Devils were once angels.

BETRAYAL'S WINGS.

Gabriel's face twisted. "You think his worth it Aethera? his using you." Malakai's flames surged, " Lying angel. " Gabriel's wings flared, " I served with Aethera eons. "I know her weakness you...." Aethera hesitated. Malakai seized the gap. "His right," he whispered low. " Pick me or ..... them."

Aethera's wings shredded. She pinned Malakai, wild- eyed. " No choices," she said voice not hers. " I break free." Malakai laughed, flames swirling.He kissed her...

Merged powers ignited, Hell and heaven collided . Gabriel roared "No!" Malakai and Aethera vanished.

A new realm. Power pulsing, Malakai smiled wicked. " Co-rulers of this." Aethera raised her eyebrows. " What is this ?" Malakai's grin widened. " This Aethera ........ is The In Between. A realm where time is bent. Echoes of devils and angels whispered. Aethera frowned. " A prison ?"

Malakai leaned close. " A playground where they can't touch us." he said this in a playful way.

TWIST: A shadow watched. The Architect, maker of The In Between. " You're pawns," The Architect whispered. "My game has just began. "

Aethera's eyes narrowed. "The In Between rules? " Malakai spun, flames dancing. " No angels. no devil's. just us." They stepped into chaos shattered mirrors, echoing whispers. Aethera touched a shard jade. Vision hit her of past lives,lost love, whatifs.

Malakai laughed, reading her mind." Create our own story. " The Architect watched, " Foolish. You'll break or rule." Suddenly, the portals swirled hell and heaven calling.

"Wants you back," a voice whispered. Malakai gripped Aethera, "stay please. "

Malakai's jaw tightened, "We stay." Aethera's smile, then let's burn the rules. They smashed the shards, mirrors shattered The In Between pulsed. Reality wrapped, time lopped,same moments different choices, Parallel thems appeared ,Malakai and Aethera echoes. Malakai laughed, Play all versions.

The Architect seethed," Chaos....Perfect. " Aethera turned around, What's real now? Parallel thems swirled, Malakai and Aethera variants. Echoes clashed,Malakai and Aethera pulled in.

Malakai; which one is us?

Aethera; All or none.

Merge started ,identities blurred. The Architect, " Fascinating.." Suddenly the echoes solidifies, choices materialised:

Pure

Power

Humanity

Malakai squeezed Aethera's hand ..."Pick or lose us."

Aethera's eyes gleamed. "Purity." Echoes merged angelic Aethera absorbed her. Malakai tensed. "What's Purity cost?" Aethera's wings healed, whiter with divine voice. " I see all, sorrow and peace mixed ."

Malakai stepped back ,You're distant. The Architect, "Balance shifts Hell's move. Devils stormed in The In Between.

Malakai, "guess Purity needs fire."

Aethera ,"I'll protect you.

Malakai kissed her, "No protect fight."