My Angel Girl

Ere'ana sat at the edge of Heaven's crystalline lake, her reflection shimmering on the surface. Her thoughts drifted to Kikidori. She wondered where he was now, what he was doing, and whether he was safe. Her heart felt heavy, yet it also fluttered with emotions she struggled to understand.

The gentle hum of a melody escaped her lips as she stared out at the vast horizon of golden clouds. Soon, the hum turned into words, flowing naturally as her feelings poured out.

*"Far from my reach, far from my sight,

A heart so dark, but shines so bright.

Kiki, oh Kiki, where do you roam?

Are you safe in the void you now call home?

Your scowl hides what you won't say,

A love that blooms in shadows gray.

Though Heaven's light may never bend,

I'll wait for you, my dearest friend."*

Ere'ana's voice rang out, echoing across the ethereal planes of Heaven. Angels passing by paused to listen, their expressions softening as they heard the sorrow and longing in her voice.

"Flame and ash, your broken past,

But my love for you will ever last.

Kiki, oh Kiki, please hear my plea,

Wherever you are, think of me."

As she finished the song, Ere'ana sighed, hugging her knees to her chest. Singing always made her feel better, but it didn't erase the ache in her heart.

A fellow angel, Cassiel, approached her cautiously. "Ere'ana," he said gently, "your song… it was beautiful, but…"

"But what?" she asked, glancing up at him.

Cassiel hesitated before sitting down beside her. "The other angels… they're beginning to notice your attachment to that demon."

Ere'ana's cheeks flushed. "He's not just a demon," she said defensively. "He's—"

"He's still dangerous," Cassiel interrupted. "You're risking everything by getting involved with him. What if the Archangels find out?"

Ere'ana clenched her fists. "I don't care what they think. Kiki's not evil. He's… misunderstood."

Cassiel shook his head. "You're playing a dangerous game, Ere'ana. Be careful."

As Cassiel walked away, Ere'ana's gaze returned to the lake. She knew he was right, but her heart refused to let go.

Meanwhile, on Flame Island, Kikidori sat on a ledge overlooking the molten rivers below. The silence of his new realm was both comforting and suffocating.

"Why do I keep thinking about her?" he muttered to himself, running a hand through his dark hair.

He stared at the knife he had used to kill Lucifer, now resting on the ground beside him. It was a reminder of everything he had lost—and everything he had gained.

For a moment, he thought he heard a faint melody, Ere'ana's voice carrying across the void. He shook his head, dismissing it as his imagination.

"Damn it, Ere," he whispered. "Why do you have to be so… you?"

Kikidori stood, stretching his wings. "Enough of this," he muttered. "Time to make something of this place."

He flew across Flame Island, his mind racing with ideas. If he was going to rule this place, he'd do it his way—without the cruelty and oppression of Hell.

But as he worked, Ere'ana's song lingered in the back of his mind, a soft reminder of the one person who truly cared for him.

Back in Heaven, Ere'ana stood, brushing off her gown. She took a deep breath, steeling herself.

"If I can't see you, Kiki," she whispered, "I'll make sure you can feel my love, no matter where you are."

With that, she began to hum another melody, her voice carrying her feelings across the heavens—and, perhaps, even beyond.

The end of Chapter 18.