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Zuriel's / Revenge's P.O.V
Finally, after all these years of watching my daughter from the shadows, I could hold her in my arms again — even if it was only for the final hours I had left.
"Father, this feels like a dream come true. I missed you so much," she whispered.
"I missed you too, darling," I said, gently patting her back to soothe her trembling form.
"Father," she pulled away, her eyes slightly red from crying, "why didn't you come back for me? Why didn't you tell me from the beginning that you are... Revenge?"
I sighed, my heart heavy. "Darling, I will tell you everything. The time has finally come for you to know the truth."
"Father, what do you mean?"
"Come with me," I said, avoiding her questioning eyes. "You need to rest first."
I knew I had hurt her deeply, but would she ever understand? Everything that happened — the pain, the loneliness — was necessary. I never meant to leave her alone in a vicious world.
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Azreal's P.O.V
I sat in the pool, feeling the cool water wash over me, calming my restless soul.
I had almost lost control — again. Miss Grump had tried everything she could to identify the toxins in my body. For now, she had instructed me to soak in the pool while she burned calming incense, suppressing the demon within me — the one hungry for bloodshed.
I had finally discovered the truth: Rachel was responsible for my condition.
"I will find her... and she will regret ever daring to poison me," I thought darkly as the water lapped at my skin.
An image flashed through my mind — the memory of that night with Erica. Since then, fragments of forgotten memories had started returning.
I saw her dazzling eyes, so full of innocence, locked onto mine. Our hands were tangled together, and we stood high atop a cliff.
"Erica, do you trust me?" I asked, desperate for her assurance.
"I trust you, Azreal, with my life," she replied without hesitation.
Her answer warmed something deep inside me. Behind us, I could hear spells being chanted — the witches were closing in fast.
I looked down at the deadly drop below. Without wasting another second, I pulled her close. She clung to me tightly, her eyes shut.
I pressed a kiss to her forehead before leaping off the cliff with her cradled in my arms.
The memory faded just as we fell into the abyss.
"So we were this close..." I whispered to myself, feeling a rare warmth stir in my chest.
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Asher's P.O.V
I sat across the desk, staring directly at the man before me.
The last time I was here, we made a deal — but the unexpected disappearance of the girl had rendered our former agreement invalid.
"What do you want? I gave you the girl. Our cooperation is over," the man said, trying to maintain his composure.
I chuckled darkly.
"Heh, heh, heh... Like I said before, it won't be that easy to get rid of me. Our deal was to hand the girl over to us. Since she isn't in our possession yet, the deal stands. Until she is firmly in our hands — and our master is set free — you remain bound."
"You're truly cunning, Asher," he spat through gritted teeth.
"I know," I said casually, draining my glass of wine and rising to my feet.
"Happy cooperation," I added with a smirk before turning and leaving.
Outside, I climbed onto my horse. One of my men approached.
"Master, we found out the girl is in the hands of Zuriel."
"Hmm... So our old enemy still lives. Good. It'll give me the opportunity to finish what we started — and use his precious daughter for our cause.
Find them!"
"Yes, Master."
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Erica's P.O.V
I sat on a log, watching my father. His face was lined with emotions he struggled to contain.
"Erica," he called softly, exhaustion lacing his voice.
"Yes, Father?"
"There were many things you didn't know about that day. That war... it consumed me. It corrupted my body.
I can no longer use my powers freely, nor can I call myself pure."
He paused, the words weighing heavily on him.
"The enemy was too strong. Even though he was trapped, his influence remained. I had no choice. To keep you safe, I stayed behind... while your uncle protected you.
They want you, Erica — not just to conquer Earth, but the other realms too."
He paused again, struggling with something deeper.
"What is it, Father?" I asked gently.
He looked at me seriously.
"Erica... what do you think of Azreal?"
The question caught me off guard.
"What does Azreal have to do with anything?" I thought — but I answered truthfully.
"Azreal is a capable and outstanding king."
"Is that all you think of him?"
His gaze was probing, searching.
"Father, is there something I should know?" I asked, sensing a hidden truth behind his words.
"You and Azreal... you had a past together.
But we had to wipe that part of your memory — to protect you both."
My breath caught.
"I'm sorry for taking those memories from you," he continued, voice heavy with regret. "But I trust him. He will protect you, Erica. He will be by your side."
"Father, I can protect myself," I said firmly. "I don't need a man for everything."
Still, my heart ached for him — for all he'd endured for me.
"Enough of this. I have found you, and that alone is more than enough for me," I said, hugging him tightly.
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Zuriel sat there, recalling his last meeting with Azreal.
Deep down, he hoped that someday — somehow — Azreal would forgive him for separating them.
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