Threads of the Soul

Chapter 463 - 463: Angel

Once the strange man had stopped spilling his guts at the sight of Seth, Xander brushed off the awkwardness with some terrible jokes and a winning smile.However, the joyful mood was quickly changed as Corvus brought forth the severed arm of the Russian Captain. He peeled the blood covered sleeve off, revealing the runic tattoo etched into the arms skin.

"This," Corvus said as he held up the arm for all to see, "Is not the mark of a Requital. This is the mark of a traitor. The brand that the traitor gods have given their obedient little servants.

Branded like cattle, because that is how they see us. Simple cattle, grazing away in our backwater world, all to service and feed them. Not in meat, but in genetic potential."

He tossed the arm to the eagles, who snatched it out of the air before a pair of them started to briefly squabble and fight over the meaty treat. Ignoring the sounds of bristling feathers, Corvus continued,

"This entire system, the reason for our evolution, is just to find the right genetic samples for them. To cut through the randomness, to find the perfect abilities, so they can harvest and implant the results of our hard work, our struggle to survive, into themselves without the need to go through it themselves.

We exist... to die for them. Now I don't know about you... But I don't intend to die for anyone but those I love."

He looked over his shoulder, gazing at Astra meaningfully in a way that no one could avoid noticing or misunderstand. It was a look that caused the spider woman to chitter in annoyance, but Corvus chose to ignore it as he continued with his speech.

"We cannot be sure who else here has allowed themselves to be branded as God-loving cattle. So it's time to roll up your sleeves and prove your allegiance. To humanity, or to the enemy."

"Roll up our sleeves? T-this is ridiculous! You really want to start some witch hunt right after we barely survived?

How can we be sure you aren't the traitor framing him after your 'miraculous' resurrection."

Everyone turned silently towards the man who had shouted in rage, their eyes full of suspicion as the same thought immediately entered their mind. Why was he suddenly so defensive? With a nod from Xander, his military men immediately rushed forwards and grabbed the man, pinning his arms out as they began to forcibly searched his body for any markings.

The man complained and barked orders the entire time, demanding that he was to be released and that they were violating him, but no one stepped forwards to help.

Eventually, the soldiers finished their search and surprisingly found nothing suspicious on the man, which only made him out to look like more of an idiot for speaking out at the worst time.

The next few searches were carried out in a much less forceful way, as the other survivors of the group allowed themselves to be searched and lifted their clothing when need be. Corvus even allowed it for himself, as did Xander for his own soldiers and the strange man that accompanied them.

No one was exempt from the search. One by one everyone was checked until finally, they found something.

Burned onto the arm of a pretty young assistant of the Spanish leader, was the exact same marking. The moment her marking was discovered, a pair of pure white wings erupted from her back. Her hair straight blonde hair shone with a radiant light while her eyes turned cold.

She thrust her fist through the chest of the solider in front of her, meeting no resistance from his makeshift armour, and slapped the other soldier so hard that his head launched from his neck. The woman turned Angel launched herself into the air, her wings beating against the wind as she rose high into the sky.

But she didn't make it very far.

Two sets of threads, one naturally made from silk while the other woven from strands of the soul, wrapped around her wings and dragged her from the sky. As soon as she hit the ground, Astra was already on top of her.

Astra's eyes glowed bright as sparks danced between her blackened fingers, before twin streams of lightning launched from her palms and stabbed into the Angelic spy.

Her body convulsed under Astra's boot as the lightning played havoc with her nervous system. Only when the tips of her pristine white wings started to smoke and smoulder, did Astra finally let up.

"You... should be grateful to die for our masters." The Angel grunted through gritted teeth, looking up at the humans gathering around her with hatred in her beautiful eyes.

"Your miserable little lives are utterly worthless... without our blessing. Humanity, What a ridiculous, pathetic people you a-Arrrrrrggghhh!"

Her vitriolic speech of her supremacy quickly turned to pained screams as Astra shocked her again. Once she was silent once more, Corvus slowly turned to the man that had interrupted him previously.

Although he had now pulled his hood up once more, hiding his face in its darkness, the man could still feel the condescending and irritated glare Corvus was giving him.

"Any more questions? Or perhaps you want to make a different accusation towards me?"

The man blushed deeply, glancing around in embarrassment, before lowering his head.

"N-no..." He muttered in a mousy voice, "No I don't. I'm sorry."

A few laughs were heard from those nearby as the arrogant leader behaved like nothing more than a scolded child, which only made the man blush and shrink away more in the hopes that the earth would open up and eat him.

But before Corvus could say anymore, another soft voice spoke up.

"I've seen her before..."

All heads, including the Angel's, immediately turned to the source of that voice. Ava let out a soft whimper, blushing deeply and flinching as if those stares had burned her.

"You're sure about that?" Corvus asked cautiously, gesturing for her to come closer as she still stood off to the side alongside her twin.

Despite her anxiety fighting her the entire time, she slowly moved forwards to get a better look at the Angel's rage filled face. She gazed intensely at it, taking in the features for a few moments, before nodding softly.

"Yes, I've definitely seen her before. A few times, actually."