Shadow Weaver

Familial Matters

Morrighan's gaze swept across her daughters, her eyes lingering on each face before settling on Azmeria. "Azmeria, my child, why have you forsaken me?" she asked, her voice low and husky, trembling with a mix of anger and desperation. "I gave you life, I gave you power, and this is how you repay me? By defying my will and bearing a child to our sworn enemy?"

Azmeria stood tall, her eyes flashing with defiance. "I won't let you hurt my child, Mother," she said, her voice steady.

Morrighan's expression contorted in anguish. "You don't understand, Azmeria. This child is a threat to our very existence. If it lives, our power will be destroyed. I'm begging you, Azmeria, don't make me do this. Give me the child, and I'll spare your life."

Morrighan's gaze turned to Destria, her expression unyielding. "You know the law, Destria. Any child born of an Elian is a threat to our power. It must be eliminated. That's not just our law but the law of all Pantheons. Would you risk war with all?"

Destria stepped forward, her eyes pleading. "Yes I would, Mother, please, you don't understand Alkerian is everything.

"That name again who is." Azmeria began but then realization stuck her and she gasped putting her hands over her mouth and stared wide eyed at a smiling Destria.

Morrighan's eyes narrowed. "Who is this Alkerian you speak of?"

Destria's eyes darted back and forth between her mother and sister. "Alkerian is... is the child," she stammered. "Azmeria's child. I've seen him, Mother. He's powerful. And kind. And he's the key to our survival."

Azmeria's eyes widened in shock. "How do you know this, Destria?"

But before Destria could respond, a figure stepped forward, his wings gleaming in the dim light of the temple.

"I think that's enough," Ariel said, his voice firm and commanding. "Azmeria and her child are under the protection of the Archangels now. You will not harm them."

Morrighan's eyes flashed with anger. "You dare to defy me, Ariel? I am the Phantom Queen Morrighan!"

Ariel stood tall, his eyes shining with a fierce light. "I dare to protect the innocent, Morrighan. And I will not back down."

Morrighan's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing as she addressed Ariel. "You think you can protect Azmeria and her child from me? I am the Phantom Queen, with power beyond your wildest dreams. If you can't even stop my daughter, what hope do you have against me?"

Ariel's expression remained serene, his voice unwavering. "Well, I'm not alone," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.

As he spoke, two heavily armored angels stepped out from behind him, as if they had been hiding in his shadow. One held an ornate spear, its tip glinting with a light that seemed almost divine. The other grasped a large hammer, its head etched with symbols of power.

Morrighan's eyes widened, her gaze flicking between the two angels. "You dare to bring the Host into this?" she spat, her voice venomous.

Ariel's smile grew wider. "I don't just bring the Host, Morrighan. I bring the very wrath of Heaven itself."

The two angels stepped forward, their eyes blazing with a fierce light. The one with the spear spoke, his voice like thunder. "We will not let you harm the innocent, Morrighan. You will not pass."

The angel with the hammer added, his voice like a landslide. "We will crush you beneath our heels, Phantom Queen. You will not defy the will of Heaven."

Morrighan's face twisted in rage, her eyes flashing with power. "We'll see about that," she snarled, raising her hands to unleash her wrath.

Morrighan's eyes flashed with anger, but Ahigha's words and presence seemed to calm her slightly. She took a deep breath, her gaze flicking to Azmeria, and for a moment, her expression softened.