A kaleidoscopic blur resolved, spitting Aaron unceremoniously onto cobblestones slick with an otherworldly luminescence. He'd expected the familiar grit of the alleyway, not this dreamscape where impossible colors bled into one another and gravity seemed to hold a whimsical grudge
. Blinking away the afterimages, he found himself staring, not at the grimy brick he knew, but at impossibly tall structures that scraped the swirling nebula above. Panic clawed at his throat, cold and sharp. Had he miscalculated the coordinates? No, he wouldn't make such a rookie mistake. So, teleported. By whom?
As if summoned by his unspoken question, a figure materialized from the swirling mist. White hair, the color of freshly fallen snow, cascaded down her back, framing eyes that held the vastness of a starlit sky.
An aura of power clung to her like a diaphanous cloak, whispering of ancient magic and untold wisdom. Yet, the moment she spoke, the illusion of divinity shattered.
"Aaron! You scared the stars out of me! Are you hurt?" Her voice, surprisingly youthful, held a tremor of genuine concern. She reached out, pinching his cheek with surprising force.
The gesture, so mundane, so...Sister-like sent a jolt through him. This celestial being, this embodiment of otherworldly power, fussed over him like a worried older sister.
Relief washed over Aaron as the figure solidified into Abi, his ever-watchful, white-haired companion. A familiar warmth spread through him as he hugged her back, muttering, "It's me, Abi. Just fine, no need to fuss."
"Scared the stars out of me, you did!" Abi scolded, her grip tightening momentarily. "Checked back, and poof! No Aaron. Thought... well, nevermind." Her voice softened, revealing a sliver of genuine worry beneath the feigned sternness.
"Job done," Aaron offered simply, trying to lighten the mood. Yet, under her intense gaze, he felt exposed, as if she peered into his very soul. A talent she possessed, one he'd grown accustomed to, yet never truly comfortable with.
"Safe...?" she murmured, burying her face in his chest. He braced himself for the inevitable interrogation about the three new souls he'd claimed, a violation of her one rule. But to his surprise, her focus remained solely on him, her concern echoing in the gentle rise and fall of her chest.
Suddenly, a flicker of steel entered her sapphire eyes. For a heartbeat, they pulsed with an otherworldly light, her voice turning ice-cold. "If you..." she started, her tone a stark contrast to the warmth moments ago, "...step out of line..."
"Huh?" Aaron stammered, bewildered. Just as quickly, the glint in her eyes vanished, replaced by her usual smile as she tightened her embrace.
The sudden shift unsettled him. Who was she talking to? And why, despite her affection, did a tremor of fear always linger beneath the surface whenever she was near? Abi remained an enigma, her true nature shrouded in secrecy, leaving Aaron perpetually off-balance. Yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that the answer to his questions, and perhaps even his fate, lay hidden within the depths of her mysterious blue eyes.
'
The tension hung heavy in the air as Aaron's words echoed. "Two souls," he stated, his voice surprisingly steady despite the turmoil churning within him. He produced two glowing vials, their emerald light casting an eerie glow on their faces. "I need you to... purify them."
Abi held out a hand, her smile unwavering as she took the vials, the luminescence dancing in her eyes. "Of course, my little marshmallow," she cooed, the nickname grating on his nerves today. "Anything for you."
Aaron couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Speaking of that," he began, his words carefully measured. "Is that why you gave me the name Marshall?"
Abi tilted her head, her smile turning cryptic. "Does it not fit you?" she chuckled, a melodious sound that sent shivers down his spine, not necessarily pleasant ones. "Nice and sweet, just like a marshmallow."
Aaron scoffed, a humorless sound. "I doubt many would agree with that assessment." He met her gaze, searching for a truth beyond the surface, but there was only amusement sparkling in those blue depths.
A wry smile tugged at Aaron's lips as he looked up at Abi. To an outside observer, they might be mistaken for a simple couple, oblivious to the weight of their situation. The celestial being responsible for the fate of countless souls, currently squeezing the life out of him with an affectionate hug. Regret? Not a chance.
Her touch, though firm, held a warmth that soothed his anxieties. She was his protector, a shield against entities that threatened the very fabric of existence. Even with his advanced suit, against some foes, he was a gnat against a hurricane. But Abi, she was a storm herself, a benevolent tempest keeping him safe.
Perhaps that's why she fussed over him so much. He was, after all, her "little marshmallow," a guardian angel's cherished charge. The nickname, once irritating, now felt oddly endearing, a reminder of the affection beneath her celestial power.
Suddenly, a playful pout marred Abi's beautiful features. "Dummy," she chimed, her voice laced with mock annoyance. "Thinking about me again? Can't a celestial get a moment of peace?"
Aaron chuckled, the sound tinged with exasperation. "Privacy is a foreign concept to you, isn't it?" he teased, knowing full well she could hear the amusement in his voice.
"Privacy?" Abi's eyes twinkled mischievously. "What's that? A new dessert flavor?"
A smile played on Aaron's lips as he produced a small package from his suit's hidden compartment. "Thought you might be getting hangry, Celestial one," he teased, watching Abi's eyes widen with unbridled excitement. It was always amusing to see the most powerful being he knew reduced to the state of a child anticipating candy. Even with her immense power, she held a childlike innocence that drew him in, making her the only celestial he truly trusted.
His initial encounters with these "divine pigeons" had been disastrous, leaving him bitter and cynical. Despite their supposed benevolence, he saw them as aloof, self-righteous beings, demanding respect without earning it. Their power never impressed him, merely solidified his perception of them as glorified bystanders. He treated them with a coldness bordering on disrespect, a defiance they probably dismissed as a mere mortal's folly.
But Abi... Abi was different. He saw a genuine warmth in her gaze, a concern that transcended her celestial role. Her playful personality and unwavering loyalty had chipped away at his cynicism, allowing him to trust her in a way he never thought possible. With her, he could be both warrior and marshmallow, protector and protected.
"You didn't have to do that," Abi chirped, taking the package with reverence. The excitement in her voice, however, didn't fool him. He knew she savored these small gestures, these glimpses of normalcy in their extraordinary world.
As she unwrapped the package, her eyes sparkled with delight. It was a simple assortment of earthly sweets, a far cry from the celestial ambrosia he imagined she feasted on.
A playful whine escaped Abi's lips, her sapphire eyes pleading like a puppy's. "Feed me, my little marshmallow," she pouted, her celestial aura momentarily dimmed by the hunger for those earthly sweets. Aaron couldn't help but chuckle, the sight of this powerful being reduced to a child begging for treats was both disarming and endearing.
He carefully unwrapped the package, revealing an assortment of colorful candies and fluffy pastries. Abi's eyes widened with childlike wonder, each treat sparking a miniature fireworks display of excitement within them. He selected a delicate pastry, its pink frosting gleaming like a miniature sunset.
Gently, he brought it to her lips, and her face transformed into a picture of pure, unadulterated joy. As she took a bite, her eyes squeezed shut, a blissful sigh escaping her lips. It was as if she were tasting the essence of happiness, every morsel savored with an innocence that melted away any lingering cynicism Aaron might have held.
He continued feeding her, each bite creating a symphony of delight. Her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk's, her fingers stained with crumbs like a child caught in the act of sweet thievery. The celestial who could shake the foundations of reality giggled with unrestrained glee, her laughter like tinkling bells echoing through their haven.
With each mouthful, a wall between them seemed to crumble. He saw not a celestial being of immense power, but a girl reveling in the simplest pleasures. Her celestial glow seemed to soften, replaced by a warm, almost human luminescence. In that moment, she wasn't Abi, the guardian, but Abigail, a friend sharing a stolen moment of joy.
As the last crumb disappeared, a contented sigh escaped Abi's lips. A contented, slightly sticky sigh. She leaned back, a blissful smile gracing her features. "Thank you, my little marshmallow," she whispered, her voice soft and filled with genuine gratitude.
A bittersweet pang tugged at Aaron's heart as Abi spoke. "It's about time my little marshmallow leaves," she said, her voice tinged with playful sadness. He knew their stolen moment couldn't last forever, duty beckoned them both.
"Yeah," he agreed, a touch of melancholy in his voice. "But before I go, consider this a peace offering." He produced a small, ornately wrapped box. "Next time, sakura mochi, straight from the source."
Abi's eyes sparkled with delight. "You can really read my mind," she teased, a playful smile dancing on her lips.
Aaron chuckled, the tension easing. "Maybe your celestial thoughts aren't as guarded as you think, my dear guardian angel." He pulled her into a warm embrace, savoring the familiar comfort of her presence.
"Promise me, Aaron," she whispered, her voice serious now. "Promise you'll try your best to avoid taking lives. Remember, every soul carries a story, a universe within itself."
He held her gaze, the weight of her words settling on him. Taking a life, even when necessary, never sat well with him. Abi knew this, understood the turmoil it caused within him.
"I promise," he said, his voice firm, despite the pang in his chest. He knew making such a pledge wouldn't be easy, but for her, for the flicker of hope she represented, he would try.
With a lingering kiss to his forehead, a gesture as light as a feather yet heavy with emotion, Abi released him. He turned, taking one last look at her luminous form before stepping through the swirling portal, back into the world of shadows and secrets.
"Should I tell him that she found him" She thought to herself for a bit before sighing saying.
"He can handle it"