Storming through the chamber doors, I stood silently in the dark in a fit of rage. Breathing fire from my lungs.

  "How? How does he always win! Not Alos, not the Celestrial Palace." I begged, if not cried out, wiping the tears brimming at the corner of my eyes. "Is this to be my fate? To forever be stuck in this hellish cycle?"

  Slipping down to my knees, the rage within my heart withered away, leaving something even worse. There was no passion, no resistance, hate, or love; we lost. And I was hollow.

  "We…… We…… Lost." I nearly uttered, breaking down in tears that stung like a knife to the heart. "he will take everything."

  Releasing a cry that tore at my throat. "Please, anyone, Please just help us," I begged, covering my shame with the darkness.

  Why does he get to have everything?

  "So this is where you were." A startling voice suddenly called, stepping into the dark, with me. "Did you see, Yura? She was so gorgeous, truly an angel. I was entranced."

  "Leave me, Nira," I whispered without much thought.

  "Oh, come on, Richter, cheer up. Not all hope is lost."She replied, placing her hands upon my shoulder.

  "Where is Larisa." I helplessly asked, glancing up at the eyes of scarlet that glowed like fireflies in the darkness. Somewhat enchanted by the swirling inferno of her eyes, I shook my head. "Where is she?"

  "With Sulton, I think."

  Lowering my eyes to be met with the darkness, the tears within me only grew.

  "You know there is a way, right? A way to be the strongest?" Nira suddenly whispered, "I can tell you."

  "Impossible. Sulton has already said that the Devils of the Nines are the strongest creatures. I could not defeat him even if I wish it." I hopelessly mourned.

  "Then are you going to give up? Let Arsene take all that is yours? You do know what he is going to do with Larisa, don't you?" She whispered in my ear, chilling my heart, "What could break a pure man like yourself? Let's see? How about he strings her up like sheep and have an entire hoard of monsters, abominations, devils, and demons run their cocks through till she breaks."

  "She would be nothing more than a fuck sleave that lives and breads for dick. After the first hundred years, she will hold strong. They all do, but after a while, she will crave it. If not, wish for it. Your name will be but a distant dream."

  "SHUT UP!!!!" I roared, turning to the memorizing demoness standing at my side, carrying a smile I could not understand.

  "These are the facts. Arsene enjoys torment; you think he is a monster. You will only see a devil's true face when you are at the end, begging for him to stop." She coldly declared, shaking my soul to its core.

  "Who…… who are you?" Taking a bit of distance from this unusual woman.

  "There is a cave known only to a few that master discovered many many years ago, way before Alos became home to the Celestrial Palace." She claimed, startling me. "If you wish for the power to defeat a devil, it is there you will find it."

  "I am no fool, Nira. Why have you not taken it?"

  "Because it requires the blood of a celestial. Which you possess. Master said that a long-lost legacy exists that could allow one to battle evenly with a devil. And in most cases defeat them."

  "i-i-its not over?" I muttered, finding a bit of hope in the future.

  Blossoming with a loving smile, she nodded, "I will lead, but all I ask, Richter is that we be the only ones to go."

  "Eh? Why?"

  "You are oddly naive. It's so cute. Arsene has a Tang Feng on his side; With hundreds of celestials at his disposal. If Larisa accidentally drops even the slightest hint of a possible legacy, what do you think will happen?"

  "But that's" I hesitated. Holding my tongue, I glance at the door, "She would never."

  "But can you afford to risk it? Risk Arsene using Alos?" She asked patiently, yet her words tugged at the image of destruction I once saw.

  "How far?" I bitterly caved, finding myself, somewhat conflicted but I needed power. Larisa will understand once I have that power.

  "A year's journey, there and another year back. For a total of two. We may miss the wedding, but Arsene will not be going anywhere." She promised. Licking her lips, Nira approached and touched my chest. "Leave a note if you feel guilty, but come tomorrow morning; I will be ready at the western entrance of Carsia."

  Flashing me a smile, she turned and left, leaving me no words but rather a feeling of gratitude I knew I would never repay.

  "Thank you," I kindly offered, from the bottom of my heart, unsure if she heard me or not.

  Wiping the tears away, a bit of embarrassment skimmed over my cheeks. Chuckling a bit with self-ridicule, I set out onto the terrace and gazed up at the silvery moon shimming with its glow.

  Arsene and Yura, I will not allow you to brink your devil spawn into this world. No matter what happens. It has been a long time coming, but I will kill you one day, even if it cost me my life. The Snow line will not continue with you.

  "Thank the Stars I found you!" the sweet voice of Larisa shouted, from behind startling me.

  "Grandfather doesn't care; he is going to kill Arsene. He says it's the only way. To prove our innocence. He is calling in everyone from the House of Sulton."

  Widening my eyes, I shook my head, "That will not be enough. He has allies. Form how it had appeared even the founders are helping him."

  "It doesn't matter; we only need to find him. And end him; grandfather is pulling out all the stops. He has even instructed those about to die to all explode their dantian. No matter how they die in the city. He is hoping that if Arsene is watching, he will perish in the aftermath."

  "It's war."

  Nodding her head, she shook, "Yes. It's going to get messy. We are, however, hoping to contain the information Arsene dropped If the angels find out we are dead."