Chapter 10

Han sprinted up the metal staircase, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he pushed himself to reach the rooftop of the bustling shopping mall. Ignoring the dull ache in his back from his earlier fall, he emerged onto the open space, the sounds of the city below echoing around him.

"Celestia?" His voice rang out against the backdrop of distant traffic and murmuring crowds, a note of desperation laced with hope. His eyes darted around the rooftop, searching frantically for any sign of her presence amidst the sea of anonymous faces.

But as he scanned the bustling scene before him, dread crept into his heart like a stealthy thief. Celestia was nowhere to be seen, swallowed up by the swirling mass of people that moved about the rooftop with purposeful intent.

With a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, Han sank to his knees amidst the throng, his gaze falling to the cold, hard surface beneath him. The weight of his failure bore down on him, threatening to crush him beneath its relentless pressure.

He released a defeated sigh, his shoulders slumping in resignation as he realized that Celestia was gone without a trace. In that moment of despair, the vast expanse of the rooftop stretched out before him like an endless sea, a stark reminder of his own insignificance in the face of overwhelming odds.

"Stop being dramatic, son," his mother's voice sliced through the air, interrupting Han's thoughts.

His head snapped up so quickly, he almost got whiplash. "Mother?" he uttered in shock, his eyes wide with disbelief as he took in the sight of the older woman standing before him, her presence both unexpected and unwelcome.

His mother shared the same dark blue hair and brown eyes as him, but her features were sharp compared to his soft ones, a reflection of her stern demeanor.

"I gave you one simple job to do, and you decided to complicate things," she scolded, her tone laced with disappointment, causing Han to inch back slightly in fear of her disapproval.

"W-What are you doing here, mother?" he stammered, his voice betraying his uncertainty as he struggled to make sense of her sudden appearance on the rooftop.

But his mother merely rolled her eyes at his stutter, her expression unimpressed as she awaited his response.

"I'm here to help you get out of this mess," his mother stated firmly, her tone softening slightly as she offered her hand to help him up from his kneeling position.

Han straightened up to his full height, towering over his shorter mother, who finally let down her angry facade, revealing a glimmer of concern beneath.

"Celestia is still alive. I can sense her presence," she spoke softly, her hand moving up to hover over his bruised cheek with a gentle touch that belied her usual stern demeanor.

Han felt a pang of relief flood through him at her words, a flicker of hope igniting within him amidst the chaos of the situation. He longed to believe her, to cling to the possibility that Celestia was still out there somewhere, waiting to be found.

But even as he yearned to trust in his mother's reassurance, a bitter truth lingered in the back of his mind.

He lacked the power to heal, a privilege reserved for those of greater age and experience within his angel clan.

While his parents boasted over four centuries of life, he had barely reached one hundred and sixty years—a mere fraction of their existence.

In the human world, he would be considered no more than sixteen, while his parents were well over forty.

As he gazed into his mother's eyes, a silent understanding passed between them, a recognition of the limitations they faced in their quest to save Celestia.

But despite the odds stacked against them, Han couldn't shake the glimmer of hope that burned within him, fueling his determination to rescue the one he held dear to him.

Han relaxed as he felt the warmth emanate from his mother's hand, soothing the small wound on his cheek with a gentle touch that carried the power of healing.

"Thank you, mother," he murmured gratefully, tilting his head forward in a respectful bow. His mother smiled in response, a glimmer of warmth softening her sharp features as she returned his gesture of gratitude.

"I really wish to help you with your mission, but the clan leaders aren't allowing me," she explained, her voice tinged with regret. "All I can tell you is the location of Celestia and Zerro."

"Zerro?" Han's brow furrowed in confusion as the name sparked a flicker of recognition within him.

It seemed familiar, as if he had heard it before, but he couldn't quite place where.

Then it hit him.

Celestia had mentioned the name Zerro, referring to the demon who had taken her captive. But there was more to it than that.

The name had stirred a memory deep within him, a fragment of his past that he had long forgotten.

"They're in the north side of the forest, just near the back of her home," his mother continued, her words snapping Han out of his reverie.

A smile spread across his face as he realized that they finally had a lead in their search for Celestia.

"Thank you, mother," he said, his voice filled with gratitude as he squeezed her hand in reassurance. With renewed determination, he knew that they were one step closer to rescuing Celestia from the clutches of the demon who sought to harm her.

"I won't let you down, mother," Han assured her, but he could see the gleam of worry in her eyes, a silent acknowledgment of the dangers that lay ahead.

"I'll be watching from above. If you get hurt again, I'll be by your side in seconds," she promised, holding his hands in hers and giving them a light squeeze to emphasize her sincerity.

Han moved forward and enveloped his mother in a tight hug, feeling a sense of reassurance wash over him at her comforting presence. She returned the embrace, her eyes shutting as she held onto him tightly, a silent prayer for his safety echoing between them.

"Be careful," she whispered as they parted, her voice filled with maternal concern.

"I will," Han vowed, his determination unwavering as he prepared to face the challenges that lay ahead.

Those were her last words before her presence vanished from his arms, leaving behind a lingering sense of warmth and protection. Han took a moment to collect his thoughts before he walked towards one of the many windows that revealed the scenery of the town from high above.

"Where have I heard that name before?" he questioned to himself, furrowing his brow in deep thought.

It was as if the answer was on the tip of his tongue, tantalizingly close yet frustratingly elusive. He had heard the name before, of that he was certain. But where?

Then it struck him like a bolt of lightning illuminating the darkness of his memories. The pieces fell into place, and he whispered in disbelief,

"The former Prince? That's him? Prince Zerro?"

The revelation sent a shiver down his spine, filling him with a sense of foreboding as he realized the true identity of the demon who threatened Celestia's safety.

With newfound determination, he knew that he had to act swiftly to rescue her from the clutches of the one who once held power and influence in the realm of darkness.

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"How long are you going to lay there?" Zerro's voice cut through the silence of the forest, his tone tinged with annoyance as he gazed down at Celestia's form on the ground.

With a grimace of pain, Celestia clutched her injured waist and forced herself to stand, suppressing the groan that threatened to escape her lips.

"Zerro," she uttered his name with a hint of distaste, her voice laced with defiance as she met his gaze.

The demon raised a single brow, sensing the resentment in her tone as she called out to him.

"You've always kept me in the dark. What is it that you want with me? What is this plan?" Celestia's voice was steady, her determination shining through despite the burning pain in her side. She refused to waver, her focus locked on Zerro, who smirked in response to her questions.

For the past ten years, Celestia had been bound to Zerro, compelled by a contract whose terms remained shrouded in mystery. Despite her loyalty, he had never seen fit to reveal his true intentions or the reasons behind their pact. But now, she was determined to uncover the truth, to break free from the shadows that had consumed her for far too long.

Celestia's heart skipped a beat as Zerro's revelation hung in the air, his words stirring a whirlwind of conflicting emotions within her.

"My plan will be put out soon, and once we accomplish it, you will be set free from the contract," he declared, his words both surprising and unsettling.

"Really? I won't see you after this?" Celestia's voice trembled with a mixture of hope and desperation, her eyes widening in disbelief at the possibility of finally breaking free from the chains that bound her to Zerro.

Zerro's response, however, was laced with sarcasm and a hint of bitterness. "Wow, Celestia. I've taken care of you for the last ten years, and this is how you treat me," he exaggerated, rolling his eyes with a dismissive air.

"You were only cruel," Celestia retorted, her anger simmering beneath the surface as she dared to confront him with the truth.

"Cruel? You should be calling your mother that. I'm an angel compared to her," Zerro countered, his words dripping with scorn as he sought to deflect Celestia's accusation.

Celestia was taken aback by Zerro's revelation, her mind reeling as she struggled to comprehend the implications of his words. Confusion etched itself deeply into her features as she stared back at him, her heart pounding erratically in her chest.

"She is the reason I found you ten years ago," Zerro revealed, his tone betraying no hint of remorse as he dropped this bombshell on her already tumultuous world. Celestia's breath caught in her throat, her fingers beginning to shake uncontrollably as she grappled with the shock of his words.

"T-That isn't true," she weakly protested, her voice barely above a whisper as she attempted to deny the truth that threatened to consume her.

Zerro scoffed at her feeble attempt to refute his claim, his expression twisted with disdain as he regarded her with a cold detachment.

"Ask her yourself," Zerro pointed in a certain direction, and Celestia followed his gaze, her eyes landing on a familiar sight in the distance—the window of her mother's bedroom, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight.

A wave of disbelief washed over her as she realized the gravity of Zerro's words. Everything she had ever known, every truth she had held dear, was suddenly called into question. With trembling steps, she began to move towards her mother's house, her heart heavy with the weight of uncertainty and betrayal.

The light illuminated her mother's bedroom, casting a soft glow on the silhouette of the older woman within. With determination fueling her every step, Celestia didn't hesitate for a moment as she ran towards her home, her heart pounding with anticipation and dread.

Leaving him behind, Zerro felt another presence make itself known, and he turned to see Han standing there, his expression a mix of concern and determination. He glared back at Zerro, refusing to show any sign of weakness in the face of the menacing demon.

"Where's Celestia?" Han demanded, his voice firm and resolute.

Zerro snarled in response, his crimson eyes flashing with anger as he took a step forward, his demeanor radiating danger.

"That's none of your business, angel," Zerro spat, his words dripping with contempt as he pulled his hands out of his pockets, allowing his nails to sharpen into deadly claws.

Han held his defensive position, summoning his shield and keeping his focus solely on Zerro as he prepared to defend against the demon's attacks. Despite Zerro's taunts, Han remained silent, his mind clear and his resolve unwavering as he awaited his enemy's next move.

"You know you can't fight back without Celestia's sword," Zerro taunted, a smirk playing on his lips. But Han refused to rise to the bait, maintaining his calm demeanor and refusing to engage in unnecessary banter.

"My shield—" Han began to protest, but before he could finish his sentence, Zerro vanished from his sight in a blur of movement. Han's instincts kicked in, and he jerked to the left, his shield following his movement and providing a barrier against Zerro's incoming attack.

As Zerro's burning nails made contact with Han's shield, the angel felt a surge of confidence wash over him. But his momentary triumph was short-lived as he watched in horror as fire erupted from Zerro's hands, engulfing the battlefield in a blaze of fury.

"I'm not the same as before," Zerro declared ominously, his voice laced with malice as he unleashed his full power upon Han.

Despite his best efforts to evade the onslaught, Han found himself unable to escape Zerro's relentless assault. With a deafening crash, his shield shattered into a myriad of fragments, leaving him defenseless against the inferno that engulfed him.

Han lay sprawled on the ground, agony coursing through his body as he struggled to move, his chest searing with pain from the gaping wound that marred his flesh. With every twitch and gasp, he fought against the overwhelming darkness threatening to consume him.

But before he could muster the strength to rise, Zerro's foot came crashing down onto his injured chest, pinning him to the ground with crushing force. Han's breath caught in his throat, his vision swimming as waves of agony washed over him.

"You had no chance of winning," Zerro hissed, his voice dripping with contempt as he loomed over Han with a menacing glare.

With a cruel smile playing on his lips, Zerro turned his gaze towards the path Celestia had taken, sensing a sudden spike of power emanating from the same direction. A cold, calculating gleam entered his eyes as he realized that the time had come to set his plans into motion.

"It's time," he whispered, his voice echoing through the silent forest like a harbinger of doom, as he prepared to unleash chaos upon those who dared to defy him.

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"Mother? Mother!" Celestia burst into her bedroom, her heart pounding with urgency, heedless of the fact that her mother was in the midst of her skincare routine.

"What do you want? Can't you see I'm busy?" her mother snapped with irritation, her attention torn away from her mirror by her daughter's abrupt entrance. But Celestia paid no heed to her mother's annoyance.

"Tell me now. Did you or did you not do it?" Celestia demanded, her voice trembling with emotion as she confronted her mother.

"What are you talking about?" her mother retorted, her brow furrowing in confusion at the sudden accusation.

"Zerro! Were you the one who sent him to me when I was only five? Were you the reason I suffered all these years?!" Celestia's voice rose with anger and frustration, her eyes blazing with righteous indignation as she sought answers from the woman who had brought her into this world.

Her mother's reaction, however, was far from what she had expected. With a dismissive wave of her hand, Rosella brushed off Celestia's accusations as if they were nothing more than trivial inconveniences.

"Oh, that little problem," she remarked casually, her tone dripping with indifference. But Celestia's fury only intensified at her mother's callous response, her hands trembling with suppressed rage as she struggled to contain the storm of emotions raging within her.

"Why? Why would you do that to me, your own daughter?!" Celestia cried out, her voice choked with emotion as tears welled up in the corners of her eyes, threatening to spill over.

But her mother's response was anything but remorseful. With a sinister smile playing on her lips, Rosella finally turned to face her daughter, her gaze cold and calculating.

"That's where you are wrong, Celestia..." she trailed off, her words hanging ominously in the air as she prepared to reveal a truth that would shatter everything Celestia thought she knew.

As the new piece of information washed over her, Celestia felt her already wounded heart shatter into a million pieces. The revelation struck her like a physical blow, leaving her reeling with a mixture of shock and betrayal.

"We don't share the same blood," Rosella declared, her words dripping with malice as she delivered the final blow to her daughter's fragile sense of identity.

But amidst the pain and confusion, a new sensation began to stir within Celestia—a surge of power fueled by pure hatred. In that moment of despair, a dark force awakened within her, transforming her pain and anger into a formidable weapon that would shape the course of her destiny.