Michael and Jones sat next to each other, facing the three council members who sat opposite them on a rectangular table. The expression on all of their faces were grim, and even the crystal that provided light seemed dim. Percy raised his head and looked Michael in the eyes. “She still hasn’t been found?” the ancient angel asked. His voice was hoarse and low.

Michael grimaced. “No,” he said. “I’ve sent out a small group to scout the surroundings, but they haven’t reported back yet.”

Percy slammed his hands against the wooden table. “Why haven’t you sent everyone!?” he shouted. His face turned red, and he began to cough. He wheezed as he stared at Michael and Jones, his eyes narrowed.

“It could be a trap,” Jones said, meeting Percy’s gaze without flinching. “If we send all the soldiers outside to look for her, then what was the point of creating this fortress in the first place? This could be part of Solra’s plan.”

“Melissa would never use her lightning avatar without a reason,” Percy said as he clenched his hands. His fingers dug into the wooden table, leaving streaks of blood. “She could be out there, waiting for us to find her as she recovers. There’s no way she lost after summoning her avatar.” He lowered his head. “No way.”

“We’ve already done all that we can,” Michael said and sighed. “Morale truly is at an all-time low. If we sent out everyone to look for Melissa, there’s no telling how many people would desert.”

“Does it matter how many people desert?” Percy asked. “Her strength is greater than nearly the whole army combined. You know that.”

“And once Solra uses his power, she’ll just be a hundred-year-old angel with no power,” Jones said.

“Our powers are greater than Solra’s!” Andrew said.

Jones’ expression remained neutral. “Then how did the sinners get away the first time?” she asked. The three council members fell silent under her stare.

“We weren’t ready,” Percy said, breaking the silence.

“And you are ready this time?” Jones asked. The council members’ attitudes annoyed her. She had personally experienced Solra’s power herself and lost her companions because of it. The constant losses were making her bitter, and she vented it on them. “Clearly you aren’t. Michael and I told you many times about the danger, but you never listened. And now Melissa is gone because of it. Even if she noticed unusual activity and decided to chase, why didn’t she inform any of us?”

“Let’s not blame or find faults in each other,” Dinah said. “We have to be united.”

Jones snorted and leaned back. If only Elrith was here. She shook her head. Elrith had already lost to Solra, which she found hard to believe. Him being here wouldn’t help.

“Let’s attack,” Percy said.

“Huh?”

“If Solra got his hands on Melissa, there’s no doubt she’s being tortured right now,” Percy said. “We know the general location of their base. Let’s attack first.”

“Weren’t you afraid of the halflings scattering?” Michael asked and furrowed his brow. If even one of those advanced halflings were set loose in the second sector, there wasn’t any doubt that a few cities would be lost.

“The circumstances have changed,” Percy said. “We can no longer afford to sit and wait around knowing they can pick us off one by one.”

“When do we start?” Andrew asked.

“Now,” Percy said as he inhaled and closed his eyes.

“It hasn’t even been a full day,” Michael said. “Our scouts still haven’t returned. Melissa could be perfectly fine and in recovery right now. Like you said, it’s impossible for her to lose once she summons her avatar.”

“Then it’ll be a pleasant surprise when we find her after coming back victorious,” Percy said as he opened his eyes and stood up. Right when Jones was about to say something, a booming noise echoed throughout the room, and the ceiling shook, causing dust particles to fall to the ground.

The archangels rose to their feet, knocking their chairs over. “What was that?” Michael asked as he rushed towards the door. The door was flung open before he reached it, and an angel with wide eyes fell into the room.

“We’re under attack!” he said. “There’s one archangel of wrath!”

“Just one?” Michael asked as he helped the soldier to his feet.

“Yes,” the soldier said and bobbed his head up and down. “But we can’t stop him.”

The five archangels looked at each other before exiting the room.

***

A goblin rushed down a tunnel and turned a bend. A bead of sweat rolled down its red head as it approached a crude, stone door. It rapped its knuckles on the frame, and it gulped when it heard Solra respond. “What is it?”

The goblin pushed the door open and saluted. “C-commander Ishim went to attack the angels,” it said and held its breath while keeping its gaze on the floor.

“What?” Solra asked as he got out of bed. “What do you mean?” Just earlier that day, he had talked with Ishim in the baths. It was clear the angel of wrath was willing to wait for the day of the plan before taking action.

“W-we were discussing the red thunderstorm that happened last night,” the goblin said, not daring to raise its head. “And Commander Ishim heard some of us joke around about one of the council members dying. He asked if it was true before running outside.” The goblin didn’t mention the fact that it lost at drawing straws, which is why it was sent to report to Solra.

Solra’s expression darkened as he donned his cloak. “Gather everyone,” he said. “The plan proceeds earlier than expected. Bring the cannons.” He paused as he walked past the goblin. “Except for the few people that are going to evolve soon. Let them stay behind.” Solra sighed as he marched down the tunnel. He should’ve kept a closer eye on Ishim. He just hoped that Ishim could hold out in the time it took for him to ready the army.