There was nothing more exciting than having the wind blow in your face as your speeding down the road on a motorcycle with the one you love. Raf couldn't help but laugh as she felt the wind tickle her and even with his helmet covering his face she knew that Sulfus was having just as much fun as she was. It was obvious with how he would speed up and do things that would make her hold onto him tighter. He was enjoying this just as much as her and that only made her smile widen in size. They had just left the Golden School and now were speeding down the highway, heading to place where no one would bother them. Where they could spend this day just the way they wanted too and be free to do as they pleased. There were no rules to stop them, no disapproving friends or teachers. This day was all about them and they would keep it that way for as long as they could.
With a sharp turn Sulfus parked his bike into a vacant lot and took off his helmet, a wide grin on his face as he faced Raf. "The beach!" she gasped when she saw the white sand, blue ocean, and recognized this place instantly as the beach where they both almost kissed.
"I figured it's far enough away that no one will bother us and the perfect setting for our date," he helped her off the bike and untied a picnic basket that she hadn't noticed was there until now. "So how does a picnic on the beach sound to you?" he reached out for her to take his hand.
Raf didn't hesitate and welcomed the touch. "It sounds wonderful." In all honesty she would have been happy with just a walk in the park. As long as she was with him than anything would be amazing.
Without wasting any more time the two walked onto the beach, setting up their area for their picnic and for the start of their date. There were other couples on the beach, enjoying the romantic setting but none of them came close to how Raf and Sulfus were feeling. They basked in the glory of being able to be with the one they loved. It was like a dream come true to be able to do this and they were enjoying every moment of it. They talked, ate, played games, and overall enjoyed every moment of being together. To most people they looked like any other couple that were having fun on a date, but it was so much more than that.
If you looked close enough you could see the way they looked at each other, how the love seemed to shine in their eyes. They way they would speak to one another, whispering sweet words into the other's ears. They would steal kisses from each other, whether they be quick little pecks on the cheek or a full on make-out session that had parents covering their children's eyes. How from the very start they hadn't once stopped holding hands. This was true love at its very peak and it didn't matter if the others could see it. Raf and Sulfus knew what this was. They knew what they felt was nothing more than pure everlasting love. Despite what their friends thought, what their teachers thought, what the entire universe thought they loved each other. The universe decided they were destined to be enemies for all of eternity but they decided to love each other for eternity.
"This is perfect." Raf sighed in bliss, her head resting on Sulfus's chest, arms wrapped around his waist as they laid on the blanket and watched the setting sun.
Sulfus merely grunted in agreement, one hand resting behind his head and the other running through his love's long blonde hair. He was much too at peace to use actual words to reply.
With a soft giggle Raf reached up and cupped his cheek This whole day has been like a dream, to be able to hold him this way, to do everything she's only dreamed of doing. They whole day people commented how they really seemed like a real couple in love and it felt amazing to hear that. From the start she's only heard that she would get hurt or that what she was doing was wrong but hearing how she looked "absolutely cute with her boyfriend" sent ablaze a feeling of joy into her heart that had yet to be extinguish.
When amber eyes met blue ones a spell was cast and the two leaned in for another kiss. Their lips meet and a spark went off once again, just like it's been doing all day. They lost count of how many times they've kissed in this one day but they were trying to make up for all the times they couldn't. For all the times when they've wanted nothing more than to kiss the other and prove that their feelings weren't just caused by some spider or some magic spell. Their love was real and it hurt that so many of the people they cared about didn't support them but it didn't, and would, never stop them from loving each other.
The sun had set on the couple still locked in a kiss. The beach was empty at this point, everyone else having gone home to their families or to continue their date elsewhere but for Raf and Sulfus there was no better place to be. It was at this beach where both felt something begin to grow for each other. The day they were stuck in mortal form, much like today, and spent the day together with their friends. While many things had gone wrong neither could say that they weren't happy to just spend if only a few moments alone together. Reina may have sped up the process but their love started from day one. She didn't make them fall in love, only made their feelings become more obvious and in the back of their minds they were grateful.
The moon and stars were the only light out but the couple still hadn't noticed. Even after breaking the kiss to get some air into their lungs their focus was entirly on each other. They stared into the other's eyes once again, as if saying a silent message, before leaning back in for another kiss. Only this time when their lips met did a new kind of spark go off. This one hurt, it was as if they were struck by lightning and it forced them to jump away from each other.
"What in the world was that?" Raf asked, rubbing her sore lips. She's never experienced anything like that before and she didn't think she would ever want to again.
Sulfus all but growled when he looked up at the night sky, hand punching the sand beneath him. "By the horns of a thousand devils." He stood up, continuing to glare up at the sky and scoffed. "Seems like our time is up. The effects of the eclipse are starting to wear off and we're slowly going back into our immortal forms." He reached his hand out to help her help. He couldn't hide the disappointment that was on his face. He wasn't ready for this to end and by how Raf looked he could tell that she wasn't as happy about this as he was.
Raf took his hand and stared up at him, not missing the disappointment that was clearly showing and she knew that she had to same expression. "I guess there's nothing left to do but head back to school." She didn't want to. By all that was holy she didn't want this to end. She wanted to keep this going, to say that they could pick this up again tomorrow but they couldn't. Angels and Devils weren't supposed to fall in love. "Uri was right. One day wouldn't be enough." She had a strong grip on his hand as they picked up their stuff and hoped onto his bike.
The drive back was a quiet one, both of them too busy thinking about today's events and they came to the same conclusion. While it had been short they didn't regret a single moment. They weren't surprised by the longing in their chest, they would always want more but even if their wish never came true they could never say they didn't try. This day was special because it was a day they were free to love each other and they could never regret that. So as Sulfus parked his bike in front of the school they both got off and held each other in a strong embrace. They didn't speak, they only held onto the one person they didn't want to be without but in a few hours they wouldn't be able to hold like this again.
"One day really isn't enough." Raf spoke first, picking her head up to look up at her love's face. Silent tears running down her face as reality began to set in. Tomorrow they would have to go back to being enemies and ignore their feelings.
Sulfus nodded, wiping away the tears that fell from her clear blue eyes. "It'll never be enough," his hand cupped her cheek as his forehead rested against hers. "What we want can't be given in a day. What we want is a lifetime." He spoke the truth. They didn't want just a few days were they were free to touch and kiss. They wanted to do this everyday, to kiss whenever they wanted, and be together without anything trying to stop them. They wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.
"If we were human we could have it," Raf suddenly said, eyes connecting with his with a certain shine to them. "If we were human you and I could love each other without any worries."
Sulfus gave her a look, not daring to show the hope that was beginning to creep up on him. "What are you saying?" he had to know if she was thinking about the same thing as he was.
"The Path of Metamorphoses, if we went through it we could become human and be together." She said, her mind flashing back to their time at summer school and their encounter with Tyco and everything else that happened.
"Yeah, but you said we should think about it because of how dangerous it was," Sulfus reminded her, his grip tightening around her. "If we fail than we'll be separated for all of eternity and I don't think I'll be able to go on without you by my side."
Raf knew of his fears and worries because she felt the very same. "I know but the way things are now so many restrictions will make being together hurt even more and that's not what I want to feel when I'm with you." She knew that in time it would hurt too much to stay by him and not be able to do anything. She didn't want to feel pain from being with him. It wasn't what either of them wanted but if they stayed this way than eventually it would happen.
"So what should we do?" he asked, not really sure of the answer himself. He's been thinking about the Path of Metamorphoses ever since they left summer school and what Tyco told them. If they failed than he and Raf would be separated forever but if they succeed they could become human and finally be free, truly free, to love each other.
Raf had to think for a moment. She knew what she wanted but she was still sacred and worried about the possible outcomes. "I say first we ask the professors and then do as much research as we can on the path."
He nodded, saying it all sounded good. "And then?"
Raf only smiled up at him and kissed his cheek. No shock came this time and she was happy to be able to do that much. "Then we turn our fear into strength and not give up no matter what we face." As he told her yesterday, they couldn't let fear control them. If they lived in fear of the 'what ifs' than they would end up regretting it all for the rest of their lives and that's not how either of them wanted to live.
So with that now decided they entered their school and with one last hug they said goodnight and went to bed.
~X~
Arkan wasn't at all surprised to see Raf track him down after all of their lessons were over. He saw how she was in class, the faraway look in her eyes and the many books she had with her all about the same subject. If anything he was surprised that she didn't come to him much earlier to discuss what she wanted to know. "Hello Raf." He greeted with a gentle smile and a small wave.
"Hello," she flew in front of him, looking determined but felt just a little nervous. "Professor there's something I want to ask you and you have to promise to tell me everything you know." Her hands were balled into fists at her side, trying to fight the many emotions that were running through her at this moment.
Arkan could only feel his smile grow. "I promise," he knew even if he wanted to he couldn't lie to her. "Now what is it that you want to know."
Raf took in a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for everything that her teacher was about to tell her. "I want you to tell me everything you know about the Path of Metamorphoses."
Arkan debated with himself if he should tell her everything he knows or keep it to a minimum. He knew why she wanted this information and he admired her reasoning and intentions, but even with good intentions doesn't always mean a positive outcome. "The path is a dangerous one. It is set up to test your strength, your weakness, and your love. Even the slightest bit of doubt can make the path become your greatest enemy. Information on the path is limited so if you have further questions I suggest researching in our school's library. However there is something you must know before I let you go," he cleared his throat and placed a comforting hand on his student's shoulder. "There are no records about anyone ever successfully going through the path but legend has it that if one should pass than you will instantly be reborn, you're life will start anew as a human and no longer be an immortal one."
"I don't understand. What is it that you're trying to tell me." Raf couldn't figure out why he was telling her something she already knew. She knew going through the path would turn you human but the way Arkan was describing it made it seem like there was much more to it.
"I'm trying to say that you'll lose your memories," Arkan needed to understand everything about this path before she made her final choice. "While there is no proof it is certain that anyone who succeeds will be reborn as a human but will have no memories of their previous life as an Angel or a Devil."
Raf gasped and took a step back. "So our memories will be erased?" she asked and watched her teacher nod. She looked down at her feet, a sudden wave of fear and doubt hit her and she wasn't sure what to think of this. She wanted to be with Sulfus, but if they lost all their memories than how would they find each other again after turning into humans? "I can't lie and say that I'm not scared, actually hearing all of this makes my fear double in size," she brought a hand up to her heart and thought of everything that has happened to her every since she met Sulfus and everything she felt. "But the thought of not being with him hurts is stronger than my fear." She has decided not to let fear control her and that is what she will do. She will talk with Sulfus about everything she learned and from there they will decide what they want to do.
Arkan watched her walk away, most likely going to see Sulfus, and he felt a little relieved watching her go. He told her everything that he knows and now all that was left is to let her decide. "There's nothing more that we can do for them." He offered a small smile to his Devil collage Temptel as she approached him from behind.
"It would appear not," she sighed, crossing her arms. "I suppose we shouldn't be so surprised. We knew this would happen eventually." She added, watching in the distant as Raf met up with Sulfus and the two seemed to be having a very serious discussion but also looked very happy.
Arkan nodded in agreement. "Yes, you're right. We knew it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. But I don't think either of us were expecting it to happen so soon."
Temptel couldn't find it in herself to disagree. "For now all we can do continue to guide them and hope for the best."
"They're out of our hands and entering a whole new world of their own." Arkan felt sad to know that very soon he would be losing a very precious student but at the same time he felt extremely proud of her and as a teacher there was nothing more you could ask for than to be proud of your students and their accomplishments.
~X~
"It sounds like we both got told them story." Sulfus said as they sat on a park bench. They had just left their teachers after their talks and it left them both a little speechless. "So we'll lose our memories if we complete the path."
Raf could only nod her head. She hadn't been expecting to hear that piece of information and it made her question many things. "We'll be reborn as humans but to do so we'll have to give up our memories."
Sulfus observed her, arms crossed over his chest as his eyes looked over her body. "You scared?"
"A little," she looked up to see concerned amber eyes staring at her and it made her heart feel lighter. "I'm a little worried about what will happen after we become humans. We'll have no memories of our times with our friends, here at school, and of each other. I'm just worried what will happen to us if we can't even remember who we are or what we feel." The risks were high and very dangerous. If they entered the path and failed they would be separated forever. If they succeed they would become human but with no memories of each other and possibly never see each other again. If seemed like a lose-lose situation.
Sulfus only rolled his eyes and reached for her hand. "So what? Even if we lose our memories doesn't mean it's all over," he sent her a confident grin and squeezed her warm hand in his. "You and I have been through challenge after challenge that could have easily separated us at anytime but we still stayed together," he brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her palm. "After everything we've been through can you really doubt our love."
Raf felt all her fears and doubt wash away in that instant. "You're right," they had been through evil forces that used their feelings against them, trying to separate them but in the end it never worked because their love was stronger. So long as they loved each other than nothing could stop them.
"So all that's left is telling our friends and deciding when we want to go through the path." Sulfus said and Raf felt a whole new wave of nerves hit her. Neither had to take a guess on how they're friends would feel about this.
"I'll talk to the girls later tonight after dinner." Raf said, already preparing her speech to tell her friends the best way possible.
"I guess I'll do the same." Sulfus only rolled his eyes. He knew with his friends it was best to just get it all out in the open before anything can happen. "Now we just need to decide when we wanna go." He added in and she nodded.
They still had a lot of research to do on the path and they had to talk with their friends and their families about their decision still. It'll probably take a while to get everyone to approve and they didn't want to leave on bad terms. "What about during the summer?"
"The summer?" Sulfus thought about it. "That's six month away. It'll be a long time."
"I know and I think that's a good thing. I doubt our friends and family will be happy right away about our choice and we still have a lot to look up about the path so why not wait until the summer," she explained her idea and grinned when she saw him nod, reluctantly, in agreement. "Besides it was during the summer that we first decided to think about the path." She added in and this time when he smiled it was a real one.
"Fine, we'll go during the summer." He agreed and the two stood up from the bench, their hands still intertwined.
"We'll go just before school starts so this way we'll be able to spend our time properly with everyone." Raf knew that this decision was a big one and it needed to be handled with care. What they were doing wasn't only to affect their lives but that of everyone around them. All their friends would miss them and they would miss them as well.
"Right." Sulfus found no reason to argue. While he was impatient, he understood her reasons and he agreed with them. They only had to wait a little bit longer before they could finally be together. "So I'll see you later, my angel." Once more he kissed her hand before flying off.
Raf watched him go, her heart beating like crazy from the kiss and felt herself slowly start to float in the air. She brought her hand up to her mouth and kissed the same spot that Sulfus had just kissed. "Soon." In a matter of months she and Sulfus would human and they would finally be free to love each other. Until then they would continue their duties as Angels and Devils and live their life with their friends until they were forced to say goodbye. They would make sure to live to the fullest and not regret anything when they enter the Path of Metamorphoses and be reborn as humans.