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  "Wait, please! We've got a son at home. Let us go, and I'll promise you'll never see us again," she gasped, speaking in common tongue. Amnur paused, irked by the fact they had recklessly abandoned their son to pursue the sick desire to hunt demons.

  "Then go," he growled, keeping a spell ready in case they used the opportunity to attack.

  "Thank you," the angel replied, placing an arm around her partner and helping him to limp away. Amnur watched them leave, before turning his mind to his own wounds. They were going to need treatment, that much was obvious. Conveniently for him, his fire attuned aether reduced his dark affinity, so his inherent weakness to light was reduced. He kept his head low as he paced back, carefully selecting his path.

  A flash of light had raced around him before an agonising pain struck his back, seeping into his body. Blood was forced from his mouth as the attack continued, shredding the demon. Amnur bellowed in anger and threw a freshly prepared spell with all of his strength, hitting the angel straight on. His target was the male angel, which became apparent as he swivelled around to face his attacker. The woman that had pleaded for their lives was nowhere to be seen, their opinion on the issue had diverged. He felt sorry for her, but Amnur wasn't willing to give her partner a second chance. Flames ripped through his victim until they were no more, leaving him alone in the swamps.

  He resumed staggering back towards Linlake, considering his own health to be of greater importance than burying the angel's body. His body cried with every step he took, but he had no easy way of rousing attention to get him help quick enough. The pain blended in with numbness, eating away at Amnur's sight and consciousness. In his delirious state, he didn't pick up on the fact that someone had approached him until they had wrapped their arms around him.

  "Amnur, take it easy, you're severely injured," Abel said, trying to get the demon's attention. "I saw the light and came to see what the commotion was, and I'm glad I did. Hang on."

  Amnur felt himself being hoisted up, crying out in pain as Abel touched his magically scorched back. The tall demon tried to soothe him but realised that the only way to do so was to get help. He gripped Amnur tightly and hurried for Linlake.

  ***

  Uriel was requested in person by Eriden's healers, due to the sudden arrival of an angel with hefty burns. He sighed at the request but decided since the angel was still alive, querying her as to what happened before someone got hold of information that Uriel didn't wish to be spread was for the best. The angel entered the room and examined the situation. Healers were rushing around with ointment, tools and various other things, trying to treat the burns; for them to be so frantic, these burns weren't organic in nature. Sat on a chair near the bed was a young boy, watching on in despair.

  Uriel inwardly scowled when he saw the child, to think the parents had been so reckless as to bait demons when they had a child at home, it bothered him.

  "Magically inflicted burns, hm?" he stated, causing the healers to gasp as he announced his presence.

  "Yes, Sire," one of the healers replied.

  "Is she capable of talking?"

  "I am," she panted; the sheer agony she was experiencing was evident in her voice.

  "Who was your opponent?" Uriel asked although he had his suspicions given the element used.

  "A demon living in the swamps; he was tall, with upward curving horns." The angel paused to cough violently, letting out a whine once the fit had ended. "Red eyes, with a skin that held a subtle blue hue."

  She erupted into a coughing fit once more, spitting out blood as it continued. Uriel held up a hand to inform her he had heard enough. The description matched that of Amnur, a demon considered dead or absent following being exiled. Sebastian would not be keen to hear of his continued existence so close by, but his actions to kerb the angel attacks in the West was something Uriel could use. For a long time, he had wanted to reduce the hostilities between the two races, to stop the meaningless bloodshed that claimed so many lives. Angels and demons may have been enemies in the past, but fighting for the sake of past transgressions was creating a war with no meaning. He had seen many lives ruined by the senseless fighting, but due to the overbearing issue of pride within the angelic race, his ability to act had been limited.

  Amnur's actions and the current tentative peace allowed him to put forth an idea though, one that would appeal to their pride, while allowing Uriel to obtain his goal. The problematic angels were usually those born into a high ranking family, so if he could combat the class issue, he could kerb the attacks. Those that lost to a demon in a fight would be stripped of their rank, along with their family. The weak are not worthy of such honour, only the strong. That's how he would phrase it anyway; now all he needed was for Amnur to successfully defeat a few angels so he can show how serious he is about that decision. Once individuals realised the consequences, they would stop members of their own family from being a fool.

  Panic among the healers grabbed his attention, as they flitted around trying to get the woman stable. Amnur's burns had affected her organs. The time it took her to fly back to Eriden had likely proved too long, the damage was already done. Uriel pushed past one of the healers and placed a hand on her stomach, using his magic to try and evaluate the situation. His intuition was correct; short of blood magic, there was nothing they could do now to save her. He shook his head and pulled back, turning his attention to the boy sat on the chair. Unfortunately for the child, his new plans meant that he would be the first to lose his rank, not that orphans often got adopted regardless of rank. He would join the other orphans of war; lonely and resentful.

  Uriel waited until the woman had passed away, crouching down next to the chair where the child sat. Initially, the child had been in despair, but as his mother slipped away, his expression had changed to a cold acceptance. He knew not of the child's intellect, unsure if he understood the implications of the brief conversation between him and his mother. The child shed no tears, but he did remain silent as Uriel tried to speak to him. Uriel suggested the child come with him so he could place the child in the safety of the orphanage. While the orphanage was a dreary place, having him live in the corridors of Eriden would give him the worst fate.

  He eventually consented, sliding off the chair and pacing alongside Uriel as the angel slowly headed towards the orphanage. The boy remained silent as they went, making Uriel feel awkward to start any conversation. He felt something touch his hand, so he glanced down, seeing the child trying to grasp his fingers. Surprised, he paused to allow the boy to do so. Uriel allowed a smile to creep across his lips as the child held tightly to his hand, carrying on back down the corridor hand in hand.

  They arrived at the solid, unwelcoming doors of the orphanage after descending down the staircase for some time. Uriel knocked on the door and waited until it was answered, where he was greeted by a startled worker. She hastily let him in, nearly shutting the door on the child that in her shocked state, she hadn't noticed following Uriel.

  "What brings you here, Sire?" the angel warily asked.

  "This one's just been left an orphan and needs a home," he replied, gesturing to the small child. She nodded and told them to follow her, bringing them to a room full of beds. Uriel sighed when he saw the conditions, tearing at the nerves of the orphanage worker.

  "There's a spare bed here," she said, showing them to a bed near the end of the row. The boy looked at the bed, spun around to look at the other beds and then hid behind Uriel's leg, gripping onto his trousers. Uriel gazed at the frightened child, bending down and lifting him onto the bed, fussing his hair.

  "I know it's scary, but you'll be alright, you're a strong little boy."

  He smiled at Uriel's remarks but remained silent still, to the point that the Monarch was starting to wonder if he wasn't mute. "You get a bed here, and regular meals, more than life in the corridors could offer you."

  With a sigh, he stood up and left the boy in the hands of the orphanage worker, finding himself throwing a glance beh
ind him as he left. Once the orphanage doors had shut behind him, he felt a sense of regret that he had never experienced. "I wouldn't be a good parent for you, my life's a wreck," Uriel murmured as he trudged back to his chambers.

  ***

  Amnur's wounds were severe, but the villagers managed to get him stable. Abel remained at his side, worried over the condition of his new found friend. It took a few days for Amnur to once again regain consciousness, his health keeping him bedridden. The mage was surprised by Abel's presence, but he wholeheartedly welcomed it. Abel also made a point to be in charge of Amnur's recovery, gently tending to his vast, agonising wounds. He was knowledgeable when it came to treating magically inflicted wounds, a fact which was helping his recovery greatly.

  Amnur had used the opportunity to get closer to Abel, now he was separated from his sister's influence. Na-ri had yet to stick her head in, although he felt that Crono was preventing that even though he hadn't heard anything directly from the old blood. It wouldn't go down well for her if she interfered with Amnur's treatment, not when he had sustained the wounds defending the swampland settlements. He knew though that Na-ri would not be pleased with the situation, even if she was limited to act on it.

  Abel was proving to be an eager and excitable individual, allowing Amnur to recite all his knowledge about magic and helping him trawl for new information from the books that Crono had provided. Sometimes Abel summoned an elemental for Amnur to gawp at, including the familiar darkness elemental who appeared pleased, although worried for Amnur's health, with the situation he saw. When the mage's levels of pain had started to decrease in the following days, Abel tried him with a new elemental, one that he thought may initially worry the demon. The shaman began the familiar quiet chant, and Amnur watched as the wooden floor lit up with a bright, white light. He closed his eyes to shield him from the brightness, and when he opened them again, he found himself facing an elemental. For the first time, he found himself nervous; the form in front of him was that of an angel, albeit a ghostly one. Amnur considered the situation for a moment, but considering Abel was a demon, it couldn't have a problem with demons. The mage examined the spirit; unlike its elemental counterparts, it had less of a physical form, although what form it had was unlike the others. It notably held a feminine shape, down to possessing breasts, which Amnur found himself blushing when he noticed he had been staring at them.

  "She's different, isn't she?" Abel commented, seeing the mage's interest. That confirmed it to Amnur that it was indeed a she, but why was it a she, while the others always appeared genderless? "Living beings can become elementals, through intention or otherwise if their bodies are capable of handling the aether. It does usually change their form, however."

  That answered his question, the angel had been alive at some point. She approached Amnur and examined his wounds, frowning, or what Amnur thought to be frowning, as she looked. Her touch warmed Amnur's skin but not unpleasantly, it felt like the sunlight from a pleasant summer's day brushing his body.

  "I apologise for my kind's actions," she spoke, although Amnur was unsure if he had heard the words, or if they had been whispered into his mind. The voice was soft and kind, however, causing Amnur to smile.

  "I'll live, don't worry. It's given me an opportunity, anyway," he replied, feeling the warmth on his face as she stroked his cheek.

  "Yes, you're the first to persist with Abel because you don't let his sister intimidate you. She doesn't control him out of spite, it's just the nature of their blood."

  Amnur glanced at Abel, but the demon didn't react to the comment. She must be talking to him directly through his mind, keeping the conversation hidden from Abel, although he was unable to respond in kind. He went to ask what she meant, but before he could, there was a knock at the door.

  Abel stood up and opened the door, freezing briefly when he saw who was on the other side; Na-ri. Taking a deep breath, he welcomed her inside, but she remained standing at the entrance, glaring at the elemental that came into view now Abel had moved. Considering Amnur's state, Abel refused to allow himself to be phased by her behaviour, although his heart was racing.

  "What's wrong, Na-ri?" Abel asked, trying to take control of the situation by speaking first.

  "Don't you think it's about time you returned home?" she stated, causing Amnur to scowl.

  "Amnur's condition is still poor, he needs continued treatment."

  "Does that have to be you, though?" Na-ri interrupted sharply.

  "I... I," he stuttered, "I have the most knowledge in regards to treating this type of injury."

  Na-ri folded her arms and huffed, unwilling to take Abel's answer as a yes. Abel became increasingly nervous at the display, seeing that his sister wasn't going to back down on the issue. The two stood in silence, both hoping the other would concede. Amnur sighed, aware that his position to act was limited, but he had to try.

  "Na-ri, leave," Amnur demanded from the bed, earning a scowl from her.

  "You-"

  "Leave!" he bellowed, causing her to flinch. His crimson eyes locked on to her, while his mouth upturned in a snarl. Amnur wished to push himself up to make the threat greater, but he was aware of the weakness in his body. Still, the effect on Na-ri was profound, she was clearly wary of him.

  Deciding the confrontation was not in her favour, Na-ri turned and left, but not before growling at Abel. Abel's wings sunk as he slammed the door, but when he turned to Amnur, he tried to force a smile.

  "She told him not to bother coming home, then," the elemental informed Amnur, causing him to sigh. The question of how she knew what Na-ri had said was a topic for another time. For now, Abel needed comforting. He carefully shuffled back on the bed and patted the now empty spot on the bed, inviting Abel to sit. The demon took up the offer and settled on the edge, picking up Amnur's hand and holding it. Amnur could see he was upset, tears slipped down from his ice white eyes and dripped down to the bed below.

  "I'm sorry Abel, I didn't know she'd say something so harsh to you."

  "No, thank you for standing up to her," Abel sniffed, softly gripping the mage's hand.

  "If you want to stay here you can, I doubt Crono would mind. It's a large house, after all. Besides, it'd be nice to have a friend around."

  "I think I will," the shaman smiled, wiping the tears from his eyes.

  Chapter 23: A Bright Future

  It took a few months of rest, but eventually, Amnur fully recovered from his wounds with the help of Abel's tender care. The two had become close friends since the incident with Na-ri, although Abel had never told him the exact details of his past, what that language the elemental translated for him was, or what Na-ri's domineering nature being part of her blood was about. He gathered that was to protect himself, and to prevent Na-ri from having a reason to attack him.

  During the time he had been resting, winter had set in. He had picked up the increased chill even in his sheltered room, so he dreaded the outside. Crono had managed to get him a set of winter attire in the form of furred, leather clothing. It fit snugly, a feeling Amnur was rather unused to. With Abel in tow, he decided to brave the outdoors, only to find what was once green was now shades of white and brown. The demon gingerly examined the snow with an uncovered hand, feeling the chill against his warm fingers. Soon, he felt something cold slap his face and glanced up, only to receive another snowball to his face. Abel giggled and scraped snow together for another go, earning a raised eyebrow from Amnur.

  "Oh, I'm game," the mage laughed, dodging out of the way of the oncoming projectile. He hastily put his glove back on and returned fire, clipping Abel's wing as the demon tried to dodge. The two friends played for a while until the lingering chill started to bite at Amnur's wings, leading him to query how Abel remained so warm despite wearing so little. He just smiled, gesturing to Amnur for him to return back to the house, to fetch him a cape.

  ***

  Amnur eventually got used to the chill, in time for winter to pass to spring. Once the sno
ws lifted and the swamp slowly dried out after the thaw, life got back to normal. So far he had only come across a single angel; Uriel's plan had borne fruit, even if Amnur had no idea that it existed or that he was part of it. In exchange for his unconscious cooperation, Uriel was ensuring that Amnur’s continued existence didn’t reach the ears of Sebastian. The mage was wary of such an eventuality, but aside from angels, he had not seen any demons unknown to the swamps.

  One odd piece of information reached his ears, so he decided to investigate; there had been demon blood found, along with red blood which was presumed to originate from an angel, given there had been no outcry from the human settlements. There were no bodies, and no one who lived in the swamp had reported being injured, so who the owned the blood was unknown. Using his newly learnt invisibility, Amnur stalked the swamps until he came across the now dried blood. A brief examination of the surrounding area showed no disturbance, which perplexed him. Both combatants may have been mages, but he would’ve expected to see some damage as the mana flied. The blood appeared too minimal for blades unless one party had died from a blunt force injury or something similar.

  He could find no further traces, so he hopped into a tree and climbed up to the canopy, sticking his head out above the leaves. The edge of the opening that formed Linlake was visible, with the faint wisps of smoke rising from below. Amnur examined the other vistas, but the only thing of note he saw was the sea. If someone else had done this with the intent of seeking treatment, then likely they would head for Linlake. Down on the ground, the path was much more challenging though if the demon was not one who originated from the swamps, then they could well get lost, with wounds sapping their strength.

  Amnur slipped out of the tree and started down the crude path towards the village, keeping himself hidden as he went. The only place the demon could've originated from was the eastern settlements and given Sebastian's choice to exile him, they may not be amiable to his continued existence. There was thought as he went that it could be the new King himself, which would pose a dilemma. If that were the case, he would just have to hope his condition wasn't too poor so he could run back and get him help, while keeping himself hidden.