Chapter 1: Firsts
I walked down the familiar hallway to the infirmary for my next shift. I liked to help the people, it gave me a sense of purpose; I also just loved to see their happiness. I wished my mother would allow me to go to the surface to help where I can there; but she tells me it's too much of a risk. She thinks I'm so weak that I would allow myself to become a hostage, or worse, killed.
I was so lost in my own thoughts that I didn't see where I was going. I felt myself fall to the ground, as I crashed into someone. "I'm sorry!" The apology already out as I attempt to stand up again. I see a hand come into my line of vision to help me. I take it gratefully as I look up at the owner.
"Elizabeth." He tries to scold but it comes out more as a chuckle. "Daydreaming again?"
"Mael." I smile at him knowing he caught me; glad for it to be him instead of his brother, who would have made a bigger deal out of it. "When did you get taller than me?" I ask tilting my head back to look him in the face. I hadn't seen him in a while. His brother had recruited him to be a part of the Archangels and join the war effort against the demons.
"Oblivious as always." He fondly pulled me into a hug.
I step back. "How has the war been going?" I question. I trusted only 2 people to keep me up to date on what was going on below on the continent of Britannia, where the rest of the clans lived and most of the fighting took place, and he was one of them. I may be the Supreme Deity's daughter but nobody not even my own mother will tell me what was happening.
He frowns as he peers around us, in the now crowded, hallway. "Can we meet later?" He raises his eyebrows hopefully.
Getting that he wanted to speak freely and we would need to be alone, I nodded. "Of course. The usual? I get off duty in about 6 hours." I inform him as I slowly walk in the direction I was supposed to have already been.
He grins. "Yeah, catch you then." He turns from me going the opposite way. I watch as he fades into the crowd and I wonder what he wanted to tell me, but didn't want ears overhearing. My anxiety caused my thoughts to spiral as I imagined a whole series of bad things that could be going wrong down there.
Calm down Elizabeth, I reminded myself. I needed to think of the task at hand. I had several hours until I would get those answers and if I was distracted too much I might just shut down.
"You're late." I groaned inwardly as I heard the voice of the Head Archangel admonish me. I glance irritated at the man and his I'm better than everyone else poster. I set my bag down that had a few of my books in it for when the time slowed to a crawl, and nobody but myself was here.
"Ever think maybe I had a good reason?" I put my hand on my hip as I turn to address the obnoxious man.
"I doubt it." He replied bored of the conversation already.
"Ludociel, to what do I owe this incredible honor of being in your presence?" I was being sarcastic, and I could see by the twitch in his eye he knew it too, but still I waited for his answer smiling beautifully at him before I pivoted and began to work on the few injured people in the infirmary.
His annoyed footsteps followed me to the bed that I sat down next to. "I have an assignment from the Supreme Deity."
My hands, over the patient that I had started to heal, stilled. "What is it?" I asked acting like it didn't matter what my mother had to say as I held my breath.
"We are running low on Goddesses who can heal in the midst of battle. They seem to become a target by the Ten commandments as soon as they try to help. I requested that you come and assist considering you are one of our best; specifically, the Archangels and our group so you won't be far from us for protection." He frowned as he waited for me to say something.
My thoughts were conflicting. I wanted so badly to go below and help the people and our allies of course, but if I had to be with the Archangels I probably wouldn't be able to help as much as Ludociel would pull rank on me, that I was sure. Then again, I might not get another chance like this. "When?" My voice hardly above a whisper as I gaze at my frozen hands.
"Now. Helen should be arriving any moment to take your place on shift." He looked up, annoyed, as a small brunette goddess came fumbling in. She curtsied to us both and kept apologizing as Ludociel grabbed my arm tugging me along behind him like some lowly creature.
I yanked my arm from his grasp when we were almost to the front gates. "I think I can fly by myself." I glare at him. He still sees me as a child regardless of how tall or old I am now.
He twirls around to confront me, his chest slightly puffed out. "I promised your mother that I would protect you at all cost, and if you don't listen to my commands while we are there; I will see to it you never come down again. Understood?"
I had no intentions following him, but I nodded to appease him. As long as our goal was the same there really shouldn't be any defiance. I saw Mael come over to stand next to his brother only to shake his head and do a doubletake at me being here.
Not bothering to catch the other Archangels up on what was happening, they kept tossing curious glances my way.
"Mael." Ludociel called out to his younger brother. "Elizabeth is your responsibility. Make sure she never leaves your side." He didn't pause to hear what Mael thought of this plan as he continued to the gates expecting us all to just fall in behind.
We stretch out wings out and headed downwards. It felt exhilarating, the wind running between my silver hair and rustling the feathers in my wings. I was used to flying of course but going down to the human/giant/fairy realm was exciting. I could hardly contain myself. I had never seen any other species outside of a book. I wondered if we would see them today and I giggled.
Mael glimpsed at me curiously. The other Archangels staring at me as though I was crazy. I honestly didn't care what they thought; I was so thrilled to have whatever freedom this entailed.
The surface came into view and we all landed gracefully on the grass. I wanted to lean down and smell it, touch it, commit it to memory but, we should have time for that later when I am not being so intensely watched.
I saw a village to the right of us and got giddy. Humans! I was jumping up and down at the elation built in my chest. I could actually see and talk to a human. I wondered what a normal day for a human was? I got lost in thought as I tried to picture what they did day in and out. The building structures much different than Heaven, more for convenience probably. I saw flower pots in window sills. I wanted to explore and learn more. I was snapped out of my revere by an angry Ludociel.
"If you can't listen now maybe I should just take you back huh?" He complained.
I felt idiotic lost in my fantasy I didn't even think about why we were here. I said sorry as I looked at the ground sheepishly. I saw Mael shaking his head trying to suppress his laughter at me. When Ludociel turned from me I stuck my tongue out childishly.
"Go with Mael and check the Perimeter of the village. We need to figure out the best place to make a stand and to minimize casualties." He dismissed us. Mael grabbed my hand and I followed in disbelief.
I turned to my childhood friend. "What does he mean casualties? Why would he be expecting that?"
Mael frowned. "I know this is your first time down here but we're expecting an attack in the hour, and there is always a death toll." Solemnly he bowed his head.
I couldn't fathom his resolve on the matter. "These people deserve our protection. How can we be okay with any number of them dying?"
"Elizabeth, you're too kind hearted for your own good. We don't want them to die it's not like we're picking and choosing. The Demon clan is the one that's killing them and we don't have enough warriors to protect the few that parish." His eyes were trying to implore me to see his reasoning but they just irritated me.
"Have you tried every single possible way?" I doubted it. Ludociel doesn't seem like the man to lay down his arms and listen to anyone's voice but his own.
"Yes, we have. Of course, we have." He exclaimed exasperated.
I still didn't believe him. "Have you tried talking?"
"If you mean the Demons there is no negotiating anything all they care about is chaos, destruction, and power." He stated as if they could all be that way. We had all been taught from a young age that Demons are bad and they need to be eradicated; but I always questioned if anyone had actually gotten to know one and see why they feel the need to fight.
"Got it. You haven't ever spoken to one, have you?" Anger at his assumptions of an entire race made me want to hit him. I don't normally have a temper but I couldn't help but feel maybe they are just misunderstood.
He gripped my upper arms causing me to stop walking. "I know you want to help, but don't do anything reckless please. I couldn't take it..." He trailed off not completing his thought.
"I'm not going to do anything crazy. I care about you too." I finish smiling at him trying to put him at ease. I knew I was going to have to get away from him if I was going to try my new plan. I didn't think it was reckless, therefore it wasn't a lie.
His cheeks blushed for a moment as he removed his grasp on me and brushed it off like nothing occurred. I must have embarrassed him. I shrugged. "I need to find a suitable place to fulfill certain needs?" I kept it vague on purpose so it wouldn't be a lie. I was really bad at lying.
He paused for a moment thinking, "I think the humans have a place for that over there. I'll wait." He pointed in the distance.
I smiled at him and walked away out of sight. As soon as I was sure I didn't have any prying eyes on me, I discreetly flew off low to the ground in search of these demons to see if I could persuade them to leave this settlement alone.
I reduced my speed as I felt huge power levels to the north. That had to be them. I changed my direction and headed straight for them. I flew a bit higher to get a better vantage point. I saw what could only be thousands of different colored beings, ranging from large to small, gathered around a smaller group with a few standing near the front.
I take a deep breath. They will probably notice me soon. I built up the courage and deliberately landed feet away from the largest powers in the front. I scanned them, quickly running through my memories of past lessons; these had to be the notorious Ten commandments. My training had ingrained all their commandments into my head; even though I wasn't exactly sure who was which commandment, I knew the punishments of falling to them.
All the demon's eyes turned to me. I definitely got their attention. It probably threw them off that I was alone. Refusing to give myself a reason to fear I spoke first, "I would like to speak to the one in charge." I used my commanding voice as I waited patiently for the leader to step forward.
I knew they could attack me at any moment, and no power, not even the Supreme Deity would be strong enough to save me from this large of a group. I saw a blonde-haired demon. My mind wanted to say boy, but his eyes and the way he presented himself didn't seem to be anything other than an experienced fighter; he was short but he stood cockily glaring at me. He would be handsome if he took that scowl off his face. I briefly could see the royal demon crest under his messy bangs. He must be one of the Demon King's sons.
"Do you have a death wish Goddess?" He asked using, what I could only describe as, a bored tone. His voice was smooth and low it caused my heart beat to pick up, but why I wasn't sure because I didn't feel afraid. The other demons around him started laughing and some acted like they were ready to pounce; but the blonde with black eyes held up his hand gesturing them to stop. Almost immediately it was so quiet I could hear my breathing. "What do you want?" He tried to get my attention again when I didn't answer him.
I was fascinated by not just the way he spoke, but how he held himself so confident. This being my first, and possibly last, encounter with Demons I was surprised to find how attractive he was. Was he really the Demon King's son? "I came here to ask you to stand down and please leave this village alone." My voice was shockingly clear and strong. I stared at the leader with no fear or anger and I could tell he was agitated when I kept eye contact ignoring the others.
"I decline." He answered watching me with an expression on his face that I couldn't quite identify.
I sigh. "Alright fine than let me speak with your men and see if they are willing to see reason."
His mouth twitched slightly and his eyes lit up with amusement. "Go ahead. They won't leave." He leaned back on a rock and observed.
I hovered into the air and addressed his men. I knew I was running out of time before the Archangels showed up to find me, or in search of the army. So in my head, I repeated the same words over and over trying to will my feelings across to them all. "We don't have to fight." I paused letting that sink in for just a moment. "Nobody has to die here for a pointless endeavor." I glance at the blonde as he peers up at me his face unreadable. "We should all just go home and be happy." I imagine my voice projecting back into the minds of all of them. Some look at me curiously.
I landed back down. "That should do it." I smile at the blonde demon who is now staring at me like I am insane; but behind him most of his army has dropped their weapons and were walking away.
I flinched in fear as I felt the Archangels floating above me, seething. The Demon looked at the Archangels with loathing, before glaring at me, and gathering what little men had stayed and retreated.
"ELIZABETH!" Ludociel screamed my name like a curse and I cringe. "WHAT DID YOU DO?!" He towers over me so angrily. I did disobey them but honestly, I got the demons to go away with no bloodshed; wasn't that the goal?
"Were you talking to Meliodas?" Mael looked at me with dismay. "What were you thinking? That army was at least ten thousand. All alone?" I felt some regret at deceiving Mael but I did feel better knowing that nobody died.
Meliodas? Wasn't he not only the Demon King's first son, but also the Leader of the Ten commandments? So that was his name interesting, I tuck the information away for later and focus on the looming threat in front of me.
Ludociel turns to the others. "We should just keep our mouths shut; the Supreme Deity doesn't need to know that we not only failed in our mission to keep her daughter safe, but we also failed at killing any of those despicable monsters."
Wait, he wanted to kill those demons? But they didn't do anything. What he was planning on punishing them for didn't happen so, wouldn't that be a good thing? As I saw Mael refuse to meet my eyes and the other three glare daggers at me, I wonder what I did wrong.
They were all quiet as we flew back home. After we got through the gate they split off in different directions. I followed Mael wanting to know what is wrong. "Stop." I begged I didn't know why he was so mad at me. I didn't get hurt like he worried I would.
He paused not turning around. "Elizabeth, you tricked me." I could hear the hurt in his voice and I felt guilty; because I did and as much as I didn't like to hurt my friend I knew that what I did was the right call.
"You're right." I whispered. "I'm sorry but I had to do what my heart was telling me. Those demons or humans didn't need to be collateral damage."
"You don't understand, do you? You were under my protection, and I didn't even have you for five minutes before you put yourself in harms way." His voice hitched. "You could have died. It would have been my fault."
I put my hand on his shoulder trying to comfort him but he shrugged it off angrily. "But I didn't and I saved lives isn't that more important?"
"No, you just stopped those demons from being killed today. Eventually we'll wipe their terrible existence off this land completely. You only delayed the inevitable." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He had never sounded so hateful before. It was the first time I feared him.
I backed away and ran down the hall; I didn't stop until I reached my room slamming the door. I couldn't discern fact from fiction. I was under the impression that goddesses were always good, giving their light, and happiness to everyone; no matter the race. I never thought that we could hate and do so, extremely easily like I saw them do today.
I squeezed my eyes shut and slid down my door onto the floor. I thought I knew these people, but I was wrong. What else was I wrong about?