Arcane Souls: Chapter XIX

1

Chapter XIX2

Remphael knew he had finally made it to Gehenna when he could tell it was daylight. The sun never reached Necropolis or the Netherworld, but it shown perfectly in the realm of Gehenna. The kingdom of demons and fallen angels, it was so odd that the sun shone so pleasantly there--and so maliciously in Heaven. 3

Remphael had followed Donna for over three hours, and he had figured that she hadn’t deceived him. Yet. She was a beautiful woman, regardless if she was a demon or not, one couldn’t deny her beauty–not even Remphael. 4

“...So I take it you were telling the truth about wanting to get us to Gehenna.” Remphael said out loud.5

Dona turned her head a little so she could see Remphael. “Yes, angel, I may be a demon but I have my morals. I was sent to protect and watch this boy until he was taken to see the Archduke, and to make sure that he was indeed the one we’ve been searching for.”6

Remphael paused. “Who is ‘we’, and why does the Archduke wish to see Chris?”7

“...I can’t disclose who I work for, but I can tell you that the Archduke is just like your Lord Gabriel and the rest of the leaders of the worlds. In other words, we wants to see if Christopher is truly as powerful as his aura would indicate–he wants to know if he could be the one to...save Gehenna.” Dona turned away from Remphael and faced forward. Remphael thought over what she had said while the huge capital of the kingdom came into view.8

Gehenna was a beautiful kingdom with fields and fields of crops and flowers. Endless rivers gushed with clear, beautiful water, and a large city rested at the foot of the kingdom’s large mountains. Remphael had only been to the kingdom once, but he was still amazed at how much more beautiful it was than Heaven. How much happier the people had been.9

The people of Gehenna had a legend that said the reason why their land was so beautiful was because of the Great Satan. The angel that had conquered Heaven and restored Gehenna to it’s original state of prosperity. It was he who single-handedly defeated the angelic hordes that threatened the kingdom, he who founded the government of Gehenna and protected it for a millennia–and he who was bound to rot forever by the evil Uriel and his forbidden magic.10

Remphael had always thought it was odd, that such an evil creature such as Satan–could be such a hero to the people of Gehenna, and yet he was. It could not be denied however, that Satan brought around the fall of a dynasty–and the rise of a new era.11

“Keep focused, angel-boy.” Donna said, catching Remphael’s attention. “We’re nearing the main gates of Gehenna. Once we get in, we can enter the duke’s mansion. I’m sure after some rest the ghoul will leave the boy’s body–if not, at least we can exorcize it from him.” The woman took a deep breath as she looked at Chris’s boyish face. She had to wonder is someone so fragile looking could truly change the world.12

Meanwhile, Chris found himself laying in a hill full of daises. He looked around his surroundings and took a deep breath. Was it all...a dream? He thought as he looked around himself. His memories cam flooding back when he realized that he was sitting on the same hill he had played on as a kid.13

Suddenly a little boy ran up to him, a little boy with dark hair and shy eyes. Chris stood up and stared the little boy in the face. It was him. 14

“Vince?” He said, questioning what he was seeing.15

The little boy giggled and grinned. “Tera said you’d come and play today!” He exclaimed. “I’m glad she was right!”16

“...You are...Vince.” Chris felt a tug on his heart, standing in front of a childhood friend. A friend that he never truly remembered until recently. Still, the feeling of nostalgia was constant and strong.17

“So!? You wanna play tag?” Vince asked, holding out his hand. “You’re real good at tag!”18

Chris smiled for a moment, not questioning if what he was seeing was real or not. He followed Vince as the young boy ran headlong down the hill.19

There was a smooth, gentle breeze blowing across the fields; it blew the scent of flowers all around the park. Vince had guided Chris down the hill to play tag, but it was Chris who lead the way now that he got his bearings back. 20

It was just how it had been, in that forgotten memory. Vince smiled and played along, it wasn’t long until the fragile boy was caught by Chris–still he kept playing anyhow, even though he could never catch up to Chris. The two boys ran and ran until Chris was finally out of breath, he wandered over to a large sycamore tree and sat up against it.21

Vince was heaving in short breaths, the game was obviously a lot of work for him. “You look tired.” Chris said.22

Vince shook his head. “I’m ok.” He lied, still short of breath. He wandered over next to the older boy and sat up against the tree.23

“That was fun.” Chris said in a labored giggle.24

Vince chuckled as well. “Yeah.” The young boy paused. “I like playing with you Chris.” he said. 25

“Really?” Chris asked. “But you get tired so quickly–We should have played Simon Says or something...”26

“No! It’s alright, I know you like Tag best.” Vince said, smiling. “That’s why...why I wanted to play that with you.”27

Chris blushed slightly. “Thanks.” He said, pausing. “Where is Tera?”28

Vince frowned slightly at the mention of his older sister, Chris’s true best friend. “...Why do you ask? She’s with my mom today, but she said your Aunt was going to bring you here today.”29

“Oh...” Chris paused. “What about your mom, didn’t someone have to being you here?” 30

Vince looked slightly annoyed. “Does it matter?” He asked. “I’m here, that’s enough right?”31

“...Yeah.” Chris said, pausing. “Yeah, you’re right.” He confirmed with a smile. 32

Vince grinned and suddenly placed his small hand upon Chris’s. Chris turned and blushed. “What...” He didn’t know what Vince was doing exactly. 33

“Will you stay with me?” Vince asked suddenly.34

“What...do you mean?” Chris asked under the warmth of the young boy’s hand. 35

“I don’t want to be alone anymore, I want to be with you.” Vince said sadly. Chris stared into the younger boy’s eyes and took a deep breath. His little face was flushed red.36

A few birds landed in the grass near the two boys They looked like pigeons, but they had pure-white feathers. Vince snuggled in close to Chris, causing both boys’ hearts to race for a little while. A floaty-happiness and nervousness was filling little Chris, a feeling he never had before.37

“I guess...You have to leave huh?” Vince said, more a statement than a question. “Well, if so...” The young boy paused to look into Chris’s eyes. “Then promise me at least one thing...”38

“..What?” Chris asked, his face beet-red.39

“Promise me that no matter what happens, promise me that you won’t forget me. And also.” Vince said with suddenly cool eyes. “Remember it is not yet time for you, that you still have something you must do. Promise me, that you will find your white wings, Chris. Promise me.”40

Chris stared into the young boy’s eyes as he began to collect his bearings. He started to realize where he was, who he was, when he was living. 41

“I promise.” he said kindly, his older face reflecting the boyish one of yesterday. Vince smiled and began to fade away into the warm breeze, fading away like a distant memory.42

Chris opened his eyes, he was slightly started at first–to find himself in Remphael’s warm arms.43

“Chris!” Remphael said slightly more jovial than he intended. “You’re...awake...”44

Chris looked up at Remphael’s kind eyes and let out a weak smile. He had no clue what was going on, but his mind was still exhausted from everything.45

“I guess we won’t need that exorcist after all.” Donna said as she walked in front of Remphael. Chris seemed uneasy at first, at the sight of a demonic-looking woman. “I’m Donna.” She said kindly. “I’m very pleased to see you’re awake so soon.”46

Chris looked up at Remphael at the three walked down a very elaborate hallway. “What...happened?” Chris said weakly. 47

“Just hang tight until we get to your room. I’ll explain everything there.” Remphael said happily, relieved that Chris seemed better.48

Remphael carried Chris down hallway after hallway until Donna pointed to a large door to their right. She opened it for Remphael and then carefully closed the door behind herself. Chris looked around the large, ornate room they had entered and braced himself as Remphael laid him down on a soft bed.49

“Are you feeling better cutie?” Donna asked, Chris didn’t answer at first because he still felt uncomfortable around her.50

“She was the demon I sensed at Necropolis. When you collapsed, she helped me find the way to the Duke’s mansion.” Remphael said.51

Chris looked up at the pale woman and then at the raven on her shoulder, it tilted it’s head and then hopped down onto the fluffy bed. “Thank you...” Chris said meekly as the Raven hopped around at his feet.52

“No sweat, sugar.” Donna said as she brushed some hair from her deep blue eyes. “But I must say, I was a little worried about you.”53

Chris looked over at Remphael. “What..happened?” he asked.54

Remphael took a deep breath. “I’m guessing a ghoul tried to possess you. They seem to feed of the emotions of the living....at least that’s what it looked like to me.”55

“Yes...but it’s quite odd that a ghoul could simply give up like that.” Donna cut in. “...Not very common at all...”56

“Regardless.” Remphael said sternly, trying to quell any doubts Chris had. “You’re awake now right?”57

Chris smiled up at Remphael. “Yeah. Thanks.” he said, waiting. “This is that...Archduke’s place huh?” He added.58

Donna nodded. “Yes, we spoke with the Archduke Mastema, and he agreed to speak with you when you are feeling better.”59

“I’m better now.” Chris said, with as much energy as possible.60

Remphael shot a stern look. “You are still weak, you need your sleep.” he said. “The Archduke can wait until tomorrow. There’s no rush, so just relax.”61

“It’s like your angel buddy says, love.” Donna smiled. “Just relax and the Duke will meet with you when you’re feeling better. You can’t expect to carry a real conversation in your current state anyhow.” She held out her hand as her Raven hopped up her forearm. “So we’ll just leave you to get your rest.”62

Remphael looked over at the demoness, still not quite trusting her. “...I think I’ll sleep here as well actually.” He stated.63

Donna blushed slightly. “If he’s not up for a talk with the Duke, I’m sure he’s not up for a romp like that.” She giggled.64

“Hey!” Remphael and Chris both yelled at Donna, causing her to cackle slightly. 65

“Fine, fine.” Donna said. “I understand, you want to make sure he’s safe. That’s fine, there’s a couch over there anyhow.” She added as she walked towards the door. “Just don’t work him too hard, angel-boy.” She winked as she shut the door behind herself.66

Chris and Remphael both sighed as they listened to the sound of high heels walking away from them. “Who the hell is she!?” Chris asked.67

“I’m...not quite sure.” Remphael said truthfully. “To be honest–I don’t quite trust her, but she did guide me here...”68

“I see.” Chris let out a yawn. “Thanks...again. What ever happened...ghoul or, whatever–thanks for helping me out.”69

Remphael blushed slightly for a reason he couldn’t quite understand. “Yes, well, I was just–doing my job.” He said. “But You did...have me worried...”70

Chris smiled. “Sorry.”71

Remphael nodded as he sat down at the couch Donna had mentioned. “She was right about one thing though.” he said, catching Chris’s attention. “You do need your rest for tomorrow, so try not to worry–I’ll take care of things.”72

Chris let out a sigh of relief, taking comfort in his friend’s words. It was impossible to deny it–the dark haired angel had become his friend, and he trusted him. Of course, part of his new found trust could have stemmed from the fact that he was incredibly exhausted.73