"ROOOOAARRRR!!!"
Before anyone could react, the Dragonoid Leaders roared in defiance, their guttural growls echoing across the landscape. They unleashed their combined Dragon Breaths at her, beams of destructive energy converging toward the angelic figure.
Seraph raised a delicate hand, and golden light erupted from her form in an overwhelming surge.
~FSHUUU!~
The Dragon Breaths dissipated upon contact with her radiance, their immense power reduced to harmless sparks.
With a graceful motion, she lifted both hands, and a sphere of golden light expanded outward, growing brighter and brighter until it engulfed the entire battlefield.
The Dragonoids, both Leaders and their monstrous horde, screeched in agony as the light consumed them, their forms disintegrating into nothingness.
~BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!~
The explosion of light was blinding, illuminating the entire area like a second sun.
When the brilliance finally faded, the battlefield was silent.
The Dragonoids were gone—obliterated without a trace. The once-chaotic battlefield now lay in stillness, survivors staring in shock at the divine being who had saved them.
One by one, the soldiers and adventurers dropped to their knees, their heads bowed in reverence.
Murmurs of prayers and praises filled the air, their voices trembling with awe and gratitude.
All except one.
Rey remained standing amidst the sea of kneeling figures. His arms hung at his sides, his gaze fixed on Seraph. There was no awe in his eyes—only suspicion and an unspoken challenge.
Seraph's golden gaze swept across the battlefield, her lips curving into a serene smile at the worship she received.
But then, her eyes met Rey's.
Her smile didn't falter, but something shifted in her expression, a flicker of interest—or was it recognition?
They stared at each other in silence, the world around them forgotten. Then, without moving her lips, her voice resonated directly in Rey's mind.
"We will talk later."
Rey's eyes widened slightly, his breath catching as her words echoed in his head. Seraph gave him one last lingering look before turning her attention back to the kneeling crowd.
'We had better…' His thoughts flowed. 'What in the world are you doing here, Seraph?'
In contrast to Rey's turbulent mind, serenity flowed around him.
The battlefield, once soaked with blood and despair, now glimmered with a warm, golden glow as Seraph extended her hands.
Streams of radiant energy flowed from her fingers, enveloping the survivors. Their wounds mended almost instantly, torn flesh knitting together and broken bones realigning with a faint shimmer of light.
Gasps of relief and gratitude echoed through the crowd as even those on the brink of death were pulled back to stability.
Seraph's serene voice carried over the silence that followed.
"I cannot bring back the fallen. Their souls have passed beyond my reach, but those who remain must carry their memory. Honor their sacrifice by living for them."
Her words struck a chord deep within the hearts of the survivors, bringing many to tears.
Soldiers and adventurers alike knelt before her once more, murmuring prayers of thanks and adoration.
Even Angie, who stood beside Rey was weeping as she clasped her hands together.
Needless to say, the sight annoyed him.
Rey, standing off to the side, watched the display with an expression of mild exasperation. He folded his arms and rolled his eyes.
"Great. A celestial savior with a knack for dramatics," he muttered under his breath.
He could clearly see what was happening.
'She came to save the day and won everyone over… almost as if she was waiting for the perfect moment to step in.' He sighed. 'No one else can see it, but that strikes me as suspicious.'
Perhaps this was because he already knew about Seraph and how she could truly be.
Arrogant… Condescending… and very Careless.
The Seraph he knew was not in any way similar to the graceful and kind Angel everyone was viewing her to be. Other than her glamorous appearance, they shared nothing in common.
'Well, whatever… it's only a matter of time before your true colors are revealed.'
**********
[A Few Hours Later]
Hours passed, and the portal back to headquarters finally reopened.
The Resistance forces moved through in an orderly fashion, carrying their fallen comrades and escorting Seraph, now in a more human form. Her golden radiance had dimmed, leaving her with a mortal appearance: a fair-skinned woman with long, flowing blonde hair and piercing eyes that still held a faint glow of divinity.
They emerged into the bustling halls of The Resistance Headquarters, where Admiral Zach Skylar awaited them, flanked by a small team of officers.
His sharp gaze immediately fell on Angie, who stepped forward to greet him.
"Lady A," he said, his tone laced with concern. "What happened out there? The operation was supposed to be straightforward. How did it devolve into chaos?"
Angie shook her head. "There's a lot to unpack, Admiral. I'll brief you in full, but for now, the team needs rest. We barely made it out alive."
The Admiral's eyes shifted to Seraph, whose commanding presence still drew murmurs from the returning soldiers.
"And her? Who is she?"
Seraph spared him a passing glance, her expression unreadable, and without a word, she strode deeper into the base. The officers exchanged bewildered looks, but Angie quickly stepped in to defuse the tension.
"I'll explain everything, Admiral," Angie said, her tone reassuring. "Let's discuss it privately."
Zach gave a curt nod, his concern still evident. "Very well. We'll need a full debriefing tomorrow. For now, everyone, get some rest."
As the survivors dispersed, many whispered praises for Seraph's intervention, their voices filled with awe. Rey, walking among them, couldn't help but scoff at the adulation.
Hours later, the quiet of the base was interrupted by Seraph stepping out of Admiral Zach's office. Her conversation with the leadership seemed to have concluded, but her saintly demeanor remained unchanged.
Rey, who had been waiting nearby, seized the opportunity and approached her.
"Hey, you. Angel girl," he called out.
Seraph paused, turning to him with a raised eyebrow.
"We need to talk," Rey said, his voice firm.
She studied him for a moment before nodding. "Lead the way."
Rey guided her through the dimly lit corridors to his quarters. Once inside, he closed the door behind them. Seraph stood in the center of the room, her gaze steady, waiting for him to speak.
"Alright," Rey began, his tone edged with frustration.
"What are you doing here on Earth, and why now? What's your game?"