Since that wild night, I have truly felt liberated. I found my path even in this situation and handled the training much better. During the first weeks, exhaustion tore me apart, but as time passed, I grew accustomed to the trials. It consumed an incredible amount of energy—I learned so much, from wielding a staff to defense techniques and endurance training. Most of my days revolved around training: we often fought, ran, wielded weapons, and mastered new techniques from morning until night.
The training was not only physically exhausting but mentally draining as well. I had to learn to control my instincts, make quick decisions, and think with a clear mind. One day, our reflexes were tested—we had to block attacks while blindfolded. On another, we had to hide in real-life scenarios, listening for tiny sounds, controlling our breathing. The most grueling exercises were those where we had to work as a team in complete silence, in perfect synchronization—because in the work of the Dark-Clad, there was often no place for words.
I wasn't just training—I was also on duty. I often guarded the fortress, escorted convoys, and protected important figures, all in silence, following orders. I experienced nearly every situation a Dark-Clad warrior could face. The city's coldness remained unchanged—people still kept their distance—but I approached it differently now. I had become braver, more decisive, and sometimes more outspoken, though in most situations, I still had to maintain silence and discipline.
My team and I grew more synchronized. We didn't become lifelong friends, but we worked together excellently, and they helped me whenever I needed it. This life had strengthened me—both physically and mentally.
That day, we had a break. We were just leaving the dining hall, ready to finally relax a little, when the blond general called out to me. He was as cold as ever, but this time, he informed me that I had to work today—I was to escort the ruler to a meeting.
This surprised me. I hadn't seen the ruler since that day, and I had never escorted his convoy before—only those of lower-ranking individuals. But I had no choice. I simply nodded.
The convoy was ready. The black cars with tinted windows lined up one after another, their shadows almost blending into the asphalt. In one of the rear cars sat a motionless figure. I could see his silhouette through the dark glass but not his face. I knew it was him. The ruler.
I got into the third car in the convoy, the one trailing behind the ruler's vehicle. The blond general sat beside me, and I was in the passenger seat. I didn't ask where we were going—I knew that wasn't customary. If he wanted to tell me, he would have.
But this time, he spoke.
"We are taking the ruler to Michael. They have a meeting."
I was pleased. I had always found Michael likable, though we had barely met.
The general rolled down the window, and the wind blew my hair toward his face. Though he remained stern, for a fleeting moment, it seemed as if a faint smile brushed across his lips.
"Your hair smells like coconut," he remarked.
I was taken aback. I didn't know how to respond, so I just nodded awkwardly.
The moment, however, quickly passed. The general continued in his usual strict tone:
"The rules remain unchanged. You don't ask, you don't speak. You observe, you stay ready for battle. You are part of the team, always. If necessary, you protect the ruler with your life."
I nodded. I knew the rules.
I had never seen the ruler. I was curious about him, but I couldn't ask.
The road led through a forest to Michael's headquarters. There, other Dark-Clad warriors awaited us—wearing silk shirts, but their bulletproof vests were visible. Everything was perfectly organized.
Michael was already at the entrance, standing with a broad smile and outstretched arms.
The moment the ruler stepped out of the vehicle, time seemed to freeze. My posture was rigid anyway, but now even my inner voice was paralyzed. It was as if all my thoughts had frozen within me at once.
The emerald-green eyes… or rather, poison-green. The way they gleamed—it was as if they swallowed the light itself. And I knew that gaze.
Recognition dawned on me slowly, but with crushing force.
It was him. The one I had wanted to see for months, the one whose identity I had tried so hard to imagine—he had been there on the very first day. Right in front of me. And back then… back then, he had treated me the harshest.
My chest tightened. The realization was overwhelming. The mystery I had been so desperate to unravel had been right in front of me all along.
And now that I knew who he was, he seemed even more formidable.
Even through his clothes, his muscles were visible, his movements tense yet confident, as if his presence in this world was the most natural thing. His jet-black hair blended into the background, yet it drew the eye. His entire being radiated raw power and a threatening elegance.
Now, I truly didn't understand why we needed to protect him. A man like him… a ruler like him didn't seem like someone who could be broken by anyone.
Michael greeted the ruler with a brotherly handshake. As they were about to head inside, he noticed me in the front row.
"Oh, little one! You came too! I told you we'd meet again! Come inside!"
I froze. I couldn't just step forward, couldn't act like a guest of honor. But the general nudged me to move.
As I greeted Michael respectfully, he responded by casually throwing an arm around my shoulder and leading me inside.
The ruler, meanwhile, observed in silence. His gaze was cold, yet something else lurked beneath it. Perhaps displeasure. Or irritation.
I couldn't tell what bothered him more: that Michael had embraced me, or that he had acknowledged me at all.
And then, we entered the manor.
Their words, the sentences spoken with cold, clear logic, cut deep into me. Not that I hadn't thought about such things before—after all, Clara had told me that life is not a straight line but an endless cycle, a constant opportunity for choice, where we decide which path to take.
But now, sitting here, listening to the ruler and Michael speak about it as if analyzing a systematic law, something deeper stirred within me.
Because if it was true that angels chose human lives for themselves, and if their sole purpose was to change and improve, then it was equally true that once among humans, everything they once knew slowly faded away.
We are influenced by the world. The given era, our environment, and society shape us, and eventually, we lose control over our fate just like anyone else.
And if, realizing all this, we return as angels to do better in our next life… what guarantees that we truly will?
It's no coincidence that some children display exceptional talent from an early age, as if faint imprints of their past lives remain within them, carrying something forward.
But not just the good things. Traumas, fears, addictions, compulsions—they, too, can be inherited. And if someone keeps returning with the same struggles, they might sink deeper and deeper until they no longer remember who they originally were.
It must be a painful realization—to confront, with full awareness as an entity, that the life you chose did not unfold as planned. But making the wise choice isn't easy either.
How could we ever know when we are truly ready to return to a human life?
After all, our essence always begins as a new consciousness, a blank slate painted white, only to regain its colors upon our return.
And yet, there are so many things I have no answer for—things that here, in this earthly heaven, they speak of as undeniable truths.
My thoughts were wrapped in a similar conversation.
The situation was exactly as I had imagined it.
The ruler spoke softly after a brief silence:
— We must break this cycle.
Michael nodded, his face set in cold determination.
— More and more angels choose human life before they are ready. Those who stay among humans for too long begin to lose their independence and become easier to manipulate. Some cannot shed the burdens of their past lives and sink even deeper into their new fate.
The blonde general, who had been silently observing until now, leaned forward.
— What do you suggest?
Michael hesitated for a moment before speaking the words everyone secretly feared.
— We must prevent them.
Tense silence filled the room. I felt my muscles instinctively tighten.
— You're saying… — the general began, but Michael interrupted.
— I'm saying we must stop those who cannot act without their consciousness. They cannot descend if they are not ready. They cannot return unless they have been completely purified. Sending a wounded warrior to battle is a crime. They will not bring peace—only more wounds upon themselves.
The ruler looked at him grimly.
— Not everyone will agree with this.
Michael's eyes darkened.
— I don't expect them to. The world wouldn't be the world if we were all the same.
The next moment, a barely audible sound of footsteps broke the silence.
We were not alone.
The general immediately lifted his head and turned to Michael.
— Are you expecting someone?
Michael's gaze hardened slightly.
— No.
No one other than the guards should be inside the building.
Some of us rushed to the windows, while others checked the hallway. One of the warriors suddenly froze, then turned back to us.
— They've been taken out.
For a moment, silence reigned.
— The hallways are clear — another reported.
Then came the next report from the window:
— The ones outside… they're on the ground.
That was all we needed.
The small device in my ear started to buzz. A sharp, crackling voice came through my transmitter:
— Prepare for combat!
A hot wave of adrenaline surged through my body. Every muscle tensed, my reflexes instantly kicking in. Within a second, I moved to my designated position, joining the frontline warriors to protect the ruler.
We never touched him, never stepped into his aura, never restricted his movement. We simply surrounded him like a shield, our only goal to lead him to the nearest safe exit.
Michael moved as well. The ruler's face showed no shock, no fear. He didn't seem like someone who needed protection.
As we advanced, a strange thought flickered through my mind: maybe I was unnecessary. Maybe he truly didn't need to be guarded.
But I didn't let that thought affect me. The adrenaline burned through my veins, sharpening every sense.
By the time we reached the first hallway, we could already hear approaching footsteps. And we knew: there was no time to hesitate.
The hallway was narrow, its walls lined with flickering torches that cast shadows on the ruler's and Michael's unreadable faces. They moved so calmly, as if they weren't being hunted—as if they already knew exactly what was coming.
But I couldn't afford to let my thoughts wander. My eyes continuously scanned the area, searching for the smallest sign of danger.
Then, I noticed one of my dark-cloaked comrades staring at me. His expression was strange—rigid, as if something was stirring beneath the surface, something he was trying to hide.
I never liked making quick judgments about others, but after the last two months, I had learned to read people. A crisis always reveals the truth. And right now, I could feel it: something was wrong.
The sound of footsteps echoed off the walls, getting closer. We rushed into a nearby room, but I knew this couldn't be a hiding place for long.
Their faces remained composed—calm, like royalty preparing for tea rather than a battle. Only I felt the turmoil twisting inside me. For a brief moment, I let my mind spiral, and before I could stop myself, I was glaring at my dark-cloaked comrade.
— If you know something, say it now! — My words burned through the silence.
He didn't even flinch. His cold, unreadable gaze met mine, as if he was waiting for orders. As if my accusations were nonsense. As if he truly didn't understand why I was questioning him.
— Don't just stand there! — I stepped closer, feeling the tension rising inside me. — If you have information, speak now!
The blonde general, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. He didn't look at me, only at the man, but his voice was so firm that the air itself seemed to tremble.
— You heard her. If you know something, say it.
The silence grew heavy, but we no longer had time to wait for an answer.
Our pursuers had found us.
From a distance, the sound of an unfamiliar army roared to life, and in an instant, chaos erupted.
It swirled around us as the intruders and the dark-cloaked warriors clashed. The first movements were precise, calculated—as if two old rivals were sizing each other up. But soon, the battle turned brutal.
The clash of blades, the thunder of heavy boots, and the sharp cries of combat filled the space. My team moved with disciplined precision, every action honed by years of training. But the enemy was relentless—fast, efficient, ruthless.
While the fight raged, Michael, the ruler, the general, a few others, and I pressed forward, cutting through the chaos.
When we reached the rear courtyard, the black SUVs were already waiting, just as planned.
But my focus was locked on one person.
I grabbed my dark-cloaked comrade, my grip firm and unyielding. The adrenaline sharpened my instincts, every sense on high alert. The more unpredictable the situation, the more something inside me snapped into place—a deep, visceral drive for justice.
I wouldn't let this go.
— You still haven't answered my question — I said, my voice low but commanding. — If you know something, then speak.
His eyes flickered, but he didn't falter. The ruler, Michael, and the general were already by the cars, so he took advantage of the moment when we were briefly alone.
Slowly, he turned to face me, staring into my eyes with a smirk.
— Don't tell me a rookie girl thinks she can interrogate me. — His voice was laced with mockery. — Who do you think you are?
I smiled. It wasn't a reassuring smile. It was small, sharp—like the edge of a blade.
— With that careless attitude, you've already betrayed yourself, my friend.
I tried to stir guilt in him, tried to pour all the weight of judgment into my gaze. But I could see it wouldn't work. His expression held no remorse, no fear—only the arrogance of a man who believed himself untouchable.
— You'd better start talking now. Trust me, the price you'll pay will be greater than you think.
He didn't take me seriously. Of course, he didn't. He was two meters tall; I was barely 165 cm. And I could see in his eyes—this was the only factor he considered.
He tilted his head and sneered.
— And who's going to punish me? You?
I took a slow breath, swallowing my anger, and asked coldly:
— Do you even understand what punishment awaits those who betray the angels? Do you fear it? Is it starting to sink in?
For a moment, he hesitated. Or pretended to.
Then he laughed—a harsh, ugly sound—and attacked.
And that was when everything changed.
I moved aside just in time; his strike cut through the air, and I instinctively lunged to counter. My body knew what to do. My muscles tensed, the world fell silent, leaving only the sharp clarity of movement. I heard the blows, the sounds, I observed every tiny shift. It was as if I could see into his mind, predicting his next move before he made it.
Then he pulled out a weapon. A modern, small, yet deadly blade. He moved lightning-fast, and before I could react, he drove it between my shoulder and neck.
I hissed loudly. The pain was sharp and searing, but I had no time to dwell on it. I had learned many things in the past two months, but I had never felt this before. And I didn't yet realize this would be the smallest pain I'd have to endure in the future.
The fight turned serious. There was no turning back now.
Fire lit in my eyes, and I poured all my ruthlessness into my movements. I struck, cut, attacked—wherever I could. I became faster, more unpredictable. And he couldn't keep up.
The world disappeared, leaving only the battle. Memories of another life flickered through me—like I had once been a warrior, and now I was calling upon that knowledge again. I moved with such speed that my opponent lost control. He no longer knew where I was, what to do.
In the background, I heard the roar of engines, the sound of footsteps, but I had no time to focus on them.
In one fatal moment, when my opponent was trying to anticipate my next strike, I struck. Ignoring my aching shoulder, I brought him down with my viper-like movements, pinning his head against the cobblestones.
As the motion ended, I exhaled, and only then did I realize—we were no longer alone.
The ruler and the general stood before me. Around them, the dark-clad warriors, all bearing the marks of battle. Some nodded wearily, then stepped forward and took the man away.
Before they dragged him off, the general looked at me. Then at my shoulder.
I locked eyes with him and sneered:
— He didn't fight fair.
Then I clutched my shoulder.
One of the dark-clad figures stepped up and wrapped it in bandages. In our training, we had learned things like this too—first aid, so we could help a comrade if they were injured.
The ruler had stood in silence until now. Then, in a deep, emotionless voice, he spoke:
— This was just another battle. It happens many times a year that one of our own tries to turn against us. For money. Out of betrayal. It's nothing new. We eliminate them easily. Those who don't raise a hand against us, we let go. Those who do, we remove their consciousness, and they live on unknowingly in their human lives.
He shrugged.
— This was nothing special. But… I hope you're alright, Avarka.
Oh wow, he knows my name. I might just faint. Oh wait, no, I'm just losing blood.
But jokes aside, I wasn't sure if this was concern or mockery. I didn't really care.
The general, however, straightened up and looked at me.
— You were fast. Efficient. But your moves weren't clean. The pain influenced you.
— I didn't really have another choice, did I? — I muttered.
He didn't reply. Just nodded.
We started walking towards the cars. But before I could get into mine, two dark-clad figures led me to another vehicle.
— Get in — they said.
I did. But when I looked up, a pair of venom-green eyes stared back at me.
The ruler.
I clenched my jaw.
Do I seriously have to travel with him?
What crime have I committed?
Then, in his usual cold voice, he spoke:
— I feel like we're being followed. We're going to a safe house before we return to the palace. The rest of the team is heading back to recover. The general is coming with us in another car.
Great.
— And me? — I muttered. — Don't I need to recover too?
He didn't answer.
I watched the scenery. The houses. The illuminated streets. And without meaning to, I muttered:
— Well, this is just great.
I had thought it so strongly that I hadn't even realized I'd said it out loud.
The ruler turned his gaze toward me.
And for a brief moment… he smiled.