When Imperius was able to finally get to her, he saw that Izarius was cradling her sleeping form. He pressed a thumb to her mark and sighed. He learned that the offspring was formed, but wasn't quite taking to her yet. It was a critical time. Gesturing for her, Izarius gave her over easily. The moment his familiar embrace was around her, she woke and pulled herself up to rest on his shoulder. He held her close and flicked his wings. Then he thought.
"Are you awake enough?" he asked.
"Not really," she yawned and cuddled into him.
"Would you be awake enough to fly?" he asked with a hint of amusement. Her jaw dropped, and she nodded vigorously. He chuckled and flexed his wings a couple times. Izarius flexed his own wings to show that he was going to follow. They both dove off the ledge and let their wings catch the thermals easily. The rush caught her up again. Imperius's powerful wing strokes left a trail of fire behind him. Izarius's imprint could have been a shooting star. Itherael was researching what Talus'ar could give him when he heard a commotion. He moved quickly to one of the long hallways and only paused in shock at what he was seeing.
"I never thought I would see the day...that Imperius would fly again..." he whispered to himself. A part of him felt like joining in. His own floating wings seemed to twitch, and he couldn't help himself. He jumped off the ledge next to add his own comet-like streak to the air. When Anaurael saw him, she beamed and waved. He moved to quickly hover in flight over them. Imperius was completely focused on his flight and holding her close. Izarius was just as focused to ensure that she wasn't dropped.
After the short flight, the three landed on a ledge that led to the main hall. Anaurael was completely exhilarated from it. Itherael realized how much he missed doing just that.
"You had to join us?" Izarius chuckled.
"I heard a commotion. When I went to see, I was taken by surprise. I had an urge to join in," Itherael admitted. "It has been far too long since I had last flown."
"I would love to do that again," she smiled.
"We can plan for it," Imperius nodded. "The offspring has taken?"
"I was told that it formed, but has not fully taken yet. My body is critical right now. It can fail, if I am not careful," she frowned. "Malthael was able to see it."
"Fine. Tyrael has no more reason to touch you," he snorted.
"I do have a suggestion," she said. "He can no longer rest without me. I did offer to let him take a pillow, or even a bed sheet, that I did sleep in. My scent does help him. But, if it gets too bad, can he rest with me? He is doing so much for us. I don't want him to suffer."
"Well..." he said with uncertainty. "if it is only resting. I may be able to allow that. But, nothing else. I do know that his mind is easily tormented now."
"It can be. He is trying to do what he can," she nodded. "I told him that he could always be with another, but he said no. That no other would work."
"I doubt he would want to lay with demon filth," he snorted. "Fine. If it is only resting, I can allow it. Hmm. He will also be in the room if another intrudes upon you."
"I was about to say the same thing," Izarius agreed. "He keeps El'druin at his side at all times."
"As he must," Itherael said. "El'druin is a part of him. Without his sword, he loses his mind."
"I do not wish for that to happen!" she said quickly. "Yes. He will be another protector for my bedchamber, if he needs to rest with me. How are my parents?"
"I heard they were in the Gardens of Hope with Auriel. They were talking of basic matters with future angelic offspring," Izarius said. Imperius muttered and snorted. He was not amused by that.
"I find it...a miracle...that I will finally get a sibling..." Anaurael whispered. "I always wanted one. I do not know how often I will be around, though. I need to be kept safe here."
"That you do," Imperius agreed. "But, if I must, I shall visit your sibling with you."
"You will?" she beamed. He nodded and caressed her back from the hug she gave him. Her sibling would be another pureblood angelic mortal, so he would tolerate the visits. He set her down when she felt the urge to walk, and she moved to the ledge. She stood tall and smiled softly. Her mark glowed from within her circlet, and she sighed with a form of soft contentment. A breeze seemed to pass playfully through her hair again to have it wisp about her form. On seeing this, Itherael could almost believe that he saw wings. Even Izarius was awed at the effect.
Then she began to hum softly. The way her gown flowed around her in sync with her hair gave her a purely mystical, angelic appearance unlike anything that Imperius had ever seen with her. Her mark seemed to pulse in tune with her humming, as though to only enhance the effect. When she finished humming, the wind was still blowing through her hair, and she stretched in a languorous way.
Imperius walked up to her and carefully rose up her chin with a light caress from his thumb to look at him. She smiled warmly and rested her small hand in his larger one. To Itherael, this was the gentlest scene he had ever seen Imperius do with another. It had him completely speechless.
She rested her cheek in his hand after that, and he lifted her easily into his arms. He was able to let her mildly sit in the crook of his arm as he held her, and he looked out over the Silver City. She leaned in close to whisper to him, and he gave out a small, soft laugh. That stunned Itherael. Imperius never laughed before! He couldn't believe what was happening to his normally moody and bitter leader. Imperius did laugh with her at one point, but that was in the privacy of his sanctum. He never laughed openly like this, and he knew that it may surprise quite a few angels. He didn't mind in the slightest.
At another whisper she gave him, he seemed to turn his head with a touch of confusion. Then he said, "No. I know why you ask. But, I cannot allow it."
"But..." she frowned.
"No. You are bearing offspring. It is not safe," he said again.
"Yes, Imperius," she said lightly.
"What does she wish to do?" Izarius asked.
"She wants to train. I cannot risk it," he said.
"If I train her, I vow she will come to no harm. I will not allow any others to take on this task. I will train her lightly to keep her body toned," Izarius said quickly. He had unfinished business in the training halls. He wanted to go back there now. At the glance Itherael did, he knew what was going on. He had read about such a thing that needed to happen. He wanted to bear witness to it.
"I would like to join you," Itherael said calmly.
"Oh?" Imperius asked. Anaurael was curious as to what was going on.
"I have unfinished business with Titharius," Izarius seemed to growl. "I declined a challenge. I am ready to offer it to him again. Yes, he was corrupted before. But, I have my reasons for this."
"I see. Very well. Let's go," Imperius nodded. He gestured for Itherael to also follow, and it was done easily. He didn't put down Anaurael, though. He felt that something big was about to happen. Even Tyrael felt it, from her mind, and forced his body to wake. He needed to be there physically for her.
"You have awoken?" Darius asked from where he stood in the bedchamber.
"Yes. Something important may be happening in the training halls. If you can help me dress, we will both go," Tyrael nodded. The warrior angel was quick to assist him. El'druin was back in his hand before Darius teleported them both to the training hall chamber. Imperius had just walked in with her. Izarius was over-looking the now intensely training warriors. Itherael was hovering silently nearby.
"You still need rest?" Anaurael asked from where she was in Imperius's arms.
"I do. But, this is too important. I had to wake up to be here," he nodded.
"Where is Titharius?!" Izarius called out.
"I am here, brother," the massive lieutenant said when he jumped down from the observation pillar he was on. The other angels backed away to give him space. "Is there an issue at hand?"
"Yes. We are not finished. You may have been forgiven in your ways by Anaurael and the Angiris Council, but I still have unfinished terms with you!" the powerful guardian angel said. "I still see you in the wrong! You kidnapped Imperius's champion. You knew she was with offspring. Did you know that, if you killed her, a champion for Anu would not have appeared?! Nor a physical embodiment for Malthael to champion the High Heavens on Sanctuary?!"
"What?!" Titharius said with complete shock. "No! I had no idea...!"
"I withdrew the challenge to you, because your mind was not complete. Now that it is, I offer the challenge to you again!" Izarius said, as he leapt down easily to the main floor where Titharius was. His spear was drawn out again to show he was ready.
"And the reason for this?" the lieutenant growled out.
"I will be training Anaurael personally. Here in these Halls. You are not to intervene," Izarius said. "You will find yourself wanting to, as it is your nature."
"If she is to train here, then I must see to it! That is my duty!"
"Not for her. I know what she needs. As she is bearing offspring, there is only so much she can do. You will force her to over-work herself. I will know her limitations. If she was not with offspring, then it would be fine. Not when she has them. It will endanger her."
"Very well," Titharius snorted and took out his two-handed sword. "If I win, I will train her as I see fit! If you win, I shall not intervene."
"That is the whole point," Izarius nodded and charged him to bowl him over before he could react properly. Anaurael was just in shock over everything. Imperius simply held her close to watch her guardian defend her honor skillfully on the floor.
"Imperius," Itherael whispered to him. "should Izarius win this battle, you should promote him to a general. To show his authority here can never be challenged henceforth."
"I agree," Imperius nodded slightly.
"Itherael," Tyrael mused at his Wisdom insight. "you knew this?"
"How did you guess?" Itherael seemed to shrug. Imperius said nothing, as he watched Izarius expertly work his spear edge into the handle of the large sword and simply toss it aside. Titharius had now lost his weapon. The battle was over.
"I will honor your choice," Titharius nodded. Mithus was able to give his sword back, and it was replaced on his hip. Azarius was there, too, and bore witness to the fight from where he stood with the other angels. Darius only nodded with full respect of what he witnessed. Izarius nodded back and faced Imperius.
"Let no other challenges over your decision be done!" Imperius said. Izarius felt the Song of the Arc embolden him, as even more golden engraving displayed on his already elaborate silver armor. Even his hood was now lined with gold and set with Imperius's insignia on the back of it. He was honored even further for this justified challenge. He was now a full Archangel, and his wings seemed to become touched with gold to show his new power.
There was even more surprise from Mithus, Azarius, and Darius. As they witnessed the challenge, and agreed that it was fully just, they found their armors gilded with gold, as they increased in size and stature. The Heavenly Arch had fully chosen Anaurael's permanent honor guard. As they guarded her on Sanctuary, they would guard her in the High Heavens. Even their helmets vanished away to become stately white hoods. This surprised them. Itherael could only chuckle to himself.
"Impressive," Tyrael smiled. Anaurael was simply speechless.
"My champion's honor guard is now present. The four of you are to accompany her everywhere from this day forward! I shall have replacement warriors here to assist with Titharius. The four of you are to never leave her side outside of the High Heavens. And it begins now," Imperius nodded. "Of course, if she is with me, there is no need for the four of you to be so wary."
"Of course," Azarius nodded.
"What of the one we sent for Tyrael?" Mithus asked.
"He has been guarding my chamber in Sanctuary. I value his company," Tyrael said.
"We should have another sent," Darius said. "We work best in pairs."
"True. It shall be done," Imperius nodded. "Izarius, find the best one to assist."
"One warrior should be plenty," Tyrael frowned.
"No," Anaurael sighed. "They are right. You are going to be the father to a possible champion. You need the extra protection. If the Burning Hells discover this, you will be attacked. Even my parents have yet to be discovered. They may need protection, too."
"They travel where I do. I think they're covered," Tyrael smiled lightly.
"It would make me feel better, though," she said softly.
"If the need is there, it will be done," Imperius said to her. "Tyrael is correct. Should the need happen, I shall enforce it. They are here in the High Heavens now. We shall go to them."
"Yes, Imperius," she nodded. "I was thinking of something, too."
"Hmm?" he asked.
"I should attempt to befriend the Nephalem," she sighed. "Heaven was saved, you know. If it was not for the aid..."
"Humph..." Imperius seemed to grumble. "And how would you attempt this?"
"Let me wear my armors, and I shall accompany the Nephalem on a bounty mission. I can do this. With my four honor guards, it may be doubtful that I will come to harm," she said.
"I'll keep your parents back, too," Tyrael chuckled. "I know they would want to help you."
"So would you," Izarius pointed out.
"True. I'll have Lorath keep me focused on other things," he nodded.
"Very well. You know I will be watching you," Imperius warned her.
"It would give you a nostalgic feel," she smiled. "To watch me from afar again..."
"Steal you back to my side when danger happens," he muttered.
"Lock me away in your sanctum?" she murmured and felt him tense.
"Give me an hour with her," he grounded out and teleported away with her. Tyrael found himself laughing a bit with Izarius sighing and shaking his head.
"I shall inform Auriel of what has taken place with Anaurael's parents. Shall we meet at the Diamond Gates?" Itherael asked. It was agreed to, and they parted ways.