Uriel soared across the sky, her wings cutting through the wind with an intensity that matched her focus. Suddenly, she sensed two distinct presences below. Before she could fully register them, one disappeared. She slowed, her gaze locking onto a lone figure trekking through the desert. Narrowing her eyes, she recognized him from earlier: Moxie, still pressing forward through the sands.

Without hesitation, Uriel dropped from the sky, landing before him in a swirl of dust. She held her flaming blade pointed directly at him. "Are you part of that fanatical religion?" she demanded, her tone cold and unyielding.

Moxie shook his head, calm and unbothered. “Not interested in joining any group, especially if it’d only get in my way.”

Uriel’s eyes narrowed, studying him. “You’re hiding your presence,” she observed. “What are you trying to mask?”

Moxie shrugged, giving a casual response. “Just being careful.” But his lie didn’t get past her.

“There’s no point in lying to me. I am justice incarnate,” she declared, her eyes sharp.

With a slight sigh, Moxie released a fraction of his aura—barely enough to be noticeable. Uriel examined him for a moment longer, then relaxed her stance, offering a curt nod. “My apologies. It seems you’re nothing more than a bystander.” With that, she launched herself into the sky again, her speed even greater as she vanished from sight.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Once she was gone, Moxie smirked to himself. *The heavenly 'vulture of justice' didn’t even realize I only showed the aura of a normal mortal. Too easy.* He continued his journey, shrugging off the encounter. But far above, Uriel’s thoughts lingered on him. *He’s different,* she mused. *Something about him… almost like Wrath.* A spark of curiosity tugged at her mind. Opening a glowing, golden gateway, she vanished into its light.

Hours later, the sun had already risen by the time Moxie returned to the familiar diner. As he stepped inside, Auforus glanced up, startled. “Moxie? What’s going on? You look like you’ve been out all night.”

Moxie nodded, his expression serious. “I picked up some information. Heaven’s stirring, and there’s a new religion involved. They’ve got connections to that murder at the hospital.”

Auforus raised an eyebrow. “Should I call everyone together?”

“No need,” Moxie replied, a slight frown forming. “The one behind it all… they already know we’re watching.”

Meanwhile, in a dim hallway of the local hospital, a young boy walked quietly toward the exit. A nurse spotted him and approached. “Aren’t you supposed to wait for your parents?” she asked kindly.

The boy ignored her, continuing down the hallway with a blank expression. Suddenly, the nurse’s pupils dilated, and she crumpled to the floor. Nearby doctors and nurses rushed to her aid, confused and alarmed. The boy simply smirked, stepping into the daylight outside. Clasping his hands together, he muttered a prayer under his breath.

“To you, my only god, AuthorM,” he whispered, his eyes gleaming with reverence.