In a dinsion with darkened skies, a figure fled through ground with desperate speed.
It moved like smoke, with its form constantly shifting between solid and ethereal states.
The being’s movents were fluid, one mont it appeared almost humanoid, the next it scattered into wisps of darkness before reforming several ters away.
The glowing red light in its eyes were the only points of color in its shifting mass, and they were filled with panic.
It ca around a corner and paused, its smoky form condensing slightly as it checked behind itself.
Nothing pursued, Perhaps it had finally escaped.
"I found the last one!"
The voice echoed from above, and the shadow creature’s head quickly shifted upward.
There she was, the archangel Uriel.
She sat on a rocky outcrop high above, with her white wings folding casually as she grinned down at the cornered entity.
The creature’s terror was renewed, and it imdiately began sinking into its own shadow, preparing to flee to sowhere, anywhere else.
Then everything stopped.
Ti itself froze mid-escape. The shadow was suspended , half-rged with the ground, with its molecular structure caught between states of existence.
The red eyes were wide with frozen fear.
Aiden walked forward from the darkness behind the creature.
He wore simple black robes that hung loosely on his fra, and his face showed no trace of draconic features except for his red dragon eyes.
As dragon god, He could completely control his transformation, revealing only as much of his true nature as he chose.
Without breaking stride, Aiden reached down and placed his hand directly on what would be the shadow’s neck, then pulled.
The shadow entity was wrenched free from its attempted escape and dragged from the protective embrace of the void.
Aiden lifted it effortlessly, suspending the struggling form several feet off the ground. His grip remained firm despite the creature’s lack of physical substance.
Then he snapped his fingers with his free hand.
Ti resud its flow, and the creature imdiately thrashed as it attempted to escape. But invisible bindings held it motionless.
The Authority of Space itself had locked the creature in position, negating any attempt at movent or escape.
The shadow’s struggles grew more frantic and desperate, before finally subsiding into stillness. It had accepted its fate.
Aiden sighed. He had a tired expression.
"You’re the last of three hundred," he said quietly. "But I’ll let you go."
The shadow seed totally confused.
"Tell the Herrscher of Shadows I’m willing to talk, but only if he stops trying to infiltrate my universe."
He lifted his free palm forward, and space warped in response. A portal opened up before them.
Without another gesture, the invisible force binding the creature suddenly reversed direction and propelled it forward.
The shadow was hurled through the portal which sealed itself imdiately after.
From above, Uriel descended gracefully. Her wings caught air, carrying her down to land beside Aiden with barely a sound.
She’d changed considerably over the past three years, at least in appearance.
She neither wore the helt on her head nor the armor typical of the angels of Ah’. Instead, she wore a plain white clothing that revealed so beautifully rounded cleavage.
"It’s smart, seeking out dialogue with the least hostile one," Uriel said.
Aiden nodded, already turning away. "Let’s go. We’ve wasted too much ti on this already."
His hand moved forward and another portal began forming before them.
"I will not miss the most important day of my life," Aiden added.
The portal stabilized, showing a glimpse of Eden’s architecture through its surface.
"Go on ahead," Uriel said suddenly. "I’ll wait for you there."
Aiden froze mid-step. He turned back toward her, with so sort of confusion and concern on his face. "Are you not coming with ?"
Uriel’s smile was gentle. "No."
"Why not?" He quickly followed.
"It’s a place filled with gods," she explained. "Gods who have never appreciated our kind being around them. My presence would only create unnecessary tension on a day that should be joyful."
"That still matters?" Aiden protested, stepping closer to her. "I don’t think it does. Not anymore."
She walked forward until they stood only inches apart, maintaining eye contact the entire ti.
Her hand rose to cup his cheek in what felt like a tender and intimate gesture tender.
"I insist on this, Aiden," she said softly. "But congratulations on becoming a father, my love."
Aiden’s hand rose to cover hers where it rested against his cheek. He held it there for a mont, with his eyes searching hers, as if hoping for an argunt that might change her mind.
Finally, he nodded, accepting her decision even if he didn’t fully agree with it.
He motioned his other hand, and a different portal ford beside the one leading to Eden. This gateway showed the familiar void of his Pocket Domain, which was where Uriel had spent much of the past three years.
"Alright," Aiden said. "I’ll see you soon."
She rose on her toes and kissed his forehead, then stepped back toward the portal to his dinsion. "Now go. Don’t keep them waiting."
She walked through the gateway which remained open for just a mont longer, giving Aiden one last glimpse of her turning back to wave, before it sealed itself completely.
Aiden then turned toward the other portal leading to Eden.
——
[FLASHBACK : THE RESCUE, 3 YEARS AGO]
While Aiden recreated the world, holding the status of Creator and standing as the one closest to becoming the Oldest One, his consciousness expanded into everything.
He perceived the thoughts of angels, gods, and mortals alike.
And among those countless connections, he realized two things.
First, the angels of Ah’ harbored deep animosity toward him. They saw his ascension to Creator as an existential threat, one that had to be erased the mont his borrowed power faded.
Second, they were holding Uriel prisoner.
Not long after Aiden completed the world’s reconstruction, he decided to deal with the Uriel situation.
Especially as he still held a good asure of the power that put him leagues above the angels.
He instantly materialized high above Ah’’s golden spires, and the response was imdiate.
Michael and Raphael burst from the city below, with their six wings propelling them upward with trendous speed.
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