Fallen Angel, Fallen Demon Chapter 3

Aris awoke later to Micheal gently brushing her cheek as her head lay in his lap.

“Mi…micheal?”

“You’re awake? I’m sorry if I awoke you.”

She smiles innocently. “It’s alright, my brother. What are you doing here? Is there a soul that calls for aid?”

“No. I’m here on my own. I have a gift for you.”

Aris sat up, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

“Aris…To hear you went down to the Median…why? Why did you do it?”

Aris looked down. “I wanted to prove I’m capable of handling myself. Really, I saw no real harm in going down there and disguising myself. That’s what I was taught by the other angels. They go down and they always disguise themselves.”

Micheal smiles. “I’m proud of you that you took heed of your lessons and applied it. Do not show yourself to the humans.”

“I know brother.”

Micheal hugged Aris. “Now, close your eyes Aris. Hold out your hands.”

Aris did so, expectantly waiting for the gift. A cool metal tube of sorts was laid upon her palms; Micheal closed her fingers around it.

“Open your eyes, sister.”

She did so. In her hands was a heavenly staff. She stood with it, placing one end down upon the cloud.

“A sword nor bow suited you. So a staff.”

“But I hold no abilities.”

“You don’t need them. This staff is for defense. If a demonic blade should strike it, it will ring and summon our brothers and I to your aid.”

“And what of an angelic blade?”

“There will be no sound.”

“So if an angel wanted me dead, I’d be on my own?”

“That is when you flee.”

“Right.”

Aris looked at the staff admiringly; its smooth feeling in her hands was comforting. Micheal draws his blade.

“To the arena, let us see if you can handle it against me.”

Aris’s eyes widened. “Brother, you’re not serious are you?!”

“I am.”

“But!”

“You need to be able to block me.”

She sighs in defeat and starts heading to the arena. Micheal grins.

Inside the arena she takes a stance. He raises his sword.

“Prepare, sister! Do not disappoint me!”

She nods and holds the staff. He lashes out at her.

With a screech, she cowers and raised the staff above her. Micheal stops his advance.

“Aris, stand up. You must not be afraid like that. Propel your fear into your hands and hold the staff steady. Meet with the oncoming weapon with the staff.”

Aris stood up. “You’re so scary…”

From behind her, her brother Zadkiel pokes her, causing her to jump. “Boo!”

“KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” She turns quickly, swinging her staff, having her staff collide with Zadkiel’s head.

“Owwww! That hurt!”

Micheal laughed. “There we go Aris! That’s how you should react. Just swing and hope it collides!”

Zadkiel rubs his head. “Teaching her to fight eh?”

“More to protect herself.”

Aris, annoyed with her brothers, swung again. Micheal blocks the swing.

“That’s enough. I think you’ll be fine.”

“Go sister; pray you don’t collide with Gabriel. He is angry with your lack of punishment.” Zedkiel placed a hand on her shoulder.

Aris nods and extended her wings, jumping up to take off. She headed towards the Median.

She lands in the same ally as she did the first time, disguising herself in the same clothing as she did the first time. It was late evening.

“You came back Angel?” The voice of Rael came from behind her.

She turns to him.

“You dropped your staff.”

She looks down, her staff lying on the ground. She picks it up, her cheeks flustered with embarrassment.

“You’re embarrassed. Are you alright?”

“Y-yes.”

He smiles. She studies him.

“You didn’t leave?” She asks.

“I…I can’t leave this ally Angel.”

“Why?”

“I am bound to this ally, until I drink a human’s or angel’s blood.”

Aris backs away.

“N-no…y-you’re lying.”

“I am not Angel.”

She whimpers.

“You should leave, Angel… Or kill me.”

“I…no…”

He looks at her, cocking his head slightly. “No?”

“I’ll stay with you…” She sits down stubbornly.

“Your brothers will worry.”

“I’m capable of handling myself.”

“I can kill you.”

“Can, but won’t choose to.”

He smirks and sits down, close to her, invading what humans would call personal space, meeting her eyes with his.

“Oh? What makes you say that?”

She pulls away slightly, eyes locked and lost in his.

“You would have when we met…”

He pulls away with a hearty laugh. She’s silent. He looks to her, half expecting her to pull away more. She doesn’t.

“Why…why are you stuck here in this ally?”

“Because I refuse to be like my brothers.”

“Why?”

“You sure love to ask questions Angel.”

She blushes.

“I like that about you.” ‘And so much more.’

“Y-you haven’t answered me Rael…”

He moves away in surprise. She remembers his name.

“Rael?”

“N-nothing. I need to answer your question Angel.”

She looked confused. He shrugs.

“I don’t know why I don’t want to be like my brothers. I just don’t.”

“Oh…”

“Besides…If I were to drink blood…I’d drink from someone I loved.”

Aris fell silent.

“You don’t know what love is, do you?”

“No…”

“Sorry… Head home Angel. Come back again when you can?”

“Oh-okay…” She got up.

He suddenly grabs her wrist, she turns in shock.

“Rael?”

“Promise. Promise you’ll come back.”

“I… I promise.”

He lets go of her wrist. She opens her mouth to say something, but closes her mouth and
flies off.

He stares up where she disappeared in the clouds.

“Aris…I love you…” He whispers.