With eyes anew, Atticus awoke to the world. Above, the stars shone with a supernatural brilliance, at first appearing only as blurred spots in the inky indigo of early morn, until at last the incubus’ focus drew them into fiery points of light. Blinking, he took stock of himself. 

There was feeling in his limbs. His fingers, his wings, his tail; they all tingled with the sensation of life. With slow, intentional care, Atticus lifted his right hand before his vision, and peered at his flesh. Skin that had once shone bright crimson, now appeared only as a dull onyx smudge against the stars that silhouetted the hand. Puzzled, Atticus turned his hand about, his eyes squinting with realization that he no longer possessed the only color his demonic skin had ever known. 

The infernal essence of Hell itself had changed the incubus, that much was apparent. As the fury of the netherworld had channeled its way through him, his very essence had evolved. As he focused on it now, Atticus could feel this shift, like a caterpillar emerging at last from its chrysalis. He was born again, different, yet inherently the same; an incubus, a demon, yet even more.

This born again demon came to reality then. He gasped, sitting up from the warm earth as his mind flooded with the recent memory of Fenris’ demise, and the valiant effort to save the world from the god wolf’s final act of destruction. He looked about, his eyes obsidian orbs with pupils of burning yellow, searched the sundered landscape.

His gaze found the scarlet brilliance of Veti, the angelic beauty of Gabriel, but no immediate sign of any of the other Bain & Hoyle members revealed themselves to him. 

“Siya…?” Atticus called out, his voice at first a whisper. He spoke again, and yet again, his call raising in volume and urgency. “Siya? Siya!? Where are you?”

The incubus’ voice cracked as he made his way to his feet. Black wings, healed and grand trailed behind him as he stumbled about the rubble of Ardgroom. 

“Siya!” He yelled. A single black, almost oil-like tear traced the line of his cheek.