Heavenly Curse

Clash of darkness

The morning sun cast a golden hue over the training grounds as Lucifera and her fellow trainees, the Wingless, stood in formation. The excitement in the air was palpable, tinged with the anticipation of their first mission beyond the safety of the academy. They had been told of the importance of this scouting operation and the potential dangers that lay ahead, but the thrill of flight overshadowed their fears.

Captain Bardiel stood before them, his presence commanding as he briefed them on their task. "Today, you will take to the skies," he announced, his voice steady and firm. "You are to survey the perimeter of our territory and report any signs of demon activity. Stay alert and remain in formation. This will be a test of your skills as both warriors and scouts.

As the captain's words echoed in her ears, Lucifera felt a mix of nerves and exhilaration. The chance to soar through the air, even if only for a brief time, was a reward she had longed for since her childhood in the orphanage. Her wings, though tethered by rules and restrictions, fluttered with anticipation.

"Remember, you are to stay together," Bardiel instructed, his tone firm yet steady. "There are reports of demons breaching our borders, and we must remain vigilant. I will lead the way."

As they soared over the familiar landscape, she caught glimpses of her fellow trainees exchanging glances, some filled with skepticism, others with the glimmer of fear. None would dare to challenge her now, but the unease lingered. In their eyes, she was still the orphan—an outsider among them. Bardiel, ever the sentinel, flew slightly ahead, casting a watchful eye over the group, his presence a silent assurance.

Lucifera struggled to push aside her insecurities and focus on the task at hand. She needed to prove herself, not just to the captain but to the entire squadron. They flew on, the world below them becoming a blur as they ventured deeper into the unknown, unaware of the darkness that awaited them.

As the Wingless glided through the air, they kept their altitude low, just enough to avoid detection from any demons lurking below. The vast expanse of the sky enveloped them, but the ground remained close, a familiar refuge they could still see on the horizon. Yet, as they descended further into the wilderness, that comforting sight began to fade, replaced by an overwhelming sense of foreboding.

The atmosphere grew heavier, the air thick with an unsettling tension. Lucifera felt it coil around her like a serpent, an instinctive warning prickling at the edges of her awareness. She glanced at her fellow trainees, their expressions shifting from determination to apprehension. Whispers of unease rippled through the group, each person sensing the dark energy lurking just out of sight.

Stay alert," Captain Bardiel called, his voice steady but laced with urgency. "I can feel something nearby—something unnatural."

Lucifera's heart sank as she absorbed his words. She had always felt a disconnection from those around her, but in this moment, it was amplified by the oppressive darkness surrounding them. A chilling thought crept into her mind, and she spoke softly, her voice almost a whisper "This must be what everyone thinks of me."

The weight of her words hung in the air, and for a fleeting moment, the captain turned to her, his expression softened by an understanding that transcended their roles. " stay focused any hesitation could get you killed or someone else killed"he reassured her, though she could sense his own trepidation "Even though they fear you, you should take pride in that. Your strength sets you apart from the rest."

But as she hovered in the stillness, Lucifera couldn't shake the feeling that she was forever marked by the darkness within her, a shadow that loomed larger with each passing moment. The unease in the air seemed to resonate with her, echoing the doubts that had haunted her since childhood.