Rae looked back to see Kilo enter the roof. The captain was slow as he approached the chocolate-haired angel as Rae gently laid Ilios down. Rae stood to his feet and backed away as Kilo neared the fallen to pay his respects. Kilo's eyes swelled as he knelt beside the body. He had not yet allowed himself to cry for Ilios. But Castyr would have wanted him to. Castyr would have wanted Kilo to mourn his mentor and savior. So, the captain let the tears flow freely. The young angel's cries filled the air and broke the silence as he mourned for the man who had sacrificed his life for his love.

The sound of the door opening after several minutes drew the two men's attention to the roof's entrance. Kilo stood to his feet when he saw Star Adelle. The woman's face was soft and sad as she gazed at the angel's purple eyes. The captain stepped to the side, revealing Ilios' sleeping face, as the star approached. Adelle's expression grew mournful as she saw the resting angel.

"Star Adelle," Rae greeted with a slight bow. The chocolate-haired angel's voice was quiet when he spoke.

"Rae," Adelle smiled affectionately as she approached Ilios' lover. "I am sorry for your loss."

Rae released a single tear at the star's words; they were sincere. "Would you do Ilios the honor of leading the ceremony?" Rae inquired with hope. It would be a great honor for a prestige star like Adelle to send Ilios into the universe.

"It would be my pleasure. General Ilios was a great warrior and gentle soul. He cared deeply and did not hesitate to do good." The star's expression was kind as she turned to gaze down at the fallen angel.

Rae bowed his head in thanks as the star removed her cloak, revealing a beautiful, white dress. The star's guardian angel was quick to hold the cloak for the star. Adelle knelt beside Ilios and placed her hand on his forehead. A gentle breeze caressed the rooftop as the star strengthened her glow to encompass both of them. Rae and Kilo watched silently as Adelle closed her eyes and began the process of sending Ilios to the universe.

After the ritual had been completed, Ilios' body began to shimmer and morph into thousands of glowing spheres and shapes resembling tiny stars. Star Adelle sighed and stood to her feet as the glowing pieces floated into the sky. Rae watched with swollen eyes as his love returned to the universe and entered the cycle of life, love, and death. A single tear fell as he saw the last shimmer disappear.

"He will return. He is destined for great things," Adelle commented before turning to Kilo and addressing the captain bluntly, "We need to talk."

Kilo bowed his head in response to the star's words. The captain was silent as he followed Star Adelle to the east edge of the roof, leaving Rae to bid Ilios farewell. The woman's expression was grave when she turned to face the angel. Kilo awaited her words calmly as the star's angel stationed herself a few paces behind the two. Kilo eyed the star curiously; Adelle must have snuck out of Heaven and come to meet Kilo secretly as stars were generally guarded heavily whenever they ventured out of Heaven on official travels.

Adelle's voice was low as she stated, "Castyr needs your help."

"...Castyr..." Kilo's heart raced at his star's name. The captain looked at the elder with wide eyes as he waited for her to continue.

"Castyr is in his neutron state. He is very fragile right now, but you need to get him out," Adelle said with urgency.

"What is this neutron state?" As excited as Kilo was to know his heart had been right about Castyr being alive, he needed to approach the matter calmly and know everything about what was happening to his star.

Adelle's answer froze the angel. "Castyr has fallen."

"W-what do you mean?" Kilo's heart ached as he prayed it was not true.

"Castyr is now a Fallen Star."

The captain let out a gasp as he tried to grasp the situation. Castyr had sacrificed himself to save everyone, causing him to fall. When a star arrived in a star shower, it was pure and filled with light. A fallen star was one that had been touched by darkness.

"Castyr falling saved his life," Adelle informed the shocked angel calmly.

"What do you mean?" Kilo inquired as he lifted his eyes to gaze at the star.

"If Castyr had not accepted the darkness and absorbed it into his body, he would have been consumed by it. Also, the moment a star falls, it enters its neutron state. The neutron state is where Castyr is currently. That is why you could not find him in Hades."

"Where is Castyr undergoing this state?" Kilo's brows furrowed as he began taking notes.

"Ithyos."

"Castyr is in Heaven?" The angel's brows raised as he responded to the star's answer.

Adelle nodded in confirmation. "He returned to his origin. That is why I came to you. You need to get him out. The Division of Defense has heard of Castyr's fall and wants to use him as a weapon for Heaven. When a fallen star has just awoken, they are extremely vulnerable to the first person they encounter. It is as if they are entering the world for the first time again. Castyr will be vulnerable to any form of persuasion or manipulation. His memories could even be bent and changed. The Division of Defense plans to use this to their advantage."

Kilo clenched his jaw as he heard Adelle's words. A rage built inside the angel; he must go to Heaven that night. I can not let Castyr be used as a weapon. I need to get him out. "What is his condition? Is he stable?" Kilo inquired of the star as he became determined to rescue his star.

"Castyr is incredibly unstable right now. He is adjusting to the darkness coursing through his body. If Castyr cannot adapt to the darkness, he will forever remain in his comatose state." Adelle's expression remained grave as she answered the angel.

"Where in Ithyos is he undergoing his neutron state?" Kilo inquired further. He wanted to know everything and anything regarding his star.

"In the heart of the energy generator. It was designed to contain massive power, so it will hold a fallen star."

Kilo took a moment to process the given information and recall where in Ithyos the generator was located. "Will Castyr be stable enough to move from Ithyos?" The angel inquired to make sure saving Castyr would not hurt the star further.

"He should be, but you must be extremely careful. Try not to cause any shock to his body while you are transporting him. This could cause him to awake prematurely and interrupt him from adapting to the darkness," Adelle warned.

"I understand," Kilo said as he bowed his head in gratitude.

"Heaven has lowered its guard as Demon Aklys has already reached out in truce, but Ithyos' defense may have increased since they are holding Castyr," the star warned.

"I will bear that in mind."

"As you have most likely realized, there is a mole in Heaven. We have yet to meet Aklys and enter a treaty, so the mole is still hidden to us. The mole's motive remains unknown. Be careful. It may be someone known to you."

"I appreciate the warning."

"Take Castyr far away, somewhere that does not have a bridge to Heaven," the star suggested. "Keep him away from Heaven's eye just until he wakes and gains control of the darkness inside him. Heaven will have no sway over him if he is fully conscious and in complete control of himself."

Kilo give one final bow in thanks to the star who nodded slightly in return.

"You should leave as soon as you are able. I bid you a safe journey," Star Adelle said in farewell before exiting the roof with her guardian.

Rae bowed to the star in farewell before walking over to the captain as he noticed the private conversation had concluded. "Any good news?" He inquired.

"Castyr is in Ithyos. I need to get him out. Tonight."

"Need any help?" Rae offered. It was no easy task to break into Heaven and steal a star.

Kilo shook his head. "I don't want to get anyone else involved. I need to take Castyr far away. We will be gone for a while."

Rae sighed before turning to look at the sky. "So this is goodbye?" The angel's voice was distant as he realized it was time to split ways.

Kilo nodded in response. "Thank you...for everything," the captain said before standing in front of Rae and placing his arm across his chest in salute to the major. "I am eternally grateful."

Rae was quick to return the gesture. "It's been an honor." Kilo returned to his relaxed stance before Rae brought the captain in for a hug. "Stay safe out there," the chocolate-haired angel bid with a pat on the back.

"I will," Kilo responded as he gave a small smile as the two angels separated. "What are your plans?" Kilo knew that may have been a premature question, but he thought it may have been good to get Rae to think about what he would do in the future.

Rae released a sigh as he folded his arms across his chest in thought. "Well... I plan to go on a long vacation..." The angel responded with a sad smile. Ilios would have wanted him to rest.

"Mm. That'll be good."

"...Yeah...And when I come back," Rae continued as his eyes became hard as steel. "I am going to make sure Ilios did not die in vain."

"Sounds like a good plan... Good luck, Major," Kilo said as he placed his hand on Rae's shoulder and gave the angel an affectionate squeeze.

"Thanks. Good luck to you, too, Captain. Go get your star," Rae replied with a slight smile.

Kilo gave a small smirk as he nodded to the major before walking toward the roof's exit. The captain lifted his arm in the air and waved goodbye one last time before disappearing into the tower.

Kilo released a short breath as he entered the penthouse. The angel ran a quick check through the room he had been borrowing and cleaned up a few things before exiting the room and making his way down the hallway. The captain was ready to leave. He did not need to bring anything with him as the only thing he was missing was his star.

Not spotting either Denzyl or Devyn on his way through the common room, Kilo decided to leave without disturbing anyone. The angel walked past Miren's empty room before continuing on his way. Miren had already left for Borum for business, so Kilo said a silent goodbye to the vacant room in respect of the human. Kilo thought back on the memories he had accumulated in the penthouse and wondered if he should find Denzyl and Devyn to bid them farewell but decided against it once again. As much as I would love to say goodbye to everyone, I cannot afford to leave Castyr in Heaven any longer.

Kilo was sure to be quiet as he made his way back through the common area and to the steps leading to the roof, stepping lightly to not disturb the resting couple.

"Kilo?" A voice called as the angel reached the first step. Kilo stopped and saw Devyn walking up to him with Denzyl right behind him. "Are you leaving?" Devyn asked politely as he reached the angel.

Kilo gave the two a nod in response. "I need to get Castyr out of Ithyos."

Devyn's eyes widened at the angel's words. "Castyr's alive?!" A smile came to Devyn's lips as he looked at the angel for more information.

Kilo nodded in confirmation. "He has fallen and is in his neutron state. I need to get him out of Heaven so he can safely come out of his coma."

"Do you have a place in mind?" Devyn inquired as he figured Kilo did not have anywhere to go after breaking Castyr out.

"Somewhere far away without a bridge to Heaven," Kilo answered nonchalantly.

What are you thinking, Kilo? There's no way you are going to be homeless with a comatose star! Devyn thought about how he could help the angel before offering, "I have a place on a planet called Mythos. It is far from Earth and is relatively unknown to other planets. You should be safe there. Let me write down the details." The human finished his sentence as he walked away to find something physical on which to write. Devyn did not want to take any chances of a digital note being hacked and becoming a security leak.

"Thank you, Devyn," Kilo responded with a bow of his head.

"Of course," Devyn responded as he returned with a piece of folded paper.

"I am-"

"Don't worry. I'll call on you someday," Devyn smiled, stealing the words right out of Kilo's mouth. Kilo was now in the human's debt once again.

Kilo gave the human a small side smile before bidding the two farewell.

"Safe travels," Denzyl bid as the angel made his way up the stairs. Kilo nodded down at the demon before continuing up to the door. As expected, the roof was vacant when Kilo reached it. Rae had left.

The sun was nearly set, and the stars were beginning to show as the angel spread his wings. Kilo let out a small breath as he completely unfurled his black wings; it felt nice to stretch them. As soon as the sun faded below the horizon, the angel gave a powerful flap and ascended into the sky.

I'm coming, Castyr.