"As the pillar collapsed onto Redues, the clouds of dust and debris obscured the scene. Mercurius took advantage of the moment to assess the situation. His eyes darted around the remains of the library, searching for signs of the angel.
From the rubble, a figure emerged. Dust-covered and bloodied, Redues staggered forward. His wings, tattered and scorched, were visible through the gaps in his armor. Mercurius, intrigued by his opponent's persistence, smirked and addressed him.
Ah, so angels do bleed. What a glorious sight, as beautiful as Mother Mary herself, they say," Mercurius mused, his voice dripping with both admiration and mockery.
Redues, now aware of his predicament, struggled to his feet, his sword still gripped tightly in his hand. "Do not mistake my weakness for defeat, Mercurius.
Redues gasped, the blade slicing through his flesh and bringing him to his knees. Mercurius, now in front of him, pressed his boot against Redues' chest, pinning him in place. "Such a pity, angel. To fall so easily to my blade, even with your divine strength."
But even as the lifeblood seeped from his wound, Redues refused to give in.
"You think this is the end, Mercurius? Your arrogance will be your downfall," Redues growled through gritted teeth, struggling to lift his sword.
But before he could strike, Mercurius pressed down harder, the sharp edge of his boot digging into Redues' wound. "Tsk tsk, angel.
Alright then, here goes:
Mercurius' smirk turned into a malicious grin. "Not so fast, my friend. I have no intention of killing you, not yet anyway. A specimen like you should be…studied, dissected, if you will.
With a swift motion, Mercurius' blade moved from Redeus' side, glinting as it made its way to his wing.
Mercurius placed the tip of his blade against Redeus' wing, applying pressure. "Your resilience is admirable, angel.
As Mercurius spoke, his blade sliced through the shimmering feathers of Redues' wings, scattering them on the ground. "Your employers seek answers, answers that may lie within your veins," he continued, a hint of fascination in his voice. "I shall deliver you to them…alive."
Redues clenched his teeth, feeling the pain in his wing as the blade cut deeper, severing the muscles. With his remaining strength, he lunged forward, tackling Mercurius off his feet.
The two fighters fell to the ground in a tangle of limbs and weapons.
"You may be skilled, angel, but you're still weak," Mercurius spat, his grip tightening on his blade.
Redeus, ignoring the searing pain in his wing, managed to pin Mercurius down. "Weakness is not in my blood.
"Then let's find out what is in your blood, angel," Mercurius hissed, his eyes flashing with malice. With a swift motion, he brought his free hand up and plunged it into Redeus' chest. Redues let out a scream, feeling the bones in his ribcage snap like twigs, Mercurius' hand tearing through muscle and sinew to reach the heart.
"Even angels bleed red, it seems," Mercurius drawled, his hand tightening around Redues' heart.
As blood spurted from Redeus' wound, Mercurius slowly pulled out his hand, now drenched in crimson. "Do not fear, angel. I have no intention of killing you yet," he whispered, his breath hot on Redeus' face. "I merely wanted a sample."
Redeus' vision swam as he felt the warm blood trickle down his chest.
Mercurius grinned, displaying teeth stained red with Redues' blood. "My, my, look at the mess you've made. We wouldn't want you passing out on me before I deliver you to your captors, would we?" he quipped, his voice laced with dark humor. "Perhaps I should tie you up with your own angelic feathers? They are quite lovely, though not as lovely as your heart."
Redeus, barely conscious, let out a weak chuckle. "Your humor is as sharp as your blade, demon," he managed to say.
"Oh, a jester now, are we?" Mercurius' grin widened. "You're a peculiar one, angel. Perhaps your employers will see that too."
He rose to his feet, his boot coming down hard on Redeus' chest. "Time to put you back in your cage, bird. Let's hope they don't pluck all your feathers this time."
He kicked Redeus, sending him rolling across the ground, before stooping to gather the fallen feathers.
"Ah, yes, the Empyrean Wayfinder." Mercurius, noticing the sword lying nearby, casually picked it up and inspected it with a casual curiosity.
"Hmm, such a fine weapon. A pity it won't do you any good in the state you're in," he mused, twirling the sword between his fingers. "I'm sure your employers will find it…fascinating."
He tossed the sword into the air, catching it by the hilt as it fell back down.
Continue
"Now, time to go, angel." Mercurius sheathed his own sword and knelt next to Redeus, gathering the unconscious angel's limp body in his arms. With a sudden jerk, he tossed Redeus over his shoulder, ignoring the weak groan that escaped the angel's lips.
"Sleep tight, little bird." With a cold chuckle, Mercurius strode off into the night, his footsteps growing fainter as he disappeared into the shadows, the limp form of Redues slung over his shoulder like a sack of feathers.
Darkness shrouded the village like a funeral shroud, enveloping it in silence and stillness. The streets, once filled with life and laughter, now echoed with the cries of those who had lost their homes, their loved ones, and their lives.
The village was a ghost of its former self, a silent testament to the destructive power of greed and ambition. The bodies of the fallen lay scattered like discarded dolls, their blood staining the earth and marking the tragic end of a once peaceful place.
A chilling breeze swept through the village, carrying with it the stench of death and destruction. In the distance, the sounds of wolves howled, a mournful song that seemed to echo the lament of those who had been lost.
The night stretched on, unyielding and unforgiving, as if even the moon and stars had turned their backs on the once peaceful village. Darkness reigned supreme, and with it came the whispers of the dead, echoing through the streets and alleyways like a curse.
As the sun began to rise, casting its weak light on the ruined village, the survivors emerged from their hiding places. Mothers clutched their children close, tears streaming down their faces as they surveyed the destruction. Fathers, their faces etched with grief, gathered the bodies of their loved ones, preparing them for burial.
And amidst the ruins, a lone raven cawed, a harbinger of doom and destruction. For the village would never be the same again, and the fate of Redues, the fallen angel, was yet to be determined…