A/N: I can't even believe I'm actually posting this after so long. I'm so sorry that it went on hiatus and made you readers wait. Please enjoy this and let me know what you think. Have a nice day! :)
Chapter 9: The Ending-Part II
Morgana closed the portal behind her and the sight of Edom greeted her after weeks of her departure. She was alone for the returned; Ifrit didn't make it when the locket shattered but Morgana wasn't worried. Demons reincarnate in hell and she would be reunited with one of her most loyal servants yet soon enough. But before any respite was permitted, a figure materialized next to Morgana who seemed to have expected the presence.
A tall man with pale skin that stretched and taut over his bone, sharp pointed teeth decorated his smile and gold-green eyes that were slit-pupiled like a cat's, just like Magnus' and Morgana's. His head bared of the barbed wire coronet he sometimes wore and as a clothing he had on a black suit instead of white. Asmodeus barely gave Morgana a glance as he asked,
"Back so soon?"
Morgana's laugh were as mirthless as ever as it echoed throughout hell.
"I figured you'd miss me if I leave for too long. I might not be your favourite when I return." She spoke with her soft voice and her eyes never left her father's approval.
"I would not worry about that if I were you." He said in a toneless voice and Morgana let slipped a smirk.
"I didn't." She sighed a fake contempt. "I just like reminding you how none of your children could stand your addiction that they wouldn't come to you when summoned."
"And still, you did Morgana. Of all of them..." He trailed, finally turning his head to look at one of his daughters and his eyes betrayed no emotions that would definitely looked unsuited in a Prince of Hell's discernments. "Have you obtained what I asked you for when I permitted your visit to the human world?"
Morgana huffed a little, barely noticeable in spite their close distance. She drew out a vial of glass containing crimson liquid from one of her obscured pockets and handed it gracefully to Asmodeus.
"Is this really hers?" The fallen angel asked.
Morgana tilted her head as if considering her answer. "I'll let you know if Lilith ever comes back. That way I might be able to visit another of my precious brothers."
"When." He corrected her sharply. "Lilith is resurrecting and the Morgenstern's blood will be the final touch for the process. Speaking of brothers, how is Magnus?"
Morgana gave an expression of indifferent towards her father. "Same as always. Still a warlock, sassy and unquestionable skills in fashions. It would've been a shame to the human world if you've kept him here." She glanced around their surrounding; mass of dirt and piles of unknown substances covered in auburn. "Nothing in hell could be repaired with his talent. Not even with his magic." She said.
Asmodeus barely made a sound when he pocketed the small vessel before saying,
"Magnus is living a wasteful life. His choices of companions proved that much and I feel quite a remorse for him."
"The way I look at it you're simply deflecting. He has his choice and you have none." She said provokingly. Not a second later her rigid outlines started to blur and she was slowly dissociating from the atmosphere.
"Not so soon." She whined. "Are you angry already? I haven't even said the 'L' word."
"Run along, Morgana. You're getting too comfortable in your state." Asmodeus claimed, waving his hand limply in Morgana's direction while watching her fade into shadows.
"I guess I am." She laughed. Before she completely disappears, her words rang through the realm like an intruder breaking into a musical performance for it had sound so elated and distressed at the same time,
"I'll...run along for now...even if you keep me as memories...you'll never be able to hide from your addictions...Father..."
The sun was high up when Alec came about and he conceded to a bundle of white fur who had found its peace on his chest. Chairman Meow's purring almost lulled the shadowhunter beneath it back to slumber but Alec was restless. He'd had the whole day to recuperate and he knew his presence was needed back in the Institute. For a moment, his head traveled to the thought of one person and his hand slowly crept up his collarbone to graze the drawn marking.
"Good morning, Alexander." Magnus's voice carried from the door and the Nephilim sat up slowly to which Chairman Meow found displeasuring still. The feline scooted away when a small but soothing contact reached its mark on Alec's forehead. Magnus kept his lips on the boy beneath him as he was standing beside the bed before gently withdrawing. The shadowhunter exhaled contently and smiled at the warlock.
"I doubt its actually morning." Alec told Magnus. The warlock helped him up and they walked closely together to the kitchen.
"But it is a fine day." Magnus responded and true to his words, the skies were clear of any shading clouds and the ray of sunshine graces the earth with its everlasting heat. Alec took a seat at the dining table while Magnus poured him a cup of his favourite caffeine; black coffee.
"I'm going to meet a client down at Taki's. You're heading back to the Institute?" Magnus peeked from his shoulder at Alec who was gazing out the window and looking like any other person who'd woken up dazzled and bedraggled. He nodded his head almost absentmindedly and he picked up the cup Magnus placed in front him without giving as much of a glance at it.
"And you'll explain to them everything?" He nodded again.
"Will you be fine?"
Alec took a moment to tore his eyes away from whatever it was he was seeing and he saw the concealed look of distraught on Magnus's face. He quickly said,
"I'm fine. If there's anything, I'll give you a call." He honestly said and Magnus hummed approvingly.
"Magnus..." Alec muttered softly and Magnus stared at his hands wrapped around the cup. He waited for the shadowhunter to continue although he'd suspected what it was about.
"Have you seen Jace?" The warlock let himself a small smile before taking his place in a chair opposite Alec's.
"Not since the night I healed him after he stabbed you."
One of the rays from the outside landed on Alec's face as he leaned backward in his seat. Many things could be on his mind right now and Magnus knew he'd have to deal with some of post-events syndromes. But then again, Alec is always a surprise to him.
"I'm going to take a shower and get changed." Alec suddenly said after minutes of silence which Magnus took note that the former even realized. "I'll see you later tonight, Magnus."
The High Warlock of Brooklyn watched as his young shadowhunter boyfriend left the kitchen and the sound of water running from the shower echoed distantly from the bedroom. He sighed uncharacteristically, thinking back to the night before when Morgana had departed and Alec had launched into a commanding state for explanations.
And that was exactly what Magnus did relentlessly.
"She came because of my father." Magnus started out and he thought it was a great commence when Alec visibly looked worried.
"He's not still after you right?" Alec asked and a hand cupped his face lovingly. Magnus shook his head.
"No. Even if he is the Prince of Hell he would never go against his own words." A deep breath before Magnus carried on, "It was because of Lilith. As rulers of Edom, they were each bound to the tie where when one loses sight of the realm, the other would find a way to bring the former back. Lilith gave so much of hers to Jonathan that she could not bear to accept his death. Even from the beginning, she had Valentine in her hands and soon fall for Clary's brother. She treated him like her own child and she was devastated."
Alec listened faithfully and the hand on his cheek moved to brush his hair off his eyes. Magnus kept on talking.
"Her grieve filled hell like a volcano eruption. The other demons fed on it and slowly she ceased from her spot as Lady of Edom."
"You mean she died?" Alec asked, unsure whether he had understood clearly.
"More like went on a retreat." Magnus joked. "Anyway, to bring her back would require the blood of which she misses the most. Jonathan's."
"So that's what Asmodeus is after." Alec concluded on his own. "And he send Morgana on the job. No wonder she was so inclined to meet Clary."
"I never told you it was her blood she needed to get." Magnus quirked his eyebrows at the shadowhunter.
Alec shrugged a little. "You didn't have to. I guessed as much when she said that blood was to be spilled to bring Jace back. And you just used the term 'Clary's brother'. I can put two by two, you know."
"And I wasn't wrong when I told Morgana you were too smart for her." Magnus let out a small laugh.
"Why Jace though? If she was so desperate to get Clary's blood, I bet she could have just syringed a little when no one notice."
Magnus roared with laughter this time and the bed they were sitting on trembled with the motion.
"Morgana has a thing with games. She has her own past and I don't think now is the right time for me to tell you about it." He looked for a remark in Alec's expression.
"I know." Alec smiled. Magnus had this hesitant look in his eyes before he took the Nephilim's hands in his and hold them tight.
"I have to apologize to you, Alexander." He softly whispered.
"What for?" Alec inquired.
"For involving you into this." He said with tone filled with regrets. "Morgana only wanted Clary's blood but she knew I was an acquaintance of hers and you were related with Jace. When I refused to meet with her, she resorted into leaving her magic on you. You remember the morning I came to the Institute but then left in a hurry?"
Alec nodded his head.
"She hurt and healed you later on and you didn't remember. That's one of her abilities; manipulating memories. I knew it was unavoidable but you were already a part of her game so I made a deal with her- I won't help you guys and in return no one gets hurt. Maybe except for Clary." Magnus said in a low voice.
Alec said nothing in return. He stared and gazed at the warlock sitting cross-legged like was he was on the bed.
"Forgive me, Alexander." Magnus's voice was pure. "When you ran yourself through the blade, I know all that was in your mind right then was to end it and save everyone; Isabelle, Clary and Simon. Most importantly, your parabatai."
"You're right." Alec croaked out after listening to the warlock. "I did what I did because I thought if I die, Jace would feel it and that would be enough to bring him back."
They stayed in quietude, looking at each other tracing the other's face while waiting for one of them to break the silence.
Alec's voice was hoarse when he spoke. "I'm sorry I scared you like that."
"You always scares me Alec but I'm getting used to it." Magnus grinned.
The night was fine with a little rest on exertions.
Alec entered the Institute quietly. He walked through the halls on the sacred ground appearing like he'd been away for a period of time. Looking back, it had been an interesting week to remember.
He doubt anyone would realized his return since it was almost midday and the residents of the Institute were certainly focusing on their tasks. Alec strolled to his room first, thinking of grabbing some extra shirts to bring along to Magnus's since lately he'd been having some wardrobe malfunctions and keep getting himself in the way of sharp objects.
"Alec!" A voice yelled his name when he passed the library, belatedly noticing the door was slightly opened and he wasn't fast enough to hide himself.
Jace came out from behind the door, looking alive and unpossessed. He did somehow looked annoyed and irritated at his parabatai, something that Alec registered as his normal self.
"Where have you been?" He asked accusingly. "I've been looking for you all morning and you don't even pick up your phone. Are we playing that game now?"
Alec mentally remembered that his phone was off before asking Jace,
"How are you feeling?"
The blonde seemed to have not expected the question as he became much more infuriated in his speech.
"Don't try to change the subject. I'm fine by the way and we were supposed to help Izzy train Simon and Clary this morning."
Alec looked closely at his parabatai, skimming from his hair and his face down to his sides and legs. Basically, Alec gave Jace's body a full scan.
"I'm blaming you if Izzy put us up with her wrath." Jace warned him.
"You are okay, aren't you? Not hurt anywhere?" Alec asked again for confirmation.
Jace gave him a weird look but answered his brother nonetheless. "I'm fine, Alec. You drew me an iratze after our hunt last night, remember?"
Alec tried not to act differently. It was after all his request to Morgana during one of their meetings. He'd asked her that when everything was back to normal, he would want nothing from the experience to be in Jace's memories. And he had his reasons. Morgana had kept her words and Alec was even more curious of the purple warlock.
"I'll be in the training room in 5. Let me just get into my gear." Alec told him. Jace walked away from him and before turning around the corner of the corridor, it could be heard that his voice said,
"Hurry up!"
Alec knew he would have to explain so many things to the others and especially why he'd chosen for Jace to forget of the ordeal. Some of his decisions would be questioned undoubtedly as everything was done on his call. He would have to tell Clary as well of what Morgana's true intention was and help patching them back together. They were a team after all and for Alec, it was just too soon to be learning of things they still found endearing and precious in their lives. What are complicated to them would be their undoing as they try to delved into matters only experience could tell.
And Morgana was right; angels on earth do fall further than the ones in heaven. Because instead of banished into hell, humans are left to seek their own redemption.
The question is, at what cost?
THE END