Arthurius was nestled securely in Anaurael's arms, as Imperius held her. Only a few days went by, and more births were happening from other mated pairs. Tobirael was in a complete state of guard mode now. Mai was due any day. The moment she coughed or sneezed, Tobirael was quickly hovering over her. She started to get annoyed.
"Tobi..." she sighed.
"Do not argue with me," he said gently and massaged her shoulders. "You know how I am."
"I know," she chuckled and couldn't fight him from the massage. At the mild twinge of pain she felt in her abdomen, she coughed. When the pain got stronger, she gasped and clung to his hands.
"This is why I didn't leave," he muttered and quickly lifted her to take her to where the rooms were for this particular situation. Auriel was notified and on her way. Whenever a new birth happened, she had to ensure it was done right. It was to help strengthen the cause of the Heavenly Host.
"When did it start?" Auriel asked.
"Just now," Tobirael nodded. Clean sheets were set up. Basins were ready for collecting birth waters. Everything was prepared.
"She is truly going into labor now?" Anaurael asked with delight from where she was in her room. Another female angel was sharing the news.
"Yes! Tobirael was quick to bring her," the angel nodded.
"I look forward to seeing their offspring," she beamed. Imperius simply grunted, but she knew he was curious, too. When Itherael appeared, she waved at him.
"Greetings, Anaurael. You are well?" he asked pleasantly. Imperius seemed to grumble, but he knew that Itherael was patiently waiting for the right time.
"Yes, I am. Mai is giving birth," she chuckled.
"Truly? Many births have been happening. I believe the mortal angels down on Sanctuary are starting to have their births now, too. Quite a few, in fact," he mused.
"And down there, they will stay," Imperius muttered.
"I do hope we have enough room for other angelic pairings," Anaurael sighed.
"All we need to do is make new buildings," Itherael chuckled. "Here in Heaven, there are no boundaries for making room. Anarius has been assisting with that."
"Of course," she chuckled. When Mal bounced upright in his cradle, Izarius was quick to gather him up to hold him. That was Mal's signal that he wanted attention. Malthael was currently on Sanctuary. He was incredibly curious about the cube. Tyrael was also with him.
"What do you think?" Tyrael asked.
"It is...very complex. You would think it runs on souls...but it does not. And...it is aware. To a certain point. I am very curious as to how Kulle empowers it," Malthael mused.
"You could ask me..." Kulle smirked when he appeared. Then he paused at Malthael's sightless glare. "When I learned of its existence, I scoured the libraries. I dredged up every scrap of information I could find on it. Every carving in the walls. The floors. I searched through every loose paper that came into my hands. And to think I discovered it by accident while researching ways to improve my creation. The Black Soulstone..."
"Speaking of that Soulstone," Tyrael said now. "it was recreated."
"WHAT?!" Kulle gaped at him. "That is impossible!"
"I can show you proof," Tyrael said calmly. Kulle was clearly livid now.
"It is a...flawed...reproduction..." Malthael chuckled darkly.
"You would think it would be, if it was done by half-wits that have no idea of what they are doing!" Kulle fumed. "I want to see this. I need to judge this...blasphemy...of my life's work!"
"Several were created," Tyrael said. At this said, Kulle was not happy. Gurzick was contacted, and Tyrael explained what he needed. The Greed Goblin snickered and left quickly. A moment later, a small stone was being displayed. It was set down carefully on the ground, and Kulle was now scrutinizing it. He was livid.
"Flawed. Weak. Disgusting," he snarled.
"It's functionable..." Malthael agreed.
"We wondered if you could help us trace where others could be," Tyrael said.
"How many of these were made so far? And I want to see how they are reproduced!" Kulle demanded. "To think that my life's work has been reduced to...this...disgrace!"
Malthael simply smirked and crossed his arms over his chest. When Gurzick moved to reclaim the stone, he subconsciously moved towards the cube. When the stone got to within five feet of the cube, the ghost of Kanai appeared and used a spiritual force to fling a spear at the goblin. This forced Gurzick to jump back three feet with an instinctive form of panic. The spear landed with a near-miss of a half-inch away from his skin. Malthael veered his attention to the powerful ghost silently. Kulle wisely vanished away. After the ghost disappeared, Malthael regarded Tyrael with calm reflection.
"I was...informed...that the stone will corrupt the cube. We cannot let anymore stones be near the cube. The spear was a warning. Next time...the spear will hit," Malthael said. Gurzick was completely unnerved, and he was quick to vanish away in his portal to put the stone away. Even though he couldn't hear Malthael, he was now on edge. He would be told why it was done in time.
"We'll make a note of that," Tyrael nodded gravely. "Just knowing that Kanai is watching over the cube, too, makes me feel much more at ease."
"Indeed," Malthael agreed. "Ah. Anaurael is requesting my presence."
"I'll be with you shortly," Tyrael nodded. Malthael retreated to her mind and found himself holding her with a sense of complete relief.
"Itherael waits for me," she sighed.
"I know. He has...hmm. A week. Then his offspring with you can be attempted," he nodded.
"I really want this to be over with," she shivered. He simply squeezed her gently.
"I know you do. We all want you to be happy. But...I do not make you happy?"
"Malthael...must you ask such a question? You are reborn as my son now."
"It is my flesh, and when I am in my flesh I see you as my rightful mother. But here...like this..." he muttered and ran a hand in a gentle caress down her arm. "You are the one I love here. And our time together now is...disturbingly less and less as time goes on."
"Well, you need to learn how to be my son," she said softly.
"And that may happen in time. But...it will not be fully focused on until you birth a mortal child of Wisdom. I do not know if I will be needed or not. So, my affections for you...will remain in full."
"Until a mortal child is made?"
"Even then...I am unsure," he admitted. "I truly doubt...that I will ever...release my love for you. I simply...no...I know I cannot. I refuse to do it."
"Why?"
"Because you are the only one that can see me in a new light," he said and tilted her face to his hooded one. "No other...has ever done so. Only mere equality. You see me...as something more."
"Malthael..." she sighed and let him kiss her softly. He was soon reclining on the mental, grassy ground with her to simply hold her against his form. It was all he wanted for now.
"That Druid female. She is...perplexing," he droned out.
"She has been taking a bit of our focus of late. Hasn't she?" she smiled.
"True. We should be focusing on where Diablo is," Malthael growled. At the feel of her hand moving over one of the cloth lines of his hood, he stiffened. "Cheating..."
"Is it?" she giggled. He growled and moved to fully pounce her. When she finally blinked her eyes awake, she was being cradled by Imperius in the Council chamber. Malthael had appeared next to them. They were going over what they knew of what was happening on Sanctuary.
"All of the goblins we caught have been spared," Izual said. A holographic map of Light now appeared before them. "Look. We are still finding a few here and there, but they appear to be dispersed. As though they are looking for something. What do we know?"
"Didn't Greed have a spy there?" Anaurael asked, as she remembered.
"I think he did," Tyrael said from where he was standing. "Oh, Imperius. Gurzick brought a Soulstone to show to Zoltun Kulle. He was not happy, and he may be able to help us find the others."
"As long as Anaurael is no where near them," Imperius snorted.
"I wouldn't have that happen," Tyrael said evenly. When Imperius caught how Itherael was now standing rather close to them, he gave out a shudder.
:Love. Do not fret so.: Anaurael sighed.
:He means to claim you the moment he can. I know it must be done. It just...discourages me.: He admitted. He felt her squeeze her arms around his neck to comfort him.
:Once it is done, it is done. This is for Anu's works.:
:I know it is. It doesn't mean I have to like it.: He stood up taller and helped her adjust to rest on his large shoulder pauldrons easier. At the feel of her hand on his cheek, he sighed and shook his head. :When all of this is over and done, you are mine in full. No more excuses.:
:That is exactly what I want, too.: She sighed and snuggled into him. He shared a soft kiss with her and redirected his attention to the image. At the sight of Skular appearing with his angelic partner, he was regarded quickly.
"Sescheron may have other resources we can use," the powerful man said. "I recall many ancient chambers that were, thankfully, untouched. Many contain quite a few powerful relics."
"We'll set up teams to go in and claim them," Tyrael nodded.
"I have yet to see what one of these Soulstones look like," Skular said.
"I am taking her from here, if you intend to show him," Imperius said. "We know how my ward reacts around such things of disgust."
"True," Izarius nodded. "Oh! Do you think the Druids could also help us find the stones, if they have a scent? Do you think we can find out?"
"That..." Imperius thought. "Feel free to ask. I'll leave that to you."
"Of course," Izarius nodded. "You know, I did have a thought."
"Oh?" Imperius asked.
"If you could forge something with that Druid..."
"No."
"Imperius," Anaurael smiled. "Izarius may be onto something."
"From what I do understand, their forge was destroyed. And she does work with some unique metals," Tyrael seemed to shrug. "It may be beneficial."
"I refuse to work with...!" Imperius started. Then he saw Anarius fly in and step forward.
"ATTEMPT IT ONCE. SEE WHAT HAPPENS. AND YOU SHOULD ASSIST IN REBUILDING THE FORGE THEY HAVE. YOU WILL KNOW HOW TO ENSURE IT WILL NOT COME UNDER ATTACK. IT IS FOR THE ANGELIC HOST, AND THE LIGHT WILL SHINE THROUGH. MANY OF OUR ANGELIC HOST ARE FINDING MATES WITHIN THEM, TOO. TALARINE IS BECOMING THE LEADER OF THIS NEW, SACRED PACK. WE SHOULD ASSIST TO PROTECT OUR OWN."
"Well..." Imperius muttered.
"You can make something to further protect me and our offspring," Anaurael beamed. "You will not need to train her. Just...see what happens. I can even be with you now."
"Hmm..." he rolled the thought around.
"You can teach me how to blacksmith, if you wanted to," she giggled. "I won't be fighting, and you'll be training me in something new."
"I..." he paused at that. "I shall ensure you have proper gear to keep yourself from being harmed. I refuse to see you in any form of discomfort."
"That's why we have the salve," Tyrael smiled. At the slow turn of Imperius's helmed head to glare at him, Tyrael found himself laughing softly.
"Regardless, I refuse to see her injured," he growled.
"None of us would wish that," Itherael agreed. "As for what you have suggested, Skular, if there is anything of historical notation, I would wish to see such things."
"I can arrange it," Skular nodded. Imperius was starting to get irritated. He still couldn't fathom working with mortals that were not of pure angelic descent. He finally had to turn and walk away from the Council chamber with Anaurael. Auriel just shook her head softly. Malthael seemed to smirk, but he remained to keep Anaurael informed.
"I cannot stand it," Imperius muttered to her and held her close. He turned to gaze out at the Silver City stretched out before him. She continued to caress his cheek to soothe his irritable mood. "I cannot see why I have to work with mortals. Even if they benefit us. Even if they help us cull the demons that plague us. I know that Anarius ensures that all will be well. But..."
"I know," she whispered. "For a millennia, all you have done was wait and try to do things to pass the time. You were born for fighting and killing demons. Not working with half-breeds."
"Yes. It is...beneath me."
"It may be easier, as the demon blood gets bred out."
"Possibly. I am still unsure."
"Do you sense it is less in Elaine's offspring?"
"I have. By a small margin. So...it does appear to be benefiting."
"Then think of this," she mused. "After several generations, you can find yourself fighting alongside them. If the demon blood in them is nearly gone, it won't affect you."
"Hmm. I am unsure. But...we will see," he nodded. She nodded back and let him kiss her fully. He sighed and returned his gaze out to the Silver City again. He saw the building in the distance that housed the mortal and angel parings. He gave out another shudder. He suddenly turned to find Erelus approaching them. "Erelus? Is all well?"
"I have a concern," the angelic male said carefully. "I have heard how the mortal, Byden, was locked away in Anaurael's mind. Can we...do the same with Elaine?"
"What?" Imperius asked warily.
"I honestly cannot stand the thought that she will be lost to me if she dies," Erelus sighed painfully. "Can we please do this? Her Light will be stored."
"Imperius, let's see if it works," Anaurael beamed. "If Elaine does perish, the demon blood in her will be lost. She may be reborn as a pure angel for the Angelic Host."
"Hmm. Very well. If it works, we'll set up a place in your chambers for any others. As much as I still detest it, I will refrain from stopping this. If the demon blood does die, the Light will still shine through. We shall try," Imperius nodded. "Bring her to Anaurael's chamber."
"And my offspring?" Erelus asked.
"If the offspring is able...ugh. Very well..." he muttered. Anaurael gave him a rewarding squeeze of genuine affection. "After this is done, we are retreating to our sanctum."
"Okay," she nodded. He teleported with her to her bedroom and set up a small meeting area. He sat down with her in his lap, and Izarius was summoned. The experiment was laid bare to him, and he was quick to direct his brothers on what to do. Erelus had brought Elaine and his daughter to Anaurael. "Hello, sister! Please touch my mark."
"Are you sure?" Elaine frowned.
"Try," Erelus urged gently. Elaine took a deep breath and pressed her palm where the mark would be if she saw it. She felt something pull from her to get locked away. She gasped from it.
"It worked?" Izarius asked.
"I felt something split!" Elaine said. Erelus was elated now. He had his daughter press a small hand to the mark with a bit of support. At the shiver and whimper the baby gave, he knew it went true for her, too. Imperius nodded to the small family and let them leave. Now that word was spreading, other angelic parings were quick to appear. Auriel soon appeared to watch the small procession with delight. Even Anarius had to arrive to show his complete agreement with this.
After the pairings were done, Auriel voiced out, "Do you think the mortal angels down below can also do this? To let them be reborn?"
"No," Imperius grounded out.
"AS MUCH AS I WOULD AGREE, MY SIRE IS A TOUCH CORRECT. THEY CHOSE TO REMOVE THEIR WINGS FOR FALSE PRETENSES. HOWEVER, IF THEY PROVE THEMSELVES WORTHY, I SHALL BE THE ONE TO GRANT THEM THE REQUEST," he said calmly. At the sight of Kalgor and his partner coming in, they were regarded.
"Why are we here?" Kalgor asked Salauriel.
"Because I want you to touch Anaurael's mark," his partner said calmly.
"What?" the Barbarian blinked at her.
"IT IS FINE. PLEASE DO SO," Anarius chuckled. Kalgor saw Anaurael's small nod and found himself reaching over to place his palm over where he mark would be. He let out shuddering gasp from what he felt. Salauriel did the same thing after him.
"Good," Imperius muttered.
"What...happens after this?" Kalgor asked.
"Well, should you fall in battle, I may be able to let you become resurrected as an angel," Anaurael smiled warmly. "I still am not sure how it would work."
"I don't think I want him to test the theory," Salauriel admitted.
"None of us would," Izarius agreed. Imperius trembled a touch and squeezed Anaurael's form gently. At the sight of Arthurius waking and whimpering from hunger, Darius was quick to retrieve him for her. Imperael was quickly summoned to help bar off the sight of her nursing her son. When Mal started to bounce in his crib, Izarius gathered him up to walk over with them. Imperius gave off a rather proud sensation. Itherius was quick to appear next and stand with Anarius.
"This is our family, Imperius," Anaurael whispered to him.
"That it is. And I will have many more with you," he chuckled and squeezed her. He wanted to get more intimate with his family, but the announcement that Tobirael's son was born was soon heard. And he was a strong boy with bronze-colored hair and silver-green eyes. He didn't have any of Mai's features at all, but that could change, if he became magically adaptable. Plans were soon made to visit the new family. Right now, Imperius was tending to his own little group. As he doted on her and his offspring, Gurzick was able to contact the spy in the Baroness's domain.
"What did you find?" Gurzick asked at the contact point.
"Another one being found. Another Baroness. The corrupted one has trouble now. Can't do anything. Her daughters are warned. Freed goblins are helping," the scout reported.
"Good. Let us hope they flee," Gurzick nodded. "What of the trapped one?"
"We are attempting to free him. We will get the corrupted one sleepy. Only way," the scout said. When another goblin appeared, it was jittery with excitement.
"New Baroness! She wants to fight! Kill corrupted one! We join her!" it seemed squeal. Gurzick thought over this and seemed to frown.
"If fight, then okay. But...be careful. The stone. It bad. All bad. No touch. Let me get it. Okay? This important. If stone freed, I must get," Gurzick said carefully. "I can hold it."
"Okay. We see if bad one dies. Then you get it," the goblin agreed. It knew the others wouldn't want such a thing to hang about their realm! Gurzick nodded, but even he knew that the new Baroness could be goaded into taking it for herself. She was still a form of Greed. Gurzick had many doubts that she'd give up the prize. Diablo would definitely be taking further precautions if he got transferred, and he may even let the new Baroness kill off the body, anyways, just to get what he wanted.
"I am worried," Gurzick admitted when the other goblin left. "They may warn. She may agree. But she may forget. I cannot get the stone if not safe. I cannot be caught. Oh! You can get stone! Yes! Have our Greatness of Greats make you good!"
"You think I can?" the scout asked. Then Greed poked his trusted adviser mentally. The option was declined. The scout could gain ideas on taking other stones. It would have to be placed in a bag. Then it could be given to Gurzick.
"Oh. No. It not work. You put stone in bag. Then give me. No touch stone," Gurzick sighed.
"Awww. Okay. I do what I can," the scout agreed. Gurzick nodded and watched the scout vanish. He was still worried. He felt that the new Baroness would give in to Diablo's demands. The only thing he could hope for was for the imprisoned mortal angel to be freed. If that happened, then maybe something could be salvaged. Even Greed shared his doubts. When that happened, nothing was good at all.