Theora had barely begun to settle into Haven.
The chamber she had been given was simple—stone walls infused with dormant runes, a tall arched window that looked out toward the scarlet horizon beyond the barrier. It was quiet. Too quiet. The kind of calm that never lasted in a place like this.
She had just turned from the window when hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.
A demon scout burst in, one knee hitting the ground as his breath came ragged.
"Lord Tenmaru," he said urgently, eyes flicking to Theora before returning forward. "Two high-ranked angelic signatures. Fast. Descending directly toward Haven."
The air shifted.
Tenmaru, who had been leaning against the far wall with his arms folded, straightened immediately.
Aspen, seated nearby and sharpening a spear, let out a low breath.
"Just great," he muttered. "They didn't even wait."
Theora's crimson eyes narrowed.
"Golden Circle," she said calmly. "No doubt about it."
The title alone carried weight. The elite executioners of the heavens—angels who existed not to negotiate, but to erase.
Rin and Blist were still unconscious in the recovery wing. Even Aspen's aura wavered faintly from lingering injuries. Volic stood firm, but his shoulders were tense.
Tenmaru clicked his tongue. "Figures. They always show up when things are messy."
He turned sharply. "Aspen. Volic. You hold the fort."
Aspen frowned. "You're not serious. We can still—"
"No," Tenmaru cut in. "If they breach the barrier, Haven suffers. We meet them outside."
Theora stepped forward. "I'll go with him."
A brief silence followed.
Aspen studied her, then nodded slowly. "Just don't die. I'm already tired of funerals."
Tenmaru smirked. "Hear that? Orders from command."
Without another word, Tenmaru and Theora moved.
The barrier parted as they passed through, the sky beyond already trembling.
A whistle cut through the air.
"Down!" Tenmaru barked.
A spear of condensed gold tore through the clouds, screaming as it descended.
"Blood Barrier."
Theora's voice was sharp.
A wall of crimson manifested instantly, thick as steel and pulsing like a living thing. The golden spear slammed into it—light and blood colliding in a violent shockwave that rattled the ground beneath their feet.
The spear shattered
.
From above, a woman's laughter rang out.
"Oh? That was at least half-decent."
She descended slowly, barefoot, hands empty, a black blindfold tied loosely over her eyes. Her wings shimmered with gold, pristine and untouched.
"Your turn," she said cheerfully. "Attack me."
Tenmaru grimaced. "I hate angels like that."
Another figure landed nearby—tall, blond-haired, armored in radiant gold. His expression was calm, almost bored.
"It's obviously a trap," Tenmaru muttered. Then he smiled. "So… thank you."
Power surged.
Flame and frost spiraled together around his arm.
"Dual Technique: Ice and Flame Bolt."
The bolt screamed toward the blond angel.
"Shield."
A radiant barrier snapped into place.
The attack detonated harmlessly.
"You'll need more than that," the angel said smoothly. "To hurt me."
Tenmaru rolled his neck. "Theora— the annoying one is yours. I'll take blondy"
"Gladly," she replied.
Tenmaru slammed his foot into the ground.
"Wall of flame. Divide the battlefield."
Fire erupted upward, carving the air apart.
Theora moved instantly, blood coiling around her like serpents as she faced the blindfolded angel.
"Girl to girl," the angel said sweetly. "You're free to attack."
Theora scoffed. "I am a girl's girl."
A sphere of compressed blood shot forward.
It never reached its target.
The ball reversed direction—faster.
Stronger.
Theora barely had time to register the distortion before it struck.
Her arm exploded in a spray of blood.
She staggered back, teeth clenched.
"Ah," the angel said lightly. "I forgot. No one can damage me. Oopsie."
Theora exhaled sharply.
"No worries," she said calmly.
Blood surged, weaving, reforming.
Her arm regenerated.
"I had a hunch."
The sky darkened.
"Supreme Skill: Crimson Moon."
Above them, the moon bled red.
The air thickened.
"Blood in," Theora whispered.
"Blood out."
Chains of blood erupted, piercing the ground, wrapping around the angel's limbs. Her body locked, neck twisting unnaturally.
"Tch. Troublesome," the angel admitted. "But—"
"Supreme Skill: Revealing Mirror."
Reality folded.
Suddenly, Theora felt it.
Her own neck twisting.
The angel laughed. "Let's see who dies first."
Then she removed her blindfold.
Her eyes were pure gold.
She looked at Theora.
And Theora turned to gold.
Elsewhere, steel screamed.
Tenmaru raised his arm, light and darkness spiraling.
"Duality Technique: Yin-Yang Shot."
The blast surged forward.
"Weapon Creation Series: Six Swords."
The blond angel—Dios—summoned six radiant blades midair, wielding them simultaneously.
He shredded the attack.
"Is that all?" Dios said, closing in.
Sword strikes rained down.
Tenmaru moved—barely.
Flames erupted. Ice cracked. Shadows warped.
Dios laughed as his blades melted mid-swing.
"Oh? Was it fire that did that? Or—"
"I don't need to answer you," Tenmaru said flatly.
Dios' smile widened.
"Imperial Technique: Miz."
He vanished.
Pain tore through Tenmaru.
His arm fell.
Blood hit the ground.
The battlefield fell silent.
And the angels smiled.