About twenty minutes had passed when Imperius brought her back to her bedroom. Itherael was still there and waiting patiently. Izarius had some food items for her, and she was quickly settled to start eating and regaining her strength.
"Should you find this location, I want to know," Imperius said. "I plan to join Tyrael in its discovery. Anaurael needs to be watched over. I intend to do that, personally."
"Are you sure?" Izarius asked with a bit of surprise.
"I am. I already spoke of this to her," he nodded.
"It would not be wise," Itherael said. "Many will question your actions."
"My actions were always questioned," Imperius snorted.
"Then let's get another opinion," Anaurael said calmly. Imperius moved to the chair she was sitting in, and he rested his hands on her shoulders as he stood behind her protectively. "Izarius, can you get Tyrael, please? He should be here, and he can voice his concerns, too."
"I can do that," her brother nodded. When he left, Itherael placed the book in front of her and was able to carefully hover over it to read with her to keep Imperius from needing to move.
Tyrael was running himself ragged. He had minimal rest, if any. And it wasn't just from the Greed Goblins that kept him awake. There was simply too much for him to do with new heroes now. If there was one thing he was grateful for, it was the ability to teleport to various towns. It cut down drastically on the travel, but it was still draining. When Izarius saw him, he was in shock at Tyrael's appearance. "When was the last time you slept?!"
"I forget..." Tyrael admitted. "There's just so much to do..."
"Good. You're here. Please have him rest?" Lorath seemed to beg the angel. "Even his guards are concerned over him!"
"Let's go, Tyrael. You are needed in Heaven, anyways," Izarius said.
"But..." Tyrael protested. Lorath's glare shut him up. Nodding with defeat, Izarius took him straight to Anaurael's chamber. At his new appearance, Anaurael scowled at him.
"Put him in my bed! Now!" she demanded. "Don't bother undressing him. Just let him sleep for a couple hours. He needs it."
"What were you doing?" Tyrael asked.
"Examining Cain's book for your library location. We will tell you what we find," Itherael said.
"Idiot..." Imperius snorted at his mortal brother. Tyrael mumbled something incoherent, but Izarius simply pushed him onto the bed. "When you wake up, we shall have a discussion."
"Fine..." Tyrael muttered out. Sleep soon claimed him easily.
"We could have used his insight," Itherael sighed.
"Well, let's just keep trying to see if we can find any clues," Anaurael said.
"Xavian does have a diary that belonged to his ancestor," Darius said from where he stood.
"Does he? Good. Imperius, may we bring him and his knowledge here?" Itherael asked.
"Must we?" Imperius growled with distaste. At the pat to his hand that she gave him, he shook his head. "Fine. Fetch him."
"He has been respectful to us," she smiled.
"That he has. Very well."
"Just think that he has more angel blood than demon blood."
"Never happen. But...well..."
"You can do this, Imperius. Just tolerate him," she chuckled. At the squeeze he gave her shoulders, she took it as a definite acknowledgement. Xavian appeared five minutes later with Izarius. The slender, leather-bound book he had was now given over to be carefully examined. Xavian was in complete awe of the room he was in. When he saw Tyrael sleeping deeply in the bed, it caught him by surprise, but she waved at him for his attention. "Hello, Xavian! This is my bedroom in Heaven. Imperius's sanctum is right above us. Tyrael hasn't been sleeping well, so he's using my bed for now. It's better for him. Feel free to ignore the wealth in the room, too. It's from Greed."
"You don't like my treasures?!" Greed gasped from the crown when Gurzick appeared. He was listening in from the mirror that Izarius held on him.
"They are a nuisance. Like you!" Imperius growled.
"Oh, I'm not that bad," Greed scoffed.
"You put demon filth in Heaven!"
"But, even you were laughing at that human thief!"
"It was humorous to watch him try and fail to gain something he could never get," Imperius said.
"Quiet down. We don't want Tyrael to wake," Anaurael warned. "Greed, you've been everywhere on Sanctuary? At least, your minions have?"
"Mostly everywhere. Why do you ask?" Greed asked curiously.
"We are attempting to find an old library belonging to the Horadrim. There are objects there that Tyrael desperately needs. They are very important," Itherael said.
"Really?" Greed mused.
"Yes. We cannot delay in getting them back. They can save lives. Even my life," Anaurael smiled. Now Greed wanted to find this place. It was why she said something.
"There are also certain plants that we need to find. Lorath has a list of them. No images, though. If we can find the library, then there may be more information on what we need to find," Xavian said. "There was only one thing that I did see about a library. Ah...here! Look. The last passage."
"Hmm..." Itherael thought aloud, as he read the words. "If the descriptions of 'hot, humid and wild' relate to the jungle, then I can only hope that the papers used to record such writings have not be destroyed from rot! If it's desert, well, hopefully kept in shade and away from vermin."
"Look," Xavian said and revealed his bracer. A Horadric symbol was engraved on it in the form of a figure eight with an amber gemstone in the center. Greed took close notice of this. "If you find something with this symbol on it, then you're close. There's another one that resembles a triangle with eyes and other smaller markings on it. I was given this bracer as an act of trust. It's an old piece of armor, and it belonged to my Great-Grandfather."
"I have minions scouting as of now. Imperius, can another room be crafted to hold things?" Greed asked. Imperius seemed to glare. "Not for me! For the girl! All of this stuff is for her!"
"Oh," Imperius thought now.
"He wishes to find the Horadric items for me," she smiled. "I will give them to Tyrael when he needs them. Where else would they be safer? Especially this salve? It healed him incredibly quickly! It can do the same for me, you know."
"I understand that. I just...Heaven is not a place for storage!" he growled. At the squeeze she gave one of his hands, he relented. "Fine. One small chamber. An offshoot from the treasure one."
"You know, I could go back to living on Sanctuary..." she started.
"No!" he scowled and pulled her out of the chair to cradle her in his arms. "You don't belong there anymore. You belong here. With me. I'll make adaptations as needed."
"Show me where the room will be. I can ensure that this rare knowledge is kept safe," Itherael said. "I shall also help assist in making the room."
"Good. Greed can show you where the room is located. Izarius can, too. Hmm. We should let Auriel in on this. She should know what is going on," Imperius said.
"She can know. But...I also feel that it should be a Council vote as to what you wish to do when it comes to you going to Sanctuary with Anaurael," Itherael said. Imperius was about to scowl, but Malthael let his illusionary form enter the room.
"No, I'm not in the room. I am talking to your essences," he said calmly.
"You have the ability to do this?!" Imperius asked with surprise.
"As do I," Tyrael said in his original form of Justice. Now that Tyrael's body was sleeping, Malthael was able to show him how to reveal his true nature to the others. "Xavian cannot see us or hear us. Neither can Greed, but it's expected. Only those that have imprinted themselves in Anaurael's mind can see us like this. Have Greed take him to the new treasure room. They can decide where the Horadric treasures can go. This is important. We need a place ready."
"I can do that," Izarius nodded. He turned to look at Gurzick and Xavian to give the message. Greed was a bit upset that he couldn't be in on the meeting, but he had a few ways to keep in touch. Izarius's mirror saw to that. Once they were sent off to start reorganizing the treasure room, Auriel appeared at Izarius's urging. Even she was shocked to find Malthael's image in the room with Tyrael's original state. She sorely missed them both.
"Now that we are all here," Malthael said. "Imperius wishes to join Anaurael and Tyrael to find the lost Horadric library. As much as he should watch her from the High Heavens..."
"Imperius! There will be too many questions," Auriel said. "You should not go."
"After the library is found, he can safely appear. Not before. Not during the search," Tyrael said. "I would even refuse Anaurael to assist with the search."
"But..." she winced and gasped at a sharp cramp. Imperius squeezed her shoulders to comfort her. "I really wanted to go."
"No. It is too risky. And, if there is any fighting, you need to steer clear of it," Tyrael said gently. "We must remember what the Vecin woman told us. I may also start attempting to have another son with you. I know that I won't let you anywhere near Sanctuary once I do start as a precaution. Malthael, do you know when her body will become receptive again?"
"Two days from Sanctuary need to pass. Then it will be safe to attempt again. However, it may not take until a week passes. Maybe two weeks," Malthael nodded. "And now...a vote."
"I say that Imperius and Anaurael stay in Heaven until the library is discovered," Tyrael said.
"I agree with Tyrael," Itherael said.
"I also agree," Auriel nodded.
"I am...undecided..." Malthael admitted. "But, it is, in a way, three on two..."
"No. I'm also here," Izarius said. "But...I don't want my sister harmed. She was warned to stay away from any form of death and violence. That it could harm her pregnancy. Hunting may be fine, but, if there are vagabonds out there, or rogue demon packs..."
"I shall remain here with her," Imperius gave way. "However, I do know of remote places to take her to, should the need arise. Like now."
"What?" Tyrael asked.
"When she got in this state of monthly pains, she liked to be alone with me for hours at a time. In various locations on Sanctuary," Imperius said. "I would search for remote locations to take her to that were human free. We were safe."
"He kept me warm in the freezing north," Anaurael beamed.
"And, you were not seen at all?" Auriel asked.
"No. Like I said, I searched before taking her anywhere. I feel that it needs to be done again. So, I will go with her to the viewing chamber, and I will look for an area to take her to," Imperius said. "We shall return later."
"I would not advise it," Malthael muttered out.
"Why is that?" Tyrael asked.
"The longer she remains in Heaven, the stronger Anu's body is. If she leaves, it could be that much less for the body to develop properly. She should not leave the High Heavens at all. If we can help it. Short trips will be fine. But...no longer than a few hours at a time. The Light within her cannot start to dim. The moment it does, I shall start to give warnings," Malthael said gravely.
"Imperius, we don't have to go to just Sanctuary," Anaurael said. "There are still places here that I have not seen yet."
"But, we will be interrupted," Imperius said.
"Then I will travel with you and stop whoever tries," Izarius said. "If the need is dire, then I'll inform you. Otherwise, I'll tell the other to back down."
"It may be safer," Itherael said. "Malthael, are Anaurael's parents sleeping?"
"Hmm...no. That's right. They can also come here while they sleep," Malthael mused.
"Let me tell them," Izarius nodded. They all nodded and watched him vanish. When he returned a few minutes later, he said, "They are going to attempt some sleep now. They also needed it."
"Then we shall wait," Malthael nodded. Imperius continued to hold Anaurael in his arms. A short wait later, her parents appeared in their true states. Their daughter was stunned.
"It worked!" Ilerael chuckled from his silver helm.
"How long has it been since we last stood in Heaven like this...?" Lilaurael sighed from her hooded form. They clasped hands with Auriel and Itherael in their spiritual states and now looked at their daughter with pride. She wanted to hug them, but they were only illusions. But, now she knew that her parents truly were angels. Powerful angels at an Archangel level.
"Mother. Father," Anaurael whispered.
"Yes. This is how we were before we removed our wings," Ilerael said gently. At the look he gave Lilaurael, Imperius now saw the love they had for each other. It had never wavered or faltered since they first met. I was simply blind to see it. All of us were.
"As much as I should berate you both for what you have done," Imperius growled. "I will thank you both instead. Just the two of you. Any others will not be well received by me."
"Thank us?" Lilaurael asked.
"You both made me. That's why," Anaurael said softly. Ilerael nodded and chuckled softly.
"How is your developing offspring?" Itherael asked.
"Doing very well! It has fully taken. Anaurael will be giving birth around the same time as me," Lilaurael smiled. At her daughter's wince and shiver, concern quickly took over. "What happened?!"
"It didn't take," Tyrael said softly.
"What?!" Ilerael asked.
"The incident with Titharius did it," Izarius explained. "I believe that the pregnancy sacrificed itself to keep her pure. She's having a monthly right now. The Vecin seer said that the next one will take. Anaurael can do no fighting at all. Training should be fine, but she cannot kill anything. She needs to be around life. Not death."
"I am so sorry, my daughter!" Lilaurael whispered and moved to place a ghostly armored hand over her daughter's hand. Malthael only sighed and crossed his arms over his chest silently. Itherael could only hover silently and reflect the somber mood.
"I don't want her going to Sanctuary," Ilerael said sternly. "Not until her physical child is properly birthed. Just keep her here."
"Mild visits are fine," Malthael finally said. "She simply cannot stay for long lengths of time."
"Well...if you will monitor her..." Lilaurael said.
"You have my vow. This is to be my physical body. Anyways, we had already voted for her to remain in the High Heavens. Tyrael needs to find his library for the Horadrim," Malthael said calmly. "We seem to be having difficulties in locating it."
"Oh? I know where that is," Ilerael seemed to chuckle.
"You do?!" Tyrael asked.
"Yes. One of us had to remember! Anyways, it's in the heart of the old Zakarum temples. That means a trip to Kurast is in order. And, Tyrael, your mortal body will be straining in the heat. It may be best to send Horadric scouts first that are familiar with the weather and climate to ensure that the library is still there," Ilerael warned. "We don't know what waits for us there."
"No need. Have Greed do that. He was scouting for us," Malthael suggested.
"I can tell him when we are done here," Izarius said.
"No. Do this now," Tyrael said. "The sooner we start to understand the state of the library, the sooner we can fix this. Didn't we have two libraries?"
"We may have had quite a few. But, the one in Kurast is the closest to my memories that I know. If that place still exists, we'll need to clear it of any infestations that may inhabit it," Ilerael said. "If there are other libraries, then this one was our main one. It will hold the locations of the others."
"I'm glad that you're part of the Horadrim," Tyrael sighed.
"I doubt you would have us leave," Lilaurael mused.
"You would be correct," Tyrael chuckled. "Anyways, now that we have an idea of where to look, we shall start on that. Anaurael will stay here until we know it's safe."
"She should stay, regardless. But...I shall monitor her," Malthael nodded. Izarius now left to inform Greed of where to send his minions. Imperius was still holding Anaurael to him. He knew she needed him. At her shivering from another cramp, he squeezed her to show he was still there. As much as he needed to train his troops, she clearly needed him more.
"Is there nothing for her pain?" Itherael asked.
"If she took something for the bleeding, then nothing can be done for the pain. If she takes something for the pain, then the bleeding will return. It's a counterbalance," Lilaurael explained.
"I'd rather her bleed than be in pain," Imperius admitted.
"We do have specialized cloth that will catch the bleeding," Lilaurael said. "She needs this medicine to pass through her system first. The rest of the day, if that. I can provide the medicine she needs for the pain easily."
"Let it be done," Imperius nodded. As they finished discussing what to do for her, Itherael noticed that she was looking lethargic. He moved over to Malthael and whispered.
"Anaurael needs rest. And nourishment. Quickly!" Malthael said when he checked her physical state. Azarius and Darius were quick to help set up a table. Mithus was able to provide water and food. When Izarius returned, he quickly assisted in what needed to be done. After she was tended to, her parents pressed ghostly kisses to her forehead and vanished away. Their bodies were waking up.
"I need to see to the troops. When you wake, I will show you various places in the High Heavens. Rest now," Imperius said and helped settle her next to Tyrael. She yawned, nodded and let him plant a kiss on her. Only after she was sleeping deeply did he regard the others in the room. "Make sure she rests well. I won't be long."
"Of course," Tyrael nodded and vanished.
"You know I will ensure it..." Malthael agreed and vanished away next.
"What shall we do now?" Auriel asked.
"If we are to house artifacts for Tyrael, we need a proper place to put the rarer pieces. Would you like to accompany me to my Library to set up a chamber for this?" Itherael asked.
"I can do that," Auriel nodded and vanished with him. Imperius lingered for a moment longer to watch over Anaurael's sleeping form. For the first time he could actually remember, he felt his invisible lips curl up into a loving smile.