[ WP ] There is no magic to save this slowly dying world .

`` You ca n't just leave!'' 
 
 Ariel turned back to the face the shouting boy. Fiery eyes held Ariel's gaze. 
 `` I can and I must, Cain. It is the way, it is *our* way.'' 
 
 `` You'd see this world die, these people starve to death, for some stupid laws made by an old, cruel man?'' There was nothing young above the way he shouted. 
 
 `` You are still young, Cain. I know what you experience. You think you understand it, the emotion that clutches at your heart. You think you can control it, harness it. But you can not. You are not the first.'' 
 
 `` Do not *dare* judge me, Ariel! I am nothing like Shaisan! Nothing like him!'' 
 
 Ariel stepped forward, felt wilted leaves crush beneath his feet. `` And what do you know of Shaisan, Cain?'' 
 
 The fury in the boy's eyes flared. `` Do not patronize me!'' 
 
 `` You misunderstand me, Cain. Your rage robs you of your rationality, so much like the men of this world. But you are not of this world, Cain.'' Ariel stopped before the boy, ten feet of twisted, plagued ground between them. `` You are so much like him. Brilliant, beautiful, wise beyond your years. Your heart burns with passion even He can not rival.'' 
 
 Tears flowed from the man's eyes, shining droplets in the red night. `` Do not make the same mistakes, Cain. Heed my words and return to your place.'' 
 
 The fire in the boy's eyes faded, and for a moment the world stilled as shining tears struck the dark ground. 
 
 Ariel reached out, slowly, and laid a hand on the boy's shoulder. `` Come home, Cain, and take your place at His side.'' 
 
 Cain struck out. He slapped Ariel's arm to the side, then swung at his elder's head. 
 
 A strong caught his fist, so fast that it seemed Ariel's arm had appeared before him. He pulled away, but Ariel held his fist in a vice. 
 
 `` RELEASE ME!'' 
 
 `` Why did you have to do this, Cain?'' Ariel cried, tears washing down his perfect face. `` Why could n't you just obey?'' 
 
 `` You worship Him, Ariel! HIM! He cares nothing for us! Our very existence is only to flatter Him! Can you not see that?'' He too wept, the fury replaced by fear and utter despair. 
 
 `` He made all. We are His.'' 
 
 `` He cares nothing for any of us! Nothing!'' 
 
 `` It is His right.'' He raised a hand, his palm flaring beams of light. `` I am sorry, Cain.'' 
 
 `` Please! PLEASE!'' 
 
 With sudden force, Ariel struck the boy. Light flared from Cain's face, exploding from where the hand had struck. 
 
 The boy writhed, mouthing muted screams, arms clutching at Ariel's robes. 
 
 The man watched on motionless, shining tears washing down his face as the boy died a brilliant death. The lost angel convulsed once, then once again, and then lay still amongst the wilted leaves, a last sadness upon his face. 
 
 Ariel felt the rain begin to fall, rain that would drown the world, and he wept his last tears. Then, he lifted his gaze to the heavens and soared upward in column of light. 
 
 He would return to the Father's side. He would do His will. He would.
