An Earthbound Angel Ch. 34: Birth of a Camphilim
Hello again my lovelies! I am so glad to be back and writing another chapter to this story. It has been so long since I last updated and I apologize for that. However, we are coming up to the end of this story. Well, to me that sounds like a happy and sad thing. It is happy because I'll be able to say that I finished the story with so many loyal followers, but also sad as is anything that ends after you have been following it for so long. A perfect example of this was when I was reading the Fairy Tail manga. I had been watching the anime and reading the manga for so long, that when it ended, I felt so sad that I wouldn't be able to read it anymore. Anyways, sorry about getting sidetracked there. Let's get on with the magic!
Guest: Thank you for your feedback. It is always great to hear what my readers are thinking about when they read my stories. As for the thing with Malphas and Ariel, I like that idea. However, I already have plans for that idea so I can't have that happen now.
Micky-Moo: Hello again lovely~ It's always good to hear from you. Thank you for your continued support and I hope that I can continue to put out great chapters that you will enjoy.
ForeverTwistedLove8814: Hello new lovely! I am always happy to get more new people on board with the story. I am also happy that you are so excited for the next chapter. I hope you will like the new chapters!
Minnie Mouse: Hello, I am so happy that you are able to still enjoy this story after reading it so many times. That is the kind of stories I wish to write so I am beyond happy to know at least one person does this. I look forward to your reviews from now on.
Okay, the magic was fantastic this time. I know I keep repeating this over and over again, but I am deeply grateful to all of you who have continued to support me and for allowing me to publish my stories. The most important thing to me is people enjoying my work and it makes this all worthwhile. I have nothing else to say besides, let's get on with the quote.
"The natural state of motherhood is unselfishness. When you become a mother, you are no longer the center of your own universe. You relinquish that position to your children."
-Jessica Lange
Now that this is over with, let's get on with the story.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o An Earthbound Angel o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
When Ciel and Malphas finally returned for me, I could sense there was something wrong with Ciel.
"Ciel!" I exclaimed when I saw him, throwing my arms out to hug him.
"A-Ariel?!" Ciel questioned in what had to be shock when he saw how much bigger my stomach was than the last time he had saw me.
"I was so worried about you."
His arms hesitantly came to wrap around me, all the while making sure to be gentle so that he wouldn't harm my stomach. I could only giggle at the look on his face. It was adorable to see him so uncomfortable like this. However, when I stood back from his hug, I was able to see something wrong in the way Ciel seemed to shrink in on himself. What had happened on the mission?
"Why don't the two of you come in?" Pheobus suggested. "I have a feeling that we have much to discuss. Why don't I get us some tea and refreshments while Ariel shows you to the sitting room."
I looped an arm through both Ciel's and Malphas's arms then led them in through the parlor to the house part of the building.
"Is he still kicking?" Malphas voiced, his joy overflowing through our bond.
"Yes. He especially loves it when I talk to him," I smiled up at him.
"Wait, you mean Magnus has started kicking?" Ciel asked once he had snapped out of his thoughts.
"Yes."
"What does that mean?"
"That I am close to my due date."
"I thought you weren't due until summer?"
"Well, it seems that he doesn't want to wait that long," I chuckled while I rubbed my belly soothingly.
"Is the nursery finished at least?"
"Yes," I answered easily. "I wanted to make sure it was finished with time to spare so that Sebastian wouldn't try to do it with his abilities."
All he did was raise an eyebrow at my accusing glare when we reached the sitting room. Ciel took the single chair on the other side of the couch while Malphas sat us down on the couch that had a seat empty on my right for Pheobus.
"I can't believe I'll be an Uncle soon," Ciel let out in disbelief. "I would have thought that I would have had children before you."
I didn't miss the soft glare sent my way for the fact.
"Don't worry Ciel, you can still have a family," I assured him.
"Ariel," he sighed. "You know I can't. When my revenge is done, I give my soul to Sebastian."
"I can change that," I said firmly which greatly surprised both Ciel and Malphas.
Malphas.
Yes?
I want you to promise me that you will not take Ciel's soul until he has had a child.
I could feel the effect of a mate's order through our bond that had it buzzing with energy.
"I promise," he voiced aloud. Ciel was greatly confused at our interaction so I turned to face him.
"I made him promise that he wouldn't take your soul until you have a child."
"Ariel, you can't just...,"
My glare was enough to shut him up and look at me wearily.
"I want you to at least experience having a family before you die," I told him with a small huff. It seemed that he couldn't argue with that for he said nothing and resigned to brooding in his seat. Malphas took this time to gently rest his hand against my stomach that had a swift kick coming up against it. Nothing but his eyes and the bond betrayed the immense joy and happiness he felt at that simple gesture.
"It's an indescribable feeling isn't it?" Pheobus questioned from the doorway as he carried in a tray of sandwiches in one hand with a tea tray in the other. I made to get up to help him, but he shook his head. I pouted slightly at the gesture but instead reached forward to pluck the canister of cookies off of the sandwich tray.
"I see you haven't regulated her diet," Malphas quipped when he saw me munching on the cookies.
"She is her own person butler. She can choose what she does."
Pheobus then turned towards Ciel with his chartreuse eyes showing his seriousness.
"I take it the Queen has turned on you?" he inquired, crossing his legs.
"The Queen has nothing to do with this," Ciel denied at once.
"Oh no? Then tell me why Scotland Yard was here earlier this week when we were readying for bed looking for your sister."
Ciel's and Malphas's eyes widened at the news that had the both of them stewing in anger. In response to Malphas's growing anger, I could feel Magnus growing uneasy and moving about restlessly.
"Sebastian, can you please calm down?" I winced when a particularly hard kick hit. "You're making him uneasy."
That was all I needed to say for him to visibly make efforts to calm himself while rubbing my stomach again.
"We were tricked," Ciel admitted after some time of the muscles in his cheek worked in his anger.
"I think that Ash is behind this," I spoke up after some careful thought. "They're the only one who is close enough to the Queen to be able to hand out and order that carries the same weight as if it was coming straight from Her."
"What could they want?" Ciel grumbled in thinly veiled irritation.
"They want me," I revealed with a heavy heart. I knew that they wanted me, but I didn't think they would actually go this far just to get me. Both my mates tensed at this.
"They want me to rule the Earth by their side as their Queen. They were even ready to kill Magnus to make it so I would only bare their children."
The level at which their anger was before was nothing compared to the all out fury on my mates' faces when they were told. It got so bad that the whole house seemed to shake. Malphas's eyes were no longer the wine color I was accustomed to, instead they were glowing red while Pheobus's eyes had gone an aureolin yellow with the combined colors of his demon eyes and the shinigami green. Growls now came from their chests as things began to float then crash against the walls. Ciel's visible eyes widened at the display while he held the armrests to the chair he was sitting in with a death grip when that too rose into the air. I on the other hand was having an oh so fabulous time trying to soothe Magnus from his fussy state.
"Ariel!" Ciel yelled from his height up by the ceiling. "Calm the both of them down!"
I could feel my nerves fraying from my mates' reactions and the continuous kicking I felt in my stomach that I could feel myself start to loose my patience.
"Will the both of you just stop it?!" I screamed at the top of lungs. Malphas's reaction was an immediate deactivation of his external powers which dropped half of the things in the room, including Ciel's chair. Pheobus on the other hand calmed down gradually so that things drifted down from their aloft positions. However, their eyes still remained glowing in their simmering anger. It was then that Ciel seemed to notice the change in Pheobus's eyes.
"Undertaker, why are your eyes yellow?"
"It seems it's time for a family tree lesson," Pheobus smiled halfheartedly that showed off his fangs. He brushed his long bangs back from his face that fully showed his eyes as well as bared his full face.
"You see Mr. Butler, we share a family member."
Both Ciel and Malphas were frozen in shock at the news while I reached out a hand to Pheobus to give a little bit of support to get the news out.
"I take it you know the name Asmodeus?"
The narrowing of Malphas's eyes was the only answer he got.
"Well, you see, he is my father."
I could feel the exact moment that Malphas froze when the information sunk in.
"What does that mean?" Ciel demanded at not catching the meaning behind the sentence.
"What it means, Little Earl, is that your butler and I are half-brothers."
Now that the shock has worn off, all I could feel from Malphas was a strong sense of denial.
"I guess that makes me your older brother, Mr. Butler~"
I wonder if it was fate or coincidence that I managed to get brothers as mates.
"Wait," Ciel sighed as he massaged the bridge of his nose. "So you're half shinigami and half demon?"
"More like one third of each," Pheobus mused.
"Then what of-,"
"Let's leave it at that," I urged Ciel at the guarded feeling that I felt arise in Pheobus. "I believe today has been rather eventful and we could use some time to relax and set our minds straight."
"Ariel is right," Ciel agreed with a sigh. "It's not even noon yet and I feel like my brain is about to shut down."
He then stood from the chair and beckoned for Malphas to follow him out of the room.
"We'll be waiting for you in the carriage," he called over his shoulder on his way back through to the parlor.
"I won't be long," I answered back.
"Make sure to keep me updated about you and Magnus," Pheobus told me as he pulled me over to straddle his lap with some difficulty getting me situated.
"I will, I promise."
We both shared a kiss before I slowly edged myself off his lap then stood in front of him.
"I love you Pheobus."
"As I love you Ariel," he smiled softly. I leaned down for one more kiss before I headed out to the waiting carriage. Malphas was quick to help me up into the carriage and made sure I was settled before he ventured to the driver's seat.
"I take it you had fun staying with Undertaker," Ciel commented while he gazed out of the window.
"Yeah," I agreed with a smile. "I got to learn a little bit more about him over the last few days."
"Really? When was he born?"
"Ah, ah, ah," I denied with a playful tone. "I can't tell you unless he says that I am able to."
"Well, Undertaker said that he was Sebastian's older brother...Sebastian, how old are you?"
"I believe I turned one and twenty the year the Black Plague spread across Europe," was all that he gave away.
"Don't tell me you were the cause of that," I gasped out in shock.
"I was young and foolish then."
"So that makes you roughly five hundred years old," Ciel mused to himself.
Wow, five hundred. Since Pheobus was born during the reign of King Arthur, I would say that he should be roughly fourteen hundred years old. No wonder why Pheobus seemed so powerful when he gets angry.
How do you feel about the news Malphas?
I refuse to believe that that Reaper and I are related.
Oh, this is going was going to be delightful.
When we got back to the mansion, Ciel was whisked off to his office where piles of work waited for him. I, on the other hand, was greeted by a very enthusiastic Pluto.
"Ariel!" he cheered when he saw me exit the carriage, almost running into me if he hadn't stopped at the last second. "I'm so happy you're back."
"I'm glad to be home too," I told him with a pat to his head.
"I see you've had some quality time with your reaper," he teased after his nose twitched slightly. My cheeks burned slightly at his ribbing but a smile nonetheless graced my lips.
"Oh hush Pluto."
"Welcome home Young Mistress," Finni greeted me when he came round the bend from the backyard.
"Thank you Finni," I smiled. "How was the mansion while we were gone?"
"It was lonely," he said sadly. "But everyone is back now. It won't be so lonely anymore."
I couldn't help the smile that grew at his words. I loved that everyone viewed this place as their home because I viewed everyone as my family even if were aren't related. Home just wouldn't be home without them. Settling back in was as easy as breathing except for the new surveillance I had. While I was staying with Pheobus, I was able to do things for myself, minus any heavy lifting. However, everyone was quick to come to my side if I was trying to do something. Well, everyone except for Pluto. He knew that I was pregnant yet he said "Why should I do all of that when you can take care of yourself?". Never have I ever been more thankful for the loving hellhound. After the first day of coming back, I told Pluto about what had happened while I was away and the theory I had about Ash/Angela. His wine colored eyes narrowed at the news while he moved so that he could wrap his arms around my shoulders. Just from the way he held me I could tell that he was slipping into protective mode.
"They won't land a hand on you," Pluto vowed strongly with a growl at the end of the sentence.
"Thank you Pluto. No one would be better protected than me if they do try something."
Most of the next week was spent relaxing curled up to Pluto's side, playing chess with my brother when he wasn't swamped in work, or spending time with Malphas. That part was a rather touch and go subject the first few days back. Lizzie has also made it a habit of coming over to assist Ciel with looking over his papers since I had encouraged her to. The both of them were making leaps and bounds in their relationship and I was so proud of them. It was also during this period that the attempts on Ciel's life sprung up again. Even though I could tell the stress was getting to him, he took comfort in Lizzie's presence and the servants tried their best to make him smile. It seemed like everything had gone back to normal except for this growing sense of foreboding that I had. Something was coming up soon that was going to throw our lives in a disarray. Normally I would brush it off, but since I have been pregnant, I have felt my intuition has increased significantly.
It wasn't long before the Queen sent a request fro Ciel to venture to Paris for some kind of exposition. She had expressed an interest of me joining my brother, but both Malphas and Pheobus insisted/demanded that I do no such thing as extensive traveling this late in my pregnancy. They had no idea when I would be delivering but they would much rather be safe than sorry. Ciel wanted to give regards to the Queen before embarking on the trip, but I told him to hold off on saying anything. No doubt Ash was the reason that the Queen was asking for me and if they knew that I wasn't coming, who is to know what they would do. Ciel was then going to go alone, but Lizzie jumped on the chance to go with him. She said and I quote,
"I've always wanted to visit Paris with you Ciel! Just imagine the romantic strolls through the Paris streets!"
She may have gotten a little more mature than her previous self, but she still had her girly moments where she reverted back for a few seconds. It took some work getting Auntie Frances to agree with letting Lizzie go, but she relented after a while. Both Ciel and Lizzie spent their time packing and I helped pitch in when they wold let me. I know I'm pregnant, but I'm not crippled. Since I wasn't allowed to leave the manor, Pheobus would instead come visit me. The tension between Malphas and Pheobus was palpable but they held it in so that they wouldn't upset Magnus and cause an early delivery. It took about two to three days, but Ciel and Lizzie were ready to set out towards the port.
"Make sure to look after my sister," Ciel told Pheobus when he was about to board the carriage.
"Don't worry little earl, I will take good care of Ariel."
Ciel seemed satisfied with his answer while Malphas spent a good time glaring at Pheobus.
"Relax little brother. I will take care of our mate."
Malphas stiffened at his words but nonetheless nodded before making himself take the driver's seat.
"Have a safe trip!" I called after the group as they rode off down the driveway.
"Looks like it's just us luv," Pheobus commented when the carriage drove out of view.
"Yeah, and it takes about a week for them to reach Paris so I'll just have to check in with them later," I said, biting my lip as the sense of dread became bigger than a few minutes ago.
"What's wrong luv?"
"I don't know. For the last few days I've been having a strong feeling that something horrible is going to be happening."
"Well whatever it is, I'm right by your side Ariel. Nothing is going to get to you or Magnus on my watch."
I smiled up at him as I stretched up on my tiptoes to peck a kiss to his lips.
"You're too good to me. Wait, how are you going to do your job from here?"
"Relax luv, I am after all part demon. I can do things in the blink of an eye."
My eyes widened and began to sparkle at his words that had him chuckling.
"Come on Ariel. Let's get you inside and get you some lunch."
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
For the next few days, everything seemed to be a unnatural sense of peace around the mansion. There was a only one or two incidences that the servants made a mistake with their duties, but besides that it was quiet. Even Pluto and Snake noticed something was off. Pluto was on edge so much that he almost set thirty different animals on fire by accident. He may or may not have incinerated some people who were taking Ciel's leave of absence as a chance to try to take me hostage. It seemed Snake was a good first defense along with Pluto since the greenhouse was on the outer edges of the property. As for the others, they kept fussing over me which Pheobus found hilarious. They kept insisting I drink milk while Tanaka insisted I eat plenty of fruit and plain pasta as it would help build up my strength for delivery. True to Pheobus's word, he could conjure about twenty coffins with vivid detain from his imagination and was able to prepare guests in a quarter of the time it would normally take him. When he was with me, we would talk about what Magnus was going to look like and how he was going to be raised. We also talked about his past. I made sure that everyone was a good ways away from the nursery when he plucked up enough courage to talk about it so that no one but me would know. From where he left off some time before, he was able to live a few more months in his normal routine as a knight. He was able to socialize with his fellow knights while off duty and everything was alright. However, he quickly learned that when provoked, he could be ruthless. As time went on, it grew harder and harder to stop him should he engage in a serious fight with an opponent. This also prompted everyone to start to fear him. Almost everyone seemed to try to avoid him and when they couldn't. they would shake with fear in front of him. This was enough to plant the seeds of despair in him. They then began to fester and grow as time went on so that he had bouts of depression almost constantly. When he had them, he would hear the argument between his mother and Sir Alfred bouncing around in his head. This continued to plague him for a steady three months before he couldn't take it anymore. Because he had come to despise his demonic heritage, he quite literally gouged his own skin and was content on letting himself die from blood loss. At that point, I was crying up a storm at hearing that he had essentially killed himself. He then went on to explain that all shinigami were people who had taken their lives. This caused the tears to fall down harder and faster and we had to have a break before he could continue on with his story. When we were able to continue, he told me that he woke up again as a reaper he was disappointed that he was still alive. Upon seeing me lose it after that statement, he was quick to reassure me that now he was grateful for whoever brought him back so that he could be with me. The first few years as a reaper was spent with him in a daze as he went through the academy and graduated with top marks. He went about his job with an emotional detachment and was very efficient in what he did.
"Then how come you aren't like that now?" I asked him when he told me this, turning in my seat on his lap to push his bangs out of his eyes.
"Well," he trailed off while his thumbs rubbed circles into my outer thighs. "You convinced me to."
"I did?" I questioned in confusion.
"Yes, it was some decades ago that you came to me when you were still an angel back then. I remember that I was taking a break from my duties in the human realm enjoying the peaceful night air. Just sitting amongst nature with nothing but the sound of animals and the trees gave me some semblance of peace in my wretched existence. It was my favored spot to just be when an unexpected visitor appeared after a month of frequenting the spot.
"Don't you ever smile?" a chime like voice asked me. I jumped in surprise for a second before my instincts took over and I reached for my death scythe that lay on the ground beside me. I was prepared to attack the being beside me, but when I saw them, I found no will to attack the girl I saw before me. Her long silvery white hair hung down in waves to her thighs while shimmering sapphire eyes gazed up at me from a heart shaped face made out of creamy ivory. I was so enraptured by the beautiful creature before me that I was rendered speechless.
"That couldn't have been me," I denied at once when I saw and felt the intense awe and love he felt for the past me.
"It was you," he insisted with conviction. "I would never be able to forget your eyes.
"Who are you?" I found myself asking the mysterious girl before me.
"I'm the Archangel Ariel, angel of animals and nature. Who are you?"
"I am Pheobus, a grim reaper."
Her eyes at once took on a sad overcast that had my heart aching at the sight.
"I am so sorry," she breathed while cradling my face in her hands. "It must have been truly horrible if it made you take this path."
My immediate action was to get angry and to lash out at her, but for some reason, all of my anger disappeared when I looked into those eyes. For the first time since everything that had happened with my family, I felt comfort in the presence of another person.
"Even now you continue to make me feel so calm and peaceful," he confided as he buried his face into my hair.
"We continued to talk for some time after that and I had grown to depend on you. I was completely devastated when you told me you were interested in joining in on the earthbound angel project. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to find you again. As my luck would have it, I was able to find you relatively easy. Your first life you were an exact carbon copy of what you looked like before and we were drawn together at once. We lived together peacefully for some time until you began to decline in health until you died. I was in such grief, but I held onto the promise you made me moments before you left me. You would be reborn into another body and I should wait for you until you were reborn. Never in my wildest dreams would I think that you would be born again as a Phantomhive. While before I didn't have to worry about your safety, now I feel so on edge with all of the missions you would go on with your brother."
"I want to say I'm sorry," I began with a slight wince. "But I know that I would not hesitate in doing anything I have done again. My brother is very important to me and I would do anything to protect him."
"I know luv. That's what I admire so much about you."
I giggled into his embrace when Malphas communicated through our bond.
We have arrived in Paris and we are checking in to the hotel.
Alright. Tell Ciel and Lizzie to have fun.
I will pass the message on. How are you feeling? Is Magnus close to being born?
No, not yet. It seems that he is taking his time. I have a feeling that it should be soon.
You'll let me know as soon as you go into labor?
Of course I will Mal.
I could tell he was pleased with my answer as he pulled away from our bond to go about his business.
"What's going on luv?"
"They just checked into the hotel," I told Pheobus as I snuggled closer into his embrace. "Sebastian also wanted to ask about Magnus and I. He also wanted to remind me to tell him as soon as I went into labor."
He made a noise of acknowledgement into my hair as he pulled me closer and moved his hand to caress my stomach where Magnus happily kicked against his hand. Hmm, this was nice. I wonder how long this peace was going to last? It seemed that I got my answer that night. We had settled in for the night in my bed and fell asleep easily. However, some time later, I was woken from my sleep by some discomfort in my stomach. I roused to a half awake state to gently soothe Magnus, but was jarred into a more awake state when I felt a really hard jab into the skin of my stomach. I bolted up with a wince that woke Pheobus from his sleep.
"Luv, what's wrong?" he let out in a deep voice that was still thick form sleep.
"I'm fine. I think Magnus was just-," my words were cut off when I felt the sheets soak under me. Namely under my hips. My eyes widened at the feeling and only one conclusion came to mind. I was going into labor. I sent a quick message to Malphas and Pheobus began to get worried when I didn't answer him.
"Luv, what's wrong?"
"I think my water just broke," I breathed out in shock. "Magnus is ready to be born."
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o An Earthbound Angel o0o0o0o0o0o
Hey everyone, I know that this took a long time to get out, but here is the next chapter of An Earthbound Angel. Sorry about the cliffhanger, but I wanted to get this chapter out since I haven't updated since October. I figure we'll have one more chapter and and epilogue until we close this chapter of Ariel's story. After all this time of having this story up, it's hard to believe that we are so close to putting this to a close. Well, I won't go too much into my blubbering rambling until the last chapter to be uploaded. Anyways, what do you guys think about Pheobus's past? I kind of didn't know how I wanted his back story to be, and it turned out like this. I also want to ask you guys what you think will happen in the next chapter. We have a lot of ground to cover before I can end the story to post the epilogue. If any of you should have any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to leave a review or to shoot me a pm. Remember, reviews are magic!~
~White Wolf