Sun Sick Part III
Mallory apparently didn't know that she can use any well to go back to hell, it's why she wasn't able to visit like before, but since Michael had explained this to her, she was now able to.
When Mallory came back to hell, all of her demon friends were so happy for her return that some of them were in tears.
Michael's hellhounds also got too excited that she almost got dog piled and covered in slobber, but because of his quick reflexes, he quickly carried Mallory into his arms and as high as he can then ordered the hellhounds to stop. When it was clear that the hellhounds will not overwhelm Mallory, he slowly let her down, then she was free to give the creatures some pats.
Mallory had always thought that the hellhounds were just adorable giant fluffy dogs, even though some of them have horns, flaming tails, or canines larger than her hand, their basic wants are the same as any ordinary dogs, pats, belly rubs, and treats.
Mallory had to stay with Zoe for another week after she had given birth to make sure she and her baby are doing fine. When she was ready to return, she didn't expect Michael to be waiting for her to escort her home, which Mallory protested against as he could get sun sick again. Michael had assured her that he'll be fine, besides she's with him, she's his doctor after all.
Michael has been acting strange ever since they started the journey back home, he would stay beside her as close as he can and would find ways to hold her hand. This made Mallory blush the entire time.
As they near Mallory's village, they heard a sound of distress, a horse and its rider was out of control and heading directly to Mallory and Michael.
Michael quickly pulled Mallory to him and away from the horse's way to save her. However the young man in the horse had fallen and hit a nearby tree while the horse continued to run.
When Mallory finally recovered from the shock, he quickly attended to the young man. However, he hit the tree so hard that he was bleeding from his head profusely. Mallory tried to help him, tried to stop the bleeding, tried her best, but it was obvious that the young man will not survive.
Michael stopped Mallory's hand and pulled her body to an embrace. "Mallory stop, there's nothing you can do"
Mallory tried to move away from his embrace but couldn't, he was a lot stronger than her, "I have to help him, please let go Michael".
Michael didn't relent and continued holding on to her small frame, "All things has its end and it is his time"
Michael's words were odd and realization hit her and she stopped struggling. "You knew, you knew but you didn't save him."
"Because he will die another way anyway, maybe a more tragic way, I cannot save those that will die soon, I cannot interfere with death."
Mallory was frustrated at Michael and shouted "Then why did you save me?"
Michael was quiet for a moment, in a low voice he explained, "Because you weren't going to die, but you will be injured enough that you will not be able to continue being a doctor, I know you'll be sad if that ever happens, I don't want you to be sad, so I did what have to do."
All Mallory could do was cry her heart out in Michael's embrace. "It's ok Mallory, he will be in a peaceful place soon."
Mallory knew the young man and asked Michael to carry him back to the village, when they got to his house she explained to his family what happened and all she could do afterwards was apologize to them, that she couldn't save him. She couldn't help the tears spilling from her eyes again. Michael pulled Mallory to him and excused them, the two were covered in blood and its best to change out of it.
When they got to her house, Coco helped Mallory change out her clothes.
As a doctor Mallory had to stay strong and collected when it came to her patients, she knew it will not look too good to her other patients if they see that she was heavily affected when she was unable to save someone, so her tears can only be shed in private. Michael did not leave Mallory's side the entire time, watching her work, and making sure that she was alright.
As the night falls, Michael asked Mallory to come with him in hell. When they entered hell, instead of landing on Michael's room, they landed on his throne room where he judges the soul of the dead. He had asked her to stay beside her and watch what he does.
When the judgment starts, the souls were blank, they have no face or features just their souls and nothing else. One by one Michael asks for their story, unknown to them, in his presence, their truths are revealed. When Michael deems a soul sinful, they are sent to prison, when he deems them righteous, they are sent to heaven.
It took some time but the soul he was waiting for finally arrived.
"Tell me your story", he asked.
As the soul told its story, Mallory finally recognize him, it was the soul of the young man she was unable to save. She listened to his story.
"I wanted to impress my friends so I rode a wild horse, then ummm... I don't know anymore."
Michael had deemed the soul righteous so he was sent to heaven. Then he stops the judgment and lead Mallory to a room, a beautiful eternal garden, Mallory sees the souls of the dead roaming about.
"When a soul is sent to heaven, they will go here first, they are cleansed of their remaining sins and memories until only their purest soul is left, then they will be taken to heaven where they can be reincarnated. Those that are sent to prison takes longer to be cleansed, but they will eventually be brought here before they can enter heaven."
Death is a part of the cycle of the soul, Mallory understands it now, Michael cannot interfere with the natural order, but as a doctor she can still do what she must to relieve a person's pain.
Mallory finally smiled and thanked Michael for showing her all of this and he was relieved that she finally smiled at him.
Eventually, everything has gone back to normal between them, Mallory visits Michael in hell whenever it was possible.
However, Michael had been on edge, he remembers Coco's words, that Mallory had fallen for someone and he doesn't know who, so he had the demons asked it for him, however, anyone he asked, would look at him in a funny way then shake their heads. Frustrated, he finally gave up and asked her himself, but he didn't expect for Mallory to stare, blush, stutter, then ran away. He was confused at what happened. When he followed her, all the demons he passes by had frowned at him.
Michael found her in the eternal garden where she watched the souls play and being at peace.
"I love this place, it's very peaceful", she said while looking at her surroundings.
Michael nodded in agreement, "Yes, it is very peaceful here, the flowers are always blooming and everyone is happy."
"And I… I also love you"
"Me too", it took a minute before Michael had realized what she said and his reply, his eyes widened and he stared at Mallory. "Truly"
"Yes"
Michael was unable to contain his happiness that he carried Mallory into his arms and spun her around the garden. The garden itself was happy for its owner that the flower petals was dancing around them. Michael then kissed Mallory on the lips then he said, "I love you", as they danced in the garden.
It took sometime before Mallory could finally agree to stay in hell with Michael. She first had to train 2 apprentices that could replace her.
When the time came, she was welcomed in hell as the bride of their prince and the entire hell rejoiced.
Notes: The injury that Michael was talking about is paralysis, the time setting of this au is when open surgery and physical therapy was not a thing, so Mallory would have been paralyzed all her life.
