Dreamer

Chapter 25: Mael

Mael knew something was wrong the second he saw Lysanders reaction to the little switch in leadership.

"How come we didn't know anything about this?" His face went pale as a cloud. A second later he caught himself, laughing nervously. "Nice surprise, anyway."

Jelamet raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about? Sariel didn't inform you?"

His nose crunched in a bitter expression. "Thanks for keeping me up to date, partner."

"Sariel wasn't feeling well. It's that wound." Mael interrupted their glaring contest. He quickly mustered Lysander, but couldn't figure out what it was that bothered him. "I said I'd take over for him, so he could get treated."

"That's really nice of you." Jelamet smiled. If she wanted to, she could actually let down that judgy look.

"Does Ludociel know about this?" Lys asked.

It took him a second to respond. When would he stop questioning him in front of his subordinates? "Sure." Mael lied. "He totally approves." Lys seemed to relax, but his nose still twitched a bit, like always when he was nervous.

"Well then, what are we waiting for?"

"For you to chill?" Jelamet asked.

"Shut up."

Mael sighed and turned towards the opening gate. Light shone through and he could feel a strong surge of magic rushing towards them. "Lets go. We don't have all day." He tried to sound strict, but Mael didn't like ordering people around, and he also knew that ordering people around in a bad mood at most times ended badly. He wanted to refrain from yelling at his friend if possible. But Lysander was definitely hiding something, and he needed to know what.

They flew through the portal and moments later wind struck and the wide highlands of Britannia stretched out beneath them. The look of green fields and forests instantly raised his mood. They took a dive into the clouds above, towards the midday sun. Not too far the Dorchadas rose high up into the sky. The demon villages seemed so small from up here, as did the people scurrying around.

Mael wondered if they could see them. If the children pointed up into the sky and called out to their parents as if showing them a funny cloud or a bird. If they were afraid or hateful, or maybe both at the same time. He didn't know what was worse. Being feared or being hated.

"You think Sariel will be alright?" Jelamet asked.

"Of course he will. He's not an Archangel for nothing." Lys snapped back. Mael clenched his teeth.

"Yeah that's what's bothering me." she hissed. "A simple demon being able to do an Archangel dirty like that? That's not normal. Those creatures are getting stronger."

A terrible feeling spread in Maels guts, but he kept his mouth shut. That was gonna be one fun mission.

It didn't take long until they reached the Southern Temple. Circled by clouds, it sat safe and sound like in the eye of a great storm. When they passed the haze, the three floating isles came in sight, white marble buildings gleaming bright in the sun, the golden details on the facades reflected its light so the whole temple seemed to be giving off a glow even at noon. They flew over the grand stone statues at the main islands edge towards the temples center.

But as majestic as the temple throned between the clouds, something seemed off. Its aura felt cold, and taking a closer look Mael saw the withered grass, leafless trees and wind blowing up clouds of dust on the stone places.