The Devil's Love

||. Chapter 21: Above and Beyond .||

Golden streaks of sunlight basked through the empty halls unwillingly. A tiny orange butterfly landed at the edge of his seat, fluttering its wings vigorously to gain attention, but no one paid heed to it. The maidens stood loyally by the edge of the table, their fingers pressed firmly across the cloth to wipe the silver table clean. Fresh berries and cakes were served on the table since he had been expecting an important visitor. His purple streaks hair reflected on the silver table, making him look ethereal. With a swipe of his fingers in the air, he dismissed the maidens upon hearing the sound of wings landing by the door.

"Lithius!" Jonathan exclaimed, keeping his wings behind him while extending his arms out openly to embrace the elder. "It's been a long time since I last saw you. I am honoured when I got your invite. I almost thought you would never stop by and visit. I am putting the assumption that the planets are more convenient to live in?"

Lithius' purple eyes glowed at the younger's excitement. He patted the younger on his head, motioning for him to sit next to him. A soft smile formed on his lips when Jonathan praised the food prepared.

"Aside from all those, I must thank you for your willingness to visit since Hell never stopped its operation. You must be busy. I missed these halls, the four walls that assure me that I have a roof over my head, but you are not wrong. The planets offered me the space I needed. I can be on one planet, and if I cultivate enough, my strengths allow me to transport myself somewhere I desire. You can say that is a boon," Lithius admitted, taking the seat opposite Jonathan as he poured them both a glass of jasmine tea.

"So," hummed Jonathan, pulling the tempting tea away from his lips to focus on their initial plans for today. "What do you want to ask me? You sounded urgent in the letter and since this place is rather secluded than any of the rooms we have here, what's the problem?"

Lithius straightened his back at the mentioned. His fingers danced across his robe, leaning forward to the table and pushed a tiny envelope towards Jonathan. Clearing his throat, his purple eyes met Jonathan's dark ones before parting his lips to form proper words.

"The girl he is seeing," started Lithius with his head hung low almost as if he was ashamed of his self. "She needs to go. Our goal is to restore Heaven not take pity on a mortal child. I know this sounds ridiculous, but Angelo must return. He defeated Carson so whoever playing the tricks now can only be undone by Angelo alone. They were both once connected through the paths of the sun. Angelo bends the law so he has to face the consequences. To end this once and for all."

Jonathan tapped his fingers, shaking his head. 

"He will not let the girl go. I talked to him about it. We end up in an argument. It seems hopeless to part Angelo and the girl now, Lithius. You know love is a strong bond. There is a reason why they are fated together. The angels arrange their meet for something. There must be something we are missing out. There is also a strong reason why Angelo is protecting her from us. For what reason, I do not know, but I am sure of it."

"You are not wrong on that, Jon," stated Lithius, sucking the cold air around him as he plopped a red berry in his mouth and chewed at the sweetness. "Do you remember the story where our parents will tell us about the alternative dimension? Or perhaps in other words, our alternate self? For example, we are both living in a world with magic, but there is someone similar to us without the gifts we have. I'm sure you remember."

The younger squinted his eyes at the sentence, his fingers lifted and waved it in the air multiple times. In his eyes, confusion was clouding his reality.

"I do, but my mom told me it isn't real, not now, not ever," said Jon, leaning his back on the golden chair. "Besides, for as long as she lived, she never met her alternate self. None of the angels or guardians has met their alternate selves. I mean, it is creepy. Won't it? Why? What does this have to do with Angelo?"