ABANDONED CATHEDRAL – EUROPE
The ancient structure remained silent, with cracked columns and shattered stained glass allowing light to enter unevenly, creating distorted shadows that spread across the stone floor. At the center of it all, three presences occupied the space without the slightest concern, as if that place was already completely under their control.
"Yes, it's true." Seraphiel leaned his shoulder against one of the columns, a smile appearing effortlessly. "Those humans are far too confident in our help… they don't realize they're being used."
He tilted his head slightly, keeping his gaze distant while organizing his own thoughts.
"Their dependence on believing in something higher makes everything easier." He crossed his arms. "And that's useful for us."
"Yes…" Luminara took a few slow steps through the hall, her body moving with calculated grace. "A few sweet words… and a mention of our father's name were enough."
She stopped beside a broken window, running her fingers across the cracked glass before continuing.
"And they placed themselves in our hands on their own." Her smile widened. "Especially that Magnus… he's the easiest of them all."
Seraphiel let out a short laugh without taking his eyes off her.
"Among humans, the most stubborn are always the easiest to break."
Azraelion didn't follow the conversation with the same rhythm. He slowly opened his eyes, and light condensed in his hand at the exact same moment, forming a white blade effortlessly.
"All that matters to me is that they follow orders." He lightly spun the sword in his hand. "To me, humans are rotten… and devils too."
The blade dissipated into the air with the same control it appeared with.
"Lord Kokabiel is the only reason I haven't killed them already."
Luminara turned her body toward him, her smile shifting into something more direct as she closed the distance.
"My…" She tilted her head slightly, bringing her face closer. "You're making me wet talking like that."
She took another step, reducing the space between them even further.
"How about we go somewhere else?"
Azraelion didn't step back, but his gaze changed instantly, turning colder.
"Get away from me." The answer came directly, without variation. "Unlike you, I don't fall for that kind of impulse."
He took a step forward, forcing her to take half a step back.
"You act like a human prostitute." His gaze remained fixed. "Or a succubus."
His tone didn't change, but the pressure increased.
"You're lucky you're still a fallen angel."
Luminara didn't lose her smile, even with the forced distance.
"So cold…" She slowly let out a breath, as if she were more entertained than offended.
Seraphiel laughed again, this time more openly, resting a hand on his forehead for a moment before looking at the two of them.
"Control that urge to kill her." He tilted his head slightly. "After all, she's still our sister."
His gaze passed from one to the other without hurry.
"Even if she fell for such a useless reason."
Luminara made a slight pout, tilting her head as she crossed her arms without hiding her displeasure.
"Today I think you two teamed up just to mistreat me." She walked a few steps through the hall, her tone remaining light despite the provocation. "So what if I wanted to play with humans? The other angels were always so serious."
She stopped, turning her body toward them with a wider smile.
"There must be some reason I have a vagina."
Seraphiel lost his smile for a moment, adjusting his posture before answering.
"You'd better stop that, sister." He kept his tone firm. "If Azraelion tries to kill you, the only one who can stop him is Lord Kokabiel… and he's not here."
"I know, I know." Luminara answered lightly, waving her hand. "I just want to have a little fun."
The sound came before the presence.
FLAP. FLAP.
The air inside the cathedral shifted violently, lifting dust and making the remains of the stained glass vibrate from the impact, and the energy that filled the environment left no doubt about who had arrived.
Kokabiel crossed the main entrance without hurry, the ten black wings open behind him filling the space with absolute authority as he took a few steps forward.
Luminara was the first to react, her gaze changing instantly into something close to devotion as she approached without hesitation.
Seraphiel and Azraelion said nothing.
But they bowed.
The respect wasn't forced.
It was automatic.
"Report." Kokabiel kept his tone low, but filled with command, without looking directly at any of them.
Luminara stepped forward, taking the lead without waiting for additional permission.
"I did everything that was ordered." She kept her tone firm, different from before. "I went to the humans and passed on the instructions."
She slightly raised her chin, holding his gaze.
"They're going to capture more humans to use as hostages, exactly as you ordered."
Kokabiel didn't react immediately, the silence short, but enough to create pressure.
"That's good." He finally answered. "The more deaths… the better."
The environment seemed to grow even heavier, as if his very presence altered the way the space reacted.
He slightly shifted his gaze, organizing his thoughts before continuing.
"That pathetic ceremony ended." His tone didn't change. "And the devils who were outside Kuoh will return to the city."
Azraelion slightly raised his face, focusing on him without hesitation.
"You." Kokabiel called without needing to look directly at him.
"Yes, master." Azraelion answered instantly.
"There's no need to be subtle." Kokabiel kept his tone firm. "If you have the chance to kill… kill."
His gaze shifted slightly, carrying direct intent.
"Your priority is simple." He took a step forward. "Rias… or Sona."
Either one.
"Kill one of the Maous' sisters." Kokabiel concluded without changing his tone. "And the beginning of the new war will be guaranteed."
Azraelion raised his face without hesitation, the answer coming instantly, firm and without any deviation.
"Your orders will be fulfilled, master."
Light gathered once again in his hand, taking form again, and this time the blade appeared denser, more stable, directly reflecting the intent behind his words.
"This sword of light…" He slightly raised the weapon, keeping his gaze fixed ahead. "It's been a long time since it last saw the blood of a noble devil."
The pressure in the environment increased without warning.
"And killing one of them…" His tone didn't change, but the intent became clearer. "Is the best thing that could happen to me."
Kokabiel let out a low laugh that quickly grew throughout the hall, echoing through the cathedral's broken walls.
"That's right." He maintained his wide smile, filled with satisfaction. "That's how you speak."
His gaze slowly passed over the three of them, as if evaluating each one within his own plan.
"Remember one thing." He took a step forward, his presence becoming even heavier. "I'm counting on you to deal with this."
His tone lowered slightly, but the authority didn't diminish.
"We can't trust those humans to execute something on this level."
Seraphiel tilted his head slightly, taking over the conversation in the same rhythm, without hesitation.
"Yes, master." He kept his tone firm. "I made some alterations to their bodies… increased their capacity, reinforced their endurance."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"But in the end… humans are still humans." His gaze shifted for a moment. "Although one of them caught my attention."
Luminara glanced sideways, curious.
"If I'm not mistaken… it was the mage."
Kokabiel gave no room for development, cutting it off immediately.
"It doesn't matter." His tone came out dry, ending any deviation. "Whether that mage is different or not… it changes nothing."
He stopped at the center of the hall, holding the gaze of all three at the same time.
"They exist to fulfill a function."
The four remained there, without the need for more words, because at that point everything was already aligned, and the plan no longer needed discussion, only execution.
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