Days drug out into weeks and soon months of pain-staking information gathering. Letters from Lorcán had slowed significantly and Raden grew frustrated. Not much was being given away through the letters but the news was beginning to travel that infernal hoards were making their way through parts of the northern kingdom. There was no word from the King of the north on marching out troops, but very little was ever heard from that part of the world.

Eastern soldiers were given orders to be ready if they needed forces to defend the city and the smaller towns that lie beyond. The only thing standing in the way was the mountain range and many were certain that would keep the hoards at bay.

Raden knew better than to think Serkan would be stopped by the mountains.

Azrael had cut her trips to the forest in half to ease Raden's mind. She felt safe every time she went but also knew the danger that could lay before her.

The inn lobby was quiet when Azrael made her way that morning for breakfast. Raden had beaten her down and was already on his second plate.

"You going to save me some," Azrael asked playfully.

Raden shook his head smiling with a mouth full. Azrael reached across stealing some eggs and plopping them in her mouth with a victor smile.

"So what are you doing today?"

Raden swallowed the food and took a swig from his cup. "I'm going to help send out some groups." He saw the worried look appear in Azrael's eyes. "This doesn't mean anything. It's just to give some peace of mind to some of the villages around. I'll be back by evening."

Azrael nodded and sat straight. At least it wasn't war.

Yet.

"What're you planning while I'm gone?"

"I'm heading out one last time to the forest. I know you don't like me going but I want to at least say goodbye to Orabel for now." Azrael placed her hands on his as if to silently plea with him. She gave him the biggest eyes she could.

Raden rolled his eyes knowing what she was doing. "It isn't forever. You'll see Orabel again."

Azrael smiled and stood up running around the table. "I know." She kissed him on the cheek before running out the door and disappearing with a pop.

He laughed to himself and finished his meal. Before he could even stand the post had run. Which was odd, it always ran a little past noon.

"Are you Raden?" The man asked.

Raden nodded and was handing a letter.

Dear Raden,

Things have become way more dangerous than expected. Your friend Deimos has found his way along with another to Ifera. They were a part of the attack several months ago on our border with the north. It seems that Serkan was behind it all and is now on his way to you. I do not know how he knows where you will be but I can not stress enough that the situation has changed. Azrael needs to be moved. I have already sent word to the king to prepare. I am preparing my armies to march down but we will not be able to help if the hoards pass over the range. Save Azrael.

"Fuck!" Raden raced out of the inn and through the streets before being taken to the skies. There was no way he would reach Azrael. His only other option was to start helping with troops. So he did just that. With his heart racing and head pounding. The worry would eat away at him each minute Azrael was not within his grasp, but for now, he could do nothing.

~~~*~~~

Orabel and Azrael sat together chatting in a small grove. Many of the small fairies looked forward to Azrael visiting and tended to try and decorate new places for her to explore. She always enjoyed what they would come up with. After a hunt for little trinkets, the fairies had hidden, and everyone ended up in the grove snacking on pomegranates.

"I think this may be my favorite treasure hunt so far," Azrael stated. She receives happy chimes from all the fairies which caused her to giggle again.

Orabel smiled and shook their head. "They enjoy stealing my things for these little games." They eyed one of the and it went into hiding behind Azrael's hair. "I don't mind it though."

Azrael smiled at Orabel but a sadness hid behind it.

"What's up"

She took in a deep breath. "This'll be my last time coming to visit for a while."

Orabel's face fell and a deep frown formed on their lips. "What do you mean? Has something happened? Is Raden trying to keep away?" Anger rose in her tone as they said the last bit.

"No no. Rade's fine, but we need to be more careful now. It seems that this war has finally found its way to the mortal realm," Azrael explained. She watched Orabel mull over this new information. The fruit in her hands became a memory. "I need to go into hiding until things settle down."

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"Why not here?" It was just a whisper but she could still hear it ever so clearly. Orabel lifted their head. "It's a great idea. We could talk to Anéislis and find you somewhere safe in the mountain. The forest is practically impenetrable and we could protect you." Tears filled their eyes. "We could protect you."

Azrael grabbed their hands gently. "I don't want to risk placing you or anyone else here in danger. It's safer for me to stay away, but only for a little while. This isn't forever okay?" Tears stung her eyes as well.

At the opening of the grove, the hooded guardian appeared. Azrael had chosen to call him Erix. He seemed to be thankful for the name but didn't speak. She had given many of the spirits that called the forest home names that were nameless. They were more than happy to be given names.

"Hi, Erix. What are you doing wandering around these parts?" Azrael wiped away the tears and smiled. She always tried putting on a brave face for everyone.

He bowed and held his hand out for her. She knew that this meant a certain someone cared for a meeting. Which was about every visit. Azrael turned and said a final goodbye to Orabel and headed out with Erix.

The wind picked up allowing the tree canopy to sway in a hypnotic dance that Azrael could watch for hours on end. She closed her eyes as Erix lead her through the forest. Just for one more moment, she wanted to forget all the chaos going on outside and be here in the loving embrace of this place. The crunch of the leaves under her feet made her smile. Oh, how she would miss this.

Erix had led her to a quiet spring where Anéislis stood studying something in the water. As Azrael let Erix's arm go, he vanished.

"He's been avoiding me lately," Anéslis said without turning around. "I think it has something to do with you though."

Azrael walked up beside him She was curious to see what he was studying. "It seems that many are going to be disappointed when word gets out." Her heart ached as she said it. It was all becoming a reality she never wanted.

"Yes, it seems that this will be our final meeting for now." He turned to her. His face was still hidden just as before. "I would offer you sanctuary here, but you would not accept."

She nodded.

"Shame. There's still so much I want to show you."

"I do plan on returning." She looked up from the water. "It's just not safe right now."

Anéislis let out a sigh and sat against a large bolder. "I'm afraid you're right. I don't know much of these forces at hand because I've been held here, but the wind carries stories. I haven't heard stories like this since we were waging war with the Ancient Gods."

Azrael had an idea. If Anéislis had fought against the Ancients... "Can I ask you a favor?"

"You may."

"I've given you a name which means that at any time you can leave here." She looked at him as he nodded to carry on. "The gods have chosen to stay out of this war. Merikh is an exception but just as dangerous. Would you help us?"

He sat silent. Each passing moment puts Azrael more on edge. If he said no, then it would be a long war for years to come at best. If he said yes, they could have the upper hand.

"I do not choose to help the human realm." Her heart sank. "However, you are the exception. I will help you in this war but only you."

Azrael smiled from ear to ear. This could shift the tides. "Thank you!"

Anéislis laughed at the sight of Azrael's joy. It was infectious for sure.

"The thing I ask. If you need me, pray my name and I will come." It was a simple request and order, but one that means the world to a once Nameless God.

"I can do that." Azrael couldn't wait to share this with Raden.

He took her hand in his. "It was an honor in meeting you Azrael. I do hope we have these meetings again."

She nodded and stepped back pulling out the medallion. It clicked and moved as she placed the coordinates in. Azrael gave one last wave and with a pop vanished. Back in King's City, she found herself.

~~~*~~~

Raden came back to the inn after throwing himself into preparations. He saw Azrael sitting by the fireplace reading quietly and a wave of relief washed through him.

"Thank the Gods you're back. We need to talk," Raden said.

Azrael turned her head and smiled. "We do! I have the best news."

He sat across from her waiting.

"Okay okay. So, I've gotten us some help. You remember the Nameless God from the mountain?"

"Yes," He answered hesitantly. Raden didn't like where it was going.

She sat the book down and turned her back towards Raden. "Well I was talking with him and he agreed to help us fight."

"What do you mean? He can't leave the mountain's caves." Raden questioned. What was she getting at?

Azrael remembered that she never told him what she did. She would have to come clean if this was to work and it needed to work.

"Well I did something," Azrael said with great hesitation in her voice. She felt her throat tighten and her breath hitch. "I gave him a name."

Raden's eyes went wide. "You did what!" A few of the other guests side-eyed the outburst but Raden ignored them. "Do you understand what that means?"

"I do and thought it was a good choice." Azrael sat up taller defending her choices. "He was nothing but kind and understanding. Much different than what you described him."

"Yeah, probably so he would get exactly this. An escape Azrael." Raden was whispering and yelling. "These beings would end the world if they had the chance. They were stripped of their names for a reason and left to be forgotten." He let out a huff and mumbled under his breath, "You're so fucking clueless."

Azrael leveled her breathing and swallowed the lump in her throat. She narrowed her eyes and stared hard into Raden's. "I've spent months with him and others. He's taught me to control my powers and not to fear them. That's more than anyone has ever done for me. I trust him with my life Raden." She then had a moment of realization and remembered the story Anéislis had shared with her. "Merikh was the reason they became Nameless Gods. If they still had their powers, they would've come after him for what he did to their sister."

Raden sat deadly still. No emotion passed over his face. Azrael didn't dare move her gaze or say a word. She waited for the explosion of anger that was Raden.

It never came.

"You are my number one priority," He finally broke the silence. "There is nothing I wouldn't do to protect you but this… you have no clue what kind of power you've just unleashed into this world Azrael." Raden was calm but beneath that facade was a storm of anger and terror.

She sighed, "I trust him, Raden. He was my last option here."

He sat beside her. He rubbed his face sucking in a breath before looking at her. "I'm sorry for calling you clueless."

Azrael peered up at him. Those hazel eyes searching for something, but he would know. They were always searching for answers.

"You trust him?"

"With my life," she answered.

Three simple words. Those words held so much power that not even the strongest universal being could contemplate having that much power. It exceeded anything beyond humans or Gods.

"Okay." Raden nodded. "Then I'll trust him."

This would be the beginning of the end.