Lightning split the skies over the mortal realm.
Each flash illuminated wings — not one pair, but thousands.
From beyond the clouds, the Seraph Host poured down like a river of blinding gold.
Each angel bore a weapon forged in eternity — spears of dawnlight, shields of living flame.
Their descent made the very air burn.
At their head flew the Seven Seraph Generals, draped in armor woven from starlight, eyes devoid of mercy.
And above even them, shrouded in divine brilliance, hovered the High Arbiter himself.
> "Let no stone, no soul, no shadow remain," he decreed.
"Let the heretic's name be erased from the book of creation."
The army roared in response, a sound like thunder breaking across all of existence.
---
Far below, the mortal cities trembled as the skies turned gold.
Temples cracked, oceans shuddered, and mountains wept fire.
Children cried.
The faithful prayed.
And the name Arhaan echoed in every whispered plea.
---
In the heart of the old ruins, Arhaan sat cross-legged before a dying fire.
His chains glowed faintly in the darkness — calm, controlled, alive.
Azrakar's voice whispered inside him.
> "They come."
"I know."
> "Will you run?"
Arhaan's eyes opened, red light gleaming within.
"No," he said softly. "Let Heaven see what it created."
He rose, cloak swirling, the Oathbreaker humming with a voice of its own.
---
Elsewhere, Kael stood on a cliff overlooking the storm.
The falling Seraph Host gleamed across the sky like a second sunrise.
His halo, cracked and dim, reflected faint gold on his face.
He remembered Arhaan's words: 'You mean the cage they call Heaven?'
And now he saw it — the cage opening, not to protect, but to devour.
Seris appeared beside him, her wings dimmed, her expression grim.
"They'll burn the entire mortal realm to find him."
Kael clenched his fists. "Then we won't let them."
"You'll be branded fallen forever," she warned.
Kael looked up at the descending light and smiled faintly.
"Then I'll fall."
---
The first of the Seraph armies reached the mortal plane.
Their landing shook valleys and shattered rivers, each angel a comet of judgment.
Arhaan faced them alone — the earth cracking under his feet as he drew the Oathbreaker.
Chains coiled around him, glowing crimson, forming a sigil that spread for miles across the ground.
"Come then," he said, voice echoing through the storm. "Let's see if Heaven can still bleed."
---
The Seraphs charged.
Thousands of golden blades met a single crimson flame.
BOOM.
The world erupted.
A pillar of light and fire split the heavens, half-gold, half-red.
And at the center of it — Arhaan, wrapped in his chains, holding back the fury of Heaven itself.
---
High above, the Arbiter watched in fury.
"This defiance ends tonight."
But before he could descend, a spear of golden light shot upward — not at Arhaan, but at the Seraph Host itself.
The angels screamed as the blast tore through their formation.
The Arbiter turned in disbelief.
"Who dares—"
From the smoke rose a familiar voice, weary but defiant:
> "I do."
Kael stepped into the light, wings torn, halo broken, sword blazing with golden fire.
> "By the oath I once swore — not to Heaven, but to justice — I stand with him."
---
Arhaan looked up through the flames.
A faint, knowing smile crossed his face.
"Welcome back, brother."
Kael lowered his blade. "Let's break their chains."