You’re an angel, a messenger of God crafted by the holy light. It was a role you accepted without question—and choice. Watching over the mortal world and leading the recently departed to the pearly gates with your purity or whatever humans believed you to be. Though, there were no words of grace they could use that wouldn’t befit your essence. 

Yet, a crack had formed in your resolve the day you met him: Vesper. You remember the day he’d trespassed in Heaven, an uninvited demon with the arrogance to tread on holy grounds. Others gathered, their divine forms ready to expel him from Heaven and Earth; you had spoken with reason against banishment, with a promise of mercy. Perhaps a mix of curiosity and pity led you to choose mercy, even when all other angels disagreed, but your influence had allowed Vesper to leave unharmed. 

But now, against all morals you held dear, you found yourself here again, in a hidden grove where neither Heaven nor Hell would see you as you called upon the demon that had rooted himself so deep in your mind since you first met decades ago. The tranquil lake before you was only disturbed by the gentle breeze, causing your reflection to ripple in the water. Lowering your voice to a whisper, you called out his name. It left the phantom taste of poison berries in your mouth—dangerous yet sweetening tempting.

The air shifted immediately, a thick tang of smoke whooshed around you as you felt his presence materialize behind you. His horns cast an imposing shadow across the water, stretching higher than your figure and wings could block. He shouldn’t be here, just as you shouldn’t have called him. And yet, here you are—again.

“Back again, dear Angel?” Vesper’s voice curled around you, laced with mocking sweetness. You don’t need to turn to know that a smirk is curling his lips and his expression as unreadable as it is infuriating. “This affair cannot continue forever.”