Wundersoul Chronicles - Angel Curse
Opia hesitated as she gently slid her hand across the smooth round globe.
"A drought might do them some good after all." She said.
She pressed firmly against the strong but malleable surface. A solemn bell rang in the room, quietly, enough to be heard. The choir high above began to sing louder. A beautiful harmony that balanced existence.
Opia sighed as she stood, walked toward the door to the stairs, and made her way down. The choir behind her now, she would reach the Observatory of Mortals soon.
The chamber of the 8th Ring was mostly quiet. The Angels here generally stuck to their work, observing the mortals and such. On the edge stood the Loom of Fate, and its weaver, Gilroy.
Opia waved to Gilroy. He returned the gesture.
On another edge stood the many pools with scrying orbs floating above them. Just behind the pools lay the half built bridge. After many eons here, Opia likened it to a gangplank. The Bridge of Whispered Prayers is used to listen to mortals' prayers. It's unfortunate they all can't be answered.
The many Angel guides that track events waved as Opia seemed to glide across the room. She wished she could stay but she was needed in the Living Quarters.
"Down we go..." she mused as her feet clacked against the stairs.
The 7th Ring was always so stuffy to Opia. Celestial archives and remembrance halls lined the walls where the infinite bookshelves filled with infinitely scrolling scrolls gave way. If you looked too long at the wall, you may become confused. Best practice is to stare at the floor tiles and carpet until you reach the other side. Even now, after all this time, that is exactly what Opia does as she swiftly descends from the 7th Ring.
The 6th Ring, her destination. She simply needed to make her way to the nursery and her trip would be halfway done.
The Living Quarters also seemed to vex the mind if thought about for too long. While all homes were on a single floor, once you left the stairway, there was no ceiling. Clear blue sky, endless, lined the space above here.
Opia would need to fly to reach the nursery. It was a few kilometers out passed the primary line of houses.
"Stretch, stretch," she said as her wings expanded.
Wide, majestic, soft wings cast a grandiose shadow upon the ground. She leapt into the sky and began the powerful gusts towards her destination.
She flew over the fields of golden wheat, over the fields of brightly colored flowers. The Eternal Garden was blooming still.
---
Just beyond a pasture was the nursery. A white building, very large in size. This was where the Angels were born.
The feathers on her wings ruffled gently as she landed near the front door. The door had opened, revealing one of the caretakers.
"This way ma'am. Watch your step, please. We are not liable for any personal injuries." the caretaker gestured down a long row of incubators.
"Certainly still a sight to behold. How long has it been Joseph? 2, 3 hundred years?" Opia asked.
"Something like that, ma'am. You have been quite busy since becoming the High Angel. I never got the chance to congratulate you." Joseph said.
"No need Joseph. And stop calling me ma'am, we're the same age and I have heard far too much praise at this point. I digress though, what did you need me to see?" She asked.
Joseph clasped his hands as he walked toward the end of the row.
"Just down this way. It's one of the eggs... I was never one for theatrics so, I am not joking in the slightest when I say this. The egg is golden? Or a shade of yellow I'd say. I'm not certain what to make of it." he said.
Opia could see a timid glow emanating from the egg just at the end of the row.
"It glows?" she asked.
"It does. Another odd thing it does is shake violently in regular intervals. Every hour I think. I did a rough count." Joseph said.
"Does Gilroy know yet?" Opia whispered.
"Why are you whispering? Obviously he knows. He's the Loom Weaver." Joseph said.
"So... does Anaiel know?" Opia asked.
Joseph pulled his stopwatch from his pocket and looked at it for a moment, "She does now. You took too long getting here." he said.
"Crap, crap, crap. Ok, Ok. We can handle this. W- we call Gabriel first." Opia began.
"Gabriel first," Joseph interjected sarcastically,
"No, no, that's not right. It's Michael first... then Azazel to make sure the egg isn't evil, Puriel to find the soul, Raziel to read the "prophecy"," she said mockingly, "Um, um---"
She was cut off by the door flying open.
"Joseph! Joseph, where is it? Where is the egg?!" Anaiel yelled.
"It's right here Anaiel." Joseph said in an assertive tone.
"I've already, um, analyzed the egg and, um, it seems to be a fine egg. That's one fine egg! I should probably get it to Azazel so he can check it o--" Opia was cut off by the shrill voice,
"Nonsense," Anaiel yelled, "I am here now and I must say this is quite the development, hmm? Gilroy and his team of old coots may have been right for once. A golden egg? What a wonder! So this thing is supposed to create the perfect god?"
"Oh come now, Anaiel. That is simply a rumor. An unsubstantiated rumor I might add. I find mockery of others' to be quite passe. Leave old Gilroy to his devices lest I report you to the High Angel... Oh, wait, here she is..." Joseph gestured toward Opia.
"Sure sure, High Angel my ass. I'm just coming to see my future student!" Anaiel said.
"No, I don' think so. She'll be coming to me this time." Opia said.
"Ohhh, breaking the rules again are we? I was a better teacher than you Opey, remember that," Anaiel mocked, "And need I remind you, you are not a teacher anymore, miss High Angel. Whatever this "thing" is, it's coming to my class. Mark my words."
Anaiel quickly but gracefully made her way back to the front door and slammed it on her way out.
"We have to get this egg to Azazel." Opia said.
"You mean, Opia needs to get the egg to Azazel? I can't go on your wacky adventures anymore Opey, I've got a solid gig here and I don't want to ruin it. I'm not the High Angel, I can still get punished and Heaven is my next stop. I did my job, now you go on and do yours. Go on now, get." Joseph argued playfully.
"Cold, Joey. That's real cold.... Alright, unhitch the basket already." Opia knocked on the side of the carriage holding the egg.
Angels called them baskets but the source of the word has long since been lost. They were more like spectral incubator carriages.
Joseph unclasped four toggle clasps which loosely held the carriage in place. Then he unlocked the brakes on the four wheels and began wheeling it to the departure area.
At departure, Joseph wrapped the egg in a cloud white satin harness that Opia would use to carry it.
"Best of luck to you... ma'am." Joseph saluted to her as she ascended.
"Pffft," Opia scoffed as she made her way to entrance of the 6th ring.
---
Now on the 5th Ring, Opia decided to see Gabriel and Michael. This was not really the place for an egg to be. Vast stores of weapons lined halls with wide ornate columns. They were wide open because Gabriel was here most days defending it. Both he and Michael were, being the first and second in command of the army of Hell. There had only been one instance of someone actually trying to cause harm to them. It happened a long time ago and Gabriel won't talk about it.
He was sitting solemnly on a marble seat, sharpening Michael's sword. A spectacular sword it was. The Angelic Sword. It epitomized what it meant to fight as an Angel. I'm glad I've never seen him use it.
She floated gently lower and lower toward Gabriel.
"Hail and well met, Sir Gabriel! How goes it?" Opia swung her arms about theatrically.
"Well met High Angel. It goes well." Gabriel stood and looked into the infinite sunset, "It is a noble goal to seek isn't it? To be well, I mean."
Opia stood and said nothing. He looked as though he might have something to add. Gabriel swung the sword quickly and pointed it to the sun.
"It has long since been war time but I fear our new addition may bring some unwanted complications." he said squinting at the sun.
"Yeah, well, that's why I stopped here. I'm headed to see Azazel to find out what he knows about the soul in there." Opia said.
"Mmmm, yes, the interloper. He certainly should have something to add. What do you think of this Opia? A golden egg?" Gabriel asked.
"I- I'm not sure really. I just know that I've known Gilroy my entire life. All rumors have an inkling of truth somewhere in there, Gabriel. You just have to find it." Opia said.
Gabriel walked toward the egg and held his hand on the pristine shell. His palm glowed a bright golden for a few moments then subsided.
"It certainly is not evil. But there is a chaotic energy within. I'm not sure what to make of it either." Gabriel said.
"I figured as much. No offense to you, but I think this is beyond all of us. I'm headed out now, come visit when you have time ok?" Opia said.
"Of course, High Angel, I will make the time for this." Gabriel sat down and began sharpening his sword again.
He looked pensive. Deep in thought.
Opia floated away feeling less sure about what they might find inside. As she floated away, Michael waved from a field nearby.
She returned the gesture.
---
Traveling between the Rings of Hell was the most exhausting part of the cosmic beaurocracy that came with being a High Angel. Opia passed through the 4th Ring, where infinite scrolls and training grounds lived.
She passed through the 3rd Ring, where souls get assigned to their mortal bodies.
She passed through the 2nd Ring, where souls are cleansed after a full life. Puriel joined her from here, being the one who cleansed the golden eggs' soul, she had some documents that would help them track its' origin.
Down in the 1st Ring, they moved quietly, so to not disturb the assessors. Some of the souls here were still shocked upon learning they were dead. Seeing a large glowing egg won't make it much better.
To reach Azazel, who managed the souls with Samael in the Lower Stars, they would have to pass through the middle stars.
The middle stars was the collection of all existences the Angels had created and that were still in existence. Passing through here was easy work for Opia. She disguised herself and Puriel as shooting stars. It always worked for this type of trip.
As they descended into the stars, the trio were engulfed in star flames, changing them into the form of a single large comet. This comet was slightly different than the normal blue star flame she saw, it was golden. They had become a golden shooting star.
---
Opia increased their speed. They were barreling past planets and black holes to reach the speed needed to break into the lower stars.
CRACK!
A hole in space time ruptured, giving way to a vast empty void, save for a single floating island. Opia continued as a comet until they were within a reasonable range and brought them in slowly.
Samael was waiting for them. He would usually guide the souls here after death. He must have heard of the occasion.
"Awww, little shnookum wookums. We're calling it Geraldine." Samael mocked.
"Sam, where is Azazel?" Opia said.
"I have the documents from it's release, Sam, we can go look in the office to find its source paperwork." Puriel said.
"Yeah, yeah, follow me. He's inside freaking out about it now. I've got to get back to work but old Azazel is already looking into it. He says he didn't see anything strange come through. This isn't on me, by the way. I can't afford to stay down here forever." Samael said.
"Aww that's sweet... He thinks he's gonna get out of Heaven." Puriel taunted.
"Ahh but lest you forget. Forgiveness is the name of the game. Gilroy said it himself. I trust the Loomweaver more than you Puriel. Plus, Heaven is way too boring. I want one of those rooms that turns into whatever you want, ya know? Like a spaghetti room?" Samael said, "Good behavior, ehh, boss?"
Samael gestured toward Opia positively. She sighed and shook her head slowly.
"He's right Puriel, but I have no say in that process, Sam. It's up to the Loom and I don't read it. Keep up the good work. Now take us to Azazel." Opia said confidently.
"Very well. Right this way." Samael motioned toward a building in the center of the island.
The Island of Heaven was small to say the least but still large enough to facilitate two individuals and a host of technical equipment. Opia measured the distance from end to end out of sheer boredom with Joseph on a prior trip here.
"It's about 1600 me's across," she had said triumphantly that day.
The single building decorated the bright green grass that lay at their feet. The edge of the island was perfectly circular in shape and upon looking off the edge, Opia could see the nothingness below. If she didn't have wings she would be more worried but far below, she could see the faintest glimmer of a lime blue light, most certainly a dormant soul waiting to be cleansed.
The building itself was in stark contrast to the environment around it, sporting a cube shape with window holes on each of the 5 exposed sides. While the sea of darkness surrounded it, a light similar to the sun shone on it as if it were midday, illuminating the white marble exterior. The solid black tile atop the rafters and silver sconces along the outside only added to the dreary elegance of the place.
As they approached the building, Azazel could be seen through the windows. He was waving his hands around an orb of light, likely a soul.
He must have spotted them because after they turned the corner to the front entrance, he was already outside awaiting them.
"Hurry, hurry inside. We have much to discuss. Come now, don't dilly dally, never dilly dally, you see." the man spoke fast and sternly, urging them inside.
"I'll leave you guys to it. I have more souls to hopefully scare the life out of you all with." Samael waved to each of them as he left their company.
They could see him walk casually to the edge of the island, and jump off with a stylish wave.
Azazel opened the roof so Opia could land inside with the egg. With all their faults, the two kept the place tidy. Two beds on opposing sides. A simple kitchen next to a reasonably sized washroom. In the middle, on the floor, was a spherical impression.
Azazel pointed to the egg, now sitting steadily within the floor, "I have been searching, you see. I have searched for the origin of this soul since it was brought to my attention."
"Yes, well, we were wondering why it was golden is all. A few rumors were spread and we don't want the situation to get out of hand. Did you find anything?" Puriel said.
"Yes, I have found something, you see. Something quite peculiar, you see." Azazel pushed into the air, willing the space around him to form an ethereal screen. He pointed to it and shook his hands, "The signature on the soul is normal, you see. Nothing out of the ordinary. But when I look at the progenitor list, look what I find, you see? Gilroy is on the list, you see? That cannot be possible, for Gilroy still lives!"
"So it's saying that this soul used to be Gilroy but Gilroy is still himself. Maybe we have to talk to him. I saw him on my way here but he didn't mention anything. Come to think of it, I never really talked to him. He just waved." Opia said.
"But that is not all, you see. I analyzed Gilroy's progenitor list and found an unknown progenitor. What's more concerning, you see, is that it has a beginning... there was only one beginning, you see. Troubling, very troubling." Azazel said.
"I think we should run the tests again. We do it one last time and you show us the lists. Then we'll go from there. How long will it take to compile the information?" Opia asked.
"Half a day of your time, you see. We must perform a ritual and remain patient, you see. We can begin shortly." Azazel said.
---
The ritual was a simple one Opia had performed many times while she was a teacher. Students would ask who they were in a past life more often than she had imagined before becoming one. She often obliged their requests unless they were pressed for time. Her ritual wasn't as powerful as this one though.
Azazel drew a circle on the grass outside of their home and placed a seed in the middle. They stood in a circle and joined hands around the seed, singing the holy "Om". After some time the seed melted into the ground and began to grow.
First the stems burrowed through the soft earth, tunneling studiously to make way for what they would soon become. The speed with which it grew was remarkable, the eager stem had almost materialized in front of them in mere seconds.
The flower seemingly drained the essence of color from the grass around it. The stem became more and more saturated with the deep jade green of life.
As the stem slowed its growth to a crawl, a brilliant white color began to collect around the top of the flower, which was beginning to flare outwards, likely to make room for the head of the flower and petals.
A white Calla Lily formed the top of the flower with a gentle flourish of dewdrops around it.
Azazel nudged Opia and gestured toward the egg. She left the circle and brought the egg just above the lily and it rose ever so slightly. Azazel waved his hands and a screen appeared in front of them.
"Take a look for yourselves." Azazel said.
Opia glanced at the different sections detailing information about the soul. It was seemingly an ordinary soul, average life span, average happiness. It was average in every regard except its' progenitor list.
The progenitor list detailed the past lives of a soul. This was usually for entertainment purposes, for souls to reminisce about after a life has passed. It could also be used to draw knowledge or experience from. To see a living being on the list was alarming for Opia, even more so for that name to be an Angel, and Gilroy no less.
What are you doing on here Gilroy? Opia thought.
"You see, and when I adjust the view to Gilroy," Azazel waved his hand again, changing the view to Gilroy's soul, "There is one here that doesn't have a name."
Azazel pointed to the name on the list. It was displayed in a language that was neither Angelic nor Demonic.
"What is that? Do you know what language that is?" Opia said.
The others nodded their heads.
"How... how do we even deal with this? What does this even mean?" Puriel said.
"We have to talk to Gilroy. I'd hate to image he'd be keeping secrets bu--" Opia began.
"Secrets... No, you need to talk to the Keeper of Secrets, you dunce! That's what they do, you see." Azazel said.
"Well the Keeper isn't so great at letting those secrets go. Me and Joseph have tried before, trust me. We'll just ask Gilroy nicely about it and he'll tell us." Opia said.
"And if he doesn't?" Puriel asked.
"Come on, let's go. Azazel, keep an eye on the egg until we get back." Opia said.
"What if he doesn't, Opia? Tell me!" Puriel hounded Opia as they flew into the Middle Stars once again.
"Wait! This place is not suitable for an egg to be held long term, you see! Opia! Come back here!" Azazel said chasing after them.
He stopped, looked at the egg for a moment, then shrugged and walked back to the building.
"I don't have time for this." he said.
Still floating above the lily, the egg began to shake and spin rapidly.
---
Opia and Puriel flew as fast as they could through the first seven gates, alarming many of the other Angels. By the time they reached the 8th Ring, a few Angels were waiting to see exactly what the hurry was about. The two reached the threshold and gracefully flourished their wings as they floated down to land. Gilroy looked the least surprised to see this, while many of the others were murmuring and gasping.
"You'll have to forgive me High Angel but it seems you have caused my colleagues to become quite worked up." Gilroy said jokingly.
"I understand Loomweaver, I will file a formal complaint at my earliest convenience." Opia said in a low grumbly voice, "Carry on Angels, there is much to be done."
The two laughed heartily as the rest of the room returned to their places with disgruntled grunts and sighs. Puriel stood in confusion.
"Sir Gilroy, It is nice to meet you again by the way, we work closely together, actually, I'm sure you remember me. Puriel?" Puriel said.
"Yes, I recall your arrival here in the Firmament very well. You had a particularly hard time letting go of your death. Where do spend your days?" Gilroy asked.
"The... the second ring sir. But I hope to make it here, to the eighth, one day." Puriel responded.
"Hmm, very good. I'll keep my eyes and ears aware of your intentions, Puriel." Gilroy said.
"But seriously, Gilroy, we need to ask you something. It's about that egg, the golden one?" Opia said.
"Ahh yes. It seems to have also caused quite a stir in the few circles I frequent. What about it do you need to know? I can't say I know much." Gilroy said.
"When we took the egg to Azazel, we found your name on it. That's not possible." Opia said.
"Well, apparently it is, you saw it yourself," Gilroy rubbed his long white beard and looked into the sky for a moment, "I can't remember..."
He threw his hands in the air in surrender.
Opia and Puriel stood in disbelief at the elderly Angel.
"What do you mean sir? You can't remember what?" Puriel said.
"I mean, I can't remember. I know how the Loom works, that is for certain," he paced back and forth slowly, "I know where my home is, I recall many things. I remember Opey arriving as well... It seems my memory has been tampered with ladies, for I cannot recall a large portion of my time here, before you all arrived, specifically."
"You're a little too calm for all this sir. Pardon my ignorance, but shouldn't we be worried?" Puriel asked.
"Hmmm, I don't believe so, and so I am not. For us to be worried, there should be something to worry about. If I could remember anything that could help, perhaps, but as it stands, I am not required for this journey," Gilroy placed his hand on Opia's shoulder, "It pains me that Joseph can't accompany you either but I believe this is a good thing for you Opia. And you too of course Puriel," he gestured toward her, "Perhaps worry shouldn't be the first face this newcomer sees, hmm?"
"Thank you Gilroy, we'll let you know if we learn anything new." Opia said.
"No. You won't. If I need to learn anything new, the Loom will provide. Carry on, you have much to do." Gilroy was already walking back to the Loom on the far side of the Ring.
Puriel looked at Opia with confusion, "He is a strange fellow."
"Not at all... maybe a little... Let's get back to Azazel before he starts experimenting with the egg." Opia said.
"Well, there are a few more places I'd thought we could check, on our way down?" Puriel said.
"If it's on the way, sure thing." Opia said.
"Ok, let's go then." Puriel said.
The two began making their way down through the lower levels.
---
Crack!
A small piece of golden shell as fast as a projectile launched itself into the side of the lab.
"What was that?" Azazel asked, "Sam if that's you, you'd better cut that out!"
He came out of the front door to find the piece embedded in the wall. He held his thumb up to the piece, measuring it, and looked at the egg.
"That's about a foot deep in. If it keeps going at this rate, I'll be down there waiting for Sam to pick me up." Azazel said.
He walked to the edge of the island and took in a deep breath, "Samael, you are needed, you see!" he said in a heavy booming voice.
Below, he could see the souls vibrating much faster now. In the depths, he could see Sam too.
It wasn't often that Azazel needed help. Sam would be below most times and he would be above, analyzing and documenting information. Samael flew swiftly over the edge and landed with a forceful punch to the ground.
"Enough with the theatrics Sam, this egg is hatching, without an incubator, mind you. We need to prepare." Azazel said.
"Where are the babysitters?" Samael said, scoffing at the egg.
"Running an errand for me, you see. In the mean time, we are to care for this as we do all souls. I need barricades and hot water immediately!" Azazel said.
Samael did his best to move the hidden barricades around the egg in short time but they were quite heavy. After those were in place, he began boiling water while Azazel took a few of his machines outside one by one.
"This should suffice until we can get it to Joseph." Azazel said.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Plink! Plink! Plink!
Three more pieces flew off the egg, this time into the barricades around it.
"That's a dangerous egg. They all don't do that, do they?" Samael asked.
"If it wasn't clear to you already, this one is particularly... volatile." Azazel said behind the door.
The egg began to rotate off of its original axis. It wobbled and spun wildly as it floated above the lily. The golden fragments were flying past the barricades now, toward the souls below and the space above.
"Take a look, you see! The membrane within holds the Angel. When the shell is gone, it will float down gently." Azazel said.
Piece by golden piece, the eggs shell came flying apart. Many of the pieces were stuck in the barricades. The light that shone above filled the area with a golden sparkle.
Finally, after the shell had completely come apart, the inner membrane began to float down. It floated until it reached the lily on the ground, as the flower touched it, they both glowed a bright white.
Azazel and Samael shielded their eyes. The light soon dissipated and on the ground, lay a small bundle of something covered in white cloth. The two waited for a moment to see if anything else would happen before they stepped carefully toward the barricades. When they peeked around the corner, they could see the object was moving.
Samael readied himself as Azazel reached for the cloth and pulled the outermost layer off. What was beneath shocked them. It was a small child.
"What is this madness!" Samael said clutching his head.
"Hmm, I was not expecting that, you see. I've never seen a child Angel before." Azazel said.
"Well, it's looking at you." Samael said.
And under that cloth, the child was indeed staring directly at Azazel. It did not make any noise, no crying, no laughter, it simply stared.
As he moved around, the child's eyes followed. Even when he walked past the barricades, Samael could see the eyes following Azazel precisely.
"Maybe it likes you." Samael said jokingly.
"I think not, you see! I have no time for this foolish child's emotions. We have work to do!" Azazel said passionately.
The child, still staring intently at him, burst into a fit of laughter.
"So you think I'm funny, do you?" Azazel said to the child as he approached it.
The laughter became louder as he came closer, so he stopped.
"Sam?" he said.
"Yeah?" Samael responded.
"Come here for a moment."
Samael made his way next to Azazel, within the barricades now, next to the child. The laughter stopped as the child switched between looking at the two.
"Now, I'm going to walk away." Azazel said.
And he did, further behind the barricades, near the lab. The further he got from the child, the more discomfort Samael could see in its gaze. It began looking more at Samael with a fearful look. Soon, it began to cry.
Samael looked at Azazel, "Now what do we do? You made it cry.", he shouted over the noise.
The child's wailing was beyond anything they had experienced before. The weight of the cries shook the very fabric of Heaven. The souls below, descended even further. The two covered their ears but even that couldn't diminish the sound.
Samael began running toward the lab, "Get back over there!"
Azazel walked back to the child and slowly it lessened its cries. He went to pick the child up and it immediately began laughing again.
"You have quite a temper on you, you see?" He said.
"Let's take it inside. We'll wait for Opia there." Azazel said.
"No can do. I've got to wrangle those souls back into the safe zone. You can handle it for now, Geraldine likes you remember?" Samael said.
Samael made his way to the depths below once again, while Azazel scoffed and took the child inside.
---
Opia and Puriel looked around the island in disbelief as they flew into Heaven. Landing next to the lab, Opia knocked on the window a few times, alerting Azazel and the child inside.
He had retrofitted a bed with a hovering apparatus and wooden sideguards to hold the child. As he turned from his work, he donned a look a relief.
"Finally!" He said in a muffled voice through the glass.
Puriel gestured aggressively for him to hurry outside. He held a single finger in the air while he retrieved the child and began towards the door.
"What happened?" Opia asked with outstretched hands.
"Your egg hatched, you see. I'm not sure if they are all this... violent, but I'm glad I don't see hatchings often enough to know. Also, and I'm certain of this, they don't come out as children." Azazel said.
"A child!? The egg did this? I haven't seen an egg explode before." Puriel said.
"Not an explosion, you see. It spun round and the shards flew everywhere! I had to get Sam to help me barricade the thing!" Azazel said.
"Sorry about the damage here Azazel. I'll put in a work order as soon as I get back." Opia said.
"Very well, now please relieve me of this child so I may continue my work." Azazel said.
"Ohhh, come here little baby! So it was like this when it came out, hmm?" Opia said reaching out to hold the child.
"Yes, and Samael made the blessed thing cr--"
Their senses were overtaken with the most uncomfortably discordant scream they had ever heard. The child's eyes glowed bright white as she yelled, nearly blinding Opia. She pulled her hands back defensively and shielded her eyes with her arms. As quickly as she began, the child almost instantly stopped crying.
The three stood in shock, simply staring at the child now.
"I fear the child has deemed our ever cheery Azazel here as its... Mother? Father? I'm not sure, but I don't think we're taking it anywhere. So bright..." Puriel trailed off, walking around the wrecked barricades.
"We'll need to call Joseph and have him send some things. You'll also need an extension made to the lab so the child can have its own room. And we'll need a teacher as well, perhaps a more modern one." Opia was taking notes on a small notepad.
"Has anyone thought to ask me! I cannot care for a child here!" Azazel protested.
"And that's why we need the extension, silly! It'll be fine, I'll fill out the forms for you and everything." Opia said.
"No, I simply must refuse!" Azazel said.
"And I must confess," Opia crossed her arms and gave him a serious glare, "Azazel, you would be the last person I would leave anything in the care of, let alone a child. Yet it seems that this child has imprinted on you. It would be in all of our best interest if you raised the child down here."
"You are too calm about this! I - I don't know anything about caring for a child, Opia, I'm not fit for this. There has to be someone else. Aren't there any rules against this?" Azazel said.
"I know you're not fit, and I know there are many others that COULD do the job. But the child has chosen you. We spoke to Gilroy and he is just as lost as the rest of us, so I am going to trust that something good can come from this. I'm going to trust you, Azazel. Any help you need is always available and I'll come visit from time to time. Perhaps there is something about this place..." Opia said.
"Something like what?" Azazel asked.
"Not sure, just a feeling. Anyway, have you decided on a name?" Opia laughed.
"Very funny, you see. I don't like this one bit, mind you. Remember that when the child grows to be a royal menace." Azazel retorted.
"I'm sure it'll turn out just fine." Opia said.
"She." Azazel muttered.
"It's a she?" Opia asked.
"Yes. I did a scan on the child to check its history and whatnot. Turns out to be a girl." Azazel said.
"Hmmm, I think Annie will love that." Opia said walking away.
"Anaiel? Here!? No, no, no, Opia, you cannot send her here!" Azazel said.
But she had already began to fly away with Puriel in tow. The two waved as Azazel continued yelling, and the child laughing at it all.