Never Let Go [Hiatus]

Part I, Chapter 3-Realization

The next morning, Aphaleon did not turn up for their morning meeting. Sighing in exasperated defeat, Theliel made her way to his castle for the millionth time.

'APHALEON!' she called for him upon landing on his front porch. 'Hurry up! And remember to wear a shirt!' Her calls bounced and echoed through the empty hall but brought no reply. Don't tell me he's still in bed.. Urgh.. he'll be the death of me! Theliel stormed into his castle and flung open the door to his sleeping quarters.

'APHALEON! YOU ARE SO DE---' she stopped short at the sight of his empty bed. Its covers were folded neatly at the rear and its sheets smooth. Huh? Where is he? She hurried into his favourite garden and circled around it twice. Still no sign of her brother. Theliel was puzzled and racked her brains for possible alternatives. As she gazed at his rose bush thinking, a sudden thought flashed across her mind. Wait... Aphaleon NEVER makes his bed, and the housekeeping angels don't come in until the commencement of their meeting. That means... With a small cry, she soared into the clouds. Aphaleon had not returned for the night.

She barged into the dining hall, breathless not because of poor stamina but panic for her beloved brother's disappearance.

'Father! Aphale...Aph...'

'Oh Theliel! What happened? It's okay, catch your breathe first, dear.' God gestured calmly, implying for her to relax.

'Where's our dear brother? Didn't he come with you?' someone asked.

'Did he fall sick?' another enquired, voice laced with concern.

'Yah I mean, look at the time. Later than ever.'

Theliel drew in a deep breathe, and relayed the news to her family.

'Are you sure he's not dozing off somewhere or something?' Remiel suggested, still rather relaxed about the whole thing.

'Or maybe he's angry at us for teasing him yesterday and didn't want to come' Dayne thought aloud.

'But it was amusing...' Arariel voiced, now a little guilty of her childish behaviour that morning.

God clapped his palms for attention. 'Okay well, the meeting still has to go on. Let's just quickly finish up and we'll discuss about this later.'

'But Father! Aphaleon may be in danger as we speak! Don't you think we should look for him now?' Theliel was getting hysterical. She thought her family wasn't really grasping the gravity of the situation. Her beloved brother! She couldn't stand the thought of him meeting any danger or adversity. Not even the slightest bit. He could have been suffering since last night. Wild thoughts raced through her mind. He could have been attacked by some rebel demons and dragged into hell. He could have been lured down to Earth by a powerful sprite. He could be waiting for rescue as he lay nursing his wound in some god-forsaken place.

'Theliel you should relax, yo. Aphaleon will be fine. For all you know, he may be on his way now'

'From where?!' Theliel almost screamed.

'Stop being so paranoid. Sometimes I'm jealous of the favouritism you show him. Makes me think we don't exist enough,' Dayne piped and both Remiel and Arariel nodded their heads in agreement. Rainer and Theo looked on, unsure of what to say.

He could have been.. SHIT! Theliel thought of his responsibilities. The Angel Of Salvation... SHIT!

Without any care for orders, she grabbed her sword and fled to the Gates Of Rebirth, leaving a strong gust of wind in her wake.

Her siblings were taken aback by her behaviour. They had not seen her flustered and out of control before, even when she was circled and outnumbered by her enemies. God grew a little irritated. He had many things on his agenda and already this meeting was eating up his precious time. He didn't mean that he didn't care about Aphaleon, but just thought that Aphaleon was strong enough to fend for himself.

'Father, let me accompany Theliel. She is not in her right state of mind now and I worry for her safety.' Rainer stood up and bowed to God in respect, seeking for his permission.

'Remiel, do take over my report today. Here, this is my summary,' he handed Remiel a thick scroll and smiled apologetically. Remiel wanted to protest but the thought of him helping her when she needed it held her back.

'Alright...' she muttered.

Theo, who was silent most of the time, threw Rainer a small crystal.

'If you need help, just throw it into the air. A lightning which only I can sense will signal your position to us.'

Rainer expressed his thanks and disappeared down the hall.

Theliel had glided through the sky so quickly she left a trail of parting clouds, making it easy for Rainer to follow. Being a male, out-flying Theliel was no feat. With strong beats of his powerful wings, he caught up with her in no time.

'Theliel! Theliel can you slow down?!'

Theliel looked over her shoulder to see Rainer speeding towards her with outstretched wings.

'I know where you are heading to and I'm coming with you!' Theliel halted to a stop and hovered. The perceived cold angel had actually spoken two sentences on his own accord. Together, they made their way to the Gates, Theliel praying that her suspicions would turn out wrong.

But as they neared the Promised Gardens where the Gates resided, the air grew heavy and sickeningly pungent. Theliel froze. This can't be happening. I must be overthinking. Beside her, Rainer cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably. By the time they descended onto the Garden, the air was so stagnant and pungent that the archangels had to fight their urge to gag. The once vibrant flowers had withered and the water became a murky brown. The place had lost its magnificence and splendour, and even the clouds strayed afar. By then, Theliel understood she could avoid the truth no further. She knew. She knew what had happened to her brother.

But it had only been a day, right? Aphaleon may not be too gone yet. Theliel held onto this last strand of hope as she and Rainer approached the Gates. Yet, what she saw made her heart ache-her beautiful brother now shrouded in darkness, jaw caked with blood as he feasted on the souls that came for salvation.

Theliel could not tear her eyes away him as she stared at his eyes, his hair, his wings and worst of all, that cursed mark on his forehead. Rainer gasped in surprise. His brother had fallen.