'Attachment' AU (Maya And The Three)

Chapter 5: Towers of hell

The sun had risen higher, painting the forest in dappled shades of green and gold as the trio continued their journey. Soar's unwavering focus, Ike's light-hearted curiosity, and Mictlan's guarded skepticism created an uneasy balance, each step forward punctuated by the tension of their reluctant alliance. After hours of trudging through dense underbrush, Mictlan's patience finally wore thin. "Where exactly are we going?" he demanded, his voice cutting through the sounds of the forest. Soar paused, turning to face him. "We're heading to the sentry towers at the edge of the east side of the continent." Mictlan's eyes narrowed. "And what makes you so sure we'll find anything useful there?"

"The sentry towers were built to monitor the movements of demons and other threats," Soar explained. "Plus, it's where Ike found the blueprint. The towers will hold answers to what went wrong with the portal"

Mictlan honestly wanted to focus on the portal but he still felt irritated at his suspicions that Soar did something to him. She was a fallen angel! Who knows what she did to fall from grace! His blue eyes still held some skepticism at the angel ahead. When she touched him....when she taught him all about those stupid stars...what was happening?!?! That star gazing dork put some sort of spell on him!! He hissed, balling his hands into fist's as he held back the urge to pull out his sword and stab it into her back and through her chest. But then again.....feeling her warm feathers against his claws almost felt calming, what was he thinking?!?! He quickly pushed away the memory and continued forward, his was higher than this! He couldn't let himself go soft just because of some angel teaching him about those small lights in the sky.....

Mictlan's mind churned with a whirlwind of conflicting emotions as they pressed on. The rhythmic crunch of their footsteps on the forest floor became a drumbeat to his thoughts, each step an echo of the battle within him. He had always prided himself on his strength, his ability to remain detached and ruthless when needed. But ever since that night under the stars, something had shifted within him.

He cast a sideways glance at Soar, who was walking ahead, her wings slightly folded but still hinting at the grace and power they once held. The sight of those wings stirred something in him-a strange mix of anger and an unsettling sense of peace. He clenched his fists tighter, feeling his claws dig into his palms. The pain was a welcome distraction from the turmoil in his heart.

"Soar," he spat her name in his mind. A fallen angel, someone who had failed in the eyes of the heavens. Yet, despite everything, she moved with a sense of purpose and calm that Mictlan found unnerving. He couldn't shake the feeling that she had done something to him, something insidious. Why else would he feel this strange pull towards her? He wasn't one to be easily swayed, especially not by someone he should distrust. His instincts screamed at him to stay vigilant, to protect himself from whatever spell she might have cast. And yet...

He closed his eyes briefly, the memory of that night flickering behind his eyelids. Her voice, soft yet filled with a quiet strength, guiding him through the constellations. The warmth of her feathers as they brushed against his claws, the way she made the stars seem so close, almost within reach. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced, a moment of serenity in a life filled with chaos. But why? Why did he let his guard down, even for a second?

His eyes snapped open, the familiar hardness returning to them. He had to focus. The portal was their priority, not some fleeting moment of connection with a fallen angel. He had a mission, a purpose, and nothing would stand in his way-not even his own confusion.

Mictlan quickened his pace, drawing closer to Soar. He needed to confront this, to remind himself that she was not to be trusted. "Soar," he called out, his voice rough with suppressed emotion. She turned to face him, her expression unreadable.

"What is it, Mictlan?" she asked, her tone steady, almost too calm.

He hesitated, the words he wanted to say caught in his throat. Instead, he let his anger take the lead. "Don't think for a second that I trust you," he growled, his eyes burning into hers. "I don't know what kind of game you're playing, but I won't be your pawn."

Soar met his gaze, her eyes reflecting a deep sadness that only served to further unsettle him. "I'm not asking for your trust, Mictlan," she said quietly. "I'm just asking that you keep an open mind. We're all in this together, whether you like it or not."

Her words only fueled his frustration. He wanted to yell at her, to demand answers, but all he could manage was a low growl. Turning away sharply, he continued forward, putting distance between them.

He had to stay focused, had to keep his resolve. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the warmth of her feathers from his mind, nor the peace he had felt under the stars. It was a distraction, a weakness-and Mictlan knew he couldn't afford any weakness in the battles to come.