A few days before that traumatic event, Yohann had called out for Damien and Amias to hang out with him. He was concerned for Amias especially when he overheard that rumors were flying around regarding the incident 7 years ago. And what's worse is the fact Luciel was not in the right state of mind back then.
"HOW COULD YOU MESS UP LIKE THIS?"
"Luciel please calm down"
"DON'T MEDDLE WITH THIS AZAZEL. AMIAS HOW CAN YOU FUCK UP THIS BADLY?"
Everyone was present in the meeting while Amias was just scolded by Luciel after the report. Not only a year prior that his troops were ambushed and killed, but the fact that several of their prisoners managed to escape.
Of course, it wasn't entirely Amias' fault. The guards who were supposed to be doing their job were all brutally massacred and thus the prisoners managed to escape.
Amias was just looking down, quietly accepting every insult that was thrown at him.
It may have been a mistake if Luciel was placed as the leader especially when he's mourning over the loss of his beloved.
"Luciel that's enough" Damien steps up and Luciel glances at the other man in front of him before looking back at Amias then at Azazel.
"It wasn't his fault. He was still investigating the matter of how his team got discovered. Be logical here Luciel" Yohann also jumped in to defend his friend and immediately Kassandra took a hold of his hand and gave him a look to stop it
Luciel just sighed and sank into his seat, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"It was under all your command Amias... I'm just frustrated"
"I know" Amias replied, he was trying to mask his emotions and of course his closest confidants would know that he was upset.
"I'll just pass on a different task to each one of you. Kassandra and Arda, try to see if surveillances are salvageable and look for witnesses"
"Understood" Kassandra and Arda bowed their heads and left. But before Kassandra would leave, she glanced back at her brother and smiled.
"And.." Luciel looks at Amias "You're the fastest among everyone. You and Yohann will scout this area"
Luciel laid out a map and pointed at the north-eastern region. Prior to this, Damien had returned from the east and gotten information that Matthew had a base in the XU area in the north-east region. Amias assumed that this should be handled by Azazel and Damien given this was an important mission. This meant Luciel was still giving him a chance.
"Damien and Azazel are also assigned to this task. I suppose the four of you don't need me to explain further? Since I'm pretty confident in everyone's capabilities. Once you're done return asap, I don't have all day to wait for you"
All four of them left the room and Azazel told them that he'll contact the three later since he needs to smack some sense into their boss again. Yohann sensed that Amias was still not doing well so he invited the two to the plaza that was still slowly being rebuilt.
It's been five years since the war ended and Humanity finally realized the existence of supernatural beings. Luciel first ordered full control of all facilities and a halt on the production of weapons of mass destruction. That also included research facilities and thus each item must be approved by him or the Demon nobles before distribution.
"What's the point of coming here"
Amias looked at the hotdog on the stick that Yohann had bought him. The latter had already bought several snacks and was munching on them. Damien was also eating his share of snacks. Several humans were looking at them. Some had curiosity in their eyes, some had awe, but most had feared.
"Well I thought you were upset"
"That's a nice thought but I'm fine don't worry about me"
"That's the same thing you said when my sister dumped your ass centuries ago"
Amias pursed his lips and Damien accidentally choked upon hearing that. Well, Yohann was telling the truth, Amias really sucks when it comes to concealing his feelings. One look at him, you can tell he was hurting.
"Do you really have to bring that up?" Damien asked when he finally recollected himself.
"Of course. It's my job" Yohann grinned mischievously and Amias felt shittier as he played with his food.
"If you're trying to make him feel better you're doing a shitty job" Damien argues.
"Alright alright jeez, I know you two had something going on but don't rub it in my face"
"WHAT!? NO!?" Amias suddenly bursts out with his cheeks tinted.
Damien was just in shock from the statement. They really didn't have anything going on but hearing it still was embarrassing.
'Did it really seem like that?'
While Damien was still overthinking about it, Yohann was chuckling. His goal was mainly to get Amias' mind off the situation earlier and he was successful.
"Fine fine I believe you, but seriously don't try to hide the fact you're upset. We've known each other for so long now, lying to me is impossible and you know that" Yohann took another bite of his food and waited for Amias to respond to him.
"I understand that Gabriella just passed but I don't know… Ever since Luciel has been emotional over the tiniest mistake and even if it wasn't my fault or at least, entirely, he would just blame it on me for being too weak"
A brief memory of that scene played in his head.
Amias was tasked with looking for Gabriella since Luciel was facing off Matthew. He already found her earlier but was forced to teleport her away somewhere because of a sudden encounter with someone. He passed on the message to Alister and Azazel who was the closest to where he threw Gabriella.
"TAKE CARE OF HER! I CAN'T PROTECT HER OR ELSE SHE'LL DIE WITH ME"
Alister responded to him that he'll protect her while Amias fended off the opponent.
After a while, the enemies suddenly retreated and cheers began to erupt around them. Amias was in disbelief because they won. Some of the Angels they had been fighting had surrendered after realizing that they were abandoned.
Amias immediately tried to contact Alister but there was no response. He contacted Azazel and that was the person who delivered the news to him.
Gabriella was indeed teleported near Alister and Azazel. But the two were fending off the Angels who wanted to back up Matthew as he fought with Luciel. They thought they had the upper hand but suddenly Matthew brought out a familiar relic with him.
It was El's Sword.
He swung the sword at Luciel and he managed to deflect the killing blow but he still got flung away and knocked unconscious due to the impact. Gabriella ran out to the field and used her powers to shield Luciel. Matthew was surprised by the sudden appearance but he had already swung the sword. The Sword could nullify the opponent's powers at the expense of their own.
Gabriella's shield broke and red dyed the field.
Matthew was in shock that he dropped the weapon. Gabriella clutched her bleeding chest and used her powers to get him out of her sight. He was stronger than Gabriella so he only got flung a couple of feet away from her. Azazel yells at Alister to protect the two from Matthew. But due to unknown reasons, Alister and Matthew spoke a few words to each other and immediately Matthew ran off and Alister disappeared.
Azazel could only watch the situation as Gabriella was healing Luciel in her dying breath.
Was it really Amias' fault?
He was not able to protect his friend but even if he was able to do his task… would have they won the war?
Wasn't it Alister's fault for not looking after her?
What happened to him?
So many questions ate him. Their supposed celebration turned into a mourning period. Amias couldn't even show his face to Luciel during those days. Azazel and the others would reassure him that it wasn't his fault but did Luciel think the same?
"You're so deep in thought" Yohann suddenly spoke as he took away the uneaten hotdog from Amias and took a bite from it.
"Thinking doesn't suit you, Amy"
"Amias"
"Lighten up Amy. Give him more time, nobody blames you"
"Yeah right, if you heard the other demons they'd gossip like it's some kind of scandal" Damien butts in and Yohann just sighed forgetting that this idiot was with them.
"I'd hear them sometimes, they're getting cockier because of how Luciel is treating me"
"Well we could always beat them up" Damien suggests and Yohann hits him.
"There's a reason why Arda hates you"
"She hates me?"
Yohann could only sigh before smiling again at Amias.
"I promise that after our task everything will be alright"
Sadly though, that promise was not fulfilled.