A flash of light blazed across the evening sky. Followed quickly by a deafening crack, denoting an explosion of a shell hitting the buildings close by. Debris erupted from the new wound in the brick wall, filling the air with dust. A sole figure laid on the floor coughing as the cloud began to dissipate and another blast erupted from a street over.
James checked himself over and quickly sprinted for the nearest cover. The war had been raging for some time now between the Heavenly Host and Hell's Minions. Most people would never even know it was happening unless they were privy to that world. Otherwise, it was seen as just another menial war in the Middle East or another crazy person going on a mass killing spree. Neither side cared much for the casualties of war that were normal humans.
James pulled his jacket close around him and spoke softly. Calling the inner energy he could feel welling from his chest, He stretched out his arm and pointed in the direction the shell came from.
'Proxy skirmishes like this always brought more normal human casualties.' He thought as he set his trap. An old tank rolled out of the smoke. By all accounts it would have been an obsolete model in any army. The t
worn treads crushed everything underfoot until it hit the soft dirt of the trap. Dust clouds erupted from underneath the tank as it began to tip forward unnaturally for a few seconds before sliding completely into a deep sinkhole. The cannon barrel bent at angle, rendering it useless.
James hoped that the occupants would be unharmed. They weren't even his true target.
He could barely make out the soft glow of wings behind the tanks remains. They trailed low as if assessing the tanks situation before rising back to full height. Their soft glow illustrated further by white preened feathers to the back of a man standing there. His clothing was immaculate. A blue pinstripe suit adorned his lithe frame as if it were natural as wearing a silk robe. James spat at the dirt next to him and pulled out his handgun. With the shot lined up he waited but a moment. His breath slight as he exhaled and pulled the trigger.