[???? And So It Begins – Klergy.]
"SO, I HEARD THE WITCH of the mooring is no more, is this true?" This voice belonged to Ravenna, who was asking as they sat for breakfast the next morning.
The clic of friends had all gathered at Salem Hall, since it was Rafel's.
The cafeteria was scanty, making the vast surfaces and floors more pristine. Their table was spick-span and held their various dishes. Today was the Sabbath, the final day of the weekend, and many students were at different religious sites.
Only a few tables sat conversing groups.
Breakfast was late; at 0900 hours.
Ravenna still waited on an answer, picking apart her fat shrimp with her dainty fingers. Rosamunde avoided her green eyes. Aya, always on Rafel's side of the table, looked interested too. Beyond the naive stares of both his succubus and Ravenna, only Rafel, Percival, and Rosa knew of the truth of Barbara's—alias the witch of the mooring—passing.
The three exchanged looks.
Rosa spoke first. "I mean, we only know what you know, Ravenna. The girl faced a trial by the Court of Whispers and was found guilty. I personally I'm glad that she won't be bothering our hiking trails anymore. We don't need the threat of a rapist giantess added to that of the mountain bears."
"Hear, Hear." Percival nodded. He raised his glass of warm milk like a Viking toast.
Of all the five friends at the table, Rosa was the most angered at the scandal of Virgil Shetty, the young lost son of their Headmistress, Dr. Nicara.
Rafel alone remained silent at the table.
He mused. 'What can I say? It's not like we can tell Aya that we watched Barbara get revenge raped and eaten alive by a bunch of weretiger madmen. It'll only diminish the goodwill of Dr. Shetty in their eyes. If Rosa doesn't want to talk about it, then we won't.
After all, she's the detective among us.
Let the rest of the school imagine what they wish and make up stories of Barbara's execution that suit their fantasies. It will never come close.'
[DING!]
The chiming of his system alert went up in his head.
[DING!]
It came again. To Rafel, it was a most welcome sound.
He exhaled. 'Fucking finally!' His body was no doubt strong enough, and healed enough, to grant his summons and use again of his infernal system. No more depending on [Dark Arts] or [Hell Arts] or [Arcane Wish] in the conjuring of whatever artifacts or weapons he needed.
[DING!] It rang a third time in his head.
[Hail the Apollyon, Israfel Blüdthïrste!]
[Host has been renewed and immunized! System is now displaying current status.]
[MANA CORE: At 100%]
[Tier: DARK EPIC]
Ravenna scratched her head. "The Professor for sophomores said I'd need that too to break my full potential, but since what I unlocked is an Angel's Trait, it doesn't entirely depend on intimacy like the others."
Rafel finally spoke; his voice strangely disquieting.
"What did you unlock, Little Raven?"
Ravenna shot him a look. "Hey! I'm a Year ahead of you. But—" she smiled. "If you must know, they don't yet have a general name for it yet. People just call it The Redeemer.
I can't describe it. . .only show it to you. . ."
And she stood to her feet.
In the quiet cafeteria, Ravenna began to glow white gold. A fresh halo spun to the top of her head and wings whispered out her back. But they were not wings of pale feathers like her mother's, but wings of light.
Pure celestial light.
It was big and spanned out behind her shoulders; it painted the entire hall in rosy color, outshining the cafeteria's own lighting. It was enchanting. She was like a burst of sunlight. She shined out beatifically. Those few on the other tables stopped talking and stared out. Rafel was warmed by just the rays of light pouring out from her.
He had to squint, just to see her face. Everyone was stunned, drawn in by her miracle.
People pointed and whispered.
"By the graces of the Martyr," Rosa nearly went on her knees in front of Ravenna's light.
She was like Iris, messenger of the gods.
"It makes sense," Percival beamed up at her glowing presence. "Her mother is a Seraph."
Rafel heard one of the house chefs, clutch to his immaculate culinary cap abreast, and whisper,
"She's the. . .Redeemer."
[???? Redeemer – Brent Larson.]
Since Rafel had no idea what was the evolution of angels or their hierarchy and [Prowess], he muttered calmly to his system. 'What is a Redeemer.'
[Ding!] It responded in a lush feminine voice. Rafel faintly smelled rose oil.
[Not a Redeemer, Lord Sire. It is THE REDEEMER. As you are one of a kind, Apollyon, so is The Redeemer. It is a echelon of the Holy Ones considered extinct to Angel species. A variant of the Celestials so pure it was rumored to be a mere legend.]
[THE REEDEMER had one sole purpose: to redeem the fallen angels to paradise.]
"By God!" Rafel blasphemed aloud.
Now he got why all of the [Fallen]; his Aunt and Uncles, and even Ravenna's own fucking father wanted her so badly. They sought her miracle. To be redeemed!
Rafel rose to touch a hand into her glowing beauty. Her light didn't burn him. Though he had darkness for his nature, where she was everything light. He was a demon, with an Angel for a girlfriend.
On his recovered life he swore, "I'll protect you, Redeemer."