A/N: For this chapter I borrow a couple of ideas from my fellow writer The Trinity Tree. First, the use of the name "Imuardian" for an angel in Lady Mio's service whose form is that of a Yuke; The Trinity Tree originally used that name for a caravanner from the Yuke citadel of Shella. Second, the angels in their forms as Lady Mio addresses them may be reminiscent of a chapter in my fellow writer's story Tales of Trinity titled "Three and One Apart." Observe carefully to see the connection. I also borrow a penname from a writer in the fandom from whence I draw the crossover, an apt one considering the "shipping" bent in one of this authoress's better handiwork.
Only Moments Away, part I: Nest of Memories
"I have again heard the prayer of Khetala of Tipa," quietly spoke a figure robed in a brilliant myrrh-like blue hue, a figure that bore the batlike wings and large furred hands of a Yukish man. Unlike a Yuke in the mortal realm, however, the figure bore a blue turban whose end draped over his face like a veil, revealing only his glowing blue-green eyes, instead of a helm. "She cried out a plea to deliver the Clavat without a guardian, Aeris of Marr's Pass, from the tormentors that haunt her still. It disturbs me deeply, Your Grace, to know that three of the very worst of Raem's servants remain able to torment their victim and are so active in doing as they do, as I suspect that the demon intends to use Aeris's pain to increase his power." The figure standing beside him, clearly an angel who assumed a Clavat woman's form save for ivory-feathered wings, with sinuous waves of mahogany hair and glowing myrrh-blue eyes, robed in snowy white cloth, remained silent and apparently sorrowful.
"I understand your concern, Imuardian," answered the ethereal voice of a glowing woman who might have been taken for a Clavat or Selkie in the mortal realm were her features clear—the Lady Mio, Queen of Memories. "Raem has made an attempt to thwart the motley Chosen already: his effort to destroy Anaїs Nin, the Selkie under Ardwynna's care. He has failed; even in her near-death experience at Mount Kilanda Anaїs Nin has not surrendered to her despair. She will be among the chosen five, and they will fulfill their shared destiny and destroy the source of the miasma."
"When Raem ascends to seize hold of Aeris and harvest the painful memory that she carries—and I know that he will if the five Chosen fulfill their destiny," explained Imuardian, "I fear that it may be at a time when we angels are in danger of overlooking her. That danger is already too great, as we know because Raem was able to inflict the pain upon Aeris to begin with."
A third figure appeared in the Nest of Memories: this one bore the appearance of a proud and beautiful Lilty woman in elegant armor the color of gold, her blue-green eyes glowing like Imuardian's and a phoenix perched upon her shoulder. "There is a thing that Your Grace must know, and you must know also, Calliope and Imuardian," stated the Liltian-looking figure. "The motley Chosen have gathered myrrh at Mount Kilanda prior to their coming to Marr's Pass, and there they have realized the truth of the stories that surround it. They have discovered, and know the truth behind the presence of, the fallen sword."
"Ardwynna," Imuardian spoke her name with some surprise but guessed her purpose, "what is it that you suggest?"
"We know for certain that Raem will seek out Aeris of Marr's Pass for the pain that she holds in her memory, as Imuardian has explained," Ardwynna stated, turning her gaze on the angel in question. "It is very true that Raem's power will increase tenfold, perhaps more, should he succeed in taking hold of her." She now lifted her glowing eyes to face the Lady Mio once more with an expression of earnest supplication as she went on, "however, there is one, Your Grace, who could protect Aeris against the demon."
The angel that was called Calliope stared in surprise at Ardwynna. "You speak of the unforgiven, the one who after four thousand years remains imprisoned at Mount Kilanda," said she, doubtful of whether the Lady Mio would approve of Ardwynna's intent or whether it would make a change for the better in the mortal realm.
"Ardwynna is right," said Mio at last, "the time has come. Let it be, then, for Aeris of Marr's Pass to realize the truth of her past life four thousand years ago. Let Aeris be the mortal who releases the unforgiven from his prison in the hell-fire that is Kilanda. He will need only protect Aeris against the minions of Raem until the demon's final destruction, and he will have won my full forgiveness. Speak, Imuardian, to Khetala of Tipa; tell her of what must be done."
"I will do so, Your Grace," answered Imuardian obediently just before he vanished from the Nest of Memories.
"Can we be sure of the fallen one's wish for redemption?" asked Calliope. "Can we be sure that four thousand years of imprisonment will not have embittered him and permanently turned him against all who dwell in the mortal realm?"
To Calliope's worried questions, Mio answered matter-of-factly, "When he knows the terrible truth of what befell Aeris in her present life, he will have reason enough in that alone to wish to destroy Raem."