After-Life

Chapter 22. No Mere Mortal

The world fell quiet as the assembled figures left behind; looked around, lost.
"Righto," Azrael stepped forward, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "I believe we've had enough of Pan's little playroom; don't you think?"
With a wave of his hand, the scenery around them all changed as they all staggered and slumped to the ground in Eric's hotel room. Mabel glanced down and was relieved to see she was back in her normal attire; even if her arms were still scratched and torn, covered in bleeding welts.
"Now then," Azrael continued, serenely. "I have some work to do with you all, don't I?" He beamed at the children who all looked up at him, uncertainly.

"Our story needs to be told," Helga frowned. "Without the world knowing what happened to us, how can we move on?"
"Leave that to us, Helga," Mabel spoke softly, her voice thick with fatigue. "We know what happened to you, all of you."
She addressed the rest of the children; "we will retell your story as best as we can, with Asmodeus and Mr. Grim's help of course."
"Ahem!" Azrael glanced over to her and raised his eyebrows in anticipation.
"...and Azrael's?" Mabel added, uncertainly.
"Of course!" Azrael nodded, excitedly. "It is an angel's job to spread the word, after all. However, we might have to reinvent the story ever so slightly, for it to be more palatable for modern-day ears."

"A-and you will continue with the portrait, Miss Weaver?" Helga held her doll closely to her breast.
"Of course," Mabel assured her; "I will perfect the portrait."
"You won't forget me? Or us?" Helga asked, her eyes wide. Mabel was surprised to spy a trace of nervousness and fear dance across Helga's features.
Eric stepped forward and crouched down next to the young girl's spirit, "Miss Schneider, there is no need to be afraid. Azrael will take good care of you, and I assure you that I will not let up on Mab until she has perfected that portrait. Nor will any of us forget you, or what you have all been through. If anyone deserves peace, it's all of you."
"Couldn't have put it better myself," Azrael beamed; "right, um, shall we?"
With another fanciful wave of his arm, Azrael opened the door to the hotel room. What lay beyond however, was not the usual hallway, but a bright, blinding, and dazzling light. One by one, each of the children thanked Mabel, Kristoph, Eric, and Asmodeus as they cautiously approached the doorway and passed through. Finally, only Helga remained, still hesitant.

"It's okay, Helga" Mabel assured her, "you'll be safe and secure there, in a better place."
Helga turned to Mabel and slowly approached her, before looking up at Asmodeus, imploringly.
"You restored the vision for my friends, could I ask if you could do one final thing?"
The demon knelt down, "anything, little one" Asmodeus acknowledged, kindly.
Helga whispered into his ear and while he did furrow his brow in confusion, he nodded, and fished into his robes and drew out a small pouch. He dipped his hand into it pulled out a small pinch of dust from inside and blew it over Helga, who giggled.
"It tickles," she grinned, as she held out her arms which slowly took on a more solid form, along with the rest of her figure.
"Quickly now," Asmodeus warned, "life essence doesn't last long!"

Helga nodded and before Mabel could even question what had just transpired, Helga's arms had wrapped tightly around her shoulders as in a warm embrace.
"Thank you, Miss Weaver, for being so fearless against Pan. Without your energy, we wouldn't have been able to stand up to him the way we did. You've saved us all," She smiled with genuine sincerity as she pulled back, the solidity of her body fading away. As she slowly approached Azrael, Helga glanced back over her shoulder with one final look, before stepping through the doorway and out of sight. Azrael closed the door fast behind her and turned to the rest of the group, his expression changing to a more businesslike front.
"I will be back once I have opened the gate to all those children. I am determined to get to the bottom of who sent them to Limbo in the first place, as it was certainly not me! Something about all of this is not adding up and I need to figure it out, I will keep you updated of my findings." He turned to walk away; however, Asmodeus pulled him back.
"Just... be careful," Asmodeus shrugged, nonchalantly. "It's one thing for a demon to ask questions in Hell, freedom of speech is welcome, after all. However, we all know how well investigations and queries up top tend to work out... angel," he smirked, casually.
Azrael raised a brow and nodded, "duly noted... demon;" he smiled back and disappeared.