Wisteria

It was just another adventure. Another discovery through the lands of the forgotten. Through the thick jungles, under the wide treetops, a little angel kneel on top of a cloud, hands out to picture frame the location below them. Against the light breeze of a droning day filled with nothing else but learning and the ever growing isolation of fellow fledglings. Even with a few, or even one that is a friend. Being away and leading to the fable detection sonnets of the world below. One leap was it took with a confident once a destination sought for. Paying no mind of gliding warps behind, the little angel finds on sore and scrapes from hands to feet to an old temple, vines wild and stone cracking. One mighty earthquake and this moment in could be lost. Yet, it didn't stop the little angel rushing in with gleeful eyes.

Bare feet brisk through the long halls, letting the sun above be the only illumine that etch and stretch shadows in monstrous forms. Glinting upon relics made of jewels, silver, and bits of untouched marble. Tapestries weathered or tone through centuries of neglect, finding tall tell times of holy lights that once roamed the halls and grand rooms, finding in soon a large precinct filled overgrown herbage that was a remorseful necropolis that mirrored near what many fae and wandering demons lived in. The angel stepped closer in the courtyard, dark eyes wondering through the beguile lands, peeking what the angel could see through shamble windows and ruin entrances that stretch into the dark temptations of what the temple held.

Within the center of it all, over a large opening that had damage inward that showed the retreating day, letting the dark wintry hues take to the sky. Letting the sounds of a running stream and small flickers of fish through the cracks of a large reservoir that the cooling water damp under the heels of the angel's feet, soaking just the short lines of the pale robe of porcelain. Catching his boyish face in the rippling refection. Adjusting the hood when the cold nipped near and followed the running streams, eyeing the comical dwarf puffers, pearl tough danios, bumblebee gobies, and nonsensical chimera many hued livebearers. Through the many travels by the streams, the angel ran through the halls as a guide, hands to the walls, feeling ever spider crack and curves that were akin to what could be known as a language, a very old one as well.

"G-ge ixomaxip d-d-de a b-bogpa c olpirt od de a p-plosi upaah, g-ge blans cirp de t-t..." The boy spoke with a frown, finding most of the text worn away, out of a curiosity, continued with search of finding more. A puzzling search into the long night, waning moon above and stars shine, that near a passing yawn or two were not wasted. Using a rope sleeve to wipe away the sleep, the angel kept the search, voicing the random finds as one could through the somberness yet peaceful night. "D-doalim bogpa, b-balit od nobloh c t-teloc. Ooanoan c a-abr-r-raasa od t-tibibp. Pi i a teloc. Pi i a b-boaluahe. Pi i ge uls-"

The read was cut from a siren, a rich of euphonious to the ears. Such a tone that could be ignored and the angel in quick went into finding this new revelation. Wary of the gaps farther into the tomb, leading into the darkest depths of earth's unknown. Whether the sounds were creatures of nature above or below, matter not to the young lad as he kept trekking onward. The lonely lilt sonnet grew louder and louder until the boy found the source, rounding a corner of another hall, finding to that was a terrace that caged in a broken frame of craved stone, that reached out into the forest, the end just meeting the tips of the treetops. A night sky and a green sea of leaves and bark with cosmoses gleaming down to them. There on a broken slab, sat a woman pale as snow and golden hair long and lush, a alluring slim gown that mock the twilight hours ago with a august poise. Her song, humble and teary, even as it slowly paused. That alone made the boy grip the front of robes on reflex to flee. To all else, she was nothing than a beauty, the word itself, did not do her justice. An unworldly sounded only as cruel.

"Hello, little wander. I was wondering when you find me." She murmured, head tilted over her fine shoulder with a hunting eye look as a wolf finding its prey. The coy smile of plush lips of a dark rose color when their eyes match, her voice echoed again, kind and gentle not to the spook the other. "No fear little one, come sit. It's been a while since I had company. Come."

The boy watch as she motion him near and with a seconds of debate, he inch closer. Teeth bit into lips worriedly when catching the tallness of the other, it was intimidating but she wore a welcoming tease that must be common to those that wander the lands. Soon the boy stood near but still out of reach, head bow in kind, eyes never leaving the other.

"Hello... ma'am."

"Hello. What brings you to Babel?"

"I... I, I was..."

"Your eyes remind me of a scholar. Are you?" Her voice kept calm, sending a source of calm to the other. Catching on how slightly the other's shoulders dip from each octave that reached him.

The child nods shyly, unsure what to say and could find comfort in wringing his hands to speak out again. "You h-have a lovely voice."

Her smile grows with a bashful swat to the other, saying. "Why, thank you. Never thought my voice could reach others so far."

"Oh... umm, I am just passing by. I was questioning to find some fables of my teacher would tell me. After a rather dull and scornful day, I wanted to get away and just do. And, well, here we are."

"What have you found?" She asked, eyes arched in piqued interest.

The shyness was gone in a snap as the boy, with a wondrous grin and happy feet patting as he neared the woman whom was willing to listen. "Oh! So much. Upon the halls before, I was learning to why the temple was built and whose stomped the grounds smooth. I have yet to find the hidden libraries but the scribes thus far, have been an astounding glance. There was also tales of trials and deeds. I hope to find others but... that's been, yes, never mind. It's no matter. Though, I followed the wild life after that, creatures I have seen before but so small-"

"You do have a voice." She teased.

The boy could only blushed before finishing his tale. "Then your song. It sounded hurt to me... I wanted to be sure no one was singing their last vow."

"That's very kind of you, even for one that has no wings but carries the duty, no?"

"Oh, no. I... w-well... my brothers like to claim that I am a dove and such. Even after growing with smarts and wit, it is never enough with them, not my brothers though. They at least try. But the others? It's just dishearten. Many honestly and well, it can be tiresome with the likes of them. Yet- oh, I am rambling... sorry." The boy said with a little frown even with eyes filled tenderness, rubbing his arms in thought when a cold wind picked up, adding. "B-but... they, again my brothers, mean well."

"Brothers that must be wondering where you are. How are you to get home, little one?"

The angel just gave a shrugged with a sheepish grin, whispering with a loose lace of guilt and mischief. "They'll come for me. When? I don't know. But!" He shouts that jerks the woman with a surprise glint of her own, and said. "But, thanks to my teacher. I am learning other ways until I get my wings and one day, my name. Despite the words of others, he's been kind and helpful to me, I owe him a lot for putting up with me."

"From that. It sounds that he is not of those above, isn't he?"

"Y-yeah... please, do not let others know. I know those will not think well of him being as he does with himself."

"You're words sound of a son protecting a father of a troubled past. How adorable." She spoke, leaning against the broken slab of her seat facing the other. An action that calmed the other to near and take a seat as a well. Still out of reach, wary still, but the woman show no chagrin to such notion. Lowly a hum rake through her, before speaking again. "That is such a promise to make though." A whimsy whisper on her lips, as they grew bold with a roguish smicker. "Are you aware of deals, little one?"

"You do not want my soul, do you, ma'am?" The boy asked, sleeking even further away that made her laugh.

"Oh, no, no. You are becoming too amusing for that unfounded deed." She answered, given him the unsaid question of the nature they know lingered in the air, before going on with. "How about a trade?"

"Of what?"

"As you said about my song. Hurt and alone as it was. I would like some company now and then, would you come and visit me as you do your land teacher? In exchange, I'll keep the notion of your meets as him, but also, I can teach too. These walls have tales I have no doubt you have neared. I'll be your guide. How's does that sound?"

The boy sat there, looking over the woman that held herself as a titleless crown. Her eyes, yellow as canary topazes smiling akin to what the angel saw children with their female parents. A mother, as elusive of a statement it gave his stiff shoulders less to a moment of relaxation. Having him stutter. "I do not have to shake your hand, do I?"

She giggles, standing in a sloop before bowing to face him and letting her lips rest against his quickly burning cheeks. With a kittenish that batted eyelashes that mock crow wings reply. "I believe this will just service, little one. And please, call me Lilith."

"Y-yes... m-m-ma'am- I mean... Li-li... M-miss. Lilith!" The boy tried to speak from the sudden closeness and before dashing off, when catching calls of familiar voices.

It was a start of many meetings to come. A few short or as some last longer than a day. They bond grew. Even as such silly things as the boy showing her a tick one time. The ripple as always, small but as the water plays. It will only grow from it. On the follow up visit, the boy start out to look for the woman, her voice echoing as a warm blanket that trapped him. Even when nearing her, just by her eyes catching near tears.

"Why must your song make you do so in glum?" He mutters quietly, still she heard and even as she act a fine and bought woman. It didn't stop that thought to swamp the little angel's thoughts.

When meeting up with Pan on a different day. The little angel had something of an answer to that sorrowful tune she carried. Even if Pan tried to pry the angel's draw to know more about the music, more so whom ever song the boy wanted to ease. Yanks of tall tales that were nowhere close on what was true. The angel kept that in mind with a determine shine when finding Lilith wondering the high tops of the temples and even as he balance against the treetops like a dance and fizz, he reached her. With an allure that made her just as coy back, if only, to ruffle his better nature. Much to the other's ever growing childish tempest.

"I am to do what?"

"Just lean and be still, I swear you have something behind your ear- no! don't touch!"

She giggles to his childish demands but humors him, as does so. Being rewarded with a bloom of yellow and purple that match well to her eyes, that tickled her ear in a buzzing appearance, in front of her and his face glowing of doing his trick well. Even if the flower seemed much smaller than what's kind normally sized out. Though Lilith's amazement was enough and that's what matter.

"A mastery from your teacher?" She asked that time, with a small smile as she took the even tinier flower.

"Yes. This is a bittersweet nightshade. After I was able to get your song right, he help pick a flower that goes with it. So when you sing it, please, do not feel as sad. A reminder from me." He boasted with a cheeky grin.

"A reminder?"

"Yes. A reminder that you are not alone. My teacher also says that the flowers tell stories too and if his nymph friends told true. I am here for you."

"Even for someone you hardly know?"

"Maybe, but in time that wouldn't be the case, Miss. Lilith."

"Oh, now, aren't you a charmer." Lilith tease, pinching his cheek that he groaned but laugh along with her all the same.

"Miss. Lilith! Stop!"

"Never, little one."

A row around twilight, the two found themselves sitting by the high point of the temple watching the golden hue sky darken by the hour. Watching as the stars and moon brighten, swirling along the sonnet of the universe turn. By them a gather of plantation grew small fruits; blackberries, vaccinium, grapes, and persimmons. Nature below in the forest, playing its biotic lay. A humble of a snack and show, as they chat mildly with each other.

"The world itself feels so small from this point, Miss. Lilith. Why do you come back to it?"

She hums in thought, toying with a lush persimmon in her hand. Mindful of the bright orange color contrast heavily against her pale complexion. A nimble bite and soon she spoke. "Memories I suppose. Remembering fonder times of a wondrous life, long before your glide, little one. It was simple then and held a breathtaking beauty that can't be done again."

"Sounds like my brother, Lucifer, he would always speak like that. I don't know how things were before my time, but I wonder to one day understand it. He makes it sound like a fairy tale for children." Lilith left out a chuckle, cut short of responding when the little angel said quickly. "Okay, I walked into that one."

"I hope to meet these brothers of yours. New voices would always be welcomed."

"If they're never busy but they have been away a lot. And my teacher has their own life and I..."

"You are no burden here, no fear."

"My thanks. But if anything, I do want to see if these fables are true. I am in a search of something of my former life. I am looking for home and by the tales, I should find the connections here. I hope so anyway."

"Explains why you are down here so much."

"Not to say I don't enjoy your company. This has been just as pleasant to look around and know those before our time. The shadows could be nicer though."

"You'll get use to their sows, I have."

"Your songs tell me otherwise, Miss. Lilith. Though, even how nevermore bleak they are... your voice remains soft. A true performer against all odds, ma'am."

She laughs, with a thin smile arched around the fruit she eats. Tossing with another hand a scatter of leaves towards the boy, playful as if it was snow. The little angel gives a protest and brushes the shrubby away. The boy sticking his tongue to the other in just gleeful manner.

"As you grow older, little one. You will understand that's how one gets through any pain."

"I don't honestly believe that. Yet, if it is a stepping stone to heal oneself. I am not going to judge unless another life is unwillingly dragged into a pointless clinch. Grief should never be used as a weapon on the emotions. Let alone dispute form in one voice, no. It should be in many, regardless again in the emotions. That's what my teacher always tells me and I find it true to no fault."

"No doubt those above do not approve, given much of those you mingled with besides me."

The angel gave a shrugged, saying. "I am warned of those to be caution of, but, otherwise... until I get my wings and name I am very expendable all things consider. Being a Celestial one only does so much."

"And your brothers? One is a creation and the other a metamorphose. Quite a trio you all are."

"You say it like a warning sign."

"Might be. But by all tales you shared of them from our visits. I say things should be just fine. More so with this Lucifer one."

"You sound like my teacher whom tallies the woods of woo. Your voice and eyes are undoubted would be anyone's fall. Lucifer would care for you just fine, of course he would and sure, sure what ever comes to one's mind. Woos are nonsensical." The angel said, with a roll of his eyes as he plucked another few berries to snack on. Pausing in a sudden still when feeling Lilith's cooling hand against his cheek.

"Oh, now, do not be jealous. You're company is just as lovely." She stated, leaning to give a soft kiss on the other's forehead.

"M-miss. Lilith!"

For much like another day in passing, Lilith found the boy stuck in the tall trees and flowers in the courtyard. His robes and limbs tangled with the branches of the tree, as she strolled near. His eyes glared in mock warning for her to hold her tongue, but that warning meant nothing to her. Even as she neared enough to crane her head just so almost be at eye view to the hanging angel.

"Child."

"Miss. Lilith."

"What happen?" She asked, though her barely conceal laughter echoed her true tells.

"I was practicing."

"Practicing what?"

"You know what."

"Do I?"

"Yes, you do. My leaping."

She hums in thought before saying. "No, I do not believe I do, little one. Leaping? Never heard of such teleportation. You must have me mistaken for someone else."

"Miss-"

"With that, I might just leave you here as I do no honestly know what my eyes see."

"Miss-"

"I mean honestly-"

"Miss. Lilith! Just... just help me!" He shouted with a overacted pout that didn't even dared to shine teary mockery, trying hard not to lose his grip.

"Drop the title and I might."

"Lilith! Please!" He answered back without hesitation as her laughter filled the void of the once dingy tomb of forgotten memories.

As another twilight glide through the sky, Lilith was strolling through the thickest vine halls, with a curl hand blend with sparkles and fire, the greens burn away into nothing but ashes. Temping only one foot closer with the clacking sandals and glossy wax-eyes looking around, a slight nod. Moving along the way and finding other halls to clear, mid-through a quick spell. A crash echoed that stilled her. In glamour flux headed towards to the sound. Finding the little angel back again, trying and failing to get out of the pond he used, as a guess, landing point from the clouds. His wobble movements as a babe learning to walk, arose a laugh from her, and their eyes lock.

"Oh, you poor child." She snickered, in a flow glance she was before him and holding out a hand to him.

He angled himself on all fours at least, still deep in the pond and looked to her with a sheepish grin, greeting her as he took her hand. She stalled him from moving away once out of the pond as she patted his glittering brow and round face dry with her loose cloth sleeve. Playful her face remained as he whined and try to move hands away.

"Lilith! Stop... your worst than others."

"Hush." She chimed, winning with one word and finished in time. Letting him step away and cross himself with a frown. Lilith only said. "This is our agreement, child."

"Me being your hatching was not part of that deal." He whined, but followed when she motion him to follow her.

"So you say." She toyed back, shoulder glance filled with nothing but trouble that could rival his brothers and land teacher.

"I do say."

"Such sass we have today." She said, a little coil of her hair fingered in thought. Adding on a whim once they neared a new hall. "Hath the dockets being rude to you again?"

He shrugs, as he stood before the wall she gesture for him. Letting his hands run over the faints ruins, paying no mind of the ashes that stain the wall much as his hands, the temple as long ago came a tomb for a reason. To least what the walls and remaining relics tell. Not even taking much else, the angel retells what was written in the stone. Animated about worlds upon worlds that linger together in a nexus beyond one's comprehension. Divide and some even lost in the changes by those known, what names his fingers found in gentle glides. The boy's only matching that of confusion and he tries to mouth the letters slowly. It was then Lilith spoke out, careful not to break the other's concentration, even she enjoyed to ajar his looks of ponderment with tease and jokes.

"Spell them to me, little one. See if I can fill in the blanks."

He nods and does so.

She listen to each letter, pause, and acute pronouncing until she was able to understand his troubles. Answering in kind with. "The tale here tells those known as The Labyrinth God, The Nameless, Worm Father, and here..." She paused, running her hand over where his stilled as he fiddled trying to understand each dent and corner, finishing with a somber-like tone. "...The Dark Jewel... truly that last one is a coward if by all else."

"Did they hurt you?"

"Depends..."

"I ask because the tales here a faint but history never goes away. Were you close to those here long ago?" The boy asked, looking up to the tall woman with a sensitive eye that redden with unshod tears, as he continued with taking her hand and hovering near a small patch of faint scripture. "Here it says that the eyes of evil lack bliss and forever to scorn of those common breath. Like here says 'Pi has n-nalvage tol a o-o-oecrimi od othi-i-il de a f-fafen c ah ozien c-con-g-ga-ga-gamphlgh' and it means the soul of old was traded for someone more akin to their nature."

"As that fable goes it seems."

"But do you mean it is not you?" He asked, as he saw her give a wary smile and hushed him. Letting her guide him to another part of the temple, before he could say anything else, she cut in with.

"Adultery to thee and woman be, by all else, time took it away as swift as death itself. Fury as a demon but a face of a goddess." Lilith said, running a hand over the ancient portrayals, chipped paints and broken chisel trims, clouded with weather storms through lost time never recorded.

"I guess so. But you look more of Frigg or Feronia, my teacher knows them well and by his word... I can see it too, and far as the nonsense they spew here-" He was cut off by the sudden notion of her pulling him into a tight hug, the sharp talons of her fingers rake through his robe, a deer in a bear trap. Leaving him quiet and still, unsure what to do. Until he heard breathless tears and the coolness of them falling on his shoulder. Not a word said back, he carefully returned to the mighty dainty woman, poise even in such a fragile state. With a shaky but uncertain hand rose to pat on her shoulder that jutted against his cheek.

They spoke not another word that night and gave their farewells until the next time. Autumn was rising through the veins of the once green foliage that painted the treetops in an ugly sea of rusted gold and bitter wine. Winter just around bout for a tilted cycle, icy winds blowing through in the halls, long crackling mlecchas and eerie longs ululations. The tall lady wandered through the fallen building as she did, following the sounds of absolute abandonment with a troubling half way smile, with only additional scraps and sparks of sharpness glide and kink against primordial walls of nothing. A loose strain bubbled through her throat as her ears picked up the wandering vittles that her mouth watered.

"Quidam non est hic, super thesaurum..." A rasped voice croaked out, while chipping of rock and steel nettled together, a few whispers formed around the voice. The voice added on a growl when ceramic and wood smashed and clattered in a storming raid. "Ut quietam et nothi! Non opus est accipere quod non iniuriae superesse nisi in Dei nomine bonum. Et ovium multum tibi."

Another spoke, tearing the ruins of the vast room with a knife in hand, wedged against aged paste and vivid cabochons. "Deum genus esse pro nobis. Et hoc est bonum factum. Munera tua sint tibi, et justo ut qui ad religionis necessitates."

A third voice laughed, a short beam of wood in hands. "Nunc autem dereliquit nos Deus mendacium semper!" One final shout and swung, taking down a breaking statue into rumble. Another swing through and the pillar of being shamble, loosing the vines of gold and gems, leaving the rest to just stare or join in the laughter as well.

Through the shadows above, hidden away in a withered balcony the tall woman looked down on the mortals. Scrawny in some of them, reeking of survival and bias wrath, all while doing what needed to be done. One view to another, a range was set on what ones were passable to keep or lose. All sink as one could do, sins in actions, even while virtues carry incitement. As the group maraud onward, the tall woman could only lean against a pillar with a hungry grin. The shades around her warp and stretch around her in glee, letting the last of her extend claws echoed out. Still the group in confusion and most importantly fear.

"Prope esset ut tibi superstes est, sed ut te et facere." She purred, wickedly as the shadows around them cage and start to burn.

The screams erupted through the tomb. Fresh aroma of iron and copper coated the lands in a shiny red. Flesh ripped and tear as easy that it mocked paper, spongy and effervescent to the once blessed and beauty holy ground. Crunch of bones. Ozone of monstrous howls that fruitlessly webbed through the shadows, chaining the mortals helpless and dragged around like dolls. The very treasures they search and broke for, morphed into the unspeakable that scrawled and fed off them, gurgling some screams and blinding many others. Rushed as a geyser that puddled Lilith as she slithered downward to the maul fallen, even as wheezed to breath with exposed organs siphon weakly.

Her nightly dress ends glide and clot, while her sandals clipped wetly until nearing one of the mortal. Elongated fingers of a spider and nails just as deadly long grasp the mortal's face. Eyes empty with only web-like nerves and thin twines blood, face hollowed to that being starved in eons, limbs crooked with lean muscle tendons exposed while the skin decay away, the mortal's shivers though made her lick her lips. Letting her lengthy pointed tongue dip to taste the rich ruby iron, laughing airy when feeling the mortal shake against her invasion. Demonic eyes dilated in hunting glee.

"It's been so long since I had a decent meal. You are no angel or fae." She mocks, letting her jagged nails craved a piece of flesh to her teeth. Just as it passed her throat, she speaks again. "It's not much but it will do."

Darkness filled with devouration, and come morning it would lead that nothing was never there in that tiny nook of the temple. A sight that stain in copper dust and shambles left behind that could only be dubbed as an earthquake. An explanation the little angel was given by Lilith when he returned for another visit. Hands dirtied as he made useless tries to clean the remains of what could have been an enthralling expedition. Lilith kept her eyes elsewhere, toying with the ever growing foliage downward from the high-tops of stone, weaving and breathing along with the light winds. A hush on her tongue when the shadows curled near the little angel's wandering heels.

"It's a good thing that neither of us were here when it happen. A tragic like that would hard to explain to most." Lilith hummed, when the greens bend to her will and she sashay nearby the wingless being, lithe fingers tong in the dark locks of a pouting child that held a broken clay face. The spider cracks thick and thin, chips that mirrored that of maggots eating flesh away until hollow out. Copper dust just fainted lines of weathered war paint patterns. A sudden still in the boy's shoulders had Lilith freeze too, saying. "Little one?"

From kneel bent, the boy stood and taking haste to the long halls. Calling with a half face that laced well in frightened astonishment. "I need to speak with my teacher about something. I'll be back before dusk. Promise!"

Lilith alone once more, a crinkle of reality that usually is a familiar formal facet. A glister, to the fall way walls entrance her to follow an unspoken voice, in all else, Lilith finds herself standing on the brittle tower that stood high. Overlooking the shattered stone openings below of a flat view of the building. Following the flows of the streams and the ever growing vines snaking through the in the setting sun's glow. She sits on a slab, raking her long nails over small florets that surpass the impossible. Colors in bloom of a world she long since abandon, by the wills forced on her, and yet through the little blooms. A seedling stood out. In a hue of wine that lingers in ways of a fragile comfort. Even in the passing dead of night, her mind wanders as she sat as the marble figures below her. Inspire voices of ago, anew, and unsure linger in the stone, but no set reality in the winds or ticking time. Not even a flinch when feeling a silken warm cloth rested on her shoulders.

"Lilith?"

She turns her head just enough over her fine shoulder, pulling the cloth closer to her form out of anything that could be seen as habit. An airy smile on her dark lips, as she spoke on an alluring tone. "Child."

"You haven't been up here that long have you? Y-you looked cold."

"I'm fine, just lost in thought." She answered back, eyeing the satchel around the boy's person, cleaned and lacking his sagging robe. One glance around her shoulders answered enough. The smile becomes more confident as she said. "What is that you have there?"

"A trick my teacher taught me. I think you will positively love it and you can even partake in it. This place will certainly appreciate the gesture." The boy gloated, holding out his hand to her with a glint that even most angels would never dare shine.

"Color me intrigue here, child. Let us see this trick of yours."

"You will not be disappointed!"

Thus they find themselves back in the courtyard, Lilith watching near as the little angel set to work on the incantation in the forms of cryptograms. Fancy and bold of that of how angels speak, while finer pointer lines were thin and quick mark that would near of the fae that do not come near the temple. Even in careful steps, the finer symbols of crooked life and elements that be unholy in most. Even as the dark chalk stain the young angel's hands, paid no mind of his onlooker of his work. Fiddling the curves of water, the sharpness and void of arsenic, spider-like etch of sal.

"Magic and the unknown are best to never fuse young one."

"Maybe, for anyone else. But this is a gift that even those who guide me hold me at a distance." The boy says somberly, finishing by standing and dusting his hand against his bare tunic running the pure white color into a healthy grey. Searching for something else in the bag with a wide eye glee towards Lilith, amused by all his little jitters, the notion before of loneliness was long gone. Waiting as he was going to speak again with a pan flute in hand. "But enough of that. This is the main show here."

"Aren't you just a little performer now."

"As my brother told me. The world is that as a pulpit and we the entertainment. Why not embrace it? It doesn't always have to be for the gloom, yes?"

"I see." Lilith hushed, stepping back when the boy did as he does a once over and soon by her with the flute near his mouth. She adds with a smirk. "Already?"

"As it can be. Stay close."

The melody played. Mirthful melancholia to all atone ears could understand, a cue of bittersweet nonsense. Enlighten of a soft glow around them, hypersensitive the air became as it goose-skin them both on such a mortal level. Groans, creaks, rumble, and breaks all form and tangled through the webbing spell. Lilith leans closer, catching the spirals of each note passing through the flute in a omen of hieroglyphs spun of acute life, made of only what the stars and unknown could seen as. She flinches when a ember of one touches her cheek, scarring for a second and gone just as fast. The boy in a far more different state. Letting the twines of the casting lightening bend around his being, the cuts of the spell lasting as third degree burns, exposing what the mother clutter, his old home, without doubt, was made of in debauched scrawling matching to only those of forbidden language ago. With an attentive eye, the shakes and glaze eyes of the boy took place as spasms overtook the sonnet into a more garble seethe. All through, the courtyard came into form, into its once glory in a warp spin, time lapsing over each other until all the area fresh as the day it was first finished.

With a final breath, the boy found himself on the ground in a loose tumble squat. Lilith down by him to steady, eyes just in wonder of the new sight before her. The temple a new beauty. Though it was not lost to her in the shambles of the angel became, feeling by the bare arms of the small one's wounds slowly closing. Wafted of nebula, parky and disdainful as it vise against the brimstone warmth of the tall woman.

"That was foolish." She scold, even as she gently petted the newly wild dark curls.

"I just need more practice." The boy said with a gentle sweaty smile, which without knowing was returned in kind, despite a linger sense of doubt shrouding the two in a soft blanket of chicanery.

That thought followed into the coming nights, as the boy found the underground tunnels using whatever light from the moon could sneak through. Using the cravings as his guide, fruitless of the steep and loose stones. Lilith was away, gone to her home of reclamation. A notion that brought confusion but also silence. Letting those thoughts go to rest as the boy continued on his yatra until he was met with a gap, barely catching himself from falling in. A dim red glow below. Hot to his toes but his breath thick as clouds. Squinting his eyes from across from him, a ledge was near, near as a lough could be. A shake breaks through, letting the cobble wrinkle under him. In fast track got to sturdier land. Yet, his eyes never let go of where the ledge rested. With a deep breath, he took a few more steps back until running forward. A muffle left his lips. In a snap he disappear, from mid-air to the ledge just by white helix fists. Missing just a few inches but got his bearings to grab and climb the remaining opening. Ignoring the glow below expanding and heat rising. Rushing up and away further through the tunnels. Not once looking back. The dreadfully whispers around him were just mind games.

Further he went, his search was not in vein by the broken stair balcony railing found by the end of the labyrinth. The boy all but glided down the ruin stairs into the tall shelves. Floor to ceiling, ever growing and ever lost in the darkness that would take the graceful of wings to reach even a brobdingnagian height. If even that, but still, the boy looked through the shelves near. Fingers as a translator in the bleak light as he wandered. Foundering on tight lips as he furthered himself into the forgotten library. He all but skidded to a stop, eyes wide and a clot in his throat. Fingers flexing against a certain subscription.

"Salman..." He found himself saying, focusing on the primeval vernacular of the macrocosm.

Muddling through the cravings, tablets, scrolls, and tapestry. The boy was careful in leaping to certain shelves to sit against broad statues as a misshapen chair. Letting the dim light stop from his search, using his fingers over the most harsher indents. Sounding steady to each word, vow, statement, imagery, and quote. The little angel soaked it all in. Even through the night, after one too many leaps that left him on shaky legs and shallow breathing, a gleam against his forehead left little as it could. By all else, he showed no care as finding more about the world beyond the overworld, coming across more familiar names. Peeking that interest in him all the more.

"Dumah... Malakbel... Abaddon... Temeluchus... Radueriel... Tennin... Artiya'il!" The boy excited, winced by the echoes shaking the dust and remnant above him cling to him. Taking a deep breath, calming his jitters, and removed the small scroll from the shelf. Resting on a busted figure that expanded out of rubble as a long hand reaching outward to the sky, using just the finger tips as a seat. Gentle with each touch, learning of what symbol told of the star world that to most Celestial is known as only home to them. A notion not vocal out by the little angel, yet the light sniffles and damp back palm set whatever else the night would take the little angel further into the past.

A past cut short when something loud and rumbling above him. On reflex held the scroll closer to his being and listen to what the shadows hid. Catching noises. Muffled through an undeviating insect buzz, horrors crawled through, of miniscule screams and raptorial scorches. The angel found himself slowly climbing up the ruin effigy to stay safe. Forms thick of the darkness around him felt pointless, even with tired veins, made a leap towards the stairway was. If anything to amount some kind of peace, withhold of that dim red glow came and went through the lands below. Rushing with wringed hands to the scroll as his only anchor, even as haunting the temple became once in view outside of the loose floorboards. Throat dry, unable to make to a sound as the horrors grew louder. Towards where Lilith would wait for him. Even as fear gripped him, running to the sounds of better nature outweigh to know if she was alright. He'd not once shied from the shadows to break though, unaware of the heat trailing behind as he kept going.

Up the tower's multistory point, mindful of temple's weakest areas that Babel could never heal. He listen for the sounds, cold within of how quiet there were becoming as he reached Lilith's little hideaway. Still. Not even a breeze flickering by. Stars and moon as the lone light to a far way rising sun. So much time gone in loose understanding. The angel gasped for a breath, holding himself close as he enter into the shamble chamber. Ruins as all the temple is. A beast rampage domain where a beauty rested unaware of the arriving company. Lilith asleep, in appearance, unbothered by the nightly nature around them that curled mockingly as the vines and weeds scattered about, as shadows scarred through akin to ghost roaming freely. The angel, heedful in each step closer to see how strain Lilith really was.

Down to her garbs stalked in wet hues that smelled of death. Hair wild as a flaxen cyclone. She lay on a slab as an arch dancer in pause cabriolé, as her hands took near her tear stain face, long and deadly those nails and her whole being echoed that of a Langsuyars horrors the angel seen a handful of times. The cooper was choking in the air as the angel stood over her. Eyes wide and unsure, shaking his hold on the scroll that slip from his grasp in a gentle thud, rolling away out of sight and mind. He look around the room of the despair it carried.

Shadows only looking back in vexation, that one loose craze thought and teeth as a dragon ready to stride played well in the angel's mind. Enough to take a step back but stopped when Lilith made a sound. Listless and very well in pain as she curled in on herself on the crooked bed slab. To that, seeing not a monster but the woman he had gotten to know. His eyes wetter, glossy and lost, and his core shook, still, moved closer again when catching her shivering and removed his robe. Leaving him in his antiquated tunic and placed the robe on her. A moot sheet of warmth, even though inside it was enough for him before he took off running. Ducking, a few hair threads lost, when a spectral threat billow clawed hand tried to snatch at him.

The angel took a turn toward one of the many exits out. Barely making it, stopped only by an inconclusive convulsion that knocked him to his knees. The shadows rattled in pleasantries, further away the temple takes another side into crumbles. Just feet away from squashing him like the very invertebrates that crawled lively within these very walls. The reality of it becoming true, when the angel dodge and fall through another wall, landed on a jagged surface. Along where the whispers were caterwauls his ears into a painful yield. Covering fruitless, as he tried to get to his feet. Tripping, landing forward towards a long distance scrape before him. Aged gore, blacken bones of shattered limbs and rib-cages, endless hollow eyes staring back in a sense lost forever in the seconds of their death. Bones upon bones, unrecorded centuries lives forgotten and taken by a creature that defacement time and stone, into a realm all its own.

"Oh... numens..." The boy found his voice and try again to stand, pointless as the bones below swivel under his weight that amalgamate shadows, bones, death of old and new into a horror cage that kept him from moving. His body rakes a cry out of fear when the heat grips his ankles through the darkness, dim blights all he could see stare back, hungry and aerate in glee that no mortal or fae would dare match to those of a demon. Even to break free, it felt meaningless, so by all else. The boy just closed his eyes, expecting with in a faint broken misery acceptance.

"Non est hic."

His eyes snap open when cold hands grab from the trepidation immure. The horrid heat redden his outer layer, flying too close to the sun left behind welts of what melting wax leaves behind, by all else he takes hold of his savoir like a life line. Hiding away as a child would to a parent after a bad nightmare. Lilith holds him close, hushing his nerves as she could while stared the hellquakes and inhuman shadows into submission. Regal in stance, she turned away with the little angel in arms. Mournful in her arms as she puzzled what to do of this change. Her grip, gentle yet firm as they moved through the dreaded halls of Babel, Lilith hummed a soothing lullaby for the boy, as it felt it was all she could do. Yet, as she reached their favorite balcony point, a sign of regret was setting within her. With a soft glide of her hand that made the child side glance her, eyes red of tears, looking at her that left her surprised and unsure in her thoughts, as there was no fear in those dark eyes. Just lost and sorrowful. Still, she sighed and held the boy closed as her hand rested near his temple.

"L-Lilith..."

"I am so sorry you had to see that, child."

"What was-"

"Hush, just breath for now. You're so shaken." She scold maternal-like, pointlessly to calm the boy as she just held him, sitting towards the vast world beyond the walls.

"L-Lilith..."

"You were not meant to find that. No one was."

"You're... w-what the t-tales-"

"But I'm foolish to think your curious would do otherwise." She stated, pulling from her cloths of a familiar scroll. Lilith added with a sigh. "Though, what is one to do when all another wants to understand their home. That shouldn't cost a thing." Giving it to the boy, with unsteady hands bared in white knuckles. "But they, up there, will never see it as that even if it was just that."

"I don't-"

"Forgive me for this, little one." She murmured, a catch of irradiance spark from her hand, yet the boy didn't flinch away from it.

The last thing he recalled before his vision faded into darkness, catching her broken tearful smile.

Twisted as the darkness was in a dreamless sleep, it was warm and homely in every second. Blunt scrapes echoed through the shades, row after row in a restless pattern, a loose refrain no louder than purr. Along the buzzes of metal insects and wildlife toying within the wind's beat. Spots of colors shape and form, of only that the constellations territories weaved. Faded the shines of distance neighbors and fellow clusters, all shapeless in blotchy inks that stain many eyes through of all millennium. Far from the largest rays deep into the coldest parts of the nebula, remaining still of that soft touch of a parent comforting an ailing child no bigger than a quark. Gloom on sight, yet all of it was home.

"Where is that blasted dove! Boy!"

The angel jolt awake and was steady by gentle hands. Hearing a soothing voice speak. "Easy there, you roughed yourself enough as is."

Through tired eyes, he finds himself looking up to meet silver eyes. Glossy and friendly. A pause long gone until the voices coming closer, one growing even more frantic until they just silence. The duo turn to see a pale and dark wing angels by the wide opening of the courtyard. Both ridged of the sight as the boy slowly rose, rubbing his head as an ache thud against between his eye and ear, distancing from the woman that was tending him. The dark angel was quick to gather the child, while the pale just stared at the woman, reverie, as she too was the same to him. Though out of them, the woman spoke.

"Your boy was wondering the halls and met some unsteady parts here. His injury was minor."

The dark one spoke with a glare, seeing as the pale one wasn't going to talk with his mouth wide catching flies. "We'll be the judge of that, vi- miss."

"Of course." She said with a smile, a light one to the boy that gave a shy nod of thanks and a coy one to the pale angel.

"If anything, thank you for watching him. When that goat-man told us he hasn't seem the boy in a while. We were worried. No idea he would find his way to Babel." The pale one finally found his voice, showing in gusto to greet her personally, short steps to her and her hand in his to meet his lips. Adding in a beguile smirk. "Though to know such a beauty wonders these parts, I am for once grateful for the boy's antics. I am Lucifer and you miss..."

"Lilith."

"Oh! Like the name of... who was it... that man... Adam I think. He knew someone of that name. Like long ago in the tombs, it was the deed of the Almighty. I don't know much of it, but it is part of my lessons. What else of that do you..." The boy peeked in, unaware of the rueful tension between the two.

While Lucifer rolled his eyes, though added no plight when seeing Lilith seemed to enjoy what the boy was speaking about.

"A voice of a scholar. How charming." She allured, making the boy's face go pink.

"Bit of my doing, honestly." Lucifer sneaked in, taking a bold motion to sit by her leaving hardly an inch between them.

"Very sweet of you. Caring of a brother are you?"

"Yes. It's tiresome but I would not have it any other way."

"I truly welcome such devotion. He loves knognel as much, he should come here to see it. Though, not alone. Babel is not for the fainthearted."

"Do you frequent here?"

"Quite. Though, you'll find me more over in Mount of Olives or Tabor-"

"Tabor!" The boy shouted in excitement, trying and failing to escape his dark brother's grip but his tone was heard.

"I think that is a place you will greatly enjoy, little one." Lilith said, in elation that mirrored the boy's glee.

"We could very much make a day." Lucifer added, trying to get the woman's focus again.

"Luci... we have work to do." The dark one finally spoke through the madness around him.

Lucifer showed no yield to the other's words, saying. "Hardly, our lickspittles do most of the work, brother. We're just figureheads. A little break never hurt."

The dark one made a sound of disgust, taking the child and leaving the pale angel to his fruitless endeavors. Taking the boy and leaving the pale angel to the woman's devises. Once the two were just on the steps of the temple, the dark angel finally placed the boy down. Hand firmly to his shoulder from running off. The dark one's eyes wandered around, shoulders stiff and spare under his cloak.

"This place smells off."

"No more off than what Lucifer's plight. What is wrong with him?" The boy asked, staying close as his brother silently warned and looked to the ruins that trailed thinly into the forest.

"Let's say Lucifer is under a spell that has no true magic but binds emotions well."

"He likes her?"

"That would be you. That pink is still there, I see." The dark one teased, pinching the flushed cheeks of the boy, whom groaned and try to swat the other's hand away.

"Stop it! I was intruded of what she knew. That's all I liked, gee, stop it!"

"Sure... that's the reason." The dark one finally calling it quits, letting the boy move away and searching near, as he crossed in wait for Lucifer to hurried up on his plays. Rolling his eyes with a bias smile of whatever could be going on between those walls. A distance airy chuckle was enough to know, they were smitten.

"Well, I say Lucifer likes her much more. He still hasn't come back yet." The boy added, looking to the entrance and his pale brother still nowhere in sight.

"Like is nowhere close to that, boy."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Between us? No. Not sure of how others will take to it."

"Could they be happy?"

"I guess. Not something I want to think on." The dark one said with a shudder.

"The woman is not normal but I felt calmness. Did you?"

The dark one gave a loose laugh, saying with amusement to the other's disapproval frown. "Ignorance is bliss and that is honestly the true beauty anyone could have. I envy you, so on, little dove."

"Hey!" The boy shouted, giving his brother a shove before going to take a far seat away. A pout on his lips as he looked to the sky, with a bare sigh. A light jostle under his robe tattered against his ribs. Out of wonder, widen the neck hole to see a engraved short handle. He reaches for it, finding it to be a bind scroll, and a struck of puzzled arched his nose. The boy took a glance towards the temple and a quivering shiver ran through him.

"Boy?"

"Yeah!" He called out, stuffing the scroll back in his robes and rushing over to his brother, catching that Lucifer finally out with a foolish grin.

"You're terrible." The dark one said to the Lucifer.

"No, I say I'm in love."

"Does she know that?"

"One day." He said to the dark one with a rueful glint in the eyes and deviltry smile.

To which the other just shook his head, Lucifer waved him off and focused on the small one. The conversation put on paused and unlikely forgotten.

"Come along, we should be heading back. You've been away from your studies long enough, boy." Lucifer chide the small angel.

"I couldn't have been gone that long. You two worry too much." The boy said, frowning but accepting being picked up again as a toddler to the taller ones.

"Hush. Let's go." The dark one ended their spew and into the sky they went.

Silver eyes mournful watching them departing to the clouds. Lilith hold herself. A new kind of dread in her but to that short and wonderful moment. It felt like everything was going to be okay. Even as a lie to herself. It was better than facing the truth a while longer. And to that, she turned and let the shadows swallowed her back into her hellish domain. The few passing days were just draining to her and the past will be the only one to remember it.