Never Let Go [Hiatus]

Part I, Chapter 6- Rings Of Fire

As soon as Theliel could move, she paid Rainer a visit, then made her way to the Rings Of Fire. She needed to see Aphaleon for herself. The Rings were in the deepest level of hell, deep in the abyss of molten lava and raging fire. As she progressed deeper, her skin singed with heat and the pressure became suffocating. She had only neared the level where Aphaleon was held when a huge wave of heat hit her.

Beyond the lava, she saw Aphaleon, his wrists and ankles chained against a rock wall, his head drooping low. Theliel looked around. He was suspended above a circular rock amidst the sea of lava. She flew towards him, avoiding the bubbles of lava as they boiled, her heart aching for her brother. She never thought this day would come. Hovering just in front of him, she noticed his bleeding wrists and ankles, most probably caused by the tight chains that cut into his skin with the slightest movement or resistance. She was so fixated on his pitiful state that she didn't notice the black wisps that were threatening to envelop and devour her.

Suddenly, Aphaleon screamed in pain as sharp spikes pierced his back, his black wisps disappearing in an instant. Theliel took a step back in surprise. What happened? And then she saw the thick spikes moving back into the wall, and recognized it as one of the restraint system that reacts to magic or power.

Aphaleon growled and looked up at his sister, his eyes filled with pain and hatred. Blood tricked down his back, dripping continuously onto the rock underneath. Theliel now understood the significance of the red-coloured rock. It wasn't lava that made it red. It was Aphaleon's blood that had stained it. And by the looks of it and the way he was enduring the pain, this wasn't the first time he got spiked. In fact, as she peered deeper into his eyes searching for a sign of recognition, she saw hatred and defiance. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Why did this have to happen? If only we had taken your words seriously... you won't have to suffer..

Her eyes travelled across his body, darting from one open wound to another as she took in the scars of his torment. Aphaleon stared back at his sister, gasping from the pain that was inflicted on him. He tried to move, grunting as the metal chains slit his skin.

Don't worry, Aphaleon. I'll find a way. Just you wait. I'm going to get you back. Even if it means suffering in your place, I'll do it. And NO ONE is stopping me, I promise. Theliel could hold back her tears no more.

With one last lingering look at her brother, she turned and left, her shattered heart vowing to put an end to his ordeal.

At the Library, Theliel rummaged through the celestial archives, fervently looking for a way to revert a fallen angel. Thump! She closed the hundredth book, desperation creeping into her.

Can't be.. There must be a way..I have to keep looking. Aphaleon's fate is in my hands..

She gave herself a sarcastic laugh. How ironic. The Angel Of War and Fate. The mortals all pray to her, the one who controls and manipulates the strings of fate. So powerful, and yet powerless to change the destiny of her own brother....

For a full week, Theliel committed herself to her research, locking herself in the library and only emerging for the morning meeting and one or two hours of sloppy work. Often, she wanted to just bury herself in her knees and cry at the hopelessness of it all. Her family gave her sad smiles and pitiful looks, knowing that her effort would be futile but didn't bear to break her heart.

Sometimes, one or two would imply the need for her to give up and move on. She had so much more duties to fulfil. It would be senseless and irresponsible for her to neglect them for Aphaleon. To them, it was obvious that it was not worthwhile to sacrifice a whole forest for a tree. Aphaleon was undeniably gone and Theliel should focus on alleviating the sufferings on Earth instead. However, still sensitive of her feelings, they would usually come to an abrupt stop before mentioning Aphaleon's name, leaving up to Theliel to fill in the gap. In response, Theliel would throw a fit, snapping at her siblings who dared to convince her out of the pursuit. Sometimes, as she browsed through the pages, memories of the two of them came flowing back. Choking on tears, she would reminisce about those happy moments.

If only we listened.. if only..

But reminiscing the past would not bring him back.