An Earthbound Angel Ch. 32: An Unexpected Visitor
Hello again my dear lovelies! It has been too long since my last update and for that I apologize. However, here is the next update of An Earthbound Angel. At the beginning, this story was just something I did to get down out of my head. I had never though that people would have liked it. It's now two years later and I have so many reviews, favorites,and follows and I am extremely grateful to all of you. I love you all so much! Alright,now that that is out of the way, let's get on with the magic!
AnimeBunnyLover: Hello again lovely! I'm so happy to hear from you again and I thank you for your review. Here is the next chapter fro An Earthbound Angel
Micky-Moo: Hello again dear lovely! I'm so happy to see your face in the reviews again! It is too bad they don't have ultrasound back then. Everything seems to be going along back to as normal as the Phantomhive Manor can go along with the addition of a new servant. Things seem to be looking up for dear Ariel
L0n3W0lf36: Welcome back lovely! I am so happy to hear from you again. And thank you, I wanted to make sure I had some WillXGrell love in here because I ship them so hard. As for Snake, I felt bad for the poor dear and I wanted to make sure he had a place to go to after the circus. That poor baby hasn't harmed anybody so why should he have to suffer for what the other circus members did? As for the rest of the characters, I really wanted them to have more appearances in the chapters because of the low screen time they get in the actual anime and manga. I feel like they are just as interesting as Ciel and Sebas-chan. As always I thank you for your continued support of my work and I will shoot to make it the best it can be up till the end.
Alright, now, on with the quote!
"Crippling fear
Tightly you grip me
From where you came
I dare not say
Crippling fear
Yesterday I felt high
Blissful pride
Finally everything was right
Crippling fear
You returned here
Back in your grasp
I can't shake it
Crippling fear
Why do you numb me so?
Desperately you hold
Until I struggle no more"
-Martin Ellingsen
On with the story!
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o An Earthbound Angel o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
A week had passed since I had bought the baby supplies and during this week, Malphas and I have taken every spare moment to decorate the baby's room. Ciel was still sulking about me being pregnant, by Malphas no less, but when he saw how much effort Malphas was putting into the baby's room with me, Ciel grew to accept it. It was also during this time that my symptoms grew. I still had the weird cravings along with the morning sickness but along with those I began to feel slightly more tired, my breasts were getting slightly more tender, and the slightest smells would make me sick to my stomach. During this time, Pluto had taken a liking to sticking to my side like glue. When I had asked him what he was doing, he simply said,
"I am protecting you and your baby. I cannot have my master or her baby getting hurt on my watch."
I was beyond moved by his words and I happily accepted the new development. The other servants had also taken a liking to coddling me now that they knew I was expecting a baby. Snake constantly checked up on me to make sure I was doing alright, Mei was all about making sure that I drank milk so that the baby would grow strong bones, Finni kept asking if there was anything he could do for me, and Bard would ask if there was any kind of food that I would like to eat. It was nice to have so many people love me so much that they fuss over me. However, it was also during this week that Auntie Francis found out that I was pregnant. Lizzie and I had been talking over the phone about Magnus and that was when she overheard our conversation. Without thinking when her mother had asked who she was talking to, Lizzie said she was talking to me. That was when the phone was ripped out of Lizzie's hands and Auntie Francis's voice flooded the phone line in a shrill bark that had me pulling the receiver from my poor ears.
"What is this I hear about you being pregnant young lady?! Just who is the father?! Are they going to marry you?!"
Numerous questions like this flew from her mouth that had me tired from just listening to her. In the end, I was able to quiet her for a few moments so that I could invite her over to explain my situation in person. She readily agreed and arrived at the manor within the hour. I figured she would have took longer so when I looked up from Malphas and my bonding time over the baby's room to the doorway and saw my aunt panting from her sprint, to say I was taken aback was an understatement. I gracefully rose to my feet and ushered her inside the room so that she could sit in the rocking chair situated in the corner. Her sharp green eyes bore into my blue ones while she waited for me to explain which led to me getting flustered. It had sounded so easy earlier to explain to my aunt when I was talking with her over the phone, but now that she was here, I was second guessing my decision. Malphas, upon sensing my anxiety, reached out to take one of my hands in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. I sent a grateful smile his way then turned to my aunt and explained everything from the beginning. I told her how I was an earthbound angel and of how Undertaker and Malphas were both my mates which eventually led to my pregnancy. Though for the safety of all in the manor, I decided to leave out the escapade with Malphas and Beast. I knew she would kill Ciel and Malphas and if anyone tried to stand in her way, she would demolish them. She eyed the both of us with a critical eye but gave a sharp nod towards the both of us.
"This isn't my ideal way of going about this," she began with a sigh. "But I suppose the situation is fine as is. What symptoms have you had so far?"
"Morning sickness, cravings, I feel so sick and tired, a lot of smells affect my appetite, and my breasts have been becoming tender," I listed off as I thought back four weeks.
"How far along are you?"
"I want to say about four weeks."
The look of pure disbelief on Auntie Francis's face was almost comical.
"Ariel, you shouldn't be experiencing any symptoms past morning sickness right now if you are only four weeks along. The other symptoms only starts to happen when you're seven to eight weeks along. That means your pregnancy is double that of a human pregnancy. Based on my calculations, you should be ready to deliver in July."
A small smile of joy lit my lips at the news while I placed my hand over my yet to show bump. I was going to have my little Magnus as early as July. I could feel Mal put an arm around my shoulder and gave a squeeze at my bubbling happiness.
That was three days ago. Today found Mal, Ciel, and I walking to the kitchen. I was going for a snack along with Mal, but I wasn't sure why Ciel was coming too. Mal didn't trust me enough to make healthy choices for snacks, and well, I didn't blame him.
I'm alright Mal, I can get something to snack on on my own.
And why don't I believe that Ariel?
I pouted at his question but I knew he had a point. The Phantomhives have always had a large sweet tooth as far back as we can remember.
"Look Tanaka," came a familiar male voice from the servant break room that we were passing on our way through the hallway. My legs immediately stopped on the spot as my eyebrows furrowed in thought. Who was that? Before I knew what I was doing, I strode into the the room even though I could feel Mal reach forward to try to stop me.
"There are three upright tea stalks! It promises to be a good day!"
As soon as I saw who exactly who was sitting across from Grandpa Tanaka, I could feel my eyes widen and my face pale. No. Not them. Beside me, I could feel Mal move so that he pushed me slightly behind himself. Their amethyst eyes slyly rose from the Japanese teacup to stare into my own blue ones.
Well hello Sister, Ash greeted me through our bond. You absolutely lovely today.
"Ah, Lord Phantomhive," Ash greeted my brother. "I apologize for this embarrassing display."
"Why is the Queen's butler drinking tea in my mansion?"
I would like to know the answer to that question too.
"You didn't know, Young Master?" Malphas asked. "Ash has been the one delivering Her Majesty's orders all this time."
"That's no job for a butler," Ciel commented while I went straight to shock.
Malphas, this would have been nice to know before hand.
It was alright Ariel. I made sure he did not venture past the room he entered through.
"A butler who can't use Her Majesty's naptime to check the Doomsday Book for those requesting an audience," Ash began with a strong voice, "Come straight to deliver an envelope to Lord Phantomhive, and stop for an elegant tea with Tanaka while he's at it isn't worth his salt."
"Somehow I doubt the tea bit is really a requirement," Ciel remarked under his breath. For a brief moment I saw Ash's glare pierce over to my brother at his questioning of Ash's motive, but it was gone within the blink of an eye.
"Might I ask what brings you here today?" Malphas questioned politely.
"Ah yes. Outside of Preston there's a Catholic abbey that was burned down during the Reformation, and is no longer in use," Ash told us. "A cult espousing deviant doctrines is gathering there. We have heard that its leader has the Doomsday Books of all followers."
"You mean the land registers where their livestock and property are recorded?" Ciel pondered. "But why would he want to know that?"
"No," Ash denied. "The Doomsday Books they revere are of a different sort. They are registers required when you stand before the Lord in heaven on Doomsday...the Day of Judgment. All your sins and good works are supposedly recorded there."
"The occult again," Ciel sighed in distaste.
"There are rumors that they plan to revolt against the government," Ash added.
That is nothing more than hogwash, I scoffed in my mind. But then what could Ash get out of sending us there?
""Her Majesty laments that the people of Preston are quaking in fear of these heretics."
"And,"Ciel demanded,clearly seeing the fault in his words. "Are you telling me to disperse them, or to eradicate them?"
"We leave that decision to you."
"Very well."
While Ash began telling the details of the mission, out of the corner of my eye, I could see Pluto's figure in the ground window leading to the kitchen. As soon as he saw Ash, he began to growl threateningly to the angel in front of me. With one look from me, he quieted his growls but kept glaring.
"Who is that?" Ash asked.
"Just a servant," Malphas waved off easily.
"I see. Well, I should be on my way if I am to return before the Queen's naptime is up."
Ash cast me one more glance before he made his way out of the mansion. To soothe my frazzled nerves, I rubbed my stomach so that I could feel my baby's soothing life force under my hand.
"Ariel, why don't you accompany me to my study and Malphas can bring us up a snack," Ciel offered when he saw how flustered I was.
"That, that sounds wonderful," I agreed softly. Ciel then wrapped his arms around my shoulder and led me from the kitchen back up to his study. Instead of going to sit at his desk, he sat us down at the plush chairs he had sitting in front of a little fire. Within minutes Malphas joined us with a Victoria Sponge Cake.
Malphas...I thought I was supposed to eat healthy?
We can make an exception. Just this once.
A smile broke out on my lips as I happily tucked in to the slice of cake.
"Well, what now?" Ciel asked Malphas while he began to eat his own slice of cake.
"According to Ash, the abbey is heavily guarded," Malphas said.
"So it would be difficult to go in through the front door," Ciel mused.
"Incidentally, he also mentioned that a large number of coffins have been delivered there in recent days."
"Coffins?" Ciel echoed. "I guess that means a visit to Undertaker."
"I want to go with you Ciel," I spoke up after I had swallowed a bite of cake.
"Absolutely not," both Ciel and Malphas deadpanned in unison.
"Come on. If we are dealing with Heaven, you'll need an actual angel and I'm the only one we know."
"But you're pregnant Ariel," Ciel argued.
"I was pregnant during the last mission," I pointed out.
"We did not know you were pregnant," Malphas pointed out. "If I had known beforehand, I would not have allowed you to go."
He did not just-
"Allow me," I scoffed at his words. "Allow me. Sebastian, if I had wanted to go on that mission, you could not have stood in my way. Nor could you Ciel. I am my own woman and I can do as I please. I know that I am pregnant, and I will take the utmost care in my safety during this mission."
Ciel sighed in defeat while Malphas wallowed in anger.
You'll have to deal with it Malphas. I will not be some girl who let men dictate her life for her. I want to help and so I am.
"Ready the carriage Sebastian," Ciel ordered.
"Yes, My Lord."
About half and hour later found all three of us outside Pheobus's parlor. Before the others could head inside, I glided in.
"Undertaker! I'm here!" I called out, but stopped when I saw the figure sitting on top of a coffin. That's not Pheobus. That's-
"Grell!" I exclaimed in joy when I recognized her and ran over to her so that I could envelop her in a hug. She happily returned it with a chuckle.
"I didn't fool you for a second did I?"
"Nope," I giggled but grew confused when I didn't see my shinigami. "Grell, where's Undertaker?"
"Hello luv," I heard come from some large vats of salt. Don't tell me...I walked over to the vats and saw a head of silver hair sticking out from the salt.
"Undertaker, what in the world are you doing in a vat of salt?" I questioned in surprise.
"He questioned my beauty," Grell sniffed. "So I buried him in some salt."
"Oh my goodness," I breathed out in exasperation.
"I just love the sensation of all the moisture in body leeching out of my skin," Pheobus chuckled to himself.
"A dangerous game," Malphas commented.
"Let's get you out of there Undertaker," I said as I reached into the salt to help him out. "Grell, what brings you through here?"
"Will had me investigating some stolen Cinematic Records," Grell told me. I could feel Pheobus's muscles tense under my hands as I helped him out of the salt.
"Are Records the sort of things that can be 'stolen'?" Malphas asked.
"Mmm...They're stored in the library when we're not using them," Grell told us. "The full pasts of all people now living. In other words,of everyone on the To-Die list:all the crimes, everything...in the form of books."
"So they're books made in preparation for Doomsday," Ciel voiced his thoughts.
"That rings a bell, doesn't it?" Malphas commented. Just as Malphas said that, I had managed to get Pheobus out of the salt so that he was standing before us naked.
"Ariel, close your eyes!" Ciel scolded me when he saw that I was looking at Pheobus.
"Ciel, I've already seen him naked," I retorted with an eyeroll. "Grell, can you give him back his clothes?"
"My my Ariel, you are truly blessed with your mates," Grell smirked as she handed over the clothing.
"Why thank you," I said while I helped him dress. "Undertaker, we'll need your help with our new mission."
Ariel, please don't tell me you're going on this mission.
They need an angel Pheobus. I have to go.
I could see the grimace he wore but I could only picture him closing his beautiful eyes.
Then I guess all I can say is to be safe. I cannot go with you because I'm retired, but I'll be damned if I sit back when you're in trouble. Call me and I'll be there within moments.
Thank you for the support Pheobus.
Think nothing of it luv. I trust you to make the right decision.
"So what is this request?"
"We need four coffins and for you to deliver us to an abbey that has been ordered large amounts of coffins."
"Ah yes, that abbey," Pheobus said offhandedly. "Consider it done luv."
Over the next hour, Grell dressed back in her clothes and we were all given simple coffins to rest in. Well, mine wasn't really that simple on the inside. Pheobus made sure to line the coffin with some padding so that I wouldn't be uncomfortable during the ride. Arguing with him had been futile because when I tried to say something, all I got was a look from under his silver fringe that silenced anything I had to say. Grell, Ciel, Malphas, and I were then placed in our coffins and then stacked on the cart for the journey. As soon as the cart began moving, I felt the familiar wave of fatigue settle over me. I guess a little nap wouldn't hurt, I thought to myself as my eyelids closed.
When the cart came to a stop, I felt the jerk which woke me from my dozing. Jeez, why do pregnant women feel so tired?
"I've come to deliver the coffins you ordered," Pheobus told the guards at the gate. I took that as the cue to slip out of my coffin and follow the others over to the side of the gate behind some rocks.
"Coffins, sir?" the guard questioned. "No on informed me of this..."
"I have the order right here...,"Pheobus began while he rifled through his robes. "Hmm, where did I put it?"
"Alright," the guard agreed after seeing Pheobus ruffle through his robes. "Please come in then. And you as well."
Well, there goes our cover.
"Well, I'll be off then," Pheobus spoke up. "I've finished what I came to do."
Remember my promise luv.
I will.
"I see," the guard said. "Thank you. May your soul be cleansed."
With that we parted ways and our party consisting of Ciel, Grell, Malphas, and I followed the guard.
"I thought it was supposed to be difficult to get in here," Ciel whispered to Malphas.
"Yes, I was under that impression..."
As we walked down the road, we happened upon a group of three, one male and two female, who bowed to us before they continued on their way. All I could get from their aura was that there was something off. What in the world is going on here? It turned out that our destination was the chapel of their church. Even I had to admit the stained glass was impressive. However, when Ciel saw the insignia on the topmost stained glass window, he seemed to freeze.
"Ciel," I voiced in worry that was interrupted by a group of little boys.
"Good evening," they greeted cheerily. "Another wonderful day today, wasn't it?"
This only served to pain my heart. They had to bring the children into this?
"Well, aren't you cute?" Grell smiled to the children. "I imagine Magnus to grow up like that."
"Hello, unclean one," one of the children greeted Grell. "You're impure through and through, I see."
What in the world?
"What?!"Grell drew out in indignation.
"Hmm, what's wrong unclean one?" another one piped up. "Are you ill?"
This of course earned a hit over the head.
"You little brat! Who are you calling 'unclean'?!"
"Wah!" they wailed. "An unclean one touched me!"
"We need to be cleansed!" another cried.
"Get back here!" Grell called after them when they turned tail and ran.
"Another unclean one," the children shouted, skirting around a woman who had entered the room. When Grell caught sight of the woman, she came to a stop.
"Everyone over a certain age is called 'unclean'," the woman explained. "I see from your clothing that you're new converts. Don't worry. If you study the teachings of our leader, your body will be cleansed.
"I say," Ciel began. "Is this place-,"
At the same time, Malphas and I both reached out to stop him from speaking. We needed to get to the bottom of this cult thing, but asking directly to the point will get us nowhere.
"Unclean," Malphas questioned. "A funny thing to say."
"Why would such a sweet person like you be impure," I finished for him given I could see the route he was going to take, flashing a glare his way for a brief second. One look at me seemed to bring a blush to her face.
"You are so beautiful," she gasped.
"I don't know anything about here yet," I continued on. "Would you mind telling me about it?"
"Alright," she agreed. "But then why did you come here?"
"I was only given a vague explanation, but not any details," I supplied. "I was hoping you would give me some details."
"The Doomsday Books of those who have lived a long time are impure," she told me. "Our leader cleanses the unclean passages. And we're told not only the past, but the future is recorded there.
"The future?" I questioned.
"Yes. But only the chosen children of the heavenly choir can be told it."
"The heavenly choir?" Ciel echoed. "What, do they sing hymns?"
"I believe 'sing' may not be the right word..." she trailed off. "But I hear beautiful voices from our leader's bedchamber..."
Oh, please don't let it be what I think it means, I pleaded in my head.
"Thank you so much for telling me this," I smiled as I reached to hold her hands but was interrupted by her shout.
"Please don't touch me!" she exploded. I immediately froze.
"I don't want to make you unclean," she offered with her head bowed. I slowly backed away from her and folded my arms behind my back.
"Alright. Thank you again."
The rest of us took that time to walk away from the girl to catch up on what we have already learned.
"If only young boys are chosen for the heavenly choir," Malphas pondered out loud. "Then we have no one to get close to their leader."
"Rubbish!" Grell chirped.
What on earth is she talking- As soon as I saw her in the boy's uniform, my eyes grew wide. She really did it.
"I can easily get in the heavenly choir. Well? How do I look?"
"Wah! You'll make me impure!" a little boy cried, standing only in his underclothes.
"Grell," I started, only to be cut off by angelic song. Wait- My train of thought was instantly cut off when I heard the song because I could feel my being pulse. What is happening to me?
"Oh, it's time for our leader's cleansing ceremony," the little boy sighed happily.
"Cleansing?" Grell voiced. Meanwhile, the longer I heard the song, the more I felt my being pulsate. Malphas seemed to sense my predicament for he came to my side to support me.
"Let's go investigate this cleansing," I suggested while I leaned into his side. "Maybe this will give us some insight on the mission." Everyone else agreed so we all made our way to the large chapel where the music was coming from. However, the closer I got to the music, the more I could fell my powers begin to pulse and reach fro the surface. What in the world in going on, I thought to myself as I shook my head slightly. Maybe this has to do with my occasional fatigue. I'm so tired that the barrier I put around my powers is weakening. Ciel made sure to sit us in the back row so that we could get a good look at what was going on around here. Soon after, a man in what seemed to be priest robes came up to the alter and spoke.
"Here, tonight, the sinful unclean shall be made pure," he declared while two people in dark cloaks were led to the altar. Both were stripped of the cloth which left them naked with some sort of weird markings on their backs. They then kneeled down while books were being handed over to the priest.
"Are those Cinematic Records?" Malphas asked Grell.
"Too far away to tell," Grell mused as she strained her eyes to look at the books.
"I shall read the Doomsday Books of these impure,lost children," the priest continued on, opening one of the books. "Jill Peasant. The second daughter of a farmer, she conceived a child at fifteen. Thomas Atkins. No especially evil deeds,but he has spent his life meaninglessly. This is a grave sin."
How is that a bad thing? It was then that a weird black energy coated the two that had them crying out in pain. What is going-My own train of thought was lost as a familiar feeling of pain wracked through my body. It was the same as when my powers were forced to the surface back at the doll shop. Please, I managed to get out through my pain. Don't let this hurt Magnus.
"Ariel!" Malphas, Ciel, and Grell exclaimed in worry as I fell to the ground and writhed in agony of my wings being forcibly ripped from my back. Malphas was at my side in an instant trying in vain to soothe my pain. When that didn't work, he bit his own wrist and offered the bleeding appendage to me. I opened my mouth to take in the blood, but as soon as it touched my skin, I let out a blood curdling scream at the burning the blood caused. For once I could see Malphas's eyes widen in shock and fear of his blood harming me while he sat by my side unable to help me.
Ariel...
That is when some sort of glow came from the front of the room, but I could care less about it. I just wanted this torment to end. I could faintly hear some glass shatter that harmonized well with my last scream of pain before my wings were all the way out of my back and a silvery glow had settled on my skin. Finally, I thought in relief while still on the floor, it's over. Malphas wasted no time scooping me into his arms so that his eyes could scan over my form for any injury. Out of the edge of my hearing, I could hear the rest of the church going crazy over something. It wasn't until my senses settled that I realized that they were crying over an angel. Dang it. We were supposed to keep a low profile.
"It seems we have an angel in our presence," the priest said. "Why don't we have her settled into a nice warm bed and get her some food. Surely making such a journey would be taxing."
Some people tried to come forward to take me from Malphas,but I could feel his aura spike in anger that people would dare to touch me.
Calm down Mal, I sent him weakly. We have to play along so that we finish the mission.
I care not about the mission if it puts you or Magnus in danger.
Look at you, I couldn't help but tease warmly. Already such a dutiful father.
Even though I could feel his pleasure at my words, he quickly grew serious.
Ariel, whatever did this could have killed you both. Your body even rejected my blood.
I'll be fine Mal. This has happened before when I was kidnapped at the doll castle. I will not die and I still feel Magnus, so I so not think his life in danger either.
"Would you please lead the lady this way," one of the other people requested with a smile smile. A low growl left Malphas, but in the end, he pulled me into his arms then stood to his full height.
"Lead the way."
Ciel and Grell made to follow us, but they met some resistance.
"Please, let them come," I called out to the cloaked people. "They are my companions and I don't like being far from them at any time."
"Of course, My Lady," they hastily said before they ushered the others after us.
It turns out that they had me settle in a large king sized bed full of fluffy pillows and a down blanket while also bringing me quite a spread to eat.
"Tell us if there is anything else you should need," a woman told me kindly before she left the four of us alone in the room. I was loving this, but Malphas had to do a strict inspection of everything before he deemed it safe for me.
"Something was off about those books," Grell started, watching me eat for a few moments then turned her attention back to Ciel and Malphas. "They weren't Cinematic Records."
"Then he doesn't have the power to see the past?" Ciel voiced.
"I'm pretty sure this has something to do with Sister Angela," I added after I had swallowed what I was eating.
"What makes you say that?" Grell questioned in surprise.
"The last time this happened to me, I woke up to see her in her angelic form," I revealed, my fatigue now settling in. "I don't think many things could do the same thing."
"Rest," Malphas told me when he saw my drooping eyes. "We can talk about this more later."
I nodded my head and allowed myself to doze lightly. After about what I would give, half an hour based on the candles, I woke feeling rested.
"Feel better?" Grell asked from my side when she saw that I was awake.
"Much, thank you."
"What else-," Ciel began only to be cut off by some women opening the door.
"Our leader would like to see you Lady Angel," they informed us with a bow of the head. We all looked at each other but I was the one to look away first so that I could slide myself down from the bed. Malphas was by my side as soon as I moved to get down and acted as a stable rock for me until my feet were firmly on the ground. Once I had my bearings, I folded my wings neatly behind my back and stood without Malphas's support. If I was going to meet Sister Angela/Ash I needed to be as strong as I can.
"Please show us the way," I directed towards the women who in turn turned and led us through the twists and turns of the hallways until we reached the chapel we were in earlier.
"We've brought the Lady Angel," they announced in unison.
"Leave us," the priest told them before his head turned in the direction of Malphas, Ciel, and Grell. "Except for the man with the eyepatch."
I didn't need to send Malphas a message to know that I wanted him in the shadows should something go a wry.
"You look divine Ariel," the priest said in his weird monotone voice that had my nerves standing on end. "Come this way."
I hastened to follow his orders while my mind raced. Why did this person seem sort of familiar?
"You wished to see me, sir?"
"Yes, I did dear," he told me, his hand coming up to cup the left side of my cheek "I'll read you a book."
With that the hand was removed and I was questioning this man's sanity.
"Sir, I've been wanting to ask, what is a 'Doomsday Book'?"
"I'll read it to you...until you fall asleep. Tonight is a treat."
My whole being started at hearing this. That was what Ciel's and my parents would say to us whenever it was our birthdays. They would read us any story we chose until we fell asleep. It was then that the hand came out again to push some of my hair from my face then settled on my head. Father?
"Sister Ariel," came Angela's voice that had me pushing away the hand that was on top of my head. While I stared up at the glowing window, the priest made a lunge for Ciel and wrapped his hands around his neck.
"Ciel!"
"Sebastian, this is an order! Kill him!"
"Yes, my lord."
With amazing theatrics, Malphas came bursting through the window and effortlessly threw a knife that impaled itself in the priest's forehead. Another person made for Ciel, but Malphas was quick to throw another knife. It turned out that the person under the cloak was none other than Sister Angela. In the blink of an eye, she grabbed both me and Ciel then took off into the sky. No! I tired to fight back as did Ciel, but I could feel our strength leaving us. Just as my awareness was slipping, I could see a book be pulled out that shot Cinematic Records at Malphas and Grell. I guess some Cinematic Records were stolen from the library.
"I shall show you all the light and darkness of your past," Sister Angela told Ciel as she pulled us through some weird portal. As soon as we were through, Sister Angela sat Ciel down on a settee while she kept me in her arms.
"I'm so happy to see you again dear sister," she smiled down at me, tracing a finger down the side of my face. "Have you thought over my offer yet?"
"No," I answered, my hands reflexively reaching for my stomach where Magnus was.
"I see you have gotten impregnated by the demon," she spat while eyeing my stomach. "We'll have to rid ourselves of the vermin so that we can start with our own angelic children."
"You won't lay a finger on Magnus," I snapped with my eyes blazing with maternal instincts.
"So you've already named it, have you? It is of no matter. It has to go."
I would have retorted back, but that was when Ciel sat up and turned to us.
"How did your past feel?" Sister Angela asked him. "Was it soft like burnished velvet? Or was it more like overwashed cotton's-,"
"Shut up!" Ciel exploded with a steel like voice. "That hand...That...was our father's hand."
What?!
"You killed them, didn't you?" he accused without missing a beat. "Why? Why did you kill our parents?! What could you possibly gain from-,"
"'Killed'?" Sister Angela echoed in distaste. "What a disturbing thing to say. Am I the only one who harmed your parents? Didn't your butler...No, didn't you kill them again?"
At her words, I could feel my eyes widen and whatever I had eaten threatened to to show itself again. No...
"You were brilliant," she praised Ciel with me still in her arms. "I didn't expect you to stay sane in the face of the distorted past."
With ease she stood the both of us up and carried me in her arms.
"Why, you..." Ciel seethed.
"You are thoroughly sullied," Sister Angela told him. "However, underneath the surface is a glow that would be a shame to waste. Shall I change your unsightly, impure past for you?"
"Stuff it! You're the one who sullied me!"
Sister Angela only smirked and put a finger to his head that started the Cinematic Records show. She kept me by her side with one arm keeping me in place with her energy stealing ability while she had Ciel's head resting in her lap. No, I need to get out of here and get back to Malphas and Pheobus.
"Ariel! Master!" Malphas shouted as the doors were thrown open. Thank the lord.
"His past is being rewritten. He's being purified,made clean and white as snow," Sister Angela spoke up. "And my dear sister here will be by my side as I rule this unclean realm."
Malphas...
"Unhand her!" Grell ordered from Malphas's side, her green eyes blazing. I know my brother does not want to forget the past that he had. He wants to remember the past that made him who he is today. Maybe if I am able to touch him, I can roll back the Cinematic Records and stop Sister Angela from changing it. With that in mind, I reached out for Ciel's forehead and put my middle and index fingers in the middle then willed the Cinematic Records to stay as they were and for them to flow back into his body. Through my mind's eye, I could see Ciel being lured by an imitation of Mother and Father with their words alone, so I made Father speak the word uncleanliness. Hopefully that will be enough to snap him out of it. Within seconds, I could sense he was fighting back for control so I removed my hand and watched his body float up into the air.
"Sister, look at what you have done!" Sister Angela yelled at me while standing the both of us up and gripping my upper arms tight. I could tell Malphas wanted to come to my rescue, but I knew Ciel needed it more.
Catch him Malphas.
"The horror of such an unclean heart," Sister Angela scoffed at my brother. "Depraved, stagnant, without light...I should never have shown you mercy. It was only for my dear sister that I was willing. I shall purify you here and now."
She sat me down on the settee so that she could face Malphas, Will, and Grell. I could feel the tension of battle rising between the three, but it was all but gone when Pheobus walked through with a cart.
Pheobus! I cried out in joy, pushing past Sister Angela's hold to run into arms that opened wide for me.
"Hey! What are you doing here-," Grell began to shout at Pheobus but was quieted by Will with a little swat on the arm.
"Mind your tongue! This is the virtuoso who passed judgment on the famous Robin Hood and sent Marie Antoinette to hell. He is a legendary grim reaper who makes the staunchest of souls give up the ghost."
Really now? I sent to him, thoroughly impressed and proud of him.
That was a long time ago luv.
"Hold on," Grell spoke up. "He looks nothing like the statue! How could this dreary old man be a legendary grim reap-,"
As soon as Grell moved Pheobus's bangs out from covering his eyes, I could tell he could see the resemblance. I made to smile, but I could see Sister Angela try to make an escape out of the corner of my eye. Oh no she doesn't! Before I could think up a plan, my wings launched me up into the sky while I made some wind circle around her wrist and ankles in hopes of keeping her in place. It seemed my course of action didn't work because I was pulled with her back to the abbey while the others were stuck in the library. Somewhere along the journey to the abbey, my wind had vanished leaving Sister Angela free to move as she wanted. Darn it. When we reached the abbey, all of the people were mourning over their fallen leader. To keep me from freaking out, I focused on Sister Angela and finding out a way to take her down.
"You don't have to feel sad," Sister Angela spoke up without making us seen. "Because the time has come for the coffins to serve their purpose."
She doesn't mean what I think she means, does she? Sister Angela then made us visible which aroused awe from the abbey members.
"Yield everything to me, and give me your thoroughly sullied Doomsday Books that will never record the future! All of you who have gathered here are impure souls. Souls who lean on honeyed words, who lean on God, who have given up writing the future with their own hands."
While she was giving her little speech, I could see that she was slowly trying to kill everyone in the abbey.
"Stop this!" I demanded. "You'll kill them at this rate."
"That is the plan, dear sister."
"I won't let you," I decided with steely determination, preparing myself for a fight.
"I do not wish to fight you Sister Ariel," she sighed sadly.
"You made the choice for yourself when you decided to kill innocent people," I threw back at her. We then both took to the air and launched attack after attack at each other, which may or may not have damaged the walls around us. I was more concerned with putting a stop to Sister Angela's plans. She hurled attacks of pure energy while I threw fire, wind, and made spikes of the clay in the bricks of the walls that she flew past. I had managed to land quite a lot of damage to her while I skillfully dodged the attacks she sent at me. That is until she got in a lucky shot at my wings. A cry of pain left me as I plunged towards the ground. It seemed I was distraction enough for Will to send his death scythe shooting at Sister Angela so that she was pinned to the wall behind the altar and for Grell to send another death scythe to pierce through her right wing and hand to further pin her to the wall.
"Ariel!" I heard Malphas shout before I was caught by strong arms and was carefully taken back to the ground.
Thanks Malphas.
What were you thinking?! Do you know how much danger you put not only yourself in, but also the safety of our child?!
I couldn't just stand by and let her get away! I argued. Besides, I only have a flesh wound on my wing. We will both live.
You're just lucky.
Okay, I have to admit, that little comment stung. We both knew I could take care of myself and by him saying this, it felt like he was questioning my abilities. However, I also knew that he was only worried about Magnus and I. I really could have killed us both.
I'm sorry Mal.
You and your brother are just too stubborn for your own goods.
After he made sure I was okay on the ground, I could see his demonic eyes come on display while he turned to the pinned angel.
"Let's treat ourselves to a game of darts, shall we?"
Malphas then threw two knives that hit Sister Angela in her right side and the middle of her right upper arm.
"Hmm, I missed. Now, where shall I hit her next?"
Seemingly desperate, Sister Angela began to glow and an unearthly wailing/yelling seemed to come form her lips. My eyes widened in shock as her once purple eyes turned pure white. What in the world is she doing?! That is when the foundation of the abbey around us began to shake and crumble.
"Does she mean to destroy herself along with us?" Malphas questioned, turning on his heel to scoop me up. He made quick work of taking us out and far away from the disaster zone.
"Are you alright Ariel?" Grell asked once we were clear.
"I'm fine. I just-,"
My words were cut off by Malphas placing his bloody wrist to my lips so that I could drink some of his blood.
You know I hate this.
But you are healing, are you not?
I grew quiet for I could feel my wing mend itself under the consumption of his blood. I could tell Will was disgusted by the act, but he held his tongue once he saw it was healing me. Once my wing was all healed, I had him sit me down. Right then was when Ciel and Pheobus appeared, looking over the demolished abbey.
"Are you alright luv?" Pheobus inquired once he stood before me, hands on my shoulders while his hidden green eyes looked over me.
"Her wing was hurt, but I healed it," Malphas boasted with a slight smirk aimed at Pheobus.
"Sebastian, you will quit," I snapped as I turned my head to stare at him. "There will be no more jabs. There is only so much more I can take tonight."
"Do you think she's dead Ariel," Ciel piped up.
"Unfortunately for us," I sighed while massaging my forehead. "She is not dead. To kill an angel you'll need another angel or a demon. What we had just did to her is only child's play. She'll be healed in only a few days, three at the most."
Ciel cursed at my words while his visible blue eye showed he was scheming in his head.
I love you Pheobus, but I need to get back home and get some rest.
I understand luv. Just swing by the shop or I'll come visit if you want me to.
Thank you for understanding.
He gave my forehead a kiss before he disappeared from sight.
"We have to get going too," Grell told me while she moved over to me to give me a hug. "We'll see you soon Ariel."
I also made sure Will gave me a hug before the two of them took off. Now that the whole ordeal was over for the moment, the first thing I was looking forward to when we got back was taking a long, hot bath.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o An Earthbound Angel o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Well there we have it my lovelies. We're getting towards the end of this story and the plot is getting thick. For those of you who have watched the anime, what do you think is going to happen next? I would love to hear some of your theories that you have. As always if you have any questions, comments, or concerns with the story, feel free to leave a review or to shoot me a pm if you would rather no one saw your question. Terribly sorry for the late review, but I hope to make up for it with it being a little bit longer than the last.
-White Wolf