The sky over Middleton burned crimson, the city left in ruins under the weight of Stormgard's relentless assault. Smoke and ash twisted into the night air, a haunting testament to Malachel's ruthless command.Though his dragon lay dead, its loss seemed only to stoke the angel's fury as he set his sights on a new goal—hunting down Meredith, Gabriel, and the newborn dragon.Gabriel and Meredith moved swiftly up the rugged terrain, their breaths ragged as they climbed higher toward safety. The air grew thinner with each step, the jagged path forcing them to slow as they navigated the uneven ground.Above them, Fresia struggled to keep up, her wings faltering as she attempted to fly. Each beat of her wings was unsteady, her movements clumsy as her fragile body swayed in the air. A newborn dragon, barely formed, she was more vulnerable than Meredith had anticipated."She can't handle this climb," Gabriel murmured, glancing upward as Fresia's form dipped precariously before she managed to catch herself.Meredith wiped a hand across her sweat-dampened brow, her expression grim. "She doesn't have to. We're almost there."After what felt like an eternity, the ground leveled beneath their feet, opening into a clearing atop the ridge. The moonlight filtered through the smoke, casting faint silvery light over the space. The view offered no solace—Middleton's fires still burned in the distance, a glowing reminder of what they had lost.Gabriel scanned the clearing, his wings flexing slightly. "It'll do. It's open enough to see him coming, but defensible if we hold our ground."Meredith nodded, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword tightly as she turned to Fresia. The dragon landed awkwardly, her talons scraping against the rocky ground as she stumbled to a halt. She let out a low growl, her body trembling from the strain of the flight.Meredith stepped closer to Fresia, her heart sinking as she saw the dragon's shuddering frame.Gabriel's gaze shifted to the horizon, his golden eyes narrowing. "He's here."Descending from the haze, Malachel's wings gleamed faintly in the moonlight. His movements were deliberate, unhurried, as if he were savoring the chase. He landed with an unnatural grace, his figure imposing against the smoky backdrop."Running all the way up here? How thoughtful," Malachel said, his voice smooth and mocking. His hand rested lazily on the hilt of his blade as his eyes flicked between them. "It's like you've set the stage just for me."His gaze lingered on Meredith, the mockery in his expression giving way to something sharper, more possessive. "A royal dragon and her pet," he drawled, gesturing to Fresia. "I'll be taking you both." His tone was laced with dark certainty, each word a calculated threat.Meredith clenched her jaw, her knuckles whitening as she tightened her grip on her sword. Gabriel's gaze never left Malachel, his expression cold and calculating.Fresia let out a trembling growl, struggling to steady herself on unsteady legs. Gabriel's gaze flicked to her briefly, his concern deepening. "She's not ready for this," he said, his voice low.Meredith's heart ached as she glanced at Fresia. The newborn dragon's iridescent scales glinted faintly in the moonlight, their beauty marred by the fragility of her frame.Malachel's smirk widened as he drew his blade, the weapon gleaming like molten light in the dim moonlight. He took a casual step forward, his golden eyes glinting with malice. "Well, don't keep me waiting. Show me what you've got."Gabriel stepped forward, his wings unfurling slightly, their golden hue catching the light as he drew his own blade in a single, fluid motion. His voice was calm but unyielding, each word cutting through the tension like steel."You're looking at him," Gabriel said, his golden eyes locking with Malachel's. He lifted his blade, its edge glinting in the faint glow of the clearing. "Let's continue where we left off, shall we?"The two angels clashed, their blades colliding in a brilliant flash of light and sparks. Gabriel fought with all the precision and power of a celestial warrior, but Malachel was relentless, each strike heavier, more calculated, designed to dismantle Gabriel piece by piece.Meredith watched, her heart pounding as Gabriel faltered under Malachel's unrelenting assault. Sweat glistened on his brow, his wings flickering as he struggled to hold his ground."Is this all you've got?" Malachel sneered, forcing Gabriel back with a brutal strike. "You've gone soft, Gabriel. Pity. I expected more."Before Malachel could land another blow, Fresia staggered into the fray. Her dragon form cast an imposing shadow, her iridescent scales catching the moonlight with hues of rose and gold.Though her movements were unsteady and her wings dragged awkwardly behind her, there was no hesitation as she positioned herself beside Gabriel, her growl low and menacing.Malachel paused, his golden eyes narrowing with interest as he adjusted his grip on his blade. "How charming," he drawled, his voice tinged with mockery. "The newborn comes to play."Fresia growled again, louder this time, her luminous eyes locking on Malachel. With a shuddering motion, she spread her wings, summoning a burst of raw, untamed magic that crackled in the air like a storm about to break.The shock that flickered across Malachel's face was brief but telling. He straightened slightly, his blade tilting downward."Magic?" he murmured, his tone touched with genuine surprise. "You shouldn't have that. Dragons don't keep their magic."Fresia responded with a guttural roar, a pulse of energy radiating from her as the magic solidified into a shimmering barrier that surrounded her and Gabriel. The air vibrated with her power, wild and unrefined but undeniably potent.Gabriel lunged, his blade flashing as he launched himself into the sky, closing the distance between him and Malachel. Fresia followed immediately, her wings struggling to steady her as she ascended. Though her movements were raw and uncoordinated, her size and ferocity forced Malachel to split his focus.The clearing below became a blur as the battle erupted in the open air.Malachel moved with unnerving precision, his blade countering Gabriel's strikes effortlessly even as he dodged Fresia's claws. Her unrefined swipes sent gusts of wind through the air, their force displacing the smoke that lingered above the battlefield."You're better together than I expected," Malachel said, his voice sharp as he parried Gabriel's relentless blows. His tone carried grudging respect, but his smirk betrayed his disdain. "But raw strength and magic"—his blade twisted mid-strike, forcing Gabriel back—"can't match experience."Gabriel's strikes were swift and calculated, each one aimed to exploit the smallest openings in Malachel's defense. His wings glowed faintly as he maneuvered, darting and weaving with angelic precision. Meanwhile, Fresia's attacks were wild and devastating, her claws raking the air and her tail lashing with powerful arcs.For a moment, the two seemed to hold their own. But it wasn't enough.Malachel's movements grew sharper, his strikes deliberate and merciless as he adapted to their rhythm. With every clash of blades, Gabriel's strength began to wane. His breathing became labored, his wings faltering as exhaustion crept in.Fresia's magic, though powerful, lacked precision. Her bursts of energy became erratic, her movements slowing as her fragile body struggled to keep up with the brutal pace. She flapped her wings unevenly, struggling to maintain altitude as her attacks grew more desperate."You're out of your depth," Malachel sneered, effortlessly parrying Gabriel's blade before sidestepping a blast of energy from Fresia. "You've both given me an entertaining fight, but this is where it ends."Gabriel gritted his teeth, his strikes becoming more defensive as he worked to protect both himself and Fresia. The strain was visible in his every movement, his wings struggling to keep him aloft.Fresia let out a frustrated roar, her body trembling as she lunged at Malachel with renewed ferocity. Her claws swiped wildly, but Malachel dodged with ease, his blade grazing her side in a glancing blow that sent her spiraling downward. She barely managed to stabilize herself, her form shuddering as she flapped her wings weakly, hovering lower than before.Malachel's laughter echoed across the sky, cold and unrelenting. "Is this all you've got?" he mocked, his wings beating with infuriating ease.Malachel's next strike sent Gabriel crashing into the rocky ground with a resounding thud. Dust and debris clouded the air as Gabriel groaned, forcing himself to his knees, his wings trembling as he struggled to regain his footing.Fresia glowing eyes darting between Gabriel, who was visibly struggling, and Meredith, standing at the edge of the clearing with her sword drawn, determination etched on her face despite the futility of joining the fray.With trembling effort, Fresia swung her tail in a sweeping motion, carving a deep line in the earth between herself and them —a warning, a boundary not to be crossed. The ground trembled beneath the force, her intent clear despite the fragility of her movements."She's telling us to retreat," Gabriel said, his voice tight with emotion as he rose to his feet.Fresia's faint barrier of shimmering light materialized around Meredith, as though the dragon's raw will had enforced the plea. Her frame shuddered as her strength waned, but her luminous eyes remained resolute, burning with a desperate determination to protect them."No!" Meredith snapped, stepping forward, her sword still drawn. "We're not leaving her!"Fresia's gaze locked onto Meredith's. She made her decision.She let out a long, piercing howl, her voice vibrating through the clearing with an unmistakable plea. Her magic surged once more, forming a protective barrier around Meredith as her tail swept toward her princess."No!" Meredith shouted, but the force of Fresia's tail struck her, knocking her unconscious before she could resist."Fresia!" Gabriel shouted, his voice laced with anger and desperation.The dragon turned her eyes to him, her expression almost pleading as she let out another guttural sound. It was clear what she wanted: Gabriel needed to take Meredith and retreat.Gabriel froze for half a second, torn between his loyalty to Meredith and the thought of leaving Fresia behind. But as Malachel advanced with renewed purpose, Gabriel knew there was no other choice."She's buying us time," Gabriel muttered, his jaw tightening as he scooped Meredith into his arms. With one final glance at Fresia, he launched into the air, his wings cutting through the smoke-laden sky.Fresia roared again, stepping forward to block Malachel's path, her claws digging into the ground as she braced herself."Don't make me wait too long," Malachel said mockingly, watching Gabriel take to the sky.Fresia snarled, her iridescent scales glinting in the moonlight as she turned her full attention to Malachel.---Gabriel's wings beat heavily, his feathers glowing faintly in the dim moonlight. Cradled in his arms, Meredith lay limp, her unconscious form a stark reminder of how precarious their situation had become.The air was thick with ash and tension, but Gabriel pressed on, his sharp gaze scanning the landscape below. He needed to find the retreat camp quickly. Every second away from Fresia felt like a thread pulling tighter around his resolve, but he couldn't risk Meredith's safety.Finally, the faint flicker of torchlight broke through the darkness. The camp was nestled in a shallow valley, partially obscured by a dense cluster of trees—a defensive position designed to be both hidden and easily defensible. Relief swept through him, but it was fleeting.Gabriel descended swiftly, landing with a controlled thud that startled a nearby guard. The man's eyes widened as he recognized Meredith in Gabriel's arms."Get her a healer!" Gabriel barked, his voice commanding yet tinged with urgency.Two soldiers rushed forward, their expressions a mix of awe and panic as they carefully took Meredith from his arms. Gabriel hesitated for a moment, his eyes lingering on her pale face. A strand of her hair clung to her cheek, damp with sweat, and he gently brushed it aside before stepping back.The healer arrived quickly, assessing Meredith as Gabriel's wings twitched restlessly. His thoughts were already pulling him back to the clearing, to Fresia, who was still fighting a battle she couldn't win alone."She'll be alright," the healer assured him, though Gabriel barely heard the words.Without another word, Gabriel launched back into the sky, his wings propelling him upward.---Gabriel landed in the clearing, the air heavy with the lingering echoes of battle. The moonlight bathed the space in a cold, silvery glow, illuminating Fresia's form sprawled across the ground.Her iridescent scales, once shimmering with hues of rose and gold, were dull and lifeless, her body stiff and unnaturally still."She was remarkable," Malachel said, his voice smooth and predatory. "A creature like this, wasted. She could have been magnificent—on the battlefield or in more intimate pursuits."Gabriel's fists clenched at his sides, his entire frame trembling as rage churned beneath his calm facade. The sight of Fresia, her brilliance extinguished, and Malachel's twisted musings ignited a fury so deep it threatened to consume him.Without a word, Gabriel lunged.A burst of celestial energy exploded from him, golden light streaking toward Malachel like a blade of divine wrath. Malachel was forced to step back, his expression shifting from calm to mildly irritated as he raised his weapon to deflect the attack.The opening was all Gabriel needed. In a single, desperate motion, he darted past Malachel and seized Fresia's body, cradling her in his arms despite her weight.He rose into the sky, his wings straining under the weight of Fresia's lifeless form. Each powerful beat carried him higher, away from the clearing, urgency driving him forward as he vanished into the shadows of the smoke-filled heavens.Malachel watched in silence and made no move to pursue, his expression shifting to one of faint amusement as he rested his hand on the hilt of his blade."A fool," Malachel murmured, shaking his head as he turned away.---Gabriel carried Fresia's body to an underground cave, his wings heavy with exhaustion and grief. The dragon's once-radiant scales, now dulled to a lifeless sheen, seemed to dim the very air around her. The cave's shadows swallowed them both.When he returned to the camp, Meredith was waiting, her eyes searching his with frantic desperation. "Where is she?" she demanded, her voice cracking.Gabriel's silence was answer enough. His solemn gaze met hers, and he extended a hand. Without another word, he flew her to the cave.Inside, the stillness was almost unbearable. Fresia's massive form rested in the center, her wings awkwardly folded, her once-iridescent scales now cold and lifeless.Meredith stared, her expression frozen, her breath catching as she stepped closer."She saved us," she whispered finally, her voice trembling but her face strangely calm.Gabriel's voice was low, steady. "She made her choice."Meredith's hand lingered, her fingers trailing over Fresia's side as though committing the texture to memory. She stood frozen, the weight of the loss pressing down on her, her breath catching in her throat.Finally, with deliberate motion, she stepped back and reached for a torch mounted on the cavern wall. The light flickered as she gripped it tightly, her jaw set, her voice low and steady."We burn her," she said. "We collect her ashes. She stays with us."Gabriel moved to her side without a word, his quiet strength bolstering her resolve. Together, they worked in silence, their movements methodical yet reverent. The fire, once lit, consumed Fresia's body slowly, the flames licking at her scales as they glowed faintly one last time before crumbling to ash.Gabriel handed Meredith a smooth, glassy orb, etched with runes, which he had prepared to hold the ashes. When the fire faded, Meredith collected what remained, her movements methodical, her face unreadable.She cradled the orb in her hands, holding it to her chest for a moment before rising."That's it," she said firmly, her voice breaking only slightly. She turned and walked out of the cave, her steps brisk, her face set.Gabriel followed silently, his golden wings casting faint light in the darkened path.Back at the camp, Meredith immediately busied herself with orders and strategy, her focus sharp, her tone clipped. Gabriel noticed her fingers tightening briefly around the orb whenever she paused, but he said nothing.As the camp settled into a restless quiet that evening, Meredith found herself wandering the ranks. Her eyes instinctively scanned the faces of her soldiers, searching for someone she knew wasn't there.For a fleeting moment, she almost called Fresia's name, the thought so natural it startled her. When she caught herself, her jaw tightened, and she turned sharply away, her hands clenching at her sides."Focus," she muttered under her breath, her voice low and firm. The pang in her chest threatened to break through, but she shoved it deeper, burying it beneath the weight of her responsibilities. There was no time for mourning, not now.Gabriel watched her retreat into herself, his expression unreadable but heavy with understanding.---In the heaven realm, there existed a place called soul forge.The air there shimmered with a soft glow as the dead gathered, their souls drifting like a constellation of fireflies. Human souls glimmered in vibrant hues, each a unique spark of life. Some burned with deep ambers, others with soft blues. These luminous fireflies danced momentarily in the celestial air before being gently guided by unseen forces toward their destination.Angels' souls, however, were unmistakable—brilliant and golden, their light piercing and steady, as though carved from the very essence of divinity. They flew with purpose, streaking across the heavens from distant battlefields outside Pyria.The trails they left behind shimmered like shooting stars, their glow casting a holy warmth over the river below. Slowly, these souls joined the stream of energy that swirled into the river of souls, a vast, glowing current winding through the ethereal planes.Two female soldier angels stood sentinel over the river's edge, their silver armor glinting faintly in the soft, eternal light. They moved methodically, inspecting the souls that trickled past. Human souls, upon reaching the river's end, were drawn into a cleansing fire, the ethereal flames licking away mortal burdens and reshaping them into fragments ready to return to Earth.Angelic souls, on the other hand, floated toward gleaming incubators, where their radiance condensed into delicate, toddler-like forms—new angelic bodies forming slowly.Malachel passed by with purposeful strides, his gaze briefly sweeping over the glowing river and the orderly process of recycling life. His golden eyes lingered for only a moment on the incubators and the rising plumes of light before his lips curled into a faint smirk.Turning away from the place, he advanced toward the grand halls of heaven to meet Lord Elyon, his wings twitching with restrained anticipation.