Chapter 172: Stubborn Angels

“You crossed the Origin.” Azrael’s voice was flat. Not a question.

“Yep.” Grace took another step forward. Her muscles ached from the journey, but she kept her posture straight. “Nice place you’ve got here. Very… isolated.”

Azrael’s eyes narrowed.

“Turn around and leave.”

“Can’t do that.”

Grace snorted and kept walking until she stood ten feet from Azrael. Up close, the former right hand of Eternia looked both exactly the same and completely different. Her silver hair looked a shade brighter, and that purple-black aura was gone.

“I didn’t fly through reality-bending chaos just to turn around because you’re feeling antisocial.” Grace crossed her arms. “We need to talk.”

Azrael’s wings twitched.

“There’s nothing to discuss.”

[By Eternia, she’s gonna be more stubborn than Diana. At least Diana eventually puts out.]

“A century of sulking in exile? That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?” Grace gestured around the peaceful clearing. “Though I appreciate the aesthetic. Very ’repentant hermit.’”

“I’m not sulking.” Azrael’s jaw tightened. “I’m protecting the world from myself.”

“Yeah, about that.” Grace tilted her head. “The world’s doing fine without your protection. Actually, it’s doing better since we cleaned up the Pillars. You know, the ones YOU were supposed to manage?”

That hit a nerve. Azrael’s wings flared wide, sending a breeze across the clearing.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Actually, I do.” Grace stepped closer. “I’ve spent the last century undoing your mess. The Pillars are stable. The Dominion’s thriving. Your Veil followers are reintegrating.”

“My followers?” Azrael’s eyes widened slightly. “They returned to the Dominion?”

“Most of them.” Grace shrugged. “Turns out when their leader abandons them to go live in a reality bubble, they reconsider their life choices.”

Azrael’s posture changed. Her shoulders dropped a fraction of an inch.

[Progress. Finally.]

“They’re… accepted?” Azrael asked.

“Not immediately.” Grace leaned against a nearby tree. “It took time. But Celestia’s been surprisingly forgiving. Which is very shocking given you nearly killed her before fucking off to your shame cave.”

Azrael turned away, walking to the stream that cut through the clearing. She stared into the water for a long moment.

“I hadn’t meant to hurt her… originally.”

“Yeah, well, shit happens when you start playing with demonic power.” Grace followed her to the water’s edge. “But that’s old news. A century old, in fact.”

“Why are you here, Grace Lightsinger?” Azrael asked without looking up.

“I’m here to bring you back.”

Azrael laughed. Actually laughed. The sound was rusty, like she hadn’t used it in decades.

“You waste your time. I can’t go back.”

“Can’t? Or won’t?”

“Both.” Azrael turned to face her. “You don’t understand what I did. What I became.”

“I literally absorbed all your corruption into my own body and shot it into space.” Grace raised an eyebrow. “I think I’ve got a pretty good idea.”

Azrael stiffened.

“I was just… just trying to save everyone!” Azrael’s fists clenched. “The demons were multiplying. The Pillars were out of control. I found a new source of power in human Sin—”

“And it corrupted you.” Grace finished for her. “Yeah, I know the story. Everyone does.”

“Then you know why I can’t return.”

Grace sighed and sat down on a rock by the stream. She patted the space next to her.

“Sit your dramatic ass down. I’ve flown through hell to get here, and I’m not leaving without you.”

To her surprise, Azrael actually sat. Not next to Grace, but on a boulder a few feet away.

“Let me tell you what’s actually happening out there.” Grace stretched her sore wings. “The Pillars have found purpose. The Root teaches angels about balance. The Flame trains Bravery Sisters. The Tide helps coastal villages. The Tempest manages weather. The Mountain runs meditation retreats. The Void and the Bloom are learning to exist without corruption.”

Azrael listened silently.

“The war against demons continues, but it’s more organized now. I can kill them permanently. Other angels hold the line. It works.”

“And Celestia?” Azrael asked quietly.

“Ruling the Dominion as always.” Grace grinned. “Still has that fabulous rainbow hair.”

A faint smile touched Azrael’s lips, then vanished.

“I can’t face her. I betrayed her… Even though she looked up to me.”

[Right. Azrael came first, then Celestia. She was probably like a big sister.]

“And now, Celestia’s forgiven you. Even Eternia has forgiven you.”

“You’ve spoken with her?” Azrael’s head snapped up.

“Occasionally, yes.” Grace shrugged. “She’s as annoying as ever. Keeps asking if I’ve gotten laid by everyone in the Dominion yet.”

Azrael actually choked.

“That… sounds like her.”

“Look.” Grace leaned forward. “I didn’t cross reality-bending chaos for a therapy session. I came to bring you back because we need you. The angels need you. Even Celestia, though she’d never admit it.”

“I nearly destroyed everything—”

“And then you didn’t.” Grace cut her off. “Because I stopped you. The corruption’s gone. You’re clean. And you’ve had a century to think about your mistakes.”

Azrael stared at her hands.

“What would I even do? My place is lost.”

“Make a new one.” Grace stood up. “Help me with the remaining demons. Help reintegrate the Veil angels. Help rebuild what broke. Or just come back and sit in a corner looking broody and sexy. I don’t care. But this self-imposed exile bullshit ends today.”

“You’re very confident for someone so young.” Azrael’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m not that young anymore.” Grace flexed her wings. “A century of cleaning up celestial messes gives you perspective.”

Silence fell between them. The stream bubbled cheerfully, oblivious to the tension.

“What if it happens again?” Azrael finally asked. “What if I fall to corruption?”

“Then I’ll kick your ass again.” Grace grinned. “I’m a lot stronger now.”

“I can see that.” Azrael’s gaze swept over Grace’s changed body. “You’ve… filled out.”

“Side effect of my increase in power.” Grace patted her chest. “Not complaining, though. Diana certainly isn’t.”

Azrael actually rolled her eyes.

“Diana. She’s still causing trouble?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe.” Grace laughed. “Some things never change.”

Another silence, but more comfortable this time.

“I’ve been alone for so long.” Azrael’s voice was softer now. “I’m not sure I remember how to be around others.”

“You’ll figure it out.” Grace stood and extended her hand. “Angels are immortal. You’ve got all the time in the world to relearn.”

Azrael stared at the offered hand.

“You’re not giving up, are you?”

“Not a chance in hell.” Grace wiggled her fingers. “I crossed the Origin for you. I’ll drag you back if I have to.”

“You’d try.” The corner of Azrael’s mouth twitched upward.

[Progress!]

“One way or another, you’re coming with me.” Grace kept her hand extended. “The easy way involves less embarrassment for all parties involved. Though, I have been learning various ways to tie people up. Kinda wanna put them to use.”

Azrael slowly stood. She looked around her cottage, at the peaceful clearing she’d created in the heart of chaos.

“A century is a long time to hide.” She finally said.

“Long enough.” Grace nodded. “Time to come home.”

Azrael took a deep breath. Then, to Grace’s surprise, she reached out and took her hand.

“If Celestia wants me dead, I won’t resist.”

“Drama queen.” Grace rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t want you dead. She wants you back.”

“You can’t know that.”

“Actually, I can.” Grace tapped her head. “Trust me.”

Azrael looked skeptical but didn’t argue further.

“I need to gather my belongings.”

“Make it quick.” Grace glanced at the chaos swirling beyond their bubble. “That shit out there isn’t getting any friendlier.”

Azrael nodded and returned to her cottage. She emerged minutes later with a small pack and a silver sword strapped to her hip.

“That everything?” Grace asked.

“A century of exile doesn’t require much luggage.”

“Fair enough.” Grace spread her wings. “Ready for round two with the Origin?”

“Stay behind me.” Azrael’s massive wings unfurled to their full span. “I created a path when I came here. It’s still dangerous, but less… chaotic.”

“You’re kidding.” Grace stared at her. “I flew through dimension-bending hell when there was a PATH?”

Azrael actually smirked.

“You didn’t ask.”

[I’m going to murder her.]

“Let’s go before I change my mind about bringing you back.” Grace grumbled.

Together, they launched into the air. The bubble of calm rippled as they approached its edge. Azrael took the lead, her silver wings cutting through the barrier.

The chaos beyond was just as insane as Grace remembered, but Azrael navigated it with practiced precision. Where Grace had struggled through layer after layer of reality-breaking madness, Azrael carved a tunnel of relative stability.

They flew for what felt like hours. Grace’s muscles screamed from the strain of two Origin crossings in one day. Just when she thought she couldn’t go any further, the chaos thinned.

Normal sky appeared ahead. Blue. Cloudless. Beautiful.

They burst through the final barrier, wings spread wide as they soared over Linaria. The wasteland below gradually gave way to greenery as they flew.

“I forgot how beautiful it is.” Azrael’s voice was barely audible over the wind.

Grace didn’t answer. She was too busy not passing out from exhaustion.

The Dominion appeared on the horizon, floating majestically above the mortal realm. Angels flew in formation around its perimeter, their golden and blue wings catching the sunlight.

As they approached, shouts of alarm rang out. Guards pointed. Formations broke. Word spread like wildfire: Grace had returned. And she wasn’t alone.

They landed on the central platform where Celestia usually greeted important visitors. A crowd gathered quickly, keeping a cautious distance.

Azrael stood rigid, her wings half-folded as if ready for attack or retreat.

Almost instantly, Celestia appeared, probably because she sensed Azrael’s presence.

Both parties gazed at each other.

“I…” Azrael began. She looked back at Grace for some reassurance. Grace nodded. She turned back toward Celestia. “I’m back.”

Celestia looked back and forth between her and Grace. Grace nodded at her as well.

And… Celestia smiled.

“I can see that.” She exhaled. “Welcome home.”

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