Chapter 46 - Absolution

Gabriel's glowing hand hovered above Anastasia, the radiant energy twisting and crackling like a caged storm. His face was as cold and unfeeling as a marble statue. The judgment was clear in his eyes—this was the only way to maintain balance.

"You have left me with no alternative," he said, his voice low and final.

Anastasia struggled to rise, her body weak and trembling. She wanted to scream, to fight back, but her energy was drained. All she could do was watch, helpless, as Gabriel's hand descended toward her, radiating divine power.

And then it happened.

A blur of motion.

Faster than even Gabriel's sharp eyes could follow, a body darted in front of Anastasia, shielding her completely. The divine light collided with flesh and bone instead of its intended target.

The sound was deafening—a thunderclap of energy that shook the entire space. Anastasia's eyes widened in shock as she stared at the figure now slumped over her.

"Elijah!" she screamed, her voice breaking.

Elijah grunted, his back smoking from the impact of Gabriel's strike. He was on his knees, his wings—his glorious, silvery wings—flickering and fading as if the divine energy had stripped them of their brilliance. Still, he remained firmly between Anastasia and Gabriel, his arms spread wide in defiance.

Gabriel's golden eyes narrowed, his expression shifting from righteous fury to something more akin to betrayal. "Elijah... what is it that you think you're doing?"

Elijah coughed, blood staining his lips, but he looked up at Gabriel with a defiant smirk. "Stopping you from making a mistake you'll regret for eternity, old friend."

Gabriel took a step back, his glowing hand lowering slightly. His composure cracked for just a moment, uncertainty flickering in his gaze. "You've lost your mind. You would protect her? A mortal who jeopardizes everything we have fought to uphold?"

"We do not kill innocent women and children. She is no threat," Elijah said firmly, his voice like steel.

"She is not an innoc-," Gabriel started, but he was interrupted.

"You know nothing about her... or the child she carries!" Elijah snapped while breathing heavily from the injuries he just took on.

Gabriel's jaw tightened. "That child holds the power to tip the balance of the realms. Do you fully comprehend the enormity of what you're risking?"

Elijah let out a dry chuckle. "Oh, I understand perfectly. What I don't understand is how you've become so blind to your own arrogance, Gabriel."

"Arrogance?" Gabriel's voice rose, his golden eyes blazing with anger. "You speak to me of arrogance when you've been harboring demons and mortals, conspiring behind the Council's back?"

Anastasia, still lying on the ground, felt her anger reignite. Her hands pressed against the floor as she forced herself to sit up. "Excuse me, Gabriel!" she snapped, her voice trembling but strong. "Are you not an Archangel? Are you not a protector of the innocent? Yet you choose to easily kill off a woman and her unborn child. If this is the balance you are trying to restore, then you are no better than any demon that has done the same."

Gabriel's gaze snapped to her, his expression hardening once more. "Do not presume to equate the values and morality of an angel with those of a demon. You misunderstand, mortal. This is not a matter of choice; it is a matter of survival for all realms."

Anastasia glared at him, the rage in her chest bubbling up again. "Then you are more twisted than I thought, and celestials like you do not deserve your title. Mark my words, you will pay for what you have done."

Gabriel opened his mouth to respond, but another voice cut through the tension.

"Enough."

The single word was like a whip crack, and everyone turned to see Zython step forward. The demon's usual smug demeanor was gone, replaced with something colder, more menacing. His crimson eyes glowed faintly as he stared down Gabriel.

"You've already made your move, Angel," Zython said, his voice eerily calm. "Now it's my turn."

Before anyone could react, Zython raised his hand, and the air around him rippled with dark energy. Shadows coiled around his fingers, spreading out like smoke as he took a step closer to Gabriel.

Gabriel turned to face him fully, his wings flaring out in warning. "Do not test me, demon," he growled. "You will regret it."

Zython smirked, his fangs glinting in the dim light. "Oh, I'm counting on it. You tried to touch what I value. For that, you will die."

The air grew thick with tension as the two prepared to clash. Anastasia struggled to her feet, her heart pounding in her chest. She glanced at Elijah, who was still kneeling, his breathing shallow.

"Elijah," she whispered urgently. "You have to stop him. Dylan can't fight Gabriel. He'll be killed."

Elijah shook his head weakly. "He's buying us time," he murmured. "You need to get out of here, Anastasia."

"You are weakened from saving my life. I can't just leave you," she said fiercely.

Elijah grabbed her wrist, his grip surprisingly strong despite his injuries. "You don't have a choice. If Gabriel captures you, it's over. Do you understand me? Get out of here. Now."

She wanted to persist, but she knew he was right, so she nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. She turned to Rose, who had been frozen in shock this entire time. "Rose, help me."

Rose snapped out of her trance and rushed to Anastasia's side. Together, they helped Elijah to his feet, his weight heavy on their shoulders.

Behind them, the standoff between Zython and Gabriel reached its breaking point.

Gabriel made the first move, a blinding beam of light shooting from his outstretched hand. Zython countered with a wave of shadows, the two forces colliding in a violent explosion that sent shockwaves through the room.

Anastasia looked back, her heart hammering in her chest as she watched Zython, who she knew as Dylan, the one she spent four years with, holding his ground, but barely. The power radiating from Gabriel was overwhelming, and it was clear the demon wouldn't last long.

"Dylan!" she screamed, her voice cracking.

He glanced back at her, his crimson eyes softening for just a moment. "Go," he said simply.

And then Gabriel struck again, his light slicing through the shadows like a knife through silk. Zython roared in pain, but he didn't fall.

Anastasia had tried to eliminate all her intense human emotions when she was reborn, allowing her to focus, especially in battle, but since she had been pregnant, she felt her emotions seep through. As she and Rose dragged Elijah toward the exit, she shed a tear, knowing this might be the last time she ever sees Dylan again. The sounds of the battle echoed behind them, each clash of light and shadow shaking the very ground beneath their feet.

Just as they reached the door, Anastasia heard Gabriel's voice, cold and merciless.

"This ends now."

She turned, her heart in her throat, just in time to see Gabriel raise his hand for the final blow. Zython was on his knees, his strength completely drained, but his crimson eyes were still defiant.

"Run!" Zython shouted, his voice echoing through the chaos.

And then Gabriel struck.