After a month of waiting, Zayl finally got married to Anabelle. Tyrael bore witness with Izarius, Xavian, Lorath and Myriam. Anaurael's parents were also there to celebrate. The other girls that were involved with the prior incident were there as bridesmaids. Other powerful Horadrim members were there, too, to show their approval. Even the Nephalem showed up with the three mercenaries. Myriam was overjoyed to be at such an event. She even convinced Haedrig to come with them with his apprentice. It was to be a day enjoyed by all.

Andre was now serving an older gentleman that showed no mercy to those that were criminals in the past. He was there for the original accusations, and he readily agreed to taking him on. Andre was now dressed in peasant garb and watched every second on the day. It was a far worse fate than he could ever care to admit.

Anaurael was being cradled by Imperius, as they watched from the High Heavens. She kept a hand on his cheek in a form of silent solitude to everything they witnessed. In another part of Heaven at a different viewing pool, Erelus was over-looking what Sanctuary was all about. He was intrigued at how the place was. He knew there wasn't much else for him to do, but studying up on the various areas did pass some of the time for him.

He started to look over the different cities, and he paused at the one called Kingsport. He saw the docks and how fish were hauled up from different boats. He was mildly fascinated at how the humans moved as a team to collect, package, and distribute the fish. They moved swiftly like little insects in a perfectly coordinated pattern. As he shifted his gaze to the other side of the town, he saw something disturbing. And it enraged him.

He had to act. He knew he would be questioned later, but he didn't want to wait. He pulled his mace off his back and readied it, as he transported down on the locked mental coordinates. His aim was a back alley where an innocent girl was being accosted by a small band of thieves.

"Easy there, little one," the lead man sneered and groped her ravaged tunic.

"No! Please! I have...nothing!" she trembled and tried to pull away from the intruding hands. Another man held her arms up over her head. A third man was pulling her legs apart. Her skirt was halfway torn off in the struggle.

"But you do have something. And it's for all of us. Be a good little girl and share now," the man snickered and began to pull his breeches down. At the sudden slamming sensation of something landing behind him, the three men turned their attention to the intrusion. Then they wished they hadn't.

"Vile filth! Unhand that one! Now!" Erelus warned them with a deep, hollow tone from his helm and readied his heavy mace. His tendriled wings glowed, as his tall, massive form showed how pissed off he truly was at what he was witnessing. When they didn't move, he plowed into the stunned man to send him flying to the back of the ally. When he glared a sightless gaze at the two men holding the girl, they lost their courage, dropped her, and fled. The girl was too shaken up from what nearly happened to her to realize that she was being plucked up from the ground in a rather careful way. His mace was back on his back, as he regarded her. "Child. What is your name? Do you know?"

"I...um..." she shook harder. He studied her, snorted and teleported to the High Heavens with her. He went straight to Imperius.

"I need your aid," Erelus said. Imperius turned with Anaurael and paused with shock. "I was over-looking Sanctuary and found this female about to be brutalized by other human males. She was calling out for help. I had to assist."

"Take her to my chamber! Explain everything to Izarius!" Anaurael said quickly. "And have him send a message to my parents!"

"Done!" Erelus nodded and took the girl there. Imperius was not happy at this at all.

"We'll find out what happened," Anaurael said softly. He only nodded and ended up taking her back to her chamber to help the poor girl. Izarius had already left to get Ilerael and Lilaurael. The girl was sobbing and found herself hugging Anaurael. "It's fine now. My brother found you and helped you. Do you remember what happened? What can you tell us?"

"I was...selling...some things...to make some coin..." she shivered. "Then three men...pulled me down...to...to..."

"Did they succeed?" Anaurael asked carefully.

"No..." she whimpered. Darius was there to help clean her up. She was very dirty.

"Do you have a family?" Anaurael asked now.

"I did...but...they all died from dark ones from the shadows..." she sniffled. "I was...making my own ends meet...just fine..."

"Malthael..." Imperius muttered.

"Where you a noble?" Anaurael asked.

"No. Just...a basic girl, really. Nothing special. My family survived. Um...where am I?" she asked. "Is this a castle?"

"No," Anaurael smiled. " You are in my room in the High Heavens. Don't worry! You're very much alive. Like I said. My brother found you. He brought you here. And, if you have no family..."

"How many years along are you?" Darius asked.

"Years? Oh. I just turned eighteen now," she nodded. "A week ago."

"Your name?" Azarius asked.

"They are all my brothers, save for Imperius. Erelus was the one that saved you," Anaurael said and gave a warm smile. "You can tell them anything."

"My name is Elaine," she said.

"She needs a good bath," Ilerael said when he walked over. Lilaurael was next to assess her. "We are Anaurael's parents. We heard some of what was just said. You're orphaned. Okay. Would you like to become our daughter and be Anaurael's sister?"

"I..." Elaine blinked at this.

"We hail from the village that's a hundred miles west of Kingsport. Anaurael was born there. My husband is the Mayor of the town, and we also work with the Horadrim. We have two adopted sons and another daughter on the way," Lilaurael chuckled. "As you are an adult, the choice is yours."

"Well, I'm too old to be adopted. But, I could be a family friend and help. You did help me. I can return the favor with a little servitude," she offered.

"No. No servants," Ilerael said. "I'll call you my niece."

"Okay," Elaine said. At the sight of the tub being filled with hot water, she paused with surprise.

"I can help you bathe," Izarius said. "Nude flesh does nothing for me."

"No, Izarius. You wait outside with the others," Anaurael chuckled. "That would be too awkward to her. I can be here with Mother."

"I would prefer not," Imperius muttered. "Can we move her to another chamber?"

"I'm sorry..." Elaine shivered. "I don't feel...comfortable...around other men right now..."

"Men? We are not men!" Erelus snorted. Izarius had an idea and vanished away.

"I am here," Auriel said when she appeared. "I shall find other females to assist with her. Lilaurael, I shall bring you with us."

"That's fine," she chuckled. Elaine seemed to sigh with relief. "After her ordeal, I think I know why she wishes to be away from other male figures."

"That does make sense. Oh! Contact Greed. Maybe he can help us bring justice to those vagrants," Anaurael nodded. Izarius nodded and whispered into his mirror. When Gurzick appeared, he was alarmed at the girl in the room. The situation was explained, and Greed didn't like it one bit.

"Where were they last seen?" Greed asked from the crown.

"I can show you," Erelus nodded. He led Gurzick to the viewing chamber he was at, but his thoughts went back to Elaine. Something kept making him feel concerned about her. He didn't know why. There was something about her that sparked his emotions. He would pursue the curiosity in time.

A room in the building the angelic mortals went to for procreation was claimed as an emergency living area. A bath was set up here, and Lilaurael helped Elaine bathe in privacy. Auriel had recruited other female angels to help, and they all felt concern on seeing the new bruises on the girl's hands and ankles. Three angels were ready to assist in bathing. There was one protective female warrior there to ensure none tried to interfere. On a closer inspection of the girl's wounds, there were other bruises and scratches, too. That had them very upset.

"Can we use one of the salves we made here for her?" Auriel asked.

"We could!" Lilaurael said enthusiastically. "We can test how well they work."

"I shall speak with Itherael," Auriel nodded and went to the Library. She found Itherael easily and told him what was going on.

"I see. Use this one," he said and handed over a basic salve. "There is a much stronger one here, but that one is to be reserved solely for Anaurael and vital emergencies."

"Agreed," Auriel said. "How strong is it?"

"I added a drop of my own liquid essence to it," he admitted. "Also, Izarius and Izual added their drops. It is very potent now."

"Interesting! We should test it when we can," she said. He readily agreed to that. She took the salve back to where Elaine was being tended. A gown was fetched for the girl, but the bust area was far too large for her. She had plenty there, but nowhere near as much as Anaurael did. Lilaurael was carefully taking in some of the slack. It wasn't a gold gown, but one of the softer colors to suit Heaven.

When the salve was presented, one of the female angels took it to carefully apply it to the bruises and scratches. Elaine was in shock at the foam that appeared to coat over the areas. "What is this?!"

"Very powerful medicine," Lilaurael chuckled. "It's from the Horadrim. Just let it sit until the foam comes off. You'll be healed shortly."

"Okay," Elaine said. At the sight of how thin she was in various places, Lilaurael made plans to keep her well-fed. "I'm very grateful to...um...Erelus. For saving me."

"You can tell him that in time," Auriel chuckled softly. "Although, I am puzzled why he decided to come to your aid. We usually do not go to the aid of humans."

"Well, for whatever his reason was, I am grateful. I've never...known a man...and...I didn't want...my first time to be...like that..." she winced.

"I know," Lilaurael nodded and smiled. "And for that, I am grateful that he did go down to help you. I'm sure we will find out in time as to why."

"Yeah," Elaine nodded. Now that her hair was cleaned, it was warm, honey brown in color and came down to the center of her back. Her skin was tanned from hard work in the sun, and her eyes were the same color as her hair. When the foam began to dissipate from her slender form, she was bathed again to scrub off the excess oils. Then she was dried and given the gown of pale cream. "Thank you. It's been... a while since I was last clean..."

"These are for your feet," a female angel said, as she set down the slippers. "Are we finished here? Or is there more?"

"You are done. Izarius and his brothers will take care of this here. Thank you," Auriel nodded.

"Of course, Lady Auriel," the other four females nodded and vanished away. Auriel took them both to the Angiris Council chamber where Imperius was waiting with Anaurael. On seeing a much better-looking Elaine, Anaurael smiled.

"You look much better now," she said. "How are you feeling?"

"Still a bit...shook up. But...I'm better," Elaine nodded.

"She needs to eat," Lilaurael said. "All three of us do."

"I'm here," Tyrael said when he appeared. "Oh. Who are you?"

"We will explain, as we eat," Anaurael chuckled.

"We shall go to that feasting hall," Imperius said. When they got there, Izarius, Mithus, Darius, and Azarius were already setting the table. Ilerael was waiting to help his wife to a chair. Imperius stood behind Anaurael with his hands on her shoulders. Once they were seated and eating, Tyrael was filled in.

"Erelus helped you?!" Tyrael said with complete shock. "Good! I hope he gave those vagrants a run for what coin they thought they had!"

"They tried to rape her," Lilaurael muttered. Now Tyrael gave a dark look.

"I hope Erelus finds them and finishes the job," he growled.

"Rape?" Imperius asked. Anaurael gestured for him to bend down, and she whispered to him. She felt him squeeze her shoulders a bit more just to keep control. "Malthael and Imperael should cull them! That is disgraceful!"

"What is?" Itherael asked. Now he was filled in. "Sacrilege! Is there no end to what humans would do to each other?! Such disgust!"

When Erelus appeared, Imperius made a small nod of mild approval to him. That made the elder angel pause. Then Imperius said, "For once, I approve of your decision. What happened to the filth?"

"Greed found where they were hiding. His minions are going to take everything they can of value. Oh. This is for you. It was found in their hovel of a lair. He said that your scent was on it," Erelus said and walked over to Elaine to hand her a brooch. She gasped in recognition when she took it.

"My Mother's family brooch! Thank you!" she said and burst into tears. "I...thought it was...lost! For so long!"

"You are welcome," Erelus nodded. "As for the other three pieces of filth, they plan to find you again. To try and get back at you. I want to cull them."

"As do I..." Malthael growled when he appeared in his illusionary form.

"I wouldn't stop you," Ilerael said. "Elaine is now my niece. She's family to me. I want to give them something to think about, too."

"We should put them in Greed's vault here. And have Erelus, Imperael, and various other angels ready to attack if those fools touch something," Anaurael grinned. Imperius gave a mild glance at the others in the room. Malthael was even amused at this.

"I agree," Itherael nodded.

"As do I," Auriel said. Malthael nodded his approval at this.

"Do it. I'll see if Zayl will be available for this, too," Tyrael said. Malthael thought and vanished back down to Sanctuary. Zayl was sitting with his new wife at a table when he appeared.

"Company!" Humbert said with a chuckle. Zayl looked up and rose a hand for Anabelle to be calm. She couldn't see Malthael. She assumed it was a spirit coming to him for help.

"Another judging is to be done," Malthael said calmly. Then he relayed what happened.

"Darling, I need to go to the High Heavens. A girl was rescued that was attacked by vagrants in Kingsport. One of the angels witnessed it and felt it necessary to help her," Zayl said. "I need to be there to oversee their punishment for this crime."

"Oh! Is she all right?" she frowned.

"Yes. She was saved before any other harm happened," he nodded.

"Okay. Hurry back to me," she nodded. He smiled, kissed her, and rose up with Humbert in his hand to show he was ready to go. When Zayl appeared to nod to the others, Tyrael was now at his side. Xavian and Lorath were next to show up.

"We should mess them up!" Xavian growled.

"All in due time," Tyrael nodded. Elaine sat quietly at her place at the table next to Anaurael.

"Did you want to see this? Or no?" Anaurael asked.

"I would rather not," Elaine admitted. Anaurael nodded and watched Erelus approach again.

"I will cull them all, if I must," he growled. "Such disgust does not deserve anything more!"

"I do not wish to know of it," Elaine swallowed. "But...thank you...for helping me..."

"Why did you help her?" Imperius asked.

"I just felt that what I was watching was wrong. That it wasn't right. Nothing looked accepted, either. So, I did the only other thing I could. I assisted. I may not do this for any others, but I felt that I had to for her. I felt that it was the right thing to do," Erelus explained.

"And it was," Lilaurael nodded. When Elaine threatened to tear up again, Erelus surprised them all by moving and lifting her up in his arms. She was completely taken by surprise at this.

"Interesting..." Itherael mused to himself.

"It's all right," Erelus said calmly. "I am watching over you now."

"Erelus?" Imperius asked with a touch of confusion.

"This one...calls to me. I do not know why," he admitted. "I feel that I need to protect her. Yes, Anaurael is my sister. As are all the others here are my brothers and sisters. But this one is...different."

"Just tread carefully on any path you choose, Erelus," Auriel said. "You were lost to us for a long time. Be wary of what you feel."

"I know," Erelus nodded. He squeezed Elaine again to watch her blush softly, and he continued to cradle her. "I want to cull any of the filth. The moment they mention her, they get crushed. That is my only request. Can this be granted?"

"Yes," Imperius nodded.

"Why?" Elaine asked. "I mean...I'm not complaining..."

"Are you?" he seemed to ask with a hint of amusement. She found herself blushing.

"Erelus, handle her vengeance first. Then get to know her," Itherael chuckled.

"You knew?!" Imperius looked at him now. Itherael sighed and found himself hugging Anaurael when she reached for him. Imperius just muttered about it. He couldn't touch Itherael when Anaurael was giving out her attention. It was the reason she did it.

"Don't yell at him now, love," Anaurael said gently to Imperius, as she kept an arm around Itherael's shoulders. "Let Erelus prove himself to Elaine. He obviously likes her. Itherael will explain himself after this is seen to."

"Well..." Imperius muttered. She rested her hand on his cheek with a warm smile. "Very well. You will explain yourself later, Itherael."

"That I will," he agreed. She placed a chaste kiss on Itherael's mouth, hugged him again, and let him go. Imperius was still sulking a touch, but it changed when she placed a full kiss on his mouth.

"I love you," she whispered and nuzzled her nose under his invisible chin.

"I love you," he muttered back and kissed her hungrily.

"There is no need for you to worry so," she whispered and nibbled his lower lip.

"I just...don't understand..." he growled.

"Many didn't understand you when you came to see me, right?" she chuckled. That had him sigh with agreement. "So, if Erelus feels that a special connection is with the girl, then let it be. Monitor it from afar. That can be done easily."

"I just feel that my word is slipping..."

"Stop that," she soothed and massaged the back of his skull. "All still respect you and heed you. You are still the Council leader. There is nothing more that needs to be said."

"As you say," he nodded and kissed her again. She smiled at him and heard his soft chuckle. Tyrael and Zayl wisely kept quiet. Lorath and Xavian were the same. Her parents would always be amazed at the soft control their daughter held over him. Then he looked at Erelus and said, "The girl will be safe here. Defend her honor valorously! Do so now before your opportunity slips!"

"Yes, Great Imperius," Erelus nodded and set Elaine down in a chair gently. Imperael only smirked and moved to help him take care of the brigands that were going to be introduced to Greed's treasure chamber. At how Imperael was studying him, he asked, "Brother, what is on your mind?"

"You feel for a mortal?" he asked.

"It is...complicated to explain," Erelus admitted. "It is confusing to me."

"How is that?" Imperael asked.

"Anaurael and Imperius have a bond above all others. I see this from the Light they share. This girl, Elaine, makes me feel...pity for her. As though I have to protect her. To guard her. It is a feeling that I cannot explain," he said. Imperael thought to himself now. I feel the same way around Anaurael. "Of course, my sister's priorities will come first. Her safety is a maximum rule. But, when she is safe, I feel the need to watch Elaine. Like I said before...it confuses me."

"I should confide in you," Imperael muttered, as they stood in the treasure chamber.

"On what?" Erelus asked.

"I was created not long ago. You were lost for a whole millennia. I feel a touch more in kindred spirit to you, as you are learning things as I am. I do not know how to say this. But...I am feeling very, well...odd. Around my sister now. There are things that I do not understand. I try to, but I feel that I am not grasping something. I would go to the others, but I would not be understood."

"Hmm," Erelus thought. "We shall talk more at length on this after this current issue is seen to."

"Of course," Imperael nodded.

"Although, I do notice something about you," Erelus said.

"What is that?"

"You do not have a faction."

"A faction?"

"You do not belong to Valor, Justice, Fate, Wisdom, or Hope. You seem to move between them all from how you were called. I have not seen any like you. It almost feels as though...you could become a faction temporarily and switch to another if needed," Erelus mused. He watched Malthael appear to regard them now on this discovery.

"I am surprised at myself for not seeing this. You are correct in this. He is, what humans would call, a wild card. And...I think I know your true purpose, Imperael. But...we will not discuss it here," Malthael mused. He now believed that he knew how a mortal child of Hope would come about. He would test a few theories later. "The filth is almost here. Get ready."

They both nodded and moved to hide behind mounds of treasure. It was easy to do. When the three thieves found themselves scuffling over a gem that vanished, they all stared in shock.

"Dibs!" the lead man giggled and jumped at a large mound of treasure. The other two looked at each other and moved to join him. Then they found themselves flung back from a massive mace. The leader was impaled on the giant grandfather sword and tossed aside.

"This is our Heaven...and your Hell!" Imperael growled and advanced to help finish them off.