Violent Night

As the night deepened, the shimmering lights of San Francisco cast beautiful reflections across the bay. Ethan and Gabe walked leisurely toward Ethan's apartment, laughter gently echoing between them, the hum of city life creating a comforting ambiance.

"You know," Ethan began softly, a warm smile gracing his lips, "despite everything today—the funeral, all the sadness—it felt good to do something meaningful for Tim. He deserved it."

Gabe chuckled, placing a reassuring hand on Ethan's shoulder. "I think he'd be jealous if he knew you kissed me." 

Ethan rolled his eyes, grinning sheepishly. "It really was like kissing a relative." They both laughed again. Gabe thought about how much Ethan had come out of his shell and shook his head. "You know, the Ethan I met a few weeks ago never would have done that. You definitely got me."

Suddenly, Gabe's expression shifted dramatically. His eyes narrowed sharply, and his entire posture tensed as if sensing a looming threat. Instinctively, Gabe grasped Ethan's arm, pulling him to an abrupt halt beneath the flickering glow of a streetlamp.

"Gabe?" Ethan's voice tightened, a nervous tremor betraying his rising anxiety. "What's going on?"

"Quiet," Gabe hissed urgently, his sharp gaze scanning every shadowed corner of the deserted street. "We're being watched."

A cold chill shot down Ethan's spine as the Halo around his neck pulsed sharply, sending a silent alarm that seemed to vibrate through his bones.

System Notification: New Assignment: Survive the Encounter | Reward: 300 XP

Ethan's pulse quickened, dread flooding through him, replacing the earlier calm with stark terror. "Gabe, something's very wrong," he whispered urgently.

Several blocks away, Tim sat alone in his old bedroom, tears silently trailing down his cheeks as he reminisced about tender moments spent with his mother. Suddenly, a vision jolted violently through his mind, vivid as lightning—Ethan and Gabe in immediate, mortal danger. His breath caught sharply as he instantly recognized the darkened alleyway from the images. Without hesitation, Tim scrambled out his window, his heart hammering wildly as he leaped into the open air, Guardian instincts surging powerfully within him, slowing the world to an almost dreamlike pace.

Back on the street, shadows shifted ominously, emerging silently from alleyways and shadowed doorways. Five hooded figures stepped into the pale glow of the streetlight, obsidian blades glittering dangerously in their hands, their movements deliberate and menacing.

"Run!" Gabe shouted urgently, yanking Ethan backward, but the attackers were swift and merciless, forcing the pair into a narrow, dimly-lit alley, trapping them helplessly against a grimy brick wall.

Out of options, Gabe stepped forward protectively, releasing his wings in an explosion of brilliant, divine light that momentarily illuminated the dark alley. Ethan quickly followed suit, his own wings bursting forth, shimmering with fierce, desperate energy.

"Well, well," sneered one attacker, his voice chillingly calm as he slowly advanced, blade poised menacingly. "You've saved us the trouble of exposing you. Blackstone will be pleased."

Gabe's voice boomed defiantly, resonating with strength and fury. "Who sent you? Tell your cowardly master we won't go down without a fight!"

A harsh, mocking laugh echoed through the shadows. "He already knows."

In an instant, chaos erupted. The attackers surged forward with ruthless precision, their movements brutally coordinated. Gabe blocked a fierce strike with a flash of divine energy, but an obsidian blade slashed viciously into his forearm, drawing blood and forcing a gasp of agony from his lips.

Ethan, driven by sheer panic and adrenaline, fought desperately, his heart pounding frantically. Though he managed to land several strong blows, he quickly became overwhelmed as two assailants violently slammed him against the unforgiving wall.

"Gabe!" Ethan cried desperately as a blade sliced deep into his side, searing pain radiating through him, soaking his shirt with blood. Darkness clawed at the edges of his vision, threatening to pull him under.

"Ethan!" Gabe shouted desperately, fighting fiercely to reach him amid the relentless assault. "Hold on!"

But Ethan's world blurred rapidly as excruciating pain overcame him. Swiftly, he was bound, gagged, and roughly dragged toward a waiting van. Gabe fought with every remaining ounce of strength, desperation fueling his fury. Yet their attackers were merciless and relentless, and a deep slash across Gabe's chest dropped him heavily to one knee, breath ragged and wings trembling.

Just as Ethan was about to vanish into the vehicle, Gabe unleashed a cry of profound anguish, forcing himself back to his feet and charging forward, divine energy blazing around him. Before he could reach Ethan, however, a brutal blow slammed him violently against the brick wall. He collapsed, broken and bleeding, struggling for consciousness on the cold pavement.

Suddenly, a streak of dazzling violet light streaked down from above, crashing forcefully amidst the attackers. Tim stood defiantly, his violet eyes ablaze, wings spread wide and powerful.

"Tim?" Gabe gasped weakly, stunned at his sudden arrival. "How did you—?"

"I sensed it," Tim responded urgently, never taking his eyes off the attackers.

Without hesitation, Tim sprang forward with newfound power and agility, swiftly disarming one attacker and knocking him to the ground. Yet even he quickly became overwhelmed, obsidian blades slashing painfully through his flesh, staining his feathers crimson.

Gabe struggled painfully upright, helplessly watching as Ethan's unconscious form was roughly tossed into the van, which sped off into the darkness.

"ETHAN!" Gabe's anguished scream echoed into the night as he desperately stumbled forward, collapsing onto the street, helpless and broken.

Tim rushed to Gabe's side, tears mingling with blood and dirt on his face. "We can't lose him—we have to follow!"

"Go!" Gabe gasped raggedly, clutching his bleeding chest, eyes blazing with unyielding determination despite unbearable pain. "You have to save Ethan!"

Tim hesitated, his voice shaking with emotion. "I can't just leave you here, Gabe—"

"Now, Tim!" Gabe roared with all the strength he could muster, his voice breaking desperately. "Ethan needs you!"

With an anguished final glance at Gabe, Tim clenched his fists and sprinted forward, guided by Ethan's fading presence. Gabe, despite agonizing pain, staggered to his feet, resolve shining through every strained movement as he struggled to follow.

Tim raced through the darkened streets of San Francisco, his heart hammering wildly, adrenaline sharpening every sense. Guided by Ethan's weakening presence, he approached a desolate warehouse, its looming silhouette menacing beneath the pale moonlight. Tim crouched silently behind a rusted dumpster, watching helplessly as dark figures roughly dragged Ethan's limp, unconscious form from the van and disappeared into the shadows inside.

Summoning every ounce of courage, Tim bolted toward the warehouse doors, his determination overriding fear. He slammed into the heavy doors, sending them crashing open with an echoing bang that shattered the eerie silence. Inside, the startled kidnappers spun around, obsidian blades glinting maliciously in the scattered moonbeams filtering through cracked, dirty windows. Their eyes narrowed dangerously, cold and ruthless in the gloom.

On the grimy concrete floor, Ethan lay battered and bound, blood seeping slowly from a deep gash across his forehead, his breathing shallow and uneven. His pale, bruised face twisted in pain as his eyes weakly fluttered open, instantly locking onto Tim's frantic gaze with desperate relief. "Tim..." Ethan whispered hoarsely through bloodied lips, his voice weak but urgent. "Please... you need to run."

Seeing Ethan vulnerable and suffering ignited a fiery rage within Tim, an intensity he never knew existed. His heart wrenched painfully, tears blurring his vision, but he steadied himself, standing firm against the enemy. "I won't lose you," Tim declared fiercely, his voice trembling with raw emotion and determination. Violet eyes blazing brilliantly, an explosion of celestial energy erupted from within him, flooding the warehouse with an intense, ethereal illumination.

Driven by instinct and an unstoppable surge of protective fury, Tim charged forward, the air crackling around him. His unleashed power flung the kidnappers backward, their bodies slamming heavily against crates and beams, sending splintered wood and metal clattering to the ground. Yet the assailants quickly regrouped, rising with menacing determination, gripping their weapons tightly as they advanced once more.

Suddenly, with a resounding crash, the warehouse doors burst open again. Gabe staggered inside, battered and bloodied, his angelic wings partially unfolded and visibly damaged. Still, his presence radiated unwavering strength. "You're not alone, Tim!" Gabe shouted fiercely, stepping forward to join the fight, eyes blazing with resolve. "Let's end this—together!"

Standing shoulder-to-shoulder, Tim and Gabe fought with relentless fervor, their combined celestial energies intertwining into a fierce storm of power and defiance. Sparks flew and blades clashed violently as cries of pain and frustration echoed off the warehouse walls. Each blow was delivered with unyielding purpose, steadily driving their attackers backward until they finally fled into the shadows from which they'd emerged, vanishing into the night.

With the immediate threat gone, Tim sprinted frantically to Ethan's side, swiftly cutting through the restraints binding him. Tim carefully lifted Ethan into his arms, cradling him protectively against his chest, tears streaming freely down his face. "I've got you, Ethan," Tim whispered urgently, his voice thick with emotion. "We're taking you home. You're going to be okay."

Gabe approached slowly, each step a painful effort, collapsing beside them as he placed a comforting hand gently on Ethan's shoulder. "You're safe now, Ethan," he reassured softly, his voice strained yet calming. "It's over."

Ethan's eyes fluttered again, the pain still evident but now softened by the safety and warmth radiating from his friends. A faint smile formed as he weakly squeezed Tim's hand, whispering quietly, "Thank you… both of you."

Together, battered and exhausted, they rose slowly from the warehouse floor, leaning heavily on each other for support. As they limped away into the night, they knew deep down the battle was far from over, yet the bond between them had strengthened immeasurably, forged through trials and sacrifice.

For now, they had survived—and that was enough.

The three of them, too wounded and exhausted to fly or heal quickly, limped slowly toward Ethan's apartment building. Each step was an agonizing effort, their battered bodies trembling from pain and exertion. Gabe, shouldering most of Ethan's weight, struggled to keep him upright. Tim clutched his side, breathing raggedly as pain radiated sharply through his body.

After a few more painful steps, Tim groaned softly, unable to hold back his frustration. "Why...why aren't we healing faster?"

Gabe clenched his jaw, breathing heavily under Ethan's weight. "Obsidian blades," he explained grimly, voice strained. "They're designed to slow our healing. They're ancient weapons made specifically to harm beings like us."

Tim winced sharply, pressing his hand tighter against his bleeding side. "Who would do something like this?"

Gabe's expression darkened further, determination flashing in his eyes despite his injuries. "The kind of enemies we've made—those who know exactly how to hurt us."

Tim shuddered, fear creeping into his voice. "Could there be permanent damage?"

Gabe paused briefly, looking Tim directly in the eyes. "We'll heal eventually, but it takes time—longer than anything we've experienced. For now, we're vulnerable. We have to be careful."

With renewed urgency, the trio pushed onward, pain and uncertainty shadowing every painstaking step toward safety.

They reached the entrance to Ethan's apartment building, its familiar structure offering a sense of safety they desperately needed. Tim stepped forward, gently taking Ethan's limp arm and carefully raising his wrist, pressing Ethan's TapWatch to the sensor beside the apartment door. The lock clicked softly, allowing them access.

Inside, they stumbled into the living room, the familiar comforts of home surrounding them, a stark contrast to the violent chaos they had just endured. Gabe carefully laid Ethan down onto the couch, his eyes filled with deep concern as he assessed Ethan's injuries.

Realizing the severity of their condition, Gabe took a deep breath and called out softly, "Halo, we need your help. Assess our injuries."

A familiar hum filled the room as the halo materialized, casting a comforting glow over the trio. "Scanning initiated," the Halo responded calmly. A gentle beam of light swept over Gabe, Ethan, and Tim, systematically evaluating their injuries.

"Assessment complete," the Halo announced. "Ethan Blade: multiple severe lacerations, moderate blood loss, two fractured ribs, severe exhaustion."

Gabe sighed heavily, his eyes reflecting worry as he glanced toward Ethan's pale face. "Thanks, Halo. Is there anything we can do for him?"

"Recommend cleansing of wounds and application of pressure bandages to stop bleeding. Healing ability is suppressed due to severe depletion of energy levels and type of weapon used. Standard medical care advised until celestial restoration is possible."

Tim quickly moved to Ethan's side, determination replacing exhaustion. "I've got it. Where do you keep your first-aid stuff?"

Ethan managed a weak smile, motioning toward the cabinet above the sink. "Up there... top shelf."

Gabe nodded gratefully toward Tim before turning his attention back to the Halo. "And Tim's condition?"

"Timothy Crane: superficial injuries, minor bruises and abrasions. Guardian healing capabilities already engaged, expected full recovery shortly."

"And me?" Gabe asked, glancing down at his chest, wincing slightly.

"Archangel Gabriel: puncture wound moderately severe but stable. No immediate danger. Celestial regeneration will commence once energy reserves are replenished. Recommend rest and avoidance of physical exertion for at least twelve hours."

Gabe exhaled slowly, leaning back against the wall as relief washed over him. "Understood. Thank you, Halo."

Tim returned swiftly, clutching the first-aid supplies tightly in his hands. Kneeling gently beside Ethan, he carefully began cleaning and bandaging Ethan's wounds, his touch both gentle and reassuringly confident. Ethan winced slightly at first, but soon felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and safety wash over him, the tension in his body easing under Tim's attentive care.

Tim carefully finished applying the last bandage to Ethan's injuries, his movements gentle and precise. Ethan sighed contentedly, grateful for Tim's steady presence. Hoping to lighten the tense mood lingering in the air, Ethan glanced up with a mischievous smirk.

"You know, Tim," Ethan began playfully, raising his eyebrows teasingly, "I should probably tell you—Gabe and I kissed earlier."

Tim froze momentarily, his eyes widening in surprise, until Gabe's amused voice echoed immediately from across the room. "Oh, for heaven's sake, Ethan—it was a prank!" Gabe rolled his eyes dramatically, feigning deep indignation. "I lived thousands of years without kissing another man, you bastard, and you just had to ruin my perfect record."

Ethan laughed warmly, his grin widening. "Hey, it had to happen eventually, Gabe. You can't go around teasing people without expecting payback."

Tim burst into laughter, shaking his head as he returned to packing the first-aid kit, mood significantly lighter. "You two are ridiculous."

Gabe chuckled softly, leaning back comfortably. "Yeah, but at least we're entertaining."

They lay quietly for a moment, trying their best to comfort each other, when suddenly Ethan's Halo sprang back to life, bathing the room in a gentle, celestial glow.

"Timothy Crane," announced the Halo calmly. "Healing complete. You are now capable of healing others, with limited results."

Tim's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait—did it just say I can heal people?"

Gabe chuckled from his spot on the couch, still exhausted but amused. "Welcome to the club, Tim. Try not to give anyone extra limbs."

Ethan sat up slightly, grinning playfully. "Yeah, keep the 'limited results' in mind—no experiments."

Tim laughed nervously, flexing his fingers dramatically. "I'll try, but if someone grows a third arm, that's on you two for trusting me."

Laughter filled the room, easing the earlier tension. Tim hesitantly knelt beside Ethan, cautiously placing his hands on him. "Alright, Ethan, if this goes wrong, remember Gabe started it."

A warm glow radiated from Tim's hands, quickly easing Ethan's pain. Ethan sighed in relief, smiling gratefully. "Tim, you're officially my favorite healer."

Tim turned toward Gabe, eyebrows raised. "Your turn. No refunds if you don't like it."

Gabe smirked weakly, leaning forward. "Do your worst."

Tim concentrated once more, hands glowing gently as he carefully healed Gabe's wounds. When he finished, Gabe quickly grabbed Tim's face and planted a big, wet kiss right on the lips.

Tim froze, eyes wide, his face instantly turning bright red as Gabe burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"Alright, Ethan!" Gabe called through his laughter. "We're officially squared up now!"

Ethan chuckled loudly, pointing accusingly at Tim. "See what you've started, Tim? This one's all your fault."

Gabe continued laughing uncontrollably, while Tim buried his flaming face in his hands, nearly dying of embarrassment. Ethan shook his head with amusement, feeling grateful for the playful moment amid the chaos. 

A gentle chime echoed softly within Ethan's consciousness:

System Notification: Assignment Complete: Survive the Encounter

Reward: 300 XP awarded

Ethan glanced briefly at the notification, relief washing over him as he recognized their accomplishment.

After the laughter subsided, fatigue finally caught up with them. As the group settled down, Gabe and Ethan exchanged amused glances before Tim gently leaned against Ethan, eyes heavy with exhaustion. Ethan smiled softly, wrapping an arm around Tim, providing comfort as sleep quickly claimed them both. Gabe settled nearby, lying comfortably as he drifted off as well, the peaceful quietness enveloping the three friends.