Chapter 17

Paolo never in a million years would have thought that he will end up in the Sahara Desert, riding a camel alongside Jim and Mick.

As in the past few days the Gods got in a better mood, and the training with Jim went great too, the little group got an assignment. So now they were escorting a caravan between the endless sand dunes. The guardian angel knew the gods well though... It was another of Seth's tests, he could sense it on the dark deity. And for Paolo it was indeed a hard test. After Brent moved in with his godly pair and Matt and King have left to Japan, now the bald angel really had to accept the fate of belonging to the squad of the Nephilim and the black demon. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had the hardest part from the three because of that...

For personal reasons Mick was pitying himself the same way... After that evening when he and Jim flew by and saw Kerim with the mated gods, he soon got his own share of the kinky angel too. And his heart and soul felt heavy now, leaving behind the newly blooming relationship and the sexy angel of light. But he also knew that important things were happening outside of the protected land’s safety.

The caravan they have joined in incognito was from a group of people preserving knowledge from ancient times. Mick, himself sort of heard about them. Going back to ancient Persia and even the Sumer empire. They were called Magi, or the western world named them Mages. They were special humans who not fully forgot their origin and were not serving any kings or sects. They really just passed down the wisdom of the earth and the universe between each other, helping out whom they deemed worthy and pure.

To Jim riding a camel was... interesting to say the least. It took him a little while to get a hang of the animal's rhythm, but he seemed to succeed in the end, making it possible for him too not to stick out of the caravan like a sore thumb. The camel was okay, but he already knew that although he found the Sahara beautiful, sand wasn't going to be his favorite. So he kinda waited for them to finally get to Egypt, which was their destination.

Traveling like this was long and slower and had a unique atmosphere out there in the middle of nowhere. It could easily hypnotize the senses, but the Nephilim made sure that he kept them sharp. As the assignment was a barely cloaked test of the God of Darkness, his hazel eyes kept moving to look out for danger. He was restless a bit, as if sensing that getting to their destination without incident was too much to ask for.

But at least he had some time to think about how getting out of the Sanctuary was probably going to be a good change of scenery to keep them all sharp. And to distract Jim from his sorrow and pain. Because even if he now understood what had happened to him and Corey, he still mourned his physical loss and missed their talks and million other things they did together.

The tall bearded man in the usual rags and clothes of the men of the desert realized after a while that his eyes kept moving back to Paolo's much smaller and equally covered form a few people ahead. For a moment Jim thought that this must be a difficult situation to the angel, being among these strangers and Jim and Mick, the latter two more or less friends and used to each other in fighting too. But Jim was sure that the guardian angel had tons of experience in such situations and also in battle, so his thoughts soon turned towards these strange quiet people.

He has never heard about the Magi before, but frankly, less and less things could surprise him anymore. Partly because of what he has learned so far, the transformation he went through and partly because of what the world became... Either way, he found these magical people interesting, even if they came off as a not too talkative, closed off group. But they weren't there to make friends. They were there to escort and protect them, if needed...

So he focused his eyes and senses more on their surroundings, trying to hide his presence like they've been practicing with Paolo, Mick and even a bit with Seth lately.

They’ve been rocking on the boats of the desert all day. And Paolo noticed how the humans exchanged hand signs and led the line of camels down on the side of the main dune, to the side from where the slow but constant wind was blowing. He figured that way they wouldn't get buried under the sand by the other end of the dune.

 
(Courtesy of a friend)

The little group stopped and the Magi packed up a few tents surprisingly quickly.

"Rest for the evening, guardians. We will bring you food to your tent," their leader said and bowed waving to a very luxurious looking resting place.

"Wow... I didn't expect to have such a nice treatment..." Jim murmured after pulling the piece of cloth off his face once they were inside the tent. Looking around he saw woven blankets and carpets on the sand and big comfortable-looking pillows on top of them.

"But frankly, it's good to be off that beast for a while. I prefer motorbikes between my legs," he snickered a bit to himself while rubbing his inner-thighs a bit, feeling sore all over. "What's the plan? We eat then stand guard in turns?" he asked.

For that comment Paolo couldn't help but to grin dirty, thinking about other possibilities beside the bikes that could be fit well between those long thighs... But he bit his lip and looked away before he could say something… Something that he always did around Matt and King and the thought that now he has to control his dirty jokes made him sigh.

Mick saw it all. And was totally unsure about what he should do to help the others. "Yes. I think I start the guarding," he nodded still sort of lost in his thoughts. "I like the camels. They are calm and powerful but still serve the humans," he said and walking past between the other two, he fell face down on top of the pillows with a pleased sigh.

Jim paused for a second as thanks to their bond he saw a flash of what ran through the angel's mind. And if it made him slightly blush then it was certainly because of the Sahara sun, nothing else...

Clearing his throat as he also felt the sudden mood change of the angel, he rather focused on Mick then chuckled watching him land on the pillows. "Just leave a few for us too," Jim said while stretching out his long limbs then he took the few steps to the tent's entrance and looked out at the endless sand dunes, his hazel eyes narrowing a bit and arms folding in front of his chest. He certainly had a different, more confident stance even now when he wasn't paying attention, and his height only added to that.

"How's your angel, Mick?" he asked the man behind him on the pillows while his eyes wandered to the group of humans, some busy taking out the promised food, wine and water too.

"Heavenly," Mick chuckled turning his head to look outside too next Jim's form. "He is a very, very naughty angel. But that's the theme around here," he smiled at Paolo, trying to include him too. "What do you make of these humans? I bet there will be an attack soon. They count as very valuable for many… And Seth sent us here for a reason…"

Jim smiled from that comment under his blond mustache and even scoffed in agreement. "I was told not all of them are like that..." he humored the two, knowing that Paolo would know he was the one who said that to Jim right before revealing his past.

"These humans... are interesting. They seem to respect us for guarding them and for what we are, but otherwise keep to themselves. They also keep their secrets safely guarded, clearly. But they feel... enlightened and strong too. I kinda like how close-knit their group is. They have to be very good teachers as far as passing down the ancient knowledge and truths must go, because otherwise they wouldn't be in danger. We must stay sharp... I have a strong feeling something's gonna come in our way. So Seth can have his 'fun' too," Jim mused stroking his beard down repeatedly as he watched three humans head towards their tent with the food and drinks.

"His fun times are always very important... They can use shining surfaces as looking portals without us sensing it," Paolo said walking to the other two males.

He knew the trinity from much longer, and was more experienced in battle too. And Mick was just thinking about that as he looked at the bald angel standing between the bed of pillows and the entrance.

The three humans handed Jim and Paolo trays of food, wine and fresh flatbread with meat, saying their gratitude to the escort of the supernatural beings then bowing and telling them their leader would visit them in the morning.

"They are nice... They feel... not fully humans. Probably because of their awakened state," Mick thought out loud, still lying on the pillows as the others packed down the trays.

"Good to know that they can spy on us wherever there's a shiny surface," Jim chuckled before thanking for all the stuff they got from the humans and shortly reassured them that they'll keep their eyes open and that they would gladly talk to their leader in the morning.

Then the two put the trays and drinks down by the pillows and sat as well, digging in.

"You must be right about them, Mick," Jim said as he took a flatbread and some meat after pouring himself some wine. "But at the moment, now that we are away from the gods, I'd like to know just how long have you known them, Paolo?" he asked and took a bite of the meat, looking at the small angel with interest.

"Yes, I've been thinking about that too," Mick suddenly got enough interest to sit up too and take some bread for himself as he kept his electric blue eyes narrowed down on the angel.

"Hmm... Good cop, bad cop?" Paolo giggled looking back and forth between the two demon spawns. "Jim, don't be surprised if the Magi calls you 'demon spawn' as the word 'Daemon' meant spirit or soul in Greek and older cultures. And there were gods and humans and in-between many creatures with supernatural powers called spirits, daemons. You're a Nephilim. So, a son of such beings. And yes, they are the humans that never forgot what they are and where they came from," the angel said and had a kind smile and enjoyed the attention and also stretched the time before answering directly to the question.

"So... we all are… daemons then. Spirits with inhuman forces…" Mick nodded giving a strict facial expression to the playful angel.

"Yes. And you will see how skilled these humans are. Ancient lower humans thought they are magic men. The western word 'Magic’ and ‘Magician' came from their clan title," Paolo mused. "And I’ve known the gods for almost three hundred years. Since my mother had sold me to the shamans."

Jim just chuckled under his nose from Paolo's joke then listened to him intently while finally filling his empty stomach with some much-needed food. He also had to admit to himself that he liked listening to the angel, even if he felt a bit like stalling, not really wanting to reveal much about the gods.

"Alright. Thank you for enlightening us about these humans and the 'daemon' thing. It always fascinates me just... how much more there is to learn about this world..." he mused more to himself then after taking a sip from his wine, he was watching the bald male over the rim of the cup he got.

"Hmm... Coincidence? I doubt..." he thought out loud. "You met them at the bathhouse then?" he asked, his curiosity clearly piqued.

Enjoying the way Jim felt more eased up and playful even, Mick laid half-way back again, looking like a desert prince on the silk pillows, picking bits from his food and watching the entertainment. To the whole picture the head scarf on top of his head very much added to...

"No," Paolo said pausing long and pouring some wine for himself and drank from the cup. Glimpsing at said big Arab highness-looking demon's grin and shining eyes. "I was... too strange. The shamans took me to the gods to look into my spirit's past," he said picking some meat to eat more. "I was with them for the fun of it and the upgrading rituals," Paolo added as a matter of fact and looked straight into Jim's double colored eyes.

The curiosity did make Jim's eyes change color from their usual hazel one and his back even straightened up a bit while he was sitting there nearly opposite Paolo, totally focused on him.

"I see... Hm... Strange like how? Why did you feel strange even to such powerful shamans that they needed to take you to the gods? And what did they find out about your spirit's past?" Jim asked, his thirst for knowledge completely taking over the slight awkwardness he felt around Paolo just a few minutes ago. Though he seemed to just remember that Mick was there too and quickly cleared his throat. "I mean... if you are okay to talk about these things..."

"It is a bit... personal. Only the gods, the shaman pair and King knows it," Paolo said looking down and looking strangely shy all of the sudden for his usually very kinky self.

"It's okay. We are one squad now. With time we will get close to each other and learn things, eventually…" Mick said sitting up and drowning a whole cup of wine, smacking his lips together and smiling at the two other men. "Gonna go join the human guards. Be good, kids. Don't do anything I wouldn't," he chuckled and with that left the bonded pair alone in the sleeping tent.

"Yeah, yeah. It's okay, Mick is right. I'm sorry, didn't want to pry or anything. Just my hunger for knowledge took the better of me. It got worse since Corey merged with me, to be honest," Jim said, laughing it off, thankful for Mick's joke. Though deep down he felt a little disappointed, even if he respected Paolo's reason.

And with that the awkwardness was back between the now alone pair as silence fell on the tent now that the "buffer zone" Mick was out of the picture. Still, Jim smiled a bit at Paolo before returning to the eating and his wine.

Paolo swallowed and ate in silence too. Knowing well how his bonding emotions always get loose, he tried to avoid looking at Jim. Not that he didn't feel him and heard his calm breathing and smelled his special scent...

"Okay... This is ridiculous... I try to sleep," he grumbled and laid down with a sigh. As he was, fully clothed. He was very unsure how appropriate it would be to take some of the desert clothes off and sleep next to Jim...

"Sorry..." Jim mumbled finishing with his food and drink too then sighed as well, watching the angel getting comfortable on the pillows on his side, his back towards the biker.

"Think I'll try that too..." he mumbled and laid down in arm's reach on his back, but just stared up at the top of the tent. He could also smell and sense the other man next to him and could also tell that his mind was running a mile a minute just like Jim's.

Still, neither of them broke the silence and Jim stomped down an urge to reach out for the angel. He briefly wondered if it was Corey's urging or just the bond. Or both.

***

The next morning Paolo changed his mind about liking the camels... He didn't get much sleep during the night next to Jim. Then it was his time to guard and patrol around. His physical body took the lack of rest hard. He was usually a relaxed easy creature... Now he was pissed at the world. But frankly mainly at himself. He could have at least tried to be more... closer to Jim. He knew they both stated that they were gonna respect the other one's feelings... but what if that changes? What if all changes and they will still be playing polite and just suffer bonded to each other for eternity? Anyway... they cannot evolve to higher levels without the mating anyway... The short angel was huffing under his nose as they were riding in the long line closer to the old remains of some temples and some buildings. The place was the destination of the caravan. And even from that far the special magical powers of the ruins could be felt clearly.

It was easy to see for the other two men as well how grumpy and closed off the angel was the next day as they were back on the camels and escorting the caravan spread out along them. Needless to say, Jim could also feel some of those emotions too even if he didn't want to peek. Well... until Paolo closed himself off as much as he could, leaving Jim with feeling excluded and sad as he believed he was the cause of all that with his stupid questions...

He tried to stop sighing behind the piece of cloth in front of his face in every five minutes and rather keep his eyes and senses on their surroundings. Soon enough, Jim started to sense the powers of the ruins too and they just got stronger and stronger as they neared their destination.

Mick felt like the only focused one from their trio. It was also a strange feeling as he counted inexperienced in such situations compared to Paolo. But the closed-up angel had his own inner turmoil and Jim felt guilty… The black demon felt great, though... After his patrol time, he slept like a baby on the silk pillows and the morning meeting with the leader interested him the most, it seemed.

The ruins had a strange mirage-like hue around it. Mick thought it only could be some cloaking magic to hide the holy place. He tried to look questioningly at Jim, but then realized they both had their faces covered. Maybe he could try to whisper in his mind about the place and the hiding magic...

After a while he felt Mick connecting to him – like they practiced a few times in the gods' sanctuary – and Jim hummed in agreement about the possible cloaking magic. And as they got closer and closer, Jim's guilt was pushed into the background by his awakening curiosity.

And yes, soon enough the leader of the Magi group murmured some words right where Jim saw the air lightly shimmering then they all entered. The second Jim passed the border of the spell, he felt going through the magical barrier and his eyes immediately saw a big and massive main entrance on an equally massive and thick wall instead of crumbling ruins. Not to mention the strong energizing vibes of the holy place. It made even his scalp tingle and his mismatched eyes shine up stronger.

"This is indeed a powerful place..." Mick said pulling the cloth off from his face to look at the majestic ancient building.

Paolo turned back to say something agreeing and smart ass-like to that, the positive vibes and magic making his grumpy mood fade.

But all of the sudden a fireball landed before the leader's camel, making the animal and in chain all them restless and jumpy.

"It is a siege for the Fallen temple. That is why you are here, higher one," the Magi leader got off the camel and pointed at the upper wall. Corrupted humans and angels lined up there and suddenly they all were in a big battle.

There wasn't much time to react to that, but as Jim turned back to Mick, he was already putting his new jester mask from the gods on his face. "Sword!" he yelled back at his guardian, his demon wings already lifting him off the back of his own camel. The mask not only hid his face and gave him some additional protection, but he could also feel Corey closer to him in it as the Mercy Demon mask was part of Jim's new one.

Of course Jim was a bit surprised that they ended up in the middle of a battle, but he also kinda expected something like this as so far all was way too smooth.

The second Mick pulled the Blade of the Immortals out of that pocket dimension where he carried it for Jim until he learned how to manipulate it, the sword glowed up in a bright green light and Jim instinctively dodged another fireball with it.

The next moment he pulled the rags off his body to reveal a strong dark leather armor under his clothes. It was similar to the gods’ but had a hint of green on it instead of red. As he flew a bit more above the caravan, he released some of his powers to create that strong protective shield around them, his golden and blue eyes shining from under the mask as he concentrated on sizing up the number of the enemies, trying to come up with some tactic.

Full-sized pic

Mick had his own Mercy demon mask on and similar leather armor clothes. His coal black wings were taking him up in the air to be next to Jim with his guns in his hands. He got some upgrades too at least before being sent so sneakily to such a battle. The gods put some spells on the guns and his sword.

Some angels dived down from the walls and corrupted ones in large numbers rushed out on the ground to attack the humans.

Paolo got rid of the human disguise too. Spreading his golden wings, he put a gold hue of protection around the human clan.

The Magi formed a small circle and they started to chant and stomp their sticks to the ground in a synchronized rhythm. And suddenly a wave of ants, bugs and scorpions went against the attacking corrupted ones, stopping their way as Paolo used his powers and fire to kill them as fast as he could.

"Get the angels. We will stand ground here," he yelled up at Jim, and kept fighting like some golden hurricane.

Although Jim has never seen such magic in action before like what the Magi did, the Nephilim and his guard had no time to admire it. Hearing Paolo's voice, Jim glimpsed down at him and did feel awed by both the sight and energies and also what the guardian was doing. Then he refocused after nodding to him and turned his attention to the stronger angels on the walls. Then he attacked along with Mick, leaving Paolo to keep the group safe. 

He quickly got a hang of the fight thanks to the long hours of practicing at the sanctuary and soon blood was getting splattered all over him as he slayed the weaker angels, fighting his way onto the wall. His shock-waves came handy too, and his sword guided his hand with ease, really acting like the extension of it. Its cuts ran deep and finished off more and more possessed ones and angels.

Slightly panting once he and Mick slayed the last enemy on that portion of the wall too, Jim finally had the chance to look inside the fortress. His eyes were drawn to a red-armored higher angel who's familiar presence has been felt by him. Growling from behind his mask, the Nephilim flapped his leather-wings and soon landed in the dusty yard of the fortress where Furiel was standing, as if waiting for him.

As Jim landed on the ground and his mismatched glowing eyes fixed on the angel, he felt a mindless possessed one run at him, but without looking, he let one of his wings move like a blur to stab it in the heart, killing it instantly before pulling his wing back.

"I am ready," he said releasing more of his power. Actually, it felt good to let his control go. He wanted to fight. To protect these people, to stand the test, and to give out a lot of anger and tension caused by his grief and all he and humanity have lost because of these bastards... Taking a defensive pose with his sword at the ready and Mick doing the same near him, he waited for the leader of the angels to attack.

"You fool... I see you have found your way after all. Such a pity that I have to destroy you and your heritage..." Furiel hissed full of spite. His red armor was covering his whole body and wings, plus the helmet made him look like the evil creature he was more than a being once born from light…

Mick only growled, quickly sizing up the slowly sneaking around lower angels trying to surround them from the sides.

Grabbing his guns with the special bullets, he glimpsed at Jim. Then the first wave of attack came from his side, and using the chaos, Furiel moved forward too, only to get a taste of those godly bullets shot by Mick at him. It made the red wings close up to shield him.

Jim could feel that hatred emitting from the red higher angel. It had a burning intensity and truth be told, it baffled Jim that someone who didn't know anything about him could hate him this much. But then again... it was for what he was and probably the threat his mere existence meant to these angels and possessed ones and of course the archangel twins and their plan...

Watching the wings protect the angel from Mick's bullets without getting harmed, Jim knew it wasn't going to be an easy fight and he would have to concentrate hard and release more of his power than ever before. But he wasn't going to fail. He had Mick and Corey and the sword on his side and keeping in mind all that he wanted to protect gave Jim the strength and will to fight.

"Can you deal with them while I fight him?" he asked Mick quietly, not taking his eyes off the furious angel's glowing yellow ones as his wings opened again.

"Sure. No problem. Kick his ass," Mick murmured from under his scary gimp mask, to which Jim nodded and took into the air with his strong wings, not wanting to be interrupted by other attackers when he needed to focus on his opponent.

Keeping one gun in his left and pulling his sword out to have in his right, Mick tried to keep the attackers behind a line he put between them and Jim. He was a guardian and he had to keep the space for the Nephilim to fight the angel of fire…

Furiel only growled and took off also to stand the attack of Jim in the air. His red sword seemed to heat up and glow like lava. But the fully transformed Jim and his ancient sword’s green shining overcame all that. In the next moment a wave of the Nephilim power pushed Furiel down to the ground.

"I will burn your every molecule," the angel gritted his teeth and growled loud before taking off again to strike at Jim.

Not reacting to the hateful comment, Jim kept concentrating on releasing more of his own powers and channeling them into his sword and hand. Like Paolo taught him, he threw a few energy balls at Furiel. Some missed the quickly flying angel, but some seemed to burn his armor or wing here and there. 

Then Jim had to take hold of his sword's hilt with both hands to be able to block another strong attack of the fire angel. As his name suggested, he could manipulate power and when Jim heard a "Careful!" exclamation in his head, he knew it was Corey's way of warning him.

He instinctively flew backwards with the help of his wings just in time to avoid the flames exploding from the angel's form. Growling now too, Jim wasn't going to back off so he flew in again to attack while sending another shock-wave of his own at the angel, dampening his flames so their swords could clash again and again in a vicious fight.

Their fight looked like a colorful elegant but to-the-death kind of dance in the air with sparkles and fire and energy flying everywhere around them.

Mick kept being busy and used his wings more than ever before as he tried to be everywhere at once. He finished off a great amount of the lower angels around them. But they kept trying to dive in at Jim to help their master in all red.

The black demon had to keep a shorter circle around the Nephilim in order to keep all at bay. It was Jim’s fight and Mick had no doubt in him that the big guy was ready to win against the higher angel.

Jim knew he didn't have much time if he wanted to make it possible for Mick to fend back the enemy effectively and avoid being overcome by them. That thought seemed to give him an even stronger resolve and power and his sword clashed with Furiel's faster and faster as they charged at each other over and over again.

He managed to wound the angel at several places, but he too had to sacrifice being wounded in order to be able to do so as he was a strong opponent. 

Once he had to curl a wing in front of his side where the angel wanted to stab him, but instead he burned the surface of that wing, making Jim hiss from the pain. During another attack his shoulder got cut on the same side, making blood drip down on his armor at the back and the front.

It gave the angel some manic satisfaction and more provoking comments flew out of his mouth just to be shut up when Jim landed a few cuts and burns of his own. It only seemed to piss off the angel even more and attack more violently and recklessly. When Jim's attention slipped for a brief second hearing Mick's moan from below, Furiel went for Jim's right arm to make him drop the brightly glowing green sword, but he didn't expect Jim letting him cut open both his armor and skin on his forearm in order to get close to the angel.

When that happened, the mismatched glowing eyes narrowed and he put his free hand over the angel's chest, sending the biggest shock-wave he has ever done. The next moment Furiel slammed into the ground, landing on his back, broken wings sticking towards the sky.

Not caring about the pain flaring up from his wounds, Jim quickly raised his blade and dived down, pointing the tip of his sword where his hand just was and in the next moment he landed on the ground, his wings swirling up dust and a wave of energy that swiped the enemies off their feet around him and Mick.

As the dust seemed to settle a bit around them, it revealed the picture of the panting Nephilim's blade buried into the chest of Furiel, who's expression was still of a shock. But his wide eyes weren't glowing anymore and there was no life left in them.

Mick easily shot and cut off the remaining few wounded angels after Jim's power broke loose around him. Landing next to the victor, he pulled his mask up to smile at Jim.

"I knew you are strong enough. You did great, Jim. I am very proud of you," the guardian said panting a little.

From the outside they heard a few louder shockwaves and chanting. Even Paolo's golden glow was shining in trough the small windows and they both could feel such a huge amount of the angel's power filling up the area like they never experienced before.

"Thanks, man..." Jim panted, trying to catch his breath then put a leg on the dead angel's torso to pull his sword out of his chest. Shaking his damp and bloody hair out of his masked face, Jim turned towards the source of the light too. Of course, he knew it was Paolo and also, he felt very much drawn to him, especially with both their powers so much on the loose.

"We should go..." he mumbled to Mick, but didn't wait for a reaction, he was already lifting off the ground, ignoring the pain in his burned wing. He needed to see... he needed to help... he needed to be close to Paolo...

Outside the group of humans were still using their spells over nature. Their chanting gathered a big swarm of insects flying around the corrupted ones and managed to get behind their backs.

Paolo, not far above them, was glowing like the sun and kept sending waves of his yellow fire over the many attackers, doing a very good job at taking them down.

The big numbers of the corrupted ones kept coming back. The magic the higher angel put over them kept making them stand up and like zombies from cheap horror movies attack again.

"That don't look good..." Mick growled and grabbed his sword tighter, joining Paolo in the air.

"Help them. The Magi want to lead them outside the barrier and release the God of the Storm and the Deamon on them to take the enemy away," Paolo yelled as he sent a healing and shielding aura around the humans meanwhile fighting.

Jim felt even more amazed by the brightly glowing golden angel. Because the amount of power he was using to fight and protect at the same time was something Jim has never seen or felt before.

Waking from the slight daze he fell under, he nodded and flew down to the ground to put himself between the reanimated corpses of the possessed ones and the shield Paolo put around the humans.

Jim was a bit curious about an idea that just crossed his mind and without thinking much about it, he put his protective shield around the group too. The second his and Paolo's auras merged, the shield got twice as strong and started swirling in golden and green colors, making the Nephilim and the angel connect more than ever.

"Wow..." Jim mumbled under his nose as he felt a new wave of energy flow through him, wiping away his pain and tiredness and his blade glow bright again as he began slaying the enemy with wide swings of his sword and powers. And this time they didn't get up anymore.

With all the powers working together, they managed to push the enemy through the barriers and the Magi started a louder chant. Asking Haddad to appear and Bartzabel to help him. Haddad, the God of Storm, and the Demon of the Desert soon made the sky turn black. Thunder and lightning appeared with a strong whirlwind of sand and the corrupted ones quickly got swallowed up by the Sahara and its ancient spirits.

"Wow..." that was now Mick as they all stood safe behind the barrier of magic over the fortress, watching all that happened on the outside like some movie.

"Thanks for the help. You two are alright?" Paolo walked up to Mick and Jim as the storm outside started to ebb down.

The humans came closer too, saying their gratitude for the heroes for their fight and gaining back the ancient holy place.

Jim's mind was still processing what he just saw as he told the humans that they were welcome. After all that's why they were there. And they seemed to have passed the test then since they managed to take back the holy place.

"Just a few wounds," Jim shrugged, instantly regretting it with a moan as now he felt that injury there and the movement made more blood run down on his shoulder.

Though his eyes met Paolo's and he just kept staring at the still slightly glowing angel. "You were... majestic and amazing out there..." he blurted out and maybe even blushed a bit as they all started following the humans inside.

Jim glimpsed at the motionless corpse of the red angel just when the heavy gates of the fortress closed and locked behind them. Then his attention was drawn to some murals he didn't have the chance to notice before in the heat of the battle. They depicted many things, but what really grabbed his attention were the ones where he saw the Egyptian Trinity of Gods fighting alongside some unique golden angels... That instantly made him think of Paolo for some reason... or because of how he just saw and felt him.

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