head. “No. I want you to evacuate as many citizens as you can!”

The young angel nodded. “Copy that. Good luck, sir.” He sheathed his knife back in his gauntlet, smacking his fist against his chest one last time as he ran off to complete his mission.

Ariana ran to her father. “Dad, we need to go. We—”

“—No. You know my duty is to my village, Ari.”

“Dad…” Tears formed in her eyes. “…don’t.”

As he wiped the tear from Ariana's cheek, Zachariel's hands lingered on her shoulders while their eyes met. “You know the way to Kira’s village, correct?”

Ariana choked from crying, but she slowly nodded.

“Good. Grab what you can from the house and lead Ben there. Tell Kira about everything that has happened here.”

“But…”

“Don’t argue with me. I—” Zachariel frowned. “—I need you to be strong, Ari. For me and…” He hesitated, “…for Ben. Please.”

Ariana froze for a moment, her eyes pleading with him. She quickly threw a hug around the angel. “Just come back to me, Dad. Promise me.”

Zachariel embraced his daughter tightly. “I will.” He pushed her off and pointed to their ruined cottage. Nodding, Ariana reluctantly pulled away from her father. She grabbed Ben by the hand and ran back toward the house through the ash and ember-filled air. They arrived at the ruined cottage and scrambled for food and clothing to take with them, as well as her violin case. As soon as they exited through the hole in the wall, a large flaming ball of rock hurtled towards them.

“Ari, move!” Ben tried to push her aside, but she yanked him by the arm until they both tumbled down the hill. The rocks and bushes tore at their soot-covered skin.

As they recovered, Ben saw Ariana briefly turn around to see the wreckage of what used to be her home. Her room, her musical note wallpaper, her outfit designs, and all the memories associated with them were now gone. She stared, horror-struck, as a single tear made its way down her face.

Ben grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her along. “Ariana! Come on!”

Ariana complied, wiping her tear as she sped up. Ben followed her to the forest path that they had used to find the Sea of Stars. This time, they took a different route, a roughened one made of dirt instead of gravel, that led up to the mountains.

“Hurry!” Ariana exclaimed. “To the tunnel!”

Ben looked ahead and saw it, an aged tunnel dug into the mountainside. As he looked behind, the ground shook with the impact of another meteor; the force of the blast sent them spiraling into the cave. Ariana appeared to have landed safely, but Ben had tumbled into the tunnel and struck his head on a rock. His vision faded; his mind slipped into darkness as he heard Ariana’s voice worriedly cry out his name.

The last thing Ben saw was her horrified azure eyes gazing into his, her gentle hand feeling around his head. Her voice faded as everything in his sight turned black and was gone.