Chapter 19

  ESCAPE WITHOUT LOOKING BACK

  Gabriel gazed at the radiant tunnel he had just crossed, but he did so with infinite sadness. That passage meant leaving behind everything he had lived and loved. Now his friends would have to face alone that evil growing without control, like an unstoppable virus in the mortal realm. His heart, wounded and shattered, desperately longed for Max’s company.

  When they finally crossed over, they arrived in a vast hall. Golden pillars rose majestically, and lanterns cast a warm, welcoming light. For anyone else, it would have been a heavenly refuge, but for Gabriel it was nothing more than his former prison. His eyes fell on Cristina, who walked slowly, stretching as she followed Miriam in silence. Helplessness consumed him: he wanted to rip off her shackles and escape together, to stop that injustice, but he knew he lacked the strength to defeat three pure angels.

  —Gabriel, you are safe now… —his mother said in a conciliatory tone, trying to make him understand that she only wanted to protect him.

  —While my friends are dying… What a relief —he replied, his sarcasm cutting like a dagger.

  Ann took a deep breath, trying to remain calm.

  —You’re angry, but I know that with time you’ll understand. Go home, Sofía is waiting for you —she said, pointing toward the door that led outside.

  But Gabriel did not move. Instead, his gaze locked onto his mother’s, with one last ray of hope.

  —And Cristina?

  Ann hesitated for a moment, but her voice soon recovered its usual severity.

  —Today she will be placed in a cell. Tomorrow her trial will take place, and the Angelic Tribunal will decide the most appropriate punishment for her crime.

  Gabriel’s face hardened.

  —You are making a mistake —he said, with a firmness that surprised even Ann—. You must give her a second chance. For years you’ve told me that forgiveness is the bravest act. Were those words empty?

  His mother did not know how to respond. Gabriel turned away and left, leaving behind a heavy silence. For the first time, Ann found herself questioning the principles she had defended so fiercely, the very laws she had protected with devotion throughout her life. And, for the first time, she saw Gabriel not as a child in need of guidance, but as a man. A mix of pride and fear washed over her, a feeling she did not know how to interpret.

  —Miriam, do you think that…? —Ann left the question unfinished, but Miriam understood what she meant.

  —No, Gabriel wouldn’t be capable of that… —Miriam replied quickly, though her tone betrayed a hint of doubt.

  Cristina, who had been listening in silence, tried unsuccessfully to decipher those words. She remained still, almost invisible, until Ann turned toward her with a stern look.

  —Walk —she ordered coldly.

  Cristina obeyed, but inside her a storm of emotions raged. She knew Ann was hiding something about Gabriel, something she was unwilling to reveal. However, it no longer mattered. She felt her fate was sealed. Her death was written, and those angels, who for centuries had proven to be as cold as the stars they watched over, stripped away any hope of finding compassion in their eyes.

  As he stepped outside the building, Gabriel felt the warm sunlight of Paradise caress his skin. It was the perfect temperature, as if heaven itself adjusted the climate for his comfort: neither too hot nor too cold. He breathed deeply, letting the pure air fill his lungs, and finally did what he had longed for since leaving the celestial realm to enter the mortal world: he spread his wings.

  With a slight arch of his back, two majestic white wings emerged, radiant as light itself. They were imposing and elegant, burdened with the weight of his celestial heritage yet filled with an ethereal beauty that took one’s breath away. Their span seemed to embrace the sky, and each feather shimmered with a soft glow, as if Paradise itself gave them life, propelling him upward. As he rose, he felt the wind strike his face and a fleeting memory of freedom pierced through him—the same freedom he had known alongside Max. This time, however, there was no time to enjoy it; his heart was set. Cristina was not going to die, not while he could stop it. And he knew exactly who could help him.

  The clouds faded beneath his feet, and with a gentle landing he touched the ground. His wings, as if they understood his purpose, folded back into his spine without leaving a trace. With a swift motion, he flung open the door to his home, and there, as always, was his best friend, Sofía.

  —Gabriel! —she shouted, running toward him to hug him tightly—. I’m so glad you’re alive… I was afraid that… —Her voice broke, unable to finish the sentence.

  Gabriel held her just as tightly, letting the warmth of their reunion ease some of the tension that had been overwhelming him.

  —I missed you —he said sincerely—. The mortal realm was… different. It’s full of strange people and strange things, but I met incredible people. They made me feel like more than just a half-blood. —He paused and, with a sigh, added—: But now I need your help.

  Sofía, still surprised, looked at him with curiosity.

  —That sounds incredible… But what do you need my help for? —she asked, somewhat confused.

  —A witch came with me, the witch who started all of this. —A nervous laugh escaped his lips—. She made a mistake, but when I understood why she did it, I realized something. The mortal world isn’t black and white; it’s full of shades that make its choices harder. That’s why we have to save her. —He paused, searching for the right words—. You know the punishment for treason is death. I don’t want Cristina to die.

  His eyes shone with a mix of determination and pain. Sofía watched him in silence before placing a hand on his cheek.

  —This Gabriel who throws himself in without thinking about the consequences for a friend seems like a complete idiot to me —she said with a mischievous smile—. But he also seems like a Gabriel with a bigger heart. It’s always a good time to annoy my mothers, and this… well, this will annoy them a lot. I love the idea!

  Gabriel couldn’t help laughing at the way Sofía accepted his proposal.

  —Will you help me? —he asked, though he already sensed the answer.

  —Of course, but… —she looked at him with one eyebrow raised— you do have a plan, right?

  —Well… let’s say I do —he replied, trying to sound confident, though his smile gave him away.

  —“Let’s say you do”? —Sofía repeated, clearly amused—. All right, let’s think. The building is full of guards, but they could easily be distracted by the daughter of someone from the Angelic Tribunal. I’ll take care of that—I’m good at talking. Meanwhile, you’ll sneak in quietly, like a ninja. And when you reach her cell… —She stopped, frowning as she thought.

  —When I reach her cell? —Gabriel raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  —I don’t know… rescuing a prisoner is more complicated in real life —she admitted, but suddenly her eyes lit up—. Wait! Do you remember that time I was punished for… borrowing some of my mothers’ weapons?

  —Yes… —he replied, still not understanding where she was going.

  —Well, I might not have returned all of them —she said with a mischievous laugh—. I kept an alchemical acid grenade. If I understood it correctly, that substance only melts celestial steel.

  —How sure are you it won’t melt our faces too? —Gabriel asked, visibly worried.

  —About… ninety percent. —A small nervous laugh escaped her.

  Gabriel looked at her and sighed.

  —Some time ago I would have said this was madness, but today… today I say it’s madness, and we don’t have any other option. Go get it. We’ll meet at the entrance of the Celestial Feather Building.

  Sofía nodded enthusiastically and, without wasting any time, hurried off to fetch the grenade. As he watched her leave, Gabriel felt that, for the first time in days, hope was beginning to shine.

  Both friends stood before that imposing building, a symbol of authority and power, uncertain whether they would succeed. But if there was one thing that defined Sofía, it was her lack of respect for the limits imposed by reason. Without hesitation, she gently pushed Gabriel, urging him to begin the plan.

  Sofía, with her classic charming personality, entered the building as if she had no worries at all. Halfway across the lobby, she pretended to slip dramatically, crashing to the floor in an exaggerated fall. Her performance was so convincing that all the guards rushed over to help her. Surrounded by them, Sofía, in a weak voice, claimed she had hurt her leg and needed help getting up. When one of the guards touched her back to assist her, Sofía suddenly unfurled her enormous white wings, “accidentally” striking them and sending them staggering. The resulting confusion was the perfect distraction for Gabriel to slip away unseen.

  Gabriel hurried down the stairs into the deepest part of the building, where the cells were located. Unlike the rest of Paradise, this place lacked all the majesty and brilliance that defined the celestial realm. Ancient stone walls covered in moss and the dim lighting that barely pierced the gloom created a somber, oppressive atmosphere. His heart pounding, Gabriel began calling out to Cristina. His voice echoed through the silence until a distant reply reached his ears.

  At the end of a dark corridor, behind the bars of a cell, stood Cristina. Her clothes were covered in dust, and the golden shackles still bound her wrists, but she retained her defiant spirit.

  —I always imagined my death would be dramatic, but dying accused of treason in Paradise itself is on another level —Cristina said with an ironic smile, trying to ease the tension.

  —Don’t worry, I’m getting you out of here —Gabriel replied, pulling the alchemical acid grenade from his pocket—. Step away from the bars and cover your face, just in case.

  Cristina didn’t question the instructions and obeyed immediately. Gabriel pressed the button on the grenade, which emitted a rhythmic beeping before he hurled it at the bars. A contained explosion echoed through the area, and the substance began to melt the celestial metal as if it had a will of its own. Within seconds, the bars disintegrated, and the substance vanished into the cracks in the floor.

  —Are you okay? —Gabriel rushed to make sure Cristina hadn’t been hurt.

  —I’m fine —she replied with a grateful smile.

  —The shackles… well, we’ll think about that later. Right now we have to go. I doubt Sofía’s show will keep them distracted for long after that explosion.

  They both ran up the stairs, their footsteps echoing through the silent corridor. They reached the building’s entrance within minutes, but stopped abruptly. In front of them, at least ten golden guards blocked the exit. Their armor shone with celestial light, and the spears they carried seemed to radiate a power of their own.

  —Gabriel, if you leave me behind, they’ll let you go —Cristina said, trying to convince him.

  Gabriel was about to respond when a familiar voice rose above the tension.

  —We haven’t lost yet.

  Sofía appeared behind the guards, spreading her wings with a powerful motion. With a sudden thrust, she struck several of them, throwing them off balance as she flew forward to place herself between them and her friends.

  —Hi, I’m Sofía. Nice to meet you —she said to Cristina with a cordial smile—. And now it’s time to play.

  Her defiant gaze made it clear she had no intention of surrendering without a fight.

  A radiant aura burst forth from Sofía, illuminating the space. Above her head, a golden halo appeared, shining like the sun itself, as her clothes began to transform. Little by little, the ordinary fabric was replaced by golden armor adorned with intricate silver details that radiated power and elegance. She closed her eyes for a moment, and a steel sword materialized before her. Its blade was etched with ancient runes that began to glow with celestial energy the instant her hands touched it.

  Steady and resolute, Sofía prepared for battle. She raised her sword, and with the first clash against the guards’ spears, her strike thundered through the hall. Her movements were swift, almost choreographed, as if she were dancing a war dance. Each blow was precise, and the gusts of wind generated by her wings added devastating force to every maneuver.

  One of the guards, searching for an opening, tried to strike her from behind. The spear shot straight toward her wings, but before it could harm her, a bluish shield materialized at the point of impact. The spear shattered in two, and the metallic clang of the fragment hitting the floor marked a turning point. It was as if that simple act had awakened something within Sofía.

  Her eyes blazed with fierce intensity. She launched herself into the air and began spinning around the guards, faster and faster, creating a vortex that kicked up dust and destabilized her enemies. Her enormous, powerful wings beat with force, forming a small tornado that trapped the guards and lifted them into the air. From the center of the storm, Sofía paused for a moment and fixed them with a gaze filled with authority and strength.

  With an elegant yet relentless motion, she wrapped her body in her wings. When she flung them open, she unleashed a gust of wind so powerful it shattered windows and swept through the hall. The guards were hurled out of the building like leaves caught in a storm. They fell outside, unconscious, leaving the path clear.

  Sofía landed gracefully, still wrapped in the glow of her power. She turned toward Gabriel and Cristina, her expression calm but resolute.

  —The path is clear —she said, a faint smile contrasting with the devastating force she had just unleashed—. Now let’s go before more arrive.

  With a smooth, decisive motion, Gabriel extended his majestic wings. Without wasting time, he wrapped an arm firmly around Cristina. With a powerful beat, the three of them rose into the sky, soaring at a breathtaking speed. The wind roared in Cristina’s ears as she struggled to process the magnitude of what was happening. Within minutes, the landscape changed dramatically: they had reached their destination.

  Before them rose the Mountains of Lucifer’s Last Lightning, an imposing chain of sharp, dark peaks that seemed to tear at the sky itself. At the heart of the mountains, a smooth, spherical rock awaited them. From its center, a column of blinding light shot upward into the heavens, releasing sparks of electric blue in rhythmic bursts that vibrated through the air.

  Cristina was left speechless. It was like witnessing pure natural power—contained yet untamable, beautiful and terrifying in equal measure.

  —There it is —Gabriel murmured, gesturing solemnly toward the lightning. Then he turned to Cristina and added—: Bring the shackles closer.

  Cristina swallowed hard, her body trembling with a mix of doubt and fear.

  —Are you sure about this? —she asked, her words tinged with uncertainty.

  —Trust me —Gabriel replied, his voice calm and steady. His eyes radiated a certainty that slowly helped to soothe her.

  With slow steps, Cristina moved toward the rock. As she approached, an invisible force pushed her back, as if the lightning were repelling her. Her breathing grew heavier, and her heart thundered like a drum in her chest, but she did not stop.

  When she reached the edge of the lightning, energy began to crackle around the golden shackles still imprisoning her wrists. At first, small sparks merely danced across the metal, but soon the process intensified. In the blink of an eye, the shackles exploded into a cloud of golden dust, which was carried away by the breeze.

  —We did it! —Sofía shouted, jumping with excitement.

  Cristina staggered backward, unable to hide the relief on her face. Her arms were free, and so was her spirit. She ran toward Gabriel and Sofía, her chest still heaving from the experience.

  —Thank you… —she whispered, but she had no time to say more.

  A deafening roar split the air, followed by a phenomenon impossible to ignore. The sky above them began to tear open, as if a gigantic claw were ripping it apart. A massive rift formed, and from it emerged a figure that froze their blood: Sabine.

  Sabine’s imposing presence dominated the space, floating with the grace and power of a conqueror. Her face bore a smile filled with contempt and triumph. But what followed was even more alarming. It was not Becos who came after her, as Gabriel had feared. Instead, a torrent of demons poured out of the opening, forming an army that seemed endless.

  Gabriel clenched his jaw, his wings spread wide, reflecting the blue glow of the lightning behind him. Cristina and Sofía, at his side, shared the same mix of determination and panic.

  —They’re not here to intimidate us —Sofía murmured.

  —No, they’re here to finish us —Gabriel replied, his gaze fixed on Sabine.

  The silence lasted only an instant, just long enough for all of them to grasp the magnitude of what they were facing. Then Sabine raised an arm and pointed toward the Celestial Feather Building, her voice booming like thunder.

  —Let the true battle begin.

  The air filled with roars and sinister wingbeats. Gabriel summoned his celestial scythe, his eyes burning with the resolve of someone who had chosen not to retreat. Cristina and Sofía stood at his sides, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

  It was the prelude to a war that would shape the fate of them all.