Lillith and Angel sat in a dimly lit meeting room within Lillith's "church." The room was shrouded in darkness, with small wax candles flickering around the table, casting faint shadows on the walls. Lillith was clad in imposing armor that covered her entire body, save for her face, which she had chosen to reveal by forgoing a helmet. A crimson cloak draped over her shoulders bore the symbol of a blood-red claw mark, which was also emblazoned on her chest plate.

  “What they told you is an insult to me, especially since I’m the one who sent you there,” Lillith said calmly, her voice even but sharp.

  “What are we supposed to do about that? We’re only two,” Angel replied nervously.

  She added quietly, almost to herself, “And I can’t fight.”

  Lillith’s lips curled into a manic smile. “I will train you. And no, we are much more than just two. But you will have to fight beside me. After that, I’ll get you out of this place.”

  Angel nodded hesitantly. “I’ll do my best. You have to teach me everything. I’ve never even held a sword before.”

  “Follow me to the training grounds,” Lillith said, rising from her seat.

  They exited the “church,” stepping into the open where a circle of demons had already gathered. These creatures were almost human in appearance, yet each bore unique demonic features. The atmosphere was tense, the sound of rigorous training filling the air. Angel’s nerves grew with every passing second.

  Lillith climbed onto a broken pillar overlooking the scene and shouted, her voice ringing out like thunder, “LISTEN, EVERYONE! THIS WILL BE THE BATTLE WHERE WE TAKE BACK OUR SECOND KINGDOM! TOMORROW, WE WILL MAKE HISTORY! WE WILL END IT ALL! WE WILL CREATE CHAOS SO GREAT THAT EVEN HEAVEN WILL HEAR US!”

  Angel stood frozen, visibly disturbed. She belonged to heaven, and the words struck her like a blade.

  Lillith descended from the pillar and approached Angel. “Now, Angel, the first thing we need to do is find a weapon that fits you,” she said.

  Angel hesitated, then asked, “How do you know I won’t try to kill you or betray you?”

  Lillith chuckled. “You say you can’t fight, and I’m a princess of hell. You could try, but how would that help you?”

  Angel sighed. “You’re right. That was a stupid question.”

  “Let’s find you a weapon, shall we?” Lillith said with a smirk, turning to walk away. “Follow me.”

  As they moved through the camp, Angel noticed how battle-ready everything seemed. Soldiers shouted orders, preparing for the impending conflict. The tents were simple yet bore the same blood-red claw mark that adorned Lillith’s armor.

  They stopped in front of a towering demon, nearly two and a half meters tall. This one was unlike the others; it had no human features. Its head was torn, exposing part of its skull, and its massive, closed wings rested on its back. It wore heavy armor engraved with the same crimson symbol.

  “This is our blacksmith,” Lillith introduced. “He’s forged nearly every weapon you’ve seen since your arrival.”

  “I’d like something small, like a dagger, if possible,” Angel said hesitantly.

  The blacksmith eyed her skeptically. “A weapon for this small, human-looking thing? I’ll see what I can reforge or sharpen for you, little one.”

  “That ‘little one’ will save us tomorrow, even if she doesn’t know it yet,” Lillith said confidently.

  Angel’s frustration boiled over. “HOW CAN I SAVE YOU WHEN I CAN’T EVEN FIGHT?” she yelled.

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  “Calm down,” Lillith replied firmly. “You are so much more than you believe.”

  The blacksmith disappeared into his storage, emerging with a small, worn dagger. He placed it into the forge, reshaping and sharpening it with flames that burned a mesmerizing purple with a red glow.

  “Can we start training right after I get my weapon? I can’t handle all this nonsense you’re talking about, Lillith,” Angel said, her tone sharp.

  “Yes,” Lillith answered, sounding mildly disappointed.

  The blacksmith handed Angel the finished dagger. It gleamed with dark, metallic hues reminiscent of copper, and its handle was adorned with ancient symbols. A small, light-blue gem sat just above the handle, adding an ethereal touch.

  “Be careful,” the blacksmith warned. “It might be too sharp for you.”

  “Thank you,” Angel said, gripping the weapon nervously.

  Lillith gestured toward the training grounds. “Now we train. We only have today.”

  They entered a drawn circle in the sand. The moment they were inside, Lillith turned and rushed at Angel. Startled, Angel barely managed to dodge to the right, but before she could react further, Lillith’s blade was at her neck.

  “You have to be faster than that, sweetie,” Lillith teased mockingly.

  Determined, Angel pushed the blade away from her throat and charged with her dagger. As she moved, her wings unfurled—one angelic and white, the other demonic and dark. Lillith vanished in an instant, reappearing behind her.

  “Now this is what I want you to use,” Lillith said, her grin widening.

  “Then fight me, Lillith! Stop running away!” Angel shouted, tears streaming down her face. She charged again, blocking Lillith’s sword with her demon wing before knocking it aside.

  In that moment, time seemed to freeze. Angel locked eyes with Lillith, who appeared unarmed. But instead of striking, Angel wrapped Lillith in both her wings, pulling them to the ground, which was covered in ash.

  “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Lillith yelled, struggling.

  “Don’t worry,” Angel said softly, tears still falling. “I’m trying to save us.”

  Before they could say more, an explosion shook the ground. Blinding light consumed the camp.

  “Lillith, I think we’re under attack! They must have followed me here!” Angel cried.

  “Let me out of your wings, Angel! We need to form ranks and defend ourselves!” Lillith commanded with her manic smile returning.

  Angel released her, and they surveyed the chaos. Flames consumed the camp, and demons swarmed from every direction. A booming voice echoed across the battlefield.

  “WHAT? YOU CAN’T EVEN DEFEND YOUR OWN DISTRICT, LILLITH?”

  For the first time, Angel saw fear flicker across Lillith’s face.

  “LILLITH, WHAT’S THE PLAN?” Angel shouted.

  “RUN TO THE CHURCH AND DEFEND IT FROM THERE!” Lillith yelled back.

  The surviving soldiers, along with Angel, Lillith, and the blacksmith, retreated to the church. They held the entrance, fighting desperately. Angel stabbed a demon for the first time, watching its life fade. Guilt stabbed at her as deeply as her blade had pierced the creature.

  “We can’t hold them off forever!” the blacksmith bellowed.

  “They’re exactly where I want them. Just keep holding the line,” Lillith said.

  “Whatever you’re planning, Lillith, do it now!” Angel urged.

  Lillith knelt in the center of the church, chanting in a strange language. The ground began to tremble. A blinding red light erupted as the earth outside the church collapsed, leaving it isolated amidst a sea of destruction.

  Thousands of demons gathered on the other side of the chasm. Lillith stood and turned to Angel.

  “Angel, come here. I’ll send you back to Earth. I hope you visit again soon. Don’t question my decision. We’ll handle this; we just need you to leave.”

  Angel hesitated but walked toward Lillith. “Thank you, Lillith. I wish I could help more.”

  Lillith took Angel’s hand and spoke the same arcane words. The world went black.