It was a couple hours after she ate and was able to nurse Mal that the decision to find Itherael was done. She knew he needed to speak with her. The only question was how to go about it. Imperius was quite protective of me now. It would be doubtful that he would leave my side. Even Malthael was stumped on this. Anarius had been watching everything carefully. He had the perfect solution.
"IT IS TIME TO BRING MORE ANGELS BACK TO THE HIGH HEAVENS. YOU NEED TO SING WITH IMPERIUS AGAIN. THEN HE WILL NEED TO TRAIN THE NEW TROOPS," he said calmly. Tyrael chuckled at this and looked over at Anaurael. She smiled and nodded in agreement.
"I do agree," she said. "Is it to be another Lightsong? Or just Imperius and I?"
"A TRUE LIGHTSONG IS NEEDED. WE NEED THE COURTS TO BECOME FILLED ONCE MORE. THE POOLS NEED MORE FOLLOWERS, TOO. ALL SECTIONS OF THE HIGH HEAVENS ARE LACKING. AS YOU SING, I SHALL SING WITH YOU. WE SHALL MEET WITH THE OTHERS AT THE CRYSTAL ARCH. AND, YES, MALTHAEL WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST OUTSIDE OF HIS MORTAL FLESH. BUT, IT WILL BE ONLY FOR THIS LAST TIME. WHEN HIS BODY BECOMES MORE AND MORE ACUTE, HE LOSES THIS IN FULL. SO, HE SHALL HELP ONE LAST TIME ON HIS OWN. WE MUST GO NOW," Anarius urged. Malthael understood this and found himself in his own solid state. He also knew that it would have to happen again when it was time for Anaurael to make a mortal Council child for Wisdom. But, that would remain secret for now.
"I'll have to train the new ones again," Imperius muttered. "I need to see to their training. To ensure that they train properly."
"I know. And I'll be fine. A few hours apart from you should not harm us," she chuckled. He only sighed and lifted her in his arms. He didn't want to leave her alone.
"I should have you with me," he muttered.
"If it becomes that much of a hassle, then we'll see. Okay?" she said. He could only nod. "I know that it's because all that I bear is from you now. I can understand this. What I find a touch funny is that, just a few months ago, our situation was reversed."
"I am well aware of it," he nodded and began to walk with her. He glanced over to see Tyrael carrying Mal in his arms. Much to his surprise, the plush doll resembling himself was in the baby's grasp. And Mal was lightly chewing on one of the soft wing strands. "Why is Mal eating a part of what is to be me? Is that proper?"
"It's made to be a baby toy," Tyrael smiled and wiped off a little drool. "It was made for this. Don't worry. It's fine and very durable."
"I would prefer for such a thing to be treated with better respect," Imperius muttered and sighed at how the baby placed his small mouth right on the front part of the soft helmet where black felt was used for his face. It looked like the baby was trying to eat his face. "That does not look right."
"Tyrael, is a doll like that fairly common?" Anaurael now asked.
"Not exactly," Tyrael admitted. Izarius was quick to swap out the doll with a small silver rattle. The sound easily amused the baby into shaking it, and the doll was saved. He was able to gather up Mal when they reached the Arch. Tyrael had to be ready to Sing with the others. At the sight of Gurzick appearing to check on them all, he waved. Mal rattled his toy at the goblin, and Gurzick beamed as he gave over another plush toy based on a farm animal. Greed was going to be spoiling this child.
"Imperius," Izual said when he walked over. "The Nephalem and other heroes wished to be here for this. Shall I get them?"
"Hmm. They did, didn't they? Very well. Hurry," Imperius nodded. After Izual left, Itherael came over to greet them. Anaurael clasped hands with him and squeezed them.
"I was hoping to speak with you after this," Itherael said.
"I'm sure we'll get to talk," she nodded. Then she pulled him close to hug tight and whisper softly, "Sing well with us. I do hope you get more added for your Library."
"I will Sing as well as I have always done," he vowed and pressed a kiss to her cheek. She pressed a chaste kiss to his lips, and he forced himself to let her go. Malthael only nodded to him, but was quick to get a hug and chaste kiss from her next. He missed holding her like this, too, but, like Itherael, he pulled himself away from her.
"She does smell like a breeze from Heaven..." Malthael sighed and chuckled. Itherael could only agree and shiver with control. I have to focus. At the feel of Al'maiesh coiling around his arms, he turned to nod with thanks to Auriel. When Izual appeared with the group of heroes, the Monk was smiling softly to himself at such a grand vision of Light. However, much to their surprise, a new hero was with them now. And he was a massive Crusader.
He was in complete awe of where he was. Imperius easily saw him from where he stood with Anaurael. The human was as massive as a Barbarian, if just a touch shorter in height. His armor could have made him turn into a tank with regal tabards, and a two-handed morning star mace that he held aloft easily with his massive shield was at his side. It was easy for him to handle the giant weapon with a bit of focused training. The colors of choice were blue and gold with flecks of white to enhance his status with the Light. He had removed his helmet for the occasion to reveal that his blonde hair was clipped short with a strong, chiseled jaw. His blue eyes easily moved about to drink in the sight that was before him.
"Welcome to Heaven," the Nephalem chuckled.
"Thanks," the Crusader chuckled back. "I don't think my room back home would ever be this nice, but I'm grateful to be here. For what it's worth, of course."
"Of course," Kormac grinned softly.
"Are they Singing soon?" Eirena asked eagerly.
"We have not missed anything yet," the Monk said. The Wizard with them was already giddy with excitement. The two Witch Doctors were in complete awe of the pure spirits they saw waiting to be called. Vincent was leaning against a pillar from where he watched everything calmly. Even the Barbarian was giving silent tribute to what he was about to see.
"Good!" Lyndon smiled. When he caught sight of Anaurael, he sighed softly, but he stayed put. When the Crusader saw her, his jaw dropped. He had never seen a girl with such a perfect, singular beauty. Of course, the hair was odd, but he was just amazed with her. He couldn't see her mark, but that was expected. Lyndon took quick notice of this and grinned, as he said, "That's Anaurael. She belongs to Imperius. What do you think?"
"What?!" the Crusader asked him now. Tyrael glanced over from what he overheard, and he had to walk over to talk to them.
"Lyndon, you also forgot to mention that she's my wife, too," Tyrael said. Now Lyndon could only give a tight smile. He was trying to forget about that part. The Crusader was not amused when he looked over at Lyndon. Clucking his tongue, he regarded Tyrael calmly.
"I shall hold her at length with a brotherly form of respect," the Crusader vowed.
"Thank you. I need to join with the Lightsong now. When it's over, we'll talk more," Tyrael said with a small nod. After he walked back into place, the Crusader seemed to glare at Lyndon.
"I doubt you would have done anything, anyways," Lyndon shrugged.
"That may be so. But, I don't want to make enemies of those that don't deserve to be enemies," the Crusader growled lightly. The Nephalem looked over and kicked Lyndon's shin. The scoundrel yelped a bit and glared back at the warning shot. At the calm, punishing gaze he got back, he winced, but he forced himself to back down.
When Zayl appeared with Anabelle, he was quick to join where the Nephalem was standing.
"Miss anything?" he asked.
"No," the Nephalem said and gave a small wave to his wife. When Malthael took his place at the Lightsong, Humbert gave an odd sound of surprise.
"Yes, I see him, too. It must be a special event if he was allowed to appear," Zayl said.
"Who?" the Crusader asked.
"Malthael! That's who! The one who had all of those attacks going, and such," Humbert said.
"Wait...you mean...?" the Crusader started. Then he paused at Anarius's massive form approaching them all.
"I AM ANARIUS. I AM ANU REBORN. YES, MALTHAEL IS HERE, BUT HE HAS GAINED HIS REPRIEVE. HOLD NO MORE THOUGHTS OF NEGATIVITY TOWARDS HIM. IF YOU STILL DO, THEN YOU ANSWER TO ME. DO WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING?" he asked lightly. At the small nods and swallows, he continued, "YOU ALL BEING HERE IS A PRIVILEGE. DO NOT LET SUCH A PRIVILEGE BE REVOKED. JUST BIDE YOUR TIME, WITNESS, AND OBSERVE. YOU ALL WISHED TO SEE WHAT TRANSPIRES. IT WAS GRANTED TO YOU. IT WILL START SHORTLY. REMEMBER. ALL THAT ARE HERE ARE TO BE FORGIVEN. IT IS DONE."
"Of course," Eirena smiled. To her surprise, a large hand was placed on her shoulder and squeezed in a brotherly way. A sense of pride hit her now. At Anarius's nod, he moved to join the rest in the Lightsong circle. Kormac was a touch jealous that she got such attention, but he pushed it aside.
"Ready?" Imperius whispered to Anaurael and squeezed her shoulders.
"Yes," she smiled. She began to Sing softly and let it build. Imperius was quick to let his Song rise up with hers, and the others quickly followed suite. Even Imperael was Singing with them now. When the pillars of Light that made up the Arch began to glow, those witnessing it for the first time gave out harsh gasps of awe. Then the first of many angels appeared. Titharius was there, too, to greet them and direct them to the training halls. The Monk's jaw dropped at how many powerful angels formed. The two Witch Doctors were amazed at watching actual spirits gain new forms before coming forth.
"Amazing," the Crusader whispered. When one newly born female appeared and began to move off in a hovering motion, she actually paused and looked at him curiously. "Can I help you?"
"I don't know," she said softly in her ethereal tone from the hood that hid her head and seemed a bit hesitant, too. Her cloth and armor showed she was a mystical caster for the Gardens of Hope. Her wings were delicate tendrils of soft bluish-white. His Light was so strong that it clearly attracted her. "Um...can I talk to you? I mean..."
"Oh! Well..." he started. He actually found himself becoming incredibly flustered. This was new to me. When she was glanced at by other angels to head to the training halls, she gave another look at the human. She didn't want to stray from his side. "You know what? I can use a walk. I'll join you."
The pleased sensation she gave him actually caught him by surprise. He knew that his love of the Zakarum faith would always come first, but this angel clearly had his attention. He wanted to know why. When they moved off, Lyndon was just staring in complete disbelief at this. Then he was shocked when another angel, likely a new one for the Courts of Justice from how her armor shone like burnished silver in the sunlight, made a small glance at the Barbarian!
"Ah..." the Barbarian blinked at this. He saw the two-handed sword she bore. She was clearly one of the fighters of the High Heavens. At the gentle, yet stern sensation of a glance she gave him from the hooded helm she bore, he knew he was the direct center of her attention.
"I am Salauriel. May I make your acquaintance?" she asked softly.
"Um..." the Barbarian said and cleared his throat. "Kalgor."
"Can we speak alone?" she asked now. He found himself a touch speechless. The Nephalem was doing a classic face-palm to hide the laughter coming out. At how Lyndon was trying to talk, but was clearly at a loss for words, Kalgor only nodded and walked off with the newly born female angel warrior.
"This isn't fair," Lyndon sighed.
"Well," Kormac started. At the knowing glance he got, the large man only grinned back. The Monk laughed softly and sighed, as he watched the glowing spires. There were still angels coming forth. He moved to a ledge to look out over the Silver City. The sights of Heaven would never cease to amaze him. He was so busy looking out that he never noticed the female angel in heavy cloth from the Pools of Wisdom wander over to his side. Her new weapon that was granted to her was a two-handed spear.
"Is the sight pretty?" she asked gently.
"It is," the Monk nodded. Then he glanced over to smile and look back out. Now he looked over again at the angel with a touch of surprise. "Oh. You were just born?"
"Yes. And I came to you," she said with a soft nod. "You called to me."
"I did?" he frowned.
"Yes. There is something within you that reached for me. I could not ignore it. Do you not feel the same with me?" she asked with worry. At first he was going to say that she was mistaken. Then he found himself unable to take his eyes off her. There was clearly a connection.
"You may be on to something," he said with a small nod. "Let us discuss this at length."
"I would be delighted," she said from her hooded form. Now that they walked off, Lyndon felt incredibly disgruntled. Vincent was happily watching everything from where he was. His balance was a perfect mix of Dark and Light, so no angels would be able to sense him. Or so he thought when he found himself getting approached by another angel from the Courts. Her armor almost resembled Lilaurael's angel armor from long ago being a touch more cloth than armor. She also bore a bow and a quiver of arrows. He cleared his throat and nodded to her.
"And what are you doing here all alone?" she asked and regarded him lightly from her own hooded form. He rose a brow at her.
"Minding my own business," he said with a shrug.
"Ah. Can I mind my own business with you?" she asked. His eyes opened a bit wide at this. He was usually quick to retort to be left alone, but her statement was so abrupt and to the point that he found himself at a loss. At her soft chuckle, he could only glance at her. Now that he looked at her differently, he found himself exceptionally compatible with her.
"Well...I guess..." he seemed to shrug.
"It's either yes or no. Can I? Or do I walk away?" she asked in a point blank manner again. Now he looked at her and noticed her laughing softly at him. He knew that she knew how to get to him. And she had just been born. The connection he felt with her was almost suffocating.
"Yes. You can mind your own business with me. But, we have to mind it elsewhere," he said dryly. She only nodded and followed him away from the others. The Wizard was watching everything with a form of mirth. She was a touch surprised at her comrades seemingly vanishing away with different angels. Yet, she paid it no mind. As she watched the angels coming forth from the Arch, she noticed one large male angel with a stately hood walk just past her. His wings were rather massive for his size to show he was a stronger angel, and he was for the Courts of Justice like so many new ones. He was clearly a fighter, and she didn't know why her eyes were drawn to him.
As she smiled softly at him with a nod when he glanced at her, the last thing she expected was for him to stand beside her. She innocently looked away from him. Why was am I blushing?!
"Hello. I need to explore the Courts. Want to join me?" he asked casually in his deep, echoed tone. Now she looked at him with surprise.
"Um, I may be needed here..." she started.
"Really? But, don't you want to see what all the High Heavens has to offer?" he asked and crossed his arms over his broad chest. The sword and shield on his back were in ready reach, as he regarded her calmly. When she glanced over at Kormac, he was making gestures to go with him.
"Well, I still don't know," she said in a slightly flustered way. Then she gave a slight shriek when he simply leaned over and scooped her up in his arms. Nodding to the others, he walked away with her blushing figure held securely against his chest in a solid act of claim. Kormac was now howling with laughter at what he saw.
"So many are finding others!" Eirena beamed. "They are so lucky!"
"How is that? Do you want one of them to find you attractive?" Lyndon asked and ignored how the two Witch Doctors were neatly escorted away by angels from the Pools of Wisdom. They saw the two spirits come up to them before becoming solid. They knew that the angels were meant for them.
"As much as it would be fun, I doubt that any would," she sighed. Kormac seemed a touch jealous on hearing this, and he cleared his throat.
"You know, you could see me as one of these angels," Kormac managed to say softly.
"What?" Eirena blinked at him.
"Oh, come on! He loves you!" Lyndon finally scowled at her. "He's been in love with you, since he first saw you! Don't be so daft!"
"I...was told of this...but..." she seemed to glance at Kormac in a blushing way now.
"Well..." Kormac seemed to be flustered, too. "We could...talk about it..."
"Sure..." she smiled, and they walked off.
"Jealous, Lyndon?" the Nephalem smirked.
"No!" the scoundrel lied.
"And that's why you won't get an angel," Humbert snorted from where Zayl watched nearby. "You lie too much. You like to steal. They don't find you appealing."
"What?! I kill hundreds of demons with you all each day and night, and I don't get a chance?" he pouted. "I call it favoritism."
"Call it what you like! If I had a body, I'm sure I would have gotten one!" Humbert jabbed at him. Zayl could only smirk at that and squeeze his wife. The Song was finally slowing down to a stop, and the pillars of Light began to dim back down. Anaurael was clearly exhausted, and Imperius gathered her up in his arms. When she caressed his cheek under the helm, he laughed softly and pressed a kiss to her palm. This time, he was able to see all the angels that came out. And he saw the ones that picked various heroes to be with. If it kept them from Anaurael, then he didn't mind in the slightest. It also proved how strong their Light was within them.
"You should train the troops," she said.
"Not until you have recovered. I'll help you. Then you can rest without me," he said. She could only nod and rest her head against his massive shoulder pauldron. "Just keep your hand there."
"Of course," she whispered.
"Any that need to go back should be taken back now," Imperius said to her brothers. At their nods, he noticed how she was gazing at him. He gazed back at her now and lightly moved a stand of her hair from her face. A kiss was pressed to her mouth next, and he took her to her chambers after that. Izarius had to follow them when Mal showed signs of hunger. Tyrael was close behind. As for Malthael, he was simply amused at how the new angels that were appearing had dispersed to be with various chosen humans. When he glanced over at Itherael, he now realized how bad the aloof angel really was.
"She will be with you soon," Malthael said lightly to him.
"I know. However...I fear that I am at my limit of waiting..." Itherael admitted. "If you hadn't noticed, not many came out for my Library. I was trying so hard to focus..."
"GO TO YOUR LIBRARY AND WAIT," Anarius ordered. "I WILL ENSURE SHE REACHES YOU. WE WILL BE PERFORMING THE LIGHTSONG AS OFTEN AS WE CAN."
"Very well," Itherael said and was able to head there. It was an hour later that Imperius knew he couldn't linger with Anaurael. He had to ensure the troops were training properly.
"I know you need to see to them. Mal is sleeping. I'm sure that Tyrael will be here to protect us," she smiled. Imperius nodded, lifted her into his arms to kiss her deeply, and set her back down. Right after he left, Anarius appeared.
"MOTHER, I WISH TO SHOW YOU SOMETHING," he said calmly.
"I'll watch over our son," Tyrael nodded. He knew what it was about. Anarius nodded to him and then to Izarius before speeding off with her. When he got to the Library with her, even she saw the state that Itherael was in. She was released to go to him, and she approached him carefully.
"Itherael?" she asked softly.
"Ah..." he trembled at the sound of her voice.
"Where is your sanctum?" she asked gently and placed her arms around his waist, as she rested her cheek against his back. She felt him tense and just barely suppress the gasp for control he gave out. He was able to have it open. Now she easily pushed his hovering form into it. He had no control now. After the sanctum door sealed, she moved to stand in front of him to place her hands on his chest. "What is it, Itherael? Can you talk to me?"
"I'm sorry..." he seemed to whimper. He placed his hands on her arms and gently squeezed them. "I can't...really focus right now..."
"Then let me help you focus," she whispered and moved her hands up to his shoulders.
"Imperius..." he muttered, but he already found himself going to the chair that he had hidden away. She had him lay back on the chair, and she was already removing her gown.
"He's training troops. We have some time," she said. He was suffering quite badly. The moment she pushed away the cloth covering his armored hips and settled over him, he let out a sharp cry. Even she was consumed by what she felt next, and she let him pull her down to his chest with heavy, panting gasps. She reached up into his hood to gently caress his cheek. "Are you okay now?"
"I will be..." he managed to say softly.
"We have a couple hours. Just recover with me. Okay?" she smiled.
"I can do that," he said and was able to place his arms around her. It was as though a heavy lull of contentment finally reached him as he held her. At the way his breathing began to even out, she almost thought he fell asleep. When she traced over a line of cloth, he shivered. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" she asked.
"It should have been...much longer," he sighed.
"Itherael, even I know you're not done," she chuckled.
"I can hardly move! There is no way you can tell," he said. The he stiffened and gasped from the sensations that assaulted him next when she sat up on him.
"Like I said," she smiled and watched him fight for control. "you're not done."