The Etherea Anthology

Ripped of Wings: Vol. V

Erebus sits beside Pandora, their feet dangling over the edge, above Etherea as the two watch the sunset, its golden rays piercing the sky seemingly fading away into the darkness of the night behind them.

"Pandora, Is it true we are kept alive by the Light of the Triad?" Erebus asked Pandora, the Keeper of Light.

"Indeed. Ancient texts detail that we were created with the Light of the Creator, however, we are not bound to it in terms of life."

"The Council told me I will die in twenty four hours from the ritual of the Blades."

"The ritual of the Council's Blades does not sever the light from a body, which would result in that. Only a Light keeper such as myself can perform the ritual Lux lacerans, not the council. Of course, they could order me to, but I will stand firm." Pandora said. Erebus glanced over at her.

"To sever an angel from their connection to the Light...Doesn't that seem almost inhumane?" Erebus asked. Pandora hesitated.

"I...suppose. Should they be severed, they will slowly grow weaker, then their body will fall apart after twenty four hours. I just wish my daughter was more open to learning the ways of the light keeper."

"Your daughter?" Erebus asked, looking up. "I was unaware of this, who is she?"

"She's nobody important to the Angelic Council currently. It hurts me that she insists on being so disobedient. Always sneaking out at night. She leaves in the night and will always come back with something different. I've caught her with stolen angelic jewelry. Most recently, she appears to have been getting her haircut. I'm unaware of where she goes."

Erebus looked to the side.

"Stealing huh? Does your daughter have blue eyes? Antennas and ears?" Erebus asked.

"Yes, that is her most likely. Selene?"

"Selene. I knew it." Erebus saw Pandora narrow her eyes in suspicion, before following it up with "I've caught her stealing before."

"Well I hope she wasn't much trouble for you."

"Oh no, not at all." Erebus looked into the sunset, thinking of Selene. She was so beautiful. And she was so rebellious, that fiery spark, Erebus loved it. After being told his whole life what to do, seeing someone else fight back, it was so moving.

"Erebus? Erebus? Erebus!" Pandora snapped in front of his face, knocking him out of his daydreaming.

"Eh- Huh- Whuh?-" Erebus shook his head. "My apologies."

"May I ask what happened in Hydrosa? I knew what happened in the Flaric Empire, but the Council has been very selective on the information they put out."

"I failed." Erebus confessed.

"What..?" Pandora looked at Erebus with shocked concern

"Something happened, when I went to go talk to the leader, Kai, he attacked me, immediately, without warning. I had no choice. At that moment, it was just.." Erebus began to tear up, dropping his head down as he brought his knees to his chest. "And him..."

"Who?" Pandora asked. An angel grabbed Erebus by the back of the suit, dragging him along the ground, dragging him off before he could say more. Pandora tilted her head in confusion.

Erebus was brought before the Heavenly Council once more. He stood.

"Kneel." The Council demanded.

Erebus fell to his knees, looking at the ground. The head Counselor walked up to Erebus, taking out a small curved dagger. An Athame, Erebus overheard. The Counselor put the tip to Erebus' shoulder, and sliced the patch right off. Erebus' eyes widened, then a solemn look came upon his face.