A World in Between
Samuel exhaled, his breath visible in the strange twilight of the golden forest. Every step he took felt surreal, as if he were walking through a dream that could collapse at any moment. The words of the mysterious figure still echoed in his mind.
"You are more than what they tell you."
Was he?
For so long, he had believed himself to be just another angel—albeit an unusual one. But now, the weight of something greater pressed upon his shoulders, something neither Heaven nor Hell could define.
His wings flexed instinctively as he surveyed his surroundings. The forest was alive, yet devoid of life. He could hear no animals, no rustling of unseen creatures—just the whispering wind through the golden leaves.
Then, a shift.
Samuel's body tensed as he sensed movement behind him. He spun around, energy crackling through his fingertips. The air itself seemed to ripple as something stepped into the clearing.
A man—or something resembling one. His frame was wrapped in dark, tattered robes, and his face was hidden beneath a hood. Yet, Samuel could see his eyes—deep, swirling pools of silver and black, like the very fabric of existence had folded into them.
"You're adjusting faster than I expected," the figure mused, his voice neither warm nor cold. "Good. You'll need that adaptability soon enough."
Samuel narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
The figure didn't answer immediately. Instead, he extended a hand, as if offering something unseen. "You are standing in a place outside of time. A realm unclaimed by Heaven or Hell. It exists for beings like you."
Samuel hesitated before responding. "Beings like me?"
"Those who do not fit in the structure of the divine war," the figure said simply. "Angels, demons, even mortals who have touched upon power beyond their understanding."
Samuel clenched his fists. "And what do you want from me?"
The figure smiled, though it did not reach his unreadable eyes. "Nothing, yet. But when the storm reaches its peak, you will have to decide—will you be swept away, or will you rise above it?"
Before Samuel could press further, the figure took a step back, and the space around him collapsed in on itself like a shattered mirror. In an instant, he was gone, leaving Samuel alone once more.
But not for long.
A sound cut through the silence—the unmistakable rustling of wings.
Samuel turned sharply, his instincts flaring. He knew that sound.
Angels.
They had found him.
---
The Hunt Begins
High above the golden forest, the skies shimmered as a group of armored figures descended. Their silver wings cut through the stillness, their presence an undeniable force of order.
Azriel led them, his piercing gaze locked on the energy signature below. Samuel's.
"He's here," Azriel muttered, his fingers tightening around the hilt of his blade. "No mistakes. We take him in before he can slip away again."
Ramiel hovered beside him, her expression unreadable. "And if he resists?"
Azriel didn't hesitate. "Then we clip his wings."
The other angels nodded in silent agreement. The mission was clear—Samuel was a rogue element, a threat to the balance. He had to be contained, no matter the cost.
With a flick of his wings, Azriel dove toward the forest, the others following close behind.
The hunt had begun.
---
The Flames of Hell
Deep within the blackened halls of Hell, Lucifer lounged upon his throne, his crimson gaze watching the unfolding events through a swirling portal of dark energy.
He chuckled.
"They move so predictably," he mused.
Bael stood at his side, arms crossed. "Shall we intervene?"
Lucifer tapped his fingers against the armrest of his throne. "Not yet. Let Heaven exhaust itself first. Let them push Samuel to the brink. That is when he will be most vulnerable."
His gaze flickered toward Ascar, who stood rigid in place.
"Your granddaughter has entered the miasma chamber, yes?" Lucifer asked.
Ascar nodded stiffly. "Yes, my lord. The process has begun."
Lucifer's smirk widened. "Good. The seed has already been planted. Now, all that remains is for Samuel to learn the truth at the right moment."
He leaned forward, the firelight casting eerie shadows across his face.
"When he realizes that Heaven will never accept him and that Hell has given him a family…" Lucifer's eyes burned with satisfaction.
"He will come to us."
---
A Clash in the Golden Forest
Samuel barely had time to react before the first angel struck.
A spear of divine light shot toward him, tearing through the air with terrifying precision. He barely managed to twist out of the way, the weapon grazing his shoulder and searing his flesh.
He gritted his teeth.
"They're not holding back."
Azriel landed before him, his silver blade gleaming under the twilight glow.
"You will return to Heaven," Azriel commanded, his voice cold. "Now."
Samuel met his gaze, unfazed. "And if I don't?"
Azriel's wings flared. "Then we will break you."
The other angels surrounded him, their weapons drawn. Samuel exhaled, feeling the energy swirl within him.
For the first time, he did not hesitate.
Light and darkness clashed as the battle erupted.
Samuel struck first, his wings propelling him forward with incredible speed. His fist collided with Azriel's blade, the impact sending shockwaves through the forest. The other angels moved in unison, striking from all directions.
But Samuel was not the same as before.
With a flick of his wrist, energy surged around him, twisting and warping the space itself. The angels faltered for a split second—long enough for Samuel to break through their formation.
He drove his elbow into the nearest angel's ribs, sending them crashing into the trees. Another angel lunged at him, only for Samuel to catch their wrist mid-strike and hurl them aside with sheer force.
Azriel was on him in an instant, his blade slicing through the air.
Samuel barely managed to dodge, but the tip of the weapon cut into his side, drawing a thin line of golden blood. He hissed in pain but did not stop.
The battle was brutal, relentless. For every strike Samuel landed, the angels retaliated with divine precision. But even as they fought, Samuel could feel something shifting within him.
A power stirring.
A storm building.
And deep within, a voice whispered:
"Let it out."
He didn't know what it meant. Not yet.
But soon, he would.
And when he did, the world would never be the same.
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