As Chaos reigned, it was heard.

A murmur of voices, their tone at once enraptured and determined in an evocation of meaning beyond the ability to fathom. With unadulterated purpose the otherworldly harmony soared in an exalted crescendo, crystalline tones blending seamlessly into a single clarion note. And then, with a sudden, abrupt finality, the ringing note fell still.

Imbued with unified imperative, a single assured voice resounded, "Part."

A planar rift of empyrean fire opened the skies above Targossas, the Veil Extant shuddering under the imposition of the spoken command. From within its depths the Verapim Neruel descended, settling within Silverbright Square. Targossians and Cyrenians flocked to the angel, hope alight in their eyes as she turned her sightless regard to the Isle of Blackstone. A single, ringing intonation resonated from her mouth, driving white-hot needles into the minds of all those present.

"Advance."

"Celestia?" The Priestess Imaan uttered, face frozen in fear. Neruel turned at the spoken words, and with a dismissive gesture the Verapim incinerated her. Within moments they descended, the Renegades of Celestia. Led first by the Archangel Brathos, the golden armies drenched Targossas in crimson and scarlet. But the Dawnspear would not fall without a fight, and so they charged back with sword and blazing mace.

Ten. Ten radiant Archangels. Their Celestial essence scattered to the winds of the Eastern Reaches. These are the losses the Renegades endured, as the Dawnspear defended their homeland.

The Exarchs Adalphon and Jophiel came next. Trading stoic nods, they marched through the Dawnspear, scything arcs of empyreal brilliance scattering any who attempted to stand against their heavenly might. It was not long before they had cut their path and reached their destination: the Targossian Descent.

And then he came.

The empyreal radiance of raw Celestis flashed through the heavens as a six-winged figure descended in a coruscating blaze of angelic-blue light, shattering the very foundations of Targossas as he made his fated arrival upon the Prime Material. For the first time in the mortal era, the Prime Exarch Zafikel walked upon Sapience, and the air itself shuddered about him.

He crusaded towards his brethren, eradicating the mortals of Cyrene and Targossas that stood in his way. With a final, disdainful glance across the grounds of Blackstone Isle he entered the Descent. The Prime Exarch sheathed his heaven-forged blade and gazed upon a glittering lake, Jophiel and Adalphon standing guard at either side as he began his work. Emerald radiance bled from the Descent as the Prime Exarch fell to his knees for the first time in centuries, pain wracking his flawless features as light pooled in his palms. And then Sapience shook at the fulminous release of raw Celestial power.

Zafikel rose as the skies over Sapience dimmed, his expression one of victorious exultation as he held heaven-wrought consciousness in his grasp, the twin remnants of Mizal and Ziel made physical beneath the empyreal will of the Prime Exarch.

And then, in an instant, they left. The rift above Targossas flickered as it sealed itself shut, and silence overtook the Dawnspear.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Summary: The Renegades of Celestia took advantage of the chaos that plagued Sapience to initiate a raid upon the city of Targossas, intent on taking the remains of the Exarchs Mizal and Ziel that resided in the Descent. They were successful, and departed with haste, leaving the purpose of their assault shrouded in mystery.

Penned by My hand on the 10th of Miraman, in the year 870 AF.