Two Halves

Life and Death. Happiness and Sadness. Rafaela knows that in this world, everything has counterparts, the other side of the same coin. The suffering of the people is inevitable, a proof of their living and existence. And that is her purpose, to heal and comfort people as they face the inevitable pain that their lives is to overcome. To bring warmth and support from the very moment they were born to the last breaths they take.

But she also knew, it was too much. Too much sorrow, tears, pain and death that permeates this land. No one was spared, not even an ignorant babe in his mother's arms. Why? Why would people have to cry in agony as blades reaped their lives away. She couldn't save everyone. Atleast not alone. They will both end this cruelty, for he is my partner. I am to eradicate suffering and He will eradicate all evil that causes it. Yet, his voice couldn't be heard, only countless prayers and pleads for her help is there.

Rafaela flew into the skies. "Argus?" She calls but received no reply, and still she continues her search for him, dread slowly creeping up to her mind. For the first time since her descent as angel of healing, did she ignored the pleads and prayers of the people. Terror filled her when a gong resounded through. She felt it, the falling of her counterpart. She felt their link growing weaker as his holy powers slowly turning evil until she could no longer feel him.

Rafaela had been searching for the traces of Argus for long. For her, the fail of angels was more regrettable than that of human. Rafaela's greatest sorrow was the fall of Argus, it was unbearable for her to watch Argus fall deep down into the abyss and become the murderous Lord of the Abyss. Every search for him came at price, and Rafaela soon realized that just finding him wouldn't be enough; he had already completely forgotten about his former identity. All Argus cared about now was his pursuit of power. But even when Argus killed all the Justice angels who tried to persuade him, he just could not make up his own mind to kill Rafaela, which was the only hope of her to rescue him from the dark.

'I can save him. I can.' She thought while she flew and flew, following the malevolent energy that suddenly appeared in the world. She arrived at an ancient courtyard and saw the lone figure in the center, a dark armor with black wings and the dark energy encircling him. "Who are you?" She calls out to the man, her heart beating faster and hurt dominating her voice as she felt his soul. Seeing Argus like this is so heartbreaking for her.

"Do you really have the need to ask that? Rafaela." The man replied. His voice, cold and unfeeling, is so unrecognizable that she couldn't believe that it was this same man that accompanied her for millenia. Rafaela's heart broke and she gripped her staff harder.

"Argus, why?! Please...please tell me why?" She pleads as she, shaking, points her staff at Argus.

"Foolish." He mocked her. "We possess power over the humans yet we slaved upon them, granting their prayers upon their calls. They do not thank us instead they use it for their own selves. They are greedy little things."

"Rafaela. Join me. Let us rule this world, where no war will happen under my rule for I am the most powerful of all." He said to her.

"No! Was everything we've done together all for this? Is power worth abandoning all?" Rafaela asked him as she looks to his sword emitting evil aura. "Then I will bring you back to life and purge all evil." Disgusted by the look of her former partner, she gathered her holy powers. "I will stop you!" But and even her Holy Baptism was unable to dispel his dark power.

"Let my sword hear your last words, Rafaela! For nothing is worthy without power!" Argus lingered for a brief while then swung down his sword and had Rafaela injured enough that she has no strengths left. She stared at Argus, her counterpart. They were two halves, the two sides of one coin. But time has come that she will fall by the hand of the man she once held.

Death...It is familiar yet unfamiliar with her. It is unknown for entities like her but something she was always near with. She screamed as the blade slashed her, tears falling as she fell down. She gazed at the sky before darkness enveloped her.

Argus held her face as he stared at her unconscious face that only looks as if she was just sleeping. His emotions unrecognizable yet it felt as if there's a feeling inside him as he looks at Rafaela, "R-r....T-there's a flame burning inside me...Rafa-N-no I don't deserve to call her name again...N-not anymore." He stuttered as guilt briefly crosses in his eyes as he saw all the injuries in her body. He composed himself then put Rafaela down.

"There's no turning back anymore, Rafaela. It's a shame you know..." He turned his back to her and flew. 'Because that Argus really love you...' His last words left unsaid.