Angel {5}

"Gosh I finally found you Skye! Do you have any idea how hard it is to track down an angel who doesn't want to be found?"

Skye sighed heavily, the rooftop breeze a chilling temperature. Usually she wouldn't be affected, but that was then and this is now.

"Didn't get the hint then did you?" Skye laughed, trying to ease a sudden tension between them.

"Excuse me?" Evangeline coughed. A tone dominating.

"You heard"

She shrank at the response, bowing her head gently yet absentmindedly, something she had done over a span of so many years; the breeze moving with the motion of her hair.

Unlike Evangeline, Skye had been one of the original archangels. One of the 9. You always showed respect.

In the beginning where there was only darkness, where the universe was empty and hollow; out of that darkness paved the way for wonder and light as a single spirit grew brighter; bursting into colours blind to the eye and formed a single- bare- soul. In its early days, where time was ample with no measure, it grew terribly lonely. It yearned to not remain vacant, just a shell with no purpose; it wanted more, wanted to understand.

Overtime, the spirit learnt the creation of life, and, quenching its longing to not be alone- the 9 were born.

Each were unique, hand sculpted; each helping the High Spirit with the birth of the world and humanity alike. They were born from a separated entity of the high spirit- capable of thought and individuality; evolution even. However, the selfish longing for companionship had to be payed for...

One of the original's grew very fond of the High Spirt, un-yielding in every way that they were.

It became dangerous. The emotions evolving- still alien to the High Spirit who aged like a child across milleniums. That emotion was none other than love.

The High Spirit had taken many forms that only the 9 had ever seen, and that was the mistake.

As easy as love was born, so was hatred, doubt, and anger that rifled up the balance.

No one knew what happened; for no one could speak of it, but the angel had faced a breaking point; their wings clipped, and with a strenuous effort banished to remain festering in the darkness.

The sorrow the High spirit consumed only deepened with age, and even know it's whispered that the angel's screams of rage are still heard.

Since then, the High spirit retreated from the mortal world- never dawning a mortal form again. It also found that the 9 were not enough. A test almost- to see how creation would adapt.

It needed a legion of loyal beings dedicated to peace and protection. No emotions.

Hence the birth of the other angels, this time, produced from pure light energy in its rawest structure. A cradle of warmth would bind to a form; large feathery wings encasing the angel as they awoke to life. They looked no different to the originals, but they certainly were.

And Skye, she had wished to forget that pain the remaining 8 all had to bare when witnessing their sibling sink to depths of rage, not capable by any human.

Evangeline sighed. "You know, I used to look up to you" She crossed her arms, her head gazing down at the clipped angel. Skye met her stare.

Wings, as long as 2 metres ruffled behind her. White as the snow attempting to settle in the mid-morning sun.

"Thanks for reminding me" Skye grumbled under her breath, plodding to the floor and staring over the edge of the building. People. So many people.

They couldn't see them both, a gift being at work to conceal the beings of angels. It allowed them to stay near their human while not being seen.

Skye rushed a hand through her knotty hair, parting it over to one side down her shoulder. "Why have you come searching for me?"

Evangeline paused, twiddling a necklace that was untucked from her dress; a single string with an aged feather at its end.

"Why are you trying to find me- are you even allowed?"

"Look, I shouldn't be doing this... but" she trailed, face turning solemn as her wings slumped behind her; it's tips dragging against the concrete roof.

"I'm here to warn you"

"Warn?" Skye shot up.

Warn?

Startling the angel as she gripped her shoulders tightly, focusing on her eyes, she was able to tell just by the tone that this was serious... and Skye hated to admit it- but she was scared of what was to come.

"What do you mean- warn?"

"It's exactly what you think it is"

Skye gulped, her eyes shifting to Evangeline's wings. They were so much like her own; the feathers as soft as the clouds they flew over, their complexion as white as the dew drops frosting in the early morning. The bone of the wing that arched was stronger than an ox, heavy but weightless when taking flight.

Her scars sizzled at the thought, feeling the phantom wings arise behind her.

The feeling left as soon as it came, drawing her focus back to the matter at hand.

"You are in so much deep shit" Evangeline shook her head, hands shooting back to the necklace.

"I get that what I did broke the rule, but I have payed the price, why is my destiny being wagered like some drunken bet?"

Evangeline was silent as Skye's eyes drifted to the feather dangling over her collarbone.

Her breath shortened. "You- you kept it?"

A small tilt of the head. Yes.

"I've kept it since the day you gave it to me"

Skye took a step back, legs stiffening at the cold. "Is- is that why you came to warn me? Because... you could feel?"

Evangeline clasped her fingers around the feather, eyes closing as she breathed deeply. "Yes"

"From the moment I felt it in my hands, it was like my body began to... 'evolve' as the humans do, and I- I, I could feel different sensations-"

Skye couldn't help but hear every word she spoke; holding onto her arms as if they were to fall off. Her face deadpan.

"From then on, my perspective with everything changed, no longer did I look at something emotionlessly... I felt things" Evangeline reached for Skye's fingers, pulling her toward her.

"I didn't know what it was.. and I- I- gosh I was so scared! But I couldn't find it in me to remove the necklace-"

"That necklace..." Skye began, cutting her words and walking to the edge of building. "That necklace... the feather was from Deirdre's wing before she fell..." her voice had resonated, like an echo but clear as day.

Almost like an outline, the buildings edge was raised, and Skye began to tiptoe gracefully across it, moving fluidly as she spoke.

Evangeline could only watch as one of the originals, whose wings were clipped and path had changed moved with an ancient beauty along the concrete platform. The atmosphere was different- a sizzle in the air radiating from her.

She didn't know how to answer.

"I found it lying where she had previously stood, and kept it" Skye continued.

She gulped, her feet moving on their own as she kept looming over the edge, on the brink of falling.

"It held so much pain that it hurt me. It was ironic, the beauty of the feather drew you in, but it's past was what trembled through you when you touched it"

Evangeline bit her lip in confusion, looking down at the feather in her grasp.

"This... is Satan's f-"

"-Deirdre's feather."

Skye gave her a stern look. "Do not speak of her that way Evangeline"

Evangeline's eyes fell to the concrete.

"So that's why I can feel emotions... because Deirdre's life- well part of it, lives on in the feather"

"And that feather" Skye hopped back to the stable concrete, walking slowly. "Has attached itself to you, and bares emotions through you"

Evangeline's mouth fell agape. It had explained so many things. However, a part of her couldn't help but worry.

"But emotions are dangerous, they linger like parasites and feed off its host" Her wings ruffled at the words escaping. "They cause you to act rash... why did you give this to me?"

Skye reached for the necklace, feeling the feather gently as her thumb traced its softness- Evangeline's throat hitched.

"Because I, all those lifetimes ago, saw an angel worth being saved" the feather felt lighter than air. "And emotions are not dangerous things. They are what prevent all living things to be an empty shell"

Evangeline ripped the feather from Skye, clasping it with both hands and staring at her with a face full of anger.

Skye retreated her hands, eyebrows scrunched in pity.

"No. Emotions are a curse" she spat.

Skye didn't want to hear it, swirling around and reaching for the dropped bag that was home to tiny snow pellets melting.

She halted, sighing to herself and asked impatiently. "What did you come to warn me about"

Hurriedly, the shoulder strap found its place over her shoulder; being tightened as she pressed. "I have to get back to my friends"

Evangeline broke from the stare, turning around and looking to the morning sun; hands digging into her hair while a whine escaped past her lips.

Skye grew concerned, reaching for the angels wing when she heard "Why did you have to go and break that rule?"

Her eyes widened, a sliver of fear wrapping around her spine, halting her in place.

"Why Skye?" She turned, wings clamped together; a sob escaping. "Why did you throw away everything for one expendable human?"

Skye hesitated.

Was that a mix of anger and sorrow she could detect? Those emotions... she could fool you in thinking she was human; the wings a give away.

Burning with a need to defend her actions, Skye retaliated. "I did what I did to save his life! He was going to die at such a young age! What more of a reason can you give?"

"Everyone dies at the right time-"

"-Bullshit!" Skye cried, her face hardening. Why was she being belittled over an act to save a life? Why was the world so horrid to her?

Evangeline dropped her arms, mouth frowning in bitterness.

"We both know that fate decides-"

"-then fate is cruel"

Evangeline sighed. "I never said it wasn't Skye"

Skye cupped her eyes, pleading to herself not to cry, not to show that sign of weakness.

Her heart physically hurt.

"Do you have any idea the consequences you have put on all of us?" She screamed.

"What?" Skye mumbled through her tears- wretched things.

"Fate is after him! And it is our job to assist"

Skye heard the words... but couldn't breathe. Her entire body couldn't move. Not one muscle, not one signal sent from the brain.

What... what was this? Held in the tight hands of fear as it groped her entire being to sit still, like a statue frozen in time and space.

"No" she was paralysed. Her lips barely being able to move.

"I'm sorry Skye, but you have to get grips with reality because one way or another he was supposed to die that night- and you intervened"

"This doesn't make any sense" she swore, hand against her chest at an aching pain.

"Of course it does! Wake up! Lev Milos is not supposed to be walking this earth" She shouted, eyes strained.

"Don't say that"

"Well its true! The world is reacting to what you did. Never before has an angel ever been seen or dabbled in human affairs!"

She stomped her foot to the ground.

"That's what fate controls- not you!"

"Wh-"

"Learn your place Skye" Evangeline begged, face taut with guilt as she looked upon a crouched angel. "Please, before anyone gets hurt"

"Gets hurt? What do you mean- I saved his dam life and I'm being shouted at?"

Skye had enough of these antics, already wishing she could return to her friends who were probably worried. Her clothes had patches of dirt from the rooftop, from where she had sat, crouched and moved hastily.

"Oh my goodness I want to slap you right now- that rule isn't there just to be cruel, it's for angel and human's protection alike"

"Protection?"

Oh god- Skye felt light headed, eyes shut while the tears grew icy against her skin.

"The moment you take the reins and play god- choosing who lives and dies is the moment the world turns to ruins" Evangeline's wings began to flap behind her, picking up speed subtly; powerful gusts blowing toward a shivering Skye.

Slowly, her feet lifted from the ground, holding stead-fast in the air while her clothing melted into a spool of light. It twirled and danced around Evangeline's body, forming a long elegant dress; straps over the shoulder while the ethereal material free flowed down to her shins.

"Fate wants to correct your mistake"

Skye ran to her, peering up through the tears. The look on her face made Evangeline look away.

"How can I protect him then?" She cried, lips wobbling.

"You can't- and you certainly won't either"

Skye's hands shook, eyes pleading. She was on her knees.

"You know what you have to do- what's right, but knowing you Skye, you will choose differently"

Skye was full-blown crying now, eyes red and a heavy weight laying leaden in her chest.

"Please!" She bawled. "How can I protect him?!"

Again. A deflection of the answer. The wings performing with great strength.

"No one asked you to give everything up and let your emotions get the better of you- he didn't ask you to come and save him"

The words stung, even felt bitter on Evangeline's tongue as she said them.

"Evangeline!" Skye screamed, her hands clasped to her sides, hair fanatic and bag long forgotten. "Tell me!" She demanded.

Evangeline winced at the tone, but reached for the feather brushing with the wind against her skin- almost calming.

"No. And it will stay that way."

Skye looked to the floor, swallowing hard. "Then answer me this"

She straightened her spine, pushing the curtain of hair that had fallen across her face.

"...why can't he have his memories?"

Evangeline began to turn, her head facing the sun still burning bright, a distant frown graced her face.

She sighed. "You want him to experience that trauma again?"

The words sunk through her body. She already knew where this was going.

"No" she stuttered. "Of course not"

"Well then, you have your answer"

And just like that, Evangeline with one swift ascend to the sky, flew away; Skye's head following her, again feeling the phantom wings against her own back, felt how they wept.

She collapsed to the floor. If Lev could not have his memories... then Skye could not be near him.

It was true and un-changeable. The mind cannot ever loose a memory, nor can angels take it. Skye knew that. It could only be pushed so far back that it became a distant thought. But it's still there. And anything familiar- a face, a voice, an emotional connection- touch.. can lead to the memory being re-connected to its path. But it's painful. As it wasn't naturally forgotten, forced and pressured by a swift hand.

What did this mean for her future... or his?

She had to protect him... but she couldn't be near or he would re-live his trauma...

She hung her head in defeat, cradling herself for a few lonely minutes.

And Skye wished that, for the first time, it could've been her who had fallen... not Deirdre, because the pain and agony enthralling her sadness could only be felt for so long.