Kalgor was livid when he heard of what was happening to his tribal homeland. He knew he had to assist in removing the corruption there. Vincent was even showing his worry now. Jozin was tapping his fingers on the table they were all sitting at. Byden was showing his concern for his new comrades.
"I can send warnings to my tribal lands," Sohar said. "The spirits will help."
"That's fine for you," Vincent growled. "but what about us?!"
"I worry," Mirdael whispered to Sohar. "If there is corruption, will the spirits even be heard?"
"Ah..." Sohar blinked at this. Now Moolara showed her worry. "How do we go about this?"
"We need someone with fast travel," Byden said. "Just like how we got to Mai's home place."
"Greed," Jozin said with a snap of his fingers at the idea.
"Hmm," Kalgor thought and moved to find the Nephalem. "Are you aware of what is going on?"
"Yes," the champion nodded. "I'm ready to go when everyone else is. I'm trying to figure out our travel plans right now with the local caravans."
"Can we call on Greed?" he asked. The Nephalem paused at this and moved to find Lorath.
"We need Greed's help," the Nephalem said. Lorath looked up from the papers he was sorting, pulled out the small mirror and said Greed's name. Gurzick was quick to appear.
"What wrong?" the Greed Goblin asked.
"Soulstones have been sent to all of our main factions. As in, future heroes are at risk," the Nephalem said. Now Greed took full control through the crown.
"I want locations," he said. "I want a full list of everything."
"I think Tyrael found something," Lorath said. "He should have the information."
"Good. Prepare to go," Greed said to the Nephalem and had Gurzick jump through his portal. When Gurzick hopped over to where Tyrael was, he said, "Can the girl Sing for me? I can establish the trade to assist with travel this way."
"Travel?" Tyrael frowned. Gurzick gestured to the map. Now Tyrael's eyes lit up with understanding. Itherael was now preparing a list of the places that needed to be seen to. Malthael sent the sensation to Imperius to bring Anaurael back to them. As much as he didn't want to leave his sanctum, he knew this was too important to let sit idly by.
"We are needed?" she asked when he carried her into her room.
"Yes. You need to Sing for Greed so he can assist with travel," Imperius said. She nodded and smiled at Gurzick to show she was ready. Her Song came forth to filter around the room, and Greed just sighed with delight. He would never get over how lovely her voice was.
When the Song was over, Greed spoke out, "Such a delight! Okay, the trade is cemented. Where do I need to set my minions to search?"
"We have general locations, but, if you want exact pin-points, speak with the heroes directly," Tyrael said. "They would know best on where to go."
"True. I'll do that now," Greed said and had Gurzick portal out. On Sanctuary, a map was already in the works for him. He was pleased with that. Several scouting minions were sent to study the map that was made. "I'll have my minions search for any odd behaviors and warn if everything seems fine. I can only hope that they are not attacked on sight."
"I wonder," Byden said. "If a personal token from them was given to your helpers as a way to help show they are friends, would that work?"
"I don't know," Vincent admitted. "If there is corruption going on, and if they know that we are on the way to help..."
"We need to catch them by surprise like we did with Mai's home," Tobirael said when he appeared. "I cannot have Mai assist with this. Her pregnancy is in danger if it happens. But, another Wizard did appear on her behalf when she asked for assistance in her stead."
"Oh?" Jozin asked. A male Wizard now walked over with a stern look of determination to help. He was working with the bounties, but this was too important for him to ignore. And, with his sister-in-arms down with a developing newborn to help with Heaven, he even refused to let her fight.
"My name is Lou-yu," he said calmly and looked them over with his dark brown eyes. His black hair was clipped short, unlike the long hair of others, but it was mainly from a botched fire spell in his apprentice days. He hid that fact rather neatly under the specialized hat he wore with the strands coming down just past his ears. He wore the traditional cloth garments from Xiansai, but he also had Haedrig upgrade quite a bit of his main pieces to have the bit of steel there, too. His dye colors of choice seemed to be black and purple. His build was slender, but there was definite muscle in all the right places. He seemed a bit older than Mai, too, but he was just as versed in spell casting as she was.
"And what magic do you base yourself with?" Tobirael asked.
"Mainly with ice and lightning. I tried fire, but, eh, it didn't go so well," he sighed. "Anyways, I'm here to help! What's the plan?"
"We are going to Kalgor's domain first," the Nephalem said after walking over. "Then Vincent's place of training. Ivgorod will be next after that. The jungles will be last."
"This is fine," Moolara nodded. "The spirits can intervene to bide time."
"Good," the champion nodded. "Byden, what do you think when it comes to the Crusaders?"
"It's really hard for any of us to fall," the strong man said. "If any do, we resolve the issue in our own way. Don't worry about that. And, you are not coming with me. You can watch over me from Heaven. If you feel that I'm in trouble, you can help. Minimal access at all times."
"But..." Nikauriel started. At his stern look with a shake of his head, she sighed. "Very well. However, do not think for an instant that I will not come down to back you up if needed."
"That's fine," Byden smiled and patted her armor covered hand. "You may not be showing, but I still want you out of harm's way."
"I think he has a good idea," Kalgor said to Salauriel. She gave a sensation of complete displeasure. "Just be my guardian angel and watch over me. You always wanted to do that, right?"
"Well..." she hesitated.
"If anything happens, I know you will appear," he said in the best soothing tone he could muster. When Jozin looked at Sylauriel, he knew she was having second thoughts, too.
"Must I?" she asked softly.
"It would be best," Jozin nodded. Lou-yu was simply amazed at what he was witnessing. And he was a touch envious, too. When Mai was seen walking out of the place she was resting, Tobirael was right at her side to show his disapproval. Lou-yu knew she was pregnant, but he did have a hidden fondness for her. He was actually a touch jealous, but he did he best to hide it.
"Go lay back down," Tobirael said.
"No! I should help!" she said. Her belly was clearly starting to reveal her pregnancy.
"She can watch from Heaven with us," Sylauriel said. "If she is needed, she can appear."
"I don't mind her watching, but I refuse to let her come down," he said.
"Tobi..." Mai sighed.
"Tyrael would agree with me," Tobirael muttered and picked her up to cradle her. "You get exhausted now. Far more than normal. You tell me that everything is fine, but even I know you are struggling here and there. You got ill just this morning, too. So, I will let you watch. You will not intervene. Do you understand?"
"Fine," she muttered and got squeezed. "Just promise me something, then."
"What?" he asked.
"If there is a lot of danger, I want you back at my side," she said.
"I don't know if I can promise that," he admitted. "I should help them. I can see how many are sent down to assist to judge that decision."
"I'll talk to Anaurael," Sylauriel chuckled. That got Mai to chuckle. At the way Lou-yu gave a slight bit of a disgruntled smile, Tobirael seemed to growl. He recognized what jealousy was. Lou-yu hid it well from everyone, but he saw right through the disguised smile.
"It's good to see you, Lou!" Mai said. "Thanks for helping out."
"Of course," Lou-yu smiled and nodded pleasantly. Tobirael was not pleased at that one bit. At the protective grumble he gave now, the Wizard in his arms frowned.
"Tobi, stop it!" Mai muttered directly into his ear. At the possessive squeeze she got back, she could only sigh. "He's a childhood friend. I see him like a brother."
"He sees you as something more," he grounded out mildly in a low tone while walking away with her. "You will remain in Heaven. And, you know what? I'll stay with you, too, and watch with you."
"You will?" she asked. At the loving squeeze she got now, she pressed her face into his invisible neck. "Thank you, Tobi."
"I love you, Mai," he said softly. "I won't let anything harm you."
"I love you, too, Tobi," she sighed. When he teleported with her to Heaven, the other angelic females followed him shortly after. Lou-yu was clearly a bit displeased with what happened.
"You liked her?" Byden asked.
"I did. I thought we were...well...she told me she only saw me as her brother. I can only guess that the angel that was holding her saw past my facade. So, yes, I wish I was closer to her. But, maybe it's better this way, too," he admitted. Jozin looked at him now with a scrutinizing glare.
"Purge your thoughts," the Monk said. "If you do not, then you will not be focused for the fight ahead. Remember this one thing. Angels watch over Sanctuary nonstop now. Prove your worth with our fight, and an angel may find a way to you."
"What?" Lou-yu blinked.
"Show off the Light aspect of yourself," Byden said with a nod.
"I suppose," he shrugged.
"I was surprised when Zynaurael came up to me," Vincent said lightly. "It was unexpected."
"I mean...how exactly do they have kids?" the Wizard asked.
"Ah," Byden said and cleared his throat. "You'll find out how when the time comes."
"It is a guarded secret," Jozin nodded. Kalgor simply snorted, spat on the ground and trudged off to see if Haedrig was able to fix up his armor a bit more. He wasn't going to stand around for this talk. "Hmm. I believe that Kalgor has the right idea. We should fix up our gear before reporting to Greed."
"Right," Byden nodded and moved off.
"I just don't understand," Lou-yu frowned.
"You don't have to," Vincent said with a light chuckle, as he walked past. As the Wizard pondered over that phrase, the Demon Hunter moved to start foraging bark from a nearby tree. It was a good portion of how to make some of the fuses in his stun bombs, and the extra kindling could help for fires. At the sight of Zynaurael appearing, he grunted. "No. Back to Heaven with you."
"I know. But, I want to give you something," she said. He looked at her now and blinked at the sight of a crossbow and quiver set. He was speechless. "I know you have the pair from Greed, but I had Haedrig help me craft the crossbow for you. The quiver I had Greed help me find. I gave him one of my arrows for it. So it was no big loss. But...I want you to have these as a way to help me fight at your side. Since you want me to stay behind and watch."
The gold hand crossbow with glowing blue ammunition seemed to shimmer with a Heavenly glow, as he held it. It appeared to split at the top, but had a circular center with a glowing blue dot where the arrows would charge up before being fired off. Even the line that pulled back seemed to glow with the same blue as the rest of the crossbow. The quiver gave off an intensely holy aura from the blessed arrows within it. Any arrow placed into the crossbow would have a double dose of holy.
"I'll still keep Danetta's weapons," he said softly. "but I will use your gifts against any undead that I see. Hmm. You put gems in these, too?"
"That I did. A powerful emerald is in the crossbow. There's a diamond in the quiver," she nodded. She watched him hang his two dual crossbows onto his belt and neatly take up the hand crossbow and quiver. She knew he was very pleased.
"Haedrig made this?" he asked.
"Yes. He knew how," she nodded. "I was able to show him a few plans. Itherael assisted."
"Amazing. You think the others could get weapons like this?" he asked.
"What do you think?" she chuckled. Now a brow was raised at her. He hung his head and laughed. Now he understood all of it.
"So...they are all getting weapons like these?" he had to ask.
"You could say that. Your weapon is hallowed. The name of your crossbow is Condemnation," she said. "It is how we will help fight at your sides. The entire hallowed collection that we stored in our Library has been given to Haedrig to craft. The quiver's name is Holy Point Shot from a potent blessing that was placed on it by a powerful priest from long ago. I find them fitting for you to use in my stead."
"You know," he started in a light drawl, and she crossed her arms over her chest to regard him. "the new Wizard with us. He did like Mai. Do you think he could benefit with a girl from Heaven?"
"I wouldn't be surprised if one did become attracted to him," she mused. "It would definitely help Tobirael with his trust issues."
"Hah! Trust issues?!" Vincent barked out laughter at that. "I think it's more than that."
"True. Mai is pregnant now. Ah! I'll talk to Lady Auriel. She may know what to do," Zynaurael chuckled. At how he moved to circle his arms around her armored waist, she sighed and hugged him back tightly. "I will worry for you, but I'll watch over you."
"That's all you have to do," he smiled and pressed a kiss to her invisible mouth. When the kiss got deeper and more intense, he pulled away. He had to force himself to do it. "I don't...have time for this now. And you know it."
"You said the same thing when we first spoke privately," she said with a form of amusement.
"And this is the result," he reminded her lightly, as he pressed a hand against her armored belly.
"You didn't complain," she chided softly.
"That's because we had the time to spare then," he muttered.
"I don't think that anyone will miss us for ten minutes," she mused aloud.
"I thought angels detested such things."
"Do you hear me detesting anything?"
"This goes against everything I've learned."
"Do I need to teach you how things can change?"
"And how do you expect to do that?" Vincent regarded her with a small grin. This sent a shiver of excitement through her, and she moved to pull him closer.
"I can't teach you here," she growled out and took him up to Heaven to the personal chamber they claimed there. The moment they left, Jozin was admiring the new fist weapon he got with the same golden casing with a glowing blue aura. The tri-bladed fist glowed blue to show where the Heavenly energy gathered up, and it even seemed to power up a touch when it fitted over his hand. He was very pleased with the weapon he was gifted.
"I shall use this wisely," Jozin nodded. "Thank you."
"I honestly don't want to leave your side," Sylauriel shivered. She felt his strong arms encircle her armored waist to hug her close. "I will worry far too much over you."
"What must I do to show you that I will be well?" he asked her. At the soft whisper she gave him now, he was quite glad that his beard hid his blush. "Ah. Well..."
"Just for a short while?" she asked. He shook his head and laughed softly, as she took him to their room in the High Heavens. It was the same thing happening to the other heroes. A new weapon was gifted to help them fight. Then a quick retreat was done to the High Heavens. When the Nephalem was ready to go, no others were around.
"What's going on?" the champion frowned. The apprentice that Haedrig had was busy cleaning up the anvil, but he was also hiding a sheepish grin.
"I was asked to make some new weapons," Haedrig said. "Once they were given over, it's apparent that the show of appreciation was given. Elsewhere, of course."
"Show of...ah. I see," the Nephalem sighed and chuckled. The champion then noticed Byden and Nikauriel talking together and was able to listen in.
"You can call it a 'good luck and get back in one piece' good-bye," Nikauriel said to Byden.
"It is not a good-bye! I'll be fine," he said.
"It would help me cope," she insisted.
"But...I'm leaving soon! I'm needed here!" the Crusader said.
"And I need you, too," she murmured in his ear. The tone she used was one of his weaknesses with her. At the wary glance he gave her, she gave a soft chuckle.
"I am very thankful that the Zakarum faith does not prohibit this," he muttered.
"Didn't the priestesses of the Zakarum do such things? From what you told me?" she asked with a small giggle. At how he went silent, she simply hugged him and took them to their room in the High Heavens. The Nephalem was found laughing and sitting down in a chair from laughing so much.
"Just wait about twenty minutes," Myriam said when she came over. "Then they will be ready."
"That's fine," the champion chuckled. Lou-yu was trying to figure out what to do when Myriam moved over to him next to speak with him.
"If you let go of the old love, then new love will find you," she smiled.
"So it's been told to me," the Wizard frowned. "It's just...it's tough."
"I know. Such a thing can be hard to forget. But, you don't need to forget it. Just release it. Accept that the old love is no more. It can be done," she urged softly.
"I don't know," he sighed.
"You should listen to her. It can be done," a soft, ethereal tone said gently. At this sound, he turned to confront the speaker. And found himself speechless at the sight of the hovering angel with soft, blue-tinted tendriled wings. A two-handed staff was attached to her back to show she was a spell caster. She also wore quite a bit more cloth to enforce that fact, and she regarded him gently from within her hood. "I am Kylariel. I have come from the Library of Fate. Such is how it should be, you would think. You have called to me. We should speak alone while we still have the time to do so."
"And this is your new fate," Myriam giggled and left quickly to let them talk. Then she thought and mused aloud, "Hmm. May be more than the twenty minutes I mentioned earlier..."
"My fate?" Lou-yu blinked.
"Do we not share the same fate? To be with each other?" the hovering angel asked now.
"I just...didn't expect..." he swallowed.
"Will you accept your new fate? With me?" she asked.
"I feel overwhelmed..." he whispered. He wanted to stop her from moving behind him. He wanted to shrug off the comforting feel of her hands squeezing his shoulders. He simply couldn't. Even when a tear fell from the disbelief he had, he couldn't stop her from turning him to hug him tightly to her.
"Let me show you how correct our fate is now. Together," she said gently and teleported him to Heaven with her. Myriam sighed and laughed softly to herself. She reached the privacy of her cart with no interruptions. Then she paused and turned to find Imperael before her. But he only had a question.
"I sought you out, because I am troubled," he said. "Anaurael said you may be able to help."
"Ah. You will do fine," she said with a small chuckle.
"I will?" he asked.
"Yes. Just do not expect anything to happen for the first few tries. Also, make sure you go into the most closely guarded areas of Heaven for the best effects," she said sternly.
"I can do that," he nodded. "You have my thanks."
"Oh. Something important for you to share with those that need to know," she said and gestured for him to lean close to hear her whisper. "She must be pure each time. With each attempt."
"What?" he asked. "Wait. You mean...?"
"Yes."
"So...she will need the ointment after...?"
"That is correct."
"But, she'll be in pain with each new try! At least, this is what I was told with each new try..."
"A pure body for a pure offspring. It is the only way. She must be pure to the one that needs the offspring. She must be touched by that one first. The salve can be used again after, if the golden one did not touch her, but after he does, it will need to be used before and not after," she explained carefully. "I know I mentioned it before, but I am telling you now to show how serious this is."
"So, I will need to ensure she is pure first. Then, if Imperius has been with her, I will need to apply the salve to fix what was done. With any it must be done. I just..." he gave a cringing sensation. She reached over to pat his larger hand. The look she gave him showed that she understood all too well.
"It is a sad fate for her. This is true. But, it must be done for the benefit of Heaven," she said.
"I do not like this. I'm sure that many don't," he grounded out.
"It is true that many do not," she nodded. "But, for Heaven to triumph in full, it is needed."
He shook his head and went back up to Heaven. He moved straight to Itherael in his Library to whisper softly. The elusive Archangel turned to regard him with complete shock. "She said this?! I..."
"I know," Imperael sighed. "Can I research the writing that was found on that hidden wall? I will not tamper it. I just wish to study it."
"That is fine. The parchment is behind you within the wall. You can access it easily. Just place it back when you are done. As for me, I feel that I need to go somewhere," Itherael thought aloud and went to find Anarius. Now the information on what was learned from Imperael was told to him. The demigod seemed to shiver. Anu's side knew it had to be done. Anarius's side was disgusted.
"IT IS FOR HEAVEN. WE MUST REMEMBER THAT," he said.
"But, even you know of the strain that Anaurael will go through," Itherael pointed out.
"HER BODY WILL MEND WITH THE SALVE. WE SHALL NEED TO KEEP AN ABUNDANT SUPPLY. SHE IS FULFILLING HER DUTY TO HEAVEN."
"And even you know that she suffers for it," Itherael said softly. The merest thought of his mother going through any form of pain or discomfort fully disturbed him. The son side of his mind won out over the divine side. Anarius found himself moving to seek her out. He simply had to do it. When he saw her nursing his brother, he moved to sit with her. She was sitting in Tyrael's lap, though. Imperius had to train the troops again.
"Is something wrong?" she frowned. He simply placed a large hand on her shoulder to squeeze.
"Okay. What is stressing you?" Tyrael asked. He was dressed in cloth for now. Izarius was cleaning his armors for him, and it was to help Anaurael stay comfortable.
"THERE IS MUCH THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. NOT THAT IT IS...DESIRABLE," he admitted. Tyrael now saw Itherael appear to show his concern.
"You worry too much," Tyrael said to them both. "She will be fine."
"It's just what needs to be done," Itherael said. "It affects us all."
"What's this about?" Anaurael asked.
"MOTHER, YOU CAN REMEMBER NOW THAT IMPERIUS IS NOT HERE," Anarius said gently and squeezed her shoulder again. She blinked now and sighed.
"Okay. I get it now. I will forget later, but I see. I can only endure so much, you know? Yes, I don't like what needs to be done. But...it's for Heaven. What more is there for me to say?" she frowned.
"IT IS A DUTY THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. PERHAPS, WHEN IT IS DONE, YOU WILL HAVE WHAT YOU TRULY DESIRE," he said. At her small smile, he knew that she knew he was being hopeful for her. She reached up to squeeze his large thumb to show she understood.
"I know you speak truth. That you are hoping for the best for me. If it is something that can benefit Heaven, you know I could never refuse to stop assisting when I can. If my body is needed to help stop the Eternal Conflict..." she said and let out a heavy sigh. Even Tyrael seemed to grimace at that thought. "How can I not want to do my part? If I cannot fight, then I shall help breed out new fighters."
"You'll go through more pain than any of us would care to admit," Tyrael muttered.
"That's childbirth for you!" she smiled. He found himself laughing softly and let her press her back into his chest. Anarius still had a massive hand on her shoulder, but that was fine.
"Good thing you didn't have to birth him," Tyrael said and glanced at Anarius.
"In a way, I did," she winked.
"SHE IS CORRECT," he chuckled.
"Then I take it back and will use Imperael as my example," Tyrael said. That got them all laughing and chuckling. "And where is he, anyways?"
"He is in my Library. Worry not. All is well," Itherael nodded. As they continued to talk and chat, Imperael was going over the writing that was done on the rock wall. He wanted to know everything he could on it. He was so focused on reading the copied parchment that he didn't notice Malthael sit across from him. Mal was sleeping quite contentedly with a full belly.
"Why do you let this concern you so?" Malthael asked. Imperael actually jolted a bit and glanced up. Then he sighed and shook his head.
"It disturbs me to see her like this. In this fashion. I am trying to see if there is another way out for her. She should not have to go through so much!" Imperael growled out.
"You are going down the same path as Itherael. There is no way out of this," Malthael said mildly and pointed at a particular sentence. "Look. Here is your proof."
"Hmm?" Imperael paused and read over the words. "No...!"
"Yes. The mortal Council must be birthed before this time. Or all is lost," Malthael said.
"And none can speak of this?!" he asked.
"Not until it is set in motion. And none can say anything down in Sanctuary. Demons lurk everywhere. They can exploit."
"I know this," Imperael said.
"And...now I see why you are so concerned over her. You are also in love with her."
"I have not ruled out that possibility."
"I had figured as much."
"But...the mortal Council must be in place and fully functional before thirty of Sanctuary's years are up? Are we sure?"
"That is what it states. It gives the mortal Council time to grow and develop, if you think of how mortals mature. It does not give any form of repercussions, if it does not happen, but such a thing like this..." Malthael seemed to shrug. "It has been on the mark so far."
"As even I can tell. The writings foretold of Ilerael and Lilaurael coming together. They speak of Imperius becoming whole," Imperael said, as he read the words out.
"And the words include how powerful angels...such as myself...can become reincarnated as other things. As mortals. What more is there to say about this?"
"I care so deeply about her," Imperael admitted. "As many others do. I dislike knowing that she is in any form of pain and discomfort. It...does not please me when it happens."
"All of us feel the same. We all worry for her. If Imperius falls...then everything is lost. He controls her life. His safety is now a maximum priority. It always was."
"As it should be."
"Now...tell me this," Malthael said and lightly leaned over the table. "Why do you choose to wait to be with her?"
"Because it would make no sense to me to do such a thing when it is not needed. It would be a waste. I see what Itherael goes through without her. Same with Tyrael. I do not want to end up like them," Imperael admitted. "It is not feasible and would cause problems."
"Ahh! Now I understand. You do not wish to suffer the prolonged effects of being without her."
"Yes. That is why I will not touch her until it is truly my time to do so. And I vowed that I would be the last one. I will not let her be touched by any others after me. It is unfair to her. She belongs to Imperius. No others should have the chance to touch her."
"But...you do know that...when your time comes..."
"I know," Imperael muttered and shook his head.
"And she would set aside time to help you."
"But, that is not what should happen!"
"This...talk...happens so often now," Malthael seemed to sigh.
"Even you find it unfair to her," he pointed out.
"I know. As much as Imperius knows of what I must do...what I had to do...it truly does harm him. He hides the pain of it."
"It does hurt him?"
"Yes. For her to be with so many. She does not wish for him to suffer so. She informed me."
"And how did she tell you this?" Imperael asked curiously.
"I...expressed my concern...when she could not tell me that she loved me back..." he said with a sad sigh. "She simply cannot voice such a thing. It is a vow to Imperius that she refuses to break."
"I would not wish for her to break such a vow," Imperael nodded. "Let her honor it."
"I know. Ah. She is calling for us," Malthael said. The massive Archangel was quick to hide the precious parchment away before leaving to see what Anaurael needed. When he arrived, he saw that Tyrael was dressing in his armor, and Izarius had Imperael sit down to set Anaurael in his lap. Mal was sleeping in the cradle, so Malthael was able to stand with them.
"Imperael, why do you worry so much?" she asked and got cradled by him.
"Because I must," he muttered. A kiss was pressed to his forehead, and he shivered. Tyrael thought about everything and walked over to them after he dressed.
"What is truly bothering you?" Tyrael asked.
"What she must do for Heaven," Imperael said.
"If it can help end the Eternal Conflict, then you know I will do what I must," Anaurael said. "There is no other option."
"There has to be another way!" he said. At this, she rose a finger to press to his invisible lips.
"Imperius will be here soon. I'll forget much," she said softly.
"And that's not fair to you, either, but I know that Imperius cannot suffer, too," he muttered against her finger to have her giggle softly. She began to droop when her mind seemed to shift a few memories around. Anarius was still in the room, and he knew that Imperius was on his way back.
"HE RETURNS. YOU SHOULD EAT, MOTHER," he said. She nodded at this, and Tyrael had her sit in his lap now to let her eat a bowl of stewed meat. He whispered softly to her and chuckled at her smile. Imperael knew that Imperius approved of Tyrael and would hold no ill effects at this. It was why Tyrael was comforting her now. When she suddenly turned green, Izarius was quick to grab her and help her to a window to vomit. Malthael was quick to warn Izarius when he noticed her body signs.
"I'm here!" Imperius said just as he walked in. Then he paused at what she just did. He ignored everyone and moved straight to her side to take over what Izarius was doing. "Easy, my ward. I'm here now. This just happened?"
"Yeah..." she whispered and retched again. He ran a soothing hand over her back and let Darius help her with a glass of water. Azarius and Mithus were carefully preparing a table with soft foods for her now. Imperael made no plans to leave now. Neither did Itherael. Tyrael was planning to leave to speak with the heroes before they left, but, after her illness, he changed his mind. Everyone needed to ensure that she was well. None could ignore it.