Angels and their mysterious powers.
Can any other creature cast a spell over someone with just their smile?
When Lavi came out of the accursed Rayless Chasm, his first thought was not on the decaying situation of his well-built clan. It was not on how heavily injured or dangerously close to total exhaustion he was. His first and foremost thought was based on his demonic instincts, his inner self, and his darker side. The only thing that kept him going when he was inside the Rayless Chasm and the same thing that made him to actually move and open the goddamn dungeon door.
"ALLEN!" Komui's cry snapped Lavi out of his misery.
Lavi rushed to push the kneeling Komui away, his body shivering at the sight that beheld him; the angel was unnaturally unmoving, his face was cracked away to reveal a dehydrated and degenerated version of a once pretty angel. He was barely breathing as he was; the once serenely cold aura that was constantly surrounding the angel had dissipated into nothingness. This meant only one thing: Allen was dying. All because of his immature foolishness and blinded fury.
Lavi gritted his teeth as he carried the unconscious angel in his arms, his muscles and whole injured body screaming at the added weight and the sudden jolt of pain from the touching contact. Allen's wings drooped downwards as if their very muscles had deteriorated into thin air and left only the empty carcass of the feathered appendages. Lavi wilfully ignored the brown, tattered feathers that broke from the marginal coverts and thus littered the floor below. While ignoring his wounds that he had sustained from his hellish experience back in Rayless Chasm, he carried Allen slowly to the surface and making sure that Allen was at least still breathing.
"Allen! Lavi! You're back!?" Lenalee's frantic voice cried out from the end of the corridor. She held her gasp back as she took in Allen's lifeless condition, her eyes threatening to burst out tears.
"Lenalee!" snapped Lavi, "How do I cure him? Come on!"
Lenalee wiped away her tears furiously. That's right; now's not the time to cry! Allen needs us! She led the way confidently, her pace hurried as she spoke, "The sunlight! Allen needs to get out into the light!"
Fortunately for the trio of demons, the sun was already up high on its blue throne and the sky was shining its brightest to the green earth below. Lavi quickly placed Allen underneath one of the old oak trees that stood stoically like a warden to the castle. Allen was lying under the small shade, but the tree allowed multiple rays of sunlight to play on Allen's passive body. The afternoon wind blew its warm air around the quiet angel, as if welcoming the long-forgotten spiritual being back into the land of the living.
Then, the demons stepped back to wait for a miracle to happen….
Something did happen, but not what had anyone expected.
Allen's wings began to take immediate effect as soon they received enough fresh air. Like a flower in the sunlight, the wings glowed brightly as they returned to their normally pristine shape. Every brown feather was melted off to give way to delicately white; each empty spot was filled with a new, smooth one that had blurred but intricate designs painted around the feathers' shafts. But the glowing didn't stop when the wings returned to normal.
The glowing only shimmered down when the wings disappeared completely from Allen's back.
"What the Hell?!"
"What happen to his wings?! They're gone?! Shit, is that normal, what the heck!"
Lavi and Komui started panicking, pacing around the tree like banshees on high potions. Only Lenalee stayed silent as she was enraptured by the angel's sudden transformation. Allen's brown hair turned starry-silver once more while his sleeping face changed their expression from dead-pale to tranquillity and peace. Lenalee smiled pleasingly as she felt the once dead aura that surrounded the dying angel now began to take on new life; the familiar cold atmosphere returned whole-heartedly and Lenalee felt the refreshing burst of energy once again as if she had longed for it this whole time.
She watched closely as Allen's innocent eyes began to flutter open, revealing those beautiful silver globes that she had missed so dearly. The angel rubbed his eyes as he yawned fitfully, like he was just waking up from a very long nap instead, "Lenalee?" Allen's first word was mumbled out.
As soon as Lavi felt the rushing surge of angelic energy that instantly healed most of his grave wounds, he pulled Komui towards the awakened angel. Allen even had the gale to smile brightly at them and Lavi felt himself dying a little bit in the inside as guilt continued to eat his soul apart.
"Lavi? Komui? What happen? Where am I?" Allen said in an innocent tone, looking around and realising that he was finally outside! Allen felt exhilarated as he felt the grass underneath him and the warm hugging of the nature's wind. The bright sunlight shone down upon him and Allen felt absolutely heavenly. He looked at his rescuers full of gratitude and evident happiness in his face, "Thank you… For all this,"
"ALLLLLEEEEEEEEN!" A cheerful voice cried out from afar. Reever was running alongside a tearful Johnny, followed closely by a worried Miranda and Krory with Kanda backing the demon welcoming parade. Lavi stepped back as Johnny came to a full stop in front of Allen.
"ALLEN! What happen to your wings?" Miranda pointed out.
"Oh, my wings?" Allen turned back as if the very thought of his wings disappearing had never occurred to him. He blushed lightly as he laughed a tinkling tone that had Lavi's insides churning, "they're still there; they turn transparent under direct light so that we angels can better fit in among the humans! See!" Allen moved his see-through wings around to prove his point.
"Stupid angel… You made us all worry for nothing," Lavi face-palmed himself, but the relieved smile and light voice betrayed his serious taunt. Allen's returned giggles didn't make Lavi feel any better, for he would never admit that he had nearly destroyed that precious and innocent thing just for petty revenge.
From that day onwards, Allen had a great time in the Black Order clan. Although Lavi had put spelled bracelets onto Allen's wrists and ankles to prevent Allen from escaping without his direct consent, Allen didn't let that burden him as he was allowed to wander around the castle grounds freely.
Allen used that advantage to full potential. With delightful glee, he wandered the castle from top to bottom (though he made sure to avoid the underground dungeon for obvious reasons!). Sometimes, he would meet Lenalee on the way to do some paperwork (who knew that even demons had to do paperwork!) for a sneaky Komui, or he would occasional drop by the infirmary to help Miranda with the sick and injured demons. During the evenings, Allen would study his demonic language from Miranda before dining with the Black Order clan. Allen didn't particularly like eating demon food, but who was he to waste valuable food? Besides, if he didn't like anything, he could just go down and join Jerry, the clan's cook.
The nights were used especially only for Lavi and Allen in the angel's bedroom. They'd spend their time together in comfortable silence, only breaking the hushed night by Allen's questions or Lavi's wandering monologue. Allen's wings were slowly getting comfortable with the Demon Lord's presence; their every-ready defence against an attack was returning to their naturally-soft form. But Lavi was not entirely of the same mind; his wings were still sharpened to a degree, but were forcefully folded when the angel wandered too close to them. He kept his conversations brief, but made sure that Allen understood everything before returning to his solitude state. All in all, Lavi was still weary of the angel even though his intentions were now open-minded.
At first, the Black Order demons weren't comfortable with an unguarded angel wandering around their safe territory too. But one seraphic look from Allen and the invigorating aura he carried around with him made the demons eat their heated words. Now, they welcomed Allen like he was one of the naïve younglings. Really, Allen was truly a child at heart regardless of his innate powers or his noticeably different race.
For example, Allen decided to rest underneath the same old oak tree after another successful day of castle-adventuring. Lavi had offered his main chambers as sanctuary to Allen, saying, "if you want to rest, my main chambers are always open," Even though Allen was thoroughly honoured with that exclusive privilege, he still preferred the outside atmosphere compared to the stuffy inside. As an angel, Allen practically thrived on light. But what made Allen flourish was a totally different thing.
"You're an angel!" A squeaky voice spoke out, breaking Allen's quiet meditation.
Several young demons were utterly staring at him with wide eyes and open mouths. Allen's wings (they were trapped in the middle of transparency and solidity since the afternoon light was blocked by puffy clouds) covered his body like a shield as he did not know how demon children would act. Would they taunt and jeer at me for being a freak of nature? Can they bite me at so young an age? Have they learned curses and spell yet? The very thought made Allen shiver in weariness as his wings tightened their closure.
The demon children's eyes widened even further –is that even possible?!- And a brave, young boy came forward to point at awe, "Cool! Your wings are white!"
Allen blinked once, then twice. Tentatively, he opened his wings once more and he hid a smile when the children's attention was paid solely on his wings. Allen made a show and stretched his wings out high in the air very slowly, before letting them fall down with a mighty 'whoosh'. The children cried out in surprised glee as they came closer to Allen with renewed vigour, already deeming Allen as their different but new friend. Yes… This is what I missed the most…
Lavi jumped from one roof corner to another in supreme silence, already satisfied that he had escaped the ferocious clutches of Bookman himself and his boring lectures about discipline and responsibilities. He was just about to go find and annoy the Hell out of Kanda when he heard a scream of terror. Thinking the worst, he flew fast across the roofs and his keen ears picked up on the source of the shout. What he saw was the overall opposite of what he had assumed.
"Allen! Stop!" cried Timothy as he ran away from a chasing angel.
Lavi hid in the shadows as he saw Allen playing 'tag' with the many demon children that resided inside the castle with their family members. Allen's fluffy wings were folded neatly at the back, making sure that none of the younglings were hit by the muscular appendages. Allen was laughing gaily as he chased Timothy around the oak tree, followed by the throngs of crying children with joyful eyes.
Allen turned right as he intended to cut the hyperactive rascal off, but as soon as he cornered the tree, the child was gone. He felt the small thump of children from behind him as he looked around the tree but saw none of the strikingly blue hair, "Timothy? Where are you, dear…"
"GOTCHA!" Allen's back was roughly pushed by a falling Timothy, the other children wanting to crawl onto Allen's back but didn't want to feel the sharp pain from touching the mysterious angel. Timothy was unhindered, however, as he shouted with glee, "ATTACK!"
"That's enough," Allen growled playfully as he moved swiftly around to make a strong gust of wind, making the children tumble down onto the soft grass.
"A-AL- Allen!" Timothy laughed as he tried to sit up, but Allen's heavy wings were holding him down as effective as gravity itself. When Allen finally allowed the child to sit up, the angel was leaning back against the old oak tree with a wistful smile on his pale face.
"Ah… What a peaceful day," Allen sighed contently, gazing upwards to see the afternoon sun blaring down on them. Allen leaned back against the tree trunk, silently thanking the tree for giving them enough shade to rest under. The mischievous children settled down around him as they basked in Allen's cool, angelic aura with ease.
"Allen, can you sing?" One of the children asked after a moment's rest. That idea ignited a whole new burst of energy from the once-relaxed group.
"I heard that angels can sing rweeeally well!" Another spoke out.
"I don't think Allen can sing as good as my mum!" One of the closer ones argued.
From his sitting position in front of Allen's legs, Timothy crossed his hands like what he saw Komui would do during businesses, "Well, I think that angels cast their hainotaising spell when they sing!"
Allen chuckled, "Timothy, I think you mean hypnotising… And I don't think angels do that anyways. We sing praises to our Father, not to scare people away with spells, that's for sure,"
The angel felt a girl pulling on his shirt sleeve. She had short hair as well, but her eyes were of brilliantly bright green, "can you sing to us, Allen? Pllleeeeeeaaaaassssssse?"
The entourage of "please?" and "sing!" followed the guiltless children, their newly-grown wings flapping furiously to show their excitement. Lavi smirked from behind the pillar a few distance away, entertained by the begging that the angel was receiving. Truth be told, he was also curious as to whether the creature can sing. If so, do they do it while casting a spell or do they sing their enemies to sleep? He kept quiet from the shadows, however. Certain that the angel had a soft spot for the demonic children.
"Alright! Alright! I'll sing!" Allen surrendered, placating the loud children as they took their place around the angel. Allen tapped his chin, thinking of a song to sing for these children, "Ah! I got one… Listen-"he shooed Timothy away from him as he sat cross-legged. He took a deep breath, feeling his white wings slackened as if they too sensed a song coming. Allen gave his best, gleaming smile as he whispered melodiously,
"A kite above a graveyard grey
At the end of the line far far away
A child holding on to the magic of birth and awe"
Allen closed his eyes, freely letting his muscles relax as he felt the wind and trees rustled according to his music. He sang in his normal volume now, the musical tune more evident as he sang with the voice that belonged entirely to angels.
"Oh, how beautiful it used to be
Just you and me far beyond the sea
The waters, scarce in motion
Quivering still"
He made a show of his wings curling around his folded body, making Allen look like a feathery ball instead. Timothy gasped as he tried to approach for the hidden Allen, but as soon as his tiny hands touched the airy wings, Allen peeked from in between his feathers with a glittering eye as he continued to sing to his jocund company,
"At the end of the river the sundown beams
All the relics of a lifelong lived
Here, weary traveller rest your wand
Sleep the journey from your eyes"
Allen hurriedly got up and ran across the castle courtyard. He spotted the housekeeper as she turned her back away from them just for a moment. Allen impishly stole the large white sheet that hung from the clothing line to be dried, followed by a dozen small hands that took away the smaller white sheets. Allen's gay laugh echoed the area as they ran away from a confused adult demon. He wrapped the large white sheet around him like a cloak as he bowed down mockingly at the costumed children behind him,
"Good journey, love, time to go
I checked your teeth and warmed your toes
In the horizon I see them coming for you"
Allen gazed out into the horizon, his eyes turning dreamily as he looked towards the freedom that he would never obtain now. A lovely tug of Timothy's hand on his long sleeve brought Allen back and the angel knelt down to his level and continued to sing lovingly,
"The mermaid grace, the forever call
Beauty in spyglass on an old man's porch
The mermaids you turned loose brought back your tears"
Using only his wings, he threw two unsuspecting children up into the air, causing the others to scream in delight. The children trusted Allen to catch them, and the angel would never bring harm to them. Allen danced round and round with his wings wide open and loose, moving in rhythm with the wind and the bouncing children.
"At the end of the river the sundown beams
All the relics of a lifelong lived
Here, weary traveller rest your wand
Sleep the journey from your eyes"
Allen and the children were dancing with nothing short of laughter and gladness, the glimmering sunlight moved as if they too were enjoying the angel's presence fully. Lavi watched as Allen magically took some sunlight beams and twisted them to form sunny butterflies and he gave the girls shiny flowers. Allen moved his hands in a dramatic turn as he released a flock of sparkling doves into the sky, causing the children to gape in amazement and childlike wonder.
Lavi's instincts told him that someone was watching him, so he tore his gaze away from the flying birds and made contact with two amused eyes. Allen was watching him, and from the looks of it, the angel knew that he was here all along. The angel brought his hand up as if reaching for Lavi, never breaking eye contact as he started to sing in seductive symphony,
"At the end of the river the sundown beams
All the relics of a lifelong lived
Here, weary traveller rest your wand
Sleep the journey from your eyes"
Allen pulled his hand away as if Lavi's failure to come out was of nothing troublesome. His angelic smiles turning chirpier as he danced around the children again while clapping his hands, making the children sing and clap along,
"At the end of the river the sundown beams
All the relics of a lifelong lived
Here, weary traveller rest your wand
Sleep the journey from your eyes"
"Huh.. So that was Allen singing. I was wondering why I felt like dancing in the middle of a meeting…" Komui snickered from beside Lavi.
The Demon Lord chuckled along, his spirit felt miraculously high as he joked, "Careful, Komui. You might get caught in the angel's hypnotising spell- courtesy of Timothy there,"
Komui shook his head as he gave a mysterious wink to Lavi as he whispered like he was giving away a venerable secret to a six-year old child, "Lavi, Lavi, Lavi… You can't enchant a person that's already enchanted,"
Lavi didn't bother to ask the elder demon what he meant about that. He kept watching the angel play with the children as if he was one of their own; as if he wasn't an angel. Lavi didn't know whether to be happy or angry at that aspect.
At night when Lavi was reading a spell scroll inside the angel's room again, his nose caught the whiff of something nice and delectable.
"Here, Lavi!" Allen gave a still-warm pie to him, a proud grin on his pale, perfect face, "I heard you like eating apple pie. So I made it for you!"
With mild bewilderment on his face, Lavi took the hot pie and quirked a questioning eyebrow at the embarrassed angel.
"W-well, you're all so good to me even though I feel like a burden here. And I wanted to repay you for everything you did! So I asked Lenalee what was your favourite food and she answered that you practically worship apple pie and Ithoughtthatmaybe I can bake it because I'm very good at baking, see? Backinmychurch, I love baking, and cooking. But Ican'tcookforyoubecauseJerrywon'tletmecook b-bbe-ecause he-"
"Stop, you're stuttering now," Lavi rolled his one good eye. As the angel calmed himself down, Lavi took a look at his mouth-watering offering. No doubt that the creature baked it to perfection, just the way Lavi liked it. But who was to say that the thing didn't put poison or any numbing spell into it at the same time? Hmm… Maybe I'll let Kanda take first bite… On the other hand: APPLE PIE! He put his food down and replaced his attention with the scroll once again, acting nonchalant, "thank you,"
The air around them dropped to mountain-fresh temperature, and the scent of angelic peppermint grew stronger, yet never to the point of suffocating. Lavi also pointedly overlooked the dazzling face of the angel that seemed to light up the whole dark room as if he was the very sun and stars himself. Timothy was right about one thing: the angel can really cast hypnotising spells! But not by singing, apparently. Damn… Lavi cursed inwardly, I thought the shackles were supposed to keep his powers in!
Gaaaaaw! Allen sho cyute! I'll be putting in some new tidbit information about this story's world every now and then so that you can further understand the working of my mind hehe
In my stories (and some legends), angels have seraphic voices so that they can sing praises about their God. When they're singing, they have an uplifting atmosphere around them, making even the gloomiest person feel enlightened. Regardless of the angel's gender or age, the singing of angels are something to behold. I really would like to hear angel Allen sing to me haha
Also, in my stories, an angel's wings (or a demon's) are their physical-but-also-spiritual appendages. Therefore, angels are able to touch a demon through their wings without getting burn or feeling pain and vice versa. Demons also can touch an angel's wings as well without getting burnt, but touching an angel's wings is considered sacred to religion. So to have Allen forgiving Lavi (he practically dragged Allen by the wings to be locked up) is quite a feat of mercy! That's the attitude of a real angel, I suppose! ... Or it's just Allen's attitude, that's more believable XD
The song I used for this chapter is 'Turn Loose the Mermaids' by Nightwish. It's a really magical song, so if you have time, go ahead and hear it! I guess that's all for now, I do hope to hear whatever opinions or comments from you soon! Have a wonderful day!