175 – Horizon Eyes

“It’s time to go.” Egolas said as he turned, stepping towards the succubus. His right hand was outstretched, as if he meant to grab her by the horn.

“So you’re just going to kidnap me without answering any of my questions?” Agni said as she quickly and cautiously took a step backwards.

“That’s the plan, yes.” Egolas responded, one of his eyebrows arching upwards as he spoke.

“That isn’t very becoming of Adventia’s law keepers--right? I just have a few questions. Please.” Though she said the magic word, it was obvious to Egolas that Agni wasn’t asking. She intended to dally until her demands were met. He sighed, withdrawing his hand and placing both behind his back before speaking.

“What do you want to know? Three questions. No more.” He said.

“Good. Um..thank you.” Agni responded with a slight bow of her head, unsure whether it was appropriate or not. 

“If Angellus hate demons so much why aren’t you punishing me?” This was one of the most obvious questions that Agni couldn’t help but address.

“Do you want to be sealed for the next seven days? You are aware that is the penalty for disrupting the peace in places of gathering or commerce. Wait-- no, of course you’re not. You don’t even have an idea of what the punishment entails.” Egolas seemed to have come to some kind of silent conclusion, shrugging his shoulders before he placed one of his hands on Agni’s forehead. His movements weren’t too fast, quite the opposite. They were so casual and natural that Agni never registered him as a threat. The moment the Angellus’ hand touched her forehead she felt the sensation of rushing energy envelop her. Agni could feel her palms grow damp and sweaty, along with her knees weakening.

She felt dreadfully uncomfortable, what’s more the sensation had quickly reached all corners of her body. There was little she could do to escape it -- and by the moment it grew more intense until she felt as if all of her strength was gone.

Agni clenched her eyes shut as a wave of heavy energy washed over her body, then she felt paralyzed. She couldn’t move, scarcely breathe -- simply exist. The sensation never seemed to settle and each moment was a different level of uncomfortable, making it difficult for her to acclimate to the sensation. The world before her, the sun, sky and beach all faded into darkness and blurs. She couldn’t see, or more precisely could not recognize anything near or in the distance.

What’s more, she couldn’t move or speak -- as if the force weakening her had caused her to lose all common sense and range of motion. This lasted for what felt like a long time, she could feel beads of her own sweat forming against her brow and running down her cheeks.

Perspiration formed, taking the shape of drops which gathered against the silky smooth skin along Agni’s chest and stomach. This was followed by a sensation of deep, lingering coldness which would not go away. She instantly remembered the sensation as one she’d felt just once in her two lives combined -- death’s embrace. The sensation started in her abdomen and slowly grew outwards until each limb, digit and even her eyes were seeped in it. The feeling were beginning to overwhelm her entirely, and just when Agni felt she might go a little mad from “stimulation overload” -- everything stopped.

Agni fell forward, her knees impacting the sand with enough force to send particles flying in all directions. Her eyes widened as she struggled to take in air, to fight off the cold prickling sensation which was prevalent in her fingertips and toes.

“That is what we call being sealed. It separates your spirit from your body.” Egolas said. Suddenly Agni became aware of his presence once more. She gazed at him, not sure if he was a figment of her imagination or real. She tensed up, becoming frustrated that she could not act on her first instinct -- to create distance between herself and this man.

“But, it doesn’t do so entirely. This technique brings the target to the precipice. The absolute point where your soul clings to your mortal body. As you’ve just experienced, it’s a type of mental, physical and spiritual punishment that Angellus use to keep adventurers in line.”

“Torture.” Agni whispered, her own breath sounding strange and foreign. She realized that her hearing had been impaired as well upon listening to her own voice.

“Pardon?” Egolas inquired, he heard her but wasn’t sure what she meant--

“It’s not punishment. It’s torture.” She repeated, finally gathering enough strength to stand on her own two feet.

“Why did you do that? I.. I…” Agni stumbled over her words as she tried to voice the frustration bubbling from within.

“Since you haven’t been properly educated on this world’s laws, it seemed the quickest way to help you understand what punishments await those who gain the ire of the Angellus. And you’d do well to avoid their anger, as I said -- they do not like demons at all.”

“But why did you have to leave me there for so long? It felt like minutes, hours even.” Agni complained as she wiped cold sweat from her brow and steadied her breathing.

“Oh. That was just a few seconds. Normal punishment for what you did would be 2-7 days minimum.” Egolas stated in a matter of fact way.

“A few seconds? There’s no way. I felt like I couldn’t move, I couldn’t breathe.”

“That would be the holy magic attribute of the technique. Angelus use what many can consider light and holy magic techniques. As a demon you’re naturally weak to these two elements, moreso to holy attribute.”

“That was the effect of the holy attribute?” Agni said carelessly. Egolas sighed and waved his hand to stop her.

“Do you really want that to be your third question?” It was then that Agni realized she’d completely forgotten the events leading up to her most recent unpleasantry. She pressed her lips shut, her eyes widening as she realized her gaffe.

“I’m benevolent. I’ll give you one extra question. Besides, you’re right it was a bit much to show you this considering I decided to let you go without punishment. But I think it’s best you understand what may be waiting in store for you should you act too rashly. Believe it or not, I’m a nice Angel.”

“Which brings me to answer your first question. I don’t hate demons, I mean. I lived a past life where everyday hatred was heaped upon me for the pettiest of reasons. I was born with skin just a little lighter than others. Just that, but it was enough for me to be ostracized, organized against and struggle against systems of oppression designed to disadvantage me.”

“Ultimately that stigma,  it claimed my life. I remember thinking, as I laid in the streets gurgling on my own blood -- that if I had a second chance I would make a more fair world.”

The Angellus said, his gaze shifting out into the distance once more. It was now clear to Agni that he was looking to the horizon. Perhaps into an invisible cabinet of long lost memories. It was that kind of look.

In some respects Agni could identify with his words. Her past life was spent harboring a complex which limited her ability to be intimate with anyone, presumably until the day she died.

“But more than that, it’s just my own curiosity. As I said, I’m moving jobs but I’ve been assigned to guard this territory for a long time. In a way I’m invested. I care what happens and I care about the people within the place. Even rash young succubus who attack their attempted kidnappers in broad daylight.”

Of all the things the Angellus said, it was the word “young” which stuck out to Agni the most. It was the first time anyone had dared to call her young since she arrived in Adventia. Along with that word, she wondered just how old the adventurer standing before her was.

“So? Ask your remaining questions.” Egolas said, his impatience becoming more and more apparent with each passing second.

“I---I don’t remember what I was going to say.” She said, after realizing that her mind had gone completely blank.

“Well then. No reason to delay.” Egolas said as she stepped towards Agni with the same casual smoothness which shattered her defenses previously. He lifted his hand, offering a smile this time as he placed a hand on her shoulder. His majestic wings, which seemed to be made of white and rainbow colored particles, materialized into view. The way the sunlight bounced off the water in the distance , the sight of sun rays interacting with his Angellus wings, it was a sight that Agni would not soon forget. Within the blink of an eye only four deep gouges remained in the sand where once the pair stood.