Anastasia

Ok so here's what I have done until now.

Living with the secret of being a Spirit Seer: checked

Falling in love with my boss who happened to be a Demon turned to a Grim Reaper: checked.

Falling into another Realm to save him and discovering a whole conspiracy on the Creation: that checked too.

But going into a whole club which is occupied by an army of Grim Reapers who like to kill Angels? I haven't checked that...yet.

"Onee-chan, you should put more pink on your cheeks." Kyoko moved the rouge brush, applying more color on my cheeks.

I groaned. "Kyoko, I will look like a clown!"

"Ie! You will be kawai!" she squealed saying that I will look cute.

After the departure of Murasaki and Feith, Marco got a message from Death. He requested the presence of Marco and me into the location where the strategic meetings of the Grim Reapers' troops were taking place. What he didn't mention, but Marco was clever to find out, was the fact that their meeting place was a distortion on the city's, my city's, center where the Grim Reapers had transformed it into a camp.

And here I am, making myself presentable as Death's newly found weapon and mascot.

Kyoko smiled with satisfaction for her makeup choices and turned me to my vanity mirror. My blond hair was falling freely, stopping on my shoulders, into thick curls. My Japanese friend knew how to make the most amazing hair style. My eyelids had a smoky bluish color, which was making my mismatched eyes look brighter into the night. A deep red was on my lips and the pink on my cheekbones was making my face look healthier, as if the trip on Nether Realm had never happened.

I smiled to my reflection. "Who is she Kyoko?" I asked with a bitter feeling. I had changed and the worst part was the fact that I didn't know if my powers would be for good or bad.

Kyoko leaned close to me, touching my shoulders. "You are Peters Anastasia Onee-sama, the strongest person I know you will be."

I sighed and got up. My high heeled boots, black with blue shoe lashes on the up of my foot, were already placed on the floor. On my bed the tilt of my whip and the sword were waiting for me.

I decided to wear something comfortable for fighting and flying but with a slight taste of being... sexy. So my black skin jeans with the golden belt and pouch already on my waist, and the blue electric tank top were an appropriate pair and my top was letting my shoulders free. A small necklace with silver chain and the teardrop diamond, a gift from my Mom for my nineteenth birthday, was completing my night attire.

"So how do I look?" I asked Kyoko as I tied the tilt on my left thigh and the sword on my right side.

Kyoko pressed her lips and held her chin, like a professional artist, who is checking his art. She smiled and clapped her hands. "Absolutely stunning! Marco-sama will be dumbfounded."

Marco dumbfounded? I would like to see that.

"Oi! I am not getting any older down here!"

Speak of the devil. "We are coming!" I shouted to my closed door and Kyoko laughed. We got out from my room and headed to the stairs. "Are you sure you'll be fine Kyoko?"

She held my hand. "Tomo and Shiro are with me. And I can defend myself. You should be worried about the spirits destroying the house."

"Nah, Tomo is too noble to get into a catfight."

The muffled voices came from downstairs. We exchanged a stern look with Kyoko and rushed to the down floor. Kyoko was the one to jump the stairs, while I followed, careful not to create a mess with my folded wings.

Shiro and Tomo were growling at each other, while Marco was in the middle glaring at them. He was in black as usual. With black jeans, a long sleeved shirt, which was letting a part of his pale collarbone visible and the black scythe was already on his back; a sign of power and identity. His silky black wings looked stronger, healthy and his aura was calm, reassuring and strong. Marco's black hair was short cut and his red right eye was glowing like a ruby.

"Stop both of you!" Kyoko almost roared and the two spirits stopped. Tomo apologized but Shiro averted his clothed face and transformed into a crow flying to the other side of the living room.

Marco saw Kyoko and left a tired sigh. He turned to towards my direction, looking at me.

I was sure that for a moment he stopped breathing; his eyes traveled from head to toe, memorizing every detail of me. His startled expression slowly melted into a smile and then he stretched his hand.

Slowly, I got down from the stairs taking his hand. "You know that brings back memories." He whispered to my ear, sending shivers in me.

"Yes, we have a tendency for going to either haunted or grim places. I expect a better place for a date next time." I smirked and Marco pulled me closed, holding my waist.

His lips touch my neck, leaving butterfly kisses until his found my lips. "I will think of something."

A cough from Kyoko's side made both of us snap and turn to her; she was looking at us with blushed cheeks while Tomo was scratching his head.

"Well, we'll be going now." Marco rasped near me, pushing my back gently towards the exit.

"Be careful." Kyoko said and bowed as Marco opened the door for me and got out to the cold night.

When the door closed behind us, the barrier took effect, making my house look like the rest of destroyed buildings around us. Marco was still holding my hand as we walked away into the narrow roads, seeking for a better place to take off.

"We are going underwater." He said after a while.

"Underwater? I though that they were into a building, but how-" I stopped and my eyes widened.

Marco grinned. "I assume you found out."

Of course! Grim Reapers could travel all over the world in a flash, from Realm to Realm. That way they were distorting the lines between the Human Realm and the Death Realm. Damn, I had become too smart!

"A place where they can breathe underwater and also be safe. A bubble?"

Marco laughed. "Not exactly a bubble but you are close. Shall we go?"

I looked at the sky. There was no moon here but the stars were glimmering. I opened my wings, letting the wind brush my golden feathers. "Let's go."

Marco took off first, his majestic wings moving like a hawk's as we both soared into the night. We flew above the city towards the flooded parts of the downtown. And as we glided above the sea, I tried to search for any leaking auras from either ghosts or Grim Reapers. I had to tell Marco about the blue orb of Tomo's and the fact that I hadn't seen any ghosts since we left Japan.

"Ana! We dive!" Marco shouted in front of me and we both went for the sky fall. We went straight into the sea, diving into the water. Although I expected the fierce sting of the solid cold water, instead a whirlpool sucked both of us in; Marco folded his wings and I did the same letting the pull of the water guide us to our destination.

When the whirlpool finally ended I found myself standing in front of a peculiar place. It was a campground with small black tents rowed one close to another, creating four lines, two on our right and two on our left. As I stepped next to him my eyes caught the building in the center of the campground where the deep bumping of music was coming from.

"Well, that's to be expected." Marco shrugged as he took off his black gloves, pushing them into his jeans. "Their HQ is a club. That's so like D's taste."

We started walking towards the building. It was made of black diamonds, which shone under the sea water, which was held outside by the glassy dome, an amazing structure which was surrounding the campground having the shape of a gigantic half sphere.

The neon lights of the club's name were shining brightly as we came closer. "Scythes" was written with the 'y' pulled into a calligraphically smooth line. Marco tensed for a moment; there was a bodyguard standing between us and the door.

His black cape was covering his body but he looked shorter than Marco with brown hair and the familiar black eyes of a Grim Reaper. His attention turned to us but Marco put his confident smile on.

"Hey." He greeted the guard by raising his arm.

Great, nice move Marco...

"Who are you?" the Grim Reaper asked frowning, "or maybe what are you?"

"We have come here at the orders of Death. I must see your superior."

The bodyguard laughed and I swear that he maybe had a sick sense of humor when he was alive. "As if I would let two freaks with sick auras enter HQ! And how did you enter? This place is-"

Marco's blade was on the Reaper's throat in a flash. I felt his anger surging into our field, making a whimper of fear escape the bodyguard's lips.

"Dare to call her freak again and I will rip your throat." Marco hissed and pressed the black blade on the pale skin.

He was going to create havoc! Slowly, I stepped in the front, pressing my palm on Marco's shoulder. "You are not here to play...yet. So please let the Reaper go." I smiled but I glared at the Reaper, who was ready to pee himself from fear.

"Oh, please the lady is so right!" the bodyguard pled and Marco lifted the blade.

"Take me to your superior." Marco ordered again and the Reaper opened the door, nodding us to follow him.

The sound of the music and the darkness pulled us in. It didn't differ with any normal club but the swirling, melting bodies of men and women who were dancing through the flashing and popping lights, made me miss my days when I, Helen and Christin would go and hit the night life of the city.

But as we made our way through the dancing pairs the Grim Reapers stopped abruptly and looked at us, some with malice and others with question. Like a tide wave they pulled back making room for me and Marco to pass, while we head into another door, away from the dancing floor.

The Reaper with the brown hair opened the door, and even bowed to Marco as he passed. Marco had his shoulder up, showing his full height while his black wings looked terrifying with the black scythe resting between his shoulder blades.

"You sure know how to make an entrance" I murmured as we passed the door and headed to the other across the narrow, red carpeted hall.

I saw him smirking. "Are you sure they were not looking at you? You look sexy tonight."

"Oh." I muttered, lowering my head. Surely Kyoko was right. Marco was dumbfounded.

The door across us opened on its own as we passed into the private room. From the wall were hanging many, many types of scythes on all colors and shapes I could ever imagine. They could be scary but I was staring at them dazzled by their polished blades and the aura they were emitting.

"If you haven't died yet, that means you say the truth." A man's voice was heard and I turned.

A Grim Reaper, dressed too in black was sitting on a desk. His eyes had the same black but his hair was a strange mix of green and blue; half of his head was blue, while the other was green. He looked old, around his fifties with pointed nose and an almost square jaw.

I held a snort and moved forward with Marco. "So now you lead armies General?" Marco spoke with tease but a hiss came from the man.

"I may have lost at the Civil War but I am still trustworthy!" he almost shouted.

I poked Marco. "Which Civil War?"

Marco grinned at me and pointed at the seated man, "May I present you Leonidas Polk, General on the American Civil War and currently one of the two Generals of Death's troops."

No freaking way. I walked forward and lifted my arm. "Nice to meet you Sir."

He eyes at me suspiciously and grabbed my palm on a handshake. "You too Anastasia Peters."

"You know my name?"

Leonidas eyed me and Marco. "Everyone knows your names. D. was kind enough to inform us but there are many who are hesitant on how to treat you."

"We came to help, not to divide you." Marco commented and I nodded.

Polk shrugged. "Tell that to the troops outside. We had many harsh battles and America has turned into a wasteland, not to mention Scandinavia, while Africa strangely became the biggest rainforest of the planet."

I gasped, feeling light headed but I tried to hold myself. "Any...special troops we need to have in mind?"

"General Jito is responsible for the Internal Inofrmation. Thank Luther for that. That ghost can sneak everywhere!"

Jito? The Japanese Empress? And Luther? The one and only Luther? "May I sit please?"

"Polk, you gave too much info." Marco uttered as he helped me sit on one of the couches, having his hand on my shoulder. "I didn't expect you to use ghosts for the war."

Polk shrugged. "Some volunteered; others helped the Grim Reapers by deciding to move on and so, giving spiritual energy to them."

When a soul was ready to move on, a part of its spiritual energy was going into the body of the Grim Reaper. So that's why there weren't many ghosts, but still one ghost was enough, so where were the others?

Marco sighed. "Let us speak to the troops outside. We should try and at least present ourselves."

Leonidas seemed to stare at me, while Marco spoke and that didn't make me feel better. "Miss, are you feeling alright?" his sudden interest made me snap.

"Thank you Sir, I am fine. I agree with Marco on that. I don't want to cause harm or make your soldiers uneasy." I muttered.

Although Marco was standing near me, his big hand was resting on my left shoulder, giving me the support I needed. Polk in the end agreed and let us go and do whatever we wanted to do. When the door closed behind us, I let my back lean to the cool wall.

"Ana."

I looked up at him. Marco's lips seemed pressed together, and he was frowning. He was worried about me again.

"I am fine...just overwhelmed, I think."

He cupped my cheek. "If Polk scared you, I can-"

"No. We must look presentable and give courage to those outside. I am sure they are waiting for us."

That's right. I couldn't back up now. I had to be strong. I must protect Marco and everyone who have put their faith on me. Because faith can become the best medicine when you need it.

I pressed his hand on my cheek and leaned close to his coolness. "I am better now. Shall we go?"

"Are you sure?" his eyes were worried again.

"Yes."

We walked towards the door, which led to the bar and the dance floor. Marco looked at me one last time and smiled at each other. "Is it a game on?"

"Game on, then."

And we opened the door.

The next two hours were the most hectic on my whole night life. At first the Grim Reapers both males and females were staring at us with suspiciousness. But thanks to Marco's ties, since he knew most of them and they had worked together, it was easy for me to come around.

I was introduced to more than two hundred Grim Reapers; it was like a reunion party where everyone was exchanging their stories, backgrounds and even their likes and dislikes. What surprised me weren't their life stories or their fear of the war. Everyone lived their moment to the fullest, ignoring tomorrow. Maybe it was a trick to fool themselves of the fear.

A Grim Reaper never will be afraid. Marco had taught me that. But seeing all these men and women who died once, lived into the harsh and painful path of being Grim Reapers, and now they were fighting for a world which wasn't theirs anymore, filled me with sadness but with determination.

"Hey, Anastasia," a young girl, around seventeen, spoke. I think her name was Arsenia. "Can you dance?" she shouted through the deafening sounds of the club's music. Her brownish red hair and black pools were gleaming under the lights.

Smiling at her, she led me through the dancing bodies into the middle of the dance floor and we started to dance. Moving up and down, I even felt myself levitating a little, just like other female Reapers were doing. And when the music changed into a faster track, I tilted my head back letting my blond curls move like a sifting tide.

At some point more female Grim Reapers joined me and Arsenia and we started to move as if we were performing a scene from "Step Up". Whistles and crazy shouts were coming from the other side of the dance floor as the men were encouraging us to continue. With a wink at Arsenia, she manifested her scythe and pierced it to the floor. The others did the same and they jumped on the tips, which were really tiny, of their weapons, balancing with their tiptoes on them, just like the tight rope dancers.

I opened my wings a little and gathered the light from my powers, creating small, on the size of ping pong, balls inside my palms. With a turn around my body, I threw them towards the colorful blades and they rebounded, creating a rainbow of flowing auras, while the standing women laughed and danced above me.

They were soon joined by the men as they flew towards their directions, lifting them higher. A pair of hands caught my waist, slowing drawing me back. My wings molded closer to my shoulder blades as I tilted my head back, resting to Marco's shoulder. We started to dance alone on the glowing from the lights dance floor, as most of the dancing pairs had already taken off.

"Amazing, you have made everyone stronger." He murmured as his lips moved from my cheeks to neck.

I smiled. "We did it. I don't deserve all the credit, boss." Slowly I turned around, locking my arms around his neck. Marco held me tightly, but tenderly as he took off, flapping his wings. We flew around following the music holding each other.

We kissed and held ourselves, as if our existence was balancing on the thin thread of Fate. I remembered the night I got on the ghost club, and Marco had given me the purple bracelet with the charms. We had danced then too, but Marco had denied my feelings for him. It was that fear who led me into the Nether Realm, but we were both now together, dancing midair between Grim Reapers.

"Anastasia..." Marco was chanting my name again and again with each breath and kiss we were giving and taking. And I held him, feeling each part of his body responding to mine, like two lost halves which finally found each other.

The sound of screams from the outside pierced our moment, making Marco and I freeze. He pulled me closer and roared "Outside!" to everyone. As the Reapers flew from the club, the echoes of cracking glass were heard above us.

"The dome!" a dark skinned Grim Reaper shouted while the others were already holding their scythes.

We looked above; a gigantic crack was threatening to flood the protective field and only our way out would ensure our escape.

Marco and Polk were giving orders for the whirlpools to work but many Reapers were unable either to flash away or to use the only means of transport they had.

"Nothing is working!"

"They have trapped us all!" were some of the words I heard.

I looked at the dome again. Its surface looked like glass and despite the darkness of the night a faint light was illuminating the campground. If only there was a way...

I turned to Marco; he was gathering everyone together, not only the two hundred of the club but the rest of the troops too. A well amount of two thousand, I could say.

Glass. Light.

That's it!

"Marco, Polk!" I called at them as I took off, gaining height. They turned at me, half confused half serious.

"It's time to play!" Polk spat and turned to the troops again.

"Marco I know a way out!"

He flew towards my direction with his scythe on hand. "How?"

"The dome is made of glass and the water above can work like a mirror. If you combine the light together-"

"Then we'll have light reflection."

"An Angel, a Protector, draws his or her powers from light."

His eyes widened with realization. "You will guide everyone straight to the enemy above?"

"I don't see any other way. I wish I could save everyone."

He cupped my cheek, "No. You will lead the battle. This is what we are supposed to do Ana." And Marco kissed me softly. "I will be right behind you."

I smiled and pushed him back, telling him to inform the others. As Marco flew down roaring the orders, I turned to the cracking dome above me and drew my sword. My singing wasn't like Auge's and I knew from all the knowledge, which came with the package, that I wouldn't be able to call upon the full power of the light, unless it was day. All I had to do was to concentrate the channel of the light from my body towards the dome.

All I needed was the right moment. The sound of clinging metal below me suddenly filled my ears.

Tap Tap, tap-tap-tap!

In a repeating chorus all the Grim Reapers howled a war cry as I lifted my sword towards the dome and started to sing. The blade became hotter and from silver, golden as the light rushed into it. With my both hands I held the tilt and when the last melody was sung I screamed towards the dome.

With an echoing thud the row of golden light pierced the dome like an arrow. The crumbling glass started to fall, followed by the massive water body. I felt everything happening in a slow motion, like a suspended movie. As the falling shards, sharp like knives were falling down at us, I held the tilt of the whip summoning the golden ray of light.

Quickly as I flew, the shards of glass were shattered into dust as I moved the whip above me head and around me, making my way through the falling dome. Now it was the right time. From the pouch on my waist, I called upon three of my feathers, which I had hidden inside, and shouted the command.

"Shine our path into the darkness,"

"For there will be a way of return."

"Shine our path into battle,"

"For there, bravery meets the light!"

"Obey my command!" the final word was left to be spoken.

"Illuminata!"

Everything became white. I felt my body light for a moment, as if I was floating into the sea. A sound, like a song filled my ears. I knew that song; it was the anthem of the Angels, when they were welcoming their children home. Was I going to be welcomed? Did the Lords hoped for me to come?

"Ana!"

I blinked me eyes and the light was gone. I had flown through the destroyed dome and away from the water. My wings were shining brightly and so did the rest of my body. But my clothes...

"Ana!" Marco's voice came from behind.

"Marco, we made it! I-"

He had stopped and was looking at me with terror. I peered at my body. The tank top, the skin black jeans and boots were gone, replaced by a white tunic, which was falling a little higher from my knees. Sandals made of liquid diamonds were covering my feet, beginning from my tiptoes up to my knees.

The golden belt of the pouch was on my waist as also the leather strap of the whip on my felt thigh and the sash with the sword's sheath. A V line was on the upper part of my body, showing my sternum and a part of my breasts. On the shoulders clasps made of pearls, which shone a faint pink hue, were holding the tunic on my body while on my neck the teardrop diamond necklace of my Mom's was glistering.

I looked at Marco terrified. Not only I had just accomplished an almost impossible anthem but my attire had changed.

"You hair..." Marco uttered and I brought my fingers on my scalp. The tufts felt smooth, like silk and I understood that instead of blond they should look like the colors of the rainbow.

"Reform!" Polk's voice brought us back to reality and all the Grim Reapers, fully clothed with black robes and coats, like ravens, with their scythes on hands gathered around me and Marco, forming a protective circle.

"Nice move halfling!" I head Arsenia's voice somewhere into the wall of capes and war cries of courage were heard around us.

But when I looked at Marco his mismatched eyes were looking at me with something deeper from pride and praise. When I stretched my hand, he took me palm on his gloved one and held me closer. We didn't speak, just breathed and felt each others' heartbeat, crushing from our bodies.

Polk was near us with his half green, half blue hair moving like crazy. It had become windy but the cold air wasn't affecting me. "A troop of five Gladiators is above us. They look overwhelmed from your abilities my Lady."

Oh now I had saved his ass, I had become a 'lady'.

"Is there anyone with them? Gladiators travel in tens not fives." Marco replied as he left me standing midair near him.

I looked above the opening of our protective circle. The Angels with the white wings and the shining silver armors look tiny. I guess they had gone into an amazing altitude, in order to survive my...outburst. But why hadn't they attacked yet?

"Is...is Ivan with them?" I felt bile and rage when I uttered the name.

Marco looked at me with his red eye glowing from rage but his expression was neutral. He looked at Polk but he denied any feeling of his presence around the perimeter.

"Then let me speak at them."

"Here you go again! Every time we are in this" Marco moved a finger to show "you want to talk!"

"What kind of situation?" Polk dared to ask but we both glared at him.

"Marco, I am half Angel. I can't deny that part. Those Gladiators are surely displeased having Ivan as their leader, if he is around here."

"You are right, if he is here! I am not going to put you in danger by exposing both your safety and identity to them!"

His voice was hard and strong. We were arguing midair and surrounded by two thousand Grim Reapers who were waiting for orders. Yup, it was the best place!

Polk coughed loudly breaking our silence. "I don't want to interrupt your catfight but we have a situation here!"

"Marco," I touched his hard chest, brushing my fingers on the hard leather, "please let me do this. I want to know about the Lords too. If I can get a fragment of information, it will be to our gain."

He sighed. "Don't give me the puppy eyes; they make you both despicable and sexy."

I held my hands on a stance of prayer, blinking my eyes. "Pretty please?"

Marco brushed his hair, "Fine, but you must come back quickly."

"I promise." I blew him a kiss and flew above the protective circle of Grim Reapers, shouting to everyone not to shoot without my order. Sheathing the sword and the whip, I flapped my wings having my shoulders shrugging.

This was a way to show my peaceful intentions and a universal body language for the Angels. But as I came closer and closer I noticed the faces of those Gladiators. Their hair, silver eyes and armor, the wings, everything was a remainder of the day the airplane fell, my parents were gone and the hands which held me as Marco was screaming from pain.

They were the first Angels I met and the ones who didn't even blink as Ivan was taking my parents souls, forcing Marco to reveal his demonic wing to me. And judging by their stunned expressions, I wasn't forgotten. When I reached their height I stood far, at least 10 feet away and spoke loudly. "I have come here with gentles and the kindness of Him. Please allow me to speak."

Their stunned faces were replaced by surprise. The five Angels looked at each other and one of the moved ahead, coming closer to me. "Are you truly Anastasia Peters?"

"The one and only."

"How...how did you get those wings and the aura...anyone can find it either on the Lords of the Four Divisions, either to the Star-born."

"Star-born?"

"They are the Angels who are sent by Him in order to live among our kin and help us with the problems which might occur on the Heaven Realm."

I held my breath. Auge was born in order to stop Machias, before it was too late. Somehow Machias had found out, and then used Marco in order to banish her. The pieces were finally getting together.

"I am not one of the Lords, but I was the host of the Concealed Feather. She was then a Star-born. And I have inherited her powers. My right eye is the only proof I can give you."

The Angels looked at the circle of Grim Reapers. "Then why are you with the enemy and not your kin? Even as a half Angel you would be welcome to the First Division."

It seemed that their devotion was true. "Tell me what Machias has told you. And most of all, why are you fighting the Grim Reapers?"

They all looked at each other, confused for a moment. Another came forward; he was shorter than the first one who spoke to me. "Death must pay his actions against the Heaven Realm. Machias is acting on behalf of Lord Raphael, Uriel and Gabriel who have entered the Garden, in order to consult with Him."

The Garden. It was a place hidden from all Angels and known only to the Four Lords. Many legends speak of that place and to the humans was commonly known as "Eden" the place where the snake tempted Eve. But in reality, it's where all souls go where they wait for the Final Judgment.

"Do you actually believe that Gabriel would order you to kill the Reapers and ravage Earth? Don't you see the desolated land? Can't you hear the cries of the stars? The Creation is dying!"

They all backed up, looking at me. It appeared that I was right, that my words had reached them but their stern faces showed that the Gladiators wouldn't and couldn't disobey orders.

"Come with us." One of them spoke, "As an apology for everything we can offer you a safe place into the First Division."

"We will guide you there!"

They honestly believed that Machias would let me walk into Heaven like that? No, they were either brainwashed or their orders were wrong. Slowly, I backed up and lowered in height.

"Escape, leave Europe at once. Return to the Second Division and tell my words to the others. That's how you can apologize."

"But Lord Machias wants a world free of the evil."

"Then I guess you have forgotten who the real evil one is." I shouted at them. Furious with their stupid behavior, I kicked the air around me, trying to calm down. The war cries below me became louder but I waved a hand, indicating them to calm down.

"Who ordered you to ambush their campground?"

The Angels suddenly became angry and drew their swords. Something was wrong. No Gladiator would engage into battle without and offend.

"What's wrong?" I demanded but then I saw it.

Their eyes were terrified as the Angels charged against me. I pulled the katana and repelled their attack.

"Run! We can't control ourselves!" they screamed as they followed me downwards.

I flew back to the formation of the black capes, screaming at the Reapers to disarm the Angels, not to kill them. Marco appeared with his black scythe glimmering and covered my body with his mass, while the scythe moved above my head, shielding my back.

"What happened?"

"Someone is controlling them!" I turned to the soldiers. "Don't kill them!"

The lightning hit the sea and suddenly I lost my hearing. Like a silent movie I saw the bodies of most Grim Reapers falling to the sea, motionless and empty. Marco was holding me tightly, screaming something I couldn't understand as he tried to fly us away from the deadly thunders.

But as we made our way, while Polk was gathering his troops and retreating, my gaze fell to the Angels. They stood like puppets with their swords to their sides but their eyes looked terrified. Even from afar I could see them clearly.

"ANA!" Marco's scream filled me with adrenaline. I jumped from his arms into the air, catching up with him quickly.

"We must escape!" he roared and another lightning hit the void between us. The blast wave threw me back, separating me and Marco.

The crumbling sound of the crashing bolt into the sea sent me shivers. Whatever controlled the thunder was powerful. As I looked around me I found myself surrounded by clouds. I flew higher, trying to get a better vision. But as I flew the cloudy mist became thicker.

I pulled my whip too, while the blade trembled from sensing the upcoming aura. Something or someone was controlling the misty clouds. I had to remain calm; if I started panicking now, I would be as good as dead. Everything had gone silent, as if the battle was never occurred.

Unless... I was secluded into a fraction of distorted space aka being trapped away from the others. God, I was speaking like a freaking scientist!

Marco! I tried to call him but no response came.

That field was truly strong. Closing my eyes I tried to concentrate on finding a weak part on the field. Only my breath was coming and leaving in repeated circles.

Breathe, up and down, slowly but carefully.

The screeching sound of a blade came from behind. I jumped up by moving my wings and the whip became a circle around my body. A laughter was heard from the mist, a man's laughter.

No, it couldn't be.

"You look pretty tempting little mutt." The voice sounded in echoes from the mist.

I tried not to answer; that would betray my position, unless he already knew where I was.

"Don't try to hide; I already know where you are."

"Then come out! I like speaking to cowards, like yourself!" I screamed and the sword trembled.

The snarl behind me came like a flood. My sword and the topaz scythe crashed midair and my eyes met his. Ivan's blond hair was shining just like the time he was an Angel. But his golden wings were stained with black feathers which covered the edges of them, making him look almost like a Demon. The red leather straps were holding his trousers, leaving his Adonis like torso and chest bare.

"So now you have wings Ivan? Why am I not surprised?" I snarled at him and broke our weapons, flying quickly back.

He laughed and brought the scythe on his front. "I could say the same for you Anastasia. Those colored hair and that eye, truly are a remainder. Did you lose weight too? You look skinny."

His eyes were furious; but his aura was even deadlier. Machias had used on him the Arts, a special combination of spells casted only by the Four Lords in order to transform pure human souls into Angels. It was a gift truly generous towards the humans from Him. But Ivan was a Grim Reaper and I couldn't help but notice the traces of his Reaper aura on him. And these wings; that color could be seen only on one kin.

"Thank you for the compliment Ivan." I replied with sarcasm and we both flew in circles weighting each other's powers.

"You have become stronger. No wonder Machias wants you out."

"I will get him. But only after I am done with you!" I cried as my sword and whip tried to hit him.

Ivan swirled the scythe in circles above his head and the green arrows emerged flying towards me. My keen sight was enough to hit them and destroy most of them. But Ivan wasn't done. Soon the scythe was gone and his body disappeared into the mist, leaving me alone again, panting from the try.

"Don't try to hide!"

No answer came from the cloudy mist. Holding tightly my weapons, I tried to call again at Marco but again no reply came.

Suddenly my hands became numb, causing my weapons to fall. "No!" I dove to catch them but I was stopped. Ivan's hands had caught me, holding my wrists with his left hand while the other was squeezing the joint of my left wing.

I snarled from pain and his deep laugh made me sick. "You see, little Anastasia, you are half Angel now. And I am Angel again."

"Oh, thanks for the reminder. If you can call a murderer like you an Angel than I am Celine Dion!"

His grip on my wrists became tighter. The sound of cracking behind me pierced my back like daggers. I screamed of pain tilting my head back.

"An Angel can never attack one of his or her kin. So basically, according to Law you can't kill me!" he smiled at me as we came face to face.

I spit on his face, making him frown. "I will kill you, make no mistake of that!" and I kicked his crotch, hard. Ivan screamed and his grip loosened. Falling down, I tried to flap my wing but pain made me cry out loud. Concentrating anything I had, I howled into the mist.

A strong current wave slowed my fall by holding my back. But the mist above me started to dissolve, revealing the dark sky and a furious Ivan. His black eyes glimmered as he dove, gliding towards me.

If I couldn't kill him then at least I could stop him. I brought my sword up, the blade aiming for his chest and tried to move my wings and fly. The crack of my bone made me gasp and dizziness filled my eyes.

I couldn't faint now! Not with my enemy charging against me. Ivan's lips twitched into a wide smirk as the tip of his blade came closer crashing with my sword. He caught me from my neck, chocking the air from my lungs.

"You should have stayed into the Nether Realm and die like a petty little human you are!"

I could only glare at him but I refused to surrender. With a little try the tip of the whip's shining line, which was still on my hand, hit Ivan's face, scarring his left side. Another roar was heard from behind and Ivan's right wing was in an instant torn off. The black blade was covered in blood as the holder of the scythe snarled, with his right eye glowing furiously red and the fangs showing from his lips.

Ivan howled from pain and started to fall, loosening his grip on my neck; strong arms held me as Marco threw two more daggers towards Ivan's shoulders before the blond Angel disappear into the dark sea.

"Marco..." I tried to speak but his grip on my shoulders and knees was tight.

He flew away from everything and I leaned to his shoulder letting my eyelids close.

A woman with long golden wings was sitting under a big tree. Its thick trunk was dark brown and the green leaves were bursting from the life of nature. The earth around her was alive with the grass sweeping from the cool wind

Her long waist length white hair was pulled into a tight bun but her deep blue eyes were locked to me. She moved her index finger pointing to the tree above her.

"To live is to love,

To love is to sacrifice.

But a sacrifice can bring back life once again."

Her words rung a bell to me. I gazed at the tree behind Uriel. Two big branches were stretching closely to each other, with the leaves hiding most of the wood.

It was Marco's and Auge's tree.

It was Auge's grave.

I felt the healing aura consuming me and I tried to open my eyes. Warmth filled me and the familiar smell of Kyoko's fragrance made me flinch. Despite the darkness, I recognized my room and the soft blanket which was covering my back. I was lying head down with my wings stretched on my right and left.

Slowly and carefully I tried to move them. My injured left one moved with grace and I sighed relieved. "Thank God..."

"Don't thank Him." Marco's voice came from behind and is arms lifted me gently, helping me sit on the futon.

Despite the darkness, I could determinate the lines of his face and the glowing orb of his eye. "Are we home? What happened?" stretching my palm I found his hand clutching my bed's sheet.

"After the thunder hit us, you disappeared; your aura, everything. The Angels who attacked you, suddenly turned against each other and..."

I could sense the dread on his voice, we both knew what had happened. "How did you find me?"

"I heard you calling me. It was faint but as I flew into the clouds, I realized that there was a distortion in the space around your location. Ivan has some freaked up powers."

His hand cupped my cheek and I pressed his palm with mine. "I thought I lost you...again." His voice trailed off and broke.

Too much we had both seen and Marco was the one who was hurt the most. But seeing back all the times he protected me and sacrificed the only power he had again for my protection, I found myself being the only idiot in the group. I snaked my arms around his head, pulling him closer. "I am here. We are alright." I chanted, hoping my words to dwell inside us.

Our noses touched briefly and we both stilled. Leaning closer Marco's lips brushed mine hesitantly, slowly. I kissed him and we both fell back.

Nothing mattered, the war, the pain the fear for what was outside the door of my room. But as we discarded our clothes and felt each other, kissing, touching, and bonDing together, Marco and I were finally one.

And as his black feathers covered my skin, and our breaths hitched, I glowed from my love for him.