I fell to my knees into front of the only thing that might save my life. And he was beautiful. Golden armor flashed and metallic wings whirred open, revealing to the full extent the majesty of an arch-angel. It was breathtaking. Faster than the eye could follow, I found myself at the end of his spear staring up into glowing eyes.

"Who dares interrupt my quest? Or are you my target that has come to me willing to die?" Every word was an exclamation.

Please. I breathed heavily, gasping at the tightening collar around my neck. Please save us.

"Spare you? The will of Ishtar doesn't spare the scum of this world. I am here to destroy my enemies!" His wings clicked and flared, rustling his long brown hair to where if fell over his broad shoulders. So delicately he landed on pointed metal legs.

Please. I could feel the collar tighten again, electricity coursing through my body. I curled up from pain. I don't know what you're talking about. Save us from the Gray; they are your enemy! I will do anything, we will give you anything.

I could hear Flash and Nectar beside me groaning from pain as the electric pulse became stronger.

"You…..are not the enemy? Who, then?" Turning, he saw the Gray, standing in shock and anger across the broken alley, the collar control gripped tightly in his hands. The angel laughed, booming and exhilarating. "You must be why Ishtar sent me. I have found my target! You shall die!" And with one swift movement, sent his metal spear through the head of the alien embedding itself in the crumbling brick behind him. Waving his hand, another spear materialized with sparks of gold. Again, it was pointed at me, the tip blurring so close to my face.

With the death of our captor the collar loosened, stopping the electric shock. But I did not move.

"Anything, you said?" The arch-angel smiled. "Then Ishtar smiles upon you! You will be blessed with eternal servitude in exchange for me saving your meaningless lives!" His took two steps forward, and plunged the end of his spear into my chest. The air was forced out of my lungs, and I stared at it for a moment before the arch-angel twirled quickly, and wrenched the weapon through my rib cage to cut off the heads of my friends in one powerful swing. It happened so fast. I grasped at the carnage of my chest and watched as blood poured onto the dirt below me. I got one more glimpse of the angel, and fighting against the pain, sunk completely onto the ground. Tears clouded the sight of Nectar, his tail thrashing reflexively and his body convulsing before laying still. I tried to breathe again, but chocking on thick blood, slipped into darkness.