Two weeks ago.

Back while they had been on Mount Casca, Prometheus had told her a fairytale.

No—not a fairytale. Rather, it was a story about the real world… just one so outlandish it should’ve been a myth.

He told her about a monster that could end the earth.

“This has to do, of course, with the… phenomenon you and many other greybelts reported witnessing during the battle. I refer to the battle of last week, the Battle of Fifth Peak, as it is currently being called.

“The Graveyard mentions a cold presence inside the mountain on that night. This presence is what theoretically allowed the Beasts to teleport inexplicably between peaks,” the Emperor continued. “I have reason to believe that the Beasts have awakened a new power, something ancient. And if it’s what I think it is…” he took a deep breath. “Even if every angel in the Graveyard fought in broad daylight, they wouldn’t be able to stop it.”

Seated behind the desk, Ennanis shivered. “What does your Excellency think it is?”

Prometheus’ eyes rested on her. “Do you know what happened three thousand years ago?”

She shifted, then recited, “Three thousand years ago, the world began.”

“Ah. You see, that’s a bit of a misconception,” Prometheus said. “This world is much, much older than three thousand years. But no history can be found longer than three thousand years ago, because something wiped out most of the world from before.”

And then Emperor Prometheus told her about the Kraken.

The Kraken, he said, was not a Beast. It predated the moon, which was only a thousand years old itself. It had only surfaced once before, a long time ago, bringing with it an overwhelming sense of cold. It seemed to only have one purpose: to end the world. When it last appeared, it had overflowed from the oceans, seeped through the land, and steeped the world into a curse of coldness. It was why Prometheus had had to bring his sun to this earth, breathing life into it anew. It was from there, that three thousand years ago, the world had to begin again from scratch.

He paused. “The World-Ender Kraken has not resurfaced in the past week of your absence. However, it is obvious that the earlier attack was a warning, and it is only wise to assume it will soon strike again.” He sighed. “I don’t know why it is working together with the Beasts, or how they even managed to cut a deal with something like it, but they are foolish for stooping to such means. They don’t know what it is they’re dealing with. If it strikes once more, there’s no telling what will happen. Either the Kraken annihilates the world as it once did before, or the Beasts reach the summit and take the sun for themselves. I was able to hold back the Kraken three thousand years ago, but if it attacks together with the Beasts’ troops now… let’s just say it will be trouble.”

“So… what I have to do is source an incredibly obscure, ancient power that even your Excellency barely knows about. And put a stop to it.” Ennanis summarised.

“Yes. You will follow the Knights on their patrols, and investigate the undercloud for clues on the Kraken,” the Emperor said, “I know it is hard, Commander, but it is your only choice. Besides, you are the best candidate for this task. You have your flaws and your crimes, but you have served in the Graveyard for eight years. You have experience that no other angel on this mountain has. You, frankly put, have made yourself too useful to be desiccating in the sunprisons.

“And… beyond that,” he added, “your contributions to preserving Mount Casca have been formidable, even if most of this kingdom turns a blind eye to it. And if you succeed in this mission, I shall rectify that.”

“I gave up interest in recognition a long time ago,” Ennanis said blandly.

“Have you really?” the Emperor’s gaze was deep. “Eight years ago, you were the cream of Casca’s crop. Taken from your position as Warden Commander and dropped into the Graveyard, you were robbed of both dignity among your peers and your chance to ever reach Paradise. But, succeed in this mission, and I promise you will be restored to your former glory. Angels will respect you again, more than ever. You shall live in abundance and light, untouched by darkness or cold—or further bloodshed.”

A long, tense silence hung between them. Ennanis’ gold eyes were dark in the decaying sunlight.

And then, she stood up, chairlegs screeching on the worn, sun-humming floor.

“You don’t have to make me promises, my Emperor. I don’t need them,” Ennanis stated. “As you said, it’s my only choice. I’ll do it.” Turning around, she walked away and opened the door of the office. The Emperor watched her, waiting, as Ennanis hesitated in the doorway.

”I only have one question,” she said.

“Speak.”

Wings twitching, she wavered in the doorway, until it was finally in the air, a low whisper of a question: “What of the Cockatrice?”

The Emperor raised his eyebrow. “Are you expecting congratulations? Then, well done for killing her-”

“-No, your Excellency. It’s just that, I’m not sure she’s really dead,” Ennanis said, turning around to face the Emperor again. “If she’s alive, it would be crucial to search for-”

“The Cockatrice is dead,” interrupted the Emperor with finality, “no matter how she died. Your diligence lends yourself prone to obsession. Do not let it get the best of you, Commander. What’s done is done. Now, I need you to focus on your new task. Oh, and before you go.”

The Emperor pinched his fingers together. Warmth struck her like a needle, settling in the back of Ennanis’ head.

“Until the mission is complete,” Emperor Prometheus said thinly, “you’re not to return to Mount Casca.”

~~~