The creature's enormous wings beat the air like the strokes of a violent storm. Its massive, glowing eyes locked onto Mary, the hatred radiating from its very being as if it were a tangible force. Its claws, sharp as daggers, scraped the rocky ground beneath it, leaving deep gouges in the earth. The very air around them felt heavy, charged with the power of something divine and terrifying.
Mary's heart pounded in her chest, but her grip on her Saber of Mist remained steady. She could feel the weight of the battle ahead of them, the crushing certainty that they would need every ounce of strength to survive.
"Stay alert," she called to Lela and Loosie, her voice sharp and commanding. "We're not facing just any celestial—this one is different."
The creature opened its maw, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, and let out a guttural growl that reverberated through the mountainside. It wasn't just an angel, nor was it a demon. It was something far more sinister—an abomination born of twisted divine power.
"Your death will bring the end of your kind," it hissed, its voice like the grinding of boulders. "Heaven's decree is absolute."
Without warning, the creature lunged forward, its massive claws extended toward Mary. She reacted instantly, rolling to the side with inhuman speed, narrowly avoiding the deadly swipe. Her heart raced, her instincts kicking in as she spun on her heel, her saber raised in a defensive stance.
Loosie darted forward, her daggers flashing in the dim light, aiming for the creature's exposed underbelly. But the creature was faster than they had anticipated. With a flick of its tail, it sent Loosie flying backward, crashing into the rocks with a grunt. She groaned but quickly regained her footing, unperturbed.
Lela, not one to back down, charged with her spear, aiming for the creature's chest. The spear struck with a resounding clang, but the creature's thick, otherworldly hide absorbed the blow without so much as a flinch. It snarled and flicked its wings, sending Lela sprawling to the ground.
Mary's eyes narrowed. This was going to be harder than she had anticipated. They needed to work together, or they wouldn't stand a chance. She was about to shout an order when the creature turned its attention back to her, its glowing eyes locking onto hers with unnerving intensity.
In that moment, Mary felt a surge of energy flood through her, her body humming with the power of her Noble Phantasm. The Saber of Mist, which had been a mere weapon in her hands before, now became an extension of her very will. She could feel the winds swirling around her, the element of mist and air binding to her, ready to be unleashed.
The creature roared in fury and charged, but Mary was already moving. She raised her blade high, and with a flash of light, the blade became invisible, distorting the air around it. The creature's advance faltered for a split second as it tried to track her movement, but it was already too late.
With a flick of her wrist, Mary executed her Mist Blade technique. The world seemed to slow around her as three blades of ethereal mist sliced through the air, each one aimed at a different part of the creature's body. The first cut tore through its wing, sending a shower of divine energy spilling from the wound. The second strike carved through its side, and the third found its mark, piercing its chest with a precise, lethal blow.
The creature screamed in agony, a deafening roar that sent vibrations through the entire mountain range. It staggered back, its form flickering like a mirage as the mist from the strikes dissipated.
"Now's our chance!" Lela shouted, her voice filled with urgency. She sprang to her feet, her spear crackling with energy as she charged again, aiming for the creature's exposed heart.
Loosie wasn't far behind, her daggers gleaming with deadly intent. Together, they attacked with precision, each blow calculated to weaken the creature further.
But the creature wasn't finished yet. With a violent thrash of its wings, it launched itself into the air, rising higher into the sky. The air crackled with energy, and Mary felt a surge of pressure pressing down on her as the creature unleashed a pulse of celestial energy.
The ground beneath them cracked open, sending rocks and debris tumbling down the mountainside. Mary raised her blade to deflect the blast, but the sheer force of it knocked her back, sending her crashing into a jagged rock formation. Her vision blurred for a moment, and she shook her head to clear it, struggling to regain her footing.
Through the haze of dust and debris, Mary spotted the creature hovering in the air, its eyes burning with hatred. It wasn't just an angelic being—it was a force of nature, something beyond the reach of mortal understanding. And it was relentless.
Lela was already on her feet, charging once again with her spear raised. Loosie, too, was preparing for another assault. But Mary knew that they were running out of time. They couldn't keep up this pace forever. They needed to end it now.
With a final surge of strength, Mary called upon the full power of her Noble Phantasm. The Saber of Mist flared with an otherworldly glow, its blade crackling with raw energy. She could feel the air around her, thick with the power of the winds, as she focused every ounce of her being into one final attack.
"Reversal," she whispered under her breath. The technique she had perfected over the years—the one that bent time and space to her will—was ready.
The world around her seemed to bend and twist as she unleashed the three concurrent, arching blades. They tore through the air, closing in on the creature from all sides. The creature's eyes widened in shock as the three blades, one after another, struck with lightning speed.
The first blade sliced through its neck, severing it with a clean, precise cut. The second blade found its mark in the creature's chest, cleaving through its ribcage. The third blade struck at the heart, and with a final burst of power, the creature's form exploded into a blinding light.
The celestial beast let out one final, deafening scream as it was consumed by the mist and light. The air crackled with residual energy, and then, suddenly, there was silence.
Mary stood at the center of the battlefield, her breath heavy and uneven, as the smoke and debris cleared. Her saber glowed faintly in the aftermath of the battle, and her eyes scanned the surroundings. The creature was gone—vanquished, for now.
But the feeling of unease that had gripped her earlier returned with a vengeance. Something wasn't right. She could feel it in the air. The Archangel would not be so easily deterred.
"We need to move," Mary said, her voice low and tense. "The Archangel will be sending more. We have to find the answers before it's too late."
Lela nodded, her expression grim. "Let's go. We're not out of the woods yet."
And so, with their victory fleeting and the darkness still looming, the trio set off once more toward the Council's headquarters, unaware that their greatest battle was yet to come.