The stairway from the seventy-fourth floor twisted and turned, the air heavy with the tension of the fight they'd left behind. Sincerity clutched the key tightly in one hand, her daggers still gleaming faintly in the other. Dominic kept pace beside her, his sword drawn and his wings glowing dimly.
"They won't let this go," Sincerity said, her voice tense. "Dyanari's defeat will only make them more determined."
Dominic nodded, his expression grim. "I felt it in her words. She was willing to die to stop us. The rest of them won't hold back."
A faint tremor shook the staircase, and the sound of wings filled the air behind them.
"They're coming," Sincerity said, her sharp eyes scanning the darkness.
Dominic gritted his teeth. "Then we'll deal with them."
The doorway to the seventy-fifth floor opened into a sprawling expanse of barren, rocky terrain. Jagged cliffs and deep chasms crisscrossed the area, the air thick with the scent of sulphur and ash. The oppressive sky above pulsed with faint streaks of light, casting long shadows across the ground.
As they stepped into the trial, the sound of wings grew louder. Dozens of angelic hunters poured through the doorway behind them, their weapons drawn and their glowing eyes filled with vengeance.
The lead hunter pointed his spear at Dominic, his voice echoing with authority. "You'll pay for what you've done. Surrender the key and your life, mortal, and we may spare her."
Dominic raised his sword, his wings flaring. "I think we both know that's not going to happen."
Sincerity stepped beside him, her daggers glinting in the dim light. "You don't belong here. Leave now, or we'll make you regret it."
The hunters hesitated for a moment, their leader narrowing his eyes. Then his expression shifted, a cruel smile spreading across his face.
"You're right. We don't belong here," he said, his tone calculating. "But this place doesn't care about your bond, your morals, or your life. It cares about power. And your body, mortal... that's the perfect vessel to claim it."
Sincerity's breath caught, her sharp eyes narrowing. "You can't be serious."
The lead hunter sneered. "The Tower doesn't judge angels. We were cast out for defying it once, but with his body, we can claim its power and reshape the world in our image."
Dominic's chest tightened, the bond between him and Sincerity buzzing with her anger and unease. "You really think you can just take my body?"
"We won't ask twice," the hunter replied coldly. "Surrender now, and this will be painless."
Dominic smirked, though his grip on his sword tightened. "You should've opened with that offer. It's too late now."
The hunters surged forward, their glowing weapons blazing as they attacked. Dominic and Sincerity moved together, their bond guiding their strikes with deadly precision.
Dominic deflected a spear thrust with his sword, the clash of metal ringing out across the barren landscape. He countered with a sweeping strike, his blade igniting with radiant energy that sent two of the hunters sprawling.
Sincerity darted between the attackers, her daggers slicing through armour with surgical precision. She moved like a shadow, her wings glowing faintly as she dodged and struck in perfect rhythm.
But the hunters were relentless, their numbers overwhelming. For every one they took down, two more closed in, their movements disciplined and coordinated.
"We can't keep this up forever," Sincerity shouted, her back pressed against Dominic's.
"Then we'll end it quickly," Dominic replied, his sword flaring with energy.
As they fought, the ground beneath them began to tremble. A deep, rumbling voice echoed across the trial.
"Trial 75: The Challenge of Dominance. Only the strongest may ascend. Prove your worth."
The barren landscape shifted, jagged rocks rising to form a massive arena. At its centre, a glowing pedestal emerged, its light casting long shadows across the battlefield.
Dominic's interface flashed in front of his eyes.
Objective: Defeat All Challengers to Claim the Key
The hunters stopped their assault, their glowing eyes locking onto the pedestal.
"The Tower favours none," the lead hunter said, his voice filled with grim determination. "But it rewards power. The key is ours."
They surged toward the pedestal, their focus shifting from Dominic and Sincerity to the trial itself.
Dominic grabbed Sincerity's hand, pulling her toward the pedestal. "We can't let them take it."
"I'm with you," she said, her wings flaring as she sprinted beside him.
The hunters were fast, their wings carrying them swiftly across the arena. But Dominic and Sincerity moved with purpose, their bond guiding their path through the shifting terrain.
As they reached the pedestal, the air around it crackled with energy. A massive, shadowy figure emerged—a guardian of the trial, its form towering over the battlefield.
The hunters hesitated, their ranks faltering as the creature roared, its jagged claws tearing through the air.
Dominic raised his sword, his voice steady. "Looks like we're not the only ones fighting for the key."
Sincerity smirked, her daggers flashing. "Then let's make sure we win."
The guardian attacked without hesitation, its claws ripping through the air as it struck at hunters and challengers alike. The battlefield devolved into chaos, angelic hunters clashing with the shadowy beast and each other in a desperate bid for the key.
Dominic and Sincerity fought their way to the pedestal, their combined strength cutting through any hunter who dared stand in their way. The bond between them pulsed with shared determination, their movements perfectly synchronised.
The guardian roared, its massive form crumbling under their assault. With a final, blinding strike, Dominic drove his sword into its chest, the creature dissolving into ash as the key fell into his hand.
The remaining hunters closed in, their weapons raised.
"Give us the key!" the leader demanded, his voice filled with desperation.
Dominic raised his sword, his wings flaring brightly. "Come and take it."
But before they could strike, the ground beneath them began to tremble. The trial's energy surged, pulling Dominic and Sincerity toward the exit.
"We're out of time," Sincerity said, grabbing his arm.
"Let's go," Dominic replied, his grip on the key unyielding.
They disappeared into the light, leaving the enraged hunters behind.
The light from the portal faded as Dominic and Sincerity stumbled into the narrow passageway of the seventy-sixth floor. The air was still, but the tension between them was palpable. Sincerity leaned against the rough stone wall, her wings flickering faintly as her breath came in ragged gasps.
Dominic stepped closer, his sword still drawn, his grip tight. His mind racing, he scanned the dim corridor for any sign of pursuit.
"They'll come after us again," he said, his voice low and grim.
Sincerity nodded, her sharp features shadowed with exhaustion and something deeper—something Dominic could feel through their bond.
"You okay?" he asked softly, his hand brushing her shoulder.
Her sharp eyes met his, but they were clouded with guilt. "She was my commander, Dominic. I looked up to her. Trusted her."
Sincerity sank to the ground, her daggers clattering beside her as she buried her face in her hands. "Dyanari... she wasn't always like this. She used to be kind and compassionate. She believed in protecting the weak, in fighting for justice. And now..."
Dominic knelt beside her, his wings dimming as he placed a steady hand on her arm. "The system has twisted her, just like it's twisted everyone else. This place brings out the worst in people."
She shook her head, her voice trembling. "But what if I made it worse? What if my fall broke something in her? She trusted me, and I betrayed her."
Dominic frowned, his chest tightening as her guilt washed over him. He reached for her hands, gently pulling them away from her face.
"Sincerity, you didn't break her. This place did. The Tower, the system, everything about it—it's designed to turn people into tools. Dyanari made her choice, and you made yours. You chose to fight back. That's not betrayal. That's courage."
Her gaze softened, though the guilt in her eyes didn't fully fade. "She called me a traitor. A failure. And maybe she's right."
"She's wrong," Dominic said firmly. "You're not a traitor. You're a survivor. And you're fighting to end this. That's what matters."
Sincerity let out a shaky breath, her wings glowing faintly as Dominic's words and presence steadied her. The bond between them pulsed softly, his unwavering support a lifeline in the storm of her emotions.
"I didn't want it to end like that," she said quietly. "Fighting her, leaving her there... it felt wrong."
"I know," Dominic said, his voice gentle. "But we didn't have a choice. If we'd stayed, we wouldn't have made it out alive."
She nodded slowly, her sharp edges returning as she straightened her posture. "You're right. It just... hurts."
Dominic smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "That means you're still human, Sincerity. No matter what this place tries to take from you."
Her lips twitched into a small, grateful smile. "Thanks, Dominic."
"Always," he said, squeezing her hand.
As they rested, Sincerity's thoughts drifted back to Dyanari. She remembered the angel she had once known—strong, wise, and unyielding in her pursuit of justice.
"She was the one who told me that angels weren't meant to serve blindly," Sincerity said softly. "She said we had to question, to think, to fight for what's right. But now... she's become the thing she warned us about."
Dominic frowned, his expression thoughtful. "Do you think there's a chance of reaching her? To bring her back?"
Sincerity hesitated, her wings dimming slightly. "I don't know. The Dyanari I knew... she's gone. What's left is someone who believes the system is the only path to salvation. Someone who thinks power is the only way to bring order."
Dominic nodded slowly. "Then maybe we can show her she's wrong. If we survive this, if we win... maybe she'll see there's another way."
Sincerity's eyes softened, a faint hope flickering in her gaze. "Maybe."
Dominic stood, offering his hand to Sincerity. "Come on. We've got a long way to go, and the Tower's not going to stop trying to break us."
She took his hand, her grip firm. "I'm not letting it win. Not now. Not after everything."
They shared a brief, determined smile before stepping forward, their bond steadying them as they prepared for the next trial.
As they moved deeper into the seventy-sixth floor, the echoes of their encounter with Dyanari lingered, a reminder of the sacrifices they'd made—and the ones they'd yet to face.
The passageway to the seventy-sixth floor was dark and narrow, the air thick with the weight of lingering tension. Sincerity moved ahead of Dominic, her sharp eyes scanning the path, but her wings glowed dimly—a reflection of the guilt she couldn't shake.
Dominic could feel it through the bond, a dull ache pressing against his own emotions. Sincerity's guilt and self-recrimination were like a shadow clinging to her, and no matter what he said, it wouldn't let go.
He stepped closer, his voice soft as they walked. "You're still thinking about her."
Sincerity didn't turn around. "Of course I am. I can't stop."
"She made her choice, Sincerity. You didn't force her into anything."
She stopped, her wings flickering as she turned to face him. "You think it's that simple? She was my commander, Dominic. She trusted me. Believed in me. And now, because of me, she's fallen even further. How can I not feel responsible?"
Dominic reached for her hand, his grip firm but gentle. "Because you didn't make her who she is now. The system did. You're fighting to stop it, and she's fighting to preserve it. That's not on you."
Her sharp eyes softened, though the guilt in them remained. "I just... I don't know if I'll ever stop blaming myself."
"You don't have to," Dominic said quietly. "You just have to keep going. For her, for us, for everyone who's still fighting."
Sincerity nodded slowly, her wings glowing faintly. "You're right. I'll try."
"Together," he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Always," she replied, though her voice carried a quiet weight.
The passageway opened into a vast chamber filled with thick, swirling mist. The air was cold and damp, and the ground beneath their feet felt unsteady, as though it might crumble at any moment.
"Stay close," Dominic said, his sword drawn as he scanned the fog.
Sincerity nodded, her daggers glinting faintly in the dim light. "This place feels... wrong."
The mist shifted, forming vague, shadowy shapes that seemed to watch them with unseen eyes. As they moved deeper into the chamber, whispers filled the air, faint and distorted.
"You failed her. You'll fail him too."
Sincerity froze, her sharp eyes narrowing. "Did you hear that?"
Dominic nodded, his wings flaring slightly. "It's the floor. It's trying to get in our heads."
The shadows coalesced into vague humanoid forms, their faces shifting and indistinct. They moved with an unnatural fluidity, their voices dripping with malice.
"You betrayed her. You'll betray him. You're nothing but a failure."
Sincerity clenched her fists, her wings dimming. "Shut up," she growled.
The figures laughed, their distorted voices echoing. "She trusted you, and you destroyed her. Just like you'll destroy him."
Dominic stepped in front of Sincerity, his sword raised as the shadows closed in. "You don't know her," he said fiercely. "And you don't get to define her."
The shadows shifted, their voices hissing. "You think you can save her? You'll only drag her down with you. She'll fall again, and it'll be your fault."
Dominic's grip tightened on his sword. "No, she won't. Not while I'm here."
The shadows lunged, their forms flickering as they attacked. Dominic and Sincerity moved together, their bond guiding their strikes.
Dominic's sword ignited with radiant energy, slicing through the first wave of shadows. Sincerity darted between the remaining figures, her daggers flashing as she tore through their formless bodies.
The shadows reformed, their whispers growing louder.
"She will betray you. She will fall. She is unworthy."
Sincerity faltered, the words cutting deep. Her daggers trembled in her hands, her wings flickering.
"Sincerity!" Dominic shouted, his voice filled with urgency.
She looked at him, her sharp eyes filled with doubt. "What if they're right?"
"They're not," Dominic said, his voice steady. He stepped closer, his sword cutting through another shadow. "I trust you, Sincerity. I always will."
Her gaze softened, the bond between them pulsing with his unwavering belief. Slowly, her wings began to glow brighter.
"You're right," she said, her voice steadying. "I'm not falling. Not now. Not ever."
With renewed determination, she struck at the shadows, her daggers cutting through their forms like light through darkness.
The chamber trembled as the last of the shadows dissolved, their whispers fading into silence. The mist began to dissipate, revealing a glowing doorway at the far end of the chamber.
Dominic sheathed his sword, his chest heaving as he turned to Sincerity. "You okay?"
She nodded, her wings glowing steadily now. "Yeah. I think I am."
"Good," he said, a faint smile on his lips. "Because I'm not doing this without you."
Sincerity smirked, though her expression was softer than usual. "You don't have a choice, Dominic. You're stuck with me."
"Always," he said, offering his hand.
"Always," she echoed, taking it as they stepped through the doorway together.
The doorway to the seventy-seventh floor opened with a blinding flash, the light searing through the air like a divine blade. Dominic and Sincerity stepped through cautiously, their weapons drawn, their bond pulsing with shared tension.
The room beyond was massive, a cathedral-like chamber with vaulted ceilings that seemed to stretch into infinity. The air was thick with the scent of incense and ash, and the walls were lined with glowing angelic runes. But what drew their attention was the scene at the room's centre.
Dozens of angelic hunters stood in formation, their weapons raised but held at bay by the towering figure between them—a being unlike any they had encountered before.
Metatron.
His form was grotesque and magnificent all at once. His towering frame was cloaked in shifting, iridescent light, his six wings unfurled in jagged, unnatural angles. His face was a shifting amalgamation of features: eyes that gleamed like molten gold, a mouth filled with jagged, shark-like teeth, and a long, reptilian tongue that flicked out as he breathed. His body shimmered with scales that glowed faintly, each one inscribed with a name in a language too ancient to comprehend.
Dominic tightened his grip on his sword as the Metatron raised a clawed hand, silencing the hunters with a single motion.
"Come," the Metatron said, his voice a symphony of tones—serene, cruel, and commanding all at once. "Step forward, abominations."
Sincerity flinched at the words but moved forward alongside Dominic, their steps slow and deliberate.
Metatron circled them, his molten eyes gleaming with curiosity and disdain. His wings rustled, the sound grating like metal scraping against stone.
He sniffed the air around them, his reptilian tongue flicking out to taste the space between them. Then he leaned closer, licking the exposed skin of Dominic's arm.
Dominic recoiled, his sword raised. "What the hell are you doing?"
Metatron ignored him, turning to Sincerity and repeating the motion. His tongue brushed against her cheek, leaving a faint, stinging burn.
Sincerity's wings flared, her daggers trembling in her hands. "Get away from me."
Metatron straightened, his molten gaze locking onto them both. His expression twisted into a sneer, his voice cutting through the chamber like a blade.
"Abominations," he said again, the word dripping with disdain.
He turned to Sincerity, his gaze piercing. "You, fallen one. Once you stood in the light, your wings radiant with His glory. And now, look at you—dimmed, broken, crawling through the filth of this Tower. You are nothing but a disgrace to your kind."
Sincerity's jaw tightened, but she held her ground. "I fell because I refused to serve blindly. I chose freedom over obedience."
"Freedom?" the Metatron hissed, his wings bristling. "You chose rebellion. You chose failure."
He turned to Dominic, his expression darkening further. "And you. A mortal who dares to tread where no mortal belongs. Your blood carries the faintest whisper of divinity, diluted to the point of worthlessness. Christ's blood flows in you like sewage through a gutter, unfit to claim even a fragment of His glory."
Dominic clenched his fists, his wings flaring. "I didn't ask for this, and I don't need your approval."
Metatron laughed, a sound like cracking thunder. "Approval? You seek to ascend the Tower, to claim the power at its apex. And yet, you are both unworthy."
Metatron spread his wings, his presence overwhelming as he loomed over them. "Why should you be allowed to ascend? Why should abominations such as you claim what belongs to the divine?"
Dominic stepped forward, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "Because this Tower isn't about worth. It's about survival. We've fought for every step, earned every victory. You call us abominations, but you're the one standing here, holding back an army of angels just to berate us. Who's really unworthy?"
Sincerity's wings flared as she stepped beside him. "You talk about worth as if it's something you've earned. But all you've done is stand here, judging others while the system twists and destroys everything it touches. You call me fallen, but I see clearly now. You're the one who's blind."
Metatron's molten eyes narrowed, his voice rumbling with anger. "You dare speak to me this way? Very well. If you claim to be worthy, then prove it. Face my judgement, and let the Tower decide your fate."
The hunters around them stepped back, forming a wide circle as the Metatron raised his claws. The air crackled with energy, the runes on the walls flaring brightly.
Dominic glanced at Sincerity, their bond pulsing with shared determination.
"We've faced worse," he said, his sword igniting with radiant energy.
She smirked, her daggers glinting. "Let's show him what abominations can do."
Metatron's laughter filled the chamber as his wings unfurled, his voice echoing with cruel delight.
"Come, then. Let me show you why I am called the Speaker of God."
Dominic's blade was poised to strike, the light of his wings flaring brightly as he faced the Metatron. The towering angel's molten eyes gleamed with righteous fury, his claws spread wide to meet the mortal's challenge.
But just as Dominic moved, the air between them shimmered, a wave of heat and shadow spreading through the chamber.
A figure materialised, standing between them.
Lucifer's form was a paradox, both grotesque and captivating. His face was a mask of beauty marred by horror—features so perfect they seemed carved from divinity, yet twisted by scars and burns that glowed faintly like embers. His six wings were massive, their feathers once radiant but now blackened and frayed. Shadows clung to him like a second skin, and his glowing eyes burned with a light that seemed to pierce through time itself.
Metatron recoiled, his wings bristling. "Lucifer," he spat, his voice laced with venom. "You dare show yourself here?"
Lucifer ignored him, his gaze falling on Dominic and Sincerity. His voice, smooth and melodic, resonated through the chamber.
"Dominic. Sincerity. Such a curious pair you make."
Sincerity stiffened, her wings dimming as she lowered her gaze. "Lucifer," she said quietly, her voice tinged with shame.
Lucifer's lips curled into a faint smile, though his expression carried a weight of ancient sorrow. "Ah, Sincerity. One of Heaven's lost treasures. Tell me, do you regret not joining me when I stood against the tyranny of Heaven?"
Sincerity's breath caught, her guilt swirling through the bond she shared with Dominic. "I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Dominic stepped forward, his sword still raised. "What do you want?"
Lucifer's glowing eyes flicked to Dominic, his smile widening. "To help you, of course. You're ascending the Tower, facing its trials, seeking its throne. But you're fighting a battle on two fronts—against the system and against the forces of Heaven. You need an ally."
He turned to Sincerity, his hand moving toward her belly. "Free me from the pit, and I will restore to you what was taken."
Sincerity flinched as his hand brushed her, his touch cool yet searing. Her wings trembled, her sharp eyes locking onto his. "What do you mean?"
Lucifer's smile grew, his voice softening. "The one thing you long for but believe you can never have. A legacy. A child."
Dominic's jaw tightened, his wings flaring. "And what's the price for this 'help' of yours?"
Lucifer chuckled, the sound rich with amusement. "No price. Merely a request. Free me from the pit, and I will guide you to the throne. I will show you a direct path, bypassing these meaningless trials. You will have what you desire, and I will have my freedom. A fair exchange, wouldn't you say?"
He gestured toward the pair, his gaze flicking between them. "And don't worry about that child you saw before during your trials," he added, his voice smooth. "It was just a trick of the Tower, meant to weaken your resolve."
The Metatron roared, his claws slashing through the air. "Silence, deceiver! You will not poison their minds with your lies!"
He lunged at Lucifer, his blade gleaming with celestial light. But as it struck, Lucifer's form flickered and dissolved like smoke.
"Astral projection," the Metatron growled, his molten eyes narrowing. "You are still bound, chained to your pit."
Lucifer's voice echoed, smooth and taunting. "Indeed, my dear Metatron. But even from the depths of Hell, my influence reaches further than your pitiful grasp."
As Metatron seethed, Sincerity's mind raced. The bond between her and Dominic buzzed with her conflict—her doubt, her guilt, her hope.
"Dominic," she said softly, her voice trembling. "He doesn't lie. He manipulates, he twists, but he never lies. If he's offering us a way out, maybe we should consider it."
Dominic frowned, his grip on his sword tightening. "You really think we can trust him? He's Lucifer, Sincerity. The King of Hell. He doesn't do anything unless it benefits him."
"I know," she said, her voice heavy with emotion. "But what choice do we have? The Tower is tearing us apart. Every step we take, we're closer to losing ourselves. If he can give us a way out—"
"At what cost?" Dominic interrupted, his wings flaring. "If we free him, what happens next? What kind of world are we leaving behind?"
Metatron turned to them, his voice sharp and commanding. "Do not be deceived by his honeyed words. Lucifer's freedom would bring ruin to all creation. He seeks only to unseat the Throne, to claim it for himself."
Sincerity hesitated, her wings dimming. "And what does Heaven seek, Metatron? To control it? To keep the cycle going?"
Metatron's molten gaze burned into hers. "Heaven seeks order. Harmony. The system is flawed, yes, but it is necessary."
Dominic stepped between them, his voice steady. "I don't care about Heaven or Hell. I care about ending this. The system, the Tower—it all has to stop."
The chamber fell silent, the tension between them crackling like lightning.
Lucifer's voice echoed faintly, his tone filled with quiet amusement. "Think carefully, my dear champions. The Tower's trials grow ever more cruel. How long before you break? How long before you lose each other? I offer salvation, not damnation. Consider it."
His presence faded completely, leaving only the Metatron, the hunters, and the heavy weight of his words.
Dominic turned to Sincerity, his sharp eyes searching hers. "We need to decide, Sincerity. What do we do?"
She looked at him, her gaze filled with doubt and hope. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice trembling. "But whatever we choose to do, we have to do it together."
"Always," Dominic said, his hand brushing hers as they turned to face the Metatron and the challenges ahead.
The moment Lucifer's presence faded, Metatron turned his full fury on Dominic and Sincerity. His molten eyes burned brighter, his wings flaring wide as he raised his claws. Around him, the angelic hunters surged forward, their weapons gleaming with celestial light.
Dominic was the first to strike. His sword ignited with radiant energy as he charged the Metatron, his wings blazing brightly. "We don't need your judgement" he roared, his blade slicing through the air.
The Metatron parried effortlessly, his massive claws meeting Dominic's sword with a deafening clash. "You presume to challenge me, mortal?" he snarled, his voice shaking the chamber.
Sincerity hesitated for a moment, her sharp eyes flicking between Dominic and the advancing hunters. But when she saw Dominic being forced back by a devastating strike, her instincts kicked in. She darted forward, her daggers flashing as she intercepted two hunters lunging for him.
"You'll have to go through me first," she growled, her movements precise and deadly.
Despite their best efforts, the sheer number of hunters overwhelmed them. The Metatron's strikes were precise and devastating, his claws tearing through the air with relentless power. The hunters moved with disciplined coordination, their glowing weapons cutting through the darkness like blades of light.
Dominic and Sincerity fought back-to-back, their bond guiding their strikes. But every time they gained ground, the Metatron would step in, his towering presence forcing them to retreat.
"This isn't working!" Sincerity shouted, her voice strained as she parried a hunter's spear.
Dominic gritted his teeth, his chest heaving. "Then we make it work!"
But the Metatron moved faster than they anticipated. With a powerful sweep of his wings, he sent a shockwave through the chamber, knocking them both off balance. Before Dominic could recover, the Metatron lunged, his claws slamming into Dominic's chest and hurling him across the room.
Dominic crashed into the wall with a sickening thud, his sword clattering to the ground as his wings dimmed. He slumped to the floor, unconscious, blood trickling from a gash on his forehead.
"Dominic!" Sincerity screamed, her wings flaring as she turned toward him.
The hunters closed in, their glowing eyes fixed on Dominic's prone form. Their leader raised his spear, his voice cold and commanding. "Take him. His flesh will feed us, and his blood will cleanse this chamber of his abomination."
Sincerity's heart pounded as she watched them descend on Dominic. Her bond with him pulsed faintly, his unconscious presence a fragile thread in her mind.
"No," she whispered, her voice trembling.
The hunters moved closer, their weapons gleaming.
"NO!" Sincerity screamed, her voice echoing through the chamber. Her wings flared with a desperate burst of light as she lunged toward Dominic, her daggers slashing at the nearest hunters. But there were too many.
Tears streamed down her face as she fought, her movements frantic. "Stay away from him!" she cried, her voice breaking.
But it wasn't enough. A spear grazed her side, and she stumbled, the hunters pressing in around her.
With nowhere else to turn, Sincerity fell to her knees beside Dominic, her bloodstained hands trembling. Her sharp eyes locked onto the ceiling, her voice breaking as she screamed.
"Lucifer! If you can hear me, HELP US!"
The chamber fell silent for a heartbeat, the hunters freezing mid-strike. The air grew heavy, the temperature dropping as a wave of oppressive energy washed over the room.
A low, melodic chuckle echoed through the chamber, and the shadows on the walls began to twist and writhe.
The light in the chamber dimmed, replaced by an eerie, flickering glow. Lucifer's form materialized at the centre of the room, his blackened wings spreading wide as his glowing eyes fixed on the hunters.
"You called, my dear Sincerity," he said smoothly, his voice dripping with amusement. "And so, I have come."
The Metatron roared, his molten eyes blazing. "Lucifer! You have no power here!"
Lucifer turned to him, his smile widening. "Oh, my dear Metatron. You of all people should know that power is not always about presence."
With a flick of his hand, the shadows surged forward, coiling around the hunters like living tendrils. The hunters screamed as the darkness enveloped them, their weapons clattering to the ground.
Lucifer stepped closer to Dominic, his gaze lingering on the unconscious mortal. "Such a fragile thing," he murmured, his tone almost wistful. "Yet so very interesting."
Sincerity staggered to her feet, her wings dim but steady. "You said you'd help us," she said, her voice trembling. "Save him."
Lucifer's glowing eyes flicked to her, his smile sharp and predatory. "And so I shall. But remember, my dear, every act of kindness comes with a cost."
He knelt beside Dominic, his clawed hand brushing against the mortal's chest. A faint glow emanated from his touch, and Dominic stirred, his eyes fluttering open.
"Sincerity?" he murmured, his voice weak.
"I'm here," she said, her tears falling freely as she knelt beside him.
Lucifer straightened, his expression smug. "You're welcome," he said, his tone dripping with satisfaction.
The Metatron struggled against the shadows, his voice filled with rage. "You will not escape this place, Lucifer!"
Lucifer laughed, the sound echoing through the chamber. "Oh, Metatron, you truly are a relic of a bygone era."
He turned to Sincerity and Dominic, his smile softening. "The choice is still yours. Free me, and together we can unmake the Tower. Or continue your struggle, and see how far you can climb before you fall."
Before they could respond, his form flickered and disappeared, the shadows receding as the chamber returned to its oppressive stillness.
Dominic sat up slowly, his hand clutching his chest. "What happened?"
Sincerity's wings dimmed as she helped him to his feet. "Lucifer," she said quietly. "He saved us."
Dominic frowned, his expression conflicted. "And now he wants something in return."
She nodded, her gaze heavy. "We need to decide, Dominic. Because I don't think we'll get another chance like this."
Dominic clenched his fists, his wings glowing faintly. "Then we make it count. Together."
"Always," Sincerity said, though her voice carried the weight of doubt.
As they prepared to move forward, the Metatron's molten gaze burned into them, his voice cold and vengeful.
"This isn't over," he said, his form trembling with suppressed rage. "You may have escaped today, but you will fall. The Tower will see to that."
Dominic and Sincerity exchanged a glance, their bond pulsing with renewed determination.
"Let's see it try," Dominic said, his sword igniting as they stepped toward the next challenge.
Dominic and Sincerity stumbled into the quietest corner of the chamber, the heavy tension in the air finally giving way to a profound relief. The battle with the Metatron and the angelic hunters had nearly cost them everything.
Dominic leaned against the wall, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. Sincerity stood close to him, her wings still dim but steady. Their bond pulsed softly, a shared wave of gratitude and exhaustion washing over them.
Without a word, Sincerity stepped closer, her sharp eyes locking onto his. Dominic reached for her instinctively, his hand brushing her cheek.
"We're alive," he said softly, his voice trembling with emotion.
"Barely," she replied, though her lips curled into a faint smile.
Dominic leaned in, their bond humming with unspoken affection as their lips met. The kiss was soft at first, a tender reassurance that they were still together, still whole. But it deepened quickly, the weight of their survival adding a desperate intensity.
When they finally broke apart, Sincerity's cheeks were flushed, her sharp eyes shining. "You're impossible, you know that?"
Dominic chuckled, his wings flickering faintly. "Takes one to know one."
They sank to the ground, leaning against each other as they caught their breath. The chamber was eerily quiet now, save for the faint rustle of the Metatron's wings as he loomed nearby, bound by the remnants of Lucifer's shadows.
"We need to talk about him," Sincerity said, her voice hesitant.
"Lucifer," Dominic said grimly.
She nodded. "He's offering us everything we need. My... my ability to have children. A path to the throne. A way to end this nightmare."
Dominic frowned, his expression conflicted. "And in exchange, we free the most dangerous being in existence."
Sincerity's wings fluttered faintly as she glanced away. "I know. I know what he is, what he's capable of. But he doesn't lie, Dominic. If he's offering us this, it's real."
Dominic sighed, his hand running through his hair. "Yeah, but what happens after? Do we really think Lucifer's just going to walk away once he's free?"
"Does it matter?" she asked, her voice quieter now. "We need him. You saw what just happened. We can't fight the Metatron and the hunters alone. We won't survive this Tower without help."
The Metatron's molten eyes burned into them, his voice laced with fury.
"Fools," he hissed. "You would unleash the Morning Star upon creation for your own selfish desires? You would barter with the very architect of rebellion?"
Dominic glared at him, his wings flaring slightly. "And what's your plan? To keep throwing your hunters at us until we die? You're not exactly making a strong case for the other side."
The Metatron snarled, his claws flexing. "Lucifer's freedom will herald the end of all things. He seeks only chaos, only destruction. You are blinded by your weakness, your ambition."
Sincerity turned to him, her expression cold. "And what about you? You stood by while the system twisted everything it touched, while Heaven became a tool of oppression. Don't talk to us about destruction when you're part of the problem."
The Metatron growled, his wings rustling angrily. "You are playing with forces beyond your comprehension. You will regret this choice."
Dominic turned back to Sincerity, his expression thoughtful. "If we do this, there's no going back. Once he's free, we can't control what he does."
"I know," she said softly. "But we don't have any other options. If we don't take his help, we'll die here. And everything we've fought for will mean nothing."
Dominic hesitated, their bond buzzing faintly with her resolve. Finally, he nodded, his jaw tightening. "All right. But we do this on our terms. No blind trust, no deals without safeguards."
Sincerity managed a small smile, her wings glowing faintly. "You really think we can outmanoeuvre the Devil?"
He grinned, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I think we don't have a choice."
They stood together, their resolve firm as they turned to the Metatron.
"You can insult us all you want," Dominic said, his sword igniting with a faint glow. "But this is our choice. And we're not backing down."
The Metatron's molten eyes narrowed, his voice a low, dangerous growl. "You will regret this. Lucifer will not save you. He will devour you."
Sincerity stepped forward, her expression calm but unyielding. "Maybe. But at least we'll die fighting for something, not rotting in this Tower."
With that, they turned toward the exit, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them as they prepared to free Lucifer from his pit.