After a satisfied huff, he sat down strongly. His eyes contemplated the mist below, and it began to twist, it began to part. The abyss was granting a vision… until another groan echoed and broke his focus.

Angus slowly looked down, to the guard on who he had sat on. The idiot was still squirming and trying to hit him, even if he had given him the beating of his life. That one was the only one who still resisted, on the top of the huge pile of wings, tangled limbs and dented armors, which they would make him repair later.

He rolled his eyes with annoyance, and then he lifted up a little his hammer in the air, by its handle. The guard let out a loud cry when the tool fell onto his helmet, making him shut up efficiently thanks to gravity, which did all the work.

Angus grumbled under his braided black beard and jumped down the pile of guards, to sit on the edge of the void. He waited patiently, to be able to look down the abyss in peace, to see his nephew.

A year…

He had let go, knowing he would never be able to take his dear nephew back home. He had let go, because he realized that Alexis did not want to kill that demon. He let him go, hoping that he would have a peaceful life in that world. He had seen his amber eyes… and no one knew what those glances meant more than him.

He trusted in fate; but he still bowed to come back here and look down, every year.

Now here he was. He took a deep breath, knowing that anything could have happened. He had wanted to leap; but if he had done so and risked his own life, Alexis would have never forgiven him. His nephew had always been altruistic and selfless.

He opened his eyes again. And with no one to stop him… he looked through the black abyss. The abyss looked back. The mist began to twist again, to show him what he most wanted.

The angel’s heart skipped a beat when he discerned the outlines of a forest, in the hazy blackness. Little by little, the vision became clearer, even if not entirely. His eyes narrowed and brightened at once, because he finally saw what roamed between tall trees.

He saw three… No, four figures.

Angus saw them there, walking through dense woods, following a long and small path in the shadows. There was a very tall demon; Alexis’ demon. There was a human; an angel hunter, who rode on the back of a huge animal without tail.

He knew. He did not fear or hate their presence, because he was seeing his nephew again. Alexis was walking willfully between them, while a cape trailed behind him. He had a bright smile on his face while he followed his demon closely.

Angus felt a smile slowly grow on his own lips as well, seeing that he was still alive, still safe. He felt relief, until he had a sudden thought.

The blacksmith leaned forward sharply and slammed his hands down; he frowned and tried to have a closer look.

That cape…

His jaw dropped, seeing something that would haunt him forever.

“…Alexis?”

He could not hear him. He shuddered, because he realized that there was nothing protruding under that cape, that there were no wings hidden below it. The soft wind that brushed Alexis’ blond hair was revealing his back; the cape was flowing behind him.

Angus’ voice quivered for the first time in a century, because he could not see any trace of those golden feathers.

“What happened to you, lad?”

He cried, when he saw those amber eyes look up to the sky, with boredom, lacking any recognition. His only remaining family was not aware that he was watching.

Angus’ hands clenched on the edge and made it crack slightly. He snarled, unable to imagine how he could have lost them. He stood up furiously, his gaze filled with blazing ire. He glared at the hunter and demon, and thought of a million possibilities. One of his feet leaned, his frame shook, with the idea of leaping down. Leap, reach them and question their fault… and if guilty, avenge him.

His strong messy black wings whipped behind him, and then rose subtly. He was about to jump. But he halted. A deep raspy breath escaped him; his wings slumped and his fists opened, weakly. He saw Alexis laugh.

Angus leaned his head to a side; his angered grimace softened while he stared at his nephew’s face. He was cackling, because his demon had tripped with a twig and had fallen down onto a puddle of mud. The demon opened his mouth with what he assumed an annoyed groan, while the other two mocked. However, Alexis hurried and crouched near, to give him a hand and help him stand.

Angus leaned away from the edge, seeing them both snort once they stood. They exchanged a trustful look, and then turned to stare at her deadpanned, because she said something that he did not hear. He stood there, watching Alexis… be happy.

Any angel would be dying; no one would stand the absence of their wings. But not him.

Angus closed his eyes and averted his gaze from the laughing trio. He pondered, deeply and carefully.

Life is not simple.

He raised an eyebrow down at the bundle of guards near him. Some of them were still trying to move and stand, in order to try to pull him away from the forbidden abyss.

Life was not as simple as these fools wanted it to be. And if Alexis was happy with his existence, even with the hardships he surely endured…

All the soldiers whined and cowered when the blacksmith moved once again. Some braced themselves, while others froze; all of them feared that hammer. They expected another hit, so all blinked when they received none. They stared baffled, because Angus began to walk away, with a solemn expression.

“…” They all screamed when they understood he was leaving. “AGAIN?!”

Angus only twirled his hammer, while he marched back towards the tavern.

He bowed to come back next year again, when these idiots less expected it; only to see him smile.

 

———————————–

———————————–

 

It was not easy to walk through the shadows.

Her torch had died out. And she had no more oil or materials in her bag to light another one.

I should have taken more supplies with me, before deciding to leave Godric and set off to make it on my own. But no, I didn’t think before getting out of that door.

Cecilia sighed and fumbled with her hands to feel some kind of warmth, because the wind that howled between the dark trees was cold as ice.

She barely could see anything, the night dark.

These roads were safe for travelers now. Some roaming merchants had determined this area safe a couple years ago. Before, no one dared to set foot here, because it was considered a border between regions. God knew well that demons could roam, wherever humans did not dare to live.

With the knowledge that this path was an option, she had decided to head off, and make her own living. She was tired of being looked down by Godric. She was an adult, and completely able of settling with her own hospice.

She had no clue where exactly though.

Somewhere? Anywhere?

“Who cares?!”

She threw her arms up in exasperation and stepped more fiercely, determined to keep on going; no matter where, or how.

Godric would miss her. Everyone would see she was useful. Since Ayako left, only god knew where, they had too much work in their hands. Godric would have to deal with everything alone, without her aid.

I will heal, I will write about the world, I will discover new treatments, and-

She fell down a small slope.

“Ahh-h?!”

Cecilia rolled down, her long tunic trashing wildly while she descended. She let out a strong huff when she stopped rolling, when she collided softly against the trunk of a tree. She stayed there for a moment, sprawled and dazed. Her annoyance did not take much time to show.

“Ugh…”

She quickly sat up, with an irritated pout.

The young woman snorted angrily and looked around her. She believed she fell without harm, until she decided to raise a hand to straighten her coat.

“Hh-gh!”

She blinked and stared baffled at her wrist, because she saw a bruise. The roll had bent her hand in a weird angle, and she had not noticed until now.

This is just… Perfect.

She stood with a small growl and kicked a nearby rock. She began to climb up the slope, this time watching closely where she went. Once above, she began to look at the path, with a trace of worry.

How far is the next town? And where is it?

She had not brought a map with her. She only knew that she had to head east and then north. These roads would bring her to other settlements and villages; that was what she knew.

She had an objective, but she did not know how long it would take her to reach it. Because, now, she had a broken wrist… Or at least she thought she did.

Really, she would not like to keep walking for days like this, not without a torch.

Cecilia just sighed and tugged her bag closer, knowing she had to keep going, even if it was dark.

I just have to follow the road. No problem. It is safe. Travelers roamed around; sometimes.

She proceeded carefully, for a full hour. She hated this thick darkness, and not because she was afraid. Simply, she hated to not see past her feet.

Something pulled her out of her annoyed thoughts. She blinked, because she saw a light in the night. A frown grew on her face when she realized that the light was a couple of torches ahead in the road. She gasped in surprise, once she realized that they were five travelers, like her.

The group of men slowed their steps, surprised by the girl that began to run hurriedly towards them, too fast and loud.

“Heey!” They exchanged baffled glances, because the young woman stopped sharply in front of them, still panting while she tried to demand. “Guys, I need a map! Do you have one?!”

The men frowned and looked at her worriedly, not believing that someone would be crazy enough to begin a journey without being ready. Some of them instantly supposed that something had to happen to her map, that she obviously had to have one before.

“Did you get lost?”

“You did not bring a map?”

“Is that a bruise?”

Cecilia flapped her long tunic and spoke faster, making the men feel even more lost with her quick words.

“Do you have a map or not?! I come from the south! I’m trying to find any settlement ahead! I am in a really big mess here; but I only need to get a map!”

One of them smiled, just by hearing her mention the south of the region.

“Ah, we are trying to reach that village! Do you come from there? We are trying to get there to sell some-”

Cecilia really did not like to waste time, which she could be using to reach her goals. So she answered with a groan, not really liking her village.

“Yes, that old small village…! Just follow this path, and take the road to the right in the next bifurcation, two hours away! Not the left one, that leads to a very nasty area. Once you take that path, just keep walking! It may take a day!” She leaned closer to them, insistent. “Now, map! I need one!”

“Calm down. Look, we only have one, and we need it.” One of them pointed over his shoulder, with an eyebrow up. “Nonetheless, there is an inn a few hours away, just straight from here. We come from there actually; we stayed a few nights. They must have a map they can sell you, and they have a healer who could-”

“That’s all I need to hear! Thanks! Goodbye!”

They watched baffled as she jogged away, going fast into the dark they had come from. She was out of sight in a matter of seconds.

“If everyone is like her in that town… We might not want to settle there, Adam.”

“Should we head past it then?”

“We must at least cross it to get supplies.” They shook their heads, and then kept going. “Let’s go.”

Ahead, Cecilia smiled bright, not bothered by the dark anymore. She walked fast, without halt. She reached the place they told her in half the time needed. The dark trees she had seen began to disappear from the landscape, and were replaced slightly by green, which grew all around. The dead forest ended, in a small area where the trees grew even more tall and alive.

She slowed her steps, because she saw light. She looked up to the huge manor, slowly, to the glassy windows that glinted with the warm light inside. The tall walls of the building were made of stone and wood, and they almost hid the big trees around it. There was a big iron gate, and to the left, in the stony courtyard, a big plantation, which she could not quite see from the entrance. She as well could hear noise inside, past the big wooden doors at the top of some stony steps.

Cecilia grabbed her bag and looked in it for a moment. Her good hand took out all the money she had. Enough for a night, she supposed. The problem was that the inn was huge, well-constructed, and it was in the middle of nowhere. She would not be surprised if a stay was expensive.

She could not dwell on that now, she could only try to get a map. She took a deep breath and glared at the doors with determination. Her feet began to climb the steps, to get her in.

When her hand tried to grasp one of those long handles, however, the doors opened all by themselves. She was startled and baffled, because she only saw an armor inside, near the door. She still stepped in, because the air inside was warm and inviting. There were candles lighted in the big hall.

The doors closed behind her. She quickly turned, surprised. And again, there was only that armor near them. She looked again at the hall, to see if there was anyone there she could talk to.

There was only a big scruffy cat.

The feline returned her attentive look, much more seriously. He was sitting near of what seemed a reception, like if he thought that he was a guardian of some sort. And by the look in his red eyes, weary and almost angry, maybe he was.

Cecilia crouched near the animal and leaned her head, not seeing anyone to talk to instead.

“You look familiar.”

The lynx seemed to let out a huff and leaned his muzzle away, after having sniffed her tunic. She blinked when she saw him stand and give her his back, to go deeper into the hall. Once he was there, he let out a deep yowl that echoed into the building.

Cecilia looked ahead, just then realizing that there was movement in the corridors, past the two big stairs at the sides of the huge room. In the upper floor, she could see guests, which were chatting and getting in and out of rooms. Nothing out of place in an inn. Her surprise came when a tall figure stepped into the main hall.

Her jaw dropped as the man… No, he was not human. A demon.

A very tall demon was walking towards the reception. He was dressed smartly, with a black vest with faint blue hues, a white shirt below, and a black belt that held his greyish pants; to top it all off, he wore elegant black boots with dark laces. He had sharp bright violet eyes and a kind expression on his tan face, which contrasted with the fang that peeked in his calm smile. His two sharp horns loomed over him, his tail swayed slowly, while he stepped with confidence towards her.

Cecilia stood there dumb faced as Uriel coughed and smiled politely, to greet her, like he did for every guest.

“Welcome, miss. May I help you?”

The demon stood there waiting, for a full minute. Yet the woman just kept on staring at him, like if she did not believe what she was seeing.

Uriel sighed and looked to a side shyly. He was used to this, but it got to him every time it did happen. He had forgotten the times in which he had helped his parents, and now he kept seeing humans be surprised, again. Few ran or cowered, because he looked like them in some ways.

He never liked to be reminded about his differences, but he always tried to move past it all; not only for his job. He kept on smiling kindly and rested a little onto the reception desk, to take her attention back, with a soft lean of hand.

“…One night? Or would you wish to stay for more days, if I may ask?”

Cecilia finally got out of her trance. However, she kept staring, pokerfaced. Uriel looked down at her hand when she outstretched it out to him, open. There were a few coins, so he raised a nail and began to count them, to guess how many nights they would allow. He assumed she wanted to stay for as long as her gold allowed, because she was not saying anything.

His violet eyes narrowed suddenly, because he saw something under her sleeve. She jolted a little when he gasped and whipped his tail in shock.

“Your wrist!”

She slowly followed his worried gaze.

“Oh, that? Maybe I kind of tripped and-”

“Room twenty-four, the first one in the left wing. Here’s the key.” Cecilia was surprised when Uriel laid a key in her hand, without taking any coins. He then got out around the desk, to step at her side and look down at her with disapproval. “You are hurt, go immediately through that corridor, and then turn right, past the living room. Third door, the last one in the hallway.”

“W-what-?”

The demon was looking down at her like an overprotective mother. He had his arms crossed, while he pointed with his tail to the path he told.

“We have a healer living here, for the guests’ needs. The travels are tiring and long, not mentioning what risks one can find. If you must, leave your things first in your room; but go see her immediately.”

Cecilia frowned, clearly nervous about the idea.

“But I have barely enough money for a night; I can’t pay for-!”

Uriel moved up a claw in front of him, using a calmer tone.

“Just go, she will understand. You don’t need to worry, we won’t-” His eyes suddenly glinted, with a subtle violet glow; his kind gaze became a nervous grimace. “Oh no…”

A loud metallic rumble echoed from the upper floor; and as soon as it began, it only escalated more.

Uriel cringed and clenched his teeth for a moment, because he saw how an armor, which had been carrying a pan, tripped and fell onto another one, which had been cutting onions near a counter. All the other armors in the kitchen began to fall over, like a mad game of cards, or a butterfly effect. The huge kitchen was reduced to a mess of metallic limbs, scattered all over.

He quickly turned and bolted, while he gave her some last quick words, which trembled with his sudden hurry.

“Excuse me; but I’m needed again in the kitchens! Please, make yourself feel at home!”

With that, she stared in amazement while the demon jumped two steps at a time, to reach the upper floor in seconds. He began to dodge guests through the corridor, towards what had to be the kitchens.

Cecilia stood there, watching even if he was not there to be seen anymore. She had never seen a demon that allowed humans to be near; he looked like the owner of this place. Demons barely allowed humans into their homes.

Her hand flew to grab something in her bag, a small notebook. She began to scribble small things, with a wild mind. She only stopped when she heard a harsh snarl at her side. She stopped looking at her notes and saw that the feline was glaring up at her, proudly and with inquisition.

Lykaios knew her… but she did not seem to dwell on where she had seen him. His red eyes narrowed while she moved away from him, to finally get into the corridors. Once he stopped seeing her, he sighed and lied down near the doors again. He was always there, in order to detect any demon or unwanted guest, and take measures if needed.

Cecilia found her room easily. It was fairly sized, with a bed, a small bathroom, and everything she would want for a night. She left her things and got out to find the supposed healer. She reminded herself to ask for a map later. And maybe, just maybe, keep an eye on that demon; for research, of course.

She could see the guests roam near the living room. Some had books in their hands; others were sitting at tables and discussing their journey, while others just were enjoying some rest by a fireplace. Another thing that made her feel surprise was the fact that a lot of armors keep coming out or getting into rooms, carrying laundry or brooms. The guests seemed to be at ease, even with these haunted things around. It was like if they knew already this place, from previous stays or word. She relaxed somewhat, like everybody else. Other than the spells of the demon, this place was a perfect inn, well-kept and convenient.

She halted at the end of a long hallway, there, at the third door past the living room. The door was more detailed than others, thicker and bigger. She did not hesitate to knock, sure of herself. She had felt confident, but she would have never expected who would open. The door swung, while someone yelled with a scolding tone.

“Uri, I swear, I will have dinner later! Stop trying to-!”

Both women froze, dumb faced.

“Cecilia?”

“Ayako?”

Both took a minute to understand what they were seeing. Ayako was the first one to react and get out of her awe. Her icy eyes filled with nostalgia, and a bright smile grew on her lips.

“Cecilia!” The younger woman huffed, because the oldest threw an arm playfully and strongly over her shoulders. Ayako had not changed at all, and maybe she was even more direct. “What are you doing here?! It has been such a long time! Don’t tell me… Did Godric kick you out?”

Cecilia frowned at her mockery, with her lip bitten.

“I was not fired! I left! I’m setting off to settle in my own place!” After correcting her assumptions, she raised an eyebrow at Ayako, while she glanced around them. “So, this is where you went? An old inn, in the middle of nowhere?”

Ayako nodded and grinned, proudly. She was not fazed by Cecilia’s lack of admiration.

“Yes, my very own inn! You can’t imagine how many travelers get injured or sick while they follow these isolated roads. Our inn is right in the perfect spot! Ready to aid!”

Ayako blinked, because she realized that Cecilia was holding her wrist. The former hunter smiled mischievously, because the girl’s sudden nervousness told her a lot, thanks to years of experience.

“You hurt your wrist, didn’t you, Cecilia?”

The youngster let out a denying huff, not liking at all the mockery in those blue eyes, which were eyeing her up and down.

“I didn’t get hurt… I just tripped! It’s just a scratch.”

“Sure it is.” Cecilia followed when Ayako pulled at her arm, to guide her into her room. “Come; let’s fix this scratch of yours, like in the old days. I’m sure that you would have bandaged it yourself, if you had the means in that bag of yours. You haven’t brought anything with you, I’m sure.”

“I did bring what I needed! How could I have imagine I would trip? It was just a small inconvenience!”

“Do you have a map?”

“…”

“Just sit here, please.”

Cecilia sat on a chair while Ayako walked towards some shelves. The room was big. There were two doors at each side; one led to a bathroom, while the other did into a bedroom. This room was full of medical instruments; there were shelves with jars and books. There was a desk, and a small bed for anyone who needed to lay down for their treatment.

Ayako nodded and walked back to Cecilia. She laid some bandages and lotion on the table nearby. She did not need to ask her to outstretch her wrist. They chatted a little while Ayako worked on her bruise.

“So… You set off in a fit, right?”

“No, I thought this through. I have a plan, an objective.”

Ayako gave her a stare and a grin, slyly.

“You don’t even have a map.”

“Fine! I don’t have a map! What about it? I will just follow the road.”

Ayako shook her head, now remembering well her coworker’s fits. Cecilia was now older, yet she still behaved like a child.

“Cecilia, this region is huge; only travelers roam around here. If you stray from the paths, you could end up finding some nomadic demons. Only one wrong turn needed. They will not be like the one I’m sure you’ve seen here.”

Ayako smiled more kindly when she saw Cecilia drop her attitude. She heard her speak more calmly and shyly, as soon as she was done grapping the bandage around her wrist.

“…Do you sell maps by any chance?”

“Even better than that. We can give you a compass.”

“That would be too expensive. I only have some-”

“Who said I would sell it to you?” Cecilia blinked up at her, because Ayako leaned away with her arms crossed. “I would not charge money to an old friend. Though… I will not be the one to decide the price, to be honest. But do not worry; I will scold my blacksmith if he asks too much for the compass. I may bargain with some seafood.”

“Seafood?”

Ayako snorted and opened the door, not at all surprised by Cecilia’s bafflement.

“Don’t think about it, I will take care of that.” Cecilia stood, and followed Ayako out the room. “Let’s go pay him a visit; he must be tinkering around in his forge right now.”

She slowly followed Ayako through the corridors; she frowned when she saw that she was guiding her towards the main doors, outside. She could see the moon through the windows, and the guests were already heading into their rooms, to sleep until morning.

“He’s working? In the middle of the night?”

Ayako looked up with a sigh, tired and annoyed at once.

“Yes. I can’t work my mind around it either.”

Ayako stepped in front of the main doors, and Cecilia understood why they had opened by themselves. The armor near them moved, and then opened for Ayako to step out. Ayako did not even blink, while Cecilia stared at the armor and almost tripped at the steps.

Like many days, the former hunter turned right at the courtyard and walked close to the tall wall. Cecilia followed close behind, but slowed down when the garden came to view, at the side of the manor. The garden was huge, something that she had not seen when she walked through the gate. It was full of vegetables and small trees, which gave fruit. There were as well a lot of herbs she recognized, in a small patch; they were medicinal herbs. A whole section was dedicated to ones that soothed skin and wounds.

Something else caught her attention, other than the garden. Parallel to the wall of the inn, there was a smaller building, small enough to be a single room. It had a big chimney, which peeked from the low roof. It was all made of stone, and even then, a lot of noise could be heard from the inside, metallic.

Cecilia finally stopped staring when Ayako neared the small door of the structure. Before she opened, she raised a finger and warned her.

“First, no questions about why he’s wearing a cloak near a furnace; he likes the damn thing too much to get it off. Second, I’m sorry for the chaos you’re about to see…”

Ayako knocked loudly on the door, once Cecilia nodded and agreed to her terms. The sound of the hammer stopped instantly as she called.

Ayako’s blue eyes narrowed with her usual playfulness, because she heard grouchy mumbles, something fall to the floor, and then weary steps towards the door. A minute went by, in silence, but them the door opened subtly. A voice spoke from inside, quietly, but with annoyance.

“Aya, I’m busy. No, I won’t go to sleep, I have-”

Ayako just cut him off, smartly.

“You have a customer, Alex.”

Two amber eyes peeked from the inside, with surprise. The door opened a little more, ever so slightly and with doubt.

Alexis frowned as he looked behind Ayako; he saw a girl of long pearly hair there, waving awkwardly. He spoke again, but his voice was much more faint and weary.

“…Customer?”

“She needs a compass.”

The door opened fully.

Cecilia saw the blacksmith at last. He was a slender man, who certainly was wearing a black cape over his grey shirt, no matter if it was hot in the forge. His face was stained by ash and oil, surely because of hours of work. His wrists were ornamented by two black bracelets, which looked heavy. He had a hammer fastened to his black belt, more secure than the black loose pants he was wearing. For some reason, he was only wearing leather sandals, which exposed his feet a lot, even if there had to be a lot of sharp things in there. He was leaning onto the doorstep with his arms crossed, eyeing them both with a thick eyebrow up, surely considering his choices.

Both strangers stared at each other. The taller one ended up glaring at Ayako with defeat and decision at once.

“Come in.”

The women slowly went into the room, while Alexis dashed for his furnace, at the furthest wall. He hopped over some metallic scraps on the ground, which he had been using; he did not bother to pick them up to not trip.

Ayako sighed and gave a short glance at her feet. As always, all was a mess in here; there were tools and coal everywhere, not speaking of the scraps thrown all over.

“You should really make some order here. You know that Uriel hates it.”

“He does not have any idea of how to use all this, I do!” Alexis began to rummage through some boxes, while he pushed away pieces and tools, to see if he had any compass already made. “He does not even have to get in here, to complain at my face! I don’t go into his library and mess with his books daily, do I? I’m the only one who uses this forge, and so, I will be the only one to consider what to do with it. My things, my rules, don’t touch anything.”

Ayako sighed again and went to sit on a nearby chair. She smiled and looked up when she heard movement over her head. Cecilia saw a rabbit with metallic stilts pad down a wooden platform on the wall, one of the several in the room. The bunny jumped off easily onto Ayako’s shoulders, and then curled against her wooly robes.

Abiel almost purred as Ayako petted him, while a blond growled nearby. Alexis’ head got out of a chest at last, with a more grumpy expression, if it was possible.

“Fuck, I think I don’t have any. I’m always ready with horseshoes, knifes, leather armors, pickaxes, or any tool! But I don’t have a damn compass today?!”

Ayako sent him a sharp glare, silently reminding him not to curse in front of guests. Nonetheless, she ignored that fact to thank him for at least letting them in to ask.

“It’s alright, I did not expect you to hand us one so immediately. You try too hard to be ready for anything.”

“Well, you can see rather well that I haven’t been ready for what she needed.” He ruffled his hair nervously, while he looked down awkwardly. “Look, I will have one tomorrow, in no time, alright?”

Ayako nodded with a smile and let Abiel climb onto a platform, to then stand and proceed to leave. Alexis fidgeted nervously, because Cecilia seemed to be staring more intently at him. He just turned around and faced his tools to avoid meeting her eyes. He took his hammer and a metal scrap, and then began to work on the anvil, to give the metal a better form, to create the base of a compass.

He stopped suddenly, when he heard the young woman speak, with a tone he did not like at all.

“That necklace…”

Alexis felt a shiver run down his back, because he saw that she was looking at his neck. A necklace was hanging out from below his shirt, because it had wiggled while he searched for a compass. Ayako frowned, because she remembered that Cecilia always inspected the wings she brought them. She knew how the feathers of an angel looked like, much more vibrant and robust than the ones of a bird.

Luckily, Ayako did not panic mentally, like Alexis was doing.

“Eagle feathers. They are nice, right?”

Alexis’ face lost some fear when Ayako spoke calmly. He gave her a grateful glance, subtly, a glance that only she caught. However, even with that comment, he still felt anxious, because the girl was still staring at the necklace. She was not stopping looking at the feathers, which were of a light tone, almost golden, too much for them to be normal.

Cecilia ended up nodding a little, and then she looked away, with a disappointed sigh. She knew that it could not be.

“They surely are nice, yes.”

Alexis breathed out, while they gave him a last glance and got out. Only Ayako slowed down to tell him something, before she closed the door.

“Thanks Alex. Don’t stay up all night.”

The door closed slowly, finally giving him the concealment he needed.

Alexis closed his eyes and leaned against his anvil, to wipe some sweat off his forehead. He always felt nervous around others, even if humans could not guess what he was. He had no wings, and if no one saw his scars, there was no way of telling the difference. Only a demon could figure it out, but Uriel and Lykaios always watched for trouble.

That girl had almost noticed the glint of the feathers. He could swear that she knew more than the curious guests that always commented on it. They seemed true gold under the light of the sun or fire.

Really, by now, he should know better. He should lock this thing away, in his room. Just like that damn sword.

But…

He frowned and caressed the necklace with one hand. He clutched the feathers in between his fingers, and a sad smile grew faintly on his lips. Abiel let out a growl at his feet, slightly worried.

He had made this necklace a long time ago; he had handed it out, willfully, and it had moved from hand to hand. It was carried by two he cared about, in different times, and for different reasons. In the end, it had been returned to him.

He shook his head and tucked the necklace under his shirt’s collar. He grabbed his hammer again, refusing to think of the plight he went through.

It did not matter now.

———————————————–

 

The metal almost shined under the dawn. The surface of the compass was engraved with detailed carvings. Her hands grasped it tightly, while she stared at it in wonder.

How could have he done this in only one night?

Cecilia stopped staring at the compass when Ayako spoke again. She was leaning on the entrance’s doors, whishing her farewell.

“Be careful, Cecilia.”

Ayako wanted to ask her to stay a little more in the inn. But Cecilia would have none of that.

The girl smiled and nodded sharply at her; she then walked down the steps strongly, to get out through the manor’s gate. She was determined to keep going; her wrist did not hurt anymore.

“I will be.” She began to walk away, while she waved goodbye with her good hand. “Thanks Ayako! I will pay a visit someday! And will show you that I can do better than you!”

Ayako snorted sharply, with her arms crossed.

“I hope you can show off as much as I do with my inn!”

“I will!”

Ayako shook her head with a grin, playfully. She walked down the steps once Cecilia got out of sight into the woods. She had given her a map, a compass and supplies, all free of charge. Her icy eyes closed, while one of her hands lied onto her chest, near her heart. She walked towards the garden, loving to see it grow.

Cecilia would never feel as proud as her. She would never achieve what she had, what she had found.

Above… a demon huffed as he climbed up a small ladder, which was propped against the wall adjacent to the forge. His claws held onto the roof of the manor, and pushed to help himself get up. His violet eyes filled with affection when he saw that familiar figure there, sitting near the tallest edge of the rooftop. The wind was brushing his blond hair back, while the sun shined with the same color.

Neither said a word.

Uriel glanced sideways at him, calmly. Alexis was looking down, to those icy eyes, which were full of joy while they admired all the plants that grew, always taken care of by an angel.

“You work too much.”

“So do you.”

Both couldn’t stop looking at her. The human was unaware of them watching her from above. Their amber and violet eyes were full of care and fondness.

Alexis smiled… and then leaned his head back, to let the breeze caress his face. He held that stance with a hand, an arm bent back behind him. His other hand moved, onto his neck.

“The orb knows who is best.”

His fingers brushed his feathers, while he closed his eyes calmly.

Uriel closed his eyes as well, when he heard his angel whisper.

“I’m glad we are bound.”

His demon finally smiled.

Alexis did not move away when a tail tangled around his arm. Uriel’s voice echoed against the wind.

“I’m glad too.”

Despite all that had happened… they could enjoy their existence. For as long as it lasted, with her.