Kim Seokjin ran to the railing.
Grey's body was not on the ground. He bent further over the rail to see if she fell on the first floor. No trace of her there either.
He stumbled back, absolutely sick to his stomach. His mind zoomed faster than he could control, all of the panicking and bewilderment geared towards what he should do.
It physically disgusted him, this sensation. This accelerated heartbeat. This overindulgence in someone other than himself. The inside of his body felt enflamed. Sweat dripped down his brow, but no matter how much he tried to think of shadows to cool him off, he could barely do that.
Seokjin clutched his chest, the sudden pain there tearing him apart.
She stained the insides of his eyelids. Her lovely hair waving through the wind, her eyes pouring so much genuine concern into him that he had no choice but to confront it. He wished he could flip the Earth upside down so that she could fall towards him. And he would catch her, and... he didn't know what else.
The largest black wings he'd ever seen blocked the moon. Jin's jaw dropped as he spotted Hoseok, and the girl that wrapped her arms about his neck. A warrior soaring into battle, she said something into the Raven's ear. His black wings angled just enough for the wind to bring him in a perfect circle around the perimeter of the Eiffel.
Grey's command shattered the sky. "NOW!"
Seokjin heard the grating noise before he saw the source.
Jungkook slid down the Tower's edge by his boots, black sweatshirt bracing his arm against the bars behind him for traction. Jimin slid down the other edge, black blazer fanning in the wind. The Ripper drew his canines, hissing at Jin. They landed on the platform with a thud.
The doors to the second lift--the lift Grey didn't use--flew open. Nico held a ball of lightning in his palms.
Taehyung pulled himself over the second floor's railing with one arm, horns drawn.
Seokjin frowned at Jungkook and the Beast before him. He turned only to find Nico and Jimin--and Yoongi glowering at his other side. The Wraith kicked his knee, grabbing hold of his hair as he fell to the floor. Yoongi yanked his head in the direction of the Second King.
Jin snarled, facing Nico. But Nico stepped out of the way to make room for Vanity, who stood with both hands behind her back. Before he could so much as make a sound, two hands seemed to enter through his eyes into his brain.
"Sleep," said the Queen. Jin's eyes rolled to the back of his head.
Nico continued to build his lightning, the subtle buzzing loud enough to reach Taehyung's ears even though he stood at the farthest corner. The Second King glanced at the wolf. "Keep an eye on Hoseok!"
Taehyung growled, whipping towards the railing.
Jungkook asked, "How much longer?"
"There's so much hellfire," Vanity said. Her eyes were glazed over, as still and luminescent as the moon. "I'm extracting as much as I can, but I can't absorb it all. Solis put it in his heart."
"Then what do we do?" Jimin asked.
Vanity shook her head. "I can't save him. Not like this. Not right now. It would take days."
"Then we take him with us!" Yoongi looked to the other angels. "Someone disable him!"
Jungkook drew his katana, mouthing something before plunging the sword into Seokjin's stomach. The eldest angel lurched, blood spilling from his mouth. Yoongi furrowed his brows at the bodyguard.
Jungkook said, "The blood loss will slow him down."
Taehyung shouted over his shoulder, "Hoseok is lowering Grey to the ground! We can go--,"
Nico shoved Vanity from the lift as a column of purple flame shot through the center of the Eiffel. Yoongi dropped Jin and lunged for Nico, grabbing his jacket and winnowing him to a safer spot on the platform. Sparks showered from the rusty elevators, hellfire engulfing both capsules.
Taehyung shouted at Jungkook and Jimin. "Get on my back!"
He tore through his clothes, jet black fur spreading around his body as he grew to full size. Jimin ushered Vanity forward first, then Jungkook. The bodyguard left just enough room for Jimin. All three of them grabbed handfuls of Taehyung's coat as he ran down the length of the Tower.
Nico and Yoongi faced the column of purple flame.
"You take Jin," Nico said. "I'll meet you at our location."
Yoongi hesitated, not quite letting his body move. He couldn't just leave the Second King. Not when the First showed up like this. The essence of Rowan blazed throughout the city, painting all of it a rich lavender. Not only was it hot, it carried negative energy. Foreboding, intimidating energy that rooted Yoongi to his spot.
Nico shouted, "I said get Jin!"
One moment the Second King stood at his side, the next he was nowhere to be seen.
Yoongi leapt into action. He took hold of Jin's collar, picturing a glass pyramid and a building that could be mistaken for a palace. He pictured the hundreds of tourists he'd seen earlier. He pictured the many exhibits. Just as he began to disappear, another hand grabbed his other sleeve. Yoongi turned, face paling as Rowan smiled down at him.
:::
Hoseok brought Grey to the nearest street, dropping her gently on her feet. He was the opposite of sunshine. An image of rage.
"Jumping off the fucking Tower was not part of the plan!" A few stray feathers fell from his wings. "Are you out of your mind?"
Grey couldn't respond, the adrenaline making her head spin. She tried to catch her breath, but she glanced at Hoseok and wrapped him in a hug. "Thank you for catching me. I knew you were there."
"You are so lucky. So lucky!"He hugged her back, his hand patting the top of her head. A purring engine broke them apart.
Amelia pulled her motorcycle closer to the sidewalk. "Hop on."
Hoseok nervously studied the bike. Then he said, "Wait. You don't have any helmets?"
"No. Now if you'll let her get on, that would be great," Amelia yelled. Grey had seen her best friend ride before, but to see her in all black. She was serious, dangerously so. The motorcycle looked like it was hers, and she looked like she rode to Hell and back for fun. Still on a rush, Grey lifted her leg and straddled the seat.
"It'll be fine, Hobi," Grey said. "We have to go."
He pointed a finger at Amelia. "Be. Safe."
"You got it, Crow."
Hoseok seethed, "One more bird pun--,"
WHOOSH.
A colossal, purple spiral erupted in the center of the Eiffel. A wave of heat blew over Grey's clothes, through Hoseok's wings. All three of them gaped at the bonfire stretching all the way to the second floor. Rowan's power made the Eiffel Tower appear as nothing more than a decorative candle holder.
Hoseok peered at a shocked Grey. "Go. Now. I'll see you there."
Grey clutched Amelia's waist for dear life, her eyes never leaving the monstrosity.
Amelia tore into the street, dodging car after car as they slammed to complete stops. Bumpers collided with bumpers as all the people nearby watched their Tower burn like a pyramid of toothpicks. Amelia gained speed even as her pathways narrowed. Drivers panicked, trying to switch lanes or pummeling one another in the intersection. Grey's best friend steered clear, her jaw clenched in concentration.
Grey wasn't sure how much Amelia could hear, but she shouted anyway.
"Go, Amelia! Go!"
:::
Namjoon paced near the glass pyramid of the Louvre.
The gardens were so empty. The entire courtyard was. On three sides he was surrounded by palatial grandeur. To get to him, all other members of Anaphiel besides one would have to cross a bridge over the Seine River. So, that's where most of his focus went--on the trio of archways that provided access to their decided meet-up point. At any moment, he expected one of his friends to get to their makeshift base.
What he did not expect was for Yoongi to be first.
Jin's broad figure tumbled to the floor. Yoongi couldn't even watch him drop. Rowan still held his sleeve. The First King cocked his fist back, purple flame igniting at his fingertips as he decked Yoongi in the stomach. A column of hellfire rocked the angel from his feet. The Wraith flew so far, so fast that Namjoon couldn't see where he made contact with the pyramid, but he heard the glass shatter.
Rowan shook his hand out, smiling at his own handiwork. A bolt of turquoise lightning struck the space in front him. The blast shot Rowan into the base of a nearby statue. Nico hovered in the sky, his eyes burning teal, his lightning zipping up and down his body; a charged storm in the shape of a human.
Rowan coughed, sluggishly getting to all fours. Namjoon used the time to run towards the pyramid's remains.
Yoongi laid at the bottom of glass-ridden steps. His skin was cut, some fragments of the pyramid's wall actually stuck in his torso and arms. His eyes were closed peacefully. Namjoon ran down the stairs as fast as he could, kneeling at the Wraith's side. The Intellect gently shook his shoulders.
"Come on, Yoongi. Come on."
The Wraith stayed asleep.
Namjoon swore, the cacophony of thunder and fire from outside too loud for him to focus. Gingerly, he pulled Yoongi closer to rest the man's head in his lap. His fingers massaged Yoongi's temples. At this, Min Yoongi's eyes fluttered open.
Even while injured, he said, "We have to hold him off."
Namjoon smiled weakly. "Rest."
"Kill him."
The Intellect nodded hesitantly. "Nico is handling him."
Yoongi wheezed. Maybe a shard pierced his lungs. Maybe Rowan punched him so hard he was still off balance. Namjoon tried to calculate the problem and couldn't find it.
"He won't last," Yoongi rasped. "Need others. I can't--,"
"I know," Namjoon interrupted. "You're drained. We'll protect you."
Without another word, the Intellect left his friend on the floor. He charged back into battle. Nico held Rowan by the throat, silver and blue lightning dripping from his hands like falling stars as he tossed Rowan towards the garden. The First King skidded against the cobblestone path, the weight of his body digging up each stone. By the time he slowed, a small mountain of concrete and mud supported his back.
Black knives showered Rowan next. Not from Nico, Namjoon realized, but from Hoseok, who twirled against the wind meters above. The First King gurgled as one pierced his gut and another stabbed his shoulder. Hoseok angled his wings to circle back, another barrage of feathered knives shooting from his arms.
Rowan held a hand up. Every feather coming his direction ignited--and halted in midair. Rowan brought his palm forward. Ten, twenty, possibly thirty enflamed feathers flew back at airborne Hoseok. The Raven soared upwards, trying to outfly what was coming too fast. Before hellfire made contact with his wings, he dove towards the ground.
The First King yanked the knives that connected from his body, throwing them to the grass. He sat up slowly, glowering at the blackbird. Dusting his hands off, he managed to push himself up onto both feet.
"You think a pigeon is going to get the best of me?" Rowan snarled, baring his teeth. Flames engulfed his suit, his eyes now beaming purple as the hellfire coursed through his veins. "It will take more than that--,"
A massive paw cut him off. A black wolf, enormous and panting, growled so deeply the ground shook. One blue eye and one green, Taehyung barked in Rowan's face. His strong, thick neck craned back. Rowan yelled as the Beast's jaws snapped at his head.
Taehyung's canines never met the mark. Rowan, even on the ground, used both arms to hold open his jaw. Taehyung's doglike muscles strained to clamp. Rowan grit his own teeth, using all the strength in his somewhat human body.
In an attempt to bear down, the wolf lost his footing. Rowan snatched his hands from the animal's mouth, swinging his arm at Taehyung's snout. The Beast reared back, whimpering from the sting of hellfire.
Namjoon startled as Jungkook ran to his side.
The Intellect searched frantically for his other companion. "Where's Jimin?"
The earth trembled beneath their feet. Jungkook held Namjoon upright while they both stumbled. Both men whipped their gazes towards a crouched Jimin. The Ripper's fist was buried in a pile of concrete and soil. Beneath him was a crater. Rowan had already moved out of the way, but if Jimin's punch would have connected...
Jungkook said, "Where's Yoongi?"
"Down there," Namjoon said, pointing behind him. "He's spent. He can't winnow."
"We asked too much of him," said Jungkook. "He hasn't been resting as much as he should."
A raindrop landed on Namjoon's nose. He knit his eyebrows as another landed underneath his eye. A third landed on his forehead. He frowned, looking to Jungkook. But Jungkook scowled, wiping the mist from his cheeks.
"What is that?" Namjoon asked.
Jungkook's eyes slithered over Namjoon's shoulder. "Seven hells," he gasped.
:::
The final bridge to the museum's entrance came into view. Grey's heart leapt as she clung to her best friend. The crack of thunder brought them to this spot. So did roaring, shattering glass, and tremors that could be heard and felt from miles away. Her legs had gone numb from sitting on the jostling seat, but as she listened and rode her mind went numb too.
This was what a clash of angels sounded like.
Amelia's motorcycle revved harder, the speed so much for Grey that she felt the breath being stolen from her lungs. They neared the Seine River. A thin coat of mist dampened Grey's clothing. The girl sat up straighter to get a better look. A wave from the river crashed against the concrete railing. Water spilled onto the sidewalk, onto the street. More waves joined that one, building and colliding with the river's barriers. A monstrous wave crashed over the final bridge.
Amelia shouted, "Hang on!"
Grey tucked her head between Amelia's shoulders.
"Shit!"
Amelia shifted her hips, the back of the bike swinging to the forefront of the road. Grey yelped as the motorcycle toppled over while drifting to a stop. Searing, white-hot pain shot up her leg. Amelia barrel-rolled from the impact. The bike slid forward and into nothing but water.
Grey gasped from the floor.
The river rose. Like a body lifting from its grave. Like something long at rest finally awakened. A blockade of black water elongated into the sky--shielding the Louvre and everything behind it in rain. At the very top of the wall, the waves gathered and collected, separated into different compartments. Grey could barely see the top, but she recognized the shape the river formed.
Two hands, preparing to wash the entire museum away.
"What," Grey breathed, panting from her fall, "is that?"
A steady stream of blood trickled down Amelia's nose. The side of her face had been cut.
Her best friend said, "Vanity."
:::
The living wall splashed and sprayed. Two gigantic hands loomed over the battlefield.
Anaphiel, Nico, and Rowan stood paralyzed in their mercy.
The Queen of Angels strode through the entry, her liquid blockade fanning at her back; her own peacock feathers. She lifted her dainty arms above her head, and let them fall.
The tsunami waves surfed over the museum's walls, a torrent of water reaching for Rowan. Watery fingertips snaked around the First King's body. It rushed him, covering him yet cocooning him. Rowan flailed as the waves swirled around him almost like rose petals.
Water that escaped Vanity's hold pooled around Namjoon's feet. He dashed back into the pyramid, outrunning the river's grasp to heft Yoongi up. The water came up to his waist. The Wraith groaned, but Namjoon yanked him onto his feet. Slinging a limp arm around his neck, Namjoon walked them up the steps.
He joined the rest of his brothers, grateful that all of them were accounted for. Together, they watched the tsunami rage. After a few seconds, the waters calmed. As majestically as they had come, they departed; One body retreating from land and returning to its boundaries. Rowan flopped onto the ground. It was so quiet Namjoon heard the raindrops dripping from their clothes.
Nico turned to their group. "Are you all alright?"
Namjoon said, "We're as good as we can be." Yoongi dropped from his arms like a heavy log. The Wraith stayed that way, on his knees and staring into space. "Jin and Yoongi are out for the count."
"He burned me," said Taehyung. He had been covering his nose with his hand, but when he took it away, Nico blanched. Three claw-marks tore into the flesh above his nose. The skin was black and glossy. Hoseok looked away, disgusted.
Jimin glanced at his knuckles. "Bloody knuckles. What's new?"
Namjoon whirled on Vanity. "Have you seen Grey or Amelia?"
She said, "No, but I feel them close by."
"You are supposed to be with them as guardian." The Intellect tried to mind his volume, but his frustration won out. The key to this entire mission and her sidekick--his sidekick too--wandered the irkan-filled streets without protection. "Do you trust them on their own?"
"Yes," Vanity said. The Queen jerked her head towards the entry. Grey and Amelia ran towards them. Namjoon had never seen Amelia bleed before. Looking at all of her scratches, the red stains, he wondered how it was that she smiled upon seeing him. Grey limped at her side, waving to the entire cadre.
Nico teleported to them, one arm grasping Grey's to help her walk.
Grey's voice echoed over the clearing. "Are you guys okay?"
"Fine," Jungkook called back.
Nico whispered into Grey's ear. "You were very brave tonight."
She quirked an eyebrow. "Brave?"
The Second King grinned. She said, "I'm not getting a lecture? A threat?"
Nico's smile faltered. He stuck a hand in front of Grey's chest. She stopped walking just as a ring of purple flame encircled him, her, and Amelia.
"No," Grey breathed. "No!"
Jungkook sprinted for her. Nico held her back from stepping on the flames.
Grey's instincts brought her attention to Rowan. He laid on the ground, one arm pointed towards the bodyguard. She screamed at the top of her lungs, "Jungkook, stop!"
A ball of fire knocked Jungkook from his feet. The youngest angel soared with the blast's momentum. He hit the ground more than once, his clothes skidding him to a stop. He didn't move after.
Vanity raised her arms again. Another column of fire rose around her thin frame, blocking her from sight. Grey held Nico's arm, keeping him next to her. The Second King trembled in her hold.
Namjoon shouted orders. Jimin bared his fangs, Taehyung turned into a beast. Hoseok took into the sky. Together, they charged.
An invisible blast Grey couldn't even see cast them sprawling back. She watched in horror, every last angel that could fight somersaulting or tumbling like leaves in the wind.
Rowan staggered to his feet. His veins were purple. They glowed beneath his skin. His eyes were black where there was supposed to be white. His irises beamed with the fury of the Severed Realm. When he spoke, thousands of voices layered his--moans, wails, sorrow lacing each word like he was the voice of Death.
"I want Aelith!"
Grey hadn't realized she'd been crying until she could barely breathe. Sniffling, she grabbed Amelia until they were shoulder to shoulder.
Rowan keeled over, his head lolling like that of a puppet's. An inhuman scream burst from his throat. Two lumps formed at his back, growing, growing until they broke through his skin. Wings, Grey realized. Wings that were wide, tall, and made entirely of yellow, decaying bone. A wall of fire poured out from his shoulder blades. A plume of flame filling the sky like a cloud of purple smoke and embers. It was so hot that Grey shielded her face.
"Bring her to me!"
Rowan's mouth no longer moved. Rather, the broiling flame glistened and sparkled. Realization slammed into her like a train. That was him. Solis, the highest original demon of the Severed Realm was not concrete. He was an essence, an aura. Solis was hellfire.
"We don't have her," Nico yelled.
The fire flashed in response. "Do not lie to me!"
Yoongi screamed as purple flame encompassed his body.
"The Prince of Humility shall pay the price!"
"YOONGI!" Grey cried. She got on both knees. "Don't hurt him! Please, don't hurt him!"
"One by one, you will perish until someone brings me my general! I will take your Prince of Courage!"
The fire hit the bodyguard next. Jungkook spasmed on the ground.
Grey's heart broke. She choked on her own sobs, screaming for it all to stop. She couldn't take anymore of it--especially learning each of their past virtues. Yoongi, humility. Jungkook, courage. Amelia hugged her from behind, falling to the ground too. Her dark eyes were slick with tears as she watched. "Not him," Grey sobbed. "Not him."
Hoseok fell from the sky, purple searing through his wings. Namjoon and Jimin ran to catch him.
"Your Prince of Hope! Then, alas, your Prince of Purity!"
Jimin cried out, the fire disabling him completely.
"All of you are worthless! All of you!"
Grey noticed Taehyung crawling forward. Tears streamed down his cheeks, his body shaking like he could collapse at any second. Still, he pushed ahead one limb at a time. He dug a hand into his pocket and held a tiny object towards the flame with his head bowed.
His voice was husky, saccharine. "Take it."
In his hand was the cursed ring. The ring that held Aelith's spirit.
"Oh, Taehyung," Nico said sadly.
Rowan's body crackled to life, the human shell walking towards the Beast. Taehyung dropped it in his palm, his head falling.
The flames around Anaphiel fizzled out. Every member affected laid on the floor, lifeless.
"Prince of Generosity. Remember the consequences of your choice to withhold my general from me."
What took only a few seconds felt like forever. The bone wings popped, wrapping around Rowan in some sort of cage. The purple monstrosity of flame seeped back into Rowan's heart, the wings followed suit. The Rowan Grey was familiar with stood calmly with his hands in his pockets, glancing down at Taehyung without remorse. She blinked, and he was gone.
The ring around her and her friends disappeared. None of them moved. Grey feared that if they did, this would become real. She wouldn't be imagining any of it. Jungkook, Jimin, Yoongi, Hoseok, Jin... all of them staring ahead, fallen to a place she couldn't reach. Nothingness.
Nico peered down at stunned Grey. His voice was soft, kind. He said, "After this, I will no longer be able to assume my adult male form. I will still be your Luca, but I must use my abilities sparingly. Please understand."
Grey said, "Okay."
Nico added, "You and Amelia are our last hope."
He closed his eyes, pressing his palms together. All of the angels and Vanity lifted. Invisible hands tugged at Grey's waist, hoisting her up as well. Amelia gasped as she rose.
Then, the world faded to black as Grey was pulled through space and time.
:::
(A/N) Brave reader,
My heart is pounding really hard. I think I'm too attached to this story because I've hurt myself hurting everyone else, lol.
Honestly, this battle took a lot out of me because I used a bunch of brain power to write it. It feels like a final battle, but since it isn't (light spoiler), I hope I can come up with something way cooler to finish off Tear the Sky.
Thank you for reading.
Next release: 12/16 (December 16th)
This chapter is dedicated to toh125. It's a pretty big one, I hope you don't mind. You have been so wonderful and it's a joy cheering you on and being your friend.
Now, I'm gonna go be sad for the next ten minutes lol.
With love,
M