This is the April Fools Chapter that was replaced by Chapter 32: The Sanctuary I Unfortunately Knew in Angiris! If you didn't get to read it while it was there, then it will be here for you all to enjoy! Thank you for reading~

Chapter 32 - My Despairs and Hopes

Today I had a meeting with Archangel Tyrael. It was a welcome surprise, given my sadness, so I relished in the familiar company. We talked amongst ourselves, chatted about Sanctuary. I had many questions to ask of him and he had many answers to give, although not all of them could satisfy my curiosity. He didn't know ALL there is to know of Nephalem and their world of Sanctuary, after all. (Like for example, why do they not have wings? If the Nephalem came from a mixture of demon and angel, then why are they mostly composed of blood and bone, of which are seemingly completely demonic components?)

Despite his limitations, he did help my understanding a lot by telling me much about their culture, at least as far as he could understand it. It was all very interesting. I wish I could learn more.

But, that is an issue for another time. I saw him off, and… could not help but feel sad. Here I was, alone after having a good chat with a superior and colleague. The happiness had swiftly drained from me and left me with a sadness I could hardly bear.

Just thinking about that argument I had with Imperius left a sore throb in my chest. Would he ever come to forgive me? I could hardly forgive myself. Things were going so well and I just… blew it! How could I do such a thing?!

My head thudded against the pillow. I wish I could have chased after him. My soul hurt to much to see him leave in such a huff. In my mind, I can still see his irritated wing ruffle. His angry, abrupt and heavy footsteps leaving the tent, the disciplined focused gaze ahead that only helped him more in not having to look at me. His anger, his shame… I take responsibility for it all.

Was I overreacting? Maybe. Most likely. Yes. Yes, I am overreacting. But with my feelings for him having grown so deeply, I can't help but crack from the pressure. I want him to like me.

…

...I want him to love me.

No! Get a hold of yourself, Lenedial. You'll never get a hold of his favor again with an obsessive attitude like that. Deep breaths, deep breaths… Calm down. I let my shaky breath slow to its normal pace. It was hard, and it took a lot of effort, but I was able to succeed for a short while. Perhaps that will allow me to think.

Imperius likely returned to his duties, whatever they may be. I can't get up and walk around either. As far as sending him a letter, well, would he even read that? It was difficult to imagine him accepting it, much less having the tolerance to read the first sentence. As far as sending a verbal message… He is a stubborn man, and I'm a stubborn girl. Any verbal message would therefore only be an insincere impersonation of myself; I would be far too embarrassed to have the messenger relay my feelings for him. That wouldn't be right.

I sighed. If only this were simpler… But, life wasn't simple. It never was, and it never will for an angel girl with social problems.

The best conclusion I can arrive at is to try. To try something, anything. If I truly care about someone, then I need to try and get them back. Allowing us to be split apart would only achieve just that. I'll have the guard reach out to him.

"Excuse me? Guard? May I have a message delivered?" My shaky and nervous voice nearly echoed within the empty tent. It only emphasized my loneliness, filling me with sorrow. This needed to be done…

The guard peeked inside of the tent and acknowledged me. "What is your message and recipient, Milady?"

I would never be used to being called that, but I digress. "Can you find Archangel Imperius if he is not busy and tell him Lenedial wishes to speak to him?"

The guard nodded. He left, the tent flaps bending shut once more and swallowing me into what dim lighting was left. I was alone with my concerns and started second-guessing myself. Was he going to receive my message? Was it the best way to go about it? What if he doesn't see it? What if he leaves me here forever? I'm so scared… I'm so, so scared…

I waited, and waited. This felt like eons. Any time now, he will emerge through those tent flaps, proudly declaring himself and his presence, his fiery wings flaring and illuminating the inside like the sun. Or, so I hoped… Any time now… Any time now, please… Please, please, please, please…

I waited for hours. I couldn't view the moon cycle in here, but it was apparent. He… He never came. I curled up tightly and began to sob. I made a terrible mistake. Forgive me! Forgive me!

The tent flaps suddenly rustled. It wasn't the proud hand I expected, though. It was slow, tentative. The armored forearm parted the flaps and the person on the other side peeked inside. I saw a glint of gold. It couldn't be, could it…? Imperius was more of the type to declare himself proudly, not try and sneak into his own tent. Did this affect him so much? I'm so sorry…

Finally, the person revealed themself in their full glory. It was, indeed, the Archangel of Valor himself, Imperius. His posture was hunched, and his wings were low ever so slightly. His hand gripped his spear tightly; I did not know if it was a gesture for his own comfort or if it was menacing and ominous. Perhaps it was even bits of both. I had no way of knowing.

I came to a sitting position, quickly trying to make myself presentable. He was silent through all this, and it made me increasingly more anxious. What would he say? Was he still mad? Was he… sad? Confused like I was?

He straightened his back, rolling his shoulders. For the first time, he spoke, his deep voice rumbling lowly within the confines of our tent. "State your concerns, Angel. But after, I have an ultimatum to impress on you."

He then crossed over and sank into the chair next to my bed. However, the chair was far enough away where I couldn't reach him if I stretched my arm. He was so close yet so far away.

I gulped. "I-I just wish to apologize. I said something rude to you, a-and I… I regretted it."

He raised his head, and the depths of his helm's eye sockets stared back into me. I shuddered when he spoke again. His words were unexpectedly chilling, and they froze me in place. "Is that all you have to say? Make sure you say everything you need to say."

My hands began trembling. W-What did he mean?! He was scaring me! I was already terrified of his reaction as is! I tried to swallow my fear and croaked out a response. "I...I don't want you to split apart from me! I feel lonely when you aren't here, it feels cold, empty, I just want to talk to you more and understand you and I just… I just–"

"Pathetic."

W...What? I stared at him in numb shock. Did he… Did he just–

"You heard me, Angel. You're pathetic!" He came to a stand and held the blade of his spear under my neck. "This is why you should have just been put down when the arch created you. You're a pathetic mess who can't even properly convey your feelings to the one right in front of you! How pathetic are you?!"

I let out a strangled gasp as the spear came dangerously close to my neck. Tears began to drown me and swallow me whole. The sea of tears came down my cheeks. I could hardly comprehend what was going on. "I… so s-so...rry…" I cried out his name in my moment of weakness. "Im...perius…!"

I was right to be concerned. He would never come to love an ugly creature like me. My wings were ugly, my confidence was ugly, everything about me was ugly. I should just… I should just–

"Foolish angel, what are you crying about?"

My eyes widened within the depths of my hood. There stood a second Imperius, and he was locking blades with the original one, trying to dislodge the spear from my neck.

The Discouraging Imperius shouted, "What are you doing?! We must execute her! She can't be honest with us, much less herself!"

"BLASPHEMY!" the second Imperius roared. He mustered his almighty strength and struck the spear, causing it to fly out of his enemy's' hands. "I don't CARE what lies she tells me or herself! I JUST WANT HER HERE WITH ME!"

What? I stared on in shock at them facing off. Imperius, were you saying that you–

The Bad Imperius grabbed the other's spear. "You give her too much credit! You don't care about her at all! She's just some no-name angel who has a vile wing color! You said so yourself!"

"DON'T CLAIM TO KNOW HOW I FEEL, VILE FAKE!" he bellowed. The spear jutted forward, and the shaft clanged against the Bad Imperius's armor. "It was the mere ramblings of a half dead fool who didn't know what beauty was!"

The bad one made a snickering noise and sidestepped my Imperius's momentum. "Look at you… You've already fallen prey to this demonic girl here. She's fed you with temptation, and you ate up all her lies. You slack in your duties even now, just because you want to see her! You're obsessed, or so you think! You'll realize that you're just drunk off of her toxicity!"

I saddened a little. He was right. I was distracting him too much. If I were to confess my feelings, how would that affect his job? He was one of our best warriors. The High Heavens couldn't afford me trying to bring him down. However, his next words made me wish to give in to temptation.

Imperius snorted. "You speak of toxicity, but poison is the very thing you utter! Now begone, Impersonator!" He made another thrust straight at the intruder's chest. The other Imperius disappeared into a cloud of vapor, settling into dust.

The true Imperius stood there, panting. His body turned to look at me. We shared a silent gaze, him and I. I opened and closed my mouth several times, but nothing could come out. I was just left there gaping.

Finally, I managed to break the silence. "You… You got my… message…?"

"Hmph." He came closer, dragging the chair forward to sit next to the bed. He was closer now… I could actually touch him. Then, he suddenly scooped my upper body into his arms. I couldn't help but let out a small cry as he did so. "Foolish angel… Why didn't you tell me sooner…"

I shuddered while he pulled me into his oddly warm arms despite the armor. I hesitantly looked up at him, surprised by his actions and wondering what his intentions were. Was he going to…?

One of his arms slid under my lower back, propping me up and hefting me towards him. His other hand came up and his thumb swiped the lingering tears away. His head leaned closer to mine, and we became so close that I could feel his breath. As he approached, he murmured, "Why would you believe him? I do not hate you… You are mine…"

I closed my eyes, relishing in the closeness. His warmth, his presence, his everything… I was going to hand myself over to it all. Everything became darker and darker until it all mixed into a foggy mess. The feelings faded. The insecurities ceased. I paused in all of my thinking. But, something felt off. It was as if there was something strange in all this. It was as if none of this was… None of this was… real. A fantasy.

My eyelids fluttered, and my eyes opened and gazed up at the canopy. I then realized what happened. I had awoken from a dream. A very stressful dream, a very scary dream, a very… pleasant, dream. I let out a wistful sigh. What was going to happen after all that? I wished to know…

I curled up on my side. Well, after that dream, at least I did feel better. My eyes fluttered to a close again. I should rest up a bit more, and then send a message to Imperius so that we could talk things over. A small smile crossed my lips.

Everything will be alright.