At the climax of the battle between good and evil, Ull rescues his beloved angel Priel, only to find his husband has been drained of his ichor.
Priel is left weak and close to death, and Ull feels increasingly helpless and bereft.
Will even the combined forces of good be enough to bring Priel back from the edge?
“You can’t avoid me forever, Ull,” Zared taunted. “One slip, and game over.”
“You’re assuming I’m anything but perfect,” Ull retorted.
Ull glanced beyond Zared to see Priel's eyes taking on a golden glow.
"You're a fool, Ull." Zared grunted as Ull landed a double-footed kick to Zared's barrel-like chest. "You could join me. Be powerful, feared. But you prefer to fight a losing battle. And for what?"
"Love." Ull bounced quickly away, giving himself some much-needed distance.
"What?" Zared stopped, a sound that grated on Ull's ears. "Love? A pathetic, weak emotion. But it’s unsurprising to hear that from you. I will rule the world, and you speak of love."
"You might wanna rethink that, Zared. Love is far stronger that you imagine. Eventually a tyrant will topple, despots are crushed. All because love is stronger. Love wins."
"Enough of this. First you die, then your angel." Zared swung his sword high.
"I rather think not." The beloved crisp tone of Priel's voice warmed Ull to the depths of his soul. His angel looked battered, his wings were damaged and streaked with his ichor, but Priel still stood there, head held high. He was pale-faced, but his swords were in his hands.
"Impossible,” Zared spat as he swung around. "You should have been too weak to have broken those bonds.” He backed away, then stopped and stood his ground. "You're feigning. You don't have the strength to defeat me."
He swung up his sword, then brought it down in a sharp arc, his full strength behind it, but Priel met it with his own swords, crossing them to better absorb the blow.
A spike of anxiety stabbed through Ull. Zared was right, Priel wasn't as strong as he'd thought. Breaking the bonds had taken too much out of his beloved.
As Priel and Zared battled, Ull spotted his moment. His husband had forced Zared into a wide-legged stance, and it was as if he'd been forgotten.
With perfect timing, Ull ran then slid along the floor between Priel's legs, and straight through Zared's. But as he did, he slashed viciously with his knives, slicing through the demi-demon's hamstrings.
While Zared might be able heal quickly, he was still forced down onto his knees roaring in pain. It gave Priel enough time to swing his swords downward, and Zared's screams were cut short as his head tumbled to the floor.
Before Ull could reach Priel, Matty and Vilmos burst into the room.
"Are you two okay?" Vilmos called out, rushing toward them.
"Yes, we're --" The rest of Ull's words were cut off in a choked cry of fear as Priel swayed, then collapsed back into Vilmos's arms.
"I love you, Ull," Priel whispered. "But ... Zared, he ... I was ... drained.”
"Zared drained Priel of his ichor." Matty held up an oversized chalice. “I ... I don’t know how much.”
"Wha-? No, no, no." Ull was beside his husband in one bound. He grabbed a too-cool hand. "Don't you leave me, angel. Don't you dare."
“If it’s ... within my power ... I am yours ... forever, Ull. I promise.” Priel’s eyes closed, and Ull felt as though his heart had been ripped from his chest. He doubled over, keening softly.
Vilmos grunted as his wings forced themselves free. "Matty, can you seal that chalice? Our best bet is for me to fly with Priel and take that chalice with me. You can warn the medical facility to be ready."
