Angel's Virtue

Them

I feel sticky. I think I should purchase some clothes before we continue on our way. I got up and patted the soil off of me and looked down at the others. I feel bad for Rade having to wear the cloak he is wearing now. He's probably not used to it. If I manage to find decent clothing for my winged friend, I won't hesitate to purchase it. I also remembered Flecin as well. I wasn't quite sure of Syf, but I'll keep in mind.

The town has some early birds. The sun had just risen and there are already people starting the day with a good early wake. I walked around and found a clothes store. I walked in and they had a great assortment of items! I took my time browsing.
"Look at that lady over there. . ." Someone whispered.
"How indecent. . ." Another replied quietly.
It was hard to ignore their words. What I wear is to represent my people. Now, all that I am seen is shame. I pushed those thoughts away and kept in mind that I am here to find clothes for everyone. I managed to buy a good amount. I got some nice clothing for myself and Flecin. Another robe for Syf, a different shade of black and an outline of blue, hope he doesn't mind. I also got a better cloak for Rade and a long scarf attached to shoulder wear for Void. I carried them on hand not wanting to ruin them from my meat sack. As I walked back the bathhouse caught my eye. I was tempted to cleanse myself but knowing that we are going somewhere is pointless after a refreshing bath. I sighed and hoped sometime soon we can at least cleanse ourselves somewhere. I like the outdoors, but it is a little costly on ourselves. I rotated my sore shoulders and knew that everyone else's body would be sore as well.

"Where do we keep the clothes?" Void asked blankly.
"I. . . honestly didn't think things through. . ." I replied honestly.
"I. . . can. . . hold them. . ." Syf said showing us a small sack he protruded from beneath his robe.
"What's that?" Flecin asked.
Syf explained by reaching his arm inside and pulling out a large stack of books clearly bigger than the sack itself.
"A sack that can carry more than we thought! How much can it carry?" I asked.
"Imagine. . . a closet. . . that much room. . ." Syf said.
"Is that a letter?" I asked pointing it on top of the stack of books.
Syf quickly shoved everything back into the sack. "It's. . . nothing. . . I can. . . take. . . the clothes. . ."
I guess Syf too has secrets. I didn't ask and handed him the clothes and he placed it in his sack and stowed it away.
"I've got directions and there is a place up the mountains. I heard it's quite popular," Rade said.
"I feel like this is more like a traveling trip rather than getting things done," I stated.
"There aren't a whole lot of directions that lead anywhere else as important. I thought since it's quite populated, we should at least stop by and take a look. It's hard for information to travel around, so travelers know more than normal residents," Rade explained.
"That does make sense. Alright, how long will it take to get there?" I asked.
"Less than a week. About two days if we hurry, but there's probably no need."
"Mountains. . . ah. Mount Glacies. . ." Syf said looking up at the mountains that are ahead.
"You know the mountains?" I asked.
Syf nodded, ". . .cold. . . very cold. . ."
"The word 'Glacies' itself sounds cold," Flecin shivered looking at the mountains.
". . . There are. . . caves made from. . . wind. It can. . . help. . ." Syf explained.
"Rade, how long do you think it will take to scale up the mountain to the next location?" I asked.
"Probably two days," Rade replied.
"Sounds right. . ." Syf said.
"Better go now than later. I saw a river before I met you all and it seems like it came from the mountain. We can rest near the water source during the night and wake up ready to face the cold climb," Void said.
"Yeah, let's go," Rade said and we all left the magical town and ventured to the base of the mountain.

~~~

The sun shone brightly above us and it was getting my wings warm. Everybody seems to be doing well. Syf too. Maybe I should introduce him to Guardian once we set up camp for the night. The forest cleared and the plains truly was a beautiful sight, the grass was swaying from the wind and the animals were minding their own business grazing and feeding. I looked outward and saw the stream I saw before.
"There!" I pointed and we all walked in that direction.
As we walked I felt a strong tug on my wing and I was held captive with a unique looking blade.
"Void, are y- Who are you?" Rade said turning around to see my current situation.
"Move and he dies," the person holding me said. His voice sounded clear without a stutter. He certainly must have a strong mind and grip.
"What do you want?" Rade said calmly still in a stance.
"I've heard rumors of you all. You all seem to fight against the war between shadows and angels, correct?" He asked.
"And what of it?" Rade asked.
"Answer me!" He said pressing the blade to my neck. I can feel a small cut dealt upon me. For some reason I didn't feel anything. Not fear nor pain.
"Yes. We stopped the raid from shadows. I killed my own kind and helped the school of mages," Rade said.
The person let me go and pushed me back to the others. Kika helped me up and Rade dashed forward attempting a strike at the strange person. The person faded like broken glass fragments and reappeared beside him. Rade's scythe switched to a sword and struck again. What surprised me is that the blade that the person had was something unlike any other. It was an anti-blade. A sword as if it was broken in two pieces on purpose. Two blades, mostly seen for spears. Reason it being called as an anti-blade was that it can catch a weapon's strike in between its own two blades and can be disarmed. The strange person wore a hood and an intimidating mask.
The strange person twisted the blade and Rade was disarmed. Rade was jumped on and the sword was stabbed right around Rade's neck. Any other direction and stronger stab would surely kill Rade.
"Who are you?" Rade asked clearly played into the other's hands.
"I am just one of the lessers. We are under one who has the clearest mind for peace. However, all of you concern me."
"We want peace as well!" I said to the strange person holding Rade captive.
"Why aren't we working together?" Rade asked.
"What you are doing isn't right," he stated.
"Helping others! Killing for the sake of peace! Not everything is free, isn't it?!" Rade exclaimed.
"No, it isn't," he agreed, "but you don't understand anything."
"I understand everything fully well! You don't know what the war is like between angels and shadows!" Rade shouted. He kicked the person away and Rade pulled the sword out of the earth that trapped his neck and threw it at the strange person. Even though the person just stood back up he caught the sword like it was nothing.
"I understand everything fully well, damn you," he said raising his sword to his chest and disappeared before all of us could attack him again.
Rade gasped and panted and grabbed his weapon and jogged to me. "Void, are you alright?"
"I'm fine," I said amazed from what had just happened. "What kind of being was that?"
"Clearly a strange human. He has a strange power to teleport. . ." Rade thought.
"Them. . ." Syf said.
"Who?" Rade asked.
". . . It's Them. . . They fight for. . . peace. . . People rarely see. . . them. . . They are. . . very strong. . . Their goal is. . . good. . . but their. . . actions are. . . questionable. . ."
"Interesting. . . They certainly don't seem friendly. Their combat performance is quite terrifying. Will we be safe?" I asked.
"We should. . . They don't. . . do whatever they. . . desire. . . They have. . . orders. . ."
"Orders?" Rade questioned.
"He said he was the 'lesser.' That must mean they have a leader, right?" Void asked.
Syf nodded.
"They certainly fight as if they are born to die. We should be careful if we ever see them again in the future," Rade said.
"After I bandage Void's neck, let's head down to the river and set up camp," Kika said.

As we ate, I couldn't think. There was probably too much on my mind.
"Void, are you okay?" Rade asked.
"I'm fine. . ." I replied.
"You don't look fine. Do you need a wash? You were the only person who hasn't cleansed themselves in the river," Rade said.
"Water. . .hurts. . ." I stated.
"Funny thing is, you don't look or smell bad," Kika said drying her hair, she looks a lot more feminine without her hair tied. "I guess cleanliness and dirtiness doesn't quite affect you."
"I guess. . ." I trailed off. "I think I'll just rest now."
I lied down. I can hear Syf and Guardian talk. I would be interested, but I am not feeling like myself. Everyone was quiet from my sentence. I tried to sleep, but I can't.