Chapter 188: HELLFLAME

Ken felt a bit anxious, after all, it's much powerful demons they're after.

But no matter, he knew inside that they are able.

He just wonders how things would unfold in order.

His expression changed however,

When he saw and heard his people in armor.

Their hearts were burning with passion,

Weapons in hand, a smile, and a reason.

With the thought that they have a chance, he smiled.

He felt confidence he forgot in a while.

His wounds may have turned into scars,

But nevermind them, as he was kissed shortly by Mar.

He had a lot of reason to stay positive,

And he need not to disappoint those he'd lead.

Hannah smiled with glee,

As she looks at Lluming, who was smiling as well.

"If his ancestors could see him now,"

"They would have not questioned how.

After all, the spirit of the seer lives within him,

And so was their faith, ever burning."

"You've also come a long way, Lluming."

The elder angel spoke in a voice, truly calming.

Lluming smiles, wondering if he was deserving of the praise,

After all, he still wasn't sure if the fake Eleazar he could elliminate.

The worried expression didn't dare escape-

Hannah's observant eyes though Lluming tried his best to hide.

"Still, despite what you deem as flaws,

You've still grown and made us proud.

You are not as stubborn as before.

You returned.

You no longer do things on your own.

You took the responsibility of Uriel,

And I hope, something you have learned."

"Angel Hannah, I am still a nimble mind,

I could not have done this without their guide."

"And that shouldn't be something to feel sorry of,

We cannot do things, cannot carry burdens, all alone."

...

"Ken!" Jacq the reaper called out to his friend.

As the seer looked at him, quite compelled.

"What is it? What's with the grin?"

"Ah, I just wanted to assure you we'd win."

The support gave him more strength,

As the group he leads smiled, still feeling no threat.

However, even with all their pride,

Ken felt something sharp in his mind.

A quick vision reentered,

He saw Selaphiel with the same face of murder.

Blood, screams, he heard them,

He couldn't believe what he saw then.

Ken hesitantly looked at the archangel,

Who was busy talking to Michael.

The Seer felt something dangerous was to happen,

But wasn't so sure if it was just his thoughts, or visions nearing to unfold then.

"Ken?"

Jacq asked, quite worried of him,

But the young man just dismissed it.

'It must be a mistake, no way Selaphiel would do this...

It must be an imposter, shifting like him.'

"Ken, you're not responding. Ah, I see, you must be nervous, huh?

Well, don't worry. We'll be invincible once we retrieve Sellena."

"Ah, I'm sorry, all I have to say is...be careful,

Not all of us would make it out, I'm sure."

"You're scaring me, aren't you?

Don't worry, I've done this a lot, and it's true."

Ken did not replied,

The scene still replaying in his mind.

But even with those visions, the mission should not stop,

The archangels quickly lead, as the followers marched.

But Zeharah also felt suspicious, feeling watched.

She looks at her brother,

who seemed unbothered,

Softly nudged him, as he turned to face her.

"What is it?" He asked his sister.

"I can feel something, much worse than the to-be rubble.

I feel suspicious, something's telling me that there's imposters in our bubble."

"What made you think that?"

"I could just feel some negativity in the back,"

"Didn't sir Michael told us to not look at the past?

Sir Samael was sorry, and he even saved us.

Aren't you being too judgemental?"

"No, I am at most, being logical.

I don't want this to end up like what happened back then,

We trusted Lucifer so much, when he stabbed our backs, we found out too late.

Sometimes, one had had enough forgiving mistakes."

"Sis, don't you worry they could hear all the things you say?"

"I don't care."

"Hm, oh, okay."

"Excuse me, you two," Lluming cut, quite annoyed,

"Your conversation is slowing us down,"

"Ah, well it was nothing, we're actually done."

...

"Sir Selaphiel, you alright?"

Raphael asked, concerned.

The angel looked pale as white,

As if something was bothering his mind.

"I'm just saddened, not all would make it out alive."

"Well, if we haven't retrieve the other chosen, more will die."

"You are certainly right, however, it will still mean that we're killing some of our own no matter which side,

Call them our enemies, but they were once ours back in time.

It hurts to do it, every time."

"I'm sure it bothers you a lot sir Selaphiel,

More so since you're the one given responsibility to curse them.

But they rebelled against their Own Father,

It was their own choice, not ours.

Even so, I don't blame you for feeling bothered.

After all, it's hard to pretend that we're always just following orders.

I understand your feelings well.

Even I, feel sadness, despite knowing what we have to do.

It's what's right but I hope there's another choice.

After all, wouldn't it be better if no one is worthy to be punished at all?"

"That...and the want to protect all that remains,

But I'm afraid,

That I can't protect you all from the danger and the flames.

But I could not bear to lose any more of you,"

"You've done all you could.

If tonight is our time,

We're happy to savour all of it till we die.

What's important is we serve

till the second we close our eyes.

Sir Michael and you, have been worrying too much.

It's quite a surprise, since it's not our first time in war.

We lose someone, it's normal,

Not every good, remains unscratched."

"I know," Selaphiel sighs.

Just then, Hannah walked in front,

And rose her hand.

The red reapers did the same,

And the angels halted command.

The circle burned red, and glowed,

As dozen moths and butterflies followed.

Ken swore it felt as short as a glimpse,

As the moment he opened his eyes, they were on a different scene,

Although familiar, he still felt scared,

Knowing this is where he got most of his nightmares.

The strong smell of cinders, blood and wine,

Filled the Seer's nose, as he walked through the vines.

The palace of demons was there, not too far from view,

And now, Humility, the head reaper, rose his hand, to remind them of what to do.

The groups split up, so to not be caught,

As each group was gifted an amulet, to warn others when they're close to be found out.

It would turn green if they're close to a demon,

And would turn red, if they're close to the main seven.

Hannah led Ken and Lluming's group to a familiar chamber,

Where Sellena was supposed to be.

And it truly helped when the heavens gave rain and thunder,

To muffle the sounds of the uninvited intruders.

Humility and his team kills the demon guards,

To make sure the angels could do their parts.

Hanah was impressed with the way the reapers work.

Especially since she haven't, in a hundred thousand years laid her feet on earth.

But her catching up could wait, since she noticed the incoming danger,

And knowing she's not made for this, simply warned them with a whisper.

As she is an angel that can hear desires,

A thought from far away entered her perimeter.

"A demon is approaching, a few more steps and you'd meet her."

She warned Humility and Raphael, who were by then, cautious and careful.

Azazel smiles at Nemue who couldn't keep her excitement to herself.

"C'mon now, dearest friend. Let them meet the woman, fiercer than Death."

Nemue nods her head,

As she calls her monsters, to make sure her enemies end up dead.

"A bunch of reapers...and Raphael?

Hah, you made one fatal mistake.

You brought in a healer, but where's the tank?

This will be a piece of cake."

Raphael felt insulted,

And though pissed, stayed calm,

As he looked back at his group,

"We can do this. I know we can."

"Not when the witch decide to have some fun."

...

Ken's sword was quickly painted in blood of all colors,

As he entered each door.

Women cried as they thank the heavens,

After all those waiting, their wishes have been given.

It was supposed to go smoothly, until one of the angels in the back was killed brutally,

As they realized that someone had shifted into an angel,

A scary enemy.

Ken refused to blink, afraid that he'd lose the imposter in a second,

But the imposter was not alone,

As soon the women they rescued turned out to be clones.

Chaos emerged as they wonder who to fight.

When everyone is claiming to be their friend,

left and right.

Ken had enough, and decided to take risks.

As he took an angel down, despite not knowing if he's a friend or not.

What confused them was that the amulets did not warn them at all,

So what is their foe? If not a demon at all?

Ken sighs in frustration as screams echoed through the halls.

Angels fought the other, but which ones were clones?

Ken swore this isn't what he signed up for.

It's even harder than he thought it would be,

Just why...why are the demons clever and cunning?

But now isn't the time to be wondering,

As he observed both closely,

A slight difference...there must be something.