Sorry it took me a hot minute to finally post an actual chapter. Life gets busy when you have three fur babies, a job and a husband and lots of birthdays.
Also, with the virus going on it's been a living hell. Currently out of work and all that good stuff. However, I now have a lot of time to be working on my Malthael cosplay! It's been quite the bitch but I'm super excited.

Song of the day goes to Azazel : In the dark of the night(Anastasia) Metal Cover by Jonathan Young

I'll be honest I died laughing when I thought of him singing this song and dancing around his domain. I found it quite fitting for him anyways.

She seemed like she was going to help his escape. She said she was going to, yet she left with him so willingly. The half tainted angel hissed under his breath as his thoughts stired. He felt a twinge of anger twist in the pit of his stomach when he heard the agitating squeal of the rusty prison gates being opened. He knew what was coming and he wasn't looking forward to it. even though he had spent all his time in the cell preparing for this moment he was never really able to grasp the courage for it. Azazel himself wasn't what he was scared of, it was what he had planed for him to do himself if all else was to fail.

As the guards waltzed inside his cubicle they unlocked his chains before roughly dragging him out of the room, shoving him forward to poorly enforce their dominance. He snarled in their direction showing that they were not the ones he was intimidated by.

Before long they had forced him on his knees and held his arms in a T pose as the demon lord himself appeared in front of them in a back smokey mist. His horns and piercing crimson eyes were the only things visible from his point of view. The dark being knelt to Ornias's level and chuckled. "Your time has come to serve me. You will be my eyes through this quest, a hidden shadow in the heavens." With a fluid wave of his clawed hand he summoned his other angelic prisoner. It was the courier from before, the one under the angel of Wisdom.

"You will have easy access with this form. I'll need you to keep your enemies close." He stated with a sense of anger within his own voice, he hadn't been looking specifically towards Ornias while he spoke. He seemed to be off, like there was something gnawing in the corners of his mind.

Ornias tilted his head towards the demon and squinted as he studied Azazel's expression. He hadn't seen him like that since Imperius and him had their last encounter. Was he scared? What had happened after he took the angel of Unity? He set these thoughts aside and growled towards the demon lord. "I'll do no such thing. You're a coward if you can't even stand up to one angel." He said, referring to Malthael.

Azazel quickly plunged his hand through the couriers chest with break neck speed and ripped out a bright glowing orb of light. The angel didn't even have time to react before with life within him depleted. It seemed to sting the demons hand by touch but not enough for him to let it go. After placing the core into what looked like a potion bottle he slowly began to manipulate it with a chant. "This angel was beyond weak. A simple courier could not resist this incantation." He grinned with pleasure as the white orb gradually began to shift color, nearly matching Azazel's eyes. "I will now gift you this and grant you a new form, a new life." He stated with a devious smirk.

Ornias snarled and turned his head. "You're mad if you think I'll willingly drink that."

Azazel quickly replied. "You wont." The second he said this he slammed down his foot and stomped on Ornias's tail, making him cry out in pain. With him mouth open Azazel saw the opportunity and shoved with bottled in and forced him to swallow, watching the core glide down and out of the bottle. He finally let go and took several steps back to watch his work complete itself.

Ornias coughed back as the guards let him go, his body trembling with a strange twitching sensation. He felt his body conform and shift, wings protruding themselves from his back and his eyes were giving him a different visual aspect of things. As his anatomy was morphing into the angels he let out several cries in painful agony, clawing at the ground and his own face. Once the transformation was complete he shakily brought himself to a wobbling stand, looking to the demon lord with a dazed expression.

"Well done. You survived." Azazel clasped his hands being his back and paced around the angelic figure. "Now, now. Let's see if my little experiment worked." He snapped his fingers and pointed to the ground. "Bow."

Without even trying to, Ornias went crumbling to the ground with his hands out in a praising manner. Ornias squinted and wondered at first if he had accidentally fallen and if just seemed like he had obeyed. There was no way he would have bowed down to him by choice. He tried to stand but his arms and legs were binding him to the ground.

"Oh, splendid." Azazel said with his hands clasped together in front of him. "Now, dance around and sing a song for me."

As he was told, Ornias in his new angel form was doing exactly as Azazel had asked of him without actually meaning to. He couldn't control his own actions. He was literally a walking puppet wearing a disguise. Ornias felt a stronger sense of fear come over him. The worst thing he was expecting before all this was death. However, he now realized in this case death would have been a privilege.

Azazel reeled his head back in laughter, his voice booming through the walls as he roared. "Why haven't I done this before?" He chuckled and took a step closer. "You may stop now."

Ornias dropped and panted as he felt his body do as he commanded. "You're not going to win this war." He growled with an exhausted exhale. He already felt weak from being imprisoned for what seemed like ages.

"Oh? Is that so?" He asked, lifting the younger angel's chin. "Let's put you to the real test then, shall we?" Once he let go of his jaw he began pacing circles around Ornias, his long robe trailing behind him almost making it seem like he was floating.

"You see, I made a promise to the young archangel that I am afraid I must keep. She was given an ultimatum and she decided against everything I had to offer in return for the high heavens safety." Another wave of fear seemed to take over Ornias as he awaited his command with anticipation. "Find the archangel of Unity. When you do, gain her trust. Make her trust you more so than the Malthael himself. Next you must find the archangel of Wisdom. Make him also gain your trust as a worthy ally. And when given the opportunity ... kill him."

It had been days since the archangel of Unity had last opened her eyes. She had been resting in the gardens of hope under Auriel's watch until she was well enough to be on her own. Auriel had been asked by Urzael to be given frequent updates on the young angel's condition. On the third day, Irridia's eyes had cracked open as consciousness slowly started to return to her. It was bright and the air was easy to breathe unlike before. She wasn't sure where she was right away or how she had gotten there. Had she died at the hands of Azazel?

She tried to look around and let out a groan in doing so. When she made the slightest sound a small hooded head poked out from the corner of the room. It was an angel of hope; a rather small one compared to most.

"Oh! Thank goodness you're finally awake! Auriel will be most pleased to hear of this!" She said with joy held in her voice.

Irridia tilted her head and furrowed her brows when she noticed she was happy. Another ordinary angel was happy to see her? Alive? It was different for her to see this. Most angels who worked so hard grew angry when they usually saw Unity. They were bitter from the fact she was simply born to take on this roll where others had to work centuries to earn their place.

"Where am I? How did I get here?" She croaked out, her throat was still sore from the many clawed hands that had dug into it. Her hands gently roamed around her head and body to feel that there were bandages wrapped around her head, neck, and entire torso. Other various parts of her held bandages but they didn't seem quite as severe.

"You went missing for quite some time. Everyone was worried about you and sent search parties throughout Sanctuary and even on the border of the seven gates of Hell. No one could find you. All but Malthael. He was the only one to go through Hell himself and come back alive. And here you are in the Gardens of Hope!" The angel of hope stated with a pleased smile.

Just after she told her this, Unity had a quick memory of her flying through the air and seeing the archangel of Wisdom carrying her. It was dark out when she saw him, every other time she had seen depictions of Malthael when she was in Hell, but it had all been a lie. She didn't know what to believe and therefore thought it was just another trick. "It was him. That was actually Malthael." She whispered to herself.

Unity hesitantly glanced up before forcing herself out of the medical bed. "What is your name?"

My name is seraphel. It's a pleasure to fianlly meet you." She smiled.

Irridia blinked a few times trying to make sure she heard that correctly. Since she had entered heaven she had never had someone who was actually happy and excited to meet her, at least with good intentions. She was still unsure as to why everyone had a disliking for her howver, she hoped through all of this she might get some answers soon. Perhaps this angel would be more willing to respond. "Where is everyone." She wondered, trying to sit up with a strained wince.

The angel of hope was around her size which made her feel a bit more comfortable. Nothing would compare to the intimidation Azazel left on her memory. He was massive and she would much rather take a beating from Imperius any day. The green laced angel softly responded. "They should all be gathering around in a meeting discussing their further actions. With that being said I'll have someone sent to notify Auriel of your current condition." She moved closer towards Irridida and gently placed a hand along her neck. "It must have been terrifying being all alone down there."

Irridia glanced down and thought to herself, remembering the others who were trapped in the hell hole. "I wasn't entirely alone. There were others. I'm just not sure why he wanted me so badly. It was beyond unnerving."

The healer gave an uncomfortable exression and sighed. "Well, we're glad you've returned." Se placed a hand on her shoulder. "I can tell you're going to make a big difference in this world. I can just feel it."

Unity felt as though she could cry at that moment. Just the simple hand on her shoulder was enough to make her actually feel welcome and comfortable. "We ... you said we are happy you've returned. Who are you implying?"

Seraphel raised a brow as if saying 'who wouldn't be?' before speaking. "Everyone has been talking about your return. They say Malthael is absolutely crazy for taking such a risk but the counsil is relieved. I could only imagine since he went all out of his way that Malthael would be glad to hear you're alive and well after you've awakened. Might I ask ... Why would you ask such an odd question?" She said bluntly.

The archangel turned her head slowly and spoke. "Before all of this everyone seemed to dispise my very existance ... and I still have yet to figure out why."

The other angel smiled a bit under her hood and chuckled. "Most people who show hatred towards anyone is usually because they are envious. That or you've done something unspeakable but if you know you haven't done anyone any harm it's simple. They're jealous!" She said with a peachy smile.

"Irridia gave a slight tilt of her head wincing a bit as she did so. "Why would anyone be envious of me?"

Seraphel sat on the edge of the bed, looking into her hood curiously. "Most angels have to work an eternity to get into the position you were simply handed. There are angels who have dedicated everything to a position like this and then you came along, taking a throne with such easy. I could see why anyone would be so envious over that."

Irridia balled her hands into fists. "I will gladly trade places if it means I wouldn't have a demon lord after my throat. If that is what everyone had worked so hard for they can take it."

The angel of hope shook her head. "Don't be so negative all the time. You were created for a purpose. No one knows why you are here but they crystal has never been wrong. You simply have to be patient and look at things from a different perspective. You'll know when it is time."

Irridia remained silent as she staired towards the ground. After a long pause she looked back up to Seraphel. "Thank you for your kindness. I dare say it is one of the only good first impressions I have had with my time spent here. And for that I am more than greatful." Her voice became quiet as she glanced back down.

Irridia's words only made Seraphel's smile brighten further as she began to change her bandages. "Once I am done I will send out the letters. You should be good to go by nightfall, however, I would highly recomend you rest for at least one more night. Thought it probably would be nice to stretch your wings out for a few."

Irridia looked back and tried to spread them out a bit, wincing with every inch as they strained. It wasn't impossible for her to fly but it wouldn't be ideal. Back with the demonic entities they had really left their mark on her. With her being stuborn and hard headed she felt as though she would be able to escape and fly for a little while, at least for what she wanted to see. Only for just a moment.

Once the healer was finished changing her bandages and taking her healing chord off she waved goodbye and left to send out the message. The second she left Irridia had tried to come to a stand and let out a pained groan. Everything felt sore as she actually tried to used her muscles, but she knew she needed to move around a bit to break she stiffness. It was almost sundown and she wanted to finally get a good lungful of fresh air, especially after being cooped up in a cage through several days and not being able to see sunlight. She went to stretch everything and let out a struggled groan before glancing down at the end table, tilting her head from the familiar sight. "My letter?" She picked up the envelope that had already been opened. It was the letters she had sent a while ago asking everyone if they would help her train. This one was the one she sent to Malthael. She looked inside to see if there was anything written and only found a small inscription. 'When you are well.' She furrowed her brows and repeated it. "When I am well?" She repeated to herself.

After some deep thought Irridia had decided to wait until nightfall before going out to stretch her wings. Seraphel had assigned her two escorts for assistance and said it was Auriel's orders. Unity knew it was propably a good idea but she wanted to go out on her own. From experience within the High Heavens she realized she liked doing things on her own and away from the ones that shunned her.

As the guards stood close by her while she walked through the Gardens of Hope, she noticed nearly every angel stop in their tracks, pausing whatever they were currently doing and whispered amungst themselves. She had grown used to this over the years and simply rolled her eyes under her hood with a heavy sigh. She wasn't wearing her usual armor from before. It was being repaired and polished from what she was told. Instead she was given a simple white robe to put over most of her bandages and a pair of white slip on shoes. Some of the bandages around her legs and hands were obviously seen. The hood covered the wrap she wore around her head and neck areas. The white angel found it to be slightly emberrasing however it was necessary.

Once they were outside she was already devising a plan to lose them. They had been walking around the Gardens of Hope for a while but she wanted to venture out further. She only feared that once she was out of their sight they would start another search party and she could have that piled onto her plate of things. She just always seemed to be getting into trouble. It wasn't like she was purposfully searching for it ... except for this time maybe.

She looked back towards one of the guards and started to cough uncontrollably and weeze, clutching at her chest. The guards held a concerned expression and one rushed to her side asking her what she needed. She smirked under her hood and raised a brow thinking to herself 'wow they actually seem concerned'. She coughed again and reached out dramatically. "Water!" She gasped and grabbed onto the other guards arm. "Seraphel ... go get Seraphel."

They both looked at one another as one squinted, glancing back down to the small angel. One of them was a guard from Valor and other other was from Justice. The one from Justice looked around frantically with his hands on his hood. He gave a quick nod before rushing off in a hurry to fetch water and Seraphel. When Irridia noticed the other hadn't budged she cursed under her breath with a sigh. The angel of Valor stared down to her with his arms crossed over his broad chest. "Where are you trying to rush off to alone?" He asked bluntly.

She paused the fake coughing and came to a stand. "You're not as dumb as you look." She said with a sour taste in her mouth. Her patience for Imperius had thinned over the many arguments and lectures she had to hear from him in the past. She only expected his angels to have the same mannerisms as their superior. When she glanced over she expected a raging angel to be inches away from exploding. However, that's not what happened. He simply shrugged and waved a hand. "Feel free to leave then. I have no intentions on wasting my time on a nice day for such a fool. If you injure yourself it's on your own hands." He said with a carefree tone of voice. He sounded like a rough brute but his attitude came off way more relaxed. Unity was a bit intruiged by this.

"You're not worried about what Auriel will say to you if you're the guard who let something happen to me?" She said folding her arms as well.

"Do you know who my superior is?" He said with a dull and obvious tone. She gave a nod and shugged. "You're right nevermind." She turned away and furrowed her brows. "What's your name?"

He went to turn and leave as well walking off as he responded. "Tarius. Don't come bothering me unless you're dying."

She gave a small smirk and thought to herself outloud. "He's not so bad."

Once she was off she tried her best to avoid being seen by most. She found it difficult to do so since she was competely white and practically illuminating the night sky. "Maybe I shouldn't do this." She thought as she approached the tall castle-like tower. The intimidation was slowly starting to sink in. She didn't wish to speak she just had to see. Everything that she had been through just seemed so surreal. After seeing Azazel manipulate the form of Malthael she couldn't get the image out of her head. She just had to take a peak and see him once. Not face to face or in person. She wasn't even supposed to be out there this far from the Gardens of Hope but she felt if she saw the real him it would put her mind at ease.

She glided past a few of the windows, peeking her head through slowly to avoid sight. The first few she checked there was no sight. The white angel winced as she They higher she flew up the spiraled windows she caught a glimbs of what could have been his wings. Her eyes lingered and she eventually found him. He was calmly pacing around one of the pools of wisdom while sipping from his trusted chalice. The moment she saw him she felt a sense of comfort come over her form, letting out a sigh. He seemed so calm and collected, confident in the way he held himself. They all did in their own way.

Unity kept herself hidden along the side of the window, only having her head poking up. What she didn't realize was that her wings were trailing out from behind her, twisting and curling around the top of her head. Malthael's pacing paused widway and he slowly looked up towards her window. When she saw him pause and his hood shifted she quickly dropped and moved her wings, causing her to let out a strained noise and wince. "Ack! Damn ..." She looked back to her wings and let out a slow nervous sigh. "I should probably go." Her wings were starting to tire from the strain. The young angel's curiosity grew internally. 'Did he actually see me?'

When she looked back throught the window where she saw him pacing, he had completely vanished. Her eyes grew wide as she realized he most definitely saw her. 'Oh, no.' She quickly backed away and before she knew it she had turned around to see the front end of a shiny charcole chestplate. She froze as slight fear struck her core. She couldn't believe he had gotten to her that fast.

Malthael was floating steadily directly in front of her with his hands held neatly behind his back almost as if he was waiting for an answer he hadn't asked. All Irridia could do was inch away and look up. She was at a loss for words.

"I- ..." Her shoulders dropped with her wings as her voice came out in almost like a whisper. "I'm sorry."

As he towered over her, his hood tilted downwards slightly before reverting back up. It was as if he gave her a small once over. He let out what seemed like a long frustrated sigh as he stared down towards her small form. He could see her wings twitching with nervous pain and noticed she was struggling to find anything to say.

After a few awkward moments Irridia glided back a bit and shook her head slowly. "There's just so much … I'm not sure how to put it all. I don't know how to- …" She placed her hands to her head trying to think, attempting to hold the conversation without having a breakdown.

Malthael had no idea what had happened within Hell but he knew she would open up and tell him of it soon enough. He himself had questions of his own that he wished to ask involving the events that took place there. However, he knew now was not the time for such questions. He knew she needed time to recover.

"Are you well?" He asked her, possibly wondering if she was responding to the message. His voice came out soft and he generally sounded concerned. It comforted her and made her feel like she might not be as much of a bother like she thought. He watched her every move intently noticed her twitching wings seemed to calm ever so slightly from his simple question.

She gave a small smile under her hood and nod in response. "I am now." She felt a strong pulling at her chest wanting her to move forward but her mind and body refused to budge.

"Why are you here?" He said with sight curiosity. He could tell she was not physically nor mentally well enough to be alone yet. Though he could understand why she was.

She tried to come up with something besides her just going out of her way to creepily spy on him through the window. "I … came to thank you. I don't know where to begin. I can't even think of a way to repay you for what you did." She began, slowly thinking back on all the things that happened there, only imagining what he must have gone through just to get to her. The images rushed to her head all at once. First one being Ornias, then Azazel, and then Azazel's impersonation of Malthael in the room. Her wings began to shutter as her gaze trailed off into nothing. Her arms slowly made their way around herself as the empty feeling she had in Hell returned to her, sinking in the further her memories traveled.

"It was so dark down there. I felt like I couldn't breathe. Every time I tried to speak or reason with... He just made me... The demon … H-He … he tried to-" Before she could continue there was a sudden lingering sensation along her back and eventually that sensation circled along her small form while something gently brushed up along the side of her cheek. Her mind and vision that was once blurred was quickly brought back to reality once she realized what was happening. Malthael had moved forward and fluidly embraced her with his arms, carefully avoiding her wings.

For a moment she almost forgot how to fly as her body stiffened, which didn't help her already sore muscles. She thought she would be feeling nervous or like this could only happen in dreams. Malthael didn't seem like the hugging type of person therefore, she never would have seen this coming in a million years. Then again she didn't think anyone was going to save her in Hell, let alone going in alone. It was practically a suicide mission.

He continued to hold on and she was okay with this. After slowly snapping out of the shocked state her arms made their way back around him, closing her eyes as she did this. The first thing she noticed was his smell. He smelt like a smoke from a fireplace and his breath was that of his black cherry wine. His cheek was what had brushed against hers and her face was far from pale. Never did she believe there would be a chance this would happen to her of all the angels. History was practically being made in her eyes just from this tiny action. The closeness was … oddly soothing. His aura he gave off was that of great relief. But what could he possibly be so relieved about at this very moment? These thoughts were exhausting and she finally forced them to the side to focus on the present. She let out a relaxed sigh and for the first time in a while she actually felt safe and comfortable.

"Thank you." She sighed, burying her face into the crook of his hooded neck. He felt warm and he was like the perfect puzzle piece in her arms. She had felt nothing like this before. She almost wished it would last forever. After letting out one last sigh he let her go slowly, gliding backwards as he did so. When he did he gave her shoulders a small comforting squeeze, cautiously avoiding the bandaged areas and motioned for her to follow him. As they glided she went to ask his a few questions that were gnawing at the corners of her mind. "Why did y-"

"We will speak another time." He interrupted, silently gliding forward.

Unity let out an internal sigh through her nose and stared downwards. Her wings were starting to ache from how long she had been flying around the heavens. She just knew it was going to be pain to face in the morning. The further she followed and flew next to him the more she started to fly lower and lower, drifting towards the ground as her wings tired. It was like a cramped muscle that gradually started to spaz until it was unusable. Malthael noticed the light of her wings dim from behind him and he turned his hooded head to look over his shoulder. She was nowhere near eye level. Irridia was letting out a small struggled strain to keep pressing on but she refused to admit she was in pain. To Malthael it was obvious. He was a master at reading body language and he had seen her injuries before they were tended to.

The white angel bared down on her teeth wincing from the pinching nerves trying to focus on the balcony to the gardens of hope. Malthael simply watched as she struggled, pausing as he did so. Instead of helping her, he studied her form and how she carried herself even when she was injured. Perhaps it would answer some questions as to hope she survived her injuries or how she lasted as long as she did with the demon lord. Unity finally made it to the platform only getting the top half of her body up before sliding off. Malthael stood at the top and merely looked down to her. Eventually she climbed up and shakily held herself half slumped over.

"Rest." He said to her in a serious tone, his voice so deep it almost echoed.

Irridia's wings were dragging low to the ground from both exhaustion and slight depression. He was sending her emotions everywhere. He was so confusing and contradicted his own actions at times, or at least so it seemed.

Malthael left with a heavy wave of his wings, not turning back as he flew back towards his domain. Irridia watched him but only for a moment, letting out a heavy sigh and shifting towards the balcony doors shrouded only by thin curtains. The moment she stepped inside Seraphel was directly in front of her with a raised brow and a tapping foot. It was light she was her mother and she was late for dinner.

"So … You and Malthael are quite close." Seraphel said bluntly. "Did you used to sneak over to him this late at night?"

Irridia's face lite up brighter than a cherry the second she finished that sentence. "First of all we are not as close as you think and secondly I went to thank him. None of this is any of your business. You have no right to ask me such things and expect an answer. I don't have to answer to you."

Seraphel kept her arms crossed and paused for a moment. "This is true but you did. I still believe there's something you two are hiding. Even before you were kidnapped there were assumptions. You were always in his room."

Irridia growled under her breath. "I was helping him with paperwork."

"Uh huh. That's what all the angels say." She snickered. "I think you two make a rather interesting pair."

"I'm not listening to this nonsense." Irridia grumbled as she walked off and into her own medical room to escape the questions, carefully laying down in her room. The healer was making her rather uncomfortable and brought up a subject she would rather not talk about. Especially with someone she had just met, yet the angel seemed persistent. Not even two seconds had passed by and there was a knock on her door. "Ugh, what now?"

"... I still have to change your bandages."

Okay … officially another chapter. FINALLY! Also, I never got any of the notifications from people who had actually left reviews for this story. I thought everyone was dead and left. I was worried no one would even be interested in reading this anymore because it had taken me so long to update (not my fault btw). So, hopefully this one makes up for it. I am really happy to see people still enjoy it though. It motivates me to keep writing. Since everyone is on lockdown (or at least they are where I am) I now have more free time and can update it more often! That is if my computer doesn't die on me first. My husband has somehow placed viruses on it … prey for it's survival. Anyways, I also enjoy online pen pals so feel free to message me! I'm bored …

P.S. This may be a sloppy chapter because I no longer have word document … I had to type this all on NOTE PAD aaaaand I wanted to cry. Please forgive the errors. I tried to fix most of it.