Dying for an Angel? Well, yeah... that's not something a demon like me would think about doing when you're young. But here I am, a succubus, a demon from hell. And I just took a hit from an Archangel's war sword. So this is it for me. I can only hope Annie escaped and my sacrifice was not in vain.
If my death can save her, I'll gladly give it in exchange for her life. I don't know when that happened exactly, nor am I actually sure how it's possible, but I love her. I love her so much I can't think. I would chance all eternity in Heaven or Hell just to be with her for one day more.
It's getting darker, I can't feel my body anymore. The sounds of the clash have died down. I can't hear anything. It's dark. All I can see is that one tiny speck of light far above me. I don't know what it is, but somewhere deep inside, I hope it's Annie and this is the world's final gift to me, so I can see her one last time.
I lay there, probably bleeding a lot. Shame about the nice grass. It's getting colder, which is really weird for a person who has lived all her life in Hell to experience. The light has grown slightly larger. I look at it, it hurts my eyes, but I don't care. I can see the light's rays shivering in all directions, like a wavering star. It's beautiful.
"Annie..." I whisper quietly. "I love you..." The light is blinding now. I cannot see anything else. I squint my eyes and try to see. My heart jumps, whatever little it can anymore. I can see Annie in the light. The light seems to be her wings. She can fly now. They're magnificent. She looks so beautiful, like nobody else ever can. Her fine alabaster skin almost glitters in the light, her bright blue eyes like stars in the sky. Her blonde curls like white gold at the side of her head.
It's so much more than mere angelic beauty. She shines from her heart. I can see her eyes and she weeps. What is wrong? Did they get to her after all, was all this in vain? She lands at my feet, shining blinding light in the darkness where no light has ever been. I smile at her.
"Thank you," I whisper. "I wanted to see you one last time..." She kneels at my side, touches my cheek. I can feel her warmth. This is the best mirage I have ever seen. "I can die happily now," I said quietly.
"You are not going to die!," she says angrily. She touches my chest and I feel an intense, burning sensation enter my body. The tips of my toes, the tips of my fingers. It feels like fire. I arch my back and scream out.
"It's all okay, Tessie. I got you now.," she says. "I got you..." It feels like my whole body is in flames, but not hellish ones. It's like holy fire coursing through my veins. Then it's over. I pant hard. She slumps over me, her breathing ragged, her wings flapping in the air like the tails of comets, all heading towards her.
"You're so beautiful..." I say aloud. She lifts her head and smiles at me weakly.
"I did it..." she whispers. "We did it, Tessie. We won," she says and then falls on top of me. Her chest raises and falls rhythmically and her breathing is calm. She's asleep. I wrap my hands around her. She did it. We did it. We just saved the Earth from total destruction.
It will take Heaven and Hell centuries to gain access again, if they ever will. Thymiel and their transportation magic are dead, the Endless Staircase lies in ruins. The world belongs to humans now, and it's their choice to do what they will, not influenced by either force anymore.
I fall asleep holding her in my arms. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I do know two things. I'm staying with Annie for as long as I can, and that tomorrow is definitely a day off.