Raden made it to Ifera in record time. Much of the city had been evacuated in the last few days in fear of an attack and reinforcements were being brought from the west. Forces were placed strategically within the city hoping that would slow any ground attack.

Raden flew straight for the castle courtyard and hit the ground running. The halls were empty of any royal staff and only guards stood ever so often. Raden rushed passed trying to think where Lorcán would be at this hour of the night. He headed for the private office first only to be welcomed by an empty barren room. All books, scrolls, and private papers had been moved. Raden huffed and raced down the steps again.

He looked around and saw a young soldier standing guard. The poor boy looked as if he would keel over at a moment's notice. "You, where's the king?"

"I... I don't know." The boy reached for his sword but stopped as he watched Raden's eyes shoot to his hand. "We don't want any trouble here."

"Just tell me where Lorcán is," Raden ordered.

He heard someone whistle and snapped his attention toward the source. It was another guard who he often remembered would stand guard by Lorcán's office. Raden glared at the boy before running off.

The guard fell into step with Raden as they made their way down the long hall. "Lorcán is in the war room."

"War room?"

"Old storage room that was converted for a meeting place to go over the plans." The guard explained. They turned a corner and two guards met them. They stepped aside as they saw who was coming and Raden burst through the door to a very surprised Lorcán and Deimos.

Deimos was the first to speak. "Where are my swords?"

"With Serkan."

"And Azrael," Lorcán joined in.

"Also with Serkan."

Deimos threw his hands in the air and walked away from the table. Raden just cast glances between the two. The others that sat at the table were casting nervous and confused looks between themselves until Raden spoke up.

"I need the archangels." Deimos snapped his head towards Raden. "There's a chance that Serkan headed back to the Eastern kingdom and I need all the help I can get."

"We're not leaving Ifera unguarded, Raden," Deimos answered.

Raden folded his arms in annoyance. "There isn't time to stand here discussing battle plans. We could stop him before..."

"It's Merikh." Lorcán interjection. The air in the room was sucked out and silence fell. Lorcán stood from his seat being as calm as ever. "We were warned a few days ago that he was planning an attack. The city has been evacuated and now it's only a waiting game."

"But if we..."

"Didn't you just hear Lorcán? We're not leaving the end of the story. You go ahead and save your little love interest..."

Raden rushed passed and had Deimos pushed against the wall. "Do not insult Azrael," he said darkly. Deimos was wide-eyed with shock. Lorcán snapped his fingers and had guards separate the two.

"If there won't be civil conversation then both of you will leave immediately." Lorcán looked between the two. Raden rolled his shoulders so the guards would let go.

"All I'm saying is. We need Azrael in our custody." Raden glared at Deimos. Lorcán understood immediately. He placed a hand on Raden's shoulder and squeezed slightly Raden looked back and saw an understanding look.

Lorcan looked over at Deimos. "Prep a few of your men. They're going with Raden."

"Are you kidding..."

"Azrael is the weapon, Deimos," Lorcán simply said. That shut Deimos right up. He left without another word. Lorcán then turned to Raden. "You do whatever it takes. We can't have her falling into Merikh's hands."

Raden nodded.

~~~*~~~

King's City was caught by surprise when Serkan showed up with force. Azrael was by his side but had not yet used her powers. The hoards however didn't waste any time in destroying the city Azrael had come to love.

"We're going to find the bastard who they chose to rule this kingdom," Serkan whispered into Azrael's ear. He guided her through the burning streets. Azrael kept her focus straightforward. She couldn't stomach what was being done here. He wrapped his arm around her waist. "Hold on." And they vanished.

They appeared at the gates leading to the castle. Below King's City became hell. Azrael looked upward as the gates seemingly disappeared into the darkness then back to the lock in front of her.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Now's your time to shine darling."

Azrael shook her hands out trying to rid her body of the anxiety. She held out a hand and the familiar warmth washed over her then a burst of energy exploded from the palm of her hand completely shattering the gates. Serkan grabbed her arm and they pushed forward. The courtyard was littered with the bodies of soldiers. Some of the bodies were mangled and unrecognizable while others looked almost to be asleep. As they walked through Azrael peered up at the arch above the main entrance. She froze in fear at the sight of the heads of soldiers that were pinned into the arch.

"Someone's already done our dirty work," Serkan chuckled. Azrael didn't react but was moved along by Serkan.

The halls were only lit by the moon through the windows. All light had been extinguished making it harder to navigate. Every hair stood on Azrael's arms and she froze again. Serkan looked back at her grabbing her hand and trying to pull her along but she wouldn't budge.

"This isn't the time to play. Let's go," Serkan snapped angrily.

Azrael shook her head. "Someone's watching us," she whispers.

Serkan rolled his eyes and pulled her along. "And they won't be a match against either of us."

Azrael lost the battle and forced herself to keep walking. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something block the moon's light. She glanced over quickly but it had vanished. She kept moving trying to keep her breathing level.

They turned into a larger hallway and this time both stopped. Maybe ten feet away stood a glowing halo. Azrael wasted no time and slipped from the grasp of Serkan. She bolted down the hall as fast as she could looking for any place to hide or an exit. The angel had taken off towards them both but she couldn't tell where he went. She continued down the hall and found an unlocked door she burst through. It was the hospital wing by the looks of it. Azrael looked around for anywhere to hide and found a large cabinet that had been stocked with blankets. She ran over quickly pulling out a few blankets trying to make a small space for herself when a loud tapping of metal against marble was heard behind her. Azrael turned and was greeted by the face of a death angel. Eyes of the glowing red bore into her soul. She knew this was it.

The death angel stalked closer tapping his blade to the floor with each step. Like the heartbeat of its prey in the final moments. Azrael leveled her breathing and held her hand out. A ball of golden magic shot out toward the angel but he managed to dive out of the way. She tried again and again but he was quick enough to avoid being hit. Azrael saw a door to her right as she frantically thought of a way out. Without a second thought she through a bold of electricity towards the angel and sprinted for the door. She managed a hand on the handle when she felt the wind whip around her from the powerful wings of this angel. A hand snaked around her waist.

"Don't fight it won't end well for you," he whispered into her ear. "Calmly walk with me and keep quiet. We've sent word to Lorcán a few minutes ago about your capture."

Azrael looked at the angel with complete surprise but he held up a finger to his lips and shook his head. He took her by the arm and led her out of the wing and down the hall. She kept quiet but her mind was racing. Why was this angel helping her? When would Lorcán's men arrive? In all of this would Anéislis be able to help her if she called? Her mind wandered until the doors of the throne room opened. Azrael was brought back to the present when she saw that the king of the east lay dead on the steps to his throne and death sat with a smile.

"So Serkan has captured you at last." Merikh mused. "How does Raden feel about this?"

Serkan snorted, "Doubt he has much to say on the matter."

Merikh frowned at the demon prince. "I wasn't speaking with you." Serkan scowled and mumbled something under his breath. This caused Merikh to stand from the throne in anger. "I will not have you disrespect me." His voice boomed through the castle. The chandelier above shook with the same fear as Azrael.

"Oh come on now. You Gods haven't lifted a finger in this war. I did all the dirty work and that finally paid off." He motioned to Azrael. "You should be impressed that I bested a fucking death angel and still got my weapon."

Merikh sat slowly. His stare shot daggers into Serkan but he seemed clueless about the hatred Death held. "You killed a death angel? Well, that is something, but then again he wasn't much of one."

"Fuck you," Azrael spat

"Oh stop with the dramatics. He wasn't. Truth be told he became soft and a liability." He leaned forward from his seat. "Raden was my greatest failure."

Anger coursed through Azrael's veins. "You are a sorry excuse of a God. You've abused your power for too long Merikh and I intend..."

"To do what," he chuckled. "You've fallen into my lap and I intend on using you until there's nothing left."

"As you did with that forgotten Goddess." Azrael challenged. She watched as a truly evil being finally revealed himself. The smirk that played on his lips was wiped away leaving only a deep frown. His eyes were empty of any emotion. This was Death in his truest form and one that had been hidden away for centuries.

Serkan looked as if someone had slapped him unexpectedly. He turned his attention from Azrael to Merikh. "What is she going on about?"

Without a word, Merikh walked down the steps toward Azrael. She kept her head up as he bore holes through her head. He stopped mere inches from her and tilted her chin up. "Who told you about her?"

"You're smart enough to figure that out."

Merikh looked intrigued. He stroked the side of her face with the back of his hand not saying a word. Azrael closed her eyes pulling away ever so slightly.

"Excuse me but what the hell is she going on about!" Serkan couldn't stand being out of the loop on any discussion. He would pry his way into any conversation if it meant he would come out on top. And this was no different.

"You may intimidate many but this charade you've created is quite an annoyance to me."

Serkan scoffed, "I really don't care. Now I've had enough of this back and forth and I'm taking her and we're leaving." He pulled away from the angels but they held tightly. "Tell your bastards to let me go."

Merikh wrapped a hand around Serkan's throat and began to squeeze. "You dare speak to me that way." Serkan's eyes widened as he started gasping for air. The death angels stepped away and all watched in silence. "I kneel before no one. Not a human or demon scum. Nor do I kneel before any God. You do not demand things from me or of me. You fall to your knees in prayer that I do not steal your soul for my collection."

Serkan clawed at Merikh's hand which only tightened. His face was turning shades of blue and purple and all blood vessels popped in his eyes. "Who are you?"

"I am Death"