RAVENNA PIERCE

Chapter 12

Azazel sat on his throne, Suddenly, the atmosphere changed, and the air grew thick, making the shadows seem to twist like living things.

And then, without warning, a dagger shaped from an angel's winged feathers flew across the room, hurtling towards Azazel.

Azazel's eyes turned dark, his hand raising in a swift motion. He summoned a burst of dark energy, and the dagger halted in mid-air, suspended by his power.

The shadows ceased their twisting as Azazel reached out and took the dagger in his hand. The blade felt strangely familiar, and as he turned it over, he recognized the intricate pattern of feathers intricated into its surface.

It was a wing blade, forged from the very essence of an angel's wings. And it resembled, almost perfectly, the wing blade of his brother, Lurociel.

Azazel's gaze lifted, his eyes scanning the shadows as if searching for his brother's presence. And then, in a movement almost imperceptible, he nodded to himself.

Lurociel is here. The flying winged dagger was a message, a playful gesture meant to gauge Azazel's awareness. It was a game, one the two brothers had played countless times before.

Azazel's smile grew wider as he set the dagger down on the armrest of his throne, his fingers beating on it.

"Very well, brother," he said aloud, his voice low and husky. "I see you. Come out and play."

As Lurociel approached Azazel's throne, a sudden burst of energy exploded from his body, and he lunged at Azazel with a playful cry.

Azazel's eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't hesitate. With a swift motion, he summoned a dark tendril of energy to deflect Lurociel's attack.

The two brothers clashed in a whirlwind of movement, their powers locked in a playful struggle. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and the crackle of energy as they exchanged blows.

But despite the intensity of their battle, it was clear that they were both holding back. This was a play fight, a way for the two brothers to reconnect and relive old times.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they both stumbled back, exhausted and grinning from ear to ear.

"Always so quick to catch on, brother," Lurociel said. "I was beginning to think you'd grown dull in my absence."

Azazel chuckled, "You know me better than that, Lurociel. I'm always ready for a challenge."

Lurociel's grin widened as he approached Azazel's throne. "I've missed you, brother. "It's good to be reunited with you again."

Azazel wrapped his arms around Lurociel in a warm, tight hug.

Lurociel returned the hug, his own arms closing around Azazel. For a moment, they simply held each other, the tension and excitement of their play fight dissipating.

As they pulled back, Azazel's expression turned serious. "Lurociel, what brings you to the Underworld?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. "You're an angel, or at least, you were.

What are you doing down here?"

Lurociel's smile faltered, and he looked away, "I was cast out, Azazel."

"What do you mean, you were cast out?" Azazel asked, "What happened, Lurociel?"

"I was sent on a mission, Azazel. A simple task, really. But I...I made a mistake. I broke a rule."

"What rule?" Azazel asked, his voice low.

Lurociel hesitated, his eyes darting around the room before settling on Azazel's face. "I interered with mortal affairs."

"It's not just that I interfered with mortal affairs, Azazel. It's...it's worse than that."

Lurociel took a deep breath before proceeding, his chest heaving with emotion. "I fell in love with a mortal," he admitted, his voice laced with shame. "Her name was Katherine, and she was,...she was beautiful, Azazel. Inside and out."

"And you,...you slept with her?" Azazel asked, his voice tinged with understanding.

Lurociel nodded, his eyes flashing with guilt. "I know it was forbidden, Azazel. I know that angels aren't supposed to fall in love with humans, let alone,... sleep with them. But I couldn't help myself. I was drawn to her body and soul."

Azazel's eyes narrowed, "And Xandros found out?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.

Lurociel nodded, his eyes dropping in shame. "he did, condemning me for it. he said I had broken the laws of Heaven and that I was no longer worthy to be an angel."

The news left Azazel conflicted; he felt both anger and empathy towards Lurociel's situation.

It wasn't fair for angels like them to suffer for following their hearts' desires.

As an idea formed in his mind, Azazel turned to face Lurociel with determination in his eyes. "We may have been cast out from Heaven,"...."but we can create our own paradise here in the Underworld where love is cherished without judgment."

"But enough about me, brother," Lurociel said,

"How have you been?

"I've been managing," Azazel replied, "After Father cast me out for trying to ascend the throne, I had to...adapt here in hell."

"I'm sorry, Azazel," Lurociel said, "I know how much you wanted to rule Heaven to bring about change. I'm sorry it ended like that."

Azazel's gaze snapped back to Lurociel's face, his eyes burning with intensity. "It's not over yet, brother," he growled. "I may have been cast out, but I've been building my power, One day, I'll return to Heaven, and I'll take what's rightfully mine."

In that moment, an idea sparked in Lurociel mind. He turned to Azazel with a mischievous smile. "What if we unite both realms? Merge Hell and Heaven into one world where love can thrive without boundaries?"

The idea resonated deeply within Azazel's heart. With Heaven and Hell united, they could build a world built on understanding and equality. No longer bound by the limitations imposed by their respective realms, angels, humans, and demons could coexist harmoniously.

Come to think of it, Azazel

"How is Mother, i haven't seen her since i got here?" he asked, his voice tinged with longing. "I haven't seen her since she was cast out with you."

Azazel's gaze dropped, "i guess It's not been easy for her, being cut off from Heaven and Father taking away her power."

"What do you mean you guess Azazel." ..."Lurociel questioned!"

Lurociel's eyes filled with tears, his heart aching with sadness. He assumed that their mother, Nyxoria, would be with Azazel in the Underworld. It was only logical that she would be cast alongside him.

But Azazel's expression faltered, his eyes clouding over with uncertainty. "Lurociel, I..." he began, his voice hesitant.

Lurociel's eyes narrowed, "What is it, Azazel?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Azazel's jaw clenched in a familiar gesture of tension. "I haven't seen Mother since we were cast out, Lurociel," he admitted, "I don't know where she is."

Lurociel's eyes widened in shock, his heart sinking with despair. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Azazel's gaze snapped back to Lurociel's face, his eyes burning with intensity. "I mean, i don't think Mother is dead, Lurociel, but...." he said, his voice firm but laced with pain. "I've searched for her, but I've found nothing. No sign, no hint. It's as if she vanished into thin air."

Lurociel's expression went numb, Did it mean their mother Nyxoria was dead? It couldn't be

"Do you think she was sent to the Abyss?" he asked, his voice tinged as he voiced out.

"I don't know," Azazel admitted. "But I think it's possible. Father was furious with her for supporting me in my bid for the throne. He might have seen her as a threat, even after she was cast out."

Lurociel's eyes widened in horror, his heart sinking with despair. "The Abyss was a place of eternal darkness and torment, where the worst of the fallen angels were sent." If their mother was indeed there, it was a fate worse than death itself.

"We have to find out," Lurociel said, his voice firm with determination. "We have to know what happened to her."

Azazel's gaze snapped back to Lurociel's face, his eyes burning with intensity. "I've been trying to find out for centuries," he said. "But every lead, every hint......

Just as Azazel was about to complete his statement, a knock at the door interrupted their conversation.

Azazel's gaze turned from Lurociel to the door,

"Enter," he called out, his voice firm.

The door creaked open, and Xorax stepped inside. His eyes scanned the room, his gaze lingering on Lurociel before settling on his master.

"My lord," Xorax said, his voice low and deferential. "I've come to inform you that Ravenna has regained her strength.

Azazel's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes clouding over. "Very well," he said, his voice neutral. "Tell her to come see me immediately."

Xorax nodded, "As you wish, my lord."

Who is Ravenna brother? Lurociel asked,

Azazel's gaze snapped back to Lurociel's face, "That's none of your business, brother."eyes burning with intensity.

You may leave now, xorax! "he ordered."

"Where were we?" Azazel asked, his voice low and husky.

Lurociel's eyes locked onto Azazel's, "We were discussing Mother," he said, his voice firm. "And how we're going to find her................."