When Imperius carried a weary Anaurael into the Council chamber, he was surprised to see Tyrael there. On being told how he learned to be there, the massive Archangel snorted his distaste. At the way she gazed at him in his arms, he nodded and calmed himself.
"What happened?" Itherael asked.
"Malthael...I let him live," Imperius sighed. Now the others stared in shock. "He agreed not to dominate her thoughts or mental frame. He would gift her with knowledge in old wisdom and tales. Perhaps in decisions, too. He knows that I can easily find him again to remove him, if I sense something wrong. He will not appear in a physical form. He only left the slightest trace of his energy within her. It is enough for his initial will and conscious thoughts to remain alive."
"But, can he come back?" Tyrael asked.
"No. His energy signature is too weak. The Heavenly Arch will not accept him. He strayed too far from it. He only wishes to assist as a mental guide. He vowed this to me," he responded. "I am taking Anaurael back to her chamber."
"Of course," Itherael nodded. He knew that Imperius wanted to get away from Tyrael. He couldn't forgive him over a number of things, and it irritated him to be in the same room with him. One of the misgivings that Imperius held was the removal of wings that Tyrael did to become his mortal self. Auriel was hurt by Imperius's attitude, too, but she could only hope that the girl would help change this viewpoint in time. All she could do was hope.
"Imperius?" Anaurael frowned and rose up a hand to rest on his armored cheek. He took her into his inner sanctum to seal it and hold her to his core. He helped her undress, and he cradled her.
"I want to tell you a story," he said softly.
"I am listening," she nodded and rested her head against his chest.
"Ages ago, there were two angels. Valor and Justice. They were friends. They were brothers. They both fought countless battles together. They both saw victory and defeat. They trusted each other. Then tragedy happened. A new world took form. Valor wanted to see it destroyed. Justice wanted to see it live. Justice won the decision. That trust they had was destroyed."
"I see where this is going," she said.
"Do you?"
"Yes. Imperius, you know what Tyrael had done. He did everything for Heaven."
"He caused countless deaths..."
"And he saved Heaven, too."
"His Chalice of Wisdom, Chalad'ar," he sighed. "he threw it at me and left Heaven. He turned his back on me. I vowed to be his enemy."
"You can't mean that!" she gasped. "He is your brother! Even if he has flesh now!"
"He can't even join in the Lightsong anymore!"
"The Lightsong?"
"It is what we call the Song to make new angels. It is the Song that our Heavenly Arch gives."
"Imperius, you gave me much of your mind. So much of your thoughts," she whispered and gazed at him. She ran a hand over his cheek and pulled his head down to rest against her neck. "I know why you dislike him. I know why you cannot be around him. So, for me, don't think about him now. Think of me. Okay? Yes, he became a mortal. My parents did, too! Do they regret anything? I'm sure they do, at times. But, then...they think of me. And they see what I have become. They see how I am with you, too. I do not need to be with other mortals. I still need food and sleep. I'm surprised I can sleep properly with all of the sunlight here!"
"That could be from me, too," he sighed. "And, the dreams you have. They puzzle me."
"You never need to sleep. So you don't dream."
"I know."
"But...you can always watch me dream. If you wanted to," she smiled.
"You would let me?"
"You know I would. But...don't stress yourself anymore. Not when you are with me. You always tell me to be brave and to face my foes. Yes, Tyrael is now Wisdom. You don't have to accept it. Just tolerate it. You have done so much now for me. Can you do this for me? As much as you do everything for me, I want to do something for you now. Let me help you."
"You are my missing Light. There is no doubt," he muttered and kissed her hard, as his body hummed to fill her with the Song she came to love.
Malthael was deep in thought, as he studied this. Since Imperius had agreed to let him have some reign in her subconscious, he was finally able to try and piece things together about her in full. As much as he was curious to try and see out of Anaurael's eyes, he did not dare. He had made a vow to Imperius. But, it was only to Imperius. He had made no such vow to any others. He could test his other experiments in time. Mild ones, though. He could not hamper what trust he had started to build. To compensate, he focused on the one he inhabited.
He had a millennia to study on mortal souls. Now that her soul was somewhat freed to be submersed in Imperius's Song, he studied it intensely. It gave off a shimmering sound. Much like that of the softest harp with a slight chiming of bells. It was beautiful. Even the color of her soul was like a soft sheen of golden silk that wavered and floated around him. It was, most likely, the most perfect thing he had ever seen and heard. It was the true soul of an angel born of angels in mortal forms.
As he studied it even further, he came upon a rather intense discovery. As he let his awareness move through her physical form, it only confirmed it. It amused him. It could benefit me. I will let my discovery be known in time. And, I know who to reveal it to first. All he had to do now was sit back and marvel at the perfect soul that shimmered over him like an Antarctic Aurora. I will never tire of watching it. He already knew this.
It took an hour for her to recover after the intensity of the Song leaving her senses. She was clearly famished, though. When Imperius took her out of the inner sanctum, Itherael was there.
"I was hoping to read more of Deckard Cain's scripture with her," he said.
"I can allow that. I will train more angels in the meantime. And heed this. If Malthael tries anything, I want you to tell me. I insist on it," Imperius warned.
"I shall do as you say," Itherael nodded. "She may eat in my Library, as she did before."
"I look forward to reading more," she chuckled. Itherael clasped his hands in hers fondly and let Imperius take her to his Library. Izarius was here and setting up a small meal for her. She tucked into it happily, and she beamed at the warm shoulder squeeze that Imperius gave her before vanishing off to his Halls. When her plate was cleaned off, Izarius took it away to refill it. Now that she was alone with Itherael, Malthael was quick to take over.
"I have the book here," Itherael said and made his way over with the tome.
"Good," she said lightly. There was something in her tone that seemed off now. "Tell me. Do you really think that I have offspring?"
"I know you do," Itherael said. "My Scroll has confirmed it."
"Ah. But...is it attached to my body? Or is it in my soul?" she asked.
"What?" Itherael asked uneasily.
"Something different has happened of late," she mused and leaned back in the chair. "Something...vastly important. A discovery. Would you like to know what it is?"
"You are not Anaurael!" Itherael said.
"True," she mused again. "But...do you want to know?"
"And in return for knowing? And, did you not vow to Imperius to not pull such an act?"
"I vowed to him while in his presence. I vowed to no others," Malthael muttered out in a deeper, bored tone. "I will not hurt this girl. I owe her far too much for helping me. By...sustaining me. And, I have made a discovery. Her soul is impregnated. Not her body."
"You're very serious...aren't you?" he whispered.
"Yes. Her body cannot be touched by physical means. At least, by human means. Offspring will fail. Only pureblood mortal angels...like...Tyrael...can produce such offspring in her physically. Also, the only way for her soul to give birth is through the Lightsong."
"But...she is ill! She gives off the signs of a physical pregnancy!"
"It is her way of showing that it took. But, her body will be unmarred. She will feel movement, should it come, but it is only from what her soul is bearing. She will feel all of the pains and needs of a normal pregnancy. No physical changes will affect her. She will give birth to a very powerful angel. Possibly one on an Archangel level. This will happen every time. Imperius is the Archangel of Valor. Such a thing will always be expected."
"Incredible!" Itherael said. "But, you said that her body cannot be physically touched?"
"By human standards. Only mortal angels will be able to create powerful warriors within her. So...she could be impregnated twice. Once for the soul. And the other for her body. I have studied that much within her. This I do know. And, yes, I know you will tell your findings to Imperius."
"Well, regardless of all of this, we will not allow her to be touched by any, save Imperius. Anaurael is his. He did claim her and mark her. He will not allow such a thing. However, I am curious of other angels that gain mortality. If they could go through the same thing."
"That I would not know," Malthael admitted. "You would have to experiment. Lilaurael is a mortal now. And, I know you have become fond of her..."
"She is my sister!" Itherael said defiantly. "I am starting to see you as a taint instead of a help!"
"See me as you like. It matters not," Malthael smirked. "I have told you what I needed to say. Take it as you will. I have said enough."
"That you have," Itherael muttered. When he saw Anaurael blink and cough, he was quick to aid her. She didn't get ill, but she was regaining herself. "Malthael spoke through you."
"What? I only remember smiling at you, and then I...I blacked out..." she winced.
"He told me something that he found out about you. About your offspring," he sighed. "I need to speak with Imperius."
"What did he say?"
"Your soul is bearing it. Not your body."
"What?!" she gaped.
"It is hard to explain, but it is understandable. Let me fetch Imperius. We shall all speak here. I will get Auriel, too. She needs to know," he said. She nodded and felt herself shivering. When she gave a slow blink of her eyes, she saw Malthael before her. He was only giving the illusion that he was there.
"Why do you torment me so?" she asked.
"It is not torment. It is how I am. How I have to be..." he said calmly, as he gazed at her mental frame of thought. "There is something that you must do for me. When you can. If time permits. Not now, obviously. But...soon. Perhaps..."
"That depends on if I want to do it," she growled.
"If you want to see Chalad'ar, then you will..." he seemed to chuckle.