She looked at the people separated by ice walls, at the wounded being carried away. Paris mornings were supposed to be quiet, but now they were filled with screams and crying.
Heaven, Holy Light Monitoring Station.
Michelle stood before the surveillance screens, watching the fluctuating data. Dark energy ripples had come from the lowest level of Hell and pierced Heaven's barrier. They were faint, but they were indeed affecting this place.
"The western district reports angels have been corrupted!" a shout came through the communicator.
Michelle ran out.
The western district lay two kilometers west of the monitoring station, a stretch of ruins where several moderate angels were clearing debris. They were usually obedient and never caused trouble.
Now they stood there with dark golden eyes—not completely black, but still abnormal.
Black patterns crawled beneath their skin like living things. They gripped light spears picked up from the ruins and waved them at the sky.
Michelle crouched down, and six golden spikes unfolded.
She locked onto those angels but did not attack. Blazing Pupil let her see the dark energy and angelic energy tangled within their bodies like two snakes fighting.
"This isn't their fault." Her expression was grave. "The dark energy is corrupting them. The source is Crowley. Darkness is bound to his soul—it can't be purified, only suppressed."
Layla ran over from behind her. "How long can it be suppressed?"
Michelle looked at her. "I don't know. Until the Guildmaster comes up with a solution."
The two of them joined forces to set up a Holy Light Array.
Golden light rose beneath their feet, enveloping the angels. The angels struggled for a few moments before finally quieting down.
They collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Michelle wiped away her sweat. "How many more are there?"
Layla checked the communicator.