Since Aelith retreated to her chasm, two new beasts prowled around her form. They appeared like dogs with their pointed ears and swaying tails, yet they were twice as tall as their Queen and hellfire seared the the depths of their irises. Their coats were not fur, but patches of onyx skin that barely covered the raw muscles of their legs and neck as well as their ribs--which also shimmered lavender. They had been made, Grey realized, most likely by Solis.
When Vanity opened her eyes, Grey tried not to bombard her with questions but questions were all she had. The Queen had sent an illusion of herself, Jin, and Luca to meet Aelith at the boundary. They must have all heard what Aelith had to say--all besides her who waited in this tower for a man that hadn't shown up yet. Pair Solis's absence with Jimin's impulsive mistake, and Grey was on the end of her wits.
"What happened?"
Vanity stayed silent for a moment as though she weighed their circumstances. She was serious yet determined, eyes searching the floor before she stared through the window. "Nothing."
Grey groaned. "You said you trusted me before. Don't lie to me now."
Vanity clenched her jaw. "She revealed that she has more soldiers, and that their target is you."
Is that it?
Aelith always talked about Grey, that bit wasn't spectacular. And based on the rigid posture and tension rippling from Vanity, it was hard to believe. Still, Grey trusted her guardian to be transparent.
Vanity added, "Trust your instincts tonight. Your first choice is typically the right one."
"My instincts are telling me I should be down there with my friends," said Grey.
"The Council's goal is to keep you unscathed. If you go down there, you'll attract demons like a magnet."
"But Vanity, I can't sit back and watch an entire assault."
"You have to because you have more to protect," Vanity snapped. "All it takes is one demon to kill you. One. My realm, Anaphiel's realm, Luca's realm vanishes."
Grey, frustrated, clasped her hands together. "I can't let you make sacrifices for me."
"That's what war is, Grey." Vanity held out a slender arm, a double-edged short sword appearing in front of her. She snatched it, tossing it up in the air and catching it as though she was checking its weight. This was her weapon, the one she must have been saving the entire time. It was unlike any metal Grey had seen, as the blades mirrored jagged shards of opal rather than iron. "Sacrifices."
Jin said, "I'm going to join the others on ground level."
Grey bit the inside of her cheek, the reality of him leaving her side making this night far too real. She struggled to breathe evenly as she heard his footsteps approaching her back. His hands fell over the armor on her shoulders, his lips pressing onto her temple. She swallowed as a lump formed in her throat.
He said, "You are strong, and I love you."
She turned, only to be met by a cloud of shadows. He'd already left.
Luca meowed, rubbing her head against Grey's leg for comfort. Grey willed her tears away.
He'll be fine. He has to be.
"She's almost ready," said Vanity.
Far in the streets below, Aelith climbed onto the back of the larger hound. She adjusted her cloak so that it didn't catch around her legs. The irkans with wings ascended into the sky again, those on the floor stood and readied their weapons.
"What does she do?" Grey blurted.
Vanity raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I've only seen her use your powers, but she has to do something to make her only the second original demon behind Solis."
Vanity said, "She is the greatest general in the Severed Realm because she manipulates her soldiers to do her bidding. She's a puppet-master."
"I don't understand," said Grey.
Aelith began shouting, her voice causing waves of cheers and hoots to erupt from her men.
"The irkans in her army do not think on their own accord. They are lost souls without purpose, banished to Hell. She controls them like extensions of herself."
"So the ones down there," Grey said, pointing, "She's moving them?"
"Every last one."
Dumbfounded, Grey watched. When the irkans went for Jimin, all of them attacked in unison like a well-oiled machine. Like they were attached to one mind. Aelith's power as general went further than a lackey in Solis's army, she was his army. A master strategist, a visionary of war. Aelith was general of the Severed Realm in its entirety.
The Demon Queen elegantly peered at an irkan near the foot of her hound. That demon had the head of a bull and the body of a man. He grabbed something made of bone at his side and lifted it to his lips. The horn blew over the entire battlefield, full and resonant.
All of Anaphiel shifted into position at KSJ's base.
The demons charged.
A sea of terror, they stomped and galloped over broken street. Those in the air twirled and dove for the barrier. Behind her men, Aelith coaxed her dead hound into a steady walk alongside its brother.
Irkans slammed into the barrier, their weapons hacking at the invisible wall. One of the minotaurs dug hooves into the pavement, blowing steam through his wide nostrils directly at Jungkook.
The Assassin lifted his sword again, his body submerging into a blue glow.
Vanity's voice broke his trance.
Let them come.
Jungkook obeyed, backpedaling until he made a line of four with Taehyung, Jimin, and Namjoon. Jin and Yoongi were at their back; a blockade of shadow should a demon slip past their first quad.
The rain became even lighter. Namjoon glimpsed at the clouds. There were more holes through the storm--more moonbeams reaching the Earth. His view was covered as hundreds of flying irkans descended onto the top of the barrier.
Jimin said, "They're going to break through the wall!"
"Hold the line!" Jungkook cried. The first quad stayed in place.
Yoongi sent a thought to Vanity. There are too many. We'll need to prepare special moves.
Save your power, Vanity said, Let them break it.
In the pavilion, Grey turned to Vanity. "You can't even see the storm anymore. How long can the ward last?"
Luca chirped nervously, rambling to herself. The cat sometimes jumped or pawed at the marble to keep herself busy. Hoseok flew through the circular window, landing in the center of the room again. Grey said to him, "Thank you for saving Jimin."
Hoseok bowed politely. "I don't know if we can hold them back any longer."
Vanity said, "This is between Aelith and I."
Grey understood. Aelith had forced Variel into a cage within her own body. Made her see things that went against everything she stood for. She mocked Variel for five hundred years, and the Queen of Heaven could finally do something about it. Still, the two queens were equal and opposite in every way, stronger by the pull of the moon. The battle would not be easy.
"You sound like you have a plan," said Grey.
"Remember the one move I told you about?" Vanity balanced the middle of her double-edged sword onto her middle finger. It wavered, but did not fall.
"Yes," said Grey, transfixed by the weapon.
"I'm going to use it."
The demons piling around the barrier fell back, a line splitting through the middle of them like a parting sea. Aelith and her largest hound strut towards the invisible wall and paused. She leaned forward, sharp nails tapping against the barrier. She tilted her head upwards, eyeing the 42nd floor like she knew who stood watching.
"Come on, Aelith," Vanity mumbled. Grey wasn't sure if the Queen knew she was speaking aloud. "Come here."
Aelith then dug her hands into the ward. The energy rippled, a wall of waves that distorted her frame from the other side. Fresh wind tore through the holes as she dragged both her claws down. The irkans clinging to the surface flew away for a split second as the ward disintegrated, the irkans on the ground leaping into action. The ward was gone, a passing breeze carrying sweet rain.
Vanity's eyes rolled to the back of her head as she held out her blades.
Grey gasped, the irkans nearing Anaphiel, swarming them from above. She couldn't make out their figures on the ground. "Oh my god," she breathed, "Oh my god!" She ran to the window.
Vanity's voice was barely a whisper.
"Begone."
The first line of the stampede turned to dust. And like Aelith's soldiers were soldiers made of sand, the demons of the sky and land behind them scattered in the wind. The entire horde dissipated, chips of skin and bone breaking from their bodies in a fine powder that drifted through the storm. Their wails were deafening, the power of Vanity snatching the life from their mangled bodies. The swarm grew smaller, the footmen losing numbers by the second.
Anaphiel looked around, awestruck as the onslaught withered.
Aelith surveyed the remnants of her army, which was nothing except for her and her two hounds.
Vanity threw her double-edged sword through the 42nd floor's window. The glass shattered, the storm so much louder, the scent of rain against concrete wafting into the building. Grey was pelted with water.
"Stay here," said the Queen. She ran to the window and jumped.
Grey whirled on Hoseok. "Take me down there."
Hoseok shook his head. "You'll show your hand too easily."
"Let them see it! I refuse to be useless!"
:::
Vanity landed on two feet, the dust of dead soldiers pluming at her feet. She snatched her blade from the street, pointing it at Aelith.
"I told you I would come," she said, her voice booming over the clearing. Anaphiel cleared a path for their Queen to approach.
"And you brought guests," said Aelith.
Vanity whipped her head around to find Grey and Hoseok just landing behind Jin and Yoongi. She scowled, but unable to lecture them, she barked new commands instead. "Protect Grey!"
"You killed off all my soldiers, selfish bitch!" Aelith slid off the back of her hound, who snarled and bared its teeth. The other one stood there, salivating. "You think I can just let you go unpunished?"
Vanity growled, "Where is Solis?"
Aelith smiled. "Where is Nicolai?"
Vanity prepared to answer when Aelith held up a hand, "I don't care."
Vanity swallowed her irritation, calmly dropping her weapon to tie her hair into a bun. "Any last words before we end this?"
Aelith giggled at her show of bravery. "Let me just brag one last time." She unclasped her black cloak, letting it drop at her feet. She wore a black corset and tight black pants, her heeled boots laced all the way up to her knees. Her arms and neck were free, a pearl necklace gently draped over her collarbone. She twirled a pointed fingernail through the beads. "I drew first blood."
Grey gasped, white-hot realization dawning as Hoseok tensed. The Raven locked eyes with the jewelry, and Grey swore she saw his heart break.
"W-what did you do to her?" Hoseok rasped.
Aelith grabbed the necklace and ripped it from her neck. The pearls rolled onto the road, bouncing and getting caught in puddles.
"That."
Hoseok's face twisted into rage. Vanity yelled, "Hoseok, don't!"
Grey grabbed onto his arm for dear life as his wings flared at his back. She wasn't strong enough. He yanked himself from her grasp and flew, both arms reaching for Aelith's neck.
Quicker than Grey could blink, Aelith brought two fingers to her lips and whistled. One of the hellfire hounds jumped to life. Dead claws tore up cement as it sprinted for Hoseok, jaws opening to clamp on one of his wings. Before it could snap down, a third dog shoved paws into its ribs. The hellhound yelped as a black wolf the same size beared down on its neck. Both pups rolled together over irkan remains, the black wolf standing first. One blue eye and one green, Taehyung howled. Hoseok yelled in frustration and lunged again.
The Demon Queen ignored her second hound, opening her clawed hand to cut the Raven in half when he arrived. She craned her arm back further for good measure--and paused as something cold wrapped around her wrist. She glanced at her arm, glaring at the tangled leash and Namjoon, who had put it there.
Hoseok tackled Aelith to the ground. Before he could grab another piece of her, she kicked him off her chest and found footing again. The Raven did the same, angling his wings so that he'd make a direct collision. One smooth wrist motion allowed the Demon Queen to untangle the leash, and when she had both hands freed, she caught him. Aelith grabbed Hoseok by his shoulders, pulling down. The Raven slammed into the pavement chest first, not even the strength of his wings enough to keep him from tasting gravity.
Aelith whirled on Vanity, raising one hand and shouting at the top of her lungs. "Army! Join me!"
All Grey heard was glass. Windows from the upper floors of smaller skyscrapers collapsed, irkans spilling from multiple levels in droves. They erupted from every complex, from rooftops, from the sides of walls. Like someone tilted the world sideways and poured them out. They sprinted at Anaphiel from all three sides of street.
Vanity sent her final thought of the evening.
Amelia! Now!
Grey gasped at the sound of a revving engine in the KSJ garage. Tires screeched against concrete, a motorcycle headlight splitting the night's darkness. Amelia zoomed from the entrance, careful to keep her head down as instructed. On the back of her seat was a gallon of gasoline that spilled over her back wheel and made a steady trail where she passed.
She headed towards the lone parked car left near the traffic circle. Vanity ran at Aelith to distract the Demon Queen while she drove by. Clear of the queens, Amelia finally raised her head--and swerved onto sidewalk as one black wolf held off two enflamed, purple ones. Involuntarily, she screamed, realizing that her next obstacle was an entire audience of irkans. They pooled in every direction, narrowing their sights onto her bike.
"Clear a path!" shouted Grey.
Jin said, "Got it!"
Amelia shivered as black, frosted mist surrounded both sides of her motorcycle, a line of it going past her to shove demons out of her way. The irkans toppled over like crushed cans. She went faster, finally reaching her destination. Just as she passed the parked car, she tossed the gallon of gas underneath, the liquid spilling between tires.
Jin called to Yoongi. "Give us a light!"
Yoongi snatched his lighter from his back pocket, sparking it and dropping it into Amelia's trail. Blue and orange flames blossomed atop asphalt despite the rain. Yoongi watched it race down the path Amelia had set. Aelith watched too.
The flame settled underneath the parked car just as the final wave of demons reached the checkmark. Taehyung's teeth sank into the neck of a hellhound, throwing it into the windshield. Just as the hound cried out, the car exploded. Shrapnel and chunks of metal sailed through the air along with a handful of new soldiers.
Through the wailing, barking, and footsteps, Grey listened for the sound of a fleeing engine. When she caught the tail end of it, her heart sighed. Amelia would be safe. And though it wasn't the time, she recalled her last words to her best friend.
Don't come back for me. Ride away from here until you can't ride anymore.
:::
Namjoon ran to Grey, Yoongi, and Jin while Jimin stayed firm in place further ahead. The last wave of soldiers were almost on them. More than five hundred. Possibly double that.
Joon snatched an arrow from the quiver. "I'll stay behind with Yoongi for stragglers."
Jin found Hoseok still on the ground. "I'll go get him." He ran to the Raven without further instructions.
Grey said, "What should I do?"
Yoongi barked, "Stay out of trouble!"
"Can I use the Eternal Flame?"
"Not here!" Yoongi drew his twin daggers from his back.
"I want to help!" screamed Grey. Her voice was overpowered by the collision of a thousand soldiers against Anaphiel.
:::
Hoseok came to in an orb of shadow. It was big enough for him to stretch his arms and legs. The walls looked like they were made of black fog. He could barely see anything, but he spotted Seokjin looming over his body.
"Finally, you're awake."
Tears pooled in Hoseok's eyes. Shamelessly, he let them fall, his body curling into a ball. Jin stood by silently.
"She killed her," Hoseok sobbed.
"Yes," said Jin, a lump forming in his own throat. He, too, held a certain appreciation for one of his best employees. But Rin was not just any stellar intern, she also roamed the halls of their penthouse at one point. She sat at their dinner table, read their books, learned of their curse. Sadly, they wouldn't even have time to reminisce. "Get up."
"Where are we?"
"Outside KSJ. Aelith's demons just hit. There are a lot."
"And you're hiding us?" Hoseok wiped his eyes, sitting upright.
"I'm giving you a moment. When this shield falls, you'll have to fight."
Hoseok sighed, the adrenaline in his veins too concentrated for him to fully feel the effects of grief. "Let's fight then."
"Until our last breath," Seokjin said. He extended a hand to Hoseok, who took it eagerly. The shield around them fell away.
:::
Jeon Jungkook used both hands to swipe his sword to the side. It was his favorite move when he trained in the Eternal Realm--cutting a slice of wind so sharp that force behind it cut whatever he aimed at in two. A handful of irkans flew back from the blow, the halves of their upper bodies sliding from their legs and splatting against the ground.
By now, he could not tell the difference between blood and rain. He chopped and sliced, allowing his power to flow through his blade freely. How many had he killed? He wasn't sure anymore, and the answer wouldn't have mattered. No matter how many he destroyed, another few popped into their places.
Jimin grunted nearby. His shirt was in tatters as talon upon talon got caught in the fabric. Before they could rip through skin, he was grabbing hold of them and tearing off limbs. He bared his teeth, using his entire body to leap onto a demon and shred something valuable or flip out of the grasp of a monster nearby. Occasionally, he'd wrestle one close enough to sink his fangs into their neck and sever their heads, spitting the blood out before he could actually taste it.
Near the traffic circle's remains, the last hellhound circled Taehyung.
This one was far larger than the other up close. The first had been easy to dispose of. It was antsy, paranoid. Unable to detect Taehyung sneaking up from behind and ravaging his neck. A younger hound, if Taehyung could actually predict such a thing.
This one was different. More graceful. Refined in its movement. It was fast when it needed to be, slow and careful when it didn't need to be swift. The purple flame glowed brighter too. It was Aelith's steed for a reason.
Taehyung played its game, turning in a circle with it. He'd be damned to let this thing catch him when he wasn't looking. When it figured he would follow its every move, the hound seemed to glare. Taehyung lunged.
Their barking filled the sky, jaws locking on different parts of each other's mouths. Taehyung ignored the sting, willing his bite to be tougher, harder. If he could, he would snap this hound's skull. And just to prove a point, he cut the hound in the face with his claws and chomped down on its ear.
The hellhound whimpered yet snarled, biting Taehyung's front leg. Taehyung bellowed, stumbling on the three paws that weren't locked.
Jimin perked at the noise. While he was distracted, irkan horns rammed into his back. Jimin cried out, the pain of the horn moving in his body enough to make him faint. Angrily, he used a hand and all his strength to dislodge it. He spun on the demon, ripping the horn from its head and plunging it into his eye. The Ripper sprinted over the battlefield, cocking a fist back and punching the hellhound in the snout.
Taehyung hobbled back, blood drenching his coat.
The hellhound shook its head, charging Jimin. The Ripper used both hands to hold the dog's mouth open, his feet slipping from under him.
Taehyung watched helplessly, the gaping wound in his arm enough to make him lose focus, lose rage. It dwindled subtly, his head spinning even as he watched Jimin deck the dog in the face a second time. As the blood drained, so did his ability to keep his form.
Jimin slipped at last, his hold on the hound's mouth failing. He fell onto his stomach, the snarling dog licking it's lips before pressing down on his bloodied back with a paw.
It sent the last wave of fury through Taehyung's body. Jimin could not die like this. Not like this.
The Beast drew from the Blood Moon, his strength increasing even as the life left his body. Centering his energy, Taehyung put weight on all four legs and sprinted as the hellhound dove for Jimin's head. In a clash of rotten muscle and teeth, Taehyung's maw engulfed the side of the hellhound's head and bit down.
He felt the crack through his mouth, over his tongue. The hellhound slouched, the fire in its eyes sputtering as it toppled over, lifeless.
Taehyung grinned.
He'd cracked its skull.
But he soon frowned. His body was too heavy for his legs. His head too heavy for his body. Sighing, Taehyung fell down as Jimin leapt up.
"Tae!" Jimin rushed to the wolf. But the wolf was shrinking, its hind legs turning back into human legs, front legs becoming human arms. In seconds, it was only Taehyung, the man, laying on the ground. Toothmarks gnarled his shoulder, his blood soaking through his shirt.
"Jimin," Taehyung wheezed. His chest rose and fell sporadically. Jimin didn't think he could breathe. "I-I--,"
Jimin kissed his forehead. "It's okay." His voice broke, tears clouding his vision. "It's okay."
"Go," said Taehyung.
Jimin frowned, despising the glaze in his eyes. The Ripper took Taehyung's hand, rage simmering in his chest when he found it limp, and cold. Taehyung was cold. For the first time, ever. He whispered, "Taehyung?"
"Taehyung?"
"Taehyung!"
Two blue eyes stared into the sky. Their silence spoke volumes.
Jimin stood slowly. The aching in his muscles had become apparent. His inability to catch his breath became apparent. He balled his fists anyway.
Jimin stepped over Taehyung's body. He felt constricted. Unable to let loose. He ripped the sleeves from his shirt, the rain against his skin the coldest sensation he'd ever experienced. The irkans that swarmed the front doors of the skyscraper clamored in a half-circle. Most likely held back by Jin, Hoseok, or Yoongi. Someone.
He halted somewhat close to the fray. An irkan with six arms and no eyes caught his scent. The creature turned, the skin over his two nostrils wrinkling as he sniffed. Then he hissed, locking in on the newest target. When it was close enough to attack, Jimin kicked it in the chest. The irkan soared into the rest of the crowd, three more demons turning around and noticing him.
:::
Namjoon loosed arrows as quickly as he could. Hoseok stood next to Grey, arms ready to wrap around her and bring her back up if the irkans broke past Jungkook and Jin, the two that managed their own halves of the army. Vanity and Aelith squared off just beyond that, a show of clashing blades and nails.
Grey yelled into Hoseok's ear. "Where's Taehyung and Jimin?"
Hoseok's wings reacted before he could. He levitated over the crowd, the sheer number of irkans still alive and writhing enough to make him sick. The dead ones piled atop one another, already forgotten.
Too many. Too many. Too many.
He skimmed the ground for black fur. There wasn't a sign of a large dog. There wasn't even a sign of the hellhounds from earlier. But Jimin...
There!
A head of platinum hair was alone in the middle of the street. Except, he wasn't alone. Demons funneled from the back of the crowd to meet him where he stood.
"Jimin!" Hoseok cupped his hands around his mouth. "Jimin!"
The Ripper never heard.
Jimin waited patiently as the other irkans got an idea that he was near. He needed enough to make a small dent in the original number that overwhelmed his brothers. The irkans pushed him back, and to make room for them he took steady steps backwards. He waited and waited as they built up in size. When satisfied with the amount, he tilted his head to the sky and screamed for Taehyung.
The Blood Moon made his heart swell, made his body swell. He raised a fist to the air and brought it down to his feet, blasting with rest of his strength.
The Earth broke apart.
A sinkhole opened, swallowing irkans, bringing them back underground. At least one hundred dead and fifty living wallowed in the depths, unable to clutch a ledge that could bring them back towards the surface.
"Hoseok!"
Namjoon shouted from the ground. Hoseok snapped out of his trance.
The irkans had passed through Jin and Jungkook, mobbing them from all sides. Hoseok flexed the muscles in his back, focusing on hardening his feathers. He jerked his shoulders. Black feather daggers rained down on the army, cutting a few stragglers before they hobbled to Grey and Yoongi. He lowered himself to the ground and spread his wings wide to hide the human girl from the newcomers. Yoongi maneuvered from behind him, disappearing into a black cloud.
Jungkook cried out as an arrow pierced the space beneath his collarbone. Gritting his teeth, he pulled it out and tossed it aside. Peering over his shoulder, he said, "Namjoon! Find the archer!"
Namjoon jumped onto a stack of bodies. He scanned the fray, finding the monster that aimed its bow at Jungkook. He nocked an arrow, taking a deep breath and focusing on his target's eye. At the same time he released, one of the corpses beneath him slipped. His arrow brushed the face of the irkan, missing the mark.
The demon hissed, changing his aim from Jungkook to Namjoon. The enemy arrow soared across the expanse, finding purchase in the center of the Intellect's chest. Yoongi roared, winnowing to the creature and snapping its neck.
Slowly, Namjoon looked down. Then, he dropped.
"Namjoon!" Grey shrieked.
Yoongi manifested at his side, horror painting his face pale. He knelt, unsure of what to say.
Namjoon spoke through clenched teeth. "I'm fine."
"You're not fine." Yoongi looked like he wanted to pull the arrow out.
"Don't," said Namjoon. "It'll speed up the bleeding."
Used to his dear friend having all the answers, Yoongi asked, "What do I do?"
Namjoon rolled his eyes from the pain.
This was the worst way to die. Slowly, unable to do anything about it but suffer in silence.
The Intellect said, "Finish it."
"You heard him!" cried Jungkook. "Finish it!"
:::
(A/N) Warring reader,
Next release: 1/3 (January 3rd)
Special note: The next chapter covers Aelith and Vanity's battle. On the timeline of this finale, their duel begins as soon as Vanity runs at her to save Amelia. It's a full fight that's going on while this chapter goes on. I couldn't cover it here because there were other important events (Taehyung and Joon). Nevertheless, the next update will cover the last final events including what happens to Grey and the other members of Anaphiel.
I'm not even going to lie I teared up writing Taehyung's end.
Thank you so much for reading this story.
Fair warning, you won't truly know the end of the book until you get all the way to the Epilogue.
With love,
M