Azrael knew it was only a matter of time before someone came knocking on her door. It always happened. The light was fading outside and Azrael was losing precious time in her escape. She had packed a backpack of clothing and sat it at the door. The last thing she needed was to find her hidden stash of money that she kept for this reason. After some time of tearing her workshop to pieces, she finally found it. At this point, the sun had fully set, and traveling was dangerous but something Azrael would risk. She grabbed a lantern and supplies and walked outside. Azrael paused outside and gave one last look at this little cottage she had called home for the last four years. She snapped her fingers and a small flame appeared to dance in her palm. Azrael tossed it towards the cottage and watched her home slowly burn in front of her.

She pulled out her medallion and set it. Yells started in the village and Azrael knew there was no going back now. The medallion chirped and she clicked it. With a pop, she was gone and traveling through time and space to another town and a new life to start yet again.

~~~*~~~

Raden found his way back to the battleground he was ordered to be. The camps were quite loud and the energy was heavy with excitement. Raden didn't care for situations like this. He landed on the outskirts and walked through the camps catching everyone’s eye as he marched past. Raden's emotions were running high and something he wasn't used to. Azrael had done a number on him in those few days and leaving in that split second broke something in him.

Zadkiel stopped mid-conversation when he saw that Raden was walking his way and ran over. "Raden! We thought you dead."

"Where's Deimos?"

Zadkiel looked nervous. "Oh um..."

Raden raised an eyebrow and with a lone warning, tone spoke again, "Zadkiel I'm not in the mood to be sent on a wild chase. Now, where is Deimos."

"He's in a meeting."

Raden headed off for the main tent where all these meetings were held. Zadkiel ran after him in hopes of persuading Raden to stay behind. "Don't try and stop me. You won't like the end result."

"He's talking to your superior," Zadkiel blurted out. Raden paused and turned around. His gaze was set on Zadkiel.

"My superior is not one for ludicrous meetings of pathetic arc angels," Raden muttered. He turned back around and continued walking with Zadkiel still on his heels.

Word was spreading fast that the death angel had indeed cheated death. Whispers were flying almost as fast as the angels themselves as they hopped around the camps. Raden ignored it as his eyes were set on one angel in particular.

He saw the tent and the warm latter light that lit the entry. Raden with no hesitation welcomed himself into the tent and surprised about eight others who sat around a table. He looked around and saw a very surprised Deimos who was in a deep conversation with a man Raden had never seen before.

"You," Raden's voice dropped to almost a whisper, but it sent shivers down everyone's spines. He walked over to Deimos who stood to defend himself. However, Raden was quicker and sent a left hook Deimos' way.

Deimos was sent to the ground. The others stood and readied their weapons. "What is the meaning of this?" It was the man who sat next to Deimos. He held himself tall and proud. "I would highly suggest you explain this act of violence."

Raden looked around at everyone getting a sense of weapons. He then turned his attention back to the stranger that stood before him. "Let this traitor explain himself," Raden said kicking Deimos in the ribs.

The stranger peered down at Deimos who was now slowly trying to stand. Zadkiel ran in and paused looking at the chaos Raden had performed then at the stranger. "Lord Merikh, I tried to stop him from entering." Raden shot his focus to Zadkiel.

Who the hell is this guy?

"That is quite all right my dear boy. He seemed very passionate about a matter between Deimos and himself," the so-called Merikh answered. He gave Raden a quick glance only they seemed to share. "Now Deimos would you share with me what your friend's outburst was caused by?"

Deimos stood still holding his broken nose and glaring at Raden. "He challenged my authority and didn't take kindly to my orders. I ordered him to stay in camp until we could clear up why he was sent here. He believes that he is above my authority as seen by this display."

"I remember things going a bit differently Deimos," Raden spoke. He moved his focus to 'Merikh' and continued, "During an attack, Deimos took it upon himself to end my life on the battlefield because he did not like that my master gave me orders to move here."

Silence filled the tent. Zadkiel fidgeted nervously as the tension grew between Deimos and Raden. "This is why you were called here Merikh," Zadkiel asked. Merikh turned to the young angel.

Merikh paused for a brief second then continued, "I was sent word that one of my soldiers was missing and I personally wanted to come and search for him." He turned to Raden. "I see that you are indeed not missing and my travels were in vain."

"My master would never state something as rude. Secondly, he would not need to be sent any information that his sons were missing. He would know the second they were presumed missing or dead." Raden glared at the imposter. Something in his mind was telling him to run, but he wanted to wait a bit longer to see if this man would should his true self.

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The imposter stared blankly at Raden not giving away what he was thinking. "Well, sometimes more important matters are at hand."

Deimos turned to Raden. "If you knew what was good for you, then you would leave this tent and we'll sort out the consequences later. We have bigger issues to work out here than your master not carrying for you."

"What's my name?"

The imposter waited calmly. "I'm sorry?"

Raden took a deep breath. "My name. What is my name?"

"We don't have time for these foolish games..." Deimos was cut off by Raden.

"Wait a minute Deimos." Raden kept a steady grip on his sword in case things were get worse.

The imposter held his composure well, but Raden could see his mind working overtime. "I've seemed to have forgotten it. Would you mind reminding me..."

"It's funny that you can't seem to remember something so easy," Raden chuckled darkly. "The first thing my master, you, gave all of us were names. He personally named his creation and not a minute went by where he ever forgot." Raden walked up to the imposter and leaned in close whispering in his ear, "So why are you trying to play God?"

The room went silent. Even Deimos who was about to burst with rage towards Raden paused. There was something menacing floating around the room and everyone felt its pull. Raden pullback to see the imposter smiling.

"They said you were too smart for your own good," the imposter answered and lunched for Raden.

Raden flew back knocking a few soldiers to the ground. Deimos ducked and looked over to Zadkiel for answers. He was just as confused. Raden flew out of the tent and through the tight paths through the camp. The imposter was quick on his tail. Raden knew if he didn't do something quick then his head might very well be taken as a trophy. He flipped around and raised his sword. Raden waited for the collision but it never came. The imposter had disappeared and left Raden clueless.

A cold blade edge ran across Raden's throat and a laugh erupted behind him. "You thought you would fight me that easily?" The dagger was digging deeper and Raden needed to think fast.

He took his free hand and grabbed the imposter's wrist. A bright light erupted from Raden's hand and the imposter yelled and let the dagger go. Raden turned around ready for another attack. "Who are you," he demanded.

The imposter held his wrist tightly as it had been badly burnt. Flames danced in his eyes as he cast a stare toward Raden. "A mere shadow is all you need to know."

Raden dove for him but he disappeared and Raden headed straight for a tent. Lucky for him backup had arrived in time to see him collide.

"You fighting with the tents now," Deimos asked.

Raden rolled his eyes and lifted off again. "I had him in my reach and he disappeared."

"So you have problems with everyone then. Including your master." Deimos looked almost entertained.

"That isn't my master. You want to know who my master is then think real hard as to why they call us death angels." Raden flew off before he could see Deimos' reaction. Out of nowhere the imposter appeared and grappled Raden sending them both toward the ground.

They hit hard and Raden was pinned. "Give up?"

The imposter was thrown off in a matter of seconds by a blur of white. Raden sat up and saw the Deimos had him tackled. Raden walked over to the struggling man and knelt down. He quickly ridded the imposter of any more weapons. He helped Deimos pick the man off the ground when he noticed the pendant around the man's neck.

"Oulixeus," Raden whispered. He looked the man in the eyes. "You're good as dead here."

They drug him through the camp and a crowd began to form. Neither Deimos nor Raden spoke but there was an unspoken agreement that this stranger wasn't good news. A few other arc angels met them and guided them to a secure tent where they tight the imposter to a chair and left Deimos and Raden alone with him.

"You're going to tell me everything I want to know or your throat or is going to match your wrist," Raden threatened. Deimos side-eyed Raden but kept silent.

The imposter rolled his eyes and smiled. "You don't scare me."

Raden placed a hand on the man's throat and bent down to eye level. "You should." The man's eyes flashed with a bit of fear, but as fast as it came it vanished.

Deimos stepped in and placed a warning hand on Raden's shoulder. "At least harm another body part. We still need him to talk." Raden took his hand off and stepped back. The man smiled wider and gave a wink. Raden rolled his eyes. Deimos turned his focus to the man and ask, "What's your name first off?"

"Serkan," he said boredly. Raden glared daggers toward him and Serkan laughed. He seemed to find his predicament humorous. "Can I at least get some tea here?"

"No," Raden said. "Why are you here? Oulixeus doesn't send just anyone to do his bidding and seeing how you have a pendant of his crest; I'm going to figure you're a pretty respected follower."

"So you've seen this before? Well bravo to you. Not many who meet us who wear such pendants live to tell their tells." Serkan slyly smiled. "And to answer your question. I am here for you."

Deimos spoke up, "What's so special about Raden?"

"Oh, where to begin?" Serkan let out a vile laugh. This all seemed to be a joke to him. Deimos and Raden glanced at each other and then back. "Well, my boss has a vendetta against every death angel that was created. A true hatred if you will, but our little friend here was spotted in Líadain with a pretty little thing attached to his hip."

Raden immediately shot forward wrapping his hands around Serkan's throat. Adrenaline pumped through his veins. Deimos dove for Raden to pry him off as Serkan let out a choked cough. "You keep her out of this!"

Serkan had a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Touched a nerve, have I? He isn't pleased about his demons being killed like that, but he's willing to forgive if he can have the precious witch."

"Over my dead body."

"That can be arranged," Serkan answered. "Now I think I've given you more than enough of my time and information here. Happy chasing Raden." Then he vanished from his restraints.

Raden had a sinking feeling and knew that this war was no longer one for the battlefields. He pushed Deimos away and walked out of the tent. Deimos follows after.

"What was he talking about," Deimos asked.

Raden stopped and turned. "Things are going on here that are way above your knowledge in this war. Stay here and continue fighting. My fight lays beyond this."

"Let me help then."

"You'll help by staying here out of my way and with your men. I leave and you never see me again as you intended before." Raden left Deimos standing in the midst of the beginning chaos as the others realized Serkan was gone.

You should have never left her side you dumb ass.

Raden flew off back to the cottage to find Azrael. He couldn't bare the thoughts that were racing through his mind of everything that could happen to her. He wouldn't dare let anything happen to her.