They set out early in the morning. The lieutenant instructed everyone to pack food into their Lumions. Each person needed to have enough Light for the entire journey. One by one, they came to the table and followed the instructions. Viktor turned to Altan. “Could you please show me how to do it?”

  “It’s simple,” Altan replied in his clear, ringing voice. He stepped closer and said, “Provisions for three days.”

  A larger petal separated from the branch and fused with his Lumion.

  The table bustled with activity, as a second group led by Lieutenant Lorian was also preparing to depart.

  After they passed through the Gate, a howling blizzard rose and their vision vanished into a white wall of snow. Everyone switched into their armor, which adapted to the conditions: furs sprouted from the suits, protecting them from the cold.

  The captain addressed them: “We advance North. The journey to the Ice Spire Fortress will be long. Stay together and stay alert! If you notice the air grow heavy, smell sulfur, or start to feel strange, report it immediately to your squad leader or lieutenant,” he ordered. “Once conditions improve, the captains will take to the air and patrol to head off any threats.”

  They marched until nightfall. As the weather improved, the entire branch advanced, and above them eleven angels circled, one of whom stood out: the high captain. The landscape was covered in snow, ice, and dense coniferous forests.

  By evening, they came upon snow?covered doors, passed through them, and found themselves in the small courtyard of a fortified town. At the far end, a commander in shining armor was already waiting. Moments later, another landed in front of him; the two clasped forearms and gripped each other’s shoulders with their free hands.

  Viktor had never seen his high captain up close before. Now he only saw him from behind, with long hair spilling out from under his helmet. They spoke for a while, and then the captains joined them.

  “Announce that we’ll spend the night here,” came the order from the group of commanders, who then headed into the main keep.

  Elion went for instructions with the other lieutenants, whom Viktor recognized only by sight. “We’ll settle here,” Elion said, pointing to one of the nearby buildings.

  Outside, the blizzard raged, but visibility was better since the buildings blocked some of the snow. The town wasn’t small; it could easily accommodate two thousand guardians, since both branches were present.

  The shelter they entered resembled a wooden lodge, large enough for a single platoon by Viktor’s estimate. There were no windows, so no one could see in, and the space was lit by skillfully crafted metal chandeliers. Only the wind’s whistle and its blows against the walls reached them from outside.

  The most unusual thing was at the center of the hall: a familiar table stood there, but the Light on it looked more like a pile of glowing embers than a beam shining from above, as Viktor had expected. The chairs and benches were covered in furs, pleasantly soft to the touch. He ran his hands over the fine gray fur, a sensation he hadn’t felt in years.

  The food here worked the same way as it did in the city. Over dinner, Yassin shared stories from her life as an Amazon: the battle at Abeokuta, and the courage and brutality of her fellow warriors. Her chocolate-brown skin and dark brown eyes softened when she spoke about trying to help the fallen, even her enemies, which often led to conflict. As she lowered her head, they could see her dark hair braided close to her scalp, a practical style for the helmet she wore in battle.

  Artur and Carlos kept interrupting her, while Yoshiro and Vincent found the whole thing very entertaining.

  After dinner, everyone moved to their rooms nearby. The rooms were cozy, with bunk beds, white pillows, and blankets. Everyone tried to get a good night’s sleep. Viktor wasn’t used to sleeping in a group, and Werner snored terribly, which didn’t make much sense to him, since their bodies here were supposed to be flawless. He figured it must be the position or the air. He didn’t have the heart to wake him, so he went back to the common room.

  As he sat down at one of the tables, he heard a voice behind him: “Can’t sleep?”

  It was Captain Radion, accompanied by another captain. The newcomer had dark skin and thick, mid-length hair brushed back from his forehead. His voice was deep.

  “Come, sit with us,” he invited, gesturing to an empty chair.

  He sat. “I’d ask you the same, but you don’t sleep,” Viktor remarked.

  Both captains nodded.

  “This is Captain Arion, and this is Viktor,” Radion introduced them. They shook hands.

  “What’s on your mind?” Arion asked.

  “I’m not really sure. After years in the city, it’s just... a change,” Viktor admitted.

  Both nodded in understanding.

  “So, two more days?” he asked.

  “Yes, so far we haven’t encountered any enemies on the way,” Arion said with satisfaction. “I hope the rest of the journey will be just as peaceful.”

  “I wouldn’t mind running into a demon or two; they’d get to know our angelic blades,” Radion added.

  “True, my brother,” Arion said, and both took a sip from their glasses.

  Maybe a drink would help him sleep. As he stood up and walked to the table, he asked, “Where does this Light here come from?”

  Radion replied, “Patrols led mostly by lieutenants and angels replenish the supplies. The enemy tries to ambush these patrols to exploit this resource: either to widen the rifts through which they enter these worlds, or to desecrate it for their own use or for their masters.

  If you look at the sky, you will see the Light supplies the surrounding fortresses. We also have smaller outposts that constantly need restocking; that requires the support of captains and commanders. The areas beyond the Gates are vast, so we have to be as flexible as possible.”

  He fetched his mug and returned to the table.

  “On the way here, I thought I saw a bear.”

  Arion explained readily, “Yes, there are animals here just like in natural biomes, but to us, they’re harmless. We don’t hunt them, and they’re not afraid of us; they just go about their lives. The only real threat to them is the hellish beasts.”

  “Why?” Viktor asked.

  “In Hell, there’s nothing to eat, and all the damned crave the Light that never reaches them. They can only take what they steal from here: either the Light we bring or what they can draw from this world’s surroundings. These animals aren’t real the way you might think: they’re made of Light and, like our bodies, are a kind of reflection of Earth. In Hell, even the smallest and greatest factions wage constant war over them.”

  “They fight among themselves?” he asked.

  “Yes, constantly,” they both confirmed. “If Hell were united, it would be a much harder fight for us. Even when alliances form, they’re short-lived and always end in betrayal; one evil always tries to overthrow another and seize power. That’s our advantage, because our strength comes from unity!” Radion said, raising his voice. He lifted his cup, and they joined him in the gesture.

  “What is going on in here?” a woman’s voice suddenly called out. A tall woman, taller than both captains, approached. As she stepped into the Light, she wore a white and yellow robe, her wings hidden. Her dark brown hair and skin looked Latin American. Her eyes were deep emerald?green, with a thin ring of purple around the pupil that was impossible to miss. She sat down with them.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  “And who do we have here?” she asked in a surprisingly playful tone. Her voice was deep at times, but still feminine and melodic.

  “Viktor Gale,” he introduced himself, and they shook hands.

  “I’m Commander Vesaria. Can’t sleep?” she asked.

  “Just the changes,” Viktor sighed.

  “I understand,” she said, suddenly standing up. “Wait, I’ll get something too. I don’t want to stand out!” She soon returned; her arms full of mugs. “Here you go; no need for multiple trips,” she laughed.

  “How do things look out there?” Radion asked.

  “It’s peaceful as far as the eye can see; everything’s clear,” she reported. “Galen, Synaa, and I flew dozens of miles; so far, everything’s fine.”

  “That’s good,” they agreed.

  She noticed Viktor watching her, especially her hands.

  “Surprised?” she asked.

  Viktor said, “Yes, it has been on my mind. The women here are just as strong as the men, at least from the sparring matches I’ve seen. Yet they still remain feminine. No offense, captains. Even though you’re smaller, from your build I would have expected you to be stronger, but I guess things work differently here.”

  Vesaria gave him a quick look that confirmed his observation. Then she explained, “What you’re saying is true in the world of the living, but here it’s different. Our bodies are made of Light, and men and women are equal in strength. It depends on many factors, but the physical ones are minimal here, if not nearly nonexistent.”

  “Minimal?” Viktor asked.

  “Yes. For example, height is still a factor; someone smaller might be a bit more agile,” she explained.

  He nodded, finished his drink and stood up, tired. “It was nice meeting you all, but I need to try to get some sleep. Tomorrow we’ll be marching all day, just like today.” Everyone raised their mugs in farewell.

  He returned the gesture with a wave and went back to the room. As he walked up the stairs, he noticed Radion trying to put his feet up on the table, only to get a playful smack on the back of the head from Vesaria.

  They had been marching for half a day when the high captain suddenly descended from the sky and called out, “We’re making good time. Let us take a twenty-minute break here!”

  Everyone sat down in a circle. The weather had calmed; snow was still falling, but only lightly. They started chatting when suddenly a Light flickered in the forest below the slope.

  What is that? No one has a flashlight in this world, and it's too bright to be a simple torch.

  Years of tracking down small errors had taught him to be mindful of small details.

  Anomalies don't resolve themselves. Ignore the warning sign, and you pay for it later. He stood up and headed toward it. After a few steps, someone grabbed his shoulder. It was Carlos.

  “Never go exploring alone!” he whispered sternly. “Quick recon, not too far,” he ordered.

  Behind him, Yoshiro, Hans, and Artur were quietly making their way down the snowy slope. As they approached the suspicious spot, they saw nothing and were about to turn back when Yoshiro whispered, “Wait! Sulfur.”

  They froze. “There really is something there,” he continued in a hushed voice. They crept closer. In the thick forest, a stone’s throw away, they spotted a small opening to a cave, from which a red Light occasionally flickered. They sneaked closer and hid behind the trees. Hans carefully approached the entrance.

  “Psst!” Yoshiro hissed, motioning for him to pull back. “Not so close. Let’s wait.”

  “Just a little,” Hans muttered. When he was halfway there, they heard footsteps from the cave. He began to back away quietly. At that moment, two figures emerged from the cave. Hans managed to hide behind a tree just in time.

  They were demons. One was huge, entirely red and fat, with a big belly and ram’s horns on his head. The other was small, humanoid, with long limbs, moving on all fours. The demons spoke in dark, inhuman voices:

  “Cover Light from crack! They see! You hide bad!” Dark spit sprayed from his mouth as he spoke. The big demon kicked the smaller one hard. “Move now.” he growled. “Ifrit almost here.” He tried to keep his voice down.

  “Yes,” the other hissed. “Work. Now!”

  Both turned and disappeared into the cave. The group backed away slowly. After three steps, a branch snapped loudly under Artur's foot. He grimaced in frustration at his timing.

  “They know us!” the demon roared, thunderous.

  Creatures that looked like dogs but with limbs far too long and human faces wreathed in black flames burst out of the cave, charging straight at them.

  “Form up!” Carlos commanded.

  Everyone closed ranks into a tight formation!

  “Bows! Then Spears!” came the next order. They immediately grabbed their Lumions and loosed a volley. When the creatures closed in, the guardians switched from bows to spears, their shields locking into an impenetrable wall.

  “I’ll call for help,” Carlos said, clenching the Lumion tightly until it glowed red and vibrated in his palm.

  The hellhounds impaled themselves one by one on the spear tips. Suddenly, from the snow, a massive, pot-bellied demon with a black hammer charged at them, followed by a dozen more dark figures, human features twisted with demonic malice, black sabers in their hands.

  They hissed and rushed at them. The first wave was stopped by the spears. The group was already skilled at wielding the Light, unlike Viktor. They cut through the enemies with ease. But the big demon closed, stamping massive imprints into the snow.

  Steel rang; then a blow hit like a battering ram. With one swing of his hammer, he sent Carlos and Artur flying and knocked the shields from their hands. The five-man formation collapsed at the center. They scattered among the trees.

  Viktor quickly switched from spear to sword, as did the others, readying themselves for close combat. He stood back-to-back with Yoshiro. Only three demons with sabers and their massive leader remained. Carlos and Artur were out of the fight.

  When the big demon looked at Hans, he knew he had to defeat his own opponent quickly or he wouldn’t stand a chance. The demon slashed furiously with his saber, but Viktor’s training paid off: he dodged easily, lit up his sword, and sliced the demon through the torso. Black blood squirted through the air, darkening his blade. When he turned, Yoshiro had already finished off his two demons. But Hans lay lifeless in a snowy pool of blood; his chest held a huge hole from the hammer.

  He and Yoshiro exchanged glances; they knew things were bad. There was no point trying to block the hammer blows; he had to dodge them. He avoided the first two, then stumbled in deep snow and fell. The demon raised his hammer for a final blow, but suddenly roared; Yoshiro, fast as ever, had driven a spear into his shoulder. The demon turned and struck Yoshiro with an open hand, sending him flying. With a sneer, he turned back to Viktor, who was desperately reaching for his sword.

  It’s too far!

  The demon raised his weapon, and Viktor, in despair, covered himself with his bare hands. The demon froze mid?swing; someone had struck him from behind in the neck with a glowing axe and now stood on his shoulder. It was Elion, with the rest of the squad. The demon dropped to his knees from the blow.

  He lunged for his sword and drove it, lightning-fast, through the demon’s chin. The demon stared, mouth slack. Another blow from the ax, this time straight between the eyes. The hammer slipped from his hand and he collapsed to the ground. Elion quickly jumped down and checked on the squad.

  “Carlos, are you alive?” he called, glancing at Mona and Yassin, who were heading over to Artur.

  They just shook their heads sadly. He rushed to Yoshiro. Carlos managed to stand, but his arm was broken. Meanwhile, Vincent had brought Yoshiro around. They helped both of them to their feet.

  At that moment, two captains landed nearby.

  “Synaa! The rift: we have to close it now!” Radion shouted, and they all rushed into the cave. With a roar, the earth sealed itself and the red Light vanished.

  The captains returned quickly.

  “Elion, what’s the status?” one of them asked.

  “Two injured, and two...” Elion trailed off, pointing. Hans’s and Artur’s bodies were already turning into dust of Light. “But two are all right. Thankfully,” he sighed. “One needs medical attention.” Meanwhile, the rest of the branch arrived and began securing the area.

  Captain Synaa offered to carry the wounded to the nearest outpost for healing. She picked up Carlos and soared into the air as if he weighed nothing.

  The demons' bodies were also slowly disintegrating and sinking into the ground. “Lieutenant! Report!” Yoshiro called to Elion.

  “Not here!” Elion stopped him. “Wait until we’re at the fortress. Let’s go!” he ordered, and everyone quickly joined the others.

  They walked until late evening until they reached another set of doors, which led them into a courtyard much like the previous one. The high captains greeted each other again and exchanged a few words. Elion received orders, which he acknowledged with a nod. Everyone gathered at the table for dinner. They left two empty seats for Artur and Hans.

  As they sat in silence, Elion spoke: “What happened?”

  Yoshiro began, since Carlos was still in the infirmary: “We went down to check something out. We saw something strange...”

  Viktor interrupted him: “That was me. I only walked a few feet after I saw a strange light in the forest. It flashed for a moment, so I went to take a look.”

  “Alone?” Elion asked seriously.

  Viktor lowered his head: “I would have come back, but the others caught up with me. Carlos ordered a quick close recon. We didn’t see anything at first, but everything changed when we smelled sulfur and spotted the enemy. We tried to retreat and report it quietly, but they saw us. After that, everything happened very quickly.”

  “Don’t take this the wrong way, Viktor,” Elion said, more gently now. “That’s why it’s important for the whole squad to go; even that’s often not enough. If the rift had been bigger and there had been more of them, none of you would have survived.

  We’re among the most replaceable. Ordinary guardians die here every day, but we try to minimize losses; resources are limited. Many angels and high angels are still recovering, and we even have a seriously wounded archangel. Every loss makes healing take longer.” His voice grew firmer.

  “Do you remember anything else?”

  A memory flashed through Viktor’s mind: “Yes! They mentioned a name... Ifrit. They said he’s almost here.”

  Elion became alert: “Are you sure?”

  Viktor nodded, stone-faced.

  “Ifrit is a high demon, leader of the djinn, powerful with hellfire. I have to report this to the captains!” he declared.

  “You all did very well. We closed a rift that, in a few weeks, would have grown large enough for Ifrit himself to come through. But we lost two guardians.” Elion paused in thought.

  “What about Artur and Hans?” Viktor asked.

  “Don’t worry, they’ll be revived at the fortress, where we’re headed. Now go get some rest. That’s an order!” And with that, he walked off to make his report. Viktor went to his bed and lay down while the wind whistled outside.