A group of soldiers ran forth from the surrounding brush, aiming their weapons for Asren. “Nelsi wey," Asren whispered an incantation, and stomped his foot to the ground, sending a shockwave towards the ambushers.  They fell to the ground, and Asren moved swiftly, standing protectively in front of Virgil. He didn’t understand why, but for once his instinct was to protect someone else.

“Who are these people?” asked Virgil accusingly.

“Evil humans who think they can take me from where I belong -- my temple." Asren responded.

       The soldiers rose as quickly as they fell, each taking a different route to attack Asren. As the first of them reached Asren, he removed a silver dagger from his pocket and stabbed the soldier in the shoulder to dismantle his attack, before slicing the soldier’s throat. Blood poured from the wound as the soldier fell to the grassy ground. 

      Another soldier came from his left, and managed to slice through Asren's hip, before Asren turned on her and stabbed her in the gut, twisting the knife as he summoned a spell to kill the one to his right. As soon as Asren finished exclaiming “Invisley curi”, the soldier to the right’s head was severed by an invisible force. The head rolled to Virgil’s feet, the lifeless eyes staring up at him.

Virgil stepped back in terror. He’d never been in combat, and the thought of getting hurt terrified him. The scent of blood held heavy in the air, the sight of something so brutal making Virgil feel sick to his stomach. Though he realized that Asren was the only person who could lead him to the Mirrorheart. Only Asren had a lead on its location. Without him, he couldn’t alter his wish to remove the negative cost. But what could he do?

Meanwhile, Asren was fighting as if for his life. Yet he was immortal. What could he possibly fear so much? The look in his eyes wasn’t bloodlust, it was pure terror. Asren’s movements, though practiced and planned, held a frantic edge. His tail lashed, but was held closer to his legs.

“Why do you fight so hard? This is what your parents wanted! You don’t want to be a failed son?” asked one of the remaining soldiers and she attempted to shoot him with arrows.

But Asren dodged, replying, “If this is a failure, imagine what I’ll be when I’m restored to my full glory. I’ll never go back there!”

Asren summoned a powerful spell, muttering “Lifli Drylsi”. The life drained from the soldier who dared suggest he return. The other final soldier saw Asren’s power, how easily he dispatched of the others even while taking brutal blows, and fled.

“Oh no you don’t.” Asren’s eyes turned solid electric blue, save for white pupils made of three slits.

Asren’s ears pinned back, his tail fur raising. He muttered a final incantation, draining the life from the other soldier. Virgil watched in horror. He was far more powerful than Virgil expected, even for a morlak. And the way his eyes shifted when he was angry… it reminded him of those demons… slediths. Asren stumbled, the adrenaline wearing off, giving way to the realization of how much pain he was in.

Asren fixed his hair and the fur on his tail, “Well, we’re definitely not safe here.”

Virgil hesitated. Was traveling with this… monster… worth traveling with to remove the consequences of his wish? Asren noticed the fear in Virgil’s eyes and posture. Asren looked… guilty. He sighed, and turned to fully face his acquaintance.

“I’m not evil. I refuse to go back to that wretched place.” Asren attempted consolation.

“What place could a divine being possibly be so afraid of? Hell?” Virgil asked, his tone challenging.

Asren felt his tail fur prick again. Virgil saw him as a monster, like everyone else now. Asren realized he enjoyed having someone see him as normal. Not divine, not a monster. Just human.

“I won’t hurt you.” Asren muttered.

Virgil didn’t respond. He looked unsure. Asren refused to be rejected once more, and so he turned away.

“It’s not safe here for me anymore. I’m going to look for the mirrorheart. Goodbye, Virgil.” Asren began to walk away, his head held higher than his spirits.

He finally found someone he might have considered a friend someday. And he… no, the soldiers… ruined it. Virgil watched the divine being, so regal yet hurt, walk away. And finally he thought of someone other than himself. This angel was as human as he was. And so, he steeled himself for what’s ahead, and ran after him.

“You’re gonna need backup. Besides, I need the mirrorheart too. But this doesn’t mean I trust you. Or like you.” Virgil stated matter-of-factly.

Asren smiled, small but genuine, “I’ll try to be a good guide then, my dear Virgil.”

Virgil rolled his eyes, trying to hide his own small grin, “Yeah, don’t call me ‘my dear’. It’ll make me think you actually like me.”

Asren laughed, “Oh, but I do. I may even consider you a friend someday.”

“I don’t usually have friends. Besides, I don’t trust you enough for that yet.” Virgil responded.

“I hope someday you will.” Asren’s tone was softer than usual, a tenderness never seen in this angel.

For a few moments, they walked along the weathered trail in silence. The trail was covered in debris from the hurricane, and they were careful to avoid it. Asren’s wounds had already fully healed. Even morlaks didn’t heal that quickly, Virgil noted.

Asren chuckled. “Oh, and that password in my temple? It was serious. I expect your cheese offering as soon as possible, my dear Virgil.”

Virgil groaned, “You’ve got to be kidding me. Why cheese?”

“It’s delicious, why else?” Asren responded, chuckling.

Virgil rolled his eyes again, “It’s disgusting.”

Asren laughed heartily, “Oh, you poor man. To be cursed with a hatred of cheese. Truly tragic.”

Virgil finally laughed, though only softly, “You are not at all how I imagined a morlak.”

Asren nodded, his ears perking up, “I’m better. The others of my kind are obsessed with perfection and beauty.”

“They sound annoying.” Virgil responded.

“Oh believe me, they’re more than annoying. But let’s not dwell on those hateful, judgemental beings. Let’s focus on our next location. We’re headed for the Forest of Woes.” Asren said.

Virgil abruptly stopped walking. He felt as if there were rocks in his stomach at the thought of such a terrifying place.

“Wait, you can’t be serious!” He exclaimed.

“Of course I am! It’s the quickest route. We’re only a mile out.” Asren replied.

Asren stopped walking as well, turning to his acquaintance, “No need to be scared with me by your side.”

“You just drained two people’s lives.” Virgil pointed out.

“Exactly. I’m more than qualified to protect you. I’m an angel, my dear Virgil.” Asren responded.

“Stop calling me that!” Virgil exclaimed.

“Aw, but you have such a cute reaction…” Asren teased.

“No, we’re not getting off topic! You’re acting like the Forest of Woes is no big deal. But that place is full of terrifying monsters and terrifying plants! Can’t we go around?” Virgil protested, his voice laced with a mix of fear and anger.

“Nope. Unless you want another two weeks added to our journey.” Asren replied.

Virgil scoffed, “There’s a being in there that can kill immortals with a single touch.”

Asren’s eyes widened for a moment, a look of panic crossing his face before he steeled himself. He’d never even had to think about death before. And now it was a possibility. The thought terrified him. But he forced a calm expression.

“And I’m the most powerful morlak in history. I can protect us. But we have to do this.” Asren responded.

Virgil sighed, “You’re right. I have to save my father, and you have to do… whatever it is you’re hoping for.”

“I’m going to restore my wings.” Asren stated.

They continued walking for a bit, before the blue sun began to set. The sky was painted hues of bright rose pink and cool magenta, the moisture causing gold-lined clouds. The shadows shone hues of deep purple as the sky darkened to deep indigo. Asren ate dinner, then they lay down. Strangely, Virgil denied dinner.

Asren and Virgil settled themselves in the grass, laying side by side, staring at the night sky as the borealis began to show itself. Vibrant ribbons of cyan, hot pink, and white painted the sky, making the shining moon seem insignificant in its brilliance. Virgil’s pupils dilated slightly at the beauty of the night sky.

“It’s never this beautiful with the lights of the village. This is… truly breathtaking.” Virgil murmured.

Asren nodded, smiling softly.

“It truly is, but it still doesn’t compare to my home. I don’t quite remember it, but the home of the morlaks is on the northern pole, among the rainforest trees. We used to fly to above the treetops and do flight dances every full moon, when the sky was at its most beautiful. Borealis, full moon, beautiful stars…” He spoke with a mix of wistfulness and pain.

Virgil listened to Asren’s description of his home and culture with fascination. Then a question arose in his mind. With a home like that, why did he leave?

“Why would you leave a place as beautiful as that?” Virgil asked.

Asren tensed, and rolled over, facing away from Virgil, “It’s not something I talk about. Ever.”

Virgil felt guilty for asking. Whatever happened, it must have been traumatic. How did the ambush, his lack of wings, and home, all relate?

“I’m sorry…" Virgil murmured.

“It’s whatever. It’s long in the past now…” Asren responded, “but thank you. Goodnight, Virgil.”

“Goodnight, Asren.” Virgil responded.