GUARDIAN DEMON | BL ✔

CHAPTER 43

Rae looked back to see Kilo enter the roof. The captain was slow as he approached the chocolate-haired angel as Rae gently laid Ilios down. Rae stood to his feet and backed away as Kilo neared the fallen to pay his respects. Kilo's eyes swelled as he knelt beside the body. He had not yet allowed himself to cry for Ilios. But Castyr would have wanted him to. Castyr would have wanted Kilo to mourn his mentor and savior. So, the captain let the tears flow freely. The young angel's cries filled the air and broke the silence as he mourned for the man who had sacrificed his life for his love.

The sound of the door opening after several minutes drew the two men's attention to the roof's entrance. Kilo stood to his feet when he saw Star Adelle. The woman's face was soft and sad as she gazed at the angel's purple eyes. The captain stepped to the side, revealing Ilios' sleeping face, as the star approached. Adelle's expression grew mournful as she saw the resting angel.

"Star Adelle," Rae greeted with a slight bow. The chocolate-haired angel's voice was quiet when he spoke.

"Rae," Adelle smiled affectionately as she approached Ilios' lover. "I am sorry for your loss."

Rae released a single tear at the star's words; they were sincere. "Would you do Ilios the honor of leading the ceremony?" Rae inquired with hope. It would be a great honor for a prestige star like Adelle to send Ilios into the universe.

"It would be my pleasure. General Ilios was a great warrior and gentle soul. He cared deeply and did not hesitate to do good." The star's expression was kind as she turned to gaze down at the fallen angel.

Rae bowed his head in thanks as the star removed her cloak, revealing a beautiful, white dress. The star's guardian angel was quick to hold the cloak for the star. Adelle knelt beside Ilios and placed her hand on his forehead. A gentle breeze caressed the rooftop as the star strengthened her glow to encompass both of them. Rae and Kilo watched silently as Adelle closed her eyes and began the process of sending Ilios to the universe.

After the ritual had been completed, Ilios' body began to shimmer and morph into thousands of glowing spheres and shapes resembling tiny stars. Star Adelle sighed and stood to her feet as the glowing pieces floated into the sky. Rae watched with swollen eyes as his love returned to the universe and entered the cycle of life, love, and death. A single tear fell as he saw the last shimmer disappear.

"He will return. He is destined for great things," Adelle commented before turning to Kilo and addressing the captain bluntly, "We need to talk."

Kilo bowed his head in response to the star's words. The captain was silent as he followed Star Adelle to the east edge of the roof, leaving Rae to bid Ilios farewell. The woman's expression was grave when she turned to face the angel. Kilo awaited her words calmly as the star's angel stationed herself a few paces behind the two. Kilo eyed the star curiously; Adelle must have snuck out of Heaven and come to meet Kilo secretly as stars were generally guarded heavily whenever they ventured out of Heaven on official travels.

Adelle's voice was low as she stated, "Castyr needs your help."

"...Castyr..." Kilo's heart raced at his star's name. The captain looked at the elder with wide eyes as he waited for her to continue.

"Castyr is in his neutron state. He is very fragile right now, but you need to get him out," Adelle said with urgency.

"What is this neutron state?" As excited as Kilo was to know his heart had been right about Castyr being alive, he needed to approach the matter calmly and know everything about what was happening to his star.

Adelle's answer froze the angel. "Castyr has fallen."

"W-what do you mean?" Kilo's heart ached as he prayed it was not true.