Archzion Chant

[ translated from the Old Archzion language ]

In life and death, the door of the heavens will open.

Chapter 4

Iklies Orphanage, Sacred Grounds.

Amusement.

I awoke in a well-lit room. For a moment, I forgot where I was. As I got my senses back, the familiar human in the painting I’ve most likely seen before greeted me from across the room. It hung just above the door in the corner of the room. Wherever I tilt my head, the inanimate painting seems to be following me.

Realizing something, I touched my face, relief washing over me as I feel my mask still covering my face. It’d be an absolute disaster if mortals had taken a glimpse of my face, even if it’s just for a moment. It’s similar to when humans take a glimpse to Archangels’ wings—it will not end well.

The wooden door creaked open and I was greeted by familiar blue eyes. Azazel was being carried by another human who I do not really recognize, but I assume she’s also a nun who works here in the orphanage. She’s a lot younger, baring a great resemblance to Sister Maer with her brown eyes and hair slightly darker. Her posture is filled with confidence as she strode in.

“You’re awake.”

I sat up and was immediately pushed back into the fresh white sheets of the bed.

“Ah, ah. No.” The human left me a bit dumbfounded. How dare she touch me? “Crow, sir, you suddenly fainted with a high fever, you’re not okay. I apologize but please remain at rest. You’ve brought enough trouble for today.” The tone of her voice is very uninviting.

I can tell that this human already hates me.

“I apologize,” I settled comfortably into the bed as she gave me the stink eye. I shuffled a bit as Azazel tried to reach for me, but the human turned her away from me. “You have quite the temper, huh?”

She whipped her head around and seemed offended, “Excuse me?” She huffed, shifting Azazel in her arms. Her action made Azazel upset as she groaned with the sudden action. “You’re the one who walked in here early in the morning just to faint.”

I asked, “Isn’t your job as a human is to take care of others?”

I chuckled as my question irritated her more than I had intended to.

“You ungrateful—what do you mean by human? Aren’t you human too? Or maybe you’re the spawn of the devil.” She hates me for no reason. I’m a bit amused.

“Your anger issues is great, dear.” I smiled as I gestured for Azazel—well, tried to. The human went off and she doesn’t appear to notice that Azazel’s eyes are starting to water. “Human, the child—“

“—I’m so mad. Nobles think they can do whatever they want!” She kept going off, until Azazel started crying.

I swiftly took Azazel away from her, using my ability to push myself forward which left a few feathers floating down from where I was at. I gently patted her small back. She was changed into fresh pair of clothing after a warm bath. I can smell the fragrant oil that was used to wash her, and her hair is still a bit wet. “There, there, little human.”

“I…” The angry human blinked, clicking her tongue.

“Aren’t you a nun, little miss?” I asked her, turning around to face her as I comforted the child in my arms. “I’m not going to be surprised if children do not like you.”

Her cheeks flushed red as she huffed, stomping away from the room before slamming the door shut behind her.

Azazel looked at me, pouting as tears continued to pour from her eyes. Her mood transitioned quickly after I took a good look at her. She sniffed a bit before smiling, raising her small hands, inviting me into a hug. I chuckled at her gesture and gave her a good hug as I pat her back.

Not long after that, the door opened, a bit more gentle this time. I perked up as someone familiar walked in, “Sister Maer.” I greeted.

“I’m glad to see that you’re doing better.” The old human came in with a tray of human food in tow, placing it on the small table beside the bed. “But I do advice you to take a good rest. You came down with a nasty fever after you fainted. The doctor of this orphanage is not here yet so I’m not really sure what to give to you.” She folded her arms, baring a worried look on her face, “Also, I apologize on behalf of my niece. She was quite rude to you and your child.”

My child?

“Amber is nice, I assure you. She just doesn’t like to be disturbed early in the morning. As you can tell, she’s not really a morning person.” She chuckled, tucking the stray grey hair that slipped out of her coif away.

“It’s quite alright.” I told her, propping Azazel in a more comfortable position as her arms wrap gently around my neck. As I did that, I noticed a small crack appear on my glove, small amount of smoke and soot seeping out of it. I narrowed my eyes and put my hand in my pocket, now supporting Azazel with my one free hand.

I turned to Sister Maer and sighed, “I don’t actually have enough time to stay. I’ve inconvenienced everyone here enough.”

“Oh no, that’s too bad.” She seemed quite sad. Her face suddenly lit up once more after an idea popped in her mind, “How about I give you a short tour of the orphanage? I promise I’ll make it super short!”

“I…” Azazel suddenly took a glance at me and smiled. With that face, I cannot refuse. “Just for a bit.” I told her.

“Great!”

The old, much nicer human, lead me around the orphanage, which I later learned is called the Iklies Orphanage. I learned that it was founded by the House of Iklies, specifically the person in the several paintings dotted around the place whom they call Mother Tes of House Iklies. She was believed to be their god’s prophet who was blessed to save humans from the first war that had happened many decades ago.

This Mother Tes then gathered other people to help her build an orphanage in the main cities of the Higher City, later branching into the Lower City as the land of Sacred Grounds grew larger. She saved many lives and have raised many children who are not her own.

The orphanages in Illumi are just about identical to each other, so it actually makes sense that the orphanage here in the Lower City looks out of place. It gets its funds from donations across the kingdom, which is surprisingly large. I assume the reason many donates to orphanages or other sort of charities is because they want to redeem themselves from what they have done.

Oh, only if they knew that it’s not really going to do anything. Once you’ve sinned, immortal or not, that’s it. There’s no such thing as redeeming yourself. There’s no going back.

Quite brutal, right?

“And this is where the children play.” Sister Maer gestured towards the open courtyard that can be seen through the paned windows. “It’s close to their sleeping quarters, but like I said earlier, Azazel will be taken care of in another room with children her age.” She smiled, looking at the children playing in the courtyard, “It’s a shame you cannot meet the others, as well as the children. I’ve kept you long enough, I hope I hadn’t taken up much of your time.”

“It’s alright,” I assured her. She’s been apologizing for several times now. “I’m actually thankful. You took care of me as I fainted, and now you’re taking in Azazel. I have to repay you later when I can.”

Sister Maer perked up and immediately shook her head, “No, no, you do not have to do that.” Her eyebrows furrowed, “If you can visit once in a while, that’ll be enough. Well, I mean, if it’s alright for you to visit.” She scratched her head, looking away as her chuckle died down.

I had already planned to visit the orphanage once in a while. There’s no telling what dangers could come at the presence of Azazel and myself here. I’m already putting innocent lives on the line by hiding a human whose soul is supposed to be collected here. The least I could do is to protect this vicinity from any danger that could appear.

“I already planned for that, do not worry, Sister Maer.” I assured her as we started walking back to the greeting room.

“That’s lovely, Sir Crow. Thank you very much.” She smiled.

We continued to chat until we finally reached the doorstep. Azazel’s arms were still wrapped around me until I patted her to let go of me. She obliged and reached for Sister Maer when I gave her to her. She suckled on her thumb as she looked at me with her wondrous eyes.

“This is goodbye, little one.” I caressed her cheeks before looking at Sister Maer, “Until next time, Sister Maer. I’m very thankful that I have met you. Thank you for taking care of my mortal body while I was unconscious.”

“It’s alright. I was only doing what I pledged to do.” She smiled before looking at the child in her arms. “Say goodbye to your father, Azazel.”

“I’m not…” I sighed, before chuckling, “You know what, yeah,” I waved my hand and a feather appeared in my palms. I held it in front of Azazel who is, apparently, my child now, and she gladly took it. “Take care of that, okay?” The child simply chuckled. “Goodbye.”

The soles of my shoes tapped down the street as I walked away from the orphanage. I quickly turned to an alley and ran swiftly to where no mortal could see me. I took out the hand I’d been hiding for a while and noticed that the crack grew up to my arm. It wasn’t really noticeable as my suit has a dark color.

The clothing has become brittle to the touch so, I let it slowly crumble, revealing my true appearance under the mortal skin. It seems like whatever happened to me earlier caused my ability to disguise as a mortal to be not as effective as it should be.

Had I stayed in the orphanage a bit longer, I would’ve disappeared from their sight without a trace as humans who’ve come to an older age cannot perceive heavenly bodies unless we willingly appear before them. This is one of the reasons why children with wondrous minds could see us, so I wasn’t surprised when Azazel first saw me.

It’s not really a new experience.

As the final pieces of the mortal skin crumbled and reduced into ash and soot, I waved my hand, making my book of records appear before me. I laid it on the ground, the markings on the cover lighting up from one end to another as I speak of the ancient language to open up the link of realms.

“Iリ ꖎ╎⎓ᒷ ᔑリ↸ ↸ᒷᔑℸ ̣ ⍑, ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ↸𝙹𝙹∷ 𝙹⎓ ℸ ̣ ⍑ᒷ ⍑ᒷᔑ⍊ᒷリᓭ ∴╎ꖎꖎ 𝙹!¡ᒷリ.”

I sighed before stepping in, “This is it.”