At the night of their 5th anniversary, Seraphina and Nathaniel planned on having a late night date at the roof of their humble residence, not far away from the city, when the kids are asleep. Reminiscing the past, cherishing the present and hoping for the future.
The moonlit night cast a soft glow over the rooftop, as Seraphina and Nathaniel sat side by side, their fingers intertwined. The stars above twinkled like diamonds, illuminating their faces with a gentle radiance. It was their 5th anniversary, a momentous occasion that called for reflection and celebration.
"Nathaniel, can you believe it's been five years since we said our vows?", she gazed at the stars
"Time flies when you're with the person you love. It feels like just yesterday we were standing under that oak tree, promising to spend the rest of our lives together.", Nathaniel looks at her with the sweetest smile.
"I remember the way your eyes sparkled that day, Nathaniel. It was as if the whole world was filled with possibilities."
"And it still is, my love. Our journey together has been nothing short of extraordinary.", as he gently squeezes her hand.
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, their hearts filled with gratitude for the life they had built together.
"Nathaniel, I want to thank you for always being there for me and our children. You've brought so much light into our lives.", she softly said to him.
"And you, my dear Seraphina, have given me a love that surpasses anything I could have ever imagined. You're my rock, my guiding star.", he tenderly says to her and kissed her cheek.
Seraphina's heart swelled with love for Nathaniel, yet the weight of her secret hung heavy in the air. She yearned to share her true identity, to let him in on the extraordinary truth that lay dormant within her.
"Nathaniel, there's something I've been meaning to tell you. Something I've kept hidden for so long."
"What is it, Seraphina? You know you can tell me anything."
Seraphina hesitated, her mind conflicted between the desire for truth and the fear of disrupting the life they had built.
"It's a story for another time, my love. For now, let us cherish this moment and the love we share.", as she looks down hiding her smile that was hidden with sadness.
Nathaniel kisses her forehead, as a sign of his reassurance.
"I trust you, Seraphina. And whatever it is, I know that we'll face it together."
They sat in silence once more, the cool breeze gently caressing their faces, as they looked out into the night sky. Seraphina's heart swirled with emotions, a mixture of love, longing, and the weight of her secret.
Their night was full of laughter, kisses and warmth. Until a few moments after, Seraphina felt something a familiar. Her feeling of warmth and love suddenly dissipated like a droplet of water on hot metal as she sees a faint and barely visible figure appearing few meters away from where they are sitting down. A huge beast of unworldly appearance, trudging away from what it seems a portal of darkness.
The monstrous being emerged from the depths of darkness, a colossal and otherworldly entity that defied comprehension. Its massive form loomed ominously, shrouded in an impenetrable blackness that seemed to devour all light around it. With each slow, deliberate movement, shadows writhed and twisted, as if under its command, accentuating its eerie presence. The creature's towering height cast an intimidating shadow that stretched far and wide, engulfing everything in its path. Its unearthly presence sent shivers down the spine, evoking a sense of primal fear and awe. The air grew heavy and oppressive in its presence, as if the very fabric of reality strained under its weight. It was a creature that belonged to nightmares, a manifestation of darkness itself, a sight that forever seared itself into the minds of all who beheld it.
At the sight of the towering being, Seraphina's instinct as a Malach Kadmah kicks in. As she stood up, her wing grew and glowed bright, yellow like the sun. She closes her eyes and cupped her hands in front of her, mutters Shevu'or (Malachs Oath) and a hilt of a sword slowly grew from the palms of her hands until a full sized sword levitates in front of her.
It was a longsword that looked like it was made from amber, with a hilts and guard made of silver with a leather grip.
All of these happened while Nathaniel sat in shock on what he seeing.
"M-my love?", with both fear and shock in his mouth. Trembling, he scuttled back away but not far from her.
Seraphina looked at him with her bright, glowing emerald eyes. As she realized what she had done, she gave her a wistful smile.
"My love,-"Her once gentle and melodic tones deepened, resonating with newfound power and ethereal presence.
A deafening roar echoed through the air, emanating from the colossal, towering monster. It was a thunderous symphony of power and fury, a primal declaration that shook the very foundations of the earth. As the roar echoed, dark portals appeared around the beast and small otherworldly beasts appeared, they either flew, skitter, crawl or slither from the portal that they came from.
Seraphina flew away from their residence to one of the nearest portal that appeared. It was still near that she could still see Nathaniel still looking at her with shock. All she can think about is the battle that is brewing in front of her.
With her ethereal grace and unwavering resolve, Seraphina gracefully engaged the beasts, brandishing her longsword as a beacon of light in the midst of shadow. Each swing of her weapon was a masterful display of precision and strength, carving through the ranks of her adversaries with divine elegance.
As she moved, the gleaming blade traced shimmering arcs through the air, leaving trails of brilliance in its wake. The angel's strikes were swift and decisive, a dance of grace and power. Her movements flowed seamlessly, a testament to her celestial origins, as she deftly parried and countered the relentless assaults of the minions.
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With every clash of steel, sparks erupted, illuminating the darkness that surrounded them. The Seraphina's longsword cut through the shadows, carving a path of radiant justice. Each strike was imbued with a righteous fury, driving back the forces of evil and shattering their sinister defenses.
Her blade became an extension of her will, a conduit for divine light. It blazed with an otherworldly radiance, its celestial energy empowering every strike. As the minions of darkness faltered under her onslaught, they recoiled from the searing light that accompanied each impact, their malevolence no match for the purity of her purpose.
In this celestial ballet of combat, the Seraphina's longsword became an instrument of deliverance. With every swing, she channeled the very essence of righteousness, striking down the beasts with resolute determination. The clash of metal, the flashes of brilliance, and the echoes of her triumph echoed throughout the battlefield, a testament to her celestial might and unwavering devotion to the light of Aetherium Lux.
Her fellow companions, Lucius and Uriel arrived in the battle shortly after. Both clad in shining battle armor and their iridescent wings folded as the slowly land.
"This is it my friends.", Lucius grins with delight, holding a foreign object that resembles a rifle. Seraphina almost forgot that Lucius obsession to combat.
"Stand strong, everyone!" Uriel's voice, typically soft and soothing, unexpectedly transformed into a commanding force. With a sudden shift in tone and demeanor, their voice carried an authoritative power that demanded attention and respect. The command rang out with unwavering clarity, cutting through the air like a sharp blade through the battlefield.
Few moments after other Malach Kadmas joined the battle both elders and young ones. The city looked like a thunder cloud as Nathaniel watched from the rooftops lights flashing and dust billowing, full of battlecries, monstrous roars. The city, still asleep and peaceful, unaware of the chaos that is happening outside their homes and establishments
As he watched his love, his light, in battle, the dress she wore in their date now torn. Her eyes glowing with righteousness, her stern yet gracious appearance changed the fear that he is feeling to awe, courage and inspiration.
Just as he got down from the rooftops, two humanoid figures started to appear out of nowhere and grabbed both of his arms.
He started to struggle as the figures kick the back of his legs to kneel. Seraphina heard his grunts and glanced toward his direction.
She saw another humanoid figure standing behind him wielding a long thin blade of obsidian, with horns as large as those of rams, eyes pure of malicious intent. The figure sinks the blade slowly and with great precision , piercing both flesh and muscle from his back towards the stomach. A gasp escaped the Nathaniel's lips as pain surged through their body, their eyes widening in shock and disbelief.
"Nathaniel!", Seraphina unfurls her wings to fly but was too late. Nathaniel's body went limp from an instant. As she flew to him, her arms trembling hands reached out to cradle the limp body of their loved one. Carefully and tenderly, they lifted the weight of his fading presence, cradling him close as if seeking to transfer their own life force.
"Seraphina... I don't... I don't feel... I can't..." Nathaniel struggles to speak as sharp pain accompanies his breathing. Blood dripping from his mouth. She can see his life gradually escapes from his eyes.
"No, Nathaniel! Hold on, please! We'll get help, we'll... we'll find a way!" she folds her wings as if to cover him from the world of chaos that is currently happening around them.
" Seraphina... my love... listen to me."
She leaned in closer, her heart breaking at the sight of the man she cherished slipping away from her.
Choked up with emotion she mumbles, "I'm here, Nathaniel. I'm listening."
His breath became shallow, his voice became a whisper.
"Promise me... Promise me that you'll keep our children safe. That you'll protect them... from whatever dangers may come.", his gentle voice felt like warm hug from behind.
"I promise, Nathaniel. I will do everything in my power to keep them safe. But please, please don't leave me.", she trembled and hugged him a little tighter as if he was being taken away.
Nathaniel's hand weakly reached up, caressing Seraphina's tear-stained cheek, a tender smile gracing his lips.
"My love will always be with you. Remember that.", he whispered.
With those final words, Nathaniel's hand fell limp, his eyes closing as his life force slipped away. Seraphina clung to him, her cries echoing into the night, mourning the loss of her beloved husband and the shattering of their shared dreams.
A guttural cry echoes amidst the chaos of the battlefield at that moment. The love of her life, taken away as soon as she shows her true identity. Thoughts flooded in her mind in an instant, from grief, regret, sadness... then rage. PURE RAGE.
The battlefield suddenly got blinded with a warm flash of light. So warm that it felt as the sun stood in their midst. As the light subsided, Lucius and Uriel stood in shock as the saw the sight of an unseen side of their friend, full of rage. Her hair from the silky white hair that they are familiar with now burning crimson, glimmering and flowing in all directions.. Wings that are now pure light, slowly fading in and out of existence. Her sword that she was wielding now a thin amber colored cross, sizzling with heat burning the hand that are burning it. Her dress now is mended and bright scarlet like blood, flowing down to her feet. Her eyes, no gleaming with green ethereal light.
"By Aetherium's light." Uriel now in awe at what they were looking at.
The battlefield stood still for a moment and then the attacks now shifted towards Seraphina.
She slowly raised her sword and slashed sideways. The silence that was deafening, although there was no wind, was gradually flooded with a sound of a rushing wind. They felt the temperature rising from a warmth same as the mother's love to a heat of uncontrollable fire. After that a crimson light flickered in front of the beasts through out the city and consumed them with bright crimson flames. All that was left was the beast that killed Nathaniel and the towering beast that appeared and summoned them, still burning but neither one of them are affected.
"This is not the end, Malachs." Nathaniel's killer spoke with a voice that sent shivers down the spines of all who heard it. Each word was laced with a chilling menace, carrying the weight of its sinister nature. Its voice reverberated with a deep, guttural quality, as if emanating from the depths of a shadowy abyss.
Seraphina darted to the beast's direction and grabbed his neck, choking and burning him with her touch at the same time. Now, writhing with pain the beast tried to grab her harm but was severed in an instant without ever seeing her move her sword. As the beast's arms flopped on the ground, Seraphina felt that her strength is now fading away. Her mind now flooded with the memories of her husband, the sadness and grief took over, a tear now flowed down her cheeks. Her eyes that were gleaming green now eyes of a widow, full of grief and sadness. Her wing folded and disappeared, her dress now battle torn and dirty.
Just as her strength left her, she managed to snap the neck of the beast and drop it on the ground. As the body fell, a dark portal reappeared and took the beast. The towering beast that started the chaos also disappeared, leaving Crestview in ruins.
Seraphina knelt as she gathers her strength trying to mask her emotions but is now sobbing her heart out. Lucius and Uriel ran towards her to console her.
"He's gone. My love. My light. Gone."
As the dawn arrives, other Kadmahs started repairing the city using their powers, fixing all the damage that the battle left.
News through out the city of Crestview tells that Nathaniel Silverwing dies in a horrible accident and his body spotted in Crestview Park with bathed in blood.
But it was not the truth, it was fabricated to hide what really happened that night. For that night, was the first battle of Crestview. A declaration of war against the Malachs and a threat to the humanity.