Chapter 187: A MOTHER'S LOVE

Her little child cried and cried, but she was summoned by Sellena to come,

She felt nervous, because her child just won't stop.

How unlucky she is, it had always been the case,

She had just retrieved her little one,

and it seemed like he'd be taken away.

Or was Sellena not as ruthless as the other wives she've served?

She sighed. Duke Haborym, the only devil she could at least have a conversation or two,

Seemed busy, he had not been around and she feels nervous somehow.

What could lady Sellena possibly call her for?

The baby haven't even stopped crying,

and those who pass her by seemed annoyed.

She feels mortified, unused to the attention.

Probably because most of her children were taken after they were born.

"Shhhh, please don't cry too loud, listen to your mother,"

She said, nervous that the baby boy would cause too much trouble.

She finally arrived, and was shocked to see Sellena and Asmodeus talking in hush tones.

The demon lord looked at her, and she felt more nervous.

She knew that most looks the fifth demon gives,

No matter how innocent, could be malicious.

"I...I am here Lady Sellena,"

She timidly said as the baby kept crying.

Sellena felt her heart ache, reminded of her youngest brother,

But nonetheless smiled, and welcomed her.

"Have a seat,"

And the lady did.

"I've heard you're one of the oldest maids,"

"I am..."

"Do you not plan to escape?"

The lady quickly turned up her gaze.

Nervous, frantic, uncertain of what to say.

Asmodeus closes the door as he casts a spell to muffle their conversation,

He then looked back at them, as the lady kept silent, filled with hesitation.

"We are not going to hurt you,"

Sellena assured.

But the woman still feels anxious.

She could endanger her life if not careful.

But she cried.

She had kept the pain too long inside.

"All I want, no matter my fate, is the safety of my child,"

She said, and the baby finally stopped crying as her mother sobbed,

And from the sight of it all, how hard Sellena's heart throbbed.

"You are a mother. And your child is still young,

You both need to escape from here,

Live a new life with your young little dear."

She smiles, but then she shook her head,

"I can't come with him, I'm afraid.

I still have another, but I could not retrieve him yet,

As a mother, I can't simply leave, renew, and forget."

Sellena felt her heart melt.

As Asmodeus wondered who her other child is.

His mind have been remembering less and less,

After all, there was just too many names.

"Then...what do you plan to do?"

Sellena asked as the mother only looks.

"I shall stay here, hoping that somehow my prayers come true.

He may be half demon, but he's my son too.

I cannot abandon him, he needs me as much as my infant does,

If you're going to help me escape, I beg of you, to just take my youngest son."

And that was all it took for Sellena to verify,

She was a good soul, and so, she agreed with a smile.

"I hope God listens to your prayers,"

And then the mother continued to cry.

More maids leave and go,

A lot of stories heard.

Even Asmodeus felt moved,

But after listening, realized he shouldn't just go.

After all, what about his brothers?

...

Lluming quickly tapped Joseph's shoulder after noticing him dozing off.

"Wake up, or the shield will be short."

The angel only yawns, "I'm tired Archangel Lluming,"

"Well, your sister sure isn't complaining."

Zeharah gives him a teasing smirk,

But Joseph couldn't care less,

How does her arms even work?

How could these long shifts be endured?

"Ugh, fine! But I...I'm really exhausted,"

"Just two more hours, then you could have it the way you wanted,"

Joseph nods his head, as Lluming leaves and check the other angels,

And to keep himself distracted,

Joseph looks at the skies,

But saw something sparkle.

Wait...what?

Since the shield was thick, he couldn't quite make it out,

What those figures were, though they don't seem too round.

They were moving, and getting closer and closer,

As the first to notice, he quickly warned his sisters and brothers.

Soon, it was revealed they weren't intruders.

But Angel Hanah and her comrades.

"Call Sir Michael," was her first words,

To which Joseph quickly complied to-

although struck with shock, and mumbling at the sight of her.

Zeharah felt completely still at the presence of the high ranking seraphim,

She quickly bowed her head, as the angel only grinned.

"You're still as sheepish, aren't you Zeharah?"

"How can I not? When I am in front of angel Hanah?"

The angel didn't spoke another,

But focused on the single earring Zeharah wore.

"You still kept it after all these time,

Ah, you still treasure that...child,"

Zeharah's eyes quickly turned gloomy,

And her heart...rather heavy.

"Ah, I must have triggered a painful memory,

With that...I am sorry,"

"It's alright, angel Hanah,

I'm...I...I should have let go of the past."

"Clinging to the past is truly destructive,

But remembering an old friend isn't."

The angel assured her,

Until Michael interrupted them both as he speak.

"Angel Hanah! Delighted to see you here."

"I am pleased to meet you too.

But...

Sir Michael,

I hope they're ready,

Because their days have the possibility to get worse."

"What do you mean, angel Hanah?"

"It is time for him to play his purpose."

...

Ken quickly woke,

As soon as he heard Martha spoke.

A new set of angels arrived, she said,

And so, he quickly came to greet them,

Wondering how he could help.

And then they realized that they're the angels of grace,

Revealing that their mission had now been set to place.

"The One true Lord have finally decided,

The time has come to save those worthy of grace."

He felt shocked to see them.

They look different.

Than the usual thick clothing with robes and weapons,

They wear lighter and more casual in comparison.

They even look more grand and blooming,

Are they the same? Where have they been?

One of the angels saw his curious eyes,

So he quickly introduced themselves,

though not one by one.

"Pleasure to meet you, chosen one.

We are angels, not meant for war.

But even though we rarely fight,

We specialize, in reading the heart."

Ken was fascinated, more so when the angels spoke of their plans,

They emphasized that each of them are important,

And one mistake, could be fatal.

Stacy and Samael felt quite satisfied,

This mission is so damn easy to sabotage.

And so they kept their ears open wide,

As the angels discuss how to get out there alive.

"Ken, you lead the third group," Raphael said,

Which quickly shocked him, what if those he lead end up dead?

And as if reading his mind, Raphael smiled,

"I trust you'd do fine."

Lluming, although mostly the one to object in such decisions,

Felt confident that Ken could help carry the mission.

After all, he had proved to be strong and capable,

And it would also make way for him to have more experience, to get the hang of it faster.

Suddenly, the people cried in fear,

Demanding for the angels not to leave.

"What about our children?"

The mothers chimed,

And thus,

A new plan came to mind.

Since the children could not be fighters nor given the angel's gifts,

They could undoubtly die easily, when danger seeks.

So they talked to the fathers and mothers,

"We need to make your children older."

Those words made them all wide-eyed,

Some agreed, while some just can't decide.

After all, they were taking a big portion of their children's lives,

But the angels made it clear that it was a must-sacrifice.

Children here, rarely surives.

To make it fair, they first tried it on the baby Dawn.

Who in a tap on the forehead, quickly became older.

Seventeen, with a mind of his own,

He doesn't seem too independent now, although he still doesn't spoke a word.

And now, the rest.

Cries were heard, but it cannot be helped,

They need to give a bit of their children's life,

Or they could die and slow them down when things don't go as planned.

Selaphiel felt saddened, but he had no choice,

It was the only way to protect all.

Ken could only look, as the children become young adults,

He felt quite guilty, as he was not capable to instantly defeat his foes.

If things...were truly much simpler,

Then this would not have to happen,

No one would need to grow faster.

His worried expression, does the same to Mar,

Who quickly distracts him a bit, as she squeezes his arm.

The gesture may not be enough for him to quickly forget his qualms,

But after remembering he still have her, he felt a little calm.

He can't save everyone.

And he just hoped those he can't,

Will be handled by God.

"Thank you Martha.

For always worrying about me.

But you're also coming, aren't you?

Please during the mission,

Just think of you."

The black-haired woman only nodded,

"You too."

...

And now they wait with anticipation,

Those who were proved worthy of salvation.

They kept their eyes awake, hoping they be saved.

But will they truly be freed?

When on the top, waits a vengeful face.

"Are you sure you'd get it your way?"