January 30th, 1838

" Mr.Geovani ...sir..."

"Yes." I looked up from the blocked off crime scene. That's the fourth body this week. charred and thin. these weird things have been popping up all over England , in the lower rings mostly. Especially by the forests. what are they? and where are they coming from.

"we found another..."

"another? dang. take me to it." I muttered . he gave a nod and guided me along. in all my years on the job I've never seen anything like this. granted that's only been roughly 500 years? not very long . Even so I've seen some pretty intense stuff. From rouge demons straight out of hell to fallen angels wreaking havoc on innocent humans. but giant charred remains? from an unknown source? that's a new level. Not only am I stumped on these things, Helios is down my back about figuring it out too.

What if I did figure it out? Me? Geovani Oxistar , the first ever junior level angel to get his wings and surpass a senior. surpass a senior? now that. that is wishful thinking . way too wishful, I'm only 200 years out of the academy. practically and errand boy. 400 years in training to be treated like a glorified assistant. the only perk is, Helios is my predecessor. which gives me a slight upper hand on the other juniors. Also graduating top of my class helped a lot . Still a joke though. I mean, being Helios's best angel and 'second in command' but still don't have wings? Embarrassing . what if he tries to replace me? well I am technically a smear on his reputation. a wingless angel.

stop it Geovani . you're getting in your own head again. focus on the task at hand.

"Sir, we have reason to believe these were humans."

"humans?" I questioned, completely dropping out of my thoughts, "your backing ?"

"we know it's a bold claim, but the human DNA has been...altered." The scientist motioned me over before grabbing one of his tools, the watch projected a human skeleton and a few other things about DNA and other stuff I didn't care too much to read over. "see. here is a normal human skeleton." he began, motioning to the projection. "and here is this...thing. similar. but more...animalistic. like something caused the humans to evolve into these... Things ."

"huh..." I squinted my eyes, "animalistic?"

"see here. the spine and the teeth. that isn't normal for humans. and it seems daylight charred them. we'll have to make more analyses on these things and we'll get back to you Mr. Geovani ."

I nodded, "Thanks. please make it snappy." I gave a small sigh and looked at the pile of charred bodies we've collected. charred by daylight? that means they've been dead for at least 4 hours. that means these things are still being produced . they're disgusting. Their skin is leathery, almost like the skin tightened around the bone. Its limbs were longer, and of course its nails were pointed . a few teeth fragments are left after the burning, most of the body is ash. which isn't normal.

teeth fragments... I picked up one and looked it over, "Oi, get this analyzed . looks like there's blood on it."

"yes sir!"

"what the heck is going on. The sun is high, its roughly 11am , its hot today too. usually is around this time. Helios has been shining bright here lately, maybe he's taken a liking. in the past 3 months I've found these creatures, more popping up frequently . all dead, burned by the sun. that's a common factor. leathery skin, can't handle heat? so it's not a demon. but it looks kind of like the hell hounds. wait no-"

" sir... You are mumbling again." I blinked and looked over; I could feel my eyes soften. Soothing blue eyes and sandy brown hair.

"sorry Elio, this case is stumping me. this doesn't make any sense. I've never seen a creature like this. "

"Neither have I ." he responded and held up a fragment to me, "but we found this. remnants of a sword." he put his wrist out and projected a sword, the fragment fitting to it. "finger prints are being analyzed as we speak."

"what would I do without you?"

Elio Burst, a genius. an old friend from the academy. he's been by my side since we met almost 300 years ago. He practically has a computer in that brain of his, no wonder he earned his wings so soon. He's always been amazing. easy on the eyes too, even with those dorky glasses.

"be shit out of luck it seems." he looked back at his watch and nodded, "prints match a, Scotus Qut ."

"Scotus Qut ? why does that sound so familiar?.. " I tapped my chin and looked at him, Andrew gave a shrug, "find him."

~~~~~~~

"Helios?" I questioned. A bright man, long golden hair like the rays of the sun itself, bright yellow orbs and sun kissed skin, Helios, god of the son. My predecessor . He was a stunning 5'10. slender but well built. he carried himself with grace and confidence. His eyes always had a mischievous glow to them, even when they switched from hue to hue. He always had a suave style to him, never seen outside of a nice orange turtleneck or his signature sunny shoes. his eyes got a small glint in them as he turned to me, a cheery smile on his lips.

"Hello Geovani , how can I help you?" he questioned a soft smooth voice.

I bowed my head in respect and looked at him, "Scotus Qut ..." I questioned gently, "Do you know of him?"

"Scotus?..." his eyebrows furrowed and he ran his fingers through his already pushed back blonde locks, "A name I haven't heard in a while... does this have something to do with your case?"

"Yes sir..."

"Now you're supposed to work this out yourself." he responded. I nodded hastily and cleared my throat

"Y-Yes... but I am allowed to ask sources."

"I suppose so..." his eyes gleamed, "like a true detective, find a lead and follow it until you can't anymore. correct?"

"Yes sir..." I smiled proudly. he nodded.

"Why am I being asked of this man though?" I hastily pushed up my shirt sleeve and messed with my watch and showed him the few things I collected from the scene. I fumbled a bit before swiping to the sword and finger prints.

"His sword was found at a crime scene, I figured it be best to question him?"

" I see." he hummed . he gave another nod. "Bring him here. and be polite yes?" He gave me a gentle pat on my shoulder and walked past me. I followed him with my eyes and head and blinked.

" A..and if he declines?... "

"Arrest him. you have probable clause." he glanced back at me and smiled a soft smile. "Just see to it he comes and sees me. it is very urgent so put a rush on it for me? thank you." and with that he was gone. Flowed down the hall without a care in the world.

I let out a breath and sighed.

"Geez. looked like you were gonna explode." I let out a small squeak and whipped my head around, "Easy."

"Elio. please."

"breathe, He won't bite your head off. he looks so amused speaking with you." he chuckled and leaned against the giant windows and crossed his arms, his big white wings resting gently. I huffed out and looked away, fixing my jacket and my sleeve.

" I'm not an amusement. I'm an Angel. I'm to be taken seriously." I shot back.

"Maybe when you aren't stumbling over your words like a child meeting their idol." I gave him a dirty look. he responded with a chuckle, "Oh I forgot, he is technically your idol... interesting. for such a sunny man, he is very shady. I wonder what you admire?"

"shady?"

"Dodged your question almost entirely . he got a look in his eyes when you asked. I could see it a mile away." he pushed off the glass and dusted off his white pants and shrugged, "Might be nothing though. careful. if you need any backup just call."

I looked away and gave a small nod. he nodded back and stretched his wings. The span was at least 7 feet apart. they were glamorous and a stunning white. the sunrays bounced off them gorgeously. the feathers ruffled ever so slightly with every move he made. he lifted himself off the ground and waved to me before darting out to the clouded sky. other Angels following his lead. Probably on patrol.

I sighed out and watched them fly. I placed my hand on the window and could feel the envy boiling in the pit of my stomach. I want to be out there. I want to touch the rays and the clouds. I want to be that beautiful and free. I hate being on the ground and watching from the sidelines. I'll keep working. I will solve this case. I will get my wings. and I won't stop until I do. I'll be in the clouds.

I won't stop until I do.

I nodded to myself and took the stairs down to the plagued streets of Stocks Mirside , large town, big castle. the King and queen lived up the hill. The castle overlooked the city, made of dark polished marble, the city beacon of peace and happiness. At least that's what he always fed the idiotic humans he 'ruled' over. The streets were always crowded and grotesque. the buildings were tall and gritty. a few were newer. the sewers reeked of waste and yucky water. I always hated coming down here. The humans were disgusting and their living habits were horrendous. not to mention the dry, foul air down here.

I spent most of my time in Helios's Tower. above the ground, the city, the clouds. The structure was white and pristine . the air was clean and fresh. The angels were handsome and beautiful and hard working. some helping the war gods. others living domestic lives. We try to stay as far from humans as we could, I mean, with the pollution and the smell. I figure anyone would.

Scotus Qut ...

I wonder if Helios does know him... and just feels like he shouldn't say? His name is definitely familiar . is he a deity as well? or close to Helios in some way? he got a look in his eyes. what was the look? or was Elio just seeing things. He always thinks someone is being shady even without probable cause. he's so guarded.

bring him to him? where is he even located . I haven't been in this city like this in years. 127 to be exact. I d on' t know anything about him besides his appearance and finger prints. oh wait, he has cat ears? c an' t be too hard to miss that obvious detail. Unless he pins them.

I let out a sigh and looked over at the river that ran through the town. the only pristine , clean, beauty in this town. beautiful and blue, it shines like crystals and moves so elegantly. my eyes softened significantly. maybe there is some good on this planet. I watched the water flow under a bridge and wandered near it aimlessly. eyes sparkling as I stared. I made my way to the bridge and glanced over at the other individual near me.

It's him. Black hair, dark skin, piercing yellow eyes.

Scotus Qut .