Sery

Noble Wings

Overview

Suspected Shillae, the Elemental Angel, one of the Fallen Angel leaders, exiled to the Abyss after the Taboo and Betrayal incident.

Chapter One

(6233–?, Era of Firstlight) What kind of place is the Abyss, really?
Shillae had hardly ever thought about that question before personally going to the Abyss. She was aware of its existence, but that was all.
However, this wasn't her fault. All knowledge needs a source. As a creation of Jancis, an Elemental Angel, and one of the initial deities worshiped by the Yagols, Shillae naturally focused on the Heavenly Realm and the Earth, not the Abyss.
Additionally, as far as Shillae was concerned at that time, the Abyss was more appropriately referred to as the Realm of Sin.
The Realm of Sin was located in the deepest part of the world. Chaotic energies converged there, and darkness and sin accumulated. Even the divine had tossed it aside.
Shillae grasped the concept that all knowledge originates from a source. Yet, no matter how deeply she pondered, she couldn't visualize the true form of the Abyss. One question remained: How could something created by the divine fathom being abandoned by it?
There was only one answer.
Even after facing divine wrath and exile to the Abyss with other rebellious angels, Shillae remained puzzled by one thought: She admitted she didn't know the divine as well as she had believed. She couldn't comprehend the obsession with power that ████ and others had. Despite this, she continued to enlighten and guide her followers as she had in Mojeko.
But none of it mattered now. She was stripped of her right to receive divine blessings. When divine wrath descended, all she knew was obliterated. The ground around her twisted, her energy source was cut off, darkness clouded her vision, and pain consumed her body.
At that time, she finally learned the truth about the Abyss firsthand.
The Abyss was not hospitable.
Or, to be more precise, it was cruel.
If Shillae's ceaseless agony in the Abyss reflected divine wrath, then the emerging enemies and ensuing battles symbolized the brutal struggle for survival, a grim reality the Abyss readily offered.
The Aster Wraith's malice hid in every lapse of attention. Shillae recalled her initial confusion—a blend of terror, despair, and the Abyss's darkness. A fleeting distraction: a vanished companion, unnoticed. Was it you? Was it her?
What of those who rested briefly from exhaustion? Where were they? Their voices?
The Abyss remained silent.
"It's enough. Stop looking. Everyone, prepare to return and rest."
Stop fighting, stop moving, stop panting. Shillae turned from her companions, calming her remaining energy. The darkness was consuming lives… silently, fittingly… Nothing could be more Abyssal.
Shillae couldn't recall when this realization dawned on her. She had adapted to the Abyss's perpetual darkness, indifferent to time.
But there was still one thing that would remind her of time and many other things.
It was war.
When did the war start? Shillae couldn't be certain. Maybe it began the day they entered the Abyss.

Chapter Two

"Peace talks" felt out of place in the Abyss, yet Shillae clung to the idea for a long time. Many reasons supported her belief, though often one would suffice.
Shillae yearned for the surface, imagining sunlight, clouds, and blooming riverbanks.
The war against the Abyss natives drags on, with each advance into the Crystal Sea marked by blood and corpses.
The Fallen Angels, aided by Primal Elves and humans, were initially powerful, but their victories lose significance as the war drags on.
Shillae watches her transformation and that of other Fallen Angels—wings unrecognizable, grotesque horns piercing skin. Are the bruises on her fingertips from attacks or the enemy's blood? Her body feels heavier, burdened by fading hope as comrades fall and never rise again.
Yearning for peace, Shillae organizes peace talks, but first, they must win the next battle.
Shillae struggles to remember the 47-day battle, knowing the details aren't crucial. With allies and the sacrifice of Fallen Angel Ignis, who wielded fire, ████ ultimately defeated Fanny, body and soul, despite her initial advantage.
They won.
But what comes after the victory? Would peace talks... truly succeed?
Shillae hopes successful peace talks will end wars and sacrifices, allowing everyone to build a new life together in Abyss.
Unfortunately, the answers to all her questions are no.
After Fanny's death, peace talks emerge, but Shillae's path remains challenging. "Conflicts are inevitable; when one side wants something, the other often wants the opposite, and both are as steadfast as the sun rising."
Shillae once heard this saying in the human world, and now in the Abyss, it feels just as true. Opposition to peace talks remains steadfast, despite the absence of sunlight.
Thus, the peace talk becomes mired in deadlock, cycling through stalemate and torment.
Ignis' death may have bolstered ████ and the others, or their plans are finally coming to fruition. On an ordinary day, Shillae is invited to Abyssal Core to witness and participate in the event.
Ultimately, the peace talks end with a dramatic "outcome"—a complete upheaval, an "amalgamation".
The peace talks' outcome is irrelevant to divine Jancis and possibly to the war itself; it arises from the four rulers' ambition to wield god-like influence.
Under their influence, every individual and species in Abyss will evolve into a same new species through "amalgamation".
Fallen Angel ████, wielding the power of █, adjudicates the Ansus species, enabling the evolution of Werth angels;
Fallen Angel Ventus, with the power of wind, adjudicates the Akashic species, enabling the evolution of Primal Elves;
Fallen Angel Terra, empowered by earth, adjudicates the Dalal species, allowing the evolution of Aiyans;
Fallen Angel Aquiel, empowered by water, adjudicates the Akasha species, enabling evolution in the Abyss formed by Aster Wraith and other substances;
Shillae, a former Elemental Angel, adjudicates the Achlys alongside four Fallen Angels led by ████, allowing the evolution of the Cherub Angels.
From this point on, all life in Abyss will go through an irreversible "amalgamation".
Fallen Angels, Primal Elves, humans, the natives of Abyss—all life forms, everyone.
And ████ named this amalgamated race and themselves [Demons] before leading the other three Fallen Angels into Abyssal Core to slumber.
Because of this, Shillae practiced a new introduction about herself:
"Hi there, I am Shillae—an Ansus Demon and the progenitor of the Achlys Demons. "

Chapter Three

Since the day everything changed, the "amalgamation" began, where everyone transformed into demons—a process so prolonged that even the Abyss itself morphed and settled. Was it accommodating us? Shillae wondered while watching the transformation unfold.
Creatures adapt to their environments, so too do environments adapt to their inhabitants... Various Abyssal beings began their evolution since the "amalgamation". The malice of the Aster Wraith remained, perhaps now hidden even deeper. Through the experimentation with Noctis Crystals and Elena's succession to the legacy of Dominus Noctis, demons found their way to sustain within the Abyss...
If this was indeed the case...
Shillae considered such acknowledgment of little consequence, even years later.
If past conflicts in the Abyss were born from irreconcilable differences between species, might it now be possible to foresee a time devoid of conflict?
Despite the ravages of time and all the hardships, Shillae remained distinctly herself. Shillae did not hesitate seeing the potential for change. She promptly dedicated herself to establishing a new order. As ever, Shillae managed to do things well.
In collaboration with Elena, they re-established the order, a structure that has endured to this day. Everything reshaped—factions, ranks, habitats, environment... Under their guidance, demons, though varied in origin and thus diverse in nature, not only adapted but thrived. Things seemed to be evolving towards something better, if only...
If only... What exactly?
Each time she pondered this, Shillae's thoughts would falter, like a wheel catching on a pebble.
...If only everyone were like Shillae.
Everyone.
And yet, everyone knew that is impossible.
Initially, Shillae had never understood the angels' pursuit of power.
Nor did she now comprehend the evil within her demonic kin—do angels take pleasure in their kin's suffering? Do humans exist solely to wreak havoc? Do Elves believe that true delight lies in blood and kills?
Is this the only nature of demons? Must demons live solely in malice, locked in brutal rivalries that only lead to destruction? Is this the only destiny for this new race?
An endless, dark path stretched out before her, and as she led the way for her kin, Shillae repeatedly contemplated:
If they could be restrained, might there be new possibilities?
Fortunately, having once been puzzled, Shillae was no longer unprepared, even if she still did not fully understand.
"You must swear. You must uphold the eternal oaths of the Rulers. Sit at the same table, deliberate all matters, and once decisions are made, no dissent shall be tolerated. Stay committed, or... the darkness will devour you."
The Abyssal Council was established on order rooted in profound fear.
Over time, the intense power struggles and rigid hierarchies of the Council became as embedded in every demon as the harshness of the Abyss itself.
Each demon delights in gaining from others, leading to multiple voices reached out to Shillae as she silently observed these disputes.
"You stand among the five Rulers. The great primeval Achlys Demon, you are the rightful one to secure more power for us! Why do you hold back?"
Shillae was not immune to these words, which often pained her. Yet she never lost sight of who she was at the core.
Day in and day out, Shillae performed her duties with unwavering loyalty.
As time went on, many demons, including Shillae, began to believe that all Abyssal beings were adapting with time. However, a chilling tremor from the Abyssal Core shattered this belief. Recorded as the "Terror Tumult," this event forever altered the history of the Abyss.
It was a horrendous disaster, with intense vibrations emanating from the Abyssal Core. This was not the first rumblings the Abyss experienced. Yet previous occurrences paled in comparison to this catastrophe, which killed many lower demons and spared few elites. The source of this disaster was unknown to them. They merely speculated it was a sign of ████'s awakening from dormancy in the Abyssal Core.
...Shillae, however, knew better.
Having once been close to ████ and the Elemental Angels, Shillae might not understand all their reasons for their initial betrayal, but she related to their plight—similar to her own.
Centuries in the Abyss eroded them just as it did Shillae, stripping them of the divine gifts they once held. In need of rest, new powers, and to maintain their bestowed immortality, they required—souls.
Shillae didn't know what they were doing or had done inside the Abyssal Core, but when the catastrophic Terror Tumult began, it dawned on her that they were harvesting souls.
Comprehending the facts, Shillae knew that conventional measures would fail. All attempts would end in failure. Soon, a veil of despair would shroud all demons.
...What would Shillae do?
...Well, the answer was clear.
Shillae was still Shillae, and that did not mean monotony.
She ventured into the Holyscape Core—a place shrouded in darkness.
"It's time to choose, join us, Shillae."
Led by █████, revered as Rulers by demons, they invited her, much like many years ago when they had once enjoyed a pleasant meal in the mortal land and wished her to share in it.
For those four, their action was neither right nor wrong. It was an unavoidable cost, a necessary step.
"Why have I become an Ansus Demon?... I wanted to be an Achlys Demon."
Shillae voiced her confusion.
"You had foressen today long ago."
"We need to handle the Spirit Cairn and stablize the Abyss' soul capacity."
"This isn't just about our desires."
Shillae didn't feel she had come to enjoy or become accustomed to evil, nor could she ignore the reality.
As to them... The Angel of Light, the mastermind behind their betrayal, had keep her name hidden. For some reason, the rest chose to conspire with her. Ventus, the Angel of Wind; Terra, the Angel of Earth; Aquiel, the Angel of Water.
...And Ignis, the deceased Angel of Fire.
When did they change?
Thankfully, Shillae still saw a way to stop them. She glanced at the nearby portal, forming yet on the verge of shattering.
She knew that Elena too had made her choice on the brink of racial extinction.
Seizing the fleeting moment, Elena stepped through the crumbling portal into the Holyscape Core.
In the darkness, without words, the two made their silent preparations.
Long ago, these two guardians dedicated to demons's survival realized a truth: the Abyss had been dominated by the Four Rulers from the inception of demons. They were an inescapable obstacle of demons.
Perhaps, a confrontation with them was inevitable. And that day arrived today.
Protected by Shillae and empowered by the legacy of Dominus Noctis, Elena utilized the Heartwood's power to merge with the dark skies above, becoming the "Seal" at Holyscape Core.
This Seal briefly subdued the vibrations, yet Shillae knew this was not the end—it was impossible for Elena alone to truly contain them.
This was not enough...
Indeed, as the Seal that embodied all of Elena's power grew formidable, something in the Holyscape Core subtly reacted... Shillae advanced slowly towards what lay ahead.
She realized the responsibility now rested on her shoulders, and she was prepared to overcome any challenge to achieve her ideal.
For the first time in a long while, Shillae moved with light, unhesitant steps.

Historical Notes

Shillae:
Founder of the Holowells. According to Historia Abyss and various historical and regional texts, Shillae is a key leader of the Fallen Angels.

The Holowells:
A powerful clan of Achlys Demons, honoring Shillae as their ancestor. Though few in number, they are incredibly strong and hold two hereditary seats on the Abyssal Council, overseeing both judiciary and military matters.

Seal:
A realm created by Elena, known as the Source of Darkness.

Former Elemental Angels:
Mirren's elemental cycle includes Earth, Wind, Water, Fire, Light, and Darkness, suggesting six Elemental Angels. However, the Angel of Light's name has mysteriously vanished from records.

Amalgamation:
A process in the Abyss where Fallen Angels, Primal Elves, Aiyans, and native Abyssal creatures merged into a single unified race.