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Welcome back, my lovely reader~

If this is your first visit to Silverpaw, I strongly recommend starting fromepisode one to get the best experience.

If you are new to Blood & Carrots as a series, you need to start withthe first serial if you want to fully enjoy it.

Take your time, I'll wait for you to catch up. :3

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And with that out of the way...

There's a lot to unpack in this episode, my lovely reader. We're coming off the heels of quite the dramatic situation from the last episode, aren't we? Sarnai has a lot on her mind, what with the events with Alex and Gloria.

Ah, did you think I wouldn't give those two wonderful dogs some time to shine in this series? Well, shine may be subjective after the last episode, but I digress... Why don't we check in on them now, we can start with our newly turned werewolf.

#

Episode 16:

Changes

I managed to lick my wounds within a few days, as did Alex. Once we were confident the frenzy was past and he wasn't going to kill us all, we let him out of the cage too. One of the first things I did was take him to the training room to see just what he could do against me when we were both full strength.

"I'm down for this, but why did you insist it be just us? It was hard to pry Gloria off my hip, she's not left my side since that night," Alex spoke the words while clenching his fingers, his outfit consisting of nothing but a set of baggy workout pants that would accommodate his shift. I could still see the rake of four scars across his chest, but they had been slowly fading and would most likely be gone within a week.

Rolling my shoulder, I gave the wolf a level look as I eyed over his form. He was lovely to behold, maybe more so now that he had the supernatural charisma that came with our kind.

However, given the pending situation to come, I must confess I had pushed my libido very far down for this training.

"Because if it gets out of hand, I don't need her getting between us. I plan to push you to your limit and I don't need her jumping in the middle!" I snarled the words as I thrust my hand out, flames bursting forth from my ears and tail, the bloody flames drifting off my fingers.

He set his jaw and folded his large brown ears as he lowered into a martial stance. "Alright, and when should I change to my-" My fist drove straight into his jaw, a gout of flames scorching his flesh before he left his feet and sprawled several yards deep into the facility. He picked himself up with a furious snarl, his eyes already blood red.

"You change as soon as you feel overwhelmed, brother!" I shouted the words and blurred towards him, bringing my knee up towards his midsection. He caught it with surprising speed and the grip on it even hurt, something I can't say I ever recalled him being able to do when we sparred in the past.

I tried to pivot for a counterblow, but he just hauled me off my feet leg first, spun me fully around, and launched me into the nearby wall. I saw the wall coming as I tumbled and righted myself in mid-flight, letting my feet land against it, springing off it as I touched the floor in a full sprint, blurring as I shifted behind him, driving my elbow into the back of his head.

Alex stumbled forward from the blow before I swept his feet out from behind him with a kick. We weren't mundane, we didn't need to play by their rules, I was already atop him in the midst of his fall, driving a heel into his back as he slammed to the training mat with a displacement of air.

"Cmon Alex, I think you put up more of a fight in your old form," I spoke the words mockingly as I hopped back, beckoning him with a finger.

The wolf snarled at me with bloody eyes as he slammed a palm to the floor and started to climb, wisps of reddish-black flames drifting off his ears, as well as his hands. I watched him blink out of sight with surprising speed, speed I'd not even seen him exhibit in his full form as a werewolf. He threw a quick jab that landed in my midsection, it was enough to make me yip from the blow and stagger. He then returned the favor and dropped his heel on my head, sending me sprawling down to the mat.

I groaned and tried to collect my thoughts, that really hurt, his blows were much more intense now. My teeth clenched as I looked up at him with a snarl, "Pretty good! You've not changed yet, so I guess I need to get more serious!"

Springing to my feet I pulled deep from the powers in me, bringing forth a level of power similar to what I was burning that night with Triallia, red flames poured off my hands, little crackles of blue energy coursing at my fingertips. "Come on, Alex, show me that cute doggy form of yours!" I barked the words with a haughty tone, my demons getting the better of my disposition.

The wolf snorted and folded his arms. "You told me to show it when I felt overwhelmed, still waiting.'"

A mad little giggle bubbled up from my throat. "Ooohh, such bravado! You are a fine male, on par with my husband. Why if Gloria didn't adore you so much, I'd take you down to that mat myself, well after I put you in your place!"

Alex looked shocked at my lustful words that came forth, in truth I was a little surprised myself. I took the opening though and sprang upon him, leaping up before grabbing his head as I drove my knee up into his face, hearing the crunch as I broke his nose. He howled in fury as I found my feet and simply roundhouse kicked him in the jaw, sending him spiraling to the ground. He tried to climb and I sent a spear of hellfire straight into his side, the impact making him sprawl another few yards.

"How about now puppy?! Feeling overwhelmed?" I barked the words then grinned as I heard him howl furiously and spring to his feet, his whole form shifting and growing nearly ten foot in height, those lovely muscles of his bulging as they grew larger under a thin coat of black fur.

The full-on werewolf howled and I felt the power pouring off him, black flames wisping from his fur, red ones licking at the massive razor-sharp claws he sported on his paws. His eyes met mine and I could see the unrestrained fury, my own widening as he simply vanished from sight. A microsecond later I felt his presence behind, narrowly blurring to the side as his paw raked down, slamming into the floor cleaving mat and concrete away in the swing.

I wanted to be afraid, I wanted to be impressed, but all I felt was a giddy madness fill me at seeing my progeny so powerful, seeing what was now my wolf and already so strong. My eyes blinked at that thought, 'my wolf', he had been turned by me, he belonged to me now, I could do whatever I wanted with something I sired.

Being lost in thought for a moment didn't do me any favors as the wolf dove on me, claws out and raking. I sidestepped one but the other caught my side as I yowled out, the tips dragging against my hip, carving away flesh and cloth alike. I pivoted and bounded back in retreat, panting as I clutched at the wounds, willing my blood to heal them. It didn't want to do it, the process felt slow to work as if his strikes were now infused with much more than just my hellfire.

The wolf barked out in what I could only surmise was an eager tone at having made me retreat back, his challenger now injured. He bared his maw, his teeth looking larger and his canines looking massive as he sprinted towards me on all fours, charging me like a mad bull.

"F-fuck!" I barked out and summoned two lances of foxfire, one radiant, the other my natural hellfire. Both slammed into the charging wolf but only seemed to halt his advance a few paces before his paws came down in two slashes.

Like before I could only dodge a portion of the attack, seeing as I was already banged up. I hissed out as the claws raked through my shoulder, tearing swaths into my training top and dragging through my chest, as well as my belly. I fell back with a yelp, clutching both my chest and hip now, huffing and snarling furiously at him forcing me back so handily.

"You're pretty good now..." I panted the words as I snapped my teeth together, pooling my energy. The wolf wasn't having any talk and simply charged me again to presumably finish the job. I knew I had coaxed him into a frenzy, he'd most likely kill me if he could.

If I was nothing, I was cool under pressure when someone was trying to kill me, lots of experience I suppose. Alex dove upon me with a mighty swing of his paws, teeth bared and tongue hanging out in his open maw. I simply grabbed his paw and pulled him with his own momentum, the massive wolf simply leaving his feet as I used his own attack to propel him forward. He felt an elbow come down on his head next as I drove him straight down into the ground chest first.

The impact made the concrete floor shift under the mat a few inches and as he moved paws under himself to climb, I sent a vicious kick into his ribcage, bones shattering as the massive dog left the floor and crashed into the nearby wall with a thud.

He found his foot-paws surprisingly quickly and I folded my arms, frowning at him as blood rolled over my hip and down my front. "That's enough!" I shouted the words, putting my will into them.

The wolf winced at the orders but the very nature of me giving them compelled his body, even in a frenzy. He violently shuddered and shifted out of his were-form, dropping to a knee and panting with fatigue.

I took a few moments to compose myself, finally letting my body focus on mending the wounds he left me. I stood there watching him for a few moments before putting a finger to my cheek and speaking out smugly, "Alex... you don't need to breathe anymore, no need to pant when you're winded."

He growled and shifted to sit on his backside, drooping his ears as he tested the theory, halting his breath, and then looking surprised that it wasn't doing anything. I chuckled and frowned before rubbing my hip while wincing.

"Damn... how did you force me out of my form so absolutely like that?" He spoke the words, then lifted his ears as he finally saw how injured I was. "Also, are you okay Sarnai?"

"I'm fine," I grumbled the words as I looked at my hip, seeing the bloody flesh starting to patch its self back into place, the blood flow having just halted since I diverted it elsewhere. "And to answer the previous question, you belong to me now, so I just made you do it."

"What? Hang on, what do you mean by me belonging to you?" He spoke the words with a bit of surprise in his voice, I frowned as I realized he wasn't aware of what happened, this made sense actually. Katrina, Elias, and even Alice, most of his family didn't have a living sire, it wouldn't have been something that came up.

Folding my arms I tried to think of the best way to explain it. "Hmm... when I turned you, Alex, it formed a bond between our souls so to speak. I can compel you, even give you orders if I choose to do so."

"Wait- You what?!" He growled the words in anger and I frowned as I knew all too well how he felt inside.

"Do not think I'll use it against you, my brother. We are equals in my eyes, but know it is not something I can just remove from our contract." I stepped to him and extended my hand.

He took my grip and slowly picked himself up, his own body looking pretty torn up as well, bruises and open wounds slowly starting to heal. His head tilted as he looked into my eyes with curiosity, "How do you know about this?"

I gave him a sad smile as the old memories tore their way free, it probably looked like I was trying to choose my words, but it was just my old mind coming to grips with something surfacing that had been buried for centuries. I clicked my tongue as I responded pointedly, "The one that turned me kept me, as a forced wife, until Lorelai and Elias freed me."

His ears folded and he looked remorseful for even asking the question. "Gods... against your will and everything?"

My arms folded as I averted my gaze. "It's complicated, Alex. I was born in a time where it was rare indeed that a female had the luxury of choice when it came to marriage and child-rearing. For some cultures, we were a commodity, a trade good the father would use to get new land or what have you. In others, we may have been married off for political or family-related reasons. It was something that didn't weigh on me too terribly."

"But it did weigh on you, didn't it?" He spoke the words with a gentleness in his voice. I blinked a few times at his eyes which had returned to their normal amber color and smiled at his genuine concern for me.

"Alex... do you mean to be concerned about something that happened to me nearly six centuries ago?" I hummed the words, the amusement obvious in my voice.

He frowned, his gaze averting before he spoke out, "I mean, it's not right, no matter how long it's been!" He growled the words and formed a fist, his sharp canines showing as he snarled.

I showed him a grin and stepped closer, putting my hand on his fist, gently uncurling his fingers. "Peace my brother, it was several lifetimes ago, it does not weigh on me and meant very little in the scheme of things."

"I'm still sorry it had to happen at all," He huffed the words and I saw him meet my gaze once more, then his eyes wandered to my wounds which had mostly healed. I saw the recognition of his gaze, saw him starting to look upon my blood-spattered chest, some of the curves of my breasts showing through the torn top I wore, the sports bra beneath my top having been nearly cleaved in half.

That sensation came roaring back, even here in the midst of our own self-made carnage. I was covered in blood and wounds, but he was giving me a hungry look I'd grown quite familiar with, and his natural feral scent was already starting to overwhelm the stink of blood. He was still holding my hand, squeezing it now as his amber eyes met my brown ones and I heard him swallow hard.

In that moment I think I pieced something together; Alice was slinging around a lot more than just energies and powers when she laid with us. The damn rabbit had made us all a little bit sex-crazed. I couldn't be sure if we ourselves were mingling powers around outside of laying with her, but there was simply no reason for-

All functions of my mind stopped when he moved in and kissed my lips. I gave a shocked huff as he pulled back and looked apologetic right away. Blinking a few times, I felt my heart start to pound, then clenched my teeth and glared upon him. "A-Alex! What in the nine hells was that?"

He clenched his own teeth and broke from my hand's grip, averting his eyes. "Sorry! W-We were lost in one another's eyes, it felt like... what Alice would do."

"I wasn't lost in your eyes, I was... thinking!" I growled the words, then frowned as I put a hand to my aching hip, the wounds healed now. "Also, I'm not Alice and neither are you."

"I know that but, for some reason in that instant, I couldn't resist you. You're just so gorgeous Sarnai, and seeing you bloodied and your outfit torn open, you just look like a sexy battle maiden, like a valkyrie or something!" He barked the words of confession to me surprisingly earnestly.

I felt my heartbeat loudly in my ears, I of course had mentally argued with myself over this wolf several times now. There was no doubt I wanted him, but to see him so openly speaking these things. It didn't seem real, it didn't seem- and then it dawned on me.

"Alex... do you want me?" I spoke the words curiously as I took a step back, putting both hands on my hips.

"I do, more than anything!" He snarled the response, staring upon me ravenously as if he'd tear the shreds of my clothes away given half the chance to do so.

"Do you... love me?" I quirked a brow as I spoke.

"I do!" He barked the words out without hesitation, but I saw the look of shock in his eyes as he confessed to me.

"What of Gloria? Does she not want you to be committed to only her and Alice?" I prodded the topic and watched him visibly wince at her name.

"I- I don't understand what I'm feeling right now..." He huffed the words and pushed a hand to his forehead.

"I think it's a side effect to being turned by me. I apologize, Alex, I've found you fetching for a long while, and I think that's influencing you on some deeper level. You know as well as I do its insanity to confess your love for me so easily." I spoke the words gently as I put a hand to my chest, frowning as he realized what was happening.

"Damn... Damn, I think you're right. I watched you looking at me, saw your nose twitch as you took the time to actually breathe my scent in, then all I could think of was doing what would-"

"Make your master happy?" I spoke pointedly.

He clenched his teeth and looked away, giving a nod. I gave him a smile and put a hand on his shoulder after closing the distance between us. "Alex, it will take me time to figure this out and get it under control, but know I'll never manipulate or use you."

I watched him hesitate before he put his hand over mine. "Thank you, Sarnai. I won't lie that I have thought you were a gorgeous fox, don't think for a second that's some kind of supernatural mojo making me say it."

"And I've found you a fetching wolf. Why, if you got Gloria's approval, I'd be happy to hop in bed with both of you." I growled the words, showing him a hungry smile and once again shocking myself over my brazen want.

#

"So that's the short of it. I wanted to explain it to you myself, in case he brought it up or you had some kind of supernatural awareness for such a thing." I explained things as best I could while standing in the foyer with the angel, a few hours after the training incident having passed.

Gloria frowned and put a hand to her chest. "I thank you for being forthcoming with me. A kiss is a small thing and does not weigh upon my heart. Were I to speak truthfully, you are the reason he is still with me, if it were your wish to-"

"I'll cut you off right there, Gloria." My hand lifted as I spoke out to her, then crossed my arms. "As fetching as your wolf is, he's yours and Alice's, I've no intention of disrupting that. I know you're not keen on the idea and he is fiercely loyal to you."

"Thank you, sister." She bowed to me, her black wings folding along her back more tightly as she made the motion.

"Besides... I'm not sure how my girlfriend would feel if I did that. He is her best friend, after all, I'd hate to make things awkward." My words came out in a playful hum as I tried to lighten the mood.

"Oh, that is true. Still, Katrina seems to not be put off with me and Alice laying with him." The retriever blinked up at me curiously, her ears slightly lifted.

"Well, I'm not you or Alice. For now, let's just keep it as things are. I've got enough irons in the fire and I don't want my cat being hurt, she's very important to me," I growled the words as my fist clenched, feeling angry at myself even over the thought of hurting her. It shocked me to feel so adamant about it, truly I was very different these days.

"My, you really have changed this past year, Sarnai. It makes me happy to see you hold yours and Katrina's love in such high regard." The angel gave me a bright grin as her tail wagged cheerfully.

"Love..." I looked down at both my hands, thinking back to those words. I could still see her face as she proclaimed she'd murder everyone I loved before me. My jaw set as I swallowed hard while squeezing my hands into fists, and then looked up to see the angel had set me with a fierce glare.

"What's with the look?" I eased my stance, slowly unclenching my fists and resting my palm on my hip.

"Sarnai, I- No, we have to get stronger. We have to protect all of our loved ones." She growled the words and I blinked a few times, seeing her blue eyes growing duller in color, nearly shifting to gray.

"Stronger, but smarter too. We've got to out-think this, Gloria, we can't just brute force our way out of this. Even with all three of the archangels there, she only seemed slightly hesitant. I don't think you or I could gain power enough to stand before that within a few centuries, let alone a few months."

She frowned and I saw her stance relax slightly, the blue coming back into her eyes. "We must do something though, otherwise not only us, but everyone else too. Church, mundane, demons, angels, and even your kind."

I shuddered at the thought and clicked my tongue, "Well apparently not me, she seems keen on paying me back for a while, but I get what you're saying, sister." Gloria gave me a deep frown and I shook my head before waving it off. "I'm going to go speak to the magi circle in a few days, perhaps they can give us something to go on."

"I would also like to attend your visit. I've met with Kazemde many times in the past, I'm sure they will not be opposed." The angel folded her arms and gave me a curious look before tilting her head. "Also, I will be meeting with the celestial court tomorrow with Alice. You should come with us."

"Why me? I'm no diplomat between our people, and after how they looked upon you the other day, I'm shocked they've got the time of day for you. Wouldn't they sooner put you to the sword than speak to you?" My ears lifted at the concept, they certainly didn't seem interested in speaking things out with the fallen angel of the past that I had to deal with.

"You stood by my side, you know all too well the power she brought and my meeting is on that very matter. Also, I will be reassured to have you and Alice by my side together." The retriever gave me a sad smile at my other question as she continued, "My circumstances are unique, though I'm sure it will be difficult to see me," Gloria sighed the words as she clasped the small rosary at her neck.

"That's no way to treat family, even if you don't agree with-"

"No, it is literal," She interrupted me with a matter of fact tone in her voice. "Staring upon one that has fallen from grace is physically and mentally painful for our kind, even more so those of such standings as the bishops and archangels."

"Gods... the eldritch powers really know how to torment, don't they?" I growled the words, shaking my head as I moved and put a hand to her arm, gripping it gently. "Hey, for what it's worth, I think your wings look better now, makes you look... elegant, you know?"

Gloria gave me a bright grin, her blue eyes looking misty as she put a hand to mine and I could feel the gentle circulation of our energies mingle. "Thank you... Alice said the same, as did Alex. Even fallen, I am truly blessed to have you all in my life."

I stared into her eyes for several moments, our hands joined together and before long, I felt the slight pull of energy, the same kind I would feel when touching Alice. We both seemed to realize what was happening and pulled from one another, her cheeks dark, my jaws clenched. "S-Sorry, Gloria."

"No, I believe it was I that instigated it, you truly have haunting eyes, my sister." The other dog huffed the words and I saw her compose herself, clasping the rosary once again. "Sarnai... we do not have the luxury of time, but if we all make it out of this, I would very much like to sit down and speak of these feelings. Sit down to speak of them with you, Alex, and Katrina."

"Katrina as well?" I clenched my hand a few times, shaking the tingling energy aside before sliding it back to my hip. "Why her specifically? Do you also have some sort of feelings for her?"

Gloria smiled and put both hands to her chest, clasping them as if she were ready to pray. "Katrina has saved my life many times and I think of her as a best friend. She is lovely and the hunger in me has thought of her many times, but no. I mean to say... if she were willing but-"

She growled and pushed a palm to her face, her cheeks darker now as she shook her head to compose herself. "No. I mean to say, I know Katrina and Alex have long-buried feelings. I also know I am the barrier in their pursuit of those."

"Gloria, you have a right to feel how you feel." I frowned as I spoke to her gently.

The retriever gave me a smile and shook her head before continuing, "I do, and I'm thankful for their consideration, but these recent events." She sighed and shook her head once more. "I thought we would die, Sarnai..."

"Y-Yeah... when I told you to get away and heal him, I pretty much thought that was it. I didn't expect to walk away from it." I gave her a grim nod.

"Then to almost lose Alex... He is dutiful and loyal, but I restrain him all the same with my love when I know he loves her as well." She met my eyes and huffed out, "And to what end? I also feel attraction towards Katrina and to you, my sister. Even for beings such as us, is life not too short to partake and enjoy the love of those around you fully?"

I showed her a gentle smile and then grinned before I spoke out playfully, "I dunno, Gloria... That could just be the fallen angel in you saying that." I wagged a finger as I tried to keep my tone playful to show I wasn't serious. "Plus, banging a succubus for a decade, it was bound to wear off on you eventually."

She giggled earnestly which sent a shiver down my spine to hear, it was such an innocent and pure sound to my ears. "Ah, perhaps I am my sister. Alas, it seems I'm too far gone though, for now that my resolve has been shaken, I crave it." The words came out in a playfully dramatic tone.

Her blue eyes shifted to mine as her voice took on a more pointed tone, "I crave to live and enjoy my life with him. I wish to explore things with Katrina, and I wish to do the same with you."

I'm sure she could hear the gulp in my throat as I stared upon her. The hunger in me was clawing at my walls not unlike how I wanted to claw those jeans off her hips, strip her bare and taste the honey of an angel right here in the middle of the foyer. The look in her eyes made me feel she wanted to do the same and before I knew it, we had thrown our arms around one another.

I moved my mouth to hers, not even hesitating to push my tongue to her own when she offered. Her hands moved right to my chest, squeezing my breasts curiously as I groaned against her lips, my own brushing against her chest, feeling the smaller but firm roundness of her own.

"So different than Alice's..." She huffed the words in a broken kiss, rubbing and kneading them through the t-shirt I had slipped on. I wagged my tail and moved to her throat, kissing at it before I dragged my tongue up it, feeling the violent thrum of her heartbeat in the pulse there.

The angel whimpered and tilted her head, baring her throat for me. I snarled and thrust my hand into her golden hair, gripping it tightly as I moved in, pushing my sharp teeth to her flesh. Every fiber of my being wanted to plunge them in to drink of her, taste the divine blood of the one that stood by me at the brink, taste her and please her body until she was a panting mess.

A snarl erupted from my throat as I shook the urges off and reigned myself in. I gently pulled from her grasp and pushed a palm to my face, trying to focus my thoughts. "Gloria... We should talk to Alex and Katrina first, much as I hate to not drag you to the floor right here."

She shuddered and put a hand to her chest, panting as she tried to compose herself. "You are correct, I am sorry if I come off as a tease or temptation to you."

"No, you're fine sister. We will pursue this one way or another, I just do not wish to hurt either of our partners in the process." I shivered and met her eyes, giving her a resolved nod. "I'll go with you tomorrow, if nothing else I can use it as an excuse to visit my mother."

We both stood there staring upon one another, each feeling the other's intense urge to continue where we had left off, but eventually, her blue eyes darted away as she gave a resolute nod. "Thank you, Sarnai. When you stood by my side, when you-"

"Hey... that's what family is for, Gloria, right? We stand together and we die together." I growled the words and shored up my confidence as I thrust my thumb into my own chest. "I'm Sarnai Blackpaw and no one messes with my family, especially the hot little angel and cute werewolf."

She giggled at my display and my grin faded to a gentle smile as I watched her, seeing her relaxed again. My hands moved to take her own and we stood there for a long moment before I moved in and brushed my lips to her own in a quick peck of a kiss. "We'll figure this out, sister. One way or another, we'll get through this as a family."

#

I had never been to the celestial realm in person, it was shocking to see the whole citadel bathed in light, even more so that the parasol Alice sported, seemed to shield us from it. When Toroah summoned us, I asked the angel for my own, he said he would see what he could do, but Alice smugly intertwined her arm with mine, pulling close to me, and used the excuse to walk arm in arm with me through the angel's city.

Gloria refused to come with us through the city, saying she would wait in Toroah's home until the other angels were ready to meet with us. I found it odd a fallen angel would be more troublesome to see for the populace than a few vampires, but if what she said was true, it could be she was doing it to spare her fellow celestials the pain of looking upon her visage.

"It's pretty bizarre to walk around and see things alight in the sun like this, even if it is artificial," I casually spoke out to Alice while she clutched my arm, my own shoulder sporting the parasol, given our height difference.

"I've seen the citadel many times in this past decade, love. I've even met a few casual celestials I chat with and know by name from my time walking the streets here. All the same, it's nice to see the world out of the darkness or glow of street lamps. I only regret the parasol doesn't protect us from natural sunlight." She pushed closer as she walked with me, her small tail flicking happily. It was obvious the rabbit was trying to show me off, I could see her doing something similar with Lorelai had she been here.

"I try not to dwell on what is lost. Even as a mundane I felt the world was much more beautiful by moonlight." I gave a nod while clutching the parasol, my hand resting on her hip to pull her closer.

"That's such a 'you' thing to say, love." She giggled the response then we both gave a slight jump as Toroah simply appeared from a small gate a few yards from us.

"Are you ladies ready to go?" The platinum-haired rabbit smiled upon the two of us, his eyes looking pleased to see me with Alice arm and arm together.

"A little warning would have been nice, you almost made me draw a lance of hellfire into your chest!" I snarled the words and Alice giggled at me.

"Don't listen to her fussing, my sweet angel, she's just trying to act toooough." Alice cooed the words, bumping me with her hip as she pulled me along.

Toroah gave me a grin and shook his head, "I'll try to appear further back next time, Sarnai. My apologies."

I growled once more, shaking my head. "You two are too chipper given what we've got going on."

Alice dug her heels in and halted my movement, making me stop as she looked up at me with a glare in her eyes. "Sarnai."

"What?" I huffed at her, my brow furrowing at her glare.

"If we all die, so be it. I won't spend my last days dooming and glooming, I'll spend them smiling in the company of my loved ones. Maybe it's because I was only recently a mortal, but isn't it better to live to the fullest?"

I frowned, thinking of Gloria's words yesterday, then for some reason thought of my mother, thought of all the nights I wished I could have seen her alive and well, instead of a drained lifeless husk in my dreams. My teeth clenched and I pulled from her gaze, setting my feet in motion and pulling her along as she stumbled to follow. "Perhaps so..."

We pushed past the gate and arrived in a small room, unassuming chairs and a table were set out before us. Ichiro, Samantha, and my mother were already there, but Gloria wasn't to be seen.

"Sarnai... why are you here?" Samantha grumbled the words, her eyes narrowing.

"Why to see your shining face, cow." I showed her my teeth in a challenging grin. "You know you love me and can't live without me."

Alice giggled at my retort and my mother rolled her eyes. Samanth scoffed but said nothing as Ichiro cleared his throat to speak, "Ladies, please. Let us remain civil, the time for old grudges has long passed, has it not?"

"Has it?" I asked pointedly, putting my hands on my hips. "Had Gloria not been there, would the three of you have come?"

"A powerful goddess of nature was threatening to tear the whole world apart, we showed up to prevent that. You and Gloria being there was just all the more motivation. Also, the High Bishop was already en route without our consent, we chose to follow for her sake as well," Ichiro grumbled the words in a matter of fact tone as I looked upon my mother.

"Is she truly a goddess?" Alice frowned as she tilted her head.

"Might as well be. I question if the three of us could have even taken her there and then. I think being injured was the only reason she chose to back down," Samantha grumbled out as she gave me a somewhat respectful look at the mention of Triallia's injury.

"Lady Alice, what is the nature of your visit? You know we never will turn down a meeting with you, but-"

"I'm just the middle-man this time. It's Gloria that wishes to speak with you." She interrupted Ichiro as she spoke with conviction in her voice.

"Y-You wish us to meet with the fallen angel?" Samantha stammered the words, then glared upon the other rabbit in the room. "Toroah! You take too many liberties with your communion with them, this was not something to keep from us!"

"It will be fine, Samantha. Gloria is a unique case and is still one of our own, is she not?" Ichiro tilted his head as he looked toward the bovine woman next to him.

"Direct that question to the Gods and Seraph, not me," Samantha hissed out the words and gave Toroah another glare.

Toroah said nothing and simply opened another gate. Gloria stepping forth with a hard neutral look on her face as the archangels as well as my mother winced upon her arrival. Even Toroah looked a little pained as he moved to take a seat.

Ichiro clenched his teeth before his aged eyes settled upon Gloria, even I could tell it was a struggle to maintain his gaze, as if someone were laying a hot iron rod upon his back. "Fallen angel Gloria, you have the council's attention, what did you wish to speak of?"

The retriever took a long moment to meet each and every one of their eyes before she spoke out pointedly, "I am here to petition the council for ascension."

Even the stoic saint bernard gave a shocked grunt at the words, his mouth hanging agape slightly as he stammered in response, "Y-You cannot be serious. You, one of the fallen, come to us in request to ascend back to your rank of knighthood?"

"Next you'll be saying you wish to be a Bishop," Samantha grumbled out in a dry tone of voice.

Gloria gave a nod at their words as she folded her arms, her black wings snapping out in a wide arching spread, making all of the angels present wince. "Of course I do not mean to Knight or Bishop."

"She means to petition to the ascension of the same levels as you. She wishes the world to once again have five archangels and she be one of them." Alice thrust her own hand out, her will washing out over the room not unlike how Lorelai's would do.

I was shocked by my rabbit's resolve and the power that came with her words, had I not known better I'd have sworn it was Lorelai that had done such a thing.

"T-Toroah! What is this madness?!" Samantha stood and slammed her hands to the table, glaring hard upon the rabbit.

"I was not aware of her request, only her desire to speak with us!" He returned the words, sounding on edge, all four of them looking surprisingly shaken by the request and the proceeding force of will from Alice.

"My pup... were you aware of this request?" Rachel called out gently towards me, the three archangels looking surprised she had spoken out of turn.

"I was not, Mother. I simply came here to support my family, though I can understand her motivations in the moment. With the coming threat, we need all the power that can be mustered." I met her golden eyes as I spoke, knowing she was reading my intentions.

Samantha sneered at me, "Your 'mother' died six centuries ago, Sarnai. Rachel is-"

"You disrespect my mother in my presence again, and I'll have your throat, cow!" I barked the words, my red flames bursting forth as I snarled upon her.

"I welcome the chance to put you in your place at long last!" Samantha called back in challenge, her warhammer materializing in her hand across her shoulder as I drew my saber.

"Enough, both of you!" Ichiro snarled out and slammed his own hand upon the table, a wave of force spreading through the room.

My tail furiously thrashed about until I felt Alice grip my arm gently. I scowled at the cow and sheathed my saber, giving her a glare as I thrust my flaming finger out towards her. "You and I will have words about this later, Samantha."

Gloria drew in a deep breath before folding her arms and speaking out to the room. "What I propose is the only way. You three alone are not up to the task, even five may not be enough, but it at least gives us a chance."

Toroah frowned as he put a hand to his chest. "Gloria, what you propose is madness, we can't simply-"

Alice sneered at Toroah as she cut him off, "Can you three stand before her? Will you be able to stop her as she ransacks the citadel? Oh, wait, she doesn't have to. She can tear apart the mundane world and all of you will just slowly wither away."

"This isn't... this is-" Ichiro pinched his fingers at the bridge of his nose, trying to obviously find the words. "We can't make this decision, it's up to the Seraph and I do not-"

"Then speak to the Seraph, let the hands of the gods decide if they will watch the world burn or not," I called out to Ichiro as my flames rolled off my hand pointed towards him, having never quelled my fires. "I and my family already plan to speak with the magi circle and enlist their aid, but if we don't all work together, how much hope can there be?"

Samantha grunted and rubbed her head, clenching one of her horns before she fixed Gloria with a hard look. "What makes you think you are qualified, Gloria?"

The retriever stepped forward and thrust her hand out, blue flames erupting along her fingertips, wisps of it drifting on her wings, tail, and ears. "I am the only one of our kind to bring the powers of a chimera with me. I now have the power of their elders coursing through my body. I can wield the divine flame as well as..." She looked over to me apologetically before the flames shifted to black. "Hellfire."

All of them looked shocked except for my mother who had put the pieces together long ago. I cleared my throat to gather their attention, shifting my own flames to now burst forth in a radiant white, similar to that of my husband's power. I watched them wince from the display as I shrugged. "Alice has intermingled and reinforced all of our powers, I'd dare say Gloria may already be on an equal footing to any of the three of you individually."

Ichiro looked between the three of us, then focused upon Alice squarely. "Lady Blackpaw... we've enjoyed this decade of peace with your kind, and that has won you at the minimum, our consideration in this matter."

Samantha winced as she spoke, "Ichiro... the Seraph-"

"Will do as the Seraph pleases, Samantha!" The aged dog growled the words, giving the cow a hard look. "I'll not sit idle to wait for the destruction of our flock and people."

"So you'll speak on her behalf then?" Alice folded her arms, tilting her head as she gave the older dog a questioning look.

"That is the only thing I can do. We are to only summon the Seraph under the most cataclysmic of situations, but I suppose this would meet those criteria." Ichiro gave a heavy nod as he huffed the words, looking tired at the thought of it.

"You mentioned five, who would you propose as the fifth to ascend?" Toroah spoke out curiously.

Alice gave him a look like an annoyed partner would give their significant other that just said something stupid. "Toroah, my sweet angel. Rachel is the only other reasonable one."

My mother gave a shocked bark and stood from her seat, pushing her hands to the table before her. "Now just a minute! Even if I were worthy, I'd be another century or more out to even be considered for such a thing."

"So, we'll just ask Triallia to hold off on her rampage for a few more decades while you get your panties unbunched, Mom?" I called out dryly to her with a grin on my face.

"Sarnai!" Rachel gave me an annoyed motherly glare. "That is no way to speak to your mother!"

Samantha gave a deep laugh and shook her head, "This is such a trainwreck... Fallen angels and High Bishops with no experience ascending to our ranks? What a time to be alive..."

"Better to be alive though." Toroah gave Samantha a grim nod and the cow returned it.

"Given our situation, I can't deny the logic. They get my vote." Samantha gave a shrug as she lazily looked towards Ichiro.

"Likewise... I feel there are no other options. Rachel is the most qualified in this circumstance and the world needs all the power we can muster," Toroah spoke his own agreeance of the matter towards the saint bernard.

Ichiro looked to my mother and tilted his head. "We can not thrust this upon you, High Bishop. You must be willing-"

"Of course I'll do it, my lord. For our flock, for my daughter, and for all of you. I am not worthy, but I will do my part as we all must in these coming days!" She spoke the words with confidence and I felt my chest swell with pride, a grin spreading on my face to see my mother in such a light.

Ichiro nodded to our group as he spoke, "So it is. I will request communion with the Seraph, but after that, it is out of my hands. Give me a few days and we will be in touch, lady Blackpaw."

"Thank you, Ichiro. I am grateful for your continued faith in our alliance." Alice gave a bow as did Gloria.

"I'll see you all back to your home," Toroah called out as he rose from his seat and moved towards us.

"You two go on ahead, I'll catch up," I growled the words as I folded my arms, leveling Samanth with a hard look.

"Love, is now the time for that?" Alice frowned up at me.

I snorted at my lover as my flames started rolling off me once more. "In the coming days, I may find her at my side in battle, I'll not fight with someone I don't trust with my back. We'll air this out between us as warriors."

"Well said. You piss me off fox, but I respect your capabilities. We'll settle this and you'll know I'm your better, then we can move on." Samantha showed me a cocky grin as her warhammer appeared along her shoulder once more.

Ichiro grumbled at the two of us, "Fine, I've had enough of you two, just go be done with it!" The eldest of the angels snapped his fingers and everything simply ceased to be as it was.

I looked around, feeling concrete under my feet, obviously in a large building of some sort, like an empty warehouse. Samantha strode forward out of the darkness, a small ball of light in her hand to illuminate her way.

"So, you had words for me, Sarnai?" The cow showed me a wide grin, tapping the shaft of her hammer on her shoulder.

I was still holding the parasol and slung it over my shoulder, giving her an annoyed look, the artifact obviously keeping her light from affecting me, which saved me the trouble of snuffing it out with my hellfire. "You will never, and I do mean, never, talk to my mother in such a disrespectful tone ever again. Am I clear?"

"You're correct. I'll not disrespect her again, so long as you can better me in combat." She showed a grin as the lights of the warehouse came on with a loud clank, illuminating the area, showing we had plenty of space for this.

"Let's settle this properly then. No powers, no bullshit. Just you, and me, fist to fist." I growled as I tossed the parasol to the ground, drawing my saber and revolver, laying them down as well.

Samantha tilted her head and said nothing, but the light in her hand flickered out as she slung the warhammer down to the floor in a loud thunk of silver on concrete. "You really think you can keep up with me without your precious hellfire?"

I pulled my hair back into a ponytail and lowered my stance, saying nothing before I sprang upon the angel, drawing forth a punch that connected to her jaw. She took the blow with surprising grace before sending her own fist against my own jaw, the impact making me stagger back with a bark of pain.

"Don't think your vampiric strength or speed will give you an edge here, fox." Samantha showed me a cocky grin as she blurred forward. I gave a surprised huff at her speed, she of course was much larger than me, matching nearly Alex in size, but to see her move so fast without her hammer, made me question how damn heavy that thing was.

I ducked a jab before hopping to the side of another, then snapped my leg in a kick, clipping the other woman in the jaw and making her stagger back, grunting as she gripped her mouth.

"My husband always said I had surprisingly strong legs when he tried to hold me down in bed," I cooed the words mockingly as I hopped on my feet, then gave the cow a smirk. "Oh wait, you all probably have to remain celibate, eh?"

"My sex life is fine, you wretched bitch!" Samantha snarled the words as she sprang forward, lunging down as if she were a boxer, shifting forward and throwing a full-on uppercut at me. I whistled as I felt the force of it, my bangs bouncing as I jerked my head to the side.

She obviously didn't trust her odds with kicks, all of her blows coming from her fists. The more I watched her the more it was obvious she was fighting me as if she were indeed a boxer, juking to the side, throwing jabs, and retreating back as I tried to counter.

"Guess we're in a boxing match now, eh?" I huffed the words as I dodged to the side, falling back and lifting my knee, taking a jab right on the shin as the cow winced from impact to my solid bone. I hopped back, bracing and snapping another kick into her jaw as she staggered, then I lunged forward, sending an elbow into her temple, making her fall to her rear on the floor.

Hopping back I shifted to bend my knee, keeping both fists at the ready, my black tail wagging behind me. "I can also box, Samantha, though I practice the art of eight limbs, so you'll get a lot more than punches if you close in on me!"

"You talk too much!" Samantha wiped the blood from her mouth and found her feet, setting herself and lunging in on me once more. I sidestepped and threw an elbow strike, but she suddenly grabbed my arm instead of blocking. I didn't expect the grapple and she hauled me right into her grasp.

I barked out as she locked my throat in a chokehold, baring down on me, her other massive arm wrapped around me, pinning my own arms. Her grip was absolute and I could barely squirm in her grasp. Giving a huff I folded my ears as I spoke, "Ha... Pretty good, but... I don't need to breathe, remember?!" I snarled out and drove my foot down hard right atop her own foot.

She yowled out but only tightened her grasp around me, trying to crush me as I felt my ribs starting to break and my arms threatening to do the same. I barked out and sent another kick into her foot, then drew my heel back right into her shin. The constant blows made her ease her grip enough on my head for me to send it back straight into her face.

Her arms finally tossed me away as she grabbed her broken nose, snarling as blood ran down her wrists while she held her face. I gave a relieved huff and rolled my shoulder, "Wow... make mental note, do not let you grab me, huh?" I gave her a coy grin as I hopped on my feet a few times before setting my stance, feeling my ribs quickly healing.

The bovine woman hissed out as she wiped her nose on her sleeve, the break starting to set and heal as she glared upon me. "If you weren't a damn abomination that chokehold would have ended it!"

I put my hands on my hips and grinned. "Yeah, and if you weren't a celestial, that first kick would have taken your head off, what do you want me to do?"

"I want you to stay down!" She yelled the words as she blurred towards me and threw a haymaker right into my jaw, making me sprawl a few yards away. I picked myself up and snarled furiously, blood rolling down the corner of my mouth.

"You piss me off! I'm sick of your haughty bullshit!" I roared out and dove upon her, slamming my fist into her own face, making her retreat back before I gave another kick that sent her to the ground in a similar fashion.

"I've trained with some of the greatest martial arts masters throughout history, and I spar once a season with our most powerful warrior, Harold. Keep getting up, Samantha, I'll keep putting you on your ass all night long!" I barked out the words furiously clenching my fist as she started to climb from the floor, lunging forward and sending a knee right into her jaw, sending her sprawling again to land on her back.

The archangel laid there sprawled out on the ground looking dazed and shocked as I hopped on my feet, ready to lunge and drop her down again if she moved to stand. She groaned and waved a hand. "Okay okay... stop kicking me already, fuck..." She groaned the words as she slowly climbed to her feet, grabbing her own arm and jerking it back into the socket before rolling her shoulder.

I showed my teeth as I thrust a finger out towards her, "I'll say it again. Never disrespect my mother again, are we clear?"

"If I could use my light-"

"Do it!" I barked out with a snarl.

Samantha sneered and with no hesitation pulled forth her light, thrusting the sphere up into the open warehouse, basking us in divine radiance. I felt the slight pull of weakness but stood there folding my arms. I had let my mother test her light on me several times and knew the effects would be diminished, in truth I wanted to test it against an archangel.

"Are you satisfied? Or should I kick your ass more under the effects of this?" I snarled the words, my red flames starting to lap at my ears and tail while I stood there. In truth, I could feel the light sapping my strength, but it was at such a slow rate, I was confident I could put her on her ass and use my hellfire to extinguish it if I needed to.

Her mouth parted in a shocked gasp, seeing me stand there unflinching. Ears lifting she threw a hand out and willed her hammer to her, the warhammer simply lifting from the floor and sailing into her grip.

"I can't do that with my sword, but go ahead and try your luck, I don't need it." I spoke the words, motioning for her to come on with my hand. "I'll put you on your ass and break that hammer over your stubborn head."

"You're not bluffing, are you? The lights not working, is it?" She huffed the words, tilting her head curiously as she looked upon me.

I blurred towards her and was atop her in a blink, my arms folded as I looked up at her with a neutral look on my face, my red flames now pouring off me as I raised my hand in a finger gun, sending a lance of hellfire at her that just soared past her cheek, flying off into the darkness of the warehouse. I tilted my head and gave her a bored look as I spoke, "You tell me, Samantha. We still doing this, or are you done?"

She scowled and willed the light out, taking a step back. "I'll not disrespect the High Bishop again."

"Cool. We good then? You don't have to like me, but if it comes down to it, I don't need you sinking that hammer into my spine while I'm defending your stupid ass." I snarled as I took a step back, willing my flames out before I moved to collect my things.

"You've my word, I'll fight with you as an ally going forward. I don't like you or your kind, but I respect your power and dedication to your family." She turned from me, flicking her wiry tail.

"Good, I respect your power and dedication to your cause too, so no hard feelings. Let's just all get through this alive, we can sort the details out then." I nodded as I put my sword back on, shouldering the parasol and sliding my revolver back into its holster.

"She tore you up pretty good, were you scared?" She spoke out in a conversational tone to me as I lifted my ears.

"The fear of death and torture does nothing to me, Samantha." I gave her a hard look and frowned as I continued, "The threat of murdering everyone I love and care about right before me, that shook me to my core. Especially knowing that as it stands in this moment, I couldn't stop her? That terrifies me absolutely."

She gave me a long appraising look before nodding. "We won't let that happen. We'll find a way, all of us."

I gave her my own nod. "Thank you. If something does happen to me though, take care of my mom, she's a good fox and all of you are lucky to have her in your ranks."

"You know, for a monstrous bitch, you're quite a loving daughter." Samantha gave me a coy grin as she spoke.

"And you're an alright girl to talk to when you're not being a stuck up self-absorbed pain in the ass." I barked the words out and we both laughed before settling our gazes upon one another.

I stared upon her for a long moment before speaking out, "So we're good now?"

Samantha showed me her teeth in a lazy grin. "I'll call you out for a full-on duel once this is sorted to decide who's really the better, but yeah, we're good. I am with you and yours, come what may."

#

I gave a tired huff as I rocked back in my seat, palms in my lap as I met your eyes, seeing the surprise in them at the revelations of late. "Yeah, I don't blame you, my child. It's a lot to take in, to think our sister and even my mother may become archangels."

You seemed to express more interest in the fact I fist fought an archangel and came out on top against her. I gave you an amused grin before summoning up my haughty tone of voice for you. "Of course, of course. Your sire is no pushover, my child. I've got to be strong for you, Alex, and all of my family." I clenched my fist, flames rolling off it as I gave you a smug grin.

My eyes grew distant as I averted them a few moments later. Of course, Triallia's face crept into my mind, then I looked back at you, knowing you would be on that list of hers. The look you gave me said you knew what was on my mind but your words of confidence in me came shortly after.

I gave what probably sounded like a pitiful bark of a laugh before rising from my seat. "I'm not sure if that faith comes in earnest, or because I'm your sire." With a mustered grin I gave you an appreciative glance, my tail wagging slightly. "Know this, my child. So long as this old fox exists, I'll not let harm come to any of my loved ones, including you."

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