With a deep breath, he opened his eyes again.

It did not surprise him to see that the human was staring at him intently, as focused on him as when he had begun his tale. Neither that the angel now listened with the same wonder, much more serious and concerned. What did surprise him… was that the horned demon was as attentive, but now a mess of tears that did not match his strong appearance. The three had bundled together to listen to his words. Uriel had listened from the start, but from a distance. Right when he told of the death of Reut, his violet eyes had shown emotion and he had neared to listen to the rest of the story more closely.

Now, Uriel exclaimed quite mournfully, causing Zelophehad to give him an apprehensive smile.

“I really want to hate you, but I’m having a hard time! I don’t know if to punch you, or hug you!” Uriel moved away, mumbling to himself. “All of us, we come from one single being. I can’t believe I have angel blood…! I have more in common with them than thought, and it’s still all bloody! That poor woman!”

The horned demon brushed a sleeve against his eyes and proceeded to swallow what he had wanted to say about hurting humans and stabbing angel wings with chains. It was Alexis who commented, while holding his head with a hand, staring at the floor.

“So that… thing, the horrible monster we saw in the forest, that was your-”

Zelophehad interrupted with a smile, which Ayako noted to be slightly dark. His tone became subtly harsh, warning.

“That thing, is my grandchild, Alexis.” Zelophehad leaned back on the chair he sat at, holding his claws up against each other, in thought. “But maybe, he is not anymore.”

Alexis fidgeted on his chair, smiling nervously. He began to wave his hands in front of the stare of Zelophehad, who was eyeing him with an eyebrow raised.

“H-he still is! I haven’t slain him, I haven’t burned him, I swear!” Ayako looked at him while he tried to excuse himself with twitchy eyebrows. “We definitely did not punch his head, or pierce his thorax with arrows, or slice his limbs with a sword! We wouldn’t hurt a fly! I’m a pacifist!”

Zelophehad stared at his eyebrows, blankly. He next asked Ayako, plainly.

“Was he this erratic before he lost his wings?”

Ayako laughed while shrugging, sheepishly.

“According to Uriel… he was.”

Alexis would have glared at her, if the former tyrant did not stand up. He shrunk a little on his chair when Zelophehad eyed him up and down, circling them both. His words were attentive, kind, yet remindful of what he once was.

“A strange individual he is, just like her.” Alexis leaned away when the winged demon loomed a little over his side, to look at him closely. One of his claws was on his chin; one of his wings was folded like an arm. “Hours ago, I was sure I would kill any angels where they stood, yet here we are. I’m staring at a strange specimen today. Even though killing Jarogniew would be justified and probably merciful, you still show reluctance, even upon the most feral of demons. You felt the need to tell me of his well-being, you care for the pain a demon might suffer.”

Uriel spoke up a few steps away; he interceded while peeking over his shoulder, still trying to hide his tears.

“I would say he was just worried about you getting angry. You did not see, but he got quite pale and wary when you began to tell of the angels you killed and tortured. I was about to drag him away, until you continued to explain!”

Zelophehad nodded while leaning away from Alexis, who could not deny he still felt apprehensive.

“Of course, I am still scary after all these years. Much more for an angel.” He stepped back with a small smile, moving his trident and wings away. Alexis brushed one of his arms awkwardly, honestly sorry for feeling that way. “I don’t blame you. My acts cannot be justified.”

“Well, I guess you did change. I don’t know what I would do if I saw people I cared for be killed, or what I would do in a war.” His amber eyes glanced at the trident, which was never moved like a weapon now. “You don’t look like a tyrant anymore, and you have not stabbed me, or broken Uriel’s arm; that what’s holding me from running off, and Uriel from yelling. I’m trying to process all that you’ve told me. It’s quite a lot to take in… I still can’t believe Philander did all those things.”

Ayako spoke up while nudging Alexis’ side with an elbow.

“You had to roam and find the most charming psychopath around, of course. Wherever you run, you take the attention of the most dangerous things.” She smiled, pointing a finger at the walls. “Just be glad he can’t know we’re here right now, talking so gladly with his declared nemesis.”

Zelophehad laughed while nodding at her words, enjoying meeting someone who liked to joke, at last.

“Oh, the things he would like to do to you three if he found out. Feel lucky that he can’t enter, that you have not destroyed the runes I’ve drawn to invoke the barrier around the temple. Phil’s head would implode when thinking of the implications of another angel bonding with demons and humans. In fact…” Zelophehad crouched in front of them, and then began to whisper with great admiration and empathy. His smile was honest, his bloody eyes full of wonder. “What you have, is something that has not happened in millennia. It is something that many would curse you for, but that she would have affirmed as beautiful, and unique. When mother left everything behind for father, she did not risk anything more than her way of living, at least until my birth. There were no demons to slay, no human hunters which to evade. You, on the other hand, have defied the rules that my birth brought. You risked far much more when you decided to let go of your intent to kill; everyone would curse your actions, everyone knows what devils and angels fight for. I’m thankful, to know that not only my mother’s heart held warmth, that there are still humans who hold the same wonder as father, and that part of my bloodline holds more mercy than I.”

Zelophehad stood up and moved a claw to motion behind him, at the door.

“I don’t know why fate has gifted me a moment like this, strange and unexpected… but I welcome it. This library is free for you to roam, to access, and study. Every chamber, every corner, it is yours to inspect. You show great wonder for the truth, and I don’t think I could consider others more worthy of finding it.”

Ayako hoped instantly off her chair. She beamed and clapped her hands, eyeing already the thousands of books around her.

“Great! I have many questions and wonders, and nowhere else could they be answered!” She snatched her first book and began to rummage through its pages at great speed. “I want to check some things, maybe some related to spells and rituals. I might need you to stand close, Zelophehad, you know a lot about these things; Uriel is smart, but not as old as you.”

Zelophehad smiled at her, but then glanced subtly sideways. Alexis shivered when the tall demon moved behind him, to lay his claws on his shoulders kindly.

“I would gladly, Ayako. But first…” He smiled down at those nervous amber eyes, intently. “I would like to have a conversation with your angel here. Alone.”

Uriel looked up instantly. His violet eyes pierced Zelophehad, who smiled at him as well, honestly. He even crossed his heart with the point of a wing as he assured to the younger demon.

“It will only be a moment. I’ll give him back in one piece, I promise.”

Uriel questioned Alexis with a worried caring glance. Alexis looked back and forth, noting the zealousness in his demon. But while looking at the eagerness those red eyes held, he found himself nodding in assurance that it would be fine.

Uriel accepted his angel’s decision, but still warned with a point of nail.

“I don’t know what you want to talk about, but it better not be anything about chains or blood, hear me? If I smell a single bit of fear through those doors, you’re done for.”

Zelophehad was impressed by the firmness his descendant held. So he did the thing he knew would take Uriel aback and shut him up. With a lean of head, he wiggled his eyebrows again, while narrowing his eyes sadly and folding his wings a little around Alexis.

“What, you don’t trust your old dear grandpa?” Alexis sighed while Zelophehad feigned hurt, with one claw on his chest. “Grandson, I feel so sad! I know I have not been in any family reunions, but I’m still part of the family! I don’t know what your mother would say, but she would probably be very disappointed with your tantrums!”

Uriel was taken aback. Trying to hide the bafflement on his face, he growled and pointed at the older demon angrily, stuttering a little.

“Y-you’re NOT my grandfather, old ragged… you!” He crossed his arms, walking away with one last yell, tail hitting the ground. “And for you to know, my mother would serve you a warm bowl of soup… and then shove you out the doors of our inn head first!”

Uriel went away, glaring back until he could no more. Alexis looked at Zelopehhad, who was the confused one now. The angel clarified.

“His parents were humans. They had an inn, and as he has told me, his mother was quite the chief.”

“Oh.” Zelophehad brushed his long tied hair, raising an eyebrow towards the other demon. “Well that explains a few things. No wonder he does not consider me his progenitor if he’s adopted.”

With Uriel gone into another chamber, Alexis glanced at Ayako. She had already hoarded multiple books onto a table, and was now searching ferociously through their pages. It was like if she was not there anymore, but inside them. So he commented to Zelophehad, who seemed to be pondering about Uriel.

“So, what you wanted to talk about?”

“Ah, of course. Forgive my distraction, Alexis. Come, let us talk.” Zelophehad guided him through the corridors. Alexis followed, confused by the fact that they did not near any books, nor scriptures. Zelophehad was guiding him to simple halls, where the only object of interest was the statues of angels at the walls. The demon was now eerily serious, with his arms under his wings. When he spoke in the dark, his tone was plain, unreadable. “Now that we are alone… Tell me, Alexis, what do you see in her?”

“Her?” He looked back, towards the room where Ayako was. “You mean the crazy woman who’s going to rip through your books?”

“Oh no.” He laughed, finding his taunts towards her telling. “I was referring to another one, the other you most care for. I am asking, what type of person your daughter is.”

“Aurora.” Alexis’ expression changed, into something Zelophehad found interesting. It had conflict, and love as well. “She is… the most beautiful demon that will ever live, with golden long hair and fair skin. The girl whose smile could make the sun come out with a single bat of her shiny wings. Ayako’s energy flows all through her, mixed with my fearfulness and stubbornness.”

“A beautiful name she has.” Zelophehad turned to look at a statue, brushing its stony wings slowly. “An angel’s name is always given a meaning, it is an old tradition. What is hers?”

“Meaning?” Alexis gave him a look, shaking his head sadly. “She is not an angel.”

“But she came from one, Alexis. She is as angelic as you.” Alexis frowned, because Zelophehad turned again. He did so while hiding his hands under one of his wings, while the other moved up to shield his eyes and mouth. “Tell me, do I look so different now? Would you see a difference if she did this very concealing move?”

Alexis admitted, darkly and mournfully.

“No.” He looked down, given thought by the ancient demon. “You could pass for an angel. She is prettier than one; her wings could put mine to shame.”

Zelophehad lowered his limbs with a knowing pitying smile. He leaned closer to Alexis, speaking with one hand up. The angel felt small under those wise red eyes, lost in a voice that told of many things.

“I can’t avoid but see the doubt in your eyes. You doubt her. You doubt yourself, even though I have assured that you have not changed with sin.” The demon whispered, grinning sadly. “Listen closely, Alexis. Do not make the same mistakes mother and I committed. You have said that you wished to turn yourself into a devil, to ease her doubts. But you fail to see, that will do nothing to calm her anxious heart. It will do nothing to calm yours either.”

“Then, what I am supposed to do?” Alexis pointed at his own body. He was bitter, with himself. “Look at me; I don’t look like an angel. I can’t show her what an angel is, where she comes from. If I can’t even be that, how am I supposed to guide her?”

“You don’t need anything more than your heart to do so.” Zelophehad had interrupted him, with a firm tone. He was again holding his shoulders, looking deeply into his amber eyes. “Don’t be as blind as my mother, I beg you. She kept me away from many things, and that caused me to become bitter and arrogant. Just because you doubt yourself, don’t keep her from knowing your thoughts. Tell her everything; trust her with the most painful of truths before they might surface. Stay by her side, show her love, show her that no matter what her eyes might see, you two are the same, but unique as well. You might not be able to tell her everything, but you can show her what you know. If you hide, she will seek her own answers, and they might lead her to the same darkness I found. She is not the first, but at the same time the only one; please, let the knowledge of my suffering prevent her of falling. Do not let her share my sorrow, show her adoration. Do not change, do not let her question her heritage and blood. Be strong.”

Alexis felt hazy. He stared into those mournful red eyes, sharp and demonic, but all too human as well.

“Why are you telling me this?”

There was truth in Zelophehad’s words, yet they hurt. The demon laughed again, but not as cheerfully as he may have done before.

“…I have always wondered how my mother might have truly felt for my existence. You have given an answer to those doubts, which I’ve held for centuries.” The love was all ever clear in those amber eyes, something that he was now sure his mother held. All these years, he had wondered if Reut had acted out of resignation. Seeing Alexis, he knew that she had not gone to that trial to try to excuse her crimes, but to show no regret for them. “She was not scared for herself when she spoke of going back. She was not ashamed of my traits, as I imagined for years. She cared for me, and for my fears. Far too late I realized she was trying to protect me in her own ways. She was mistaken in how to guide me, but she truly tried. I don’t want the only other angel who has loved to follow her steps; I would not endure the thought of another one being as lost as I was. You have left those two children behind, you have not shown them the firmness love requires. Go back… and shield of any doubt.”

Zelophehad let go of him. Alexis stared at nothing, hearing the whispers in his mind. In the dark, he commented, mournfully.

“I guess…” Alexis laughed, not cheerfully. “I guess I owe Uriel an apology.”

Uriel had been right from the start. He had found answers, and even if they made his heart beat stronger, he should have known them.

The ancient devil smiled with relief, seeing realization in those young amber eyes.

—————–

 

A shadow glided through the sky.

Its flight, once doubtful and erratic, was now firm and furious. Soaring over the tall dam, it moved over the lake and mountains, unfazed by the cold air of the north.

Her thoughts, dark. Her moves, raging.

“He wants to become what you are, for you to hold no doubt.”

Lykaios’ words pounded in her mind. They had made something inside her twist, and then break. It had made her take flight swiftly, with only a slight glance for the two. She had left them, in an impulse. She ignored her sister’s calls as she ascended, she evaded Lykaios when he chased. They could not follow her, and she could not keep herself from moving.

She felt anger, she felt slighted. As she flew north, she growled, piercing the sky with her sharpened eyes.

“You idiot…” Her wings dashed more strongly, furiously, as she yelled into the nothingness. “If you are so ashamed of yourself… I’ll show you what kind of beast you want to be!”

An amulet glinted in the air, hanging by her neck. She let her claws swipe in the wind, while she chased for her father.