AsmaelIn the depths of a broken mind, a lone memory floated to the surface.
Spoiler for Hiden:
"Shallow...shallow.... my, the water sure is shallow today." A woman dangled her feet by a lake and relaxed. Greenery surrounded the two. It was a clearing faraway from the citadels of Eden, one of the many sky islands over Heaven. But to the two, this was their hidden refuge, where few patrolled. Here, they could smile, and talk, and love each other.
A tall, burly man was already waist deep in the fresh water. Normally, this place was reserved for humans and angels, but he pulled a few strings. No one needed to know.
"Sorry, nothing I can help with. It is important to water the apple trees from time to time. If you want deep oceans and raging seas, I'm sure there's plenty down there." He pointed down to the Old World, where Angel and Demon still raged their petty, senseless wars.
He cared little for such things. He had a different war to fight. Keeping her, no, them safe. So was this really alright? Just resting like this, while his kin was off fighting and dying by the hundreds. Again, and again and again. Kill and resurrect, kill and resurrect, in this world where death has no meaning, life is not nearly precious enough. If He learned of this, the life of the one he loved and his own would not be the only thing he'd lose.
The thought of that, of having to lead his men once more, to have to fight over the body of his own kin. It terrified him.
"Besides, it's best for the baby if you don't exert yourself too much. Our battlefield days? Long gone. Now, we rest." He tried smiling and stretched back against the rock, but his body felt tense. Maybe if he walked in a little deeper for a swim, it would take his mind off-
Two slender arms wrapped around his chest before he could take more than a third step, and all of a sudden his expression tightened. "Oh, you devil. You're not thinking of leaving me again are you?" Her voice whispered behind him.
Like he said, he already had a war to fight. A lover's wrath was far scarier than any God or Devil's blade. He could feel her swollen belly press against his back, as well as...
His cheeks slightly reddened. Slightly. But she wouldn't let go. "What will you do? You know you can't fight against Father."
She was right. He knew that. And yet, he just couldn't accept it. There was only one way to go. There was a hesitant silence between the two, until he spoke with a resolved voice.
"I will become strong...! ...I want to put an end between the stupid war between Angels and Demons. And then someday..."
He turned around and held her hand. The warmth was the only thing he needed. As long as he had that, he could keep going. For the sake of his love, and the family he would soon gain. He would fight that man no longer as a soldier, but as a father.
So he had to keep up. To strive and become better, so he could look at his wife and child in the eye without hiding. He was a weak man, but his son would be able to see the world he could not. One where _______ and _______ could hold hands like this.
"Do you think he'll be able to survive? In this cruel world?"
"Silly Samael. He's already great. Because he will be born into this world."
"Ugh..." He woke up in a sterile land made of broken machinery. Gone were the hills of Eden, the bright skies, the wondrous birds.
Where am I? He struggled to get up. His body screamed in pain, but after a while he managed with a pained wince.
What was that? He thought he had died. If he could at least save one person, it would've been enough. Could it be that bastard's attack transported him to this place?
And what did he mean anyways? He wasn't the sort of guy who'd forget a wrongdoing so easily. He knew he was at fault for the war, but if his actions as a blade of God were not to blame...
A sudden clang halted him. Shocked, he realized he was chained to the ground, like a bird tied up. Unable to fly. He was mocked for that, for being a weakling. So he tried to be strong. Now, he had to be strong. He couldn't understand why, he had a feeling that he had to reach out and overcome this, no matter what.
So he fought. Dragged his feet through the metal, pushed forward again, and again, until his bones started to pop out of his skin. For hours, days, weeks, years. He had been chained. But he was not born chained. He was free.
Shallow. These chains were too shallow to hold him. He had to finish this. So he could look at Lucy and Aruna and everyone else straight in the eye.
"This unjust war.... this foolish fight.... I WILL END IT!!"Machinery began to crack. Chains began to snap. And with that final roar, his bones too shattered. But he was free. And now, he walked, weakly, like a wounded animal, but with true resolve in his heart. Resolve towards the one way he could advance. The singular door in his mind he had to take. To overcome.
Remember who you are.
Love who you are.
He grabbed the metallic door with all his strength, even if his arms were now twisted, his wings snapped, and his fingers dislocated. He grit his teeth, kicked off the ground full of circuits and pushed. And from that door, there was a corridor, where he could see the light ever so distant at the end.
Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.
Because you were born into this world.
