Rising from the Ashes (Andrew) novel Chapter 3165

Nyx looked sad as she shook her head. "I don't understand why Arya would end up like this. She was the Cathedral's archangel, someone with a bright future ahead of her. But somehow, she still fell. Andrew, could there be some hidden reason behind this? Like maybe she was schemed against or harmed by the Vampire Queen?"

Andrew thought for a moment and shook his head. "Probably not. While an angel's fall can be achieved through temptation, that only works on lower-ranking angels. Someone like Arya, the Cathedral's strongest angel, the Pope's right hand, couldn't possibly be seduced unless a crack had already formed in Arya's radiant heart. Only then could the darkness find a way in."

Nyx hesitated before asking, "Then did something break inside Arya during her last battles?"

Andrew said coldly, "That's her own issue. I've always said Arya was too pure, and being so pure that she couldn't tell gray from black, fighting what she called 'evil' to the bitter end was just foolish.

"When she was powerful, she hunted the darkness to extinction. So when the darkness grew strong, it was only natural they'd retaliate. The deaths of the two archangels and the assault from two Dark Progenitors must have shattered her. That's how her pure angelic heart developed a flaw.

"With the Vampire Queen's overwhelming presence, even the slightest corruption in her was enough to ensure her fall."

Without wasting another moment, Andrew and Nyx rushed back to Throne City.

Once there, Andrew found Franz and instructed him to contact the Holtrien military high command immediately. He was to inform them that the Dark Queen had awakened.

Franz's expression turned grave as he nodded. "Understood, I'll go now. But, Andrew, a few friends of yours just arrived in Throne City. They're waiting for you."

Andrew frowned. "Friends from Holtrien?"

Franz smiled. "That's right, from Holtrien. You should go see them right away."

Puzzled, Andrew quickly made his way to the Throne Hall. Inside, a few people sat looking uneasy.

Standing at the entrance to the Throne Hall, Nyx watched this unfold. First, she frowned, then she felt a pang of discomfort, then she pursed her lips, and finally, she clenched her teeth.

Luna stepped forward, her gaze deep and affectionate. "Andrew, it's been a long time."

Andrew paused, caught off guard. "What did you call me?"

Luna blushed but tried to act composed. "Andrew. Is that wrong?"

Andrew gave a cold smirk. "I suggest you call me what you're supposed to. Unless you've forgotten who I am now?"