Before the second war in heaven, in a secluded area within the celestial realms, Eleleth—the angel of God's light and the mother of all angels—sought out Azriel with compassion and concern. She had seen through Azriel's malevolent intentions, knowing that the fallen angel was planning to ignite a second war in heaven. With her characteristic wisdom, Eleleth spoke to Azriel in parables and mysteries, offering a cryptic prophetic vision of her fate if she did not change her ways.

  Eleleth's words cut deep, piercing Azriel's heart and sowing seeds of doubt. But rather than sway her, these words only stoked the fires of Azriel's anger, intensifying the unforgivable hatred that boiled within her soul. She envied Eleleth's exalted status in heaven, despising the angelic mother's unwavering love and wisdom that seemed to shine brighter than any other.

  Azriel knew, however, that Eleleth would not interfere with her plans. In her mind, Eleleth's role was to guide and protect, not to stop her. But Eleleth, ever compassionate, reminded Azriel of her own past actions, particularly her role in misleading Lucifer. She spoke of how she had cautioned Lucifer before his rebellion against God, a rebellion that led to his downfall and the condemnation of his allies to hell. Eleleth's message was clear: she was now offering Azriel the same chance to turn away from her destructive path.

  As Eleleth turned to leave, her heart heavy with the weight of her words, Azriel suddenly seized her by the hand, her grip firm and her gaze filled with intent hatred. "You may be the mother of all angels, the angel of God's light, disguised as an archangel to fool the others—but not me," Azriel spat, her voice dripping with venom. "You don't understand what I've been through. You don't feel the unease, the resentment, about the rules of heaven and how God lavishes His love on pathetic humans more than us. They should be worshipping us like gods!"

  Eleleth, her voice steady and calm, responded with the same loving kindness she showed all angels. "That does not make us gods, Azriel. We are the sons and daughters of God, here to guide them, to help them understand God's love, His will, and His plan. Remember that it was by my grace that I pleaded with God to pardon Lucifer, but he refused God's mercy. I do not want, nor do I wish, for you to follow in his footsteps. Please, reconsider."

  Azriel's grip loosened, but the hatred and grief in her eyes did not fade. She released Eleleth, her heart a battlefield of conflicting emotions. As she watched the angelic mother depart, a subtle but deep-seated grudge took root within her—a grudge that would fuel her actions in the coming war.

  ***

  A thousand years before Michael's death and the formation of the Guardians, during his relentless battle against Azriel in Aougst Town, Michael sought guidance from heaven in a moment of respite. He prayed for aid to protect the people of Aougst Town, but his plea was met with silence or dismissal from many angels. Some higher-ranking angels suggested that he abandon the town and return to heaven, arguing that it was not their place to intervene before the day of the great judgment. Others claimed that since Azriel's fate was already sealed, Michael shouldn't burden himself with human affairs. A few even went so far as to suggest that he join Azriel rather than oppose her. Many claimed that his request was beyond their power.

  But Michael refused to abandon the humans to suffer under Azriel's wrath. His resolve remained steadfast, and he continued to seek guidance from heaven's will, determined to find a way to protect the innocent.

  In his hour of need, the angel of light, Eleleth, appeared before him. As the greatest of all archangels, her presence was both comforting and awe-inspiring. Michael, recognizing her unparalleled wisdom and strength, sought her guidance.

  "Guide me with your wisdom and strength so that I might protect these humans from Azriel's wrath," Michael pleaded. "I have been forsaken by most of the angels, but perhaps you, a fellow archangel, the greatest of them all, could lend me your wisdom, grace, and power."

  Eleleth, with the calm and compassionate voice of a mother, presented Michael with two choices. The first was to return to heaven, a path that many angels had already urged him to take. The second, however, was a choice that had never occurred to Michael: to share his divine gift with the humans.

  "Whatever you choose, Michael, I shall assist and grant your request," Eleleth assured him.

  Michael was deeply moved by Eleleth's selflessness. He had never encountered an angel as compassionate as her—not even among the seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominions, powers, virtues, principalities, archangels, or angels. There was something truly glorious and mysterious about Eleleth. She had not interfered in either the first or second war in heaven, and her true rank and presence were enigmatic to most.

  Speaking in cryptic words, as if revealing the future, Eleleth infused Michael with her divine power to aid him in his quest. Michael was grateful beyond words for her assistance, feeling the warmth of her presence.

  "But know this, Michael," Eleleth cautioned, "while the war in heaven may be at peace for now, that does not mean it won't resurface. Your actions here on Earth against Azriel will determine the final outcome. Use my gift wisely, for the trials you and your allies will face will test you. Alliances will be broken and reunited."

  With that, Eleleth vanished in a blinding light, leaving Michael with a newfound sense of purpose and determination.

  "Thank you," Michael whispered, his heart filled with warmth and resolve. He knew that the path ahead would be difficult, but with Eleleth's guidance and power, he was ready to face whatever trials awaited him.

  ***

  Returning to the present story: As the resistance group, accompanied by the archangels Eleleth and Raphael, continued their journey, they sought refuge in a place that appeared less violent. This marked the end of Eleleth’s conversation with Becca Wise about past events, as well as Raphael’s discussion with Malachi and Liliana.

  However, the refuge they found was on the site of a brutal battleground that had already witnessed horrific violence. The air was thick with the stench of blood and burning flesh, and the ground was littered with the charred remains of ranking angels and demons who had fought to the death.

  The scene was gruesome—feathers of various sizes, some drenched in blood, fell from the sky. The remains of horns and lifeless bodies lay scattered, with organs and torsos torn apart. A massive wheel-like object with many eyes was seen partially melted, its eyes gouged out or blinded. Decapitated heads, resembling those of humans, oxen, eagles, lions, and other animals, lay on the ground, some disfigured beyond recognition. A massive, split eyeball lay close to scattered feathers, some of which were lodged in the destroyed eye.

  Among the lifeless bodies were the remains of seraphim, cherubim, thrones, dominions, powers, virtues, principalities, archangels, and angels, many of whom were mutilated beyond recognition. The sight was terrifying, leaving the resistance group shaken by the horrifying aftermath of this celestial conflict.

  "What on earth could have caused this?" a gnome questioned, his voice trembling as he surveyed the gruesome scene around them. The battlefield was a grotesque testament to a violent clash, leaving the survivors of the resistance shaken.

  Eleleth, ever composed, stepped forward and replied, "We will reside here for the time being, preparing ourselves, for I sense a great storm approaching." With a wave of her hand, her divine light spread across the area, vanquishing the bloodbath and transforming the horrific surroundings into a more bearable haven. The surviving resistance members began to set up their camp, grateful for the reprieve.

  As everyone busied themselves, Sharlene approached Peggy, a warm smile on her face. "I've noticed that twice now, you've been able to tap into fairy magic, especially during battle. It would be an honor to teach you how to harness and control that power, just as our ancestors taught one another. You, Peggy, carry the blood of a fairy within you, just like your mother, but you inherited the gift," Sharlene said, her voice calm and smooth.

  Peggy’s eyes widened with excitement and she nodded eagerly. "I’d love that," she responded, her voice filled with hope and determination.

  On the other side of the camp, Raphael was helping the resistance prepare for the challenges ahead. Meanwhile, Malachi approached Eleleth, handing her the beta sword. Eleleth, with her divine wisdom, harnessed the magic within the sword, using it to reveal the location of the sword of the spirit. The sword’s magic responded to Eleleth’s touch, and a vision of the sword's location became clear to her.

  ***

  Elsewhere, Mr. Hawthorne, with a calm yet calculating demeanor, informed Ereziel and Sahriel about the possessed Cecilia's plans. The news left them both astounded. Realizing the gravity of the situation and the opportunity it presented, they quickly departed, determined to follow those aligned with the possessed Cecilia to acquire the beta sword and thwart her plans.

  Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, the surviving humans, accompanied by the archangels Gabriel and Uriel, grappled with the weighty decision of whether to deploy a nuclear strike against the supernaturals. They stood amidst a gruesome scene of lifeless bodies, the aftermath of countless battles between humans and supernatural beings. The air was thick with tension as they debated the course of action.

  Benjamin and Melody, hardened by their experiences, supported the idea of using the nuke to wipe out the supernaturals once and for all. However, Justine firmly opposed the plan. She believed there was still hope in finding the benevolent supernaturals and aiding them in their quest, which could give humanity a fighting chance. She reminded her crew of Uriel's words about the importance of not losing faith.

  An unspoken silence fell over the group as they exchanged glances, weighing their options. Justine passionately pleaded with those who were still undecided, urging them to reconsider their stance on the nuclear option. Before Bryan could voice his opinion, their communication device crackled to life. The voices of multiple world leaders came through, questioning the surviving humans and informing them of a grave sickness spreading through other bunkers.

  Justine quickly took charge, introducing herself and her crew to the world leaders. She reported the status of the fallen soldiers and made a compelling case for placing trust in the benevolent supernaturals instead of resorting to nuclear destruction. After a tense discussion, the world leaders agreed to give Justine and her crew a chance, but with a strict deadline.

  "Godspeed, Justine! You and your crew have twelve hours to make this work before our reinforcements take action. We can't afford to risk the world. Consider this a competition to save the world your way before our soldiers do," said one of the world leaders, ending the communication.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  As the crew processed the gravity of their task, Justina turned to Justine, "Then it's up to us. Justine, I hope this works."

  Justine nodded, resolute in her determination. However, their focus shifted when they noticed Gabriel and Uriel suddenly tensing, their expressions darkening as if they had sensed something ominous. Gabriel spoke up, explaining that a strange power had been activated, though neither he nor Uriel could fully understand what it was.

  "Then I guess there's no time to waste," Gabriel said, his voice laced with urgency. "With the fourth layer already unlocked, it's only a matter of time before the fifth layer is unleashed."

  "What happens when the fifth layer is unlocked?" Justine asked, concern evident in her tone.

  "The skies fall with fire and brimstone," Uriel responded, his words sending a shiver through the group.

  As they absorbed this dire warning, they witnessed a disturbing sight. Malevolent and compromised supernaturals were flying toward a specific direction, their numbers swelling as those who couldn't fly were carried by others. The scene was mirrored on the ground, where the earth trembled under the heavy steps of supernaturals, all marching with furious purpose in the same direction.

  The surviving humans and archangels stood in stunned silence as the supernaturals passed by them, ignoring their presence entirely. It was a bewildering sight—these creatures, usually bent on destruction, seemed to have a singular focus that did not involve the humans.

  "Why aren't they attacking us?" Justina asked, voicing the question on everyone's mind.

  Gabriel and Uriel exchanged a grim look before Gabriel replied, "They've somehow located the sword of the spirit."

  This revelation struck the group like a bolt of lightning. The race against time had just become even more urgent, as they now knew that the malevolent supernaturals were converging on a weapon of unimaginable power. The survival of humanity—and perhaps the world—depended on what they did next.

  Gabriel and Uriel, sensing the distant surge of a strange and powerful force, wasted no time. They combined their celestial powers, gathering the surviving humans and teleporting them instantly to the resistance’s refuge. The sudden arrival startled some of the resistance members, including Becca Addison, Clara Johnson, Xara, the West and Jacobs families, hunters like Lafayette, Margret, Charles, John Maxwell, Dante, Bella Grace, and Amy. Raphael, along with a few other supernaturals, also stood on guard, ready for any confrontation. However, upon recognizing Gabriel and Uriel, the tension eased as the archangels assured everyone they were allies.

  Gabriel, sensing the surge of magic as Peggy combined fairy and witch enchantments, was visibly startled.

  "The potency of fairy magic alone is already a challenge to divine magic," Gabriel warned. "Merging it with witchcraft could be dangerously unpredictable, even fatal."

  Peggy, sensing the gravity of his warning, took a deep breath and eased her magical energy, retreating from the volatile fusion.

  Moments later, Malachi, Liliana, and Eleleth arrived, greeted warmly by the resistance. The group quickly shared information, and the collective realization that the time for decisive action was near spread through the assembly. The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation and the weight of the impending battle.

  Becca Wise stepped forward, approaching the surviving humans. With a calm but resolute demeanor, she introduced herself and acknowledged the fateful circumstances that had brought them together. She then presented them with a choice, outlining the immense responsibility that came with becoming a Seeker—a role historically passed down through a single bloodline to safeguard all supernatural existence.

  "For so long, the gift of a Seeker has been a sacred duty, passed down from one bloodline to the next, carrying the greatest responsibility of all supernatural existence," Becca Wise began, her voice steady and clear. "But today, you seven have been chosen."

  The surviving humans listened intently as Becca continued, "Should you choose to accept this responsibility, you will inherit its power, its secrets, and its burden. The knowledge and experience of all Seekers before you will be passed down to you and your bloodlines for eternity."

  She called each of them by name, and the gravity of the situation was clear. The survivors exchanged determined glances, silently agreeing to take on the mantle of Seeker. Becca, seeing their resolve, took the next step in the ritual. Sharlene, using her fairy magic, crafted a holy grail and handed it to Becca. With a steady hand, Becca drew a pocket knife from her vest and cut her palm, allowing her blood to drip into the grail.

  One by one, the surviving humans drank from the grail, their eyes glowing with a golden aura as they were filled with the knowledge, power, and responsibility of the Seekers. The transformation was immediate, their senses sharpened, and their minds flooded with the wisdom of those who had come before them.

  But their brief moment of respite was shattered by the distant, eerie screeching of malevolent and compromised supernaturals, swiftly approaching their location. The resistance and their newfound allies sprang into action, readying themselves for the impending battle. The surviving humans, now armed with their new abilities and weapons, joined the ranks, prepared to defend against the oncoming horde.

  The air was thick with tension as the sounds of the approaching supernaturals grew louder, echoing through the darkened sky. The resistance, united and resolute, braced themselves for the fight of their lives, knowing that the outcome of this battle could determine the fate of the world.

  ***

  As the malevolent forces surged forward, their twisted forms barely visible against the darkened sky, Eleleth acted swiftly. Her hands glowed with divine energy, and with a blinding flash, she unleashed a radiant wave that tore through the advancing horde, disintegrating many in an instant. The air filled with the smell of burning flesh, and the agonized screams of the vanquished echoed across the battlefield. The clash of powers was cataclysmic, shaking the very earth as the darkened sky above crackled with lightning and deafening thunder.

  Malachi and Liliana, driven by Eleleth's urgent command, hacked and slashed their way through the chaotic battleground. Blood splattered across their faces as they cut down foes, their path marked by the mangled bodies of fallen enemies. The beta sword in Malachi's hand pulsed with an eerie, otherworldly glow, guiding them toward the mountain where the sword of the spirit awaited. The mountain loomed ominously at the far end of the battlefield, shrouded in a thick mist of death and decay. As they fought their way through, they could feel the ground beneath them littered with the remains of angels and demons alike—limbs severed, torsos cleaved in half, and heads rolling underfoot.

  In the heart of her sinister domain, the possessed Cecilia felt the pull of the sword’s power like a black hole drawing her in. Her lips twisted into a cruel smile as she received the telepathic message from her minions, confirming the sword's location. Her eyes burned with a malevolent light as she and Mr. Hawthorne prepared for the impending confrontation. Their thoughts were consumed by the power they sought to claim, their souls corrupted by the promise of godhood.

  ***

  Suddenly, the skies above the battlefield grew unnaturally dark, the air thick with a suffocating dread. A monstrous roar, like the voice of an angry god, reverberated through the atmosphere, silencing the battlefield in a moment of stunned horror. Then, without warning, the sun itself seemed to revolt. It blazed with a terrifying intensity before unleashing a torrent of fire upon the earth. A searing beam of light incinerated everything in its path, scorching the ground and disintegrating flesh and bone alike. Allies and enemies were vaporized in an instant, their screams cut short as they were reduced to ashes. The very earth beneath their feet began to melt and smolder, bubbling with molten rock as the sun's rays tore through the battlefield.

  But the destruction did not stop there. As the survivors looked to the heavens in terror, they saw the sky split open, and from the tear in reality, celestial bodies—comets, meteors, and asteroids—began to rain down with apocalyptic fury. Each impact was a cataclysm, shaking the earth with the force of a thousand earthquakes. Supernaturals, once invincible, were crushed beneath the weight of falling debris, their bodies obliterated as if they were nothing. The air filled with the stench of sulfur and brimstone as fire hailed down, scorching the earth and reducing the battlefield to a hellscape of charred corpses and shattered earth.

  The ground quaked violently as the fifth layer of hell was unlocked, unleashing a torrent of brimstone and fire that consumed everything in its path. Massive chunks of the battlefield were swallowed by fiery chasms that opened up in the earth, and the sky above was ablaze with the fury of a world-ending storm. Supernaturals, both malevolent and benevolent, scrambled to escape the celestial onslaught, but there was no refuge from the destruction. Those who tried to fortify themselves with shields of energy and magic found their defenses pierced and shattered by the relentless barrage.

  Amidst this apocalyptic chaos, Malachi and Liliana pressed on, their bodies battered and bloodied, but their resolve unbroken. The mountain loomed closer, its peak obscured by the swirling storm of destruction. The sword of the spirit called to them, its power resonating with the beta sword in Malachi's hand. But with each step, the earth beneath them threatened to give way, the very ground crumbling into the fiery abyss below. Time was running out, and the fate of the world teetered on the edge of oblivion.

  With every breath they took, they inhaled the acrid stench of death and burning flesh. The battlefield around them was a nightmarish landscape of dismembered bodies and pools of blood that steamed in the heat of the descending fire. The screams of the dying and the roar of the inferno merged into a single, deafening cacophony that seemed to herald the end of all things.

  And yet, through the hellish maelstrom, Malachi and Liliana could see the faint glow of the sword of the spirit atop the mountain. It was their only hope, the one thing that could possibly turn the tide of this apocalyptic battle. But with the fifth layer of hell now unleashed, they knew that reaching it would be a race against time—a race that, if lost, would mean the annihilation of everything they had ever known.