Brief Smile

Through the vast expanse of light, the mass of pure energy erupting from a single sword tumbled a small figure, his body burnt and broken, its limb corpse plummeting to the ground.

Leonidas started to run, his body rushing down the steep him pushing past trees and jumping over rocks, the huge boulders falling away in small cliffs, the undisturbed mass of dead leaves pushed past his sandals as he dashed through the greenery, the boar and wolves watched as the muscular figure threw himself down to the valley.

The crater before him was huge, mounds of dirt splashed to the side. Seraphiel's decimated body crushed under the weight of the landing, his arms burnt to a crisp, his body barely staying upright supported by the sword.

"Jesus, you're still alive?"

"You just saw an archangel fighting a dragon, and that's what surprises you?" Seraphiel's cool and soothing voice staying at a constant and calm sound, its harmonic words floating out as easily as ever.

"Archangel?"

"Can we discuss definitions later? This is extremely painful."

"What do you want me to do?!?"

"Well, it seems this form is more fragile than expected, but its tainted blood allows it to regenerate, it only requires one thing. Your blood."

Leonidas pulled his knife from his pocket, bringing the small blade to his wrist, slowly pressing it against the skin.

"Not there," Seraphiel's voice grew shaky, "just kneel down here."

Leonidas did as he was told Seraphiel's mouth falling onto the side of his neck, his teeth gently pressing into the skin, like tapping a well a spring of blood flowed to his mouth, pushing the skin past the black cindered stumps of his arms, his spine reconnecting and his legs regrowing.

"Thank you human."

"How can you be informal after that?? We just took down a dragon together!"

"I see, then Spartan, allow me to formally introduce myself, I am Seraphiel, angel… fallen angel of silence, this body you see now is no longer mine, a fallen forgotten husk of what I once was, however it seems seeing the rift in the sky reignited his ability to channel me. I believe in this land you call him Achilles… I must go now, for this body cannot last long with me as the commander, I ask of you one selfish request. Please protect . He is lost."

"Will you be back?"

"It is probable, however, I doubt you will still draw breath."

"Well then, as a last request from my new friend, I'd be happy to! Who couldn't do with Achilles in their armies? Because one day, I will become the king of Sparta, and with the legendary hero by my side, Sparta will grow to its fullest."

"Friend?" Light crawled up Mahon's bare legs the flashing dazzling purity was stunning to the eye.

"Like I said, we just killed a dragon together, I'll see you on the other side."

Seraphiel's cold faced turned into a brief smile. Disappearing into the light only his words remained, "Good luck, Leonidas."