“What brings you here, Fluffles?” Morpheus asked with a smile.

As he watched his little sister’s expression, he realized something was off. 

Did I say something wrong?

Fluffles turned to look at the champion, before she suddenly began approaching her.

“E-Ezme, I-” The champion stammered and started backing away. 

Ezme? Ah! That was her name!

Before the champion could finish her sentence, his sister thrust out her palm towards her. In the following instant, the mortal was flung backwards and disappeared with a yelp. “Uah!”

Morpheus cocked his head in confusion after watching what had happened. What’s going on?

His little sister suddenly turned to him with a cold expression, pointed at him accusingly with a finger while her eyes glowed furiously. “Amara is mine! If you try to steal her from me, I won’t let you off!”

...Steal the champion?

As his confusion grew, Fluffles spread her wings and flapped them hard as she disappeared. The force of the wind made several tables shake, making the items resting on them clatter.

Left alone, Morpheus stared where his little sister had been moments ago as he contemplated.

Are we allowed to keep mortals as personal pets now? Why wasn’t I told?

No...that can’t be it. 

And the champion has already chosen her as advisor, so it can’t be that either...

Morpheus considered before he suddenly gasped.

A-ha! Little sister is in love!

An amused grin spread on his face at the realization.

How curious! An angel in love? That must be a first.

Though...isn’t consorting with mortals pointless? Even more so with the champion? Morpheus thought as his smile faded at the implications for the future.

After all, mortals don’t live forever. And the champion is going to die when the armistice - or will she?

Morpheus raised the cup to his lips and tasted the cough-ee as a sudden idea sparked in his mind. 

The champion is growing quickly. Very quickly. 

If she continues to grow like she has, then certainly she would be able to reach a level of strength that can match a demon lord. 

But how is the champion able to grow so quickly? Her rate of growth should slow down as she’s reaching her limits.

And her limits should have been set when she was granted a divine gift…

Hold on.

Morpheus stopped as another idea crossed his mind. 

It’s us angels who have our limits set when we are created. Although we can grow, we’re essentially born perfect for our purpose. Our growth is mostly limited to refining our abilities in what we’re already adept at.

But mortals grow throughout their lives...although there are some restrictions based on the race they are born into, they can learn new things. If that is combined with -

[Ding!]

Hmm?

Morpheus frowned in confusion as he read the screen.

Forbidden knowledge?

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a sudden rush of air, and the cold steel that was pressed against his neck. 

In an instant, cold sweat broke out from his back. 

“Hello, brother.” (Sophelia)

The older sister, who he had always felt closest to and looked up to. For she treated him with kindness, and didn’t mind his rants about all the ideas he had, regardless if they were useful or not. 

Her treatment of him was a clear contrast to most of his other siblings, who viewed him as cowardly for always staying in the silver city. Sophelia had been the one who suggested that he didn’t have to fight, and instead use his skills to help his siblings, by equipping them with better weapons and armor.

But now that sister’s voice was ice cold. It didn’t hold a trace of the warmth that had always been there during their previous conversations.

Hearing Sophelia’s tone this time, made him feel like something twisted in his chest.

Was her kindness all a lie?

Morpheus turned his head slowly to look at his eldest sibling, tears emerging in his eyes. The sight that met him beyond the familiar blade were the cold, indifferent eyes that stared into his, matched with the ever-present, gentle smile that contradicted the situation. 

After several moments, Sophelia blinked slowly. As if to console him, her eyes opened to look at him kindly. As her lips opened, her voice had returned to its usual, considerate tone.“Why don’t you come with me to meet our Father?”

 

_______________

 

 

“Do avoid contemplating the source of the champion’s power in the future. You are fortunate that we could settle this the way we did.” Sophelia said with a gentle smile as they returned to Morpheus’ workshop. 

Morpheus nodded in response as he stared ahead with dead eyes. The process of removing memories had been worse than he expected. Even now, he felt agonized.

But perhaps even worse than the pain, was the feeling of emptiness. As if something was missing. 

“I’m grateful.” Morpheus said quietly. Although he did feel grateful that his transgression could be forgiven, a part of him wondered why it was necessary. And a part of him still feared for his future.

Sophelia cocked her head as she appraised him, and blinked slowly before she replied. “I’m sorry you had to go through it. But you’ll feel better with time. Especially once you busy your mind with something.” 

“I’ll do that, sister.” Morpheus replied. 

Sophelia nodded at him with a gentle smile before she went towards the doors. Once left alone, Morpheus stood in silence as he took in the sight of his workshop.

Who am I?

Morpheus slowly went through the workshop, taking in the appearance of the items spread throughout. He could remember them all and their history, yet he felt like a stranger in his own chambers.

Enough. This is but an aftereffect of wounding the soul. 

Morpheus sighed and went to the side room to work on the secret project again. But once he stood in front of the table with the gimmicks he used to test and implement his new ideas, he couldn't shake the feeling of being lost.

As he stood staring at the table, he sank into contemplation.

The champion is getting more powerful through forbidden knowledge. Father and Sophelia have allowed it. Why?

She became a champion as a result of the armistice. The armistice, that came to be so that I would have time to make this new weapon.

Morpheus frowned as he took a deep breath.

Is the weapon meant for the champion?

No. I was the one who suggested it. So it’s only a coincidence.

Regardless...things are changing. Quickly. 

But for what purpose? 

Morpheus’ eyes fell on the cup with cough-ee the mortal had brought by. Picking it up, he tasted the cold liquid only to instantly spurt it out all over the table.

Seems like it doesn’t taste good when it's cold.

After heating it up, he tasted it again. Somehow it tasted even worse.

Seems like it needs to be freshly made. Shame. I’d like some more. 

Though...the champion did invite me to come over if I wanted more.

A faint smile spread on his face as he returned to the larger room. Spotting the basket, he picked it up and was reminded of the champion and his little sister that had been there recently.

Now that I think of it...wasn’t Fluffles in love with the champion?

But if the champion is growing stronger through forbidden means...will she be allowed to live, if she defeats the demon lord?

Perhaps I should warn my sister to close her heart to the mortal. After all, if she wants to consort with mortals, there are plenty of others to choose from. 

 

 

_______________

 

 

As he entered the champion’s chambers, he was surprised at what he saw. His little sister and the champion, locked in a battle of lips.

Oh my.

As they continued their intimacy despite him standing there, he realized that they both had to have been oblivious to his entry. Feeling increasingly awkward that they hadn’t noticed him, Morpheus scratched the back of his head.

“Ahem!” Morpheus coughed loudly to draw the attention of the two.

As they both turned to look at him, their faces quickly flushed red with embarrassment before they separated.

“Could I have any more of the...cough-ee? That you offered me last time?” Morpheus asked as he glanced at the pair. Both of their expressions changed quickly. 

The champion got her embarrassment under control, and soon stared at him with eyes full of annoyance. 

Does she still blame me for becoming a champion? Perhaps last time she was merely putting up an act…

Fluffles on the other hand, grew increasingly embarrassed for a while before her expression changed into anger. She glared at him first, before she turned her head and glared icily at the champion next to her.

The mortal in turn, flinched as she noticed how the angel turned to look at her. The champion avoided her gaze, with a helpless look about her.

“Don’t you know how to knock? It’s common courtesy to announce your arrival.” The champion blurted out sourly.  

Morpheus frowned in confusion. “You have never knocked when visiting me.”

“That’s-” The champion’s eyes widened in realization, before she sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. 

Morpheus’ confusion grew as Fluffles scoffed and crossed her arms as she fixed her glaring eyes on him. “What are you waiting for? Go and make the coffee that you offered.” 

“E-Ezme…” The champion stammered quietly as she turned towards the angel.

“Go. I need to speak with my brother.” Fluffles said icily without looking at her.

The champion didn’t leave however, and instead leaned in closer to say something quietly to the angel. 

Fluffles’ expression softened somewhat as she nodded, but her eyes continued to glare at Morpheus. “I know.”

The champion seemed to let out a sigh of relief as she stood up, and smiled when she approached him before relieving him of the basket. “Take a seat. I’ll brew some coffee.”

Perhaps she has forgiven me after all?

“Thank you.” Morpheus replied with a smile. 

When Morpheus sat down on the sofa opposite to his sister, he smiled as he greeted her. “Fluffles.”

Fluffles’ eyes flared in anger as he could hear her knuckles pop underneath her arms. “That’s not my name, Morpheus.” 

“Oh? ...Ah. It was something else, wasn’t it?” Morpheus smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry. I’m not that good with names.”

“I’m aware.” Fluffles replied icily. Suddenly she stood up, slammed the table with her palm and pointed at him accusingly as she hissed. “Don’t think that just because Amara offered to have coffee with you, that she has an interest in you! For the mortals on Earth, it’s nothing more than a sign of friendship!”

Morpheus cocked his head in confusion before realization dawned on him. While letting out a chuckle, he replied. “Oh, there’s no need to worry. I have no such interest in her. I’m simply here for the cough-ee, maybe discuss enchanting and…to give you a warning.”

Fluffles raised an eyebrow as Morpheus’ tone turned serious. “A warning?”

“Yes.” Morpheus paused as he considered how to break the news to his sister. “You’re aware that the mortal is getting more powerful through forbidden means?”

Fluffles frowned. “I’m aware. So what?”

“Then you must realize, that since it’s forbidden, our Father and Sophelia might consider her a threat if she survives against the demon lord.” Morpheus continued seriously.

Fluffles nodded in response. “I’ve been told as much. I intend to make sure she isn’t a threat. She’ll be on our side.”

Morpheus’ expression grew complicated. “Fluffles. It’s forbidden. It might not matter if the champion is on our side or not.”

Fluffles frowned anxiously as she sat down again. After a few moments of contemplating, she replied. “If that’s the case, then what’s the point in all of this?”

“Have you forgotten? It's because she has a purpose. She only exists to be the champion, and buy us time.” Morpheus explained. “It might be best for you to let go of the champion. There are plenty of mortals that-”

Fluffles frowned and glared at him in defiance as she interrupted him. “I won’t.”

As I suspected. 

Morpheus sighed before he replied. “In that case, there’s only one thing you can do to make sure the champion is allowed to live, assuming that she can beat the demon lord.”

“Oh?” Fluffles looked at Morpheus hopefully, urging him to continue.

Morpheus swallowed as he was about to reveal his suspicion. The suspicion that had allowed him to live.

“The key for the champion’s survival, will be her usefulness. Only if she can be too useful to discard, yet too weak to be a threat, can she be allowed to survive after gaining forbidden knowledge.” (Morpheus)