The horizon was painted in hues of crimson and violet, the fading light of the sun casting an eerie glow across the battlefield. The air was heavy with the scent of ozone, and the ground beneath Mary's feet trembled with a low, foreboding hum. The creature, the celestial abomination that had attacked them, was gone, but the victory felt hollow, as if they had only scratched the surface of something much larger and far more dangerous.
Mary's mind raced as she glanced at her companions. Lela, always stoic, seemed lost in thought, her hand resting on the shaft of her spear, while Loosie appeared to be tending to the gash on her arm, wincing as she wrapped it with a strip of cloth. Despite the pain, there was no hesitation in her movements. They had all seen too much to be anything other than resolute in the face of danger.
"We need to move," Mary said, breaking the silence. Her voice was cold, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement. "This isn't over."
Lela nodded, her gaze narrowing. "You're right. If that thing was just a messenger, then something worse is coming."
"Yeah, that thing was just the start," Loosie muttered, her voice edged with frustration. "We've barely scratched the surface of this whole celestial war. And that angel wasn't the worst of it."
Mary's thoughts lingered on the ominous words the creature had spoken: "Heaven's decree is absolute." It didn't sit well with her. The fact that something as powerful as that creature had called itself a messenger was terrifying. Heaven had already declared its judgment, and Mary feared that what lay ahead would be far worse than any adversary they had faced so far.
"Let's head back to the headquarters," Mary said, her voice hardening with determination. "We need answers, and we need to prepare. If what that thing said is true, then the Council may have known about this already."
Lela's brow furrowed. "You think they knew?"
"I don't know," Mary replied, shaking her head. "But I don't trust them. We've seen how the Council operates, and I don't think they've been honest with us."
Loosie stood, shaking off the last remnants of the fight. "What's the plan when we get there? We confront them?"
Mary hesitated for a moment, thinking. "Yes. But we have to be strategic. If they're involved in this celestial war, we need to find out just how deep it goes. We need leverage."
Lela's expression remained unreadable, but Mary could tell that her companion was just as determined as she was. The tension between the three of them had grown over the past few weeks, but it was a bond forged in fire, built on survival and trust. Despite the weight of their mission, they remained a unit.
As they began to make their way toward the Council's headquarters, a sense of unease continued to grow within Mary. The shadows were long now, creeping across the landscape, as if the darkness itself was closing in. The creature they had slain had been only a piece of the puzzle, and Mary felt like they were racing against time. The deeper they ventured into this war, the more she realized how little they knew about the true nature of their enemies.
The journey to the headquarters was tense. Every crack in the earth, every rustling of leaves in the wind made Mary's senses flare with alarm. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them, waiting for the right moment to strike.
They reached the headquarters just as the first stars began to appear in the sky. The tall, imposing structure of the Council's building loomed before them, its spires reaching toward the heavens like jagged teeth. It had always been an imposing sight, but tonight it seemed more like a prison than a place of power.
"The Council is here," Loosie said, her voice quiet. "Let's hope they have some answers."
Mary nodded but didn't say anything. Her mind was already running through possible scenarios. The Council had never been forthcoming with their intentions, and after everything they had seen, she wasn't sure if they could trust anyone. But one thing was certain: they would need to confront them.
The trio made their way inside, the grand doors opening with a slow, deliberate creak. The interior was just as imposing as the exterior, the walls lined with ancient symbols and artifacts that spoke to the Council's long, storied history. But there was no warmth in the air, no sense of welcome. Instead, there was an oppressive weight, as if the building itself was a living, breathing entity watching their every move.
A tall figure emerged from the shadows. His robes were dark, almost black, and his eyes glinted with an unnatural intensity. He was one of the higher-ranking members of the Council, someone they had seen before but never truly interacted with.
"You've returned," he said, his voice cool and dispassionate. "I assume the battle was… successful?"
Mary stared at him, her gaze hard. "Cut the pleasantries. We know the creature we just fought wasn't just some rogue angel. It was sent by someone. Someone who has the power to destroy entire cities."
The figure didn't flinch. "You've seen much, I presume."
"I've seen enough," Mary replied, her voice biting. "Who sent that creature? And why was it after us?"
The man's lips curled into a thin, unreadable smile. "You're asking questions that have no simple answers. But I suppose that's why you're here, isn't it?"
"We're here for the truth," Lela interjected, her voice firm.
The man nodded slowly. "Very well. You're right to be concerned. Heaven's decree is indeed real. But what you do not understand is that it is not about what we want—it is about what must be done. This war, this celestial battle, is a culmination of events far beyond your comprehension."
Loosie stepped forward. "And we're just supposed to accept that? What, you want us to be your pawns in some grand celestial game? No thanks."
The man's eyes narrowed. "You misunderstand. You are not pawns, you are instruments of change. The world is at a tipping point, and the choices you make will determine its future."
Mary felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something about the way he spoke, something that made her distrust every word. "What's really going on here?" she demanded. "What aren't you telling us?"
For the first time, the man's smile faltered. "The Council was not created to protect the world from angels or demons alone. There are forces at play here that even we do not fully understand. And you… You were never meant to be involved in this. But now that you are, there is no going back."
"Tell us what we need to know," Mary said, her voice low but insistent. "If you want our help, then give us answers."
The man's eyes flickered, and for a brief moment, Mary saw a flash of something—fear, perhaps, or hesitation. But it was gone as quickly as it had come.
"There are things that cannot be explained," he said quietly. "And there are things you are not meant to understand. But the truth is this: the Archangel is not just a single entity. It is a collective force. And it is coming for you."
Before Mary could respond, the doors to the chamber slammed open, and a wave of energy surged through the building. Mary's heart raced as she instinctively reached for her saber. This wasn't over.
And as she turned to face the new threat, she couldn't shake the feeling that the greatest battle of their lives had only just begun.