When Imperius finally appeared outside the cottage, Ilerael was the first one to see him. Imperius held up his hand first to show he had to check on Anaurael. The protective father winced, but nodded. At the gesture to follow, the powerful Archangel was quick to squeeze into the doorway. At the sight of the healing wound and softly glowing mark, he let out a ragged sigh.

"What happened?" Lilaurael asked.

"A moment," Imperius said. For the first time since they knew him, he sounded exhausted. He did have his Light almost extinguished, after all. He carefully moved to pull Anaurael into his arms and was forced to sit on the bed. As much as he didn't want to, he had no choice. He examined her wounds and gently touched her mark, as though to carefully reestablish a connection. When it began to glow vibrantly once more, he held her to him with a form of relief. When her hand came up to rest against his armored cheek, he gave out a shivering sigh.

"What happened?" she whispered.

"Diablo invaded Heaven. I...tried to keep him out. But, he was different. Stronger. He had all of the Prime Evils within him," Imperius whispered. Ilerael was shocked. Lilaurael wanted to speak, but her husband rose up his hand. He knew that Imperius would tell them everything, as he spoke to their daughter. Gurzick appeared shortly after and listened to what happened in full. He didn't want to miss anything for Greed. "I will forge Solarion anew. It was damaged in the attack. I didn't know that humanity would spawn a host for Diablo. I doubt any did."

"I was training hard when I felt the pain," she whispered back. "I recall nothing..."

"I was wounded in the fight. I survived it."

"Who killed Diablo?"

"A Nephalem was able to be born. After the Worldstone was shattered, there was nothing to keep them back from emerging again. In time, there may be more. Or just that one. I am unsure. But, the Nephalem destroyed Diablo. There is the matter of the Black Soulstone that embedded all of the Evils within it. I want to shatter it."

"Wouldn't that free them?"

"I am unsure. But, I know that I will need to assist in the decision of what to do. I had to see you first. After that disgusting demon came up to me to tell me what happened to you..." he grumbled.

"Me!" Gurzick beamed.

"He had to let you know of my condition," Anaurael smiled. "Thank you, Gurzick."

"Oh, this is for you. A gift," Ilerael said and showed them the Empyrean Messenger spear. Imperius smirked and looked at the goblin. He beamed even more.

"Greed! Give!" the goblin nodded.

"So...your god gave this to her? Interesting!" Ilerael chuckled.

"Yes. He like you!" Gurzick said to Anaurael. That got her to blush softly.

"Fine," Imperius snorted. "Anaurael, how is your wound?"

"It heals, but it still hurts," she frowned.

"Rest and recover. It may take a couple days for you. When I don't hurt any more, it may be the same for you. I heal fast, but this wound will take time. I can feel that. Oh. This disgusting goblin found Tyrael near me. Tyrael now knows that I have a ward. Expect to be visited," Imperius growled. "And, Anaurael, don't train at all until that wound is gone. You have a mortal body. It will reopen on you. My armor is like my skin. It heals differently. Don't train."

"Yes, Imperius," she nodded.

"If Tyrael does appear, I may come for you. I'm not sure what his new plans are. And that Nephalem...ugh...it disgraces me that they are coming around again!" Imperius growled.

"But...if it wasn't for the Nephalem..." she frowned.

"I know. As much as I hate to admit it, I do know. Just promise me that you will not train until that wound in your side is gone."

"I vow," she nodded. Ilerael and Lilaurael were in shock at how Imperius was. They weren't used to this attitude. He seemed much calmer and far more in control of his actions.

"I will come back as soon as I can," he promised. She nodded, and he hugged her to him. He carefully set her back in the bed. Then he glared at the Greed Goblin. "As much as I hate to say this, you coming to tell me of her condition was important. I needed to know."

"Yes," Gurzick nodded.

"If Tyrael comes here, you get me from Heaven," Imperius said. "If I am not already here, that is. As much as I would have my warriors do that, they are needed here to protect her. Who knows what will happen now? We can only see what the future holds."

"Agreed," Ilerael nodded. Imperius rested one massive hand on Anaurael's form. He didn't want to leave her, and she didn't want him to go. In the end, he forced himself to leave. He had duties with the Angiris Council to attend to, and he had to help rebuild Heaven's forces. At the soft whimper she gave, he paused at the main door. He knew what she needed. And he needed it, too.

Much to the shock of her parents, he managed to trudge back in quickly, scoop up his ward, and press a kiss to her mouth. Lilaurael's jaw fell. Ilerael was in just as much of a shock as his wife.

"Be strong for me, as I am for you," Imperius muttered.

"I will. Hurry back to me," she whispered. He kissed her again and ignored the looks of surprise from her parents, as he left and vanished away. At the incredulous looks of her parents, she sighed and said, "It started when I was fifteen. It's the most we've done."

"He really does love you," Lilaurael said with wonder.

"I know he does. And...I love him, too," Anaurael admitted softly. Ilerael swallowed, but found himself smiling for her. "We haven't said it openly just yet. We know it's not right. But...we know."

"And that's all that matters," Ilerael nodded. "Your mother and I did the same thing for a very long time. Ever since we first met. We simply knew."

"As you told me," she nodded.

"We were doing as you and Imperius are now. Being together in secret. But, he has more freedom with you in his chambers. None can spy on you there. Ah, can you tell me what the place looked like? None were ever permitted there, save for his most trusted guards," Lilaurael said.

"Allow me," Izarius said. "You need to rest, Anaurael. I shall speak for you."

"Thank you," she said softly. She truly was exhausted. Mithus and Azarius were stationed outside around the cottage to stand guard. Darius was in the main room talking to two new angel warriors. They were freshly born from the Song of the Arch and trained diligently by older angels before being told to come down to assist. Imperius wanted the whole town watched over as much as possible. Darius was informing them of where to go, who to truly watch over, and what to look out for. The town was rumored to be visited by angels. It was going to be something that became a slow reality. None would be seen, but they would be felt.

"Xavian can be trusted, to an extent. He holds artifacts of great importance. He has also been training with Imperius's ward. It is Willis that is the one we are truly watching. We need to find out what he has planned. We need to find out all that we can," Darius advised.

"It will be done!" the angels said together and left quickly. Izarius walked over after a bit and appeared concerned. Darius could only sigh. Imperius was being very over-protective of Anaurael, but she was wounded because of him.

"He regrets hurting her," Izarius muttered. "but he did not know."

"None of us did," Darius agreed. "And, with Tyrael gaining knowledge of her..."

"He was the leader of the Horadrim. He may bring it back."

"You believe this?"

"I have a feeling for such things. The Horadrim did much. We will know for sure, soon."

"Let us hope that it turns out better than before."

"I'm sure it will," Izarius nodded. They redirected their attention to the sleeping girl in the bed. It wouldn't be until later in the evening that one of the warrior angels would report back. Mithus was approached with a stern, dutiful walk.

"Yes?" Mithus asked.

"I was advised of Willis," the angel said.

"Of course. What did you find?"

"He is reading of the Angiris Council."

"Truly? Why?"

"He kept...mumbling...over finding a loophole."

"There is no loophole. It was formed a millennia ago. He is chasing shadows."

"He also mentioned," the angel said with a hint of anger. "that he fears that Imperius's ward is being mind-controlled. From what I gathered."

"What?" Mithus asked. If his eyes were visible, he would have shown surprise.

"He had much being read on Imperius and his valorous battles. He was looking for a weakness. Imperius has no such weakness!" the angel growled.

"We know. Thank you for your information. I shall inform Izarius and the others. Keep watching that one. He is fully untrustworthy," Mithus nodded. After the angel left, he moved swiftly to the others to tell them what was discovered. They were all appalled.

"I must go somewhere. Stay here. Be vigilant," Izarius said.

"Where do you plan to go?" Azarius asked.

"Tyrael is truly bringing about the Horadrim. I must speak with him. I will return," Izarius said.

"Be swift, brother," Darius nodded. Izarius nodded back and vanished away. As the other angels returned to their duties, Izarius found himself in a small desert town. This was where he felt Tyrael. When he walked over to the small encampment there, the powerful man was looking over new recruits. Izarius was invisible to all but him.

"What are you doing here? You are not in Heaven?" Tyrael frowned.

"Tyrael?" a young man asked. To him, his leader was talking to the air.

"Lorath, it's fine. Follow me. And, you are?" Tyrael asked.

"I am Izarius. I informed you of the ward of Imperius," he said.

"Yes. Of course. I will travel to this place in due time. I have been resurrecting the Horadrim. This is Lorath Nahr. He is very trustworthy, and he has been helping me cope with my new mortal body. Come into the next room with me," Tyrael said. Izarius nodded and followed him into an enclosed room. Once here, Tyrael nodded, and the warrior angel revealed himself. Lorath only gaped at the sight of the massive angelic hammer he bore.

"When you visit the town, there is a true Horadric heir by the name of Xavian. He has artifacts that will be beneficial. There is also another by the name of Willis. He is not to be trusted. He seeks to harm Imperius and his ward. He is jealous of them," Izarius warned.

"I see," Tyrael frowned.

"A ward?" Lorath frowned.

"If you are trustworthy, you will learn in time," Izarius said bluntly.

"He will learn with me," Tyrael nodded. "Thank you for the warning of one, and the recruitment of another. It may be another two months before I can make the journey."

"Of course. But, Imperius will be watching closely. As his ward, this girl has gained his strengths. As well as his burdens. When he was injured by Diablo, the same wound appeared on her. If Imperius falls, so will she," Izarius sighed. Tyrael's golden eyes went wide. "She almost died when the Light fled from us. Imperius fuels her now. She is his missing Light."

"Very interesting to know," Tyrael frowned. "I did sense that a part of him was lacking. He has grown very bitter and resentful."

"He is different in the company of the girl," Izarius said with a small nod. "I must go back to watch over her. She is still recovering from her wound, as is Imperius."

"But...was this girl ever brought to Heaven to be his ward?" Lorath asked. At this, Tyrael looked at Izarius for the answer. The angel paused, but he relented.

"No. He sensed her as a threat. At first. He went to Sanctuary to approach her," Izarius said.

"He stepped foot on...I..." Tyrael was amazed.

"Yes. On seeing her as she was, he marked her. She became his ward on the night she was born. And her parents...you may know them well. The two of them saved you many times on the field of battle. I'm sure you remember them," Izarius said lightly.

"Wait...the only two that I remember could be...no! It can't be! Ilerael and Lilaurael?! How?!" Tyrael demanded to know. "How long has this been?!"

"A year after you destroyed the Worldstone, they stripped their wings to finally reveal the love they had for each other after so long. The ward of Imperius was made around two years later," Izarius replied. "I can say no more. But, they are expecting you. Imperius has told them."

"I can't believe this," Tyrael muttered. "I will want them to become a part of the Horadrim! They can assist me in various ways. Tell them to expect me in two months. Of course, that is if all goes well. We found the Black Soulstone, and it is quarantined in Heaven right now. I need to decide what I need to do with it."

"As you say, Tyrael," Izarius nodded and vanished.

"Why are you surprised about Imperius having a ward?" Lorath asked.

"Imperius is the Archangel of Valor. He holds no kindness for anything, other than true angels. It has always been that way. Even then, it seemed to be a mutual tolerance. He's brash, self-absorbed with righteousness, and he slights everyone around him. It's his nature. Ever since a millennia ago when Sanctuary was created, these moods developed. I find it very hard to believe that he came here, of his own free will, to approach a mortal."

"But, if her parents are like you, aren't they mortal angels, too?"

"Yes. That means...he saw his reasoning! He was not dealing with half demons. He was dealing with another angel! But...why did he approach her? How did he sense her?"

"Should we head there now?"

"No. We have to wait. We need to rebuild our forces first. After we see to the Black Soulstone, we will make the journey. Until then, we keep this knowledge to ourselves."

"Of course. And, Tyrael, you do know that, if there was a girl born, you are not the only mortal angel anymore. It's...like a new race. If you think about it," Lorath chuckled. "A very rare race that is just starting out, but it is a newly acquired race."

"That may be so. But, I am concerned, if this girl was claimed by Imperius. Even as his ward," Tyrael seemed to sigh and shake his head. "It makes no sense to me."

"No harm in asking those that know, right?"

"I would, but they say I need to find out for myself. I will have to look into it."

"Did you want me to send a scout to the village in question?"

"No. That will build mistrust," Tyrael said seriously. "I need to go there, myself. I need to see things with my own eyes. However, if there is a recruit, we do need him. Especially, if Horadric artifacts can be reclaimed. Maybe I should make the trek there now. But, no. I need to see to the Black Soulstone. A decision must come to pass on it first."

"Of course, Tyrael," Lorath nodded. As their day resumed with new recruits, Imperius was glaring at the imprisoned Black Soulstone in the chamber it was held in. He clearly wanted to shatter it. Tearing his gaze away from it, he moved to look out over a railing. The city was being rebuilt swiftly in the light of the sun. The energy of the Arch was purifying the corruption that touched the city. In another hour, all of it would be healed.

He placed a hand over his wound and looked away from the view. As much as he wanted to see Anaurael, he knew she was healing, too. If anything, he was waiting for the Council to gather and figure out what to do about the Black Soulstone. He started to grumble to himself, but he judged the time that went by. Eventually, he found himself in front of Anaurael's cottage. And, to his surprise, he saw her waiting for him from where she sat on the stone bench.

"You should be resting," he said.

"Hard to do when one worries," she winced. The wound was closed, but still very tender to the touch. He moved to stand behind her and rest his hands on her shoulders.

"I can understand that," he nodded.

"Still no verdict on the Black Soulstone?"

"None yet. We have to wait for Tyrael. He will be present soon."

"Of course," she said with a tired sigh.

"You are far too exhausted."

"I got restless. I had to move."

"You do not thirst or hunger?"

"No. I just...knew you would be here...and I missed you..." she whispered. She let him carefully scoop her off the bench to cradle her and watch the sunset. At the sound of soft weeping, he sighed and held her closer. He knew she was afraid of what the future held.

"Nothing will touch you," he vowed. "I have been sending down more warriors. When you are gone from here, they will leave with you."

"Gone?"

"There is a chance that Tyrael may have you and your parents join the Horadrim. There will be a lot of traveling. From what I have seen, it may be the best thing. Constant moving about will make you harder to track down from your enemies. It will be good knowledge for you, too."

"But...I just..." she whispered.

"Do not worry. I will always be there for you," he vowed. "You are my ward. My warrior apprentice in Valor. Never fear that you will be abandoned. From the moment I marked you, you had earned your place at my side. Do not shed your tears. There is no need for them."

"I know...I can't help it..." she trembled, as more tears fell. "For a while...while I lay there in bed...I felt that...all hope...was gone..."

"Auriel was captured. That was what you felt. But, the Nephalem freed her."

"And...when all of my strength was gone..."

"That was my Light being pulled from me from Diablo's corruption."

"I couldn't wake up!"

"I recharged your mark with my touch."

"I still feel so...uncertain..."

At this, he simply took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. On hearing his calm breathing, she began to calm down, too. With each breath he took in and released, she found herself getting drowsy. When she couldn't keep her eyes open any longer, he glanced down at her to find her in a deep sleep. Nodding silently to himself, he continued to hold her.

When a couple hours went by, he felt the call to return to the Council. Tyrael was there. He seemed to grimace, but he refused to bring her with him to see Tyrael. However, he knew that she didn't feel safe just yet in her own home. He did the only other thing he could do. He brought her to his inner sanctum. Looking at his massive, golden throne, he set her on it carefully. She easily curled up on the large, golden pillow with ease. The stream of sunlight was warm and harmless to her. She will be safe here. His mark flickered on her forehead with a form of genuine delight. She seemed to belong there. If he could smile, he would have.