The Demons Demise

CHAPTER 19: ONE LAST QUESTION

"I just wanted to ask if you could help me become more Angelic." Kurkoren asked respectfully, thinking of his brother. His amiably asked question shocked Lex to the core. A Demon asking for something like this was shocking. Kurkoren noticed the shock on his face. "Don't worry. I'm serious about this."
"Yeah, but..." Lex began.
"And when I'm an Angel, I can take my old name back. My own, real name." He said before Lex could finish saying what he was going to say. "I think me trying to change for the best would – and will – be a good way to show my love for Anouke. And I may be easier to... 'Change' or whatever since I want to become an Angel."

"Yeah, okay, but..." Lex sighed. "You see, I want to change Demons, help them become more Angelic, but... I don't know how to." Lex remembered what Anouke said before.

'If their scales are detraining or white – maybe faded like some of yours - then that means they're just coming to their humane senses. In other words, your wings are degrading. And that means you're becoming either more humane or Angelic. See the scales on your wings near the very bottom? The white ones I mean. That shows you're becoming more Angelic... Oh, and if you're becoming a human, their wings would be disappearing instead of fading away or becoming white first.'

"Ah! Could I see your wings, Kurkoren?" Lex asked and turned to face him lounging on Anouke's chair. He nodded, though he was confused, and his wings grew from his back. "Woah..." Lex gasped. Impossible...

"W-What is it?" Kurkoren asked, suddenly shy.
"Your wings are... a little white but also... the bottom of them are gone."
"What does that mean?"
"I'm not sure. Look, Anouke told me that if they're turning white, that means they're becoming more Angelic, and if their wings are disappearing, it means they're becoming more humane." Lex thought for a moment. "So does that mean there are Angels-turned-humans or Demons-turned-humans in the human town?"
"Oh, that's true... Hmm..."

Lex had finally agreed to help Kurkoren change, though he wasn't completely sure on what he had to do. But he would try his best. He was doing this for Anouke after all. And maybe for himself. Night had completely fallen upon the forest, no longer doused in red, but silver instead. Kurkoren was asleep on the chair, legs hooked over the arm of it and head dangled over the other side of it. He had one arm on his stomach, hand over his heart, and his other arm had fallen down, fingers nearly touching the floor as they twitched whilst he dreamt.

Lex was lying down, staring at the ceiling, hoping to see Anouke again. He closed his eyes, the spying moonlight leaking in through the clear windows and resting upon his still body. His chest rose up and down slowly like he was meditating. He took in a deep breath and his body felt like it was falling into water, feeling cold but as it fell deeper into the unexplored depths, it felt warmer and heavy. Darkness took over his vision.
As he woke up, he was sitting on the grass he was hoping to be on. His fingers wrapped around blades of grass as he waited for the shadow to spill over him. When it did, he looked up. It was Anouke, like always. Lex's mind already flooded of the things he wanted to say and ask him. He sprang up from the dry but healthy ground. "Anouke!" He shouted out jocundly.
"Lex." Anouke replied back with a sad smile.

"Before you ask, I already know the question you want to ask." He closed his eyes then slowly opened them again. "About Angels/Demons becoming humans. So, when they do, their memory is wiped clean of those old times. As horrible as it may seem, forgetting about everything when they were Demons or Angels... it's just what happens. They even forget the happy memories. And the sad ones. But it keeps our existence safe and unknown. It's strange but... it's just like I know all of these things suddenly."

"Ah, right..." Lex said flustered. "I don't know what to do... Kurkoren came up to me and asked me to help him out, but I just don't know what to do." He complained sorrowfully, and stepped closer to Anouke. "Please, Anouke..." He said. "You have to help me." Lex felt a tear stroke his cheek. "You have to come back to me. Please." Lex said. He felt like begging. Getting on his knees and clasping his hands together. Anything to bring him back. Lex hugged him, stuffing his face into Anouke's chest. "I can't let you go yet."
"What's done cannot be undone." Anouke stated one more. Lex's heart felt like it stopped beating. Like a spear had just been thrown into his chest.

These moments weren't real, and never would be.

This was the most Lex would be able to see Anouke. And his dreams weren't guaranteed.

Anouke's words, though truthful, hurt. "Yeah, that's right. You're never coming back." Lex said aloud. He said it mostly to himself so he could accept that he was never going to really see Anouke again. Lex pulled away a little. Anouke kept his hands on Lex's hips.
"I'm sorry, Lex. I wish I could. But I can't come back. You know that I wouldn't want to leave you either."

Lex nodded. "Yeah. I know." He wanted to cry out, scream. "I just need to know one thing..." Lex said.

"Did I do well?"
"I'm so proud of you, Lex."