I gritted my teeth, summoning what little strength I had left. "I won't let you hurt these people," I said, my voice resolute. "Not while I still stand."

Korin sneered, raising his fist for another blow. Before he could strike, a blast of darkness shot past me, hitting Korin square in the chest and sending him crashing into a wall. I turned to see Alden standing at the entrance, his eyes glowing with determination.

"I won't let you fight alone," Alden said, stepping forward. The darkness around him seemed less malevolent, more controlled.

Flashback

In Feathercrest, Korin was in the tavern, beating up the barkeep who was bruised and battered. The patrons cowered in fear, and a little girl hid behind a table, her eyes wide with terror. The sight of such brutality made my blood boil. I turned to Alden, my resolve strengthening. “Look, if you wanna stay here, then stay,” I said before flying into the air, leaving Alden behind.

“I don’t get it, why does he wanna help me?” Alden cried on the ground. Ember, perched on a tree, was shaken by the whole thing. “WAIT! SO THE WHOLE CELESTIAL BIRD THINGS ARE REAL?! AND GAIAN, THE GUY WHO COULDN’T EVEN EAT WORMS, IS THE VESSEL OF THE DIVINE OWL SAGEA?! AND YOU’RE THE RAVEN OF SECRETS NOCTURNE’S VESSEL?!” She jumped off the tree and landed in front of Alden. “WHY WERE YOU FIGHTING HIM?!”

Alden wiped his face, the darkness around him flickering. “When I was a child, I was born into the royal family descended from Nocturne. My parents, the king and queen of Nokturnia, groomed me to be strong enough to fulfill the idea that Nocturne Raven would come back and use my body to reign over Nokturnia."

Alden paused, his expression pained. "They pushed me to the brink, testing my limits, subjecting me to the Raven's dark power. I became a vessel for Nocturne, but I couldn't control the darkness. It consumed me, and I lashed out, destroying everything in my path, including my younger siblings. My parents disowned me, their own son. They even held an execution. As they were ready to slice my head off, the darkness lashed out, destroying Nokturnia and everyone in it. I came here to the kingdom of Aurora. I managed to hold the darkness in as I got older, but just in case, I hid in the woods. That’s why there were so many explosions.”

Ember's eyes widened in shock and sympathy. "So, you've been alone all this time, struggling to control the darkness?"

Alden nodded, tears welling up in his eyes. "Yes. And when I met Gaian, I thought he would be just another enemy, someone who would try to destroy me. But he didn't. He wants to help me, despite everything."

Ember's eyes softened. “I don’t know Gaian that well, but he’s a strange one. The barkeep’s daughter made those truffles that were practically inedible—Korin was right about them being disgusting. Yet Gaian ate two bowls of it, even one that had fallen on the ground, just to make her feel better. And just now, when he was fighting you, he was in immense pain from your slash, but he pushed himself to continue, just to get you to stop the darkness.”

Alden's expression shifted from anguish to a glimmer of hope. "He did all that... for me?"

Ember nodded. "I guess he sees something in you, something worth saving. Maybe it’s time you start seeing it too." Alden’s darkness settled and it went back into his body. “Maybe I should.”

Present

I stood side by side with Alden as we stood in front of Korin, who's fist was still glowing. "The forbidden son of king and queen Nokturnia huh? Shouldn't you be in prison?" He dashed at Alden, attempting to punch him. Korin's speed was incredibly fast and Alden had no time to react. I jumped and pushed Alden's head down, so Korin's fist wooshed past his head. I used Alden's leverage to jump and kick him out of the tavern.

Korin stumbled back, his eyes narrowing as he glared at us. "So the dark prince has finally found someone willing to stand by his side? How... touching," he spat, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

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Alden stepped forward, his newfound determination clear in his eyes. "I'm done hiding in the darkness. With Gaian's help, I'll control it and use it to protect, not destroy."

Korin’s red wings spread wide as he took to the air, a menacing sight against the darkening sky. I spread my white wings, and Alden, his black wings. Together, we soared into the sky, engaging Korin in a fierce aerial battle.

The air crackled with energy as we clashed. Korin’s fists glowed with a fiery yellow light, his punches sending shockwaves through the air. I dodged one of his blows, countering with a swift kick that knocked him back. Alden used his newfound control over the darkness to create tendrils that lashed out at Korin, forcing him to dodge and weave.

Korin snarled, his eyes blazing with anger. "You think you can defeat me? You’re nothing but a fallen prince and a naïve fool!"

I flew towards him, holding the feathered sword, and sliced at his wing. He barely dodged, the blade grazing his feathers. I then turned the feather back small and golden, swiping my fingers a few times to send a flurry of sharp cuts across his body.

Korin hissed in pain as the golden feather slashed his arms and torso, leaving glowing marks that sizzled against his dark aura. He retaliated with a powerful punch, but Alden intercepted, using his darkness to form a shield that absorbed the impact.

Korin landed on a nearby rooftop, rising with a sneer. “Auric Pattern,” he intoned, raising his hand. Feather patterns appeared on our bodies, radiating a searing pain that made it hard to focus.

I grimaced, feeling the burning sensation spread across my skin. "What is this?" I muttered through clenched teeth.

Alden winced, but his eyes remained focused. "It's some kind of curse," he said. "We need to break it."

Suddenly, we heard a loud yell and saw a towering figure with storm-gray feathers covering his powerful wings. His eyes are sharp and piercing, often gleaming with intensity. He wore armor forged from dark steel, etched with intricate lightning patterns that crackle faintly with energy. “Korin! What are you doing!?” Thalion Stormwing said as he flew behind us.

Korin clicked his beak and released the pattern. He turned to face Thalion, his expression a mix of frustration and defiance. “This doesn’t concern you, Thalion. Stay out of it.”

Thalion landed gracefully, his presence imposing as he folded his wings behind him. “If you want to go around fighting people, do it on your own time. But right now, you're supposed to be guarding the king.”

Alden groaned and clutched his body in pain. “Sir, a man down there is dying. I need you to save him.” Thalion turned to look at us, his gaze cold and indifferent. “What does that have to do with me?” he asked icily.

I gritted my teeth in frustration. “So you’re all like that, huh?!” I growled. Despite the pain wracking our bodies, Alden and I tried to charge at Thalion, but we collapsed, too weakened to do anything more than fall into the tavern.

Moments later, we both woke up and saw the barkeep and the patrons all drinking and cheering and laughing. I sat up and rubbed my head. “What’s going on?” I groaned and then the patrons picked us up and cheered. “You saved us!” They cheered and I turned over and saw the barkeep who had scars but his body was in perfect health. “I thought you were dying?!”

The barkeep chuckled, shaking his head. "Your 'archangel' over there, saved me." He pointed to Ember, whose feathers were now golden. "I told you I was strong," she said cockily, even though she had no idea how it happened.

"What?! You're actually an archangel?!" I picked her up from behind her neck and whispered, "I don't know, I'm just enjoying the attention." She responded and struggled in my grip.

{Yes, Gaian, Ember is your archangel. I had one when I was alive. It's not a vessel thing, anyone could've been your archangel,} Sagea said in my mind.

I blinked in surprise, my grip on Ember loosening. "Ember is my... archangel?" I murmured, glancing at her.

{It's true,} Sagea confirmed. {Archangels are celestial beings who choose to bond with a mortal, granting them a fraction of their divine power. Ember's transformation is proof that she has accepted her role as your guardian.}

Ember took the opportunity to break free from my grasp, fluttering up to eye level. "What's going on? Why are you looking at me like that?" she demanded, her golden feathers ruffling in agitation.

I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. "It's nothing, Ember. I just... I'm grateful to have you by my side." I turned my attention back to the patrons.

Alden placed his hand gently on my shoulder, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you for being my light," he said, smiling warmly. I returned his smile and wrapped an arm around him. "Always," I replied.

Ember, unable to fly, hopped onto my shoulder. "I shall join you on whatever journey lies ahead. Now that I'm golden, it feels like my place is by your side. But, should we stay here?"

I shook my head firmly. "If we do, it will only bring more hardship to the people of Feathercrest."

Alden nodded, his expression resolute. "Then we leave at dawn, maybe to another kingdom or town.”