The sky burned black, the gold armor around Grey's shoulders and arms glinting from the sheer power within its welding. Gatekeeper rested in her palms, the sword's energy pulsing through her fingertips by the connection the First King created. His presence in her body grew exponentially, the magic of the Eternal Flame gracefully caressing the inside of her heart like phantom fingertips. Eyes set on the horizon, she clasped her sword with both hands, the blade stabbing into the ground.
The 42nd floor was a pavilion crafted of stone and marble walls connected by glass windows. Beige marble pillars stretched up to the rounded, coffered ceiling of the dome. Wall sconces brimming with white fire spilled light across the marble floor that used to house a clock. In preparation of Solis, Anaphiel stripped the greenhouse of its flowers and stream, transforming their palace replica garden into Grey's personal landing.
Here, she would monitor the angels' progress from indoors, using herself as bait to lure Solis towards the skyscraper's top floor. She purposefully stood in a window so that she could be seen by the Demon King when he approached. At her side was Vanity, the First Queen's auburn hair swept into a high ponytail. She wore a silver breastplate with a black long sleeve and black pants beneath, shinguards and two matching armlets on her upper arms. Luca sat on her hind legs before both of them.
All three of them stared into rain that mercilessly pelted the windows. Thunder clapped up above, the boom causing the fire in Grey's chest to leap and spread. Each time the lightning slashed at a different part of Seoul, the city grew darker in the resounding silence. So dark, that Grey began to see her reflection in the glass. Just on the other side of the window, the sky's tears cascaded down the sides of KSJ like a waterfall.
She closed her eyes and bowed her head.
Rowan. Please be with me.
As though he listened, warmth blossomed in her heart, a sense of peace soothing her nerves.
Aloud, Grey said, "I need to see through the storm."
Vanity raised a hand, making a sweeping motion with her wrist. The glass vanished, the rain streaming down like thousands of ink droplets. Meters and meters below, Grey noticed the silhouettes of seven men on the street just before KSJ's doors. They clasped hands, bowing their heads.
"What are they doing?" Grey asked.
"Creating the ward," Vanity said. Luca's tail swayed in curiosity.
A few seconds passed with the angels standing there conjoined. Grey squinted to get a better look. She couldn't so much as see the change as she could feel it. The wind whipped at their circle, rustling their clothes. Yet, the direction of the air shifted, their hair blowing upwards, their shirts lifting out of their belts.
The rain stopped falling. Grey stole a clear view of their block and the drenched angels. The sounds of water crashing against cement paused as though the world held its breath. As quickly as it had come, it vanished, the storm persisting towards the ground.
Grey asked, "What time is it?"
"8:49PM."
The angels split apart, small obsidian shadows scattering far below. Two of them came together, combining and rising up, up, up to the lone, circular window that'd been left ajar in the pavilion. Hoseok flew in, making a few circles before landing in the center and letting Jin off his back.
He bowed swiftly to Grey before she could remark about it. "We're getting into our lines."
Grey nodded curtly. "Any activity down there?"
"Not yet." Hoseok jerked his arms, water rippling from his wings. "I'm going to stay in here to keep myself dry."
Jin looked to Vanity. "Where do you think I can get the best view?"
Vanity said, "Right where we're standing. Don't forget, Jungkook draws the first move."
Jin nodded, positioning himself behind and to the side of Grey. Grey didn't look at him. She knew that if she did, she might not have been able to proceed. This burden to bear was hers and hers alone. She shouldn't place that emotional strife on him. She lifted Gatekeeper, grateful for Yoongi's strict training regimen. Had she not done so many push-ups, she might not have been able to lift it. "Can I put this away for a second?"
"Let Rowan take it," Vanity said.
"Rowan?" Grey furrowed her brows. "How could he--," she gasped as her fingers squeezed air. The hilt of the sword had begun to glow, the ivory light swallowing the weapon from bottom to top.
Vanity said, "When you want it again, say its name."
Grey stepped forward. "How did he do that from inside me?"
Vanity smiled a bit. "His power is unexplainable."
Still not understanding, Grey scoffed. Both of her newly freed hands fell to her side. "That was easy."
Luca meowed, a series of kitten commands bristling against the sound of the storm. Grey knew the cat spoke directly to her by the way her eyes were so intent. Vanity translated. "You will need the sword to open a gate to the Eternal Realm as soon as the Blood Moon reveals itself. If one of us can escape through the gate," Vanity paused, waiting for Luca. The cat chirped again and when she finished, so did Vanity. "That person regains their full heavenly strength."
Grey peered at the ceiling. "How do I open a gate?"
"Rowan will help you when it's time," said Vanity. "You have two jobs. Solis and the gate. Nothing else."
:::
Kim Taehyung flexed his fingers at his sides, the rain grating against his hearing. It was so relentless and thick that he could barely hear a few meters in front of him. It poured in rivulets through his dark hair, making it stick to his forehead. He licked his lips, admiring the taste of it anyway.
Park Jimin stood a measurable distance away, silver hair almost dark grey against the black clouds. Behind both he and Taehyung, Yoongi lingered closest to the entryway. Hoseok and Jin were somewhere up in this colossal tower. Jeon Jungkook, the youngest and most courageous, headed their entire fleet at the front, a lone soldier to greet legions.
He will be okay, said Vanity. She entered all their minds prior to the fight for direction and aide. He was destined for this.
Taehyung blinked through the storm, not quite sure if that assured him. For he knew this war was always coming, but he never had a chance to picture it. If he could, it would have happened with a few of his brothers diving into the Blood Moon's embrace, including him. At his back, the others turning to dust because they decided they could not live a life being lost.
But that was the cruel beauty of the Blood Moon. It made everyone consider how much life meant to them. If it was worth keeping, and at what price.
Yoongi's voice rang over the storm. "If either of you die, I'm kicking your asses."
Jimin cracked a smile. Taehyung could not return it, as he did not know where he would be after this.
"Worry about yourself, Wraith," Jimin said.
"I don't need to worry. I'm always prepared."
Taehyung swallowed, shaking the rain from his clothes like a dog. And perhaps that was the most doglike he'd ever felt.
Yoongi said, "Don't worry, we'll give you a bath after this."
Taehyung peered over his shoulder at the Wraith who actually held a straight face. Yet, the love in his eyes was so understanding Taehyung looked away. Yoongi knew he was hesitant. He was only trying to make him feel better. The Beast said, "Use pomegranate soap. I like pomegranate."
Jimin laughed. Jungkook shouted at all of them, "We'll be fine! I never lose!"
Taehyung chuckled at that, Jimin happily shaking his head. Jungkook added, "Jimin, you're the tallest person I've ever met. I'm sorry for teasing you."
Jimin frowned. "Don't make me weak. I'm about to rip throats out."
"Taehyung," Jungkook called, "I've always thought your eyes are really cool!"
Yoongi said, "And what about me?"
Jungkook hesitated. "Thanks for getting me lamb kebabs."
A glass storefront shattered nearby. Namjoon crawled through the broken display of the pet-store, numerous leashes hanging over his arm. Taehyung smiled, Jungkook turning around only halfway. Joon held up his new treasure, swinging the metal clasps around like nunchucks.
"You mugged the pet store?" Jimin said, tears forming in the corners of his eyes from amusement. "We have an entire armory."
Joon scowled through the rain, not yet adjusted to the downpour. "I forgot to grab another weapon, okay?"
Jimin slid the quiver from his back and bundled it with his bow. He tossed it, Namjoon stumbling while catching it. The Ripper said, "When I ask for it, I'll need it back."
"Roger that," said Joon, equipping himself.
Taehyung froze, his ears perking.
"What's wrong?" Jungkook reached for the sword at his belt.
The Beast held up a hand. Maybe he was overreacting. He could barely hear himself exhale, so he couldn't hear what he thought he heard in the distance. He closed his eyes, focusing his energy into the street beyond where only a single parked car and two rows of buildings decorated the concrete. KSJ was part of a three way intersection, a T-shaped street creating the battlefield. Up at the next intersection was a traffic circle where another small business complex split the enormous street into two. That building jutted from the ground like a black monument or starting point. But behind that...
"Someone's coming," Taehyung said.
Namjoon squatted, two fingers touching the street. "More than one."
"How many do you estimate?" Jungkook faced the street, back squared.
Yoongi said, "How many?"
Namjoon clenched his jaw, standing. "If I'm calculating properly, a few hundred."
"I don't see anything," Jimin said.
A shiver traveled down Taehyung's spine. The clouds carried the sounds. Little chitters, chatters, gasps. Wretching, growling, barking. He stood straighter as the sounds crescendoed, taking form of action. Gnashing teeth, slimy skin slapping against pavement, otherworldly baying and groaning. Without thinking, Taehyung's hands turned into claws, the blood rushing to his left eye.
The army seemed human from far away. They cleared the other side of the street, hundreds of legs surging in stride. As they entered the traffic circle, their shapes became more apparent--broken bones, missing skin, black veins, acidic jaws. Some with four legs leaping as canines, others with only two running as any other man.
Drakar, a lower original demon charged at their head, taller and broader than any other demon in the horde. Spots of wet black hair fell against his face, his lanky, skinny form in an obsidian breastplate and armored skirt. Lightning flashed, illuminating faces Taehyung had seen in his nightmares. Their armor was deep purple. All of it.
Drakar roared, his skeletal form popping and crackling as he raised his chin to the wind along with his shield.
Taehyung bent his knees, muscles in his legs firing for impact--just as a wave of Solis's army crashed against an invisible wall on the other side of the street. Their ward. The demons clawed and climbed to no avail, their teeth munching at nothing solid.
Jungkook removed his sword from his belt, walking to the edge of the barrier. Taehyung resisted the urge to tell him to step back.
Drakar tilted his skeletal head at the Assassin, a smug grin dancing on his hollow cheeks. He used one bony, pointed finger to tap against the ward's magic as though he called them all cowards.
Jungkook did not react, pivoting on his heel to retreat towards the second line. Taehyung could not take his eyes off him, stepping out of his way even though the young man was nowhere close. The youngest angel turned back around, using both hands to hold his katana flat in front of his chest. Drakar watched, curious.
Jungkook closed his eyes, his lips moving quietly. The sword began to hover, a deep blue glow settling over the black hilt. A passage engraved on the length of the blade gleamed indigo, the entire weapon shifting so that it levitated parallel with Jungkook's body. The Assassin put two fingers to his nose, still chanting.
The demons spat on the barrier, nearly tore one another to pieces trying to get in. The commotion died down as hundreds of monstrous heads turned towards the sky, including Drakar's. Up above, wisps of blue shadow manifested into swords. First ten, then twenty, multiplying until swords filled the air above them with metal, points all tilted towards the waiting army.
Drakar whirled on his irkans, shouting commands. The demons scurried back but there were too many of them. The Assassin snatched the bottom of his katana and aimed it forward, hundreds of blades diving into the fray like spears.
Taehyung watched in awe as the entire line of irkans lining their ward crumpled to the pavement, different replicas of Jungkook's katana burying themselves into their chests all the way up to the hilt. At the same time enemy soldiers dropped like flies, so did the storm. The Beast glanced at the sky, not only watching the rain but the Blood Moon's black clouds sweep towards the floor. Streaks of onyx mist swirled to the street in thin tornados, a plume of shadow expanding beneath the feet of Drakar's army. Soldiers disappeared in the smoke, the wave of shadow so high that they couldn't escape even when they jumped.
Jin, Taehyung realized. Jin was drowning them. Suffocating them with his powers.
Drakar whipped his head to both sides of his flank, snarling. All around him, his men either melted or became skewers. But through the controlled chaos, a flare of panic wouldn't stop pulling Taehyung's attention. Something was wrong.
The Beast studied Yoongi at his back, Namjoon at his side, Jungkook still glowing before him.
But where was--
Jimin sprinted through the barrier, releasing a war cry as he leapt with all fours onto Drakar's shoulders. The original demon reached behind his neck for Jimin's legs, but the angel was too fast--already standing for the final blow. He swooped down onto Drakar's neck, grabbing it with both hands and pulling. Drakar screamed, claws grasping Jimin's forearms. The Ripper twisted once, the sickly pop echoing through the ward as he yanked Drakar's head from his body.
Jimin slid off the demon's broad back, the skull still in his hands. He raised it for all of his brothers to see, Jin's shadows pooling around his legs but not harming him.
"Get back behind the wall!" Taehyung screamed, taking off towards the perimeter. Yet, he stumbled over his own two feet as the earth trembled. Namjoon fell forward, Yoongi spread his legs apart for balance, Jungkook fell on his back.
Jimin, on the other side of the ward, turned to the open street. Jin's fog had cleared, dead irkan bodies piled atop one another like sardines. An entire battalion, wiped out and jolting from deep vibrations.
Namjoon squinted to peer towards the intersection. Nothing spanned the horizon. He flattened his palm against the street where the shaking persisted.
"Jimin!" Taehyung lifted onto his feet. "Jimin! Come back!"
Joon's eyes widened. "Underground! They're coming from--,"
The asphalt cracked--fault lines slipping and drifting. Jimin lost his footing as the street crumbled like no more than a brittle cookie. A jagged line tore through the middle of the traffic circle, the ground moving as though two hands split it apart. A gaping hole the width of the avenue decorated the battleground like a shadow-filled chasm. Then, just as the rumbling grew quiet, a streak of purple flame burst through the depths.
Irkans shot from the chasm's mouth, bone wings stretched in flight. They screeched in unison, spindly bodies rising higher and higher to make room for all of them. They soared so high and so close that they formed a swarm of humanlike animals; a hive of bats out of Hell.
Underneath them, Jimin hadn't even noticed the many, many webbed hands that grabbed onto the ledge of the hole. Demons of ash-colored skin and black veins hoisted themselves over the edge, forming a second half of army to the gathering in the sky.
And as though sensing he was unprotected, they rushed him all at once. Bone wings dove towards his place. The demons on foot hobbled towards where he sat.
The Ripper pushed to his feet, everything moving almost in slow motion. He peered over his shoulder, measuring the distance. He wasn't as close to the ward as he thought. Behind the barrier, Jungkook and Namjoon held a shouting Taehyung back. Running to them was pointless.
Next, he glanced at the sky. The rain had softened just a tad, a few holes in the clouds revealing a starless sea of midnight blue. Just that slither of night made him feel stronger, more alert.
This is the Blood Moon's power, he thought. He breathed it in, the power inside of him--the power of titan strength and fangs--growing in his chest with each heartbeat.
Taking a deep breath, Park Jimin released his canines and rolled up his sleeves.
He cocked his fist back at the first irkan that bared its teeth--and felt the wind snatched from his lungs as a mass of black feathers wrapped arms about his waist and blasted him back towards the barrier's protection.
Jimin landed on his back, coughing. Hoseok stood over him with balled fists. Despite the burning in his lungs, the Ripper furrowed his brows, narrowing his gaze onto Hoseok's hands.
He had hands. He had arms. And on his back were two of the largest, silkiest black wings.
The Blood Moon had fixed his wings.
The rest of the angels came to stand over Jimin's body. His voice felt like sandpaper against his voice. He wheezed, "Our powers are changing."
Yoongi pressed his boot into Jimin's chest. "You follow orders, do you hear me?"
"They're trying to lure us out of the ward," said Namjoon. He was busy studying the marching and flying fleet that raged near the barrier's perimeter. However, since Jimin was no longer in reach they weren't approaching. Rather, the beasts whooped and howled to themselves, running amuck where they were allowed.
Jimin shoved Yoongi's foot off of him. "I wanted to finish him while we had him flustered."
"And you walked straight into their trap," said Jungkook. "Had Hoseok not came down--"
Jimin sat up. "There is nothing else I'd rather die for! If this is it, I'm risking it all!"
"Why aren't they coming?" asked Namjoon. Nearly the same number of irkans flooded the streets in this attack as the first one. These were of the more powerful assortment, their wings and fangs enough to differentiate them from the disposable first batch. But if these were stronger, then that meant these demons had been saved--purposefully stored in a second group.
"How many are there?" Hoseok asked, tucking away his wings to keep them dry. They folded into his shirt like they'd always been there.
Namjoon said, "I'm estimating five hundred. A second wave of five hundred, to be exact." He glanced at Jungkook. "Can you do your trick again while we still have the ward? It took out half of the first wave."
The Assassin nodded. "I can try. I know Jin will try too. He's getting a good view from 42nd."
"But that isn't wise." Yoongi helped Jimin up with one arm. "It'll bleed you both of your powers. The Blood Moon doesn't give us infinite strength, it just doubles what we have."
Taehyung's nails raked down his face. "Well we have six of us on ground floor and hundreds of them! The ward won't last forever! We don't even know what they're doing!"
Namjoon stilled, the meaning sliding into place.
"I think they're waiting for someone."
One by one, the irkans fell silent. Those in the sky lowered to the ground, those already on the ground took a knee and bowed their heads; A sign of respect for the last silhouette to rise from underground. The figure wore a long, black cloak, velvet hood drawn over their face. They walked slowly from the opening of the Severed Realm, through the army, to the edge of the barrier. Then, pale and slender fingers reached for the hood and drew it back. The woman beneath was expressionless, her fleshy mask tired and aged. Yet, the spirit underneath brought animation to the dead woman's features, a still and patient rage simmering in her black irises.
"Bring me your Queen," said Aelith. One sharp fingernail dragged across the ward's surface. All of Anaphiel felt her touch.
"You called for me?"
The angels peered over their shoulder as Vanity strode through KSJ's doors with Jin and Luca at her back. The First Queen of Angels clenched her jaw, slipping past her princes to stand before the Demon Queen. Jin joined his line of brothers. Luca trotted to Vanity's side, sitting on her hind legs and meowing.
Aelith slowly glanced at the cat. "Disgusting." She fixed her dead stare onto the Queen. "Did you create a second ward because you are a coward, or because you wish to prolong this?"
Vanity said, "I wanted to deflect useless attacks from lower ilk."
"Useless?" Aelith's eyes slid to Jimin. "I'd say Drakar's sacrifice nearly killed one of your own."
"As it killed five hundred of yours," Vanity added. "The advantage is clear."
"You underestimate the power of numbers, Vanity. It only takes one to enter the gates of Heaven and sit on a throne. You have only nine chances of getting it right. I have over one thousand remaining."
"That is your goal?" Vanity swallowed. "Entering our gates? Sitting on our thrones?"
"When I do, the Eternal becomes ephemeral. The world will burn with Solis's hellfire from bottom to top." Aelith smirked though nothing about her was charming. "I will also take back your body when your spirit finally joins mine in Hell."
Vanity stepped forward. "You have taken everything from me. It will not be taken again."
"Open a gate, and we shall see."
Aelith grasped the ends of her cloak as she twirled to face her army. She walked away casually. Unafraid. "Lower your ward, Variel."
Vanity called after her. "Never!"
Aelith cackled, the shrill sound louder than the rain.
"The second you break it, I am coming for you," Vanity spat.
The Demon Queen peered over her shoulder. "I am coming for your kingdom."
Vanity didn't watch her return to her army. She turned to Anaphiel with Luca at her feet. "We fight until our last breath. Whatever you do, do not let her or anything else touch Grey, is that understood?"
Each prince nodded.
Namjoon said, "Knowing her and Solis's plan, are we still going to take the risk of opening the gates?"
Vanity said, "We have no choice."
"What do you want us to do?" asked Yoongi.
"Back to your positions. She is readying her forces. As soon as she leads the charge, attack with everything we have." Vanity looked at Seokjin and Jungkook. "Save your energy for when the ward breaks. I'll take care of the foot soldiers."
"She said she had over a thousand more," Jin chimed. "If we can help--,"
"I know what she said," Vanity snapped, pushing past them and back towards the skyscraper.
:::
(A/N) Battling reader,
A change in strength, a close call, a clash between two queens. War has begun and neither side is safe. Here marks the endgame, where every decision predicts the fate of the Eternal.
Next release: 1/1 (January 1st) - possibly earlier. I'm going to try to get these chapters out as quickly as possible. Battles happen very fast, and I hope to not keep us in suspense.
With love,
M