Axel was silent as he led Rae lead him out of the hall where the summit was currently taking place. The hangel had a lot on his mind. He understood the colonel's disagreement with Hendry having control over him, but he also wanted to do whatever he could to end the war. That is why he spent so many months training and growing stronger. If joining Hendry could defeat the demons, Axel was not opposed to allowing himself to be used by those at the summit.

It would also keep Rae from experiencing repercussions. And Kilo and Castyr would be released. And Unit R could rest and recover. So, as Rae led Axel into the courtyard located between the embassy and the hotel where Rae and Unit R were staying, Axel slowed to a stop and voiced, "Colonel..."

Feeling Axel tugging on his hand gently and hearing his name, Rae came to a standstill and turned to face the hangel. Several emotions filled Axel's silver eyes as he gazed at the colonel. "Let me go back..."

Rae shook his head softly as he responded, "I can't. They don't care whether you live or die. They'll use you until there's nothing left to gain from you."

Axel smiled at his colonel bittersweetly. "But I can't do nothing," he said in a low voice before turning his gaze to the pavement beneath him. "I want to help. I want desperately for the war to end."

"And I want for you to live," Rae responded sharply, causing Axel to look back up at him. Keeping his grasp around Axel's hand, Rae pulled the hangel toward him until the two were a breath away. Rae's gaze suddenly turned hard with pain as he explained, "You have no idea how many angels have died under Hendry's command. He may be a highly decorated officer who has great results from battle, but he is also a man who will use whomever and whatever to achieve his goals."

Sensing the depth of emotions Rae felt toward the grand colonel, Axel could guess that his colonel had lost several comrades due to Hendry's orders. He did not wish to step on Rae's expression of concern for him, so Axel remained silent as he and the colonel continued to make eye contact.

The longer Axel gazed into Rae's cool, blue eyes, the more emotions he saw swirling within the colonel's beautiful orbs. He had seen these emotions twice before. Once when Rae had set Axel in the rover while Nature's Preserve was under attack, and once when Rae had caught Axel in his arms when he saved the hangel from the rabid demons back in Dexys.

Axel had never seen the colonel look at anyone else the way he was currently gazing at him. Besides the times Rae looked at Axel with these swirling emotions, the colonel had always maintained a distant and poised demeanor. Realizing the repetitive gazes from the colonel, Axel began to wonder about the reason behind Rae's concern for him.

"Colonel..." Axel found himself voicing Rae's title before inquiring about the depth of the colonel's gaze, "Do I-"

However, before Axel could finish his question, the sounds of several footsteps running toward him and Rae caused the hangel to look to his left where he saw Hendry approaching them with several angelic soldiers behind him. Upon the arrival of the grand colonel, Rae brought Axel to stand behind him.

"Rae, I must say, your respect for order in the heavens has diminished. You are extremely close to being charged with obstruction, Colonel," Hendry said as he came to stand before the two men. Rae narrowed his eyes at Hendry's remark, but he did not refute it. Instead, he restated what he had told Hendry three months prior, "Axel is a member of Unit R. You have no authority over him."

"That would be the case if he was a normal hangel." Hendry raised a brow in agreement with Rae. "But he is the key to Angel's Landing, and this is much bigger than what your authority can handle, Colonel. The summit has made its decision, and the Heavens have agreed: the hangel shall be transferred to Unit K and will be under my command. Unit K shall take charge in the fight against Hades and will restore peace to the universe."

Rae moved to disagree with Hendry's statement, but Axel quickly stepped out from behind the colonel and said, "I shall accept your command, Grand Colonel."

Rae turned to look at the hangel now standing beside him. "Axel-"

"It's okay, Colonel," Axel assured as he faced the blue-eyed angel. "This is my choice."

"I see you have a good head on your shoulders, Hangel," Hendry commented. He was pleased with Axel's decision to join him.

Turning from Rae, Axel's eyes narrowed as he looked at the grand colonel. "I shall join Unit K under one condition."

Hendry observed Axel for a moment before eventually nodding his head. "Speak. If it is within my means, I shall grant your wish."

"This is not a wish, Grand Colonel. This is a condition." Axel was swift to correct Hendry's terminology. "You need me alive to unlock Angel's Landing, do you not?" As Axel delivered his threat, he reached toward Rae and withdrew Genyr from its scabbard where it was hanging from Rae's waist. 

Having trained with the blue blade for months, Axel was fluent in its motions, and easily rested it against his neck. Everyone's attention flew to the blade against Axel's neck as he asked, "Now, Grand Colonel, will you accept my condition or not?"

"You're a strong-headed one, aren't you?" Hendry asked in a low growl as he glared at the hangel. "Very well," Hendry eventually agreed. "I shall make good on my word and will accept your condition. Now, speak. What do you want?"

"No members of Unit R shall face repercussions for any events that happened within the past three months, this includes Lt. Colonel Kilo and Major Castyr's actions this morning. Release them and do not bring harm or discomfort to Unit R. That is my condition." Axel's voice was strong and confident as he delivered his requirements. 

"Simple enough," Hendry commented in response. "Very well. Consider it done. Welcome to Unit K."

Upon hearing Hendry accept his condition, Axel lowered the blue blade from against his throat and returned Genyr to its owner. Rae caught Axel's wrist as he started to walk away. "Axel, don't," Rae pleaded. He did not want Axel to leave with Hendry; he wanted to be able to protect Axel, to keep him out of harm. Should he leave with Hendry and join Unit K, Axel would be pushed into the hottest part of the fire.

"I admire your sense of duty to your first unit," Hendry said as he sent several of his soldiers to collect the hangel. "I expect the same depth of loyalty for Unit K."

Axel had a bittersweet smile on his lips as he turned toward the colonel. Giving Rae a respectful bow of his head, Axel gently brought his hand out of Rae's grasp and followed Hendry's soldiers back toward the embassy. Axel's heart filled with sadness as he walked away from Rae. He hated leaving Unit R without saying goodbye to his fellow soldiers, but what he hated more was leaving Rae standing in the courtyard watching him leave with Hendry.

Rae had brought Axel to Nature's Preserve to prevent this very situation from happening, and yet, Axel readily accepted Hendry's command. But, although Axel was saddened by his choice, he knew that if he did not leave with Hendry, the grand colonel would punish Rae as well as Kilo and Castyr and would find another way to take Axel away from Unit R. By leaving with Hendry willingly, Axel was able to ensure Unit R's protection. So, in Axel's eyes, it was worth it.

Axel was immediately ushered back into the embassy and brought into the hall where the members attending the summit were patiently waiting. Hendry then made an announcement about how Axel had agreed to join Unit K and serve him as they worked together to unlock Angel's Landing and end the war. Cheers and applause broke out at the end of Hendry's speech. 

Everyone around the table smiled widely at Axel as they clapped their hands excitedly. They were happy that Axel had agreed to join Hendry in his efforts to defeat Hades.

"The universe thanks you, young hangel," General Jacson said to Axel with a bow of his head as he and the others at the table thanked Axel for his courage. Axel returned the general's bow with a silent nod. Upon joining Hendry, Rae's warning continuously echoed throughout Axel's mind. Suddenly, the summit felt like a circus, and Axel was a prized animal being displayed.

He had never felt this way when he was with Rae. Hendry certainly was very different from his colonel. Hendry enjoyed the applause and cheers that came from the intimate audience. Rae never favored such things; he merely wanted what was best for those whom he cared for.

"When do you foresee you and your unit finding and unlocking Angel's Landing?" Queen Niriha inquired as the applause eventually died down.

"That is yet to be determined," Hendry responded. "We shall meet with Star Ellessi — who made the first prophecy regarding the hangel — and inquire on her wisdom. However, I plan on retaliating against Hades as quickly as I can. With combined efforts from all the leaders gathered here today, I believe we will have a force large enough to combat Hades at the heart of the war and redeem what is rightfully Earth's."

Axel's gaze snapped to Hendry as he heard the angel's statement. Fight Hades at the heart of the war... That means we're going to Dexys!