OMNISCIENT POV
Ilios stares up at the crystal glass dome covering him. Purple light cracks and flashes inside the glass as the machine is activated. The angel remains calm as he feels his energy and life begin to be pulled from his body. Ilios steadies his breathing as he runs the plan through his head, remembering how and when Rae and Kilo will reveal themselves.
Orion begins to stir with the whirring of the machine. He looks around in a daze until he sees those soft red eyes staring down at him. "Aklys?" The actaeon groans as he tries to sit up. With the help of Aklys, Orion is able to look around the throne room. "Castyr!" The angel gasps as he recalls being dragged out of his holding cell. He whips his head to look at his love who has been declared dead. He does not ask why or how he is alive. He is just grateful he is there beside him. After few breaths of silence, Orion lets his gaze flow to the glass dome.
Orion crinkles his brows as he stares at the majestic, blonde angel glowing under the dome. The pull from the machine forces his wings to spread, displaying the angel's full beauty. Orion gazes in awe at the giant white wings stretched out on either side of the angel. The angel and Orion lock eyes for a split second before the white-winged angel tears his gaze away and stares at one of the hall's side entrances in shock.
Orion follows the angel's gaze to see a frenzied Castyr running into the throne room. His clothes are torn, revealing claw marks from fighting his way to the hall, and his body is covered with blood. The star looks around the throne room hastily, his eyes running over Orion in Aklys' arms before landing on the white-winged angel in the dome.
Castyr's eyes fill with fear and rage as he sees Ilios standing under the dome. Before he knows it, his hand is glowing a hot white as he charges the king of Hades. A smirk replaces the king's surprised expression as he easily evades the star's blasts of light. Castyr is so immersed in defeating the king and rescuing Ilios that he does not notice the two angels jump from the stone beams in the ceiling and begin fighting the wave of demons rushing through every door.
Denzyl and Aklys immediately join the fight, keeping the demons from swarming the star.
"Get Ilios out of there!" Kilo shouts to Rae during the bloody frenzy.
Rae leaves the captain's side after confirming with Kilo and races over to the machine's control panel. After carefully watching the process of putting Ilios into the dome, Rae quickly deciphers the disabling and cool down processes. As soon as the dome retracts, Rae rushes onto the platform. The chocolate-haired angel scoops Ilios in his arms and brings him over to where Orion is recovering.
"Rae," Ilios clings onto his angel's arm.
"Are you okay?" Rae asks as he gently sets his love on the ground.
Ilios reassures his love with a nod. "Save Castyr...please."
"Of course." Rae pecks Ilios on the head before standing and rejoining the fight. Soon after, Denzyl breaks away and goes to guard the two recovering angels on orders from Kilo.
"Surrender if you value his life!" The king's voice booms throughout the throne room. Orion and Ilios quickly look in the direction of the command to see Castyr being held in the king's clutches. Kilo immediately lowers his sword, Rae and Aklys quickly following. "Good, good," the king chuckles as he leads the star by the throat towards the middle of the throne room, his sword threatening to penetrate his skin with the slightest move of resistance.
"Take their swords." With one command from the king, the rescue party's weapons are confiscated, and the warriors are rallied and forced to their knees. The king keeps his sword on Castyr's throat as they watch as the party is brought together and surrounded at sword-point. Two demons approach their king, and the star is handed over to them to be subdued.
"What have we here?" The king addresses his new captives. "Four angels, two demons, and, of course, a star. The universe must be with me for gifting me such an abundance of power. Heaven shall be mine."
"Let them go."
The king turns to look at the source of the command. Castyr glares at the demon as he stands confidently between his two subduers.
"I am the one you want so badly. I will do anything. Just let them go."
"Now, why would I do that?" The king scoffs. "You are of more use to me drained than alive. I will have your power, and you will not be around to cause trouble. Besides, why would I give up six healthy men who are flowing with energy?"
Castyr grits his teeth as he realizes the king is too ambitious. There will be no agreements. As the king turns toward the six prisoners, the star doubles over in pain shocking the two demons holding him. Castyr grunts as his head swims from the new surge of energy.
"Castyr!" Kilo calls out to his star as he sees his love in pain, earning him a strike to the back.
"The peak is near." The king grins as he observes the star kneeling to catch his breath. "Put him in the dome. It is time."
Kilo earns four more blows as he struggles against his captors and watches Castyr be thrown into the dome of Hell's machine. The star's body slowly adjusts to the new wave, allowing him to stand to his feet as the machine is activated. Castyr looks up as purple light bolts throughout the dome.
Castyr immediately feels light-headed as the machine begins to drain his energy. His body feels as if it is phasing in and out of reality. The star closes his eyes as the pull from the machine tugs on his life force.
A cry from outside the dome shakes Castyr, ripping him from his death trance. The star opens his eyes to see Kilo fighting to reach him.