Chaos & Order

Chapter 25

Aliyah walked through the castle halls. She came to a sudden stop, though, as she looked out a window. With a frown, she leaned on the windowsill. It was fun to have a sparring session, it gave a much-needed distraction. But still, that left the rest of the day...

"Feeling regret for the blatant cheat?" Siel playfully asked as he walked up from behind her.

"No one likes a sore loser, Siel." Aliyah said, sticking out her tongue.

"Then what?" Siel asked.

"I just...hate being stuck in here." Aliyah said.

"I can tell." Siel nodded, sagely.

Aliyah leaned on her hand as she watched some birds fly by. A strong envy for those creatures welled up in her, "You still have to teach me."

"Teach you what?" Siel asked.

"To fly...use Auras." Aliyah said.

"I DO need to catch you up on that." Siel said.

"It would help with my boredom." Aliyah said as she looked at him.

"Very well...how about something simple first?" Siel asked, spreading his large, white wings.

"How do you summon them?" Aliyah asked.

"It's...uh...you see, you just..." Siel stammered. After a few attempts, he just shrugged, "I...don't know."

"You don't know?" Aliyah laughed.

"Well, princess, how do YOU make your heart beat or hair grow?" Siel asked, "It's just always been there. I never thought about it."

"Fair enough." Aliyah said. She then closed her eyes, searching deep inside.

Then she found something. A part of her, something...different. And a moment later, she opened her eyes, finding black feathers floating around her. She then looked back, seeing her black wings.

"Guess it was that simple." Siel commented.

"I...guess so..." Aliyah said, taken aback.

"Now...remaining stable is simple enough. Your body is already used to maintaining balance just from learning how to walk. Might need a little cardio, just to get your wings in proper working order. Try doing this." Siel said, slowly raising his wings up before bringing them down, "It's like flexing your muscles before moving something heavy."

Aliyah watched him before nodding as she looked back at her wings. The wings twitched a bit before they started to move. Siel nodded at that, "You haven't used your wings before, so they will be a bit weak. Just do this for a minute or so..."

"Okay." Aliyah said as she continued to raise and lower them, "This is pretty easy, actually..."

"Now...do you trust me?" Siel asked, holding out his hand.

Aliyah looked at Siel and smiled, taking his hand. "Always."

Siel nodded, taking her hand with a warm smile, "Good...because I'm going to throw you out the window."

"I'm sorry, what?" Aliyah asked, hoping she misheard him.

"Be calm and trust your wings!" Siel said.

Before Aliyah could protest, Siel hurled her out the window with surprising strength. She cried out as she shut her eyes as she fell through empty space. And she kept her eyes shut as she flapped her wings. When they could only flap weakly, she knew she had been thrown to her death.

But it never came. After a moment, she opened her eyes, seeing that she was still a good distance off the ground. Her wings were flapping, keeping her airborne!

"Siel...?" She asked.

"Good job." Siel said, flying over to her with a smile. He remained just below her, though, "Just take it slowly. You need to walk before you can run. Don't worry, I'm right here."

Aliyah looked down at him then back at her wings. That was when she began flapping the wings again, moving slowly through the air. As she did, she dipped slightly, but caught herself with a surprised squeak.

"It's okay. If you fall, I'll catch you." Siel said. Aliyah took a deep breath before she started moving again, keeping her wings steady. Siel slowly turned around and continued,
"Nothing too fancy today. Just do a small circle and then back through the window. But feel free to take in the view."

Aliyah looked at Siel before looking around, seeing the view as her eyes widened. Everything was there, so small and so far. So much beyond the castle walls...or even the town. The trees, buildings, and everything beyond it.

"Puts so much into perspective, doesn't it?" Siel asked, "For now, though? Try turning."

Aliyah did as she was told, slowly shifting her weight. With a sharp shift, she changed direction. She caught sight of Siel as he came to a stop in front of the window. He gently guided her back through before following her inside.

"Now, landing's simple." Siel said, "Just slow your flapping until you're at a height you're comfortable dropping at. Then just stop."

Aliyah looked down at the floor as her wings slowly lowered her until she was about a foot off the ground. Then she realized her legs had been folded all along. She extended them and they touched the floor..

"There..." Siel said, landing next to her, "Sorry about that. I should have told you what I meant to do sooner...but consider us even for that bit you pulled in the training grounds now."

"So that was payback. I should've known better. How can I ever trust you again?" Aliyah asked in mock indignation, smiling while she crossed her arms.

"Because I've had your life in my hands for these years and you're still alive. You're welcome." Siel said with a snicker.

"It's only been a year." Aliyah laughed.

"Right? SO LONG." Siel groaned, but laughed as well.

Aliyah playfully rolled her eyes, "Oh, haha, very funny."

"I thought so." Siel shrugged.

Aliyah shook her head as her wings vanished, "Thank you."

"My pleasure." Siel said.

Aliyah smiled and kissed his cheek before walking off, a bit red in the face. Siel just remained in place, looking a little flushed himself. Not realizing that there was a puffing noise behind him.

"Aw look, he's blushing." Lilith's teasing voice said from behind him.

"Won't dignify with response." Siel commented, barely hearing the whooshing sound of an angel's running.

"Your student is adorable, Dom." Lilith said playfully.

"One way to put it." Domiel commented.

Lilith put a hand on his shoulder, "I believe that's the second time she kissed you and left you speechless."

"I'll...go check up on her." Siel said, running after Aliyah.

There was a brief moment of silence while he was gone.

"My student's an idiot." Domiel commented.

"Maybe he just needs a little push..." Lilith said.

"Do what you want. I couldn't care less." Domiel scoffed.

"Whatever you say." Lilith said, giving him a playful smile.

"What's with that look?" Domiel asked.

"No reason." Lilith giggled as she walked off.

"You're annoying." Domiel sighed as he followed her.

"So I've been told." Lilith laughed.