Abathar POV

How could this have happened? Why did this happen? Samael was gone, lost in that forsaken river. The water flowed like a never-ending current into its depths. Abathar gazed upon the river in utter shock. He clenched his fist, causing golden ichor to flow into the palm of his hand.

“We have to save him—he needs us!”

I rushed toward the riverbank, heading for the gaping wound. I was about to leap into the waters when Levias grabbed me by the shoulder and held me back. He looked at me sternly while shaking his head. This angered me beyond comprehension. My face scrunched up as I raised the fist covered in my own ichor.

Before I could do anything, Lucifer grabbed my fist.

“That’s enough, Abathar Muzania. I understand that you wish to find him, but we cannot endanger the others. We will find him, but first, we have to regroup.”

Though I was against this, I knew that Lucifer spoke the truth. How I wished to lash out and criticize his actions, but for the sake of my comrades, I had no choice but to remain silent.

“Lucifer! More of those creatures are coming out of the water!” Xolofel shouted, aiming his bow and arrow at one of the rising beasts.

His arrow flew true, striking the beast in the neck and setting it aflame. Malazeth managed to cut three beasts down with a single swing of his blades. Hexacris burned those that emerged from the river using holy flames conjured with his bare hands. Levias, Belvis, and Azazel stood together, creating a barrier around themselves in case the others needed protection.

There seemed to be no end to them, and this only made Lucifer scowl. It was clear to him that he had no choice but to make a stand.

He levitated into the air, spreading his wings. He channeled his very essence until he summoned a fiery blade, which he imbued with angelic power. With a single sweep of his sword, everything turned white, as though all the colors of the realm had been wiped from the slate.

When the light began to fade, Lucifer descended toward the ground and looked around at the aftermath.

Luckily, everyone was still alive, suffering only a few cuts and bruises. Hexacris acted swiftly, using his power to heal every injury the party had sustained. He was diligent and tended to our needs as best he could.

Levias stepped toward Lucifer, a frown forming on his face.

“These creatures are unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Surely, Father had no hand in their creation.”

He spoke aloud as Lucifer stepped toward the edge of the riverbank, frowning. Lucifer gazed upon the place where Samael had last been seen. His expression was difficult to read, giving no indication of what he was feeling.

A whirlpool of emotions swirled within him—not merely his emotions, but his very being. He was conflicted. I could see it. My eyes could perceive the power leaking from him, leaving me utterly silent.

The one to break the silence was Azazel, who stepped forward and stood directly in front of Lucifer, as if trying to stop him from doing something reckless.

“We will find him, but if you try to go there without a plan, then we are all doomed. We need you, Lucifer. You know that.”

Though Azazel’s words were harsh, even I knew he was right.

Things remained silent for a while, but eventually, I decided to break the silence with my own thoughts.

“Those creatures… weren’t they like the monsters described in Malazeth’s tale?”

They all looked at one another, seemingly arriving at the same conclusion. Then they turned toward Lucifer, as if seeking confirmation.

Lucifer, however, shook his head.

“No. Though we have fought beasts born from dying deities, those creatures were not among the ones we fought back in the day. But I must admit, the fact that those creatures appeared after the events of the story leads me to one conclusion: we aren’t alone.”

That was rather shocking. To think that something—or someone—had been watching us since our arrival. Spying on us and listening to our communications, all with the intention of killing us. Something like this was unheard of, and it suggested a level of intelligence we had not anticipated.

But, of course, we should have known better. When in enemy territory, always expect the unexpected.

Now, because of our negligence, we had to find Samael and return home. I feared that if we failed, we would never be able to leave.

I took a deep breath before bowing my head to everyone.

“With all due respect, I must go after Samael. I owe him a debt that needs to be repaid, and I will go by myself if I must!”

As if moved by my words, Lucifer stepped forward and placed a hand on my shoulder. He nodded before speaking calmly.

“So be it. I shall come along to help save Samael. He is one of us, and we cannot leave one of our own behind. All in favor of this endeavor?”

Everyone took a moment to contemplate the proposal before shrugging and agreeing. Everyone except Levias, who raised his hand in objection.

“As much as I would love to be part of this, someone has to make sure our way home remains secure. So, I’ll stay here and wait for your triumphant return.”

His reasoning was sound, and therefore, we had no reason to object.

“Then it is settled. The rest of us will descend in search of Samael, while Levias remains here to watch the gateway. Levias, be careful up here. We don’t know whether there will be any more surprises waiting for you once you’re alone,” Hexacris said before giving a thumbs-up, a gesture whose meaning I could only wonder about.

“Then let us be off.”

With those words, Lucifer led us forward as we began our descent down a staircase covered in brimstone and ash. Where would it lead us? To our companion, or to our very doom?

“Hang on, Samael. We’re coming for you.”

Samael POV — Location: ???

How long had I been asleep? I cannot remember. Where am I? What is this place that holds me captive? Why do I feel so weak?

So many questions raced through my mind, yet there were so few answers. To compose myself, I decided it would be best to gather what little I knew and leave the unknowns for another time.

I knew for a fact that something—or someone—was present in this alien domain. It had called out to me in my thoughts, practically welcoming me here.

My companions were above, fighting whatever it was that had attacked us. Abathar was safe. I had saved him, and that was good enough for me.

As for what this place was… it remained a mystery.

Before my eyes lay a sight I could only describe as a cave of sheer cold and frost. The walls were nothing more than pillars and shards of white. I had never seen such a spectacle before, so I decided to give it a name.

I called it ice.

The reason was simple, I supposed. Being near it made me feel cold, and when touched, it felt sharp against my skin, leaving behind a numbing sensation.

I traveled through this strange cave, hoping to find a way out, but all I found were more formations of ice blocking my path.

As I continued forward, however, I discovered a staircase leading farther down into the depths of the cave.

How curious. How far could this realm extend?

I descended the stairs and discovered something I could scarcely comprehend.

Embedded in the ice was something I had never seen before: a still image of what appeared to be a giant beast. It had enormous wings and was covered in scales. Its horns were dark as obsidian, and its eyes were hollow.

The longer I looked at it, the more lifelike it seemed.

I dared not reach for it, fearing that it might somehow come alive. Taking a deep breath, I continued forward until I reached a great hall.

There, I found numerous paths branching off in different directions. I dared not enter any of them, so I pressed onward until I reached what appeared to be a chamber with seven hallways.

In the center of the chamber stood a staircase that spiraled upward, disappearing into darkness.

But the strangest thing of all was that I could see the moon.

That dark moon, the one that seemed never-ending and never departed from the sky.

Why did it always feel as though it followed me wherever I went?

I did not have to wait long for an answer, for the moon began to move. Its hollow form slowly turned, as if awakening from a long slumber.

Then, a great eye revealed itself to me.

For a moment, I could only stare at it in horror. The only thing that escaped my lips was the one question I could think to ask.

“Who… are you?”

Levias POV

I remained near the entrance, waiting for my companions to return. As I waited, I began counting the passage of time in my head. It was the only thing here that could keep me occupied.

As time went on, I noticed that nothing ever changed. I began to wonder how long I had been waiting, even though I had been keeping track of the time in my head.

After all, this wasn't Heaven. This was some… barren land without rules or shape. Just a mass of land and water.

The river.

I didn't know why, but I felt drawn to it.

I walked over and began to gaze upon its surface. Its call was so powerful that I simply had to look at it—to look into my own reflection.

When I gazed into the water, I saw… myself.

A shell of who I once was.

My eyes were black, my wings severed, and my face covered in scales.

I stared at myself in horror, disgust, and venomous revulsion. Yet, in the back of my mind, I was intrigued by the sight of such a form—something I could never have imagined on my own.

It was… rapturous.

The scales gleamed like gold. My wings were sharp as iron, and my legs…

Fins.

I began to feel parched. I was too hot. The air itself was killing me.

I cannot breathe—

I need to breathe…

I need water…

I NEED WATER!!!!!

.

.

.

.

What happened to me…? Where am I?

How did I get here…? Am I alone…?

I remember being with so many others… Were they…?

I can’t recall…

Who am I…?

Le…vias…?

L…evi…?

Le-via-…th—

……

My name… is…