An Earthbound Angel Ch. 35: Self- Sacrifice
Okay everyone, here is the last chapter of the story before we go into the epilogue. I am so pumped that I couldn't wait to get started on the next chapter. However, it ts going to take me some time to write said chapter, but I want to get a head start on it. Anyways, just from the chapter title, I bet you guys can kind of guess what is going to happen in this chapter. Just to cover my bases and not give anything away, I am just going to get on with the magic then the quote.
Micky-Moo: Well hello again lovely! It's so nice to hear from you again. Thank you so much for the continued support. As for Malphas making it, I have no doubts about our favorite demon. ;)
Guest: Hello lovely! It's nice to hear from you! As for the relationship between Malphas and Ariel. I'm sure the birth of their son will patch everything up for them. A child is a miracle that way.
"I have been astonished that men could die martyrs
for their religion-
I have shuddered at it,
I shudder no more.
I could be martyred for my religion.
Love is my religion
and I could die for that.
I could die for you.
My Creed is Love and you are its only tenet."
-John Keats
Now that that is out of the way, let's get on with our story!
o0o0o0o0o0o0o An Earthbound Angel o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Not long after my water broke, I could feel my contractions start. At first they were a little uncomfortable, but then they started to gradually increase in strength until I was panting from the pain. Brother Raphael, Brother Laylah, Brother Michael, I called in my head as a particularly large contraction hit me. In a flash of emerald green, white, and royal purple light, my brothers materialized in the room. They were going to greet me like they usually do, but once they saw me groaning in pain on my bed with Pheobus holding my hand, they sprung into action. Brother Laylah was quick to my side to help me with the birth.
"How far apart are your contractions?" he asked me while he moved my legs so that they rested at an angle with my feet planted on the bed. He then carefully moved some pillows around until they were settled under my back to prop me up and pulled his long brown hair up into a ponytail.
"They're approximately fifteen minutes apart," Pheobus spoke up, rubbing soothing circles into the back of my hand. "They're lasting about ninety seconds."
"Brother Michael," I piped up when another contraction hit me.
"Yes, Sister Ariel?" he questioned as he hastened to my side.
"I want you to protect the property."
"I can do that. I'll set up a safe perimeter so you don't have to worry about a thing."
He gave me a wink of his crystal blue eyes from under his golden blonde hair before he disappeared in a poof of royal purple.
"What do you need of me Sister?" Raphael spoke up.
"I have a feeling that...London is going to need me, but I'll need you to heal me before I can step foot out of this house."
"Ariel, there is not way," Pheobus began only t be cut off by the glare I gave him and the death grip I had on his hand.
"I am going whether you like it or not," I ground out. I was going to say something else, but that was when Malphas materialized out of the shadows.
"Ariel," he breathed out, striding over to my side where I held out my empty hand.
"Undertaker," Malphas greeted Pheobus in as civil of a voice as he could manage.
"Baby brother," Pheobus returned.
"Stop it you two," I groaned when I felt Malphas's irritation grow. When that contraction was over, I caught my breath for a moment and turned to look at my window. It seems like it's only the morning and I have a feeling that this is going to all day. Gradually the contractions began to get stronger and a lot closer together that took to about mid day when I looked out my bedroom window.
"You're doing beautifully Sister," Brother Laylah praised with a hand on my knee. "You're about 8 centimeters dilated so you can't push just yet."
I groaned in exasperation while Pheobus gently squeezed my hand and Malphas continuously came to wipe my forehead with a cool cloth before goign back to dip it in the water.
"Phoebus, Malphas, thank you for being by my side," I huffed while another contraction hit me.
"Of course luv," Pheobus said with a kiss to my temple.
"How could I miss the birth of our son?" Malphas insisted softly. I had such good mates, I thought to myself when the contraction lifted. Time seemed to tick on by until Brother Laylah gave a happy shout.
"You're fully dilated Sister Ariel! When you feel your next contraction come on, I want you to push for five seconds. Now, I want you to relax as much as you can until it's time to push."
"You can do this luv," Pheobus encouraged me while he brushed some hair from my face.
"You're a strong woman," Malphas added. "Compared to what you've faced before, this will be nothing."
I gave a watery laugh at Mal's words as I let my head flop back onto the pillows. He was right, I did face things that are a lot worse than this. I made a great effort of relaxing all of my muscles and tried to make myself as loose as I could be at this stage. When I felt the oncoming contraction, I let Brother Laylah know.
"Alright Sister, when you go to push, I want you to curl into the push and to rest your chin against your chest. Ready Sister?"
I gave a short nod as the contraction came.
"Alright! Now push!"
I took in a deep breath then got into the position I was instructed to take as I gave a great big push that Brother Laylah counted out in five seconds.
"Rest now Sister. I'll tell you when to push again. If you feel another one come on, I want you to pant and breathe through it."
I caught my breath in pants while both my mates soothed me and gave me words of praise and encouragement. Too bad Ciel isn't here, I thought to myself as I breathed through my next contraction. I bet both he and Lizzie are sad to be missing their nephew's birth. Both Pheobus's and Malphas's petting of my hair was enough to bring my thoughts back to the present and another oncoming contraction.
"Alright Sister, I'm going to need you push with the next contraction. I want you to do exactly the same as the last time."
I nodded to show him I understood as I readied myself for the next push. I took in a deep breath then when the contraction hit, I pushed as hard as I could and curl in with the push. I could feel my little Magnus move through my body with this push and I could feel myself get a second wind. My baby was close to getting here! All I needed to do was soldier on and safely deliver him.
"One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Alright, rest now Sister. You're doing great!"
I threw my head back against the pillows while Pheobus and Malphas continued to praise me.
"If it continues like this Sister, you'll have Magnus after your next push."
I could feel my determination strengthen with just that sentence while I gathered my strength.
"This is it luv," Pheobus said after he kissed the back of my hand.
"Our son is almost here," Malphas continued. That is when I felt my next contraction and I prepared myself to give the biggest push I cold give.
"Alright, push!"
"Ahhh!" I yelled as I pushed with everything I had.
"One. Two. Three. Four. Five."
I let up on the pushing and I could feel my son leave me and enter the world. I panted for a few moments to gather my bearings while I listened fro the sound of his crying. Why wasn't he crying? Was there something wrong? Just as I was going to panic more, I heard the first loud and clear cry that set all of my worries at ease. Brother Laylah sat Malphas on my stomach to cut the umbilical cord before he handed my my newborn son wrapped up in a blue blanket.
"My beautiful baby boy," I sniffed down at the wonderful bundle I had in my arms.
"You did it luv," Pheobus congratulated me with tears in his eyes and a kiss to the top of my head. "You've given birth to a wonderful baby boy."
"My son," Malphas said with love thick in his voice.
"Pheobus, Malphas, I would like the both of you to meet Magnus Vincent Phantomhive."
"Hello little Magnus," Pheobus smiled down at the bundle.
"What a strong name," Malphas commented with pride while he reached a finger over to the small bundle. I carefully pulled the blanket down some so that I could reach his small fist while I looked over his small features. He certainly had his father's hair, nose, and cheekbones yet I could see my features in his chin. I can't believe that I brought this life into the world. I can't believe that he was mine. It further cemented in my mind that I had a being in my arms when his tiny fist took hold of my index finger and opened big sapphire blue eyes rimmed by thick black lashes. He has the Phantomhive eyes, I thought while I gazed down lovingly at my son.
"Hello my little Magnus," I crooned down at him,completely captivated by his eyes. "I'm your Mama."
I quickly motioned for Pheobus and Malphas to come closer so that Magnus could see them.
"And these are your Papas."
I could feel the irritation Malphas felt when I said that, but he was able to push it down when Magnus's big blue eyes met his wine colored ones. Our little moment was interrupted when I felt Ciel call Malphas through our bond. I carefully pulled my finger from Magnus's grip so that I could hand him over to Pheobus.
"Go Malphas," I ordered when he looked to me in confusion. "Ciel needs you."
"But what of you and Magnus?" he protested at once.
"We've gotten past the worst of it," I assured him. "We'll be fine. Ciel will be the one who needs you the most right now."
I could feel the warring emotions of wanting to stay with the two of us and wanting to serve Ciel, so I took a deep breath before I caught Malphas with my serious eyes.
"Go Malphas."
That was the last push he needed to get his butt in gear and stride forward to place a kiss on my forehead and a kiss on Magnus's brow before he left the room.
"Alright Sister Ariel, we just need to deliver your placenta and you'll be finished," Brother Laylah told me while he gently massaged over my lower stomach while he tugged a little on the umbilical cord. That was when I could feel smaller contraction compared to earlier start up again with each small tug. Before I knew it, Brother Laylah came back into view holding a bloody mass of tissue that he placed inside a dish he had placed to the side.
"Brother Raphael, I believe it is your turn."
He gave a nod before he stepped forward with his hands glowing an emerald green while he touched my stomach and forehead at the same time. Warm and comforting energy washed over me in waves as my body healed itself.
"She may need your blood reaper," Brother Raphael spoke up while he went about healing me. "My healing powers can only go so far."
Pheobus was quick to sing his fangs into his wrist then place it at my lips. I let the thick liquid pass down my throat and I could feel my energy returning with each draw.
That's enough Pheobus. I'm fine now.
He pulled his wrist back and looked satisfied as he licked his wound. Once I felt my strength return to all of my limbs and felt no discomfort, I put up a hand to stop Brother Raphael.
"I'm fine now Brother. I'm all healed."
"That's good," he sighed in relief.
Now that I knew Magnus was going to be safe and sound, my mind went to Ash and his plan for world domination.
"Brother Raphael, Brother Laylah, would an angel be the only one to be able to take down Ash?" I voiced while my mind was racing a mile a minute.
"Considering how far they have fallen, only a demon or an angel will be able to stop them," Brother Raphael admitted with a thoughtful hand under his chin.
"I thought so," I muttered to myself. Pheobus seemed to have caught on to my train of thought for his eyes widened and I could feel the shock take over him.
"You're not seriously thinking...," he trailed off, Magnus seeming to begin to fuss when he felt the tension in the air. "You're not seriously going after Ash?!"
"Malphas, you, and I are together," I told him. "It's our best bet at ending them."
"You just gave birth," he argued in disbelief.
"It's my fault that they got this bad in the first place," I retorted back. "I had multiple chances at ending them and yet I didn't go through with it. now that I know that Magnus is going to be safe, I'm going to face them head on."
"What if something happens to you?! Are you really going to leave Magnus without a mother?!"
"No, I don't want to do that!" I shouted with tears in my eyes. "I would never want to do that to my child! I would much rather stay here and hole up with my child in my arms! But I don't see very many options here! It is my duty as an angel to save as many people of London as possible."
As soon as I saw the expression on Pheobus's face, I instantly regretted yelling at him.
"I'm sorry Pheobus, but I can't let Magnus grow up in a world where Ash is free to do what they want. They have already expressed their wish to kill him. I am not letting him be in any kind of danger."
He gave a defeated sigh as he rose to his feet.
"Sister Naarai."
In a flash of bright yellow light, a woman with curly black hair to her hips and cornflower blue eyes appeared at my bedside.
"Sister Ariel, what a surprise," she greeted me with a wide smile. "What can I do for you?"
"I need you to watch over Magnus for me until we come back."
"I will guard him with my life Sister," she promised as she took Magnus from Pheobus's arms.
"Alright Pheobus, I need you to take us to the middle of London," I said once I too rose to my feet on slightly wobbly legs. He looked worried about my nstability, bt he nonetheless held me against his side.
"Hold on tight luv," he insisted, leading us over to the shadows of my room. I clutched his robe tightly in my fists as he led us through the darkness of the shadows until we appeared amidst the flame and chaos of the London streets. My eyes widened at the sight while people continued to scream all around me. What in the world is going on?! Why is everything on fire?! It seems I got my answer when I heard a demonic, animalistic roar from atop a large pillar.
"Pluto," I gasped out in shock. Pheobus felt my shock through the bond and he was quick to look up towards where Pluto stood.
"Is that Pluto?" he asked while watching said hellhound breath breath fire over the city. Tears welled in my eyes when I saw the lifeless eyes of the Pluto that I loved. Why Pluto, I questioned in my mind. Why are you killing so many people? Tears trailed down my face when I remembered what Pluto had told me before. I looked down at the red bracelet around my right wrist.
"This is a physical representation of me being bound to you. If you order me, both will glow and I will be forced to obey."
My eyes widened in realization and my eyes snapped back up to him. This can save him! No all I need to do is get close enough and I can save my precious hound. My wings left my back in a sharp snap before I launched myself up into the air. Nothing was on my mind besides getting to Pluto and calming him down.
"Pluto!" I exclaimed when I was about five feet away from him. "Pluto!"
There was no sign of recognition in his red eyes which discouraged me for a few seconds. Looks like I'll have to use force. I kept myself aloft in the air and raised my right wrist over my head.
"Padhraig the hellhound, I call upon the contract that binds you to me!"
His breathing fire over the city came to an abrupt end as the blood red mark on his right shoulder light up with a brilliant glow.
"I command you to get rid of the influence you have over you! I am your rightful master!"
Another roar left his jaws as the collar that Ash had put around Pluto's neck disintegrated into dust. What was left was Pluto's eyes regaining their life.
"Pluto!" I tired again now that I could see him come back to his senses.
"Ariel?" he questioned in confusion as he looked over what had become of London. He jumped down from his perch and transformed midway so that he landed before me as a man.
"What's going on? Why is London on fire?"
"Angela used the collar she placed around your neck to control you. Thank goodness that I had the bond between us to break it."
His red eyes widened in shock and disbelief at my words while he looked on in horror at what he had done.
"I did all this?"
"I'm afraid so."
I could see that he was slowly sinking into depression so I quickly thought of a way to get him out of it.
"Pluto, can you extinguish your fire?"
"I can try."
"Great. Let's work together to get as much of this fire put out."
I then turned to Pheobus to see that he had his death scythe out and was ready for any attack
"Pheobus, I want you to meet up with Malphas and Ciel. No doubt Ciel has Lizzie with him and I want to make sure that the both of them remain safe."
He gave me a firm nod before he leaped off into the city.
"Ready Pluto."
"Born ready."
I hopped up onto his back in his dog form so that we could race through the streets of London and pull as many people as we could from the debris and fire to safety. The ones we couldn't save I could already see William, Grell, and Ronald hard at work collecting cinematic records. I made sure that all of the fire around the city was out before I hopped down to join them.
"How are things on your end?" I asked the group when they stopped to catch their breaths.
"Ariel!" Grell exclaimed with joy when she saw me, launching herself at me for a hug.
"Lady Ariel," Ronald grinned from his spot leaning on his lawnmower. "You're looking good as always."
"Thank you Ronald," I laughed lightly while I turned to Will. "Hey Will."
"Wait," Grell piped up after a few seconds, pulling away to look at me. "How come there is no baby bump? Did you already-,"
All I could do was grin and nod which had Grell giving off a sort of squeal of happiness and excitement.
"I can't wait to see little Magnus!" she gushed happily. "What does he look like? What did he do when he first saw you? What-,"
Will was quick to pull Grell into his arms so that he could peck a kiss to her lips.
"Calm down Ginger Snap," he uttered that shocked me so much, I probably looked like an owl. "Let Ariel answer before burying her in questions."
"Thank you Darling," she smiled up at him. They both turned to talk to me and they both jumped a little when they saw my large eyes.
"Ariel?" Will questioned when I didn't say anything for a good few minutes.
"You guys are so cute!" I squealed while I hugged the two of them together.
"So Ariel, about Magnus," Grell prompted once I let them go.
"He's the cutest little thing," I gushed softly with a small smile. "He has the biggest blue eyes and he has his father's hair and nose. As soon as I told him who I was, he took hold of my finger with his little fist."
I made to say more, but out of the corner of my eye, I could see black wisps rising from the ground from the corpses that gathered at the new bridge. What is the world?! Could it be something to do with the cinematic records?
"Grell, check the cinematic records," I ordered when I saw more and more of the sludge form into some weird symbol in the sky. I stood on standby while she walked over to the nearest corpse and coaxed the record out.
"What?!" she shouted in outrage. "There is nothing on these records."
"I thought as much," I sighed as I bit my thumb. "Pluto, I want you to stay with the reapers and help them anyway that they should need. I need to see one of my Sisters."
With that said, I flapped my wings and I took off into the sky. I urged my wings to carry me as fast as they could to the mass of dark energy. It looks like this is going to be the biggest battle of my life, I thought while I flew. If we are going to be able to take Ash down, the three of us are going to need to have communication without any blocks. Sigh, let's see if I can't connect the bonds I had with both my mates. I trusted my wings fly me to my destination while I urged my two bonds to collide and merge together within me. At first the clashed violently, but after some gentle guidance, they slowly clung together then bond together like steel. Thank goodness.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o
When I reached the platform of the bridge, I cold see Malphas battling Ash while Pheobus protected Ciel and Lizzie. My first stop was by Pheobus so that I cold send a blast of pure angelic power at the darkness so that there was a clear ring around the group.
"Sorry I took so long," I apologized as I touched down next to Pheobus. "I saw Will, Grell, and Ronald so I stopped to ask them how things were going on their end. It turns out that the records are completely blank."
"Blank?" Pheobus echoed in confusion. "I have never heard of such a thing happening before."
"It must be this dark energy," I insisted as I sent another blast of energy at the gathering darkness. "That's the only thing I can think of. The darkness is rising up out of the corpses on the street."
Pheobus cursed under his breath while he swiped his scythe through the sludge. To keep the sludge back so that we could go help Malphas, I made a barrier out of my angelic symbol around Ciel and Lizzie so that they would be protected.
"Stay behind the barrier," I told them sternly. "You'll be safe there."
"Ariel, are you sure you'll be ok?" Ciel called over to me with worry heavy in his visible eye. "Didn't you just give birth to Magnus?"
Lizzie's eyes widened in shock and her gaze snapped to me.
"Ariel, you should be resting! You're in on condition to fight!"
"I'm needed here Lizzie," I insisted with a sad smile. "You can't tell me that if our positions were reversed that you wouldn't do the same thing to fight by Ciel's side."
She took on a pained expression, but she nonetheless nodded.
"You better give them a good thrashing," Lizzie said with a small catch in her voice.
"You bet I will Lizzie."
All I needed to do was give Pheobus a look to tell him I was heading over for him to rush forward at my side. We both moved forward in unison, fighting off the the dark sludge so that we came to rest at Mal's side.
"Ah, Sister Ariel," Ash grinned when they saw me. "It's so nice of you to show up. I take it you've already given birth to the demon spawn?"
I could feel the slight tension from Pheobus at the jab, but I sent a wave of calm over to him while I kept my eyes on Ash.
"My son has nothing to do with this," I let out evenly.
"Hmm, well he matters not. Have you thought about my offer?"
"Yes, I have and my answer is no."
"No?" they drawled, their anger quick to mount into a maniac smile. "How dare you refuse this holy union?!" We all tensed at the erratic hand movements in case we needed to dodge out of the way quickly.
"I guess I will just have to resort to force."
Fire ignited in my hands while Pheobus readied his death scythe, and Malphas's demonic aura swirled around him. Ash drew his blade and let out a furious yell that had the three of his meeting him head on. Pheobus stopped the blade with his scythe while Malphas urged his aura to wrap around Ash's feet so that I could send my fire balls down at him. The angel blade glowed white before an arc of tainted angelic power was sent hurtling towards me. I dove out of the way while Pheobus and Malphas backed away so that we could regroup. Alright, how are we going to stop Ash from getting their power from this weird dark sludge. As if reading my thoughts, the steady stream of sludge seemed to slow to a trickle before stopping all together. Ah, that must be the reapers. I could see the moment that Ash realized that their power supply was gone when their eyes went feral and feathers began to rain down from their tainted wings. I was quick to throw up a barrier around the three of us and held in strong through the barrage. I bet we could take them down with brute strength, but that would also cause more damage to the city along with more civilians than the initial fire and destruction. The best way I could minimize the damage would be if...If I sacrificed myself, I realized with a heavy heart. If I were to call on Brother Hariel and Brother Gazardiel, I would be able to purify the left over residue of the sludge and make sure that London makes leaps and bounds to get itself back on track after this. That means I won't be able to see Magnus again, I realized with tears heavy behind my eyelids. I wouldn't be able to spend more time with my mates nor Lizzie, my brother, Grell, or any of them. But I have to do this, I decided with a heavy heart. I know my mates will be able to take care of my son. If I spoke to Brother Azrael, I could have him look after my soul until I could be reborn again. That way I could be with my loved ones again. I made sure to not think about Ciel or Lizzie so that I wouldn't torture myself more. I opened up my link to the Heavenly Host and let the song wash over me. Brother Hariel, I called in my head so that he could hear me but not be here in person. I felt his presence in my mind that let me know that he was listening. I need you to lend me your strength in purifying all of the impurity sludge that Ash has gathered from the humans. If left untreated, the humans are going to pay for it. All I got in response to my words was a rush of power that put a white glow around me that mixed with my pale pink color. Once I had a grip on Brother Hariel's power, I got ready to lower my barrier.
Malphas, Pheobus, I want you two to promise me something.
Anything, Pheobus answered right away.
I want the both of you to promise me that you both will work together to look after Magnus.
What do you mean?! Malphas all but shouted when I said those words. As for Pheobus, I could feel the overwhelming sadness and despair that my words brought.
Luv, you're not going to do what I think you're going to do?
There is no other way Pheobus. I want you both to trust my actions and I want Malphas to keep his promise about my brother.
Those were the last words I offered them before I let my barrier down and called out to Ash.
"Ash, I accept your offer to be your queen!"
I could feel both Pheobus's and Malphas's shock and disbelief at my words and the reality of what is happening.
The smugness I felt radiating off of Ash was palpable when my words registered.
"I knew you would come to see it my way Sister," they said, holding out their arms for me. I willingly flew up towards them and let them wrap me up in their embrace.
"Ariel!" I heard my brother and Lizzie shout when they say what was happening.
"Don't let him win!"
I blocked out their cries lest I start to tear up and looked up at Ash with a feigned love.
"I'm sorry it took me this long to come to my senses," I told them in hopes that I could get them to lower their guard.
"It is fine Sister," they smiled as they wrapped an arm around my waist and took one of my hands in theirs and stretched them out. "All that matters is that I have you now."
I leaned heavily into their embrace so that I could lead them into a false sense of security. If I could get them to let their guard down for just a second, I could capture them. They in turn leaned down to bring our faces closer and that was when I found my chance. Right when they were leaning closer to press their lips to mine, I let my amplified power wrap around their body. At first I made sure that it wrapped tightly around their torso then spread out to their limbs and then attached them to my body.
"What are you doing Sister?!" Ash screamed in outrage when they found out that they couldn't escape the pale pink mixed with white energy.
"You have hurt humans for the last time," I said in a strong voice. "I will not let you kill anymore innocent people."
As I said these words, I made more anchors of my energy sink into the bridge and lower our bodies into the structure. While I did this, I could feel the overwhelming sorrow coming from my mates, but I would not let myself get caught up in the emotion. I had a job to do and I couldn't let myself get distracted. Ash continued to try to struggle out of my hold, but I held firm. Slowly I could feel our bodies start to mesh with the bridge and I knew that I didn't have that long before my mind was taken over by the sealing, so I turned to my mates and let my tears run unchecked down my cheeks.
Pheobus, Malphas, I love you both. Don't you ever forget that.
I love you too Ariel, Pheobus sent back with a hollow tone.
How can you just leave me? Malphas asked in a broken voice that tore my hear to pieces.
I will come back, I promised the both of them. This I can promise you. All you have to do is wait fro me to be born again.
They didn't seem very pleased with my decision, but they nonetheless resigned to the fate I set for myself. I'm sorry Magnus, I thought while I stared up into the overcast sky. I'm sorry that I can't be there for you like I want to. I'm sorry that all you'll have to remember of your Mama are the stories your Papas will tell you. If I want you to know anything, it is that I love you my beautiful baby boy. I can't wait to see the fine man that you will become.
There was a large explosion of light the lit up the whole city when Ariel sealed herself and Ash into the bridge. When the light vanished, all they could see was the petrified Ash in a position similar to a crucifixion position while Ariel was in a position with her hands outstretched and her wings curled around her gracefully. At the sight of their mate bound in stone, both Pheobus and Malphas dropped to their knees and stared up her with blank eyes. As soon as the light vanished, the protective ring around Ciel and Lizzie vanished as well. At first they didn't move because they were shocked with what had happened, but they gradually regained control over their limbs.
"Ariel," Ciel breathed to when he looked up to see what had become of his younger sister. Flashes of their childhood and the times after he had come back to the mansion flew through his mind while tears welled up in his visible eye.
"Big brother," a ten year old Ariel giggled as she threw her arms around Ciel's shoulders and placed her cheek against his. "I love you."
Lizzie had similar memories flashing through her own head while her hands flew up to cover her mouth as tears fell down her cheeks and into her hands. As the humans were starting to get over their shock and had started to fall into grieving, the reapers joined the group on the bridge.
"Great work Ariel!" Grell beamed widely when she touched down beside the two humans but her face instantly fell when she took in the sight before her. She took in the humans who were silently crying and hanging onto each other like a lifeline while Malphas and Pheobus stared ahead of themselves without really looking at anything. Will and Ronald were both silent as they took in the atmosphere around them, careful not to say anything that would distress anyone further.
"Where is Ariel?" Grell asked softly when she received no answer from the beautiful fair haired angel. It took almost everything Ciel had to pick up his hand to point to where his sister now rested. A gasp escaped the red headed reaper while the other reapers started in shock at what they saw before them.
"Oh Ariel," Grell let out before she began to cry her eyes out. Will was quick to take his mate in his arms and hold her tight while silent tears fell down Ronald's cheeks. He may not have known the angel for that long, but seeing how much she mattered to these people and how nice she was made his heart sink a little to know that she wasn't going to be around anymore. Even the citizens who did not know what has happened could feel the deep sorrow and grief permeate the city until they felt it in their bones.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o An Earthbound Angel o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Well there we have it folks. Here is our last chapter before we have the epilogue and the end of our story. One thing I want to say is Merry Christmas! I guess this chapter kind of worked out with coming out as a Christmas present for everyone. I have to admit, I even had tears in my eyes while I wrote this chapter. I have to admit, even though when I started this story I knew that this is how I wanted to end it, I did not prepare myself for it after all of the chapters. Well, anyways, I'll let the chapter speak for itself. As always, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns feel free to leave a review or shoot me a pm. Remember, reviews are magic!
-White Wolf