Anastasia

"I don't know if I should be surprised or afraid."

Marco near me chuckled, "Trust me love, you should better be surprised," he said slowly as he clipped with the scythe yet another silver door, opening path for us, "besides, that's my first time in an angelic relic. I, for that matter, have also to deal with the sick scent too."

"Excuse me?" I demanded and Arsenia rolled her eyes beside me.

Since we had entered the Cloud Fortress we have been running through the vast, unchanging corridors searching for the Portal. I knew for a reason that Leito and Ivan wouldn't have it on an open space with a sticker saying 'here's the Portal' but still, Marco liked to create havoc.

And I watched him tense as he swore that I didn't smell bad, I tried to hold my laugh. "You don't stink!" Marco said.

I grinned. "I know, jelly bear."

He growled but the smirk was there. At least my Grim Reaper slash Demon was a cuddler.

"Hello, let's focus around here." Arsenia walked in the front and we followed.

"Do you think they know where we are?" Arsenia asked as we stepped into another corridor where two new paths were opening.

I stretched my wings, sensing the auras. So far I could guess that a part of the Fortress's army was out due to the attacks from earlier. Healers were using their wing powers in order to cure the injured, while the two control rooms, high above us, were rustling with extra energy.

Marco could also feel that and as I decided to follow the right path and head to the upper parts of the Fortress, I sent the details of our route to Feith and Murasaki, through the feathers I took the chance to place on them. They should search at the dungeons, hoping to free any Grim Reaper prisoners, if there were any.

"Polk will be here soon. I know they will come after us but I really want to find Ivan now." Marco growled as he spoke.

Arsenia lifted her scythe and moved forward, black eyes locked the corridor's direction.

"Marco," I held his forearm stopping him, "don't get hasty. He will come to us. I know he will."

His left black wing curled around my body, rushing gently my back. "Still, I thought I would get to play more."

"Ah, so the 'Wing-slayer' wants to play."

He snorted. "Ana, you would be amazed from my skills. You haven't seen my in battle...yet."

"Show off."

"Incoming!" Arsenia hissed and we drew our weapons.

A group of ten white winged Angels appeared from the walls, emerging from them and stepped in, blocking our way. The clatter of the silver steel and the stomping of their footing made the corridor echo their sounds crystal clear.

"Surrender Demon!" they spoke in one voice and they raised their swords.

"Are we invisible or something?" Arsenia scoffed and I stepped in front of Marco.

"Gladiators, let us pass."

They took a step back, glaring at me now. Their eyes were sad, hesitant of attacking. "Starborn, please come with us. General Leito has asked for your presence."

"Really?" I placed my hand on my hip, tilting my head back. "Do you hear that Marco? Leito wants to see me."

A deadly growl, more animalistic than before, escaped Marco's lips as his white fangs appeared and his demon eye shined ruby red. I turned back to the gathered Angels and smiled. "I don't think we are going anywhere with you. Tell the brat that his spanking will be delayed a little."

I allowed my body to radiate a part of my aura. I watched every single head turn away from me as the Angels opened a path for me, Marco and Arsenia, standing on the sides of the walls.

Pulling Marco from his elbow, we made our way through them and nodded to Arsenia to continue. The Angels were still standing still, stunned by my aura as I released them. All gasped, like they were taking in a lost breath and looked at me with...awe?

"I don't want to fight you. But if anyone attacks my friends, I am fighting back. Mark my words to all Angels."

Marco whistled behind me and we both began running, following Arsenia.

"Since when did you become such a turn on?"

I laughed. "Are you sure you are talking about me?"

Marco leaned and quickly kissed my cheek. "Always."

---------------------------

Feith glared at his fallen former companions. And then he looked at Murasaki. She was panting hard as blood dripped from her blade, surrounded by injured Angels. Although the Angel knew that she carved revenge, he couldn't help but notice that she hadn't kill them.

Instead, Murasaki dealt with damage even when Feith tried to protect her by forming shields around her. He clenched his hands; his powers were fading. The closer they were to the Portal, the more he could feel fatigue. It was a term of Machias's decision, when he exiled Feith from the Fourth Division.

"Feith?"

He couldn't let Murasaki know. Feith looked at her; violet pools and bloody purple hair on pale white skin. Besides her torn kimono, where bloody trails were forming from her injuries, Murasaki looked beautiful, truly Death's accomplice.

"Give me your hands." Feith pulled one long grey feather, ignoring the pain. In his state, every feather would be a great loss of power.

But she doesn't need to know that.

"Why?"

"Just do it!"

Murasaki groaned and stretched her arms. Feith passed the tip of the grey feather slowly above her injured skin, pushing away the torn sleeves. The Shinigami saw with awe her wounds healing, skin weaved together and leaving no scars behind. She looked at Feith and a swell made her voice disappear.

"Done. We should move. Anastasia is heading towards the dungeons. We will cover the upper floors."

Feith strode away from her but she remained silent, looking at her hands. What had horrified her was the fact that Feith had seen them. The reason she had become a Shinigami.

The cause of her death.

He had seen the scars on her wrists.

"Oi! Murasaki!" Feith snapped to her and she looked up.

Grey eyes were staring at her. But there was no distaste, no remorse. Only gentleness. "Move! Or I'm leaving you behind!"

She quickly manifested a new pair of clothes, silk kimono pants at the color of black, with a dark blue shirt and a grey sash, where her katanas were sheathed close to her waist. Boots with no heels, black too and leather, stomped as she ran towards the pacing Feith.

"Coming birdy!" she shouted and with a sly grin Murasaki caught up with him fast.

They walked past the corridors; the unchanged white floors had made Murasaki groan in frustration, until they reached open space. Feith noticed the change on the structure. Made of granite, with a dull grey on the surface, the airway was going up towards the end of the gigantic open dome.

"It must be an airway," Feith mumbled as they made their way, not letting their guard down, "used by the troops when they are ready to take off."

"Do you think we should head up too?"

Feith looked at the wide airway and then around him. There were no more doors, or corridors. It was a dead end. "It may be a trap. But there is no other way."

Murasaki jumped and she hovered a little higher than Feith's head. She looked up and slowly her delicate fingers combed her hair back, until the long ponytail was falling down to her middle. "I like surprises." She licked her lips in anticipation.

"I bet you do." Feith chuckled and flapped his wings. He flew above Murasaki but not before catching her looking at him. "What?" he asked.

"I...you..."

"Spill it Murasaiki, we have no time." Feith grunted.

Murasaki didn't hesitate. In an instant she was inches away from Feith's face, her lips brushing over his. She smelled the sky, the fire and the sun on his scent and she knew what that meant. Still she liked to tease.

Her kiss was soft but firm. Feith felt her hands on his chest, those beautiful fingers that shouldn't exist to hold swords. He caught the nape of her neck and craned her back, deepening their kiss, exploring each other. Still on the air, they hovered, slowly ascending upwards.

"Why?" he whispered on her lips.

"For accepting me." Their eyes locked together and Feith slightly touched her temple.

"I knew from the start. I didn't spent ten years tending you, without learning of your past."

Murasaki tried to jump away but his gasp became tighter around her waist. "Don't you dare pulling away from me."

"Why? Angels are not supposed to..."

"Have feelings? Inspectors don't need them like the rest of my kin. Yet you and your sassy mouth give me a heaven of a good time." He bent again and kissed her neck, making Murasaki shiver. "I've spent a long time on my duty. And because of that the Balance is crumbling while Marco and Anastasia are trying to save everything they can."

Murasaki cupped his cheek and he leaned to her touch. Feith sighed, leaving a relieved breath as her cool hand soothed his warm skin. "I don't care about your past. Past is the only path we will never cross again as we continue to live. Your choices can and will determinate the future. For now-"

"You are going to surrender!" the voice sounded behind Feith.

Murasaki growled and went to draw her sword. Feith grabbed her wrist and with a glare he nodded 'no'. They slowly broke contact, aching for the lost warmth. But she couldn't help but notice how tensed Feith looked. They turned to the source of the voice, sensing the tips of the swords and maces aimed all around them.

The boy with the long grey wings, longer even from Feith's was standing between two Gladiators who were also aiming at them with their swords. His stormy grey eyes were shining from power and his lips were pressed in a thin line. Although younger and little smaller in built he was leading the whole Cloud Fortress.

"Hello Leito." Feith said with sarcasm but he moved a little to the right, shielding Murasaki. She snarled, wishing to cut the boy's head.

"You are the last person I expected to meet here, Inspector Feith." Leito tilted his head, his grey eyes studying Feith.

"What can I say? I am full of surprises."

"Of course. It's not often to meet an exile here, at the skies."

Feith fisted his hands, wishing he could punch Leito. "And you General Leito? Tired of paperwork and now you are leading the Heaven Realm? On the name of Him, that must be tiring."

Murasaki saw the boy's jaw tense and his grey eyes becoming brighter from fury. She mentally swore. That wasn't going to end well.

"Take them." Leito ordered.

"Not a chance!" Murasaki shouted and pulled her katanas, holding each on her hands. She chanted out loud and the black smoke appeared from the blades, taking the forms of roaring dragons.

Feith swore and Murasaki grinned. They both turned to their captors and left a war cry. The dragons with eyes gleaming purple and black of the smoke, roared again.

And chaos erupted.

--------------------------

Anastasia

I heard the roars coming from somewhere afar. Marco stopped and looked around while Arsenia pulled her scythe, ready to fight. "Should we ignore that or no?" She said and continued walking down the spiral stairs.

"For now, yes. But this aura is sickening." Marco said while I looked behind my back, checking for any movements.

After we passed the labyrinth of corridors, we came across the beginning of spiral stirs which seemed to head below. Having sensed that Feith and Murasaki were fine, we had begun heading downwards, until the aura came to our sensing field.

It was like stepping into a slump. All the foul scents, rot, blood and the horrible scent of sweat mixed with...urine? Not my best day. Marco was enjoying it instead! He said that in the city of Sloth back in Hell, there were minions, the tiny slimy green ones, whose work was to clean all, and I mean all the remains of the Demons' parties.

"They smelled like that afterwards." He concluded and I thought I was going to puke.

"Glad I will not head there!" Arsenia clasped her hands with fake happiness and I murmured 'yippee'. Marco looked behind his shoulder, winked at me and shared a thought that contained cuffs and chocolate.

Perv.

I bet you would like it.

Take me out from this stench and I MAYBE think about it.

He laughed out loud and Arsenia looked at him and then at me, confused.

"Oh, don't mind him. Too much stress." I pointed my index finger at my temple and swirled it in circles.

"Oh it happens," she patted Marco on the shoulder, "poor man."

Marco glared at me.

I cracked up.

And then, the moans were heard.

We stopped abruptly and then we rushed at the end of the stairs. Marco pushed Arsenia behind and held his scythe on the front. I pulled my sword and looked around. A long corridor was stretching to my right and left and when I looked up, my jaw dropped.

Like a beehive, thousands of cells were one on the top of another and from the inside I could hear the pained moans of the dark dressed figures. It was endless! There was somewhere towards the top the faint sight of a black ceiling, but when I heard Marco growl I turned.

He was pointing at the shiny silver veins which were beginning from the frame of every cell, until they were forming one gigantic vein, like ivy, heading down and below the floor. I walked closer to the shining silver and tried to sense it. A jolt of pure Grim Reaper aura made me snap back and cover my mouth in horror.

"Marco..."

He swore and Arsenia left a pained cry. "They are draining them."

"For what reason?"

"Those fucking birds! I will kill them!" Marco roared and the whole beehive chamber trembled.

"Fallen? Is that you?" a faint voice came from our front and we rushed at the small black cell.

It was covered with thick glass and we could barely distinguish the shape of a man. He was on his back, but he was staring at the glass, his eyes moving frantically.

"John?" Marco said.

"Thank the seven seas! It's really you!"

Seven seas?

"I will free you pal. Just hang on!" Marco's eyes darted away and flew upwards.

Arseania and I followed and for the next half hour we tried every possible way to break, scratch, slice, even punch the black glass that covered the cells or even destroy the silver vein, which drained the Grim Reapers.

"It's useless! We can't free them!" Arsenia stomped her foot and groaned.

Marco was throwing black daggers to all directions, but nothing happened. He was still flying when I reached him and touched his shoulder. "I am not leaving them Ana."

"I know. We will think of something." I exhaled and looked higher. Damn they were making these things huge! What was wrong with the Angels?

A high pitched scream, suddenly, was heard above our heads and we flew higher. The cell from where the voice came was also covered with the same black glass. But as Marco hovered in front of it with me at his tow a familiar song rang to my ears.

"'Chim cheree?' Who's singing "Mary Poppins"?"

Marco snorted and pointed at the glass. I peered in. Two identical boys, not older than twenty were sitting on the floor rocking back and forth, singing the soundtrack from the old movie.

Their brown hair and black eyes were striking but the pain on their expressions was evident. Leo and Nard were alive.

"Change!" Leo cried.

'"Let me be your wings! Let me be your only LOVE!"'

"He just destroyed 'Thumbelina's' song." I muttered and Marco sighed.

"Leo! Nard!" Marco shouted and punched the glass.

"Did you hear?"

"I did?"

"They are messing with the air again."

"Yeah. Hey, shall we sing Michael Jackson now?"

They were hilarious! Holding my laugh, I hit the glass with my palm. "Leo! Nard! It's me Anastasia!"

Their heads snapped. "The Spirit Seer?" They spoke with one voice.

"Yes!" I shouted but Marco snarled angrily.

"I thought you were dead! Wait, are we dead too Nard?"

"Duh idiot! For almost a century!" Leo smacked him on the head and got up, limping toward us.

His hands found the black glass and tried to focus on our voices. "I can't see you!"

"Don't worry pal, we can." Marco said his voice gentle with emotion.

The tilt of my whip pulsed. Pulling it from my thigh, the golden line of the whip, resonated, sensing the urge to merge with the sickening silver vein. What I knew was that the prisoners were drained of their powers. But for what reason? And why was my weapon drawn to the power vein?

"What if the powers are used for the Fortress?" Arsenia was heard behind me.

Leo and Nard glued their faces on the black glass. "Wait, who else is out there?"

Nard smirked. "Where are you beauty?"

"Beauty? Me?" Arsenia blushed and I rolled my eyes at Marco.

"Enough boys. Flirting comes later." He turned to me. "Ana?"

I tried to focus. "What if the power was used to make the Fortress move? Or power up the Portal?"

"Or simply torture us!" Leo and Nard squealed and Marco banged the glass.

"Then we need to destroy it. But how? No weapons work." Arsenia kicked the black glass of Leo and Nard's cell and the boys backed up.

"What if I sing?"

Marco eyes me with confusion. "Do you know any songs of destruction?"

"No, but I could try."

Arsenia groaned besides me. I shrugged. "Do you have any better ideas?"

Marco pressed his hand on my shoulder. "We will land and keep an eye on the corridor. Don't overdo it."

I smiled at hm. "I never do."

That's what I am afraid about.

They flew down and I flew backwards, trying to get a better view. I mentally strolled to all of the anthems, songs and anything I knew. There was no angelic song that could work against a powered glass. But that didn't mean that I couldn't sing.

When I was in Japan and I had sung "Firework" the meadow bloomed. Maybe I needed a song that could help me figure out the cells. I grinned. I knew a song that would be just the best of choices.

The words come to life when I sing and mentally I thanked Helen and Christin for making hear all, and I mean all kinds of music. As I screamed following the lyrics, I felt the familiar warmth spreading from my head to all my body and my wings becoming brighter, like the first sunlight at dawn.

I lifted my arms and aimed at the glass of the twins' cell. A ray of golden light appeared and then everything crumbled. With more confidence I began flying all over the cells, breaking the black glass and hearing the howls of the free Grim Reapers. When more of the cells are destroyed Marco's arms appeared behind me circling around my waist.

"Nickelback?" he murmured as he kissed my neck.

"First choice."

The silver vein made a thudding sound as it pulsed until it stopped shining. A sound of cracking made everyone scream and an earthquake shook the gigantic room.

"Tell me there are earthquakes on the sky too!"

"Nope," Marco said, "you just destroyed the Cloud Fortress."

---------------------

Marco

Ana has always a way to surprise me. She had jumped into the battle with Haimei, fought the ghost of the fallen Demon Ja-Red as also doing a hell of crazy things in her life. But singing Nickelback to free the Grim Reapers and destroy the Cloud Fortress?

So damn hot.

In a first glance we had freed around three hundred Grim Reapers, who were now acting as if they were running while in reality they were limping on each other. Leo and Nard were flying above them with Arsenia groaning in frustration, being around the twins.

"I can't believe I could do this." Ana mumbled beside me and rubbed her face, taking deep breaths.

"You freed an army Ana."

"And now we're skydiving!" she cried and jumped flying ahead of the running Grim Reapers.

I followed her, sensing the incoming auras. Either they were Angels or the reinforcements I waited from Polk. The bastard was too damn late! Leo and Nard closed to my sides their red and yellow scythes on hand. "So, why Ana has wings?"

"And who is the hottie?"

"Long story boys."

Leo slapped my shoulder, earning a glare. "Relax, we can discuss this as we cut birdie wings!"

"And sing "The time of my life"!"

"Putting also the baby in the corner!" they both looked at Arsenia and I swear I saw drool.

"Marco!" Ana called and I sped up.

She had landed on an open round space, the Grim Reapers circling around her with a protective stance. In less that three minutes Anastasia had drawn an army around her. I smirked; I was so proud for my goddess.

I flew upwards but not too far, made a round of the whole circling airway and then landed. "There is no exit but we can escape by flying upwards."

The nods of all the gathered Grim Reapers showed their loyalty. Even with my aura and the black wings I still held some of the old status as the first Grim Reaper ever.

"Formation five!" one of them shouted and everyone jumped to the air taking the formation of a triangle while the first flashes of scythes made their appearance.

Ana and Arsenia jumped too, golden wings flashing in contrast with the black clothing. Leo and Nard followed from behind and I took off, keeping close speed with Ana from below. Her blond hair tied on a braid were already glowing, the sword on her hand. The tremors around us became stronger and I passed her a though about the reinforcements.

I hope they are here. Or else we will not find the Portal easily. She tilted her head back and her right eye, purple with slits of yellow and red, shined.

I nodded and sped up, taking the lead from the top of the formation. With my scythe on my right hand, two daggers materialized on my left and I spun quickly, throwing them to the opening and clearing any possible barriers. Howls and war cries were heard behind me.

The sky appeared.

And the battlefield sucked us all.

Grim Reapers and Angels were battling on air. Swords, axes and scythes were crashing together, blood filling the clouds, painting them a sick pink. The Grim Reapers behind me joined too and the Angels pulled back reforming onto a tight square. Five different troops of Grim Reapers had surrounded the Angels.

As I flew with Ana around the three gigantic towers, which were connected together with steel bridges on the top and below thick silver and steel spikes were pointed out, we noticed the vibration of the Fortress.

"I guess we really did destroy their power fuel." Ana shouted as the winds carried us higher, pointing at the tower to our right, "There's control room two" she said.

"Do you think the Portal is there?" I hinted and ducked another Angel who flew to our direction. Leo, Nard and Arsenia swung their scythes cutting the edges of the Angel, making him cry in pain.

Ana shivered at the sound but kept her eyes locked on the tower. "Feith and Murasaki are there. I had placed two of my feathers on them."

Two? Even one feather plucked out meant a great loss of power. Yet, she had managed to destroy the draining machine. "Let's go to them then." I turned to Arsenia and the twins. "Are you coming?"

"Absolutely!" they cried in unison and we flew upwards.

We passed the striking bodies, leapt through the weapons and the capes of my comrades. Twice Anastasia sung to strengthen the Grim Reapers and even more to heal the wounded wings of the defeated Angels. While I dismissed the heavenly beings, since on my eyes they were not heavenly anymore, I cringed on the idea of Ana weakening.

The tower came closer and I threw the scythe like a boomerang, making the steel wall explode as if it was made of stone. Arsenia and the twins landed first, eyes and weapons on alert. Ana and I landed too, checking back and forth the white, plain corridor.

A cry suddenly was heard from our right and Ana clutched her chest, gasping.

"Ana!" I grabbed her before falling to the floor. She was panting, as if someone was hitting her. Hard. "What's wrong?"

"Feith...Murasaki." She pointed to the direction of the incoming voices and I lifted Ana from the waist, pinning her to my side.

We ran and it didn't take long to reach the end of the corridor into a dead end. The silver linings on the white wall formed a door's framing and a pull, like magnet sucked us in completely.

The black wings of mine covered Anastasia, shielding her, while Leo and Nard left a vicious cry. Ana grumbled on my arms and freed herself from my hold. But I was already showing my fangs, feeling the welcoming darkness of my demonic side.

Leito was standing in front of us, his hands clasped behind him. His irritating emotionless face was staring at us, while two Gladiators were standing behind him, swords drawn. Behind them two gigantic square crystals were showing the outside, like panels of a baseball game.

Ana gasped near me and I turned. The need to roar was big when I saw Feith. He was held down by two Inspectors, his wrists locked down on iron shackles, thick and glowing red. His head was lifted upwards, screaming in a language I hadn't heard in thousands of years.

He was praying in the angelic dialect.

"I would say 'welcome' but you made yourselves quite presentable." Leito spoke and I spun on my heels, ready to snap his neck and make his wing Christmas decoration.

"Marco..." Ana rasped and I turned to her again, following her gaze upwards.

Murasaki was hung above us, her feet and arms tied with the same shackles as Feith. Her purple hair was falling down like a curtain, hiding her face but her cries were loud. The black kimono pants were torn, her sash untied, leaving her undershirt visible, with a hint of her breasts and collarbone.

"Ah, you found us in a bad time." Leito continued and Ana pulled her whip, hitting towards Feith's direction.

The boy flew and the Gladiators behind him charged against us. Arsenia, Leo and Nard attacked their scythes crashing with the silver swords, curses and howls exchanging.

Ana and I darted towards Leito but I knew that she could fight now. Whatever our wristbands held I found that I could cause the effect of stun when an Angel was attacking another, while Ana could fight her half kin just like me. The golden line of her whip circled and jolted like a cobra, hissing and hitting while I tried to find an opening to Leito's wings.

He looped above our heads but not too soon since I and Ana both managed to graze his right hip and left shoulder with our weapons. The blue haired boy gasped in pain and fell to the floor. His shocked grey eyes stared at us as we loomed above him.

"You...how..." Leito tried to speak but I could already see the first signs of the stunning.

I grabbed his hair, almost digging on his scalp and lifted his neck, bringing the sharp black blade below his neck. Leiot screamed but it sounded like music to my ears.

"Add one and one boy. You shouldn't have messed with this war." Images of Ana screaming of her parents' death flashed on my eyes. How Leito had held her, forcing the human girl watching everything. My defeat, my shame and at last my fall.

"Marco."

I looked up. Ana was still holding her whip and the sword, her gaze fixed on the blade close to Leito's neck. "I hate him too, but we need to free Murasaki and Feith. The stun will hold him down enough."

I smirked. "There's no need for him to see anyway." And simply I hit Leito's head to the cold marble floor. Hard.

Ana rolled her eyes and flew to Murasaki's side while I paced towards Feith. He was still screaming like possessed, staring upwards at Murasaki "Will you shut it?" I screamed but the Angel ignored me. Diverted between punching and gutting him I looked up at Ana.

She had a hard time unlocking the shackles and it seemed that Murasaki had fainted. I looked behind my back. The three Grim Reapers had secured the Angels, Leo and Nard smirking at a flushing Arsenia. "Hey! A little help here!" They darted at me and after telling them to keep Feith down, I flew to Ana.

"She has fainted. Whatever Leito did to her, he left her unconscious." Ana spoke as I broke the shackles and holding Murasaki from the waist.

The sound of breaking was also heard and soon Feith grabbed Murasaki from my arms, cradling her carefully. His face was pale, the grey on his eyes was like storm ready to break. But what made my jaw drop was the tender touch of his hands around Murasaki's body.

"Thank you." He rasped towards us and Ana leaned closer. "She may be weak now but the effects will soon wear off." She glanced down, "that ass, he made a torture weapon using heavenly metal."

"We should go. The gate must be around here."

Nard poked my shoe from below. Leo pulled the hem of my trousers. I kicked their heads. "But how will we know where to find it?"

Ana flew down and called to me. "How about an exchange?"

And she pointed at Leito.

------------------------------

Anastasia

Oh yeah, I was so going to do this. Marco grinned beside me as we hauled the unconscious Leito upwards towards an opening the three Grim Reapers made, using their scythes. Feith was still holding Murasaki protectively in his arms, after making sure that there weren't any injuries, at least physical.

But the blue haired boy surely needed spanking. He had used the sacred metal of Heaven, creating torturing weapons. No wonder the Creation is crumbling! As we flew outside the smell of copper and fire filled my nostrils. It was the out come of the battle. And the worst of all; the clouds under the midday sky were painted pink.

I held the rising bile and stalked towards the center between the three towers, where most of the retreated Angels had gathered, still battling the Grim Reapers. I saw them hauling like shadows, having trapped the remaining ones. The winged men and women were also holding some of their injured, trying to protect themselves.

"Stop!" I cried out loud and the twins together with Arsenia flied in the front opening path for me and Marco, who held Leito as if he was a sack of potatoes.

Marco was swearing as he moved Leito from one shoulder to another. The boy's grey wings were hanging like a dead bird's tucked under Marco's grip. "I am seriously tempting to throw him."

"I am sure."

We eyed at the remaining flying Angels and the Grim Reapers who had surrounded them, like predators with their prey. All the fighting had stopped and the hooded men and women with the scythes were staring at us with both expectation and malice. They wanted more fighting, more killing. Hatred and malice can cloud the conscience of humanity. It seemed the same could happen to Angels and Grim Reapers too. Marco swore and flew ahead, his black wings casting a long shadow on the noon sky. I hadn't realized how long we've been fighting. But the sun had already started to fall and the silent wails of Feith behind me gave me an eerie feeling.

I rounded the Angels from above, trying to get their attention. "I offer an exchange!" I shouted with all my strength, "General Leito for the Portal's exact location."

"No one will harm you afterwards!" Marco shouted too and moved his scythe, pointing t the gathered Grim Reapers. With the corner of my eye I also saw Polk among the gathered Grim Reapers, issuing orders and organizing the freed troops.

Arsenia flew closer to my side and with her pink scythe pointed at Leo and Nard who were also circling around the Angels. "I still don't like them." She muttered and I smiled.

"They may be crazy but they are not stupid. Remember, from a crazy and a kid you can only hear the truth."

"Ha.Ha. Very funny."

We flew down and leaving Arsenia behind I edged closer to the Angels.

Their robes, armors and shirts were smoked, grey and in some parts covered with blood. Blue, grey and white wings were flapping furiously, trying to hold their height, afraid for moving upwards or even downwards. "Please, tell me where the Portal is."

A woman with blue wings, a Healer, nodded. "We can't. Orders have been issued."

"And these orders are more precious than your lives?"

"Please, the Roue One has our families, our children," another man with white wings spoke, "they have them trapped on the Second Division."

I understood the reason for their loyalty. Machias, Leito and Ivan we using fear for gaining the absolute lead upon the Four Divisions. Name one weapon far more dreadful and devastating than the atomic bomb.

That would be fear.

I tightened the hold on the sword. For once it felt...heavy. More responsibilities to bear. The trip to the Heaven Realm was going to be so much fun.

Marco, allow Polk to let the Angels live. I don't care if you have to smack him but please do it.

A chuckle was heard in my mind. Aw, I would enjoy it so much. What do you have in mind?

How about toss Leito to them and let us know the location of the Portal?

No, how about only toss Leito, or even better play football with his head?

I looked behind me at Marco's direction. He was smirking, but he waved and turned to the direction of Polk, flying towards him.

I looked at the Angels again. "I will secure your lives. Just give me a clue."

They stared at each other with eyes of molten blue, silver and hair of the fairest colors. Even on their state they still looked divine, beautiful.

"Search for the top of the towers." One of the Healers spoke finally.

I nodded. "Thank you." And quickly I signaled Leo, Nard and Arsenia to fly up. Slowly retreating backwards I felt the wind changing. It was a strong current, hissing through my golden feathers but also carrying something dreadful.

"Marco! Give them Leito back!" I shouted and he gloriously dropped him down, making his limp body fall on their heads.

The flash of green in the middle of the group caught my attention.

"NO!" I screamed.

The blades slashed through the blue, white and grey wings, the echoes of the Angels' pained cries deafened my eardrums. Marco roared and dove down at the same time I lifted my sword and repelled an incoming green air blade. Some of the Angels had already caught Leito and they were retreating far, trying to escape the madness around them.

Marco pulled his scythe and clashed with the topaz one. Ivan smiled at him, as I flew behind Marco and jumped above his head, aiming for Ivan's chest. He retreated back as I and Marco both charged against him. Marco caught my arm and swung me in a full circle before I aim my whip at Ivan's feet. He was already heading upwards.

"Now!" I bellowed and Marco pushed me up.

The golden line of the whip caught Ivan's right foot and I pulled. Marco flew above me and three black daggers, covered with blazing black fire pierced Ivan's calves and his right shoulder, the one who held the scythe.

"Damn Demon!" Ivan screeched as I sent a surge of burning light towards Ivan's tied ankles.

He looked at me; his black eyes had a gleam of red on the black, like the irises were going under transformation. There was nothing in them. The Angel, the Grim Reaper were long gone from Ivan and someone worse was starting to appear.

I pulled the whip down, kicking at the process his groin, before releasing the whip. A furious cry suddenly made both Marco and I snap our heads up; Arsenia was staring at Leo and Nard, who were levitating on the center of the vacuum between the three towers. What felt strange to me was the aura they were emitting.

"The fools opened the Portal!" Feith appeared beside us, still cradling Murasaki in his arms.

"How?" Marco asked "there is no red button in these cases...right?"

"At this point I don't give a shit." Feith swore and I looked at Marco astonished.

He shrugged and we looked down. Grim Reapers had surrounded Ivan who was still trying to make his way up. A lightning from above caught our attention. The three edges of steel at the top of the towers glimmered blue as three long lines, in the form of thunders, appeared uniting and creating a triangle around Arsenia and the still screaming twins.

I felt the power in my bones. It needed guidance, the kind of the one who had to follow the track up to the Heaven Realm. Sheathing my sword and leaving only the whip on my right hand I flew up, with Marco and Feith on my tow.

When we edged closer Arsenia retreated back to me screaming that Leo and Nard had touched the steel on the top of the towers before this reaction began.

"Their spiritual trail is already divided. Further splitting would cause them to disappear." Marco said and cursed.

"Or unite them back." I pointed at the bodies of the two Grim Reapers.

They were now covered with the same blue hue of the triangle, their auras and bodies joining, merging, into one. A blast wave threw us all back, knocking the air out of me. I felt Marco's chest behind me as I hit back. He snarled and grabbed Feith who was trying to hold his stead against the surge of power.

When the blasts ended a single body was standing in the middle of the triangle. It was not a boy but a man. His brown hair was falling to his shoulders and black eyes were staring at us with determination. What made me gasp, Marco swear and Arsenia still were the two scythes on his hands. One orange and one yellow.

"What in the name of Hell's fires?" Marco said behind me.

I flew towards the man and when I came closer he smiled at me. "I am sorry Anastasia."

"What happened?"

The man scratched his head. "It seems that the Portal can start only by someone with a separate aura trail. Twins have this possibility. Did you know that?"

I nodded. "No."

"Well, now you know it."

"And who are you?" Feith spoke behind me.

The man smiled. "I am Leonard. Nice to meet you."

"Shit."

"Wow." Arsenia gasped beside me and I caught Leonard winking at her. "Now that the Portal is open we need a Protector."

I grinned at him. "Leave it to me."

Touching Marco's shoulder in reassurance, I guided everyone close to each other and flew right above them. I lifted the whip and started to form a circle around us, making the golden line of the whip grow longer until Marco, Feith and Murasaki, Arsenia and Leonard were surrounded by my aura. A soft sound escaped my lips, a tune of openness and need to know more.

The three edges of the towers glowed once more and three lines jetted from the tops at our direction.

Light covered my vision.

And Earth was gone.

----------------------------

Shiro, the crow demon, was sitting on the roof of Anastasia's house when he heard the echoes of the battle at the sky. Noon had come and a sense of cold had started to envelope the deserted city.

This wasn't in his plans. He wanted to learn the reason of his clan's destruction and fix the wrongs of the heavenly creatures, not staying guard on a bunch of mortals and spirits, while he was losing all the fun.

"Ano yaro!" That bastard! Shiro cried in a voice that reminded more crow than man, cursing at Death.

"Urusai!" Shut up, Tomo, the fox demon materialized near him, his blue orbs glowing with power.

"What are we supposed to do kitsune? Stay here and babysit? Or go there" he pointed at the sky "and fight?"

"Marco-sama and Anastasia have reasons."

"Reasons? Yeah, that so true!" Shiro spat and got up. His black kimono and the red sash moved like river around his strong feet. Crows were known for their strength.

And foxes for their mischief.

One of the windows on the top floor opened and Kyoko's head popped out. "Come in! It's time for dinner!" she waved her hand.

Tomo waved back and smiled at her, adoration on his face. Shiro wanted to puke.

They were ready to fly down, when a crack on the ground across the street caught Tomo's attention.

"Shiro." Tomo pointed and the crow's purple eyes widened with shock.

The crack suddenly became wider, an echoing sound of cracking filling the air. Tomo flew down and entered the house. He caught Kyoko from the arm and ordered her to gather their things. "Inform Christin and Rath. Hurry!"

Before she could ask, the fox had already flown out again this time drawing his katana. Shiro's black hair was glowing like washed onyx, his aura detectable. They looked at the continuous opening fissure. Red and orange fumes started to come out and the thick smell of sulfur filled the air.

"What do we have boys?" Rath asked beside them, his purple scythe on hand.

"Something's wrong. This was never supposed to happen!" Tomo exclaimed.

Shiro chuckled and the two men looked at him with an expression that said the crow had gone crazy.

"Tell me you know what that is." Rath said with hollow voice.

Shiro was now smiling. "Brace yourselves men. Hell is coming on Earth."