Chapter 97: The Last Stand
The chamber was so thick with the stench of blood and magic.
Everything was trembling, vibrating with the remains of the demon’s anger.
Gabriel knelt over Raphael’s body, his jaw clenched so tight it might break.
His sword was still slick with blood—his cousin’s blood—and no matter how much his heart screamed that there had to be another way, Raphael was gone.
Lirian’s hands trembled as she pressed them to her chest, trying to hold herself together.
Her breath hitched as tears blurred her vision. But the fight wasn’t over.
Because Kael was next.
His body convulsed as the demon sank its claws into his soul, black veins spread across his neck and arms.
His usually warm, cocky gaze was consumed by those horrible black eyes.
"Gabriel..." Lirian’s voice broke as she clutched his sleeve. "We can’t lose him too."
Gabriel stood, his face hardened into cold determination. "We won’t."
Kael’s lips twisted into an evil smirk—not his own.
"You really should’ve let me stay in Raphael," the demon hissed, its voice layered and raw. "He was much more obedient."
Gabriel raised his sword, eyes burnt like a sun. "Yeah, well... Kael’s too annoying for you to keep anyway."
Lirian’s golden butterflies swirled around her hands as she summoned the last reserves of her magic.
"We’re getting him back. No matter what."
The demon chuckled, lifting Kael’s head. "You really think you can stop me? I am eternal."
Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on. Every demon says that. At least be creative."
Lirian almost choked on a laugh despite the fear clawing at her chest.
And then Kael—the demon—lunged.
Gabriel blocked the first strike with his sword, sparks flying as their blades clashed.
Lirian unleashed a wave of golden butterflies that sliced through the shadows creeping from Kael’s form.
Kael—no, the thing inside him—grinned viciously. "He’s already breaking. You can’t save him."
"Yeah?" Gabriel growled, shoving Kael back. "Well, we’re not exactly known for quitting."
From the sidelines, Pedro—still in his human form—watched, arms crossed.
"Wow, you guys are dramatic," he muttered. "It’s like watching a tragic play. Should I cry now, or wait?"
Gabriel spun toward him mid-swing. "ANY TIME YOU WANT TO HELP, FEEL FREE."
Pedro yawned, inspecting his nails. "I mean... if you insist."
He clapped his hands together, and a circle of golden light flared beneath Kael’s feet.
The demon snarled as chains of shimmering magic wrapped around his limbs, dragging him to the ground.
"See?" Pedro grinned. "I’m always helpful. You’re welcome."
Kael—or the demon—thrashed against the chains, his blackened eyes flashing with rage. "I will consume him! You cannot hold me forever!"
Lirian’s breath caught as Kael’s face twisted in pain. Somewhere beneath that thing, Kael was still fighting.
Gabriel’s blade glowed with a blue fire as he advanced. "I’m not letting you take him," he snarled. "I already lost one family member today—you don’t get another."
The demon let out a horrible laugh. "You’ll fail. Like you failed him."
Gabriel’s hands trembled—but he didn’t stop moving.
Pedro, still controlling the chains, sighed. "I swear, demons have no imagination. Same threats, same evil speeches. Can’t you at least sing while you’re doing this?"
The demon shrieked and struggled harder.
Gabriel glanced at Pedro. "Can you hold him?"
Pedro scoffed. "Of course, I can. I’m amazing."
"Great," Gabriel said, lifting his sword. "Lirian—now!"
Lirian focused every ounce of mana left in her body. The golden butterflies exploded around her hands, shimmering like fireflies. "I’m ready!"
Kael’s body trembled violently as the demon fought to maintain control. For a moment—just a short second—his real eyes appeared beneath the black.
"Gabriel..." Kael’s voice was weak, strained. "Hurry..."
Gabriel didn’t hesitate. He drove his sword through Kael’s chest—not to kill him, but to strike at the demon’s core.
The chamber filled with a blinding light as the demon’s agonized scream pierced the air.
Lirian unleashed her butterflies, their golden wings slicing through the darkness like razors.
They swarmed over Kael’s form, burning away the last remnants of the demon’s hold.
"No!" the demon howled. "I will not be banished! I am—"
With one final burst of light, the demon tore free from Kael’s body—reduced to nothing more than a wisp of blackened smoke.
Gabriel didn’t give it a chance to escape. With a fierce cry, he swung his sword down, cutting the demon’s form into ash.
The chamber fell silent.
For a breathless moment, all Lirian could hear was the pounding of her own heart.
Then—
Kael groaned.
Gabriel dropped to his knees beside him. "Kael!" His voice was tight, raw.
Kael blinked up at him, his usual cocky smile weak but intact. "Ow," he mumbled. "Did you... did you stab me?"
Gabriel huffed a breathless laugh. "Yeah. You’re welcome."
Pedro clapped his hands together, grinning. "Good job, team! Demon’s dead, no one else is possessed, and I still look fantastic."
Lirian sagged to the floor, exhaustion crashing into her like a wave. "I can’t believe we made it."
Gabriel shook his head, wiping sweat from his brow. "Neither can I."
Kael groaned again. "Did you really have to stab me, though?"
Gabriel snorted. "You were possessed by a demon, Kael."
"Yeah, but... still," Kael grumbled, wincing. "I’m gonna milk this for months."
Pedro leaned against a crumbled pillar. "You know," he said thoughtfully, "for all your brooding, Gabriel, you’re actually kind of sentimental."
Gabriel glared at him. "I will stab you next."
Lirian laughed softly, shaking her head. For the first time in what felt like forever, they were safe.
As they made their way out of the ruined chamber, Kael grinned weakly at Pedro. "So... you’re a bird and a hot guy. What’s the deal?"
Pedro winked. "I’m a mystery, baby."
Gabriel groaned. "I should’ve let the demon keep you both."
Lirian, despite the ache in her body, smiled. For all the pain and loss, they had survived this mess.
And together, no matter what came next—
They would always fight.