Ezme smiled as she left Amara’s chambers, but soon after the bronze doors closed behind her, her smile dropped. It was not as if Ezme was displeased with anything Amara had done; she couldn’t even describe how grateful she felt to the mortal champion. 

Instead, the dampening of her mood was a result of the memories resurfacing from her last deployment. Although she didn’t tell Amara, they were always present on her mind. But while she was with Amara, the invasive memories weren’t as prevalent either. 

For when Ezme returned from her first deployment as rearguard, Amara had done something for her that none of her siblings had. She gave Ezme comfort, hope and excitement.

Of course Ezme was still grateful to her siblings as well, as they had taught her everything she knew thus far and given her useful advice and guidance. But they hadn’t given her emotional support.

Being told that what she had to do as a rearguard wasn’t her fault by someone else other than her siblings had changed everything for her. Ezme had opened her guilty heart to Amara, who hadn’t turned her away. Amara not only accepted her sins like her siblings did, but she had forgiven them as well.

Though I suspect she isn’t as fine with it as she shows, those thoughts aren’t directed at me. They’re directed at the situation we’re in, which none of us like.

And Amara had shown her that life didn’t have to only be about the war. Remembering the warm drinks and snacks while in the mortal’s embrace still warmed her on the inside like nothing she ever had experienced before.

{“...indeed better than watching you sleep.”}

Ezme blushed as she was also reminded of how Amara had kissed her. Ezme looked around to make sure that none of her siblings were nearby as she stopped and calmed herself. 

I suppose it’s quite nice. But I can’t tell Amara that. We’ve already gone too far, as we can’t be together.

Ezme frowned.

What was the reason we can’t be together again?

-Right! My siblings wouldn’t approve. They would never agree to one of us consorting with a mortal.

...But I don’t want to stop either. 

Maybe I can hide it from them?

Ezme considered. Nobody goes to see her. The only ones who will know what happens in there will be the ones inside, and possibly Father. But he hasn’t said anything to disapprove of it.

I should talk with Amara about this, so she doesn’t reveal anything by accident. I wonder what Alarice would say if she knew.

...Of course, I know what she’d say. She’d scold me and tell me to cut ties with Amara immediately. Maybe even accompany me to make sure I don’t spend more time with Amara than necessary. I can't let that happen.

Anyway, I need to think of who I should ask for advice.

Ezme took a breath as she considered. She had thrown Amara into a difficult training program, at first as an excuse to hide her embarrassment when Amara had tried to kiss her the second time. 

But once they got started, Ezme realized that Amara really needed training. Watching Amara struggle in a panic was also a little bit fun, and it gave the opportunity for Ezme to take control. Whenever she flew down and held the trembling human after every few fights, Ezme felt like she was somehow getting to return the emotional support Amara had given her.

However, Ezme realized in hindsight that she had been a terrible teacher. She had just thought that she should mix things up, and had chosen a monster that wasn’t inherently hostile, to see if Amara could learn to appraise the situation before attacking. 

Those snakes only feed on slimes and nothing else, despite their intimidating appearance. Therefore they don’t attack anything else either, unless they feel threatened. I was going to stop Amara before she attacked it, but...

Ezme shuddered as she remembered the fear she had felt when she thought that Amara had done something reckless to get out of the situation. Ezme had seen her fair share of mortals going over the edge of what they could handle over the years. Many of them she had managed to stop before their intended actions, but Ezme realized that mortal minds could be fragile.

And putting the situation with Amara missing together with her increasingly distressed appearance, Ezme had thought the worst and panicked. 

While the end result of it was that they grew even closer, Ezme had no intention of taking risks. Which was why she left to seek the counsel of one of her siblings.

I wonder who to ask...Alarice? She would be the best option but...Alarice would immediately know why I’m asking, and tell me not to bother.

Sophelia? Maybe...but I don’t actually know how skilled she is. I know she’s the strongest of us, but she hasn’t trained anyone.

Ezme thought back to how she had first learned to fight. Most of the memories had gone hazy with age, and countless of advice she had received were long forgotten. All she knew was that she had somehow learnt what was needed from it, before the conversation was forgotten.

It’s been so long since I was born. Was I as clumsy and panicked when I first started fighting?

Ezme sighed and continued walking, thinking who she should go to.

I guess there is nobody else but him. After all, he is one of the most seasoned warriors of heaven and has given advice to almost if not all the angels.

Ezme began walking in the direction of her sibling’s chambers while she contacted him telepathically. 

[Brother Biradol, are you in heaven right now? I could use some of your guidance.] (Ezme)

After a short moment the response came.

[I am. You can come by my chambers and let yourself in, I’ll be there soon.] (Biradol)

[Thank you, brother.]

Ezme smiled as she managed to get her brother to advise her and walked briskly towards Biradol’s chambers. 

Although angels could have all conversations telepathically, it had become a custom that unless it was during a battle or during some other kind of urgent matter, conversations should be held face to face. Taking the time to seek someone out in person, emphasized that one was willing to expend more of their own time for the matter than their counterpart. 

The only person exempted from the custom, was of course their Father.

Arriving at Biradol’s chambers, Ezme let herself in. She had been there a few times herself before. 

Biradol’s chambers were like everyone else's, except the large room one entered first was completely empty. Most angels had some form of furniture, and used it to receive guests, should they ever get any. 

Biradol on the other hand, helped other train so often that his rooms reflected that purpose. The smaller rooms Ezme knew were filled with weapons racks and armor stands, from which visitors could select freely when they were receiving the archangel’s guidance. Only two rooms were different, one which was a receiving room, and one which held armors and weapons that Biradol had used in the past.

While she waited, Ezme went to the room that held the historical weapons and armors to take a look. Although she didn’t know much about them, there was a significant difference in appearance over time as new generations brought improvements to old designs when discoveries were made. It somehow reminded her of how the mortals improved their own technology slowly over time, but they did it at a much faster pace than the angels did. For each generation of mortals tended to improve several things during their lifetime, even if by only a little. The angels on the other hand, took millenia for each improvement.

I wonder if any of these changes were inspired by changes the mortals made.

Ezme heard the doors open and soon saw Biradol come through the alcove.

[Welcome sister. You appear to be feeling much better compared to when we last met.] (Biradol)

 Ezme inclined her head. “Thank you, brother. I’m feeling better, though the memories still haunt me.”

[And they always will to some degree. The only question is if we can find the fortitude to continue all the same.] Biradol paused as he looked at Ezme.

[If you do not mind me asking, how did you find yours so quickly?] (Biradol) 

Ezme contemplated. Can I tell him? If Alarice or some of my other siblings find out it’s thanks to Amara…

[The champion helped you, didn’t it?] (Biradol)

Ezme’s eyes widened. “How…”

[I’ve seen countless siblings go through what you did, and they all seek solitude from their siblings after being deployed as rearguard. You however, also have the champion to be concerned about.] (Biradol)

Ezme lowered her gaze, feeling a little embarrassed. “Yes, the champion helped me. She made me feel like I was forgiven, even if I’m not by the victims.”

A faint smile spread on Biradol’s face. [I suppose that would explain it. After all, we fight for the sake of mortals to begin with. If they approve, despite our sins, then we can know we did the right thing.]

But it doesn’t feel like the right thing.

[Now then, what can I help you with?] (Biradol)

Ezme took a breath and looked at Biradol. “I need advice on how to train the champion.”

Biradol frowned. [You know none of us can help her, sister. But let's hear it.]

“Thank you.” Ezme considered before she continued. “The champion doesn’t have the instincts to fight. I’ve tried throwing opponents at her, and while she does defeat them quite quickly, she doesn’t get used to being in combat. She prefers to run from the fight, and keep her opponents at a distance. Mostly she simply panics.”

Biradol cocked his head. [What restrictions have you provided?]

“Combat only with melee weapons.” Ezme replied.

Biradol thought for a few moments before he answered. [The problem lies with what your champion views as the goal. The way you have set it up, the champion will seek to defeat its opponent with the least amount of danger.]

Biradol paused before he continued. [You must instead restrict the champion further to embrace the danger. Like, to not harm the opponent, merely block or avoid attacks. Forbid any use of weapons at all. Or tell the champion that it must touch the opponent several times before she is allowed to kill it.]

[Teach the champion to survive, not to kill. Once it knows how to survive, killing becomes an easy task either way.] (Biradol)

Ezme nodded as she committed the advice to memory and looked up at Biradol with a smile. “Thank you, brother.”

[You’re welcome, sister.] (Biradol)

 

________________

As she returned to Amara’s chambers, Ezme saw how Amara stood by a mortal device that was shaking and making noises while spitting out pages.

“What are you doing?” Ezme asked curiously.

Ezme watched as Amara flipped a page on the book and pressed it back against the device.

“As I have taken a few books that aren’t mine, I thought I should return them once I’ve made copies.” (Amara)

Ezme asked about how it worked and watched as the new page slowly came out.

This is amazing. Mortals truly are ingenious.

“You don’t have to go to the extent of returning the books you know. You could just keep them.” Ezme said.

After all, the mortals should be more than grateful for what you have to do for their sake. Especially when you didn’t get to choose to become the champion.

Amara shrugged in response. “It just feels like the right thing to do I suppose.”

I thought she was okay with taking what she needs, but I guess she still feels a little guilty.

I mean I don’t take things from mortals that need them, but still.

“Maybe you’re not as shameless as I thought.” Ezme said with a wide smile and turned to look at the piles of books. “That’s a lot of books you took.”

Books. Amara spoke before about how with the spread of information, more ideas can become reality.

And books are how the knowledge and ideas the mortals gain are passed on. 

I wonder what ideas Amara can come up with and implement with the ideas of those who wrote these books.

Amara smiled. “These are only the important ones. I returned the majority almost right away, as I didn’t need them.”

“I see.” Ezme turned her eyes back to the printer. 

‘Magic Spells with Applications for Improving Sexual Intercourse’

...WHAT?!

Why is Amara reading that?!

Ezme felt that her cheeks were beginning to heat up and spoke in a sharp tone to direct Amara’s gaze away from her. “Important ones, huh?”

Ezme watched as Amara turned and read the title before freezing up.

I knew she had that kind of relationship in mind with her shameless flirting, but really!

I may not have experience with that kind of thing, but how can she assume I’ll be so poor at it that she has to spice things up with magic!

Shameless! 

You wait Amara, when the time comes, I’ll show you! I’ll make you regret underestimating me!

“I take back what I said. You are shameless. A shameless pervert.” Ezme said sharply and watched as Amara flinched.

Ezme grinned as she managed to make Amara flustered. “Rejoice, mortal. It’s time for punishment, and I know just how to continue your training.”

You wait, Amara.