Chapter 10

"Is there… any point… where you thought… going easy… was an option?" Alex panted as sweat poured down his forehead and bare chest.

Aurelia stood directly over Alex with her wooden sword pointed at his throat. Lightly poking him every few seconds as if to insinuate he should have died long ago if the fight were real.

Her expression never changed and neither did her tone, it was a voice that demanded no-nonsense, "Going easy is not an option Alex. If you wish to truly become a hero then your time is already running short. Two years were wasted on lessons about this world."

Alex moved Aurelia's sword to the side before sitting up, only to be hit on the head with the side of the blade.

He rubbed the spot where the Valkyrie hit, "That education wasn't a waste, no matter how much you say it is. If I don't know anything about the world how would you expect me to blend in?"

She twirled the sword around her wrist twice before piercing the blunt tip through the ground, "The only information you needed was the physiology of monsters, their strengths, and their weaknesses. Yet you insisted on information about settlements across the world and the history of the Illias continent, San Illia, Sabasa, Grand Noah, and Grangold. None of which will help you fight the Monster Lord and her underlings."

Alex reached for his wooden sword which was off to the side before pushing himself to his feet, "That information was needed. We have to start small before we can start to work against the monsters. Raw power will only get us so far, we need credibility and a reputation. If I know how the kingdoms operate then we can work to convince the people to help us."

Aurelia crossed her arms under her chest, "You act like the people don't follow goddess Illias' commandments and guidance. Yet here we are in a village full of devout believers."

Alex rushed to Aurelia's left with his sword pointed from his chest and aimed at her side. He reeled the sword back and forced it forward toward the Valkyrie's leg. He made sure the blade was angled up so that it would cut through her thigh and hip.

Only for her to rush forward, arms still crossed, and place her foot slightly in front of Alex.

When his leg was caught on her foot he stumbled forward and only barely managed to regain his balance. Once he did he took sight of Aurelia's position and swung the blade upward in his partial fall hoping to clip her lower leg and sever a tendon.

Only for her to once again move toward Alex and away from the blade. She watched the blade sail upwards past her, narrowly missing her long white hair. Already in motion, she swiped Alex's other foot out from underneath him with her left leg.

The boy twisted in an attempt to regain his balance with the help of his upward swing, but his leg was forced too far out and when it collided with the grass beneath him, his foot slipped and forced him to the ground.

Alex felt the air leave his lungs when he slammed into the ground and found Aurelia standing over him once again. His vision was spinning but he could see a slight smile form on Aurelia's face.

"The technique needs work and you still lack the strength." Aurelia spoke, "Not to mention your edge placement was still off. Even if it connected with me it would not have cut where you intended it to. However, it was better than before."

Alex sighed before sitting up again, "Improvement is still improvement," He tilted his head back to get a look into Aurelia's eyes, "But the monsters wouldn't be here if everyone followed Illias' commandments. There are non-believers out there and the only way to get them to believe is to hurt their view of monsters even more. Make them understand the true threat they pose to the world."

"The humans already fear monsters and avoid them at all costs, at least they do in this village," Aurelia said.

Alex stood up and gave Aurelia a determined grin, "They do fear them, but at the same time, they aren't doing anything about it. We'll rally them against the monsters directly, and what a better place to start than the Illias continent."

Aurelia pointed her sword at him, angled upward toward his head, "You will only get there if you train. We can not afford to waste any more time."

Alex picked up his sword and slowly placed its dull edge against Aurelia's sword, "Just don't kill me before we can even start."

He broke the stalemate between the two of them and forced her sword slightly off to the side. Alex took a few paces back before settling into his guard and circling around the Valkyrie, waiting for her first move.

She slowly stepped in line with Alex, matching each and every step while her gaze was entirely focused on his blade. With each step Alex took, Aurelia planted her foot at the same time making sure to move closer to him whenever she could.

He tried simple baits, twitching his dominant arm, and moving his leg after he placed it down. Anything to get a reaction out of Aurelia, but nothing, no reaction, and no change to her focus. Eventually, Alex took a quick backstep before rushing in, hoping to come in on her right.

Once again, Aurelia did not flinch, did not move out of the ordinary, and simply watched his sword placement. Completely ignoring his dash toward her.

Alex took notice of her focus on the sword and looked to outmaneuver her. He wanted to feint with his sword before taking her feet out from under her, just like what she had done to him. If he could take advantage of her focus then he should be able to get the better of her.

The sword dropped down slightly on his side preparing to angle toward her hand holding the sword then cut across the side of her torso as he passed by.

With each step, he grew closer and his grip on the blade tightened in an attempt to indicate that his focus was going toward his slash. He showed his 'intentions' as best he could, all the while he kept looking up and down her body for any sudden movements. Any potential counter she might throw back at him.

Nothing, no action, just pure focus on his blade.

Alex swung from the outside in an attempt to have his blade slide down hers and slice her hand. But the second the blades connected he felt her sword give and the blade in his hands slid through the air driving right past her body.

Before Alex could even move his next foot to place it between her feet she had leaned back to dodge the blade that barely missed her.

The next thing Alex saw was her sword about to impact his side. He tried to move away as best he could but to no avail. It connect with his side and threw him to the ground.

Alex had placed his foot between Aurelia's feet but it did not bring her down as he hoped. If anything it had no impact on the fight aside from placing him too close to her.

Aurelia kicked the sword away and placed hers against the spot where she had previously hit, "Dead."

He let out a sigh as his arms and legs went limp against the grass, "How did you know?"

Aurelia made sure to stand over Alex while he lay on the ground, "You are someone who tends to intently focus and think about what you are doing. You put too much focus into the sword, more than I taught you to. So it was obvious you would try something elsewhere, feigning tunnel vision will only work on those without skill."

Alex tried to sit up but was met with resistance as Aurelia put her foot down on his chest, "You are performing above where I expect you to, but you are still behind. Until you are at a sufficient level, avoid trying tactics and strategies I have not taught you, you will only build dangerous habits from doing so."

He nodded his head in understanding, "Yes ma'am."

She moved off of Alex and moved toward the village, "Come, we will take a break for now. Luka seems to be training with inadequate heroes again."

Alex let out a groan before he slowly followed behind the Valkyrie, "Not again."

The two walked down the dirt road which led back to the village. The trees were swaying in the wind and the sun was high in the sky. While it was extremely hot due in the forest under a canopy that changed the moment they walked into a clearing. The heat was only slightly dampened by a breeze every now and then, but for the most part, it drained his energy.

Alex and Aurelia stopped a little outside of the main village sign to find Luka covered completely in sweat surrounded by two individuals on either side.

"That's it Luka!" One of the heroes shouted, "If you keep swinging like that the monsters will be no match for you!"

"Yea!" The other called out, "You'll be so strong you won't even break a sweat when you beat them."

"Luka, how many times do I have to tell you to stay away from these false heroes," Aurelia said coldly.

The three instantly turned their heads to Aurelia and Alex. The heroes gave Aurelia a look of confusion and disgust while Luka simply stood there panting. Almost like he was trying to register what she had said.

"False heroes!?" The first one shouted, "I was baptized four years ago and I've beaten countless monsters across Illias."

"I've been doing this for ten years, how can you call us false!?" The other chimed in, "I've done so much for the betterment of humanity."

Aurelia put her free hand on her hip, "Then why are you here while the Monster Lord is still active? Are you not supposed to be on a journey to slay the Monster Lord?"

"We're taking the time to train the next generation of heroes, who can defeat the Monster Lord," The first hero said.

"Leave that training to the aspiring heroes themselves or professional swordmasters. Self-training would be better than any detrimental advice you can give," Aurelia said.

The first hero raised his sword and pointed it toward Aurelia, "I am a professional! If I can beat several monsters then I can definitely beat you in a fight."

She lightly raised her wooden sword to the hero, "If you are a professional, then you should be cleansing the world of monsters, as is part of your duty as a hero."

Luka rushed in between the two and stuck his hands out toward the both of them, "P-please don't fight! I-I wanted the help. D-don't hurt them, Aurelia!"

Alex stood by Aurelia's side with his wooden sword sticking into the ground in front of him, "Then train with us, Luka." He said with a smile, "I know you want to be a hero, she'll help you become strong enough to help."

Luka looked at Alex with his head pointed down, "I want to, but mom doesn't want me to. She says Aurelia's dangerous."

Alex gave a little laugh, "Then just let me train you, I'm no-"

"No" Aurelia stated, "You training Luka now will be only slightly better than the heroes here. You still need to fully comprehend the basics before you can teach them."

"That's insane!" The second hero shouted, "You think a kid would be a better teacher than us?"

Aurelia scoffed, "Almost anyone could teach better than you two. I'm certain Alex could beat you in a duel despite his age."

The hero raised his iron sword and started walking furiously toward Alex, "Oh yea? Then let's try it!"

The first hero grabbed his arm and pulled him back, "We're not here to beat up kids! Let's just leave."

"No!" The second hero shouted, "If they want to insult us like that I won't stand by and let it happen." He put himself into his guard stance and charged at Alex.

Alex pulled his sword out of the ground and paced slightly to the side. The hero's sword was placed just way too high, enough for Alex to easily bend his knee and slice across his hip bone.

In his charge, his stance never changed. The hero kept running forward and aimed to strike Alex's head.

Only for Alex to take two quick steps forward and slash across the hero's hip before he could react. Had their swords been switched the hero would have died then and there.

The hero turned around angrily after Alex dashed past him, "You think you're fast you little shit!" He turned and looked to charge into Alex's side before he had a chance to fully set himself up again.

But before he could charge Aurelia dashed forward and smashed her wooden sword against the back of the hero's knee forcing him to the ground. Instantly after she twisted her body and slammed her wooden sword against his primary sword hand.

The hero screamed in pain as his sword fell to the ground before grabbing his hand in an attempt to alleviate the pain.

"Stop!" Luka shouted before running to stand in front of Alex, "You're supposed to be heroes! Looking out for everyone, fighting evil. Why are you fighting each other!"

The other hero ran to his friend grabbing him before turning to face Aurelia, "You bastard. You probably broke his wrist! Now he can't be a hero anymore."

Aurelia moved to stand by Alex and Luka, unphased by their comments, "He was never a hero to begin with. He disgraced Illias' blessing the moment he decided to hide away from the monsters rather than fight them. The same goes for you. Now leave this place, your presence here is tainting the temple's holy ground."

The first hero looked at Aurelia with pure disgust before grabbing his friend's arm and running off along the road.

Luka looked at Aurelia with saddened eyes, "Why did you do that Aurelia? Why do you have to do that to everyone who tries to train me? I just want to be strong and be the hero who fights evil!"

She looked at Luka with the same cold eyes she showed everyone, "It is for your own good Luka. Until Lucifina allows me to train you I will do my best to ensure you do not learn from those who do not know how to fight."

Alex placed his hand on Luka's shoulder, "They weren't good people Luka. They would have only brought you down."

Small tears started to form in Luka's eyes as he looked down at the ground and walked towards his home, "I'll get stronger, just watch me," He turned around to face Aurelia, "I'll get stronger without your help!"

The two watched him walk away. Alex felt a pain in his stomach and his thoughts sped up, he wondered how he could have done this differently. He wanted the best for Luka, but at the same time, it hurt him to see him like this.

Alex knew Luka would come back, he always did. Luka was never too far from his friend and Alex did not want to let him go. He wanted the best for him, just like he wanted the best for Leo.

"He'll come back," Alex said quietly, "I won't let Luka go out into the world alone, not until I know he'll make it back."


A few days passed and training went on like usual. Aurelia would show Alex a few techniques and he would practice them. Then they would fight until either Alex understood the technique and movements or he was on the ground unable to move. More often than not Alex was left unconscious by the end of the day but Aurelia always used her holy magic to heal major injuries.

The healing prevented Alex from major overuse injuries but his muscles still burned from the work. No matter the healing the soreness would not go away, he could not figure out if that was intentional or not but at this point, he did not mind it. The soreness showed him that he was making at least some progress.

Whenever Alex watched Luka training in the woods there was a different level of determination compared to when he was training previously. He agreed with Aurelia that whatever Luka could figure out on his own would be better than what the heroes could teach him. Yet, he knew that Luka needed some level of instruction.

In time, Alex thought. Luka and Lucifina needed time to come to the understanding that they meant no harm. Alex knew that Aurelia and Lucifina had a history but he did not press it, he was sure Lucifina was some prominent human in her youth, influential enough to receive an audience with an angel.

He wanted to question the connection they had but he decided against it. If Aurelia wanted or needed to tell him then she would, Alex was certain of that. Not to mention the last thing he wanted was Aurelia in a bad mood, she might actually cripple him for a day if that were the case.

Alex was walking out of the house with Aurelia before spotting a man and a wagon full of something approaching the village. Odd, traders rarely showed up at the village but when they do they were always following a specific schedule and today was not one of those scheduled days.

"Get me the head priest!" He shouted from his cart, "I need to speak with him!"

One of the villagers heard and rushed to the temple. Leaving Alex and Aurelia to watch the person sprint past them.

Alex walked up to the trader, curious as to what caused the trader to arrive off of the schedule. The guild at Illiasburg was strict about their routine and used it as a method to prevent delays and find hazardous roads.

"You do know you're three days early right?" Alex called out, "He'll have to report this to the guild."

"Mrs. Sutherland sent me here herself boy," The trader said quickly, "You run along now and leave this conversation to the adults. It isn't something kids should be hearing."

Alex sighed before looking to Aurelia, "I'm guessing you also haven't been told anything."

"Goddess Illias is busy as usual, if she had something important to tell me she would have already sent another angel to let us know," Aurelia replied.

Before long the head priest showed up and smiled when he spotted the two of them, "Ah Lady Aurelia, Alex, what a pleasant surprise." His gaze shifted toward the trader, "I was told you needed to speak with me and it was important?"

"Yea but we can't have these two listening in," He pointed towards Alex and Aurelia, "it's for your ears only," The trader said.

The head priest moved his hand in a dismissive manner, "Don't worry about them, if I can hear it those two can hear it."

The trader reeled back a little, clearly uncomfortable, "I was specifically told for only you to hear it, Mrs. Sutherland said it was concerning the entire continent."

The head priest's smile darkened, "If it concerns the entire continent then it is all the more important that they hear it. This boy will be the next Heinrich and bring peace to the world. Now tell me the message."

The trader ran his hand through his hair before sighing, "Fine. There's been a sickness traveling fast around the continent. They've taken to calling it the Sinner's Rash, it seems most people who got sick had some interaction with monsters before catching it. But it's running rampant everywhere so us traders won't be able to run our routes until it clears up."

Alex paused, Mrs. Sutherland is trying to shut down the entire continent, because of a disease. Either that or the trader's guild said they were doing it and there was nothing Mrs. Sutherland could have done about it aside from informing the villages. Neither option was ideal but it was what they were presented with.

Not only that but a rash-like disease was out there, infecting sinners. Well if it was only sinners then they were in luck it would kill off a solid amount of monster-loving humans. However, if it behaved as a disease should, then it would pose a problem for them.

The last thing he needed was another pandemic, especially with people who could falsely accuse him of being with a monster. It's funny how it works like that, a disease to test the faithful, could also be a simple misunderstanding of how diseases spread.

"That is most unfortunate," The head priest said slowly, "The villagers here will be safe, Illias watches over us. But I will pray for the faithfulness and safety of villages elsewhere. We should be able to make do until the plague passes but until then we will be careful. Thank you for the information, you may be on your way."

The trader simply nodded his head before turning the wagon around and traveling off on the road back to Illiasburg.

"Well that's not good," Alex said, "A disease running rampant around the continent is never a good sign."

"It isn't Alex," The head priest said, "the lack of traders will become troublesome for us eventually, but if this 'Sinner's rash' vanishes in a half a year to a year we will be fine."

"The storehouse will last that long?" Alex asked.

"It typically won't." The priest said, "but other villages will donate goods as they have in the past. A simple tribute for the good favor of goddess Illias. If the people believe the monsters to be the cause of this plague then the donations will not stop. Everyone wants the favor of Illias in trying times like these."

"We need to start rationing if the traders aren't coming by," Alex said firmly, "We can't predict how long this will last and I'd rather not have a starving village to worry about."

The head priest shook his head, "You have too little faith in Illias' followers. One donation of grain in exchange for a blessing of protection for their village is well worth it for them, and that comes from them not me."

Aurelia placed a hand on Alex's shoulder, "Have faith in the faithful Alex. There may be those who doubt, but the faithful have never wavered in their prayers or support."

Alex sighed, "The last thing we need is more people doubting, especially around Illias' temple. When the food shortage comes because the plague lasts longer than expected you'll see what I mean. People will riot, and it will not be pretty."

"Now you exaggerate Alex," The head priest said, "nobody will raise their arms against Illias, the temple, or the villagers here. It is sacred ground."

"Not to mention they risk goddess Illias' wrath, violence on holy ground is not something heaven can simply gloss over. You can worry about politics after you learn to fight, but for now, leave it to the head priest and focus on your training," Aurelia said.

"Fine, I'll go along," Alex said defeated, he knew that if both Aurelia and the head priest were in agreement this would go nowhere. Aurelia had a point and she was considerably older and more experienced than him, she knew what she was talking about when it came to this.

"Good," Aurelia said, "Now let's get something to eat at home before we get back to work."

Alex nodded his head before the two of them walked off toward the edge of the village.

"Alex! Aurelia! Come quick. Please!"

The two of them turned around at the mention of their names to find Luka rushing toward them. He stopped slightly in front to catch his breath before he continued.

"Mom's sick," He cried, tears running down his face, "and the villagers won't sell me anything to help."

Alex's expression turned dark, "What do you mean they won't sell you anything? Their stock should have been replenished several weeks ago."

"They keep saying they don't have anything and to get out." Luka said weakly before running to Alex and hugging him, "I don't know what to do!"

"Let me see her," Aurelia said firmly.

Luka picked his head up and faced her with a grateful yet confused look on his face, "B-but, Mom doesn't trust you."

Aurelia kept her normal cold expression when looking back at Luka, "I've put off this conversation long enough, it's about time I had it with her."

"But what about her sickness?" Luka said quietly.

"I will examine her, and if needed, you and Alex will retrieve what she needs," Aurelia said adamantly.

Alex could see Luka's smile brighten, almost like his mother's disease had been cured with just her words.

"Thank you, Aurelia!" Luka said in his newly brightened mood, "Thank you so much!"

"I make no promises Luka." She snapped back to the boy causing him to recoil, "But I will try."

Luka nodded his head and followed Aurelia as she led the way back to their homes.

Once inside Alex took a look at Luka's home.

It was warm and gave off an extremely comforting atmosphere. There was a drawn picture of Luka, Lucifina, and Marcellus on the wall. Despite Marcellus' absence he still was a part of their family and Lucifina made sure to make that known. Alex knew about Luka's dislike toward his father, it was something he could understand even if he did not know the feeling.

"Mom!" Luka called out before rushing into a bedroom, "I got help!"

Coughing was what Alex heard when the door to the bedroom opened. A lot of coughing, and it was not subtle or quiet by any means. It was loud, full of mucous, and clearly obstructing her breathing.

"Who is it, Luka?" Lucifina weakly asked. Alex could tell the illness was getting to her, but he did not expect her to be bedridden this fast. Surely Luka would have told him earlier if she needed help.

Once he and Aurelia walked through the bedroom door he saw the pitiful state Lucifina was in. She was covered in red dots on every inch of skin he could see. She had snot running down her nose and her eyes were severely bloodshot.

"Alex, Aurelia, what a surprise." She said dryly but still managed to put a smile on her face.

"I see," Aurelia said completely ignoring Lucifina before turning to Alex, "Go get the blessed herbs from the apothecary. He will know what I mean."

"Got it," Alex said quickly before grabbing Luka's hand and rushing out of the house.

"Wait Alex why are you taking me with you!?" Luka panicked, trying to break free from Alex's grasp.

"Aurelia said to take you with me, so I'm taking you with me," Alex said quickly.

"But they don't like each other!" Luka cried, "What if she hurts mom!"

Alex stopped and grabbed Luka by the shoulders forcing the two to face each other, "Luka, they have a history with each other and whatever the reason is, now is the time for them to settle it."

He looked down at the ground before softly speaking, "Lucifina has the Sinner's Rash."

When Alex looked back up he could see fear in Luka's eyes, "H-how bad, is it? W-what is it?"

"From what I know, it's a disease that punished those who don't believe fully in Illias, those who don't trust her or follow her... Those who help the monsters" Alex said carefully.

"But mom loves Illias! Why would Illias' hurt her?"

"I never said Illias' hurt Lucifina, but maybe she talked with a monster and didn't kill it. That could have been the reason she's sick."

That or an outsider brought it to her and got her sick. But Alex was not about to break Luka's understanding of plagues at a time when his faith would be questioned. Luka will need Illias and if he starts to doubt his faith then he truly will be lost.

At one glance, Alex was almost certain Lucifina would not survive the night. Something in his gut told him she would not make it out, and it pained him. He did not want Luka to live without his both of his parents at his age, especially during a pandemic. It was already hard on him without his father.

"Will she be okay?" Luka asked quietly.

Alex grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the apothecary, "We're going to make her okay."

When they found the apothecary Alex slammed the door open and rushed to the counter with Luka following quickly behind.

"Woh Alex, be careful with the door." The man at the counter said.

"I need blessed herbs Stephen, and I'll pay whatever the cost," Alex said forcefully.

"Now now, let's not be harsh about it. I'll see wh-" Stephen caught a glance at Luka before a frown formed on his face, "...what we have left."

Alex caught Stephen's change in tone and he felt rage fill his mind. This bastard does not want to sell him the herbs because he saw Luka. Stephen has something against Luka and his family, it was not something about the stock, it was a vendetta. It was personal.

"I'll come with, I'm in a bit of a rush," Alex said before following behind the man.

Stephen quickly pushed Alex back, "No need, it should be right here. Plus I can't have you come back here in case you steal something. I do it for everyone, not just you."

"I'm coming back with you, if you want to check me after go ahead but I need to see the supply to see how much I can buy," Alex said quickly.

"I don't have to sell you anything Alex if you keep this up." Stephen said harshly, "These are reserved for very special people, and last I saw you and Aurelia were perfectly fine."

Alex started to grind his teeth before backing off, "Aurelia wants to resupply, training has been different recently and we need more."

"I hear you," Stephen said before quickly rushing back and closing a door behind him.

Alex was fuming, if Stephen would not sell him anything he would burn down this place, consequences be damned. He should want all the profit he can make! Discrimination against other humans was something that Alex could not tolerate, it was not right and it was not profitable. This was senseless and stupid. He should want all the business he can get.

Not long after Stephen walked out with nothing in his hands, "Sorry Alex, must have sold the rest of it to the priests. Out of stock for now."

Alex kicked the wooden counter, breaking a small piece of wood before shouting at Stephen, "Bullshit!" He slammed his coin pouch on the table, "Get me the damned herbs, Stephen. If you know what's good for you."

He placed his hands on his hips before pointing toward the door, "Get out of my store Alex, if you want something next time send Aurelia to get it."

"Get me the blessed herbs, or I'll fucking take them," Alex shouted.

Alex felt a tugging at the base of his shirt and turned around to see a terrified Luka looking back at him.

"L-lets go A-Alex." Luka whispered.

Not saying a word Alex pulled Luka out of the store.

"Fucking 'Out of stock' my ass," Alex swore under his breath.

"Alex I told you they didn't have any," Luka said quietly.

Alex sighed before crouching down and staring into the sky, "That's not true Luka. He just won't sell it to us. He won't sell it to you."

"He said they didn't have any wh-"

"Luka," Alex said while still looking into the sky, "At some point, you'll understand that people like to hide things from others for stupid reasons. They discriminate against others for no reason at all. Stephen is one of those people. He doesn't like you or Lucifina, so he won't sell to you."

"Faith is a wonderful thing," Alex continued, "When you have it in a person, it can let your mind rest easy. When you have it in yourself it breeds confidence, but when you have it in a higher power that gives you strength, true strength."

Alex looked at Luka with fiery eyes, "I'm going to make a world where people can have faith in each other. People unlike Stephen. Just have faith in me, Aurelia, and Illias, and you'll see that world where people like Lucifina won't suffer because of idiots."

Luka tilted his head before glancing down at the ground, "Will mom really be okay?"

Alex grabbed Luka lightly and pulled him toward the house, "There is only one way to find out, we just have to have faith."


Aurelia heard the front door close as Alex and Luka ran out toward the apothecary. Not a second after she knew they were gone her wings extended from behind her and took up a large amount of space in the room.

"She finally had enough." Lucifina said before sighing, "Mother finally asked for me to come back."

Aurelia shook her head slowly before her sword appeared in her hand and she kneeled down, the tip of the sword piercing the ground. She kept her head tilted down and spoke, "Seraph Lucifina, please come back to heaven. After everything you have done for the humans don't throw your life away like this."

Lucifina's cold and closed-off expression lighted when sat up more in her bed. She coughed several times before responding, "I can't leave Luka, and I don't intend to go back to the way I once was. I fell so I could live with the people I tried to protect, and so I could live with the love of my life."

Aurelia stayed on her knee but raised her head to look Lucifina in the eyes, "Seraph Lucifina, if you do not return to heaven the disease will kill you. Luka will have to live without you, it'll ruin everything you tried to make here."

"I would rather live my last moments with my son than be forced to reconcile with mother for another chance at life," Lucifina said, "She knew what she was doing when she released the Sinner's Rash for the third time."

"Then let me speak with Goddess Illias," Aurelia pleaded, her voice starting to waver, "I will do whatever it takes to help you. I still have to repay you for everything you did for me."

"Nothing you say will convince mother of anything," Lucifina said, "I've tried it all. I tried to change her ways, and I tried to calm her down but her madness is only getting worse. I know you see it too, more than you want to admit."

"Then what can I do to help!" Aurelia cried out, "You helped to create this plague, what is the cure!"

"This was intended to punish and kill those who bred with monsters. It was intended to scare humans away from monsters and punish those who disobeyed mother," Lucifina explained, "But most of all it was intended to kill fallen angels."

Aurelia had not noticed when Lucifina stood up and embraced her, "There is no cure but faith Aurelia. Mother and I designed it that way."

The stone-cold Valkyrie leaned into Lucifina's hug as tears fell from her eyes and onto the Seraph's shoulder. Her wings wrapped around the two of them as she sunk more and more into Lucifinia.

"You were always the most loyal of my Valkyries," Lucifina said softly, "the most disciplined, and the only one aside from Mikayla I would trust with leading and training a battalion of Angels."

Aurelia pulled her head back to look her in the eyes, "Then why won't you let me train Luka? You know he'll do nothing but good for the world, he has your blood in him."

"I trust you to train soldiers Aurelia," Lucifina said slowly, "Luka isn't one, he's a child. My child, who I want to grow up to be kind, just, and ambitious like his father."

"But you're right," Lucifina continued, "Luka does have my blood in him, but that means he also carries mother's insanity with him. He has to be a boy now because otherwise, he'll be just like me when I went on my rampage."

"You were entranced by Minagi then! That was not you." Aurelia said.

"If I, a being of pure holy energy, one of the strongest angels. The antithesis to the monsters could be corrupted by her then what's to say the same can't happen to Luka? Who knows what a powerful monster could make him do, how many people he could kill on his rampage? That's why I needed to raise him right, so he can think and control himself." Lucifina said.

"I'll instill those values in him, that's how I-"

"No Aurelia," Lucifina shook her head before breaking into another coughing fit, "I've known you for millennia, you can't teach him that no matter how much you try. That's why I've kept him away from you two. I can't have mother influencing him in the slightest, which includes you and Alex."

"I have only wanted the best for Luka, ever since the beginning. I would never look to harm him you have my word," Aurelia stated.

"I know you do and I know you won't. But Alex is the one who worries me, mother has taken hold of him and I worry he'll grow mad in time. Despite his noble goals, his otherworldly origin scares me. None of us know what he's capable of, not even mother despite what she may claim," Lucifina said.

"That's why I'm here, to guide him. To keep him from straying from the righteous path, so that he can fight for humanity," Aurelia said.

"And what will you do if mother asks him to stray from the righteous path?" Lucifina asked.

Aurelia sat quietly for several moments, "Goddess Illias would never stray from the righteous path."

Lucifina looked at her with a grim expression, "Do you truly think that her will and what is right will be the same forever? Her madness gets worse by the day and it's only a matter of time before another war breaks out. Will you stand by mother, or will you stand by the humans as you were sworn to do?"

Aurelia looked at Lucifinia with fervor in her eyes, "I was born to protect the humans with my life. Nothing will take me from that duty, even if I have to take my own life."

Lucifina placed her hands on Aurelia's shoulders before reaching to pull her up on her feet, "Then you understand why I can't go back to heaven."

"Those were two separate things! One is a waste of life the other is our duty," Aurelia quickly said.

"If I go back to heaven mother will only make me her pawn again, and I can't risk my duty to the humans. That Aurelia, is why I have to die here," Lucifina said.

"I don't agree with you," Aurelia said, "But if that is how you perform your duty to humanity then I understand."

"Thank you, Aurelia," Lucifinia said, "but if Luka comes to you after I'm gone, only teach him the basics to keep him alive. If you and Alex stay away from him as best you can then you'll have my gratitude, and you can call any debt repaid."

Aurelia bowed her head, "If that is what my Seraph wishes, then it will be done."

The door to the house burst open and Aurelia immediately retracted her wings. Alex came through first followed by Luka.

Despite coming in last, Luka was the first to speak up, "Mom! They won't sell us anything! Please don't leave me!"

Lucifina bent down and hugged Luka with all of her might and refused to let go.

Taking the hint Aurelia moved to the door and grabbed Alex by the hand, "It's time we go Alex."

"Wait!" He cried out, "Can't you do anything to help her!"

Aurelia did not stop moving and simply kept walking and dragging Alex back to their home, "What's done is done there is nothing more I can do for her. You must get some rest for tomorrow, there will be no stopping your training."

Alex only groaned and followed Aurelia, knowing that there was no chance for him to escape from her iron-tight grip.

Once Alex walked through the door to their home Aurelia looked back to Lucifina's house and whispered to herself.

"Goodbye, old friend."