Chapter 136: when innocent burn
The sky split open again, not with fire—but with death.
It started at dawn.
A wave of shadows swept over the village, silent and swift. Black-cloaked beings with hollow eyes and blades made of starlight descended like a plague. There was no warning. No time to flee.
Screams echoed.
Women clutching their babies fell in the streets. Elders were dragged from their homes. Children hid beneath floorboards—but even the shadows slithered there.
By the time Leo and Zara arrived with reinforcements, the village was painted in ash and blood.
Rina dropped to her knees beside a fallen child—one who had shared her sweets just the day before.
"I knew her," she whispered. "Her name was Mali. She loved frogs."
Azrael Jr.'s eyes were glowing—no pupils, no whites, only divine light. "No more mercy."
Caelan clenched his fists, flames erupting along his skin. "They want blood? We'll give them fire."
Azariah stood silently, then whispered, "We give the others a chance to fight."