A loud crack echoed through the room. Merikh had snapped Serkan's neck and tossed the body to the floor. He looked down in disgust and motioned for the angels to take the body and leave.

Azrael was absolutely horrified at the site and stood frozen. Merikh walked over grabbing her arm but she managed to pull away.

"You want to end up like that demon?"

"I would rather die than be used by you," Azrael answered quietly. Merikh roughly grabbed her face and turned her head towards him.

"I can arrange that I'm done." He stared into her eyes. "You remind me so much of her. Right down to the defiant attitude."

Azrael realized who he was referring to. "I'm more like her than you would ever realize."

Merikh laughed. "You count me ignorant? I was the one who gave your ancestors that power. You're here because of me. Because I..."

"You took advantage of a girl who only wanted to be loved." Azrael glared. Her hands shook and her heart pounded against her rib cage. "Your narcissism was her downfall."

"Her downfall was being what she is. I did what I did because of you stupid humans. Who aren't even grateful." Merikh boldly answered. "I gave you all a glimpse of the power and you hide it away because it's shameful? The whole human race went to hell, so I'm here."

Azrael shook her head pushing Merikh away. "You all were the reason the Forgotten Gods became that... they treasured this world and everything in it."

"They all hated humans."

"Because you fed us lies of them!" Azrael found herself lying on the ground. Merikh towered over her. She held her stinging cheek and look up with watering eyes. "You knew they would've never followed you if you didn't."

Merikh kept quiet and fixed his clothing. Some blood had splattered from what Azrael could assume was the battle in the courtyard. "Lies are sometimes essential. It kept you weak mortals safe and comfortable for years. Now, it seems that things are changing and that's not good is it? I can't have you humans running around causing a stir in the celestial realm because you missy have befriended a Forgotten God."

"So what if I've chosen to place my belief with a more powerful being than you?"

"You're playing a dangerous game Azrael. You have no clue what they're capable of or what you've unleashed below that mountain." He saw the shock fall across her face. "You don't think I know. I know everything that happens in this world."

Azrael stood and crossed her arms. "So why not stop me from meeting him? Why not stop this war before it got to this point?"

"I wanted Serkan to find you first before I set foot on any battlefield." Merikh went to the steps looking at the king. "That little bastard had no clue the capability of your powers. He was my chance of finally having you in my custody. Him killing Raden was extra." He chuckled. "Now though. Now is when we set the plan in action."

"What plan?"

Merikh turned back to her. "A cleansing of the world."

Azrael shook her head and began backing up ready to bolt. But Merikh held her with only his gaze. "I won't allow it. You can't force me."

"You know better than anyone how powerful names are." Azrael wasn't sure where he was going. "Let me share with you a little story while we have all the time in the world. You have quite a unique name my darling. Ever wonder where it comes from? No, well let me tell you. There's a story that has been passed down for generations of an angel. This was no archangel high and mighty and full of righteous anger. No this was a powerful being of judgment. His name was Azrael. Azrael swept across the face of the earth casting judgment as his creator saw fit to keep the mortal realm in line. He did well. Until one fateful day when he was struck from the skies by mortal men that had been blessed by Goddess Life." He paused to allow the story to sink in fully. "Azrael was the angel of death before his downfall. Now, I believe you have come to take his place. To cast judgment on this world and to help me create a better world."

Azrael was shocked, to say the least. Merikh was talking complete genocide of the human race. And not just them but the entirety of this world being swept away. She looked at him in horror. "What does Arjan think of all this?"

"What Arjan thought is meaningless. Now come we have much to do."

"You killed her. You killed life itself." Azrael's eyes stunk from fresh tears threatening to fall. "Why? You loved her."

Merikh sighed. "She made it clear that this realm was worth more than me." Hurt flashed in his eyes before being masked again. "My time is valuable and I have wasted too much of it on love. Arjan was an obstacle and needed to be removed." They were a pause before Merikh cleared his throat and grabbed Azrael by the arm. "Time is being wasted as we speak. Ifera will burn before daylight."

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Azrael began to push and pull. Trying her best to escape. Merikh had a firm grasp on her but that didn't stop her from fighting. He dragged her out of the throne room and to the courtyard. Many of the death angels were waiting there for further instructions. Merikh told them they were to go to Ifera and wipe out any armies in the city before attempting a battle with the archangels. They all left and Merikh walked Azrael out further to look over the city.

The city was no more. It was but burnt ash and rubble. Now only a whisper of the past.

~~~*~~~

A soldier charged into the courtyard where Raden and a group of archangels stood discussing a battle strategy. "Wait!" All eyes were trained on the poor soul who had run from the city. "I've just received word," large inhale, "Merikh has captured the girl."

"We need to find them now," Raden barked.

"Hold on I wasn't finished." The soldier held up a hand as he continued his struggle to catch his breath. "Merikh has captured the girl in King's City and they're on the move."

Raden looked over with impatience. "To where exactly?"

"Dude I just sprinted from the other side of Ifera give me a damn minute." This got a few chuckles from some of the others standing around. Raden shot them all warning glares that shut them up quickly. "They're heading here. The legion of death angels was sent ahead to wipe out our armies in the city then the archangels."

Raden turned to one of the angels. "Tell Deimos and Lorcán now." He turned back to the soldier. "When the legion arrives hide them throughout the city and everyone is ready for an ambush."

"You're not serious about having us fight Death!"

"No. I'm about to have us kill the motherfucker." Raden ran back inside the castle hoping word reached Lorcán before he got to him. Luckily enough it did.

Deimos began barking orders for his men. Lorcán was rushed off to the innermost room of the castle and guarded tightly. The entire castle was going into lockdown with royal guards posted at every potential entryway. Much of the celestial army was sent out to the city waiting for the arrival of death angels with Deimos and Raden staying put at the castle.

Both watched over the city. Not much could be seen from the castle as Ifera became a ghost town overnight, but they stood over it nonetheless.

"You think we'll finally be able to end this war," Deimos broke the silence.

Raden stood stoic in the shadow of the night. "It's our only option. If we don't stop this now then there won't be another day to fight."

Deimos looked over at Raden. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah," Raden answered hesitantly. He glanced over at Deimos watching him rest on his arms against the banister.

"What happened? You went in so confident that Azrael would be coming back with you."

Raden sighed. He sat against the banister folding his arms. He turned to face Deimos who was waiting patiently for an explanation. "Serkan had placed several charms and spells on that place he had Azrael. All to dull or completely extinguish any powers. I don't know how I found her because on top of all that it was a complete labyrinth of halls and doors."

"That sounds like a pocket dimension. I've only ever seen one in my life." Deimos added. "They only last as long as one person is there."

"Good to know." Raden shook his head slightly getting back on track with his story. "Serkan had me chained up and beaten. He cut off my wings and broke my halo."

Deimos raised his eyebrows in shock and shook his head. "Fucking hell man." Then his brows knitted together. "How're you standing here if you were on death's door."

"I don't know." Lie. "I just remember hearing someone speaking and I woke up alone and healed."

"Looks like you had a guardian looking after you," Deimos joked and smiled. Raden smiled as well.

It was moments like these. The small jokes or smiles made up for the hell they endured.

"You really love her."

Raden nodded. "She's my purpose in life."

Deimos pushed back on the banister and patted Raden on the shoulder. "Then let's make tonight count."

~~~*~~~

The night had fallen quiet under the full moon. Deimos and Raden took thirty-minute shifts down in the city. Still nothing. But everyone stood on high alert. Hour three began and someone sounded the alarm on the city's far east side. They had been spotted. Deimos and Raden rushed into the city to greet the legion of death angels and place them with other teams.

As they all settled in, the air thickened with dread, and anxiety spread quickly. Raden disappeared into the shadows keeping hidden if this was indeed Merikh. The others prepared their weapons.

~~~*~~~

The city stood proud as Merikh arrived. He stood atop the walls with Azrael gazing out across the beautiful city. She smiled to herself knowing that Merikh would be boiling at the site of Ifera in one piece.

"They'll pay for disobeying my commands."

Azrael felt a bolt of courage strike and she turned to Merikh. "You're outnumbered. So what makes you think that this ends well for you?"

Merikh chuckled. "I am Death. I am undefeated and will stay that way."

"There's an army waiting for you to step foot in the city. Sure you can kill the human soldiers but there's a legion of archangels and death angels waiting to tear you apart." Azrael answered cooly. Truth be told she was absolutely terrified.

He turned to her with a wicked smile. "You are my beautiful weapon. You will cast judgment on this city tonight."

"No." Azrael stepped back. "I will not." She felt her power surge in a split second. She threw a small fireball hitting Merikh in the chest.

Azrael saw his hand twitch ever so slightly and portals began opening below. Out poured infernal hoards into the city. Azrael watched in horror as Ifera went under attack. Merikh grabbed her by the back of the neck pulling her close. "You are mine. What I say goes. Now we're going to march into that castle and you will end the life of that Gods forsaken king."

Merikh marched Azrael through the city. He wanted her to see the carnage that was beginning because of the hoards. No one cast a glance towards them. Fire erupted around them but Merikh pushed them forward. Azrael tried to fight but found herself stuck in a tight grasp. By the time they made it halfway through the city. Most were engulfed in flames and azrale was trying her best to keep from inhaling the smoke. Her eyes burnt and her lungs screamed. She wanted to run but couldn't. As she fought in this losing battle, a faint outline of a man danced through the smoke. She squinted her eyes but couldn't make it out. Not until he yelled.

"MERIKH!!!"

Azrael thought her legs would give out. She couldn't believe her eyes or ears.

Merikh turned and for the first time was completely shocked at what stood in front of him.

Raden stepped from the darkness into the fires of war. His halo glowed brightly above and his wings spread ready for take off. He walked forward with purpose. Anger fueling each step. His eyes glowed with righteous rage.

Death's time had run out. And Raden was coming for his head.