Chapter 184: HABORYM'S ANSWER

It's not that blurry anymore,

Haborym remembers well...the sound, feel, color.

He was reminded of it the time he saw the burned forests,

Despite the destruction present in front of him,

He was greeted by silence.

It was funny, how he was able to see the world a little better,

Since meeting people, he cared to look after.

It was truly devastating, sorrowful, bitter,

Seeing how everything turned out,

it wasn't beatiful.

He stretched his hands to touch the newly bud flowers,

That managed to grow among the ruins.

But it wasn't even fully bloomed-

and yet it's leaves were already rotting,

Oh way too soon.

The demon sighed,

"What a sight."

As he continued to walk among the eerie place.

He swore he felt whispers muttering behind,

Childhish laughters, a care-free mind.

But as he turned, there was none.

Just his mind recalling the past.

He wondered how he could have lost it.

The innocence, the fragrance of youth.

But when he removed his mask for comfort,

He didn't wonder no more.

He was stuck between a war he did not even care about.

And yet, here he is, stuck between the two,

unsure who he's more loyal to.

The duke sighed again.

"Well, things were for the best."

After all he would have been dead,

If not for her mother's dying request.

...

(Flashback)

Before Lucifer fell, he had always been trying the patience of his Lord,

Always going to the mortal realm, enjoying life as much as he could.

And one of his most time was spent in the greeny forests,

Neglecting his responsibilities,

But his presense gave birth to someone's interest.

Charming, intellegent, deceitful,

His plans worked like it used to.

Soon, half of the fairies were drawn to him,

But more so, was the fairy that shelters Haborym.

Hadassah, curious of who the angel was,

Made ways to be close to the beautiful Lucifer.

Lucifer, having been new to attraction,

Was equally smitten to the beautiful fairy.

Fairies had rarely feel such connection,

For most of the time, they only reproduce as an obligation,

To keep their numbers well, to keep the forests well,

But oh how far in the hole, have the fair Hadassah fell.

They talk everyday, and although it was mostly Lucifer boasting,

She still feels so drawn to him.

Sometimes young Haborym could only wonder who the tall man was,

And why his mother would make excuses to their elders, just so they could chat.

He never understood him, but he feels curious,

Why does Lucifer's yellow eyes, although lively seemed mysterious.

Although he talks a lot, there seems to be a hundred questions,

He feared that this angel, would bring them destruction.

But what could he do? When his own caretaker refuses to acknowledge the danger he may bring,

He helped them in the forest, sometimes brings gifts he doesn't know where they came.

And the people, his people...they would cheer for him,

And as time passes by, his time with them grows more and more,

Until it angered heaven.

That, and his pride led him to be heaven's enemy,

Believing he could do anything, because of his gift,

Because he thought he was God's favorite,

That every single thing he thinks is right,

That he can get away with it.

Soon, he told the fairies to help them,

Help them revolt against Gods and His loyal angels.

How foolish were those who followed,

One of them was Haborym's mother.

Haborym yelled, as loud as his young mouth could,

But his cries could not falter her mother's choice.

She felt like she owe a lot to Lucifer, trusted him more than anything,

He sure was a devil, to make her keep believing.

But she was not too stupid to risk her son's life,

So she agreed to fight, but with a deal in mind.

She'd fight with her might, but if she dies,

Lucifer will take Haborym in, and grand him a luxurious life.

And before she turns his back on Haborym,

She smiles, as bright as he remembers,

He doesn't understand much but he knows,

This may be the last time they'd ever spoke.

And then...chaos followed.

Everyone scattered.

He cried, looking for her.

But she did not come to give him comfort.

What held him was Lucifer's bloodied arms,

As he yelled to retreat, to those he command.

He had other fairies(those who did not side with him),

To burn with the trees, while he let the wounded die in vain.

Haborym tried to reach for them,

But alas, he was too weak to get out from his grip.

He may not remember how much he cried back then,

But he knew, without a doubt, that he did.

His smile faded, along with his soul,

He felt like a puppet, tied to Lucifer's strings without much control.

He could still recall the scent of Lucifer's domain,

Lacking the fragrance of fully bloomed flowers in the rain.

It was lifeless, it felt soulless,

But he couldn't complain, nor did he have time to regret.

Soon, like his mother, he was manipulated,

Treated like his own son, all the pain he caused him, how Haborym have forgotten.

He thought he owed it all to Lucifer,

His high position, his power.

But what have he forgotten since he was given such things,

He lost love, hope, empathy.

He gave his all just to serve him,

Forgot that he was already abusing his own body,

And now...how truly blessed of him,

To have someone step up, and remind him how it feels...

How it feels to have hope, to be sorry,

How it feels to be filled with guilt, with empathy.

To make him realize how a fool he truly was,

To serve a demon, who did nothing but make a fool of his mother's trust.

How come he've changed so much?

From a young fairy with so much hope in his eyes,

To a duke of hell, lacking a hopeful smile.

He felt angry, that he punched a ruined wall,

Which quickly shattered, like his loyalty to Lucifer, it quickly fall.

The frustrated demon, didn't spent much time in the fallen city,

He needed to see the angels, and quickly.

He was about to continue, when something stopped his tracks,

A pain in his chest, his illusion weakening fast.

Afraid that they be caught, he sent more energy to the fake him,

Risking his own safety, just so he could protect his and Asmo's queen.

Feeling dizzy, he stops by to a polluted stream,

Thinking if he should still get a drink.

He remembered his mother would always fetch it for him,

Cup the water slowly, as she cheerfully asks him to drink.

He felt saddened when he saw his depressed reflection,

And although extremely thirsty, felt like the water won't be safe for consumption,

And so, to regain his strength, he simply sat near it,

Wondering if he could still drink it, had he use his illusion.

But he was disgusted.

He fought his mind if he should refuse or drink it.

And as he was about to stand up and continue,

He heard a bird chirping by his side.

He turned around and saw a dove,

Looking at him, with its beady eyes.

He paid it no mind,

Until it kept blocking his path.

It seemed to be asking him to follow its tracks,

But to follow a bird, would it be wise?

He could only scratch his head as he contemplates,

Until he realized, it must be sent from heaven in a way.

Had God finally answered his prayers?

After concluding He must have so, he followed the bird wherever it go.

It moved only after he turned his full focus on it,

Then it flapped its wings away, as it chirped as if singing,

Rejoicing that Haborym finally started believing.

Unable to follow the bird in mere steps,

He transformed into one instead.

And for the first time in his life,

He now understands the beauty of being free,

As he had been a slave.

A slave of Lucifer, his sins, his sorrows,

And yet, he was now filled with hope of a new tomorrow.

That somehow, by doing this one right thing he be given a new chance,

To love, to dream, to forget his dreadful past.

"What took you so long to change your mind?" The bird asked as it looked behind,

"I simply do not know how to get back on the track,

I was forced to believe, that who killed my mother was God and not Lucifer's pride.

Yet now, I understand,

I was a fool for believing him all this time."

The dove did not answered, as it continued chirping,

Singing and singing, as the raven followed him.

"If you keep on believing, you may be forgiven,

Give your best to save the innocent,

And it will bury your sins."

The dove finally said, as Haborym saw a flock of other birds,

About to meet them both.

"The angels welcome you aboard."