"Yes, uncle," she replied quickly, hoping to convince him.
Uriel sighed deeply and finally turned towards her, his gaze softened, although he remained firm. "It was risky to put yourself in danger like that," he murmured, thoughtful.
"Tomorrow, you will go to Iustitia. You will give birth to the child there, far from prying eyes. Then you will return to the Elysian Fields, and we will entrust the child to a mortal family, keeping our distance. I will personally watch over him."
"But-"
"There are no buts, it's an order!"
Zitish, although hesitant, understood that she had no other choice. "Alright, uncle," she said, her voice marked by resignation.
***
The pale light of dawn crept through the curtains.
Linfer stood a few steps away, his arms crossed, observing Zitish in silence. He hadn't spoken a word since they woke up. His thoughts were agitated, torn between worry for the child to come and the fear of losing the one who meant so much to him.
Zitish stepped towards him, "I'll be back," she murmured, seeking his gaze.
Linfer nodded, trying to maintain a stoic facade. But deep down, a wave of fear overwhelmed him. "I know," he replied softly. "I trust you." He held her in his arms one last time, breathing in her scent, savoring the warmth of her body against his, wanting to etch this moment into his memory.
Time seemed to stretch on, but eventually, Zitish gently broke away. "I'm sorry," she whispered in his ear. Then, without another word, she took a few steps back, ready to fly towards Iustitia.
Linfer watched her leave, her green wings opening majestically before she took off into the sky. He followed her with his eyes until she became a distant silhouette in the firmament. An immense void settled within him.
Just then, Uriel approached, standing by his side. His firm but comforting hand rested on Linfer's shoulder. "We must go, don't lose sight of the objective, Linfer," he said in a calm but determined voice.
Linfer took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment to calm his heart. "You're right," he murmured, opening his eyes to fixate on the horizon. "It's not like I won't see her again." He affirmed with certainty, although a part of him was curious about Uriel's words.
Uriel nodded, his gaze filled with understanding. "What you're doing is necessary, and I will watch over her. Focus on our mission. There's still much to be done."
Without another word, Uriel took flight in a fluid movement. Linfer, after one last look at the spot where Zitish had disappeared, took a deep breath and flew away, joining Uriel.
Their destination: the operations base, where a new battle awaited them.
...
Five years later...
A teeming sea of creatures surged over the desolate lands. The skeletons of origins 1 and 2, previously reduced to ashes by Uriel and Linfer, gave way to even more formidable enemies. The skeletons of origin 3, larger, faster, and clad in impenetrable armor, now mingled with shrieking harpies, fire-breathing wyverns, and massive orcs wielding enormous bone axes.
Uriel and Linfer, back-to-back, faced an ever-more-threatening tide of skeletons, liches, and now even more formidable creatures as they ventured deeper into the domain of the archdemon of death.
Linfer's wendigos had all succumbed, giving way to more resilient foes. Skeletons of origin 3, more resilient and agile, pressed forward in the front line. In the sky, harpies with razor-sharp talons dove, while wyverns spat fire, setting the ground ablaze. On the ground, massive orcs brandished colossal weapons, their bestial rage shaking the earth.
Uriel, his lightning lance in hand, traced golden arcs in the air, repelling wave after wave of assailants. "Linfer, they're too many!" he cried out over the tumult of the battle.
Linfer nodded, his blood blades slicing through the air in a deadly ballet. "I know, but we can't retreat!"
A wyvern dove towards them, its jaws wide open. Uriel raised his free hand:
A dome of golden energy formed around them, absorbing the impact of the creature's fiery breath.
The attack was redirected with amplified power, pulverizing the wyvern and several nearby harpies.
Meanwhile, Linfer liquefied into a bloody mist, infiltrating the enemy ranks before reforming in the midst of a group of orcs.
Scarlet flames erupted from his body, consuming the orcs and surrounding skeletons in an infernal blaze.
Uriel's golden eyes shone with piercing light as he observed every movement of the enemy hordes.
Nothing could escape his notice. Every enemy attack, every creature's movement, was already anticipated. He disappeared in a golden flash, reappearing at the heart of the horde of skeletons of origin 3. His lance sliced through the air with surgical precision, piercing their impenetrable armor as if it were made of paper.
The liches, at the rear, concentrated their necrotic power into a surging wave of death. Linfer, unperturbed, raised his right hand, poisoned by the aura of Belzebuth. His arm was instantly covered in a violet aura, a concentration of pure death.
The necrotic wave crashed against his outstretched palm, dissipating like smoke. Linfer absorbed the deadly energy, his violet aura intensifying further.
Linfer leaped, his crimson wings blazing, as he soared through the air, his body partially liquefying. Spears of blood formed around him, swirling like a deadly crown.
With a bestial roar, he unleashed his fury. The blood spears descended upon the battlefield like a scarlet deluge, piercing the skeletons by the hundreds. Each impact caused an explosion of crimson flames, creating a true inferno on earth.
But despite their combined power, the situation became critical. The liches, at the rear, channeled a necrotic energy of unprecedented intensity. The air itself seemed to tear under the pressure of their deadly magic.
"Linfer, cover me! I'm going to use my most powerful technique," Uriel cried out.
Uriel rose into the air, sparks of lightning crackling around his golden wings.
Linfer nodded, concentrating his power to create a blood barrier around them.
Uriel closed his eyes, gathering all his strength. The air around him began to vibrate, as if reality itself was bending to his will.
His voice resonated with divine authority as he spoke these words, his skin inscribed with esoteric symbols, utilizing his law and Soul Energy to their peak. A deafening silence fell upon the battlefield, as if time itself had stopped.
Suddenly, golden lines appeared, connecting each creature to Uriel. With a wave of his hand, he reversed these bonds. The effect was instantaneous and devastating.
The skeletons of origin 3, previously invincible, became as fragile as glass. The harpies and wyverns, unable to fly, crashed to the ground. The orcs, deprived of their superhuman strength, staggered.
"Now!" Uriel shouted.
Linfer didn't hesitate. With a bestial roar, he unleashed his full power.