Come, don't you hear the Church bells ringing?
The Holy Mass is about to begin.
Come worship Him, the One who knows all.
So, sing with the angels on high!
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appears.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Lavi didn't feel any different as he walked along the path towards the giant palace, his ears picking up on the holy singing choir that echoed the Heavens. The song was amplified and originated from everywhere, as if they were singing directly into Lavi's demonic mind. It was strange for the Demon Lord to hear singing but not seeing anyone in his sight, but he took it all in stride and accepted Heaven's weird magic.
As he walked towards the mighty entrance, he heard a childish voice called out from beside him, "Come on! You're so slow!"
Lavi looked down in shock to see a smaller version of Tyki standing right beside him. The young angel was crossing his arms and wearing such a petulant look that it made Lavi snigger.
"Wait for me, Tyki!"
That voice! Lavi swallowed his laughter as he saw a running angel coming towards them both. The angel was shorter than Tyki, with his small wings fluttering innocently behind him. Although the younger angel was wearing a white cassock too large for his small size, there was no denying that familiar smile on his pale face. Younger Allen hurried along so much that he tripped on his long clothing.
Lavi reached forward to catch the falling angel, but his hands passed through Allen as if the angel was a mere ghost. His eye widened in surprise as he saw Allen hitting the ground, his heart wincing when he heard the loud thump that followed the fall. Allen looked up with a red face and the angel burst out into tears as he sat up.
"Allen! Stop crying! It's just a scratch!" Tyki cooed at the whining Allen, lifting his youngest brother up and wiping away his tears with his long sleeve. Allen stopped his sniffling as he held Tyki's larger hand, rubbing his beautiful silver eyes with a small fist. The older angel tugged Allen along, this time in a slower pace so as to avoid another incident, "C'mon, Father's waiting for us!"
O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high,
And order all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Like a shadow, Lavi followed the innocent duo into the massive palace. He heard church bells that rang out in its ancient tunes, the echoes following the sweet-smelling air. Lavi passed by a younger version of Saint Lulubell; the frost archer was nowhere near her future assassination nature as she carried a dozen books on her tiny arms. The cute angel was balancing those books carefully; her charming eyes and wings glittered every time the sunlight touched her body.
Lavi didn't have time to admire this innocent side of the strict Lulubell, his attention was quickly pulled away by the impatient Tyki. Tyki dragged Allen through one of the many doors of the palace and Lavi found himself in a magical garden. There were a lot of trees that gave shelter to the slumbering grass below; their shadows were a warm welcome from the blistering heat of the sun.
O come, o come, Thou Lord of might,
Who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times did give the law,
In cloud, and majesty, and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Lavi heard laughter from his right and he saw a fuming young Rhode together with two equally impish Jesdero and Devit. Because her wings were still small in size and weak in strength, Rhode couldn't reach the ripe, red apple that hung carelessly below one of the higher branches. The twins laughed at their sister's futile efforts, falling and leaning against one another instinctually as was their twin nature. With crying eyes, Rhode squeaked out –because Rhode's voice had not broken yet- as she stomped the ground angrily, "Just you wait! When I grow up, my wings will be big and bea. Beu-. Pretty!"
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse's stem,
From ev'ry foe deliver them
That trust Thy mighty power to save,
And give them vict'ry o'er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Lavi shook his head in mild entertainment, already very much amused by the younger versions of his angel comrades. He stopped walking to watch the scene unfold as Rhode started chasing the twins with great fury –as much fury as a small angel had-. The twins cried as they hid behind their older brothers that were Sheril and Wisely, the angelic brothers laughing amusingly at the chasing.
"Father!" Lavi was brought back to his mission as he heard Allen's joyful cry. Then, he stopped all his thoughts when he saw who Allen was greeting. There were two men standing side-by-side, both had looks that mirrored the other exactly. They were both tall and wickedly handsome, as if they were meticulously sculptured to make the perfect beings. Their flowing long cassocks fluttered with the wind as their wings opened casually. Both these angels' wings were not of the usual two appendages, but of four ones instead. Two main wings were large and authoritative, and there the other two were of smaller size but had lean muscles. There was no doubt about it; Lavi was looking at two of the most powerful beings in Heaven.
O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home,
Make safe the way that leads on high,
That we no more have cause to sigh
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
One of the mirror beings picked up the jumping Allen in his arms and gave a gentle kiss to the smaller angel. The other angel grunted as he saw the loving show of care, "don't pamper Allen, Father! You're spoiling him,"
Something in that angel's voice sounded very familiar, yet Lavi cannot seem to put his finger on it. His face furrowed into a frown, trying to recall where he had heard that light yet noble voice before this. This angel's features didn't strike Lavi as an oddity, but the baritone voice from the seraphic angel was niggling at Lavi's mind.
"Ah! Brother Earl's just jealous!" Tyki stuck out his tongue playfully when he too received a kiss from the angel who was holding Allen.
Saint Earl?! As in, that fat angel with the permanent creepy grin?! That Saint Earl? Lavi was paralysed with shock as he took in the reality.
Saint Earl wanted to retaliate and scold his younger brother, but their Father stopped him and calmly said to his mirror image, "Mana, you're the eldest among them. When I'm not here, it will be you that they'll turn to for support. After all, we live entirely on love,"
"Ah! Father! When are you leaving us?!" Allen cried, panic in his childish voice.
"Don't leave us, Father!" begged the once-proud Tyki, pulling on their Father's long robes.
The two smaller angels started to cry at the very thought that their Father will be leaving them all alone, their tiny bodies shaking and their little wings drooping ever so low onto the ground. Their Father cooed and kissed Allen's wet cheeks, spilling honeyed words to calm the little one. The angel called Saint Earl –also called Mana, Lavi had judged- carried the crying Tyki and caressed circles around the angel's back.
O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadow put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Soon, the younger angels ceased their outcry. Allen was placed back down onto the ground and he was gently pushed towards the welcoming Saint Earl. Their Father patted both their heads as he spoke wisely, "there will come a time when you'll need Me and I won't be there. But!" He said quickly, seeing that the innocent angels were on the verge of another crying bout, "I'll send a messenger in My place instead,"
"We don't want a messenger! We want Father!" Allen said stubbornly as he hugged Saint Earl's right leg.
"Trust in Me, My precious children. This messenger will work in My stead perfectly. But first, this messenger will come to Me, telling Me that you need help-" here, the grand angel looked straight at Lavi as if he could see the Demon Lord himself, "-right, Lavi?"
Lavi was taken aback. The angel can see me?! He watched as the said angel patted Allen's head.
"Who're you talking to, Father?" Allen enquired honestly, watching his Father walking away from them.
Not taking his eyes off of Lavi, the almighty angel told His children, "Children; let Me hear you sing, please,"
Allen and the others tilted their heads in confusion at such a strange request, but haven't had the heart to deny their Father anything. With melodious tune and harmonious symphony, Allen and his angelic brethren sang to their beloved Heavens. Joined together by blood and spirit, the angels' ethereal song was a celestial thing to behold.
O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid every strife and quarrel cease
And fill the world with heaven's peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
Oh Shit! Lavi thought. The sudden realisation that this angelic being was the angels' so-called Father figure was also known famously as God himself. The Demon Lord couldn't move any of his muscles, his feet magically rooted to the ground as God came closer towards him with a serene look on his face. Shit! I'm gonna die! He's gonna kill me and I'm going-
"Hullo, Lavi. I'm God-"
the seductive scent of refreshing mountain water splashed Lavi's frenzy mood. This angel had the exact same aura as Allen, but his was definitely in a whole different level. While Allen's aura felt innocent and pure, this one spoke of power and warmth. Nonetheless, the angel's becalming aura ceased all of Lavi's doubts and hesitation as his mind became clearer. God lifted his hand in greeting as he showed a radiant smile,
"-But you, My favoured child.. You can call Me Neah,"
Whoots, 'God' has revealed Himself finally! What's Lavi gonna do now? Quite amusing, to say the least, for a Demon Lord to meet creation's creator! Also, yesterday was my Birthday, so I was enjoying myself quite happily (23rd February baby). I do hope you're enjoying yourself too, I made this chapter during my Birthday haha Thank you very much for your comments and reviews, they make my day all the more cheerful =D Have an awesome day!