Redemption and Rebirth

Note: Before I begin, I would like to apologize for the long wait. Since I had some things sorted in my house, I wasn't able to update. Anyways, here's the third installment.

The Forsaken Realms

The ruins of the city lay desolate under the full moon. The wind brought to carry a cloud of dust from the ground as the cathedral stood under its fallen glory. Evident upon its walls are the layers of moss and vegetation growing among the occasional cracks upon its surface. Discolored by the weathering of time, it still retained its shape that it had from the time of the unknown civilization upon the face of Midgard. The silence that once veiled the vicinity now took its broken work. The echoes of clashing metal, the shrill screams and feral cries of slain demons, it caught attention to observant senses from a distance.

Beneath the shadows of the obscuring woods, perched upon one branch was a stranger amidst his watch. His eyes gazed through the broken ceilings, making the gaping hole a spot to behold. His ears came sharp as he listened to the sounds faint to the distance. The scarf on his neck danced with the wind passing him. His grasp to the branch remained firm, keeping his presence unseen. As events unfold, he kept his silence as a thought came to mind.

"This will be interesting." The stranger whispered, perusing upon the fray. He released his grip upon the tree. The stranger made his form vanish in a flash-step; a shadow to the moon and the falling leaves were left behind.

The numbers have plummeted, bodies of the fallen assailants piling at each corner. This kept the minions charging towards the two angels. The whirling crimson spear conjured the air to circle around the blond youth. The air came to combust; the ignited flames came to a whirlwind made by the Diviner. The nearby demons at the diameter of where he stood were caught up by the inferno, burning and being drawn to their deaths while a few others were thrown to the air and dying in a burst of flames. The firestorm diminished the number of his targets. Dispelling the burning tempest, Ledah kept a stern look as he noted the number of the fallen, finding burnt remains of his adversaries. Finding that there would be remnants of the demon horde, he charged forward, his wings spanning open and in a quick leap, he took off to the air. The harpies came to circle him as they readied their feral talons. Lorelei at his grasp, he made a violent thrust upon meeting one harpy that charged straight at him. The blade skewered the harpy quickly, the claws of the monster only grazed Ledah's cloak. With a quick flap of his wings, he propelled his form to turn, facing another harpy charging at him. Pulling the spear from the impaled being, a spray of blood left behind as it burned in its downfall, Ledah brandished his spear in a vertical swing. The blow was evaded by the harpy as it flapped back. Charging to counter with a sweep of its claws, the harpy whipped a kick to Ledah's side. The shaft of the spear blocked the path of the blow as he raised it to his side. Soon after, he propelled himself closer with his wings pushing him. With the angelic agility that he possessed, he flicked his spear with great momentum as it diagonally descended in its burning form. The torrent of flames caught the harpy by the wing, the blade, however, severed the head cleanly. Ledah wasn't finished as he motioned a pendulum stroke, forming its crescent curve to sever the other wing and limbs, then the abdomen. The fallen demon came to its decent in pieces as it came immolated.

Malice noted the brutal fates of the aerial monsters. The broken shards of her opponents lay before her, the blood mingled and crystallized by the frost pieces. Clasping her azure Diviner, she gazed at her foes and their remnants of the once numerous battalion. The feral beings seemed to shudder as she took a step forward, seeing that they are taking their step back. Their bloodlust seemed to falter, fear coming forth from instinct. She grinned manically, striking their resolve lower into ruin. Her wings spanned open as she dashed forward, her adversaries seeing only but a blur of an afterimage. The blade met the demon's flesh, the mirage settling into solidity as she appeared before him with her halberd piercing her adversary's body. Blood trickled from the wound, its carmine stream flowing as she forced the blade with her strength as it severed the side of the demon's body. The carcass fell limp as it began to be engulfed with ice. She wasted no time with her motion as she swung her weapon in an arc, taking the other two into fallen pieces smoothly with one stroke. Divided, frozen bodies fell divided to the floor as they shattered by impact.

Ledah hovered upon the air, his gaze fixed at Malice as she stood with her bloodlust evident to the expression of her face. His spear, still at the grasp of his right hand, gave its ardent aura as it resonated with the halberd that she brandished. Malice whirled the Diviner overhead, setting it stable after a diagonal swing. The last of the demons that surrounded her fell bleeding to the ground as their bodies were engulfed by the frozen casket that will seal their fates. Her free hand rose, leveled to her visage as it began to gather its arcane light. As the arcane winds began to surround her form, she raised it higher with an azure aura came to form in a sphere. The orbicular binds of energy came to gather as it grew, its light displaying its cold countenance. The few numbers that stood before her charged forth, their blades and claws waiting to spill blood. Altogether they rushed to her as they grunted with their battle cry. Three of them lunged forward, gaining more distance as they neared Malice. Ledah began to question himself, finding not enough time to waste as they are poised to strike. His eyes still fixed on Malice; he felt he has lost the grasp of his control.

The moonlight made its angle upon the open grounds, the marble floor glistening with the nocturne light. The branches of the trees dancing with the strong wind as it passed, the stillness had halted its work. The metallic clashes echoed within the dead of night as the sparks and the mingling cinders and steam danced with the blade. Two figures danced with their crafted weapons as they crossed blades.

The sound of the fluttering robes, the clashing of blades and the whistling winds beneath the moonlight gave its symphony. The figures seemed blurred, giving its streaks of white and black. The swift movements and the dancing trees came to the courtyard as the flickering sparks settled on one blow. The final blow dealt gave its defined accent, locking the blades both have brandished. The deadlock brought their drifting images to a halt, the pair struggling for either one to yield. The friction of their weapon shafts hissed, accompanied with a few grunts of breathing. Gasping for air while keeping each other at bay, the young man gazed at his opponent with a smirk on his face. His eyes fixed at the countenance of the maiden, he watched her in her struggle. The train of his obsidian robe bellowed with the wind as the slit in the middle revealed his right leg clad in black trousers. The grip to his spear with his gloved hand caused the crumpled leather to rub its surface to the weapon. The young woman simply smirked at the blond youth, her gaze noting the moonlit visage and his fine features. Her gloved hands kept pushing in her struggle as she felt the winds upon her back, the cold touching through her robes of white. Finding that not one will falter, she had no option.

The full moon brought its complete form out of the clouding veils of the sky. As the beam of the serene Luna gave its gleam to the center of the grounds upon where they stood, it gave its marking symbol. A loud clang echoed between them as they pushed each other. The sudden motion brought the pair to step back at a distance. The young man circled in the air, his form gyrating in a twist as his robes followed his movement. In a graceful motion, he landed on the ground with his spear-wielding hand poised upon the back. The spear was pointing forward, the neck shaft spearhead cradled by his left hand. His leg poised forward, he twisted the dust on the ground to set his stance. The maiden made a similar motion in the air as she whirled with finesse. Her white robes danced with her motion before she landed on the ground. Her leg was set forward, revealing its fair skin through the front slit of her robe. Her hands aligned her double headed halberd before her, the pommel pointing downwards grasped firmly with her left hand. Her right hand settled upon the weapon's neck shaft. Affixing her eyes to her opponent, she anticipated his movements as she stood still.

A moment of silence came between them. The breeze came to pass them with its graceful work, caressing the maiden's long golden locks and the youth's short hair in that simultaneous moment. Neither stirred to fight, waiting for the other to falter. Their forms seemed human, tranquil without their wings. The crystal posts that stood on the corners of the grounds began to resonate with light as the moonlight dimmed and vanished from the heavens. It was beckoning them to halt the stillness once more. Breathing calmly, they retained their gazes until one of them broke the silence.

"You're graceful in fighting. I'm impressed." The young lass smiled with her statement, her tone noting amusement and admiration. "I guess my choice in training with you was right after all."

"You're quite a find, yourself." The young man replied. His still tone seemed to lean smoothly. "Grace, beauty and prowess, such a quality of a noblewoman as yourself. Interesting..."

The maiden brought her form to stand erect, easing her battle-fatigued body as she felt the evening breeze upon her body. She brought her free hand to her cheek, moving a strand of her blond hair behind her ear. She gazed at him, the features of the youth seemed enticing to her.

"I never knew someone from the clerical family would be this skilled, and graceful. No wonder those girls watch you from afar." She teased him, her free hand laid upon her waist as it rested.

The young man followed suit as he brought his form to an erect posture. His eyes fixed to her, he sauntered a few steps in approach. He brought his spear to his side, the pommel touching the floor as it stood straight. His straight hair of blond slightly covered the sides of his eyes, his face displaying strange beauty.

"Is that so?" He asked her. His tone seemed to have drifted; not knowing the sound of his voice seemed too entrancing in its smooth tone. "I have nothing for them, if that's the case."

The young woman tilted her head as she smirked at him. "So you find contentment in being alone. What are you? You're not a celibate priest...or not yet. Come on, being in a clerical line doesn't mean you'll be like that for the rest of your life."

He smiled at her, her words striking him internally. It has proven a point to the least when it seemed much to his offense. "Does that make any exception to you?"

She fell startled. It was being a reminder to her that she was in another situation that has questioned her status. Garnering no ties concerning her feelings, she felt shut away. He gazed at the maiden, noting the hint of her embarrassment as she froze and bowed her head. "I guess…you made a point there."

The youth felt his chest pound with its heavy pulse. He twirled his spear with a swift motion of his hand, impaling it to the ground soon after. His mind had no action to take, trying to struggle and rationalize the situation. But as his heart began to make its work, he grimaced. He took a step forward; his hands came to touch her hand. The feeling of his skin came to her by surprise, her eyes opened wide as she gazed at him, her mouth agape to a gasp. She never expected this to conspire to her, taken unaware with this sudden development.

"Malice..." the youth said to her, shaking his head to ease her. "I want nothing. But I don't know if it will continue."

Malice was silent before him. Wondering what he was trying to point out, she gazed at the youth as her hand was enveloped by his gentle yet calloused hands.

"Ledah…" she whispered. She couldn't discern what has gotten wrong in her. Her eyes seemed to have affixed their sight on the youth, unable to avert them any longer even after the training.

What seemed to be a gentle silence earned the clouds to come overcast above them. The crystalline pillars illuminated the courtyard as the pair stood alone. Ledah moved his lips, his voice bearing the still and deep tone. Malice was startled, aghast to what crossed her ears. The questioning came to her head to the phrase he whispered. It seemed like an enchanting spell, the words line with his voice casting her into this unknown sensation. Her breath may have taken its toll on her as she realized that it wasn't an incantation. It was a confession. She felt something gather upon her eyes, blurring her vision as she seemed to have fallen. Her body collapsed, falling forward to be cushioned by his chest. Her head lay upon his left shoulder; burying her face upon his chest. A pair of drops came to gradually stain his body. A warm tear and a cold raindrop left its memorial. He closed his eyes, raising his hands to her back as he cradled her crying form to comfort.

Malice could not stir, unable to let her resolve falter on that moment. She was about to brace for her assailants to strike her down with their weapons. But to her surprise, a burst of fire came to consume them, leaving no trail but ashes. The remnant battalion coming after her, a voice resounded to her as it gave her a command.

"Now's your chance, do it." Ledah's voice echoed her ears as he hovered above her.

The Grim Angel wasted no time to her action. Flailing her hand forward, she propelled her azure sphere at her opponents. The flash of light expelled its spray of diamond dust upon her foes. The air stirred and came to its frozen state; white winds of frost blanketed them into glacial pieces. Crystallized in their frigid prison, it dealt their nearing demise. But even before they could rest in their glacial graves, a rain of blazing lances came to strike the horde, dealing its brutal deathblow as it shattered them into pieces then to ashes. The ruins stand consecrated from the demon horde, leaving the two angels within the halls. And what remained are ashes, carried by the wind's sudden gust.

Ledah brought his form to descend, hovering from the marble floor as he appeared affront Malice in a partial distance. He set his foot to a secure point, letting his form ease its landing upon the floor as he shifted his weight to his tarsals from his pinions. Setting him still as he stood, the moment presented itself for the two angels to come at ease. The halls resounded with the breeze of the night, lining the now deafening silence that overwhelmed them. It took a moment to be still, when they stirred once more. Ledah turned and raised his spear, the blade a few inches away from Malice's face. But this was also equaled; her weapon's blade was near his face at the same distance. Neither of them stirred to move or dare to make a blow to injure. Patience and resolve came tested as both stared with their blades at each other. Fierce eyes placed their distrust as the quiet hall overwhelmed them with their resolution.

The ancient hall took witness once more. This conflict raged seemingly in the personae of these two individuals. Time seemed to have halted when Malice gazed at Ledah's eyes. The malignant glint in her seemed to have faded as the moment ran its course. Seemingly lost in his gaze, she kept calm as she grimaced. The expression did not leave Ledah unnoticed.

"Is this the way to repay someone's aid?" Ledah asked nonchalantly, his grip to Lorelei unwavering.

"Why did you help me in the first place?" Malice raised her voice in protest. Her tone seemed to have quivered yet it seemed faint in its hints.

Ledah fell silent. A strange sensation gripped his chest as he began to feel the air leave his body. It struck a blow to his psyche, demanding a question of this strange feeling of pain. His countenance remained expressionless; his eyes however could not hide what was coming to form. He kept his gaze, even if his eyes began to blur, displaying an afterimage upon Malice's visage. The face of the woman in the strange recollection seemed to mask her.

"It's instinct. Neither of us would have a chance in defeating them alone."

"Is that it?" Malice winced at his words, seemingly hushed.

Ledah made no answer as he lowered his blade. A pivot of his leg made him saunter away from her silently. He hid a smile on his face but a questioning heart came to follow his footsteps. Seemingly confused with this warmth that he had felt and the pang of pain following it, he couldn't make sense with these foreign emotions.

Malice felt lost. Her sight began to bend and blur, making its double vision. The memoirs came to her, the one exactly similar to what Ledah has seen. The sound of the rain echoed in her ears along with the aching prompting in her heart. Gazing from the angel that made his exeunt as her sight cleared, she noticed something veil upon Ledah. The wings vanished and the crimson mantle didn't come to being. Rather, it was the same youth in the recollection, dressed in black robes as he walked away. Unable to speak, her lower lip quivered as a warm trail trickled her cheek. A teardrop made its graceful fall upon her Diviner, the azure aura resonated upon the drop of pathos.

"Why…?" she whispered, "Why did I feel this now?"

Ledah raised his head towards the broken stained-glass window. The recess of its circular frame beckoned him to fly through it. Seeing the full grace of the moon, he halted on that moment and gazed at its beauty. A phrase that lead a number of questions ran his head, his lips uttered what made its fitting description.

"It's strange…" he mused. "Sadness…pain…mercy…"

Spanning his wings, he made his ascent with a strong flap. Gaining height, he soared his way out of the hall, leaving the other angel behind in her ambient reverie of angst. Malice fell to her knees, feeling lost. Lifting her head to the sky, she gazed at the moonlit sky.

"Why do I hear them again?" a tearful question came to her lips upon the realization of this memoir. Lost words came to form in her mind as it made its resonance with her Diviner.

"Destroy me over and over again…"

"Stain me with your gentle hands…"

"I want to remain…within you…"

(End of Chapter)

Well, there's a strange concept in the ending of this chapter. Inspired lately by Ken Hirai, I thought of making them realize what this memory is. Well, please review. Your suggestions, comments, and requests will be appreciated and entertained. See you next time with the next chapter.

Sydney Grise