When Imperius tried to sense Anaurael and call for her, he noticed there was no answer. She had always answered my call. Now that he was alarmed, he went straight to the Pools of Wisdom. When he saw Itherael, he paused with confusion.
"Anaurael will join with you shortly. She was led far back within the Pools. Further than Chalad'ar. Malthael and Izarius are currently bringing her to you now," he said.
"She was not answering my call!" Imperius growled.
"Because she cannot hear you," Itherael sighed. "You need to take her to your sanctum when you see her. She will hear you again when you are with her."
"What?!" he glowered. "What blocked her?! Who would dare to get between us?!"
"None have gotten between you. Think on this. She is in the domain of Wisdom. She loses the buildup of Valor within her the longer she is in a particular domain. She needs to remain in your Halls to balance out the energy within her to fully hear your call. Even I do not take her so far into my Library. Or Auriel in her Gardens. You can even recall how she was when she toured the Courts. She needs to align herself with your energy signature again. She holds Valor within her, but it needs to be strengthened once more. You share the same Light with her. She needs your energy signature more than anything else. Of course, all is well when you travel through various areas with her. It is only when she is on her own," Itherael explained calmly. It was a partial truth, but still a truth.
Imperius seemed to scowl with his old irritation coming through. Itherael remained silent, as he hovered. Even he knew how Imperius was without her for so long. She was vital to his mental clarity. At the sight of Izarius carrying her out of the Pools of Wisdom, Imperius could only stare. Her mark was flaring out heavily to show she was struggling. He lifted her into his arms, and Izarius stood aside.
"Imperius...?" she whispered. He pressed his thumb to her mark. Malthael had managed to help her forget what happened. It was one of the reasons as to why she was weak, but now Imperius mentally vowed to not let her tour any new places without him. His energy signature within her was exceptionally weak now. It was why her mark showed she was struggling to focus.
"Do not disturb me!" he snapped at those around him and teleported away with her to his sanctum. Itherael could only sigh with a touch of relief.
"Does he know?" Izarius asked.
"No. But, it is true that, if she is not with him and in another wavelength of the High Heavens, she does lose strength. He must accompany her to any new places. The longer she is within another area, other than the Halls of Valor, she will lose her strength without his presence around her," Itherael warned.
"So...that's what most of it is?" Malthael asked when he appeared.
"Yes. It was. Why?" Itherael asked him.
"I shared my core with her," he admitted.
"What?! She can't have that!" Izarius hissed. "That's what really drained her!"
"I also had her forget," he muttered.
"And that would have incapacitated her," Itherael said with a shake of his head. "Anyways, Myriam departed back to Sanctuary with those other females. I need to check Talus'ar. Let us leave Imperius in peace and help Anaurael recover."
"Agreed," Malthael nodded and vanished. Izarius just shook his hooded head. Itherael nodded in agreement with him. What Malthael did was very dangerous. As much as they wanted to dwell on it, they wouldn't dare. Izarius went to Anaurael's bedroom, and Itherael went back to his Library. He knew what was to happen next. It would not be pretty.
"Anaurael?" Imperius asked gently when he held her to his core within the sealed sanctum.
"I cannot bear to be without you!" she gasped when she finally had the strength to move. He clung to her as tightly as she clung to him. A heated kiss was pressed to her mouth, and she whimpered with a violent twist of need. Her silk gown was quickly removed and tossed aside. The next ten minutes were spent on simply rebuilding what was nearly extinguished.
"I will not let you travel anywhere without me from now on!" he muttered and let her snuggle into him. "I don't care who insists!"
"I can't...do this..." she muttered softly.
"Do what?" he asked. "You cannot do what?"
"Be with others..." she mumbled. Her mind was in a lucid haze from the power of his Song. She was trying to recall something. At how her mark flickered, he noticed the signs.
"What others?" he now asked carefully. She seemed to falter. She wanted to tell him, but she was acting as though something was wrong. He pressed his glowing thumb to her mark and realized that she couldn't remember. Did she forget what was wrong? Then he stiffened. It was as though he got charged down with ten-ton demon. At her small whimper, he cradled her. "You are not at fault. I need to see something. Okay?"
"I didn't...want to...!" she gasped, as though pleading with him in a feverish way. "Anu..."
"Anu?" he prodded gently. As much as he wanted to search her memories, the mention of Anu made him stop. He had to see what she said now.
"Yes...Anu...said so...had to...!" she panted. He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. If Anu ordered something, then she couldn't fight it. Neither could I. Something definitely did happen. He just had to figure out what happened. And, as much as hated to think about it, with who. At the cradling he gave her now, she started to relax.
"It is not your fault. I love you no less than I have before. Can you tell me who did this? Do you remember anything at all?" he whispered in a soothing way.
"No..." she whimpered. Her mind began to become alert again. Anything he tried to pry out was locked away once more. As much as he wanted to put her back in that state, he knew it hurt her.
"Easy," he soothed again when she started to cry. "I will give the rest of my time to you."
"But...the training..." she whispered.
"You will join me. You can help watch them train. Maybe you can learn some new techniques, too. Will that suffice?" he asked. At her small nod, he chuckled softly and pressed a kiss to her mouth. "That's it. Just rest now. When was the last time you have eaten?"
"Not since the Council," she sighed. Her mark finally settled out to glow in tune with him.
"Do you need something now?"
"No. I just need you."
"Truly?"
"Always," she breathed and kissed him fiercely. Her love fueled him with a furious passion. When she began to Sing, he was quick to compliment her with his Song. By the time it finished, they were both exhausted and clinging to each other even more. His tendriled wings seemed to wrap around them both as they recovered, but they flared out to show his slow, hovering motion. She sighed softly and ran a hand up his glowing chest to feel him tense up from it. "I love no other, Imperius. I could not bring myself to...even say it...to anyone else..."
"You vowed...not to..." he muttered, as he regained himself.
"You are the only one...that has my love..." she mumbled and rested her head against his neck. "I may care. I may worry. But, you are the only one I love."
On hearing this, he knew her words rang truth. His halo was a ring of fire over his head, as he held her tight to his core. "You are my focus. Without you...I feel lost..."
"I do...remember something..." she shivered.
"What do you remember?" he asked.
"Malthael...showed me something. A room. His sanctum," she frowned. "Then I...I blacked out. I don't know anything else."
"Malthael...!" he tensed with a form of rage. At the feel of her hand moving over his cheek, he gasped and reigned in his control. "I..."
"I know," she said softly. "I don't remember anything else."
"I think...I know what he did..." he growled. "I will have to speak with him."
"Okay," she murmured and ended up closing her eyes. He felt incredibly possessive of her right now. He had no plans to leave her alone. This was proven when he sensed someone requesting his presence outside the sanctum. At how he tensed, she shivered.
"You are staying with me," he soothed. She opened her eyes and nodded. He knew she didn't want to be anywhere else. At how her hands moved to gently caress his glowing face, he pressed back into her palms. The kiss they shared next rivaled any that they had before. She could only kiss him like this. When he finally landed heavily on the ground with her in his arms, he let the sunlight spill back in from the top of his sanctum to give her some light. The entrance to her bedroom was now opened for her. "Dress for me. Then return to me."
"Yes, Imperius," she nodded. She grabbed the light gown to take it to her room. Right after she dressed in a sleek gown of gold satin with silver embroidery, he pulled her back up into his arms. Then he willed the sanctum doors to reopen. When he walked out, he found Tyrael waiting patiently next to Izarius. They nodded to each other, and Izarius moved to walk behind them.
"Tyrael," Imperius said, as they walked. "tell me something."
"Yes?" he asked. He wanted to talk about what was going on in Sanctuary, but he waited.
"Have you seen the sanctum in the Pools of Wisdom yet?" Imperius asked. Izarius seemed to stiffen slightly, but he kept walking. Malthael was wisely staying away.
"No. Not yet. Why?" Tyrael frowned.
"Malthael had, apparently, showed it to Anaurael. While he was still solid," Imperius said. Tyrael stopped in his tracks. At the look of shock that crossed his face, Imperius knew that his brother was innocent of this knowledge. "Anaurael doesn't remember what happened in there."
"I don't know what to say..." Tyrael muttered. When he looked at Anaurael, she was looking back at him with worry. "I doubt he would have hurt you, Anaurael."
"No, he didn't hurt her. But, she was incredibly weak when she came out. Her energy was completely sapped. I had to recharge her," Imperius said when he turned to look at him. "Izarius? Do you know anything? I need to know. Now."
"I was following them, as I said I would. Malthael asked a few questions, and I answered for him. Mainly how old Anaurael was when she started to Sing. The next thing I knew, he had opened the sanctum wall and pulled her into it to lock him in with her. I was...locked out. I had to wait. The moment it reopened, I saw her on the floor. I brought her straight to you," Izarius said in the most truthful way he could. When she whimpered softly, Imperius squeezed her.
"You are not at fault. He instigated this. Not you," Imperius soothed her. Tyrael could only agree with this. "Anyways, Tyrael, you needed to speak with me?"
"Yes. The house that we cleared is now fully claimed by Itherael and Lilaurael. The town seemed...very relieved at this. I think all of the townsfolk were charmed by the demons. They even made Ilerael their new Mayor!" Tyrael chuckled. That had Anaurael gasp with a touch of pleasant surprise. "There is a lot of work that needs to be done, so he'll be focusing on that. He is also properly using the hoarded treasure for the town and lands, as it should have been used."
"Excellent! You should see to rebuilding the old dwelling that Anaurael lived in. I'm sure she would like that," Imperius suggested. That had Tyrael chuckle. Malthael was now relaying that message.
"You liked the place?" she asked.
"I did," he nodded. "It was where I first found you."
"I'll definitely see what can be done," Tyrael agreed. "But, I had to let you know."
"And that is fine. Hmm? Anaurael?" he asked.
"Can we...go to the Crystal Arch?" she asked softly.
"Why? I can take you there, but why do you wish to go?" he regarded her.
"I think we both need to Sing," she smiled.
"Would you like me to call another gathering?" Izarius asked.
"Imperael wanted to hear her Sing. Go ahead," Imperius nodded. Izarius nodded and vanished to start calling another gathering to the Arch.
"I also have a request," she said.
"Hmm?" Imperius looked at her.
"If Malthael appears...hold no malice. Not while we are at the Crystal Arch," she said.
"I understand. Yes, I will curb my anger," he agreed. When he turned his head to look at her, he saw the loving gaze she always gave him. No other had received this gaze. When her hand rested on his armored cheek, he put his hand over hers. Then he placed her hand on his actual cheek under the helm. "Keep it there for me. I know I will need your touch."
"Of course," she smiled. She blushed when he moved his invisible lips into her palm, as he carried her. When he ran his teeth over a finger, she shivered. "I need to focus for Singing."
"You did not let me focus when we walked there once before," he mused.
"Are you...getting even with me?" she asked with a form of amazement and a childish grin.
"Perhaps," he muttered and nibbled her thumb. Her face flushed even more. Tyrael kept his mouth shut, but he was mildly amazed at how Imperius was acting. It was completely alien to him. "What? Are you saying that I should not?"
"N-no...!" she stammered when she felt a tongue lightly lick where he nibbled. That almost did her in. "What are you doing?!"
"Trying something. And I see it is working," he grinned under the helm for her to feel it.
"Well, I can do this, too," she grumbled and began to run her hand up his face carefully. "Huh! You have ears! Hmm...oh! You have hair, too! I didn't expect that."
"What?" Imperius paused in his walk to look at her.
"There isn't much. It's like...short. Very short. Um..." she frowned.
"It's probably what soldiers call a 'buzz cut'," Tyrael explained. "They purposely have their hair clipped to practically nothing so the enemy cannot take advantage of grabbing it. With Imperius being more military than anything else, I can see how he may possess that. I have no hair, as you can see."
"Ah. Hmm. Well, I wouldn't know," Imperius seemed to shrug. Then he looked at her and said, "What else can you feel? I am curious now."
"Are you?" she smiled. At his nod, he stood still to let her explore a bit more. "Oh! You have a good jaw. Square, I think. I don't feel a cleft in your chin. The little bump that some humans have. Ah, very pronounced cheekbones, and a broad forehead. You seem to have a well-defined nose, too. You could resemble a military man. Like Tyrael said. But...I love you this way. Don't change it."
"I was never planning on it," he vowed and kissed her deeply. She kissed him back and purposely let her face rest as close to his as possible for her breath to tickle him. "That isn't fair."
"It's called 'payback'," she grinned softly. "Deal with it."
"I will get even with you later," he growled in a teasing way. At the small, blushing laugh she gave, he chuckled and managed to carry her the rest of the way to the Crystal Arch. Tyrael was deep in thought over what he witnessed. Imperius was completely different with Anaurael. As Itherael had put it, he was completely whole. In a way, this was how he should have been before the Council began to split apart. He never used to chuckle or laugh. He was never one to see reason, either.
When they reached the Crystal Arch, Imperius carried her to where they were before to stand near the crystal bone columns of Light. She saw Imperael standing tall among the others. When her parents arrived with her little brother, she waved at them. They waved back with smiles.
"What place is this?" Loremy gaped.
"This is a very secret part of the High Heavens," Ilerael said carefully. "This place is sacred."
"Um...I can't really see much," he frowned. "Everyone's taller than me."
"Brother," Imperael said and looked down at him. "Come here."
"Okay," he said. Lilaurael smiled softly and got squeezed by her husband. Then she laughed when Imperael lifted Loremy to set him right on a massive shoulder. Ilerael found himself laughing with Tyrael at this. Loremy was given a massive height advantage.
"To sit here is a privilege. Behave and you can stay," Imperael nodded.
"I'll be good!" Loremy promised and grinned with excitement. He was now taller than everyone else and took in the sights easily. Anaurael saw what happened and gave a beaming smile at them.
"I feel sorry for anyone that tries to pick on him," Ilerael smirked.
"If anyone bothers him without consent, I would want to know," Imperael muttered out. "I see him as family. The same as you and Lilaurael. However, has anyone bothered you, brother?"
"No. I'm okay," Loremy nodded. "Um, you can call me Loremy. It's okay."
"Very well, Loremy," Imperael nodded. "I am Imperael. You may call me that."
At the quick nod the boy gave him, Imperael stood as tall as he could to survey the chamber.
"Not bad," Imperius chuckled and rested his hands on her shoulders after he set her down. As he looked around, he saw Malthael standing by Izarius. He let his disapproval be felt, but that was all. Then Malthael was standing by him.
"I know. We shall have words. But...Anu insisted it," Malthael muttered to him.
"We will still have words," he growled.
"Of course," Malthael nodded and vanished back to where he was. Imperius sighed and only felt calm again when Anaurael rested her hands on top of his. She looked up at him, as he gazed down at her.
"Imperius," Auriel said when she moved to his side.
"Yes?" he asked.
"I feel we should all Sing this time," she said. "Can this be done?"
"Hmm. We can," Imperius nodded. Anaurael smiled and got lifted into his arms to sit upright. Itherael moved towards the center, and even Malthael was granted a solid form for this, much to his surprise. Imperius tensed, but Anaurael kept him calm with a soft whisper. I will show no malice right now. When Tyrael decided to try to Sing, Anaurael smiled at him with encouragement.
"Tyrael?" Lilaurael asked.
"Anaurael taught me how to Sing as a mortal. You and Ilerael should try it at some point. She may be able to help you figure it out," Tyrael said. Ilerael smiled and would have to make plans to do that. When the Singing started, Anaurael waited to hear how the Song went. This was a traditional Lightsong. On hearing the various areas of pitch and dips, she began to Sing with them. At first, it was to compliment. To encourage to get stronger. Then Imperius's Song seemed to grip hers to dominate the entire melody. It didn't take long at all for the crystallized pillars of Light to react.
"Wow..." Loremy gaped.
"Yes. It is something," Imperael nodded. "This is how I was born."
"Really?" the boy blinked.
"Yes. In many ways, you are older than me. In your standard of time, I was born yesterday," he chuckled. Loremy's jaw dropped even more. "So, you could think of me as your little brother, but that is not the case. Do remember this. I knew everything that I needed to know when I came about. You are still learning much, so this could prove that you are still younger than me. I will teach you what I can. But, only if I have time."
"Okay," he smiled and nodded. There were already angels that were teaching the boy quite a bit now, and all of it was the basics for weapon training.
"Did I miss anything?" Titharius asked when he appeared.
"No. You got here just in time," Ilerael nodded. Even as he said that, new angels spilled forth from the near-blinding Light. All of them were greeted and welcomed warmly before being led to the training halls. For a solid ten minutes, it was like this. Ilerael was just amazed at how many angels came forth. Lilaurael had counted over a hundred angels once again, but it was likely more from how fast they were appearing. What was even more surprising was that many of the angels were made for various sections of the High Heavens to fill places that were abandoned or unable to be filled yet.
"No angels appeared for the Courts of Justice, but this was expected," Tyrael sighed after it was over. "However, we did gain quite a few for the Pools of Wisdom. Because I am the Aspect of Wisdom, and with Malthael here to help call them, we can finally get the Pools reestablished. It will be a slow accomplishment, though. I can only hope that my son will take over the Courts."
"You know that will happen," Malthael nodded when he approached. "I shall assist you in training the angels for the Pools of Wisdom. If there is a lieutenant for you, we should have that one touch Anaurael's mark. There is Izual, but I am unsure."
"Izual was my lieutenant for the Courts of Justice. His mind was restored. It is the same as before," Tyrael said. "He may still assist me as needed."
"Come to think of it, Lilaurael and I were also from the Courts," Ilerael mused.
"That you were!" Tyrael grinned. "It is good to work with you again."
"Always," Lilaurael smiled and took back Loremy from Imperael. "We're going home now so you can eat something. I'm pretty sure it's bedtime for you, too."
"But, Mom!" he frowned. At Ilerael's warning glare, he swallowed. "Okay."
"You'll be able to come back here in time. We'll talk about it when you get ready for bed, okay?" Ilerael said. Loremy nodded, and Anaurael was able to approach her parents to get hugged by them. "You were outstanding! We'll have Heaven's forces back up in no time."
"I hope so," she smiled.
"You need to eat more," Lilaurael said. "I'll tell Izarius. Make sure you eat the moment you can, okay? Anaurael?! Daughter!"
"Anaurael?!" Ilerael gaped when she simply slumped over. Imperius was quick to be at her side to pull her into his arms. He checked her mark and noticed it was still pulsing in tune with him.
"Is she okay?" Loremy frowned. Imperael bent down to find out what was going on with his sister, and he carefully used a massive hand to pull Loremy back for safety.
"She just collapsed!" Ilerael winced. "She was just fine a moment ago!"
"Her energy is well enough," Imperius muttered. He pressed his thumb to her mark and seemed to go completely stiff. He was in shock.
"Imperius? What is wrong with her?" Itherael asked.
"Anu...is talking to her..." he trembled. As he was trying to explain the situation the best he could, Anaurael was in front of the spire in her mind. Anu had blocked out any that tried to intervene. He had to speak with her in full without any interruptions. When she appeared, he was already there as a ball of intensely glowing Light. She sensed a form of distress.
"Is there something wrong?" she frowned at the glowing ball of Light in front of her.
:DO NOT SING...TO ME...ANYMORE...: Anu said.
"But..." she frowned.
:IF YOU SING...YOUR CHAMPION...WILL COME FORTH...TOO EARLY...:
"Oh!" she gasped. "Um...it is all right for me to Sing away from you, then? Away from the Arch? Would that work?"
:YES. THAT IS WELL...: He agreed. :IMPERIUS...WILL UNDERSTAND...:
"Imperius hurts now. I know that he will understand this, but there is another issue that I did want to speak with you about. I cannot remember anything at times..."
:YOU WERE...FORCED...TO FORGET...:
"Forget? Forget what?!"
:EVENTS HAPPENED...FOR A REASON...AND NEITHER YOU...NOR HE...CAN KNOW...:
"Why can't he know what happened to me? Why can I not tell him what did happen, if I can recall it? Why can't I know of this?! I just...I don't know why..."
:YOU...WILL HAVE...STRESS. HE WILL...RELAPSE...TO HATRED...AND BITTERNESS...:
"Even with me?"
:YES...:
"Then you may have to tell him this. He will only try to seek answers with me. He will not fight you, but I do not want him to hurt, either. It hurts me to see him hurt."
:I WILL...SPEAK...TO HIM...: Anu agreed.
"What should I do now?" she asked. "What would you ask of me?"
:REST...AND LET...YOUR OFFSPRING...GROW...: He advised before going silent. The glowing Light dissipated slowly, and she was able to open her eyes. With all of them looking at her with concern, she coughed and sat up in Imperius's arms.
"Anu told me not to Sing here anymore. I can Sing in other places, just not here," she said. "If I Sing again, his champion may come too early. He had to warn me."
"Then we shall wait to Sing again," Imperius nodded.
"Also, he wants to speak with you," she said and looked at him. Imperius let out a slow breath and nodded. He let her rest against him, as he focused. With what seemed like only a few minutes passing, he found himself clinging to her right after.
"I will no longer ask questions of what happened to you," he whispered softly to her. "I...cannot afford to relapse. But...if something else happens..."
"I am sure that nothing else will," she nodded.
"I shall remain hopeful that you will be right," he said and rose up tall with her in his arms.
"What is to happen now?" Tyrael asked.
"At this time, it's just rest for her. She needs to be with me. I will ensure she eats well," Imperius said. "And...Malthael. I understand. Don't do it again."
"If Anu wills it, I cannot fight it," Malthael said bluntly. Imperius seemed to tense, but he let it go at the trembling that Anaurael did in his arms. He teleported away with her, as his answer. This was a side of Imperius that they all remembered. His stubborn pride would always come back.
"I want to purge him from you," Imperius growled once his sanctum sealed up. Only the singular beam of sunlight shown down from the ceiling to give her the light she needed to see. Izarius had set up a table for her with plenty of food and drink. When she finished using it, Imperius had her shed the satin gown to get held against his core.
"The last thing that Anu told me was to rest and let my offspring grow," she said and ran a caring hand over his cheek. Her mark glowed in sync with his form to show that all was well. He sighed heavily and crushed her to him. "Rest with me, love. You should rest."
"I am not sure...how to truly rest..." he muttered.
"Think of nothing else. Clear your mind. Only think of me," she whispered. "There are no troubles now. You always tell me to rest. Now it's your turn."
At how she began to breathe in and out slowly for him, he managed to chuckle. He rested his head against her shoulder and let time slip by like that.