𝕮𝖗𝖔𝖜𝖓𝖑𝖊𝖘𝖘 𝕮𝖍𝖔𝖎𝖗𝖘

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝐈𝐈𝐈

"Am I staying with you now?" the little girl asked as she stood in front of Asmodeus after the council meeting.

He looked down at the child's brown head and smiled gently. Finally, Asmodeus sat down in a crouch. "You are safe now. What is your name?" he asked in a tender voice. His wings wrapped carefully around the two of them to hide their conversation from prying eyes.

The girl lifted her head and turned it slightly back and forth, as if she had felt the breeze or heard the movement.

In response to Asmodeu's question, she replied quietly, "Elena."

Elena stood motionless, her face filled with a calm serenity that revealed an inner strength that went far beyond her delicate exterior. Although she was blind, she seemed to grasp the world around her in a deeper, almost intuitive way, as if she could effortlessly comprehend the unseen and the unsaid. Her dark curls fell softly around her face and contrasted beautifully with her lightly tanned skin. Despite her youth, she was surrounded by an aura of wisdom and compassion that could touch even the oldest souls.

Her clothes were simple and functional, suitable for a girl who had to find her way in a world without visual stimuli. She walked barefoot, her delicate feet touching the ground with a grace that indicated she felt safe and secure despite her blindness.

She lifted her delicate hands and asked, "Where am I? May I touch your face?"

With a heavy swallow and a barely noticeable tremor, Asmodeus closed his eyes. He leaned forward slightly as Elena got his permission to feel his face. The touch of her hands was gentle and careful as she explored his skin. Her fingers gently stroked over his eyebrows, over the contours of his nose to his lips, which wore a soft smile. A hint of relief flitted across Elena's face as she felt him smile. Her eyes betrayed a quiet gratitude as she savored his closeness. "By the judgment of the council, you were sent to heaven. Here you are safe from all the dangers that plagued you on earth."

"I'm dead?"

Slowly, Elena pulled her hands back. She didn't even seem to know what had happened to her, but the sad truth of her fate hit her with full force. A soft sniffle escaped her throat as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

When Asmodeus noticed the tears in Elena's eyes, he clasped his hands around hers. His touch was warm and soothing as he tried to ease her fears. Compassionately, he smiled and spoke in a soft voice that was meant to comfort. "Fear not, Elena," he said, "although everything has changed, you are now in a place where you are safe. You are surrounded by angels who are watching over you, and in their love you will find peace and comfort." He did not let go of her hands, but held them tightly to give her a feeling of security. "You are not alone, Elena. Even though you may not understand why this change has happened, rest assured that we are here to support you and stand by you."

The girl sniffled softly, but to his surprise shook her head.

"But ... but," Elena began to stammer, struggling to speak between sobs, "without me ... Minie is all alone. She'll be all alone. And sad. Can't I go back?"