The moment word was sent, the Council chamber was filled. Greed had his minions scouting for two dresses. One was going to be for the false wedding. The other was for Imperius to see only. He already had several dresses picked out, and he was looking over them in his domain critically.
"Send this one to her chamber," Greed said to the elegant gold gown with stitched in diamonds along the trim and mid-section. There was a slight train to let it gently sweep the floor when she walked. At the other, far more regal dress of gold with ruffles and rich designs of sparkling silver thread, he had that one hidden away in Imperius's sanctum. He even had a ring picked out for Tyrael. The large, red and gold ring that used to belong to a mighty Barbarian hero and leader, Bul-Kathos's Wedding Band, was now plucked off one of his long fingers and given over to Gurzick. The ring would also safeguard Tyrael's life, if he was surrounded by enemies, by drawing in their life force to support him.
"Another sparkly?" Gurzick asked.
"Yes. This is special. I will give my sparklies to no others. Hmm. I should give something else. Ah! Yes! Make sure the Fallen One gets this," Greed giggled and gestured to an ice-blue blade in one of the piles near him. The sword, Azurewrath, was finally going to go back to the High Heavens. Greed had given it much thought on returning the sword, as he had watched much whenever he could from long ago. Tyrael would surely be in shock to see his former lieutenant's old sword. It may also grieve him, too. Izual's soul was forever tainted to remain in Hell. But, maybe through Anaurael, he could gain redemption? It was a question that would have to wait for another time, though it was sure to come up when the sword was finally given back over.
When the dress was delivered, Anaurael could only groan. Izarius chuckled and helped her change into it. He actually felt better seeing her in a gown. Her old garments were too plain for the standards of Heaven. They were also falling apart. He would have to see about getting new ones for her.
"You look good!" he chuckled.
"I should put some face paints on you," Lilaurael grinned.
"No, Mother! This is enough!" Anaurael insisted. "The last time I tried that, I got harassed by every boy in my hometown. I don't need it."
"You should when you go to Imperius," Malthael mused from where he stood.
"Don't you get in on this!" she scowled. He chuckled softly and crossed his arms over his chest. Ilerael was in the Council chamber with the others. Auriel could have joined Anaurael, but she had to help keep the Angelic Host under control for the rare event. Xavian and Lorath were both amazed at the chamber they were in. They were also honored and humbled to be there.
Tyrael was actually a touch nervous. Itherael hovered near him calmly to give him support. As for Imperius, he still had doubts on everything. Darius, Azarius, and Mithus were standing dutifully near him. When Gurzick appeared, it was Darius that moved quickly to keep him hidden.
"Yes?" Darius asked.
"Good gown. She has, ah, better. Yes! Better gown. For him. Hidden," Gurzick whispered in his broken way to get the words right. "Ah! Gifts! For...um. Fallen One. Yes?"
"Fallen? You mean Tyrael?"
"Yes. Him. Here," Gurzick said and handed over the ring and the sword. Darius chuckled at the ring. But, it was the sword that had him speechless.
"The blessed Azurewrath...!" he breathed out. "Thank you."
"Yes. I watch. Far," Gurzick nodded and teleported away. Darius now moved over to Tyrael's side to hand over the ring. Tyrael chuckled softly, but then he paled at the sight of the sword.
"Where did you find this?!" he demanded.
"Greed had it. I think it was a gift now. With the ring," Darius said somberly. El'druin even seemed to glow softly to shed a form of its own sorrow. Imperius recognized the glowing blue sword and was now at their side to find out more.
"Is that...?!" Imperius hissed.
"Yes. Azurewrath," Tyrael said sadly.
"I wonder if Anaurael can help Izual," Itherael said when he hovered over now. Imperius was now deep in thought about this.
"He can't be reborn from the Lightsong. He is too much of the Burning Hells now," Tyrael said.
"But, he was originally an angel. It may be possible. If we find him and imprison him to see how he is..." Itherael said, as he mused aloud. "I shall consult with Talus'ar later."
"Please do," Tyrael said with a nod. Mithus was able to take Azurewrath and set it in a safe place to be studied later. The event about to happen was too important. At the arrival of Lilaurael when she moved to stand where Ilerael was, the entire chamber hushed. Then, on Izarius's arm, Anaurael appeared in the glittering gown of gold and diamonds. Imperius was completely in shock at first, but Malthael was able to whisper behind him that a better gown was hidden away. That had him relax considerably.
"Greed took care of it. I have not yet seen the other gown. But, I am sure that the one she is wearing will pale in comparison. Worry not," Malthael said.
"Azurewrath was given back to us," Imperius muttered to him. "Itherael wants to see if Izual can have his own form of redemption."
"Truly? If it can be done, I would look into it. Do so," Malthael agreed. Imperius nodded and watched Anaurael move silently. Her parents approached her first to hug her and whisper their soft blessings. Then she approached Tyrael calmly. She was given Bul-Kathos's Wedding Band to slip on his finger when his gauntlet was removed. Then he kissed her softly. There were no vows spoken. No other things needed to be done. This was enough.
"If any question them, we can say that we all bore witness to this event," Auriel said. "However, Imperius needs to go to the Crystal Arch."
"For what purpose?" he asked.
"For another union to happen," Itherael nodded. "Talus'ar confirmed it. We couldn't say anything. It had to be kept quiet until now."
"Wait..." Anaurael frowned.
"You have another gown to wear, right?" Lilaurael chuckled.
"Mother! Father?!" she gasped.
"Go change. Izarius, help her," Malthael nodded.
"But...that gown was just to be for Imperius!" she blushed.
"And, it will be just for him. After this," Itherael said. Tyrael was surprised, but he chuckled. I'll definitely bear witness to this. Now in Imperius's sanctum, Izarius was impressed at the gown that rested on the throne. When Gurzick appeared with jewelry to accent the dress, her jaw dropped. At the sight of the earrings, she sighed.
"My ears are not pierced, so I cannot wear earrings," she frowned.
"Aww!" Gurzick pouted. "Pretty!"
"I know. But, they would hurt me, if I tried. Maybe later on I can try to get them pierced. But, right now, I cannot wear them. I can wear the necklace, though," she smiled. Gurzick nodded and handed over the elaborate gold and diamond necklace. It seemed to be a string of laced gold and diamonds with a heavy diamond pendant as the centerpiece. Hair clips were carefully set in after the tricky gown was settled on her. Then the necklace was placed around her throat elegantly. Her circlet bearing Imperius's circlet likeness was easily adjusted to accept everything. Her rings were still kept on, too. There was no need to remove them.
"Do you know how to use this?" Izarius asked when he saw the makeup kit.
"Yes. I do," she sighed. A small mirror was with the kit, and she was able to carefully apply everything as neatly as she could. When her mother came in, she rolled her eyes lightly.
"That is a bit too much makeup. Let me help," her mother smiled.
"Of course, Mother," she smiled back.
"And your father plans to escort you. Izarius, you can join the others. You can help escort her when she appears, if you like," Lilaurael said.
"I can do that," Izarius nodded and teleported away. Malthael was able to stay where Imperius was. He decided to see her when he did. And he was glad that he did. Once the Crystal Arch was ready and filled with various angels, Tyrael stood just beyond the glowing white pillars with Xavian and Lorath. Imperius stood near the center of the two arches of glowing Light. When Anaurael finally appeared arm in arm with her parents, he was speechless at her beauty. The gown she wore earlier clearly did pale in comparison to what she wore now.
This gown's golden ruffles easily trailed past her by a good five feet. She didn't hold any flowers, but that was fine. Everything about her sparkled and glittered. From the silver threading inlaid along the gold threading, to the diamonds that decorated her, it only heightened her angelic aura. Even her molten gold hair seemed to flutter out behind her beautifully. But, it was her mark that glowed vibrantly in tune with Imperius's own glow. When she passed Izarius, he moved to walk behind her with his other three brethren. The sight was purely impressive.
"Are you all right?" Lorath whispered to Tyrael.
"I am. I'm just...amazed at how beautiful she truly is," he smiled. All of the High Heavens was speechless at this. When she finally reached Imperius, he clasped her hands in his. There was only one thing he had to say to seal everything in front of all of them.
"I love you," he said solemnly.
"I love you," she said back just as reverently. Small gasps were heard all around, but they were ignored, as he moved to gather her up in his arms and kiss her with a passion that unrivaled anything they shared before. Itherael could only nod silently. Imperius finally admitted his love to her in front of the High Heavens. All had come to pass as Talus'ar had said.
"Do not look for us," Imperius said sternly for them all to hear.
"We know," Ilerael smiled softly.
"Would you like me to prepare a meal for her?" Izarius asked.
"In my sanctum. Let it be ready there. And, Tyrael, you shall rest with her after she rests with me. You need to eat something, anyways," Imperius seemed to snort at him.
"Yes, I'll get right on that," Tyrael chuckled. At Lilaurael's small glare, he threw up his hands. "I just told him I'm going to eat!"
A round of laughter and chuckles followed. Xavian and Lorath were already making plans to set up expeditions to the wild jungles the moment Greed's scouting goblins provided crucial evidence that the library existed. They would even talk to the new heroes to assist. It was possible that they would. With that now underway, Imperius was quick to teleport with Anaurael back to his inner sanctum. He waited patiently for Izarius to set up a small platter with an amazing assortment of meat, cheese, and delicacies. Likely provided from Greed. After the pitcher of water was set down, his sanctum sealed up.
"I should eat first," she muttered and gasped at the fiery touch Imperius did to her neck. He didn't become his core form just yet.
"I know," he agreed. "You will eat, as I'm with you."
"You will feed me?" she mused. At this, he seemed to pause.
"As much as I would detest such a thing," he started. Then he looked at some of the fruits. "I will not touch the flesh of charred creatures. Or anything that looks substantially soft and damp. But, I can handle something like this..."
"Oh?" she smiled and blinked at the small, green grape he fed her now. "You know, forks are made to help with such a thing. You don't have to touch anything."
At this, he picked up the gold fork, skewered the largest chunk of meat he found, and held it up to her. That got her laughing. Setting the piece back down, as it was way too big for her to possibly attempt to chew without slicing up with a knife, he now ignored the platter and showed her what true hunger really meant to him with his core form. And his appetite was insatiable.