Golden wings

Chapter 33 - Over

Godric was standing in front of their desk, pondering quietly. They were worried. Ayako had been gone for far too many days, without giving notice of her situation.

They wondered where she was... And their questions were answered.

Godric opened their eye, because the door of the office opened slowly, almost timidly. The room could have not been more silent or dark; yet somehow, it became much more eerie when they saw Ayako standing at the door.

Two big golden wings were hanging down from her arms. Godric remained silent while Ayako stepped closer, slowly. She halted her steps in front of his desk, and then laid the wings on it, with a solemn and tired expression. Her voice was barely a whisper, lacking any of the joy she always had.

"...I found an angel."

Godric raised an eyebrow at her strange choice of words. They found it odd, but they did not think much of it; they only sighed and looked down at the stunning wings. They would be beautiful, if it wasn't for the blood that covered their ends. There were a lot of feathers, and every single one of them seemed to be made of gold, no matter if there was no more light in the room than a candle. The fragile bone that had been broken was barely visible; the perfect articulations below the feathers were not damaged. The wings had been ripped with precise and clean cuts.

These two limbs were perfect; they were what granted an angel a graceful flight... It was always a shame to take them away and destroy their original significance. But these wings could save lives.

"We have them, finally. I see there is no body..."

Ayako was the one taken aback this time. She gave Godric a perplexed glare, not understanding their words or tone.

She knew that she had not hunted one in a long time... But she was useful. There was no need for mockery.

"I found the angel by myself. I bring you wings, from a kill I managed on my own, and you dare to-"

Godric turned around, to face her. Their eye fixed on hers, with deep concern.

"Ayako... I sensed this angel months ago."

Ayako's hands dropped at her sides, her face darkened a little under her cowl. She stuttered, something she never did.

"M-months?"

Godric stared at her for a whole minute. They saw obvious traces of lack of sleep and of tiredness... Ayako had been chasing that angel for too long.

What had the angel done to her, once she found it?

They decided to not pressure her, because she could be tired and dazed, she could be suffering the aftermath of the fight with the angel. It was not strange for a hunter to break down after a hunt. Many ended up broken emotionally or mentally, because of their prey. Many angels could summon horrible spells on their enemies. She was strong. But not unbreakable or invincible. This angel had not been not easy to find, and had killed three.

Ayako had been the only one strong enough to chase it. But not strong enough to manage unscathed, it seemed.

"Maybe I did not tell you about it... Maybe I am losing focus. I'm sure I just forgot to warn you. You did a good job finding it for me." Godric shook their head and spoke calmly. "Go rest, Ayako. You need it."

The girl fidgeted, and laid one of her hands on her forehead, slowly. Her icy eyes narrowed at the golden wings... Not understanding.

Had Godric sensed Alexis? She... couldn't remember being told about him. She thought that the angel had fallen far away, not close enough for Godric to sense him. Only Uriel knew, only he found his angel. Uriel was the one who told her...