“You have me worried.”

The whisper echoed through the chamber, its stony walls letting it flow all around them. Even though it had been said quietly, hesitantly, it reached him. His hands finally moved away from a row of bookshelves, his concealed wings twitching under his robes.

“You always worry.”

Alexis frowned and set the book he had been reading back on its shelf. His eyes trailed the chamber, wary of anyone hearing them speak. The fortress was not a secluded place anymore, and not empty.

Once he knew they were alone, he accused, gently.

“They have gotten it from here. You’ve let them learn.”

His uncle knew perfectly well what he was talking about. His retort was firm, calm.

“Knowledge is not something to be locked away.”

“It should, if it’s dangerous.”

“Everything can be dangerous, lad.” Angus turned to him, and in that single glance, Alexis could recognize the two centuries he spent near beings he had come to appreciate. “We angels do not need much to kill: swords, spears, fire; anything can tear someone apart with enough intention.”

Alexis paused before he responded, for he could hear steps in nearby tunnels, pilgrims ascending the unending stairs. The books were endless, and so the people who came to study them.

“They are not angels, Angus. Humans may hold swords like us, but they never had a way to wield fire like this. They’ve never been able to be as deadly.”

“I did not wish for them to use it like that, and you know it.” Alexis nodded slowly, agreeing to that; machinery could bring great things. And so, Angus continued, eyeing some books he had been arranging. “They are doing well. Now they can enjoy things we angels pushed aside because of our magic. Heating systems, movement helped by vapor, rudimentary lights that can’t cause a fire if an idiot stumbles with a torch…”

Alexis added, grimly.

“Firearms.”

He remembered the first time he saw the guards of Feiren hold those weapons. They were primitive, but still powered by steam and powder.

And yet, Angus just shrugged, dismissive.

“Better to fend off wild animals than a flimsy arrow.”

Alexis neared him, calmly, but with a thoughtful stare.

“They have been selling them for a while, Angus. I’ve seen them in the stalls. Not as advanced as the ones of the officials, but still.”

“You would have wanted me to burn those books?”

“No, just keep them away from the scholars.” Alexis hated with all his heart having to endorse the old ways, but he saw a point in them. “The angels here never allowed any human eyes to see these studies; they even blinded the scribes who wrote them. It was forbidden for humans to learn these things. They may have begun with better steel and crafts, but now they have as much potential as devils.”

“Ah, there it is.” Angus smiled, catching the glance he had shot at a door. Aurora was in that chamber, reading about the systems that had allowed Feiren to begin a small railroad. “You can’t care less about what the elders would think about this blasphemy. It is not about humans reaching the same potential as us.”

“I already installed this kind of pipework and boilers ages ago at my place, Angus. I can’t wield fire to heat our water. It is extremely convenient, a marvel, I agree. What I don’t want is to have more ammo in the list of things I have to keep on check, worse than arrows or bolts. These projects have started here in the north, but they are spreading, like damn fire.”

“Well-“

“Don’t give me any wells; put the fire out. Don’t make me say it more plainly.”

Angus smiled, truly regretting that letting humanity reach for knowledge could bring conflict. But he knew that conflict would always happen, in one way or another.

“You can’t put out a fire that will keep on sparking up, Alexis. Even without this tech, they will still clash. They have been doing it for a while. And soon, they will not need these things to shoot at each other or devils. They grow in numbers. They will murder the ones they think do not belong, with firearms or not. Arrows and stabs always do the trick, if the poor lout who they cross does not know any magic.”

Angus had done more good than harm. Angels had always prevented progress. In the first decades he had roamed this ancient temple, he had come to create bonds with some humans from nearby towns. He had seen their communities prosper, stop struggling. All thanks to the knowledge he could give. Children were not cold in the nights, people soon discovered new ways in which to travel long distances, and roads became less desolate and dangerous. The settlements became more connected, only making this place all the more reachable, more known.

If bloodshed was to happen, it would happen without his doing. Alexis knew that deep inside, he had lived under the hate of others. His worries were justifiable, but there was not much to be done.

And so, the oldest angel offered kindly, with a grin.

“Now, why don’t you leave those silly books for a while? They are only making you scowl.”

“I’m not-“

“Why don’t we go up to the towers and watch Aurora move those big wings of hers, huh?”

Alexis’ frown softened at last. Angus had always looked forward to her coming here with him; in time, she had learnt every single flying technique he could teach her, when no pilgrims would roam to see him free his broad wings.

It was always a moment they could cherish.

“I’m sure she is already up there, yes.” The fortress provided highs and diving points that only a valley could match. “I wonder what face the elders would make if they knew she likes to take off from the head of the high priest’ statue.”

“Oh, I would pay my weight in gold to see that.”

Both left behind the chamber, regaining their usual joking selves. They began to chat mindlessly, both secure in a period without threats or danger.

“Hey, can’t we like, make one of those pilgrims draw that? They may not be as talented as those old scribes we enslaved, but hell, we should record the great utility of those stony heads! They finally use them for another thing other than preaching!”

“Doubt they would agree. These wayfarers are not as devoted as our old servants, but they still drop to a knee every time they see an angelic depiction. They still believe in some of our crap.”

“Haven’t caught on to recent human beliefs. Do they still think they came from mud like we say they do?”

“No. Now they have switched to more arrogant assumed beginnings, like us.”

“So, now they think a literal mass of sentient fire dumped them into existence.”

“No. Just poofed into existence, maybe by a godly hand. They say our deity perfected the design with them; somehow. They ramble about how they can be molded better than us, each a different unique thing! We are just a vague guideline to follow; some even say that straying can lead to great insight and spirituality!”

“Ah, sanctioned lax laws. No stupid angels to boss them around, many excuses for their vices.”

“Humans do craft great mead. Their breweries would be condemned as sinful, and that’s something I can’t agree with!”

They headed above, both stopping to admire the view from the highs. Perhaps they could have admired the horizon, the many grand structures in the far distance. The frame of a bigger road now decorated the valley, structures of steel and metal slowly crafted through it. Maybe they could have glanced at the big dam, which now had been rebuilt and layered with new hydro-mechanical developments. Or the blurry outlines of Feiren, its bigger walls and expanded grounds.

They could. But instead, they cast their gazes up, both smiling with care.
Angus sat there at the edge, staring at the woman who reminded him so much of the one he lost. His heart ached, but also beat joyfully, with the knowledge that now he could enjoy the view with someone who had not had the chance.

“Do you think she would…?”

“From the very first instant she could lay eyes on her.”

Alexis sat too, silently wondering if she would smile at him with the same love as her.

————————

“At the count of three.” They heaved, each holding onto the heavy crate. “One, two-“

He stumbled, huffing as they lifted higher than him, their strength always catching him off guard. Aurora and Ariel cringed as he tumbled down the cart, barely managing to hold onto the crate.

Still, he let out a small laugh and eyed them both nervously, again supporting the weight as much as possible.

“Ok, one down.” He sighed and looked back at the cart, many other crates needing to be unloaded. “I think it would be best if we sold this one first, and then we can get the others?”

“Yes, better.” Aurora glanced at the market ahead, already feeling some eyes on them. “Can’t believe she used to roam this town so much.”

“Yeah… it was nicer back then. Or so she said.” Alexis smiled and nodded ahead, glad to have their help today. “You ready?”

Ariel took most of the weight as Aurora let go, in favor of watching over their wares at the edge of town. She began to pull, calling to her sister with a wave of tail.

“We’ll fetch lunch in the tavern and have a break after we’re done with this one! Feed the horse some hay!”

“Don’t let them pay you any less for my things this time!”

Alexis acknowledged their frustration with his own snarl. Each day, they would pay less and less for their wares, this town less accepting of their presence. Their manor was now in the maps, and it was not easy to excuse his partnership with demons.

The more south one went, the less devils were seen with good eyes. The government was doing its best to push away any nomads in its lands, be it with laws, or by expanding their borders if anything else failed.

Things had been fairly tense in the region. Some devil tribes had gotten into fisticuffs with some towns. And demons from the north were not seen as workforce, but free labour.

As much as he would try to ignore it, it was becoming an issue.

Ariel and Alexis huffed and let go of the crate in front of a big stall. The merchant shot them a dismissive glance, used to them, but not fully accepting.

Coin was coin however, and the wares they produced were of quality; herbs, pelts, tools and vegetables.

She pointed at the crate as she opened it, letting the human peek into it.

“Crate is full of food. Fresh harvest.”

As much as she used a kind tone, the man looked down at her, even if she was taller.

“Good, now grab that purse and move on. You will scare the clientele.”

Alexis pierced the man with his amber eyes, wishing nothing more than to tell him to shove them where the sun did not shine. He kept quiet however, for Ariel smiled at him plainly, silently reminding him that they could not keep going to Feiren instead. They needed this convenience.

“Can’t scare them more than your fu-“

Ariel put a claw over his mouth, knowing that even if there were already some feet away from the stall, there were still people around them.

“You know, it’s no wonder you and your… brothers keep getting a bad reputation here.”

“We are not happy with the way they treat you three.” He pointed back at the cart, hating that Aurora had to stay there to watch it and prevent any trouble. “You matter, and I’m not going to shut up and just nod while these people give you the bad eye.”

He tugged at his hood and hid his scowl, not only because he was glaring holes through anyone who stared at her. Ariel shrugged and smiled, walking past the crowd as it opened around her. They always had to feign he had an extended family and multiple names, just to hide the fact he kept coming back here with the same apparent age. They, as demons, did not have that issue.

“Hey, it’s not like I care much. They can say all they want. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but-“

“The first time you got out into the roads, they DID throw rocks at you two.”

“But now they won’t! We always have you, a daring human as lead! So it’s fine. I mean, it’s not like they will chase us out or-”

Both stopped dead on their tracks, right in front of the tavern. His amber eyes widened as he stared at a pamphlet tied to the door. Her blue eyes narrowed, and then looked sideways nervously. He began to tremble with a grimace, his fist shaking.

“Don’t.”

“They fucking…”

“It is ok. Take a breath. It is fine, Alexis.”

She tried. She really tried to calm him down. Her tail tangled around his wrist to ground him, show him she was not bothered by the sign pinned at the tavern’s door.

He did not keep his cool for long. His eyes could have been as aflame as Uriel’s as he shouted; he was outraged by the words he stared at.

“Motherfuckers!”

In he went. Not to order any food as they had intended, but to yell his lungs out in anger at the bartender.

Ariel stood outside, brushing her face with a claw tiredly. She could hear his furious demands and screams, his fists slamming onto a table.

The sign stated a new policy: no demon was allowed entrance.

They knew this country was becoming less and less accepting of their kind. Other towns had forbidden devil henchmen from entering the streets behind their hirers. This town had been slower to follow those beliefs… but it was creeping in, the distaste slowly assimilated, endorsed by the government.

“Why the fuck can’t she enter?! She comes to this town as much as me!”

“No one should bring their drudgers into a tavern. Let them wait out.”

“She is NOT a servant or a mercenary! I do not pay for her help!”

“And you do good to not wage your mule. Those northerners should not even disburse them a thing. Demons are nothing but trouble, simple-“

“One more word, one more, and I’m going to jump over the table and-“

“Well do it! You and your relatives are nothing but trouble! I’ll call the guard and finally get you and your filth away from here. We are a respectable town; no animals should roam the streets with people!”

“…” There was another slam, something shattering; most probably a mug. “This town is already full of pigs.”

The door slammed open again as Alexis marched out fuming. The bartender glared at his neck from inside, staring at her in disapproval as well.

The angel grabbed her arm gently and began to pull her away, even though she tried to speak up.

“Alexis, you have to stop threatening these people. It is-“

“It is NOT okay, Ariel.” He glared at her eyes, but not with ire, but hurt. There was deep care in his next snarled words. “Next, they will refuse to acknowledge you by the stalls. Then, tell you to wait afar while I try to sell. And finally, keep you out of the streets, like they are doing in other towns. I am not bringing you two back here just to let these fuckers mistreat you. They began with Uriel, but now… you? I’ve had enough. They look at you like a thing! An object! I can’t understand these morons! Your mother gave her all for this town, for fucks sake.”

Ariel cringed, believing he would try to handle the heavy work all by himself from now on.

“You can’t carry all the stuff alone!”

“I won’t.” She blinked, because he smiled back at her tiredly, reassuring. “You are still coming with me, as always.”

Anywhere but in these towns; he would gladly spend more time travelling if it meant leaving these hateful crowds far away. In Feiren, and its neighbouring towns, demons were still seen as simple peons, but still as people, because they provided a lot to the commerce of the northern country.
Even humans seemed to have cultural differences between them nowadays, and it was driving him mad.

As he dragged Ariel away back to the cart, Aurora spotted them. She also noticed his furious expression and clenched fists. Her sister was walking behind him with a nervous frown, not daring contradict him and his angry steps.

“What’s wrong?”

He threw a hand up, refusing to look back as he slandered them.

“These idiots! That’s what is wrong!”

With that vague answer and yell, he jumped onto the cart, not needing to command Ariel to do so too. Aurora folded her wings and flinched as he hit the reigns, once Ariel was seated. She gave her a glance, but Ariel just waved a claw and told her silently to wait for a more detailed explanation. Explaining what happened would only make Alexis yell again.

The first minutes at home would be loud and troublesome, as Uriel would surely inquire about his anger…