The rest of the day passed on slowly with some minor door repairs, studying in the arcane libraries, and helping various mages and humans recover from their possessions. Greed was able to find the small, discarded parcel box in the old master's room rather easily. It still had a lingering scent of Belial's vile stench on it. Gurzick clearly didn't like it. Even Tyrael confirmed what it was rather easily.
"Yes, this is definitely Belial," he muttered. He was sitting in his room in the Caldeum Horadrim section. "If I remember correctly, there were seven main Evils. Three Prime Evils and four Lesser Evils. I'm fairly sure that there are other numerous other Evils, too, but these seven are the most powerful of them all. Cain's book has all of the main ones listed. I'm sure we'll get to study each of them to find their weaknesses and strengths. However, we need to find out where Diablo's soul is. That is a primary. And Mephisto's soul, too. We have to find them. We have Baal. We need the other two. Of all of them, those three are always the most dangerous."
"That much I know I can agree with. What do we do with this?" Greed asked and had Gurzick gesture to the tainted box.
"It may lead us to the others. Baal's soul wasn't put in a box yet. It's in a bag now and hidden away. Willis had that. Hmm. I wonder," Tyrael mused. "Take the box to Willis. Don't give it to him. Just see how he reacts."
"What do you hope to prove?" Greed asked.
"I want to see how strong his Light is. If he's repelled, he should be okay. But, if he's attracted to the box..." Tyrael said. Greed nodded at this insight. "And you're sure that you and your kind are immune to the stench of these things?"
"Fallen One," Greed chuckled. "I have been finding things from both factions, since before the young human cubs were created. Such a thing does not bother us at all."
"If that's the case," Tyrael said. "I remember how you said you wanted to hide away the Black Soulstone if you knew of it. Think you can hide these new Soulstones? Just keep them all separated."
"Oh! I would be delighted!" Greed cackled.
"Just bring them to us to inspect first. You can guard over them for the safety of all," Tyrael grinned. "You want to irk the Burning Hells? This would do it."
"That it would," Greed chuckled darkly. "They are rather pretty and sparkly to look at, too."
"That they are. Just don't break them open. We want them to remain trapped," Tyrael agreed. As they continued to discuss everything at length, Izarius was alone with Anaurael in her chambers. Mal was sleeping deeply to show he was well. She was sitting in his lap and pressing into him. The need they had for each other had reached an intense high point.
"Why did we start doing this again?" Izarius mumbled in the kiss he gave her.
"Because you need it," she whispered and gasped when he pulled her fully into his lap. They were both panting after it was done, and he was able to help her shift in his lap to avoid suspicion.
"You needed it, too," he chuckled and let her recline on him. "As much as we are together all the time, it's trying to be together like this that we seem to have problems."
"It's expected," she said and lightly nuzzled under his invisible chin.
"You're going to get us caught," he muttered and found himself locking his mouth on hers again.
"You're not complaining," she said in a husky way when his hands moved over her form again.
"You won't get caught. It won't happen. I'm watching everything," Malthael said directly to him when he appeared. "You're fine. Don't worry about it."
"But I don't know...how much time..." he strained against the pleasure he felt next when she shifted back into his lap. He acted like he was talking to her, but her warmth against him forced him to go quiet. Malthael ignored his protesting remarks. He knew there was plenty of time. Imperius was training new troops. Tyrael was in a deep discussion with Greed. He had her other brothers working on other chores to help with the room on being stocked with food and drink. He knew that the two of them needed this time together. It would be a long time before they got the chance again.
"I'm sure that...when it comes time to stop..." she whispered in his ear. "we'll know."
"It's just...doing this in secret..." Izarius sighed and shivered.
"I know. It's wrong. But...what else can we do?" she frowned. He clung to her and shivered.
"Anu told me that this was fine," he muttered in her ear. "That I was worthy of this. Being with you. As much as I love you and protect you..."
"I know," she smiled and ran a hand over his invisible cheek. She gasped when his mouth possessed her neck in a fit of need.
"One more time," he growled and clamped her down onto him. "I don't know...when we'll..."
"I know it..." she panted. After the final bout of pleasure rocked them, they slowly recovered. "I think I need a bath. I'm all sweaty."
"Okay..." he nodded. He was trying to get his bearings again in being her brother.
"Imperius is returning," Malthael said lightly. That snapped Izarius back into gear. He was soon out of the chair and helping her undress. She recognized this mood rather quickly, and she watched her other brothers come in when Malthael prompted for them. As they worked in the room to fix up a table of food and drink for her, she squeezed Izarius's hands. He trembled slightly now. Since Imperius wasn't there, she hadn't truly forgotten anything.
"Let me get your back," Izarius said calmly. She nodded and turned to let him shift aside her dry hair to scrub her skin clean. At the intense massage he began to give her, she could only groan with relief. "I'll need to do this more."
"Or you let me take over," Imperius said when he walked into the room. Izarius chuckled and quickly relented now that any odd moods were completely gone. He glanced over when Tyrael appeared to find a chair and sit down.
"Greed is going to do a test on Willis with the box the Soulstone was in. The one that held Belial's soul," Tyrael said. "He is also constructing a special chamber in his realm to secure the stones we find. None will be able to access Greed's lair. This is a proven fact."
"Very clever," Imperius nodded. Imperael found his way in next and was informed on what was being discussed. Even he liked the idea. "But, what of this test on that mortal?"
"We want to see how much Light Willis has retained from his near corruption. If his Light is nearly gone, then this will prove it," Tyrael said. Anaurael heard all of this and seemed to grimace.
"If he is fully tainted, then what can heal him?" she asked.
"I'm honestly unsure," Tyrael shrugged. "It's rare for anyone to recover after such an intense proximity to evil like that. It's why I want to test this with him. To see what happens."
"Hmm..." Imperius thought aloud. "I will not let Anaurael visit with him after this. It would become too risky in any case or form."
"I would have to agree," Izarius said. "Was he tested yet?"
"Greed was doing that now," Tyrael said. Then he saw the feast set down for Anaurael and for him by several Greed Goblins. He moved quickly to sit down and eat. Imperius knew that Anaurael still need a good back rub, and he had her dress in something light after she dried off. Then he had her sit in his lap to continue massaging her spine and shoulders. At the sight of what she was eating, he had her help him taste what she was having.
"Would it be possible for her to remove the taint? Like she did for Anarius?" Imperael asked.
"I'm unsure with that," Tyrael admitted. "Think of this. She would be removing half of his bloodline. He's half angel and half demon. To remove one and leave the other would kill him."
"He would not be missed..." Malthael growled out from where he stood.
"His father would miss him," Izarius said. Malthael snorted. Imperius could only agree with Malthael's thoughts. At the sudden cry that Mal gave from his cradle, Malthael found himself vanishing back to his flesh. Within minutes, she was nursing him.
"Mama's here," she crooned and let him nurse. Tyrael chuckled at him and started to help Anaurael eat by cutting up some choice slices for her. Imperius had her settle in his lap to help feed her, as she fed Mal. "This is an interesting way to keep me fed!"
"If it helps you, then I am not complaining," Imperius said. She chuckled and let him help feed her the small morsels. As she was being cared for in Heaven with her growing baby, Greed was cautiously watching Willis. The youth appeared to be much better with a Priest's help, but he was still struggling with odd visions of violence.
"Dad, it happened again," he frowned.
"Did it?" Harvey sighed. He knew his son had to talk about it, or it would eat at him.
"Yeah. I was walking by with no problem. Then I saw a man suddenly fall apart in a mess of blood and flesh. When I blinked, he was fine," Willis shivered. "I want them to stop!"
"I know," Harvey said and gave his son a hug. "It will take time. Pray to Akarat."
"I honestly don't know if Akarat is what I need right now," Willis winced.
"Did you talk to that Crusader? Maybe the Zakarum has answers?"
"That I don't know," Willis admitted. Now Greed had an idea. He had Gurzick track down Byden. He was in New Tristram going over current bounties when the Greed Goblin waved at him.
"Oh. Hi. What's up?" he asked. Nikauriel was standing next to him calmly. She would hover at times, but only if she needed to.
"I have a favor to ask of you," Greed said. "And, yes, I would owe you a favor in return."
"Okay. I'm game," Byden said and sat down. His angelic female rested her hands on his shoulders to listen in.
"The Fallen One wants me to deliver the box that held the vile soul to the troublesome youth. To test the strength of his Light," Greed said. "As I watched him, his sire made a suggestion that maybe the Zakarum faith may help him out. Tell me. What do you think when you see this?"
"See what?" he asked. When the box was presented, he stammered and made a holy sign in front of him. "Get that blasphemous thing away from me!"
"Good! That should be what that youth does," Greed mused.
"You were going to show him that?! Oh. To test his Light..." Nikauriel said.
"And what do you think of my faith doing to help?" Byden muttered, as he warily watched the box get stowed away again. "What do you think it would prove?"
"To help him?" Greed asked, and Gurzick shrugged.
"Well..." he thought.
"Would Willis being your apprentice help?" she asked.
"I'm honestly unsure. I think it would depend on him. If he's too corrupted, I don't think I would even think of him being someone in apprenticeship to me," Byden admitted.
"You should. In case something happened to you. Of course, I refuse to let that happen. But, just in case..." she said. He reached up and clasped her hands to squeeze with his own gauntlet covered ones. "I would much rather bear a son for you to take up your place."
"We talked about this," he said gently.
"I know," she nodded. "And you know where I stand."
"I do," he chuckled softly. "You're less than a week along. I'm watching you closely."
"I know you are," she laughed a bit and accepted a kiss from him.
"Anyways, Greed," Byden sighed. "Fine. I'll approach him and see what I can help with. But, I want you to keep that box away from him first. Agreed?"
"That is fine. I shall keep it around in case you wish to test his loyalty," Greed said with complete agreement. "Oh. I thought your ranking carried other weapons."
"Ah. You mean the morning star. I do have one. I have it here. I did have a much better one, but it was lost long ago. Old battle, I think," he shrugged. "Normally, we do use flails. I just haven't found one to my liking yet. Why do you ask?"
"I can offer you a trade for a better weapon. If you like?" Greed giggled.
"But, I like my morning star mace! It suits me," he said.
"It is weak," Greed argued. Nikauriel found herself laughing softly.
"Well, it's the one I've always used. And it's used rather well," Byden grunted when he stood up tall. At a small whisper from her, he grimaced. "It is not rusting! I clean it every night!"
"If I show you what I have to offer in trade, would you accept?" Greed prodded.
"Oh...fine!" Byden sighed with disbelief. Gurzick was quick to jump into a portal and run over to the area that had all the weapons. Now various morning stars and flails were revealed for him when he walked into a different chamber. Two select weapons were chosen. One was a massive flail that had the main ball resembling a demon's head. The other was a very odd rock formation as the main ball. Several Greed Goblins hefted them both and transported them.
Both weapons were set before Byden. His eyes went wide.
"You may choose only one," Greed said from Gurzick's crown.
"I figured," he muttered. "As much as I like that Fate of the Fell, the one that has the demon head on it, it's really not my style. I think Baleful Remnant would be best for me. I can make more allies for a short time. That can help us push back the enemy."
"But, you would need to use a different skill, right?" Nikauriel asked.
"I would. And it's not hard to do. Any Crusader can become a Champion for Akarat for a short time. It's something we all learned how to do," he chuckled.
"I wonder..." she mused and whispered to him. He started to sputter with laughter.
"I...honestly would not know...what would happen if I did that while we were...eh..." he found himself blushing. He picked up Baleful Remnant and let the other get taken away. At how she was still laughing at him, he could only shake his head. "I didn't know that angels were known to think like that."
"Well, you told me that the Zakarum faith didn't frown on mating," she chuckled.
"I'm aware of it," he said. "It says nothing about it not being allowed. At least we prefer willing partners and not those that are forced."
"What about destined?" she asked. He put an arm around her armored waist and squeezed her.
"No exception for that. It's a given," he smiled. They shared a kiss and moved to follow Gurzick through his portal. They were both led over to where Willis was, and Byden sat down. Harvey actually looked a touch relieved on seeing him. "Hello. My name is Byden. I'm a Crusader. I was informed that you are still having problems."
"How did you...?" Willis frowned. Gurzick laughed and waved. "Oh. I get it."
"Right. Now, what are you still having problems with?" Byden asked.
"Odd visions of death and destruction all around me. No matter what I do...I just can't get rid of them! I mean..." Willis sighed. "what do you think you can help me with?"
"Well, that all depends on what you think I can help you with," Byden said carefully. "If you think I can't help you, then it won't work. If you think I can help you, then you may have a chance. Positive thinking. It's a very good tactic, you know."
"He's right," Harvey chuckled and clapped his son on the back. "I'll get back to work. You talk to him. And, if anything happens, I want to know."
"You will," Byden nodded, as Harvey walked off to let them talk. Nikauriel rested her hands on his shoulders to evaluate everything. "Okay. Before I can talk to you, I need to test something. Greed! Get your man over here!"
"Ah. You wish to test him?" Greed asked from the crown.
"I have to," he sighed. "Show it to him."
Greed nodded and took out the box to show Willis. Byden hissed and grimaced at the sight of it. Nikauriel put her sword protectively in front of her mate to shield him. Willis studied the box silently. Something was pulling him to it, but then he remembered the suffering he went through. As his hand went to touch the box, a last bit of reserved restraint hit. The box was evil. The nightmares would return and may be even worse.
"NO!" Willis gasped and cringed away from it. "Get rid of it!"
"Very well," Greed replied. Gurzick hid the box away in full. Willis was still gasping from the shock of everything. A part of him wanted to burst into tears from shock. Another wanted him to ask for the box again. Byden watched him closely, took out a small talisman and handed it to him.
"Hold that. Tell me what you feel," the Crusader said lightly. "It's a charm that was made with holy energies. It also helps balance your inner spirit. I tend to use it after a small fight with demons."
"Oh..." Willis shivered and found himself clinging to it. He actually felt a form of intense relief.
"Good! Feel better?" he chuckled. When Willis nodded, Byden let out a small laugh. "And that charm isn't really something special. It was my own test to you on your mental focus. It's just a basic bit of string and beads. It always does the job for me when it comes to my own mental tests. So, if you think about it, you were the one that calmed yourself down without anyone else's help. The tactic worked. Now I know you do have enough Light in you to survive your ordeals. You tricked your dark side, and it worked."
"What?!" Willis asked with surprise and gave Byden back the fake charm.
"You cured yourself," Nikauriel chuckled.
"Oh..." he blinked.
"Anyways," Byden said calmly. "I can tell you a bit of the true Zakarum faith. If you feel it will help you, I can do this."
"Please?" Willis asked. He felt an odd connection with the Crusader. "But...well..."
"What questions do you have?" he asked.
"I don't know how to address this," Willis sighed. "but...could Ana help me?"
"Ana?" Byden asked.
"He means the girl. The golden one," Greed said. "It was discussed that she cannot."
"All right, do we know why?" Byden asked now.
"We shall get an explanation," Greed chuckled and had Gurzick vanish away. Izarius soon appeared and a chair was received for him to sit down in.
"Willis. I never thought I'd be sitting down to speak with you like this," Izarius sighed.
"History?" Byden asked.
"He grew up with Anaurael. And won't leave her alone," Izarius said. "And, Willis, you know why she cannot be with you. It was explained to you multiple times."
"Explain it again. For me," the Crusader said.
"I suppose..." Izarius chuckled. Byden now paid rapt attention. "Anaurael is Imperius's joy. She is the part of him that he lacks. If you were able to see the glowing dot on her forehead, it moves in sync with his glow, too. When they are together, he has focus and control again. If she's away from him for too long, he becomes brash and overly arrogant. She is pregnant with an offspring directly from him now. There is another in her soul, too. Any born from her will become powerful allies and brethren in our war against the Burning Hells. She also helped Anu become reborn."
"I thought only Tyrael could make kids with her?" Willis asked.
"Imperius discovered how to do something that Tyrael does," Izarius said mildly. "I will not go into any further details. And, Tyrael was able to help Malthael become reborn with her, too, in a physical way. He was the first one she gave birth to in a physical sense. Anu was reborn a month earlier from her soul. She was able to release him from her at the Crystal Arch."
"I thought she was pregnant at the same time?" Nikauriel said.
"The first physical one failed," Izarius said softly. "She was captured by demons, and Malthael took her over to save her. She had to kill them all with her bare hands. Because of her ordeal, her body could not cope with the pregnancy. I feel the offspring gave up its life to save her purity. But...that's just me. We refuse to let her lose another."
"So...she's that dangerous?" Willis asked.
"She was trained since she was ten years of age in the art of war. And Imperius trained her personally. Her parents were also combatants of exceptional degrees. She also has much of Imperius's Light, so she gained quite a few of his attacks. In fact, Byden, you have a form of attack that Imperius does. To smite down enemies in a beam of light. That is something he does to mass armies of demons."
"Can anyone learn this attack?" Willis asked.
"Not just anyone," Byden said. "If I had an apprentice, I would be training him with everything I knew. If you chose to become my apprentice, I wouldn't mind. But, such a thing is not without a price. Secrets would be shared. Your life would be forfeit, if they were revealed. If I fell in battle, you would take up my name, armor, and weapon to continue where I left off in my crusade. That is the most that I can tell you right now. Such a decision is not forced. Such is the way things are."
"You would teach me?" Willis asked.
"I could. But...you would be learning things unlike anything you ever knew. Your lifestyle would change. You could pass on early with no family under you. That's just a few of the risks. To learn the truth of the Zakarum means no rest for any reason if needed. If you can tolerate the trials to find the rewards, then that is where it all is. We can discuss this later," he said.
"I think I need to talk to my Dad," Willis said and got up to leave quickly. Byden sighed, but he noticed that Izarius was shaking his hooded head.
"What's wrong?" Byden asked.
"It's just as well that he left. Greed, keep watch on him, please. I need to have a private discussion with these two," Izarius said and stood up. Byden was now alarmed. Even Nikauriel was surprised at this. Gurzick happily darted off to see what was going on with the youth. Izarius grabbed both hands from the ones before him and transported them to an empty room in the High Heavens.
"What's this about?" Byden asked.
"There is more about Anaurael. You both deserve to know. The news should be dispersed discreetly. I don't want Willis to know," Izarius said. "No others outside of heroes that work with us."
"I can understand that," the Crusader nodded.
"Anaurael is to help give birth to a mortal version of our Council," Izarius said. "Malthael was to be reborn to give him a body, and to be Heaven's direct Champion. But, with Imperius getting her physically pregnant, it started an old prophecy. To weed out the demon blood in humans with mortal angelic lineage. Think about it carefully."
"So..." Nikauriel said with a soft form of wonder.
"A mortal Council. Okay. I understand. The forefathers of a pure race. You said that Imperius just got her pregnant. He's what? Valor?" Byden asked.
"Yes. Itherael is the Archangel of Fate. He's...destined to be next to help create a mortal body for Fate for the mortal Council," Izarius sighed heavily. Byden's face paled. "Hope would come about with Imperael. As for Wisdom, well, Malthael may come back to assist with that. As for Justice, I am unsure if Tyrael would be enough. It may be Imperael again. As much as it could be Izual, I'm betting on Imperael. All of this is for the necessity of Heaven to triumph over the Burning Hells."
"So many?! With her? I mean..." Byden grimaced. "I know that even I go through such measures for my faith, but for her to do so much for Heaven..."
"It is a closely guarded secret now," the Archangel explained. "And, yes. Your concerns are always the same with many others."
"How is Imperael able to help?" Nikauriel asked.
"He's a special case. He has the ability to change his faction," Izarius said. "The longer he is in a certain part of Heaven, he gains that Aspect temporarily. Also, he gets certain attributes from them, too."
"Interesting," Byden mused. "But, I still feel bad for Anaurael."
"Many do. Yet, Anu also explained that this needed to be done. The prophecy is even chiseled out in stonework. If you wanted to see it, that can be arranged," he said.
"It would be good, but not right now. There is much that we are doing. And, if we do see it, we'll need to have the others with us," Nikauriel said.
"That's true," Byden nodded. "We should learn as a group."
"Sounds fair," Izarius agreed. "Just get someone to notify me. Even Nikauriel can find me in Heaven to tell me."
"I can do that," she nodded.
"Anyways, you had better send me back down there to see if I may have a new apprentice," Byden chuckled. "Never thought I'd see the day to have one."
"I wouldn't take him on," she said.
"Oh?" he asked.
"Can you wait until we see what child I give you?" she asked gently. He found himself smiling softly at this reasoning.
"Yes. I may know of another that can take him on," he nodded. "We did agree to this."
"Tell me who to look for," Izarius said. Byden was quick to jump on that offer. When they got back to where Willis and his father was, Byden paused at a familiar sensation. Izarius was still with them. "Is something wrong? You look tense."
"I sense a disturbance, and it's normally caused by a Paladin," Byden grimaced. "You know how many of them have been corrupted with hatred, right?"
"Well, this one will have the High Heavens to deal with," Izarius growled. "Lead on."
"Right," Byden said with a rather amused smile on his face. Then he blinked at Imperael appearing next to Izarius.
"Malthael sensed something. He told me to help," the massive Archangel snorted. Nikauriel found herself laughing softly. Byden bit back a laugh and shook his head. The Paladin they sought was armored much like Byden was, but his attitude showed a sense of corruption. He was already bullying others for information on Byden's whereabouts. He was almost at the point of vandalizing things. At the sight of the angels with the Crusader, the man paused.
"Hello! My name is Byden. I believe you were looking for me?" he asked calmly.
"Heretic scum!" the Paladin scowled.
"He is no heretic!" Izarius growled. "I am Izarius. An Archangel of the High Heavens. If anyone is a heretic, it is you."
"Your mind is clouded with regret and despair. You are blinded by lies," Nikauriel said sadly. "You have Light within you, but it is blocked by your hatred. Remove your hatred! You will gain reprieve! It can be done, if you allow it."
"Maybe a punch in the face would help," Imperael mused. Byden kept his face neutral, as the Paladin began the sudden conflicting fight within himself. It was something he had seen multiple times in his life. Both with his Master and in his own personal experiences.
"No! You're all demons! Every one of you for siding with the likes of him!" the Paladin snapped. Then his face paled when Imperael charged at him with a massive fist to his face.
"I was insulted by that comment!" Imperael snarled out with rage. "I am not filth!"
"His helmet protected his face. Strong steel," Byden mused at the staggering Paladin. "Either that or a very thick skull."
"I say the latter," Izarius said. He glanced over at Malthael appearing.
"Bring the filth to the High Heavens for a Court vote. Imperius insists," Malthael smirked.
"Guess what, mortal?" Imperael spat out. "You are going to have a personal vote against your life by the Angiris Council!"
"Ugh..." was all the Paladin could respond with. Imperael's fist to his head had clearly knocked around his senses. When the man came around, he found himself in the circular chamber of the Angiris Council. He found himself in complete shock. Then he found himself facing Imperius's enraged form.
"You would dare to call my brethren a form of filth?!" Imperius snapped.
"I..." the man stammered. Byden and Nikauriel were standing a bit away from the rest. Tyrael was comforting Anaurael just behind Imperius. Auriel and Itherael were watching in silent reproach. When Anarius landed next to Imperius, the Paladin's jaw dropped at the Light that shone from the powerful being. He moved to stand next to Imperius calmly. Imperael now moved to stand on the other side of Imperius. Izarius moved to help Tyrael with Anaurael.
"Imperius," Anaurael said gently. He turned to regard her. "Let him explain himself."
"Why? He called our forces demons!" Imperius scowled. She reached for him, and he found himself pulling her into his arms. She whispered softly to him, and he shivered for control. A soft kiss was pressed to his lips within his helm to calm him down a touch further, and she smiled softly. Now she looked at the Paladin with a very sad, tired sigh. Tyrael was letting El'druin shed off its Light silently to show how displeased it was at the whole situation.
"Why did you call my brothers demons? For what reason? For what proof?" she asked softly.
"The Crusader is a heretic! He left the order! I..." he paused.
"He left to help find answers," Nikauriel said from where she stood with Byden. "To help find reasons to keep the faith pure."
"I don't...understand..." the Paladin seemed to whimper.
"There is nothing for him to understand," Malthael muttered when he circled the human. "His hatred is deeply rooted. I can sense it."
"There is much corruption within you. Only you can free yourself of it," Anaurael said.
"And you all side with the unclean? The heretic?!" the man trembled with rage.
"Sacrilege..." Itherael whispered.
"It is very saddening to see this," Auriel said with a shake of her head. The man was about to say more, but he paused at the sight of Anarius bearing his sword to point at him.
"I AM ANU REBORN! MORTAL. YOU HAVE A CORRUPTION WITHIN YOU. THE CRUSADER IN OUR MIDST HOLDS A LIGHT FAR PURER THAN YOU WILL EVER IMAGINE. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO SAY THAT HE IS FALSE. CAST ASIDE YOUR DOUBTS! IF YOU DO NOT, THEN YOU SHALL BE THE FIRST OF YOUR ORDER TO PERISH HERE IN THE HIGH HEAVENS. MAKE YOUR CHOICE. NOW," Anarius ordered him.
The Paladin fell to his knees. There were no demons before me. The Light that filtered from Anarius was pure and untainted. Then, much to everyone's surprise, Anarius leaned over and pressed a gentle finger to the man's forehead. Malthael paused at this. The man's jaw went slack for a moment before he seemed to gasp when the massive hand was pulled away. "I can...see..."
"I REMOVED YOUR BLINDNESS. WHAT YOU DO NOW IS UP TO YOU. I CAN ONLY DO SUCH A THING ONCE. YOU HAD ENOUGH LIGHT WITHIN YOU TO LET ME DO THIS. DO NOT FALL TO CORRUPTION AGAIN," Anarius nodded. "IF YOU HAVE OTHER BROTHERS, YOU CAN TEST THEIR LIGHT WITH YOURS. YOU WILL KNOW HOW ON SEEING THEM."
"Thank you. For helping me see," the man swallowed. Then he looked at Byden and said, "You have no faults. I see this now."
"We are both brothers. We both share the same faith. I welcome you," Byden nodded with a smile. "There are many of our brothers and sisters out there that need answers."
"They do," the Paladin frowned. Then he looked at Imperius and said, "You have my sincerest apologies for my insults. I was blinded with hate."
"So it would seem..." Imperius growled. He was barely kept calm with Anaurael's hand on his cheek. The man then stood tall and knelt with servitude towards them.
"My name is Kaylon," he said reverently. "You have my vow that I shall use my new Light valiantly. I shall see about purging the hatred from my brothers when I see them."
"I wish you luck with that," Byden said with a hint of dismay. "They may not let it go so easily. Were there any that you held in high regard?"
"A couple that had indecisive thoughts," he said.
"THE TOUCH I GAVE YOU WILL LET YOU SEE EXACTLY HOW STRONG THEIR INNER LIGHT IS. THOSE THAT YOU FEEL DESERVE REDEMPTION WILL PROVE THEMSELVES. IF THEY DO NOT FEEL THEY SHOULD LISTEN, YOU WILL ALSO KNOW THAT THEY DESERVE TO BE CULLED. YOU WILL SIMPLY KNOW."
"I shall search through my brothers. If any I know of show promise, but are reluctant, can they come here to see reason?" he asked.
"AS LONG AS THEY UNDERSTAND THEIR REPERCUSSIONS AND WISH FOR A CHANCE TO BE REDEEMED," Anarius nodded. Imperius muttered softly, but Anaurael kept him calm. Byden was only too pleased at this. Maybe now some of the Paladin order can regain their prior standards. Kaylon was sent back to Sanctuary to start his new search. Imperius was still unnerved at the insults that he had to endure and took Anaurael to his sanctum.
"Well..." Byden chuckled. "Izarius, would you like me to help you track down someone that I know of for Willis?"
"Please," Izarius nodded. Tyrael was deep in thought over everything. Malthael glanced over, and they both nodded to each other. New allies were one thing. If the Paladin order thought that the angels were demons in disguise, they would be relentlessly killed off. Such a thing would not be tolerated on any level of standards and would be closely watched for. Even Anarius had his limits of patience and understanding.