Bloody Dawn - MCD AU [REWRITE PENDING]

Four - Plot Continuation

Aphmau sat at the table with Katelyn, Levin, Garroth and Malachi. She ate in complete silence. She wasn't entirely sure, but something about Garroth... didn't feel right. Maybe it was the way he looked at her, like she was a cute little toadstool covered in toxins.

"So..." Levin began, oblivious to his sister's obvious discomfort. "What did you two do today?"

Aphmau stopped, staring down at her plate. Katelyn spoke up. "We-" she began before Garroth cut her off.

"Shouldn't the princess tell us? You're just a GuardWing." Garroth said.

Levin stared blankly at the possible suitor while Katelyn silenced herself. "I understand that you take rankings and rules seriously. But here, in this castle, people like Katelyn, who are loyal friends, are treated like family. If you can't respect that, then you're probably not a good match for my sister." Levin said sternly.

"Of course. I understand. Sorry for my rudeness, I guess you could say I'm a little jealous of Katelyn. Being such good friends with the princess. That's something no title can beat." Garroth said.

Aphmau stiffened up, suddenly uncomfortable. She stood up. "I'm gonna go talk to mother." She said before walking off.

Garroth suddenly stood up straight. "Mother" was the being who had created the Aether. Even though she died a long time ago, her spirit continued to commune with her children. No one but the royal siblings knew her name. No one but the most respected angels ever saw her.

Katelyn, who looked as though she wanted to go with Aphmau, turned and gave Garroth a death glare.
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Inside the throne room, Aphmau bowed before the empty throne, her wings outstretched in submission.

A few moments later, a shimmery figure appeared in the throne, her wings outstretched.

Aphmau stood up. "Lady Irene..." She said, tucking her wings in.

"Aphmau... How great it is to see you." Irene said, tucking her wings in as well. "I was wondering if you'd get around to coming here."

Aphmau smiled. "I'm guessing you needed to talk to me." She said.

"Yes. I did. Can you do me a favor?" Irene said, standing up.

"Sure. What's the favor?"

Irene looked at Aphmau. "I need you and two other angels to go to the Overworld."

Aphmau couldn't stop smiling.

"Bring two other trusted angels here. I'll explain then." Irene said before shimmering and disappearing.

Aphmau left the room full of joy. Katelyn was already waiting at her bedroom door.

"Katelyn, say you and I were on a journey with Simone else in a dangerous and mysterious place. Who would you journey with?" Aphmau asked.

Katelyn thought for a moment before saying, "Emmalyn. She's probably the smartest angel in the Aether."

"Emmalyn it is! You can summon her to the throne room posthaste, right?" Aphmau asked. Katelyn did a double take.

"Sure..." Katelyn said.
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Back in the throne room, Aphmau, Katelyn and Emmalyn bowed down, wings splayed in submission, until Irene reappeared.

"A BookWing and a GuardWing. Smart choice." Irene said. Aphmau nodded.

"In fact, their the perfect companions for a journey in the Overworld."

Katelyn and Emmalyn both did a double take. Irene continued. "I can sense a huge evil building, deceptions and lies weaving into a web of tragedy. For all four realms."

"Four?!" All three angels did another double take. Irene ignored this.

"I have communed with the spirit of the Demon King for many millennia. But now, with the spider weaving it's web of betrayal, he falls silent. I fear the worst. I need you to go to the Overworld to find the cause of all this."

"With all due respect," Katelyn began, "how are we supposed to get to the Overworld?"

"I think my daughter has the means." Irene said guardedly.

Then, with that, Irene disappeared and left the three angels standing alone in the throne room.

"So... we just pack our bags and go?" Emmalyn asked.

"I guess so." Katelyn agreed.

Aphmau just stood there, smiling brighter than the morning sun.

"Let's get ready." She said.
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After getting the supplies they might need, the trio of angels flew towards the distant portal. Or, well, Katelyn and Aphmau flew. Emmalyn's small wings, which were built for flitting around small spaces, weren't of much use here. So she rode in a golden lasso.

Aphmau made sure to fly off and grab her sword, and then they flew to the portal.

Made of glowstone, the portal lit up the area around it. The sun had fully set by now, and as the trio sat down for a rest, it kept their faces lit.

Aphmau stood up and ran over to the chest, pulling out an empty bucket. Using a nearby stream to fill it, Aphmau ran over and splashed the glowstone. Immediately the water began to glow, forming a thin sheet of blue that filled the frame.

Aphmau looked at her companions, who nodded.

Aphmau swallowed her fear, and jumped right in.