The Veil rippled the moment I touched down on the cloud’s edge—soft light turning sharp, cold. Something was pushing through from the other side.

Then he stepped out.

A demon. Tall, dark, bleeding from a wound across his side. His crimson eyes locked onto mine, surprised… almost relieved.

I lifted my staff. “You’re trespassing. Turn back.”

He gave a low, tired laugh. “If I could, angel… I wouldn’t be kneeling.”

Only then did I see him sway, breath uneven. Instinct pulled me forward, even as every rule screamed at me to stay away.

“Don’t,” he warned softly. “Heaven doesn’t help creatures like me.”

I hesitated—then reached out anyway. “Maybe this one does.”

He stared at me like he didn’t believe I existed.

“…Name?” I asked.