"Truly I say to you, there is much more joy in heaven when a sinner repents for his sins than there is for ninety-nine good men who need no repentance."
-The Gospel of St. Luke, the Holy Bible
Chapter 6:-The Absolution of the Once Proud King (age-1)
"In view of the events leading to up to this point Lelouch, I the gate keeper of heaven allow you within the realm of the living." Peter announced within the minor hall of judgment. He was seated upon a throne in front of the grand Alter-which was hidden from their view by a majestic screen. The young boy seemed at ease. Raphael was standing behind him and reassuringly put his arm on the young soul`s shoulders. Beside him, Gabriel was holding his hand.
"Your penance however will be thus." A light tension filled his body which made Gabriel squeeze his hand in assurance.
"Don`t think too much about it." The raven haired teen whispered "he may look stern, but ol` Pete is actually a softie!"
"… Raphael, please maintain a bit of decorum here." Peter said with an exasperated to voice. His propped hand cradling his head from a mild headache building up due to a certain someone. Geez, he may be a breath of fresh air in the order of heaven but at least he could act his age!
Collecting his thoughts, the saint then faced the young soul, who-though comforted by the angels-awaited in fear for what was in store for him. Gentleness washed over his aged face as he pronounced the verdict "You are to live your life once again. Not a fresh start from the beginning, but close to one. You will live it from the age of 10 to an appropriate time where you shall be given a more fitting role. Your soul will be tested in this time, but never to torment you."
The great apostle stood up from his seat "Show us child, the inner good that has long been concealed."
He then turned to the older boys in attendance, before he took his leave "I entrust him in your care now."
Gabriel bowed his head in deference and led the little band out of Peter`s realm.
"Well that went better than expected." Raphael trailed behind them with his hands in his pockets. Young Lelouch was still holding onto the brunette`s hand as if it were a life line.
"So… where are we going?" he asked with a bit of his confidence back in his voice. His face however said otherwise.
"To the realm of the living." Gabriel said warmly. Raphael quickly followed to it when he noticed the quizzical expression.
"It isn`t that we are going back to earth. It is just a place where the souls of purgatory live till they are fully admitted in heaven. It is… a sort of relief to the eternal purification they had to endure for the absolution of sins. They also manage to live out their dreams which they may have had, as well as make peace with past regrets"
"It isn`t all fun and games though." Gabriel took over once again. "Souls are faced with a slightly more difficult life than those faced when alive. It is the final test. You live there as you always would-with free will. It is the choices that affect the future course."
Raphael suddenly jumped in front of them his fingers pointed accusingly towards the blond "Hey, who's the one scaring him now?" he then looked towards Lelouch a chuckled a bit at the sight of the two mighty archangels fighting like little kids.
Having made their peace, they led him to the place within the realm which they would be calling home for the rest of his stay here.
Their home was placed in the most picturesque place Lelouch had ever seen. It was situated on a flat plain between two mountain ranges which snaked through the landscape. It`s beauty enhanced by the light reflecting from the lake situated in the middle of the basin. Lush, green forests clothed from the peaks to some distance from the lake shore. A bit of mist peppering the mountain tops completed the whole setting.
"Waah! This is so beautiful!" the young boy`s eyes twinkled in delight. Raphael grinned on as he sat on the ground
"That`s right kiddo! We get the most excellent view and weather on this side of heaven."
As they took in the sight for a bit longer, Lelouch looked about the place. If this is to be their dwelling place, this has to be a 'home'
"Umm… but I don`t see any place for us to stay…"
A light chuckle escaped Gabriel`s lips as he sat down on the inviting green carpet. As he lay down, gestured the raven heads next to him to join him.
"For a while, we will be living in a tent. Tomorrow, we will start building something a bit more comfortable to live in." gently, he pulled him closer to them as the wind was cold and Lelouch was starting to shiver.
"Whoa there, someone can`t handle a bit of cold!" the raven head angel (teen?) Rolled to his side and started tickling him.
"Ha-ha… st…ha…stop…ha….it!"
This game went on for quite a while, with bickering and small talk going back and forth between them.
"Okay kids, time to get some food to eat. As it stands, it won`t fall in front of us like manna from heaven." the brunette ending their blissful time.
"Umm….but aren`t we close to heaven." Lelouch asked innocently.
And Raphael couldn`t stop laughing at the expression the usually calm Gabriel was sporting. Truly, looking after kids was the best.
The meal consisted of some fruits that they had collected at the boundary of the clearing and the forest. It was pretty uneventful-except with Lelouch nearly getting lost in the thicket. They returned back, soiled and muddied from their adventures to their rudimentary tent which they had built before the foraging episode. It was large for the three of them to huddle into and give decent protections from the elements. As soon as they set down their prizes, Raphael went about to start a campfire-it was getting a tad too cold. As expected, he and Lelouch created a huge ruckus with their constant bickering and bonding while Gabriel was playing peace keeper between them. As the blanket of night became thicker over them, the boy fell asleep using the brunette`s thigh as a pillow.
"How are things looking so far?" the raven haired was sitting on a log he had hauled earlier to make them comfortable.
Gabriel kept stroking the boy in slumber, easing him from his nightmares "The scars run deep. Despite the happiness that he felt today, he is still weeps and laments at the actions he has done. He feels unworthy of being loved, cared and protected. Unfortunately, this means the negative emotions within him are threatening to take a permanent hold. His fears-are dark and misty- even now are try desperately to grab hold of his soul."
Silence descended for a while as they stared at the dying embers of the campfire.
"Things aren`t looking well on the earth as well. The servant to the dragon has finally awakened and is started to gather up his forces. Also, his allies have infiltrated within the various rulers courts. To make matters worse, people are silently accepting his cause without even knowing it."
The brunette frowned at that "His only means of survival…" He closed his eyes as he recalled the countless times in history, man was led by the enemy, especially…the one time the man cried in agony as the heavens were split…
"…. deceit and negative emotions. Unfortunately, the earth is overflowing with them and more."
The great comforting angel placed rested his hand on the one of great strength, his mischievous face still donning his trademark smile.
"Don`t overthink it. The knight we have is a strong one."
They looked on at the peaceful sleeping form in front of them. Gabriel carefully lifted him up
"Hold open the tent. It will do us no good if the champion catches measly cold on his first day towards redemption!"
Silently agreeing, they made their way back to their tents, ready for what challenges lay ahead for their littlest family member.
"How much further is it?" Lelouch groaned, shielding his face from the bright sun shining down through the canopy of the forest.
"Just a bit more, even old Tim is feeling the heat." The horse grunted in agreement to his master`s assessment on his situation. Gabriel adjusted his hold on the reins, which earned him a pleased gruff for the relief. The stead slowly but surely pulled the cart through the new, meandering path. Timothy-Gabriel`s most trusted companion-was actually a divine beast which took the form of a fine Andalusian. Earlier in the day, the older boys had decided to upgrade their lodging to a little cottage. Breakfast flew by with them discussing on which wood to use, where it could be found and screaming at the top of their lungs when they noticed Lelouch had wandered a bit too close to the lake. Having secured their charge-after a bit of scolding-Raphael got himself decked up, ready to secure and chop the logs. The other two were in charge of logistics.
"Why couldn`t he just cut the wood near the tent?" Lelouch grumbled on.
"When do you feel the sense of accomplishment for a task? When you perform your best or when do it the 'easy way'?"
"Um… when I`m forced to do my best? Give everything I got?..."
"In a similar way when you put your efforts in a task or are making something, you will but your maximum effort to get do your best or get the best material. This results in a beautiful end product which oozes with your passion and emotions."
"I would love something like that." star twinkled in his eyes.
"For that, you will have to endure a little bit of sacrifice and pain." He patted his little brother, suppressing a groan. Tim made a sound akin to laughter.
They arrived at their destination at around mid-morning. Raphael and Hector, his companion-a beautiful gypsy horse-lining up the logs that he had prepared since morning.
"Took you guys long enough!" the raven head positioned the last of his logs and sank down on the ground. Hector ignored his master and seemingly went up to the band, nudging his head in welcome towards Lelouch. Gabriel lined the cart with the logs and removed Tim`s harnesses. The two horses rested in their make-shift stalls while the boys rested in the shade to enjoy a snack.
"It`s time we teach Lelouch how to ride and handle a horse." Gabriel declared midway.
"What? Why?"
"Think about it." Raphael butted in "I will be preparing the basic raw materials here, Gabriel will be assembling all of them for the cottage. So, it would be of great help if you could drive the cart-load through and fro."
"Besides" he continued "Soon, we will need to get supplies from the village near the base of the mountain. Instead of wasting away by just sitting in a corner all day-"
"Don`t you cry all the time wanting to do that?"
"-AS I was saying, it would be more productive if you could run small errands for us. I will be preparing the logs and his highness here will be putting up the foundation and doing the building."
"I don`t want to do that!" Lelouch all but screeched.
"It`s that or I will double your exercise regime." The angelic raven-head said off-handedly. Earlier that morning Lelouch was rudely woken up by the said teenager who gently 'persuaded' to do some exercising to keep in shape or 'perish in the wayside' as put by his cheeky elder brother. (Un-) fortunately, this was going to feature in his daily routine.
His face was red in annoyance. His 'favorite' brother laughed as he took a bite into his sandwich. "The first step to be a better person is to take some responsibilities."
The face became redder, but now in shame. Reluctantly he put his head down and whispered "Fine…"
'Hmm….could you say it louder please? Hector was beckoning to me and I got distracted." The familiar tousled black hair suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Gah! I said I was okay with it!"
Lelouch`s lessons started the very next day when the elder noirette rose him up early from his slumber. First, were some basic warm up exercises which proved to be more of a hassle for the both of them-sparks flying and all-followed by a light jog for stamina improvement. Once this was done and the boy got his much needed rest, Raphael proceeded to help him mount Hector and consequently later, Tim. Both proved to be easy and docile as the lad started to take his baby steps towards his long training to come.
As time went by, things became smoother as the group fell into a steady rhythm. The initial 2 months went by with more time dedicated to the boy than the construction. Gabriel made the foundations and nit-picked the work quality of a very irritable Raphael. Once Lelouch could ride the horse without any help did the work was brought back into focus. Early in the morning, soon after morning warm-up, Raphael would walk to their make-shift work site. Later in the day, Gabriel would bring the cart with Hector while Lelouch would ride slightly ahead of him on Tim. It was clear that though both horses loved him, he still favored the midnight coated steed.
"Come here, do you want the demon to take you?" a mother whispered harshly at her child as the trio walked through the main street. They was only so much one could collect from the forest for sustenance, thus the trip to town. The welcome they received upon their entry was what the boy had expected and a whole lot more. Cold, hateful stares and hushed curses clotted the atmosphere with each step the 'family' made.
"What was the gatekeeper thinking?"
"He should have been sent down to the 7th pit of hell"
"Look at him cowering behind those fine souls."
"Maybe this is their atonement from their past sins."
Lelouch was horrified and afraid (he is chronologically and mentally 10 years old, with his memories intact). He had prepared himself from this mass rejection. He never anticipated that his brothers also would be subjected to the same treatment as him.
"Hmph, wonder what they did to top the demon himself!"
{"You were dead since your birth"}
{"What good is that cripple to the empire?"}
'Stop it' he silently pleaded them.
"Maybe they were his knight in secret like the traitor Kururugi"
{"You are a mistake that should be erased from this earth!"}
'Stop it! Say them all to me. Curse me, loathe me, but why defile my brothers.'
He looked up to see them having some idle chatter of thing`s they needed to get. They looked so…happy and overflowing in virtue. Why couldn`t these people see that? Didn`t they know that they were angels? Two of the three archangels, no less? How could-
"…louch? Lelouch!"
"Huh!" he turned his head about in confusion and terror only to see two concerned gazes directed to him.
"Are you alright? I was saying-"
The suffocation kept getting stronger at the increasing murmurs and dark, disapproving gazes sent his way. It seemed that all the ill being wished on him was actually taking root within him. His throat was being chocked…
Immediately, Raphael lifted him up and gestured Gabriel to go on. He made their way out of town where the horses were secured at the water trough. The boy trembling in his arms from the sheer animosity of the souls. As he clung on to the elder teen the noirette stroked his back with a soothing rhythm, whispering comforting into his ears. Of course, the onlookers looked aghast at the scene, but pleasing others were the last of his concerns to him.
"I`m sorry" he cuddled further into raven haired shoulder as they neared the trough.
"Don`t be. It was pretty awful in there."
They remained like this for a while until Lelouch slackened his grip. The older teen proceeded to seat them on a rickety bench set up and carefully propped the child next to him. The scenery outside was beautiful in contrast to the heavy, angry and almost evil atmosphere in the town.
"Aren`t you going to ask me what happened in there?"
"It is never good to force anything out of anybody. More often than none, it hurts either parties or one party extremely deeply. It is up to you to decide if you want to or not."
Saying this, the archangel got up, stretched a bit and went to tend the horses. Lelouch followed close behind him. They checked all the harnesses, belts and reins for any wear due to their journey. Once that was done, the gathered some grass to freshen them up for the journey back. The horses, spoiled by the attention they were receiving nudged their heads towards the two. Letting out a collective, exasperated sigh, they indulged their companions.
"Even though I said I would take all the hate of the world, I can`t do it. I cannot take any of that." Lelouch spoke up while he rubbed the smooth coat on Tim`s neck. "I could feel all the anger, hate and curses being hurled at me…."
He turned to see all eyes were on him, even those of the horses. The kind smile told him to go on "But what hurt me more was the fact they were speaking ill of you two. I mean… How can they do that? Don`t they know who you are?"
His hand fell to his side as tears welled in his eyes. "I know they have all right to judge me, but still…. I felt so…alone….sad…and…"
Gabriel who had just arrived, heard the little boy`s plight went on his knees to wipe out his tears "Has Peter, Mother or God judged you in harshness to your sins?"
"No, but…."
"If the supreme one of the universe, his mother and the gatekeeper have found you in no fault, then no one…not even the ones you have died through your actions… have any right to judge you. You have sincerely asked for forgiveness and it is granted to you"
He then touched the body just where the heart is placed, sacred light emitting from it "Their judgment is done looking at things from a collective experience of people present at the time. Real and true judgment is done on the entirety of the situation and always gives chance for redemption."
"You are given the most extraordinary of chance, lad" Raphael said from behind "Don`t mess it up. Don`t forget the past, learn from it and move on to the better path."
"And as for us being ill-spoken about" he huffed "Well, we are entities that cannot be comprehended. You may be among the few to see and feel us. Hence, our forms are unknown to many. So boohoo for them, only my little brother knows the true us."
"Remember in such cases, never choose indifference. Win them over!"
"Just don`t use the wrong means…"
"But how…?" the young child asked.
"That is for you to decide." How very helpful.
"Come on now, we have all the supplies necessary." the brunette mounted on his steed and lifted Lelouch onto the saddle.
"Finally, no more gathering and foraging like some nomads for a while!"
"Please, you still have to catch some fish." Lelouch smiled mischievously, his previous disposition having suddenly left him.
Must be something to do with a certain brother of his…
…either way the journey was fun as the 2 horses raced down the path towards home.
Thus, this exercise went on for a year. Lelouch would accompany them to the village to get some essentials. Each time he went, he would be met with the same hospitality as his first visit. If there was any upside, it seemed that it was of varying degrees with each visit (at least they muttered an apology if they forcefully brushed past him). This however wouldn`t and couldn`t extinguish the goodness in the child`s heart. He would help those in need only to get spat at, give a cheery greeting to all those who cursed him. Well, only the grown-ups behaved like the self-righteous people they were. The children started to warm up to him and do small things (give him a bit of candy, have small talk with him, share their new 'toys' they got etc.) that made each trip worth it. In turn, his brothers would generously show their thanks in form of words or deeds.
The sun shone brightly down the road as Lelouch brought Hector to a halt in the pasture area near the town. He absently fiddled with the gypsy`s hair as he waited for his friend Adrian to meet up with him. The boy was around 16 years of age and was the first among the kids to befriend him. Over time, every trip meant something to look forward to as the duo went through many (mis)adventures together. They had planned this little 'getaway' for quite some time now with the raven-head getting the necessary permission. Well…even the weather was on their side today. He lifted his head up from what he was doing when he heard the footsteps of another stead.
"Hey, won`t the elders not allow you to enter town?" Lelouch pulled his horse away as Adrian nudged his horse closer towards his pal. The concern was legitimate. After all, the folks still were apathetic toward him….
Adrian just shrugged it off "It`s not like I care too much about it. They still have preconceived notions that you are here to overthrow God etc etc. I need a break from all that...nonsense. It`s not like my family is here. Ergo, no problems." He motioned his Mustang into a light gallop as he took the lead to their destination.
Lelouch took some-time to take hold of Hector`s reins as the horse already seemed to follow the other. From the back, the boy seemed lonely despite the number of friends he had. Adrian death was unfortunate. He happened to be accompanying his younger siblings to an ice-cream shop when a drunk driver whirred his car towards the merry group. He managed to push his siblings away in time but, in turn became the target for the wayward bullet…
…He was proclaimed dead on the spot. He rarely ever spoke about his family to him, but they never failed to bring out his old sorrows he had deep within him. Lelouch knew better than go down that thread of conversation as their horses matched paces with one another. Unlike him however, he never pushed away his friends. Instead, he embraced company to keep him going till he could be reunited with his family.
"So… where are we going?" the raven head asked his companion.
"It`s a secret." Adrian said with a smile. He cracked the reins of his horse and let it burst into a full gallop.
"Hey! Come back here" and soon Hector too was thundering down the path behind his fellow racer. Dust rose from the intense race as horse refused to relent, with their charges egging them on. The air was filled with deliberate taunting and fun as the path-way meandered just by the woods. Neither of the horses seemed to want to lose to the other.
"I have finally found you!" a dark voice ghosted through the woods that the boys just thundered past a particularly thick patch of trees.
"So you bring me all the way out here to see this wonderful sight?" it would seem that the sarcasm was still very much present in the 11 year old soul.
"Quit the whining, princess." The older teen huffed as he dismounted his horse. Taking the reins, he beckoned to Hector to follow his lead to a nearby tree. The gypsy happily obliged the teen despite his young master`s orders to go elsewhere.
The place of interest happened to be a secret tree house that children over the ages made in the forest. It was securely perched on the sturdy branches of the giant oak of the forest. Lelouch was told that it held the spirit and essence of each child that put all their emotions in it through the time and that nourished the oak and in turn he forest. Of course, it was a story among the kids only. Legend of the land however said that the place is a piece of heaven which the divine allowed the innocents to build in the realm as a beacon to others. As it stood, it was their meeting, get to gather, sleep-over and camping spots wrapped in one. Often, even the adults and elders came there to hold small festivals and parties.
"Really, learn to appreciate the simple things of life." Adrian sighed out as he finally placed the last knot to secure their horses while they were away for some 'recreation'.
"Except, we are all dead." The raven head dead-panned
"Okay, then make it after-life. Sheesh, I can`t imagine how you are like this when you have such wonderful siblings."
"Whatever" a small sly smile crept on the youth`s face. He actually rather enjoyed this constant bickering and bantering with the elder teen. Having done their bidding, Adrian assisted his compatriot with the overly large hamper prepared for the both of them and carried it out to their rendezvous.
It wouldn`t be long before this little haven would be torn down….
Hector thundered down the path with as much speed as his form could muster. His young master could barely sit properly on his saddle or properly hold onto his reins. In spite of his ragged state, Lelouch desperately did his best to secure the unconscious body of Adrian who was slumped behind him. It was a miracle that he managed to mount the raven head and himself while sustaining more physical damage. As the wind whisked passed them as each passing moment, it also meant the steady slackening of the already loose grip on his reins. Praying for forgiveness once again, Hector spread out his wings and roared through the skies ever faster towards the cabin of the archangels. They were the only ones at this moment, who could save both the boys from immortal danger.
Ruins….That was all he could see around him. Tokyo, Pendragon….The world around him was literally lit up by fire and destruction. There he was sprinting down the Imperial Street of Pendragon with whatever little strength he possessed. He could vaguely make out the carnage of the royal transport which carried his dearest ones…twisted and destroyed….He had to save them at all cost…
He managed to pull out his sister`s frail form and the sturdy knight who took the full brunt of the explosion, half of his other body crushed under the sheer weight of the automobile.
He was too late…Nunnally breath her last, making him promise to set right of the wrong`s she had done. Suzaku too comforted in his dying hour as his hand went limp in the young emperor`s grasp…
"What use are you, oh great king?" A disembodied voice rang through the skies.
"I didn`t-"
"And now you resort denial? What hath thou reduced thyself?"
"I tried to save them all" he wailed back, emotions incomprehensible coursing through him.
"Well" the voice was now just near his ear "I thank you for your negligence, your majesty." The voice sneered
"NOOO!" Lelouch screamed awake, his breath ragged and his whole body quaking in fear. A pair of strong, familiar arms wrapped around him just as he was amount to fall from the bed.
"Easy there, you wounds have just been healed. We wouldn`t want to cause more damage than already is, right?" Gabriel held the boy`s shoulders firmly to prevent him from doing anything hasty in his current state. After he had sufficiently recovered from his shock, he helped Lelouch back into his bed and sat by his side.
"Adrien..?"
"In the other room resting, Raphael is just doing a once over with him. Unfortunately for him, the damage is more to his soul than physical."
Lelouch closed his eyes, trying to recollect what happened. If only he could have helped Adrien when the other had pushed him away from the attack of that…that monster. It even destroyed the oak tree… all because of his presence….
"How is our little champ doing?" the door opened to reveal the other teen on the doorway.
"Hmm…between trying to rest and self-loathing, I think it is the latter."
"Brother!"
"Alright!" he put up his hand in mock surrender "I will not trouble you any further." he then turned towards Raphael "How is he?"
"The contamination was minor. He just needs a night of rest to recover from the day`s events."
"Well, then things seem to be stable." He got up from his place by the bedside "Look after Lelouch for a while, I will make some dinner for the boys."
"Well, looks like you will have to deal with me for now, kiddo." He made himself comfortable of the stool near the bedside. The silence that was met by the statement was understandable. Lelouch was still looking shell-shocked at the ceiling. And Raphael could hear each and every one of those thoughts going through his mind. Sighing, he rested his hand on his head.
"Hey, don`t be so hard on yourself. It wasn`t your fault." His voice low and gentle. Lelouch couldn't help but turn towards him and curl himself up, taking the hand in his grasp a if it were his lifeline.
"It was so scary… and it kept saying it was pleased with my handiwork. And…and…"
"Hush, rest awhile. Don`t think of it anymore. Gabriel is setting up a delicious dinner for us. Think of all the good things that happened today."
He managed to nudge some of the happier memories of the day into the forefront and mercifully, Lelouch didn`t try to repress them with his fear.
Looks like the time for preparation had to begin. The narrow path which the boy embarked on was about to get narrower.
"A fallen angel?" Lelouch was the first to recover his voice back as the archangel`s explained the events of the previous day to them. The boys had rested through the night and were waiting for breakfast which was being set up for them.
"Man…I heard about it in the town market. Traders were all gossiping about it and I thought it was just a stupid rumor to frighten kids from going in there." Adrien smacked his head at his stupidity.
"Well, it is a skill to differentiate between useful and idle chatter." Gabriel poured out some tea into their glasses and made himself comfortable at the head of the table.
"I`m pretty sure you know about them, but still I will explain the matter." He went on seeing the confusion present on Lelouch`s face. "Creation can be classified in 3 wide groups. Those with no person, but with relative intelligence and body, these include all animals. Then there is us, divine beings with person and intelligence of utmost perfection, but no bodies. Finally, there are humans, with all three attributes. They are the only non-divine beings to know that they know and question their existence. As such, you all hold a special place in among all creation."
He waited a while for all of this to sink into their minds. As if on cue, Raphael brought out the lavish meal. He served them all and sat across his counterpart on the table. The two then took turns to explain the finer details of the piece of history which was brought before them.
"You guys were lucky Hector was there with you. If not, I don`t know how you to would have fended for yourself."
"That reminds me, how did Hector actually manage to defeat the fallen angel?" Adrien mused out aloud.
"Being a divine beast, he has no form in this realm. As such, he had to assume a form which you all could comprehend. In this case, a horse. It has its benefits actually!" The beast`s companion supplied "It would seem that he reverted into his true form to protect you two during the attack. I pity that thing, she must have all but vanished. Though, he does have some rules to follow"
"He, you meant earlier" Lelouch mischievously supplied.
"All right, he! Happy now?" a low grumble was emitted towards the boy.
"Very much, thanks to you"
"Anyway Lelouch, you rest a bit in the house. I will see Adrien back to town." Gabriel put down his cup and proceeded to fetch his coat.
"There`s no need for that" said boy abruptly stood up to protest "I have troubled you all enough-OUCH! What was that for?"
"It is not any trouble to have you here" Lelouch was mad for some reason "Not after forcing you to show your little getaway."
"I agree. You don`t even have any means to transport to be in town before sunset."
"Yeah, but-"
"Besides, supplies for the house are running low thanks to a certain someone." An awkward cough was heard from across the table "So I am on route to town either way."
Reluctantly he agreed and quickly shoveled down his breakfast earning an amused smirk from Raphael and a heated glare from Lelouch for the lack of table manners. As he was getting ready to leave, he noticed a hint of sadness behind those amethyst eyes.
"Don`t look so glum, chum" Adrien smacked the younger boy on his back "Next time I will thoroughly research any destination before we do a getaway. Maybe we can go on an investigative tour too!"
"Why do I sense trouble already?" it was endearing to see the younger boy pinch the bridge of his nose.
"My middle name happens to be that." Giving his goofy smile he thanked his hosts for their hospitality and disappeared into the thicket with the cart and his companion.
"I have finally found you, oh king!" the fallen angel cackled as the binds around Lelouch's limbs tightened. Despite that, he refused to cease his struggling.
"What do you want from me?"
"My, such anger isn`t befitting of his young majesty." He came closer as he pretty harshly grabbed hold of his chin and examined the face as if it were a piece of trash.
"Honestly, from the outside you are nothing but a dandy kid." Suddenly, his head started splitting. From the depths of his consciousness, howls and groans of countless people resounded within his being. It was tearing his body apart. He then felt his body tossed in the air and come crashing down to the ground.
"But the inside." He licked his lips as he traced the curve of his face "Such a wonderfully dark interior. Filled with every imaginable dark deed. It is so hard pressed to get a soul like yours. Indeed, you will do well for our cause."
Lelouch screamed and howled as the wretched being tugged him along the path. He did not know where he was going, but he found himself awakened in the arms of Raphael, similar to his morning episode.
"Seriously, you should stop doing things like that. I may be an archangel, but there are limits to my power in any realm!" he said in a panicked voice.
"Why, why is he after me, big brother? Every time I sit in silence or lay down to rest, he invades my mind. He brings back every dark thought, memory and deed I have ever felt." He crawled closer into the warmth and security of the healer. "Worse, he makes me want to embrace the evil and come over his side…"
"There….let it all out…" Raphael effortlessly lifted the weeping boy into his embrace and walked about the room- just like calming a baby. All the while he hummed a tune and pushed his mind to take it`s much deserved rest. he didn`t leave the boy`s company even after placing him back in bed. He could feel a foreign darkness creep back into the boy`s head and swiftly squashed them. A sigh escaped the great healer`s lips as he waited for Gabriel return. The kid was more broken then any living person had cared and he hoped that now since the time was near, it wouldn`t shatter him further.
"Why do you come to me, oh Prince of the upper realm?" the fallen angel spat as he was held down by the sheer power of Gabriel.
"It was agreed that your kind would only be allowed in this realm provided you do not set forth your powers." He said calmly as he walked up to him.
In his frustration, the fallen one used all of his powers to attack him. Be it telepathic, force fields, weapons of various kinds or dark magic. All of them were nullified or broken through by the Archangel.
"Damn you, heirs of light!" he let out all the magic within his being at his opponent, forming a huge orb that engulfed the entire forest, destroying the whole place. When he had finally recovered, Gabriel was still walking towards him…unscathed while the entire place reforged itself back to its glory.
"I have much better things to do then deal with this madness. Tell me, why are you after the boy?"
"Oh, you should know better than that great one!" he said with a dark chuckle "The boy`s experiences and innermost fears make him ideal for master`s work."
"So you invade his mind and those of the other children in the realm for that?"
The smile was misplaced in the situation as he tilted his head a bit "You know, kids are so easy to manipulate. Their dark inner desires stemming from the actions of adults. Their minds so easy to sway." He looked straight at Gabriel. "Perfect for our master`s ideal. Especially that one."
"So tell me, Prince of heaven. What are you going to do?"
"What I have always done." Gabriel lifted his arm and banished the fallen angel to the depths of hades.
"Disrupt Lucifer`s plans."
As he walked away, the grand oak was standing once again. The little beacon now rested upon its branches with even greater splendor.
It was evening when the little household gathered on the table to discuss the events of the day in greater detail to the youth. The fallen ones, beasts of death, the reason of the realms, all were told as simply as they could. In all sincerity, they would have preferred to have this conversation when he was around 14 years old. But circumstances dictated otherwise. They kept it simple with a promise to explain more about it later.
"So…does that mean God created evil?" Lelouch asked innocently after much was explained to him.
"No champ." The great healer declared "His plans may seem crazy to you, but he NEVER created evil."
"All that we have just spoken about has happened just before recorded time." Raphael went on "Different religions speak of this differently, but this was what happened. Angels were never given the birthright to be in heaven, we were created just before the universe was being set, with our own free will to decide what to choose. As we observed all the things that had been done with such perfection, two factions had developed among us. Those who chose to be live under God`s mercy-who wished for peaceful co-existence of all creation- and those under Lucifer-former archangel and current devil-who believed they were superior to all living things and thus, had the sovereign right to rule what he called, 'lower creatures'. As such, they wanted to be equals with God. However, they were still kept by our side and all of us were given permission to enter heaven before we finally decided our fate. We can say, pride-for refusing to accept love and goodness-and envy-they prized their divine beatitude- was the root to the evil which took hold of them."
"The true escalation of matters happened with the creation of sentient beings, namely man" Gabriel sipped his tea to give a meaningful break "Man was made in the image of the divine, we were made in the spirit of the divine." He chuckled a bit at the cute expression the boy made to express his confusion.
"Have you seen the Russian dolls?" he received a nod to this
"People consist of 2 bodies, physical appearance and the spirit. As such, they are given a free will different from us. Our natural forms are ethereal and intangible to people, though we take a physical form from time to time to interact with others."
"In short, this duality of sorts was a huge contradiction in the eyes of the 'perfect' ones. Perfection from the imperfect? Add to the fact that equality among the two realms of creation was established, ripped our brothers even further apart. The rest…as they say is history."
"Do these attacks happen often here?"
"Let`s just say…the temptation to sin here is a bit more persuasive here."
"You will be a particular target for them, Lelouch" The brunette said "After all, you are the chosen protector of earth. The Knight for the world."
"Put more grandly" the raven head went on "it can be said you are the King of Knights."
I`m back! Sorry for the slack period. This chapter was difficult to write and semesters were not of any help. This is just part of the grand scheme of things to come. Lelouch has finally got to know his purpose, how will the Archangels bring about his transformation?
Thanks for all the reviews and words of encouragement!
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I hope you enjoy this story and hope for your further support.
And as I always end these notes,
Enjoy!