The Devil's Call.

Chapter 23 | Cloud

Chapter 23 | Cloud

"Duck," Abaddon ordered from behind me, "On your left – kick."

I followed every single one of his words as Raphael moved against me. He swung his shinning claymore towards my head and I ducked. His sword barely missed my head but I didn't dwell on reacting as he was onto his next move.

He appeared on my left, I spun slightly and brought my heel up to slam into his chest. He flew back into the wall – debris raining down around us like ash. I smiled slightly, glancing over at Abaddon who sat with Azul on the balcony.

However, my victory didn't last long as an unseen force slammed into my front and pinned me to the ground. I groaned, a wave of pain ran through me and my eyes rolled up to watch Raphael emerge from the hole he made in the wall.

"You listen and react to orders well. However," he grovelled, "Your over confidence will be your downfall. Fix the wall and clean yourself off, you can meet Michael in the library for your studies."

The pressure against my body was suddenly gone and I sighed, pushing myself up and dusting non-existent dirt off my golden armor. Raphael hurried out of the room, sliding his claymore back into the scabbard that was strapped to his back. As he did, Azul jumped down from the balcony – her silky black dress floating up around her as she stretched her wings to catch her landing.

I smiled warmly at her, I never imagined I'd get to meet my mother and when I did – there was no disappointment. She approached me and pulled me into a hug to which I quickly returned. Abaddon jumped down as well and once he got over to us Azul pulled away.

"I am so proud of you daughter," she sighed, pressing her palm to my cheek.

My eyes fluttered closed briefly, enjoying the warmth of her hand. However, the moment was ruined by Abaddon sighed obnoxiously loud. My eyes popped open to glare at him and Azul pulled away with a frown.

"What is the issue brother?" she hummed, tilting her head in consideration.

He waved her off, "We need to come up with a new plan – this is taking too long and we don't have time. We need to jump to working on Cloud's power and control. The angel's only want her working on orders due to the actions of the last angel of constriction."

"Sounds like the angels are once again," chirped a happy voice, "being selfish."

I turned towards the man who was prancing around barefoot and very under dressed for this place. Saanti skipped through the room holding what looked like a slice of pizza and in a long, pure red cape. I didn't even want to question the large, golden crown on his head. What made the image even better was the pizza sauce staining the sides of his lips.

"Lucifer," Abaddon gapped, "What are you wearing?"

Saanti grinned, "I'm glad you asked! Michael is terribly set on me not being here so I decided to remind him I am still much more kingly than him. Cloud remember to come play chess with me after your little bias lesson with Mickey."

I laughed as Abaddon's eyes bulged out of his head and Azul chuckled softly. Then, the fallen angel and ex-king of hell skipped out of the room with his pizza slice. Silence fell over us and Azul suddenly grabbed my hand.

"I'll walk you to talk to Michael," she said.

I nodded, and we were off. Walking through the vast castle she led me to the large room to where Michael spent all his time. The room was large, a conference style room to which Michael was the judge. He sat at the front of the room at a marble podium which faced rows of marble tables accompanied by stool chairs with red cushions.

There were other angels in the room, seated among the marble tables but they didn't pay us any attention and as soon as I got to standing in front of the marble podium, Azul sent Michael a short bow then left the room.

Michael's head rose to acknowledge me and I nodded at him. It was clear this place was of formality and purely business – completely different from hell which ran on pleasure and desire as opposed to order.

"We will begin our lesson today with the fallen," he began.

I sighed, "That's all we've talked about since I got here. The fallen or the previous angel of construction. I don't understand why we need to keep going over this."

Previously, there was seven angels that fell from the realm of the Almighty. Cronas and Lucifer had only been two of those seven. Each was banished with an ultimate crime—"

"—I know this already. Cronas angel of practice had been charged with the crime of gluttony over knowledge. Lucifer angel of justice was charged with the crime of greed, Enirr angel of balance, guard of the abyss and so on. This doesn't help me," I sighed loudly.

"You must learn the mistakes of those traitors, you are an angel now!" he replied sharply.

"I am the angel of construction, I know you are afraid I'm going to end up like the last one but the more you try to patronize me the more it doesn't help! I don't have a lot of time and you're being selfish! My people need me," I snapped growing angry.

"We are your people now – you must forget about those rats in hell."

"How dare you," I growled.

Before the argument could continue an angel dressed in a long red cape and a foolish golden crown appeared at my side. My eyes widened at the sight of Saanti's appearance and the room around us grew so silent you could cut through it with a knife.

"What's wrong?" I asked Saanti.

He faced me, his eyes filled with worry, "Cronas seems to have breached the castle. We need to go home right away."

I nodded, panic running wildly through me.

"You cannot just leave!" Michael demanded.

I paused to glance at him, my eyes narrowing into slits, "I will not abandon my family like you abandoned yours. I am returning back to Hell, if you wish to discuss anything will me do so through Abaddon and address me as queen of hell."

"You won't last long in hell in that state. It is only in the almighty that your glory will sustain that form – you will only wither away to the state of a ghost in that retread place."

"And I'm fine with that. I'd rather be banished to the abyss than leave my people."