Angelic Divinity

tori hesitantly moved closer to genesis. She still couldn't stand him, but his injuries were rather bad. "genesis, will you let me see? I might be able to help." if she could help heal him, she wouldn't feel like as much of a failure. Tori held her hand out to his absent wing, without touching. She wasn't going to make contact without his permission. It would only make matters worse.

giselle stepped out of tori's way. There wasn't anything she could do, like always.

kaila rested her head in her hand. She had never felt so dizzy and emotionless before. Everything was so fuzzy and numb. She had felt the pain of loneliness, but never this complete and utter emptiness. It was like kaila was completely hallow. All the pain, suffering, joy, and love she had felt lately was stripped of her body and there was now an empty void. Kaila panted and weakly smiled as she looked up at the dart court seraphim. "ha...happy?"

 

Genesis cringed away from her, "D-don't touch me... I don't need help....I just...need a bit of rest at the moment..." Kiel watched him struggle and lean his weight against the tree and quietly examined the scars on his back. "Kyrios' pet.... Sad....you have no free will of your own, do you? Hey, what's that?" Kiel lifted Genesis' hair away from his neck and found a brand mark. "Bannannach? Who's that and why would they brand their name on you?" Genesis turned a frantic gaze to Giselle. He feared her learning the truth. "It's nothing...I don't know what you're talking about... Don't touch me, Zadkiel!" Genesis!"

Kyrios swallowed and licked his lips as if he'd finished a Thanksgiving meal, "I think we are. You must be tired...stay here for a while and rest. Regain your strength before you head back." He bent and kissed her forehead.

 

giselle buried her face in genesis's clothes. Everyone was fighting again and on top of that, kiel mentioned that awful birdy lady. everyone always seemed to be fighting, at least when genesis was around they did. There was something about him that seemed to make everyone mad.

tori shook her head and grabbed genesis by the wrist. "genesis, please! Let me help you. It's not going to heal on it's own." she sighed sadly. if he didn't let her help him, then he could easily get blood poisoning. "please genesis. It's already infected, if it gets any worse, you could get really sick. Please." she was pleading with him now. Granted tori didn't particularly like genesis, but she wasn't going to watch another person die. "please."

kaila shook her head and stood shakily. "n-no...i...i must go...more to do..." she closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath. She was drained of all energy and the trip home would last forever. Kaila exhaled and turned for the door. Ren. She wanted to see ren, but she couldn't do that. He probably hated her for not telling the truth. She needed to take care of the children first. Ren would have to be last. Not like kaila could face him anyway. She broke his heart to the point of submission. why...why would anyone give me power like that. to hurt him that badly...it's criminal...i'm sorry...

 

Genesis was sweating again, not only from the infection. He was embarrassed and Kyrios' spell was weaving it's way back under his skin, calling for him to be near Giselle...to be so close to her it would be wrong. "Alright....alright... If...if I let you heal me...you won't mess with me again, right?" Kiel nodded reluctantly, but he didn't like Genesis one bit and leaving him alone was a better alternative than letting him die. "Go on Tori... Giselle...are you alright? You're not hurt are you?"

Ren finally stopped writhing on the floor, having fixed his finger and was about to pop his shoulder back into it's socket so it could at least be somewhat useful even if it was broken. "Kyrios....and Kaila...the reasons why I feel so disoriented. Kaila...where are you?" His memories were like rewinding history and it gave him a headache. "Kaila...please come back..." he pleaded with the empty space above him.

 

giselle lifted her face from genesis's clothes and shook away a few stray tears. "y-yeah, i'm fine. Nothing happened while we were gone." it was odd, lying for him. It wasn't his fault those things showed up and the teacher was there before anything bad happened. She just didn't want people to continue fighting with him. Genesis seemed troubled enough the way it is.

tori moved her hands over to his shoulder and frowned. "i'm sorry. This is going to hurt, probably a lot. It hurt a lot for me." she pressed her hands firmly against his shoulder blade. It was warm, a sure sign of an infection. Tori cringed and could feel the healing properties flowing out of her.

kaila stumbled out of the hotel and braced herself on the door. She was too weak to apparate and the walk home would last forever. She sighed and stepped out in the direction of home. give me strength. kaila bit her lip and spread wings for additional balance. "ren, I hope you can forgive me. I never wanted to hurt you, just protect you." the forest had grown dark and kaila summoned what bit of energy she had left to use as light. Making it to the scorched meadow, she collapsed. Kaila was too weak to go any further.

 

Genesis bowed his head, trying to suppress a cry of pain, his legs wobbled until they gave out and he ended up back on all fours on the ground. His back bowed and his head touched the ground as Tori's healing cleared the infection. A single thought snapped in his head, I have...nothing...the future is gone...and with it...my pride as an angel. Sweat and tears mingled on his face, creating a salty mixture that dripped from his nose as he opened his mouth and let out a long cry of pain and suffering.

Kiel flinched at the sound, turning away from what he'd always considered an arrogant and stupid man. But Genesis was suffering...probably more than Tori and himself together. Having a Seraph that used you and injured you was worse than having no Seraph at all. The sense of loss was worse when you looked for praise and were only given a dagger to the back.

Michael stood over Kaila, his feet were bare and his white robes shrouded his face against the darkening sky. "This is why...you are useless. An angel that cannot protect the ones she loves is not wanted in Heaven. You would've been better off born as a human and eaten by the Imprisoned One. A wasted bit of light....that's what you've become. And I thought...you would change when faced with hardship. Sister Kurana was wrong." Someone else landed beside him, "Getting ahead of yourself, brother? Not everyone...progresses as fast as you do. They can't all see the light at the end of their tunnels of suffering." The newcomer also wore white robes that hung loosely off his body, showing pale patches of skin over muscle. "She's had enough time, Brother Kohaku." A long stretch of silence filled the area before the newcomer punched Michael, "I told you before....it's just HAKU!" Michael rubbed his cheek, "Forgive me, Brother Kohaku...I keep forgetting you wish to forget that the angel who hatched you gave you a name you regard as a female name."

 

tori pulled her hands away from genesis and stepped back. "does...does it still hurt? You look pretty awful." she shook her head and moved into kiel's side. Genesis appeared to be enduring a lot more pain than he let on. It made her heart ache thinking about it. Even though she didn't like him, she still felt bad.

kaila pulled herself up to a standing position. She wouldn't tolerate michael's verbal abuse, not now. She was already enduring so much the way it was. "is there a reason you're here micheal, or is it just to insult me some more? I'm doing what I can to protect those I care about before it's too late. I'm already dealing with enough brother. I'm not giving up...i'm just...i'm just taking a break. A very necessary break." she redirected her attention to haku and smiled slightly. "it's nice to see you again haku. How long has it been?" her voice was weak and her head was still spinning, but she managed to stay on her feet.

 

Genesis panted and Kiel shuffled his feet, nervous about being out while the sun was setting. "He looks fine. C'mon, Genesis...on your feet." Genesis snarled at him, "I don't take orders from you. Giselle...if you would kindly hand me my shirt... I'd at least like to not be exposed to the new Seraph and her plaything." Kiel ignored his remark about him being Tori's plaything and scanned the area around them quietly.

Haku's light grey eyes lit up, "Oh, I'm surprised you remember me...it's been so long... and we met only once... Ah, right...um, lets see...it's been about four centuries now." Michael fixed his facial features back into one of blankness, "I shouldn't have to keep reminding you of your fate... If you push yourself now...your transferrence into a human will be that much more painful." Haku shoved him aside, dominating Kaila's line of vision, "Ah, he's just worried about you. You went to see Seraph Kyrios of the Dark Court...you let him feed from your energy. All for Brother Ren? Kaila...I understand how you feel...but his fate will be the same no matter what you go through. Dying before him will not spare him." Michael slapped Haku hard as the slightly younger angel realized he'd said too much. "Kohaku....angel of Destiny...you've said too much."

 

giselle held the shirt out to him, but kept the jacket close to her body. It was still warm and smekled like him. Giselle continued to stand by silently watching everyone else. She had nothing to contribute to the conversation and everyone was just arguing again.

tori studied his back before genesis could cover himself up. "i...i might be able to help...with those too. If you'll let me. Not like it has to be right now or anything." it ended in a mumble. It wasn't like genesis would actually let her help. The only he did this time was to keep him from dying. It was tragic.

kaila narrowed her eyes at the archangel. he always seemed rather pompous and stuck up to be the right hand of father. "it doesn't matter what you say michael. I will continue to do my best to help ren; even if it means being ripped apart limb by limb, enduring all that pain." it would be torture, but really everything she was doing was torture. Helping kryios, saving ren, helping enan, and assisting kadaj. It didn't matter. It all required her to suffer anyway. "what's a little more pain?" at this point dying seemed like a sutible option.

 

Genesis glowered at Tori for a moment before pulling his shirt on, "No...there is nothing more I can ask of you....even if I wanted. These scars are a testiment to what I've done that was foolish and stupid...this wound...is nothing more than one more stupid thing I've done. I will live with one wing...and I will work hard to prove to Kyrios I am more than what he sees. But...it's not like I have to tell you that. You've been working hard too...to make everyone see you can be a good Seraphim." It was unlike Genesis to issue out sympathy or kind words.

Michael turned on his heel, his head lowered to his chest deep in thought. "You don't understand... Even without your assistance in anything...things would go according to how they have...Ren...was destined to die on the day the Imprisoned One breaks its seal and walks the earth again." Kohaku moved to Kaila's side, drawing her arm over his head, "He's rethinking his thoughts all over again. You'll see, Kaila...everything will turn out better. And then...when we don't have to worry so much anymore...we can go back to finding a way to keep the Imprisoned in his seal and Ren will stay alive. Just you watch." Michael seemed to register Kohaku's words and pushed off the white hood covering his pale golden hair, "Perhaps...I've gone soft being in this world for too long. You desire one thing...to see Ren alive and happy. I wonder...does he desire the same? Or is it something similar but for you? I've been rash in my efforts to find answers...Father would not be pleased with my choices. Is this...how the humans feel? Regret...anger...sorrow...guilt... I do not normally take back punishments issued....but...just this once...could I have been wrong?"

 

tori lowered her gaze and turned away from genesis. "i don't know what you're talking about. you and i are nothing alike." she pulled on kiel's arm and started moving back towards the door. "let's go kiel." tori glanced back over her shoulder briefly and studied giselle's expression. the human was still clinging to genesis's jacket and she sighed. "giselle, if you still want that party, my room is still set up. feel free to come upstairs at any time." she continued towards the door without another word.

giselle stepped closer to genesis and listened to tori's words. she couldn't have a party after all this. no one would want to be there. giselle held his jacket out to him without making eye contact. she hadn't had the guts to ask tori about helping him with the spell problem. genesis was suffering and it was her fault.

kaila looked up at michael, optimism in her eyes for the first time all day. she masked her hope in stoicism, but her voice faltered, giving away the joy she was trying to hide. "are you...are you saying you've reconsidered?" the very idea that michael might reconsider thrilled her. there was one person she wanted to tell more than anyone, but there was no need to. he didn't know, because she didn't tell him. she didn't want ren to know what she was going through. telling him what michael intended to do, just to say that he had changed his mind, would be cruel. she did need to talk to him though, to apologize for what she said to him before classes. he had his memories back, which meant that he would remember just how much she hurt him.

 

Kiel followed besided Tori, unsure of even what Tori had said. "You sure a party is still a good idea? I sense...something else going on there. Giselle still didn't look relieved in the slightest." He watched over his shoulder even as he walked away.

Jerking his head up and towards Giselle at the mention of the party, Genesis took his coat from her...though letting it fall to the ground, "That's right...your party. I took you away from that. I...I'm sorry Giselle..." Kyrios' spell tugged at him and he reached for her arm. Stopping inches away, he flinched, "Son of a...not again...I won't tolerate this." He pulled his arm away with several thick needles sticking out of his arm. Reaching over, he grabbed his sword, dragging it across the ground he stood. "What is this....Slayer spikes?" Yanking them out one by one, more flew at them. Stepping to the side, in front of Giselle, he angled his sword and chopped through each of the thin needles. Lifting his hand out towards the direction of the monster. A red seal formed around his feet on the ground and a fireball jumped from his palm into the forest. A tree lit on fire and a small scream of some creature sounded. "Shot by a filthy monster...disgusting."

Michael huffed and yawned, "I never said I was reconsidering...I mearly believe I was wrong in thinking this punishment would fit such a crime." Kohaku laughed, "Which means he's reconsidered already. I think you're free to go." Michael rubbed his forehead, "You are not to say anything, Kohaku! Lady Kaila...I'd advise you to use this time to rethink your previous decisions. Just because I've decided to remove your sentence does not mean..." He stopped talking as Kohaku was babbling and singing joyously in her ear, distracting her from hearing a word he was saying. "Kohaku!"

 

tori rolled her eyes and came to a stop as they entered the school. "genesis is easy to read, even without my powers. giselle wants me to do something for him, but if neither of them ask me then i won't waste my time. she isn't safe with him as long as he refuses to come to me for help." even with all the horrible things she saw clearly in giselle's mind, tori wore a smile as she looked out the window. "which is why i hope she still wants this party. she needs protection, protection she can only get with the rest of us. i'm not going to force her, however, since it's ultimitaly her decision." in the last few days, tori felt as if she had spent a lifetime maturing. she figured it must have been from yves's knowledge and power within her.

giselle's eyes were wide with panic. they were being attacked, again. first he was fighting himself, and now there was a monster after them. "genesis! genesis are you okay? what...what was that thing?" she grabbed him by the arm, holding tight in fear.

kaila smiled warmly as the archangel started shouting. it was great news. she could do so much more now that she didn't have to fear losing her powers. there was still multiple tasks left for her to do in the short window time she had left to live. maybe i'll still be able to survive somehow if i'm not mortal when it comes time to be sacrificed. kaila grabbed michael's hands and nodded apreciatively. "thank you brother." smoke caught her eye as a tree blazed with fire in the direction of the school. "i appear to have my strength back now. it's time for me to go where i'm most needed." she gave him a kiss on the cheek and one as well for kohaku. "i'll do my best not to disappoint you." with that, she waved good by and took off quickly in the direction of the smoke.

 

Kiel shrugged, "You think? I'm not so sure... Believing she'll come to us for protection is still a bit...slight in chance. I'm going to keep trying with Genesis...even if I have to beat some sense into him...I'm going to get the truth out of that guy. There's something fishy about that brand...those scars...the reason he took Giselle away from her own party." Frowning in thought, Kiel leaned against the wall next to Tori. "You think it has something to do with Kadaj?"

Genesis sniffed the air and turned his attention on Giselle, "Nothing more than a petty monster...a Slayer. It's not serious. See here," picking up one of the needles that pierced his arm, he held it in front of her nose, "These aren't in the slightest poisoned. This Slayer must've been young...too young to produce it's own poison yet. Foolish choice for it to attack me. We should go back inside before something else thinks we'll make a nice meal."

Michael and Kohaku watched her run off, both angels touching their cheeks, "What...was that? She...expressed gratitude for...me removing her punishment?" Kohaku patted his shoulder, "Yeah. Saying you won't make her mortal means she can stay with Ren. It makes her happy, Brother. Don't tell me you've been avoiding all the human emotions. Honestly...you should get out more." Michael's thoughts were a jumble. Was this what Father meant by seeing how precious the humans truely were and how they'd changed the angels that remained on earth? Could it be...the humans had influenced his brothers and sisters so much that he was the bad guy to them? Had he fallen behind?

 

tori rested a hand on kiel's bicep and smiled sadly. "don't push him. He really doesn't seem to want to be friends with you. she stood there thinking quietly for a moment abd then shook her head. "no. I don't believe it has anything to do with kadaj. It appears to be something even more serious. tori grabbed his hand and started moving in the direction of the infirmary. "come on. I wanna check on penny and we should probably be doing a better job at watching tristan."

giselle nodded, unsure of herself. She would have to take his word on this one, not knowing a thing about the afformentioned creature. "well that's good. I guess..."

kaila arrived upon the smoldering remains of a slayer demon and shook her head disapproving. They just seemed to keep coming. She created a concentrated rain shower on the blazing trees and studied the smoky remains pleased with herself. She actually felt bubbly, and it was apparent in her voice as she rushed over to genesis and giselle. "oh good! The two of you made it back alive." the professor pulled them both into a tight embrace and enveloped them in her wings. "that was some excellent magic genesis! I still want to talk to you, but it can wait til morning." kaila held them out at arms length, inspecting the two of them. "you two should get inside. It's getting dark and even if that slayer wasn't poisonous, you should still have yourself looked over by the nurse." her wings flapped once and she floated to the door, a good foot off the ground.

 

Kiel nodded slowly, "Yeah...okay." He couldn't shake the memory of the brand on Genesis. What could it mean? Bannannach...an odd name if that's what it was. Could it be like the scars on his back spelling Kyrios' pet? Was Bannannach apart of the Dark Court and had some hold over him? The placement didn't seem like it was voluntary...and who'd want to get branded anyway?

Genesis stared awkwardly at the Professor, "Did...something happen to you, Professor? I don't...why'd you hug me? So awkward..." Despite his words, he latched onto Giselle's arm as if he were escorting a prisoner, and walked towards the school.

 

tori nodded and walked with kiel to the infirmary. She pushed open the doors revealing the image of schuyler still fretting over penny. She shook her head and laughed at the sight. "glad to see you're still okay...sort of..." tori cocked an eyebrow as schuyler came rushing up to the holding a stack of shirts.

"tori! Kiel! Thank heavens." she grabbed tori's wrists and shoved the shirts in her face. "we're having a bit of a crisis. Penny's clothes are all blood-soaked so I took some of my brother's, but he refuses to be of any help!" she dropped her hands in defeat and returned to penny's side. "would you just pick something? Please!?"

kaila waved goodbye to their fleeting backs. "have a nice night you two! See you in the morning!" she stood there until they were gone and then disappeared as well. When the professor opened her eyes, she was standing outside of ren's room. Suddenly her joy was gone. There was a knot in her stomach and swallowing became virtually impossible. Kaila meant to knock, but couldn't bring her hand to connect with the wood. he probably hates me now. I told him we couldn't be together. I wouldn't want to see me either. she bit down on her lip and turned to leave. coming here was a bad idea. I can't...i can't see him until i've mad up completely. the desire to cry had returned, but she forced it back. kaila refused to allow herself to cry in the hallway outside his room.

giselle stared at genesis confused. "what was that all about? She seemed so scary before." his jacket was still under her arm and giselle pulled herself free of his grasp, once inside. Genesis's grip on her arm was starting to hurt and she rubbed her arm vigorously.

 

Kiel muffled his laughter with a hand across his mouth and Penny shot him a glare, "It's not funny... Schuyler...I don't think it's right to wear one of your brother's shirts. I'm okay as I am. The blood didn't bother me...and I'm fine like this. It's not very cold in here so I doubt I'll catch a cold. Back me up, Tori!" Waving off Schuyler and her stack of shirts, Penny jerked his thumb over to the drawn curtain, "That old guy...Angeal has been over there for quite a while. There's been some cursing and a hell of a lot of fixing noises. What's he doing?" Kiel peeked around the curtain and spotted Angeal working feverently on something metal. "Just looks like he's fixing a machine...probably for Professor Logos."

Ren slipped into an uneasy sleep. He couldn't roll over since his shoulder was shattered and dislocated. It pulsed with pain with every breath. His dreams were clouded with a heavy fog, but despite that he could make out the familiarity of the dining hall of the Academy. "You shouldn't be here, dear." It was like a dream...though it was a dream. A smile spread across his lips as he walked through the heavy fog towards the woman with black hair. Her blue eyes were incredibly bright in the darkness. "Yuukki! You're here..." She held up a hand as if to stop him from coming closer, "Please...don't come here. You know I cannot stop you...but..." Ren watched her form be swallowed by fog and suddenly the entire room was clear of it. She stood before him in a dark blue old fashioned dress and a hat in her hand. "So this is what it feels like...it hurts sometimes." His smile disappeared, he remembered this moment. It was...such a long time before he'd even met Kaila. The school was just being built. She held out her hand for him, "I'm so sorry. I never meant... Will you come with me, Raphael?" That's right...she knew him as Raphael. "Where are we going?" taking her hand, he barely felt any substance there at all...re-confirming it was only a dream. Where had she taken him that day...? "You know where. I want to tell you something...something...I've kept a secret for a long time." Time moved in a slight blur and he found himself walking behind her down the staircase that led to the underground room that Uriel had built to converse with them in secret. It was also a panic room for them to put the students. They stopped halfway and she turned to him, her blue eyes pure black. "Sometimes...you aren't meant to know the future." His eyes widened, fear tightened in his belly as she touched his chest. Ice speared through him, clutching at his heart like icy fingers, and she shoved him off the stairs into the endless black abyss. His wings...they wouldn't move...his magic...wouldn't come. Nothing...but endless darkness inside and outside of him.

Genesis shrugged, "I don't know...but she's freaking me out. C'mon...lets get you back to my room. Unless...you want to go back to that party with Tori and Schuyler."

 

schuyler shot penny a harsh glare and tossed a light blue button up shirt on his lap. "you will wear it. you're not going to walk around blood-soaked." she shot daggers back at tori who appeared to be laughing as well. "why is this funny?here. you're injured. let me help." her fingers wrapped up into his shirt and started pulling on it to peel it off. schuyler started without even thinking about the fact that they were in public and everyone was watching.

tori stifled a laugh with her hand and peered in on angeal. "that's him. the one i hope genesis turns out to be like, or professor logos. they're both missing wings and yet they seem strong, like they've found their own ways to deal with it. i hope he figures it out as well." she sighed, squeezed kiel's hand, and turned to go talk to jean and tristan. i hope he finds the courage to ask for help, before what he's dealing with destroys him.

giselle stopped walking and stared down the hallway blankly. the jacket was pressed snugly against her chest and her eyes shifted from genesis, to the hall, and back. "i don't know...i mean they put a lot of work into it, but i'm kind of tired. and schuyler..." her gaze moved down the dress, to the torn hem. "schuyler will probably be really mad if she sees i ruined her dress." she found it funny that with everything going on, fashion issues could still be a problem.

kaila turned back around, still standing outside ren's door. she had come all the way to his room, going back to her's now would be a waste. she had to apologize again. he was in pain, both physically and emotionally, and her presence would probably make it worse, but she had to try. kaila bit down on her lower lip firmly as her knuckles tapped the door. "ren...ren i'm coming in." she pushed open the door and her eyes took a minute to adjust to the dark lighting. her feet moved across messy floor and she sat down at the edge of the bed. kaila's voice was soft as she whispered to ren's sleeping body. "i'm sorry. you're in pain and it's my fault. even now while you're sleeping, you suffer." she shook her head and the temperature in her hand cooled. kaila trailed her fingertips across ren's forehead. "i'm sorry, but i'm going to make up for it. you won't have to suffer anymore. i promise. when that day comes, i hope you can forgive me for how cruelly i treated you." she leaned in to kiss his forehead and began to mend his shoulder.

 

Penny turned a bright pink, "Erm...Schuyler...can't I change later?" Kel chuckled, "Embarrassed to take off your shirt, Pen? Honestly, what's with the hesitation? If Tori wanted me to take off my shirt in a crowded infirmary I'd waste no time." He grinned and still Penny remained a pink color. "Th-that's not...wait...really?" Nodding like he was explaining some complex formula, "Yup...it'd probably be the highlight of my day. Being told to take off your clothes by a pretty woman is every man's dream." A cough like someone was choking came from behind the screen where Angeal was working came and only grew louder until it turned into laughter, "You're joking I hope. I wouldn't say it's ever man's dream." he poked his head around the curtain, a nail in the corner of his mouth, "For example...Genesis and I don't exactly relish the thought of being without clothes before girls that are obviously way out of our leagues. I dare say our dream is something a little more...feeling-y." His single white wing curled around his shoulder and brushed against the bed, "You needn't worry about Genesis. He'll find what he's looking for. They always do."

Genesis cracked a once in a life-time gentle smile, "Right...you girls and your clothes. If you're tired, I'll take you back to my room so you can sleep. Today's been...incredibly long for the both of us."

Ren cracked his eyes open, "Why can't you ever say those things to me when I'm awake?" Taking her hand in his own, his recently fixed finger turning a dark purple from the bruising, "Yuukki...pushed me into joining the Dark Court...because of her selfish actions...you've suffered. Kaila...tell me why. Why so suddenly you decided your feelings weren't worth the effort?"