A New Beginning
Samuel's breath came in heavy gasps as he stood in the middle of the vast forest, the air around him thick with an energy he couldn't comprehend. His wings beat once, twice, and then remained still, casting long shadows across the moss-covered earth beneath him. His entire body ached from his journey through the void and the harsh landing he had endured.
Where am I? The thought echoed in his mind as he scanned his surroundings. The trees stood tall, their golden leaves shimmering with an eerie glow, but no sound reached his ears. It was as if the world had swallowed itself whole, leaving only the illusion of life.
Samuel's instincts told him he wasn't alone, but there was nothing in sight. Still, he could feel the eyes on him—watching, waiting, but never moving.
A voice broke the silence, low and soft, but sharp with an authority that sent a chill down his spine. "So, you've found yourself here."
The figure that stepped out from the shadows was unlike any creature Samuel had ever seen. Tall, draped in dark robes that seemed to blend with the surrounding darkness, its silver eyes gleamed with knowledge far beyond mortal comprehension. This was no ordinary being; Samuel could feel the weight of centuries in its gaze.
"Who are you?" Samuel demanded, taking a step back. He felt his wings flare instinctively, but he held himself steady.
The figure's lips curled into a knowing smile. "A question that no one has asked in millennia," it said. "I am one of the Forgotten, a being lost to time, much like you."
Samuel frowned. "I don't understand. I'm not like you."
The figure's eyes glimmered with a knowing sadness. "You are more like me than you think, Samuel. The very essence of your being has been altered. You are not simply an angel anymore—you're something else. Something new. And they will come for you, whether you are ready or not."
"Who are they?" Samuel asked, feeling a knot tighten in his chest. "Who is coming?"
"They who would control you," the figure replied. "Heaven, Hell, the Werewolves—they will all come for you, for you hold something that threatens them. The power within you cannot be contained by their laws."
Samuel's heart began to race. "What power? What do you mean?"
The figure raised a hand, and before Samuel could react, the space around them rippled, showing flashes of images: the Heavenly Realm in turmoil, angels with wings unfurled, demons clawing their way through cracks in the fabric of space, and the shadows of wolves prowling.
"They will come for you," the figure repeated. "You cannot hide from them forever. But there is something you can do. You can choose."
"Choose?" Samuel echoed, feeling the weight of the words settle in his chest.
The figure's eyes softened, almost mournful. "You can remain here, outside their reach. Or you can fight back. You can claim your place among them—but know this, Samuel: if you fight, you will never be free. You will always be their weapon, their pawn."
Samuel's thoughts spun, his mind trying to process the implications of the figure's words. He had always known his power was unique—had always felt it swirling within him, waiting to break free. But now, it seemed, that power had reached a point where even the very realms of Heaven and Hell were afraid of what he might become.
Before he could respond, the figure spoke again, its voice now tinged with urgency. "They are coming for you, and they will not stop. You have no time to waste."
With that, the figure stepped back into the shadows, leaving Samuel alone once more. The forest around him seemed to sigh, the wind picking up in a whisper of movement.
Samuel clenched his fists, his resolve hardening. He was no longer an angel trapped between Heaven and Hell. He was something more, something beyond their control.
And he would not let them shape him into something they could use.
---
In the Heavenly Realm
The angels were restless. The Council of Angels had convened once again, this time with a palpable tension in the air. Azriel paced the length of the chamber, his silver eyes narrowed with frustration.
"He has been gone too long," Azriel said, his voice sharp as a blade. "We cannot allow him to grow any stronger. If we wait much longer, he will become a threat beyond our control."
Sariel, the six-winged angel, sighed, his eyes heavy with weariness. "I understand, but we are not dealing with a mere rogue angel anymore. Samuel has become something... different. And we cannot predict what he will do next."
"That's the problem," Azriel spat. "He was already an anomaly, but now—he's something beyond even our understanding. If we don't act, Heaven itself may be at risk."
Ramiel, who had remained silent throughout the discussion, finally spoke up, her voice quiet but resolute. "What do you suggest we do, Azriel? Do we simply go after him, as we would any other fallen angel? Or do we recognize that he may be something we cannot destroy?"
Azriel's eyes darkened. "We do what must be done. We hunt him down. The longer he's allowed to roam free, the stronger he gets. And soon, he may turn his power against us."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the council.
Ramiel's gaze softened, but she did not speak. In her heart, she knew what needed to be done. But in her heart, she also wondered if they were already too late.
---
The Depths of Hell
In the darkest recesses of Hell, Lucifer sat upon his obsidian throne, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement as the reports of Samuel's disappearance and return filtered in. The boy had become more than a simple pawn in his eyes. He was now a force that could reshape the very fabric of existence.
Lucifer's lips curled into a wicked smile as he addressed the gathered pillars. "It seems the boy is proving to be more than we expected. His potential is limitless. Even Heaven fears him now."
Bael, the first pillar, snorted in disdain. "He's unpredictable. Dangerous."
Lucifer's gaze shifted to Ascar, the ninth pillar, whose nervousness was palpable. "And yet," Lucifer said, his voice low and dangerous, "I believe we can use that to our advantage."
Ascar straightened, his unease evident. "You mean to... manipulate him?"
Lucifer's smile deepened. "Oh, not manipulate, Ascar. We will give him a choice. A choice he cannot resist."
The room fell into an uneasy silence as the pillars exchanged wary glances.
Lucifer rose from his throne, his form casting an eerie shadow across the room. "Send the Nightstalkers. If Samuel is truly becoming what I think he is, we will need him on our side. Let the others think they are chasing him—but we will be the ones waiting."
And with that, the hunt began.
But it was not just Heaven that sought Samuel.
Hell, too, would have him.
---
Samuel's journey had only just begun.
The storm was coming. And it would change everything.