Heavenly Curse

Hunted by Shadows

As they approached the base of the mountain, a chill filled the air, and the first signs of snow began to drift down, blanketing the ground in white.

Lilith wrapped her arms around herself, grumbling, "Yeah, I don't think we're cut out for this—it's too cold. My wings are freezing."

Zephiron glanced at her with a sigh. "But it's the quickest route, and we're on a tight schedule."

Finn nodded in agreement, shivering slightly. "Exactly. Elves and cold...not the best combination."

Just then, both Lilith and Zephiron paused, looking at the ground and up at the sky in confusion.

"What is this on the ground?" Lilith asked, frowning as snowflakes settled on her hands. "And what's falling from the sky?"

Finn perked up, smiling a bit. "Oh, that's snow. Snow is frozen water, basically. It falls when it's really cold, and it can cover everything, making it slippery and hard to travel through. It's beautiful, but definitely not great for long journeys."

Lucifera looked at the snowy path ahead and then back at the group. "We could take another route," she suggested thoughtfully. "The horses might not make it through here if it gets worse."

Zephiron scanned the landscape, seeming reluctant but thoughtful. "True...taking a detour could keep us safer, but it'll cost us time."

They shared a look, silently weighing their options as snow continued to fall around them, filling the air with an almost mystical quiet.

The Wingless stepped onto Earth, their eyes wide with awe as they surveyed the unfamiliar terrain. It was unlike anything they had known in Heaven. The sky was a deeper shade of blue, the air thicker, filled with scents that had no place in their celestial realm. Trees with leaves of various colors stretched into the horizon, and the ground beneath their feet felt solid in a way Heaven's ethereal landscapes never did.

Bardiel, the captain, stood still for a moment, taking it all in. His usual stoic demeanor softened just slightly in the face of such raw, untamed beauty. "This place... it's unlike anything I've ever imagined," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "So different from Heaven."

Elysia's sharp gaze flicked over to Celia, who stood a little too still, her expression unreadable. "You'd better not get any ideas, Celia," Elysia warned, her tone half-teasing, half-serious. "Don't think you can escape on us now."

Zara, whose fascination with Earth had already overtaken her usual sarcastic attitude, couldn't hide the wonder in her voice. "I can't believe it," she said, almost in disbelief. "This human realm is real. It's not just some story or myth. It's... actual."

Kaden, ever practical, wasn't so easily distracted. He turned to Bardiel, his brow furrowed with concern. "So," he asked, his voice steady, "how exactly are we going to find Lucifera?"

Bardiel, looking stern but confident:
"We'll be heading to the nearby town to gather information. There's a Guild there that might know more about where they've gone."

Kaden, nodding:
"Understood. But... how do we get in without drawing attention? These wings aren't exactly easy to hide."

Gabriel, a bit concerned, crossing his arms:
"Yeah, what about our wings? Won't that attract a lot of unwanted attention?"

Bardiel, glancing at Gabriel with a cool, calculating look:
"We'll need to be cautious. The townsfolk won't recognize us as angels unless we make ourselves known. We can keep them hidden as much as possible. If the situation demands it, we'll use them strategically. But for now, the key is blending in—until we gather more information."