Two figures stood out among the sea of roses, staring ahead of them for what seemed like an eternity. The first was taller than the second and had a stronger build. Both of them had their features hidden from plain view by the black bellowing cloaks that each of them wore. The second then faced the first, taking its hand in his. No words passed between them, for there was no need for them. Each knew what the other must do only they didn’t wish to admit it. The first looked down to the second, reaching out with its free hand to pull the hood back, revealing a young boy’s face. His wide aqua eyes stared up at the other figure with tears slowly forming. Strands of his dark green, almost black hair fell into his face when the breeze about them died. However when it picked up, the strands were blown slightly to the left. The boy appeared no older than twelve. With a shaking hand, he reached up and removed the first figure’s hood, revealing a young man who stared back into those tear filled eyes with his own tear filled sapphire ones. His long auburn hair blew into his face and over his shoulders as he rested a hand on the boy’s shoulder.       
~Dry your tears little Huio. This shall not be the last we see of each other. Fate is being too kind…~
~I’ll not dry my tears until you dry yours~
The figure smiled down at Huio, wiping away his tears with his thumb. The boy smiled as he did this, reaching up and drying the figure’s eyes. Again no words passed between them as they turned to stare ahead once more, staring across the sea of red. Huio would have been the first to break the uneasy silence between them, but thought better on it and just bent down and picked up a handful of rose petals. He stared at them for a moment then raised his fist up to his face. He took a deep unsteady breath then released it, and at the same time unclenched his fist, blowing the petals out of his palm. In that instant, a strong gust of wind started, unsettling the bed of petals and blowing them in a single direction…straight ahead, the same direction that Huio’s petals had gone. The boy watched as the swarm of petals surrounded and passed them, not even noticing that the figure was staring at him once more.
“He’s so full of life, and has so much power. I envy him now more than ever. I’ll never be like you little Huio, not matter how hard I try. You’ll always be that much farther ahead of me, and I’ll be the child struggling to catch up…” he thought as he shook his head looking away from the boy as tears filled his eyes. It just didn’t make sense. Huio was born after him by several years, and yet he had surpassed him in a matter of months, gaining knowledge that few knew. Their elders disliked this and had vowed to imprison Huio in the body of a mortal in hopes that he would forget that forgotten knowledge. However, in order for that imprisonment to occur, Huio had to die. The boy didn’t question this fate, but his fear could be seen in his eyes. There were few he knew that even dared recall the legends behind the forgotten knowledge, for it had almost caused their demise, and only those with dark desires mentioned learned those dark arts. He knew Huio meant no harm, but still others feared the boy, and thought it best to imprison him without question. If only they could see the truth! He shook his head slowly, closing his eyes as he fought back the tears. He felt something brush against him and looked at Huio, whom now had one of his raven wings wrapped around him.
~Don’t fret. It’s like you have said. This won’t be the last time we see each other, so destroy those fears. Someday the others will be brought to the understanding you have been brought to and they will understand their mistake. Until that time, be brave…be brave for both our sakes~
He smiled as he nodded once, moving closer to the one he could think of only as a brother, and nothing else. They had shared so much, and now they had to say goodbye. Sometimes fate didn’t seem all that kind. Huio stared at him for a moment longer then looked towards others as they approached them, holding the ceremonial swords at their side. He pushed the figure away from him, smiling kindly, as he once again wiped his tears away. ~I’ll be brave Huio. You’ve taught me how~
Huio smiled, watching him closely as the other figures surrounded him chanting softly in a language few would understand. He raised his hand above their heads, once again holding a handful of rose petals and as the figures plunged their blades into his body, and his lifeblood spilled onto the ground, his palm opened and again the petals were blown free. Kar’s eyes widened as he stared at Huio, watching as the very fire in his aqua eyes began to fade. The boy slumped against the blades, and his smile faltered. Fresh blood continued to snake down the blades, as well as on the other figures arms, but none of them seemed to notice. Kar shifted his gaze away from the sight as tears of anger, and sadness rolled down his cheeks, and he found himself staring at the fresh blood, watching wide eyed as the petals glided down, landing softly in the blood. He quickly shook his head looking back up to Huio watching silently as the figures pulled their blades free, moving away from the body before turning and walking back the way they had come. He glared after them with narrowed hate filled eyes and he knelt beside his friend. Huio was no longer breathing…there were no signs of life whatsoever as a light breeze blew past them, ruffling the black feathers of the once proud angel’s wings. The tears continued to fall as he bent down, burying his face in those feathers. Something warm coursed through his body and he sat up, watching as a strange aura surrounded the body then Huio’s spirit separated from his body, staring down at him with a saddened smile on his face. ~Don’t fret Kar. I’ll be back someday, and you and I will be together again as we were destined to be~
The voice he heard was too pleasant to be real. It sounded so much like the real Huio, but he was dead, wasn’t he? The spirit shook it’s head once then vanished from sight, leaving him alone.
“Huio?” he asked, shaking the body the tears still falling. “Huio!” he called again, shaking the body fiercely and still there was no response. He wildly looked around then covered his eyes as he surrounded himself with his white wings, rocking back and forth as he silently cried, vowing to go to earth and watch over his friend, even if he didn’t remember him.
With a new resolve, he rose to his feet and spread his wings to their full span then he sprang into the air, gaining a high altitude, just as several of his kin came charging forward in desperate attempts to stop him. He cackled bitterly as he stared down at them then vanished from sight, leaving those below gawking.


Somewhere on Xain, a newborn child released a loud wail as he was brought into this world, and without a clear understanding, he opened his fierce aqua eyes for what seemed like the first time, staring at the blurred figures of those who would be his parents. Hidden knowledge coursed through his young, fragile mind, and he could do nothing but wail again, feeling the cold air against his naked body. Something fuzzy wrapped around him, embracing him with its warmth then one of the figures took him in its arms, making odd cooing noises. So this was Xain? He felt he would have much to learn before he ever saw one of his kin again, but for now, he was content in this fragile body, and once more aqua eyes closed as a light slumber enveloped him. There he would remain while his mortal half matured and grew, and when the time was right, he would be reborn once again to his former glory. All that remained was to wait.


Twenty-one years have passed, and demons and angels alike have awakened to a feeling of pleasure, or dread, depending on which side you dwell on. The fateful Awakening draws near. It is only a matter of time before either side will attempt to get their hands on the 'chosen one' Huio to open both the gates of heaven and hell, and to once again begin a revolution of which either heaven or hell wins.
Which side will you be on?