Holy High - IC 2 - Open

[Charlia]

"What pain? There is... no pain here. We do not--I do not feel pain," she corrected, still in that hissing voice. "Your sympathy is misplaced. There is no suffering to relieve. There is no pain to take away. There is no one to love."

He looked at her, still clinging to her despite the flames that burned him. His face was now badly burned, and his salty tears stung the charred flesh badly. Yet he still smiled sadly, and touched her face. "...There always is someone to love...Please, Charlotte...kill me, and my blood will put out the flames..." he implored.

"ARAEL, NO!" Hamiri called to him.

Arael kept his back to her, and continued to smile at Charlotte.

"You do not understand our purpose. Go," the voices hissed, and she pushed him away from the fire. "You seek to destroy us. You have no knowledge of us. You do not belong among our ashes."

[Luminesa]

He looked at her, still clinging to her despite the flames that burned him. His face was now badly burned, and his salty tears stung the charred flesh badly. Yet he still smiled sadly, and touched her face. "...There always is someone to love...Please, Charlotte...kill me, and my blood will put out the flames..." he implored.

"ARAEL, NO!" Hamiri called to him.

Arael kept his back to her, and continued to smile at Charlotte.

"You do not understand our purpose. Go," the voices hissed, and she pushed him away from the fire. "You seek to destroy us. You have no knowledge of us. You do not belong among our ashes."

"I won't leave you...I won't...And you cannot make me leave unless you kill me..." he answered, so serene for someone who knew he could die at any moment.

[Charlia]

"You do not understand our purpose. Go," the voices hissed, and she pushed him away from the fire. "You seek to destroy us. You have no knowledge of us. You do not belong among our ashes."

"I won't leave you...I won't...And you cannot make me leave unless you kill me..." he answered, so serene for someone who knew he could die at any moment.

"Fool."

The flames extinguished, but the blood remained, as did the voices.

"You will not be allowed to contaminate us. We do not need flames to manifest here."

[SuperHappySmileyWorld]

It took a while for Epsom to find the location of the noise. While originally he believed it had to be just a few feet in reality the show stopping events transpiring were so loud that they were sounding like that more than 2 miles away. While certainly not tired from such a short trip, what Epsom saw when he got there made him want to sit down.

It was hard to make out specifically what was happening. He felt as if he was watching two gods battling and one being demonstrably more powerful than the other. The closest he could relate to it was watching a hunter fight a bear... by himself. While there he noticed that more figures arrived and began to draw the now 10 feet tall creature's attention. he once again drew parallels to when hunters would make loud noises to distract pray.

"Who knows..." Epsom thought, deciding once more to stay out of this until he needed to scurry "Humans were always pretty good at taking down big prey in groups"

[Luminesa]

"I won't leave you...I won't...And you cannot make me leave unless you kill me..." he answered, so serene for someone who knew he could die at any moment.

"Fool."

The flames extinguished, but the blood remained, as did the voices.

"You will not be allowed to contaminate us. We do not need flames to manifest here."

"...Who are you?" Arael asked, now speaking directly to the voices. He had to free Charlotte at any cost.

[Charlia]

"Fool."

The flames extinguished, but the blood remained, as did the voices.

"You will not be allowed to contaminate us. We do not need flames to manifest here."

"...Who are you?" Arael asked, now speaking directly to the voices. He had to free Charlotte at any cost.

"We are... owners," the voices replied. "Our pet was being given too much freedom. Too much. So rebellious. Bad girl. Naughty. Mustn't disobey... We will keep our pet on a leash until she stops fighting us."

[Luminesa]

"...Who are you?" Arael asked, now speaking directly to the voices. He had to free Charlotte at any cost.

"We are... owners," the voices replied. "Our pet was being given too much freedom. Too much. So rebellious. Bad girl. Naughty. Mustn't disobey... We will keep our pet on a leash until she stops fighting us."

"She is not your pet...She is an angel, a daughter of her God...and...if you need a body, take mine. Not hers...Please..." he asked, softly and slowly.

[Charlia]

"We are... owners," the voices replied. "Our pet was being given too much freedom. Too much. So rebellious. Bad girl. Naughty. Mustn't disobey... We will keep our pet on a leash until she stops fighting us."

"She is not your pet...She is an angel, a daughter of her God...and...if you need a body, take mine. Not hers...Please..." he asked, softly and slowly.

"We don't know your body. We don't want your body. We know hers. We want hers. Not yours. They spoiled our fun last time. Ruined it. We were having such fun. But they ruined it. So now she's back and we want her again. We want to play. She's such fun. She's ours. Ours. Ours!"

[Theocretes]

And Raven, completely lost it.

He roared, growing into a ten foot tall version of himself, with slightly humanoid features, composed completely of three-eyed, massive albino ravens, a swarm of the creatures, circling his body and form, while his voice came from the air itself, time freezing. He snapped his fingers, a thousand white raven's eyes glowing, as he leaned froward, grabbing Xavier's fist, and crushing it, snapping the bones with surprising ease, and grabbing Patriah's arm, snapping the bones inside. The sword thrusted at him, melted away into metalloid liquid, pouring to the dirt, as Raven grabbed Patriah by the throat, and threw him across the field, energy crackling around him. He then turned to Xavier, punching the Throne in the liver with the force of an atom bomb, and pushing a palm into his bent back, slamming him into the ground, weighing him down under thousands of gravitons, the ground cracking under the weight. He then turned suddenly to Charlotte, the swarm of eyes flaring wide, as the air around her flashed away, taking away her voice.

She speaks only the truth. He went to Thanakron. Tried to create a deal with him, in an attempt to betray me. After all he's seen. all the cruelty he has seen them pursue, the blood - mills, slave pits. And he still betrayed me. For Thanakron. His ally still lies with Tharizdun, attempting a similar union. So yes, he did betray us. All of us. As well as our mission. And I dealt with him appropriately. But now, you have the gall, the audacity, to attack me? How dare you. You're lucky I'm not returning you to the primordial slime from whence you came. And if you ever, ever insult me again, I will rip every nerve ending in your body apart at once, endlessly. Healing and screaming over and over again.

His eyes narrowed, as he walked over to Patriah's crone from, kicking back the fallen dragon's head, and slamming his other boot into his chest, with the force of an immovable object, pinning the Mage to the ground, with a trillion tons of pressure.

I am God. I am the immovable object. The unstoppable force. And. You. Will. Show. Respect.

And with that, he snapped his fingers, releasing his hold, and returning to his human form, the pressure on Patriah and Xavier lifting, and the air returning to Charlotte.

Understood?

EARTH

"PATRIAH!" Hamiri shouted, running to his side.

Patriah did not listen to her, but he simply lay limp on the ground, staring at the sky.

This can't be true...it can't be...It can't be...

The words echoed over and over in his head, even as he lay as wounded as he was.

Meanwhile, Arael flew to heal Patriah, while Xavier was able to heal himself, though slowly. He lay silent for a moment, and then he smiled slightly. He then laughed loudly. He hasn't laughed like that since he had almost fallen himself, but now he was beyond furious.

"...You know what?...I don't blame Thana for doing what he did..." Xavier summoned his Staff and slowly got to his feet, holding it with his good hand. "...You're not God...you're a filthy little tyrant...YES, I SAID IT. THAT'S RIGHT. YOU'RE A TYRANT. I BET YOU DON'T LIKE HEARING THAT, DO YOU?! GUESS WHAT: NOBODY DOES, YOU PETTY LITTLE BRAT," he called, grinning madly. It was almost unlike him, but he had never seen a being he seemed more arrogant in his life. His eyes lit on fire, and he continued to smirk angrily.

"You see nothing wrong with allowing your teammates to writhe in pain, while you go after the two people who have wrecked your plans, because they, unlike the rest of us, saw through you from the start! How's that, huh? You know, I was fooled once, and I told myself I'd never let it happen again. But I did. I let it happen, inexplicably. I let two of my teammates get wounded because I chose to follow you. ONE OF THEM DIED, AN OPPONENT WHO LIVED AND BREATHED HONOR TO THE VERY END, WITH MORE HONOR THAN YOU COULD EVER UNDERSTAND. WITH MORE LOVE THAN YOU COULD EVER UNDERSTAND. So yes. I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR YOU. NONE. AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE FROM THE START, BECAUSE I KNOW NOW THAT EVEN I HAVE MORE HONOR IN MY HEART THAN YOU DO," he screamed.

He then stepped forward, and he grinned right in Raven's face.

"There was once a little show I remember was very popular just a few years ago, and it had a good saying: 'Those who break the rules are trash. But those who abandon their friends are even lower than that.' Except now, you have no friends. You're a God without followers. A fraud and a failure. If you are God, then I am Lucifer. AND I. WILL. NOT. SERVE."

Unfolding his wings completely, he turned to Lux. The latter's eyes were streaming with tears, as he absorbed everything he was hearing. Once again, he felt helpless and lost. He was on his knees, staring blankly ahead of him.

"Lux, come with me. We're going to rescue Thana and end this nightmare. For all of us," he told him.

The angel stared despairingly at him, full of earth-shattering sorrow and remorse. He had followed this wicked deity into battle, and now he saw the truth. Nothing was right, all seemed confused and grey. Yet as he looked up at Raven, the being who hurt his brother, he wiped his eyes and stood. "I stand against you as well..." he spoke brokenly, "because the God I love and pray to...has taught me to fear Him out of love, not to love Him out of fear...I have feared many things...I have lost so much...gained it back...and lost it again...but you are not my God...God is not dead, you fiend. He is alive...I...will be proof of that..." He also unfolded his wings, and he stood bravely, hiding how terrified he was. "You may come for us and try to kill us if you want...but if we die, we will die as martyrs...The first time I stood before a being like you, he tore away my dignity and made me think...that the darkness was my light...that I was hopeless and that I belonged to him...I will not fall for that again..."

Finally, Patriah stood, but he had no rousing speech. He was so crushed by what he had heard that he almost didn't have the strength. Hamiri had to clutch his shoulder, in order to hold him upright. "...Go ahead and try to kill me...because if I have to respect you, I have no point in living..."

Hamiri nodded, standing next to him firmly. "Congratulations, you can pound Bunny and Xavier into the ground. Lots of other villains have done that before. You're no different from they are. At least, my blade doesn't see a difference," she commented, drawing her sword. She then turned to Xavier and Patriah. "You two go save Thana, Lux and I will stay here and hold him back. Once again, I'll be cleaning feathers off my blade all night," she muttered. She then turned to Ryujin and shouted, "Hey! Fish-Face! Are you gonna help, or are you gonna let this scrub beat-up your best friend? Huh?"

Xavier nodded to her, and he looked at Patriah. "Let's go, come on," he told him. He then flew away alongside the Mage, who managed to get back into his Mage form. This way, he could sense Thana's magic more efficiently.

Meanwhile, Hamiri had her sword ready, and Lux stood with his Staff, tears still streaming down.

Arael watched the angel and the the Mage leave, and then he went to Charlotte and used a sleeve of his cloak to wipe her face. "...He hurt you, too...You have suffered enough, I will stand here against him and defend you...If you do not want that, please kill me. End me, because I am the one who first hurt you..." His own voice was full of sorrow and remorse for his actions, but seeing how hysterical Charlotte had become, he was willing to die so she would be satisfied.

OBLIVION

Adam sensed Patriah's Magic, as the Mage searched for them, and he smiled. How sweet...they are seeking their friend, but yet they despise me...What an unfortunate confrontation that will be... He turned to Thana and watched his body. He then flew over to him and smiled down at him, feeling his warming face. ...You poor, lonely creature...cursed with such a loveless life, such a loveless job...Do not be upset, you will be able to see your little student and his friend soon...just not now...

Another Angel of Oblivion entered the room just then, a tall and stately male with long green hair, and dressed in a long, red jacket and a black military uniform. The Angel immediately bent on one knee. "My Creator and My Lord..." he whispered.

Zeruel...So good to see you. Shall you go find Ianar and bring him to me? I would like to keep him here as well...Then please greet our guests for me. I would like them to know that they are safe here...at least for now...

"Anything for you, My Lord..." Zeruel answered eagerly. He then briskly stood and disappeared, going to find the rescuers.

Ianar watched the angel decend towards him
"Im guessing you are a friend of Thanas? You look the type..."
He stood up and dusted himself off
"well, come on...do what you came here to do...whatever it is.

[Syrixces]

And Raven, completely lost it.

He roared, growing into a ten foot tall version of himself, with slightly humanoid features, composed completely of three-eyed, massive albino ravens, a swarm of the creatures, circling his body and form, while his voice came from the air itself, time freezing. He snapped his fingers, a thousand white raven's eyes glowing, as he leaned froward, grabbing Xavier's fist, and crushing it, snapping the bones with surprising ease, and grabbing Patriah's arm, snapping the bones inside. The sword thrusted at him, melted away into metalloid liquid, pouring to the dirt, as Raven grabbed Patriah by the throat, and threw him across the field, energy crackling around him. He then turned to Xavier, punching the Throne in the liver with the force of an atom bomb, and pushing a palm into his bent back, slamming him into the ground, weighing him down under thousands of gravitons, the ground cracking under the weight. He then turned suddenly to Charlotte, the swarm of eyes flaring wide, as the air around her flashed away, taking away her voice.

She speaks only the truth. He went to Thanakron. Tried to create a deal with him, in an attempt to betray me. After all he's seen. all the cruelty he has seen them pursue, the blood - mills, slave pits. And he still betrayed me. For Thanakron. His ally still lies with Tharizdun, attempting a similar union. So yes, he did betray us. All of us. As well as our mission. And I dealt with him appropriately. But now, you have the gall, the audacity, to attack me? How dare you. You're lucky I'm not returning you to the primordial slime from whence you came. And if you ever, ever insult me again, I will rip every nerve ending in your body apart at once, endlessly. Healing and screaming over and over again.

His eyes narrowed, as he walked over to Patriah's crone from, kicking back the fallen dragon's head, and slamming his other boot into his chest, with the force of an immovable object, pinning the Mage to the ground, with a trillion tons of pressure.

I am God. I am the immovable object. The unstoppable force. And. You. Will. Show. Respect.

And with that, he snapped his fingers, releasing his hold, and returning to his human form, the pressure on Patriah and Xavier lifting, and the air returning to Charlotte.

Understood?

EARTH

"PATRIAH!" Hamiri shouted, running to his side.

Patriah did not listen to her, but he simply lay limp on the ground, staring at the sky.

This can't be true...it can't be...It can't be...

The words echoed over and over in his head, even as he lay as wounded as he was.

Meanwhile, Arael flew to heal Patriah, while Xavier was able to heal himself, though slowly. He lay silent for a moment, and then he smiled slightly. He then laughed loudly. He hasn't laughed like that since he had almost fallen himself, but now he was beyond furious.

"...You know what?...I don't blame Thana for doing what he did..." Xavier summoned his Staff and slowly got to his feet, holding it with his good hand. "...You're not God...you're a filthy little tyrant...YES, I SAID IT. THAT'S RIGHT. YOU'RE A TYRANT. I BET YOU DON'T LIKE HEARING THAT, DO YOU?! GUESS WHAT: NOBODY DOES, YOU PETTY LITTLE BRAT," he called, grinning madly. It was almost unlike him, but he had never seen a being he seemed more arrogant in his life. His eyes lit on fire, and he continued to smirk angrily.

"You see nothing wrong with allowing your teammates to writhe in pain, while you go after the two people who have wrecked your plans, because they, unlike the rest of us, saw through you from the start! How's that, huh? You know, I was fooled once, and I told myself I'd never let it happen again. But I did. I let it happen, inexplicably. I let two of my teammates get wounded because I chose to follow you. ONE OF THEM DIED, AN OPPONENT WHO LIVED AND BREATHED HONOR TO THE VERY END, WITH MORE HONOR THAN YOU COULD EVER UNDERSTAND. WITH MORE LOVE THAN YOU COULD EVER UNDERSTAND. So yes. I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR YOU. NONE. AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE FROM THE START, BECAUSE I KNOW NOW THAT EVEN I HAVE MORE HONOR IN MY HEART THAN YOU DO," he screamed.

He then stepped forward, and he grinned right in Raven's face.

"There was once a little show I remember was very popular just a few years ago, and it had a good saying: 'Those who break the rules are trash. But those who abandon their friends are even lower than that.' Except now, you have no friends. You're a God without followers. A fraud and a failure. If you are God, then I am Lucifer. AND I. WILL. NOT. SERVE."

Unfolding his wings completely, he turned to Lux. The latter's eyes were streaming with tears, as he absorbed everything he was hearing. Once again, he felt helpless and lost. He was on his knees, staring blankly ahead of him.

"Lux, come with me. We're going to rescue Thana and end this nightmare. For all of us," he told him.

The angel stared despairingly at him, full of earth-shattering sorrow and remorse. He had followed this wicked deity into battle, and now he saw the truth. Nothing was right, all seemed confused and grey. Yet as he looked up at Raven, the being who hurt his brother, he wiped his eyes and stood. "I stand against you as well..." he spoke brokenly, "because the God I love and pray to...has taught me to fear Him out of love, not to love Him out of fear...I have feared many things...I have lost so much...gained it back...and lost it again...but you are not my God...God is not dead, you fiend. He is alive...I...will be proof of that..." He also unfolded his wings, and he stood bravely, hiding how terrified he was. "You may come for us and try to kill us if you want...but if we die, we will die as martyrs...The first time I stood before a being like you, he tore away my dignity and made me think...that the darkness was my light...that I was hopeless and that I belonged to him...I will not fall for that again..."

Finally, Patriah stood, but he had no rousing speech. He was so crushed by what he had heard that he almost didn't have the strength. Hamiri had to clutch his shoulder, in order to hold him upright. "...Go ahead and try to kill me...because if I have to respect you, I have no point in living..."

Hamiri nodded, standing next to him firmly. "Congratulations, you can pound Bunny and Xavier into the ground. Lots of other villains have done that before. You're no different from they are. At least, my blade doesn't see a difference," she commented, drawing her sword. She then turned to Xavier and Patriah. "You two go save Thana, Lux and I will stay here and hold him back. Once again, I'll be cleaning feathers off my blade all night," she muttered. She then turned to Ryujin and shouted, "Hey! Fish-Face! Are you gonna help, or are you gonna let this scrub beat-up your best friend? Huh?"

Xavier nodded to her, and he looked at Patriah. "Let's go, come on," he told him. He then flew away alongside the Mage, who managed to get back into his Mage form. This way, he could sense Thana's magic more efficiently.

Meanwhile, Hamiri had her sword ready, and Lux stood with his Staff, tears still streaming down.

Arael watched the angel and the the Mage leave, and then he went to Charlotte and used a sleeve of his cloak to wipe her face. "...He hurt you, too...You have suffered enough, I will stand here against him and defend you...If you do not want that, please kill me. End me, because I am the one who first hurt you..." His own voice was full of sorrow and remorse for his actions, but seeing how hysterical Charlotte had become, he was willing to die so she would be satisfied.

OBLIVION

Adam sensed Patriah's Magic, as the Mage searched for them, and he smiled. How sweet...they are seeking their friend, but yet they despise me...What an unfortunate confrontation that will be... He turned to Thana and watched his body. He then flew over to him and smiled down at him, feeling his warming face. ...You poor, lonely creature...cursed with such a loveless life, such a loveless job...Do not be upset, you will be able to see your little student and his friend soon...just not now...

Another Angel of Oblivion entered the room just then, a tall and stately male with long green hair, and dressed in a long, red jacket and a black military uniform. The Angel immediately bent on one knee. "My Creator and My Lord..." he whispered.

Zeruel...So good to see you. Shall you go find Ianar and bring him to me? I would like to keep him here as well...Then please greet our guests for me. I would like them to know that they are safe here...at least for now...

"Anything for you, My Lord..." Zeruel answered eagerly. He then briskly stood and disappeared, going to find the rescuers.

Raven would take no more of this.

He snapped his fingers, appearing right next to Xavier, grabbing his throat sideways, pinning the esophagus under the weight of a world, and slammed him to the ground, the air slowing around them, as slowly, from within his center mass of birds, his feathers, began to shift to black, his voice, taking on a much more chilly tone.

OU DARE TO MENTION MY FRIENDS?!

He roared, lifting up Xavier, and slamming him to the ground in his fit of rage, cracking the Earth.

I HAVE SEEN ALL MY FRIENDS LAY WASTE BEFORE ME. FOR MY IGNORANCE, MY WILL, THEY DIED. ALL OF THEM.

He picked up the Throne one last time, before turning to the others, cold rage seeping through him.

AND ANY GROUP, THAT WOULD ACCUSE ME, OF CHARGES THAT I AM NOT GUILTY OF, ISIS NOT MADE UP OF FRIENDS. YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO SPEAK OF MY FRIENDS. CORRECT, LUX?

He teleported instantly, appearing in front of the angel, his flock returning to its white color, as he stood back, a thousand eyes searching the angel's soul.

So, angel. What are my crimes? I've been accused many times, with insults, but never with actual crimes. I've saved people, shown mercy, and done my best to save our allies in time of battle. How am I a tyrant? I've given you all so much freedom, and the minute I pursue a traitor, I become evil?

He snapped his fingers, a mirage of the previous events playing, showing Thana, searching, and bargaining with Thanakron.

How can I be guilty, when the one I punished, betrayed us for our worst enemy?

At this point, the anger overtook him again, and he began to shout in his rage.

WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG?! I USED TO KNOW LOVE, HONOR. BUT AT LEAST I ADMIT WHEN I DON'T! I'M NOT A SELF-RIGHTEOUS ASS-HOLE, WHOM ASSUMES THAT THEY'RE RIGHT, WHEN ALL THE EVIDENCE POINTS AWAY! YOU SAY YOU DON'T TRUST ME, WHY? FOR DEFENDING MYSELF? WITH THANA, AND YOURSELVES, YOU ALL HAVE ALWAYS STRUCK THE FIRST BLOW. I HAVE MERELY DEFENDED MYSELF.

He stood there, panting, having expressed his rage.

If hat's is why I am guilty; for being all-too human, then well, strike me down now. Because I know, that's what I am. But at least I still have my dignity left.

[Luminesa]

EARTH

"PATRIAH!" Hamiri shouted, running to his side.

Patriah did not listen to her, but he simply lay limp on the ground, staring at the sky.

This can't be true...it can't be...It can't be...

The words echoed over and over in his head, even as he lay as wounded as he was.

Meanwhile, Arael flew to heal Patriah, while Xavier was able to heal himself, though slowly. He lay silent for a moment, and then he smiled slightly. He then laughed loudly. He hasn't laughed like that since he had almost fallen himself, but now he was beyond furious.

"...You know what?...I don't blame Thana for doing what he did..." Xavier summoned his Staff and slowly got to his feet, holding it with his good hand. "...You're not God...you're a filthy little tyrant...YES, I SAID IT. THAT'S RIGHT. YOU'RE A TYRANT. I BET YOU DON'T LIKE HEARING THAT, DO YOU?! GUESS WHAT: NOBODY DOES, YOU PETTY LITTLE BRAT," he called, grinning madly. It was almost unlike him, but he had never seen a being he seemed more arrogant in his life. His eyes lit on fire, and he continued to smirk angrily.

"You see nothing wrong with allowing your teammates to writhe in pain, while you go after the two people who have wrecked your plans, because they, unlike the rest of us, saw through you from the start! How's that, huh? You know, I was fooled once, and I told myself I'd never let it happen again. But I did. I let it happen, inexplicably. I let two of my teammates get wounded because I chose to follow you. ONE OF THEM DIED, AN OPPONENT WHO LIVED AND BREATHED HONOR TO THE VERY END, WITH MORE HONOR THAN YOU COULD EVER UNDERSTAND. WITH MORE LOVE THAN YOU COULD EVER UNDERSTAND. So yes. I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR YOU. NONE. AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE FROM THE START, BECAUSE I KNOW NOW THAT EVEN I HAVE MORE HONOR IN MY HEART THAN YOU DO," he screamed.

He then stepped forward, and he grinned right in Raven's face.

"There was once a little show I remember was very popular just a few years ago, and it had a good saying: 'Those who break the rules are trash. But those who abandon their friends are even lower than that.' Except now, you have no friends. You're a God without followers. A fraud and a failure. If you are God, then I am Lucifer. AND I. WILL. NOT. SERVE."

Unfolding his wings completely, he turned to Lux. The latter's eyes were streaming with tears, as he absorbed everything he was hearing. Once again, he felt helpless and lost. He was on his knees, staring blankly ahead of him.

"Lux, come with me. We're going to rescue Thana and end this nightmare. For all of us," he told him.

The angel stared despairingly at him, full of earth-shattering sorrow and remorse. He had followed this wicked deity into battle, and now he saw the truth. Nothing was right, all seemed confused and grey. Yet as he looked up at Raven, the being who hurt his brother, he wiped his eyes and stood. "I stand against you as well..." he spoke brokenly, "because the God I love and pray to...has taught me to fear Him out of love, not to love Him out of fear...I have feared many things...I have lost so much...gained it back...and lost it again...but you are not my God...God is not dead, you fiend. He is alive...I...will be proof of that..." He also unfolded his wings, and he stood bravely, hiding how terrified he was. "You may come for us and try to kill us if you want...but if we die, we will die as martyrs...The first time I stood before a being like you, he tore away my dignity and made me think...that the darkness was my light...that I was hopeless and that I belonged to him...I will not fall for that again..."

Finally, Patriah stood, but he had no rousing speech. He was so crushed by what he had heard that he almost didn't have the strength. Hamiri had to clutch his shoulder, in order to hold him upright. "...Go ahead and try to kill me...because if I have to respect you, I have no point in living..."

Hamiri nodded, standing next to him firmly. "Congratulations, you can pound Bunny and Xavier into the ground. Lots of other villains have done that before. You're no different from they are. At least, my blade doesn't see a difference," she commented, drawing her sword. She then turned to Xavier and Patriah. "You two go save Thana, Lux and I will stay here and hold him back. Once again, I'll be cleaning feathers off my blade all night," she muttered. She then turned to Ryujin and shouted, "Hey! Fish-Face! Are you gonna help, or are you gonna let this scrub beat-up your best friend? Huh?"

Xavier nodded to her, and he looked at Patriah. "Let's go, come on," he told him. He then flew away alongside the Mage, who managed to get back into his Mage form. This way, he could sense Thana's magic more efficiently.

Meanwhile, Hamiri had her sword ready, and Lux stood with his Staff, tears still streaming down.

Arael watched the angel and the the Mage leave, and then he went to Charlotte and used a sleeve of his cloak to wipe her face. "...He hurt you, too...You have suffered enough, I will stand here against him and defend you...If you do not want that, please kill me. End me, because I am the one who first hurt you..." His own voice was full of sorrow and remorse for his actions, but seeing how hysterical Charlotte had become, he was willing to die so she would be satisfied.

OBLIVION

Adam sensed Patriah's Magic, as the Mage searched for them, and he smiled. How sweet...they are seeking their friend, but yet they despise me...What an unfortunate confrontation that will be... He turned to Thana and watched his body. He then flew over to him and smiled down at him, feeling his warming face. ...You poor, lonely creature...cursed with such a loveless life, such a loveless job...Do not be upset, you will be able to see your little student and his friend soon...just not now...

Another Angel of Oblivion entered the room just then, a tall and stately male with long green hair, and dressed in a long, red jacket and a black military uniform. The Angel immediately bent on one knee. "My Creator and My Lord..." he whispered.

Zeruel...So good to see you. Shall you go find Ianar and bring him to me? I would like to keep him here as well...Then please greet our guests for me. I would like them to know that they are safe here...at least for now...

"Anything for you, My Lord..." Zeruel answered eagerly. He then briskly stood and disappeared, going to find the rescuers.

Raven would take no more of this.

He snapped his fingers, appearing right next to Xavier, grabbing his throat sideways, pinning the esophagus under the weight of a world, and slammed him to the ground, the air slowing around them, as slowly, from within his center mass of birds, his feathers, began to shift to black, his voice, taking on a much more chilly tone.

OU DARE TO MENTION MY FRIENDS?!

He roared, lifting up Xavier, and slamming him to the ground in his fit of rage, cracking the Earth.

I HAVE SEEN ALL MY FRIENDS LAY WASTE BEFORE ME. FOR MY IGNORANCE, MY WILL, THEY DIED. ALL OF THEM.

He picked up the Throne one last time, before turning to the others, cold rage seeping through him.

AND ANY GROUP, THAT WOULD ACCUSE ME, OF CHARGES THAT I AM NOT GUILTY OF, ISIS NOT MADE UP OF FRIENDS. YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO SPEAK OF MY FRIENDS. CORRECT, LUX?

He teleported instantly, appearing in front of the angel, his flock returning to its white color, as he stood back, a thousand eyes searching the angel's soul.

So, angel. What are my crimes? I've been accused many times, with insults, but never with actual crimes. I've saved people, shown mercy, and done my best to save our allies in time of battle. How am I a tyrant? I've given you all so much freedom, and the minute I pursue a traitor, I become evil?

He snapped his fingers, a mirage of the previous events playing, showing Thana, searching, and bargaining with Thanakron.

How can I be guilty, when the one I punished, betrayed us for our worst enemy?

At this point, the anger overtook him again, and he began to shout in his rage.

WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG?! I USED TO KNOW LOVE, HONOR. BUT AT LEAST I ADMIT WHEN I DON'T! I'M NOT A SELF-RIGHTEOUS ASS-HOLE, WHOM ASSUMES THAT THEY'RE RIGHT, WHEN ALL THE EVIDENCE POINTS AWAY! YOU SAY YOU DON'T TRUST ME, WHY? FOR DEFENDING MYSELF? WITH THANA, AND YOURSELVES, YOU ALL HAVE ALWAYS STRUCK THE FIRST BLOW. I HAVE MERELY DEFENDED MYSELF.

He stood there, panting, having expressed his rage.

If hat's is why I am guilty; for being all-too human, then well, strike me down now. Because I know, that's what I am. But at least I still have my dignity left.

Xavier laid on the ground for a moment, trying to regain his strength once again. When he did, he took his Staff and aimed it at him. "You want to know what you did? Fine. You did not help us in the fight with Set, or the fight with Apophis. You did not defend Charlotte when she was fighting with Adam, but you merely watched and rolled your eyes. Same for Arael. And you took the powers of Mars, instead of leaving them in the grave with him. Then when we question you for these things and you slam is into the ground and demand we respect you. And we're not even sure what you did to Thana. You couldn't care less for the suffering of my team, of my friends, because you have only brought us here so we can be your tools in this war. Why don't I trust you? Because you've said all this time you are God, when you act nothing like a God. If you were God, you would know I have lost family and friends. The War In Heaven. There were so many casualties...I lost my little sister because I was too busy focusing on myself, and I nearly fell right along with her...But you don't care. The only pain you care for is your own, and I don't want to follow a God like that," he answered, darkly. He then flew away after Patriah and Joaquin again.

[Luminesa]

"She is not your pet...She is an angel, a daughter of her God...and...if you need a body, take mine. Not hers...Please..." he asked, softly and slowly.

"We don't know your body. We don't want your body. We know hers. We want hers. Not yours. They spoiled our fun last time. Ruined it. We were having such fun. But they ruined it. So now she's back and we want her again. We want to play. She's such fun. She's ours. Ours. Ours!"

Arael listened to them speak, and then he closed his eyes. If he focused, he could enter Charlotte's mind and search for her himself.

When he opened his eyes again, he was indeed in Charlotte's mind, searching around the flaming, ravaged abyss for Charlotte herself.

[Ranoria]

EARTH

"PATRIAH!" Hamiri shouted, running to his side.

Patriah did not listen to her, but he simply lay limp on the ground, staring at the sky.

This can't be true...it can't be...It can't be...

The words echoed over and over in his head, even as he lay as wounded as he was.

Meanwhile, Arael flew to heal Patriah, while Xavier was able to heal himself, though slowly. He lay silent for a moment, and then he smiled slightly. He then laughed loudly. He hasn't laughed like that since he had almost fallen himself, but now he was beyond furious.

"...You know what?...I don't blame Thana for doing what he did..." Xavier summoned his Staff and slowly got to his feet, holding it with his good hand. "...You're not God...you're a filthy little tyrant...YES, I SAID IT. THAT'S RIGHT. YOU'RE A TYRANT. I BET YOU DON'T LIKE HEARING THAT, DO YOU?! GUESS WHAT: NOBODY DOES, YOU PETTY LITTLE BRAT," he called, grinning madly. It was almost unlike him, but he had never seen a being he seemed more arrogant in his life. His eyes lit on fire, and he continued to smirk angrily.

"You see nothing wrong with allowing your teammates to writhe in pain, while you go after the two people who have wrecked your plans, because they, unlike the rest of us, saw through you from the start! How's that, huh? You know, I was fooled once, and I told myself I'd never let it happen again. But I did. I let it happen, inexplicably. I let two of my teammates get wounded because I chose to follow you. ONE OF THEM DIED, AN OPPONENT WHO LIVED AND BREATHED HONOR TO THE VERY END, WITH MORE HONOR THAN YOU COULD EVER UNDERSTAND. WITH MORE LOVE THAN YOU COULD EVER UNDERSTAND. So yes. I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR YOU. NONE. AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE FROM THE START, BECAUSE I KNOW NOW THAT EVEN I HAVE MORE HONOR IN MY HEART THAN YOU DO," he screamed.

He then stepped forward, and he grinned right in Raven's face.

"There was once a little show I remember was very popular just a few years ago, and it had a good saying: 'Those who break the rules are trash. But those who abandon their friends are even lower than that.' Except now, you have no friends. You're a God without followers. A fraud and a failure. If you are God, then I am Lucifer. AND I. WILL. NOT. SERVE."

Unfolding his wings completely, he turned to Lux. The latter's eyes were streaming with tears, as he absorbed everything he was hearing. Once again, he felt helpless and lost. He was on his knees, staring blankly ahead of him.

"Lux, come with me. We're going to rescue Thana and end this nightmare. For all of us," he told him.

The angel stared despairingly at him, full of earth-shattering sorrow and remorse. He had followed this wicked deity into battle, and now he saw the truth. Nothing was right, all seemed confused and grey. Yet as he looked up at Raven, the being who hurt his brother, he wiped his eyes and stood. "I stand against you as well..." he spoke brokenly, "because the God I love and pray to...has taught me to fear Him out of love, not to love Him out of fear...I have feared many things...I have lost so much...gained it back...and lost it again...but you are not my God...God is not dead, you fiend. He is alive...I...will be proof of that..." He also unfolded his wings, and he stood bravely, hiding how terrified he was. "You may come for us and try to kill us if you want...but if we die, we will die as martyrs...The first time I stood before a being like you, he tore away my dignity and made me think...that the darkness was my light...that I was hopeless and that I belonged to him...I will not fall for that again..."

Finally, Patriah stood, but he had no rousing speech. He was so crushed by what he had heard that he almost didn't have the strength. Hamiri had to clutch his shoulder, in order to hold him upright. "...Go ahead and try to kill me...because if I have to respect you, I have no point in living..."

Hamiri nodded, standing next to him firmly. "Congratulations, you can pound Bunny and Xavier into the ground. Lots of other villains have done that before. You're no different from they are. At least, my blade doesn't see a difference," she commented, drawing her sword. She then turned to Xavier and Patriah. "You two go save Thana, Lux and I will stay here and hold him back. Once again, I'll be cleaning feathers off my blade all night," she muttered. She then turned to Ryujin and shouted, "Hey! Fish-Face! Are you gonna help, or are you gonna let this scrub beat-up your best friend? Huh?"

Xavier nodded to her, and he looked at Patriah. "Let's go, come on," he told him. He then flew away alongside the Mage, who managed to get back into his Mage form. This way, he could sense Thana's magic more efficiently.

Meanwhile, Hamiri had her sword ready, and Lux stood with his Staff, tears still streaming down.

Arael watched the angel and the the Mage leave, and then he went to Charlotte and used a sleeve of his cloak to wipe her face. "...He hurt you, too...You have suffered enough, I will stand here against him and defend you...If you do not want that, please kill me. End me, because I am the one who first hurt you..." His own voice was full of sorrow and remorse for his actions, but seeing how hysterical Charlotte had become, he was willing to die so she would be satisfied.

OBLIVION

Adam sensed Patriah's Magic, as the Mage searched for them, and he smiled. How sweet...they are seeking their friend, but yet they despise me...What an unfortunate confrontation that will be... He turned to Thana and watched his body. He then flew over to him and smiled down at him, feeling his warming face. ...You poor, lonely creature...cursed with such a loveless life, such a loveless job...Do not be upset, you will be able to see your little student and his friend soon...just not now...

Another Angel of Oblivion entered the room just then, a tall and stately male with long green hair, and dressed in a long, red jacket and a black military uniform. The Angel immediately bent on one knee. "My Creator and My Lord..." he whispered.

Zeruel...So good to see you. Shall you go find Ianar and bring him to me? I would like to keep him here as well...Then please greet our guests for me. I would like them to know that they are safe here...at least for now...

"Anything for you, My Lord..." Zeruel answered eagerly. He then briskly stood and disappeared, going to find the rescuers.

Raven would take no more of this.

He snapped his fingers, appearing right next to Xavier, grabbing his throat sideways, pinning the esophagus under the weight of a world, and slammed him to the ground, the air slowing around them, as slowly, from within his center mass of birds, his feathers, began to shift to black, his voice, taking on a much more chilly tone.

OU DARE TO MENTION MY FRIENDS?!

He roared, lifting up Xavier, and slamming him to the ground in his fit of rage, cracking the Earth.

I HAVE SEEN ALL MY FRIENDS LAY WASTE BEFORE ME. FOR MY IGNORANCE, MY WILL, THEY DIED. ALL OF THEM.

He picked up the Throne one last time, before turning to the others, cold rage seeping through him.

AND ANY GROUP, THAT WOULD ACCUSE ME, OF CHARGES THAT I AM NOT GUILTY OF, ISIS NOT MADE UP OF FRIENDS. YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO SPEAK OF MY FRIENDS. CORRECT, LUX?

He teleported instantly, appearing in front of the angel, his flock returning to its white color, as he stood back, a thousand eyes searching the angel's soul.

So, angel. What are my crimes? I've been accused many times, with insults, but never with actual crimes. I've saved people, shown mercy, and done my best to save our allies in time of battle. How am I a tyrant? I've given you all so much freedom, and the minute I pursue a traitor, I become evil?

He snapped his fingers, a mirage of the previous events playing, showing Thana, searching, and bargaining with Thanakron.

How can I be guilty, when the one I punished, betrayed us for our worst enemy?

At this point, the anger overtook him again, and he began to shout in his rage.

WHAT HAVE I DONE WRONG?! I USED TO KNOW LOVE, HONOR. BUT AT LEAST I ADMIT WHEN I DON'T! I'M NOT A SELF-RIGHTEOUS ASS-HOLE, WHOM ASSUMES THAT THEY'RE RIGHT, WHEN ALL THE EVIDENCE POINTS AWAY! YOU SAY YOU DON'T TRUST ME, WHY? FOR DEFENDING MYSELF? WITH THANA, AND YOURSELVES, YOU ALL HAVE ALWAYS STRUCK THE FIRST BLOW. I HAVE MERELY DEFENDED MYSELF.

He stood there, panting, having expressed his rage.

If hat's is why I am guilty; for being all-too human, then well, strike me down now. Because I know, that's what I am. But at least I still have my dignity left.

Ryujin snarled again, his fangs already gleaming in the desert sun, "So you've made your decision then," the dragon dove in, his fangs latching around Raven's skull, immense blades tearing into his neck as he whipped his head up, snapping whatever bone laid within before hurling the god into the sand, which, now soaked, reached up to embrace the so called creator.

The dragon's massive talons came crashing down, smashing Raven's chest hard enough to turn his entire torso to paste as the god above him snarled, the sand not budging an inch with the water in it, making the blow all the more violent as the ground shook. "You have no power, and you never did. You are no high god, as you have claimed. And now, now you'll die like the rest of them."

[Charlia]

"We don't know your body. We don't want your body. We know hers. We want hers. Not yours. They spoiled our fun last time. Ruined it. We were having such fun. But they ruined it. So now she's back and we want her again. We want to play. She's such fun. She's ours. Ours. Ours!"

Arael listened to them speak, and then he closed his eyes. If he focused, he could enter Charlotte's mind and search for her himself.

When he opened his eyes again, he was indeed in Charlotte's mind, searching around the flaming, ravaged abyss for Charlotte herself.

A barrier shoved him back out. A barrier of fire, blood, and tears. An enormous pentagram, appearing and then striking him out of her mind.

"No."

[SuperHappySmileyWorld]

He was feeling cautious, Epsom was still hiding out at what he felt was a save viewing distance from the commotion. He did not know the last time god quarrelled. He was never one to directly fight others like him, but at the same time those flashes of time showed him doing things he never would of thought of doing anyway. Epsom slowly crept closer to the events transpiring, slowly enough to try to find cover but knew deep down that it was probably pointless

"Lots of... Snapping going on" Epsom mused, watching the teleporting being make his abilities happening apparently through the gesture. He wasn't sure why he needed to, perhaps some mental block or perhaps he liked the noise as he never needed to specifically gesture to do something. As he was thinking this he saw one of the other beings become dragon esc and attempt to pounce the teleporting one

[Luminesa]

Arael listened to them speak, and then he closed his eyes. If he focused, he could enter Charlotte's mind and search for her himself.

When he opened his eyes again, he was indeed in Charlotte's mind, searching around the flaming, ravaged abyss for Charlotte herself.

A barrier shoved him back out. A barrier of fire, blood, and tears. An enormous pentagram, appearing and then striking him out of her mind.

"No."

When he was knocked out of her, he becane a bit unsteady, as he regained full consciousness. However, he would not back-down. "Come out of her! I do not know where you have come from, but I will not let you stay!" he declared.

Lux saw him struggling, and he finally called to him, "Arael, switch with me. You can fight alongside Hamiri."

Arael didn't want to leave Charlotte, but Lux didn't give him a choice. Instead, he flew over and stood lightly in front of Charlotte. He then put a hand on her forehead, and his eyes glowed gold. "You have tormented this daughter of God for too long. I command you, by the power of God my Father, to leave her now," he ordered.

Hamiri merely watched them, and she also kept an eye on Rosalie, who was still unconscious nearby, and Raven, who stood a couple of yards in front of her.

[Luminesa]

EARTH

"PATRIAH!" Hamiri shouted, running to his side.

Patriah did not listen to her, but he simply lay limp on the ground, staring at the sky.

This can't be true...it can't be...It can't be...

The words echoed over and over in his head, even as he lay as wounded as he was.

Meanwhile, Arael flew to heal Patriah, while Xavier was able to heal himself, though slowly. He lay silent for a moment, and then he smiled slightly. He then laughed loudly. He hasn't laughed like that since he had almost fallen himself, but now he was beyond furious.

"...You know what?...I don't blame Thana for doing what he did..." Xavier summoned his Staff and slowly got to his feet, holding it with his good hand. "...You're not God...you're a filthy little tyrant...YES, I SAID IT. THAT'S RIGHT. YOU'RE A TYRANT. I BET YOU DON'T LIKE HEARING THAT, DO YOU?! GUESS WHAT: NOBODY DOES, YOU PETTY LITTLE BRAT," he called, grinning madly. It was almost unlike him, but he had never seen a being he seemed more arrogant in his life. His eyes lit on fire, and he continued to smirk angrily.

"You see nothing wrong with allowing your teammates to writhe in pain, while you go after the two people who have wrecked your plans, because they, unlike the rest of us, saw through you from the start! How's that, huh? You know, I was fooled once, and I told myself I'd never let it happen again. But I did. I let it happen, inexplicably. I let two of my teammates get wounded because I chose to follow you. ONE OF THEM DIED, AN OPPONENT WHO LIVED AND BREATHED HONOR TO THE VERY END, WITH MORE HONOR THAN YOU COULD EVER UNDERSTAND. WITH MORE LOVE THAN YOU COULD EVER UNDERSTAND. So yes. I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR YOU. NONE. AND I SHOULDN'T HAVE FROM THE START, BECAUSE I KNOW NOW THAT EVEN I HAVE MORE HONOR IN MY HEART THAN YOU DO," he screamed.

He then stepped forward, and he grinned right in Raven's face.

"There was once a little show I remember was very popular just a few years ago, and it had a good saying: 'Those who break the rules are trash. But those who abandon their friends are even lower than that.' Except now, you have no friends. You're a God without followers. A fraud and a failure. If you are God, then I am Lucifer. AND I. WILL. NOT. SERVE."

Unfolding his wings completely, he turned to Lux. The latter's eyes were streaming with tears, as he absorbed everything he was hearing. Once again, he felt helpless and lost. He was on his knees, staring blankly ahead of him.

"Lux, come with me. We're going to rescue Thana and end this nightmare. For all of us," he told him.

The angel stared despairingly at him, full of earth-shattering sorrow and remorse. He had followed this wicked deity into battle, and now he saw the truth. Nothing was right, all seemed confused and grey. Yet as he looked up at Raven, the being who hurt his brother, he wiped his eyes and stood. "I stand against you as well..." he spoke brokenly, "because the God I love and pray to...has taught me to fear Him out of love, not to love Him out of fear...I have feared many things...I have lost so much...gained it back...and lost it again...but you are not my God...God is not dead, you fiend. He is alive...I...will be proof of that..." He also unfolded his wings, and he stood bravely, hiding how terrified he was. "You may come for us and try to kill us if you want...but if we die, we will die as martyrs...The first time I stood before a being like you, he tore away my dignity and made me think...that the darkness was my light...that I was hopeless and that I belonged to him...I will not fall for that again..."

Finally, Patriah stood, but he had no rousing speech. He was so crushed by what he had heard that he almost didn't have the strength. Hamiri had to clutch his shoulder, in order to hold him upright. "...Go ahead and try to kill me...because if I have to respect you, I have no point in living..."

Hamiri nodded, standing next to him firmly. "Congratulations, you can pound Bunny and Xavier into the ground. Lots of other villains have done that before. You're no different from they are. At least, my blade doesn't see a difference," she commented, drawing her sword. She then turned to Xavier and Patriah. "You two go save Thana, Lux and I will stay here and hold him back. Once again, I'll be cleaning feathers off my blade all night," she muttered. She then turned to Ryujin and shouted, "Hey! Fish-Face! Are you gonna help, or are you gonna let this scrub beat-up your best friend? Huh?"

Xavier nodded to her, and he looked at Patriah. "Let's go, come on," he told him. He then flew away alongside the Mage, who managed to get back into his Mage form. This way, he could sense Thana's magic more efficiently.

Meanwhile, Hamiri had her sword ready, and Lux stood with his Staff, tears still streaming down.

Arael watched the angel and the the Mage leave, and then he went to Charlotte and used a sleeve of his cloak to wipe her face. "...He hurt you, too...You have suffered enough, I will stand here against him and defend you...If you do not want that, please kill me. End me, because I am the one who first hurt you..." His own voice was full of sorrow and remorse for his actions, but seeing how hysterical Charlotte had become, he was willing to die so she would be satisfied.

OBLIVION

Adam sensed Patriah's Magic, as the Mage searched for them, and he smiled. How sweet...they are seeking their friend, but yet they despise me...What an unfortunate confrontation that will be... He turned to Thana and watched his body. He then flew over to him and smiled down at him, feeling his warming face. ...You poor, lonely creature...cursed with such a loveless life, such a loveless job...Do not be upset, you will be able to see your little student and his friend soon...just not now...

Another Angel of Oblivion entered the room just then, a tall and stately male with long green hair, and dressed in a long, red jacket and a black military uniform. The Angel immediately bent on one knee. "My Creator and My Lord..." he whispered.

Zeruel...So good to see you. Shall you go find Ianar and bring him to me? I would like to keep him here as well...Then please greet our guests for me. I would like them to know that they are safe here...at least for now...

"Anything for you, My Lord..." Zeruel answered eagerly. He then briskly stood and disappeared, going to find the rescuers.

Ianar watched the angel decend towards him
"Im guessing you are a friend of Thanas? You look the type..."
He stood up and dusted himself off
"well, come on...do what you came here to do...whatever it is.

Zeruel floated down into Tharzidun's palace and landed, tall and majestic, in front of Ianar. Unlike Joaquin, Rosalie, and Arael, all of whom were rather fragile by comparison, he had the appearance of a seasoned captain, in his military uniform and with his long, falcon-like, mint-green wings. His eyes, which were a sharp lime-green, like his hair, eyes Ianar sternly."I am no friend of the Death Mage. I am Zeruel, an Angel of Oblivion, and my loyalties lie only with the God of Birth and Rebirth, the Oblivion Himself, Adam. You should be honored that he has sent me to bring you to him. Now you will follow me, or you will die," Zeruel answered sharply, holding out his hand to the god.

[Charlia]

A barrier shoved him back out. A barrier of fire, blood, and tears. An enormous pentagram, appearing and then striking him out of her mind.

"No."

When he was knocked out of her, he becane a bit unsteady, as he regained full consciousness. However, he would not back-down. "Come out of her! I do not know where you have come from, but I will not let you stay!" he declared.

Lux saw him struggling, and he finally called to him, "Arael, switch with me. You can fight alongside Hamiri."

Arael didn't want to leave Charlotte, but Lux didn't give him a choice. Instead, he flew over and stood lightly in front of Charlotte. He then put a hand on her forehead, and his eyes glowed gold. "You have tormented this daughter of God for too long. I command you, by the power of God my Father, to leave her now," he ordered.

Hamiri merely watched them, and she also kept an eye on Rosalie, who was still unconscious nearby, and Raven, who stood a couple of yards in front of her.

"You think you have the authority over us?" the voices hissed, and then laughed as if they had won some great victory. "Your God is dead. And even if not, you really think you can claim to be His son? Fool. Do you honestly think you qualify? In your wildest dreams, do you really believe you are good enough to be a follower of the Christ? Perhaps you should tell that to Honoko. You remember her. Or maybe you should say it to Xavier. Or even to Lucifer! Yes, Uriel," the voices spat sarcastically, "you are a fine example of an angel. Just ask Amaterasu. Sweet Amaterasu, who you kidnapped, defiled, and nearly killed. You remember. And Inari! Sage! Her soulmate, who you replaced! You took Inari away from the one she truly loved and caused Sage's death! You're no angel! You'll never be an angel. You're not good enough!" The... things began to laugh. Loud and hysterical, filling the air, so shrill that the earth resonated. Wind howled through the air. The creatures tilted Charlotte's head back and laughed louder than ever, sounding less and less human, more and more like animals. "You are no angel!" she shrieked. "You're not good enough. You destroy everything you touch, even those you claim to love!"

[Luminesa]

When he was knocked out of her, he becane a bit unsteady, as he regained full consciousness. However, he would not back-down. "Come out of her! I do not know where you have come from, but I will not let you stay!" he declared.

Lux saw him struggling, and he finally called to him, "Arael, switch with me. You can fight alongside Hamiri."

Arael didn't want to leave Charlotte, but Lux didn't give him a choice. Instead, he flew over and stood lightly in front of Charlotte. He then put a hand on her forehead, and his eyes glowed gold. "You have tormented this daughter of God for too long. I command you, by the power of God my Father, to leave her now," he ordered.

Hamiri merely watched them, and she also kept an eye on Rosalie, who was still unconscious nearby, and Raven, who stood a couple of yards in front of her.

"You think you have the authority over us?" the voices hissed, and then laughed as if they had won some great victory. "Your God is dead. And even if not, you really think you can claim to be His son? Fool. Do you honestly think you qualify? In your wildest dreams, do you really believe you are good enough to be a follower of the Christ? Perhaps you should tell that to Honoko. You remember her. Or maybe you should say it to Xavier. Or even to Lucifer! Yes, Uriel," the voices spat sarcastically, "you are a fine example of an angel. Just ask Amaterasu. Sweet Amaterasu, who you kidnapped, defiled, and nearly killed. You remember. And Inari! Sage! Her soulmate, who you replaced! You took Inari away from the one she truly loved and caused Sage's death! You're no angel! You'll never be an angel. You're not good enough!" The... things began to laugh. Loud and hysterical, filling the air, so shrill that the earth resonated. Wind howled through the air. The creatures tilted Charlotte's head back and laughed louder than ever, sounding less and less human, more and more like animals. "You are no angel!" she shrieked. "You're not good enough. You destroy everything you touch, even those you claim to love!"

Lux watched the demons howl at him with disgust, but he continued with his work. "All of those things I did when I did not know that darkness was not light. Now come out of her, you fiends. She has suffered enough..." he muttered. As his eyes continued to glow, he prayed in Latin, as he made the sign of the cross of Charlotte's forehead, "Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio, cóntra nequítiam et insídias diáboli ésto præsídium. Ímperet ílli Déus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo, divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Ámen."

[Charlia]

"You think you have the authority over us?" the voices hissed, and then laughed as if they had won some great victory. "Your God is dead. And even if not, you really think you can claim to be His son? Fool. Do you honestly think you qualify? In your wildest dreams, do you really believe you are good enough to be a follower of the Christ? Perhaps you should tell that to Honoko. You remember her. Or maybe you should say it to Xavier. Or even to Lucifer! Yes, Uriel," the voices spat sarcastically, "you are a fine example of an angel. Just ask Amaterasu. Sweet Amaterasu, who you kidnapped, defiled, and nearly killed. You remember. And Inari! Sage! Her soulmate, who you replaced! You took Inari away from the one she truly loved and caused Sage's death! You're no angel! You'll never be an angel. You're not good enough!" The... things began to laugh. Loud and hysterical, filling the air, so shrill that the earth resonated. Wind howled through the air. The creatures tilted Charlotte's head back and laughed louder than ever, sounding less and less human, more and more like animals. "You are no angel!" she shrieked. "You're not good enough. You destroy everything you touch, even those you claim to love!"

Lux watched the demons howl at him with disgust, but he continued with his work. "All of those things I did when I did not know that darkness was not light. Now come out of her, you fiends. She has suffered enough..." he muttered. As his eyes continued to glow, he prayed in Latin, as he made the sign of the cross of Charlotte's forehead, "Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio, cóntra nequítiam et insídias diáboli ésto præsídium. Ímperet ílli Déus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo, divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Ámen."

"You can make no such excuse for the death of Sage..." the voices hissed, and Charlotte lifted her hands, pushing him away with another pentagram.

"You cannot remove us unless she wants us to leave..."

[Luminesa]

Lux watched the demons howl at him with disgust, but he continued with his work. "All of those things I did when I did not know that darkness was not light. Now come out of her, you fiends. She has suffered enough..." he muttered. As his eyes continued to glow, he prayed in Latin, as he made the sign of the cross of Charlotte's forehead, "Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio, cóntra nequítiam et insídias diáboli ésto præsídium. Ímperet ílli Déus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo, divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Ámen."

"You can make no such excuse for the death of Sage..." the voices hissed, and Charlotte lifted her hands, pushing him away with another pentagram.

"You cannot remove us unless she wants us to leave..."

Lux stood and glared at the demons, after he was pushed back. They are merely trying to break me down...I am not afraid of them... He then called to Charlotte, "Charlotte! It is us, Lux and Arael! You do not have to be afraid of these things! Please, I know you can hear us!"

[Charlia]

"You can make no such excuse for the death of Sage..." the voices hissed, and Charlotte lifted her hands, pushing him away with another pentagram.

"You cannot remove us unless she wants us to leave..."

Lux stood and glared at the demons, after he was pushed back. They are merely trying to break me down...I am not afraid of them... He then called to Charlotte, "Charlotte! It is us, Lux and Arael! You do not have to be afraid of these things! Please, I know you can hear us!"

"She doesn't want us to leave," they snapped. "She wants us inside her. She wants us here. She wants us. She doesn't want us to leave her... and we won't leave her, no, we won't leave our favorite pet alone. We won't leave her alone again. Poor little girl... all alone... you know what can happen to little girls who are left alone..."

[Luminesa]

Lux stood and glared at the demons, after he was pushed back. They are merely trying to break me down...I am not afraid of them... He then called to Charlotte, "Charlotte! It is us, Lux and Arael! You do not have to be afraid of these things! Please, I know you can hear us!"

"She doesn't want us to leave," they snapped. "She wants us inside her. She wants us here. She wants us. She doesn't want us to leave her... and we won't leave her, no, we won't leave our favorite pet alone. We won't leave her alone again. Poor little girl... all alone... you know what can happen to little girls who are left alone..."

"You do not speak for her! Let her speak, or I will destroy you!" Lux shouted, louder than usual. He was frantic for Charlotte, and watching her in this kind of pain disconcerted him greatly. "Charlotte, I know you are hiding in there somewhere, and you are afraid, but you are not alone. You can fight it, Charlotte! Please, fight these demons! Do not let them stay inside of you!" he continued.

[Charlia]

"She doesn't want us to leave," they snapped. "She wants us inside her. She wants us here. She wants us. She doesn't want us to leave her... and we won't leave her, no, we won't leave our favorite pet alone. We won't leave her alone again. Poor little girl... all alone... you know what can happen to little girls who are left alone..."

"You do not speak for her! Let her speak, or I will destroy you!" Lux shouted, louder than usual. He was frantic for Charlotte, and watching her in this kind of pain disconcerted him greatly. "Charlotte, I know you are hiding in there somewhere, and you are afraid, but you are not alone. You can fight it, Charlotte! Please, fight these demons! Do not let them stay inside of you!" he continued.

"You can try to destroy us, but you will only destroy the one you wish to 'save'... We won't leave her alone. We promised her we'd never leave her alone again. She doesn't have to feel alone anymore, not with us. We will always be here... we will do what you would not. We will stay with her, forever. We will be here when she feels afraid or sad or alone. We will comfort her and give her weary soul rest. We are the only ones who truly care for her. Not any of you. We will stay here, in her... for all eternity..."

[Luminesa]

"You do not speak for her! Let her speak, or I will destroy you!" Lux shouted, louder than usual. He was frantic for Charlotte, and watching her in this kind of pain disconcerted him greatly. "Charlotte, I know you are hiding in there somewhere, and you are afraid, but you are not alone. You can fight it, Charlotte! Please, fight these demons! Do not let them stay inside of you!" he continued.

"You can try to destroy us, but you will only destroy the one you wish to 'save'... We won't leave her alone. We promised her we'd never leave her alone again. She doesn't have to feel alone anymore, not with us. We will always be here... we will do what you would not. We will stay with her, forever. We will be here when she feels afraid or sad or alone. We will comfort her and give her weary soul rest. We are the only ones who truly care for her. Not any of you. We will stay here, in her... for all eternity..."

"She is not alone! We do care for her! I want to save her, because I have been trying to save her from her pain, because I do not want anyone to suffer as I have! Charlotte! You know this! You know we love you, that we care for you and we want to heal your pain! Please, if you can hear me say something! Anything!" he persisted frantically.

Arael stood nearby, watching and waiting to see if Charlotte would finally break free.