Raniel remained still in the mud , clutching her sword as tight as newborn would hold for life , her mixed emotions was filling her entirely and she had to search for ways how to protect humanity from Zeus and the rest of gods rage .
He had hundreds of thousands of ones who supported him up ,only because he fused them all with fear and terror of facing death by his hands . But it was enough of that to lead an army ,while she had nothing, her immortality was already slipping slowly away , stealing the glow radiating from her skin and bonded sword . Maybe she would die here after all she thought.
Pleading him anymore didn't seemed beneficial and there was always a chance for a sword or arrow to pierce her back and throat while she would be begging .It was his ways of interfering in talk when one would make him to bored to listen .She was to weak now , From one of strongest arch angels ,now she was a mere bug in comparison .
But despite that she questioned herself ,why was it that she wanted to protect humans ? what was so special about them ? , was it their intelligence? their creativity perhaps , or their dreams to surpass each other every day in daily things .Maybe none of those ,she just loved watching them being kind to each other , spreading the happiness around as if they weren't actually insects gods described them as , They were living creatures ,perhaps less special then gods ,angels or demons ,but they were unique in own way .That was her reason to believe they could continue on living this way , making the world a better place if they realized their mistakes .
Finally finding her source of motivation she sat up ,but as she did ,the mud underneath her started slowly swallowing her in more and more and she had to way to fight through it being slippery and wet .Worried of what it was she was finally swallowed all for some time ,until she fell on hard ground and bit her tongue to prevail a scream barging through her teeth .
Slowly lifting her head up ,on her hands and knees she looked around , finding herself in royal dark chamber room ,she had a clue where she was as dark stone stairs been inches away ,and she wondered before facing front ,if on top of them was actually a throne .
" Rise your head " a deep and frightening loud voice of man was heard and she had no control of herself as her head tilted up automatically . Facing a man In Black and red Armor with cape on one his shoulder and long black hair until his shoulder ,his skin was white as paper and eyes burned red like a fire .Hades .Raniel thought ,as he sat on skulls and bones decorated massive throne watching her like a prudent little insect she was .
" Hooo...Arch angel " he smirked touching his chin in amusement.
" Yes your excellency " Raniel spoke in soft manner as blood was filling her mouth from her tongue and she had to swallow it up rather being a disgrace Infront Hell ruler .
" I would command you to kneel and show some respect,but I see you're not in a good shape to do so , Regardless,it's been thousands of years my brother kicked angel out from heaven ,what did you do to deserve this punishment" He watched her cautiously resting his cheek on one hand , But no matter his words ,Raniel forced her hands up , kneeling on one her knee and adjusting the position as she heard it crack and shatter into smaller pieces , Leaning her sword on the ground she took support from it with one hand , hiding her emotions and the suffering agony she answered calmly.
" I refused Zeus command to annihilate humanity into it's perish " her voice was stable and Hades leaned in closer to look at her .
" Annihilation ? of human kind ? that's absurd , what was his reason for it this time ? didn't he gained enough of power from their preachings " Hades was getting mad from his brother ridiculous decisions .
" Yes your excellency,his reason therefore was ..boredom " she hesitated saying last word out loud ,as a sword flew from Hades side past her ,piercing the wall behind her with a rumble as it shattered .
" Such foolishness only because he had enough of entertainment ?! , that's beyond my words to even put how idiotic it is ,I can't believe of such nuisance "
As Hades agitation was growing ,A woman in black gown dress stepped out , walking toward his throne and wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders ,she seemed smaller then him and her long dark hair made her more beautiful and breathtaking .
" Darling what's all this ruckus about?" her voice was like a melody ,soft and sweet as she leaned in kissing Hades forehead , Persephone ,Raniel heard of her from legends ,a beautiful mythic goddess he stole for himself from Olympus under Zeus watch . Luckily they had some agreement to avoid another celestial war .
" Zeus wants to destroy humanity ,again " he watched his wife as her eyebrows furrowed and she scoffed .
" Foolish again ,And what's this little thing on floor ?" she chirped enthusiasticly still as she walked in close to Raniel , leaning down and brushing a strand of hair from her forehead .
" This little angel seems was the only one to refuse his order ,he rid of her from heaven , surely expecting I would drag her down here like I did with Lucifer and rest of hell princes " Hades mumbled last phrase to himself ,still calming down his anger Infront his graceful wife .
Raniel on other hand looked at both of them ,not knowing if it will be death awaiting her stupid request or understanding.
" Please ..I want to save them " the plea was small but full of courage and determination . Persephone looked at her man in questioning as well , Already with similar opinion as Raniel since she loved human world nature .
" hubby ....can we help her " her eyes was full of compassion and admiration for the little broken warrior girl .
Hades covered his face not knowing how to even deal with his woman anymore ,when she wanted something badly ,there was no way of talking her out from it ,So he gave in .
" Fine , she'll be allowed to move from hell to earth ,back and forth as she wants , I'll inform hell gates keepers to always let her in "
That was joyful news for Raniel and she smiled as Persephone clung to her hugging tightly
" Shouldn't you be hugging your man instead of that little girl ?" He complained not hiding the small building annoyance and Persephone sticked her tongue out for him as he Shaked his head .
On other Hand Raniel remained on her knees still confused of why such high caliber goddess hugged her , other gods and demons probably would have laughed from the view ,But at last her leg bone cracked again deepening the fracture , hearing it loudly Persephone stepped back and gave small support for the girl .
" She's badly injured my love ,We have to heal her up " Goddess concern was rising to further ends and her man once again agreed , snapping his fingers and recovering Raniel fatal injuries in few seconds as the pain faded away .With that Persephone ran to her man kissing him on a cheek as he smirked with pride , feeling proud of himself and earning his wife's affection .
Feeling how she recovered Raniel remained kneeling down and bowed her head low .
" I thank you ,your excellency ,I'm no more then a mere arch angel ,but I will treasure your done deeds and will return the favor even if it costs my life one day "
But he waved his hand in dismissal of the gratitude, knowing she'll serve perfectly on humanity saving .
" I believe I might actually remember you from time I visited heaven and Olympus during celestial war , aren't you the royal battalion and armada commander ? it's a difficult achievement for a woman ,yet you reached it ,Raniel isn't it " Hades smiled this time genuinely, feeling earnest respect for the girl as Persephone smiled beside him hugging her man close .
" Yes your highness ,I would have never thought anyone would remember my futile existence ,I'm grateful for it "
Raniel still remained bowing until finally she looked up at him as she felt her head being tilted instinctively again .
" Now then Raniel ,show me your wings ,If I'm not mistaken wings of angel or winged creatures are the symbol of how much they endured and how much immortal essence they have remaining,if you would turn to a mortal you would die within few months " Persephone watched curiously with Hades as Raniel closed her eyes folding out her wings ,as lady Persephone gasp was audible to hear through chamber ,Hades was taken by surprise as well .
Raniel wings had no other remains except the bone structures of it as she looked down at them , finally giving in to realization she could never be called an angel ,if she chopped off her wings here and now ,it would most likely grow into demonic wings as it was the process of angel turning into one of hell creatures ,or if it doesn't grow , becoming mortal and leaving behind any powers you had . There was a low chance that it would grow back and recover as well .
She was running out of any options But Hades spoke .
" There is another way also ,I'm not certain how your wings would regenerate and recover ,but if you feast on demons that escaped hell without my permission ,you could maintain your immortal essence ,even if it would be tainted dark " He watched her focusing seriously ,and checking up her future as he could see it all flash before his eyes without others knowing .
At last he asked " Do you accept ? as a sacrifice of own self for humanity's sake " His voice was full of authority again and she nodded " Yes your highness,I do ".
" Then you're free to go ,you can cross the second part of hell and you'll find a portal leading you out of here ,when time comes I'll summon you once again " With that Raniel bowed in respect and turned to leave as a snap of fingers was heard when she was about to open the doors behind her ,Her silver armor been changed to full steel black one
" Thank you , your highness,now pardon me " With that she left , feeling as her sword at her side been changed to longer and heavier to ,One with Diamond steel blade .
As she was crossing through the hallways of hell , passing the demons that looked at her and hissed ,some rised tantrums of her presence .
Persephone sat on her husband's lap
" What did you see of her ?" She asked humming lightly as she held Hades hand .
" She's special ,A girl ..which one day will hold Olympus and whole humanity on her shoulders , My brother will hate that the most "
" You're right, she truly is ,her heart was different from all other angels I've seen to , It was purely black like void emptiness ,But Im certainly aware your brother will hate you interrupting in his plans "
Hades chuckle was lovely for her to hear .
" Let him be "