I am jolted from my sleep shortly after sunrise and lose my balance; I fall what must have been 20 feet out of the tree I had been sleeping in. Even for a God… that hurt. The rough ground is not easy on my already beaten body. Rubbing my sore back, I look around for the reasoning behind the blood curling scream that awoke me. Only to find the nearby town engulfed in flames. The once beautiful town now painted the same color as the morning sun. I almost can't believe what I am seeing.

Haji glides down from the tree with such grace I can't help but feel envy. He is crouched over me of course, concerned about my wellbeing.

My people are in danger.

I don't dwell on my lack of grace or the dull pain from the fall; I push myself off the ground and start sprinting towards the town. My cloak whipping in the wind from my speed. Haji follows close behind but wisely choosing not to use his wings he hopes to avoid creating more fear. Running through the streets, people are fleeing in the opposite direction but feeling this is nothing less than our duty. We head straight in the direction of screams.

Until I hear a high pitch cry above me it stops me dead in my tracks. I frantically look around for who is creating such a heartbreaking noise. My eyes lock on to a small child hanging from the window of a burning three story building across from us. She is about to lose her grip! "Haji!" I nearly scream and before I can completely get his name out of my mouth, my Saint is up in the air grabbing her and carrying her down to safety. His feet hit the ground and he carefully holds her out to me. I wrap my arms around her small fragile body and thoughts, of not long ago, flood my mind of when my arms once held a fragile being also who I had trouble slowing her tears...

I am pulled from my sad thoughts as the little girl calls out for her mother. I turn around and see the woman that the child in my arms is trying so hard to reach. I hold the little girl out to her rightful mother and the older women's tears are my reward. She clings to her baby and cries such happy tears because her daughter is alive.

That was the first time I witnessed no fear because of Haji and his demon wings. Simply, and purely gratitude.

Nikki.

Now is not the time, these two are still at risk. This town is crumbling around us. Haji and I push them along to evacuate immediately and they frantically go.

I turn back on my heels and jog along following the trail of destruction. Searching for anyone else in danger that is in need for our help.

We stumble upon an opening just on the outskirts of the town. Before I can take inventory of what is going on Haji wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me roughly back against him. He soars up to the nearest roof overlooking the opening. He releases me and takes several steps around me and moves to the edge of the roof. I am about to unload my questions on him when I finally take a hard look at the scene in front of us and understand his actions. Occupying the opening is five Level E's and near them are the bodies of what would appear to be a small pile of their victims. Dismantled. Devoured. Destroyed.

We have just stumbled upon a battle. A battle that has caused my people pain.

I feel a gasp build as I recognize who is on the opposing end of the Level E's… I would know that silver hair anywhere.

It's Zero but with his back to us, he hasn't noticed us yet. Even for such a skilled hunter as Zero five of these hungry creatures is going to be almost impossible to defeat at once. They are beastly things with plentiful strength and erratic movement. Not to mention, they can sense Zero is on the verge of becoming one of them. That adds fuel to their desire fire to complete his transformation. Simply one in the right conditions could overpower Zero. Not that he is weak in any sense, simply these creatures are unpredictable and savage beings.

I am contemplating how Haji and I are to approach this situation when on the edge of my line of sight, I see a Level E I didn't take into account, about to attack Zero from behind. He doesn't even see her!

"ZERO!" My instincts take over as I fling myself from the roof and land directly on top of the monster right before she can get her vile fingers on him. My momentum causes us to roll as I struggle against her for the upper hand. We quickly come to a stop and she lands on top pinning me under her. Her crazy bloody eyes and sharp fangs try to pierce my skin. I have to grasp tighter around her neck to keep her from biting me. Even as a God, their undead venom could be detrimental to me. I'd like to not find out the exact repercussions if I can help it.

I take a deep breath, regain my composure, and release an explosion of my magical energy to explode her head. Then the rest of her body turns to ash just as Haji is beside me asking if I'm alright. I take his extended hand and dust myself off but I make sure not to turn my back to the other demons who look like they are on the verge of pouncing. Haji and I back up slowly to stand alongside Zero. His gun still raised and his mouth slightly agape. She risked her life to save mine?

"Don't worry, you don't have to thank me for helping you this time either." Zero scoffs at my comment but doesn't offer a comeback. "Zero, let us help." He doesn't look at me but indifferently responds, "You two better be able to keep up. You will have to take them out at the same time I do or they could gain control of the situation." So… he must believe me at least somewhat. It's a start.

I nod and look to Haji. He signals he is ready, and I turn my gaze back to Zero. "On your count then, oh mighty one." My voice dripping heavily with sarcasm. This man has an immature effect on my behavior.

Zero, ignoring me, takes a breath and instructions, "Now!"

Haji flings his blade to cut off the heads of the furthest two on the left. I send a pulse of energy to blow a gaping hole in the midsection of the one directly in front of me and Zero shoots two bullets into the foreheads of the last two. All bodies fall to the ground; defeated.

I begin to relax…

That is when a chill runs up my spine and I inhale sharply.

I know that stench.

Blood.

And a lot of it.

There are more of them nearby before I can tell the others, I sense the atmosphere around us change. We're in horrible danger.

We are surrounded.

Haji looks in my direction obviously noticing that something is wrong; I yell out so they will understand my panic, "We have to get out of here! Now!" Haji doesn't waste a second, he moves to my side and begins to scan the area surrounding us to identify the threat I speak of.

It's too late. I can feel them.

They are everywhere. On the roofs, covering the sidewalks, inside the buildings, and filling any empty space… They are surrounding us. There must be at least 50 of them.

Those Level E's before were simply stalling us!

We don't stand a chance. With traveling to a different realm and already using my powers in a small fight; I'm almost completely drained. I only have the need to survive: I have to get my team and return home.

Haji is waiting nearby for me to take us to safety but is astonished when I don't make a move to return home. I realize Zero is not within my range to take him to safety along with us.

I can't leave him behind.

But I don't have much time! And I have used up the majority of my power. I'm running out of options.

I must protect them. I must. No matter the cost.

That declaration fills my very being and I suddenly feel foreign magic rushing through my body. It feels so different and something about it is slightly off but as it flows through my body I feel myself growing stronger. Time around me begins to slow… Haji reaching out to me with his extended hand stops in midair. I see everything and everyone around me freeze. I feel my feet leave the ground and my sight begins to fade away.

Darkness.

All I see around me is black… I don't like this.

But the darkness begins to become dotted with red.

I know in my core what they are. My targets. My enemies.

I must destroy them. I must destroy them all. It is a desire like no other I have ever experienced. The desire to kill. The need to kill.

A colossal wave of power rips from me and around the three of us. All the Level E's are thrown back harshly from the wave of colorless power. Along with it came a rush of excitement and I loved every minute of it!

As quickly as it began: it's over. I feel the extraordinary power leave me and I have never felt so alone… never felt so weak. My vision returns to normal and my feet are placed firmly on the ground once again.

Time picks back up.

No one knows what happened… other than me.

But I don't have time to study it… This is an opportunity like no other and I don't have time to waste the gift I was given.

I run as quickly as I can towards Zero stopping right behind him. Close even to grab and drag him with us if I have to. I scream, "Zero, we have to leave now! Something bought us some time but we don't have long! Come with us!"

Silence. He is looking towards the Level E's that are beginning to regain their balance and race towards us.

Time is running out. My head is screaming to turn back and leave right now but my heart is even louder. I can't leave him. I won't.

I plead wholeheartedly, "Zero! We have to get out of here!"

Nothing.

Fear overwhelms my body. He'll die if he stays here. I'll take him by force if I have to!

I try one more time "Zero, Please! Please let me save you!" My cracked voice stirs him to turn and glance back at me. He notices the tears that are beginning to build in my eyes and for a minute I don't believe he will come with us… but to my surprise he pockets his gun and turns completely around.

Why would she cry for someone like me?

Zero spins me around by my shoulders and pushes me back to Haji; I'm afraid Zero will turn and leave once I am near Haji so I grab on tightly to his sleeve.

Shockingly, Zero makes no move to leave. To reassure myself further I also grab ahold of Haji as we are engulfed in a blinding light and the Level E's spring to attack us.

A second later and…

But I feel the air change around us first, then the distinctive smells fill my nose and I relax. We are back home.

I have officially collected my second Saint and everyone is home safe. Even with all the close calls, we managed to pull it off!

I quickly realize I still have a grasp on Zero's jacket sleeve and instantly release. Wanting to put some distance between us, I take a step back and look around at my home in disbelief.

I actually accomplished a mission. An important one at that!

I can't stop the laughter that erupts from my body. The two men glance at me but I ignore them. I unclasp my hood and fold it over my arm. Spinning around with my hands waving about similar to that of a child but I don't care! I skip towards the house truly appreciating that I was able to return home with another member of our team! Which means I am one step closer to taking back my throne! Who wouldn't be overcome with emotion?

For once, my mind is clear and free.

I have the craving for some tea! Letting my mind focus on trivial things is such a relief.

Temporarily forgetting about the unknown power that provided us with the opportunity to escape.