Celestia City, the heart of the heavenly realm. Buildings of white marble stretched infinitely across the valleys, with towers rising as high as the clouds. Bright light illuminated the clear blue skies of the realm, shining upon the stone pathways and magnificent structures.
Some angels flew while others walked through the streets, dressed in flowing white fabric adorned with halos above their heads and two large wings spread across their backs.
At the center of the city stood an enormous cathedral, its height surpassing the clouds and its size rivaling that of an entire country. The holy sound of hymns resonated within the colossal structure as thousands upon thousands of angels entered its sacred halls.
Inside the cathedral, the angels sat in the lower, middle, and upper galleries on the west side of the building. The archangels were gathered in a similar arrangement on the east side. A wide central aisle divided two rows of seats, where the seraphim and cherubim were seated. At the far back of the pulpit, three statues of the Thrones were erected on the wall. Their eyes glowed gold as their thundering voices echoed through the halls.
"Angels of Celestia, we have assembled thee to bear tidings conveyed by Lord Caleon Himself," their voices synchronized in perfect harmony. "Know ye well, the appointed day of judgment has dawned upon the sinners of Earth, and Celestia had been commanded to sever all bonds with the fallen realm. Yet, the decree hath been rescinded, for an ancient vengeful being hath arisen once more from the shadows of time."
Whispers and gasps filled the cathedral as angels and archangels exchanged uneasy glances, fear etched upon their faces.
"Silence!" one of the Thrones commanded, and immediately the murmurs ceased.
"May I remind thee that this sacred cathedral of the Father is no place for any manner of pollution," another of the Thrones continued.
"Let not fear conquer you, for the Four Sentinels of Celestia have returned to continue their duty." they announced in unison.
The hundred eyes embedded in the circling wheels of the Thrones turned to gaze upon the pulpit, where four of the Seven Sentinels of Celestia bowed reverently. Light shone upon them as the Thrones formally introduced them.
Samuel Kemielle, Grand Champion of Celestia. Renowned for her strength, speed, unparalleled swordsmanship, and her glorious history of battles and victories. General of the Knight Angels.
Daniel Topaz, Grand Mage of Celestia. Recognized as the strongest mage across all of Celestia and the creator of most modern spells. Son of the prestigious Topaz family and the General of the Mage Angels.
April Amethyst, Grand Archer of Celestia. Celebrated for her unmatched precision with her enchanted bow and arrows. Daughter of the Amethyst family and the General of the Range Angels.
Finally, Sarah Sapphire, Grandmaster of martial arts. Famous for her exceptional strength and unparalleled martial arts skills. Daughter of the Sapphire family and the General of the Forge Angels.
The angels erupted into cheers, witnessing the almighty heroes of their realm in the flesh. The Four Sentinels stood tall as Samuel slammed her sword of light into the ground, intensifying the ovation.
As night fell in the heavenly realm of Celestia, the light of the realm reflected off Samuel's armet. She hummed the hymns of Celestia softly to herself while wiping the armet clean with a cloth.
"You seem cheerful," Daniel remarked, entering her room dressed in a white robe.
"Who wouldn't be?" she chuckled. "After all, I haven't engaged in combat in centuries."
"You're right. It does get boring every now and then," Daniel replied, settling into a chair near Samuel's bed. "Will you try to meet her again?" he asked, his curiosity evident.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Samuel answered, placing her helmet on a stand where the rest of her armor was neatly arranged.
"You sure she hasn't put a spell on you?" Daniel teased with a smirk.
Samuel laughed before replying, "You're the one well-versed in magic. How about you tell me?"
"She overpowers me—or so the histories claim," Daniel said, a faint smile crossing his face. "And Him? What's he up to?" he asked, shifting the conversation.
"His goal remains unchanged," Samuel sighed.
"With Celestia hunting him, I doubt he'll ever truly succeed," Daniel stated.
"Well, he's only three star energies away from complete freedom. You might as well expect him to be free within this century," Samuel replied, scribbling something on a small piece of paper.
"What are you writing?" Daniel asked, noticing her focus on the parchment.
"Some supplies needed in our camp." Samuel responded without looking up.
"If you want, our camp still has abit of supply left from previous journeys made by the angels." Daniel suggested.
"I appreciate your kindness but no, my angels need to know how to get these supplies themselves." Samuel declined, her voice grew a bit strict when mentioned about her angels.
"You should let them cool down abit, no? You can't be strict all the time." Daniel replied.
"If they are used to being 'cooled down.' They lose their guard and in terms of life and death, even a second of laziness is not optional."
"You know what? You're right. Who am I to tell you how to run your camp." Daniel shrugged off. "Just...don't let them find out about your correlations with the others."
"Noted," Samuel replied plainly.
Stating he had to go to sleep, Daniel walked to the door, his hand resting on the doorknob before turning back to Samuel. "What do you plan on doing after he's free?"
"A duel," Samuel replied immediately.
"To the death?" Daniel asked, concern evident in his voice.
Samuel nodded, her expression filled with nothing but confidence. Daniel stared into her eyes as though trying to read her thoughts.
"Well then," Daniel sighed. "I suppose I cannot stop you. Good night Samuel." He left the room, closing the door behind him.
Samuel redirected her focus to her armor standing beside the fire. Her eyes locked on the laurel-leaf crown fixed prominently above the armet. The stripes of gold on the white armor reflected the flickering firelight back into Samuel's gaze as her thoughts drifted into self-reflection.
A hand suddenly emerged from behind Samuel, poking her face.
"Now, what is going on inside the mind of our little champion, hmm?" A soft and mature voice spoke from the side.
Samuel sighed, redirecting her gaze toward Sarah, who was bent over the table with one arm resting on it.
"Nothing. Just thinking about someone." Samuel replied simply.
"I'm sure she would be just as excited to reunite with you as you are with her," Sarah said reassuringly, her soft, calming voice filling the room.
"I hope that's true," Samuel replied. "Now, what are you doing here this late at night?"
"Just checking up on you after, you know..." Sarah paused. "Your meeting with the thrones."
"Thank you, but save the sympathy for the humans," Samuel affirmed as she stood up.
"Do you still stand by your argument?" Sarah asked.
"Yes," Samuel answered firmly. "They planned to sacrifice half the legions of Seraphim and Archangels for this so-called 'war,' yet they ignore the legions of the Underworld constantly attacking the universe."
Sarah nodded in agreement but countered, "But the attack is being handled by the other three Sentinels, right? Maybe that's why we've been assigned to capture the Scarlet King."
"Contact with Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael has been unsuccessful. We don't even know if they're alive. We can only hope," Samuel said, her voice calm but resolute. "But other than that, all we can do is play defense."
Samuel poured tea into a small cup and offered it to Sarah, who politely declined.
"Well, I suppose you're right," Sarah replied. "It's getting late, and you have a big day ahead. I hope you've made plans for the future, Samuel."
"Thank you, Sarah. Have a good night," Samuel smiled as the door to her room closed.
Turning off the magical lights in her room, Samuel lay in bed, her thoughts filled with the coming day as the shining light of Celestia's moon gazed upon her Champion armor.
As the Celestial sun rose up the mountainous horizon, the sounds of clanking metal, laughter, and bustling activity filled the early morning outside Samuel's room. Humming a soft tune, she prepared herself for the day. The noise grew louder as she opened the door, letting a cool breeze sweep through her room, causing the cape of her armor—emblazoned with the symbol of six golden wings—to flutter. The angels and archangels, busy with their tasks around the camp, immediately stopped upon seeing the Champion in her full armor.
"Good morning, General!" they shouted in unison, kneeling with their hands on their chests.
"Good morning, Knight Angels," Samuel replied. Silence persisted as she descended the stairs leading from her room.
Once she reached the bowed angels, Samuel scanned the crowd as though searching for someone before addressing one of them by name, Elara, her trusted messenger.
"Send a message to the General of the Forgelands that I will be visiting soon to retrieve my weapons," Samuel ordered.
Elara left with haste while Samuel turned her gaze back to the angels. "Raise your heads and continue with your duties," she commanded before leaving the camp. Six radiant wings materialized on her back as she took to the skies, flying toward the cathedral.
The hymns of Celestia grew louder as Samuel entered the holy structure. One of the Thrones was present in physical form, praying near a statue of Caleon. Six wheels filled with countless eyes rotated around its concealed body, shrouded by six massive wings. The soft whispers of the Throne's prayers came to an immediate halt as it sensed Samuel's presence.
"Elder, I have come to inform you that my travel to Earth is near. Will you watch over the camp in my absence?" Samuel's voice echoed as she approached the Throne.
The wheels disappeared, and the six wings unfurled, revealing its true form.
"I will be there," the Throne replied. Its voice carried both the deep resonance of a man and the soft lilt of a woman, overlapping in perfect harmony. Its body flickered in and out of existence with every passing second, blending seamlessly with its surroundings. Its face and form shifted between male and female with each phase. A single wheel, filled with countless glowing eyes, rotated around its head, which was devoid of any distinct features. Above it, a two small halo floated gently.
Samuel stood speechless, awestruck by the rare sight of a Throne's unveiled body. The silence was soon broken by Elara, who returned from the Forgelands. She knelt behind Samuel and recited a message: Sarah and April had arrived at the camp with her weapons.
Samuel bowed to the Throne. "I must return to my camp, please excuse me."
"Go," the Throne replied. "I will be there soon."
Samuel and Elara made their way back to the camp, flying over bustling streets and a few smaller camps along the way. Upon their arrival, Samuel thanked Elara and instructed her to resume her duties.
The camp remained as lively as ever, filled with the sounds of clashing swords, the creaking of wooden boxes being moved, and the faint chatter of angels. April sat at a table near the training grounds, casually eating some of the fruits reserved for the angels, while Sarah read a book. Both of them quickly noticed Samuel approaching.
"General Sarah... and General April," Samuel greeted, her gaze shifting from Sarah to April, who was busy stuffing her mouth with fruit.
"Whaf?" April mumbled through a mouthful, drawing a raised eyebrow from Samuel and a subtle sigh from Sarah as April struggled to swallow her food.
"I heard that you've come to return my weapons?" Samuel asked, her voice steady.
"Yes," Sarah replied firmly, standing gracefully. "We also came here to attend the ceremony. As you may know, some of the angels from our legions will be accompanying you on this mission." She gently inclined her head, acknowledging Samuel's authority.
"You are right. Forgive me for not remembering such news," Samuel said, lowering her head slightly.
"There's no need to be so formal," Sarah replied, her tone light. "We're friends, after all," she added as April finally stood by her side.
"I agree. May I see the swords?" Samuel asked, her voice betraying a hint of excitement.
Sarah smiled knowingly. "They're in your room. We thought you might want to see them in private."
Samuel couldn't hide her excitement as she made her way toward her quarters. Her footsteps quickened and uneven, a rare break from her usual composure. Swinging the door open, her silver eyes immediately fixed on the table where her weapons rested. The soft glow of divine light illuminated them, highlighting their craftsmanship.
Laid before her was a katana, sleek and elegant, its white scabbard etched with markings that faintly glowed with pure gold. Beside it lay a longsword, broad and noble, its blade shimmering with the holy essence of Celestia. A nostalgic stillness filled the room as Samuel's gaze lingered on the weapons.
Stepping forward, her movements became deliberate and measured, her footsteps resonating like a heartbeat in the quiet. She reached out a gauntleted hand, hovering above the weapons for a moment before gently resting her palm on the hilt of the katana. The blade's design captivated her—its guard resembled a Seraphim, with eyes etched along the edges and small wings projecting uniformly outward. Drawing the blade from its scabbard in one smooth motion, she admired its edge, adorned with intricate markings depicting the images of Seraphims.
She equipped the katana on her waist as her attention turned to the longsword. Samuel lifted the large blade effortlessly with one hand and traced her fingers lightly along its length, inspecting its craftsmanship. The long hilt, forged from a Primordial Jade, contrasted beautifully with the crossguard and pommel, both curved outward and made of pure celestial gold. The blade bore a solemn inscription: "Forged in light, destined to cut the unclean."
Samuel lowered the sword momentarily, then took the katana from her waist. Holding both weapons close to her head, she bowed her head in reverence, muttering a short prayer under her breath. The longsword gradually dematerialized from her hand, its holy essence absorbed into her armor.
A voice interrupted her quiet moment. "It is time, General Samuel," Elara said as she bowed at the doorway.
"I will be there," Samuel replied, her tone steady and commanding.
She turned toward the door, the usual bustling sounds of the camp outside having fallen eerily silent. As she stepped through the doorway, she was greeted by the sight of a massive crowd of angels, archangels, and Seraphims gathered for her departure ceremony. A Throne hovered above the crowd, its divine presence radiating authority. The assembled angels stood in silence, acknowledging the presence of the Generals and the Throne.
Samuel made her way down to join the other Generals as the crowd watched her every step with reverence. The Throne spoke, its voice echoing across the camp and resonating in the minds of all who listened.
"General Samuel Kemielle. Have you finished your preparations for the mission?" the Throne asked, its tone both commanding and divine.
"I have, Elder." Samuel replied, standing firm before the celestial being.
"Then state the duty you hold!" The Throne's voice grew louder, reverberating through the air.
Samuel stepped forward, her voice powerful and unwavering as she declared: "I am the Champion of Celestia! The wrath of Celestia made flesh! And a General to the Knight Angels! My duty is to serve Lord Caleon, to purge the unpurged, and to eradicate the unholy demons from existence. And I shall uphold this duty with my life."
Her voice echoed in the minds of every angel present, igniting a wave of fervor and resolve. The crowd erupted into cheers, their faith and determination rekindled by Samuel's speech. The angels, archangels, and Seraphims roared in unity, their voices filling the heavens.
Elara and two archangels from each legion stood beside Samuel.
"These will accompany you," the Throne declared. "And you are to request reinforcements should the situation demand it." The celestial being's voice resonated across the camp. "Now, go forth, for the unpurged yearns for Celestia's judgment!"
A radiant beam of divine light engulfed Samuel and her squad. Their silhouettes slowly disappeared as thunder roared among the cloudes. As the beam dispersed, it left behind a Champion's mark—a glowing insignia burned into the ground.
"And with that..." the Throne announced, gazing at the clear sky, "...the demons shall know fear once again."
The cheers of Celestia echoed through the heavens.
Little had changed on Earth. Chaos reigned as Victor pressed forward through relentless waves of demons, his blade carving a path toward one of the demon generals. Elsewhere, Minos's unyielding battle against the Emperor Demon raged on, shaking the city with each clash of their weapons. The sound of steel against steel rang through the air, echoing over the battlefield.
The Emperor unleashed a barrage of magical, searing beams of infernal heat, and even hurling entire buildings toward Minos. Yet none of the attacks fazed him. Minos emerged from the onslaught unscathed, his golden eyes locked unwaveringly on his foe. His determination was absolute. In a swift movement, he closed the distance between them, his scythes spinning in a flurry of precise motion.
With a single, decisive strike, Minos combined his scythes into one devastating weapon, plunging the blade into the Emperor's chestplate. The dark metal groaned under the pressure before splitting apart. The Emperor howled in pain as Minos tore away the armor, exposing the foul, pulsating flesh beneath.
In desperation, the Emperor cast a powerful infernal blast, detonating the space between them and sending both combatants crashing into piles of rubble. Smoke and debris filled the air.
The Emperor staggered out from the rubble, weakened but alive, while Minos emerged moments later, undeterred. The demon snarled in frustration.
"ENOUGH!" the Emperor roared, throwing its weapon to the ground. Raising a hand to the darkened sky, it called out in desperation. "LORD AZARATH, I CALL UPON THEE! LEND ME YOUR BLESSINGS, THAT I MAY SEND THESE FOOLISH BEINGS TO THE REALM OF THE UNDERWORLD!"
The sky darkened further as the Emperor's prayer grew louder. Blood rained from the heavens, and hellish symbols etched themselves into the swirling clouds. Corpses of demons, slain moments before, began to rise again, their thirst for blood magnified tenfold. The sky filled with the unholy screeches of demons, their cries resonating with raw malice. Fiery wreckage of human aircraft fell from above, crashing violently into the city below.
"Get out of there, Minos," Evangelina's voice echoed urgently in his mind. "With the Emperor enhanced by Azarath, you stand no chance in your current state."
Minos's golden eyes remained fixed on the Emperor, watching as the demon's wounds rapidly healed, its flesh glowing with infernal fire. The demon now wielded two weapons: a massive sword in one hand and a staff of dark magic in the other, both ablaze with unholy flames. Its armor, now crimson and alive with hellfire, radiated overwhelming power.
The Emperor raised its sword, pointing it at Minos. "Come and face me, Scarlet King!" it bellowed, its voice brimming with hellish pride. "Let me show you the strength of Azarath!"
Minos did not falter. Though battered and worn, he readied himself, assuming his battle stance. Yet before he could make his move, the sky above erupted with a blinding, holy light, followed by the deafening roar of thunder.
Everyone froze. The humans on the battlefield looked up with hope etched on their faces, while the demons trembled in pure terror.
The light grew brighter, piercing through the darkened skies. Then, a massive beam of divine energy descended upon the battlefield, striking the ground beside Minos. From the light emerged a host of angels, their faces resolute, their weapons blazing with holy fire. Without hesitation, the angels tore through the ranks of demons, their arrival galvanizing the human soldiers to press the attack with newfound courage.
The demons scattered in panic, their fear palpable as the angels descended upon them with righteous fury.
From the center of the holy beam, a figure stepped forward—a radiant warrior clad in shining armor that glowed with the unmistakable aura of Celestia. Her cape, adorned with the golden symbol of six wings, billowed in the divine wind. Samuel emerged, her presence exuding authority and unwavering purpose. She stood beside Minos, her silver eyes meeting his for a moment, an unspoken understanding passing between them.
"I will take care of this," Samuel said, her voice calm yet commanding. "Go and assist your friend with the demon generals."
Minos hesitated for a moment, his pride urging him to fight. But he knew his current condition made it unwise. "I suppose you are right," he admitted. "Return me the core when the fight is over." His tone was firm, though disappointment lingered in his words.
Without another word, Minos dashed off toward Victor's last known location..
Samuel and the Emperor were now alone.
The demon sneered, its voice dripping with malice. "Who are you supposed to be?"
Samuel raised her head, her voice ringing out like a clarion call. "I am Samuel, Champion of Celestia! Stand before me and fight, demon, die before the gaze of our holy god."
As she finished her proclamation, Samuel raised her hand, and her longsword materialized in her grasp. She assumed her battle stance, her arm steady, her blade aligned perfectly with her shoulders.
The two stood in silence for a moment, their auras clashing—the unholy flames of the Emperor against the divine radiance of Samuel.
"What a pitiful introduction," the Emperor sneered, its guttural laugh echoing across the battlefield. "The demons will be delighted to feast on your dying corpse."
Without hesitation, the Emperor charged at Samuel. Its pride in its own strength gave it confidence, and its massive blade swung with crushing force. Yet, as the weapon's edge was a mere second away from striking her helmet, Samuel ducked beneath the attack with fluid precision. Rising swiftly, she delivered a powerful kick to the demon's chestplate, sending it stumbling back several paces.
Recovering quickly, the Emperor snarled and charged again. Sparks of metal lit the air as their weapons clashed with increasing ferocity. Each blow struck harder than the last, shaking the very ground beneath them. As the battle wore on, Samuel parried one of the Emperor's strikes, struck back with a devastating slash across its helmet. The crack of the strike resounded, forcing the Emperor to remove its damaged headpiece.
What lay beneath was a grotesque, burned visage—rotten flesh, blackened and twisted beyond recognition. Its sunken, hateful eyes locked onto Samuel.
"Champion of Celestia, you are called," the demon growled. "Yet you are only my equal. Tell me, how would you struggle against the true champions of Hell?"
Samuel's expression remained stoic. "If it is a worthy fight you seek, then I shall hold back no more."
As she spoke, her armor and weapons began to glow with divine radiance. From her back, six angelic wings emerged, brilliant and awe-inspiring. Her longsword dematerialized, and instead, she rested her hand on the hilt of the katana sheathed at her waist.
The Emperor roared and lunged at Samuel with lightning speed, its sword coming within inches of her armor. But before the blade could connect, the thousand ethereal eyes upon her wings glowed, paralyzing the demon mid-strike. In the same instant, Samuel unsheathed her katana in one flawless motion. The sound of the blade slicing through the air was accompanied by a flash of divine light as she severed the Emperor's arms and legs with precision.
"HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?!" The limbless demons cried out with rage. "BLESSED BY AZARATH HIMSELF AND YET I LOST TO A MERE SERAPHIM?!"
With one swift motion, she raised her foot and stomped down on the demon's head, silencing its cries forever. As its lifeless body slumped to the ground, Samuel knelt and thrust her hand into its chest, retrieving a pulsating red core. The demon's blood evaporated instantly as it touched her armor, leaving her pristine. She placed the core into a small pouch and, with a flash of lightning, vanished from the battlefield.
Victor fought tirelessly as he led his squad closer to the demon general's location. Yet with each step forward, more demons seemed to appear, their numbers seemingly endless.
"We're almost there! Keep pushing forward!" Captain Rogers shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. The exterminators focused their fire, cutting down the demonic horde with precision. A trail of spent shells and bullet casings littered the ground behind them.
As the squad entered a small arena, the demon general stood waiting, its hulking form casting an imposing shadow. The moment Victor's eyes met the general's, he charged forward, his weapon blazing as he emptied an entire magazine into the demon.
The bullets struck the demon's armor but failed to penetrate. Unfazed, the general raised its massive sword, readying itself to strike. Yet before Victor could close the distance, Minos appeared out of nowhere, his scythes glinting with crimson energy.
With terrifying power, Minos swung his blades, the scythes cutting clean through the general's helmet and burying deep into its skull. The demon staggered as Minos slammed its body into the ground, dragging it across the battlefield before hurling it high into the air. With one final, precise slash, he cut the demon cleanly in half, its body disintegrating in midair.
Minos stood in the middle of the battlefield, his back turned to Victor, the blades of his scythes pointed downward. The Exterminators grew wary as they saw Victor approach Minos with casual ease.
"Victor, you know that man?" Captain Rogers questioned, his gun trained on Minos, his finger ready to pull the trigger.
"He's friendly," Victor replied calmly as he walked closer to Minos.
"I thought you were taking care of that emperor?" Victor asked.
"That is being handled by the angels," Minos responded without turning.
"So... what now?" Victor asked, his voice resolute, awaiting the next command.
Before Minos could speak further, Samuel appeared between them, her presence commanding immediate attention.
"Where is the door that leads to my mother's realm?" Samuel asked, her voice both urgent and firm.
"We were just about to make our way there," Minos replied, unshaken by Samuel's authoritative tone.
"Very well," Samuel said simply, giving a small nod.
The demons, sensing Samuel's power, hesitated, then began to flee in the direction from which they had come. But before they could escape, Samuel moved with such speed that the Exterminators could barely follow. Her hand or body seemed almost motionless to the naked eye, but every demon in her vicinity was decapitated in a split second.
The Exterminators watched in stunned silence, their respect for Samuel's overwhelming authority evident. As she approached them, they knelt in reverence.
"Stand," Samuel commanded, her hand sweeping upward.
"We did not expect reinforcements from Celestia. We sincerely welcome you back and are ready to serve the angels again," Captain Rogers said, saluting with a firm tone.
"The honor is ours, Captain," Samuel replied, her figure towering over the tall Exterminators. "Retreat with your men and inform the captain of the infantry that they too should fall back. The other angels and I will make an announcement soon." Her voice was clear and decisive.
"And those two?" the captain asked, his eyes now on Minos and Victor, who stood behind Samuel.
"Leave them to me," Samuel stated, her voice sharpening. "They are not your concern. Handle the task I gave you. Should any issues arise, you are to report to me immediately." Her gaze was unwavering as she locked eyes with the captain.
The captain bowed respectfully before signaling his men to regroup and withdraw.
"As for you two." Samuel spoke as she faced towards Minos and Victor. "Lead to me to my mother's realm. Before we are noticed by the angels."
Minos and Victor looked at each other and nodded. The three of them walked towards the entrance of Evangelina's realm. The demons that were invading the city were completely wiped out by the other angels, and without any casualties.
As the door to realm opened, the warm arms of Evangelina weclomed Samuel with a warm hug.
"Its been a while darling Samuel, I've missed you!" Evangelina cried.
Samuel, filled with various emotions, hugged her back. Her arm, almost shaking due to the emtional overload.
"I've missed you too... Mom!"
Chapter 4 -End-