After Cain gave him a few more tips about his sword and how to train, Ariel stood up and spoke.
"How about we fly a little, Mael?" Ariel asked.
"Of course! I love flying!" Mael practically screamed, grabbing Ariel's hand as the two were teleported to a rural area.
"Where are we, Mom?" Mael asked, his eyes wandering around.
"We're near a small town in the state of Kansas. Since you like flying so much, I thought the trip could be a little longer. I already told your father there won't be any training today since..." Ariel didn't finish the sentence because a loud, screeching sound came from the nearby forest, where a sea of flames suddenly erupted. Ariel narrowed her eyes, while Mael's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Let's take a look—but stay alert and close to me, Mael," Ariel said as she flew forward, Mael slowly following behind.
"Retract your wings, I'll charge us with magic. No need to reveal yourself to the world just yet."
Responding to his mother's words, Mael retracted his three pairs of wings. After a brief moment of falling, he hovered beside Ariel.
Meanwhile, on the ground, more flames began to rise in various shapes and sizes. Nearly fifty meters in every direction, trees were destroyed. What stood out most was that each flame exuded a clear, holy aura. As they approached, they saw a large number of Class-5 demons. Their black eyes made them easy to identify.
All the demons had been burned by fiery blades.
Mael was shocked and silent, but not afraid. He had mentally prepared himself for situations like this. His parents had always made a point of telling him the truth about the world outside.
As he watched the demons, the fiery swords slowly disappeared, revealing a young girl standing in front of them. She had several cuts and burns on her body and looked confused and out of breath. Her blonde hair was dirty, and she looked unsteady. It was probably only sheer willpower and adrenaline that kept her on her feet, tightly gripping an angel blade.
Deciding it was best to check on her and get some answers, Ariel began her descent. As they approached the ground, the girl noticed them and became defensive.
"Girl, we're not here to hurt you. Would you let me look at your injuries?" Ariel asked, raising her hands calmly to show she meant no harm.
The girl didn't move, even after several moments passed.
"Wh-who are you?" she asked, not lowering her guard. The woman and boy didn't seem dangerous. Their energy even felt familiar—especially the woman's. The boy's aura was different, but not entirely unlike hers. Still, anyone who floated down from the sky couldn't be ordinary, and she wasn't going to take any unnecessary risks.
"Mom, could you leave us alone for a bit?" Mael asked, his eyes never leaving the girl.
Ariel hesitated but, seeing the seriousness in Mael's gaze, reluctantly backed away. She had to admit—it was impressive when someone his age could remain that calm. Without another word, she flew back into the sky to give them some privacy.
"My name is Mael. But if you want, you can call me Mel," he said, trying to appear as normal as possible, which was difficult given the circumstances. "What's your name?"
The girl stared at Mael for a while. He focused on reading her expression and saw a mix of emotions—confusion, fear, and maybe even exhaustion. But silence wouldn't help, so she finally replied in a tired voice:
"I'm Sabrina. What… what are you? And that woman—your energies are similar to mine."
"How about we sit down? You look really tired," Mael offered, conjuring a bed on the forest floor.
Sabrina was still suspicious, but the fatigue from using all that celestial fire was overwhelming. She moved away from the demon corpses and sat on one end of the bed, still holding her angel blade tightly.
"Tell me, Sabrina… are you a Nephilim?" Mael asked, already fairly certain of the answer.
"Yes… I am a Nephilim. My parents were the angel Ithuriel and Elizabeth Roth."
"I see. So you're like my mom," Mael nodded. "But tell me—were those demons chasing you?"
He pointed to the still-burning bodies.
Sabrina shuddered slightly. "Those damn things chased me across two states. I was gathering celestial energy to destroy them completely, like my father taught me… but it took longer than I expected."
"I understand. Don't worry—neither I nor my mother will harm you. I'm a Nephalem, and my mother is a Nephilim too. But… if you don't mind me asking, what happened to your father?"
Sabrina looked down. "He died protecting me from demons that were hunting us…"
Tears started to stream down her face.
Mael felt a sharp pain in his chest for the girl. She had suffered so much simply for existing—for being who she was. Losing her only family and still being pursued for days… it felt like fate had led them to this forest, so his family could help her.
"Huh? What… why am I…" Sabrina began to stutter, startled, as Mael gently pulled her into a hug. She cried silently in his arms until sleep overtook her from sheer exhaustion.
At that moment, Ariel returned and cast a gentle healing spell to treat her minor wounds.
"You did well, Mael. How are you feeling?" Ariel asked, glancing at the sleeping girl with a look of sadness. Her own life had been painfully similar—hunted by both demons and angels for a long time, until she met Cain. It took years for them to understand each other and eventually fall in love. Without him, she might still be trapped in that cycle of persecution, even as the daughter of the Archangel Gabriel. Her life had never been peaceful. Even her powerful aunt, a witch, had been killed by angels who hunted her. But that was the past. What mattered now was this girl.
And Ariel had asked Mael how he felt for a reason. She knew about his ability—how he could feel the emotions of those near him if he chose to.
---
The ability mentioned here is a result of Mael's transcendent soul, which allows him to sense the emotions of those around him—if he wills it.
---
"I'm fine," Mael replied. "Her feelings weren't overwhelming. They were… understandable, considering everything she's been through. I was born into this world and was lucky to have amazing parents. I can't imagine what it'd be like to be thrown into it the way she was."
Silence lingered between them for a moment before Mael spoke again.
"Mom, what are we going to do with her now? She said she's been hunted across two states, and I doubt they'll stop."
Ariel thought for a moment before responding.
"We can bring her with us—but I have one condition."
"What is it, Mom?" Mael asked, though he had a good idea of what she was about to say.
"I want you to take care of her. Even if it's just a little. She already seems to rely on you after everything she's experienced. You'll be the one to introduce her to our world. You'll teach her and protect her to the best of your abilities. She needs a safe haven."
"I understand," Mael responded firmly, determined to help her now that he knew how deeply affected she was.
"Then let's deal with the consequences," Ariel said. "A pile of corpses and a destroyed section of forest would raise a lot of questions if not handled properly."
She began to erase all traces of celestial energy, while Mael helped by planting new trees using his system. He then walked over to the corpses, stopping just a few meters away. Taking a deep breath, he concentrated and willed his power to surge, swallowing the dead demons in a golden light. A terrifying energy radiated from him as he unleashed it fully. Within seconds, not a speck of the demons remained.
Mael let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. His control over his power was growing each day, but it was still difficult not to go overboard. This had been the first time he'd used it on organic matter—even if it was dead. Up until now, he had only practiced on inanimate objects like training dummies or trees.
When the task was done, he returned to where Sabrina was sleeping and waited for his mother to finish.
"You've improved so much since our last session, Mel. It's amazing how fast you're growing," Ariel said, half-joking but still serious. "A few more years, and you'll leave me in the dust."
Mael gave her a weak smile in return.
"Alright then, let's go home," Ariel said, opening her wings.
With a flash of light, the three of them vanished—leaving only a peaceful forest behind. The eerie silence and regrowing trees were the only signs anything had happened.
---
The following weeks flew by.
After returning with Sabrina that day, she settled into the room next to Mael's. At first, she was hesitant around the family—especially Cain, since he was a demon. But as time passed, she realized he was basically a big, harmless bear who followed Ariel's orders to the letter.
Needless to say… Sabrina began to fear Ariel more than anyone else.
Mothers really are omnipotent.
Mael helped Sabrina understand the basics of the supernatural world. She already knew some of it, thanks to her father, but she still had gaps in her knowledge—especially when it came to other beings and the powers she could awaken as a Nephilim. Ariel guided her with the skills part, while Mael introduced her to the rest.
Eventually, she began training with Cain too. Mael was far ahead of her in experience, so Cain tailored their lessons accordingly. Still, it didn't take long for Sabrina to catch up in some areas.
Mael was happy to finally have a friend his own age. Once Sabrina calmed down, her cheerful personality came back. Since they both shared a love for swordsmanship, she joined him in training—and his parents were thrilled to mentor another young prodigy.
---
"Ten more laps for taking too long!" Cain shouted across the field, completely unreasonable as always.
Mael and Sabrina were already nearing their fiftieth lap. Cain, the kind and warmhearted father, became a drill sergeant during training. But it made sense—he hadn't gotten where he was by slacking off.
Sabrina, motivated by Mael and Cain's intensity, started pushing herself harder. Cain eventually made them wear Enochian seals that restricted their physical capabilities all day. Mael's seals were far more intense than hers, but his body was much stronger too—so it balanced out.
After finishing their extra laps, both collapsed in front of Cain, panting and drenched in sweat.
"Alright! Now give me a hundred pushups each!" Cain barked.
They groaned but didn't argue, dropping to the ground. Delaying only meant more pushups later. This was their normal physical training routine—five days of intense work followed by five days of rest, where they could focus on other things or just enjoy being kids.
"Remember, kids—a healthy mind needs a healthy body! You'll never reach your potential if you neglect either," Cain repeated for the thousandth time, before moving on to the next set of instructions.
---
Later, Mael trained swordsmanship with his mother.
Ariel was far superior in technique. Cain's style was all about power—destroying everything in his path. But Ariel had grace, form, and precision. She addressed Mael with a firm tone:
"You've already mastered the basics, Mael. In the end, a sword is just a tool—its power depends on the one wielding it. A trained person turns it into a deadly instrument. With enough skill, it can achieve the unimaginable."
She glanced at Sabrina, who was practicing nearby, but still listening.
"You're now proficient enough to wield two swords at once. You've focused a lot on strength, and to some degree, on technique. But what I'm trying to say is—how powerful a weapon becomes depends entirely on the individual."
"In the supernatural world, there are many more factors to consider—flying combat, sword techniques infused with spiritual or elemental energies... even something like your father's 'Demon Fist'. It's a simple technique but extremely effective. He coats his fist with hellish energy—it hits harder, protects the user, and deals lasting damage. It's time you start forging your own path."
Mael nodded thoughtfully.
After pondering for a while, Mael took the swords he had received from his parents.
They were still as beautiful and powerful as the day he got them. The Sword of Light began to glow with brilliant, multicolored radiance—resonating with his divine power. The Sword of Darkness, by contrast, was surrounded by a misty, shadowy aura. That was the result of his constant energy infusion. It had grown alongside him.
His mother's words had struck a chord.
What was the best way for him to evolve his swordsmanship? What direction did he want to take in the future?
The answer, at least for now, seemed obvious: he would integrate his celestial and infernal energies into his swords and wings to create a hybrid fighting style—one that could adapt to nearly any scenario, whether defensive or offensive. Maybe he could even develop unique techniques, like Breath of Light and Breath of Darkness, or perhaps something new entirely… like Breath of the Eclipse.
Having chosen his path, Mael began channeling different types of energy into his swords, compressing them along the blades with precision.
The spike in energy levels quickly caught Ariel and Sabrina's attention.
By the time either of them could react, it was already too late.
Mael slashed both swords through the air, releasing the compressed energies in a single, coordinated strike.
The result was instant—and devastating.
Training dummies were sliced clean in half, and the technique didn't stop there. The wave of energy traveled through the field and annihilated the first fifty meters of forest behind it. Trees were vaporized, and the ground was left scorched and trembling.
Ariel and Sabrina stood frozen, jaws practically on the ground.
Even Mael himself was stunned by what he had done.
As he slowly came back to his senses, he looked at his mother—equal parts proud and slightly terrified—and immediately reassured her.
"I'll be more careful next time," he promised with a sheepish smile.
Training resumed shortly after, continuing until the late afternoon.
---
Elsewhere, mael sat cross-legged in a meditative state, his eyes closed. Floating around him were energy constructs of his own design. Swords, spears, shields, and abstract shapes like orbs and cubes hovered in a slow, orbiting pattern.
Mael had reached the point where he could precisely control the output of his power while maintaining several constructs simultaneously. He was now practicing how to move each one independently, ensuring none of them collided with the others.
Though he could sense their positions—since they were part of his own power—managing so many variables at once still demanded intense focus and training.
Ariel stood nearby, silently observing his progress. After a while, she clapped her hands to signal the end of the session.
Mael dispelled the constructs, stood up, and took a long drink of water, turning his attention to her.
"Your control is getting better and better, son. I'm genuinely impressed by how fast you're improving. Just a few weeks ago, you couldn't even manage half of what you're doing now," Ariel said proudly.
"Thanks, Mom. But I wouldn't be progressing nearly this fast without your guidance… or the time you spend training me," Mael replied with a sincere smile.
Who wouldn't feel proud after hearing that kind of praise?
"Alright, that's enough for today. Let's go eat—your father made your favorite."
Mael's eyes lit up. He didn't even need to ask what it was.
Just the thought of rice, beans, mashed potatoes, ground meat topped with lots of cassava flour… and maybe even some pudding for dessert…
His stomach growled in anticipation.
The following days passed peacefully—at least, as peaceful as things could be in a house where two half-divine children trained like warriors.
Sabrina had begun to truly settle in.
With each passing day, she grew more comfortable in her new home. She was no longer the frightened, battle-worn girl who had collapsed in Mael's arms. Her wounds had healed, and with Ariel and Cain's guidance, her confidence returned.
Though she was still wary of Cain at times—mostly out of habit—she had learned there was nothing to fear. He may have been a demon, but to her, he was more like a stern, overprotective uncle than anything else. He doted on her in his own gruff way, often sneaking her extra dessert when Ariel wasn't looking.
That said… Sabrina feared Ariel more than any demon ever could.
Not because Ariel was cruel—but because she was powerful, wise, and saw straight through her. There was no hiding anything from her. The moment Ariel narrowed her eyes, even Cain stood a little straighter.
---
Mael had taken his role seriously.
He guided Sabrina through lessons about the supernatural world, explaining in greater depth the things her father hadn't had time to teach her. With Ariel's help, she began unlocking more of her abilities as a Nephilim. Her potential was astounding—on par with Mael's, if not in raw power, then certainly in adaptability and speed of learning.
Eventually, she joined Mael in his training with Cain.
Though Mael was still far ahead, she worked tirelessly to catch up. She even started using weights and light Enochian seals—modified to her level—to strengthen her body. She grumbled about it every time Cain ordered push-ups or laps, but she never gave up.
Mael, in turn, was overjoyed to finally have someone his age who shared his passions—especially when it came to swordsmanship. They spent hours sparring, pushing each other to grow stronger. With Cain and Ariel watching over them, they honed their techniques with precision and purpose.
---
"Ten more laps, both of you!" Cain shouted during one particularly intense training session.
"But we just did twenty!" Sabrina whined, already panting.
"And now you're doing ten more. That's how life works," Cain replied without a shred of sympathy.
Mael chuckled and ran ahead, making a face at her. "Come on, I'll race you."
Sabrina glared, but couldn't hide her smile.
After finishing their laps and another grueling round of push-ups, they collapsed side by side on the grass, staring up at the sky.
"I miss him," Sabrina said quietly.
Mael didn't need to ask who she meant.
"I know," he said softly. "But you're not alone anymore."
She turned her head toward him and gave a small, grateful smile. "I know."
---
Later that evening, Mael trained with Ariel once again.
Her swordsmanship was on another level—so precise it looked like a dance. She reminded him that a sword was only as powerful as the one who wielded it. She encouraged him to make his fighting style his own, incorporating not only celestial and infernal energies but also adapting techniques to suit his personality, instincts, and growth.
Sabrina listened quietly from the sidelines, absorbing every word.
Ariel turned to her at one point and nodded. "You're nearly ready for this lesson too, Sabrina. But not yet. Once your basics are solid, I'll teach you how to shape your power into something uniquely yours."
Sabrina's eyes lit up with determination.
---
That night, as the moon rose high over their home, Mael stood outside, holding both of his swords. He focused his energy and began to channel it once again, trying to perfect the technique he had used days before.
This time, he didn't release it wildly.
He learned to temper it, to mold it.
Light and darkness swirled around his blades—no longer in chaos, but in harmony. His breathing slowed. His stance shifted. And when he moved, the energy responded in kind—fluid, powerful, and controlled.
From inside the house, Ariel watched from the window.
"He's getting there," she whispered with a soft smile.
Cain, standing behind her, crossed his arms. "He'll be ready. Both of them will."
---
To Be Continued...