OMNISCIENT POV
Kilo is broken. His world has been shattered, his heart crushed. He stares blankly as Denzyl leads him out of Hades. He is aware of Rae crying as he cradles a lifeless Ilios in his arms, but Kilo remains frozen. Kilo envies Rae in a twisted manner. At least Rae can mourn. Kilo does not even have a body to cry over.
This, however, secretly gives Kilo hope.
Aklys bids the surviving four farewell at the gate before turning and re-entering the dark abyss of Hades. Orion watches Aklys leave with longing eyes. He longs to be with the demon general, but his duties lie in the Heavens, and Aklys has one hell of a mess to clean up. The angel does have a plan, however. If everything unfolds smoothly, he can be Aklys' liaison with Heaven.
Kilo does not even remember the trip back to Earth. When they reach the tower, he mindlessly walks to the room he and Castyr shared before crashing onto the bed and grasping the sheets. Hot tears soak the angel's face as he clings to the blankets searching for the tiniest trace left behind by his star.
Devyn stares at the small party with wet eyes when he does not see the silver-haired star. Denzyl wraps his arms around Devyn as soon as he sees him, letting out a breath as he holds his love.
"What happened?" Devyn asks in a hushed voice as Rae walks past them and enters the set of stairs leading to the rooftop.
"I'll tell you later, hmm?" Denzyl answers tiredly as he holds Devyn, his hand traveling up to stroke the back of the human's head.
Devyn nods in understanding. They all need time. Something tragic happened, and Devyn knows how hard it is to talk about something traumatic that just took place. Devyn looks up as he sees Kilo exit his room and head up the stairs to the roof. He looks at Denzyl in slight confusion.
"We should give them some space. They are sending off a fellow angel," Denzyl tells his human.
"Ilios..." Devyn was not particularly close to Ilios, as he had known him for just a few days, but he feels the loss in his gentle heart.
A soft tapping on the door catches the attention of the demon. Denzyl leaves Devyn standing in the center of the room as he walks over to the door and opens it. Two women dressed in hooded cloaks stand at the doorway behind Devyn's secretary.
"Sir," Astrid greets. "These two women wish to speak with you."
"Many people wish to speak with me everyday, Astrid. Why did you bring them to my residential floor?" Devyn inquires of his secretary from behind his demon. The response seems automatic as if Astrid has brought random people to his residential level before.
"They said they knew a Castyr and Kilo."
This catches Devyn's attention. He joins Denzyl at the door and peers at the two women.
"May I request you to reveal your faces?" Devyn inquires.
The woman standing slightly to the front is the first to remove her hood, revealing a beautiful, experienced face. The second woman is quick to follow; she is remarkably younger. Denzyl notices the shine of a sheathed sword as the younger removes her hood, causing the demon to tense in preparation to defend the man beside him.
"Forgive my intrusion, Mr. Vaumyr," the elderly woman begins. "I am Star Adelle of Elysium. I have come to speak with the angel Kilo."
Devyn is struck by the grace and elegance of the woman in front of him. She speaks eloquently and with power.
"How do you know Kilo?" Denzyl questions.
"I am the mentor to his star, Castyr," the woman answers.
"How did you know to find Kilo here?" Devyn inquires.
Star Adelle gives a small, amused smile at the human's question.
"I believe the short answer would be "connections," Mr. Vaumyr. Now, I would appreciate it if you would kindly lead me to Angel Kilo."
After a few moments of contemplation, Denzyl and Devyn agree to trust the woman. She has not harmed any of them, and they have heard Castyr mention a Star Adelle a few times.
After showing the star and her guardian angel to the stairs, Denzyl takes Devyn's hand and leads him to their room. As soon as the door shuts, Denzyl brings Devyn onto the bed where they comfort and hold each other, grateful that the other is in his arms.
<<<<<>>>>>
Rae looks back to see Kilo enter the roof. The captain approaches the chocolate-haired angel slowly as Rae gently lays Ilios down. Rae stands to his feet and backs away as Kilo nears to pay his respects. Kilo feels his eyes swell as he kneels beside the body. He has not yet allowed himself to cry for Ilios. But Castyr would want him to. Castyr would want Kilo to mourn his mentor and savior. So, the captain lets the tears flow.
The sound of the door opening draws the two men's attention to the roof's entrance. Kilo stands to his feet when he sees Star Adelle. The woman's face is soft and sad as she gazes at him. The captain steps to the side revealing Ilios' sleeping face. Adelle's expression becomes mournful as she sees Ilios.
"Star Adelle," Rae greets with a slight bow.
"Rae," Adelle smiles affectionately as she approaches him. "I am sorry for your loss."
Rae releases a tear at the star's words. They are sincere and heartfelt. "Would you do Ilios the honor of leading the ceremony?" Rae asks with hope. It will 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."
Rae bows his head in thanks as the star takes off her cloak, revealing a beautiful, white dress. Adelle kneels beside Ilios and places her hand on his forehead. A gentle breeze caresses the rooftop as the star strengthens her glow to encompass both of them.
After the ritual is complete, Ilios' body begins to shimmer and soon turns into thousands of glowing spheres and shapes resembling tiny stars. Star Adelle sighs and stands to her feet as the glowing pieces float into the sky. Rae watches his love return to the universe and enter the cycle of life, love, and death. A single tear falls as he sees the last shimmer disappear.
"He will return. He is destined for great things," Adelle comments before turning to Kilo and saying bluntly, "We need to talk."