Azrael thought a second war was going to start at any given moment as they sat in the great hall. Lorcán was in deep conversation with Libena and was clearly annoyed while archangels and death angels continued their arguments from the battlefield. Raden sat silently with a deadly glare daring anyone to challenge him. Azrael stood in the doorway watching everything unfold and felt the familiar tightness in her chest.

"That's quite an argument." A voice broke through the air. Azrael turned her head and saw Anéislis standing out of view of anyone in the hall. "I have to say though. It reminds me of my siblings," he chuckled. Azrael had never heard him express any emotions before. He held out a robe-covered arm. "I think it's best to begin."

As Anéislis stepped through the threshold, a silence fell over the room. Raden raised an eyebrow at Azrael who shrugged and nodded to Libena. The rest were too shocked to speak. All except Lorcán.

"Azrael, what gives you the right to invite him into my palace?" Lorcán was cold and hostile. It through Azrael off and made Raden's blood boil.

Libena waved a hand at Lorcán. "I told her to bring him here as my second voice. Since Javiad chose to stay out of this." She gave him a look of judgment before turning her attention back to Azrael. "He is my guest."

Anéislis bowed slightly as he went to stand off to the side. Azrael took a seat next to Raden.

"So we're just allowing banished Gods into these meetings now!" an angel yelled. It was followed by the agreements of others.

A death angel stood. "What gives you the right to invite him here? These matters aren't his."

These comments divulged into more yelling and arguing turning the room into a loud mess again.

"ENOUGH!" Everyone looked to Libena. She slammed her fist onto the table which echoed through the hall along with her yell. She cleared her throat and stood tall again. "This isn't exactly a proper meeting." She glared at the perpetrators.

Lorcán cleared his throat. "If I may..."

"No, you may not," Libena interjected quickly. "When word gets out to the rest of the Gods and Goddesses that there have been two deaths of Ancient Gods, it will not end pretty. That is why... I have chosen to call this meeting. It feels only right that both Death angels and Archangels have some say given this will be their leaders."

A low mumble surged through the room but never became any more than that.

Libena watched the crowd waiting for someone to speak. When no one did, she took it upon herself. "I have a few Gods in mind that could work." Lorcán stood but Libena shot him a nasty glare causing him to sulk in his chair. "You and I both know it wasn't going to be you."

Crius was in deep conversation with the rest of the death angels for several minutes as Libena spoke. He nodded and stood along with the others. Raden looked between them and Libena who patiently waited for what they had to say. "We do not wish for a God to take the place of Merikh and title of Death."

"Pray to tell where you are going with this?" Libena leaned in curious.

"We wish to choose Raden."

The sound of a falling quill could've has been heard in the hall. Lorcán looked almost murderous but Libena was quite amused. Raden sat in pure shock and awe as he stared blankly at his brothers.

Libena smiled and shook her head causing the sun to dance across her raven hair. "There's nothing against it."

"Libena he isn't a God. He can not take on such a role." Lorcán rushed out as if the time on earth would end if he didn't get it out fast enough.

"There are no rules against it. Hell, there are no rules set in place that a God or Godesses has to take the place." Libena bit back. Lorcán looked almost defeated.

Raden looked over at Azrael who was just as shocked as him. He had no words to express to her. His mind raced with thoughts and none ended with them being together if he took on this role.

"Raden," Libena said softly. Raden snapped his attention away from Azrael. Everyone's eyes were on him. "The choice is yours."

"And it's a damn good one," Deimos cut in. There were a few chuckles from the rest.

Raden looked around the room at all the waiting faces. He finally made it to Azrael's. He couldn't read her like he always could. Her eyes were clouded from exhaustion and a storm of emotions. He turned back finally finding his voice. "I can't leave her."

"What?" It was Azrael who snapped out of her haze. "Raden, no."

He shifted back to her. "I worked too hard getting you back. I'm not leaving you again."

Azrael looked over at Libena. "Can you excuse us?"

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Libena nodded and Azrael stood to walk out with Raden. Lorcán was mumbling something under his breath as she walked away but that was neither here nor there.

She pulled him a ways away from the hall hoping no one would try and listen.

"Nothing you say will change my mind, Azrael."

Azrael turned to face Raden. She swallowed the pain in her throat and forced herself to look him in the eyes. "Raden, they need a leader and... and the universe can't go on without Death."

"And they can find someone else," Raden argued.

"They don't want someone else. Rade, they want you." Azrael was fighting against every cell in her body screaming at her. She knew letting him stay would be the greatest act of selfishness she could do. Nothing in this world or the next could make her commit such an act. "Take it."

He shook his head. "No. No, I won't do it. You mean more to me than anything else in life."

Azrael grabbed his face gently wiping away tears that had begun falling. "We can find a way if this is meant to be. Right now though finding a replacement for Merikh is more important, and you Raden should be that person."

Raden placed a hand on top of one of hers and closed his eyes taking in her touch. At that moment, he knew what his choice would be. He let out a pint of breath and opened his eyes again. Azrael watched him and all he could do was stare back. Those beautiful hazel eyes engulfed him in another world all their own. How Raden wished he could stay there forever.

"What do you say?"

"I know what I have to do," he whispered. Raden kissed her forehead before wrapping her in a tight hug. "You know how much I love you?"

"I love you too."

~~~*~~~

Back inside conversations were happening all over. Anéislis stood silent watching over and Lorcán looked like a toddler who had been sent to time out. Something quite out of character for him. The talking died down as Raden and Azrael entered back in and took their seats again. He held her hand tightly in his lap.

"Have you made your decision?"

Raden stood looking at Libena all the angels that were before him. "I have chosen to take on the role." A few cheers erupted and Raden gave a brief smile.

Libena smiled and gave a nod. "A fitting title for you my dear."

"If I can." Lorcán stood. Libena looked as if she was going to punch him. "I would be honored to take the title my dear friend Arjan once held."

Deimos raised an eyebrow and glanced at Raden then back. "I think we all collectively agree that you weren't friends with our master."

"Lorcán I swear to the Gods I will cast you into hell below if you don't stop." Libena pinched the bridge of her nose.

Lorcán stood. "I see that you need someone who understands what power comes with Life. Raden has no clue what it is to be a God. He will need help understanding his role as well."

Libena turned and folded her arms. "Lorcán, you are barely a God. Many of you are barely Gods. You all do not understand what it is to hold great power. If I remember correctly, you hid away in your precious palace while the king in the east was slaughtered and your own city fell under attack." She began walking closer and closer to him. "You barely understand your powers, which aren't much, let alone what it takes to be Life. Now either sit down and shut your mouth or leave before I do something I greatly regret."

Not another word fell from Lorcán's lips as he sat back down. The only thing that came from him was a nasty glare.

Deimos stood after a minute of silence. "I've chosen for me and my men." The other archangels watched their leader stand ready to speak. "I think it's safe to say that no one in their right mind would even offer the role of Life to any God here. None fought with us or for us. They chose to stay hidden."

"What are you saying?"

"Libena, we would like to offer Azrael this title." Deimos looked around at his men and they all nodded. Even the one that was particularly friendly with Azrael.

Lorcán shoved his chair away with so much force it fell with an echoing thud. "THAT IS ENOUGH! It's one thing to choose a lesser celestial..."

Raden raised his brows. "Excuse me?"

"But casting your lot for a human is outrageous and I will not have it!" This was a side to Lorcán Azrael had never seen before. By the looks of it, many others hadn't either. Azrael sat in fear of what he may do next.

"May I say something," Anéislis spoke.

"You can stay out of..."

Libena shot a glare that could kill ten thousand men toward Lorcán, but that didn't stop him.

Lorcán stalked over to Anéislis who was seemingly not bothered by the sudden approach. He casually peered down at Lorcán as he was about two feet taller. "You are not welcome here. Whatever you say will not matter."

Anéislis looked ahead towards Libena who was about to kill Lorcán. "On a technicality, Azrael is of Goddess decent. Thanks to Merikh." Azrael sat completely speechless at what was unfolding before her. There was nothing godly about her so what was he getting at?

"She is merely a mortal." Lorcán threw his hands in the air. "How do tell is she of any decent?"

"Azrael has been given a portion of my sister's powers. She is a child of my family, therefore..." He peered down once again. "She would only be half mortal."

Raden looked as if he was going to crack a smile and Libena was already shaking her head in laughter. The rest of the room sat watching the drama of Lorcán's tantrum unfold.

Lorcán turned to Azrael. "You accept this and you will no longer be welcomed in my kingdom. No mortals should choose to outpower a celestial." There the truth was.

Azrael stood calmly. Her body protested every move she made but she ignored it all. "You are no better than Merikh then. You see mortals and clearly celestials that do not hold a deity status beneath you. I believed you were once kind but you have shown your true colors. I do not wish to ever visit again if this is how I will be treated."

Anger flashed in his eyes and towards Azrael he ran. Raden was up on his feet in a flash pushing her behind him. All the angels readied their weapons, but Lorcán was stopped before making five feet towards her. Anéislis had his hand out and Lorcán was frozen in place. "Continue as you were," he casually answered.

"Right," Libena had been taken by surprise as well but quickly composed herself. "Azrael, it seems that you have been submitted. What is your answer?"

She looked around at all the waiting faces but never at Raden. He squeezed her hand as he still stood ready for a fight. She stepped aside and faced the large group of archangels. "You wish for me to be your leader and God of life?"

"You showed us all on the battlefield what you are capable of. Not only a fighting spirit but one that leaves no one behind. We believe Arjan would be proud of this choice." Deimos stood and spoke. She looked around at the others who had hopeful looks.

Azrael graciously turned to Libena. "It would be a great honor to lead these angels." Libena clapped her hands together in glee and began chatting away with the angels.

However, everything faded away as Azrael turned to Raden. A bright boyish smile was painted on his lips. Those tired eyes were bright with joy. Azrael couldn't help but return such a smile.

What a day this was turning out to be.