Castyr opened his eyes sleepily, his arms rising above his head as he began to stretch. He did not get far before the aftereffects from the night before took over his body, halting his stretching. Content to rest in the moment, Castyr folded an arm beneath his head and stared at the heavenly view before him. Kilo was sleeping peacefully; his chest rising and falling with slow breaths.

Castyr's lips curled into a soft smile as he gazed at his love. The star gently moved a fallen strand of hair out of the angel's face before stroking his thumb against Kilo's cheek. The softness of Castyr's touch was all Kilo needed to return to the blissful morning. The angel inhaled deeply and took Castyr's hand. He brought the star's hand to his lips and pressed a sweet kiss to it, his purple eyes opening while a smile came to his face.

"Morning," Kilo greeted sweetly while gazing at the star.

"Morning," Castyr returned with a smile. He was beaming brightly, a warm glow surrounding the two lovers.

"How do you feel?" Kilo inquired while sweeping his eyes over Castyr's body that was beautifully draped by the silken sheets.

"I don't think I can walk," Castyr answered honestly while releasing a soft chuckle. Kilo's smile instantly began to fade when he heard Castyr's response. "Sorry love-"

"Don't be," Castyr returned quickly. "I loved every moment."

Kilo's smile returned with the star's reassurance. "How about a hot bath?"

"I'd love that," Castyr agreed with a nod and smile. "That is exactly what I need."

"Then that is what we will do." Kilo planted a kiss on Castyr's forehead before leaving the bed to prepare the bath. The angel returned a few moments later and gently picked up his star before taking them both to the bathroom.

"Ooooh, this feels nice," Castyr cooed as Kilo lowered him into the hot water. The angel smiled at his love's cuteness before slipping in behind Castyr. The star was quick to melt and lean against his angel when Kilo began massaging his sore body. As he massaged Castyr, Kilo transferred some of his energy into the star to aid in Castyr's healing process.

Filling Castyr up with his energy while running his hands down Castyr's lower back extracted pleasurable moans from the star as the angel continued down to Castyr's hips and legs. The moment Kilo moved down to Castyr's thigh, the star grabbed onto Kilo's leg which was stretched out beside him. Sensing the arousal that was quickly filling Castyr, Kilo began kissing his star's neck and shoulder.

Castyr's breath hitched as he felt Kilo's warm lips against his skin. The angel gave his star one more deep kiss on his neck before dispensing a few drops of shampoo into his palm. Castyr used this moment to take control of his breathing and arousal only to release a low breath when Kilo began scrubbing his head. Kilo's fingers felt so nice in Castyr's hair that he almost instantly relaxed. Castyr released a satisfied hum when Kilo finished scrubbing his scalp and began rinsing off the excess shampoo.

Castyr was happy to return the favor, and soon, Kilo's eyes were closed in bliss as the star ran his fingers through his angel's thick, raven hair. Once both the angel and star were clean, Kilo lifted Castyr from the tub and carried him back to the bed. The two's lips met as Kilo lowered his star onto the soft blankets. Castyr folded his arms around Kilo's neck and entangled his fingers into the angel's wet, dark hair. Kilo then wrapped an arm around Castyr's waist and raised the star's hips so the two were skin to skin. This sent Castyr into ecstasy, and he craned his neck into the bed.

Kilo planted deep kisses along Castyr's neck before moving down to his collarbones and chest. All the while, Castyr released sounds of pleasure, and as his desire grew, Castyr reached up and kissed Kilo's neck, drawing the angel's attention back to his soft, red lips. Kilo's heart raced in his chest as Castyr made his wants known through his hooded, love-glazed eyes.

"Are you ready?" Kilo asked between pants. He wanted to make sure Castyr felt well enough to continue. The star's eyes glistened, and he smiled at his love; he admired Kilo's respect for him and trusted Kilo more than anyone. So, when he said, "I'm always ready for you," he meant it.

Kilo's heart warmed when he heard Castyr's response, and he kissed his star passionately before consuming Castyr's body, mind, and soul.

+++++

Castyr cuddled into Kilo as the angel took the star into his arms. Castyr hummed happily as Kilo began to run his fingers through the star's silver hair.

"How do you feel?" Kilo inquired of his star before planting a kiss atop Castyr's head.

"Like I could stay in this moment with you forever." Castyr beamed at Kilo and smiled at his love widely.

"Then, let's have lots more of these moments," Kilo said before kissing his star's forehead.

Castyr smiled and nodded in agreement as he looked at his angel lovingly. Kilo leaned in for a kiss as shouts and sounds of fighting crept into the star's residence. Kilo looked toward the open balcony as the two shot up in the bed. Castyr was quick to scramble out of the bed and pulled on a pair of black pants and a shirt as Kilo also slipped on some clothes. The star grabbed his sniper rifle from the rack on the wall as the angel drew his sword, Ymir, from his back.

"Stay here. I'll go check it out. Try to assess the situation from the balcony," Kilo told his star who nodded, the two's expressions now stern.

"On it. Be careful."

Kilo nodded shortly before exiting the bedroom and sneaking out of the residence. Castyr entered the balcony and propped the end of his rifle on the stone railing. Using the scope, the sniper observed the city of Haiyam that surrounded Ithyos. Fires spread throughout the city as bombs exploded, destroying numerous buildings. Castyr looked up at the sky as a demon ship flew over him.

Kilo! Demons are attacking the city! Castyr informed through his and Kilo's bond.

How did they get through? Ithyos is functioning well and didn't detect anything.

If Ithyos is breached, is Heaven's entire defense system compromised?? Castyr wondered as he found Kilo exiting the residence through his rifle's scope. The star watched as the angel stopped in his tracks and turned around.

Stay where you are. I'm coming to you.

Castyr's eyes widened as he watched a group of demons land behind Kilo just after the angel had turned in his tracks. Behind you! The star warned the angel just in time as the demons rushed Kilo. Kilo was swift in responding to his sudden foe; he whipped around as the first demon reached him and engaged the intruders in combat.

Kilo is swift in responding. He whips around as a demon reaches him. Aiming carefully, I snipe four of the eight demons. A sudden, strong whoosh of wind knocks me off balance, preventing me from eliminating my fifth target. As I steady myself, I see hundreds of Heaven's forces transfer to the city and begin resisting the invading demons.

Aiming carefully, Castyr sniped four of the eight demons. The fifty years of training were finally paying off as the star defended his angel. A sudden, strong whoosh of wind knocked the star off his balance, and a new foe landed on the balcony, preventing Castyr from eliminating his fifth target as he regained his footing. Luckily for the star and his guardian angel, the city of Haiyam was quick to alert the rest of the Heavens regarding the attack. Castyr saw hundreds of Heavenly forces transfer to the city and begin resisting the invading demons as he spun around and aimed his rifle at the new enemy on the balcony.

In one swift movement, the demon reached the star and yanked the rifle from Castyr's hands. The demon promptly wrapped his hand around Castyr's throat and whirled the star around before pushing Castyr through the opening that connected the balcony to the bedroom. The star's breath was knocked from him as he was slammed against the bedroom wall with incredible force. Castyr clawed at the demon's hand as the enemy stared at him with red, glowing eyes. The star's eyes rolled shut as he struggled to breathe in the demon's tight grasp. The demon loosened his hold as dizziness flooded Castyr's vision. Castyr was able to catch his breath, but the demon kept his hand around his throat, reminding Castyr he was still not safe.

Castyr leaned against the wall as his breathing was ragged. "Who are you?" The star inquired between strained breaths. "You need me alive. Why?" Castyr's eyes narrowed as he studied his enemy. The demon was clearly not allowed to kill him, so what did he want?

The star's attacker remained silent. His black hair flowed in front of his red eyes, contrasting with his pale skin. Thoughts flooded Castyr's head as he observed the silent man. His eyes...they look deep and broken...like Kilo's. Who is this demon? Why isn't he killing me?

Castyr!! Kilo's voice sounded in the star's head as Castyr stared into the bottom-less red eyes before him.

"Aklys!" A younger demon called as he entered the bedroom from the balcony. "Is this the star?" The second demon inquired as he saw Castyr in the red-eyed demon's grasp.

Aklys? Castyr wondered through the link. That's a new name.

Aklys? He's here?! Kilo's voice was filled with shock, fear, and worry upon hearing the demon's name. Castyr could sense the instant dread and fear that entered Kilo, and he knew this was no regular demon. Who is he, Kilo?

Hold on, Castyr! I'm almost there! Kilo returned as he quickened his pace.

The tightening of Aklys' grip around Castyr's neck broke the star's focus on the link. "This is the star," the demon answered. His voice was low and tired.

"He's all we need, right? Let us leave, then. The craft is ready," the younger demon said in response to his commanding officer.

The bursting in of Kilo to the bedroom startled the demons for just a split second. But a split second was all Castyr needed. The star ripped free of Aklys' hold and raced to the nightstand as Kilo engaged the red-eyed demon in combat. Swiftly grabbing the handgun from the nightstand, Castyr fired at the younger demon. Advancing as he fired, three of the star's shots hit their mark in the young demon's chest and shoulders. The demon spread his wings and escaped by way of the balcony just as Castyr ran out of bullets.

Castyr turned around as a hand grabbed his wrist, and he looked to see a blood-covered Kilo who immediately dragging him out of the room. Kilo spread his wings as the two dashed out of the residence. Still running, Kilo pulled Castyr into his body and kicked off the ground. To his horror, Castyr glanced behind to see Aklys exit the residence holding a flaming bow with three arrows made of fire as Kilo took flight. Where did he get those?!!

Castyr did not have much time to ponder how the demons had whipped out a bow with flaming arrows out of seemingly nowhere because the demons was readily loading his bow and aiming at the couple as they took flight. Watch out! Castyr's warning was too late as Aklys released three arrows the next second with each of the arrows finding their mark in Kilo's wings and taking the two from the sky.

Pain pierced the star through the link. Opening his eyes, Castyr's heart rate spiked when he saw Kilo gasping on the ground. Besides the arrows, bullet wounds and slashes covered Kilo's legs and abdomen. Wasting no time, Castyr immediately brightened his glow and channeled it to Kilo's wounds.

"Castyr, don't. Save your energy," Kilo protested as Castyr prepared to heal his extensive wounds.

"Stay still," Castyr ordered as he began to concentrate. He ignored Kilo's warning and honed all his energy into healing his angel.

Aklys stopped his advance as the star's glow engulfed Kilo and Castyr. The demon stood and watched with pain as he looked at the arrows piercing the downed angel's wings. Castyr furrowed his brows; the demon's actions confused him. Why isn't he attacking? Now is the perfect moment. We are both vulnerable.

To the star's horror, the demon snapped out of his trance within the next moment. What do I do? I am not done healing Kilo. Castyr began to fret until a familiar burning sensation entered his stomach as Aklys approached the two. Castyr clutched his stomach as the burning grew, and his body was filled with explosive energy. The burning entered the star's throat just as Aklys reached them.

Kilo suddenly sat up in response to the demon's approach and flipped the star under him as Aklys readied another arrow. Kilo covered Castyr as best he could as light exploded from the star's body. Castyr immediately lost consciousness with the sudden usage of energy; his body had yet to adjust to the critical bursts.

As soon as the light faded, Kilo scooped Castyr in his arms and began running. Slightly aware of Aklys recovering and pursuing, Kilo ran with all his might. The angel came to a halting stop when he realized he had arrived at the edge of the city. Turning from the edge, Kilo tightened his hold around Castyr as he watched Aklys reach them. The demon glaced at the incapacitated star in Kilo's arms before locking eyes with the angel.

"I will let you live if you hand him over," the demon offered. Exhaustion filled his voice. He did was not enthusiastic about the current situation.

Kilo's eyes narrowed as he studied the exhausted demon. He must be really powerful if he was able to withstand Castyr's blast. Although, Castyr's blast was at about fifteen percent capacity. He had been filling Ithyos's reserve and used a ton of it to heal me in just seconds. This demon is a powerful foe. I should be cautious.

Despite his mind being occupied calculating the best scenario, Kilo's voice was confident and steady as he answered the demon. "Forget it. I can't lose him again." The pain from being separated from Castyr for fifty years was too much. He could not afford to lose Castyr. Not when he was still drawing breath.

The demon's eyes narrowed at the angel. "Who is he to you? Just give him up," the demon said as he scrutinized Kilo. It was not common knowledge that the Star of Ithyos' guardian angel was also his lover and bonded person.

"You may be able to give up on someone you love, but I can't." Kilo's words were clear and distinct as he replied to the demon. It did not take long for the angel to notice that his words affected Aklys. Tears touched the demon's eyes as Aklys gazed at Kilo's desperate expression. The angel wanted to live just as much as he was willing to sacrifice his life for his love, and Aklys saw this.

A few moments passed before Aklys responded through silent tears, "You are right. I can't give up on him. He needs me. That is why I need the star. I can only save him if I give Castyr to the king."

The demon's words pierced Kilo's heart. Aklys was just as desperate as he was. There was no lie in the demon's voice. He, too, was fighting to save someone he loved. Kilo choked on tears as he answered, "You'll have to kill me."

The demon nodded in agreement. "Same here." Both men's expressions were solemn. They could predict what was to come, and neither wished for their love to perish due to their failure. Aklys closed his eyes and swallowed before threading an arrow into his bow string. Kilo looked behind him at the city's edge as the demon readied his bow. Tightening his hold, Kilo kissed the top of Castyr's head before taking a step back.

Forgive me, love. The angel closed his eyes as he felt weightlessness consume his body. Kilo did not know where this part of Heaven led to, but it was the best chance for Castyr to live. Castyr would survive if Kilo broke his fall. Aklys released the arrow as Kilo's feet left the edge, its tip piercing the angel's shoulder as Kilo and Castyr fell from Heaven. As they fell, Kilo wrapped his wings around Castyr, and the angel and his star plummeted to places unknown.