Independence

An icy glow in Zariels eyes carried a noticeable tinge of amusement as he shifted his gaze back to the Soul Flame. He twirled the flames through his fingers, toying with the flames enjoying the sinking cry of the soul squealing for only him to hear. And without hesitation, Astral Essense swirled and coiled like a vicious storm.

"Soul Reaper," Said the Silver Devil calmly, his voice even and smooth. Yet beneath its soft exterior, cruelty was soon shown, as a howl so profound echoed.

Clenching his fist as the Dragon Priest's voice howled in such pain and horror, Ella covered her ears, trying to dampen the sound. But such a wish would never come as a particular wave of savagery beyond the dawn swallowed the skies.

Zariel cried, closing his fist as the two twin sigils materialized deep within his eyes, exuding a dark aura. The soul balled within his palm slowly began to unravel as images flickered back and forth. Images of a child weeping over the seven suns, howling for his mother impaled between two pikes.

'No!" Snarled the young devil. Pushing in more Astral energy. "I do not want Iluthath! I do not want images of his past lives! I want this life!"

Zariel knew of Iluthath like the back of his hand. He knew of its five moons and seven suns that glared over the land and that such a priest around this man's level had no right to exist on Iluthath.

'It had to have been an image from a distant time.' Zariel told himself repeatedly as the cries of mercy from the soul began to dampen. Weaken over time, Zariel paled over the drain. But determination swelled, and without care for who may see or hear, Zariel made a decisive decision and crushed the soul, witnessing hundreds of thousands of images streaming like an endless river over his mind… none of them of relevance.

"Shit," Said Zariel sharply, 'You fucking weakling. Whatever. I knew failure was bound to occur. I hope your soul is so fractured that it takes billions of cycles to regenerate from what I've done. Useless bastard."

Spewing a few more curses, he finally stopped turning to Ella, who remained still. Unsure where she stood.

"I-Is he dead?" Ella asked.

"Deader than dead," Replied the Silver Devil with a scuff. "I shattered the outer soul and destroyed the inner soul. The Outer can regenerate infinitely. The inner soul is where the real stuff happens. It's what makes you. If that's destroyed, you're sort of done for all eternity. There is a chance he could come back after a billion cycles, but I don't think that'll ever happen. The nodes of his soul will simply fade back into the ether."

Zariel sighed and looked back at the temple's wreckage, knowing his chance of speaking with Tiamat was now ruined.

"Let's head back," He said, pulling himself into the air alongside Ella, who almost jumped as an invisible force wrapped its fingers around her. And with a single thought, Zariel pushed off the air, soaring back to trinity with a sour taste in his mouth.

"Such a waste of time."

"It wasn't." Said Ella weakly. "You know they want the painting."

"True."

"And you can lure more of them to you." Added Ella, her cheeks still pale as she struggled to look in Zariels direction. "Who knows what could happen?"

Picking up his downwards lips, Zariel gave an exuberant chuckle. "And here I thought you'll be too weak-hearted to—"

"I'm not weak!" Shouted Ella, clenching her fist. " I'm of a noble house. I know what needs to be done!"

Zariels smile deepened. " Do you now. And what if I asked you to torture the next victim? What if I ask you to make him squeal just like the priest I tortured?"

"I'll ask you to teach me how to torment souls," came her icy reply, her voice now carrying great confidence. "I'll do what needs to be done."

"And Aurelia?"

Ella did not reply, and that only seemed to amuse Zariel to no end.

—

Pale as the snow trickled over her thin clothing, Aurelia staggered forwards as the days continued, trying to find some safe area to take refuge in as she soldiered on, enduring the crushing soul pressure.

She hadn't known how long she'd been traveling and couldn't be bothered to ask as she walked. Not bothering to eat, sleep, or train. Her heart was stone.

She replayed the argument between her and Zariel repeatedly in her mind, trying to find fault. Aurelia's fingers clenched into two balls when suddenly she paused in the snow, looking ahead with icy cold golden eyes.

"I don't need dumb-dumb…." She muttered. "I don't need anyone. I'm not anyone's savior. I have no reason to help Zariel. I don't need a Master. I can teach myself."

"My Lady,' said Eldritch hesitantly. " Are you sure?"

"I've got you to teach me, right? And I've got those ancient forms. I've read dozens of books where geniuses would train themselves and stand at the top. Are they better than I?" Came her argument as she clenched her fingers. "Dumb-Dumb will only slow me down."

'My lady, it was only one argument." Eldrich tried to remedy, "You'll be defenseless without—"

"I don't care!" Snarled the young Fallen. " I'm tired of being bullied and talked down too! Aurelia will fight who she wants and die when she wants! I don't care if Zariel is tied to me. I will make it on my own… Even if that means… even if that means we become enemies."

"Aur—"

Hearing Eldritch's words suddenly freeze, a burst of dark laughter resonated through the snow that went still mid-air.

"Then how about you make a deal with me? To anoint this newfound independence?" The Fallen Mephisto said, appearing right before the young golden eye lass. "I'll unlock one angelic talent of yours, and you do me a favor."

"What is it?" Replied Aurelia coldly.

"I want you to seriously try to kill Zariel. Don't hold back. I want you to use your full killing intent." lips growing arched, the Fallen continued. " If you'll like, and if your one-hundred-percent serious. I'll even unlock your angelic ability now."

"Y-You want me to betray Dumb-Dumb?"

"I want you to be the Fallen I know you to be. I want the best for my Niece. And it's not betrayal, little one; it's a statement." He chuckled, noticing the blank look on Aurelia's face. "Do we have a deal?"

"... Deal…"