The Return of the Order: Act 43

As the bright light faded, a voice from its centre spoke, “my apologies for startling you. I bring no ill intentions.”

Typhon’s weapon remained raised as he watched the figure slowly emerge and fold away its silver wings. “What are you doing here, angel?” he snarled.

“News travels slowly to the angel realm Typhon, but it does travel, and given the knowledge I now have, I am assuming you will need this and my input on behalf of my realm.”

The angel held out its hand, the air shimmered, and a large bound volume appeared. The angel turned its head at the sound of running and held its free hand up.

“There is no need for violence, Malphas, I am not one of those responsible for the harm that came to Louisa, nor do I condone the actions of the reapers. I am merely the record keeper.”

Malphas growled, moving Louisa behind him, but lowering the knives that he had pulled as they ran at the sound of Typhon's roar. The room crackled with energy as the demons and angel stood their ground, none wanting to be the first to break the uneasy truce that had settled in the room.

A giggle erupted from the far side of the room, drawing everyone’s attention to it.

“Ah, Lord of Death, you at least may vouch for my presence.”

Undertaker giggled again, moving forward to stand between the angel and Typhon. "I can indeed, Michael, and it is simply Undertaker, these days. What the angel speaks is the truth. Michael is the keeper of the angelic records, the one that was chosen at the beginning to hold the accords. It is he, along with Lilith that kept the balance after the first war between the realms."

Michael lowered his head at the mention of Lilith, "yes, and her disappearance was a great loss to us all." He raised his gaze and looked at Louisa, "and yet, the reappearance of her female line may yet stop what is to come."

A small smile crept across his face as he cast his eyes around the room and settled on Margaret, “and, you have at last found peace it would seem, lord, Undertaker. Even at the risk of tempting the fates more than once.”

Undertaker laughed as he moved back to Margaret and grasped her hand, "I simply gave them a little nudge now and then, nothing that broke the rules, just bent them a little."

“So I see,” said the angel raising an eyebrow as he stared at the resting form of Lord Birch, “And when he opens those eyes, they will also be the emerald eyes of a newly formed reaper I take it?”

“You already know the answer to that Michael, so do not tease. Now you are here to discuss the changes needed to the accords, those that are needed are here, so shall we get started?”

*****

Louisa looked around the group that had gathered around the dining table. Despite the angel’s words, Malphas kept a protective arm around her. She could feel tension ripple through his muscles. She turned to him, smiled, and gently squeezed his thigh, bringing a small smirk to his face and causing him to relax just a little. Sensing the change, Louisa brought her attention back to the group, only to realise that they were waiting for her to speak.

“Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts for a moment.”

“It is understandable,” said Michael, “given everything you have experienced recently, not to mention carrying a demon spawn for the second time.”

Louisa’s eyes widened, “how did you know?”

Michael laughed, "the heavenly records, my dear. You can thank the humans for that idea. Everything that happens on this plane is recorded up there. Humans believe that it is this record by which their actions and souls are judged. As you are aware, it is not, that is the domain of death and the reapers. Humans confuse things with their ability to affect reality both in this realm and in both of ours. However, the record does come in useful for ensuring that both sides hold the truce and do not step outside the contract bounds when it comes to humans."

Louisa huffed, “yet, two angels were still able to terrorise this realm, capture souls for their own purposes, and convince a holy order to attempt to destroy any trace of demons on earth.”

"I never said the system was perfect, Louisa." Michael's brow furrowed as he continued, "we deal with betrayal and renegades that wish to undo mine and Lilith's work all the time. Most often they are stopped before the threat materialises, occasionally they slip through, find loopholes in the rules and manage to recruit humans to their cause. Once this happens, it becomes much harder for us to intervene. As long as the human is recruited of their own free will, it becomes a binding contract. That is when we are reliant on the likes of you and your little family to find loopholes of your own."

“Because we are the descendants of Lilith?”

"Yes, and more importantly, the female descendants of Lilith, no disrespect to you Raven, but Lilith's abilities have always moved through her female line. You, Louisa, are the first for many centuries, and the first in even longer to accept fully who you are."

Michael paused and looked at the twins, “it is also why this,” he said, motioning to the twins and their reapers, “is likely to cause as many problems as it presents opportunities for change.”

“Then, they are in danger?” asked Louisa, feeling Malphas tense around her once more.

“Any offspring will be seen as a threat by the more conservative angels yes, possibly from any that rebel in the demon realm, and from opportunistic humans, always. But their bonds have not been fully consummated yet, they still have a choice if they believe the risk is too great.”

Louisa looked at the twins and their reapers as they shifted uncomfortably in their seats, their relationships laid bare in front of their elders. She heard Undertaker trying to stifle a giggle. She turned her attention back to Michael and smiled.

“The choice has always been theirs, Michael. And, while they may have waited to consummate those bonds, I believe the choice has already been made.”

Michael nodded, “then we can agree that they and any offspring will need to have safe haven in the demon realm and in the reaper realm. The only exception being that they have no access to the library while either of the twins is in a contract with a human. This poses too great a risk to the balance that has been struck.”

Louisa watched and waited as each being at the table consented. "Then it is agreed, and while they remain safe, we will continue to maintain the balance on our side."

Michael opened the book before him, pulled a silver feather from the air and scribed the agreement. As he finished he looked up, “I have one request to make of you all, with the journey you are yet to take, I would ask that you provide the same refuge to hybrid angelic offspring, should it be needed.”

“Those we find that mean us no harm will be treated as our own, Michael, you have our word.” Louisa looked at Malphas and her father, both of whom nodded their consent.

“Excellent, then we are done, and it is time for me to take my leave.” A smile spread across his face as he surveyed the room. “but before I do, I believe it is my turn to nudge the fates just a little.” He paused before continuing, “demons did not always rely on human souls or the hearts of their own for subsistence, it is possible to return to the old ways without breaking the accords. Typhon and Malphas, you will need to remember how and teach them if you wish to break that reliance, but not all will wish to change.”

Michael stood, and Louisa watched in awe as he uncased his wings once more, "oh, I almost forgot, Typhon, her soul is reborn with the knowledge of who she was. She searches for you even now."

And with that, he was gone.

Louisa turned to her father, his face pale and his fingers gripped the edge of the table. He raised his gaze to meet Louisa’s, “how can I find her now when there is still so much to be done.”

Louisa gripped Malphas’ hand as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed the back of her head, “easily, father, we will take our place in the demon realm.”

“but the child?”

“will be raised there while we prepare for whatever else is to come.”

Typhon stood and hugged them both before moving to join the others who were already deep in conversation. Louisa surveyed the room, watching her children closely. The bonds between Lilith and William and Raven and Grell would be just as strong as that which she shared with Malphas. While she still feared for their futures, she knew that they were strong and were made stronger by the others in the room. She felt Malphas’ grip on her tighten.

“You have raised them well, my love.”

Louisa smiled as she turned and melted into his embrace. He kissed her and nuzzled into her neck; she felt him smirk as he brought his lips up to her ear.

“Now, as we are returning to the demon realm, shall we make the most of these forms while we still have need of them.”

Without waiting for an answer, he guided her willingly to the door. Louisa glanced back at the rest of the group as they swapped stories and digested what had just occurred. She shivered, unable to shake the feeling of foreboding at the angels’ words. It would not be long until they were called on to face new challenges from one realm or another that would once again place her family at risk.

We have reached the end of the story. I am going to be working on a rewrite that removes the fanfic elements and makes the story my own. If you would like to keep up with its progress then please follow me on Twitter @cathyablett. Thank you for reading. If you have enjoyed this or any of my other work please leave a tip to help me continue writing.