Holy High - IC 2 - Open

[Charlia]

Thanakron

Thanakron sat in the deep wretches of his cavernous obsidian home, angled deep into his hidden kingdom. He reached up with a single skeletal hand, looking down at the cracks gathered upon his skull-like face.

GRAT-GRAT-GRAT-GRATITUDE-GRATITUDES-FR-FRIEN-FRIEND.

He stood up, disappearing deeper into his cavernous home.

THIS IS MY HOME.

Tharizdun

There was no noise coming from within the temple, but screams of eternal pain. Red blood, viscera and gore flowing from its gates.

Tharizdun, in human form, appeared suddenly, snapping into existence.

And what do you want, little god?

Raven

Raven snapped his fingers, teleporting to the location of the others.

Know, I would move on, but it appears we're missing a few members of our party.

He raised an eyebrow quizzically beneath his mask, surveying his allies.

Now, where could they have gone?

"...something is very wrong," Charlotte said softly.

Betrayal.

Injustice.

Unforgiven.

[Luminesa]

Thanakron

Thanakron sat in the deep wretches of his cavernous obsidian home, angled deep into his hidden kingdom. He reached up with a single skeletal hand, looking down at the cracks gathered upon his skull-like face.

GRAT-GRAT-GRAT-GRATITUDE-GRATITUDES-FR-FRIEN-FRIEND.

He stood up, disappearing deeper into his cavernous home.

THIS IS MY HOME.

Tharizdun

There was no noise coming from within the temple, but screams of eternal pain. Red blood, viscera and gore flowing from its gates.

Tharizdun, in human form, appeared suddenly, snapping into existence.

And what do you want, little god?

Raven

Raven snapped his fingers, teleporting to the location of the others.

Know, I would move on, but it appears we're missing a few members of our party.

He raised an eyebrow quizzically beneath his mask, surveying his allies.

Now, where could they have gone?

THANAKRON'S PALACE

Thana stood and watched him. He then followed after him, and when he caught up, he told him, "This is the plan. You will hide-out here, and you will act as though you are dead, and I will go back and tell them that I have killed you, though you are not dead. And we will go from there all the way to the Rot. Once we have gotten there..." When Thanakron stopped, he stood in front of him, still minuscule in comparison, and he finished, "I will make sure that they turn on me." He extended his hand to him, waiting to see if he would respond positively to him.

"Please. Let me help you and your comrades this way, and I will promise you, we will take Raven down..."

MARS

Xavier had a feeling something was going on with Thana, but he wasn't quite sure of it yet.

God, I know you are still out there...and if what I am thinking is right...dear God, please help us... he prayed, silently.

Patriah and Hamiri were also equally concerned, but neither of them knew what to do about it.

Meanwhile, Adam was still inside Arael's mind, chuckling to himself. I am going to have quite a bit of fun with this group, before the end...

[Luminesa]

Thanakron

Thanakron sat in the deep wretches of his cavernous obsidian home, angled deep into his hidden kingdom. He reached up with a single skeletal hand, looking down at the cracks gathered upon his skull-like face.

GRAT-GRAT-GRAT-GRATITUDE-GRATITUDES-FR-FRIEN-FRIEND.

He stood up, disappearing deeper into his cavernous home.

THIS IS MY HOME.

Tharizdun

There was no noise coming from within the temple, but screams of eternal pain. Red blood, viscera and gore flowing from its gates.

Tharizdun, in human form, appeared suddenly, snapping into existence.

And what do you want, little god?

Raven

Raven snapped his fingers, teleporting to the location of the others.

Know, I would move on, but it appears we're missing a few members of our party.

He raised an eyebrow quizzically beneath his mask, surveying his allies.

Now, where could they have gone?

"...something is very wrong," Charlotte said softly.

Betrayal.

Injustice.

Unforgiven.

Lux and Arael stared at her. "What do you mean? What is the matter?" Lux asked, fearfully.

Oh, nothing is wrong...not the way I see it, anyway...

Arael heard Adam in the back of his mind, and he began to sweat profusely. Adam was sitting there, just waiting...waiting to use Arael again, to put him through more pain, to speak through him and to make him his puppet. He slowly curled into a ball in the water, afraid to even move.

Why are you so afraid of me, little one?

The Angel lie almost completely still in the freezing water, trying not to cry. "Please...please leave me alone..." he breathed.

[Charlia]

"...something is very wrong," Charlotte said softly.

Betrayal.

Injustice.

Unforgiven.

Lux and Arael stared at her. "What do you mean? What is the matter?" Lux asked, fearfully.

Oh, nothing is wrong...not the way I see it, anyway...

Arael heard Adam in the back of his mind, and he began to sweat profusely. Adam was sitting there, just waiting...waiting to use Arael again, to put him through more pain, to speak through him and to make him his puppet. He slowly curled into a ball in the water, afraid to even move.

Why are you so afraid of me, little one?

The Angel lie almost completely still in the freezing water, trying not to cry. "Please...please leave me alone..." he breathed.

"Everything," she said frantically. "Everything. It's all twisted and broken, it's so wrong, I don't understand... unforgiven," she hissed eerily, and then turned to Arael.

She knew, in a way, what pain he was going through.

She had also curled in a shivering ball, trying not to cry, begging for mercy and knowing that she had no real control over her body. Knowing that she was going to be put through a living hell, and there was nothing she could do about it.

A doll. Nothing more.

She dropped to her knees, and put a hand gently on his shoulder.

"Arael," she said softly, "I might be able to shield you..."

[Ranoria]

Ryujin growled a bit in frustration, his tail flicking, "Absorbed?" As much as he hated to talk about it, he was pretty sure about what was going on in the dream now, "Your seeing that could be a result of when you had corrupted her and Xavier. It seems logical to me, at the very least." He said it with just a tinge of anger, growling just slightly, but he wasn't going to attack for no reason.


"That'd be nice, could you?" Otohime leaned against him, looking a bit sick now, and yawned.

Lux stared over at him and he immediately protested, "No! It had nothing to do with me!...It had to do with...someone else..."

He growled, and then he turned to Raven, shifting into his human form in the desert heat, "They could be anywhere, they've been gone since the last fight. Let's move on, they're bound to show up eventually." He was ready for a battle now, fully recovered from the poisoning thanks to Lux, and having no care for the drama of the others. It could be dealt with when they weren't in the middle of a war.

Ryujin growled a bit in frustration, his tail flicking, "Absorbed?" As much as he hated to talk about it, he was pretty sure about what was going on in the dream now, "Your seeing that could be a result of when you had corrupted her and Xavier. It seems logical to me, at the very least." He said it with just a tinge of anger, growling just slightly, but he wasn't going to attack for no reason.


"That'd be nice, could you?" Otohime leaned against him, looking a bit sick now, and yawned.

Raphael nodded and did so, wrapping his arms under her legs and head and picking her up easily. "Hmm... You're lighter than I remember..." he said quietly, nuzzling her a little before he went to go and set Otohime down in the river.

She changed to her dragon form almost instantly, and looked very refreshed from there, setting her head in front of him atop the shoreline, and spoke with a cheery tone from there.. "Or maybe you're just getting stronger."

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

Lux stared over at him and he immediately protested, "No! It had nothing to do with me!...It had to do with...someone else..."

He growled, and then he turned to Raven, shifting into his human form in the desert heat, "They could be anywhere, they've been gone since the last fight. Let's move on, they're bound to show up eventually." He was ready for a battle now, fully recovered from the poisoning thanks to Lux, and having no care for the drama of the others. It could be dealt with when they weren't in the middle of a war.

Raphael nodded and did so, wrapping his arms under her legs and head and picking her up easily. "Hmm... You're lighter than I remember..." he said quietly, nuzzling her a little before he went to go and set Otohime down in the river.

She changed to her dragon form almost instantly, and looked very refreshed from there, setting her head in front of him atop the shoreline, and spoke with a cheery tone from there.. "Or maybe you're just getting stronger."

"Maybe!" Raphael said, scooting over and resting on her snout. He sighed, smiling, and watched the drama of the other people in their group. "Do you have any idea what's going on over there?"

[Ranoria]

He growled, and then he turned to Raven, shifting into his human form in the desert heat, "They could be anywhere, they've been gone since the last fight. Let's move on, they're bound to show up eventually." He was ready for a battle now, fully recovered from the poisoning thanks to Lux, and having no care for the drama of the others. It could be dealt with when they weren't in the middle of a war.


She changed to her dragon form almost instantly, and looked very refreshed from there, setting her head in front of him atop the shoreline, and spoke with a cheery tone from there.. "Or maybe you're just getting stronger."

"Maybe!" Raphael said, scooting over and resting on her snout. He sighed, smiling, and watched the drama of the other people in their group. "Do you have any idea what's going on over there?"

"M-mm, no clue. I just want to get this all over with so that I can go back to trying to steal Niji and make her love her big sister more than her mom." She nuzzled him a bit, feeling very comfortable in the stream, "I'm just kidding, by the way. She has the best mom in the whole world."

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

"Maybe!" Raphael said, scooting over and resting on her snout. He sighed, smiling, and watched the drama of the other people in their group. "Do you have any idea what's going on over there?"

"M-mm, no clue. I just want to get this all over with so that I can go back to trying to steal Niji and make her love her big sister more than her mom." She nuzzled him a bit, feeling very comfortable in the stream, "I'm just kidding, by the way. She has the best mom in the whole world."

"I mean... Okay. I think Mary might have been a better mom, but that's your opinion." Raphael said, kissing her snout quickly, and relaxing against her. "You make very nice couch, Hime."

[Ranoria]

"M-mm, no clue. I just want to get this all over with so that I can go back to trying to steal Niji and make her love her big sister more than her mom." She nuzzled him a bit, feeling very comfortable in the stream, "I'm just kidding, by the way. She has the best mom in the whole world."

"I mean... Okay. I think Mary might have been a better mom, but that's your opinion." Raphael said, kissing her snout quickly, and relaxing against her. "You make very nice couch, Hime."

"Mary had the best child in all of time itself, so you can't give her too much credit." Her arm came up and patted his head, "You're the only person I know who thinks that scales are comfortable though, by the way."

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

"I mean... Okay. I think Mary might have been a better mom, but that's your opinion." Raphael said, kissing her snout quickly, and relaxing against her. "You make very nice couch, Hime."

"Mary had the best child in all of time itself, so you can't give her too much credit." Her arm came up and patted his head, "You're the only person I know who thinks that scales are comfortable though, by the way."

"But... they're so pretty, and warm, and they're a part of my beautiful fiancée that I could never hate anything about..." Raphael said, nuzzling her snout a bit more and smiling absentmindedly.

[Ranoria]

"Mary had the best child in all of time itself, so you can't give her too much credit." Her arm came up and patted his head, "You're the only person I know who thinks that scales are comfortable though, by the way."

"But... they're so pretty, and warm, and they're a part of my beautiful fiancée that I could never hate anything about..." Raphael said, nuzzling her snout a bit more and smiling absentmindedly.

"You're too sweet Raphy! It makes it hard to compliment you back!" Had she been in human, form, she'd have been blushing, but her fluster was obvious nonetheless, being given away by her voice.

[Luminesa]

Lux and Arael stared at her. "What do you mean? What is the matter?" Lux asked, fearfully.

Oh, nothing is wrong...not the way I see it, anyway...

Arael heard Adam in the back of his mind, and he began to sweat profusely. Adam was sitting there, just waiting...waiting to use Arael again, to put him through more pain, to speak through him and to make him his puppet. He slowly curled into a ball in the water, afraid to even move.

Why are you so afraid of me, little one?

The Angel lie almost completely still in the freezing water, trying not to cry. "Please...please leave me alone..." he breathed.

"Everything," she said frantically. "Everything. It's all twisted and broken, it's so wrong, I don't understand... unforgiven," she hissed eerily, and then turned to Arael.

She knew, in a way, what pain he was going through.

She had also curled in a shivering ball, trying not to cry, begging for mercy and knowing that she had no real control over her body. Knowing that she was going to be put through a living hell, and there was nothing she could do about it.

A doll. Nothing more.

She dropped to her knees, and put a hand gently on his shoulder.

"Arael," she said softly, "I might be able to shield you..."

Lux watched her with fright, as he wondered what she was thinking about. "'Unforgiven'...what? What do you mean? Charlotte, I do not understand..." He trailed-off, however, as he watched her kneel next to Arael.

The Angel of Oblivion shivered, at the sound of her voice and from the touch of her hand. He looked up at her hopefully, at first, and he grabbed her hand. However, as he did so, his eyes glowed pink, and the image he saw of Charlotte changed. Suddenly, all of the sky around them turned white, in his eyes, and in front of him he saw the glowing visage that was Adam, only now Charlotte's height. He was holding his hand and looking him in the eyes with his own pink, deceiving eyes.

She cannot help you, little one...No one can...A machine is not made to do anything besides the function it was made for, and so you...are made only for my use. I protect you...and you serve me...Is that not enough, Arael?

Arael stared up at it, trying to see past Adam to see the girl who wanted to help him. "Charlotte, please help me. Please do not leave me. I cannot see, I cannot fight him...I cannot fight him alone..." he implored. He was fighting for every bit of control he could keep.

Xavier rushed over now, as well, along with Hamiri. "Charlotte, what's happening with Arael? Why are his eyes...pink?" he asked, leaning down over him.

Patriah stood a bit apart from everyone, wanting to help but not sure how. He was also too worried about Thana and Ianar.

What if those death gods have done something to them? What if Thanakron...

No. No, he couldn't have. No, this can't be right. Thana could take Thanakron any day. They both use death magic, anyway...

And Ianar...he should be fine, too...If he went with him, then he should be okay...Augh...

Thana, Ianar, where the heck are you two?! He put his hands on his head and growled his frustration.

Joaquin stood apart from all of them, and he looked over at Raven. "Well, you don't look like you're in a rush to go anywhere," he muttered. He was trying to act cool himself, though as he watched Arael struggle, he knew exactly what was happening, and what would happen if Charlotte healed Arael.

He'll come after me. He'll take control of me, and then...then what?

He nearly broke every bone in Arael's body, and then he did something with Rosalie and got her poisoned...

...And I've been trying to keep away all this time...what the heck am I gonna do?!

What is he going to do when he learns the truth?!

[Charlia]

"Everything," she said frantically. "Everything. It's all twisted and broken, it's so wrong, I don't understand... unforgiven," she hissed eerily, and then turned to Arael.

She knew, in a way, what pain he was going through.

She had also curled in a shivering ball, trying not to cry, begging for mercy and knowing that she had no real control over her body. Knowing that she was going to be put through a living hell, and there was nothing she could do about it.

A doll. Nothing more.

She dropped to her knees, and put a hand gently on his shoulder.

"Arael," she said softly, "I might be able to shield you..."

Lux watched her with fright, as he wondered what she was thinking about. "'Unforgiven'...what? What do you mean? Charlotte, I do not understand..." He trailed-off, however, as he watched her kneel next to Arael.

The Angel of Oblivion shivered, at the sound of her voice and from the touch of her hand. He looked up at her hopefully, at first, and he grabbed her hand. However, as he did so, his eyes glowed pink, and the image he saw of Charlotte changed. Suddenly, all of the sky around them turned white, in his eyes, and in front of him he saw the glowing visage that was Adam, only now Charlotte's height. He was holding his hand and looking him in the eyes with his own pink, deceiving eyes.

She cannot help you, little one...No one can...A machine is not made to do anything besides the function it was made for, and so you...are made only for my use. I protect you...and you serve me...Is that not enough, Arael?

Arael stared up at it, trying to see past Adam to see the girl who wanted to help him. "Charlotte, please help me. Please do not leave me. I cannot see, I cannot fight him...I cannot fight him alone..." he implored. He was fighting for every bit of control he could keep.

"It's all right, Arael," she whispered, and put a hand over his forehead. An aura of glowing white surrounded him, a barrier that would fight any influence that tried to take control of him. Even Adam.

Even the devil himself.

Anyone who wanted to take control of Arael would, quite literally, have to get through Charlotte first. Her mind was a wall to protect his, and even if they managed to break the barrier, they would find themselves controlling her body instead.

"It'll be all right," she said, smiling. She didn't fade, this time. This wasn't using a power. This was sacrifice.

[Free Empire of the Low Isles]

"But... they're so pretty, and warm, and they're a part of my beautiful fiancée that I could never hate anything about..." Raphael said, nuzzling her snout a bit more and smiling absentmindedly.

"You're too sweet Raphy! It makes it hard to compliment you back!" Had she been in human, form, she'd have been blushing, but her fluster was obvious nonetheless, being given away by her voice.

"Calling me sweet is good enough, because it means I make you happy..." Raphael replied, twiddling his thumbs around each other. "I mean... I could always be the mean, non-complimenting type like Patriah, but I think you're too good for that...

[Luminesa]

Lux watched her with fright, as he wondered what she was thinking about. "'Unforgiven'...what? What do you mean? Charlotte, I do not understand..." He trailed-off, however, as he watched her kneel next to Arael.

The Angel of Oblivion shivered, at the sound of her voice and from the touch of her hand. He looked up at her hopefully, at first, and he grabbed her hand. However, as he did so, his eyes glowed pink, and the image he saw of Charlotte changed. Suddenly, all of the sky around them turned white, in his eyes, and in front of him he saw the glowing visage that was Adam, only now Charlotte's height. He was holding his hand and looking him in the eyes with his own pink, deceiving eyes.

She cannot help you, little one...No one can...A machine is not made to do anything besides the function it was made for, and so you...are made only for my use. I protect you...and you serve me...Is that not enough, Arael?

Arael stared up at it, trying to see past Adam to see the girl who wanted to help him. "Charlotte, please help me. Please do not leave me. I cannot see, I cannot fight him...I cannot fight him alone..." he implored. He was fighting for every bit of control he could keep.

"It's all right, Arael," she whispered, and put a hand over his forehead. An aura of glowing white surrounded him, a barrier that would fight any influence that tried to take control of him. Even Adam.

Even the devil himself.

Anyone who wanted to take control of Arael would, quite literally, have to get through Charlotte first. Her mind was a wall to protect his, and even if they managed to break the barrier, they would find themselves controlling her body instead.

"It'll be all right," she said, smiling. She didn't fade, this time. This wasn't using a power. This was sacrifice.

Arael's eyes widened, as they reverted to normal, and he realized what she had done. "Charlotte...no...please do not put yourself through this...Please, he will break you...He will break you...the way he broke me..." he whispered.

Meanwhile, Adam realized whose body he was in, and he chuckled. So you are Charlotte, dear? Very well, I will take care of you...Do not worry, dear...You seem you have been broken quite a bit anyway...

Xavier and Lux both stared at each other, and then at Charlotte.

"...Are you sure you want to do this?" Xavier asked, nervously.

[Charlia]

"It's all right, Arael," she whispered, and put a hand over his forehead. An aura of glowing white surrounded him, a barrier that would fight any influence that tried to take control of him. Even Adam.

Even the devil himself.

Anyone who wanted to take control of Arael would, quite literally, have to get through Charlotte first. Her mind was a wall to protect his, and even if they managed to break the barrier, they would find themselves controlling her body instead.

"It'll be all right," she said, smiling. She didn't fade, this time. This wasn't using a power. This was sacrifice.

Arael's eyes widened, as they reverted to normal, and he realized what she had done. "Charlotte...no...please do not put yourself through this...Please, he will break you...He will break you...the way he broke me..." he whispered.

Meanwhile, Adam realized whose body he was in, and he chuckled. So you are Charlotte, dear? Very well, I will take care of you...Do not worry, dear...You seem you have been broken quite a bit anyway...

Xavier and Lux both stared at each other, and then at Charlotte.

"...Are you sure you want to do this?" Xavier asked, nervously.

"I've already been broken, Arael," she said softly, and smiled.

So you're the person who's been tormenting Arael. It's not nice to meet you. And don't call me 'dear', if you're in my mind you ought to know that brings back bad memories. Not that you seem to be the sort who would care...

[Luminesa]

Arael's eyes widened, as they reverted to normal, and he realized what she had done. "Charlotte...no...please do not put yourself through this...Please, he will break you...He will break you...the way he broke me..." he whispered.

Meanwhile, Adam realized whose body he was in, and he chuckled. So you are Charlotte, dear? Very well, I will take care of you...Do not worry, dear...You seem you have been broken quite a bit anyway...

Xavier and Lux both stared at each other, and then at Charlotte.

"...Are you sure you want to do this?" Xavier asked, nervously.

"I've already been broken, Arael," she said softly, and smiled.

So you're the person who's been tormenting Arael. It's not nice to meet you. And don't call me 'dear', if you're in my mind you ought to know that brings back bad memories. Not that you seem to be the sort who would care...

Bad memories? How dreadful...Soon, however, you will have no memories at all...When all of this is over, little dear, nothing will hurt you anymore...but that is for another time, isn't it?

[Charlia]

"I've already been broken, Arael," she said softly, and smiled.

So you're the person who's been tormenting Arael. It's not nice to meet you. And don't call me 'dear', if you're in my mind you ought to know that brings back bad memories. Not that you seem to be the sort who would care...

Bad memories? How dreadful...Soon, however, you will have no memories at all...When all of this is over, little dear, nothing will hurt you anymore...but that is for another time, isn't it?

From the way you've treated Arael, I'd say you enjoy bad memories.

And 'little dear' isn't any better. Now, what do you want?

[Luminesa]

Bad memories? How dreadful...Soon, however, you will have no memories at all...When all of this is over, little dear, nothing will hurt you anymore...but that is for another time, isn't it?

From the way you've treated Arael, I'd say you enjoy bad memories.

And 'little dear' isn't any better. Now, what do you want?

Adam laughed, amused. Do you really think I find bad memories enjoyable? No, I find them obstacles that keep me from having the world I want. They are the little walls that keep everything from coming together as it should."

He then appeared as the tall, glowing being in her mind, and he spread his huge wings. They were a glittering silver, mesmerizing to the eyes. That is why, on the contrary. I erase the minds, the memories, and the souls of all the Angels I resurrect, and then they start again. Arael has no will, as a result. He can cry for help, but deep down, he knows he can do nothing about it. Nor can his siblings, who also refuse to cry for help, because they know it would be against their nature. They were made for this. And if they truly were to rebel against me...It would be a shame. Arael is one of my favorites, after all, he explained, with what could have been regret in his voice, were he not so unapologetic in his actions.

He turned and looked outside of Charlotte toward Arael, who was now soaked from lying in the water, and was being dried by Xavier. He has always been the most obedient, the most loyal, the most...submissive to me...and so this is how I repay him. I let him be an important part of my plans. It is not always fun, but I believe he does understand his purpose.

[Theocretes]

Thanakron

Thanakron sat in the deep wretches of his cavernous obsidian home, angled deep into his hidden kingdom. He reached up with a single skeletal hand, looking down at the cracks gathered upon his skull-like face.

GRAT-GRAT-GRAT-GRATITUDE-GRATITUDES-FR-FRIEN-FRIEND.

He stood up, disappearing deeper into his cavernous home.

THIS IS MY HOME.

Tharizdun

There was no noise coming from within the temple, but screams of eternal pain. Red blood, viscera and gore flowing from its gates.

Tharizdun, in human form, appeared suddenly, snapping into existence.

And what do you want, little god?

Raven

Raven snapped his fingers, teleporting to the location of the others.

Know, I would move on, but it appears we're missing a few members of our party.

He raised an eyebrow quizzically beneath his mask, surveying his allies.

Now, where could they have gone?

"The same thing as you....to stop raven."
Ianar thought for a moment, aware that he had to pick his words carefully
"he has tricked his little army into obeying him...and they are coming for you, to destroy you...I am willing to fight in your place, but I am too weak, I need some more power and I hear you are one that could give me some."
He looked at tharizdun
"trust me, Thana and I have a plan to destroy raven and I have no doubt it will work, I and thana just need your help."

[Charlia]

From the way you've treated Arael, I'd say you enjoy bad memories.

And 'little dear' isn't any better. Now, what do you want?

Adam laughed, amused. Do you really think I find bad memories enjoyable? No, I find them obstacles that keep me from having the world I want. They are the little walls that keep everything from coming together as it should."

He then appeared as the tall, glowing being in her mind, and he spread his huge wings. They were a glittering silver, mesmerizing to the eyes. That is why, on the contrary. I erase the minds, the memories, and the souls of all the Angels I resurrect, and then they start again. Arael has no will, as a result. He can cry for help, but deep down, he knows he can do nothing about it. Nor can his siblings, who also refuse to cry for help, because they know it would be against their nature. They were made for this. And if they truly were to rebel against me...It would be a shame. Arael is one of my favorites, after all, he explained, with what could have been regret in his voice, were he not so unapologetic in his actions.

He turned and looked outside of Charlotte toward Arael, who was now soaked from lying in the water, and was being dried by Xavier. He has always been the most obedient, the most loyal, the most...submissive to me...and so this is how I repay him. I let him be an important part of my plans. It is not always fun, but I believe he does understand his purpose.

I knew someone, once, who was callous and cold as you are. I didn't think I could do anything to stop him. But do you know what? I did. And do you know what else?

Arael can too.

Tell me. Who and what are you? You have the appearance of an angel, but I want to know if that is truly what you are.

[Luminesa]

Adam laughed, amused. Do you really think I find bad memories enjoyable? No, I find them obstacles that keep me from having the world I want. They are the little walls that keep everything from coming together as it should."

He then appeared as the tall, glowing being in her mind, and he spread his huge wings. They were a glittering silver, mesmerizing to the eyes. That is why, on the contrary. I erase the minds, the memories, and the souls of all the Angels I resurrect, and then they start again. Arael has no will, as a result. He can cry for help, but deep down, he knows he can do nothing about it. Nor can his siblings, who also refuse to cry for help, because they know it would be against their nature. They were made for this. And if they truly were to rebel against me...It would be a shame. Arael is one of my favorites, after all, he explained, with what could have been regret in his voice, were he not so unapologetic in his actions.

He turned and looked outside of Charlotte toward Arael, who was now soaked from lying in the water, and was being dried by Xavier. He has always been the most obedient, the most loyal, the most...submissive to me...and so this is how I repay him. I let him be an important part of my plans. It is not always fun, but I believe he does understand his purpose.

I knew someone, once, who was callous and cold as you are. I didn't think I could do anything to stop him. But do you know what? I did. And do you know what else?

Arael can too.

Tell me. Who and what are you? You have the appearance of an angel, but I want to know if that is truly what you are.

Adam laughed, now as though he could not believe what he was hearing. Charlotte, you sweet creature, I believe this is a misunderstanding...You see, Arael has no will. That is the problem. He lives as I tell him to, as he knows I expect him to. And should he fail, he knows what shall happen to him. You have will, the ability to choose your life. Your God gave that to you...Free will, what a silly idea...What is the point of making creatures to worship you if they only turn against you most of their lives?...I have made creatures that will do everything I want, and they are at peace with it. Or at least they will be...

He then took the form of the Angel of Light, in Charlotte's mind, and he floated before her. Yet then he did something else. He now took a human form for once. He was tall-even taller than Xavier and Lux, but not as tall as Patriah and Thana-and he was practically draped in gold. His hair, eyes, and wings were all a dazzling gold, while his armor was ivory lined with gold. The armor covered his arms, chest, and neck, and underneath he wore a long, floor-length, golden gown. His face was beautiful-not quite female, but not quite male. He wore a calm, serene smile on his face, as he faced Charlotte, who was minuscule by comparison. I can appear in any form I choose, but I suppose this is the one you want to see? Besides, my true form is far beyond your comprehension.

[Charlia]

I knew someone, once, who was callous and cold as you are. I didn't think I could do anything to stop him. But do you know what? I did. And do you know what else?

Arael can too.

Tell me. Who and what are you? You have the appearance of an angel, but I want to know if that is truly what you are.

Adam laughed, now as though he could not believe what he was hearing. Charlotte, you sweet creature, I believe this is a misunderstanding...You see, Arael has no will. That is the problem. He lives as I tell him to, as he knows I expect him to. And should he fail, he knows what shall happen to him. You have will, the ability to choose your life. Your God gave that to you...Free will, what a silly idea...What is the point of making creatures to worship you if they only turn against you most of their lives?...I have made creatures that will do everything I want, and they are at peace with it. Or at least they will be...

He then took the form of the Angel of Light, in Charlotte's mind, and he floated before her. Yet then he did something else. He now took a human form for once. He was tall-even taller than Xavier and Lux, but not as tall as Patriah and Thana-and he was practically draped in gold. His hair, eyes, and wings were all a dazzling gold, while his armor was ivory lined with gold. The armor covered his arms, chest, and neck, and underneath he wore a long, floor-length, golden gown. His face was beautiful-not quite female, but not quite male. He wore a calm, serene smile on his face, as he faced Charlotte, who was minuscule by comparison. I can appear in any form I choose, but I suppose this is the one you want to see? Besides, my true form is far beyond your comprehension.

"Are you an angel?" she repeated. "I want to know what you are. And it would seem that you don't know who and what I am, to say your true form is beyond my comprehension... On the contrary, I would say it is my true form that is beyond your comprehension. Unless you are greater than God Himself... My true form would kill you to see."

[Luminesa]

Adam laughed, now as though he could not believe what he was hearing. Charlotte, you sweet creature, I believe this is a misunderstanding...You see, Arael has no will. That is the problem. He lives as I tell him to, as he knows I expect him to. And should he fail, he knows what shall happen to him. You have will, the ability to choose your life. Your God gave that to you...Free will, what a silly idea...What is the point of making creatures to worship you if they only turn against you most of their lives?...I have made creatures that will do everything I want, and they are at peace with it. Or at least they will be...

He then took the form of the Angel of Light, in Charlotte's mind, and he floated before her. Yet then he did something else. He now took a human form for once. He was tall-even taller than Xavier and Lux, but not as tall as Patriah and Thana-and he was practically draped in gold. His hair, eyes, and wings were all a dazzling gold, while his armor was ivory lined with gold. The armor covered his arms, chest, and neck, and underneath he wore a long, floor-length, golden gown. His face was beautiful-not quite female, but not quite male. He wore a calm, serene smile on his face, as he faced Charlotte, who was minuscule by comparison. I can appear in any form I choose, but I suppose this is the one you want to see? Besides, my true form is far beyond your comprehension.

"Are you an angel?" she repeated. "I want to know what you are. And it would seem that you don't know who and what I am, to say your true form is beyond my comprehension... On the contrary, I would say it is my true form that is beyond your comprehension. Unless you are greater than God Himself... My true form would kill you to see."

An angel?...If I was a mere angel, dear, I would not have the sort of power I have...I am an entity beyond your comprehension. If you saw my true form...you would crumple where you stood... He then touched her face, and brought his close to hers. He had no attraction toward her, but the glow of his gaze struck a sort of primal terror into anyone who looked deep enough. There was something dreadful hiding in those eyes.

I am pure power, pure control, pure domination. I am a force that destroys and creates worlds, universes, with mere words. Mere thoughts. I am a dimension all of my own, and all who see my true form surrender at the sight... He wrapped his wings lightly around her, with the warmth filling her with both a drowsiness and an incredible anxiety, so strong it was palpable. It made her skin pulse, as though her heart was about to explode from terror right beneath the skin.

Even daughters of God such as yourself...

[Charlia]

"Are you an angel?" she repeated. "I want to know what you are. And it would seem that you don't know who and what I am, to say your true form is beyond my comprehension... On the contrary, I would say it is my true form that is beyond your comprehension. Unless you are greater than God Himself... My true form would kill you to see."

An angel?...If I was a mere angel, dear, I would not have the sort of power I have...I am an entity beyond your comprehension. If you saw my true form...you would crumple where you stood... He then touched her face, and brought his close to hers. He had no attraction toward her, but the glow of his gaze struck a sort of primal terror into anyone who looked deep enough. There was something dreadful hiding in those eyes.

I am pure power, pure control, pure domination. I am a force that destroys and creates worlds, universes, with mere words. Mere thoughts. I am a dimension all of my own, and all who see my true form surrender at the sight... He wrapped his wings lightly around her, with the warmth filling her with both a drowsiness and an incredible anxiety, so strong it was palpable. It made her skin pulse, as though her heart was about to explode from terror right beneath the skin.

Even daughters of God such as yourself...

"Nothing is beyond my comprehension other than the mysteries known only to God Himself," she spat, and shoved him away. "Don't you dare lay a hand on me. I do not fear you." Her own eyes glowed red, a killing intent beyond the intentions of all murderers combined, a righteous wrath beyond all understanding.

In that moment, she saw nothing.

Justice was truly blind.