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Chapter 9 - Chapter 8 – The Chains of Heaven

The night was too still.

No rain. No wind. No sound.

Only the soft hum of the blade on Aiden's desk and the quiet rhythm of his heartbeat echoing in his chest.

Something in the air felt wrong.

Heavy. Watching. Waiting.

Aiden leaned against the window frame, staring out at the city below. The lights of passing cars blurred into golden rivers. Every flash of headlight painted Elias's shadow deeper on the wall behind him.

"They're coming," Elias said at last.

Aiden turned. "The Watchers?"

"No," Elias said. "Worse."

The air split open.

It didn't make a sound it silenced everything.

A golden fissure ripped through the ceiling, spilling radiant light that burned even without touching.

From within that rift, a figure descended wings vast and white, eyes bright as suns.

An angel.

Not like in paintings. Not beautiful, not kind but terrifying in its purity.

Its voice was both music and thunder.

"Forsaken Knight," it spoke. "The heavens call your debt."

Aiden stumbled back. The room shook as the angel's feet touched the floor, each step cracking reality itself.

Elias stood unmoving, his black coat fluttering in the divine wind.

"It's been a long time, Seraph Kael."

The angel's eyes flicked open endless gold and fire.

"You dare speak my name, oathbreaker?"

Elias's lips curled in a faint smile. "Names have power, remember?"

Chains of light burst from the rift, coiling through the air like serpents. They struck at Elias, who moved faster than human eyes could follow. His blade flashed dark steel meeting holy fire sparks scattering like stars.

Each strike echoed with centuries of hatred.

"You can't win against him!" Aiden shouted.

"I don't intend to," Elias replied, voice sharp through the chaos. "I just need to buy you time!"

The angel's wings unfolded fully, filling the room with unbearable light. The chains lashed again, this time striking Aiden's arm searing into his skin.

He screamed and the golden light inside him exploded outward.

The chains shattered.

The angel faltered. "The Flame… it awakens again."

Aiden's eyes glowed gold, his voice layered with something ancient.

"You dare bind me again?"

The temperature dropped. Shadows and light clashed violently as Aiden raised his hand the golden sigils from his dreams spinning across the floor, forming a circle of pure radiance.

Elias staggered back, shielding his face. "Aiden, stop! You'll tear the veil!"

"Then let it tear!" Aiden's voice was no longer just his Ariselle's tone echoed beneath it. "Let them see what they've done!"

The rift widened, howling winds of divine energy ripping through the walls. The angel faltered, its perfect face fracturing as the golden flames reached it.

"This power is forbidden!" Kael shouted.

"So was love!" Aiden's voice thundered. "And yet here we are!"

The light turned blinding.

Elias reached him, grabbed his wrist their powers colliding, golden and black, divine and cursed and for one suspended heartbeat, the world stopped.

Time cracked.

They saw everything the fall of kingdoms, the shattering of stars, the moment Ariselle had died, the moment Elias had fallen and the one thread binding them both through all eternity: a promise whispered in blood and flame.

No matter what shape we take, I will find you.

When the light faded, the angel was gone.

The rift had sealed, leaving only scorch marks on the walls and the faint scent of lightning.

Aiden collapsed.

Elias caught him before he hit the floor, holding him close, his chest heaving.

"I told you," Elias whispered, "you're too reckless."

"You're one to talk," Aiden murmured weakly.

For a moment, their foreheads touched a quiet pause amid the wreckage of divinity.

"They'll send more," Elias said.

"Then we'll burn them too," Aiden whispered.

Elias almost smiled. Almost.

"You're starting to sound like me."

"Or maybe you're starting to sound like her."

Their laughter was soft, bitter, and fleeting because outside, far above the clouds, the heavens stirred once more.

And this time, they were not sending angels.

They were sending gods.

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