Azrael stood frozen where she was. This was one of the most powerful beings in the universe standing in front of her, and he knew her name.

"You left quite the impression on my guardians," The being said calmly. "I see you've met Orabel as well."

"Uh yes," Azrael answered quietly. "Yes, I did." She spoke a bit louder. Her entire body was shaking.

The being tilted his head slightly. "You are afraid?"

Azrael gave a small nod.

"I do not wish to hurt you." His voice no longer rang through the room but was soft and warm. "You know this or you wouldn't have sought me out."

Azrael swallowed hard. "You can't be surprised if I'm not a little afraid." She watched the being carefully. His face was hidden from view.

Then a chuckle rang from his hood. "I can't say I blame you. It's not every day you come face to face with your creator." A chill ran down Azrael's spine, but then confusion.

"I was told mortals were created by the Ancient Gods."

"Indeed they were, but there were a few that were given gifts from us," He explained. A cloaked arm outreached towards Azrael. A hand that was seemingly covered in coal contrasted with the pure white cloak. "Take my hand dear child and we can discuss this more."

Azrael thought of the many possibilities that could happen to her. This very well could be a trap or as soon as she took a step forward, he would kill her.

"If I wanted you dead, then you would be laying rotting with that blasted priest in the town."

He could read her mind. Azrael's eyes went wide at the realization and she began trying to push any thoughts of Raden down deep. She would have to be careful if she wanted to keep him safe.

Azrael left the throne's safety and walked over to the being. She gently took his hand and he led her from what could only be considered a throne room. Her heart was racing but she kept a steady focus not wanting another scene like that in the forest.

~~~*~~~

Raden felt the weight of his wings pull him down and his eyes shot open in a second. He instantly launched forward and the one thing on his mind was Azrael.

"Woah woah! Hey, Raden calm down." He felt a pair of hands on his shoulders and he whipped around to see a pair of completely wide eyes. He went to push away but their hands were firmly grasped. "Calm down and breathe."

"Where's Azrael?" Raden's voice was full of panic and fear. He looked frantically around the pool and was greeted by the hooded guardian. He turned back to Orabel. "I need to find her now."

Orabel looked him dead in the eyes. Their grip stayed firm because they knew what was going to happen next. "Azrael is safe. I promised to look after you until she gets back."

Raden's eyes darkened. "And where is she?"

"I took her into the mountain."

Raden went rigid. He carefully studied Orabel trying to read their eyes. In a low tone, he demanded, "Take me to her right now."

Orabel shook their head. "I can't. We'll have to wait until she is returned to us." They saw something switch in Raden's eyes and they needed to act fast.

Raden pushed away at lightning speed causing Orabel to lose their grip. He was out of the pool in an instant shaking off his soaked wings. Orabel yelled out for the guardian. Raden ignored the yells of protest and with one strong beat of his wings, he was off the ground. However, he felt something cold and strong grasp his ankle. Turning back he saw the nodded guardian reaching out. An immovable object meets an unstoppable force. Raden kicked out trying to loosen the guardian's grip but to no avail. The guardian tightened his grip and with the strength of twenty men pulled Raden towards him with ease. Raden was caught by complete surprise by the sheer strength exuded. He beat his wings again but this only caused pain to shoot through his ankle.

"You’re fighting a losing battle, Raden," Orabel remarked. They were watching intently but concern laced their voice. "You can't win this."

Raden only grunted in return as he continued the battle. He soon realized that flying away wasn't working and thought of another idea. His wings folded in tightly behind as he sent his body forward. Raden took his free foot and with all his force drove it into the guardian's chest. The guardian stumbled back and loosened his grip. Raden didn't give it a second thought before going for his second attempt at flying off, but he felt the cold edge of a dagger press against his throat. He froze. The guardian had recovered quite quickly and was now standing behind Raden. One hand held the dagger against his throat and the other had a firm grasp on his wings. Raden sighed in defeat swallowing hard against the blade's edge.

"I told you this was going to end in your favor."

Raden stared coldly at Orabel. "I will fight anyone who stands in my way of Azrael."

Orabel rested their chin on their hands against the edge of the pool and smirked. "You're quite protective of Azrael, aren't you?" They could see the anger in his eyes. He was a ticking bomb and the longer he was away from Azrael the greater the chance of him doing something stupid. Orabel rolled their eyes playfully. "My dear angelic boy, you need to control that temper before my guardian here slits that pretty little throat."

"Guardian?" Raden shifted his eyes to the side trying to see the guardian. "I thought he was..."

"So did Azrael." Raden focus snapped back to Orabel. "I explained that these were his guardians. You better watch yourself though."

Raden's eyes widened ever so slightly. Blink and you'd miss it. Orabel knew what he was.

They smiled. "Don't worry darling. No one else knows, but if you keep this up, they will."

"Is that a threat," Raden asked darkly. His eyes narrowed. The only movement he dared make.

Orabel lifted themselves from the pool onto the sand. Wiping off any water on their arms. "No. However, if you keep acting the way you are then every being with a hint of godly power is going to see right through you." They stood in an instant. Their tail was traded for legs. Orabel walked over to Raden. "I've got it from here." The guardian stepped back leaving Raden free. Orabel lightly grabbed his chin bringing his attention to their focus. "I'll tell you where Azrael is but you have to swear to me that you will not go after her."

Raden was fully aware of the naked person standing very close to him. He was trying to look anywhere but at them. Orabel's hand however kept a firm grasp on his chin. "We'll see..."

"Swear to me, Raden." The command in their voice rippled through Raden like the ocean tide. He held their gaze but gave in and nodded in agreement. These were beings older than time itself. He would be completely idiotic to try and fight. Orabel let out a sigh. "Azrael asked to meet with the one who lives under the mountain."

"What!" Raden roared.

"You swore to me."

"Azrael is in danger being down there by herself. She is a mortal playing right into the hands of a god who hates her." Raden's anger was going to explode. Azrael was playing a dangerous game and he needed to stop it.

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Orabel folded their arms. "You have no clue what she is. What she could be. You're standing here in front of me alive because of her." They raised their voice. It began to echo through the forest around them.

Raden paused and took a deep breath. "Enlighten me then."

"It's not my place." Orabel shook their head. "It is only her if she wishes to share."

Raden felt helpless for once in his life This was no place for a death angel let alone a mortal human. "So what do we do?" He sat down on the sand keeping his eyes trained on Orabel's face.

"We wait."

~~~*~~~

Azrael was led through the heart of the mountain into a room that was still magnificently built but not as near as intimidating. She looked around taking in everything. It was similar to the other room, but it was clear that someone lived here. Life seemingly swam through here. Precious gems glowed throughout the room giving it a cold feel. Azrael would have much rather had the warmth of lanterns or torches. On one side stood two large bookcases that were carved into the wall overflowing with a range of books. A wooden desk, which was quite the contrast to the rest of the room, was pushed against the wall directly across from where Azrael stood. A collection of mismatched chairs filled the rest of the space which was again odd to Azrael.

"I find myself with gifts from those who live in the forest from time to time." The being glided over to the bookshelves running a hand over the spines. "Your books are quite fascinating to read and of course the visitors that come from the forest like to spend their time in here as well."

"Visitors?"

The being looked over at Azrael. She could feel his stare but the hood hid his face from view. "You think I walked the halls of my mountain home alone?" He chuckled, "My home is always welcoming to those outside of here."

Azrael peered at the cold stone under her bare feet. "Except for mortals."

"They've proven to do more harm them good. They are not welcomed in my home as I am not welcomed in theirs." Though harsh Azrael could understand the coldness.

She looked up at him. The being stood a few feet in front of her patiently waiting for her to speak. "So why was I allowed in?"

"You are special." It was a simple answer and yet one that confused me.

Azrael shook her head and knitted her brows together. "Then you have the wrong person. I'm nothing more than a sad excuse for a witch."

"Then you have lied to my dear child." His voice was soft and caring. "Only those with a gift given by the Gods could summon my guardians."

"I never summoned anyone," She fought back. The only memories that rushed through her mind were those of the damage she had caused.

The being let out a light chuckle again. This time it ranges through the halls causing the gems to glow brighter. "What about when you followed the whispers to the mountain base or when you saved your friend's wings from freezing?" Azrael remembered seeing them but that was a coincidence.

"This mountain is built from old magic. They were probably only making sure we weren't going to be a threat," Azrael said. This was the logical answer to a very illogical place. She stood with her hands clutching the material of the dress. Her nerves were starting to build.

"You've had great surges of magic, haven't you?"

Her eyes snapped to where the being still stood as she looked down again. Where was he going with this?

"Ah, now I've hit a nerve." The being moved from the bookshelves closer to Azrael. She took a step back and he froze. "I can help you Azrael. All those questions racing through your mind right now. I can answer every single one. However, if you continue to close yourself off from me then this was a wasted meeting."

Azrael clinched her hands tighter to keep them from shaking. She pressed her lips into a tight line as she continued to stare at him. Tears began to well up in her eyes. "I'm scared to know what I am."

"It is in human nature to fear the unknown but it is how you deal with that fear that counts in the end." He held out a hand. "Come."

Azrael nodded but didn't take his hand. They walked over to the varsity of chairs and as Azrael sat down a small cup of hot tea appeared beside her. She looked weary at it and then at the being beside. He nodded and she took a sip of the tea instantly feeling her anxiety melting away.

The being waited a minute before asking his question. When Azrael seemed calm enough, he started. "Where would you like to begin?"

She looked up from her now empty cup and let out a breath. "Where did my powers come from? No one else I know has chaos magic."

"Your powers are passed down through your family. Not everyone, of course, will show this type of magic," He paused shifting in his seat to face Azrael a bit better, and continued, "A long time ago right after the Ancient Gods as you call them created mortals there was an incident. We were being pushed away by the mortals and replaced. I do not disagree with being forgotten by your realm. We weren't the kindest. I digress however, a drop of our power was stolen and given to five of the first humans created."

"How was it stolen?"

The being turned his head forward looking towards a wall. He let out a sigh, "My sister was a kind soul. Unlike the rest of us, she wanted to welcome the mortals that were created for this world. So against our warnings, she went out to greet a few. She was loved by the few who had enough bravery to meet her," he laughed. "Merikh had a growing interest in her and that made the rest of us very weary of her leaving us, but she somehow could find the good in everyone. He asked for her to join them in a festival that the human had created. Against everyone's protest, she left while the rest of us were asleep." He let out a deep breath and Azrael reached out for his hand. Her blood had run cold at the mention of Merikh. He laid a cold hand on top of hers.

Azrael leaned forward trying to catch his eye. "Was she killed?"

"No," he spoke softly, "He took her away from us. We searched the entire earth for her for days and came up empty. That was until he came to our doorstep with her being dragged behind him as he laughed. He tossed her broken body to us and disappeared laughing."

Tears were streaming down Azrael's face and she shook her head. "He didn't..." The being nodded his head. Sadness and anger rippled through Azrael. She could feel the magic surge through her.

"She was able to tell us everything he did to her. After those days in his hands, she was never the same and was the first to go into hiding. He had his way with her and stole a drop of her power as a slap in the face. Five humans received this power and through their bloodlines, it would be passed." He took a deep breath and patted her hands. "We've all come to live with this sadly. Those who have our power, we've all decided to try and protect if they come into our grasp."

"But why? Aren't we only a reminder of what was done to your sister?" Azrael pointed out. She pulled her hands away and sat back in the chair. Her legs pulled up underneath her.

The being turned his head giving Azrael full attention. "Her beautiful spirit lives on within all of you. Yes, she was abused and that will never be forgiven and we all hold a great hatred for the Ancient Gods, but you all are a reminder not of her downfall." He shook his head as he spoke. "We hear of a great power that shows up in the most unexpected of places and know that it is her."

Azrael wiped away the fresh tears that were beginning to fall. The pieces were falling into place now. Why she was shunned by her family even before her brother's death? Why chaos magic was kept secret by those who were cursed with it. She let out a shaky breath. "I am sorry for what your sister went through," she answered in a hushed tone.

"That is kind of you." He paused and the silence settled around them. Even the heartbeat of the mountain had silenced. Azrael was becoming comfortable in the silence when he broke it after a few moments. "Is there anything else you would like to ask?"

"Is it normal to have explosions of magic?"

He chuckled, "Yes, but that happens with every magic if it is held in too long. With this chaos magic as you call it, the power behind it will be ten times as large because it is a power of the most powerful beings in the universe and beyond."

Azrael looked down at her lap and whispered, "That's why we're being used as weapons." She looked up as she heard the being stand. If he heard her then he made no notice or said anything.

"I think it is time I return you to your friend. He seems very worried about your absence." He held out a hand for her and Azrael took it gently. They started to walk down another hall exiting the room.

After a few minutes of silence between the two, Azrael turned her attention to the being. "What was your name?"

"Ah, a sad downside to being forgotten is that your name vanishes as well. Leaving you with very little power outside of the creations we've chosen to abide in," he explained carefully. He never once turned his attention from walking.

Azrael looked ahead with her brows knitted together. She was deep in thought when they rounded a bend and stopped right at the end of the tunnel. A dark wall stood in front of them.

"This is where you can pass and be reunited with your friend." He took her hand and raised it to the hood. She felt a pair of soft lips kiss the top of her hand but still saw no face. "It was quite the pleasure having someone to talk to."

She smiled but didn't move forward toward the wall. "Can I give you a name?" She blurted out.

The being stood tall and proud. He was quite elegant even in the darkness of the tunnel. "Why would you do that?"

"Because you've been the first powerful being to see me as a friend, not a weapon or danger." The words of Merikh rang through her mind as she spoke.

The being tiled his head down slightly to meet Azrael's gaze. "I would be honored to be named by a friend."

Azrael smiled thinking long and hard before answering. "Anéislis."

A warmth surrounded Azrael and the beat of the mountain grew. He laughed and it echoed through the tunnels. "A beautiful name indeed. I thank you for your kind offer and will be your ally." He bowed and vanished.

Azrael took a deep breath before stepping through the wall. Opening her eyes, she was back at the pool but this time Raden was fully awake. "Raden!"

He turned his head and relief washed over him as he jumped to his feet and hugged her. She wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes. She didn't want this moment to end.