What Darkness Fears

by Serenity Angel14

Beneath our world, are other worlds that humankind refuses to see. We tell ourselves there's nothing to fear in the darkness but deep down we know it's a lie. Deep in the shadows, Angels & Demons battle the eternal battle for the souls of all mankind ...

10. Chapter 9 Angel of Darkness

Hi everyone, I know it's been a while and I'm so sorry about that, but I have a nice Christmas gift for you all to make it up to you.

The completion of this fanfic!

Thankyou to everyone who has stuck with me during these long intervals between chapters, you all know that I do post them as soon as I am able.

I have been receiving emails about the absence of "steamy" scenes in this fanfic. On that I would like to explain why this fanfic is without a steamy scene.

I felt that it just didn't fit with the characters. Darien may have assimilated to modern times but he was still born into a time when marrying a woman before bedding was the proper and honourable thing to do. He also loved and cherished his mother, which I felt deepened and strengthen that respect, especially after her murder when Darien became resolved to live his life by the ways his mother had taught him.

I realised that there was a little predictability there with me and my steamy scenes and predictability is something I'm working on, along with my habit of repetition.

And lastly, steamy scenes are HARD to write! There are only so many ways to do one thing – before one reallllly has to get creative and that tends to lead to kinky - before repetition really becomes a problem. The steamy scene I intended for this fic was way too simular to the one I'm intending for Heart's Sight.

But no fear, Steamy scenes are part of my writing style; I just don't want them to be predictable and expected is all.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year Everyone! Be Safe.

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Chapter 9 – Angel of Darkness

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It had begun; her birthright.

Serena could feel it coming for her; she didn't need to hear a clock chime midnight to know that the moment had come, the moment she'd unknowingly been waiting for ever since the day she'd been born.

The air around her vibrated with meaning, power and destiny. Her body prickled with mounting power, her blood gushed through her veins and a growing heat was building in her rapidly pounding heart, a heat that was burning her from the inside out. A heat that had came with a mounting force that felt as if it was going to blow her apart from the inside. It was too powerful, too intense, too much for her small fragile mortal body to contain.

For the past week, Serena had been able to feel something growing inside of her, her power, and now it was reaching its peak, its end. It was only seconds away, before it was one minute past midnight, it would be over. She would gain her true power that she would be able to bend to her will without restraint.

In moments, Serena would be the next Chosen in all rights, the most powerful immortal warrior on the Earth.

Serena had no idea of what the coming future would be, but it was beginning.

And with it came the time to put her plan into action. An idea which had come to form into a plan while Rei had been telling her about the Bonding Ceremony during her fitting.

Serena didn't know if it was going to work, all she could do was hope and pray that it would, that it would be enough to save them both and this world.

All her life there had been something missing, Serena knew that now even if she hadn't before. Ever since she'd been old enough to understand what the absence of her mother in her life meant, she'd dreamed of knowing her, of becoming a woman that her mother could be proud of.

And now Serena knew who that woman was. This was how she could know her mother, by becoming the woman, the Chosen, her mother had been. Only she would do things her mother hadn't dreamed possible of her only daughter. She would be more than her mother had hoped. She would follow her heart and she would see the end of this war.

Something her mother hadn't lived to see.

Darien had been kneeling at Serena's side, waiting anxiously for her to raise her head, to prove that she was all right after drinking the evilly toxic bonding potion, when a ripple of awesome power rippled through the room. A ripple emitting from Serena, as her skin began to glow celestially, the light pure and without taint.

For a brief moment, Darien had been overcome by the fear that something had gone terribly wrong, but then logic had pushed its way through his fear, reasoning that the light radiating from her was white and warm.

Midnight had come.

Serena's moment, the time for her Choice, had come; a moment which would determine that fate of the Immortal War for the next five thousand years.

Her destiny had begun.

Without warning, Serena was lifted from beneath his hands and she magically rose up into the air where she floated divinely six feet above the floor, shinning like a white moon-like sun. Her eyes clenched tightly closed, her face twisted in an expression of pain and intense concentration.

Darien had never witnessed a Chosen receiving her powers, but he knew the power was immense; it made sense that the moment in which that power was inherited was one of great difficulty.

As the luminous glow around her became brighter, a twirling wind encircled her figure until it became strong howling winds that raged around her, in effect giving the illustration that she was floating in the centre point of a tornado of light and power. Her long golden hair danced around her, her gown fluttering violently against her otherwise motionless form as the magnificent sparkling light consuming her became brighter and brighter.

Leaping to his feet, Darien was forced to back away, along with every Demon in the room. The power emitted from her was too powerful, the light too warm and pure.

Darien raised his arm to shield his eyes from the now blinding light and howling wind, but did not take his eyes from her.

He could not, would not. He had to be ready to help her if she needed it.

The power emitting from her was overwhelming, and beyond just description, it felt warm and happy and loving; to Darien it felt like her.

To him it felt loving and promising, although Darien doubted that was how it felt to the other occupants of the room who were still backing away from her. Only Valac remind close, Reiizon and Dagon a few steps behind him, even though there were struggling to remain as close as they were.

Serena gritted her teeth. Her heart was pounding so loudly in her ears and the light and power inside of her made it feel like she was burning alive from the inside out, but at the same time the heat, the power, felt as if it were becoming a part of her as she fought against the crushing force of the power still pouring into her already overflowing body.

She had to concentrate. She only had one chance at this. What she did now would decide not just her own life, but that of the entire world for the next five thousand years.

'Heaven or Hell. On which side do you choose to stand?'

Serena gasped at the familiar woman's voice which echoed inside of her mind, inside the power still filling her body.

Serena knew the voice, she knew it in her heart. 'Mother?' This was her mother's real voice, it wasn't a dream.

'Yes. I am your mother, my darling. You only have seconds remaining, my sweet daughter. Declare your choice to the power or it will consume and destroy you.'

'I choose Darien. I love him. I need him.'

'Regardless, you must name your side, my darling.'

'Hang on a sec.' Serena told her mother as she reached out with her mind, a sense of urgency sweeping through her. She was running out of time, she had to cement things now or she'd never be able too, even with all the power she was this very moment inheriting.

Serena didn't know how to do what she wished. All she could do was trust in herself, the power she'd been born to inherit and love. Unsure, while certain in her love, she reached out to Darien's mind, praying that it would work.

Mentally reaching out, Serena hit something, a barrier. Unpractised but able with all too willing power, she mentally probed the mental wall in her way. It was strong and well adept. It had been erect for so long, its survival and strength was second nature now.

It was a mental shield, one with a familiar presence. It was strong, built from centuries of keeping his father out. Serena could feel that over the centuries the mental shield had become a part of Darien. It had to be, it had been necessary to his survival.

Once.

Serena grit her teeth harder and pushed her way through the mental shield knowing Darien wouldn't like the invasion, but there was no other way.

They were out of time. It was now or never.

'Darien.' Serena whispered into his mind.

'Serena?' Darien sounded shocked, even in his mental voice.

'Do you trust me?'

'Yes.' Darien answered without hesitation or doubt.

Serena felt her heart swell with love and certainty. She had been certain about things in her life before, that the sky was blue, when it rained it poured, but never had she felt this certain, this trusting. There wasn't a single shadow of doubt within her. Darien would be with her for always, and he would never stop loving her the way she knew he did now.

For him, because of him, she was strong.

'Then draw your sword and run me through. Spill my life's blood.'

'WHAT/?' Darien was horrified that she would even think of asking that of him.

Darien would not hesitate to spill his own life's blood for her, but there was no way in Heaven or Hell that he was going to spill hers. He would not cut so much as a single hair upon her head, and she wanted him to run her through and cause a wound that he would not be able to heal before her life faded?

Had she lost her senses?

Serena didn't have time for this! It stroked the feminine side of her heart that he was so protective, but it had to be done.

'Darien, you must trust me! Do it now, it's the only way! Please, Darien! I promise it will all be okay.'

Swearing violently, Darien threw out his arm and summoned his enchanted blade to his hand in a wave of sudden Demonic power. He could feel her desperate need for him to obey her, to trust her, and even though he in no way understood why she was asking this of him, he would trust her and do as she asked.

If she died, he would follow.

Raising his blade, Darien looked up into her beautiful, motionless, glowing face; her expression was almost peaceful now. 'I love you.'

Darien felt her loving smile even though her lips did not so much as twitch.

'Do it.'

Lunging forward, into the light and howling raging winds, Darien thrust out his sword towards her and with practiced ease ran her through, piercing the delicate creamy flesh of her stomach.

The instant Serena's blood touched his blade, her floating glowing form exploded with light and power, forcing all eyes, even Darien's and Valac's, away.

Serena felt her body explode in pain, but she remained still. Seconds were gone, only heartbeats remained. She didn't have time to feel pain. She had felt the blade of Darien's sword pierce and tear her flesh, she had felt the agonizing pain, and then she felt her power flare.

As the flash of light faded enough for Darien to open his eyes, he turned his gaze back to her and gasped at the sight that reached his eyes.

His blade, which he had left embedded in her flesh, was gone leaving no sign of blood or injury behind. In fact the material had even been mended as if it had never been torn, but not only had it mended, it had changed. The colour had drained from the fabric, leaving behind a pure white gown.

Serena reached for her power – that was still pouring into her from where she had no idea – and willed it to obey her, to bend to her will. It was hers now, it would obey her. She was her mother's daughter, she had been born to have this power, to yield it as she willed and it would yield to her.

With great relief, her new power came to her without difficulty or resistance.

Darien could do nothing as he felt Serena's power wrap around him and lift him into the air, carrying him towards her, urging him to stretch out his arm and take hold of the hand she extending towards him, held out to him, blood dripping from an open cut on her palm.

Darien knew that the wound had not come from any blade.

Darien looked down at his own hand, catching a glimpse of his palm a moment before he was magically compelled to take hold of her hand. There was a deep cut across his palm, identical to hers, that he had not even felt inflicted.

Serena reached out for Darien and suddenly his hand was in hers. She had willed the flesh of his and her own hand to part enough to allow blood to flow. She could feel their mixed warm blood leaking from between their tightly clasped hands.

With their blood merging, Serena reached out for Darien's mind once again, dropping all of her own mental barriers that she hadn't even known she'd possessed, opening her mind completely to him.

Darien felt rather than sensed Serena completely open her mind to him, trusting him so completely, welcoming him into the deepest parts of her mind and soul. The bond that had been forged by his father's ceremony was a dying ember compared to the depth she was now offered.

Moved beyond all and any words, Darien willed his own mental barriers to fall away and he opened himself to her as she was to him.

And it with a mental click it was done, never to be undone.

Serena held back a gasp as Darien opened himself to her as completely as she had for him, knowing that the soft sound would break her concentration. Reaching out to Darien's mind, even with her raw power, would never have been enough. Darien had reached out to her mind as she had reached out to his and their minds had truly touched and something had connected, cemented itself in place.

A bond, unlike any to have ever been forged, was born between them, cementing itself in place for all eternity.

'So your choice is made.' Whispered a proud loving motherly voice as the presence faded from her mind.

---

Darien had no idea what was happening, but all at once he felt Serena not only enter his mind, more deeply than she had moments before, but he felt her open her mind to him to read as he willed.

Not just her mind, but everything. Her heart, her soul, even her power.

Darien could sense her pouring into him, her essence and her power. She was filling him, his body, his consciousness and his heart. He could practically feel the blood in his veins being cleansed by her bright pure power, the Demon blood and evil power being washed away, replaced by something else. Something bright and warm and welcoming. She was washing away the evil the Demonic blood held within him.

At the same time, memories that were not his own, were pooling into his mind. Emotions, strong, warm and loving, filled his heart and light, pure shinning light, filled his soul.

In his mind the strongest, the clearest, of memories played in his mind's eye.

Darien saw a happy little girl with golden hair in pig tails laughing before the eyes of a loving father and stepmother. He saw Serena dancing at her first high school dance with a faceless boy just shortly before her parents were killed in a fire.

He saw Serena, as a young teenager, crying. Her sobs were sorrowful as loneliness swelled within her; the sight was heart-wrenching. Darien knew that her parents had died only weeks before and the pain and loneliness was too much to bear.

And then Darien saw Serena as she was now. A strong woman – she had had to be to survive – who was so lonely that it was hard to have hope for the future. A woman who dreamed, yearned, for a normal life in which she simply was not alone anymore.

But Darien knew that that dream had changed.

It had been so since the moment Serena had met him. She loved him, more than should have been possible of a human heart. She wanted to be with him for the rest of her immortal days, even if it meant fighting this war for thousands of years, and she had risked everything to make it so.

Darien could see her plan clearly now. She had planned this, planned to break their deals with his father and bind them together in a way that was so much more powerful than the Submission Ceremony.

They were linked on such a deep level now that every thought, every memory and emotion, even pain and pleasure, was shared. What one felt so did the other, what one thought the other heard. What one knew so did the other. No matter how far apart they were, the bond would never weaken. They would always know where the other was and what they were doing and feeling.

They were one. One heart, one soul, one being, and one life force.

Never had Darien known anything so incredible, so awe-inspiring

He knew he could even see through her eyes as she could through his when he concentrated, and Darien knew that because Serena did.

The ancient power of the ceremony still remained, he could feel it. With a single thought, Darien could still make her do anything he wished, but he could also feel her trust in him that he would never abuse the power he held over her.

That was why Serena had left what the Submission Ceremony had created between them alone. She could have easily removed it the moment he had run her though, but she had not even considered the thought.

Understanding filled him. By running Serena through, by drawing her blood, he had freed himself from the deal he had struck with his father. He had broken the deal he had made by harming her.

He was no longer under his father's command. Drawing her blood had broken his father's side of the deal.

Serena had endured the excruciating pain of being run through by an enchanted blade just to set him free of his father.

Darien beamed proudly. Brave, clever girl.

And Serena's deal with Valac had never been binding, not for a single moment.

'My freedom was never mine to give.' Serena whispered softly into his mind through the bonding link that now flowed strongly between them, linking them. 'I'd already pledged it to you.'

The memory of that exact moment played before Serena's mind's eye, and therefore played in Darien's mind's eye as well.

Darien saw that as she knelt by his unconscious and dying form in a dark, abandoned warehouse where she had hidden them after killing Shax. He could feel her tears and her desperation and agony as if they were his own, and her words echoed in his ears as if they were coming from his own mouth.

'I'm so sorry, Darien.' She sobbed helplessly. 'I promise, if you keep fighting, if you come back to me that I'll always trust you. I will stay with you as long as you want me and I'll do whatever you want me to do! I'll choose and fight whoever you want me to! Just, please, don't die on me! I need you!'

Serena felt Darien mentally caress her in reply to her words and the memory, caress her very heart and soul. Darien was part of her now, as he would be for the rest of their shared lives.

Serena purred in her mind, knowing Darien could hear and feel it, at the thought. She then turned her attention back to what was still flooding her mind.

Foreign memories, thoughts and emotions flooded her mind. All Darien's. Serena watched them play before her mind's eye as she felt Darien do the same with hers that he was still receiving.

Loneliness, fear and pain. Hatred, betrayal and self-loathing. Darien missed his mother and blamed himself, hated himself, for her death. He hated his father and what Valac had made him, had poisoned his veins with before he'd even been born. He feared that one day the Demon in him would become strong enough to rise up and take control of him, and in doing so, wipe out the human side of him his mother had struggled so hard to create within him.

He'd been truly alone since the day his mother had been murdered.

That had been Darien's life before they'd fallen in love, after that there was nothing but love and the doubting fear that he wasn't worthy of her.

Serena smiled fondly, as the very knowledge entered her mind, Darien was right now learning better.

Serena had felt the evil, the Demon, in Darien's blood and she'd washed it away along with his Demonic form until nothing of it remained. Although traces of the blood of the Demon still remained, it was no longer evil. Being half Demon was part of who Darien was, and she loved all parts of him. She wouldn't take it completely from him. She wouldn't divide him, no matter how much he wished it now.

But Endymion was well and truly gone. Washed away in the light and power that was their love.

Serena could also feel Darien's power that was far stronger than even he'd ever known, and she knew she could use it as her own as he was now able to use hers as he willed. She also knew that she'd always be able to feel his pain, his pleasure, no matter how far apart they were. She'd always know where he was and if he was safe as he would her.

They were one now. One mind, one heart, one soul and one power.

One life force. Where Serena knew she would've one day died the moment her child was born in exactly five thousand years, Darien's immortality, his life force – their life force – would keep her alive when death came for her. As they shared power, they now shared life.

Serena was truly immortal now because Darien was. But there was a catch. One could only live as long as the other did, if one of them died the other would follow.

They were truly bonded in the deepest, truest, of ways. Forever. The bond could never be undone, even if someday they wished it.

And then Serena heard Darien's plans and desires to kill his father to keep her safe. Once, not even a week ago, the impulses to kill his father had been driven by the need, the compelling urge, to avenge his mother.

Now the compelling urge was to protect.

Serena didn't want Darien to do it, to kill his own father, but she felt how much he needed it. He needed to set himself free once and for all so that they could truly be together without anything between them.

Serena reached out for their united power. Darien may've had the blood of a Demon running through his veins but his heart and his soul were completely human, were pure as they'd always been.

He'd just never allowed himself to see it. To accept that he was and always had been his mother's son.

At last Serena knew that Darien had everything he wished. They'd be together for as long as they lived and he now had the power he needed to defeat his father and avenge his mother's murder, even if it wasn't what now drove him.

In the act, by finally getting his revenge, Darien would find peace in himself with what had happened so long ago.

Serena reached out with her mind and her power, for Darien's sword. The enchanted blade he'd carried with him for centuries, the weapon he'd planned to fight his father with. The very blade his father had given him to kill others with.

As she willed, the blade appeared in Darien's hand. It was time to wake from their trance, and face the army of powerful Demonic witnesses. They were at the top of the Demon stronghold on Earth, and the army of powerful Demons was something they couldn't ignore anymore.

They'd have eternity to dwell in each other.

Serena felt Darien look down at his enchanted blade, for a moment startled. It seemed that he hadn't been paying attention to her current line of thought, rather he had been watching her memories play before his eyes like home movies.

Darien looked up into her eyes, reading her thoughts in her mind.

'Take your moment, my love.' Serena whispered into his mind through their bond with unwavering confidence. 'Leave the rest to me.'

Darien hesitated, in no way liking the idea of Serena facing so many powerful Demons on her own, even with the power of the Chosen coursing through her veins. There was a small army of Demons, many some of the most powerful on Earth, in his father's domain.

To top it all off, Serena had not even faced a Demon in battle yet. She had no clue how ruthless, cunning and deadly Demons could be when they battled for their lives.

'I don't.' Serena told him at hearing his thoughts. 'But you do and what you know, I know. Don't worry about me. I'll take care of them all.'

And Darien felt his feelings of anxiety wash away in a wave of warm loving light and he found himself looking into her mind, hearing and feeling everything she was as she pulled him even deeper into their bond.

Darien could feel her confidence and belief that she could do it, that she could hold back the army of Demons on her own to give him a chance at Valac. He could also see that she would never put herself in a danger she could not handle for when she risked her life, she risked his and she would never let him die. Especially not because of her.

Darien had never known anything like this in all his centuries, not even while his mother had been alive. He had never felt so completely confident and without loneliness. He was not alone anymore; he never could be alone again even when Serena was parted from him because they were a part of each other now. She loved him and he could not doubt that love, not when it flowed so freely through his own heart.

Serena would always be with him, always love him. She would never leave him, never betray him or be false. She would die for him – not that he would ever allow her – she would do anything for him. She would be his strength, his hope, when he had none.

Serena was his reason to live, his strength. He would never be without her. He was looking at eternity with her by his side, not even Heaven could rival what that gave him.

With that, with Serena, by his side, in his heart, how could they lose . . . anything?

Darien looked into her beautiful deep loving eyes and gave her a confident grin, nodding once in agreement. Serena would always keep his heart safe by keeping herself safe.

Serena was his. He had everything now, he did not need to kill his father to be at peace, he was at peace, but he felt that he owed it to his mother, and he had his chance now. He could rid the Earth and the war of Valac, and so he would fight his father, even though it risked his own – and Serena's – life.

"I love you," Darien whispered, needing to speak the words aloud.

Darien felt love and joy swell in his chest in reaction to his words – her reaction to his words. Serena did not need to say the words, Darien could feel them. Feel their love.

And with that thought, Darien turned his attention back to their audience, who had been momentarily forgotten.

Not one of them, not even Valac or Dagon, had dared to move a single step towards them during Serena's moment of Choice. They had all watched in awed silence as the both of them had been floating in mid air glowing like a white midday sun.

Raising his enchanted blade, Darien turned his focus to Valac. Only this time, he felt no hatred or contempt. They were beyond him now because they were beyond Serena. Serena was too pure to feel such things, even after all the pain and loss she had endured throughout her life.

Power, determination and love flowed through his veins, causing his soul to sing and his body to buzz with energy and life. There was no hesitation or uncertainty in his deep blue eyes, he had none. He had everything to live for, he would not lose this fight.

The simple action of taking a step forward, towards the Demon King, seemed to bring the present audience out of their enthralled trance.

Some of the Demons stepped back in response, some looked uncertain as though they could not decide whether to flee or remain, while the rest summoned their own Demonic blades, ready for battle as it was clear that they were not on the same side of the war.

Darien scarcely gave them all a glance; he knew Serena would deal with them. Not one would get near him. Only Valac and Dagon would be his to deal with.

Behind him, Darien sensed the light subside around Serena until it was only a faint glow. Still power crackled and sparked around her glowing form, immense power that was filled with love and warmth.

Something Demons were not accustomed to. Darien doubted if most of them could even identify what it was that made the light feel so warm and welcoming.

Serena would be able to handle herself. As he could use her power, she could access his battle skill and knowledge.

What one knew so did the other. He knew how to fight and now so did she, even if her body had yet to be trained.

Darien glared menacingly into his father's wide eyes. "Our time has come, father. The deals are broken. You have no power over us anymore." A hint of an amused and gleeful grin touched his lips. "You never did."

For the first time in all the long years Darien had known his father, a flash of fear flashed in the Demon King's eyes. Something the Demon king had never been known to show before.

But Valac quickly hide his fear, dark hardness filling his black eyes as furious resolve consumed his face, twisting his features inhumanly.

"You had your chance, Endymion." Valac growled darkly. "Now, you'll die."

Darien did not answer. His father would learn his response soon enough, by the point of his blade.

Darien took another step forward, and the three – Dagon, Rei and his father – summoned their Demon blades.

Ready for the fight Darien had been waiting for for centuries.

As her feet returned to the floor, Serena turned her attention to their audience. She had to deal with the army of Demons gathered before Darien engaged his father in a battle to the death and the Dark Guard who had just summoned their own enchanted blades, ready to fight.

This battle would be hard enough without an army of Demons at Valac's back.

But what to do with them? These were the most powerful Demons on Earth, and unlike any Chosen before her – how she knew, Serena had no idea – she had the power to deal with them all.

And such power gave her options.

Could she really kill so many? They were Demons who'd done terrible things, but they were still living creatures.

Most of which had killed countless humans, like the receptionist who'd brought her into the building the day before.

'Send them back to Hell.' Darien's caressing voice whispered deep within her mind.

His caressing words caused a tickling – but very pleasant – shudder to sweep through her. Serena knew that feeling, it was desire. Thick, powerful desire that had for too long been suppressed but had come to life with the bond, within both of them. Darien had wanted her in body since she'd become an adult in his dreams, and Serena herself couldn't boast that she'd been immune to his sexual aurora. She'd damn near nearly jumped him that night a week ago in her apartment.

Serena felt Darien respond to her thoughts, but before Darien could put his emotions together into a mental sigh and tell her that this wasn't the time for this, she forced her attention away from their combined – and raging – sexual desire.

For the time being.

Darien had told her to send the Demons back to Hell. Locking them away in Hell. Yes. That she could do. Even as the Chosen, a warrior born to fight this war, Serena couldn't bring herself to kill so many. Even if they were Demons. At least not yet. Maybe one day, after fighting the war for so long, she'd be able to kill without thought, but she wasn't that person, that warrior, yet.

Serena sensed Darien momentarily abandon his menacing position of intimidation before his father to take a protective stance beside her where he could defend her while she did what she was preparing to do.

It would take a great deal of power and concentration to send the Demons back to Hell, leaving herself unprotected. Serena would even have to partly cut off the bond between them so that Darien wasn't affected by the immense amount of power she was about to summon.

Darien's form had never been designed to handle such awesome power.

Serena willed a protective shield to form around them both, Darien was ready to deal with any who might penetrate it – there wasn't much of a chance of that but neither of them would ever take the risk – and then turned all her will and concentration to summoning the majority of their power and bending it to her will.

To say that it was going to be difficult was like comparing a puddle to the Pacific Ocean.

Serena mentally reached out, scanning the entire city for every Demon and creature of Hell. It nearly shocked her out of her state of consciousness to learn just how many there were. Some were even in the middle of an evil and cruel act against humans.

Something inside of her was tempted to stop and deal with them, to stop the Demons from harming anyone else. How many had been hurt or worse by this war? Innocent souls stolen or corrupted by the evil of Hell.

A familiar presence in her mind nudged her attention away from the horrific sights, urging her onward.

'Keep going. Look beyond it.' Darien urged her on gently. 'You can help a few or save many.'

Darien was right. As hard as it was, Serena had to look at the bigger picture. She could save them, the mortal victims of those of the Demonic World, by sending them all back to Hell where they belonged.

Serena reached out further and further. She was almost at the city limits, but the further out she reached, the harder and more draining it became to keep hold on her power and maintain control.

Just a little more and she'd be there, she'd have every Demon in the city under her blanket.

But she couldn't do it, it was too hard. The strain was becoming painful, mentally and physically.

No! She couldn't do it! It was too hard! She was too untrained and unpractised at using her power, what made her think that she was able to cleanse the entire city of Los Angeles?

She'd been foolish.

The instant the thought passed through her mind, a strong unrelenting loving presence of strength and unbending will, wrapped around her like a blanket of strength and will, and suddenly it wasn't so hard.

Serena gasped. Darien was reinforcing her will, her strength, with his own.

Never had Serena felt so strong, so confident and prominent. Darien was there with her, as he would always be and he loved her. There was nothing that they couldn't do.

There was no I between them now, only us and we.

And just like that, they were there. Serena could feel the blanket of power covering every inch of the city. She could sense every Demon, every creature of Hell under her net.

Serena knew through Darien's knowledge that this was going to be hard, so much harder than anything she'd ever done before.

But they would do it together and they would survive it.

All they needed now was a Hell portal, but where was she going to find one of those?

Serena sensed Darien retrieve a memory from deep within his mind, a memory he hadn't recalled in centuries . . .

In their mind's eye Serena saw Darien as a young boy standing before his father, Valac looked exactly the same as he did in precent time, listening to something Valac was telling him.

" . . . there are only a few portals on earth for both sides." Valac had told him. "For it takes great power, more than is harnessed by any on earth, even the Chosen, to open a portal from the other words onto the earth, but once a portal is created it cannot be banished. One dwells beneath this very castle, it's the very one that brought me unto this earth . . ."

As the memory receded, Serena returned her attention to the present. 'Darien, where was that castle?'

Serena felt Darien grin. "Beneath our feet." He whispered in her ear.

Serena turned her focus to what lay beneath the foundations of the building, ignoring the piles of mortal bodies and cages holding mortal and Demonic prisoners on the lowest floor.

There! Serena could feel it. The power was cold, evil and immense.

Valac had been right, there was no way even she had that kind of power, the power to create a portal, but it seemed that once they were created, they remained. This one was strong and had only been opened a few centuries before. She could almost identify the last time it'd been opened.

Serena analysed the energy, the power. The portal had no physical element; it was made of invisible energies and powers, all Demonic. It seemed that opening it from this side would be relatively easy, unlike the other side. Portals, or this portal, was one way. If Demons wanted to come to earth from Hell they had to open it from their side.

So it was easier to send Demons back then it was to summon them to earth.

Which was probably the reason why the Demons hadn't just opened the portals and full on invaded the Earth.

'Ah, Serena?' Darien drew her attention back to him. 'Do you think you can reflect on all of this later before the Demons you're holding in the city figure out what you are intending?'

'Alright!' Serena snapped back, irritated with herself. She hadn't meant for her thoughts to wander. She couldn't help it if all of this was new and as such still fascinating to her! 'How do I open it?'

'Only a Demon, Fallen Angel or powerful Archangel can open a Hell's portal.'

Before she could reply, Serena felt Darien take hold of her hand and wrap his mental self around her and her power.

Serena in no way resisted him, reading his intentions in his mind. If a powerful Demon was needed to open the portal, then Darien was the only one who could open it, using their combined power.

'Have you ever done this before?'

Serena knew the answer before she'd even finished the question. Valac was the only one who'd opened a portal to Hell – the only Demon anyway, they couldn't know for the Angels – in the last millennia.

Serena felt rather than watched Darien nudge the shadow of the portal with their power, wondering if this was going to work with their situation. Darien wasn't exactly a Demon anymore and she definitely wasn't.

Their power flowed from them and into the shadow of the portal in attempt to bring it to life.

And just like that, like striking a match, it flared into life, opening wide like a whirlpool of power and dirty water.

'Now drop them into it.' Darien told her as he pulled out of her mind and retreated so she could use her power in full while he stood guard over her.

Serena returned her full attention back to the Demons under her blanketing net. She could feel the evil radiating from them, but not all of them.

Her closed eyes narrowing, Serena focused more on those that she knew were Demon but didn't read as evil. There were those who weren't evil, even though they were Demons. Some of the few were living normal lives, trying to be part of the Mortal World, some were fighting for the mortals and some were simply existing outside of the war.

She couldn't send them all back. Not all deserved to go.

It would only make it harder, but she was certain that she could do it. She could spare the few like Andrew who wished no part in the war or harm to the Mortal World. They deserved something for their choice.

Unlike the Demons and the Angels alike, Serena would show mercy. Darien was right; things were black and white, good and evil, anymore. Things had changed.

One by one, Serena mentally sorted through the Demons; collecting the guilty, the evil and releasing the good.

Even Demons had a choice of which side to fight on.

The Demons, those to go back to Hell, either didn't have the power to fight her or were caught unawares, there was nothing they could do to stop her from pulling them out of their human hosts or pulling their strained tainted shadows of a soul from the bodies of the born, and dropping them into the portal. Their black evil essences barely able to remain in existence in her golden power.

More and more, Serena collected and dropped into the portal, with each she could feel her strength and her power draining. She gritted her teeth and kept going, she was going to do this. She wasn't going to leave one Demon behind who was a threat to innocent people in the city.

She left those within the building until last. Floor by floor, she worked her way up until she finally reached the last two floors and with agonised screams, Serena pulled the Demons from the human hosts within the throne room.

And just when Serena thought it wasn't ever going to end, Serena felt the last one enter the portal and she released her hold on it.

A moment later the portal shrunk and closed, sealing hundreds of Demons in Hell.

Human hosts and victims left safely behind on Earth.

Serena sunk to her knees and breathed in relief. It was done. There was no evil Demon left in the city.

'Thank you.'

Serena gasped and opened her eyes, looking around for the source of the ghostly faint whisper even knowing she wouldn't see the speaker. A wave of relief and a solemn sense of peace swept not just through the room but through the city, although it was strongest on the floors directly below them.

What the Hell had that been?

'The souls of the innocent and damned that the Demons stole.' Darien stood with his sword in hand and his back to her. 'Without their demonic master here, the souls are free to go onto Heaven.'

The souls of theinnocent and damned? Like that receptionist. 'I can't put them back in their bodies?'

'No.' Darien answered solemnly. 'Once taken from their bodies, they cannot return. That's just the way it is, but they will know peace in Heaven.'

Serena took a moment to mourn for the many, even knowing that they were going to a better place where they could finally know peace.

---

Rei gasped, her vision overwhelming her as she saw what the Chosen had just done. She had sent every Demonic solider in the city including those within the building and in the room, back to Hell. Only Dagon, her father and herself remained – of those who stood on Hell's side anyway. The Chosen had spared the traitors.

Why, why had the Chosen not sent Dagon and herself back to Hell? Rei could not understand it. It would not have been that much more difficult to send herself and Dagon to Hell. Her father was another story, but why had she left the three of them untouched?

What was the Chosen up to? What was her plan?

Whatever it was, the Chosen had to be stopped before she progressed any further.

"Dagon!" Rei cried out, urgency ringing clear in her voice. "Stop them!"

Dagon hesitated only a split second before he drew his sword in one smooth move and walked with a warrior's proud stride towards the still glowing Chosen.

Valac watched with callous interest as Dagon neared the Chosen, his Demonic blade held steady in his hold. Reiizon had commanded him to stop them from doing what they had already done. He could feel it; no Demon loyal to him remained in the city. She had not however taken any of the traitorous Demons of the resistance.

What had his daughter seen that put such urgency in her voice?

Dagon raised his sword to attack the Chosen, but as Valac had expected, Endymion stepped forward and raised his hand, deadly purpose blazing in his mortal eyes, his mother's mortal eyes.

In one smooth move, Darien pivoted and took Dagon's head from his shoulders in a single swing of his sword.

Now that was the warrior he had trained his son to be. Before now Dagon had been an equal rival of his son's but now behold, Endymion had taken his head with ease.

This was the prince worthy to be his successor.

It was a shame that now Valac had to kill them both. Endymion was linked deeply to the Chosen who had too pure a heart. He would never be able to corrupt them as interconnected as they were now.

And unbound by Demonic Deals, there was no way he would be able to control either of them.

The Chosen had chosen against them, she was the Half-blood now and she had to die.

Serena opened her eyes in time to see Dagon's body explode into the flames of Hellfire as Darien turned his focus to his father.

"He's all yours, my love." Serena told him as she turned her attention to Rei, who was silently fuming with fear in her blood red eyes.

Not wanting Rei to interfere, and not currently having the tolerance to deal with her, Serena summoned a powerful shield around the Demonic princess that would hold for as long as Serena willed it too.

Darien felt Serena cage his sister and then close her eyes, her consciousness leaving her body sitting motionlessly on the floor.

Darien gave a small brief grin at her still form, knowing where she was headed and he turned to his father, ready to fight the fight he had been waiting so long for.

But even as he turned his focus to battle, he was mindful of her physical form and the dangers around them.

Serena could defend herself now, but he would always be there whether she needed him or not.

---

Serena had known that Andrew would be on alert. No doubt every Angel and Demon and the in-between had felt the power from her Choice and the battle they continued to fight.

Andrew stood at the floor to ceiling windows in his apartment, looking out over the city, dressed in shiny medieval armour engraved with strange lettering and symbols and holding his enchanted blade in his hand motionlessly at his side. Clearly he'd been expecting company tonight, but Serena knew that her company would not be what he expected.

"Hello again, Andrew." Serena said softly, kindly, from behind him.

Andrew turned to see Serena standing in the middle of the room behind him, half transparent and glowing. His eyes widened in astonishment, but that was his only reaction at the sight of her standing in his living room glowing like a small star in the night sky.

"I knew you'd never be able to do it." He said with calm knowing.

Serena knew Andrew was talking about being unable to choose Hell's side. "I would have. For him. Fortunately there was another way."

"He does love you." Andrew stated with genuine belief. "Darien is a lucky guy to have earned your love in return. Though he is worthy of it."

"I know." Serena smiled.

Andrew's stance tensed as he became serious. "Why are you here?"

"You helped us." Serena reminded him. "You saved Darien's life and kept us safe. I owe you a debt and I'm here to pay it. I'm here to give you a second chance."

"A second chance?"

"You can be human again." Serena said gently, her smile compassionate.

Andrew's eyes narrowed, but Serena could see a spark of hope igniting within his sorrowful eyes. "Only Heaven's highest Archangels can turn me back, can give me my mortality back. A Chosen does not have such power."

Serena smiled with patient confidence. "That may've been true of those before me, but I am no ordinary chosen. I have the power, I promise you." She took a step forward and spoke sincerely. "I can give you this, if you wish. You can have an ordinary life. You can live again. You'll remember nothing of this world or this life. You'll be free and safe. No one will ever be able to find you."

"Darien will lose an ally."

"But never a friend." Serena stepped forward and smiled up into his emotional, yet hesitant, eyes. "This is really happening, Andrew. You'll live a human life and at the end you'll have a chance at Heaven, just as any other. I can't promise that you'll go to Heaven, that's not my decision. It will depend upon the kind of life you choose to live. I'm sorry you lost she who you loved in your last life, but you have a chance to know love again."

Andrew had dreamed of a second chance with fragile hope ever since he had made the Devil's Deal, but he had never really believed he would have a chance at one. He did not think himself worthy of a second chance, a second life, but here she was, Darien's true love, offering it to him with a smile on her lips and kindness in her depthless eyes.

With no strings attached.

"Thank you." Andrew whispered and he closed his eyes, finally able to let everything he had carried for so long go.

Serena gave him a joyous smile that he could not see and a moment later Andrew exploded into bright light and disappeared.

---

Serena became aware of her physical body once more, returning to the throne room to find Darien locked in sword combat with his father and his half blood sister fuming as she struggled in vain to get through the powerful shield Serena had cast around her. Her power crackled around her like angry red fire works, especially around her angry red glowing hands, her fingers spread and locked like she was about the attempt to claw her way out.

The expression on her face was pure evil fury.

After sending Darien a quick mental reassurance, Serena willed the shield to dissolve. It seemed that Rei would be hers to handle. And she was capable of doing so, Darien's centuries of knowledge and skill flowed through her own mind as if it were her own. Her body was unprepared and untrained, but her power would do well to make up for her disadvantage.

Everything she and Darien were they now shared.

Serena looked up in time to see Rei raise her arm and summoned a black blood gem encrusted enchanted sword to her hand. The blade was as black as her hair, the hilt was a gleaming golden and the dark rubies and crimson red diamonds sparkled as spectacularly as the princess's blood red furious eyes.

The blade the Demon Princess held truly was a reflection of herself.

Wanting such a blade for herself, Serena summoned her power and closed her eyes in attempt to visualise an enchanted blade of her own.

But swords were not exactly her expertise, as hard as she tried she just couldn't form an appropriate visualization of such a blade.

'Here, my sweet love.' Darien's soft loving voice whispered into her mind and a moment later, in a surge of their power, something solid formed in her hand.

Serena smiled appreciatively, so perfectly her love had her pegged. When she opened her eyes, she didn't look down at the much simpler enchanted blade, as she knew exactly what it looked like through Darien's mind.

A sword forged with a long silver blade and a golden hilt. There was only two precious gems embedded into the hilt, a flawless clear diamond the size of an oval golf ball on either side of the top of the hilt which the ends of which was curved in a simple oval shape. The hilt was engraved with an elegant and finely etched design of a rose vine running along each side of the blade with crescent moons entwined in the rose vine.

There was nothing particularly spectacular about the enchanted blade her love had forged for her, except for the power that radiated from it. The warm glowing power of love.

Serena held up the sword and noticed that there was an inscription just below where the hilt met the blade.

Holding the blade up to the light she read the words she knew were inscribed in the blade of the enchanted sword, 'Angels in Heaven watch over from above, Always know that you are loved.'

Serena raised her new shiny enchanted blade just in time to parry Rei's ferocious attack with her own enchanted blade. Serena thrust Rei away, using her power to strengthen and reinforce the action.

Rei cried out in furious frustration, but did not attack again. Instead she warily side stepped, looking for an opening to attack and take her head.

Serena mirrored the movement as Rei took another step. She knew what Rei was doing and she wasn't going to make it easy for her.

Darien wouldn't.

For several long silent moments they circled each other, looking for an opening to end it.

'Do not you let her take you off guard!' Darien ordered and warned at the same time, his words echoing sharply in her mind.

Serena smiled confidently. 'You wouldn't, so how can I?'

'Serena! This is your first battle regardless of my experience running through that pretty little head of yours!'

Serena was growing a little annoyed with his unnecessary overprotective antics. 'Fight your own battle!'

'Your battles are my battles!'

Serena huffed and turned her attention back to Rei, ignoring him.

"You dare smirk at me!" Rei screeched, like an enraged banshee.

Serena blinked, perplexed. What had she done to infuriate the princess so much?

Oh, right. Rei must have misread the smile on her lips, thinking it was meant for her to goad her.

That was not who she was. She wasn't like Rei, a Demoness who took pleasure in causing harm to another. This was Darien's half sister, a Demon in by measures but Darien's family none-the-less. Serena wasn't a fool, she knew she'd have to kill Rei or be killed by the Demon princess but she wouldn't take any pleasure in it, regardless of how she personally felt about the princess.

Rei had been raised all her life as a powerful and respected Demonic princess. Serena could see the ambition in her eyes and feel her hunger for power and respect radiating out from her.

Serena couldn't help but feel sorry for her now. All of her life she had been treated as a princess but she'd lived in her brother's shadow, never able to gain her father's approval. Valac had seen the asset he had in his daughter with her sight but it was so obvious that he'd never given her the respect she was worthy of.

Rei was powerful, clever and skilled. Serena had seen that about her in the last twenty hours or so. It was ironic that what Valac had wanted in his son he'd always had in his daughter.

Serena knew she was a Demon, but she could also see what fuelled the anger she could see in the princess. She could empathize with her, she knew of the perplexity that came with less than perfect parent/daughter relationships. For a long time she had almost hated her father and her stepmother for leaving her all alone in the world with no one to care for her but an elderly grandmother who had loved her but hadn't been able to give her the care one as young as her had needed.

Rei's anger obviously came from knowing that her father would never see her as the capable Demoness that she was as he was so set on having his son by his side.

"It doesn't have to be this way, Rei." Serena told her calmly, needing to give her the chance to take the path away from the one she was on. "There are other ways to live than by the pain and death of others. You do have a choice, just as your brother does."

Her words didn't even faze the princess, who was staring at her with evil deadly intent on her flawlessly beautiful face.

"Endymion will have a choice," Rei hissed, her grip visibly tightening around the hilt of her sword. "Once you are dead, he will have to choose whether he dies by his own hand or my father's! I cannot see your future, but I can see Endymion's! With you gone, he will welcome death!"

In their shared mental link, Darien growled menacingly.

Serena took no notice of him as she sensed Rei summon her dark power, the powerful evil in the air causing her skin to prickle and tingle at the icy sensation. It felt cold and evil and foreboding. She could see it swarming around Rei and her blade like an underwater cloud of black smoke with furious red sparks.

It felt so unnatural on her skin that Serena summoned her own power to form a shield around her to keep the dark evil power from touching her.

Rei snarled and Serena tensed, knowing the princess was going to attack her again with deadly force. The princess wanted her head and she'd stop at nothing to get it.

Leaping so fast into the air that she would be invisible to mortal eyes, Rei lifted her sword high over her head, held with both hands, the blade slicing through the air, aimed straight at her to slice her in half.

Knowing that if she thought about it she'd never be able to act fast enough, Serena handed herself over to her instincts and Darien's centuries of skill and experience in battle. This may be her first battle, but as deeply bonded as she and Darien were, it didn't matter. She knew how to win this fight.

The ear piercing clang of metal hitting metal rang through the room and the sword in Serena's hand vibrated brutally, nearly tearing it from her hands. She clinched her teeth and held tightly onto the hilt, she summoned her power and used it to secure her sword to her hand.

The Princess was stronger than she'd expected. It was one thing to know that Demons were strong, even petite female Demonesses, it was another to experience it first hand. Rei may have looked like a regal Demon princess who'd never raised her hands in combat in all her life, but she had the strength only one step short of a male Demon.

Serena thrust Rei away with a thrust of effort and took a step back in order to put some distance between them.

The princess wasn't the only strong Immortal female in the room. At the time Serena had been too preoccupied with her newly acquired power and bond with Darien to take any notice of her new physical abilities.

Serena was now faster, stronger and far more graceful and stealthy. She could feel it, sense it. She'd been born, bred, to be a solider in this war. She was nearly as strong and as fast as the most powerful of Demons on the Earth now, maybe even one day she would be as strong as Darien was.

To really know that, they'd have to put it to the test against each other.

On the other side of the throne room, Darien was too preoccupied to spare the focus to reply to that thought even though he was aware of every move Serena made, watching for any slips on her part that would end with her getting hurt.

Darien had never expected the battle against his father to be easy. Hell he'd always expected it to be his death. The last thing he did before he went onto Hell, as he'd always known that Heaven would reject him.

But now everything had changed. Serena had changed everything in his life. She was his life now. He couldn't, wouldn't, leave her alone to fight this war by herself.

And so he would survive this battle with his father, he had reason to live on and this time he would actually live, not merely exist.

Serena had chosen him, had linked herself to him in the deepest most intimate way possible. She had given herself to him and he would live, no matter how long that may be, to repay such a gift. She was pure hearted, intelligent, beautiful and powerful, a power she had chosen to share with him.

Serena had been born to fight the war he too had been born into and by killing the Demon King, he would eliminate the greatest threat to her, their greatest enemy. With the Demon King banished from the world, the Demon World on Earth would fall into disarray and chaos.

Something that would give them and this world a short time of peace before another rose to take Valac's place as King of the Demons on Earth.

And when that happened, Darien knew that they would deal with him just as they were dealing with the current Demon King, the only Demon King the Earth had ever known.

"You played a game worthy of any Demon Prince. I'm proud of you, Endymion." Valac told him, sounding like a proud father. "So I give you this one last chance, join me Endymion. By my royal oath, the Chosen will remain yours. After all, she is your bonded wife and now Princess and future Queen of the Demon World on Earth. As you are the next rightful king."

His father was wasting his breath. There was nothing his father could say that would cause Darien to even consider really joining him. The only thing he had ever had that had made him do so was Serena.

And Valac was no longer a threat to her. Not now she was the Chosen and Darien shared in her power while she shared in his skill and knowledge.

Not now that Darien was going to kill his father and finally put an end to his long carried burdens.

Valac seemed to see his answer in Darien's eyes as he tightened his told on his powerful black gem solid gold enchanted blade. The blade of the Demon King on Earth.

Darien tightened his hold on his own blade. The moment had come in which son would face the father and only one would walk away. There was no turning back now.

In his mind's eye, Darien watched Serena reengage in battle with his full blooded Demonic half sister. He could feel her moving, the strain of her untrained unprepared hand straining to maintain her tight hold on her blade, her recently enhanced muscles struggling against the unfamiliar strain.

Serena had his know-how coursing through their shared mind but her body, her muscles, did not have the centuries of training his did. Serena was the most powerful being born onto the Earth and she shared her mind with a much older and skilfully trained being, but her body was still flesh and bone that until moments ago had been fully mortal.

'I'm fine!' Serena snapped irritably, reading his thoughts as he was thinking them. 'Focus on your own battle, Darien! I can handle your sister!'

Pain exploded through his abdomen as Rei tore through the flesh of Serena's abdomen.

Serena cried out in pain as Rei's inch long razor sharp claw-like fingernails sliced through the delicate flesh of her stomach.

Blood gushed from the wound and Serena mentally cursed at herself for her stupidity. She shouldn't have taken her focus from Rei! The bond between them was so new, so fresh, it was going to take time to learn to block out each others thoughts when they needed too.

Violent urges and blinding rage that weren't her own turned her vision red, and it took all the self control Serena possessed not to act on Darien's violent impulses. He wanted to kill his sister for hurting her, for causing her pain.

For daring to harm what was his to protect.

'Cool it Darien!' Serena warned him sharply. 'It's nothing that can't be-.'

Serena didn't even manage to finish her unspoken sentence before she felt their shared power swell to life and gather around her, focusing on her wound.

A moment later, the wound was healed. Gone as if it had never been.

Darien had healed her wound, even the material of her gown that had been torn, before she'd even had the chance to do it herself.

Serena huffed. It seemed that this was going to take some getting used too.

And with that thought, Serena made her first real mistake as she was momentarily distracted.

Through Serena's eyes, Darien watched as Rei lunged at her, swinging her sword high and wide to take Serena's head from her shoulders. In response, and purely by reflex, Serena thrusted her sword upwards to deflect the attack.

It wasn't until Rei hit her blade that Serena read in Darien's thoughts that she'd made a grave mistake. She'd saved her neck – literally – but she'd left herself open to a second attack as Serena had both her hands wrapped around the hilt of her blade while Rei had her hilt grasped with only one hand.

Serena sensed rather than saw Rei summon a second blade, a jewel encrusted dagger, to her free hand that was now piercing the air, heading straight for her heart.

An injury even she wouldn't survive.

NO! Darien!

It was all Serena could think, that Darien would die with her because of the bond formed between them. They were one, one heart, one life force. One couldn't live without the other, how did a creature with a soul live with only a half life?

'I'm sorry.' Serena whispered to her love, knowing they were the last words that would pass through her mind before the injury came.

'NO!'

Serena gasped, her eyes flying open at Darien's desperate soul-shattering cry and she felt herself falling for a brief moment only to come to a gentle halt.

At first, Serena thought that her eyes were still closed as all she could see was black, but with a blink she realised that it was black fabric. She was staring into Darien's back.

Serena looked herself up and down and realised that she was suspended in midair on a tilted angle. As if time had frozen while she'd been falling backwards through the air towards the floor, but it hadn't been time stopping that had prevented her from landing flat on her backside.

She could feel their combined power swirling around her, holding her safely in the air, her sword still held in her hands.

Serena looked into Darien's mind and saw that at the last moment – that's all it had taken from him to cross the room to her – and had pushed her backwards away from his sister's dagger. His sword, held in one hand, was where hers had been the moment before, holding back Rei's sword while he held Rei's wrist tightly in his other hand.

Serena could feel the murderous glare Darien held in his cold threatening eyes as he stared down into his sisters blood red heated eyes that blazed with livid fire.

Serena released the breath she'd unknowingly been holding. This was definitely going to take some getting used too.

To think that a week ago – is that really all it'd been? – she'd been a normal young woman with simple dreams. There had been nothing special about her and she hadn't dreamed of riches and glory.

Now look at her. She was the most powerful Immortal Warrior born on Earth in the Immortal War between Angels and Demons for the fate of all mankind. She was married to a fierce warrior of a man – who was hundreds of years old and fathered by the King of the Demons on Earth – and she is currently held stationary in midair as if gravity had abandoned her with her majorly overprotective half-Demon husband who held a sword in his hand to deflect the attack of his half-sister, the Princess of the Demons on Earth.

Life was funny like that.

Serena knew that Darien aware of her thoughts at how much had changed in her life in only seven days, but he was unable to focus on her line of thought at the present time. He wanted to kill his sister for harming her, Serena could feel the impulse as well as if it had been her own, but she couldn't allow that. It would be one more thing that he'd never be able to forgive himself for.

Rei was hers to handle.

"Are you sure, Serena?" Darien asked her aloud, conflicted. His voice hard, ice cold and furious. He wanted to kill the threat to her but at the same time he knew that whatever burden he carried, he'd share with her.

They might not have known each other for very long, but she'd been right when she'd stated that this would be a regret he'd carry.

Personally, Rei had never done a thing against him until this night.

Serena raised her hand and placed his gently, reassuringly, against the middle of his back. "I'm a part of this war now. Sooner or later, I'll have to fight. Not even you can change that. This is what I was born for."

Darien hesitated, remaining motionless, glaring furiously, darkly, into his sister's blood red eyes.

Serena summoned her power and willed it to come between Darien and Rei, gently pushing Rei back from him until they were parted by several feet of space while at the same time, her feet returned to the floor and she magically up-righted herself.

"Go." Serena commanded him, her voice unyielding.

With one last murderous glare at Rei, Darien turned and walked away from them, returning to his battle with his father.

'I'll be watching.'

Serena smiled as she sighed heavily. This was something she knew she'd have to get used too because it was never going to change. He could protect and dote upon her until the day they both left this world for the next.

'When aren't you?'

Rei watched her brother leave them. She had been so close to killing the Chosen until her brother had interfered and instead of killing her for it, Endymion had left them to continue their battle.

Why? Why had he, without a word, left them to continue their battle when he could have so easily and so effortlessly killed her?

Did Endymion want the Chosen dead? Was it that with her death, and bonded as they were, Endymion would be able to claim all her power for his own. Was that his wish?

Rei turned her gaze back to the Chosen to see her staring after him with a fond smile on her face, her eyes almost twinkling with the emotion mortals called love. She herself had never known it, but she had seen it enough times in the eyes of the pathetic mortals to recognise it.

The Chosen turned her loving gaze from Endymion to her and Rei taken aback at the soft kindness that came to the Chosen's eyes.

"I asked him to," The Chosen told her almost as if she had read her thoughts on her face. "He loves me and trusts in me that I know my limitations. We're both new at this but he does trust me."

"He's always been weak." Rei snapped defensively, not wanting to succumb to the foolishness that the Chosen believed in. "His weakness has never been greater than when protecting females."

"You're wrong." The Chosen told her as she lowered her sword.

Rei was not fooled in the least; the Chosen had lowered her weapon but not her guard.

"It takes strength to love, bravery to put one's heart on the line." The Chosen told her, her tone expressive in a way that Rei could not name. "We take a great risk when we love because we give another the power to destroy us. That is why trust is so important, I love Darien and have given him the means to destroy me, but I trust him with it completely. I trust in my heart that he'd never betray me even if I didn't know for sure in the beginning."

Rei opened her mouth to tell the Chosen to shut up, but before she could speak a word, a meek hesitant thought entered her mind.

What if it wasn't all rubbish?

Over the decades Rei had seen it time and time again, mortals doing impossible things, sacrificing everything, even their lives and their souls, in the name of the thing they called love.

For so long Rei had believed that it was merely a mortal fantasy, something to give them hope and keep them from being alone with their fear and insecurities.

But what if there really was such a thing as love?

Rei looked past the Chosen at her brother, who even now fought against their father and was surprisingly holding his ground though neither of them had a single wound.

Endymion had come out of hiding willing to hand himself over to their father to keep the woman he claimed to love safe.

And just moments ago Rei herself had witnessed what had never before been heard of. The two had formed a bond between them that was eternal and unbreakable. They had become one. She herself had seen it. She could feel the power flowing between them, the warmth and trust.

Maybe . . . if her brother was capable of love, then maybe so was she.

Something inside of her stirred and before Rei knew what was happening, a wave of hot ruthless evil power washed over her and all her doubts and conflicting thoughts were gone.

Rei knew who she was and she knew who the Chosen was.

A pathetic fool.

Rei threw her sword up into the air and charged at the Chosen, "Enough! Now you'll die!"

To Rei's complete astonishment, the Chosen did not even move to raise her sword to defend herself.

At first Rei thought that the Chosen wished to die, but the moment the tip of her sword would have penetrated the Chosen's flesh, the Chosen burst into bright white sparking light and her sword became stuck in midair.

"You want to believe." The Chosen looked into her eyes, kindness and empathy sparkling as brightly in her eyes as the rest of her sparkled and shone. "Despite all the evil you have done, there is a spark of good in you."

And the Chosen reached out and gently touched her check and all Rei knew was light, warmth and the vision that exploded into life before her wide unseeing eyes.

Rei could see herself, only she was dressed in the clothes of the mortals. A man, a mortal whose face she could not see, had his arm around her shoulders as they watched a small laughing boy with dark brown hair and green eyes play in the grass at their feet.

As Serena had intended, after Rei's power turned on herself, she was enabling Rei to see her possible future. A future in which Rei lived free of evil and war, but what Serena hadn't expected was a different vision to flash before her eyes as she tapped into Rei's second sight.

As she stared into Rei's eyes, and for a moment their minds become one, Serena saw herself, held in Darien's arms, as she held a child, a baby girl, lovingly in her arms.

Serena gasped in wondrous disbelief. The vision wouldn't come to pass for a long time, it was five thousand years away, and might not even come to pass, but it was one possible future. Serena could feel the happiness and love that peace in the war had finally come to pass. Their daughter had been born into a world of peace among the Three Worlds.

Andrew had been given a gift well deserved, while Rei would earn hers in time by learning what it was that made the mortals worth protecting, worth fighting for to save. Rei had been born into the Demon World, unlike Darien and Andrew she'd never known what mortals, humans, were capable of.

Serena would give her the chance to learn.

"Go," Serena whispered to her kindly. "Remember nothing of this life or this World. I give you this second chance. Live. Learn. Love."

And Serena willed her power the flow through her fingers and into Rei, stripping her of her powers, her immortality and the Demonic blood in her veins.

"Be reborn."

Rei exploded into blinding white light and then was gone, sent far away with no memory, to begin her mortal life.

---

Darien was grateful for Serena's merciful resolution. Although he had never felt love for his Demonic sister, he had never wanted serious harm to come to her. Whatever she was, whatever she had been born as, she was still his sister.

Serena had given Rei a chance at a different life, a peaceful and safe life that she would live, unknowingly protected by them both. She would have a chance at life, to learn what it was that Mortals lived for.

Darien hoped that Rei would find peace and even love in her mortal life, and earn herself a place in Heaven when her time on the Earth ended.

"NO!" Valac roared furiously, realising too late what the Chosen had done to his daughter. With his son's final betrayal, his daughter had been his last heir. He turned his attention towards Serena, dark fury blazing in his black eyes. "You have taken my son from me and now my daughter! You will die for your crimes against me!"

But as his father moved to step around him, Darien side stepped to put himself between his father and his love, standing between them protectively.

Valac would never again get close to Serena, that Darien would assure.

"You will not harm her," Darien told him, his voice hard with resolution. "You will never harm anyone ever again."

"You were my son! Born to be a king, to stand beside me and know greatness and glory beyond even the Three Worlds! And this is what you choose? To side against your own blood for a woman!"

Darien looked into his father's eyes knowing he would never understand what he was fighting for, what he was so willing to sacrifice his life for. "Not for a woman, for love."

With a furious frustrated roar at his incessant defiance, Valac swung his blade, aiming for his neck just as Rei had aimed at Serena moments before.

Darien brought his blade up just in time to parry the attack, but his father was not going to be so easily defeated. He attacked relentlessly, searching for an opening to take the life of his only son.

They circled each other like synchronized dancers, wary and seeking that one mistake that would mean the others death. They sliced and hacked at each other, while Serena watched silently from a safe distance away, just as Darien wished.

Darien wanted her safe and to not interfere, and Serena would give him what he wished just as he'd done for her during his own battle with his sister, even though it was the hardest thing she'd ever done.

And it would remain one of the hardest things she'd ever do even though her immortal life had just begun.

Darien was thankful for Serena's understanding of his need to end this himself.

This was the battle Darien had waited for his entire life and as he had always known, he needed every skill, every trick and every sense that he had spend centuries enhancing. Valac was older than either of them could understand, in fact Darien did not even know his father's true age.

And the truth was that, Darien knew without a doubt, that without Serena's love and power to amplify his own and give him the will to survive, he would have lost this battle and he would have paid for it with his life, one way or another.

And just like that, Darien saw that his moment had finally come.

His father had always underestimated him, always miscalculated his skill and drive to see his father dead, and now he was going to pay for that mistake with his life.

Before Darien's eyes, time seemed to slow to a crawl. He saw his father leap into his attack, swinging his sword with the clear intent to take his head in a single smooth but final blow.

Darien lowered his sword and raised his eyes to meet his father's. His father's eyes were black and filled with flaring rage and cold hatred. Darien had always been grateful that he had the eyes of his mother because such Demonic dark eyes staring back at him every time he caught sight of his reflection would have been too much for him, but even though he had forgiven his father and had let go of his hatred and rage, he was still just as grateful.

Such eyes could never hold love or joy.

Whatever Valac saw in his eyes caused his to grow wide. Maybe he read his intentions in his eyes, maybe he was shocked that his son seemed to be giving up his life willingly, or maybe, just maybe, he realised too late his fatal mistake.

Throwing his upper body backwards, Darien allowed his feet to fall out from under him and for gravity to claim him.

Adding his power to the fall so that he would fall at an unnatural and more rapid pace, he fell through the air towards the floor just as his father's blade pierced the air his neck had occupied a single heartbeat before. He even felt the cold steel sweep through the air across the tip of his nose.

As he fell, Darien brought up his sword with all his strength.

Darien landed on the floor flat on his back, to find himself once against staring into his father's wide eyes.

Long silent moments passed in which the three of them did not dare to move or even breathe.

"It was always going to be you." Valac muttered softly. "From the moment you were born this was only a matter for time away. And yet I let you live just the same."

Darien slowly uncurled his fingers from around the hilt of his sword, but it remained where it was, floating in midair as its blade was held fast in the chest of the Demonic Kng. He slowly rose to his feet as his father fell to his knees.

Valac looked up into his son's eyes, strangely proud of him for being strong enough to end him. "If you think it will end with me, you are mistaken."

Valac was no fool, he knew he was dying and in a strange way, he welcomed the peace of death. He had lived so long, there was not enough room left in his head for all the memories his life had given him.

"No." Serena said as she walked over to stand at Darien's side. She lowered to her knees before the fallen king, looking into his black eyes. "It ended with me. You hold no power over him anymore. Darien is finally free of you, not because he has killed you but because he loves again. He has always had a human heart. His mother gave it to him and it's something you've never been able to taint or take from him."

Valac looked up at his son, unable to continue to stare into the unbearably soft and kind eyes of the Chosen. "You could've been something great. You could've brought Heaven and this World to its knees before you."

Serena glanced over her shoulder and smiled up at Darien. "He's always been something great." She returned her gaze to the dying Demonic king. "Just not the kind of greatness you intended."

Something flashed across Valac's face, something meaningful and strangely out of place.

Serena's eyes narrowed in suspicious thought. What she had seen in his eyes she was having difficulty naming. A faint voice in the corner of her mind was trying to tell her something. Something she couldn't quite understand. It was as if it were something right before her eyes, only she wasn't seeing it.

Summoning her newly acquired power, Serena sent it pouring down over Darien's father, scanning him as Darien had done to her a couple of times over the last week. There was something about Valac that hadn't been there – or she just hadn't noticed – before.

Her scan complete but it told her nothing. Unable to break eye contact with him, Serena searched deeper.

And then it hit her.

Serena gasped in complete shock and incredulity. She felt Darien's eyes widen in identical incredulity as he read the truth in her thoughts as if they were his own.

Knowledge, that was neither her's nor Darien's entered their joined minds. Knowledge that was the truth that Valac had tried for so long to keep hidden.

Valac's true name was Araqiel.

Serena couldn't believe what she was learning from the memories of Darien's fallen father. Something she never would've believed even if she'd lived for all the rest of time. "You are Araqiel, one of the Angels trusted with the dominion over the Earth. You are a Fallen Angel."

Darien could not believe it. Never had he even considered the thought that his father had not been a Demon in full, a human soul twisted and reborn in Hell.

His father was an Angel? What did that make him?

Valac's laughed coldly, his expression filled with long carried loathing and pain. "A secret I have kept even from my brothers. I couldn't stand it anymore. Lucifer saw what humanity would become but I was a fool like so many of my brothers. I did not believe him until I was here. Until I saw the evil and greed spreading like a plague. I could not return to Heaven after seeing what I had seen, after protecting such creatures. So I cut myself off from Heaven and my name and I fell. My brothers all believed me dead and I was. I could not forgive Father for creating such a virus in the human race, a race that is against everything of nature."

Valac looked up at Darien, his son. "Your mother was the only one who was ever able to see me for what I truly was. She was something special, different. She reminded me of my sisters in Heaven. I could not believe that such a human was possible. I could not resist the temptation that she was. I wanted to destroy her, to tear her down, but then she fell pregnant with you. A child. My child. I could not believe it."

Serena felt Darien's pain flare within him at the callous mention of his mother from this Fallen Angel's lips. She instantly sent a wave of reassuring love washing through him, comforting him and soothing his pain, washing it away.

"So I let her live." Valac went on, his eyes almost glazed over as if he were lost in the memories of his past. "I planned to use you to destroy her, but she had such influence over you before I saw what was happening. In truth I should have expected it. Such a pure heart, worthy of any Angel. When I saw that she was turning you against me, I once again found myself seeking a way to break her, but I knew I could not do it as obviously as before as I would risk losing you. My son."

Darien gave no reaction to his provoking words.

"I offered her the chance to join me in eternity." Valac shrugged indifferently. "She refused of course. She was the only mortal I was never able to break."

Feeling every emotion Darien was feeling, Serena gave his father one last minute of her attention. "You were charged with the protection of the Earth by your Father, the Father of us all. You have lived this life because you couldn't face him, but Darien is not you, and he never has and never will be. He has faced you and he has won. He is the son worthy of the divine being you once were. Not what you have become. I now believe that all of that goodness that was once in you was reborn in Darien. The same goodness his mother possessed. It flows thickly through his veins, that is why he could never be the Demon Prince you wanted him to be. Go in peace Araqiel and may the Holy Father have mercy on you."

And with that said Serena rose to her feet, turned her back to the fallen Demon King and took hold of Darien's hand and turned them both towards the exit.

Serena felt love and joy swell within Darien's heart and soul that now knew peace.

Hand in hand, they walked away from the fallen Demonic King as he drew his last breath and life left his Demonic form, which a moment later disappeared in a violent burst of the flames of Hellfire.

There was no one to mourn for the fallen Demon King, the fallen Angel, Araqiel.