Imperius's first concern was Anaurael. He moved right to her side after Itherael approached him. Only after she was safely in his embrace did he hear what his brother had to say. Auriel was there, too, to find out what was said by her estranged, spiritual brother. It took Imperius by complete surprise, but it did make sense. He also knew that Malthael did not see his core form. To do that would be against his vow to not intervene with Anaurael's thoughts. That did make him feel some relief, but it was when he heard how her physical body worked that he showed true anger.

"She will never be touched! By Tyrael! By humans! By anything!" he raged.

"Calm yourself," Auriel said. "We know this all too well."

"He only stated how her body works. Not that she ever would," Itherael said.

"I would not allow any to touch me. If I never bear a physical offspring, then I'm fine with it," Anaurael mumbled. "There is no need for it."

Imperius placed his hands solidly on her shoulders, and she rested her hands over his. Then Itherael looked at her and said, "Malthael. We know you are listening. Why do you speak as such? Yes, it is the truth, but it is a harsh one."

"All truths are harsh," Malthael seemed to snort from her. Imperius glowered a bit, but he refused to remove his hands from her shoulders. "Think about it. The Angiris Council is in turmoil. The Black Soulstone was an issue. I had gleaned much from what Imperius has told this girl. The Black Soulstone caused a corruption. Tyrael did sense it. It is true that I seek a form of redemption. So, this is what I suggest. I may be able to speak with Chalad'ar. A slim chance. I was Wisdom once before. If it will not speak with me, then I will have to consult with Tyrael. To convince him to aid us in this. The Chalice has answers that we need. I may even be able to train him on how to work with it better. As a mortal, you would think that it drains him, yet makes him want more. I can help him."

"He does not deserve to see the Chalice!" Imperius scowled. "He tossed it at me like a toy!"

"You claimed him as an enemy," Malthael hissed softly. "What other choice did he have?"

"What do you suggest, Malthael? What good will come from this?" Auriel asked gently.

"I am not suggesting an alliance with humans. But, a renewal of trust between Imperius and Tyrael. This girl can be a bridge between them at last. I have sensed this," he said calmly.

"You were gone for a very long time," Itherael said. "How do we know we can trust you?"

"What other choice do you have?" Malthael responded. "Let me speak with Tyrael. I know what needs to be done. Not now, though. It is nightfall in Sanctuary. He needs to rest."

"I should go with her. To be at her side!" Imperius scowled.

"No. There can be no intimidation. This is purely a choice matter. It is delicate. I have studied this from all angles, now that I can. This is the only way," Malthael insisted. "And, now, I call for a vote. Do we go with my suggestion? Or do we decline?"

"Declined!" Imperius said quickly. "There is no way! What's done is done!"

"I agree with you, Malthael," Auriel nodded. Imperius looked at her with a sense of disdain. "I long to see Tyrael and Imperius come to terms again. To see them like this...it hurts too much."

"As do I," Itherael sighed softly. Imperius scowled again, but felt Anaurael squeeze his hands to show that she was there. Malthael was able to let her control Imperius, while he controlled her voice.

"What do you intend to have her do?" Imperius finally asked. He had no choice now. As much as he wanted to get angry, Anaurael's hands on his kept his focus as clear as possible.

"Wait. She will wait for three hours. Then she will go to Sanctuary. You can watch, if you like, as you have done so before. She will not remain there for long. Just enough to speak what needs to be spoken. Her mental state does need you to help keep her stable. This much I do know. Further more, she will not wear her armor from you. She will wear a gown," Malthael said a touch sternly. "She will not be fighting. This is only for conversation of diplomacy."

"What exactly do you hope this will bring?" Auriel asked.

"Like I said. A union in the Angiris Council once more. I shall have Imperius take this girl to the Pools of Wisdom first. My old Halls. I shall see if I can speak with Chalad'ar. I shall reveal what happens. It should be done now without any further delays," Malthael said and seemed to sigh, as Anaurael was given full control again.

"Very well," Imperius grunted.

"No," Anaurael winced and clung to his hands. "I don't want to."

"Nor do I want you to," he agreed. "but this was a Council decision."

"It was," Auriel said with a touch of sorrow. "We need this guidance badly."

"Please, Anaurael. Can you seek the Chalice? Will you find answers for us?" Itherael asked gently. "We are all at a loss now. We truly do need this."

"Why did he touch me?!" she whimpered. "Why did he touch my mark?!"

"Give me a moment," Imperius said and lifted her into his arms to cradle her. He turned his back to them to show that he was fully consoling her. They respected this and waited calmly.

"Please, Imperius..." Anaurael whispered. At his calm breathing, she found herself relaxing.

"I don't like it any more than you," he said, as he cradled her close. "but you are my Light. You help me see far more focus than I thought possible. So, this once, we shall go with what Malthael says. We shall seek the Chalice. If he cannot speak to it...then you will ask for Tyrael's aid."

"I know...that Malthael...plans something..." she whispered and shivered hard.

"If he so much as causes you any form of physical or mental harm, he will be banished from you! And he knows this," Imperius growled and squeezed her. "Do not worry. I will watch you every second you are out of Heaven. Make no mistake on that."

"Okay," she sighed and hugged him tight. "Very well. For Heaven and the Angiris Council. Please take me to the Chalice. Let's see what Malthael can find out."

"I will not let you go," Imperius muttered to her. "Not for Malthael. Not for Tyrael. Not for anything or anyone. You are mine. It matters not if your body is free of my offspring. Your soul is still bearing it. That is all that matters to me."

"I know," she whispered, and he gave her an intense kiss.

"Come. Let us see what the Chalice can tell us," he said. She gave a small nod and let him turn with her to face the others. At his nod to them, they teleported to the Pools of Wisdom. Once here, they seemed to pause in silence, almost as though in silent mourning. The Pools felt empty and barren, despite the soft sound of energy pools all around them. They were each like small lakes that stirred with a life of their own on occasion. Much like how one would hear fish along the surface with the occasional swimming jump. Before, the place was lively with wise angels and angelic muses. Now, the soft sounds of the mystical waters moving were the only sounds that echoed throughout the Pools. It brought a wave of sadness to them all, but they had a duty to fulfill.

"This way," Auriel whispered. Itherael followed silently. When Izarius appeared with his fellow warriors, Imperius had them leave. He couldn't have them follow this once. The Pools they were in were too sacred for warriors right now. They understood and moved to help the Greed Goblins reorganize Anaurael's bedroom a bit more. That much was clearly needed.

"Up ahead," Malthael muttered out. Imperius grumbled a bit, but he relented. He continued to hold Anaurael close. They got to a chamber that housed the Chalice on a single raised podium between pools of energetic blue water. It was in the very center of the room, and the pools were formed along the corners in a circular pattern. It was calm and serene here. Anaurael was too nervous to feel any form of calmness. She wanted nothing to do with it, but Imperius was with her. He gave her courage.

"Let us know what the Chalice says," Imperius said and set her down. He held her to him for a moment before releasing her. The mystical cup resembled four blade-like arches that formed from the base of the cup to curve over the top gently. The cup part had the bottom cut out, but a mist-like form of pure energy spiraled up from the base of the Chalice to pool within the cup part itself. Then the Light that formed shone out as though it was a thing from the most glorious fantasy. It was a sentient, living Light that would never deplete.

As she began to walk up to the Chalice, Gurzick had suddenly appeared. She moved quickly in front of him and said, "You cannot take this!"

"Yes," Gurzick nodded with understanding. "Not me."

"Then why are you here?" Auriel asked.

"Greed," he responded.

"Stay out of the way. You can see what happens, but do nothing. And the Chalice cannot be removed from here. You are not Wisdom. You cannot hold the Chalice," Imperius growled in warning. Gurzick only nodded again and hopped off to the side. He already knew that he couldn't touch the Chalice. He tried to take it before, and it became ethereal to his touch. Only Wisdom, or any of the Angiris Council, could handle the Chalice in full. But, only Wisdom could delve into its depths to learn of what information lurked within it.

Anaurael took a deep breath, turned back to the Chalice, and walked up to it. On peering down into the swirls of Light, Malthael emerged. "Speak to me, Chalad'ar. Give me guidance."

The Chalice did not respond, save for one small swirl of mist. He was no longer Wisdom, but the Chalice did recognize him. It gave him only one command. Seek Tyrael for answers. She pulled herself away and shook her head. Imperius gave out a deep sigh. Tyrael would have to be spoken to. There was no other way. She was completely distraught, and he moved to scoop her up into his arms.

"We have two hours left until Tyrael would be safe to approach," Itherael said.

"This girl should prepare. You. Gurzick. She needs a gown of golden silk," Malthael said. "One that would be appropriate for delicate meetings."

"Who you?" Gurzick asked. He could tell it was another from the change in tone.

"She has Malthael in her mind. He can speak through her," Auriel said softly. The Greed Goblin was completely surprised by this. He was not expecting it.

"I have some ideas for her. I shall have various articles delivered," Greed rang out from the crown and had Gurzick start to stock up her bedroom. Imperius only glanced at the other two there before teleporting away to his inner sanctum with Anaurael. Itherael and Auriel knew that he was very worried. They would give way to let him console the girl and have his peace.

"I want him out of my mind," she whispered in his arms. He was seated in his throne with her and hugging her to him the way they both needed it.

"We need answers first," he said. At the tears that started to fall, he stood up and let his core come forth while his sanctum sealed off. "Hush now. I know. I don't like it, either."

"Get him...out...of my head...!" she bawled.

"Does he cause you that much pain?" he asked carefully.

"No. But...he fills me with sorrow!" she cringed. "With anguish! I know he plans something! I just...I don't know what it is! If he turned on you once..."

"You said that you felt remorse for him, though. Didn't you?"

"I know. But, that was before I knew what he was going to put me through."

"We need him for the Chalice. You know this as well as I do. Yes, when it comes to Tyrael, I have many mixed emotions. He saw a lot of my faults. He knew that there was something wrong when I did not wish to admit it. What more can be said now?"

"I just know that...at some point...Malthael's true intentions will come forth. And, when they do...even I will be unsure of how they can be stopped," she muttered wearily.

"And, if his intentions cause you any form of physical harm, I shall remove him. I also said mental harm, but that depends on how severe. That was what I vowed. Think of this as another challenge. One that I will overcome with you. Do not worry so," he said and squeezed her. "No matter what happens, I will always watch over you."

She closed her eyes and began to relax. As she did this, she found herself confronted by Malthael within her mental state. She found herself standing on the ledge with him that overlooked the vast emptiness beyond. Her jaw dropped. Since Imperius marked where he was, Malthael was able to pull her directly to him. He was able to reverse the effect to have her find him and him find her.

"You can wake at any time. I simply needed to speak with you," Malthael said in his deep tone.

"Over what?" she frowned.

"You are an enigma. But, that was from afar," he started. "I know how I can leave your mind now. How I can safely rejoin the others to assist them as my own self. But...it is something that you will detest. That many will detest. I cannot do this without your aid."

"How is that?"

"Your mind...can store vast energy signatures. Like mine. As long as one touches your mark, you can safely make a guideline as a fail safe within you. For example, if Itherael touches your mark, he will find himself here, should he fall in battle. He would live on through you. Same with Auriel. Same with any other powerful Archangel. But...Imperius is exempt from this. He truly is your life. If he falls...then all within you will fall with you."

"But...how would you be able to leave?"

"If I was simply obliterated from here, I would be no more," he sighed. "Such a fate...may be what I deserve. But, you pity me. You do wish for me to rejoin my brethren. To help with the Angiris Council in some way. Yes. I was consumed with the souls of humanity. I sought to remove the demon spawn in full. I was so close! But, the Nephalem stopped me. So...as the Nephalem is the champion for humanity...I could become the champion for the High Heavens. As the Burning Hells made a vessel for themselves, the High Heavens could forge a vessel for them. That vessel...could be me..."

"I don't understand."

"Your body was created by two mortal angels. They were Archangels of their own, but held no true significance other than their vast abilities to coordinate well together. They were different. They loved each other. Such a thing should not have happened. But, it did. And they made you. Two Archangels in mortal forms. And you hold a part of Imperius. A piece of his Light. His mental focus. No other mortal angel will hold so much power. So much life. Any offspring you give out physically will be an instant champion to the High Heavens. I wish to be that champion. The first champion."

"But...in order for that to happen..." she paled.

"Yes. I know. It is why I seek to have you find Tyrael. Not only for answers to Chalad'ar. But, to free me from you," he said. "To have another chance at life. If not as an angel, then as a mortal angel. Born from you. I shall have the focus of Imperius, and the strength of will from Tyrael. I would still be able to slaughter the demons. I would not be fully obliterated. I could die, but that is only if I am careless. The only thing I could hope for would be for me to be able to keep my memories."

"No!" she gasped. "I will not give my body to another!"

"Then you will be forced to tolerate me. Constantly," Malthael seemed to smirk. Then, before she could blink, he moved behind her to pull her against him. "And I will make you loathe it."

"Can't you be born from my soul?!" she finally asked. "And not of my body?"

"It is not possible," he muttered and ran a gloved hand along her cheek. "The Arch no longer recognizes me in this state. My Light has dimmed. I will not be replaced within the Lightsong."

"But..." she winced and felt his hand move to trace down her neck. He was trying to get her used to being physically touched. She was rebelling against it. He wasn't Imperius.

"There is no other way," he seemed to mumble, as his hand moved slowly down her chest. Now something in her snapped to preserve herself.

"I shall tell this to Imperius!" she cried out.

"You can...but only after Tyrael does what needs to be done," he growled and pressed himself into her even more. "Do you wish for this torment to stop? If you do...you know what must be done."

"I belong to Imperius!" she shouted and flung him away. Her mental armor in the image of Imperius came to her to arm her. Even her miniaturized spear of Solarion came to her, and she held it up to show she was no longer defenseless. Her mark flared out brilliantly with defiance. He had lost this round. And he knew it. "You have no more hold on me!"

"His Light does burn brightly within you. Very well. I shall relent. For now..." he grumbled. "However, I forbid you to speak of what we spoke of. You will wait until the destined time."

"Whoever said that I needed to speak it?!" she spat. "Imperius will know all!"

He seemed to scowl at her, but he knew she was right. When she finally opened her eyes, she gently took Imperius's hand and pressed it to her mark. He paused, at first, but nodded to focus in. If his form could explode, it likely would have.

"He would dare to speak as such?!" he raged.

"Now we know what he truly desires," she muttered and cuddled into him. "I don't know what to think. He has kept to his vow to not cause any form of physical pain. He only causes me mental anguish. It is not a true form of mental pain, but it is doubtful that he can pull such a stunt again. What are we to do? He does want to be free, but it can only be done this way."

"I should have him obliterated!" he fumed, but squeezed her to him to keep focus.

"Do I still approach Tyrael?"

"You must. We need his guidance with Chalad'ar. And, I know that Malthael can help him find that focus. It was also a Council decision. We must abide by it. But, now we know what Malthael's plan is. I may have to go over this with the others. This is all very shocking to me. Disturbing. And regretful. You are mine. I don't care what the others say."

"I only want to be yours," she winced and pressed into him.

"I am pleased that you stood up to Malthael," he said. "and I do not like how he tried to touch you in such a manner! But, we still need his assistance. I shall deal with his transgressions later."

"Of course, Imperius," she nodded.

"And, he had better think of something else, if he believes that I will not leave you alone after this!" he snarled out protectively. "I will watch from afar when you go to Sanctuary. I can understand that. But, I will not leave your side at any other time."

"Good," she nodded, and he kissed her passionately before setting her down.

"Come," he said and let his armor reform. "You need to ready yourself."

"Yes, Imperius," she nodded. Once his inner sanctum reopened, he escorted her to her bedroom. His thoughts were filled with turmoil, but only one stood out. Malthael wanted to be reborn as a mortal. If he did get his way, Imperius would kill him personally, if he turned against them. As a mortal, Malthael could truly die, and a second chance at redemption would be impossible.