413

Carter Slade

"Will the souls of the angels remain in San Vanganza?" A childish voice interrupted the quiet exchange between Forseti and Daniel.

They turned to find a young boy staring at them. He couldn't be more than five or six years old, dressed in ragged clothes, yet his large eyes sparkled with an unusual brightness.

"Yes," Daniel replied with a smile, ruffling the boy's hair.

"Come back, Carter, don't bother the angel," the boy's mother called from nearby.

Carter hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Daniel, can I have one of your feathers?"

Daniel hesitated, knowing it was a bold request. Normally, he would refuse outright, especially to an child.

But looking into the boy's clear eyes, Daniel relented. He plucked a feather from his wing and handed it over. "Here you go."

Carter took the feather joyfully, then turned to Forseti. "As Daniel's friend, what will you give me?"

Forseti took the feather from the boy's hand, golden light shimmering between his fingers as he infused the feather with his holy light energy.

After a moment, Daniel's angel feather transformed into a consecrated one, displaying a faint golden pattern.

"Now it's a unique angel feather," Forseti said, returning it to Carter.

Carter examined it closely. "It doesn't look much different..."

"Carter Slay, come back here!" His mother's voice grew stern. "If you don't come now, you'll go hungry tonight!"

"Okay, okay." Carter hurried back to his mother, proudly showing off his feather. "Look, Mom, I got it!"

With Carter gone, Forseti and Daniel resumed their conversation, the boy's interruption quickly forgotten.

"Will the angels really stay in San Vanganza?" Forseti asked.

Daniel nodded. "San Vanganza is not a wild place. Their souls will gradually reincarnate into villagers here. Although they can't return to God, it's a peaceful destination."

"After reincarnation, they become ordinary humans?"

Daniel shook his head. "No, they retain their angelic essence. Some may regain memories and abilities over time, possibly even becoming angels again."

Their conversation continued until another demon attack broke out, prompting them to join the battle.

As always, Forseti wielded Sulfuron's Warhammer, transforming flames into weapons of holy light, cutting through demons with ease.

Within moments, most demons lay vanquished, the few survivors fleeing. Cleanup fell mainly to Vanganza, whose divine powers swiftly reduced demon remains to ash.

After clearing the battlefield, Forseti sat down to rest, reviewing his achievements.

Recent battles had been fruitful. He had slain numerous demons, increasing his cache of Divine Shield spell fragments to over thirty.

Thirty fragments—enough to use the ultimate Paladin skill, Invincible Hearthstone.

One of the demons he'd dispatched had enhanced his Retribution Aura spell, a surprise given its previous weakness.

At nightfall, Forseti opened his Eye of Reckoning, observing the souls of over a thousand angels drifting above San Vanganza.

Suddenly, one angel's soul ceased wandering, fixed a direction, and shot away, a fleeting movement.

A baby's cry echoed from the village moments later.

A blood-red figure entered Forseti's vision—Malachi.

"What's the matter, Malachi?" Forseti withdrew his gaze, addressing him calmly.

Malachi's demeanor remained composed, his words precise. "The angels have discovered a demon passage into our world. They're preparing to withdraw, likely to bring Kazan back to Hell. We should strike now, prevent their escape, and keep Kazan from returning."

Forseti pondered briefly. "Agreed. Daniel will stay in San Vanganza with a large force. It's unwise to deploy too many for the attack."

"Will Daniel join us?"

Malachi shook his head. "No, he'll lead our forces here. The attack requires a smaller contingent."

Forseti nodded. "Understood. My knights will stay with Daniel. I'll accompany you."

Malachi hesitated briefly, then nodded. "Very well. This battle is for angels. The Paladins have already fought valiantly alongside us."

"When do we depart?"

"Now," Malachi said, flames of heaven flickering in his hands.

Nearly a hundred angels unfurled their wings at the sight, lining up in the sky. "Lord Malachi, we are ready!"

"Good." Malachi nodded solemnly. "For the glory of God, let's go!"

"Forward!"

Malachi led the charge, followed by Forseti and the angels, soaring towards their destination.

As they flew, Forseti activated his Eye of Reckoning, scanning the ground below.

"Your eyes seem to perceive things differently," Malachi noted, noticing the holy light radiating from Forseti's eyes.

"These eyes detect demon traces," Forseti replied, narrowing his gaze. "Is that the demon's stronghold?"

"Yes," Malachi confirmed, signaling the angels to adjust formation. "Prepare for battle—the confrontation is imminent."

Angels gripped their fiery swords.

Malachi gave them a nod, his wings beating like meteors as he descended towards the demon stronghold.

"Feel heaven's fury!"

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