Woo, this chapter came out to be 5,155 words! It would have been much longer seeing as I kept on adding more content to what I had previously. It was actually beginning to creep through the 7,000 word mark and got close to 8,000, but in the end I split it for the good of the chapter. It was taking me too long to decide how to end it anyways, and I beefed up the scenes so what I was adding couldn't quite cut it, and I had to save them for later.
Well, anyways, here is belated Valentine's Day Part 2 (sort of)! I find I can't strictly stick to the theme in fear of going out of character or going off-track to the plot, so this is as best as I can do. However, I'm sure many of you will be pleased to know some of your more long-term questions will be answered in this chapter, so that's good~
Some important notes before you read on to the chapter: Many of you may have noticed I now have a new cover image! I did not draw the original image nor did I this one. The lovely Kenyizsu offered to do this for me, and she did a PHENOMENAL job! If you would like to see it in a larger format, I have a link provided here on my Fanfiction profile (you'll have to tweak it a bit but as I found out much later, posting it as a regular link makes it invisible!), or you can simply google her profile on Deviantart. She has some really good works, so go and check her out!
Also, I found I forgot to credit certain things in the previous chapter and I apologize immensely! SnowWhiteAbyss suggested ideas for the outfit design in the last chapter, of which I took inspiration from and did that illustration on Twitter. Also, when stating which characters are not mine, I also forgot to credit Ethaniel to LightswornVindicator. Knew I was forgetting some things!
Alright, more A/N after the chapter! Without further ado, I hope you all enjoy this update! :D
Chapter 25 - Hope and Fate
Over in the Library of Fate, the angels were bustling. They had made a new discovery regarding the future, and the scribes were all doing their best to prepare for it. The Angels of Fate cannot always adequately prepare for these scenarios, but they had a good probability of succeeding if they caught it early.
However, for once, Archangel Itherael was not prepared. The most recent vision from his scroll left him disoriented. It was a heavier effect than he was used to; normal visions would not faze him. He felt the muscles in his dominant hand cramping, his spine breaking, and his head muddled. The man hadn't rested in a long time, but he couldn't afford to. It would seem pathetic when he, who is not even a part of the fighting, would need a rest. He was Fate; he had to make sure his brethren were well-protected on the other side. This particular future in the vision revolved around Malthael and Auriel's safety, so he couldn't just lay down and rest. He needed to warn them. Could he trust a courier to avert their fates? Auriel's life was in danger.
He tried his best to push himself up from his desk, but his arms gave out and his head fell onto the surface. The man groaned. When he rose, his back and shoulders sent pain signals all throughout his body. But, now was not the time to be reeling in pain. He couldn't afford to lay down and take it all.
Little did he know his actions would bring her straight to him. He struggled to rise out of his seat, then lumbered away from his desk. He needed some space in order to teleport or else he would blow his books away. His hidden brow furrowed in concentration, green wings raising to whisk him away. However, pain and weariness spasmed through his back. The lance of pain sent him to his knees. He reached back to clutch his sore spine in agony. Remaining at his desk for a month straight wasn't allowing his muscles to fare well. Usually he had more breaks to move and even fight, but he was cooped up in here with the constant flow of paperwork, and he only stopped for meetings. Itherael should have been smarter than this, but his eyes were so focused on the future that he had no eyes for the present.
Some of his assistants dropped what they were doing and rushed to his aid. "Archangel Itherael! Are you alright?!"
He struggled to raise his head since he had a crook in his neck. His joints were locking up. Though he was still in his prime, his current state was comparable to that of an old nephalem. Angels were meant to fight, not become statues.
He cleared his throat. Now would be the perfect excuse. "Send for Archangel Auriel," he croaked. The man then slumped against the front of his desk, waiting for the aches to pass.
Serenity continued to organize the texts of the Library of Fate and sighed. She raised her gaze to stare at the ceiling. The maiden wondered how Andarius and Lenedial fared. Were they safe? Did they leave for the wastes? Her fingers plucked at the pages idly, staring at the text and yet not. She had difficulty focusing on her task. Closing the book, she pushed it into the empty slot and descended through the air towards the ground. She wasn't going to get anything done in the fretful state she was in. There were simply too many concerns for the present as well as the future.
Her wings raised and her heels touched the ground. Her mind was made up: she would consult Archangel Itherael regarding this matter. Perhaps he would have the answers to satisfy her questions. Gliding through the air and low to the ground, she made her way towards his desk.
She reached his office, stepping inside. Archangel Itherael's office was large and lined with book cases leading up to the open area of his desk. To the back was large windows taking up the wall to ensure plenty of light gets in for reading. It was always neat and tidy in here, because his assistants did their best to keep clutter out of his way. Having a job as tiring as predicting the future easily becomes tiring, so the assistance was much appreciated.
Serenity looked at the desk. There he was, hard at work on his scroll. To her surprise, he suddenly came to his feet. Was he about to leave? That was unfortunate. She would have to return another time. The maiden turned around and made for the exit.
Thud.
She turned around swiftly. What was that?! It was loud, and sounded like a body falling.
"Archangel Itherael! Are you alright?!"
Itherael was there, slumped in front of his desk and surrounded by his assistants. His hood lowered. Everyone grew increasingly worried, including Serenity. She drifted forward behind the assistants. Would he be alright?
He struggled to raise his head, then, softly, commanded, "Send for Archangel Auriel..."
The assistants began to argue over who would go and who would stay. Serenity peered at the small crowd, then stepped past them. Everyone looked at her. She kneeled in front of Itherael, then said, "I will go get her." She looked up at the others. "Please move him to the bench."
Itherael glanced up at Serenity. He paused for a moment, then made a gesture with his hand. "Do as she says." He left it at that. She could tell the strength to move was fading.
The maiden came to a stand. "Please rest, sir." He needed to recover his strength.
"I still have work to do," he groaned, "but there will be no helping it. Very well." He was carried to the bench by the assistants.
They had their orders now; she could leave in good conscience. She teleported to the encampment, leaving behind the weakened Archangel. Once there, she proceeded towards the medic tents. The angel of Fate had come here once on an errand with the angels of Hope, so she knew the layout well enough to find her way.
Finding Archangel Auriel was a simple endeavor. Serenity stepped into the tent and spotted her conversing with the other medics around a bed. The patient in question was groaning in pain, so the medics must have been consulting Auriel on what to do.
Serenity approached and curtsied. "I apologize for interrupting you, Milady, but I bear pressing news."
Auriel paused when Serenity approached, looking down at the angel. A bowl and bandages were in her hands. "What is it, Angel of Fate?"
"Itherael has fallen, and he requests for your services."
Auriel stared at Serenity. She dropped the bowl and bandages. This caused the other medics to catch the items out of panic. However, she managed to recollect herself and straighten her back. "Why is this? What has happened?" Her tone became more urgent by the moment.
Serenity raised her hands. "Please calm yourself, Milady! He does not seem to have any external wounds, and the only symptom I could tell is his inability to move!" The maiden clasped her hands earnestly. "Think of it as a check-up. He needs you to get back on his feet again."
"..." The Archangel mulled these words over. Then, she gave quick instructions regarding what to do with the patient before disappearing in a flash of light.
Serenity watched the Archangel leave, then glanced over at the medics. They looked like they could use an extra hand in holding down the struggling soldier. Maybe they could use some assistance. So, she stepped forward to lend a hand, meanwhile eyeing the rest of the tents. She wondered once again where the other two were and how they were faring.
In his tent, Archangel Malthael glanced down at the report in his hands. His wings were drooped while he remained well in thought. They curled in on themselves when his contemplations reached a critical point. His eyes sought the scribbles on the page, written as follows:
"Three dead of our scouting party upon retrieving the bodies. We were set upon by the demons scouring the wastes. It was too dangerous, so we were only able to retrieve one body near the orifice. One member of our expedition is wounded, but the rest of us are in good health. Please do with our findings as you wish. If they will assist in the victory of the Heavenly Host, our sacrifices will not have been in vain."
The Archangel lowered the pamphlet to gaze upon the stretcher before him. Too morbid for the blind eye, the scouts had tossed a drape over the poor soul. Judging by the rest of the contents of the report, in which an informal and brief autopsy was performed (so as not to shame Anu's work), the body was completely eviscerated. Wounds covered every part. But there was one notable wound in the report he wished to examine.
His gloved fingers clacked together when he grasped and whipped off the drape in one smooth motion. There lay the deceased angel of Valor. Or, rather, what was left of him. He was a nameless angel, likely to never be recognized again. Even Imperius could not place him… especially with the body's current state. The armor was little more than rusted scrap metal. His fingers clacked when he reached out to tap the dents, tracing the scars in the metal. In his mind, he was at work deciding what weapon had caused them, or even if there was no weapon involved at all. Wisdom had to include all possibilities.
Once he had pondered the topic enough, he pried at the wound, peering deep into the recesses. There. That was what he was looking for. His wings raised once his interest peaked.
There were trace amounts of corruption in the wound. The abyss in his hood deepened. It glowed a foul green color. This glow he could draw comparisons to the Lampyridae family (the nephalem have dubbed them "fireflies" in their culture). It often pulsed, like a faint aura. He examined it closely.
One would think the corruption would be difficult to miss, but that is a common misconception when it came to fel energy; it was deeply ingrained, and only glowed if one were to pry deep enough. It would be easiest to formulate into words in the sense of the glow only existing when exposed to light or a particular light such as ultraviolet. This is why he kept his wings close to the source; they brightened the glow and made it more visible.
Malthael tapped the edge of the table in thought. Who could this energy belong to? It could not have been made by a normal demon henchman due to the great quantities. It had to be something greater… Perhaps even Prime Evil level. Interesting. So this body was definitely a part of the band whom joined Imperius out in the wastes. He would have to do extensive research, and maybe not even just the wounds in question.
"Archangel Malthael, you have a visitor!"
A message from the guards interrupted his thoughts. Behind his hood, he scowled. They should know better than to break his focus. But this was the sacrifice of staying in this small tent. It was large enough to do what he needed it for, but not enough to isolate him from the sounds of the outside world. Due to his irritation, he ignored the guards. They were used to his manners and would get the message soon enough. They were told not to let anyone in, including Archangels, after all. They had turned even Auriel away not too long ago.
There was more sounds of conversation from outside, then another outburst from the guard. "The message is from a mute angel, and they wish to relay the message of his change of post! He also appears to be looking for the angel by the name of Lenedial, sir!"
Malthael let out an audible huff this time. The girl obviously was not here, so why must they continue with their noisy banter? He swiped his clawed gauntlet across one of his sickles, creating a screeching sound while sparks flew from the blade. This would be his response. He could not bother to step outside when his own safety was at risk.
The outside world fell to silence once again. Satisfied, he did not waste a moment longer and returned to facing the examination table. However, he found his contemplations were fraught with distractions. His fingers tapped against his thighs in dismay. The only cure to them was to give them their time. He moved to the bed and sat upon the mattress, then linked his fingers in front of his veiled nose.
The Archangel wondered how the girl fared now. He hadn't been able to survey her progress in the time they've been apart. It ached to have turned her away, but if his calculations regarding the future were correct, then he had no choice but to turn her away. They would only use her against him because of his burning desire to discover her secrets. He had to act with discretion.
He reached over and pulled out the observations he's been making of Lenedial's wings, running his fingers over the pages. His research actually was not as stagnant as he expected it to be. The light in her wings changed in intensity when it came to position, pressure, and even time of day. He did not wish for her in particular to catch him looking when supposedly he was not around, because her emotions affected her wings, and around him they exhibited only one emotion: anxiety. She never let down her guard around him, so he needed to observe her when she was at rest. However, he had difficulty doing so with the state of his wounds, so he mostly sent his lieutenant, Urzael, to take notes. It was disheartening to have to rely upon another's research at times, but whatever gets the job done.
As far as the origin to her light, he had sent some of his finest researchers to the arch to search for potential causes. They have yet to return, so he would act under the assumption they have discovered nothing.
Suddenly, he was snapped from his thoughts at the sound of paper. He came to a stand, peering around wildly. There, across to the other side of the tent: an envelope slipped under the flaps. Malthael's wings lowered. The visitor knew how to get his inquisitive nature started. His legs moved forward as if against their own free will. Snatching up the envelope, he used one of his clawed talons as a letter opener, and began to read its contents.
"I will be the acting bodyguard of the angel of Hope, Lenedial. You will not have need of surveying her any longer, so do not send your lieutenant or your spies. If it is observations you seek, I will do so."
Clever boy. No doubt Itherael was behind Andarius's change in position, and Andarius snatched the opportunity to get closer to the girl. He placed the letter upon the nearby table. It was not how he wished to go about it, but this will do. It would save him the trouble of going to the lengths of invading her privacy as well. Though he was a natural researcher, he still held the manners fitting of an Archangel. His respect for his brethren have dwindled as of late, but it was a form of habit more than anything. Previously he could tolerate visitors seeking counsel and he would even welcome them. How times have changed… He used to be soft like water. Now he was all ice with water seeping through the cracks.
Malthael returned to the task laid out before him. The distractions were over. He could now work in peace.
Or so he thought. While he took up the quill and parchment, inwardly he wondered if this really was the answer. Had he allowed three men to die out of the good of the Heavenly Host, or was it his own selfishness to gain the answers he sought? It was times like these where he was not so sure anymore. He was jaded to the deaths of his comrades. He felt nothing when he faced the assassin who harmed him, and he had killed several angels in his midst. There was no emotion, no sense of sympathy… Only the chill of his soul remained.
He clutched his chest, then slammed his first upon the table. CLATTER! The whole table rattled with the force of the blow.
"..." Malthael's wings lowered. Nothing was achieved when anger took form. It only muddied his thoughts and clouded his judgement. He needed to calm down. He took in deep breaths, then exhaled, before his breathing ceased. There was work to be done, and none of it was being worked on right now. That had to be amended. He took up the pen, then began to write once and for all.
"Itherael?"
Fate stirred. He did not remember falling asleep. Maybe he drifted off while he was resting. The man had been waiting for the maiden to return, and his soreness did take its toll… Perhaps he did. However, soon he gained new questions. His body felt constricted. Afraid of what he would see, his eyelids fluttered open… only to be puzzled by the sight before him.
Auriel, Archangel of Hope, was with him now. She loomed above him at an angle. Was she flying? He was confused; she was too close to him to be flying. His head was resting on something soft. His torso shuddered while in contact with the cool air. Itherael made an attempt to sit up and gather his bearings, but he grunted. Al'maiesh anchored him in place. He looked up this time, then came to a realization:
Itherael was laying down on the bench in his office, shirtless, and his head was resting on Auriel's lap.
He immediately attempted to sit up again. If anyone saw him like this, he would be in trouble, although they were alone now. However, her gentle hand pushed him back down with a single finger. "What did I tell you about straining yourself?" the woman scolded, with her soft voice of Heaven's bells mixed with the wrath of nature.
"..." Fate peered up at her, then simply replied in his usual monotone, "I was only doing my duty towards the Angelic Host. I cannot falter while you risk your life out there in the wastes—"
Her cord constricted him more. "But if you fell out of commission, what then? What would be of the Heavens if we had no future?!" Her fists clenched. "What would Hope be without Fate?!"
"..." He had no words to combat hers. However, he wondered why she lingered here. It was unnecessary. He was not in critical condition. But, he was grateful, because the potential future he witnessed was concerning. He could not see a future without her. "Auriel, set aside your emotions for the time being. I bear important news."
The woman calmed, allowing him to speak. He stared into the recesses of her drapes and ordered, "Remain here with me. Your life, as well as Malthael's, is in danger."
Auriel knew better than to doubt Itherael's intuition. However, she also could not sit idle when there were patients at the encampment waiting for her expertise. "Is there no way to convince you to allow me continuance of my duties?" Perhaps there was a compromise in his vision.
"I would only allow it if you permitted me to return with you."
The female Archangel's fingers toyed with her cord. "Is there an explanation for all this?" Itherael was being… rather protective. It made her feel flattered, but also confused.
His hood twisted away from her. "You should know how difficult it is to put my visions into words, and I have a high probability of being correct with my assumptions."
"Well, yes… But, Itherael—" She paused, then placed her hand on his shoulder and restarted with, "At least tell me what you think can happen so I can help avoid whatever outcome."
"..." The man averted his gaze to look at the ceiling. The Scroll of Fate never does say he must avoid danger alone. So, finally, he conceded. "...Very well." He sat back against the wall, then began to explain. "Malthael will be attacked, and you were with him. This is all I know for certain." The rest he was unable to explain adequately. He did not know who or what the attackers were; he only saw glimpses of them. He saw flashing lights, so maybe they were fallen angels, but that could only be garnered as a guess. It was all a blur.
"I see… Would it not be as simple as me not meeting with Malthael?" she asked.
Itherael sat up and grabbed his robes, slipping them over his surprisingly muscular frame, although shy and mindful of its androgynous state. He glanced at her over his shoulder. "Sometimes the world is not so simple… Even if you do not meet with him, he could meet with you... "
Auriel leaned forward, resting her cheek against his upper back. The male angel stiffened. "...I know. Forgive me, Itherael." She nestled herself against his back.
"..." His hood twisted in her direction, though he could not see her from his vantage point. He began with, "I do not mean to scold you of all people, Auriel. Constantly knowing the future and the branching paths out of my control takes its toll. I would have you forgive me instead." However, he then went on to say, "I need your trust and your full cooperation." His hand placed itself upon hers, of which was resting on his shoulder still. "Could you do this much for me, my friend?"
Auriel's veiled cheek brushed against his back when she nodded. "Yes, Itherael. I trust you."
"Good." He could not bring himself to end this moment quite yet. His hand remained over hers, and he could feel her warmth against his back. Her presence soothed his aches and pains and gave him confidence to face this threat.
"Itherael," Auriel suddenly spoke from behind him, "do you remember the times from millennia ago, when my wings would get tired and you supported me like this?" She chuckled at the memory. "I still thought you were a female angel back then. Your body was not as developed and muscular as it is now." Her palm roamed across his back. "Once you carried me even though your back was sore, and you were my size but you insisted on carrying me anyways."
"...I remember," Itherael said. "I remember you had yet to grow into your wings because the angel race was still young. But you wear them well…" he said, glancing at her violet wings.
Auriel giggled. "Oh, hush. You are making me blush!"
He glanced over his shoulder. "Are you?"
"No, now stop looking at me like that."
"But you cannot see my face."
"I do not need to in order to tell!" she huffed.
Itherael got to thinking once more and remembered something. "Speaking of the past, do you remember that letter you sent me, Auriel?"
She looked up at him at his question. "The letter I gave Lenedial to give to you? Yes." She fell silent after that, her hand clutching his upper arm tighter.
He couldn't help but think about the contents. Now that he had this opportunity to stall and spend some time with Auriel, now he could discuss it with her properly. The words she wrote on the parchment puzzled him. He remembered them, even now after all the future visions planted in his head:
"I am off to the battlefront. The soldiers need me there, so it was inevitable I would have to move there. But while I'm gone, don't get hurt, alright? And don't hide it either. I will be watching. Do not think you are the only one to have a perceptive eye!
"Also, an idea has been plaguing my mind as of late. As soon as I heard yet another war was brewing, I could not help but think about it. I cannot rationalize it no matter how hard I tried. But, to get it off of my chest, I will tell you because I trust you most. I think then I will begin to feel better, so I send this letter along with my feelings. Do not take them lightly, alright? And, foremost, do not tell anyone. This is why I have entrusted it to Lenedial. She never looks in the letters I give her. Somehow, the girl knows they contain things never meant for her eyes… but, I digress. I'm sure you would love to see pages of my graceful handwriting, but the thoughts I seek to relieve are important.
Do you ever think about what the world would be like if the Eternal Conflict did not exist? It has its name because no matter what we do, we fight and fight. I give hope to the soldiers day after day, but even I have my doubts from time to time. The only thing that keeps me moving forward is my hope for a happy future… for all of us. But what would happen if the Eternal Conflict was really eternal? What is there is no victory in sight, only defeat?
I wanted to ask you if, if that time comes, would you try to escape it? Or would you keep fighting, hoping the future will change? And, if so, would you ever consider a future with me?
Of course, you could also disregard this letter as well. Simply dismiss it as an Archangel's passing thoughts."
Itherael turned to face Auriel, taking her hands in his. "Did you mean what you said?" His hands grasped hers, but gently in consideration for her delicate hands who have healed so much.
Now she was the one restricted by the gentlest bonds in the world. Her hood twisted away from him, her wings tightly coiled. "So you finally read it," she stated wistfully. "I did not wish to say anything about it until or if you did."
"I needed some time to think about it, and I did not know if I should send a response letter," he lamented. "It did take me off-guard. But it was also concerning, so I wished to discuss it with you. But, given the war, there was simply no time…"
"..." Auriel turned to face him, resting their hands in her lap. Her hood twisted to face him once more. "...I stand by what I wrote. It is only a possibility, and I am unable to see the future like you do. But, if whatever future you see is dark, then…" she trailed off, then clasped his hands in return, "...maybe we could make a difference."
"What of the others?"
She thought about her response for a moment, then replied with, "I cannot coddle them forever. Imperius and Tyrael's fighting grows worse each day, and Malthael secludes himself further and further away from us. There is little I can do even with the ability to give the others hope, and that is why I find these doubts forming. Even I am not impervious to despair."
Now he could see why her concerns were so founded. She had a point. If the rest of the council parted ways, what would they do? In all honesty, he could not imagine a life without Auriel or the rest of the council. He clutched her hands tighter, as if willed by the thought of keeping her close to him. "Auriel… You asked me, 'What would Hope be without Fate?'"
Her hands trembled within his. "Yes… I did."
"..." He clutched her hands tighter within his. He leaned closer. "...Then, I ask you this: What would Fate be without Hope?"
Auriel looked up at him inquiringly. "Itherael…?"
He continued with, "If the future had no hope, all that would be left is gloom and despair. There would be certainties, yes, but all we would do is think about the end result and never focus on the 'now.' We would never have branching fates if we did not have the hope to overcome the obstacles." He took a breath, then said, "Therefore, my fate is with you. I do not strive for mere balance. I am an angel who believes in a brighter future." His hands then lowered to rest on her lap again. "However, that is why I work so hard here. I will work hard to ensure the scenario of us parting ways does not happen. My place is here until that time comes to make that decision."
Auriel was taken aback with one of her retrieved hands upon her chest. How should she take this? With shock? Joy? Or should she collect herself and respect his choice like a proper Archangel would? Eventually, she softened and regained her composure enough to grace him with a response. "Thank you, Itherael. You have filled me with hope." She gave his hands a squeeze.
Itherael returned the gesture, then came to his feet. "Very well. Shall we go?"
"Yes." She came to a stand with his assistance. Then, suddenly, she leaned forward and rested against his chest. "...I really do appreciate those words… I do not feel as alone anymore."
The man was left stunned. There she was, the most precious being resting against his chest. He then held her there for as long as she desired to. When she pulled away, though, he missed her warmth.
She chuckled warmly. She brimmed with light again. He softened. The man could never become tired of her laugh. It was beautiful.
Auriel linked her arm with his, but kept him anchored still with a tight grip suddenly. It seemed something had occurred to her. "Wait, Itherael. I just recalled something."
His hood twisted to face her. They were of equal height now. "Yes?"
"I recall Malthael was acting strangely when I visited his tent. He would not allow me in, even to check on his wounds. Does this have anything to do with your vision?"
"I surmise as much," he confirmed. "Malthael has the ability of foresight matching even my own ability. He would be prepared for any outcome. I only fear he is not prepared enough, so we must go."
Auriel nodded. "Allow me." Since he had only just recovered, she would initiate the teleportation. Her wings raised, and then they disappeared in a blink of light together. The light of their wings, as well as their hands, melded into one.
A/N: Hello everyone, hope you all enjoyed the chapter! I really did wish to include another scene with Imperius and Lenedial at the end of the chapter, but it then blossomed and got longer and more developed and I decided that too would deserve its own chapter. Good news is the next chapter is well underway in exchange for the long wait you guys had to suffer for this chapter! I ended up not really doing much "Valentine"y on Malthael's end, but I found there wasn't much I could do besides move the plot forward and get into his head a little. But I do promise I have something coming up soon with him involved I'm sure you Mal fans will enjoy~ Just to hint you at a possible future update in return for your guys's patience in me. 8'D
Random question, but how is my writing style? Like my grammar and ways of writing. Just been curious about it lately in case anyone would like to give feedback or pays attention to that sort of thing on a site like Fanfiction.
Man, you guys had the best reactions to last chapter though. XD I'm going to enjoy going through and replying to them all, because every single one of them made me smile~
Side note but since there are several guests in these responses, I've never outwardly said this but I'm sure you guys may've found out by now, but I always respond to reviews in the order of when they are posted, so that will differentiate them. :) Keeps everything nice and organized~
Review Response
Reaper1024: Glad you enjoyed the chapter! :D I sure do love being in the habit of leaving people in cliffhangers. P:
I was laughing while writing Imperius's quotations to be honest. XD He now finally finds the opportunity to get back at her once and for all! Muahaha!
Dem eyebrows, I think I died and came back to life from laughter! Itherael would die of mortification if he ever heard the rumors about him and Auriel! :'D *Ships them off to go stay at a love hotel or something.* But yes, I've never in my life felt a Diablo ship with canon characters more valid than this one. Even if I decided to go down the Itherael genderless route, it still would be absolutely perfect! (Though Blizzard has flip flopped, maybe to make things easier on themselves as far as pronouns and the like. Idek. But now I'm stuck with his more masculine image and I can't bring myself to go back!)
I would hope so, because I have not had the opportunity to take advantage of Mal's "suave" side lately. :I BUT I have an idea and it will appear soon, huehue~
Beans, beans everywhere~ Thank you for reading and reviewing! x)
Bluemist562: THANK YOU FOR LIKING THE CHAPTER AHHH! I was worried I didn't do a good job, but you guys are so supportive and awesome! :'D Your story is also really good and has lots of potential, so keep working at it! P:
I hope you enjoy the sections with Itherael and Auriel this chapter, the two little love birds~ (I looked back while editing the responses and I said "little love words." I must've been SO sleepy when I wrote it! O_o;)
Itherael: Why does no one believe me when I say our relationship is purely platonic and professional?
BECAUSE YOU'RE CUTE, GEEZ!
Haha, I figured some people would notice the change in the cover! I changed it not too long ago, so you're not blind. P:
Anyways, glad you enjoyed the chapter and hope you enjoy this one! Thank you for reading and reviewing! :D
Alrisha: I'm glad you liked the chapter even though there were some faults, and also thank you for taking the time to critic! I really appreciate it! :D
Okay, now for my response to that critic: You are absolutely right, I did go a little overboard as far as how close to her he was, at least the second time around when he pinned her down. But I felt the pressure of going super romantic (self-imposed, of course), and I had the devil side of me go, "They've developed their relationship at least a little bit, right? I can cut loose a little bit, right?" XD Of course, this thought process was after I finished writing it. However, seeing as everybody has already read it and I don't want to change anything after they are published since they serve as a learning experience to me, it'll still be there, but it'll teach me some things. So, thank you for the input! That hug was my favorite part of the second half of that scene! ^^=
I am glad you enjoyed when he showed his concern. When she walked through those tent flaps, it was a very "boy meets girl" moment, and I wanted to properly convey that through hints and omitting certain details in that transition from the entrance to the bed. It was really fun to do! And yus, I love when pouty mcpouts drop their guard a bit and do kind acts. It kind of inspired me to make this story in the first place. The challenge is to have him do it while still making it seem possible for him to do so. P:
You're welcome! I know the timeline is a little odd, but I started this story without even really thinking about those things until after (which is why I messed up some things in the beginning), and that is where it best fit but at the same time it made things a little AU. However, I kind of like it this way. I know Tyrael and Mal are technically supposed to be gone after the shattering of the Worldstone, but this story would feel a little empty without them, even if Tyrael doesn't have that prominent of a role at the moment.
That is a really good way to think about it, how you said "we're in the middle of seeing Malthael go from Archangel of Wisdom to Angel of Death." x) I definitely want to explore that in the future, and how his spirals into insanity affected him. However, right now it is only the beginning, so he will have some soft spots still. (; I agree Mal's actions before RoS were quite a mystery, so it'd be cool to show my speculations of it all.
It's funny you ask that when I have something planned for when they do get together and something happens. You'll have to wait and see, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. ;)
Glad you liked the chapter, and thank you for reading and reviewing! :D
Dragongirl180: I'm glad you like the story, and thank you for the compliments! :D I admit I've been wondering lately if I have a good enough writing style where people would read it if it wasn't in a fanfiction. So, your review gives me a bit of hope my skills are up to par. :)
Anyways, thank you for reading and reviewing! :D
Alphabeat: Darn, and I've really been trying not to take anime inspirations lately. XD In all honesty, if you're referring to the bit where Lenedial is embarrassed without her armor, it was moreso to see how an angel, who usually is more armored up, would react with less armor since it is a constant theme where angels do not reveal their bodies, instead of thinking about the anime trope. I can see where that thought comes from though, just didn't intend for it to be. But if you're referring to something else then I have no clue what I'm talking about and please forgive me. O_o;
Anyways, thank you for reading and reviewing~ P:
MeganLMAnime: I'm glad you're enjoying the story! Y'know, I personally LOVE OC stories too, but everywhere else I always find people hating on OC stories, claiming they are not well-written, filled with self-inserts and Mary Sues (and Gary Stus). I tend to enjoy them a lot because it shows peoples' takes on the worlds they're delving into, and it prompts the canonical characters to react differently than they normally would, so I tend to find them refreshing. But hearing all this support, with this story I'm seeing the contrary, and it makes me happy! :D
I'm glad my story is among your favorites! Thank you for reading and reviewing! :D
XxKnightLoverxX: Hah, now I'm the one to apologize for taking so long! XD I took my time, didn't I? Probably because I pondered where to end this chapter before finally I just picked a spot and split it. But anyways, glad I didn't disappoint last chapter! :D And thanks for the feedback, maybe I'll become a bit braver later on. P: I'm sure we all like fluff and snuggles, but there can also be time for smoochies and romance~
Yeah, for now he will remain as just a precious bean. For now. ._. And maybe later I will delve more into his potential love life, but I mean later as in much later. For now he will be busy being a mute boss. x)
Eyyyy, another FMA fan! :D It's also one of my favorite animes~ And that is perfectly fine for you to stick to your mental image. You do you~ This kind of variation in our pictures of what he would look like is exactly why I don't describe much of what he looks like save for his physique because everyone has a different picture of what the angels look like under their armor. It would be like someone has always imagined a character with red curly hair, and then the writers come out after a few books and say "nope, he's had spiky brown hair all along!" They're still going to imagine that red curly hair anyways. "You can't tell me what to do!" P:
Well, you may go back in time so I never ate the cookies, but at least I would be content with the thought of one of my alternate realities would have been able to eat them. :') I'll be a good girl though~
Anyways, thank you for reading and reviewing! ;)
SnowWhiteAbyss: Pfft, you're fine! And same here honestly; I often reread my chapters even though I'm the one who wrote the dang thing! O_o; Keeps my writing consistent though.
Again, thank you for the outfit ideas! I honestly thought of the bow on the back of the hood because I'm always thinking about how angels have hoods in place of visual things like hair, so a bow in the back with ribbons trailing down would be an excellent substitute for something like hair. Plus it would look cute imo. x) You know, I am rather worried for those guards too, because at this rate Imperius is gonna go out and witch hunt them O_o; They're getting a bad rep! Also yes, I know there will be people who prefer the thinner physique, and I'll have something for the Mal fans soon~
I admit this chapter didn't end up becoming as romantic on Mal's side as I wanted it to be, but it'll show up soon, I promise! This chapter just got too long and I didn't expect it to. X: Then again I don't expect ALL of my chapters to get as long as they do; I started out doing 1.5-3k word long chapters, but now it's ranging between 3.5-5k. I tend not to give it as much credit seeing as longer chapters are a glorious thing, but it could make me take longer to update and to edit, like with this current chapter here. Hopefully the next one won't take as long of a time. I'm sure the "Valentine spirits" will happen soon enough though. P:
Yeah, Lene would take some time getting used to a different weapon, but I'm sure she will get some experience in the near future. *Hint**Hint* ;)
I would peg Tyrael's recognition of Lenedial's position as moreso through his experiences. He discovers she is the medic of both Imperius and Malthael on top of having these wings (although he is not the type to judge another unfairly, hence Justice), so it's just his intuition at work. Malthael simply was not directly involved with Lenedial's care, so he kinda snooped from the outside as if he wasn't allowed to (he was, it's just Itherael and Auriel decided not to involve him.) Plus he is the more secretive of the Archangels anyways.
Regarding Lenedial's interactions with Malthael and her reaction (when she was lesser clothed with him), she did act a little shocked, but it was around him who she had become somewhat jaded to in the first place after he had touched her wings so much. (He did not focus on touching her body though, moreso her wings.) But I promise the topic will be brought up in more detail once she meets with him again~
Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter~ Thank you for reading and reviewing! :)
A/N: Author's note here! For the next few responses, please forgive me since I cannot tell if they are different people reviewing or one person reviewing multiple times besides one of them, so I will be treating them as separate responses!
Guest 1: I hope you enjoy this chapter! It features lots of Itherael and Auriel! ;D Thank you for reading and reviewing!
Guest 2: Haha, they are quite adorable, aren't they? XD I love 'em to bits~ Here you go! Thank you for reading and reviewing!
Guest 3: At first I was a little confused, but then I realized you were referring to the other reviewers wishing to see more of Auriel and Itherael. Thank you for taking the time to review and speak your mind. :) I appreciate your respect for the story as well as your honesty. It is alright though! We all have things we all enjoy seeing, and I'm always open to suggestions! I'm not weak-willed enough to completely overturn the story if someone wants me to (like as an extreme example, the main love interest being Mephisto or something instead of Imperius... Now that would be a sight to see! O_o;). However, I am always open to suggestions, so you guys shouldn't be afraid to lay on me some ideas, and I will pick and choose the ones I deem could or even should fit with the story. I'm rather level-headed in that regard.
Anyways, you mentioned you liked Hope and Fate, so I hope you enjoy this chapter! :D And I do make an effort for things like this to fit in with the story as well, so don't worry. ;) My writing style is admittedly a bit loose, and I'm good at thinking up stuff on the fly~
Well, thank you for reading and reviewing! :)