Will awoke and a soft bed. He frowned, confused, wondering how he had gotten here, and realized with a shock that he was in the back room of Nathanael’s bookstore, laying on the couch he and Tella had shared. Quickly he sat up, intending on jumping up, but stopped, feeling his head pound. He gasped, freezing and grabbed his head until the throbbing subsided.

“Didn’t we tell you not to stay in the underworld too long?” came Hazael’s voice. Will blinked and turned to see Hazael watching him from the entrance.

“W-What’s going on?” Will asked. “Where’s-”

“Safe.” Hazael said. He moved across the room, sitting down in one of the chairs. “Stay seated. There is a lot I must tell you. You’ve been asleep for almost a week.” Will gasped.

“A-A week?” he asked amazed. Hazael nodded.

“Apparently the underworld did take its toll on you. Now, please listen to what I have to say and try not to interrupt, as you are so fond of doing. I’m going to try and enlighten you.” Will blinked and sat back, feeling slightly chided, though he hadn’t done anything that he knew of.

“After you left, Nathanael and I took Tella and Collin to the other world, when we became aware of a certain presence that had intruded upon your world. This being’s name is Eros, and he was causing great havoc in your world, mostly through a mortal called Maloom Vraido. He was able to do this so easily because your world has not been exposed to the ravages of Eros’s race as this world has. This world has built up a kind of resistance to their meddling, making it much harder for them to influence affairs here, though I will say the do manage to mangle up quite a bit. At any rate, Eros had finally decided to make his move, to steal the powers locked within Minerva and Azrael.”

“Powers? Oh! Hazael, Fairien-” Will began, but was cut off with a stern look from Hazael.

“You’re interrupting.” He said smoothly but not coldly, “May I proceed?” he asked. Will nodded, “Eros’s race are those that you met and indeed, their agenda involves a certain power, locked within Michael, Minerva, and Azrael. They seek this power in order to destroy my race.” Hazael said. “However, Eros was unsuccessful in obtaining this power, as Nathanael and I showed up and stopped him. He is not dead, but has been sent away from your world and will not return.”

“Upon our meeting with Azrael and Minerva, they learned what had happened to Michael and were determined to save him, now that they knew the balance of their world was already affected they would loose nothing by leaving it for a short time. Also, I suspect being confronted with Eros like that, drove their urge to save their friend from similar tortures.”

“That was Minerva’s voice we heard, when we-” Will interrupted again.

“Indeed.” Hazael said, trying to ignore the interruption, “Minerva saved you and Michael, while Azrael held the others off of you so that you could all escape. And to answer your next question, they are all fine and made it back safely.” He blinked, smiling, “In fact, I believe I hear them returning.” The bell at the front door tingled lightly as four people walked in from the cold outside.

“Did you see it? It was- it was- magnificent! It was a wheel, constructed entirely of earthly materials! And it rotated!” her voice was awed and love struck, “have you ever seen geometry look so beautiful…?”

“Yes Minerva…” came Fairien’s tired voice. “We saw it. We saw it for an hour and a half, while you stared at it.” There was a light chuckle.

“Don’t be harsh Michael,” came Azrael’s voice. “Besides, who was it that kept wanting to climb to the top of that thing and look down?”

“That would have been the only cool part about it…Besides, I could have flown up there easily.” Fairien muttered. There was a light laugh that Will identified as Nathanael’s.

“I wouldn’t recommend that.” He said.

“Hmph. Whatever.” Fairien said, walking into the back room to check on Will. He stopped at the doorway, seeing Will sitting up. He smiled warmly.

“Hey! I’m glad you finally woke up.” He said.

“Y-Yeah. Me too.” Will said. There was a pause as they stared at each other, not quite sure what to say. Fairien blinked and look at the floor.

“I’m really sorry for not believing you, back in the underworld…” he said quietly. “I’ve been wanting to tell you that ever since we got out of there…”

“It’s alright. Everything worked out.” Will said. Fairien shook his head.

“But it could have easily ended badly. I was blinded by being so stubborn, just like I’ve always been. I’m afraid to say that I’ll change my ways, because so far, for ever misfortune my blindness has caused, I haven’t seemed to learn anything from it, and I keep making the same mistakes over and over again.”

“Ah, but then you wouldn’t be Michael then, would you?” Minerva laughed. Fairien smiled, seeing her come up behind him.

“Where are Tella and Collin?” Will asked Hazael.

“In your world still. They are working on putting the world back in order.” Hazael answered. “Last I heard they imprisoned Maloom Vraido and several of his followers, but it will take a great deal of work to set Betamy back on the right path. After making sure that they would be alright, Nathanael and I returned here to-” he paused smiling at Fairien, Minerva, and Azrael, “-look after these three.”

“And him.” Minerva said, pointing to Will. Hazael nodded.

“Yes. And Will.” Hazael agreed. Minerva grinned, poking Fairien and looking at Will.

“He freaked when you fainted.” She said, teasingly. Fairien scowled pushing her away, making her giggle more.

“I didn’t freak, I was concerned.” He muttered. Will laughed lightly, smiling. He didn’t exactly remember fainting, but he didn’t remember anything after being rescued by Minerva, so it must have happened around then. Hazael cleared his throat.

“At any rate, now that Will is awake, will you agree to come with me to your true home?” Hazael asked. Fairien slowly nodded, looking slightly nervous.

“Yes.” Fairien said. “I-I think that would be good.” Hazael nodded.

“We’ll go tomorrow. It’s late.” He said. Will blinked, remembering something.

“Oh, yes, Hazael,” he said, “Remember the girl I told you about, that came to our world?” Hazael nodded. “Well, while I was in the under world, I saw her.” Everyone in the room stopped, and stared at Will. He continued, “While we were being lead to that chamber room, I saw her, encased in a blue crystal and she looked unconscious. But I’m certain it was the wanderer.” He said.

“The wanderer?” Azrael asked, “What on earth could they want with her?” Hazael and Nathanael were quiet for a moment, looking at one another.

“This isn’t good…” Nathanael murmured. Hazael shook his head.

“We don’t know what this is yet.” He said and turned to Will, “We’ve been looking for her, but so far haven’t found her. I suppose this is why… At any rate, we’ll have to meet with our superiors about this.” He and Nathanael shared another look, and then Hazael nodded and walked to the front door of the bookshop.

“I’ll stay here,” Nathanael explained. “Hazael is going to try and find out more information.” He said, trying to reassure them, “I’m sure tomorrow when we ascend we’ll find out more.” he smiled and asked sweetly, “Now, would any of you like some tea?”

 

 

The night wore on and Will reckoned it must have been about three a.m. before he finally gave up on sleeping. Carefully, he staggered up and went out back to sit on the stoop and watch the lights of the city. He sighed, trying to go over his thoughts, when he heard a small noise off to his left. Tensing up he looked over, only to see Fairien a few feet away, kicking pebbles across the small courtyard. His eyes lit on Will and he looked slightly embarrassed.

“Hey.” He said quietly.

“Hey.” Will returned. Fairien sighed and went over to him, looking up at the sky.

“I really like this world.” Fairien said.

“Yeah?” Will asked. “It’s alright I guess. I haven’t seen much of it though, so I can’t really form an opinion.” Fairien nodded.

“… Azrael and Minerva told me about what happened in our world after I left. What happened in Betamy I mean.” He said.

“Ah, yeah.” Will nodded.

“I never dreamed something like that could happen in my country…” Fairien mused, “That’s why… I don’t ever want to leave Betamy again… Its not that I think Betamy can’t go one without me… I’m just not sure I could go on without Betamy, and for something like that to happen to it....” He sighed. “You were right about my happiness in the underworld. I felt terrible down there, but I wouldn’t let myself feel it, convinced that Yash was a tie to my past and I wanted desperately to hang onto that tie… But now I realize the past doesn’t matter so much to me. Not if it puts the things I love in danger.” He ended.

“Tomorrow we’re going to that place that Hazael said was your real home.” Will said. “Don’t you want to live there? I mean, if that’s your true home… then could you ever be happy somewhere else?” Fairien sighed softly.

“I don’t know.” He said. “I guess I’ll find out tomorrow, but… I’m scared. If they accept me, then where will I be? I don’t want to leave Betamy, but I can’t just turn away from my own people… Or what if they reject me? Then where will I be?”

“Why would they reject you?” Will asked, a little taken aback.

“I… I gave into the underworld; I accepted it as my home. That’s what I convinced myself to believe! I don’t know if they’ll take me… I know Azrael and Minerva are excited, but…” he trailed off for a moment. “I had a dream, about eating the fruit of the underworld… and I… I was so close Will, you don’t understand, one more second and I wouldn’t have been able to resist that temptation.” He bit his lip, wondering if he should continue, but found himself doing so, “And the strange thing was… It was you that was offering that fruit to me.”

“Me?” Will asked. Fairien nodded and closed his eyes.

“Sometimes I think that fruit wasn’t just the fruit of the underworld, but something more. Maybe, it’s my weaknesses… My longing for the other world and all that is familiar. I don’t want to loose that, and I keep feeling like you’ve got that fruit pressed against my lips and despite my best efforts I think that any minute I’m going to bite it.” He paused to take a breath. “I’m sorry. This is weird.”

“M-Mm…” Will nodded, looking down. He paused a moment, then spoke, “But I know that you have a strong enough spirit to do what you have to… The things that will reveal your true self.” He swallowed. “Hazael and Nathanael told me it was too late for you, that I shouldn’t waste my life trying to find you, when most likely you would be one of the beings of the underworld… But I told them that you wouldn’t let that happen; that you wouldn’t let anyone make you something you’re not… not Yash, not Hazael, not Nathanael, and not me… And I still hold true to that.” The air once was still again, allowing the soft distant noises of the city to be heard. Fairien looked at Will a moment, then smiled.

“Thank you Will.”

 

 

 

Hazael stumbled into the bookshop, opening the door and making the little bell tinkle. He sighed, and slumped down on one of the bar stools and rested his head against the counter.

“You look tired.” Nathanael commented. Hazael groaned. He had been shuffled around so much in the last few hours and utterly exhausted by explanations and mind-bending concepts. He wanted to sleep.

“Give me an espresso and don’t bother with those little cups.” Hazael muttered. Nathanael laughed and reached for a cup.

“You’ve become quite the coffee addict.” He said.

“Leave me alone.” Hazael said good naturedly, pulling his head up.

“Did you find out anything?” Nathanael asked.

“Lots.”  Hazael answered. “They’ll know everything tomorrow.”

“Everything?” Nathanael asked sliding the cup of coffee into Hazael’s hand. Hazael nodded.

“Everything.” he answered and took a sip. “Ooohh… Nice.” He closed his eyes.

“Here you are.” Nathanael said slipping him a small piece of paper. Hazael blinked and picked it up, examining it. He frowned, looking over the top of his mug at Nathanael.

“You’re charging me? That’s cold.” He muttered. Nathanael laughed.

“No, that’s business.” He said lightly. Hazael sighed and dug into his pocket, throwing two large coins at Nathanael. Nathanael caught them and dropped them into his cash register still smiling.

 

 

“Let me see.” Arial said soothingly. Eros bit his lip and let her look at the wound on his arm.

“That stupid Hazael! He’s the one that did this…” Eros growled. “One day I’m going to get him alone and then I’ll torture him… See how he likes it.” They were in Arial’s room deep in the underworld. Arial was trying to heal Eros’s wounds but he was being stubborn. It seemed he was very ashamed of being beaten.

“Oh come now, we don’t have time to think of things like that.” Ariel said sensibly.  

“If they hadn’t taken me by surprise, while I was busy-” Eros began.

“Yes yes, we both know you’re much too powerful to let little weaklings like that beat you. Besides, you shouldn’t feel too bad. There were two of them and one of you, and like you said, you were distracted with Azrael and Minerva.” She said. Eros frowned wincing as she touched his shoulder and leaned closer to him. “I’m just glad you came back.”

“Of course I came back.” He grumbled. Ariel smiled and kissed his neck.

“Of course you did.” She said.

 

 

 

They arrive back in the bright city Will had been to before. He groaned, feeling that same light pierce his eyes unrelentingly. Once again he had spontaneously awoken to the light and was annoyed that everyone but he had been allowed to fly up on their own. He had been put to sleep and carried.

 Grumbling Will stood up and tried to shield his eyes from the light.

“This place is really…” Azrael trailed off, looking over it.

“Bright.” Fairien finished. Nathanael laughed.

“You get used to it.” He said. “Come on, this way.” Once again, they were lead towards that large building that Will had been to previously. They entered the large building with high ceilings. Fairien, Minerva and Azrael gazed around in awe as they moved down toward the hallway that led to the chamber Will had visited. They entered quickly and closed the door behind them. Immediately upon entering Azrael, Fairien and Minerva gasp, and knelt with Hazael and Nathanael. Will looked at them, puzzled. He still couldn’t see anything, though he knew that presence must be here. So he knelt too.

“How do you like it?” the rich voiced asked quietly. No one answered, no quite sure who he was talking to, or about what. There was a soft laugh and then the voice said, “Forgive me. I suppose you all came here looking for answers? How much have Hazael and Nathanael told you?”

“… We haven’t told them much at all sir.” Hazael answered. “We thought that perhaps something like this shouldn’t come from us.”

“Huh?” Will said looking over at Hazael in confusion. What was he talking about? They ignored Will.

“Ah, I see.” The voice said.

“Excuse me…?” Fairien said, his voice slightly nervous, “I was wondering if you could tell me something about the being named Yash?… He was our teacher was he not?… But if that’s true, then…”

“…I’m afraid you are mistaken.” The voice said. “The being known as Yash was never your teacher.” Fairien blinked, looking startled.

“But-”

“Yash is a being of the underworld and he has always resided there…” the voice said. There was a note of finality to it, so that Fairien found that he could not ask any more questions.

“It seems your memories will need to come back for you to understand.” The voice said. “You must awaken. Then you will be safe.” It said.

“We have arranged for the ceremony of awakening to happen tonight.” Hazael said quietly.

“Very good.” The voice said.

“The ceremony of awakening?” Azrael asked. Nathanael nodded.

“Once you have undergone the ceremony you will regain your memories and you will understand what you are, much better than you do now. Once you are aware, the power of the underworld will have a much harder time touching you.” He smiled, “And you three will need all the protection from the underworld you can get.”

“You see, you three hold a very important power within you, which if used wrongly could do great damage. We call it the power to create and destroy.” The voice said quietly. “This is why the underworld has devoted such special attention to you all.”

“Yes. Yash talked about that power.” Fairien said. Azrael nodded.

“So did Eros.” He said. “He said he wanted it to destroy you all?”

“Yes. I’m afraid that is true.” The voice said. “They found away into your world and could have taken the power from you by force, but were afraid that if they did it all at once it would catch our attention, and we would prevent them… So they did it quietly, by kidnapping the most gullible among you-” at this Fairien felt his face flush, but the voice continued, “-and attempted to fool him into becoming one of them… When this failed, however, they decided to take it by force. Luckily, they were not successful.”

“This power that you speak of,” Azrael said quietly, “this power to create and destroy, it is this power that allowed us to create the beings of our world, correct?”

“Yes.”

“And that same power is what we called the talismans.” Fairien said. He turned to Minerva and Azrael, “But when you two destroyed your talismans, the power returned to you… But mine, mine was still in the sword.”

“Yes.” The voice said. “That was something we had not anticipated. We thought that the power was in the underworld, and we could not have that. That is why we allowed the human to go in after you. As small a chance as he had, at least it was a chance to get the power back.”

“H-Hey!” Will said, “So, you were just using me?”

“You were using us,” Hazael said, “So we used you.” Will frowned, looking slightly annoyed.

“But ironically enough, the human we sent into the underworld to retrieve the power, had that very power within him.” Nathanael said.

“Luckily it worked out, but it could have easily ended in tragedy.” Hazael said and glanced at Will. “I hope that you will not keep anything else from us that is that important.” Will scowled, indignantly.

“How was I supposed to know?” he asked, “You didn’t tell me anything about a power being involved.” He grumbled.

“However, there is another matter that is of great concern.” The voice said. “And I’m afraid it has to do with the girl named Gabriel, or the wanderer, as you call her.”

 

 

 

“Arial! Eros!” Yash called to them.

“Yes sir?” they asked, stepping forward. Yash still had his back to them, staring into a projection he had created, showing the world above.

“The time to act has come. No more sneaking about. We are going to make our intentions clear, just as we did all those centuries ago. Only this time,” Yash paused, “Those three children will not stop us.” He turned to them, “You both understand your roles?” he asked.

“Yes.” They both said. Yash nodded.

“Then let us make this a day to end all.”

 

 

 

“You say that she is in the underworld, human?” the voice asked. Will nodded.

“When I saw the wanderer, she was sealed in a blue crystal.” He said.

“Ah, then they have contained her…” the voice said. “She is a variable in the fate of the world, and as powerful as she is, and how much she could do for their cause, the others are frightened of her. Frightened of what she could do.”

“W-What?” Will asked. “What’s special about her? I mean, she went to our world, what’s the big deal?”

“… Going to your world has nothing to do with it, though, I’m sure that Azrael’s choice to use her was not completely random, was it?” the voice asked.

“No…” Azrael admitted. “I was drawn to her as much as she was drawn to me. I never knew why, I only assumed that she was the one that would help our world and that it was meant to be.”

“Perhaps so, however I believe you were drawn to her because of the immense power with in this girl, even though you could not consciously feel this power, just as she cannot feel it.”

“What power are we talking about now?” Will asked confused. “This isn’t the same power in Azrael Minerva and Fairien, is it?”

“No. This is completely different.” Hazael answered.

“The name Gabriel is given to a variable in fate. She is a factor built into creation to announce.”

“… To announce what exactly?” Azrael asked.

“To announce life for this world, or… to announce its destruction.”
               

 

Avery walked along the halls of Betamy’s castle, smiling at the sunny windows. The castle was a bit different, since many of the paintings and tapestries that had decorated the halls had been burned, but it was still the same castle. He winced slightly at his own movement, feeling the bandages against his chest.

Azrael’s healing had not been complete. While the major organs and flesh wounds had been cured, there was still pain and he still had to wear bandages to help his skin heal. After Hazael and Nathanael had told Minerva and Azrael about the situation in the other world they had left immediately, though Azrael had offered to complete the healing before he left. Avery had declined the offer, knowing that Azrael would need what little strength he had to cross into the other world and rescue Will and Fairien.

Maloom Vraido had been imprisoned; along with much of his “royal guard” as they called themselves. Avery frowned, thinking of how crowded their dungeons were now. There really wasn’t an easy answer with what to do with them. Avery knew that for all the terrible things Maloom had done, it wasn’t just Maloom to blame. He would have never gone as far as he did without the help of that Eros being.

Tella had wanted to kill them, slowly and painfully, but after Avery spent a bit of time talking her out of it, she calmed down and reluctantly said maybe their deaths shouldn’t be cruel and painful. Avery shook his head, smiling, knowing that despite Tella’s harsh words, she wouldn’t have them killed. Right now all she was feeling was outrage at what Maloom had done to Avery, and Avery really couldn’t blame her. He himself felt slightly vengeful, but he dismissed it, deciding that he would not stoop to Maloom’s level. Instead he would offer the man kindness.

Avery opened the door to the dungeons, carrying down a plate of food prepared by none other than himself. He made it down the stairs fairly well with only minimal pain, as he stepped off the last step and walked down through the dark hallways.

He found Maloom curled against one of the dungeon walls. Staring off into space. They had put Maloom into one of the cells with bars instead of stonewalls so that he could be monitored more easily. Avery stopped in front of his cell and set the tray down gently. He watched Maloom a moment, then turned to leave.

“I will not eat that of which Hailian hands have made.” Maloom muttered. Avery turned to him, considering him with his delicate gaze.

“Then you will starve.” He said simply.

“I would rather die than become your pet.” Maloom spat.

“I do not want you as a pet.” Avery said coolly, “But if you are to survive, a bit of your pride will have to die.” He continued, “Although, know that I will strive to preserve your pride to the best of my ability, for I know that to loose all pride is a dangerous thing, but I cannot have you so over grown with pride that you attempt such dangerous things as you have in the past.”

“What are you talking about Hailian?” Maloom hissed.

“I am not ‘Hailian’, as you have dubbed me. My name is Avery, and you will address me as such.” Avery continued, his voice quiet and calm. “I am used to this behavior sir, and you do not intimidate me. I have spent my life raising children, and after that I’m afraid nothing can intimidate me.” He bowed politely. “Good day.” He said and turned, leaving Maloom. Maloom blinked and moved to the front of his cell.

“Hey! How dare you dismiss me Hailian!” he shouted. But Avery was gone. Maloom sat in silence, glowing into the darkness. He wished some of his followers were near. Then he could gain strength from them… But no, Avery had made sure that he was kept far apart from his brethren. It was all Avery’s fault. Maloom blinked.

Odd, he thought. I’ve become used to thinking of him as Avery… he frowned, annoyed that he seemed to be losing the battle to the Hailian… He sighed and looked down at the plate of food. He was terribly hungry and the food looked extremely good. He growled at himself, and reached through the bars, taking one of the hot rolls of bread.

If I starve then where will I be? No use in starving… He thought, trying to calm himself as he ate.

“The Hailian can cook…” he observed in surprise. “Hmph. That’s all he’s good for…” he added and continued to eat.

 

 

 

The door behind them opened and a young woman came in, looking slightly agitated.

“Excuse me,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”

“It’s alright. What is it Rachael?” the voice asked kindly.

“There is… and object.” She said quietly, “an object in the sky floating there… It’s nothing we did sir…So…”

“What is it?” the voice asked.

“A crystal.” Rachael answered. “A blue crystal with a girl inside.” The others gasped.

“The wanderer!” Will said. Rachael blinked.

“I’m sorry?” she asked.

“Never mind Rachael. Thank you.” The voice said. Rachael bowed and left.

“It seems they are acting… Though I do not know what they plan by placing the wanderer out in plain view…” the voice said.

“Perhaps they will attempt to awaken her, and make her announce destruction.” Hazael said.

“Yes… But you can’t influence her decision…” the voice said. “It is something that she does for herself…”

“Why would she announce destruction?” Will asked. “I mean, she’s our friend and I don’t think she would do anything like that!”

“… The girl you know and the ancient being connected to her are completely different, mortal. The being knows its duty. As for your other question, to announce destruction the girl must be shown that the world is unworthy to survive any longer. And thus she will announce its destruction.”  

“All they have to do is show her a world unworthy of living.” Nathanael said sadly. “However, our world now is flawed as it is, it does not disserve destruction.”

“They must be planning something…” Hazael said.

“What if we just go get her?” Will asked.

“Yes! Then we can protect her from them!” Fairien said. His outburst was met with silence. Fairien blinked, looking at them. “Is… something wrong with that?” he asked.

“We would prefer you not to have any contact with danger that could jeopardize your awakening. Contact with the underworld specifically.” Hazael said. “And if you go out there now, you will undoubtedly receive such contact.”

“We can’t just leave her out there!” Will said.

“We won’t.” the voice said. “I will send a team out to investigate the object.”

“Sir, would it be permitted for Nathanael and I to investigate it?” Hazael asked.

“… You may.” The voice said. “Any particular reason why?”

“I feel that this is my duty sir.” Hazael said. “I feel responsible for this group and any matter involving them.” 

“Nathanael?” the voice asked. Nathanael nodded.

“I share the same belief.” He said quietly.

“Very well.” The voice said.

 

 

 

Ariel met Eros’s eyes and stared at him for a moment. They hung in between space, waiting for the right moment. It would come soon; they could both feel it.

“This could be the triumph.” Ariel said. “It could mark the end of our struggles.”

“Or the beginning.” Eros said quietly. Ariel blinked looking away.

“… Eros,” she said quietly. “Are we justified?” Eros blinked, then laughed.

“I can’t believe you. Having doubt at a time like this.” He said. “What are you talking about?”

“… What are you talking about?” she asked, scowling slightly at him. “You’ve always had doubts… I mean, in the beginning, do you remember, when we left?” she asked. Eros frowned.

“We had to leave.” He said.

“… I know.” Ariel said.

“It doesn’t matter now anyway.” Eros said, sighing tiredly. “We can’t go back. Ever.” He looked down, almost sadly. Ariel moved closer to him and touched his shoulder, pulling herself against him and rested her head under his chin.

“Because we cannot receive forgiveness…” she murmured. She felt his lungs release their air as he exhaled.

“Mmm.” He said. “… Ariel?” he said quietly after a moment.

“Hmm?” she asked.

“… If you could go back, would you?” he asked. Ariel didn’t answer right away. Eros waited a moment before he felt her draw in the breath to answer.

“… Abandonment is not in my nature.” She said quietly. Eros paused, and then wrapped his arms around her.

“It’s almost time.” He said.

 

 

 

The wind blew strongly against their wings as Hazael and Nathanael flew, cutting through the air skillfully riding the currents.

“There…” Nathanael breathed as they flew, bobbing against the swells of warm air rising from the earth. Ahead, an object hung in the sky.

“Ah, this could cause trouble if the mortals see it.” Hazael said. Nathanael nodded as they slowed, hovering near the object, watching it.

Indeed, inside the blue crystal they could make out the form of a girl, sleeping within.

“She must be the wanderer they spoke of.” Nathanael said. Hazael frowned.

“Wanderer is an appropriate term for her.” He said. “For she will never truly be at home anywhere, being the variable in time that she is. Her ancient mission will keep her from stability and will forever drift through time, awaiting the apocalypse.”

“Which may come about very soon.” A voice said from behind them. Hazael and Nathanael gasped, turning to see Eros hovering behind them, his wings spread and flapping, holding him in the air.

“Eros!” Nathanael hissed. “What do you want?”

“The same thing that I do.” A light voice said. Hazael and Nathanael turned again, to see Ariel behind them. Hazael watched them, feeling nervously trapped between them both. They couldn’t escape.

“You understand.” Eros said smiling at Hazael’s disturbed expression. He moved closer, cornering them. “I will not forgive the wounds you caused me at our last meeting.” He said darkly. Hazael gasped, suddenly feel overpowered by Eros’s presence. He turned to Nathanael, sharing a brief glance with him, yet in that brief glance they both knew what had to be done.

Suddenly, Eros rushed forward, attacking them. Hazael thrust himself at Eros, taking the full blast of the attack while Nathanael folded his wings and dropped down, bolting away. Ariel shouted in anger, but did not pursue him. Instead she held her position, keeping Hazael cornered.

Nathanael never turned back.

 

 

Will, Fairien, Azrael and Minerva had been ushered out of the room, and had wandered back to the main entrance hall. They sat together in one of the corners, watching the beings go by on their daily tasks.

“So what are we supposed to do?” Fairien asked gloomily. “Just wait here?”

“Yes.” Minerva told him, casting a cool glance his way. “Don’t go getting any ideas in your head. There is no reason for our involvement in this. Especially if there is danger.” Fairien frowned and studied the ornate marble floor.

“I just feel left out.” He said. “I mean, they’re making the wanderer out to be some creepy prophet of the world’s destruction. That worries me.”

“… I’m also worried.” Azrael said. “As to what she could mean… And what could happen to her.”

“They’ll handle it!” Minerva insisted. “They understand the situation far better then we do.”

“…Yes. But I still wish we were allowed to go.” Azrael said.

“Yeah, but-” Will began but was cut off by a loud alarm going off. Immediately, everyone in the large hall stopped, dropping what they were doing and made for the exits. Will blinked, looking at the three sitting near him, wondering what they should do.

“You four are to stay here!” a voice shouted. They looked up to see the woman named Rachael shouting to them.

“What’s going on?” Azrael asked.

“We’ve got… a situation.” Rachael said. She stared into space a moment, them blinked, clearing her vision. “We’re under attack.” She said. “Hazael and Nathanael were attacked and now…” she frowned, “Now, more are coming.” She blinked again and shook her head. “Please stay here. You are safe as long as you stay in this building. Let us handle this.” And with that she was gone.

 

 

Ariel and Eros had only been the beginning. As Nathanael had fled from them to warn to others and get help for Hazael he found himself surrounded by warriors of the underworld, armed with long deadly spears. He had been outnumbered, there being almost ten of them crowded around him, ready to kill him, but luckily the warriors of the holy city drew the attack away. Soon, it had become a full-fledged battle, as Nathanael flew back to the city to give his report and then had immediately set out again. He flew through the chaos, trying to find his way back to the blue crystal, where he hoped Hazael would be.

“Hazael!” he shouted, trying to be heard over the roar of battle as it swarmed around him on all sides. Hazael was nowhere to be seen.

 

 

Dim light entered the wanderer’s perception. She felt her body slowly returning to her and her eyes opened. The atmosphere around her was soft and made her feel as though she was in a dream. As she looked beyond the crystal encasing she could see three figures, standing before her, but the wanderer felt somehow isolated from them, as though she were watching them through a window.

And then, she saw what they were doing.

 

 

The main hall was dim and silent now. Will looked it over and noted that all the doors and windows had been closed and locked, sealing them effectively.

“I hope Hazael and Nathanael are alright.” Will murmured. The other three were silent. Azrael rose then, and walked over to the large door watching it closely.

“Its odd really…” he said softly. “The wanderer has this great power and so do we… Do you think that these two powers drew themselves together? Do you think that’s why I chose the wanderer? Why I brought her to our world?”

“Azrael…?” Minerva asked, rising. “Are you alright?”

“Come to think of it…” Azrael said quietly. “Where do you suppose we obtained this power? Were we created with it? Eros said we stole it, that the power originally belonged to their race…”

“Azrael?” Fairien was starting to look worried too.

“You’ve felt it, both of you, that desire to destroy…” Azrael reached up, tracing the carvings on the door with his fingers.

“Mmm… Yes.” Minerva said. “But we don’t. We give life to things. That’s what we choose.”

“But we shouldn’t choose!” Azrael shouted. “It shouldn’t be us! This power is not ours!”

“… Eh, c-calm down…” Fairien said walking over to him. He blinked, studying Azrael. “… You don’t look so good, you alright?”

“No…” Azrael gasped. “Something’s….”

“Wrong?” a voice asked. They all looked up, gasping. Yash stood in the shadows, one hand clamped over Will’s mouth. The other hand held a long blade, which was pressed against Will’s neck.

                “It’s nice to see you all again.” Yash said smiling darkly.