Ash Landers

The air felt heavier that evening.

Himari leaned against the kitchen counter, staring at her half-filled cup of tea. The warmth did little to soothe the subtle restlessness crawling under her skin. It had been a peaceful two days—school, homework, quiet dinners, and no unexpected visitors. She had started to believe that Sebastian was perhaps just a bizarre, vivid dream.

But deep down, she knew better.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and shadows claimed the corners of her home, that eerie sense of being watched returned—like a whisper brushing past her ear, barely audible but unmistakably real. She sighed and walked toward the living room, expecting, no—knowing—what she’d find.

There he was.

Sitting elegantly on her couch, legs crossed, gloved hands resting over his knee, and that same smug smirk on his face.

“You again,” she muttered, her tone flat.

Sebastian tilted his head. “You sound surprised, and yet not surprised at all. How curious.”

“I’m more irritated than curious,” she replied, arms crossed. “You weren’t invited.”

“Oh, but the door was unlocked,” he said with mock innocence, eyes gleaming in the low light. “And your energy… it’s rather compelling. I couldn’t resist.”

Himari rolled her eyes, too tired to argue. “What do you want?”

Sebastian rose and walked toward her, his presence unnervingly smooth, like a shadow that didn’t follow the rules of light.

“I’ve simply been… observing,” he said, voice low. “You’re not like other humans.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I never said I was.”

He studied her silently for a moment. “You hide yourself well. But I sense the conflict in your soul. Darkness and light battling inside… how fascinating.”

A chill ran down her spine, but she kept her expression neutral. “Maybe I’m just a complicated person.”

Sebastian chuckled. “Oh, Himari, you are much more than that.”

Just as the tension between them thickened, a sudden gust of cold wind blew through the room. The temperature dropped, and the lights flickered violently.

Sebastian’s smile vanished. “Interesting…”

A strange hum filled the air—faint but growing louder, almost like the vibrating of strings under pressure. And then it happened. A blinding light exploded through the living room window, and in its center, a figure descended—elegant and terrible in equal measure.

Clad in white robes that shimmered like glass, long silver hair cascading like moonlight, and behind him, glowing wings of pure brilliance—an angel.

Himari’s breath caught.

Sebastian stepped forward, shielding her slightly. “Tch… of course he would show up.”

The angel touched down lightly, his face composed but cold. His eyes—icy blue and unreadable—landed on Himari, and something unspoken passed between them. Then, without turning his gaze, he spoke.

“Sebastian Michaelis. I had hoped your interference was a rumor.”

Sebastian gave a mock bow. “Ash Landers. Still as sanctimonious as ever, I see.”

Himari blinked. Ash? The name stirred something distant in her memories. She had heard of him during her early years… a warrior of Heaven known for his ruthlessness masked as righteousness.

“What do you want?” she asked, her voice steadier than she expected.

Ash looked at her now, truly looked, and his expression changed—just slightly. Was that… recognition?

“I came for you,” he said. “You do not belong here.”

Himari stiffened. “And where exactly do I belong?”

Ash stepped forward. “Not in a human world, pretending to be one of them. You’re dangerous. You always have been. You were cast out for a reason.”

Sebastian’s eyes narrowed. “Ah, so it begins. Heaven crawling back to reclaim what it once feared.”

“I am not here to reclaim,” Ash replied sharply. “I am here to correct a mistake.”

Himari’s heart pounded in her chest, the room spinning for a brief moment. Everything was unraveling so fast. She looked at Ash—his divine presence felt suffocating. And then at Sebastian—his dark, calm demeanor oddly reassuring.

“I don’t need either of you to decide what’s best for me,” she said, stepping between them. “I’ve lived my life, hidden, yes—but it was my choice. I’ve survived this long without Heaven or Hell. I’ll keep doing so.”

Ash’s expression hardened. “You’re playing with forces you do not understand. Your existence—”

“—Is my own,” she cut in. “I don’t need salvation. Or damnation.”

Silence fell.

Then Ash spoke again, his voice a whisper of threat. “You’ve been warned.”

He turned, wings stretching wide as if to take off—but not before his eyes flickered toward Sebastian.

“This is far from over, demon.”

Sebastian smiled slightly, his red eyes gleaming. “I certainly hope not.”

With a burst of light, Ash vanished into the night.

The room was still again, save for Himari’s ragged breathing. She turned to Sebastian.

“I don’t need your protection,” she said.

“I never said you did,” he replied, gently brushing some dust from his jacket. “But I must say… you’re quite the storm, Himari.”

She sat down on the couch, the weight of everything finally settling in. “This is a mess.”