It was easy to find the house. The place was the richest one in the small town of Anaurael's birth. When he turned to see Imperael appearing behind him, he nodded. His stark, white tendrils of wings wavered silently. Malthael appeared rather delicate and slender compared to the giant angel, but he appreciated the help. When Malthael was ready to sever the gate from the hinges, Imperael rose up a hand at another idea. He studied how the barred gate was attached, and the massive angel simply plowed through it like nothing. He didn't want Malthael to use his weapons for anything else.
"You decided to come along?" Malthael mused.
"If my sister could not Sing, then I would not be here. I had to help," Imperael nodded. When the guard dogs attacked, their forms changed in the presence of the angels. The sleek hounds were actually overly-sized demonic Fell Hounds. They got killed quickly and skillfully. When Ilerael and Lilaurael appeared, they were in shock at the sight of the dead demon hounds.
"They really are demons!" Lilaurael grimaced.
"Yes. They are. Why are you both here?" Malthael asked.
"To be a distraction for you. Our son is fine and with Anaurael. We were planning to draw attention to ourselves, but it may not be needed with you here. We'll be back up support," Ilerael said at the sight of Imperael. The massive angel only seemed to shrug, and he kicked down the elaborately done front door. At the top of the grand entrance stairway in the center of the main room stood the vile couple. They were in shock at the size of the angel that breached their home, but they felt they still had an advantage with sheer numbers.
The woman had given over much of Morena's figure and looks, as well as her hair and haughty pride. The male looked too pompous to care about anything with his neatly groomed blond beard and large belly. Both were dressed as though they were nobility, but that was a far cry from what they truly were. He was the town Mayor and had to look and act the part. None really knew how he got his position and kept it, but now it was all too obvious. Malthael's grip tightened on his sickle weapons. He could already tell what they were.
"We have guests at this time of night?" the woman smirked. "How quaint."
"We were waiting to see when our daughter would return. Perhaps you have seen her?" the man asked with a touch of lucid boredom. It was time to drop the act at the next comment.
"Morena is dead," Ilerael said to them. "Her succubus nature came out when she attacked us."
"Fool girl! I warned her not to!" the man muttered. "She just had to take after you!"
"Me?! You were the one that spoiled her rotten!" the woman scowled.
"Demon filth..." Malthael seemed to hiss out. The couple was unfazed, but they knew their cover was completely gone. They had no choice. They had to fight or be hunted down.
"Now it's your turn!" Lilaurael said and notched her bow. They didn't even regard the Nephalem walking in to help. As much as the help may be needed, they couldn't lose sight of the pair at the top of the stairs. Even the champion could tell the couple was vile to the core. When the three mercenaries appeared, the couple finally showed a touch of nervousness.
"You knew what we were. Didn't you?" Ilerael asked.
"How could we not? Your angelic stink was so apparent!" the woman smirked. "And, if you think that Morena is all we have, then you are dead wrong! My children! Get rid of them!"
Doors opened from all over, and Imps squealed and snarled, as they charged at the group. When larger demons appeared, they were instantly killed, but it was the Imps that seemed to be the real issue. There were a lot of them from how much the couple was breeding out. But, they were only Imps. They were easily dispatched and removed as a threat.
"I am Malthael. Formerly the Archangel of Wisdom. I was also the Angel of Death. I have been granted life once more. To kill you both. Your children...are nothing...!" he said and smoothly lopped off the heads of any that came to him. The couple paled and bolted from the room. If he was there, then they knew they had to flee. A full Archangel from the Angiris Council was too much for them to tackle. Izual was hiding on the roof of the house in case they tried to escape out a window. The Greed Goblins had begun to loot happily. This house was untouched from the anti-theft warding that was placed. Now that the couple was in a panic, the warding could not be seen to in full.
"I can't believe...that we never sensed them..." Ilerael grimaced and ran a crazed child-like Imp straight through. "Why couldn't we sense them?!"
"Who knows how many of their ilk they sent out! And they were trying to marry off Morena?! I am so glad that her nature turned off so many. She was probably the most normal-looking out of all of them!" Lilaurael frowned and killed several more Imps with dead center strikes with her arrows. Kormac bashed several back, and Eirena turned them into hexed chickens to get struck down by Lyndon. The Nephalem was easily fighting off the larger demons of the brood. Imperael and Malthael rushed to the top of the stairs and began to battle it out with a massive demon brute. It was most likely a personal guard from Hell. After it was dismembered and crushed, the bedroom door was kicked in.
It was here that the woman's true succubus form was shown. Her mate was an Oppressor. They had to have been outcasts from Hell. With a roar, the Oppressor charged at them. She cast her hexes and fireballs without mercy. When Izual crashed in through the roof to catch them by surprise, she found herself frozen by Azurewrath's touch. Then he let Malthael shatter her to pieces.
Her death infuriated the Oppressor. By the time Ilerael and Lilaurael reached the main bedroom, the massive demon was getting drawn and quartered expertly by Malthael. Imperael simply stunned him with a massive punch to the face and lopped off a skeletal wing to get him off balance. The Nephalem was busy scouring through the rest of the house to remove what was left of the demon taint there.
When the house was fully cleared, Malthael seemed to nod with a form of acknowledgement. Anu was given his vengeance in full. When Malthael expected to have his form fade out, he found that it remained solid. On thinking of this, he seemed to pause with surprise. I am being rewarded with something else. He would make sure to visit Anaurael when he could. There was also something else in the house that had Anu's attention. The place wasn't fully cleared yet.
"This place is clear?" Imperael asked.
"It is now," the Nephalem nodded when the bedroom was surveyed. "But, there is a locked chamber down below the house. Care to help me investigate?"
"Hmm..." the massive angel thought and already saw Malthael heading there. Izual kicked aside a thawing body part and followed them. When Tyrael appeared, Izual nodded to him and explained what happened. Lorath and Xavian were also with him. Xavian was just in shock that two of the village residents he grew up around were demons. It made sense on many of the things he witnessed them do. Tyrael was in shock about the whole thing. Then he studied the house.
"We should convert this place into something for the Horadrim," Tyrael mused. "It would be a waste to let this building fall apart."
"You think so?" Ilerael grinned.
"Of course. They had, supposedly, moved out. Right? If anyone asks, they can go through me," Tyrael shrugged. "I can say it was found abandoned and left open. It's not too far from Kingsport. And it is the best house out of the village here, right?"
"True. We did burn down our cottage," Lilaurael sighed. "I do miss the place."
"I know," Ilerael said and kissed her gently. "Heaven is our true home, though."
"Yeah," she smiled. When they got down to the basement door, Imperael had just broken the door off its hinges with a massive, armored boot to it. Eirena cast a glowing light spell to give them enough light to find some torches to light up the room. They had entered a treasure vault for demons. Malthael also sensed something else. He could smell the stench of brimstone. Gurzick was quick to appear to look over everything, but he wasn't going to take anything yet.
"This is all from the village!" Ilerael gaped. "They claimed it was for taxes!"
"And for sending to neighboring villagers!" Lilaurael growled. "They sent only the smallest portions and kept the rest! They've been doing this for years!"
"Well, now this wealth will be used to fund the Horadrim," Tyrael nodded. "It would only be fitting. And, if we plan to use this house as base of operations out here, then we should."
"What room is this?!" Xavian gaped.
"Our wonderful Mayor's treasure room," Ilerael snorted.
"Are you kidding?!" Xavian spat. "I knew he was a lying, sniveling..."
"He was a demon," Malthael growled out. Then he turned to smoothly kill a stray Imp that wandered too close. "There is a Hell Rift here. I can sense it."
"Then we have to close it!" Kormac nodded. Then he turned and killed another Imp that appeared. "What is with these foul things?! Is there no end to them?"
"They are coming in through the Rift," Malthael muttered. Gurzick knew where it was. He hopped over and waved at them to follow. Lorath glanced over at Tyrael's nod, and he followed the Greed Goblin with the others. When Auriel appeared, they paused.
"I shall ensure that you all can escape the Hell Rift," she said. "The female seer said that I would be needed. Itherael is researching Talus'ar. He has found that there is another demon in there that controlled the ones out here. When this one is defeated, all will be well."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Lyndon grinned. "Let's kill it!"
"I must deal the killing blow," Malthael warned. "Anu wishes it done."
"It shall be done," the Nephalem nodded.
"Anu? Anu wants this?" Tyrael frowned.
"Why else do you think I have a form right now? His vessel was deprived. He saw it as treason. I am his silent servant now. I may have a body in time...but, like this...I do his bidding," Malthael seemed to shrug. "I will not complain."
"I wouldn't!" Imperael snorted. When Izarius appeared, they looked at him.
"Anaurael worried over you," he said to Malthael. "She asked me to make sure you would be well. It has been some time."
"She...worried...over me..." Malthael said with a touch of stunned surprise. "I see. You can tell her that I killed the demon spawn that made the one that harmed her. There is a Hell Rift under this dwelling. Once it is destroyed...I shall seek her out..."
"A Hell Rift?!" Izarius growled. He meditated slightly and came to a moment later. "She wants me to assist. So, I shall."
"It is unnecessary," Malthael started.
"We don't want her to worry," Izarius warned. At that, Malthael thought. Then he nodded. He was not going to argue that viewpoint. It was when Imperius appeared next that they all paused again. Then Itherael appeared to hover with them. He was holding his angelic sword.
"This battle requires all of us. We must not waste any more time. Anaurael's health depends on this," Itherael said. The Nephalem was surprised to be fighting alongside the Angiris Council members. Even though Tyrael and Malthael weren't truly a part of it in their usual stations, it was still the original members. "Izarius, you need to go back to her. Only you can truly console her right now."
"Very well," Izarius nodded and vanished away. Imperius snorted his disgust at the humans there, but he wanted to see this Hell Rift closed personally. It had been some time since he battled in any form of the Burning Hells, and he was itching to do battle once again. He could actually sense Anaurael feeling a touch of jealousy at this. He let a soft chuckle escape, but it was too light for any to really hear. She really did hate being unable to fight. He would make sure to bring back some form of a trophy for her, and he would make sure that it was worthy of her.
At the sight of the glowing red Hell Rift, he called Solarion to his side. Then he led the charge. Imperael and Malthael were right after him. Itherael and Auriel waited to take up the rear. The demons swarmed over them quickly in the form of shadows, fangs, and claws. At the sight of Imperius, many of them faltered and fled with fear only to be cut down with arrows at their retreat. The path was soon cleared up to the thorny throne that the large demon sat on.
A giant bone club was soon picked up, as the demon lifted its massive bulk from the chair. Other weapons were soon picked up to show it had four arms. It was almost like a cross between a Phase Beast and a Siege Breaker Beast. When the roar it gave out shook the cavern, Imperius was not impressed. Neither was Malthael. Imperael only smirked and readied his sword.
"What big teeth it has!" Lyndon mused. "I wonder if I could make a dagger out of them."
"Maybe you can get one after it chews on you?" Greed snickered. Lyndon rolled his eyes and readied the Manticore. Imperius and Malthael glanced at each other lightly. Itherael and Auriel quickly flanked them, as the attack ensued. Tyrael moved to have El'druin cut away at a massive leg muscle. Xavian and Lorath expertly backed him up to keep the massive demon from falling over on him.
"I must deal the killing blow..." Malthael muttered, as a scythe neatly severed off a hand.
"Your reason?" Imperius grunted and speared an arm to wrench it off the wailing demon.
"Anu," he said as his only answer.
"Granted," Imperius nodded. "I need to bring Anaurael back something. She is most vexed that she cannot fight with us."
"Is she?" Malthael mused, as another scythe lopped off a leg. Auriel let Al'maiesh coil around those that needed light healing and clarity. Itherael neatly parried away a stray hand and lopped it off. The Nephalem was busy attacking from underneath the massive creature. "And to bring her back something...ah. It has a necklace. Take that to her."
"Remove the head, and I will," Imperius nodded. It was done without another moment to spare when Imperael launched a massive fist into the demon's face. Izual froze the remaining legs in place to hold it still for the final blow to happen. The necklace was claimed before Greed spotted it, too. After the rest of the body was looted, Auriel was able to help them leave the Hell Rift before it shut on them all.
"I am returning to Heaven," Malthael said.
"As am I," Imperius nodded. Imperael was also quick to leave with Auriel and Itherael. Izual was the last to go, but only after asking what Tyrael wanted to do.
"I am going to see about claiming this house. I'll say it was infested with demons when the couple left. I'm sure they will give it to me," Tyrael nodded.
"We'll help you," Ilerael nodded.
"Oh! We need to get Loremy back. This place could become the new family home. Now that there are no threats, we could safeguard it for the Horadrim," Lilaurael smiled.
"Good idea," Tyrael nodded. Izual nodded and teleported back to Heaven. He had to find out what Inarius was up to. What he discovered was not good.
"There is no need for you to be here," Izarius said irritably. Inarius had tried to gain access to the bedchamber. Anaurael was enjoying a bath when he appeared, and her brothers were blocking her from view. When Malthael and Imperius appeared, Inarius had quickly backed down.
"Why are you here?" Malthael asked. He was still holding his weapons.
"I just had some questions that I wished to ask," Inarius said truthfully. Anaurael was dressed in a soft gown of gold silk, and she moved into Imperius's arms when he reached for her.
"I worried for you," she whispered.
"You will never need to worry about me," he chuckled and pressed a kiss to her mouth. "I did bring you something, though. A small trophy."
"Did you?" she giggled. At the necklace given, she beamed at him. It was a basic diamond pendant, but that was fine. It showed that he thought of her.
"Imperius," Malthael said. "while I still have a form, I was hoping to show her parts of the Pools of Wisdom that she had not seen yet. It may be worthwhile to her."
"I am unsure," Imperius muttered.
"I'm sure I will be safe," Anaurael smiled.
"It is not that that I am worried about," he growled. "You are mine. I found you when you called to me. I marked you. We share the same Light. No other is allowed to get between us."
"I am bearing your offspring," she whispered and kissed him passionately. "I know I'm yours."
"That you are," he growled and squeezed her. "I do need to see to training the new troops."
"When they are finished training, we should Sing again to bring more angels."
"We will definitely plan for that."
"I look forward to it," she smiled and ran a finger over the outer edge of his helm. If it wasn't for Malthael waiting patiently, he would have likely taken her to his sanctum. He seemed to glance at him and set her down. "You need to leave?"
"I must. But, I shall be back shortly. Count about two hours," he nodded.
"I shall make note," Malthael said.
"I'm sure you will," Imperius grumbled.
"I shall follow them," Izarius said.
"Good," he nodded. Then he teleported to the training halls. Malthael moved smoothly over to her side and offered his arm. She blushed softly and accepted it. He knew he was running out of time, and he teleported with her to the Pools of Wisdom. Izarius quickly caught up to them. Malthael glanced back at her over-protective brother, chuckled, and led her to a section of his old domain that not many knew of. Even Tyrael hadn't been here yet.
Malthael led her past floating columns of energy that seemed to flow on their own with no sure way to show where the energy came from. It amazed her to see such structures, and he was pleased to be the one to show such feats of Heaven to her. As they walked, she asked, "Did you always wear black, Malthael? Or was there another color?"
"I have not always worn such dark colors. It was more like...this color. Of neutrality. Gray. Dark silver. It shows my nature. To find the Wisdom in all things. Of course, such is not the case now. But...one cannot become something other than what they were meant to be. I had left much behind in my pursuit to understand souls. I was...consumed by it. Nothing else caught my attention so much..." he sighed. "I was fascinated with souls. All of my time was spent on discovering their secrets."
"Until you met me?"
"Yes," he nodded and pressed a gloved hand to her back to guide her further into the Pools of Wisdom. Izarius was simply amazed at where he was taking her. He was sure that none have ever traversed so far into this area. Even the Chalice was in a slightly easier reach.
"You said I was a puzzle?" she frowned.
"Yes," he nodded again. "I had never seen your like before. A mortal angel born? It was a first. And...it is true that I wanted to return to steal you away. To study you in solitude. I would have kept you hidden from my followers. They would have seen no threat in you, as you had no demon taint. But...they would have questioned my actions. And now I must ask. When you Sang for the first time on Sanctuary...how old were you?"
"I cannot recall," she frowned.
"She was fourteen years," Izarius said. "and her voice was the exact same."
"Truly?" Malthael asked him.
"Yes. I was stunned when I heard her Sing. I didn't know that it was her Song, though. I wouldn't have known until Imperius pointed it out," he said. Malthael mused to himself before approaching a wall. He touched it carefully to let a doorway form. Then he quickly gathered Anaurael up into his arms and moved swiftly into the chamber to let the doorway seal behind him. "What?! No! Anaurael! Malthael! Open this up! Now!"
"Izarius," Itherael said when he appeared. "There is not much that can be done. Anu willed this to happen. Wait patiently, please. Imperius cannot know."
"What?! But..." Izarius worried. Itherael rose up his hand to show that all would be well. Izarius took in a deep breath and let it out slowly to calm himself. Nodding, he readied himself to wait.
"Izarius!" Anaurael had cried out when her side of the wall had sealed. Malthael had pulled her into his prior inner sanctum. She had begun to panic, but he gently rested his hands on her shoulders to calm her. She looked up at him with a frown.
"Imperius will be back soon. I do not have much time," he whispered and slowly turned her to face him in a nonthreatening way. She glanced around the room now to see that it held incredible inlays of gilded gold and diamond tiles along the floor and walls. Of course, she could only go by what light his wings shed off for her. Otherwise, like the others, it was pitch black from the lack of windows. His inner sanctum appeared to resemble the inside of a diamond that was inlaid with golden hues and marks. There were even small creases in the walls that showed where gems could have been stored long ago. She could only wonder what happened to them.
Even the chair in the center of the room appeared to have been carved from diamonds, but the gems that were inlayed in the chair were also missing. She would have to ask about it later. She thought that Wisdom was much less grand. It made her think, but Malthael's touch brought her mind back to him.
"But..." she shivered. He tilted her face up to his and caressed her jaw.
"You have always intrigued me," he muttered and gently moved a lock of molten gold hair away from her face. "And...I said this before...I love you far too much to hurt you."
She gasped, and he kissed her in such a way that it nearly rivaled Imperius. When his armor began to sink into his form, her jaw dropped with shock. His core was a beautiful, vibrant, silvery purple tone to represent all that Wisdom was. Now she realized why the walls were made to be the inner part of a diamond. His core reflected off the light perfectly to light up the room in full. He was the main source of light. Even though he was no longer Wisdom, his core remained true to what he used to be. But, there was one major difference. He was not Imperius. His core didn't call to her like Imperius's core did. Only Imperius could warm her in both body and soul. She didn't know what to think at Malthael's hovering form. When he gestured for her, she whimpered. "I cannot..."
"It is safe to be with me. I vow," he urged.
"But..." she swallowed. He had coaxed her close enough to pull her against him and hug tightly. Like Imperius, he couldn't move from the center of the room once he became his core.
"Relax...and Sing...with me..." he whispered gently. As she heard his Song, she noticed it was dramatic and sorrowful. When he Sang before, it was far more melodious. This was his true Song now, and it made her heart ache. Inevitably, she found herself Singing softly in tune with him. She actually felt the raw emotion he held back for so long. It was the same feeling she had received when he contacted her for the first time in her dreams. "I truly do...love you...so much...!"
"I know you do..." she whispered.
"I know you cannot say so back," he shivered. "but I know you do, too. You worry for me. This is how I know. I cannot show any other this part of myself. My time with you is so slim! So...when we can...when I am like this with you...will you let me love you?"
"I never...told you...to stop...loving me..." she said in her own tone of hurt. The last thing she remembered was his long, slender winged tendrils folding over them in a mating embrace, and he kissed her to let his core bond with her in the time that Anu would permit it.