Clematis
"I hear you got quite the apprentice, Lucifer."
He slides in an arch, in a fluent motion to avoid the spear about to strike into the unshielded shoulder.
"Hasn't even earned his wings, yet the Princes feel to say he's ready despite that. Call me a doubter, but, to answer if you wish. Barael wouldn't have anything to do with that? Can't be too careful, you know."
Lucifer bend his wings to create distance between him and his training comrade. The open court grounds bare with only a handful using the area as they pleased.
"Though color me invested on what is to be entitled."
The pale angel glared at the sun angel suspiciously, with the few words, it only left him more on guard. Hiding his uneasiness by lunging forward with his bladed staff at the ready. Both charging against each other. The steely clash of blades meet.
"How about, for the sake of ever going pride of you. I take the burden off your hands."
Lucifer remains neutral by the other's words. Weight of them striking in ways not needed. He stayed tune in the training, pressing more pressure onto the other. Increasing just enough, as balance folded, Lucifer swing a curve knee crook to the other angel's side. Watching the battle partner soar away. His wings fluttering with amusement when seeing the angel land where pillars rested.
"I have to say, Raguel. Your head is certainly not on the field. If this was a real battle, you wouldn't last. For shame on you." Lucifer said, strolling towards the other, while twiddling with the spear in boredom.
Raguel laughs, slowly rising to his feet. Wings stretching from the sudden askew landing. Brushing off dusted clouds, with a glint, before saying. "I take it though the rumors haven't reach you then?"
Lucifer lingered a smile before walking along the other to place weapons away. Speaking dryly and slow. "I have. I don't see the special guides as they do. He's a fine student. Late bloomer in some regards, but I see promise. But he far from middle or high order. I mean, he doesn't even want to train like us or learn cleansing."
"If you leave him in the grand halls as often as you two do, in time. He's a thinker. I see why Gabriel and Imamiah want him."
They walk onward into the wings of the chambers. Leading ways not near the array lights of gold.
"Forgive me if I find that less as a praise. They're just looking for pawns with scape minds."
"Bitter now, Lucifer?"
"Hardly."
"Think to that of Almighty's plans."
"I am. And I think he should be assign in grace. From what I understand, the moment he earns his wings, he wants to be a guardian angel."
"And?"
"Nothing. He loves to read and teachings. Nothing more or less. From what he has learned, he wants to use in helping mortal and fae. That's it. He's quite a simple one."
"The higher ups will be displease. They would you as a teacher as a mistake."
"That's on them for having standers not all wish to meet. I am doing my job as told, what they asked for, is not I promised. They're fault. Not mine."
"How callus of you, Lucifer." Raguel said in fondness, ready to part ways, saying lastly. "If anything then, good wishes to you three. Do not what they say arise to you. All will be fine."
Lucifer smiles weakly, saying. "Rare words from you. My thanks either way. Take care."
"You as well. Oh, and tell your comrade I expect him back on the grounds soon. He can't keep playing hide away forever."
"I'll let him know."
With that, Lucifer heads off where he knew his little nestling would be. Far from the chambers and pillars, just the descend edge to earth. There two sparse across the soften grounds. One larger one laying in rest on his back, head resting on the back of the other reading from a sorted of tattered scrolls. The closer he neared them, the more their became clear.
"What's... oh, I am strong?"
"O-o-oi z-zir giv-vi." The smaller one struggled, a lone thin finger running over the faded text in concentration, lips and tongue tangled in each syllable.
"One more time. Be confident here, boy."
"O-oi zi zir... no, that's not right. Wait." The young started, looking over the curve and angles. Lips prunes in thought, until eyes widen with a grin, proudly saying. "Oi zir givi!"
The larger one chuckled, reaching behind himself to ruffle the other's hair. Saying fondly. "Aren't you a clever one. Do another. This time I'll guess."
"You sure?"
"Whose the teacher here?"
"G g-g-geh, g prd-d-dzar m-monons aoiveaz-ze."
The larger one rose from his spot, eyeing the other in a mock glare. Biting back slipping laugh, in saying. "Are you mocking me, brat?"
The brat just returned with a cheeky smile. About to bolt when the taller one was about to grab the other.
"No. I don't want to be smothered again!" The smaller shouted in glee, letting a pitch squeak when caught by the other in a headlock.
"Then you better learn your matters, boy."
"My, what a sight here." Lucifer spoke, letting him be aware to the others. Whom turned in surprise to be caught, but the smaller one broke away, rushing up to Lucifer happily. While the second strolled lazily behind.
"How was training?" The dark one ask.
"Fine as it could be." Lucifer started with, teasing the smaller one by amusing his head that earned a hearty snicker. Adding. "You're lacking in your training from what I heard by the way, Barael. Be careful there."
Barael waved him off.
"Right." Lucifer returned, before glancing at the younger one. Asking with a tender smile. "And what have you been up to today?"
The smaller one rushed to pick up the scrolls and show them to Lucifer, stuttering in excitement. "I-I was p-p-practicing this. I fo-found them in the g-g-grand halls a-as a award, that-that's what b-brother told m-me. I still n-n-need to read up m-more. But-but! I b-believe this is-is our old l-language. Fascinating..." Before the boy could continue, he was reading through the scrolls in bewilderment once again.
"I bet. I look forward on what you have to share." Lucifer told the small one in fondness, while weakly glaring to the dark one. "And you say I spoil him, Barael? Honestly." Lucifer dryly replied.
The other shrugs in return, replying with. "Compare between us. You're still the worst. I'm just glad he's not that demanding. We were blessed here, brother." As they walk back to their relaxing spot. Barael leaning down to face the cosmic skies, while the other two looked over the scrolls.
"When did you give these to him, Barael?"
"Some time ago. When was your last cleansing?"
"About a score ago."
"Plus attending to your titled duties, training, and what not... you left the kid with me for too long, Luci. How dare you."
The smaller gave a snicker to the dark one's sarcasm.
"Thought you said he wasn't the demanding type?" Lucifer teased back in question, while looking to what the young one was mumbling over.
"He's not. In mirror some of the other new wished, he's just a babe. Though, child, share with Luci on this little whim of yours?" Barael asked, rolling his eyes from lack of response, before jerk the child's foot to make him aware.
"Oh! Yes! Sorry. Lucifer, may we go to the grounds below?"
Lucifer started at the child in shock, unsure what to say. Looking to Barael whom had likely the same still face before, as it only shine in his eyes. Facing back to the child, who awaited patiently. Leaving him to clear his throat to say. "Is there a reason? I take from your reads as of late, little brother."
"Well... yes, but also from the tales..." The child glance at Barael, pounderment before a jolt. "Barael told me. I like to see some of it. Please?"
"Careful Luci, those pup eyes might break you."
"Oh, quiet you." Lucifer said back, before focusing back on the small wingless angel. Saying. "That's a tall order. If you had wings it be easy to travel-"
The child sat straighter, eyes wide and happy, speaking. "I do not mind. You two can pick where. I will be fine with what you choose. Please?"
"Honestly, why there?"
"I like to know my brothers through this. The stories only service so much... I guess I like memories of my own of you two."
"Luci... you're caving."
"Quiet." Lucifer said with a smile. Answering to the small one. "I think that a grand idea. Later in the day, okay?"
"Really?" The small stood quickly when the others used their wings to stand.
"Looks like it, kid. After your studies with Harut. We'll take our leave."
"Thank you, brothers."
With those last words, they parted ways until their time of departure. Though in some cases, daylight was nearing dusk hours. Nearing sunset on the mortal landscapes in fields that went on for miles. Creatures of past and mythical roaming, while far off that touched the clouds were walls of cobblestone and steel. Silence in the air not of humane, insects and fae echoing chatter. Crisper in the lines of approaching autumn in frost and holt; charmed in crimson, bronze, amber, and splatters of jungle greenery.
The small one held tightly onto the dark one as they touch ground. The sudden wiry and prickly wheat course along the sole of his feet. Wandering a bit away from Barael, while Luicfer scouted the area, in making sure everything was calm enough. Eyeing off in some of the woodsy jaunts across the lakes and border away from God's pet project. Gliding back to see the other two by a stream. Barael waving a single while the young one ran a hand through the passing water. Nearing enough to see him playing with the tiny sea life.
"I think as we stay away from the tomb. We'll be able to linger for a while." Lucifer said, mostly to calm himself.
"The tomb?" The young one asked in confusion.
"Don't worry about it." Barael added, easing well in the slight tension that hung over them.
The young look to the others between them. Saying nothing back, only nodding as if understanding yet lost. Focusing along the stream that rolled away from a hillside. Changing the tone of his voice swiftly, pointing towards it. Asking. "Can we go up there?"
"We may... just don't run off too far!" Lucifer said steady, until shouting near the end when the young one started rushing off.
"I don't think he heard you, Luci."
"I'm ignoring you. Let's hurry."
The young angel reached the top, looking out to the wide lands of a world slowly forming and analeptic cleansing. Along the wheat and streams, that weaved around the dunes and homes of huts and ruins down the slope, parted in mist to hide the Almighty's aspirations from develop mortal and aged fae. Wine eyes peer to the skies, catching just enough of the sun setting. Mixtures of royal blues and violets, as the cluster of stars gleamed. Specks of afar galaxies coasting in their time lines.
"Kid, don't run off like that."
The boy turned when hearing Lucifer's light lour. Only giving a sheepish smile back, while it soon dropped when the dark one ruffled his hair. The child swatting the other away.
"Must you tease me?" The child asked, making a move to return the troubles but the dark one was able to avert the advances.
"Yes and nice try, boy." Barael chuckles with a swelling grin in place.
Lucifer stepping in before the jokes turned sour, stating bluntly. "Really you two."
"Is this part of the cleansing places?" The boy asked, ready to change the topic upon Lucifer's tone arising to lecture mode.
"One of the more tamer areas. The world is pretty large where places are always changing, untouched, fall into God's ideals, while the rest is left to those found or left to do as they pleased." Lucifer answered, moving close to look over the hillside drop. Adding. "In some cases the world is always reset or pushed quicker to what happens. So, whatever you see now. Hold it. Because by next time, what you see now will likely not be here, recorded, or even remembered."
"That's... a very complex system. If I can be honest here, Lucifer."
The dark one gave a chuckle, replying with. "What's another complexity is to how it will effect those well. Thornes like to call it reincarnation."
The young angel nodded his head, a look of concentration and glee when he spoke. "I read about that! As the soul is never stops compare to other expects. While the main details of the being changes, the soul or in basics too the will finds a way because it craves the seven terms to live. Those being A-aziazor, Othil-l-l, Ba-a-ab, C-cacacom, Fifalz, Lring-g, and Bransg. The cores that expanded the seven laws or virtues we follow. Not to be confuse with the seven strongholds, of course. It's much like a stance of being and in rare cases, the soul will give up and start over to the skies. Or even rarer, that if seen in death will worm back to state of contentment. Akin to reincarnation but not-"
"My, my, you being full of clever words today aren't you?"
"Implying?"
"What do you think, kid?"
The young angel pouted to the dark one, letting a loose sigh in answering. "The teaches have been our usual lately."
"A bit advance is it not? You and those in your cast haven't gotten assign or even your wings. Plus, nameless as well. So, what is this?" Lucifer asked, a poundering arch in his brow left the dark one confused while the smaller angel didn't catch on.
"Azazel, Jehoel, and Kushiel are my new teachers."
"What about Harut or the others?"
"Oh, right... I never got to tell you both, but Raphael thought it was best not to disturb while the cleansings were happening. They're a bit more... firm than Shamsiel and Samael, but they treat me kind. And I have learned quite a lot of the masquerade history to the Almighty-"
"And that is great, child. But that doesn't explain why Raphael told you not to tell us. He has no right to that, on what fits to you. You're our fledgling."
"For now... Barael?"
"Right. I think for the time being, kid. You are going to have us fully teach you. We might not have the ranks like them, but this is for your own good."
"I'm sorry Barael, but I do not understand what you mean?"
"You have attune cleverness in the knowledge you find, child, but your lack of malice is going to end bad for you. Just for a little while."
"But-"
Barael placed a kind hand on the smaller's shoulder, saying in hollow voice that could be heard as regret. "Take it from me, child. It's for the best."
"I feel like I did something wrong. I'm sorry."
The taller ones lighten the mood with a sort of laughter. In the matters to relax the other. Lucifer replied that it was getting late, choosing to scout ahead to see if the way home was safe. Leaving for the other two waiting.
"You haven't done anything like that." Barael told him after a beat of silence.
"Still, I can feel the ill oras from you two. I'm sorry either way."
"Don't worry about it."
"If you say so... Barael, I have a question. Please?"
Barael felt unclear to answer, but glancing now and then to the lost and hurt look of the other. He wore a brave and welcoming smile, when saying. "Sure. What is your question?"
"Do you know what the Alastor Retribution is?"
The smaller angel didn't notice the dark one stiffen, eyes keeping a lookout for Lucifer. Barael straighten himself, wings arching in minor circles to calm, before taking a heavy sigh.
"Why do you ask?"
"In the text, one of names of a departed fae was yours. In the creation of the mirror world to heaven, many were selected to make come to be. But for the job to be done, another fae, not quite angel or far from mystical was granted at... anyway, was the name bestowed to you like the others in remembrance?"
"Remembrance?"
"That's what Lucifer told me."
Barael gives a light laugh, muddled. "Of course he did."
"But... the text are either faded or something. I was just wondering is all."
"It's fine. I was there, to be honest."
"Really?"
"Just don't think that's a history you want to hear."
"From how I see it, Barael. History is just that, history. Good and bad makes it. How one carries it is how one will live in the future. Hiding what sours another keeps away the morals and weight."
"Meaning?"
"This pains you but you worry I'll think of you differently. I personally find it odd, but I would rather you tell when you're ready. Over telling me by force or lies. You're just being what you are to me."
"What's that?"
"A brother."
The dark one gave a deep belly laugh to that, laughing more when seeing the unamused face of the other. Finally able to speak and say. "I see you been listening to the Kirman Katibin's tales. Life forever a stage to those bushed coequals."
"Don't be rude."
"Boy... you do not make it easy. But, honestly, please never stop in being you."
"If so. I say the same for you, too, odd one."
The dark one once again broke into laughter. Barely able to keep it together when Lucifer return to head back home.