FALLEN STAR | OLD VERSION | BL ✔

CHAPTER 25 | the shadow

Hi everyone! Thnxx so much for reading this story! Just a little insert about the situation. So Earth has been 'no man's land' for the past 50 years ever since the transport tower was attacked and Heaven closed the bridge. Demons have been fighting to take over Earth, while Heaven is sending troops to stop Hades from claiming the planet. Castyr has finished his training and has joined Ilios in the fight over Earth. They are currently stationed a few miles from the transport tower. Ok, now on to the story!!

OMNISCIENT POV

"Lieutenant Castyr reporting for duty," the star salutes his commanding officer.

Ilios waves the star in as he studies various strategies.

"What's the update?" The colonel inquires.

"Three new squadrons from Hades have arrived at the northern sector," the star informs.

"Thank you." Ilios shifts from Castyr's commanding officer to his caring mentor. "How was your mission?" He asks gently.

Castyr lets out a breath and sits in one of the chairs in front of the colonel's desk. "It was a success. No casualties, thankfully." His brows furrow in thought as he thinks back on his most recent mission.

"What is it?" Ilios looks up at the young lieutenant.

"Huh? Oh, nothing...It's just...I saw someone who looked like him."

"Ah." Ilios sets down his tablet and leans his elbows on the desk. He takes a moment to think. "Why don't you take a few days? Go look for him."

Castyr looks up excitedly.

"That's the reason you asked to be stationed on Earth, right? To search for him?"

Castyr nods. "Thank you, Colonel!" The star stands to his feet and bows in gratitude.

"I can give you three days before you have to return for your next mission."

"Thank you, sir!"

Ilios smiles at the star's sudden enthusiasm. "Well, what are you waiting for?" The angel inquires as the star remains bowed in deep gratitude.

The star hurriedly bows once more before dashing out of the tent. He runs past his teammates and rushes inside his personal tent. He dons a cap and a thin, long, black jacket over his soldier's uniform before looping a face mask over his ears. He makes sure his pistols are safely holstered around his thigh and waist before strapping a sheathed knife to his calf.

He fills a bag with emergency medical supplies and water and dried food for three days. After putting on the backpack and clipping it securely around his chest, Castyr loops the strap connected to his sniper rifle over his shoulder. For the final effect, Castyr sprays a scent-masking mist over his body and equipment. Not wasting a second once the mist has settled, the star exits the tent.

"Where you going?" A young soldier asks as he sees Castyr come out.

"I'll be back in three days," Castyr answers shortly as he walks by.

The star makes his way through the camp of tents nestled between war-torn skyscrapers. He pulls his cap lower as he reaches the edge of the camp. Castyr stays along the side of the buildings as he walks a few blocks. After walking a fair distance, he stops at the corner of a square. Looking up, he spies a tall building that appears to be structurally sound.

He jogs around the edge of the square and arrives at the bottom of the skyscraper. He enters through a smashed-out door and finds the stair case. As quietly and quickly as possible, the star dashes up the stairs.

Due to the intense training for many years, Castyr easily reaches the roof before a sweat breaks on his brow. Even with the weight of his rifle and equipment, Castyr is barely fazed by the climb.

The star picks the lock to the roof's door and silently enters. He walks to the edge and takes his rifle in his hands. The sniper lies on his stomach and positions his rifle before placing his eye to the scope. Using his rifle's scope, Castyr slowly pans the surrounding area searching for any sign of life.

He discovers a few stragglers dodging between buildings, but none of them are him.

After searching the surrounding blocks and going back over it again only to come up empty, Castyr packs up shop and exits the building. The star is rounding the building when screams reach his ears. He draws his pistol and advances towards the cries. Peeking around the granite building, he sees a lone female being harassed by a man.

The victim being too close to the perpetrator for a clean shot, Castyr holsters his gun and draws his knife before quickly walking up to the male individual. Castyr is easily a head and shoulder taller than the *zinu who is of average height.

The star taps the man's shoulder who whips around to see the tall silver-headed man standing before him. As soon as the zinu turns away from the woman, Castyr slices his knife across the man's neck. He does not flinch when hot blood splatters on his face.

"Are you alright?" Castyr helps the woman to her feet.

The frazzled girl nods. "Thank you," she responds as she admires her savior.

Looking at the small woman, Castyr retrieves a bar from his bag and hands it to her. She gratefully accepts the food and immediately opens the bar's packaging before hungrily consuming it. After making sure the woman is not severely wounded, Castyr continues on his way.

The star halts once he has rounded the building and reaches into his bag to pull out disinfectant wipes. He cleans his mask and face before continuing with his search.

After searching the entire day to no avail, Castyr enters an empty building and makes his way up to the third floor. Using his backpack as a pillow, the star goes to sleep and dreams of his angel.

The star wakes as the first rays of sun begin creeping into the sky. He stretches before putting on his backpack and slinging the rifle over his shoulder. The sun slowly crawls across the sky as Castyr goes from rooftop to rooftop in search of his angel. The star searches into the night, desperate to find even the smallest trace. Eventually, Castyr retires for the night only to wake at the crack of dawn.

The third day seems too short to Castyr as he notices the sun is already gone after entering another rooftop. He sighs and lies at the edge. The chilling wind cools the tiny beads of sweat on his brow.

The beeping of the device on his wrist reminds Castyr it is time to head back to base. Castyr silences the reminder and scans his surroundings one more time. The slight movement of a shadow catches his eye at the end of his pan. Castyr zooms into the area as a gust of wind blows past him towards the direction of the shadow. The shadow stops and peeks back around the building it just rounded.

"Kilo?" Castyr gasps as he looks at a pair of purple eyes peering around the corner.

An incoming call startles Castyr. He looks at his wrist to see Ilios' contact info sliding across the small screen.

"Aish," Castyr lets out his surprise before answering.

"Are you alive?" Ilios' voice sounds through the device.

"Yes, sir. I'm on my way back."

"Ok. Just checking. Stay safe," Ilios says before ending the call.

Castyr looks back into his scope after the call ends.

"Shit," the star curses under his breath.

The shadow is gone.

Castyr scans the area one more time before packing up and rushing down the building's stairs. He exits the skyscraper and looks at the time. He will have to hurry if he wants to make it before the mission debrief. The star tightens his gear before dashing back towards base.

Zinu - Humanoid being that is naturally extremely muscular and has red skin.