With bounties underway, demons being culled, and everything quiet in Heaven, Myriam was troubled. She had received disturbing visions and didn't know what to do. As much as they showed some strife, there was a lot of good in them, too. For the first time in a long time, she was trying to make sense of them. She tried to be her cheery self when it came to crafting weapons and armors to help the new heroes, but something kept nagging at her thoughts. After a moment of reflection, she realized exactly what it was. And it frightened her a little.
"Malthael..." she shivered under her breath. "He shall be reborn. He shall do well enough, but he may slip. It is possible. But...my dreams show that he may slip and fall...yet...he would regain himself. How can this be?! And this other! I only see a bright, white light unlike anything I have ever seen before! But...it is also weak. As though it is not strong enough. Hmm. I shall seek Tyrael."
She grabbed her staff and moved her large bulk over to where Tyrael usually was. Her brown dress clung around her wide hips as she moved, yet it was loose enough to keep her from feeling discomfort. The Vecin designs in the cloth and along the belt gave an illusion of some slimming, but not by much from how the skirt was shortened just above her knees to reveal some of what it hid. The lighter, fur-lined, strapless top she wore just barely held in the massive globes on her chest, as she walked over to her destination. Her red bandanna did keep her hair out of her face, but it came down in ringlets past her chin to lightly rest on the large mounds below them.
When she finally reached her destination with her intricate staff as balance, she saw that Lorath was there, but Tyrael wasn't. On glancing up at her, Lorath asked, "Myriam? Is everything well?"
"I wish I could say so," she frowned. "I need to speak with Tyrael. It is of utmost urgency."
"Oh. He's in his chambers. Let me see if he's able to talk," Lorath nodded. He moved to the building that Tyrael was in and knocked on the door. To his surprise, it was answered by one of the guardian angels that resided within it. The angel was able to see who it was with a carefully installed peep hole in the door. Lorath was safe to speak to.
"Tyrael is resting in Heaven. He will be back later," the deep, echoing tone answered lightly.
"Myriam is requesting to speak with him," Lorath frowned. "The Vecin seer."
"I shall see if he can be fetched," the angel complied and shut the door. While Lorath informed her of what was going on, the guard went back to the High Heavens. Darius was able to be confronted.
"He is resting in Anaurael's chambers with her. It is important?" Darius asked.
"The Vecin seer wishes to speak with him," the guard said.
"I see. Let me contact Izarius," Darius nodded.
"I shall return to Sanctuary," the guard said and teleported away. Darius went straight into Anaurael's bedchamber. Both her and Tyrael were sleeping deeply in the bed. Izarius was going over the food supplies when he was approached and spoken to.
"Myriam wishes a council with Tyrael? He sleeps deeply," Izarius said. "There may be one way that I can wake him. At least, I can attempt it. Give me a moment."
"Of course," Darius nodded. Izarius moved to sit in a gilded gold chair and relaxed in silent meditation. Then he focused on Anaurael's mind. When he regained focus, he found himself just outside the white spire that his energy was housed in. Now he discovered that any could do this. When our energies were not needed, they would be stored in hibernation within the mental spire. Chuckling softly, he focused on where his sister was and flew towards her.
"There you are! I had to meditate and focus on being here! I hope I'm not interrupting anything," Izarius said when he landed near her. She was in discussion with Tyrael and Malthael when he landed. She was wearing a slender gown of spun gold, and she looked over with complete surprise at him. Malthael, however, was rather pleased at this new discovery. It would be needed for my body to do when the time came.
"Izarius?" Tyrael asked. He had her sitting in his lap, and she resembled a dainty porcelain figurine of gold in his massive lap of burnished silver. They were sitting in a park-like setting of some kind and on a stone bench. Malthael was standing with his arms crossed over his chest.
"It was the only way to reach you, Tyrael," Izarius sighed. "Myriam needs to speak with you. She says it is urgent. I am unsure about what."
"If that is so, then fine. Give me a bit of time to wake up. We were talking about the new Nephalem coming to pass. We were thinking of attempting to see if Anaurael could gain a few of their fighting skills. Especially with the Monks," Tyrael said. "The Crusaders may know of stronger healing techniques, too, but I am unsure if she could be trained with them. Their secrets are guarded closely."
"That would make the most sense," Izarius nodded. "I would try with the Monks first."
"Indeed. She can hone herself further," Malthael said lightly. "As much as the demon filth needs to be culled, they can be used for other things before their time is up."
"Silence," Tyrael warned him. "We talked about this far too much for my liking."
"None said you had to like it," Malthael snorted. "It is only truth."
"Enough, please!" Anaurael finally said. "Do I need to bring Imperius into this discussion?!"
"There is no need for that," Tyrael soothed her with a rub to her back.
"I think he should be here. He would agree with me," Malthael mused.
"We know he would," Izarius said lightly. "Anyways, I shall stir from my meditation to give my answer to your guards on Sanctuary."
"I shall awaken, too," she said.
"You just fell asleep!" Tyrael said.
"As did you," she said. "But, this is important."
"What is important?" Imperius asked when he landed. He sensed her distress and had to check on her. The moment she felt any form of agitation in sleep, he needed to see to her.
"The culling of demon filth," Malthael mused.
"That is always important," Imperius muttered back.
"The Vecin seer, Myriam, wishes to speak with Tyrael. I am unsure about what," Izarius said.
"And, you are here in her mind?" Imperius asked Izarius.
"If I meditate and focus on her, it is possible," the angel chuckled.
"Good to know. As for you, Tyrael, you should wake. She should rest more," Imperius said.
"I was stating the same thing," Tyrael nodded.
"I want to know what she says. I have not met her yet," she frowned.
"I would not advise it," Tyrael said. "She gets powerful visions. She may expose more than needed about you. Too many will overhear what she has to say."
"Then bring her to Heaven," she said with a smile. Imperius glanced at her with a sense of surprise. "Itherael can study her, too. Even Auriel."
"I don't want any more demon filth in Heaven!" Imperius scowled. Then he paused at the feel of her arms around his waist at the hug she gave him. She had moved from Tyrael straight to him at his outburst. He found himself placing his hands on her shoulders to comfort her.
"She may have answers...about our offspring..." she whispered. "That's why I wanted to talk to her. She may know things that Itherael cannot find out."
"You...think so...?" he muttered at this viewpoint.
"How else would she have told Tyrael about Malthael?" she murmured. She gazed up at him now, and he ran his thumb under her chin in calm reflection. Her mark shimmered in perfect sync with his glowing form. Tyrael was simply in awe at how she was able to sway his normally bitter leader's thoughts. It amazed him to no end. Even Malthael was impressed at this.
"Very well. One visit. That is all I can allow," he nodded. She nodded back, and he lifted her up to kiss her gently before cradling her. "I want you to rest more afterwards."
"I can do that," she agreed. "I'll even wear that new gown you like so much."
"Then we have an agreement," he chuckled softly and set her down. "Now wake for me."
She nodded and opened her eyes to find herself in his arms. She ran her hand up under his helm to caress his cheek gently. He squeezed her and set her down to dress. Tyrael groaned lightly and yawned himself awake. Imperius snorted at him, but kept his focus locked on her.
"We'll bring her to the Angiris Council chamber," she said and slipped the top part of the dress on. Imperius was unaffected by how her body looked, but Tyrael could only stare at her firm rump when she bent down to pick up the bottom half of her golden gown with green lacing decorations. Izarius noticed this all too well and shook his head with a soft chuckle at the mortal angel's reaction. Tyrael came to after she dressed and muttered to himself. On hearing this, she glanced over her shoulder at him. "Is something wrong?"
"Being a mortal has more complications than I care to admit," he growled and moved from the bed to dress in his armors. Izarius found himself laughing. When Imperius looked over at him for an explanation, Tyrael could only sigh. "It's...hard to explain. You likely don't see her as I do now."
"Whatever do you mean?" Imperius asked. He was genuinely curious about this.
"When I see her curves, it sends...thoughts...spinning through my head. Her body is, to put rather bluntly, perfect. To me, she's perfect. I would want no other," he said.
"I would not expect you to mingle as such with demon filth," Imperius said with a light shrug.
"It isn't that, either. I only want to be with her. No other will suit me. I cannot fathom the idea of being with another female. It...does not feel right to me," he admitted.
"I would not mind it," she shrugged.
"I think you would," Tyrael said honestly. She looked at him with surprise. "But, we will not dwell on the matter. There is no need for it."
"I would say the same," Imperius said dangerously. At how she moved into his form now, he rested his hands on her in a possessive way. He didn't want to think that any other would desire her in such a fashion. At the way he tensed, she moved her hands up his arms in that silent trigger to pick her up. When that happened, she wrapped her arms around his armored neck and whispered softly under the helm for only him to hear.
"I will only desire you. You are the one my heart yearns for, Imperius. It has always been that way. Worry not on what others think. You and I are bound in more ways than many know. Yes, Tyrael has touched my heart, but only because of what he needs to do. I am fond of him. But, I am completely in love with you. Only you have my love in full. You will always be the one I wish to be with before anyone else. Your Light is the same as mine. Your life is the same as mine. I share your wounds, too. You were there for me my entire life. I want no other."
"You speak so truthfully on this..." he whispered softly.
"You know I do," she smiled and reached in to caress his cheek. "As they say in Sanctuary, you are my husband. My one and only. My mate for life."
He turned and kissed her fiercely to show his own love for her. She wanted no other. He always knew this. He ran his hand up her back and gave a heavy sigh of relief. At the soft, hushed whispers of encouragement she gave him now, he straightened and let her sit in the crook of his arm. "We will meet you in the Council chambers. As agreed."
"I'll be there shortly," Tyrael nodded. When they left, Izarius regarded Tyrael with a sense of curiosity. "What is it?"
"You are not jealous?"
"There is no reason for me to be. I know that she belongs to him. She helps me rest and be myself when it gets to be too much for me. As much as I do miss doing various things with her, I respect my truce with Imperius. I can override those mortal thoughts with my strict disciplines. There is no need for me to get worked up over something that could only bring ill intentions."
"It is good that you keep those thoughts strong. Just make sure that you don't slip. Even I saw how you watched my sister bend over for her gown," Izarius pointed out. Tyrael groaned slightly at the memory. "Just watch yourself, Tyrael. Would you appreciate it, if I brought you back to reason?"
"If it comes down to it, please do," he grumbled. He managed to finish dressing and got taken to the Angiris Council chamber. Itherael and Auriel were there to gossip with Anaurael.
"Do you believe it is wise to bring the Vecin seer here?" Itherael asked.
"Anaurael feels that answers may be given about my offspring with her," Imperius said. "I declined. At first. But, when my offspring is the main source of concern, I will allow it this once."
"It would prove beneficial to know more," Auriel agreed.
"Izarius, fetch her," Imperius commanded.
"I will," the angel nodded. Tyrael stood aside lightly with El'druin in his hand. Izarius teleported back to Sanctuary and in front of the Vecin wagon that housed Myriam. It was nearing dusk now, so her windows were brightly lit to show she was inside. He knocked on the door lightly to find her dressed and ready to go. He only nodded to her.
"Yes. I knew I had to go," she chuckled. She grabbed his larger hand and soon found herself in the massive Angiris Council chamber. "Ah! So much more splendor than visions! You all do me a great honor to be here. Come now. What questions do you seek of me?"
"We shall have Anaurael ask her questions first," Itherael said.
"Of course, celsa, I would be pleased to," Myriam smiled warmly. When Anaurael was set down by Imperius, the large woman seemed to pause with complete shock. She didn't see the mark on her forehead, but she sensed it. "A blinding light is within you! It is so bright!"
"You must sense my offspring," Imperius said with a small grunt. "My offspring is to be the rebirth of Anu. The ancient Light that birthed the angels and the High Heavens."
"Ah! Yes! And it grows so swiftly! It may tax you. Be sure to rest. I would fight no longer," Myriam advised. At Anaurael's frown, she continued, "If you kill too much, this bright Light may dim. We cannot have that at all. It was risky before. But, keep yourself far from it now."
"It will diminish?" Auriel asked.
"Not by much, but she needs life more than death. Malthael should know!" Myriam snorted.
"Clever..." Malthael mused from Anaurael's form. "Granted, you are correct. But, only that one time was truly needed. She was almost harmed..."
"I do know of this," Myriam agreed. "But, should another incident like that happen, it will do more harm than good. Do not allow it!"
"She stays in Heaven," Tyrael muttered. "If any wish to see her, they either go through me or you for an audience. Her parents are exempt."
"Agreed," Imperius muttered back.
"What of the one for Tyrael?" Anaurael asked when she was given back her control.
"Well..." Myriam started. Then she looked sad. At that moment, Anaurael's gut gave out a small, familiar cramping sensation. "The next one will take. I am sorry."
"What?! It didn't take?!" Tyrael gaped with shock.
"No. The death that she experienced in her ordeal did that. Celsa, do tell me. When you slaughtered them all, did you taste anything?" Myriam asked gently. "Did something get wet?"
"I...I don't know..." Anaurael trembled.
"Her hair was covered in demon blood...and soaked with it..." Izarius whispered.
"Yes. Do not let it happen again," Myriam said gravely. "Here. I have a few of these. She just needs one to stop the bleeding. The cramps she will work with. Keep the rest for emergencies."
"I will take them," Izarius said and took the small capsules. She handed them over and looked over at Itherael with a raised brow. The Archangel looked over expectantly.
"You need to figure out what you wish to do," she chuckled.
"Oh?" Itherael asked.
"Why fight what your heart desires? Even angels need to live a little! Too strict for me, if you ask for my opinion. But, yours is a bit difficult, is it not?" she asked.
"I fear that I do not follow," Itherael said.
"Tyrael, you are looking for medicine?" she asked him.
"Oh! Yes. Cain's book is in Itherael's Library of Fate. I was hoping to find the location of an ancient library. The book may hold them," Tyrael said.
"Good! I shall help him search. He has a private question to ask me," she nodded.
"I do?" Itherael asked.
"Yes, you do. You just do not know it yet. Come! Lead the way," she insisted.
"If you say so," Itherael said calmly. Auriel was concerned, but he whispered to her. She nodded and retreated to the Gardens of Hope. Imperius had already taken Anaurael to her chamber to change out her dress. It began to get covered in blood.
"I thought...that it..." she whimpered, as he held her. She resorted back to wearing her leather pants and cotton shirt again until the bleeding stopped. Izarius had appeared to give her a capsule, but it was going to take time to kick in. Tyrael was able to show up a moment later to show his distress.
"You will be guarded to the hilt!" Imperius vowed.
"We didn't know," Tyrael frowned. Izarius was completely distraught for his sister. But, something baffled him. She didn't have the pregnancy take until after the issue happened. The only thing that made sense to him was that there was negative energy lingering around her. The pregnancy sacrificed itself to purify her. He kept this possible knowledge to himself, though. Maybe he could verify it later. As it was, Anaurael needed comforting. Imperius was doing everything he could for her.
In Itherael's Library, it was a different story. Cain's book was brought out, but it was set aside. Myriam needed to get her point across to the stubborn and aloof Archangel.
"I do not understand why we need such secrecy," Itherael said.
"Because it is your nature. But, I do have a serious question for you," Myriam said. "The Light in that girl. The one that is to be the rebirth of your Anu. How strong do you want that Light to be?"
"As strong as possible! There can be no doubt of that," Itherael said sternly.
"It will be needed. Yes, you gave an imprint of yourself to her. Do not ask how I know. I just do. But, it is not enough. She needs more."
"More?"
"Yes. There is something that Tyrael can do now within her mind. Her protector, the one that brought me here, can tell you how to accomplish this. You must speak with them."
"I still do not follow."
"Bah! It is only because you fail to see!" she sighed. "The one who brought me here. Can you call him here? Time is critical."
"You mean Izarius? Well...yes. I can contact him," he nodded. "I shall go and fetch him."
"No! Have another do this for you. You cannot leave here," she said. "I shall go find one. Izarius, you said? That was his name?"
"Yes," Itherael nodded. He was quite baffled about everything. When he went to get Talus'ar, she waved her staff at him in warning.
"Do not call for your Scroll of Fate," she said. "You need to learn this without the knowledge."
"What?"
"You have heard me correctly. Just wait," she nodded. He hovered with uncertainty. It was rare for him to heed such advice, but he knew how powerful her visions were. The meeting in the Council chamber proved it. Five minutes later, she had returned with Izarius.
"Anaurael is extremely depressed. I need to comfort her soon," her guardian sighed.
"And you will. But, not just yet," Myriam said warmly.
"Very well. What do you request of me?" Izarius asked.
"You have learned something of vital importance. The angel of Fate needs to know," she said.
"You mean...how by meditating and focusing on Anaurael's mind allows you to be there without physically being with her? That information?" he asked.
"It is possible to do that?!" Itherael gasped.
"Yes! This is how you can help her," she said.
"But, Imperius will know! She reveals all to him!" Itherael said.
"What?" Izarius asked. "I am missing something."
"This Vecin seer is insisting that I help with Anu's coming about," Itherael said with a touch of sadness. "But, if I even do this..."
"No! She is suffering too much already!" Izarius growled. "Even Imperius shows his distress!"
"But, what she forgets, he cannot know. Hmm?" Myriam smiled.
"Only he can help her forget," Itherael said.
"A new area unlocked in her mind. Another can take her to this place that unlocked, and that place can show her how to forget. She will forget it exists after each visit, but you can take her back there. You will keep the knowledge of its location. It needs to be done," she insisted.
"So, you're saying that her body remembers how to force herself to forget, since it was done before. But, she will forget everything once her mind is cleared of what is needed to be forgotten," Izarius said, as he pieced everything together. The only question he had was what she had to forget about.
"Yes," Myriam said. The next thing she was going to say was going to prove exactly how powerful her visions truly were. "She has her own sanctum. But, only of the mental kind."
"And, what of Malthael and Tyrael? They may find out about this," Izarius muttered.
"Let them come to you with their questions," she said calmly. "It will be the only way."
Izarius only shook his head at this. It hurt him to even think about the distress his sister would go through. As much as he knew that she may possibly forget, it still hurt him that she would have to endure so much to ensure the power that was to gather for Anu's champion was complete.
"As much as we should seek Chalad'ar for answers..." Itherael muttered.
"It is not safe to do so," Izarius nodded.
"Now you both understand. But, time is of the essence. The moment it is safe, you will need to do what must be done," Myriam said to Itherael gravely. "To make the Light of this body stronger, it is needed. Hope is strong enough on its own. All things carry hope. To live. To love. To learn. But, not many believe in their own fates and destinies. Fate needs to shed more Light."
"I can understand that," Itherael said quietly.
"This would also be a safe way for Tyrael to be with her, too," Izarius said in realization.
"That it would. But, he would still need caution. To keep this safe, she must be able to safely forget. Because, if Imperius finds out..." Myriam said softly.
"No one would forget his wrath," Itherael sighed. "Time is of the essence, you said?"
"Yes. You know, you could always tell her that it is for learning purposes," Myriam winked. Itherael paused at this and sighed.
"I may have to do that. So it seems..." he said with a bit of sadness in his tone. "I had vowed not to do anything more with her. She had already forgotten the one thing that happened with me. The reason for all of this to come to pass. Imperius forced her to forget about it. She also wanted to."
"What?" Izarius asked.
"Ah. I had informed Auriel. But not you. Very well. Anaurael had mistaken me for Imperius. She kissed me. She was falling off his throne in sleep, and I had tried to assist her from falling to the floor. She had just been with Imperius in his sanctum, so her body was still...sensitive. She thought I was him. It was a purely an accident. Imperius understood and removed the memory from her mind. Talus'ar revealed this to me, and I abided with the decision."
Izarius was stunned. But, now it explained how Anaurael would know on how to remove memories from her mind. Imperius subconsciously showed her how. She would never remember it, but her mind would. He tensed. He didn't like it one bit. He would never tell her such a thing, but just knowing of what could be done was almost too much for him to bear.
"It is time for me to return. We shall speak again, should the need arise," Myriam said with a polite nod. "Just remember. You cannot delay for too long."
"As you have said. Izarius, please escort her back?" Itherael asked.
"I can do that," the angel nodded. Myriam smiled and took his hand to vanish with him to leave Itherael in his own thoughts. Back at her wagon, Myriam sighed and looked at Izarius.
"I could not say this before. I can say this now. Time is of the essence for you, too. You should know what I mean now," she nodded and made her way into the wagon to close the door. "Good night."
"What?! No!" Izarius gasped. Now he saw why she asked for him. Now he saw why he had to learn of the forgotten memory, and how she could forget others. Now I knew everything.