The entire spike was able to be carefully removed and taken out of the Burning Hells. The demons there would see Greed Goblins hooting and hollering at their find with small tools to show that they were able to extract the wounded angel. Greed was going to be enjoying himself by sending off other demons on false hunts. It was what he always did to piss off the demons even more that tried to find him. He was never found. The moment Inarius was transported to Pandemonium, there were several angels waiting to carefully haul the spiked angel to the High Heavens.

"We have it from here," Izarius said. "Thank you."

"You are welcome. I hope he lives," the Nephalem sighed.

"Do you?"

"He is our ancestor. If he does not...well...he will be free of pain."

"That he will be. I will notify you of what happens. Please inform Tyrael. I need to prepare Inarius and Izual at the Crystal Arch," Izarius nodded.

"I would like to witness this," the Nephalem said. "if it is possible."

"Can I, too?!" Lyndon asked.

"I may be able to let you in," Izarius said to the Nephalem. "but I am not sure about you."

"I'll behave! I promise!" Lyndon begged. The champion only gave an eye roll at the situation and shook a head. At the small shrug to show it was the angel's decision, Izarius thought hard.

"I can't let you. This situation is too dire. If one thing goes wrong, you will be seen at fault and cast out. After how you explored the High Heavens before, and almost got yourself killed, it will not work. Go back to New Tristram and wait there," the powerful angel said.

"But...!" Lyndon started again, but several other angels glared at him with mistrust.

"May I bring Kormac?" the Nephalem asked.

"Yes. He will work," Izarius nodded. The large, honor bound man respected everything. He would be tolerable. Even the Enchantress, too. "You can even bring Eirena."

"Good! I am sure that she will enjoy it," the champion nodded.

"That's not fair!" Lyndon scowled.

"The only way you will be allowed is if Imperius permits it," Izarius said. "I can ask him."

"But, he'll say no!" he pouted.

"All the more reason for you to stay behind, right?" the angel seemed to chuckle.

"Please ask. I'm tired of his complaining," the Nephalem grumbled. Lyndon beamed like a spoiled child that got his way. Izarius gave a mild shrug and teleported to Imperius. At the situation explained, the massive Archangel was not pleased.

"Imperius, love, let him watch. However, he is not allowed to leave the Nephalem's side. The moment he does, he goes back to Sanctuary. No warning. No complaining. The moment he agrees to this, he is bound," Anaurael said. She had dressed in a gown that held stitched in diamonds all through it to sparkle and reflect the sunlight as she walked.

"Very well," Imperius nodded. Izarius agreed to this and teleported to deliver the news. "You have rested enough for this? I know it may not be easy for you."

"Nothing ever is," she frowned. "But, I shall work with Izual first. From what I hear about Inarius's wounds, he may be the more difficult one. I will need to conserve my strength."

"That you will. Come now," he said and rested a large hand against her back to help guide her to the Crystal Arch. She leaned into him, as they walked, and he finally found himself cradling her in his arms to carry her there. When she closed her eyes, she found Malthael standing before her.

"This may be difficult," Malthael sighed. "I shall help you as much as I can."

"Thank you," she smiled.

"Also, we will need to be together again. The next time you are with Tyrael, I will need to be with you, too. Maybe after this. The champion is close to forming again. However, Tyrael's angelic essence will need to assist, too. Have him be with you like that next time. Such as what happened before. I know it will be needed."

"Remind him when you see him again," she nodded.

"I shall do that. And, you should open your eyes. We're here," he said gently. He was still standing with her when her eyes did open. Tyrael was also there with Myriam. The Vecin seer wanted to witness the event. Itherael moved to Anaurael's side to place a hand on her shoulder with concern.

"Do be wary. Izual's mind is far more shattered than many know. It is easy to become lost within it. I worry for you," Itherael admitted.

"I should be fine," she smiled and patted his hand. He squeezed her shoulder and nodded to Auriel when she appeared. Even she seemed tense with worry.

"I do hope that he can be saved," Auriel said. "But, Itherael is correct. Please take caution."

"I will," Anaurael nodded. Her parents were next to appear, and they walked over with Tyrael.

"None of us know what to expect," Tyrael said.

"She knows," Lilaurael smiled and hugged her daughter. Her father was next to hug her. When Izual was brought out, Imperius gave a wary glance at him. Then he looked at her.

"I will be watching you," Imperius said.

"Good," Anaurael nodded. He pulled her into his arms to hug her to him. Then he set her down and let her move to stand in front of Izual. He was still bound and gagged. He was also trying to focus. Being so close to the Arch of Heaven was painful. Excruciatingly painful. But, it was only because his current form was not angelic. Anaurael's mark flared out with a form of sympathy when she gazed at him to regard him. He was on his knees with his head hanging low. His form was so large that his head was easily level with hers this way. He couldn't stand from how his clawed feet were bound together, but it only made things easier for her. It also ensured that he couldn't harm her.

Malthael watched everything closely. Even Gurzick was there and hiding in the distance behind Darius. When the Nephalem appeared with the three mercenaries, Mithus walked over to help them settle in. Izarius and Azarius stood close by to protect her if something happened.

"This could go poorly, if she loses focus," Myriam frowned.

"Then don't let her lose focus," Malthael said when he appeared behind her. She seemed to glare at him, but returned her attention to the girl.

"Let me find you," Anaurael said gently. Izual tried to pull back. He tried to keep her touch from resting on him. When both of her hands were able to firmly, yet gently, settle on each side of his temples, he found himself relaxing. As though a form of peace was finally going to come to him. He stopped fighting her. When her mark flared out again, he gave out a deep sigh, closed his glowing, ice blue eyes, and let her peer into his mind.

She found herself on a floating spot of land among a mass shore of others. On each one she hopped to, she uncovered a memory. As she revealed and pieced together each memory, she began to knit his mind back together. Slowly, carefully, and with a form of sisterly care she did this. She didn't step on the plots of land that looked dark and twisted. She stayed on the ones that looked like they still held life. She didn't know it, but it was these parts of his mind that retained his angelic roots. The dark spots represented the madness that the demons ingrained in him.

For three hours, she was fully focused on pulling the living spots of land together. With each memory she uncovered, she was able to sift it and place it into the proper timeline it had to be in. It was a lot of work. When she found the one of him getting caught by the demons, she knew she was at the end, and she had no plans to bring in the parts that showed his torment. When he was almost whole, she saw one final spot of land in the distance. It was beyond the wave of corrupted lands. She knew that if she moved into any of that corruption that all of her work would be undone. She sent a single, silent plea for his help. To bring that land closer. This had to be his decision to do this.

Very slowly, the land began to nudge towards her. When it got closer, she saw his angelic form chained to it. The way he was chained down from the thorny chains looked painful. Being on his back with his wings unable to move, much less able to stretch his limbs out, was quite uncomfortable for him. This was one of the ways the demons tortured him. They did other things, too, but those memories would not be touched. When she reached out a mental hand to the island he was trapped on, he seemed to pull back. He was unsure that he would be forgiven. At another plea for her to help him, the tormented angel finally looked at her from his hood of white and silver.

"I can't..." he whispered weakly. "I have done so much wrong..."

"Anu forgives you. He had the Angelic Host find you and bring you back. You are still his son," she said softly. At this, Izual seemed to tremble. "We were going to find you, too. To help you. Yes, Tyrael is a mortal now, but he still saw you as his best friend. His brother. He wants you whole. They all want you whole. They are all waiting for you."

"And the rest of my mind? What will happen?"

"It will be cleansed. But, only if you accept Anu's forgiveness."

"Who...are you?"

"I am Anaurael. I am the Light that Imperius has lost. I am also the one that will give Anu another chance to be reborn to champion the High Heavens."

"So...that explains the Light..."

"Yes," she smiled. "Brother, let me heal you."

"I...I want to...be whole again. To think for myself...but...why did Tyrael abandon me?"

"He did not abandon you. The demonic horde overcame you. They dragged you down. He tried to reach you. His sorrow was great when you were lost. He tried to save you again, too."

"He did? I can't remember..."

"Yes. He did," she nodded. He didn't remember, only because that memory was tainted and not needed. "He was able to free your soul, but your mind was still shattered. It was in another place, though. He grieved when he could not bring you back."

"I gave over so many secrets..."

"You can fix what was broken. You are being given another chance. Will you take it?"

"Yes," he said now. The island he was on finally plowed through the rest of the way to her. When she stepped on the island he was on, the land merged to what she already fixed. She removed his bonds and helped his massive form stand up. He was larger than Titharius was from his status. He was a lieutenant of Justice before, but I'm sure that he would simply become Tyrael's guard in the High Heavens. At this thought, she knew she would bring it up later. Now she had to show that he was forgiven. She hugged him tight to show she was there.

"This next part may hurt. We have to separate you from the demon that was you. I did not touch the memories of you that showed how you lived as a demon. Your torment will also be purged to make you whole again. All of those memories will be purged from you shortly. Are you ready?" she asked. He squeezed her and nodded.

"I want this finished," he said. She opened her eyes and found Izual's glowing, ice blue gaze looking at her with a form of relief. Then he nodded to show he was in control. She removed the gag from his mouth, hugged him fully now, and let her molten gold hair settle over his form to shield him. Imperius recognized this from Titharius's corruption from before. Solarion was quickly called and ready.

"Bear the pain with me, brother!" she whispered, and her mark flared out vibrantly. He screamed from the pain that wracked his body. His form seemed to split, as the demon finally got separated from the angel. All of the corruption and torment in his mind was moved to this alternate form. And it was a powerful form. But, it was still no match against Imperius and Solarion. The Nephalem was ready to help in the attack, but the Angelic Host was present. The battle was done the moment it started.

When it was over, Izual was once again resplendent with silver armor. His massive, white tendrils of wings flared out from his form once more. His bonds were quickly removed, and he gathered her up in his arms to hold her. In a deep tone, he whispered, "I have a sister. A baby sister. I never would have imagined such a thing. And my sister helped me..."

"That I did," she smiled and pressed a chaste kiss to his invisible mouth, as she hugged him back. He didn't want to let her go just yet. His new freedom was almost too good to be true. "I need to see to another now. We shall have more time to talk. Tyrael has much to tell you. Yes, he is mortal, as I said before, but he is just as dear to me as Imperius is. There is a reason for this. There is much that needs to be done. Let him fill you in, as I see to the next one. Any can fill you in now."

"Who is this next one?" he asked.

"Inarius. No, don't give me that tense look! Anu wants him forgiven, too," she said.

"If Anu wishes him forgiven, then it shall be done," Izual nodded.

"Just so you know, the Horadrim has been reestablished. Tyrael is still not fully accepted here in the High Heavens. You could be his right-hand man once again here. To oversee what needs to be done for him. To be his guard and best friend, as you were before. He is now the Aspect of Wisdom. He needs allies here. Desperately," she frowned.

"And now he has me once again," he nodded. "I shall speak with him the moment I am able."

"Good!" she smiled and let him hug her again before having him set her down. "Bring out Inarius, please? Let me try and heal him."

"Come here first," Imperius said. She nodded and moved to his side to get swept up into his arms. He moved her away from the area. He didn't want her to see the state that Inarius was in. "I am very proud of you! You did exceptionally well. I am sure it was challenging?"

"Touch my mark, and you will see," she smiled. Nodding, he pressed his thumb to her forehead. He was in shock at how severe it was.

"It was good that you avoided the corruption."

"If I did not, I felt that I would have undone everything," she frowned. "I had to stay away from it. I am very glad that he was able to bring himself to me, too."

"Of course," he agreed. "I am worried about Inarius, though. I saw the state he was in."

"It's that bad?" she whispered.

"I may have to comfort you when you are done," he said gently. At that, she could only cringe and nod. She wrapped her arms around his neck and shivered. "Are you focused?"

"I am. It's just...thinking of what I must do. I know I will need you after all of this," she admitted. He was able to kiss her and squeeze her again before setting her down. Inarius was now set before the Arch of Heaven. And, when she saw his state, she screamed and ran over to him.

"She needs to focus!" Myriam urged.

"Anaurael," Malthael whispered to her gently when he appeared at her side. "Yes, he is in pain. You must focus past this pain. You can do this."

"I know! I just...this damage is so extensive!" Anaurael hissed out.

"He was made to suffer. Just keep focus," he reminded her. Itherael could only watch with the others helplessly. Lyndon was actually concerned for her now. Gurzick was even keeping close watch for Greed. No one knew how she was going to be able to help Inarius.

"Can you hear me?" Anaurael asked softly.

"Yes..." Inarius said weakly.

"Anu forgives you. You are his lost son. Izual was just made whole, and he was also forgiven by Anu. Tell me," she said and managed to crouch down to let him see her. "do you want to live?"

"If...I can..." he gasped.

"You would see me as a sister?" she smiled.

"I would..." he nodded slightly. She reached up with her hands and gently placed them on each side of his temples. He shuddered with pain at first before relaxing. She was checking his mind first. It wasn't as shattered as Izual's was, but she still had to piece various parts of it together. The torment did much to his angelic psyche. He had to be mentally whole before she could attempt anything physically. His torment was extensive, but she didn't have to take so long to mend the lands together. It was still quite tedious, though.

When she finally saw him in the distance on his island, he was standing in such a way that showed shame. He had much of his silver armor restored here, and he had a bit more cloth than armor, but his wings looked frail compared to what they should be from his lack of Light. His feet were bound down to the island. The binding represented the spike that bound his body to it. It was also a show of doubt. As much as he said what he did physically, his mental state was another matter.

"Inarius," she said softly, and he rose up his armored hand.

"I have many sins," he admitted. "I became a renegade angel. I brought this on myself."

"Anu seeks to forgive you. It is why I am here," she said softly.

"But...why? Why would he forgive me?" he asked. "All I have done was go against everything that was ever asked of me. I stole. I hid. I sinned."

"Anu is going to have a champion born from me," she said. "A sense of rebirth. As to why he wants to forgive you, I am unsure. But...he told me this."

"How? Anu is dead! All that remains of him is a pillar of bone."

"That is your way of sin talking. Anu is still alive. If he was not, then you would not be where you are now," she said. Her mark flared out brilliantly, as though to confirm it.

"That glow..."

"I am the missing Light of Imperius. It is from him that Anu is being reborn from me."

"So...you have been with...?"

"Yes. I have no demon taint. My parents were both angels in the High Heavens. They removed their wings and fled to Sanctuary to make me," she nodded. "Imperius sensed me and found me on the night of my birth. He marked me."

"I would say that he also sinned, but..."

"He did not lay with demons. He does not even truly lay with me. But, yes, when Anu wanted to forgive you, all of Heaven was against it. But, it was Anu's choice. They had to bring you back."

"And they would not have, if Anu paid me no mind."

"No. You would have been left to suffer. But, Anu did forgive you! You being here is proof of that! Me talking to you now is proof of that! Please, Inarius...I do want to help you. Ever since I learned of you, I wanted to help you. I want to see you whole again."

"I will be watched. I will not be trusted."

"Tyrael removed his wings to become mortal, you know. He is not fully trusted, either, but he and Imperius have a pact for me. You will learn of it in time. Yes, you will be watched, but you will not be harmed. Anu will ensure that. Even I will. The only time mistrust would ever build is if you go against Heaven again. Or even cause harm to me."

"I could never cause harm to you," he muttered.

"All you need to do is see me as your sister. All here are my brothers. Save Imperius and Tyrael. Such is the way it needs to be with them," she whispered and seemed to look away.

"You hurt over that?"

"I only wish to be with Imperius. But...well...it's a long story. You will learn of it in time. Right now, my main concern is you. You need to fully accept what needs to be done. That you want to become whole in both mind and body. If you do not..."

"Then you cannot help me," he said.

"No. I would not be able to," she frowned.

"You said you managed to heal Izual?"

"Yes. His mind was far more shattered than yours. Your physical state is far worse than your mental. I actually screamed when I saw you," she shivered.

"I was...suffering...for a very long time..." he nodded.

"I can try to end your suffering. Will you let me?" she asked. "To help you become whole? To let you be my brother?"

"I want the torment to end...to be accepted again..." he trembled.

"It is truly what you wish for?" she smiled now.

"Yes...sister. It is," he nodded and looked at her. She watched his island slowly pull to her, and she stepped on it to free him. He hugged her and trembled with her. "I don't know...if I will live through this. My body is on the verge of collapse."

"I know. I will do all I can," she said. "Now, wake with me. Let me heal you."

When they both came to, she was able to press a small kiss to his forehead and back away. She didn't dare to press a kiss to his lips. He was used to such pleasure, and the last thing she wanted was to spark that when it wasn't needed. I will be his sister, but I will show such affection at an arm's length. Even Malthael agreed to her mental thought.

"I have been studying what binds him," Malthael said. "as you were in his mind. I have an idea. Will you hear it?"

"Yes, Malthael. Any ideas you have, I will hear," she nodded.

"Malthael?" Izual asked from where he stood.

"He locked a piece of himself in her mind before he got killed. She can see his mental state now. He latched onto her. He will be reborn as a mortal champion, and as my son," Tyrael said.

"So...that's how...you are like...Imperius?" Inarius managed to ask.

"Yes. I also have a piece of myself in her mind. My true angelic self. So, I can see him. Any that lock themselves in her mind can see him easily. There are other benefits, too. As to what they are, speak with myself or Imperius later. Malthael, what do you have in mind?" Tyrael asked. Izarius was ready to pay close attention. He would help instruct the others.

"If we can remove the top and lower portions of this torturing spike first," Malthael said. "we may be able to slowly push the rest out. The rings that currently adorn him are heavily regenerative. He can heal, as we pull the spike out. We should work with the smaller ones first in his limbs. Then the larger ones. The main one in his chest will be last. We need to stop the bleeding in his limbs to give him the strength to overcome the last hurdle."

"Agreed," Imperius said and relayed what was needed.

"I call forth my brother guards and Izual. The five of you will be strong enough to help," Anaurael said. "Tyrael, can you reunite Izual with Azurewrath?"

"You have my sword?!" Izual gasped. When it was presented to him, he took it with a trembling motion. Even the blade seemed overjoyed to be reunited with him at long last. When the elated feeling passed, he turned to look at Anaurael now. "Sister! What must I do?"

"Focus on removing as much of the outer spikes that you see to make them easier to move. Oh! Get Titharius! He can help provide mental support," she said.

"He will be here," Imperius said. There was only one worry on his mind. The last thing I want is for Inarius to be freed to track down Lilith. He would have guards watching his every move. Anu may have forgiven him, but much of the High Heavens still resented the renegade angel. At this new thought, Imperius moved to mutter softly to Tyrael.

"Chalad'ar. We will consult with it after this," Tyrael muttered back.

"Good," Imperius nodded slightly. Itherael seemed to sigh. He knew what was to come, but he couldn't say anything. They all watched various parts of the spike get chiseled down. Then they were tossed out of the Heavens from a nearby ledge. The moment small pieces were removed from Inarius's hands, the holes sealed up. When his limbs were freed, they healed up. Slowly his body began to rebuild itself. When it finally got down to his chest wound, Titharius was quick to give mental support.

"You are stronger than this!" the lieutenant said sternly. "You survived pain and torture for a whole millennia! You can overcome this last hurdle! Impress us. Show us that you are all you are meant to be. Do not disappoint yourself or us."

Mithus and Azarius held Inarius's arms steady. Izual was able to hold down his legs to have him in a kneeling upright position. Izarius and Darius nodded to each other and began to push on the stone chunk embedded in his chest for it to come out his back. Inarius screamed from the pain, but it couldn't be helped. They had to push it out slowly, inch by inch until it was finally free of him. When the front part of his chest began to close up, they had to pull the stone out the rest of the way from his back. That got him to scream even more, but they all understood. They were very careful to keep his wings attached, as they did this. They didn't want them to fall off.

Inarius had collapsed to the ground after that and panted hard. Anaurael had them all back away, and she knelt down to carefully touch where his wings were just barely hanging on. She looked at the glowing pillar of bone, and then to Imperius. He was soon at her side.

"You cannot heal him alone, can you?" Imperius asked.

"No. I need Anu's help," she said. "Unless I use our ring."

"I don't want you lost to me," he muttered. "The ring may not be enough. He needs his Light back. I will stand behind you. Lean your back against me from where you are. As long as I feel a part of you there, I should be all right."

She nodded and found herself sitting against his armored boots. Her parents watched anxiously, as she kept one hand on Inarius's suffering form. Then her other hand moved to touch a glowing crystal pillar of Light. The moment the contact was made, she gasped for air.

:HE...IS WHOLE...: Anu's words filled her mind.

"Thank you," she whispered.

:IMPERIUS...IS ALSO...FORGIVEN...: Anu said in a rather gentle way.

"Forgiven? For what?"

:HIS RAGE...ANGER...HATRED...:

"He had no such things! Least of all any form of hatred!"

:HE DID...BEFORE. NOT NOW...: Anu seemed to chuckle. :NOW...WAKE...:

She found her hand pulled away with Imperius's help, and she found herself being cradled against his shoulder. He heard Anu's words. He felt humbled for the first time he could remember. When she looked down at Inarius, he was already moving to stand. His wings were white and solid once more, as well as firmly attached again. His armor was no longer tarnished. His body and mind were healed.

"Sister. I thank you," he said.

"You are welcome, brother," she smiled.

"I need to be with her in my sanctum. Izarius, she will need nourishment. Tyrael, she may rest with you after I am with her. See to Izual's needs. And...Inarius...you may have been forgiven. But, you will be watched. We shall give you small tasks to do in the meantime," Imperius said.

"Of course. I shall do what I can for the Angelic Host," Inarius nodded. Myriam found herself moving to where Malthael was standing.

"As much as I do not want you in my mind, I do find it beneficial. For now," she said and leaned on her staff. "The healed one should not go near any areas of Heaven that let him spy on Sanctuary."

"You mean...the viewing pools?" Malthael asked.

"Yes. He could revert. It's a possibility. If he asks, have another with him to monitor," she advised. "I need to get back to my cart. I will be needed."

"I shall take any back to Sanctuary that need to go," Darius said. Anaurael was able to hug her parents once more before they left. Tyrael had to stay and rest. He was sorely lacking in sleep and had to recover. Izual was granted permission to explore the High Heavens once more with a small escort to ensure his safety. Auriel invited both Inarius and Izual to stop by the Gardens of Hope to speak with her. Even Itherael wanted to speak with his lost brethren.

"I would like to speak with them, too," the Nephalem said.

"As would I," Kormac nodded. Eirena was simply happy that she was included. When Lyndon went to wander off, Kormac was quick to grab him by his collar and haul him back. "Don't leave my side, you thief! If you get caught, you might be killed!"

"But..." Lyndon started. Then he saw Izarius approach, and he swallowed. "I was only moving aside to give you a little space. I wasn't planning on leaving."

"Good. Because, if you complained, you would be finishing your sentence on Sanctuary," Izarius nodded. "Now, I have duties to attend to. Azarius and Mithus will be close by."

Malthael was musing to himself on everything, but he remembered what Anu said about Imperius. He heard the words clearly. The massive Archangel held hatred in him. He needed to know why. That would come out soon enough.