Genre: Fantasy

Pairings: 1x2, other

Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' but these words

Warnings: Gratuitous violence, abuse, torture, yaoi, lemon, angels, demons, bigotry, hypocrisy, blasphemy, heresy, sacrilege, and general religion-bashing. THIS IS NOT A STORY FOR THE CLOSED-MINDED.

A/N: I think this will only be a few chapters more. It has already gone on much longer than I anticipated. And this is a REALLY long chapter. Oh, this chapter is dedicated to StarLight Pixie, because you pointed out a flaw and inadvertently gave me a great idea.

Death of an Angel

By nightfall of the third day with no word from Duo, Heero had had enough. He knew Duo had been captured by the church, so he did something he swore he would never do. He abandoned his search and went instead to the royal palace. There he was met by the Queen's Guard, and they gazed over at the youth who looked like a young--albeit surprisingly attractive--human.

"Who are you, boy?" one rumbled.

Heero shook his head. "I have a message for Oraia, Bright Lady of Heaven. I will speak to none but her."

"You are not a messenger," the guard said, dismissing Heero.

"No," Heero agreed, "but Oraia will see me."

That brought stern eyes back to him. "Oh she will, will she? Boy, what business could you possibly have with the Bright Lady important enough to interrupt her? She has too much to do to play with little kids."

"She will see me," Heero repeated.

A snort. "And what makes you think she will see you, boy?"

With infinite care, Heero let his gloriously shining white wings spill down his back. They gleamed almost painfully bright in the sunlight. "Because I am an angel."

-

Oraia started when one of the Queen's Guard burst into her private study unannounced. Normally they were much more polite than that. She opened her mouth to berate the fool human, but he didn't let her get out so much as a sound.

"Bright Lady!" he panted. "There is someone here who insists on seeing you. Given who it is, I thought to come straight to you without delay. My Lady, it is a young angel."

Blink. Again, Oraia was startled. Rather, stunned speechless. A young angel? The only angel on Candora that she knew of was Heero. "What does he look like?" she managed.

"Dark brown hair, long white wings, blue eyes," he said, still trying to catch his breath.

Hope flared in Oraia's chest. If Heero had sought her out, had he perhaps finally come to his senses? "Another," she said. "Quickly, is there another with him?"

"No, Bright Lady. He is quite alone."

She drew in a deep breath. "Why are you still standing there, fool? Go! Bring him to me at once!"

Had he abandoned the demon Prince at last? Realized that she, Oraia, was right all along? Had he perhaps come to support her in her war against Hell? With his help, she had no doubt she could finish her noble mission in less than half the time she'd originally estimated. Even a quarter! Closing her eyes briefly, she tried to rein in her excitement. No sense jumping to conclusions. It was possible he'd come here to try and convince her to return quietly to Heaven. Or even to cease her persecution of Duo. Or even to spare him. After all, Treize had sent her word less than a day ago he had the demon brat in his custody and was preparing for a public execution. None knew this yet, but Heero was an angel.

And suddenly, there he was. Walking through her door with all the quiet grace and dignity that set him apart from the rest of the angels. She felt an odd tug at her heart. He truly was a magnificent boy. He would make a marvelous King one day, better by far than his father. If only he would submit to her gentle guidance.

To her surprise, Heero inclined his head toward her. Oraia dismissed the guard with a hard look, and the human shut the door as he retreated. Alone with the beautiful young Prince, she stood from her desk and came around to stand before him.

"I was not expecting you to seek me out," she said in a neutral tone.

"Duo was captured some days ago," Heero began.

Oraia tried to quell the deep disappointment. "And?"

"And being apart from him has provided me with . . . unanticipated clarity."

Hope immediately battled back to the fore. "Clarity," she repeated. "That has taken what form?"

Heero paced around her to the desk, leaning almost demurely against it. "I'm an angel," he said simply.

"And he is a demon," Oraia agreed.

"I could never turn my back on God," Heero went on. "I believe it is His will that we purify Hell. I think Duo's nearness had . . . clouded my judgment. Can . . . would you forgive me?"

As she'd suspected from the beginning. The filthy little wretch. "Heero," she said in her gentlest, most loving tone, "God is forgiving, and so am I. You were under the wicked wiles of a demon, and you are very young. You have seen the error of your ways and come back to me. To God. There is nothing to forgive." She held open her arms.

Heero's expression was troubled, as though he didn't believe it should be that simple. But moisture glittered in those remarkable eyes of his as he came forward into her embrace, resting his head on her breast. She clasped him to herself tightly, breathing deeply through the near-giddy feeling of intense joy. Every angel in Heaven would back her if Heero was on her side. He was beloved of all.

Frowning, she felt warm wetness gather on her skin. Lifting his chin, she was shocked to see him crying. "Sweet child," she crooned, "why are you crying?"

He pulled free of her hand and buried his face in her neck. "I . . . I don't really know."

Tightening her hold, she ran soothing fingers through his hair. "Shh, Heero. Don't waste your tears in vain. Shh . . ."

-

Wufei watched Zechs walk back into their shared room. The siren looked utterly worn out and defeated. There was also a deep pain evident in his eyes, which made him go to his friend at once. With an arm around slender shoulders he guided Zechs to sit on the bed and perched next to him.

"Zechs? Tell me what's wrong. You look as though you've lost your best friend."

That brought storm-blue eyes up to his, and Wufei was shocked to see tears. "I've spent the night with Treize," he said softly. Voice almost unrecognizable.

"And?" Wufei prompted gently.

"He made love to me," Zechs said, voice breaking a little.

That came as no surprise--Wufei had been wondering when his two friends would realize their mutual attraction. Yet, why did Zechs sound so unhappy? He should look giddy and bright-eyed, not like a grieving lover. "What happened?"

Zechs abruptly grabbed both Wufei's arms, grip so tight it almost hurt. "You have to stop him, Wufei. He'll listen to you. He has Duo right now, he plans to take him out to the city center under the guise of public execution. He is hoping to lure Oraia to him and slay her with the Unsummoning arrow she gave him to kill Duo. He's prepared to die, Wufei!"

The rapid influx of information took a few seconds to process, but it all clicked into place. He blinked. "He probably feels he has the best chance of succeeding if he acts alone," he mused.

Apparently, not what Zechs wanted to hear. The siren reared off the bed, expression now one of red-hot anger. "That's your answer? You're just going to let him die?"

Wufei's lips twisted, and he fought the grin. He didn't want Zechs to think he was making light of his fear. "I can't exactly stop him," he said in reasonable tones, "but no, Zechs. I would never stand by and watch Treize die if I could prevent it."

"Then prevent it," Zechs growled. "You're an Imperial dragon. If you challenged Oraia you would win."

"But I would not kill her," Wufei reminded. "Angels cannot die but by an Unsummoning arrow."

"I don't care about her," Zechs said, starting to sound strained. "I want you to save Treize, not kill Oraia."

Hating to see his friend's distress, Wufei reached out and placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "I don't know what his plan is, but I will do what I can."

-

Treize walked with slow-but-deliberate steps into the basement of his luxurious manor. There wasn't a dungeon down here, of course, but he'd ensconced Duo in one of these rooms in hopes that none of his staff would find the young demon. After all, Duo wasn't in chains as a demon "should" be. Quietly opening the door, he peered inside.

Duo lay on the wide bed, still asleep. He looked significantly better than he had the day before, though the burns around his wrists from the cursed manacles stood out stark and angry. He didn't know what could heal those, perhaps only returning to Hell. Leaning against the doorjamb, he watched the demon sleep.

Strangely, though today was the day that would decide his fate, he was calm. If he died, he would die peacefully. And hopefully, avert this war once and for all. He wasn't sure if Oraia's death would end it, but it was all he could do. Then it would be up to Duo and Heero. If anyone could do it, it was this dynamic pair. They were both so strong, both in many ways. And their obviously close relationship would be the foundation they needed to build something new. Stronger. More enduring.

Their close relationship . . .

Pushing away from the wall, Treize crossed the threshold and sat down on the bed. Reaching out, he lightly gripped Duo's shoulder and nudged him. The demon came awake quickly, blinking sleepily and yawning.

"Mm, Treize? Morning already?"

"Yes. Thought you might like some breakfast before . . ."

"Before we play with fire," Duo said with a smirk. "I tell ya, Treize. You are one audacious human."

Treize snorted. "Am I? I must have picked that up from you."

Duo glowed.

"Before we do anything, I have a question for you," Treize went on. "I understand if you wish not to tell me, and I will not pry. It's really none of my business, but I would still like to know if you trust me with the answer."

"I can't think of anything off the top of my head that I don't want you knowing," Duo said with a shrug.

Nodding, Treize took a slow breath. "You told me your heart was taken," he said after a moment. "That you have a lover. It's Heero, isn't it? Heero is your lover?"

Duo blinked, his obvious surprise giving him away without words. But the young demon did nothing to hide it, and after a moment he pursed his lips. "How did you know? Or were you just wildly guessing?"

Treize chuckled. "I read a few signs. Heero is kind to all, but I only see him acting with actual affection toward you. Everyone else, he keeps at a distance."

That made Duo look away, staring at the far wall. "He can't help it. He doesn't mean to be cold. What's the point of getting close to someone you will never see again? Everyone we meet here on Candora, we will eventually have to leave."

"I understand that," Treize said. "I don't understand why he thinks he can avoid that and worse with you. I don't see how an angel and a demon could ever find lasting happiness."

Indigo-violet eyes bored into his. There was so much in that single gaze Treize felt overwhelmed by its weight and intensity. Grief. Determination. Sadness. Despair. Love. Resignation. Acceptance.

"I know. But I love him."

There was no other answer, was there? Treize closed his eyes, momentarily drowning in his own grief. For himself and for this beautiful creature before him. "Duo, will you show me your true form?"

Duo's gaze remained locked on his, steady and even. "No."

"Why not?"

The query earned him a crooked grin. "Maybe before this is over, you'll see my true form, Treize. But not right now. Not yet."

Treize sighed. "If I die today, what waits for me?"

The grin morphed into a soft smile, one that made Duo look young, innocent, and painfully beautiful. Like an angel of legend, not a demon of nightmare.

"You can't imagine it, Treize. It's incredible."

Treize bowed his head. If I die, I die for you. For the future that you and Heero deserve. For Zechs, and for Wufei, and Quatre and Trowa, for every young angel in Heaven that has been mislead, and for every young demon in Hell that has been deprived. If I must die today, Oraia, I will take you with me. That smile belongs on his face forever, and you are the only thing stopping it.

Judging by the look on Duo's face, the demon knew his thoughts were dark. But he said nothing, and Treize offered nothing more.

It was almost time.

-

Oraia rode in the carriage with Heero in silence, trying to gauge his mood. The Prince seemed more melancholy than anything else. He gazed out the window with a distant expression, reacting politely when she engaged him in conversation. Eventually she reached over and touched his hand. He started a little, meeting her gaze.

"What troubles you?" she asked gently.

He closed his eyes briefly. "I shouldn't go with you," he said.

She blinked. "Whyever not? If anyone deserves to see justice meted out to this filthy demon, it's you."

"I don't relish the thought of seeing anyone die, even a demon."

Ahh, of course. Smiling, she squeezed his hand. "You were ever a gentle boy. Even if you do not watch his death, you should at least accompany me, look him in the eye to let him know at the end his trickery did not work on you. It will give you the closure you need."

He didn't return her smile, but he did squeeze her hand.

The carriage trundled into the city square. The marketplace had been cleared away, and a huge, ornate wooden cross had been erected. Many people had already gathered, and soldiers of her Army of Light formed a column alongside the carriage when it stopped. She stepped out with Heero behind her, walking toward the raised pyre. There was no wood, of course, but this way all would see the demon brat's execution. She walked up onto the pyre, holding onto Heero's hand. Once there she stopped, letting her white wings cascade down her back. All the murmuring ceased, adoring and awing eyes turning on her.

"My righteous followers," she said, wings spreading wide, "today is a glorious day for the Way of Light. Not only will you witness the demise of one of Hell's foulest, but also I would introduce to you the hope of Candora and Heaven, humans and angels alike. This is Heero, Prince of Heaven, one day to be King!" She pulled Heero to her side.

When his own wings flowed down his back, it seemed to her he was bathed in a soft golden glow, as though God Himself were smiling down upon them. He was absolutely radiant, his beautiful face lighting with a gentle smile. With the sunlight streaming down on him he was almost painful to look upon, too beautiful and pure to bear. Every person in the enormous square went down to their knees, and a good many of them were weeping.

Yes, yes, God was with her this day.

-

Heero watched Oraia, the emotional turmoil inside him almost overwhelming. She looked so beautiful, the Bright Lady of Heaven he had admired as a child. Utterly devoted to peace and Candora, bringing the faithful back to God. Why, oh why couldn't she see the hypocrisy of her own teachings? She could have been a great advocate for peace if she were only not so blinded to the goodness in demonkind. In Duo.

The worst part is, I really loved you, Oraia. I looked up to you as mentor and surrogate mother, desired to be like you. I started this journey with Duo thinking I hated you and wanted to destroy you. Now, I wish to save you. Bring you to the person you should have been.

The person I thought you were.

Oraia caught his gaze, and her expression softened into one of love. The same expression ever had she turned upon him, from the moment of his birth. Oraia, like any demon, was capable of love. It shone from her face like a beacon of hope and acceptance. What had happened to warp her so?

There are many on this world right now who want you gone, Oraia. But I don't want to see you killed any more than I want to see Duo killed. I'll protect you both, and with any luck, I can save you both.

God, be with me now.

-

Duo tried not to be nervous as the carriage rolled to a halt outside the square. He could see many people gathered, and he could also see the pyre with the huge wooden cross. That bitch Oraia certainly had an overdeveloped sense of irony. God, how he hated her. His hands shifted, making the manacles clink. These were simple iron, causing him no additional pain. Easy to break free of, for him.

"Don't worry, Duo," Treize said softly, reaching over to touch his hand. "This will be over quickly. Once I kill Oraia, will you be able to handle the humans?"

"Yeah. I have Wufei to call on as backup, and he's pretty darn big." He gave a crooked grin.

Treize smiled. Taking the lead chain attached to the manacles, he put his hand on the door. "Ready?"

Duo nodded, and they stepped out.

As soon as the crowd saw them, they immediately went crazy. The murmuring and quiet talking burst into a raccous cacophony of angry yelling and calling for the demon's death. Duo did his best to ignore them, glad they at least didn't try to touch him. He reminded himself they acted like this only because they were misinformed. They'd been fed lies all through their lives, so they didn't know the truth. It wasn't their fault.

So he walked by them without looking at them, head held high with silent dignity, allowing no anger or pain or fear to show on his countenance. His hair, some worked loose from the braid, fell softly around his face, accenting both the bruises and the beauty. He wondered what these people saw to believe he was evil and deplorable. No wings. No fangs. No claws. No horns. No black skin. No red eyes. No twisted, deformed body.

In fact, he would like nothing but a human boy right now.

And yet they hated him. For some reason, that hurt. Him, a demon, whom supposedly should be used to this kind of mindless hatred. They were ignorant. And they hated him. And it hurt. Treize pulled him right up to the pyre, and there she was. Wearing a gown of pure white, wings pouring down her back in waves of gleaming white, she looked like an angel. Powerful, radiant, beautiful, wrathful. Her face was not as cold as he was used to seeing. In fact, she had a strange expression comprised of peace, satisfaction, and even triumph.

"General," she said, "welcome. Secure the little beast to the cross."

Treize obeyed, and as soon as he was done he stepped back. Oraia faced him, and to his shock she broke into a gentle smile.

"Your evil spell has been broken," she said in a voice meant for his ears alone. "Whatever veil of shadow you lowered over my Prince's eyes, it has been dispersed. He has come back to me, so I forgive you. I hope you find redemption in the inky black abyss that awaits you, demon."

Mystified, Duo stared at her. She couldn't possibly mean . . .

The crowd grew quiet, and like a divine god of beauty and peace Heero descended onto the platform. His wings folded gracefully behind him, and for once, Duo couldn't read his expression. He stood beside Oraia, and she gave him a smile. Heero gave her a brief look before returning those amazing cobalt eyes to the young demon.

"The veil was, indeed, lifted," he murmured.

Horrified, Duo watched as Heero moved off the platform with Oraia, taking his place at her side at the head of the crowd. The angry mutterings started up again, gathering intensity once more. To Duo, it was all white noise he barely heard.

"He-Heero," he whispered, voice breaking alarmingly. No, no, nononono . . .

Oraia made a vague gesture to Treize, and the General produced the golden bow and arrow from his cloak. Duo hardly saw him. He could not tear his eyes off Heero, could not believe this was happening. The angel Prince looked on, still distant and unemotional, and as Treize drew the bow taut, he turned his back.

Duo felt himself breaking.

-

As Treize prepared himself for the final moment, he was astonished to see tears in Duo's eyes. It's almost over, Duo. It will all be over soon. Drawing the arrow back to his cheek, he took a deep breath. And it was time.

Whipping around, drawing on years of training, he aimed the arrow in the space it took him to blink and released. It sang through the air straight for its mark, never wavering from directly over Oraia's heart. It struck her. Only, there was no sound. No thunk of divine metal burying in flesh. It passed straight through her, plunging into the chest of a hapless man standing behind her. Icy cold gray eyes gazed up at him with grim satisfaction, and a strange ripple went through the gathered crowd which had fallen eerily silent.

"Treize, my dear misguided General," she said quietly. "Did you not think I would sense your betrayal? I have been alive longer than you can fathom."

And she transformed.

-

Wufei felt it as a terrible urgency at the base of his skull. Almost like a headache it gnawed at him, demanding action. Now. He flew fast and strong, feeling Zechs' fear radiating over him like a wave. Through his web he sent a pulse of reassurance. Whatever happens, my friend, I will protect all of you.

Wufei's keen eyesight easily picked out the excitement in the city square. Thousands of people were gathered. As Wufei drew closer, he saw Treize aiming an arrow at Duo. The demon was bound to a large cross on a raised platform. The arrow was gold, catching the sunlight like a winking eye, beckoning the Imperial dragon closer. He began circling down, holding his distance for now to see how things played out. Curious as to Treize's plan.

A moment later his question was answered when the human General whirled, releasing the nocked arrow a split second later. It flew on a deadly-straight course for Oraia, seemingly too fast for her to react. Seemingly. It passed through her as though she were merely an illusion, and even from this height Wufei saw her cold smile. He couldn't hear the words she spoke, but it didn't matter. Not waiting, he dove.

Oraia transformed. Wufei had never seen an angel take their rumored true form. Her eyes went from gray to black, pupils indistinguishable from the iris. They glittered like a star-studded night sky. Her body no longer looked solid and corporeal, but a shining entity of pure white light. Her wings, once feathered, now streamed away from her body in long strands of white, constantly shifting and flowing, all emanating that near-blinding glow.

She was absolutely painful to look upon. Too radiant. Too beautiful.

Every person in the square shielded their eyes against her, but it didn't take long before they threw themselves to the ground. Some seemed to go into rapture. Wufei tucked his wings to his body and shot down out of the sky fast as a falcon, and at the last possible second spread his wings to abort his downward momentum. People screamed, fleeing in all directions as Wufei intercepted her moments before she reached Treize.

-

Heero rolled to the side when Wufei fell from the sky like a thuderclap of impending doom. The enormous dragon practically filled the square, and he gazed down at Oraia with an expression of long-denied glee. For the moment, he wasn't concerned about the inevitable battle. Wufei couldn't kill Oraia, even though he could seriously wound her. Right now, he had only one concern.

Zechs slid to the ground from Wufei's back and raced straight for the platform--Heero could see a mixture of anger and worry on his face. Deciding it was at last safe since Oraia was completely distracted, Heero stopped blocking Duo out and opened all his thoughts and feelings as he bolted up onto the platform. Duo had escaped from the manacles, letting Heero know they weren't cursed, and the moment he saw Heero he collapsed to an awkward sitting position.

Tears streaked down his face, and Heero didn't pause before going to his side and gathering him in his arms. The demon was limp, practically unresponsive as Heero held him, weeping onto his shoulder. As Heero squeezed him tighter, Duo's hands soon came up to grab the front of his tunic, clinging.

"Don't touch me . . ." Duo whimpered, even as he burrowed closer. "You . . . asshole . . ."

Heero crushed him closer until he heard the breath leave Duo's lungs with a pained gasp. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Duo . . ." He let wave after wave of his near-painful love for Duo wash over the demon, determined to overwhelm him with it, to assuage his fears and reassure him that nothing could stop him from loving him.

-

Oraia almost missed it. The mammoth dragon was quite a handful, even in her true form, so she almost missed it. Almost missed it when Heero took that demon brat in his arms. She let out a scream of pure rage. Would the foul little creature never stop interfering with her? She summoned a dozen swords of holy fire, the blazing white glow emanating both heat and cold. Wufei, who had been charging her, reared back in alarm, prepared to counter. But for once his bulk was against him in this enclosed space. Two blades made it around his shield.

While the great beast roared out in pain, staggering back, she flew at the platform. "Take your hands off him, demon filth!" she snarled, voice echoing around the square, sounding at once hollow and impossibly large.

Treize startled her. He stepped right in her path, succeeding in drawing her up short. For a moment, her anger tempered into scorn.

"Leave them be," the human said quietly.

Oraia held his gaze a moment. "Treize," she said. "You are nothing. You mean nothing. You can do nothing. Stand aside, or I will go through you."

Treize shook his head. "I won't."

Duo seemed to be rallying himself. He pushed himself to a standing position, and though his eyes still glittered with moisture, he looked resolved.

"Leave us alone, Oraia. All of us. Your place isn't here."

She laughed, high and cold. "Isn't here? These people are my people. My world!" She summoned another sword of holy fire. It slashed down in a gleaming arc, leaving a brilliant trail behind it.

Treize, armed with his traditional ceremonial sword, reacted quickly and brought it up to a defensive position. Her holy sword burned right through it.

-

Zechs stared in horror as the white blade went through Treize's sword like it simply wasn't there, burning into his body and flinging him aside like a toy. How could he survive a blow like that? He was mortal, he was a fragile human who couldn't heal quickly, who wasn't impervious to certain forms of damage, he had only one life and that was it . . .

A tormented cry rang through the air--was that desperate voice really his? His legs carried him without a conscious order from his mind even as he opened his mouth and began to sing. In moments the sky turned lead gray, weeping with him, pouring grief in the form of burning rain. He heard Oraia scream again, even she was affected by the power of his song. He didn't care. He didn't care about her as he reached Treize's side.

The human's eyes were open, but he was barely breathing. He met Zechs' stormy eyes and offered a faint smile.

-

Quatre's aqua eyes widened in surprise at the sight that greeted him. The city square was quite occupied. Wufei's great black bulk dominated the space, but there were literally thousands of humans gathered between the buildings, watching the spectacle. His keen eyes took in Zechs, Treize, Duo, and Heero, and a much-transformed Oraia.

It was immediately apparent Zechs had summoned this bizarre storm. Sirens, after all, specialized in controlling weather and water. All the easier to sink ships. It seemed Oraia's immediate goal was Duo, but the painful song resonating in the bleeding air was distracting enough she made no headway. Quatre dove down toward them, landing near Wufei--who looked badly injured.

"What's going on?" he demanded, breathless from both excitement and the flight.

Wufei didn't answer, but Quatre shuddered at the look in the dragon's eye. He was beyond angry. He was furious. The kind of fury that melted the mind and erased common sense and rational thought. Quatre flattened himself to stone when the dragon built up a huge wave of energy inside him and released it. It thundered through the air with a deafening sonic boom, and every building surrounding the square began to crumble as though made of clay. The shrieking of fleeing humans added to the cacophony.

"Wufei!" he practically squeaked.

The energy wave seemed to have no affect on Oraia.

-

"Those idiots!" Heero abruptly growled, startling Duo.

It took the demon a moment to realize he was talking about the humans. They scurried about like ants in a disturbed anthill, seeming without direction. Raising his head, he looked in amazement at the decimated square. Where once had stood proudly hundreds of buildings, now stood a scant few. And Wufei was charging Oraia again, this time with a great deal more room to move. His wings spread wide, giving him a little altitude as he bore down on her.

"Stay here," Heero said, leaping down off the platform.

He headed in the direction of the humans, probably to offer them some kind of help. The urge to offer them aid was strong, but would the humans accept it from a demon was another matter. That thought just as quickly overrode the desire to help with anger. Ignorant fools. He returned his attention to Oraia, who now had to divide her attention between the infuriated Wufei and the grieving Zechs. The song was painful to hear, and Duo could feel blood trickling down the side of his face from Wufei's blast.

Treize had crumpled to the ground, and Duo was certain he was dead. After all, no human could survive a blow like that from a holy sword. He might still be clinging to life, but it was just a matter of time. He felt a strange sense of both sadness and peace. He looked up in time to watch Quatre dive down at Oraia with claws outstretched.

Perhaps it was time to add his own strength to the battle.

-

Trowa ghosted through the panicky crowds of humans, unseen and unhindered. The mortals seemed not to know which way to go, and he could see Heero beginning to rally them, to lead them. Humans were such silly creatures. Especially in large mobs like these. Taking up a sheltered place behind some broken columns, he surveyed the scene before him.

Oraia, looking quite awesome and terrible in her new form, battled Wufei and Quatre. His little golden lover obviously only fought to distract her, and Wufei was injured. Badly, by the look of it. He could see Duo rising from a crouching position, summoning a sword of flame to rival Oraia's blade of light. Looking around, he tried to determine what to do to give his friends the advantage.

There, lying not far from the platform, was a downed human man. Dead, by the glazed, sightless eyes. But more importantly, protruding from his chest was a golden arrow. Trowa recognized it for what it was--an Unsummoning arrow. He had no idea what it was doing in a human. Judging by Treize's collapsed form, he had meant it for Oraia and missed. So that was what he'd been hiding. Nothing like dying for no reason. Unseen and unchallenged, he made his way to the man's side and with a quick jerk pulled the arrow free of cooling flesh. It felt warm in his hand, borderline hot.

Unstrapping his bow from his back, he strung it and nocked the arrow. Pulling it taut, drawing the arrow to his cheek, he took his aim.

-

Enraged, vision hazed red, pain lighting his body on fire, Wufei summoned another great surge of energy inside him. Oraia was holding her own, but thanks to Quatre's diving attacks she could not gain the upper hand. All it would take was one more blow and she would fall, freeing this world from her claws. Spreading his wings, he laboriously took to the sky. Oraia, obviously recognizing him as her greatest threat, immediately moved to follow him, but Quatre took action and latched onto her with his claws and cruelly-hooked beak.

Oraia let out a surprisingly soft cry of pain, and for a moment her brilliant white glow dimmed a bit. Her white holy sword flung around, striking the small gryphon across the side and sending him flying. He landed in a crumpled heap, but he struggled back up moments later. Oraia still didn't find the time to follow Wufei as Duo finally entered the battle.

The demon was gravely injured from the cursed weapons used to torture him. His beautiful black wings fell oddly loose down his back, as though he lacked the strength to raise them. But he had a sword of crimson flame in his hands, and he swung it at her with conviction. Flame and light collided with an achingly clear, sharp note that resonated in the bleeding air. Wufei, rapidly gaining altitude, saw Oraia cast an angry glance at Zechs. Apparently she'd had enough of the siren's song.

From amongst the broken buildings, her Army of Light was rallying. The dozens of soldiers had gathered on one edge of the square, taking stock. One of them took charge, and by his hand gestures he was ordering his men to take the siren out. Growling, a rumbling sound in his chest not unlike the roll of thunder, Wufei redirected his attention to them. Oraia had her hands full at the moment, and humans would fall before him like cheap porcelain. He dove down out of the air straight for them.

-

Heero had managed to calm the mass hysteria dominating the humans outside the square, but in their calmer states they were now turning to watch the events unfolding. He tried to urge them back into movement--this was no place for them. But when they saw dragon, demon, siren, and gryphon fighting their beloved Bright Lady, he could see anger begin to return. He tensed. Angry mobs were dangerous. And there were thousands of them--enough to give even his immortal company pause.

"How dare that demon filth lay a hand on the Bright Lady?" some cried out.

"We should stop him!"

"All of them!"

"How dare they!"

"HOW DARE THEY!!"

And they flowed around him, worked back up into a frenzy of an altogether different sort.

Heero tried. He did his level best to make them see reason. To stop. But though they offered him no harm--he was an angel, after all--they also didn't listen to him. They went charging back into the square, climbing over rock and rubble and wood. Some of them swarmed toward the soldiers to hurl whatever they could at Wufei. Others swarmed toward Zechs, brandishing similar crude weapons. Others went right for Oraia and Duo, still locked in combat. Still others grabbed onto Quatre, preventing the golden gryphon from rising.

Stop it. Mindless fury controlled them. Stop it. Made them insane. STOP it. Made them stupid. Stop it! Made them brave. STOP it! Made them blind. STOP IT!!

Wufei's next blast of energy sent them all flying.

-

Trowa reeled when Wufei blasted the square again. Muttering under his breath, he found his feet again and looked around. Many humans were laying amidst the rubble, dead or injured. The terrible song had stopped. Zechs lay over Treize's body, bleeding in several places, dead or unconscious. His own beloved Quatre lay unmoving, eyes closed. Even Oraia and Duo were picking themselves up from the ground, the demon looking dazed.

There would never be a better time.

This time he drew the bowstring and released nearly in the same movement. The Unsummoning arrow hissed out a clear note as it sailed through the air, straight and true for its target. Though its arrival was heralded by the sound of its unleashing, Trowa's arrows never missed their mark. It pierced into the light without hesitation, lodging in flesh with hardly a sound. Oraia's black eyes widened momentarily, then went back to cold gray.

-

Heero picked himself back up, head throbbing from a new injury at Wufei's attack. The square was utterly decimated, and he shuddered to think how many had just been killed. How many, simply because they were too blind to see? As he rose to his feet, he saw Trowa for the first time. The elf cut a graceful figure against the shattered backdrop, arms raising his bow and drawing back the golden arrow smoothly and quickly.

Too late he recognized it for what it was. The Unsummoning arrow burned a blazing trail through the air before Heero's eyes could widen in shock, and then it found its mark.

"NO!!!"

Surely that voice, that tormented and conflicted voice wasn't his? He hardly directed his own body as he flew to her side, catching the once-Bright Lady as she fell. The light surrounding her flickered and died, and she was Oraia once more. The Unsummoning arrow had buried into the center of her chest. Cold gray eyes oriented on him, and Oraia looked surprised.

"Heero . . ." she murmured.

Tears stung behind his eyes, beginning their heated treks down his face. "Oraia," he whispered. "Damn it . . ."

A trembling hand reached up to brush his cheek. "Why are you crying, child?" she managed, breathing beginning to falter.

Shaking his head fiercely, he leaned into her touch. "I . . . I wanted to save you . . ."

A weak laugh fell off her lips, followed by a thin ribbon of blood. "What . . . a thing to say," she gasped.

Heero felt a hand on his shoulder and looked up into the tormented face of his lover. Duo looked at once relieved, satisfied, pained, and even as though he understood Heero's grief. His love for the boy grew impossibly stronger. Oraia seemed not to notice, her eyes locked on Heero.

Around them, the humans were beginning to gather again.

-

At first, Duo couldn't believe it when he saw Heero run to the felled Oraia, cradling the angel close. How could Heero's fury have been replaced by grief so quickly? But when he reached Heero's side and saw the look on his beloved's face, he understood. Heero didn't grieve for Oraia as she was. Rather he grieved for what she could have been. Should have been. And strangely, his own satisfaction to see her dying was tempered by a sudden grief of his own.

It was quickly distracted when he saw the humans beginning to gather in his peripheral. They still looked furious. He could hear them murming about the 'demons have killed her.' That was all it took to rile them into action, and once more they began charging forward. And suddenly, Duo had had enough.

"STOP!!"

The furious command was punctuated by a flash of blinding light. Finally, for the first time in his life, Duo transformed into the true form of a demon.

His wings bled from midnight black to gleaming white. His body shifted from solid and corporeal to shining, shifting pure light. His wings, once feathered, now streamed away from his body in long strands of white, constantly shifting and flowing, all emanating that near-blinding glow. It finally, finally reached the idiotic humans. The stopped short, staring in utter amazement.

The form of an angel. Religious texts said without a doubt a demon could not take the true form of an angel. They were not good enough. They were too evil, too wicked, too depraved. Only a good soul could embody the light of God Himself. And yet, here was Duo, radiant and glowing white, his true form that of an angel.

Silence reigned over the square. No one spoke, no one moved. Perhaps none could.

"Do you see?" Duo said quietly, his voice still resonating and carrying. "The lie you've believed all your lives?"

"A trick," someone whispered.

It shivered through the crowd. A trick. The demon is deceiving us somehow.

They began to shift, anger rousing once more.

This time, the command to stop could not be ignored. It rained down over the square like balm, soothing and at once overpowering. A voice that was both low and quiet, and enormous enough to send every person gathered to their knees.

"Enough."