Once the seal was fully closed once again, the angel's territory was safe from all darkness. Saint Allen Walker had just enough energy to descend the stairs before he fell to the church ground below with a heavy thump.
"Allen!" Lavi rushed to his best friend's side, cringing when he felt Allen's body turning colder. Allen was panting like he had just fully spent his power on recovering the seal. The angel's wings were drooped lowly as they lay prostrate on the ground, not even having the zest to fold themselves up. Lavi held Allen tightly, wishing with all his spirit that he had healing skills as powerful as the angels themselves and struggling to keep his frustrations at bay.
Allen buried his face into Lavi's chest as he took in the Demon Lord's comforting scent. A numbing pang of pain shot through his chest, making the angel whimper silently. "So many souls… My children.. Their cries," Allen gritted his teeth as the echoes of his people's last screams rang inside his head.
Lavi caressed Allen's shaking head, looking at an equally-worried Tyki for an explanation. The Judgement Knight shook his head as his white wings curled in itself, "too many of Allen's followers are dead, so their faith is wavering. Allen needs time to restore to his full power again,"
Allen bit his lip to stop himself from shouting out in frustration, tasting a sharp tinge of blood along the way. He didn't quite care about his dishevelled appearance or his critical condition. All he felt was the deep regret that he had failed to protect his people. Now, they were suffering the consequences of Allen's carelessness. It was just like what had happened in the past, before Allen and his brethren had Fallen. Why, Father, have you given me the taste of my history? It hurts!
Lavi heard Allen's whine like it was his own, making the Demon Lord cover the injured angel with his softened wings. He dearly wished that he could take away all of Allen's pain, but his best powers could do nothing but destroy everything he touched. Lavi hated the feeling of helplessness when it came to the people that he wanted to protect; that was why he had strived to be the best in everything he did. But this here… I'm nothing useful! What kind of best friend am I that I can't even do anything to ease Allen's pain?!
A loud crash came from the opening of the door, attracting everyone's attention. An angel ran in with a crazed look on her bandaged face, her body injured with scratches and claw marks. Her once golden hair was marred with the scent and colour of demon blood. But what had made everyone stopped dead in their tracks was that the angel was missing something important; there were no white wings behind her back.
The wingless angel looked around before her insane eyes landed on Lavi. She pointed at the Demon Lord and spat with venom, "YOU! YOU-"She lunged at a confused Lavi only to be held back by Sheril's strings.
"Calm down, Lala! You must control yourself!"
Lala struggled against the strings as she screamed for all to hear, "HE! HE RIPPED MY WINGS OFF! THE DEMON STOLE. MY. WINGS!"
The people gasped in surprise while the other angels summoned their powers immediately. The very act of tearing apart an angel's wings were forbidden, since the angel's grand appendages are considered sacred in nature. Lala's entire back was scorched as if she had been burnt terribly; the wings' roots were torn right off to leave nothing but black scars to signify the angel's claims.
The other angels who had not trusted the demons' presence from the beginning started to approach with unconcealed anger in their eyes, determination to avenge their sister evident in their posture for battle. Sensing a coming fight, the Black Order clan crowded around their Demon Lord with their own weapons unsheathed and black wings sharpened. If there was to be a clash, the demons would not go down without giving all that they've got. The church's atmosphere suffocated the holistic mood with conflicting hot and cold auras.
"STOP!"
Allen pushed himself off from Lavi's protective wings, forcing himself to stand against his angelic brethren. His wings folded themselves behind his back as he stared down at his loving sister, "Lavi didn't do anything. He doesn't have the smell of our blood in his hands,"
Saint Lala hissed as her melodic voice wavered with wrath, "You dare question me, brother? I saw his face as clearly as I see yours now! I saw how he looked like when he tore my wings off and the pain I felt was real! I say he's guilty, Saint Allen, GUILTY! You know I'm right; because angels. Don't. LIE!"
Lavi saw Allen standing quietly now, no retort visible on his best friend's lips. Lavi touched Allen's stiffened shoulders, but the angel didn't look at Lavi's direction. Allen took Lavi's larger hand, gripping it tightly by their sides. With tears in his silvery eyes, Allen decided to stand where he was with dignity as he calmly said, "And I say: Lavi is innocent,"
"You were once a traitor, brother. Your words don't carry meaning anymore!" Lala shot right back at the smaller angel, "I demand retribution!"
"Then take me in Lavi's place,"
Lavi whipped his head so fast to see an undisturbed Allen at his side instead of a tired one. Allen's announcement had shaken everyone out of their thirst for battle, their eyes widening with surprise. Allen left Lavi's side as he stepped forward, his wings uncurling to proclaim his decree once more, his melodious voice was like throwing freezing water over a hot stone, "I'll take Lavi's place instead. This is my domain, and that is my command,"
Instinctually, Lavi jumped to object Allen's words. But both Tyki and Sheril held him back as the other angel warriors took Allen away without receiving any repute of any sort. "Let go, Tyki! Sheril, you basta-"
"Be quiet, you idiot!" Tyki pulled the angered Demon Lord back, covering the furious Lavi with his hardened wings to stop him from escaping his grasp. Without Allen by his side, Lavi felt his spirit abandoning him and he reluctantly allowed the stronger angels to move him away from Allen's church. The angel's home now became Allen's damn imprisonment.
As soon as they had left Allen's vast territory, Lavi pulled his arm back and glared at the reserved angel, "What the Hell, Tyki?! You're just gonna let this go?!"
"Shut up, Lavi! Of course not!" Tyki glared right back. Tiredly, Tyki exhaled deeply, the years of weariness coming back to him with a vengeance. He had to be the composed one between them both as he knew that Lavi felt absolutely agitated by Lala's accusation and Allen's decision. They had to think quickly and act fast; there was no time to waste. Tyki clasped Lavi's hard shoulders as he said rationally, hoping that the Demon Lord still had some sense in him, "look, we have to investigate this now. We have two, maybe three weeks, before Allen's execution starts," Tyki pointedly ignored Lavi's rising panic as he barrelled on, "If we find anything to prove Allen's –or your- innocence, then the angels will be appeased. They won't trust just Allen's simple words,"
"What did they mean by Allen is a traitor?" Lavi enquired, his eyebrows furrowed. To hear that the angels don't trust Allen at all was like an arrow to his mind. The loud shout of a traitorous Allen was unheard of in his head. He saw Tyki stiffened, a pregnant silence followed Lavi's blatant question.
Finally, Tyki shook his head with submission, "I can't tell you, Lavi. It's nothing to do with you,"
"But it's got everything to do with Allen! I need to know, Tyki Mikk, or so help me; I'll bring Hell into Allen's church and kill all of you!"
Tyki steadily stared at Lavi's vengeful eyes, knowing full well that Lavi meant every word that he said. He crossed his arms as he snorted out, "What does Allen dying have to do with you then? He's pretty much useless to you since he can't cure your curse, and he's going to die in your place. If I were you, I'd say that that sounds like a pretty good deal,"
"Well, too bad you're not me!" Lavi resolutely said, "Allen is more than that; to me, he's my best friend! I'm not gonna let him die!"
After some consideration, Tyki sighed as he rolled his aching shoulders. Lavi's dedication towards his brother was refreshing, as Allen used to be all so lonely after they went through the Falling. To finally see Allen smile and laugh again was really heart-warming to even a seasoned warrior like him. Even if the source of Allen's happiness was a Demon Lord himself. I'm really too old for this drama, little shounen. Looking around to make sure that they were truly alone, Tyki led the way deeper into the forest as he mumbled, "Lavi… Do you know how angels came to earth?"
Lavi was taken aback at the question as he followed the angel behind, his mind trying to recall Bookman's teachings. The older demon had taught him much about the workings of angels, but it had never occurred to anyone as to how angels came to earth. The very beginning of the angels' stories were not spoken nor was it known to anyone outside, so Lavi came out blank to answer.
Tyki must've expected it too, since he turned and said to a mute Lavi, "You don't know because nobody knows. Nobody but we angels and the Vatican know about our descent from Heaven. We call it the Falling, and it was because of Allen that we came here," Tyki's mind flashbacked to where it all began. He remembered every detail like it was just yesterday.
~.~
He remembered fighting alongside Allen against a couple of lowly demons that were invading the village. It was a dark night, Tyki thought, no stars decorated the sky and the moon was ominous like a bad touch. He saw Allen cutting down the unlucky demons without remorse, his angelic eyes was blank as his hardened wings were splattered with the black blood of demons. The angels were given the holy power to cleanse demons and purify evil souls, making Father's job all the more easier for everyone to enter Heaven.
Allen was one of Father's best fighters; Father's favourite and most loving son.
"Brother…" Allen spoke to him in an emotionless tone as they took in the sight of the dead villagers who had tried futilely to escape the demons' attacks, "why do demons have to be saved too? Look at what they do…" Allen knelt as he touched a dead child's bloodied cheek, "they kill without restrain and they wreak havoc on Father's other creations. Do we really want these monsters to enter Heaven too?"
Allen's words opened a floodgate in Tyki's mind. Then, he too began to think otherwise as he followed Allen back to Heaven. Why should demons be saved? They're worthless! They're Father's rejects. So why not just kill them off and end everyone's misery? They deserve Hell, they should go back down there instead! Why should we spend so much time and energy saving them too?
Tyki discussed this with the other angels, finding out that some of them were also thinking the exact same thing as him. They too wondered why Father had given them such a foolish task. Soon, word of questioning Father's absolute orders began to spread like wildfire. Some were standing at their point that those worthless demons deserved nothing less than eternal damnation in Hell. They stated that since demons are Father's rejected creations, they were not worthy of Heaven's grace and Father's mercy. These batch of angels started killing demons for real, their holistic weapons turned into slaughter arms.
But there were some who still held onto Father's faith that everyone deserved to be saved. They still believed that the demons were to be cleansed so that they too can come into Heaven to live peacefully. Because Father created them Himself, the demons still had the chance to be loved and cherished just like every other creation. Tyki thought that these angels were blinded, so he decided to ask Allen to convene. If there was an angel that they would listen to, it would most definitely be Allen.
But what happened was beyond Tyki's expectations. When he came to Allen, telling the younger angel to convince those blinded brethren about Father's meaningless task, Allen did nothing but stare at him with surprise.
"What're you saying, Tyki? Father's word is law! What you speak is heresy!" Allen growled.
For the first time in his life, Tyki felt betrayed. He fought with Allen after that. First with words. Then with physical fights. Soon, the angels were divided into two; one stood at Father's side, the other against it. One side held the power to purify and to heal as was Father's original gifts. The other side traded their healing skills for fighting valour. Both stood valiantly against the other, stubbornly not giving ground to their other brethren in the other side.
The celestial Heavens reigned war for centuries as angel fought angel.
Brother fought brother.
Finally, Father Himself intervened.
Tyki vividly remembered Father Himself calling every angel to his throne. He remembered Father giving out his punishment for all the angels. The very punishment sending everyone's hearts breaking and their spirits collapsing.
The angels were to be sent to earth to atone for their First Sin.
"NO!" Allen raced forward and threw himself onto the floor, kneeling before Father with tears in his eyes and his face reddened with so much sorrow that it made Tyki regret everything that he had done until now. Allen clasped his hands together and he begged in a woeful song, "Punish me instead, Father! It was me to who started this! Please spare my brothers!"
But even Tyki knew that Father's words are unchangeable. Allen's sacrifice had not moved Father at all. All the angels were still going to fall from their beloved Heaven. Alas, Father knew that His favoured child was guilty for this mess. In addition to the angel's punishment, He placed a seal in Allen's heart and a curse for him and him alone to bear:
The angel Allen cannot truly love another.
~.~
"We call our descent on earth The Falling. We were separated into regions to protect and control. Father still granted us our powers and He still hears our prayers. Everyone had accepted their punishment dutifully, but…"
"Allen can't feel a thing," Lavi remorsefully finished.
"He forgave everyone in an instant and shrugged off our concern. Allen was still Allen, but there was also something different about him.. I can't.. Feel his love at all," Tyki whined out sadly, as if he was revealing a deep weakness to Lavi. The angel shook his head with unhappiness, "the angels thought Allen was a traitor since he was the one who started questioning Father first. And since Allen can't feel love and even love another…"
Lavi knew what Tyki was trying to say. For an angel to have the inability to love was unheard off, an impossible thing. It was like saying that you could drink air and breathe water. If Allen had carried that handicap all these while, it was a solid reason to say that Allen was not one of the angels. He would've been ostracised for his curse, a weak link in the chain of angels and a thing to be thrown away.
An angel that cannot love is no angel.
That was what everyone knew from the bottom of their very beings.
"Those angels were just looking for a scapegoat, that's all. They can't owe up for their mistakes. I mean, it wasn't Allen who made them fight against each other! They chose to fight themselves!" Lavi retaliated, a bit ticked off that there were angels who dared thought that Allen was less than a good angel.
"You still think that? Even when I just told you the whole story?"
It was Lavi's turn to cross his arms and said with conviction, "whatever happened in the past is none of my concern. I've got some skeletons in my closet too, ya know. But Allen still accepted me for who I am. I know you don't trust a demon's word, but I'm telling you the truth right now: I'm staying by Allen's side, and I'll do anything to keep him safe and happy,"
Tyki laughed and he said in a noble tune, "too bad; you would've made a good Judgement Knight, Lavi,"
Lai only gave the angel a rueful smirk as he pointed to himself, "demon, remember?"
~.~
As the moon appeared in the sky and the crickets sang their lovely song into the peaceful night, Allen began to feel the sleepiness drowning his misery up. His tower room was barren of anything but a poor man's bed and a small table. The tower window was not as welcoming as his bedroom window, the metal bars was cold to the touch. The small, tired angel dropped onto the creaking bed as he picked on his golden gauntlet, "this is what I deserve,"
Suddenly, Timcampy revolved into his original form and fluttered in the air, "Allen?"
Allen shot up and sat straight on his bed, trying to get hold of the mischievous mechanism, "That voice… Lavi?!"
"Hey! What's up, angel? How're you doing?" Lavi's rumbling voice that came through Timcampy made Allen feel like the Demon Lord was right beside him. The deep voice sending waves of comfort to Allen that made him feel instantly relieved.
"I'm fine, Lavi. Where are you?"
Timcampy landed on the bed's edge as Lavi's voice spoke out, "Tyki and I are gonna solve this wing problem. You just hold on, we're gonna get you out of there,"
"No, Lavi!" Allen stood up as if he had the chance to stop Lavi from leaving, his wings flapping in a flurry, "you'll get in trouble! Don't do this, Lavi! Not for me!"
"But I want to, Allen!" Came Lavi's insistent reply.
Allen stopped moving, looking at Timcampy in disbelief. Slowly, the angel knelt down beside the bed as if he was praying to his golden gift, "Why, Lavi? You know I can't cure you.. I'm only a burden to you.. I thought demons are heartless, Lavi. Please prove it; prove that it's true,"
When Lavi heard those words, the Demon Lord gritted his teeth in exasperation. But the melancholy tone in Allen's beautiful voice stopped Lavi from scolding out loud that he was not worthless. He contacted Allen to hear his best friend's seraphic voice again, but it would seem that Allen was down with the blues. It would take more than just simple words to please Allen, and Lavi knew it.
Sighing, Lavi looked at his surroundings and was thankful that Tyki had gone somewhere momentarily. Although he knew that he was alone, he whispered to Allen as if he was indulging a grand secret that nobody knows, "Demons are heartless, Allen-"
Allen heaved a defeated breath before he heard Lavi continued in a voice that he had never heard before from the Demon Lord. Lavi sounded so affectionate that it stole Allen's breath away.
"-Because they gave their hearts away to the one they love,"
I said I was going to stop with the fluff, buuuuut.. Surprise! hahaha Can Lavi get any more softer for Allen? Just grghdfmvzjfdv, stop the fluff!
Well, now you know the history behind the angels' Falling. The angels who honed their attacking powers are the Judgement Knights while the ones who concentrated more on their natural healing abilities are the Holy Guardians. You may be asking why the Holy Guardians were casted out from Heaven as well, since it was the Judgement Knights who defied God. Well, according to the olden days of History, if God had thrown only the Judgement Knights out of Heaven and not the Holy Guardians, the angels would turn into dark angels and their urge of killing would be unstoppable. The Holy Guardians are Fallen as well to balance out the destructive powers of their Judgement Knight brethren. So although there are more Judgement Knights than Holy Guardians out there, the Judgement Knights cannot -practically, literally- live without their enlightening brethren.
On the other hand, the Holy Guardians cannot stand without the Judgement Knights. They may have absurdly powerful healing powers and special fighting skills, but they can only do so much against a powerful enemy. So they depend on the Judgment Knights for protection and pillar of support.
Although all of the angels were punished equally (except Allen), there is still some lingering bitter feelings between the two orders of angels. None of the angels died, but just the very fact that their own brother/sister brought arms against them was terrifying (Tyki may not look like it, but he still has nightmares about that horrible fight when he sleeps at night). But fear not! The angels may quarrel pettily about little things -who doesn't?-. But when they agree on something together, they're a force to be reckoned with! You'll see much more of them later -whoops, spoiler!-
I'm swamped with assignments in my university and it's only been 1 week boohoo! So it's been a hectic ride and the plot's about to thicken. I do hope you'll stick around for more! Again, your comments and opinions are brightening my miserable days. I love/treasure them a lot! Thank you and have an awesome day! =D