Pieces of Flames

As the echoes of Lucifer's laughter faded, the Princes of Hell began to leave the room one by one, their dark presence retreating like a receding tide. The oppressive atmosphere lightened, but only slightly, as the shadows lingered in the corners of the chamber. Seraphin stood alone, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear.

From the lingering darkness, Lilith emerged, her ethereal beauty cloaked in an aura of mystery and malevolence. Her eyes glinted with a pearl of cruel wisdom as she approached Seraphin, who trembled at the sight of her.

"Mother," Seraphin whispered, the word slipping from her lips like a fragile breath.

Lilith's smile was both comforting and sinister. "My dear Seraphin, you have so much to learn," she said, her voice a melodious mix of affection and contempt.

"Everything you experienced," Lilith began, "was an illusion—a mere fabrication of shadows and deceit."

Seraphin's heart skipped a beat. "An illusion? But it felt so real," she protested, her voice shaking.

Lilith chuckled, a sound devoid of warmth. "Ah, the power of shadows, my dear. They can create realities more convincing than the truth. Let me show you the proof."

With a wave of her hand, Lilith conjured a swirling vortex of shadows. Images began to form within the vortex, scenes from Seraphin's supposed past, now revealed as distortions and lies. Faces of people she thought she knew twisted into grotesque parodies, their actions are now seen as the manipulations they were.

"You see," Lilith continued, "your mind was molded by the shadows, crafted to believe in a false narrative.

Seraphin's eyes welled with tears. "Why?" she demanded, her voice breaking. "Why deceive me like this?"

Lilith's expression turned cold. "Power, my child. Control. The shadows are not just your allies—they are your chains.

As Seraphin grappled with this revelation, the scene shifted back to the battle with Scarta. The air was thick with tension as Archangel Michael and Lucius faced off against the formidable elder.

Lucius, struggling to rise after being tossed aside by Scarta's wind slashes, felt the mocking voice of his enemy cut through him. "Ah, the outcast returns, seeking redemption for sins long buried. How pitiful, flame-child, to watch your kin crumble under the weight of their own transgressions."

Rage ignited within Lucius. "WHAT SIN? I GOT BANISHED FOR BEING CURIOUS. WEEKS AFTER I WAS MARRIED, YOU AND THE ENTIRE COUNCIL OF ELDERS ARE DICKHEADS," he roared, his voice echoing with fury.

The symbols on Lucius's arms began to glow, spreading across his body as his anger fueled his power. Flames erupted from him, engulfing him in a fiery aura that illuminated the battlefield.

Scarta sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "You think your anger can match my power? Your flames are but a flicker against the storm I command."

Michael, sensing the shift in Lucius's power, stepped forward, his sword blazing with holy light. "Lucius, channel your rage. Focus on it, and together we can defeat him."

Lucius nodded, his eyes burning with determination. "For my family," he whispered, the memory of his loved ones fueling his resolve.

The battle raged on, with Michael and Lucius fighting in unison against Scarta's relentless assault. Wind slashes met fiery bursts, and holy light clashed with dark energy. The ground trembled under the force of their blows.

Meanwhile, James and Moses were on their way to find Seraphin, their journey fraught with danger and determination. James's new eye, with its soul scanner ability, future sight, and adaptive reading powers, guided them through the labyrinthine paths of the infernal realm.

Back at the battlefield, Michael and Lucius were gaining ground. Lucius's newfound strength and Michael's divine power were slowly overpowering Scarta. But the elder fought with a desperation born of madness, his attacks growing more erratic and vicious.

As the battle reached its climax, Lucius unleashed a final, devastating burst of flame, engulfing Scarta in a torrent of fire. The elder's screams echoed through the realm as he was consumed by the inferno.

Michael, his sword raised high, delivered a final, holy strike, cutting through the remnants of Scarta's power. The battlefield fell silent, the air heavy with the scent of burnt earth and the lingering echoes of battle.

In the aftermath, Lucius stood amidst the ashes, his body still glowing with the residual power of his flames. He turned to Michael, gratitude and determination in his eyes. "Thank you," he said, his voice steady. "For my family, and for Seraphin."

Michael nodded, placing a hand on Lucius's shoulder. "Your strength and courage are a testament to their memory. Now, let us find Seraphin and end this madness."