The rooftops of the sleepless city clustered tightly together, creating a patchwork of uneven tiles and chimneys that made leaping from one to another a simple task.
And as we made our way through the city, I kept my gaze fixed on Yoseph, trailing him from above as he moved through the dimly lit streets below.
The man we were following had slowed his pace, but kept his movements cautious and remained on guard. This allowed us to slow down as ourselves, not needing to rush and risk falling between the gaps in the roofs.
Instead we were calm and calculated. The sleepless city was silent, any loud noises would carry through the streets and reach Yoseph's ears.
"He looks as though he's searching for seomthing?" Faye said from beside me, as we crossed over to the next rooftop. This one was broad and flat, much like the first roof we had scaled, its surface weathered by time and exposure.
Then without warning, a sound rung through the air. It was a chilling, guttural noise that sent a shiver down my spine.
We spun around quickly out of instinct, and our eyes found the source of the noise.
On the rooftop with us stood something sinister. Only one glance was enough to confirm what it was. A demon, menacing in nature.
Scrape.. Scrape.
The sound echoed through the air as a hunched, grotesque beast began to stalk toward us. Its form was twisted and unnatural, with four muscular arms protruding from it's sides.
In two of its hands, it held short swords, the blades dragging along the rooftop's surface, leaving faint marks in their wake.
Its eyeless sockets, dark and hollow, seemed to pierce through us, as though it could see far more than mere sight would allow.
How did I not see him before? Did he just appear now.
I turned around to look at Yoseph below, he had begun to put distance between us.
We're going to lose him. Because of this demon..
I didn't wait for the beast to make its move. Instead, I charged forward, determined to strike first and seize the advantage.
"Wait!" Faye's sharp voice cut through the air behind me, filled with urgency. I glanced back, just briefly, and noticed something unexpected in her hand—a blue rose.
It's petals glowed faintly, almost as if full with an otherworldly energy. I had no idea where she had gotten it from, but there was no time to question it.
She held it delicately between two fingers before flicking it toward me. The rose sailed through the air with surprising precision, its tip piercing my skin before I could react.
For a moment, confusion clouded my mind.
Have I misjudged her?
Betrayal burned through my thoughts like wildfire.
Was she an accomplice of Yoseph's all along, playing some deeper, hidden game?
But as I pulled the rose's sharp tip free, something shifted inside me. A surge of raw energy coursed through my veins, spreading with intensity.
It wasn't pain I felt—it was power. A mystical essence seeped into every fibre of my being, filling me with strength I hadn't known before, a strength that made the demon before me feel less daunting and more… conquerable.
What on Vorth is this?
Then, she raised her hands, holding them out in front of her, and something began to materialise in the air between them. A faint glow accompanied the shifting shape, but I couldn't spare the time to watch. The demon was getting close.
With the surge of strength coursing through me, I charged forward, crossing into the beast's range.
It swung one of its red swords in a wide, clumsy arc toward my head. Instinctively, I curled up my wing to shield myself, the impact sending a tingling jolt through the bone.
The sword's edge scraped off my wing with a metallic screech before crashing to the ground beside me.
Seizing the moment, I lunged forward and slammed my wing into the demon's side, aiming to stagger it.
To my surprise, the force sent it flying. The demon tumbled backwards, its hulking frame rolling over itself before skidding to a stop near the edge of the roof, its form worn down and broken in places.
I didn't hesitate. Closing the distance, I reached the beast just as it began to scramble upright.
With a boot to its face, I sent it toppling over the rooftop's edge. Its mangled hands scraped futilely at the air as it plummeted into the darkness below.
The demon hit the street with a sickening splat, its grotesque form reduced to a pulpy mess that evaporated into nothingness moments later.
The battle had ended far more quickly than I anticipated.
"That was easier than I expected," I muttered, my eyes lingering on the empty space where the demon had fallen.
It must have been weak—barely capable of wielding its own swords correctly, which now lay abandoned on the rooftop.
Turning back, I saw Faye standing in a battle-ready stance, her hands clutching a newly conjured red rose. Its petals pulsed faintly, radiating an ominous energy.
Her curse. It's strong.
After a moment, the effects of the blue rose that had empowered me began to ware off.
My strength returned to its normal state, leaving me slightly breathless.
Faye lowered her arm and threw the red rose to the ground, where it evaporated into the air, leaving no trace.
I wanted to ask her about the roses—about her curse and its strange properties—but there was no time.
Rushing to the edge of the rooftop, I scanned the streets below for Yoseph.
My heart sank as I realised he was gone.
Nowhere in sight.
How could I be so foolish! I should have left the demon and chased after him.
"We've lost him." Faye said from beside me.
I know. I growled in my head. Outwardly I remained calm.
"No, it's not too late. We continue through the city. We've still got the angels to find anyways."