After spending some time over at the river, the sun started to come down. Darkness was slowly creeping in and so the trio of friends decided to call it a day and ride back to Elysium.
As they were riding back, Emilia could not help but say out loud what was in everyone's mind, "I can't believe that arcones are a possibility," her voice was serious with a hint of worry. No matter how much she told herself that everything would be okay and that the existence of arcones was still not a fact her heart could not find peace. All her life she had hoped to embark on an adventure, to fight evil just like her father, but now that this possibility was closer to her reality her soul was confused. Was she ready? Was she worthy? All these questions plagued her mind and as much as she tried, she could not shake of her insecurities.
"I know, me neither," Clementine responded in an almost whisper. She was riding with Azael and as the thought of arcones invaded her mind she felt a sharp tingle going up her spine. She tightened her hold and him as if this was going to keep that reality away from their peaceful world.
Azael noticed how Clementine's grip on him got stronger and as much as he wanted to reassure her and tell her not to worry this was something that he could not do. He needed her to be prepare, to be ready for the worst-case scenario. Clementine was his life, there was no one more important or more valuable to him then her and because of this he wanted her to be aware of the possibilities and what the variable known as arcones could bring to their life.
All he could do was caress her hands that were gripping his waist in the most tender way possible. Thru his cares he wanted to let her know that he loved her and that no matter what, he was going to be next to her, protecting her and fighting side by side.
"Well, we'll find out soon. I'm sure that if or whoever is behind a this will show themselves soon enough." Azael said finishing his sentence by turning sideways and planting a kiss on Clementine's forehead. This tender action brought warmth to Clementine's uneasy heart and gave her hope that even if they were to go thru war they would come out triumphally because they had each other.
"I'm sorry Azael. I hope you don't take what I am about to say the wrong way, but I find it hard to believe that there are any angels out there who are willing to take any part on this." Emilia expressed her opinion, because she grew up in an environment where everyone respected the balance and the peace treaty. But this comment was an example of the inexperience and youth that still reign in her heart.
"You mean as opposed to demons, who are scheming, vile creatures?" Azael said in a very serious tone almost taking offence that his kind was being categorize as such. Let us not forget that Azael is a demon thru and thru, but just like Emilia and Clementine the fight for power between evil and good was nothing but an urban legend to him. He only knows of stories that he heard from his nurse but has no real recollection and or experience about this, and although he took no offence at Emilia's comment, he was not ready to let her off to easily. So, in an ever to serious tone that hinted of being offended Azael emphasized, "Demons just like me?"
"Well, I didn't mean it in such a harsh way, AND I did say to not take offense, but well ultimately yes, I mean angels are," Emilia sounded apologetic, but also matter of fact. She meant no offence for her friend but there was no way she could wrap her mind around the idea that angels would create a truce with demon.
Azael noticed that Emilia was nervous. She was actually thinking that she had offended him. Her mumbling was a win for him, and he decided to take it to the next level but given her a pained look and then looking away. His chin up and high with distinction. How dare she offend him. Has his kind not done enough to prove that they are as worthy as angels?
Emilia never thought that Azael would take it this far. She honestly would have never guessed in a million years that he was going to me offended. She stopped her horse and looked at Azael. However, he refused to make eye contact and just continued riding forward. Emilia was shocked and raised her eyebrows at Clementine who was just as shocked as her. Azael had never been this sensitive or taken anything this personal. And just when Clementine was about to speak up and try to get them to talk a pearl of laughter exploded from Azael. He turned his horse around and simply started laughing it up pointing at Emilia who was in a state of shock and confusion.
Clementine soon understood what had happened. Azael played them and all she could do was roll her eyes, these two had this never-ending bantering war/ game/ contest going on between them and it was so exhausting to keep track of it.
"You! You actually got me worry thinking that I took my words to far," Emilia gritted her teeth and spume with anger and frustration.
Azael for his part could not stop laughing. "You should have seen your face: priceless"
"Azael, please, it is not the time" Clementine had to mediate as always otherwise this was going to take forever and it was getting late.
"Okay, okay," Azael took a deep breath and exhaled but more laughter came out.
"Azael, I mean it," Clementine had had enough from the both of them for today.
"Okay, give me a minute," he breath in and out, in and out for a few seconds until his chicky smile returned to be plaster on his face.
"Sorry, sorry but come on it was your fault. You presented the opportunity." Azael was sure that if the opportunity had been reverse Emilia would have done the same or worst.
"You know what, I changed my mind. I THINK I will go ahead and speak to my father about all this arcones deal." Emilia was not having it and she knew very well how to threaten her friend and make him suffer.
"No, no, "Azael's face quickly turned as he started pleading for his cause, "Sorry, what I.. I'll stop. Please you promised you would not talk to him. You can't go back on your word."
Azael went back to his child mode as he realized he had once again lost.
"Let's just continue the ride and we'll see if I decide to keep my promise or not," Emilia said this while she started riding her horse leaving both her friends behind.
For his part Azael exhaled out in relieve. He knew that he had almost messed things up, and he forever was going to be known as a noisy person.
The ride was a quiet one for a while. Azael didn't want to risk speaking and ruining things, however, there was something that he wanted to comment about. He knew that Emilia had made a good point, but still he wanted to make his own argument. Taking a leap of fate in an ever-serious tone without taking his eyes from the path ahead Azael spoke, "Emilia I know what you mean about demons and our reputation, however, dear Emilia don't forget that even the devil was once an Angel and we demons are descendants of angels who you hold in such high esteem."
Emilia was amazed by his words. This was common knowledge but hearing him voice it out send chills down her spine. He was right and at that moment she understood that angels are capable of being deceitful creatures who can betray the absolute law.
"When you put it that way than I guess arcones are a possibility." Emilia could do nothing but agree. He made an excellent point, and she was not so stubborn to fight him when he was obviously right.
"Okay, stop!" You guys need to stop talking about this. Nothing has been proven and we can't just let our existence revolve around this topic." Clementine was fed up and scared.
"You are right my love," Azael interwind his free hand with Clementine's showing her that he knew how she felt, and he was there for her.
"Of course, I am right. I am always right." Clementine tried to sound tough and playful to change the dark atmosphere that had been following them all afternoon.
"Conceded much?" Emilia smirked and commented
But the ever-playful Azael was always ready to respond back in defense of his lady love, "My love has the right to be conceded because she is right. She is ALWAYS right." Azael said in an ever so proud tone.
"Azael, stop. No Matter how much you praise her, today you will not get lucky." Emilia blurted out in a playful tone while winking at her friends.
Clementine for her part could feel her face burning up. "Earth please eat me now" was the thought crossing her mind.
"Emilia!" She threw a fierce look at her friend.
"What?" Emilia acted nonchalant and simply stated "I'm right because tonight you are staying with me at Elysium."
Clementine was not having it, "You know what I mean. The way you say things, you make it sound as if we…"
And before she could complete her sentence, she was caught off by Emilia's impatient comment, "And you haven't?"
"No! Emilia, stop!" Clementine whole face turned bright red as a tomato She was burning from embarrassment and was hoping that the day would come when she would get her friend back, nut for now she would settle if the earth would open and swallow her whole.
Azael for his part was left speechless. For the first time in his life, he decided to stay quiet and not contribute to the conversation. This was really unlike him, but he knew that if he wanted to evade Clementine's wrath, he had to control his smart comment attitude and let it go, but oh how was Emilia tempting him and just like Clementine he knew that the day would come when he would get his sweet revenge from her.
Emilia burst into laughter. She always liked to give them a hard time about this subject. She knew that her friends had still not cross that line, but it was always fun to tease them.
"Okay, I'm sorry. I'll stop otherwise your face will definitely explode." Emilia said directing her attention to Clementine.
For the remaining of the short ride Clementine kept hiding behind Azael's broad back. She knew in her heart that there will never be another with whom she would want to share her most intimate moment with, other than Azael, but she felt that she was still not ready. Every day she was beyond grateful that despite Azael's teasing and carefree attitude he understood and respected her decision to wait, but she also knew that the wait was nearing the end. Her love for him consumed her and this flame that kept growing in her heart was close to overcoming her whole being.