GPA Underground Research Lab

Two technicians sat in front of the monitors, yawning. "This is so boring."

The other rolled his eyes. "You’re new; you don’t get it. Boring is the best outcome."

"When it’s not boring, you’re worrying for your life."

"We’re getting paid to sit here, doing nothing. It’s a blessing."

Another chimed in, grinning, "Too easy. I almost feel guilty."

"This is responsibility. Paid to stay vigilant. I—wait, what’s that?"

The angel on the screen gave a slight twitch.

"Did she just move?"

"Did she?"

"No, couldn’t be."

And then, without warning, the angel erupted into golden flames on the monitor.

The two jumped to their feet. "This is it!"

"Alert the managers! I’ll call the fire brigade!"

...

Inside the containment cell, flames enveloped the angel, their relentless golden light licking over her wounds.

Guilty…

Curled up, Moon watched as memories flooded back—a life from birth to broken limbs, always accompanied by fire.

This flame haunted her, blazing through her pain.

The searing flames burned away her scars, leaving pristine, smooth skin behind.

Suddenly, a man with a gun burst into her room, aiming at her head. "Die."

Bang!

The gunshot roared, and Moon awoke.

Her wings shielded her, blocking the bullet, then, with one fierce swipe, another wing severed the man’s head!

Splat, splat!

Blood sprayed, yet the severed head began to regenerate.

But her wings seared him to ashes before it could.

She raised her hands, flames swirling around them as golden sparks danced in her eyes. Her feathers blazed with fire, yet the wings she’d lost before didn’t return.

She stood and strode out of the cell.

Soldiers rushed in, but fear kept them from advancing. Previous incidents had taught them to keep their distance from her.

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Moon cast them a brief glance before stepping into the elevator, ascending to the ground floor.

More soldiers, armed to the teeth, waited outside.

Their eyes held endless malice.

"The flames took everything, yet they gifted me with a new life. This is sacred purification," she murmured, voice steady with newfound purpose.

"I must be the Flame Spirit, a heart to break the darkness."

"Starting at the top."

The directors rushed forward, only to find one of Moon’s wings suddenly aiming at them.

"You vile criminal!"

Splat!

Her wing pierced one director's abdomen. He staggered, gasping. "You…"

Moon retracted her wing, only to watch the wound begin to close.

The director’s eyes turned blood red.

The room fell silent.

This could mean only one thing.

This director was a vampire!

Flames blazed in Moon’s eyes. "For those who willingly submit to damnation, forgiveness is beyond reach."

The director sneered. "How did you know? I’ve hidden it well."

Moon stepped closer. "From the beginning, the vampires vanished when needed, always knowing my location, tracking or avoiding me precisely."

"There was always a traitor, and I knew."

"The Holy Light has revealed the evil nestled within your heart."

Moon had long suspected vampires had infiltrated the GPA. She had slain certain individuals before, later learning they were vampires. Even her recent assailant had been one.

She’d once kept to herself. It wasn’t her concern.

But now, the time had come for them to atone.

The GPA soldiers raised their guns at the angel as she moved, every eye blazing crimson.

The Director of Asia’s fury erupted, “You bastards! What are you doing?!”

But his voice fell into silence. The soldiers didn’t answer—they were all vampires.

Just then, two other directors pulled out their guns, training them on the Director of Asia.

He faltered. “You?”

One of them grinned, revealing sharpened fangs. “It’s all out in the open now. What’s there to lose? Honestly, half the GPA are vampires.”

“We’ve worked together for years. I’d rather not part ways.” He leaned in, voice laced with smugness. “We’ve gained wealth, power—but immortality? Who could turn that down?”

The Director of Asia looked at his fellow directors—now vampires—with a bitter smile.

“I see… I see…”

One of the vampires pressed his gun to the Director’s head, casting a glance at Moon. “Angel, I didn’t expect you to survive. You know, I’m the one who tipped the Kitsune off about you. Our True Ancestor’s plan was perfect. Let you two factions destroy each other, and in the end, we reap the spoils.”

“Enough,” snapped another vampire. “You’re talking too much.”

“Afraid? We have a hostage, don’t we?” he sneered. “We planned to reveal ourselves after the Kitsune dealt with you. When you woke up, Abe was sent to kill you, but…”

Hearing this, the Director of Asia attempted to pull out his pistol, but a vampire lunged at him, slamming him in the stomach.

“Behave,” the vampire muttered, then turned to Moon. “Just look at this beaten-down Winged Angel. What could she do now?”

Without a word, Moon swept her wings forward. In an instant, she trapped a group of gun-wielding soldiers, her feathers lacerating their bodies. The room filled with screams of agony as her wings continued to multiply, spreading wildly behind her.

“Fire! Quickly, fire!” shouted a vampire, but it was too late.

With over thirty wings now shielding her, Moon repelled the bullets with ease. A vampire lunged forward, grabbing the Director of Asia by the neck.

“You better think carefully! Do you want him dead too?”

The Director of Asia glanced at Moon, then closed his eyes and shook his head in resignation.

Moon’s gaze hardened, and with a swift motion, her wings sliced through both the Director of Asia and the vampire holding him, cleaving them in half.

Splat, splat!

One vampire recoiled in horror. “You… you’re insane!”

But Moon appeared before him, slamming him into the ground with a single punch.

“She’s mad! The angel’s gone mad—run!”

Her gaze swept over the fleeing vampires as her wings stretched out, encircling them in an inescapable prison.

Their desperate shrieks filled the air, and Moon let out a soft, almost mirthless chuckle, though a tear slipped down her cheek.

“Ha ha ha ha ha…”

“Glorious wings, endless hopes, purity forged in flame. Yet, like bone, they’ll turn to ash and be devoured.”

“Darkness is what they’ve chosen, what they cherish in their hearts. There is no middle ground between good and evil. So, let it be—by my will, I shall judge, I shall teach.”