New York, USA (July 2019) New York had frozen in time, the humans disappearing along with it. It could only mean one thing when a dimension that consisted of reality was suspended like this. The demons were now attacking the angels, just mere paces away from the werewolf house. "I told you so," Veronica said grimly as she observed the chaos from one of Stefano's balconies. "If I remember correctly, I was the one who predicted what would happen first," Haneul said, trying to make light of the situation. Still, his stomach twisted at the number of angels that would be sacrificed just for them to achieve their goal. "And I supported you all the way, so I win, too," Veronica replied. "We need to get out of here while they're busy." Haneul said, "Right now, it's just the supernatural CP. But once they figure out we're here, they'll be asking for reinforcements from the Mirrors Division.' "Duh." Veronica said, flexing her fingers above her, "I've been readying myself to do some rel
New York, USA (July 2019) "Quit pacing. I can't concentrate." Veronica was getting ready for the relocation spell and Stefano was nervously hanging around her, giving her an almighty headache. "A battle is happening outside my gates. How am I supposed to relax?" Stefano grunted. "We'll be fine. We'll be out of here soon enough before any of them turns their attention to us." Veronica said. If she just wasn't doing anything important, she might have marveled and laughed at the great Alpha Stefano's uncharacteristic display of anxiety. But alas, her hands were full. "For the last time, moving our place was not part of the agreement," Stefano repeated. "That's it." Veronica snapped, "So what? You would rather end up getting caught in an all-out battle between the literal forces of good and evil?" "I don't--I--" Stefano stammered, "I never should've agreed to help you. I knew when you said you needed a space to crash, you really meant you needed people to die for you." "Oh, p
New York, USA (July 2019) They all watched as the fire message that Alice had sent turned to ash in front of them. "So let me get this straight. She pretended to switch sides because she was concerned about Monique, thinking that Fabienne was no longer loyal to her ward. But now that she has ascertained, by some vague method, that the vampire wasn't going to let Lilith hurt Monique, she wants us to help the angels that are currently being overrun by demons instead of escaping this place." Veronica recapped, glaring at the cinders in front of them. "No, I don't think that's it. Alice wouldn't just abandon us for that. There must be something else," LJ said, frowning. Reaching into the fire, he pulled the remaining bits of the paper, narrowly missing the flames. "Hey, you could've hurt yourself." Veronica scolded on impulse, stepping forward to pull LJ back from the fire, but stopping herself when she realized what she was about to do. Stefano and Haneul narrowed their eyes at her b
New York, USA (July 2019) Veronica looked at the Alpha, who nodded at his men behind him. Some of the faces were hesitant, which was no surprise to Veronica. The New York werewolf clan hadn't been part of so many battles since Stefano took over. It was essentially their comeback. So despite the obvious fear, there was also the determination to prove that they were still a proud clan. Now it was her turn, A slinking feeling enveloped the atmosphere as Veronica's incubi join the ranks. It was rocky calling out to them, just as it had always been since she deflected from Hell, but they always came to her in the end. "Remember, defend only from the angels and attack the demons as hard as you can." Haneul reminded them. Veronica smiled mockingly, "Sure, but remind me which is which, again?" Haneul gave Veronica a look, but it was mild. A chill ran through her. She didn't want to find the word for it since she felt like it would solidify what was happening. But there was no denying
New York, USA (July 2019) To say that the angels were bewildered to see the werewolves and the incubi assisting them in battle was an understatement. The look on their faces was something worth remembering for ages. But Veronica could not revel in the confusion as she stared, caught up in what was in front of her. Monique, Princess of Envy, was actually heading toward the battlefield, something she had never done before. Veronica wondered what was up. Was it because they were losing? Veronica smirked at the thought of Monique panicking. She was so going to tear the bitch to pieces. "Leave Monique to me," Veronica announced to no one in particular. She took a tep forward, a few creatures from her legions trailing behind them. But something made her stop. Someone. "No, this can't be," Veronica murmured. Appearing a few paces beside Monique, with legions of Lust demons behind him, was someone she didn't expect to see. He looked healthier than she had last seen him. As if becoming a
New York, USA (July 2019) The lust demons that didn't respond to her calling turned the tables on them. The fighting got renewed and now the angels and werewolves were losing. But Veronica could not turn back, not when Geronimo was right in front of her. The bastard looked the same as he did the last she saw him, albeit with a smug grin on his face. "You're looking well, V." he greeted unaffectedly as the incubi he brought to the battle continued to spread out. Veronica cringed at how he called her, remembering LJ. "I see you decided to be Asmodeus' lap dog since I left," she commented. Geronimo let out a low growl, as she predicted, "You didn't leave, Veronica. You got captured. There's a difference. Did you really think that just by playing house with them, the angels would consider you one of them? You must be getting deluded in your old age." "I'm not expecting anything from the angels, Geronimo. I have my own reasons for assisting them and I assure you, it was purely fo
New York (July 2019) Haneul was gaping at her and the Tina enjoyed the sight too much, before she realized why he was probably staring up at her, frozen on the ground. "Shoot. I'm so sorry. Did I hit you with that, too? I swear, I don't know what I'm doing." Tina apologized profusely. Hearing Haneul's summons, she hit the ground running just as Addai had taught her, but she felt her magic spread in places that she didn't want it to. And it wasn't just Haneul, some of the angels had also sank into the ground. "Christina, just pull back. Like I taught you." she heard Addai's voice beside her, but when she turned, he wasn't there. Damn it. Where the hell was he when she needed him? "Tina?" she heard Haneul's disoriented mumble. Breathless, Tina closed her eyes to focus. She tightened her grip on the coldness that seem to erupt from her pores. The tension in her body tripled as she retracted it from touching the angels in the field, but she must have slipped a bit as a body pushed
New York (July 2019) Minho saw Monique grab Tina from a distance, and cursed as the Mirrors disappear to God-knows-where. Damn Haneul. He promised to give Minho a warning before he released Addai and Tina from the necklace. Minho could have rushed over to them, then, and made sure she was okay. Instead, he could only hope that whatever instruction Addai had given Tina was enough for her to beat the Princess of Envy. Speaking of Haneul's twin flame, Minho looked up. The sky had parted earlier when Addai ascended, which surprised Minho. When angelic souls were trapped, they usually have the capacity to form vessels right on the spot. But Addai didn't. Worse, Minho sensed something strange from the mysterious man's energy signature. As if she had heard his thoughts, Amara's voice said beside him, "Minho? Did somebody just ascend? A human--no, an angel? What was that?" "Amara, you startled me," Minho said, but he didn't seem startled at all. He just wanted to say something to avoid t
EPILOGUEManila, Philippines (November 2007) Haneul knew he shouldn't torture himself. But his mind and heart couldn't find rest since that day. Despite having just gone to trial, he didn't follow orders again, sneaking into the ranks of the newly minted Mirror Division in their quest to recover Tina. Only to have her torn into pieces in front of him. Descended against her will. Now, demoted back into being a guardian angel, Haneul could only spend his free time hunting pieces of Tina in every dimension. There she was in front of him, newly turned eleven, mourning the death of her parents. The ones whom Haneul made a promise to, and failed. "Tita, C--can--I have water, please?" little Tina said softly, trying not to garble the words as she sobbed. Haneul remembered how he felt seeing her for the first time. Helpless. Mediocre. Possibly vexing, as most human children were. Then, he remembered how he felt seeing her that one last time. The bravest being he had ever known. Breathtakin
The 4th Dimension (The Dream Plane)What a birthday. Waking up next to the man she loves. Tina sank herself more into the softness of the sheets around her, burying her head in the crook of Haneul's neck, reveling in his warmth. She felt him smile and turn to her. "Good morning," he greeted, his eyes still closed. Not hearing a reply, he squinted at Tina. "Tina? What's wrong?" "Sorry, I just didn't want to say anything back in case my breath smells bad," Tina replied, covering her mouth with the blanket around her. Haneul chuckled, "You silly girl. You don't need to worry about things like that around me." he said, then his eyes turned serious. "Do you really need to go tomorrow?" "I'm sorry, but you know I have to. A.R. Corp's still new in Beijing. I need to oversee at least its first three months there." Tina explained apologetically. "I'm going to miss you," Haneul said. "You can come with me, you know," Tina told him. "Unfortunately, I've already used up my leave from the f
HongKong, China (July 1936) The Principalities' voices rose above one another, Haneul felt like their trial would last forever. In fact, they haven't addressed Haneul's squad at all, they were all busy quarreling over the state of the universe, which hang precariously out of balance. As of the moment, the angels only have two out of seven feathers in their possession, one of which is being held in Hell and well within Lilith's reach. The Third Angelic Sphere was infiltrated and several of their warriors were lost, including Minho. The American Mirror had descended right under their noses and Tina... The composure that Haneul had built since her disappearance was slowly cracking on the surface. He looked at LJ, the one who he usually could count on at a time like this, but he wasn't even looking at him. It wasn't like Haneul could blame his brother. Though he pretended not to notice, he wasn't entirely blind to what developed between LJ and Veronica. LJ had lost someone dear to him, t
Beijing, China (July 2000)"So, let me get this straight. We lost five soldiers, including Minho, by a Mirror who was pretending to be Tina. And yet, we are being dispatched to find some feather and the trial is still going to push through." Javi said, perfectly summing up what transpired in the battle room following the commotion in the Third Angelic Sphere. "It makes sense. A major lead was found, and it was what you lot were supposed to be doing the entire time. And you lot ought to be grateful they pushed back your trial. Most criminals are not afforded the same courtesy." Kenneth Navarro, the new temporary addition to their team, commented. With Mika's spot obviously empty and with Minho's disappearance, him and another Filipino angel (whose name Amara could not honestly remember), were tasked to join their squad. "I think you should watch your mouth," Amara said as they continued to walk down the streets of Beijing, her anxiety about Minho's well-being gripping her stomach, ma
The 4th Dimension (The Dream Plane) "Oh my God. You're totally cheating." Tina exclaimed, throwing the cards in front of her. "I wasn't. You're just very bad at the game." Haneul calmly replied, smiling at her and his eyes twinkling like they always did. "Hey, hey, are you guys fighting over cards?" Alice came into the room, a fresh bowl of cookies in her hand. LJ and Veronica followed behind her, their hands linked together. Tina met Haneul's eyes and they shared a pleased smile. The sexual tension between their two friends has been frustrating. It was good to know that they finally were on the same page. Speaking of sexual tension, Amara and Minho arrived, acting awkward but strangely close to each other. Amara gasped at the sight of the cards on the floor, "You started a game without us. Ugh. Typical couple crap." she said. Minho frowned at her, "Amara, be nice." "That would be hard to do. I don't think 'nice' is even in her dictionary." Javi came bustling into the room with
The 7th Dimension (The Third Angelic Sphere)"I still don't understand what you and Minho see in here. Do you see the way she treats all of us?" Amara said, sinking back into her seat in frustration. "Tina's been through so much, Amara." was all Haneul could say. In truth, he couldn't bring himself to defend Tina lately. She had always been straightforward due to her upbringing, but he couldn't help feeling a change in her since she was alone with Lilith back in Hell. Then there was that alarming conversation that he had with her before they ventured into Heaven. Maybe Amara was right, they could've fallen into a trap. "Why--" Javi was interrupted by the blares of the Sphere's alarm system. For a moment, Haneul didn't recognize the sound. The thing had been freshly installed. Heavily influenced by the human's concept of a public warning against disasters of some kind, angels had no need for it. They could communicate with each other psychically anyway. But at the time, he could see
New York, USA (July 2019)His hand shook slightly as he knocked on his door, but as soon as he saw her face, the fear subsided. It always did, whenever he saw her safe and sound, smiling at him like that. "LJ had just woken up and Alice had arrived. Veronica....well, hers is a complicated situation that we need to discuss with the others. We are all leaving for the Third Sphere in a few minutes. I hope you got some rest." Haneul told Tina."Right..." Tina said in a hesitant tone. "Tina, is something wrong?" "N-nothing. I just..." she replied, "I have a bad feeling about the trial. What if they don't understand? What if we get banished or worse, killed for our sins?" Haneul frowned at her, confused, "Tina, where is this coming from? You're talking about Heaven. Yes, we have our trespasses, and we need to pay for it. But as Akira said, he is confident that we will be pardoned, and his instincts are never wrong." "Then why haven't you consulted him in the first place? You acted on y
New York, USA (July 2019) A surge of power erupted from both Lucifer and Lilith upon Poseidon's arrival, and before Haneul could react, their entire squad had resurfaced. Without Tina. His heart dropped at the realization. And Minho, who had quickly realized it, too, was already at Lucifer's throat. "Where did she take her?! You better talk now, Lucifer, or I swear to the Macroverse---" Lucifer just blinked at him in response, unfazed, "I've always found that phrase funny, 'I swear to God.', as if he ever--" Minho pulled a fist back, ready to punch the Prince back to the Hell where he belonged, but Akira stepped in, wedging himself between the two men. "Control yourself and look around you, Minho. Tina is safely back with us." Haneul spun around. It was true. Tina was standing in their midst, in one piece, albeit a bit disoriented from what can be seen on her face. But once again, Minho was faster than him. He had already wrapped Tina in his arms. Haneul tried for his heart to not
New York (July 2019)His injury was more severe than it looked, so he was left behind. His squad has gone to Hell without him to rescue Tina while Alice took off somewhere LJ didn't know, muttering about a chance to reverse something. He figured it had something to do with Veronica, but he could not be certain. LJ couldn't even bring himself to think what it would mean to him if Alice could somehow find a way to stop Veronica from becoming human, or if she'd failed. As if stirred by his presence, Veronica awoke from her slumber, her lashes fluttering weakly as she opened her eyes, "Latte?" she whispered. She looked slack, so unlike the woman who almost sucked out his soul the first time they met, and every bit the girl who had clung to him when they were in Hell. "Your head...are you alright?" she tried weakly to touch his bandaged head with her right hand, but it didn't quite reach. LJ gave her a small smile, "I believe you already asked me that." he told her gently, catching her h