estial realm, once his home, now felt like a distant memory-a golden dream he had tarni

rous thing for one c

imself to dream of Petra, the more temptation clawed at his soul. Th

hey taunted. "You will o

d led to his downfall. He had been a warrior of light, a guardian of divine will, until his desires had pulled him away from

l. Would he prove himself worthy of r

was different, though she could never quite explain why. Since childhood, she had felt a presence watching over her-a warmth, a silent whis

he ached to take it away. When he spoke of things no human should know, she listened with reverence. When he recited s

the distance he

e evening, her voice barely above a whisper.

o words to answer her, only the knowledge t

fallen angel slipping from its grasp, drawn

r her as she slept, the shadows twisted into form behind him. They slith

ce," the voice murmu

well. It was one of his own, a brother-in-exile wh

t forgotte

"You believe she is your salvation, b

nched his fists. "Le

by this world? That she is beyond corruption?

rare, but was it unbreakable? Could the darkness find its way

f he truly loved her, should he not walk

ain. It is not too late. You were one of

is eyes burning with defia

ong moment before chuckling. "T

darkness disappea

eart heavy with dread. He had sworn to protect her, but now

_____________

to find a single black fe

meaning, though she could not

er, one that carried

not find his way home, let me be

mortal world, the falle

st time in cent

fallen angel circled her, his luminous wings now dulled with the weight of his transgressions.

oice slithered through the darkness. "You,

e in her hand, feeling its warmth pulsate against her palm. "I am

he desolate abyss. "Chosen by whom? The ones who abandoned me?

. She closed her eyes for the briefest moment, seeking the whisper of the divine within her soul. And

wit

her eyes, they shone with a fire that even the fallen

ithed, taking shape into monstrous figures with gleaming fangs and soulless eyes. Th

ugh the darkness like the first dawn after an eternal night. The creatures shr

m like a tattered cloak. "This is not over," he hissed, retreat

d but keeping it at the ready. "

r, but she had taken her st