In heaven, there are four distinct houses.

Veritas stood for Truth. They normally served as judges and mediators, in both the courts for those newcomers as well as everyday life. Those from the house of Veritas were known to be factual but blunt.

Audax stood for Courage. They were to serve as the peacekeepers of both heaven and earth, protecting those in need. Most from this house became guardian angels and the personal guardsmen of the big guy himself. Those from the house of Audax were both brave and courageous, jumping into the fight without a second thought. Alas, they were known to be quite rash and reckless.

Sanctimonia stood for Purity. Many of those who join or are chosen to join this house were once human. They hold the highest amount of angels to date, and do not fill in for any specific type of role. Yet, they're all kind and loving, most of which being able to speak and act their way out of any situation. Unfortunately, they were known to be naive, believing that the ideals of their house will prevail over the evil known to man.

And, last but not least, there was the house of Lux.

The house of Lux stood for all those of the light. They were the perfection in the perfection. The best of the best, angels who could do anything and everything. While not many are chosen by this house, those who are excel in everything they set their mind to. Yet, with each great achievement fulfilled, there was another hidden under the surface. Many believed themselves perfect, while the rest crumbled under the extreme expectations of their joining to the strongest angel group.

Each angel was seen as equal, those with strengths balanced out those with weaknesses. But, for some, that merely wasn't enough. For some, they didn't want balance, they wanted purity for all. Not just angels, but humans too.

One angel could see it very clearly. They could see the real root of evil, and for that, they pitied them. Both angels and humans, they were seen as lamentable pets, to a point. Even if they were possibly once a human, they saw that, in reality, no one was perfect; not even themselves.

And, in that imperfection, there was impurity.

They would not stand for impurity.

Arita groaned, rolling her shoulders as Ezequiel helped to put her armor back on.

She was beginning to think that it was just another doomed rescue mission, but looking back, that's how a lot of them went.

"It's going to be a quick in and out," Revana murmured, her dark eyes helping to keep Arita calm, "You know this. It's been worse."

"And we've made it out." Ezequiel added, his grin reaching his eyes, before patting Arita on the back, going over to help Revana, "All four of us, we've been through thick and thin! We've done this before, we can do it again. Only real difference here is that Seidax is coming with instead of pulling us out."

"I'm right here, you know." Seidax sighed from where he stood off to the side, pulling his helmet on, "Honestly, you always talk as if I'm not there."

Arita nodded, returning Ezequiel's grin. Of course they'd be okay, they've been through it all. Ever since initiation, they'd been very close knit. How it worked out, Arita never knew, and never bothered to question it.

Ezequiel, as always, was acting as the rally call. Maybe it was the way that his grin made it up into his warm golden eyes, or how he always had an air of courage around him. Of course, it didn't hurt that he was well-built, but to balance it out, a huge broadsword hung on his belt, golden armor gleaming.

Revana was a whole different story. She'd always had an air of wisdom around her. Sure, she wasn't the strongest-looking, but she was beyond doubt. Her long steel-white hair was pulled back for once, dark blue eyes almost cat-like. She wore a simple white tunic, her hands fiddling with a tiny knife. Not that she'd end up needing it, honestly, she never did.

While Ezequiel had an air of courage, Seidax exuded leadership. Maybe it was the way his eyebrows were knit together most of the time, or how he held himself while in the armor, but something about the guy made millions want to lay their lives down for him and whatever cause he was backing. Taking that all into consideration, no wonder he was now one of the highest ranking under Ash Sanctimonia himself.

"Drop is in five minutes," Seidax murmured, a hand on the hilt of his fencing sword, "Make sure you didn't leave anything behind."

"I'm sure that we'll be fine either way." Revana murmured, her voice low as she stared at each of them with a calculated expression, "But, assuming one of you don't make it back, I claim whatever is left in your dorm room."

"Wow, that was about as close to a battle cry as you've ever gotten, Revana." Ezequiel grinned, going in to slap her back, only to back off when she gave her the famous "Don't Fuck With Me" look, "When we get back, drinks on me."

"If."

"Nah, I'm sticking with 'when'."

"Never thought I'd see the day when Revana was willing to fight back with Ezequiel." Arita mused, tugging at her amor straps with a groan, her other hand wrapped tightly around a bow, "If know that this whole war thing can drive anyone mad and all, but I never thought I'd see Revana break."

Arita shared the grin Ezequiel had when Revana turned to face her, eyes narrowed, "I don't care how well you can fire that bow, Arita; you and I both know that hand-to-hand combat will not be amiable for you."

"Which is why I have the Great Wall of Ezequiel to hide behind." Arita grinned, stepping to lean on Ezequiel's side.

Revana looked like she was going to say something back, only for Seidax to sigh, "Alright, we have clearance to go. Let's pack it up and move on out."

"Sir, yes sir." Arita and Ezequiel said in unison, the two sharing a big laugh. As always, Seidax walked out, shaking his head as he did so. That was about as close to a chuckle as they'd ever get.

As they walked out, Revana huffed, "Assuming you both don't die on the mission, first training session that we get, I'm taking you both down."

"Whatever you say, Revrev." Arita said, Ezequiel letting out a light chuckle as they walked on, leaving for the drop room.

Right here, with all three of them with her, Arita felt calm. Nothing would happen, everything would be okay. They'd get back, Seidax would castigate Ezequiel for running in headfirst, with no plan and the hope that she'd be there to bail him out. They'd make it to the bar, where Revana would end up paying for everything, only to take her revenge the next day in some shape or form.

She knew it, as she looked down into the portal to hell, that they'd be fine. They could break into hell, free the angels, and still have time to laugh and be stupid afterwards.

With a small grin, she shook her head. Just because she didn't say it out loud didn't make it sound anymore believeable.

It was going surprisingly smooth.

Revana, having the map, lead them through the compound. The walls were a dark brick, the only light coming in was a burning red sun from outside. But, as dark and contrasting as it was, Revana kept her cool, whispering quietly to Seidax where to go and what rooms to cover and clear.

Meanwhile, Ezequiel and Arita stayed to the back, Ezequiel keeping his eyes forward while Arita kept her eyes where they had been, bow drawn.

So far, they hadn't come across anyone. Maybe the previous Reaper crew had done their job in keeping the demon distracted outside. If Arita remembered correctly, they were being led by a rather famous Reaper. She didn't know names, only to description of long silver hair.

"Hey, you're tuning out again."

Arita shook her head, giving Ezequiel a look, "Keep it down, we don't know who might be down here."

"Aww, don't be like that," Ezequiel said with a fake pout, nudging her arm, "I know that Seidax and Revana are hardasses, but that doesn't mean you gotta be like that too."

Revana gave the two of them a look over her shoulder, too which Arita smiled awkwardly and waved. Revana went back to ignoring the both of them, Seidax leading the way down the hallway.

"You know, I was wondering," Ezequiel went on, just a big lower than the last time, "You think that Seidax has changed a bit?"

"I'd like to think that we've all changed a bit," Arita murmured, "I mean, remember when all Revana would do is watch and glare?"

"You're still as loud as ever, Arita."

"Aww, thanks buddy."

"Quiet." Seidax ordered, looking at a door. He nodded to Revana, the two going in to clear it out, while Ezequiel and Arita stood outside.

"You know what I mean; I know you're not stupid, Arita."

Arita sighed softly, shaking her head. No, Ezequiel was just seeing things. Seidax had always had a one-way mind. Everything was black and white to him, there was no middle. It has always been like that, always on the right side of the line. There was no change, "You're seeing things."

"You're not looking closely." Ezequiel urged.

To this, Arita scowled, "You and Seidax have always butted heads; now's not the time for you two to go at it."

"Come on, I know you see something." Ezequiel murmured, giving the closed door another look, as if scared of what could come out of it, "Ever since graduation, something about him doesn't seem right."

"I'd like to think that most of us came out a bit more mature."

Before Ezequiel could bite back, the door was flown open, a bloody Revana limping out, Seidax right behind her, "We found where they're keeping the hostages."

"Holy shit, Revana, you good!?" Arita said, eyes wide with shock. She'd never seen Revana bleed, even of the gold was a nice color, she'd always assumed that she wasn't able to bleed, "What the fuck happened in there!?"

"Language." Seidax grunted, putting his fencing sword back, before helping to support Revana, only to have him slap her away, "One of them were in there, jumped us. Revana took the hit."

"So much for our commanding captain." Ezequiel grumbled under his breath with a light sneer.

Seidax still heard him, turning his pointed look to the taller angel, "What was that?"

"Nothing, let's just get this over with." Ezequiel sighed, moving to help Revana, only to have hr slap him away as well, "Damnit, don't you want me to bandage that!?"

"We didn't bring any of those," Revana grumbled, looking more irritated then in pain, "Besides, I got hit with a shard knife. Doesn't really heal normally."

"Come on, we have to keep moving," Seidax insisted, only after he'd gotten the "I'm fine, quit wasting time" look from Revana, "They're down this hall. Let's move."

"Roger that, Captain America." Arita said with a light grin, trying to lighten the mood.

"This is why we don't invite you to movie night anymore, Arita."

"Well, there's more than one reason we don't invite you out drinking anymore, Ezequiel."

"Jesus, could we have silence at least until we get to the prisoners?"

"Yeah...Sorry Revana…"

Ezequiel called dibs on kicking the door down.

Once he did, sword held out and at the ready, he grinned, "Guess not all demons lie."

"But they do all deceive." Revana murmured, pushing his way forward, doing her best to ignore her arm. She inspected the room carefully, as if taking in every detail.

The Angels in there were out cold, heads down with the only thing keeping them upright being the chains around their necks and arms, probably due to how long they'd been exposed to hell's atmosphere.

Revana took another step, almost falling over as she did so, only to have Seidax help her out, "I'll take care of this. You two, keep an eye on her."

Arita and Ezequiel nodded, Ezequiel making a light comment on how he just wanted all the glory, before helping Revana out of the room.

Once they were out, Revana shook her head, pulling herself away from the two as if they were a disease, "I am not incompetent, and you both know it."

"No, but you are bleeding profusely." Arita commented, causing the smaller angel to scowl.

"I wasn't aware that you've elaborated on your vocabulary."

"It was one word, screw off, Rev." Arita grumbled, about to go on, only to be pushed back, a loud explosion going off behind them.

Ezequiel moved to cover the two, holding his arms out while ducking his arms out, while Arita cursed, holding her hands over her now ringing ears.

Through the ringing, she saw Revana make a dash back for the door, anguish on her face, as she grabbed an arm, Seixdax's. For a second, Arita was scared that his arm was all that was left, only to watch Ezequiel help pull him out of the rubble, "What was that!?" Revana said, nearly shouting.

Arita drew an arrow, resting it against the bowstring as she took a few looks back. There was no way that no one heard that.

"I really don't know," Seidax admitted, a hand over his chest as he steadied his breathing, "I was about to help one up, and an explosion goes off. I'm guessing they were rigged, we could end up trapped down here."

Arita was ready to throw her bow down and scowl, thinking that they were fucked, only to have Revana narrow her eyes, "There were no charges."

"They could have been well hidden in the walls." Seidax insisted, before looking down the hall, cursing lightly to himself, "We'll have to go back, tell Ash that the rescue was a fail-."

"No," Revana hissed, pushing herself forward, "I checked those walls, there were no cracks, it was a new room made special for them. The only thing that could have sent off an explosion like that would have to be an angel's grenade."

"Maybe one of them were still armed. Maybe it got pulled-."

"No, I checked out that room," Revana insisted, pushing herself into his bubble, finger poking chest, "That wall was just made, there were to cracks, so there was no place to hide an explosive."

Seidax's eyes narrowed, never being one to be told he was wrong or having people get into his space, "What are you trying to say, Revana?"

"Why did you blow them up?"

Arita's breathing hitched, giving the two of them a look. There was no way that Seidax, pure and perfect Seidax, would ever hurt someone. But, at the same time, Revana has never been wrong.

The two shared a look, neither of them backing down. Before Arita knew it, golden blood flew to land on her face, eyes going wide as the sharp tip of a fencing sword went right through Revana's gut.

Revana's wide eyes and open mouth was reflected in Seidax's helmet, "Forgive me, old friend." He muttered, not sounding the least bit sorry before sliding her now limp body off, "But I had orders."

"Traitor!" Ezequiel bellowed, nearly throwing his sword out as he brought it down on Seidax, his eyes watering.

Seidax caught the blade between his hands, twisting it out of his hold, "I know you won't understand, but can't you see it?" He said, his voice staying even, "They've touched their feet upon the land of the Devil; they are unclean."

"What the hell are you talking about!?" Ezequiel shouted right back, trying to tug his sword back only to fail, "We were suppose to save them! We were suppose to bring them back home!"

All the while, Arita stood there, stunned. There was no way Seidax had just...Out of no where. She'd always assumed that he and Revana would end up together, with how perfect the two were, but staring at Revana's dead corpse on the ground really shook her, a hand still over her mouth. She ignored the sounds of Ezequiel and Seidax fighting, her mind going deaf. Revana couldn't die, they'd set that into stone a long time ago. So, to see the gold bleed out of her, it didn't feel right.

She was only brought back to it when she heard Ezequiel shout, "Arita, look out!"

She was pushed out of the way, pulling an arrow back and firing on instinct, only to soon regret it. Seidax, who must have had his helmet thrown off, met the arrow with wide eyes, before falling back.

Arita couldn't look back, as she walked over to where Ezequiel was. Now that she had her head on straight, she winced slightly at the sight of him slowly bleeding out, a tear through his armor leaking gold, "Come on, we need to get back." Arita murmured, voice low and dull.

Ezequiel was panting heavily, eyes wide as Arita helped him up, letting him lean on her much smaller frame as much as he could, "W-what about those two? We can't just-."

"There's no way we'd be able to drag them both back." Arita muttered bitterly, shaking her head, "Seidax is a traitor, and I know Revana would beat us silly if she ever found out that she were the reason we got trapped in hell, she'd fry us alive."

After that sorry attempt at humor, the two walked out in silence, hoping that nothing else could go wrong after that.

the moment they made it back, Arita dropped to her knees, hands holding her up as the world spun around her. The fight and flight back was hell, being how there was no way to get out without being noticed, especially after a show like that. The fact that they'd left Revana and Seidax, even if he were a traitor, left a bad taste in her mouth. So, she kneeled there, her eyes following the swirl of the gateway till her headache stopped.

Honestly, the entire ordeal was enough to make anyone want to forget life.

Ezequiel was slowly but surely taking off the armor, wincing in pain as he did so. Arita didn't need to turn around to know that those deep cuts would surely scar, "...Shit...Where do we go from here?" Ezequiel murmured, mostly to himself.

"Well, for one, you can explain to me where your commanding captain is and what happened down there."

the two jumped, well, Ezequiel jumped. All Arita could manage was a small nod and bow, unable to move much more from there.

In all his glory, Ash Sanctimonia stood before them, expression as unreadable as ever.

"Sir, I'm so glad you're here," Ezequiel said, letting out a repressed sigh, even in his salute, "Forgive my appearance, domine Sanctimonia, but we've been through a bit."

"If you'd be so kindly as to explain." The angel said, arms crossed as he waited.

And so he did, Ezequiel spilled everything. Arita only watched the unfazed expression on the elder angel's face, the small twitch of disdain when Ezequiel revealed Seidax's treachery, followed by a head shake, "...You tell me that he was the reason for...all of this?"

"Yes." Ezequiel grumbled, before coughing into his hand, "Apologizes, domine."

"No, please, it is my fault." Ash grumbled, sighing as he drew his sword, "It's my fault for assuming that Seidax could really finish the job."

Arita watched with horror as Ezequiel choked out a few words, his eyes wide with shock and pain, before Ash pulled the sword out of his chest, "To think that'd he'd allow some scum to cralw their way back into heaven, what a disgrace." He sighed, kicking him backwards, right into the gateway.

"Ezequiel!" Arita shouted, reaching out too little too late, forced to watch his dying body fall back into the abyss, "You...You fucking piece of shit!" Arita snapped, forcing herself to rise, bow and arrow in hand, "How could you?"

Ash sighed, giving her a look, as if bored suddenly, "Of course you wouldn't understand, you're from the House of Lux."

He sighed, wiping his blade off, ducking when Arita fired, "Don't you see? those angel's were contaminated. Any angel who's stepped foot in hell should never have the chance to come back to heaven. Why do you think we turn down fallen angels?"

Arita drew another arrow, hands shaking, "So that was Seidax's plan, to kill us all because we just weren't good enough?"

"No, you give your fallen friend too much credit," Ash murmured, ducking under another arrow as he advanced, his other hand reaching into his pocket, "I was the one to put him to it. It was going to be his ultimate cleansing, to kill his own kind for the betterment of his own kind."

Arita scowled, out of arrows, before gripping the bow. She swung it at him, only to have him easily disarm her, fencing sword held high, before sheathing it, "Thankfully, since I know that nothing or no one is truly perfect, I came up with a decent insurance plan."

Arita held her hands up, fists clenched, before throwing a punch forward. She wasn't weak, far from it, but she was far from Revana's skill of hand to hand. Before she knew it, she was on her knees, feeling one hand on each wing behind her, before a foot pushed her down.

She didn't even process that she was screaming until she watched two angel's wings, tossed into the void, "Well, that's done, makes my job easier."

Ash grabbed her hand, sliding something onto her finger, the material burning, "Oh, don't worry, it'll only hurt for a bit longer." Ash grumbled, finally letting her go.

Arita looked over the ring is horror, her hand feeling as if it were on fire, "It's fitting, don't you think?" Ash muttered, taking out a handkerchief to clean off his hands, as if disgusted that he had to put his hands on her, "It took a long time to get my hands on that ring, do you know what I had to do to get the Audax to create a ring that would nullify an angel's powers?"

Ash shook his head, before crouching down, giving Arita a fake smile, "Don't worry, at least you'll be among scum like yourself. I've seen your kind, the Lux thinking that they're the best; thinking that us Sanctimonia are under your foot."

Ash put a foot to her chest, her vision slowly going blurry, "I'd be lying if I said that I didn't want him to go after you first, but hey, I'll make do with the hand I've been given. It'll feel much nicer when I know for sure that, down there, you're going to wake up as a demon with no prior memory."

And with that, she felt something push her back, right into the gateway. All she saw were the swirling colors as she felt down, hand reaching out for someone, anyone, to reach out and grab her arm and help pull her out.

Kuro laughed.

Her life, her entire life, had literally just flashed before her eyes.

Her mind didn't have to question where she was anymore. She was dead or dying, she could feel it. She didn't know what to think, heck, she didn't know if she could think.

She just felt weightless, just like how it felt when she was first tossed out of heaven. She was still waiting to hit the ground, but she knew the moment that happened, she wouldn't be waking up.

She wondered where she'd go from here. What was left? Did demons go anywhere after they died? Would she end up back in hell under a new name and face?

Suddenly, something touched her hand.

She jumped, or, she would have if she had the chance, the feeling of someone else touching her hand made her feel suddenly very naked.

She turned to face whoever it was, spending a quick second to wonder who was dying with her. It didn't take long to put two and two together, those wine red eyes were unmistakable.

No words were exchanged, as he pulled her closer to him, holding her close as he tucked her face into his shoulder.

She didn't know she was crying until she noticed that his jacket sleeve was wet. Even after it hit her, all she did was hug him back, burying her face as if she could hide form the inevitable, "...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry…"

"No, don't apologize." Corvus murmured, shaking ever so slightly as if she'd disappear at any moment, but was still forced to stay strong, "I don't want our last words to be regret."

"But there's so much I wish I could take back." Kuro whimpered, nearly choking through the tears. She wanted to apologize for everything, for every time she'd made it hard for him just for her amusement. For every time she'd chosen Arc over him, even those few times when he'd begun to change. He was willing to do so much for her, and she didn't see it till the bitter end.

"Well, if you insist on keeping the regret, allow me to apologize." Corvus muttered into her hair, his hands absentmindedly playing with it.

"For what? For always trying to conform to what I wanted and needed?" Kuro said bitterly, her fingers digging into his coat. This was a terrible time to remember how warm he was, "For seeing that I wasn't perfect and trying to win me over anyway?"

"I'm sorry for how it started," Corvus replied, a bit of resentment filling his tone, "It could have been better. I will not lie to you, it all started to see if I could trump my brother. I thought you were a game at first, but by the time I realized it was you playing me, you already hated me. And for that, I know my words won't be enough to convey how sorry I am."

Kuro only chuckled lowly, looking up to meet his gaze. She could see it, that small smile, the gingerly touches, all of it crashing down with the pure sorrow in his eyes, "Looks like neither of us are perfect, huh?"

"After meeting you, I now know that I am far from adequate." Corvus murmured.

Kuro laughed, holding her hand over his own, "That is very uncharacteristic of a demon of your class, don't you think?"

"You will only ever hear the truth from my lips, darling." He said quietly, squeezing her hand, before looking around a bit, "...May I have this dance?"

Kuro wanted to say no out of instinct. She couldn't dance, there was no music, and there was no ground. But, deciding that she'd made him wait long enough, Kuro nodded, "Fair warning, I don't know how."

"You make that sound like a problem." Corvus smiled against her forehead, before spinning her around, one hand on her waist while the other rested against her hand, "This is how it should have been." He murmured, holding her close.

"Do enlighten me."

Corvus thought on it for a while, before spinning her around on his arm, "Well, for starters, after we were properly unioned, I'd have a better reason to spend more time with you."

"We could do anything, really. I know how much you enjoy Cresil experiment with plant-life in the garden. We could spend as much time there as you want. When my father finally gives in to age, something that will and can happen one day, I will take over as king for the rest of my life. But, with that, I could get you anything you wanted. Once I was named and crowned king, I could give you the world itself. If you wanted, we'd press on, take over the Surface, just so you can see the stars."

"But what if I didn't want that?" Kuro murmured, almost absent-minded. She ignored how she was slowly beginning to lose feeling in her toes.

"Well, tell me what you'd like then."

She thought it over. She could recall every time she'd been asked that question in the bar, normally in a joking manner from Abraxas, or just Vale trying to strike up conversation due to the total boredom slowly taking over.

Every time it was asked, she'd always reply with the first extravagant thing that came to mind. From a good Sonic game to a Unicorn, there was never a shortage of answers. So, once the question was put before her, she found it funny that if felt so hard to answer.

"...Honestly, now that I think it over...It wouldn't hurt to have a kid."

"You? A mother?"

"You say it so rudely, ya big meanie." Kuro grumbled, resting her head against his chest, "Maybe it was after looking over Vanth for so long, but I don't think I'd do half bad."

"Hmm, is that so?" Corvus hummed.

Before Corvus could go over, Kuro yelped, tripping over herself. The only reason she stayed upright was because Corvus was still holding her close, but that didn't stop him from stumbling back, just a bit, "Kuro!? What's wrong?"

She took a moment to look down, only to nearly hurl. Everything below her knees was dissolving into white flakes of...Something. She couldn't tell at the moment, but it was flying away, the sudden numbness was starting to make sense.

Corvus gently shoved her face into his shoulder, hugging her tightly, "Don't look."

"Too late." Kuro said, a melancholy laugh coming out of her throat, "So, this is what it feels like to die."

Corvus was muttering something, she could hear a few "No's" and "I'm sorry", but most of it was muffled. From what, she wasn't exactly sure, but she did know that she was slowly losing feeling in the tips of her fingers.

Corvus fell to his knees, still holding her close, "You know, I don't see why you're the one crying." Kuro said, another laugh coming out, "You're not the one dying."

"I'm so sorry." Corvus said, shaking, "I...I really should have tried harder, for you."

Kuro couldn't say anything, simply staring up into his eyes as he slowly tore himself apart. He looked as if he was on the brink of tears, hands shaking as he reached down to grab them, or, what was left of them, "I'll find you."

"W-what?"

"I don't care how long it takes, and I don't care for what has to be done." Corvus said, her voice sure as he looked her straight in her eyes, "I promise, even if it means I have to take on all the Grim Reapers in the world, even if I have to tear through heaven and hell; even if I find you and you don't remember. I will find you, and I will make it all up to you."

He then kissed her forehead, everything below her elbows numb, "I'll do it right this time, I swear."

Kuro only shook her head, her eyes growing heavy with tears. She couldn't tell him how the odds were, once again, stacked against them. Who knew what happens to a demon when they die? Who knew where'd she'd go, or what would happen?

Kuro nuzzled his coat, sniffling, "C-Corvus...Corvus, I'm scared."

He hushed her, petting her hair down as he did so. He looked like he wanted to say something, but what else would help? Nothing could be done from here.

With one last pained grin, Kuro pressed a small kiss to his lips, a small gesture that she should have given him a long time ago, "You know, Corvus...You really weren't half bad at being a fiancé."

And with that, she closed her eyes, the rest of her going numb as the light slowly but surely died out.