{PROLOGUE}

Destruction was all that could be seen for miles; a city that once stood so tall and beautiful, now lay in ruins as fires burned and the screams of citizens began to slowly fade. Just like their lives.

This was the outcome of war.

Innocent lives were taken as they were thoughtlessly thrown into the battle between two enemies, for there were no safe havens or zones that remained off limits. In the heat of rage, the safety of simple civilians wasn't as important as destroying each other.

No, war was never a pretty thing.

Casualties were expected, death was going to occur. Both sides would lose players, but it was just a vicious cycle that would continue on until the other was destroyed completely. The Earl looked to destroy the Heart of Innocence and take control, the Exorcists looked to destroy The Earl.

Neither one of them wanted to be destroyed.

"G-Gabriel..."

The battles raged on, each opponent holding their own, though, it was obvious who had the upper-hand. This was just another pointless war - they were all going to die, and the Noah would simply be reborn just as more exorcists would appear.

It was never going to end.

"Gabriel..."

One battle was over: the victor kneeling and trying to catch their breath as the loser lay in a mangled heap on the ground. Both were alive, and both had their fair share of wounds – but it was painfully obvious as to which one was going to walk away.

"I was too weak..."

Golden eyes tried to focus as they searched for someone in particular. She couldn't see him, but she knew he was close. He had his own battle to fight, and no matter how badly he wanted to be next to her, he had to finish what was already started.

"Just hold on, love."

The exorcist made to stand, a painful grunt falling from his lips. She had managed to crack his innocence enough to make it almost unusable - a win in its' own right – but, he had enough will to create some form of power from what was once a bow and arrow duo.

"Who do you keep calling to, Noah?" The exorcist looked to his enemy, no sign of hatred or remorse.

Gold eyes focused on the one who had defeated her as she strained to find her voice, "Why have you not finished me off, boy?" She glanced behind him as a small grin appeared. "It may have just been the end of you."

"I was getting to that," he began to nock his arrow, but before he had the chance to pull back the string, a hand found its way inside his chest and ripped out his heart in a matter of seconds. The exorcist's body slumped to the ground and the man behind him stepped on the innocence, successfully destroying it.

"Gabe-"

"Shh, shh, try not to strain yourself, love." The Noah fell to his knees as he gently cradled the woman in his arms, his golden eyes scanning every wound. "You'll be alright."

A sad smile appeared on her lips as she looked up at the man before her lovingly. Taking his hand in her own, she brought it to her lips, then rested it gently on top of her torso. "I'm afraid our time together is coming to an end,"

"No-" She silenced him by putting her hand over his lips.

"Dear, this is not goodbye. Our bond is strong, we will meet again. We won't be in these bodies, but we'll know...we will be reunited and happy once more." A grimace came to her face as a wave of pain washed over her entire body, which only caused him to hold her tighter and bury is head in her hair. "I love you, more than words can describe. Promise you will find me in the next life, promise me we will be together again."

He gave her a sorrowful glance, and nodded his head. "I promise. No, I swear it." He kissed her lips, a sweet and tragic goodbye.

"Until we meet again," Her eyes closed permanently as her body turned cold and pale, a black ash blowing away with the breeze.

All that could be heard was an anguished cry.

This was war.