Malthael was lost in his own thoughts ever since he saw her at the Crystal Arch. She was stunning. Completely stunning. But, now she was in danger. Far more than I care to admit. That danger is from other angels. Right after the small gathering had happened, he noticed a small group of angelic warriors that wandered off. He was able to follow them. Not too far, as Anu was also concerned and granted him a temporary reprieve to follow them, but he overheard what they planned. Not all of it was to benefit the High Heavens. It concerned him deeply.
Now that he knew of this, he wanted to talk to her. To spend time with her and tell her what to expect. But, that was near impossible with Tyrael so close to her. Or was it? Sensing that she just fell asleep, he quickly found her resting with Tyrael's angelic form by the jungle waterfall. It had become one of her favorite places.
When he landed, she smiled and waved at him. He paused at the gown she was wearing. She was able to bring in the stretch velvet gown of gold, but lacked the corset part. Regaining himself, he nodded and walked over calmly.
"Tyrael, I wish to speak with her alone," he said lightly. "For a small time."
"Oh? That's fine," Tyrael nodded. He whispered to her to have her blush, kissed her gently and let her move to Malthael's side. He would know where she was now. Malthael scooped her up and took off into flight. He aimed for a cliffside waterfall retreat. Setting her here, he crouched down and pulled her into his lap to look at the roaring waterfall down below them.
"Is everything well?" she asked.
"You would think so," Malthael murmured and let out a long sigh when she leaned into him. "I was...amazed...at how you looked. At the Crystal Arch."
"I'm sure many were."
"But, it was because of that..."
"Hmm?"
"A new dilemma has come."
"Oh?"
"You were told how various angels were thinking of removing their wings?"
"I was told this," she nodded.
"It...may have been done. And these angels are young. Careless. They are less than a hundred years old, and very inexperienced. They sought to remove their wings only to get close to you."
"What?! Imperius should know!" she frowned.
"He will in time. I had to tell you first to keep him in check. Same with Tyrael. These new ones may attempt to join the Horadrim. You cannot let them get close to you!" he growled and squeezed her.
"Were any of them female warriors?"
"No. That is what disturbed me. There are more than half of the High Heavens that see you as family. The rest are...questionable at best. We may need to consult Chalad'ar. But, you do need rest. So does Tyrael. So, for now, you are safe. However, I am going to need to consult Izarius. Stay here."
"You cannot be elsewhere with me? To be here and elsewhere?"
"In your mind, I cannot. I cannot be in two places at once. Such a thing is not possible. I was surprised that I was able to linger as I did for as long as I did from the Crystal Arch, but I feel that Anu may have had a hand in that. There is not much else to say. So, I will tell you this again. Stay here."
"Of course," she nodded. He kissed her softly, moved her to sit on a small boulder, and took off into the mental sky. She was very worried now. How many angels removed their wings? When she felt a set of hands on her shoulders, she trembled.
"Something is wrong. I felt it," Imperius growled.
"Malthael just told me..." she swallowed. "a group of angels removed their wings after seeing me with you at the Crystal Arch. He overheard them talk. And, it...wasn't for any other reason than to join the Horadrim to meet with me."
"WHAT?!" he thundered angrily. She rested her hands over his, and he glowered inwardly. He forced himself to calm down before noticing where she was. "You are alone?"
"Malthael went to inform Izarius. To increase the watch on me."
"Good. I would have thought you were with Tyrael."
"Malthael asked to speak with me alone. It was likely to keep Tyrael's mortal body sleeping."
"I see. Good strategy. When Malthael returns, I will hear what he has to say. Then I shall send scouts to see where these angels have gone. They will answer to me!"
"I know they will," she sighed and found herself cradled in his arms. He knew she was a touch afraid now. As much as she would be overjoyed to see new mortal angels, it was the reason why they became mortal. If she was to spend any time in Sanctuary, it would have to be fleeting. Demons and humans were no longer the only threat. He hated the thought of it.
"Hush, my ward," he soothed and kissed her lovingly. "You are mine. You know this. I know this. They will have to go through me to get to you. Do not worry so."
She sighed and let him continue to cradle her. She began to get drowsy in her own thoughts. Even though she wasn't physically pregnant, the pregnancy her soul bore was starting to affect her. A light sleep did take over, and he gave a mild glance at Malthael when he returned.
"I figured you would sense her distress," he said.
"Indeed," Imperius nodded. "She told me what was going on."
"I'm sure of that. And, it is true."
"Do you know how many?"
"About six. Roughly. It could be more or less. Word does spread in the High Heavens."
"Izarius knows?"
"He does now."
"What do you make of this?"
"I would say to consult Chalad'ar, but Tyrael needs rest. At least a good four hours."
"As does she. Very well."
"Izarius is informing the others. Including her parents. Itherael knows, too."
"Can Talus'ar explain this?"
"Hmm. I shall check."
"Bring him here when he is able."
"I shall," Malthael nodded and flew off. A short while later, Itherael returned with him.
"I studied this extensively," Itherael said. "How is she?"
"Resting," Imperius nodded.
"Good. So far, up to ten of our rank is missing. I have detected intense energy signatures that dissipated in various parts of the High Heavens," Itherael sighed.
"So, they split up to keep from being noticed," Malthael mused.
"Do we have names?" Imperius growled.
"Not yet. But, that will be rectified," Itherael said.
"Any that remove their wings to only see her is now considered a rogue!" Imperius stated.
"Agreed," Malthael nodded.
"Understood," Itherael gave his own nod. "I shall inform Auriel."
"Bring Tyrael here. Let him know of what it is going on," Imperius said. Malthael flew off and returned with a very angry Tyrael. Imperius glanced at him, and they both nodded to each other. Malthael was a touch disturbed, as he did want time alone with her, but that could happen later. This was too important to ignore.
"What are we to do?" Tyrael asked.
"Chalad'ar may need to be consulted. However, you and Anaurael both need rest," Malthael said. "Her parents have been informed. Izarius has also been informed."
"When do I inform Auriel?" Itherael asked.
"I shall tell her," Malthael said. He looked over at Izarius landing to stand with them now.
"Darius, Azarius, and Mithus now know. I also informed Lorath and Xavian. They are both appalled. Anyways, what do we do now?" Izarius asked.
"I wonder..." Malthael mused. "We may not need Chalad'ar. That Vecin seer. The one that was able to see powerful visions. She may know more."
"You think so?" Tyrael asked.
"Yes. The whole reason that she said that Izarius was to be for Anaurael was to irk me into visiting her dreams," Malthael smirked. Imperius glared at him with shock. He didn't know this. Tyrael was also staring at him with surprise. "Ah. You didn't know?"
"No. Izarius?!" Imperius growled.
"She is my sister. The news was false," Izarius said solemnly. "I could not bring myself to do anything to her, if I even tried. It was...shameful...to think of anything more."
"Good," Tyrael nodded.
"And, why did she want to speak with you?" Imperius asked Malthael.
"To ensure I wouldn't do anything blasphemous with my champion body. That was mainly it," Malthael shrugged. Itherael remained silent, but he nodded with understanding. He knew the other reason for the visit. So did Izarius.
"How did you contact Myriam?" Tyrael asked.
"In her dreams. It was...easy," Malthael shrugged. "I can do the same thing now."
"Do it. We'll wait," Imperius nodded. Malthael nodded back and vanished. As they waited patiently, Myriam was busy sorting a few charms and coins that she had received from various heroes as payments for enchanting their gears. She glanced up and her jaw dropped at seeing Malthael standing over her in a menacing, yet peaceful, way.
"I'm not truly here. It's your mind. I...marked your mental focus to find you. From my last visit. It does not interfere with your thoughts or ways. It is only to track you down. I have something I need to ask. Imperius decided to send me. Your answer must be truthful," Malthael said.
"You need to remove your mark from me!" she snapped.
"I cannot. You could remove it, but only if you know how. Since you do not, I can find you," Malthael crossed his arms over his chest. "Several angels fell from Heaven. Their intentions are...questionable. Do you see anything?"
"I..." she started and paused. "Yes. They will all be quite rude to you."
"I see."
"And...the girl...do not leave her alone in their company," she said gravely.
"That is an obvious given. Nothing else?"
"Hmm. Ah. Yes. The new place. The library. There is a secret there that Tyrael knows. He must find it. I can say nothing more."
"Good to know."
"He will not remember until he gets there. Do not say anything to him, or he may forget fully."
"I shall say nothing."
"Ah! One last thing," she said. "Imperius did something with the girl. You can feel it?"
"Hmm...I...no! Can it be?!" Malthael was actually surprised.
"If it happens again, Tyrael will be blocked. What Imperius put in her is enough. You can work with the girl's body in your favor. You could have both," the Vecin seer winked.
"I could have both..." Malthael thought. "Imperius and Tyrael to make..."
"Just do not abuse this new position of power. Agreed?"
"For this knowledge...I shall let you live, if anything else does happen," Malthael seemed to smirk. That got her to scoff at him. He would never give her a straight answer over that. He liked to let her be the one to question her own visions. When he returned to Anaurael's mind, he informed them of what he was told about the rogue angels.
"Sacrilege!" Itherael hissed. "They truly do cause ill intent?!"
"They do," Malthael nodded.
"What are we to do?" Izarius asked.
"She remains in Heaven, unless accompanied by either myself or Tyrael," Imperius said. "Izarius, you shall also need to be vigilant."
"Always," Izarius nodded. When Anaurael finally stirred and saw who was there, she gasped.
"We were discussing the rogue angels," Itherael said gently.
"Rogue?" she frowned.
"The ones that removed their wings," Imperius grumbled.
"I see," she sighed and calmed him with a touch to his cheek.
"I cannot leave your side," Izarius said. She smiled at him, and he said, "They will cause too much damage. It would be unwise."
"I know," she agreed. She yawned again and felt intense relief at the squeeze Imperius gave her. "How much more should I sleep?"
"A few more hours. Same with Tyrael," Malthael said.
"I can agree to that. When we wake, I shall go ahead and start locating the library," Tyrael said.
"I need to see to the troops again," Imperius said. "Itherael, inform Auriel of what is happening. Scouts will need to be sent to find the culprits."
"Of course. We shall go through the ranks and find out who went missing. They will be searched for relentlessly," Itherael nodded. He truly did see Anu's champion as his own son, too. He wanted nothing to harm the developing offspring. Imperius gave Anaurael over to Tyrael to hold, and he vanished back to oversee the troops. Before Itherael left, she gestured for him. "Yes?"
"It is good to see you working so closely with Imperius," she smiled.
"I know. Since he is in more control of his actions and thoughts, it is much easier to work with him again. This was how he was before the bitter rage infused in him. It is a relief to all of us," Itherael admitted gently. "The moment you were born, the changes began for the better. I must say, though. It is...very odd to hear him laugh."
"Tell me about it," Tyrael chuckled. Anaurael giggled. Malthael seemed to smirk, but he looked over at Izarius. The guardian Archangel was very disturbed on everything.
"What are your thoughts?" Malthael asked him.
"I want to tell Gurzick what is going on. Greed can help us find them," Izarius said.
"Ah! That he could," Itherael said. "Do that."
"Anaurael?" Tyrael whispered to her at the wince she did.
"Even in sleep, I still feel what is left of the cramping," she whispered back. "I'll be fine."
"Are you sure?" he asked. She rested her hand on his invisible cheek and smiled with a nod.
"Set me down?" she asked. He squeezed her and put her on her feet. She didn't feel comfortable to be cradled by any others. Being held while upright was fine. Even sitting in one's lap to get held was fine. But, to be cradled like an infant was something reserved for Imperius. Izarius was able to get away with it by being strictly her brother to comfort her. If she was too drowsy to think, others would be able to do it, too. But, when she was aware, she only wanted Imperius to hold her like that.
"Anaurael?" Izarius asked. She was trembling. Malthael let out a hiss and vanished. He reappeared to stand next to Imperius in his Halls of Valor. He was training his troops again from the mild meditation he just did.
"Malthael?" Imperius asked.
"She is suffering. Go back to her," he growled. "You need to hold her."
"Physically?"
"Preferably."
"Done," Imperius nodded and teleported away to her bedroom. Malthael had Izarius regain himself to help Imperius lift her from the bed. Tyrael forced his mortal form to sleep. It was needed. Itherael took this time to finally find Auriel to tell her what needed to be done. After Anaurael was taken away to Imperius's sanctum to get fully held and reconciled, Tyrael's mental angelic form regarded Malthael. He shrugged slightly.
"She missed him greatly. She wanted him to hold her," Malthael said.
"And his troops?" Tyrael sighed.
"Titharius did recover himself. The troops will be fine," Malthael nodded. Tyrael nodded back and now decided to recall what he could of the library. Something was nagging at him to remember a very important thing. Malthael kept quiet. There was no need for him to say anything. Myriam warned him to say nothing. He was good at that.