Thirty minutes later, they were in front of the Pools of Wisdom and walking within them. Malthael led them to where the others were waiting. Imperius had her sitting upright in his arms, as he carried her. She kept him calm with a hand on his cheek under his helm. He glanced around mildly, as he carried her. Tyrael nodded to him when the chamber with Chalad'ar was reached. Itherael and Auriel were both concerned over what would be revealed. Izarius stood off to the side to show he was on guard.
"You are well rested?" Malthael asked Tyrael.
"Yes. I am completely focused," he nodded. Malthael nodded back and watched Tyrael gaze into the depths of the Chalice. A few swirls of Light reached out to whisper at him. He winced and looked away. He was getting negative vibes. The Chalice was testing him.
"Stop that," Malthael hissed at the Chalice. The ancient artifact knew he was there. "This is important. No games. I will contact Anu, if I must. Give us the answers we need. Or you become ignored for another millennia."
The Light in the Chalice seemed to dim. It was pouting. Anaurael frowned, but then she had an idea. She cleared her throat and said, "Malthael, can you mildly possess Tyrael? To guide him?"
"Hmm..." Malthael mused and turned to face his brother. Tyrael raised a brow at him, too.
"If Chalad'ar misbehaves...it would be the only time I would allow it," Tyrael nodded. "Try and see if you can. If you can't, then I'll just have to focus better."
"You are focusing. Chalad'ar is simply being a nuisance. You are a mortal, and that is why. Let me see if I can try and show you what you need to know. If it is too much, then I will withdraw."
"Very well," Tyrael nodded. Imperius watched everything carefully. Even Itherael did. Auriel did show a bit of worry in her stance, but she rested her hand on Anaurael's arm to give some comfort to her, too. At how Anaurael seemed to shiver, she knew they both worried over this.
Malthael vanished, and Tyrael felt a dull pulse in his mind. Then he actually felt Malthael give a mild sensation to look into the Chalice. Tyrael braced himself and looked into the ancient artifact. This time Chalad'ar behaved. It knew that both Aspects were there. As much as one didn't know what to do, the other was able to seek past the various wavelengths of Light. It taxed Tyrael's mind a bit, but the information was easily gleaned. And, much to both of their shocks, another tidbit of information was revealed. Tyrael didn't know what to think. Malthael would likely convince him to help test it.
"It has worked?" Itherael asked when Tyrael pulled away. Malthael reappeared next to him and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Yes. It did. I don't think I would want to do such a thing again, though. My head hurts," Tyrael winced. "But, yes. This is what was discovered. Inarius needs to be emboldened to kill Lilith. He needs justified proof that what he has to do is for the best. He has worked for me as my general before. The sense of Justice is there. However, he needs another form of proof. I was told to consult with Greed. His goblins can get anywhere. Including to where she is trapped. He can collect the proof we need to help convince Inarius to take her out for good. At the same time, Greed may not be needed. We'll have to see."
"Your mind is...interesting," Malthael mused.
"And my mind is just that. My mind," Tyrael warned.
"Don't think I don't know that," he shrugged. "It is doubtful that I could do such a thing with any other. Angel minds are strong enough to resist my presence. But, a mortal mind with angelic mortality is different. However, I can only attempt such a thing with Anaurael as a bridge."
"Didn't you contact that Vecin seer in her dreams?" Itherael asked.
"I did. But, it was in dreams. It was a...different wavelength. Also, she is half demon. I knew how to work with her soul in a dream state. I also have a small contact with her now, much to her dislike. Then again, Anu helped me create the bridge first to gain the needed power to access her dreams. After that, it was easy to cement my path to her. But, with full angels, unless they are within Anaurael's mind, I am unable to hear them."
"A shame. You could have tried to see what those other mortal angels are thinking," Izarius said.
"True. But...there is no need to pollute my thoughts," Malthael seemed to smirk. Tyrael knew what Malthael wanted to try. He didn't like it. If he showed anything else, there was no notice.
"We'll talk later," Tyrael muttered.
"I know," Malthael nodded. Imperius was too concerned over Anaurael. She had begun to feel ill again. When her mark began to pulse faster within the circlet, he quickly charged over to an open ledge to let her vomit off the side. Itherael was very alarmed at this. She was getting ill way too quickly for her to gain any real nourishment to sustain herself.
"Has she been eating soft foods?" he asked.
"She has," Imperius muttered. He soothed her gently with his hand on her back. "Easy now."
"How...is this...easy?" she whimpered and coughed. Izarius already had some water, thanks to Darius's quick response. She rinsed out her mouth and got cradled by Imperius.
"You're starting to drop weight. I don't like that. Is there anything she can have?" he asked.
"Let me ask Ilerael," Malthael said and vanished. When he came back, he looked at Izarius. "Go to Lilaurael. She has warm broth with soft meat within it. It is what she eats in this time of illness. It may help Anaurael, too. Go swiftly."
"I shall!" Izarius nodded and vanished. Imperius couldn't risk moving with her. He needed her stomach to settle out first. The bowl of broth and meat was now held by Izarius, and Imperius was able to assist with the spoon. As much as he wasn't one to do such a task, he knew that this was needed. The broth was flavorful and very hearty, as well as light. It fully eased her and made her a touch sleepy.
Tyrael looked at her and suddenly checked the Chalice. On what he learned, he sighed and glanced at Malthael. His ancient, spiritual brethren glanced at him. Giving a small mutter, he walked over to Anaurael to rest a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you feeling better?" he asked gently.
"For now," she nodded.
"Good. Malthael and I need to talk about the room in the library. We don't want to stress you. Itherael, I know you wish to hear of this, too. You may as well follow us. And, don't worry, Imperius. You will be filled in. She needs you now. Auriel, if you wanted to follow us, you can," Tyrael said.
"I need to check on the Host. I may be able to drop by when I can," Auriel nodded. Imperius would have been curious as to what was going on, but he knew that Tyrael was right. Anaurael needs me a lot more from her weakened condition.
"I'm taking her to my sanctum," Imperius said and rose up carefully with her in his arms. "Can you handle a quick teleport?"
"I should be okay," she nodded. Izarius teleported with them. Now that the three were alone, Tyrael glared hard at Malthael.
"You knew that Imperius would empower your body, didn't you?!" he snapped.
"The Vecin seer informed me. And she informed me to say nothing," Malthael shrugged.
"What is this?" Itherael asked now.
"Imperius was able to...do something with her...that only I thought I could do..." Tyrael grumbled. "I'm not sure how. But, that mortal offspring in her now belongs to us both."
Itherael stopped all movements from his hovering. "He experienced pleasures of the flesh?!"
"You could say that," Tyrael sighed. "And the Chalice revealed that he plans, and will succeed, in having his own mortal child with her."
"I am...speechless..." Itherael admitted.
"And, I refuse to let you possess me when I am with her," Tyrael growled out at Malthael. Itherael was taken by surprise again. Malthael simply chuckled. He knew that when Tyrael slept his body was open unless focused on. If his angelic self was preoccupied and away from Anaurael, I could see what I could do. I may even let Itherael in on this new discovery if it worked out. It would be nice to have an offspring from all of us. Even one from each of us. Wouldn't it? At least, he thought so.
Itherael was in deep thought over what he just learned. He knew what Talus'ar had told him. On looking at them, he said, "I need to return to my Library."
"Of course. You will know when we go to Zoltun Kulle's chamber," Malthael nodded. Tyrael also nodded, and Itherael moved off quickly. However, instead of going to his Library, he went to the Crystal Arch. Once he moved in front of the dual pillars, he seemed to hang his head in silence.
"Great Anu, I am sure you know why I am here," he whispered. "Can you please...give me a sign? As to why Anaurael must be subject to this? Surely, she can only belong to Imperius! All of this will degrade her mentality, if it is not taken seriously! Is there no other way?"
As he hovered there in silence, his mental focus was suddenly pulled to the mental spire in Anaurael's mind. At the sensation of the wise, loving trust he was given, he found himself in complete awe. Anu wanted to answer me directly.
:YOU...ARE...WORTHY...: Anu whispered to him.
"Of what?" he managed to ask.
:OFFSPRING...: Anu said and went silent, but the sensation didn't leave. Anu wasn't done talking just yet. :CHAMPIONS...ARE NEEDED...TO BALANCE. YOU KNOW THIS...:
"But...Imperius will be furious of this! What will be done if he knows?"
:HE WILL...TALK...TO ME...: Anu said once more. Then the feeling faded, and Itherael found himself hovering before the Crystal Arch. Anu's word was law. None of us could fight it. He was sure that such a conversation would come up after his champion was born. He sighed and seemed to nod with a slow form of acceptance.
"Of course, he will speak with you. Until then, I shall remain silent and watch from afar. It is all I can do now, it seems. I still feel that it is not fair to her, though. She deserves much more than this. She is a fighter. And a leader. For her to be subject to this...it does not sit well."
When he turned to leave, the sensation returned that Anu was there. And it was a completely agreeable sensation. But, there was also a hint of sorrow there. A striking thought hit him now. Anaurael had no choice in this matter. This was her fate. The angels needed champions quite badly now. Hell had powerful warriors all the time. Anu was trying to reclaim what Heaven had lost. The loss of two major sections struck hard. He was trying to help bring back the Valor that Heaven lost. He was seeking to restore Justice. He wanted to let angels once again find Wisdom in all things. He was urging angels to trust in what Fate was given to them. And, most of all, to never lose Hope that everything would turn out the way things should.
Itherael bowed his head with understanding. As he moved back to his Library, he paused to see Imperius standing tall with Anaurael sitting up in his arms. She was resting her head against his shoulder, and they were watching the Silver City silently. They whispered to each other and laughed softly. Itherael chuckled and moved to stand with them.
He felt Anaurael rest a hand on his shoulder, and he reached up to squeeze her hand back. There was a calm that took over his thoughts now. She valued me quite highly. As they looked over the landscape around them, he found himself drawn back into her thoughts. But, she was the one the called him there. He was curious as to why she called for him.
"I can sense you," she said and moved into his arms to hug him. "You're troubled. Why?"
"I..." he sighed and clung to her gently. "I worry for you. Quite a bit now."
"I will always tell you that you don't need to," she smiled.
"I care very much about you."
"And I care greatly for you, too."
"You shouldn't have to go through so much," he whispered.
"What other choice do I have?" she asked softly. She found herself gazing up into his empty hood, and he was looking down at her. A kiss was now pressed to her mouth that bordered on something other than chaste, but he held back. As he held her now, her mind was struggling to find out why this was so familiar to her. But, thanks to Imperius, her thoughts were disrupted and settled when he began to physically whisper to her. Her instinctive response to listen and respond had kicked in.
"Answer him. I'll still be here with you," Itherael said and pressed a kiss to her forehead. She opened her eyes and giggled at Imperius.
"What are you thinking of?" he asked.
"Oh, just how it would have been interesting if I was able to ride around on your shoulders. Of course, not now," she said. At the slow glance he gave her, she started laughing softly.
"I refuse to do that," he snorted. Itherael was able to chuckle. When Tyrael was seen approaching, Imperius shifted his attention to him.
"One of the guards in my chambers in Kurast was able to tell me that the chamber in question has been accessed. Finally. Greed was able to help counter the wards there," Tyrael said.
"Any traps?" Itherael asked.
"A few, but they were more physical, if anything. The Nephalem was able to easily counter them all. Anything dealing with Zoltun Kulle takes instant priority over all else. A mass amount of literature was discovered. The Horadric scribes are now going through it to see what can be salvaged and re-purposed for today's standards. But, I am worried. If we find the plans to make another Black Soulstone...what do we do with them?"
"Destroy them," Imperius glowered out.
"Or we seal them here in the High Heavens," Itherael said.
"No! That thing was an abomination! I will not allow another to be created!" Imperius snapped. At the feel of Anaurael's hand to his cheek, he seemed to tremble for control.
"Hush, love. This is if they are found. If they are, maybe the plans can be used for only demons. But, we also remember what Malthael tried to do. We cannot let that happen again. The most we can do is lock the plans away. At the same time, we do not want them stolen. Maybe it would be best for these possible plans to be destroyed," she said calmly.
"As much as what you say is feasible, I still believe they should be destroyed," he said with a sigh. When she went to move her hand, he stopped her. "Keep it there. For me."
"Of course," she smiled. After another moment of recollection, he regarded Tyrael.
"If these plans are found, we shall call a vote. I'm sure you know what my vote will be," he said.
"I am well aware," Tyrael nodded. When Malthael appeared he was mildly glared at, but he knew why. He simply shrugged and would stick with his talk that he was killing demons. It mattered not to him on what happened before.
"And, Itherael..." Anaurael said. "I don't think I would want you to visit Zoltun's chamber. It...really doesn't feel safe to me at all..."
"Is that so?" Itherael asked. At her small nod, he nodded back. "Then I shall not visit them."
"Thank you," she swallowed. Now he saw that she truly did care about him. His love for her grew even more. Imperius glanced over at Izarius when another bowl of meaty broth was brought over.
"Take it to my sanctum. Have Darius check on the troops to ensure they are training well. And, what are those round things in the broth?" Imperius asked.
"They are called beans. They are supposed to be very nutrient rich for growing offspring," Izarius said. "I shall do as you ask."
"Good," Imperius nodded. When he felt Anaurael start to overheat, he moved swiftly to his sanctum. He wanted her to remove the gown she wore to start cooling down. When he held her against his core, she actually said it felt cooling to her. "Does it? This helps you?"
"Yes," she said softly and snuggled into him. When she started to tremble and cry, he knew it was from the hormone buildup. He ran his hands over her back, as he cradled her to let the venting happen. When she finally went silent, he noticed she was sleeping. He let his Song out softly to help her sleep deeper. He knew she desperately needed it.